Study of die back disease incidence of neem in Karnataka,India and PCR based identification of the isolates

A disease survey of die back of neem was done in different agroclimatic regions of Karnataka, India using Global Positioning System (GARMIN 12). Twigs of Azadirachta indica (Neem) infected with die back were collected from different regions of Karnataka, India and they were further analysed to determine the pathogen. Phomopsis azadirachtae the causal organism was isolated on malt extract agar from die back infected neem twigs. They were identified by conventional and molecular methods. Phomopsis genus specific primers (5.8S r-DNA) were then used for the detection of P. azadirachtae, the causative agent of die back of neem by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Studies revealed the amplification of expected 141 bp DNA in P. azadirachtae isolated from the diseased trees of different regions of Karnataka indicating the causal organism of die back disease on neem. Studies revealed a very high incidence of die back in most of the places of Karnataka. This is the first report on disease incidence of die back of neem. Hand held GPS was used in the study which helps in continuous monitoring of the diseased trees.     

Inhibition of Helicobacter pylori growth and its cytotoxicity by 2-hydroxy 4-methoxy benzaldehyde of Decalepis hamiltonii (Wight & Arn); a new functional attribute

Helicobacter pylori mediated gastric ulcer and cancers are common global problems since it was found to colonize in ∼50% of gastric ulcer/cancer patients. Decalepis hamiltonii, (Asclepiadaceae family) extracts have been depicted with medicinal properties supporting the traditional knowledge of health beneficial attributes of D. hamiltonii. Previously we have shown that both aqueous as well as methanol extracts of D. hamiltonii containing abundant phenolics with predominant levels (20-40% of total phenolics) of 2-hydroxy-4-methoxy benzaldehyde (HMBA). Despite higher levels, HMBA contributed very little to the antioxidant activity (<10%) when compared to other phenolic compounds in the extract. In the current study we attempted to explore antimicrobial property, particularly anti-H. pylori activity, since traditional users document D. hamiltonii as a fighter of microbial infections. HMBA was isolated from the roots of D. hamiltonii by hydrodistillation and cold crystallization method; identified by HPLC and characterized using ESI-MS and confirmed by NMR studies as a compound of molecular mass 152 Da. Isolated HMBA was found to inhibit the growth of H. pylori, a potential ulcerogen in a dose dependent manner with MIC of ∼39 μg/mL as apposed to that of amoxicillin (MIC - 26 μg/mL) for which H. pylori is susceptible. Results were further substantiated by the lysis of H. pylori by electron microscopy and electrophoretic studies. Studies on the mechanism of action indicated the counteracting effect of vacuolating toxin (VacA) of H. pylori which otherwise would lead to host cell cytotoxicity. Further the increased binding ability of HMBA to DNA and protein offered an impact on DNA protectivity and bioavailability. Results for the first time provide a direct evidence for anti-microbial attribute of HMBA. Insignificant antioxidant attribute of HMBA also reveals the anti-H. pylori activity via mechanisms other than antioxidative routes.     

Antiaflatoxigenic Potential of Cell-Free Supernatant from Lactobacillus plantarum MYS44 Against Aspergillus parasiticus

Probiotics and Antimicrobial Proteins - The study aims to evaluate the cell-free supernatant (CFS) from Lactobacillus plantarum strain MYS44 against the growth and aflatoxin production by...     

Chitosan and Enteric Polymer Based Once Daily Sustained Release Tablets of Aceclofenac: <Emphasis Type="BoldItalic">In Vitro</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="BoldItalic">In Vivo</Emphasis> Studies

The purpose of this study was to develop a once daily sustained release tablet of aceclofenac using chitosan and an enteric coating polymer (hydroxypropyl methylcellulose phthalate or cellulose acetate phthalate). Overall sustained release for 24 h was achieved by preparing a double-layer tablet in which the immediate release layer was formulated for a prompt release of the drug and the sustained release layer was designed to achieve a prolonged release of drug. The preformulation studies like IR spectroscopic and differential scanning calorimetry showed the absence of drug–excipient interactions. The tablets were found within the permissible limits for various physicochemical parameters. Scanning electron microscopy was used to visualize the surface morphology of the tablets and to confirm drug release mechanisms. Good equivalence in the drug release profile was observed when drug release pattern of the tablet containing chitosan and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose phthalate (M-7) was compared with that of marketed tablet. The optimized tablets were stable at accelerated storage conditions for 6 months with respect to drug content and physical appearance. The results of pharmacokinetic studies in human volunteers showed that the optimized tablet (M-7) exhibited no difference in the in vivo drug release in comparison with marketed tablet. No significant difference between the values of pharmacokinetic parameters of M-7 and marketed tablets was observed (p > 0.05; 95% confidence intervals). However the clinical studies in large scale and, long term and extensive stability studies at different conditions are required to confirm these results.     

PCR-based assay for the rapid detection of fumonisin-producing Fusarium species in maize-based animal and poultry feeds in Karnataka,India

Abstract

One hundred and fourteen animal feedstuffs and eighty poultry feed mixtures commonly used for animal and poultry nutrition in Karnataka, India, were analysed for Fusarium contamination. The total counts of fusaria in animal feeds and poultry feed mixtures revealed a high incidence of F. verticillioides, being isolated from all positive samples. Most contaminated samples were maize pellets (71.4%), cotton seed (66.6%), maize powder (60%) and fine wheat bran (50%), respectively, while no Fusarium species was isolated from Bengal gram husk and wheat flakes. All the Fusarium species were identified by the PCR method using genus specific ITS and group specific FUM 1 primers. Of the 374 Fusarium isolates tested with ITS set of primers, all fusaria scored positive, whereas only 244 (65%) isolates tested positive with the FUM 1 set of primers. The specificity of the primers provides the basis for a simple, accurate and precise detection of Fusarium species that represents fumonisin producers, which are a considerable risk for animal, poultry and human health.     

