Showing papers in "Journal of Life Sciences in 2012"
Journal Article•
TL;DR: The authors find that SSR is the most frequently used molecular marker, while SNP has not been used in the genetic diversity analysis ofCowpea, and conclude that more QTL of cowpea should be located and more molecular markers linked to resistance gene should be found.
Abstract: In recent years, with the rapid development of molecular biology, molecular markers have been widely used in genetic breeding of various crops including cowpea. However, molecular researches in cowpea are lack of systematic summary. This review presents an overview of accomplishments on different aspects of molecular markers in cowpea genetic breeding, such as genetic diversity analysis, genetic linkage map construction, QTL mapping, etc. Furthermore, it provides the discussion of some existing problems about molecular markers applied in cowpea breeding and the prospect of the future development. The authors find that SSR is the most frequently used molecular marker, while SNP has not been used in the genetic diversity analysis of cowpea. And the authors also conclude that more QTL of cowpea should be located and more molecular markers linked to resistance gene should be found. This will be useful for scientists and breeders to research cowpea with the aid of molecular markers, thus accelerating improvement of cowpea varieties.
38 citations
TL;DR: Plant essential oils are volatile aromatic compounds with antimicrobial activity that can alter ruminal fermentation when used as dietary supplements as mentioned in this paper, which can alter both milk quantity and quality of milk.
Abstract: Plant essential oils are volatile aromatic compounds with antimicrobial activity that can alter ruminal fermentation when used as dietary supplements. Consequently, both milk quantity and quality c...
32 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: It is concluded that community-based health insurance development is a potential strategy to meet the urgent need for health financing in low-income countries through the three stages of basic model, enhanced model, and nationwide model.
Abstract: The WHO World Health Assembly, and the most recent WHO World Health Report, have called for all health systems to move toward universal coverage. However, low-income countries have made little progress in this respect. We use existing evidence to describe the evolution of community-based health insurance in low-income countries through the three stages of basic model, enhanced model, and nationwide model. We have concluded that community-based health insurance development is a potential strategy to meet the urgent need for health financing in low-income countries. With careful planning and implementation, it is possible to adopt such evolutionary approach to achieve universal coverage by extending tax-based financing/social insurance characteristics to community-based health insurance schemes.
29 citations
TL;DR: A new standard for determination of sex of fragmentary human skeletal remains is developed, using the mastoid process, and rank is assigned to the commonly measured parameters of mastoid with regards to their sex discriminatory power.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to develop a new standard for determination of sex of fragmentary human skeletal remains, using the mastoid process. It also attempts to assign rank to the commonly measured parameters of mastoid with regards to their sex discriminatory power. Logistic regression was also applied on mastoid variables to validate the results of discriminant functional analysis. The sample study (70 adult macerated skulls with known sex, 35 each male and female) was drawn from the Department of Anatomy and Forensic Medicine, Konaseema Institute of Medical sciences and Research Foundation, Amalapuram. Discriminant function analysis revealed that mastoid process correctly classified the sex in 90 percent of the subjects and mastoid length was found to be the best determinant for sex. A discriminant function equation specific for the present study skeletal population has also been derived from the variables.
20 citations
TL;DR: P. pentosaceus BCNU 9070 is considered to have probiotic potential for applications in functional foodstuffs because of its resistance to bile acids and acidic pH and its ability to assimilate cholesterol in vitro.
Abstract: Lactic acid bacteria are generally recognized as beneficial probiotic organisms. Recent studies revealed that the potential of probiotic strains was essentially dependent on the bacterial-binding and adhesion capabilities to gut epithelial cells and the hydrophobicity of the cell surface. In this study, we screened some indigenous lactic acid bacteria from Kimchi and selected one lactic acid bacterium as a potential probiotic based on its cell surface hydrophobicity. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequences of probiotic isolates indicated that the selected isolate (BCNU 9070 strain) was a member of Pediococcus pentosaceus. P. pentosaceus BCNU 9070 showed resistance to bile acids and acidic pH. The P. pentosaceus BCNU 9070 strain also inhibited the cell growth of six food-borne pathogens including Listeria monocytogenes and Shigella sonnei. In addition, the P. pentosaceus BCNU 9070 strain expressed bile salt hydrolase activity and showed an ability to assimilate cholesterol in vitro. On the basis of these results, P. pentosaceus BCNU 9070 is considered to have probiotic potential for applications in functional foodstuffs.
19 citations
TL;DR: In this paper, Choi et al. proposed a method to solve the problem of the lack of resources in the field of health care by using the concept of health-related resources.
Abstract: 섬애약쑥, 인진쑥, 약쑥, 강화사자발쑥 및 개똥쑥 열수 추출물을 제조한 다음 항산화 및 항암활성을 비교 분석하였다. 5종의 쑥 추출물 중 총 페놀 함량은 인진쑥에서 유의적으로 가장 높았으며, 다음으로 섬애약쑥, 개똥쑥, 약쑥 및 강화사자발쑥 순이었다. 플라보노이드 함량도 인진쑥이 가장 높았고, 섬애약쑥은 인진쑥...
