An Ethanol Extract Derived from Bonnemaisonia hamifera Scavenges Ultraviolet B (UVB) Radiation-Induced Reactive Oxygen Species and Attenuates UVB-Induced Cell Damage in Human Keratinocytes

The present study investigated the photoprotective properties of an ethanol extract derived from the red alga Bonnemaisonia hamifera against ultraviolet B (UVB)-induced cell damage in human HaCaT keratinocytes. The Bonnemaisonia hamifera ethanol extract (BHE) scavenged the superoxide anion generated by the xanthine/xanthine oxidase system and the hydroxyl radical generated by the Fenton reaction (FeSO₄ + H₂O₂), both of which were detected by using electron spin resonance spectrometry. In addition, BHE exhibited scavenging activity against the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical and intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) that were induced by either hydrogen peroxide or UVB radiation. BHE reduced UVB-induced apoptosis, as shown by decreased apoptotic body formation and DNA fragmentation. BHE also attenuated DNA damage and the elevated levels of 8-isoprostane and protein carbonyls resulting from UVB-mediated oxidative stress. Furthermore, BHE absorbed electromagnetic radiation in the UVB range (280–320 nm). These results suggest that BHE protects human HaCaT keratinocytes against UVB-induced oxidative damage by scavenging ROS and absorbing UVB photons, thereby reducing injury to cellular components.     

Potential impacts on climate change on paddy rice yield in mountainous highland terrains

Crop models are suitable tools to assess the potential impacts of climate change on crop productivity. While the associated assessment reports have been focused on major rice production regions, there is little information on how climate change will impact the future rice crop production in mountainous highland regions. This study investigated effects of climate change on yield of paddy rice (Oryza sativa) in mountainous highland terrains of Korea using the CERES-Rice 4.0 crop model. The model was first calibrated and validated based on observed data and then applied to simulations for the future projections of rice yield in a typical mountainous terrain which borders North and South Korea, the Haean Basin in Kangwon Province, Republic of Korea. Rice yield in the highland terrain was projected to increase by 2050 and 2100 primarily due to elevated CO₂ concentration. This effect of CO₂ fertilization on yield (+10.9% in 2050 and +20.0% in 2100) was also responsible for increases in water-use efficiency and nitrogen-use efficiency. With management options, such as planting date shift and increasing nitrogen application, additional yield gains were predicted in response to the future climate in this area. We also found that improving genetic traits should be another option to get further yield increases. All in all, climate change in mountainous highland areas should positively influence on paddy rice productivity.     

Screening 52 single nucleotide polymorphisms for extreme value of glycolytic potential and drip loss in pigs

Low heritability of meat quality traits and the lack of their systematic registration in breeding programs have encouraged the search for single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located within genes coding the proteins involved in muscle and fat metabolism. In this report, a panel of 52 SNPs was used to find which alleles and genotypes are more/less frequent in groups of pigs differentiated by extreme value of glycolytic potential (GP) and drip loss (DL). The analysis was carried out in 52 fatteners (chosen from 246 pigs), of which 28 were Landrace and 27 Landrace × Yorkshire. Two designs were performed: I, fatteners were divided into two groups showing extreme value of GP (<125 versus >145), II, fatteners were divided into two groups showing extreme value of DL (<6.0 versus >6.0). Allele frequency differences between the phenotypic groups of extreme GL or DL were not influenced by the breed. The frequency of 52 SNPs alleles for each of group was calculated and a chi‐squared test was used to estimate the significance of differences in allele frequencies between alternative groups in each experimental design. Three SNPs (DECR1, PPARGC1, MC4R) and another two (CYP21, SFRS1) showed significant differences between groups of extreme GP and DL, respectively. To exemplify and validate potential associations of candidate SNPs for GP and DL, 293 fatteners representing three commercial breeds/crosses (95 Landrace, 66 Landrace × Yorkshire and 132 Landrace × Yorkshire × Duroc were genotyped for DECR1 and CYP21 by PCR‐RFLP assays. DECR1 showed significant associations with GP in Landrace and Landrace × Yorkshire × Duroc fatteners. CYP21 showed significant associations with DL in all breeds/crosses. Interestingly, the CYP21 polymorphism revealed adverse associations trend in Landrace × Yorkshire × Duroc pigs in comparison to Landrace and Landrace × Yorkshire fatteners.     

