Leptin regulates striatal regions and human eating behavior

Studies of the fat-derived hormone leptin have provided key insights into the molecular and neural components of feeding behavior and body weight regulation. An important challenge lies in understanding how the rewarding properties of food interact with, and can override, physiological satiety signals and promote overeating. We used functional magnetic resonance imaging to measure brain responses in two human patients with congenital leptin deficiency who were shown images of food before and after 7 days of leptin replacement therapy. Leptin was found to modulate neural activation in key striatal regions, suggesting that the hormone acts on neural circuits governing food intake to diminish the perception of food reward while enhancing the response to satiety signals generated during food consumption.     

Ethnoveterinary health management practices using medicinal plants in South Asia – a review

Animal rearing is the major occupation of most population of South Asian countries. Due to lack of resources and limited approach to modern medicine, most of the livestock raisers prefer to use plant-based traditional medicine also referred to as ethnoveterinary medicine (EVM). Indeed, the use of medicinal plants in South Asia dates back to several centuries with documented evidences. However, there is currently a dearth of documentation and compilation of use of medicinal plants for animal diseases in this part of the world. This review aims to provide an up-to-date compilation of common medicinal plants used for the treatment and/or management of common animal diseases in South Asian countries. Extensive literature search was conducted online and relevant data was retrieved from well-known scientific databases. A total of 276 plants belonging to 95 families have been documented to be in common use for managing 14 different categories of animal diseases. Solanaceae, Lamiaceae, Fabaceae, and Leguminosae were most common plant families in terms of their plant species used for EVM. Gastric diseases were commonly reported and accounted for 72 species of plants used for its treatment followed by the miscellaneous disorders category and skin diseases comprising of 65 and 39 plant species respectively. Herbs accounted for 46% of the total plant species, followed by trees (33%), and shrubs (18%). The EVM were applied through different routes of administration; oral administration accounted for 72% followed by topical application 27%, while burning of plant parts to create smoke around animals to repel insects was less common (1%). It is anticipated that the present review will stimulate further ethnoveterinary research among livestock disease management practices in South Asia.     

IMPACT OF INTEGRATED NUTRIENT MANAGEMENT ON TOMATO YIELD QUALITY AND SOIL ENVIRONMENT

Sustainable agricultural production incorporates the idea that natural resources should be used to generate increased output and incomes, especially for low income groups without depleting the natural resource base. Integrated nutrient management (INM) integrates the use of all natural and man- made sources of plant nutrients, so that productivity and nutrient status of food increases in an efficient and environmentally benefiting manner without sacrificing soil productivity of future generations. Integrated nutrient management relies on a number of factors including appropriate nutrient application and conservation and the transfer of knowledge about INM practices to farmers through extension personal. Tomato is the most popular home garden and the third most consumed crop in the world. It is very much beneficial for health because of its high nutrient status. Integrated nutrient management effects on its yield and quality parameters to a great extent. This review paper therefore, present review on various aspects of INM use to improve soil environment and tomato yield and quality parameters.     

Local nanomechanical motion of the cell wall of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

We demonstrate that the cell wall of living Saccharomyces cerevisiae (baker's yeast) exhibits local temperature-dependent nanomechanical motion at characteristic frequencies. The periodic motions in the range of 0.8 to 1.6 kHz with amplitudes of approximately 3 nm were measured using the cantilever of an atomic force microscope (AFM). Exposure of the cells to a metabolic inhibitor causes the periodic motion to cease. From the strong frequency dependence on temperature, we derive an activation energy of 58 kJ/mol, which is consistent with the cell's metabolism involving molecular motors such as kinesin, dynein, and myosin. The magnitude of the forces observed ( approximately 10 nN) suggests concerted nanomechanical activity is operative in the cell.     

