Growth Responses and Differences in Gene Expression depending on Cultivation Temperature between Alternative type Wheat Varieties

Journal of Crop Science and Biotechnology - Two domestic wheat varieties were grown in the growth chamber set at 17°C, 20°C, 23°C and 26°C on average after the emergence of...     

Functional characteristics of porcine peripheral T cells stimulated with IL-2 or IL-2 and PMA

In human or mouse, mature T cells express either CD4 or CD8, resulting in different functions in the periphery. Interestingly, porcine CD4 and CD8 double positive (DP) T cells are present in the blood, and their proportions change from youth to adulthood. However, the features of these cells in swine are poorly understood. We investigated the fate of porcine peripheral T cells based on their functional characteristics, including proliferation and the expression of CD4 and CD8 co-receptors. The results showed that all the populations changed their CD8 expression in a time-dependent manner and porcine T cells had different proliferative pattern from human T cells. The results further revealed that Th2 cytokines were increased later in porcine T cells compared to human T cells upon stimulation with IL-2 + PMA. Collectively, we found that the fate of porcine peripheral T cells is different from that of human T cells, and the changes occur in a time- and stimulation-dependent manner.     

A new Brucella canis species-specific PCR assay for the diagnosis of canine brucellosis

Brucellosis is a zoonotic disease that is transmitted from animals to humans, and the development of a rapid, accurate, and widely available identification method is essential for diagnosing this disease. In this study, we developed a new Brucella canis species-specific (BcSS) PCR assay and evaluated its specificity and sensitivity. A specific PCR primer set was designed based on the BCAN_B0548-0549 region in chromosome II of B. canis. The PCR detection for B. canis included amplification of a 300-bp product that is, not found on other Brucella species or, genetically or serologically related bacteria. The detection limit of BcSS-PCR assay was 6 pg/μl by DNA dilution, or 3 × 10³ colony-forming units (CFU) in the buffy coats separated from whole blood experimentally inoculated with B. canis. Using the buffy coat in this PCR assay resulted in approximately 100-times higher sensitivity for B. canis as compared to detect directly from whole blood. This is the first report of a species-specific PCR assay to detect B. canis, and the new assay will provide a valuable tool for the diagnosis of B. canis infection.     

Sweet and sour cherry phenolics and their protective effects on neuronal cells

The identification of phenolics from various cultivars of fresh sweet and sour cherries and their protective effects on neuronal cells were comparatively evaluated in this study. Phenolics in cherries of four sweet and four sour cultivars were extracted and analyzed for total phenolics, total anthocyanins, and their antineurodegenerative activities. Total phenolics in sweet and sour cherries per 100 g ranged from 92.1 to 146.8 and from 146.1 to 312.4 mg gallic acid equivalents, respectively. Total anthocyanins of sweet and sour cherries ranged from 30.2 to 76.6 and from 49.1 to 109.2 mg cyanidin 3-glucoside equivalents, respectively. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis revealed that anthocyanins such as cyanidin and peonidin derivatives were prevalent phenolics. Hydroxycinnamic acids consisted of neochlorogenic acid, chlorogenic acid, and p-coumaric acid derivatives. Glycosides of quercetin, kaempferol, and isorhamnetin were also found. Generally, sour cherries had higher concentrations of total phenolics than sweet cherries, due to a higher concentration of anthocyanins and hydroxycinnamic acids. A positive linear correlation (r2 = 0.985) was revealed between the total anthocyanins measured by summation of individual peaks from HPLC analysis and the total anthocyanins measured by the pH differential method, indicating that there was in a close agreement with two quantifying methods for measuring anthocyanin contents. Cherry phenolics protected neuronal cells (PC 12) from cell-damaging oxidative stress in a dose-dependent manner mainly due to anthocyanins. Overall results showed that cherries are rich in phenolics, especially in anthocyanins, with a strong antineurodegenerative activity and that they can serve as a good source of biofunctional phytochemicals in our diet.     

Epicatechin and catechin in cocoa inhibit amyloid beta protein induced apoptosis

To elucidate additional health benefits of cocoa phytochemicals on the neurotoxicity induced by amyloid beta protein (Abeta), PC12 cells were treated with toxic peptide (Abeta(25)(-)(35)) and the effects of epicatechin, catechin, and cocoa were studied using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) reduction, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, and trypan blue exclusion methods. Significant increase in neuronal cell death was observed on PC12 cells treated with Abeta(25)(-)(35) (25 microM), while epicatechin and catechin and their mixture prevented the Abeta-induced neuronal cell death. Abeta treatment also led to the increased membrane instability of PC12 cells. The membrane protective effects of the phenolics determined by LDH release and trypan blue exclusion assays demonstrated that epicatechin, catechin, and their mixture protect cellular membrane from Abeta-induced cytotoxicity. In these three different cell viability assays, the mixture of epicatechin and catechin showed the highest protective effect and synergistic activity. The present results showed that the major flavonoids of cocoa, epicatechin and catechin, protect PC12 cells from Abeta-induced neurotoxicity, and suggest that cocoa may have anti-neurodegenerative effect in addition to other known chemopreventive effects.     

