Adipose triglyceride lipase contributes to cancer-associated cachexia

Cachexia is a multifactorial wasting syndrome most common in patients with cancer that is characterized by the uncontrolled loss of adipose and muscle mass. We show that the inhibition of lipolysis through genetic ablation of adipose triglyceride lipase (Atgl) or hormone-sensitive lipase (Hsl) ameliorates certain features of cancer-associated cachexia (CAC). In wild-type C57BL/6 mice, the injection of Lewis lung carcinoma or B16 melanoma cells causes tumor growth, loss of white adipose tissue (WAT), and a marked reduction of gastrocnemius muscle. In contrast, Atgl-deficient mice with tumors resisted increased WAT lipolysis, myocyte apoptosis, and proteasomal muscle degradation and maintained normal adipose and gastrocnemius muscle mass. Hsl-deficient mice with tumors were also protected although to a lesser degree. Thus, functional lipolysis is essential in the pathogenesis of CAC. Pharmacological inhibition of metabolic lipases may help prevent cachexia.     

Determination of Volatile Organic Compounds in Indoor Air of Buildings in Nuclear Power Plants, Taiwan

This study investigates the composition and concentrations of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in air-conditioned office space and low-level waste (LLW) repository sites of nuclear power plants located in Taiwan. Air samples were collected in the office space and technical rooms of administration buildings of the three nuclear power plants and in LLW repository site using canisters. Thirty-six toxic organic compounds including aromatics, CFCs and chlorinated hydrocarbons were identified and quantified using gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer (GC/MS). The results indicated that the concentrations of most determined species were similar to that in urban areas; however, the air at the LLW building contained abundant trichlorotrifluoroethane (CFC-113), trichloroethylene, toluene, 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene and CFC-12 in concentrations markedly higher than the background levels. Only toluene and 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene were detected with low concentrations in the air of LLW repository site. In addition, comparison of the ambient air concentration at several major industries and urban atmosphere revealed that the nuclear power plants emitted and/or leaked higher concentration of chlorinated hydrocarbons among them.     

Antifeedant and growth inhibitory effects of some neo-clerodane diterpenoids isolated from Clerodendron species (Verbenaceae) on Earias vitella and Spodoptera litura

Antifeedant and growth inhibitory effects of various neo-clerodane diterpenoids having a furofuran moiety, isolated from Clerodendron spp., were studied using Earias vitella and Spodoptera litura. The compounds clerodendrin B, 3-epicaryoptin, 15-hydroxyepicaryoptin, and clerodin were effective antifeedants at 10 microg/cm(3) (30 microg/g) of diet against E. vitella and at 10 microg/cm(2) of leaf against S. litura. All of the tested compounds, namely, clerodendrin B, 3-epicaryoptin, clerodendrin C, 15-hydroxyepicaryoptin, clerodendrin B acetate, and clerodin, showed good insect growth inhibitory activity even at lower concentrations.     

Modification of Leaf Photosynthesis by Foliar Application of Aliphatic Alcohols

A decrease in net photosynthesis (P_n) in leaves of main shoot with age ( 7 -28 days after opening) at two stages of peanut ( Arachis hypogaea L. var. M-13 ) reproductive growth (70 and 90 DAS) is reported. P_n rate decreased with advance in age of leaves, the decline was rapid during peak period of pod filling (90 DAS). Foliar application with aliphatic alcohols, maintained the chlorophyll content and enhanced PEP carboxylase activity. The present studies suggest that aliphatic alcohols enhance functional capabilities of leaf for a larger duration and hence maintain the supply of photoassimilates to the developing kernels of peanut leading to increased yield.     

In vitro culture of female date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) tissues

Summary Roots, leaf petioles, shoot tips and immature fruits of female date palm formed the source material for in vitro cultures. Isolated embryos excised from mature seeds were also cultured. Of all the tissues, some of the leaf petioles and fruit mesocarp gave rise to calluses in the media of Staritsky (1970) and Eeuwens (1976). Isolated embryos germinated to produce seedlings in MS (Murashige & Skoog, 1962) medium. Calluses were established from seedling sections but the growth conditions propitious for explants of seedlings were not suitable for female date palm tissues. The main problem in establishing long term tissue cultures has been the browning of the tissues and media. This problem was, at least partially, overcome by adding activated charcoal to the liquid media and cysteine to the solid madia. So far, shoot regeneration in the calluses could not be induced.     

Hepatic profile of Gallus gallus Linnaeus, 1758 experimentally infected by Plasmodium juxtanucleare Versiani & Gomes, 1941

One of the species that causes avian malaria is Plasmodium juxtanucleare. It is commonly found in poultry, especially when the birds receive food free of coccidiostats. Since industrial and organic poultry breeding is increasing in the world and few studies have been conducted examining the clinical parameters of both healthy and infected birds, this work evaluated whether the infection caused by P. juxtanucleare in Gallus gallus provokes alterations in the birds' hepatic profile. We analyzed the activity of ALT and AST and carried out histological analyses of liver sections of infected fowls by intracelomic inoculation with infected blood from a donor fowl with a parasite load of around 7%. The infected birds' parasite load was evaluated during 45 days by means of blood smears. There was a positive correlation between the increase in parasite load and higher ALT activity in the infected fowls, but there was no significant variation of the AST activity between the control and infected groups, possibly because of the non-specificity of this enzyme as an indicator of hepatic lesion. The results show that infection caused by P. juxtanucleare in G. gallus provokes hepatic alterations, indicated by the increase in the ALT enzyme activity and by the inflammatory infiltrates found in the liver sections of the infected fowls.     

Availability and Utilization of Assimilates in Relation to Grain Growth Within the Ear of Wheat

The development of grains of different positions in the apical, middle and basal spikelets of wheat var. Kaly-ansona showed that beyond first two basal grains, the more distal a grain in a spikelet the lower its weight. The distal grains received less assimilates than the proximal grains as revealed from sugar concentration in the grains. The eflficiency of distal grains of kalyansona to synthesize reserves was, however, not inferior than the proximal grains in a spikelet. The depression in grain weight lowards extreme spikelet was lower compared to the depression in weight of individual grams towards a distal position in a spikelet. The study seems to suggest that in order to ensure better grain uniformity while maintaining a higher grain number per ear, the spikelet number per ear should be increased instead of increasing the grain number per spikelet.     

Utilization of β-carotene fromSpirulina platensis by rats

The availability of -carotene from Spirulina as compared to standard all trans -carotene was studied by the liver and kidney vitamin A storage method. After 21 days of vitamin A depletion, the rats were repleted with -carotene from Spirulina and a standard source at two dietary levels (60 and 120 µg/day) for a 10 day period. At lower levels, the liver storage levels of vitamin A and the percent of -carotene absorption were comparable to those of the standard. At higher levels both these parameters of the Spirulina fed group were significantly (P<0.01) inferior to the standard source fed group. However, the Spirulina fed group showed better (P<0.05) growth than the standard fed group did at both low and high levels of feeding.