Reversible immunocontraception in male monkeys immunized with eppin

Various forms of birth control have been developed for women; however, there are currently few options for men. The development of male contraceptives that are effective, safe, and reversible is desired for family planning throughout the world. We now report contraception of male nonhuman primates (Macaca radiata) immunized with Eppin, a testis/epididymis-specific protein. Seven out of nine males (78%) developed high titers to Eppin, and all of these high-titer monkeys were infertile. Five out of seven (71%) high-anti-Eppin titer males recovered fertility when immunization was stopped. This study demonstrates that effective and reversible male immunocontraception is an attainable goal. This method of immunocontraception may be extended to humans.     

Multiferroic BaTiO3-CoFe2O4 Nanostructures

We report on the coupling between ferroelectric and magnetic order parameters in a nanostructured BaTiO3-CoFe2O4 ferroelectromagnet. This facilitates the interconversion of energies stored in electric and magnetic fields and plays an important role in many devices, including transducers, field sensors, etc. Such nanostructures were deposited on single-crystal SrTiO3 (001) substrates by pulsed laser deposition from a single Ba-Ti-Co-Fe-oxide target. The films are epitaxial in-plane as well as out-of-plane with self-assembled hexagonal arrays of CoFe2O4 nanopillars embedded in a BaTiO3 matrix. The CoFe2O4 nanopillars have uniform size and average spacing of 20 to 30 nanometers. Temperature-dependent magnetic measurements illustrate the coupling between the two order parameters, which is manifested as a change in magnetization at the ferroelectric Curie temperature. Thermodynamic analyses show that the magnetoelectric coupling in such a nanostructure can be understood on the basis of the strong elastic interactions between the two phases.     

Insulin Secretagogue,Alpha-glucosidase and Antioxidant Activity of Some Selected Spices in Streptozotocin-induced Diabetic Rats

Spices are extensively used to enhance the taste and flavor of foods and are known to possess several medicinal properties. Myristica fragrans, Parmelia perlata, Illicium verum, Trachyspermum copticum and Myristica malabarica, the commonly used spices in India were assessed for antidiabetic activity in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. In the in vitro insulin secretion studies on isolated islets of Langerhans, M. fragrans, T. copticum and M. malabarica showed dose dependent insulin secretion. At 1 mg/ml, P. perlata showed significant in vitro alpha-glucosidase inhibitory activity with IC₅₀ value of 0.14 mg/ml followed by M. malabarica (0.64 mg/ml), I. verum (0.67 mg/ml), M. fragrans (0.85 mg/ml) and T. copticum (0.92 mg/ml). The DPPH free radical scavenging activity of the extracts at a concentration of 1 mg/ml was as M. malabarica (90.45%), M. fragrans (89.89%), I. verum (87.22%), P. perlata (76.70%) and T. copticum (38.14%). P. perlata showed the highest phenolic content (i.e., 118.5 mg gallic acid equivalents/g) followed by M. malabarica (84.13 mg gallic acid equivalents/g). M. malabarica showed the highest flavonoid content (i.e., 38.35 mg quercetin equivalents/g). Regular use of these spices may prevent postprandial rise in glucose levels through inhibition of intestinal alpha-glucosidase and may maintain blood glucose level through insulin secretagogue action.     

Genetic Dissection of Grain Size Traits Through Genome-Wide Association Study Based on Genic Markers in Rice

Grain size plays a significant role in rice, starting from affecting yield to consumer preference, which is the driving force for deep investigation and improvement of grain size characters. Quantitative inheritance makes these traits complex to breed on account of several alleles contributing to the complete trait expression. We employed genome-wide association study in an association panel of 88 rice genotypes using 142 new candidate gene based SSR (cgSSR) markers, derived from yield-related candidate genes, with the efficient mixed-model association coupled mixed linear model for dissecting complete genetic control of grain size traits. A total of 10 significant associations were identified for four grain size-related characters (grain weight, grain length, grain width, and length-width ratio). Among the identified associations, seven marker trait associations explain more than 10% of the phenotypic variation, indicating major putative QTLs for respective traits. The allelic variations at genes OsBC1L4, SHO1 and OsD2 showed association between 1000-grain weight and grain width, 1000-grain weight and grain length, and grain width and length-width ratio, respectively. The cgSSR markers, associated with corresponding traits, can be utilized for direct allelic selection, while other significantly associated cgSSRs may be utilized for allelic accumulation in the breeding programs or grain size improvement. The new cgSSR markers associated with grain size related characters have a significant impact on practical plant breeding to increase the number of causative alleles for these traits through marker aided rice breeding programs.     

Stabilization of tannery sludge amended soil using Ricinus communis,Brassica juncea and Nerium oleander

Purpose

Characterization of tannery sludge (TS) for its plausible use in amelioration and phytoremediation of heavy metal rich TS treated soil by growing economically important plants (Ricinus communis, Brassica juncea and Nerium oleander).

Materials and methods

Treatments were prepared by amalgamation of TS (0, 5, 10, 20, 30, 50, 75, 100 %) with garden soil (GS). All treatments were analysed for chemical properties, total and DTPA (Diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid) extractable heavy metals (Cr, Pb, Cu, and Mn). Seed germination experiment was conducted; unvarying saplings were selected and planted in concerned pots and allowed to grow for 90 days in green house. At harvest, plant samples were washed with distilled water and used for determination of growth parameters (biomass of root, shoot and total biomass on dry weight basis) and metal accumulation in different parts of the plant. Translocation factor (TF) and bioconcentration factor (BCF) have been calculated to check the phytostabilization capability of studied plants.

