Heterosis for mineral elements in single cross-hybrids of cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.)

Cabbage (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.), a cross-pollinated crop, was observed to exhibit strong heterosis for high yield; better plant stand; early maturity; larger and more uniform heads; uniformity in head compactness; and disease tolerance in F₁ hybrids. However, information on the heterosis for mineral elements such as Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, K and Ca although is not available to the best of our knowledge but it is important as it is likely to influence the plant and subsequently the human nutrition. Therefore, an attempt was made to estimate the heterosis for mineral elements in cabbage. Significant mean square for parents and hybrids was observed for all minerals under study which indicated the prevalence of sufficient variation. The parents 83-2, Pride of Asia, Red Cabbage, AC-204 and MR-1 were found to have the potential for use in cabbage quality breeding programme as they exhibited higher hybrid effects for Fe, Zn, Cu and Mn content. The single cross-hybrids, i.e. 83-2 × AC-204; Pride of Asia × C-2 and Pride of Asia × Red Cabbage; Pride of Asia × MR-1; 83-2 × Red Cabbage; and Pride of Asia × AC-204 and 83-2 × MR-1 were the best for Fe and Zn; Fe and Cu; Zn and Mn; Cu and Zn; and Cu, respectively. This study revealed clearly that none of the hybrids excelled for all the minerals suggesting the significance and need for multiple crossing breeding approaches, i.e. three way cross-hybrid, double cross-hybrid, population improvement, synthetics, composites, etc., for increasing the mineral concentration in cabbage head, i.e. “Breeding Cabbage for Higher Mineral” (Biofortification) without losing the vigour advantage for yield and other traits of economic importance to combat mineral deficiencies in human beings and plant systems.     

Combining ability for superoxide dismutase,peroxidase and catalase enzymes in cabbage head (Brassica oleracea var. capitata L.)

Antioxidant enzymes have been touted as beneficial for enhancing the fitness, preventing disorders, and mitigating the effects of aging and senescence. Our objective was to evaluate combining ability of superoxide dismutase, peroxidase, and catalase activity in cabbage head. Head samples were frozen immediately in liquid nitrogen and placed at −80 °C for assay. Less than unity values of σ²_gca/σ²_sca ratio for all three enzymes indicated predominance of non-additive gene action. The parents CMS-GA and Red Cabbage excelled as good general combiners for all antioxidants and indicated the value and need for multiple crossing. The crosses CMS-GA × Red Cabbage, CMS-GA × C-2, 83-2 × AC-204, 83-2 × EC-490174, 83-2 × AC-1021, Pride of Asia × C-4, and Pride of Asia × AC-1019 showed significant specific combining ability, which could be exploited through heterosis breeding. The hybrid combinations with high per se performance and favorable SCA estimate and involving at least one of the parents with high GCA estimate could be useful to increase the abundance of favorable alleles for enhancing the antioxidants in cabbage head.     

Comparative fatty acid profiles of wild and farmed tropical freshwater fish rohu (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Labeo rohita</Emphasis>)

The proximate composition of the whole body and the fatty acid composition of the liver, muscle, eye and brain of wild and cultured rohu (Labeo rohita) were analyzed. The cultured species was found to have significantly (P < 0.05) higher lipid contents than its wild counterpart. The saturated (SFA) and monounsaturated (MUFA) fatty acid contents were significantly higher in the cultured species, whereas the n-6 and n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) levels were higher in the wild species. Fatty acids C16:0 and C18:1 n-9 were the principal fatty acids of the SFAs and MUFAs, respectively, identified in the analyses. Docosahexaenoic acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, and arachidonic acid were the predominant PUFAs in both groups, and all three were found to be present at significantly (P < 0.05) higher levels in the wild species. Erucic acid (C22:1 n-9), which was the predominant fatty acid (30.76%) in the feed, was detected only at low levels in muscle (0.30%), liver (1.04%) and eye (1.28%) of cultured fish tissue.     

