Nutrient alginate encapsulation of nodal segments of Althaea officinalis L., for short-term conservation and germplasm exchange

Abstract

In the present study, an alternate method for germplasm storage in the form of artificial seeds was standardized via nodal explants excised from in vitro proliferated shoots. The explants were encapsulated using sodium alginate and calcium chloride as gelling matrix. For development of root along with shoot, excised nodal segments were pretreated with ½ MS medium along with 20 μM IBA for 24 h and encapsulation was carried thereafter. Combination of 3% sodium alginate augmented with 100 mM CaCl₂.2H₂O was found appropriate for the formation of clear and uniform beads and subsequent conversion of encapsulated nodal segments into plantlets. Maximum (66%) encapsulated nodal segments were converted into plantlets on MS medium supplemented with 7.5 μM BA and 0.5 μM NAA after eight weeks. Regeneration frequency of auxin-pretreated encapsulated and non-encapsulated nodal segments (stored at 4 ºC) was evaluated at different storage time (0 to 6 weeks). After four weeks of storage, encapsulated propagules exhibited highest conversion response on the optimized medium after eight weeks of culture. Plantlets were hardened and established with success in ex vitro conditions. Conversion of synthetic seeds into plantlets was observed when these were directly sown in autoclaved Soilrite^TM (Keltech Energies, Bangalore, India).     

Possible predation on commercial bivalves by Tachypleus gigas: an assessment of horseshoe crab reintroduction in Setiu Lagoon of Terengganu,Malaysia

Hydrobiologia - The population of horseshoe crabs, Tachypleus gigas, in Malaysian waters is declining due to overexploitation, pollution, and loss of natural habitats. As an initiative to increase...     

Honey bee (Apis mellifera) preference towards micronutrients and their impact on bee colonies

Honey bees are important pollinators and take micronutrients from different natural floral resources and turbid water to adequately meet their nutritional requirements. But the role of micronutrients for honey bee health is not well understood. Here, the present study was conducted to determine honey bees' micronutrients preference in summer and winter seasons. Also, the impact of micronutrients on foraging behaviour and brood increase was studied in different honey bee colonies. The results elucidated that honey bees exhibited a strong preference for a salt solution compared to deionized water during the summer and winter seasons. However, there was a notable switch in salt preference between seasons. Overall, honey bees showed significantly more foraging activity, more pollen collection, and increased brood area after sodium consumption compared to other minerals in the summer season. Further, pollen collection and brood area were significantly higher after the use of potassium in the winter season. Thus, the food preference of honey bees is strongly linked with the seasons and the availability of the floral resources. Our data suggested that honey bees may seek specific nutrients during variation of the seasonal conditions.     

Estimation of oxygen uptake from heart rate and ratings of perceived exertion in young soccer players

The objective of this study was to estimate the oxygen uptake (&OV0312;O2) in elite youth soccer players using measures of heart rate (HR) and ratings of perceived exertion (RPEs). Forty-six regional-level male youth soccer players (～13 years) participated in 2 VO(2)max tests. Data for HR, RPE, and VO(2) were simultaneously recorded during the VO(2)max tests with incremental running speed. Regression equations were derived from the first VO(2)max test. Two weeks later, all players performed the same VO(2)max test to validate the developed regression equations. There were no significant differences between the estimated values in the first test and actual values in the second test. During the continuous endurance exercise, the combination of percentage of maximal HR (%HRmax) and RPE measures gave similar estimation of %VO(2)max (R = 83%) in comparison to %HRmax alone (R = 81%). However, the estimation of VO(2) using combined %HRmax and RPE was not satisfactory (R = 45-46%). Therefore, the use of %HRmax (without RPE) to estimate %VO(2)max could be a useful tool in young soccer players during field-based continuous endurance testing and training. Specifically, coaches can use the %HRmax to quantify internal loads (%VO(2)max) and subsequently implement continuous endurance training at appropriate intensities. Furthermore, it seems that RPE is more useful as a measure of internal load during noncontinuous (e.g., intermittent and sprint) exercises but not to estimate %VO(2)max during continuous aerobic exercise (R = 59%).     

