Occurrence and characterization of tomato spotted wilt orthotospovirus isolated from cucumber

European Journal of Plant Pathology - Diseases associated with tomato spotted wilt orthotospovirus (TSWV) are a serious threat to vegetable production worldwide. In 2019, leaf necrosis disease was...     

Regulation of myosin phosphatase by a specific interaction with cGMP- dependent protein kinase Ialpha

Contraction and relaxation of smooth muscle are regulated by myosin light-chain kinase and myosin phosphatase through phosphorylation and dephosphorylation of myosin light chains. Cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP)-dependent protein kinase Ialpha (cGKIalpha) mediates physiologic relaxation of vascular smooth muscle in response to nitric oxide and cGMP. It is shown here that cGKIalpha is targeted to the smooth muscle cell contractile apparatus by a leucine zipper interaction with the myosin-binding subunit (MBS) of myosin phosphatase. Uncoupling of the cGKIalpha-MBS interaction prevents cGMP-dependent dephosphorylation of myosin light chain, demonstrating that this interaction is essential to the regulation of vascular smooth muscle cell tone.     

Dependence of self-tolerance on TRAF6-directed development of thymic stroma

The microenvironments of the thymus are generated by thymic epithelial cells (TECs) and are essential for inducing immune self-tolerance or developing T cells. However, the molecular mechanisms that underlie the differentiation of TECs and thymic compartmentalization are not fully understood. Here we show that deficiency in the tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated factor (TRAF) 6 results in disorganized distribution of medullary TECs (mTECs) and the absence of mature mTECs. Engraftment of thymic stroma of TRAF6(-/-) embryos into athymic nude mice induced autoimmunity. Thus, TRAF6 directs the development of thymic stroma and represents a critical point of regulation for self-tolerance and autoimmunity.     

Long-Time Exposure of Mouse Embryos to the Sperm Produces High Levels of Reactive Oxygen Species in Culture Medium and Relates to Poor Embryo Development

Small amounts of reactive oxygen species (ROS), metabolites of oxygen, are necessary for sperm-fertilizing capability. However, in excessive levels, their role in infertility has been extensively studied. The conventional in vitro fertilization (IVF) method employs a prolonged co-incubation of gametes for 16–18 h to reach fertilization. However, it has been shown that this long period might create high levels of ROS. We aimed at finding out whether ROS increases in vitro during prolonged incubation with fertilized oocytes and whether high level of ROS relates to poor embryo development. To confirm if levels of ROS relate to length of time, we measured the ROS levels in fertilization medium (FM), which contained mouse embryos exposed to spermatozoa. To evaluate the contribution of sperm in production of ROS, we measured the ROS in the medium with only sperm. The measurements were performed by chemiluminescence assay using luminol as a probe after 4 and 18 h of incubation separately. The ROS levels were significantly increased after 18 h as compared with 4 h (p < 0.0001). Moreover, ROS in the medium with only sperm was also increased after 18 h (p < 0.0001), demonstrating that they were generated either by spermatozoa or as a result of possible reaction of sperm with medium during prolonged incubation. In addition, we compared embryo development after 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 and 18 h of incubation. The number of degenerated embryos exposed to sperm for 12 and 18 h was significantly higher than those exposed for 4 or 6 h (p < 0.01). These results demonstrate that ROS concentrations appear to be related to the length of incubation time, and their excessive levels have a negative effect on embryo development. We suggest reducing incubation time to at least 4 h.     

Effects of Dietary Brown Rice on the Growth Performance,Systemic Oxidative Status,and Splenic Inflammatory Responses of Broiler Chickens under Chronic Heat Stress

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of dietary brown rice on the growth performance, systemic oxidative status, and splenic inflammatory responses of broiler chickens under both thermo-neutral and chronic heat stress conditions. Forty 12-day-old male broiler chickens (ROSS 308) were randomly assigned to two groups and fed either a control diet (corn-based) or a brown rice-based diet. After seven days (19 days old), both groups were randomly divided into two sub-groups (n=10), one of which was exposed to heat stress (33°C for 14 days), while the other was maintained at 24°C. Heat exposure reduced the body weight gain and feed intake (p<0.01) of both groups. In terms of oxidative plasma states, heat exposure reduced the glutathione peroxidase activity and increased the ceruloplasmin content, while the 2-thiobarbituric acid reactive substance and reduced glutathione levels were not affected adversely. Heat exposure activated the immune responses, as evidenced by increased plasma immunoglobin levels, and altered splenic immune-related gene expressions including heat shock proteins, toll-like receptor 4, and interleukin-12. Under both thermo-neutral and heat stress conditions, dietary brown rice improved the growth performance, decreased the immunoglobulin levels, and down-regulated the expression of splenic immune-related genes of broilers, although their systemic oxidative status was not affected. Dietary brown rice should be considered as a valuable component of broiler chicken feeds subjected to both thermo-neutral and heat stress conditions. The positive effects of brown rice on bird performance may be associated with the modulation of the immune responses, as reflected by the decreased production of immunoglobulins and altered splenic immune-related gene expression.     

