Characterization of sperm heparin binding proteins (HBPs) using polyclonal antibodies raised against seminal plasma HBPs: Application in buffalo bull fertility

26-33This study aimed to evaluate rabbit polyclonal antibodies raised against purified seminal plasma sperm membrance extracts (SP) heparin binding protein (HBP) for identifying HBPs in buffalo bull spermatozoa by western blotting. Anti-SP-HBP recognized 11 polypeptides in SDS-sperm membrance extracts (SME) of 31 tested bulls. Thirty one bulls were divided into G-1 (>40%) and G-II (≤40%) based on acrosome reaction. Immunoblotting revealed that HBPs of 24, 30, 38 and 43 kDa were present in 3%, 7.02%, 1.16% and 4.83% more bulls of G-I, whereas, 20 and 46 kDa HBPs were present in 13.2 and 9.65% more bulls of G-II. Immunoblotting of anti-HBP with sperm extracts of 10 bulls (22-31) indicated that 31 kDa positive bulls had 10.9% higher conception rate than 31 kDa negative bulls. Although 24 kDa HBP was detected in 10 bulls, but its expression was very weak in bull number 22, 23 and 26, which had 10.7% lower conception rate than the bulls with strong expression of 24 kDa HBP. In the present study, 17/20 kDa positive bulls exhibited 4.46% and 8.67% low conception rate than 17/20 kDa negative bulls. Mass spectrometry analysis revealed matching of 24, 31, 33 and 38 kDa proteins with MHC class 1 antigen, tRNA methyl transferase 11 homolog partial, parvalbumin alpha-like and cilia- and flagella-associated protein 99. This study suggests that buffalo bull fertility can be predicted from sperm HBP

ENHANCED PRODUCTION OF CELLULASE-FREE XYLANASE BY ALKALOPHILIC BACILLUS SUBTILIS ASH AND ITS APPLICATION IN BIOBLEACHING OF KRAFT PULP

This paper reports high level production of a cellulase-free xylanase using wheat bran, a cost-effective substrate, under submerged fermentation by alkalophilic Bacillus subtilis ASH. Production of xylanase was observed even at alkaline pH up to 11.0 and temperature 60 °C, although the highest enzyme titer was recorded at neutral pH and 37 °C. The enzyme production under optimized fermentation was 1.5-fold greater than under unoptimized conditions. Pre-treatment of unbleached pulp of 10% consistency with crude xylanase (6 IU/g o.d. pulp) at 60 ºC for 2 h increased the final brightness by 4.9%. The enzyme treatment reduced the chlorine consumption by 28.6% with the same brightness as in the control. A reduction in kappa number and increase in viscosity was observed after enzyme pre-treatment. Scanning electron microscopy revealed loosening and swelling of pulp fibers. The strength properties viz. grammage, fiber thickness, beating degree, tensile index, breaking length, tear index and double fold of the treated pulp were improved as compared to the control pulp. This study reveals the potential of B. subtilis ASH xylanase as a biobleaching agent for the paper and pulp industry

A study to determine the knowledge and level of awareness of medical undergraduates about herbal medicines and herb-drug interactions

Background: The increasing usage of herbal medicines worldwide has increased the probability of co-administration of herbal and allopathic medicines. This may lead to serious safety concerns, including herb-drug interactions (HDIs). Many HDIs may be overlooked due to poor doctor-patient communication about herbal drug usage probably because of lack of knowledge of herbal medicines and HDIs among physicians. The study was thus planned to identify the knowledge and awareness of medical students regarding the use of herbal medicines and about HDIs, to help improve the teaching skills and curriculum development for medical students.Methods: 286 medical students of 2nd, 3rd and 4th year MBBS course completed the study. All the participants were asked to fill a self-administered questionnaire consisting of 15 questions which included both open-ended and close-ended questions related to age, sex, knowledge, awareness and usage of herbal medicines and about herb-drug interactions. Data was analyzed and expressed as counts and percentages.Results: Majority (95.45%) of the students were aware of the fact that herbs can be used as medicines. They were most familiar with the herbs tulsi, neem, turmeric, aloe, ashwagandha and ginger. 46.85% consider herbal medicines to be risk free, and majority (55.6%) were not aware of the fact that herbs can cause herb-drug interactions. Media and elderly family members were their most common sources of information regarding herbal medicines. Majority (75.17%) would prefer allopathic medicines over herbal medicines. Only 23.07% always informed the physician about their usage of herbal medicines, although most (84.96%) felt that history regarding use of herbal medicines should be taken. Majority were not aware of the regulatory status of herbal medicines.Conclusions: Lack of knowledge and awareness of medical students about herbal medicines and herb-drug interactions was seen in the study. There is a need to inform the students of allopathic system of medicine about the adverse outcomes of herbal medicines and the knowledge about herb-drug interactions should be a part of the medical curriculum

Biodegradation of hexachlorocyclohexane-isomers in contaminated soils

Abstract Several sites that are contaminated with isomers of the chlorinated insecticide hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) are present across the globe and cause toxicity. For their bioremediation, we studied the degradation of HCH-isomers in contaminated soils by an isolate Pseudomonas aeruginosa ITRC-5. The degradation is optimal at 2 mg technical-HCH (t-HCH)/g soil, 15% water content, pH 8.0, temperature 28 1C and inoculum density 10 6 colony forming unit/g soil. Under these conditions, from 5 kg soil, 498% a-and g-HCH, 17% b-HCH and 76% d-HCH are degraded after 15 days of incubation, which is accompanied with the release of 600 mg chloride/mg t-HCH. Concomitant to the degradation, a four-fold reduction in the toxicity of HCH-isomers to earthworm, Eisenia foetida, is also observed. Addition of ITRC-5 enhanced the degradation of soil-applied HCH-isomers in 'open field' conditions as well, and 97%, 43%, 94% and 77% of a-, b-, g-and d-HCH, respectively, are degraded after 12 weeks of incubation. Thus, the bacterium causes microbial degradation and detoxification of HCH-isomers, and can be used for the bioremediation of contaminated soils.

