Prevalence and risk factors assessment of mange mites in livestock of Malakand Division,Pakistan

Mange mites represent a serious problem in livestock farming due to their worse effect on animals health, reducing milk and meat production. The status of mange mites prevalence was unknown from the livestock present in Malakand Division, Pakistan. Hence, the present study was conducted to determine the prevalence and risk factors assessment of mange mites in livestock of Malakand Division, Pakistan. Villages and livestock herds were visited for data collection and sampling for one year from September 2017 to August 2018. The diagnosis of mange infestation was carried out from skin scrapings collected from symptomatic animals. A total of 1437 animals were screened (240 sheep, 658 cows, 340 buffalos, 199 goats) from selected localities of the Malakand Division. The overall prevalence was 2.37%, with the highest prevalence in buffalos (5.0%) and lowest (0.42%) in sheep (p < 0.05). The locality also significantly affect the prevalence of mange mites in livestock, with a higher percentage (8.14%) in the Ouch area. The prevalence was higher in winter (3.78%) than in summer (1.07%). The prevalence was high (p < 0.05) in young animals (≤1 year) (4.7%) as compared to adults (>1 year) (1.15%). Gender was also a significant risk factor for mange infestation. The infestation was higher in females (2.85%) as compared to males (0.64%) (p < 0.05). Herd size of less than ten animals had a significantly high prevalence rate (3.69%) compared to >10 animals (1.89%). Animals having an infection history >15 days infected more than animals having infection history ≤15 days. This study documented for the first-time epidemiology of mange mites in livestock of Malakand Division, Pakistan. Further studies involving molecular characterization of mange mites will increase our understanding on the spread of mange mites in Malakand Division livestock.     

Interrelation Between External Pressure,SEI Structure,and Electrodeposit Morphology in an Anode-Free Lithium Metal Battery

The interrelation is explored between external pressure (0.1, 1, and 10 MPa), solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) structure/morphology, and lithium metal plating/stripping behavior. To simulate anode-free lithium metal batteries (AF-LMBs) analysis is performed on “empty” Cu current collectors in standard carbonate electrolyte. Lower pressure promotes organic-rich SEI and macroscopically heterogeneous, filament-like Li electrodeposits interspersed with pores. Higher pressure promotes inorganic F-rich SEI with more uniform and denser Li film. A “seeding layer” of lithiated pristine graphene (pG@Cu) favors an anion-derived F-rich SEI and promotes uniform metal electrodeposition, enabling extended electrochemical stability at a lower pressure. State-of-the-art electrochemical performance is achieved at 1MPa: pG-enabled half-cell is stable after 300 h (50 cycles) at 1 mA cm⁻² rate −3 mAh cm⁻² capacity (17.5 µm plated/stripped), with cycling Coulombic efficiency (CE) of 99.8%. AF-LMB cells with high mass loading NMC622 cathode (21 mg cm⁻²) undergo 200 cycles with a CE of 99.4% at C/5-charge and C/2-discharge (1C = 178 mAh g⁻¹). Density functional theory (DFT) highlights the differences in the adsorption energy of solvated-Li⁺ onto various crystal planes of Cu (100), (110), and (111), versus lithiated/delithiated (0001) graphene, giving insight regarding the role of support surface energetics in promoting SEI heterogeneity.     

Proline Accumulation, Protein Pattern and Photosynthesis in Bacopa Monniera Regenerants Grown under NaCl Stress

Shoots of Bacopa monniera exhibited 100 % regeneration on Murashige and Skoog medium with 2 % sucrose, 0.2 mg dm⁻³ 1-naphthaleneacetic acid, 0.5 mg dm⁻³ 6-benzylaminopurine and 50 mg dm⁻³ glutamine. When the medium was supplied with various concentrations (5 - 15 g dm⁻³) of sodium chloride, proline content in regenerants was six times higher than in the control. With increasing NaCl concentration photosynthetic rate decreased and fresh mass and root length of regenerants declined. NaCl also induced formation of new proteins. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Characterization of Aegilops uniaristata chromosomes by comparative DNA marker analysis and repetitive DNA sequence in situ hybridization

