Inoculation of Chlorella and Food Waste Improves the Physio-Morphological Features of Red Pepper by Regulating Activating Antioxidant Defense System

Food waste is recognized as a valuable source for potential agricultural applications to supply organic matter and nutrients to arable soil.However,the information on the combined application of food waste and the plant growth-promoting bacterial strain,Chlorella,related to plant metabolic features and sodium chloride content in arable soil is limited.The present study was conducted to investigate the exogenous application of food waste along with Chlorella,which improved the physio-morphological features of red pepper.Our results revealed that this combination enhanced the organic matter in the soil,ultimately improving the fertility rate of the soil,and the physio-morphological features,such as chlorophyll a content(24.5±0.7),root(7.8±0.7)cm and shoot length(12.1±0.7)cm,fresh weight(2.1±0.05)g,dry weight(0.19±0.05)g,mineral contents,and hormonal concentration(ABA by up to 2 folds).The combined treatment also minimized free radicals via the activation of the intrinsic antioxidant series cascade and electrolyte leakage.Our findings showed that adding Chlorella and food wastes improved growth characteristics and can be used as a green bio-fertilizer for sustainable agriculture.

Characterization of phenanthrene degradation by strain Polyporus sp. S133

Polyporus sp. S133, a fungus collected from contaminated soil, was used to degrade phenanthrene, a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon, in a mineral salt broth liquid culture. A maximal degradation rate （92%） was obtained when Polyporus sp. S133 was cultured for 30 days with agitation at 120 r/min, as compared to 44% degradation in non-agitated cultures. Furthermore, the degradation was affected by the addition of surfactants. Tween 80 was the most suitable surfactant for the degradation of phenanthrene by Polyporus sp. S 133. The degradation rate increased as the amount of Tween 80 added increased. The rate in agitated cultures was about 2 times that in non-agitated cultures. The mechanism of degradation was determined through the identification of metabolites; 9,10-phenanthrenequinone, 2,2＇-diphenic acid, phthalic acid, and protocatechuic acid. Several enzymes （manganese peroxidase, lignin peroxidase, laccase, 1,2-dioxygenase and 2,3-dioxygenase） produced by Polyporus sp. S133 were detected during the incubation. The highest level of activity was shown by 1,2-dioxygenase （187.4 U/L） after 20 days of culture.

Antioxidant and α-glucosidase inhibitor activities of natural compounds isolated from Quercus gilva Blume leaves

Objective: To isolate and investigate antioxidant and α-glucosidase inhibitor compounds in the leaves of Quercus gilva Blume(Q. gilva).Methods: Dry leaves of Q. gilva were extracted with methanol and the methanolic extract was further separated by silica gel column chromatography using several solvents with increasing polarity. The antioxidant activities of the isolated compounds were evaluated using various in vitro assays: 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging activity, hydrogen peroxide radical scavenging activity, β-carotene bleaching assay, and reducing power assay. The α-glucosidase inhibitory assay was conducted against α-glucosidase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae.Results: Three compounds were isolated and their structures were identii ed as catechin(1), epicatechin(2), and tiliroside(3) using an instrumental analysis. Compound 2 had higher antioxidant activity with inhibitory concentrations(IC50) of(22.55 ± 2.23) μmol/L than that of quercetin, which was used as the standard, with an IC50 of(28.08 ± 2.39) μmol/L, followed by compound 1 with IC50 of(40.86 ± 3.45) μmol/L. On the other hand, compound 3 had the lowest antioxidant activity with an IC50 of(160.24 ± 8.15) μmol/L. However, compound 3 had the highest α-glucosidase inhibitory activity with an IC50 of(28.36 ± 0.11) μmol/L, followed by compounds 1 and 2 with(168.60 ± 5.15) and(920.60 ± 10.10) μmol/L, respectively.Conclusions: The results obtained for the antioxidant activities and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities in a methanolic extract from the leaves of Q. gilva coni rmed the potential of this plant as a source of natural antioxidants and antidiabetic medicine.

