Effect of the water extracts of propolis on stimulation and inhibition of different cells

The water extracts of propolis (WEP) could inhibit growth of different cell lines namely McCoy, HeLa, SP2/0, HEp-2, and BHK21 and stimulate growth of normal cell named human lymphocyte, rat kidney, rat liver, and rat spleen. In these experiments 1 and 2 mg of WEP were added to 1 ml RPMI media with 5% FCS. Cell counts and cell viability of propolis-treated and propolis-free cells were assessed by Trypan blue dye exclusion test and MTT assay. The results showed that in case of McCoy, HeLa, SP20, HEp-2, and BHK21 cell lines, the water extracts of propolis could inhibit cell growth as well as reduction on size of the cells. In contrast the same amount of WEP could stimulate growth of normal cells up to 60% with the same concentration used for cell lines. Thus our study indicates that although WEP consists only of the soluble part of propolis, it enables to inhibit different cell lines and increase growth of normal cells. This indicates also that WEP contains the specific compounds with bioactivity against cell lines. Although propolis contain different number of compounds it is clear that WEP has enough biological compounds useful for the treatment of some diseases, medical and related applications.     

Potential causes of enhanced transfer of mercury to St. Lawrence River Biota: implications for sediment management strategies at Cornwall, Ontario, Canada

We examined factors and pathways involved in the transfer of mercury (Hg) to the food web in St. Lawrence River embayments near Cornwall, Ontario, where natural remediation of contaminated sediments (eventual burial by settling of cleaner sediments) has been adopted as a management strategy. Yellow perch (Perca flavescens) from one of the study zones (Zone 1) along the river by Cornwall contained significantly higher total mercury (THg) concentrations than perch from other equally contaminated zones. While THg concentrations in benthic invertebrates did not vary among contaminated zones, THg concentrations in yellow perch and invertebrate prey recovered from the perch stomachs were 1.5–2.5 times higher in Zone 1 than those from other zones, suggesting that prey selection affects THg accumulation more than habitat location. No significant differences were found in THg concentrations among different prey species within Zone 1, although there were significant differences in THg concentrations in the same prey species within Zone 1. In contrast, THg concentrations among different prey species increased significantly with trophic level in other contaminated and reference zones. The lack of correspondence between trophic position and THg accumulation in Zone 1 suggests two possibilities: (1) yellow perch in Zone 1 are highly mobile and are assimilating THg from a wide range of prey across Zone 1 with variable THg concentrations and (2) there may be an important non-dietary source of THg to the Zone 1 food web. Potential waterborne Hg sources to Zone 1 were investigated. Whereas THg and MeHg values in discharges from a disused canal were similar to Zone 1 surface water values (0.97 and 0.04 ng l^?1, respectively), concentrations in storm sewer and combined sewer overflows discharging in the vicinity of Zone 1 were 19–45-fold (THg) and 2–4-fold (MeHg) higher than upstream river water. Contributions of Hg to the water column from sediment–water diffusion, estimated using a simple, well-mixed reactor model, ranged 0.05–0.1% of the surface water THg concentration and 1–2% of the MeHg concentration measured in summer months in Zone 1. Although not investigated in the other zones, a strong correlation (r ² = 0.82) was found between MeHg in porewater and amphipod concentrations in Zone 1, indicating that the sediment porewater is bioavailable and likely an important pathway for transfer of sediment Hg to the foodweb. Large areas of Zone 1 contain bark deposits and produce high rates of gas ebullition, and may not provide favourable conditions for progressive burial with clean sediments and attenuation of Hg transfer to biota through natural remediation. Careful monitoring of surface sediment concentrations and biota is required in these areas. Failure to reduce concentrations of Hg in these media would indicate alternative or additional management measures are required.     

Separation of nucleotides in homogenates of octopus retina by ion-pair reversed-phase liquid chromatography and identification by mass spectrometry

An isocratic ion-pair reversed-phase liquid chromatographic method has been developed for the determination of thirteen nucleotides including cyclic AMP and cyclic GMP. The resolution capability of this method was evaluated successfully using homogenates of octopus retina, the aim being to elucidate the role of nucleotides (particularly ADP and ATP) in the control of oxidative metabolism. To overcome the inherent lack of specificity of ultraviolet detection we used the coupling of liquid chromatography with mass spectrometry, via a thermospray interface, to confirm the identity of the nucleotides of interest in the biological samples.     

