Crystal structure of the extracellular segment of integrin alpha Vbeta3 in complex with an Arg-Gly-Asp ligand

The structural basis for the divalent cation-dependent binding of heterodimeric alphabeta integrins to their ligands, which contain the prototypical Arg-Gly-Asp sequence, is unknown. Interaction with ligands triggers tertiary and quaternary structural rearrangements in integrins that are needed for cell signaling. Here we report the crystal structure of the extracellular segment of integrin alphaVbeta3 in complex with a cyclic peptide presenting the Arg-Gly-Asp sequence. The ligand binds at the major interface between the alphaV and beta3 subunits and makes extensive contacts with both. Both tertiary and quaternary changes are observed in the presence of ligand. The tertiary rearrangements take place in betaA, the ligand-binding domain of beta3; in the complex, betaA acquires two cations, one of which contacts the ligand Asp directly and the other stabilizes the ligand-binding surface. Ligand binding induces small changes in the orientation of alphaV relative to beta3.     

Nanotubular highways for intercellular organelle transport

Cell-to-cell communication is a crucial prerequisite for the development and maintenance of multicellular organisms. To date, diverse mechanisms of intercellular exchange of information have been documented, including chemical synapses, gap junctions, and plasmodesmata. Here, we describe highly sensitive nanotubular structures formed de novo between cells that create complex networks. These structures facilitate the selective transfer of membrane vesicles and organelles but seem to impede the flow of small molecules. Accordingly, we propose a novel biological principle of cell-to-cell interaction based on membrane continuity and intercellular transfer of organelles.     

Ammonia toxicity in Southern King Crab (Lithodes santolla,Molina 1742) larvae

International Aquatic Research - Effects of ammonia on zoea I of the Southern King Crab, Lithodes santolla (Decapoda, Lithodidae) were analyzed through acute (96 h) and chronic...     

Dietary butyric acid improved growth,digestive enzyme activities and humoral immune parameters in Barramundi (Lates calcarifer)

A six‐week feeding trial was conducted to determine the effect of butyric acid (BA) inclusion in diet on performance of Barramundi (Lates calcarifer). Fish (12.0 ± 0.2 g) were fed with four experimental diets contained 0.0 (control), 2.5, 5.0 and 10.0 g BA/kg in triplicate. Fish fed on 5 and 10 g BA/kg diets had higher growth and total alkaline protease and lipase activities than the other treatments. Fillet protein content in BA‐supplemented groups was higher than the control. Liver catalase activity was highest in 2.5 g BA/kg group compared with the other groups. The values of liver superoxide dismutase activity and serum total protein concentration in 5 and 10 g BA/kg treatments were higher than those in the control (p < .05). Moreover, the highest and the lowest levels of serum lysozyme activity were noticed in the 10 g BA/kg and the control groups, respectively (p < .05). Also, the highest respiratory burst activity was observed in fish fed 5 g BA/kg feed. Supplementing diet with 2.5 or 5 g BA/kg resulted in higher serum haemolytic activity in fish compared with the other groups. The number of red and white blood cells increased in fish fed BA‐supplemented diets compared with the control (p < .05). In conclusion, the results of this study showed inclusion of BA at 5 g/kg diet in L. calcarifer juveniles improved growth and upgraded the general health condition by enhancing fish antioxidant enzyme activities and haemato‐immunological responses.     

Comparative study on the efficiency of dry and green manuring of certain plant leaves againstMeloidogyne javanica andRotylenchulus reniformis infecting sunflower

Five different dry and five green plant leaves were tested against Meloidogyne javanica and Rotylenchulus reniformis, as bio-agents in controlling these nematodes infecting sunflower. Data generally, indicated that all the tested manures significantly (P≤0.05) reduced the total number of nematodes in root and soil. The best materials were datura dry leaves on M. javanica and lime dry leaves on R. reniformis which gave very good results against nematodes (86.4 and 95.1% female reduction, respectively). Plant growth was significantly (P≤0.05) better, in most cases, in shoots, roots and flowering discs weight.     

Development of Optimized Edible Packaging Based on White-cheek Shark (Carcharhinus dussumieri) Skin Gelatin Biopolymer: Mechanical,Water Vapor Permeability,and Structural Properties

White-cheek shark skin gelatin (WSG) edible films were optimized with respect to their barrier, mechanical, and structural properties using response surface methodology (RSM), with the introduction of gelatin concentrations (1–4% w/v based on film forming solution) and glycerol contents (15–35% w/w based on gelatin weight) as the independent variables. WSG films with moderate levels of glycerol had higher tensile strength (TS), elastic modulus (EM), and elongation at break (E@b) depending more significantly on gelatin content. Adding higher levels of glycerol, film roughness was observed to decrease exponentially but water vapor permeability (WVP) increased linearly. Structural analysis using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) showed more aggregated protein structures at higher gelatin content, which could be strongly related to the notable increase of contact angle. According to the model, the optimum conditions for the WSG film formula were found to be 3.3% WSG and 19.3% glycerol, giving a predicted maximum E@b, TS, EM, roughness, and contact angle of 183%, 4.4 MPa, 92 MPa, 4.93 nm, and 101°, respectively, with a predicted minimum WVP of 11.8 g.mm/day.m².kPa.     

Effect of water temperature on the physiology of fish spermatozoon function: a brief review

Motility is a key factor in function of the spermatozoon and determines semen quality and fertilizing capacity. Effective motility occurs when sperm is diluted in a swimming solution, the adequacy of which is determined by factors varying according to fish species. Spermatozoon motility rate and velocity, as well as duration of the motility period, are influenced by the temperature of the water in which broodfish are held. Increase in temperature of swimming medium beyond the optimal increases cell metabolism, leading to an increase in velocity with rapid depletion of energy resources, promoting early cessation of movement. The aim of this review was to discuss current information on the influence of temperature on quantitative spermatozoon properties, which could affect sperm function. Our findings provide a greater understanding of fish sperm physiology and a biological foundation for the further development of spermatozoon motility investigations as well as reproduction technologies.     

Evaluation of HYDRUS-2D model to simulate the loss of nitrate in subsurface controlled drainage in a physical model scale of paddy fields

Agriculture is a major source of nitrogen usage and release to environment. Due to the effect of water movement on solute transport, investigating the effect of different management scenarios of irrigation and drainage could be useful for reducing nitrate loss and environmental pollution. This study is a scientific attempt to assess the ability of HYDRUS-2D model to simulate the effect of subsurface controlled drainage on nitrate loss of paddy fields. So, two physical models with difference in depth of subsurface controlled drainage (40 and 60 cm) were constructed. The tanks were filled with loam silty soil texture and then transplanted rice. 90 kg/ha potassium nitrate fertilizer was added in two stages of rice growth. Mid-season drainage was applied 26 days after transplantation. After 17 days, drains were closed again and applied flooded irrigation with 5-cm water stagnant layer above soil surface. During experiment, nitrate concentration of drain water was measured. HYDRUS-2D was calibrated with measured data in 60 cm drain depth and validated with 40 cm drain depth. HYDRUS-2D could simulate nitrate concentration with the coefficient of determination 0.95 and 0.89 in calibration and validation stages, respectively. The comparison between the volume of drain water and nitrate concentration from the drains in the depths of 40 and 60 cm indicated lower nitrate load in depth of 40 cm. The results obtained proved that the presence of hardpan layer in depth of 25 cm rather than the absence of it causes increase in 3 % of average nitrate concentration and reduce in 17 % of water discharge.