Caffeic acid disturbs monocyte adhesion onto cultured endothelial cells stimulated by adipokine resistin

Adipokines have been implicated in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis via pro-inflammatory mechanisms contributing to insulin resistance. The adipokine resistin causes endothelium dysfunction, which plays an important role in sustaining atherogenesis. This study investigated whether resistin induced expression of cell adhesion molecules and integrins in endothelial cells and THP-1 monocytes and whether such induction was attenuated by 1-20 μM caffeic acid. Resistin enhanced endothelial expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 (VCAM-1), intercellular cell adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1), and E-selectin and monocyte expression of β1, β2, and α4 integrins. The enhancement of these proteins was diminished by caffeic acid with reduced THP-1 cell adhesion on activated endothelium. Caffeic acid at ≤20 μM demoted resistin-stimulated interleukin 8 (IL-8) production responsible for ICAM-1 and β2 integrin induction. The endothelial up-regulation of IL-8 secretion by resistin entailed toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) activation, but caffeic acid diminished IL-8 production and TLR4 induction. Furthermore, caffeic acid encumbered resistin-activated nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signaling. These results demonstrate that caffeic acid blocked monocyte trafficking to resistin-activated endothelium via disturbing NF-κB signaling responsive to IL-8. Therefore, caffeic acid may have therapeutic potential in preventing obesity-associated atherosclerosis.     

The effect of polyclonal antibody on intracellular calcium increase induced by Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae in porcine tracheal cells

An investigation was undertaken to assess whether polyclonal convalescent and hyperimmune sera obtained from pigs inhibit Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae induced increases in intracellular calcium [Ca2+](i) in ciliated porcine tracheal cells. Basal [Ca2+](i) in the tracheal cells was 97+/-13 nM (n=22 cells in four experiments) and after exposure to M. hyopneumoniae (300 micro g/mL or 10(11) CCU/mL), [Ca2+](i) increased by 246+/-56 nM within 100 s. After pre-treatment with hyperimmune or convalescent serum, M. hyopneumoniae increased [Ca2+](i) by 196+/-43 and 223+/-65 nM, respectively. It was found that neither hyperimmune nor convalescent serum significantly prevented the increase in [Ca2+](i) compared with M. hyopneumoniae alone. It was concluded that polyclonal antibodies produced by mycoplasma vaccination or exposure to the pathogen do not prevent M. hyopneumoniae-induced increase in [Ca2+](i).     

Expression of insulin-like growth factor genes in olive flounder,Paralichthys olivaceus,fed a diet with partial replacement of dietary fish meal

This study analyzed the expression of growth-related genes of olive flounder, Paralichthys olivaceus, fed a low-fish meal (FM) diet to investigate the replacement of the FM diet in the field. The expression of growth hormone (GH)/insulin-like growth factor (IGF) axis genes in the brain/pituitary/liver and plasma hormone concentrations were measured. A basal experimental diet was formulated using 63% FM and 12% soybean meal as the primary protein sources, and then two other diets were made by replacing 20% and 30% of the FM with soy protein concentrate, tankage meal, and poultry by-products meal. Each diet was fed to duplicate groups of juvenile flounder (150 ± 3.0 g) twice a day. After 20 weeks, the plasma growth-related hormone concentrations were similar between the control and FM20 groups. Moreover, GH/IGF axis gene mRNA expression in the brain/pituitary/liver was similar between the control and FM20 groups. Immunoblotting of muscle and liver showed the same pattern. This study showed the utility of replacing 20% of the FM diet and supports the possibility of field application.     

Integrin heterodimer α9β1 is localized on the surface of porcine spermatogonial stem cells in the undifferentiated state

A previous study found that undifferentiated porcine spermatogonial stem cells (SSCs) did not adhere to tenascin C, indicating that the integrin α₉ and β₁ subunits are inactive on the surface of porcine SSCs. However, that study used recombinant tenascin C without FNIII‐like repeats. Therefore, this study re‐evaluated the existence of integrin α₉β₁ actively functioning on the plasma membrane of porcine SSCs using full‐length native tenascin C with FNIII‐like repeats. The localization and function of the integrin heterodimer were confirmed using immunocytochemistry, attachment and antibody inhibition assays. In undifferentiated porcine SSCs with integrin α₉β₁ on the cell surface, adhesion to native tenascin C was significantly higher compared with cells lacking native tenascin C and functional blocking of integrin α₉β₁ significantly inhibited the attachment to native tenascin C compared with no functional blocking. Accordingly, we confirmed that the integrin α₉ and β₁ subunits function as an active heterodimer on the surface of porcine SSCs in the undifferentiated state.     

