Potato Virus X—a New Report from Turnip (Brassica rapa L.) in India

A virus isolated from turnip in Aligarh, India, which caused mild mosaic, mottling and curling of leaves followed by overall stunting of plants, was characterized as potato virus X (PVX) on the basis of its host range, biological and physical properties, particle morphology, ultrastructural studies, and serological relationship.     

Length-weight relationships of six Nemacheilid fish species (Teleostei: Cypriniformes) from different rivers of Manipur,India

The length-weight relationships (LWRs) of six Nemacheilid species (Schistura chindwinica, S. fasciata, S. khugae, S. minuta, S. reticulata and S. rubrimaculata) have been analyzed. Fish samples were collected on quarterly basis from March 2018 to February 2019. Sampling was performed using cast nets (mesh size 5–10 mm; about 50 sq m area covered each time and water depth was 4 ft approx.), and electrofishing (Ultrasonic Inverter Electro Fisher, 24 volts, 4 m) in the day time. The total length (TL) of individual fish was measured to 0.1 cm with a digital caliper and body weights (BW) were measured to 0.001 g with digital electronic balances. The parameters for the LWR equations were calculated, and the respective statistics such as the 95% confidence interval for parameters “a” and “b” are provided as well as the coefficient of correlation. For five species a new maximum total length has been documented.     

Silencing of ZFP36L2 increases sensitivity to temozolomide through G2/M cell cycle arrest and BAX mediated apoptosis in GBM cells

Molecular Biology Reports - Despite the advancements in primary brain tumour diagnoses and treatments, the mortality rate remains high, particularly in glioblastoma (GBM). Chemoresistance,...     

Effect of the conditioned medium of mesenchymal stem cells on the expression levels of P2X4 and P2X7 purinergic receptors in the spinal cord of rats with neuropathic pain

Purinergic Signalling - Recent studies have shown that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and their conditioned medium (CM) have potential therapeutic effects in animal models of neuropathic pain (NP)....     

Farmers’ knowledge,perception and management of mango mealy bug,Drosicha mangiferae Green (Hemiptera: Monophlebidae), on Mangifera indica in Punjab,Pakistan

In 2004–05, during the December to February about 141 mango farmers were interviewed during peak activity of mango mealy bug in southern Punjab, Pakistan. The objective was to know the farmers’ knowledge, perceptions and practices in the management of mango mealy bug. Most of the farmers (94.33%) reported that Chaunsa variety (king of all mango varieties) was susceptible to mango and irrigation water was the major source of flare up of this pest. Basudin and Supracide were the most commonly used insecticides as 72.92 and 51.77 percent farmers gave positive response and grease bands were applied for the control of mango mealy bug by the majority of the respondents. Hundred percent yield losses was told by 22.7 percent respondents whereas 75 percent, 50 percent and 25 percent losses were reported by 39.7, 31.9 and 14.2 insecticidal spray did not show satisfaction to the respondents for the control of fertilized females of mango mealy bug coming down from the trees. Lack of knowledge about the pest, lack of money, adulterated and shortage of pesticides, lack of unity amongst farmers Further the growers’ views were tested in the field for confirmation and small land holdings were the main constraints for the control of mango mealy bug.     

Transorbital Sonographic Evaluation of Normal Optic Nerve Sheath Diameter in Healthy Volunteers in Bangladesh

Introduction

Measurement of optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) by ultrasound is increasingly used as a marker to detect raised intracranial pressure (ICP). ONSD varies with age and there is no clear consensus between studies for an upper limit of normal. Knowledge of normal ONSD in a healthy population is essential to interpret this measurement.

Methods

In a prospective observational study, ONSD was measured using a 15 MHz ultrasound probe in healthy volunteers in Chittagong, Bangladesh. The aims were to determine the normal range of ONSD in healthy Bangladeshi adults and children, compare measurements in males and females, horizontal and vertical beam orientations and left and right eyes in the same individual and to determine whether ONSD varies with head circumference independent of age.

