Identification of resistance to Sugarcane mosaic virus, Sugarcane streak mosaic virus, and Sugarcane bacilliform virus in new elite sugarcane accessions in India.

Sugarcane mosaic and leaf fleck diseases are significant viral diseases affecting sugarcane crops in India. The use of resistant sugarcane varieties is considered the most economical and effective approach to manage viral diseases, especially in vegetatively propagated crops such as sugarcane. Sugarcane mosaic virus (SCMV) and Sugarcane streak mosaic virus (SCSMV) are the primary pathogens responsible for mosaic disease in sugarcane-growing regions of India. Sugarcane bacilliform virus (SCBV), causing leaf fleck disease, is also often found in mixed infections with mosaic symptoms. The study aimed to identify new sources of resistance by screening sugarcane germplasm for resistance to SCMV, SCSMV, and SCBV. The screening was carried out under high inoculum using the infector row method in both plant and ratoon crops. Out of 129 genotypes tested, only 8 were found to be free of mosaic viruses, indicating a rare occurrence of resistant sources. The study revealed that mosaic disease is widespread, with nearly 95% of tested varieties/genotypes being infected with mosaic viruses. SCMV, SCSMV, and SCBV were detected in 121 out of 129 genotypes using the RT-PCR and PCR assays. Based on their response to the viruses, the tested genotypes were categorized into different resistance grades: highly resistant (grade 1), resistant (grade 2), moderately resistant (grade 3), susceptible (grade 4), and highly susceptible (grade 5). The results of the study provide valuable information about elite resistance resources that can be used for the prevention and control of mosaic disease. These resistant genotypes could also serve as potential donors for mosaic and leaf fleck disease resistance in breeding programs.

Characterization of Mungbean yellow mosaic India virus genome with a recombinant DNA-B in Southern Peninsular India.

BACKGROUND: Mungbean yellow mosaic India virus (MYMIV) is a representative of the genus begomovirus/Begomoviridae, which is prevalent in the northern part of Indian subcontinent causing yellow mosaic disease (YMD). This virus is rapidly evolving and breaking the resistance in the advanced lines causing huge economic losses in the pulse production. In this context, the present investigation on characterization of the causal organism of YMD was undertaken METHODS AND RESULTS: A novel recombinant isolate (YMV-BG-BPT) causing YMD was identified from blackgram in Andhra Pradesh, southern peninsular region of India. The association of a bipartite begomovirus with the disease was done by sequence analyses of the cloned full-length genome. The full length genome sequences were submitted in NCBI GenBank with accession numbers MZ235792 (DNA-A) and MZ356197 (DNA-B). The sequence analysis of DNA-A of YMV-BG-BPT showed maximum of 99.12% similarity at nucleotide level with Mungbean yellow mosaic India virus (MYMIV) isolate reported from Tamil Nadu (KC911719), India which is also confirmed by clustering pattern in phylogenic analysis and DNA-B showed 95.79% with Mungbean yellow mosaic virus (MYMV) isolate reported from Tamil Nadu (KP319016) and 95.05% with MYMIV isolate reported from Karnataka (MT027037). The huge variation in DNA-B lead us to suspect a recombination in DNA-B, where a recombination event in the CR, region coding for nuclear shuttle protein and movement protein of DNA B was detected in which MYMV-BG-AP-IND (KF928962) and MYMIV-GG-CH-IND (MN020536) have been identified as major and minor parents, respectively. CONCLUSION: Overall, the present study revealed occurrence of MYMIV with recombinant DNA B component in southern peneinsular India.

Protective effect of Allium sativum (garlic) aqueous extract against lead-induced oxidative stress in the rat brain, liver, and kidney.

The present investigation was undertaken to evaluate the ameliorative activity of Allium sativum against lead-induced oxidative stress in the brain, liver, and kidney of male rats. Four groups of male Wistar strain rats (100-120 g) were taken: group 1 received 1000 mg/L sodium acetate and group 2 was given 1000 mg/L lead acetate through drinking water for 2 weeks. Group 3 and 4 were treated with 250 mg/kg body weight/day of A. sativum and 500 mg/kg body weight/day of A. sativum, respectively, by oral intubation for a period of 2 weeks along with lead acetate. The rats were sacrificed after treatment and the brain, liver, and kidney were isolated on ice. In the brain, four important regions namely the hippocampus, cerebellum, cerebral cortex, and brain stem were separated and used for the present investigation. Blood was also drawn by cardiac puncture and preserved in heparinized vials at 4 °C for estimation of delta-aminolevulinic acid dehydratase (ALAD) activity. The results showed a significant (p < 0.05) increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipid peroxidation products (LPP), total protein carbonyl content (TPCC), and lead in the selected brain regions, liver, and kidney of lead-exposed group compared with their respective controls. Blood delta-ALAD activity showed a significant (p < 0.05) decrease in the lead-exposed rats. However, the concomitant administration of A. sativum resulted in tissue-specific recovery of oxidative stress parameters namely ROS, LPP, and TPCC. A. sativum treatment also restored the blood delta-ALAD activity back to control. Overall, our results indicate that A. sativum administration could be an effective antioxidant treatment strategy for lead-induced oxidative insult.

Occiput/C1-C2 fixations using intra-laminar screw of axis - A long-term follow-up.

