Characterization of rice (Oryza sativa L.) genotypes on the basis of morpho-physiological and biochemical traits grown under aerobic situation in rainfed ecosystem .

The objective of the present study was to examine the effect of aerobic situation on yield, physiological and biochemical traits of advanced breeding lines of rice. Experiment was conducted with two set of rice genotypes under two water regimes (aerobic and irrigated), during three consecutive wet seasons 2010-2012. Significant decrease in yield was observed in rice genotypes grown under aerobic situation as compared to the irrigated ones. Promising rice genotypes having the ability to maintain high plant biomass, harvest index, early vegetative vigour, improved physiological and biochemical traits in terms of relative water content (RWC), leaf area index (LAI), total soluble sugar, starch, protien and proline content help to sustain higher grain yield under aerobic situation. The yield gap between aerobic and irrigated rice ranged between 24% to 68%. Grain yield showed positive correlation with harvest index (0.434), test weight (0.647), plant biomass (0.411) and effective tiller numbers (0.473), whereas spikelet sterility was negative associated (-0.380). The current study suggested that promising genotypes viz., IR77298-14-1-2-130-2, IR84899-B-182-3-1-1-2, IR84887-B-157-38-1-1-3 and IR 84899-B-179-1-1-1-2 for aerobic situation, showing yield advantage due to better performance of physiological and biochemical traits, might be adopted in large area of rainfed ecosystem as well as in irrigated areas where water scarcity was a major problem.

Effect of storage time and framework design on the accuracy of maxillary cobalt-chromium cast removable partial dentures.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEM: Inaccuracies in the fit of palatal major connectors may be related to distortion of the wax pattern due to prolonged storage time and faulty major connector design. PURPOSE: This in vitro study was carried out to find out the effect of storage time and major connector design on the accuracy of cobalt-chromium cast removable partial dentures (RPDs). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A brass metal die with a Kennedy Class III, modification 1, the partially edentulous arch was used as a master die. Thirty-six refractory casts were fabricated from the master die. The refractory casts were divided into three groups (Group I: Anterior-posterior palatal bar, Group II: Palatal strap and Group III: Palatal plate) based on the design of maxillary major connector and subdivided into four groups (sub Group A: 01 h, sub Group B: 03 h, Sub Group C: 06 h, and sub Group D: 24 h) based on the storage time. For each group, 12 frameworks were fabricated. The influence of wax pattern storage time and the accuracy of the fit palatal major connector designs on the master die were compared. Casting defects (nodules/incompleteness) of the frameworks were also evaluated before finishing and polishing. Repeated measures analysis of variance was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: The gap discrepancy was least in sub Group A (01 h) followed by sub Group B (03 h) and C (06 h) and most in sub Group D (24 h). Statistically significant differences (P < 0.05 in all locations L1-L5) in the fit of the framework were related to the design of the major connector. The gap discrepancy was least in Group I (anterior-posterior palatal bar) followed by Group II (palatal strap) and most in Group II (palatal plate). CONCLUSIONS: It is recommended that the wax patterns for RPD to be invested immediately on completion of the wax procedure. The selection of a major connector design is crucial for an accurate fit of RPD.

Neuronal localization and association of Niemann Pick C2 protein (HE1/NPC2) with the postsynaptic density.

Niemann-Pick disease type C (NP-C) is an inherited disorder that is characterized biochemically by cellular cholesterol and glycolipid storage, and clinically by progressive neurodegeneration. Most cases of NP-C are caused by inactivating mutations of the npc1 gene, but about 5% are linked to npc2, which encodes a soluble cholesterol binding protein, previously identified as epididymal secretory glycoprotein 1 (HE1). The present study was carried out to investigate the immunocytochemical localization of HE1/NPC2 protein in the mouse brain. Using an antibody against recombinant HE1/NPC2, we found HE1/NPC2 to be localized predominantly in neurons in the brain. Immunoreactivity for HE1/NPC2 was observed in pyramidal or projection neurons in the cerebral cortex and amygdala, and Purkinje neurons in the cerebellum. Neurons in the thalamus, hypothalamus, and globus pallidus were lightly labeled, or unlabeled. This regional pattern of expression of HE1/NPC2 is similar to our previous findings with NPC1, with a low level of expression of both NPC1 and HE1/NPC2 proteins in regions derived from the diencephalon, such as the thalamus and hypothalamus. In contrast to NPC1, however, which is predominantly in astrocytes, HE1/NPC2 was observed mainly in neurons. Electron microscopic immunocytochemistry showed that HE1/NPC2 is present in the cytosol of dendrites and on post-synaptic densities (PSD). The occurrence of HE1/NPC2 in the PSD was confirmed by Western blots of PSD-enriched brain subcellular fractions that showed the presence of HE1/NPC2 together with the PSD-associated protein, PSD-95. These results suggest that NPC1 and HE1/NPC2 are differentially enriched in astrocytes and neurons, respectively, and that HE1/NPC2 may function in supporting the integrity of the PSD of neurons.

