Latest Articles Rss

In Vitro and In Vivo Activity of Lactococci Strains against Helicobacter pylori

Problem statement: Search for lactic acid bacteria that have in vitro, a significant inhibitory effect against the strains of H. pylori and to determine the inhibitory activity in vivo. Approach: The in vitro inhibitory activity of lactic acid bacteria isolated from milk against strains of H. pylori was determined by the agar diffusion method. Two groups of mice were inoculated for a week with TN2GF4. After three weeks, the infected group is treated for seven days with E. faecium (B13). H pylori was detected by a count after culture of gastric biopsy. The probiotic was determined by a count from fresh feces of mice treated. Results: Thirty strains of lactic acid bacteria were isolated and identified. E. faecium (B13) strain showed a highly significant inhibition. H. pylori was successfully detected in the gastric mucosa. E. faecium (B13) reduced the colonization in the stomach of H. pylori with a rate of 43% for a week. Conclusion: E. faecium (B13) has in vitro and in vivo an inhibitory effect against H. pylori.

Phoretic Association and Facultative Parasitoidism Between Megaselia scalaris and Blowflies, Under Natural Conditions

Problem statement: This is the first time that a phoretic association and facultative parasitoidism between Megaselia scalaris and blowflies (Diptera: Calliphoridae) has been reported under natural conditions. Approach: All fly specimens were collected in the mangrove swamp in Itaborai, RJ, Brazil. Results: A total of 291 flies were collected belonging to four (04) species of the family Calliphoridae: Chrysomya megacephala (Fabricius) (280), Cochliomyia macellaria (Fabricius) (05), Chrysomya albiceps (Wiedemann) (05), Chrysomya putoria (Wiedemann) (01) and all had third instar larvae of M. scalaris or had eggs of the Phoridae attached to their bodies. The specimens were separated and the flies, larvae and eggs were then identified. Conclusion/Recommendations: The highest prevalence for the capture of these flies was in the spring. From the study performed we conclude that M. scalaris acting as a facultative parasitoid of insects could be of great significance showing the need to screen laboratories more securely against invasions by M. scalaris.

Effect of Dietary Kaempferia parviflora on Ischemic Brain Injury in the rat

Problem statement: Stroke often causes irreversible neuronal damage and related behavioral deficits. The lack of effective and widely applicable pharmacological treatments for ischemic stroke patients may explain a growing interest in traditional plant medicines. We investigated the ability of consuming Kaempferia parviflora extract, a Thai medicinal plant reputed for neuroprotective effects against brain damage, reduced infarct volume and improve neurological outcome in rats with permanent right Middle Cerebral Artery Occlusion (MCAO). Approach: Male adult Wistar rats were administrated an alcoholic extract of KP orally once daily at a period of 14 days before and 7 days after MCAO. Neurological function assessment was performed at 7 days after MCAO using the 6-points postural reflex test. The brain infarct volume and the densities of survival neurons in hippocampus were also determined at the end of experiment. Results: Oral administration with KP at a dose of 200 mg kg^-1 BW significantly improved the neurological behavior performances and reduced the infarct volume when compared to the vehicle treated group. The reductions of survival neurons densities were also mitigated. Conclusion: The consumption of KP extract may have the possibility of protective effect against neurological disorders such as brain ischemia, while further investigations about precise underlying the defense mechanism against cerebral ischemia are still required.

Effect of Storing Temperature on Hepatotoxicity and Nephrotoxicity of Ifosfamide in Female Rat

