Postnatal developmental expression and localization of apelin and apelin receptor protein in the ovary and uterus of mice.

Postnatal ovarian and uterine development is crucial to accomplished female fertility. Thus, the investigations of factors that present in pre-pubertal stages are important as it might be responsible for the regulation of ovarian and uterine function. Apelin, an adipokine and its receptor (APJ) are present in female reproductive organs. However, no study has reported its postnatal expression in uterus and ovary. Thus, we investigated the postnatal developmental changes in expression and localization of apelin and APJ in the ovary and uterus of mice. Postnatal ovary and uterus were collected from postnatal day (PND) 1, 7, 14, 21, 42, 65 and performed western blot analysis and immunohistochemistry. Uterine APJ is elevated in PND14 and PND65, whereas, ovarian APJ elevated in PND7, PND14, and PND65. Apelin expression in both ovary and uterus showed intense staining at PND65 and PND14. Our results showed that apelin and APJ abundance was lower at PND21 in uterus and ovary. In conclusion, apelin and APJ are developmentally regulated in the ovary and uterus, and its localization in the different compartments of ovary and uterus suggest its distribution specific physiological role in the uterus and ovary.

Efficacy of Trevesia palmata (Roxb. ex Lindl.) Vis. Extract on MG 63 cell lines and arthritis-induced animal models.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Despite widespread use of herbal remedies for treating arthritis and osteosarcoma, many plants are still not pharmacologically evaluated for their efficacy. Contrary to many non-steroidal, immunosuppressants, antibiotics, and antineoplastic drugs that have adverse effects, phytotherapeutic compounds have promising benefits with fewer complications. In this study the unexplored Northeastern India indigenous plant Trevesia palmata (Roxb. ex Lindl.) Vis. used in traditional medicine to cure bone fractures is chosen for studying anti-proliferative and anti-rheumatic properties. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study designed to explore the polyphenolic composition, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic potential of T. palmata leaf extracts. Further, the cellular activity was studied using MG 63 osteoblast cell lines and pharmacologically evaluated using Complete Freund's Adjuvant (CFA) induced arthritic rat model. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In vitro free radical scavenging activity, anti-inflammatory and anti-arthritic activities of extracts were analyzed using standardized methods. The polyphenolic profiling and apoptosis inducing ability of T. palmata ethyl acetate (TPEA) extract on MG 63 osteoblast cell lines were analyzed. The in vivo pharmacological studies were carried out with low dose 250 mg/kg and high dose of 500 mg/kg of T. palmata. The biochemical and haematological parameters and in vivo antioxidant activity were evaluated for the control and treated groups. Radiological and histological study were done to understand the impact and penetration of inflammatory arthritis from tissues to joint bones. RESULTS: TPEA showed highest free radical scavenging activity (DPPH - 4.72 IC50, ABTS - 242.33 ± 6.81 mM TE/g extract), anti-inflammatory (40.04% inhibition of RBC lysis) and anti-arthritic activity (32.4% inhibition of protein denaturation) with the presence of gallic acid, catechin, caffeic acid, rutin, quercetin and naringenin. The TPEA extract inhibited cell proliferation of MG 63 osteoblast cells and induced apoptosis by arresting cell cycle at different phases. After acute toxicity studies the doses 250 mg/kg and 500 mg/kg were fixed and showed better results in CFA-induced arthritic animals. Thus, the extract phytoconstituents may have immense potential against chronic inflammation, joint ailments, bone cancer and arthritis which serves as a phytomedicine contrary to synthetic medications. CONCLUSIONS: The potential treatment of polyphenolic compounds in the T. palmata extract on osteosarcoma and arthritis was demonstrated from this study. Thus, cellular inflammatory infiltrates are significantly reduced in bone and joint tissues as well.

The complete mitochondrial genome of the Indian honey bee, Apis cerena cerana (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Apinae).

The complete mitogenome of Apis cerana cerana (Hymenoptera: Apidae: Apinae) was sequenced using Illumina NextSeq500 platform and found to be 15 831 bp long. The mitogenome contains 37 genes (13 PCGs, 22 tRNAs, and 2 rRNAs) and a control region. The base composition is biased towards A-T (83.9%). The control region is 498 bp long with polyT stretch and poly [TA (A)]n-like stretch. The phylogenetic tree constructed using concatenated PCGs showed that A. cerana cerana clustered with other cavity nesting Apis species.

Illumina based whole mitochondrial genome of Junonia iphita reveals minor intraspecific variation.

In the present study, the near complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of Junonia iphita (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae: Nymphalinae) was determined to be 14,892 bp. The gene order and orientation are identical to those in other butterfly species. The phylogenetic tree constructed from the whole mitogenomes using the 13 protein coding genes (PCGs) defines the genetic relatedness of the two J. iphita species collected from two different regions. All the Junonia species clustered together, and were further subdivided into clade one consisting of J. almana and J. orithya and clade two comprising of the two J. iphita which were collected from Indo and Indochinese subregions separated by river barrier. Comparison between the two J. iphita sequences revealed minor variations and Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms were identified at 51 sites amounting to 0.4% of the entire mitochondrial genome.

A three year study on distribution and ecology of Anophelines in Thenzawl, Mizoram, India.