19 citations
TL;DR: It was demonstrated that BCNU 9041 and 9042 have the highest levels of hydrophobicity and that they showed bile salt hydrolytic and cholesterol assimilation activity, suggesting that they have good potential for application in functional foods and health-related products.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to investigate the probiotic properties of lactic acid bacterial strains isolated from animal feces. BCNU 9041 and BCNU 9042 isolates were assigned to Lactobacillus brevis on the basis of their physiological properties and 16S ribosomal DNA sequences analysis. They were confirmed as safe bioresources because of their non-hemolytic activities and non-production of harmful β-glucosidase, β-glucuronidase, tryptophanase, or urease. These isolates were also highly resistant to acid (at pH 2.5) and bile acids (at concentration of 0.3%, 0.6%, and 1% oxgall). In addition, they exhibited good antibacterial activity against food-borne bacteria, especially Bacillus cereus, Listeria monocytogenes, and Shigella sonnei. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that they have the highest levels of hydrophobicity and that they showed bile salt hydrolytic and cholesterol assimilation activity. These results suggest that BCNU 9041 and 9042 have good potential for application in functional foods and health-related products.
17 citations
TL;DR: In conclusion, the combined exercise improved body composition but did not affect serum lipids or the BDNF.
Abstract: Exercise leads to the release of certain neurotransmitters in the brain that alleviate pain, both physical and mental. The purpose of this study was to investigate effects of combined exercise on body composition, blood lipids, and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in overweight and obese adolescents. The subjects of this study were 18 boys who were divided into a combined exercise group (EG: n=9) and a control group (CG: n=9). The combined exercise program required exercise 50-60 minutes per day, three times a week, for 12 weeks. The results of the comparative analysis are as follows: The between-group comparison of the difference in the means before and after the intervention revealed a significant decrease in the EG compared with the CG: weight (p<0.01), BMI (p <0.05), %fat (p<0.05), fat mass (p<0.01). The %LBM of the EG showed a more significant increase (p<0.05) compared with the CG. The TC, LDL-C, and BDNF were not different between the EG and the CG. However, the TC and the LDL-C were decreased more in the EG than in the CG. The BDNF was increased more in the EG than in the CG. In conclusion, the combined exercise improved body composition but did not affect serum lipids or the BDNF.
17 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated the antioxidant effect of methanol extract from the leaves of Picrasma quassioides (PQ) and Chamaecyparis obtuse (S. et Z.) endL (CO).
Abstract: In our study, we investigated the antioxidant effect of methanol extract from the leaves of Picrasma quassioides (PQ) and Chamaecyparis obtuse (S. et Z.) ENDL (CO). Total polyphenol contents of methanol extracts from PQ and CO varied from 138.3 to 367.52 μg/mg and total flavonoid contents varied from 8.12 to 46.41 μg/mg. Contents of polyphenol and flavonoid in PQ were found to be extremely high. In addition, the methanol extract of PQ had a higher antioxidant activity in both DPPH (4.79 μg/ml) and ABTS (7.21 μg/ml) compared to other plants (CO). Based on the results of the FRAP assay, PQ showed a value of 8.52 μmol/μg and CO exhibited a value of 1.77 μmol/μg. The methanol extracts from the leaves of PQ showed the highest radical-scavenging activity in various antioxidant systems.
16 citations
TL;DR: It is suggested that PCR-DGGE analysis could be a suitable tool for the understanding of microbial diversity and structure during Makgeolli fermentation.
Abstract: Kumjungsansung-Makgeolli ® is a traditional Korean rice wine that is fermented from traditional nuruk and rice. In this study, we performed the PCR-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) analysis targeting the 16S and 28S rRNA genes to characterize bacterial and fungal diversity during Makgeolli fermentation. The predominant bacteria in the PCR-DGGE profile during Makgeolli fermentation were Lactobacillus spp. (Lactobacillus curvatus, L. kisonensis, L. plantarum, L. sakei, and L. gasseri), Pediococcus spp. (P. acidilactici, P. parvulus, P. agglomerans, and P. pentosaceus), Pantoea spp. (P. agglomerans and P. ananatis), and Citrobacter freundii; these were identified on the base of analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences. The dominant bacterium during Makgeolli fermentation was L. curvatus. The predominant fungi in PCR-DGGE profile during Makgeolli fermentation were Pichia kudriavzevii, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Asidia idahoensis, Kluyveromyces marxianus, Saccharomycopsis fibuligera, and Torulaspora delbrueckii, and these were identified on the basis of analysis of 28S rRNA gene sequences. The dominant fungal species during Makgeolli fermentation changed from P. kudriavzevii at 0-2 days incubation to S. cerevisiae at 3-6 days incubation. This study suggests that PCR-DGGE analysis could be a suitable tool for the understanding of microbial diversity and structure during Makgeolli fermentation.
16 citations
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated the effects of Lavandula angustifolia aroma on the brain electrical activity evaluated by electroencephalogram (EEG) in female adults with sleep disorders.