Limnology of Heart Lake,Ontario

Heart Lake, a small dimictic lake in Southern Ontario shows classical characteristics of eutrophy: high phytoplankton populations, blooms of blue-greens, predominently Aphanizomenon flos-aquae, in summer, a shallow photic zone decreasing seasonally in response to dense phytoplankton crops and a hypolomnion which is deoxygenated from early summer to fall turnover. Large decreases occur in TDP and SRS in particular, but also in TDN from spring to summer.The distribution of individual species of algae with depth in the epilimnion was seldom uniform but, more commonly conformed to a definite pattern. The simultaneous existence of different patterns in different species provides evidence of spatial heterogeneity (niche diversification) in the epilimnion, which could lessen any interspecific competition.Diatom stratigraphy in a 70 cm core revealed that the lake has been eutrophic throughout but may have gone through 3 periods; of these, the most recent one was the most eutrophic and was preceeded by a period of unusually low water levels.     

Walking Paths to and from a Goal Differ: On the Role of Bearing Angle in the Formation of Human Locomotion Paths

The path that humans take while walking to a goal is the result of a cognitive process modulated by the perception of the environment and physiological constraints. The path shape and timing implicitly embeds aspects of the architecture behind this process. Here, locomotion paths were investigated during a simple task of walking to and from a goal, by looking at the evolution of the position of the human on a horizontal (x,y) plane. We found that the path while walking to a goal was not the same as that while returning from it. Forward-return paths were systematically separated by 0.5-1.9m, or about 5% of the goal distance. We show that this path separation occurs as a consequence of anticipating the desired body orientation at the goal while keeping the target in view. The magnitude of this separation was strongly influenced by the bearing angle (difference between body orientation and angle to goal) and the final orientation imposed at the goal. This phenomenon highlights the impact of a trade-off between a directional perceptual apparatus—eyes in the head on the shoulders—and and physiological limitations, in the formation of human locomotion paths. Our results give an insight into the influence of environmental and perceptual variables on human locomotion and provide a basis for further mathematical study of these mechanisms.     

Identification of protein interaction regions of VINC/NEAT1/Men epsilon RNA

The virus inducible non-coding RNA (VINC) was detected initially in the brain of mice infected with Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) and rabies virus. VINC is also known as NEAT1 or Men epsilon RNA. It is localized in the nuclear paraspeckles of several murine as well as human cell lines and is essential for paraspeckle formation. We demonstrate that VINC interacts with the paraspeckle protein, P54nrb through three different protein interaction regions (PIRs) one of which (PIR-1) is localized near the 5′ end while the other two (PIR-2, PIR-3) are localized near the 3′ region of VINC. Our studies suggest that VINC may interact with P54nrb through a novel mechanism which is different from that reported for protein coding RNAs.     

Novel Apigenin Based Small Molecule that Targets Snake Venom Metalloproteases

The classical antivenom therapy has appreciably reduced snakebite mortality rate and thus is the only savior drug available. Unfortunately, it considerably fails to shield the viper bite complications like hemorrhage, local tissue degradation and necrosis responsible for severe morbidity. Moreover, the therapy is also tagged with limitations including anaphylaxis, serum sickness and poor availability. Over the last decade, snake venom metalloproteases (SVMPs) are reported to be the primary component responsible for hemorrhage and tissue degradation at bitten site. Thus, antivenom inability to offset viper venom-induced local toxicity has been a basis for an insistent search for SVMP inhibitors. Here we report the inhibitory effect of compound 5d, an apigenin based molecule against SVMPs both in silico and in vivo. Several apigenin analogues are synthesized using multicomponent Ugi reactions. Among them, compound 5d effectively abrogated Echis carinatus (EC) venom-induced local hemorrhage, tissue necrosis and myotoxicity in a dose dependant fashion. The histopathological study further conferred effective inhibition of basement membrane degradation, and accumulation of inflammatory leucocytes at the site of EC venom inoculation. The compound also protected EC venom-induced fibrin and fibrinogen degradation. The molecular docking of compound 5d and bothropasin demonstrated the direct interaction of hydroxyl group of compound with Glu146 present in hydrophobic pocket of active site and does not chelate Zn²⁺. Hence, it is concluded that compound 5d could be a potent agent in viper bite management.     

Functional characteristics of a fruticose type of lichen, Stereocaulon foliolosum Nyl. in response to light and water stress

Stereocaulon foliolosum a fruticose type of lichen under its natural habitat is subjected to low temperature, high light conditions and frequent moisture stress due its rocky substratum. To understand as to how this lichen copes up with these stresses, we studied the reflectance properties, light utilization capacity and the desiccation tolerance under laboratory conditions. S. foliolosum showed light saturation point for photosynthesis at 390 μmol CO₂ m^?2 s^?1 and the light compensation point for photosynthesis at 64 μmol CO₂ m^?2 s^?1. Our experiments show that S. foliolosum has a low absorptivity (30–35 %) towards the incident light. The maximum rates of net photosynthesis and apparent electron transport observed were 1.9 μmol CO₂ m^?2 s^?1 and 45 μmol e^? m^?2 s^?1, respectively. The lichen recovers immediately after photoinhibition under low light conditions. S. foliolosum on subjecting to desiccation results in the decrease of light absorptivity and the reflectance properties associated with water status of the thalli show a change. During desiccation, a simultaneous decrease in photosynthesis, dark respiration and quenching in the fluorescence properties was observed. However, all the observed changes show a rapid recovery on rewetting the lichen. Our study shows that desiccation does not have a severe or long-term impact on S. foliolosum and the lichen is also well adapted to confront high light intensities.