Antioxidant and Antiproliferative Activity of The Ethanolic Extract of Equisetum Myriochaetum and Molecular Docking of Its Main Metabolites (Apigenin, Kaempferol, and Quercetin) on ß-Tubulin.

Equisetum myriochaetum is a semi-aquatic plant found on riverbanks that is commonly used in traditional medicine as a diuretic agent. Additionally, the genus Equisetum stands out for its content of the flavonoid kaempferol, a well-known antiproliferative agent. Therefore, in this study, E. myriochaetum ethanolic extract was tested in vitro against a cervical cancer cell line (SiHa). Additionally, the antioxidative activity was evaluated through a 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrilhidrazil (DPPH) assay. Finally, a molecular docking analysis of apigenin, kaempferol, and quercetin on the active site of ß-tubulin was performed to investigate their potential mechanism of action. All fractions of E. myriochaetum ethanolic extract showed antioxidative activity. Fraction 14 displayed an antiproliferative capacity with a half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) value of 6.78 µg/mL against SiHa cells.

Cadmium and lead levels along the estuarine ecosystem of Tigre River-San Andres Lagoon, Tamaulipas, Mexico.

Cadmium and lead levels were evaluated in water and sediment along the estuarine ecosystem of Tigre River-San Andres Lagoon (Gulf of Mexico) during September to December 2009. Significant highest metal concentration in water (0.45 mg L(-1) Cd and 3.94 mg L(-1) Pb) and sediment (2.83 mg kg(-1) Cd and 6.61 mg kg(-1) Pb) were found at the mouth of the Tigre River, where the fishing town of El Moron is located. Cadmium levels in sediment were above limits associated with adverse biological effects on aquatic fauna, so negative impacts on natural populations of aquatic organisms would be expected to occur. This in turn could affect the fishery resources inhabiting this ecosystem.

[Effect of probiotic bacteria on survival and growth of Cortez oyster larvae, Crassostrea corteziensis (Bivalvia: Ostreidae)]. / Efecto de bacterias probióticas en el cultivo larvario del ostión de placer Crassostrea corteziensis (Bivalvia: Ostreidae).

Disease control problems have major constraints in aquaculture production, and the use of probiotics in larviculture is a valid alternative to antibiotics. This study analyzed the effect of probiotic bacteria on survival and final size of Cortez oyster larvae Crassostrea corteziensis. Two different probiotic concentrations were evaluated, 1 x 10(4) and 1 x 10(5) CFU/ml of Lactic acid bacteria (strain NS61) isolated from Nodipecten subnodosus, and bacilli isolated from the white leg shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, strain YC58) and C. corteziensis (Burkholderia cepacia, strain Y021). Bacteria were added directly into culture tanks, starting the bioassays from veliger to pediveliger stages as follows: (1) Control, without probiotics; (2) lactic acid bacteria (Lb); (3) bacilli mix (Mb) in a proportion 1:1. Results showed a higher larval survival with Lb and Mb at a dose of 1 x 10(4) CFU/ml compared to the control group. Larvae exposed to Mb at 1 x 10(5) CFU/ml showed higher survival than Lb and control. Larval final size was not significantly increased with the tested probiotics, but larvae treated with Lb at 1 x 10(5) CFU/ml showed less survival rate than those treated at 1 x 10(4) CFU/ml. This study showed the beneficial effect of these probiotics, added individually or mixed in C. corteziensis larvae culture.

Pathogenicity of Vibrio penaeicida for white shrimp Litopenaeus vannamei: a cysteine protease-like exotoxin as a virulence factor.

The pathogenicity of Vibrio penaeicida Strains KH-1 and AM101, their culture-free supernatant (CFS), and their protein fraction obtained by 40% of ammonium sulfate precipitation (PFs40) were assessed in experimental challenges against juvenile Litopenaeus vannamei. Live Vibrio cells, CFS, and PFs40 from the AM101 strain produced a significantly higher mortality (p < 0.05) compared to the KH-1 strain. Toxicity and median lethal doses (LD50) of Fast Protein Liquid Chromatography (FPLC) products were evaluated on L. vannamei. The first FPLC fraction sample (A) from PFs40 of the AM101 strain displayed LD50 values of 1.68 and 5.61 microg protein ind.(-1), respectively. The second FPLC process from Fraction A showed a peak (A1) also with toxic effects to shrimp. PFs40, Fraction A, and Peak A1 showed a 38.5 kDa molecular band (SDS-PAGE), with activity on a gelatin protease zymogram. The lethal effect of PFs40 and Fraction A was inhibited by Proteinase K, CuCl2, E-64, and heat (60 and 100 degrees C) treatments, but was not inhibited by EDTA-Na2, aprotinin, and soy trypsin treatments. These results and the zymogram inhibition test suggest the presence of a cysteine protease-like proteinaceous exotoxin as a dominant protease, secreted by V. penaeicida Strain AM101.

