A sphingolipid rich lipid fraction isolated from attenuated Leishmania donovani promastigote induces apoptosis in mouse and human melanoma cells in vitro

Lipids, especially sphingolipids, are emerging as inducer of apoptosis in a wide range of immortal cells, potentiating their therapeutic application in cancer. In the present study, a sphingolipid rich lipid fraction (denoted here as ALL), isolated from an attenuated strain of Leishmania donovani promastigote, was tested for its tumoricidal activity taking melanoma, the dreaded form of skin cancer cells, as model. ALL was found to induce chromatin condensation, internucleosomal DNA fragmentation and phosphatidylserine externalization with enhanced cell population in sub-G1 region in both mouse and human melanoma systems, namely B16F10 and A375 respectively. These are the hallmarks of cells undergoing apoptosis. Further analysis demonstrated that ALL treated melanoma cells showed significant increase in ROS generation, mitochondrial membrane potential depolarization, release of cytochrome c, and caspase-3 activation, which are the events closely involved in apoptosis. These findings indicate that one or more bioactive sphingolipid(s)/ceramide(s) present in ALL could be the causative agent(s) for the induction of apoptosis in melanoma cells. Further studies are thus necessary to identify these specific bioactive sphingolipid(s)/ceramide(s) and to establish their mechanism of action, in order to explore their use as anticancer agents.     

Promoting community knowledge and action for malaria control in rural Cambodia: potential contributions of Village Malaria Workers

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND: Cambodia has been investing in Village Malaria Workers (VMWs) to improve malaria case management in rural areas. This study assessed the quality of the VMWs' services compared to those by a government-run health center from the perspective of community members. We focused on VMWs' contribution to promote their action to control malaria. Methodology A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in Kampot in 2009. Interviews were conducted at every accessible household in a village with VMWs (n=153) and a village with a health center (n=159), using interviewer administered questionnaire. Preference of the interview was given to female household head. Multiple regression analyses were run to compare knowledge about malaria, preventive measures taken, and time before first malaria treatment between the two villages. FINDINGS: The villagers perceived the VMWs' services equally as good as those provided by the health center. After controlling for confounding factors, the following indicators did not show any statistical significance between two villages: community members' knowledge about malaria transmission (AOR=0.60, 95% CI=0.30-1.22) and government-recommended antimalarial (AOR=0.55, 95% CI=0.25-1.23), preventive measures taken (Beta=-0.191, p=0.315), and time before the first treatment (Beta=0.053, p=0.721). However, knowledge about malaria symptoms was significantly lower in the village with VMWs than the village with a health center (AOR=0.40, 95% CI=0.19-0.83). CONCLUSIONS: VMWs played an equivalent role as the health center in promoting malaria knowledge, action, and effective case management. Although VMWs need to enhance community knowledge about malaria symptoms, the current government policy on VMWs is reasonable and should be expanded to other malaria endemic villages.     

Anti-obesity effect of Solidago virgaaurea extract in high-fat diet-fed SD rat

In our previous report, Solidago virgaurea var. gigantea (SV) extract was shown to exhibit anti-adipogenesis activity in 3T3-L1 adipocyte cells. In this study, anti-obesity activity of SV extract was investigated in in vivo animal model. Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were administered with high-fat diet, and the effect of SV extract was tested. SD rats were treated orally with SV extract for eight weeks, and their body weight was measured every week. The oral treatment of SV extract decreased body weight, fat tissue weight, blood low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol level, and blood triglycerides level. The p-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) (AMP kinase) protein level in the fat tissue of the SV extract-treated SD rats increased. The protein levels of AMPK-downstream proteins, c-AMP response element binding protein and acetyl-CoA carboxylase, fatty acid synthase, and FABP4 decreased, indicating that SV extract-activated AMPK induced inhibition of adipogenesis and lipid biosynthesis in fat tissue. ¹H-NMR measurements of the lipid soluble liver extract showed a decrease in the lipid metabolites, indicating that SV extract-activated fatty acid oxidation in the liver. Overall, our results suggest that orally treated SV extract has excellent anti-obesity effect against HFD-induced obesity of SD rat.     

