Efficient In Vitro Shoot-regeneration Systems in Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz)

Two different protocols for in vitro regeneration of cassava using zygotic embryos and nodal axillary meristems have been developed. In both cases, buds were regenerated directly from excised explants without an intervening callus phase after a two-step culture procedure. In cotyledonary explants derived from zygotic embryos, prolific shoot formation occurred within 2—3 weeks on MS medium supplemented with 0.5—5 mg/1 BAP alone or in combination with 0.1 mg/1 NAA. Nodal explants with axillary meristems derived from aseptically grown seedlings or stem cuttings were used to initiate a round compact bulb-like structure on MS medium containing 10 mg/1 BAP. These latter structures, when cultured on MS medium supplemented with 0.1 mg/1 NAA, 1 mg/1 BAP and 0.1 mg/1 GA₃, produced multiple shoots. Somatic embryos isolated at the globular/torpedo stage from zygotic embryo explants were also capable of multiple shoot production on medium with 1 mg/1 BAP. Rooting of regenerated shoots exceeded 95 % in phytohormone-free MS medium. No change in their ploidy levels was observed. Therefore, the protocols developed should be of use in the particle gun and Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation of cassava.     

Immunization of cattle with nymphal Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum extracts: effects on tick biology

Antigens derived from partially engorged nymphs of Hyalomma anatolicum anatolicum were used in immunizing crossbred (Bos indicus×Bos taurus) cattle against larval, nymphal and adult H. a. anatolicum and H. dromedarii. The cattle were either infected with Theileria annulata at low parasitaemia or were uninfected. Whole nymphal extract (WNE), nymphal membrane antigens (NMA) and nymphal soluble antigens (NSA) were used for immunization. The group immunized with WNE showed significant and better rejection of H. a. anatolicum ticks as compared to calves immunized with either NMA or NSA. The moulting rates of both engorged larvae and nymphs remained unaffected. Nymphs which engorged on the immunized calves were fully susceptible to infection by T. annulata as indicated by the intensity and abundance of Theileria infections in the resulting adult ticks from immunized and unimmunized Theileria infected cattle. These ticks also transmitted fatal theileriosis to susceptible calves.     

Folacin and cyanocobalamin in relation to naturalTrypanosoma evansi Infection in buffaloes

Summary The haematological values of haemoglobin (Hb), packed cell volume (PCV) and vitamin levels of folacin (folic acid), cyanocobalamin (vitamin B₁₂) of buffaloes, in a surra endemic area of Eastern Haryana, India, were determined. Surra-positive buffaloes had significantly low levels of Hb, PCV, folic acid and vitamin B₁₂. These low levels of folic acid and vitamin B₁₂ may have enhanced the clinical signs of chronic trypanosomosis, caused byTrypanosoma evansi.

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Folacina Y Cianocobalamina En Relacion Con La Infeccion Natural De Bufalos ConTrypanosoma Evansi

Resumen Se determinaron los valores hematológicos de hemoglobina (Hb), volumen corpuscular celular (PCV) y los niveles vitamínicos de ácido fólico y cianocobalamina (vitamina B₁₂) de búfalos, en un área endémica de surra en Haryana Oriental, India. Los búfalos positivos a surra tuvieron niveles bajos de Hb, PCV, ácido fólico y vitamina B₁₂. Los niveles bajos de ácido fólico y cianocobalamina, pudieron haber exacerbado los sintomas clinicos de tripanosomiasis crónica, causada porTrypanosoma evansi.

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Folacine Et Cyanocobalamine En Relation Avec La Trypanosomose ATrypanosoma Evansi Chez Des Buffles

Résumé Les valeurs hématologiques de l'hémoglobine (Hb), l'hématocrite (PCV) et les taux de la folacine (acide folique) et de la cyanocobalamine (vitamine B₁₂) chez des buffles ont été déterminés dans une région de l'Est Haryana, Inde, où sévit le surra à l'état endémique. Les buffles positifs vis-à-vis du surra présentaient des taux significativement faibles de Hb, PCV, d'acide folique et de vitamine B₁₂. Les taux peu élevés de ces deux derniers éléments peuvent renforcer les siqnes cliniques de la trypanosomose chronique, due àT. evansi.

     

Metabolic clustering of a core collection of Indian ginseng Withania somnifera Dunal through DNA, isoenzyme, polypeptide and withanolide profile diversity

Withania somnifera is one of the most important medicinal plants of Ayurveda and finds extensive uses in Indian traditional herbal preparations. In this investigation, selected accessions of the plant were examined for diversity through RAPDs, isoenzymes, polypeptide polymorphism and withanolide profiles. The accessions clustered together with respect to their characteristic profile of major withanolides and represented withaferin A, withanone, withanolide D or withanolide A rich groups. This level of phytochemical diversity as discrete chemotypes is widest and is being first ever documented to occur in Indian population of the plant.     

Isolates of Theileria annulata collected from different parts of India show phenotypic and genetic diversity

Phenotypic and genetic polymorphism was studied amongst four Theileria annulata isolates collected from three different parts of India. Amongst various markers studied for the comparison of growth characteristics of schizont cell lines established from these isolates, viability, non-viability counts and nitric oxide (NO) production showed significant variation. A negative correlation was observed between NO production and mRNA expression for TNF-alpha, a potent proinflammatory cytokine related to the pathogenesis of the disease. Phenotypic polymorphism was also revealed by T. annulata schizont-specific monoclonal antibodies (Mabs), viz. 1C7, 1E11, 2G2 and EU-106, which recognized variable number of cells in indirect fluorescent antibody and indirect immunoperoxidase tests, when tested against the four T. annulata isolates collected from India. Genetic polymorphism was recognized amongst the four isolates by restriction digestion analysis of Tams-1 gene PCR products. These observations revealed that the four isolates of T. annulata are different from each other and might be expressing different antigenic determinants on their cell surface.     

