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The present project was designed to investigate effects of organic and inorganic selenium with and without vitamin E on the immune system of broiler chickens. For this purpose, 130 (day-old) broiler chicks were divided into three groups A, B (60 chicks each) and C (10 chicks). Group A was divided into six subgroups A1, A2, A3, A4, A5 and A6 which were fed on organic selenium at dose rates of 0.25, 0.25, 0.5, 0.5, 1.0 or 1.0 mg/kg and vitamin E at the dose rates of 0, 200, 0, 200, 0 or 200 IU/kg, respectively. Group B was also divided into six subgroups B1, B2, B3, B4, B5 and B6, which were fed on inorganic selenium at dose rates of 0.25, 0.25, 0.5, 0.5, 1.0 or 1.0 mg/kg and vitamin E at the dose rates of 0, 200, 0, 200, 0 or 200 IU/kg, respectively. Group C (control) received no selenium or vitamin E. Parameters studied were haemagglutination inhibition antibody titre against Newcastle disease virus, pathological examination of lymphoid organs, lymphoid organs weight/body weight ratio and growth traits. Results showed that the effects of organic selenium supplementation were better than that of inorganic selenium. Moreover, the effects of organic or inorganic selenium with vitamin E were better than the supplementation of organic or inorganic selenium without vitamin E.

The present project was carried out to study the effects of acute and chronic mercury intoxication in Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella). For acute phase experiment, 48 fish were divided into four equal groups (A, B, C and D). Groups B, C and D were given HgCl2 at sublethal dose as 0.4, 0.5 and 0.6 mg/L, respectively, while group A acted as control. Skin, gills and kidneys were isolated from the fish after 48 and 96 hours for pathological studies. For chronic phase, 72 fish were divided into five groups (E, F, G, H and I), containing 12 fish each except group E which contained 24 fish. Groups F, G, H and I were given HgCl2 at sublethal dose of 0.3 mg/L for 4, 8, 12 and 16 days, respectively, while group E acted as control. Skin, gills and kidneys were isolated from each group (F, G, H and I) after 4, 8, 12 and 16 days respectively for pathological studies. During chronic phase in the treatment groups normal histology of epidermis was disturbed with increased number of immature cells. Overall, skin layers were atrophied and withered. Histopathology of gills showed hyperplasia of epithelial cells of gill filaments, fusion of secondary lamellae giving a club shaped appearance of filaments and contraction and sloughing of respiratory epithelium in groups F, G, H and I. Histopathological examination of kidneys also showed a wide range of toxicity lesions and destruction in treatment groups (F, G, H and I). Disintegration and disorganization of cells of both renal and haemopoitic systems including dilatation of capillaries and thickening of basal lumen were observed. Mild to sever tubular epithelial degeneration, karyolysis, dilation and shrinkage of Bowman’s capsule and glomerulus were also observed. In chronic phase experiment, fish showed clinical signs including restlessness, difficult breathing, fin flickering and jerky movements. Suppressed growth rate was also observed in treatment groups (F, G, H and I). During acute phase, after 48 hours, these histopathological lesions were absent in all the groups in all the organs. But after 96 hours, these respective lesions in respective organs were usually of mild, moderate and severe nature in groups B, C and D, respectively. It was concluded that mercury intoxication not only resulted in marked histopathological changes and abnormal clinical signs but also depressed growth rate of fish.

