Relationship of Cob characters with Grain Morphology in Maize (Zea mays,Poaceae)

Twenty varieties of maize (Zea mays, Poaceae) were studied through 11 attributes in three to seven randomly selected plants of each variety with a view to understanding the effect of cob characters on technologically desirable grain qualities. Canonical discriminant analysis showed thatproductivity (determined by total grain weight/cob, cob diameter and average grain weight) was the most discriminating among varieties followed by round grains fraction (represented by whole top and middle flat grains, number of rows and grain count/surface area), middle flat grains (composed of middle flat grains and grain count/surface area) and shape of the cob (determined by shape index, total grain weight/cob and cob diameter), which accounted for 35.1, 18.3, 12.2, and 9.8% of the total variance, respectively. In the light of these results, tentative norms have been suggested to evolve maize varieties of superior technological properties and yet retain high productivity. A cylindrical cob of large diameter with highest number of grains/area and smallest possible number of rows together constituted an ideal combination to achieve the objectives. Such possibilities in the light of available information are discussed.     

Dietary l-glutamine supplementation modulates microbial community and activates innate immunity in the mouse intestine

This study was conducted to determine effects of dietary supplementation with 1 % l-glutamine for 14 days on the abundance of intestinal bacteria and the activation of intestinal innate immunity in mice. The measured variables included (1) the abundance of Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Lactobacillus, Streptococcus and Bifidobacterium in the lumen of the small intestine; (2) the expression of toll-like receptors (TLRs), pro-inflammatory cytokines, and antibacterial substances secreted by Paneth cells and goblet cells in the jejunum, ileum and colon; and (3) the activation of TLR4-nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK), and phosphoinositide-3-kinases (PI3K)/PI3K-protein kinase B (Akt) signaling pathways in the jejunum and ileum. In the jejunum, glutamine supplementation decreased the abundance of Firmicutes, while increased mRNA levels for antibacterial substances in association with the activation of NF-κB and PI3K-Akt pathways. In the ileum, glutamine supplementation induced a shift in the Firmicutes:Bacteroidetes ratio in favor of Bacteroidetes, and enhanced mRNA levels for Tlr4, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and antibacterial substances participating in NF-κB and JNK signaling pathways. These results indicate that the effects of glutamine on the intestine vary with its segments and compartments. Collectively, dietary glutamine supplementation of mice beneficially alters intestinal bacterial community and activates the innate immunity in the small intestine through NF-κB, MAPK and PI3K-Akt signaling pathways.     

Tumor necrosis factor-α-induced nuclear factor-kappaB activation in human cardiomyocytes is mediated by NADPH oxidase

An elevated level of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α is implicated in several cardiovascular diseases including heart failure. Numerous reports have demonstrated that TNF-α activates nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB, resulting in the upregulation of several genes that regulate inflammation, proliferation, and apoptosis of cardiomyocytes. Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase, a major source of reactive oxygen species (ROS), is also activated by TNF-α and plays a crucial role in redox-sensitive signaling pathways. The present study investigated whether NADPH oxidase mediates TNF-α-induced NF-kappaB activation and NF-kappaB-mediated gene expression. Human cardiomyocytes were treated with recombinant TNF-α with or without pretreatment with diphenyleneiodonium (DPI) and apocynin, inhibitors of NADPH oxidase. TNF-α-induced ROS production was measured using 5-(and-6)-chloromethyl-2’, 7’-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate assay. TNF-α-induced NF-kappaB activation was also examined using immunoblot; NF-kappaB binding to its binding motif was determined using a Cignal reporter luciferase assay and an electrophoretic mobility shift assay. TNF-α-induced upregulation of interleukin (IL)-1β and vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)-1 was investigated using real-time PCR and immunoblot. TNF-α-induced ROS production in cardiomyocytes was mediated by NADPH oxidase. Phosphorylation of IKK-α/β and p65, degradation of IkappaBα, binding of NF-kappaB to its binding motif, and upregulation of IL-1β and VCAM-1 induced by TNF-α were significantly attenuated by treatment with DPI and apocynin. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that NADPH oxidase plays a role in regulation of TNF-α-induced NF-kappaB activation and upregulation of proinflammatory cytokines, IL-1β and VCAM-1, in human cardiomyocytes.     

