Evaluation of growth inhibitory and apoptosis inducing activity of human calprotectin on the human gastric cell line (AGS)

BACKGROUND: Calprotectin is cytotoxic agent that its anti-tumor effects are governed through suppression of topoisomerase II; a key enzyme in apoptosis. In previous studies, cytotoxicity and apoptotic effects of calprotectin are shown on different cancer cell lines, but not human gastric cancer cell lines. In the present study, cytotoxicity and apoptotic effects of calprotectin on human gastric adenocarcinoma cancer cell line (AGS) were evaluated. METHODS: The AGS cells were exposed to the different concentrations of calprotectin for 24, 48 and 72 hours. Cell proliferation was assessed using dimethylthiazol diphenyl tetrazolium bromide assay and dye exclusion tests. For evaluation of cytotoxic mechanism in calprotectin on AGS cells, flow cytometric analysis was performed. RESULTS: Our results revealed that calprotectin induces growth inhibition of AGS in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Results of this investigation showed that sensitivity of AGS cells to cytotoxic effect of human calprotectin was highly remarkable. In addition, growth inhibitory effect of this cytotoxic agent mostly was governed through induction of apoptosis in the AGS cells. CONCLUSION: These findings indicated that calprotectin induces growth inhibition and apoptosis in the AGS cells.     

Identification of flea species using MALDI-TOF/MS

In the present study, a molecular proteomics (MALDI-TOF/MS) approach was used as a tool for identifying flea vectors. We measured the MS spectra from 38 flea specimens of 5 species including Ctenocephalides felis, Ctenocephalides canis, Archaeopsylla erinacei, Xenopsylla cheopis and Stenoponia tripectinata. A blind test performed with 24 specimens from species included in a library spectral database confirmed that MALDI-TOF/MS is an effective tool for discriminating flea species. Although fresh and 70% ethanol-conserved samples subjected to MALDI-TOF/MS in blind tests were correctly classified, only MS spectra of quality from fresh specimens were sufficient for accurate and significant identification. A cluster analysis highlighted that the MALDI Biotyper can be used for studying the phylogeny of fleas.     

Prevalence of specific IgG-antibodies against Toxoplasma gondii in domestic turkeys determined by kinetic ELISA based on recombinant GRA7 and GRA8

The protozoan parasite Toxoplasma (T.) gondii is one of the most common zoonotic infectious agents worldwide. Besides its sexual reproduction in cats, T. gondii can also infect a wide spectrum of other warm-blooded animals. These include animals used for human consumption such as pigs or chickens. Nevertheless, the role of turkeys for the epidemiology of T. gondii infections has not been studied thoroughly. We have established a kinetic ELISA (KELA) for the detection of T. gondii-specific IgG antibodies in turkey serum samples. The test is based on the recombinant dense granule antigens GRA7 and GRA8. These proteins were used as an antigen mixture at a concentration of 0.13 μg per well. The overall sensitivity of the assay was between 92.6% and 100% and the specificity ranged from 78.1% to 100%, depending on the method used to calculate these parameters. Using this KELA we examined 1913 turkey serum samples from 14 turkey farms from different areas of Germany. From these sera, 387 produced a signal in the KELA, corresponding to a true seroprevalence of up to 20.2%. The seropositivity rate in individual fattening cycles at individual farms ranged from 0.0% to 77.1%, whereas the rates were highly variable within the individual farms and individual fattening cycles. Consequently, conditions of animal husbandry could not be associated with particular seroprevalence rates. Although seropositivity cannot be linked directly to infectious tissue cysts in the muscle tissue of commercially produced turkey meat, we state that there is a potential risk of being infected by consuming turkey meat products that were not heat treated.     