Effects of protamine hydrochloride from chum salmon milt on lipid metabolism in rats

Protamine is a basic protein whose sulfate is used in medical applications as a carrier for injectable insulin and as a heparin antagonist, while its hydrochloride is used as an antibacterial ingredient for some food products. We previously showed that protamine hydrochloride derived from chum salmon milt inhibited pancreatic lipase and reduced plasma triacylglycerol levels in an oral fat tolerance test in humans. The present study evaluated the effect of chum protamine hydrochloride on lipid metabolism in rats. The single oral administration of protamine hydrochloride (500 mg/kg) reduced plasma triacylglycerol levels in a corn oil tolerance test, and repeated oral administration at a dose of 0, 150, 500, or 1,500 mg/kg with a high fat diet for 7 weeks significantly reduced body weight gain, liver weight, and epididymal adipose tissue, whereas total calorie intakes were not significantly different. These findings could be caused by the suppression of lipid digestibility leading to a significant increase in fecal lipid excretion due to the fact that protamine hydrochloride could bind with bile acids to make a complex that is difficult to digest. Protamine hydrochloride, with a considerable history as food, can be considered to be promising as an anti-obesity functional food material.     

Dietary salmon milt deoxyribonucleic acid prevents hepatosteatosis in mice

With the increased incidence of lifestyle-related diseases, prevalence of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is increasing at an unprecedented rate, leading to rising interest in studying the role of functional foods in its prevention. This study demonstrated the efficacy of salmon milt deoxyribonucleic acid (SM DNA) in preventing liver dysfunction in a diet-induced obesity model. Seven-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were fed normal diet (ND), high-fat diet (HFD), and HFD supplemented with 3% SM DNA (HFD?+?SM DNA) for 12 weeks. Increased body weight, fat-to-body weight ratio, and fat accumulation in HFD-fed mice demonstrated successful establishment of an obesity model. The HFD group showed increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels, a marker of liver function, and NAFLD activity score (NAS) based on histological observations showed steatosis and mild inflammation but no fibrosis, indicating NAFLD but no nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. In the HFD?+?SM DNA group, the improved superoxide dismutase activity and NAFLD activity score suggested that SM DNA prevented liver dysfunction while maintaining antioxidant capacity and suppressing intrahepatocyte fat droplet formation. SM DNA attenuated fat accumulation in the liver and improved hepatic function. This study explored the potential of SM DNA as a functional food to prevent NAFLD and other visceral obesity-related diseases.

     

Effect of dietary glucosylceramide from sea cucumber on plasma and liver lipids in cholesterol-fed mice

Various physiological functions of dietary glucosylceramides (GlcCer) have been reported, such as preventing colon cancer and improving skin barrier function. One potential GlcCer source used as a foodstuff is sea cucumber. In this study, our objective was to determine the effect of dietary GlcCer prepared from sea cucumber on plasma and liver lipids in cholesterol-fed mice. ICR mice were fed four different diets (control diet, sea cucumber GlcCer supplemented diet, high cholesterol supplemented diet, and high cholesterol + sea cucumber GlcCer supplemented diet). Dietary GlcCer decreased total cholesterol significantly in ICR mice. The mRNA expression of LDL receptor was increased significantly, while the expression of the gene CYP7A1, which is involved in bile acid formation, was decreased significantly compared with the control (diet without cholesterol). These results suggest that the expression of the cholesterol homeostasis gene in liver is modulated due to the cholesterol lowering effect of dietary GlcCer.     

Inactivation of koi‐herpesvirus in water using bacteria isolated from carp intestines and carp habitats

Since its first outbreak in Japan in 2003, koi‐herpesvirus (KHV) remains a challenge to the carp Cyprinus carpio L. breeding industry. In this study, inactivation of KHV in water from carp habitats (carp habitat water) was investigated with the aim of developing a model for rapidly inactivating the pathogen in aquaculture effluent. Experiments with live fish showed that, in carp habitat water, KHV lost its infectivity within 3 days. Indications were that inactivation of KHV was caused by the antagonistic activity of bacteria (anti‐KHV bacteria) in the water from carp habitats. Carp habitat water and the intestinal contents of carp were therefore screened for anti‐KHV bacteria. Of 581 bacterial isolates, 23 showed anti‐KHV activity. An effluent treatment model for the disinfection of KHV in aquaculture effluent water using anti‐KHV bacteria was developed and evaluated. The model showed a decrease in cumulative mortality and in the number of KHV genome copies in kidney tissue of fish injected with treated effluent compared with a positive control. It is thought that anti‐KHV bacteria isolated from the intestinal contents of carp and from carp habitat water can be used to control KHV outbreaks.     

Effect of the liquid form of traditional Chinese medicine,Hozen-S,on gastric motility in dogs

Juzen-taiho-to, a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, is used for patients with anorexia and fatigue in human medicine. In our previous study, granulated Juzen-taiho-to improved vincristine-induced gastrointestinal adverse effects through increasing gastric motility in dogs. As the effect of Hozen-S, the sweet liquid form of Juzen-taiho-to, on dog gastric motility has not been investigated, we examined the effect of administration of Hozen-S on gastric motility. Furthermore, we assessed dog plasma ghrelin level to further elucidate the mechanism of the effect of Hozen-S on gastric contraction. Finally, we assessed the palatability of Hozen-S compared to granulated Juzen-taiho-to and its effect on body weight in dogs. Administration of Hozen-S significantly increased gastric motility, plasma ghrelin concentration, and body weight. A palatability evaluation revealed that the dogs preferred Hozen-S to granulated Juzen-taiho-to. In conclusion, Hozen-S administration to dogs promoted gastric motility by raising plasma ghrelin levels. Considering these functional and palatability data, Hozen-S may replace granulated type Juzen-taiho-to and become a prominent traditional Chinese veterinary medicament.