Changes in microbial properties and nutrient dynamics in bagasse and coir during vermicomposting: quantification of fungal biomass through ergosterol estimation in vermicompost

In this experiment, different microorganisms viz., Trichoderma viridae, Aspergillus niger and Bacillus megaterium were inoculated in bagasse and coir with the objective to study their effect on nutrient dynamics and microbial properties, specially effect on fungal status in these waste materials. Fungal biomass (FBC) was calculated from the ergosterol content in the vermicompost samples. Inoculation of B. megaterium registered comparatively higher TP content in the final stabilized product. Vermicomposting increased microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and nitrogen (MBN) content in bagasse and coir. Microbial biomass carbon to nitrogen ratio (MBC/ MBN) was comparatively narrower in fungi inoculated vermicomposts and FBC/MBC ratio was increased up to 11.69 from 9.51 of control during vermicomposting.

Effect of microbial inoculation during vermicomposting of different organic substrates on microbial status and quantification and documentation of acid phosphatase

In this experiment, three microbial strains were inoculated in two different organic wastes to study their effect on the humic acids content, acid phosphatase activity and microbial properties of the final stabilized products. Pyrophosphate extract of vermicomposts were analyzed through polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis to study the nature of a isozymes in different treatments. Results suggested that vermicomposting increased humic acids content and acid phosphatase activity in organic substrates and microbial inoculation further enhanced the rate of humification and enzyme activity. Although humic acids content in different microorganism-inoculated vermicomposts were statistically at par, acid phosphatase activity in these treatments was significantly (P<0.05) different. Results revealed that microbial respiration was increased due to vermicomposting, but a reduction in microbial biomass was recorded after stabilization of organic wastes. Although vermicomposting increased the value of microbial quotient (qCO(2)), microbial inoculation did not show any significant effect on qCO(2). The zymogram revealed that two isozymes of acid phosphatase (group II and group III) were present in all vermicompost samples and higher acid phosphatase activity in fungi-inoculated vermicomposts might be due to the presence of an additional isozyme (group I) of acid phosphatase.

Bio-functionalization of magnetite nanoparticles using an aminophosphonic acid coupling agent: new, ultradispersed, iron-oxide folate nanoconjugates for cancer-specific targeting

The present study describes a systematic approach towards the design and development of novel, bio-functionalized, magneto-fluorescent nanoparticles for cancer-specific targeting. Biocompatible, hydrophilic, magneto-fluorescent nanoparticles with surface-pendant amine, carboxyl or aldehyde groups, to be later used for bio-conjugation, were designed using an aminophosphonic acid coupling agent. These magneto-fluorescent nanoparticles were further functionalized with folic acid, using diverse conjugation strategies. A series of new iron-oxide folate nanoconjugates with excellent aqueous dispersion stability and reasonably good hydrodynamic sizes under a wide range of physiological conditions were developed. These ultradispersed nanosystems were analyzed for their physicochemical properties and cancer-cell targeting ability, facilitated by surface modification with folic acid. The nanoparticle size, charge, surface chemistry, magnetic properties and colloidal stability were extensively studied using a variety of complementary techniques. Confocal microscopy, performed with folate receptor positive human cervical HeLa cancer cells, established that these non-cytotoxic iron-oxide folate nanoconjugates were effectively internalized by the target cells through receptor-mediated endocytosis. Cell-uptake behaviors of nanoparticles, studied using magnetically activated cell sorting (MACS), clearly demonstrated that cells over-expressing the human folate receptor internalized a higher level of these nanoparticle-folate conjugates than negative control cells.

Changes in organic - C, N, P and K and enzyme activities in vermicompost of biodegradable organic wastes under liming and microbial inoculants

The aim of this work was to study the effect of different organic wastes, viz. cow dung, grass, aquatic weeds and municipal solid waste with lime and microbial inoculants on chemical and biochemical properties of vermicompost. Cow dung was the best substrate for vermicomposting. Application of lime (5 g/kg) and inoculation of microorganisms increased the nutrient content in vermicompost and also phosphatases and urease activities. Bacillus polymyxa, the free-living N-fixer, increased N-content of vermicompost significantly (p < or = 0.01) as compared to other inoculants.