Flour Characteristics Related to Optimum Water Absorption of Noodle Dough for Making White Salted Noodles

Physicochemical properties of 34 wheat flours with various classes and different protein contents were related to optimum water absorption of noodle dough. Club and soft wheat flours generally exhibited higher water absorption (34–37%) of noodle dough than hard wheat flours (31–35%). Optimum water absorption of noodle dough in three hard wheat flours with five different protein contents was 33–37%. Optimum water absorption was negatively correlated with flour protein content and SDS sedimentation volume. Physical properties of flour, damaged starch content, NIRS hardness and water retention capacity, influenced optimum water absorption of noodle dough from club, soft and hard wheat flours. A prediction equation developed using protein content, water retention capacity and SDS sedimentation volume of flour provides a reliable estimation of the optimum absorption of noodle dough for making noodles.     

Preparation of silk sericin beads using LiCl/DMSO solvent and their potential as a drug carrier for oral administration

Silk sericin (SS) was fabricated into beads using LiCl/DMSO solution as a solvent. Up to 30 % (w/v) of SS could be dissolved within 3 hours, and the shape of solidified SS depends on the concentration of SS. Ethanol was the best coagulant among alcohols, making beads with suitable mechanical strength for further application. SS beads swell more at a pH above the isoelectric point (pl) than below the pl. The pH and the presence of an enzyme greatly affect the dissolution rate of SS beads. Whereas only 10 % of SS beads were dissolved at pH 2.2 in the presence of pepsin, more than 45 % of SS beads were dissolved at pH 7.4 in the presence of trypsin. The release of drug was suppressed in a stomach-like environment while promoted in an intestine-like environment.     

Pathology of canine oral malignant melanoma with cartilage and/or osteoid formation

Of 197 cases of canine oral malignant melanoma, 29 cases with myxoid, cartilage, and osteoid formation were studied pathologically and immunohistochemically. Tumor tissues were classified into spindle cell type (13 cases), epithelioid cell type (1 case), and mixed type (15 cases). Myxoid matrixes (29 tumors) were formed mainly in the tissues of spindle cell type and were positive for Alcian blue (pH 2.5). Cartilaginous matrixes (12 tumors) were formed in the myxoid tumor tissues. The morphology of atrophied neoplastic cells, which were embedded in the cartilage cavities, significantly differed from that of spindle cells proliferating in surroundings. There were reticular areas in the process of transitioning from myxoid to cartilaginous matrixes. Osteoid matrixes were not continuous with myxoid or cartilaginous matrixes, and arose as eosinophilic trabeculae in the dense collagenous connective tissues. A calcified bone trabecula was present among the osteoid trabeculae in a case. Melanin-producing melanocytes were proliferating in the collagenous matrixes, while amelanotic cells were in the osteoid matrixes. Immunohistochemistry demonstrated proliferating neoplastic cells as melanocytes. All cells in/out of these three matrixes were positive for Melan-A, S-100 protein, NSE, and vimentin. From these results, it is suggested that cartilage and osteoid matrixes are produced by dedifferentiated melanocytes.     

Organotypic slice culture of the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus of rat

Organotypic slice cultures have been developed as an alternative to acute brain slices because the neuronal viability and synaptic connectivity in these cultures can be preserved well for a prolonged period of time. This study evaluated a stationary organotypic slice culture developed for the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of rat. The results showed that the slice cultures maintain the typical shape of the nucleus, the immunocytochemical signals for oxytocin, vasopressin, and corticotropin-releasing hormone, and the electrophysiological properties of PVN neurons for up to 3 weeks in vitro. The PVN neurons in the culture expressed the green fluorescent protein gene that had been delivered by the adenoviral vectors. The results indicate that the cultured slices preserve the properties of the PVN neurons, and can be used in longterm studies on these neurons in vitro.