Carbohydrate, Amino acid, Phenolic and Mineral Nutrient Contents of Pepper Plants in Relation to Age-Related Resistance to Phytophthora capsici

The relationship between age-related resistance of peper plants to Phytophthora capsici and contents of carbohydrates, amino acids, phenolics and mineral nutrients in pepper stems was studied using two pepper cultivars, Hanbyul (susceptible) and Kingkun (resistant). With increasing age of pepper plants, the two cultivars, which differ in their susceptibility to Phytophthora blight, became gradually resistant to the disease. The cultivar Kingkun distinctly showed the age-related resistance to Phytophthora blight at the second branch stage. The weight of dry matter in healthy stems of pepper plants at the second branch stage was twice that at the six leaf stage. The resistant cultivar Kingkun contained lower levels of fructose, glucose and sucrose in stems than the susceptible cultivar Hanbyul at the different developmental stages. No consistent differences between the developmental stages of the plants were recognized with regard to their glucose content. However, the contents of fructose and sucrose in the cultivar Hanbyul greatly increased at the second branch stage. The levels of inositol reduced in both pepper cultivars during plant development. In view of the fact that there were only slight changes in the amount of total amino acids, it seems unlikely that there is a relationship between the amino acid metabolism and the retardation of Phytophthora infection during plant development. The amounts of total phenolic compounds in pepper stems were relatively low at the later growth stages of the plants and also in the resistant cultivar Kingkun. The contents of macroelemental nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium were drastically reduced in pepper stems at the later plant growth stage. No significant differences between the cultivars or the plant growth stages were found in the silicon and microelemental nutrients such as sodium, iron, zinc and manganese. These results suggest that the expression of age-related resistance of pepper plants may be due to the morphological and nutritional changes in tissues of pepper stems during ageing, i.e. the pronounced increase in weight of dry matter, the significant decrease in amounts of mineral nutrients such as nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, calcium and magnesium, and the tow contents of fructose, glucose and sucrose in the stem tissues.     

The Phosphorylation status of merlin is important for regulating the Ras-ERK pathway

The neurofibromatosis type2 (NF2) tumor suppressor gene product, merlin, is structurally related to the ezrin-radixin-moesin (ERM) family of proteins that anchor the actin cytoskeleton to specific membrane proteins and participate in cell signaling. However, the basis of the tumor suppressing activity of merlin is not well understood. Previously, we identified a role of merlin as an inhibitor of the Ras-ERK signaling pathway. Recent studies have suggested that phosphorylation of merlin, as of other ERM proteins, may regulate its function. To determine whether phosphorylation of merlin affects its suppression of Ras-ERK signaling, we generated plasmids expressing full-length merlin with substitutions of serine 518, a potential phosphorylation site. A substitution that mimics constitutive phosphorylation (S518D) abrogated the ability of merlin to suppress effects of the Ras-ERK signaling pathway such as Ras-induced SRE transactivation, Elk-mediated SRE transactivation, Ras-induced ERK phosphorylation and Ras-induced focus formation. On the other hand, an S518A mutant, which mimics nonphosphorylated merlin, acted like wild type merlin. These observations show that mimicking merlin phosphorylation impairs not only growth suppression by merlin but also its inhibitory action on the Ras-ERK signaling pathway.     

Transdifferentiation-inducing HCCR-1 oncogene

Background

Cell transdifferentiation is characterized by loss of some phenotypes along with acquisition of new phenotypes in differentiated cells. The differentiated state of a given cell is not irreversible. It depends on the up- and downregulation exerted by specific molecules.

Results

We report here that HCCR-1, previously shown to play an oncogenic role in human cancers, induces epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) and mesenchymal-to-epithelial transition (MET) in human and mouse, respectively. The stem cell factor receptor CD117/c-Kit was induced in this transdifferentiated (EMT) sarcoma tissues. This MET occurring in HCCR-1 transfected cells is reminiscent of the transdifferentiation process during nephrogenesis. Indeed, expression of HCCR-1 was observed during the embryonic development of the kidney. This suggests that HCCR-1 might be involved in the transdifferentiation process of cancer stem cell.

Conclusions

Therefore, we propose that HCCR-1 may be a regulatory factor that stimulates morphogenesis of epithelia or mesenchyme during neoplastic transformation.     

Intranasal Volume Changes Caused by the Endoscopic Endonasal Transsphenoidal Approach and Their Effects on Nasal Functions

Objective

We evaluated postoperative changes in nasal cavity volume and their effects on nasal function and symptoms after endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approach for antero-central skull base surgery.

Study Design

Retrospective chart review at a tertiary referral center.

Methods

We studied 92 patients who underwent binostril, four-hand, endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approach surgery using the bilateral modified nasoseptal rescue flap technique. Pre- and postoperative paranasal computed tomography and the Mimics^® program were used to assess nasal cavity volume changes at three sections. We also performed several pre- and postoperative tests, including the Connecticut Chemosensory Clinical Research Center test, Cross-Cultural Smell Identification Test, Nasal Obstruction Symptoms Evaluation, and Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-20. In addition, a visual analog scale was used to record subjective symptoms. We compared these data with the pre- and postoperative nasal cavity volumes.

