Deteriorating insulin resistance due to WL15 peptide from cysteine and glycine-rich protein 2 in high glucose-induced rat skeletal muscle L6 cells

This study investigates the antioxidant and antidiabetic activity of the WL15 peptide derived from Channa striatus on regulating the antioxidant property in the rat skeletal muscle cell line (L6) and enhancing glucose uptake via glucose metabolism. Increased oxidative stress plays a major role in the development of diabetes and its complications. Strategies are needed to mitigate the oxidative stress that can reduce these pathogenic processes. Our results showed that with treatment with WL15 peptide, the reactive oxygen species significantly decreased in L6 myotubes in a dose-dependent manner, and increased antioxidant enzymes help to prevent the formation of lipid peroxidation in L6 myotubes. The cytotoxicity of WL15 is evaluated in the L6 cells and found to be non-cytotoxic at the tested concentration. Also, for the analysis of glucose uptake activity in L6 cells, the 2-(N-[7-nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl]amino)-2-deoxy- d -glucose assay was performed in the presence of wortmannin and genistein inhibitors. WL15 demonstrated antidiabetic activities through a dose-dependent increase in glucose uptake (64%) and glycogen storage (7.8 mM). The optimal concentration for the maximum activity was found to be 50 µM. In addition, studies of gene expression in L6 myotubes demonstrated upregulation of antioxidant genes and genes involved in the pathway of insulin signaling. In cell-based assays, WL15 peptide decreased intracellular reactive oxygen species levels and demonstrated insulin mimic activity by enhancing the primary genes involved in the insulin signaling pathway by increased glucose uptake indicating that glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4) is regulated from the intracellular pool to the plasma membrane.     

Effect of polymorphic form on the functional properties of cellulose: A comparative study

The powder and tableting properties of cellulose II powders (MCCII) and (SDCII) were evaluated and compared with common direct compression binders. The cellulose II polymorphs offered more benefits in terms of functionality as compared with cellulose I (Avicel^® PH-102) spray dried lactose and starch. Spray dried cellulose II (SDCII) had a better disintegrant ability, but a lower compactibility than microcrystalline cellulose I (Avicel^® PH-102). However, when mixed and compressed with acetaminophen, SDCII was as compactable as cellulose I. Further, unprocessed cellulose II has a comparable compressibility to that of cellulose I. SDCII was found to be less friable, less sensitive to magnesium stearate, and possessed better acetaminophen loading capacity than unprocessed cellulose II and comparable to that of cellulose I. The cellulose II materials showed potential for use as a direct compression excipient.     

Integrin α9β1-mediated cell migration in glioblastoma via SSAT and Kir4.2 potassium channel pathway

The α9β1 integrin accelerates cell migration through binding of the α9 cytoplasmic domain to SSAT, which catalyzes the catabolism of higher order polyamines, spermidine and spermine, to the lower order polyamine, putrescine. SSAT levels were downregulated at both the mRNA and protein levels by shRNA-mediated simultaneous knockdown of MMP-9 and uPAR/cathepsin B. In addition, we noted a prominent reduction in the expression of SSAT with MMP-9 and uPAR/cathepsin B knockdown in the tumor regions of 5310 injected nude mice brains. Further, SSAT knockdown in glioma xenograft cells significantly reduced their migration potential. Interestingly, MMP-9, uPAR and cathepsin B overexpression in these xenograft cells significantly elevated SSAT mRNA and protein levels. The migratory potential of MMP-9/uPAR/cathepsin B-overexpressed 4910 and 5310 cells was not affected by either glybenclamide (Kir 6.x inhibitor) or tertiapin-Q (Kir 1.1 and 3.x inhibitor) but instead was significantly inhibited by either barium or Kir4.2 siRNA treatments. Co-localization of α9 integrin with Kir4.2 was observed in both 4910 and 5310 xenograft cells. However, MMP-9 and uPAR/cathepsin B knockdown in these cells prominently reduced the co-localization of α9 with Kir4.2. Taken together, our results clearly demonstrate that α9β1 integrin-mediated cell migration utilizes SSAT and the Kir4.2 potassium channel pathway, and inhibition of the migratory potential of these glioma xenograft cells by simultaneous knockdown of MMP-9 and uPAR/cathepsin B could be attributed to the reduced SSAT levels and co-localization of α9 integrin with Kir4.2 inward rectifier potassium channels.     

