Neuroprotective and hepatoprotective effect of whole red rice forms against oxidative stress in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats.

151-160Whole red rice (Oryza sativa L.), consumed as staple food in many countries worldwide, is rich in phytochemicals, mainly antioxidants having health potency. The present study evaluated the neuro- and hepatoprotective efficacy of raw and parboiled whole red rice against streptozotocin (STZ) induced oxidative stress, and antioxidant metabolism both in diabetic and normal non-diabetic rats. Wistar rats were rendered diabetic by a single intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of streptozotocin (45 mg/kg body wt.), supplemented with raw and parboiled whole red rice for six weeks. Results revealed a drastic increase in oxidative stress markers, such as lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide (NO) level, hydroperoxide (HP) level; antioxidant enzymes superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), thioredoxin reductases (TR), glutathione S-transferase (GST), acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, and decrease in endogenous antioxidant, glutathione (GSH) in diabetic rat. On the other hand, addition of raw and parboiled whole red rice in the diet counteracted the STZ induced oxidative stress in diabetic groups and improved the neuro and hepatic antioxidant system. Both, parboiled and raw red rice forms, exercised similar impacts in diabetic as well as in normal rats suggesting improved antioxidant defence mechanism. Results have shown that the whole red rice possess antidiabetic potential with the antioxidant improving ability, and could be utilized as dietary supplements in diabetes management

Nutrients, Nutraceuticals and Bioactive Properties of Multi-Whole Grain Mix for Drink and Porridge

Whole grains are reported to be rich in nutrients, nutraceuticals and have number of health beneficial effects. A convenient multi-whole grain mix for the preparation of a drink or porridge was formulated by using cereals, millets, pulses and nuts. Particle size was mostly of 180-250 microns (52%). Amylograph characteristics like GT, PV, HPV, CPV were 82°C, 285BU, 310BU, and 605BU, respectively were ideal for drink. The mix was found to be rich in carbohydrate, protein, fibre and calorie. The 100g of the mix had nutraceuticals like carotenoids (290µg), γ-tocopherol (4.6mg), α-tocopherol (1.5mg), and polyphenols-soluble, bound and total (94,132 and 226mg GA Eq.). Bioactive properties like vitamin E activity, free radical scavenging activity, total antioxidant activity and starch digestibility were 2.6i.u., 153mg catechin.Eq./100g, 17mg Tocopherol equivalent and 61.8%. Mix was sensorily acceptable in the form of drink and porridge and can be used as an ideal nutritious food for all age group

Double Anus in an \u3ci\u3eIxodes scapularis\u3c/i\u3e Nymph, a Medically Important Tick Vector

Background: Ixodes scapularis ticks are medically important arthropod vectors that transmit several pathogens to humans. The observations of morphological abnormalities, including nanism, missing leg, extra leg, and gynandromorphism, have been reported in these ticks. In this study, we report the presence of two anuses in a laboratory-reared I. scapularis nymph. Results: Larval ticks were allowed to feed on mice and to molt to nymphs. Two anuses were observed in one of the freshly molted nymphs. Stereo and scanning electron microscopy confirmed the presence of two anuses in one nymph within a single anal groove. Conclusions: This report confirms the rare occurrence of double anus in I. scapularis

Anaplasma Phagocytophilum Infection Modulates Expression of Megakaryocyte Cell Cycle Genes Through Phosphatidylinositol-3-Kinase Signaling

Anaplasma phagocytophilum, the agent of human granulocytic anaplasmosis infects neutrophils and other cells from hematopoietic origin. Using human megakaryocytic cell line, MEG-01, we show that expression of cell cycle genes in these cells are altered upon A. phagocytophilum infection. Expression of several cell cycle genes in MEG-01 cells was significantly up regulated at early and then down regulated at later stages of A. phagocytophilum infection. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays revealed reduced cellular cytotoxicity in MEG-01 cells upon A. phagocytophilum infection. The levels of both PI3KCA (p110 alpha, catalytic subunit) and PI3KR1 (p85, regulatory subunit) of Class I PI3 kinases and phosphorylated protein kinase B (Akt/PKB) and inhibitory kappa B (IκB) were elevated at both early and late stages of A. phagocytophilum infection. Inhibition of PI3 kinases with LY294002 treatment resulted in significant reduction in the expression of tested cell cycle genes, A. phagocytophilum burden and phosphorylated Akt levels in these MEG-01 cells. Collectively, these results suggest a role for PI3K-Akt-NF-κB signaling pathway in the modulation of megakaryocyte cell cycle genes upon A. phagocytophilum infection

