Current challenges in dedifferentiated fat cells research

Dedifferentiated fat cells show great promises as a novel cell source for stem cell research. It has many advantages when used for cell–based therapeutics including abundance, pluripotency, and safety. However, there are many obstacles researchers need to overcome to make the next big move in DFAT cells research. In this review, we summarize the current main challenges in DFAT cells research including cell culture purity, phenotypic properties, and dedifferentiation mechanisms. The common methods to produce DFAT cells as well as the cell purity issue during DFAT cell production have been introduced. Current approaches to improve DFAT cell purity have been discussed. The phenotypic profile of DFAT cells have been listed and compared with other stem cells. Further studies on elucidating the underlying dedifferentiation mechanisms will dramatically advance DFAT cell research.     

How to diagnose heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: the value of invasive stress testing

Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) is a growing healthcare burden worldwide and its prevalence is increasing. Diagnosing HFpEF is challenging and relies upon the presence of symptoms and/or signs of heart failure, preserved left ventricular systolic function, and evidence of diastolic dysfunction. Current diagnostic algorithms mainly rely on echocardiography (E/e’) and biomarkers (NT-proBNP). However, only a minority of patients with HFpEF are identified, and especially HFpEF patients at an early stage of the disease are easily missed. We propose to incorporate invasive stress testing, by means of right heart catheterisation at rest and during exercise, and accurate assessment of right ventricular function, by means of cardiac magnetic resonance imaging. These additions to the current diagnostic work-up will improve diagnostic sensitivity and accurate staging of HFpEF patients.     

A promising RVO4:Eu3+,Li+@SiO2 (R = Gd,Y and Gd/Y) red‐emitting phosphor with improved luminescence (cd/m2) and colour purity for optical display applications

Red emission intensity was optimized in three stages, by investigating the effects of: (i) host composition (Gd, Y and Gd/Y), (ii) codoping Li⁺ as a sensitizer and, finally, (iii) with a SiO₂ shell coating as a protecting layer. Lanthanide vanadate powder phosphors were synthesized using a modified colloidal precipitation technique. The effects of SiO₂ coating on phosphor particles were characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM)‐EDAX, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and photoluminescence (PL) measurements. An improvement in the PL intensity on Li codoping was due to improved crystallinity, which led to higher oscillating strengths for the optical transitions, and also a lowering of the inversion symmetry of Eu³⁺ ions. Red emission intensity due to ⁵D₀ → ⁵D₂ transition of the phosphor Y_0.94VO₄:Eu³⁺_0.05,Li⁺_0.01 was enhanced by 22.28% compared with Y_0.95VO₄:Eu³⁺_0.05, and was further improved by 58.73% with SiO₂ coating. The luminescence intensity (I) and colour coordinates (x, y) of the optimized phosphor Y_0.94VO₄:Eu³⁺_0.05,Li⁺_0.01@SiO₂, where I = 13.07 cd/m² and (x = 0.6721, y = 0.3240), were compared with values for a commercial red phosphor (Y₂O₂S:Eu³⁺), where I = 27 cd/m² and (x = 0.6522, y = 0.3437). The measured colour coordinates are superior to those of the commercial red phosphor, and moreover, match well with standard NTSC values (x = 0.67, y = 0.33). Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Phenotypic and genotypic intra-diversity among Anatolian durum wheat “Kunduru” landraces

Kunduru is an important Anatolian landrace having peculiar traits that are appreciated by farmers and breeders. 33 accessions known as Kunduru collected by ICARDA from six geographical provinces of Turkey, were used to study the phenotypic and genotypic intra-diversity. Kunduru landraces exhibited high intra-diversity for most of the studied morphological traits. GPC (12.10–14.90%), vitreousness (75–100%), TKW (31.80–56.70 g), YP (4.70–8.00 ppm), b*-value (14.30–19.50), ash content (1.60–2.0%) and gluten strength (14–60 ml) showed marked variations. Gliadin and glutenin banding patterns showed high polymorphism. 65 alleles were detected with 14 SSR markers, giving a mean of 6.77 alleles per locus. The average PIC value was 0.44 and ranged from 0.11 to 0.70. The average genetic distance between pairs of landraces was 0.47 and ranged between 0.11 and 0.72. This study showed that Kunduru landraces maintains high allelic variation. PCoA indicated that eco-geographical variables have a significant effect on SSR diversity as well as morphological traits. Many of the landraces studied are in danger of disappearing from the local farmers' fields; this study demonstrates the importance of maintaining and conserving this precious genetic resources.     

