Evaluation of Pochonia chlamydosporia var. chlamydosporia as a control agent of Meloidogyne javanica on pistachio

The potential of isolates of Pochonia chlamydosporia var. chlamydosporia as biocontrol agents for root-knot nematodes was investigated in vitro and on pistachio plants. On potato dextrose agar, growth of all isolates started at temperatures above 10°C, reached maximum between 25 and 28°C and slowed down at 33°C. On water agar, all isolates parasitized more than 85% of the eggs of Meloidogyne javanica at 18°C after 3 weeks. Filtrates of isolates grown on malt extract broth did not cause more than 5% mortality on second-stage juveniles of M. javanica after 48 h of incubation. A single application of 10×10³ chlamydospores (produced on sand–barley medium) g^–1 soil, was applied to unsterilised soil planted with pistachio cv. Kalehghochi, and plants were inoculated with 3000 nematode eggs. After 120 days in the glasshouse, nematode multiplication and damage were measured. Ability of fungus isolates to survive in the soil and to grow on roots were estimated by counting colony forming units (cfu) on semi-selective medium. Fungal abundance in soil increased nearly 3-fold and 10×10³ and 20×10³ cfu g^–1 root of pistachio were estimated in pots treated with isolates 40 and 50, respectively. Strain 50 was more abundant in soil and on the roots, infected more eggs (40%) on the roots and controlled 56% of total population of M. javanica on pistachio roots, whereas isolate 40 parasitized 15% of the eggs on the roots and controlled ca. 36% of the final nematode population.     

Variations in enzyme activity in stomach and pancreatic tissue and digesta in piglets around weaning

A study was performed to investigate the effect of weaning at 4 weeks of age on the activity of digestive enzymes in the stomach and pancreatic tissue and in digesta from 3 days prior to weaning to 9 days postweaning in 64 piglets. In stomach tissue the activity of pepsin and gastric lipase was determined. Pepsin activity declined abruptly after weaning but 5 days postweaning the weaning level was regained and in the gastric contents no change in pepsin activity was observed. Weaning did not influence the activity of gastric lipase. The activity of eight enzymes and a cofactor was measured in pancreatic tissue. The effect of weaning on the enzyme activity was highly significant for all enzymes except elastase. The activity of all enzymes remained at the weaning level during day 1–2 postweaning followed by a reduction of the activity. The activity of trypsin, carboxypeptidase A, amylase and lipase exhibited minimum activity 5 days postweaning. Trypsin activity increased to the preweaning level on day 7–9 whereas the activity of the others increased but did not reach the preweaning level. The activity of chymotrypsin, carboxypeptidase B and carboxyl ester hydrolase decreased during the entire experimental period. In digesta no effect of weaning was observed on the activity of amylase and trypsin. The activity of chymotrypsin was reduced after weaning in the proximal third of the small intestine and lipase and carboxyl ester hydrolase activity was reduced in the middle and distal parts of the small intestine after weaning. The present study shows that the activities of the digestive enzymes in the pancreatic tissue are affected by weaning. Even though the pancreatic secretion cannot be judged from these results they show that the enzymes respond differently to weaning. In general the activity of the digestive enzymes in pancreatic tissue is low on day 5 postweaning which in interaction with other factors may increase the risk of developing postweaning diarrhoea.     

The ITGAV rs3738919 variant and susceptibility to rheumatoid arthritis in four Caucasian sample sets

Introduction

Angiogenesis is an important process in the development of destructive synovial pannus in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The ITGAV +gene encodes a cell cycle-associated antigen, integrin ανβ 3, which plays a role in RA angiogenesis. Previously, two independent studies identified an association between the major allele of the ITGAV single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs3738919 and RA. We therefore tested this association in an independent study using New Zealand (NZ) and Oxford (UK) RA case control samples.

