Comparison of equine bone marrow-, umbilical cord matrix and amniotic fluid-derived progenitor cells

The aim of the study was to compare in vitro the stemness features of horse progenitor cells derived from bone marrow (BM-MSCs), amniotic fluid (AF-MSCs) and umbilical cord matrix (EUC-MSCs). It has been suggested that there may be a stem cell population within both umbilical cord matrix and amniotic fluid. However, little knowledge exists about the characteristics of these progenitor cells within these sources in the equine species. This study wanted to investigate an alternative and non-invasive stem cell source for the equine tissue engineering and to learn more about the properties of these cells for future cell banking. Bone marrow, umbilical cord and amniotic fluid samples were harvested from different horses. Cells were analyzed for proliferation, immunocytochemical, stem cell gene expression and multilineage plasticity. BM- and AF-MSCs took similar time to reach confluence and showed comparable plating efficiency. All cell lines expressed identical stem cell markers and capability to differentiate towards osteogenic lineage. Almost all cell lines differentiated into the adipogenic lineage as demonstrated by cytochemical staining, even if no adipose gene expression was detectable for AF-MSCs. AF- and EUC-MSCs showed a limited chondrogenic differentiation compared with BM-MSCs as demonstrated by histological and biochemical analyses. These findings suggest that AF-MSCs appeared to be a readily obtainable and highly proliferative cell line from an uninvasive source that may represent a good model system for stem cell biology. More studies are needed to investigate their multilineage potential. EUC-MSCs need to be further investigated regarding their particular behavior in vitro represented by spheroid formation.     

Biomass and nutrient allocation to aboveground components in fertilized <Emphasis Type="Italic">Eucalyptus saligna</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">E. urograndis</Emphasis> plantations

The objective of this study was to evaluate biomass allocation and nutrient pools in aboveground biomass components in 18-month-old plantations of Eucalyptus saligna and E. urophylla × E. grandis (i.e. E. urograndis) in Brazil. The plantations were established by pulp companies in a large area comprising three soil types (Acrisols, Vertisols and Leptosols) in the grassland biome in southern Brazil, and an operational regime of planting and maintenance fertilization was used to ensure full availability of nutrients. Vertisols showed the highest availability of soil nutrients, and the P and Ca concentrations in aboveground biomass were also highest in this type of soil. The nutritional status of both species indicates great consumption of nutrients, particularly of P, K and Ca. At this early age, canopy biomass components still made the largest relative contribution, although debarked stem biomass already accounted for 41.5% and 37.4 of total aboveground biomass in E. saligna, and E. urograndis, respectively. Nutrient concentrations in biomass components were similar across species. For all macronutrients, except Ca and Mg, the concentration gradient followed the order wood < bark < branches < leaves. For all micronutrients, except Cu, the concentration gradient followed the order wood < branches ≈ bark < leaves. At the plantation stage studied, i.e. before canopy closure, the importance of the components as nutrient pools followed the order leaves > branches > wood > bark. The branches hold the majority of Ca reserves in biomass and are a very important pool of Mg, K, P and B. The bark makes a small contribution to total biomass, but stores a similar amount of Ca as leaves, being the second major pool after the branches. Comparison of the nutrients supplied by fertilization and the amounts stored in soil and aboveground indicates that the operational dose should be adjusted to each type of soil after further experimental fertilizer trials, as the supply of N and P appears to be too high, particularly for Vertisols. This is leading to the immobilization of P in biomass components that are not of importance in the biological or biochemical nutrient cycles, thus increasing the risk of larger exports of P during biomass removal.     

Salt stress alters the morphoanatomy and primary and secondary metabolites of the leaves and rhizomes of Curcuma longa L.

Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology - During cultivation, environmental factors can cause changes in the metabolism of Curcuma longa L. that limit its development. This study evaluated the...     

Proteomics to investigate fertility in bulls

Bovine mastitis remains the largest hazard in the global dairy industry and has facilitated the development of various therapeutic strategies. Silver is a well-known disinfectant that is widely used in the treatment of clinical disease. In this study, we separated bovine mammary gland epithelial cells (BMEC) using an enzyme probe. We also examined safe concentrations for the application of silver ions in bovine mastitis, particularly in cases induced by Staphylococcus aureus. S. aureus-derived α-toxins induced cell damage through DNA fragmentation, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, and the dissipation of mitochondrial transmembrane potential (MTP) in BMEC. Silver ion treatment doses of lower than 2 ppm did not induce BMEC damage, but silver ion concentrations greater than 4 ppm was accompanied by DNA fragmentation. Furthermore, silver ions doses below 2 ppm inhibited α-toxin-induced cell damage through the reduction of ROS generation. Recognizing this, it demonstrate that low doses of silver ions inhibit α-toxin-induced BMEC damage and suggest that silver ions may be a potentially beneficial treatment against bovine mastitis, particularly in cases induced by S. aureus.     

The BSE Emergency in Lombardy

Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is a limiting factor for the economic progress of the animal industry in South America. The presence of the disease results in the imposition of national and international sanitary barriers to animals and animal products, and, most especially, a reduction in the availability of protein from animal origin and in income. Rapid and accurate identification of infected animals, those with either clinical or subclinical disease as well as with persistent infection, is essential for maintaining an efficient eradication programme. The polymerase chain reaction was used to rapidly identify infected animals. With a primer set that corresponds to a conserved region of the 3D sequence of the viral genome, it was possible to amplify, regardless of the serotype, 116 strains of FMD virus, of which 109 were strains collected from outbreaks of FMD throughout South America from 1945 to the most recent outbreaks in 2000/2001. The PCR technique should be of considerable value in facilitating the diagnosis of FMD in South America. where laboratory resources are limited and a rapid response is needed, particularly in areas where national programmes for controlling or eradicating the disease are being implemented.