Ectopic expression of cyclase associated protein CAP restores the streaming and aggregation defects of adenylyl cyclase a deficient Dictyostelium discoideum cells

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Cell adhesion, an integral part of <it>D. discoideum </it>development, is important for morphogenesis and regulated gene expression in the multicellular context and is required to trigger cell-differentiation. G-protein linked adenylyl cyclase pathways are crucially involved and a mutant lacking the aggregation specific adenylyl cyclase ACA does not undergo multicellular development.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Here, we have investigated the role of cyclase-associated protein (CAP), an important regulator of cell polarity and F-actin/G-actin ratio in the <it>aca^-</it>mutant. We show that ectopic expression of GFP-CAP improves cell polarization, streaming and aggregation in <it>aca^-</it>cells, but it fails to completely restore development. Our studies indicate a requirement of CAP in the ACA dependent signal transduction for progression of the development of unicellular amoebae into multicellular structures. The reduced expression of the cell adhesion molecule DdCAD1 together with csA is responsible for the defects in <it>aca^-</it>cells to initiate multicellular development. Early development was restored by the expression of GFP-CAP that enhanced the DdCAD1 transcript levels and to a lesser extent the csA mRNA levels.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Collectively, our data shows a novel role of CAP in regulating cell adhesion mechanisms during development that might be envisioned to unravel the functions of mammalian CAP during animal embryogenesis.</p

Growth Pattern and Morphological Variation of Labeo calbasu Found in Indus River, Sindh-Pakistan

The present work reports the length–weight relationships (LWR) and condition factor relationships for Labeo calbasu collected from Upstream (Matyari) Kotri barrage at, River Indus, Pakistan, because stock assessment helps the fisheries managers to conserve the commercially important fish. Morphological characters of fish as well as Length-weight relationship are an important tool for fishery management. The results of LWR (W= aLb), for L calbasu.  Representing negative allometric growth pattern. LWRs and condition factor relationships were found significantly correlated. A total of 200 and 190 specimens from upstream and downstream were collected, respectively. The assessed values of length-weight correlation and condition factor were calculated as Kn=39.663 (LeCren), and K=11.915 (Fulton) for upstream and Kn=44.066 and K=13.872 for downstream. Length-weight was found with a strong correlation of n= 2.892, a=0.0235 with r2=0.934 for upstream population then the downstream population.  The results of this work would be beneficial for sustainable management as well as fishery managers. 

Personality Traits and Entrepreneurial Intentions: Financial Risk-Taking as Mediator

The interaction between environment and individual personality determines career. Over the past decades, the role of personality traits in explaining entrepreneurship cannot get much attention of researchers. To fill this gap, this study aims to investigate the effect of personality traits (extraversion, openness to experience, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and agreeableness) on the entrepreneurial intentions (EI) along with the mediating role of financial risk taking (FRT). Sample size consists of 500 students of business and management of different universities of Pakistan, out of which 466 useable questionnaires were collected and analyzed. The results of the study are consistent with conventional wisdom as explored by past studies. In line with past studies and proposed hypothesis, we found that both extraversion and openness to experience have a positive association with FRT, whereas neuroticism, conscientiousness, and agreeableness have negative association with FRT. The results also revealed that there is positive association between FRT and EI; however, FRT did not mediate the relationship between agreeableness and EI

Coordination of Different Ligands to Copper(II) and Cobalt(III) Metal Centers Enhances Zika Virus and Dengue Virus Loads in Both Arthropod Cells and Human Keratinocytes

