Antimicrobial activity of selected Malaysian plants

Methanolic extracts of seventeen Malaysian plants were screened against fungi, including yeast and candida, as well as gram negative and gram positive bacteria. Antimicrobial activities were present in extracts prepared from Borreria latifolia, B. selidens, Hedyotis diffusa, H. nudicaulis, Morinda elliptica, M. umbellata (Rubiaceae), Sida rhombifolia (malvaceae) and Vitex ovata (Verbenaceae). Extracts from S. rhombifolia and B. latifolia showed exreptionally high activity against Candida albicans, Ca. intermedia, Aspergillus ochraceous, Cunninghamella clegans and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. However, only moderate activity was observed against Bacillus cereus, Ba. megaterium and Ca. Iipolyuca. Extracts from Calophyllum inophyllum (Guttiferae), Entada sp. (Leguminosae), Eclipta alba (Compositae), Dendrotrophe umbellata (Santalaceae), Cardiospermum halicacabum (Sapindaceae), Glochidion lutcscens and Euphorbia prunifolia (Euphorbiaceae) gave negative results

Identification and genetic characterization of a gibberellin 2-oxidase gene that controls tree stature and reproductive growth in plum

Several dwarf plum genotypes (Prunus salicina L.), due to deficiency of unknown gibberellin (GA) signalling, were identified. A cDNA encoding GA 2-oxidase (PslGA2ox), the major gibberellin catabolic enzyme in plants, was cloned and used to screen the GA-deficient hybrids. This resulted in the identification of a dwarf plum hybrid, designated as DGO24, that exhibits a markedly elevated PslGA2ox signal. Grafting ‘Early Golden’ (EG), a commercial plum cultivar, on DGO24 (EG/D) enhanced PslGA2ox accumulation in the scion part and generated trees of compact stature. Assessment of active GAs in such trees revealed that DGO24 and EG/D accumulated relatively much lower quantities of main bioactive GAs (GA1 and GA4) than control trees (EG/M). Moreover, the physiological function of PslGA2ox was studied by determining the molecular and developmental consequences due to ectopic expression in Arabidopsis. Among several lines, two groups of homozygous transgenics that exhibited contrasting phenotypes were identified. Group-1 displayed a dwarf growth pattern typical of mutants with a GA deficiency including smaller leaves, shorter stems, and delay in the development of reproductive events. In contrast, Group-2 exhibited a ‘GA overdose’ phenotype as all the plants showed elongated growth, a typical response to GA application, even under limited GA conditions, potentially due to co-suppression of closely related Arabidopsis homologous. The studies reveal the possibility of utilizing PslGA2ox as a marker for developing size-controlling rootstocks in Prunus

Toxic Impact of Titanium Dioxide (TiO 2 ) In Male Albino Rats with Special Reference to its Effect on Reproductive System

Abstract: The present study was directed to explore the toxic effects of orally administered TiO 2 in mature male albino rats . Eighteen mature male albino rats were classified into three equal groups. The first group was used as control and fed on TiO 2 free ration (C), the second and the third groups (T1) and (T2) were fed on ration containing 1% and 2% TiO 2 respectively for 65days . The body weight of male albino rats fed 1% and 2% TiO2 showed a significant decrease along the experimental period. Animals were scarified after termination of the experimental period. The sera were separated for estimation of nitric oxide and testosterone levels. Liver samples were preserved for antioxidants enzyme activities determination. Liver, testes and seminal vesicle samples were preserved in formalin for histopathological study. The results indicated that TiO 2 resulted in a significant decrease in body weight gain, sperm motility %, sperm cell concentration, sperm viability and serum testosterone level. While, a significant increase in sperm abnormalities, serum nitric oxide (NO), hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione reductase (GR) enzyme activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration were recorded. Histopathological findings revealed reduction in the number and size of the epithelial lining of the tubuloalveolar gland and hyperplastic glandular epithelium of seminal vesicle. Testes showed mild spermatogenesis besides congested testicular blood vessels. Liver showing vacuolar, hydropic degeneration and cell death of some hepatic cells and steatosis .The present study concluded that, TiO 2 elicited a marked ruinous effect on male fertility and biochemical parameters as well as histopathological picture

Prospective study for commercial and low-cost hyperspectral imaging systems to evaluate thermal tissue effect on bovine liver samples

