Physicochemical studies on goat pulmonary surfactant

The large aggregate (LA) fraction of goat pulmonary surfactant (GPS) was isolated and characterized. Goat lung surfactant extract (GLSE) was obtained by chloroform-methanol extraction of the saline suspended LA fraction. Total phospholipid (PL), cholesterol (CHOL), and protein were biochemically estimated. It was composed of approximately 83% (w/w) PL, approximately 0.6% (w/w) CHOL and approximately 16% (w/w) protein. CHOL content was found to be lower while the protein content was found to be higher than other mammalian pulmonary surfactants. Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry (ESIMS) of GLSE confirmed dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC) as the major phospholipid species, with significant amounts of palmitoyl-oleoyl phosphatidylcholine (POPC), palmitoyl-myristoyl phosphatidylcholine (PMPC) and dioleoylphosphatidylcholine (DOPC). Functionality of the solvent spread GLSE film was carried out in a Langmuir surface balance by way of surface pressure (pi)-area (A) measurements. A high value of pi (approximately 65 mN m(-1)) could be attained with a lift-off area of approximately 1.2 nm(2) molecule(-1). A relatively large hysteresis was observed during compression-expansion cycles. Monolayer deposits at different pi, transferred onto freshly cleaved mica by Langmuir-Blodgett (LB) technique, were imaged by atomic force microscopy. DPPC-enriched domains (evident from height analyses) showed dimensions of 2.5 microm and underwent changes in shapes after 30 mN m(-1). Functionality and structure of the surfactant films were proposed to be controlled by the relative abundances of protein and cholesterol.     

Sexual dimorphism in the Chuvashian population of Russia in two types of dermatoglyphic traits: principal component analysis

With the aim of determining sexual dimorphism in the component structures among the Chuvashian population of Russia, finger and palmar dermatoglyphics of 547 individuals (293 males, 254 females) were analyzed. The sex differences in two categories of dermatoglyphic traits (22 quantitative traits and 38 asymmetry and diversity traits) are reflected differently and contradictory with other ethnic groups. However, a common feature of the factor 1 "digital pattern size factor" (finger ridge counts from the first category of traits) indicate its degree of universality when compared with other populations, which suggests that the variability of finger ridge counts is determined by the same genes that control the pattern types. The factors "intra-individual finger diversity factor", and "bi-lateral asymmetry factor" extracted from the second category of dermatoglyphic traits are also similar in both sexes. However, these components are hardly described in the literature. The nature of variation of these components (from two categories of dermatoglyphic traits) appears with a good similarity between sexes, which suggests their common biological validity of the underlying component structures of the finger and palmar dermatoglyphic characters.     

SSR and morphological trait based population structure analysis of 130 diverse flax (Linum usitatissimum L.) accessions

A total of 130 flax accessions of diverse morphotypes and worldwide origin were assessed for genetic diversity and population structure using 11 morphological traits and microsatellite markers (15 gSSRs and 7 EST–SSRs). Analysis performed after classifying these accessions on the basis of plant height, branching pattern, seed size, Indian/foreign origin into six categories called sub-populations viz. fibre type exotic, fibre type indigenous, intermediate type exotic, intermediate type indigenous, linseed type exotic and linseed type indigenous. The study assessed different diversity indices, AMOVA, population structure and included a principal coordinate analysis based on different marker systems. The highest diversity was exhibited by gSSR markers (SI = 0.46; He = 0.31; P = 85.11). AMOVA based on all markers explained significant difference among fibre type, intermediate type and linseed type populations of flax. In terms of variation explained by different markers, EST-SSR markers (12%) better differentiated flax populations compared to morphological (9%) and gSSR (6%) markers at P = 0.01. The maximum Nei's unbiased genetic distance (D = 0.11) was observed between fibre type and linseed type exotic sub-populations based on EST-SSR markers. The combined structure analysis by using all markers grouped Indian fibre type accessions (63.4%) in a separate cluster along with the Indian intermediate type (48.7%), whereas Indian accessions (82.16%) of linseed type constituted an independent cluster. These findings were supported by the results of the principal coordinate analysis. Morphological markers employed in the study found complementary with microsatellite based markers in deciphering genetic diversity and population structure of the flax germplasm.     

