Possible involvement of neuropeptide Y Y1 receptors in antidepressant like effect of agmatine in rats

Agmatine and neuropeptide Y (NPY) are widely distributed in central nervous system and critically involved in modulation of depressive behavior in experimental animals. However their mutual interaction, if any, in regulation of depression remain largely unexplored. In the present study we explored the possible interaction between agmatine and neuropeptide Y in regulation of depression like behavior in forced swim test. We found that acute intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of agmatine (20–40 μg/rat), NPY (5 and 10 μg/rat) and NPY Y1 receptor agonist, [Leu³¹, Pro³⁴]-NPY (0.4 and 0.8 ng/rat) dose dependently decreased immobility time in forced swim test indicating their antidepressant like effects. In combination studies, the antidepressant like effect of agmatine (10 μg/rat) was significantly potentiated by NPY (1 and 5 μg/rat, icv) or [Leu³¹, Pro³⁴]-NPY (0.2 and 0.4 ng/rat, icv) pretreatment. Conversely, pretreatment of animals with NPY Y1 receptor antagonist, BIBP3226 (0.1 ng/rat, i.c.v.) completely blocked the antidepressant like effect of agmatine (20–40 μg/rat) and its synergistic effect with NPY (1 μg/rat, icv) or [Leu³¹, Pro³⁴]-NPY (0.2 ng/rat, icv). The results of the present study showed that, agmatine exerts antidepressant like effects via NPYergic system possibly mediated by the NPY Y1 receptor subtypes and suggest that interaction between agmatine and neuropeptide Y may be relevant to generate the therapeutic strategies for the treatment of depression.     

[Lys(DOTA)4]BVD15, a novel and potent neuropeptide Y analog designed for Y1 receptor-targeted breast tumor imaging

We substituted a truncated neuropeptide Y (NPY) analog, [Pro³⁰, Tyr³², Leu³⁴]NPY(28-36)NH₂ also called BVD15, at various positions with DOTA (1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7-10-tetraacetic acid) and evaluated the effect of the coupling position with the binding affinity for NPY Y₁ receptors (NPY1R). Our data suggest that [Lys(DOTA)⁴]BVD15 (K_i = 63 ± 25 nM vs. K_i = 39 ± 34 nM for BVD15) is a potent NPY analog suitable for radiolabeling with metallo positron emitters for PET imaging of breast cancer.     

Neuropeptide Y and its receptor analogs differentially modulate the immunoreactivity for neuronal or endothelial nitric oxide synthase in the rat brain following focal ischemia with reperfusion

Summary An intracerebroventricular (icv) injection of neuropeptide Y (NPY) or [Leu³¹, Pro³⁴]-NPY (non-Y2 receptor agonist) given during middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) increases the infarct volume and nitric oxide (NO) overproduction in the rat brain. An icv injection of NPY3-36 (non-Y1 receptor agonist) has no effects, while BIBP3226 (selective Y1 receptor antagonist) reduces the infarct volume and NO overproduction. This study examined the effects of NPY or its receptor analog on the immunoreactivity (ir) for three isoforms of NO synthase (NOS) following 1h of MCAO and 3h of reperfusion. Focal ischemia/reperfusion led to increased ir for neuronal NOS (nNOS) within the ipsilateral caudate putamen and insular cortex. NPY or [Leu³¹, Pro³⁴]-NPY enhanced but BIBP3226 suppressed such increase in the nNOS-ir. Focal ischemia/reperfusion also led to an ipsilateral increase in extent and/or intensity of the ir for endothelial NOS (eNOS) in the caudate putamen and/or parietal cortex. NPY or [Leu³¹, Pro³⁴]-NPY suppressed but BIBP3226 enhanced such change in the eNOS-ir. NPY3-36 did not consistently influence the nNOS-ir or eNOS-ir following MCAO. Specific ir for inducible NOS was undetectable. These opposing effects of NPY-Y1 receptor activation or inhibition on nNOS and eNOS may lead to harmful or beneficial consequences following ischemia/reperfusion.     

