Neospora-like protozoal infections associated with bovine abortions

Eighty bovine fetuses with presumed protozoal infections from a previous 2-year retrospective study were examined by immunohistochemistry using antisera against Neospora caninum. In 66 (83%) of the fetuses, protozoa were found that reacted positively with anti-N. caninum sera. In three (4%) additional fetuses, protozoa identified as Sarcocystis species did not react, and in two fetuses (3%) single protozoal clusters were found only in hematoxylin and eosin-stained slides. A group of 20 fetuses were chosen for further evaluation. They included 14 fetuses from the first group of 80 fetuses plus six additional fetuses that had large numbers of protozoa in the fetal brain. The 20 fetuses were examined immunohistochemically with antisera to N. caninum, Hammondia hammondi, and Toxoplasma gondii. Protozoa from 3/20 fetuses, identified as Sarcocystis species, failed to react with any antisera. In 16/20 fetuses protozoa reacted positively to antisera against N. caninum, and in most cases reacted to H. hammondi, and weakly to one or more of the antisera against T. gondii. Thick-walled protozoal tissue cysts were found in the brain of four of these 16 fetuses by transmission electron microscopy. The cyst wall morphology was comparable to N. caninum. The results suggested that a single protozoal parasite of unknown identity was responsible for most of the bovine abortions. By immunohistochemistry, the unknown protozoon reacted most strongly and consistently to N. caninum antisera, but was antigenically distinct from N. caninum. Ultrastructurally, tissue cysts found in four fetuses most closely resembled Neospora caninum.     

The efficacy of insecticides against the screw-worm fly (Chrysomya bezziana)

A number of insecticides used for ectoparasite control in the livestock industry were screened for their efficacy against larvae of the screw-worm fly, Chrysomya bezziana, using in vivo and laboratory tests. Proprietary screw-worm fly treatments (after exposure to outdoor conditions for up to 10 days) were also tested against eggs and adults of C bezziana. Three of these were also evaluated on naturally acquired screw-worm infestations. Residual protection was generally of short duration. Among the organophosphorus compounds, the most effective formulations contained relatively high concentrations (3 to 4% al) of coumaphos, 2.5% fenchlorphos or low concentrations (0.05 to 0.5% al) of diazinon, chlorfenvinphos and fenthion methyl. Two chlorinated hydrocarbon insecticides containing 3% lindane and 5% dieldrin were very effective but are now prohibited for use in Australia. Preparations had serious deficiencies when used under field conditions, especially for treating large, deepseated myiases for which systemic insecticides are recommended. A comparison of methods demonstrated that a laboratory test could supersede live animal experimentation, at least for the initial screening of potential insecticides.     

Identification of a diverse mini‐core panel of Indian rice germplasm based on genotyping using microsatellite markers

Identification of a small core germplasm set representing the available genetic diversity is essential for its proper evaluation and subsequent utilization in rice improvement programmes. For constituting a small diverse mini‐core panel of Indian rice germplasm, a representative set of 6912 accessions drawn based on their geographic origin from the whole rice germplasm collection available in the National Gene Bank was genotyped using 36 microsatellite markers. Automated fragment analysis of amplicons yielded a total of 435 alleles, with an average 12.4 and range of 3–29 alleles per locus. Polymorphism information content (PIC) ranged from 0.08 (RGNMS190) to 0.86 (RM552) with an average of 0.528. Based on genotyping data, a mini‐core consisting of 98 genotypes was identified. Ninety‐four per cent of the alleles present in the core set were present in the mini‐core. The identified small but diverse panel will be useful for further intensive trait‐specific evaluation and utilization in allele mining.     

Comparative Earth History and Late Permian Mass Extinction

The repeated association during the late Neoproterozoic Era of large carbon-isotopic excursions, continental glaciation, and stratigraphically anomalous carbonate precipitation provides a framework for interpreting the reprise of these conditions on the Late Permian Earth. A paleoceanographic model that was developed to explain these stratigraphically linked phenomena suggests that the overturn of anoxic deep oceans during the Late Permian introduced high concentrations of carbon dioxide into surficial environments. The predicted physiological and climatic consequences for marine and terrestrial organisms are in good accord with the observed timing and selectivity of Late Permian mass extinction.     

A High-Temperature Electrical Conduction Mechanism in the Lower Mantle Phase (Mg,Fe)1-xO

Measurements of electrical conductivity at high pressure and temperature were taken on the lower mantle phase magnesiowustite with varying Fe3+ content. Although previous measurements at atmospheric pressure suggest Fe2+-Fe3+ hopping (small polaron) as the dominant conductivity mechanism, the present experiments show a change in charge transport mechanism with temperature. The lower temperature measurements are consistent with small polaron conduction, but at higher temperatures, which are more applicable to the lower mantle, a large polaron mechanism is suggested. Because these mechanisms have different temperature and compositional dependencies, this transition has important implications for extrapolation to mantle conditions.     