Production of bio-ethanol from pretreated agricultural byproduct using enzymatic hydrolysis and simultaneous saccharification

Global warming alerts and threats are on the rise due to the utilization of fossil fuels. Alternative fuel sources like bio-ethanol and biodiesel are being produced to combat against these threats. Bio-ethanol can be produced from a range of substrate. The present study is aimed at the Production of bioethanol from pretreated agricultural substrate using enzymatic hydrolysis and simultaneous saccharification with the addition of purified fungal enzyme. Most cellulosic biomass is not fermentable without appropriate pretreatment methods and so dilute sulfuric acid pretreatment was applied to make the cellulose contained in the waste susceptible to endoglucanase enzyme. A range of acid pretreatment of wheat bran was made in which the sample that was pretreated with 1% dilute sulfuric acid gave maximum yield of ethanol in both methods such as 5.83 g L⁻¹ and 5.27 g L⁻¹, respectively. Ethanol produced from renewable and cheap agricultural products (wheat bran) provides reduction in green house gas emission, carbon monoxide, sulfur, and helps to eliminate smog from the environment.     

Distribution of myctophid resources in the Indian Ocean

Mesopelagics are one of the largest under-exploited marine resources with wide distribution in the world oceans. Lanternfishes are the key members of mesopelagic communities and the total resource in the world oceans is estimated at 600 million tons. Lanternfishes belong to the family Myctophidae which comprises of about 250 species in 35 genera. Myctophids account for about 75% of total global catch of small mesopelagic fishes. They are known to exhibit diel vertical migration, concentrating during the day time between 400 and 1,000 m, and between 5 and 100 m, during the night. In this paper, an attempt is made to review the existing information on the occurrence and distribution of myctophid resources in the Indian Ocean. 137 myctophid species have been reported from the entire Indian Ocean. Studies in the Arabian Sea have indicated that the area is rich in the midwater fish stocks dominated by myctophids with an estimated potential of 100 million tons.     

Oxidative stress response and fatty acid changes associated with bioaccumulation of chromium [Cr(VI)] by a fresh water cyanobacterium Chroococcus sp.

Cr(VI) at 2.5, 5, 7.5 and 10 mg/l was removed over 1–5 days by a freshwater cyanobacterium, Chroococcus sp. 2.5 mg Cr(VI)/l gave the optimum rate. With 5 mg Cr(VI)/l, activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase were increased. Amounts of palmitic (16:0), stearic (18:0) and oleic acid (18:1) in the cell also increased after exposure to Cr(VI).     

Influence of Feeding Inorganic Vanadium on Growth Performance,Endocrine Variables and Biomarkers of Bone Health in Crossbred Calves

The nutritional essentialities of transition element vanadium (V) as micro-nutrient in farm animals have not yet been established, though in rat model, vanadium as vanadate has been reported to exert insulin-mimetic effect and shown to be needed for proper development of bones. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of V supplementation on growth performance, plasma hormones and bone health status in calves. Twenty-four crossbred calves (body weight 72.83 ± 2.5 kg; age 3–9 months) were blocked in four groups and randomly assigned to four treatment groups (n = 6) on body weight and age basis. Experimental animals were kept on similar feeding regimen except that different groups were supplemented with either 0, 3, 6 or 9 ppm inorganic V/kg DM. Effect of supplementation during 150-day experimental period was observed on feed intake, body weight gain, feed efficiency, body measures, endocrine variables, plasma glucose and biomarkers of bone health status. Supplementation of V did not change average daily gain (ADG), dry matter intake (DMI), feed efficiency and body measures during the experimental period. During the post-V supplementation period plasma insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), triiodothyronine (T₃) and thyroxin (T₄) concentrations were increased and observed highest in 9 mg V/kg DM fed calves; however, levels of insulin, glucose, parathyroid hormone (PTH) and calcitonin hormones remained similar among calves fed on basal or V-supplemented diets. Bone alkaline phosphatase (Bone-ALP) concentration was increased (P < 0.05); however, plasma protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) level decreased (P < 0.05) in 6 and 9 mg V/kg DM supplemented groups. Plasma hydroxyproline (Hyp) and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) concentration were unchanged by V supplementation. Blood V concentration showed positive correlation with supplemental V levels. These results suggest that V may play a role in modulation of the action of certain endocrine variables and biomarkers of bone health status in growing crossbred calves.     

