Alpha-synuclein blocks ER-Golgi traffic and Rab1 rescues neuron loss in Parkinson's models

Alpha-synuclein (alphaSyn) misfolding is associated with several devastating neurodegenerative disorders, including Parkinson's disease (PD). In yeast cells and in neurons alphaSyn accumulation is cytotoxic, but little is known about its normal function or pathobiology. The earliest defect following alphaSyn expression in yeast was a block in endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-to-Golgi vesicular trafficking. In a genomewide screen, the largest class of toxicity modifiers were proteins functioning at this same step, including the Rab guanosine triphosphatase Ypt1p, which associated with cytoplasmic alphaSyn inclusions. Elevated expression of Rab1, the mammalian YPT1 homolog, protected against alphaSyn-induced dopaminergic neuron loss in animal models of PD. Thus, synucleinopathies may result from disruptions in basic cellular functions that interface with the unique biology of particular neurons to make them especially vulnerable.     

Growth performance and gut health of Escherichia coli–challenged weaned pigs fed canola meal-containing diet

An experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of including canola meal (CM) in diets for weaning pigs challenged with a F18 strain of Escherichia coli on growth performance and gut health. A total of 36 individually housed weaned pigs (initial body weight [BW] = 6.22 kg) were randomly allotted to one of the three diets (12 pigs/diet). The three diets were corn–soybean meal (SBM)-based basal diet (control diet) and the basal diet with 0.3% zinc oxide, 0.2% chlortetracycline, and 0.2% tiamulin (antibiotic diet) or with 20% CM diet. The diets were fed in two phases: Phase 1: days 0 to 7 and Phase 2: days 7 to 20. All pigs were given an oral dose of 2 × 10⁹ CFU of F18 strain of E. coli on day 7. Fecal score was assessed daily throughout the trial. Dietary antibiotics increased (P < 0.05) overall average daily gain (ADG) and average daily feed intake (ADFI) compared by 48% and 47%, respectively. Dietary CM increased (P < 0.05) overall ADG and ADFI by 22% and 23%, respectively; but the ADG and ADFI values for CM-containing diet did not reach those for the antibiotics-containing diet. Dietary antibiotics reduced (P < 0.05) fecal score; however, dietary CM unaffected fecal score. Dietary antibiotics decreased (P < 0.05) liver weight per unit live BW by 16% at day 20, whereas dietary CM did not affect liver weight per unit live BW (29.2 vs. 28.6). Also, dietary antibiotics increased (P < 0.05) serum triiodothyronine and tetraiodothyronine levels for day 14, whereas dietary CM did not affect the serum level of these hormones. Dietary antibiotics reduced (P < 0.05) the number white blood cells and neutrophils by 38% and 43% at day 20, respectively, whereas dietary CM tended to reduce (P = 0.09) the number white blood cells by 19% at day 20. The number white blood cells for CM diet tended to be greater (P < 0.10) than that for antibiotics diet. The dietary antibiotics decreased (P < 0.05) the concentration of individual volatile fatty acids and hence of total volatile fatty acid in cecum by 61% at day 20, whereas dietary CM decreased (P < 0.05) cecal butyric acid concentration by 61% and tended to reduce (P < 0.10) total volatile fatty acid concentration by 30% at day 20. In conclusion, the dietary inclusion of 20% CM improved ADG and tended to reduce white blood cell counts. Thus, inclusion of CM in antibiotics-free corn-SBM-based diets for weaned pigs that are challenged with F18 strain of E. coli can result in their improved performance partly through a reduction of the inflammatory response.     

Collection and preliminary evaluation of small bitter gourds (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Momordica charantia</Emphasis> L.) a relict vegetable of Southern Peninsular India

Small-fruited bitter gourds, the “pavel” and “pandi-pavel” described in Hortus Malabaricus, is nearly an extinct crop in Kerala and rest of southern peninsular India. They are reported to have been cultivated extensively in the past. However, presently its cultivation is restricted to a few home gardens in remote forest areas consequent on its replacement by large-fruited cultivars over the last two centuries. Special traits like unique flavour, taste, medicinal properties and fruit fly tolerance have enabled the perpetuation of this relict vegetable still in a few homesteads. Eleven named landraces have been collected from South Western Ghats and Tamil Nadu plains and their seeds conserved in the genebank of NBPGR, New Delhi. Known as “uchie” in Northern India and “methipavai” in Tamil, these miniature bitter gourds have different landrace names in specific pockets of natural occurrence/cultivation.     

