Calcium homeostasis and its relationship to superoxide production in blood and milk neutrophils of lactating goats

Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN), which comprise over 70% of the somatic cells in goat milk, are a major cellular component of innate immunity in the goat mammary gland. However, the function of milk PMNs is modified after diapedesis compared to PMNs in blood. As many aspects of PMN activity depend directly on intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration ((Ca²⁺)_i), the present study aimed to determine the changes in Ca²⁺ homeostasis of milk PMNs from lactating goats compared to autologous blood PMNs, and to examine the significance of these variations to the immuno-competency of milk PMNs. The intracellular Ca²⁺ store of freshly prepared milk cells was estimated from the elevation of (Ca²⁺)_i after ionomycin treatment, which was found to be significantly less than blood PMNs. Replenishment of the intracellular Ca²⁺ store in milk cells after intracellular Ca²⁺ depletion by Bapta-AM followed by spiking with 2.5 mM Ca²⁺ for 20 min was also compared to that of blood PMNs, showing that after depletion/spiking the intracellular Ca²⁺ store in milk cells was much less than blood PMNs. The production of superoxide anion (O₂^?) in vitro in response to (Ca²⁺)_i-dependent or (Ca²⁺)_i-independent modulators was used to evaluate the relevance of altered Ca²⁺ homeostasis on the immuno-competency of milk cells compared to blood PMNs. The results indicated that milk cells produced similarly low levels of O₂^? as blood PMNs when treated with ionomycin. However, the amount of O₂^? produced by milk cells in response to phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) stimulation, although greater than ionomycin treatment, was significantly less than that of blood PMNs. The capacity for O₂^? production by both cell types in response to PMA reverted to the resting state with use of the protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor, staurosporine. In conclusion, the current study demonstrated an irreversible shortage of intracellular Ca²⁺ in the milk PMNs of lactating goats compared to blood PMNs. It also showed that preliminary O₂^–production, primed by ionomycin treatment, remained unchanged in milk PMNs, despite the shortage in intracellular Ca²⁺, but decreased O₂^? production capacity, mediated via the PKC pathway, in milk PMN. It is suggested that the defects in Ca²⁺ homeostasis in milk PMNs of lactating goats is partially attributable for the post-diapedesis functionality modifications.     

Effects of long-term feeding of chitosan on postprandial lipid responses and lipid metabolism in a high-sucrose-diet-impaired glucose-tolerant rat model

This study was designed to investigate the effects of long-term feeding of chitosan on postprandial lipid response and lipid metabolism in a high-sucrose (HS)-diet-impaired glucose-tolerant rat model. As the results, HS-diet-fed rats supplemented with 5 and 7% chitosan in diets for 9 weeks had lower postprandial plasma total cholesterol (TC) levels, but 7% chitosan in the diet had higher postprandial plasma triglyceride (TG) and TG-rich lipoprotein TG levels. Supplementation of chitosan significantly decreased the postprandial ratio of apolipoprotein B (apoB)48/apoB100 in TG-rich lipoprotein fractions of HS-diet-fed rats. Long-term supplementation of 5 and 7% chitosan in diets for 16 weeks had lower plasma TC, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) + very low density lipoprotein cholesterol (VLDL-C), TC/high-density lipoprotein (HDL-C) ratio, leptin, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) levels in HS-diet-fed rats. Moreover, it was noticed that the VLDL receptor (VLDLR) protein expression in skeletal muscles of HS-diet-fed rats was significantly decreased, which could be significantly reversed by supplementation of 5 and 7% chitosan. Rats supplemented with 7% chitosan in the diet significantly elevated the lipolysis rate and decreased the accumulation of TG in epididymal fat pads of HS-diet-fed rats. The plasma angiopoietin-like 4 (ANGPTL4) protein expression was not affected in HS-diet-fed rats, but it was significantly increased in 7% chitosan-supplemented HS-diet-fed rats. Taken together, these results indicate that supplementation of chitosan in the diet can improve the impairment of lipid metabolism in a HS-diet-fed rat model, but long-term high-dose chitosan feeding may enhance postprandial plasma TG and TG-rich lipoprotein TG levels in HS-diet-fed rats through an ANGPTL4-regulated pathway.     

Red soil chemistry and mineralogy reflect uniform weathering environments in fluvial sediments, Taiwan

Purpose

Information on the physicochemical properties, mineral species and micromorphology of lateritic soils and gravel soil layers in paleo-environmental soil profile is severely lacking. Red soil profile of the Taoyuan terrace was employed to demonstrate its different extents of lateritic weathering. The objectives of this study were to compare the physicochemical properties of lateritic soils and gravel soil layers and identify using conventional and synchrotron X-ray diffraction (XRD) analyses mineral species in nanoparticles separated by automated ultrafiltration device (AUD) apparatus.

