Search

The field experiments were conducted at Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Kalyani, West Bengal, India during kharif seasons (July-October) of 2013 and 2014 to evaluate the efficacy of different bio-rational pesticides against the major production constrains of the pigeon pea which is the pod borer complex. The experiments were laid out following randomized block design comprising eleven treatments including control with three replications. Treatments were applied twice with pneumatic knapsack at fifteen days interval starting with initiation of target pest at pod formation stage. Pre-treatment counts of larvae of different lepidopteran borers had been taken from arbitrarily selected five tagged plants from every replication discarding the border effect and subsequently post treatment counts have been taken at 3, 7 and 14 days after each spray. Number of maggots per pod had been recorded for pod fly infestation at before spray and after spray at 7 and 14 days after each spray. Pooled of two years results revealed that flubendiamide recorded lowest mean larval population of Helicoverpa armigera (0.98 larvae plant-1) and Maruca vitrata (0.65 larvae plant-1) with highest seed yield. Among the bio-pesticides, Bacillus thuringiensis and azadirachtinfound to beeffective against pod borer complex in pigeon pea. Pooled of two seasons data showed that fenvalerate, spinosad and flubendiamide were effective treatments against pod fly with 1.13, 1.63 and 1.75 maggots pod-1 respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to determine the pattern of individual traits of malocclusion, including sagittal molar relationship, overbite, overjet, crowding, spacing, cross bite, missing tooth, impacted tooth and extra tooth of upper and lower jaws in patients attended in Orthodontic Department of a Tertiary Level Hospital. This cross-sectional study included orthodontic patients who visited the department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics in Sapporo Dental College and Hospital from January 2013 to February 2018. Among the study population comprised of 371 patients the females were 57.1% and the males were 42.1%.Among them, 6.7% belonged to 6 to 11 years, 20.5% belonged to 12 to 17 years and the remaining 72.8% were of 18-35 years of age. Angles Class I malocclusion was seen to be the most prevalent (64.2%). In incisor classification, Class I malocclusion was seen to be the most prevalent (38.3%). Increase in overjet, deep overbite, crossbite, crowding and spacing were found in 35.34%, 40.3%, 24.3%, 58.2% and 38.5% of the patients respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work investigates the characteristic variation of atmospheric vertical electric field (VEF) from a land based observatory located in Tripura, in the North-East India. The analysis is performed using the VEF data on 32 fair-weather days, selected over a period of three years, from September 2010 to September 2013. The contribution from atmospheric aerosol in the planetary boundary layer (PBL) resulting an enhancement in VEF is observed and explained on the basis of electrical conductivity modulation. To retrieve the universal global signature in diurnal VEF variation, namely, the Carnegie curve, it is necessary to eliminate the effects of aerosol concentration on VEF. So, based on the methodology adopted by previous workers, an effort has been put forward to separate out the effects of aerosol concentration on VEF. It is observed that a poor correlation between the corrected VEF data and universal Carnegie curve data put a limitation on efficiency of the correction mechanism as proposed by other workers. The possible reason of this poor correlation is discussed on the basis of complexity of atmospheric conductivity modulation in the Planetary Boundary Layer (PBL) by change in aerosol concentration over different times of the diurnal cycle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glass fibre-reinforced polymer composite materials are widely used in industrial, aerospace and automotive sector. It has excellent properties such as high strength to weight ratio, higher fatigue limit, high stiffness to weight ratio, corrosion resistance and design flexibility. The strength of the composite highly depends upon orientation of the fibre material. Drilling is one of the major machining operations that are carried out on Glass fibre-reinforced polymer composite materials to the need for components assembly. There are many problems encountered while drilling glass fibre-reinforced polymer composites. The major problems are excessive tool wear and delamination of the composite during drilling, which reduce the strength of the composite during application. In the present study, the experimental investigations are carried out to analyse the effect of various machining parameters, i.e. cutting speed and feed rate on the tool wear and delamination. The time and frequency domain analysis of vibration signals measured using sound sensor is also used to predict the effect of machining parameters on delamination as well as to develop the tool replacement strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Screening of 83 mature wild rodents of Bandicota bengalensis (52 male and 31 females), live trapped from premises near railway station, fish market and agricultural fields in Ludhiana district of Punjab province, India was carried out to assess the natural occurrence of helminth parasites and their potential as reservoirs of zoonoses. On necropsy, intestine