Effect of plant growth regulators on indirect shoot organogenesis of Ficus religiosa through seedling derived petiole segments

Ficus religiosa is known as a long-lived multipurpose forest tree. The tree plays an important role for religious, medicinal, and ornamental purposes. However, the propagation rate of Ficus religiosa is low in natural habitat so the plant tissue culture techniques are an applicable method for multiplication of this valuable medicinal plants. Thus, the aim of this study is to understand the effect of different auxin/cytokinin ratios on indirect shoot organogenesis of this plant. According to our results, the maximum callus induction frequency (100%) was obtained on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium supplemented with 0.5?mg/l 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) plus 0.05?mg/l 6-benzylaminopurine (BAP) from petiole segments. For shoot induction purpose, the yellow-brownish, friable, organogenic calli were inoculated on shoot induction medium. On MS medium supplemented with 1.5?mg/l BAP and 0.15?mg/l Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA), 96.66% of the petiole-derived calli responded with an average number of 3.56 shoots per culture. The highest root formation frequency (96.66%), root number (5.5), and root length (4.83?cm) were achieved on MS medium containing 2.0?mg/l IBA plus 0.1?mg/l Naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). The rooted shoots were successfully transferred to field condition and the substrate with the mixture of cocopeat and perlite (1:1) had the highest survival rate (96.66%). This is the first report of an effective in vitro organogenesis protocol for F. religiosa by indirect shoot organogenesis through axenic seedling derived petiole explants, which can be efficiently employed for conservation of this important medicinal plant species as well as the utilization of active biomolecules.     

RETRACTED ARTICLE: Serum Zinc and Adiponectin Levels in Patients with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome,Adjusted for Anthropometric,Biochemical, Dietary Intake,and Physical Activity Measures

Biological Trace Element Research -     

The relationship between antioxidant compounds contents and antioxidant enzymes under water-deficit stress in the three Iranian cultivars of basil (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Ocimum basilicum</Emphasis> L.)

The current investigation was conducted to elucidate the potential modulatory functions of both enzymatic and non-enzymatic scavenging elements of three Iranian basil (Ocimum basilicum L.) cultivars in response to different water-deficit stress treatments [i.e., control (W1: 100 % FC), mild (W2: 75 % FC), moderate (W3: 50 % FC), and severe (W4: 25 % FC)]. In general, the growth parameters, viz., plant height, number of lateral branches, number of flowers in the inflorescence per plant, and dry and fresh weights of leaves and inflorescence followed by yield were considerably affected by water-deficit stress levels (p ≤ 0.05), though some fluctuations were observed among three cultivars. Under severe water-deficit stress (W4), total chlorophyll content overall increased, while a pronounced reduction in the carotenoid content was observed by boosting of water-deficit stress intensities. Apart from some quantitative variations, ROS-scavenging enzymes, such as SOD, CAT, APX, GPX, and PPO, exhibited different behaviors versus different levels of water-deficit stress in the basil cultivars, concluding that their modulation could be a cultivar-dependent mechanism and stress-dependent mechanism. Among different metabolites detected in the essential oil of basil cultivars, both methyl chavicol and squalene were superior in the cultivars 2 and 3, while in cultivar 1, linalool and squalene were the predominant constituents, under water deprivation conditions. Taking all the features studied here into consideration, presumably, cultivar 1 is qualified enough to nominate as the most tolerant basil cultivar, could be accordingly utilized as a promising source/material for breeding programs of basil under drought stress, and possibly other abiotic stresses.     

The Impact of EGCG and RG108 on SOCS1 Promoter DNA Methylation and Expression in U937 Leukemia Cells

Background:The available evidence has increasingly demonstrated that a combination of genetic and epigenetic factors, such as DNA methylation, could be considered as causing leukemia. Epigenetic changes and methylation of the suppressor of the cytokine signaling 1 promoter (SOCS1) CpG region silence SOCS1 expression in cancer. In the current study, we evaluated the impact of epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and RG108 on SOCS1 promoter methylation and expression in U937 cells.Methods:In the current study, U937 leukemic cells were treated with EGCG and RG108 for 12, 24, 48, and 72 h and SOCS1 promoter methylation and its expression were measured by methylation-specific PCR (MSP) and quantitative real-time PCR, respectively.Results:The outcomes indicated that the SOCS1 promoter is methylated in U937 cells, and treatment of these cells with either EGCG or RG108 reduced its methylation. Moreover, we observed that SOCS1 expression was significantly upregulated in a time-dependent manner by both EGCG and RG108 in U937 cells compared with control cells. In the RG108-treated group at 12, 24, 48, and 72 h, SOCS1 expression was upregulated by 1, 4.2, 16.6, and 32.6 -fold respectively, and in the EGCG-treated group, by 0.5, 3.2, 10.8, and 22.3 -fold, respectively. Conclusion:Treatment with either EGCG or RG108 reduced SOCS1 promoter methylation and increased SOCS1 expression in U937 cells in a time-dependent manner, which may play a role in leukemia therapy.Key Words: DNA Methylation, EGCG, Leukemia, RG108, SOCS1     

