Frequency of group A rotavirus with mixed G and P genotypes in bovines: predominance of G3 genotype and its emergence in combination with G8/G10 types

The present study describes the genotypic distribution of rotaviruses (RVs) in an Indian bovine population with unexpectedly higher proportions of G3 alone or in combination of G8/G10. PCR-genotyping confirmed that 39.4% (13/33) of the prevalent RVs were the G3 type while 60.6% (20/33) were dual G3G10 or G3G8 types. P typing revealed that 93.9% (31/33) of the samples were P[11] while 6.1% (2/33) possessed a dual P[1]P[11] type. Sequence analysis of the VP7 gene from G3 strains viz. B-46, 0970, and BR-133 showed that these strains had sequence identities of 90.5% to 100% with other bovine G3 strains. The highest identity (98.9% to 100%) was observed with RUBV3 bovine G3 strains from eastern India. The G3 strains (B-46, 0970, and BR-133) showed 97.5% to 98.8% sequence homologies with the Indian equine RV strain Erv-80. Phylogenetic analysis demonstrated that G3 strains clustered with bovine RUBV3 and J-63, and equine Erv-80 G3. Overall, these results confirmed that the incidence of infection by RVs with the G3 genotype and mixed genotypes in the bovine population was higher than previously predicted. This finding reinforces the importance of constantly monitoring circulating viral strains with the G3 genotype in future surveillance studies.

Antifungal Activity of Securinine against Some Plant Pathogenic Fungi

The alkaloid securinine was assessed against spore germination of some plant pathogenic and saprophytic fungi (Alternaria alternata, Alternaria brassicae, Alternaria brassicicola, Curvularia lunata, Curvularia maculans, Curvularia pallenscens, Colletotrichum musae, Colletotrichum sp., Erysiphe pisi, Helminthosporium echinoclova, Helminthosporium spiciferum, Heterosporium sp.). Spore germinations of all the tested fungi were inhibited. Alternaria brassicicola, C. lunata, C. pallenscens and H. spiciferum were highly sensitive as complete inhibition of spore germination was observed at very low concentrations (200 ppm).

Effect of 1-corydalmine,an Alkaloid Isolated from Corydalis chaerophylla Roots on Spore Germination of Some Fungi

1-Corydalmine,an alkaloid isolated from roots of Corydalis chaerophylla inhibited spore germination of some plant pathogenic as well as saprophytic fungi e.g. Alternaria brassicae, A. brassicicola, A. solani, Curvularia lunata, C. maculans, C. sp., C. pallscens, Erysiphe pisi, Fusarium udum, Helminthosporium species,H. penniseti and a Heterosporium species. 1-Corydalmine significantly inhibited spore germination of all the fungi at 100 to 1500 ppm. It was effective against all the fungi at 1500 ppm. C. lunata was highly sensitive to this chemical even at 250 ppm.

Antifungal Activity of Nor-securinine Against Some Phytopathogenic Fungi

Crude extracts and active principles from medicinal plants have shown potential role in controlling plant diseases in glasshouses as well as in fields as one of the safest and ecofriendly methods. The effect of nor-securinine (an alkaloid) isolated from Phyllanthus amarus has been seen against spore germination of some fungi (Alternaria brassicae, A. solani, Curvularia pennisetti, Curvularia sp., Erysiphe pisi, Helminthosporium frumentacei) as well as pea powdery mildew (Erysiphe pisi) under glasshouse conditions. The sensitivity of fungi to nor-securinine varied considerably. Nor-securinine was effective against most of the fungi. H. frumentacei was more sensitive even at the lowest concentration (1,000 microg/ml). Likewise conidia of E. pisi were also inhibited in partially or completely appressorium formation. Pre-inoculation treatment showed greater efficacy than post-inoculation in inhibiting powdery mildew development on pea plants in a glasshouse. Maximum inhibition occurred at 2000 microg/ml

Antifungal Activity of Narceine Methyl Ester and Narceine Isolated from Corydalis longipes Against Some Phytopathogenic Fungi

Narceine methyl ester and narceine are potent alkaloids which were isolated from Corydalis longipes were found effective in vitro at very low concentration, i.e., 100~500 ppm against spore germination of some test plant pathogenic fungi (Alternaria solani, A. tagetica, Cercospora abelmoschi, Curvularia maculans, Erysiphe cichoracearum, E. pisi, Fusarium udum, Helminthosporium oryzae, H. penniseti, Ustilago cynodontis). Among the test, phytopathogens the spores of F. udum, C. maculans and H. penniseti were highly sensitive at 200 ppm. However, spores of E. pisi, A. solani and A. tagetica were less sensitive at low concentration followed by other test fungi. Most of the fungi showed zero or nearly zero percent spore germination at 400 and 500 ppm.

