Proteome profile of the pipping muscle in broiler embryos

This study is the first proteomics analysis of the muscularis complexus (pipping muscle) in chicken (Gallus gallus) broiler embryos. We used differential detergent fractionation and nano-HPLC-MS/MS analysis to identify 676 proteins from all cellular components. The identified proteins were functionally classified in accordance with their involvement in various cellular activities.     

尼日利亚西南部奥孙河沿线黑蝇Simulium damnosum Theobald complex的形态分类研究(双翅目: 蚋科)（英文）

黑蝇Simulium damnosum sensu lato是由多个姊妹种组成的复合体,这些种在生态学和盘尾丝虫病的传播方面各不相同。本文对奥孙河沿线的尼日利亚西南部森林区域的黑蝇S. damnosum s.l.复合体的组成以及成虫的形态学特征进行了研究。本研究所用的黑蝇S. damnosum s.l.成虫标本来源于奥孙河沿线的3个区,分别是Osun Eleja, Osun Ogbere和Osun Budepo。标本采集通过人体诱捕的方式,采集时间从2008年2月至2009年6月上午7:00到下午6:00,每两周采集1次。通过观察成虫的翅毛簇（wing tufts）和其他形态特征,对其进行分类研究。结果表明：存在同域分布的森林种和稀树草原种。在奥孙河沿线3个区内,森林种为优势种,占总捕获量的99.18%,而稀树草原种仅占0.82%;森林种和稀树草原种在多度上存在显著差异(P<0.05)。所捕获的所有稀树草原种的翅毛簇均为灰白色,而捕获的森林种的翅毛簇颜色存在显著差异(P<0.05)。为了更清楚地揭示该地区黑蝇S. damnosum s.l.的物种组成,建议进行更深入的研究。     

Identification and survival of the causal organism of leaf smut disease of cowpea in Nigeria

Protomycopsis phaseoli (Ramak and Subram) is the causal agent of the cowpea leaf smut disease in Nigeria and not Entyloma vignae as claimed by some authors. This pathogen formed dark ash-grey to sooty-black lesions of 3–10 mm in diameter, while young lesions had yellow haloes. P. phaseoli produced dark reddish-brown chlamydospores that are globose to oval measured 23.8 μm, thick-walled and rugose. The chlamydospores germinated and produced globose vesicles. The pathogen grew on potato dextrose agar only when the leaf tissue was dipped in acidified water (1% H₂SO₄). The organism was slowly growing at 24–28 °C with snow white colour. Chlamydospores of P. phaseoli in infected cowpea leaves survived longer when buried in the soil for five months than when they were left on the soil surface for the same period at temperatures (26–27 °C) and humidity (70–82%) prevailing in Ibadan. Destruction of leaf debris before crop emergence, long period of rotation and no tillage cropping are suggested to prevent the onset and spread of leaf smut disease of cowpea. This revised version was published online in June 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Protective effect of selenium on protein-undernutrition-induced brain damage in rats

The effect of ad libitum ingestion of selenium (Se) in drinking water (0.15 mg SeO₂/L) for 3 wk on the brain weight, total brain protein, glutathione (GSH) level, catalase activity, and lipid peroxidation in the brain of protein-undernourished (PU) rats was investigated, in an attempt to determine whether antioxidants alone can reverse some of the neuropathological changes associated with protein undernutrition in rats. Feeding on a normal diet (16% casein) by well-fed rats or a low-protein diet (5% casein) by PU rats and Se-treated PU rats lasted 14 wk. Setreated PU rats were given Se in drinking water during the last 3 wk of the experiment. Results show that protein undernutrition induced significant reductions (p<0.001) in brain weight, total brain protein, and catalase activity (p<0.05) while it induced a significant increase (p<0.05) in lipid peroxidation when compared with well-nourished rats; but no significant effect was observed for the GSH level. However, the ingestion of Se in drinking water by PU rats for 3 wk resulted in significant increases (p<0.05) in brain weight, catalase activity, and total brain protein but induced a significant reduction (p<0.05) in lipid peroxidation when compared with PU rats given water. The values obtained for Setreated PU rats are comparable with those obtained for well-nourished rats. The GSH level was, however, not affected by Se ingestion. We suggest that Se, by inducing increases in the concentration of certain proteins, including catalase, in the brain, abolished some of the pathological changes associated with protein undermutrition in the brain, and appears as a promising antioxidant in the prevention and management of pro-oxidant-induced brain damage.     

Evaluation of lead and chromium tolerance and accumulation level in Gomphrena celosoides: a novel metal accumulator from lead acid battery waste contaminated site in Nigeria

Abstract

Biology, tolerance, and metal (Pb and Cr) accumulating ability of Gomphrena celosoides were studied under hydroponic conditions. The seedlings were raised in Hoagland’s solution containing different concentrations of Pb (0, 500, 1000, 1500, 2000, 3000, 4000, and 5000?mg l^?1) and Cr (0, 50, 100, 150, 200, 300, and 400?mg l^?1). Biomass and metal accumulation in different plant parts were determined at seven (7) and fourteen (14) days after stress. Antioxidant enzyme activities, protein, and proline contents were estimated in stressed and unstressed plants. Gomphrena celosoides was able to tolerate Pb and Cr concentrations up to 4000 and 100?mg l^?1, respectively in hydroponic solution. Metal accumulation was concentration and duration dependent with the highest Pb (21,127.90 and 117,985.29?mg kg^?1) and Cr (3130.85 and 2428.90?mg kg^?1) in shoot and root, respectively found in the plants exposed to 5000?mg l^?1 Pb and 400?mg l^?1 Cr for 14?days. Proline, antioxidant enzyme activities, and protein contents were the highest in plant exposed to higher Pb and Cr concentrations for 7 and 14?days. Gomphrena celosoides could be considered as Pb and Cr accumulator with proline and increase in antioxidant enzyme activities being the tolerance mechanisms.     