Results

136 subjects were enrolled, 12.5% of whom were age 16 or under. Median ONSD was 4.41 mm with 95% of subjects in the range 4.25–4.75 mm. ONSD was bimodally distributed. There was no relationship between ONSD and age (≥4 years), gender, head circumference, and no difference in left vs right eye or horizontal vs vertical beam.

Conclusions

Ultrasonographic ONSD in Bangladeshi healthy volunteers has a narrow bimodal distribution independent of age (≥4 years), gender and head circumference. ONSD >4.75 mm in this population should be considered abnormal.     

Impact of Pregnancy-Associated Malaria on Infant Malaria Infection in Southern Benin

Background

Infants of mothers with placental Plasmodium falciparum infections at delivery are themselves more susceptible to malaria attacks or to infection in early life.

Methodology/ Principal Findings

To assess the impact of either the timing or the number of pregnancy-associated malaria (PAM) infections on the incidence of parasitemia or malaria attacks in infancy, we followed 218 mothers through pregnancy (monthly visits) up to delivery and their infants from birth to 12 months of age (fortnightly visits), collecting detailed clinical and parasitological data. After adjustment on location, mother’s age, birth season, bed net use, and placental malaria, infants born to a mother with PAM during the third trimester of pregnancy had a significantly increased risk of infection (OR [95% CI]: 4.2 [1.6; 10.5], p = 0.003) or of malaria attack (4.6 [1.7; 12.5], p = 0.003). PAM during the first and second trimesters had no such impact. Similarly significant results were found for the effect of the overall number of PAM episodes on the time to first parasitemia and first malaria attack (HR [95% CI]: 2.95 [1.58; 5.50], p = 0.001 and 3.19 [1.59; 6.38], p = 0.001) respectively.

Conclusions/ Significance

This study highlights the importance of protecting newborns by preventing repeated episodes of PAM in their mothers.     

Lepiota vellingana sp. nov. (Basidiomycota, Agaricales) a new species from Lahore, Pakistan

A new species of Lepiota, L. vellingana, is described and illustrated from Lahore, Pakistan. It is characterized by a campanulate to plano-convex, slightly umbonate, white pileus covered with pinkish brown scales, crowded lamellae, guttulate basidiospores, long trichodermial stipe elements, and long trichodermial pileal elements.     

A comparative study of bacterial diversity based on culturable and culture-independent techniques in the rhizosphere of maize (Zea mays L.)

ObjectiveMaize is an important crop for fodder, food and feed industry. The present study explores the plant-microbe interactions as alternative eco-friendly sustainable strategies to enhance the crop yield.MethodologyBacterial diversity was studied in the rhizosphere of maize by culture-dependent and culture-independent techniques by soil sampling, extraction of DNA, amplification of gene of interest, cloning of desired fragment and library construction.ResultsCulturable bacteria were identified as Achromobacter, Agrobacterium, Azospirillum, Bacillus, Brevibacillus, Bosea, Enterobacter, Microbacterium, Pseudomonas, Rhodococcus, Stenotrophomonas and Xanthomonas genera. For culture-independent approach, clone library of 16S ribosomal RNA gene was assembled and 100 randomly selected clones were sequenced. Majority of the sequences were related to Firmicutes (17%), Acidobacteria (16%), Actinobacteria (17%), Alpha-Proteobacteria (7%), Delta-proteobacteria (4.2%) and Gemmatimonadetes (4.2%) However, some of the sequences (30%) were novel that showed no homologies to phyla of cultured bacteria in the database. Diversity of diazotrophic bacteria in the rhizosphere investigated by analysis of PCR-amplified nifH gene sequence that revealed abundance of sequences belonging to genera Azoarcus (25%), Aeromonas (10%), Pseudomonas (10%). The diazotrophic genera Azotobacter, Agrobacterium and Zoogloea related nifH sequences were also detected but no sequence related to Azospirillum was found showing biasness of the growth medium rather than relative abundance of diazotrophs in the rhizosphere.ConclusionThe study provides a foundation for future research on focussed isolation of the Azoarcus and other diazotrophs found in higher abundance in the rhizosphere.