Aquaculture wastewater-raised Azolla as partial alternative dietary protein for Pangasius catfish.

Azolla is a freshwater floating aquatic fern found in the tropical, subtropical and temperate regions with a high nitrogen-fixing rate from the result of symbiotic relationship with the blue-green cyanobacterium, Anabaena azollae. Azolla can effectively remediate aquaculture wastewater owing to its high production capacity and the ability to absorb nutrients and toxic compounds. The Azolla biomass generated as a by-product is currently underutilized and could potentially benefit the aquafeed industry in replacing the unfeasible and expensive fishmeal protein at a certain level. This study evaluates the incorporation of red tilapia wastewater-raised Azolla as a dietary protein for the growth performance, feed efficiency, survival, body indices, body composition and nutrient utilization of Pangasius catfish Pangasianodon hypophthalmus during a 90-days feeding experiment. Dried Azolla was incorporated into four isonitrogenous (30 g kg-1) and isolipidic (12 g kg-1) practical diets containing 0 g kg-1 (Control), 10 g kg-1 (A10), 20 g kg-1 (A20) and 30 g kg-1 (A30) fishmeal protein replacement. One hundred and twenty juveniles with an initial mean weight of 45 ± 15 g were distributed into 12 tanks representing four dietary treatments in triplicates. Results showed significant (p < 0.05) improvement in weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR), protein efficiency ratio (PER) and feed conversion ratio (FCR) in Pangasius catfish fed 10 g kg-1 Azolla protein. Beyond that, WG, SGR, PER and FCR decreased to the lowest value when fed with 30 g kg-1 Azolla protein. No significant (p > 0.05) effects were recorded for feed intake, survival, body indices and nutrient utilization amongst all dietary treatments. In conclusion, Azolla raised from red tilapia aquaculture wastewater can replace fishmeal protein up to 10 g kg-1 in the diet of Pangasius catfish juveniles having better growth, feed efficiency and nutrient utilization without affecting its survival, body indices and body composition.

Dataset of theoretical Molecular Electrostatic Potential (MEP), Highest Occupied Molecular Orbital-Lowest Unoccupied Molecular Orbital (HOMO-LUMO) band gap and experimental cole-cole plot of 4-(ortho-, meta- and para-fluorophenyl)thiosemicarbazide isomers.

One-pot synthetic method was adopted to prepare three isomers 4-(ortho-fluorophenyl)thiosemi- carbazide), 4-(meta-fluorophenyl)thiosemicarbazide and 4-(para-fluorophenyl)thiosemicarbazide. The products were obtained in ethanolic solution from a reaction between ortho, meta and para derivatives of fluorophenyl isothiocyanate and hydrazine hydrate. This work presents the theoretical Molecular Electrostatic Potential (MEP) and Highest Occupied Molecular Orbital-Lowest Unoccupied Molecular Orbital (HOMO-LUMO) computational data through Gaussview 5.0.9 and Gaussian09 software. Experimental Cole-cole plot for conductivity determination was also illustrated. The present data is important to manipulate the properties of compounds according to the position of a fluorine atom.

In vitro antiplasmodial and cytotoxicity activities of crude extracts and major compounds from Goniothalamus lanceolatus.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Malaria, a devastating infectious disease which was initially recognized as episodic fever, is caused by parasitic protozoan of the genus Plasmodium. Medicinal plants with ethnobotanical information to treat fever and/or malaria has been the key element in identifying potential plant candidates for antimalarial screening. Goniothalamus lanceolatus Miq. (Annonaceae) is used as a folk remedy, particularly to treat fever and skin diseases. AIM OF THE STUDY: In this context, supported with previous preliminary data of its antiplasmodial activity, this study was undertaken to determine the in vitro antiplasmodial and cytotoxicity activities of G. lanceolatus crude extracts and its major compounds. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The in vitro antiplasmodial activity was determined by parasite lactate dehydrogenase (pLDH) assay on chloroquine-sensitive (3D7) and chloroquine-resistant (K1) strains of Plasmodium falciparum. The cytotoxicity activity was evaluated using the MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay on hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG2) and normal liver (WRL-68) cell lines. RESULTS: The root methanol extract possessed potent antiplasmodial activity against both P. falciparum 3D7 and K1 strains (IC50 = 2.7 µg/ml, SI = 140; IC50 = 1.7 µg/ml, SI = 236). Apart from the DCM extract of stem bark and root that were found to be inactive (IC50 > 50 µg/ml) against 3D7 strain, all other tested crude extracts exhibited promising (5< IC50 < 15 µg/ml) to moderate (15< IC50 < 50 µg/ml) antiplasmodial activity against both strain. Additionally, only compound C (Parvistone D) exerted promising antiplasmodial activity against 3D7 strain (IC50 = 7.5 µM, SI = 51) whereas compound A, B and D showed moderate antiplasmodial activity against the same strain (20 < IC50 < 100 µM). Interestingly, when tested on K1 strain, compound A, C and D exhibited promising antiplasmodial activity (2 < IC50 < 20 µM) while compound B exhibited moderate activity (IC50 = 26.9 µM). Cytotoxicity study showed that all tested crude extracts and compounds were non-toxic on WRL-68 and HepG2 cell lines (CC50 > 30 µg/ml, CC50 > 10 µM, respectively), except for the hexane and DCM extracts of root, which exerted mild cytotoxicity on HepG2 cell line (IC50 < 30 µg/ml). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that the root methanol extract and compound C (Parvistone D) obtained from G. lanceolatus are highly potential for exploitation as source of antimalarial agents. Parvistone D is identified as one of the bioactive styryl lactones found in the plant extract. It is also noteworthy, that the extract and compound were more active against chloroquine-resistant (K1) strain of P. falciparum. Further studies are being carried out to assess their toxicity profile and antimalarial efficacy in animal model.