JARID1B Expression Plays a Critical Role in Chemoresistance and Stem Cell-Like Phenotype of Neuroblastoma Cells

Neuroblastoma (NB) is a common neural crest-derived extracranial solid cancer in children. Among all childhood cancers, NB causes devastating loss of young lives as it accounts for 15% of childhood cancer mortality. Neuroblastoma, especially high-risk stage 4 NB with MYCN amplification has limited treatment options and associated with poor prognosis. This necessitates the need for novel effective therapeutic strategy. JARID1B, also known as KDM5B, is a histone lysine demethylase, identified as an oncogene in many cancer types. Clinical data obtained from freely-accessible databases show a negative correlation between JARID1B expression and survival rates. Here, we demonstrated for the first time the role of JARID1B in the enhancement of stem cell-like activities and drug resistance in NB cells. We showed that JARID1B may be overexpressed in either MYCN amplification (SK-N-BE(2)) or MYCN-non-amplified (SK-N-SH and SK-N-FI) cell lines. JARID1B expression was found enriched in tumor spheres of SK-N-BE(2) and SK-N-DZ. Moreover, SK-N-BE(2) spheroids were more resistant to chemotherapeutics as compared to parental cells. In addition, we demonstrated that JARID1B-silenced cells acquired a decreased propensity for tumor invasion and tumorsphere formation, but increased sensitivity to cisplatin treatment. Mechanistically, reduced JARID1B expression led to the downregulation of Notch/Jagged signaling. Collectively, we provided evidence that JARID1B via modulation of stemness-related signaling is a putative novel therapeutic target for treating malignant NB.     

Black flies and Onchocerciasis: Knowledge,attitude and practices among inhabitants of Alabameta,Osun State,Southwestern, Nigeria

Background and objectivesThis study reports knowledge of residents of Alabameta community, Osun State, Nigeria on the bioecology and socio-economic burden of black flies and onchocerciasis.MethodsUsing structured questionnaires and Focus Group Discussion (FGD), a total of 150 community respondents participated in the study.ResultsThe knowledge of the residents on the existence of black flies in the community was significant (p<0.05) as all the 150 respondents confirmed the presence of black flies with the local name ‘Amukuru’ i.e causing itching. However, their lack of knowledge of the flies breeding site (104) (69%), prevention (134) (89%), cause (132) (88%), and treatment (133) (89%) of onchocerciasis was profound. Majority 147(98%) of the respondents reported that flies bite more in the wet season as against dry season 3(2%) and have a higher affinity (124) (82%) for biting the leg than any other part of the body. A larger percentage (89%) of the respondents are unaware of any medication for the treatment of onchocerciasis while 11% are aware. There had been no sensitization on onchocerciasis according to 89% of the respondents.ConclusionDue to lack of resident’s knowledge on black flies bioecology which may continuously expose them to the bite of the flies and ultimately infection, it is paramount that the Osun State government and the NTD implementing partner map out new public health education strategies during routine Mass Administration of Medicines with Ivermectin with a view to preventing onchocerciasis infection as well as man-vector contact.     

Improving yield performance of Pleurotus pulmonarius through hyphal anastomosis fusion of dikaryons

High production and good quality are always the principal goals for agriculturally important crops, without the exception of mushrooms. P. pulmonarius is one of the commercially important edible mushrooms throughout the world. The yield performance improvement was carried out by cross bred P. pulmonarius with P. sapidus and P. ostreatus. The highest rate of 0.587 mm/days for spawn ramification and 53.33 % for percentage spawn productivity were obtained in hybrids LN LL910. The least day (11 and 12th) of the primodia mushroom sporophore were recorded in LL910 and LN 97 respectively, while longest day of 19th was recorded in wild type (NE 07). The highest biological efficiency (109.30 %) and production rate (3.77 %) obtained by LL910, while the least of 33.0 and 0.79 % were obtained by NE 07 for biological efficiency and production rate respectively. The morphological and molecular characterization of the hybrid strains established their true variation from their wild type. LL 910 (JF68088) is located at seventh subclusters from the root with boostrap value of 32 %, while only one parent (LAU 09: JF736658) out of the two has the close boostrap value of 43 % at the first subcluster to the root, with the other parent LAU 10 (JF736659) shows distance relationship after Blast. LN 97 (JF680992) is located at outgroup, while the parent strains NE 07 (boostrap value: 11 %) and LAU 09 (boostrap value: 44 %) located at tenth and second subclusters respectively. The results obtained from this study have shown the improved performance of the hybrids strain over wild type strains.     

Computational properties of η6-toluene and η6-trifluorotoluene half-sandwich Ru(II) anticancer complexes

The computational properties of the η6-toluene and η6-trifluorotoluene half-sandwich Ru(II) anticancer complexes and their respective hydrated complexes are computed using DFT method and the quantum theory of atoms in a molecule (QTAIM) analysis. The interatomic properties that are crucial in understanding the noncovalent interactions and the stability of these complexes are considered. We observed that high polarization, charge transfer (CT) and strong networks of intramolecular hydrogen bond (HB) interactions significant influenced the stability of these complexes. The trifluorotoluene and the hydrated models are characterized with higher CT, polarizability, synergistic effect of ligand fragments, stronger and higher HB interactions that support their reported experimental anticancer activities and the mechanism of their activation by hydrolysis. The complexes are predominantly characterized with metal to ligand CT.