Salt-tolerant PGPR strain Priestia endophytica SK1 promotes fenugreek growth under salt stress by inducing nitrogen assimilation and secondary metabolites.

AIMS: Soil salinity is a huge obstacle in crop production worldwide. Saline soil can reduce active chemical contents in medicinal plants of the Leguminosae family through crippled normal nodule function. Intensive efforts are underway to improve yield and medicinal value of leguminous herbs under salt stress condition by using benign microbes. Here, an attempt was made to explore the salt-tolerant bacteria associated with rhizosphere of fenugreek plant (Trigonella foenum-graecum L.) and to evaluate their impact on host plant growth and metabolite of pharmaceutical importance. METHODS AND RESULTS: A salt-tolerant plant growth promoting rhizobacterial (PGPR) strain Priestia endophytica SK1 isolated from fenugreek rhizospheric soil, which increased biomass and metabolite content in plants grown under saline stress. SK1 bacterial application induced nodule formation and enhanced nitrogen and phosphorus content under salt (100 mM NaCl) stress as compared to control plants. H2 O2 production and lipid peroxidation as a measure of stress were observed high in control plants, while a reduction in these parameters was observed in plants inoculated with SK1. In addition, a significant effect was found on the phenolic compounds and trigonelline content in fenugreek plant inoculated with SK1 bacterium. An increased trigonelline content of about 54% over uninoculated control was recorded under salt stress. CONCLUSION: The results of this study revealed that the application of salt-tolerant PGPR strain P. endophytica SK1 induced nitrogen fixation machinery that leads to alleviate salt stress and improved the biosynthesis of trigonelline content in fenugreek. SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY: This study extends our understanding on the significance of rhizosphere microbiome and their beneficial role in plant health under environmental stress to promote agro-eco-farming practices.

Simultaneous Detection of Brown Rot- and Soft Rot-Causing Bacterial Pathogens from Potato Tubers Through Multiplex PCR.

Ralstonia solanacearum (Smith) Yabuuchi et al. and Erwinia carotovora subsp. carotovora (Jones) Bergey et al. (Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum) are the two major bacterial pathogens of potato causing brown rot (wilt) and soft rot diseases, respectively, in the field and during storage. Reliable and early detection of these pathogens are keys to avoid occurrence of these diseases in potato crops and reduce yield loss. In the present study, multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) protocol was developed for simultaneous detection of R. solanacearum and E. carotovora subsp. carotovora from potato tubers. A set of oligos targeting the pectatelyase (pel) gene of E. carotovora subsp. carotovora and the universal primers based on 16S r RNA gene of R. solanacearum were used. The standardized multiplex PCR protocol could detect R. solanacearum and E. carotovora subsp. carotovora up to 0.01 and 1.0 ng of genomic DNA, respectively. The protocol was further validated on 96 stored potato tuber samples, collected from different potato-growing states of India, viz. Uttarakhand, Odisha, Meghalaya and Delhi. 53.1 % tuber samples were positive for R. solanacearum, and 15.1 % of samples were positive for E. carotovora subsp. carotovora, and both the pathogens were positive in 26.0 % samples when BIO-PCR was used. This method offers sensitive, specific, reliable and fast detection of two major bacterial pathogens from potato tubers simultaneously, particularly pathogen-free seed certification in large scale.

In vitro phytotherapy of vector snails by binary combinations of larvicidal active components in effective control of fascioliasis.

A food-borne trematode infection fascioliasis is one among common public health problems worldwide. It caused a great economic loss for the human race. Control of snail population below a certain threshold level is one of the important methods in the campaign to reduce the incidence of fascioliasis. The life cycle of the parasite can be interrupted by killing the snail or Fasciola larva redia and cercaria inside of the snail Lymnaea acuminata. In vitro toxicity of different binary combinations (1:1 ratio) of plant-derived larvicidal active components such as citral, ferulic acid, umbelliferone, azadirachtin and allicin against Fasciola redia and cercaria were tested. The mortality of larvae was observed at 2h, 4h, 6h and 8h of treatment. In in vitro condition azadirachtin + allicin (1:1 ratio) was highly toxic against redia and cercaria (8h LC50 0.006 and 0.005 mg/L). Toxicity of citral + ferulic acid was lowest against redia and cercaria larvae.