Neuropeptide Y-Y1 receptor agonist worsens while antagonist improves survival of cultured Y1-expressing neuronal cells following oxygen and glucose deprivation

In this in vitro study, we investigated the influence of neuropeptide Y (NPY) Y1 receptor activation or inhibition on the viability of cultured neuronal or glial cells following oxygen glucose deprivation (OGD). Viability of cultured cells was assessed using 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide. When compared to the vehicle-treated control group, treatment with NPY or [Leu³¹,Pro³⁴]-NPY (Y1 agonist) reduced viability of cultured SK-N-MC (Y1-expressing) human neuronal cells at 24 h after 1 h of OGD, while BIBP3226 (Y1 antagonist) improved viability. Except at the highest concentration of NPY used in the study, treatment with NPY or NPY3-36 (Y2 agonist) did not influence viability of cultured SH-SY5Y (Y2-expressing) human neuronal cells at 24 h after 1 h of OGD. In addition, treatment with NPY, [Leu³¹,Pro³⁴]-NPY, NPY3-36, or BIBP3226 did not affect viability of cultured primary astrocytes at 24 h after 4 h of OGD. The present results agree with those of a recent in vivo study. Activation of NPY-Y1 receptors may mediate ischemic pathophysiological processes, and inhibiting the Y1 receptors may be protective. The combination of OGD and cultured neuronal cells may be useful in future studies on the neuroprotective and harmful mechanisms of NPY-Y1 receptor inhibition and activation during ischemia, respectively.     

Spinal neuropeptide expression and neuropathic behavior in the acute and chronic phases after spinal cord injury: Effects of progesterone administration

Patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) develop chronic pain that severely compromises their quality of life. We have previously reported that progesterone (PG), a neuroprotective steroid, could offer a promising therapeutic strategy for neuropathic pain. In the present study, we explored temporal changes in the expression of the neuropeptides galanin and tyrosine (NPY) and their receptors (GalR1 and GalR2; Y1R and Y2R, respectively) in the injured spinal cord and evaluated the impact of PG administration on both neuropeptide systems and neuropathic behavior. Male rats were subjected to spinal cord hemisection at T13 level, received daily subcutaneous injections of PG or vehicle, and were evaluated for signs of mechanical and thermal allodynia. Real time PCR was used to determine relative mRNA levels of neuropeptides and receptors, both in the acute (1 day) and chronic (28 days) phases after injury. A significant increase in Y1R and Y2R expression, as well as a significant downregulation in GalR2 mRNA levels, was observed 1 day after SCI. Interestingly, PG early treatment prevented Y1R upregulation and resulted in lower NPY, Y2R and GalR1 mRNA levels. In the chronic phase, injured rats showed well-established mechanical and cold allodynia and significant increases in galanin, NPY, GalR1 and Y1R mRNAs, while maintaining reduced GalR2 expression. Animals receiving PG treatment showed basal expression levels of galanin, NPY, GalR1 and Y1R, and reduced Y2R mRNA levels. Also, and in line with previously published observations, PG-treated animals did not develop mechanical allodynia and showed reduced sensitivity to cold stimulation. Altogether, we show that SCI leads to considerable changes in the spinal expression of galanin, NPY and their associated receptors, and that early and sustained PG administration prevents them. Moreover, our data suggest the participation of galaninergic and NPYergic systems in the plastic changes associated with SCI-induced neuropathic pain, and further supports the therapeutic potential of PG- or neuropeptide-based therapies to prevent and/or treat chronic pain after central injuries.     

Mixotrophy in the newly described dinoflagellate Yihiella yeosuensis: A small,fast dinoflagellate predator that grows mixotrophically,but not autotrophically

