Effects of water quality and trophic status on helminth infections in the cyprinid fish, Schizothorax niger Heckel, 1838 from three lakes in the Kashmir Himalayas

Water quality greatly influences the population density of aquatic biota, including parasites. In order to evaluate the relationship between fish parasites and water quality in Kashmir Himalayas, we assessed helminth parasite densities in Schizothorax niger Heckel, 1838 (an endemic cyprinid fish of Kashmir) from three lakes, namely Anchar, Manasbal and Dal, which reflected the varied stages of eutrophication. The overall prevalence of helminth infections was higher in the hypertrophic Anchar Lake (prevalence = 18.6%) compared to Manasbal Lake, which was the least eutrophied (prevalence = 6.4%). Furthermore, mean prevalence of monoxenous and heteroxenous parasites was higher in lakes containing higher levels of water degradation (Anchar and Dal). The mean number of helminth species per fish host was the highest in the hypertrophic lake (1.3 ± 0.3) in comparison to the least eutrophic lake (0.2 ± 1.5). Variability of calculated infection indices (prevalence, mean intensity and mean abundance) revealed that helminth parasite composition in the fish was affected by the lakes' environmental stress (degraded water quality). Therefore, data on the density of helminth parasites in fish can provide supplementary information on the pollution status of a water body.     

Novel cross-stage solitarising effect of gregarious-phase adult desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria (Forskål)) pheromone on hoppers

Previous studies had demonstrated stage differentiation in the cohesion (aggregation) pheromone systems of the desert locust, Schistocerca gregaria. In laboratory arena, the nymphal and adult stages responded aggregatively to their own pheromone, but dispersed evenly within the arena in the presence of the other. In the present study, we explored the effects of longer-term contact of field gregarious hopper bands and laboratory crowd-reared nymphs with the major constituent of the adult pheromone. During the first few days, hoppers in treated bands became relatively hyperactive. Over the next few days, their movements became random and they stopped marching as coherent groups, they started to roost for longer periods on vegetations, and they fragmented into smaller and smaller groupings and individuals. When attacked by birds, they demonstrated subdued levels of collective defensive behaviour compared to normal hoppers, and there were clear signs of increased predation and cannibalism at the roosting sites. In cage experiments, crowd-reared nymphs treated with the pheromone component became hyperactive, showed abnormal diel patterns and reduced feeding on plants but increased cannibalism. Our observations show that the major adult pheromone constituent has a solitarising effect on gregarious hoppers. The mechanism underlying this effect and the potential of the agent in desert locust control are discussed.     

Identification of germplasm with stacked QTL underlying seed traits in an inbred soybean population from cultivars Essex and Forrest

Soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) seed provides valuable oil (~200 g/kg) and protein (~400 g/kg) co-products. Seed composition variations result from several quantitative trait loci (QTL) that act through development. The objectives here were to identify loci underlying seed traits in the Essex × Forrest (EF94)-derived recombinant inbred line (RIL) population which has low frequencies of marker polymorphisms. Seed weight, protein, and oil were measured over 3 years: 2001, 2003, and 2005. Essex’s seeds were larger (141 mg/seed), higher in protein (406 g/kg), and lower in oil (190 g/kg) than Forrest’s (115 mg/seed, 395 g protein/kg, and 203 g oil/kg). Marker analysis included 413 markers for trait associations used for ANOVA, interval mapping, and composite interval mapping. Eleven QTL in nine genomic regions were associated (LOD >2; P < 0.0077) with seed traits. Two QTL, for mean protein and seed size, were clustered on linkage group (LG) E (chromosome Gm16). QTL for protein content alone were found on LG C2 (Gm6), LG D1b (Gm2), LG H (Gm12), and LG I (Gm20). The alleles from Essex, the high-protein parent, underlay higher protein (4–10 g/kg) at four of five loci. A QTL for mean oil was found on LG A2 (Gm18) and on LG I (Gm 20). The alleles from Forrest underlay higher oil (3–4 g/kg). Five separate QTL for mean seed weight were found on LG A1 (Gm05), LG N (Gm15), two on LG B1 (Gm11) and one on LG N (Gm3). The alleles from Essex underlay greater seed weight (0.4–0.66 g/100 seeds). The QTL positions were consistent with reported loci. Germplasm that contained all five beneficial alleles at the QTL underlying protein was significantly higher in protein and yield than Essex (409.7–412.3 g/kg) and included RILs 49 and 62. The germplasm identified can be useful for further breeding of the many traits and QTL measured in each line.     

