P-glycoprotein ATPase from the resistant pest, Helicoverpa armigera: Purification, characterization and effect of various insecticides on its transport function

AbstractHelicoverpa armigera is a major pest of agricultural crops and has developed resistance to various insecticides. A P-glycoprotein (Pgp) with ATPase activity likely to be involved in insecticide resistance was purified and characterized from insecticide-resistant H. armigera. The purification was 18-fold with 3% yield. The optimum pH and temperature were found to be 7.4 and 30–40°C, respectively. Kinetic studies indicated that this enzyme had a Km value of 1.2mM for ATP. Pgp from H. armigera was partially sequenced and found to be homologous to conserved sequences of mammalian Pgps. Pesticides stimulated H. armigera Pgp ATPase activity with a maximum stimulation of up to 40%. Quenching of the intrinsic tryptophan fluorescence of purified Pgp was used to quantitate insecticide binding. Using the high-affinity fluorescent substrate, tetramethylrosamine, transport was monitored in real time in proteoliposomes containing H. armigera Pgp. The presence of Pgp could be one of the reasons for insecticide resistance in this pest

Intracultural Cognizance of Medicinal Plants of Warangal North Forest Division, Northern Telangana, India

Differences in the traditional botanical knowledge of Koya communities inhabiting Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary (Warangal North Forest Division) are investigated. Eighteen villages (16 within the wildlife sanctuary and two outside it) were selected to test the null hypothesis that there exist no cognitive differences among the ethnic inhabitants in their ability to recognize the plants and recall the vernacular names and medicinal uses since they are recipients of the same dry deciduous forest ecosystem services. The Koyas were found to use as medicine 237 species in 66 angiosperm families. Analyses of data gathered from villagers showed that there is significant intracultural diversity in terms of taxonomic groups and growth forms in regard to utilizing the proximate plant resource for their primary healthcare and disease treatment of pets

Obstetric outcome in pregnancy complicated by ovarian cysts

Background: Ovarian masses are diagnosed in 0.5-1% pregnancies. During pregnancy ovarian cysts can undergo: resolution of the cyst, change of ultrasound pattern, occurrence of ovarian torsion and intra-cystic haemorrhage or rupture. Ovarian masses (esp torsion) is a cause of pain abdomen during pregnancy. The choice of treatment is mainly conservative, provided the patient is asymptomatic. Dilemma in management arises when the patient is symptomatic. Optimal timing for a planned surgery is the second trimester as it is shown to have least neonatal outcome. The objective of this study was to evaluate management options for ovarian cyst in pregnancy and its effect on outcome of pregnancy.Methods: This study was conducted for 2 years from June 2014 to June 2016, at RL Jalappa Hospital, Kolar. A total of 46 pregnant women were included. The pregnancy outcome and the management used were studied. Also studied were the complications most likely to occur in pregnancies complicated by ovarian masses ovarian masses.Results: Out of 46 patients, 2 (4.3%) patients with ovarian cyst torsion underwent emergency laparotomy. 8 patients underwent surgery (6 in 2nd trimester and 2 at term) for various complications. Only one patient had miscarriage and remaining patients continued till term. Histopathological report of all the masses excised were obtained and 6 were reported to be benign serous cystadenomas,1 benign mucinous cystadenoma and 3 simple cysts.Conclusions: Optimal management for ovarian cyst is conservative in pregnancy provided patient remain asymptomatic and characteristic of cyst are consistent with benign pathology. Surgical management is to be reserved for symptomatic patient

Influence of certain environmental parameters on mass production of rotifers: A review

Larviculture of many finfishes and crustaceans in aquaculture depends mainly on the live feed and its unavailability in sufficient quantity is hampering its expansion and culture progress all around the world. The most suitable feed for marine finfish larvae is the commonly available zooplankton species such as rotifer, copepods and Artemia nauplii. Among all, the live feed that has been demonstrated more successfully as the first feed for most of the marine finfish species is rotifer. Optimum conditions are required for better growth, reproduction and increased productivity of rotifers. The major factors that influence the population size of rotifer are temperature and salinity. Hence, the impact of environmental parameters with special focus on the salinity and temperature on the increase in biomass and smaller rotifer production is of utmost importance in the present scenari

Fishery, biology and stock assessment of spotted seer, Scomberomorus guttatus (Bloch & Schneider) off Andhra Pradesh

