Sargassum horneri as a Functional Food Ameliorated IgE/BSA-Induced Mast Cell Activation and Passive Cutaneous Anaphylaxis in Mice

Sargassum horneri (S. horneri), an edible brown alga, has been proposed as a functional food with an improvement effect on abnormal skin immune responses. The present study investigates the anti-allergic effect of an ethanol extract from S. horneri (SHE) on immunoglobulin E (IgE)/bovine serum albumin (BSA)-mediated activation in bone marrow-derived cultured-mast cells (BMCMCs) and passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA) reaction in mice. SHE markedly and dose-dependently suppressed the degranulation of BMCMCs by reducing the β-hexosaminidase and histamine release without cytotoxicity. In addition, SHE significantly decreased the FcεRI expression on the surface of BMCMCs and its IgE binding. Moreover, SHE reduced the mRNA expression and the production of allergic cytokines; interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL-13; interferon (IFN)-γ and/or tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α; and a chemokine, thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC), by suppressing the activation of Src-family kinases and nuclear factor (NF)-κB signaling. In further study, the application of SHE reduced the PCA reaction in an IgE/BSA-induced type I allergic mice model. Taken together, we suggest that SHE has an anti-allergic effect in type I allergic responses.     

N and P Fertilizer Use in Soybean/Maize Mixture

Field experiments were conducted to investigate into the N and P fertilizer use in soybean/maize mixture during the wet seasons of 1985 and 1986 at Yandev Agricultural Experiment Station. Soybean/maize mixtures with 2/3 of the respective plant population of both crops in pure stands were raised at factorial combinations of four rates of N, 0, 40, 80, and 120 kg N/ha and four rates of P, 0, 13.2, 26.4 and 39.6 kg P/ha in a randomized complete block design with three replications.
The grain yield of maize cv. TZB (a pure line variety) in mixture and land equivalent ratio (LER) increased linearly up to 120 kg N/ha in 1985 as against significant increase in the grain yield of maize cv. 8322–3 (a hybrid variety) and LER up to 40 kg N/ha only in 1986 primarily due to greater fertilizer N recovery by the latter. Significant enhancement in LER was also recorded up to 26.4 kg P/ha in both years. The yield of soybean in mixture remained unaffected by N or P rates.
Total N uptake by shoots of soybean/maize mixture was significantly and linearly increased up to the application of 120 kg N/ha in 1985 as against significant increase in total N uptake by soybean/maize mixture only up to 40 kg N/ha in 1986 owing to the greater fertilizer N recovery by maize (69%) in the latter than the one (29.75—31.75%) in the former. Total N uptake by shoots of soybean/maize was also increased significantly due to the application of 26.4 kg P/ha.
Application of N and P also significantly enhanced P uptake by shoots of soybean/maize mixture and fertilizer P recovered by mixture was less (3.99—12.95%) in 1985 than the one (19.95—32.12%) in 1986.     

A gain-of-function polymorphism controlling complex traits and fitness in nature

Identification of the causal genes that control complex trait variation remains challenging, limiting our appreciation of the evolutionary processes that influence polymorphisms in nature. We cloned a quantitative trait locus that controls plant defensive chemistry, damage by insect herbivores, survival, and reproduction in the natural environments where this polymorphism evolved. These ecological effects are driven by duplications in the BCMA (branched-chain methionine allocation) loci controlling this variation and by two selectively favored amino acid changes in the glucosinolate-biosynthetic cytochrome P450 proteins that they encode. These changes cause a gain of novel enzyme function, modulated by allelic differences in catalytic rate and gene copy number. Ecological interactions in diverse environments likely contribute to the widespread polymorphism of this biochemical function.     

