Ingestion of bacteria in suspension Indian major carps (Catla catla,Labeo rohita) and Chinese carps (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix,Aristichthys nobilis)

Single-species groups of fry of the planktivorous, filter-feeding carps (silver carp Hypophthalmichthys molitrix, bighead carp Aristichthys nobilis, rohu Labeo rohita and catla Catla catla) were exposed to the bacterium Chromobacterium violaceum to assess if they could detect or ingest unattached bacteria. The results indicate that planktivorous carp fry are able to ingest unattached bacteria and that the numbers ingested increase with time and with bacterial concentration in the media, although probably by passive means. It is also suggested that unattached bacteria are of little nutritional significance to carps.     

Ethno-medicinal survey of important plants practiced by indigenous community at Ladha subdivision,South Waziristan agency,Pakistan

Background

Medicinal flora plays a vital role in treating various types of ailments in living beings. The present study was planned to investigate and document systematically the indigenous knowledge in a scientifically little explored area of Ladha sub-division, South Waziristan agency, Pakistan. Hence, this study would contribute positively to the field of ethnopharmacology.

Methods

Prior to ethnomedicinal data collection, regular field visits were conducted during the month of May and June 2015 to locate the sites and respondents from where the traditional knowledge was to be recorded. Ethno-medicinal data was collected during the month July and August 2015 through rapid appraisal approach (RAA) based on direct interaction with the indigenous communities by making group discussions, corner meetings and semi-structured interviews. Data was evaluated statistically by using the index of Use value (UV) and Frequency of citations (FC).

Results

A total of 82 medicinal plants belonging to 42 families were reported in the study. Leaves were the most frequently used plant parts. Highest use values were recorded for Peganum harmala (0.93), Punica granatum (0.91), Thymus mongolicus (0.90), Chenopodium album (0.89), Coriandrum sativum (0.87), Mentha longifolia (0.87), Lactuca serriola (0.87) and Portulaca oleracea (0.87). Medicinal plants used for the gastro intestinal complexities and respiratory diseases were more than 9% followed by skin and diarrhea (7% each), liver disorders (5%) cough and cold fever (5%).

Conclusion

People of the area mostly still rely on traditional herbal therapies. Keeping in mind the dependence of the indigenous community for their primary health care on such herbal remedies, pharmacological and critical toxicological investigation of certain flora is necessary. Moreover, projects should be designed to analyze the existing issues and problems related with medicinal plants conservation.

     

Mechanism of nitrogen effect on zinc nutrition of flooded rice

Summary Nitrogen application increased Zn contents of flooded rice on two calcareous soils. Urea and (NH₄)₂SO₄ being better N carriers than NH₄NO₃ resulted in higher increase. Nitrogen enhanced Zn contents partly through growth promotion but mainly by increasing soil Zn solubility and root efficiency for Zn absorption. Zinc solubility rose by an enigmatic mechanism and not from pH reduction or soluble Zn-HN₃ complex formation as occurs for upland plants. Nitrogen aggravated Zn retention in upland plant roots as immobile Zn-protein complex was not important for rice. Bicarbonate inhibition of Zn uptake by rice from CO(NH₂)₂ application or its stimulation by lower redox potential from NH₄NO₃ addition were not involved.No. V in the series Micronutrient availability to cereals from calcareous soils.     

Optimization of conditions for the colorimetric determination of citrulline,using diacetyl monoxime

A method is described for colorimetric determination of citrulline following deproteinization, depending upon the reaction with diacetyl monoxime in the presence of sulfuric and phosphoric acids. Ferric chloride is included to sensitize the reaction and thiosemicarbazide to improve light stability of the chromogen. The method offers diminished heating time compared with existing procedures, combined with good sensitivity and photostability of the chromonphore.     

Mechanism of activation of bovine kidney pyruvate dehydrogenase a kinase by malonyl-CoA and enzyme-catalyzed decarboxylation of malonyl-CoA

The activity of the pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase, which phosphorylates and thereby inactivates the pyruvate dehydrogenase complex, was stimulated by malonyl-CoA. Treatment with [2-14C]malonyl-CoA resulted in acylation of sites in the complex. Both acylation and activation of kinase activity increased in a time-dependent manner with a parallel increase in those activities when the malonyl-CoA:CoA ratio was varied. Protein-bound acyl groups were labilized by performic acid treatment indicating their attachment to protein at thiol residues; however, the product released was volatile, which is not characteristic of malonic acid. While malonyl-CoA was initially free of acetyl-CoA, stimulation of kinase activity and acylation of sites in the complex by malonyl-CoA were shown to be contingent upon enzyme-catalyzed decarboxylation. Decarboxylation appeared to be catalyzed by a trace contaminant present in highly purified preparations of both the pyruvate and 2-oxoglutarate dehydrogenase complexes. Under conditions in which both free CoA was removed (by conversion to succinyl-CoA) and then, after various periods, free acetyl-CoA was removed (by enzymic conversion to acetyl phosphate), both acetylation of sites in the complex and activation of kinase activity increased in a time-dependent manner. Concomitantly there was a decrease in the concentration dependence for activation of the kinase by malonyl-CoA. Our results strongly support the conclusion that activation of kinase activity is associated with acylation of sites in the complex, and that, in the case of malonyl-CoA, those processes depend on enzyme-catalyzed decarboxylation.