Detection of begomovirus associated with okra leaf curl disease

Leaf curl and yellow vein mosaic viral disease is the major constraint on okra (Abelmoschus esculentus L.) production in India. Amplified fragment sequence of DNA-β showed highest similarity of 91.7% with Bhendi yellow vein mosaic virus-Tamil Nadu (AJ308425, NC_003405) and lowest similarity of 48.5% with OKLCV (NC_004093), whereas coat protein specific amplified sequence showed highest homology with isolate of Madurai, Haryana, Ludhiana and lowest homology of 92% with Mesta yellow vein mosaic Bahraich virus (MYVMBV) (EU360303). The results obtained in the present study confirm that both the viral diseases of okra reported in southern India are caused by a begomovirus associated with DNA-β in which the plants show leaf curl symptoms and never develops yellow vein mosaic and those plants which show yellow vein mosaic, never develops leaf curl symptoms even in the same rows and field. The okra leaf curl is an emerging virus disease in India.     

Advances in soil microbial ecology and the biodiversity

Recent studies on the colony formation of soil bacteria opened the way to categorize soil bacteria into colony forming curve (CFC) groups of different growth rates. A bacterial culture collection comprising organisms from every CFC group is called an ecocollection. Outlines of ECs of paddy soil 1992 and grassland soil 1987 and 1992 were described. Phylogenetic studies by 16S rDNA sequencing showed a great diversity of culture strains of the ecocollections (EC). A set of alternative concepts was proposed; the active and the quiescent forms of bacterial cells in soil. The former is able to be cultivated and thus counted by the plate method, while the latter is not unless it transforms into the former. Based on the results several points required for extensive cataloguing of soil bacteria were noted.     

Global patterns of leaf mechanical properties

Leaf mechanical properties strongly influence leaf lifespan, plant-herbivore interactions, litter decomposition and nutrient cycling, but global patterns in their interspecific variation and underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. We synthesize data across the three major measurement methods, permitting the first global analyses of leaf mechanics and associated traits, for 2819 species from 90 sites worldwide. Key measures of leaf mechanical resistance varied c. 500-800-fold among species. Contrary to a long-standing hypothesis, tropical leaves were not mechanically more resistant than temperate leaves. Leaf mechanical resistance was modestly related to rainfall and local light environment. By partitioning leaf mechanical resistance into three different components we discovered that toughness per density contributed a surprisingly large fraction to variation in mechanical resistance, larger than the fractions contributed by lamina thickness and tissue density. Higher toughness per density was associated with long leaf lifespan especially in forest understory. Seldom appreciated in the past, toughness per density is a key factor in leaf mechanical resistance, which itself influences plant-animal interactions and ecosystem functions across the globe.     

Herbal plants in the traditional medicine of Bahrain

Plant samples collected in Bahrain and data reported in the literature indicate the flora of Bahrain to contain 52 species (49 genera; 20 families) of medicinal interest. Of these plant species 20 appear to be indigenous and are being used in traditional herbal remedies for numerous afflictions. Preparation of such remedies appears to be simple and includes boiling, infusions, extraction of milled dry or fresh leaves, flowers, seeds or whole plants. Direct consumption of plant parts, raw or cooked, is also practiced. None of these plants has been studied systematically to evaluate their medicinal potential.     

Effects of seasonal changes of soil salinity and soil nitrogen on the N-metabolism of the halophyteArthrocnemum fruticosum (L.) Moq.

Summary The N-metabolism ofArthrocnemum fruticosum (L.) Moq., growing in a saline area north-east of the Dead Sea in Jordan, was studied over its vegetative growth period from March to September 1981. Plant and soil samples were taken at monthly intervals. Water content, Na⁺, K⁺, Cl⁻, NH ₄ ⁺ , NO ₂ ⁻ and NO ₃ ⁻ concentrations were determined in the soil extracts, and the same determinations plus ash weight, soluble carbohydrates, proline, proteins andin vivo nitrate reductase in the plant roots and shoots. Soil humidity decreased and salinity increased from March to August, with re-wetting occurring in late July. K⁺ and Cl⁻ were much lower in the soils than Na⁺. Plant relative dry weight increased during summer due to the absorption of Na⁺ in addition to increased organic dry weight. The uptake of Na⁺ was not balanced by a similar uptake of Cl⁻. Ammonium and nitrate decreased in soil and plants in parallel with increasing salinity. Nitrite was only found in the roots and always in very low quantities. Proline was found only in March. The total soluble carbohydrates in the roots showed a short increase in June when the sodium in the plants also increased. It was concluded that carbohydrates may be used to balance osmotic shocks, but that another compatible compounds is necessary to maintatin long-term osmotic equilibrium. The nitrate reductase activity, measuredin vivo, and the soluble protein changed roughly in parallel with the internal nitrate from May to August, suggesting that nitrogen uptake and reduction in the plant is inhibited during summer when the soil is dry and very saline. This could be a direct effect of drought and/or salinity on the plants, or an indirect onevia an inhibition of nitrifying bacteria.     

Sensitivity of cultured pancreatic carcinoma cells toAcinetobacter glutaminase-asparaginase

Summary Cultured human pancreatic carcinoma cells (MIA PaCa-2) have been shown previously to be very sensitive toE. coli l-asparaginase (EC II). The present studies have demonstrated that another enzyme,Acinetobacter glutaminase-asparaginase (AGA) is much more effective in inhibiting cell growth. At the concentration of 0.0025 U/ml of AGA activity the enzyme totally inhibited cell growth, whereas the EC II with the same concentration did not show any effect. The inhibition of cell growth correlated well with inhibition of protein and glycoprotein synthesis. The addition ofl-glutamine at the concentration of 1 mM completely reversed the inhibition of protein synthesis. Similarly, the addition ofl-glutamine at the concentration of 3 mM daily on 3 successive days after adding AGA resulted in significant reversal of growth inhibition. The results of this study indicate that the action of AGA on MIA PaCa-2 is, to a great extent, exerted through itsl-glutaminase activity. This work was supported in part by USPHS Grant CA 19182. Dr. Wu is recipient of Research Career Development Award Grant CA00686 and Dr. Yunis is a Howard Hughes Investigator.     

Non-peptide alphavbeta3 antagonists. Part 6: design and synthesis of alphavbeta3 antagonists containing a pyridone or pyrazinone central scaffold

Two novel series of small-molecule RGD mimetics containing either a substituted pyridone or pyrazinone central constraint were prepared. Modification of the beta-alanine 3-substituent produced compounds that are potent and selective alpha(v)beta(3) antagonists and exhibit a range of physicochemical properties.     

Synthesis and antimicrobial activity of some new N-glycosides of 2-thioxo-4-thiazolidinone derivatives

5-Arylidene-2-thioxo-4-thiazolidinones 3a-f react with each of 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-α-d-glucopyranosyl and α-d-galactopyranosyl bromides 4a,b in acetone in the presence of aqueous potassium hydroxide at room temperature to afford N-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-d-glucopyranosyl) or N-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-β-d-galactopyranosyl) 2-thioxo-4-thiazolidinone derivatives 5a-f. Similarly, the reaction of 5-cycloalkylidene-2-thioxo-4-thiazolidinones 7a,b with 4a gave the corresponding N-glucosides 8a,b. Also, 5-pyrazolidene rhodanines 10a-e react with 4a to afford the new N-glucosides 11a-e. Treatment of compounds 15 and 16 with 4a in the presence of few drops of triethylamine or in KOH solution accomplished the mono- and bis-nucleosides 17 and 18, respectively. Some selected products were tested for their antimicrobial activities.