Comparison of diagnostic techniques during subclinical single infections of trypanosomiasis in goats

Parasitological diagnostic techniques were compared in caprine hosts in which single subclinical infection with Trypanosoma vivax, Trypanosoma congolense or Trypanosoma brucei brucei had been established. The haematocrit centrifuge technique (HCT) was the most sensitive for the diagnosis of T. vivax and T. b. brucei while the buffy coat method (BCM) proved superior to all other techniques for T. congolense. Except with the miniature anion-exchange/centrifugation technique (mAEC), each of the concentration methods proved as sensitive as a combination of the Standard Trypanosome Detection Methods (STDM) and could detect trypanosomes at concentrations which were five times lower than those required by the STDM. The HCT diagnosed 60.8-90%, with a mean of 78.8%. Corresponding figures for other methods were: wet film, 33.3-50.8 (39.8); mouse inoculation, 0.0-82.5 (47.8); thin film, 43.3-73.3 (52.6); mAEC, 42.4-60.0 (53.2); thick film, 52.9-60.0 (56.2); silicone centrifugation 60.8-77.7 (67.3), and BCM, 60.0-78.4 (71.6). A combination of the HCT and BCM is suggested for routine diagnosis of caprine trypanosome infections.     

Current status of tsetse fly and animal trypanosomosis on the Jos Plateau, Nigeria

Blood samples were collected from 1035 systematically selected zebu (White Fulani) cattle resident in two Local Government Areas (LGAs) of the Jos Plateau, and analysed for infections with trypanosomes. Their grazing grounds were also sampled for tsetse flies using unbaited blue Challier (biconical) traps. Mean prevalence of trypanosome infection was 6.4% (95% confidence interval (CI) ± 0.02) and 9.1% (CI ± 0.02) in Barkin-Ladi and Bassa LGAs, respectively. Higher infection rate was recorded during the rains (9.3%; CI ± 0.02) than in the dry season months (1.5%; CI ± 0.02). In both localities prevalence in cows (8.9%; CI ± 0.04) consistently doubled that in bulls (4.0%; CI ± 0.01). Also, infection rates increased with age until the 7th year. Trypanosoma vivax was both the predominant species and the only one diagnosed among yearlings. Only riverine tsetse species were encountered (apparently at low density) as infected vectors.     

Effects of vasopressor drugs on number of Trypanosoma congolense in ruminant blood

The effects of intravenous administration of vasopressor drugs on parasite concentration was studied in cows and sheep infected with Trypanosoma congolense. Ephedrine (USP), adrenaline (BP) and insulin increased jugular concentration of the parasite. Maximum effects were reached between 1 1/2 and 2 h with ephedrine and at 2 1/2-3 h with adrenaline. Increases in parasitaemia resulting from epinephrine were sustained only in sheep and adrenaline gave similar effects in both ruminants. Only epinephrine significantly increased parasitaemia within 45 min of administration. Ephedrine, hydralazine and guanethidine had no significant effects on parasitaemia. It is suggested that one of the mechanisms by which trypanocides increase jugular concentration of T. congolense may be by vasoconstriction of the capillary endothelium.     

(−)-Loliolide Isolated from Sargassum horneri Abate UVB-Induced Oxidative Damage in Human Dermal Fibroblasts and Subside ECM Degradation

Ultraviolet (UV) B exposure is a prominent cause of skin aging and a contemporary subject of interest. The effects are progressing through the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that alter cell signaling pathways related to inflammatory responses. The present study evaluates the protective effects of (7aR)-6-hydroxy-4,4,7a-trimethyl-6,7-dihydro-5H-1-benzofuran-2-one (HTT) isolated from the edible brown algae Sargassum horneri against UVB protective effects in human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs). HTT treatment dose-dependently suppressed intracellular ROS generation in HDFs with an IC₅₀ of 62.43 ± 3.22 µM. HTT abated UVB-induced mitochondrial hyperpolarization and apoptotic body formation. Furthermore, UVB-induced activation of key nuclear factor (NF)-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling proteins were suppressed in HTT treated cells while downregulating pro-inflammatory cytokines (interleukin-1β, 6, 8, 33 and tumor necrosis factor-α). Moreover, HTT treatment downregulated matrix metalloproteinase1, 2, 3, 8, 9 and 13 that was further confirmed by the inhibition of collagenase and elastase activity. The evidence implies that HTT delivers protective effects against premature skin aging caused by UVB exposure via suppressing inflammatory responses and degradation of extracellular matrix (ECM) components. Extensive research in this regard will raise perspectives for using HTT as an ingredient in UV protective ointments.     