Tuber morphology,germination behaviour and propagation efficiency in three edible <Emphasis Type="Italic">Momordica</Emphasis> (Cucurbitaceae) species of India

Tuber morphology and propagation efficiency in three dioecious, tuber bearing Momordica species of India were investigated. Tuber morphology of M. dioica and M. sahyadrica is different from that of M. subangulata ssp. renigera. M. dioica and M. sahyadrica develop taproot tuber with shoot sprouts only at caudex region, whereas M. subangulata ssp. renigera has both taproot and adventitious tubers with shoot sprouts all over tuber surface. Tubers of M. dioica and M. sahyadrica are perennating whereas, in M. subangulata ssp. renigera they serve as both perennating and propagation structures. M. dioica and M. sahyadrica had prolonged tuber dormancy of 4–5 months whereas, M. subangulata ssp. renigera had short dormancy period of about 2 months. Cutting of tuberous roots is a highly efficient method for multiplication in M. subangulata spp. renigera, whereas whole tubers or longitudinal splits in to two or at best four equal halves with a portion of the apical meristem may work in the case of M. dioica and M. sahyadrica.     

Selection of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal strains to improve <Emphasis Type="Italic">Casuarina equisetifolia</Emphasis> L. and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Casuarina glauca</Emphasis> Sieb. tolerance to salinity

Key message

Selection of the best salt-tolerant combination of Casuarina sp. and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) is one of the key criteria for successful setup of saline land rehabilitation program.

Context

Land salinization is a serious problem worldwide that mainly leads to soil degradation and reduces crop productivity. These degraded areas could be rehabilitated by planting salt-tolerant species like Casuarina glauca Sieb. and Casuarina equisetifolia L. These are pioneer plants, able to form symbiotic associations with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF), ectomycorrhizal fungi (EMF), and nitrogen-fixing bacteria.

Aims

The aim of this study was to select the highest salt-tolerant combination of Casuarina/AMF that can be used for the rehabilitation of lands degraded by salinity.

Methods

C. equisetifolia and C. glauca were grown in sandy sterile soil in the greenhouse and inoculated separately with Rhizophagus fasciculatus (Thaxt.) C. Walker & A. Schüßler, Rhizophagus aggregatus (N.C. Schenck & G.S. Sm.) C. Walker, and Rhizophagus intraradices (N.C. Schenck & G.S. Sm.) C. Walker & A. Schüßler. After confirming the establishment of a symbiosis, the plants were watered with gradually increasing concentrations of saline solution. After harvest, size and biomass of the seedlings, root colonization by AMF, and AMF metabolic activities were evaluated.

Results

A larger growth was obtained in the two species when the individuals were inoculated with R. fasciculatus. Root colonization rates did not differ among fungal species, but fungal metabolic activities were higher in mycorrhizal roots of C. glauca plants inoculated with R. fasciculatus.

Conclusion

Among the three mycorrhizal fungi, R. fasciculatus was more efficient in association with Casuarinaceae species under salt stress. Our results suggest that selection of appropriate fungal strains is crucial to improve plant performance in saline soils.

     

SPAR Markers-Assisted Assessment of Genetic Diversity and Population Structure in Finger Millet (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Eleusine Coracana</Emphasis> (L.) Gaertn) Mini-Core Collection

Finger millet is an important staple food crop of semi-arid tropics also known as “super cereal” and has a higher calcium content than any other crops. Thousands of germplasm are being maintained and its genetic characterization is essential for further utilization in crop improvement. This research was performed to estimate the diversity and population genetic structure in the mini-core collection of finger millet by using SPAR markers, namely RAPD, ISSR, and DAMD markers. Altogether, 32 primers were used in this study, which produced 408 bands among which 344 were polymorphic. Analysis by combining all three marker systems revealed 84.31% of polymorphism among 90 genotypes of finger millet. Average polymorphism information content (PIC) produced by the ISSR, RAPD, and DAMD markers were 0.79, 0.81, 0.62, and average Rp values were 12.84, 8.17, and 8.53, respectively. The Jaccard's similarity value ranged from 0.233-0.861. IE 6059 and IE 5870 genotypes showed the highest Jaccard's similarity value of 0.861 in UPGMA analysis. Neighbor joining-based phylogenetic analysis produced two major clusters and the genotypes were grouped based on their geographical region of origin. Principal component analysis and principal coordinates analysis also confirmed the results. In population STRUCTURE analysis, the genotypes were divided into two subpopulations (P1and P2). These results confirmed that the genotypes we have assessed were genetically diverse and were clustered based on their geographic region of origin. The information obtained from this study will be useful in population management strategies and selection of genotypes for an effective breeding program in the future.     