of rats was found infected with adult cestode parasites of Hymenolepis diminuta and H. nana. Liver was found infected with Capillaria hepatica and Cysticercus fasciolaris. These parasites were present either alone or as concurrent infection. In overall, 68.67 % rats were found infected of which 59.65 % were infected with nematode parasite, C. hepatica and 75.44 % with cestode parasites. Grossly, pathognomonic lesions of C. hepatica and C. fasciolaris were seen clearly and microscopic changes were observed only in severely infected cases. Overall investigation on the effect of these parasitic infections on pathophysiology of the host revealed that rodents serve as reservoirs of these parasitic infections without having much pathogenic effect on their vital organs, fecundity and enzyme activities. Because of its close association with human habitations, B. bengalensis may act as an important source of zoonotic infections and thus direct or indirect contact with excrements and carcasses of this rodent species, should be avoided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Experiments were conducted at Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Kalyani. West Bengal, India to evaluate the efficacy of chlorantraniliprole 10%+thiamethoxam 20% @ 105,128 and 150 g a.i. ha-1 along with other insecticides against major pests of tomato under field condition. Tomato crop was raised in Randomized Block Design during 2010-11 and 2011-12 crop seasons. One soil drench application of all the treatments was given at 10 days after transplanting @ 100 ml water plant-1 except λ-cyhalothrin 5 EC that was given as foliar spray at the same time with three replications. Observations of whitefly, leaf miner and fruit borer were taken on 5th, 10th, 15th, 20th and 30th days after soil drench application. Yield was recorded separately for each treatment during both the seasons. The per cent reduction or increase (+) of parasitoids (Encarsia sp. and Apanteles sp.) were recorded only on 30th day after application. Results revealed that chlorantraniliprole 10%+thiamethoxam 20% mixture @ 150 g a.i. ha-1 gave excellent control of the two sucking pests, viz. leaf miner (5.09 and 5.75%) and whitefly (0.50 and 0.41 scale) as well as of Helicoverpa armigera (0.46 and 0.61 larvae plant-1) for both the seasons. The yield increases were also significantly higher in Chlorantraniliprole 10%+thiamethoxam 20% mixture treatments as well as it showed remarkable specificity to two important natural enemies associated with tomato ecosystem. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pasteurella multocida (P. multocida) is an important pathogen of various domestic animals. The outer membrane proteins (OMPs) play a major role in pathogenesis and immunogenicity of P. multocida. The aim of the study was to develop indirect enzyme linked immuno sorbant assay (ELISA) based on OMPs to ascertain the antibody titers in animals post-infection or to gauge the potency of vaccine. The OMPs were extracted and purified from P. multocida P:52 (vaccine strain) and P. multocida B:2 isolated from natural outbreak of Haemorrhagic septicaemia (HS) and analyzed on SDS PAGE and through western blot. The OMPs profile of the vaccine strain and the isolate from the natural outbreak of HS were found to be similar. Optimization of various components viz. coating antigens, anti-species conjugate, etc. were carried out against both anti-P. multocida hyper immune and pre immune serum. Validation of OMP based indirect ELISA assay to measure immune response against P. multocida in bovine revealed 91% diagnostic sensitivity (DSN) and about 100% diagnostic specificity (DSP) at 25% cut off. OMP based indirect ELISA was found to be more specific, but less sensitive as compared to WCL based assay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work reports t-evolution of singlet structure function using analytical solution of Taylor-approximated Dokshitzer-Gribov-Lipatov-Altarelli-Parisi equation. Our predictions are compared with Chicago-Columbia-Fermilab-Rochester neutrino data and are found to be quite compatible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our aim was to assess the antioxidant capacities and phenolic constituents of methanol and aqueous extracts of Rhodiola imbricata Edgew. root from Trans-Himalayan cold desert of Ladakh. The 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) radical scavenging capacity of the root extracts increased in a dose-dependent manner (up to 0.1 mg/mL) and root extract concentrations required for 50% inhibition of radical scavenging effect ( IC50) were recorded as 0.013 and 0.014 mg/mL (for DPPH) and 0.016 and 0.017 mg/mL (for ABTS) for methanol and aqueous extracts, respectively. The total antioxidant power of the extract was determined by ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. Total polyphenol and phenolic acid content of methanol and aqueous extracts were 112.24, 59.06, 39.02, and 16.95 mg gallic acid equivalent/g of extract, respectively. Total flavonoid and flavonol contents were estimated to be 30.2, 17.67, 20.68, and 7.38 mg quercetin equivalent/g of extract, respectively. In all antioxidant capacity assays, the methanol extract exhibited significantly higher antioxidant capacity than that of aqueous extract due to the presence of significantly higher amount of vital phytoconstitiuents, viz. polyphenol, phenolic acid, and flavonol. GC/MS analysis showed that phytosterols, alkyl halide, phenols, and fatty acid esters were major phytochemical