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In this study, the fungus Fusarium Brachygibbosum isolate FIR 16_ITS was isolated for the first time from infection wheat plants in Iraq, during the winter of 2018, in AL-Tewatha region- 20 Km south east of Baghdad. To verify the identity of the species of F. brachygibbosum isolate FIR 16_ITS with growth symptoms on the wheat plants, we obtained wheat seeds and tissue plants and used as a source for the re-isolation of the infection agent. F. brachygibbosum isolate FIR 16_ITS was hardly identified using visual approach. However, a molecular technique in verifying species of F. brachygibbosum isolate FIR 16_ITS is important. The isolate obtained was used for the extraction of DNA and later used for the molecular identification and phylogenetic analyses based on rDNA-internal transcribed region (ITS) primer sets. We successfully obtained the amplified products of the ITS-rDNA region, and sequence analysis indicated that the Fusarium sp. isolate FIR 16_ITS species screened in this study belonged to the species F. brachygibbosum, and was recorded in the NCBI under the following information NCBI; BioSample; Accession no.; SAMN11408139; ID: 11408139 and NCBI; BioProject; Accession no.; PRJNA532637; ID: 679434 (Locus Tag Prefix; E7750).

The fundamental aim of this study is to establish the role of anti-oxidant supplementation in alleviating acute amitriptyline induced oxidative stress. The effect of supplementation was compared on treatment of acute amitriptyline intoxication cases for pain management, with Alpha lipoic acid (ALA) alone or with vitamin C, with that of healthy individuals (Group I), and those receiving only routine standard treatment (RST) as control (Group II). Total of 132 human subjects divided into 5 groups were supplemented with either placebo, RST, RST with Vitamin C, RST with ALA, or RST with Vitamin C and ALA. Results of this study revealed that the decrease in the level of oxidative stress and enzyme activity was observed among those supplemented with either Alpha lipoic acid alone or along with vitamin C, with a slightly more decrease in the latter group. P value

Objective: To study the effect of Antioxidants supplementation in reducing oxidative stress induced in acute amitriptyline poisoning cases. Design and methods: We compared the effect of supplementation of treatment of acute amitriptyline poisoning cases with alpha lipoic acid alone or with vitamin C, with that of those receiving only routine standard treatment (RST) as a control group.A total of 132 subjects divided into 5 groups were selected from IMCU (Intensive Medical Care Unit) and Toxicology Ward, Govt. General Hospital, Chennai, India. The study was restricted to grade 1 coma in poisoned subjects per the Edinburg scale. Each of the subjects was in the groups were supplemented with either placebo, RST, RST with vitamin C, RST with ALA, or RST with vitamin C and ALA.Acute anti-depressant poisoning (especially with amitriptyline) induced oxidative stress caused lipid peroxidation. Plasma cholinesterases (chE) play a major role in combating this effect. A determination of the level of cholinesterase (chE) acts as an indirect indicator of the level of oxidative stress and a measure of the efficacy of antioxidant supplementation. Plasma cholinesterase estimation was done by colorimetric method. The change in color of the indicator bromothymol blue caused by the liberated acetic acid from cholinesterase read by spectrophotometer at 620 nm was used to determine the levels of cholinesterase. Result: A decrease in the level of oxidative stress was observed among those supplemented with either alpha lipoic acid alone or along with vitamin C, with a slightly more decrease in oxidative stress in the latter group. A p-value of

Deubiquitinases (DUBs) are a family of enzymes that regulate the ubiquitin signaling cascade by removing ubiquitin from specific proteins in response to distinct signals. DUBs that belong to the metalloprotease family (metalloDUBs) contain Zn2+ in their active sites and are an integral part of distinct cellular protein complexes. Little is known about these enzymes because of the lack of specific probes. Described here is a Ub‐based probe that contains a ubiquitin moiety modified at its C‐terminus with a Zn2+ chelating group based on 8‐mercaptoquinoline, and a modification at the N‐terminus with either a fluorescent tag or a pull‐down tag. The probe is validated using Rpn11, a metalloDUB found in the 26S proteasome complex. This probe binds to metalloDUBs and efficiently pulled down overexpressed metalloDUBs from a HeLa cell lysate. Such probes may be used to study the mechanism of metalloDUBs in detail and allow better understanding of their biochemical processes.