Bioactive constituents from the leaves of Quercus phillyraeoides A.Gray for-glucosidase inhibitor activity with concurrent antioxidant activity

Severalα-glucosidase inhibitory constituents were isolated from the methanolic extract of the leaves of Quercus phillyraeoides A.Gray(Q.phillyraeoides)using a bioassay-guided fractionation technique.Further separation and purification of the methanol-soluble fraction led to the isolation of constituents with moderate and strong inhibitory activities againstα-glucosidase:α-sitosterol-d-glucoside(1)and condensed tannin fractions(2,3,4,5,and 6).Compound 1 and fractions 2-6 had inhibitory concentration(IC50)values againstm-glucosidase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae of 118.8,2.79,2.78,3.10,2.60,and 3.14μg/mL,respectively,while quercetin as the standard had an IC50 value of 4.80mg/mL.Furthermore,the significant antioxidant activities were evaluated using several assays,such as the DPPH radical scavenging,hydrogen peroxide radical scavenging,reducing power,andβ-carotene-linoleate bleaching assays,and the results suggested that the isolated constituents showed their possible application for treating the hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress.The results of the present study showed the potential of Q.phillyraeoides as a rich source of natural antidiabetic medicine.

Artificial rearing influences the morphology,permeability and redox state of the gastrointestinal tract of low and normal birth weight piglets

Background： In this study the physiological implications of artificial rearing were investigated. Low（LBW） and normal birth weight（NBW） piglets were compared as they might react differently to stressors caused by artificial rearing. In total, 42 pairs of LBW and NBW piglets from 16 litters suckled the sow until d19 of age or were artificially reared starting at d3 until d19 of age. Blood and tissue samples that were collected after euthanasia at 0, 3, 5, 8 and 19 d of age. Histology, ELISA, and Ussing chamber analysis were used to study proximal and distal small intestine histomorphology, proliferation, apoptosis, tight junction protein expression, and permeability. Furthermore, small intestine,liver and systemic redox parameters（GSH, GSSG, GSH-Px and MDA） were investigated using HPLC.Results： LBW and NBW artificially reared piglets weighed respectively 40 and 33% more than LBW and NBW sowreared piglets at d19（P 〈 0.01）. Transferring piglets to a nursery at d3 resulted in villus atrophy, increased intestinal FD-4 and HRP permeability and elevated GSSG/GSH ratio in the distal small intestine at d5（P 〈 0.05）. GSH concentrations in the proximal small intestine remained stable, while they decreased in the liver（P 〈 0.05）. From d5 until d19, villus width and crypt depth increased, whereas PCNA, caspase-3, occludin and claudin-3 protein expressions were reduced. GSH,GSSG and permeability recovered in artificially reared piglets（P 〈 0.05）.Conclusion： The results suggest that artificial rearing altered the morphology, permeability and redox state without compromising piglet performance. The observed effects were not depending on birth weight.

Mycotoxin binder improves growth rate in piglets associated with reduction of toll-like receptor-4 and increase of tight junction protein gene expression in gut mucosa

Background: Deoxynivalenol(DON) is a mycotoxin produced by Fusarium species in the field, commonly found in cereal grains, which negatively affects performances and health of animals. Mycotoxin binders are supposed to reduce the toxicity of mycotoxins.Method: The effect of a mycotoxin binder(containing acid-activated bentonite, clinoptilolite, yeast cell walls and organic acids) on growth performance and gut health was studied. Hundred and twenty weaning piglets were allocated to 4 treatments, with 5 pens of 6 piglets each, arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial design: control diet; control diet with 1 kg/t binder; control diet with DON; and control diet with DON and 1 kg/t binder. From d0–14,the diet of DON-challenged groups was artificially contaminated with a mixture of DON(2.6 mg/kg), 3-acetyldeoxynivalenol(0.1 mg/kg) and 15-acetyl-deoxynivalenol(0.3 mg/kg), after which the total contamination level was reduced to 1 mg/kg, until d37. On d14, one pig from each pen was euthanized and distal small intestinal mucosa samples were collected for the assessment of intestinal permeability, and gene expression of tight junction proteins, toll-like receptor 4, inflammatory cytokines and intestinal alkaline phosphatase.Results: After 37 d, there were no differences in growth performance between control and DON-challenged groups(P > 0.05). Nevertheless, groups that received diets with binder had a significantly higher average daily gain(ADG) and average daily feed intake(ADFI) for the first 14 d as well as for the whole period, compared to groups without binder(P ≤ 0.05). Groups with binder in the diet also exhibited lower expression of toll-like receptor 4 in distal small intestinal mucosa at d14, compared to groups without binder(P ≤ 0.05). Interestingly, comparing the two DON treatments, piglets fed DON and binder had significantly higher ADFI and ADG compared to those with only DON for the first 14-d(P ≤ 0.05). Addition of binder to DON contaminated diets, also down-regulated the gene expression of toll-like receptor 4(P ≤ 0.05) and increased m RNA level zona occludens 1(P ≤ 0.10) as compared to DON.Conclusions: The present data provide evidence that the binder improves growth rate in piglets associated with reduction of toll-like receptor-4 and increase of tight junction protein gene expression. However, the current study does not allow to assess whether the effects of the binder are mediated by alterations in the toxicokinetics of the mycotoxin.

