Phytochemical analysis and biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles from aqueous extract of seeds of Sesamum indicum

Plants have been in use in medicine from time immemorial. Sesamum indicum, an ancient seed crop, has been widely used mainly for its oil. It is regarded as highly beneficial for its nutritive value and therapeutic effect. It is known to have anti-allergic, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, analgesic and many other pharmacological activities. In this study, seeds of S. indicum were subjected to aqueous extraction followed by evaluation for the presence of phytochemical constituents. The aqueous extract of seeds of S. indicum after phytochemical testing, was found to contain alkaloids, phenols, steroids, flavonoids, diterpenes, glycosides and tannins. Following this, silver nanoparticles were biosynthesised from the extract, where the phytochemicals acted as reducing and capping agents for the nanoparticles formed. The synthesised nanoparticles were characterised by using UV-visible spectroscopy, energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, field emission scanning electron microscopy and X-ray diffraction. The synthesis of nanoparticles from plant extract is gaining importance now-a-days owing to the effectual activity elicited by them when compared to activity of plant compounds alone.

Evaluation of colour and bleeding efficiency of imperfectly bled, scientifically slaughtered and cold slaughtered beef carcasses

The present study was carried out at the Meat Technology Unit, Kerala Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Mannuthy to examine the colour and bleeding efficiency of beef carcasses subjected to varying levels of bleeding. Muscle samples were collected from imperfectly bled (IB), scientifically slaughtered (SS) and cold slaughtered (CS) beef carcasses and were packed in HDPE packages. The Hunter L* a* b* values were analysed on the 0,2,4 and 6 days of refrigerated storage at 4±1◦C and the bleeding efficiency was studied on the day of slaughter. From the results it was concluded that malachite green test (MGT) could be assigned as a test to detect complete bleeding. However only lower proportions of IB and CS samples showed positive results on MGT assay, which makes it a less reliable method for detecting the efficiency of bleeding. The mean haemoglobin (Hb) concentration (mg/g) of IB and CS carcasses (0.07±0.003 and 0.09±0.008, respectively) were significantly (p˂0.01) higher than that from SS carcasses (0.05±0.004). There was no significant difference between IB and SS groups for the blood loss parameters considered. The mean number of turgid intercostal veins for IB (7.83±0.98), SS carcasses (6.5±0.88) was significantly (p˂0.01) lower to that of CS carcasses (10.5±0.43). More than 10 turgid intercostal veins in a bovine carcass may be indicative of cold slaughter and absence of bleeding. No significant difference was noted between groups on all days for a* value and on all days except day 2 for L* and b* values.

Bacillus thuringiensis strains from Western Ghats of India possess nematocidal property against Haemonchus contortus larvae of goats

Nematocidal properties of spore crystal mixtures of six Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) strains (KAU 49, 50, 52, 61, 99 and 424) collected from Western Ghats, a biodiversity hot spot of India, were analysed against Haemonchus contortus larvae isolated from goats. One dose nematocidal assay dose response to lyophilised spore-crystal mixtures (SCM) of the six Bt strains were determined by adding 200 μg/mL of each SCMs to culture plate wells containing aqueous suspension of H. contortus larvae. Out of the strains screened, KAU 50 and 424 were found to possess nematocidal properties. Maximum nematocidal properties were exhibited 7 days post-inoculation of the lyophilised SCMs. The 50 per cent lethal concentrations deduced by log probit analysis for KAU 50 was found to be 130.59 μg/mL, whereas that of KAU 424 was found to be 144.536 μg/mL at 95 per cent confidence level. This is the first report on the nematocidal propery of Bt strains against Haemonchus contortus larvae isolated from goats. Further studies are needed for identification and characterisation of the toxin.

Graphene oxide incorporated collagen–fibrin biofilm as a wound dressing material

GO was incorporated in the collagen and fibrin composite film (CFGO), these films were used as wound dressing material on the experimental wounds of rats and the efficacy of CFGO was studied using conventional methods (schematic illustration).