Proteins and other macromolecules can be delivered into live cells by noninvasive techniques using cell-penetrating peptides. These peptides are easily synthesised by solid-phase peptide synthesis and can be conjugated onto cargo molecules to mediate cellular delivery. We designed a TAT-based cell-penetrating ubiquitin (Ub) reagent by conjugating a dimeric disulfide-linked TAT peptide to the C terminus of a rhodamine-labelled Ub (RhoUb) protein. This reagent efficiently enters the cell by endocytosis and escapes from endosomes into the cytoplasm. Once the conjugate is inside the cytoplasm, the delivery vehicle is proteolytically removed by endogenous deubiquitinases (DUBs), at which point the intrinsic ubiquitination machinery is able to incorporate the RhoUb into ubiquitin conjugates. Our approach enables the controlled delivery of labelled or mutant Ub derivatives into cells, increasing our options for studying the ubiquitin system.

Ubiquitin (Ub) signaling is a diverse group of processes controlled by covalent attachment of small protein Ub and polyUb chains to a range of cellular protein targets. The best documented Ub signaling pathway is the one that delivers polyUb proteins to the 26S proteasome for degradation. However, studies of molecular interactions involved in this process have been hampered by the transient and hydrophobic nature of these interactions and the lack of tools to study them. Here, we develop Ub-phototrap (UbPT), a synthetic Ub variant containing a photoactivatable crosslinking side chain. Enzymatic polymerization into chains of defined lengths and linkage types provided a set of reagents that led to identification of Rpn1 as a third proteasome ubiquitin-associating subunit that coordinates docking of substrate shuttles, unloading of substrates, and anchoring of polyUb conjugates. Our work demonstrates the value of UbPT, and we expect that its future uses will help define and investigate the ubiquitin interactome.

Ubiquitin (Ub) is a small post-translational modifier protein involved in a myriad of biochemical processes including DNA damage repair, proteasomal proteolysis, and cell cycle control. Ubiquitin signaling pathways have not been completely deciphered due to the complex nature of the enzymes involved in ubiquitin conjugation and deconjugation. Hence, probes and assay reagents are important to get a better understanding of this pathway. Recently, improvements have been made in synthesis procedures of Ub derivatives. In this perspective, we explain various research reagents available and how chemical synthesis has made an important contribution to Ub research.

A simple protocol for obtaining pure, restrictable and amplifiable megabase genomic DNA from oil-free seed residue of Brassica napus, an important oil seed plant, has been developed. Oil from the dry seeds was completely recovered in an organic solvent and quantified gravimetrically followed by processing of the residual biomass (defatted seed residue) for genomic DNA isolation. The isolated DNA can be cut by a range of restriction enzymes. The method enables simultaneous isolation and recovery of lipids and genomic DNA from the same test sample, thus allowing two independent analyses from a single sample. Multiple micro-scale oil extraction from the commercial seeds gave approximately 39% oil, which is close to the usual oil recovery from standard oil seed. Most of the amplified fragments were scored in the range of 2.5 to 0.5 kb, best suited for scoring as molecular diagnostics.