In vitro PHYTOTHERAPY OF VECTOR SNAILS BY BINARY COMBINATIONS OF LARVICIDAL ACTIVE COMPONENTS IN EFFECTIVE CONTROL OF FASCIOLIASIS / Fitoterapia in vitro de caramujos vetores por combinações binárias de componentes ativos larvicidas como controle efetivo de fasciolíase

SUMMARY A food-borne trematode infection fascioliasis is one among common public health problems worldwide. It caused a great economic loss for the human race. Control of snail population below a certain threshold level is one of the important methods in the campaign to reduce the incidence of fascioliasis. The life cycle of the parasite can be interrupted by killing the snail or Fasciola larva redia and cercaria inside of the snail Lymnaea acuminata. In vitro toxicity of different binary combinations (1:1 ratio) of plant-derived larvicidal active components such as citral, ferulic acid, umbelliferone, azadirachtin and allicin against Fasciola redia and cercaria were tested. The mortality of larvae was observed at 2h, 4h, 6h and 8h of treatment. In in vitro condition azadirachtin + allicin (1:1 ratio) was highly toxic against redia and cercaria (8h LC50 0.006 and 0.005 mg/L). Toxicity of citral + ferulic acid was lowest against redia and cercaria larvae. .

RESUMO A infecção alimentar pelo trematóide da fasciolíase é uma dentre os mais comuns problemas de saúde pública mundiais, causando grande prejuízo econômico para a humanidade. Controle da população de caramujos abaixo de determinado nível é um dos métodos no campo mais importantes para a redução da incidência da fasciolíase. O ciclo de vida do parasita pode ser interrompido pela morte do caramujo ou da larva redia e cercária da Fasciola dentro da Lymnaea acuminata. Foi testada a toxicidade in vitro das diferentes combinações binárias (relação 1:1) entre os vários componentes larvicidas ativos da planta tais como citral, ácido ferúlico, umbeliferone, azadiractina, e alicina contra a Fasciola redia e a cercária. A mortalidade das larvas foi observada após duas, quatro, seis e oito horas de tratamento. A condição in vitro azadiractina + alicina (relação 1:1) foi altamente tóxica contra redia e cercária (8h LC50 0,006 e 0,005 mg/L). Toxicidade do citral + ácido ferúlico foi a mais baixa contra redia e larvas de cercária. .

Effects of treatment for anestrus in water buffaloes with PGF2α and GnRH in comparison with vitamin-mineral supplement, and some factors influencing treatment effects.

The effect of treatment for anestrus in buffaloes with a PGF2α or GnRH injection and vitamin-mineral (Vit-M) supplementation for 1 to 2 months and some factors influencing the treatment effect were studied. In anestrus buffaloes with CL, an injection of PGF2α tended to show higher estrus detection and pregnancy rates within 17 days after treatment than Vit-M supplementation (P<0.10). In those with inactive ovaries, effect of GnRH and Vit-M did not differ. Body condition score of the animals before treatment affected pregnancy rate within 17 days after treatment (P<0.05). Pregnancy rate within 4 months after treatment was adversely influenced by low serum concentrations of calcium (P<0.01) and gastrointestinal parasitic infection before treatment (P<0.05).

Inhibition kinetics of certain enzymes in the nervous tissue of vector snail Lymnaea acuminata by active molluscicidal components of Sapindus mukorossi and Terminalia chebula.

