Microbiological analysis of a synbiotic gut health supplement capsule by metagenomics

Probiotics i.e. the use of living microorganisms for health benefits has been known since ancient times. There is an increasing awareness and concern among the consumers, regulators, medical fraternity, researchers, etc. about these products/supplements formulated to contain single or more beneficiary microorganisms. These microbes may be beneficial independently or synergistically for an individual’s health by protecting against pathogens, reduce metabolic disorders and boost immunity. Nowadays, next generation probiotics are being developed with microbial strains isolated from humans (gut or stool) or genetically engineered microbes for treating specific health condition. Gut microbiome studies have also helped in developing probiotics with novel microorganisms. Synbiotics are products containing prebiotics and probiotics. Food safety agencies provide guidelines to characterize and identify the microbial strains and their role in such products. Traditional, rapid identification and molecular methods as well as clinical trials are included to justify the efficacy and safety of the probiotics and related products. We report here the 16S metagenomics study on a synbiotic supplemental capsule available online containing twenty-five bacterial species. These results reveal the presence of a consortia of bacteria containing many species not mentioned on the product label. It also provides some insights for testing of these products using molecular tools for regulatory purpose. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.1654300

AMELIORATIVE EFFECTS OF MELATONIN AGAINST 2,4-DICHLOROPHENOXYACETIC ACID TOXICITY IN KIDNEY OF MICE – A HISTOLOGICAL STUDY.

 Objective: The compound, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), is a systemic phenoxy herbicide and a plant growth regulator. Histopathological effects of 2,4-D alone and in combination with melatonin on the kidney in adult albino male mice of the Swiss strain were evaluated in the present study.Methods: Twenty adult male albino mice weighing between 30 and 40 g were assigned into four groups with five mice in each group. Group I served as control; Group II - melatonin alone (10 mg/kg body weight); Group III - 2,4-D alone (50 mg/kg body weight); and Group IV - 2,4-D + melatonin was given orally for 45 days.Results: It revealed a significant reduction in the body and kidney weights (p<0.001 and p<0.01 respectively) of mice treated with 2,4-D, while the body and kidney weights after treatment of melatonin and 2,4-D + melatonin were comparable to control. Histological study revealed that 2,4-D induced nephrotoxicity evidenced by various histological changes including shrinkage of the glomerulus, tubular dilation, hypertrophy of tubular epithelium, and degeneration of renal tubules.Conclusion: Treating animals with the melatonin along with 2,4-D showed mitigative effects of melatonin and minimized the structural alteration in the kidney of mice appeared due to 2,4-D toxicity.Â

AMELIORATIVE EFFECTS OF MELATONIN AGAINST 2,4-DICHLOROPHENOXYACETIC ACID TOXICITY IN KIDNEY OF MICE – A HISTOLOGICAL STUDY.

 Objective: The compound, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), is a systemic phenoxy herbicide and a plant growth regulator. Histopathological effects of 2,4-D alone and in combination with melatonin on the kidney in adult albino male mice of the Swiss strain were evaluated in the present study.Methods: Twenty adult male albino mice weighing between 30 and 40 g were assigned into four groups with five mice in each group. Group I served as control; Group II - melatonin alone (10 mg/kg body weight); Group III - 2,4-D alone (50 mg/kg body weight); and Group IV - 2,4-D + melatonin was given orally for 45 days.Results: It revealed a significant reduction in the body and kidney weights (p&lt;0.001 and p&lt;0.01 respectively) of mice treated with 2,4-D, while the body and kidney weights after treatment of melatonin and 2,4-D + melatonin were comparable to control. Histological study revealed that 2,4-D induced nephrotoxicity evidenced by various histological changes including shrinkage of the glomerulus, tubular dilation, hypertrophy of tubular epithelium, and degeneration of renal tubules.Conclusion: Treating animals with the melatonin along with 2,4-D showed mitigative effects of melatonin and minimized the structural alteration in the kidney of mice appeared due to 2,4-D toxicity. </jats:p

AMELIORATIVE EFFECTS OF MELATONIN AGAINST 2,4-DICHLOROPHENOXYACETIC ACID TOXICITY IN KIDNEY OF MICE – A HISTOLOGICAL STUDY.

