A mass spectrometry-based unique fragment approach for the identification of microcystins.

Both qualitative and quantitative methods for the analysis of microcystin variants have been established. The qualitative method involves a unique fragment approach, specific for each variant in identifying microcystins, while the quantitative method involves the quantification of microcystins in cellular matrices of cyanobacteria and reservoir water samples. For the identification of fragments associated with their respective microcystin (MC) variants, theoretically obtained fragments of microcystins were compared with tandem mass spectrometric (MS/MS) fragments obtained from an ESI-Orbitrap mass spectrometer. Here, we present the first report of MC variants produced by the model algal strain M. aeruginosa NIES-843. A robust comparative study between the unique fragments and the conventional product ions for quantitative measurements of microcystin has also been carried out. The method with high robustness was further validated by determining the MC level changes in the intracellular matrices of M. aeruginosa samples, grown under high and low nitrogen conditions, and by testing the amount of MC in environmental water samples.

Evaluation of anti-epileptic property of Marsilea quadrifolia Linn. in maximal electroshock and pentylenetetrazole-induced rat models of epilepsy.

OBJECTIVE: To study the anti-epileptic effects of methanolic extract of Marsilea quadrifolia Linn. (MQ) in maximal electroshock (MES) and pentylenetetrazole (PTZ) induced rat models of epilepsy. METHOD: A total of 84 adult male Wistar rats were used. An acute oral toxicity study was conducted on 36 rats and the remaining were used for other experiments. Each model had 24 rats which were allotted into four groups (n = 6). Group I (Control) received 1% carboxymethyl cellulose solution, Group II (Positive control) received phenytoin 300 mg kg(-1) b.w. in the MES model; sodium valproate 200 mg kg(-1) b.w. in the PTZ model, Group III (MQ) received 400 mg kg(-1) b.w. MQ extract and Group IV (MQ) received 600 mg kg(-1) b.w. MQ extract. Hind limb extension (HLE) time and recovery time were noted in the MES model. Latency for myoclonic jerk, seizures and EEG was recorded in the PTZ model. RESULTS: When compared to control, the phenytoin received group did not show HLE. In MQ pre-treated groups only 50% of rats showed HLE. Sodium valproate and various doses of MQ significantly increased the latency for onset of clonus and seizures. PTZ-induced EEG alterations were significantly attenuated by MQ administration and this was comparable to that of the sodium valproate effect. CONCLUSION: Marsilea quadrifolia Linn. showed significant anti-epileptic efficacy against various epilepsy models.

Acute toxicity and diuretic studies of the roots of Asparagus racemosus Willd in rats.

OBJECTIVE: Asparagus racemosus Willd has been used as diuretic in Ayurveda but has not been validated by a suitable experimental model. Hence the present study was undertaken. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was carried out with an aqueous extract of the roots of Asparagus racemosus utilizing three doses viz 800 mg/kg, 1600 mg/kg and 3200 mg/kg for its diuretic activity in comparison with standard drug (furosemide) and control (normal saline) rats after doing acute toxicity study. RESULTS: Acute toxicity study showed no fatality even with the highest dose and the diuretic study revealed significant diuretic activity (p < 0.05) in the dose of 3200 mg/kg. CONCLUSION: Asparagus racemosus showed diuretic activity at a 3200 mg/kg dose without acute toxicity.

Control of exposure to hexavalent chromium concentration in shielded metal arc welding fumes by nano-coating of electrodes.

Background Cr(VI) is a suspected human carcinogen formed as a by-product of stainless steel welding. Nano-alumina and nano-titania coating of electrodes reduced the welding fume levels. Objective To investigate the effect of nano-coating of welding electrodes on Cr(VI) formation rate (Cr(VI) FR) from a shielded metal arc welding process. Methods The core welding wires were coated with nano-alumina and nano-titania using the sol-gel dip coating technique. Bead-on plate welds were deposited on SS 316 LN plates kept inside a fume test chamber. Cr(VI) analysis was done using an atomic absorption spectrometer (AAS). Results A reduction of 40% and 76%, respectively, in the Cr(VI) FR was observed from nano-alumina and nano-titania coated electrodes. Increase in the fume level decreased the Cr(VI) FR. Discussion Increase in fume levels blocked the UV radiation responsible for the formation of ozone thereby preventing the formation of Cr(VI).

