Bionomics ofTrioxys indicus [Hym.: Aphidiidae], a parasitoid ofAphis craccivora [Hem.: Aphididae]: 31. Effect of host haemolymph on the numerical response of the parasitoid

The influence of kairomones on the numerical response of the parasitoidTrioxys indicus against its hostAphis craccivora at its varying density was studied. The kairomones (applied as aqueous extract of the host) significantly enhanced the rate of parasitisation and multiplication and the area of discovery of the parasitoid and also the K-values of mortality of the host at all parasitoid densities introduced (1, 2, 4, 8, 12 and 16 parasitoids) into troughs having about 200 hosts. The sex-ratio of F₁ offspring decreased at lower parasitoid densities and remained more or less unchanged at higher parasitoid densities after the application of kairomones. The present findings indicate that if kairomones are applied properly, the number of hosts destroyed by a stimulated parasitoid will be about 200, twice the number reported earlier, thus fewer parasitoids will be needed to regulate an estimated population of the hosts.      

Extracts from two frequently consumed spices--cumin (Cuminum cyminum) and turmeric (Curcuma longa)--inhibit platelet aggregation and alter eicosanoid biosynthesis in human blood platelets

In the traditional Indian system of medicine, Ayurveda, several spices and herbs are claimed to possess medicinal properties, such as being antithrombotic, antiatherosclerotic, hypolipidemic, anti-inflammatory etc. Earlier we have reported that extracts from several spices behave as antiaggregatory agents and inhibit eicosanoid synthesis. Similar studies with extracts prepared from cumin (Cuminum cyminum) and turmeric (Curcuma longa) were undertaken. Ethereal extract of both cumin and turmeric inhibited arachidonate-induced platelet aggregation. Extracts from these spices inhibited thromboxane B2 production from exogenous (14C) arachidonic acid (AA) in washed platelets; a simultaneous increase in the formation of lipoxygenase-derived products was observed. Less TxB2 was produced in blood samples treated with turmeric extract when they were allowed to clot. Turmeric extract inhibited incorporation of (14C)AA into platelet phospholipids and deacylation of AA-labelled phospholipids on stimulation with calcium ionophore A23187. Cumin extract was devoid of such effects. Extracts from the two spices reduced the formation of (14C)TxB2 from AA-labelled platelets when they were challenged with A23187. The anti-inflammatory property of turmeric may, in part, be explained by its effect on eicosanoid biosynthesis.     

Identification of nuclear proteins that specifically interact with adeno-associated virus type 2 inverted terminal repeat hairpin DNA.

A palindromic hairpin duplex containing the inverted terminal repeat sequence of adeno-associated virus type 2 (AAV) DNA was used as a substrate in gel retardation assays to detect putative proteins that specifically interact with the AAV hairpin DNA structures. Nuclear proteins were detected in extracts prepared from human KB cells coinfected with AAV and adenovirus type 2 that interacted with the hairpin duplex but not in nuclear extracts prepared from uninfected, AAV-infected, or adenovirus type 2-infected KB cells. The binding was specific for the hairpin duplex, since no binding occurred with a double-stranded DNA duplex with the identical nucleotide sequence. Furthermore, in competition experiments, the binding could be reduced with increasing concentrations of the hairpin duplex but not with the double-stranded duplex DNA with the identical nucleotide sequence. S1 nuclease assays revealed that the binding was sensitive to digestion with the enzyme, whereas the protein-bound hairpin duplex was resistant to digestion with S1 nuclease. The nucleotide sequence involved in the protein binding was localized within the inverted terminal repeat of the AAV genome by methylation interference assays. These nuclear proteins may be likely candidates for the pivotal enzyme nickase required for replication or resolution (or both) of single-stranded palindromic hairpin termini of the AAV genome.     

