Genotoxic evaluation for the estrogenic mycotoxin zearalenone

Genotoxic effects of the mycotoxin Zearalenone (ZEN) were evaluated on albino mice. The investigation was assessed using 4 criteria: chromosome aberrations in bone marrow and spermatocytes of adult male mice; chromosome analysis and teratological effects of mice embryos. Zearalenone was administrated to both adult males and pregnant females with 2 doses level (5 microg x kg(-1) and 10 microg x kg(-1) ZEN). Zearalenone was found to reduce the mitotic activity in treated males and the embryos proving that it is a cytotoxic substance. In treated males and females, it induced some chromosome abnormalities with no significant increase over the control at the doses investigated, except for some few figures. Similar results were observed for the teratological study. The results in general could consider zearalenone as a toxic mycotoxin for both adult animals and embryos. It is highly recommended that a great attention should be paid towards the toxicity of zearalenone to mono-gastric animals and human, especially it contaminate corn that is widely used in human and animal feeding.     

Improvement of antioxidant activity of chitosan by chemical treatment and ionizing radiation

Modification of chitosan (CS) to N-maleoylchitosan (NMCS), N-phthaloylchitosan (NPhCS) and sulfonated-chitosan (SCS) was done using maleic anhydride, phthalic anhydride and chlorosulfonic acid, respectively followed by exposing them to γ-rays at different doses. The molecular weights and structural changes of irradiated chitosan derivatives were determined by GPC, FT-IR and UV-vis spectrophotometer. The molecular weights decreased with increasing irradiation dose. Results revealed that the main polysaccharide structure remained after irradiation. To investigate the enhancement of antioxidant activity of chitosan and its derivatives of different molecular weights, radical mediated lipid peroxidation inhibition, scavenging effect of DPPH radicals, reducing power and ferrous ion chelating activity assays were used. Chitosan derivatives with different molecular weights exhibit antioxidant activity. The lower the molecular weights of chitosan and its derivatives, the higher the antioxidant activity. NMCS possessed high scavenging effect on DPPH radicals compared with NPhCS, SCS and ascorbic acid. The irradiated chitosan and its derivatives could be used as natural antioxidants.     

Preparation and antimicrobial activity of some carboxymethyl chitosan acyl thiourea derivatives

Acetyl, chloroacetyl and benzoyl thiourea derivatives of carboxymethyl chitosan (ATUCMCS, CATUCMCS, and BZTUCMCS) with comparable grafting degree were synthesized and their structures were characterized by FTIR spectroscopy and elemental analyses. The antimicrobial behaviors of CMCS and its derivatives against three types of bacteria [Bacillis subtilis (B. subtilis), Staphylococous aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli)] and three crop-threatening pathogenic fungi [Aspergillus fumigate (A. fumigate), Geotrichum candidum (G. candidum) and Candida albicans (C. albicans)] were investigated. The results indicated that the antibacterial and the antifungal activities of the acyl thiourea derivatives are much higher than that of the parent CMCS. The acyl thiourea derivatives were more potent in case of Gram-positive bacteria than Gram-negative bacteria. This is illustrated for example by the values of minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of the ATUCMCS, CATUCMCS and BZTUCMCS against B. subtilis were 3.9, 15.6 and 62.5, respectively, while the MIC values of these derivatives against E. coli were 62.5, 125 and 500. Moreover, the antifungal activity of the CATUCMCS is higher than that of the acetyl and benzoyl thiourea derivatives. This may be due to the presence of chlorine atom.     

Radiation-induced eco-compatible sulfonated starch/acrylic acid graft copolymers for sucrose hydrolysis

Radiation-induced graft-copolymers capable of hosting sulfonic groups and having more effective catalytic activity towards sucrose hydrolysis were prepared. Acrylic acid monomer (AA) was copolymerized with sulfonated starch (SS) at different compositions using ionizing radiation. Swelling behavior of the prepared copolymers at different environmental conditions was studied as well as thermal stability. The hydrolysis of sucrose to glucose and fructose by sulfonated starch/acrylic acid (SS/AA) graft copolymers was investigated. The kinetics of the reaction was determined for various (SS/AA) graft copolymers compositions and at a temperature range of 40-60 °C. The catalytic activity of the copolymers was found to be dependent on the reaction temperature and (SS/AA) graft copolymers compositions, it increases as the reaction temperature and sulfonated starch content (in the feed solution) increases. The obtained results suggest that the prepared SS/AA copolymers could be considered as catalytic reagent for sucrose hydrolysis.     

Comparison of the patterns of antral follicular development between hormonally synchronized and natural estrous cycles of non-seasonal,polyestrous goats in the tropics

The effects of estrus synchronization with prostaglandin F_2α (PGF_2α) and Controlled Internal Drug Release Device (CIDR) on ensuing antral follicular development were documented and compared to natural estrous cycles of non-seasonal tropical goats. Two to six follicular waves were observed, with the three-follicular wave pattern being most frequently observed (58%), followed by four follicular waves (31.6%) per estrous cycle. There were no significant differences (p > 0.05) between the PGF_2α- or CIDR-synchronized and natural estrous cycles nor between the synchronized and subsequent non-synchronized cycles in terms of the time of ovulation, the duration of inter-ovulatory intervals, daily numbers of antral follicles ≥3 mm in diameter, and the number of follicular waves per cycle in the goats of the present study.     

