Characterization of lignin isolated from some nonwood available in Bangladesh

Lignins isolated from cotton stalks, jute stick and dhaincha by acidolytic dioxane were characterized using alkaline nitrobenzene oxidation, elemental analysis, methoxyl analysis and molecular weight analysis and UV, IR (1)H NMR spectroscopy. The C(9) formulas for cotton stalks, jute stick and dhaincha (Sesbania aculeata) lignin were C(9)H(9.36)O(4.50)(OCH(3))(1.23), C(9)H(9.02)O(4.57)(OCH(3))(1.35) and C(9)H(8.88)O(4.65)(OCH(3))(1.50), respectively. All three lignins were of the guaiacyl-syringyl type. Cotton stalks lignin contained more p-hydroxy phenyl unit than dhaincha and jute stick lignins as observed by alkaline nitrobenzene oxidation products. The beta-O-4 units in these nonwood lignins had predominately erythro stereochemistry type.     

Antibacterial and antifungal activities of andrachne cordifolia muell

The crude methanolic extract of Andrachne cordifolia Muell. (Euphorbiaceae) and its various fractions in different solvent systems (chloroform, ethyl acetate and n-butanol) were screened for antibacterial and antifungal activities. Crude extract and subsequent fractions demonstrated moderate to excellent antibacterial activities against the tested pathogens. Highest antibacterial activity was displayed by both chloroform and ethyl acetate fractions (100%) followed by the crude extract (68%) against Salmonella typhi. Similarly, crude extract and its subsequent fractions showed mild to excellent activities in antifungal bioassay with maximum (76%) antifungal activity against Microsporum canis by the chloroform fraction followed by the crude extract (65%).     

On the quantification of suckling intensity in primates

The inhibitory effect that suckling has on the reproductive function of primate mothers varies as a function of the intensity with which they are suckled. Here we present an easily computed index of one parameter of suckling intensity, namely the temporal patterning of suckling bouts. High intensity suckling is characterized by frequent nursing bouts demarcated by short interbout intervals. Therefore, our suckling index is based on the brevity of observed interbout intervals, more specifically the proportion of such intervals that fail to exceed a criterion length. The index is an appropriate means of making interspecific comparisons of the development of infant suckling and is well suited for application to field data that include interbout intervals that were not observed in their entirety. To demonstrate its utility, we apply the index to field data collected on the suckling behavior of free-ranging rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) infants in India. In this context, we demonstrate that, in rhesus, between-infant differences in suckling intensity manifest themselves early in the postpartum period and contribute to between-female differences in the timing of first mating postpartum. Am J Phys Anthropol 105:33–42, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Prevalence and risk factors assessment of mange mites in livestock of Malakand Division,Pakistan

Mange mites represent a serious problem in livestock farming due to their worse effect on animals health, reducing milk and meat production. The status of mange mites prevalence was unknown from the livestock present in Malakand Division, Pakistan. Hence, the present study was conducted to determine the prevalence and risk factors assessment of mange mites in livestock of Malakand Division, Pakistan. Villages and livestock herds were visited for data collection and sampling for one year from September 2017 to August 2018. The diagnosis of mange infestation was carried out from skin scrapings collected from symptomatic animals. A total of 1437 animals were screened (240 sheep, 658 cows, 340 buffalos, 199 goats) from selected localities of the Malakand Division. The overall prevalence was 2.37%, with the highest prevalence in buffalos (5.0%) and lowest (0.42%) in sheep (p < 0.05). The locality also significantly affect the prevalence of mange mites in livestock, with a higher percentage (8.14%) in the Ouch area. The prevalence was higher in winter (3.78%) than in summer (1.07%). The prevalence was high (p < 0.05) in young animals (≤1 year) (4.7%) as compared to adults (>1 year) (1.15%). Gender was also a significant risk factor for mange infestation. The infestation was higher in females (2.85%) as compared to males (0.64%) (p < 0.05). Herd size of less than ten animals had a significantly high prevalence rate (3.69%) compared to >10 animals (1.89%). Animals having an infection history >15 days infected more than animals having infection history ≤15 days. This study documented for the first-time epidemiology of mange mites in livestock of Malakand Division, Pakistan. Further studies involving molecular characterization of mange mites will increase our understanding on the spread of mange mites in Malakand Division livestock.     

High-level carbapenem tolerance requires antibiotic-induced outer membrane modifications

Antibiotic tolerance is an understudied potential contributor to antibiotic treatment failure and the emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria. The molecular mechanisms governing tolerance remain poorly understood. A prominent type of β-lactam tolerance relies on the formation of cell wall-deficient spheroplasts, which maintain structural integrity via their outer membrane (OM), an asymmetric lipid bilayer consisting of phospholipids on the inner leaflet and a lipid-linked polysaccharide (lipopolysaccharide, LPS) enriched in the outer monolayer on the cell surface. How a membrane structure like LPS, with its reliance on mere electrostatic interactions to maintain stability, is capable of countering internal turgor pressure is unknown. Here, we have uncovered a novel role for the PhoPQ two-component system in tolerance to the β-lactam antibiotic meropenem in Enterobacterales. We found that PhoPQ is induced by meropenem treatment and promotes an increase in 4-amino-4-deoxy-L-aminoarabinose [L-Ara4N] modification of lipid A, the membrane anchor of LPS. L-Ara4N modifications likely enhance structural integrity, and consequently tolerance to meropenem, in several Enterobacterales species. Importantly, mutational inactivation of the negative PhoPQ regulator mgrB (commonly selected for during clinical therapy with the last-resort antibiotic colistin, an antimicrobial peptide [AMP]) results in dramatically enhanced tolerance, suggesting that AMPs can collaterally select for meropenem tolerance via stable overactivation of PhoPQ. Lastly, we identify histidine kinase inhibitors (including an FDA-approved drug) that inhibit PhoPQ-dependent LPS modifications and consequently potentiate meropenem to enhance lysis of tolerant cells. In summary, our results suggest that PhoPQ-mediated LPS modifications play a significant role in stabilizing the OM, promoting survival when the primary integrity maintenance structure, the cell wall, is removed.     