Simple Isocratic HPLC Method for Determination of Enantiomeric Impurity in Besifloxacin Hydrochloride

Besifloxacin is a unique chiral broad‐spectrum flouroquinolone used in the treatment of bacterial conjunctivitis. R‐form of besifloxacin hydrochloride shows higher antibacterial activity as compared to the S‐isomer. Therefore, it is necessary to establish chiral purity. To establish chiral purity a high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) method for determination of R‐besifloxacin and S‐besifloxacin (BES impurity A) was developed and validated for in‐process quality control and stability studies. The analytical performance parameters such as linearity, precision, accuracy, specificity, limit of detection (LOD), and lower limit of quantification (LOQ) were determined according to International Council for Harmonization ICH Q2(R1) guidelines. HPLC separation was achieved on Chiralpak AD‐H (250 x 4.6 mm, 5 μm) column using n‐heptane: ethanol: ethylenediamine: acetic acid (800:200:0.5:0.5) (v/v/v/v) as the mobile phase in an isocratic elution. The eluents were monitored by UV/Visible detector at 290 nm. The resolution between S‐isomer and besifloxacin hydrochloride was more than 2.0. Based on a signal‐to‐noise ratio of 3 and 10 the LOD of besifloxacin was 0.30 μg/mL, while the LOQ was 0.90 μg/mL. The calibration curves were linear in the range of 0.9–7.5 μg/mL. Precision of the method was established within the acceptable range. The method was suitable for the quality control enantiomeric impurity in besifloxacin hydrochloride. Chirality 28:628–632, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Identification of methylglyoxal as a major mutagen in wood and bamboo pyroligneous acids

To identify the major mutagen in pyroligneous acid (PA), 10 wood and 10 bamboo pyroligneous acids were examined using the Ames test in Salmonella typhimurium strains TA100 and TA98. Subsequently, the mutagenic dicarbonyl compounds (DCs), glyoxal, methylglyoxal (MG), and diacetyl in PA were quantified using high-performance liquid chromatography, and the mutagenic contribution ratios for each DC were calculated relative to the mutagenicity of PA. Eighteen samples were positive for mutagens and showed the strongest mutagenicity in TA100 in the absence of S9 mix. MG had the highest mutagenic contribution ratio, and its presence was strongly correlated with the specific mutagenicity of PA. These data indicate that MG is the major mutagen in PA.     

鳜源致病性维氏气单胞菌的鉴定及药敏试验

【目的】通过对从患病的鳜(Siniperca chuatsi)肝脏中分离得到的一株优势菌WJ2014-1进行鉴定,旨在确定病因并筛选出敏感药物,为今后鳜维氏气单胞菌(Aeromonas veronii)的防治提供参考。【方法】从患病鳜肝脏分离致病菌,通过对其生理生化特征与16S r RNA基因序列分析进行鉴定,并通过纸片扩散法进行药敏试验。【结果】用菌株WJ2014-1进行人工回归感染试验后,鳜发病症状与自然发病症状相似。根据该菌株的形态特征、生化特性、16S r RNA基因序列分析结果鉴定为维氏气单胞菌。该菌株对复方新诺明、强力霉素、罗红霉素、头孢噻肟、哌拉西林等21种抗生素敏感,对氯霉素、诺氟沙星、萘啶酸等9种抗生素耐药。【结论】分离得到的菌株WJ2014-1对鳜有致病性,生产中可选用复方新诺明、强力霉素、罗红霉素等药物进行防治。     

病虫发生程度预报质量评估方法

介绍了对病虫发生程度预报质量进行评估的统计检验方法———McNemar检验和Kappa检验,以及这2种检验方法的原理、假设检验和统计学意义。结合2个实例来说明2种统计检验方法在病虫发生程度预报质量评估中的应用,分析结果表明McNemar检验、Kappa检验能对病虫发生程度预测质量给出更加有效、准确的评估。     

Modelling tree diversity in a highly fragmented tropical montane landscape

Aim There is an urgent need for conservation in threatened tropical forest regions. We explain and predict the spatial variation of α (i.e. within plot) and β (i.e. between plot) tree diversity in a tropical montane landscape subjected to a high deforestation rate. A major aim is to demonstrate the potential of a method that combines data from multiple sources (field data, remote sensing imagery and GIS) to evaluate and monitor forest diversity on a broad scale over large unexplored areas. Location The study covered an area of c. 3500 km² in the Highlands of Chiapas, southern Mexico. Methods We identified all of the tree species within 204 field plots (1000 m² each) and measured different environmental, human disturbance‐related, and spatial variables using remote sensing and GIS data. To obtain a predictive model of α tree diversity (Fisher's alpha) based on selected explanatory variables, we used a generalized linear model with a gamma error distribution. Mantel tests of matrix correspondence were used to determine whether similarities in floristic composition were correlated with similarities in the explanatory variables. Finally, we used a method that combines α and β tree diversity to define priority areas for conservation. Results The model for α tree diversity explained 44% of the overall variability, of which most was mainly related to precipitation, temperature, NDVI, and canopy (all relationships were positive, and quadratic for temperature and NDVI). There were no spatially structured regional factors that were ignored. Similarity in tree composition was correlated positively with climate and NDVI. Main conclusions The results were used to: (1) identify and assign conservation priority of unexplored areas that have high tree diversity, and (2) demonstrate the importance of several vegetation formations in the region's biodiversity. The method we present can be particularly useful in assessing regional needs and in developing local conservation strategies in poorly surveyed (and often at risk) tropical areas worldwide, where accessibility is usually limited.