Improving productivity of Malpura breed by crossbreeding with prolific Garole sheep in India

Garole, a prolific small sized sheep breed of India was introduced in the Mutton Project of the Institute during 1997 to explore the possibility of incorporating fecundity gene into Malpura (M) sheep of semi-arid region of Rajasthan. The data on reproduction and production traits of M and Garole × Malpura (GM) half-breds was used in the study to assess the improvement in evolved crossbred stock. The overall percent gain in prolificacy in GM was 52.38, which increased to 75.73 in third parity. The GM compared to M ewes also weaned more lambs per ewe lambed (1 versus 1.41). The lambing rate averaged 91.75 and 148.21% in M and GM ewes, respectively. The twin lambing percentage was only 4.71% in M flock while; it reached up to 51.10% in GM. Moreover, 5.72% of GM ewes produced triplets also. The genetic group non-significantly affect ewe efficiency (EE), but GM produced 3.3% more total lambs weight per ewe lambed at weaning and 6.15% more total lamb weight per ewe lambed at 6-month of age. The body weights at different ages of GM half-breds were lower (P < 0.01) compared to contemporary M lambs. The parity of ewes significantly affects body weight from birth weight to 12-month of age. The survivability of GM half-breds was almost at par with the local M sheep. Results revealed that the fecundity genes responsible for increasing prolificacy have been incorporated into the GM and it might prove a valuable germplasm towards evolving a new prolific strain of sheep. The crossing of Garole with M increased the ewe efficiency.     

Genetic variability and relationships among thirty genotypes of finger millet (Eleusine coracana L. Gaertn.) using RAPD markers

Ragi or finger millet (Eleusine coracana L.) is an important crop used for food, forage, and industrial products. It is distributed in tropical and temperate regions of the world. The germplasm identification and characterization is an important link between the conservation and utilization of plant genetic resources. Traditionally, species or varieties identification has relied on morphological characters like growth habit, leaf architecture or floral morphology. Investigation through RAPD (random amplified polymorphic DNA) markers was undertaken for identification and determination of the genetic variation among thirty genotypes of ragi of the family Poaceae. Thirteen selected decamer primers were used for genetic analysis. A total of 124 distinct DNA fragments ranging from 300-3000 bp was amplified by using selected random RAPD marker. The genetic similarity was evaluated on the basis of the presence or absence of bands. Cluster analysis was made by the similarity coefficient. It indicated that the 30 genotypes of ragi form two major clusters, first, a major cluster having only one genotype, i. e. Dibyasinha and a second major cluster having twenty-nine genotypes. The second major cluster again subdivides into two minor clusters. A first minor cluster has only three varieties, i. e. Neelachal, OEB-56 and Chilika. The genotypes Neelachal and OEB-56 exhibit a 86% similarity with each other and 80% similarity with Chilika. A second minor cluster has 26 genotypes and is divided into two sub-minor clusters. The first sub-minor cluster has only one genotype (VL-322). The second sub-minor cluster again subdivides into two groups. One group has one genotype and the second group again is divided into two sub-groups, one with 13 genotypes and the other with 11 genotypes. The highest similarity coefficient was detected in a genotype collected from southern India and the least from northern India. The genotypes of finger millet collected from diverse agroclimatic regions of India constitute a wide genetic base. This is helpful in breeding programs and a major input into conservation biology of cereal crop.     

Isolation of pure compound R/J/3 from Pluchea indica (L.) Less. and its anti-amoebic activities against Entamoeba histolytica

The plant Pluchea indica is known for its anti-inflammatory, anti-ulcer, anti-pyretic, hypoglycemic, diuretic and anti-microbial activities besides many other pharmacological activities. We have isolated and purified seven compounds from the methanolic root extract of this plant by column chromatography. The compounds were identified by spectroscopic analyses. The anti-amoebic activities of the pure compound R/J/3 was investigated against the HM1 strain of Entamoeba histolytica. The compound, R/J/3 showed the most pronounced anti-proliferative activity at a dose of 50 microg/ml. It also showed a marked activity on cell lysis of trophozoites, 4h after administration. The cell lytic activity was compared with metronidazole (5 microg/ml) as positive control.     

