Cytogenetic analysis and mapping of leaf rust resistance in Aegilops speltoides Tausch derived bread wheat line Selection2427 carrying putative gametocidal gene(s).

Leaf rust (Puccinia triticina) is a major biotic stress affecting wheat yields worldwide. Host-plant resistance is the best method for controlling leaf rust. Aegilops speltoides is a good source of resistance against wheat rusts. To date, five Lr genes, Lr28, Lr35, Lr36, Lr47, and Lr51, have been transferred from Ae. speltoides to bread wheat. In Selection2427, a bread wheat introgresed line with Ae. speltoides as the donor parent, a dominant gene for leaf rust resistance was mapped to the long arm of chromosome 3B (LrS2427). None of the Lr genes introgressed from Ae. speltoides have been mapped to chromosome 3B. Since none of the designated seedling leaf rust resistance genes have been located on chromosome 3B, LrS2427 seems to be a novel gene. Selection2427 showed a unique property typical of gametocidal genes, that when crossed to other bread wheat cultivars, the F1 showed partial pollen sterility and poor seed setting, whilst Selection2427 showed reasonable male and female fertility. Accidental co-transfer of gametocidal genes with LrS2427 may have occurred in Selection2427. Though LrS2427 did not show any segregation distortion and assorted independently of putative gametocidal gene(s), its utilization will be difficult due to the selfish behavior of gametocidal genes.

Investigating structural aspects to understand the putative/claimed non-toxicity of the Hg-based Ayurvedic drug Rasasindura using XAFS.

XANES- and EXAFS-based analysis of the Ayurvedic Hg-based nano-drug Rasasindura has been performed to seek evidence of its non-toxicity. Rasasindura is determined to be composed of single-phase α-HgS nanoparticles (size ∼24 nm), free of Hg(0) or organic molecules; its structure is determined to be robust (<3% defects). The non-existence of Hg(0) implies the absence of Hg-based toxicity and establishes that chemical form, rather than content of heavy metals, is the correct parameter for evaluating the toxicity in these drugs. The stable α-HgS form (strong Hg-S covalent bond and robust particle character) ensures the integrity of the drug during delivery and prevention of its reduction to Hg(0) within the human body. Further, these comparative studies establish that structural parameters (size dispersion, coordination configuration) are better controlled in Rasasindura. This places the Ayurvedic synthesis method on par with contemporary techniques of nanoparticle synthesis.

Development and characterization of lecithin stabilized glibenclamide nanocrystals for enhanced solubility and drug delivery.

Novel LNCs (lipid nanocrystals) were developed with an aim to improve the solubility, stability and targeting efficiency of the model drug glibenclamide (GLB). PEG 20000, Tween 80 and soybean lecithin were used as polymer, surfactant and complexing agent, respectively. GLB nanocrystals (NCs) were prepared by precipitation process and complexed using hot and cold melt technique. The LNCs were evaluated by drug loading, saturation solubility (SL), optical clarity, in vitro dissolution, solid state characterization, in vivo and stability analysis. LNCs exhibited a threefold increase in SL and a higher dissolution rate than GLB. The percentage dissolution efficiency was found to decrease with increase in PEG 20000. The average particle size was in the range of 155-842 nm and zeta potential values tend to increase after complexation. X-ray powder diffractometry and differential scanning calorimetry results proved the crystallinity prevailed in the samples. Spherical shaped particles (<1000 nm) with a lipid coat on the surface were observed in scanning electron microscopy analysis. Fourier transform infrared results proved the absence of interaction between drug and polymer and stability study findings proved that LNCs were stable. In vivo study findings showed a decrease in drug concentration to pancreas in male Wistar rats. It can be concluded that LNCs are could offer enhanced solubility, dissolution rate and stability for poorly water soluble drugs. The targeting efficiency of LNCs was decreased and further membrane permeability studies ought to be carried out.

