New pyrrolizidine alkaloids from Crotalaria candicans

Crocandine and isocrocandine, isolated from the seeds of C. candicans, have been shown by spectroscopy and chemical evidence to be macrocyclic diesters of turneforcidine and 3-hydroxy-2,3,4-trimethylglutaric acids.     

Combinatorial screening of polymer precursors for preparation of benzo[α] pyrene imprinted polymer: an ab initio computational approach

A combinatorial screening procedure was used for the selection of polymer precursors in the preparation of molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP), which is useful in the detection of the air pollution marker molecule benzo[a]pyrene (BAP). Molecular imprinting is a technique for the preparation of polymer materials with specific molecular recognition receptors. The preparation of imprinted polymers requires polymer precursors such as functional monomer, cross-linking monomer, solvent, an initiator of polymerization and thermal or UV radiation. A virtual library of functional monomers was prepared based on interaction binding scores computed using HyperChem Release 8.0 software. Initially, the possible minimum energy conformation of the monomers and BAP were optimized using the semi-empirical (PM3) quantum method. The binding energy between the functional monomer and the template (BAP) was computed using the Hartree-Fock (HF) method with 6-31 G basis set, which is an ab initio approach based on Moller-Plesset second order perturbation theory (MP2). From the computations, methacrylic acid (MAA) and ethylene glycol dimethacrylate (EGDMA) were selected for preparation of BAP imprinted polymer. The larger interaction energy (ΔE) represents possibility of more affinity binding sites formation in the polymer, which provides high binding capacity. The theoretical predictions were complimented through adsorption experiments. There is a good agreement between experimental binding results and theoretical computations, which provides further evidence of the validity of the usefulness of computational screening procedures in the selection of appropriate MIP precursors in an experiment-free way.     

DNA repair gene 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase Ser326Cys polymorphism and colorectal cancer risk in a Kashmiri population

8-Oxoguanine DNA glycosylase (OGG1) is one of the important base excision repair enzymes that repair 8-oxoguanine lesion incorporated within the DNA of an individual by reactive oxygen species. The aim of this study was to detect the role of OGG1 Ser326Cys polymorphism in susceptibility to colorectal cancer (CRC) in a Kashmiri population. We investigated the genotype distribution of the OGG1 gene in 114 CRC cases in comparison with 200 healthy subjects. There was no significant association between OGG1 Ser326Cys polymorphism and CRC, but the homozygous Cys/Cys variant genotype was associated with an increased risk of colon cancer (p<0.05). This study suggests that the OGG1 polymorphism is not associated with the risk of development of CRC in the Kashmiri population in general but modulates the risk of cancer development in colon via interaction with many dietary factors.     

Comparative GC–FID and GC–MS analysis of the mono and sesquiterpene secondary metabolites produced by the field grown and micropropagated plants of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Artemisia amygdalina</Emphasis> Decne

The essential oil obtained by hydrodistillation from the leaves of micropropagated plants of Artemisia amygdalina was analyzed by capillary GC–FID and GC–MS and compared with that obtained from the leaves of field growing parent plants. The oil yield from the micropropagated plants was lower (0.05% v/w) than the oil yield obtained from field-grown plants (0.2% v/w). The major constituents of the field-grown plants were p-cymene (21.0%), 1,8-cineole (24.9%), α-terpineol (5.9%), β-caryophyllene (4.7%), germacrene D (4.0%), while as the major constituents from the micropropagated plants were p-cymene (11.3%),1,8-cineole (10.2%), borneol (7.9%), α-longipinene (5.5%), α-copaene (5.5%) and β-caryophyllene (17%). The essential oil from field-grown plant was dominated by the presence of oxygenated monoterpenes (41.5%), monoterpene hydrocarbons (35.9%) and sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (16.3%) while as the essential oil of micropropagated plants was characterized by sesquiterpene hydrocarbons (40.0%), oxygenated monoterpenes (25.2%) and monoterpene hydrocarbons (21.6%).     