A systematic survey on Anopheline species abundance, bionomics and habitat preference was conducted for three years in Thenzawl, Mizoram. A scoop-net method was employed for larval collection and a local made killing-jar for adults. A total of 10 species Anopheles campestris (25.8%), An. nivipes (24.0%), An. vagus (20.6%), An. jamesii (15.1%), An. jeyporiensis (11.4%), An. maculatus (1.7%), An. philippinensis (0.7%), An. annularis (0.26%), An. sinensis (0.23%) and An. peditaeniatus (0.22%) were collected. The survey site having thick tall grasses, numerous rural-huts as residents, small to relatively larger ponds and very slow running water bodies well shaded from sunlight with floating aquatic plants provided the largest area for Anopheles larvae breeding and accounted for 40% of all Anopheles larva and 25.4% total Anopheles spp. collected. An. campestris (NSK01), maculatus (NSK04), philippinensis (NSK06), nivipes (NSK10) and jeyporiensis (NSK09) were strongly anthropogenic and endophagic while vagus (NSK18) and jamesii (NSK03) were found to be highly zoophilic and exophilic and An. peditaeniatus (NSK02), annularis (NSK07) and sinensis (NSK15) were found to be highly zoophilic. Because of its abundance and bionomics, An. campestris, jeyporiensis and nivipes may have played a role in malarial transmission throughout the year. This is the first study reported on Anopheline distribution and abundance in Thenzawl, Mizoram.

Characterization of Bacillus thuringiensis Cry1 class proteins in relation to their insecticidal action.

Thirty nine Bt Cry1 subgroup protein sequences were retrieved from NCBI and analyzed for physicochemical properties, active site and relationship in relation to their variations in toxicity. Cry1 proteins were found to be hydrophilic and stable. SOSUI server predicted presence of two transmembrane regions in Ag and a single transmembrane region from Aa to Ae. EMBOSS PepWheel tool analysis of the transmembrane regions showed that there were 23 highly conserved residues towards the N terminal which are hydrophobic and more than half of the residues were neutrally charged. No signal peptide was detected which classifies the Cry1 group proteins as non-secretory proteins. Cry1 proteins have very high composition of neutral amino acids and might transform into negative charge after solubilization in alkaline environment (insect midgut). The negatively charged protein might misfold causing difficultly to digest and thereby be toxic to lepidopteran. Active sites of Cry1 proteins with more than 50% neutral amino acids showed wide insecticidal spectrum and further positive correlation (r = 0.7731) was observed between neutral amino acids and insect species affected (Y = -138.21 + 2.907X). Similarity of sequences was found between Cry1 proteins based on their high or low spectrum of insecticidal activity.

Insecticidal and repellent activity of Hiptage benghalensis L. Kruz (Malpighiaceae) against mosquito vectors.

Plant-based insecticides for vector control are urgently needed for Anopheles barbirostris, Culex quinquefasciatus, and Aedes albopictus which are the primary vectors of malaria, lymphatic filariasis, and dengue, respectively, in India and other South East Asian countries. In the present study, larvicidal, adulticidal, and repellent activities of acetone root bark extract of Hiptage benghalensis were tested against the larvae and adults of the three mosquito vectors. The acetone root bark extracts of H. benghalensis was more effective as larvicides with low LC(50) (11.15-16.78 ppm) and LT50 (1.25-4.84 h at 200 and 400 ppm) values. Results of log probit analysis (at 95 % confidence level) and regression analysis of crude acetone root bark extract of H. benghalensis revealed that lethal concentration (LC(50)) values gradually decreased with the exposure periods; lethal time (LT(50)) decreased with the concentration, and the mortality is positively correlated with the concentration. The order of susceptibility of the three mosquito species was as follows: A. albopictus > A. barbirostris > C. quinquefascitus. Biochemical changes were also evidenced in third instar larvae of three mosquito species following a sublethal exposure for 24 h. The level of sugar, glycogen, lipids, and proteins was significantly (P < 0.05) reduced in larvae treated with H. benghalensis. The acetone root bark extracts of H. benghalensis is less toxic to adults and repelled laboratory-reared female A. barbirostris, A. albopictus, and C. quinquefascitus with the short median protection times of 57.66-135, 72.41-134.16, and 47.66-93 min, respectively. The present investigation proves it as a potent larvicide against A. albopictus, A. barbirostris, and C. quinquefascitus, which can be recommended to control these mosquito species on its breeding site. However, further investigations are needed to confirm the lethal effects of H. benghalensis in field conditions and its impact on the nontarget organisms.

Prot-Prop: J-tool to predict the subcellular location of proteins based on physiochemical characterization.

PROT-PROP is a computational tool to characterize 27 physicochemical properties of a protein along with its subcellular location (intra or extra) in a single-window application. Other significant features of this software include calculation of numerical values for hydrophobicity, hydrophilicity; composition of small and large amino acids; net hydrophobic content in terms of low/high; and Navie's algorithm to calculate theoretical pI. PROT-PROP is an easy-to-install platform independent implementation of JAVA under a user-friendly interface. It is a standalone version as a virtual appliance and source code for platforms supporting Java 1.5.0 and higher versions, and downloadable from the web http://www.mzu.edu.in/schools/biotechnology.html . PROT-PROP can run under Windows and Macintosh Operating Systems. PROT-PROP is distributed with its source code so that it may be adapted or customized, if desired.