Mid Gut Research Articles

Finding the Relationships between a Strain of Bacillus thuringiensis, Tannic Acid, and the Mid–gut Proteases of Spodoptera exigua

Finding the Relationships between a Strain of Bacillus thuringiensis, Tannic Acid, and the Mid–gut Proteases of Spodoptera exigua

Vector competence of Aedes aegypti in transmitting Chikungunya virus: effects and implications of extrinsic incubation temperature on dissemination and infection rates.

BackgroundAedes aegypti is a competent arthropod vector of chikungunya virus (CHIKV). The rate at which the virus disseminate in the vector is limited by temperature of their environment which can be an important determinant of geographical and seasonal limits to transmission by the arthropods in the tropics. This study investigated the vector competence of Ae. aegypti for CHIKV at ambient temperature of 32 and 26 °C (Coastal and Western Kenya respectively) reared at Extrinsic Incubation Temperature (EIT) of 32 and 26 °C that resembles those in the two regions.MethodsAe. aegypti eggs were collected from coastal and Western Kenya, hatched in the insectary and reared to F1 generation. Four-day old mosquitoes were exposed to CHIKV through a membrane feeding. They were then incubated in temperatures mimicking the mean annual temperatures for Trans-Nzoia (26 °C) and Lamu (32 °C). After every 7, 10 and 13 days post infection (DPI); one third of exposed mosquitoes were sampled and assayed for virus infection and dissemination.ResultsThe midgut infection rates (MIR) of Ae. aegypti sampled from Coastal Region was significantly (p < 0.05) higher than those sampled from Western Kenya, with no statistical differences observed for the coastal Ae. aegypti at EIT 26 and at 32 °C. The MIR of Ae. aegypti from the Western Region was significantly (p < 0.05) affected by the EIT, with mosquito reared at EIT 32 °C exhibiting higher MIR than those reared at EIT 26 °C. There was a significant (p < 0.05) interactive effects of the region, EIT and DPI on MIR. The disseminated infection rates for the CHIKV in Ae. aegypti in the legs (DIR-L) was higher in mosquitoes sampled from Coast regardless of the EIT while those from Western Kenya, dissemination rates were significantly higher at higher EIT of 32 °C.ConclusionsVector competence was higher in mosquito populations reared under high temperatures which weakens the midgut infection barrier. Hence, suggesting Lamu population is more susceptible to CHIKV therefore having a weaker mid gut infection barrier than the Trans Nzoia population. These underscores importance of examining the course of infection at various ambient temperatures and EIT between regions mosquito populations.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12985-016-0566-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Virulence genes of Rickettsia rickettsii are differentially modulated by either temperature upshift or blood-feeding in tick midgut and salivary glands.

BackgroundRickettsia rickettsii, the etiological agent of Rocky Mountain spotted fever, is transmitted to humans by ticks. During tick feeding, R. rickettsii is exposed to both temperature elevation and components of the blood meal, which have previously been associated with the reactivation of its virulence. These environmental stimuli were also reported to modulate virulence genes of R. rickettsii infecting a set of organs of adult females of its natural vector, Amblyomma aureolatum.MethodsIn this study, we determined the effects of a temperature upshift, blood-feeding, and both stimuli simultaneously on the expression of 85 selected genes of R. rickettsii infecting either the midgut (MG) or salivary glands (SG) of male and female A. aureolatum by microfluidic high-throughput RT-qPCR. These two organs are key for acquisition of this bacterium by the tick and transmission to the vertebrate host, respectively.ResultsData showed that these environmental stimuli exert distinct effects on rickettsial transcription depending on the colonized organ and gender of the vector. Temperature upshift induced the majority of differentially expressed genes of R. rickettsii in tick SG, including tRNA synthetases encoding genes. On the contrary, blood-feeding downregulated most of differentially expressed genes in both organs, but induced type IV secretion system components and OmpB in tick MG. The combined effects of both stimuli resulted in a merged gene expression profile representing features of each stimulus analyzed independently, but was more similar to the profile induced by blood-feeding.ConclusionThe upregulation of the majority of differentially expressed genes in tick SG by temperature upshift suggests that this stimulus is important to prepare R. rickettsii for transmission to the vertebrate host. Blood-feeding, on the other hand, induced important virulence genes in the tick MG, which might be associated with colonization of the tick and transmission to the vertebrate host. The role of the proteins identified in this study must be addressed and might help to define future targets to block tick infection, thereby preventing RMSF. To our knowledge, this is the first transcriptional tissue-specific study of a virulent strain of R. rickettsii infecting a natural tick vector.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-016-1581-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