Amelioration of heat stress induced disturbances of antioxidant defense system in chicken by brahma rasayana

Since the range of comfort zone or thermo neutral zone of domestic chickens is narrow, they become easily susceptible to heat and cold environmental stress. We evaluated Brahma Rasayana (BR) supplementation on concentrations of certain oxidative stress markers associated with heat stress. A total of 48 egg type male chickens of local strain were divided into six groups (n = 8) for the study. Three groups were fed with BR orally at the rate of 2 g/kg bw daily for 10 days prior to and during the period of experiment. Two of the four groups that were exposed to heat stress (HST i.e. to a temperature of 40 ± 1°C and relative humidity of 80 ± 5% in an environmental chamber) for 4 h daily for 5 or 10 days, received BR orally. The other two groups remained as BR treated and untreated non-heat stressed (NHST) controls. There was a significant (P < 0.05) increase in the activities of antioxidant enzymes in blood such as catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), as well as liver CAT, glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and glutathione reductase (GR) in NHST-BR treated and HST-BR treated (both 5 and 10 days) chickens when compared with untreated controls. A great deal of significant (P < 0.05) variations were seen in serum and liver reduced glutathione (GSH) concentration in NHST-BR treated and HST-BR treated (both 5 and 10 days) chickens. Serum and liver lipid peroxidation levels were found to be significantly (P < 0.05) higher in HST-untreated (both 5 and 10 days) chickens when compared with other groups. Thus BR supplementation during HST brings about enhanced action of enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, which nullified the undesired side effects of free radicals that are generated during HST.

Preparation and evaluation of biocomposites as wound dressing material

Collagen was isolated from the chrome containing leather waste (CCLW) which is a major solid waste in leather industry. Composite films were made using sago starch (SG), soya protein (SY), and collagen (C) and were cross linked with glutaraldehyde (G).The films prepared were characterized for their physico chemical properties like tensile strength, infrared spectra, thermogravimetric analysis, surface morphology, and water absorption studies. Better mechanical properties and surface morphology were observed for SG-SY-G-C films compared to other films prepared using collagen. The composite films prepared were used as wound dressing material on the experimental wounds of rats and healing pattern was evaluated using planimetric, biochemical, and histopathological studies. These studies have revealed better wound healing capacity of SG-SY-G-C film and utilization of CCLW in the preparation of value added product like wound dressing material.

Determination of pressure balance distortion coefficient and zero-pressure effective area uncertainties

The behaviour of piston-cylinder operated pressure balances is characterized by the distortion coefficientλand zero-pressure effective areaA0which model the variation of a pressure balance’s area in terms of the applied pressure. This paper determines the uncertainties inλandA0when utilizing the method of cross-floating with another pressure balance standard whose parameters and associated uncertainties are known. A limitation that is frequently encountered in many attempts of the uncertainty analysis for a pressure balance is that no readily accessible uncertainty quantification framework for the distortion coefficient is present. As a result the uncertainty in a pressure balance’s area at elevated applied pressures is typically underestimated in the absence of this uncertainty information. We firstly review the uncertainty formulation for a pressure balance generated pressure involving correlation effects in terms of an implicit multivariate matrix equation approach and then utilizing the resulting solution present the methodology to consistently perform the uncertainty analysis forλandA0.

Brahma Rasayana enhances in vivo antioxidant status in cold-stressed chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus)

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the antioxidant status of chicken during cold stress and to investigate if there are any beneficial effects of Brahma Rasayana supplementation in cold stressed chicken.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Activities of enzymatic and levels of non-enzymatic antioxidants in blood / serum and liver tissue were evaluated in chicken exposed to cold (4 +/- 10C and relative humidity of 40 +/- 5%, for six consecutive hours daily, for 5 or 10 days). The antioxidant properties of Brahma Rasayana (BR) supplementation (2 g/kg daily, orally) during cold stress was also studied.

RESULTS

There was a significant (P < 0.05) decrease in antioxidant enzyme in the blood, such as, superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPX), glutathione reductase (GR), and serum reduced glutathione (GSH) in cold stressed chicken. Serum and liver lipid peroxidation levels were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in cold stressed untreated chickens when compared to the treated and unstressed groups. There was also a significant (P < 0.05) increase in the antioxidant enzymes in the blood, such as, catalase (CAT) and SOD, in the liver CAT and SOD, and in GPX and GR in BR-treated cold stressed chicken, when compared to the untreated controls.

CONCLUSIONS

Results of the present study conclude that in chicken, BR supplementation during cold stress brings about enhanced actions of the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, which nullify the undesired side effects of free radicals generated during cold stress.

