Changes in phytochemical content and pharmacological activities of three <Emphasis Type="Italic">Chlorella</Emphasis> strains grown in different nitrogen conditions

The phytochemical content and biological activity of three Chlorella strains cultured in low (35 mg L^?1) or high (700 mg L^?1) nitrogen (N) and harvested on days 5 and 10 were evaluated. High N resulted in a higher biomass in Chlorella MACC 438 and MACC 452 while MACC 555 produced a higher biomass in low N. MACC 555 (low N/day 5) had the highest phenolic content, and MACC 438 in low N/day 5 and high N/day 5 accumulated the highest flavonoids and condensed tannins, respectively. Iridoids were most abundant in MACC 452 on low N/day 10. Harvest time had the greatest effect on the phytochemical content with phenolics, flavonoids, and condensed tannins decreasing over time and iridoids increasing in low N and decreasing in high N conditions. Extracts were more active in β-carotene-linoleic acid model compared to 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay. Most extracts had good antimicrobial activity. Extracts became less potent over time in the antioxidant, acetylcholinesterase inhibitory (AChE), and antimicrobial assays when growing in low N and more potent in the antioxidant and AChE assays when grown in high N. Thus, phytochemical content and biological activities of the three Chlorella strains were affected by N levels, harvest time, and strain.     

Physiological and phytochemical responses of three nutrient-stressed bulbous plants subjected to vermicompost leachate treatment

The role of vermicompost leachate (VCL) on growth, photosynthetic pigments, phytochemical content and the bioactivities of three bulbous (Eucomis autumnalis, Tulbaghia ludwigiana and Tulbaghia violacea) plants with medicinal and horticultural potential under nutrient-stressed conditions was evaluated. After 15 weeks, the nutrient-stressed plants were harvested and growth parameters were recorded. Spectrophotometric methods were used to quantify the photosynthetic and phytochemical contents. Harvested plant materials were extracted with 50 % methanol and subjected to antioxidant, acetylcholinesterase inhibitory (AChEI) and antifungal bioassays to elucidate the effect of the applied VCL under nutrient stress. While VCL did not significantly enhance growth of the three species, it significantly increased photosynthetic pigment content in 50 % Hoagland’s-treated Eucomis autumnalis and in phosphorus-deficient Tulbaghia ludwigiana. Among the quantified phytochemicals, the most promising finding was the significant increase in condensed tannin and iridoid contents in VCL-supplemented-nutrient-stressed Tulbaghia violacea. Better antioxidant (Eucomis autumnalis) and AChEI (Eucomis autumnalis, Tulbaghia violacea) activities were detected when VCL was applied under nutrient stress. The current findings indicate that the application of VCL holds potential in cultivation of plants under nutrient-stressed conditions.     

New embedding medium for sectioning undecalcified bone

Methylmethacrylate (MMA) is the most commonly used embedding medium for sectioning undecalcified bone; however, a number of problems exist with its use in a research laboratory. MMA requires a long infiltration time and temperature control, and it reacts with many polymers. We used Kleer Set resin? as an alternative embedding medium for sectioning undecalcified bone specimens. Fluorochrome labeled bone specimens were sectioned transversely using a ground section technique and longitudinally on a sledge macrotome. The slides were viewed using both transmitted light and epifluorescence microscopy. High quality sections were obtained using Kleer Set resin? for both sectioning techniques. We have shown that this new embedding medium is simpler, safer, quicker to use and does not interfere with visualization of fluorochromes.     

Blood groups and protein polymorphisms in five goat breeds (Capra hircus)

Data on allele frequencies at six red cell blood group systems and three blood protein polymorphic loci in five goat breeds are reported. Two blood proteins, albumin and carbonic anhy-drase, were not found to be polymorphic. The B blood group system of goats, like its homologue in cattle and sheep, is highly complex. At least 44 B phenogroups (haplotypes) have been distinguished in this study. Based on the variation in allele frequencies between breeds, genetic distances were calculated. The distances estimated by four different methods were in close agreement with data from the history and geographic origins of the breeds examined.     

High content image analysis for human H4 neuroglioma cells exposed to CuO nanoparticles

Background  

High content screening (HCS)-based image analysis is becoming an important and widely used research tool. Capitalizing this technology, ample cellular information can be extracted from the high content cellular images. In this study, an automated, reliable and quantitative cellular image analysis system developed in house has been employed to quantify the toxic responses of human H4 neuroglioma cells exposed to metal oxide nanoparticles. This system has been proved to be an essential tool in our study.