RFLP analyses were performed on wheat-Aegilops uniaristata Vis. addition and translocation lines to confirm the identity of added N-genome chromosomes. Complete 1N, 3N, 4N, 5N and 7N chromosome additions were identified, while the complete long arm and only part of the short arm was identified for chromosome 2N. There were no wheat-like 4/5 and 4/7 translocations in the Ae. uniaristata chromosomes. Chromosome 3N carried an asymmetric pericentric inversion, and the translocation line was a product of centric fusion between the long arms of chromosomes 3B and 3N. Chromosome-specific RAPD and microsatellite markers were also identified for all the added Ae. uniaristata chromosomes available in this set of addition lines. A new genomic in situ hybridization protocol combining pre-annealing of probe and blocking DNA and prehybridization with blocking DNA was developed to differentiate the very closely related genomes of Ae. uniaristata and wheat. Hybridization sites for the repetitive DNA sequences pAs1, pSc119.2 and pTa71 were identified on the N-genome chromosomes of Ae. uniaristata using the fluorescent in situ hybridization technique. Results showed deviation from the previously published ideogram of this species. A new ideogram, which shows the hybridization sites for the above sequences, was produced in which the chromosomes are arranged according to their homoeologous group. Received: 23 April 1999 / Accepted: 6 August 1999     

Genetic diversity evaluation of some elite cotton varieties by RAPD analysis

Random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD) analysis was used to evaluate the genetic diversity of elite commercial cotton varieties. Twenty two varieties belonging to Gossypium hirsutum L. and one to G. arboreum L. were analyzed with 50 random decamer primers using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Forty nine primers detected polymorphism in all 23 cotton varieties, while one produced monomorphic amplification profiles. A total of 349 bands were amplified, 89.1% of which were polymorphic. Cluster analysis by the unweighted pair group method of arithmetic means (UPGMA) showed that 17 varieties can be placed in two groups with a similarity ranging from 81.51% to 93.41%. G. hirsutum L. varieties S-12, V3 and MNH-93 showed a similarity of 78.12, 74.46 and 69.56% respectively with rest of the varieties. One variety, CIM-1100, showed 57.02% similarity and was quite distinct. The diploid cotton G. arboreum L. var. Ravi was also very distinct from rest of its tetraploid counterparts and showed only 55.7% similarity. The analysis revealed that the intervarietal genetic relationships of several varieties is related to their center of origin. As expected, most of the varieties have a narrow genetic base. The results obtained can be used for the selection of possible parents to generate a mapping population. The results also reveal the genetic relationship of elite commercial cotton varieties with some standard “Coker” varieties and the diploid G. arboreum L. var. Ravi (old world cotton). Received: 12 July 1996 / Accepted: 26 July 1996     

X-ray structure of the PHF core C-terminus: insight into the folding of the intrinsically disordered protein tau in Alzheimer's disease

The major constituent of Alzheimer's disease paired helical filaments (PHF) core is intrinsically disordered protein (IDP) tau. In spite of a considerable effort, insoluble character of PHF together with inherent physical properties of IDP tau have precluded so far reconstruction of PHF 3D structure by X-ray crystallography or NMR spectroscopy. Here we present first crystallographic study of PHF core C-terminus. Using monoclonal antibody MN423 specific to the tertiary structure of the PHF core, the in vivo PHF structure was imprinted into recombinant core PHF tau. Crystallization of the complex led to determination of the structure of the core PHF tau protein fragment 386TDHGAE391 at 1.65A resolution. Structural analysis suggests important role of the core PHF C-terminus for PHF assembly. It is reasonable to expect that this approach will help to reveal the structural principles underlying the tau protein assembly into PHF and possibly will facilitate rationale drug design for inhibition of Alzheimer neurofibrillary changes.     

Methodological Considerations for the Use of Stable Isotope Probing in Microbial Ecology

Stable isotope probing (SIP) is a method used for labeling uncultivated microorganisms in environmental samples or directly in field studies using substrate enriched with stable isotope (e.g., ¹³C). After consumption of the substrate, the cells of microorganisms that consumed the substrate become enriched in the isotope. Labeled biomarkers, such as phospholipid-derived fatty acid (PLFA), ribosomal RNA, and DNA can be analyzed with a range of molecular and analytical techniques, and used to identify and characterize the organisms that incorporated the substrate. The advantages and disadvantages of PLFA-SIP, RNA-SIP, and DNA-SIP are presented. Using examples from our laboratory and from the literature, we discuss important methodological considerations for a successful SIP experiment.     