Characterization data of titanate compounds synthesized using hydrothermal method at various temperature.

Titanate compounds was synthesized using hydrothermal method at various temperature (100, 150, 200, and 250 °C) for 24 hours. As-synthesized titanate was characterized using FTIR, XRD and nitrogen gas adsorption. FTIR spectra was scanned from 4000 to 400 cm-1 using Perkin Elmer Spectrum 100 FTIR spectrophotometer. XRD diffractogram was performed by using Rigaku Miniflex (II) X-ray diffractometer operating at a scanning rate of 2.00° min-1. The diffraction spectra were recorded at the diffraction angle, 2θ from 10° to 80° at room temperature. Nitrogen gas adsorption analysis was studied by using Micromeritics ASAP2020 (Alaska) to determine the surface area and pores size distribution. The nitrogen adsorption and desorption was measured at 77 K (temperature of liquid nitrogen) and the samples were degassed in a vacuum at 110 °C under nitrogen flow for overnight prior to analysis.

Correlation data of (Z)-1-[4-(trifluoromethyl)benzylidene]thiosemicarbazide via spectroscopic methods and Density Functional Theory studies.

New compound, namely (Z)-1-[4-(trifluoromethyl)benzylidene]thiosemicarbazide was successfully synthesized using thiosemicarbazide with 4-(trifluoromethyl)-benzaldehyde in ethanol solution. The data presented in this articles is related to our research articles entitled "Crystal Structure of (Z)-1-[4-(Trifluoromethyl)benzylidene]thiosemicarbazide" (Osman et al., 2017) [1]. This work shows the continue data from experimental spectroscopic measurement which are Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) and 13C Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (13C NMR). Assessment on the correlation with theoretical computational data was also carried out through GaussView 5.0.9 and Gaussian09 software. Molecular Electrostatic Potential (MEP) and Highest Occupied Molecular Orbital-Lowest Unoccupied Molecular Orbital (HOMO-LUMO) were also illustrated.

The antioxidant effect of Beackea frutescence microemulsions dietary supplements on skin absorption studies.

Objective: To study the effect of two different microemulsions containing Beackea frutescence supplements composed of nerolidool, selenium and vitamin E on absorption effect related to skin health and skin aging. Materials and methods: A total of 39 volunteers with normal and healthy skin were divided into three groups (n = 13) and supplemented for a period of 12 weeks. Group 1 received a mixture of lutein (3 mg/day), lycopene (3 mg/day), α-tocopherol (10 mg/day), selenium (75 µg/day) and ß-nerolidool (4.8 mg/day) and Group 2 was supplemented with a mixture of ß-nerolidool (4.8 mg/day), lycopene (6 mg/day), selenium (75 µg/day) and α-tocopherol (10 mg/day). Group 3 was the placebo control. Wrinkling, smoothness, scaling and roughness of the skin were determined by Surface Evaluation of Living Skin (Visioscan). Results: Upon supplementation, serum levels of selected nerolidool increased in both groups. Skin thickness and density were determined by ultrasound measurements. A significant increase for both parameters was determined in the serum groups. Roughness and scaling were improved by the supplementation with antioxidant micronutrients. In the placebo group, no changes were found for any of the parameters. Conclusion:Beackeafrutescence microemulsion supplements have shown significant change in the texture of human skin as well as scaling, wrinkling, smoothness and roughness were improved by the supplementation.

A survey of middleware for sensor and network virtualization.

Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) is leading to a new paradigm of Internet of Everything (IoE). WSNs have a wide range of applications but are usually deployed in a particular application. However, the future of WSNs lies in the aggregation and allocation of resources, serving diverse applications. WSN virtualization by the middleware is an emerging concept that enables aggregation of multiple independent heterogeneous devices, networks, radios and software platforms; and enhancing application development. WSN virtualization, middleware can further be categorized into sensor virtualization and network virtualization. Middleware for WSN virtualization poses several challenges like efficient decoupling of networks, devices and software. In this paper efforts have been put forward to bring an overview of the previous and current middleware designs for WSN virtualization, the design goals, software architectures, abstracted services, testbeds and programming techniques. Furthermore, the paper also presents the proposed model, challenges and future opportunities for further research in the middleware designs for WSN virtualization.

Sea cucumber (Stichopus hermanii) based hydrogel to treat burn wounds in rats.

Malaysian sea cucumber was incorporated into hydrogel formulation by using electron beam irradiation technique and was introduced as novel cross-linked Gamat Hydrogel dressing. This study investigated whether Gamat Hydrogel enhanced repair of deep partial skin thickness burn wound in rats and its possible mechanism. Wounds were treated with either Gamat Hydrogel, control hydrogel, OpSite® film dressing or left untreated. Skin samples were taken at 7, 14, 21, and 28 days post burn for histological and molecular evaluations. Gamat Hydrogel markedly enhanced wound contraction and improved histological reorganization of the regenerating tissue. Furthermore, the dressing modulated the inflammatory responses, stimulated the activation and proliferation of fibroblasts, and enhanced rapid production of collagen fiber network with a consequently shorter healing time. The level of proinflammatory cytokines; IL-1α, IL-1ß, and IL-6, were significantly reduced in Gamat Hydrogel treated wounds compared with other groups as assessed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). In summary, our results showed that Gamat Hydrogel promoted burn wound repair via a complex mechanism involving stimulation of tissue regeneration and regulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines. The resultant wound healing effects were attributed to the synergistic effect of the hydrogel matrix and incorporated sea cucumber.