Materials and methods

Soil samples were collected from paleo-environmental lateritic soils. Soil samples were examined using elemental analysis, conventional and synchrotron XRD analyses, high gradient magnetic separation, separation and collection of nanoparticles by AUD apparatus, and transmission electron microscopy (TEM).

Results and discussion

The soil pH, redness index, quantities of free Al- and Fe-oxides (Al_d and Fe_d), and clay content of lateritic soils are higher than those of gravel soil layers. Illite, kaolinite, gibbsite, quartz, goethite, and hematite were identified in clay fractions and nanoparticles by conventional and synchrotron XRD analyses. TEM images show presence of hematite nanoparticles on the surface coating of kaolinite nanoparticles and aggregated hematite nanoparticles overlapping the edge of a kaolinite flake in a size range of 4?C7?nm. Synchrotron XRD techniques are more straightforward and powerful than conventional XRD with random powder methods for identifying nanoparticles in red soils, particularly for illite, kaolinite, goethite, and hematite nanoparticles. According to chemical compositions of clay fractions and red soil features in the Taoyuan terrace, these red soils can be taken as lateritic red earths or red earths.

Conclusions

This work suggests that physicochemical properties, mineral species, and micromorphology of red soil at all depths can shed light on the extent of paleo-environmental lateritic weathering.     

Protective Effects of Fucoxanthin on Hydrogen Peroxide-Induced Calcification of Heart Valve Interstitial Cells

Cardiovascular diseases such as atherosclerosis and aortic valve sclerosis involve inflammatory reactions triggered by various stimuli, causing increased oxidative stress. This increased oxidative stress causes damage to the heart cells, with subsequent cell apoptosis or calcification. Currently, heart valve damage or heart valve diseases are treated by drugs or surgery. Natural antioxidant products are being investigated in related research, such as fucoxanthin (Fx), which is a marine carotenoid extracted from seaweed, with strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-tumor properties. This study aimed to explore the protective effect of Fx on heart valves under high oxidative stress, as well as the underlying mechanism of action. Rat heart valve interstitial cells under H₂O₂-induced oxidative stress were treated with Fx. Fx improved cell survival and reduced oxidative stress-induced DNA damage, which was assessed by cell viability analysis and staining with propidium iodide. Alizarin Red-S analysis indicated that Fx has a protective effect against calcification. Furthermore, Western blotting revealed that Fx abrogates oxidative stress-induced apoptosis via reducing the expression of apoptosis-related proteins as well as modulate Akt/ERK-related protein expression. Notably, in vivo experiments using 26 dogs treated with 60 mg/kg of Fx in combination with medical treatment for 0.5 to 2 years showed significant recovery in their echocardiographic parameters. Collectively, these in vitro and in vivo results highlight the potential of Fx to protect heart valve cells from high oxidative stress-induced damage.     

Remote Sensing Applications to Agricultural Monitoring1

The development of detection of insect infestations from aircraft was reviewed. It started with visual observation and written records, and developed to photographic recording with color films and infrared films, then to enhancement of photographic images. Aerial photography was used to detect simulated insect defoliation in corn fields. Several guide-lines were established: defoliation on top of plant was easily detected while that on the base of plant was less so; aero infrared film with a Wratten 89B filter gave the best results, morning flight at the scale of 1: 15,840 is to be recommended, and row direction, plant growth stage and time elapse since defoliation were not important factors. The multiple uses of aerial photography in agricultural monitoring were proposed, and the research needed to implement the proposed scheme was outlined. The potential and limitations of remote sensing from spacecraft such as the Earth Resources Technology Satellite and the SKYLAB were discussed.     

林丹粉剂拌合储粮防治害虫的研究——不同拌合方式的防虫效果及残留量

本試驗是1962年結合生产进行的。結果表明,粮堆中拌合百万分之5的林丹粉剂,以全部拌合防治效果最好;分层或表层拌合的,防治效果较差。无論那种拌合方式都可以有效地防治麦蛾;在原始害虫不多的情况下,对米象、长角谷盜和谷蠹也有良好防治效果,但对防治鋸谷盜和米虱,效果不明显。用百万分之5的林丹粉剂拌合小麦,加工后,林丹的残留量在机制粉中为百万分之1.1—2.5,石磨制粉中为百万分之1.7—3.9,麸皮中为百万分之4.8—10.4。表层拌合的小麦加工成面粉后,为百万分之0.3,麸皮中为百万分之1.2。全部拌合的稻谷加工后,大米及米糠中分別为百万分之0.57—1.0和4.6—12.0,分层拌合的稻谷加工品中則分別为百万分之0.42和2.0。全部拌合的玉米,加工成玉米粉后为百万分之1.9—3.7。上述拌合浓度,对种子发芽率没有影响。     