Results

Three-dimensional, objective increases in nasal passage volumes were evident between the inferior and middle turbinates (p<0.001) and between the superior turbinate and choana (p = 0.006) postoperatively. However, these did not correlate with subjectively assessed symptoms (NOSE, SNOT-20 and VAS; all nasal cavity areas; p≥0.05) or olfactory dysfunction (CCCRC and CCSIT test; all nasal cavity areas; p≥0.05).

Conclusion

Skull base tumor surgery via an endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approach altered the patients’ nasal anatomy, but the changes in nasal cavity volumes did not affect nasal function or symptoms. These results will help surgeons to appropriately expose the surgical field during an endoscopic endonasal transsphenoidal approach.     

Dietary hempseed meal intake increases body growth and shortens the larval stage via the upregulation of cell growth and sterol levels in Drosophila melanogaster

Hempseed, a rich source of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) and phytosterols, has been recognized as a potential therapeutic food used for cardioprotection, preventing platelet aggregation, and improving atopic dermatitis. Although several studies have revealed the physiological benefits of hempseed on a variety of animals, the effects of dietary hempseed intake on animal development are currently unknown. In this study, we evaluated the developmental effects of the addition of hempseed meal (HSM) to the diet of Drosophila. Interestingly, dietary HSM intake was shown to increase the body size of flies by increasing cell numbers, and also truncated the larval period without affecting survival rate or longevity. The oviposition of female flies was also increased by dietary HSM supplementation. Interestingly, the levels of sterols, which are precursors of ecdysone, a molting hormone, were found to be elevated in the larvae fed on HSM. Additionally, the hexane extracts of hempseed mimicked the effects of HSM on growth, developmental timing, and reproduction. Moreover, among the major nonpolar components of HSM, feeding on cholesterol but not PUFA mix or campesterol accelerated pupariation and increased body size. These results indicate that the dietary intake of HSM accelerates both body growth and developmental rates in Drosophila via the stimulation of cell growth and ecdysone synthesis. Additionally, nonpolar components of hempseed, such as cholesterol, might be responsible for the effects of HSM on development and reproduction.     

Ulmus davidiana var. japonica Nakai Upregulates Eosinophils and Suppresses Th1 and Th17 Cells in the Small Intestine

The bark of Ulmus davidiana var. japonica Nakai (Ulmaceae) has been used in traditional Korean medicine for chronic inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract. Here we investigated the frequency and cytokine profile of the major immune cells in the small intestinal lamina propria (SI LP), spleen, and mesenteric lymph nodes (MLNs) of mice treated orally with Ulmus davidiana var. japonica Nakai bark water extract (UDE) to address the immunomodulatory role of this herb in intestinal homeostasis. B6 mice were given 5g/kg UDE once daily for 14 days. They were then sacrificed, and cells were isolated from the spleen, MLNs, and SI LP. The proportion of B versus T lymphocytes, CD4⁺ versus CD8⁺ T lymphocytes, Th1 and Th17 cells, and Foxp3⁺ regulatory T cells in the spleen, MLNs, and SI LP were analyzed. The frequency of antigen-presenting cells (APCs), including dendritic cells, macrophages, and eosinophils in the SI LP and the expression of costimulatory molecules on APCs were also evaluated. The numbers and frequencies of Th1 and Th17 cells in the SI LP were significantly reduced in the UDE-treated mice compared with PBS controls. In addition, the proportion of IL-4-producing eosinophils in the SI LP was significantly elevated in the UDE-treated mice compared with controls. Taken together, these data indicate that UDE up-regulates the number and frequency of SI LP eosinophils, which can down-regulate the Th1 and Th17 responses via IL-4 secretion and contribute to intestinal homeostasis.     

The role as inoculum sources of Xanthomonas citri pv. citri surviving on the infected Satsuma mandarin fruits

Importing citrus fruits infected by Asiatic citrus canker caused by Xanthomonas citri pv. citri (Xcc) can act as an inoculum source for the disease epidemic in citrus canker-free countries. In this study, the pathogenicity of the causal agent of Asiatic citrus canker surviving on infected Satsuma mandarin fruits was evaluated. The washing solution of infected Satsuma mandarin fruits did not cause lesion formation on the citrus leaves. However, a typical citrus canker lesion was formed on the leaves after inoculation with higher concentrations of the inoculum from the washing solution (washing solution II). It indicated that the pathogenicity of the citrus canker surviving on the symptomatic Satsuma mandarin fruits was not changed. Scanning electron microscopic observation showed that the numbers of bacterial cells on the leaves of Satsuma mandarin which inoculated with the washing solution directly (washing solution I) was less compared to those of leaves inoculated with the washing solution II. This result spports that the pathogenicity of Xcc surviving on Satsuma mandarin fruits may not be changed but that the sucessful infection of citrus caker may depend on the concentration of the inoculum.