clusters. On the other hand, monoterpenes, fatty acids, tocopherols, aliphatic hydrocarbons, and ethers were found to be present in comparatively less amount in the methanol extract. Hence, our study signifies that this high-altitude medicinal herb could be used as the natural source of antioxidants and supports its use in traditional system of medicine to ameliorate oxidative stress and high-altitude maladies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodiversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) colonization and AM fungal spores were studied in the roots and rhizosphere soils of Acacia catechu (L.f). Wild., A. mangium Willd, Anthocephala cadamba Miq., Artocarpus chaplasha Roxb., Chickrassia tabularis A. Juss., Swietenia macrophylla King., Tectona grandis L. from plantations; Albizia procera (Roxb.) Benth., A. falcataria L., Alstonia scholaris (L.) R. Br., Aphanamixis polystachya (Wall.) Parker., Hydnocarpus kurzii (King.) Warb., Heynea trijuga Roxb., Lagerstroemia speciosa (L.) Pers., Messua ferrea Linn., Podocarpus nerifolia Don., Swintonia floribunda Griff., Syzygium fruticosum (Roxb.) DC., S. grandis (Wt.) Wal. from forest and nursery seedlings of A. polystachya, A. chaplasha, Gmelina arborea Roxb. and S. cuminii (L.) Skeels from Hazarikhil forest, Chittagong of Bangladesh. Roots were stained in aniline blue and rhizosphere soils were assessed by wet sieving and decanting methods. The range of AM colonization varied significantly from 10%-73% in the plantations samples. Maximum colonization was observed in A. mangium (73%) and minimum colonization was observed in C. tabularis (10%). Vesicular colonization was recorded 15%-67% in five plantation tree species. The highest was in A. cadamba (67%) and the lowest was in T. grandis; A. chaplasha and C. tabularis showed no vesicular colonization. Arbuscular colonization was recorded 12%-60% in four plantation tree species. The highest was in A. mangium (60%) and the lowest was in A. cadamba. Roots of Artocarpus chaplasha, C. tabularis and T. grandis showed no arbuscular colonization. Among 12 forest tree species, nine tree species showed AM colonization. The highest was in A. falcataria (62%) and the lowest was in S. fruticosum (10%). Significant variation in vesicular colonization was recorded in seven forest tree species. The highest was in H. trijuga (52%) and the lowest was in L. speciosa (18%). Hydnocarpus kurzii, M. ferrea, P. nerifolia S. fruticosum and S. grandis showed no vesicular colonization. Arbuscular colonization was recorded in seven forest tree species. The highest was in A. falcataria (60%) and the lowest was in A. procera (10%). All the nursery seedlings showed AM colonization and the range was 10%-73%. Vesicules were recorded in G. arborea (40%) and S. cumini (40%). Arbuscular colonization was recorded in G. arborea (100%) and S. cumini (100%). Spore population was recorded 77-432/100 g dry soils, 80-276/100 g dry soils, and 75-153/100g dry soils in plantation, forest and nursery, respectively. Glomus and Acaulospora were dominant genera among the six AM fungi recorded. Significantly positive correlation was observed between AM colonization and AM fungal spore population in Hazarikhil plantation tree species, forest tree species and nursery tree seedlings. The present study showed the biodiversity of root colonization and AM fungi are active in nutrient cycling, survivals and seedling establishment of the plants in the Hazarikhil forest, plantation and nursery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to evaluate the in vitro antioxidant potential of hydro-ethanolic extract of a novel phytococktail comprising of sea buckthorn, apricot, and Rhodiola (SAR) from trans-Himalaya. The 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) activity of the extract increased in a dose-dependent manner (upto 0.1 mg/mL), and was found to be about 38% of that of ascorbic acid at 0.1 mg/mL. The hydro-ethanolic extract of SAR also scavenged the ABTS.+ radical generated by ABTS/potassium persulfate (PPS) system and was found to be about 62% of that of ascorbic acid at 0.1 mg/ mL. The total antioxidant power of the extract was determined by ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay. Total phenolic content was found to be 1.28016 × 10−3 mol gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/g extract. Total flavonoid and flavonol contents were estimated to be 2.5970 × 10−4 mol and 4.87 × 10−4 mol quercetin equivalent/g extract, respectively. The hydro-ethanolic extract of this phytococktail indicated presence of essential phytoconstituents of polyphenols, flavonoids, flavonols, and ascorbic acid, which contributed significantly to its antioxidant capacity. The combination of the 3 plants may well support their use in traditional medicine to combat oxidative stress and high-altitude sickness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