Bronchodilatory and mast cell stabilising activity of Cressa cretica L.: evaluation through in vivo and in vitro experimental models.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of ethylacetate fraction (Fr-Et) and methanolic fraction (Fr-Me) obtained from Cressa cretica L.(C. cretica) L. on experimental models for bronchodilatory activity and mast cell stabilising activity. METHODS: The effect of Fr-Et and Fr-Me were studied on acetylcholine and histamine aerosol-induced broncospasm using guinea pigs as experimental animals. Also, the effects of these fractions were evaluated on the isolated guinea pig tracheal preparations. Besides this mast cell degranulation effect was assessed using egg albumin and compound 48/80 on rat peritoneal mast cells. RESULTS: Significant increase in preconvulsion time was observed due to pretreatment with the fractions when guinea pigs were exposed to histamine and acetylcholine aerosol. Fr-Et and Fr-Me significantly increased the preconvulsion in a dose depended manner that suggestive of bronchodilating activity. Fr-Et and Fr-Me exhibited a significant concentration dependant relaxant effect on guinea pig trachea pre-contracted with CCh, K(+) and histamine. The results revealed that Fr-Et to be more potent than Fr-Me in relaxing histamine and K(+) and calcium induced contraction than CCh induced contractions. Studies on the fractions in protecting mast cell degranulation, which were elicited by the egg albumin as well as synthetic compound 48/80 revealed both the fractions significantly protect the mast cell degranulation, which release mediators such as histamine and proinflammatory cytokines through various stimuli in a dose depended manner. CONCLUSIONS: Thus our study established the bronchodilator activity, and mast cell stabilizing activity which are important mediators that provoke or sustain in asthma.

Intake of ²³8U and ²³²Th through the consumption of foodstuffs by tribal populations practicing slash and burn agriculture in an extremely high rainfall area.

The concentration of naturally occurring radionuclides ²³²Th, ²³8U was determined using Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) in different food groups namely cereals, vegetables, leafy vegetables, roots and tubers cultivated and consumed by tribal population residing around the proposed uranium mine. The study area is a part of rural area K. P. Mawthabah (Domiasiat) in the west Khasi Hills District of Meghalaya, India located in the tropical region of high rainfall that remains steeped in tribal tradition without much outside influence. Agriculture by Jhum (slash and burn) cultivation and animal husbandry are the main occupation of the tribal populations. A total of 89 samples from locally grown food products were analyzed. The concentration of ²³8U and ²³²Th in the soil of the study area was found to vary 1.6-15.5 and 2.0-5.0 times respectively to the average mean value observed in India. The estimated daily dietary intake of ²³8U and ²³²Th were 2.0 µg d⁻¹ (25 mBq d⁻¹) and 3.4 µg d⁻¹ (14 mBq d⁻¹) is comparable with reported range 0.5-5.0 µg d⁻¹ and 0.15-3.5 µg d⁻¹ respectively for the Asian population.

A review on Cressa cretica Linn.: A halophytic plant.

Herbal medicine is used by up to 80% of the population in developing countries. Cressa cretica L. is a popular holophytic plant and is used in folklore medicine for ailments including diabetes, ulcers, asthma, anthelmintic, stomachic, tonic and aphrodisiac purposes, enriches the blood, and is useful in constipation, leprosy, and urinary discharges. The plant is traditionally used in Bahrain as expectorant and antibilious agent. Scientific evidence suggests its versatile biological functions such as its antibacterial, antifungal, antitussive, anticancer with some other plants, anti-inflammatory, and improving testicular function in rats. In this article, a comprehensive account of the morphology, phytochemical constituents, ethnobotany, and biological activities are included in view of the recent findings of importance on the plant, C. cretica.

Spatial distribution of uranium and thorium in the surface soil around proposed uranium mining site at Lambapur and its vertical profile in the Nagarjuna Sagar Dam.

