Biochemical Changes Associated with Germinating Rice Grains and Germination Improvement

To determine biochemical changes during the germination of rice grains （Oryza sativa L. subsp, indica var. Mottaikaruppan） and to improve germination rate using gibberellic acid and surfactants [sodium dodecyl sulfate （SDS） （1.0 g/L） and Triton-X-100 （1.0 mL/L）], whole rice grains soaked in distilled water for 12 h at 30℃were germinated in the dark at 30℃ for five days. The highest germination rate （77.1%） was obtained on the 5th day. An increase in the content of reducing sugars from 7.3 to 58.1 mg/g DM （dry matter） was observed from the 1st day of germination. Free amino acids and soluble protein contents increased to 3.69 and 5.29 mg/g DM, respectively on the 5^th day of germination. Total protein content decreased from 100.5 to 91.0 g/kg DM during germination. Increases in amylolytic （1.1 to 190.0 U/g DM） and proteolytic （0 to 0.12 U/g DM） activities were observed during germination. Effects of different concentrations of gibberellic acid on the germination of rice grains were evaluated and 0.1 g/L was found to promote germination. When effects of gibberellic acid （0.1 g/L） and surfactants were evaluated individually and together, higher germination rate was observed in the control experiment （grains germinated in distilled water）, whereas giberellic acid and surfactants decreased the germination rate. Therefore, the flour obtained from the grains germinated for four days using distilled water to obtain high content of soluble materials and enzyme activities can be used in preparation of bakery items.

Vitamin E ameliorates aflatoxin-induced biochemical changes in the testis of mice

Aim: To assess the effect of aflatoxin on biochemical changes in the testis of mice and the possibility of ameliorationby vitamin E treatment. Methods: Adult male albino mice were orally administered with 25 or 50μg of aflatoxin/animal/day (750 or 1500 μg/kg body weight) for 45 days. The testis was isolated and processed for biochemical anal-ysis. Results; There was a significant, dose-dependent reduction in DNA, RNA, protein, sialic acid contents andthe activities of succinic dehydrogenase, adenosine triphosphatase and alkaline phosphatase in the testis of aflatoxin-treated mice as compared to the vehicle control. However, the acid phosphatase activity was significantly increased inthe aflatoxin-treated mice. Vitamin E (2 mg/animal/day) treatment significantly ameliorated the aflatoxin-inducedchanges, except the acid and alkaline phosphatase activities in the high dose group. Conclusion; Vitamin E treat-ment ameliorates the aflatoxin-induced changes in the testis of mice. (Asian J Androl 2001 Dec; 3: 305 - 309)

Effect of desiccation on viability and biochemical changes in Knema attenuata seeds

We studied effect of desiccation on Knema attenuata seeds in the laboratory conditions （28 ± 2℃） for 8 days. We also monitored biochemical changes during germination by following standard procedures. Seeds lost their viability in 8 days by decreasing to 18% of moisture content from its original value of 31%. The total sugar, protein and lipid contents decreased during seed ageing. An increase was noticed in the protease activity during desiccation. The phenolic content in seed exudates was increased during ageing. The result confirms the degradation of stored biomolecules in seeds during ageing. Desiccation sensitiv- ity and biochemical changes during dehydration confirm its recalcitrant nature.

Dust-Holding Capacity and Bio-Chemical Changes of Plant Species Growing in an Around Opencast Mining Area of Bundelkhand Region of Uttar Pradesh, India

The present study has been carried out on a total of 50 available plant species to assess their dust-capturing capacity and biochemical performances in and around open cast granite mine areas of Jhansi district and Bundelkhand University campus treated as control site. Plant species existing under a polluted environment for a long time may be considered as potentially resistant species and recommended for green belt design in mining areas, especially to cope with dust pollution. Results showed the pollution level, especially of mining-originated dust particles holding capacity of leaves and effects of different biochemical parameters (Total Chlorophyll, Protein and Carotenoid) of existing plant species both from mining areas as well as from Bundelkhand University campus. Based on their performances, Tectona grandis L., Ficus hispida L., Calotropis procera Aiton., Butea monosperma Lam. and Ficus benghalensis L., etc. are highly tolerant species while Ficus infectoria L., Artocarpus heterophyllus Lam., Ipomoea purpurea L., Allianthus excelsa Roxb. and Bauhinia variegata L. are intermediate tolerant species. T. grandis had shown the highest dust-holding capacity (2.566 ± 0.0004 mg/cm2) whereas Albizia procera (0.018 ± 0.0002 mg/cm2) was found to be the lowest dust-holding capacity. Our findings also showed that the T. grandis and F. hispida have significant dust deposition with minimal effect of dust on their leaf chlorophyll (17.447 ± 0.019 mg/g and 14.703 ± 0.201 mg/g), protein (0.699 ± 0.001 mg/g and 0.604 ± 0.002 mg/g) and carotenoid (0.372 ± 0.003 mg/g and 0.354 ± 0.003 mg/g) content respectively among all selected plant species. Therefore, in the present investigation, plant species with high tolerance to high dust-holding capacity on their leaf surfaces are preferable for green corridors as open cast granite mines and their adjacent areas.

