Effects of oligosaccharides from endophytic Fusarium oxysporum Dzf17 on activities of defense-related enzymes in Dioscorea zingiberensis suspension cell and seedling cultures

BackgroundThree oligosaccharides (EOS, WOS and SOS) were respectively prepared from the corresponding polysaccharides, namely exopolysaccharide (EPS), water-extracted mycelial polysaccharide (WPS) and sodium hydroxide-extracted mycelial polysaccharides (SPS) from the endophytic fungus Fusarium oxysporum Dzf17. In this study, the effects of EOS, WOS and SOS on the activities of the defense-related enzymes, namely phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), polyphenoloxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD) in its host plant Dioscorea zingiberensis cultures were investigated.ResultsFor the suspension cell cultures of D. zingiberensis, the highest PAL activity was induced by 0.5 mg/mL of WOS at 48 h after treatment, which was 4.55-fold as that of control. Both PPO and POD activities were increased to the maximum values by 0.25 mg/mL of WOS at 48 h after treatment, which were respectively 3.74 and 3.45-fold as those of control. For the seedling cultures, the highest PAL activity was elicited by 2.5 mg/mL of EOS at 48 h after treatment, which was 3.62-fold as that of control. Both PPO and POD reached their maximum values treated with 2.5 mg/mL of WOS at 48 h after treatment, which were 4.61 and 4.19-fold as those of control, separately.ConclusionsBoth EOS and WOS significantly increased the activities of PAL, PPO and POD in the suspension cell and seedling cultures of D. zingiberensis. The results suggested that the oligosaccharides from the endophytic fungus F. oxysporum Dzf17 may be related to the activation and enhancement of the defensive mechanisms of D. zingiberensis suspension cell and seedling cultures.     

The production of available potash from the natural silicites

In this paper a summary is given of the various processes which have been proposed for making the potash in the natural silicates available as a fertilizer.Experimental trials of a new rotary kiln process for treating feldspar are described, which depends upon a previous treatment before furnacing, consisting of a method of aggregating or clumping the mix so that chemical contact of the reacting substances is brought about during the subsequent processing. The qualitative and quantitative results obtained on a number of experimental trials on a mill scale of operation are presented and discussed. It is shown that it is possible to economically manufacture a potash fertilizer containing free lime from feldspar, and for a sufficiently low cost to make an industry based upon the method worthy of consideration.     

Effect of anger,anxiety, and sadness on the propagation scale of social media posts after natural disasters

Social media is widely used for sharing disaster-related information following natural disasters. Drawing on negativity bias theory, integrated crisis mapping model, and arousal theory, this study characterized the emotional responses of the public and tested the way emotional factors and influential users (with high numbers of followers and activeness) affect the number of reposts. Results indicated that after unpredictable earthquakes, the public showed negative responses, and negativity bias theory manifested especially when the posts came from influential users. During a typhoon or earthquake, the number of reposts grew as the number of anger-related words in posts increased. Anxiety- and typhoon-related posts from users with high numbers of followers negatively affected the number of reposts, whereas sadness-related posts had contrasting effects. These findings can help emergency managers formulate proper emotional response strategies after various natural calamities and help researchers test the abovementioned theories or models using real-word data from social media.     

Effect of immobilisation stress on lipid peroxidation and lipid profile in rabbits

Stress is one of the basic factors in the aetiology of a number of diseases such as atherosclerosis, coronary heart disease, aging, liver disease etc. Hence this work was designed to study the effect of stress in the form of forced immobilisation stress on lipid peroxidation and lipid profile in rabbits. The study was conducted in 25 healthy rabbits of either sex. Rabbits were subjected to forced immobilisation for two hours everyday for consecutive seven days. Blood samples were collected on day 1, 3 and 7 after immobilisation period. Malondialdehyde (MDA), a marker of lipid peroxidation was estimated by TBA assay method. Lipid profile was analysed by multichannel autoanalyser. There was statistically significant increase in MDA, total cholesterol, LDL, VLDL and triglycerides with immobilisation. These findings indicate that stress in the form of forced immobilisation increases lipid peroxidation and alter lipid profile, which may be responsible for pathophysiology of various diseases.     

