Mitochondrial phylogeography reveals high haplotype diversity and unique genetic lineage in Indian dugongs (Dugong dugon)

1. India plays a significant role in dugong conservation by having the largest population within South Asia. The status of dugongs in India is largely unknown due to a paucity of reliable ecological data. This study generated mitochondrial control region sequences from ~10% of dugong individuals from existing populations within India. Furthermore, data generated in this study were compared with the global data to assess genetic lineages, population structure, and genetic diversity of Indian populations.
2. Multiple analyses suggest that the Indian dugong populations are part of a single genetic cluster, comprising South Asia, North-west Indian Ocean, and South-west Indian Ocean populations. Despite small population size, they retain high genetic diversity with unique mitochondrial DNA haplotypes within South Asia. Within India, novel haplotypes are observed from all dugong habitats sampled, with overall high haplotype diversity (0.85 ± 0.04) but low nucleotide diversity (0.005 ± 0.001). Indian populations exhibit genetic differentiation with higher within-population variance (63.41%) than among populations (36.59%). Two of the haplotypes observed in India are shared with Sri Lanka, implying genetic connectivity between these populations.
3. The genetic data from Indian dugong populations provide critical insights into the identification of dugong corridors and important dugong conservation zones in India. We suggest site-specific interventions, including the creation of new marine protected areas and boundary reorganization and expansion of other existing protected areas, to ensure population connectivity. In addition, simultaneous efforts towards seagrass meadow restoration, reduction of dugong mortalities, and community participation in dugong conservation are recommended for population recovery of this threatened marine herbivore.

     

ABAD directly links Abeta to mitochondrial toxicity in Alzheimer's disease

Mitochondrial dysfunction is a hallmark of beta-amyloid (Abeta)-induced neuronal toxicity in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Here, we demonstrate that Abeta-binding alcohol dehydrogenase (ABAD) is a direct molecular link from Abeta to mitochondrial toxicity. Abeta interacts with ABAD in the mitochondria of AD patients and transgenic mice. The crystal structure of Abeta-bound ABAD shows substantial deformation of the active site that prevents nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) binding. An ABAD peptide specifically inhibits ABAD-Abeta interaction and suppresses Abeta-induced apoptosis and free-radical generation in neurons. Transgenic mice overexpressing ABAD in an Abeta-rich environment manifest exaggerated neuronal oxidative stress and impaired memory. These data suggest that the ABAD-Abeta interaction may be a therapeutic target in AD.     

Adipose triglyceride lipase contributes to cancer-associated cachexia

Cachexia is a multifactorial wasting syndrome most common in patients with cancer that is characterized by the uncontrolled loss of adipose and muscle mass. We show that the inhibition of lipolysis through genetic ablation of adipose triglyceride lipase (Atgl) or hormone-sensitive lipase (Hsl) ameliorates certain features of cancer-associated cachexia (CAC). In wild-type C57BL/6 mice, the injection of Lewis lung carcinoma or B16 melanoma cells causes tumor growth, loss of white adipose tissue (WAT), and a marked reduction of gastrocnemius muscle. In contrast, Atgl-deficient mice with tumors resisted increased WAT lipolysis, myocyte apoptosis, and proteasomal muscle degradation and maintained normal adipose and gastrocnemius muscle mass. Hsl-deficient mice with tumors were also protected although to a lesser degree. Thus, functional lipolysis is essential in the pathogenesis of CAC. Pharmacological inhibition of metabolic lipases may help prevent cachexia.     

