In vitro photomorphogenesis,plant growth regulators,melatonin content,and DNA methylation under various wavelengths of light in Phalaenopsis amabilis

Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture (PCTOC) - We tested the feasibility to promote growth and shoot proliferation of Phalaenopsis through different wavelengths of LED and fluorescent. Therefore,...     

Computational simulation of internal bone remodelling around dental implants: a sensitivity analysis

This study aimed to predict the distribution of bone trabeculae, as a density change per unit time, around a dental implant based on applying a selected mathematical remodelling model. The apparent bone density change as a function of the mechanical stimulus was the base of the applied remodelling model that describes disuse and overload bone resorption. The simulation was tested in a finite element model of a screw-shaped dental implant in an idealised bone segment. The sensitivity of the simulation to different mechanical parameters was investigated; these included element edge length, boundary conditions, as well as direction and magnitude of the implant loads. The alteration in the mechanical parameters had a significant influence on density distribution and model stability, in particular at the cortical bone region. The remodelling model could succeed to achieve trabeculae-like structure around osseointegrated dental implants. The validation of this model to a real clinical case is required.     

Essential oil of one of the Iranian skullcaps

The hydro-distilled essential oil from dried aerial parts of one of widespread Iranian skullcaps, Scutellaria pinnatifida A. Hamilt. sap. alpina (Bornm.) Rech. grown in Khorassan province was analyzed by GC and GC/MS. Thirty components were characterized ing 93.8% of the total components detected. The major components of the oil were germacrene-D (39.7%) and beta-caryophyllene (15.0%).     

Karyological studies of Iranian <Emphasis Type="Italic">Allium</Emphasis> L. (Amaryllidaceae) species with focus on sect. <Emphasis Type="Italic">Acanthoprason</Emphasis>. 1. Mitotic chromosomes

Eighteen species and subspecies (34 accessions) of Allium sect. Acanthoprason and 11 species (17 accessions) belonging to other subgenera and sections of Allium were karyologically investigated and include first reports for 12 species. The examined plants of 47 accessions were diploid, three accessions of two species were tetraploid, and in the A. bisotunense accession, we found a mix of di- and triploid individuals. B chromosomes were found in 10 accessions. A basic chromosome number of x = 8 was confirmed for all investigated members of subg. Melanocrommyum and subg. Allium, and x = 9 for Allium tripedale of subg. Nectaroscordum. Idiograms were drawn for each accession, and metaphase images are presented illustrating observed chromosomal variations. Also, karyotype features and asymmetry parameters were calculated for all accessions. Chromosomal aberrations, e.g. aneuploid cells or loss of whole or parts of chromosome arms, were rarely observed. In general, the karyotypes showed low variation in inter- and intrachromosomal asymmetry especially inside of the taxonomic groups, though satellited chromosomes were good markers for subgenera and even specific for two studied sections of subg. Allium. Six different types of satellites were recognized, two of them were newly described: Type P was prevalent in subg. Melanocrommyum, and type O in sect. Codonoprasum. Statistical analyses were performed on five karyological parameters to test correct relationships and also to test previous grouping hypotheses. Although our data confirm distinct karyological characters for the subgenera investigated, the remarkable morphological diversity inside of subg. Melanocrommyum is not mirrored by striking karyological differences.     

Expression of biologically active human clotting factor IX in Drosophila S2 cells: γ-carboxylation of a human vitamin K-dependent protein by the insect enzyme

The Drosophila γ-glutamyl carboxylase (dγC) has substrate recognition properties similar to that of the vertebrate γ-carboxylase (γC), and its carboxylated product yield, in vitro, was shown to be more than that obtained with the human enzyme. However, whether the Drosophila enzyme is able to γ-carboxylate the human vitamin K-dependent (VKD) proteins, such as the human coagulation factor IX (hFIX), as synthesized in cultured Drosophila cells was not known. To examine this possibility, the Drosophila Schnider (S2) cell line was transfected with a metallothionein promoter-regulated hFIX-expressing plasmid. After induction with copper ion, expression efficiency of the active hFIX was analyzed by performing enzyme-linked immunosorbent assey (ELISA) and coagulation test on the culture supernatant of the transfected S2 cells during 72 h of postinduction. In comparison with Chinese hamster ovary cell line, S2 cells showed higher (≈ 12-fold) expression level of the hFIX. The γ-carboxylation of the Drosophila-derived hFIX was confirmed by evaluation of the expressed protein, after being precipitated with barium citrate. The biological activity of the S2 cell-derived hFIX indicated the capability of S2 cells to fulfill the required γ-carboxylation of the expressed hFIX. Coexpression of the human γ-glutamyl carboxylases (hγC) was also shown to improve both expression and γ-carboxylation of the hFIX. This is the first in vivo data to describe the ability of the dγC to recognize the human-based propeptide as substrate, which is an essential step for production of biologically active γ-carboxylated VKD proteins.     

Circulating and tissue microRNAs as a potential diagnostic biomarker in patients with thrombotic events

Venous and arterial thrombosis are conditions that have a considerable burden if left untreated. The hypoxia-induced by the occluded vessel can disrupt the circulation of any organ, the cornerstone of treating thrombosis is rapid diagnosis and appropriate treatment. Diagnosis of thrombosis may be made by using laboratory tests or imaging techniques in individuals who have clinical manifestations of a thrombotic event. The use of serum micro ribonucleic acids (RNAs) has recently been applied to the diagnosis of thrombosis. These small RNA molecules are emerging as new diagnostic markers but have had very limited applications in vascular disease. Most of the articles provided various microRNAs with different levels of accuracy. However, there remains a lack of an appropriate panel of the most specific microRNA in the literature. The purpose of the present review was to summarize the existing data on the use of microRNAs as a diagnostic biomarker for venous thrombosis.     

Olfactory response of Phytoseiulus persimilis (Acari: Phytoseiidae) to untreated and Beauveria bassiana-treated Tetranychus urticae (Acari: Tetranychidae)

Determination of attraction and avoidance behavior of predators is important in concomitant use of multiple natural enemies to control a pest. The olfactory response of the predatory mite Phytoseiulus persimilis was studied to odors related to Tetranychus urticae adults infected by Beauveria bassiana DEBI008 in 0, 24, 48 and 72 h intervals, both in absence and in presence of plants. In plant-present experiments, P. persimilis attraction was neither towards adults of T. urticae infected by 0.02 % Tween 80 (as control), nor to the ones infected by B. bassiana for 0 or 24 h, whereas significant attraction towards the control was observed when tested against T. urticae infected by B. bassiana for 48 or 72 h. In absence of plants, P. persimilis displayed significant avoidance of T. urticae infected by B. bassiana for 48 or 72 h, when their alternative option was 0.02 % Tween 80-infected T. urticae adults. These results indicate that P. persimilis can recognize the presence of B. bassiana and that the predator avoids the fungus. This suggests that the two natural enemy species can be used together in biological control programmes.     

The relation of omentin gene expression and glucose homeostasis of visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissues in non-diabetic adults

Molecular Biology Reports - Adipose tissue (AT) is a passive reservoir for&nbsp;energy storage&nbsp;and an active endocrine organ responsible for synthesizing bioactive molecules called...