Neural crest cells development and neuroblastoma progression: Role of Wnt signaling

Neuroblastoma (NB) is one of the most common heterogeneous extracranial cancers in infancy that arises from neural crest (NC) cells of the sympathetic nervous system. The Wnt signaling pathway, both canonical and noncanonical pathway, is a highly conserved signaling pathway that regulates the development and differentiation of the NC cells during embryogenesis. Reports suggest that aberrant activation of Wnt ligands/receptors in Wnt signaling pathways promote progression and relapse of NB. Wnt signaling pathways regulate NC induction and migration in a similar manner; it regulates proliferation and metastasis of NB. Inhibiting the Wnt signaling pathway or its ligands/receptors induces apoptosis and abrogates proliferation and tumorigenicity in all major types of NB cells. Here, we comprehensively discuss the Wnt signaling pathway and its mechanisms in regulating the development of NC and NB pathogenesis. This review highlights the implications of aberrant Wnt signaling in the context of etiology, progression, and relapse of NB. We have also described emerging strategies for Wnt-based therapies against the progression of NB that will provide new insights into the development of Wnt-based therapeutic strategies for NB.     

Visible-light induced hydrogen production using a polypeptide-chlorophyll complex with alpha-helix conformation.

Hydrogen production was accomplished under visible-light irradiation by using a system consisting of a biomolecule (chlorophyll a), methylviologen, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid disodium salt and Pt-loaded poly(l-glutamate) (Poly(Glu)), in aqueous decylammonium chloride (DeAC) solution. Spectroscopic studies revealed that chlorophyll a is solubilized in the hydrophobic clusters of Pt-loaded Poly(Glu)-decylammonium chloride. In the Poly(Glu)-DeAC complex, the electron transfer occurred between chlorophyll a and methylviologen leading to hydrogen production. The most noticeable result is that the rate of hydrogen evolution depends on the change from the random coil to the alpha-helix in conformation of Poly(Glu) induced by the cooperative binding with DeAC.     

Uncovering the role of VDAC in the regulation of cell life and death

Proper cell activity requires an efficient exchange of molecules between mitochondria and cytoplasm. Lying in the outer mitochondrial membrane, VDAC assumes a crucial position in the cell, forming the main interface between the mitochondrial and the cellular metabolisms. As such, it has been recognized that VDAC plays a crucial role in regulating the metabolic and energetic functions of mitochondria. Indeed, down-regulation of VDAC1 expression by shRNA leads to a decrease in energy production and cell growth. VDAC has also been recognized as a key protein in mitochondria-mediated apoptosis through its involvement in the release of apoptotic proteins located in the inter-membranal space and as the proposed target of pro- and anti-apoptotic members of the Bcl2-family and of hexokinase. Questions, however, remain as to if and how VDAC mediates the transfer of apoptotic proteins from the inter-membranal space to the cytosol. The diameter of the VDAC pore is only about 2.5–3 nm, insufficient for the passage of a folded protein like cytochrome c. New work, however, suggests that pore formation involves the assembly of homo-oligomers of VDAC or hetero-oligomers composed of VDAC and pro-apoptotic proteins, such as Bax. Thus, VDAC appears to represent a convergence point for a variety of cell survival and cell death signals. This review provides insight into the central role of VDAC in mammalian cell life and death, emphasizing VDAC function in the regulation of mitochondria-mediated apoptosis and, as such, its potential as a rational target for new therapeutics.     

Antifungal and antibacterial activities of Taxus wallichiana Zucc

Current study was undertaken to evaluate the in vitro antifungal and antibacterial potential of methanol extract and subsequent fractions obtained after partitioning in organic solvents with variable polarity of the aerial parts of the tree Taxus wallichiana Zucc. Traditionally, this plant is often used in folk medicines in Pakistan for treating microbial infections. In order to rationalize the traditional use, methanol extracts of leaf, bark, and heartwood of Taxus wallichiana Zucc. were tested against six bacteria and six fungal strains using the Hole diffusion and macro-dilution methods. All extracts and fractions displayed significant antimicrobial effect. Only three fungal strains, Trichophyton longifusus, Microspoum canis, and Fusarium solani were susceptible to the extracts and fractions with MICs ranging from 0.08 to 200 mg/mL. In case of bacterial strains, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Salmonella typhi were susceptible to the extracts and fractions with MICs ranging from 0.08 to 200 mg/mL. Comparison results were carried out using imipinem, miconazole and amphotericin B as standard antibiotics.     

Exclusive predation of sea turtle hatchlings by juvenile blacktip reef sharks Carcharhinus melanopterus at a turtle nesting site in Malaysia

This study reports the discovery of the exclusive predation of sea turtle hatchlings by several juvenile blacktip reef sharks (Carcharhinus melanopterus) in Chagar Hutang bay on Redang Island, Malaysia, in the South China Sea. Three dead specimens of C. melanopterus were retrieved from ghost nets, and the entire digestive tracts of these sharks solely contained the partially digested bodies of sea turtle hatchlings, with no evidence of the remains of any other prey. Thus, juvenile C. melanopterus may opportunistically feed primarily on turtle hatchlings during times when hatchling abundance is high.