Green tea polyphenol extract regulates the expression of genes involved in glucose uptake and insulin signaling in rats fed a high fructose diet

Green tea has antidiabetic, antiobesity, and anti-inflammatory activities in animal models, but the molecular mechanisms of these effects have not been fully understood. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to investigate the relative expression levels and the effects of green tea (1 and 2 g solid extract/kg diet) on the expression of glucose transporter family genes (Glut1/Slc2a1, Glut2/Slc2a2, Glut3/Slc2a3, and Glut4/Slc2a4) and insulin signaling pathway genes (Ins1, Ins2, Insr, Irs1, Irs2, Akt1, Grb2, Igf1, Igf2, Igf1r, Igf2r, Gsk3b, Gys1, Pik3cb, Pik3r1, Shc1, and Sos1) in liver and muscle of rats fed a high-fructose diet known to induce insulin resistance and oxidative stress. Glut2 and Glut4 were the major Glut mRNAs in rat liver and muscle, respectively. Green tea extract (1 g) increased Glut1, Glut4, Gsk3b, and Irs2 mRNA levels by 110, 160, 30, and 60% in the liver, respectively, and increased Irs1 by 80% in the muscle. Green tea extract (2 g) increased Glut4, Gsk3b, and Pik3cb mRNA levels by 90, 30, and 30% but decreased Shc1 by 60% in the liver and increased Glut2, Glut4, Shc1, and Sos1 by 80, 40, 60, and 50% in the muscle. This study shows that green tea extract at 1 or 2 g/kg diet regulates gene expression in the glucose uptake and insulin signaling pathway in rats fed a fructose-rich diet.     

Seroprevalence and risk factors associated with Chlamydophila spp. infection in ewes in the northeast of Algeria

A cross-sectional study was carried out to estimate prevalence of Chlamydophila spp. antibodies and to investigate risk factors associated with chlamydial infection in 552 ewes between March 2011 and January 2012 in the province of Constantine. Anti-Chlamydophila antibodies were detected using an indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit in 24.5 % of examined sera. Of the herds, 70.4 % had at least one seropositive animal. A pretested structured questionnaire was administered in order to collect information on individual animal health and herd management practices. Chi-square analysis and multivariable logistic regression model were used to identify risk factors related to Chlamydophila seropositivity. Univariable analysis revealed 17 variables with p?<?0.25 that were offered to the multivariable logistic regression model which in turn identified 12–23 months age group (OR?=?5.903, 95 % CI (OR)?=?1.690; 20.618) and not using disinfectants (OR?=?2.099, 95 % CI (OR)?=?1.314; 8.065) as risk factors for Chlamydophila spp. seropositivity. Moreover, occurrence of stillbirth problem (OR?=?3.682, 95 % CI (OR)?=?1.825; 7.430) and 5–10 % mortality rate in young lambs (OR?=?2.584, 95 % CI (OR)?=?1.058; 6.310) were significantly associated with seropositivity to Chlamydophila spp. On the other hand, availability of veterinary service was identified as a protective factor (OR?=?0.161, 95 % CI (OR)?=?0.051; 0.511).     

Validation of simple sequence repeats associated with quality traits in durum wheat

Over recent years, quality has become an important commercial issue for durum wheat breeders. Modern breeding methods are most efficient for producing and supplying the best quality raw materials to the pasta industry. Here we assessed the effectiveness of molecular marker-assisted selection of quality traits in durum wheat. To this end, DNA and quality trait markers were jointly used to analyze quality-related traits in a durum wheat collection. A total of 132 durum wheat (Triticum turgidum ssp. durum) Mediterranean landraces, international lines, and Moroccan cultivars were analyzed for seven important qualityrelated traits including thousand-kernel weight (TKW), test weight (TW), gluten strength, yellow pigment (YP), and grain protein content (GPC). Additionally, 18 simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers previously reported to be associated with different quality traits were analyzed. Of these, 14 (78%) were polymorphic and four were monomorphic. There were between two and seven alleles per locus, with an average of four alleles per locus. The average phenotypic variation value (R²) ranged from 2.81 to 20.43%. Association analysis identified nine markers significantly associated with TKW, TW, and YP, followed by eight markers associated with GPC, six markers associated with yellow index b, four markers associated with brightness L, and three markers associated with SDS-sedimentation volume. This study highlights the efficiency of SSR technology, which holds promise for a wide range of applications in marker-assisted wheat breeding programs.     

Synthesis,Characterization and Biological Evaluation of Triclosan Grafted onto Cellulosic Fibers

With the increased risk of disease transmissions and cross-infection caused by microorganisms, the control of microbial infections becomes a very important issue in modern societies. Moreover, with the emergence of antibio-resistant bacterial strains, it is necessary to control the bacterial growth. One of ways to limit the bacterial proliferation is to develop antimicrobial surfaces. The present work describes the synthesis process of a direct linking of propargyled Triclosan to a modified Kraft Pulp. Propargylated Triclosan, and azidated Kraft Pulp were linked in the presence of Cu(I) catalyst, a type of Huisgen’s 1,3-dipolar azide-alkyne cycloaddition reaction, leading to the formation of Triclosan linked to kraft Pulp fibers. The modified Kraft Pulp fibers are characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). This novel material has been investigated for its antibacterial properties against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus cereus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The developed material showed an important antibacterial activity. Although Triclosan is covalently grafted onto Kraft Pulp, its antibacterial properties are maintained.     

Inheritance and Mechanisms of Resistance to Tebuconazole, a Sterol C14-Demethylation Inhibitor, inNectria haematococca

Genetic control and mechanisms of resistance to tebuconazole, a sterol C14-demethylation inhibitor, were investigated in the phytopathogenic fungusNectria haematococca. Resistant mutants have been selected from the laboratory, following UV irradiation. They have been characterized through genetic crosses and mutations in at least three genes were found to be responsible for resistance. The genesTeb1, Teb2, andTeb3were clearly identified, a fourth gene calledTeb4could be hypothesized. Mutations at lociTeb2andTeb3induced pleiotropic effects such as reduced sporulation and growth rate, mycelium pigmentation (Teb2), or altered ascospore viability (Teb3). The resistance levels determined by mutations in the different genes were relatively low (below 10). When associated in double mutants, the additive effect was recorded. Cross-resistance toward other sterol C14-demethylation inhibitors was observed in all the resistant strains, except in theTeb4-carrying strain; moreover, for some C14-demethylation inhibitors hypersensitivity was expressed. A constitutive energy-dependent efflux seemed implicated in the mechanism of resistance for theTeb1-carrying strain and probably also for theTeb2andTeb3-carrying strains. However, theTeb4-carrying strain exhibited a kinetic of fungicide uptake similar to that of the wild-type strain. The sterol profile of theTeb4-carrying strain was similar to that of all the other resistant mutants and wild-type strains. Thus the resistance mechanism induced by mutation at theTeb4locus has not been found yet.