The neurobiological link between OCD and ADHD

Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) are two of the most common neuropsychiatric diseases in paediatric populations. The high comorbidity of ADHD and OCD with each other, especially of ADHD in paediatric OCD, is well described. OCD and ADHD often follow a chronic course with persistent rates of at least 40–50 %. Family studies showed high heritability in ADHD and OCD, and some genetic findings showed similar variants for both disorders of the same pathogenetic mechanisms, whereas other genetic findings may differentiate between ADHD and OCD. Neuropsychological and neuroimaging studies suggest that partly similar executive functions are affected in both disorders. The deficits in the corresponding brain networks may be responsible for the perseverative, compulsive symptoms in OCD but also for the disinhibited and impulsive symptoms characterizing ADHD. This article reviews the current literature of neuroimaging, neurochemical circuitry, neuropsychological and genetic findings considering similarities as well as differences between OCD and ADHD.     

Age-related changes in the distribution of transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 channel (TRPV4) in the central nervous system of rats

Transient receptor potential vanilloid type 4 (TRPV4) channels are expressed in the central nervous system, but their role in regulating the aging process under physiological and pathological conditions is still largely unknown. To identify age-related changes in the TRPV4 channel that contribute to the central nervous system, we investigated the distribution of TRPV4 in the brain and spinal cord regions of adult and aged rats. The expression of TRPV4 in the brain and spinal cord of adult and aged Sprague–Dawley rats was compared using immunohistochemistry performed with antibodies recognizing TRPV4 on free floating sections and western blotting analysis. TRPV4 immunoreactivity was significantly increased in the cerebral cortex, hippocampal formation, thalamus, basal nuclei, cerebellum and spinal cord of aged rats compared with adult control rats. In the cerebral cortex, TRPV4 immunoreactivity was significantly increased in pyramidal cells of aged rats. In addition, TRPV4 immunoreactivity was increased in the spinal cord, hippocampal formation, thalamus, basal nuclei and cerebellum of aged rats. This first demonstration of age-related increases in TRPV4 expression in the brain and spinal cord may provide useful data for investigating the pathogenesis of age-related neurodegenerative diseases. The exact regulatory mechanism and its functional significance require further elucidation.     

Development of uniform density control with self-assembled colloidal gold nanoparticles on a modified silicon substrate

Here, we present a simple method for controlling the density of Au nanoparticles (Au NPs) on a modified silicon substrate, by destabilizing the colloidal Au NPs with 3-mercaptopropyltrimethoxylsilane (3-MPTMS) for microelectromechanical-system-based applications to reduce tribological issues. A silicon surface was pretreated with a 3-MPTMS solution, immediately after which thiolated Au NPs were added to it, resulting in their uniform deposition on the silicon substrate. Without any material property change of the colloidal Au NPs, we observed the formation of large clusters Au NPs on the modified silicon surface. Analysis by scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy indicated that the addition of 3-MPTMS resulted in an alternation of the chemical characteristics of the solution. Atomic force microscopy imaging supported the notion that silicon surface modification is the most important factor on tribological properties of materials along with ligand-modified Au NPs. The density of Au NPs on a silicon surface was significantly dependent on several factors, including the concentration of colloidal Au NPs, deposition time, and concentration of 3-MPTMS solution, while temperature range which was used throughout experiment was determined to have no significant effect. A relatively high density of Au NPs forms on the silicon surface as the concentrations of Au NPs and 3-MPTMS are increased. In addition, the maximum deposition of Au NPs on silicon wafer was observed at 3 h, while the effects of temperature variation were minimal.     

The receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE) plays a key role in the formation of nanotubes (NTs) between peritoneal mesothelial cells and in murine kidneys

The receptor for advanced glycation end-products (RAGE), a multiligand receptor of the immunoglobulin superfamily, takes part in various inflammatory processes. The role of this receptor in the context of intercellular communication, like nanotube (NT)-mediated interaction, is largely unknown. Here, we use cell cultures of human and murine peritoneal mesothelial cells as well as murine kidneys from wild-type and RAGE knockout mouse models to assess the role of RAGE in NT formation and function. We show that loss of RAGE function results in reduced NT numbers under physiological conditions and demonstrate the involvement of MAP kinase signaling in NT formation. Additionally, we show for the first time the existence of NTs in murine kidney tissue and confirm the correlation of RAGE expression and NT numbers. Under elevated oxidative stress conditions like renal ischemia or peritoneal dialysis, we demonstrate that RAGE absence does not prevent NT formation. Rather, increased NT numbers and attenuated kidney tissue damage could be observed, indicating that, depending on the predominant conditions, RAGE affects NT formation with implications for cellular communication.     

High glucose promotes gap junctional communication in cultured neonatal cardiac fibroblasts via AMPK activation

Cardiac fibroblasts are known to be essential for adaptive responses in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases, and increased intercellular communication of myocardial cells and cardiac fibroblasts acts as a crucial factor in maintaining the functional integrity of the heart. AMP-activated kinase (AMPK) is a key stress signaling kinase, which plays an important role in promoting cell survival and improving cell function. However, the underlying link between AMPK and gap junctional communication (GJIC) is still poorly understood. In this study, a connection between AMPK and GJIC in high glucose-mediated neonatal cardiac fibroblasts was assessed using fibroblast migration, measurement of dye transfer and connexin43 (Cx43) expression. 5-aminoimidazole-4-carboxamide-1-β-D-ribofuranoside (AICAR) and Compound C (CC) were used to regulate AMPK activity. The levels of cell migration and Cx43 protein expression in neonatal cardiac fibroblasts increased during high glucose treatment, accompanied by developed dye transfer. In addition, high glucose induced abundant phosphorylation of AMPK. Suppression of AMPK phosphorylation using CC reduced dye transfer, cell migration and Cx43 protein expression in neonatal cardiac fibroblasts, whereas the activation of AMPK using AICAR mimicked the high glucose-mediated cell migration, Cx43 protein expression and dye transfer enhancement. AMPK appears to participate in regulating GJIC in high-glucose-treated neonatal cardiac fibroblasts, including cell migration, dye transfer, Cx43 expression and distribution.     

Inhibition of MMP-2 but not MMP-9 Influences Inner Ear Spiral Ganglion Neurons In Vitro

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play an important role in modeling of the extracellular matrix. There is increasing evidence that these proteases are important in neurite elongation and axonal guidance during development in the central nervous system and retina. Moreover, they are also expressed after acute injury and can be the key mediators of pathogenesis. However, the role of MMPs in the inner ear is largely unknown. Our group recently demonstrated that general inhibition of MMPs resulted in auditory hair cell loss in vitro. In the present study, we investigated the role of MMPs in inner ear spiral ganglion neuron (SGN) survival, neuritogenesis and neurite extension by blocking MMPs known to be involved in axonal guidance, neurite elongation, and apoptosis in other neuronal systems. Spiral ganglion (SG) explants from 5-day-old Wistar rats were treated with different concentrations of the general MMP inhibitor GM6001, a specific MMP-2 inhibitor, and a specific MMP-9 inhibitor, in vitro. The general inhibitor of MMPs and the specific inhibition of MMP-2 significantly reduced both the number of neurites that extended from SG explants, as well as the length of individual neurites. However, neither the general inhibitor of MMPs nor the specific inhibition of MMP-2 influenced SGN survival. Inhibition of MMP-9 had no influence on SGNs. The data suggest that MMPs, and more specifically MMP-2, influence the growth of developing afferent neurites in the mammalian inner ear in vivo.     