沙棘饮料的化学成分和最优口感的研究

沙棘（Hippophae rhamnoids L．）,属于胡颓子属,在印度喜马偕尔邦地区称作“Chharma and Surch”,沙棘能够在这种非常恶劣的气候条件下自然生长。本文介绍了制作沙棘饮料的一系列程序和如何储存饮料120d而不使其变质的方法。沙棘果实采自印度喜马偕尔邦河谷。用碎浆机提取沙棘汁,制作沙棘饮料要准备好合适比例的沙棘汁和制作饮料所需的糖。随着果浆比例的升高,维生素C的含量明显增加（P≤0．05）,随着贮藏时间的延长,维生素C的含量明显降低。而随着糖和果浆的增加以及储存期的延长,还原性糖呈上升趋势。当饮料中果浆和糖的比例分别为10％和13％、12．5％和13％、15％和15％时,饮料最为宜口,给于较高的评价。在喜马偕尔邦,人们一直认为沙棘具有商业价值,但是其价值在此前一直没有得到足够的重视。     

Influence of AM fungi on the growth and physiological status of Erythrina variegata Linn. grown under different water stress conditions

The present study investigated the effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungus, Glomus mosseae on the growth and physiology state of Erythrina variegata Linn, grown in sandy loam soil with four water stress levels viz. ?0.06 MPa (well watered/control), ?1.20 MPa (mild), ?2.20 MPa (moderate) and ?3.20 MPa (severe) in a completely randomized design. Plants were harvested after 90 days (60 days after stress induction) of growth. Growth parameters (root &, shoot, dry weight and, leaf area); physiological parameters (chlorophyll content, carotenoids, soluble starch, sugar, protein and proline in shoots); and microbiological parameter (percentage of mycorrhizal infection) were determined. AM fungal plants had significantly higher plant biomass, higher chlorophyll content (chlorophyll a and b), carotenoids and protein content in shoots than non-AM-plants. The AM-inoculation in stressed plants significantly declined the soluble sugar and starch in shoots. Moreover, AM-inoculation also reduced the proline accumulation in shoots and the reduction was significant when plants were severely stressed (?3.2 MPa). Mycorrhizal colonization in roots of E. variegata depressed significantly due to increased water stress. However, the AM colonization did not decline below 11% and enabled the plants to maintain osmotic adjustments and enhanced the plants tolerance against water stress.     

Dietary intake and a food-frequency instrument to evaluate a nutrition intervention for the Apache in Arizona

OBJECTIVE: To demonstrate how dietary data collected from 24-hour dietary recalls were incorporated into the development of a quantitative food-frequency questionnaire (QFFQ) for the Apache in Arizona. DESIGN: A cross-sectional study was first conducted using 24-hour dietary recalls to identify foods for inclusion on a QFFQ that would be used to evaluate a nutrition intervention. SETTING: The White Mountain and San Carlos Apache reservations in East-central Arizona. SUBJECTS: The 24-hour dietary recalls were collected from a random sample of 53 adults (34 women and 19 men). RESULTS: A QFFQ was developed that included all foods reported by two or more respondents, plus traditional and seasonal foods. Portion size was assessed using familiar household units and culturally appropriate food models. The final instrument contains 155 foods. Frequency of consumption is assessed using eight categories ranking from 'never or less than once a month' to '2 or more times a day'. Nutrient intakes and the five major food sources of energy, fat and sugar are presented. CONCLUSION: The QFFQ developed is complete and up-to-date for assessing usual food and nutrient intake for the Apache in Arizona. The instrument will be used to evaluate a food store-based nutrition intervention to reduce risk of chronic diseases.     