BACKGROUND: The surgical management of the craniocervical junction is challenging. Rigid posterior fixation of occiput/C1-C2 can be performed using a variety of surgical techniques including C2 pedicle/pars interarticularis, transarticular and intralaminar screw fixations. METHODS: Forty-one patients were treated with occipital plate/C1 lateral mass and C2 intra-laminar screw fixations for basilar invagination and congenital atlantoaxial subluxation, post-traumatic instability, tuberculous and rheumatoid arthritis-associated atlantoaxial dislocation. Out of forty-one, thirty-six patients had bilateral crossing intra-laminar screws and five had ipsilateral laminar screw fixation bilaterally. RESULTS: Follow-up was done in thirty-nine patients from 6 months to 8 years (mean: 21 months) and solid osseous fusion could be achieved in all (100%). One patient was lost to follow-up and another patient died of a cause unrelated to surgical technique. Pre-operative and post-operative Neurosurgical Cervical Spine Scale showed improvement in all patients having features of myelopathy. There were no neurological or vascular complications. However, nine patients had posterior laminar breach, eight had anterior laminar penetrations and three had wound infections. One patient had transient bulbar palsy and one patient had hardware failure in the form of avulsion of the midline occipital plate. CONCLUSIONS: Intra-laminar screw fixation is a safe alternative to transarticular and transpedicular/pars interarticularis fixation of C2 with advantage of having no risk of injury to vertebral artery and comparable biomechanical and pull-out strength.

Efficacy and safety of two polyherbal combinations: E-MA-H and E-MA-HP in male sexual dysfunction.

Efficacy and safety of 2 herbal products--E-MA-H at 2 dose levels, low (HLD) and high (HHD), and E-MA-HP (HP) capsules--versus placebo (PL) was evaluated in subjects with male sexual dysfunction. Males aged 21-60 with erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, or other form of sexual dysfunction were studied in this triple-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-groups trial. Subjects received any one of the following 4 interventions: E-MA-H 2 capsules at night (HLD) for 60 days; E-MA-H 2 capsules twice daily for 30 days, followed by 2 capsules at night for 30 days (HHD); E-MA-HP (HP) 2 capsules twice daily for 60 days; or placebo (PL) 2 capsules twice daily for 60 days. All dosage regimens were standardized to 2 capsules twice daily by using 2 matching placebo capsules as the morning dose for HLD and on days 31-60 for HHD. Efficacy outcome measures were the international index of erectile function; index for premature ejaculation; erectile dysfunction inventory of treatment satisfaction; subjects' and investigators' global assessment. Safety was assessed through adverse events; hematology; blood chemistry. Of 148 subjects enrolled, 1 was excluded from analysis; data on the intention-to-treat population of 147 (PL = 36, HLD = 38, HHD = 37, HP = 36) were analyzed. There was a significant (P < 0.01) increase in the total international index of erectile function score (mean ± SEM) in subjects receiving HLD (16.28 ± 1.39), HHD (15.40 ± 1.22), and HP (18.55 ± 1.36) compared with PL (6.83 ± 1.52). The same pattern was seen with increase in index for premature ejaculation scores: HLD (9.68 ± 1.17), HHD (10.27 ± 1.05), HP (11.36 ± 1.20) versus PL (3.77 ± 1.04). There was no significant difference in effect among the active treatment groups. The incidence of adverse events was similar in all the groups. Laboratory evaluations did not show any clinically significant abnormality in any of the groups. Treatment with HLD, HHD, and HP is well tolerated, and more effective than placebo (P < 0.01), in subjects with erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, and other forms of sexual dysfunction.

Increased lipid peroxidation of erythrocytes in blood stored in polyvinyl chloride blood storage bags plasticized with di-[2-ethyl hexyl] phthalate and effect of antioxidants.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Previous work in this laboratory has shown significant decrease in vitamin E in erythrocytes in blood stored in polyvinyl chloride (PVC) bags plasticized with di-[2-ethyl hexyl] phthalate (DEHP), and in erythrocytes incubated in vitro with DEHP. Since vitamin E is a major antioxidant, a study was carried out to find out whether this decrease observed in vitamin E has an effect on lipid peroxidation in blood stored in DEHP-plasticized PVC blood bags. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Blood was collected in Penpol blood storage bags (which is a DEHP-plasticized PVC bag) and parameters of lipid peroxidation, i.e. activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, concentration of malondialdehyde (MDA), conjugated dienes, hydroperoxides, glutathione and vitamin E studied in erythrocytes after various periods of storage as compared to glass bottles. Erythrocytes were also incubated in vitro with DEHP with and without vitamin E, and changes in lipid peroxidation studied. RESULTS: Blood stored in Penpol bags showed increased lipid peroxidation in erythrocytes as compared to that stored in glass bottles, as is evident from a greater increase in MDA and a greater decrease in glutathione and a significant decrease in vitamin E. The addition of vitamin E decreased the formation of MDA and conjugated dienes and prevented the decrease in vitamin E. However in spite of increased lipid peroxidation in the presence of DEHP, the release of K+ and hemoglobin from erythrocytes was lower. When there was an increase in DEHP taken up by erythrocytes, there was a corresponding decrease in vitamin E. More important, whenever there was an increase in vitamin E in erythrocytes (when RBCs in the presence of DEHP were incubated with vitamin E), there was a progressive decrease in DEHP. CONCLUSION: DEHP caused increased lipid peroxidation in erythrocytes. At the same time, it decreased the release of K+ and hemoglobin from erythrocytes. It is possible that the stabilizing effect of DEHP on the erythrocyte membrane may offset the detrimental effects of the increased lipid peroxidation it causes.