Deep-sea water inhibits metastatic potential in HT-29 human colorectal adenocarcinomas via MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway

A previous investigation showed that deep-sea water (DSW) can affect the expression of genes that regulate metastasis, including cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) and uPA receptor (uPAR), in HT-29 human colorectal adenocarcinomas. In the present study, we investigated the effects of DSW on inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) expression and cell migration and also explored the mechanism of DSW-induced anti-metastatic potential in HT-29 human colorectal adenocarcinomas. Cytokine-induced expression of iNOS, which is highly expressed in colon cancer and enhances cancer growth and metastasis, was decreased in a hardness-dependent manner by DSW. Also, the wound healing assay revealed that DSW inhibited 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA)-induced cell migration in a hardness-dependent manner. DSW also decreased the phosphorylation of various MAPKs, including p38, ERK and JNK, and suppressed the nuclear translocation of NF-κB but not c-Jun. The results suggest that DSW may inhibit cancer cell growth related to iNOS overexpression and PKC-mediated cell migration in HT-29 human colorectal adenocarcinomas and the antimetastatic potential of DSW may be regulated by prevention of NF-κB nuclear translocation via inhibition of p38, ERK and JNK phosphorylation. In conclusion, the present investigation demonstrates that DSW inhibits cancer growth and metastasis via down-regulation of iNOS expression and the MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway.     

Prioritizing non-marine invertebrate taxa for Red Listing

The IUCN Red List of threatened species is biased towards vertebrate animals, a major limitation on its utility for overall biodiversity assessment. There is a need to increase the representation of invertebrates (currently 21 % of species assessed on the List; <1 % of all invertebrates). A prioritisation system of terrestrial and freshwater groups is presented here, categorising taxa by species richness, assessment practicality, value for human land use and bioindication, and potential to act as conservation flagships. 25 major taxonomic groupings were identified as priorities, including the Annelida, Arthropoda, Mollusca, and Onycophora. Of these, the high-level taxa that emerge as highest priorities are Odonata (dragonflies and damselflies), Araneae (spiders), Mantophasmatodea (heelwalkers), Plecoptera (stoneflies), non-marine Mollusca (Bivalvia and Gastropoda), Trichoptera (caddisflies), Coleoptera (beetles), Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies), Oligochaetes (earthworms), Orthoptera (grasshoppers and crickets), Decapoda (crayfish, crabs, shrimps) and Diptera (flies). Of these Red Listing is well advanced for Decapoda, freshwater Mollusca and Odonata. This leaves eight higher taxa with currently a minimum or patchy Red List assessment coverage. We recommend that Red List assessments in future focus on these groups, as well as completion of assessments for terrestrial Molluscs and Odonata. However, we also recommend realism, and as some of groups are very large, it will be necessary to focus on subsets such as certain functionally important or charismatic taxa or on a sampled subset which is representative of a larger taxon.     

Rutin Alleviates Prion Peptide-Induced Cell Death Through Inhibiting Apoptotic Pathway Activation in Dopaminergic Neuronal Cells

Prion disorders are progressive neurodegenerative diseases characterized by extensive neuronal loss and accumulation of the abnormal form of the scrapie prion protein (PrP). Rutin is a flavonoid that occurs naturally in plant-derived beverages and foods and is used in traditional and folkloric medicine worldwide. In the present study, we evaluated the protective effects of rutin against PrP fragment (106–126)-induced neuronal cell death. Rutin treatment blocked PrP(106–126)-mediated increases in reactive oxygen species production and nitric oxide release and helped slowing the decrease of neurotrophic factors that results from PrP accumulation. Rutin attenuated PrP(106–126)-associated mitochondrial apoptotic events by inhibiting mitochondrial permeability transition and caspase-3 activity and blocking expression of the apoptotic signals Bax and PARP. Additionally, rutin treatment significantly decreased the expression of the death receptor Fas and its ligand Fas-L. Overall, our results demonstrated that rutin protects against the neurodegenerative effects of prion accumulation by increasing production of neurotropic factors and inhibiting apoptotic pathway activation in neuronal cells. These results suggested that rutin may have clinical benefits for prion diseases and other neurodegenerative disorders.     