Salt Stress Threshold in Millets: Perspective on Cultivation on Marginal Lands for Biomass

Millets hold an immense assurance for food safety and nourishment amid ever-rising agricultural expenses and climate alterations. They are healthful, have supplementary wellbeing profit and need remarkably fewer effort overheads for crop growing. These characters draw attention to millets as a plant of preference for the humankind in the course of emergent alarm about environmental changes. Millets have the prospect to provide biomass and thus bioenergy, reduced carbon emission, carbon footprint and sustainable modern agriculture. As the rate of expansion in budding countries is increasing day by day, the scarcity of energy is a big panic and there is a mounting turn in the direction and rehearsal of waste and biomass as an energy source. Globally, at least 20% of total irrigated land has been injured by salt and 1.5 million hectares is taken away of cultivation every year. Thus, in future, we will have a requirement of efficient crops and utilisation of marginal lands for agriculture. Millet is an answer to the efficient crop. Plants are subjected to various environmental pressures (high/low temperature, heavy metal, salinity, pesticides, etc.) as well as biotic stresses (virus, bacteria, fungi, etc.) and millets are not an exception to it. Millets are categorised as glycophytes and can tolerate average salt threshold of about 6 (EC_e) (dS/m) with some variation from specie to specie. Increase in the salt concentrations can lead to retarded growth and development, thus need for mitigants arise to reduce such stresses. Some mitigants to overcome the stress levels include proline, polyamine and betaines, Na₂SeO₃, H₂S, KNO₃, Mg(NO₃)₂, etc.

     

Effects of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and P-solubilizing Pseudomonas fluorescence (ATCC-17400) on morphological traits and mineral content of sesame

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is an important staple crop of the family Pedaliaceae. The commercial production of sesame is still dependent on the applications of chemical fertilizers. Mycorrhiza inoculum resulted in better morphological and biochemical traits in vegetables. Thus, here the outcome of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and Pseudomonas fluorescence (ATCC-17400) inoculation was studied in the pot culture experiment. Primarily, there seems to be a promising opportunity of AMF in sesame under pot and field trials because of enhanced morphological parameters, especially root weight, and disparities in nutrients and metabolites. The AMF appears to be an option to boost plant growth, mineral content, and sesame yield. The AMF treatment with Pseudomonas fluorescence strain (ATCC-17400) determined the maximum values for the morphological traits and mineral content. Overall, our study highlights mycorrhizal fungi and other microbes efficacy in achieving a successful sesame production.     

Support and Assessment for Fall Emergency Referrals (SAFER 1): Cluster Randomised Trial of Computerised Clinical Decision Support for Paramedics

Objective

To evaluate effectiveness, safety and cost-effectiveness of Computerised Clinical Decision Support (CCDS) for paramedics attending older people who fall.

Design

Cluster trial randomised by paramedic; modelling.

Setting

13 ambulance stations in two UK emergency ambulance services.

Participants

42 of 409 eligible paramedics, who attended 779 older patients for a reported fall.

Interventions

Intervention paramedics received CCDS on Tablet computers to guide patient care. Control paramedics provided care as usual. One service had already installed electronic data capture.

Main Outcome Measures

Effectiveness: patients referred to falls service, patient reported quality of life and satisfaction, processes of care.

Safety

Further emergency contacts or death within one month.

Cost-Effectiveness

Costs and quality of life. We used findings from published Community Falls Prevention Trial to model cost-effectiveness.

Results

17 intervention paramedics used CCDS for 54 (12.4%) of 436 participants. They referred 42 (9.6%) to falls services, compared with 17 (5.0%) of 343 participants seen by 19 control paramedics [Odds ratio (OR) 2.04, 95% CI 1.12 to 3.72]. No adverse events were related to the intervention. Non-significant differences between groups included: subsequent emergency contacts (34.6% versus 29.1%; OR 1.27, 95% CI 0.93 to 1.72); quality of life (mean SF12 differences: MCS −0.74, 95% CI −2.83 to +1.28; PCS −0.13, 95% CI −1.65 to +1.39) and non-conveyance (42.0% versus 36.7%; OR 1.13, 95% CI 0.84 to 1.52). However ambulance job cycle time was 8.9 minutes longer for intervention patients (95% CI 2.3 to 15.3). Average net cost of implementing CCDS was £208 per patient with existing electronic data capture, and £308 without. Modelling estimated cost per quality-adjusted life-year at £15,000 with existing electronic data capture; and £22,200 without.

Conclusions

Intervention paramedics referred twice as many participants to falls services with no difference in safety. CCDS is potentially cost-effective, especially with existing electronic data capture.