Problem statement: Ifosfamide (IFO) is a cytotoxic alkylating drug used for the treatment of a variety of cancers, although it has been found to induce certain hematological, hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic side effects. This drug is widely used in developing country, especially Iraq, but without caring too much to the storing temperature due to low drug maintaining facilities. The present work was achieved to investigate the effect of different temperature degrees on the toxicity of IFO on liver and kidney of female rats. Approach: Ifosfamide (60 mg Kg^-1 b.wt) stored at different temperature degrees (4, 10 and 25�C) was given to female rats to detect the effect of temperature degrees on hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity of this chemotherapeutic drug. A modified technique was used for demonstration the dying kidney cells. Results: All IFO treated rats showed Fanconi syndrome such as increase of serum creatinine, phosphorus, ALT and AST and decrease of glucose as well as an increase in serum Malondialdehyde (MDA) level. Ifosfamide was still maintained its antimitotic action in all the treated groups as revealed by examining the bone marrow smears. The biochemical estimation of ALT, AST and MDA showed significant temperature dependent increase in the toxicity of liver and kidney by this drug. The histopathological alteration in these two organs were come supportive to the above biochemical results. The liver of the rats exposed to IFO stored at 25�C showed higher liver steatosis, hemorrhage and more degeneration of hepatocytes. Similarly, more hemorrhage, degeneration of kidney tubule cells and lymphocytes infiltration in kidney were observed in the 25�C group in comparison to the other groups. A successful modified technique for staining thick plastic sections was employed revealing a specific color for the dying kidney cells. Conclusion: Although it can maintain its antimitotic property, IFO caused more severe hepatotoxic and nephrotoxic side effects if it is stored at temperature degree higher than 4�C.

Sugar Utilization Potential of Micropolyspora Isolated from Extreme Environment

Problem statement: Waste water of various industries contain large amount of organic compounds which are continuously added in sea via river which causes water pollution. There is need to degrade the organic content to abate water pollution. Approach: To stabilize the organic content in sea water, there was need to search such an organism which was efficient to degrade organic content. We had screened the actinomycetes having potential to degrade organic compounds. Results: Total six isolates of Micropolyspora were obtained, from which all isolates were found to utilize galactose, 50% isolates were able to utilize arabinose, fructose and xylose. 83% of isolates showed mannitol utilization while 67% isolates uses lactose as carbon source and 33% isolates utilizes rhamnose. Conclusion/Recommendation: From the study performed, we conclude that, obtained most of Micropolyspora isolate may be used for the stabilization of organic content and hence in abatement of pollution.

Effect of Inhibitory Substances on Microbiospora Isolated from Soil under Cultivation of Curcuma Longa L.

Problem statement: Soil Pollution is major problem because different types of pesticides are used to control plant pest. The residual component of pesticide diffuses into the soil. It is necessary to check whether actinomycetes degrade these components and control the soil pollution. Approach: In Ayurved system of medicine the rhizome portion of Curcuma longa L. was used as an anti-inflammatory and antiseptic. Antimicrobial substances released from these plants diffuse into the surrounding soil area of the plant. Actinomycete which grow in these area were resistant to these substances. Hence considerable attention had been given in studying the effect of inhibitory substances on actinomycetes especially Microbiospora isolated from soil under cultivation of Curcuma longa L. Results: The present study deals with effect of inhibitory substances like dettol, phenol, sodium azide, lysol and crystal violet. The results were recorded on the basis of presence or absence of growth. All five isolates of Microbiospora were found sensitive against dettol. One strain of Microbiospora was found resistant to phenol. Conclusion/Recommendations: From the study performed we conclude that Microbiospora which is resistant to phenol and other inhibitory substances can be used to degrade the residual components of pesticide which are released into the soil. It may have better option to prevent soil pollution.

Focal Adhesion Kinase: An Old Protein with New Roles

Focal adhesion kinase, FAK is a tyrosine kinase which is prominently localized to focal adhesions and therefore its name, is an indispensable protein in integrin signaling. Since the discovery of FAK, this tyrosine kinase had been shown to regulate a variety of cell behavior like cell migration, proliferation, apoptosis and metastasis which makes this molecule at a centre stage of cell and developmental biology research. We want to take this opportunity to briefly review the current state of knowledge about FAK and why FAK was so important in cell migration, apoptosis, cardiovascular and metastatic research. Since the FAK signalling was very crucial for normal cellular development and cell physiology and since its deregulation prompts the oneset of a variety of diseases like cancer and cardiovascular diseases, an updated knowledge about its signalling mechanism and how FAK interacts with other signalling molecules can not only offer newer understanding in this field but also attract new methods and pathways to explore and investigate its biology, which can further open new avenues in anticancer research targetting FAK.

