Preparation and characterizations of polypyrrole on liquid ammonia pre-treated wool fabric

Wool fabric was treated with liquid ammonia at -40 °C for 30 and 60 s prior to the application of polypyrrole (PPy). The polymer was deposited on wool fiber using the chemical oxidation method with 0.02 and 0.05 mol/l (Py) monomer concentration and FeCl₃ as a catalyst. Functional groups of wool samples were analyzed using FT-IR, and surface morphology was investigated using SEM micrographs. Properties such as water absorbency, surface resistivity, abrasion resistance, weight add-on, and air permeability of coated specimens were explored. The FT-IR outcomes revealed the liquid ammonia pre-treatment changed the amount of amide I (NH), cystic acid, cystic monoxide, and dioxide content of the fiber. SEM micrographs revealed the descaling of wool surface after pre-treatment and smooth coating of polymer. Pre-treatment of wool in liquid ammonia improved absorbency of wool fabric with respect to the treatment duration. The surface resistivity of wool fabric decreased with the increase of monomer concentration and pre-treatment duration. The results of abrasion resistance confirmed that the pre-treated fabric exhibited lower loss of polymer after 200 cycles of abrasion. The weight of the fabric was increased and air permeability decreased when the monomer concentration and liquid ammonia pre-treatment duration was increased.     

Muscular dystrophy: inhibition of degeneration in vivo with protease inhibitors

The protease inhibitors leupeptin and pepstatin were used in vivo in genetically dystrophic chickens to determine their effects on the histological and biochemical changes observed in this disease. These compounds appear to delay the degeneration of muscle tissue which is characteristic of this disorder and thus may have potential therapeutic value in the treatment of muscular dystrophy.     

Toxic effects of neem-based insecticides on Pieris brassicae (Linn.)

Four neem-based insecticides, Neemix^® (0.25% EC @ 20 mg azadirachtin/liter), Ecozin^® (3% EC @ 20 mg azadirachtin/liter), Agroneem^® (0.15% EC @ 4.8 mg azadirachtin/liter) and Neem oil (0.25% EC azadirachtin @ 20 mg azadirachtin/liter) and a non-commercial neem leaf powder, were evaluated for oviposition deterrence, antifeedant effect to larvae and toxicity to eggs and larvae of Pieris brassicae (Linn.) on cabbage leaves in the laboratory. The concentrations tested were with in the ranges of recommended field rates. Oviposition deterrence in no-choice, two-choice and six-choice assays, was observed for all the treatments. They exhibited significant (P < 0.01) oviposition deterrence on P. brassicae when compared with a non-treated control. Cabbage leaves treated with the neem-based insecticides were used as an egg-laying substrate. Numbers of eggs oviposited by P. brassicae adults on treated cabbage leaves were significantly lower then those treated with water, but no significant differences were detected among the neem insecticides. They also deterred feeding by Pieris larvae and exhibited significant antifeedant effects. Larvae of P. brassicae on treated leaves stopped feeding and dropped from the leaf, resulting in no or minimal damage. Direct contact with neem-based insecticides decreased the survival of eggs. Survival of larvae fed for 9 days on leaves treated with neem-based insecticides was reduced to 51%, 49%, 48%, 24% and 18% in the Neem oil, Neemix, Agroneem, Ecozin and neem leaf powder treatments, respectively. Therefore, it can be concluded from the present investigations that neem-based insecticides had oviposition deterrence, antifeedant and toxic effect to P. brassicae.     

Effects of different brassicaceous host plants on the fitness of Pieris brassicae (L.)

