Protective responses of antioxidant enzymes against bisphenol-A induced oxidative stress in Asian Seabass Lates calcarifer

1458-1463Bisphenol A (BPA) is an endocrine disruptor used as plastic monomer and plasticizer widely present in the aquatic environment. In the present study, the effect of BPA on the antioxidant system in Lates calcarifer was documented. Three different concentrations such as 1, 10, 100 µg/l were selected and exposed to fishes for 30 days. After BPA exposure, antioxidant parameters were estimated against control. The levels of marker enzymes were assessed in the gill, muscle, liver and brain tissues. The results showed that the activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and lipid peroxidation (LPx) were increased in treated groups than control. On the other hand, reduced glutathione (GSH) level was decreased in BPA exposed groups compared to control. Based on the results, imbalance in the antioxidant defence system clearly indicated that the BPA toxicity could lead to susceptible oxidative stress in various tissues of the fish L. calcarifer

Spread of health-related fake news in Tamil social media - A pilot study

Introduction: Fake news is a type of propaganda that consists of deliberate misinformation or hoaxes spread through traditional print and broadcast news media or online social media. Fake news concerning health subject is not a new phenomenon - its roots are probably as old as healthcare itself. Aim: This study aims to measure the volume of shares concerning health-related fake news in Tamil language social media. Materials and Methods: Analysis was performed employing the BuzzFeed Enterprise Application available through its website. BuzzFeed is a social media analytics and curation tool for content marketers. The data were obtained for 15 most commonly shared pages concerning four keywords, namely vaccinations, oral cancer, gum disease, and dental caries from May 1, 2018, to May 15, 2018, in Tamil language, the local vernacular. Results: The topic most contaminated with fake news was vaccinations (80%) followed by oral cancer and gum disease (both in 60%). Altogether, links containing fake news were shared 272 times in 15 days and accounted for 40% of the studied material. Conclusion: Action could be taken to scientifically evaluate sources of the most frequently shared medical myths. As shown above, some topics were generally free of fake news, whereas others were extremely biased and filled with fallacies. Thus, an extensive educational campaign (not only in social media) for the latter should be implemented. </jats:sec

Screening and partial purification of antifungal metabolite from <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Streptomyces rochei</i> MSA14: an isolate from marine mining soil of Southwest coast of India.

888-897A total of fourteen actinobacterial strains were isolated from the mining sediment of Manavalakurichi, Southeast coast of India. Primary screening results through agar well diffusion method revealed that 28.57% actinobacterial strains had in vitro antifungal activity. Most potent actinobacterial isolate MSA14 showed strongest inhibitory activity and was identified as Streptomyces rochei through morphological, physiological, biochemical and 16S rRNA gene sequence characteristics. Crude ethyl acetate extract of S. rochei exhibited wide spectrum antifungal activity which was ranged between 12 and 17 mm. Further evaluation of Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and Minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) showed the values ranged from 50 to 200 and 100 to 200 µg/ml, respectively. Partial purification of crude extract through TLC using various gradient solvent system recorded different spots of active principles with the respective Rf values between 0.22 and 0.90. TLC autobiography assay evidenced that, spot with the Rf value of 0.54 had promising antagonistic activity

Investigation on antibacterial, antifungal and cytotoxic properties of chosen mangroves

1769-1777In the present study antibacterial, antifungal and cytotoxic properties of organic solvent extracts of three mangroves viz. Avicennia marina, Acanthus ilicifolius and Excoecaria agallocha were evaluated. Results showed significant variation in bioactivity with respect to mangroves and solvents used for extraction. Antibacterial and antifungal activity of crude extracts revealed that, methanol extracts had wide spectrum antagonistic activity than chloroform and acetone extracts. Antagonistic activity exhibited by methanol extracts were in the following order: E. agallocha > A. marina > A. ilicifolius. Artemia cytotoxicity assay results inferred that, methanol extracts of E. agallocha, A. marina and A. ilicifolius recorded higher toxicity at lower concentration. Phytochemical analysis of crude extracts showed marked variation in its presence. Findings of the present study indicated that, the synergistic effect of active principles within the crude extracts were responsible for promising biological activity. Thus mangroves proved to be a good source of antimicrobial and cytotoxic agent