Co-administration of APD668, a G protein-coupled receptor 119 agonist and linagliptin,a DPPIV inhibitor,prevents progression of steatohepatitis in mice fed on a high trans-fat diet

Non-Alcoholic SteatoHepatitis (NASH) is the more severe form of Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD) and is characterized by the presence of hepatic steatosis, oxidative stress, inflammation, hepatocyte injury with or without fibrosis. Recently, GPR119 receptor has emerged as a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of dyslipidemia and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. In the present study, we investigated the effect of APD668, a GPR119 agonist alone or in combination with linagliptin, a DPPIV inhibitor on the progression of steatohepatitis in mice fed on a high trans-fat diet. In this study, monotherapy with either APD668 or linagliptin caused a reduction in the levels of ALT, AST, glucose, cholesterol and epididymal fat mass but the effect was more pronounced upon treatment with combination of both drugs.On the other hand, combined treatment of APD668 with linagliptin demonstrated a non-significant additive effect in reduction of hepatic triglyceride (?78%) and cholesterol (?56%) compared to monotherapy groups. Moreover, co-administration of APD668 and linagliptin resulted in enhanced levels of active GLP-1 with additional benefit of significant synergistic decrease in body weight gain (?19%) in mice. We speculated that the enhanced effect observed with the combination treatment could be due to either 1) direct activation of GPR119 receptors present in liver and intestine or 2) enhanced active GLP-1 levels or 3) decreased degradation of GLP-1 in-vivo through DPPIV inhibition. Therefore, these findings clearly suggest that GPR119 receptor agonists in combination with DPPIV inhibitors may represent a promising therapeutic strategy for the treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis.     

Biomolecule-embedded metal-organic frameworks as an innovative sensing platform

Technological advancements combined with materials research have led to the generation of enormous types of novel substrates and materials for use in various biological/medical, energy, and environmental applications. Lately, the embedding of biomolecules in novel and/or advanced materials (e.g., metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), nanoparticles, hydrogels, graphene, and their hybrid composites) has become a vital research area in the construction of an innovative platform for various applications including sensors (or biosensors), biofuel cells, and bioelectronic devices. Due to the intriguing properties of MOFs (e.g., framework architecture, topology, and optical properties), they have contributed considerably to recent progresses in enzymatic catalysis, antibody-antigen interactions, or many other related approaches. Here, we aim to describe the different strategies for the design and synthesis of diverse biomolecule-embedded MOFs for various sensing (e.g., optical, electrochemical, biological, and miscellaneous) techniques. Additionally, the benefits and future prospective of MOFs-based biomolecular immobilization as an innovative sensing platform are discussed along with the evaluation on their performance to seek for further development in this emerging research area.     

Assessment of genetic fidelity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dioscorea bulbifera</Emphasis> L. and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dioscorea hirtiflora</Emphasis> Benth. and medicinal bioactivity produced from the induced tuberous roots

Wild tubers of Dioscorea bulbifera (Db) and Dioscorea hirtiflora (Dh) mainly used as sources of famine food and in herbal preparations are often indiscriminately collected in Africa and Asia. Therefore, there is the need to complement wild sourcing of the tubers to promote their conservation. The present study reports in vitro tuberous induction (80%) for the first time from Dh cultured on MS?+?NAA (2.5 mg/L) with IC₅₀ of 472.5?±?1.77 µg/mL using DPPH, whereas tuberous root (60%) from Db on MS?+?Kn (2.5 mg/L)?+?NAA (0.25 mg/L) had IC₅₀ of 26.97?±?1.00 µg/mL. Genetic fidelity assessment of in vitro plants compared to the wild plants revealed similar amplicon size of amplified DNA using trnH–psbA and rbcL. Similarly, micromorphological diagnostic features like oil gland, crystals (raphides), trichome and stomata type were obtained from the epidermal peels of the wild and in vitro plants. The ethyl acetate (EtOAc) extract of the flesh of Dh (wild) had the highest catechin content (108.3?±?0.69 µg/g DW). Protocatechuic acid was highest in the methanol (MeOH) extract of the flesh of Dh (0.42?±?0.02 µg/g DW), while it was detected in trace amount in the in vitro tuberous roots of MeOH extracts of Dh treated with NAA. The in vitro protocol developed in this study could be employed to multiply Dioscorea bulbifera L. and Dioscorea hirtiflora Benth. to offer genetically stable clones for the optimization of bioactive compounds and germplasms conservation.