Antiangiogenic properties of Koetjapic acid, a natural triterpene isolated from Sandoricum koetjaoe Merr

Background

Angiogenesis, the formation of new blood vessels, has become an important target in cancer therapy. Angiogenesis plays an important role in tumor growth and metastasis. Koetjapic acid (KA) is a seco-A-ring oleanene triterpene isolated from S. koetjape. The solvent extract of this plant species was shown previously to have strong antiangiogenic activity; however the active ingredient(s) that conferred the biological activity and the mode of action was not established. Given the high concentration of KA in S. koetjape, an attempt has been made in this study to investigate the antiangiogenic properties of KA.

Results

Treatment with 10-50 μg/ml KA resulted in dose dependent inhibition of new blood vessels growth in ex vivo rat aortic ring assay. KA was found to be non-cytotoxic against HUVECs with IC₅₀ 40.97 ± 0.37 μg/ml. KA inhibited major angiogenesis process steps, endothelial cell migration and differentiation as well as VEGF expression.

Conclusions

The non-cytotoxic compound, KA, may be a potent antiangiogenic agent; its activity may be attributed to inhibition of endothelial cells migration and differentiation as well VEGF suppression.     

Assessment of aphid infestation levels in some cultivars of mustard with varying defensive traits

Phloem-sucking mustard aphid (Lipaphis erysimi) is a major pest of mustard (Brassica juncea). Pot experiment with randomised block design was conducted with five replicates of each of five cultivars (Alankar, Pusa Jai Kisan, Rohini, Sakha and Varuna) of the mustard for their degree of inherited resistance and/or susceptibility to the mustard aphid infestation. Forty-five days old (from date of sowing) pot-grown plants of all selected cultivars of mustard were exposed to 40 adult mustard aphids. The aphid-infested plants were kept in specially designed net houses of fine mesh to protect from predators and/or migration of aphids from one to other host. The aphid population and some growth attributes of the selected cultivars of mustard were recorded 15 and 30 days later (i.e. at 60 and 75 days after sowing). The aphid population multiplied more rapidly on Rohini than other four cultivars. Cultivar Alankar resisted most and supported to least number of aphid’s off-springs. Statistically analysed growth attributes (fresh plant mass, dry plant mass, protein, chlorophyll and carotenoid contents), resistance attribute (proline) and population demography of aphids revealed that some inherited characteristics of avoidance, antibiosis and repellence to herbivores helped cultivar Alankar to excel despite equal degree of aphid attacks as on other cultivars. Cultivar Rohini for the want of such resisting factors remained vulnerable to aphid herbivory. These two cultivars (Alankar and Rohini) form good research material for comparative studies on plant defences to herbivory and a tri- trophic resistance through volatile chemical signalling.     

Concomitant Effects of Ramadan Fasting and Time-Of-Day on Apolipoprotein AI,B, Lp-a and Homocysteine Responses during Aerobic Exercise in Tunisian Soccer Players

Objective

To examine the time-of-day and Ramadan fasting (RF) effects on serum apolipoprotein-AI (Apo-AI) and B (Apo-B), lipoprotein particles-a (Lp-a), high-sensitive C-reactive-protein (hs-CRP), and homocysteine (Hcy) during the Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test (YYIRT).

Design

Performance and biochemical measures were completed at two times-of-day (07:00 and 17:00 h), 1-week before RF (BR), the second week of RF (SWR), and the fourth week of RF (ER).

Setting

For each session, subjects performed the YYIRT, and blood samples were taken before and 3-min after the test for biochemical measures.

Participants

Fifteen soccer players.

Main Outcome Measures

Total distance during the YYIRT, core temperature, body composition, dietary intakes, lipid (HDL-C, LDL-C, Apo-AI, B and Lp-a) and inflammatory (hs-CRP and Hcy) profiles.

Results

Performances during the YYIRT were higher in the evening than the morning BR (P < 0.05), but this fluctuation was not observed during RF. Moreover, LDL-C, ApoB, and Lp-a were stable throughout the daytime BR. However, during RF, they decreased at 17:00 h (P < 0.05). Likewise, HDL-C and Apo-AI increased after the exercise and were higher at 17:00 h BR (P < 0.001). Moreover, these parameters increased during RF (P < 0.01). Furthermore, Hcy and hs-CRP increased during the exercise (P < 0.01) with higher evening levels BR. During ER, the diurnal pattern of Hcy was inversed (P < 0.001).