To investigate tropical roles of the newly described Yihiella yeosuensis (ca. 8 μm in cell size), one of the smallest phototrophic dinoflagellates in marine ecosystems, its trophic mode and the types of prey species that Y. yeosuensis can feed upon were explored. Growth and ingestion rates of Y. yeosuensis on its optimal prey, Pyramimonas sp. (Prasinophyceae), as a function of prey concentration were measured. Additionally, growth and ingestion rates of Y. yeosuensis on the other edible prey, Teleaulax sp. (Cryptophyceae), were also determined for a single prey concentration at which both these rates of Y. yeosuensis on Pyramimonas sp. were saturated. Among bacteria and diverse algal prey tested, Y. yeosuensis fed only on small Pyramimonas sp. and Teleaulax sp. (both cell sizes = 5.6 μm). With increasing mean prey concentrations, both specific growth and ingestion rates of Y. yeosuensis increased rapidly before saturating at a mean Pyramimonas concentration of 109 ng C mL⁻¹ (2725 cells mL⁻¹). The maximum growth rate (mixotrophic growth) of Y. yeosuensis fed with Pyramimonas sp. at 20 °C under a 14:10-h light-dark cycle of 20 μE m⁻² s⁻¹ was 1.32 d⁻¹, whereas the growth rate of Y. yeosuensis without added prey was 0.026 d⁻¹. The maximum ingestion rate of Y. yeosuensis fed with Pyramimonas sp. was 0.37 ng C predator⁻¹ d⁻¹ (9.3 cells predator⁻¹ d⁻¹). At a Teleaulax concentration of 1130 ng C mL⁻¹ (66,240 cells mL⁻¹), growth and ingestion rates of Y. yeosuensis fed with Teleaulax sp. were 1.285 d⁻¹ and 0.38 ng C predator⁻¹ d⁻¹ (22.4 cells predator⁻¹ d⁻¹), respectively. Thus, Y. yeosuensis rarely grows without mixotrophy, and mixotrophy supports high growth rates in Y. yeosuensis. Y. yeosuensis has the highest maximum mixotrophic growth rate with the exception of Ansanella graniferaamong engulfment feeding mixotrophic dinoflagellates. However, the high swimming speed of Y. yeosuensis (1572 μm s⁻¹), almost the highest among phototrophic dinoflagellates, may prevent autotrophic growth. This evidence suggests that Y. yeosuensis may be an effective mixotrophic dinoflagellate predator on Pyramimonas and Teleaulax, and occurs abundantly during or after blooms of these two prey species.     

Cellular and molecular mechanisms of 17β-estradiol postconditioning protection against gastric mucosal injury induced by ischemia/reperfusion in rats

AimsTo investigate the protective effects of 17β-estradiol postconditioning against ischemia/reperfusion (I–R)-induced gastric mucosal injury in rats.Main methodsThe animal model of gastric ischemia/reperfusion was established by clamping of the celiac artery for 30 min and reperfusion for 30 min, 1 h, 3 h, 6 h, 12 h or 24 h. 17β-estradiol at doses of 5, 50 or 100 μg/kg (rat) was administered via peripheral veins 2 min before reperfusion. In a subgroup of rats, the estrogen receptor antagonist fulvestrant (Ful, 2 mg/kg) was intravenously injected prior to 17β-estradiol administration. Histological and immunohistochemical methods were employed to assess the gastric mucosal injury index and gastric mucosal cell apoptosis and proliferation. The malondialdehyde (MDA) concentration, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity, xanthine oxidase (XOD) activity and hydroxyl free radical (–OH) inhibitory ability were determined by colorimetric assays. Subsequently, the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax in rat gastric mucosa was examined by western blotting.Key findings17β-estradiol dose-dependently inhibited gastric I–R (GI–R) injury, and 17β-estradiol (50 μg/kg) markedly attenuated GI–R injury 1 h after reperfusion. 17β-estradiol inhibited gastric mucosal cell apoptosis and promoted gastric mucosal cell proliferation in addition to increasing SOD activity and –OH inhibitory ability and decreasing the MDA content and XOD activity. The Bax protein level increased 1 h after GI–R and was markedly reduced by intravenous administration of 17β-estradiol. In contrast, the level of Bcl-2 protein decreased 1 h after GI–R and was restored to normal levels by intravenous administration of 17β-estradiol. These effects of 17β-estradiol were inhibited by pretreatment with fulvestrant.Significance17β-estradiol postconditioning should be investigated further as a possible strategy against gastric mucosal injury.     