The understanding and evaluation of the possible interactions of various naturally occurring radionuclides in the world's third largest man-made dam, Nagarjuna Sagar located in Andhra Pradesh, India and built on river Krishna assumed significance with the finding of uranium deposits in locations near the dam. For the present work, surface soil samples from the mineralized area of Lambapur, Mallapuram, Peddagattu and sediment core samples from the Nagarjuna Sagar dam were analyzed for naturally occurring radionuclides namely uranium and thorium using gamma spectrometric technique. Also toxic elements lead and chromium were analysed by the Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometer (EDXRF) technique. Surface soil samples show a variation from 25 to 291 Bq/kg (2.02-23.5 mg/kg) for (238)U and 32-311 Bq/kg (7.9-76.9 mg/kg) for (232)Th. U/Th concentration ratio in surface soil samples ranged from 0.19 to 0.31 and was found comparable with the nation wise average of 0.26. The study of sediment core samples reflected higher U/Th concentration ratio of 0.30-0.33 in the bottom section of the core as compared to 0.22-0.25 in the upper section. The concentration ratio in the upper section of the core was similar to the ratio 0.23 found in the western Deccan Basalt region through which the river originates. A higher concentration of lead and chromium was observed in the upper section of the core compared to bottom section indicating the impact of river input on the geochemical character of dam sediment.

Fluoride toxicity effects in onion (Allium cepa L.) grown in contaminated soils.

A pot experiment was carried out under controlled condition to investigate the accumulation, uptake and toxicity effects of fluoride (F) in onion (Allium cepa L.) grown on the soil contaminated by inorganic fluoride (NaF). Six different levels of soil contamination were used by adding 0, 100, 200, 400, 600 and 800 mg NaFkg(-1) to the soil. The F concentration in shoot, bulb and root varied between 16.3 and 109.1mg Fkg(-1), 15.8 and 54.3mg Fkg(-1) and 18.6 and 151.6 mg Fkg(-1), respectively. The visible symptoms of F toxicity in terms of tip burning and death of the plant was noticed in highly contaminated soils (>400mg NaFkg(-1) soil). The phyto-toxic threshold limit (LC(50)) in onion shoot was found to be 55 mg Fkg(-1), beyond which the biomass yield decreased by 50%. It was also inferred from the study that there is a partitioning of F in onion, with more accumulation in roots and shoots than in bulbs. The order of retention of fluoride in onion found to be roots>shoot>bulb.

Radiological assessment of surface water quality around proposed uranium mining site in India.

The gross alpha and gross beta activities were estimated for radiological assessment of surface water quality around the proposed uranium mining site Kylleng Pyndengsohiong Mawthabah (Domiasiat), West Khasi Hills District, Meghalaya situated in a high rainfall area (12,000mm) in India. 189 Surface water samples were collected over different seasons of the year from nine different locations covering around 100km(2). Gross beta activities were found to vary from 144 to 361mBq/L which is much below the prescribed WHO limit of 1000mBq/L for drinking water. Gross alpha activities varied from 61 to 127mBq/L. These values are much below the reported gross alpha values by other countries. In about 7% of the samples the alpha activities remain exceeded the WHO guideline limit of 100mBq/L. Surface water samples collected during the summer season of the year show higher activity whereas low activity was found from samples collected during monsoon season. Results show that all water sources are acceptable as drinking water for human consumption from the radiological point of view, the higher gross alpha concentrations in a few locations remains so only for short duration during the summer season.

Suitable gamma energy for gamma-spectrometric determination of (238)U in surface soil samples of a high rainfall area in India.

The paper presents a systematic study on suitability of various gamma lines for monitoring of (238)U activity in soil samples around a uranium mineralized zone of Kylleng Pyndengsohiong Mawthabah (Domiasiat), Meghalaya in India. The area lies in a plateau region which recieves the highest average annual rainfall (12,000mm) in the world. The geochemical behaviour of the uranium and its daughter products at such wet climatic conditions imposes restrictions to assess (238)U through gamma lines of radon decay products. Soil samples were collected from nine locations around the uranium mineralization zone for analysis. The ratio of the concentration of uranium obtained from gamma energies of radium daughter products to the 63.29keV of (234)Th was found to vary from 1.01 to 2.07, which indicates a pronounced disequilibrium between uranium and radium daughters. The results obtained from various gamma energies were validated from the data generated by Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) technique. The (238)U activities from the two analytical methods show a well fitted regression line with correlation coefficient 0.99 which validates the reliability of 63.29keV energy for estimation of uranium in such conditions.