Population diversity of sheep bot fly,Oestrus ovis (Linné, 1758) (Diptera: Oestridae: Oestrinae), using SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis

The study was planned to evaluate the inter, and intra population genetic variation in general protein banding pattern in Oestrus ovis larvae, by using 10% sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS PAGE). The larvae were collected from slaughtered goats head from five different locations (AAS, PN, LA, GM, and BC) of Karachi, Pakistan. The data obtained was subjected to POPGENE (Population Genetic Analysis) software for analysis. The polymorphic loci within populations ranged from 45.45% to 90.91%. Polymorphic loci observed in all populations were 90.91%. The expected heterozygosity observed was 0.182 ± 0.096 in all populations. The chi-square test showed 5 out of 11 loci at H-W equilibrium. The overall fixation index (FST) value was 0.108, showing that the likelihood of subpopulations being differentiated from one another is about 11 percent. The gene flow value (Nm = 2.065) was higher, showing that genes flow occurs between populations. The values of genetic identity were greater, and genetic distance were smaller among all the populations, which means that all the populations were more alike and closer to each other. It was concluded that there was no sympatric and parapatric population differentiation observed among all the population of O. ovis and the populations of the five different locations were not genetically and reproductively isolated from each other.     

Improvement in growth and yield attributes of cluster bean through optimization of sowing time and plant spacing under climate change scenario

Cluster bean (Cyamopsis tetragonoloba L.) yield has plateaued due to reduction in rainfall and rise in temperature. Therefore, its production cycle could not get appropriate water and temperature. It becomes important to standardize the sowing time and plant spacing of cluster beans in changing climate scenarios to get higher productivity. Therefore, a field study was conducted in 2019 at the Research area of MNS-University of Agriculture, Multan, Pakistan to evaluate the effect of four sowing times (15th May, 1st June, 15th June, and 1st July) and three plant spacings (10, 12 and 15 cm) on crop growth, yield, and physiological functions of cluster bean genotype BR-2017 under split plot arrangement under randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. The sowing times (15th May, 1st June, 15th June, and 1st July) were placed in the main plot, while plant spacing (10, 12 and 15 cm) was maintained in subplots. The significant effect of sowing time and plant spacing was observed on pod plant⁻¹, pod length, grain yield, and 1000-grain weight. Results showed that 1st June sowing performed better over 15th May, 15th June, and 1st July, while plant spacing 15 cm about in all sowing times showed higher results on growth and yield parameters of cluster bean over plant spacing 10, 12, and 15 cm. The 1st June sowing time at 15 cm plant spacing showed 8.0, 22.7, and 28.5% higher grains pod^-1 than 15th May, 15th June, and 1st July sowing, respectively. Maximum grain yield was observed on 1st June in all three spacings (10, 12, and 15 cm). The chord diagram indicates that the crop has received optimum environmental conditions when sown 1st June over other sowing times. In conclusion, 1st June sowing with 15 cm plant spacing could be a good option to achieve maximum productivity of cluster bean under changing climate scenario.     

Proline Accumulation, Protein Pattern and Photosynthesis in Bacopa Monniera Regenerants Grown under NaCl Stress

Shoots of Bacopa monniera exhibited 100 % regeneration on Murashige and Skoog medium with 2 % sucrose, 0.2 mg dm⁻³ 1-naphthaleneacetic acid, 0.5 mg dm⁻³ 6-benzylaminopurine and 50 mg dm⁻³ glutamine. When the medium was supplied with various concentrations (5 - 15 g dm⁻³) of sodium chloride, proline content in regenerants was six times higher than in the control. With increasing NaCl concentration photosynthetic rate decreased and fresh mass and root length of regenerants declined. NaCl also induced formation of new proteins. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Characterization of Aegilops uniaristata chromosomes by comparative DNA marker analysis and repetitive DNA sequence in situ hybridization

RFLP analyses were performed on wheat-Aegilops uniaristata Vis. addition and translocation lines to confirm the identity of added N-genome chromosomes. Complete 1N, 3N, 4N, 5N and 7N chromosome additions were identified, while the complete long arm and only part of the short arm was identified for chromosome 2N. There were no wheat-like 4/5 and 4/7 translocations in the Ae. uniaristata chromosomes. Chromosome 3N carried an asymmetric pericentric inversion, and the translocation line was a product of centric fusion between the long arms of chromosomes 3B and 3N. Chromosome-specific RAPD and microsatellite markers were also identified for all the added Ae. uniaristata chromosomes available in this set of addition lines. A new genomic in situ hybridization protocol combining pre-annealing of probe and blocking DNA and prehybridization with blocking DNA was developed to differentiate the very closely related genomes of Ae. uniaristata and wheat. Hybridization sites for the repetitive DNA sequences pAs1, pSc119.2 and pTa71 were identified on the N-genome chromosomes of Ae. uniaristata using the fluorescent in situ hybridization technique. Results showed deviation from the previously published ideogram of this species. A new ideogram, which shows the hybridization sites for the above sequences, was produced in which the chromosomes are arranged according to their homoeologous group. Received: 23 April 1999 / Accepted: 6 August 1999