Growth of measles and subacute sclerosing panencephalitis viruses in human neural cell lines

Growth of cell-free subacute sclerosing panencephalitis (SSPE) virus was compared with that of measles virus in three human neural cell lines; neuroblastoma, oligodendroglioma, and glioblastoma. The Edmonston strain of measles virus replicated in these neural cells as efficiently as in Vero cells. In contrast, the growth of the Mantooth strain of SSPE virus was suppressed moderately in neuroblastoma cells and markedly in oligodendroglioma and glioblastoma cells in spite of the induction of apparent cytopathic effects in these cells. Virus adsorption, defective interfering particles, interferon, and temperature sensitivity were not responsible for this low yield of SSPE virus in neural cell lines. Synthesis of viral proteins of SSPE virus was slower than that of measles virus in oligodendroglioma and glioblastoma cells. These results suggest that the slow rate of synthesis of viral proteins may be relevant to the low yield of SSPE virus in neural cells.     

Studies on the toxin of Aspergillus fumigatus. XVIII. Photooxidation of asp-hemolysin in the presence of various dyes and its relation to the site of hemolytic activity

The site of hemolytic activity of a toxin isolated from Aspergillus fumigatus designated Asp-hemolysin was determined by photooxidation techniques. The hemolytic activity of this toxin was strongly inhibited by photooxidation with methylene blue, rose bengal, riboflavin, or eosin G as a sensitizer, whereas crystal violet, hematoxylin, naphthol yellow S, bromothymol blue, methyl orange, and cresol red had no effect. pH dependence of the inactivation with methylene blue was observed in the narrow range of pH values from 7.0 to 8.0, like that of the inactivation with rose bengal or riboflavin. The histidine, cysteine, methionine, tryptophan, and tyrosine content of methylene blue-photooxidized Asp-hemolysin was significantly decreased, while other amino acids were not affected. The hemolytic activity of the toxin was lost more slowly than the histidine residue, being maintained at about 50% even at the time when the histidine residue was completely lost after 30 min. Photooxidation of Asp-hemolysin in the presence of rose bengal also caused a decrease in histidine, methionine, and threonine content. These findings suggest that residues of cysteine, methionine, threonine, tryptophan, and/or tyrosine but not histidine may play an important role through stereostructure in the manifestation of the hemolytic activity of Asp-hemolysin.     

Computational and Experimental Investigation of the Antimicrobial Peptide Cecropin XJ and its Ligands as the Impact Factors of Antibacterial Activity

Cecropin XJ, as a heat stable antimicrobial peptide (AMP), displayed broad bacteriostatic activities, effectively inhibited proliferation of cancer cells and induced cell apoptosis in vitro. However, it exhibited little hemolytic activity and very low cytotoxicity to erythrocytes and normal cells. Although exerts multiple remarkable bioactivities, the refined molecular conformation of native Cecropin XJ remains unsolved. The aim of the present study is to comprehensively investigate the physicochemical characteristics and structure-function relationship of this antimicrobial peptide by using a series of bioinformatics and experimental approaches. In this study, we revealed that the mature Cecropin XJ consists of 41 amino acids, containing two α-helical structures from Lys⁷ to Lys²⁵ and from Ala²⁹ to Ile³⁹. The phylogenetic tree indicated that Cecropin XJ belongs to the Class I AMPs of cecropin family. Hydrophobic analysis showed Cecropin XJ is a typical amphiphilic molecule. The surface of Cecropin XJ was found to have a much wide range of electrostatic potential from ?83.243 to +83.243. The amphipathicity and surface potential of Cecropin XJ partially supported the AMP pore-forming hypothesis. Scanning electron microscopy experimentally confirmed the damages of Cecropin XJ to microbial membrane. Four predicted docking sites respectively for magnesium ion (Mg²⁺), adenosine diphosphate (ADP), bacteriopheophytin (BPH), and guanosine triphosphate (GTP) were found on the surface of Cecropin XJ. Thereinto, Mg²⁺ was experimentally proved to suppress the antibacterial activity of Cecropin XJ; both GTP and ADP enhanced the bactericidal activities to varying degrees. The present study provides a foundation for further investigation of molecular evolution, structural modification, and functional mechanisms of Cecropin XJ.     

Effect of fertilizers on Cd accumulation and subcellular distribution of two cosmos species (Cosmos sulphureus and Cosmos bipinnata)

Addition of fertilizer amendments is regarded as an ideal approach to enhancing phytoextraction. However, there is little information available on the influence of common fertilizers on Cd accumulation of two newly reported Cd accumulators, Cosmos sulphureus and Cosmos bipinnata (C. sulphureus and C. bipinnata). The effects of N (CO(NH₂)₂), NP (CO(NH₂)₂ + Ca(H₂PO₄)₂), and NPK (CO(NH₂)₂ + Ca(H₂PO₄)₂ + KCl) fertilizers on Cd accumulation and subcellular distribution of C. sulphureus and C. bipinnata were studied in a 70-d pot experiment. The results showed that Cd uptake of C. sulphureus and C. bipinnata with NPK fertilizer was significantly higher than control, N, and NP fertilizers, especially 3.8- and 4.7-fold higher than control (p < 0.05). Compared with C. bipinnata, C. sulphureus achieved higher biomass and Cd uptake in aboveground parts under fertilizer treatments, especially NPK fertilizer. The Cd subcellular distribution revealed that segregation of Cd to Cd-rich granules (MRG) might play an important role in Cd detoxification in both species. C. sulphureus is more likely than C. bipinnata to separate the Cd in MRG and reduce the partition in the heat-denatured protein fraction, especially with NPK fertilizer. Therefore, C. sulphureus combined with NPK fertilizers could be an effective method to remediate Cd-polluted farmland soils in China.     