Daily intake of manganese by local population around Kylleng Pyndengsohiong Mawthabah (Domiasiat), Meghalaya in India.

Present work is carried out adjacent to world's highest rainfall area Kylleng Pyndengsohiong (KP) Mawthabah (Domiasiat), Meghalaya in India to establish the baseline value of manganese intake through dietary route by the local tribe population in view of proposed uranium mining. The locally available food items collected from villages surrounding the proposed uranium mining site at KP Mawthabah (Domiasiat) were analysed using Energy Dispersive X-Ray Fluorescence (EDXRF) Technique. The manganese concentration in different food categories varies from 2.76-12.50 mg kg(-1) in cereals, 1.8-4.20 mg kg(-1) in leafy vegetables, 0.30-13.50 mg kg(-1) in non leafy vegetables, 0.50-15.30 mg kg(-1) in roots and tubers, 0.70-1.50 mg kg(-1) in fruits and 0.12-0.96 mg kg(-1) in flesh food. The mean dietary intake of Mn was found to be 3.83+/-0.25 mg d(-1) compared to Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDAs) of 2-5 mg d(-1). The daily intake of Manganese by the local tribe population is comparable with the value (3.7 mg d(-1)) recommended by International Commission on Radiological Protection (ICRP) for reference man and lower than the intake value observed for Indian and other Asian population.

Spatial distribution of natural radioactivity levels in topsoil around the high-uranium mineralization zone of Kylleng-Pyndensohiong (Mawthabah) areas, West Khasi Hills District, Meghalaya, India.

A study of background radiation and the distribution of radionuclides in the environment of the proposed uranium mining sites of Kylleng-Pyndensohiong (Mawthabah) areas, West Khasi Hills District, Meghalaya, India, has been carried out with the objective of establishing a baseline radiation level of the region. Topsoil samples collected from the region are analysed for radioactivity measurements of primordial radionuclides by gamma-spectrometry technique. Direct dose measurement using a survey meter was also carried out simultaneously. Measurement carried out in the region shows that the activity concentration of 238U and 232Th in soil samples is found to be highest in Kylleng with respective median values of 335.3 Bq kg(-1) and 283.9 Bq kg(-1) followed by Syngkai with activity concentration of 285.3 Bq kg(-1) and 257.4 Bq kg(-1) for 238U and 232Th, respectively. The distribution of 40K concentration in the study area is found to be in the range of 173.1-359.0 Bq kg(-1) which is below the global and Indian average values of 420 Bq kg(-1) and 394 Bq kg(-1), respectively. The contribution of the primordial radionuclides to the total dose of the study area is found to be very high with a range of 136.8-334.5 nGy h(-1) in comparison to the global as well as Indian average values.

Studies on Pharmacognostical features of Curcuma domestica Val.

The microscopic and macroscopic characters of the rhizome of Curcuma domestica Val. were studied. The behavior of the powdered drug in the presence of various chemicals was also studied. Preliminary phytochemical screening on the various extracts of the rhizome was done in order to ascertain the various chemical constituents present. These studies were carried out to identify this plant for future research work.

Maternal dietary n-3 fatty acids alter immune cell fatty acid composition and leukotriene production in growing chicks.

The effect of feeding different amounts of n-6 and n-3 fatty acids (FA) to hens on immune tissue FA composition and leukotriene production of hatched chicks was investigated. Hens were fed diets supplemented with either 3.0% sunflower oil (Diet I), 1.5% sunflower+1.5% fish oil (Diet II), or 3.0% fish oil (Diet III) for 46 days. The hatched chicks were fed a diet containing C18:3n-3, but devoid of longer chain n-6 and n-3 FA, for 21 days. Spleen docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) content was higher in chicks from hens fed Diet III (P<0.05). The bursa content of arachidonic acid was lower in chicks hatched from hens fed Diet III (P<0.05), and the ratio of n-6 to n-3 FA was significantly higher in bursa of chicks hatched to hens fed Diet I (P<0.05). Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and DHA contents were higher in bursa of chicks hatched from hens fed Diet III (P<0.05). Thrombocytes from chicks hatched to hens fed Diet III produced the most leukotriene B(5) (LTB(5)). The ratio of LTB(5) to LTB(4) concentrations was also highest (P<0.05) in chicks hatched to hens fed Diet III. These results indicate that modulating maternal dietary n-6 and n-3 FA may alter leukotriene production in chicks, which could lead to less inflammatory-related disorders in poultry.