Light and transmission electron microscopy of Vibrio campbellii infection in gnotobiotic Artemia franciscana and protection offered by a yeast mutant with elevated cell wall glucan

Luminescent vibrios are amongst the most important pathogens in aquaculture, affecting almost all types of cultured organisms. Vibrio campbellii is one of these most important pathogens. In this study, the effects of feeding mnn9 yeast cell wall mutant and wild type yeast strain were investigated in the digestive tract of brine shrimp nauplii, Artemia franciscana, after experimental infection with V. campbellii (LMG 21363). Gnotobiotic A. franciscana nauplii were fed daily with dead Aeromonas hydrophila LVS3, and with either wild type strain of baker's yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, or mutant strain mnn9, of which the cell wall contains elevated chitin and glucan and lower mannose levels. After three days of feeding, some nauplii were challenged with V. campbellii. Mean survival (%), individual length (mm) and total length (mm) at one day and two days after challenge were significantly higher in the group fed mnn9 than in the group fed wild type yeast (81 ± 1.50 and 63 ± 0.49, 1.56 ± 0.07 and 1.13 ± 0.02, 38.21 ± 3.11 and 21.26 ± 0.81 respectively for one day and 50 ± 2.37 and 20 ± 1.41, 2.33 ± 0.01 and 1.24 ± 0.04, 34.97 ± 5.56 and 7.45 ± 1.63 for two days after challenge). Histological examination revealed that the luminal diameter and enterocyte height of both mid- and hindgut were larger in the mnn9-fed group. Colonization of the gut lumen by V. campbellii could be observed by transmission electron microscopy for the group of nauplii fed with wild type yeast. Furthermore, it was observed that V. campbellii caused damage to the gut epithelium including shortening and disappearance of the microvilli, destruction of the apical cell membrane and cell lysis in the nauplii fed wild type yeast. The gut epithelium remained intact in challenged nauplii fed mnn9 yeast. The morphological findings of the present study further substantiate previous studies reporting a protective effect of this yeast cell wall mutant.     

Particulate Matter-Induced Inflammation/Oxidative Stress in Macrophages: Fucosterol from Padina boryana as a Potent Protector,Activated via NF-κB/MAPK Pathways and Nrf2/HO-1 Involvement

Fucosterol is a phytosterol that is abundant in marine brown algae and is a renowned secondary metabolite. However, its ability to protect macrophages against particulate matter (PM) has not been clarified with regard to inflammation; thus, this study aimed to illustrate the above. Padina boryana, a brown algae that is widespread in Indo–Pacific waters, was applied in the isolation of fucosterol. Isolation was conducted using silica open columns, while identification was assisted with gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) and NMR. Elevated levels of PM led the research objectives toward the implementation of it as a stimulant. Both inflammation and oxidative stress were caused due the fact of its effect. RAW 264.7 macrophages were used as a model system to evaluate the process. It was apparent that the increased NO production levels, due to the PM, were mediated through the inflammatory mediators, such as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and pro-inflammatory cytokines (i.e., interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1 (IL-1β) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), including prostaglandin E2 (PGE₂)). Further, investigations provided solid evidence regarding the involvement of NF-κB and mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) in the process. Oxidative stress/inflammation which are inseparable components of the cellular homeostasis were intersected through the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway. Conclusively, fucosterol is a potent protector against PM-induced inflammation in macrophages and hence be utilized as natural product secondary metabolite in a sustainable manner.