On Hirmocystis theodoridesi Kundu and Haldar, 1981 a Septate Gregarine from Aphis fabae of Manipur, India

During a survey on the septate gregarine parasite of Aphids a species of septate gregarines (Protozoa: Sporozoa), Hirmocystis theodoridesi was isolated from the mid gut of Aphis fabae. Distinctive characteristics of Hirmocystis theodoridesi and its taxonomic position have been redescribed. The prevalence of the infection was 25 out of 60 (33.3 %).

Transcriptome analysis of interactions between silkworm and cytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus.

Bombyx mori cytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus (BmCPV) specifically infects silkworm midgut (MG) and multiplication occurs mainly in posterior midgut (PM). In this study, MG and fat body (FB) were extracted at 0, 3, 24, and 72 h after BmCPV infection. The total sequence reads of each sample were more than 1510000, and the mapping ratio exceeded 95.3%. Upregulated transcripts increased in MG during the infection process. Gene ontology (GO) categories showed that antioxidants were all upregulated in FB but not in MG. BGI001299, BGI014434, BGI012068, and BGI009201 were MG-specific genes with transmembrane transport function, the expression of which were induced by BmCPV. BGI001299, BGI014434, and BGI012068 expressed in entire MG and may be involved in BmCPV invasion. BGI009201 expressed only in PM and may be necessary for BmCPV proliferation. BmPGRP-S2 and BGI012452 (a putative serine protease) were induced by BmCPV and may be involved in immune defense against BmCPV. The expression level of BmCPV S1, S2, S3, S6, and S7 was high and there was no expression of S9 in MG 72 h, implying that the expression time of structural protein coding genes is earlier. These results provide insights into the mechanism of BmCPV infection and host defense.

Immune gene profiling of different gut regions and gut associated lymphoid cells from rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

Aquaculture in the UK is a valuable industry, with Scotland the largest producer of Atlantic salmon in the EU. However, infectious diseases are considered a significant factor affecting the economic stability of aquaculture, and the salmon farming industry routinely employs vaccines against viral and bacterial pathogens. Although intraperitoneal injection is very successful strategy, it has two main weaknesses: it is a costly process and there are side-effects of the adjuvants. Oral vaccination would be a method of choice but to date has not been particularly efficacious. To overcome this problem we need to have a greater understanding of the gut/mucosal immune system in fish, to allow better development of novel oral vaccination strategies for aquaculture. Towards these goals, in this study our aim was to extend the knowledge base of fish gut immunology and to characterise immune cell markers in different gut regions for identification of the gut regions potentially responsible for antigen presentation and adaptive immune responses. From our transcriptomic analysis, it is clear that T/B cell markers and dendritic cell markers are relatively highly expressed in pyloric caeca, mid gut and hind gut, compared to oesophagus and stomach. GALT cells, isolated from pyloric caeca, mid gut and hind gut, were characterised to determine their responsiveness to a variety of stimulants, including PAMPs and recombinant cytokines. Pro-inflammatory cytokines such as IL-1β, TNF-α and IL-6 were classically upregulated post-stimulation with LPS or poly I:C but also showed a moderate increase in transcript level after PHA and flagellin (recombinant Yersinia rukeri flagellin) stimulation 24h post stimulation. Th1 cell cytokines, including IFN-γ and IL-2, were greatly induced 24 h post-stimulation with PHA and IL-4/13B (Th2 cytokine) was also upregulated when stimulated with PHA and poly I:C. Overall the immune gene profiling identified here will help focus which gut regions/ cells to study following oral vaccination and we are currently verifying this with trout primed by immersion and given a commercial oral booster (AquaVac ERM Oral) vaccine.