Naturally occurring reticuloendotheliosis in turkeys: transmission.

This report describes the natural occurrence and experimental transmission of reticuloendotheliosis in a turkey flock. In the naturally affected turkeys, lesions were present in the liver, spleen, heart, intestines, and peripheral nerves, and were composed mainly of lymphoreticular cells. The disease was experimentally reproduced in turkey poults with cellfree tissue extracts of infected birds. A type-C RNA virus similar to reticuloendotheliosis virus (strain T) was present in the tissues of turkey poults experimentally inoculated. This virus was unrelated to the type-C RNA viruses of the avian leukosis sarcoma complex.

Pseudo-scalar Higgs boson production at N[Formula: see text]LO[Formula: see text]+N[Formula: see text]LL[Formula: see text].

We consider the production of a pseudo-scalar particle A at the LHC, and present accurate theoretical predictions for its inclusive cross section in gluon fusion. The prediction is based on combining fixed-order perturbation theory and all-order threshold resummation. At fixed order we include the exact next-to-next-to-leading order (NNLO) plus an approximate next-to-next-to-next-to-leading order (N[Formula: see text]LO[Formula: see text]) which is based on the recent computation at this order for the scalar case. We then add threshold resummation at next-to-next-to-next-to leading logarithmic accuracy (N[Formula: see text]LL[Formula: see text]). Various forms of threshold resummation are considered, differing by the treatment of subleading terms, allowing a robust estimate of the theoretical uncertainties due to missing higher orders. With particular attention to pseudo-scalar masses of 200 and 750 GeV, we also observe that perturbative convergence is much improved when resummation is included. Additionally, results obtained with threshold resummation in direct QCD are compared with analogous results as computed in soft-collinear effective theory, which turn out to be in good agreement. We provide precise predictions for pseudo-scalar inclusive cross section at 13 TeV LHC for a wide range of masses. The results are available through updated versions of the public codes ggHiggs and TROLL.

Poor serologic response to upper respiratory infection with Mycoplasma synoviae in turkeys.

Mycoplasma synoviae (MS) was isolated from a flock of commercial tom turkeys in which a small percentage of the birds exhibited clinical signs and lesions typical of MS synovitis. However, serologic testing of such flocks revealed poor to inconsistent reactivity by agglutination, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) or hemagglutination inhibition; isolation of MS from such flocks proved to be very difficult. Turkeys were challenged with one of the isolates (K4463B) either by aerosol or systemically by a combination of intravenous, foot pad, and eyedrop routes. Turkeys challenged by the systemic route responded normally to all serologic tests, whereas those challenged by aerosol either responded very poorly on all serologic tests or were seronegative up to 6 wk postchallenge even though they were positive for MS by tracheal culture. These results suggest that turkeys may harbor an upper respiratory infection with MS while remaining serologically negative.

Isolation of H13N2 influenza A virus from turkeys and surface water.

This is the first report of the isolation of H13N2 avian influenza virus (AIV) subtype from domestic turkeys. This subtype was also isolated from nearby surface water. The observation of large numbers of gulls in close association with turkeys on range before the virus isolations suggests that this virus subtype was transmitted from gulls to range turkeys. Turkey flocks infected by this virus subtype did not show any clinical signs of the disease, although seroconversion did occur. The H13N2 isolates were found to be non-pathogenic in chickens.

Direct immunofluorescent technique in diagnosis of experimental salmonellosis of turkeys.

Young turkey poults were experimentally infected with Salmonella heidelberg to evaluate the standard tube agglutination test (TAT) and direct fluorescent antibody test (DFAT), and to correlate results of these procedures with the spread pattern of the organisms in the feces using conventional culture procedures for the detection and isolation of S heidelberg from cloacal swabs. The DFAT test detected fecal excretors considerably longer than bacterial isolation and gave better results. The cultural method was not the most reliable and sensitive method, especially when compared with the DFAT. All control birds remained negative bacteriologically serologically, and with the DFAT during the observation period.