 Objective: The compound, 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), is a systemic phenoxy herbicide and a plant growth regulator. Histopathological effects of 2,4-D alone and in combination with melatonin on the kidney in adult albino male mice of the Swiss strain were evaluated in the present study.Methods: Twenty adult male albino mice weighing between 30 and 40 g were assigned into four groups with five mice in each group. Group I served as control; Group II - melatonin alone (10 mg/kg body weight); Group III - 2,4-D alone (50 mg/kg body weight); and Group IV - 2,4-D + melatonin was given orally for 45 days.Results: It revealed a significant reduction in the body and kidney weights (p&lt;0.001 and p&lt;0.01 respectively) of mice treated with 2,4-D, while the body and kidney weights after treatment of melatonin and 2,4-D + melatonin were comparable to control. Histological study revealed that 2,4-D induced nephrotoxicity evidenced by various histological changes including shrinkage of the glomerulus, tubular dilation, hypertrophy of tubular epithelium, and degeneration of renal tubules.Conclusion: Treating animals with the melatonin along with 2,4-D showed mitigative effects of melatonin and minimized the structural alteration in the kidney of mice appeared due to 2,4-D toxicity. </jats:p

Spiders (Arachnida: Araneae) of Gujarat University Campus, Ahmedabad, India with additional description of Eilica tikaderi (Platnick, 1976)

We report a checklist of spiders based on a survey made from August 2013 to July 2014 in Gujarat University Campus, an urban area located in the middle of Ahmadabad City, Gujarat State. A total of 77 species of spiders belonging to 53 genera and 20 families of spiders were recorded from the study area represented by 31.74% of the total 63 families reported from India. Salticidae was found to be the most dominant family with 18 species from 14 genera. Guild structure analysis revealed six feeding guilds, namely stalkers, orb-web builders, space-web builders, ambushers, foliage hunters and ground runners. Stalkers and orb-web builders were the most dominant feeding guilds representing 28.58% and 20.78% respectively among all studied guilds. Species Eilica tikaderi (Platnick, 1976) is reported for the first time from Gujarat with additional description and detailed genitalic illustrations

An updated mutation spectrum of the γ-secretase complex: Novel NCSTN gene mutation in an Indian family with hidradenitis suppurativa and acne conglobata

Background: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a complex, chronic inflammatory skin disorder whose pathophysiology is poorly understood. Genetic studies have shown that HS is predisposed by mutations in the γ-secretase gene, but only a proportion of familial and partial sporadic cases have been shown to possess such mutations. HS has high genetic heterogeneity and is thought to be triggered by a combination of genetics and environmental factors. Aims: The study aimed to investigate the genetic causes of HS in a large cohort of patients and to update the mutation spectrum of γ-secretase complex genes. Methods: We conducted mutational screening of 95 sporadic HS cases and one large family with both HS and acne conglobata (AC) to identify mutations in the coding and splice junction region of γ-secretase complex genes (nicastrin (NCSTN), presenilin 1 (PSEN1), presenilin enhancer 2 (PSENEN), and aph-1 homolog B, gamma-secretase subunit (APH1B)). Results: Our study identified a nucleotide substitution of 1876C>T in the NCSTN gene, which caused a stop codon (p.Arg626X) in the affected members of a large family with HS and AC. No pathogenic variants were detected in 95 sporadic cases of HS, indicating there is possible genetic heterogeneity. Conclusion: We report a new family with a nonsense mutation in the NCSTN gene that supports the role of the γ-secretase complex genes in HS with AC. The updated γ-secretase mutation spectrum for HS now includes 78 mutations