Post-translational modification of proteins with ubiquitin (Ub) and Ub chains controls protein breakdown by the proteasome, cellular localization of proteins, transcriptional activity, and DNA repair.[1] Ubiquitin is a highly conserved 76 amino acid protein that can be linked to target proteins through an isopeptide bond between the C-terminal carboxylate of Ub and the ɛ-amine of a lysine residue or N terminus of the target protein. Ubiquitin is able to form chains by self-conjugation onto any of its seven lysine residues (namely, K6, K11, K33, K27, K29, K48, and K63). Although all the linkages have been identified in cells,[2] only K48 and K63 linkages have been thoroughly studied so far. The conjugation of ubiquitin requires the concerted action of E1, E2, and E3 enzymes, defined combinations of which provide specificity for the protein target and the nature of the Ub chain topoisomers. The E1 enzyme initiates the cascade by activating Ub at the expense of ATP to form an E1-Ub thioester between the cysteine residue of the E1 active site and the C-terminal carboxylate of Ub. This E1-Ub thioester serves as a donor of activated Ub that then enters the complex enzymatic conjugation cascade.

In the present study a new acridone derivatives were synthesized. The newly synthesized compounds were characterized by IR, NMR and C, H, N, S analyses. All newly synthesized compounds were screened for their antibacterial ( Staphylococcus aureus , Streptococcus viridans and Escherichia coil ) and antifungal ( Gibberela , Cercospora arachidicola , Physolospora piricola and Fusarium oxysporum ) studies. The results revealed that all synthesized compounds have a significant biological activity against the tested microorganisms.

Background Eosinophils are characteristic participants in allergic inflammation. The intracellular signalling mechanisms involved in the migration of eosinophils to sites of allergic inflammation are poorly understood. Chemotactic responses of eosinophils to platelet-activating factor (PAF), but not eotaxin, have been demonstrated to be dependent upon the activation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) but the specific isoform of PI3K involved has not been identified. Objective To determine the roles of the leukocyte-specific PI3Kγ and PI3Kδ isoforms of PI3K in PAF-induced chemotaxis of human eosinophils. Methods Chemotactic responses of the EoL-1 eosinophilic cell line and human peripheral blood eosinophils were measured. The effects of a PI3Kγ-selective inhibitor (5-[2,2-difluorobenzo(1,3)dioxol-5-ylmethylene]-thiazolidine-2,4-dione; AS604850) and gene knock-down of PI3Kγ and PI3Kδ on chemotactic responses were determined. Results AS604850 caused a concentration-dependent suppression of chemotactic responses of EoL-1 cells and blood eosinophils to PAF but not eotaxin. Specific siRNAs reduced the expression of PI3Kγ and PI3Kδ in EoL-1 cells. Knock-down of PI3Kγ by siRNA resulted in a 75% inhibition of the chemotactic response to PAF but had no effect on the response to eotaxin. Knock-down of endogenous PI3Kδ by siRNA resulted in a 38% inhibition of the chemotactic response to PAF but had no effect on the response to eotaxin. Conclusion PI3Kγ plays a major role in the induction of chemotaxis in PAF-stimulated eosinophils, while PI3Kδ plays a lesser role. Interventions which reduce the activity of PI3Kγ may have therapeutic potential in allergic diseases.

Leaf curl disease poses a major constraint to chilli (Capsicum annuum) production in Pakistan. In October 2014, chilli plants exhibiting geminivirus-like symptoms, including leaf curling and stunting were observed at the National…

The finding of neonatal whale sharks from Northern Indian Ocean waters off of Pakistan and Bangladesh and the description of several very small whale sharks from around Seychelles during the last few years are reported. These findings are discussed in relation to published reports of growth rates, the areas of occurrence and segregation by sex, and the behaviour of very young whale sharks, which are key factors in their conservation management.

Monoclonal antibodies raised against particles of African Cassava mosaic virus, Indian Cassava mosaic virus or Okra leaf curl virus were used to test samples collected in Pakistan from begomovirus-infected plants. Epitope profiles obtained from cucurbits resembled those previously reported for Pakistani begomoviruses. In contrast, epitope profiles obtained from legumes showed little diversity and were quite distinct from these. DNA with nucleotide sequences typical of begomovirus DNA A components was amplified from selected mungbean samples. Comparisons of the sequences of the amplified DNA with other begomovirus DNA A sequences and phylogenetic analysis revealed that the Pakistani mungbean viruses were isolates of the species Mungbean yellow mosaic India virus, which together with Mungbean yellow mosaic virus represents a distinct lineage of Old World begomoviruses.

