Innate immunity in Caenorhabditis elegans is regulated by neurons expressing NPR-1/GPCR

A large body of evidence indicates that metazoan innate immunity is regulated by the nervous system, but the mechanisms involved in the process and the biological importance of such control remain unclear. We show that a neural circuit involving npr-1, which encodes a G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) related to mammalian neuropeptide Y receptors, functions to suppress innate immune responses. The immune inhibitory function requires a guanosine 3',5'-monophosphate-gated ion channel encoded by tax-2 and tax-4 as well as the soluble guanylate cyclase GCY-35. Furthermore, we show that npr-1- and gcy-35-expressing sensory neurons actively suppress immune responses of nonneuronal tissues. A full-genome microarray analysis on animals with altered neural function due to mutation in npr-1 shows an enrichment in genes that are markers of innate immune responses, including those regulated by a conserved PMK-1/p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase signaling pathway. These results present evidence that neurons directly control innate immunity in C. elegans, suggesting that GPCRs may participate in neural circuits that receive inputs from either pathogens or infected sites and integrate them to coordinate appropriate immune responses.     

Growth and differentiation characteristics of equine mesenchymal stromal cells derived from different sources

Multipotent mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are a promising therapeutic tool for the treatment of equine tendon and other musculoskeletal injuries. While bone marrow is considered the ‘gold standard’ source of these cells, various other tissues contain MSCs with potentially useful features. The aim of this study was to compare clinically relevant characteristics of MSCs derived from bone marrow, umbilical cord blood and tissue and from adipose tissue and tendon. Cell yield, proliferation, migration, tendon marker expression and differentiation into adipocytes, chondrocytes and osteoblasts was assessed, quantified and compared.MSC numbers obtained from adipose, tendon or umbilical cord tissues were 222-fold higher than those obtained from bone marrow or cord blood. Cells derived from tendon and adipose tissues exhibited most rapid proliferation. Osteogenic differentiation was most prominent in MSCs derived from bone marrow, and was weak in MSCs derived from umbilical cord blood and tissue. In contrast, the highest levels of chondrogenic differentiation were observed in MSCs derived from these sources. Collagen 1A2 expression was highest in adipose- and tendon-derived MSCs, while scleraxis expression was highest in cord blood- and in tendon-derived MSCs. The findings indicate that MSCs from different sources display significantly diverse properties that may impact on their therapeutic application.     

Management effects on composition and dynamics of cutin and suberin in topsoil under agricultural use

We identified and quantified specific biomarkers of shoots and roots (cutin and suberin‐derived compounds, respectively) of three grassland species (Dactylis glomerata L., Festuca arundinacea Schreb. and Lolium perenne L.) in soil under different land use (grass, crop and bare soil) of the SOERE‐ACBB experimental site in Lusignan (France). We also investigated the fate of these markers in soil after conversion from grassland (C₃ plants) to Zea mays L. (maize) (C₄ plant) with natural ¹³C isotope abundances. Our results indicated that 9‐hydroxy hexadecanedioic acid and 8(9)(10),16‐dihydroxy hexadecanoic acid may be used as biomarkers for above‐ground biomass, whereas 1,22‐docosandioic acid, 22‐hydroxy docosanoic acid and 24‐hydroxy tetracosanoic acid might be the best below‐ground biomarkers for the plants investigated under the experimental conditions studied. The presence, concentration and shoot–root allocation pattern of these markers were different from those described for other species, which demonstrates the importance of verifying biomarker specificity for each species. Concentrations of cutin and suberin were largest in soil under maize and smallest under bare soil; this corresponded to the biomass added to the two soils. Suberin decreased by 40–64% and cutin by 24–40% during a 6‐year bare fallow, which indicates that root markers were more sensitive than shoot markers to degradation. Changes in ¹³C isotopic signatures of specific biomarkers after 6 years of maize showed a faster turnover of root than shoot biomarkers, in spite of the much smaller root inputs from maize than from grasses. The sequestration of suberin in soil was more rapid but less durable than that of cutin.     

