Comprehensive report on the prevalence of root-knot nematodes in the Poonch division of Azad Jammu and Kashmir,Pakistan

The present study documents the root-knot nematodes (RKN) fauna of the Poonch division in Azad Jammu and Kashmir infecting vegetables. An overall prevalence of 40% of RKN was recorded. Of the four districts investigated, maximum prevalence was recorded in district Poonch with 59%, followed by Sudhnuti with 58%. The lowest prevalence of RKN was found in districts Bagh (29%) and Haveli (33%). Out of 15 vegetables investigated, RKN was found on five crops. The highest prevalence of 37.8% was recorded on okra, followed by 31.3% on cucumber and 17.5% on tomato. RKN was less prevalent on eggplant (8.3%) and beans (7.7%). Three RKN species, that is Meloidogyne incognita, Meloidogyne javanica and Meloidogyne arenaria, were found infecting the hosts. M. javanica was found to be the most prevalent followed by M. incognita and M. arenaria. This trend was found in all the districts. Overall prevalence of M. javanica as sole population was 9% and that of M. incognita was 2%. Meloidogyne arenaria was not found in any of the fields as sole population. The prevalence of M. incognita with M. javanica or M. arenaria as mixed populations was 8% and 5%, respectively, and that of M. javanica with M. arenaria was 4%. Similarly, all the three species prevailed as mixed populations in 12% of the fields in the division. The severity of RKN infections, measured as galling index, was found to be variable within each infected field (GI 2–9). Identification of RKN species was based on the morphology of perineal patterns and confirmed by molecular SCAR and CO1 makers based identification. In conclusion, RKN were distributed in the Poonch division and M. javanica was predominant. Cucumber, okra, tomato and eggplant were severely attacked by these nematodes warranting the adoption of stringent control strategies for their management.     

Reliability and time-of-day effect on measures of change of direction deficit in young healthy physical education students

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to examine the reliability and the time-of-day effect of the 505 change of direction (CoD), 10-m sprint, and change of direction deficit test (CoDD). At two different time of days, 39 young diurnally active physical education male students performed different physical tests: 505 CoD, and sprint tests. Measurements were taken at two separate testing sessions, i.e. in the morning (07:00–08:30 h) and early evening (17:00–18:30 h) in a randomized and counter-balanced setting on nonconsecutive days in 21 of them (21.5 ± 1.5 y of age). The results showed that the 505 CoD test, 10-m sprint, and CoDD performances were a reliable test, and performances were better in the evening the 505 CoD, 10-m sprint, and CoDD testing provided reliable and sensitive scores. In addition, phase 2 showed that CoD, speed, and CoDD are affected by the time of day.     

A comparative whole genome analysis of Helicobacter pylori from a human dense South Asian setting

Helicobacter pylori, a Gram-negative bacterium, is associated with a wide range of gastric diseases such as gastritis, duodenal ulcer, and gastric cancer. The prevalence of H pylori and risk of disease vary in different parts of the world based on the prevailing bacterial lineage. Here, we present a contextual and comparative genomics analysis of 20 clinical isolates of H pylori from patients in Bangladesh. Despite a uniform host ethnicity (Bengali), isolates were classified as being part of the HpAsia2 (50%) or HpEurope (50%) population. Out of twenty isolates, eighteen isolates were cagA positive, with two HpEurope isolates being cagA negative, three EPIYA motif patterns (AB, AB-C, and ABC-C) were observed among the cagA-positive isolates. Three vacA genotypes were observed with the s1m1i1dic1 genotype observed in 75% of isolates; the s1m2i1d1c2 and s2m2i2d2c2 genotypes were found to be 15% and 10% of isolates, respectively. The non-virulent genotypes s2m2i2d2c2 was only observed in HpEurope population isolates. Genotypic analysis of oipA gene, present in all isolates, revealed five different patterns of the CT repeat; all HpAsia2 isolates were in “ON” while 20% of HpEurope isolates were genotypically “OFF.” The three blood group antigen binding adhesins encoded genes (bab genes) examined and we observed that the most common genotype was (babA/babB/-) found in eight isolates, notably six were HpAsia2 isolates. The babA gene was found in all HpAsia2 isolates but present in only half of the HpEurope isolates. In silico antibiotic susceptibility analysis revealed that 40% of the strains were multi-drug resistant. Mutations associated with resistance to metronidazole, fluoroquinolone, and clarithromycin were detected 90%, 45%, and 5%, respectively, in H pylori strain. In conclusion, it is evident that two populations of H pylori with similar antibiotic profiles are predominant in Bangladesh, and it appears that genotypically the HpAisa2 isolates are potentially more virulent than the HpEurope isolates.     

