Applicability assessment of empty fruit bunches from palm oil mills for use as bio-solid refuse fuels.

Palm kernel shells (PKS), empty fruit bunches (EFB), and trunks are by-products of the palm oil industry and form approximately 50 wt % of fresh fruit bunch (FFB). In particular, EFB accounts for approximately 20 wt % of FFB. Although large amounts of EFB are generated from palm oil mills every year in Indonesia and Malaysia, EFB is treated as waste because commercial technologies for thermo-chemical conversion of EFB into renewable energy are still under development. A robust conversion method can transform EFB into an appealing renewable energy source. In order to secure this renewable energy source, Korea can import EFB as biomass. This paper investigates literature on the status of utilization of EFB, by-products from palm oil mills in order to identify the best available technological process to use EFB as bio-solid refuse fuels (SRF). Meanwhile, physico-chemical analyses (proximate, elemental, and calorific value analyses), biomass and heavy metal content were measured in order to assess whether EFB would be suitable for use as a bio-SRF, in accordance with the Korean quality standard for SRF. According to the analysis results, EFB showed applicability to use as bio-SRF; main analysis results - moisture (9.63 wt %), ash (5.94 wt %), biomass content (97.82 wt %) and calorific value (3668 kcal kg).

An Update on Potential Perspectives of Glucosinolates on Protection against Microbial Pathogens and Endocrine Dysfunctions in Humans.

Glucosinolates are the major bioactive secondary metabolites found in the Brassicaceae family and studied extensively in biosynthetic and application perspectives. Because of their potential applications in the welfare of plants (protection against plant pathogens) and human life (prevention of cancer and other diseases), these compounds attracted much interest in the scientific community. In this review, we presented updates on glucosinolate derivatives in protection against microbial pathogens and endocrine related diseases in human. Further, the mechanism of action of glucosinolate derivatives and the strategies to improve their efficiency through modern approaches were discussed. Finally, the genetic enrichment of their contents in plant systems has also been discussed.

Genome-wide analysis and expression profiling of DNA-binding with one zinc finger (Dof) transcription factor family in potato.

DNA-binding with one finger (Dof) domain proteins are a multigene family of plant-specific transcription factors involved in numerous aspects of plant growth and development. Here, we report a genome-wide search for Solanum tuberosum Dof (StDof) genes and their expression profiles at various developmental stages and in response to various abiotic stresses. In addition, a complete overview of Dof gene family in potato is presented, including the gene structures, chromosomal locations, cis-regulatory elements, conserved protein domains, and phylogenetic inferences. Based on the genome-wide analysis, we identified 35 full-length protein-coding StDof genes, unevenly distributed on 10 chromosomes. Phylogenetic analysis with Dof members from diverse plant species showed that StDof genes can be classified into four subgroups (StDofI, II, III, and IV). qPCR expression analysis of StDof gene transcripts showed the distinct expression patterns of StDof genes in various potato organs, and tuber developmental stages analyzed. Many StDof genes were upregulated in response to drought, salinity, and ABA treatments. Overall, the StDof gene expression pattern and the number of over-represented cis-acting elements in the promoter regions of the StDof genes indicate that most of the StDof genes have redundant functions. The detailed genomic information and expression profiles of the StDof gene homologs in the present study provide opportunities for functional analyses to unravel the genes' exact role in plant growth and development as well as in abiotic stress tolerance.

Preventive effect of yuzu and hesperidin on left ventricular remodeling and dysfunction in rat permanent left anterior descending coronary artery occlusion model.

Left ventricular (LV) remodeling, which includes ventricular dilatation and increased interstitial fibrosis after myocardial infarction (MI), is the critical process underlying the progression to heart failure. Therefore, a novel approach for preventing LV remodeling after MI is highly desirable. Yuzu is a citrus plant originating in East Asia, and has a number of cardioprotective properties such as hesperidin. However, no study has proved whether yuzu can prevent LV remodeling. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of yuzu on heart failure (HF) and its potential impact on the LV remodeling process after MI. Our in vivo study using the permanent left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) occlusion model demonstrate that one week pre-treatment with yuzu or its major metabolite hesperidin before LAD occlusion significantly attenuated cardiac dysfunction, myocyte apoptosis and inflammation. Not only yuzu but also hesperidin inhibited caspase-3 activity, myeloperoxidase expression, α-smooth muscle actin expression, and matrix metalloproteinase-2 activity in a permanent LAD occlusion rat model. To our knowledge, our findings provide the first evidence that yuzu and hesperidin prevent MI-induced ventricular dysfunction and structural remodeling of myocardium.