Growth effects in tropical nickel‐agromining ‘metal crops' in response to nutrient dosing

Agromining is an emerging technology that utilizes selected ‘metal crops' (= hyperaccumulator plants) to extract valuable target metals from unconventional resources for profit from mineralised soils. Growth characteristics, shoot metal concentrations, and agrominable locations are important considerations in economic agromining. Globally, the greatest potential for nickel (Ni) agromining exists in the tropics. However, the agronomic systems of tropical ‘metal crops' have not been previously tested. Furthermore, it is currently unknown whether nutrient dosing of prospective tropical agromining Ni ‘metal crops’ could possibly cause a shoot Ni‐dilution effect which may ultimately limit economically viable Ni yields. We undertook a pioneering study on Ni uptake and growth responses to nutrient dosing in two promising tropical ‘metal crops' (Phyllanthus rufuschaneyi and Rinorea cf. bengalensis). The experiment consisted of a large randomised block growth trial in large pots over 12 months in Sabah (Malaysia). At 3‐month intervals, the plants were exposed to soluble treatments that altered available concentrations of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). We found strong positive growth responses to N and P additions in P. rufuschaneyi, whereas K additions had negative growth effects. In R. cf. bengalensis, all treatments had positive growth effects. The increases in biomass in response to nutrient dosing did not significantly reduce shoot Ni concentrations in both species, with the exception of N addition in P. rufuschaneyi. This study reveals that Ni uptake and growth responses to nutrient dosing are species‐dependent, primarily influenced by the ecophysiology of the species. Inorganic fertilization could possibly be an important component of the management of local ‘metal crops' to be used in viable commercial agromining in the tropics, but this needs to be tested in the field with different formulations of N, P, and K.     

Neutropenia associated with vincristine and L-asparaginase induction chemotherapy for canine lymphoma

Vincristine (VCR) and L-asparaginase (L-ASP) are commonly used to treat canine lymphoma. As single agents, these drugs are not myelosuppressive. However, in combination, VCR and L-ASP cause severe neutropenia in some dogs. It has been recommended that L-ASP be administered 12-24 hours after VCR to minimize toxicity. The purpose of this retrospective study was to determine the prevalence of neutropenia after VCR/L-ASP induction therapy for canine lymphoma and to evaluate risk factors for myelosuppression, especially the interval between VCR and L-ASP administration. Medical records of 147 dogs were reviewed. L-ASP was given 0 (n = 50), 6 (n = 23), 18 (n = 20), or 24 (n = 54) hours after VCR. Forty percent of the dogs were neutropenic 7 days after VCR/L-ASP, and 18% had neutrophil counts of <1,000 cells/microL. The median neutrophil count was 3,712 cells/microL (range 0-30,968 cells/microL). No correlation was found between administration interval and day 7 neutrophil count (P = .84) or development of gastrointestinal signs, including vomiting (P = .80), diarrhea (P = .52), and decreased appetite (P = .30). No significant predictors of neutropenia were identified. Higher clinical stage and substage b were associated with decreased appetite after treatment (P = .04 and .01, respectively). Sixteen percent of the dogs were hospitalized. This study demonstrates that VCR/L-ASP induction for canine lymphoma may result in neutropenia but that separation of VCR and L-ASP administration may not be necessary to avoid toxicity.     

Radiation therapy for the treatment of tumours in small companion animals

Radiation is becoming widely available to treat tumours in veterinary patients. Orthovoltage machines capable of delivering low energy external beam radiation are less versatile than linear accelerators and cobalt-60 machines that deliver megavoltage radiation. In addition, electron beam capabilities that are available with some linear accelerators allow more targeted treatment in smaller patients. Acute effects of radiation are to be expected, but in nearly all cases such side effects resolve without limiting protocols. In contrast, late effects of radiation are dose limiting and are more likely with higher doses per treatment fraction. Protocols that use smaller doses per fraction have a lower risk of late effects thereby allowing higher total doses to be delivered which leads to higher tumour control rates. It is possible to provide long-term tumour control in cats and dogs using radiation therapy, particularly for mast cell tumours, soft tissue sarcomas, oral tumours and brain tumours in dogs and soft tissue sarcomas and skin tumours in cats. Individualization of treatments for tumours based on tumour staging and proliferative fraction should be considered, rather than making blanket assumptions about the behaviour of histologically determined tumour types.