The organs of prey capture and digestion in the miniature predatory bivalve Spheniopsis brasiliensis (Anomalodesmata: Cuspidarioidea: Spheniopsidae) expose a novel life-history trait

ABSTRACTSpheniopsis brasiliensis, from depths of 17–148 m off the southern Atlantic coast of Brazil, is a predator of epipsammic micro-crustaceans which it sucks into the infra-septal chamber using a raptorial inhalant siphon and internally generated hydrostatic suction forces. Prey items, which include ostracods, are thought to be pushed into the funnel-shaped mouth using the foot. The stomach is capacious with a short style sac conjoined briefly with the mid gut and possessing a stubby crystalline style. Internal stomach architecture is simplified, with no identifiable sorting areas (unlike other cuspidarioids) and lined virtually completely by a gastric shield. The exoskeletal remains of digested prey are held in the posterior end of the stomach and not in a specialised waste storage pouch as in the con-familial Grippina coronata. The mid gut, hind gut and rectum are all extremely narrow and, thus, only the smallest of faeces can be accommodated and transmitted for anal discharge. Spheniopsis brasiliensis, like G. coronata is a self-fertilising simultaneous hermaphrodite with encapsulated lecithotrophic eggs brooded internally. Both taxa are thus ovovivaporous. It is also believed that both taxa are univoltine so that larvae and the exoskeletal prey remains are all released post mortem. Cuspidariids are generally regarded as dioecious but, recently, Cardiomya costellata has been shown to be a non-brooding simultaneous hermaphrodite. The distinguishing characters between cuspidariids and spheniopsids thus appear to be their differing reproductive strategies and life history traits.

Characterization and control of symbiotic Bacillus cereus isolated from the mid gut of Anopheles subpictus Grassi.

An investigation was done to find out the role of gut bacterium on the larval development and survival of Anopheles subpictus, the vector responsible for the transmission of malaria. An. subpictus mosquitoes breed exclusively in stagnant water, including shrimp/fish ponds with high nutrient level. One bacterial strain (CX2) was isolated from the midgut of late third instar of mosquito larvae. The bacterial isolate was sensitive to recommended doses of tetracyclin (30µg/disc), doxycycline (30µg/disc), kanamycin (30µg/disc), gentamycin (10µg/disc), streptomycin (10µg/disc), vancomycin (30µg/disc), ofloxacin (5µg/disc), levofloxacin (5µg/disc), gatifloxacin (10µg/disc), but resistant to ampicillin (10µg/disc).The larvae which were fed with the mixture of two antibiotics tetracylin (30µg/disc) and doxycyclin (30µg/disc) (1:1) could not survive in rice-field water. In the control experiments without any antibiotic treatment, 95-100% survival and 95% adult emergence were observed. The study indicates that the elimination of gut bacteria suppressed larval growth. Phylogenetic analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence was also done. Based on the morphological, biochemical, FAME analysis and phylogenetic analysis, the bacterial isolate CX2 was identified as Bacillus cereus. Poly acrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis revealed that the isolate showed discrete bands ranging from 24.272 to 60.049kDa proteins. Water extract and methanol extract of Tamarindus indica showed inhibitory effect against B. cereus.

Changes in Sediment Fatty Acid Composition during Passage through the Gut of Deposit Feeding Holothurians: Holothuria atra (Jaeger, 1883) and Holothuria leucospilota (Brandt, 1835).

