Feeding graded levels of dried Sea buckthorn (Hippophaes rhamnoides) berries to broiler chickens

The aim of this study was to assess the effects of graded levels (0, 3, 6, 9 and 12 g/kg) of dry Sea buckthorn (SB) berries on growth performance, gastrointestinal tract (GIT) development, jejunal histomorphology, bird antioxidant status and caecal short-chain fatty acid concentration when fed to female Ross 308 broiler chickens. In addition, expression of cytokine biomarker genes in the jejunum was evaluated. The five experimental diets were fed from 7 to 21 days age to 8 pens (two birds in each) following randomisation. Feeding SB did not influence bird growth performance (p > .05). There was a linear decrease in butyric, acetic and valeric acid concentrations in caecal digesta (p < .05) and a decrease (p < .05) in crypt depth. The expression of IFNG and CD40LG responded quadratically (p < .05), peaking at 6–9 g/kg dietary inclusion of SB, respectively. Other studied variables were not affected by dietary SB inclusion (p > .05). Feeding dry SB berries up to 12 g/kg of diet did not improve the zootechnical variables of healthy commercial-strain broilers in this study.     

Imbricaric Acid and Perlatolic Acid: Multi-Targeting Anti-Inflammatory Depsides from Cetrelia monachorum

In vitro screening of 17 Alpine lichen species for their inhibitory activity against 5-lipoxygenase, microsomal prostaglandin E₂ synthase-1 and nuclear factor kappa B revealed Cetrelia monachorum (Zahlbr.) W.L. Culb. & C.F. Culb. As conceivable source for novel anti-inflammatory compounds. Phytochemical investigation of the ethanolic crude extract resulted in the isolation and identification of 11 constituents, belonging to depsides and derivatives of orsellinic acid, olivetolic acid and olivetol. The two depsides imbricaric acid (4) and perlatolic acid (5) approved dual inhibitory activities on microsomal prostaglandin E₂ synthase-1 (IC₅₀ = 1.9 and 0.4 µM, resp.) and on 5-lipoxygenase tested in a cell-based assay (IC₅₀ = 5.3 and 1.8 µM, resp.) and on purified enzyme (IC₅₀ = 3.5 and 0.4 µM, resp.). Additionally, these two main constituents quantified in the extract with 15.22% (4) and 9.10% (5) showed significant inhibition of tumor necrosis factor alpha-induced nuclear factor kappa B activation in luciferase reporter cells with IC₅₀ values of 2.0 and 7.0 µM, respectively. In a murine in vivo model of inflammation, 5 impaired the inflammatory, thioglycollate-induced recruitment of leukocytes to the peritoneum. The potent inhibitory effects on the three identified targets attest 4 and 5 a pronounced multi-target anti-inflammatory profile which warrants further investigation on their pharmacokinetics and in vivo efficacy.     

Honokiol: A non-adipogenic PPARγ agonist from nature

Background

Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ) agonists are clinically used to counteract hyperglycemia. However, so far experienced unwanted side effects, such as weight gain, promote the search for new PPARγ activators.

Methods

We used a combination of in silico, in vitro, cell-based and in vivo models to identify and validate natural products as promising leads for partial novel PPARγ agonists.

Results

The natural product honokiol from the traditional Chinese herbal drug Magnolia bark was in silico predicted to bind into the PPARγ ligand binding pocket as dimer. Honokiol indeed directly bound to purified PPARγ ligand-binding domain (LBD) and acted as partial agonist in a PPARγ-mediated luciferase reporter assay. Honokiol was then directly compared to the clinically used full agonist pioglitazone with regard to stimulation of glucose uptake in adipocytes as well as adipogenic differentiation in 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes and mouse embryonic fibroblasts. While honokiol stimulated basal glucose uptake to a similar extent as pioglitazone, it did not induce adipogenesis in contrast to pioglitazone. In diabetic KKAy mice oral application of honokiol prevented hyperglycemia and suppressed weight gain.

Conclusion

We identified honokiol as a partial non-adipogenic PPARγ agonist in vitro which prevented hyperglycemia and weight gain in vivo.

General significance

This observed activity profile suggests honokiol as promising new pharmaceutical lead or dietary supplement to combat metabolic disease, and provides a molecular explanation for the use of Magnolia in traditional medicine.     

Variability in host plant resistance of Sorghum to Striga Hermonthica infestation in West Africa

Fourteen elite sorghum lines were evaluated for their resistance to Striga hermonthica at three locations in Nigeria and Mali. Results showed that many of the lines especially MALISOR 84-1, SAMSORG 41, 97-SB-F5DT-64 (Keninkédié) and the check SRN 39 remained resistant to Striga in all locations with low emerged Striga counts, while SAMSORG 14 had the highest Striga infestation in all locations. Considerable variation in reaction to Striga infestation was observed on Séguètana, 97-SB-F5DT-63 (Wasa), 97-SB-F5DT-65, CMDT 38, CMDT 39 and CMDT 45 which were susceptible to Striga at Samaru, Nigeria but were resistant to Striga at both locations in Mali. Based on low Striga resistance and high grain yield, lines MALISOR 84-1, SAMSORG 41, 97-SB-F5DT-64, 97-SB-F5DT-65, CMDT 39 and SAMSORT 14 have been nominated for wider evaluation across more West African countries.     