Spatial and temporal correspondence of sunn pest oviposition and egg parasitism by Trissolcus spp. in Iran

The sunn pest, Eurygaster integriceps Puton, is a serious pest of wheat and other cereals in the Firouzabad region of Ardabil Province, Iran. In this study, we examined the spatial distribution of sunn pest eggs and their parasitism by Trissolcus spp., primarily Trissolcus grandis Thomson, during the growing seasons of 2008 and 2009. Ten quadrats of 1 m² were established in each of the ten experimental fields and sampled every 3 days beginning at Feekes growth stage 6 (beginning of stem elongation) through stage 11 (ripening). The numbers of sunn pest eggs, both parasitized and unparasitized, were tallied in each quadrat on each sampling date. Sunn pest oviposition peaked during the onset of flowering in both years, while parasitism peaked at the completion of anthesis in 2008, and at anthesis complete to early milk stage in 2009. Iwao’s regression provided a better fit to the data than did Taylor’s power law. Both models indicated an aggregated distribution of eggs and parasitism. Temporally, there was a negative overlap between egg density and parasitism from inflorescence emergence until the beginning of anthesis, and positive overlap from anthesis complete until the soft dough stage, such that parasitism ranged from 0% of eggs laid early, to virtually 100% of eggs laid late. Thus, despite good spatial correspondence between egg density and egg parasitism, the time lag between peak bug oviposition and peak parasitism enabled large numbers of early‐laid host eggs to hatch and diminished the potential efficacy of biological control by Trissolcus spp. The implications of these results are discussed in the context of integrated management of sunn pest in wheat fields and the possible benefits of early season augmentation of the parasitoid population.     

Thermoluminescence glow curve deconvolution and kinetic parameter determination of samarium-doped lithium borosilicate glass

Thermoluminescence glow curves of gamma-irradiated samarium-doped lithium borosilicate glass were investigated. The number of overlapping peaks was determined using the repeated initial rise method. The glow curves were deconvoluted into four overlapping peaks. The trapping parameters such as activation energy E, frequency factor (s), and kinetic order (b) for each peak were determined. The obtained results indicated that the lithium borosilicate glass doped with samarium had four electron trap levels with the average activation energies of 0.82, 1.01, 1.21, and 1.31 eV. Thermal fading analysis of the individual peaks based on the deconvolution data was performed. The obtained results showed high thermal fading of the first peak, but high thermal stability of the second and third peaks compared with the other peaks. These results could be used to explain some observed properties such as high thermal fading and light sensitivity for this thermoluminescent material. Moreover, the obtained results may be helpful in minimizing fading corrections in dosimetric applications.     

The role of intercrops of eggplant and cowpea on the control of Leucinodes orbonalis guenee (Lepidoptera: Crambidae)

BioControl - The eggplant fruit and shoot borer (EFSB), Leucinodes orbonalis Guenee (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) is the major pest of eggplant, Solanum melongena L., in Iran. Influences of...     

Optimization of a Fluorescence-Based Assay for Large-Scale Drug Screening against Babesia and Theileria Parasites

A rapid and accurate assay for evaluating antibabesial drugs on a large scale is required for the discovery of novel chemotherapeutic agents against Babesia parasites. In the current study, we evaluated the usefulness of a fluorescence-based assay for determining the efficacies of antibabesial compounds against bovine and equine hemoparasites in in vitro cultures. Three different hematocrits (HCTs; 2.5%, 5%, and 10%) were used without daily replacement of the medium. The results of a high-throughput screening assay revealed that the best HCT was 2.5% for bovine Babesia parasites and 5% for equine Babesia and Theileria parasites. The IC₅₀ values of diminazene aceturate obtained by fluorescence and microscopy did not differ significantly. Likewise, the IC₅₀ values of luteolin, pyronaridine tetraphosphate, nimbolide, gedunin, and enoxacin did not differ between the two methods. In conclusion, our fluorescence-based assay uses low HCT and does not require daily replacement of culture medium, making it highly suitable for in vitro large-scale drug screening against Babesia and Theileria parasites that infect cattle and horses.     

Mechanisms of interferon‐beta‐induced inhibition of Toxoplasma gondii growth in murine macrophages and embryonic fibroblasts: role of immunity‐related GTPase M1

The apical complex of Toxoplasma gondii enables it to invade virtually all nucleated cells in warm‐blooded animals, including humans, making it a parasite of global importance. Anti‐T. gondii cellular defence mechanisms depend largely on interferon (IFN)‐γ production by immune cells. However, the molecular mechanism of IFN‐β‐mediated defence remains largely unclear. Here, mouse peritoneal macrophages and murine embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) primed with recombinant IFN‐β and IFN‐γ showed different pathways of activation. Treatment of these cells with IFN‐β or IFN‐γ inhibited T. gondii (type II PLK strain) growth. Priming macrophages with IFN‐β had no effect on inflammatory cytokine expression, inducible nitric oxide synthase or indoleamine 2,3‐dioxygenase, nor did it have an effect on their metabolites, nitric oxide and kynurenine respectively. In contrast, IFN‐γ stimulation was characterized by classical macrophage activation and T. gondii elimination. IFN‐β activation recruited the immunity‐related GTPase M1 (IRGM1) to the parasitophorous vacuole in the macrophages and MEFs. Anti‐toxoplasma activities induced by IFN‐β were significantly reduced after IRGM1 knockdown in murine macrophages and in IRGM1‐deficient MEFs. Thus, this study unravels an alternative pathway of macrophage activation by IFN‐β and provides a mechanistic explanation for the contribution of IRGM1 induced by IFN‐β to the elimination of T. gondii.