Conclusions

This study concluded that caloric restriction induced by RF seems to ameliorate lipid and inflammatory markers of cardiovascular health during intermittent exercise performed in the evening.     

Stimulatory effect of copper and zinc sulphate on plant regeneration,glutathione-S-transferase analysis and assessment of antioxidant activities in Mucuna pruriens L. (DC)

Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture (PCTOC) - The effect of heavy metals, CuSO4 and ZnSO4 on morphogenic response of cotyledonary node explants of Mucuna pruriens (L.), a fast growing tropical...     

Skeletal muscle proteomics: carbohydrate metabolism oscillates with seasonal and torpor-arousal physiology of hibernation

The physiology of small mammalian hibernators shifts profoundly over a year, from summer homeothermy to winter heterothermy. Torpor-arousal cycles define high-amplitude tissue activity fluctuations in winter, particularly for skeletal muscle, which contributes to the energetically demanding rewarming process via shivering. To better understand the biochemistry underlying summer-winter and torpor-arousal transitions, we applied two-dimensional gel electrophoresis coupled with liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry/mas spectrometry to the soluble proteins from hindlimb muscle of 13-lined ground squirrels (Ictidomys tridecemlineatus) in two summer and six winter states. Two hundred sixteen protein spots differed by sampled state. Significantly, intrawinter protein adjustment was a minor component of the dataset despite large discrepancies in muscle activity level among winter states; rather, the bulk of differences (127/138 unequivocally identified proteins spots) occurred between summer and winter. We did not detect any proteomic signatures of skeletal muscle atrophy in this hibernator nor any differential seasonal regulation of protein metabolism. Instead, adjustments to metabolic substrate preferences dominated the detected proteomic differences. Pathways of carbohydrate metabolism (glycolysis and gluconeogenesis) were summer enriched, whereas the winter proteome was enriched for fatty acid β-oxidation. Nevertheless, our data suggest that some reliance on carbohydrate reserves is maintained during winter. Phosphoglucomutase (PGM1), which reversibly prepares glucose subunits for either glycolysis or glycogenesis, showed apparent winter state-specific phosphorylation. PGM1 was phosphorylated during rewarming and dephosphorylated by interbout arousal, implying that glucose supplements lipid fuels during rewarming. This, along with winter elevation of TCA cycle enzymes, suggests that hindlimb muscles are primed for rapid energy production and that carbohydrates are an important fuel for shivering thermogenesis.     

Recognition of sulfonylurea receptor (ABCC8/9) ligands by the multidrug resistance transporter P-glycoprotein (ABCB1): functional similarities based on common structural features between two multispecific ABC proteins

ATP-sensitive K(+) (K(ATP)) channels are the target of a number of pharmacological agents, blockers like hypoglycemic sulfonylureas and openers like the hypotensive cromakalim and diazoxide. These agents act on the channel regulatory subunit, the sulfonylurea receptor (SUR), which is an ABC protein with homologies to P-glycoprotein (P-gp). P-gp is a multidrug transporter expressed in tumor cells and in some healthy tissues. Because these two ABC proteins both exhibit multispecific recognition properties, we have tested whether SUR ligands could be substrates of P-gp. Interaction with P-gp was assayed by monitoring ATPase activity of P-gp-enriched vesicles. The blockers glibenclamide, tolbutamide, and meglitinide increased ATPase activity, with a rank order of potencies that correlated with their capacity to block K(ATP) channels. P-gp ATPase activity was also increased by the openers SR47063 (a cromakalim analog), P1075 (a pinacidil analog), and diazoxide. Thus, these molecules bind to P-gp (although with lower affinities than for SUR) and are possibly transported by P-gp. Competition experiments among these molecules as well as with typical P-gp substrates revealed a structural similarity between drug binding domains in the two proteins. To rationalize the observed data, we addressed the molecular features of these proteins and compared structural models, computerized by homology from the recently solved structures of murine P-gp and bacterial ABC transporters MsbA and Sav1866. Considering the various residues experimentally assigned to be involved in drug binding, we uncovered several hot spots, which organized spatially in two main binding domains, selective for SR47063 and for glibenclamide, in matching regions of both P-gp and SUR.