Trace elements such as copper and cobalt have been associated with virus-host interactions. However, studies to show the effect of conjugation of copper(II) or cobalt(III) metal centers to thiosemicarbazone ligand(s) derived from either food additives or mosquito repellent such as 2-acetylethiazole or citral, respectively, on Zika virus (ZIKV) or dengue virus (serotype 2; DENV2) infections have not been explored. In this study, we show that four compounds comprising of thiosemicarbazone ligand derived from 2-acetylethiazole viz., (E)-N-ethyl-2-[1-(thiazol-2-yl)ethylidene]hydrazinecarbothioamide (acetylethTSC) (compound 1), a copper(II) complex with acetylethTSC as a ligand (compound 2), a thiosemicarbazone ligand-derived from citral (compound 3) and a cobalt(III) complex with a citral-thiosemicarbazone ligand (compound 4) increased DENV2 and ZIKV replication in both mosquito C6/36 cells and human keratinocytes (HaCaT cells). Treatment of both cell lines with compounds 2 or 4 showed increased dengue viral titers at all three tested doses. Enhanced dengue viral plaque formation was also noted at the tested dose of 100 μM, suggesting higher production of infectious viral particles. Treatment with the compounds 2 or 4 enhanced ZIKV and DENV2 RNA levels in HeLa cell line and primary cultures of mouse bone marrow derived dendritic cells. Also, pre- or post treatments with conjugated compounds 2 or 4 showed higher loads of ZIKV or DENV2 envelope (E) protein in HaCaT cells. No changes in loads of E-protein were found in ZIKV-infected C6/36 cells, when compounds were treated after infection. In addition, we tested bis(1,10-phenanthroline)copper(II) chloride ([Cu(phen)2]Cl2, (compound 5) and tris(1,10-phenanthroline)cobalt(III) chloride ([Co(phen)3]Cl3, (compound 6) that also showed enhanced DENV2 loads. Also, we found that copper(II) chloride dehydrate (CuCl2·2H2O) or cobalt(II) chloride hexahydrate (CoCl2·6H2O) alone had no effects as “free” cations. Taken together, these findings suggest that use of Cu(II) or Co(III) conjugation to organic compounds, in insect repellents and/or food additives could enhance DENV2/ZIKV loads in human cells and perhaps induce pathogenesis in infected individuals or individuals pre-exposed to such conjugated complexes. Importance Mosquito-borne diseases are of great concern to the mankind. Use of chemicals/repellents against mosquito bites and transmission of microbes has been the topic of interest for many years. Here, we show that thiosemicarbazone ligand(s) derived from 2-acetylethiazole or citral or 1,10-phenanthroline upon conjugation with copper(II) or cobalt(III) metal centers enhances dengue virus (serotype 2; DENV2) and/or Zika virus (ZIKV) infections in mosquito, mouse and human cells. Enhanced ZIKV/DENV2 capsid mRNA or envelope protein loads were evident in mosquito cells and human keratinocytes, when treated with compounds before/after infections. Also, treatment with copper(II) or cobalt(III) conjugated compounds increased viral titers and number of plaque formations. These studies suggest that conjugation of compounds in repellents/essential oils/natural products/food additives with copper(II) or cobalt(III) metal centers may not be safe, especially in tropical and subtropical places, where several dengue infection cases and deaths are reported annually or in places with increased ZIKV caused microcephaly. © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

Transmission-Blocking Vaccines: Focus on Anti-Vector Vaccines against Tick-Borne Diseases

Tick-borne diseases are a potential threat that account for significant morbidity and mortality in human population worldwide. Vaccines are not available to treat several of the tick-borne diseases. With the emergence and resurgence of several tick-borne diseases, emphasis on the development of transmission-blocking vaccines remains increasing. In this review, we provide a snap shot on some of the potential candidates for the development of anti-vector vaccines (a form of transmission-blocking vaccines) against wide range of hard and soft ticks that include Ixodes, Haemaphysalis, Dermacentor, Amblyomma, Rhipicephalus and Ornithodoros species