Anethole inhibits growth of recently emerged multidrug resistant toxigenic Vibrio cholerae O1 El Tor variant strains in vitro

To search natural compounds having inhibitory effect on bacterial growth is important, particularly in view of growing multidrug resistant (MDR) strains of bacterial pathogens. Like other bacterial pathogens, MDR Vibrio cholerae, the causative agent of diarrheal disease cholera, is becoming a great concern. As an approach of searching new antimicrobial agents, here, we show that anethole, a well-studied natural component of sweet fennel and star anise seeds, could potentially inhibit the growth of MDR O1 El Tor biotype, the ongoing 7th cholera pandemic variant strains of toxigenic V. cholerae. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of anethole against diverse O1 El Tor biotype strains is evaluated as 200 µg/ml. Moreover, the effect of anethole is bactericidal and exerts rapid-killing action on V. cholerae cells. This study is the first report which demonstrates that anethole, purified from natural compound, is a potent inhibitor of growth of toxigenic V. cholerae. Our data suggest that anethole could be a potential antimicrobial drug candidate, particularly against MDR V. cholerae mediated infections.     

PCR-SSCP analysis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fusarium</Emphasis> diversity in asparagus decline in Japan

The diversity of Fusarium populations in asparagus (Asparagus officinalis L.) decline fields in Japan was estimated by PCR-SSCP (single-stranded conformational polymorphism) analysis of the ITS2 regions of the nuclear rRNA genes. This method was used to rapidly and objectively identify pathogens associated with roots of plants showing symptoms of asparagus decline collected from fields in five regions across Japan. Over 651 fusarial isolates were obtained, and were easily differentiated into three principal species. Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. asparagi was most frequently isolated from the domestic five regions (68%), whereas Fusarium proliferatum (28.6%) was less frequent. Fusarium solani was found much rarely (2.5%). The frequency of isolation of Fusarium proliferatum increased gradually from the north to the south of Japan, though considerable differences were found between fields in each region, as well as regional differences among the Fusarium populations. Most of the fusarial isolates were highly pathogenic in vitro. These results reveal that Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. asparagi and Fusarium proliferatum are important biotic factors which lead to asparagus decline in Japan.     

Immobilization of Cationic Titanium Dioxide (TiO<Subscript>2</Subscript><Superscript>+</Superscript>) on Electrospun Nanofibrous Mat: Synthesis,Characterization, and Potential Environmental Application

We report a facile approach to fabrication and characterization of cationic titanium dioxide (TiO₂⁺) on poly (vinyl alcohol)/poly (acrylic acid) (PVA/PAA) composite electro-spun nanofibrous mat. The aim of this study is to develop a “functional electrospun nanofibrous mat” as a sustainable approach to superior photocatalytic degradation of organic colorants. For that, the PVA/PAA nanofibrous mat was prepared by electrospinning of PVA and PAA solution according to an aspect ratio of 1:1 and later water stability was induced by the thermal cross linking at an elevated temperature of 145 °C for 30 minute. By means of electrostatic layer-by-layer (LbL) assembly, cationic titanium dioxide (TiO₂⁺, ~19 nm) was immobilized on the surface of the water stable nanofibrous mat. As functionalized composited nanofibrous mat was characterized by using scanning electron microscope (SEM), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Superior competency of the functionalized nanofibrous mat towards photocatalytic degradation of organic dye (methyl blue) in aqueous solution was observed by using UV-visible spectrophotometer with quantitative measuring method. The result indicates a complete degradation of methyl blue within 40 mins and superior reusability upto 5 cycles application. The study signifies the prospect of using electrospun nanofibers to manipulate the catalytic activity, which could be a foundation for further rational design of various composite nanofibrous materials.     