Selective delivery of cargo entities to tumor cells by nanoscale artificial oil bodies

Artificial oil bodies (AOBs) are oil droplets that result from self-assembly of a mixture containing triacylglycerols, phospholipids, and membrane proteins of plant seeds. Owing to their small size, stability, hydrophobic core, biocompatibility, and biodegradability, AOBs were explored to examine their feasibility as a drug delivery carrier. This was approached by fusion sesame oleosin (Ole), the primary membrane protein of seed oil bodies, with a small domain consisting of the arginine-glycine-aspartic acid (RGD) motif. The resulting Ole-RGD fusion protein was overproduced in Escherichia coli and then isolated for reconstitution of AOBs. At the optimal condition, the size of stable AOBs was within the range of 100-400 nm. Furthermore, AOBs entrapped with a hydrophobic fluorescence dye were incubated with human tumor cells. As visualized by fluorescent microscopy and confocal microscopy, the RGD-tagged AOBs were able to selectively target cells expressing the αvβ3 integrin. Moreover, these AOBs were effectively internalized and the fluorescence dye that they carried was subsequently released inside the cells. The percentage of cells internalized by AOBs could reach 80% as analyzed by flow cytometry. Taken together, it illustrates a great promise of this proposed approach for targeted delivery of cargo entities to tumor cells.     

Direct fed microbial supplementation repartitions host energy to the immune system

Direct fed microbials and probiotics are used to promote health in livestock and poultry; however, their mechanism of action is still poorly understood. We previously reported that direct fed microbial supplementation in young broilers reduced ileal respiration without changing whole-body energy expenditure. The current studies were conducted to further investigate the effects of a direct fed microbial on energy metabolism in different tissues of broilers. One hundred ninety-two 1-d-old broiler chicks (16 chicks/pen) were randomly assigned to 2 dietary groups: standard control starter diet (CSD) and CSD plus direct fed microbial (DFMD; 0.3%) with 6 pens/treatment. Body weight, feed consumption, whole-body energy expenditure, organ mass, tissue respiration rates, and peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) ATP concentrations were measured to estimate changes in energy metabolism. No differences in whole body energy expenditure or BW gain were observed; however, decreased ileal O(2) respiration (P < 0.05) was measured in DFMD fed broilers. In contrast, the respiration rate of the thymus in those broilers was increased (P < 0.05). The PBMC from DFMD fed broilers had increased ATP concentrations and exhibited increased ATP turnover (P < 0.01). To determine if the increased energy consumption by PBMC corresponded with an altered immune response, broilers were immunized with sheep red blood cells (SRBC) and assayed for differences in their humoral response. The DFMD-fed broilers had a faster rate of antigen specific IgG production (P < 0.05) and an increase in total IgA (P < 0.05). Collectively, these data indicate that supplementation with the direct fed microbial used in this study resulted in energy re-partitioning to the immune system and an increase in antibody production independent of changes in whole body metabolism or growth performance.     

Glutathione Transferase Isozymes Involved in Insecticide Resistance of Diamondback Moth Larvae

In addition to the three glutathione transferase (GST) isozymes already identified in diamondback moth larvae, Plutella xylostella (L.), a fourth one, GST-4, was purified from a teflubenzuron (TFB)-resistant strain. This GST isozyme was similar to GST-3 in terms of biochemical and toxicological properties. GST-4, a homodimer with a subunit molecular mass of 26.6 kDa and a pI of ca. 8.9, displayed even stronger substrate preference than GST-3 for 1,2-dichloro-4-nitrobenzene and several organophosphorus insecticides, i.e., parathion, methyl parathion, and paraoxon. These two proteins were highly immunorelated and shared at least the first eight amino acids at the N-terminus. Immunoblotting analysis indicated that polyclonal antiserum raised against GST-3 cross-reacted with GST-1 and GST-2 at least 40-fold less intensely than with the antigen. Using this antiserum as probe, higher amounts and greater variations of GST-3/GST-4 were observed in larvae of a methyl parathion- and a TFB-resistant strain compared with a susceptible and a fenvalerate-resistant strain. Among the six lepidopterous insects examined, only Spodoptera exigua larvae clearly had proteins immunorelated to GST-3/GST-4 of diamondback moth. No such cross-reactivity was observed in Musca domestica, Drosophila melanogaster, and Aedes aegypti.