Management of mine spoil for crop productivity with lignite fly ash and biological amendments.

Long-term field trials using lignite fly ash (LFA) were carried out in rice crops during the period 1996-2000 at Mine I, Neyveli Lignite Corporation, Tamil Nadu. LFA, being alkaline and endowed with an excellent pozzolanic nature, silt loam texture, and plant nutrients, has the potential to improve the texture, fertility, and crop productivity of mine spoil. The rice crops were the first, third, fifth, and sixth crops in rotation. The other crops, such as green gram (second) and sun hemp (fourth), were grown as green manure. For experimental trials, LFA was applied at various dosages (0, 5, 10, 20, 50, 100, and 200 t/ha), with and without press mud (10 t/ha), before cultivation of the first crop. Repeat applications of LFA were made at the same dosages in treatments of up to 50 t/ha (with and without press mud) before cultivation of the third and fifth crops. Press mud, a lightweight organic waste product from the sugar industry, was used as an organic amendment and source of plant nutrients. Also, a recommended dosage of chemical fertilizer, along with gypsum, humic acid, and biofertilizer as supplementing agents, was applied in all the treatments, including control. With one-time and repeat applications of LFA, from 5 to 20 t/ha (with and without press mud), the crop yield (grain and straw) increased significantly (p < 0.05), in the range from 3.0 to 42.0% over the corresponding control. The maximum yield was obtained with repeat applications of 20 t/ha of LFA with press mud in the third crop. The press mud enhanced the yield in the range of 1.5-10.2% with various dosages of LFA. The optimum dosage of LFA was 20 t/ha for both one-time and repeat applications. Repeat applications of LFA at lower dosages of up to 20 t/ha were more effective in increasing the yield than the corresponding one-time applications of up to 20 t/ha and repeat applications at 50 t/ha. One-time and repeat applications of LFA of up to 20 t/ha (with and without press mud), apart from increasing the yield, evinced improvement in the texture and fertility of mine spoil and the nutrient content of crop produce. Furthermore, some increase in the content of trace and heavy metals and the level of gamma-emitters in the mine spoil and crop produce was observed, but well within the permissible limits. The residual effect of LFA on succeeding crops was also encouraging in terms of eco-friendliness. Beyond 20 t/ha of LFA, the crop yield decreased significantly (p < 0.05), as a result of the formation of hardpan in the mine spoil and possibly the higher concentration of soluble salts in the LFA. However, the adverse effects of soluble salts were annulled progressively during the cultivation of succeeding crops. A plausible mechanism for the improved fertility of mine spoil and the carryover or uptake of toxic trace and heavy metals and gamma-emitters in mine spoil and crop produce is also discussed.

Dietary (n-3) fatty acids alter plasma fatty acids and leukotriene B synthesis by stimulated neutrophils from healthy geriatric Beagles.

The study objective was to determine the effect of feeding food enriched in (n-3) fatty acids (FA) on plasma FA profiles and leukotriene B (LTB) synthesis by stimulated peripheral blood neutrophils from dogs. For 36 weeks, two groups of dogs (n = 5) were fed food that contained either a low ratio of (n-6)-(n-3) FA (1.31:1; fish oil-enriched food) or a high ratio of (n - 6)-(n-3) FA (40.6:1; corn oil-enriched food). Consumption of food enriched in fish oil resulted in higher plasma concentrations of eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid and lower concentrations of arachidonic acid. Neutrophils from dogs fed fish oil-enriched food produced 7.6-fold more LTB(5)(P = 0.002), and the ratio of LTB(5)-LTB(4) concentrations was 8.3-fold higher (P < 0.001) compared with dogs fed corn oil-enriched food. Dietary FA can modulate leukotriene production by neutrophils in dogs, and suggests that foods enriched in (n-3) FA from fish oil may have value in the treatment of canine inflammatory diseases.