Sea cucumbers Holothuria atra and Holothuria leucospilota play an important role in the bioturbation of sediment in coral reef and rocky intertidal ecosystems. This study investigated changes in sediment fatty acid (FA) composition during gut passage in H. atra and H. leucospilota. The FA composition did not differ significantly between species. Comparison of FA composition in ambient sediment (AS), foregut (FG), midgut (MG), hindgut (HG), and faecal pellets (FPs) indicated that marked changes in FA composition occurred during passage through the gut of H. atra and H. leucospilota. Saturated fatty acids (SAFAs), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), and branched fatty acids (BrFAs) were significantly higher in FG than in AS, suggesting that both species selectively ingested nutrient rich particles. Significant reduction of SAFAs, MUFAs, PUFAs, and BrFAs occurred in MD and HD, with complete elimination of most PUFAs in FPs. A decrease in PUFAs 20:5ω3, 18:4ω3, 22:5ω3, 22:6ω3, 18:2ω6, 18:3ω3, 18:3ω6, odd-numbered BrFAs, and MUFA 18:1ω7 indicated that algal detritus and bacteria were important part of diet. These results have implications for the fate of specific dietary FAs, especially ω3 and ω6, and the contribution holothurian FPs make to the FA composition of coral reef and rocky intertidal ecosystems.

Small bowel obstruction in an adult patient with situs ambiguous and mid gut malrotation

Introduction: situs ambiguous or heterotaxy syndrome is defined as the abnormal positioning of internal viscera relative to the normal. Diagnosis in adult is extremely rare as 90–99% of the patients have severe cardiac abnormalities and die by the age of five years. case report: A 32-year-old male was presented to hospital with sudden onset abdominal pain, abdominal distension, vomiting and absolute constipation for one day. there was no other medical problems. Examination was also unremarkable. Abdomen was distended and generally tender. Per rectal examination showed empty rectum. blood tests were unremarkable. computed tomography scan of abdomen and pelvis showed closed loop mid to distal small bowel obstruction with small bowel wall thickening. Malrotation of the bowel was noted. It also showed that stomach and spleen were on the right side of the body. Emergency laparotomy showed small bowel volvulus and spleen, stomach, duodenojejunal flexure and small bowel were in the right side of the abdomen and colon was in the left side of the abdomen. Ileocecal valve was noted in the left side of the abdomen. Adhesiolysis and derotation of the affected small bowel were performed. Appendicectomy was performed due to its

Magnesium dependent proteinaceous protease inhibitor with pesticidal potential from alkali-halotolerant Streptomyces spp.: Optimization of production using statistical tools

Abstract The extensive diversity of microbial proteases in several physiological and industrial applications promoted search for newer protease inhibitors. Of 80 actinomycetes isolated from soil–water sediments of Soda lake on starch casein medium (1 M NaCl, pH 9.5) at 30 °C, only 5 have shown significant protease inhibitor (PI) activity (≃20 U) against trypsin. Based on the preliminary phenetic and 16S rRNA gene sequence, the closest related to VL 18, VL 50, VL 61 and VL J2 isolates was actinomycetes (99% identity). PI activity of culture broth of short listed strains ranged between 26.90 to 30.72 U. Alternative one variable assortments at a time (OVAT) for PI production by S treptomyces spp. VL J2 by optimized medium yielded 55.34 U within 96 h, the highest among the 5 isolates. Further, Plackett–Burman design (PBD) identified starch, KNO 3 and MgSO 4 for PI production by VL J2 strain as the most significant and they were further optimized by Response Surface Method (RSM) using a central composite design (CCD). Accordingly, 2.49% starch, 0.114% MgSO 4 and 0.249% KNO 3 were found to yield 72 U of PI by the Streptomyces sp . VL J2 in 96 h. The purified PI has molecular mass of ≃35 kD and showed inhibition of fungal mycelial growth and mid gut proteases of insect indicating the scope for its application as a bio control agent. The statistical tools employed in the present study showed 30% increase in PI production over OVAT approach and MgSO 4 was found to be a key factor in its production.