Integration of soil application and seed treatment formulations of Trichoderma species for management of wet root rot of mungbean caused by Rhizoctonia solani

BACKGROUND: The efficacy of seed dressing and soil application formulations from the isolates of Trichoderma viride (IARI P1; MTCC 5369), T. virens (IARI P3; MTCC 5370) and T. harzianum (IARI P4; MTCC 5371) were evaluated individually and in combination in pot and field experiments during the rainy seasons of 2005, 2006 and 2007 for the management of wet root rot (Rhizoctonia solani) and improvement in the yield of mungbean. RESULTS: A seed dressing formulation, Pusa 5SD, and soil application formulations, Pusa Biogranule 6 (PBG 6) and Pusa Biopellet 16G (PBP 16G), based on Trichoderma virens, were found to be superior to other formulations in reducing disease incidence and increasing seed germination and shoot and root lengths in mungbean. In field experiments, a combination of soil application with PBP 16G (T. virens) and seed treatment with Pusa 5SD (T. virens) + carboxin was superior to any of these formulations individually in increasing seed germination, shoot and root lengths and grain yield and reducing wet root rot incidence in mungbean. Seed treatment was more effective than soil application for all the evaluated parameters. The combined application of Pusa 5SD and carboxin was also superior to individual treatment. CONCLUSION: The efficacy of the evaluated formulations against wet root rot of mungbean proved that the integration of soil application of PBP 16G and seed treatment with Pusa 5SD + carboxin is highly effective for the management of wet root rot, increasing plant growth and grain yield of mungbean Copyright © 2011 Society of Chemical Industry     

Explanations for the differential response of certain tropical tree species to SO2 under field conditions

Four different tree species, Zizyphus mauritiana, Syzygium cumini, Azadirachta indica and Mangifera indica were analyzed for stomatal conductances, sulphate, protein, superoxide dismutase and peroxidase activities for one complete year in an ambient environment with SO₂ concentrations ranging between 90 to 10 ug m^?3. The low conductances, declined protein content and enhanced sulphate content, superoxide dismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) activities were the general responses exhibited by these species when compared with to the reference site. The pattern of the results indicate that plants under SO₂ stress develop an ability to detoxify the phytotoxicity by undergoing certain biochemical changes. Plants which posses high intitial POD activities coupled with greatly enhanced SOD activity (Z. mauritiana) or plants which can enhance both POD and SOD activities (S. cumini) were more tolerant/least affected than that of A. indica and M. indica.     

Follow-up of mercury levels in fish,human hair and urine in the Madeira and Tapajós basins,Amazon, Brazil

Informal economy of gold mining has contaminated some important river basins in Amazon. Follow-up studies on critical compartments showed some areas with high Hg levels in fish as well as in human hair samples. Average Hg in piscivorous fish in the Madeira river itself was 846 ppb (N=284) with a maximum of 3921 ppb. Mercury in fish from non polluted areas in this basin shows high variability, even for single species. A seasonal variation in Hg content was observed, with higher values at the end of the dry season. In the upper Tapajós basin comparable values were found for fish but with a definite decreasing trend downstream. Average value for piscivorous fish in the whole Tapajós basin is 482 ppb (N=122) with a maximum value of 3770 ppb. Hair Hg was higher in fishing villages in the Tapajós (average: 17 ppm; with N=432 and maximum value of 176 ppm) than in the Madeira (average: 9 ppm; N=169; maximum 71 ppm), and data from some areas of the Tapajós suggest a decrease with time. Mercury was much higher in urine of goldshop workers in Santarém (low Tapajós) than in Alta Floresta (high Tapajbs) and show a decreasing trend in both cases, probably related to the significant decline in gold mining activities during the study period (1986–1994).     

Agricultural injuries in Central India: nature,magnitude, and economic impact

A study was carried out in Madhya Pradesh (Central India) to collect data on injury-causing agricultural incidents during the period 1995-1999. The overall incidence rate was 1.25/1000 workers/year. About 9.2% of the incidents were fatal, and most of the fatal incidents were due to tractors and snakebites (42.9% each). About 77.6% of all incidents were due to farm machinery, 11.8% were due to hand tools, and the remaining 10.6% were due to other sources like snakes, wells, etc. Data on 1,911 incidents reported in 10 leading newspapers published during the five-year period (1995-1999) from different regions of the state were also collected and analyzed, which indicated that only major or roadside agricultural incidents were reported in newspapers. Based on the survey data, it was estimated that in the year 2000 there would have been about 17,480 agricultural incidents in Madhya Pradesh, causing death to about 2,050 workers and injuries to about 16,770 workers, including amputations of limbs, burns, cuts, etc. Total monetary loss due to agricultural injuries in the state of Madhya Pradesh has been estimated as US $27 million/year.