The root: a potential new source of competent cells for high-frequency regeneration in Tylophora indica.

The purpose of this study was to develop a new micropropagation system for Tylophora indica, an important medicinal plant in India, using root explants as starting material. Root explants cultured on MS medium supplemented with 6-benzyladenine (BA) or 2-isopentyladenine (2iP) produced organogenic nodular meristemoids (NMs) within 4 weeks. NMs induced from the cut ends of root segments showed two types of organogenic response--direct shoot bud formation and somatic embryogenesis--when maintained on induction medium. In 42% of the explants, NMs developed shoot buds directly in the presence of 10.72-26.80 microM BA. On average, 18.5 +/- 0.7 shoots per gram of NM tissue were obtained after each 4-week subculture. Elongation of microshoots and root initiation were correlated with the auxin used, with the optimal response occurring in the presence of 28.54 microM indole-3-acetic acid. In 39% of the explants, NMs dedifferentiated into friable embryogenic callus (FEC) in the presence of BA or 2iP after 12 weeks of culture. Of the different treatments, MS medium supplemented with 10.72 microM BA was the most effective in inducing FEC and somatic embryogenesis: at this concentration 64% of the cultured NMs developed FEC and, on the same medium, 89% of the FEC produced globular somatic embryos (SEs). FEC biomass increased nearly five-fold with every 4-week subculture, and about 30 SEs were recovered per gram of FEC during this period. The best conversion of mature SEs to complete plantlets was obtained on basal MS medium-42%. Plantlets derived via somatic embryogenesis and shoot organogenesis were successfully hardened (88-96%) and transferred to the field.

Arsenic poisoning in a family.

A family of six members is reported, who accidently consumed arsenic, during preparation of indigenous medicine in their home, and developed arsenic poisoning.

Production of withaferin A in shoot cultures of Withania somnifera.

Multiple shoot cultures of Withania somnifera were established from single shoot tip explants and their potential for the production of two principle withanolides, withaferin A and withanolide D was investigated. Shoot tips grown on MS medium supplemented with BA (1 mg l(-1)) induced 10.0 +/- 1.15 microshoots per explants and shoot cultures accumulated both withanolides (withaferin A = 0.04%, withanolide D = 0.06%). Supplementation of MSSM (solid) agar medium with 4% sucrose enhanced accumulation of both withaferin A (0.16%) and withanolide D (0.08%). Reduction of the agar concentration to 0.16% increased the number of microshoots induced per explant to 25.5. MSSM liquid medium containing 10% coconut milk favoured a maximum increase in biomass (27 fold); number of microshoots induced (37.6 +/- 1.45) as well as accumulation of withaferin A (0.14%).

Improved taxol yield in cell suspension culture of Taxus wallichiana (Himalayan yew)

Cell culture of Taxus wallichiana Zucc (= T. baccata ssp wallichiana Zucc. Pilg.) (Himalayan yew) has been established and taxol-producing cell lines selected by cell line cloning. Cell line NC110 derived from needle leaf of a 40-year-old tree growing in Darjeeling Himalayas produced 0.018% taxol in B5 basal medium supplemented with 2,4-D (2 mg/l), kinetin (0.5 mg/l), and casein hydrolysate (0.5%). This cell line has been maintained for over 2 years. Significant enhancement in the level of taxol (0.05%) was obtained in this cell line by supplementation of the basal medium with 5 mg/l of IAA-phenylalanine instead of 2,4-D without adversely affecting cell growth. IAA-glycine also enhanced taxol level (0.03%) while IAA alone (1-10 mg/l) was ineffective in inducing taxol accumulation. Using three different cell lines with different taxol-producing capacities, it has been demonstrated that 2,4-D and IAA-phenylalanine when present alone favour growth and taxol production but when combined enhance biomass to a maximum (six-fold in NC110) without enhancing taxol accumulation, suggesting that a two-stage culture may be beneficial for optimising taxol accumulation in cell culture of T. wallichiana.