CD4+CD25+ cells controlling a pathogenic CD4 response inhibit cytokine differentiation, CXCR-3 expression, and tissue invasion

It is well established that CD4(+)CD25(+) regulatory T cells (Tregs) inhibit autoimmune pathology. However, precisely how the behavior of disease-inducing T cells is altered by Tregs remains unclear. In this study we use a TCR transgenic model of diabetes to pinpoint how pathogenic CD4 T cells are modified by Tregs in vivo. We show that although Tregs only modestly inhibit CD4 cell expansion, they potently suppress tissue infiltration. This is associated with a failure of CD4 cells to differentiate into effector cells and to up-regulate the IFN-gamma-dependent chemokine receptor CXCR-3, which confers the ability to respond to pancreatic islet-derived CXCL10. Our data support a model in which Tregs permit T cell activation, yet prohibit T cell differentiation and migration into Ag-bearing tissues.     

Synthesis and in vitro evaluation of novel 1,2,4-triazine derivatives as neuroprotective agents

The role of novel triazine derivatives against oxidative stress exerted by hydrogen peroxide on differentiated rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cell line was examined and a consistent protection from H₂O₂-induced cell death, associated with a marked reduction in caspase-3 activation, was observed. Moreover, activation of NF-κB, a known regulator of a host of genes that involves in specific stress and inflammatory responses by H₂O₂, was greatly impaired by triazine pretreatment in differentiated PC12 cells. Neuroprotective effect of such compounds may represent a promising approach for treatment of neurodegenerative diseases.     

新疆小白杏在护手霜中的应用

目的:将新疆南疆地区栽种的主要经济作物之一小白杏应用于化妆品领域,发挥其保持皮肤弹性、柔软和透明的功效。方法:以小白杏杏仁油为原料,运用正交实验设计,加入一定量的乳化剂,通过改变乳化温度、时间、转速,使油相与水相搅拌均匀。结果:最佳配方为:杏仁油13%,羊毛脂4%,蜂蜡3%,尿素3%,乳化剂1.5%,温度85℃,时间7 min,转速140 r/min。结论:以新疆小白杏杏仁油为主要原料,可研制适合于干性皮肤的防皲裂护手霜。     

Occurrence of molecular abnormalities of cell cycle in L132 cells after in vitro short-term exposure to air pollution PM2.5

To improve the knowledge of the underlying mechanisms implying in air pollution Particulate Matter (PM)-induced lung toxicity in humans, we were interested in the sequential occurrence of molecular abnormalities from TP53-RB gene signaling pathway activation in the L132 target human lung epithelial cell model. The most toxicologically relevant physical and chemical characteristics of air pollution PM_2.5 collected in Dunkerque, a French highly-industrialized sea-side city, were determined. L132 cells were exposed during 24, 48 and 72 h to Dunkerque City's PM_2.5 (i.e. Lethal Concentration (LC)₁₀ = 18.84 μg PM/mL or 5.02 μg PM/cm²; LC₅₀ = 75.36 μg PM/mL or 20.10 μg PM/cm²), TiO₂ and desorbed PM (i.e. dPM; EqLC₁₀ = 15.42 μg/mL or 4.11 μg PM/cm²; EqLC₅₀ = 61.71 μg/mL or 16.46 μg PM/cm²), benzene (7 μM) or Benzo[a]Pyrene (B[a]P; 1 μM). Dunkerque City's PM_2.5 altered the gene expression and/or the protein concentration of several key cell cycle controllers from TP53-RB gene signaling pathway (i.e. P53; BCL2; P21; cyclin D1, cyclin-dependent kinase 1; retinoblastoma protein) in L132 cells, thereby leading to the occurrence of cell proliferation and apoptosis together. The activation of the critical cell cycle controllers under study might be related to PM-induced oxidative stress, through the possible involvement of covalent metals in redox systems, the metabolic activation of organic chemicals by enzyme-catalyzed reactions, and phagocytosis. Taken together, these results might ask the critical question whether there is a balance or, in contrast, rather an imbalance between the cell proliferation and the apoptosis occurring in PM-exposed L132 cells, with possible consequences in term of PM-induced lung tumorgenesis.     