If psychology is viewed as the science of human mind, the Buddha could unarguably be termed as the finest depth psychologist humanity has seen. Not only did he penetrate deep into the hidden recesses of human mind and uncovered the machinations of the latent tendencies, he also found the way out of their stranglehold on mankind. As a compassionate teacher, he focused his entire teaching primarily on the later practical aspect. He often mentioned that he taught only two things: there is unhappiness (dukkha ) and there is a way out of this unhappiness. The root cause of this unhappiness, he identified as the primeval ignorance avijja, which creates the notion of 'I' as an individual entity, the doer, the feeler and the thinker. This in turn gives rise to the concepts of 'I and mine', 'thee and thine' from which originate craving ( raga) and aversion ( dosa). The Buddha's penetrative insight into the nature of human reality revealed that what we call 'I' or a 'being' is only a concatenation of the five impermanent aggregates, viz. the body, consciousness, intellect, feelings and volitional mental formations, which work interdependently, changing from moment to moment in accordance with the law of cause and effect. By a systematic cultivation of the mindfulness of these aggregates anyone can progressively uproot the ego and purify the mind by extinguishing this fire of defilements continuously burning within it. As the mind gets progressively purified, it awakens from the illusion of 'personality' and naturally abides in loving kindness ( maîtri), compassion ( karuna), altruistic joy ( mudita) and equanimity ( upekkha) to increasing degree. 'No I, No problems', as one contemporary Master puts it. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tracking the motion of lipid domains on a vesicle is a rheological technique allowing the measurement of surface shear viscosities of vesicular lipid phases. The ratio of surface to bulk viscosity defines a viscous length scale. Hydrodynamic interactions split the motion of the domains into different modes of diffusion. The measurability of surface shear viscosities from any mode of diffusion is limited to viscous length scales between the radius of the domains and the radius of the vesicle. The measurability of the surface shear viscosity results from the sensitivity of the diffusion to surface shear viscosities and from sufficient spatial resolution to resolve the diffusive motion. Switching between the various modes of diffusion is a trade between sensitivity gained and resolution lost by the hydrodynamic interactions leaving the measurability unchanged. Measurability drops with the number of domains making single-domain rheology the best technique to measure surface shear viscosities. Ultimately confinement of the domains to small vesicles renders measurements of surface rheological properties with domain-tracking rheology impossible. Experiments on domains in vesicles of a mixture of dioleoylphosphatidylcholine (DOPC), dipalmytoylphosphatidylcholin (DPPC) and cholesterol (Chol) exhibit diffusion that is entirely controlled by dissipation into the water. The diffusion is suppressed compared to the diffusion of isolated domains in a flat membrane due to confinement to the curved vesicle and by hydrodynamic interactions between the domains. Effects of surface shear viscosity can be neglected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVE: To assess the safety and tolerability of atacicept in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and the biologic effect of atacicept on B lymphocyte and immunoglobulin levels. Atacicept is a TACI-Ig fusion protein that inhibits B cell stimulation by binding to B lymphocyte stimulator and a proliferation-inducing ligand. METHODS: This phase Ib, double-blind, placebo-controlled, dose-escalating trial comprised 6 cohorts of patients treated with atacicept or placebo in a 3:1 ratio of active drug to placebo (n = 8 per group; n = 7 in cohort 5). Cohorts 1-4 received a single subcutaneous dose of placebo or either 0.3 mg/kg, 1 mg/kg, 3 mg/kg, or 9 mg/kg of atacicept. Cohorts 5 and 6 received weekly doses of placebo or either 1 mg/kg or 3 mg/kg of atacicept for 4 weeks. Patients were followed up for 6 weeks (cohorts 1-4) or 9 weeks (cohorts 5 and 6). Patients with mild-to-moderate SLE were enrolled. RESULTS: Biologic activity of atacicept was demonstrated by dose-dependent reductions in immunoglobulin levels and in mature and total B cell numbers. This effect was most pronounced in the repeated-dose cohorts and was sustained throughout the followup period. There were no changes in the numbers of T cells, natural killer cells, or monocytes. Mild injection-site reactions occurred more frequently among the atacicept group than the placebo group. There were no differences in the frequency or type of adverse events and no severe or serious adverse events in patients treated with atacicept. CONCLUSION: Atacicept administered subcutaneously was well tolerated and demonstrated biologic activity consistent with the proposed mechanism of action. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biodiversity of arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization and spore population was investigated in different agroforestry trees and crop species collected from different locations of Dinajpur district of Bangladesh. Roots and rhizosphere soils of Albizia procera Benth., Capsicum frutescens L, Curcuma domestica Vahl., Dalbergia sissoo Roxb. and Swietenia macrophylla King. from Dashmail; C. domestica, D. sissoo, Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnn., Gmelina arborea (Roxb) DC and Oryza sativa L. from Kantaji and C. domestica, D. sissoo, Litchi chinensis Sonn. and O. sativa from Ramsagar were collected. Roots and soils were assessed following standard methods. The range of AM colonization was recorded 36%–79% from Dashmail. The highest AM colonization was recorded in C. frutescens (79%) and the lowest was in C. domestica (36%). The range of colonization was recorded as 33%–70% from Kantaji. The highest AM colonization was recorded in G. arborea (70%) and the lowest was in