Optimization of methods for peripheral blood mononuclear cells isolation and expansion of human gamma delta T cells

Human Vg9/Vδ2 T cells (γδ T cells) are immune surveillance cells both in innate and adaptive immunity and are a possible target for anticancer therapies, which can induce immune responses in a variety of cancers. Small non-peptide antigens such as zoledronate can do activation and expansion of T cells in vitro. It is evident that for adoptive cancer therapies, large numbers of functional cells are needed into cancer patients. Hence, optimization of methods needs to be carried out for the efficient expansion of these T cells. Standardization of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) isolation was devised. Cytokines (interleukin 2 (IL-2) and interleukin 15 (IL-15)) and zoledronate were also standardized for different concentrations. It was found that an increased number of PBMCs were recovered when washing was done at 1100 revolution per minute (rpm). Significantly high expansion fold was (2524 ± 787 expansion fold) achieved when stimulation of PBMCs was done with 1 µM of zoledronate and both cytokines IL-2 and IL-15 supported the expansion and survival of cells at the concentrations of 100 IU/ml and 10 ng/ml respectively. 14-day cultures showed highly pure (91.6 ± 5.1%) and live (96.5 ± 2.5%) expanded γδ T cells. This study aimed to standardize an easy to manipulate technique for the expansion of γδ T cells, giving a higher yield.     

Differences in transpiration of Norway spruce drought stressed trees and trees well supplied with water

The paper focuses on the evaluation of transpiration as a physiological process, which is very sensitive to drought stress. Reactions of 25-year-old Norway spruce (Picea abies (L.) Karst.) trees to drought were examined during 2009 summer. Sap flow rate (SF), meteorological and soil characteristics were measured continually. Vapour pressure deficit of the air (VPD) and cumulative transpiration deficit (KTD) was calculated. During the second half of the vegetation period, the decrease in soil water content was observed and irrigation was applied to a group of spruce trees, while the second group was treated under natural soil drought. On the days, when the differences in transpiration between irrigated (IR) and non-irrigated (NIR) trees were significant (21 days), transpiration of NIR trees was only 23% of the transpiration of IR trees. We found significant differences in transpiration when the soil water content (SWC) of NIR variant at a depth of 5–15 cm ranged from 10.4 to 13.7%. Under both regimes of water availability, daily transpiration significantly responded to atmospheric conditions. However, the influence of all assessed meteorological parameters on SF of NIR trees was significantly lower than on IR tree. The dependency of transpiration on evaporative demands of atmosphere decreased with the decreasing soil moisture. Cumulative transpiration deficit of the stand during the entire evaluated period was 50.9 mm. The difference between the transpiration of the mean NIR tree and of the mean IR tree was 278.8 L over the assessed period of 47 days (5.9 L per day). The transpiration of NIR trees was 40.3% from the transpiration of IR trees during this period.     