Thermal ablation modalities, for example radiofrequency ablation (RFA) and microwave ablation, are intended to prompt controlled tumour removal by raising tissue temperature. However, monitoring the size of the resulting tissue damage during the thermal removal procedures is a challenging task. The objective of this study was to evaluate the observation of RFA on an ex vivo liver sample with both a commercial and a low-cost system to distinguish between the normal and the ablated regions as well as the thermally affected regions. RFA trials were conducted on five different ex vivo normal bovine samples and monitored initially by a custom hyperspectral (HS) camera to measure the diffuse reflectance (Rd) utilising a polychromatic light source (tungsten halogen lamp) within the spectral range 348–950 nm. Next, the light source was replaced with monochromatic LEDs (415, 565 and 660 nm) and a commercial charge-coupled device (CCD) camera was used instead of the HS camera. The system algorithm comprises image enhancement (normalisation and moving average filter) and image segmentation with K-means clustering, combining spectral and spatial information to assess the variable responses to polychromatic light and monochromatic LEDs to highlight the differences in the Rd properties of thermally affected/normal tissue regions. The measured spectral signatures of the various regions, besides the calculation of the standard deviations (δ) between the generated six groups, guided us to select three optimal wavelengths (420, 540 and 660 nm) to discriminate between these various regions. Next, we selected six spectral images to apply the image processing to (at 450, 500, 550, 600, 650 and 700 nm). We noticed that the optimum image is the superimposed spectral images at 550, 600, 650 and 700 nm, which are capable of discriminating between the various regions. Later, we measured Rd with the CCD camera and commercially available monochromatic LED light sources at 415, 565 and 660 nm. Compared to the HS camera results, this system was more capable of identifying the ablated and the thermally affected regions of surface RFA than the side-penetration RFA of the investigated ex vivo liver samples. However, we succeeded in developing a low-cost system that provides satisfactory information to highlight the ablated and thermally affected region to improve the outcome of surgical tumour ablation with much shorter time for image capture and processing compared to the HS system

Respuesta fotosintética de la yuca (manihot esculenta crantz) en dos ambientes

El trabajo de campo se llevó a cabo en dos localidades de la costa Atlántica Colombiana, Riohacha en la Guajira, considerada como zona semi-arida y Santo Tomás Atlántico, como zona sub-húmeda. La respuesta a la humedad relativa se evaluó en diez cultivares, entre las 8 y las 13 horas empleando un equipo de fotosíntesis portátil de sistema abierto; en ensayos diseñados en bloques al azar con cuatro repeticiones; las lecturas se realizaron en la primera hoja expandida, sana y bien formada de parte superior de dos plantas de cada parcela. Se encontraron diferencias significativas entre clones para cada localidad en las variables de fotosíntesis, conductancia y transpiración. La prueba de T mostró diferencias altamente significativas entre las localidades para todas las variables. En la condición sub-húmeda se presentó la que mayor tasa de fotosíntesis, lo cual indica que la yuca produce mejor en condiciones de alta humedad relativa en el aire y que responde a esta en forma independiente a la humedad del suelo. Las hojas de yuca se saturan a intensidades de más o menos de 1000 µmol m-1 s-1 valor relativamente alto, si se tiene en cuenta el déficit de agua en el suelo al que estaban sometidas las plantas en el momento de las evaluaciones. Esto muestra el alto potencial que tienen las hojas de yuca a la fijación de CO2 aun en condiciones de estrés hídrico.Field work was carried out two locations of the Atlantic Coast of Colombia, namely Riohacha, in the Guajira Department, and Santo Tomás, in the Atlantic Department. The former is a semi-arid zone and the latter a sub-humid zone. Ten Cassava cultivars were evaluated for their photosynthetic response to relative humidity by means of an open system photosynthesis recorder. Evaluations were done from 8:00 a.m. through 1:00 p.m. in plots of randomized block trials with four replications. In each plot, two plants were selected for readings, which were performed on a healthy and well formed leaf among the first expended leaves in the upper part of the plant. For each location, data were significant between cassava clones for the photosynthesis, conductance and transpiration variables. The T-test was highly significant between locations, and for all variables tested, Plants in the sub-humid zone showed the highest photosynthetic rate; this indicates that cassava production is higher in areas where air relative humidity is high, independent of the plant response to soil water content. Leaves saturate at light intensities of around 1000 µmolm-1 s1- . Considering the soil deficit that affected plants at the time of the evaluation, this relatively high value indicates that CO2 fixation rate in cassava leaves is high even under water stress conditions

Antiviral and cytotoxic activities of some plants used in Malaysian indigenous medicine