Bedaquiline: a new hope to treat multi-drug resistant tuberculosis.

Each year, a huge number of new cases accounts of TB with added problems due to multidrug resistant TB varieties. Globally, TB is one of the top causes of loss of life among people living with HIV who are more likely than others to get TB infection. Current TB treatment includes long term administration of cocktail of drugs; hence, the development of an alternative armamentarium against TB is the primary requirement. In fact, new drugs with novel activity against mycobacteria are of significant importance in order to combat existing levels of resistance. The present report covers the discovery of a diarylquinoline TB drug, bedaquiline, its antituberculosis effects and mode of action. Clinical studies conducted on bedaquiline which brought it to the accelerated FDA acceptance have been described. This report is of great attention for therapeutic apothecaries working in TB medication growth in terms of creating further diarylquinoline applicants with a wide variety of antimycobacterial results.

HPTLC Analysis, Antioxidant and Antigout Activity of Indian Plants.

The HPTLC analysis, antioxidant, and antigout activity of Asparagus racemosus, Withania somnifera, Vitex negundo, Plumbago zeylanica, Butea monosperma and Tephrosia purpurea extracts were investigated. The chemical fingerprinting were carried out by high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC), antioxidant activity by ABTS, DPPH, FRAP radical scavenging assays, and antiogout activity by cow milk xanthine oxidase. The HPTLC fingerprint qualitatively revealed predominant amount of flavonoids. The TEAC values ranged from 45.80 to 140 µM trolox/100 g dry weight for ABTS, from 85 to 430 µM trolox/ 100 g dw DPPH, and 185 to 560 µM trolox/100 g dw for FRAP respectively. Plants used in this study was found to inhibit the toxicity, as seen from the decreased LPO and increased GSH, SOD and CAT levels. The total phenolic and flavonoid content ranged from 10.21 to 28.17 and 5.80 to 10.1 mg of gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/100 gdw respectively. The plant extracts demonstrated significant xanthine oxidase inhibitory activity at 100 g/mL and revealed an inhibition greater than 50 % and IC50 values below the standard. This effect was almost similar to the activity of allopurinol (Standard drug) against xanthine oxidase (90.2 ± 0.4 %). These plant root extract will be subjected for further extensive studies to isolate and identify their active constituents which are useful for against inflammation and gout.

HPTLC analysis, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative activities of Arisaema tortuosum tuber extract.

CONTEXT: Oxidative stress and inflammation are related to several chronic diseases including cancer and atherosclerosis. Arisaema tortuosum (Wall.) Schott (Araceae) is an Indian folk medicinal herb traditionally used for treatment of various diseases related to inflammation and stress. OBJECTIVE: This study was carried out for HPTLC analysis and evaluation of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative activities of a methanol extract of A. tortuosum tuber. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The antioxidant activities of methanol extract of A. tortuosum tuber (1 mg/mL) were evaluated by DPPH, ABTS and FRAP assays and anti-inflammatory effects by diene-conjugate and ß-glucuronidase assays, with in vitro tumor growth inhibition on HeLa cancer cells. The results for antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects were compared using Trolox and salicylic acid as reference compounds, respectively. RESULTS: The TLC and HPTLC analysis showed the presence of quercetin, rutin, luteolin and lectin (Rf values 0.97, 0.53, 0.59 and 1.58, respectively). The methanol fraction of tuber exhibit higher activity in each antioxidant system with a special attention for DPPH (IC50 = 852 µg/mL), ABTS (IC50 = 532 µg/mL), and FRAP (IC50 = 458 µg/mL), as compared with Trolox as standard, with a remarkable amount of phenolics (86.2 mg/100 g) and flavonoids (175.5 mg/100 g), along with potent anti-inflammatory activity indicated by diene-conjugate (86.20%) and ß-glucuronidase (92.92%) inhibition, as compared with salicylic acid as reference compound. The antiproliferative activity at 100 mg/mL was 88% inhibition with HeLa cells. The inhibition of HeLa cell proliferation was greatest (p < 0.001) with the 100 mg/mL A. tortuosum tuber extract treatments and least with the 25 mg/mL dose. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: Our results suggested that A. tortuosum tuber might be used as a promising and potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antiproliferative agent and might be used for standardization of potential drug after successful isolation and characterization of bioactive compounds.

Evaluation of total phenolics, flavonoids and antioxidant activity of 18 Korean onion cultivars: a comparative study.