Flow-through immunofiltration assay system for rapid detection of E. coli O157:H7

A flow-through amperometric immunofiltration assay system based on disposable porous filter-membranes for rapid detection of Escherichia coli O157:H7 has been developed. The analytical system utilizes flow-through, immunofiltration and enzyme immunoassay techniques in conjunction with an amperometric sensor. The parameters affecting the immunoassay such as selection of appropriate filter membranes, membrane pore size, antibody binding capacity and the concentrations of immunoreagents were investigated and optimized. Non-specific adsorption of the enzyme conjugate was investigated and minimized. A sandwich scheme of immunoassay was employed and the immunofiltration system allows to specifically and directly detect E. coli cells with a lower detection limit of 100 cells/ml. The working range is from 100 to 600 cells/ml with an overall analysis time of 30 min. No pre-enrichment was needed. This immunosensor can be easily adapted for assay of other microorganisms and may be a basis for a new class of highly sensitive bioanalytical devices for rapid quantitative detection of bacteria.     

Three-dimensional localization of pORF65 in Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus capsid

Of the six herpesvirus capsid proteins, the smallest capsid proteins (SCPs) share the least sequence homology among herpesvirus family members and have been implicated in virus specificity during infection. The herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) SCP was shown to be horn shaped and to specifically bind the upper domain of each major capsid protein in hexons but not in pentons. In Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus (KSHV), the protein encoded by the ORF65 gene (pORF65) is the putative SCP but its location remains controversial due to the absence of such horn-shaped densities from both the pentons and hexons of the KSHV capsid reconstructions. To directly locate the KSHV SCP, we have used electron cryomicroscopy and three-dimensional reconstruction techniques to compare the three-dimensional structure of KSHV capsids to that of anti-pORF65 antibody-labeled capsids. Our difference map shows prominent antibody densities bound to the tips of the hexons but not to pentons, indicating that KSHV SCP is attached to the upper domain of the major capsid protein in hexons but not to that in pentons, similar to HSV-1 SCP. The lack of horn-shaped densities on the hexons indicates that KSHV SCP exhibits structural features that are substantially different from those of HSV-1 SCP. The location of SCP at the outermost regions of the capsid suggests a possible role in mediating capsid interactions with the tegument and cytoskeletal proteins during infection.     

Three-dimensional structures of the A, B, and C capsids of rhesus monkey rhadinovirus: insights into gammaherpesvirus capsid assembly, maturation, and DNA packaging

Rhesus monkey rhadinovirus (RRV) exhibits high levels of sequence homology to human gammaherpesviruses, such as Kaposi's sarcoma-associated herpesvirus, and grows to high titers in cell cultures, making it a good model system for studying gammaherpesvirus capsid structure and assembly. We have purified RRV A, B, and C capsids, thus for the first time allowing direct structure comparisons by electron cryomicroscopy and three-dimensional reconstruction. The results show that the shells of these capsids are identical and are each composed of 12 pentons, 150 hexons, and 320 triplexes. Structural differences were apparent inside the shells and through the penton channels. The A capsid is empty, and its penton channels are open. The B capsid contains a scaffolding core, and its penton channels are closed. The C capsid contains a DNA genome, which is closely packaged into regularly spaced density shells (25 A apart), and its penton channels are open. The different statuses of the penton channels suggest a functional role of the channels during capsid maturation, and the overall structural similarities of RRV capsids to alphaherpesvirus capsids suggest a common assembly and maturation pathway. The RRV A capsid reconstruction at a 15-A resolution, the best achieved for gammaherpesvirus particles, reveals overall structural similarities to alpha- and betaherpesvirus capsids. However, the outer regions of the capsid, including densities attributed to the Ta triplex and the small capsomer-interacting protein (SCIP or ORF65), exhibit prominent differences from their structural counterparts in alphaherpesviruses. This structural disparity suggests that SCIP and the triplex, together with tegument and envelope proteins, confer structural and potentially functional specificities to alpha-, beta-, and gammaherpesviruses.     

Changes of the power coefficient in the 'metabolism-mass' relationship in the evolutionary process of animals

The power coefficient k decreases along evolution in an allometric relationship between the oxygen consumption rate and the body mass of animals. This theoretical study investigated the role of the power coefficient k and its behavior along evolution. The animals were organized in three groups according to the values of the power coefficient k as follows: (I) from unicellular Prokaryotes to Eukaryotes; (II) from Mytilus and Annelida to Pisces; (III) from Reptilia to Mammals and Aves. At the beginning of each animal group (stage), the value of k was close to 0.9-1.0 and at the end of the stage it was close to 0.67-0.70. Exponential sharp increase of the power coefficient k was observed during the biological transition from Protozoa to simply organized Metazoa and in the transition from Poikylothermic to Homothermic organisms (e.g. from Pisces to Reptilia). Also, when using the periodogram regression analysis, a cyclic (periodic) pattern in this increase was observed (i.e. period T approximately 8-11 units, P<0.05). It was postulated that the power coefficient k, as with the coefficient a, might represent the increase of complexity of animal organization within each group.