Methods

We compared genotype frequencies in 740 NZ Caucasian RA patients and 553 controls genotyped for rs3738919, using a polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay. A TaqMan genotyping SNP assay was used to type 713 Caucasian RA patients and 515 control samples from Oxford for the rs3738919 variant. Association of rs3738919 with RA was tested in these two sample sets using the chi-square goodness-of-fit test. The Mantel-Haenszel test was used to perform a meta-analysis, combining the genetic results from four independent Caucasian case control cohorts, consisting of 3,527 cases and 4,126 controls. Haplotype analysis was also performed using SNPs rs3911238, rs10174098 and rs3738919 in the Wellcome Trust Case Control Consortium, NZ and Oxford case control samples.

Results

We found no evidence for association between ITGAV and RA in either the NZ or Oxford sample set (odds ratio [OR] = 0.88, P_allelic = 0.11 and OR = 1.18, P_allelic = 0.07, respectively). Inclusion of these data in a meta-analysis (random effects) of four independent cohorts (3,527 cases and 4,126 controls) weakens support for the hypothesis that rs3738919 plays a role in the development of RA (OR_combined = 0.92, 95% confidence interval 0.80 to 1.07; P = 0.29). No consistent haplotype associations were evident.

Conclusions

Association of ITGAV SNP rs7378919 with RA was not replicated in NZ or Oxford case control sample sets. Meta-analysis of these and previously published data lends limited support for a role for the ITGAV in RA in Caucasians of European ancestry.     

The roles of hyperglycaemia and oxidative stress in the rise and collapse of the natural protective mechanism against vascular endothelial cell dysfunction in diabetes

Vascular endothelial cell (VEC) dysfunction in diabetes has been associated with hyperglycaemia-induced intra- and extracellular glycation of proteins and to overproduction of glucose-derived free radicals. VEC protect their intracellular environment against an increased influx of glucose in face of hyperglycaemia by reducing the expression and plasma membrane abundance of their glucose transporter-1 (GLUT-1). We investigated the hypothesis that glucose-derived free radicals induce this down-regulatory mechanism in VEC, but proved the contrary. In fact, pro-oxidants significantly increased the expression and plasma membrane abundance of GLUT-1 and the rate of glucose transport in VEC while abolishing high-glucose-induced down-regulation of the hexose transport system. The resulting uncontrolled influx of glucose followed by overproduction of glucose-derived ROS further up-regulates the rate of glucose transport, and vice versa. This perpetuating glycoxidative stress finally leads to the collapse of the auto-regulatory protective mechanism and accelerates the development of dysfunctional endothelium in blood vessels.     

Design,Synthesis and Molecular Docking Studies of Some Tetrahydropyrimidine Derivatives as Possible Fascin Inhibitors

Eight derivatives of tetrahydropyrimidine scaffold were designed and prepared as hybrid compounds possessing the structural features of both monastrol as an anticancer drug and nifedipine as a fascin blocking agent. All of the compounds were evaluated for their cytotoxic potency and the ability to inhibit 4T1 breast cancer cells migration. Then, they were investigated in silico for their ability to inhibit the fascin protein using molecular docking simulation. The most potent compound was 4d and the weakest one was 4a according to the in vitro cytotoxicity assay. The corresponding IC₅₀ values were 193.70 and 248.75 μm , respectively. The least cytotoxic compound ( 4a ) was one of the strongest ones in binding to the fascin binding site according to the molecular docking results. 4a and 4e inhibited the 4T1 cells migration better than other compounds. They were more potent than nifedipine in inhibiting the migration process. In silico studies proved 4h to be the most potent fascin inhibitor in terms of ΔG_bind although it was not inhibiting migration. The controversy between the in vitro and in silico results may cancel the theory of the involvement of the fascin inhibition in the migration inhibition. However, the considerable antimigratory effects of some of the synthesized compounds encourage performing further in vivo experiments to introduce novel tumor metastasis inhibitors.     