Recent advances in targeted endoscopic imaging:Early detection of gastrointestinal neoplasms

Molecular imaging has emerged as a new discipline in gastrointestinal endoscopy.This technology encompasses modalities that can visualize disease-specific morphological or functional tissue changes based on the molecular signature of individual cells.Molecular imaging has several advantages including minimal damage to tissues,repetitive visualization,and utility for conducting quantitative analyses.Advancements in basic science coupled with endoscopy have made early detection of gastrointestinal cancer possible.Molecular imaging during gastrointestinal endoscopy requires thedevelopment of safe biomarkers and exogenous probes to detect molecular changes in cells with high specificity anda high signal-to-background ratio.Additionally,a high-resolution endoscope with an accurate wide-field viewing capability must be developed.Targeted endoscopic imaging is expected to improve early diagnosis and individual therapy of gastrointestinal cancer.

Antimicrobial and plant growth-promoting activities of bacterial endophytes isolated from Calotropis procera(Ait.)W.T.Aiton

Bacterial endophytes are beneficial to their hosts as they can fix nitrogen in the soil and make it available to the host.Endophytic bacteria also secrete plant growth-promoting hormones to support their host plants under normal as well as stress conditions.The current study aimed to isolate endophytic bacteria from different parts of Calotropis procera,i.e.,roots,stem and leaves of Calotropis procera(Ait.)W.T.Aiton.Plants were collected from the Lundkhwar,district Mardan.A total of 12 bacterial strains,i.e.,six from roots,three from the stem and three from the leaves were isolated.The strains were screened for their growth-promoting activity in rice plants because rice shows a quick and easy response to the bioactive compounds present in the culture filtrate(CF)of the potent endophytic strains.The rice plants were cultivated in pots containing 30 mL of 0.8%w/v water-agar medium.The pots were placed in a growth chamber,operated at 28±0.3℃ for 14 h(day);and 25±0.3℃ for 10 h(night),at 70%relative-humidity.Among the isolated strains,R1,S1,S3,L1,R5 and R6 showed visible growth promotion in rice plants.The biochemical analysis revealed that the strains were able to produce indole acetic acid(IAA)and flavonoids in higher quantities.Moreover,the strains also produced bioactive compounds that inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli and Aspergillus flavus using the well diffusion method.From the results,it was concluded that these strains can secrete potent compounds that can promote the host plant growth and inhibit the growth of pathogenic microorganisms and,therefore,can be used as bio-fertilizer and bio-control agents.

Whitening Effect of Storage Protein 2 from Silkworm Hemolymph

This study investigated the effects of silkworm hemolymph-derived storage protein 2 (SP2) on the whitening process in mouse B16F1 melanoma cells. After the cells were treated with various concentrations of SP2 (0.1 - 1.0 mg/mL), cytotoxicity, melanin contents, and differences in mRNA and protein expression associated with melanogenesis were observed. No cytotoxicity was observed when cells were treated with SP2, even with increased SP2 concentrations of up to 2.0 mg/mL. When treated with various SP2 concentrations in the cells, the protein and mRNA expression of tyrosinase were dose-dependently decreased, respectively, and inhibition of tyrosinase was further increased by 50.0% with increasing SP2 concentration of 1.0 mg/mL. Expression mRNAs coding tyrosinase related protein-1 and protein-2 (TRP-1 and TRP-2) was also significantly decreased in a dose dependent manner. When measuring the melanin content in melanoma cells, SP2 at 1 mg/mL inhibited melanin synthesis by 73.5% compared with non-treated cells. The inhibitory effect was 2.8-fold higher than that obtained using arbutin as a positive control. This study demonstrates that SP2, as a whitening material, is capable of suppressing melanin synthesis through the downregulation of proteins and genes in the melanin biosynthesis pathway.