Effects of larval competition on survival and growth in Mediterranean fruit flies

1. Larval success was compared when one, two, or three egg clutches were laid in kumquat fruits (≈ 10 ml in volume) either successively on the same day or at the rate of one clutch per day. 2. Increased clutch density was associated with a significant decrease in larval survival rate and non‐significant decreases in larval growth rate and pupal mass. 3. Larval and pupal parameters showed significantly larger variance when clutches were laid on successive days than on the same day, suggesting a competitive advantage for older larvae over younger larvae. 4. The results suggest that, in small fruit, reduced fitness due to larval competition may act against possible fitness benefits due to social facilitation among adult females, hence reducing the likelihood of non‐linear population dynamics caused by processes such as the Allee effect.     

Analysis of mutations in cyclodextrin glucanotransferase from Bacillus stearothermophilus which affect cyclization characteristics and thermostability.

Cyclodextrin glucanotransferase (CGTase; EC 2.4.1.19) produces cyclodextrin from starch. The CGTase molecule is composed of four globular domains, A, B, C, and D. In order to gain better understanding of the amylolytic and cyclization mechanisms of CGTase, mutant CGTases were constructed from a CGTase gene (cgt1) of Bacillus stearothermophilus NO2. Cgt1-F191Y (Phe at position 191 was replaced by Tyr), Cgt1-F191Y-F255Y, Cgt1-W254V-F255I, Cgt1-W254V, and Cgt1-F255I were constructed for the analysis of the NH2-terminal region. It was revealed that amino acids surrounding a spiral amylose are important for cyclization characteristics and that hydrophobic amino acids just after the Glu catalytic site play an important role in the hydrolysis characteristics of the enzyme. Mutant CGTases Cgt1-T591F and Cgt1-W629F were also constructed to study the role of a second substrate-binding site in domain D, and it was suggested that substrate binding at both domains A and D stabilized the enzyme and optimized cyclodextrin production.     

A Microarray-Based Analysis Reveals that a Short Photoperiod Promotes Hair Growth in the Arbas Cashmere Goat

Many animals exhibit different behaviors in different seasons. The photoperiod can have effects on migration, breeding, fur growth, and other processes. The cyclic growth of the fur and feathers of some species of mammals and birds, respectively, is stimulated by the photoperiod as a result of hormone-dependent regulation of the nervous system. To further examine this phenomenon, we evaluated the Arbas Cashmere goat (Capra hircus), a species that is often used in this type of research. The goats were exposed to an experimentally controlled short photoperiod to study the regulation of cyclic cashmere growth. Exposure to a short photoperiod extended the anagen phase of the Cashmere goat hair follicle to increase cashmere production. Assessments of tissue sections indicated that the short photoperiod significantly induced cashmere growth. This conclusion was supported by a comparison of the differences in gene expression between the short photoperiod and natural conditions using gene chip technology. Using the gene chip data, we identified genes that showed altered expression under the short photoperiod compared to natural conditions, and these genes were found to be involved in the biological processes of hair follicle growth, structural composition of the hair follicle, and the morphogenesis of the surrounding skin appendages. Knowledge about differences in the expression of these genes as well as their functions and periodic regulation patterns increases our understanding of Cashmere goat hair follicle growth. This study also provides preliminary data that may be useful for the development of an artificial method to improve cashmere production by controlling the light cycle, which has practical significance for livestock breeding.     

Modulatory effect of Lactobacillus acidophilus KLDS 1.0738 on intestinal short‐chain fatty acids metabolism and GPR41/43 expression in β‐lactoglobulin–sensitized mice

We investigated the correlation between the beneficial effect of Lactobacillus acidophilus on gut microbiota composition, metabolic activities, and reducing cow's milk protein allergy. Mice sensitized with β‐lactoglobulin (β‐Lg) were treated with different doses of L. acidophilus KLDS 1.0738 for 4 weeks, starting 1 week before allergen induction. The results showed that intake of L. acidophilus significantly suppressed the hypersensitivity responses, together with increased fecal microbiota diversity and short‐chain fatty acids (SCFAs) concentration (including propionate, butyrate, isobutyrate, and isovalerate) when compared with the allergic group. Moreover, treatment with L. acidophilus induced the expression of SCFAs receptors, G‐protein–coupled receptors 41 (GPR41) and 43 (GPR43), in the spleen and colon of the allergic mice. Further analysis revealed that the GPR41 and GPR43 messenger RNA expression both positively correlated with the serum concentrations of transforming growth factor‐β and IFN‐γ (p < .05), but negatively with the serum concentrations of IL‐17, IL‐4, and IL‐6 in the L. acidophilus–treated group compared with the allergic group (p < .05). These results suggested that L. acidophilus protected against the development of allergic inflammation by improving the intestinal flora, as well as upregulating SCFAs and their receptors GPR41/43.