The obesity-associated FTO gene encodes a 2-oxoglutarate-dependent nucleic acid demethylase

Variants in the FTO (fat mass and obesity associated) gene are associated with increased body mass index in humans. Here, we show by bioinformatics analysis that FTO shares sequence motifs with Fe(II)- and 2-oxoglutarate-dependent oxygenases. We find that recombinant murine Fto catalyzes the Fe(II)- and 2OG-dependent demethylation of 3-methylthymine in single-stranded DNA, with concomitant production of succinate, formaldehyde, and carbon dioxide. Consistent with a potential role in nucleic acid demethylation, Fto localizes to the nucleus in transfected cells. Studies of wild-type mice indicate that Fto messenger RNA (mRNA) is most abundant in the brain, particularly in hypothalamic nuclei governing energy balance, and that Fto mRNA levels in the arcuate nucleus are regulated by feeding and fasting. Studies can now be directed toward determining the physiologically relevant FTO substrate and how nucleic acid methylation status is linked to increased fat mass.     

Comparative efficacy of Ovaprim and hMG (menotropin) to induce breeding in African catfish (Clarias gariepinus)

Fish Physiology and Biochemistry - The applications of exogenous hormones in different species for the induction of oocyte production, final oocyte maturation (FOM), and spawning for their...     

Impact of foliar-applied Hoagland’s nutrient solution on growth and yield of mash bean (Vigna mungo L.) under different growth stages

In a field experiment, various strengths of Hoagland’s nutrient solutions were sprayed to mitigate the deleterious effects of nutrient stresses at different growth stages on mash bean cultivars. Hoagland’s nutrient solution strengths of 0, 25, 50, and 75% were applied at 7, 14, and 21?days after emergence on mash bean cultivars namely Mash-2 and Mash-88. Hoagland’s nutrient solution of 75% strength markedly increased the growth and yield of mash bean cultivars if applied at 21?days after crop emergence. The Mash-88 showed superiority in terms of growth and yield traits as compared to Mash-2. The results suggested that growth and yield was not enhanced effectively by a low strength of Hoagland’s nutrient solution applied at initial growth stages. It is concluded that foliar-applied Hoagland’s nutrient solution of 75% strength can be used as an efficient tool when applied at appropriate growth stage (21?days after emergence) to get optimal yield.     

The effect of diets containing different levels of active charcoal on growth performance,body composition,haematological parameters and possibility of heavy metals detoxification in big sturgeon (Huso huso)

In order to determine the chelating effect of activated charcoal, a total of 150 beluga (270 g) were fed for 60 days with a diet containing 0 (control), 5, 10, 15 and 20 g activated charcoal per kg. Afterwards, the fish were subjected to challenging with 1 mg/L of each of heavy metals including lead, cadmium and copper during seven days. As results, the highest percentage of body weight gain, specific growth rate, condition factor, protein efficiency ratio and the lowest feed conversion ratio before and after challenging with heavy metals were obtained in 15 g treatment with significant differences comparing to other treatment (p < .05). In all treatments, considerable differences were observed between two experimental stages of all parameters except condition factor and feed conversion ratio (p < .05). No mortalities were observed during the experiment. Before challenging with heavy metals, 15 g treatment showed the lowest activities of AST and ALT enzymes, and uric acid, protein, albumin and cholesterol amounts. The minimum amounts of creatinine and glucose were recorded in the control and 20 g treatments respectively. The highest levels of these parameters, except for creatinine and uric acid, were measured in the control group. After challenging with heavy metals, the lowest levels of AST and ALT enzyme activities, uric acid, creatinine, and glucose, and the highest amounts of protein, albumin and cholesterol belonged to 15 g, whereas the results in the control group were almost opposite. In all treatments, significant differences were observed between two experimental stages of all parameters except AST, uric acid, glucose and cholesterol (p < .05). In the pre‐challenge stage, the maximum amount of carcass protein was observed in 15 g while the differences in lipid content were not significant (p > .05). Moreover, the highest contents of moisture and ash were measured in the control group and 20 g respectively. After the challenge, the highest values of protein and lipid were quantified in 15 g, while the maximum values of ash and moisture were observed in 20 g and control group respectively. Also, significant differences were observed just in ash and moisture amounts in both stages (p < .05). Accumulations of cadmium, copper and lead were maximal in the control group in both stages, and their amount were decreased in sample with 15 g of activated charcoal until they reached to their lowest value in sample with 20 g of activated charcoal. The only different parameter between two treatments was copper amount. Also, significant differences were observed in all treatments in both stages (p < .05). Although activated charcoal at 20 g/kg diet yielded the best results in metal chelation, it is recommended to add 15 g/kg of activated charcoal to the diet of beluga because of other parameters.