BACKGROUND: Onion is undoubtedly one of the major sources of flavonoids. However, there exists a varietal difference in composition, concentration and beneficial activities of onion, on the basis of cultivars, day length sensitivity/ripening and types. To characterise such differences, 18 onion cultivars from Korean were evaluated for their total phenolics, flavonoids and antioxidant activity. Simultaneous quantification of quercetin, quercetin-3,4'-O-diglucoside, quercetin-4'-O-monoglucoside and isorhamnetin-3-glucoside was made in methanol and 75% ethanol. RESULTS: Total phenolic content was examined spectrophotometrically with the Folin-Ciocalteu phenol reagent and total antioxidant activity were studied by the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and diphenyl picryl hydrazyl (DPPH) methods. The cultivar 'Sunpower' showed the highest level of total phenolics [5016 ± 30.0 µg gallic acid equivalents g(-1) dry weight (DW)] and flavonoids (2873.95 ± 60.01 µg Q g(-1) DW) among the 18 cultivars in methanol. However, there were fewer total phenolics and flavonoids in ethanol extracts. The antioxidant activity for cultivar Sunpower was highest in ethanol extracts 24.12 ± 1.00 and 16.13 ± 0.35 µmol L(-1) Trolox equivalents g(-1) DW with FRAP and DPPH, respectively. CONCLUSION: Among the 18 cultivars, Sunpower is the most promising in terms of total phenolics, total flavonoids and antioxidant activity. Our results suggest that day length sensitivity/ripening among the cultivars do not play any significant role for high values of total phenolics, flavonoids and antioxidant activity.

A systematic exploration of high-temperature stress-responsive genes in potato using large-scale yeast functional screening.

Potato (S. tuberosum) is a highly heat-sensitive crop; a slight rise from optimal temperature can lead to drastic decline in tuber yield. Despite several advancements made in breeding for thermo-tolerant potato, molecular mechanisms governing thermo-tolerance is poorly understood. The first step towards understanding the thermo-tolerance mechanism is to identify the key genes involved in it. Here we used a yeast-based functional screening method to identify, characterize and classify potato genes with potentials to impart heat tolerance. We constructed two cDNA expression libraries from heat-stressed potato plants (35 °C) after 2 and 48 h of treatment. 95 potential candidate genes were identified based on enhanced ability of yeast cells over-expressing heterologous potato cDNA sequences to tolerate heat stress. Cross-resistance analysis of these heat-tolerant yeast clones to other abiotic stresses indicated that 20 genes were responsive to drought, 14 to salt and 11 to heat/drought/salt stresses. Comparison of 95 genes with reported whole potato transcriptome data showed that majority of them have varying expression patterns under heat, drought and salt stresses. The expression pattern was validated by analyzing the expression of 22 randomly selected genes under various stresses using qPCR. Gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis of these 95 genes indicated that most of them are involved in various cellular metabolism, signal transduction, response to stress and protein folding, suggesting possible role of these genes in heat tolerance of potato. Genes identified from this study can be potential candidates for engineering heat tolerance as well as broad-spectrum abiotic stress tolerance of potato.

Effect of Dietary Supplementation of Blood Meal and Additional Magnesium on Carnosine and Anserine Concentrations of Pig Muscles.

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary supplementation of blood meal as a source of L-histidine, and the addition of magnesium (Mg) as a catalyst of carnosine synthetase for the carnosine and anserine concentrations of pig muscles (longissimus dorsi, LD and vastus intermedius, VI). A total of twenty-four pigs with an average body weight of 60.2±4.2 kg were randomly allotted to one of three dietary treatments (eight replicates), during 56 d of the feeding trial. Dietary treatments included: (1) Basal: basal diet; (2) BM: 95% basal diet + 5% blood meal; and (3) BM+Mg: 94.8% basal diet + 5% blood meal + 0.2% MgO (60% Mg). Results indicated that drip loss in the LD was less (p<0.05) for meat with BM+Mg treatment than that with Basal treatment, but the values for BM treatment did not differ from those of the other two treatment groups. The concentrations of carnosine in the LD were increased by 10.0% in both BM and BM+Mg treatment groups over the Basal treatment group (significance not verified). The concentrations of carnosine and anserine in the VI were not affected by the dietary treatments. Inclusion of additional Mg in diets had no effect on carnosine and anserine concentrations in the LD and VI. In conclusion, dietary supplementation of blood meal could be a potential method of fortifying the pork with carnosine. Inclusion of additional Mg in the diets containing blood meal had no benefit on carnosine and anserine depositions in pig muscles.

Rapid identification of potential drought tolerance genes from Solanum tuberosum by using a yeast functional screening method.

