Enhanced inhibition of Aspergillus niger on sedge (Lepironia articulata) treated with heat‐cured lime oil

Aims

This study aimed to examine heat curing effect (30–100°C) on antifungal activities of lime oil and its components (limonene, p‐cymene, β‐pinene and α‐pinene) at concentrations ranging from 100 to 300 μl ml^?1 against Aspergillus niger in microbiological medium and to optimize heat curing of lime oil for efficient mould control on sedge (Lepironia articulata).

Methods and Results

Broth dilution method was employed to determine lime oil minimum inhibitory concentration, which was at 90 μl ml^?1 with heat curing at 70°C. Limonene, a main component of lime oil, was an agent responsible for temperature dependencies of lime oil activities observed. Response surface methodology was used to construct the mathematical model describing a time period of zero mould growth on sedge as functions of heat curing temperature and lime oil concentration. Heat curing of 90 μl ml^?1 lime oil at 70°C extended a period of zero mould growth on sedge to 18 weeks under moist conditions.

Conclusions

Heat curing at 70°C best enhanced antifungal activity of lime oil against A. niger both in medium and on sedge.

Significance and Impact of the Study

Heat curing of lime oil has potential to be used to enhance the antifungal safety of sedge products.     

Induction of apoptosis and inhibition of cell growth by <Emphasis Type="Italic">tbx5</Emphasis> knockdown contribute to dysmorphogenesis in Zebrafish embryos

Background  

The tbx5 mutation in human causes Holt-Oram syndrome, an autosomal dominant condition characterized by a familial history of congenital heart defects and preaxial radial upper-limb defects. We report aberrant apoptosis and dormant cell growth over head, heart, trunk, fin, and tail of zebrafish embryos with tbx5 deficiency correspond to the dysmorphogenesis of tbx5 morphants.     

Decreased response inhibition in middle-aged male patients with type 2 diabetes

Background  

This study was performed to examine whether patients with type 2 diabetes have cognitive deficits associated with the prefrontal cortex (PFC).     

A receptor fusion protein for the inhibition of murine oncostatin M

Background  

Most cytokines signal through heteromeric receptor complexes consisting of two or more different receptor subunits. Fusion proteins of the extracellular parts of receptor subunits turned out to be promising cytokine inhibitors useful in anti-cytokine therapy and cytokine research.     

Induction and inhibition of oocyte maturation by EDCs in zebrafish

Background  

Oocyte maturation in lower vertebrates is triggered by maturation-inducing hormone (MIH), which acts on unidentified receptors on the oocyte surface and induces the activation of maturation-promoting factor (MPF) in the oocyte cytoplasm. We previously described the induction of oocyte maturation in fish by an endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDC), diethylstilbestrol (DES), a nonsteroidal estrogen.     

Combining chemical genomics screens in yeast to reveal spectrum of effects of chemical inhibition of sphingolipid biosynthesis

Background  

Single genome-wide screens for the effect of altered gene dosage on drug sensitivity in the model organism Saccharomyces cerevisiae provide only a partial picture of the mechanism of action of a drug.     

Monocytes are essential for inhibition of synovial T-cell glucocorticoid-mediated apoptosis in rheumatoid arthritis

Introduction  

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is characterized by synovial inflammation with local accumulation of mononuclear cells such as macrophages and lymphocytes. We previously demonstrated that intra-articular glucocorticoids decrease the synovial tissue (ST) T-cell population and therefore aimed to investigate whether this is mediated through modulation of apoptosis.     

Role of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Leishmania (Leishmania) chagasi</Emphasis> amastigote cysteine protease in intracellular parasite survival: studies by gene disruption and antisense mRNA inhibition

Background  

The parasitic protozoa belonging to Leishmania (L.) donovani complex possess abundant, developmentally regulated cathepsin L-like cysteine proteases. Previously, we have reported the isolation of cysteine protease gene, Ldccys2 from Leishmania (L.) chagasi. Here, we have further characterized this cysteine protease gene and demonstrated its role during infection and survival of Leishmania (L.) chagasi within the U937 macrophage cells.     