Isolation and Characterization of Midgut Lectin From Aedes aegypti (L.) (Diptera: Culicidae)

The present investigation deals with the isolation and characterization of a lectin from Aedes aegypti (Ae aegypti) female mid gut extract that agglutinates various mammalian red blood cells (RBCs) such as human three groups A, B, and O (RH+), mouse, rat, guinea-pig, sheep and goat erythrocytes. The highest activity of both crude and isolated mid gut lectins were detected against sheep RBCs. Using (NH4)2 SO4 fractionation, ion-exchange and mannose-CNBr-Sepharose 6B affinity chromatography techniques, Ae. aegypti midgut lectin (Aelec) was purified to homogeneity.Isoelectric focusing (IEF) and reducing SDS/PAGE revealed that the isolated mid gut lectin had isoelectric point (PI) of 5.90, and subunits approximate molecular weights of 35.50 and 27.35 KDa. The hemagglutination (HA) of lectins were Ca2+ - independent and heat-resistant. The sugar specificity of the purified Aelec was strongly inhibited by D (+)-mannose and raffinose, followed by D (+) glucose. N-acetyl-D-manosamine and N-acetyl-D-glucosamine were moderate inhibitors. None of the lectins were inhibited by the disaccharides such as galactose, lactose, trehalose (IC50 up to 200 mM or fetuin up to 1%) but the glycosubstances mucin and laminarin were strong inhibitors up to very low concentrations (0.030 - 0.003%).

Analysis of transcripts of heat shock protein genes in silkworm, Bombyx mori (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae)

Silkworm is a poikilothermic insect, whose growth and development is significantly affected by high temperatures. The current study aimed to identify bivoltine breeds tolerant of the high temperature conditions that occur in the tropics. Percentage pupa- tion at high temperatures and heat shock responses of silkworms were used as measures of thermotolerance. Thermotolerance of 20 silkworm breeds was assessed by rearing them at 36°C. Based on percentage pupation, three breeds, namely Nistari (multivoltine), SK4C (bivoltine) and CSR2 (bivoltine) were designated tolerant, moderately tolerant and susceptible, respectively. To understand the heat shock responses and the molecular mechanisms underlying thermotolerance, the tissue specific expression profiles of the nine heat shock protein (Hsp) genes were determined in the three breeds after a heat shock of 1 h at 36°C and a 2 h recovery period by perform- ing real-time qPCR. The level of expression of Hsp genes was significantly increased in heat shocked tissues and gradually decreased during the recovery period. The greatest increase in the expression of Hsp genes was recorded in fat body followed by mid gut and silk gland. Of the three breeds, Nistari showed the highest expression of Hsp genes and SK4C a moderate expression relative to CSR2. The qPCR results showed that the transcript levels of sHsp20.4 and 20.1, and Hsp70 were increased by 10.3, 9.7 and 2.3 times, respectively, in Nistari compared to CSR2. Similarly the expression of sHsp20.4 and 20.1, and Hsp70 were increased by 3.5, 2.3 and 1.5 times, respectively in SK4C compared to CSR2. The expression levels of Hsps during heat shock corresponded to the percentage pupation recorded for the three breeds at a high temperature. It is suggested that the Hsps and their levels of expression may play an important role in increasing the survival of silkworm larvae at high temperatures. This study identified SK4C as a bivoltine breed, which is highly tolerant of high temperature measured in terms of percentage pupation (of the bivoltine breeds) and higher levels of expression of Hsp genes compared to CSR2. The importance of SK4C as a thermotolerant bivoltine parent for breeding new bivoltine hybrids tolerant of high temperatures is discussed.

