Identification of mega-environments and rice genotypes for general and specific adaptation to saline and alkaline stresses in India.

In the present study, a total of 53 promising salt-tolerant genotypes were tested across 18 salt-affected diverse locations for three years. An attempt was made to identify ideal test locations and mega-environments using GGE biplot analysis. The CSSRI sodic environment was the most discriminating location in individual years as well as over the years and could be used to screen out unstable and salt-sensitive genotypes. Genotypes CSR36, CSR-2K-219, and CSR-2K-262 were found ideal across years. Overall, Genotypes CSR-2K-219, CSR-2K-262, and CSR-2K-242 were found superior and stable among all genotypes with higher mean yields. Different sets of genotypes emerged as winners in saline soils but not in sodic soils; however, Genotype CSR-2K-262 was the only genotype that was best under both saline and alkaline environments over the years. The lack of repeatable associations among locations and repeatable mega-environment groupings indicated the complexity of soil salinity. Hence, a multi-location and multi-year evaluation is indispensable for evaluating the test sites as well as identifying genotypes with consistently specific and wider adaptation to particular agro-climatic zones. The genotypes identified in the present study could be used for commercial cultivation across edaphically challenged areas for sustainable production.

Bovine Herpes Virus 1 Major Immediate Early Transcription Unit 1 (IETU-1) Uses Alternative Promoters to Transcribe BICP0 and BICP4 Transcripts.

Immediate early (IE) genes are transcribed immediately after infection in BHV1 from two different immediate early transcription units. It is reported that the immediate early transcription unit I (IE TU1) of Bovine herpesvirus 1 (BHV1) transcribes two proteins BICP0 and BICP4 from a single promoter by alternative splicing but with identical 5'UTR. We found that the transcripts of BICP0 and BICP4 have different 5'UTRs. The bioinformatics analysis shows two similar spatially arranged TATA less promoter for the two transcripts. The bioinformatics analysis also showed a similar promoter for the IE TU2 which transcribes BICP22. The data strongly suggest that BICP0 and BICP4 are transcribed from two different promoters. The transcript produced by each promoter is spliced specifically as opposed to what has been reported earlier. The BICP0 and BICP4 also show different levels of expression. The expression level of BICP4 continuously declines after attaining a peak level at 1 h, while BICP0 shows biphasic expression supporting the earlier observation that it is expressed from two different promoters.

Selection of appropriate isolation method based on morphology of blastocyst for efficient derivation of buffalo embryonic stem cells.

The efficiency of embryonic stem cell (ESC) derivation from all species except for rodents and primates is very low. There are however, multiple interests in obtaining pluripotent cells from these animals with main expectations in the fields of transgenesis, cloning, regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. Researches are being carried out in laboratories throughout the world to increase the efficiency of ESC isolation for their downstream applications. Thus, the present study was undertaken to study the effect of different isolation methods based on the morphology of blastocyst for efficient derivation of buffalo ESCs. Embryos were produced in vitro through the procedures of maturation, fertilization and culture. Hatched blastocysts or isolated inner cell masses (ICMs) were seeded on mitomycin-C inactivated buffalo fetal fibroblast monolayer for the development of ESC colonies. The ESCs were analyzed for alkaline phosphatase activity, expression of pluripotency markers and karyotypic stability. Primary ESC colonies were obtained after 2-5 days of seeding hatched blastocysts or isolated ICMs on mitomycin-C inactivated feeder layer. Mechanically isolated ICMs attached and formed primary cell colonies more efficiently than ICMs isolated enzymatically. For derivation of ESCs from poorly defined ICMs intact hatched blastocyst culture was the most successful method. Results of this study implied that although ESCs can be obtained using all three methods used in this study, efficiency varies depending upon the morphology of blastocyst and isolation method used. So, appropriate isolation method must be selected depending on the quality of blastocyst for efficient derivation of ESCs.

A troodontid dinosaur from the latest Cretaceous of India.

Troodontid dinosaurs share a close ancestry with birds and were distributed widely across Laurasia during the Cretaceous. Hundreds of occurrences of troodontid bones, and their highly distinctive teeth, are known from North America, Europe and Asia. Thus far, however, they remain unknown from Gondwanan landmasses. Here we report the discovery of a troodontid tooth from the uppermost Cretaceous Kallamedu Formation in the Cauvery Basin of South India. This is the first Gondwanan record for troodontids, extending their geographic range by nearly 10,000 km, and representing the first confirmed non-avian tetanuran dinosaur from the Indian subcontinent. This small-bodied maniraptoran dinosaur is an unexpected and distinctly 'Laurasian' component of an otherwise typical 'Gondwanan' tetrapod assemblage, including notosuchian crocodiles, abelisauroid dinosaurs and gondwanathere mammals. This discovery raises the question of whether troodontids dispersed to India from Laurasia in the Late Cretaceous, or whether a broader Gondwanan distribution of troodontids remains to be discovered.

