Impact of water harvesting on groundwater recharge, productivity and net returns with integrated farming systems approach in eastern dry zone of Karnataka

The paper evaluates the performance of water harvesting structures by looking at the case of the Sujala watershed in Karnataka. The water harvesting structures have facilitated the rejuvenation of failed wells and enhanced the water yield. About 75% of the failed bore wells were rejuvenated as against 66% in the non- watershed. The yield of bore wells were increased by 21% in the watershed where as in non-watershed area the water yield has reduced by 11%. Investment analysis of water harvesting structures indicated that for every rupee of present investment on water harvesting structure there is a return of Rs. 2.79 in farm pond and Rs. 2.19 in recharge pits. Further, productivity of crops has enhanced through protective irrigation given at critical stages of crop growth and moisture conservation, which in turn increased the net returns of the farmer.Length: pp.764-774Water harvestingGroundwater rechargeWatershedsDevelopment projectsCostsFarming systemsArid zonesWellsIrrigation waterCase studies

Urinary Peptide Levels in Patients with Chronic Renal Failure

Introduction: Peptide levels in urine are found to be decreased in renal failure. In the current study urinary peptide levels were determined in chronic renal failure (CRF) patients. Method: 86 CRF patients and 80 healthy controls were selected for the study. Urinary proteins and peptide levels were determined by spectrophotometer based Lowry and Bradford methods. Urinary creatinine levels were determined by clinical chemistry analyzer. Results: There was significant decrease in urinary peptide levels in CRF patients and Urinary % peptides were significantly decreased in CRF patients as compared to healthy controls. Urinary % peptides correlated negatively with proteinuria. Conclusion: we have found decrease in urinary peptides and % urinary peptides in CRF patients and possibly measurement of % urinary peptides may possibly serve as better indicator in early detection of impairment in renal function

A synthetic 13-residue peptide corresponding to the hydrophobic region of bovine seminalplasmin has antibacterial activity and also causes lysis of red blood cells

Seminalplasmin (SPLN), a 47-residue peptide present in bovine seminal plasma, is one of the few proteins isolated from mammalian sources having potent antibacterial activity. SPLN also interacts with sperm acrosomal and plasma membranes. On the basis of analysis of the primary structure of SPLN with respect to its relative hydrophobicity and hydrophilicity, a region comprising of 13-amino acids, Pro-Lys-Leu-Leu-Glu-Thr-Phe-Leu-Ser-Lys-Trp-Ile-Gly, has been delineated. It is demonstrated that a synthetic peptide corresponding to this 13-residue region inhibits growth of Escherichia coli like SPLN and also has the ability to lyse red blood cells

Solution phase synthesis of alamethicin I

The total synthesis of alamethicin I by solution phase methods is reported

Specific antimicrobial and hemolytic activities of 18-residue peptides derived from the amino terminal region of the toxin pardaxin

Peptides are part of the host defense system against bacteria and fungi in species right across the evolutionary scale. However, endogenous antibacterial peptides are often composed of 25 residues or more and, therefore, are not ideal for therapeutic use. Hence it is of considerable interest to design and engineer short peptides having antimicrobial activity. Peptides composed of 18 amino acids, derived from the N-terminal region of the 33-residue toxiri pardaxin (PX), GFFALIPKDSSPLFKTLLSAVGSALSSSGEQE, were synthesized and examined for biological activities. Peptide corresponding to the 1-18 stretch of PX exhibited antimicrobial activity only against Escherichia coli and not against Gram-positive microorganisms. The peptide also did not possess hemolytic activity. Replacement of P7 by A resulted in a peptide possessing both antibacterial and hemolytic activity. Substitution of both K residues by Q in the 'A' analog resulted in a peptide having peptides and investigation of their model membrane permeabilizing activities indicated that selective activity can be explained by their biophysical properties. Hence, by a rational design approach based on biophysical principles, it should be possible to generate short peptides having specific biological activity

Ferrographic analysis of wear particles from sliding elastohydrodynamic experiments

The Ferrograph was used to analyze wear debris generated in a sliding elastohydrodynamic contact. The amount of wear debris correlates well with the ratio of film thickness to composite surface roughness (A ratio). The general wear level parameter and the wear severity index yielded similar correlations with average A ratios. Essentially all the generated wear particles were of the normal rubbing wear type. The Ferrograph was more sensitive in detecting the wear debris than was the commonly used emission spectrograph

Racemization at proline residues during peptide bond formation : a study of diastereomeric mixtures of synthetic alamethicin fragments by 270 MHz <SUP>1</SUP>H NMR

The stepwise synthesis of amino terminal pentapeptide of alamethicin, Z-Aib-Pro-Aib-Ala-Aib-OMe, by the dicyclohexylcarbodiimide mediated couplings leads to extensive racemization at the Ala and Pro residues. Racemization is largely suppressed by the use of additives like N-hydroxysuccinimide and 1-hydroxybenzotriazole. The presence of diastereomeric peptides may be detected by the observation of additional methyl ester and benzylic methylene signals in the 270 MHz 1H NMR spectra. Unambiguous spectral assignment of the signals to the diastereomers has been carried out by the synthesis and NMR studies of the D-Ala tetra and pentapeptides. The racemization at Pro is of particular relevance in view of the reported lack of inversion at C-terminal Pro on carboxyl activation