Chemical composition and antioxidant properties of extracts of fresh fruiting bodies of Pleurotus sajor-caju (Fr.) Singer

The chemical composition and in vitro antioxidant activity of aqueous butanol and ethyl acetate extracts of Pleurotus sajor-caju were investigated in this study. Twenty-two compounds comprising methyl esters, hydrocarbon fatty acids, ethyl esters, and sterols were identified in ethyl acetate extracts, while cinnamic acid, nicotinamide, benzeneacetamide, and 4-hydroxybenzaldyhde were identified in butanol extracts by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and NMR analysis. The antioxidant activity was determined by a β-carotene bleaching method, ferric reducing antioxidant power, trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity, and lipid peroxidation assays, while the total phenolic content in P. sajor-caju was assessed by Folin-Ciocalteau's method. The aqueous and butanol extracts exhibited the highest antioxidant activity, corresponding to the total phenolic content. The subfractions from the ethyl acetate extract (EP1, EP2, EP3, and EP4), however, showed moderate antioxidant activity. The regular consumption of P. sajor-caju as a part of our diet may render nutritional and nutraceuticals benefits for good health.     

Hairy Vetch Incorporated as Green Manure Inhibits Sulfathiazole Uptake by Lettuce in Soil

Veterinary antibiotics like sulfonamides are frequently detected in arable lands and they can potentially contaminate food crops. It is thus of great importance to identify strategies to reduce food crops’ uptake of antibiotics. For the first time, using a pot culture experiment, sulfathiazole (STZ) uptake by lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) grown in antibiotic-contaminated soils (10 and 100 mg STZ kg^?1 soil) and treated with (in)organic amendments, namely chemical fertilizer (NPK), compost, and hairy vetch, was investigated. Subsequent enhanced plant growth was witnessed when using hairy vetch treatment. The amount of antibiotic uptake was significantly reduced to 5 and 33% with hairy vetch application compared to compost or NPK application at 10 and 100 mg kg^?1 STZ, respectively. The total amounts of accumulated STZ in plant parts increased as the levels of STZ contaminated in soils were increased. STZ was much more abundant in the roots than the leaves. Within 30 days, the extractable STZ in the treated soils—especially with hairy vetch—diminished considerably to concentrations that are frequently detected in arable soils. We conclude that utilization of green manure (cover crop—hairy vetch) is a viable strategy for safer crop production in antibiotic-contaminated soils.     

Long-Term Inorganic Fertilization Effect on the Micronutrient Density in Soil and Rice Grain Cultivated in a South Korean Paddy Field

Soil fertility exerts a direct influence on the essential micronutrient contents of food crops. The focus in this study was on the role that long-term inorganic fertilization (nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P) and potassium (K)) plays in increasing the micronutrient output of the paddy cropping system. After more than 45 years of inorganic fertilizer application, the combined application of fertilizers (PK > NP > NK) substantially increased As (arsenic), B (boron), Cd (cadmium), Co (cobalt), Cr (chromium), Cu (copper), Fe (iron), Mn (manganese), Mo (molybdenum), Ni (nickel), Se (selenium), V (vanadium) and Zn (zinc) density in the soil and rice grain. Optimized and continuous application of PK fertilizers increased the overall micronutrient densities in rice milling fractions (grain and bran). Micronutrient concentrations were usually the highest in bran. Both grain and bran were rich in Fe, Mn and Zn. Correlation analysis indicated that soil pH and organic matter exert a significant and direct effect on the micronutrient concentration of rice. Although long-term fertilization enhanced the proportion of micronutrients in rice grain, the levels were still much lower than the recommended dietary intake levels for micronutrients. We therefore suggest high consumption levels of brown rice (with micronutrient-dense bran layer) because they may increase the daily intake level of micronutrients and meet the nutritional requirements that people need for sound health.     

Efficacy of insect larval meal to replace fish meal in juvenile barramundi,Lates calcarifer reared in freshwater

International Aquatic Research - The present experiment was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of dietary protein from black soldier fly, Hermetia illucens, larval meal (BSFL) to replace fish meal...     