A Cretaceous hoofed mammal from India.

The sedimentary record documenting the northward drift of India (Late Cretaceous to late Early Eocene) has recently provided important clues to the evolution, radiation, and dispersal of mammals. Here, we report a definitive Late Cretaceous (Maastrichtian) archaic ungulate (Kharmerungulatum vanvaleni genus et species nova) from the Deccan volcano-sedimentary sequences exposed near Kisalpuri village in Central India. This find has important implications for the origin and diversification of early ungulates and raises three possible paleobiogeographic scenarios: (i) Archaic ungulates may have been cosmopolitan in distribution. (ii) Kharmerungulatum might be an immigrant from Western Asia. (iii) Archaic ungulates may have originated in India.

In vitro release of PGF(2alpha) from the caprine uterus and the effect of ovarian steroids.

The purpose of the study was to determine the in vitro release of prostaglandin F(2)alpha (PGF(2alpha)) from the uterine tissues of ovariectomized goats after steroid treatment. Strips of endometrial tissues (separated by trypsin treatment) and intact uterine tissues (with endometrium and myometrium) were maintained in organ culture and exposed to estradiol-17beta(E) at 50 ng/ml and to progesterone (P) at 250 pg/ml alone or in combination. The endometrial tissues, in general, continued to release PGF(2alpha) without steroids treatment throughout the 96-h incubation period; their output was consistently higher (based on ng/gm of wet tissue) than the corresponding intact uterine tissues. However, exposure to E reversed this trend and produced a three-fold increase from the intact uterine strips at 24 h. A combined E-plus-P treatment blocked the stimulatory response, whereas P treatment alone evoked a delayed stimulatory response at 48 h. Endometrial tissue reaction was similar to that of P treatment, but it exhibited a more moderated response to E, which could not be blocked by a combined E-plus-P treatment. The results suggest that both endometrial and myometrial tissues release PGF(2alpha) and that this release is regulated by ovarian steroid hormones.

Effect of intrauterine iodine infusion on luteal function and blood PGF2a concentration in cycling goats.

Studies were conducted to determine the effect of iodine infusion on the luteal function of goats, as evident by blood progesterone concentration, and on plasma PGF2a levels. Ten cycling mixed breed goats were synchronized for estrus by PGF2a (5 mg) and given a single intrauterine iodine infusion on day 5 and on day 15 of the estrous cycle. Iodine infusion on day 5 (group II) resulted in shorter estrous length (8.2 days) and a 7-fold increase in plasma PGF2a concentration as compared to control animals (group I) given distilled water infusion. Similar infusion on day 15 (group III), on the other hand, failed to alter the estrous cycle length but induced a moderate increase in PGF2a concentration which lasted only for a brief period. The progesterone levels declined concomitantly as PGF2a levels rose after iodine infusion in group II animals but failed to decline until after 24 hours in group III animals. The studies indicate that the endometrium reacts to the chemical stimuli and releases PGF2a which, in turn, alters the luteal function.

LHRH - Induced ovulation and fertility of anestrous goats.

Seventeen female mature anestrous does were used to study the effect of luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH) on ovulation (Experiment I) and on fertility rate and blood estrogen/progesterone concentrations (Experiment II). Laparotomy after day 8 of treatment with a single injection of LHRH (300 ug) and estradiol cypionate (0.2 mg/kg) revealed evidence of ovulation in two out of three and a developed follicle in the third. Similar treatment to six does in Experiment II, when followed by natural mating with a fertile buck, produced pregnancy in two does, pseudopregnancy in two and no effect (nonpregnancy) in the remaining two animals. The pregnant does had normal parturition after 148 to 150 days of gestation. In pregnant does, blood progesterone levels first showed a gradual increase until day 130 (10.07 ng/ml) and then declined sharply at 48 hours before parturition. Estrogen concentration, on the other hand, failed to increase until day 80, and thereafter it reached a peak (1800 pg/ml) at 24 hours prior to parturition; the level declined sharply at 24 hours after parturition. In pseudopregnant does, progesterone levels remained in close proximity with those of pregnant does until day 90, when they started to decline.

Detection of ovulation in goats by blood prostaglandins concentrations.

