Evidence for functional G-coupled protein receptors 43 and 120 in subcutaneous and intramuscular adipose tissue of Angus crossbred steers

We conducted 3 independent experiments to demonstrate functional G-coupled protein receptor 43 (GPR43) and GPR120 in bovine intramuscular (i.m.) and subcutaneous (s.c.) adipose tissues. We hypothesized that media volatile fatty acids and long-chain fatty acids would affect cAMP-activated protein kinase-alpha (AMPKα) protein expression and cAMP concentrations differently in i.m. and s.c. adipose tissue. Experiment 1: oleic acid (18:1n-9) decreased phosphorylated AMPKα protein (p-AMPKα) and the p-AMPKα/AMPKα protein ratio in i.m. preadipocytes, increased the p-AMPKα/AMPKα protein ratio in bovine satellite cells, and had no effect in s.c. preadipocytes. Experment 2: ex vivo explants from the 5th to 8th longissimus thoracic rib muscle section of Angus crossbred steers were cultured 48 hr in media containing 0.25 µM ciglitizone, 5 mM glucose, and 5 mM acetate, in the absence or the presence of 100 µM oleic acid. Oleic acid increased acetate incorporation into fatty acids and GPR43 gene expression in i.m. adipose tissue (P < 0.05), but oleic acid had no effect on fatty acid synthesis or GPR43 expression in s.c. adipose tissue. Experiment 3: fresh s.c. and i.m. adipose tissue from the 5th to 8th longissimus thoracic rib muscle section of Angus crossbred steers was transferred immediately to 6-well culture plates containing 3 mL of KHB/Hepes/5 mM glucose. Samples were preincubated with 0.5 mM theophylline plus 10 μM forskolin for 30 min, after which increasing concentrations of acetate or propionate (0, 10⁻³, 10^−2.3, and 10⁻³ M) in the absence or the presence of 100 μM oleic acid or 100 µM palmitic acid (16:0) were added to the incubation media. Acetate had no effect on forskolin-stimulated cAMP production in s.c. adipose tissue but decreased cAMP in i.m. adipose tissue (P < 0.05); this indicates a functional GPR43 receptor in i.m. adipose tissue. The combination of 10⁻² M acetate and oleic acid decrease cAMP production in s.c. adipose tissue, consistent with GPR120 receptor activity, but oleic acid and palmitic acid attenuated the depression of cAMP production caused by acetate in i.m. adipose tissue. Palmitic acid depressed cAMP production in s.c. adipose tissue, and increased cAMP production in i.m. adipose tissue (P < 0.05). Propionate had no effect on cAMP production in s.c. or i.m. adipose tissue. These results provide evidence for functional GPR43 receptors in i.m. adipose tissue and GPR120 receptors in s.c. adipose tissue, both of which would suppress lipolysis.     

Genetic, agronomic and quality comparisons of two 1AL.1RS. wheat-rye chromosomal translocations

The 1AL.1RS wheat-rye chromosomal translocation originally found in ‘Amigo’ wheat possesses resistance genes for stem rust, powdery mildew and greenbug biotypes B and C, but also has a negative effect on wheat processing quality. Recently, a second 1AL.1RS translocation carrying Gb6, a gene conferring resistance to greenbug biotypes B, C, E, G and I, was identified in the wheat germplasm line ‘GRS1201′. Protein analytical methods, and the DNA polymerase chain reaction were used to identify markers capable of differentiating the 1RS chromosome arms derived from ‘Amigo’ and ‘GRS1201′. The secalin proteins encoded by genes on 1RS chromosome arms differed in ‘Amigo’ and ‘GRS1201′. A 70 kDa secalin was found in the ‘Amigo’1AL.1RS, but did not occur in the ‘GRS1201’1AL.1RS. Polymorphisms detected by PCR primers derived from a family of moderately repetitive rye DNA sequences also differentiated the two translocations. When ‘GRS1201’was mated with a non-1RS wheat, no recombinants between 1RS markers were observed. In crosses between 1RS and non-1RS parents, both DNA markers and secalins would be useful as selectable markers for 1RS-derived greenbug resistance. Recombination between 1RS markers did occur when 1RS from ‘Amigo’ and 1RS from ‘GRS1201’were combined, but in such intermatings, the molecular markers described herein could still be used to develop a population enriched in lines carrying Gb6. No differences in grain yield or grain and flour quality characteristics were observed when lines carrying 1RS from ‘Amigo’ were compared with lines with 1RS from ‘GRS1201′. Hence, differences in secalin composition did not result in differential quality effects. When compared with sister lines with 1AL.1AS derived from the wheat cultivar ‘Redland’, lines with ‘GRS1201’had equal grain yield, but produced flours with significantly shorter mix times, weaker doughs, and lower sodium dodecyl sulphate sedimentation volumes.     