The fishery, biology and stock of the spotted seerfish, Scomberomorus guttatus (Bloch & Schneider) along Andhra Pradesh was studied during 2012-2014. The annual average landing of spotted seer during the period along Andhra coast was 2,614 t. Major contributors were trawlnets-1,104 t (42.2%) and gillnets-950 t (36.3%). Catches were higher during August-December. Length-weight relationship varied significantly between males, females and indeterminates. Growth was isometric in males and allometric in females and indeterminates. Overall sex ratio was 1:1.87. Length at first maturity was 38.9 cm. Peak spawning was observed during November-April. Higher Gonadosomatic index coincided with periods of peak spawning. Mature ovaries contained both maturing (0.41 mm-0.70 mm) and matured (0.71 mm-0.90 mm) ova. von Bertalanffy growth equation was Lt = 71.98 [1-e -0.23 (t + 0.0722)]. Natural mortality, fishing mortality and total mortality were 0.54, 0.49 and 1.03. Exploitation ratio was 0.48. Annual total stocks, biomass and Maximum Sustainable Yield were 8,546 t, 5,335 t and 2,747 t. A minor increase in yield and yield/recruit is possible by increasing the present level of fishing by 20%

Response of cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum Maton) seedlings to vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

The growth response of cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) seedlings (cv, Malabar) to 13 different vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi was tested under mat house conditions at Bangalore, India, In general, seedlings inoulated with the fungi grew taller, had more number of leaves and tillers, increased seedling biomass and uptake of nutrients compared to control seedlings, Among the various mycorrhizal fungi tested, seedlings inoculated with Gigaspora margarita and Glomus monosporum exhibited significantly higher growth with increased uptake of nutrients, &nbsp

Response of cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum Maton) seedlings to vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi

The growth response of cardamom (Elettaria cardamomum) seedlings (cv, Malabar) to 13 different vesicular arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi was tested under mat house conditions at Bangalore, India, In general, seedlings inoulated with the fungi grew taller, had more number of leaves and tillers, increased seedling biomass and uptake of nutrients compared to control seedlings, Among the various mycorrhizal fungi tested, seedlings inoculated with Gigaspora margarita and Glomus monosporum exhibited significantly higher growth with increased uptake of nutrients, &nbsp

Reproductive biology of Nemipterus japonicus (Bloch, 1791) in the trawl grounds along the north-east coast of India

The reproductive biology of Nemipterus japonicus (Bloch, 1791) along the north-east coast of India was studied during 2012-2015 based on samples from the trawl landings at Digha, Paradeep, Visakhapatnam and Kakinada. Adults dominated the landings. Significant contribution by females was observed in most months of the year. Size at first maturity for females was 15.1 cm. Peak spawning season was during August to February and September to March in the northern and southern regions. Maturity and gonado-somatic index (GSI) were found to correlate well with sea surface temperature (SST). Fecundity increased with length and weight and varied from 13,176 to 1,30,798. Ova diameter distribution indicated the species to be a multiple/batch spawner

Trophodynamics of Nemipterus japonicus (Bloch, 1791) in the trawl landings along the north-east coast of India

The trophodynamics of Nemipterus japonicus (Bloch, 1791) along the north-east coast of India was studied during 2012-2015 based on specimens collected from trawl landings at Digha, Paradeep (northern region), Visakhapatnam and Kakinada (southern region). Crustaceans were the preferred prey with index of relative importance (IRI) of 50% in the northern region and 42.4% in the southern region. Among crustaceans, Oratosquilla dominated in both the regions followed by crabs and several species of penaeids and nonpenaeids. Finfishes ranked next in importance (IRI% of 32.1 in northern region and 39.9 in southern region) and included Stolephorus spp., silverbellies, Coilia sp., other clupeids, Apogon spp., mackerel, sardines, eels, priacanthids, Bregmaceros sp. and sciaenids. Along northern region, in juveniles and preadults, the diet comprised chiefly of crustaceans (IRI% of 72.27 and 52.76), followed by finfishes (IRI% of 15.37 and 27.65). In the southern region, adult fishes exhibited higher preference for finfishes (IRI% of 47.5 to 62.8). Feeding intensity was low throughout the year with close to half (48.23% in northern region and 43.67% in southern region) of the fishes exhibiting empty or trace stomach conditions which increased with an increase in age and size of fish. High similarity of 75.54% in the northern and 84.19% in the southern region was recorded in the diet contents of smaller and moderate sized adults. Annual and seasonal mean similarity in the diet components between the regions was 69.9 and 53%. Prey contents in juveniles between both the regions exhibited a similarity of 59.5%, while preadults and adults recorded similarities of 62.7 and 68.2% respectively