Analysis of molecular variance and population structure in southern Indian finger millet genotypes using three different molecular markers

The genetic relationship among 42 genotypes of finger millet collected from different geographical regions of southern India was investigated using random amplified polymorphic DNA (RAPD), inter simple sequence repeats (ISSR), and simple sequence repeats (SSR) markers. Ten RAPD primers produced 111 polymorphic bands. Five ISSR primers produced a total of 61 bands. Of these, 23 bands were polymorphic. The RAPD and ISSR fingerprints revealed 71.3 and 37.4% polymorphic banding patterns, respectively. Thirty-six SSR primers yielded 83 scorable alleles in which 62 were found to be polymorphic. Out of 36 SSR primers used, 14 primers (46.6%) produced polymorphic bands. The SSR primer UGEP7 produced a maximum number of six alleles. Mean polymorphic information content (PIC) of RAPD, ISSR and SSR were 0.44, 0.28, and 0.14, respectively. Molecular variances among the population were 2, 11, and 1% for RAPD, ISSR, and SSR markers, respectively. SSR produced 99% molecular variance within individuals. RAPD and ISSR markers produced a low level of molecular variance within individuals. The STRUCTURE (model-based program) analysis revealed that the 42 finger millet genotypes could be divided into a maximum of four subpopulations. Based on the Bayesian statistics, each RAPD and SSR marker produced three subpopulations (K=3), while ISSR marker showed four subpopulations (K=4). This study revealed that RAPD and SSR markers could narrow down the analysis of population structure and it may form the basis for finger millet breeding and improvement programs in the future.     

Agriculturally relevant microbial community structure in long-term fertilized paddy soils as revealed by phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) and pyrosequencing analyses

Evidence linking the direct impact of fertilization on diversity, function and phylogeny of N-fixing and P-solubilizing bacteria in rice ecosystem is lacking. This study using phospholipid fatty acid (PLFA) and 454 pyrosequencing analyses was conducted in long-term fertilized (NP, NK, PK, NPK, compost, NPK + compost) paddy field soil, the objective being to examine the community structure of the functionally important beneficial soil microbial communities. Maximum total PLFAs were observed in organic fertilizer treatments, viz. compost (881.5 ± 11.1 nmol g^?1) and NPK + compost (866.5 ± 10.8 nmol g^?1). Pyrosequencing revealed that the overall bacterial and eukaryal compositions at phyla level were not significant for all treatments, while the distribution of each phyla differed. Specifically, the major classified bacterial phyla for all treatments were Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Cyanobacteria and Firmicutes. Supported by the high throughput sequencing approach we hereby propose that the mechanism of N and P cycling under long-term balanced fertilization in a rice ecosystem is largely governed by microbes, notably by the free living N-fixing and/or P solubilizing heterocystous and/or non-heterocystous cyanobacteria, autotrophic bacteria and heterotrophic bacteria. The current study thus proposes that balanced fertilizers may be used without detrimental effects on rice soils in the long-term.     

Assessment of the new generation aeration systems efficiency and water current flow rate,its relation to the cost economics at varying salinities for Penaeus vannamei culture

The selection of aerators and correct numbers can play an essential role in reducing the cost of production in aquaculture. The new generation aerators, namely spiral leaf, air‐jet, submersible and impeller, used in aquaculture, were assessed for its aeration efficiency and energy cost compared with the commonly used paddle wheel aerator. Of the aerators tested, the impeller had the highest aeration efficiency of 2.098 kg O₂/kW hr, followed by paddle wheel with 1.436 kg O₂/kW hr at 20‰ salinity. The spiral and air‐jet aerators had maximum aeration efficiency of 1.326 and 1.419 kg O₂/kW hr, respectively, at 35‰ salinity. The submersible aerator was not efficient as its maximum efficiency was 0.380 kg O₂/kW hr. The water flow by paddle wheel was 3 ft/sec and also provides better coverage than other types of aerators. The efficiency of aerators was high in optimum salinities (20‰ and 35‰) than the low or high saline condition. The average energy cost of shrimp pond aeration per hectare was lowest for impeller, followed by paddle wheel aerator. The study provided economic comparisons of vannamei culture using different aeration systems by keeping a uniform set of economic assumptions. Shrimp farms with impellors can give 14%–25% high returns across salinities, whereas spiral leaf can provide 5% high returns at 35‰ salinity. The combination of the type of aerators and the calculated use based on the salinity of the culture systems can result in energy‐saving and also a reduction in the production cost.