Effect of active molluscicidal components of Sapindus mukorossi and Terminalia chebula on the acetylcholinesterase (AChE), acid and alkaline phosphatase (ACP/ALP) activity in the nervous tissue of freshwater snail Lymnaea acuminata were studied. In vivo and in vitro exposure of saponin (active component of S. mukorossi pericarp) and tannic acid (active component of T. chebula) significantly inhibited the AChE, ACP and ALP activity in the nervous tissue of L. acuminata. The inhibition kinetics of these enzymes indicate that saponin and tannic acid caused competitive and competitive-non-competitive inhibition of AChE, respectively. Saponin also caused competitive and competitive-non-competitive inhibition of ACP and ALP, respectively, whereas tannic acid caused competitive-non-competitive inhibition of ACP and ALP. Thus the inhibition of AChE, ACP and ALP by saponin and tannic acid in the nervous tissue of L. acuminata may be the cause of molluscicidal activity of S. mukorossi and T. chebula.

Evaluation of the effect of magnesium sulphate vs. clonidine as adjunct to epidural bupivacaine.

For treatment of intra and postoperative pain, no drug has yet been identified that specifically inhibits nociception without associated side effects. Magnesium has antinociceptive effects in animal and human models of pain. The current prospective randomised double-blind study was undertaken to establish the effect of addition of magnesium or clonidine, as adjuvant, to epidural bupivacaine in lower abdominal and lower limb surgeries. A total of 90 American Society of Anesthesiology (ASA) grade I and II patients undergoing lower abdominal and lower limb surgeries were enrolled to receive either magnesium sulphate (Group B) or clonidine (Group C) along with epidural bupivacaine for surgical anaesthesia. All patients received 19 ml of epidural bupivacaine 0.5% along with 50 mg magnesium in group B, 150 mcg clonidine in Group C, whereas in control group (Group A), patients received same volume of normal saline. Onset time, heart rate, blood pressure, duration of analgesia, pain assessment by visual analogue score (VAS) and adverse effects were recorded. Onset of anaesthesia was rapid in magnesium group (Group B). In group C there was prolongation of duration of anaesthesia and sedation with lower VAS score, but the incidence of shivering was higher. The groups were similar with respect to haemodynamic variables, nausea and vomiting. The current study establishes magnesium sulphate as a predictable and safe adjunct to epidural bupivacaine for rapid onset of anaesthesia and clonidine for prolonged duration of anaesthesia with sedation.

Novel endourologic applications for holmium laser.

The holmium laser is used routinely during endoscopic procedures to treat stones, strictures, and tumors of the urinary tract. We report two successful novel endourologic applications of a holmium laser: division and removal of a synthetic urethral sling mesh in one patient and fragmentation of a tempered stainless steel surgical needle in another.

Acupressure and ondansetron for postoperative nausea and vomiting after laparoscopic cholecystectomy.

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy of acupressure wrist bands and ondansetron for the prevention of postoperative nausea and vomiting (PONV). METHODS: One hundred and fifty ASA I-II, patients undergoing elective laparoscopic cholecystectomy were included in a randomized, prospective, double-blind and placebo-controlled study. Patients were divided into three groups of 50. Group I was the control; Group II received ondansetron 4 mg iv just prior to induction of anesthesia; in Group III acupressure wristbands were applied at the P6 points. Acupressure wrist bands were placed inappropriately in Groups I and II. The acupressure wrist bands were applied 30 min prior to induction of anesthesia and removed six hours following surgery. Anesthesia was standardized. PONV were evaluated separately as none, mild, moderate or severe within six hours of patients' arrival in the postanesthesia care unit and then at 24 hr after surgery by a blinded observer. If patients vomited more than once, they were given 4 mg ondansetron iv as the rescue antiemetic. Results were analyzed by Z test. A P value of < 0.05 was taken as significant. RESULTS: The incidence of PONV and the requirement of rescue medication were significantly lower in both the acupressure and ondansetron groups during the first six hours. CONCLUSION: Acupressure at P6 causes a significant reduction in the incidence of PONV and the requirement for rescue medication in the first six hours following laparoscopic cholecystectomy, similar to that of ondansetron 4 mg iv.