Fermented liquid feed for pigs： an ancient technique for the future

Fermented liquid feed is feed that has been mixed with water at a ratio ranging from 1：1.5 to 1：4. By mixing with water lactic acid bacteria and yeasts naturally occurring in the feed proliferate and produce lactic acid, acetic acid and ethano which reduces the pH of the mixture. This reduction in pH inhibits pathogenic organisms from developing in the feed. In addition, when this low pH mixture is fed, it reduces the pH in the stomach of pigs and prevents the proliferation of pathogens such as coliforms and Salmonella in the gastrointestinal tract. For piglets, the use of fermented liquid feed offers the possibility of simultaneously providing feed and water, which may facilitate an easier transition from sow＇s milk to solid feed. Secondly, offering properly produced fermented liquid feed may strengthen the role of the stomach as the first line of defense against possible pathogenic infections by lowering the pH in the gastrointestinal tract thereby helping to exclude enteropathogens. Finally, feeding fermented liquid feed to pigs has been shown to improve the performance of suckling pigs, weaner pigs and growing-finishing pigs. In this review, current knowledge about the use of fermented liquid feed in pig diets will be discussed. This will include a discussion of the desirable properties of fermented liquid feed and factors affecting fermentation. In addition, advantages and disadvantages of fermented liquid feed will be discussed including its effects on gastrointestinal health, intestinal pH and the types of bacteria found in the gastrointestinal tract as well as the effects of fermented liquid feeds on pig performance.

Recent advances in photoacoustic endoscopy

Imaging based on photoacoustic effect relies on illuminating with short light pulses absorbed by tissue absorbers, resulting in thermoelastic expansion, giving rise to ultrasonic waves. The ultrasonic waves are then detected by detectors placed around the sample. Photoacoustic endoscopy(PAE) is one of four major implementations of photoacoustic tomography that have been developed recently. The prototype PAE was based on scanning mirror system that deflected both the light and the ultrasound. A recently developed mini-probe was further miniaturized, and enabled simultaneous photoacoustic and ultrasound imaging. This PAE-endoscopic ultrasound(EUS) system can offer high-resolution vasculature information in the gastrointestinal(GI) tract and display differences between optical and mechanical contrast compared with single-mode EUS. However, PAE for endoscopic GI imaging is still at the preclinical stage. In this commentary, we describe the technological improvements in PAE for possible clinical application in endoscopic GI imaging. In addition, we discuss thetechnical details of the ultrasonic transducer incorporated into the photoacoustic endoscopic probe.

Antioxidant compounds produced by Pseudocercospora sp.ESL 02,an endophytic fungus isolated from Elaeocarpus sylvestris

Objective: To isolate endophytic fungi from Elaeocarpus sylvestris(E. sylvestris) and to isolate antioxidant compounds from a potential source fungus.Methods: Endophytic fungi were isolated from fresh leaves and stems of E. sylvestris and identified based on DNA analysis. 1,1-Diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl(DPPH) radical scavenging activity was used to evaluate the antioxidant activity of the fungi. The potential antioxidant fungus was further studied to isolate antioxidant compounds. The isolated compounds were identified by melting point analysis, optical rotation, spectral analysis using a UV spectrophotometer, high resolution fast atom bombardment mass spectrometry, X-ray crystallography analysis,~1H nuclear magnetic resonance analysis and ^(13)C nuclear magnetic resonance analysis. The isolated compounds were evaluated with DPPH radical scavenging, reducing power, and b-carotene bleaching assays.Results: Seven endophytic fungi were successfully isolated from E. sylvestris and identified as Pestalotiopsis sp. EST 01, Pestalotiopsis sp. EST 02, Diaporthales sp. EST03, Meyerozyma sp. EST 04, Diaporthales sp. EST 05, Pestalotiopsis sp. ESL 01, and Pseudocercospora sp. ESL 02. Of the seven fungi, Pseudocercospora sp. ESL 02 had the highest antioxidant activity [IC50=(30.54 ± 0.88) mg/mL]. From that fungus, two compounds identified as terreic acid(1) and 6-methylsalicylic acid(2) were isolated with an IC50 of DPPH radical scavenging activity of(0.22 ± 0.02) mmol/L and(3.87 ± 0.27)mmol/L, respectively. The compounds also had good activities from the reducing power and b-carotene bleaching assays.Conclusions: The Pseudocercospora sp. ESL 02 fungus isolated from E. sylvestris looks promising as a novel source of terreic acid.

