Flavonoids: an overview

Flavonoids, a group of natural substances with variable phenolic structures, are found in fruits, vegetables, grains, bark, roots, stems, flowers, tea and wine. These natural products are well known for their beneficial effects on health and efforts are being made to isolate the ingredients so called flavonoids. Flavonoids are now considered as an indispensable component in a variety of nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, medicinal and cosmetic applications. This is attributed to their anti-oxidative, anti-inflammatory, anti-mutagenic and anti-carcinogenic properties coupled with their capacity to modulate key cellular enzyme function. Research on flavonoids received an added impulse with the discovery of the low cardiovascular mortality rate and also prevention of CHD. Information on the working mechanisms of flavonoids is still not understood properly. However, it has widely been known for centuries that derivatives of plant origin possess a broad spectrum of biological activity. Current trends of research and development activities on flavonoids relate to isolation, identification, characterisation and functions of flavonoids and finally their applications on health benefits. Molecular docking and knowledge of bioinformatics are also being used to predict potential applications and manufacturing by industry. In the present review, attempts have been made to discuss the current trends of research and development on flavonoids, working mechanisms of flavonoids, flavonoid functions and applications, prediction of flavonoids as potential drugs in preventing chronic diseases and future research directions

Gene editing (CRISPR-Cas) technology and fisheries sector

Considering the advantages of gene editing technologies, in recent years, emphasis has been given on three main techniques of gene editing i.e. zinc finger nucleases (ZFNs), transcription activator-like effector nucleases (TALENs), and the CRISPR/Cas9 RNA-guided endonuclease system. In all of these three technologies one thing is common i.e. the technology utilizes restriction enzymes to break down the double stranded DNA molecule at a targeted location with the help of another molecule of homologous binding protein or RNA, which is also called as a guide RNA molecule. This targeted breaking and repair of the DNA molecule as per our requirement is generally viewed as a great breakthrough in gene therapy methods. In fisheries sector, in order to promote aquaculture/mariculture activities, aquaculture industries are facing number of challenges, particularly in area of quality and demand of seed production, control of health and disease management, production of quality traits with phenotypically improved varieties, and strengthening of immune system. Several efforts are being made both at public and private sectors to develop scientific technologies to meet these challenges and substantial achievements have also been made. But still these challenges remained as major constraints in hampering the growth of this industry as per the demand and expectations. However, with the advent of now recently developed gene editing techniques, we may have to explore and evaluate the possibilities of applications of this technology as a long lasting solution in addressing at least some of the vital issues of the aquaculture industry particularly in those related to altering targeted gene structure in the species for positive impact

Potensi Agribisnisusahaternak Ayam Broiler Di Kota Kendari

Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk menganalisis lembaga saluran dan pemasaran, untuk mengetahui bagian dari harga yang diterima oleh petani broiler dan lembaga pemasaran, untuk menganalisis tingkat marjin pemasaran petani broiler, tingkat lembaga pemasaran dan konsumen dengan tingkat pendapatan petani broiler.. Bahan penelitian adalah baik petani broiler mitra atau tidak miter untuk Perusahaan dengan kapasitas produksi antara 2,500-4,000 ekor. Metode penelitian ini adalah penelitian survei. Sedangkan untuk menentukan lokasi penelitian dengan menggunakan purposive sampling dan mengambil 35 responden terdiri 5 petani broiler dan 30 pedagang perantara dengan menggunakan purposive. Tabulasi data diperoleh dan dianalisis dengan memasarkan margin dan tingkat broiler pendapatan petani yang menguraikan secara deskriptif. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa saluran broiler pemasaran di Kota Kendari yang terlibat 4 jenis dengan dua lembaga pemasaran yang terlibat: pedagang pengumpul dan pedagang pengecer, bagian dari harga yang diterima petani broiler dari konsumen terakhir adalah 68,8% sedangkan bagian dari harga yang diterima lembaga pemasaran adalah 31,2%, marjin pemasaran pada harga broiler dari petani broiler ke konsumen terakhir adalah Rp.14.150 ekor-1 (penjualan broiler di tingkat peternak broiler adalah Rp.31.200 ekor-1, petani broiler untuk kolektor pedagang adalah Rp. 9.000 ekor-1 dan pedagang pengumpul ke pengecer adalah 5.150 ekor-1) dan tingkat pendapatan petani broiler di Kota Kendari itu Rp.17.046.139 siklus 1 atau Rp.5.013 ekor-1 cycle- 1

Mild (not severe) disc degeneration is implicated in the progression of bilateral L5 spondylolysis to spondylolisthesis

