安达曼省藤种源和后代选择对其速生的影响

安达曼省藤是一种大径级藤类，是制作家具的好材料。在印度喀拉拉开展的藤种实验中发现此种有很好的利用前景。因此进行了种源和后代试验，以选择能快速生长并具有理想性状的最好种源。在安达曼和尼科巴群岛海拔300m的地方选择了一块常绿林地区，其降雨量为3000mm。在该林区，分别对4个种源8个科进行试验，以确定生长优越性。     

Distribution and characterization of IL-10-secreting cells in lymphoid tissues of PCV2-infected pigs

Distribution and characterization of interlukin-10 (IL-10)-secreting cells in lymphoid tissues of pigs naturally infected with porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) were evaluated in accordance with PCV2 antigen detection. After screening a total of 56 pigs showing the symptoms of postweaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS), 15 pigs were PCV2 positive and 5 pigs, which showed stronger positive signals over multiples tissues were further investigated. This study showed that in PCV2-infected lymphoid tissues, particularly mandibular lymph node, spleen and tonsil, IL-10 expression was mainly localized in T-cell rich areas but rarely in B cell rich areas. IL-10 was highly expressed in bystander cells but rarely in PCV2-infected cells. Elevated IL-10 expression was predominantly associated with T cells, but rarely with B cells or with macrophages. The results of this study provide evidence for the role of IL-10 in chronic PCV2 infection and its relation to PCV2 antigen in affected tissues. Constantly elevated levels of IL-10 lead to immunosuppression in persistent and chronic viral infections. The increased IL-10 expression observed in PCV2 infection in this study suggests that IL-10-mediated immunosuppression may play an important role in the pathogenesis and maintenance of naturally occurring PCV2 infection.     

Host-delivered RNAi-mediated root-knot nematode resistance in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Arabidopsis</Emphasis> by targeting <Emphasis Type="Italic">splicing factor</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">integrase</Emphasis> genes

Root-knot nematodes (RKNs) are one of the most important biotic factors limiting crop productivity in many crop plants. The major RKN control strategies include development of resistant cultivars, application of nematicides and crop rotation, but each has its own limitations. In recent years, RNA interference (RNAi) has become a powerful approach for developing nematode resistance. The two housekeeping genes, splicing factor and integrase, of Meloidogyne incognita were targeted for engineering nematode resistance using a host-delivered RNAi (HD-RNAi) approach. Splicing factor and integrase genes are essential for nematode development as they are involved in RNA metabolism. Stable homozygous transgenic Arabidopsis lines expressing dsRNA for both genes were generated. In RNAi lines of splicing factor gene, the number of galls, females and egg masses was reduced by 71.4, 74.5 and 86.6%, respectively, as compared with the empty vector controls. Similarly, in RNAi lines of the integrase gene, the number of galls, females and egg masses was reduced up to 59.5, 66.8 and 63.4%, respectively, compared with the empty vector controls. Expression analysis revealed a reduction in mRNA abundance of both targeted genes in female nematodes feeding on transgenic plants expressing dsRNA constructs. The silencing of housekeeping genes in the nematodes through HD-RNAi significantly reduced root-knot nematode infectivity and suggests that they will be useful in developing RKN resistance in crop plants.     

Vaccination of ducks with recombinant outer membrane protein (OmpA) and a 41 kDa partial protein (P45N') of Riemerella anatipestifer.

The generation of protective immunity against Riemerella anatipestifer infection in ducks were investigated by immunizations with recombinant glutathione sulfatransferase (GST) fusion's proteins of OmpA, a 42kDa major outer membrane protein, and P45N', a 41kDa N-terminal fragment of a newly identified 45kDa potential surface protein from R. anatipestifer. The DNA encoding OmpA and P45N' were isolated from R. anatipestifer serotype 15 (field strain 110/89) and serotype 19 (reference strain 30/90), respectively. Immunoblotting and ELISA results showed that the purified recombinant proteins induced the production of antibodies in immunized ducks. However, neither was protective against subsequent challenge with the virulent serotype 15 strain, 34/90. All the five ducks immunized with formalinized R. anatipestifer strain 34/90 survived the challenge with the homologous strain whereas six out of seven ducks in the non-immunized control group died within a week following the challenge.     

Effect of surfactants on pollen germination and pollen tube growth in eggplant (Solanum melongena L.)

In-vitro studies indicated that the surfactant Teepol did not inhibit pollen germination, while Triton X-100 inhibited the germination. The pollen tube growth was reduced significantly when the concentration of Teepol and Triton X-100 exceeded 25 and 10 ppm, respectively.     

Dynamic heat flux measurement for advanced insulation materials

Odour formation in the textile is a serious and embarrassing problem for an individual. The axilla born bacterial species are noted as the main reason for odour formation in axilla. In this research an attempt has been made to identify the odour generating compounds on the textile material after wear trial using gas chromatography and mass spectrum (GC-MS). The result indicates that the worn textile material consisted steroidal fractions of 5a-androst-16-ene-3-one and cholesterol, the major odour forming source from axilla. The results also identified the other important odour forming fatty acids and alcohols like lauric acids, diethyl esters of 1,2-benzenedicarboxylic acid, methyl esters of tetradecanoic acid, 3- methylhexanoic acid, Tetradecanol and acetic acid in axilla worn textile. These components were the derivatives of axilla specific odourous components like phthalic acid, myristic acid, isobutric acid and alcohols. The effect of Terminalia chebula extract finish on the odour formation also analysed and the results shows a considerable reduction in odour causing short chain volatile fatty acids (VFAs) in the worn textile compare to the untreated textile. The analysis also identified more amounts of active components of Terminalia chebula on the fabric surface instead of the odourous components from axilla.     

Investigation of Natural Extracts and Sodium Bisulfite Impact on Thermal Signals and Physicochemical Compositions of Litopenaeus vannamei during Chilled Storage

This research work evaluates the impact of 1.2% pomegranate peel extract (Pp) (Punica granatum), 0.1% grapefruit seed (Gfs) (Citrus paradisi) extract, and synthetic preservative 1.25% sodium bisulfite on shelf life extension of Litopenaeus vannamei stored at 4 and 15°C. The application of isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) for comparison of the extracts and chemical preservative on shrimp quality retention based on the overall heat production by microbial and enzymatic degradation was addressed. The occurrence of probable bioactive responsible for antimicrobial and antioxidant activity components in the extracts was examined through gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GCMS). At 4°C, Pp-treated shrimps resulted in 6.73 logCFU/g, 6.93 logCFU/g, 5.31 mgN/100 g, and 0.58 mgMDA/kg for aerobic plate count, psychrotrophic bacterial count, trimethylamine, and thiobarbituric-acid reactive substance, respectively, on the 15th day. At 15°C, Pp-coated shrimps retained quality until day 4. Isothermal calorimetric analysis resulted in a rapid and sharp peak for fresh samples, whereas there was broad and delayed peak for shrimp treated with Pp and sodium bisulfite. These observations prove that Pp counterpart the chemical preservative and outperform Gfs on shrimp quality retention. Results also indicate that isothermal calorimetry can be a useful technique for shelf life predictions and comparative evaluation of extract impact on shrimp quality retention.