Association between heat stress and oxidative stress in poultry;mitochondrial dysfunction and dietary interventions with phytochemicals

Heat as a stressor of poultry has been studied extensively for many decades; it affects poultry production on a worldwide basis and has significant impact on well-being and production. More recently, the involvement of heat stress in inducing oxidative stress has received much interest. Oxidative stress is defined as the presence of reactive species in excess of the available antioxidant capacity of animal cells. Reactive species can modify several biologically cellular macromolecules and can interfere with cell signaling pathways. Furthermore, during the last decade, there has been an ever-increasing interest in the use of a wide array of natural feed-delivered phytochemicals that have potential antioxidant properties for poultry. In light of this, the current review aims to（1） summarize the mechanisms through which heat stress triggers excessive superoxide radical production in the mitochondrion and progresses into oxidative stress,（2） illustrate that this pathophysiology is dependent on the intensity and duration of heat stress,（3） present different nutritional strategies for mitigation of mitochondrial dysfunction, with particular focus on antioxidant phytochemicals.Oxidative stress that occurs with heat exposure can be manifest in all parts of the body; however, mitochondrial dysfunction underlies oxidative stress. In the initial phase of acute heat stress, mitochondrial substrate oxidation and electron transport chain activity are increased resulting in excessive superoxide production. During the later stage of acute heat stress, down-regulation of avian uncoupling protein worsens the oxidative stress situation causing mitochondrial dysfunction and tissue damage. Typically, antioxidant enzyme activities are upregulated. Chronic heat stress, however, leads to downsizing of mitochondrial metabolic oxidative capacity, up-regulation of avian uncoupling protein, a clear alteration in the pattern of antioxidant enzyme activities, and depletion of antioxidant reserves.Some phytochemicals, such as various types of flavonoids and related compounds, were shown to be beneficial in chronic heat-stressed poultry, but were less or not effective in non-heat-stressed counterparts. This supports the contention that antioxidant phytochemicals have potential under challenging conditions. Though substantial progress has been made in our understanding of the association between heat stress and oxidative stress, the means by which phytochemicals can alleviate oxidative stress have been sparsely explored.

α-Glucosidase inhibitor produced by an endophytic fungus, Xylariaceae sp. QGS 01 from Quercus gilva Blume

Xylariaceae sp.QGS 01,an endophytic fungus isolated from the stem of Quercus gilva Blume showed high-glucosidase inhibitory activity.α-Glucosidase inhibitor have the role as one of carbohydrate-hydrolyzing enzymes to postpone absorption of glucose in the digestive organs.The α-glucosidase inhibitor constituents were isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of the mycellium of endophytic fungi Xylariaceae sp.QGS 01 using a bioassay-guided fractionation technique.Further separation and purification of the active fraction led to the isolation of constituents with strong inhibitory activities against-glucosidase:8-hydroxy-6,7-dimethoxy-3-methylisocoumarine(1)with inhibitory concentration(IC50)values against-glucosidase from Saccharomyces cerevisiae of 41.75μg/mL,while quercetin as the standard had an IC50 value of 4.80g/mL.The results of the present study showed that the endophytic fungus Xylariaceae sp.QGS 01 is potentially a rich source of antidiabetic medicine.