Acute Intestinal Obstruction in Children: Experience in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Acute Intestinal Obstruction is one of the commonest surgical emergencies in children. These cases are invariably operated upon by general surgeons as pediatric surgeons are very few in Nepal. Outcome to a great extent depends on prompt clinical diagnosis and treatment. This is prospective study of 51 cases of intestinal obstruction admitted, operated and treated at Manipal Teaching Hospital, a tertiary care hospital in the Western Region of Nepal from January 2011 to September 2015. Aim of the study was to observe the pattern of intestinal obstruction in children and the treatment outcome in the hands of general surgeons. Number of cases in the cohort was 51. Out of that 50 cases were operated upon and 1 case was managed conservatively. Age of the patients’ ranged from 1 day to15 years (median age 9 months); There were 33 males and 18 females with a ratio of 1.8:1. Causes of intestinal obstruction were Intussusceptions (33), Meckel’s diverticulum (6), obstructed /strangulated hernia(4), imperforate anus(2), Hirschprung’s disease(2), Meconium ileus (1), Ladd’s band with malrotation of mid gut (1),annular pancreas(1) and Adhesions (1) Base line investigations of CBC, BT, CT, PT and serum electrolytes were done in all the cases. Plain x-ray abdomen erect and supine, ultrasonography (USG) and computed tomography (CT) scan were done in most of the cases and. Contrast study using Diatrizoate Meglumine (Gastrografin) was done wherever necessary. There were 3 mortalities and 2 cases had postoperative complications. Average post operative Hospital stay was 6 days. Early diagnosis and surgical intervention gives favorable outcome, delay increases morbidity and mortality. All these cases were taken up by general surgeons and the results were encouraging and good.

HISTOPATHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF SOME BIO-AGENT COMPOUNDS EXPOSED TO GAMMA IRRADIATION ON THE COTTON LEAF WORM, Spodoptera littoralis (BOISD.)

Bio-agent compounds of Bacillus thuringiensis, Kurs. (Bactericide); Metarhizium anisopltiae, Metsch. (Fungicide) and biopolymer, chitosan exposed to gamma irradiation doses; 15, 30 and 60 Gy to purpose of potentiate the bio-agent efficiency against the cotton leaf worm, Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.) treated as 4th instars larvae by LC50 of tested bio-agent compounds singly or combined with gamma irradiation doses to investigate the histopathological changes in the integument, muscle, fat body and mid gut. Most of treatments especially gamma doses of 60 Gy singly or combined with bio-agent compounds caused thickening of outer cuticle fibrous layer in the integument of S. littoralis larvae. Also, hypodermis layer had swelling and necrosis in gamma treatments and M. anisopltiae or chitosan combined with 30 Gy treatments. Also, most of treatments caused appearance of fissure and breaking down of muscles into small parts. All the bio-agent treatments caused a noticeable destruction on the fat body cells as vacuolization of the fat cells and destruction of the fat body membranous sheath. Many deleterious effects in the mid gut of S. littoralis as destruction of columnar or hyperphesia cells lining mid gut, losses of brush border with increase of goblet cells. Dose of 60 Gy is considered the best dose used in the current study to potentiate the bio-agent effects on S. littoralis larvae compared with other gamma irradiation doses used.

Effect of aliphatic, monocarboxylic, dicarboxylic, heterocyclic and sulphur-containing amino acids on Leishmania spp. chemotaxis.

In the sand-fly mid gut, Leishmania promastigotes are exposed to acute changes in nutrients, e.g. amino acids (AAs). These metabolites are the main energy sources for the parasite, crucial for its differentiation and motility. We analysed the migratory behaviour and morphological changes produced by aliphatic, monocarboxylic, dicarboxylic, heterocyclic and sulphur-containing AAs in Leishmania amazonensis and Leishmania braziliensis and demonstrated that L-methionine (10-12 m), L-tryptophan (10-11 m), L-glutamine and L-glutamic acid (10-6 m), induced positive chemotactic responses, while L-alanine (10-7 m), L-methionine (10-11 and 10-7 m), L-tryptophan (10-11 m), L-glutamine (10-12 m) and L-glutamic acid (10-9 m) induced negative chemotactic responses. L-proline and L-cysteine did not change the migratory potential of Leishmania. The flagellum length of L. braziliensis, but not of L. amazonensis, decreased when incubated in hyperosmotic conditions. However, chemo-repellent concentrations of L-alanine (Hypo-/hyper-osmotic conditions) and L-glutamic acid (hypo-osmotic conditions) decreased L. braziliensis flagellum length and L-methionine (10-11 m, hypo-/hyper-osmotic conditions) decreased L. amazonensis flagellum length. This chemotactic responsiveness suggests that Leishmania discriminate between slight concentration differences of small and structurally closely related molecules and indicates that besides their metabolic effects, AAs play key roles linked to sensory mechanisms that might determine the parasite's behaviour.

