Lower Frequency and Diversity of Antibiotic-Producing Fluorescent Pseudomonads in Rhizosphere of Indian Rapeseed–Mustard (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Brassica juncea</Emphasis> L. Czern.)

Fluorescent pseudomonads are one of the most important microbial communities which play a key role in rhizosphere to enhance plant growth-promotion and protection. The diverse groups of antibiotics viz. 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol (DAPG), phenazine-1-carboxylic acid (PCA) and pyoluteorin (PLT) are produced by fluorescent pseudomonads inhibiting growth of fungal pathogens which results in health upliftment of plants. The present study, discusses about frequency and diversity of 138 antibiotic-producing fluorescent pseudomonads isolated from eight genotypes of rapeseed mustard rhizosphere (Brassica juncea L. Czern.). The plant growth promoting traits and antibiotics (DAPG, PCA and PLT) production of isolates were examined by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), thin layer chromatography (TLC) and dot blot-hybridization. Among 138 isolates, 47, 25 and 9 % of isolates were positive in indole production, phosphate solubilization and antagonism potential against Sclerotinia sclerotiorum (causal agent of white mold disease in rapeseed mustard), respectively. PCR amplifications showed that none of the isolates had phlD (DAPG) and phzC (PCA) genes, but four isolates (UKA-2, UKA-8, UKA-11, UKA-66) had pltB (PLT) gene, which was further confirmed by TLC and DNA dot-blot hybridization. BOX profiles of pltB positive isolates were distinct, showing unique genetic diversity in the small population. The four pltB positive fluorescent pseudomonad isolates could be used as promising bio-control and plant growth-promoting inoculants for Indian rapeseed mustard.     

Cellular and molecular pathophysiology in the progression of Parkinson’s disease

Metabolic Brain Disease - Parkinson’s disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder etiologically linked to the loss of substantia nigra (SN) dopaminergic neurons in the mid-brain. The...     

The prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus in Bangladesh: a systematic review and meta-analysis

International Journal of Diabetes in Developing Countries - Currently, gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a major public health concern with a higher risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes for both...     

Improved Growth and Colchicine Concentration in Gloriosa Superba on Mycorrhizal Inoculation Supplemented with Phosphorus-Fertilizer

Background

Gloriosa superba produces an array of alkaloids including colchicine, a compound of interest in the treatment of various diseases. The tuber of Gloriosa superba is a rich source of colchicine which has shown anti-gout, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor activity. However, this promising compound remains expensive and Gloriosa superba is such a good source in global scale. Increase in yield of naturally occurring colchicine is an important area of investigation.

Materials and Methods

The effects of inoculation by four arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM), fungi, Glomus mossae, Glomus fasciculatum, Gigaspora margarita and Gigaspora gilmorei either alone or supplemented with P-fertilizer, on colchicine concentration in Gloriosa superba were studied. The concentration of colchicine was determined by high-performance thin layer chromatography.

Results

The four fungi significantly increased concentration of colchicine in the herb. Although there was significant increase in concentration of colchicine in non-mycorrhizal P-fertilized plants as compared to control, the extent of the increase was less compared to mycorrhizal plants grown with or without P-fertilization. This suggests that the increase in colchicine concentration may not be entirely attributed to enhanced P-nutrition and improved growth. Among the four AM fungi Glomus mossae was found to be best. The total colchicine content of plant (mg / plant) was significantly high in plants inoculated with Glomus mossae and 25 mg kg⁻¹phosphorus fertilizer (348.9 mg /plant) while the control contain least colchicine (177.87 mg / plant).

Conclusion

The study suggests a potential role of AM fungi in improving the concentration of colchicine in Gloriosa superba tuber.     

Body fatness in relation to physical activity and selected socioeconomic parameters of adolescents aged 15–17 years in Merida,Yucatan

Background: Increasing rates of overweight and obesity in adolescents are major concerns in many countries, including Mexico.

Objectives: To study anthropometric and body composition characteristics (BCC) and their relations with socioeconomic status (SES), biological history and physical activity (PA) of school-going adolescent boys and girls in the city of Merida, Yucatan, Mexico.

Subjects and methods: In this cross-sectional study, a sample of 321 adolescents (156 boys and 165 girls) aged 15–17 years from public and private schools in Merida, was taken from a study carried out in 2008–2009.

Results: Body mass index had significant correlations to BCC (fat mass and fat-free mass). The rate of stunting was higher in girls (18.20%) than in boys (7.69%). Stunted adolescents had higher body fat (%) than normally growing peers. High rates of overweight (boys 26.28%, girls 24.24%) and obesity (boys 10.26%, girls 6.06%) were recorded. SES (parents’ age, education and occupation; crowding index in the family; household food expenditure), participants’ biological history and PA are related with height and BCC by age and sex.

Conclusion: Adolescents with excess weight (overweight?+?obesity) reported being less physically active. SES and PA were strongly related to growth and body fatness in the studied adolescents.     

Status of Hilsa Fishery in Hooghly-Bhagirathi River System and Associated Coastal Waters of Northern Bay of Bengal

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, India Section B: Biological Sciences - Hilsa, Tenualosa ilisha, is a popular fish in northern Bay of Bengal and Hooghly-Bhagirathi river system in...     

