Toxicity of Fusarium solani Strains on Brine Shrimp (Artemia salina)

Discovery of anticancer drugs that must kill or disable tumor cells in the presence of normal cells without undue toxicity is an extraordinary challenge. Cytotoxicity of plant or fungal materials is considered as the presence of antitumor compounds. Brine shrimp lethality for larvae （nauplii） is used as prescreening test for the antitumor compounds. In this study, culture filtrates of eight strains of Fusarium solani isolated from seeds of various crops were tested for the toxic effect on brine shrimp. Five of the strains （TS, S-29, B-17, C-10, W-5） showed highest toxic effect and three of the strains （SR, T-9, L-25） showed low toxic activity on brine shrimp. Toxic activity reduced when culture filtrates were diluted. However, F. solani strains TS, B-17, SR, T-9 and L-25 caused more than 30% mortality at 1：10 dilution. Toxic activity was slightly reduced when the filtrates were neutralized with sodium hydroxide indicating possible role of pH of culture filtrate on toxicity. Lyophilized filtrates of these strains showed less activity as compared to un-lyophilized filtrates, n-Hexane soluble fraction was obtained only in three strains which showed mild toxicity whereas chloroform soluble fraction was obtained in negligible quantity and could not further be proceeded. Toxic effect of these strains showed variation from strain to strain. Compounds from F. solani could be exploited for the development of toxic compounds.

Effects of Spur Dyke's Orientation on Bed Variation in Channel Bend

Spur dykes also known as Groynes are often used to either divert or attract the flow from the main structure to safeguard their life.Those structures may be bridge piers,abutments or any similar hydraulics structures.Spur dykes are also used to save the cutting of banks on concave side of stream.Lots of work have been done in recent past on spur dykes by many investigators in which various hydraulic and geometrical parameters of spur dykes such as discharge,sediment size,flow velocity,shear stress,spur dykes shape,size and submergence etc.are studied in detail.But mostly all the studies were pointed out in straight open channels.Very few studies were done in curved channel and only their similar effects were studied.In present thesis main emphasis is given to study the effect of orientation and location of spur dykes in meandering channel on the bed of downstream side.In the present study experimental work has been carried out in 80°bend and constant discharge(Q=4.5 l/s)is allowed to pass in channel without spur dyke.It is found that maximum scouring occurs at angular displacementθ=60°to 80°in the vicinity of outer bank.To minimize this scouring,spur dyke has been installed at angular displacementθ=20°,40°&60°by changing the dyke angleα=60°,90°&120°respectively.It is found that scouring atθ=60°is reduced by installing spur dyke at angular displacementθ=40°which is oriented atα=60°and scouring atθ=80°is reduced by installing spur dyke at angular displacementθ=60°which is oriented atα=60°.

Effect of Mutual Interference of Bridge Piers on Scouring in Meandering Channel

Local scour is the reduction of original bed level around any hydraulic structure.Bridge failure due to scouring has made researchers study the cause of scouring and predict the scour depth and pattern around bridge piers and foundations.Several investigators have extensively studied local scour around isolated bridge pier,but modern designs of the bridges comprise of wide span and thus group of piers rather than a single pier.The flow and scour pattern around group of piers are different from the case of a single pier due to the interaction effect.The objective of present study is to investigate the effect of mutual interference of bridge piers on local scour experimentally around two piers in non-cohesive bed.Experiments were carried out on model bridge piers of circular cross section in a meandering channel.It was observed that when front and rear piers were placed at an angular displacement ofθ=40°and 80°respectively,maximum depth of scour is maximum.Hereθis the angle the line drawn at the inlet of bend to the line joining the centre of curvature and any point on the outer portion of the bend.

Mass cytometry uncovers a distinct peripheral immune profile and upregulated CD38 expression in patients with hidradenitis suppurativa

Hidradenitis suppurativa(HS)is a chronic inflammatory skin disease with a worldwide prevalence of 0.3–4.0%,wherein abscesses and dermal sinus tracts form in intertriginous skin[1].HS remains poorly treated due to a lack of knowledge regarding its immunopathogenesis[2].

Hepatoprotective potential of three sargassum species from Karachi coast against carbon tetrachloride and acetaminophen intoxication

Objective:To assess the hepatoprotective effect of ethanol extracts of Sargassum variegatum(S.variegatum),Sargassum tenerrimum(S.tenerrimum)and Sargassum binderi occurring at Karachi coast against carbon tetrachloride(CCl_(4))and acetaminophen intoxication in rats.Methods:Sargassum species were collected at low tide from Buleji beach at Karachi coast.Effect of ethanol extracts of Sargassum spp.,on lipid parameter,serum glucose and kidney function was examined.Liver damage in rats was induced by CCl_(4) or acetaminophen.Rats were administered with ethanol extracts of S.tenerrimum,S.variegatum and Sargassum binderi at 200 mg/kg body weight daily for 14 days separately.Hepatotoxicity was determined in terms of cardiac and liver enzymes and other biochemical parameters.Results:S.variegatum showed highest activity by reducing the elevated level of hepatic enzymes,bilirubin,serum glucose,triglyceride with restoration of cholesterol.Urea and creatinine concentrations were also significantly(P<0.05)reduced as compared to acetaminophen intoxicated rats.S.tenerrimum and S.variegatum showed moderate activity against CCl_(4) hepatic toxicity.Conclusions:The protective role of S.variegatum against acetaminophen liver damage and its positive impact on disturbed lipid,glucose metabolism,kidney dysfunction and S.tenerrimum against CCl_(4) liver toxicity suggest that Sargassum species offer a non-chemical means for the treatment of toxicity mediated liver damage.