Bionomics of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Momordica cochinchinensis</Emphasis> Fed <Emphasis Type="Italic">Aulacophora foveicollis</Emphasis> (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae)

The effects of feeding on root by the larvae and three types of Momordica cochinchinensis Spreng (Cucubitaceae) leaves (young, mature and senescent) by the adults of Aulacophora foveicollis Lucas (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) were studied under laboratory conditions. Total larval developmental time was 19.7 ± 0.2 days by feeding on young roots. Adult males lived for 28.4 ± 1, 65.7 ± 1.1 and 22.8 ± 1.3 days on young, mature and senescent leaves, respectively; whilst adult females lived for 34.3 ± 1.2, 68.5 ± 0.9 and 26.4 ± 1.4 days on young, mature and senescent leaves, respectively. Fecundity was highest in mature leaves fed insects (202.2 ± 10.6). Total carbohydrate, protein, lipid, nitrogen and amino acid were much higher in root followed by mature leaves than young and senescent leaves. Moisture content was highest in mature leaves than the roots, young and senescent leaves. Phenols were greatest in young leaves followed by mature leaves and least in senescent leaves and roots of the said plant. Flavonols were higher in young leaves and least in root. These results suggest that A. foveicollis adults perform better on mature leaves than young and senescent leaves for their nutrition.     

High affinity binding between laminin and laminin binding protein of Leishmania is stimulated by zinc and may involve laminin zinc-finger like sequences.

In the course of trying to understand the pathogenesis of leishmaniasis in relation to extracellular matrix (ECM) elements, laminin, a major ECM protein, has been found to bind saturably and with high affinity to a 67-kDa cell surface protein of Leishmania donovani. This interaction involves a single class of binding sites, which are ionic in nature, conformation-dependent and possibly involves sulfhydryls. Binding activity was significantly enhanced by Zn2+, an effect possibly mediated through Cys-rich zinc finger-like sequences on laminin. Inhibition studies with monoclonals against polypeptide chains and specific peptides with adhesive properties revealed that the binding site was localized in one of the nested zinc finger consensus sequences of B1 chain containing the specific pentapeptide sequence, YIGSR. Furthermore, incubation of L. donovani promastigotes with C(YIGSR)3-NH2 peptide amide or antibody directed against the 67-kDa laminin-binding protein (LBP) induced tyrosine phosphorylation of proteins with a molecular mass ranging from 115 to 130 kDa. These studies suggest a role for LBP in the interaction of parasites with ECM elements, which may mediate one or more downstream signalling events necessary for establishment of infection.     

Types and combinations of axial triradii among the 20 Dhangar castes of Maharashtra,India

Bilateral palmar prints of 3000 males belonging to 20 endogamous Dhangar castes of Maharashtra, India, have been analysed for types and combinations of axial triradii after Cummins and Midlo (1943). Altogether 17 types of axial triradii were found among the Dhangars, but only typest, t′, tt″ occur in appreciable frequencies. The magnitude of intercaste differentiation in respect to axial triradii is considerably low; only 13 caste-pairs (6.84%) out of 190 pairs showed significant difference at the 5% level. Compared to several other palmar elements, like palmar true patterns, main line terminations, palmar flexion creases, the axial triradius has a considerably low level of differentiation among these nomadic, seminomadic and settled Dhangar castes. This suggests that the axial triradii are perhaps more stable compared to many other palmar elements. These results need to be confirmed by data from other populations.     