O. sativa (33%). The range of AM colonization was recorded as 35%–70% from Ramsagar. The highest AM colonization was recorded in D. sissoo (70%) and the lowest was in O. sativa (35%). Arbuscular mycorrhizal spore population varied from 54 to 140/100g dry soil in the soils from Dashmail. The highest was in the soils of D. sissoo (140) and the lowest was in C. domestica (54). The spore population varied from 63 to 221 in Kantaji. The highest was in G. arborea (221) and the lowest was in O. sativa (63). The range population in Ramsagar varied from 69 to 160. The highest was recorded in D. sissoo (160) and the lowest was in L. chinensis (69). No significant relationship of soil pH and soil OM with AM colonization and with spore population was observed. Simpson’s index of diversity (Ds) and Shannon’s index of diversity-(Hs) were highest in the soil of D. sissoo from Kantaji and the lowest in the soils of O. sativa from Ramsagar. Biodiversity of AM colonization, spore population and the distribution of AM fungi in the rhizosphere soils of different agroforestry plants indicated the occurrence of AM fungi, mycotrophic nature of the trees and crop species, contribution and necessity of AM fungi and the AM dependence of the agroforestry plants growing in Dinajpur district of Bangladesh. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The primary treatment regimen for Helicobacter pylori infection for Kuwaitis does not contain metronidazole, but that for expatriates does. There is also increasing failure of antimicrobial therapy. Aim To determine the susceptibility of H. pylori from upper gastrointestinal biopsies of Kuwaitis and non-Kuwaitis to find out if differences existed in the susceptibilities of the isolates from the two different populations. Methods The susceptibilities of 96 H. pylori isolates were tested against metronidazole, amoxicillin, clarithromycin and tetracycline by the E test. The rdxA gene was analysed from selected metronidazole-susceptible and metronidazole-resistant strains to find out polymorphism and the basis of metronidazole resistance. Results Approximately, 70% of isolates from both populations were metronidazole resistant with 65% isolates showing high minimum inhibitory concentration values of >256 μg/mL. No resistance to the other three antimicrobials was found. There were novel nonsense and missense mutations with no deletion in the rdxA gene by insertion of mini-IS 605. Conclusions The prevalence and level of metronidazole resistance in H. pylori in the two populations was high with no difference, in spite of different treatment regimens. Metronidazole resistance in this transitional country appeared to be independent of prior metronidazole use for treatment of H. pylori infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Roots and rhizosphere soils of Acacia auriculiformis A. Cunn. ex Benth., A. mangium Wild., Artocarpus heterophyllus Lamk. C., Dalbergia sissoo Roxb. ex A. P. D., Eucalyptus camaldulensis Dehnn., Hevea brasiliensis (Wild. ex Juss) Muell. Arg., Swietenia macrophylla King. and Tectona grandis L. were collected from different locations of Madhupur forest area to study the biodiversity of Arbuscular Mycorrhizal (AM) fungal colonization and spore population. All the plants showed AM colonization. Out of eight selected plants, mycelial colonization was lowest in the roots of A. heterophyllus (22%) and the highest was in the roots of H. brasiliensis (78%). Mycelial intensity was observed poor (25%–77%) and moderate (23%–57%) in all plants species and abundant (11%–40%) was in most of the plant species. Vesicular colonization was observed in five plant species. The lowest was recorded in E. camaldulensis (4%) and the highest was in H. brasiliensis (21%). Poor (24%–56%), moderate (16%–100%) and abundant (11%–40%) type of vesicular intensity were observed. Arbuscular colonization was observed in three plants. The highest was in A. mangium (72%) and the lowest was in S. macrophylla (17%). Arbuscular intensity was recorded as poor (12%–44%), moderate (22%–100%) and abundant (4%–47%). The highest AM fungal spore population was in A. auriculiformis (714) and the lowest was in D. sissoo (102). Five AM fungal genera were recorded. Glomus was found to be dominant. A few spores remained unidentified. Significant correlation was observed between percent colonization and spore population. The results of the present study indicate the occurrence of AM fungi and the mycotrophism of the plants of Madhupur forest area and the applicability of AM technology in the forest management of Madhupur forest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The amino acid composition of the two surface proteins of peste-des-petits ruminants vaccine virus belonging to lineage four from India were deduced from the nucleotide sequence. The fusion (F) protein gene of PPRV Sungri/96 is 2405 nucleotides long and in relation to the length, it is 80 nucleotides longer than that of PPRV Nigeria/75/1 which are found to be present at the 5′UTR of this virus. The complete F gene alignment with other morbillivirus reveals a homology of 89% with PPRV/Nigeria/75/1 and 48–51% with other morbilliviruses. The F protein of PPRV Sungri/96 exhibited characteristics similarity to those of other morbillivirus F proteins. The overall amino acid similarity with its counterpart PPRV Nigeria/75/1 was 96%; with other morbilliviruses it is 65–74%. The PPRV Sungri/96 haemagglutinin (H) protein gene is 1954 nucleotides long and showed a sequence homology of 90.7% with