Improved β-carotene production of Rhodotorula glutinis in fermented radish brine by continuous cultivation

Fermentation kinetics of growth and β-carotene production by Rhodotorula glutinis DM28 in batch and continuous cultures using fermented radish brine, a waste generated from fermented vegetable industry, as a cultivation medium were investigated. The suitable brine concentration for β-carotene production by R. glutinis DM28 was 30 g l^?1. Its growth and β-carotene production obtained by batch culture in shake flasks were 2.2 g l^?1 and 87 μg l^?1, respectively, while, in a bioreactor were 2.6 g l^?1 and 186 μg l^?1, respectively. Furthermore, its maximum growth rate and β-carotene productivity in continuous culture obtained at the dilution rate of 0.24 h^?1 were 0.3 g l^?1 h^?1 and 19 μg l^?1 h^?1, respectively, which were significantly higher than those in the batch. Therefore, improved growth rate and β-carotene productivity of R. glutinis in fermented radish brine could be accomplished by continuous cultivation.     

Design,synthesis and evaluation of novel indandione derivatives as multifunctional agents with cholinesterase inhibition,anti-β-amyloid aggregation,antioxidant and neuroprotection properties against Alzheimer’s disease

A series of novel 2-(4-(4-substituted piperazin-1-yl)benzylidene)-1H-indene-1,3(2H)-diones were designed, synthesized and appraised as multifunctional anti-Alzheimer agents. In vitro studies of compounds 27–38 showed that these compounds exhibit moderate to excellent AChE, BuChE and Aβ aggregation inhibitory activity. Notably, compounds 34 and 38 appeared as most active multifunctional agents in the entire series and exhibited excellent inhibition against AChE (IC₅₀ = 0.048 μM: 34; 0.036 μM: 38), Aβ aggregation (max% inhibition 82.2%, IC₅₀ = 9.2 μM: 34; max% inhibition 80.9%, IC₅₀ = 10.11 μM: 38) and displayed significant antioxidant potential in ORAC-FL assay. Both compounds also successfully diminished H₂O₂ induced oxidative stress in SH-SY5Y cells. Fascinatingly, compounds 34 and 38 showed admirable neuroprotective effects against H₂O₂ and Aβ induced toxicity in SH-SY5Y cells. Additionally, both derivatives showed no considerable toxicity in neuronal cell viability assay and represented drug likeness properties in the primarily pharmacokinetics study. All these results together, propelled out that compounds 34 and 38 might serve as promising multi-functional lead candidates for treatment of AD in the future.     

Bioprocess strategies for mass multiplication of and metabolite synthesis by plant growth promoting pseudomonads for agronomical applications

The exponential substrate feeding (open-loop) and automated feedback substrate feeding (closed loop) strategies were developed to obtain high cell densities of fluorescent pseudomonad strains R62 and R81 and enhanced production of antifungal compound 2,4-diacetylphloroglucinol (DAPG) from glycerol as a sole carbon source. The exponential feeding strategy resulted in increased glycerol accumulation during the fed-batch cultivation when the predetermined specific growth rate (μ) was set at 0.10 or 0.20 h^?1 (<μ_m = 0.29 h^?1). Automated feeding strategies using dissolved oxygen (DO) or pH as feedback signals resulted in minimal to zero accumulation of glycerol for both the strains. In case of DO-based feeding strategy, biomass productivity of 0.24 g/(L h) and 0.29 g/(L h) was obtained for R62 and R81, respectively. Using pH-based feeding strategy, biomass productivity could be increased to a maximum of 0.51 and 0.54 g/(L h), for the strains R62 and R81, respectively, whereas the DAPG concentration was enhanced to 298 mg/L for R62 and 342 mg/L for R81 strains. These yields of DAPG are thus far the highest reported from GRAS organisms.     

Enhanced decolorization and biodegradation of textile azo dye Scarlet R by using developed microbial consortium-GR

A developed consortium-GR, consisting of Proteus vulgaris NCIM-2027 (PV) and Micrococcus glutamicus NCIM-2168 (MG), completely decolorized an azo dye Scarlet R under static anoxic condition with an average decolorization rate of 16,666 μg h^?1; which is much faster than that of the pure cultures (PV, 3571 μg h^?1; MG, 2500 μg h^?1). Consortium-GR gave best decolorization performance with nearly complete mineralization of Scarlet R (over 90% TOC and COD reduction) within 3 h, much shorter relative to the individual strains. Induction in the riboflavin reductase and NADH–DCIP reductase was observed in the consortium, suggesting the involvement of these enzymes during the fast decolorization process. The FTIR and GC–MS analysis showed that 1,4-benzenediamine was formed during decolorization/degradation of Scarlet R by consortium-GR. Phytotoxicity studies revealed no toxicity of the biodegraded products of Scarlet R by consortium-GR. In addition, consortium-GR applied for mixture of industrial dyes showed 88% decolorization under static condition with significant reduction in TOC (62%) and COD (68%) within 72 h, suggesting potential application of this microbial consortium in bioremediation of dye-containing wastewater.     