Effect of Abrin on Cell-Mediated Immune Responses in Mice

Effect of abrin isolated from Abrus precatorius on the cellular immune responses was studied in normal as well as tumor-bearing animals. Administration of abrin was found to enhance the proliferation of splenocytes and thymocytes (lymphocytes in general) in responses to mitogens. Natural killer cell activity was enhanced significantly by abrin in both the normal (49.8% cell lysis on day 9) and the tumor-bearing group (51.7% cell lysis on day 9), and it was found to be earlier than the control. Antibody dependent cellular cytotoxicity was enhanced in the abrin treated tumor-bearing group on the ninth day (44% cell lysis). An early antibody dependent complement mediated cytotoxicity was observed in the abrin treated group on day 15 (27.6% cell lysis). Results of our present study suggest the immunomodulatory property of abrin.

Regulation of Caspase-3 and Bcl-2 Expression in Dalton's Lymphoma Ascites Cells by Abrin

The role of abrin, a toxic lectin isolated from seeds of Abrus precatorius Linn in inducing apoptosis in murine Dalton's Lymphoma Ascites (DLA) cells was evaluated. Abrin when incubated at the concentration of 10 ng per million DLA cells could bring about cell death as typical morphological changes with apoptosis. However, necrotic cell death dominated when a higher dose of abrin was used. DNA samples, isolated from DLA cells treated with abrin showed fragmentation. Abrin brought about induction of apoptosis by stimulating the expression of pro-apoptotic Caspase-3, at the same time blocking the expression of Bcl-2, which is an anti apoptotic gene. However, the expression of tumor suppressor gene p53 has not been observed in control and abrin-treated DLA cells. Results suggested that abrin effectively induced apoptotic changes in the tumor cells that led to cellular death.

Immunopotentiating activity of abrin, a lectin from Abrus precatorius Linn

A non-toxic dose of abrin, (1.25 microg/kg body wt) consecutively for five days in normal mice stimulated specific humoral responses. A noticeable increase was observed in total leucocyte count, lymphocytosis, weights of spleen and thymus, circulating antibody titre, antibody forming cells, bone marrow cellularity and alpha-esterase positive bone marrow cells. The results suggest that abrin can potentiate the humoral immune response of the host.

Serum profile of calcium, phosphorus and magnesium in crossbred heifers as influenced by gestation and early lactation

The serum profile of certain macroelements such as calcium, inorganic phosphorus and magnesium of healthy crossbred heifers in Kerala were estimated before and after conception, at different stages of pregnancy and early lactation. The serum concentration of calcium showed a decreasing trend during second trimester of pregnancy which attained significantly lower (P < 0.01) value (5.57 mg/dl) when compared to controls. By the ninth month of pregnancy calcium level was elevated. The serum phosphorus level was significantly higher (P < 0.01) during the fifth month of pregnancy (8.29 mg/dl) when compared to controls and then it was decreased by the 9th month of pregnancy. The serum magnesium level showed an increasing tendency to attain a peak value (2.55 mg/dl) by the 9th month of pregnancy which was significantly higher (P < 0.01) when compared to the control. During the period of study no production diseases were encountered in the animals screened which indicated that the serum calcium, phosphorus and magnesium profile of these animals were at the optimum level.

Antitumour effect of abrin on transplanted tumours in mice

Abrin, a galactose specific lectin was purified using sepharose 4B affinity column from seeds of Abrus precatorius. It exhibited antitumour activity in mice when used at a sublethal dose of 7.5 micrograms/kg every alternate day for 10 days. Both intralesional and intraperiloneal (i.p.) administration of abrin was effective in reducing solid tumour mass development induced by Dalton's Lymphoma Ascites (DLA) and Ehrlich's Ascites Carcinoma (EAC) cells. DLA cell line was more sensitive to abrin than EAC. Abrin when injected i.p. increased the life span of ascites tumour bearing mice. Abrin when used simultaneously with tumour cells brought about maximum antitumour effect. On developed tumour masses, abrin administration brought about significant reduction in tumour volume, especially in DLA induced tumours. Prophylactic administration of abrin was found ineffective.

