Aerobiology, allergenicity and biochemistry of three pollen types in Berhampore town of West Bengal, India

An aerobiological survey was performed in Berhampore town of West Bengal, India, to know the frequency of three common airborne pollen, namely Acacia auriculiformis, Eucalyptus citriodora and Madhuca indica using an ASTIR one day volumetric sampler. Acacia pollen showed its peak concentration in September, followed by Madhuca in April, while Eucalyptus showed its two peaks between September–October and January–April. Meteorological factors like temperature, RH, rainfall played an important role in release and dispersal of pollen. Skin prick tests with the antigenic extracts of the three pollen types, showed their allergenic potentialities. The highest markedly positive reactions were exhibited by Eucalyptus (34.04%), followed by Madhuca (22.93%) and Acacia (21.87%). 30–60% (NH₄)₂ SO₄ cut fraction (Fraction II) of each pollen type showed maximum positivity in skin prick test. Biochemical analysis showed that Acacia pollen was richer in protein and carbohydrate, than the other two types. The total protein component of the above types were studied by SDS-PAGE showing different protein bands with a range of molecular weight 29–110 KD. In isolated fraction II (allergenically most potent) of Eucalyptus and Madhuca different protein band of 43–200 KD were obtained, while a single protein band of 57 KD was obtained for Acacia. The IgE specific allergenic reactivity was confirmed by Dot-blotting technique. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Natural COA water inhibits mitochondrial ROS-mediated apoptosis through Plk3 downregulation under STZ diabetic stress in pancreatic β-cell lines

Diabetes from pancreatic β cell death and insulin resistance is a serious metabolic disease in the world. Although the overproduction of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS) plays an important role in the pathogenesis of diabetes, its specific molecular mechanism remains unclear. Here, we show that the natural Charisma of Aqua (COA) water plays a role in Streptozotocin (STZ) diabetic stress-induced cell death inhibition. STZ induces mitochondrial ROS by increasing Polo-like kinase 3 (Plk3), a major mitotic regulator, in both Beta TC-6 and Beta TC-tet mouse islet cells and leads to apoptosis. Overexpression of Plk3 regulates an increase in mitochondrial ROS as well as cell death, also these events were inhibited by Plk3 gene knockdown in STZ diabetic stimulated-Beta TC-6 cells. Interestingly, we found that natural COA water blocks mitochondrial ROS generation through the reduction of Plk3 and prevents apoptosis in STZ-treated beta cells. Furthermore, using the 3D organoid (ex vivo) system, we confirmed that the insulin secretion of the supernatant medium under STZ treated pancreatic β-cells is protected by the natural COA water. These findings demonstrate that the natural water COA has a beneficial role in maintaining β cell function through the inhibition of mitochondrial ROS-mediated cell death, and it might be introduced as a potential insulin stabilizer.     

Solubilization of low-grade Indian rock phosphates and inorganic phosphates byBacillus licheniformis

Bacillus licheniformis solubilized a range of inorganic phosphates and five different Indian rock phosphates (low grade) to varying extent in broth culture and in soil. Statistical evaluation indicated that broth cultures alone were inadequate indicators of the potential for microbial solubilization of rock phosphates.