PPRV/Nigeria/75/1 and with other morbilliviruses it ranged from 33% to 45%. At amino acids level, PPRV Sungri/96 showed a homology of 92.3% with PPRV/Nigeria/75/1 and 34–49% with other morbilliviruses. The phylogenetic tree constructed for F and H gene reveals four separate groups which is very similar to that found in other genes. To the best of our knowledge this is the first report describing the F and H genes of an Indian isolate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study investigated the dietary effect of conjugated linolenic acid (CLnA) on lipid profiles and lipid peroxidations in alloxan-induced diabetes mellitus in rats. Diabetic rats were fed with 20% sunflower oil (diabetic control), sunflower oil supplemented with 0.5% CLnA, sunflower oil supplemented with 0.15% α-tocopherol, and sunflower oil containing 0.25% CLnA+0.15% α-tocopherol. The results demonstrated that 0.5% CLnA, 0.15% α-tocopherol, and 0.25% CLnA+0.15% α-tocopherol each on supplementation significantly lowered total cholesterol and non-HDL-cholesterol in comparison with the diabetic control group. The TAG level was significantly lowered in both the 0.15% α-tocopherol and 0.25% CLnA+0.15% α-tocopherol groups. LDL lipid peroxidation and erythrocyte membrane lipid peroxidation were reduced significantly in each of the experimental groups vs. the control group. The CLnA+α-tocopherol diet induced a greater reduction in membrane lipid and liver lipid peroxidation than the α-tocopherol diet alone. In conclusion, dietary CLnA exerts antioxidant activity as evidenced by reduced lipid peroxidation in chemically induced diabetes mellitus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hydrodistillation of the aerial parts of Mentha pulegium L., collected from the wild and recorded for the first time from different locations in the higher Himalayas, Jammu and Kashmir, India, provided refreshing pale-coloured essential oils with a characteristic minty flavour. Essential oils from different locations were qualitatively similar and were found to be a complex mixture of at least 45 compounds, of which 24 were identified. Eight compounds accounted for about 87-98% of the oil and were characterized as pulegone (65.9-83.1%), menthone (8.3-8.7%), isomenthone (3.8-4.0%), neo-menthol (0.7-1.3%), pulegol acetate (0.1-1.2%), piperitone (1.3-3.2%), γ-terpinene (0.9-1.2%), β-caryophyllene (0.1-0.9%) and β-caryophyllene oxide (0.3-1.9%) by capillary GC, GC-MS, 1H-NMR and 13C-NMR. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cellular automata are an important modeling paradigm for studying the dynamics of large, parallel systems composed of multiple, interacting components. However, to model biological systems, cellular automata need to be extended beyond the large-scale parallelism and intensive communication in order to capture two fundamental properties characteristic of complex biological systems: hierarchy and heterogeneity. This paper proposes extensions to a cellular automata language, Cellang, to meet this purpose. The extended language, with object-oriented features, can be used to describe the structure and activity of parallel molecular networks within cells. Capabilities of this new programming language include object structure to define molecular programs within a cell, floating-point data type and mathematical functions to perform quantitative computation, message passing capability to describe molecular interactions, as well as new operators, statements, and built-in functions. We discuss relevant programming issues of these features, including the object-oriented description of molecular interactions with molecule encapsulation, message passing, and the description of heterogeneity and anisotropy at the cell and molecule levels. By enabling the integration of modeling at the molecular level with system behavior at cell, tissue, organ, or even organism levels, the program will help improve our understanding of how complex and dynamic biological activities are generated and controlled by parallel functioning of molecular networks. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Modern materials science requires efficient processing and characterization techniques for low dimensional systems. Raman and photoluminescence spectroscopy are important nondestructive tools which provide much information about such systems. Commercial Raman spectrometers are expensive. We discuss a less expensive apparatus with assembled collection optics. Studies of Ge nanoparticles, porous silicon (nanowire), carbon nanotubes, and two-dimensional InGaAs quantum layers demonstrate that this apparatus is useful for teaching and research on nanomaterials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A sandwich ELISA test using PPR specific monoclonal antibody (clone 4G6) to an epitope of nucleocapsid protein has been developed. The test uses polyclonal sera to capture the antigen from clinical samples (swabs and tissues). Captured antigens from clinical samples are detected using PPR specific monoclonal antibody. The test is specific to PPR as it failed to detect rinderpest vaccine virus (RBOK strain). Varieties of clinical samples originating from laboratory experiments (n?=?231) and from field (n?