Zebrafish fin‐derived fibroblast cell line: A model for in vitro wound healing

The goal of this study was to develop and characterize a cell line from the caudal fin tissue of zebrafish and also its application as an in vitro model to study the effect of H₂O₂ in wound healing. Fibroblastic cell line was developed using explant culture method from caudal fin tissue of zebrafish and characterized. This cell line was named as DrF cell line. The DrF cells treated with 0–10 µM/ml H₂O₂ were tested for viability, proliferation and motility by MTT assay, trypan blue assay and chemotaxis assay, respectively. Among the different concentrations of H₂O₂, 4 µM was found to be nontoxic to study cell migration in in vitro scratch wound assay. Furthermore, the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and chemokine receptor (CXCR4) genes was carried by qPCR. The cell survival, proliferation and migration were extremely enriched at 4 µM level of H₂O₂. We observed accelerated wound closure in DrF cells treated with H₂O_2. The qPCR results indicated that H₂O₂ markedly up‐regulated mRNA expression of PCNA and CXCR4. The findings from our study suggest that H₂O₂ at low levels promotes cell survival, proliferation, migration and wound healing in DrF cells.     

Immunomodulatory effect of Cynodon dactylon against white tail disease of giant freshwater prawn,Macrobrachium rosenbergii (de Man, 1879)

The giant freshwater prawn, Macrobrachium rosenbergii, is an economically important and extensively cultured crustacean worldwide. The viral pathogens, Macrobrachium rosenbergii nodavirus (MrNV) and extra small virus (XSV) are responsible for causing severe mortalities in the hatchery and nursery phases. This study investigates the protection of postlarvae of freshwater against white tail disease (WTD) using plant extract derived from Cyanodon dactylon and the modulation of the prawn non‐specific immunity. To determine the immunomodulatory effect of C. dactylon extract, the prawn was injected with plant extract and various immunological parameters were estimated. The immunological parameters such as proPO, SOD, THC and clotting time were found to be significantly higher in the plant extract‐injected prawn when compared with control groups. The results of real time PCR analysis revealed up regulation on the expression proPO, SOD and lysozyme genes in MrNV and XSV challenged prawn postlarvae treated with C. dactylon extract. Infectivity experiment showed high relative per cent survival in MrNV and XSV‐challenged prawn postlarvae treated with C. dactylon extract. These results strongly indicate that the administration of C. dactylon plant extract enhances immunity of the prawn. Based on the results, this study recommends that the immersion of postlarvae in C. dactylon plant extract is a potential prophylactic agent against WTD.     

In vitro antimicrobial activity of orbifloxacin against Staphylococcus intermedius isolates from canine skin and ear infections

The objective of the study was to evaluate the in vitro activity of orbifloxacin against Staphylococcus intermedius strains isolated in France from canine skin and ear infections. The minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of orbifloxacin against 240 field S. intermedius isolates (69 skin and 171 ear isolates) ranged from 0.016 to 8 mg l(-1), with MIC50 and MIC90 equal to 0.5 and 1 mg l(-1), respectively. Only one strain, a pyoderma isolate was resistant (MIC=8 mg l(-1)). Orbifloxacin was tested at different concentrations for killing rate against five isolates obtained from pyoderma cases and against a reference strain (Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213). Orbifloxacin expressed a concentration-dependent bactericidal activity against the S. aureus reference strain, but a time-dependent bactericidal activity against S. intermedius. Orbifloxacin induced bactericidal effect against the S. intermedius strains tested with concentrations equal to or two times MIC.     

Characterization of Lotus Stem (Nelumbo nucifera) Starches Purified From Three Lakes of India

Starch was isolated from lotus stem obtained from three lakes of Jammu and Kashmir, India, and their physicochemical, morphological, and pasting properties were studied. Protein, fat, and amylose content varied significantly (p ≤ 0.05) among the different starches, but no significant difference was found in ash content. Amylose content was highest in lotus stem starch from Manasbal (30.0%), followed by the Dal (28.3%), and the Wular (25.0%). Functional properties like swelling, solubility, and water absorption showed an increasing trend with an increase in temperature from 50–90°C. Scanning electron microscopy of lotus stem starches showed small rounded and typical oval shaped granules with a smooth surface. The starch extracted from Wular and Dal lotus stems had larger granules than Manasbal starch. All the starches obtained from the three sources gave a similar B-type X-ray diffraction pattern. Pasting properties—such as pasting temperature, peak viscosity, breakdown, setback, and final viscosity—significantly differed among starches.     