An aromatic amino acid within intracellular loop 2 of the prostaglandin EP2 receptor is a prerequisite for selective association and activation of Gαs

We previously demonstrated that the aromatic moiety of Tyr¹⁴³ within the intracellular loop 2 (ICL2) region of the prostaglandin EP2 receptor plays a crucial role in Gs coupling. Here we investigated whether the ICL2 of the EP2 receptor directly binds to Gαs and whether an aromatic moiety affects this interaction. In Chinese hamster ovary cells, mutations of Tyr¹⁴³ reduced the ability of the EP2 receptor to interact with G proteins as demonstrated by GTPγS sensitivity, as well as the ability of agonist-induced cAMP formation, with the rank order of Phe > Tyr (wild-type) = Trp > Leu > Ala (= 0). We found that the wild-type ICL2 peptide (i2Y) and its mutant with Phe at Tyr¹⁴³ (i2F) inhibited receptor-G protein complex formation of wild-type EP2 in membranes, whereas the Ala-substituted mutant (i2A) did not. Specific interactions between these peptides and the Gαs protein were detected by surface plasmon resonance, but Gαs showed different association rates, with a rank order of i2F > i2Y ≫ i2A, with similar dissociation rates. Moreover, i2F and i2Y, but not i2A activated membrane adenylyl cyclase. These results indicate that the ICL2 region of the EP2 receptor is its potential interaction site with Gαs, and that the aromatic side chain moiety at position 143 is a determinant for the accessibility of the ICL2 to the Gαs protein.     

Fluoxetine, 17-β estradiol or folic acid combined with intra-lateral septal infusions of neuropeptide Y produced antidepressant-like actions in ovariectomized rats forced to swim

Folic acid is antidepressant, either alone or combined with several antidepressant drugs. However, the antidepressant-like actions of folic acid combined with intra-lateral septal (LSN) infusions of neuropeptide Y (NPY) in the forced swimming test (FST) have not been tested before. Thus, systemic injections of fluoxetine (20.0 mg/kg, P < 0.05; s.c.) or 17-β estradiol (10.0 μg/rat, P < 0.05; s.c.) or oral administrations of folic acid (50.0 mg/kg, P < 0.05; 75.0 mg/kg, P < 0.05) or NPY intra-LSN (3.0 μg, P < 0.05; 3.5 μg, P < 0.05) reduced immobility of ovariectomized Wistar rats. Subthreshold doses of: folic acid (25.0 mg/kg) or 17-β estradiol (5.0 μg/rat, P < 0.05) or fluoxetine (15.0 mg/kg, P < 0.05; s.c.) combined with subthreshold doses of NPY (2.5 μg/rat, P < 0.05; intra-LSN) and these combinations produced antidepressant-like actions; which were canceled by BIBP 3226 (a NPY-Y1 receptor antagonist). It is concluded that folic acid produced antidepressant-like effects probably through the participation of the NPY Y1 receptors found in the lateral septal nuclei.     

