Isolation and structural elucidation of 3,4',5,7-tetraacetyl quercetin from Adina cordifolia (Karam ki Gaach)

3,4',5,7-tetraacetyl quercetin (1) was isolated from the heartwood of Adina cordifolia. The structure was elucidated on the basis of spectral evidence.     

Antidiabetic potential of Barleria lupulina extract in rats

The methanol extract of aerial parts of Barleria lupulina orally tested at doses of 100, 200 and 300 mg/kg exerted significant antihyperglycemic effect in streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemia in rats [correction].     

Comparative sorption of copper and nickel from aqueous solutions by natural neem (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Azadirachta indica</Emphasis>) sawdust and acid treated sawdust

This study investigates the potential use of neem (Azadirachta indica) sawdust treated with hydrochloric acid for the removal of copper (II) and nickel (II) ions from wastewater. The effects of different system variables, viz, adsorbent dosage, initial metal ion concentration, pH and contact time were studied. The results showed that as the amount of the adsorbent was increased, the percentage of metal ion removal increased accordingly. Optimum pH value for metal adsorption is determined as 5.0 for Cu (II) and 4.0 for Ni (II) ions. Maximum metal is sequestered in 150 min for Cu (II) and 180 min for Ni (II) after the beginning of every experiment. Similar experiments were carried out with acid treated sawdust to compare the results. The adsorption of metal ions followed a first order rate equation. Both Freundlich and Langmuir adsorption models are suitable for describing the sorption of Cu (II) and Ni (II) on the two forms of sawdust. Furthermore, the natural organic matter (neem sawdust) is characterized by FTIR spectra and surface area analysis. At optimal conditions the maximum adsorption capacity is found to be 48.3 and 286 mg/g for Cu (II) and 31.5 and 74.1 mg/g for Ni (II) in natural and acid treated forms, respectively.     

Measuring crop yields in on-farm agroforestry studies

The paper describes the agronomic and statistical principles that form the basis for measuring crop yields in on-farm agroforestry studies. Agroforestry systems differ from agricultural systems because of the presence of tree/crop interfaces and the need for large plots, large borders and long-term monitoring. These differences accentuate the variability of crop performance on farms. Crop yield estimation per unit area in any agroforestry system involves essentially i) stratification of the plot into different, clearly distinguishable crop zones such as those under and free from the influence of trees, those on sloping and flat areas, and those on areas affected by pests, ii) drawing representative samples from each stratum, and iii) weighting the sample yields with weights proportional to the stratum area. The tree/crop interface areas may require further stratification and determination of yields of individual crop rows at different distances away from trees based on the nature and extent of tree/crop competition. The precision of yield estimation depends on how well one is able to define the strata as well as the variance of crop yields in space and time in each stratum. Studies that provide this information are urgently needed for developing practical recommendations for crop-yield measurements on farms.     

Lymphotropic nanoparticle magnetic resonance imaging for diagnosing metastatic lymph nodes in dogs with malignant head and neck tumours

Lymphotropic nanoparticle magnetic resonance imaging (LNMRI) utilises ultrasmall paramagnetic iron nanoparticles (USPIOs) for imaging of metastatic lymph nodes in patients afflicted with cancer. LNMRI has been shown to be a highly effective and accurate way to diagnose metastasis in humans but has not been commonly reported on in veterinary medicine. USPIOs are phagocytised by macrophages and then localised to lymph nodes where they create a susceptibility artefact on gradient echo MRI sequences. In this study dogs (n = 24) with naturally occurring head and neck tumours were imaged with LNMRI then had mandibular and retropharyngeal lymph nodes extirpated for histological analysis. Subjective and objective analysis of the LNMRI images was performed and imaging results compared to histology as the gold standard. A total of 149 lymph nodes were included in this study. The overall sensitivity, specificity and accuracy was 64%, 94.4% and 89.3% respectively. However, if dogs with mast cell tumours were excluded from analysis the sensitivity, specificity and accuracy rose to 85.7%, 95.7% and 94.6%. LNMRI is potentially an accurate way to determine the presence of lymph node metastasis in dogs with some types of head and neck tumours. However, LNMRI has only moderate accuracy in dogs with oral or mucocutaneous mast cell tumours in this region.     