=?259) were employed to test the efficacy of sandwich-ELISA test. The test compared very well with an internationally accepted commercial Immune-capture ELISA kit, which uses biotinylated monoclonal antibody against the nucleocapsid protein. On a parallel testing using 490 clinical samples, 4G6 MAb based sandwich ELISA had an overall relative diagnostic specificity of 92.8% and diagnostic sensitivity of 88.9% compared to the commercial kit. The newly developed test is free from prozone phenomenon. PPR outbreaks from various parts of India have been confirmed using the test. Findings suggested that the newly developed ELISA is suitable for PPR diagnosis under field conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is an acute, febrile viral disease of small ruminants, caused by a virus of the genus Morbillivirus. PPR and rinderpest viruses are antigenically related and need to be differentiated serologically. In the present study, 23 mouse monoclonal antibodies were produced by polyethyleneglycol (PEG)-mediated fusion of sensitized lymphocytes and myeloma cells. Among these, two belong to the IgM class and the remaining 21 to various subclasses of IgG. The MAbs from the IgG class designated 4B6 and 4B11 neutralized PPR virus in vitro. In radioimmunoprecipitation assay, 10 MAbs recognized nucleoprotein, 4 recognized the matrix protein and one each haemagglutinin and phosphoprotein. The remaining 7 MAbs failed to precipitate any defined viral protein. The reactivity pattern of the monoclonal antibodies in indirect ELISA indicated a close antigenic relationship within three Indian PPR (lineage 4) virus isolates and also within two rinderpest vaccine strains. All PPR virus isolates could be distinguished from rinderpest vaccine viruses on the basis of the reactivity pattern of all MAbs and anti-N protein MAbs. A set of six monoclonal antibodies specific to PPR virus could also be identified from the panel. From the panel of MAbs available, two MAbs were selected for diagnostic applications, one each for the detection of antigens and antibodies to PPR virus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peste des petits ruminants (PPR) is an emerging, economically important viral disease of goats and sheep in the Indian subcontinent. In the present investigation, 15 hill goats were experimentally infected with 2 ml of 10% splenic suspension of a virulent isolate of PPR virus (PPR/Izatnagar/94) that had caused heavy mortality (>75%) in goats during 1994 outbreaks in northern India. More than 86% (13 of 15) animals died between 9 and 13 days post inoculation at the height of temperature or when temperatures were declining. Necropsy findings included congestion of gastrointestinal tract (GIT), nasal sinuses, consolidation of antero-ventral lobes of lungs, engorged spleen, and occasionally oedematous lymph nodes. Histopathological examination of major organs of GIT revealed degeneration and necrosis of labial mucosa, severe mucosal and submucosal congestion, degeneration and necrosis of intestinal epithelium and lymphoid cell depletion from Peyer's patches along with presence of syncytia at times. Lungs showed broncho-interstitial changes and presence of intracytoplasmic and intranuclear eosinophilic inclusions in alveolar macrophages and syncytial cells. These changes in lungs were frequently complicated with serofibrinous pneumonia (57%, eight of 14). Lymphocytolysis and occasional syncytia formation were evident in the lymphoid tissues. Immunohistochemical (IHC) findings included presence of PPR virus antigen in the labial, intestinal, and bronchiolar epithelial cells, pneumocytes, macrophages and syncytial cells in lungs, and lymphoid (intact and necrotic) and reticular cells in lymphoid organs. The findings of the study indicated the highly virulent nature of the PPR virus isolate (PPR/Izatnagar/94), causing 100% mortality and characteristic pathological changes in the target organs such as lungs, intestines and lymphoid tissues. The results of the IHC study suggested that indirect immunoperoxidase could be an alternative method in the absence of more sophisticated methods of laboratory diagnosis of PPR virus infection in goats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The chemical characteristics of the neurons of the motion sensitive visual area, area MT, remain to be established. We studied the distribution pattern of two calcium binding proteins, parvalbumin (PV) and calbindin D28K (CB) in this area, using specific monoclonal antibodies and the peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) immunohistochemical technique. Aldehyde fixed 30-µm-thick cryostat sections from area MT of five animals were processed free floating for immunohistochemical staining. Besides studying the morphological characteristics of PV and CB positive neurons, quantitative analysis was carried out to determine their (1) perikaryal area (Pa) and diameter, (2) numerical densities (NV)/mm3 cortical tissue, (3) absolute number (NC) in a column of cortex under 1 mm2 cortical surface along with (4) layerwise absolute number (NL) under 1 mm2 cortical surface and (5) laminar percentage distribution of immunoreactive (IR) neurons. Quantitative analysis was carried out using a Leica QMC 500 image analysis system connected to a DMRE microscope. The results showed that both types of IR neurons were localized to all cortical layers except layer I. The PV +ve neurons were equidistributed between the supra- and infragranular layers, with the highest percentage being present in layer III (45%) followed by layer V (21%). The CB +ve neurons, on the other hand, were predominantly localized in supragranular layers, with the highest percentage being in layer III (54%) and the next highest percentage in layer II (18%). The average Pa and diameter of PV +ve neurons were found to be 