Twenty buffaloes clinically positive for mastitis were selected for the collection of milk samples. Staphylococcus aureus , Streptococcus agalactiae and Escherichia coli were isolated from milk of mastitic buffaloes according to the procedures recommended by National Mastitis Council Inc., USA. The composite antigen containing S. aureus , Str. Agalactiae and E. coli was then prepared and the concentration of each isolate was adjusted to 1 x 10 9 cells / ml. To evaluate the antibody response, nine adult healthy rabbits were divided randomly into three groups (A, B and C) consisting of 3 rabbits each. Composite antigen preparation was injected subcutaneously to the rabbits of groups A and B @ 0.2 ml / rabbit while each rabbit of group C inoculated with 0.2 ml normal saline and served as control. The rabbits of group B were given a booster dose at day 15 of the primary injection to see the secondary antibody response. The level of antibodies specific to S. aureus, Str. agalactiae and E. coli were assayed by indirect haemagglutination test (HA) and finally geometric mean titre (GMT) was calculated. At day 0 to 15, it was observed that the antibody titre was almost same in both groups. At day 30 significant difference in antibody titres was observed between group A and B with GMT of 9.8 against S. aureus , and Str. agalactiae in group A whereas in group B GMT was 97.0 against S. aureus and 39.4 against Str. agalactiae which was higher than group A. The GMT against E. coli was 12.1 and 24.3 in group A and B, respectively. At day 45 and 60 there was progressive decrease in antibody titre against Str. agalactiae in group B. The antibody titre against S. aureus first increased at day 45 and then decreased at day 60 whereas the antibody titre against E. coli remained persistent till day 60 in rabbits of group B. Furthermore, the primary antibody response to E. coli of composite antigen was higher (GMT, 12.1 at day 15) compared with S. aureus and Str. agalactiae (GMT, 9.8 at day 15) whereas the secondary antibody response to S. aureus was higher (GMT, 128) compared with Str. agaiactiae and E. coli (GMT, 24.3 at day 45).

Three new tetra-Schiff bases were synthesized and characterized to be used as photostabilizers for poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) films. The photostability of PVC films (40 μm thickness) in the presence of Schiff bases (0.5 wt %) upon irradiation (300 h) with a UV light (λmax = 365 nm and light intensity = 6.43 × 10−9 ein∙dm−3∙s−1) was examined using various spectroscopic measurements and surface morphology analysis. The changes in various functional groups’ indices, weight and viscosity average molecular weight of PVC films were monitored against irradiation time. The additives used showed photostability for PVC films, with Schiff base 1 being the most effective additive upon irradiation, followed by 2 and 3. The atomic force microscopy (AFM) images for the PVC surface containing Schiff base 1 after irradiation were found to be smooth, with a roughness factor (Rq) of 36.8, compared to 132.2 for the PVC (blank). Several possible mechanisms that explain PVC photostabilization upon irradiation in the presence of tetra-Schiff bases were proposed.