Abstract: This study investigated the effects of Lavandula angustifolia (L. angustifolia) aroma on the brain electrical activity evaluated by electroencephalogram (EEG) in female adults with sleep disorders. The subjects were 28 healthy female adults and their sleep disorders were classified by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index. EEG electrodes were attached at the frontal (F3, F4), temporal (T3, T4), occipital (O1, O2), parietal (P3, P4), reference, and ground regions according to the International 10-20 system. Subjects were exposed to the L. angustifolia aroma for 3 min. Results showed that L. angustifolia aroma decreased the occipital and parietal alpha powers, and increased the frontal theta power and occipital beta power in subjects with good sleep quality. On the other hand, L. angustifolia aroma increased the theta power in the all cranial regions after aroma treatment in subjects with poor sleep quality. In conclusion, L. angustifolia aroma diminishes a state of wakefulness in the brain and helps individuals to fall asleep. Therefore, L. angustifolia aroma may have beneficial effect for female adults with sleep disorders.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors investigated the physiological activity and solvent-partitioned fractions of methanol extracts from the green seaweed Sargassum fulvellum, and showed that S. fulllum extracts have strong antioxidant and alcohol dehydrogenase activities and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity.
Abstract: We investigated the physiological activity and solvent-partitioned fractions of methanol extracts from the green seaweed Sargassum fulvellum. The methanol extract from S. fulvellum was sequentially fractionated with n-hexane (SFMH), methanol (SFMM), buthanol (SFMB), and water (SFMA). We investigated the antioxidant activities of solvent fractions from S. fulvellum by using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging capacity and an SOD activity assay. DPPH radical scavenging capacity of SFMM was 79.5% at 10 mg/ml. SOD activity of SFMM was 79.9% at 10 mg/ml. Nitrite scavenging activities of solvent fractions from S. fulvellum were investigated under different pH conditions and showed the most remarkable effect at pH 1.2. In particular, the activity of SFMB was higher than the other fractions. ADH activity and ALDH activity of SFMM were 177.0% and 167.4% at 10 mg/ml, respectively. α-Glucosidase inhibitory activity of SFMH increased in a dose-dependent manner and was about 94.1% at 2 mg/ml. Elastase inhibitory activity was 93.2% at 2 mg/ml. These results revealed that S. fulvellum extracts have strong antioxidant and alcohol dehydrogenase activities and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity, suggesting that S. fulvellum extracts have potential as a source of natural products for health and beauty.
TL;DR: The results clarified the effects of E. bicyclis extract on serum lipid content in ovariectomized rats, and consequently it is expected that positive effects from providing E. bicycleis extract to postmenopausal women with cardiovascular disease are expected.
Abstract: Hormone replacement therapy (HRT) is an effective regimen that has been found to prevent these diseases in postmenopausal women. However, HRT is accompanied by an increased risk of unfavorable outcomes. This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Eisenia Bicyclis extract on lipids in ovariectomized rats. Fifty 7-week-old female Sprague?Dawley rats were randomly assigned to four groups: sham-operated rats (SHAM), ovariectomized rats (OVX-CON), and ovariectomized rats that were treated with Eisenia bicyclis extracts. The extract-treated diets were fed to the rats for 6 weeks after operation. Antioxidant effects were measured by DPPH free radical scavenging activity. Antioxidant activity of the ethanol extract increased in a dose-dependent manner and was about 55.9% in a concentration of 100 μg/ml. We measured the total cholesterol content, triglyceride content, HDL-cholesterol content, LDL-cholesterol content, atherosclerotic index, cardiac risk factor in serum, and anti-platelet aggregation and blood rheology. The total cholesterol and triglyceride concentration in serum increased for the OVX-control group, but supplementation with the E. bicyclis extract caused these factors to decrease. Notably, the serum LDL-cholesterol concentration in the OVX-EB200 group was significantly lower than the OVX-CON group. In addition, the blood passage times in rats that received the E. bicyclis extract were more rapid than the times in the untreated group (OVX-CON). Microscopic evaluation revealed that whole blood passed more smoothly through the microchannels in rats in the E. bicyclis extract supplement groups. Our results clarified the effects of E. bicyclis extract on serum lipid content in ovariectomized rats, and consequently we expect positive effects from providing E. bicyclis extract to postmenopausal women with cardiovascular disease.
TL;DR: U. pinnatifida was effective as an anti-obesity agent by repressing the differentiation of 3T3-L1 into adipocytes and inhibiting triglyceride formation in adipocytes.