Pieris brassicae (L.) is a destructive cosmopolitan pest of cruciferous crops. It is present wherever its host plants occur and it is considered to be one of the most widely distributed of all the Lepidoptera. We investigated the affect of various host plants on the fitness of P. brassicae to survive, develop and reproduce. We quantified development time, survival and mortality on cabbage (Brassica oleracea capitata), cauliflower (Brassica oleracea botrytis), radish (Raphanus sativus), broccoli (Brassica oleracea italica), and mustard (Brassica campestris) under laboratory conditions. The developmental time from eggs to adult eclosion was the shortest (30.3 days) on cabbage and the longest (38.0 days) on radish. However, adult longevity was significantly (P < 0.001) greatest on cabbage compared with the other host plants tested. Similarly, the developmental rate of P. brassicae was found to be faster on cabbage than other cole crops. Moreover, the lowest immature mortality was evident on cabbage and highest on mustard and radish. Differences in reproductive parameters of the P. brassicae among host plants were analyzed using pseudo-values, which were produced by jackknife re-sampling. The data showed that the higher intrinsic rate of natural increase (0.116 females/female/day) was found on cabbage. Cabbage was recognized as the most suitable host for P. brassicae because of shorter developmental period, higher percentage survival, lower doubling time (6.00), and higher number of adult emergence (29.7%).     

Glycine betaine counteracts the inhibitory effects of waterlogging on growth,photosynthetic pigments,oxidative defence system,nutrient composition,and fruit quality in tomato

Glycine betaine (GB) is an important organic compound mediating plant responses to environmental stresses. However, despite ample research on this biomolecule, the potential of GB in mitigating the effects of waterlogging in plants has not been established. Therefore, we studied the influence of GB on growth and physiology of tomato plants under waterlogged conditions. Waterlogging reduced plant growth, degraded chlorophyll, and increased concentration of malondialdehyde and hydrogen peroxide that deteriorated membrane integrity. Waterlogging increased catalase and peroxidase activities. Waterlogging increased the concentration of Na and reduced concentrations of K. Reductions in root Ca were also recorded. GB enhanced growth, concentration of chlorophyll and activities of superoxide dismutase, catalase, and peroxidase that in turn protected the plants from oxidative damage. GB decreased Na while increasing leaf and root K and stem and fruit Ca under waterlogging. Waterlogging reduced fruit quality. There was decrease in protein, fat, and total dissolved solids and an increase in fruit moisture, P, and Na in plants under waterlogging. GB enhanced fruit quality largely by improving fruit protein, ash, fat, TDS, and Ca, while it decreased fruit Na. The results of this study suggest the use of GB for commercial production of tomato where waterlogging is likely.     

Water quality of Kaptai reservoir in Chittagong Hill Tracts of Bangladesh

A study was conducted in Kaptai reservoir, one of the largest man-made freshwater lakes of South-east Asia, to determine present status of water quality and its suitability for fishing and other uses. Water samplings were from middle part of the reservoir at 0.2 and 0.8 fractional depths at five different locations from upstream to downstream viz. Burburichara, Maichchari, Subolong, Basanthakum, and Rangamati. Water analyses show that concentrations of NO3-N, K+ and total P, and suspended solid at all the sampling stations were beyond the recommended values for fish culture. Concentrations of Na+, Ca2+, Mg2+, SO42-, Cl-, total dissolved solid (TDS), dissolved oxygen (DO) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) were within the standards for aquaculture. Concentrations of NO3-N, SO42-, K+ and total P showed no definite trend with depths, locations as well as rainy and dry seasons. Water pH, conductivity, Na+ and HCO3- contents were lower in rainy season, and DO and COD higher at almost all the locations in both the depths, compared with dry season. Total solids and concentrations of TDS, DO, COD, Ca2+, Mg2+ and Na+ were higher in upstream and decreased gradually towards downstream in the reservoir. Concentrations of DO and Ca2+ and pH were higher and Mg2+ less at 0.2-fractional depth than those at 0.8-fractional depth at almost all the locations. The reservoir is in mesotrophic condition containing high concentration of NO3-N and total P, in alarming status with the presence of excessive suspended solids from urban pollution around the town. It is necessary to adopt measures for protecting water quality in the reservoir due to such deteriorations.     