Ethanolic extracts of 61 medicinal plants used in Malaysia were screened for antiviral and cytotoxic activities. Antiviral activity was tested against the herpes simplex type-1 (HSV-1) and vesicular stomatitis (VSV) viruses, and cytotoxicity was assayed using the HeLa cell line. Antiviral activity against both viruses was present in the extracts from Calotropis gigantea, Costus speciosus, Eugenia michelii, Hedyotis auricularia, Mentha arvensis, Orthosiphon aristatus, Polygonum minus and Ricinus communis (MIG: 0.002-0.1 mg/ml). The extracts from Alternanthera sessilis, Blumea chinensis, Eleusine indica, Euphorbia hirta, Freycinetia malaccensis, Leea indica and Solanum americanum were active in selectively inhibiting HSV-1 (0.001-0.1 mg/ml). Selective activity against VSV was shown by the extracts from Acalypha indica, Bertholletia excelsa, Cerbera manghas, Codiaeum variegatum, Plectranthus amboinicus, Centella asiatica, Mirabilis jalapa, Morinda elliptica, Oenanthe javanica, Piper sarmentosum and Premna odorata (MIG: 0.005-0.1 mg/ml). Gytotoxic activity was present in the extracts from Acalypha indica, Andrographis paniculata, Cerbera manghas, Codiaeum variegatum, Cosmos caudatus, Elephantopus scaber, Etlingera elatior, Eugenia michelii, Freycinetia malaccensis, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis,Cen~ella asiati~a, Lecythis ollaria, Mentha arvensis, Mirabilis jalapa, Morinda elliptica, Ocimum tenUlflorum, PIper sarmentosum and Polygonum minus (CD50: 0.001-0.1 mgjml).Co-existing antiviral and cytotoxic activities were shown by Eugenia michelii, Mentha arvensis and Polygonum minus

Expression of auxin-binding protein1 during plum fruit ontogeny supports the potential role of auxin in initiating and enhancing climacteric ripening

Auxin-binding protein1 (ABP1) is an active element involved in auxin signaling and plays critical roles in auxin-mediated plant development. Here, we report the isolation and characterization of a putative sequence from Prunus salicina L., designated PslABP1. The expected protein exhibits a similar molecular structure to that of well-characterized maize-ABP1; however, PslABP1 displays more sequence polarity in the active-binding site due to substitution of some crucial amino-acid residues predicted to be involved in auxin-binding. Further, PslABP1 expression was assessed throughout fruit ontogeny to determine its role in fruit development. Comparing the expression data with the physiological aspects that characterize fruit-development stages indicates that PslABP1 up-regulation is usually associated with the signature events that are triggered in an auxin-dependent manner such as floral induction, fruit initiation, embryogenesis, and cell division and elongation. However, the diversity in PslABP1 expression profile during the ripening process of early and late plum cultivars seems to be due to the variability of endogenous auxin levels among the two cultivars, which consequently can change the levels of autocatalytic ethylene available for the fruit to co-ordinate ripening. The effect of auxin on stimulating ethylene production and in regulating PslABP1 was investigated. Our data suggest that auxin is involved in the transition of the mature green fruit into the ripening phase and in enhancing the ripening process in both auxin- and ethylene-dependent manners thereafter

Two highly divergent alcohol dehydrogenases of melon exhibit fruit ripening-specific expression and distinct biochemical characteristics

Alcohol dehydrogenases (ADH) participate in the biosynthetic pathway of aroma volatiles in fruit by interconverting aldehydes to alcohols and providing substrates for the formation of esters. Two highly divergent ADH genes (15% identity at the amino acid level) of Cantaloupe Charentais melon (Cucumis melo var. Cantalupensis) have been isolated. Cm-ADH1 belongs to the medium-chain zinc-binding type of ADHs and is highly similar to all ADH genes expressed in fruit isolated so far. Cm-ADH2 belongs to the short-chain type of ADHs. The two encoded proteins are enzymatically active upon expression in yeast. Cm-ADH1 has strong preference for NAPDH as a co-factor, whereas Cm-ADH2 preferentially uses NADH. Both Cm-ADH proteins are much more active as reductases with Kms 10–20 times lower for the conversion of aldehydes to alcohols than for the dehydrogenation of alcohols to aldehydes. They both show strong preference for aliphatic aldehydes but Cm-ADH1 is capable of reducing branched aldehydes such as 3-methylbutyraldehyde, whereas Cm-ADH2 cannot. Both Cm-ADH genes are expressed specifically in fruit and up-regulated during ripening. Gene expression as well as total ADH activity are strongly inhibited in antisense ACC oxidase melons and in melon fruit treated with the ethylene antagonist 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP), indicating a positive regulation by ethylene. These data suggest that each of the Cm-ADH protein plays a specific role in the regulation of aroma biosynthesis in melon fruit

