Prevalence of plasmid mediated pesticide resistant bacterial assemblages in crop fields.

Three crop fields namely, paddy, sugarcane and tomato exposed to bavistin [Methyl (1H-benzimidazol-2-yl) carbomate], monocrotophos [Dimethyl (E)-1-methyl-2-(methyl-carbamoyl) vinyl phosphate] and kinado plus [(EZ)-2-chloro-3-dimethoxyphosphinoyloxy- X1, X1-diethylbut-2-enamide], respectively were chosen for the present investigation to know the bacterial population and degradation of pesticides. The chemical nature of the soil and water samples from the pesticide contaminated fields was analysed along with counting of the total heterotrophic bacteria (THB), Staphylococci and Enterococcci population. Mean calcium, phosphate and biological oxygen demand were maximum in tomato field water. Field water recorded maximum phophate and silicate content, whereas, sugarcane field water elicited maximum dissolved oxygen content. On the other hand, available phosphate and exchangeable potassium were maximum is sugarcane field soil. Significant variations in the bacterial population were evident between the treatments in sugarcane field soil and tomato field water exposed to monocrotophos and kinado plus, respectively. In addition, significant variations between THB, Staphlyococci and Enterococci population were also evinced in both the sugarcane and tomato fields. The dominant pesticide resistant bacteria, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis and Pseudomonas aeuroginosa harboured plasmids and the resistant trait observed were found to be plasmid borne.

Antioxidant activity of Arthritin--a polyherbal formulation.

In complete freund's adjuvant induced arthritis in male albino rats, a significant increase in serum lipid peroxidase besides increase in paw swelling and a significant decrease in superoxide dismutase, glutathione peroxidase and total reduced glutathione levels were observed. Arthritin produced a marked reversal of these enzyme levels, besides a significant reduction in paw swelling. The results suggest that, the polyherbal formulation 'Arthritin' exerts its effects by modulating lipid peroxidation and enhancing anti-oxidant and detoxifying enzyme systems.

Low prevalence of antibody to human herpesvirus-6 (HHV-6) in Kadazans.

The prevalence of antibody to human herpesvirus type 6 (HHV-6) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) viral capsid antigens (VCA) were analysed in sera from Kadazans of Sabah, North Borneo. At a serum dilution of 10, about 34% were positive for HHV-6 antibody but in contrast all 95 individuals studied were positive for EBV VCA antibody. The study shows that HHV-6 and EBV infection occur independently. The low frequency of seropositive individuals in this community suggests that other than socioeconomic factors are responsible for the spread of the virus.