Effect of aerobic exercise on lipid profile in dogs

20 male dogs weighing 20–25 kg were assigned an exercise schedule for 2 months. Blood samples were collected before exercise and again at the end of the exercise schedule, thus each dog served as its own control. Physical exercise caused a significant reduction in total lipids, total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, whereas unesterified cholesterol (UC), high density lipoprotein (HDL) and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) cholesterol remained unaffected. However, the ratio of HDL cholesterol to LDL cholesterol raised significantly from 0.36±0.01 to 0.58±0.01. Aerobic exercise also resulted in an increase in creatinine phosphokinase (CPK) level. The results show that aerobic exercise programme can significantly affect serum cholesterol and lipoprotein concentration.     

Consequences of media information uptake and deliberation: focus groups' symbolic coping with synthetic biology

Whenever a new, potentially controversial technology enters public awareness, stakeholders suggest that education and public engagement are needed to ensure public support. Both theoretical and empirical analyses suggest, however, that more information and more deliberation per se will not make people more supportive. Rather, taking into account the functions of public sense-making processes, attitude polarisation is to be expected. In a real-world experiment, this study on synthetic biology investigated the effect of information uptake and deliberation on opinion certainty and opinion valence in natural groups. The results suggest (a) that biotechnology represents an important anchor for sense-making processes of synthetic biology, (b) that real-world information uptake and deliberation make people feel more certain about their opinions, and (c) that group attitudes are likely to polarise over the course of deliberation if the issue is important to the groups.     

Effect of herbal drug on serum lipid profile in albino rabbits

Abana, a herbal preparation of Himalaya Drug Co. significantly increases HDL—cholesterol and lowers LDL—cholesterol. Moreover, it antagonises the HDL lowering effect of metoprolol.     

Biosynthesis of gold nanoparticles by two bacterial and fungal strains,Bacillus cereus and Fusarium oxysporum,and assessment and comparison of their nanotoxicity in vitro by direct and indirect assays

BackgroundAlthough nanoparticles (NPs) have many advantages, it has been proved that they may be absorbed by and have toxic effects on the human body. Recent research has tried to evaluate and compare the nanotoxicity of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) produced by two types of microorganisms in vitro by two different methods. AuNPs were produced by Bacillus cereus and Fusarium oxysporum, and their production was confirmed by visible spectral, transmission electron microscope, and X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses. The human fibroblast cell line CIRC-HLF was treated with AuNPs, and the induced nanotoxicity was measured using direct microscopic and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays.ResultsThe results showed that the produced AuNPs had a maximum absorbance peak around 510–530 nanometer (nm), with spherical, hexagonal, and octagonal shapes and average sizes around 20–50 nm. The XRD results confirmed the presence of GNPs in the microbial culture supernatants. An MTT assay showed that GNPs had dose-dependent toxic effects, and microscopic analysis showed that GNPs induced cell abnormalities in doses lower than the determined half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC50s).ConclusionsIn conclusion, the biologically produced AuNPs had toxic effects in the cell culture, and direct techniques such as microscopic evaluation instead of indirect methods such as MTT assay were more useful for assessing the nanotoxicity of the biologically produced AuNPs. Thus, the use of only MTT assay for nanotoxicity evaluation of AuNPs is not desirable.     

Effect of diet oils on lipid levels of the brain of rats

The effects of sunflower oil, olive oil, margarine, soybean oil and butter on cholesterol and triglyceride levels were investigated in the brain of rats. Rats were fed with a diet containing 15% of the oils for a period of 8 weeks. The rats were then decapitated, brain samples were removed, homogenized and cholesterol and TG levels were measured. Brain cholesterol and Triglycerides levels of all animals receiving different oils were significantly higher according to the contol except TG level of animals receiving margarine. Brain cholesterol levels of the vegetable oils were statistically higher than those receiving saturated oil. Thus, cholesterol level of the rats fed with olive oil group was significantly higher than that of the other groups but those receiving sunflower oil group and Triglycerides level of the animals receiving olive oil was significantly higher than that of the other groups except animal supplemented with soybean oil. Thus, it is concluded that brain lipid levels of rats are differently effected by various oils and mechanism of which needs to be investigated.     

