High affinity uptake of L-glutamate and γ-aminobutyric acid in Drosophila melanogaster

Preparations having properties resembling those of synaptosomes have been isolated from whole fly homogenates of Drosophila melanogaster using ficoll gradient floatation technique. These have been characterized by marker enzymes and electron microscopy and binding of muscarinic antagenist 3H Quinuclidinyl benzilate. An uptake system for neurotransmitter, a-Aminobutyric acid has been demonstrated in these preparations. A high affinity uptake system for L-glutamate has also been studied in these subcellular fractions. This uptake of glutamate is transport into an osmotically sensitive compartment and not due to binding of glutamate to membrane components. The transport of glutamate has an obligatory requirements for either sodium or potassium ions. Kinetic experiments show that two transport systems, with Km values 0.33×10-6M and 2.0×10-6, respectively, function in the accumulation of glutamate. ATP stimulates lower affinity transport of glutamate. Inhibition of glutamate uptake by L-aspartate but not by phenylalanine and tyrosine indicates that a common carrier mediates the transport of both glutamate and aspartate. β-N-oxalyl-L-β β-diamino propionic acid and kainic acid, both inhibitors of glutamate transport in mammalian brain preparations, strongly inhibited transport of glutamate in Drosophila preparations Comparison with uptake of a-aminobutyric acid and glutamate in isolated larval brain is presented to show that the synaptosome-like preparations we have isolated are rich in central nervous system derived structures, and presynaptic endings from neuromuscular junctions

Retroperitoneal inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory myofibroblastic tumor (IMT) is a neoplasm of unknown etiology occurring at various sites. By definition, it is composed of spindle cells (myofibroblasts) with variable inflammatory component, hence the name is IMT. CASE PRESENTATION: The present case is of a 46 years old woman presented with a history of flank pain, abdominal mass and intermittent hematuria for last 6 months. The initial diagnosis was kept as renal cell carcinoma. Finally, it turned out to be a case of retroperitoneal IMT. The patient was managed by complete surgical resection of the tumor. CONCLUSION: IMT is a rare neoplasm of uncertain biological potential. Complete surgical resection remains the mainstay of the treatment

Salmonella Pathogenesis and Processing of Secreted Effectors by Caspase-3

The enteric pathogen Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium causes food poisoning resulting in gastroenteritis. The S. Typhimurium effector Salmonella invasion protein A (SipA) promotes gastroenteritis by functional motifs that trigger either mechanisms of inflammation or bacterial entry. During infection of intestinal epithelial cells, SipA was found to be responsible for the early activation of caspase-3, an enzyme that is required for SipA cleavage at a specific recognition motif that divided the protein into its two functional domains and activated SipA in a manner necessary for pathogenicity. Other caspase-3 cleavage sites identified in S. Typhimurium appeared to be restricted to secreted effector proteins, which indicates that this may be a general strategy used by this pathogen for processing of its secreted effectors

EXPERIMENTAL WORK ON DIESEL ENGINE PERFORMANCE AND EMISSION CHARACTERISTICS USING NANO ADDITIVES IN DIESEL AND BIODIESEL

ABSTRACT Diesel engines are well adapted by mankind because of their low fuel consumption and better efficiency. In recent times researchers have focused more on alternate fuels, with the depleting trend of petro diesel. Biodiesel is the one of such alternate fuel whose calorific value nearer to diesel. Most of the researchers concluded that with the usage of biodiesels the emissions can be reduced maintaining the consistency in efficiency, compared to diesel. In the present era of Nano technology there is the scope to improve the efficiency of engines using Nano additives in blended fuels. In this work single cylinder 4 stroke DI diesel engine is selected. The performance of different blends of mahua oil methyl esters for which cerium oxide (CeO2) Nano additives of size 30-50 nm is added in different proportions in blended fuel. The experiment has been conducted with neat diesel fuel and diesel-biodiesel blends (addition of cerium oxide (CeO2) Nano additive) in a four stroke single cylinder direct injection (DI) diesel engine. Those results are compared with conventional diesel fuel, diesel-biodiesel blends showed good performance, lower carbon monoxide (CO), and hydro carbons(HC) but higher oxides of nitrogen (NOx) emission.

Sensitivity of Livestock Production to Climatic Variability Under Indian Drylands and Future Perspective

The livestock production system is considered equally sensitive to climate change as that of core agriculture system and at the same time livestock itself is also contributing to the phenomenon. The present paper attempts to analyze the sensitivity of livestock productivity in rainfed regions to climatic variability, significance of climate change with respect to Indian livestock and mitigation options and leverage points in such a scenario. The sensitively of livestock productivity was examined by using district level data of milk productivity of cow as well as buffalo for the year 1992 and 1997 for 100 districts which was regressed on important weather variables. The analysis shows that weather variables like rainfall and temperature do significantly influence the milk productivity of animals in rainfed regions. Increased climatic variability due to changing climate is likely to negatively influence the livestock productivity. Based on analysis and stakeholders consultation the paper suggests appropriate adaptation strategies particularly focusing on mitigating feed scarcity situations arising due to climatic variability

Farm level rainwater harvesting across different agro climatic regions of India: Assessing performance and its determinants