Novel flavonol glycoside, 7-O-methyl mearnsitrin, from Sageretia theezans and its antioxidant effect

A novel flavonol glycoside, 7-O-methylmearnsitrin (7,4'-O-dimethylmyricetin 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside), and myricetrin, kaempferol 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside, europetin 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnoside, and 7-O-methyl quercetin 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside were isolated from the leaves of Sageretia theezans, and their chemical structures were identified by spectroscopic analyses including two-dimensional NMR (HSQC, HMBC). Whereas myricetrin, europetin 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnoside, and 7-O-methylquercetin 3-O-alpha-L-rhamnopyranoside showed stronger activities than ascorbic acid and alpha-tocopherol, 7-O-methylmearnsitrin showed very weak antioxidant activities by ESR and LDL oxidation inhibition tests.     

Considerations for selecting disease resistant wild germplasm (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Solanum</Emphasis> spp.): lessons from a case study of resistance to bacterial soft rot and Colorado potato beetle

Predictions of distributions of resistance phenotypes have been attempted for major diseases in wild potato germplasm. Interestingly, no consistent taxonomic or biogeographic predictors have been identified. However, an important lesson learned was that there are interactions among host plants, environmental factors, and characters of the pathogens. A logical extension of the predictivity project is to examine the dynamics of resistances when multiple biotic stresses are involved. In this study, we found that populations susceptible to a foliar feeding pest [Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata (Say)] are resistant to a bacterial pathogen [Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum (Jones, 1901; Hauben et al. 1999)]. We propose that wounds caused by the insect pest allow the bacterial pathogen to gain entry and cause disease. This would lead to strong selection pressure for resistance to the bacterial pathogen. Consequently, when searching for traits of interest in germplasm collections, it is important to consider the complex biotic and abiotic environments in which the source populations evolved.     

Hormaomycins B and C: New Antibiotic Cyclic Depsipeptides from a Marine Mudflat-Derived Streptomyces sp.

Alterations in microbial culture conditions may trigger the production of diverse bioactive secondary metabolites. While applying various culture conditions and monitoring secondary metabolite profiles using LC/MS, hormaomycins B and C (1 and 2) were discovered from a marine mudflat-derived actinomycete, Streptomyces sp., collected in Mohang, Korea. The planar structures of the hormaomycins, which bear structurally-unique units, such as 4-(Z)-propenylproline, 3-(2-nitrocyclopropyl)alanine, 5-chloro-1-hydroxypyrrol-2-carboxylic acid and β-methylphenylalanine, were established as the first natural analogues belonging to the hormaomycin peptide class. The absolute configurations of 1 and 2 were deduced by comparing their CD spectra with that of hormaomycin. These hormaomycins exhibited significant inhibitory effects against various pathogenic Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.     