Herd prevalence of Enterobacteriaceae producing CTX‐M‐type and CMY‐2 β‐lactamases among Japanese dairy farms

Aims

To determine the herd prevalence of Enterobacteriaceae producing CTX‐M‐type extended‐spectrum β‐lactamases (ESBLs) among 381 dairy farms in Japan.

Methods and Results

Between 2007 and 2009, we screened 897 faecal samples using BTB lactose agar plates containing cefotaxime (2 μg ml^?1). Positive isolates were tested using ESBL confirmatory tests, PCR and sequencing for CTX‐M, AmpC, TEM and SHV. The incidence of Enterobacteriaceae producing CTX‐M‐15 (n = 7), CTX‐M‐2 (n = 12), CTX‐M‐14 (n = 3), CMY‐2 (n = 2) or CTX‐M‐15/2/14 and CMY‐2 (n = 4) in bovine faeces was 28/897 (3·1%) faecal samples. These genes had spread to Escherichia coli (n = 23) and three genera of Enterobacteriaceae (n = 5). Herd prevalence was found to be 20/381 (5·2%) dairy farms. The 23 E. coli isolates showed clonal diversity, as assessed by multilocus sequence typing and pulsed‐field gel electrophoresis. The pandemic E. coli strain ST131 producing CTX‐M‐15 or CTX‐M‐27 was not detected.

Conclusions

Three clusters of CTX‐M (CTX‐M‐15, CTX‐M‐2, CTX‐M‐14) had spread among Japanese dairy farms.

Significance and Impact of the Study

This is the first report on the prevalence of multidrug‐resistant CTX‐M‐15–producing E. coli among Japanese dairy farms.     

Synthesis and characterization of core-shell Fe<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>4</Subscript>-gold-chitosan nanostructure

Background  

Fe₃O₄-gold-chitosan core-shell nanostructure can be used in biotechnological and biomedical applications such as magnetic bioseparation, water and wastewater treatment, biodetection and bioimaging, drug delivery, and cancer treatment.     

Histone deacetylase inhibition alters dendritic cells to assume a tolerogenic phenotype and ameliorates arthritis in SKG mice

Introduction  

The purpose of this study was to elucidate the effects of histone deacetylase inhibition on the phenotype and function of dendritic cells and on arthritis in SKG mice.     

Optical biosensor differentiates signaling of endogenous PAR<Subscript>1</Subscript> and PAR<Subscript>2</Subscript> in A431 cells

Background  

Protease activated receptors (PARs) consist of a family of four G protein-coupled receptors. Many types of cells express several PARs, whose physiological significance is mostly unknown.     

A systems biology framework for modeling metabolic enzyme inhibition of Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Background  

Because metabolism is fundamental in sustaining microbial life, drugs that target pathogen-specific metabolic enzymes and pathways can be very effective. In particular, the metabolic challenges faced by intracellular pathogens, such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis, residing in the infected host provide novel opportunities for therapeutic intervention.     

Molecular characterization of the PhoPQ-PmrD-PmrAB mediated pathway regulating polymyxin B resistance in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Klebsiella pneumoniae</Emphasis> CG43

Background  

The cationic peptide antibiotic polymyxin has recently been reevaluated in the treatment of severe infections caused by gram negative bacteria.     

Characterization of exceptionally thermostable single-stranded DNA-binding proteins from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Thermotoga maritima</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Thermotoga neapolitana</Emphasis>

Background  

In recent years, there has been an increasing interest in SSBs because they find numerous applications in diverse molecular biology and analytical methods.     

Glucosamine suppresses proliferation of human prostate carcinoma DU145 cells through inhibition of STAT3 signaling

Background  

Glucosamine is known as a toxic agent for several malignant cell lines and transplanted tumors with little toxicity to normal host tissues. However, the mechanisms underlying anticancer activity of glucosamine are poorly understood. To study the mechanisms, the human prostate cancer DU145 cells were used for the model.     

Decrypting the H-NS-dependent regulatory cascade of acid stress resistance in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Escherichia coli</Emphasis>

Background  

H-NS regulates the acid stress resistance. The present study aimed to characterize the H-NS-dependent cascade governing the acid stress resistance pathways and to define the interplay between the different regulators.