Exploration and determination of algal role as Bioindicator to evaluate water quality – Probing fresh water algae

ObjectivesTo explore the algal floral diversity and its role to determine water quality.MethodsThe regular monthly collection of algal and water samples was made during 2018. Unicellular algae were preserved in 2 to 3% formalin while macroalgae in 4% formalin. Microphotographs of algae were taken at the biotechnological Lab of PCSIR Lahore, Pakistan. Palmer pollution index was used to determine water quality.ResultsThe study identified 201 algal species distributed among 57 genera, 42 families, 25 orders, 10 classes and 7 divisions. The total score of Algal Genus Pollution Index of Banjosa Lake, Ali Sojal Dam, Dothan Dam, Drake Dam and Rawalakot Nullah (city) were 14, 9, 10, 18 and 25 respectively. It was revealed that Banjosa Lake has probable organic pollution, Ali Sojal Dam and Dothan Dam showed lack of organic pollution, Drake Dam indicated moderate pollution while Rawalakot Nullah (City) indicated confirm high organic pollution.ConclusionWe strongly recommend the conservation and managed status of algal species for sustainable resource of algal- derived products in future. It was revealed that the water quality of Banjosa Lake, Drak Dam and Rawalakot Nullah was affected from anthropogenic activities and needs to be managed.     

Evaluation of the Impacts of Long-Term Enriched Artemia with Bacillus subtilis on Growth Performance,Reproduction, Intestinal Microflora,and Resistance to Aeromonas hydrophila of Ornamental Fish Poecilia latipinna

The present study investigated the effect of enriched Artemia with Bacillus subtilis on growth performance, reproductive factors, proximate composition, intestinal microflora, and resistance to Aeromonas hydrophila of ornamental fish, Poecilia latipinna. Using a completely randomized design, the experiment included three groups. The first group was fed with commercial food without any probiotic. The second group was fed with unenriched Artemia, and the last group consumed long-time enriched Artemia with Bacillus subtilis. The bacteria B. subtilis with a density of 1 × 10⁵ CFU mL⁻¹ was added daily to Artemia culture medium. The total microflora and Bacillus subtilis counts were significantly increased in enriched Artemia compared to the unenriched group (P < 0.05). In fish fed groups, growth factors did not show any significant difference (P > 0.05). The maximum relative fecundity (28.65 ± 2.52 egg number g⁻¹), fry production (62.93 ± 4.6 individual per female), and fry survival (70.97 ± 1.56%) obtained in the third group were found to be significantly more than those in the first and the second groups. Moreover, intestinal bacterial count for Bacillus revealed that the higher concentration of bacteria was significantly related to the third group (6.24 ± 0.11 log CFU g⁻¹) (P < 0.05). Maximum protein and fat contents were observed in fish fed with Bacillus-enriched Artemia; however, no significant difference was found between control and unenriched Artemia groups (P > 0.05). The highest amount of ash was observed in fish fed with commercial food without any probiotic (P < 0.05). At the end of the feeding period, each of the three groups along with positive group (oxytetracycline 100 mg kg⁻¹ of commercial food) was exposed to A. hydrophila (BCCM5/LMG3770) bacteria intraperitoneally. Based on the results, the lowest cumulative mortality was significantly found in group three (68.75 ± 3.6%) and positive group (62.5 ± 7.0%) compared to control and unenriched Artemia groups (P < 0.05). Hence, B. subtilis with a concentration of 1 × 10⁵ CFU mL⁻¹ during the period of Artemia culturing can improve the reproductive parameters, intestinal microflora, and resistance to pathogenic bacteria of Poecilia latipinna.

     

Role of Platelet Parameters on Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: A Case-Control Study in Iran

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is a common otological disorder characterized by a hearing loss greater than 30 dB over three consecutive frequencies, in less than 72 hours. It has been established that platelet parameters, such as mean platelet volume, are associated with ischemic heart events, whose clinical manifestations are similar to those of SSNHL. Hence, we aimed to determine if the platelet count, mean platelet volume and platelet distribution width are related to the occurrence and severity of sudden sensorineural hearing loss. A case-control prospective study was conducted in a teaching hospital in Iran. One hundred-eight patients with SSNHL and an equal number of healthy, age- and sex-matched controls were enrolled in the study. Peripheral venous blood samples were collected from the subjects, and the platelet count, mean platelet volume and platelet distribution width were measured with an automated blood cell counter. Analysis of the audiometry and hematological test results using SPSS₂₂ software showed no statistical correlation between the platelet parameters and the occurrence of SSNHL, but correlation coefficients showed a significant correlation between PDW and hearing loss severity in patients group. However, further investigation is required to unequivocally establish the absence of correlation between the platelet parameters and occurrence of SSNHL.     