Immunohistochemical study of osteopontin in the spinal cords of rats with clip compression injury

Expression of osteopontin (OPN) was investigated in the spinal cords of rats with clip compression injury. Western blot analysis demonstrated that OPN protein increased significantly in the spinal cord during the early stages after injury. The increased expression of OPN was partially paralleled by that of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA). Immunohistochemical staining showed that OPN was expressed in proliferating activated microglia/macrophages in core lesions and in some astrocytes at the periphery of lesions. These results indicate that expression of OPN protein increases mainly in activated microglia/macrophages after spinal cord injury, suggesting that OPN is related to cell proliferation during the early stages after injury, probably leading to tissue remodeling.     

PREVALENCE AND CHARACTERIZATION OF QUINOLONE RESISTANCE GENES IN PROTEUS SPECIES ISOLATED FROM PET TURTLES

Proteus spp. are widely recognized as opportunistic pathogens causing urinary tract and septic infections in humans and animals. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance genes and mutations in the quinolone resistance determining region in association with the detection of quinolone susceptibility of 24 strains of pet turtle-borne Proteus spp. Susceptibility of 4 antimicrobials including nalidixic acid, ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, and levofloxacin was examined by disk diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration test. Six isolates were resistant to nalidixic acid showing either intermediate resistance or resistance to other quinolones. All nalidixic acid, resistant isolates harbored mutations in gyrB (N440T/A401G/Q411S). Two of the isolates had both gyrA (S83I) and parC (S80I) mutations. Twenty-one isolates were positive for the presence of plasmid-mediated quinolone resistance genes; the qnrD gene had the highest prevalence with 19 (79.2%), while qnrS, qnrA, qnrB, and aac(6′), Ib-cr genes were present in 9 (37.5%), 2 (8.3%), 1 (4.2%), and 11 (45.8%) isolates, respectively. These results suggest that pet turtle-associated Proteus spp. should be considered a potential source of antimicrobial resistance determinants.     

Epilithic biofilm as a key factor for small‐scale river fisheries on Caribbean islands

Abstract Numerous freshwater species are consumed or exploited through artisanal fisheries in the rivers of the islands of Guadeloupe, French West Indies. Autochthonous production of organic matter is limited in these flowing rivers and is mainly represented by scarce filamentous green algae and an abundant epilithic biofilm growing on wet stones in the river bed. Stable isotope analysis was used to quantify the relative importance of biofilm and other riverine allochthonous and autochthonous food sources in the diet of tropical shrimps (Palaemonidae, Atyidae and Xiphocarididae) and fishes (Gobiidae and Eleotridae) consumed by the local people. The epilithic biofilm was exploited by most species, constituted an important source of autochthonous carbon and was an important source of organic matter production at the base of freshwater food webs in Caribbean rivers. Biofilm percentages in the diet reached 32% for molluscs, 85% for atyid shrimps, 29% for xiphocaridid shrimps, 14% for palaemonid shrimps and 13% for fish. Assessment of biofilm in nine rivers showed that blue and red cyanobacteria were quantitatively dominant with a moderately rich diatom flora. These results address the interactions between river biofilm and Caribbean freshwater fauna where trophic links between consumers and their potential resources have poorly been documented.     

Comparison of single and competitive metal adsorption by pepper stem biochar

Carbon-based sorbents have been proven to be cost-effective in removing pollutants from wastewater. Biochar from plant residue and agricultural waste is an emerging treatment technology. However, there is a limited number of studies on the effects of various biochar sources on metal adsorption. The aim of this study was using batch experiment to evaluate the adsorption of heavy metals in single- and multi-metal conditions onto pepper stem biochar. The maximum adsorption capacities (mg g^?1) of metals by pepper stem biochar were in the order of Pb (131) ? Cr (76) > Cd (67) > Cu (48) > Zn (31) in the single-metal adsorption isotherm and Pb (91) ? Cu (39) > Cr (29) > Zn (20) > Cd (13) in the multi-metal adsorption isotherm. Lead was the most retained cation, whereas Cr and Cd could be easily exchanged and substituted by other metals (Pb or Cu). For pepper stem biochar, the Langmuir model provided a slightly better fit than the Freundlich model. Results from the batch experiments show that competitive adsorption among metals increases the mobility of these metals. Particularly, Cd adsorption capacity in multi-metal conditions was significantly reduced. Overall, the results suggested that competitive adsorption studies are necessary for obtaining an accurate estimation of the metal retention capacity of pepper stem biochar in natural environments.