Severe perinatal asphyxia: incidence, risk facrors and short-term outcome in a regional hospital in Oman

This study was aimed to document the incidence, risk factors and short-term outcome of severe perinatal asphyxia in a regional referral hospital in Oman. Of the 7487 babies delivered in our hospital during a 3-year period [1999-2001], 61 [8.2 per thousand] suffered severe perinatal asphyxia. Twenty One other severely asphyxiated babies, delivered elsewhere, were referred to us for care. The identified risk factors in all these 82 babies comprised mainly of complications of labour or delivery [in 53 babies, 66%], low birth weight [in 24 babies, 29%] and maternal disease [17 instances, 21%]. Some babies had multiple risk factors. Eighteen [22%] of the babies died, 15 [18%] survived but with residual neurodeficit, while 49 [60%] survived apparently intact. Predictors of an adverse outcome included an Apgar score of zero at one minute, or less than 4 at 5 minutes, low birth weight, and cerebral oedema or haemorrhage. Infants of primiparous mothers also fared poorly. We conclude that perinatal asphyxia is still a significant problem in our practice area. Many of the risk factors are potentially preventable. But attainment of that goal requires sustained health education, continuing improvements in the health services, and a change in societal attitude, especially in terms of reproductive demands on women

Effect of the Mixture of Two Plant Alkaloids Isolated from Corydalis longipes Against Balsam Powdery Mildew on Detached Leaves and Pea Powdery Mildew in Field

N-Methylhydrasteine hydroxylactam and 1-methoxyberberine chloride, both alkaloids, extracted from Corydalis longipes have been assayed for their activities against two powdery mildews. The spore germination of Erysiphe cichoracearum on detached leaf of balsam(Impatiens balsaminia) following pre- and post-inoculation treatments by their mixture has shown high efficacy against the pathogen at 100, 200 and 300 microg/ml. The mixture was also effective at both pre- and post-inoculation treatments at 500, 1000, 1500 microg/ml doses against E. pisi causing pea powdery mildew in pea(Pisum sativum) under field conditions. The significant efficacy of the mixture of two compounds against spore germination on detached leaves of balsam and also under field conditions in pea warrants its inclusion in trials against some other diseases under field conditions.

Inhibitory Effect of Two Alkaloids, (-)-Corydalmine and (-)-Isocorypalmine Isolated from Corydalis chaerophylla on Several Phytopathogenic Fungi

Medicinal plants play important roles in controlling plant diseases as one of the safest and ecofriendly methods. These plants have been used in the form of crude extracts as well as active principles in vitro and under field conditions to control plant diseases. Among the active principles, alkaloids have shown significant antifungal activity. We have investigated the effect of two alkaloids viz., (-)-corydahnine and (-)-isocorypahnine isolated from Corydalis chaerophylla, against spore germination of some plant pathogenic and saprophytic fungal spores. Significant inhibition of spore germination at 100 microg/ml was seen against Curvularia penniseti, Curvularia sp. and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides by (-)-corydahnine but (-)-isocorypalmine was also effective against fungi included in the experiment.

Severe perinatal asphyxia: Incidence, risk factors and short-term outcome in a regional hospital in Oman

This study was aimed to document the incidence, risk factors and short-term outcome of severe perinatal asphyxia in a regional referral hospital in Oman. Of the 7487 babies delivered in our hospital during a 3-years period [1999-2001], 61 [8.2 per thousand] suffered severe perinatal asphyxia. Twentyone other severely asphyxiated babies, delivered elsewhere, were referred to us for care. The identified risk factors in all these 82 babies comprised mainly of complications of labour or delivery [in 53 babies, 66%], low birth weight [in 24 babies, 29%] and maternal disease [17 instances, 21%]. Some babies had multiple risk factors Eighteen [22%] of the babies died, 15 [18%] survived but with residual neurodeficit, while 49 [60%] survived apparently intact. Predictors of an adverse outcome included an Apgar score of zero at one minute, or less than 4 at 5 minutes, low birth weight, and cerebral oedema of haemorrhage. Infants of primiparous mothers also fared poorly. We conclude that perinatal asphyxia is still a significant problem in our practice area. Many of the risk factors are potentially preventable. But attainment of that goal requires sustained health education, continuing improvements in the health services, and a change in societal attitude, especially in terms of reproductive demands on women

Effect of Ent-norsecurinine, an Alkaloid, on Spore Germination of Some Fungi

The inhibitory activity of ent-norsecurinine alkaloid was evaluated against spore germination of some plant pathogenic fungi (Curvularia maculans, Curvularia species, C. palliscens, Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, Colletotrichum species, Alternaria solani, A. brassicae, Fusarium udum, Helminthosporium echinoclova and H. penniseti). It inhibited spore germination of all the test fungi. C. maculans, C. species, and C. palliscens were the most sensitive as complete inhibition of spore germination was observed at 1000 ppm. A. solani was not inhibited by this chemical.

Antifungal Activity of Chaerophylline and Berberine Hydroxide Isolated from Corydalis Species

Chaerophylline and berberine hydroxide, both being alkaloids, isolated from Corydalis chaerophylla and C. longipes respectively were assayed against spore germination of some fungi, e.g. Alternaria solani, A. brassicola, A. brassicicola, Helminthosporium penniseti, Helminthosporium sp., Heterosporium sp., Curvularia penniseti, C. maculens and C. palliscens. While chaerophylline inhibited spore germination of most of the fungi at 1000 ppm, being also effective at 50, 100, 200 and 500 ppm, berberine hydroxide was significantly effective at much lower concentration, i.e., 400 ppm against several fungi. This compound was also effective against some fungi at 50, 100, 150, 200 ppm. There was 100% inhibition of spore germination in several fungi at highest concentration of both the compounds. Some of the fungi showed similar results even at lower concentrations.