New insights into the intraspecific cytoplasmic DNA diversity,maternal lineages classification and conservation issues of Tunisian pearl millet landraces

Tunisian pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) landraces are still growing in contrasting agro-ecological environments and are considered potentially useful for national and international breeders. Despite its genetic potential, the cropping areas of this species are still limited and scattered which increases the risk of genetic erosion. The chloroplast DNA polymorphism and maternal lineages classification of forty nine pearl millet landraces representing seven populations covering the main distribution area of this crop in Tunisia were undertaken based on informative cpSSR molecular markers. A total of 21 alleles combining to 9 haplotypes were detected with a mean value of 3.5 alleles per locus and a haplotype genetic diversity (Hd) of 0.82. The number of chloroplast haplotypes per population ranged from 1 to 4 with an average of 1.28. The haplotypes median-joining network and UPGMA analyses revealed two probable ancestral maternal lineages with a differential pearl millet seed-exchange rate between the investigated areas. Northern and Central populations presented unique genetic backgrounds while historical farmers’ practices in the South-East area resulted in the isolation of their own local landraces. The genetic evidences strongly support at least two introduction origins of pearl millet in Tunisia, one in the North and the other in the South followed by distinct local dispersal histories. Complementary in-situ and ex-situ conservation strategies taking into account the conservation of the maternal lineage cytoplasmic diversity are required. The investigated chloroplast SSRs provide useful molecular markers which could be used in further genetic studies and breeding surveys of pearl millet genetic resources.     

WNT and NOTCH signaling pathways as activators for epidermal growth factor receptor in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Background

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is the most common histological type of esophageal cancer, with a poor prognosis. Deregulation of WNT and NOTCH signaling pathways is important in ESCC progression, which can be due to either malfunction of their components or crosstalk with other pathways. Therefore, identification of new crosstalk between such pathways may be effective to introduce new strategies for targeted therapy of cancer. A correlation study was performed to assess the probable interaction between growth factor receptors and WNT/NOTCH pathways via the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and Musashi1 (MSI1), respectively.

Methods

Levels of MSI1/EGFR mRNA expression in tumor tissues from 48 ESCC patients were compared to their corresponding normal tissues using real-time polymerase chain reaction.

Results

There was a significant correlation between EGFR and MSI1 expression (p?=?0.05). Moreover, there was a significant correlation between EGFR/MSI1 expression and grade of tumor differentiation (p?=?0.02).

Conclusion

This study confirms a direct correlation between MSI1 and EGFR and may support the important role of MSI1 in activation of EGFR through NOTCH/WNT pathways in ESCC.

     

Mesostigmatic mites associated with birds and mammals in Iran. A review

There are diverse relationships between mites and birds or mammals. These mites may play an important role in epizootics and in the perpetuation of some significant diseases. The purpose of this study is to revise the current knowledge of mesostigmatic mites occurring on birds, including their nests and mammals and their substrates, in Iran and to compare the results with other regions of the Palearctic ecozone. This study presents a revised list of 38 species of mesostigmatic mite occuring on birds (17 species) and mammals (24 species) or in their nests/substrates in Iran. Dermanyssus gallinae, Ornithonyssus sylviarum and Parasitus hyalinus were found on both birds and mammals. The species composition of mites reported in Iran was compared with other regions of the Palearctic ecozone. Parasites, specifically those from genera Dermanyssus, Ornithonyssus and Liponyssoides, may be hazardous to human health. Species from these genera were predominant among the reported mites.     

Leaf epidermal features of Salix species (Salicaceae) and their systematic significance

? Premise of the study: The classification of the genus Salix has historically been intrinsically difficult due to its propensity toward plasticity and high variation in diagnostic morphological characters. We investigated leaf epidermal characteristics, focusing on the stomatal apparatus because it may provide critical insights into the evolution and taxonomy of Salix and its closely related genera. ? Methods: Light microscopy was used to examine the leaf epidermal features in 32 taxa of Salix. ? Key results: Characters such as shape, size, and density of stomatal complexes were very useful in differentiating Salix species. Variation in features of stomatal apparatus in Salix is wider than previously known. Moreover, the type of stomatal complex proved to be very helpful in discriminating Chosenia as members of the genus Salix. ? Conclusions: The results of the present study support the placement of Chosenia within Salix and the combining of subgenera Chamaetia and Vetrix because of similarities in their unique stomatal apparatus.