Ultrastructure and histochemistry of the subepithelial glands of the nasal septal island in dromedaries with special reference to the possible functions

The nasal septal island (NSI) is a sensory patch of neuroepithelium located within the soft tissue of the nasal septum in dromedaries. The island has unique anatomical features, including the specialized subepithelial glands. The aim of the present study was to describe the microscopic features and ultrastructure of these subepithelial glands and to speculate the possible functions. A total of 10 camel heads were used for the study. Unlike the serous and mucous airway glands, the NSI glands’ ultrastructural features were typical for cells of the (Amine Precursor Uptake and Decarboxylation, APUD) system. These features were included, membrane bound secretory vesicles of varying electron density, smooth endoplasmic reticulum in the form of vesicles; electron dense mitochondria, abundant rough endoplasmic reticulum and free ribosomes. Alcian-PAS identifiable mucus granules were not observed, except for few clusters of cells, located at the luminal surface. The probable functions were discussed on basis of cellular morphology and context. In a conclusion, the NSI subepithelial glands in dromedaries had unique anatomical structures, and as many other APUD cells, they had the machinery required for synthesis of a variable number of biologically active peptides, amines and chemical mediators.     

First record of non-marine ostracods from the Paleogene “hamadian deposits” of Méridja area,west of Bechar (southwestern Algeria)

A new non-marine ostracod fauna from the Paleogene “hamadian deposits” outcropping west of Bechar (southwestern Algeria) has been recovered from lacustrine to fluvial deposits of the Oued Méridja section and fluvial deposits on the southern edge of the Hamada de Méridja section. Recently, these sections have been dated as late Thanetian – early Ypresian (latest Paleocene to earliest Eocene) and Ypresian – earliest Lutetian (early to earliest middle Eocene), respectively, based on charophytes. The associated ostracod fauna recovered consists of relatively mostly moderately to badly preserved specimens and comprises 14 taxa, none of which could be identified to species level in view of its poor state of preservation; we have nevertheless been able to identify and describe the following taxa: Herpetocypris sp., Cyprinotus? sp., Heterocypris? sp. 1 and sp. 2, Cypris? sp., Ilyocypris sp., Cytheroidea indet. sp. 1 and sp. 2, Limnocytheridae indet. sp. 1, Cypridoidea indet. sp. 1, Cyprididae indet. sp. 1, and Ostracoda indet. sp. 1, 2 and 3. Only Heterocypris sp. 1 occurs in both sections. Although the fauna can as yet not be related to the few other contemporaneous faunas reported from the wider palaeogeographic area, it adds important new information to our poor knowledge on Eocene non-marine ostracods in North Africa and southern Europe. The Méridja sections and area are promising regarding the discovery of more, better preserved material and further studies, and one main limitation to the correlation of the fauna is the hitherto insufficient taxonomic knowledge on many faunal elements of Eocene non-marine ostracods to which our section contributes considerably.     

Investigation of immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory effects of eriodictyol through its cellular anti-oxidant activity

Many studies have been performed to assess the potential utility of natural products as immunomodulatory agents to enhance host responses against infection or to ameliorate immune-based pathologies. To determine whether eriodictyol has immunomodulatory effects and clarify which types of immune effector cells are stimulated in vitro, we investigated the stimulatory effect of eriodictyol on spleen cells isolated from BALB/c mice. Eriodictyol significantly stimulated splenocyte proliferation. However, only B lymphocytes (not T lymphocytes) could be stimulated by eriodictyol in a dose-related manner. Studies assessing potential effect of eriodictyol on innate immunity reported that eriodictyol enhanced significantly the killing activity of natural killer (NK) cells, T lymphocytes, and macrophages. We also demonstrated that eriodictyol inhibited nitric oxide (NO) production and lysosomal enzyme activity in murine peritoneal macrophages cultured ex-vivo, suggesting a potential anti-inflammatory effect in situ. Eriodictyol revealed also a cellular anti-oxidant activity in splenocytes and macrophages. Furthermore, eriodictyol increased catalase activity in spleen cells. From this data, it can be concluded that eriodictyol exhibited an immunomodulatory effect that could be ascribed in part to a cytoprotective effect related to its anti-oxidant activity.