2, 4-Dimethyl-6-hydroxyacetophenone oxime and 3, 5-dibromo-2, 4-dimethyl-6- hydroxyacetophenone oxime as reagents and diethylamine as a synergist in the extraction and separation of metals

1022-10242,4-Dimethyl-6-hydroxyacetophenone oxime and 3,5- dibromo-2,4-dimethyl-6-hydroxyacetophenone oxime act as very good reagents for the extraction and separation of Cu(II), Ni(II), Co(II), Fe(III) and Mn(II). Addition of diethylamine as a synergist in the extraction system, not only increases the per cent extraction of the metals but also the molar absorbances of the complexes. The separation of the metals from one another, viz., Cu(II) from Ni(II), Cu(II) from Co(II) and Cu(II) and Ni(II) from Cr(III) becomes far more easier in the presence of diethylamine

Development of a Real-Time PCR based protocol for quantifying Radopholus similis in field samples

The burrowing nematode, Radopholus similis, is an obligate migratory endoparasite. Currently detection of this nematode is carried out mostly by physically extracting them from soil and then observing under a light microscope. To identify this nematode, a thorough knowledge about their morphological features is quite indispensable. Developing a DNA based detection technique makes it more convenient and accurate in detection. Though PCR based methods have been reported by earlier workers, developing a Real-Time PCR based method will enable estimating their population in field samples. In this study, Real-Time PCR primers were designed using the DNA sequences from the ITS region of R. similis. It can detect R. similis up to the limit of 100 fg μL-1 DNA. The real time PCR based detection serves as an efficient tool for the detection and estimation of this nematode from soil samples

Penetration and infectivity of entomopathogenic nematodes against Lema sp. (Chrysomelidae: Coleoptera) infesting turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) and their multiplication

Penetration and infectivity of eight native isolates of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs), Heterorhabditis sp. (IISR-EPN 01); Steinernema sp. (IISR-EPN 02); S. ramanai (IISR-EPN 03); S. carpocapsae (IISR-EPN 06), Oscheius gingeri (IISR-EPN 07) and Oscheius spp. (IISR-EPN 04, 05 and 08) were evaluated against larvae of leaf feeder (LF) Lema sp. infesting turmeric. Among the tested EPNs, Steinernema sp. (IISR-EPN 02) and O. gingeri (IISR-EPN 07) were more pathogenic to LF larva as they brought about 100% mortality to the insect within 48 h post exposure, followed by Heterorhabditis sp. (IISR-EPN 01) and Oscheius sp. (IISR-EPN 08) after 72 h of exposure. S. ramanai (IISR-EPN 03) and Oscheius spp. (IISR-EPN 04 and 05) took 96 and 120 h, respectively, to kill the test insect. Lema sp. larva was the most suitable host for multiplication of infective juveniles (IJs) of O. gingeri (IISR-EPN 07), which yielded 11, 480 IJs larva-1, followed by Steinernema sp. (IISREPN 02) (8, 658 IJs larva-1) and S. carpocapsae (IISR-EPN 06) (6, 810 IJs larva-1), however, Heterorhabditis sp. (IISR-EPN 01) less multiplied. The maximum number of Steinernema sp. (IISREPN 02) IJs penetrated into test larva (17.5 IJs larva-1), followed by S. carpocapsae (IISR-EPN 06) (10.2 IJs larva-1) and the fewest (2.8 IJs larva-1) were of Oscheius sp. (IISR-EPN 08). The infectivity of the above EPNs against LF is being reported for the first time which opens up a new hope of utilizing them in insect pest management in turmeric. &nbsp

Detecting and monitoring endophytic colonization by Pseudomonas putida BP25 in black pepper (Piper nigrum L.) using quantitative real-time PCR

A quantitative real-time PCR assay was developed to quantify Pseudomonas putida BP25, an antagonistic endophyte against a broad range of pathogens in black pepper such as Phytophthora capsici, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Rhizoctonia solani, Gibberella moniliformis, Athelia rolfsii and a plant parasitic nematode, Radopholus similis. The real-time PCR primers were designed based on the16S rRNA sequences of P. putida strains and specificity of the primers was confirmed. The detection limit of the assay was found to be 1 pg. The assay detected and quantified the bacterial colonization in the roots at weekly intervals after inoculation. The P. putida DNA was quantified to be 0.4 ng in roots corresponding to 5.4 log10 CFU g-1 at 7th and 14th day after inoculation (DAI). A decline in endophyte population was observed during 21st and 28th DAI and the DNA concentration ranged from 3.7-4.6 pg corresponding to 3.4-3.5 log10 CFU g-1 of root. No amplification could be obtained in stem and leaf samples. The newly developed real-time PCR could be useful for detection, quantification and monitoring of endophytic P. putida BP25 in different plant tissues. &nbsp

An improved method for selection of antagonistic bacteria against Phytophthora capsici Leonian infections in black pepper (Piper nigrum L.)

