Nickel-induced changes in carbon metabolism in wheat shoots

In this study, we analyzed the toxic effect of Ni during the development of wheat shoots. Typical developmental alterations in carbon metabolism-related parameters reflecting changes associated with the transition of the seedlings from heterotrophic to autotrophic metabolism were observed in the control shoots between the 1st and the 4th days. Adverse effects of 50 and 100 μM Ni became evident starting from the 4th day of growth on the metal-containing media. We found that Ni-induced stimulation of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase (PEPC) activity coincided with decrease in the ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) level and with declines in net photosynthetic rate (P_N) and stomatal conductance (g_s). Application of Ni resulted in increased activities of several dehydrogenases: glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), 6-phosphogluconate dehydrogenase (6PGDH), isocitrate dehydrogenase (NADP-ICDH) and malate dehydrogenase (NADH-MDH). In contrast, the activities of malic enzymes (NADP-ME and NAD-ME) decreased due to Ni stress. Treatment with Ni led to accumulation of glucose and declined concentration of sucrose as well as considerable increases in concentrations of malic and citric acids. Our results indicate that Ni stress redirects the carbon metabolism of developing wheat shoots to provide carbon skeletons for synthesis of amino acids and organic acids as well as to supply reducing power to sustain normal metabolic processes and to support defense mechanisms against oxidative stress.     

Endogenous abscisic acid is involved in methyl jasmonate-induced reactive oxygen species and nitric oxide production but not in cytosolic alkalization in Arabidopsis guard cells

We recently demonstrated that endogenous abscisic acid (ABA) is involved in methyl jasmonate (MeJA)-induced stomatal closure in Arabidopsis thaliana. In this study, we investigated whether endogenous ABA is involved in MeJA-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitric oxide (NO) production and cytosolic alkalization in guard cells using an ABA-deficient Arabidopsis mutant, aba2-2, and an inhibitor of ABA biosynthesis, fluridon (FLU). The aba2-2 mutation impaired MeJA-induced ROS and NO production. FLU inhibited MeJA-induced ROS production in wild-type guard cells. Pretreatment with 0.1 μM ABA, which does not induce stomatal closure in the wild type, complemented the insensitivity to MeJA of the aba2-2 mutant. However, MeJA induced cytosolic alkalization in both wild-type and aba2-2 guard cells. These results suggest that endogenous ABA is involved in MeJA-induced ROS and NO production but not in MeJA-induced cytosolic alkalization in Arabidopsis guard cells.     

(−)-Reboxetine inhibits muscle nicotinic acetylcholine receptors by interacting with luminal and non-luminal sites

The interaction of (−)-reboxetine, a non-tricyclic norepinephrine selective reuptake inhibitor, with muscle-type nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (AChRs) in different conformational states was studied by functional and structural approaches. The results established that (−)-reboxetine: (a) inhibits (±)-epibatidine-induced Ca²⁺ influx in human (h) muscle embryonic (hα1β1γδ) and adult (hα1β1εδ) AChRs in a non-competitive manner and with potencies IC₅₀ = 3.86 ± 0.49 and 1.92 ± 0.48 μM, respectively, (b) binds to the [³H]TCP site with ∼13-fold higher affinity when the Torpedo AChR is in the desensitized state compared to the resting state, (c) enhances [³H]cytisine binding to the resting but activatableTorpedo AChR but not to the desensitized AChR, suggesting desensitizing properties, (d) overlaps the PCP luminal site located between rings 6′ and 13′ in the Torpedo but not human muscle AChRs. In silico mutation results indicate that ring 9′ is the minimum structural component for (−)-reboxetine binding, and (e) interacts to non-luminal sites located within the transmembrane segments from the Torpedo AChR γ subunit, and at the α1/ε transmembrane interface from the adult muscle AChR. In conclusion, (−)-reboxetine non-competitively inhibits muscle AChRs by binding to the TCP luminal site and by inducing receptor desensitization (maybe by interacting with non-luminal sites), a mechanism that is shared by tricyclic antidepressants.     

