Effects of NaCl on growth, ion accumulation, protein, proline contents and antioxidant enzymes activity in callus cultures of Jatropha curcas

Jatropha curcas is an oil bearing species with multiple uses and considerable economic potential as a biofuel crop. The effect of NaCl stress on growth, ion accumulation, contents of protein, proline, and antioxidant enzymes activity in callus cultures of J. curcas was investigated. Exposure of callus to NaCl decreased growth in a concentration dependent manner. NaCl treated callus accumulated Na and declined in K, Ca and Mg contents. Na/K ratio increased steadily as a function of external NaCl treatment. NaCl induced significant differences in quality and quantity of proteins, whereas, proline accumulation remained more or less constant with treatment. NaCl stress enhanced the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD; E.C. 1.15.1.1) and peroxidase (POX; E.C. 1.11.1.7). Further in the isoenzyme studies, four SOD isoenzymes (SOD 1, 2, 3, and 4) and two POX isoenzymes (POX 1 and 2) were detected with the treatment. NaCl strongly induced activity of SOD 4 isoenzyme in 40, 60, 80 mM and POX 2 isoenzyme in 40 and 80 mM NaCl concentrations. Increase in antioxidant enzymes activity could be a response to cellular damage induced by NaCl. This increase could not stop the deleterious effects of NaCl, but it reduced stress severity and thus allowed cell growth to occur.     

Significance of riverine carbon transport: A case study of a large tropical river, Godavari (India)

Although riverine carbon fluxes are a minor component of the global carbon cycle, thetransfer of organic carbon from land to ocean represents a flux of potential carbon storage, irre-versible over 10~3 to 10~4 a. Future carbon transfers through river basins are expected to accelerate,with respect to both sources and sinks, because of the large-scale human driven land-use and land-cover changes. Thus, the increased amounts of carbon transported to and sequestered inmarine sediments (through fertilization by river-borne inorganic nutrients) may be an important netsink for anthropogenic CO_2. Particularly, the humid tropics of South Asia are regions very sensitiveto this lateral C transport because of high precipitation and high rates of land use and cover change. In this paper we report on the role of upland tributaries in the transport processes influ-encing the lateral carbon and nitrogen fluxes of the Godavari, a large tropical river of India. By far,dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) is the dominant form of carbon transport in the river basin. It con-stitutes as much as 75% to the total carbon load. Particulate and dissolved organic carbon (POC and DOC) fluxes account for 21% and 4%, respectively. In the upper basin, DOC fluxes exceedthat of POC due to large-scale anthropogenic activities. In contrast, tributaries in the central basinare characterized by comparable fluxes of POC and DOC. However, downriver POC export is 35%less than the import from upriver and tributaries due to the entrainment of sediments in river channels and dam sites. We argue that for highly disturbed watersheds in tropical regions, down-stream transport of sediments and carbon requires long-term sampling programmes.     

Development of antler-type fruiting bodies of Ganoderma lucidum and determination of its biochemical properties

Following the importance of antler-type fruiting bodies of Ganoderma lucidum, in this study, the impact of main growth parameters such as ventilation and light on the development of antler-type fruiting bodies has been investigated together with the determination of physico-chemical properties of antler fruiting bodies. For this, the primordia bags of G. lucidum were kept under controlled ventilation to adjust the CO₂ produced by the mushrooms owing to its respiration under light and dark conditions. The bioactive compounds such as phenolics, flavonoids, water-soluble polysaccharides and ganoderic acid showed a two-fold increase in the antler-type fruiting bodies as compared to normal kidney-shaped fruiting bodies. It is assumed from this study that the antler type fruiting bodies are developed due to restricted ventilation which causes an increase in the level of CO₂ gas in the air as a result of respiration of mushroom. The shape and colour of antler fruiting bodies again dependent on the light provided in the growth chamber. This study also proves that with the manipulation of light and ventilation antler-type fruiting bodies of G. lucidum could be developed with higher quantity of bioactive compounds and with higher antioxidant potential.     