Coming of age for the rhizosphere microbiome transplantation

Microbiome transplants have the potential to disrupt agriculture and medicine by transferring the microbial genetic pool(and hence capabilities)from one host to another.Yet,for this technology to become reality,we need to understand the drivers shaping the success of microbiome transplant.We highlight here recent findings by Dr.Gaofei Jiang and colleagues.Using disease suppression as a model function,they highlight the microbiome characteristics making a successful transplant possible.We see this study is a seminal work making microbiome transplant an informed process that will replace the current error-prone trial procedures.We anticipate that the insights may catalyse a paradigm shift in microbiome management in agriculture and medicine.

Structure and function of ALG-2,a penta-EF-hand calcium-dependent adaptor protein

ALG-2(a gene product of PDCD6) is a 22-kD protein containing five serially repetitive EF-hand structures and belongs to the penta-EF-hand(PEF) family,including the subunits of typical calpains.ALG-2 is the most conserved protein among the PEF family members and its homologs are widely found in eukaryotes.X-ray crystal structures of various PEF proteins including ALG-2 have common features:presence of eightα-helices and dimer formation via paired EF5s that are positioned in anti-parallel orientation.ALG-2 forms a homodimer and a heterodimer with its closest paralog peflin.Like calmodulin,a well-known four-EF-hand protein,ALG-2 interacts with various proteins in a Ca2+-dependent fashion,but the binding motifs are completely different.With some exceptions,ALG-2-interacting proteins commonly contain Pro-rich regions,and ALG-2 recognizes at least two distinct Pro-containing motifs:PPYP(X) nYP(X,variable;n=4 in ALIX and PLSCR3) and PXPGF(represented by Sec31A) .A shorter alternatively spliced isoform,lacking two residues and designated ALG-2 GF122,does not bind ALIX but maintains binding capacity to Sec31A.X-ray crystal structural analyses have revealed that binding of calcium ions induces the configuration of the side chain of R125 so that it opens Pocket 1,which accepts PPYP,but Pocket 1 remains closed in the case of ALG-2 GF122.ALG-2 dimer has two ligand-binding sites,each in a monomer molecule,and appears to function as a Ca2+-dependent adaptor protein to either stabilize a preformed complex or to bridge two proteins on scaffolds in systems of the endosomal sorting complex required for transport(ESCRT) and ER-to-Golgi transport.

Influence of the number of flights on the dilute phase ratio in flighted rotating drums by PTV measurements and DEM simulations

Particle distribution in the cross-section of the flighted rotating drum(FRD)is critical to the analysis of heat and mass transfer between gas and solids.In this work,the particle tracking velocimetry(PTV)method is applied to study the influence of the number of flights on the particle motion in FRDs.The drum,installed with 1,4,8,or 12 rectangular flights,is filled with plastic balls to 15%and operated at various rotating speeds ranging from 10 rpm to 30 rpm.The results show that the number of flights has different effects on the holdup ratio and cascading rate of single flight and active flights.With 8 and 12 flights,the FRD produces a larger and more stable particle ratio of the dilute phase.Moreover,DEM simulations agree with PTV measurements,whereas literature models show significant deviations.

First molecular genetic evidenee for automictic parthenogenesis in cockroaches

Parthenogenesis is an asexual mode of reproduction that plays an important role in the evolution of sex, sociality, and reproduction strategies in insects. Some species of cockroach exhibit thelytoky, a type of parthenogenesis in which female offspring are produced without fertilization. However, the cytological and genetic mecha? nisms of parthenogenesis in cockroaches are not well understood. Here we provide the first molecular genetic evidence that cockroaches can reproduce through automixis. Using the American cockroach Periplaneta aniericana, we performed microsatellite analysis to investigate the genetic relationship between parthenogenetically produced nymphs and the parent virgin females, and found that all parthenogenetic offspring were homozygous for autosomal microsatellite markers, whereas the female parents were heterozygous. In addition, flow cytometry analysis revealed that the parthenogenetic offspring were diploid. Taken together, our results demonstrate that P. americana exhibits automixis-type thelytoky, in which diploidy is restored by gamete duplication or terminal fusion. These findings highlight the unique reproduction strategies of cockroaches, which are more varied than was previously recognized.