Role of progestin-induced mammary-derived growth hormone in the pathogenesis of cystic endometrial hyperplasia in the bitch

Endogenous progesterone and synthetic progestins may induce hypersecretion of growth hormone (GH) of mammary origin, hyperplastic ductular changes in the mammary gland, and the development of cystic endometrial hyperplasia (CEH) in dogs. It was investigated whether progestin-induced mammary GH plays a role in the pathogenesis of CEH in the bitch. During 1 year, bitches with surgically excised mammary glands and healthy control bitches received medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA). Before and after MPA treatment, uterine and mammary tissues were collected for histological, immunohistochemical, and RT-PCR examination. After MPA administration, the mammary tissue in the control dogs had differentiated into lobulo-alveolar structures and CEH was present in all uteri of both dog groups. In the MPA-exposed mammary tissue of the control dogs, GH could only be demonstrated immunohistochemically in proliferating epithelium. After treatment with MPA the dogs of both groups had immunohistochemically demonstrable GH in the cytoplasm of hyperplastic glandular uterine epithelial cells. RT-PCR analysis of the mammary gland tissue after MPA administration demonstrated a significant higher GH gene, and lower GHR gene expression than before treatment. In the uterus, the expression of the gene encoding for GH was significantly increased in the mastectomized dogs, whereas in the control dogs the expression of the gene encoding for insulin-like growth factor-I had significantly increased with MPA administration. MPA treatment significantly down regulated PR gene expression in the uterus in both dog groups. These results indicate that progestin-induced GH of mammary origin is not an essential component in the development of CEH in the bitch.     

Effect of Curculigo orchioides rhizomes on sexual behaviour of male rats

The rhizomes of Curculigo orchioides have been traditionally used as aphrodisiac. In the present study ethanolic extract of rhizomes was evaluated for its effect on sexual behavior in rats. Administration of 100 mg/kg of extract change significantly the sexual behavior as assessed by determining parameters such as penile erection, mating performance, mount frequency and mount latency. Moreover a pronounced anabolic and spermatogenic effect was evidenced by weight gains of reproductive organs. The treatment also markedly affected sexual behavior of animals as reflected in reduction of mount latency, an increase in mount frequency and enhanced attractability towards female. Penile erection index was also incremented in treated group.     

黔油18号高产综合农艺措施数学模型研究

【目的】为明确影响高原生态区黔油18号油菜产量的关键因子及实现高产高效优化栽培的综合农艺措施。【方法】运用四因素二次回归最优组合设计试验方法,在海拔950~1200m的高原生态区对优良杂交油菜新品种黔油18号的主要栽培措施施氮量、施磷量、施钾量与油菜产量的量化关系进行系统研究,通过建立数学模型的优化与解析,【结果】结果表明,在4因素中,对黔油18号的影响为氮肥>密度>磷肥>钾肥;【结论】要获得≥2493.46kg/hm2的产量,其最佳栽培措施组合是：保持密度13.60~14.50万株/hm2,氮肥291.35~330.00kg/hm2,磷肥92.28~102.2746kg/hm2,钾肥119.20~129.20kg/hm2。     

鱼组织中氟喹诺酮类药的HPCE多残留检测方法的建立

建立了以伊诺沙星为内标,环丙沙星、恩诺沙星、沙拉沙星、二氟沙星在鱼组织中的毛细管电泳多残留检测方法。研究了缓冲溶液的类型,pH值,有机试剂添加等电泳条件.得到最佳的缓冲溶液是含10 mL/L乙腈的pH 5.0的磷酸氢二钠-柠檬酸缓冲溶液。用C18固相萃取柱浓缩和净化处理,用二极管阵列检测器进行检测(275 nm)。结果,四种药物在组织中的溶度25~400 μg/kg范围内R＞0.999,线性关系良好。环丙沙星,恩诺沙星,沙拉沙星和二氟沙星回收率分别为75.2%,79.7%,80.1%,79.2%。恩诺沙星的检测限低于25 μg/kg,其余的检测限均为25 μg/kg,,方法的日内变异系数小于13.5%,日间变异系数小于12.3%。该方法简单快速,经济环保,适用于大量阳性样本的筛选。