20 research outputs found
Stomach contents of cetaceans incidentally caught along Mangalore and Chennai coasts of India
Abstract
The stomachs of 32 individuals of seven cetacean species incidentally caught in gill net and purseseine fisheries along Mangalore and Chennai coasts (India) between 2004 and 2006 were examined. The whole stomach (fore-gut, mid-gut and hind-gut) was examined in all cases. Prey remains (666 prey items comprising six species of teleosts, one crustacean and one squid species) were found in the stomachs of eight individuals (the remaining 24 stomachs were found to be empty). All cetaceans were found to feed mostly on teleosts with wide range of trophic levels. Based on an index that included frequency of occurrence, percentage by number and by weight, the oil sardine Sardinella longiceps was the main prey in the sample. Cetaceans appear to favour both pelagic as well as demersal prey, possibly indicating surface and benthic feeding habits
An ordinary differential equation for velocity distribution and dip-phenomenon in open channel flows
An ordinary differential equation for velocity distribution in open channel
flows is presented based on an analysis of the Reynolds-Averaged Navier-Stokes
equations and a log-wake modified eddy viscosity distribution. This proposed
equation allows to predict the velocity-dip-phenomenon, i.e. the maximum
velocity below the free surface. Two different degrees of approximations are
presented, a semi-analytical solution of the proposed ordinary differential
equation, i.e. the full dip-modified-log-wake law and a simple
dip-modified-log-wake law. Velocity profiles of the two laws and the numerical
solution of the ordinary differential equation are compared with experimental
data. This study shows that the dip correction is not efficient for a small
Coles' parameter, accurate predictions require larger values. The simple
dip-modified-log-wake law shows reasonable agreement and seems to be an
interesting tool of intermediate accuracy. The full dip-modified-log-wake law,
with a parameter for dip-correction obtained from an estimation of dip
positions, provides accurate velocity profiles
Human macrophages differentiated in the presence of vitamin D3 restrict dengue virus infection and innate responses by downregulating mannose receptor expression
ABSTARCT: Severe dengue disease is associated with high viral loads and overproduction of pro-inflammatory cytokines, suggesting impairment in the control of dengue virus (DENV) and the mechanisms that regulate cytokine production. Vitamin D3 has been described as an important modulator of immune responses to several pathogens. Interestingly, increasing evidence has associated vitamin D with decreased DENV infection and early disease recovery, yet the molecular mechanisms whereby vitamin D reduces DENV infection are not well understood. METHODS AND PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Macrophages represent important cell targets for DENV replication and consequently, they are key drivers of dengue disease. In this study we evaluated the effect of vitamin D3 on the differentiation of monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) and their susceptibility and cytokine response to DENV. Our data demonstrate that MDM differentiated in the presence of vitamin D3 (D3-MDM) restrict DENV infection and moderate the classical inflammatory cytokine response. Mechanistically, vitamin D3-driven differentiation led to reduced surface expression of C-type lectins including the mannose receptor (MR, CD206) that is known to act as primary receptor for DENV attachment on macrophages and to trigger of immune signaling. Consequently, DENV bound less efficiently to vitamin D3-differentiated macrophages, leading to lower infection. Interestingly, IL-4 enhanced infection was reduced in D3-MDM by restriction of MR expression. Moreover, we detected moderate secretion of TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-10 in D3-MDM, likely due to less MR engagement during DENV infection. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE:
Our findings reveal a molecular mechanism by which vitamin D counteracts DENV infection and progression of severe disease, and indicates its potential relevance as a preventive or therapeutic candidate
1,25-Dihydroxy vitamin D3 downregulates pro-inflammatory cytokine response in pulmonary tuberculosis
A new isoform of anti-lipopolysaccharide factor identified from the blue swimmer crab, Portunus pelagicus: Molecular characteristics and phylogeny
Anti-lipopolysaccharide factors are small proteins that bind and neutralize lipopolysaccharide and exhibit
potent antimicrobial activities. This study presents the molecular characterization and phylogenetic analysis
of the first ALF isoform (Pp-ALF1; JQ745295) identified from the hemocytes of Portunus pelagicus. The full
length cDNA of Pp-ALF1 consisted of 880 base pairs encoding 293 amino acids with an ORF of 123 amino
acids and contains a putative signal peptide of 24 amino acids. Pp-ALF1 possessed a predicted molecular
weight (MW) of 13.86 kDa and theoretical isoelectric point (pI) of 8.49. Two highly conserved cysteine residues
and putative LPS binding domain were observed in Pp-ALF1. Peptide model of Pp-ALF1 consisted of
two α-helices crowded against a four-strand β-sheet. Comparison of amino acid sequences and neighbor
joining tree showed that Pp-ALF1 has a maximum similarity (46%) to ALF present in Portunus trituberculatus
followed by 39% similarity to ALF of Eriocheir sinensis and 38% similarity to ALFs of Scylla paramamosain and
Scylla serrata. Pp-ALF1 is found to be a new isoform of ALF family and its characteristic similarity with other
known ALFs signifies its role in protection against invading pathogens.Cochin University Of Science And TechnologyAquaculture 356-357 (2012) 119–12
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Not AvailableAbstract
The stomachs of 32 individuals of seven cetacean species incidentally caught in gill net and purseseine fisheries along Mangalore and Chennai coasts (India) between 2004 and 2006 were examined. The whole stomach (fore-gut, mid-gut and hind-gut) was examined in all cases. Prey remains (666 prey items comprising six species of teleosts, one crustacean and one squid species) were found in the stomachs of eight individuals (the remaining 24 stomachs were found to be empty). All cetaceans were found to feed mostly on teleosts with wide range of trophic levels. Based on an index that included frequency of occurrence, percentage by number and by weight, the oil sardine Sardinella longiceps was the main prey in the sample. Cetaceans appear to favour both pelagic as well as demersal prey, possibly indicating surface and benthic feeding habits.Not Availabl