铅锌尾矿中耐重金属镉的丝状真菌的分离鉴定

【目的】旨在从重金属污染地分离出耐重金属镉真菌, 获得耐受重金属镉污染的高效菌株, 为重金属污染微生物修复提供菌种资源。【方法】利用稀释平板涂布法, 采用4种培养基对粤东北梅州市梅县铅锌尾矿废弃地9个样品进行分离, 并结合形态学和ITS rDNA基因序列分析, 鉴定分离到的耐镉真菌, 最后对分离到的耐镉真菌进行最小抑制浓度 (MIC) 检测。【结果】从粤东北梅州市梅县铅锌尾矿废弃地分离出72株丝状真菌, 经形态学和分子技术鉴定, 它们主要属于曲霉属(Aspergillus)、青霉属(Penicillium)、枝孢属(Cladosporium)、油瓶霉属(Lecythophora)、拟青霉属(Paecilomyces)、镰刀孢属(Fusarium)等。MIC检测发现有4株丝状真菌耐镉浓度较高, Paecilomyces lilacinus (Thom) Samson (6?20 p), Penicillium pinophilum Hedgcock (6?16 p), Penicillium rolfsii Thom (6?16 m) 和Fusarium oxysporum Schlecht. (8?11 p) 分别为200、40、25和15 mmol/L。【结论】从粤东北梅州市梅县铅锌尾矿废弃地分离到的72株丝状真菌, 不同程度耐受重金属镉, 在重金属污染的治理中有可能发挥作用。本研究为镉污染环境的微生物修复提供了重要菌株。     

Niche Separation of Methanotrophic Archaea (ANME-1 and -2) in Methane-Seep Sediments of the Eastern Japan Sea Offshore Joetsu

In this study, we investigated the diversity and spatial distribution of anaerobic methanotrophic archaea (ANMEs) in sediments of a gas hydrate field off Joetsu in the Japan Sea. Distribution of ANMEs in sediments was identified by targeting the gene for methyl coenzyme M reductase alpha subunit (mcrA), a phylogenetically conserved gene that occurs uniquely in methanotrophic and methanogenic archaea, in addition to 16S rRNA genes. Quantitative PCR analyses of mcrA genes in 14 piston core samples suggested that members of ANME-1 group would dominate AOM communities in sulfate-depleted sediments, even below the sulfate-methane interface, while ANME-2 archaea would prefer to populate in shallower sediments containing comparatively higher sulfate concentrations. These results suggest that, although the potential electron acceptors in sulfate-depleted habitats remain elusive, the niche separation of ANME-1 and -2 may be controlled by in situ concentration of sulfate and the availability in sediments.     

Calcium and iron as key drivers of brown moss composition through differential effects on phosphorus availability

Brown moss-dominated rich fens are characterized by minerotrophic conditions, in which calcium (Ca) and iron (Fe) concentrations show large variations. We examined the relative importance of Ca and Fe in relation to the occurrence of three typical brown moss species: Scorpidium scorpioides, Scorpidium cossonii, and Hamatocaulis vernicosus. Peat chemistry was examined in 24 stands of brown moss-dominated rich fens: 12 in the Netherlands and 12 in central Sweden. Ca and Fe turned out to be important drivers of brown moss composition. Fens dominated by Scorpidium scorpioides or Scorpidium cossonii were characterized by high pore water Ca-concentrations and total soil Ca-contents, but low P-availability. In these Ca-rich, but Fe-poor fens, foliar N:P ratios of vascular vegetation exceeded 20?g?g^?1, indicating phosphorus (P)-limitation due to Ca-P precipitation or low P-sorption capacity due to low Fe-levels. In contrast, fens dominated by Hamatocaulis vernicosus were characterized by high pore water Fe-concentrations and total soil Fe-contents, but also relatively high P-availability. N:P ratios in these fens were below 13.5?g?g^?1, indicating potential nitrogen (N)-limitation. We conclude that the relative roles of Ca and Fe, as related to the geohydrological conditions present, strongly determine the brown moss composition in rich fens through their differential effects on plant P-availability.     