Abstract: Undaria pinnatifada has been used as a natural diet food with few calories and as a source of iodine. Even though U. pinnatifida has been regarded as a diet food, the mechanisms of its inhibitory effects on adipocyte differentiation and the accumulation of fat in adipocytes are poorly understood. In this study, the effect and mechanism of U. pinnatifida ethanol extract on 3T3-L1 differentiation into adipocytes were investigated. The effects of U. pinnatifida ethanol extract on cell viability and the anti-adipogenic effect were investigated via MTT assay, Oil red O staining, RT-PCR, and western blot. The U. pinnatifida ethanol extract did not show toxicity up to a concentration of 50 μg/ml. The addition of U. pinnatifida ethanol extract decreased triglyceride contents by 40% when 50 μg/ml of U. pinnatifida ethanol extract was added during 3T3-L1 differentiation and adipocyte triglyceride formation. The transcription and expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ), leptin, and hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL) as adipocyte-specific proteins were determined by RT-PCR and western blot. The overexpression of PPARγ could accelerate adipocyte differentiation. Also, leptin was secreted for triglyceride accumulation in the adipocytes and the increase of adipocyte cell size. Thus, PPARγ and leptin were used as indicators of obesity. PPARγ and leptin were repressed by the increased addition of U. pinnatifida ethanol extract. This indicates that U. pinnatifida was effective as an anti-obesity agent by repressing the differentiation of 3T3-L1 into adipocytes and inhibiting triglyceride formation in adipocytes.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: In this paper, the fresh and dry weights of callus were measured after six weeks and HPLC was used to determine the tropane alkaloids (Hyoscyamine and Scopolamine).
Abstract: Callus cultures of Hyoscyamus niger L. were initiated from leaf segments cultured on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 0.5 mg/L Benzyl Adenine (BA) and 0, 1, 2 and 3 mg/L Naphthalene acetic acid (NAA). Half of cultures were incubated under light of 16 hr/day, while the other half was incubated under complete darkness. The incubation temperature was 25 ± 1 °C in both incubation conditions. The fresh and dry weight of the produced callus was obtained after six weeks of incubation. Callus produced were recultured on medium that gave the highest production of callus. Constant weight (300 mg) of callus was cultured in each of these medium supplemented with abiotic elicitor of 50 g/L sucrose, 200 mg/L NaCl, 50 or 100 mg/L proline and 2 mg/L BA each one added separately and incubated under complete darkness. The fresh and dry weights of callus were measured after six weeks. HPLC was used to determine the tropane alkaloids (Hyoscyamine and Scopolamine). The results showed that the significant highest average of fresh and dry weight of callus (112 and 89.6 mg) achieved using the medium contained 0.5 mg/L BA and 2 mg/L NAA under dark condition. The amount of fresh and dry weight of callus produced under dark condition was significantly higher than that produced under light condition, with increase in percentage of 51.3 and 37.62% respectively. The addition of abiotic elicitors caused reduction in both fresh and dry weight of callus, therefore the highest fresh weight average was 1,727 mg using 100 mg/L proline. The results indicated that addition of 50 or 100 mg/L proline led to increase in Hyoscyamine concentration of 58.03 and 21.37% respectively compared with the control. While other abiotic elicitors were found to cause reduction in Hyoscyamine concentration. Percentage of Scopolamine concentration were increased to 129.03, 166.94, 205.51 and 149.20% after addition of sucrose (50 g/L), NaCl (200 mg/L) and proline (50 or 100 mg/L) respectively compared with the control.
TL;DR: The results suggest that stichoposide C and STD actions are affected by a sugar residue attached to aglycones and they can be used as anticancer agents in the treatment of leukemia.
Abstract: Marine triterpene glycosides are physiologically active natural compounds isolated from sea cucumbers(holothurians). It was demonstrated that they have a wide range of biological activities, including antifungal, cytotoxic, and antitumor effects. A previous study showed that stichoposide C (STC) isolated from Thelenota anax induces apoptosis through generation of ceramide by activation of acid sphingomyelinase (SMase) and neutral SMase in human leukemia cells. In this study, we investigated whether STD, a structural analog of STC, can induce apoptosis and examined the molecular mechanisms for its activity. It was found that STC and STD induce apoptosis in a dose- and time-dependent manner and lead to the activation of caspase-8, mitochondrial damage, activation of caspase-9, and activation of caspase-3 in K562 and HL-60 cells. STC activates acid SMase and neutral SMase, which results in the generation of ceramide. Specific inhibition of acid SMase or neutral SMase partially blocked STC-induced apoptosis, but not STD-induced apoptosis. In contrast, STD generates ceramide through the activation of ceramide synthase. Specific inhibition of ceramide synthase partially blocked STD-induced apoptosis, but not STC-induced apoptosis. Moreover, STC and STD markedly reduced tumor growth of HL-60 xenograft tumors and increased ceramide generation in vivo. These results indicate that STC and STD can induce apoptosis and have antitumor activity through the different molecular mechanisms, because they have a different sugar residue attached to aglycones. Thus, these results suggest that their actions are affected by a sugar residue attached to aglycones and they can be used as anticancer agents in the treatment of leukemia.
TL;DR: In this article, the whitening effect of Hizikia fusiformis was investigated by using fractions from ethanol extract with solvents such as methanol, hexane, butanol, and H2O.