Hematological and clinical chemistry changes induced by acute stress during handling and capture of catfish ( Ictalurus punctatus ) / Cambios hematológicos y bioquímicos provocados por estrés agudo causado por manejo y captura de bagre ( Ictalurus punctatus )

ABSTRACT Objetive . Evaluation of hematological and biochemical parameters of culture channel catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) under acute stress by management and capture practice. Materials and methods . Fish (200 g mean) were maintained in culture tanks and divided in two treatments, in duplicate, (n=15x2x2=60 fishes). Thirty catfish were exposed for 5 min to acute stress (TE) by management and capture practice, while other group not (control group, TnE). 10 fish for treatment were collected at 0, 6, and 24 h post-stress for blood collection, where TnE fishes were anesthetized along work. Complete blood count (manual method) and blood biochemical (spectrophotometry) of fish samples were evaluated and their results were analyzed using a Student's t-distribution. Results . The erythrocytes, hematocrit, hemoglobin and glucose level of TE animals was significantly higher (p<0.05) at 6 h post-stress, in comparison of TnE. Immune cells in fish TE decreased at 6 and 24 h post-stress, where leukocytes and lymphocytes were significantly lower that TnE (p<0.05) at 24 h post-stress. Other evaluated parameters did not show significant differences along this study. Conclusions . Those results suggest that several hematological and blood biochemical parameters in fish changed by acute stress generated by management and capture practice.

RESUMEN Objetivo . Evaluar los efectos del estrés agudo debido al manejo y captura sobre los parámetros hematológicos y bioquímicos en bagre de canal (Ictalurus punctatus) bajo cultivo. Materiales y métodos . Los peces (200 g promedio) fueron mantenidos en tanques de cultivo y divididos en dos tratamientos, por duplicado, (n= 15 x 2 x 2 = 60 peces). Treinta bagres fueron expuestos por 5 min a estrés agudo (TE) por manejo y captura, mientras que otro grupo no (grupo control, TnE). Diez peces de cada tratamiento fueron colectados a las 0, 6, y 24 h post-estrés para la extracción de sangre, los bagres del TnE fueron anestesiados durante su manejo y captura. Se evaluó el hemograma (método manual) y bioquímica sanguínea (espectrofotometría). Los resultados fueron analizados mediante la prueba de t student. Resultados . El contenido de eritrocitos, hematocrito, hemoglobina y glucosa de los animales TE fue significativamente mayor (p<0.05) a las 6 h post-estrés en comparación de TnE. Las células inmune en peces TE disminuyeron a las 6 y 24 h post-estrés, siendo leucocitos y linfocitos significativamente menores en el TnE (p<0.05) a las 24 h post-estrés. Otros parámetros evaluados no presentaron diferencias significativas en lo largo del estudio. Conclusiones . Los resultados sugieren que varios indicadores hematológicos y bioquímica sanguínea en los peces son alterados por el estrés agudo ocasionado por manejo y captura.

Fatal parasitosis in blackbucks (Antilope cervicapra): a possible factor risk in hunting units / Parasitosis fatal en el antílope negro (Antilope cervicapra): un posible factor de riesgo en unidades de cacería

In February 2012, a reproductive group of 60 adult blackbucks (Antilope cervicapra) from Veracruz, Mexico was relocated to hunting units in eastern and northeastern Mexico. Seven individuals died due to hemorrhagic parasitic, abomasitis and enteritis caused by Haemonchus spp., Setaria spp., and Trichostrongylids. Deaths were associated with hepatic necrosis, bilateral congestive distention of heart and fibrinonecrotic bronchopneumonia. Also Anaplasma marginale was identified. The blackbucks' population displayed a general mortality rate of 11.67%, where 25% of total male and 9.62% of total female died. The mortality was controlled by segregation of all remaining blackbucks and the treatment for internal and external parasites (biting flies and ticks). After the treatment, no fatality cases related to parasitosis were recorded. The results presented here exhibit the high relevance of parasitosis as possible factor risk in the survival of tis specie.

En febrero del 2012, un grupo de 60 individuos adultos reproductivos de antílope negro (Antilope cervicapra) provenientes de Veracruz, México fueron reubicado en unidades de cacería del este y noreste de este país. Siete individuos murieron presentando hemorragias parasíticas, abomasitis y enteritis ocasionadas por Haemonchus spp., Setaria spp. y Trichostrongylids. Las muertes estuvieron asociadas con necrosis hepática, distensión congestiva del corazón y bronconeumonía fibronecrótica, donde Anaplasma marginale fue identificada. La población de antílopes negros mostró un porcentaje de mortalidad del 11.67%, en donde el 25 y 9.62% de los machos y hembras totales murieron. La mortalidad fue controlada mediante el aislamiento de los antílopes negros restantes y un tratamiento contra parásitos internos y externos (garrapatas y moscas picadoras), lo cual controló las mortalidades y reveló la importancia de la parasitosis como factor de riesgo que afecta la sobrevivencia de esta especie.

