Adsorption of biopolymers at hydrophilic cellulose-water interface

The extent of adsorption (Gamma2(1)) of bovine serum albumin (BSA), beta-lactoglobulin, lysozyme, gelatin, and DNA from aqueous solution onto the hydrophilic surface of cellulose has been measured as function of biopolymer concentration at different temperatures, pHs, and ionic strengths, and in the presence of a high concentration of inorganic salts and denaturants. In all cases, the value of Gamma2(1) increases with the increase of biopolymer concentration (X2) in bulk and it attains a maximum value at a critical mole fraction concentration X2m. The value of Gamma2m depends upon the nature of protein, temperature, pH, and ionic strength, as well as the nature of neutral salts present in excess. Gamma2m for proteins at a fixed physicochemical condition stands in the following order: Gelatin>betalactoglobulin>lysozyme>BSA. The isotherms for adsorption of DNA nucleotides on cellulose surface at pH 4.0 have been compared at different temperatures and ionic strengths, and in the presence of high concentration of inorganic salts LiCl, NaCl, KCl, and Na2SO4. Values of Gamma2m for different systems have been evaluated and critically compared. At pH 6.0 and 8.0, Gamma2(1) values of DNA nucleotides on cellulose are all negative due to the excess positive hydration of cellulose. At pH 4.0, adsorption of nucleotides of acid, alkali, and heat-denatured DNA widely differ from each other and in the presence of excess concentration of urea becomes negative. The probable mechanisms of biopolymer-cellulose adsorption in terms of polymer hydration, steric interaction, London-van der Waals, hydrophobic, and other types of interactions have been discussed qualitatively. The standard free energy change for the adsorption of protein and DNA nucleotides on the cellulose surface at the state of adsorption saturation has been calculated in kJ per kg of cellulose using an integrated form of the Gibbs adsorption equation. The relation between DeltaG degrees and maximum affinities between biopolymers and the polysaccharide interface have been discussed for various systems.     

Tolerance Responses of Two Cotton Cultivars Exposed to Ultraviolet-A: Photosynthetic Performance and Some Chemical Constituents

Stress tolerance of two Egyptian cotton cultivars (Gossypium barbadense L.) (Giza 45 and Giza 86) exposed to various doses (40, 80, 160, and 320 min) of artificial ultraviolet-A (UV-A) radiation (366 nm) was investigated. Seed germination of cv. Giza 86 was promoted at 40 min, progressively inhibited at 80 and 160 min, and completely suppressed at 320 min irradiation. However, seed germination of cv. Giza 45 was not promoted but inhibited by UV-A light and stopped at the dose of 160 min. In contrast to seed germination, seedling growth of cv. Giza 86 was negatively stressed even at 40 min-dose. UV-A radiation reduced leaf carbohydrate content and shoot growth of both cultivars, but the response was comparatively higher in cv. Giza 45. UV-A radiation decreased chlorophyll (Chl) and carotenoid contents in parallel with an increase in the Chl a/b ratio, diminished Hill reaction activity, and quenched Chl a fluorescence independent of the presence of 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea, suggesting an inhibitory effect on both the water-splitting system and electron transport from the primary to the secondary acceptors of photosystem II (PSII) (acceptor side). UV-A radiation also decreased the ratio of unsaturated to saturated fatty acids in thylakoid membranes, thus indicating that the inhibition of PSII activity was followed by lipid peroxidation and changes in thylakoid membrane fluidity. These changes reflect the disturbance of structure, composition, and functioning of the photosynthetic apparatus, as well as the sensitivity of PSII to UV-A stress. Both cultivars developed adaptive mechanisms for damage alleviation involving the accumulation of flavonoids, total lipids, and total soluble proteins, as well as development of smaller and thicker leaf blades. Since cv. Giza 86 showed comparatively higher level of adaptation, it tolerates UV-A stress more successful than cv. Giza 45.     

Short-term changes in prostacyclin secretory profile of irradiated rat cervical spinal cord

Prostaglandins changes in radiation myelopathy (RM) have been previously reported. In the present study, we decided to determine the profile of Prostacyclin (PGI2) content in irradiated rat cervical cord. Wistar rats were irradiated with doses of 2,4,6,15,25 and 30 Gy of X-rays. After 24 h, 2 and 13 weeks post-irradiation, samples of spinal cord were prepared for evaluation of PGI2 and histopathologic changes. Prostacyclin content was determined by quantification of 6-keto-prostaglandin-F1alpha (prostacyclin major metabolite). Irradiated segments of spinal cord were stained routinely for histological studies. Results of irradiated were compared to control groups. Average ratio values of 6-keto-PG-F1alpha for doses of 2-30 Gy were between 67.5% and 107%, 65.41% and 100.54%, and 62.20% and 98.89% for 24 h, 2 and 13 weeks post-irradiation, respectively. Histopathological studies showed marked gliosis and vascularities in irradiated specimens. PGI2 bimodal secretory profile was observed along with histopathological changes in this study. Our results can further emphasize on the role of PGI2 in RM.     