Abstract: Melanin synthesis is catalyzed by tyrosinase. To investigate the whitening effect of Hizikia fusiformis, fractions from ethanol extract of H. fusiformis were prepared by a systematic fractionation procedure with solvents such as methanol, hexane, butanol, and H2O. The ethanol extract and its fractions were then subjected to evaluate the inhibitory effects on the tyrosinase activity and melanin synthesis in murine B16F10 melanoma cells. The ethanol extract and aqueous fraction exhibited a whitening effect with no cytotoxicity. The ethanol extract showed the highest whitening effect among the samples. The inhibitory effect of 100 μg/ml of ethanol extract was higher than that of 10 μg/ml of arbutin, but it was lower than that of 10 μg/ml of kojic acid. Furthermore, the inhibitory effects of 100 μg/ml of methanol, hexane, butanol, and aqueous fractions were similar to those of 10 μg/ml of arbutin. The antioxidant activities were examined by comparing the results with that of ascorbic acid as a positive control. The ethanol extract and aqueous fraction showed relatively higher DPPH radical-scavenging activities compared with the other samples. Furthermore, 500 μg/ml of ethanol extract and aqueous fraction diminished LPS-induced iNOS expression to 82 and 80%, respectively. These results suggest that ethanol extract and aqueous fraction of H. fusiformis could be used as cosmetic ingredients for whitening and skin protection effects.
TL;DR: Results suggest that LP9M80-H may contribute to relieving symptoms of diabetes and obesity through glucose homeostasis and regulation of lipid concentration.
Abstract: It was reported that the novel compounds (LP9M80-H) of Liriope platyphylla regulate glucose transporter (Glut) biosynthesis by activating the insulin-signaling pathway in the liver and brain of ICR mice. To investigate the therapeutic effects of LP9M80-H on the pathology of diabetes and obesity, alterations of key factors related to symptoms were analyzed in the Otsuka Long Evans Tokushima Fatty (OLETF) rats treated with LP9M80-H for 2 weeks. The abdominal fat masses in the LP9M80-H-treated group were lower than the vehicle-treated group, although there was no difference in body weight between the two groups. Additionally, when compared to the vehicle-treated group, LP9M80-H treatment induced a significant decrease in glucose levels and an increase in the insulin concentration in the blood of OLETF rats. A high level of insulin protein was also detected in pancreatic β cells of LP9M80-H-treated OLETF rats. A significant reduction in the concentration of lipids and adiponectin was detected only in LP9M80-H-treated OLETF rats. Furthermore, the expression of insulin receptor β and the insulin receptor substrate (IRS) was dramatically decreased in LP9M80-H-treated OLETF rats compared to the vehicle-treated group. Of the glucose transporters located downstream of the insulin-signaling pathway, glucose transporters (Glut) -2 and -3 were significantly decreased in LP9M80-H-treated OLETF rats, while the level of Glut-4 was maintained under all conditions. Therefore, these results suggest that LP9M80-H may contribute to relieving symptoms of diabetes and obesity through glucose homeostasis and regulation of lipid concentration.
TL;DR: It is confirmed that red algae that has been isolated from the sea wall has a red algae component of Agarase that can be be classified into clerol1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11,12,13,14,15,16,17,18,19,20,21,22,23,24,25,26,27,28,29,30,36,39,40,41,
Abstract: 한천은 거대 홍조류의 세포벽 성분으로 agarase에 의해 가수분해된다. Agarase는 분해 양상에 따라 ${\alpha}$ -agarase (E.C. 3.2.1.158)와 ${\beta}$ -agarase (E.C. 3.2.1.81)로 나눌 수 있으며 아미노산 서열 유사성에 따라 GH (glycoside hydrolase) -16, -58, -86, -96, -118 로 나눌 수 있다. 많은 agarase들이나 그들의 유전자가 바다나 육지 환경의 세균 혹은 메타게놈에서 검출, 분리, 재조합 발현되었다. Agarase의 산물인 한천올리고당(agarooligosaccharides)과 네오한 천올리고당(neoagarooligosaccharides)은 항암, 면역활성, 항산화, 장내유용세균활성화, 간보호, 항균, 미백, 보습의 효과 등 다양한 기능성이 보고되어 식품, 화장품, 의학 영역에서 광범위하게 이용될 수 있다. 또한 agarase는 연구영역에서 이용될 수 있다. 이 논문은 agarase의 검출원, 정제법, 검출법 그리고 응용영역에 대해 검토하였고, 한천대사에서 agarase의 역할, 대사산물의 기능 등도 고찰하였다. 【Agar is a cell wall component of macro red algae that can be hydrolyzed by agarase. Agarases are classified into ${\alpha}$ -agarase (E.C. 3.2.1.158) and ${\beta}$ -agarase (E.C. 3.2.1.81), in accordance with their cleavage pattern, and can be grouped in the glycoside hydrolase (GH)-16, -58, -86, -96, and -118 family according to the amino acid sequences of the proteins. Many agarases and/or their genes have been detected, isolated, and recombinantly expressed from bacteria, and metagenomes have their origins in sea and terrestrial environments. Products of agarases, agarooligosaccharides and neoagarooligosaccharides, represent wide functions such as antitumor, immune stimulation, antioxidation, prebiotic, hepa-protective, antibacterial, whitening, and moisturizing effects; hence, broad applications would be possible in the food industry, cosmetics, and medical fields. In addition, agarases are also used as a tool enzyme for research. This paper reviews the sources, purifications and detection methods, and application fields of agarases. The role of agarases in agar metabolism and the function of their enzymatic products are also surveyed.】
Journal Article•
TL;DR: Water deficit during inflorescence formation appears to be critical growing stage influencing grain yield, while soil drying in the vegetative growth stages improve the assimilate allocation to the above-ground biomass and particularly to the grain.