Testing of the palatability of Thymus vulgaris L. and Origanum vulgare L. as flavouring feed additive for weaner pigs on the basis of a choice experiment

The objective of the study at hand was to investigate within the framework of a pilot project the preference of weaner pigs for either an ad libitum standard feed with thyme or oregano herb as flavouring additive or an ad libitum standard feed without any herbal additive. Thyme or oregano herbs or a combination of both were offered in two different concentrations each (1% and 0.1%) as additive (experimental diets) in standard diet in comparison to the latter without herbal additive (control diet) free of choice. The dosage of the two herbs in terms of total essential oil(s) in the feeds used in the study was 0.02% or 0.002% (v/w), which was equivalent to 1% or 0.1% herbs in the mixture, respectively. A Latin square according to Williams (1949) was used with 6 groups in order to record possible differences in feed intake. All experimental diets aside from that mixed with 0.1% thyme herb were, in comparison to the control diet, significantly less ingested. Where the weanling was given the choice, it did not choose feed with any flavouring additive. Further studies aimed at assessing the use of herbs as aroma additive in the form of a choice experiment are recommended.     

Spatial distribution,architecture, and development of the root system of Pinus banksiana Lamb. in natural and planted stands

In the province of Québec, Canada, the majority of planted jack pine (Pinus banksiana Lamb.) seedlings are produced in rigid wall containers. More than 95% of them exhibit deformations of the root system which may induce stem instability. Studies of the root architecture of planted jack pine have been limited to a 30 cm radius from the stem, as barely any studies have been devoted to naturally regenerated stands. Moreover, only a few researches have focused on temporal evolution of root systems. The aim of the present study was to characterize the architectural, spatial, and temporal development of jack pine roots in natural and planted stands. Study sites were located in the continuous boreal forest of Quebec. The plantation was done in 1987, so that the trees were 15 years old at the time of sampling. Trees from natural stand had regenerated after a fire in 1983 and were 13–16 years old. The root systems of 14 jack pine trees per site were manually excavated up to a <5 mm diameter, without regard to their distance from the stem. The number, length, diameter, and the spatial and temporal development of roots were analyzed according to three scales of root architecture: the root system, axes, and segments. Overall, the numbers and lengths of roots were higher with planted pines. However, naturally regenerated trees displayed a better distribution of their roots around the stem and at depth, combined with more rapid length growth during the first years. In natural stands, all the trees had a taproot and 30% of the main roots originated at a depth of more than 20 cm, and they are regularly distributed around the stems. Planted trees did not present a taproot and 97% of the main roots originated in the first 20 cm beneath the soil surface. Moreover, 50% of root length was located in one-third of the area surrounding the stems, an area that corresponded to the furrow. Finally, the annual development of lateral roots in planted stand displayed a 5-year delay when compared with natural stand, which also affected maximum growth length and development of the branching pattern. Root distribution and temporal development are known to play a major role in the stability of aerial parts. Seedling production methods, container type, site preparation and planting techniques need to be examined in greater detail in order to assess their effect throughout the development of the root system. It is necessary to compare different sylvicultural practices and with natural/planted stands to gain a clearer understanding of this problem.     

GH3::GUS reflects cell-specific developmental patterns and stress-induced changes in wood anatomy in the poplar stem

GH3 genes related to the auxin-inducible Glycine max (L.) Merr. GmGH3 gene encode enzymes that conjugate amino acids to auxin. To investigate the role of GH3 enzymes in stress responses and normal wood development, Populus x canescens (Ait.) was transformed with the promoter-reporter construct GH3::GUS containing a GH3 promoter and the 5' UTR from soybean. beta-Glucuronidase (GUS) activity was present in the vascular tissues of leaves and in developing lateral roots and was inducible in silent tissues by external auxin application. A decrease in GUS activity from the stem apex to the bottom corresponded to decreases in auxin concentrations in these tissues. High auxin concentration and high GH3::GUS activity were present in the pith tissue, which may provide storage for auxin compounds. GH3 reporter was active in ray cells, paratracheal parenchyma cells, maturing vessels and in cells surrounding maturing phloem fibers but not in the cambium and immature phloem, despite high auxin concentrations in the latter tissues. However, the GH3 promoter in these tissues became active when the plants were exposed to abiotic stresses, like bending or salinity, causing changes in wood anatomy. We suggest that adjustment of the internal auxin balance in wood in response to environmental cues involves GH3 auxin conjugate synthases.     