Identification of major stress tolerance genes of a crop plant is important for the rapid development of its stress-tolerant cultivar. Here, we used a yeast functional screen method to identify potential drought-tolerance genes from a potato plant. A cDNA expression library was constructed from hyperosmotic stressed potato plants. The yeast transformants expressing different cDNAs were selected for their ability to survive in hyperosmotic stress conditions. The relative tolerances of the selected yeast transformants to multiple abiotic stresses were also studied. Specific potato cDNAs expressed in the tolerant yeast transformants were identified. Sixty-nine genes were found capable of enhancing hyperosmotic stress tolerance of yeast. Based on the relative tolerance data generated, 12 genes were selected, which could be most effective in imparting higher drought tolerance to potato with better survival in salt and high-temperature stresses. Orthologues of few genes identified here are previously known to increase osmotic stress tolerance of yeast and plants; however, specific studies are needed to confirm their role in the osmotic stress tolerance of potato.

Genome-wide analysis and expression profiling of the Solanum tuberosum aquaporins.

Aquaporins belongs to the major intrinsic proteins involved in the transcellular membrane transport of water and other small solutes. A comprehensive genome-wide search for the homologues of Solanum tuberosum major intrinsic protein (MIP) revealed 41 full-length potato aquaporin genes. All potato aquaporins are grouped into five subfamilies; plasma membrane intrinsic proteins (PIPs), tonoplast intrinsic proteins (TIPs), NOD26-like intrinsic proteins (NIPs), small basic intrinsic proteins (SIPs) and x-intrinsic proteins (XIPs). Functional predictions based on the aromatic/arginine (ar/R) selectivity filters and Froger's positions showed a remarkable difference in substrate transport specificity among subfamilies. The expression pattern of potato aquaporins, examined by qPCR analysis, showed distinct expression profiles in various organs and tuber developmental stages. Furthermore, qPCR analysis of potato plantlets, subjected to various abiotic stresses revealed the marked effect of stresses on expression levels of aquaporins. Taken together, the expression profiles of aquaporins imply that aquaporins play important roles in plant growth and development, in addition to maintaining water homeostasis in response to environmental stresses.

An evolving role of piperazine moieties in drug design and discovery.

This article purposes to provide insights to piperazine based molecular designs that will facilitate drug discovery program in future. In our pursuit to summarize the reservoir of bioactive agents, and in line with the synthetic economy of new heterocycles, many new roles are being identified for the multiple biotargets of piperazine moieties. We mark out how series of different scaffolds provide an extensive range of various piperazine-based analogues displaying antimicrobial, antituberculosis, anticancer, antiviral and antimalarial activities. We believe that piperazine family of compounds, and their various co-components, highlight the existence of several potential leads for the furtherance of novel bioactive agents.

The UDP-N-acetylglucosamine:dolichol phosphate-N-acetylglucosamine-phosphotransferase gene as a new selection marker for potato transformation.

Here we describe the generation of potato plants that constitutively overexpressed, UDP-N-acetylglucosamine:dolichol phosphate-N-acetylglucosamine-phosphotransferase (GPT). Such transgenic plants can be formed in a medium with tunicamycin at 9.8 ± 0.28% efficiency, similar to the 9.4 ± 1.10 for the bialaphos resistance gene (Bar) gene. This study indicated that GPT transformation was very stable with high reproducibility, and that growth and tuber production in the GPT-transformed plants were stronger than in the wild-type plants.

The effectiveness of early treatment in segmental vitiligo: retrospective study according to disease duration.

Segmental vitiligo (SV) is usually characterized by a unilateral-dermatomal distribution, earlier onset and rapid progression followed by stabilization. The response to phototherapy in patients with SV is limited. We evaluated the treatment response in 39 cases of SV according to disease duration. Ten cases (50.0%) of Group 1 (duration ≤ 5 months) and five cases (26.3%) of Group 2 (duration > 5 months) showed more than 50% repigmentation. Contrary to previous reports, patients in our study responded well to medical treatments like oral steroids, topical calcineurin inhibitors and phototherapy when treated early after onset. The results suggest that early treatment is important.

Evaluation of abiotic stress tolerance in transgenic potato plants with reduced expression of PSII manganese stabilizing protein.