Growth of eight Gambierdiscus (Dinophyceae) species: Effects of temperature,salinity and irradiance

Little is known about how the growth of individual Gambierdiscus species responds to environmental factors. This study examined the effects of temperature (15–34 °C), salinity (15–41) and irradiance (2–664 μmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹) on growth of Gambierdiscus: G. australes, G. belizeanus, G. caribaeus, G. carolinianus, G. carpenteri, G. pacificus and G. ruetzleri and one putative new species, Gambierdiscus ribotype 2. Depending on species, temperatures where maximum growth occurred varied between 26.5 and 31.1 °C. The upper and lower thermal limits for all species were between 31–34 °C and 15–21 °C, respectively. The shapes of the temperature vs. growth curves indicated that even small differences of 1–2 °C notably affected growth potentials. Salinities where maximum growth occurred varied between 24.7 and 35, while the lowest salinities supporting growth ranged from <14 to 20.9. These data indicated that Gambierdiscus species are more tolerant of lower salinities than is generally appreciated. Growth of all species began to decline markedly as salinities exceed 35.1–39.4. The highest salinity tested in this study (41), however, was lethal to only one species, Gambierdiscus ribotype 2. The combined salinity data indicated that differences in salinity regimes may affect relative species abundances and distributions, particularly when salinities are <20 and >35. All eight Gambierdiscus species were adapted to relatively low light conditions, exhibiting growth maxima at 50–230 μmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹ and requiring only 6–17 μmol photons m⁻² s⁻¹ to maintain growth. These low light requirements indicate that Gambierdiscus growth can occur up to 150 m depth in tropical waters, with optimal light regimes often extending to 75 m. The combined temperature, salinity and light requirements of Gambierdiscus can be used to define latitudinal ranges and species-specific habitats, as well as to inform predictive models.     

Evaluation of (Z)-2-((1-benzyl-1H-indol-3-yl)methylene)-quinuclidin-3-one analogues as novel,high affinity ligands for CB1 and CB2 cannabinoid receptors

A small library of N-benzyl indolequinuclidinone (IQD) analogs has been identified as a novel class of cannabinoid ligands. The affinity and selectivity of these IQDs for the two established cannabinoid receptor subtypes, CB1 and CB2, was evaluated. Compounds 8 (R = R² = H, R¹ = F) and 13 (R = COOCH₃, R¹ = R² = H) exhibited high affinity for CB2 receptors with K_i values of 1.33 and 2.50 nM, respectively, and had lower affinities for the CB1 receptor (K_i values of 9.23 and 85.7 nM, respectively). Compound 13 had the highest selectivity of all the compounds examined, and represents a potent cannabinoid ligand with 34-times greater selectivity for CB2R over CB1R. These findings are significant for future drug development, given recent reports demonstrating beneficial use of cannabinoid ligands in a wide variety of human disease states including drug abuse, depression, schizophrenia, inflammation, chronic pain, obesity, osteoporosis and cancer.     

Eye lens dose correlations with personal dose equivalent and patient exposure in paediatric interventional cardiology performed with a fluoroscopic biplane system

PurposeTo analyse the correlations between the eye lens dose estimates performed with dosimeters placed next to the eyes of paediatric interventional cardiologists working with a biplane system, the personal dose equivalent measured on the thorax and the patient dose.MethodsThe eye lens dose was estimated in terms of H_p(0.07) on a monthly basis, placing optically stimulated luminescence dosimeters (OSLDs) on goggles. The H_p(0.07) personal dose equivalent was measured over aprons with whole-body OSLDs. Data on patient dose as recorded by the kerma-area product (P_KA) were collected using an automatic dose management system. The 2 paediatric cardiologists working in the facility were involved in the study, and 222 interventions in a 1-year period were evaluated. The ceiling-suspended screen was often disregarded during interventions.ResultsThe annual eye lens doses estimated on goggles were 4.13 ± 0.93 and 4.98 ± 1.28 mSv. Over the aprons, the doses obtained were 10.83 ± 0.99 and 11.97 ± 1.44 mSv. The correlation between the goggles and the apron dose was R² = 0.89, with a ratio of 0.38. The correlation with the patient dose was R² = 0.40, with a ratio of 1.79 μSv Gy⁻¹ cm⁻². The dose per procedure obtained over the aprons was 102 ± 16 μSv, and on goggles 40 ± 9 μSv. The eye lens dose normalized to P_KA was 2.21 ± 0.58 μSv Gy⁻¹ cm⁻².ConclusionsMeasurements of personal dose equivalent over the paediatric cardiologist’s apron are useful to estimate eye lens dose levels if no radiation protection devices are typically used.     