A mathematical model on the effect of M. denticulata weed on different winter crops

Many weeds interfere with the productivity of wheat and other winter annual crops; however, one common weed Medicago denticulata, appears to have a beneficial effect. An experiment was conducted at Agricultural Experimental Farm of the Indian Statistical Institute, Giridih, Jharkhand to observe the effect of M. denticulata (a legume) on different crops yield of barley (Hordeum vulgare Sensu lato), linseed (Linum usitatissimum L.), Indian mustard [Brassica juncea (L.) Czernj. & Cosson] and wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). The commensalisms interaction was studied, in which one species benefits, while the other is unaffected, between the crops, M. denticulata and other weeds, to observe the role of medicago as biological control agent of other weeds for enhancement of crop productivity. Further, a statistical test was performed to establish the effect of M. denticulata and weed infestations based on one-step Markov structure of the covariance matrix of the biomass. This permitted development of a mathematical model of a crop-M. denticulata-other weeds system and their interactions through direct and indirect competition for resources. Crops yield decreased considerably due to the presence of other weeds, while it increased due to introduction of medicago and hence medicago acted as a controlling agent in a crop-M. denticulata-other weeds system. Our mathematical analysis supported the experimental findings. The model parameters are estimated through a nonlinear least square and stochastic differential equations. Moreover, some thresholds for the growth of medicago population came out from our analysis that may be used as a biological control threshold for the enhancement of crop productivity.

Preparation of nanocrystalline alpha-Al2O3 using plant fiber

Nanocrystalline alpha-Al2O3 ceramic powders have been prepared from aqueous poly vinyl alcohol (PVA)-aluminum nitrate solution and jute (plant fiber). Soluble Al-ion-PVA solution formed a uniform coating on the surface of jute once it dried completely. Slow hydrolysis of aluminum ion with ammonium hydroxide deposited aluminum hydroxide on the jute surface. Decomposition of the dried aluminum hydroxide-coated jute at high temperature (1150 degrees C/2 hrs) resulted in the formation of single-phase, nanocrystalline alpha-Al2O3 with the corresponding average X-ray and TEM particle size approximately 50 nm. Precursor and heat-treated powders have been characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis. This method can be used to produce high-temperature as well as low-temperature nanocrystalline oxides.

A comparative study of classical vs. desmoplastic medulloblastomas

Classical and desmoplastic medulloblastomas (MBs) have been suspected to be biologically different, though comparative studies on markers of biological aggressiveness in these two variants are sparse in the literature. 87 classical and 43 desmoplastic variants of MB were studied with respect to clinical and histological characteristics, MIB-1 labeling index (MIB-1 LI), apoptotic index (AI), ratio of AI to MIB-1 LI, expression of p53 and Bcl-2 protein and 3-year progression-free survival. The only differences documented between the variants were with regard to age distribution and location. Thus, classical histology cases occurred predominantly in children and 80% were midline in location. In contrast, lateral location was seen more frequently with tumors of desmoplastic histology, which occurred in an almost equal distribution between children (56%) and adults (44%). No difference was noted between the variants with regard to proliferation index, apoptotic index, their ratio on or their molecular controls (p53 and Bcl-2). This was reflected in the clinical outcome wherein no significant difference was observed in the 3-year progression-free survival between the variants. It is concluded that the two histological variants of medulloblastoma are not different with regard to biological parameters of aggressiveness. The growth rate and clinical outcome in medulloblastomas have no correlation with the histological variant.

High-lipid diet intake is a possible predisposing factor in the development of hypogonadal osteoporosis

The effects of a high-lipid diet on the intestinal transference of Ca2+ and the activities of intestinal enzymes were studied in ovariectomized rats. The plasma Ca2+ level and urinary loss of Ca2+ were also observed. Ovariectomy decreased both alkaline phosphatase (AP) and calcium ATPase (Ca(2+)-ATPase) activity, and also reduced the mucosal transference of Ca2+ in all parts of the small intestine. Although the plasma Ca2+ level did not change significantly, the urinary loss of Ca2+ was enhanced. A high-lipid diet supplement enhanced all these parameters in ovariectomized rats. It is therefore believed that a high-lipid diet may promote osteoporosis in ovariectomized rats as the result of Ca2+ transfer and enhanced urinary Ca2+ loss.