BIOLOGICAL AND HISTOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF METARHIZIUMANISOPLIAE ON THE COTTON LEAFWORM, SPODOPTERA LITTORALIS (BOISD.) (LEPIDOPTERA: NOCTUIDAE)

Toxicological, biological and histological effects of the isolated entomopathogenic fungus Metarhizium anisopliae from the red palm weevil adult on the newly molted 2nd and 4th instar larvae of the Egyptian cotton leaf worm, Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.), were investigated under laboratory conditions at 27o ± 2o and 60% ± 5% R.H. Results revealed a decrease in the mean larval, pupal, and adult durations for the 2nd and 4th instar larvae surviving treatment with the LC50 of 2.8x108 and 2.8x109 spore/ml for the two tested instar larvae, respectively. Treatment also caused a reduction in the pupation and adult emergence percentage. There was also a great reduction in the mean number of eggs/female and the mean number of hatched eggs; The histological changes in the mid gut tissues in 6th instar surviving treatment with LC50 of M. anisopliae as newly ecdysed 3rd instar larvae was investigated. Sections in mid gut of untreated S. littoralis showed linning with columnar cells surrounded by cross longitudinal muscles fiber, the epithelial cells linning mid gut with its brush border and goblet cells. While, in mid gut of treated S. littoralis some epithelial cells which linning mid gut have lost their brush border, others were completely destructed.

Plasma chromogranin A and chromogranin B concentrations in untreated patients with mid gut carcinoid and their biochemical response to octreotide

Searchable abstracts of presentations at key conferences in endocrinology ISSN 1470-3947 (print) | ISSN 1479-6848 (online)

Destruction of peritrophic membrane and its effect on biological characteristics and activity of digestive enzymes in larvae of the Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae)

The mid gut in insects is usually lined with a peritrophic membrane (PM), which protects it from microbial infections and physical contact with ingested food. Calcofluor is an optical brightener that has strong chitin-binding properties, which disrupt the chitin-protein structure of PM. In this study, we investigated the effects of calcofluor on the structure of the PM, activity of some common digestive enzymes and biological characteristics of the Indian meal moth, Plodia interpunctella (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). Twenty hours after feeding on a calcofluor-containing diet, the PM was completely eliminated. We recorded significant effects of calcofluor on the activity of digestive enzymes in the mid and hindguts of larvae. In both these regions of the gut, in particular, there were significant increases in the activity of α-amylase, α-galactosidase and trypsin. The activities of α-glucosidase and β-glucosidase in the midgut of treated larvae were lower than in the control, but were significantly higher in the hindgut of treated larvae. The larvae that fed on on calcofluor for 20 h, took longer to complete their larval and pupal stages, were lighter in weight and fewer reached maturity and laid fewer eggs. Results of this and previous studies highlight the crucial role of PM in enzyme recycling and digestion. PM disruption may negatively affect insect development on the one hand, by decreasing the efficiency of food digestion and, on the other, by increasing the costs associated with an increased enzyme demand and disrupted enzyme recycling mechanism.

Study On New Shrimp Disease "Internal Mortality Syndrome” of Exotic Species Litopenaeus Vannamei

Aquaculture is the fastest growing food sector globally and is established itself as high protein resource to fulfil the food demand since the natural resources exhibits over exploitation. But presently various biological and non-biological agents causes's mortality of cultured shrimp. Unusual shrimp mortality was reported in Nellore region of Andhrapradesh. The signs and symptoms of the disease are not matching with any of the disease reported so far for cultured shrimp species. Due to its symptoms like mortality with no moribund/ surfacing of the shrimp and white to yellowish faecal matter it was named as Internal mortality syndrome A study was conducted to found out the etiology by using microbiological, molecular, histological, immunological disease diagnostic and water quality analysis techniques. The study shows there is correlation between water quality parameters like hydrogen sulphide(> 0.03 ppm) dissolved oxygen( 5.0 X 106) and mid gut of the shrimp. The study reveals the there is no virus involved.