Abstract: A greenhouse pot experiment was conducted to study the effect of drought induced at different phenological stages on growth, biomass production and yield performance of grain amaranth Amaranthus cruentus G6. After emergence seedlings were exposed to different soil water regimes: constant adequate moisture (W1) and drought (W2) throughout the growing period, drought initiated at crop inflorescence formation (W3), drought condition during pre-inflorescence formation (W4) and treatment W5 where drought condition occurred in the period from the beginning of inflorescence formation to the beginning of flowering. Crop samples were taken at the maturity. The growth and yield performance of amaranth were assessed by measuring root length, stem height and inflorescence length, and by evaluating fresh and dry weight of plant parts, grain yield and harvest index. Drought stress initiated at different phenological stages affected the evaluated morphological parameters, assimilate allocation and grain yield. Drought throughout the growing period resulted in grain and biomass yield reduction for 51% and 50%, respectively. Water deficit during inflorescence formation appears to be critical growing stage influencing grain yield, while soil drying in the vegetative growth stages improve the assimilate allocation to the above-ground biomass and particularly to the grain.
TL;DR: In this article, four different extraction techniques were applied to extract functional components from the fruit of Cornus officianalis, and the content of loganin, which is an antioxidant having DPPH radical and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity and reducing power, was analyzed in each extract.
Abstract: Oxidative stress leads to damage in all components of the cell, including proteins, lipids, and DNA due to imbalance between reactive oxygen species production and cellular detoxification. Phytochemicals are well-known to contain antioxidants, and their physiological role has been intensively studied. The fruit of Cornus officianalis has been used in oriental medicine and has been reported to have many functions. In this study, four different extraction techniques were applied to extract functional components from the fruit of Cornus officianalis, and the content of loganin, which is an antioxidant having DPPH radical and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity and reducing power, was analyzed in each extract. Extraction techniques employed in this study were heat extraction by water, 70% ethanol extraction, enzyme treatment, and combination of enzyme treatment and heat extraction by water. All extracts contained 11.8-18.0 mg/g loganin and showed antioxidation function assayed by measuring DPPH radical and hydrogen peroxide scavenging activity and reducing power. Among them, heat extraction was the most effective technique, showing a maximum amount of loganin (18.0 mg/g) and antioxidative activity at 100 mg/ml concentration. Each extract showed very low cytotoxicity up to at 500 mg/ml but 10-20% cytotoxicity at 1,000 mg/ml by in vitro MTT assay.
TL;DR: Results demonstrated that short but high exposure to petroleum hydrocarbons significantly reduce survival, growth, size, recent otolith increment and body condition, and especially energy storage of the juvenile fish on the medium-term (three months after the exposure), which affects future recruitment of this longlived species.
Abstract: Juveniles of numerous commercial marine flatfish species use coastal and estuarine habitats as nurseries. Hence, they are likely to be exposed to a number of anthropogenic stressors such as accidental and chronic exposure to chemical contaminants. Little is known about their response to such pollutants at the individual level and about the consequences on their population dynamics. Mesocosm experiments were conducted to determine whether short (24 h) but high exposure to petroleum hydrocarbons (1/1000 v: v water: fuel), similar to what happened after an oil spill on coastal areas, affects survival and biological (growth, body condition and lipid reserve) performances of juvenile common sole, which live on near shore and estuarine nursery grounds. Results demonstrated that this type of exposure significantly reduce survival, growth (size, recent otolith increment and body condition), and especially energy storage (triacylglycerol to free sterol ratio) of the juvenile fish on the medium-term (three months after the exposure). These medium-term consequences affect future recruitment of this long- lived species.
TL;DR: The cellulase and xylanase from B. subtilis NC1 exhibited the highest activities for CM-cellulose and beechwood xylan as substrate, respectively, and both enzymes showed the maximum activity at pH 5.0 and 50°C.
