Acute toxicity of kaolin and essential oils from Mentha pulegium and Zingiber officinale against different stages of Callosobruchus maculatus under laboratory conditions

Naturally derived compounds such as essential oils and natural mineral are relatively cheap, non-toxic to food grains and environmentally friendly and would be suitable alternatives for currently used chemical insecticides if they have high insecticidal effectiveness. In the present study, acute toxicity of kaolin and essential oils from Mentha pulegium and Zingiber officinale were assessed on different stages of Callosobruchus maculatus at 28?±?2?°C, 65?±?5% R. H and dark condition. The calculated LC₅₀ values on the egg, larvae and adult stages of C. maculatus were 1.15, 2.33 and 2.18?μl/ml air for Z. officinale and 0.07, 0.11 and 0.09?μl/ml air for M. pulegium, respectively. The result showed that M. pulegium was more effective essential oil against different stages of C. maculatus compared with the Z. officinale, and also the egg and adult stages of C. maculatus were more susceptible against essential oils compared with larval stage. The LC₅₀ values of kaolin were 0.71 and 0.18?mg/cm² on egg and adult of C. maculatus, respectively. The combination of tested essential oils with kaolin increased mortality of C. maculatus adults compared with their application alone. It was found that tested essential oils and kaolin had high potential in controlling different stages of C. maculatus.     

Temperature-induced changes of malondialdehyde, heat-shock proteins in relation to chlorophyll fluorescence and photosynthesis in Conocarpus lancifolius (Engl.)

The effect of variable temperatures (10–50 °C) on photosynthesis and chlorophyll fluorescence in Conocarpus lancifolius was evaluated. Additionally, the ability of the species to synthesize heat-shock proteins (HSPs) to protect against high temperatures, and malondialdehyde (MDA) as a by-product of lipid peroxidation was investigated. Plants at 10 °C showed virtually no measurable growth, leaf discoloration and a few brown lesions, while high temperatures (40 and 50 °C) promoted growth and lateral branch development. Chlorophyll content index, photochemical efficiency (F _v/F _m) of PS II, electron transport rate and photosynthetic rate declined with decreasing temperature but increased significantly at higher temperatures. Heat-shock protein (HSP 70 kDa) was produced at temperatures 30–50 °C and an additional 90 kDa protein was also produced at 50 °C. Increase in the efficiency of excitation energy captured by the open PS II reaction centers (F _v/F _m) increased linearly (P ≤ 0.05) with the accumulation of HSP 70 at higher temperatures. However, at low temperatures the concentration of MDA increased significantly, indicating lipid peroxidation due to oxidative stress. The production and accumulation of HSP 70 and 90 kDa coupled with increased electron transport rate and photochemical efficiency can be used to assess survival, growth capacity and to some extent the tolerance of C. lancifolius to elevated temperatures.     

Prevalence of Babesia microti in free-ranging baboons and African green monkeys

Babesia microti-like parasites have been reported to infect captive non-human primates (NHPs). However, studies on the prevalence of Babesia spp. in free-ranging NHPs are lacking. This investigation aimed at determining the prevalence of B. microti in wild-caught Kenyan NHPs. In total, 125 animals were studied, including 65 olive baboons (Papio cynocephalus anubis) and 60 African green monkeys ([AGMs] Chlorocebus aethiops). Nested polymerase chain reaction targeting Babesia β-tubulin genes was used to diagnose infection prevalence. Results indicated a prevalence of 22% (27/125) B. microti infection in free-ranging NHPs in Kenya. There was no statistically significant difference in B. microti infection prevalence between baboons and AGMs or male and female animals. This is the first report of the presence and prevalence of B. microti in free-ranging Kenyan NHPs.     

Betanin alleviates oxidative stress through the Nrf2 signaling pathway in the liver of STZ-induced diabetic rats

Background

Continuing hyperglycemia causes and exacerbate oxidative stress. Betanin as the principal pigment of red beet root has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-diabetic properties. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potency of betanin on antioxidant defense in STZ-induced diabetic rats’ livers.

Methods

STZ at a single dose of 60 mg/kg body weight was intraperitoneally injected and betanin (10, 20, and 40 mg/kg/day) was administered orally for 28 days. Malondialdehyde (MDA), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), protein carbonyl (PC) levels, and the enzyme activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalases and glutathione peroxidases (GPx) were evaluated in the liver. Furthermore, gene expression of Nrf2 and mentioned antioxidant enzymes were measured by Real-time PCR.