Biochemical and Morphological Changes in the Lenses of Selenium and/or Vitamin E Deficient Rats

The activities of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione reductase (GSSG-R),superoalde dismutase (SOD) and the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA) and free radicals were measured, and the morphological changes were observed in the lens of control rats, selenium-deficient (SeD) and/or vitamin E deficient (VED) rats. The activities of GSH-Px in the lens of SeD rats decreased significantly. The GSH-Px activities of lens were positively related to erythrocytes selenium level. There was a free radical at g = 2.0015 in the rat lens of all groupe, but the content of free radicals in the lens of SeD group was significantly higher than that of the control group. The free radical content of lens was negatively related to erythrocytes selenium level, as well as the GSH-Px activities in the lens. In vitro, ultraviolet radiation caused the generation of another kind of free radical (g = 2.0097) in the lens of all groups, but the amount of the free radical in the lens of the SeD group was also significantly higher than that of the control group. The activities of SoD and GSSG-R in VED rat lens were significantly decreased. The amount of MDA in the lens of SeD and/or VED rats were significantly increased. The results showed that the decrease of antioaldative capability in the lenses of SeD and/or VED rats accelerated the lipid peroxidation and generation of free radicals. Although only early morphological changes in SeD and/or VED rat lens were observed, it is considered that selenium and vitamin E deficiency may be involved in the occurrence of cataract

Acute Toxicity of Methyl Isocyanate in Mammals. IV Biochemical and Hematological Changes in Rabbits

Subcutaneous administration of methyl isocyanate (MIC) in 0.5 LDso and 1.0 LD50 to female rabbits resulted in significant increases of hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit and leukocyte count in blood, as well as plasma total proteins, urea and cholesterol. A significant decrease in plasma albumin level was only observed in the 1.0 LD50 group. Urine of MIC intoxicated animals showed presence of protein, bilirubin, elevated urea and urobilinogen, while urine volume was reduced. The hematological and biochemical changes induced by MIC are perhaps the result of fluid loss from the vascular compartment as evidenced by the histopathological observations. This study further substantiates the view that acute toxicity of MIC is mediated in vivo by its effects on vascular beds.

Changes of biochemical indexes in patients with acute cerebral infarction after treatment with simvastatin

