Role of host's antitumor immunity in exercise-dependent regression of murine T-cell lymphoma

We have reported that the ascitic growth of a transplantable T cell lymphoma of spontaneous origin, designated as Dalton's lymphoma (DL), is associated with a concomitant immunosuppression. We have also reported that progressive in vivo growth of DL resulted in an inhibition of macrophage functions. In present investigation we report that physical exercise by DL-bearing mice, on a treadmill on a daily basis for various time durations for 10 days, increased the life span along with an inhibition of tumor growth. A significant decrease in the volume of ascitic fluid and number of cells in the tumor was obtained in mice, which underwent exercise. DL cells obtained from exercised groups showed a decreased proliferation in vitro. An augmentation in the percent of cells showing apoptotic morphology and percent specific DNA fragmentation was observed, suggesting that physical exercise increased the incidence of apoptosis in tumor cells. Moreover, macrophages obtained from tumor-bearing mice, which underwent exercise training, showed an augmented tumoricidal activity and production of tumoricidal molecules like interleukin-1 (IL-1), tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and nitric oxide (NO). On the basis of this study it is suggested that the regression of tumor growth consequent to physical exercise training of tumor bearing host, may be due to an exercise-dependent augmentation of macrophage tumoricidal functions.     

Ultrastructural Studies of conidiogenesis ofAscochyta rabiei, the causal Organism of chickpea blight

Studies employing transmission (TEM) and scanning (SEM) electron microscopy revealed that conidiogenous cells of the chickpea blight fungus,Ascochyta rabiei (Pass.) Labr., resembled phialides in most of their features. The phialides were generally of a simple type, but occasionally they proliferated in a percurrent fashion. There is enough evidence to suggest that the fungus is better placed in genusPhoma. SEM has been employed for the first time to study internal details of fructifications of a closed type in coelomycete fungi.     

Prenatal development of retina in buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

The development of retina in Indian buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) has not been reported previously. The aim of the present study was therefore to report the major landmarks and the time course in the development of retina. Serial histological sections of Indian buffalo embryos and foetuses were used as group1 (<20.0 cm CVRL), group2 (>20.0 but <40.0 cm CVRL) and group3 (>40.0 cm CVRL). Age estimation was made on the basis of crown vertebral‐rump length (CVRL), which ranged between 36 and 286 days (1.6–94.0 cm). The retina in Indian buffalo was developed in a similar manner to that of the other mammals with the principal differences in the time of occurrence of various layers of this nervous tunic. In 36 days (1.6 cm stage), the foetal retina was composed of pigmented layer and the layer of neuroblasts. Differentiation of layers was first observed in 47 days (4.0 cm CVRL) which became prominent in 52 days (5.1 cm stage). At 120 days (20.5 cm stage), the differentiation of inner plexiform layer and inner nuclear layer was evident. At 143 days (31.0 cm) foetal age, the faint line in neuroblastic layer was the first evidence of the future outer plexiform layer. In foetuses of group III, the retina was comprised of all 10 layers (eight cell layers and two membranes) viz. pigmented epithelium, layer of rods and cones, outer limiting membrane, outer nuclear layer, outer plexiform layer, inner nuclear layer, inner plexiform layer, ganglion cell layer, layer of nerve fibres and the inner limiting membrane.     

Purification and characterization of the 7S vicilin from Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis)

Pine nuts are economically important as a source of human food. They are also of medical importance because numerous pine nut allergy cases have been recently reported. However, little is known about the proteins in pine nuts. The purpose of this study was to purify and characterize pine nut storage proteins. Reported here is the first detailed purification protocol of the 7S vicilin-type globulin from Korean pine (Pinus koraiensis) by gel filtration, anion exchange, and hydrophobic interaction chromatography. Reducing SDS-PAGE analysis indicated that purified vicilin consists of four major bands, reminiscent of post-translational protease cleavage of storage proteins during protein body packing in other species. The N-terminal ends of vicilin peptides were sequenced by Edman degradation. Circular dichroism (CD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analyses revealed that pine nut vicilin is stable up to 80 degrees C and its folding-unfolding equilibrium monitored by intrinsic fluorescence can be interpreted in terms of a two-state model.     

Study of anti-inflammatory,analgesic and antipyretic activities of seeds of Hyoscyamus niger and isolation of a new coumarinolignan

A chemical and biological validation of the traditional use of Hyoscyamus niger seeds as anti-inflammatory drug has been established. The methanolic extract of seeds of H. niger (MHN) was evaluated for its analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activities in experimental animal models at different doses. MHN produced significant increase in hot plate reaction time, while decreasing writhing response in a dose-dependent manner indicating its analgesic activity. It was also effective in both acute and chronic inflammation evaluated through carrageenin-induced paw oedema and cotton pellet granuloma methods. In addition to its analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity, it also exhibited antipyretic activity in yeast-induced pyrexia model. Furthermore, the bioactive MHN under chemical investigation showed the presence of coumarinolignans as major chemical constituent and yielded a new coumarinolignan, cleomiscosin A methyl ether (1) along with four known coumarinolignans, cleomiscosin A (2), cleomiscosin B (3), cleomiscosin A-9′-acetate (4) and cleomiscosin B-9′-acetate (5). The structure elucidation of 1 was done by spectroscopic data interpretation and comparative HPLC analysis. Cleomiscosin A, but not its isomer cleomiscosin B, reduced dry and wet weight of cotton pellet granuloma in mice. This suggests that cleomiscosin A is an important constituent of MHN responsible for anti-inflammatory activity.     