Summary. A stock culture of cotton leaf curl virus from Pakistan (CLCuV-PK), was transmitted by whiteflies (Bemisia tabaci) to seven plant species, including French bean, okra, tobacco and tomato, and caused vein thickening and leaf curl symptoms. It was readily detected in triple antibody sandwich ELISA (TAS-ELIS A) by 11 out of 31 monoclonal antibodies raised against the particles of three other geminiviruses: African cassava mosaic, Indian cassava mosaic and okra leaf curl viruses. Reaction strength was enhanced when the tissue extraction fluid contained sodium sulphite. Minor variations in epitope profile were found among virus isolates from cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) collected from different districts in Pakistan over a 5-year period. These epitope profiles were distinguishable from that of cotton leaf curl virus from G. barbadense in southern India but indistinguishable from the profiles of viruses causing yellow vein disease of okra in India or Pakistan, or leaf curl of okra {Abelmoschus esculentus), Hibiscus tiliaceus, radish or sunflower in Pakistan, suggesting that these plants are putative natural hosts of CLCuV-PK. The viruses in cotton, and in okra with leaf curl or yellow vein symptoms, were also detected by PCR with three pairs of CLCuV-PK-specific primers. Five additional whitefly-transmitted geminiviruses were found among isolates from 11 other naturally-infected species in Pakistan, and were distinguished by their epitope profiles. These viruses were associated, respectively, with tobacco leaf curl, squash yellow blotch, tomato yellow leaf curl, watermelon leaf crinkle and soybean yellow mosaic diseases. The first four of these viruses were detected readily by PCR with geminivirus general primers but only weakly, if at all, with two pairs of CLCuV-PK-specific primers. Pakistani crops are infected with a range of distinguishable but relatively closely related whitefly-transmitted geminiviruses, some of which resemble those found in India.

Stenotrophomonas maltophilia is a commonly isolated organism from human clinical specimens and is gaining significance as a pathogen in immunocompromised patients and nosocomial infections. In most cases it is difficult to establish the source of human infections. In veterinary medicine, S. maltophilia is not generally considered a primary pathogen. In the present study, we report the occurrence of 16 cases of caprine abscess from which S. maltophilia was isolated in pure culture from 15 animals. In six animals, the abscesses were confined to the pre-scapular lymph nodes but in the remaining nine, the cutaneous abscesses were multiple and extended from the neck to the inguinal area. The possibility is suggested that goats in Oman, which often live in close proximity to humans, might potentially serve as a reservoir of infection.

Ubiquitin (Ub) and ubiquitin-like proteins (Ubls) form a family of small and highly conserved post-translational modifiers that become linked to target proteins and thus modulate their function (such as degradation, trafficking and signalling).1 The linkage between a Ub(l) and a target protein most frequently consists of an isopeptide bond between the C-terminal carboxylate of Ub(l) and the e-amine of a lysine residue. Ub(l) ligation requires the concerted action of enzymes E1, E2 and E3, defined combinations of which provide specificity for the protein target.2 Next to human Ub, 17 Ubls from nine phylogenetic classes have been reported.3 Each has its own discrete conjugation and deconjugation enzymes and has a distinct effect on its cellular target. The best-studied Ubls are Nedd8 and SUMO. For example, neddylation of cullin–RING E3 ligases is required for their enzymatic activity.4 The three human SUMO proteins (SUMO-1, SUMO-2 and SUMO-3) are conjugated to diverse target proteins, thereby often altering their interaction with other proteins through interactions between SUMO and SUMO-binding motifs.5

The objective of the study was to identify shoot and root uptake of chromium (Cr) for screening tree species and recommend the best Cr accumulator. Both trivalent and hexavalent Cr species at four concentration levels 0 (control), 10, 100 and 1000 ppm were used as treatments. The growing medium was prepared by mixing 3:3:1:1, forest soil, local soil, manure, and sand, respectively. The parts of Ricinus communis showed a very good Cr storage capacity followed by Millittia ferruginea and Eucalyptus camaldulensis . The parts accumulate nearly the same amount of Cr in all the species. With regard to the uptake of Cr, Ricinus communis was the most efficient in its accumulation capacity as it was found in this study to contain with the highest level of Cr per gram of dry matter. Keywords: Chromium; Eucalyptus camaldulensis ; Millittia ferruginea ; Ricinus communis

Summary Ubiquitin-specific proteases (USPs) are papain-like isopeptidases with variable inter- and intramolecular regulatory domains. To understand the effect of these domains on USP activity, we have analyzed the enzyme kinetics of 12 USPs in the presence and absence of modulators using synthetic reagents. This revealed variations of several orders of magnitude in both the catalytic turnover ( k cat ) and ubiquitin (Ub) binding ( K M ) between USPs. Further activity modulation by intramolecular domains affects both the k cat and K M , whereas the intermolecular activators UAF1 and GMPS mainly increase the k cat . Also, we provide the first comprehensive analysis comparing Ub chain preference. USPs can hydrolyze all linkages and show modest Ub-chain preferences, although some show a lack of activity toward linear di-Ub. This comprehensive kinetic analysis highlights the variability within the USP family.