Regulation of brain m calpain Ca2+ sensitivity by mixtures of membrane lipids: Activation at intracellular Ca2+ level

Combinations of certain phospholipids and gangliosides increase the specific activity of m calpain and can activate m calpain at 1 to 10 μM Ca²⁺ concentration. However, this level of calcium is still greater than the normal intracellular calcium level. We have used combinations of lipids to demonstrate the m calpain activity at the physiological Ca²⁺ level. GD1a (100 μM) and cerebroside (Cerb; 750 μM; 1:7.5) mixture was the most effective. At 0.5 μM to 1.0 Ca²⁺ concentrations, 15–20% of the maximal activity was detected for the purified myelin and cytosolic m calpains. Other combinations were GD1a (100 μM), GM1 (100 μM), Cerb (750 μM), sulfatide (Sulf; 750 μM), and phosphatidylinositol (PI; 300 μM) at a ratio of 1:1:7.5:7.5:3, respectively. These lipid mixtures stimulated calpain activity at three- to tenfold less calcium concentration than control. The other mixtures, including GD1a:Sulf (1:9) > GD1a:PI (1:4) > PI:Sulf (1:5) > Cerb:Sulf (1:5) and PI:Cerb (1:2.5), also stimulated calpain activity at 1.0 μM Ca²⁺ concentration. Triton X-100, oxidized glutathione (GSSG), and calpain activator did not affect the Ca²⁺ requirement. Liposomes containing GD1a, Cerb, and m calpain also showed recognizable calpain activity at a significantly reduced Ca²⁺ concentration (0.4 μM), confirming the glycolipid-mediated enzyme modulation. These studies indicate that specific lipid mixtures can stimulate m calpain activity at an intracellular level of Ca²⁺. © 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Pathways for Memory,Cognition and Emotional Context: Hippocampal,Subgenual Area 25, and Amygdalar Axons Show Unique Interactions in the Primate Thalamic Reuniens Nucleus

The reuniens nucleus (RE) is situated at the most ventral position of the midline thalamus. In rats and mice RE is distinguished by bidirectional connections with the hippocampus and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and a role in memory and cognition. In primates, many foundational questions pertaining to RE remain unresolved. We addressed these issues by investigating the composition of the rhesus monkey RE in both sexes by labeling for GABA, a marker of inhibitory neurons, and for the calcium-binding proteins parvalbumin (PV), calbindin (CB), and calretinin (CR), which label thalamic excitatory neurons that project to cortex. As in rats and mice, the macaque RE was mostly populated by CB and CR neurons, characteristic of matrix-dominant nuclei, and had bidirectional connections with hippocampus and mPFC area 25 (A25). Unlike rodents, we found GABAergic neurons in the monkey RE and a sparser but consistent population of core-associated thalamocortical PV neurons. RE had stronger connections with the basal amygdalar complex than in rats or mice. Amygdalar terminations were enriched with mitochondria and frequently formed successive synapses with the same postsynaptic structures, suggesting an active and robust pathway to RE. Significantly, hippocampal pathways formed multisynaptic complexes that uniquely involved excitatory projection neurons and dendrites of local inhibitory neurons in RE, extending this synaptic principle beyond sensory to high-order thalamic nuclei. Convergent pathways from hippocampus, A25, and amygdala in RE position it to flexibly coordinate activity for memory, cognition, and emotional context, which are disrupted in several psychiatric and neurologic diseases in humans.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The primate RE is a central node for memory and cognition through connections with the hippocampus and mPFC. As in rats or mice, the primate RE is a matrix-dominant thalamic nucleus, suggesting signal traffic to the upper cortical layers. Unlike rats or mice, the primate RE contains inhibitory neurons, synaptic specializations with the hippocampal pathway, and robust connections with the amygdala, suggesting unique adaptations. Convergence of hippocampal, mPFC, and amygdalar pathways in RE may help unravel a circuit basis for binding diverse signals for conscious flexible behaviors and the synthesis of memory with affective significance in primates, whereas disruption of distinct circuit nodes may occur in psychiatric disorders in humans.     

Antihyperglycemic Activities of Leaves of Three Edible Fruit Plants (Averrhoa Carambola,Ficus Hispida and Syzygium Samarangense) of Bangladesh

Averrhoa carambola L. (Oxalidaceae), Ficus hispida L.f. (Moraceae), and Syzygium samarangense (Blume) Merr. & L.M. Perry (Myrtaceae) are three common plants in Bangladesh, the fruits of which are edible. The leaves and fruits of A. carambola and F. hispida are used by folk medicinal practitioners for treatment of diabetes, while the leaves of S. samarangense are used for treatment of cold, itches, and waist pain. Since scientific studies are absent on the antihyperglycemic effects of the leaves of the three plants, it was the objective of the present study to evaluate the antihyperglycemic potential of methanolic extract of leaves of the plants in oral glucose tolerance tests carried out with glucose-loaded mice. The extracts at different doses were administered one hour prior to glucose administration and blood glucose level was measured after two hours of glucose administration (p.o.) using glucose oxidase method. Significant oral hypoglycemic activity was found with the extracts of leaves of all three plants tested. The fall in serum glucose levels were dose-dependent for every individual plant, being highest at the highest dose tested of 400 mg extract per kg body weight. At this dose, the extracts of A. carambola, F. hispida, and S. samarangense caused, respectively, 34.1, 22.7, and 59.3% reductions in serum glucose levels when compared to control animals. The standard antihyperglycemic drug, glibenclamide, caused a 57.3% reduction in serum glucose levels versus control. Among the three plants evaluated, the methanolic extract of leaves of S. samarangense proved to be the most potent in demonstrating antihyperglycemic effects. The result validates the folk medicinal uses of A. carambola and F. hispida in the treatment of diabetes, and indicates that the leaves of S. samarangense can also possibly be used for amelioration of diabetes-induced hyperglycemia.