Local IL-17A Potentiates Early Neutrophil Recruitment to the Respiratory Tract during Severe RSV Infection

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) bronchiolitis triggers a strong innate immune response characterized by excessive neutrophil infiltration which contributes to RSV induced pathology. The cytokine IL-17A enhances neutrophil infiltration into virus infected lungs. IL-17A is however best known as an effector of adaptive immune responses. The role of IL-17A in early immune modulation in RSV infection is unknown. We aimed to elucidate whether local IL-17A facilitates the innate neutrophil infiltration into RSV infected lungs prior to adaptive immunity. To this end, we studied IL-17A production in newborns that were hospitalized for severe RSV bronchiolitis. In tracheal aspirates we measured IL-17A concentration and neutrophil counts. We utilized cultured human epithelial cells to test if IL-17A regulates RSV infection-induced IL-8 release as mediator of neutrophil recruitment. In mice we investigated the cell types that are responsible for early innate IL-17A production during RSV infection. Using IL-17A neutralizing antibodies we tested if IL-17A is responsible for innate neutrophil infiltration in mice. Our data show that increased IL-17A production in newborn RSV patient lungs correlates with subsequent neutrophil counts recruited to the lungs. IL-17A potentiates RSV-induced production of the neutrophil-attracting chemokine IL-8 by airway epithelial cells in vitro. Various lung-resident lymphocytes produced IL-17A during early RSV infection in Balb/c mice, of which a local population of CD4 T cells stood out as the predominant RSV-induced cell type. By removing IL-17A during early RSV infection in mice we showed that IL-17A is responsible for enhanced innate neutrophil infiltration in vivo. Using patient material, in vitro studies, and an animal model of RSV infection, we thus show that early local IL-17A production in the airways during RSV bronchiolitis facilitates neutrophil recruitment with pathologic consequences to infant lungs.     

The oil palm metallothionein promoter contains a novel AGTTAGG motif conferring its fruit-specific expression and is inducible by abiotic factors

The 1,053-bp promoter of the oil palm metallothionein gene (so-called MSP1) and its 5′ deletions were fused to the GUS reporter gene, and analysed in transiently transformed oil palm tissues. The full length promoter showed sevenfold higher activity in the mesocarp than in leaves and 1.5-fold more activity than the CaMV35S promoter in the mesocarp. The 1,053-bp region containing the 5′ untranslated region (UTR) gave the highest activity in the mesocarp, while the 148-bp region was required for minimal promoter activity. Two positive regulatory regions were identified at nucleotides (nt) −953 to −619 and −420 to −256 regions. Fine-tune deletion of the −619 to −420 nt region led to the identification of a 21-bp negative regulatory sequence in the −598 to −577 nt region, which is involved in mesocarp-specific expression. Gel mobility shift assay revealed a strong interaction of the leaf nuclear extract with the 21-bp region. An AGTTAGG core-sequence within this region was identified as a novel negative regulatory element controlling fruit-specificity of the MSP1 promoter. Abscisic acid (ABA) and copper (Cu²⁺) induced the activity of the promoter and its 5′ deletions more effectively than methyl jasmonate (MeJa) and ethylene. In the mesocarp, the full length promoter showed stronger inducibility in response to ABA and Cu²⁺ than its 5′ deletions, while in leaves, the −420 nt fragment was the most inducible by ABA and Cu²⁺. These results suggest that the MSP1 promoter and its regulatory regions are potentially useful for engineering fruit-specific and inducible gene expression in oil palm.     

Differential Diffusional Properties in Loose and Tight Docking Prior to Membrane Fusion

Fusion of biological membranes, although mediated by divergent proteins, is believed to follow a common pathway. It proceeds through distinct steps, including docking, merger of proximal leaflets (stalk formation), and formation of a fusion pore. However, the structure of these intermediates is difficult to study because of their short lifetime. Previously, we observed a loosely and tightly docked state preceding leaflet merger using arresting point mutations in SNARE proteins, but the nature of these states remained elusive. Here, we used interferometric scattering (iSCAT) microscopy to monitor diffusion of single vesicles across the surface of giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs). We observed that the diffusion coefficients of arrested vesicles decreased during progression through the intermediate states. Modeling allowed for predicting the number of tethering SNARE complexes upon loose docking and the size of the interacting membrane patches upon tight docking. These results shed new light on the nature of membrane-membrane interactions immediately before fusion.     

Effects of Graded Inclusion of Bioactive Peptides Derived from Sesame Meal on the Growth Performance,Internal Organs,Gut Microbiota and Intestinal Morphology of Broiler Chickens

International Journal of Peptide Research and Therapeutics - The aim of this experiment was to evaluate the effects of bioactive peptides derived from sesame meal (BPSM) compared with...