A new family of dispersed repeats from Brassica nigra: characterization and localization

The 459-bp HindIII (pBN-4) and the 1732-bp Eco RI (pBNE8) fragments from the Brassica nigra genome were cloned and shown to be members of a dispersed repeat family. Of the three major diploid Brassica species, the repeat pBN-4 was found to be highly specific for the B. nigra genome. The family also hybridized to Sinapis arvensis showing that B. nigra had a closer relationship with the S. arvensis genome than with B. oleracea or B. campestris. The clone pBNE8 showed homology to a number of tRNA species indicating that this family of repeats may have originated from a tRNA sequence. The species-specific 459-bp repeat pBN-4 was localized on the B. nigra chromosomes using monosomic addition lines. In addition to the localization of pBN-4, the chromosomal distribution of two other species-specific repeats, pBN34 and pBNBH35 (reported earlier), was studied. The dispersed repeats pBN-4 and pBNBH35 were found to be present on all of the chromosomes, whereas the tandem repeat pBN34 was localized on two chromosomes.     

Chemical and biological removal of cyanides from aqueous and soil-containing systems

A study was conducted to determine the effect of various factors on the rate and extent of potassium cyanide and potassium hexacyanoferrate (II, complex form) removal from aqueous and soil-containing systems. In a sterile aqueous system at neutral pH, the concentration of free cyanide was reduced by 42% in 334 h as a result of the protonation of CN^– and the volatilization of the HCN formed. In the presence of aerobic mixed consortium of the Institute of Gas Technology and a methylotrophic culture, Isolate 3, the concentration of free cyanide was reduced by 59% and 66% in 357 h, respectively, as a result of combined chemical conversion and microbial degradation. In the sterile aqueous system amended initially with the complex form of cyanide, a less-than-20% reduction in cyanide occured. The sorption equilibria for free and complex cyanides in slurries of the topsoil and manufactured gas plant (MGP) soil was reached in less than 22 and 4 days, respectively. The extent of desorption of cyanides from topsoil and MGP soil into water decreased with time. In sterile systems containing topsoil and MGP soil that were previously equilibrated to cyanides, only a 2% reduction in cyanide concentration occurred in 336 h due to chemical conversion. In the presence of microbial cultures, the concentration of cyanide was reduced by less than 15% and 7% in the slurries of topsoil and MGP soil, respectively. The comparison of the rate and extent of cyanide removal from the aqueous and soil-containing systems in the presence of micro-organisms suggests that cyanides were retained by the solid phase of the soil-containing systems and therefore were less available for biodegradation.     

Utilization of cuticular components ofAntheraea mylitta Drury larvae byPenicillium citrinum Thom.

The major cuticular components of Indian tasar silkworm,Antheraea mylitta Drury, were sequentially extracted and estimated to ascertain preferential utilization of these components for growth by the entomopathogenic fungusPenicillium citrinum Thom. Proteins which constituted 61.64% dry weight of cuticule were found to play a key role in the growth ofP. citrinum whereas lipids (7.15%) and chitin (30.02%) were least involved. Also, this study suggests absence of any mycocidal substance in the cuticle ofA. mylitta.     

Weaving a tight social net: Allogrooming in free-ranging female langurs (Presbytis entellus)

We studied grooming among adults of a one-male multifemale troop of free-ranging Hanuman langurs (Presbytis entellus)living near Jodhpur, India, for 9 years. The 11–13 females devoted about 6% of their day to allogrooming. Adult males, whose tenures averaged 2.2 years, were transient figures in the troop's history, as reflected by their rather peripheral role in the grooming network. Females groomed males 4–40 times more frequently (1006 episodes) than vice versa- (176 episodes). Adult females received 97% of all grooming from other adult females (6655 episodes). Although females exhibited an age- inversed dominance hierarchy, they did not compete for grooming access to particular troop mates. Dyads of all possible rank differences occurred as frequently as expected: 51% of grooming was directed up the hierarchy and 49% down it. Young, high- ranking individuals gave and received significantly more grooming than the oldest, low- ranking females did. The pattern seemed to be influenced by kin selection because of the presumably high degree of female relatedness. They invested most in troopmates with the highest reproductive value, i.e., the youngest individuals. This trend was coupled with a preference of closest kin (mothers and daughters). Reciprocity was the outstanding feature since all adult females groomed and were groomed by all others. Such a tight social net might establish the necessary cohesion during frequent territorial disputes with neighboring troops.