Expression and localization of adiponectin and its receptors in ovarian follicles during different stages of development and the modulatory effect of adiponectin on steroid production in water buffalo

Adiponectin is an adipocyte‐derived hormone regulating energy metabolism, insulin sensitivity and recently found to regulate reproduction. The current study was carried out to investigate gene and protein expression, immunolocalization of adiponectin and its receptors AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 in ovarian follicles of different developmental stages in water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) and to investigate the effect of adiponectin on steroid production in cultured bubaline granulosa cells. qPCR, western blotting and immunohistochemistry were applied to demonstrate mRNA expression, protein expression and immunolocalization, respectively. The results indicate that adiponectin, AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 were present in granulosa cells (GC) and theca interna (TI) of ovarian follicles and the expression of adiponectin, AdipoR1, AdipoR2 in GC and AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 in TI increased with increase in follicle size (p < .05). Expression of adiponectin was high in small and medium size follicles in TI. The adiponectin and its receptors were immunolocalized in the cytoplasm of GC and TI cells. Further, in the in‐vitro study, GCs were cultured and treated with recombinant adiponectin each at 0, 1 and 10 µg/ml alone or with follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) at 30 ng/ml) or Insulin‐like growth factor I (IGF‐I) at 10 ng/ml for 48 hr after obtaining 75%–80%s confluency. Adiponectin at 10 µg/ml increased IGF‐I‐induced estradiol (E₂) and progesterone (P₄) secretion and FSH‐induced E₂ secretion from GC and also increased the abundance of factors involved in E₂ and P₄ production (cytochrome P45019A1 [CYP19A1] and 3‐beta‐hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase [3β‐HSD]). In conclusion, this study provides novel evidence for the presence of adiponectin and its receptors in ovarian follicles and modulatory role of adiponectin on steroid production in buffalo.     

用亚铁水泥板制作竹混凝土复合柱的试验论证

本文介绍了用4根牡竹制作的并用亚铁水泥板做连接轴向载荷的一种结构形式-柱子——的初试论证。在结构试验中,柱高1.4 m,上部、中部和底部用亚铁水泥板连接起来。用万能试验机进行了非轴压力试验,以研究其性能。本文还报道了最大承载和失败模式。这是一种成本效益较高的竹柱设计方法,可以以最少的资源和半熟练工进行大量生产。笔者建议,用"BSMCRETE"来命名这种竹混凝土复合材料。     

Effects of Urea Sprays on the Chemical Composition of Ber Fruits (Ziziphus Mauritiana Lam.)

Trees of ber cv Banarasi Karaka were sprayed with urea solutions of 2, 4 or 6% just before flowering in September. Ripened fruits were analysed for total soluble solids, acid, sugars, vitamin C and pectin contents. The sprays caused significant increases in TSS, sugars, vitamin C and pectin contents but a decrease in the acid content of the fruit.     

Prospects and challenges in utilization of indigenous rocks and minerals as source of potassium in farming

Potassium (K) is one of the essential nutrients required by crops in large quantities; however, its use in agriculture by farmers is less than required in developing countries. This neglect has led to excess mining of K in soils by crop plants and has resulted in a negative balance of K in soils. This loss necessitates the need of more use of potassium fertilizers in agriculture. Rocks and minerals offer a potential fertilizer to utilize in agriculture as source of K. The crop trials revealed that feldspar, mica, glauconite, nepheline and shoenite are good sources of K for crops, especially in highly weathered acid soils. However, some researchers have reported no agronomic benefit of feldspar or granite rock application to crops. Overall the size modification, acidulation, microbial inoculants and preparation of K-enriched compost are the effective techniques to utilize K-bearing rocks and minerals. Very limited information is available on these aspects. Thus, in this review, an attempt has been to consolidate up-to-date information of indigenous rocks and minerals as possibilities for alternate sources of K for crop plants. Moreover, this area of research needs attention to utilize indigenous K sources, which can aid to limit the import and cost, of the establishment of potash fertilizer-based industries in developing countries.     