96.90±28.43 µm2 and 11.01±1.61 µm respectively. The CB +ve neurons were significantly smaller in size than the PV +ve neurons, with average Pa and diameter of the former being 92.23±26.18 µm2 and 10.39±1.23 µm respectively. The NV for PV and CB +ve neurons showed ranges of 3157–3894 and 2303–2585, with means of 3347±285 (±SD) and 3436±100 respectively. The values for NC showed ranges of 5230–5444 and 4020–4268 with means of 5378±85 and 4167±95 for PV and CB neurons respectively. Variations in size together with the differential distribution of these neurons in the cortical layers may indicate their involvement in different functional circuitaries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study examined the antioxidant activity of conjugated octadecatrienoic fatty acid (9 cis, 11 trans, 13 trans-18∶3), α-eleostearic acid, of karela seed ( Momordica charantia), fed to rats for 4 wk. The growth pattern of rats and the effect on plasma cholesterol and high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and peroxidation of plasma lipid, lipoprotein, eryhrocyte membrane, and liver lipid were measured. Rats were raised on diets containing sunflower oil mixed with three different levels of conjugated trienoic fatty acid (9 c,11 t,13 t-18∶3) 0.5,2, and 10% by weight; the control group was raised with sunflower oil as dietary oil as the source of linoleic acid (9 c,12 c-18∶2). The growth pattern of the three experimental groups of rats showed no significant difference compared to the control group of rats, but the group with 10% 9 c,11 t,13 t-18∶3 had slightly higher body weight than the control group of rats. Concentrations of total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, and non-HDL-cholesterol in plasma were similar in all four groups. Plasma lipid peroxidation was significantly lower in the case of 0.5% 9 c,11 t,13 t-18∶3 group than the control group and the 2 and 10% 9 c,11 t,13 t-18∶3 dietary groups as well. Lipoprotein oxidation susceptibility test with 0.5,2 and 10% 9 c,11 t,13 t-18∶3 dietary groups was significantly less susceptible to lipoprotein peroxidation when compared with sunflower oil dietary group, and the dietary group with 0.5% 9 c,11 t,13 t-18∶3 showed least susceptibility. There was significant lowering in erythrocyte ghost membrane lipid peroxidation in the 0.5,2, and 10% 9 c,11 t,13 t-18∶3 dietary groups compared to the sunflower oil groups. Nonenzymatic liver tissue lipid peroxidation was significantly lower in the group of rats raised on 0.5% 9 c,11 t,13 t-18∶3, but the groups on 2 and 10% 9 c,11 t,13 t-18∶3 acid did not show any significant difference compared with the control group of rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of pressure on filtration across different de-endothelialised arteries has been studied experimentally, and the existing theoretical model is validated. Segments of different arteries are excised, de-endothelialised and cannulated. Bovine serum albumin Krebs solution is used as perfusate. Transmural water flux is measured by following the movement of an air bubble in a calibrated capillary, which connects the artery to a pressure reservoir; the pressure of which is varied. The hydraulic conductivity Lp is calculated from the flux values. Using available experimental parameters in the case of the thoracic and abdominal aorta, a theoretical model is validated using the experimental results. As the elastic constant for the carotid artery is not available, the theoretical model is used to calculate the elastic constant at different transmural pressures. The values calculated are in the range -4.9 x 10(-8) to -5.7 x 10(-9) cm2 dyne-1 between 50 and 135 mm Hg. Both theoretical and experimental results show a decrease in Lp values with an increase in transmural pressure for the thoracic and abdominal aorta, whereas a different trend is observed in the case of the carotid artery. The Lp values increase at 90 mm Hg, as compared with 50 mm Hg, and with a further increase in transmural pressure the values decrease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Varices can develop in and around the bile duct in the presence of portal hypertension, especially when it is caused by extrahepatic portal vein thrombosis. The term ‘portal biliopathy’ is used to describe changes in the bile duct due to these varices, which may cause bile duct obstruction. This paper reviews experience of the surgical management of patients with symptomatic portal biliopathy. Methods Nine patients with extrahepatic portal vein obstruction with symptomatic portal biliopathy were reviewed retrospectively. Results Eight patients presented with jaundice, two had abdominal pain and one had recurrent cholangitis. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiography revealed abnormality of the bile duct wall, with stricture in eight patients and bile duct calculi in two. Portasystemic shunting relieved jaundice in five of seven patients, and in two a second-stage hepaticojejunostomy was required. Conclusion Symptomatic biliary obstruction in patients with extrahepatic portal hypertension may be relieved by a portasystemic shunt. Rarely biliary bypass may be required and is rendered safer by previous portasystemic shunting to decompress the pericholedochal varices. A direct approach to the biliary tract without a preliminary shunt may be hazardous and is frequently unnecessary. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Tropical Animal Health & Production is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)