Fucoidan Isolated from Sargassum confusum Suppresses Inflammatory Responses and Oxidative Stress in TNF-α/IFN-γ- Stimulated HaCaT Keratinocytes by Activating Nrf2/HO-1 Signaling Pathway

Recent studies have revealed that marine brown seaweeds contain numerous bioactive compounds which exhibit various bioactivities. The present study investigated the effect of low molecular weight fucoidan (SCF) isolated from Sargassum confusum, a brown alga, on inflammatory responses and oxidative stress in HaCaT keratinocytes stimulated by tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α/interferon (IFN)-γ. SCF significantly increased the cell viability while decreasing the intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production in TNF-α/IFN-γ-stimulated HaCaT keratinocytes. In addition, SCF effectively reduced inflammatory cytokines (interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-13, TNF-α, and IFN-γ) and chemokines (Eotaxin, macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC), regulated on activation, normal T cell expressed and secreted (RANTES), and thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC)) expression, by down-regulating the expression of epithelial and epidermal innate cytokines (IL-25, IL-33, and thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP)). Furthermore, SCF suppressed the activation of TNF-α/IFN-γ-stimulated mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) signaling pathways, while activating the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2)/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) signaling pathway. The cytoprotective effect of SCF against TNF-α/IFN-γ stimulation was considerably reduced upon inhibition of HO-1 activity by ZnPP. Overall, these results suggest that SCF effectively suppressed inflammatory responses and oxidative stress in TNF-α/IFN-γ-stimulated HaCaT keratinocytes via activating the Nrf2/HO-1 signaling pathway.     

Evaluation and impact assessment of culture‐based fisheries to enhance fish yield in small reservoirs in Odisha State,India

The present study investigates the success of stocking fingerlings of Indian major carps ‐Gibelion catla (Hamilton), Labeo rohita Hamilton and Cirrhinus mrigala Hamilton – to enhance fish yield in 58 small reservoirs in Odisha State, India. Fish stocking and yield data were collected from State Fisheries Department, Odisha. The relationships between area, stocking density and fish yield of different size groups of reservoirs were assessed using the Pearson correlation coefficient (r). Fish yield increased significantly (p < 0.05, t‐test) from 204 kg/ha/year in 2012–13 to 323 kg/ha/year in 2013–14 due to adoption of CBF. The corresponding per capita fish production increased from 398 kg fisher^?1 year^?1 to 702 kg fisher^?1 year^?1 benefitting more than 8,000 fisher households. Reservoirs in the size group 100–500 ha showed the highest response of fish yield with respect to stocking of fingerlings. The size of fingerlings at stocking and area of the reservoir had greater impact on enhancing fish yield. Stocking had a profound positive impact on fish yield. This study forms a baseline evaluation of the impact of stocking on small tropical reservoirs in India. It also recommends management measures and discusses issues, and the way forward for sustainable fisheries enhancement in small tropical reservoirs in eastern India.     

Genetic analysis of bacterial wilt resistance in eggplant (Solanum melongena L.)

European Journal of Plant Pathology - Bacterial wilt triggered by Ralstonia solanacearum is one of the major devastating diseases causing significant yield reduction in eggplant. F1 hybrids (18...     

3-Bromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzaldehyde Isolated from Polysiphonia morrowii Suppresses TNF-α/IFN-γ-Stimulated Inflammation and Deterioration of Skin Barrier in HaCaT Keratinocytes

Polysiphonia morrowii is a well-known red alga that has promising pharmacological characteristics. The current study evaluates the protective effect of 3-bromo-4,5-dihydroxybenzaldehyde (BDB) isolated from P. morrowii on tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α/interferon (IFN)-γ-stimulated inflammation and skin barrier deterioration in HaCaT keratinocytes. The anti-inflammatory effect of BDB in TNF-α/IFN-γ-stimulated HaCaT keratinocytes is evaluated by investigating nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways, inflammatory cytokines, and chemokines. Further, the interaction between BDB and the skin barrier functions in stimulated HaCaT keratinocytes is investigated. The findings of the study reveal that BDB dose-dependently increases cell viability while decreasing intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. BDB downregulates the expression of inflammatory cytokines, interleukin (IL)-6, -8, -13, IFN-γ, TNF-α, and chemokines, Eotaxin, macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC), regulated on activation, normal T cells expressed and secreted (RANTES), and thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC) by modulating the MAPK and NF-κB signaling pathways in TNF-α/IFN-γ-stimulated HaCaT keratinocytes. Furthermore, BDB increases the production of skin hydration proteins and tight junction proteins in stimulated HaCaT keratinocytes by preserving skin moisturization and tight junction stability. These findings imply that BDB exhibits a protective ability against inflammation and deterioration of skin barrier via suppressing the expression of inflammatory signaling in TNF-α/IFN-γ-stimulated HaCaT keratinocytes.     

Subchronic toxicity study of urea molasses mineral block in kids

A study was conducted on twenty indigenous goat kids allocated into two different groups. All animals were offered ad libitum rice straw and berseem hay (40:60). Group I (T₁) was fed concentrate mixture (100 g/d). Group II (T₂) was supplemented with urea molasses mineral block (200 g/d). The experiment lasted for 90 days. There was significant decrease in serum sodium (60.68 mEq/L), increase in serum potassium (34.50 mEq/L) and increased activity of AST (340.42 U/L) and ALT (164.96 U/L) was observed in kids of group T₂ in comparison to the controls (T₁). On histopathological examination mild degenerative changes in kidney of group T₂ with congestion in intertubular vessel, granular cytoplasm of the epithelial cells in PCT and DCT, necrosis and swelling of the epithelial cells, congestion of vessels and cloudy swelling was observed in PCT and DCT. Albuminious mass was also present in tubule. On histopathological observation of liver of kid of group T₂ oedema in liver parenchyma and proliferation of fibrious tissue in periportal area was observed.     

Pea seed-borne mosaic virus: occurrence in faba bean (Vicia faba) and lentil (Lens culinaris) in West Asia and North Africa,and further information on host range,transmission characteristics,and purification

In a survey for viruses of cultivated legumes in West Asia and North Africa, pea seed-borne mosaic virus (PSbMV) was found in faba bean, lentil and pea. Using ELISA, it was detected in 107 out of 1554 faba bean samples and 40 out of 496 lentil samples with virus-like symptoms collected in Algeria, Egypt, Ethiopia, Jordan, Lebanon., Libya, Morocco, Sudan, Tunisia and Turkey.A pea isolate (SP9-88) from Syria was further characterized. Out of 57 plant species tested, 35 were found susceptible, 19 of which are newly reported hosts of the virus. The virus was transmitted efficiently in the non-persistent manner by five aphid species, especiallyMyzus persicae. Purification from systemically infected faba bean plants yielded 10–15 mg of purified virus per kg of infected tissue. Sap-inoculation of the food and forage legume species chickpea, faba bean, lentil, pea,Vicia narbonensis, V. sativa, Lathyrus ochrus andL. sativus at flowering stage led to 66.0, 40.5, 44.6, 49.2, 31.7, 7.5, 35.7 and 12.0% yield loss, respectively, and to seed-transmission, rates of 0.7, 6.0, 10.8, 1.1, 0.3, 0.2 and 0.4%, respectively. No transmission was detected in chickpea seed embryo axes. However, the virus was detected in the seed coat of SPbMV-infected chickpea at an estimated rate of 1.81%.