BACKGROUND: At present, it is believed that the important causes of cerebral infarction are the disorders of lipid metabolism and endothelial function, and the outcomes of clinical treatment can be improved by regulating serum lipids and antiinflammation, etc. OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of simvastatin, inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase, on the levels of serum lipids, serum enzymic indexes and inflammatory metabolic indexes in patients with cerebral infarction. DESIGN: A comparative observation. SETTING: Department of Geriatrics, Longquanshan Hospital of Liuzhou City. PARTICIPANTS: Forty-eight patients with acute cerebral infarction were selected from the Department of Geriatrics of Longquanshan Hospital of Liuzhou from March 2004 to February 2006, including 24 males and 24 females, the mean age was (54±12) years, average disease course was (10.0±4.5) days. They were all accorded with the diagnostic standard for cerebral infarction set by the Fourth National Academic Meeting for Cerebrovascular Disease in 1999, and cerebral hemorrhage was excluded by cranial CT scanning. The 48 patients were randomly divided into control group (n =24) and treatment group (n =24). Informed consents were obtained from all the participants. METHODS: ① All the patients were treated according to the symptoms, besides those in the treatment group were given simvastatin (Harbin Pharm. Group Sanjing Pharmaceutical Shareholding, Co.,Ltd., No. H20010454; Batch number: 20040218; 5 mg/tablet). The initial dosage was 10 mg per day for 4 weeks, and then increased to 30 mg per day for another 4 weeks. ② Before treatment and within 1 week after treatment, the total cholesterol, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), creatine kinase and C reactive protein in serum were determined with Beckman-cx7 automatic biochemical analytical apparatus in both groups. ③ The differences of intergroup and intragroup data were compared with the independent-samples t test and paired samples t test. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Changes of total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-C, LDL-C, AST, creatine kinase and C reactive protein before and treatment in both groups. RESULTS: All the 48 patients with cerebral infarction were involved in the analysis of results. ① Changes of serum lipids: The levels of serum lipids were close between the two groups before treatment (P > 0.05). After treatment, the HDL-C level in the treatment group was obviously higher than that in the control group and that before treatment [(1.34±0.12), (0.92±0.33), (0.93±0.21) mmol/L, t =7.922, 11.699, P < 0.01], and the levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL-C were obviously lower than those in the control group and those before treatment (t =2.780-7.591, P < 0.01). ② Changes of serum enzymic indexes and C reactive protein in serum: The levels of enzymes and C reactive protein in serum had no obvious differences between the two groups before treatment (P > 0.05). The levels of AST, creatine kinase and C reactive protein in serum after treatment were obviously lower than those before treatment in both groups (t =7.259-17.996, P < 0.01). The levels of levels of creatine kinase and C reactive protein in serum after treatment in the treatment group were obviously lower than those in the control group [(3.061±0.522) μkat/L, (4.6±3.1) mg/L; (4.348±0.580) μkat/L, (12.3±4.8) mg/L, t =7.910, 6.463, P < 0.01]. CONCLUSION: Compared with common treatment according to symptoms, the additional administration of simvastatin is better for improving the serum lipids, serum enzymic indexes of patients with cerebral infarction at acute period, and benefit for repairing their inflammatory damages.

Screening of Drought-tolerant Brassica napus L.Varieties and Analysis on Their Physiologic and Biochemical Variations under Drought Stress

[Objective] The aim of this study was to screen drought-tolerant Brassica napus L. germplasm resources by analyzing their physiological and biochemical changes under drought stress. [Method] Forty varieties of B. napus varieties were cultured under PEG-6000 osmotic stress and extreme drought stress in pots, re- spectively. Then, the contents of chlorophyll, carotenoid, proline, malondialdehyde （MDA）, soluble sugar, soluble protein, and the activities of superoxide dismutase （SOD）, catalase（CAT）, peroxidase（POD） were measured under drought stress. [Result] Sever- al drought-tolerant varieties of B. napus were screened out： YAU200908, Xiangyou No.15, YAU200903, YAU200907, YAU200906 and YAU200904. Physiological and biochemical analysis showed that, the contents of chlorophyll and carotenoid de- creased with drought stress increasing; the contents of proline, soluble sugar, solu- ble protein, MDA and the activities of SOD,CAT, POD raised with drought stress in- creasing. [Conclusion] In the rapeseed varieties with stronger drought tolerance, the decrease in carotenoid content and the increase in proline content, soluble sugar content, MDA content, SOD activity, CAT activity were more obvious, so all these physiological and biochemical indices can be used to evaluate the drought tolerance of rapeseed.

Therapeutic Potential of Neem Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles on Human Gastric Cancer Cells in Vitro

Nanotechnology has shown significant promise in development of drugs and drug delivery systems that can overcome all limitations and address urgent needs to improve efficacy of diagnosis and therapy of various diseases including cancer. The functionalization with neem compounds as synthesis and capping agent had shown very high anticancer activities against Gastric cancer cells in vitro. The biochemical factors like albumin, glucose, and DNA concentrations were modulated along with Protease inhibitor and Catalase activates, the various cancer specific proteins like p53, GRD 70 - 78 kDa and other proteins of sizes 35 - 40 kDa corresponding to H+K+ATPase protein etc. The apoptic activity and antiproliferative activity were demonstrated with Gastric cancer cells in vitro.

COVID-19 impact on the liver

The coronavirus disease 2019(COVID-19)pandemic imposed arestructuring of global health systems by rethinking spaces used for the care of these patients and the additions of intensive care,infectious diseases and pneumology departments.This paper provides evidence on the presence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 in hepatocytes and its direct cytopathic activity,as well as the degree of liver damage due to drug toxicity,inflammation and hypoxia in COVID-19.A review of clinical trials has quantified liver damage through both pathology and biochemistry studies.Additionally,we briefly present the results of a study conducted in our clinic on 849 patients admitted for COVID-19 treatment,of which 31 patients had pre-existing chronic liver disease and 388 patients had values above the normal limit for alanine aminotransferase,aspartate aminotransferase,and total bilirubin.It was observed that patients with abnormal liver tests were significantly statistically older,had more comorbidities and had a higher percentage of unfavourable evolution(death or transfer to intensive care).The conclusion of this paper is that the main causes of liver damage are direct viral aggression,coagulation dysfunction and endothelial damage,and patients with impaired liver function develop more severe forms of COVID-19 which requires special care by a multidisciplinary team that includes a hepatologist.

