First screening report of immune and protective effect of non-toxic Jatropha vernicosa stem bark against Vibrio parahaemolyticus in Longfin yellowtail Seriola rivoliana leukocytes

In México, the infusion of Jatropha vernicosa stem bark has been used in folk medicine for many clinical situations, but no reports were available about this particular species of Jatropha in fish of mammals. In this first screening report, the phytochemical, antioxidant profile and antimicrobial properties of aqueous J. vernicosa stem bark extract were explored against Vibrio parahaemolyticus, an opportunist fish pathogen. To evaluate the cytotoxicity and immunological effect for the possible application of aqueous J. vernicosa stem bark in aquaculture, this study assessed it by using Longfin yellowtail Seriola rivoliana leukocytes. The results showed that phytochemical composition of the J. vernicosa extract was rich in phenol, flavonoid, saponin, and coumarin compounds. The antioxidant capacity of hydroxyl radical and superoxide anion scavenging activities, iron-chelation activity and β-carotene bleaching coupled to linoleic acid showed that J. vernicosa extracts had a moderate antioxidant effect compared with synthetic antioxidants (BHT, BHA and EDTA). No adverse effects were observed on spleen leukocytes (viability > 98%). Interestingly, J. vernicosa stem bark extract has immunostimulant and antioxidant effects, increasing phagocytosis, respiratory burns activity, and nitric oxide production, as well as superoxide dismutase and catalase activities. Additionally, J. vernicosa extract increased pro-inflammatory cytokine IL-1β and suppressed anti-inflammatory IL-10 gene expression upon stimuli and V. parahaemolyticus challenge. Finally, the data confirms that J. vernicosa stem bark extract is non-cytotoxic, rich in bioactive compounds with antioxidant effects, capable of enhancing the immune system in leukocytes and with great potential to fight against opportunistic diseases, such as vibriosis in fish.

Phytochemical composition and immunobiological activity of Hawthorn Crataegus mexicana nanoencapsulated in Longfin yellowtail Seriola rivoliana leukocytes

The aims of this study were to determine the presence of phenolic compounds in Hawthorn Crataegus mexicana, species native to Mexico, nanoencapsulated (CmNano) with maltodextrin at 100 and 170 °C (CmNano100 and CmNano170) and its antioxidant and immunological effects in Longfin yellowtail Seriola rivoliana leukocytes. The phytochemical study revealed an important level of total phenolic (TPC), flavonoid (TFC) and tannin (CTC) contents in CmNano100, which correlated with a strong antioxidant capacity. CmNano100 or 170 were safe or not cytotoxic for head-kidney (HKL) and peripheral blood (PBL) leukocytes. The in vitro study demonstrated that CmNano increased the percentage of phagocytic cells, stimulated the production of reactive oxygen species, and modulated antioxidant ability by increasing superoxide dismutase activity in leukocytes with respect to the control group. In addition, CmNano100 also increased the transcription of proinflammatory cytokine IL-1β and down-regulated MyD88 and TNF-α mRNA transcription. These results suggest that maltodextrin nanoencapsulates protected and maintained the antioxidant properties of C. mexicana. In addition, they enhanced antioxidant and immunological parameters in Longfin yellowtail S. rivoliana leukocytes. Therefore, this study provides novel insights of CmNano for its potential application as functional food in aquaculture.

Effects of marine silages enriched with Lactobacillus sakei 5-4 on haemato-immunological and growth response in Pacific red snapper (Lutjanus peru) exposed to Aeromonas veronii

Combined effects of marine silages enriched with Lactobacillus sakei 5-4 were evaluated on growth performance, immune activity and disease resistance of Pacific red snapper (Lutjanus peru) against Aeromonas veronii infection. The experimental fish were divided into three groups which were fed with each one of the following diets: silage-probiotic-free diet (control, C group), Pacific creole-fish silage diet supplemented with live L. sakei (10(6) CFU g(-1)) (FSLact group) and Humboldt squid silage diet supplemented with live L. sakei (10(6) CFU g(-1)) (SSLact group) for 6 weeks. After 6 weeks, fish were immunocompromised with pathogenic A. veronii and spleen and liver samples were processed for histopathological studies. Generally, the results showed enhanced growth performance in fish fed the diet containing SSLact at 6 and 7 weeks compared with fish fed control diet. Addition of SSLact had an increase in plasmatic protein at week 6 and post-challenge. Hemoglobin concentration increased after challenge in fish fed with SSLact compared to control group. At week 6 and post-challenge the results indicated that, the fish groups which received diet supplemented with SSLact revealed significant increase in humoral immune parameters. Histologically, fish fed C diets showed marked fatty degeneration and great activation of melanomacrophage centers compare with SSLact and FSLact groups. These results support the idea that the marine silages with squid as protein source enriched or combined with L. sakei 5-4 increases the body weight and stimulates the physiological and humoral immune parameters in Pacific red snapper infected with A. veronii.

Spinal ligament transducer based on a hall effect sensor

A spinal ligament transducer (SLT) was developed to measure in situ spinal ligament elongation during the simulation of whiplash trauma with a cadaveric spine specimen. The SLT was designed to be affixed to two K-wires drilled into the bone at the approximate points of ligament origin and insertion. The transducer is low cost and is capable of measuring the linear distance between the K-wires in the range 4-12 mm with the root mean square (RMS) accuracy of 0.025 mm.