Cryptococcus gattii is a fungal pathogen that can cause life-threatening respiratory and disseminated infections in immune-competent and immune-suppressed individuals. Currently, there are no standardized vaccines against cryptococcosis in humans, underlying an urgent need for effective therapies and/or vaccines. In this study, we evaluated the efficacy of intranasal immunization with C. gattii cell wall associated (CW) and/or cytoplasmic (CP) protein preparations to induce protection against experimental pulmonary C. gattii infection in mice. BALB/c mice immunized with C. gattii CW and/or CP protein preparations exhibited a significant reduction in pulmonary fungal burden and prolonged survival following pulmonary challenge with C. gattii. Protection was associated with significantly increased pro-inflammatory and Th1-type cytokine recall responses, in vitro and increased C. gattii-specific antibody production in immunized mice challenged with C. gattii. A number of immunodominant proteins were identified following immunoblot analysis of C. gattii CW and CP protein preparations using sera from immunized mice. Immunization with a combined CW and CP protein preparation resulted in an early increase in pulmonary T cell infiltrates following challenge with C. gattii. Overall, our studies show that C. gattii CW and CP protein preparations contain antigens that may be included in a subunit vaccine to induce prolonged protection against pulmonary C. gattii infection.

Adult worms of Wuchereria bancrofti, or rather their characteristic movements (the 'filarial dance'), can now be detected in the scrotal lymphatics of microfilaraemic males, using ultrasonography. This ability has been used to delineate the lymphatic pathology of bancroftian filariasis, guide the surgical removal of the adult worms and, most importantly, assess the macrofilaricidal effects of antifilarial drugs. In the present study, the first report of the use of ultrasonography in brugian filariasis, 22 men (aged 18-62 years) with 60-2972 (median = 370) Brugia malayi microfilariae/ml blood were subjected to ultrasonography using a linear, 7.5-MHz probe. In addition, four other men (aged 19-35 years), with W. bancrofti microfilaraemia [28-524 (median = 234) microfilariae/ml], were similarly examined. Adult worms were not detectable in any of the patients with B. malayi parasitaemia but were detected in the scrotal lymphatics of two of the four individuals with W. bancrofti infection. The reasons for the failure to detect adult B. malayi and the limitations of ultrasound as a screening tool are examined. The results highlight the differences between the two species that cause most lymphatic filariasis and the need for rapid development of tools that can be used for the control of brugian lymphatic filariasis.

Sperm whales (Physeter macrocephalus) occur frequently in stranding records worldwide. However, none have been reported along the Pakistani coastline to date. This paper documents the first reported stranding of a sperm whale on the Pakistani coast. Ultimately, this finding is important in the planning of Pakistan's Biodiversity Action Plan and its National Conservation Strategy for marine mammals.

The presence of Frankia strains in soil samples collected from northern areas of Pakistan was detected by inoculating Coriaria nepalensis and Datisca cannabina plants. The abundance of compatible Frankia strains in some areas was indicated by profuse nodulation of the host plants, whereas soil samples from other localities failed to result in nodulation. An oligonucleotide probe (COR/DAT) directed against the 16S rRNA gene of the endophytes of Coriaria and Datisca spp. that did not cross-react with the RNA gene of Frankia strains isolated from other hosts was developed. Genetic diversity among Frankia strains nodulating D. cannabina was determined by sequence analysis of the partial 16S rRNA gene amplified from nodules induced by soil samples from different localities by PCR. Four types of Frankia sequences and one non-Frankia sequence were detected by hybridization with a Frankia genus probe and the COR/DAT probe as well as by sequence analysis of the cloned PCR products.

