The Critical Studies of Fucoxanthin Research Trends from 1928 to June 2021: A Bibliometric Review

Fucoxanthin is a major carotenoid in brown macroalgae and diatoms that possesses a broad spectrum of health benefits. This review evaluated the research trends of the fucoxanthin field from 1928 to June 2021 using the bibliometric method. The present findings unraveled that the fucoxanthin field has grown quickly in recent years with a total of 2080 publications. Japan was the most active country in producing fucoxanthin publications. Three Japan institutes were listed in the top ten productive institutions, with Hokkaido University being the most prominent institutional contributor in publishing fucoxanthin articles. The most relevant subject area on fucoxanthin was the agricultural and biological sciences category, while most fucoxanthin articles were published in Marine Drugs. A total of four research concepts emerged based on the bibliometric keywords analysis: “bioactivities”, “photosynthesis”, “optimization of process’’, and “environment”. The “bioactivities” of fucoxanthin was identified as the priority in future research. The current analysis highlighted the importance of collaboration and suggested that global collaboration could be the key to valorizing and efficiently boosting the consumer acceptability of fucoxanthin. The present bibliometric analysis offers valuable insights into the research trends of fucoxanthin to construct a better future development of this treasurable carotenoid.     

Molecular evidence of rat bocavirus among rodents in Peninsular Malaysia

Rat bocavirus (RBoV) and rodent bocavirus (RoBoV) have previously been detected in Rattus norvegicus; however, these viruses have not been reported in rodent populations in Malaysia. We investigated the presence of RBoV and RoBoV in archived rodent specimens. DNA barcoding of the rodent cytochrome c oxidase gene identified five different species: Rattus tanezumi R3 mitotype, Rattus tiomanicus, Rattus exulans, Rattus argentiventer, and Rattus tanezumi sensu stricto. Three spleens were positive for RBoV (1.84%; 3/163), but no RoBoV was detected. Phylogenetic analyzes of the partial non-structural protein 1 gene grouped Malaysian RBoV strains with RBoV strains from China. Further studies among rats from different geographical locations are warranted for this relatively new virus.     

Fruiting behavior of dipterocarps in two consecutive episodes of general flowering in a Malaysian lowland rain forest

We examined fruiting behaviors of 24 dipterocarp species in a lowland rain forest of Peninsular Malaysia during two consecutive episodes of general flowering (GF). The first GF episode (GF2001) occurred from August 2001 to February 2002, and the second GF episode (GF2002) followed immediately, from March to September 2002. The magnitude of GF2002 was greater than that of GF2001 at the community level. Significant positive size dependence of fruiting behavior at the community level was found in both GF2001 and GF2002, but there was no significant association between the fruiting behaviors in GF2001 and GF2002 except for one species. These results imply that tree size was one of the explanatory factors for fruiting behavior of dipterocarp species, but there was no evidence that adjacent reproduction caused the absence of reproduction and decreased fecundity in the subsequent fruiting event. In contrast, strong spatial aggregation of fruiting trees was found in GF2001, suggesting that external factors may affect fruiting behavior of dipterocarps in a minor GF episode. Among the 12 study species, there were large variations in fruiting behavior, but growth type (e.g., fast-growing or slow-growing) did not simply explain the inter-specific pattern of fruiting behavior. Thus, tree size may account for fruiting behavior of dipterocarps during the consecutive GF episodes through species-specific differences in phonological responses to internal and external conditions.     

The importance of demographic niches to tree diversity

Most ecological hypotheses about species coexistence hinge on species differences, but quantifying trait differences across species in diverse communities is often unfeasible. We examined the variation of demographic traits using a global tropical forest data set covering 4500 species in 10 large-scale tree inventories. With a hierarchical Bayesian approach, we quantified the distribution of mortality and growth rates of all tree species at each site. This allowed us to test the prediction that demographic differences facilitate species richness, as suggested by the theory that a tradeoff between high growth and high survival allows species to coexist. Contrary to the prediction, the most diverse forests had the least demographic variation. Although demographic differences may foster coexistence, they do not explain any of the 16-fold variation in tree species richness observed across the tropics.     

