Effect of microalga-based diet on oxidative stress enzymes of African catfish,Clarias gariepinus

Here an indigenously isolated microalgal strain Ascochloris spp. cultivated in synthetic medium was evaluated as an aquaculture feed supplement. The daily dietary supplement includes microalgal feed (AF) and commercial diet feed (CF) (as control), respectively. These diets were fed separately to the juvenile Clarias gariepinus fishes (n = 4) under controlled conditions for an experimental period of 100 days. The protein, glycogen and lipid contents in the muscle extracts were found to be marginally higher in fishes that were fed with CF than AF diet. Similarly, CF fishes showed significantly higher glutathione-s-transferase, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and lipid peroxidase activities, except glutathione content. Zero mortality of the fishes with no significant difference in the overall body mass with the two dietary supplements strongly suggests that algal biomass could supplement the requisite nutrients for their metabolic activities. This preliminary investigation helps in exploring algal biomass as a potential alternative feed additive in the aquaculture industry.     

Comparative Expression Analysis of Gametogenesis‐Associated Genes in Foetal and Adult Bubaline (Bubalus bubalis) Ovaries and Testes

This study was conducted to identify and analyse the expression of gametogenesis‐associated genes and proteins in foetal and adult buffalo gonads of both the sexes. Relative quantification of the genes was determined by qPCR and Western blotting. Immunohistochemistry was also performed for various gametogenesis‐associated proteins in foetal and adult gonads of both the sexes. We observed significantly (p < 0.05) increased expression of primordial germ cell‐specific, meiotic as well as genes associated with oocyte maturation and development in foetal ovaries as compared to the adult ones. However, significantly (p < 0.05) increased expression of proteins associated with oocyte maturation like GDF9 and ZP4 was found in adult ovaries, indicating temporal regulation of mRNA translation during oogenesis. Meiotic genes showed significantly (p < 0.05) increased expression in adult testes as compared to foetal testes and ovaries, indicating onset of meiosis at a later stage in spermatogenesis. In general, the expression of primordial germ cell‐associated as well as meiotic genes was higher in adult testes, indicating the increased biological activity in the organ. Immunohistochemistry revealed localized expression of gametogenesis‐associated proteins in ovarian follicles and seminiferous tubules of testes, while the surrounding somatic tissues were devoid of these proteins. The study gives an understanding of the sequential and temporal events of gene expression as well as mRNA translation during male and female gametogenesis. It could also be concluded that follicles and seminiferous tubules are the functional units of the female and male gonads, respectively, and their function could be enhanced by appropriate chemical and genetic intervention of the somatic tissue immediately surrounding them. This assumes importance in the context that buffalo attains sexual maturity at an older age of 2–3 years and have smaller ovaries with lesser number of primordial follicles in comparison with cattle, which is suggested to be the main reason of their poor breeding performance.     

Recurrent Temporary Paralysis Reported After Human Rabies Post‐Exposure Prophylaxis

Adverse events can occur after rabies post‐exposure prophylaxis (PEP), and linkage to causality is often difficult to determine. We report a case of recurrent temporary paralysis that began immediately after the initiation of rabies PEP in a man exposed to a bat. The recurrent temporary paralysis first occurred in the patient after his initial dose and then again after day 3 of his rabies PEP. The PEP was terminated prior to a serologic response. The patient continued to experience numerous discrete episodes of temporary paralysis for over two years.     

Hunting For Tularaemia – A Review of Cases in North Carolina

Human infections with Francisella tularensis can be acquired via numerous routes, including ingestion, inhalation, arthropod bite or direct contact with infected animals. Since 1991, there have been 25 reported cases of tularaemia in North Carolina, most of which were associated with rabbit hunting or cat bites. We present two adults cases of pulmonary and oropharyngeal tularaemia and review the reported cases since 1991–2013. We also present the fifth case of pulmonary empyema. While cavitary pneumonias are primarily treated with drainage, we illustrate a case of cavitary pneumonia associated with tularaemia successfully treated with oral ciprofloxacin after drainage. Tularaemia should be considered in patients with a perplexing radiographic image, animal exposure and lack of response to conventional empiric broad‐spectrum antibiotics. Even in serious cases of pneumonic tularaemia, fluoroquinolones may provide a suitable alternative to aminoglycosides.     