Range extension of four highland agamid lizards in Shimshal Pamir, Pakistan

As part of the Sino-Pak trans-boundary cooperation for conservation and sustainable development in Pamir border region,World Wild Fund (WWF)-Pakistan conducted a preliminary social,economic and ecological survey in the Shimshal-Pamir Lakes area in July 2009.The purpose of the study was to explore potentials and opportunities for future collaborative conservation of some species,habitats and high altitude ecosystems in the border region between China and Pakistan.The two-week herpetological study in the Shimshal Pamir area of Khunjerab National Park (KNP) along Pakistan-China border was an integral part of the survey,conducted exclu-sively to document reptilian fauna with a special emphasis on investigating their occurrence,distribution and status in the study area.Field investigations were performed during daytime when it was hot enough and reptiles were active,basking or feeding.A total of 15 specimens belonging to four species of the Agamidae family were captured by striking stones and beating bushes with sticks.Collected specimens were preserved using 10% formalin solution,tagged with field information and stored in Zoological Survey Department,Karachi for future reference.Laboratory investigations were carried out for pholidosic counts and morphometric measurements.A detailed review of relevant literature,habitat characteristics and laboratory investigations revealed the occurrence of Laudakia himalayana,L.pakistanica,L.tuberculata and L.badakhshana at 4,082 m,4,172 m,4,005 m and 4,240 m asl,respectively,which are much higher altitudes as compared to the previously reported heights of 3,353 m,3,200 m,2,500 m and 2,400 m asl.The terrain offers a variety of ecological barriers,in the form of fast and freezing running waters and massive glaciers with peculiar harsh climatic conditions prevailing for nine months of the year,which restricts species migration and thus increases endemism.Although one of the four species recorded from the study area,i.e.L.pakistanica is endemic to Pakistan,L.tuberculata and L.badakhshana are new records from Shimshal,Pakistan,so a detailed investigation is suggested for further herpetological records from the study area.     

Effects of incubation times and moisture regimes on pH values and exchangeable cations in acid sulfate soils as influenced by application rates of basic slag

Severe acidifications in acid sulfate soils (ASSs) have occurred worldwide due to sulfuric acidity, which requires sustainable measures for their reclamation. Accordingly, an incubation study was conducted with the topsoil of two different ASSs (Cheringa and Badarkhali) to evaluate the effects of basic slag (BS; size <1 mm, pH 9.6, Ca 20.8%, Mg 9.8%, etc.), on reduction of acidity and changes in exchangeable cations. It is noted that BS is a byproduct of steel industry in Bangladesh and can be collected almost free of charge. These soils received BS at the rate of 0 (T₀), 11 (T₁), 22 (T₂) and 33 (T₃) t ha⁻¹ under various moisture regimes (saturated condition M₁,_, i.e., 100% moisture content, wetting–drying cycles of 100 and 50% moisture M_2, and moisture at field condition M₃, i.e., 50%). The impacts of these treatments on some selected parameters in these soils were studied within 180 days of incubation. The application of BS was found to increase the pH of soils from 3.6 to 5.1 for Cheringa, 3.9 to 5.2 for Badarkhali soils at the end of incubation. These increments were more striking with the highest doses of BS under saturated moisture conditions in both of the soils. The ECe of the soils was not much influenced by the application of BS regardless of time. The treatments exerted significant (P ≤ 0.05) effects on exchangeable cations in different periods of incubation. The striking changes were recorded for the rate of increments of Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺, which were about 2–3 times higher for Ca and more than 2 times higher for Mg²⁺ compared with the control after 180 days of incubation. These results suggest that the application of BS not only increased the Ca²⁺ to the higher amount than that of the increment of Mg²⁺ in the soils, but also improved one of the important criteria of Ca²⁺ and Mg²⁺ ratio in the soils.     

Genetic difference in adventitious rhizogenesis in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Albizia procera</Emphasis> Benth. with IBA treatment

Variable adventitious rhizogenesis of juvenile shoot cuttings was observed in seven half-sib families (TP-1, BAN-1, AN-3, JR-3, SL-16, UM-3, and UM-5) of Albizia procera Benth. Treatment with IBA invariably promoted sprouting by 8%, adventitious rooting by 218%, root number by 869%, and root length by 36.4% compared with the control. Interaction between families and IBA treatment significantly enhanced sprouting and root length in BAN-1, JR-3, UM-3, and UM-5, and root number in all families, but had a significant suppressive effect on sprouting in AN-3. Treatment with IBA increased family heritability (h _f ²) 1.38-fold for sprouting, 2.86-fold for adventitious rooting, and 10.86-fold for root number, but reduced family heritability by a factor of 8.25 for root length. Thus, direct genetic effects seem to have strongly affected sprouting and adventitious rooting, with IBA playing an auxiliary role, but had little effect on root number and length, for which IBA had a dominant regulatory role.     