Characterisation and validation of housekeeping genes for qRT-PCR expression analysis in Pterophyllum scalare

Aquaculture International - Quantitative real-time RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) is the most sensitive and advanced method to quantify the expression of target genes of animals including fish. However, the...     

Theileria infectivity ofHyalomma ticks in Haryana,India

Summary Theileria infection of Hyalomma ticks collected from three districts of Haryana was assessed in whole salivary glands by the methyl-green pyronin staining method. Of 1,662 ticks screened, 546 (32·8%) were found Theileria positive. Infection rate in 935 female ticks (36·9%) was more than that of 727 male ticks (27·6%). Density of Theileria infection (number of infected acini per infected tick) was also higher in female ticks.Theileria infection rate of ticks varied greatly in the three districts viz. only 12·0% in Rohtak, 25·8% in Hisar and 48·3% in Karnal. Per cent infection rate was high (63·7%) in ticks from indigenous cattle and low (18·6%) in those collected from buffaloes. However, the intensity of infection in infected ticks from cross-bred cattle was comparatively much higher. Frequency distribution ofTheileria positive acini in infected ticks revealed a low density of infection per infected tick. This points to the largely stable endemic situation prevailing in Haryana. Only a single salivary acinus was found infected in 16·6% of the infected ticks, about 70% had up to 10 infected acini while only about 10% had over 25 infected acini per tick. The masses in acini presumed to beTheileria were confirmed by demonstrating parasitic masses on staining one of a pair of salivary glands and inoculating the suspension of the other half of the gland into two cross-bred cow calves which developed clinical signs and lesions typical of theileriosis.

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Resumen Se determinó la infectividad theilérica de garraptasHyaloma colectadas en tres distritos de Haryana, examinando las glándulas salivares mediante el método de coloración de la pironina verde-metilo. De 1662 ácaros examinados, 546 (32·8%) se encontraron positivas a theileria. La frecuencia de infección en 935 hembras (36·9%) fue más alta que la encontrada en 727 machos (27·6%). El número de acinos infectados por garrapata infectada fue tambien superior en garrapatas hembras. La fracuencia de la infección theilérica vario en tres distritos. Se encontro el 12·0% en Rohtak, 25·8% en Hisar y 48·3% en Karnal. La frequencia de infección por ciento fue alta (63·7%) en garrapatas de ganado criollo y bajo (18·6%) en aquellas colectadas de búfalos. Sin embargo, la frecuencia de infección en garrapatas de ganado cruzado, fue comparativamente más alta. La frecuencia de distribución de acinos positivos a theileria en garrapatas infectadas, reveló una baja densidad de infección por garrapata infectada. Esto se?ala una situación endémica estable prevalente en Haryana. Solamente un acino salivar se encontro infectado en el 16·6% de gappapatas infectadas, cerca del 70·0% tuvo arriba de 10 acinos infectados, mientras que solamente et 10·0% tuvo sobre los 25 acinos infectados, por garrapata. Las masas de acinos presumiblemente de theileria, se confirmaron mediante la tinción de la glándula salivar e inoculando parte de ella en terneros cruzados, los cuales desarrollaron theileriosis.

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Résumé L’infection theilerienne desHyalomma récoltées dans 3 districts de l’Haryana a été examinée sur les glandes salivaires totales par la méthode de coloration au vert de méthyle-pyronine. Sur 1662 tiques, 546 (soit 32,8 p. 100) ont été trouvées positives pour lesTheileria. Le taux d’infection (36,9 p. 100) de 935 tiques femelles est supérieur à celui de 727 males (27,6 p. 100). La densité de l’infection parTheileria (nombre d’acini infectés par tique infectée) est plus grande chez les tiques femelles. Le taux d’infection des tiques varie considérablement selon le district: 12,0 p. 100 dans le Rohtak, 25,8 p. 100 dans l’Hisar et 48,3 p. 100 dans le Karnal. Il est élevé (63,7 p. 100) chez les tiques collectées sur du bétail indigène et bas sur celles prélevées sur des buffles (18,6 p. 100). Cependant, l’intensité de l’infection des tiques prélevées sur du bétail métis est comparativement plus grand. La fréquence de distribution des acini positifs pour lesTheileria chez les tiques infectées révèle une faible intensité d’infection par tique. Ceci montre la situation endémique stable existant dans l’Haryana. On n’a trouvé qu’un seul acinus infecté chez 16,6 p. 100 des tiques infectées; environ 70 p. 100 ont jusqu’à 10 acini infectés tandis que 10 p. 100 ont plus de 25 acini infectés. Les masses présentes dans les acini et présumées être desTheileria ont été confirmées être ces agents par coloration de l’une des paires de glandes salivaires et inoculation de l’autre à deux veaux métis qui ont developpé des signes cliniques et des lésions typiques de theileriose.

     

Evidence for an inter-organismic heme biosynthetic pathway in symbiotic soybean root nodules

The successful symbiosis of soybean with Bradyrhizobium japonicum depends on their complex interactions, culminating in the development and maintenance of root nodules. A B. japonicum mutant defective in heme synthesis in culture was able to produce heme as a result of its symbiotic association with the soybean host. The bacterial mutant was incapable of synthesizing the committed heme precursor delta-aminolevulinic acid (ALA), but nodule plant cells formed ALA from glutamate. In addition, exogenous ALA was taken up by isolated nodule bacteria of the parent strain and of the mutant. It is proposed that bacterial heme found in nodules can be synthesized from plant ALA, hence segments of a single metabolic pathway are spatially separated into two organisms.