Jasmonic and salicylic acid-induced resistance in sorghum against the stem borer Chilo partellus

Induced resistance was studied in three sorghum genotypes (IS2205, ICSV1 and ICSV700) against Chilo partellus (Swinhoe) (Lepidoptera; Pyralidae) infestation and jasmonic acid (JA) and salicylic acid (SA) application. The activity of plant defensive enzymes [peroxidase (POD), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT)], and the amounts of total phenols, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), malondialdehyde (MDA), and proteins were recorded at 6 days after infestation. The induction of enzyme activities and the amounts of secondary metabolites varied among the genotypes and treatments. The genotype IS2205 showed a stronger effect than that of ICSV1 or ICSV 700. Treatment with JA followed by insect infestation induced greater levels of enzymes and secondary metabolites. The results suggest that JA induces greater levels of resistance components in sorghum plants against insect pests. Thus, pretreatment of plants with elicitors including JA and SA could provide a greater opportunity for plant defense against herbivores.     

Effect of 46 years' application of fertilizers,FYM and lime on physical,chemical and biological properties of soil under maize–wheat system in an acid Alfisol of northwest Himalayas

Imbalanced fertilizer use with intensive cropping has threatened the sustainability of agroecosystems, especially on acid soils. An understanding of the long-term effects of fertilizers and amendments on soil health is essential for sustaining high crop yields. The effects of application of fertilizers, and amendments for 46 years on soil properties and maize yield in an acid Alfisol were investigated in this study. Ten fertilizer treatments comprising different amounts of NPK fertilizers, farmyard manure (FYM) and lime, and one control, were replicated three times in a randomized block design. At 0–15 cm soil depth, bulk density was least (1.20 t/m³), porosity (49.8%) and water holding capacity (61.7%) were greatest in 100% NPK + FYM, corresponding to the largest organic carbon content (13.93 g/kg). Microbial biomass C and dehydrogenase activity in 100% NPK + FYM were 42% and 13.7% greater than 100% NPK, respectively. Available nutrients were significantly more with 100% NPK + FYM and 100% NPK + lime than control and other fertilizer treatments. At 15–30 cm depth, the effect of various treatments was comparable to the surface layer. Grain yield declined by 55% and 53% in 100% NPK(-S) and 100% NP, respectively, compared with 100% NPK, whereas 100% N as urea alone eventually led to crop failure. Soil porosity recorded the greatest positive correlation (r = .933**), whereas bulk density recorded a negative significant correlation (r = −.942**) with grain yield. The results suggest that integrated use of FYM/lime with chemical fertilizers is a sustainable practice in terms of crop yield and soil health, whereas continuous application of urea alone is detrimental to the soil health.     

CONTRAST RADIOGRAPHY OF THE OVINE GASTROINTESTINAL TRACT

Contrast radiography of the alimentary canal was conducted in six adult sheep with barium sulfate (70% W/V, 25–30 ml/kg). A period of 12 hours was adequate for opacification of most parts of the gastrointestinal tract. The presence of contrast medium in different parts of the alimentary canal was noted for as long as 60 hours. The right lateral view was adequate for visualization of most structures, but the typical laminar mucosal pattern of the omasum and the spiral mucosal folds of the abomasum were demonstrated better on the ventrodorsal view.     

Influence of maternal antibody on efficacy of embryo vaccination with cell-associated and cell-free Marek's disease vaccine

Vaccination with turkey herpesvirus (HVT) of 18-day-old chicken embryos from a commercial source or from a cross (15 X 7) of two inbred lines induced better protection against early post-hatch challenge with virulent Marek's disease virus (MDV) than vaccination at hatch, despite the presence in embryos of maternally derived antibodies to HVT or to HVT and MDV. However, 50%-protective-dose (PD50) assays revealed that maternal antibodies in embryos reduced vaccine efficacy. The PD50 assays were conducted by vaccinating 15 X 7 embryos with serial dilutions of HVT at the 18th day of incubation. Embryonally vaccinated and unvaccinated chicks were challenged with MDV on the day of hatch. In the absence of maternal antibodies, the PD50 values in plaque-forming units for cell-associated and cell-free HVT were 57 and 328, respectively. In the presence of maternal antibodies, PD50 values for cell-associated and cell-free HVT were 105 and greater than 4,000, respectively.     

Psoroptes cuniculi induced oxidative imbalance in rabbits and its alleviation by using vitamins A, D3, E, and H as adjunctive remedial

The oxidant/antioxidant balance of rabbits naturally infected with Psoroptes cuniculi and treated with ivermectin +/− vitamins A, D₃, E, and H supplementation was investigated. Two groups of seven mixed ♂ and ♀, 6-to-8 month-old New Zealand White rabbits, diagnosed Psoroptes mites-positive by skin scraping examination and seven clinically healthy control rabbits were examined. Blood samples were obtained on day 0 and at 28 days post-therapy to determine oxidative stress indices. On day 0, the levels of lipid peroxides were significantly higher (P ≤ 0.01) in the Psoroptes-infected rabbits compared with the healthy controls while those of reduced glutathione and the activities of the antioxidant enzymes glutathione peroxidase, glutathione-S-transferase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase were significantly lower (P ≤ 0.01). Vitamin supplementation of the ivermectin-treated rabbits revealed both faster clinical (14 days) and parasitological (10 days) recovery. It was concluded that significant alteration of oxidant/antioxidant balance is a factor in the pathogenesis of P. cuniculi infestation of rabbits, and recovery can be enhanced by combining ivermectin treatment with vitamin A, D_3, E, and H supplementation.     

Fenbendazole for treatment of Paragonimus kellicotti infection in dogs.

The effect of fenbendazole therapy was studied in 9 dogs with pulmonary paragonimiasis induced by inoculation of metacercariae (25/dog) of Paragonimus kellicotti. At 42 to 47 days after 6 dogs were inoculated, they were given fenbendazole in 2 divided doses totaling 50 mg (4 dogs) or 100 mg (2 dogs)/kg of body weight each day for 10 to 14 days. Three dogs were not treated. The passage of Paragonimus eggs in the feces ceased after 3 days at the high dosage and after 3 to 8 days at the low dosage. All dogs were euthanatized and necropsied on day 14. Live flukes were not recovered from the lungs of any treated dog, but 15, 19, and 23 live flukes were recovered from the untreated dogs.     

Urinary tract infections-microbial virulence determinants and reactive oxygen species

The human urinary tract is able to combat with the microbial invasion under normal circumstances. To cause urinary tract infection the organism has to evade the host defense mechanisms by possessing distinct properties which contribute to the virulence of the organism hence called virulence determinants Ninety percent of uncomplicated urinary tract infections are caused by Escherichia coli, hence the knowledge of the virulence determinants of this organism can be extrapolated to other uropathogenic organism as well. Virulence determinants of uropathogenic E. coli include adhesins, siderophore production, polysaccharide coating, hemolysin production, outer membrane proteins etc. The intestinal E. coli, which are the reservoir of E. coli for causing UTI, lack these virulence determinants. On the other hand these virulence determinants enable the organism to colonize and invade the urinary tract. In addition these are important in acquiring the nutrients in other wise nutrient deficient environment. Further, they also help the organisms in triggering an inflammatory response and hence bringing about pathological changes which leads to symptomatic UTI. Severity of symptomatic infections and tissue damage during the infective process depends upon the magnitude of the inflammatory response triggered by the uropathogen which in turn is dependent upon the amount of extrcellular release of reactive oxygen species by the phagocytic cells; hence role of antioxidants as an adjunct to antibiotics in the treatment of infective process needs to be evaluated further.