Effect of felodipine on the serum lipid profile of patients with hypertension

Forty patients suffering from mild to moderate degree of hypertension were put on felodipine. Their lipid profile was analysed before the start of their therapy and consecutively at two and four months after starting felodipine. There was a statistically significant fall in the levels of serum cholesterol, serum triglycerides and serum total lipids; though no appreciable variation was observed in HDL and LDL cholesterol levels. At baseline there were a few patients who had higher than the normal range of the serum lipid profile. Analysis of these patients showed a highly significant fall in the levels of serum cholesterol, serum triglycerides, serum LDL-cholesterol and serum total lipids i.e. felodipine modified the lipid profiles of hypertensive patients in a positive way.     

Effect of penitence on social media trust and privacy concerns: The case of Facebook

Abuse of information entrusted to organizations can result in a variety of privacy violations and trust concerns for consumers. In the event of violations, a social media brand or organization renders an apology – a form of social account – to alleviate users’ concerns and maintain user membership and engagement with the platform. To explore the link between apology offered by a social media brand or organization and the users’ trust dynamics in the brand’s services, we study how organizational integrity can contribute to reducing individuals’ privacy concerns whiles increasing or repairing their trust. Drawing on organizational behavioral integrity literature, our proposed research model suggests that the persuasiveness of an apology following a data breach affects users’ trust or spillover trust through their perceptions of the degree of alignment between the words in the apology and the actions of the violating entity. Based on a survey of Facebook users, our findings show that persuasiveness of an apology has a significant impact on users’ perceptions of the alignment between the social media brand’s (i.e. Facebook) words and subsequent actions. These perceptions impact social media brand trust (i.e. users’ trust in Facebook and allied services such as Instagram). We also find that, post data breach incidence, while integrity of the social media organization partially mediates the relationship between persuasive apology and users’ trust, it fully mediates the relationship between the persuasive apology and the privacy concerns expressed by the users. However, users’ privacy concerns do not contribute much to the repair of trust needed to maintain their membership.     

Consumer response towards social media advertising: Effect of media interactivity,its conditions and the underlying mechanism

Marketers increasingly use social media platforms as a promotion channel, and doing this, they prefer highly interactive social media because it allows consumers to socialize and network better. However, in this media, attention is often restricted towards primary purpose only as a result of the level of interactivity, thereby affecting consumer response towards the advertisement(ad). In this setting, the study analyzes the role of media interactivity and the effects it has on the reaction of customers towards the social media ad. Further, the study also introduces the conditional role of message relevant aspects, such as message vividness and anthropomorphism, and examines the intervening role of flow experience. Results from a between-subjects study indicate that interactivity hurts the consumer ad reactions. It also suggests that the right use of message relevant aspects can mitigate these adverse effects. Thus, the study makes a significant contribution to the literature and practice regarding the effects of social media interactivity which is relatively recent and has been overlooked by past researchers.     

Effect of oral antioxidant supplementation on lipid peroxidation during radiotherapy in head and neck malignancies

The objectives of the present study were to ascertain the variations in the serum levels of malondialdehyde and total antioxidant status, in head and neck malignancies with different stages, with and without oral antioxidant supplementation, before and after radiotherapy, and to validate the protective effects of an antioxidant supplementation during radiotherapy. The pretreatment values of serum malondialdehyde were significantly raised, while that of serum total antioxidant status were significantly declined in all the stages of head and neck malignancies, when compared with the healthy controls values (P<0.001). A significant correlation was observed related to the studied parameters and different stages of the disease. The study suggests that an oral antioxidant supplementation during radiotherapy is an effective mode in reducing oxidative stress. Antioxidant supplementation during radiotherapy may serve as an adjuvant therapy in malignancies offering a protection to normal cells that may further reduce the risk of developing secondary cancers.     