Effects of supplemental light quality on growth and phytochemicals of baby leaf lettuce

Using UV-A, blue (B), green (G), red (R), and far-red (FR) light-emitting diodes (LEDs), we investigated the effects of different supplemental light qualities on phytochemicals and growth of ‘Red Cross’ baby leaf lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) grown at a high planting density under white fluorescent lamps as the main light source inside a growth chamber. Photon flux added by supplemental LEDs for UV-A, B, G, R and FR were 18, 130, 130, 130 and 160 μmol m^?2 s^?1, respectively. Photosynthetic photon flux (PPF, 400–700 nm), photoperiod, and air temperature (day/night) was 300 μmol m^?2 s^?1, 16 h, and 25 °C/20 °C in all treatments including white light control. After 12 days of light quality treatment (22 days after germination), phytochemical concentration and growth of lettuce plants were significant affected by light treatments. Anthocyanins concentration increased by 11% and 31% with supplemental UV-A and B, respectively, carotenoids concentration increased by 12% with supplemental B, phenolics concentration increased by 6% with supplemental R while supplemental FR decreased anthocyanins, carotenoids and chlorophyll concentration by 40%, 11% and 14%, respectively, compared to those in the white light control. The fresh weight, dry weight, stem length, leaf length and leaf width significantly increased by 28%, 15%, 14%, 44% and 15%, respectively, with supplemental FR light compare to white light, presumably due to enhanced light interception by enlarged leaf area under supplemental FR light. Although the mechanisms of changes in phytochemicals under different supplemental light quality are not well known, the results demonstrated that supplemental light quality could be strategically used to enhance nutritional value and growth of baby leaf lettuce grown under white light.     

Esculentin-2CHa: A host-defense peptide with differential cytotoxicity against bacteria,erythrocytes and tumor cells

The host-defense peptide, esculentin-2CHa (GFSSIFRGVA¹⁰KFASKGLGK D²⁰LAKLGVDLVA³⁰ CKISKQC) shows potent (MIC ≤ 6 μM) growth inhibitory activity against clinical isolates of multidrug-resistant strains of Staphylococcus aureus, Acinetobacter baumannii, and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia and differential cytotoxic activity against human erythrocytes (LC₅₀ = 150 μM) and human non-small cell lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells (LC₅₀ = 10 μM). Esculentin-2CHa significantly (P < 0.01) stimulates the release of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 by mouse lymphoid cells and elevates its production after stimulation with concanavalin A and significantly (P < 0.05) stimulates TNF-α production by peritoneal macrophages. Effects on IL-6 and IL-1β production were not significant. Removal of the hydrophobic N-terminal hexapeptide (GFSSIF) from esculentin-2CHa results in abolition of growth inhibitory activity against S. aureus and cytotoxic activity against erythrocytes and A549 cells as well as a marked (≥16-fold) reduction in potency against A. baumannii and S. maltophilia. The primary structure of esculentin-2 has been poorly conserved between frog species but evolutionary pressure has acted to maintain the hydrophobic character of this N-terminal hexapeptide sequence. Removal of the cyclic C-terminal domain (CKISKQC) and replacement of the Cys³¹ and Cys³⁷ residues by serine resulted in appreciable decreases in cytotoxicity against all microorganisms and against mammalian cells. The more cationic [D20K, D27K] analog showed a modest increase in potency against all microorganisms (up to 4-fold) but a marked increase in cytotoxicity against erythrocytes (LC₅₀ = 11 μM) and A549 cells (LC₅₀ = 3 μM).     

Cultivation impacts soil microbial dynamics in dry tropical forest ecosystem in India