Results and discussion

Application of TS in fixed quantity as an amendment resulted in significant improvements of GS characteristics (alkaline pH with high electrical conductivity, organic carbon, available NPK and heavy metals) and in treatments. DTPA extractable heavy metal concentrations were found very low and total heavy metal concentrations were also found under allowable range in control and treated soil (T-I to T-VI). The maximum seed germination percentage, plant growth, biomass production for all plant species were observed in T-III treatment (20 % TS + 80 % GS) with majority of the metal accumulation in underground part (BCF >1) and meagre translocation in aerial part (TF <1). From T-IV to T-VII treatment, accumulation of heavy metals in plant parts has generally increased; however, biomass has been tremendously decreased.

Conclusions

TS was found rich in NPK content with significant concentration of heavy metals. Pot growth experiment suggested amelioration of GS with specific quantity of 20 % TS can tremendously enhance the plant growth, help in the utilization of TS and can act as a substitute of synthetic fertilizer. Majority of the metals was accumulated in root part (BCF >1) and meagre translocation (TF <1) in aerial part, concludes R. communis and B. juncea could be suitable plant species to be grown in heavy metal rich TS treated soil, vis-à-vis for phytostabilization of heavy metals. In addition, these oil yielding and medicinal plants can also be used for phytoremediation of moderately contaminated tannery soils.

     

Screening of alternative products for integrated pest management of cucurbit powdery mildew in Sweden

Cucurbit powdery mildew (CPM) is one of the most important plant protection problems in Swedish cucumber production. CPM fungi have developed resistance to the commonly used fungicide (Imazalil) rendering its current use less effective. We therefore screened a selection of alternative products, evaluating their ability to control CPM in seven small-scale, semi-commercial, greenhouse experiments. Products were screened for their ability to suppress CPM on a susceptible cultivar, in 2013. In 2015, the best treatments were tested in different combinations, in different intervals on a susceptible and a partially resistant cultivar. The treatment that gave the best CPM control was Sakalia in combination with wetting agent Yuccah, (based on Reynoutria sachaliensis and Yucca schidigera respectively) applied at 7-day intervals. This treatment was highly efficient on both cucumber cultivars. Sakalia mixed with Yuccah applied at 14-day intervals had an almost equally controlling effect on CPM. The microbial pesticides, Polyversum (Pythium oligandrum) and AQ10 (Ampelomyces quiscalis) and the fungicide Imazalil, provided no to poor control of CPM compared to control treatments. Hortistar (Silicon) partially reduced CPM infections and was more efficient on the partially resistant cultivar. We conclude that Sakalia in combination with wetting agent Yuccah could efficiently control the disease even under the severe conditions caused by artificial inoculation. Further testing of this combination in commercial greenhouses will enable evaluation of the potential effects on yield and beneficial or pest insects. The knowledge gained from this study can be used to develop IPM tools for commercial production systems.     

A Comparison of Trace Gases and Particulate Matter over Beijing (China) and Delhi (India)

Air pollution represents a significant fraction of the total mortality estimated by the World Health Organization (WHO) global burden of disease projec?t (GBD). The present paper discusses the characteristics of trace gases (O₃, NO, NO₂, and CO) and particulate matter (PM₁₀ and PM_2.5) in two Asian megacities, Delhi (India) and Beijing (China). A continuous measurement of trace gases and particulate matter are considered from 12 measuring sites in Beijing and 8 sites in Delhi. Over Beijing, the annual average of PM_2.5, PM₁₀, O₃, NO₂, and CO is, respectively, 85.3, 112.8, 58.7, and 53.4 μg/m³ and 1.4 mg/m³, and, respectively, over Delhi 146.5, 264.3, 24.7,and 19.8 μg/m³ and 1.73 mg/m³. From the spatial variations of pollutants, the concentrations of particulate matter and trace gases are observed to be much higher in the urban areas compared to the suburban areas. The higher average concentrations of PM₁₀ and PM_2.5 over Delhi and Beijing are observed during winter season compared with other seasons. The maximum diurnal variation of PM₁₀ concentration is observed during winter season over Beijing and Delhi. The comparison of trace gases shows that the O₃ concentrations during daytime are obviously higher compared with nighttime, and the highest diurnal variation of O₃ is observed during summer. The concentrations of CO are highest during winter season, and higher concentrations are observed during nighttime compared to daytime. The O₃ and CO show negative correlation over Beijing and Delhi. The negative correlation between O₃ and NO₂ is merely observed over Beijing, while CO and NO₂ concentrations, in contrast, show positive correlation over Beijing.     

Pharmacokinetic Disposition of Subcutaneously Administered Enrofloxacin in Goats

The pharmacokinetic disposition of enrofloxacin was studied in goats after subcutaneous (s.c.) administration at a single dose of 7.5 mg/kg body weight. Blood samples were drawn from a jugular vein into heparinized tubes at predetermined time intervals after administration of the drug and the plasma was separated by centrifugation. The concentrations of enrofloxacin in the plasma were determined by a microbiological assay using Escherichia coli as the test organism. The plasma concentration–time data were analysed by non-compartmental methods. Enrofloxacin was rapidly absorbed, an appreciable concentration of the drug (0.30±0.13 g/ml) being present in the plasma by 5 min after s.c. administration. The maximum plasma concentration of enrofloxacin and the time to reach that maximum were 2.91±0.39 g/ml and 2.9±0.51 h, respectively. A detectable concentration of enrofloxacin persisted in the plasma for 12 h. The elimination half-life and mean residence time of enrofloxacin were 2.84±0.57 and 5.74±0.28 h, respectively. It is suggested that enrofloxacin given subcutaneously may be useful in the treatment of susceptible bacterial infections in goats.