Neonatal avian pneumovirus infection in commercial turkeys.

Eleven market turkey flocks developed a respiratory disease characterized by coughing, swollen sinuses and nasal discharge. These symptoms first appeared between 3 and 16 days of age. Avian pneumovirus (APV) RNA was detected by reverse transcriptase (RT)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in six of six flocks tested. APV was detected by immunohistochemistry in turbinates of three of three affected flocks tested. Virus isolation attempts were negative. Ten of 11 flocks became seropositive on the APV enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Five weeks prior to hatch of these affected market turkeys, several breeder flocks in one geographic area had developed clinical signs and experienced decline in egg production typical of APV infection. In two breeder flocks, acute and convalescent sera indicated APV infection during the period of declining egg production. Attempts to detect APV RNA by RT-PCR from choanal cleft swabs of newly hatched poults were successful. Attempts to isolate the virus from these PCR-positive samples were negative.

Development of microagglutination test for detecting Arizona hinshawii 7:1,7,8 infection in turkeys.

A microagglutination antigen treated with tetrazolium dye was produced. The culture used was rendered nonmotile by growing in medium containing 1:1,000 concentration of phenol. A trial was conducted by infecting freshly hatched turkey poults with Arizona hinshawii 7:1,7,8. An equal number of poults were kept as negative controls. Starting with 4-week-old poults, blood samples, cloacal swabs, and environmental samples were obtained at 2-week intervals up to 16 weeks of age. The serum samples were tested by using tubeagglutination (TA), serum plate agglutination (SPA), and microagglutination (MA) tests for A hinshawii 7:1,7,8. A field trial was conducted, using known negative and infected turkey flocks, and serum samples were tested by MA, SPA, and TA tests. The results indicated that MA test was far more sensitive and superior to TA and SPA tests in detecting turkeys infected with A hinshawii 7:1,7,8. The field trial confirmed the laboratory trial observations.

Conformational and coalescence behavior of trialkylphosphates in vacuum, water and dodecane.

The conformations of trialkylphosphates (alkyl = propyl, butyl, pentyl and hexyl) in various diluents were studied by molecular dynamics simulations. The population density of various conformers of trialkylphosphate in different diluents such as water and n-dodecane was determined. The Helmholtz energy change accompanied by the transition between various conformations was computed. The aggregation behavior of tributylphosphate in water and water-dodecane medium was studied.

Screening of selected biological activities of artocarpus lakoocha roxb (moraceae) fruit pericarp.

Artocarpus lakoocha Roxb (Moraceae) is cultivated in Uttar Pradesh, Bengal, Khasi Hills and Western Ghats. Objectives of the present study were to determine antibacterial, antioxidant, anthelmintic and insecticidal efficacy of methanol extract of A. lakoocha fruit pericarp. Antibacterial activity was tested against by Agar well diffusion method. Antioxidant activity in terms of free radical scavenging ability was determined by DPPH free radical scavenging assay. Anthelmintic efficacy was determined using adult Indian earthworm. Insecticidal activity was tested against second and third instar larvae of Aedes aegypti. The extract has shown dose dependent antibacterial, antioxidant, anthelmintic and insecticidal activity. Among bacteria, S. aureus has shown more susceptibility than K. pneumoniae and P. aeruginosa. The extract exhibited marked antioxidant activity by scavenging DPPH free radical. The IC50 value for extract was found to be 49.42µg/ml. The extract exhibited marked anthelmintic activity by causing paralysis and death of worms and the effect was found to be dose dependent. The extract concentration 100mg/ml has shown marked anthelmintic effect than standard drug. In insecticidal study, the 2(nd) instar larvae were shown to be more susceptible than 3(rd) instar larvae. Phytochemical analysis revealed the presence of tannins and alkaloids. The presence of these phytoconstituents might be responsible for the biological activities of extract tested. The extract could be used to treat free radical damage, bacterial and helmintic infections and to control insect vectors. Further studies on isolation of constituents and their bio-efficacies in vitro and in vivo are under investigation.