One hundred and sixty one-day-old layer chicks were divided into four experimental groups A, B, C and D, with 40 birds in each group. Group A was kept as control (non-vaccinated), group B was given vaccine but not medicated, group C was administered vaccine as well as multivitamins for 3 days post-vaccination, while group D was also medicated with aspirin for 3 days post-vaccination. The parameters studied were: heterophil/lymphocyte ratio, serum biochemical analysis (serum protein, glucose and cholesterol), antibody response against infectious bursal disease virus (IBDV). At the end of experiment (42nd day) adrenal glands from 10 randomly selected birds from each group were subjected to gross and histopathological examination and adrenal/body weight ratio was also determined. The results showed non significant difference among different groups. However, the group that was given multivitamins showed maximum immune response against IBDV, while the aspirin therapy did not show any significant difference. It can be concluded that vaccine produced undetectable stress in layer chicks and the vitamin supplementation evidently showed as an immuno-potentiating effect

The present project was carried out to study the effect of experimental yolk sac infection with Staphylocvccus aureus on immune status of broiler chicks. For this purpose, one hundred day-old chicks were divided into two groups A and B. having fifty chicks each. Confirmed pathogenic isolate of Staphylocvccus aureus was inoculated into the yolk of each chick of group A. while group B acted as control group. Parameters studied included pathological examination of yolk sac, yolk sac weight/body) weight ratio, antibody titres against Newcastle disease virus (NDV) in serum and yolk and analysis of fractional serum proteins, Results showed that yolk sac weight/body weight ratio was higher with marked pathological changes (abnormal colour, consistancy and odour) were also observed in unabsorbed yolks of the infected group. Geometric mean titres of maternal antibodies against NDV were significantly lower in serum but higher in unabsorbed yolks of infected group than in control one. Sodium dodecyl sulphate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) was used for serum protein analysis and percent area covered by each protein fraction was calculated. The percent area covered by most serum protein fractions was lower in infected chicks than the control chicks. It was therefore concluded that yolk sac infection (omphalitis) with Staphylocvccus aureus led to decline in the immunity.

This project was aimed to evaluate immunostimulatory effects of three therapeutic substances in broilers suffering from infectious bursal disease (IBD). For this purpose, 150 chicks were divided into five equal groups i.e. A, B, C, D and E having 30 birds each. Group A, B, C and D were challenged with infectious bursal disease virus. There were three immunostimulatory treatments i.e. levamisole (group A), vitamin E (group B), and bursinex (group C). Groups D and E were untreated control. Bursa body weight index, histopathology of bursa of Fabricius, plasma cell counting in Harderian gland and estimation of antibody response against infectious bursal disease virus was recorded. Vitamin E played a major role in improving the condition of birds suffering from infectious bursal disease, as it showed increased bursa body weight index (BBIx), less histopathological lesions in bursa of Fabricius, increased number of plasma cells in Harderian gland and high antibody response in infectious bursal disease infected broilers as compared to levamisole and bursinex. Levamisole played a minor role in improving condition of birds, while bursinex did not seem to be much effective against infectious bursal disease virus in this study.

Salicylic acid (SA) has an established role in inducing plant tolerance against various environmental stresses including salinity. It initiates a stress signalling cascade that modulates plant physiological processes such as up-regulation of antioxidants, osmotic adjustment and nutrient uptake, thus resulting in a better adaptation during stress. In the present study, two-week-old plants of three spinach (Spinacia oleracea) varieties (All green, Desi palak and Lahori palak) were foliar-sprayed with SA (0, 1 and 2 mM) and NaCl (0, 200 and 300 mM). Results show that NaCl application significantly reduced growth parameters, photosynthetic pigment contents, plant water status, while increased lipid peroxidation, reactive oxygen species and Na uptake in a dose-dependent manner. SA treatment significantly counteracted the salinity-induced damaging effects in all spinach varieties by up-regulating the uptake of K ions and the antioxidant machinery. Overall, our data depicted that SA is a vital player in inducing salinity tolerance in spinach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Byline: T. Aslam, Z. Batool, N. Hashmi and K. Aslam ABSTRACT God has gifted human beings with six major power of senses, if any one of these is absent or [...]