Rainwater harvesting and its utilization have a very important role to play in harnessing the production potential within dryland systems. This study assesses the performance of small rainwater harvesting structures (farm-ponds) in 5 major rainfed states of India over the period 2009–2011 using data from multiple sources and stakeholders. Rainwater which is harvested using structures of varying types and sizes was used for either supplemental irrigation or recharging open-wells. In many cases, the farm level rainwater harvesting structures were highly effective for rainfed farming and had a multiplier effect on farm income. In some situations however, it was viewed by farmers as a waste of productive land. The use of farm ponds in Maharashtra, for example, resulted in a significant increase in farm productivity (12–72%), cropping intensity and consequently farm income. In the Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh, farm pond water was profitably used for supplemental irrigation to mango plantations, vegetables or other crops and animal enterprises with net returns estimated to be between US$ 120 and 320 structure−1 annum−1. Despite such examples, the adoption of the farm ponds was low, except in Maharashtra. A functional analysis of the reasons for high adoption of water harvesting structures indicated that factors such as technical support, customized design, level of farmer participation, age, existing ownership of open wells, annual rainfall and household assets were the major determinants of performance of farm-level rainwater harvesting structures. Based on this countrywide analysis, different policy and institutional options are proposed for promoting farm-level rainwater-harvesting for dryland agriculture

Trypan Blue Dye Enters Viable Cells Incubated with the Pore-Forming Toxin HlyII of Bacillus cereus

Trypan blue is a dye that has been widely used for selective staining of dead tissues or cells. Here, we show that the pore-forming toxin HlyII of Bacillus cereus allows trypan blue staining of macrophage cells, despite the cells remaining viable and metabolically active. These findings suggest that the dye enters viable cells through the pores. To our knowledge, this is the first demonstration that trypan blue may enter viable cells. Consequently, the use of trypan blue staining as a marker of vital status should be interpreted with caution. The blue coloration does not necessarily indicate cell lysis, but may rather indicate pore formation in the cell membranes and more generally increased membrane permeability

Potential of farm level rainwater harvesting for enhancing resilience of dryland farming systems in India

The farm level rainwater harvesting which has huge potential for enhancing dryland farming systems resilience is yet to be fully harnessed. Here we have assessed the performance of small rainwater harvesting structures in different five rainfed agro-ecologies in India. Further we have taken a case of the state of Telangana in India and mapped the potential for context specific scaling up of rainwater harvesting through farm ponds at mandal (sub-district) level. The study uses farm level primary data on investments, water use, yield impacts and additional net returns due to farm ponds; perceptions of multiple stakeholders and results of experimental on-farm trials on use of harvested rainwater. The ex-ante study to assess the potential for scaling up farm ponds in the whole Telangana state uses eight years district level yield data of major crops from 2007 to 2015. The technical coefficients representing impact of supplemental/lifesaving irrigation through farm ponds were arrived at based on our above case study in five regions, published literature and stakeholders consultations. Accounting for differential benefits of farm ponds under different rainfall situations, we have used the average rate of additional net returns due to farm pond over the period from 2008 to 2105 considering normal, mild drought, drought and excess rainfall years. Stakeholders’ consultation with participation from each district of Telangana state was organized to understand the perceptions and preferences of farmers in different regions of the state. The farmers cultivating less than 2 hectares of land were reluctant to adopt the farm ponds, hence only 5% of such landholders were assumed to be the potential adopters of rainwater harvesting structures. The harvested rainwater in five different regions representing Tamilnadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra and Rajasthan was used for supplemental irrigation and recharging open-wells. In many instances, the rainwater harvesting through farm ponds significantly increased crop yields and had a multiplier effect on farm income under rainfed situation, but in some cases it was perceived by farmers as a waste of resources. Increased access to cash and fodder triggered an increase in income from livestock in some cases. The supplemental irrigation across case studies in the different regions resulted in a significant increase in crop yields (12 to 72 %) and cropping intensity as well as diversification into fruits and fodder production and in few cases aquaculture. The additional net returns due to farm ponds were estimated to be between US$ 120 and 320 structure-1 annum-1. The ex-ante analysis at mandal level in Telangana state indicated that one-fifth of the mandals in the state have potential to create more than 500 farm ponds in each to enhance farming systems resilience and income. We also mapped those one third of the mandals which do not need any farm pond to be created. A few mandals have very high potential with a scope for constructing more than 1000 farm ponds in each. The functional analysis highlighted the technical, capital, social and extension related determinants of adoption of farm ponds. Ex-post impact assessment of farm pond in different regions of India establishes their usefulness and the ex-ante analysis maps out its potential at mandal level in the Telangana state would contribute in prioritizing and better targeting of investments for scaling up of farm level rainwater harvesting in the rainfed regions

Economic impact of improved pearl millet production technology in resource-poor rainfed areas of Kurnool District of Andhra Pradesh

Five on-farm trials in Karivemula and Devanakonda watersheds of Kurnool district, Andhra Pradesh, India, demonstrated the economic viability of improved production technologies for pearl millet. The package included improved cultivar (ICTP 8203), seed rate of 4.0 kg/ha, seed treatment with thiram (3 g per kg of seed), and fertilizer dose of 60 kg N per ha and 30 kg P2O5 per ha

Thermalized Displaced and Squeezed Number States in Coordinate Representation

Within the framework of thermofield dynamics, the wavefunctions of the thermalized displaced number and squeezed number states are given in the coordinate representation. Furthermore, the time evolution of these wavefunctions is considered by introducing a thermal coordinate representation, and we also calculate the corresponding probability densities, average values and variances of position coordinate, which are consistent with results in the literature.Comment: 12 pages, no figures, Revtex. v3: substantially revise