Effect of doxorubicin on the intestinal membranes in rats—Influence of α-tocopherol administration

The effect of α-tocopherol on doxorubicin induced changes in intestinal brush border and basolateral membranes were studied in rats. Rats were treated with doxorubicin (2.5 mg/kg body wt.), intravenously, weekly for 8 weeks. α-Tocopherol (400 mg/kg body wt.) was given orally, daily for 2 months. Intestinal basolateral membrane bound ATPases and brush border membrane bound alkaline phosphatase activities were found to be decreased significantly in doxorubicin treated rats. The lipid peroxide level was found to be elevated with a significant depletion in membrane sulphydryl groups. In α-tocopherol coadministered animals, the enzyme activities were found to be restored with concomitant reduction in lipid peroxide levels and an increase in the membrane sulphydryl groups. The membrane cholesterol and phospholipid levels which were altered in doxorubicin treated animals were found to be maintained significantly. The results are discussed with reference to the effect of α-tocopherol on lipid peroxidation and membrane sulphydryl groups.     

Seasonal changes in the structure and secretory activity of the androgenic gland of Travancoriana schirnerae

This study investigated the seasonal variation in the structure and secretory activity of the androgenic gland (AG) in the freshwater crab: Travancoriana schirnerae. The androgenic gland is an elongate structure, attached to one side on the wall of the ejaculatory duct. Histological studies showed the presence of three cell types, which differ in size, shape of nuclei, and presence or absence of secretory vesicles. Type I cells are small with large nuclei whereas type II cells are large with small nuclei. Type III cells are intermediate in size and exhibited streak-like nuclei and transparent cytoplasm. Seasonal changes were discerned in the morphology, histology and secretory activity of the gland. March-June appeared to be the active season with type II cells containing secretory vesicles. The mode of release of secretion found to be holocrine. The secretory activity almost completed by July-August (the mating season) with vacuolization of type II cells. The gland remained inactive from September-December with abundance of vacuoles, scattered pycnotic nuclei, indistinct cell membranes and total cellular degeneration. January-February was the revival period with type I cell proliferation. The present study revealed that the secretory activity of the gland is in tune with the male reproductive cycle.     

Metabolic regulatory variations in rats due to acute cold stress & Tinospora Cordifolia intervention: high resolution 1H NMR approach

Acute cold stress may trigger systemic biochemical and physiological changes in the living organisms, which leads to rapid loss of homeostasis. These changes may reverse due to self-regulatory mechanism of the organism or by the intervention of suitable medication in the form of herbs. The present study was undertaken to assess the alterations in metabolites levels arising due to acute cold stress and to monitor the restoration of these changes by suitable herb intervention. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were exposed to acute cold stress of ?10°C for 3?h and urine samples were collected and analyzed by NMR spectroscopy in conjugation with Principal Component Analysis (PCA). The study revealed highly significant biochemical changes in urinary metabolites and also demonstrated the protective effects of Tinospora Cordifolia (Tc) extract on the stressed rats. These changes suggest the involvement of various metabolic pathways such as Tricarboxylic Acid (TCA) cycle, gut microbiota, renal function, catecholamines and muscle metabolism in the metabolic alterations induced by cold stress and the compensation required to restore homeostasis. The present study forms the basis of future studies to establish potential biomarkers for cold stress in humans and lay down the optimum dosage of Tc to be administered for providing immunity to the body as prophylactic and mitigating agent against environmental insult such as cold stress.     

Scanning electron microscope observations of the spores of some species of Polystichum

Five species of Polystichum are studied under the scanning electron microscope and a comparison made with the light microscope studies of the same species published earlier. The SEM studies present a clear picture of the surface topography, supplying additional information.     

Novel Pyrazole-Based Transition Metal Complexes: Spectral,Photophysical, Thermal and Biological Studies

A novel bioactive Schiff base (HL) named 3-methyl-1-phenyl-5-((5-nitrosalicylidene)amino)pyrazole was prepared by condensing 5-amino-3-methyl-1-phenylpyrazole with 5-nitrosalicyldehyde in methanol on a heating mantle in refluxing condition for 1 h. Some transition metal complexes of the ligand in (1 : 1) and (1 : 2) have also been prepared by condensing the metal acetate salt with the synthesized Schiff base. The Schiff base and metal complexes were characterized by different physiochemical techniques, i. e., ¹H-NMR, InfraRed, mass spectroscopy, elemental analysis, Ultraviolet-Visible, Cyclic voltammetry, electronic spectra and Electron spin resonance. The presence of water molecules in the complexes have been calculated with the help of thermogravimetric analysis. Kinetic parameters such that entropy change, enthalpy change and activation energy have been calculated with the help of Coats-Redfern equations. Fluorescence spectra showed enhancement in the fluorescence signal of the metal complexes. Square planar geometry for the copper complexes and octahedral geometry for the other metal complexes have been proposed with help of various methods. Biological activities of all the compounds have been carried out and the results disclosed that the metal complexes have high biological activity than the Schiff base having MIC value in the range 25–3.12 μg/mL and mycelial growth inhibition 60.82–96.98 %.     

Disentangling thermal from alternative drivers of reflectance in jewel beetles: A macroecological study

Aim

To predict future colour–climate relationships, it is important to distinguish thermal drivers of reflectance from other evolutionary drivers. We aimed to achieve this by comparing relationships between climate and coloration in ultraviolet–visible (UV–Vis) and near-infrared (NIR) light, separately.

Location

Samples were distributed primarily across Australia and North America, with some from Africa and Asia.

Major taxa studied

Coleoptera: Buprestidae.

Methods

We used jewel beetles as models to identify climatic drivers of reflectance, because jewel beetles have highly diverse coloration and a wide distribution and are often active in hot conditions. Specifically, we tested the association between climate, body size and reflectance using a phylogenetic comparative analysis for three wavebands (UV–Vis, NIR and total).

Results

Reflectance of jewel beetles was more strongly predicted by body size than by climate. NIR reflectance and total reflectance were not associated with climate, but larger beetles had higher NIR reflectance. For UV–Vis reflectance, small beetles were darker in warmer and more humid environments, whereas there was no association with climate for large beetles.

Main conclusions

Our study suggests that variation in reflectance of jewel beetles is not driven by thermal requirements and highlights the importance of considering NIR reflectance when evaluating explanations of the effects of colour on thermoregulation.