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The photo-irradiated based biosynthesis of nanoparticles is an eco friendly approach for research interest in nanotechnology. Silver nanoparticles are frequently formed by chemical processes which are toxic and flammable in nature, hence this research study is reported on an environmentally friendly photo-irradiation based process of antibacterial silver nanoparticles by using gui hua (Osmanthus Fragrans) leaves, an ever green shrub with strong fragrance. Gui hua a bio-organism present in leaves extracts, that is eco friendly and contains flavonoids which act as reducing agent by forming stable and controlled shape silver nanoparticles. Formation and characterization of photo- irradiated biosynthesised silver nanoparticles were confirmed by UV-vis spectroscopy, X-Rays Diffraction, Energy-Dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) and Transmission Electron Microscope (TEM) period. The antibacterial activity of synthesised silver nanoparticles in the presence of bacterial strains E.coli and S. aureus are studied by well diffusion method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cereals are the major contributors to global food supply, accounting for more than half of the total human calorie requirements. Sustainable availability of quality cereal grains is an important step to address the high-priority issue of food security. High concentrations of heavy metals specifically lead (Pb) in the soil negatively affect biochemical and physiological processes regulating grain quality in cereals. The dietary intake of Pb more than desirable quantity via food chain is a major concern for humans, as it can predispose individuals to chronic health issues. In plant systems, high Pb concentrations can disrupt several key metabolic processes such as electron transport chain, cellular organelles integrity, membrane stability index, PSII connectivity, mineral metabolism, oxygen-evolving complex, and enzymatic activity. Plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) has been recommended as an inexpensive strategy for remediating Pb-contaminated soils. A diverse group of Ascomycetes fungi, i.e., dark septate endophytes is successfully used for this purpose. A symbiotic relationship between endophytes and host cereal induces Pb tolerance by immobilizing Pb ions. Molecular and cellular modifications in plants under Pb-stressed environments are explained by transcription factor families such as bZIP, ERF, and GARP as a regulator. The role of metal tolerance protein (MTP), natural resistance-associated macrophage protein (NRAMP), and heavy metal ATPase in decreasing Pb toxicity is well known. In the present review, we provided the contemporary synthesis of existing data regarding the effects of Pb toxicity on morpho-physiological and biochemical responses of major cereal crops. We also highlighted the mechanism/s of Pb uptake and translocation in plants, critically discussed the possible management strategies and way forward to overcome the menace of Pb toxicity in cereals.

This study was designed to evaluate the effect of thioglycol in extender on post-thaw quality of Nili-Ravi buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) bull spermatozoa. Semen from three buffalo bulls was collected at weekly intervals (three replicates; two ejaculates per bull per replicate) and qualifying ejaculates (n=18) were cryopreserved in extenders containing thioglycol at 0.0 or 0.5 or 1.0mM. Sperm motility (%; visually), plasma membrane integrity, (%;supravital hypo-osmotic swelling test), viability (%;dual staining technique using Trypan blue and Giemsa stains) and DNA integrity (%;acridine orange test) was assessed at 0, 2 and 4 hour post-thaw. Sperm motility, plasma membrane integrity and viability of buffalo bull spermatozoa were improved in a dose dependent manner with the supplementation of thioglycol at 0.5 mM and 1.0mM compared control. Sperm DNA integrity was similar (P>0.05) in extenders containing 0.5 mM and 1 mM thioglycol that remained higher (P < 0.05) than the values of DNA integrity in control. It is concluded that 1.0mM thioglycol in extender improved the motility, plasma membrane integrity, viability and DNA integrity of buffalo bull spermatozoa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contents Cryopreservation process reduces lipids and phospholipids from buffalo bull spermatozoa. It was therefore hypothesized that supplementation of fatty acid to extender may improve the post-thaw quality of buffalo semen. The objective was to evaluate the effect of arachidic acid supplementation in extender on post-thaw quality of buffalo bull ( Bubalus bubalis) spermatozoa. Semen was collected from three adult Nili-Ravi buffalo bulls of similar age group with artificial vagina (42°C) for 3 weeks (replicate). Qualified semen ejaculates (n = 18) were split into four aliquots and diluted in tris -citric acid extender containing 0.0 (control), 5.0, 10.0 and 20.0 ng/ml at 37°C having approximately 50 × 106 spermatozoa/ml. Diluted semen was cooled to 4°C in 2 h and equilibrated for 4 h at 4°C. Cooled semen was filled in 0.5-ml straws at 4°C, kept on liquid nitrogen vapours for 10 min and plunged in liquid nitrogen for storage. Thawing of frozen semen was performed after 24 h at 37°C for 30 s. Sperm progressive motility (%) was improved in a dose-dependent manner by supplementing arachidic acid at 5.0, 10.0 and 20.0 ng/ml compared with control. Structural and functional integrity of sperm plasma membrane (%), number of acrosome-intact live sperm (%) and sperm chromatin integrity (%) were better (p < 0.05) in extender having 5.0 ng/ml of arachidic acid compared with control. At 10.0 ng/ml, these values did not vary (p > 0.05) from those at 5.0 ng/ml. Further improvement in structural and functional integrity of sperm plasma membrane, number of acrosome-intact live sperm and chromatin integrity was observed at 20.0 ng/ml of arachidic acid in extender. In conclusion, arachidic acid supplementation in extender improved the post-thaw quality parameters of cryopreserved Nili-Ravi buffalo bull spermatozoa. Among the arachidic acid concentrations studied, maximum improvement in post-thaw semen quality parameters was observed at 20.0 ng/ml. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Increased levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere and associated climatic variability is primarily responsible for inducing heat waves, flooding and drought stress. Among these, water scarcity is a major limitation to crop productivity. Water stress can severely reduce crop yield and both the severity and duration of the stress are critical. Water availability is a key driver for sustainable cotton production and its limitations can adversely affect physiological and biochemical processes of plants, leading towards lint yield reduction. Adaptation of crop husbandry techniques suitable for cotton crop requires a sound understanding of environmental factors, influencing cotton lint yield and fiber quality. Various defense mechanisms e.g. maintenance of membrane stability, carbon fixation rate, hormone regulation, generation of antioxidants and induction of stress proteins have been found play a vital role in plant survival under moisture stress. Plant molecular breeding plays a functional role to ascertain superior genes for important traits and can offer breeder ready markers for developing ideotypes. This review highlights drought-induced damage to cotton plants at structural, physiological and molecular levels. It also discusses the opportunities for increasing drought tolerance in cotton either through modern gene editing technology like clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeat (CRISPR/Cas9), zinc finger nuclease, molecular breeding as well as through crop management, such as use of appropriate fertilization, growth regulator application and soil amendments.

Contents Egg yolk is routinely used as a cryoprotectant in semen extenders. However, it may contain cryoprotective antagonists, and there are hygienic risks associated with its use. Proteins of plant origin, like soya-lecithin, lack these hazards. The aim of this study was to use soya-lecithin as a cryoprotectant in extender and to investigate its effects on in vitro quality and in vivo fertility of buffalo semen. Semen from three buffalo bulls was frozen in tris-citric extender containing 5.0%, 10% or 15% soya-lecithin or 20% egg yolk. Sperm motility, plasma membrane integrity and viability were assessed post-dilution, pre-freezing and post-thaw. In Post-dilution and pre-freezing, the values for motility, plasma membrane integrity and viability remained higher (p ≤ 0.05) in extenders containing 10% soya-lecithin and control compared with extender containing 5% and 15% soya-lecithin. However, motility, plasma membrane integrity and viability were higher (p < 0.05) in extender containing 10% soya-lecithin compared with control and extenders containing 5% and 15% soya-lecithin. Semen from two buffalo bulls was frozen in tris-citric extender containing either 10% soya-lecithin or 20% egg yolk. Higher (p < 0.05) fertility rate was recorded in buffaloes inseminated with semen containing 10% soya-lecithin (56%) compared with 20% egg yolk (41.5%). The results suggest that 10% soya-lecithin in extender improves the freezability and fertility of buffalo bull spermatozoa and can be used as an alternate to egg yolk in cryopreservation of buffalo semen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Epidemiologic shift with rising incidence of Crohn's disease (CD) has been reported in recent studies. Aims: To determine disease behaviour and therapeutic interventions undertaken in newly diagnosed patients with CD. Methods: Patients diagnosed with CD between January 2006 and June 2008 were included. Disease type, location, degree of involvement and type of therapeutic interventions were recorded. Results: A total of 78 patients were included. Colonic, ileo-colonic, terminal ileal and isolated small bowel disease were present in 37, 27, 9 and 5 patients, respectively. Disease phenotype was inflammatory, stenosing and fistulising in 42, 30 and 6 patients, respectively. Surgery was required in 22 patients, including right hemicolectomy ( n = 8), subtotal colectomy ( n = 4), segmental colonic resection ( n = 2), segmental small bowel resection ( n = 2), appendectomy ( n = 2) and perianal surgery ( n = 4). Fourteen patients underwent surgery at the time of diagnosis. Laparoscopic surgery was performed in 14 patients. Conclusions: A significant proportion of newly diagnosed patients with CD underwent surgical intervention on their first admission to hospital. This may signify a changing trend in the management approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a study on Sprague-Dawley rats to determine the adverse impact of excessive alcohol consumption during pregnancy in newborn children. It particularly assess the pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) and ethanol effects on Bax, Bcl-2 expression, as well as the protective impact of vitamin C against PTZ and apoptotic neurodegeneration in primary-cultured neuronal cells. It claims that high alcohol consumption can cause fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS).