NUTRIENT SEQUESTRATION,BIOMASS PRODUCTION BY MICROALGAE AND PHYTOREMEDIATION OF SEWAGE WATER

The present work was aimed at analysing the role of inoculated microalgae in nutrient dynamics, bioremediation and biomass production of sewage water. Preliminary microscopic analyses of sewage water revealed the presence of different algal groups, with predominance of Cyanophyta. Among the inoculated strains, Calothrix showed highest dry cell weight (916.67 mg L^?1), chlorophyll and carotenoid content in tap water + sewage water (1:1) treatment. Significant removal of NO₃-N ranging from 57–78% and PO₄-P (44–91%) was recorded in microalgae inoculated tap water + sewage water. The total dissolved solids and electrical conductivity of tap water + sewage water after incubation with Calothrix sp. decreased by 28.5 and 28.0%, accompanied by an increase in dissolved oxygen from 4.4 to 6.4 mg L^?1 on the 20th day. Our investigation revealed the robustness of Calothrix sp. in sequestering nutrients (N and P), improving water quality and proliferating in sewage water.     

Induction of particulate and soluble isoenzymes of tyrosine aminotransferase by hydrocortisone in the liver of rats as a function of age.

The induction of soluble cytoplasmic (c-), and particulate mitochondrial (m-) and nuclear (n-) isoenzymes of tyrosine aminotransferase (TAT) by hydrocortisone in the liver of 6-, 35- and 76- week old rats was studied. In contrast to the earlier reports, both the particulate isoenzymes (m- &; n-TAT) are induced by hydrocortisone. This induction is actinomycin D sensitive. The degree and pattern of induction of the three isoenzymes of TAT vary with age. The possibility of separate regulatory mechanisms for the synthesis of the three isoenzymes is discussed.     

Evaluation of microalgal consortia for treatment of primary treated sewage effluent and biomass production

The present investigation was aimed towards analyzing the potential of consortia of native filamentous microalgal strains (MC2), native unicellular microalgal strains (MC3), and selected microalgae from germplasm (MC1) in terms of nutrient removal, water quality improvement, and biomass production using primary treated sewage water. Highest NO₃-N (90 %) and PO₄-P (97.8 %) removal was obtained with MC2-inoculated sewage water. Highest decrease in total dissolved solids to 806 from 1,120 mg L^?1 and highest increase in dissolved oxygen of 9.0 from 0.4 mg L^?1 were obtained using MC2-inoculated sewage water on the sixth day. The biomass production was also highest in MC2 (1.07 g L^?1) followed by MC1 and MC3 (0.90 and 0.94 g L^?1, respectively) on the sixth day. The consortium of filamentous strains from native environment not only proved promising in nutrient removal efficiency but also led to enhanced biomass. The present study highlighted the utility of such a consortium for sewage wastewater treatment and the promise of sewage water as a growth medium for biomass production.     

In vitro formation of thyroid hormones from 3,5-diiodothyronine by supernatant of submaxillary gland

Cell-free extracts of submaxillary glands from rat and goat iodinate exogenously added 3,5-diiodothyronine to form 3,5,3’-triidothyronine and thyroxine. This capacity was elevated after either thyroidectomy or exposure of rats to cold (3 ±1 ‡C) for 5 h. However, there was no further increase of iodination of 3,5-diiodothyronine when the thyroidectomized rats were exposed to cold stress. The submaxillary extracts have the ability to incorporate radioactive iodide into 3,5-diiodothyronine, 3,5,3’-triiodothyronine and thyroxine. The presence of 3,5-diiodothyronine was also detected in the soluble supernatant of submaxillary extract.     

Microbial dehalogenation: 3-chloropropanoic acid (3-CPA) degradation as a case study

The rapid growth of chemical industries has resulted in increased production of halogenated compounds in the form of solvents, herbicides, insecticides, fungicides, intermediates for chemical synthesis etc.; that have subsequently added up in the environment. However, dumping of these compounds in the environment have directly or indirectly resulted in many health hazards to the animals including human being. Therefore, now a day’s microbial based degradation of these halogenated compounds is considered as a cost effective and potential method of treatment. 3 Chloropropanoic acid (3-CPA) is a less studied beta-chlorinated aliphatic compound and is widely used in agricultural industry as a herbicide and is highly toxic in nature. There is hardly any report that describes the microbial based dehalogenation mechanism and degradation of this haloacid pollutant. This review narrates the biochemical process involved in the microbial dehalogenation process in general and degradation of 3-CPA in particular. Here we have also elucidated the metabolic potential of 3-CPA, its degradation pathways with proposed future research aspects.