Trial Registration

ISRCTN Register ISRCTN10538608      

斜纹夜蛾抗性种群中酶抑制剂对杀虫剂的增效作用（英文）

采用浸液生测法研究了斜纹夜蛾Spodoptera litura巴基斯坦抗性种群中酶抑制剂［胡椒基丁醚（PBO）和脱叶膦（DEF)］对丙溴磷、灭多威、硫双灭多威、氯氰菊酯、氯氟氰菊酯、联苯菊酯、茚虫威和多杀菌素等杀虫剂的增效作用。结果表明：PPO和DEF对氨基甲酸酯杀虫剂灭多威和硫双灭多威均具有增效作用,但对有机磷杀虫剂丙溴磷不具有增效作用。两种抑制剂对氯氰菊酯均产生增效作用,但对联苯菊酯没有增效作用。PPO 和DEF增加了氯氟氰菊酯对Multan种群的毒性,但没有增加其对Mailsi种群的毒性。DEF对多杀菌素具有增效作用,但PBO对其没有增效作用。PBO和DEF对氨基甲酸酯杀虫剂、拟除虫菊酯杀虫剂、茚虫威和多杀菌素具有明显的增效作用,这说明细胞色素P450单加氧酶和酯酶的解毒作用至少部分参与了斜纹夜蛾对这些杀虫剂的抗性过程。不过,两种增效剂对杀虫剂增效作用范围有限,暗示对于斜纹夜蛾巴基斯坦种群而言,其他的机制（如靶位点不敏感、表皮穿透作用降低）可能是更重要的抗性机制。     

Serum Electrolyte and Mineral Variations During Pregnancy and Lactation in Nili-Ravi Buffalo

The aim of present study was to determine the changes of sodium, potassium, chloride, copper, and zinc in serum of Nili-Ravi buffalo during pregnancy and lactation. The study was carried out on 25 Nili-Ravi buffaloes during March 2008 to February 2009 at Buffalo Research Institute, Pattoki, District Kasur. Blood samples were taken from each buffalo during early pregnancy (Phase EP), i.e., between 1 and 3 months gestation, mid pregnancy (Phase MP), i.e., between 4 and 6 months gestation, late pregnancy (Phase LP), i.e., between 7 and 10 months gestation, and during lactation (Phase LT). Serum sodium, potassium, and chloride were determined on a clinical chemistry analyzer whereas copper and zinc were determined on an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The mean serum sodium, potassium, and chloride concentrations varied non-significantly (P > 0.05) during pregnancy and lactation. With advancing pregnancy, copper increased and was significantly high (P < 0.05) during late pregnancy whereas during lactation copper concentrations dropped significantly (P < 0.05). The zinc concentrations increased non-significantly during early and mid pregnancy. There were significant differences (P < 0.05) in zinc concentrations during lactation compared with late pregnancy. This study demonstrates that concentrations of serum sodium, potassium, and chloride remain unchanged during pregnancy and lactation whereas serum copper concentrations increased and zinc concentrations decreased with advancing pregnancy because of the demand of the fetus at different periods of pregnancy.     

Shoot regeneration and free-radical scavenging activity in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Silybum marianum</Emphasis> L.

The morphogenic potential and free-radical scavenging activity of the medicinal plant, Silybum marianum L. (milk thistle) were investigated. Callus development and shoot organogenesis were induced from leaf explants of wild-grown plants incubated on media supplemented with different plant growth regulators (PGRs). The highest frequency of callus induction was observed on explants incubated on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 5.0 mg l⁻¹ 6-benzyladenine (BA) after 20 days of culture. Subsequent transfer of callogenic explants onto MS medium supplemented with 2.0 mg l⁻¹ gibberellic acid (GA₃) and 1.0 mg l⁻¹ α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) resulted in 25.5 ± 2.0 shoots per culture flask after 30 days following culture. Moreover, when shoots were transferred to an elongation medium, the longest shoots were observed on MS medium supplemented with 0.5 mg l⁻¹ BA and 1.0 mg l⁻¹ NAA, and these shoots were rooted on a PGR-free MS basal medium. Assay of antioxidant activity of in vitro and in vivo grown tissues revealed that significantly higher antioxidant activity was observed in callus than all other regenerated tissues and wild-grown plants.