An improved and rapid method for selection of bacteria primarily based on its inhibitoryeffect on pathogenesis of Phytophthora capsici on black pepper (Piper nigrum) was developed.Reductions in mycelial growth of P. capsici in dual plating assay and inhibition of lesion onexcised black pepper shoots in planta assay were calculated.  The inhibition ranged from 0.0%to 92.8% among the 19 bacterial isolates tested against P. capsici in the  in planta assay IIIwhere the bacterized shoots were challenge inoculated with P. capsici. The  in planta assay IIIcould select only two bacterial strains among the 19 isolates as effective against P. capsiciwhereas, four and six bacterial strains in the in planta assays I and II, respectively. The dualplate method, where only two-way interaction between the pathogen and antagonist wasstudied, could select four bacterial strains as effective ones. The  in planta selected bacterialstrains could protect the black pepper plants from foot rot infection when tested in thenursery. The  in planta assay based on this three-way interaction among black pepper (host)-P. capsici  (pathogen)-candidate bacterial strains (antagonist) was found to be an effectivemethod to select antagonistic bacteria against the foot rot pathogen. &nbsp

Decreasing Physical Activity Levels across Religious Sikh Male South Asian Migrant Population in Kent, UK: A Public Health Concern

Physical activity (PA) plays a crucial role in reducing the risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). We investigated intergenerational physical activity level (PAL) among first and second generation Sikh Punjabi male subjects (n = 137), recruited from two Sikh temples in Medway, UK. Employing a crosssectional survey PA was quantified using the validated Global PA Questionnaire (GPAQ). Data were analysed using SPSS 20 and Epi Info software. Ninety-one per cent of the subjects were classified as overweight. Mean PAL range was sedentary to low levels of PA (1.45–1.60). Comparisons between first and second generation Punjabi male subjects showed that the two groups are equally culpable in not engaging in work-related or recreational PA, but for the second generation this is significantly lower. Low PAL is a contributory factor to increased risk and prevalence of NCDs among this population and a public health concern. Efforts to increase PA in this group should continue

Screening of rhizobacterial isolates against soft rot disease of ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.)

Twenty rhizobacterial cultures including Pseudomonas fluorescens, Enterobacter agglomerans and Bacillus sp. were tested under in vitro and in vivo conditions to evaluate their efficacy in inhibiting Pythium myriotylum and reducing the incidence of soft rot disease in ginger (Zingiber officinale). Under in vitro conditions, 19 of the tested rhizobacterial cultures significantly inhibited P. myriotylum. Evaluation of these cultures under in vivo conditions indicated that seven of the isolates were effective in suppressing the pathogen. Five of the isolates when inoculated along with Glomus sp. (vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizae) also enhanced root development without disease incidence. &nbsp

Multi-country evaluation of the durability of pyrethroid plus piperonyl-butoxide insecticide-treated nets: study protocol

BACKGROUND: Mass distributions of long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) have contributed to large reductions in the malaria burden. However, this success is in jeopardy due in part to the increasing pyrethroid-resistant mosquito population as well as low LLINs coverage in various areas because the lifespan of LLINs is often shorter than the interval between replenishment campaigns. New insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) containing pyrethroid and piperonyl-butoxide (PBO) have shown a greater reduction in the incidence of malaria than pyrethroid LLINs in areas with pyrethroid-resistant mosquitoes. However, the durability (attrition, bio-efficacy, physical integrity and chemical retainment) of pyrethroid-PBO ITNs under operational settings has not been fully characterized. This study will measure the durability of pyrethroid-PBO ITNs to assess whether they meet the World Health Organization (WHO) three years of operational performance criteria required to be categorized as "long-lasting". METHODS: A prospective household randomized controlled trial will be conducted simultaneously in Tanzania, India and Cote d'Ivoire to estimate the field durability of three pyrethroid-PBO ITNs (Veeralin(R), Tsara(R) Boost, and Olyset(R) Plus) compared to a pyrethroid LLIN: MAGNet(R). Durability monitoring will be conducted up to 36 months post-distribution and median survival in months will be calculated. The proportion of ITNs: (1) lost (attrition), (2) physical integrity, (3) resistance to damage score, (4) meeting WHO bio-efficacy (>/= 95% knockdown after 1 h or >/= 80% mortality after 24 h for WHO cone bioassay, or >/= 90% blood-feeding inhibition or >/= 80% mortality after 24 h for WHO Tunnel tests) criteria against laboratory-reared resistant and susceptible mosquitoes, and insecticidal persistence over time will be estimated. The non-inferiority of Veeralin(R) and Tsara(R) Boost to the first-in-class, Olyset(R) Plus will additionally be assessed for mortality, and the equivalence of 20 times washed ITNs compared to field aged ITNs will be assessed for mortality and blood-feeding inhibition endpoints in the Ifakara Ambient Chamber Test, Tanzania. CONCLUSION: This will be the first large-scale prospective household randomized controlled trial of pyrethroid-PBO ITNs in three different countries in East Africa, West Africa and South Asia, simultaneously. The study will generate information on the replenishment intervals for PBO nets

Development of a managed clinical network in oral medicine

Oral medicine is concerned with the oral health care of patients with chronic, recurrent and medically related disorders of the oral and maxillofacial region, and with their diagnosis and non-surgical management. For historical reasons care for conditions falling within the scope of oral medicine practice has been inconsistent with limited planning of clinical services. Managed Clinical Networks (MCNs) bring advantages to all stakeholders with a positive impact on patient pathways and access to equitable and quality care across a network of providers working in a coordinated way to make best use of NHS resources. MCNs provide a framework to address the limitations of legacy arrangements and are very relevant to dentistry. Here we describe oral medicine MCN development in Yorkshire and the Humber within the framework of the Five year forward view NHS policy. A step-wise approach is being taken across the region to introduce an MCN model that reflects cooperative working between oral medicine, oral surgery, oral & maxillofacial surgery and other stakeholders. Preliminary data are already informing how a regional oral medicine MCN can be further developed with the potential for translation of the lessons learned to other regions