In-silico drug screening and potential target identification for hepatocellular carcinoma using Support Vector Machines based on drug screening result

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a severe liver malignancy with few drug treatment options. In finding an effective treatment for HCC, screening drugs that are already FDA-approved will fast track the clinical trial and drug approval process. Connectivity Map (CMap), a large repository of chemical-induced gene expression profiles, provides the opportunity to analyze drug properties on the basis of gene expression. Support Vector Machines (SVM) were utilized to classify the effectiveness of drugs against HCC using gene expression profiles in CMap. The results of this classification will help us (1) identify genes that are chemically sensitive, and (2) predict the effectiveness of remaining chemicals in CMap in the treatment of HCC and provide a prioritized list of possible HCC drugs for biological verification.     

Theophylline Steady-State Pharmacokinetics: Recent Concepts and Their Application in Chronotherapy of Reactive Airway Diseases

With the introduction of sustained-release theophyllíne formulations for once-daily dosing or for unequally divided twice-daily dosing, comparison with conventional equally divided twice-daily dosing has been focused on nocturnal serum theophylline concentrations (STCs), plateau properties and peak-trough fluctuation. The merits of various steady-state characteristics such as nocturnal excess, plateau time, residual concentration, peak-trough fluctuation, swing and AUC fluctuation are illustrated by 15 data sets from 7 multiple-dose studies, each including either 10–12 healthy volunteers or 12–20 COPD-patients. In all of the studies, STCs were determined at least every 2 hr over a 24-hr period in steady-state. Included in the studies were 7 sustained-release theophylline formulations which were administered either once daily (in the morning or in the evening), or twice daily (either equally divided, or unequally divided with one-third of the dose being given in the morning and two-thirds in the evening).     

Physicochemical study of the protein–liposome interactions: influence of liposome composition and concentration on protein binding

Abstract

The aim of the present study is to investigate the interactions between liposomes and proteins and to evaluate the role of liposomal lipid composition and concentration in the formation of protein corona. Liposomes composed of 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPPC) or hydrogenated soybean phosphatidylcholine (HSPC) with 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phospho-(1′-rac-glycerol) (sodium salt) (DPPG), 1,2-dipalmitoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-[methoxy(polyethylene glycol)-3000] (DPPE-PEG 3000), cholesterol (CH) or mixtures of these lipids, were prepared at different concentrations by the thin-film hydration method. After liposomes were dispersed in HPLC-grade water and foetal bovine serum (FBS), their physicochemical characteristics, such as size, size distribution, and ζ-potential, were determined using dynamic and electrophoretic light scattering. Aggregation of DPPC, HSPC, DPPC:CH (9:1 molar ratio), and HSPC:CH (9:1 molar ratio) in FBS was observed. On the contrary, liposomes incorporating DPPG lipids and CH both in a molar ratio of 11% were found to be stable over time, while their size did not alter dramatically in biological medium. Liposomes containing CH and PEGylated lipids retain their size in the presence of serum as well as their physical stability. In addition, our results indicate that the protein binding depends on the presence of polyethylene glycol (PEG), CH, concentration and surface charge. In this paper, we introduce a new parameter, fraction of stealthiness (F_s), for investigating the extent of protein binding to liposomes. This parameter depends on the changes in size of liposomes after serum incubation, while liposomes have stealth properties when F_s is close to 1. Thus, we conclude that lipid composition and concentration affect the adsorption of proteins and the liposomal stabilization.     

Preparation and Characterization of Water-in-Oil-in-Water Emulsions Containing a High Concentration of L-Ascorbic Acid

This study sought to encapsulate a high concentration of L-ascorbic acid, up to 30% (w/v), in the inner aqueous phase of water-in-oil-water (W/O/W) emulsions with soybean oil as the oil phase. Two-step homogenization was conducted to prepare W/O/W emulsions stabilized by a hydrophobic emulsifier and 30% (v/v) of W/O droplets stabilized by a hydrophilic emulsifier. First-step homogenization prepared W/O emulsions with an average aqueous droplet diameter of 2.0 to 3.0 μm. Second-step homogenization prepared W/O/W emulsions with an average W/O droplet diameter of 14 to 18 μm and coefficients of variation (CVs) of 18% to 25%. The results indicated that stable W/O/W emulsions containing a high concentration of L-ascorbic acid were obtained by adding gelatin and magnesium sulfate in the inner aqueous phase and glucose in both aqueous phases. L-Ascorbic acid retention in the W/O/W emulsions was 40% on day 30 and followed first-order kinetics.