Assessment of physiological stress in periparturient cows and neonatal calves

Pregnancy is considered to be one of the physiological stressors. The stress hormone, cortisol is significantly involved in various events during periparturient period including initiation of parturition. The study was conducted to estimate the serum cortisol concentration in cows and the neonatal calves in order to correlate the effect of cortisol on certain haematological and biochemical parameters such as blood glucose level (BGL), total plasma protein (TPP), lymphocyte:neutrophil ratio and mitogen induced lymphocyte proliferative response. Blood samples were collected from six cows in four periods, namely., 3 days prior to parturition, on the day of parturition, and 7 days after parturition. Blood samples were also collected from neonatal calves in the period 0, 7 and 14 days of age. Calves above two months of age and non-pregnant dry cows were considered as the controls. The serum cortisol concentration in cows on the day of parturition was significantly higher (P < 0.01) than controls and the value in calves was also significantly higher (P < 0.01) at 0 day than their controls. On the day of parturition BGL level of the dam and calves were significantly higher (P < 0.01), whereas the proliferative response of lymphocytes to mitogen was significantly lower (P < 0.01) than controls. However TPP levels did not differ significantly. This confirmed that the dam at the time of parturition and neonatal calf before taking colostrum are under a high risk of infection because of the low profile of immune status. The lymphocyte:neutrophil ratio also justified the above suggestion.

Specificity analysis of sera from breast cancer patients vaccinated with MUC1-KLH plus QS-21

The mucin MUC1 is expressed on breast cancers in an underglycosylated form compared to normal tissues and is therefore a potential target for cancer immunotherapy. MUC1 contains multiple tandem repeats of the 20 amino acid (aa) peptide (VTSAPDTRPAPGSTAPPAHG). The APDTRPA epitope is particularly immunogenic since it is recognized by a variety of murine monoclonal antibodies and by some sera and cytotoxic T-cells from unimmunized patients with epithelial cancers. We have prepared a 30 aa peptide (C)VTSAPDTRPAPGSTAPPAHGVTSAPDTRPA with cysteine at the N-terminal end, and used the cysteine for chemical conjugation to keyhole limpet haemocyanin (KLH). Six breast cancer patients immunized with this conjugate plus the immunological adjuvant QS-21 have all produced high titre (by ELISA) IgG and IgM antibodies against the 30 aa MUC1 peptide, but these sera reacted moderately, or not at all, with MUC1-positive tumour cells. To understand this specificity better, we prepared a series of smaller peptides to determine the epitopes recognized by these immune sera in inhibition assays. Only peptides containing APDTRPA at the C-terminal end were able to completely inhibit ELISA reactivity for the full 30 aa peptide. No sera were completely inhibited by APDTR, APDTRP, PDTRPA or any other peptides that did not contain the full APDTRPA epitope. Remarkably, sera from all six patients recognized this same epitope and were completely inhibited by only this epitope. The specificity of these sera (1) primarily for C-terminal APDTRPA, and the absence of this epitope at the C-terminal end of any tumour mucins, and (2) the N-terminal APDTRPA alanine, which is normally buried in the β turn MUC1 assumes in its secondary structure may explain the moderate to weak reactivity of these high titer sera against MUC1-positive tumour cells. © 1999 Cancer Research Campaign

Specificity analysis of sera from breast cancer patients vaccinated with MUC1-KLH plus QS-21

The mucin MUC1 is expressed on breast cancers in an underglycosylated form compared to normal tissues and is therefore a potential target for cancer immunotherapy. MUC1 contains multiple tandem repeats of the 20 amino acid (aa) peptide (VTSAPDTRPAPGSTAPPAHG). The APDTRPA epitope is particularly immunogenic since it is recognized by a variety of murine monoclonal antibodies and by some sera and cytotoxic T-cells from unimmunized patients with epithelial cancers. We have prepared a 30 aa peptide (C)VTSAPDTRPAPGSTAPPAHGVTSAPDTRPA with cysteine at the N-terminal end, and used the cysteine for chemical conjugation to keyhole limpet haemocyanin (KLH). Six breast cancer patients immunized with this conjugate plus the immunological adjuvant QS-21 have all produced high titre (by ELISA) IgG and IgM antibodies against the 30 aa MUC1 peptide, but these sera reacted moderately, or not at all, with MUC1-positive tumour cells. To understand this specificity better, we prepared a series of smaller peptides to determine the epitopes recognized by these immune sera in inhibition assays. Only peptides containing APDTRPA at the C-terminal end were able to completely inhibit ELISA reactivity for the full 30 aa peptide. No sera were completely inhibited by APDTR, APDTRP, PDTRPA or any other peptides that did not contain the full APDTRPA epitope. Remarkably, sera from all six patients recognized this same epitope and were completely inhibited by only this epitope. The specificity of these sera (1) primarily for C-terminal APDTRPA, and the absence of this epitope at the C-terminal end of any tumour mucins, and (2) the N-terminal APDTRPA alanine, which is normally buried in the beta turn MUC1 assumes in its secondary structure may explain the moderate to weak reactivity of these high titer sera against MUC1-positive tumour cells.