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15-Deoxy-D 12,14 -prostaglandin J 2 (15d-PGJ 2 ) has been identified as a natural ligand for peroxisome proliferatoractivated receptor (PPAR) c to promote adipogenesis. However, it remains elusive about the ability of PPARc-expressing adipocytes to produce PGJ 2 series and the role in the life cycle of adipocytes. Here, we developed an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay specific for 15d-PGJ 2 . The analysis using this method revealed the increase in the endogenous synthesis of immunoreactive 15d-PGJ 2 in cultured adipocytes during the maturation phase. Further studies using cyclooxygenase inhibitors clarified the contribution of endogeous 15d-PGJ 2 produced by mature adipocytes to upregulation of fat storage in an autocrine manner.

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ObjectiveEndophytes have the potential to synthesize various bioactive secondary metabolites. The aim of the study was to find new cytotoxic and antibacterial metabolites from endophytic fungus, Cladosporium sp. isolated from the leaves of Rauwolfia serpentina (L.) Benth. ex Kurz. (Fam: Apocyanaceae).Materials and methodsThe endophytic fungus was grown on potato dextrose agar medium and extracted using ethyl acetate. Secondary metabolites were isolated by chromatographic separation and re-crystallization, and structures were confirmed by 1H NMR, 13C NMR and mass spectroscopic data. The cytotoxicity was determined by WST-1 assay and brine shrimp lethality bioassay, while antibacterial activity was assessed by disc diffusion method.ResultsTwo naphthoquinones, namely anhydrofusarubin (1) and methyl ether of fusarubin (2), were isolated from Cladosporium sp. The isolated compounds 1 and 2, by WST-1 assay against human leukemia cells (K-562) showed potential cytotoxicity with IC50 values of 3.97 μg/mL and 3.58 μg/mL, respectively. Initial screening of crude ethyl acetate extract and column fractions F-8 and F-10 exhibited noticeable cytotoxicity to brine shimp nauplii with LC50 values of 42.8, 1.2 and 2.1 μg/mL, respectively. Moreover, the isolated compound 2 (40 μg/disc) showed prominent activities against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Bacillus megaterium with an average zone of inhibition of 27 mm, 25 mm, 24 mm and 22 mm, respectively and the activities were compared with kanamycin (30 μg/disc).ConclusionOur findings indicate that anhydrofusarubin (1) and methyl ether of fusarubin (2) might be useful lead compounds to develop potential cytotoxic and antimicrobial drugs.

A 6‐month feeding trial was conducted in field condition using 10 farm ponds (400–600 m2) to investigate the effect of mixed feeding schedules on the growth of sutchi catfish, Pangasius hypophthalmus with silver carp, Hypophthalmichthys molitrix. Fish were stocked at a ratio of 80:20 (sutchi catfish, 4.9±0.5 g: silver carp, 12.0±0.8 g) at the total rate of 25 000 ha−1. Two diets of high protein (30%, HP) and low protein (16%, LP) were prepared using locally available feed ingredients. Five different feeding schedules of high‐protein diet continuously (HP), low‐protein diet continuously (LP), 1‐day low–protein/1‐day high‐protein diet (1LP/1HP), 7 days low–protein/7 days high‐protein diet (7LP/7HP) and 14 days low–protein/14 days high‐protein diet (14LP/14HP) were tested. The fish were fed twice daily at the rate of 15%, 10%, 8% and 5% of their body weight for first, second, third month and rest of experimental period respectively. Feeding rate was calculated only on the basis of sutchi catfish weight only and was adjusted every 2 weeks according to weight gain. Fish fed LP and HP on alternate day (1LP/1HP) resulted in significantly (P<0.05) higher growth rate, feed utilization and production among the treatments. However, there were no significant differences (P>0.05) between the growth rates and production of fish fed HP regularly and fish fed 7 days LP followed by 7 days HP (7LP/7HP). Fish maintained on LP grew the least. The feed conversion ratio (FCR) values for sutchi catfish ranged between 2.04 and 2.79 with feeding schedule 1LP/1HP showing the best FCR. The total production of fish (including silver carp) ranged between 8310 and 12 422 kg ha−1 6 months−1 with 1LP/1HP feeding schedule resulting in the highest production and net profit. The study demonstrated that feeding fish continuously with HP is less economical. Thus, for profitable sutchi catfish culture with silver carp, farmers can use the mixed feeding schedule of alternate day feeding of LP and HP as a means of reducing feed costs.

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The propagation, antibacterial activity and phytochemical profiles of Litsea glutinosa have been focused. Percentage of viable seed was 70 by tetrazoliumchloride staining technique, while germination rates were 75, 70, 55 and 20% in clay loam soil, clay loam: compost, compost and sand, respectively. Propagation of basal cutting in clay loam soil under the sun was faster than the apical stem cuttings. Both the ethanolic and water soluble extracts of the leaves and bark showed against Escherichia coli, Enterobacter intermedium, Salmonella sp., Staphylococcus aureus and Staphylococcus epidermis. Phytochemical profiling of the bark of L. glutinosa showed the presence of a number of secondary metabolites including steroids and terpenoids. The isolated compounds from ethanolic bark extract (T-1 and T-3) were identified as stigmasterol and -sitosterol, respectively by comparing the 1 H-NMR data of the isolated compounds with that of the published data.