Synthesis and evaluation of novel benzimidazole derivative [Bz-Im] and its radio/biological studies

Two different benzimidazole analogues act as multimodal agent, first one as novel non-peptidic CCK-B receptor antagonist and similarly as potent anti-fungal agent, designated as [Bz-Im]. These compounds were synthesized and characterized by spectroscopic techniques such as FT-IR, NMR, EI-MS and also evaluated for specific radiopharmaceuticals. Preliminary radiolabeling results with (99m)Tc and biological evaluation studies showed promising results for further evaluation in vivo. The efficiency of labeling was more than 97% and complex was stable for about 12h at 30 degrees C in the presence of serum. Both ligands showed binding to most of the organs, known to express CCK receptors in biodistribution studies. Cholecystokinin (CCK(1) andCCK(2)) receptor binding affinities of these analogues are, IC(50), 0.942+/-0.107 for compound C and 0.665+/-0.211 for compound D in rat pancreatic acini. The anti-fungal activity has shown inhibitory activity against Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus niger. These studies have provided a new template for further development of non-peptidic ligands for diagnostic and therapeutic purposes of diseases related with CCK receptors as well as anti-microbes.     

MspI Allelic Pattern of Bovine Growth Hormone Gene in Indian Zebu Cattle (Bos indicus) Breeds

The MspI allelic variation in intron III of the bovine growth hormone (bGH) gene was explored using PCR-RFLP in 750 animals belonging to 17 well-recognized breeds of Indian zebu cattle (Bos indicus) reared in different geographic locations of the country. Restriction digestion analysis of a 329-bp PCR fragment of the bGH intron III region with MspI restriction enzyme revealed two alleles (MspI− and MspI+) and two genotypes (−/− and +/−) across the 17 cattle breeds studied. The allelic frequency varied from 0.67 to 0.94 for MspI (−) and from 0.06 to 0.33 for MspI (+) across the 17 breeds, with a combined average frequency of 0.87 and 0.13, respectively. No animal with +/+ genotype was detected across the samples analyzed. The chi-square test showed that the difference in MspI allelic frequency was not significant (p > 0.05), regardless of the geographic origin, coat color, or utility of the cattle breed. The high MspI (−) allele frequencies obtained for Indian zebu cattle in this study are in sharp contrast to those reported for taurine breeds from northern Europe, Mediterranean countries, and America. Findings of this study further substantiate the hypothesis that the MspI (−) allele has an Indian origin.     

Biophysical characterization of mycobacterial model membranes and their interaction with rifabutin: Towards lipid-guided drug screening in tuberculosis

Lipid structure critically dictates the molecular interactions of drugs with membranes influencing passive diffusion, drug partitioning and accumulation, thereby underpinning a lipid-composition specific interplay. Spurring selective passive drug diffusion and uptake through membranes is an obvious solution to combat growing antibiotic resistance with minimized toxicities. However, the spectrum of complex mycobacterial lipids and lack thereof of suitable membrane platforms limits the understanding of mechanisms underlying drug-membrane interactions in tuberculosis. Herein, we developed membrane scaffolds specific to mycobacterial outer membrane and demonstrate them as improvised research platforms for investigating anti-tubercular drug interactions. Combined spectroscopy and microscopy results reveal an enhanced partitioning of model drug Rifabutin in trehalose dimycolate-containing mycobacterial membrane systems. These effects are apportioned to specific changes in membrane structure, order and fluidity leading to enhanced drug interaction. These findings on the membrane biophysical consequences of drug interactions will offer valuable insights for guiding the design of more effective antibiotic drugs coupled with tuned toxicity profiles.     

