Dietary Moringa oleferia leaf meal induce growth,innate immunity and cytokine expression in grass carp,Ctenopharyngodon idella

The present research was designed to investigate the growth promoting and immunostimulating properties of Moringa oleferia leaf meal (MLM) in grass carp. Juvenile grass carp (22.03 g ± 1.164) were fed with diets supplemented with 0, 50, 100 and 150 g/kg MLM for 48 days. At the end of feeding trial, skin mucus was used for analysis of lysozyme, protease, antiprotease and peroxidase activity. Head kidney was used for expression analysis of tumour necrosis factor‐alpha, interleukin‐8 and interferon‐γ. The obtained results showed that fish fed with 100 and 150 g/kg MLM had significant increase in weight gain and specific growth rate (p < .05). However, condition factor was not altered. The MLM (50 and 100 g/kg) inclusion resulted in higher mucus lysozyme and protease activity (p < .05), while peroxidase activity increased only in fish fed with 100 g/kg MLM and antiprotease activity was not altered. Expression of tnf‐α increased in a dose‐dependent manner, and significant (p < .05) increase was recorded in fish fed with 150 g/kg MLM. The expression of il‐8 and ifn‐γ increased in fish fed with 50 and 150 g/kg MLM; however, the increase was not significant (p > .05). In conclusion, supplementing juvenile grass carp feed with MLM up to 150 g/kg has growth promoting and immunostimulating effects.     

Immune responses to oral and IM administration of M2e-Hsp70 construct

The eukaryotic expression plasmid of M2e-Hsp70 is a candidate M2e-based DNA vaccine. In order to evaluate the immunization potential of this construct, Specific Pathogen Free chickens were immunized either intramuscularly or orally. Mutant Salmonella typhimurium was used as carrier for oral delivery of the M2e-Hsp70 construct. M2e-specific humoral and cellular responses were tested by ELISA and Lymphocyte Proliferation Assay, respectively. Our results indicate that both humoral and cellular immune responses are conferred against M2e-Hsp70 plasmid in either of the intramuscular or oral routes of administration; however, these responses are significantly higher in intramuscular injection in contrast to oral administration. When it comes to mass vaccination of commercial chicken flocks oral administration is preferred due to the ease of application as well as its capability of eliciting mucosal, humoral and cellular immune responses; so measurements should be taken to improve the immunization potency of our orally delivered DNA vaccine.     

Chemical phosphorylation of myo-inositol

Attempts to phosphorylate myo-inositol with various polyphosphates or urea-phosphate under aqueous conditions proved unsuccessful, despite reports to the contrary. The easiest way to phosphorylate myo-inositol completely is to heat it with H₃PO₄ under reduced pressure at 150°C for 6 h.     

Effect of Bovine Ovarian Tissue Vitrification on the Structural Preservation of Antral Follicles

This study was performed to evaluate the structural preservation of antral follicles after bovine ovarian tissue vitrification using histological analysis. Ovaries (n = 30) of slaughtered cows were cut into small fragments using a scalpel blade, and the ovarian tissues were randomly assigned to vitrification using 15% dimethyl sulphoxide (DMSO) and 15% ethylene glycol (EG) and fresh tissues (control) groups. For histological evaluations, fresh and post‐thawing ovarian tissues were immediately fixed, serially sectioned into 5‐μm sections and stained with haematoxylin and eosin (H&E). Nine serial sections per fragment were subjected for morphological assessment. The diameter of the antral follicles was determined and classified into four groups: 1 (≤1 mm), 2 (>1–2 mm), 3 (>2–3 mm) and 4 (>3–4 mm). Then, follicular morphology was evaluated in relation to atresia and categorized into seven grades: Grade A (healthy follicle); Grades B, C and D (early atresia); Grades E and F (moderate atresia); and Grade G (advanced atresia). The results revealed that small diameters of antral follicles (1 and 2 mm) were more susceptible for cryoinjury. The normal follicular morphology (Grade A) was not affected by vitrification throughout follicle diameters. Nevertheless, some damage features were monitored after vitrification. In conclusion, the morphological structure of bovine antral follicles could be successfully preserved by ovarian tissue vitrification.     

Gallium arsenide (GaAs) nanofibers by electrospinning technique as future energy server materials

Gallium arsenide (GaAs) does have superior electronic properties compared with silicon. For instant, it has a higher saturated electron velocity and higher electron mobility. Weak mechanical properties and high production cost are the main drawbacks of this interesting semiconductor. In this study, we are introducing production of GaAs nanofibers by electrospinning methodology as a very low cost and yielding distinct product technique. In general, nano-fibrous shape is strongly improving the physical properties due to the high surface area to volume ratio of this nanostructure. The mechanical and environmental properties of the GaAs compound have been modified since GaAs nanofibers have been produced as a core inside a poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) shell. GaAs/PVA nanofibers were prepared by electrospinning of gallium nitrate/PVA solution in presence of arsenic vapor. The whole process was carried out in a closed hood equipped with nitrogen environment. FT-IR, XPS, TGA and UV-Vis spectroscopy analyses were utilized to confirm formation of GaAs compound. Transmission electron microscope (TEM) analysis has revealed that the synthesized GaAs compound is crystalline and does have nano-fibrous shape as a core inside PVA nanofibers. To precisely recommend the prepared GaAs nanofiber mats to be utilized in different applications, we have measured the electric conductivity and the band gap energies of the prepared nanofiber mats. Overall, the obtained results affirmed that the proposed strategy successfully remedied the drawbacks of the reported GaAs structures and did not affect the main physical properties of this important semiconductor.     