Mechanism of chloramphenicol-induced modulation of mouse ileal motility

The effect of chloramphenicol (CAP) on the intestinal motility of mice was studied. Acute and chronic CAP treatment significantly increased the food transit time. CAP produced concentration-dependent inhibition of motility of the isolated ileum of mice. Prazosin, propranolol, atropine, ouabain and chlorpromazine all failed to modulate or counteract the CAP-induced inhibition of ileal motility. However, naloxone and hexamethonium slightly modified the inhibitory response of CAP. The inhibitory response of CAP was markedly counteracted by cystine, a guanylate cyclase inhibitor. CAP increased the activity of Ca(++)-ATPase in the ileum in all experiments. Our results suggest that the CAP-induced inhibition of the intestinal motility is not mediated through adrenergic, cholinergic and cAMP or through inhibition of the electrogenic pump. Compared to thiamphenicol (TAP), CAP, with a p-NO2 group in its structure, exhibited more pronounced alteration of both intestinal motility and Ca(++)-ATPase activity. We, therefore, suggest that greater inhibition of ileal motility induced by CAP is possibly a p-NO2-cGMP-Ca(++)-ATPase-mediated mechanism.

Mechanism of inhibition of smooth muscle of guinea-pig taenia coli by chloramphenicol

The effects of antibiotic chloramphenicol (CAP) on Ca(2+)-ATPase activity and muscle tension were examined in guinea-pig taenia coli. In general, when CAP was added to the resting tissue no inhibition was observed except when a tonus was present, caused by either ouabain, high K+ or acetylcholine. Ouabain and high K(+)-induced sustained contractions were concentration-dependently inhibited by CAP. The sustained contraction induced by high K+ was more strongly inhibited by CAP than ouabain (IC50 value: high K+ 0.29 mumol/ml; ouabain 0.34 mumol/ml). In Ca(2+)-free solution, inhibition of ouabain-induced sustained contracture by CAP was more pronounced. CAP increased the activity of Ca(2+)-ATPase in taenia coli in all experiments. In presence of cystine, CAP-induced inhibition and increase in Ca(2+)-ATPase activity could not be observed. CAP analogue thiamphenicol (TAP), devoid of p-NO2 group, showed insignificant response on smooth muscle inhibition and Ca(2+)-ATPase activity. These findings suggest that CAP inhibits smooth muscle contractility by decreasing cytosolic Ca2+ ([Ca2+]i) level through a cGMP mediated increase in Ca(2+)-ATPase activity and this action is possibly related with the p-NO2 group present in its molecule like other nitro-compounds.

The effect of chloramphenicol on mucosal transference of glucose in mice; the role of intestinal alkaline phosphatase in this process

The effect of chloramphenicol (CAP) on the mucosal transference of glucose in mice and its relation with the activities of different small intestinal enzymes were studied. CAP produced an increase in the mucosal transference of glucose in jejunum and a decrease in ileum. However, CAP reduced the activity of Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase in both of these segments. Treatment with ouabain could not alter the effects of CAP. Under similar experimental conditions, the activity of alkaline phosphatase (AP) was reduced in jejunum but increased in ileum. In presence of theophylline, the CAP-induced increase in the transference in jejunum was further enhanced, whereas in acute experiments with ileum theophylline counteracted the reduced transference to the control level. In presence of Zn2+, CAP-induced changes in jejunum were reversed whereas in ileum the decrease was more pronounced. Like AP, CAP altered the activity of Ca(2+)-ATPase in both segments. It is proposed that in presence of CAP an inverse relationship exists between the activity of AP and the glucose transference in these segments. It is further revealed that such differential changes in the transference of glucose may be due to site specific alterations in the activity of AP.