An Efficient and Quick Analytical Method for the Quantification of an Algal Alkaloid Caulerpin Showed In-Vitro Anticancer Activity against Colorectal Cancer

Biological invasion is the successful spread and establishment of a species in a novel environment that adversely affects the biodiversity, ecology, and economy. Both invasive and non-invasive species of the Caulerpa genus secrete more than thirty different secondary metabolites. Caulerpin is one of the most common secondary metabolites in genus Caulerpa. In this study, caulerpin found in invasive Caulerpa cylindracea and non-invasive Caulerpa lentillifera extracts were analyzed, quantified, and compared using high-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) for the first time. The anticancer activities of caulerpin against HCT-116 and HT-29 colorectal cancer (CRC) cell lines were also tested. Caulerpin levels were found higher in the invasive form (108.83 ± 5.07 µg mL⁻¹ and 96.49 ± 4.54 µg mL⁻¹). Furthermore, caulerpin isolated from invasive Caulerpa decreased cell viability in a concentration-dependent manner (IC50 values were found between 119 and 179 µM), inhibited invasion-migration, and induced apoptosis in CRC cells. In comparison, no cytotoxic effects on the normal cell lines (HDF and NIH-3T3) were observed. In conclusion, HPTLC is a quick and novel method to investigate the caulerpin levels found in Caulerpa extracts, and this paper proposes an alternative utilization method for invasive C. cylindracea due to significant caulerpin content compared to non-invasive C. lentillifera.     

Epiphytotics of chickpea Ascochyta blight in Turkey as influenced by climatic factors

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - Chickpea Ascochyta blight caused by Didymella rabiei is one of the most important fungal diseases affecting yield and seed quality negatively in Turkey....     

EFFICACY OF SUPPLEMENTAL CALCIUM ON THE GROWTH OF THREE RICE GENOTYPES DIFFERING IN SALT TOLERANCE

The effect of supplemental calcium (Ca) on the growth of three rice genotypes PVSB9, NS15, and Pokkali were assessed. Different morphological characters were studied among which the percent relative- plant height, total tillers, root dry weight (RDW), shoot dry weight (SDW), and total dry matter (TDM) were higher in Pokkali and PVSB9, but lower in NS15 under different salinity and supplemental Ca levels. These morphological characteristics significantly decreased with increasing salinity levels grown at different Ca levels, but significantly increased with increasing supplemental Ca levels. The interaction effect of genotypes and salinity levels, and genotypes and Ca levels were significant, where a negative relationship with increasing salinity levels and a positive relationship with increasing supplemental Ca levels were found. The interaction effect of salinity and Ca levels on all morphological parameters was significant, where these characteristics increased due to increasing the supplemental Ca levels at all the levels of salinity.     

Molecular characterization of Malaysian fowl adenovirus (FAdV) serotype 8b species E and pathogenicity of the virus in specific-pathogen-free chicken

BackgroundInclusion body hepatitis (IBH) is an economically important viral disease primarily affecting broiler and breeder chickens. All 12 serotypes of fowl adenovirus (FAdV) can cause IBH.ObjectivesTo characterize FAdV isolates based on phylogenetic analysis, and to study the pathogenicity of FAdV-8b in specific-pathogen-free (SPF) chickens following virus inoculation via oral and intramuscular (IM) routes.MethodsSuspected organ samples were subjected to virus isolation and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for FAdV detection. Hexon gene sequencing and phylogenetic analysis were performed on FAdV-positive samples for serotype identification. One FAdV-8b isolate, UPM/FAdV/420/2017, was selected for fiber gene characterization and pathogenicity study and was inoculated in SPF chickens via oral and IM routes.ResultsThe hexon gene phylogenetic analysis revealed that all isolates belonged to FAdV-8b. The fiber gene-based phylogenetic analysis of isolate UPM/FAdV/420/2017 supported the grouping of that isolate into FAdV species E. Pathogenicity study revealed that, chickens infected with UPM/FAdV/420/2017 via the IM route had higher clinical score values, higher percent mortality, higher degree of the liver lesions, higher antibody response (p < 0.05), and higher virus shedding amounts (p < 0.05) than those infected via the oral route. The highest virus copy numbers were detected in liver and gizzard.ConclusionsFAdV-8b is the dominant FAdV serotype in Malaysia, and pathogenicity study of the FAdV-8b isolate UPM/FAdV/420/2017 indicated its ability to induce IBH in young SPF chickens when infected via oral or IM routes.     

Callus Induction and Regeneration from Anther Cultures of Indonesian Indica Black Rice Cultivar

Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology - The assembly of superior varieties and collection of rice germplasm involves the process of selecting and storing elders that have superior genotypic...