Abstract: Aims: The study was planned to characterize Planomicrobium sp. MSSA‐10 for plant‐beneficial traits and to evaluate its inoculation impact on physiology of pea plants under different salinity levels. Methods and Results: Strain MSSA‐10 was isolated from pea rhizosphere and identified by the analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequence. The strain demonstrated phosphate solubilization and auxin production up to 2 mol l−1 NaCl and exhibited 1‐aminocyclopropane‐1‐carboxylic acid deaminase activity up to 1·5 mol l−1 salt. In an inoculation experiment under different salinity regimes, a significant increase in growth was observed associated with decreased levels of reactive oxygen species and enhanced antioxidative enzyme activities. The strain also promoted the translocation of nutrients in plants with subsequent increase in chlorophyll and protein contents as compared to noninoculated plants. It has been observed that rifampicin‐resistant derivatives of MSSA‐10 were able to survive for 30 days at optimum cell density with pea rhizosphere. Conclusion: Growth‐stimulating effect of MSSA‐10 on pea plants may be attributed to its rhizosphere competence, nutrient mobilization and modulation of plant oxidative damage repair mechanisms under saline environment. Significance and Impact of the study: Planomicrobium sp. MSSA‐10 might be used as potent bioinoculant to relieve pea plants from deleterious effects of salinity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a one-year record of in situ air-quality data from nine sites throughout Saudi Arabia. The data set is composed of hourly measurements of ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and carbon monoxide (CO) at six of the largest cities in Saudi Arabia (Riyadh, Jeddah, Makkah, Yanbu, Dammam, Hafouf) and two remote locations in the mountainous southwestern region of Alsodah for the year 2007. The authors found that international O3and CO standards were routinely exceeded throughout the year at many sites, and that exceedances increased during Ramadan (Sep. 12 – Oct. 13), the Islamic month of fasting when much of normal daily activity is shifted to nighttime hours. In general NO2and CO levels were higher in Saudi cities compared to U.S. cities of comparable population, while O3levels were lower. There was a general trend for O3and NO2to be negatively correlated in Saudi cities in contrast to U.S. cities where the correlation is positive, suggesting that ozone chemistry in Saudi Arabia is limited by volatile organic compound emissions. This may be caused by low biogenic emissions from vegetation. Pollutant levels were lower at most Saudi sites during the four day Hajj period (Dec. 18–21) but higher in Makkah which receives millions of visitors during Hajj. The authors also found that ozone levels were elevated during the weekend (Thursday & Friday) relative to weekday levels despite lower NO2, a phenomenon known as the “weekend effect.” As little air quality data is available from Saudi Arabia in the English-language literature, this data set fills a knowledge gap and improves understanding of air quality in an important but under-reported region of the world. Implications:Air quality measurements at nine sites in Saudi Arabia provide a detailed look at spatial and temporal patterns of ozone (O3), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and carbon monoxide (CO). NO2 and CO levels increased in most cities during the fasting month of Ramadan, whereas O3 levels decreased. This led to an increased frequency of CO exceedances based on international standards. NO2 and CO also increased in Makkah during the Hajj pilgrimage. In general, NO2 and O3 levels were anticorrelated at most sites, suggesting that O3 chemistry is limited by volatile organic compound emissions throughout much of Saudi Arabia. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Atmospheric deposition is a global and increasing threat to ecosystem function. Here, we analyzed bulk and wet deposition of inorganic N, total phosphorus (TP) and δ15N of NH4-N and NO3-N at three sites in Nanjing from March 2010 to February 2012. Results showed that bulk deposition fluxes of inorganic N and TP averaged 54.82 kg N ha-1 year-1 and 1.82 kg P ha-1 year-1, respectively. The N/P bulk deposition ratio reached 30/1, leading ecosystems toward P-limitation. Wet deposition fluxes of inorganic N and TP were 25.65 kg N ha-1 year-1 and 1.29 kg P ha-1 year-1, respectively, suggesting the potential contribution of inorganic N from dry deposition. Based on the δ15N values of NH4-N and NO3-N and model results, we found that chemical fertilizers and animal manures contributed to the reduced N deposition and fossil fuel and soil emissions contributed to the oxidized N deposition, depending upon the time and site. Agriculture sector contributed almost twice as industry while animal manures contributed significantly within agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Air