伊朗Karaj地区双孢蘑菇上的螨类调查（英文）

2004年春季至2006年夏季期间,调查了伊朗Karaj地区双孢蘑菇上的螨类,发现了3目9科17种食菌性、捕食性和腐食性螨类,包括：光滑巨螯螨Macrocheles glaber (Müller),粪巨螯螨Macrocheles merdarius (Berlese),近褐巨螯螨Macrocheles subbadius(Berlese),甲虫寄螨Parasitus coleoptratorum （Linnaeus）,粪堆寄螨Parasitus fimetorum （Berlese）,乳突寄螨Parasitus mammillatus (Berlese),Sancassania rodionovi Zachvatkin,腐食酪螨Tyrophagus putrescentiae (Schrank),Uroobovella fimicola (Berlese),Ameroseius fungicolus^* Masan,Pediculaster kneeboni^* Wicht,Pediculaster flechtmanni^* Wicht,Scutacarus longitarsus (Berlese),Dendrolaelaps multidentatus^* Masan,柴特北绥螨Arctoseius cetratus (Sellnick),Lasioseius sugawarai^* Ehara和Ameroseius plumigera Oudemans。其中有“*”号标记的6个种为伊朗新纪录种,12个种为在蘑菇上首次发现。     

Chemical Structure and Morphology of Dorsal Root Ganglion Neurons from Naive and Inflamed Mice

Fourier transform infrared spectromicroscopy provides label-free imaging to detect the spatial distribution of the characteristic functional groups in proteins, lipids, phosphates, and carbohydrates simultaneously in individual DRG neurons. We have identified ring-shaped distributions of lipid and/or carbohydrate enrichment in subpopulations of neurons which has never before been reported. These distributions are ring-shaped within the cytoplasm and are likely representative of the endoplasmic reticulum. The prevalence of chemical ring subtypes differs between large- and small-diameter neurons. Peripheral inflammation increased the relative lipid content specifically in small-diameter neurons, many of which are nociceptive. Because many small-diameter neurons express an ion channel involved in inflammatory pain, transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1), we asked whether this increase in lipid content occurs in TRPA1-deficient (knock-out) neurons. No statistically significant change in lipid content occurred in TRPA1-deficient neurons, indicating that the inflammation-mediated increase in lipid content is largely dependent on TRPA1. Because TRPA1 is known to mediate mechanical and cold sensitization that accompanies peripheral inflammation, our findings may have important implications for a potential role of lipids in inflammatory pain.     

Effect of Leukemia Inhibitory Factor on the Myelinogenic Ability of Schwann-Like Cells Induced from Human Adipose-Derived Stem Cells

The Schwann cells (SCs) may be obtain from nerve biopsies for autologous transplantation. However, it is difficult to obtain sufficient amount of SCs for clinical applications. Human adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs) can be induced to differentiate into Schwann-like cells (S-like cells) and used for autologous transplantation. However, effect of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) on the myelinogenic ability of SC-like cells induced from human ADSC is not investigated yet. The aim of this study was to evaluate of the effect of exogenous LIF on myelinogenic potential of differentiated cells in vitro. ADSCs were harvested from human fat tissue and characterized using flow cytometry. Human ADSCs were treated for sphere formation and LIF was added to terminal differentiation medium. GFAP/S100β and MBP markers were used to confirm differentiation of human ADSCs, and myelinogenic ability of SC-like cells, respectively, using both immunostaining and real-time RT-PCR analysis. The analysis for GFAP⁺/S100β⁺ revealed that LIF can increase both differentiated cells rates and the percentage of myelinating SC-like cells (p < 0.05). Our data showed that SC-like cells induced from human ADSCs were able to generate myelin when exposed to LIF and these cells could be a potential source for the treatment of peripheral and central axonal injuries.     

Urban-Rural Differences in Bone Mineral Density: A Cross Sectional Analysis Based on the Hyderabad Indian Migration Study

Background

Fracture risk is rising in countries undergoing rapid rural to urban migration, but whether this reflects an adverse effect of urbanization on intrinsic bone strength, as reflected by bone mineral density (BMD), is currently unknown.

Methods

Lumbar spine (LS) and total hip (TH) BMD, and total body fat and lean mass, were obtained from DXA scans performed in the Hyderabad arm of the Indian Migration Study (54% male, mean age 49 years). Sib-pair comparisons were performed between rural-urban migrants (RUM) and rural non-migrated (RNM) siblings (N = 185 sib-pairs).

Results

In analyses adjusted for height, gender, age and occupation, rural to urban migration was associated with higher lumbar and hip BMD and greater predicted hip strength; ΔLS BMD 0.030 (0.005, 0.055) g/cm², ΔTH BMD 0.044 (0.024; 0.064) g/cm², Δcross-sectional moment of inertia 0.162 (0.036, 0.289) cm⁴. These differences were largely attenuated after adjusting for body composition, insulin levels and current lifestyle factors ie. years of smoking, alcohol consumption and moderate to vigorous physical activity. Further analyses suggested that differences in lean mass, and to a lesser extent fat mass, largely explained the BMD differences which we observed.

Conclusions

Rural to urban migration as an adult is associated with higher BMD and greater predicted hip strength, reflecting associated alterations in body composition. It remains to be seen how differences in BMD between migration groups will translate into fracture risk in becoming years.