网络媒体给广播带来的挑战与机遇

随着信息高速公路建设的迅速发展,电脑互联网对人们的工作、日常生活都产生越来越大的影响.从某种意义说,互联网是一种新型的传播媒体,被称之为报纸、广播和电视三种传统媒体之后的网络媒体.然而,这种媒体同传统媒体相比,在传播方式上又有很大的不同,网络媒体是一种全新的传媒形式,与传统的三大媒体之一广播相比,它具有以下特点:     

Effect of short term supplementation of tomatoes on antioxidant enzymes and lipid peroxidation in type-II diabetes

The objective of the present study is to evaluate the beneficial effect of tomatoes, which are rich source of Lycopene, relatively a new carotenoid known to play an important role in human health and disease. In this study lipid peroxidation rate was measured by estimating Malondialdehyde and the levels of serum enzymes involved in antioxidant activities like Super Oxide Dismutase, Glutathione Peroxidase, Glutathione Reductase, Reduced Glutathione, in type-II diabetic group (n=40) and age matched control group (n=50), and observed significantly lower levels of antioxidant enzymes and very high lipid peroxidation rate in type-II diabetes when compared to control group (p<0.001). Short term supplementation with tomatoes (cooked) to diabetic group for a period of 30 days, showed a significant improvement in antioxidant enzyme levels (p<0.001) and decreased lipid peroxidation rate (p<0.001) suggesting the supplementation with tomato lycopene may serve as the best method of preventing the oxidative stress in diabetic patients.     

Effect of soy proteins Vs soy isoflavones on lipid profile in postmenopausal women

Soy isoflavones and soy proteins are being considered as possible alternatives to postmenopausal hormone replacement therapy. This study was undertaken to evaluate effects of these two preparations on symptoms and lipid profile in postmenopausal women. The study was done in 75 postmenopausal women with FSH levels = 30 mIU/ml. These women were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=25). Study group I was given soy proteins 30gm/day containing 60 mg soy isoflavones. Study group II was given soy isoflavones (60 mg/day). The control group was given casein protein 30 gm/day. The menopausal symptoms were assessed by Kupperman Index. Fasting blood samples were analyzed for serum lipid profile, apolipoprotein A1 and B, Leutenizing Hormone (LH) and Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH) at the beginning of therapy, 4 and 12 weeks after initiation of therapy. A highly significant improvement in postmenopausal symptoms was observed in both the study groups. A highly significant improvement was seen in serum lipid profile and Apolipoprotein A1 and B in women taking soy proteins whereas women taking soy isoflavones demonstrated significant improvement in serum triglycerides only. Both soy proteins and soy isoflavones are helpful in alleviating postmenopausal symptoms but soy proteins offer a greater health advantage due to their beneficial effect on serum lipid profile.     

Effect of dietary fish on the lipid profile of cholesterolstressed rats during copper overload

The effect of dietary supplementation with Oil sardine (Sardinella longiceps) fish at 2/3 fat replacement, on serum lipids in the cholesterol-stressed copper loaded rats was studied. Hypercholesterolemic state observed during copper toxicity was not alleviated by sardines. Copper loading significantly decreased the triglyceride levels and the activity of β-hydroxy β-methyl glutaryl (HMG) CoA reductase. Fish supplementation was further effective in reducing the triglyceride levels in copper loaded rats. Significant increase in the serum phospholipid was observed in the fish supplemented rats during copper overload. The finding suggests that hypolipidemic potential of fish is certainly altered to some extent in copper toxicity since, it is well known that copper enhances the formation of free radicals. Thus it may be concluded that sardine fish is not effective in reducing the cholesterol levels during copper toxicity.