Anatomy of the vertebral column,ribs and sternum in orange rumped agouti (Dasyprocta leporina Linnaeus, 1758): Structural and Functional perspectives

The axial skeleton of orange rumped agouti, Dasyprocta leporina, was studied for better understanding of its locomotor behaviour. The bones from eight adult agoutis of both sexes were observed for their anatomical features and functional significance. The vertebral formula was found to be C₇T₁₂L₇S₅Cy_5–6. The well-developed occipital crest, caudally oriented prominent axis spine and well-developed transverse processes from C₃–C₇ indicated a highly flexible neck with greater sagittal mobility. Articular facets were horizontal in anterior series while oblique in the posterior series, which enabled them to perform both lateral and sagittal movements during locomotion. The caudally directed thoracic spines, T₁₂ as anticlinal vertebra and prominent mamillary process in the posterior series were suggestive of strong dorso-ventral flexion/extension and rotation. The robust lumbar vertebrae, well-developed transverse processes with cranio-ventral extension, were the feature for powerful sagittal/dorsoventral movement. The presence of spinous processes and well-developed transverse processes in all caudal vertebrae was an indication of a highly movable tail. The ribs were 13 pairs with first seven as sternal and six as asternal. They were laterally compressed in the anterior series as a cursorial adaptation. A strong muscular attachment to vertebrae provides this rodent speed, agility, dexterity and strength suitable for survival in food chain.     

EFFECT OF FOLIAR SPRAY OF SOLUBLE SILICIC ACID ON GROWTH AND YIELD PARAMETERS OF WETLAND RICE IN HILLY AND COASTAL ZONE SOILS OF KARNATAKA,SOUTH INDIA

Field experiments were conducted to evaluate the effect of foliar spray of soluble silicic acid on growth and yield parameters of wetland rice. The results revealed a significant effect on achieving higher grain and straw yield with foliar silicic acid over control. Foliar spray of silicic acid at 2 and 4 ml L^?1 increased the grain and straw yield and application of 8 ml L^?1 decreased the yield. Foliar spray of silicic acid at 4 ml L^?1 along with half dose of recommended pesticide effectively increased the yields over all other treatments. The content and uptake of silicon in grain and straw was recorded higher with the foliar spray of silicic acid over control. This investigation concludes that application of silicic acid at 4 ml L^?1 along with half dose of recommended pesticide as foliar spray increased the grain and straw yield, besides Si content and its uptake over control.     

Effect of feeding different levels of energy and protein on performance of Aseel breed of chicken during juvenile phase

A study was conducted to evaluate the effect of feeding different metabolizable energy (ME) and crude protein (CP) levels on performance of Aseel chicken during 0 to 8?weeks of age (Juvenile phase). At 1?day old, 432 chicks were randomly distributed into nine groups. Each group had 48 chicks distributed into eight replicates with six birds in each. Maize-soybean meal-based diets with three ME levels (2,400, 2,600 and 2,800?kcal/kg) and three CP levels (16%, 18% and 20%) were fed to birds in a 3?×?3 factorial design. Different ME levels had significant effect on body weight gain (BWG), feed intake and feed conversion ratio (FCR). Birds fed diet with 2,400?kcal/kg ME had significantly lower BWG (P?相似文献   

Fractionation and characterization of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) as treated by supercritical water

In order to investigate the potential for efficient utilization of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis), supercritical water treatment (at 380°C and 100 MPa for 8 s) was applied to fractionate extractives-free samples into water-soluble portion and water-insoluble portion. The water-insoluble portion was further fractionated into methanol-soluble portion and methanol-insoluble residue. Samples were prepared from various parts of oil palm, i.e., trunks, fronds, mesocarp fibers, shells, empty fruit bunches, and kernel cake. These fractionated products were then characterized analytically. The water-soluble and methanol-soluble portions were determined to be mainly composed of carbohydrate-derived products and lignin-derived products, respectively. The methanol-insoluble residue was mainly composed of lignin (more than 84 wt%) and the phenolic hydroxyl contents determined by the aminolysis method was higher than for untreated oil palm samples. In addition, an alkaline nitrobenzene oxidation analysis indicated that the methanol-insoluble residue contained fewer oxidation products than untreated samples did. These findings imply that the water-soluble portion could be utilized for organic acid production, whereas the methanol-soluble portion and the insoluble residue could be used for the production of phenolic chemicals.