In vitro regeneration of Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp. cv. Blackeye cowpea via shoot organogenesis

An in vitro regeneration system was developed in cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] Blackeye. Among several explants studied, shoot initiation response was observed from shoot apices of 3–5-day-old seedlings. The optimal medium for maximum shoot initiation comprised MS salts, B₅ vitamins, 8.88 μM N ⁶-benzylaminopurine, 1 gl^-1 casein hydrolysate, 342 μM L-glutamine, 3% sucrose, 0.3% phytagel, adjusted to pH 5.8. A shift in pH from 5.8 to 7.0 had no effect on shoot initiation and on number of shoots per explant. The highest shoot initiation frequency (77%) was obtained using this preferred medium, reaching a maximum of eight shoots per explant. For shoot elongation, 14 μM gibberellic acid was supplemented in the shoot initiation medium. Presence of indolebutyric acid in the rooting medium had no effect on root induction. The regenerated plants were fertile and developed normally.     

GC-MS analysis of the essential oils, and the isolation of phenylpropanoid derivatives from the aerial parts of Pimpinella aurea

A combination of vacuum liquid chromatography (VLC) and preparative thin layer chromatography (PTLC) of the dichloromethane extract of the aerial parts of the Iranian plant Pimpinella aurea afforded two phenylpropanoids, erythro-1'-(4-methoxyphenyl)-propan-1',2'-diol (1) and erythro-1'-[4-(sec-butyl)-phenyl]-propan-1',2'-diol (2), the latter being a natural product. The structures of these compounds were determined by spectroscopic means. The antioxidant properties of these compounds were assessed by the DPPH assay. The GC-MS analysis of the essential oils of P. aurea provided a chemical profile that was significantly different from the previously published reports.     

Ultrastructural comparison of developing mouse embryonic stem cell- and in vivo-derived cardiomyocytes

Embryonic stem cells (ESCs) are expected to become a powerful tool for future regenerative medicine and developmental biology due to their capacity for self-renewal and pluripotency. The present study involves characterization and particularly, the ultrastructure of ESC-derived cardiomyocytes (ESC-CMs). Spontaneously differentiated murine (C57BL/6) ESC-CMs were cultured for 21 days. At different stages, growth characteristics of the CMs were assessed by immunocytochemistry, RT-PCR, transmission electron microscopy, and by addition of chronotropic drugs. EB-derived spontaneously beating cells expressed markers characteristic of CMs including alpha-actinin, desmin, troponin I, sarcomeric myosin heavy chain (MHC), pan-cadherin, connexin 43, cardiac alpha-MHC, cardiac beta-MHC, atrial natriuretic factor (ANF), and myosin light chain isoform-2V (MLC-2V) and responded to drugs in a maturation- and dose-dependent manner. At the ultrasructural level, maturation proceeded with increasing time in culture. In 7+21 days CMs, all sarcomeric components, such as Z-discs, A-, I- and H-bands as well as M-lines, T-tubules, intercalated discs, and the sarcoplasmic reticulum were present. Our data suggest that ESCs can differentiate into functional mature CMs in vitro. Furthermore, ESC-CMs may provide an ideal model for the study of cardiomyocytic development and may be useful for cell therapy of various cardiac diseases.     

Citric acid improves growth performance and phosphorus digestibility in Beluga (Huso huso) fed diets where soybean meal partly replaced fish meal

A 2 × 3 factorial experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of partial substitution of dietary fish meal with soybean meal and citric acid (CA) supplementation on growth, food utilization, muscle composition and nutrient digestibility of Beluga, Huso huso. Three isonitrogenic and isoenergetic diets, as SBM₁ (soybean meal protein (SBP):fishmeal protein (FP) = 1:3), SBM₂ (SBP:FP = 2:3) and SBM₃ (SBP:FP = 1:1) containing two levels of CA (0 and 30 g kg⁻¹) were fed to triplicate groups of fish for 8 weeks. The results revealed that adding CA increased (P<0.05) the weight gain (WG), specific growth rate (SGR) and protein efficiency ratio (PER) and decreased (P<0.05) food conversion rate (FCR) whereas partial substitution of fishmeal with soybean meal decreased (P<0.05) growth performance. Partial replacement of fishmeal with SBM (P=0.021) as well as CA supplementation (P=0.019) and their interaction (P<0.001) affected hepatosomatic index (HSI). No differences (P>0.05) were observed for viscerosomatic index (VSI) among treatments (P>0.05). No differences (P>0.05) were detected in moisture, protein of muscle sample among treatments, but lipid content was reduced (P<0.05) while ash content increased (P=0.035) by CA. Soybean meal decreased (P<0.05) nutrient digestibility, whereas CA improved apparent protein and phosphorus (P) digestibility (P=0.011 and P<0.001 respectively). No interaction (P<0.05) between levels of SBM and CA was found on these parameters. Results of the present study indicate that Beluga has a limited ability to utilize SBM as a protein source in practical diets whereas CA can improve growth and nutrient utilization in Beluga.