Results

Betanin (10 and 20 mg/kg) significantly reduced PC levels and increased antioxidant enzyme activity in diabetic rats compared to the control diabetic group (P?<?0.01). In comparison to the diabetic control group, all studied genes expression in diabetic rats were increased significantly with betanin at doses of 10 and 20 mg/kg (P?<?0.02). The increase in gene expression at 20 mg/kg of betanin was significantly stronger than others (P?<?0.015) except for the catalase (P?=?0.201), that was almost the same. Moreover, treatment of diabetic rats with 20 mg/kg of betanin could significantly increase TAC levels (P?<?0.05) and decrease MDA levels (P?<?0.001) compared to diabetic control group.

Conclusions

Betanin could increase the antioxidant capacity of liver tissue associated with the Nrf2-mediated pathway in a dose-dependent manner.

     

Assessment of circulating biochemical markers and antioxidative status in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients

Various circulating biochemical markers are indicators of pathological state in leukemia and its subtypes. Increased oxidative stress and decreased antioxidant factors portray clear image associated with malignancies during subtypes of leukemia. In this research work we investigated the inter-relationship among the subtypes of leukemia with circulating biochemical markers and oxidative stress in the Pakistani population. This research work was conducted on a total number of 70 subjects in which 20 were control participants and 50 were suffering from leukemia and divided into two subtypes (ALL and AML). Various circulating biomarkers were investigated including hematological, hepatic and renal profiles as well as oxidative stress markers, electrolytes and vitamins C and E. Results show that vitamin E was found to be decreased in diseased sub-types (P < 0.05). Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels were very high in disease sub-types (ALL-B = 8.69 ± 1.59; ALL-T = 8.78 ± 0.97; AML = 8.50 ± 1.29) compared to controls (1.22 ± 0.10; P < 0.05) while the levels of antioxidants [superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), reduced glutathione (GSH), catalase (CAT)], platelets, as well as electrolytes (Ca and Mg) were reduced in patients suffering from leukemia (sub-types). Enhanced levels of oxidative stress (MDA) and decreased levels of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants reflect the pathological state and impaired cell control in patients suffering from leukemia (subtypes) and show a strong correlation with oxidative stress, indicating that patients’ biological systems are under oxidative stress.     

Heterodynamic processes in Coccinella septempunctata L. (Coccinellidae: Coleoptera): a mini review

Among ladybirds, diapause has evidently been most studied in Coccinella septempunctata L. adults. Coccinella septempunctata (C‐7), the seven spot, has attracted attention both in Europe and the USA for being heterogeneous as to the induction of diapause. A polyphenic character of diapause is a prominent feature in C. septempunctata and this phenomenon generally and often generates voltinism heterogeneity within populations. A greater part of the C‐7 population shows an obligatory univoltine cycle, whereas a smaller proportion is facultatively polyvoltine. Coccinella s. bruckii in Japan is bivoltine, in which the first generation of adults aestivate while the second generation hibernates. This paper reviews this heterodynamic cycle and its importance in the life history of C‐7, as reported from different regions of the world. Heterogeneous voltinism and diapause smooth the progress of a portion of C‐7 populations to take benefit of aphids well into late summer and autumn. Understanding such variation and plasticity in the life history of this species can help in organizing proper biological control attempts using it as a biocontrol agent.     

A comparison of pollinator fig wasp development in figs of Ficus montana and its hybrids with Ficus asperifolia

Figs (Moraceae) and pollinator fig wasps (Hymenoptera: Agaonidae) have a highly specific mutualistic relationship but fig wasps occasionally enter atypical hosts, and this can lead to hybrid fig trees and the potential for gene flow between species. Many fig trees are dioecious, with fig wasp offspring developing in galled ovules inside figs on male trees, whereas seeds develop only in figs on female trees. We generated experimental hybrids between the Asian Ficus montana Blume and a closely related African species Ficus asperifolia Miquel. Male F1s were sterile if entered by Kradibia tentacularis (Grandi) (Agaonidae), the pollinator of F. montana, because its offspring always failed to develop, without ovule enlargement. As with the F1s, figs on most male backcross plants [F. montana × (F. montana × F. asperifolia)] also aborted shortly after pollinator entry, resulting in a higher turnover of figs than with F. montana, although the times taken for the figs to reach receptivity were similar. Pollinator larvae nonetheless consistently managed to develop inside the figs of one backcross plant and also occasionally in a few figs from another backcross individual. In these figs, galled ovules developed as normal, whereas in figs that aborted the galled ovules failed to enlarge. The sex ratio of K. tentacularis progeny in the backcross figs was female biased and did not differ from that in F. montana figs. Sycoscapter spec. (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae), a parasitoid of K. tentacularis, was able to lay eggs and developed normally inside male backcross figs where its host was present.     