Basic amino acids and dimethylarginines targeted metabolomics discriminates primary hepatocarcinoma from hepatic colorectal metastases

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a very aggressive neoplasia requiring early and accurate diagnosis to improve patient outcomes with timely treatment. The liver is also very frequently colonized by metastases, and the most frequent differential diagnosis is HCC against intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma or metastatic adenocarcinoma. Metabolomics is a powerful tool for identification of altered biomarkers in cancer, and to evaluate the efficacy of drug treatments. Here we analyzed by HILIC-MS/MS methylated arginines, basic amino acids (Arg, Cit, Orn), and their ratios in the extracts of primary HCC tissues, liver metastases from colorectal carcinoma (MET), cirrhotic related hepatitis-C-virus (CIR), and non-cirrhotic normal liver (NT) adjacent tissues. We found high levels of Arg (p < 0.0001) and Arg/Orn (p < 0.01) in MET compared to other tissues. In MET, compared to NT and CIR, Arg concentration was fivefold higher, while in HCC it was twofold higher. ADMA increased twofold compared to NT and CIR, while in HCC it was 50 % higher. Arg/Cit and ADMA/SDMA ratios were significantly higher in MET compared to NT and CIR (p < 0.005). Arg/Orn, Arg/Cit, and ADMA/SDMA ratios increased progressively from NT, CIR, HCC, to MET tissues. Arg/Cit correlated significantly with Arg/Orn ratios (r = 0.77; p < 0.0001), and discriminates tumor from non-tumor samples. In addition, the discriminant lactate/glucose ratio we previously found by NMR, also correlated significantly with the Arg levels (r = 0.64; p < 0.0001), and discriminated MET from all other tissues. The results indicated that Arg in MET is higher than other tissue classes, suggesting that, together with the lactate/glucose ratio, it can be considered a further biomarker for HCC-metastases differentiation.     

The Neuroprotective Effects of α-Iso-cubebene on Dopaminergic Cell Death: Involvement of CREB/Nrf2 Signaling

As a part of ongoing studies to elucidate pharmacologically active components of Schisandra chinensis, we isolated and studied α-iso-cubebene. The neuroprotective mechanisms of α-iso-cubebene in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells were investigated. α-Iso-cubebene significantly inhibited cytotoxicity and apoptosis due to 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced neurotoxicity in dopaminergic SH-SY5Y cells. Pretreatment of cells with α-iso-cubebene reduced intracellular accumulation of ROS and calcium in response to 6-OHDA. The neuroprotective effects of α-iso-cubebene were found to result from protecting the mitochondrial membrane potential. Notably, α-iso-cubebene inhibited the release of apoptosis-inducing factor from the mitochondria into the cytosol and nucleus after 6-OHDA treatment. α-Iso-cubebene also induced the activation of PKA/PKB/CREB/Nrf2 and suppressed 6-OHDA-induced neurotoxicity. α-Iso-cubebene was found to induce phosphorylation of PKA and PKB and activate Nrf2 and CREB signaling pathways in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, α-iso-cubebene stimulated the expression of the antioxidant response genes NQO1 and HO-1. Finally, α-iso-cubebene-mediated neuroprotective effects were found to be reversible after transfection with CREB and Nrf2 small interfering RNAs.     