Abstract: A Bacillus sp. strain producing celluase and xylanase was isolated from environmental soil with LB agar plate containing carboxymethylcellulose (CM-cellulose) and beechwood xylan stained with trypan blue as substrates, respectively. Based on the 16S rRNA gene sequence and API 50 CHL test, the strain was identified as B. subtilis and named B. subtilis NC1. The cellulase and xylanase from B. subtilis NC1 exhibited the highest activities for CM-cellulose and beechwood xylan as substrate, respectively, and both enzymes showed the maximum activity at pH 5.0 and 50°C. We cloned and sequenced the genes for cellulase and xylanase from genomic DNA of the B. subtilis NC1 by the shot-gun cloning method. The cloned cellulase and xylanase genes consisted of a 1,500 bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding a 499 amino acid protein with a calculated molecular mass of 55,251 Da and a 1,269 bp ORF encoding a 422 amino acid protein with a calculated molecular mass of 47,423 Da, respectively. The deduced amino acid sequences from the genes of cellulase and xylanase showed high identity with glycosyl hydrolases family (GH) 5 and 30, respectively.
TL;DR: In this article, the authors studied the physical, chemical, biological, and antimicrobial effects of eight types of essential oils used in the cosmetics industry: lavender, tea tree, rosemary, juniper berry, Chamaecyparis obtusa, cypress, cedar wood, and pine.
Abstract: We studied the physical, chemical, biological, and antimicrobial effects of eight types of essential oils used in the cosmetics industry: lavender, tea tree, rosemary, juniper berry, Chamaecyparis obtusa, cypress, cedar wood, and pine. Lavender oil had a linalyl acetate (an ester chemical compound) content of 48% and radical scavenging activity of 22.36% at 5,000 ppm. Tea tree oil had radical scavenging activity of 43.94% at 5,000 ppm and antimicrobial activity against S. aureus, S. epidermidis, S. mutans, and C. albicans in each 6, 3.5, 6.5, and 5 mm, respectively. Chamaecyparis obtusa oil had the highest acidity (pH 2.64) compared with the other oils, and sesquiterpene compounds were found to have 19.20%. Cedar wood oil had the highest specific gravity and refractive index compared to the other oils and had a sesquiterpene content of 99.73%. The radical scavenging activity of cedar wood essential oil exceeded 39.68% at 5,000 ppm. The clear zone, indicating antimicrobial activity against P. acnes, P. ovale, and C. albicans, was 3.5, 6, and 6 mm, respectively, at a concentration of 1% cedar wood oil. Results showed that with a high sesquiterpene content, the antioxidant effect was generally, but not always, high, suggesting that this is determined according to composition of the compound rather than presence of each antioxidant. The results indicate that antimicrobial activity is determined by the existence of each antimicrobial ingredient rather than terpene composition.
Journal Article•
TL;DR: The total Brazilian sample showed a higher percentage of creationist conceptions, particularly the Brazilian biology teachers and teachers-to-be, but this may not be an obstacle for teaching evolution as they accept both creationist and evolutionist concomitantly.
Abstract: This paper aims at assessing the evolutionist and creationist conceptions of Brazilian teachers. The work is developed within the framework of the European project BIOHEAD-CITIZEN (biology, health and environmental education for better citizenship), which takes into account that scientific knowledge and teachers' attitudes and values can influence the teaching practices. The large questionnaire BIOHEAD-CITIZEN, which was constructed to be applied in 19 countries in Europe, Africa and Middle East countries, was applied, in this study, to six groups of Brazilian teachers: primary school teachers, biology teachers and Portuguese language teachers and corresponding teachers-to-be. For this paper the answers to questions about evolution were used as dependent variables. Descriptive and multivariate analyses were carried out. Biology teachers and biology teachers-to-be gave more importance to the natural selection and the evolution process than the other groups of teachers. Comparing to the BIOHEAD-CITIZEN countries, the total Brazilian sample showed a higher percentage of creationist conceptions, particularly the Brazilian biology teachers and teachers-to-be. As discussed herein, this may not be an obstacle for teaching evolution as they accept both creationist and evolutionist concomitantly.
TL;DR: This review summarizes the results of radiation biology studies using four well-known model organisms: yeast, Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila melanogaster, and mice.
Abstract: In radiation biology, analysis of various mechanisms in response to radiation has been accomplished with the use of model organisms. These model organisms are powerful tools for providing a biologically intact in vivo environment to assess physiological and pathophysiological processes affected by radiation. Accumulated data using these models have been applied to human clinical studies (including the evaluation of radiotherapeutic efficacy) and discovery of radiotherapy reagents. However, there are few studies to provide overall integrated information about these useful model organisms. Thus, this review summarizes the results of radiation biology studies using four well-known model organisms: yeast, Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila melanogaster, and mice.
TL;DR: In this paper, the skin wrinkle reducing components in the seeds of Arctium lappa were discovered using a methylene chloride-soluble fraction of 70% ethanol extract from the seeds using a procollagen type-1 synthesis and MMP-1 activity.