Social capital dimensions in household food security interventions: implications for rural Uganda

We demonstrate that social capital is associated with positive food security outcomes, using survey data from 378 households in rural Uganda. We measured food security with the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale. For social capital, we measured cognitive and structural indicators, with principal components analysis used to identify key factors of the concept for logistic regression analysis. Households with bridging and linking social capital, characterized by membership in groups, access to information from external institutions, and observance of norms in groups, tended to be more food secure. Households with cognitive social capital, characterized by observance of generalized norms and mutual trust, were also more food secure than others. However, we established that social capital is, by itself, insufficient. It needs to be complemented with human capital enhancement. We recommend that development interventions which focus on strengthening community associations and networks to enhance food security should support activities which enhance cognitive social capital and human capital skills. Such activities include mutual goal setting, trust building and clear communication among actors. Education efforts for community members, both formal and non-formal, should also be supported such that they potentially strengthen social capital to improve food security in rural Uganda.     

Extramural Ectopic Ureter in a Domestic Ferret (Mustela putorius furo)

Ectopic ureter is the most common cause of congenital urinary incontinence in the dog and cat. The occurrence of ectopic ureter in the dog has been estimated to be 0.016%. A 6-month-old ferret was evaluated for urinary incontinence and urine scalding around the perineal and inguinal areas. Ultrasonography showed a nondistended urinary bladder that contained a possible intraluminal blood clot. Excretory urography revealed a left ectopic ureter. The ferret was initially treated with oral amoxicillin-clavulanate and topical silver sulfadiazine ointment for the perineal and inguinal dermatitis associated with the incontinence. Because of the potential for complications and additional surgery with ureteral transplantation, a left nephroureterectomy was performed. Surgical recovery was uneventful and the incontinence improved, although a small amount of incontinence-associated dermatitis was still present 24 days after discharge. Phenylpropanolamine therapy was initiated to address a suspected dysfunction of the urethral sphincter. Urinary incontinence improved with the phenylpropanolamine therapy; however, a small amount of incontinence persisted throughout the 3 months in which the ferret was evaluated. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first report of an ectopic ureter in a domestic ferret.     

Depletion of soil organic carbon and nitrogen under Pinus taeda plantations in Southern Brazilian grasslands (Campos)

Establishment of pine (Pinus spp.) plantations on grasslands could increase carbon (C) sequestration to counteract increased atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations. In the grasslands of the southern Brazilian highland (Campos), large areas have been converted to Pinus plantations over the last 30 years. In order to assess the impact of this land‐use change on the amount and composition of soil organic matter (SOM), we investigated a grassland pasture site (G), and both an 8‐year‐old (P8) and a 30‐year‐old (P30) plantation with Pinus taeda. Soil samples down to 45 cm were analysed for texture, pH, soil organic carbon (SOC) and total nitrogen (N_tot) concentrations. Chemical composition of SOM was determined by using cross‐polarization magic angle spinning (CPMAS) ¹³C NMR spectroscopy. We analysed for stable C isotope (δ¹³C) and assessed the lignin composition by CuO oxidation. Additionally, contents of pyrogenic organic material (PyOM) were determined because the Campos is regularly burnt. Both pine plantations revealed relatively small SOC concentrations in the mineral soil of 72.6 mg g^?1 (P8) and 56.8 mg g^?1 (P30) and N_tot concentrations of 4.0 mg g^?1 (P8) and 2.9 mg g^?1 (P30) for the A horizon, while grassland showed significantly (P < 0.01) larger contents of 100.2 mg g^?1 for SOC and 5.9 mg g^?1 for N_tot. Accumulation of litter layers suggests decreased input of organic material into the mineral soil under pine, which was confirmed by the δ¹³C values and lignin composition. Smaller contents of vanillyl‐ (V), syringyl‐ (S), and cinnamyl (C)‐phenols, smaller ratios of S/V and C/V, and smaller ratios of acidic to aldehydic forms of V and S phenols indicated a high degree of decomposition of residual grass‐derived SOM in the upper part of the mineral soil (0–10 cm) under pine plantations. This was confirmed by CPMAS ¹³C NMR spectroscopy, showing an increasing Alkyl C/O‐Alkyl C ratio at the same depth. No significant changes in the contents of PyOM could be detected, but all sites tended to show the greatest concentrations at deeper soil depths > 15 cm, indicating a vertical relocation of PyOM. The results suggest that decomposition of residual SOM originating from grassland species contributes to the decrease of SOC and N_tot and to an acidification in the topsoil under pine plantations. We also suggest that slow litter decomposition and incorporation and the absence of fires at the plantations are additional reasons for the reduced amount of SOM. Depletion of SOM and the acidification of the topsoil may reduce the availability and supply of nutrients and diminish the C sequestration potential of the mineral soil.