Genotoxic and Histopathological Effects of Water Pollution on <i>Clarias gariepinus</i>Fish at Fayoum Governorate, Egypt

Increasing land reclamation in El-Fayoum governorate has led to increase the amount of drainage water that discharged without prior treatments to two main drains, El-Wadi and El-Bats drainages loaded by salts and heavy metals. So, the present investigation aims to evaluate quality of water samples collected from a branch of the river Nile (El-Lahon canal) and the main drains (El-Bats and El-Wadi) at Fayoum governorate on some biomarkers of the Nile catfish;Clarias gariepinus inhabiting the studied degradable aquatic habitats. Water and nighty fish samples colleted from the different studied sites of collection by the help of fishermen for physicochemical analyes of water and fish biochemical analyses and histopathological alteration. Results revealed highly significant differences at P ≤ 0.01 with the highest water ammonia, nitrite, heavy metals (Cu, Zn, Pb and Cd) and lowest dissolved oxygen content accompanied by metals bioaccumulation in vital organs of fish collected from the main drains (El-Bats and El-Wadi) in comparision with that collected from the studied branch of the river Nile. Higher bioaccumulation of the studied heavy metals in gills, liver, kidney and muscles of Clarias gariepinus collected from the main drains significant increase in serum glucose, liver and kidney functions, disturbance in protein profile of fish collected from the studied main drains than that of fish collected from the river Nile branch, El-Lahon that showed more or less normal values. Moreover, histopathological alterations in gills, liver, kidneys and clear DNA strand breaks in fish liver cells increased statistically in Clarias gariepinus collected from El-Fayoum drainage canals. Generally, the results highlights on the importance of taking action through the responsible authorities towards quality of the drainage water that fed fish farms by law that could play a role as a main source of protein for human beings.

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi for salinity stress: Anti-stress role and mechanisms

Salinity stress is considered one of the most harmful environmental plant stresses,as it reduces irrigated land crop production by over 20%worldwide.Hence,it is imperative to develop salt-tolerant crops in addition to understanding various mechanisms enabling plant growth under saline stress conditions.Recently,a novel biological approach that aims to address salinity stress has gained momentum,which involves the use of arbuscular mycorrhizal(AM)fungi in plant-microbe interactions.It has been observed that most terrestrial plant root systems are colonized by AM fungi,which modulate plant growth in multiple ways.In such interactions,AM fungi obtain organic compounds from the host plant while providing mineral nutrients,including nitrogen,phosphorus,potassium,calcium,and sulfur,to the host plant.Over recent decades,our understanding of the multifunctional roles played by AM fungi has been broadened and advanced,particularly regarding the mediation of mineral nutrients and the alleviation of stress(especially salt stress)in most crop plants.Increased uptake of phosphorus and augmented tolerance to salinity result in enhanced plant growth and yield.The evident anti-stress role of AM fungi and related mechanisms have been described separately,though they need to be analyzed and discussed together.Therefore,the present review addresses the major role of AM fungi in mitigating salt stress and their beneficial effects on plant growth and productivity.The mechanisms employed by AM fungi to amplify the salt tolerance of host plants by increased nutrient accession(e.g.,phosphorus,nitrogen,and calcium),physiological changes(e.g.,photosynthetic efficiency,cell membrane permeability,water status,and nitrogen fixation),and biochemical changes(e.g.,the accumulation of different osmolytes such as proline and soluble sugars)are also discussed.Furthermore,this review highlights the role of AM fungi in the Na+/H+antiporters.In plants,AM fungi inoculation increases the activities of multiple antioxidant enzymes,including superoxide dismutase,catalase,and peroxidase,which scavenge reactive oxygen species and relieve salt stress.In addition,AM fungi regulate the Na+/K+ratio to maintain osmotic balance under salt stress.Further research is needed to gather in-depth knowledge about AM fungi-associated mechanisms to pave a way for the large-scale application of these fungal associations under saline stress conditions,with the main aim of building healthy,eco-friendly,cost-effective,and sustainable agricultural systems.