Transboundary system for grapevine downy mildew risk evaluation on a territorial scale (P. Rada project)*

A wide and homogenous viticultural area traverses the border between Friuli Venezia Giulia (Italy) and the western part of Slovenia. Despite similar agricultural, climatic and geographical conditions on each side of the border, the management of agricultural activities and, in particular, the organization of phytosanitary campaigns is carried out separately and differently between the two countries incurring a waste of money, time and energy. The project P. Rada (EU Interreg IIIA Italy Slovenia 2000–06) was set up with the aim of establishing a common expert agrometeorological system to evaluate the development of Plasmopara viticola on a territorial scale. The required agrometeorological data are collected by a network of weather stations and spatially interpolated in a grid with a resolution of 500 × 500 m. The spatial dataset obtained is integrated with rainfall images processed by a polarimetric radar located in Fossalon di Grado (Gorizia, Italy). Once the territorial dataset has been completed, data are used to feed two agrometeorological models: SWEB, for the estimation of leaf wetness, and PLASMO for the simulation of grapevine downy mildew. The main output of the system is represented by meteorological (temperature, rainfall, leaf wetness) and epidemiological (total and current number of infections, days for the outbreak of the current infection) maps capable of supplying end users with detailed information useful for planning and management of grapevine protection activity.     

Plant–herbivore asynchrony necessitates augmentative releases of the exotic beetle,Zygogramma bicolorata,to enhance the biological control of P arthenium hysterophorus

Systematic information on the quantitative impact of Z ygogramma bicolorata on the biology of P arthenium hysterophorus is crucial as the seeds of this weed continue to germinate from the accumulated soil seed bank throughout the year in the form of different germinating flushes, while the activity of the beetle ceases during winter as it enters diapause. Therefore, plant–herbivore interactions need to be explored to develop predictions of the overall impact of the introduced beetle on the weed. The findings revealed that defoliation by Z . bicolorata had a significant impact on the plant height, density and flower production in flushes F ₃, F ₄ and F ₅, but not in F ₁ and F ₂ that exhibited longer periodicity, profuse branching, a longer flowering period and maximum flower production and contributed mostly to the existing seed soil bank. Therefore, total depletion of the existing soil seed bank was not possible. Consequently, the effect of augmentative field releases of laboratory‐reared beetles was explored on F ₁ and F ₂ in February for three consecutive years (2011–2013). Before initiating the trial, random soil samples were taken from the plots that were assigned to the paired treatments (i.e. with the beetle and without the beetle [insecticide‐treated]) and it was found that the seed bank in those samples did not differ. The single release of Z . bicolorata adults at five per plant at the six‐leaf stage significantly reduced the soil seed bank, compared to without the biocontrol agent, irrespective of the flushes at the end of the season.     

Allelopathic Effect of Conyza albida on Avena sativa and Spirodela polyrhiza

The allelopathic influence of four plant tissues of Conyza albida (stems, leaves and inflorescences) on oat growth were investigated using in vivo tests. Oat growth (fresh and dry weights of above and underground parts) was inhibited from phytotoxic activity of upper leaves and inflorescence tissues of C. albida in pot studies. The inhibition was significantly higher than in the other tissues studied. The inhibiting action of crude extracts and volatile compounds from young plants (rosette) and mature plants were examined using two bioassay methods: (a) seed germination and radicle growth of oat and (b) fresh weight of duckweed plants. Both bioassayed species exhibited greater phytotoxic response from the young plants, collected in winter, than from the mature ones.     

Effect of β-Glucan Stabilized Virgin Coconut Oil Nanoemulsion on Properties of Croaker Surimi Gel

Effects of virgin coconut oil (VCO) nanoemulsion stabilized by β-glucan and β-glucan solution at final β-glucan levels of 5–20% (based on solid weight of surimi) on croaker surimi gel were comparatively studied. Increases in breaking force, deformation, and fracture constant were found in surimi gel containing VCO nanoemulsion stabilized by 5% β-glucan, whereas a decrease in all properties was observed as the level of β-glucan in nanoemulsion increased. The addition of β-glucan solutions led to continuous decrease in breaking force, deformation, and fracture constant, compared to the control. Addition of both β-glucan stabilized nanoemulsion and β-glucan solutions resulted in decrease in viscoelastic moduli. Power law model represented viscoelastic behavior of all the gels. Expressible moisture content decreased, while whiteness increased with the addition of β-glucan-stabilized nanoemulsion, compared with gel containing VCO. However, both expressible moisture content and whiteness increased with the addition of β-glucan solutions, at all levels used. Addition of β-glucan-stabilized nanoemulsion resulted in finer gels compared to the control gel added with only VCO. Generally, overall likeness score increased for gel containing VCO nanoemulsion stabilized by 5% β-glucan. The surimi gel containing both medium chain fatty acids and β-glucan, functional ingredients, could be developed as a new product.