During spring 2005–06 chickpea plants (cvs Desi and Kabuli) were found to be affected by a previously undescribed disease in Pakistan. Symptoms consisted of proliferation of branches with smaller leaflets, giving a bushy appearance to the plants. Affected plants were scattered in the field and were more easily spotted at flowering and podding time. The flowers developed abnormal green structures (phyllody) instead of normal flowers. At the time of crop maturity when the healthy plants were drying the diseased plants in the field were conspicuously green. Tissue samples from plants with and without symptoms were examined using a transmission electron microscope to ascertain if the disease was associated with a phytoplasma. Typical pleomorphic bodies (phytoplasma) mostly spherical to oval of a size ranging from 200–600 nm were observed only in the sieve elements of affected samples. The bodies had opaque, low electron density cytoplasm that contained ribosome like granules, DNA-strand-like structures and lacked nuclear membranes, similar to previously reported phytoplasmas (Ajayakumar et al ., 2007). Such bodies were absent from healthy samples, from xylem cells, phloem parenchyma cells and companion cells of affected plants. In addition, DNA was extracted from plants with symptoms and amplified using the universal phytoplasma PCR primers P1/P7 followed by R16F2n/R16R2. PCR products were characterized by RFLP analysis and partial sequencing. All these samples gave a 1250 bp PCR product and the RFLP profile associated with 16SrII phytoplasmas, and partial sequencing confirmed that the phytoplasma had the greatest homology to 16SrII phytoplasmas. Koch’s postulates were followed using 5-week-old chickpea plants grown in pots inoculated by grafting. A set of control plants was kept without grafting. Phyllody symptoms similar to those observed in the field started to develop after 25–35 days in graft-inoculated plants while no disease symptoms were observed on control plants. Chickpea has been grown in Pakistan for many years without any reported incidence of phyllody. The presence of phytoplasma disease in chickpea presents a new threat to the chickpea in Pakistan. Previously the disease was found in Ethiopia, India, Myanmar (Ghanekar et al ., 1988); Australia (Saqib et al ., 2005) and Oman (Al-Saady et al ., 2006). This is the first report of chickpea phyllody disease in Pakistan.

Nitrogen-fixing peanut root nodules are characterized by their unique structural organization, distinct from other legume nodules. The focus of this study has been in and around the hostsymbiont interface, where the bacterioid and the host cell surface (peribacteroid membrane envelope) interact during symbiosis. The infected nodule cells have revealed the presence of lipid bodies (oleosomes) in intimate association with the peribacteroid membrane, which encloses the large spherical bacteroids with a relatively narrow peribacteroid space. Electron dense structures, referred to as dense bodies have been found attached to the bacteroid outer membranes at the host-symbiont interface. The dense bodies are osmiophilic, amorphous and 3,3′-diaminobenzidine positive. The isolated intact bacteroids with dense bodies attached to their cell wall showed significant catalase activity. Many microbodies showing DAB-positive reaction have been found in the host cytoplasm, associated closely with the peribacteroid membrane. These ultrastructural and cytochemical characteristics of peanut root nodules suggest that lipids are utilized during symbiosis and the dense bodies and microbodies may be involved in the catabolic process.

This paper deals with the diatoms from Upper Mustang Trans-Himalaya Region, Nepal.Key words: Algae, Diatoms, Upper Mustang Trans-Himalaya, NepalDOI: 10.3126/on.v7i1.2583Our Nature (2009) 7:243-247

Serum Cholinesterase (ChE) and Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH) were estimated in 11 cases of histologically proven malignancy of Larynx (8) and Nasal Cavity (3). Results depicted a significant difference (P less than 0.05) in enzyme levels when compared with healthy controls (20). The levels of serum ChE decreased and that LDH increased in cases of malignancy. However, no significant difference was obtained when malignancy of larynx was compared to that of nasal cavity. There was a significant difference (P less than 0.05) in the values of these enzymes, between localized cases and those which had metastasized.