Novel marine phenazines as potential cancer chemopreventive and anti-inflammatory agents

Two new (1 and 2) and one known phenazine derivative (lavanducyanin, 3) were isolated and identified from the fermentation broth of a marine-derived Streptomyces sp. (strain CNS284). In mammalian cell culture studies, compounds 1, 2 and 3 inhibited TNF-α-induced NFκB activity (IC₅₀ values of 4.1, 24.2, and 16.3 μM, respectively) and LPS-induced nitric oxide production (IC₅₀ values of >48.6, 15.1, and 8.0 μM, respectively). PGE₂ production was blocked with greater efficacy (IC₅₀ values of 7.5, 0.89, and 0.63 μM, respectively), possibly due to inhibition of cyclooxygenases in addition to the expression of COX-2. Treatment of cultured HL-60 cells led to dose-dependent accumulation in the subG1 compartment of the cell cycle, as a result of apoptosis. These data provide greater insight on the biological potential of phenazine derivatives, and some guidance on how various substituents may alter potential anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects.     

Transformation of benzoxazinones and derivatives and microbial activity in the test environment of soil ecotoxicological tests on Poecilus cupreus and Folsomia candida

Benzoxazinones, such as 2,4-dihydroxy-7-methoxy-1,4-benzoxazin-3-one (DIMBOA) and 2,4-dihydroxy-1,4-benzoxazin-3-one (DIBOA), and benzoxazolinones, such as 6-methoxy-2-benzoxazolinone (MBOA) and 2-benzoxazolinone (BOA), are biologically active secondary metabolites found in cereals. Because these compounds could be exploited as part of a strategy for reducing the use of synthetic pesticides, ecotoxicological tests were performed recently. In this paper, the transformation of the compounds in the test environment of the ecotoxicological tests was studied. DIMBOA was degraded and partly transformed to MBOA during the period of ecotoxicological testing of the compounds. During testing of MBOA on Poecilus cupreus test media the analysis showed that at the initial concentrations of 2 and 10 mg kg(-1) no MBOA was left after 45 days of testing, but the metabolite 2-amino-phenoxazin-3-one (AMPO) was formed. During testing of BOA on both Folsomia candida and Poecilus cupreus the more biologically active compound 2-amino-phenoxazin-3-one (APO) was formed. Thus, the ecotoxicological test results on MBOA and BOA were partly due to the microbial transformation of the compounds during the time of testing.     

Effects of urea nitrogen and residual composted municipal waste and sheep manure on the growth and chemical composition of two triticale genotypes

In 2012, a greenhouse experiment was conducted to investigate the effects of field soil (C0), residual composted municipal waste (CMW), and residual composted sheep manure (SM) on the growth of triticale in pots previously growing oilseed rape in 2011. To each soil group, one of three levels of urea nitrogen (N) fertilizer was added. Results demonstrated that triticale grown in pots previously containing oilseed rape plants containing SM or CMW with 150 kg urea N ha^?1 had the highest N content. Plants grown in SM with 150 kg N ha^?1 had the greatest seed yield, but yield was not significantly different from plants grown in CMW receiving 150 kg N ha^?1. Triticale plants enriched by either SM or CMW had a higher amount of N, copper, zinc, and manganese compared to the field soil control.     

Genetic diversity and adaptive traits of European versus American Douglas-fir seedlings

Due to its productivity and potential to adapt to the expected climate change, the Douglas-fir is one of the most important commercial non-native forest tree species in Europe. Currently, seeds from both non-native European and native American seed stands are used for plantations. In this study, we investigate European seed lots for their native origin (variety and potential geographic origin in America) and assess the adaptability, growth and survival potential of European versus American Douglas-fir seed lots. We compare the genetic diversity, morphological characteristics such as height (h), root collar diameter (rcd) and the ratio of h/rcd, and the timing of bud burst. We investigate 852 1-year-old seedlings from 10 different US and European seed lots representing 5 provenance regions which are sold in Germany and Austria. Seedlings are genotyped for 13 nuclear SSRs and analysed together with reference data set and standard genetic structuring and assignment methods. Adaptive traits of morphological characteristics and timing of bud burst of the seedlings are recorded and statistically analysed. The results show that the investigated European seedlings originate from recommended American native seed sources and represent both varieties and inter-varietal admixed individuals. European seedlings have a lower genetic diversity versus the American seedlings and native populations. They show significant differences in the adaptive traits such as morphological characteristics and timing of bud burst. According to the genetic diversity indices, certified North American Douglas-fir seed sources should be preferred for planting in Central Europe.     

Effects of accelerated ageing on germination and biochemistry of eight rice cultivars

Rice seed deterioration rate due to aging is correlated with ambient temperature, relative humidity, and moisture. Eight cultivars were analyzed for differences in seed deterioration via accelerated ageing at 45°C and 100% relative humidity (RH) for 24, 48, 72, 96, 120 hr. Khazar and Neda had highest germination percentages when exposed to 120 hr seed ageing. For Lenjan, with increased seed ageing, moisture content increased from 9.8% in the control to 21.7% after the 120 hr treatment. Khazar and Shiroudi had the lowest decrease in shoot length. Root length decreased from 0 hr control to 120 hr treatment, and was lowest in Fajr and Khazar. Minimum electrical conductivity was observed in Neda and Fajr after 120 hr. Lowest increases in lipid peroxidation from control to 120 hr treatment was in Fajr, Khazar, and Neda. Neda and Khazar are the most suitable cultivars to store in the humid, sub-tropics of northern Iran.     