We studied for two years the seasonal changes in plant available nitrate and ammonium nitrogen (N), nitrification, N-mineralization, microbial biomass carbon (MBC), nitrogen (MBN) and phosphorus (MBP) in two forest and three cropland sites, derived from a tropical forest ecosystem of India. Results indicated that seasonal values of nitrate N, ammonium N and phosphate P ranged from 7.33–12.99, 5.1–10.22 and 4.0–7.8 μg g^?1 in forest and 4.13–9.26, 9.35–14.46 and 2.8–5.8 μg g^?1 in cropland ecosystems, respectively, with maximum values in summer and minimum in rainy seasons. Nitrification and N-mineralization values varied from 6–28 and 4–26 μg g^?1 mo^?1 in forest and 3–14 μg g^?1 mo^?1 and 4–17 μg g^?1 mo^?1 in cropland, with maximum values in rainy season and minimum in summer season.MBC, MBN MBP ranged from 393–753, 34–80 and 16–36 μg g^?1 in forests and 186–414, 21–41 and 11–22 μg g^?1 in croplands, being maximum in summer and minimum in rainy seasons. There was gradual increase in the values of inorganic N, nitrification, N-mineralization and MBC, MBN and MBP along the age of cropland. Analysis of variance indicated significant difference in the concentration of inorganic N, nitrification and N-mineralization and MBC, MBN and MBP due to sites and seasons.Cultivation caused decline in the mean annual organic C, N and P by 42%, 29% and 13%. The values of nitrate N were decreased by 23–38%, while ammonium N was increased by 39–74%. Nitrification and N-mineralization values were reduced by 39–63% and 40–60%, respectively. Microbial C, N and P were reduced by 44–54%, 41–50% and 28–44%, respectively. Nonetheless, the contribution of soil microbial biomass reflected in total N was enhanced from 4.76% in forest to 5.03% in cropland ecosystem. Enhancement of plant available ammonium-N and microbial contribution in total N are an indicator of natural conserving mechanism to check the nitrogen loss from the nutrient poor agro-ecosystem.     

The effects of NH4+ and NO3− on growth,resource allocation and nitrogen uptake kinetics of Phragmites australis and Glyceria maxima

The effects of NH₄⁺ or NO₃⁻ on growth, resource allocation and nitrogen (N) uptake kinetics of two common helophytes Phragmites australis (Cav.) Trin. ex Steudel and Glyceria maxima (Hartm.) Holmb. were studied in semi steady-state hydroponic cultures. At a steady-state nitrogen availability of 34 μM the growth rate of Phragmites was not affected by the N form (mean RGR = 35.4 mg g⁻¹ d⁻¹), whereas the growth rate of Glyceria was 16% higher in NH₄⁺-N cultures than in NO₃⁻-N cultures (mean = 66.7 and 57.4 mg g⁻¹ d⁻¹ of NH₄⁺ and NO₃⁻ treated plants, respectively). Phragmites and Glyceria had higher S/R ratio in NH₄⁺ cultures than in NO₃⁻ cultures, 123.5 and 129.7%, respectively.Species differed in the nitrogen utilisation. In Glyceria, the relative tissue N content was higher than in Phragmites and was increased in NH₄⁺ treated plants by 16%. The tissue NH₄⁺ concentration (mean = 1.6 μmol g fresh wt⁻¹) was not affected by N treatment, whereas NO₃⁻ contents were higher in NO₃⁻ (mean = 1.5 μmol g fresh wt⁻¹) than in NH₄⁺ (mean = 0.4 μmol g fresh wt⁻¹) treated plants. In Phragmites, NH₄⁺ (mean = 1.6 μmol g fresh wt⁻¹) and NO₃⁻ (mean = 0.2 μmol g fresh wt⁻¹) contents were not affected by the N regime. Species did not differ in NH₄⁺ (mean = 56.5 μmol g⁻¹ root dry wt h⁻¹) and NO₃⁻ (mean = 34.5 μmol g⁻¹ root dry wt h⁻¹) maximum uptake rates (V_max), and V_max for NH₄⁺ uptake was not affected by N treatment. The uptake rate of NO₃⁻ was low in NH₄⁺ treated plants, and an induction phase for NO₃⁻ was observed in NH₄⁺ treated Phragmites but not in Glyceria. Phragmites had low K_m (mean = 4.5 μM) and high affinity (10.3 l g⁻¹ root dry wt h⁻¹) for both ions compared to Glyceria (K_m = 6.3 μM, affinity = 8.0 l g⁻¹ root dry wt h⁻¹). The results showed different plasticity of Phragmites and Glyceria toward N source. The positive response to NH₄⁺-N source may participates in the observed success of Glyceria at NH₄⁺ rich sites, although other factors have to be considered. Higher plasticity of Phragmites toward low nutrient availability may favour this species at oligotrophic sites.