Antimicrobial Activity Studies of Bactoriocin Produced by Lactobacilli Isolates from Carrot Kanji

Problem statement: In the present study, Staphylococcus aureus a causative agent of food poisoning is selected as a test organism to study the antimicrobial effect of bacteriocin. S. aureus produces number of exotoxins and enterotoxins which enters the body via contaminated food causing illness. Approach: In this case the use of antibiotics is one of the ways of treatment, but in addition to this if we advise such patients to consume the carrot kanji then it will cause better effect because carrot kanji is the naturally fermented food beverage consisting of microflora mainly the Lactobacilli. Results: The Lactobacilli have ability to produce antimicrobial compounds called bacteriocin. Isolation of bacteriocin was carried out from the naturally fermented carrot kanji. The bacteriocin produced by Lactobacilli was dialysed and used for the further studies. The well diffusion method is used to study the antimicrobial activity, effect of temperature, pH, enzymes on bacteriocin. From the diameter of zone of inhibition the activity of bacteriocin was determined. The sensitivity of bacteriocin at different pH range showed that at neutral pH the diameter of inhibition zone was greater than that at alkaline as well as acidic pH. Upto 100�C the bacteriocin activity was 80% but as temperature range increased upto 121�C it reduced sharply to 28%. Conclusion/Recommendations: In addition to this the effect of alpha amylase, trypsin, catalase enzyme on bacteriocin activity was also studied which shows positive results with alpha amylase, reduced activity with trypsin and catalase remained unaffected.

Decolorization of Mordant Orange-1 by Marinobacter algicola MO-17

Problem statement: The textile industries use different types of dyes in their processing units which are liberated in natural marine water bodies. This release of dyes in turn affect the marine flora and fauna very adversely. Approach: The release of textile dyes into the environment is a matter of concern due to the toxicity, mutagenicity, carcinogenicity and xenobiotic nature. Hence, considerable attention has been given in determining the ability of marine microorganism in decolorization and degradation of textile dyes. Results: The present study deals with the decolorization of Mordant Orange-1 was carried out using the acclimatized Marinobacter algicola MO-17 isolated from natural marine environment. The acclimatized strain was capable of decolorizing 800 μg mL-1 of the dye at high salt concentration (12%) in 24 h. The percent decolorization of the dye was moderated by spectroscopy at 385 nm (λmax). Conclusion/Recommendations: The spectrophotometric analysis showed 78.78% decolorization in Nutrient Broth and 76.78% decolorization in Half Strength Nutrient Broth. The percent Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) reduction of the dye by the strain was 90%. From the study performed, we conclude that, this acclimatized strain can prove better option for bioremediation of textile dyes in wastes containing high salts and in marine environment.

Assessment of Genetic Diversity among Sugarcane Cultivars (Saccharum officinarum L.) using Simple Sequence Repeats Markers

Problem statement: Increasing sugar productivity is the main concern of sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) breeding programs. The complexity and size of the sugarcane genome is a major limitation in its genetic improvement. Characterization of sugarcane provides essential information of genetic diversity for breeders utilize for crop improvement. Approach and Results: The objective of this study was to evaluate the microsatellite markers (SSR) with 17 sugarcane accessions to access the genetic diversity and inter relationships in sugarcane. Genetic distances for SSR data (polymorphic fragments) were determined and relationships between samples were portrayed graphically in the form of a dendrogram and similarities are ranging from 36% to 100% were observed. The lowest genetic similarity of 36% was seen between sample 9 and 11 with other samples. These two genotypes differed from each other with only 68% similarity. Conclusion: Results illustrate that SSR markers could be useful for structuring the genetic diversity of collections according to geographical origin and ploidy level, assessment or formation of a core collection and especially construction of a genetic map.