Inhibitory Effects of Copper on Nitrifying Bacteria in Suspended and Attached Growth Reactors

Municipal wastewaters with industrial discharges typically contain heavy metals which may inhibit the biological processes in wastewater treatment plants. In this study, copper inhibition on strict nitrifiers in a suspended growth (SG) reactor and a combined attached and suspended growth (A&SG) reactor was compared. Both reactors were subjected to a continuous copper input of 5 mg/L. When the accumulated total copper concentration in the reactor were approximately 25 mg/L (due to sorption to the biomass), a sharp decrease in nitrification (increase in inhibition) were observed in the SG reactor while nitrification remained the same for the A&SG reactor indicating that attached growth systems were more robust against copper toxicity than suspended growth systems. Using MINTEQA2, the concentrations of various chemical species were estimated and, of the different species present, adsorbed copper in the biomass and aqueous Cu(NH₃)₄ ⁺² were found to positively correlate with percent inhibition of nitrification. Based on the changes in the concentrations of the two species, Cu(NH₃)₄ ⁺² was probably the main chemical species responsible for inhibition of nitrification. This study has implications for wastewater treatment plants treating wastewaters with high ammonia and copper present.     

Intra-arterial delivery of triolein emulsion increases vascular permeability in skeletal muscles of rabbits

Background

To test the hypothesis that triolein emulsion will increase vascular permeability of skeletal muscle.

Methods

Triolein emulsion was infused into the superficial femoral artery in rabbits (triolein group, n = 12). As a control, saline was infused (saline group, n = 18). Pre- and post-contrast T1-weighted MR images were obtained two hours after infusion. The MR images were qualitatively and quantitatively evaluated by assessing the contrast enhancement of the ipsilateral muscles. Histologic examination was performed in all rabbits.

Results

The ipsilateral muscles of the rabbits in the triolein group showed contrast enhancement, as opposed to in the ipsilateral muscles of the rabbits in the saline group. The contrast enhancement of the lesions was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Histologic findings showed that most examination areas of the triolein and saline groups had a normal appearance.

Conclusion

Rabbit thigh muscle revealed significantly increased vascular permeability with triolein emulsion; this was clearly demonstrated on the postcontrast MR images.     

Topical tacrolimus (FK506) for the treatment of feline idiopathic facial dermatitis

A 3-year-old, neutered male Persian cat with chronic ulcerative facial dermatitis was diagnosed with feline idiopathic facial dermatitis based on signalment, clinical history and diagnostic test results, including dermatohistopathological evaluation. Initial treatment started with 4 weeks of oral antifungal/antibiotic medication for severe secondary infectious dermatitis of Malassezia and bacteria. As the lesions gradually improved, the oral medication was withdrawn, leaving only 0.1% topical FK506 (tacrolimus) ointment for the remaining lesions. Topical treatment was administered just in case any new lesions developed. The patient has been managed effectively with topical tacrolimus and no side-effects were observed during treatment. Feline idiopathic facial dermatitis is known as a difficult dermatosis to manage successfully, but our experience suggests that it may respond to topical tacrolimus.     

Survey of Helicobacter infection in domestic and feral cats in Korea

Discovery of Helicobacter (H.) pylori has led to a fundamental change in our understanding of gastric diseases in humans. Previous studies have found various Helicobacter spp. in dogs and cats, and pets have been questioned as a zoonotic carrier. The present study surveyed the Helicobacter infections and investigated the presence of H. felis and H. pylori infections in domestic and feral cats in Korea. Sixty-four domestic cats and 101 feral cats were selected from an animal shelter. Saliva and feces were evaluated by Helicobacter genus-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Genus-specific PCR positive samples were further evaluated for H. felis and H. pylori using specific primer pairs. Thirty-six of 64 (56.3%) samples from domestic cats and 92 of 101 (91.1%) samples from feral cats were PCR positive; the positive rate of feces samples was higher than that of saliva samples in both groups. H. felis and H. pylori species-specific PCR was uniformly negative. The prevalence of Helicobacter spp. in feral cats was approximately two-fold higher than that of domestic cats. The fecal-oral route may be more a common transmission route not only between cats but also in humans.