Absract Archive July 2009 Research article Evolutionary relationships among the AA genome species of Oryza L based on protein polymorphic traits Abstract Seed protein fractions (salt soluble) of different A Genome species of Oryza (sativa complex) including the wild and cultigens were analyzed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The variations in protein banding pattern for certain specific electrophoretic zones were used as markers for finding the genetic affinity and tracing the evolutionary relationships among the species. The results indicate that the four geographical forms in the sativa complex - O.rufipogon (Asian), O.meridionalis (Australian), O. barthii (African) and O. glumaepetula (American) originated from a common ancestor and diverged independently. The Asian, African and American forms were found to have a closer genetic affinity among them, while O.meridionalis, the Australian form is genetically distant from others. Keywords: Oryza species, seed protein profile, protein markers, geographical forms, phylogeny Authors : Ankur Malhotra and Roma Sarkar For Correspondence : Email : romaascent@gmail.com Research article Rapid diagnosis of Human Enterovirus-Poliovirus by a Reverse transcription Loop-Mediated Isothermal amplification method Abstract The standardization and detection of a one-step, single-tube accelerated quantitative Reverse Transcription Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (RT-LAMP) assay is reported for rapid and real-time detection of Enteroviruses-Polio virus (PEV). The RT-LAMP assay reported in this study is very simple and rapid; the amplification can be obtained in 30 min under isothermal conditions at 63°C by employing a set of six primers targeting the 5'UTR gene of PEV. The RT-LAMP assay demonstrated exceptionally higher sensitivity compared to that of PCR, with a detection limit of 0.1 PFU. In addition, the monitoring of gene amplification can also be visualized with the naked eye by using SYBR green I fluorescent dye. Thus, due to easy operation without a requirement of sophisticated equipment and skilled personnel, the RT-LAMP assay reported here is a valuable tool for the rapid and real-time detection of PEV. Keywords : Reverse Transcription Loop-Mediated Isothermal Amplification (RT-LAMP), Enteroviruses-Polio virus (PEV), Polymerase Chain reaction (PCR). Authors : Jaianand. K, Saravanan. N, Gunasekaran. P, Sheriff. A.K For Correspondence : Email : jaianand.k@lifecellinternational.com Research article Alkalinity Tolerance in rice (Oryza sativa L.) using Molecular Markers (SSRs) Abstract An F2 and F3 population has been generated from a cross between an alkaline tolerant variety, CSR27 and a sensitive variety, IR28. Evaluation of a set of 194 F3 segregants has been done at high pH 9.7 in sodic microplots at Central Soil Salinity Research Institute, Karnal, Haryana. An effort has been made to study genetic nature and association between genes/genomic regions conferring alkaline tolerance and DNA based simple sequence repeats (SSRs). Observations recorded included physiological parameters viz., sodium uptake, potassium uptake and alkalinity injury scores during seedling stage. The normal distribution of the physiological traits in the F3 segregants indicated the polygenic control. Preliminary information about an association between SSRs and the alkaline tolerance has been indicated by presence of genetic polymorphism between parents and segregation of SSRs in F3 mapping population. In the present study, it has also been observed that the occurrence of transgressive segregants demonstrated the feasibility of finding more tolerant progenies than existing tolerant parent by employing proper selection from tolerant extremes of population distribution. Key words: Alkalinity, Oryza sativa. L, Simple Sequence Repeats (SSRs), IR28 and CSR27 Authors : P. Janaki Ramayya, G. Padmavathi, R.K. Gautam, RamDeen, K. Ramesh and S. A. Mastan For Correspondence: E mail : shaikmastan2000@yahoo.com Research article RAPD analysis of Trichoderma viride and its antagonistic effect with Pseudomonas fluorescens Abstract Molecular finger printing analysis of Trichoderma viride was done for checking its mutants and variability by using nine different random or arbitrary primers. Different numbers of scorable bands were obtained with seven primers while no bands were observed with two others. Also we attempted for the in-vitro analysis of antagonistic effect between Trichoderma viride & Pseudomonas fluorescens. The test showed that both the organisms were able to co-exist and grow well without any antagonistic effect on each other but at the same time did not allow organisms other than them to grow with them. The main objective behind this analysis was to improve the efficiency as a biocontrol agent together. Key words: Antagonism, Biofertilizer, Pseudomonas