To observe the modulatory role of GABAB1R upon ethanol's effect during early brain development, we studied the effects of chronic maternal (10% ethanol during pregnancy) and acute (in vitro) ethanol exposure on the neuronal protein kinase A (PKA-α) and phosphorylation of cAMP-response element binding protein (p-CREB), using a system where GABAB1R were specifically knocked down in the primary cells cultured at gestational day (GD) 12.5. The results showed that upon acute and chronic ethanol treatment the GABAB1R expression was decreased and further decreased when GABAB1R was transfection with siRNA, while increased upon exposure of baclofen, and baclofen plus phaclofen treatment. PKA expression was also decreased with acute and chronic ethanol treatment, whereas it showed increase upon exposure of baclofen and baclofen with phaclofen. Furthermore, intracellular Ca2+ concentration was increased upon ethanol, baclofen, phaclofen exposure but showed decrease in GABAB1R siRNA group. Finally, these effects could lead to changes of p-CREB expression, which showed same expression pattern as PKA. We speculate that GABABR activity upon ethanol exposure could modulate intracellular calcium homeostasis and the expressional changes of PKA and p-CREB, which cause various negative effects on fetal brain development and modulation of GABABR upon ethanol exposure may underlying cause of ethanol's effects. Synapse, 2011. © 2010 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study on the effect of mineral supplementation on post partum ovarian activity in Nili-Ravi buffaloes. The study examined a group of buffaloes that received minerals 10 more than NRC recommended. It investigated progesterone (P4), oestradiol (E2), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), zinc (zn) and manganese (Mn) in blood serum of the animals. The results showed the first post partum increase in P4 in the non-mineral supplemented group (NMS) and the mineral supplemented group (MSG).

GABAB receptors (R) are widely expressed and distributed in the nervous system, and have been implicated in variety of neurodegenerative and pathophysiological disorders. However, the exact molecular mechanism regarding responsibility of GABAB1R in downstream signaling pathway is not well understood. The present study was undertaken to explore the downstream signaling and role of GABAB1R upon acute ethanol and pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) exposure for (20 min) in cortical and hippocampal neuronal cell cultures by using GABAB1R RNA interference (i) (30 nM, 48 h) at gestational days 17.5. The results showed that GABAB1R and protein kinase A-α (PKA) showed decreased expression upon ethanol and PTZ exposure in cortical and hippocampal neurons during transfected and nontransfected conditions, whereas these effects could lead to significant changes in phosphorylation of cAMP-response element binding protein (p-CREB) expression where GABAB1R was knocked down. Furthermore, intracellular Ca+2 concentrations were also reduced in some groups after transfection with GABAB1R RNAi. These results showed a critical role of GABAB1R upon ethanol and PTZ exposure by modulating downstream signaling pathway. Finally, these findings suggested that inhibition of GABAB1R results in the modulation of PKA, p-CREB pathway may play a role in long-term changes in the nervous system, and may be an underlying cause of ethanol's effects. Synapse 64:181-190, 2010. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Contents The present study was designed to study the effect of traditional antibiotic combination (streptomycin and penicillin; SP) and relatively modern combination of antibiotics (gentamycin, tylosin, lincomycin and spectinomycin; GTLS) in extender on bacterial control and spermatozoal quality of liquid buffalo bull semen stored at 5°C. Semen collected from Nili-Ravi buffalo bulls (n = 10) was diluted with skim milk extender containing either SP (streptomycin 1000 μg/ml and penicillin 1000 IU/ml), GTLS (gentamycin 500 μg/ml, tylosin 100 μg/ml, lincomycin 300 μg/ml and spectinomycin 600 μg/ml) or negative control with no antibiotics (NA). Liquid semen was stored at 5°C for 5 days. Aerobic bacteria isolated from buffalo semen were Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus. The only facultative anaerobic bacterium isolated was Klebsiella pneumoniae. In vitro antibiotic sensitivity test revealed that Ps. aeruginosa and Staph. aureus were susceptible to gentamycin. Staphylococcus aureus and K. pneumoniae were susceptible to tylosin and linco-spectinomycin. Total aerobic bacterial count was significantly lower in semen samples treated with GTLS than those of SP on third and fifth day of storage at 5°C. There was no difference (p > 0.05) in sperm motility, longevity and plasma membrane integrity (PMI) in extender containing SP or GTLS combination until the third day of storage at 5°C. On fifth day of storage sperm motility, longevity and PMI was significantly better in extender containing SP compared with GTLS and NA. Intact acrosomes, and sperm head, mid piece and tail abnormalities remained similar (p > 0.05) because of antibiotics up to 5 days of storage. In conclusion, GTLS is more capable than SP for bacterial control of buffalo bull semen. Moreover, GTLS and SP are equally efficient in preserving spermatozoal quality of extended buffalo bull semen for 3 days at 5°C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]