Manganese stabilizing protein (MSP) is an important component of the Photosystem II (PSII) oxygen evolving complex. In our previous work, transgenic potato plants with reduced expression of MSP (MSP-As) were developed and their physiological and biochemical responses were studied. In this report, we address the response of MSP-As plants toward salinity, heavy metal and osmotic stresses. MSP-As plants treated with NaCl, ZnCl(2) or mannitol solution showed significant level of tolerance under all the stress conditions. Specific enzyme activities of major ROS-scavenging enzymes were found significantly higher in MSP-As plants than the control plants. MSP-As plants accumulated increased levels of proline and low molecular weight metabolites such as ascorbate and α-tocopherol, which indicated that these plants were much more resistant to stress compared to the corresponding control plants. The primary photochemical efficiencies and the OJIP kinetics analyses further confirmed that MSP-As plants were in better optimal health under stress compared to the control plants. Although the exact reason behind the increased stress tolerance in stressed MSP-As plants is unclear, our results strongly indicate the role of MSP of unknown function in abiotic stress tolerance.

Optimized methods for in vitro and in vivo anti-inflammatory assays and its applications in herbal and synthetic drug analysis.

Inflammatory diseases including, different types of rheumatic diseases are the major problems associated with the presently available non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents. The numbers of plant derived drugs have been screened for their anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activity. Drug development in the recent times often relies on use of natural and synthetic drugs, which are promising candidates as therapeutic agents for prevention of diseases and disorders. These drugs possess different chemical structures, with wide range of therapeutic activities. The mechanism of Inflammation mainly involve in development of serious diseases, such as cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, sprains, bronchitis, muscle pains, chronic inflammatory bowel disease, persistent asthma, and liver fibrosis. Development of inflammatory events basically related to various chemicals, such as glucocorticoids (GCs) and mometasone furoate (MF); endogenous factors such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α); enzymes and proteins such as copper and zinc-superoxide dismutase (SOD), proinflammatory peptide substance (PPS), RGD peptides, interleukin-4 (IL-4), IL-10, interferon-γ (IFN-γ), COX, LOX, cytokines such as interleukin-1 (IL-1); reactive oxygen species (ROS), nitric oxide (NO) and prostaglandin E2; as well as pro-inflammatory cells such as T and NK cells are well known to have an important role. Based on these correlations, numerous assays were used for inflammatory mechanism research, which was described in this paper.

Onion (Allium cepa) extract attenuates brain edema.

OBJECTIVE: This study investigated the potential beneficial effects of onion extract on brain ischemia-induced edema and blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction. The possible underlying mechanisms are investigated, especially those linked to the antioxidant effects of the onion extract. METHODS: Brain ischemia was induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) for 2 h followed by reperfusion in mice. Mice were treated intravenously with onion extract 30 min before MCAO. Brain edema and BBB hyperpermeability were evaluated by the measurement of the brain water content and Evans blue extravasation, respectively. The disruption of tight junction proteins was examined by immunohistochemical staining. The level of malondialdehyde was determined using the thiobarbituric acid method. The activities of glutathione peroxidase and catalase were determined by spectrophotometric assay. RESULTS: Brain water content in the ischemic hemisphere was significantly reduced by treatment with onion extract. Onion extract also had a significant effect on both the decrease in Evans blue extravasation and the inhibition of zonula occludens-1 and occludin disruption caused by brain ischemia. In addition, onion extract significantly prevented brain ischemia-induced reduction in catalase and glutathione peroxidase activities and elevation of malondialdehyde level in the brain tissue. CONCLUSION: The results from this study demonstrate that onion extract prevents brain edema, BBB hyperpermeability, and tight junction proteins disruption, possibly through its antioxidant effects in the mouse MCAO model. This study suggests that onion extract may be a beneficial nutrient for the prevention of BBB function during brain ischemia.

Dynamic proteomic profile of potato tuber during its in vitro development.

Potato tuberization is a complicated biochemical process, which is dependent on external environmental factors. Tuber development in potato consists of a series of biochemical and morphological processes at the stolon tip. Signal transduction proteins are involved in the source-sink transition during potato tuberization. In the present study, we examined protein profiles under in vitro tuber-inducing conditions using a shotgun proteomic approach involving denaturing gel electrophoresis and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. A total of 251 proteins were identified and classified into 9 groups according to distinctive expression patterns during the tuberization stage. Stolon stage-specific proteins were primarily involved in the photosynthetic machinery. Proteins specific to the initial tuber stage included patatin. Proteins specific to the developing tuber stage included 6-fructokinase, phytoalexin-deficient 4-1, metallothionein II-like protein, and malate dehydrogenase. Novel stage-specific proteins identified during in vitro tuberization were ferredoxin-NADP reductase, 34 kDa porin, aquaporin, calmodulin, ripening-regulated protein, and starch synthase. Superoxide dismutase, dehydroascorbate reductase, and catalase I were most abundantly expressed in the stolon; however, the enzyme activities of these proteins were most activated at the initial tuber. The present shotgun proteomic study provides insights into the proteins that show altered expression during in vitro potato tuberization.