fluorescence, RAPD, Trichoderma viride. Authors : Prabhakaran Narayanasamy, Dhanya Nair and M. Saravanakumar For Correspondence : Email: anprabha05@yahoo.com Research article Somatic embryogenesis and plantlet regeneration in safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L). Abstract Present study describes induction of somatic embryogenesis and plantlet regeneration via somatic embryos in different genotypes of safflower. hypocotyls explants of four different genotypes of safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L) were inoculated on to MS medium supplemented with different auxins viz; 2,4-D, 2,4,5-T, NAA, IBA and cytokinins viz; BAP and KN at different concentrations alone and in combination with auxins to study their influence on the induction of somatic embryogenesis and plantlet regeneration. Among the different auxins 2,4,5- Trichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4,5-T) favored maximum percent frequency of somatic embryogenesis instead of 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D). While addition of cytokinin inhibited embryogenesis. Morphogenesis of somatic embryos was observed about a week after transfer on to the MS medium containing 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) and a-napthalene acetic acid (NAA). Elongated shoots were transferred on to the medium containing indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) for rooting. Complete plantlets thus obtained were successfully hardened and grown to maturity. Key words: Carthamus tinctorius, hypocotyls, a-tocopherol Authors : Talat, K. & Anwar, S.Y. For Correspondence : E.mail: talatkh@yahoo.co.in Research article Latex agglutination test for detection of Fowl Adenovirus Antigen Abstract The Poultry industries undergoing certain problems like contagious diseases. The recently emerged one of the disease was Inclusion-body hepatitis hydropericardium Syndrome (IBH-HPS) those particularly affecting 3 to 6 weeks old broiler chicks. Symptoms were characterized by its various signs such as sudden onset with high mortality ranging from 20 to 70% of hydropericardium and enlarged, mottled and friable livers, with intranuclear inclusion bodies in the hepatocytes. The causative agent is a non-enveloped icosahedral fowl adenovirus (FAV) serotype 4 which can be propagated or cultivated in chicken embryo liver cell cultures. Hence, the liver of infected birds shows necrotic foci and basophilic intranuclear inclusion bodies in the hepatocytes. The disease can be diagnosed from its gross and histopathological changes in the liver and form various serological tests AGPT and DOT ELISA. According to molecular biological techniques and recent trends make an advent usage of PCR as a tool to analyze or diagnose serological tests seems to be insensitive and time consuming and the technique requires costly equipments, equipped trainers and chemicals. Hence, a simple and sensitive method is required for a rapid detection of Fowl adenovirus 4 antigens from a suspected liver sample. The design methodology was latex agglutination test used as an immunological assay, based on latex particles. Latex aggulitination test is simple to set up basic slide agggultination test without any expensive equipment. Thus, latex agglutination test is a most modest way to diagnose Fowl adenovirus. Keywords: IBH-HPS, FAV-ELISA, FAV-AGPT, FAV-Latex agglutination. Authors : Bavanilatha Muthiah, Shaleesha Stanley andM.Parthiban For Correspondence: E mail : bavagold@yahoo.com Research article Seroepidemiological report of Leptospirosis among Animal care takers in Chennai Abstract A seroepidemiology survey was carried out in suspected cases of leptospirosis with Fever, Jaundice, Myalgia, Diarrhoea etc in cattle and poultry workers. A total one hundred and sixty five serum samples from male and female individual at different age groups were tested including control. The prevalence data were analyzed in relation to age, sex and sero groups of the sample 18.7 percentage reacted with antigens of different sero groups of titer ranging from 1/40 to 1/1280 with predominance of titer less than (or) equal to 1/160, of positive sera reacted with respective of the autumnalis sero group. Reaction with autumnalis, hebdomalis, australis, pomona, grippotyphosa , copenhageni and mixed were also detected, through at lower frequencies. The true incidence of the diseases is probably much higher here. Male comprised above 24 percentage of the cases, the higher rule of infection was in the 20 - 45 years age groups. The incidence of disease much higher among cattle and poultry workers in Chennai. Key Words: Epidemiology, Serology, Leptospira, Serovar, MAT, MSAT. Authors : Thiruvengadam S, Mazher Sulthana For Correspondence : Email: thiruvengadam_s@yahoo.com Short Communication Biogas production potential of waste