Molecular evidence to reconcile taxonomic instability in mahseer species (Pisces: Cyprinidae) of India

The mahseers are an important group of fishes endemic to Asia with most species considered threatened. Conservation plans to save declining wild populations are hindered by unstable taxonomy, and detailed systematic review could form a solid platform for future management and conservation. D-loop and cytochrome c oxidase I (COI) mtDNA sequences were examined in nine mahseer species of Tor, Neolissochilus, and Naziritor. Pseudogenes amplified in a portion of the species limited the utility of the D-loop region. ABGD analysis, NJ, ML, and MP methods and genetic distance (TrN?+?I?+?G) using COI data revealed concordant species delimiting patterns. The three genera were monophyletic, separated as distinct clades (TrN?+?I?+?G 0.064 to 0.106), and Naziritor was flagged as a separate genus, distinct from Puntius (TrN?+?I?+?G 0.196). Out of seven nominal species known for Tor cogeners from India, only five were recovered with mtDNA data (TrN?+?I?+?G 0.000 to 0.037) and two species could not be distinguished with the molecular data set employed. Tor mosal, synonymized as Tor putitora, was rediscovered as a distinct species (TrN?+?I?+?G 0.031) based on its type locality. Tor mussulah was confirmed as a separate species (TrN?+?I?+?G 0.019 to 0.026). Two valid species, Tor macrolepis and T. mosal mahanadicus, were not distinct from T. putitora (TrN?+?I?+?G 0.00). The high divergence with mtDNA data failed to validate T. mosal mahanadicus as a subspecies of T. mosal (TrN?+?I?+?G 0.031). Morphological outliers discovered within the distribution range of Tor tor (TrN?+?I?+?G 0.022 to 0.025) shared the same lineage with T. putitora (TrN?+?I?+?G 0.002 to 0.005), indicating a new extended distribution of the Himalayan mahseer T. putitora in the rivers of the Indian central plateau. The findings indicate the need for integrating molecular and morphological tools for taxonomic revision of the Tor and Naziritor genera, so that taxa are precisely defined for accurate in situ and ex situ conservation decisions.     

Bone Metabolism Status and Associated Risk Factors in Elderly Patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

The prevalence of osteoporosis in older patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is higher than in the age-matched elderly patients, but the exact cause in relation to COPD is not clear. We hypothesized that the underlying causes for this difference are related to bone metabolism with the possible risk factors that include the duration of COPD, GOLD grade, cor pulmonale, the frequencies of acute exacerbations within the past year, smoking and inhaled corticosteroid therapy. We conducted a matched-pair study of 100 patients aged older than 65 years at the Southwest Hospital from May to November 2012. The enrolled patients with COPD were matched to controls for age and gender. Clinical characteristics of cohorts were recorded. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry and osteoporosis was diagnosed according to the definition of WHO. All cohorts accepted bone metabolism marker measurement, including Procollagen type 1 aminoterminal propeptide (P1NP), β-C-telopeptides of type I collagen (βCTX), and N-terminal midmolecule fragment osteocalcin (N-MID OC). Statistical analysis was calculated using the student’s t test, ANOVA and multiple regression analysis at a significance level set at a p < 0.05. Circulating biochemical markers of bone formation (P1NP), resorption (βCTX) and turnover (N-MID OC) were significantly lower in the COPD group than control group, while mean 25-OH Vitamin D was similar in two groups. The P1NP, βCTX, and N-MID OC were still lower in men with COPD, but only P1NP was lower in women with COPD compared to that of controls. Multiple regression analysis in COPD group suggests that age, the frequency of acute exacerbation, and BMD are independent risk factors for P1NP. The frequency of acute exacerbation within the past one year and 25-OH D level are independent risk factors for βCTX; the frequency of acute exacerbation is the only independent risk factor for N-MID OC. These were significant differences in bone metabolism in patients with or without COPD. These results should help us to further understand the cause of osteoporosis and fractures and conduce to prevent osteoporosis in patients with COPD.