Significance of riverine carbon transport: A case study of a large tropical river, Godavari (India)

Although riverine carbon fluxes are a minor component of the global carbon cycle, the transfer of organic carbon from land to ocean represents a flux of potential carbon storage, irreversible over 103 to 104 a. Future carbon transfers through river basins are expected to accelerate, with respect to both sources and sinks, because of the large-scale human driven land-use and land-cover changes. Thus, the increased amounts of carbon transported to and sequestered in marine sediments (through fertilization by river-borne inorganic nutrients) may be an important net sink for anthropogenic CO2. Particularly, the humid tropics of South Asia are regions very sensitive to this lateral C transport because of high precipitation and high rates of land use and cover change. In this paper we report on the role of upland tributaries in the transport processes influencing the lateral carbon and nitrogen fluxes of the Godavari, a large tropical river of India. By far, dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) is the dominant form of carbontransport in the river basin. It constitutes as much as 75% to the total carbonload. Particulate and dissolved organic carbon (POC and DOC) fluxes account for21% and 4%, respectively. In the upper basin, DOC fluxes exceed that of POC dueto large-scale anthropogenic activities. In contrast, tributaries in the central basin are characterized by comparable fluxes of POC and DOC. However, downriver POC export is 35% less than the import from upriver and tributaries due to theentrainment of sediments in river channels and dam sites. We argue that for highly disturbed watersheds in tropical regions, downstream transport of sediments and carbon requires long-term sampling programmes.     

Effect of UV irradiation on aflatoxin reduction: a cytotoxicity evaluation study using human hepatoma cell line

In this proof-of-concept study, the efficacy of a medium-pressure UV (MPUV) lamp source to reduce the concentrations of aflatoxin B₁, aflatoxin B₂, and aflatoxin G₁ (AFB_1, AFB₂, and AFG₁) in pure water is investigated. Irradiation experiments were conducted using a collimated beam system operating between 200 to 360 nm. The optical absorbance of the solution and the irradiance of the lamp are considered in calculating the average fluence rate. Based on these factors, the UV dose was quantified as a product of average fluence rate and treatment time. Known concentrations of aflatoxins were spiked in water and irradiated at UV doses ranging from 0, 1.22, 2.44, 3.66, and 4.88 J cm^?2. The concentration of aflatoxins was determined by HPLC with fluorescence detection. LC-MS/MS product ion scans were used to identify and semi-quantify degraded products of AFB₁, AFB₂, and AFG₁. It was observed that UV irradiation significantly reduced aflatoxins in pure water (p < 0.05). Irradiation doses of 4.88 J cm^?2 reduced concentrations 67.22% for AFG₁, 29.77% for AFB₂, and 98.25% for AFB₁ (p < 0.05). Using this technique, an overall reduction of total aflatoxin content of ≈95% (p < 0.05) was achieved. We hypothesize that the formation of ˙OH radicals initiated by UV light may have caused photolysis of AFB₁, AFB₂, and AFG₁ molecules. In cell culture studies, our results demonstrated that the increase of UV dosage decreased the aflatoxin-induced cytotoxicity in HepG₂ cells. Therefore, our research finding suggests that UV irradiation can be used as an effective technique for the reduction of aflatoxins.     

Mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of alcohol- and obesity-induced fatty liver diseases

Fatty liver disease associated with chronic alcohol consumption or obesity/type 2 diabetes has emerged as a serious public health problem. Steatosis, accumulation of triglyceride in hepatocytes, is now recognized as a critical "first-hit" in the pathogenesis of liver disease. It is proposed that steatosis "primes" the liver to progress to more severe liver pathologies when individuals are exposed to subsequent metabolic and/or environmental stressors or "second-hits." Genetic risk factors can also influence the susceptibility to and severity of fatty liver disease. Furthermore, oxidative stress, disrupted nitric oxide (NO) signaling, and mitochondrial dysfunction are proposed to be key molecular events that accelerate or worsen steatosis and initiate progression to steatohepatitis and fibrosis. This review article will discuss the following topics regarding the pathobiology and molecular mechanisms responsible for fatty liver disease: (1) the "two-hit" or "multi-hit" hypothesis, (2) the role of mitochondrial bioenergetic defects and oxidant stress, (3) the interplay between NO and mitochondria in fatty liver disease, (4) genetic risk factors and oxidative stress-responsive genes, and (5) the feasibility of antioxidants for treatment.     