© 2018 The Author(s). Background: Spondylolytic (or lytic) spondylolisthesis is often associated with disc degeneration at the index-level; however, it is not clear if disc degeneration is the cause or the consequence of lytic spondylolisthesis. The main objective of this computed tomography based finite element modelling study was to examine the role of different grades of disc degeneration in the progression of a bilateral L5-lytic defect to spondylolisthesis. Methods: High-resolution computed tomography data of the lumbosacral spine from an anonymised healthy male subject (26 years old) were segmented to build a 3D-computational model of an INTACT L1-S1 spine. The INTACT model was manipulated to generate four more models representing a bilateral L5-lytic defect and the following states of the L5-S1 disc: nil degeneration (NOR LYTIC), mild degeneration (M-DEG LYTIC), mild degeneration with 50% disc height collapse (M-DEG-COL LYTIC), and severe degeneration with 50% disc height collapse(S-COL LYTIC). The models were imported into a finite element modelling software for pre-processing, running nonlinear-static solves, and post-processing of the results. Results: Compared with the baseline INTACT model, M-DEG LYTIC model experienced the greatest increase in kinematics (Fx range of motion: 73% ↑, Fx intervertebral translation: 53%↑), shear stresses in the annulus (Fx anteroposterior: 163%↑, Fx posteroanterior: 31%↑), and strain in the iliolumbar ligament (Fx: 90%↑). The S-COL LYTIC model experienced a decrease in mobility (Fx range of motion: 48%↓, Fx intervertebral translation: 69%↓) and an increase in normal stresses in the annulus (Fx Tensile: 170%↑; Fx Compressive: 397%↑). No significant difference in results was noted between M-DEG-COL LYTIC and S-COL LYTIC models. Conclusions: In the presence of a bilateral L5 spondylolytic defect, a mildly degenerate index-level disc experienced greater intervertebral motions and shear stresses compared with a severely degenerate index-level disc in flexion and extension bending motions. Disc height collapse, with or without degenerative changes in the stiffness properties of the disc, is one of the plausible re-stabilisation mechanisms available to the L5-S1 motion segment to mitigate increased intervertebral motions and shear stresses due to a bilateral L5 lytic defect

The Role of Sacral Slope in the Progression of a Bilateral Spondylolytic Defect at L5 to Spondylolisthesis: A Biomechanical Investigation Using Finite Element Analysis

© The Author(s) 2017. Study Design: A biomechanical study using finite element analysis. Objectives: The main objective of this study was to investigate the role of sacral slope in the progression of a L5 bilateral spondylolytic defect to spondylolisthesis. Methods: A 3-dimensional model of lumbosacral spine was built using computed tomography (CT) data procured from an anonymized healthy male subject. The segmented CT data was manipulated to generate 3 more models representing L5 bilateral spondylolytic defect with normal sacral slope (SS), sacral slope increased by 10° (SS+10), and sacral slope decreased by 10° (SS-10). The 3D models were imported into finite element modelling software Strand7 for preprocessing, running nonlinear static solves, and postprocessing of the results. Results: Directional biomechanical instabilities were induced in the lumbosacral spine as a result of changes in the L5-S1 disc shape secondary to the changes in sacral slope. Compared with the normal L5 lytic model, wedging of the L5-S1 disc (SS+10) resulted in a significantly greater range of motion in flexion (18% ↑) but extension motion characteristics were similar. Conversely, flattening of the L5-S1 disc (SS-10) resulted in a significantly greater range of motion in extension (16% ↑) but flexion motion characteristics were similar to that of the normal L5 lytic model. Conclusions: Variations in sacral slope while preserving the L5-S1 mid-disc height and orientation of the L5 vertebra resulted in variations in the L5-S1 disc shape. The results suggest that for such extremities in the L5-S1 disc shape different pathomechanisms exist for the progression of the L5 lytic defect to spondylolisthesis

A Competitive Study Using Electrospinning and Phase Inversion to Prepare Polymeric Membranes for Oil Removal

Polyacrylonitrile (PAN) is a popular polymer that can be made into membranes using various techniques, such as electrospinning and phase inversion. Electrospinning is a novel technique that produces nonwoven nanofiber-based membranes with highly tunable properties. In this research, electrospun PAN nanofiber membranes with various concentrations (10, 12, and 14% PAN/dimethylformamide (DMF)) were prepared and compared to PAN cast membranes prepared by the phase inversion technique. All of the prepared membranes were tested for oil removal in a cross-flow filtration system. A comparison between these membranes’ surface morphology, topography, wettability, and porosity was presented and analyzed. The results showed that increasing the concentration of the PAN precursor solution increases surface roughness, hydrophilicity, and porosity and, consequently, enhances the membrane performance. However, the PAN cast membranes showed a lower water flux when the precursor solution concentration increased. In general, the electrospun PAN membranes performed better in terms of water flux and oil rejection than the cast PAN membranes. The electrospun 14% PAN/DMF membrane gave a water flux of 250 LMH and a rejection of 97% compared to the cast 14% PAN/DMF membrane, which showed a water flux of 117 LMH and 94% oil rejection. This is mainly because the nanofibrous membrane showed higher porosity, higher hydrophilicity, and higher surface roughness compared to the cast PAN membranes at the same polymer concentration. The porosity of the electrospun PAN membrane was 96%, while it was 58% for the cast 14% PAN/DMF membrane.</p

Oxygen uptake in the brine shrimp artemia in relation to salinity

The rate of oxygen consumption of Artemia has decreased with decrease in salinity and in freshwater the 02 consumed was least. The probable reasons for such decrease have (been discussed