Effect of curcumin on inflammation and oxidative stress in cisplatin-induced experimental nephrotoxicity

Nephrotoxicity is a major complication and a dose limiting factor for cisplatin therapy. Recent evidence suggests that inflammation and oxidative stress may contribute to the pathogenesis of cisplatin-induced acute renal failure. Curcumin is claimed to be a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant agent. The present study was performed to explore the effect of curcumin against cisplatin-induced experimental nephrotoxicity. Curcumin in the dosages of 15, 30, and 60 mg kg(-1) was administered 2 days before and 3 days after cisplatin administration. Renal injury was assessed by measuring serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, urea clearance, and serum nitrite levels. Renal oxidative stress was assessed by determining renal malondialdehyde levels, reduced glutathione levels and enzymatic activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase. Systemic inflammation was assessed by tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) levels. A single dose of cisplatin resulted in marked inflammation (486% rise in TNF-alpha level) and oxidative stress and significantly deranged renal functions as well as renal morphology. The serum TNF-alpha level was markedly reduced in curcumin-treated rats. Curcumin treatment significantly and dose-dependently restored renal function, reduced lipid peroxidation, and enhanced the levels of reduced glutathione and activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase. The present study demonstrates that curcumin has a protective effect on cisplatin-induced experimental nephrotoxicity, and this effect is attributed to its direct anti-inflammatory and strong antioxidant profile. Hence, curcumin has a strong potential to be used as a therapeutic adjuvant in cisplatin nephrotoxicity.     

Dissipation behaviour of spinosad insecticide in soil, cabbage and cauliflower under subtropical conditions

BACKGROUND: Pesticides used on cauliflower and cabbage, which are important vegetable crops for India, must be investigated for the persistence and magnitude of their residues in the crops and soil to ensure human and environmental safety. The behaviour of spinosad, an effective insecticide with a favourable environmental profile, was investigated in field trials under subhumid and subtropical conditions. RESULTS: The persistence of spinosad in soil, cabbage and cauliflower was evaluated at two application rates (17.5 and 35.0 g ha(-1)) by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). At 17.5 g ha(-1), spinosad persisted up to 7 days in soil, cabbage and cauliflower. However, at 35.0 g ha(-1), spinosad residues persisted up to 7 days in soil and 10 days in cabbage and cauliflower. CONCLUSION: The dissipation of the insecticide from soil, cabbage and cauliflower appeared to occur in a single phase and conformed to first-order kinetics. The half-lives of spinosad residues in cabbage, cauliflower and soil were calculated as 1.5, 2.8 and 2.8 days respectively for the 17.5 g ha(-1) treatment, and as 2.6, 2.0 and 2.0 days for the 35 g ha(-1) treatment.     

Prevalence of Cryptosporidium parvum infection in Punjab (India) and its association with diarrhea in neonatal dairy calves

A prevalence study was contemplated to determine the prevalence of Cryptosporidium spp. in dairy farms in Punjab, India. The cryptosporidium oocysts were detected from 50 and 25.68% from 80 diarrheic and 74 non-diarrheic animals, respectively. Both shedding and intensity of shedding were significant in calves with diarrhea. The Cryptosporidium spp. appears to be common in dairy calves and an important contributor of calf diarrhea in the Punjab province. The prevalence of the infection peaked in young calves between 0 and 30 days in both the diarrheic and non-diarrheic groups (86.4 and 66.6%, respectively). The percentage distribution of positive samples, with reference to age groups of diarrheic and non-diarrheic animals was negatively correlated with increase in age. High mortality rate and case fatality rate of 35.2 and 44.4% were observed in young calves between 0 and 30 days of age.     

Effect of macrophage secretory products on elaboration of virulence factors by planktonic and biofilm cells of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Macrophages, which constitute the first line of defense, pour their secretions in the mileu following stimulation with pathogens. These secretory products, referred to as macrophage secretory products (MSPs), can influence ultimate outcome of an infection. In the present investigation, it was observed that different strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa vary in their ability to stimulate macrophages leading to variability in generation of macrophage secretory products. Cytokine levels, reactive nitrogen intermediates and protein content of macrophage secretory products generated with biofilm cells of P. aeruginosa was found to be more as compared to their planktonic counterparts. The effect of macrophage secretory products produced in response to interaction of macrophages with P. aeruginosa on elaboration of virulence factors produced by planktonic and biofilm cell forms of this pathogen was assessed. Significant enhancement in growth and elaboration of all the virulence determinants by both the cell forms was observed when P. aeruginosa was grown in presence of supernatants with macrophage secretory products. Implications of these findings in relation to urinary tract infections induced by P. aeruginosa have been discussed.