Cloning and characterisation of the ahpA gene of Pasteurella multocida serogroup b:2 (strain P52): short communication

Pasteurella multocida B:2 is responsible for haemorrhagic septicaemia in cattle and buffaloes, causing severe economic losses in the developing countries. In the present study, the ahpA gene of P. multocida B:2 (P52) was cloned, sequenced and compared with the previously reported ahpA gene sequence in P. multocida A:1, which is responsible for its haemolytic phenotype. E. coli DH5a cells were further transformed with recombinant plasmid carrying the ahpA gene from P. multocida B:2 (P52) but SDS-PAGE analysis failed to show the expression of haemolysin protein. Slight haemolysis was albeit observed in horse blood agar plates streaked with recombinant E. coli carrying the ahpA gene. Our study indicates that there is 99.6% similarity and 0.4% divergence between ahpA gene of P. multocida B:2 (P52) and P. multocida A: 1, while membrane topology analysis has predicted that ahpA is an inner membrane protein with two strong hydrophobic regions at the N and C terminals. The presence of significant homology in ahpA sequence in A: 1 and B:2 perhaps suggests a common mechanism of pathogenesis in different species of animals.     

Active root distribution pattern of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Hevea brasiliensis</Emphasis> determined by radioassay of latex serum

The active root distribution pattern of mature rubber (Hevea brasiliensis Muell. Arg.) up to a lateral distance of 250 cm from the tree and to a soil depth of 90 cm was studied in an oxisol by employing ³²P soil injection technique in Kerala, the state which accounts for 83% of rubber cultivation in India. The trees were aged 18 years and grown at a spacing of 4.9 × 4.9 m. The extent of absorption of applied ³²P by the tree from various placements was assessed by radio assay of leaf and latex serum. Latex serum registered higher counts and variability was less compared to leaf indicating the suitability of latex serum as a potential source for radio assay for ³²P studies in rubber. The results revealed that rubber is a surface feeder with 55% of the root activity confining to the top 10 cm of soil layer. Root activity declined with increasing depths and the concentration of physiologically active roots at 90 cm depth was only 6%. A more or less uniform distribution of root activity was noticed with respect to lateral distance indicating more extensive spread of lateral roots. Concentration of physiologically active roots in the surface layer suggests the possibility for competition under intercropped situation in mature plantations.     

Location choices of undocumented migrants: Does access to higher public education matter?

We examine the impact of differences in state‐level higher education policies on location choices of undocumented immigrants in the U.S. using six years of available data over the period 2000 to 2012. The effect of greater access to higher education on the percentage of undocumented migrants residing in a state is positive, suggesting the existence of a “higher public education magnet” effect. Among states with favorable higher education policies, undocumented migrants prefer those states with larger networks, despite the likelihood of greater competition for admission to public institutions of higher education. However, undocumented migrants are reluctant to locate in states that have both large networks and unfavorable educational policies. This is possibly because the fear of attracting additional restrictive regulations dominates the positive cost‐saving effect of large networks.     

Genetic variation and phylogenetic relationships among Indian Citrus taxa revealed by DAMD-PCR markers

Genetic variation and phylogenetic relationships among 50 wild and cultivated accessions of 19 Indian Citrus genotypes were examined through comparison of Directed Amplification of Minisatellite DNA (DAMD) markers and morphological characters. DAMD-PCR analysis with four primers resulted in amplification of a total of 45 bands, of which 35 (78 %) were polymorphic. Morphometric evaluation using 76 morphological characters showed high level of variability ranging from 0.18 to 1.00 (avg 0.39), whereas the Jaccard’s coefficient values of genetic similarity calculated from DAMD data ranged from 0.41 to 1.00 (avg 0.68), indicating moderate genetic divergence among the accessions studied. UPGMA dendrograms generated separately from morphometric and DAMD data segregated all the accessions of Citrus into four main clusters, each containing a true basic species and their probable hybrids. The grouping of individual accessions/genotypes under respective species or cultivars in DAMD dendrogram was based purely on their genetic relationships rather than geographical origin. There was no absolute congruence between the data and dendrograms generated from morphometric and DAMD analyses. The study demonstrates the resolving power of DAMD markers for discrimination of individual genotypes of Citrus under its respective species, hybrid or cultivar groups and inferring their genetic and phylogenetic relationships as well. This is the first report on application of DAMD markers in Citrus.     

