Analysis of genetic diversity among Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid. isolates from Euro-Asian countries

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - The study assessed the genetic variability among Macrophomina phaseolina (Tassi) Goid. isolates originating from six different countries (Turkey,...     

Digestibility,growth and pigmentation of astaxanthin,canthaxanthin or lutein diets in Lake Kurumoi rainbowfish,Melanotaenia parva (Allen) cultured species

New cultured ornamental fish namely Lake Kurumoi rainbowfish Melanotaenia parva (Allen) run into reduced of colour performances when reared in the aquaria, consequently, fish feed must be added with carotenoids as a pigment source. The aim of this study was to evaluate the digestibility, growth and pigmentation of astaxanthin, canthaxanthin and lutein in diet. Apparent digestibility coefficients (ADC) of dry matter, lipid, protein, carotenoids, growth and pigmentation were studied in twenty fish after 14 and 56 days of observation. The single‐dose supplementation of 100 mg/kg of astaxanthin, canthaxanthin, or lutein diets on fish was fed by apparent satiation. The basal diet without carotenoids was used as control. The result showed that the ADC of carotenoids of test diets was higher compared to control. Fish fed astaxanthin diet had higher survival rate (96.67 ± 2.89%), colour measurements of lightness (57.60 ± 7.46%), a*‐values (4.66 ± 1.20), total carotenoids content in skin (33.75 ± 5.02 mg/kg) and muscle (2.16 ± 0.74 mg/kg). Astaxanthin also increased the growth after 14 days (2.00% ± 0.19%/days) but there was no significantly different at the end of experiment. The yellowish‐orange colour performance was more rapidly achieved by fish fed astaxanthin diet after 28 days experimentation. These values suggested that dietary carotenoids were required and astaxanthin diet was superior to other diets for skin pigmentation of Lake Kurumoi rainbowfish.     

Leucettamols, Bifunctionalized Marine Sphingoids, Act as Modulators of TRPA1 and TRPM8 Channels

Leucettamols, bifunctionalized sphingoid-like compounds obtained from a marine sponge Leucetta sp., act as non-electrophilic activators of the TRPA1 channel and potent inhibitors of the icilin-mediated activation of the TRPM8 channel, while they are inactive on CB₁, CB₂ and TRPV1 receptors. Leucettamols represent the first compounds of marine origin to target TRPA1 and the first class of natural products to inhibit TRPM8 channels. The preparation of a small series of semi-synthetic derivatives revealed interesting details on the structure-activity relationships within this new chemotype of simple acyclic TRP modulators.     

Comparative Performance of Four Strains of Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) in Brackish Water Ponds in Indonesia

Four selectively bred strains of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) were evaluated for production in brackish water ponds in Indonesia. Survival to 124 days was relatively low for all four strains (39%–48%), and growth during the later stages of the trial was poor (SGR < 1.5 %/day) due to water quality deterioration in the pond. Although the ‘Red’ tilapia strain demonstrated the best production parameters, red-colored tilapia bring lower prices in both our test markets (South Sulawesi and Aceh provinces). Of the four strains, the genetically enhanced supermale Indonesian tilapia?×?genetic improvement of farmed tilapia (GESIT×GIFT) cross provided the best economic return.     

苜蓿皂苷对大鼠肝脏及肝脏细胞低密度脂蛋白受体、三磷酸腺苷结合盒转运体mRNA表达的影响

本试验旨在研究苜蓿皂苷对大鼠肝脏及大鼠肝脏细胞(BRL细胞)胆固醇清除和转运途径中关键基因低密度脂蛋白受体(LDLR)、三磷酸腺苷结合盒转运体G5(ABCG5)、三磷酸腺苷结合盒转运体G8(ABCG8)mRNA表达量的影响,从个体和细胞水平初步探讨苜蓿皂苷调控胆固醇清除和转运的分子机制。采用高脂饲粮建立大鼠高脂模型,测定苜蓿皂苷对正常、高脂大鼠血清指标[总胆固醇(TC)、甘油三酯(TG)、高密度脂蛋白胆固醇(HDL-C)、低密度脂蛋白胆固醇(LDL-C)含量]和肝脏LDLR、ABCG5、ABCG8 mRNA表达量的影响;采用高糖DMEM培养液建立BRL细胞脂变模型,测定苜蓿皂苷浓度对BRL细胞活性的影响,测定苜蓿皂苷对正常、脂变细胞LDLR、ABCG5、ABCG8 mRNA表达量的影响。结果表明:1)苜蓿皂苷显著降低高脂大鼠血清中TG、TC和LDL-C的含量(P0.05);2)苜蓿皂苷显著上调正常大鼠肝脏LDLR、ABCG5、ABCG8及高脂大鼠ABCG5、ABCG8 mRNA表达量(P0.05);3)添加200、250μg/m L苜蓿皂苷显著提高了BRL细胞的活性(P0.05);4)苜蓿皂苷显著上调正常BRL细胞LDLR、ABCG5、ABCG8 mRNA表达量(P0.05),而对脂变BRL细胞各基因mRNA表达量无显著影响(P0.05)。结果提示,苜蓿皂苷可通过调控LDLR、ABCG5、ABCG8 mRNA的表达来增加肝细胞内胆固醇的清除和转运,从而降低机体胆固醇的含量。     

Antiviral activity of Illicium verum Hook. f. extracts against grouper iridovirus infection

Grouper iridovirus causes high mortality rates in cultured groupers, and effective treatment for grouper iridovirus infection is urgently required. Illicium verum Hook. f. is a well-known medicinal plant with a variety of biological activities. The aim of this study was to analyse the use of I. verum extracts to treat grouper iridovirus infection. The safe working concentration of each I. verum extract was identified both in vitro and in vivo as follows: I. verum aqueous extract (IVAE) ≤ 500 μg/ml; I. verum ethanol extract (IVEE) ≤ 250 μg/ml; shikimic acid (SKA) ≤ 250 μg/ml; trans-anethole (TAT) ≤ 800 μg/ml; 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid (DDBA) ≤ 400 μg/ml; and quercetin (QCE) ≤ 50 μg/ml. The inhibitory activity of each I. verum extract against grouper iridovirus infection was analysed using aptamer (Q2)-based fluorescent molecular probe (Q2-AFMP) and RT-qPCR. All of the I. verum extracts displayed dose-dependent antiviral activities against grouper iridovirus. Based on the achieved per cent inhibition, IVAE, IVEE, DDBA and QCE were associated with the greatest antiviral activity (all > 90%). Together, our results indicate that I. verum extracts have effective antiviral properties, making it an excellent potential source material for the development of effective treatment for grouper iridovirus infection.