Multifarious plant growth promoting characteristics of chickpea rhizosphere associated Bacilli help to suppress soil-borne pathogens

Wilt and root rot are the major constraints in chickpea production and very difficult to manage through agrochemicals. Hence, for an ecofriendly and biological management, 240 strains of Bacillus and Bacillus derived genera were isolated from chickpea rhizosphere, further narrowed down to 14 strains on the basis of in vitro production of indole acetic acid, siderophore, phosphate solubilization, hydrolytic enzymes and were evaluated for antagonism against chickpea pathogens (Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. ciceri race 1, F. solani and Macrophomina phaseolina). The strains were identified on the basis of physiological characters and 16S RNA gene sequencing. The genotypic comparisons of strains were determined by BOX-polymerase chain reaction profiles and amplified rDNA restriction analysis. These isolates were evaluated in greenhouse assay in which B. subtilis (B-CM191, B-CV235, B-CL-122) proved to be effective in reducing wilt incidence and significant enhancement in growth (root and shoot length) and dry matter of chickpea plants. PCR amplification of bacillomycin (bmyB) and β-glucanase genes suggests that amplified genes from the Bacillus could have a role to further define the diversity, ecology, and biocontrol activities in the suppression of soil-borne pathogens.     

Estrogen Sulfotransferase/SULT1E1 Promotes Human Adipogenesis

Estrogen sulfotransferase (EST/SULT1E1) is known to catalyze the sulfoconjugation and deactivation of estrogens. The goal of this study is to determine whether and how EST plays a role in human adipogenesis. By using human primary adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) and whole-fat tissues from the abdominal subcutaneous fat of obese and nonobese subjects, we showed that the expression of EST was low in preadipocytes but increased upon differentiation. Overexpression and knockdown of EST in ASCs promoted and inhibited differentiation, respectively. The proadipogenic activity of EST in humans was opposite to the antiadipogenic effect of the same enzyme in rodents. Mechanistically, EST promoted adipogenesis by deactivating estrogens. The proadipogenic effect of EST can be recapitulated by using an estrogen receptor (ER) antagonist or ERα knockdown. In contrast, activation of ER in ASCs inhibited adipogenesis by decreasing the recruitment of the adipogenic peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) onto its target gene promoters, whereas ER antagonism increased the recruitment of PPARγ to its target gene promoters. Linear regression analysis revealed a positive correlation between the expression of EST and body mass index (BMI), as well as a negative correlation between ERα expression and BMI. We conclude that EST is a proadipogenic factor which may serve as a druggable target to inhibit the turnover and accumulation of adipocytes in obese patients.     

Phylogeography and molecular diversity analysis of Jatropha curcas L. and the dispersal route revealed by RAPD,AFLP and nrDNA-ITS analysis

Jatropha curcas L. (Euphorbiaceae) has acquired a great importance as a renewable source of energy with a number of environmental benefits. Very few attempts were made to understand the extent of genetic diversity and its distribution. This study was aimed to study the diversity and deduce the phylogeography of Jatropha curcas L. which is said to be the most primitive species of the genus Jatropha. Here we studied the intraspecific genetic diversity of the species distributed in different parts of the globe. The study also focused to understand the molecular diversity at reported probable center of origin (Mexico), and to reveal the dispersal route to other regions based on random amplified polymorphic DNA, amplified fragment length polymorphism and nrDNA-ITS sequences data. The overall genetic diversity of J. curcas found in the present study was narrow. The highest genetic diversity was observed in the germplasm collected from Mexico and supports the earlier hypothesis based on morphological data and natural distribution, it is the center for origin of the species. Least genetic diversity found in the Indian germplasm and clustering results revealed that the species was introduced simultaneously by two distinct germplasm and subsequently distributed in different parts of India. The present molecular data further revealed that J. curcas might have spread from the center of the origin to Cape Verde, than to Spain, Portuguese to other neighboring countries and simultaneously to Africa. The molecular evidence supports the Burkill et al. (A dictionary of the economic products of the Malay Peninsula, Governments of Malaysia and Singapore by the Ministry of Agriculture and Co-operatives. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 1966) view of Portuguese might have introduced the species to India. The clustering pattern suggests that the distribution was interfered by human activity.