Combinatorial screening algorithm to engineer multiepitope subunit vaccine targeting human T-lymphotropic virus-1 infection

Human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV), the first human retrovirus has been discovered which is known to cause the age-old assassinating disease HTLV-1 associated myelopathy. Cancer caused by this virus is adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma which targets 10–20 million throughout the world. The effect of this virus extends to the fact that it causes chronic disease to the spinal cord resulting in loss of sensation and further causes blood cancer. So, to overcome the complications, we designed a subunit vaccine by the assimilation of B-cell, cytotoxic T-lymphocyte , and helper T-lymphocyte epitopes. The epitopes were joined together along with adjuvant and linkers and a vaccine was fabricated which was further subjected to 3D modeling. The physiochemical properties, allergenicity, and antigenicity were evaluated. Molecular docking and dynamics were performed with the obtained 3D model against toll like receptor (TLR-3) immune receptor. Lastly, in silico cloning was performed to ensure the expression of the designed vaccine in pET28a(+) expression vector. The future prospects of the study entailed the in vitro and in vivo experimental analysis for evaluating the immune response of the designed vaccine construct.     

Iron deficiency influences NtcA‐dependent regulation of fatty acid desaturation and heterocyte envelop formation in Anabaena sp. PCC 7120

In Anabaena sp. PCC 7120, iron is an essential trace element and its availability determines proper functioning of several kinds of metabolisms. Iron deficiency leads to several unavoidable consequences including membrane damage. In the present study, we dealt with the impact of iron deficiency on NtcA (global nitrogen regulator)‐dependent regulation of two important processes, i.e. fatty acid desaturation and heterocyte envelop formation in cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. PCC 7120. In Anabaena sp. PCC 7120, NtcA regulates fatty acid desaturation by regulating enzyme fatty acid desaturases. The NtcA‐based regulation of fatty acid desaturation may be direct or indirect. Furthermore, the expression of genes involved in the heterocyte envelope polysaccharide (HEP) layer formation (hepABCK) and heterocyte‐specific glycolipids (HGLs) synthesis (devH, hglE_A, prpJ and devB) were also under the control of NtcA and reduced under iron deficiency background. The enhanced expression of furA and early downregulation of ntcA under iron deficiency is responsible for reduction in fatty acid desaturation as well as decrease in the expression of genes involved in HEP layer formation and HGL synthesis. Overall results confirmed that iron deficiency influences the NtcA‐based regulation of fatty acid desaturation and heterocyte envelop formation in Anabaena sp. PCC 7120.     

Valuation of ecosystem services in alternative bioenergy landscape scenarios

Agricultural land in the Midwest is a source of food and fuel, as well as biodiversity. It is also a cause of excess nutrients that make their way to the Mississippi River and the Gulf of Mexico. To address unsustainable changes to biogeochemical cycles and ecosystem functions, a multidisciplinary approach involving social science, natural science, and engineering is often effective. Given the potential of second‐generation biofuels, and capitalizing on the deep‐rooted perennial bioenergy crops capable of thriving in poor soils, we demonstrated an integrated socio‐environmental analysis of the impacts of growing switchgrass within row‐crop landscapes in Illinois. In this study, we model land use scenarios that incorporate switchgrass as a biofuel crop in a Midwest corn‐belt watershed using the Soil Water Assessment Tool coupled with an economic analysis for the Vermilion Basin in Illinois. We estimated the values of ecosystem services under an alternative bioenergy landscape, including commodity and bioenergy crops, changes in biogeochemistry, and recreational services. The estimated annual values of nitrate and sediment reduction attributed to bioenergy crops range from $38 million to $97 million and $16,000 to $197,000, respectively. The annual value of carbon dioxide emission reduction ranges from $1.8 million to $6.1 million based on the initial crop rotation pattern. Estimated average annual values for wildlife viewing, water‐based recreation, and pheasant hunting are $1.24 million, $0.17 million, and $0.3 million, respectively. To our knowledge, this study represents the first effort to comprehensively quantify ecosystem services using a process‐based model, and estimate their value in an alternative bioenergy landscape. The information we generate could aid in understanding the potential for biomass production from marginal land and the total economic value of the landscape at various spatial scales. The framework is useful in fostering alternative bioenergy landscapes with synergies in a food, energy, and conservation nexus.