Regulation of serum 1,25(OH)2 vitamin D3 levels by fibroblast growth factor 23 is mediated by FGF receptors 3 and 4

Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) is a phosphaturic hormone implicated in the pathogenesis of several hypophosphatemic disorders. FGF23 causes hypophosphatemia by decreasing the expression of sodium phosphate cotransporters (NaPi-2a and NaPi-2c) and decreasing serum 1,25(OH)(2)Vitamin D(3) levels. We previously showed that FGFR1 is the predominant receptor for the hypophosphatemic actions of FGF23 by decreasing renal NaPi-2a and 2c expression while the receptors regulating 1,25(OH)(2)Vitamin D(3) levels remained elusive. To determine the FGFRs regulating 1,25(OH)(2)Vitamin D(3) levels, we studied FGFR3(-/-)FGFR4(-/-) mice as these mice have shortened life span and are growth retarded similar to FGF23(-/-) and Klotho(-/-) mice. Baseline serum 1,25(OH)(2)Vitamin D(3) levels were elevated in the FGFR3(-/-)FGFR4(-/-) mice compared with wild-type mice (102.2 ± 14.8 vs. 266.0 ± 34.0 pmol/l; P = 0.001) as were the serum levels of FGF23. Administration of recombinant FGF23 had no effect on serum 1,25(OH)(2)Vitamin D(3) in the FGFR3(-/-)FGFR4(-/-) mice (173.4 ± 32.7 vs. 219.7 ± 56.5 pmol/l; vehicle vs. FGF23) while it reduced serum 1,25(OH)(2)Vitamin D(3) levels in wild-type mice. Administration of FGF23 to FGFR3(-/-)FGFR4(-/-) mice resulted in a decrease in serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) levels and an increase in serum phosphorus levels mediated by increased renal phosphate reabsorption. These data indicate that FGFR3 and 4 are the receptors that regulate serum 1,25(OH)(2)Vitamin D(3) levels in response to FGF23. In addition, when 1,25(OH)(2)Vitamin D(3) levels are not affected by FGF23, as in FGFR3(-/-)FGFR4(-/-) mice, a reduction in PTH can override the effects of FGF23 on renal phosphate transport.     

Effects of exogenous application of polyamines on wheat anther cultures

Androgenesis of wheat genotypes was evaluated by pretreating anthers or embryo-like structures (ELS) with polyamines. Anthers of the genotype DH were pretreated with different concentrations of putrescine, spermidine, and spermine for 1, 3, and 6 h, and those of drought-tolerant International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) wheat accessions were treated for 1 and 3 h. ELS of two genotypes were also treated for 30 and 60 min with the same polyamines and evaluated for green plant regeneration. The pretreatment of anthers with polyamines enhanced the development of ELS in all genotypes. The formation of ELS varied significantly with genotype. Pretreated anthers showed that four treatments improved significantly green plant regeneration with the genotype ICR 17. However, two treatments (1 mM putrescine or spermine for 1 h) significantly improved green plant regeneration per 100 ELS of only two ICARDA genotypes. ELS treated with polyamines for 30 min were greener and formed more adventitious roots. The chloroplasts of these greener ELS examined with a transmission electron microscope had agranal to grana thylakoids, while those of the control had plastids with mostly starch globules. Although exogenous application of polyamines to anthers improved the production of ELS and green plants, the effects of putrescine, spermidine, and spermine was dependent on genotype and the duration of pretreatment of anthers with the polyamines.     

Transgenic overexpression of HSP56 does not result in cardiac hypertrophy nor protect from ischaemia/reperfusion injury

Heat shock proteins are known to be induced during and following different forms of cardiac stress. It has previously been shown that their expression is beneficial for the heart following trauma such as ischaemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. Heat shock protein 56 (HSP56) belongs to the family of FK506-binding immunophilin proteins and is found in steroid receptor complexes, notably the glucocorticoid receptor. We have previously shown that HSP56 and other HSPs are induced in cardiac myocytes treated with cardiotrophin-1, a cytokine with potent hypertrophic and protective properties on cardiac cells. The hypertrophic action of cardiotrophin-1 on cardiac cells is dependent on HSP56 induction and overexpression of HSP56 is sufficient for inducing hypertrophy in cardiac cells. To investigate this phenomenon in vivo, we have generated transgenic mice overexpressing HSP56 and assessed them for the development cardiac hypertrophy and resistance of their hearts to I/R-injury by Langendorff perfusion. Mice generated demonstrated stable, yet varying expression levels of HSP56. Initial characterisation identified a sex-specific phenotype where male overexpressing mice exhibited a moderate, but significant, reduced body weight compared to wild-type controls. In ex vivo stress analyses we found, unexpectedly, that significant overexpression of HSP56 does not induce myocardial hypertrophy and nor does it protect the intact heart from I/R-injury. These observations now suggest a more intricate HSP56-Sp. Cardiophenotype that requires further studies to determine if HSP56 is necessary in mediating hypertrophy induced by other myocardial stimuli.