Degradation kinetics and safety evaluation of buprofezin residues in grape (Vitis vinifera L.) and three different soils of India

BACKGROUND: This work was undertaken to determine the preharvest interval (PHI) of buprofezin to minimize its residues in grapes and thereby ensure consumer safety and avoid possible non‐compliance in terms of residue violations in export markets. Furthermore, the residue dynamics in three grapevine soils of India was explored to assess its environmental safety. RESULTS: Residues dissipated following non‐linear two‐compartment first + first‐order kinetics. In grapes, the PHI was 31 days at both treatments (312.5 and 625 g a.i. ha^?1), with the residues below the maximum permissible intake even 1 h after foliar spraying. Random sampling of 5 kg comprising small bunchlets (8–10 berries) collected from a 1 ha area gave satisfactory homogeneity and representation of the population. A survey on the samples harvested after the PHI from supervised vineyards that received treatment at the recommended dose showed residues below the maximum residue limit (MRL) of 0.02 mg kg^?1 applicable for the European Union. In soil, the degradation rate was fastest in clay soil, followed by sandy loam and silty clay, with a half‐life within 16 days in all the soils. CONCLUSION: The recommendation of the PHI proved to be effective in minimizing buprofezin residues in grapes. Thus, this work is of high practical significance to the domestic and export grape industry of India to ensure safety compliance in respect of buprofezin residues, keeping in view the requirements of international trade. Copyright © 2008 Society of Chemical Industry     

Effect of dietary synbiotic on growth performance,body composition,digestive enzyme activity and gut microbiota in Cirrhinus mrigala (Ham.) fingerlings

A feeding trial of 60 days was conducted to delineate the effect of dietary synbiotic on maximum growth, body composition, digestive enzyme activity and subsequently gut microbiota in Cirrhinus mrigala fingerlings. One hundred and eighty acclimatized fingerlings of mrigal with initial body weight ranging from 2.87 ± 0.01 g to 3.26 ± 0.05 g were randomly distributed in three replicates of each of four experimental groups including control (without probiotic and prebiotic), T₁ (high probiotic + low prebiotic), T₂ (low probiotic + high prebiotic) and T₃ (high probiotic + high prebiotic), using completely randomized design (CRD). Results showed that growth performance parameters, such as specific growth rate (SGR), per cent weight gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR) and protein efficiency ratio (PER), were reported to be higher in the T₂ group followed by the T₃ group. Maximum gut microbiota activity was found in the T₃ group which was significantly different from other treatment groups. Similarly, body composition and digestive enzyme activity varied significantly (p < .05) among the treatment groups. The study showed the possibility of improved nutrient utilization in terms of growth performance and digestive enzyme activity in the group following dietary synbiotic supplementation.     

Dissipation and distribution behavior of azoxystrobin, carbendazim, and difenoconazole in pomegranate fruits

The dissipation behavior and degradation kinetics of azoxystrobin, carbendazim, and difenoconazole in pomegranate are reported. Twenty fruits/hectare (5 kg) were collected at random, ensuring sample-to-sample relative standard deviation (RSD) within 20-25%. Each fruit was cut into eight equal portions, and two diagonal pieces per fruit were drawn and combined to constitute the laboratory sample, resulting in RSDs <6% (n = 6). Crushed sample (15 g) was extracted with 10 mL of ethyl acetate (+ 10 g Na(2)SO(4)), cleaned by dispersive solid phase extraction on primary secondary amine (25 mg) and C(18) (25 mg), and measured by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry. The limit of quantification was ≤0.0025 μg g(-1) for all the three fungicides, with calibration linearity in the concentration range of 0.001-0.025 μg mL(-1) (r(2) ≥ 0.999). The recoveries of each chemical were 75-110% at 0.0025, 0.005, and 0.010 μg g(-1) with intralaboratory Horwitz ratio <0.32 at 0.0025 μg g(-1). Variable matrix effects were recorded in different fruit parts viz rind, albedo, membrane, and arils, which could be correlated to their biochemical constituents as evidenced from accurate mass measurements on a Q-ToF LC-MS. The residues of carbendazim and difenoconazole were confined within the outer rind of pomegranate; however, azoxystrobin penetrated into the inner fruit parts. The dissipation of azoxystrobin, carbendazim, and difenoconazole followed first + first order kinetics at both standard and double doses, with preharvest intervals being 9, 60, and 26 days at standard dose. At double dose, the preharvest intervals extended to 20.5, 100, and 60 days, respectively.