Growth and yield prediction models for Acacia mangium grown in the plantations of the central region of Bangladesh

Acacia mangium is a very fast growing species belonging to the family Leguminosae that has been introduced in the plantations in Bangladesh for its faster growth and wide range of adaptability. The present study aimed at development of growth and yield prediction models for the species using simultaneous equation method. Models were selected for the species to estimate stand dominant height, stand diameter, stand basal area per hectare and total volume yield per hectare. Paired t-test, 45-degree line test, percent absolute deviation and biological principle of stand development were used for the validation of chosen models. The results suggest that the models derived were statistically and biologically acceptable and could be satisfactorily used for stands of Acacia mangium of ages 4–7 yrs based on a base age of 6 yr.     

Seed Maturation Indicators in Pyracantha crenulata Roxb. in Kumaun Central Himalaya

Fruits of Pyracantha crenulata were collected from two locations varying by approximately 550 m in elevation from south aspect for assessing seed maturation indicators. The mean seed size (length×diameter) across the collection dates varied between 1.61 ± 0.7 and 4.93 ± 0.06 mm² across both the locations. The seed moisture content negatively correlated with germination. The change in fruit colour from dark green to light orange, the range of fruit moisture content (30.43% ± 0.06 to 36.10% ± 0.25) and the seed moisture content between 68.8% ± 0.68 and 71.6 ± 0.62 coincided with maximum germination and appear to be major indicators of seed maturation in Pyracantha crenulata.     

番茄对晚疫病的株龄相关抗性及Ph-3的抗性机制

目前已明确番茄抗晚疫病R基因表现明显的株龄相关抗性(Age-related Resistance,ARR),但抗晚疫病QTL的抗性规律尚不明确。以携带抗晚疫病基因Ph-3的栽培种番茄(Solanum lycopersicum)‘CLN2037B’和野生种醋栗番茄(S.pimpinellifolium)‘L3708’以及易感病材料栽培种番茄(S.lycopersicum)‘LA2818’为对照,对含有抗晚疫病QTL的多毛番茄(S.habrochaites)‘LA2099’、‘LA1033’和‘LA1777’是否也存在株龄相关抗性进行了分析。结果表明,携带抗晚疫病QTL的3个材料的6叶期和9叶期植株病情级数均比3叶期明显降低,表明QTL抗性与株龄相关。利用乙烯、水杨酸和茉莉酸素合成或缺失的突变体和病毒诱导基因沉默(Virus Induced Gene Silencing,VIGS)技术,初步明确了乙烯和水杨酸参与6叶期Ph-3基因介导的对晚疫病的抗性,而茉莉酸不参与。     

Molecular simulations probing Kushecarpin A as a new lipoxygenase inhibitor

Zizyphus oxyphylla Edgew is used in Pakistan as a folk medicinal remedy for inflammatory conditions, pains especially rheumatic pain, fevers, allergy and diabetes. The aim of the current study was to scientifically validate the folk use of Z. oxyphylla Edgew by using the isolated compound in vitro and in vivo levels. Kushecarpin A was isolated from ethyl acetate fraction of the plant crude extract. Molecular docking simulations predicted Kushecarpin A as a potential new lipoxygenase (LOX) inhibitor. Kushecarpin A showed significant lipoxygenase inhibition (IC50: 7.2 ± 0.02 μM) thus validated computational prediction. It also exhibited significant and highly significant inhibition (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01) of carrageenan-induced hind paw oedema at the doses of 5, 10 and 20 mg/kg. Kushecarpin A seems to be a potentially new anti-inflammatory compound responsible for anti-inflammatory activities of Z. oxyphylla Edgew. In vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory inflammatory activities were found in good agreement with the folk medicinal use of Z. oxyphylla Edgew in inflammatory disorders.     

Molecular simulations of Taxawallin I inside classical taxol binding site of β-tubulin

A new taxoid Taxawallin I (1) along with two known taxoids (2-3) were isolated from methanolic bark extract of Taxus wallichiana Zucc. Structural characterization was confirmed by mass and NMR spectral techniques. Taxawallin I exhibited significant in-vitro anticancer activity against HepG2, A498, NCI-H226 and MDR 2780AD cancer lines. Tubulin binding assay was performed to assess its tubulin binding activity. Molecular docking analysis was performed to study the potential binding mode inside the taxol binding site of β-tubulin.