Antiangiogenic drugs synergize with a membrane macrophage colony-stimulating factor-based tumor vaccine to therapeutically treat rats with an established malignant intracranial glioma

Combining a T9/9L glioma vaccine, expressing the membrane form of M-CSF, with a systemic antiangiogenic drug-based therapy theoretically targeted toward growth factor receptors within the tumor's vasculature successfully treated >90% of the rats bearing 7-day-old intracranial T9/9L gliomas. The antiangiogenic drugs included (Z)-3-[4-(dimethylamino)benzylidenyl]indolin-2-one (a platelet-derived growth factor receptor beta and a fibroblast growth factor receptor 1 kinase inhibitor) and oxindole (a vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 kinase inhibitor). A total of 20-40% of the animals treated with the antiangiogenic drugs alone survived, while all nontreated controls and tumor vaccine-treated rats died within 40 days. In vitro, these drugs inhibited endothelial cells from proliferating in response to the angiogenic factors produced by T9/9L glioma cells and prevented endothelial cell tubulogenesis. FITC-labeled tomato lectin staining demonstrated fewer and constricted blood vessels within the intracranial tumor after drug therapy. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated that the intracranial T9 glioma grew much slower in the presence of these antiangiogenic drugs. These drugs did not affect in vitro glioma cell growth nor T cell mitogenesis. Histological analysis revealed that the tumor destruction occurred at the margins of the tumor, where there was a heavy lymphocytic infiltrate. Real-time PCR showed more IL-2-specific mRNA was present within the gliomas in the vaccinated rats treated with the drugs. Animals that rejected the established T9/9L glioma by the combination therapy proved immune against an intracranial rechallenge by T9/9L glioma, but showed no resistance to an unrelated MADB106 breast cancer.     

Does Seed Priming Induce Changes in the Levels of Some Endogenous Plant Hormones in Hexaploid Wheat Plants Under Salt Stress？

In order to assess whether salt tolerance could be Improved In spring wheat （Triticum aestivum L.）, the present study was performed by soaking the seeds of two cultlvars, namely MH-97 （salt sensitive） and Inqlab-91 （salt tolerant）, for 12 h In distilled water or 100 mol/m^3 CaCl2, KCI, or NaCI. Primed seeds from each treatment group and non-primed seeds were sown In a field In which NaCI salinity of 15 dS/m was developed. Priming of seeds with CaCl2, followed by priming with KCI and NaCI, was found to be effective In alleviating the adverse effects of salt stress on both wheat cultivars In terms of shoot fresh and dry weights and grain yield. Priming with CaCl2 alleviated the adverse effects of salt stress on hormonal balance In plants of both cultlvars. In MH-97 plants, CaCl2 pretreatment considerably reduced leaf absclslc acid （ABA） concentrations and Increased leaf free salicylic acid （SA） concentrations under both saline and non-saline conditions. In contrast, In the Inqlab-91 plant, CaCl2 Increased free Indoleacetic acid （IAA） and indolebutyrlc acid （IBA） content. However, priming of seeds with CaCl2 did not alter free polyamlne levels in either cultlvar, although spermldlne levels were considerably lower In plants raised from seeds treated with CaCl2 for both cultlvars under saline conditions. Priming with KCI Increased growth In Inqlab-91 plants, but not In MH-97 plants, under saline conditions. The salinity Induced reducUon In auxins （IAA and IBA） was alleviated by NaCI priming In both cultlvars under saline conditions. However, NaCI Increased leaf free ABA content and lowered leaf SA and putresclne levels In Inqlab-91 plants under saline conditions. In conclusion, although all three priming agents （I.e. CaCl2, KCI, and NaCI） were effective In alleviating the adverse effects of salt stress on wheat plants, their effects on altering the levels of different plant hormones were different In the two cuItlvars.