Pharmacological studies on the venomous spotted butterfish (Scatophagus argus Linn) sting extract on experimental animals

A sting of the fish S. argus, a venomous edible spotted butterfish, produces tremendous local pain, severe swelling, rise of body temperature, throbbing sensation etc. To establish the pharmacological activities of S. argus sting extract, the present investigation, was carried out on experimental animals. The LD50 of extract was found to be 9.3 mg/kg (iv) in male albino mice. The extract showed loss of sensation, urination and salivation in mice. It potentiated pentobarbitone induced sleeping time in male albino mice and produced hypothermia. Extract produced a fall of cat and guinea pig blood pressure, which was completely abolished by mepyramine. It produced a transient reduction of respiratory rate in rat, but decreased respiratory amplitude in cat, which was abolished after vagotomy. On isolated toad heart, the extract increased both the amplitude and rate of contraction. On isolated guinea pig heart, the sting extract decreased both the rate and amplitude of contraction leading to cardiac arrest, but it had no effect on isolated guinea pig auricle. The extract produced a reversible blockade of electrically induced twitch response of isolated chick biventer cervices preparation, but it had no effect on the isolated rat phrenic nerve diaphragm preparation. It produced a slow contractile response on isolated guinea pig ileum, rat uterus and rat fundal strip preparations but produced slow relaxation on isolated rat duodenum preparation. The contractile response on isolated guinea pig ileum and rat fundal strip was antagonised by SC19220. It did not produce any significant cutaneous haemorrhage in mice and did not produce any haemolysis on saline washed erythrocytes. The sting extract significantly increased capillary permeability of guinea pig dorsal flank and produced oedema in mice hind paw.     

Isolation and partial structural evaluation of a cardiotoxic factor from Indian common murrel (Channa striatus L.) skin extract

It was earlier reported from this laboratory that, Channa striatus, L a common edible fish, whose skin extract (CSSE) was pharmacologicaclly potent and contains several bioactive compounds. In the present communication a cardiotoxic factor was isolated and purified by thin layer chromatography followed by silica gel and neutral alumina column chromatography. Spectroscopic studies (UV, IR, 1H and 13C NMR, FAB-MS) indicated that the lethal cardiotoxic factor (CSS-CTF II) was an aromatic alkaloid compound with -NH, > C = C < and -OH functional groups. The molecular weight was found to be 413 dalton. LD50 of CSS-CTF II was found to be 42.5 mg/kg (i.v) in Swiss albino male mice. Pharmacological studies showed that CSS-CTF II possesses hypotensive and cardiotoxic activities and produced death through apnoea in experimental animals but had no effect on nerve muscle preparations. The haematological and biochemical data also indicated the toxic nature of CSS-CTF II, through significant fall in haemoglobin, total RBC, WBC, platelet count and increased cardiac marker enzyme CPK and CPK-MB value in experimental animals. The present investigation thus established the toxic nature of CSS-CTF II isolated from edible fish C. striatus skin extract. Further work is needed to identify CSS-CTF II's mechanism of action and its antagonism for therapeutic purpose.     

Correlation of endogenous free polyamine levels with root nodule senescence in different genotypes in Vigna mungo L

Endogenous free polyamines, nitrogenase (EC 1.1.8.6.1, acetylene reduction), and leghaemoglobin (pyridine-hemochrome assay) levels were compared among five genotypes of developing Vigna root nodules grown under field conditions. Nitrogenase activity and leghaemoglobin level attained a peak at the flowering stage and gradually declined thereafter. Individual and total polyamine also followed the same pattern. Ranking on the basis of legume yield and other morphometric attributes was PDU-2 > UH-28 > UH-82 > T-9 > Sardhomash. Except spermine, the levels of putrescine, spermidine, and total polyamine showed significant differences (p<0.05) amongst the genotypes, particularly from flowering to mid-pod development stage. Genotype, development stage, and their interaction between the two had significant (p<0.01) effects on individual as well as total polyamines. Moreover, significant high linear correlations were found between total free polyamine and putrescine with conventional nodule senescence marker like nitrogenase (R2 = 0.94 and R2 = 0.92, respectively). Putrescine had an overall positive correlation with high legume yield. The results strongly suggest a relationship between polyamine and nodule senescence. Endogenous free polyamine and putrescine may be considered as genotypic markers for nodule senescence in field grown V. mungo. It is suggested that the flowering stage is more suitable for selection.     

Gut Microbes Egested during Bites of Infected Sand Flies Augment Severity of Leishmaniasis via Inflammasome-Derived IL-1β

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