The Function of Rac Small GTPase and Associated Proteins in Rice Innate Immunity

Two types of innate immune receptors, pattern recognition receptors, and resistance proteins, play crucial roles in plant innate immunity; however, the molecules activated by the receptors and how immune responses are transmitted are not well understood. Evidence has been accumulating for a decade that Rac, a small guanosine triphosphatase (GTPase; also known as Rop) belonging to the Rho-type small GTPase family, is a key regulator of innate immunity in rice, barley, and other species. Like other small GTPases, Rac GTPases function as molecular switches by cycling between GDP-bound inactive and GTP-bound active forms in cells. Rac GTPase acts as a key signaling switch downstream of the two types of immune receptors and triggers innate immunity. This review outlines the role of the Rac family small GTPase and its associated proteins in rice innate immunity.     

Myeloma-related disorder with leukaemic progression in a cat

A 10-year-old American Shorthair cat with nasal discharge, anorexia, and weight loss was found to have pancytopenia and hyperproteinaemia. Bone marrow aspiration revealed atypical plasma cells that totalled 50% of the nucleated bone marrow cells. The number of atypical plasma cells progressively increased in the peripheral blood during the observation period of 64 days. The cat did not respond to treatments with melphalan, chlorambucil, and prednisolone, and died 71 days after the initial presentation. Clinical, cytological, histopathological, and immunohistochemical findings in this case supported the diagnosis of myeloma-related disorder (MRD) with leukaemic progression.     

New Cyclic Lipopeptides of the Iturin Class Produced by Saltern-Derived Bacillus sp. KCB14S006

Salterns, one of the most extreme natural hypersaline environments, are a rich source of halophilic and halotolerant microorganisms, but they remain largely underexplored ecological niches in the discovery of bioactive secondary metabolites. In continued efforts to investigate the metabolic potential of microbial populations from chemically underexplored sites, three new lipopeptides named iturin F₁, iturin F₂ and iturin A₉ (1–3), along with iturin A₈ (4), were isolated from Bacillus sp. KCB14S006 derived from a saltern. The structures of the isolated compounds were established by 1D-, 2D-NMR and HR-ESIMS, and their absolute configurations were determined by applying advanced Marfey’s method and CD spectroscopy. All isolates exhibited significant antifungal activities against various pathogenic fungi and moderate cytotoxic activities toward HeLa and src^ts-NRK cell lines. Moreover, in an in vitro enzymatic assay, compound 4 showed a significant inhibitory activity against indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase.     

Alleviating neuropathic pain hypersensitivity by inhibiting PKMzeta in the anterior cingulate cortex

Synaptic plasticity is a key mechanism for chronic pain. It occurs at different levels of the central nervous system, including spinal cord and cortex. Studies have mainly focused on signaling proteins that trigger these plastic changes, whereas few have addressed the maintenance of plastic changes related to chronic pain. We found that protein kinase M zeta (PKMζ) maintains pain-induced persistent changes in the mouse anterior cingulate cortex (ACC). Peripheral nerve injury caused activation of PKMζ in the ACC, and inhibiting PKMζ by a selective inhibitor, ζ-pseudosubstrate inhibitory peptide (ZIP), erased synaptic potentiation. Microinjection of ZIP into the ACC blocked behavioral sensitization. These results suggest that PKMζ in the ACC acts to maintain neuropathic pain. PKMζ could thus be a new therapeutic target for treating chronic pain.     

Investigation of visitors’ motivation,satisfaction and cognition on urban forest parks in Taiwan

This study conducts a survey on the urban forest parks in Taiwan to assess the benefits and affecting factors. The results show that the larger the area of the park, the higher the degree of satisfaction with the landscape and the status of the plants, and the higher the density of trees, the lower the degree of satisfaction with the scenic view. The shading effect is positively correlated with the diameter of plants at breast height, canopy cover area, and proportion of green coverage. However, higher green coverage is associated with lower satisfaction regarding the scenic view and the uniqueness of the landscape. Most visitors are less satisfied with the area of plants and landscape attractiveness. The study results can be used to evaluate the impacts of setting up urban forest parks. The outcomes also provide guidance for the relevant authorities for sustainable management and future policy making.