Risk Factors for Incisional Complications after Exploratory Celiotomy in Horses: Do Skin Staples Increase the Risk?

Objective: To assess risk factors for celiotomy incisional infection in horses, especially the use of staples for skin closure. Study Design: Case series. Animals: Horses (n=356) that had 1 exploratory celiotomy for colic and survived >2 weeks after surgery between March 1, 2004 and December 31, 2007. Methods: Incisions were classified as “normal” (no complication, only edema, serous drainage lasting <24 hours) or as “surgical site infection (SSI)” (persistent serosanguinous drainage or purulent drainage with or without positive bacterial culture). All possible risk factors, including method of skin closure (monofilament sutures or staples), were statistically analyzed using univariate and multivariate logistic regression. Results: Of 356 horses, 303 (85%) had normal wound healing and 53 (15%) developed a SSI (purulent: 48 [14%]; persistent serosanguinous: 5 [1%]). Bacterial cultures were positive in 33 of 40 cases. Factors significantly associated with SSI in the multivariate analysis were: use of staples for skin closure (odds ratio [OR] 3.85, P<.001) and surgical site closure by a 1st or 2nd year resident (OR 2.20, P=.016). Lavage of the linea alba with sterile saline solution after closure was a protective factor (OR 0.38, P=.004). Conclusion: Use of staples for skin closure and less experienced surgeons closing the abdomen are risk factors for incisional infection. Incisional lavage after linea alba closure was a protective factor. Clinical Relevance: Despite their ease and speed of application, skin staples can lead to an increase in celiotomy wound complications in horses.     

Importance of DNA quality in comparative soil microbial community structure analyses

This study assessed how different in-situ lysis soil DNA extraction methods influence the DNA yield, quality and hence the results obtained by bacterial and fungal automated ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis (ARISA). Of the methods tested in three soils, a modified hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide-dithiotreitol (CTAB-DTT)-based method produced ?3 times more DNA of higher quality than the other methods (260/230 nm ratios=1.64–1.82 and 260/280 nm ratios=1.82–1.89 and extracts were less inhibitory of PCR). DNA extracted by this method also yielded more reproducible ARISA ribotypes (89?119 for bacteria and 48?88 for fungi; P<0.05) than DNA extracted by other methods, and consequently produced more reliable estimates of bacterial and fungal diversity in all three test soils. The significant correlations observed between the numbers of reproducible ribotypes and DNA extract 260/230 nm ratios (r=0.88 and 0.72 for bacteria and fungi, respectively; P<0.001) reaffirmed the strong influence of DNA quality on the reliability of microbial diversity indices determined based on PCR-based DNA fingerprinting technique. Results of discriminant function analysis (DFA) and multivariate analysis of variances (MANOVA) performed on ARISA profiles (number and relative abundance of ribotype) revealed that the variability associated with DNA extraction methods did not exceed the biological variability among soil types; this supports the conclusion that high-quality DNA underpins DNA fingerprinting techniques.     

Effects of variety and fertiliser nitrogen on alcohol yield, grain yield, starch and protein content, and protein composition of winter wheat

The effects of nitrogen (N) fertiliser on grain size and shape, starch and protein concentration, vitreosity, storage protein composition, and alcohol yield of two winter wheat varieties contrasting in endosperm texture were studied in a field trial in Herefordshire, UK in 2004. Averaged across varieties, the alcohol yield was 439 L/tonne for grain with a protein concentration of 11.5 g/100 g. The soft endosperm wheat variety Riband produced on average 7.7 L more alcohol per tonne of grain at a given protein concentration than the hard endosperm variety, Option. At the same time, N fertiliser was shown to have significant effects on alcohol production through its major influence on grain protein concentration. Averaged over both varieties, there was a reduction in alcohol yield of 5.7 L for each 10 kg increase in protein content per tonne of grain. The starch concentration of Riband was 2.9 g/100 g higher than Option at a given grain protein concentration, supporting its higher observed alcohol yields. A low conversion of starch to alcohol in this study (6.30 L/10 kg starch) compared to the theoretical value (6.61 L/10 kg starch) indicated that there is potential for improvement of this character. The traits relating to grain size and shape were principally influenced by genotype, and were not influenced by N fertiliser. Conversely, there were only minor genotypic effects on grain protein concentration and vitreosity. An important finding was that there were no interactions between variety and N treatment for any of the variables considered, indicating that the response of the two varieties to changes in applied N was the same, resulting in consistent differences in starch concentration and alcohol yield between genotypes at different levels of grain protein. An analysis of the composition of the wheat storage proteins by size-exclusion chromatography showed that the gliadins increased on average by 0.56 g per g increase in total grain protein and were quantitatively the major protein fraction, suggesting that selection for low gliadin content may be a desirable means by which to reduce grain protein, and thereby increase alcohol yield in wheat. The relationship between alcohol yield per unit area and applied N rate was described by a quadratic function and the maximum alcohol yield per unit area was ca. 3630 L/ha. Statistical analysis suggested that the economic optimum rate of N applied for grain yield was close to the optimum N rate for maximum alcohol productivity.