Eighteen mature female goats of nondescript breed were randomly assigned equally to 3 treatment groups. Group I goats served as controls, group II goats were treated (IV) with a single dose of 300 micrograms of synthetic luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone (LHRH); group III goats were treated with LHRH (similar to group II) and 24 hours later were given indomethacin (10 mg/kg; IM) which dosing was repeated every 6 hours for the next 90 hours. Blood samples were collected from all animals every 6 hours until 120 hours and assayed for prostaglandin E (PGE) and PGF2 alpha. On days 7 and 8, the animals were surgically laparotomized to observe the ovarian activity. In groups I and III goats, there was no evidence of follicular development or ovulation, but in 4 of the 6 group II goats, there were ovulatory points or corpus luteum. Mean plasma PGE and PGF2 alpha concentrations in control goats did not vary significantly (P less than or equal to 0.05) during the sampling period; but in the LHRH-treated goats (group II), these concentrations peaked twice--a low peak at 24 hours and a sharp peak at 78 to 90 hours. In contrast, these concentrations in group III goats (LHRH plus indomethacin) dropped sharply in the control group (I) value after reaching the 1st peak, and then stayed at this low plateau for the remainder of the sampling period; the 2nd peak was absent. The results indicate that the ovulation could be induced by LHRH injection in anestrus goats and that ovulation is preceded by a marked increase of plasma PGE and PGF2 alpha concentrations.

Fertility pattern of Muslim Hausa women in northern Nigeria.

PIP: This paper reports the results of a fertility survey conducted in 1980 in Malumfashi town in northern Nigeria. The study covered 302 Hausa-speaking households in 2 wards. Of the 302 married males surveyed, 168 were monogamous, 92 had 2 wives, 30 had 3 wives, and 12 and 4 wives (the maximum allowable). All 168 monogramous marriages were not monogamous at the start. The average duration of present marriage among respondents was 14.1 years for monogamous unions and 11.0 years for polygymous unions. The average number of children ever born to women over 45 years of age was 6.3 (6.7 in monogamous unions and 6.0 in polygamous unions). The average family size for all marriages was 3.6, but this value was 4.6 in monogamous unions and 3.4 in polygamous unions (age standardized values were 4.5 and 3.4, respectively). There were 80 live births in the survey sample during the 12 months preceding the study, with a mean age at childbirth of 28.7 years. The crude birth rate for the surveyed population was 48.06/1000 (46/1000 for monogamous families and 43/1000 for polygamous families). The infant mortality rate was 137.5/1000 live births. About 11% of women in the sample were sterile. The fertility rate observed in this study is lower than that in Nigeria as a whole, perhaps because of the prevalence of polygamous unions in this region. These results support the observation that women in polygamous unions have lower fertility than those in monogamous unions.^ieng

Evaluation of the diethylcarbamazine provocative test in the diagnosis of Wuchereria bancrofti infections in the Nigerian savanna and the effects on Dipetalonema perstans.

Large scale filariasis surveys in rural areas for microfilaraemia, especially of periodic types such as Wuchereria bancrofti are known to cause considerable administrative, technical and social problems. The present investigation was carried out in the population of two villages in the Malumfashi district of the Northern Nigerian savanna. From the survey results, the sensitivity and specificity of two techniques-day-time diethylcarbamazine (DEC) provocative test by blood smear and concentration, and night-blood examination by smear and concentration especially for W. bancrofti-were assessed. Day-time DEC provocative test proved to be efficient in terms of sensitivity and specificity, compared with the night-blood method, for W. bancrofti detection but less so for Dipetalonema perstans, the other blood microfilaria found in this population during these studies. A regression line between night-blood survey results for W. bancrofti and the results from day-time DEC provocative test was calculated. With the help of this regression line it is possible to estimate W. bancrofti microfilarial prevalence for night surveys, using the DEC provocative test results of day-time surveys. This can be done with minimal, but known, loss of accuracy and incurs fewer administrative, technical and social difficulties.

Prostaglandin F2 alpha-induced response of the bovine ovary, oviduct (uterine tube), and uterus.

Tissue strips from the ovary, (uterine tube), and oviduct, and uterus of pregnant and nonpregnant cows were tested for their contractile response to prostaglandin F2 alpha (PGF2 alpha). When 2.1 x 10(-6)M PGF2 alpha was added to the uterine strips, tension of tissues from pregnant cows increased sharply; however, tension in tissues from nonpregnant cows only increased moderately. Similar concentrations failed to elicit any response from oviductal tissues of either group. Unlike the uterus and the oviduct, the ovaries contracted slowly and irregularly. They responded with varying degrees of stimulation; ovaries from pregnant cows with brief and mild stimulation and ovaries from nonpregnant cows with slower and relatively stronger stimulation. Results indicate that the bovine ovary contracts rhythmically and that its sensitivity to PGF2 alpha decreases during pregnancy in contrast to the bovine uterus which becomes increasingly sensitive during pregnancy.

Prostaglandins E and F in the uterine tissue of cyclic rats.

Prostaglandins E and F (PGE and PGF) levels and the biosynthetic ability of rat uterine tissue have been estimated in the various phases of oestrous cycle by radioimmunoassay technique. Significantly high PGF concentration was found during metaoestrous phase. In comparison, PGE levels did not show as high elevation. The metaoestrous phase also showed significantly higher biosynthesis of prostaglandins E and F. Our experimental findings support the role of prstaglandins in ovulation and luteolysis of the corpus luteum.