pollution has been an increasing concern within the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and other Middle Eastern countries. In this work the authors present an analysis of daily ozone (O3), nitrogen oxide (NOx), and particulate matter (<10 μm aerodynamic diameter; PM10) concentrations for two years (2010 and 2011) at sites in and around the coastal city of Jeddah, as well as a remote background site for comparison. Monthly and weekly variations, along with their implications and consequences, were also examined. O3within Jeddah was remarkably low, and exhibited the so-called weekend effect—elevated O3levels on the weekends, despite reduced emissions of O3precursors on those days. Weekend O3increases averaged between 12% and 14% in the city, suggesting that NOx/volatile organic compound (VOC) ratios within cities such as Jeddah may be exceptionally high. Sites upwind or far removed from Jeddah did not display this weekend effect. Based on these results, emission control strategies in and around Jeddah must carefully address NOx/VOC ratios so as to reduce O3at downwind locations without increasing it within urban locations themselves. PM10concentrations within Jeddah were elevated compared with North American cites of similar climatology, though comparable to other large cities within the Middle East.Implications:Daily concentrations of O3, PM10, and NOx in and around the city of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, are analyzed and compared with those of other reference cities. Extremely low O3 levels, along with a significant urban weekend effect (higher weekend O3, despite reduced NOx concentrations), is apparent, along with high levels of PM10 within the city. Urban O3 in Jeddah was found to be lower than that of other comparable cities, but the strong weekend effect suggests that care must be taken to reduce downwind O3 levels without increasing them within the city itself. Further research into the emissions and chemistry contributing to the reduced O3 levels within the city is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present clinical study was undertaken as a single blind placebo controlled study to determine the efficacy of the test drug in the treatment of chronic bronchitis as there is no curative treatment available for chronic bronchitis in modern medicine. Unani compound formulation i.e. Sharbat-e-Unsul Murakkab and placebo were given in the two groups of 20 diagnosed patients in each, of chronic bronchitis during winter cough in Unani OPD Majeedia Hospital, New Delhi. The clinical, hematological and biochemical changes were observed and recorded accordingly. The response in patients of acute exacerbation of chronic bronchitis, using a patient directed diary card incorporating sputum characteristics and symptoms were assessed. The study revealed that the test drug is safe and significantly reduced the signs and symptoms of chronic bronchitis in comparison to placebo i.e. cough, sleep disturbance, sputum purulence, volume, viscosity, Rhonchi, Dyspnoea, and PEFT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Collectively, man-made emissions of a few greenhouse gases may cause about the same amount of global warming as increasing carbon dioxide. Among the most potent of these non-CO[sub2] greenhouse gases are the periluorocarbons that have extraordinarily long atmospheric lifetimes of 10 000 to more than 50 000 yr. We report atmospheric concentrations over two decades, between 1978 and 1997, of the three most abundant perfluorocarbons - CF[sub4], C[sub2]F[sub6], and C[sub3]F[sub8]-and delineate the sources that account for the present abundances and trends. We show that C[sub2]F[sub6] and C[sub3]F[sub8] are present at only 2.9 and 0.2 pptv, respectively. CF[sub4] is the most abundant perfluorocarbon at 74 pptv (in 1997) of which about 40 pptv are from natural emissions, 33 pptv from aluminum manufacturing, and 1 pptv from the semiconductor industry. The increasing trend of CF[sub4] has slowed in recent years due to the major reductions in the emission rate per ton of aluminum produced. The effect of the falling emission factor is partially offset by increased production and increasing use by the semiconductor industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Antirrhinum majus, pal-rec, an allele of the pallida series, is considered to be involved in anthocyanin production. The pal-rec gene normally mutates autonomously from the recessive condition to the dominant giving fully pigmented Pal spots on a colorless background. The Sfm element, when inserted at the pal locus, destabilizes the activity of the pal-rec gene in such a way that the repressor ( Sf) component abolishes gene activity in almost all of the cell lineages, whereas the mutator ( m) acts to release full gene expression in some of the cells. Such a flip-flop control of the pal-rec results in what is known as shifting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]