Primer informe de hepatozoonosis en un perro de Tamaulipas, México / First report of hepatozoonsis in a dog from Tamaulipas, Mexico

A 3-year-old male Bloodhound dog was presented to a private veterinary hospital at Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas, Mexico, with a 2-week history of weight loss, generalized weakness, anorexia and ptyalism. Results of a hemogram revealed moderate anemia with a chronic inflammatory leukogram. Also, various neutrophlis (approximately 10%) containing elongated pale blue staining intracytoplasmic inclusions, compatible with gametocytes of Hepatozoon spp were observed. Up until now, this is the first case report of canine hepatozoonosis detected in Tamaulipas.

Un perro Bloodhound macho de 3 años de edad fue remitido a una clínica particular de Ciudad Victoria, Tamaulipas, México, con historia de pérdida de peso, debilidad generalizada, anorexia y ptialismo de 2 semanas de evolución. Los resultados del hemograma revelaron una anemia moderada y leucograma con inflamación crónica. Además, se observó que 10% de neutrófilos contenían en su citoplasma pequeñas estructuras de forma alongada de color azul pálido, compatibles con gametocitos de Hepatozoon spp. Hasta ahora, éste es el primer caso de hepatozoonosis canina detectada en Tamaulipas.

Efecto de bacterias probióticas en el cultivo larvario del ostión de placer Crassostrea corteziensis (Bivalvia: Ostreidae)

Effect of probiotic bacteria on survival and growth of Cortez oyster larvae, Crassostrea corteziensis (Bivalvia: Ostreidae). Disease control problems have major constraints in aquaculture production, and the use of probiotics in larviculture is a valid alternative to antibiotics. This study analyzed the effect of probiotic bacteria on survival and final size of Cortez oyster larvae Crassostrea corteziensis. Two different probiotic concentrations were evaluated, 1x10(4) and 1x10(5)CFU/ml of Lactic acid bacteria (strain NS61) isolated from Nodipecten subnodosus, and bacilli isolated from the white leg shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, strain YC58) and C. corteziensis (Burkholderia cepacia, strain Y021). Bacteria were added directly into culture tanks, starting the bioassays from veliger to pediveliger stages as follows: (1) Control, without probiotics; (2) lactic acid bacteria (Lb); (3) bacilli mix (Mb) in a proportion 1:1. Results showed a higher larval survival with Lb and Mb at a dose of 1x10(4)CFU/ml compared to the control group. Larvae exposed to Mb at 1x10(5)CFU/ml showed higher survival than Lb and control. Larval final size was not significantly increased with the tested probiotics, but larvae treated with Lb at 1x105CFU/ml showed less survival rate than those treated at 1x10(4)CFU/ml. This study showed the beneficial effect of these probiotics, added individually or mixed in C. corteziensis larvae culture. Rev. Biol. Trop. 59 (1): 183-191. Epub 2011 March 01.

El ostión de placer u ostra del Cortés (Crassostrea corteziensis) se considera como una especie con potencial para ser cultivada en gran escala. Sin embargo, al igual que en otros bivalvos, la alta mortalidad que se presenta durante la etapa larvaria y juvenil, es el principal problema que limita el desarrollo del cultivo en el laboratorio. Un método que está ganando aceptación en la acuicultura es el uso de bacterias probióticas para controlar patógenos microbianos. Este estudio analiza el efecto de estas bacterias en la supervivencia y talla final de larvas de ostión de placer Crassostrea corteziensis. Se utilizó una cepa de bacterias ácido lácticas (cepa NS61) aisladas N. subnodosus, así como de bacilos aislados de L. vannamei (Pseudomonas aeruginosa, cepa YC58) y de C. corteziensis (Burkholderia cepacia, cepa Y021). Las cepas se evaluaron por inmersión en cultivos larvarios de C. corteziensis a dos concentraciones diferentes, hasta completar el estadio pediveliger. Los organismos se trataron con bacterias ácido lácticas (Lb), una mezcla de bacilos (Lb) en proporción 1:1 y un grupo control. La concentración de 1x10(4)UFC/ml registró una mayor supervivencia con Lb y Mb respecto al grupo control. La supervivencia con Mb a una concentración de 1x10(5)UFC/ml fue mayor que la del grupo control y del grupo tratado con Lb. Los resultados mostraron que las larvas de C. corteziensis tratadas con probióticos no incrementaron significativamente su talla respecto a las larvas del grupo control. Mientras que las tratadas con Lb a la concentración mayor, 1x10(5)UFC/ml, mostraron una disminución de la supervivencia respecto a las tratadas con 1x10(4)UFC/ml. Este estudio demostró el efecto benéfico de cepas probióticas utilizadas individualmente o en mezcla en el cultivo larvario de C. corteziensis.