A New Imprinting Material for Scanning Electron Microscopic Studies

A new imprinting material, “Ther-mocool”, has been used for preparing negative replicas of plant as well as metal surfaces for SEM study. The technique has wide application and gives very good results.     

Genetic variability and advance under four selection procedures in wheat pedigree breeding programme

Summary Four methods of generation advance (SPS, SSD, BP and MMS) were compared in F₃ and F₄ generations. In the F₃ generation, the SPS and SSD methods of generation advance proved superior to the BP and MMS methods for grain yield per plant and for at least one of the yield component traits. The F₃ SSD population did not differ significantly from the F₃ SPS for any of the traits. However, the F₃ SSD population retained more range and cv for different traits than with other methods of generation advance. F₄ progenies derived from F₃ SSD population were significantly superior for grain yield than lines derived from the other three F₃ populations. The MMS method of generation advance proved useful for increasing the 1,000-grain weight for which initial selection was made.Part of Ph.D. Thesis submitted by senior author to Haryana Agricultural University, Hisar     

Impact of biparental mating on correlation coefficients in bread wheat

Summary Phenotypic and genotypic correlation coefficients and path-coefficients were studied in the biparental (BIPs) and F₃ self progenies of the two wheat crosses. A comparison of correlation coefficients in the BIPs and the F₃'s revealed that as many as twelve new significant correlations were noticed in case of the BIPs in cross I although some of them occurred in the undesirable direction. On the other hand, only three new correlations were observed in the BIPs of cross II, although as many as fifteen correlations were not significant. Results suggested that intermating in the F₂ was effective in breaking the linkages. Path-coefficient analysis further revealed that the direct effect of tillers/ plant on grain yield was important and remained unchanged in both populations of cross I. In cross II, the direct effect of tillers/plants on grain yield was also high and it increased in the BIPs. Intermating seemed to have influenced considerably both the direct and indirect effects.     

A recombinant Newcastle disease virus (NDV) expressing VP2 protein of infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) protects against NDV and IBDV

Infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV) causes a highly immunosuppressive disease in chickens. Currently available, live IBDV vaccines can lead to generation of variant viruses. We have developed an alternative vaccine that will not create variant IBDV. By using the reverse genetics approach, we devised a recombinant Newcastle disease virus (NDV) vector from a commonly used vaccine strain LaSota to express the host-protective immunogen VP2 of a variant IBDV strain GLS-5. The gene encoding the VP2 protein of the IBDV was inserted into the most 3'-proximal locus of a full-length NDV cDNA for high-level expression. We successfully recovered the recombinant virus, rLaSota/VP2. The rLaSota/VP2 was genetically stable, at least up to 12 serial passages in chicken embryos, and was shown to express the VP2 protein. The VP2 protein was not incorporated into the virions of recombinant virus. Recombinant rLaSota/VP2 replicated to a titer similar to that of parental NDV strain LaSota in chicken embryos and cell cultures. To assess protective efficacy of the rLaSota/VP2, 2-day-old specific-pathogen-free chickens were vaccinated with the recombinant virus and challenged with a highly virulent NDV strain Texas GB or IBDV variant strain GLS-5 at 3 weeks postvaccination. Vaccination with rLaSota/VP2 generated antibody responses against both NDV and IBDV and provided 90% protection against NDV and IBDV. Booster immunization induced higher levels of antibody responses against both NDV and IBDV and conferred complete protection against both viruses. These results indicate that the recombinant NDV can be used as a vaccine vector for other avian pathogens.     

Anti-Inflammatory Action of Angiotensin 1-7 in Experimental Colitis

Background

There is evidence to support a role for angiotensin (Ang) 1–7 in reducing the activity of inflammatory signaling molecules such as MAPK, PKC and SRC. Enhanced angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) expression has been observed in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) suggesting a role in its pathogenesis, prompting this study.

Methods

The colonic expression/activity profile of ACE2, Ang 1–7, MAS1-receptor (MAS1-R), MAPK family and Akt were determined by western blot and immunofluorescence. The effect of either exogenous administration of Ang 1–7 or pharmacological inhibition of its function (by A779 treatment) was determined using the mouse dextran sulfate sodium model.

Results

Enhanced colonic expression of ACE2, Ang1-7 and MAS1-R was observed post-colitis induction. Daily Ang 1–7 treatment (0.01–0.06 mg/kg) resulted in significant amelioration of DSS-induced colitis. In contrast, daily administration of A779 significantly worsened features of colitis. Colitis-associated phosphorylation of p38, ERK1/2 and Akt was reduced by Ang 1–7 treatment.

Conclusion

Our results indicate important anti-inflammatory actions of Ang 1–7 in the pathogenesis of IBD, which may provide a future therapeutic strategy to control the disease progression.     

Reflections on the Principle of Non-Cut Off: A Growing Concept in Maritime Boundary Delimitation Law

The application of the principle of non-cut off is a significant tool in maritime delimitation to provide an equitable solution. Unfortunately, scholars and experts have paid scant attention to this principle of maritime delimitation. This article analyzes the growing role of the principle of non-cut off in the law of maritime boundary delimitation and examines the related jurisprudence on the issue.     

Activation of Antioxidant Defenses in Whole Saliva by Psychosocial Stress Is More Manifested in Young Women than in Young Men

Psychosocial stress has been long known to have deleterious effects on health. Nevertheless, an exposure to moderate stressors enhances resilience and promotes health benefits. Male and female organisms differ in many aspects of health and disease. The aim of this study was to investigate antioxidant activity and oxidative damage in saliva in a psychosocial stress paradigm in men and women. Here, we show that an acute stressor of moderate strength augments antioxidant activity and decreases oxidative damage in whole saliva of young people. An examination stress caused a significant increase of catalase activity, accompanied by a decrease of levels of oxidized proteins. Levels of thiobarbituric acid-reacting substances did not increase at stress, indicating that lipid peroxidation was not activated. The stress-induced alterations were more manifested in young women compared to young men. Thus, antioxidant protective mechanisms are more activated by a moderate stressor in young women than in young men.