Abstract: This study was carried out to discover the skin wrinkle reducing components in the seeds of Arctium lappa. The isolation of a methylene chloride-soluble fraction of 70% ethanol extract from the seeds of Arctium lappa using a procollagen type-1 synthesis and MMP-1 activity resulted in the isolation and identification of four lignin compounds: arctiin, arctigenin, matairesinol, and diarctigenin. All structures were confirmed via NMR and MS spectroscopic data. To determine cell viability and procollagen type-1 synthesis, human dermal fibroblasts were treated with 10-100 μM. As a result, none of the four compounds showed cytotoxicity up to 50 μM. We also investigated their procollagen type-1 synthesis and MMP-1 inhibition activity and found that arctiin had the highest activity in terms of both procollagen synthesis and MMP-1 inhibition among all four compounds. Putting all the data together, we suggest that arctiin be used in cosmetics as an anti-wrinkle material.
TL;DR: Dietary supplementation of CS61 culture may improve growth performance and feed conversion efficiency in chickens through its anti-inflammatory effect, and its value as an alternative for antibiotics used as a feed additive is evaluated.
Abstract: Bacterial resistance to antibiotics and residues of antibiotics in poultry products have encouraged the use of probiotics, prebiotic substrates, and synbiotic combinations of prebiotics and probiotics as alternative approaches to the use of antibiotics in poultry. The present study was carried out to evaluate the effect of a new probiotic CS61 culture on growth performance, feed conversion efficiency, and safety in broiler chickens, and to evaluate its value as an alternative for antibiotics used as a feed additive. Two dosages of CS61 culture (0.1% and 1%) were fed to chickens for 28 days. The results showed that terminal body weight and daily weight gain in the treatment groups increased in a dose-dependent manner when compared with the control group. Dietary supplementation with CS61 culture also improved feed conversion rate compared to the control group. There were no treatment- related toxic effects in terms of clinical findings, mortality, necropsy findings, hematology, or serum biochemistry parameters in any group tested. The nitric oxide assay showed that CS61 peptide has a dose-dependent inhibitory effect on lipopolysaccharide-induced nitric oxide production in RAW 264.7 cells. The results of this experiment indicated that dietary supplementation of CS61 culture may improve growth performance and feed conversion efficiency in chickens through its anti-inflammatory effect.
TL;DR: Rice bran was developed as a carbon source for industrial scale production of CMCase by B. atrophaeus LBH-18 and reduced time for the production ofCMCase from 7 to 10 days to 3 days by using a bacterial strain with submerged fermentation also resulted in increased productivity of C MCase and a decrease in its production cost.
Abstract: A microorganism producing carboxymethylcellulase (CMCase) was isolated from seawater and identified as Bacillus atrophaeus. This species was designated as B. atrophaeus LBH-18 based on its evolutionary distance and the phylogenetic tree resulting from 16S rDNA sequencing and the neighbor-joining method. The optimal conditions for rice bran (68.1 g/l), peptone (9.1 g/l), and initial pH (7.0) of the medium for cell growth was determined by Design Expert Software based on the response surface method; conditions for production of CMCase were 55.2 g/l, 6.6 g/l, and 7.1, respectively. The optimal temperature for cell growth and the production of CMCase by B. atrophaeus LBH-18 was 30℃. The optimal conditions of agitation speed and aeration rate for cell growth in a 7-l bioreactor were 324 rpm and 0.9 vvm, respectively, whereas those for production of CMCase were 343 rpm and 0.6 vvm, respectively. The optimal inner pressure for cell growth and production of CMCase in a 100-l bioreactor was 0.06 MPa. Maximal production of CMCase under optimal conditions in a 100-l bioreactor was 127.5 U/ml, which was 1.32 times higher than that without an inner pressure. In this study, rice bran was developed as a carbon source for industrial scale production of CMCase by B. atrophaeus LBH-18. Reduced time for the production of CMCase from 7 to 10 days to 3 days by using a bacterial strain with submerged fermentation also resulted in increased productivity of CMCase and a decrease in its production cost.
TL;DR: The results suggest that moringa root extracts down-regulate MMP-9, COX-2, and IL-6 and that the root extracts offer superior skin protection effects compared with other extracts of moringA in HaCaT cells.
Abstract: The moringa (Moringa oleifera Lam.) plant is used both as food and an anti-allergic agent. In this study, we investigated skin protection effects of methanol extracts from the root, seed, fruit, and leaves of moringa in HaCaT keratinocyte cells. To investigate the pharmacological potential of various moringa extracts on TNF-α-induced collagen degradation in HaCaT cells, we measured the activity of matrix metallopeptidase-9,2 (MMP-9,2) by zymography analysis. Our results showed that all the moringa extracts inhibit the TNF-α-induced enzyme activity of MMP-9. In particular, moringa root extracts significantly suppressed MMP-9 and MMP-2 in a dose-dependent manner. Next, to investigate the anti-inflammation effect of the moringa extracts, we examined cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), and interleukin-6 (IL-6) expression of the extracts. The results showed that both the root extracts and the seed extracts decreased the TNF-α-induced expression of COX-2. In addition, the root and leaf extracts reduced the expression of IL-6. However, none of the moringa extracts affected the expression of iNOS. The results suggest that moringa root extracts down-regulate MMP-9, COX-2, and IL-6 and that the root extracts offer superior skin protection effects compared with other extracts of moringa in HaCaT cells.