from poultry and Sericulture Industries Abstract Energy need has been increasing worldwide exponentially. Considerable interest is noticed in the research fraternity on Biogas production by utilizing renewable resources. So far the practice has been to utilize the cattle manure for biogenesis of methane. The dwelling cattle population has resulted in finding out alternate/substitute feed materials. The usefulness of various wastes emanating from agricultural operations, food and fruit processing industries, poultry and sericulture establishments, weed biomass, cotton twigs, mycostraw and non edible oil cakes have been documented. However, the field-testing on the pilot scale might prove the usefulness of these materials in the generation of methane rich biogas, in the long run. An attempt was made to find out the utility of poultry droppings and silkworm larval litter through anaerobic microbial digestion towards the release of biogas. The results of the batch experiment conducted over a period of 11 weeks indicated not only improved microbial activity but also resulted in enhanced gas output. However, the poultry dropping has to be used with care since it will produce ammonia and not methane if not mixed in certain proportion with cattle manure. The maximum gas output of 547.4 cc/g of VS destroyed was observed with poultry droppings mixed with cattle dung and kept at 37º C and the lowest 167.4 cc/g of VS destroyed in the cowdung alone control treatment. The carbon dioxide content of the biogas generated was initially high and then decreased from 48 to 32 %. The gas generated burnt well by emitting a blue flame, indicating the presence of methane. Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium contents are varied. The maximum nitrogen content of 2.21% was recorded in silkworm larval litter incorporated treatment followed by the other treatments. It is evident from this study that poultry droppings and silkworm larval litter if combined with cattledung in certain proportions could not only help in increasing the biogas output but also produce a rich material with high N, P and K contents for possible applications to crop fields for maximizing the yields. Key words : silkworm larval litter, poultry droppings, Biogas. Authors : P. Rajasekaran, Sindhuja. D , Manikandan. C and Mariam Varghese For Correspondence : E mail : bthodraj@gmail.com Short Communication Antimicrobial activity of some medicinal plants and antibiotics against Staphylococcus sp. Abstract Antibacterial activity of leaves of four medicinal plants and commercially available antibiotics were tested against Staphylococcus sp. For this study pathogen was isolated from the infected bittergourd plant leaf. Antimicrobial activity of Indigofera tinctoria Linn., Piper nigrum Linn., Curcuma longa Linn., and Polygala elongata Linn., were tested against Staphylococcus sp. Individual plant extracts do not showed any zone of inhibition. The combination of Indigofera tinctoria and Polygala elongata were found to be very effective to control the pathogen. Commercially available antibiotics such as amoxicillin, tetracycline, erythromycin and cloxacillin were tested also. Amoxycillin, tetracycline, erythromycin showed resistance, to bittergourd pathogen but cloxacillin were found to be susceptible. Keywords: Antimicrobial activity, Staphylococcus sp., Water, methanol. Authors : Halen Sheeba.D, Thulasi.V and Mahesh.V For Correspondence : E mail : thulasivenkatesan@gmail.com Short Communication Computational Characterization of Conotoxin-3 protein using Proteomic Tools Abstract The era of Computational biology occupied an extensive role in characterization of proteins, interaction studies, molecular modeling and drug design studies. In this study, proteomic tools and computational methods are used to characterize the Conotoxin-3 proteins retrieved from Swiss Prot protein database. Through analysis it shows that conotoxin-3 proteins are rich in non-polar residues. The aliphatic index and instability index computed by ProtParam, which assume that P69497 is unstable where as Q5K0C7 and B6V6L0 is stable for a wide range of temperatures. The very low GRAVY index of Q5K0C7 and B6V6L0 infers its higher hydrosolubility. Secondary structure analysis shows that the proteins are beta strands. SOSUI server predicted the transmembrane regions, the predicted transmembrane regions were visualized and analyzed using helical wheel plots generated by EMBOSS pepwheel tool. The presence of Cys residues were recorded by CYS REC tool which indicates the presence of disulfide bridges (SS bonds) in these superfamily conotoxin-3 and conotoxin-3 proteins. Keywords: Computational biology, Conotoxin-3, Superfamily conotoxin-3 Authors : D.Karthikeyan rajamani, T.M. Arul Oli, S.T. Somasundaram and P. Anantharaman For Correspondence : E mail : rajakarthis14@yahoo.co.in