Premixed burner experiments: Geometry, mixing, and flame structure issues

This research program is exploring techniques for improved fuel-air mixing, with the aim of achieving combustor operations up to stoichiometric conditions with minimal NO{sub x} and maximum efficiency. The experimental studies involve the use of a double-concentric natural gas burner that is operable in either premixed or non-premixed modes, and the system allows systematic variation of equivalence ratio, swirl strength shear length region and flow momentum in each annulus. Flame structures formed with various combinations of swirl strengths, flow throughput and equivalence ratios in premixed mode show the significant impact of swirl flow distribution on flame structure emanating from the mixedness. This impact on flame structure is expected to have a pronounced effect on the heat release rate and the emission of NO{sub x}. Thus, swirler design and configuration remains a key factor in the quest for completely optimized combustion. Parallel numerical studies of the flow and combustion phenomena were carried out, using the RSM and the k-E turbulence models. These results have not only indicated the strengths and limitations of CFD in performance and pollutants emission predictions, but have provided guidelines on the size and strength of the recirculation produced and the spatio-temporal structure of the combustion flowfield. The first stage of parametric studies on geometry and operational parameters at Morgan State University have culminated in the completion of a one-dimensional flow code that is integrated with a solid, virtual model of the existing premixed burner. This coupling will provide the unique opportunity to study the impact of geometry on the flowfield and vice-versa, with particular emphasis on concurrent design optimization

A compendium of molecules involved in vector-pathogen interactions pertaining to malaria

Malaria is a vector-borne disease causing extensive morbidity, debility and mortality. Development of resistance to drugs among parasites and to conventional insecticides among vector-mosquitoes necessitates innovative measures to combat this disease. Identification of molecules involved in the maintenance of complex developmental cycles of the parasites within the vector and the host can provide attractive targets to intervene in the disease transmission. In the last decade, several efforts have been made in identifying such molecules involved in mosquito-parasite interactions and, subsequently, validating their role in the development of parasites within the vector. In this study, a list of mosquito proteins, which facilitate or inhibit the development of malaria parasites in the midgut, haemolymph and salivary glands of mosquitoes, is compiled. A total of 94 molecules have been reported and validated for their role in the development of malaria parasites inside the vector. This compendium of molecules will serve as a centralized resource to biomedical researchers investigating vector-pathogen interactions and malaria transmission. © 2013 Sreenivasamurthy et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd

Common characteristics of feedstock stage in life cycle assessments of agricultural residue-based biofuels

This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Elsevier via the DOI in this recordIn this study, we conducted life cycle assessments (LCAs) for fuels based on different types of agricultural residues and determined the characteristics common to all LCAs. Each fuel type required specific conversion technology during the feedstock stage, particularly during the production and collection processes. We divided the field-to-fuel life cycle into five high-level and relatively independent sub-stages: production of agricultural residues, collection of agricultural residues, conversion of agricultural residues to biofuels, biofuel distribution, and biofuel utilization. We then illustrated the common characteristics during the feedstock stage for the first two field-to-fuel life cycle sub-stages: production and collection of agricultural residues. Agricultural residues-to-grain weight and price ratios and multifactorial LCA allocations were summarized for the production stage. In addition, the energy use availability coefficient, collection radius, and emissions were determined for each fuel type during the collection stage. System boundaries and benefits of direct emissions reduction during the feedstock stage were also discussed. Our results provide guidance for future LCA studies on agricultural residue-based biofuels.National Natural Science Foundation of ChinaChinese Academy of EngineeringHenan Province Talent ProjectHenan Academy of Sciences Research Project

Harnessing genetic potential of wheat germplasm banks through impact-oriented-prebreeding for future food and nutritional security

The value of exotic wheat genetic resources for accelerating grain yield gains is largely unproven and unrealized. We used next-generation sequencing, together with multi-environment phenotyping, to study the contribution of exotic genomes to 984 three-way-cross-derived (exotic/elite1//elite2) pre-breeding lines (PBLs). Genomic characterization of these lines with haplotype map-based and SNP marker approaches revealed exotic specific imprints of 16.1 to 25.1%, which compares to theoretical expectation of 25%. A rare and favorable haplotype (GT) with 0.4% frequency in gene bank identified on chromosome 6D minimized grain yield (GY) loss under heat stress without GY penalty under irrigated conditions. More specifically, the ‘T’ allele of the haplotype GT originated in Aegilops tauschii and was absent in all elite lines used in study. In silico analysis of the SNP showed hits with a candidate gene coding for isoflavone reductase IRL-like protein in Ae. tauschii. Rare haplotypes were also identified on chromosomes 1A, 6A and 2B effective against abiotic/biotic stresses. Results demonstrate positive contributions of exotic germplasm to PBLs derived from crosses of exotics with CIMMYT’s best elite lines. This is a major impact-oriented pre-breeding effort at CIMMYT, resulting in large-scale development of PBLs for deployment in breeding programs addressing food security under climate change scenarios