Hemagglutinins in vegetative tissues of Bengal gram

Hemagglutinating activity was identified in the roots and vegetative tissues of Bengal gram using rabbit erythrocytes. The activity in the roots appears to be similar to that of the seeds in respect to their sugar inhibition property. Seed and root extracts were found to have fetuin inhibitory agglutinating activity, whereas cotyledons showed different sugar specificity. However, 7-day cotyledons and roots from 3 and 7-day plants were also found to have galactose and N-acetyl-D-galactosamine inhibitory activity. Protein profile in different tissues during their developmental stages was analyzed by SDS-PAGE. A major band at 66 kDa was common to all tissues at different stages of their development except 3-day cotyledons where 2 major bands at 22 kDa and 74 kDa were observed. Two prominent bands at 74 kDa and 86 kDa were found along with 60 kDa protein in 3-day old roots whereas a major band at 33 kDa was found in 15-day old roots. Total protein content and specific activity of hemagglutinin were measured. Increase in specific activity with lower protein content was observed in cotyledons of 15-day old plant. Specific activity was eight times higher in the roots and four times more in leaf tissues of 7-day old plants in comparison to 15-day old plants. Stems also showed a significant increase of specific activity (p = 0.013) in 7-day old plants without any significant alteration in the protein content.     

Effect of processing on protein digestibility,biological value and net protein utilization of millet and legume based infant mixes and biscuits

Effect of combinations of millet and legume and processing on digestibility, biological value and net protein utilization was evaluated using albino rats. The millets and legumes selected for the study include sorghum, pearl millet, finger millet, chickpea and green gram (P radiatus). The processes tested include dehulling, boiling, roasting, malting and baking. Among the combinations tested, the sorghum-chickpea combination had significantly (p<0.05) higher digestibility. Between the processes tested, roasting resulted in significantly higher net protein utilization. Results of biological study on biscuits prepared by using millet and legume combination flours, indicated the biscuits to be of good protein quality.     

The effect of algal protein diets on the regeneration of serum and liver proteins in protein depleted rats

The protein quality of algaeSpirulina platensis was evaluated biochemically in adult albino rats by serum protein regeneration studies. Rats depleted for 12 days were repleted for 15 days with diets containing 10% protein derived from algae, methionine supplemented algae, or casein. On protein depletion, the activity of the hepatic enzymes, succinic dehydrogenase and alanine aminotransferase, were lowered while the activity of alkaline phosphatase increased. Protein repletion with algal and casein diets resulted in an increased activity of succinic dehydrogenase and alanine amino transferase and a decrease in alkaline phosphatase activity. However, the levels of these three enzymes were lower with the algal than with the casein diets. Algal diets regenerated serum protein effectively though to a slightly lesser extent than casein.     

Adoption potential of fruit-tree-based agroforestry on small farms in the subtropical highlands

Worldwide, fruit-tree-based agroforestry systems have been only modestly studied, although they are common on smallholder farms. Such systems based on apple (Malus spp.), peach (Prunus spp.), and pear (Pyrus spp.) are common in northwest Guatemala as low intensity homegardens and are known to increase total farm productivity in communities where farm size is a limiting factor. This study investigated the potential for adoption of fruit-tree-based agroforestry by resource-limited farmers using ethnographic investigation and linear programming simulations of farm activities at the household level. Two communities with differing demographics, infrastructure, and access to regional markets were selected based on the presence of extensive fruit-tree-based agroforestry. The influences of family size, land holdings, and tree and crop yields on the optimal adoption levels of fruit trees were evaluated through a comparative study of the varying social and physical infrastructure present in the two communities. Fruit-tree-based agroforestry was potentially more attractive to relatively prosperous families or those with larger land holdings. Improvements in fruit-tree productivity and interspecies competition were of greater importance where family land holdings were smaller. The inability of families to produce sufficient food to meet annual needs, poor fruit quality, and lack of market infrastructure were identified as constraints that limit adoption. The complementarity of production with the dominant maize (Zea mays) crop, home consumption of fruit, and the potential to generate additional cash on limited land holdings were identified as factors promoting adoption of fruit-tree-based agroforestry.     

Insecticidal, antifeedant and oviposition deterrent effects of the essential oil and individual compounds from leaves of Chloroxylon swietenia DC

Essential oil from the leaves of Chloroxylon swietenia DC. was obtained by hydrodistillation and cold extraction, and the chemical composition was determined by gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The major identified components were limonene, geijerene, pregeijerene, germacrene D and trans-beta-ocimene. Laboratory bioassays of the essential oil and four constituents of essential oil isolates were evaluated for insecticidal, antifeedant and oviposition deterrent effects on tobacco cutworm, Spodoptera litura (F.). Toxicity was determined by topical application of the isolates at varying concentrations. Pure oil, geijerene and pregeijerene were found to be more toxic, with LD50 values of 28.6, 35.4 and 40.7 microg per larva respectively. Maximum feeding deterrence was noted for geijerene and pregeijerene, with DC(50) values of 82.5 and 95.1 microg cm(-2) respectively. Furthermore, pure oil, geijerene and pregeijerene displayed oviposition deterrence, even at low concentrations. These results indicate that these natural products may lead to useful, biodegradable, environmentally safe insect control agents.