Glutathione content of in vivo and in vitro matured canine oocytes collected from different reproductive stages

Glutathione (GSH) concentrations of oocytes are considered as an important marker of the cytoplasmic maturation. The present study was designed to compare GSH concentrations of in vivo and in vitro matured canine oocytes. In vivo matured oocytes were collected 72 hr after ovulation by flushing fallopian tubes after laparotomy. Ovaries were collected from bitches with different reproductive stages, and collected oocytes were divided into 2 groups according to the size viz. < 120 microm and > 120 microm in diameter and cultured for 72 hr in Tissue Culture Medium-199 supplemented with 10% FBS, 2.2 mg/ml sodium bicarbonate, 2.0 microg/ml estrogen, 0.5 microg/ml FSH, 0.03 IU/ml hCG, and 1% penicillin-streptomycin solution in the presence or absence of 50 microM beta-mercaptoethanol. GSH concentrations were determined by the dithionitrobenzoic acid-glutathione disulfide (DTNB-GSSG) reductase recycling assay. GSH concentrations of immature canine oocytes were 2.9 and 3.8, 3.5 and 6.8, and 3.1 and 6.5 pM/oocyte for < 120 microm and > 120 microm in diameter oocyte groups at anestrous, follicular and luteal stage, respectively (P<0.05). In vivo matured oocytes had significantly higher GSH concentrations compared with in vitro matured oocytes. The GSH content was 19.2 pM/oocyte for in vivo matured oocytes, while 4.1 to 8.1 and 5.7 to 13.2 pM/oocyte for in vitro matured oocytes cultured in the absence or presence of beta-mercaptoethanol, respectively (P<0.05). Presence of beta-mercaptoethanol increased GSH synthesis in canine oocytes cultured in vitro, and oocytes collected from follicular and luteal stage was superior to anestrus oocytes.     

Chemically and biologically activated biochars slow down urea hydrolysis and improve nitrogen use efficiency

Biochar is considered a potential technology to enhance chemical fertilizer use efficiency through intensification of the interactions between nutrients and the functional groups on biochar surfaces. However, little is known about how the application of activated biochars mixed with urea influences nitrogen(N) mineralization and crop performance in paddy fields. Here, a sawdust-derived fresh biochar (FBC)(ca. 400?C) was activated chemically with 15%hydrogen peroxide and biologically with a nutri...     

Analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and CNS depressant activities of new constituents of Nepeta clarkei

Two new pentacyclic triterpenes named kirmanoic acid (1) and kurramanoic acid (2) have been isolated from the chloroform-soluble portion of the whole plant of Nepeta clarkei Hook. The structures of the two new compounds were assigned on the basis of their 1H and 13C NMR spectra including two-dimensional NMR techniques such as COSY, HMQC, and HMBC experiments. Kirmanoic acid (1) was investigated for analgesic, anti-inflammatory, and CNS depressant activities. Interestingly kirmanoic acid (1) showed strong analgesic activity than standard drug in acetic induced writhing and formalin tests. Similarly kirmanoic acid (1) also showed strong anti-inflammatory activity than its standard drug. The gross behavioral study of kirmanoic acid (1) revealed that it exhibited mild CNS stimulant and muscle relaxant in the mice. Compound 1 showed a slight increase in Locomotor activity and possesses the antidepressant effect.     

Breeding system of Solanum integrifolium Poir. with an emphasis on sex potential and intercrossability

Summary The breeding system of Solanum integrifolium has been studied with the view of setting up a breeding programme. Three flower types are distinguished on the basis of style length. The results of crosses among these types have elucidated that only long-style flowers are female-fertile. The medium and short-style flowers are unable to set fruits. Some of the flowers, irrespective of their stylar morphism, also exhibit male sterility which is uncommon in Solanum. The biological significance of the stylar heteromorphism has been discussed in relation to evolutionary trends in the genus and the probable cause of this phenomenon speculated upon.