Fenugreek attenuation of diabetic nephropathy in alloxan-diabetic rats

Diabetic nephropathy is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in diabetic patients. To prevent the development of this disease and to improve advanced kidney injury, effective therapies directed toward the key molecular target are required. In this paper, the efficacy of fenugreek to restore the kidney function of diabetic rats via its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities has been studied. Novel data showing the efficacy of fenugreek to attenuate progression of diabetic nephropathy and production of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in rats compared with a diabetic untreated group were obtained. Rats were classified into five groups; control, diabetic untreated, and three diabetic groups treated with fenugreek, rosiglitazone, and metformin. Treatment with fenugreek has been continued for 12 weeks. Fenugreek was found to significantly reduce the high levels of glucose, urea, creatinine, sodium, potassium, and IL-6 in serum compared with the diabetic untreated group. In addition, levels of malondialdehyde and IL-6 in the kidney homogenate were significantly reduced as a result of the fenugreek treatment compared with the diabetic untreated group. Moreover, concentration of GSH and the activity of both superoxide dismutase and catalase were considerably increased in the diabetic treated groups compared with the diabetic untreated group. Furthermore, glomerular mesangial expansion was reduced in the treated animal groups. These findings suggest a therapeutic potential of fenugreek against diabetic nephropathy, explain its antioxidative/anti-inflammatory properties and provide a direction for future research.     

The ScAACT1 gene at the Q alt5 locus as a candidate for increased aluminum tolerance in rye (Secale cereale L.)

Soluble aluminum (Al³⁺) is a major constraint to plant growth in highly acidic soils, which comprise up to 50% of the world??s arable land. The primary mechanism of Al resistance described in plants is the chelation of Al³⁺ cations by release of organic acids into the rhizosphere. Candidate aluminum tolerance genes encoding organic acid transporter of the ALMT (aluminum-activated malate transporter) and MATE (multi-drug and toxic compound extrusion) families have been characterized in several plant species. In this study, we have isolated in five different cultivars the rye ScAACT1 gene, homolog to barley aluminum activated citrate transporter HvAACT1. This gene mapped to the 7RS chromosome arm, 25?cM away from the ScALMT1 aluminum tolerance gene. The gene consisted of 13 exons and 12 introns and encodes a predicted membrane protein that contains the MatE domain and at least seven putative transmembrane regions. Expression of the ScAACT1 gene is Al-induced, but there were differences in the levels of expression among the cultivars analyzed. A new quantitative trait locus for Al tolerance in rye that co-localizes with the ScAACT1 gene was detected in the 7RS chromosome arm. These results suggest that the ScAACT1 gene is a candidate gene for increased Al tolerance in rye. The phylogenetic relationships between different MATE proteins are discussed.     

Protein solubility, digestibility and fractionation after germination of sorghum varieties

The changes in crude protein, free amino acids, amino acid composition, protein solubility, protein fractionation and protein digestibility after germination of sorghum were investigated. Sorghum varieties (Dorado, Shandaweel-6, Giza-15) were soaked for 20 h followed by germination for 72 h; the results revealed that crude protein and free amino acids in raw sorghum varieties ranged from 10.62 to 12.46% and 0.66 to 1.03 mg/g, respectively. Shandaweel-6 was the highest variety in crude protein and free amino acids content. After germination, crude protein was decreased and free amino acids were increased. There was an increase in content of valine and phenylalanine amino acids after germination. On the other hand, there was a decrease in most of amino acids after germination. After germination protein solubility was significantly increased. Regarding protein fractions, there was an increase in albumin, globulin and kafirin proteins and a decrease in cross linked kafirin and cross linked glutelin after germination.     

Home range and ranging behaviour of Bornean elephant (Elephas maximus borneensis) females

Background

Home range is defined as the extent and location of the area covered annually by a wild animal in its natural habitat. Studies of African and Indian elephants in landscapes of largely open habitats have indicated that the sizes of the home range are determined not only by the food supplies and seasonal changes, but also by numerous other factors including availability of water sources, habitat loss and the existence of man-made barriers. The home range size for the Bornean elephant had never been investigated before.

Methodology/Principal Findings

The first satellite tracking program to investigate the movement of wild Bornean elephants in Sabah was initiated in 2005. Five adult female elephants were immobilized and neck collars were fitted with tracking devices. The sizes of their home range and movement patterns were determined using location data gathered from a satellite tracking system and analyzed by using the Minimum Convex Polygon and Harmonic Mean methods. Home range size was estimated to be 250 to 400 km² in a non-fragmented forest and 600 km² in a fragmented forest. The ranging behavior was influenced by the size of the natural forest habitat and the availability of permanent water sources. The movement pattern was influenced by human disturbance and the need to move from one feeding site to another.

Conclusions/Significance

Home range and movement rate were influenced by the degree of habitat fragmentation. Once habitat was cleared or converted, the availability of food plants and water sources were reduced, forcing the elephants to travel to adjacent forest areas. Therefore movement rate in fragmented forest was higher than in the non-fragmented forest. Finally, in fragmented habitat human and elephant conflict occurrences were likely to be higher, due to increased movement bringing elephants into contact more often with humans.