Effects of silver content and morphology on the catalytic activity of silver-grafted titanium oxide nanostructure

As titanium oxide is a well-known photocatalyst, we investigated the effects of silver content and nanostructural morphology on the photocatalytic degradation of two dyes, methylene blue and rhodamine B. Two nano-formulations were utilized, including nanofibers and nanoparticles. Silver-grafted titanium oxide nanofibers were synthesized using the electrospinning of silver nitrate/titanium isopropoxide/poly(vinyl acetate) sol-gel. The nanoparticulate form was obtained by calcination of a ground powder prepared from the same electrospun sol-gel. The results affirmed the advantage of the silver-grafted titanium oxide nanostructures over the silver-free ones. Increasing the silver content in the nanofibers led to increases in their surface area, which is an important parameter in heterogeneous catalytic chemical reactions. Therefore, the results strongly suggest the use of silver-grafted titanium oxide in a nanofibrous form. These results further support utilizing Agloaded titanium oxide nanofibers as a photocatalyst.     

Phenolic glycosides from Dodecadenia grandiflora and their glucose-6-phosphatase inhibitory activity

Phytochemical investigation of Dodecadenia grandiflora leaves led to the isolation and identification of three phenolic glycosides, designated 1-[(4′-O-(E)-p-coumaroyl)-β-d-glucopyranosyl]-oxy-2-phenol (1), 1-[(6′-O-(E)-p-coumaroyl)-β-d-glucopyranosyl]-oxy-2-phenol (2) and 1-[O-β-d-glucopyranosyl(1→2)-β-d-glucopyranosyl]-oxy-2-phenol (3), along with nine known compounds. Compounds 1, 2, 5 and 9 exhibited significant glucose-6-phosphatase inhibitory activity (63.7, 66.9, 82.9 and 85.4%) with IC₅₀ values of 88.5, 81.0, 51 and 50 μM respectively. On the basis of biological results, a structure–activity relationship has been discussed.     

Toxicity of Nanoparticles and an Overview of Current Experimental Models

Nanotechnology is a rapidly growing field having potential applications in many areas. Nanoparticles (NPs) have been studied for cell toxicity, immunotoxicity, and genotoxicity. Tetrazolium-based assays such as MTT, MTS, and WST-1 are used to determine cell viability. Cell inflammatory response induced by NPs is checked by measuring inflammatory biomarkers, such as IL-8, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor, using ELISA. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assay is used for cell membrane integrity. Different types of cell cultures, including cancer cell lines have been employed as in vitro toxicity models. It has been generally agreed that NPs interfere with either assay materials or with detection systems. So far, toxicity data generated by employing such models are conflicting and inconsistent. Therefore, on the basis of available experimental models, it may be difficult to judge and list some of the more valuable NPs as more toxic to biological systems and vice versa. Considering the potential applications of NPs in many fields and the growing apprehensions of FDA about the toxic potential of nanoproducts, it is the need of the hour to look for new internationally agreed free of bias toxicological models by focusing more on in vivo studies. Key Words: Cytotoxicity, in vitro, Metal nanoparticles, Toxicology, Review     

Separation of pair housed roosters is associated with transient increased corticosteroid excretion

Immunoreactive corticosterone and corticosterone metabolites (ICCM) were quantified in excreta of permanently single housed (n = 10) and permanently pair housed (n = 20) roosters. The pair housed roosters were separated and single housed, and ICCM were quantified in the droppings before and during 15 days after separation. There was no statistically significant difference in ICCM excretion in the droppings between the permanently single or pair housed roosters. After separation, however, the previously pair housed roosters showed a significantly transient elevated excretion of ICCM in droppings the second day after separation indicating that the separation and relocation is associated with an activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis.The excretion of ICCM in droppings was not correlated to the concentration of ICCM in droppings. It is thus important that excretion of ICCM be expressed as amount excreted per time unit since the total excretion is dependant on both concentration of ICCM and amount of droppings produced.     

Vegetation-environment relationships in the forests of Chitral district Hindukush range of Pakistan

We investigated the composition of plant communities to quantify their relationships with environmental parameters in the Chitral Hindukush range of Pakistan. We sampled tree vegetation using the Point Centered Quarter (PCQ) method while understory vegetation was sampled in 1.5-m circular quadrats. Cedrus deodara is the national symbol of Pakistan and was dominant in the sampled communities. Because environmental variables determine vegetation types, we analyzed and evaluated edaphic and topographic factors. DCA-Ordination showed the major gradient as an amalgam of elevation (p<0.05) and slope (p<0.01) as the topographic factors correlated with species distribution. Soil variables were the factors of environmental significance along DCA axes. However, among these factors, Mg2+ , K + and N2+ contributed not more than 0.054% 0.20% and 0.073%, respectively, to variation along the first ordination axis. We conclude that the principal reason for weak or no correlation with many edaphic variables was the anthropogenic disturbance of vegetation. The understory vegetation was composed of perennial herbs in most communities and was most dense under the tree canopy. The understory vegetation strongly regulates tree seedling growth and regeneration patterns. We recommend further study of the understory vegetation using permanent plots to aid development of forest regeneration strategies.