Histopathological changes in the proventriculus of fowl given experimental monospecific infection with Acuaria spiralis.

The pathological changes in the proventriculi of fowls given monospecific experimental infection with Acuaria spiralis were characterized in the initial stages by an acute inflammation due to the migration of 3rd and 4th stage larvae. There was a severe non-keratinizing squamous cell metaplasia of the lining epithelium with pronounced granulocytic infiltration at 4-8 days post-infection. Multiple lymphoid nodules were evident in the lamina propria from 12 days post-infection. As the disease progressed there was extensive fibroplasia in the organ. By 50-100 days post-infection pedunculated fibro-adenamatoid growths developed in the mucosa obliterating the entire lumen of the organ. A mortality rate of 29.16% of chicks (maximum on the 3rd week post-infection) was observed.

Expression of a functional single-chain antibody via Corynebacterium pseudodiphtheriticum.

Antibody-based therapeutics are effective against conditions ranging from acute infections to malignancy. They may prove crucial in combating bioterrorism and responding to drug-resistant and emerging pathogens. At present the cost of producing therapeutic monoclonal antibodies is between $1,000 to $6,000 per gram. The need to administer antibodies parenterally at frequent intervals further drives the cost of this treatment. Here we present an antibody delivery system, termed paratransgenesis, with the potential to overcome these limitations. The paratransgenic approach involves genetically transforming a commensal or symbiont bacterium to express foreign molecules that target pathogens. We describe transformation of Corynebacterium pseudodiptheriticum, a commensal bacterium found in the human respiratory tract, to express a murine single-chain antibody binding progesterone. The antibody was functional and bound specifically to progesterone in a concentration-dependent manner. This marker antibody system is the precursor to development of expression systems producing recombinant humanized single-chain antibodies. Studies are in progress evaluating fitness, transgene stablility, and pathogenecity of the genetically engineered C. pseudodiptheriticum. We anticipate developing a repertoire of expressed molecules targeting infectious agents and surface epitopes of pulmonary mass lesions. If expression systems for anti-pathogen molecules in C. pseudodiptheriticum and other respiratory commensal bacteria can be optimized, these bacteria have the potential for a range of therapeutic and prophylactic applications.

Antioxidant status and lipid peroxidation in type II diabetes mellitus with and without complications.

1. This study was conducted on 467 cases of non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus and 180 healthy controls. Lipid peroxidation products in plasma and erythrocytes were assayed as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances, along with the erythrocyte antioxidant enzymes, namely superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione peroxidase. In addition, scavenger vitamins A, C and E and reduced glutathione levels in blood were also measured. 2. Lipid peroxidation was significantly raised within the first 2 years of diagnosis, and superoxide dismutase, catalase, reduced glutathione and vitamins C and E were significantly lowered. 3. These changes were correlated with the duration of the disease and were of a higher magnitude with the development of complications. 4. The results suggest that the antioxidant deficiency and excessive peroxide-mediated damage may appear early on in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, before the development of secondary complications.

Immunocytochemical localization of apolipoprotein D in oligodendrocyte precursor-like cells, perivascular cells, and pericytes in the human cerebral cortex.

Apolipoprotein D, a lipocalin transporter of small hydrophobic molecules including sterols, steroid hormones and arachidonic acid, is a widely expressed protein in peripheral and neural tissues. It has been shown to be upregulated in the context of neural injury, and with neuronal degeneration and regeneration. Here we have used light and electron microscopic immunocytochemistry with immunogold labeling to delineate the pattern of expression of apoD in the human brain. Our results confirm previous observations that apoD is a predominantly glial protein in the nervous system. In addition we have found that apoD is present in the cytosol and outer membrane of the nuclear envelope of glial cells in the neuropil. The labeled glial cells were putatively identified as a population of oligodendrocyte precursor cells. Immunoreactivity was also associated with the cytosol of perivascular cells, and lysosomes of pericytes, in the walls of blood vessels. These observations suggest a potential role for glial cells and apoD, in the transport of sterols and small hydrophobic molecules to, or from, blood vessels in the cortex.