Assessment of the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal community in roots and rhizosphere soils of Bt corn and their non-Bt isolines

Polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (PCR-DGGE) in combination with sequencing of amplified partial 18S ribosomal DNA was used to assess the effects of transgenic Bt corn 5422Bt1 (event Bt 11) and 5422CBCL (event MON810) on the community structure of a non-target microorganism, namely the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) Glomus in corn roots and rhizosphere soils, relative to their non-Bt isolines 5422 (conventional parent) and 5422wx (conventional hybrid). AMF colonization in roots of different corn genotypes was also assessed using microscopic visualization. No adverse effect was detected on the indigenous AMF colonization of the roots of Bt hybrids 5422Bt1 and 5422CBCL. Two-way indicator species analysis (TWINSPAN^®) and detrended correspondence analysis (DCA) of the DGGE data from corn roots presented differences between Bt and non-Bt corn isolines (5422Bt1 vs. 5422wx, and 5422CBCL vs. 5422wx). However, differences were also recognized between the two non-Bt corn cultivars (5422 vs. 5422wx), and between the two Bt corn lines (5422Bt1 vs. 5422CBCL) in roots. Our results suggest that corn genotypes may have a greater influence on the AMF community structure of plant roots and rhizosphere soils than other factors, such as the age of the growing plants.     

Drought-induced anatomical changes in radish (Raphanus sativus L.) leaves supplied with trehalose through different modes

Leaf anatomical changes were appraised in exogenously applied trehalose of radish (Raphanus sativus L.) plants grown under nonstress (well-watered) and water stress (60% field capacity) conditions. Two cultivars of radish namely, Manu and 40-Day, were grown in a pot experiment at the Botanical Garden, GCUF, Pakistan. Plants were subjected to 60% field capacity conditions after three weeks of germination. Trehalose (25 mM) was applied to the radish plants through two different modes (foliar and presowing). After 2 weeks of foliar-applied trehalose, the leaves were excised from the plants for studying different anatomical features. Water stress caused a significant reduction in the leaf vascular bundle area, leaf midrib thickness (only in cv. Manu), leaf parenchyma cell area, and the number of vascular bundles in both radish cultivars, while water stress increased leaf epidermis thickness of both radish cultivars. Exogenously applied trehalose through both (presoaking and foliar spray) modes was effective in increasing leaf epidermis thickness, vascular bundle area, midrib thickness, and number of vascular bundles in both radish cultivars under water stress and nonstress conditions. Foliar-applied trehalose was more effective in increasing midrib thickness in both radish cultivars under both water regimes. Of both cultivars, the performance of cv. Manu was better in leaf epidermis thickness, leaf midrib thickness, vascular bundle area, leaf parenchyma cell area, and the number of vascular bundles. Overall, exogenous application of trehalose through both modes was effective in triggering leaf anatomical changes under different water regimes.     

Heritability estimates and genetic correlations of various production and reproductive traits of different grades of dairy cattle reared under subtropical condition

Inheritance of economic traits and their genetic correlation was studied in different breeds and their various grades (crossbred’s cattle) under the subtropical condition. Data on principal parameters comprising 10 years, that is 2004–2014, were utilized for the present study. Different grades of dairy cows comprising Holstein Friesian (HF), Sahiwal x Friesian (SxHF), Jersey (J), Jersey x Achai (JxAC) and Achai (AC) were included in the study. Heritability estimates and genetic correlations of some important productive and reproductive traits were worked out. Heritability estimates of certain economic traits were found to be: birthweight, 0.32 ± 0.181; age at maturity, 0.11 ± 0.136; age at first calving, 0.19 ± 0.162; days open, 0.09 ± 0.121; calving interval, 0.14 ± 0.211; dry period, 0.11 ± 0.124; lactation length, 0.04 ± 0.212 and lactation yield, 0.46 ± 0.206. Genetic correlation showed that body weight was significantly and positively correlated with lactation length (0.30) and lactation yield (0.81), while negatively correlated with age at maturity, age at first calving, days open, calving interval and dry period (?0.09, ?0.07, ?0.16, ?0.34 and ?0.002, respectively). Calving interval was positively and significantly correlated with the dry period (0.56), lactation length (0.72) and lactation yield (0.37). Moderate to higher heritability estimates with adequate genetic variance was found for body weight and lactation yield. The moderate to higher heritability estimates of birthweight in the present study revealed that this important trait might be considered in selection criteria.