A randomized, controlled, double-blind crossover study on the effects of isoeffective and isovolumetric intravenous crystalloid and gelatin on blood volume, and renal and cardiac hemodynamics

Background & aimsBlood volume expanding properties of colloids are superior to crystalloids. In addition to oncotic/osmotic properties, the electrolyte composition of infusions may have important effects on visceral perfusion, with infusions containing supraphysiological chloride causing hyperchloremic acidosis and decreased renal blood flow. In this non-inferiority study, a validated healthy human subject model was used to compare effects of colloid (4% succinylated gelatin) and crystalloid fluid regimens on blood volume, renal function, and cardiac output.MethodsHealthy male participants were given infusions over 60 min > 7 days apart in a randomized, crossover manner. Reference arm (A): 1.5 L of Sterofundin ISO, isoeffective arm (B): 0.5 L of 4% Gelaspan®, isovolumetric arm (C): 0.5 L of 4% Gelaspan® and 1 L of Sterofundin ISO (all B. Braun, Melsungen, Germany). Participants were studied over 240 min. Changes in blood volume were calculated from changes in weight and hematocrit. Renal volume, renal artery blood flow (RABF), renal cortex perfusion and diffusion, and cardiac index were measured with magnetic resonance imaging.ResultsTen of 12 males [mean (SE) age 23.9 (0.8) years] recruited, completed the study. Increase in body weight and extracellular fluid volume were significantly less after infusion B than infusions A and C, but changes in blood volume did not significantly differ between infusions. All infusions increased renal volume, with no significant differences between infusions. There was no significant difference in RABF across the infusion time course or between infusion types. Renal cortex perfusion decreased during the infusion (mean 18% decrease from baseline), with no significant difference between infusions. There was a trend for increased renal cortex diffusion (4.2% increase from baseline) for the crystalloid infusion. All infusions led to significant increases in cardiac index.ConclusionsA smaller volume of colloid (4% succinylated gelatin) was as effective as a larger volume of crystalloid at expanding blood volume, increasing cardiac output and changing renal function. Significantly less interstitial space expansion occurred with the colloid

The prognostic significance of minimal residual disease in adult Egyptian patients with precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia

AbstractBackgroundMinimal residual disease (MRD) studies in adult acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) give highly significant prognostic information superior to other standard criteria as age, gender and total leucocytic count (TLC) in distinguishing patients at high and low risk of relapse.ObjectivesWe aimed to determine the value of MRD monitoring by flowcytometry (FCM) in predicting outcome in adult Precursor ALL patients.Patients and methodsBone marrow (BM) samples were analyzed by 4-color FCM collected at diagnosis and after induction therapy (MRD1) to correlate MRD positivity with disease free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS).ResultsStudy included 57 adult ALL patients (44 males and 13 females) with a median age of 22years (18–49). DFS showed no significant difference with age, gender and initial TLC (p=0.838, 0.888 and 0.743, respectively). Cumulative DFS at 2years was 34% for B-lineage ALL (n: 35) and 57% for T-lineage ALL (n: 18) (p=0.057). Cumulative DFS at 2years was 7% for MRD1 positive (high risk, HR) versus 57% for MRD1 negative patients (Low risk, LR) (p<0.001). Cumulative DFS at 2years was 29% for HR patients (n: 26) versus 55% for LR (n: 27) according to GMALL classification (p=0.064). Cumulative OS did not differ according to age, gender and TLC (p=0.526, 0.594 and 0.513, respectively). Cumulative OS at 2years was 36% for B ALL (n: 39) versus 77% for TALL (n: 18) (p=0.016) and was 49% for Philadelphia chromosome (Ph) negative patients versus 0% for Ph-positive patients (p<0.001). Regarding MRD1, OS at 2years was 18% for MRD1 HR (n: 17) versus 65% for MRD1 LR (n: 38) (p<0.001). OS was 35% for high-risk patients (n: 30) and 62% for low-risk patients (n: 27) classified according to GMALL risk stratification (p=0.017).ConclusionMRD by FCM is a strong independent predictor of outcome in terms of DFS and OS and is a powerful informative parameter in guiding individual treatment in ALL patients