玉米和大豆在单作和混作系统中的氮行为研究

本文于１９９２年～１９９３年用１５Ｎ示踪稀释技术分别通过盆栽和大田小区试验，研究了大豆和玉米植株在单作和混作系统中的氮行为．混作时玉米植株来自土壤和肥料氮分别平均比单作时降低了９．１３％～２４．５８％和７．１５％～２２．５２％，减低了玉米植株对土壤和肥料氮的剧烈竞争．混作时大豆植株固定的氮除供本身生长发育用外，还能转移给与之混作的玉米植株．输出率达到１８．４４％～３５．３２％，使玉米植株从与之混作的大豆植株的根际获得本身生长所需氮的８．７５％～２４．０５％．这种负反馈机制又使混作系统中大豆植株的固氮百分率比单作时提高了２９．１０％～３２．６９％．大豆与玉米以２：１株数比种植时，在各试验组合中表现出氮营养优势．     

利用SRAP标记分析鸡、鹌鹑及其属间杂交种的群体遗传结构

为了研究鸡、鹌鹑及其属间杂交种基因组的遗传变异程度及其关系,试验采用相关系列扩增多态性(SRAP)标记对鸡、鹌鹑及其属间杂交种进行了DNA多态性分析。结果表明:选用的7对引物组合共产生31个多态性条带,平均每个引物组合产生4.4个多态性条带,每个引物组合产生多态性条带的比例为22.3%;从聚类分析图可知,母本(鹌鹑)和属间杂交种的相似系数远高于属间杂交种与父本(鸡);生理生态学观察结果也显示属间杂交种和母本在外形、习性上更为相似。     

Moringa oleifera Lam. leaf extract as bioregulator for improving growth of maize under mercuric chloride stress

The contamination of agriculture soils with heavy metals is increasing due to both natural and anthropogenic activities. This has resulted in lowering the yield and quality of agriculture crops. The aim of the present investigation was to determine the effect of Moringa oleifera (M. oleifera) aqueous leaf extract (MALE) on growth and Hg phytoextraction potential of maize cv. Azam under mercuric chloride (HgCl₂)-induced stress. Soil was contaminated with different concentrations of HgCl₂ (1 and 0.5?mg/kg). The MALE was applied at 5% and 2.5% as seed soaking prior to sowing of seeds in the pots. The M. oleifera leaf was a good source of macronutrients (Na, K, Ca and Mg) and micronutrients (Fe, Zn, Mn, Co and Ni) as well as natural phenolics. The induced HgCl₂ stress significantly reduced seed germination (%), shoot dry weight, root dry weight, chlorophyll content and carotenoids content. The HgCl₂-induced stress was associated with accumulation of phenolics and Hg in roots. The accumulation of Hg in roots was significantly correlated with phenolics content (r?=?.8007, p?=?.000). The exogenous application of MALE significantly ameliorated adverse effects of HgCl₂ stress on maize plants. The accumulation of Hg in roots was significantly increased by MALE. It is inferred from findings of the present investigation that MALE served as bioregulator and can be applied to reduce adverse effects of HgCl₂ on maize. Moreover, MALE can enhance the Hg phytoremediation potential of maize.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ziziphus </Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">spina-christi</Emphasis> (L.) Willd.: a multipurpose fruit tree

Neglected and underutilized species often play a vital role in securing food and livestock feed, income generation and energy needs of rural populations. In spite of their great potential little attention has been given to these species. This increases the possibility of genetic erosion which would further restrict the survival strategies of people in rural areas. Ziziphus spina-christi is a plant species that has edible fruits and a number of other beneficial applications that include the use of leaves as fodder, branches for fencing, wood as fuel, for construction and furniture making, and the utilization of different parts e.g. Fruits, leaves, roots and bark in folk medicine. Moreover, the plant is adapted to dry and hot climates which make it suitable for cultivation in an environment characterized by increasing degradation of land and water resources. Lack of research in Z. spina-christi hinders its successful improvement and promotion. Therefore, studies are needed to fully exploit this species. This article aims at summarizing information on different aspects of Z. spina-christi to stimulate interest in this crop which is of importance in Sudan and other countries of the semi-arid tropics.