Rapamycin Augments Immunomodulatory Properties of Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis

The immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) have been considered as an appropriate candidate for treatment of autoimmune diseases. Previous studies have revealed that treatment with BM-MSCs may modulate immune responses and alleviate the symptoms in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) mice, an animal model of multiple sclerosis. Therefore, the present study was designed to examine immunomodulatory effects of BM-MSCs in the treatment of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) 35-55-induced EAE in C57BL/6 mice. MSCs were obtained from the bone marrow of C57BL mice, cultured with DMEM/F12, and characterized with flow cytometry for the presence of cell surface markers for BM-MSCs. Following three passages, BM-MSCs were injected intraperitoneally into EAE mice alone or in combination with rapamycin. Immunological and histopathological effects of BM-MSCs and addition of rapamycin to BM-MSCs were evaluated. The results demonstrated that adding rapamycin to BM-MSCs transplantation in EAE mice significantly reduced inflammation infiltration and demyelination, enhanced the immunomodulatory functions, and inhibited progress of neurological impairments compared to BM-MSC transplantation and control groups. The immunological effects of rapamycin and BM-MSC treatments were associated with the inhibition of the Ag-specific lymphocyte proliferation, CD8+ cytolytic activity, and the Th1-type cytokine (gamma-interferon (IFN-γ)) and the increase of Th-2 cytokine (interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-10) production. Addition of rapamycin to BM-MSCs was able to ameliorate neurological deficits and provide neuroprotective effects in EAE. This suggests the potential of rapamycin and BM-MSC combined therapy to play neuroprotective roles in the treatment of neuroinflammatory disorders.     

Localized surface plasmon resonance based gold nanobiosensor: Determination of thyroid stimulating hormone

An immunoassay method based on the peak shift of the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) absorption maxima has been developed for the determination of the thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) in human blood serum. The anti-TSH antibody was adsorbed on the synthesized gold nanoparticles by electrostatic forces. The efficiency of the nanobiosensor was improved by optimizing the factors affecting the probe construction such as the pH and the antibody to gold nanoparticles ratio. Dynamic light scattering was applied for the characterization of the constructed probe. The amount of peak shift of the LSPR absorption maxima was selected as the basis for determination of TSH antigen. The linear dynamic range of 0.4–12.5 mIU L⁻¹ and the calibration sensitivity of 1.71 L mIU⁻¹ were obtained. The human control serum sample was analyzed for TSH by constructed nanobiosensor and the acceptable results were obtained.     

Expression Analysis of Fatty Acid Biosynthetic Pathway Genes during Interactions of Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) with the Pathogenic Ganoderma boninense and Symbiotic Trichoderma harzianum Fungal Organisms

The fatty acid (FA) signaling pathway is emerging as an important mechanism in plant responses during interactions with microbial organisms. For a comprehensive evaluation of key FA biosynthetic pathway genes during interactions of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) with the pathogenic Ganoderma boninense and symbiotic Trichoderma harzianum fungal organisms, a lane-based array analysis of gene expression in artificially inoculated oil palm seedlings was performed. The results obtained demonstrated that acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), β-ketoacyl-ACP synthases (KAS) II and III, palmitoyl-ACP thioesterase (PTE), oleoyl-ACP thioesterase (OTE) and glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase (ACT) showed identical responses in root and leaf tissues for the same fungi. The expression of these genes was up-regulated in both root and leaf tissues at 21 days post-inoculation (dpi) during interaction of oil palm with G. boninense. Thereafter, production of physical symptoms occurred at 42 and 63 dpi concomitantly with suppression of expression of these genes. An increase in the expression level of these genes was observed in both tissues at 3–63 dpi, which correlated with the colonization of roots and promotion of plant growth by T. harzianum. These data suggest that FA biosynthetic pathway genes are involved in the defense response of oil palm to infection. Identical plant responses by FA biosynthetic pathway genes may lead to enhanced resistance against G. boninense and could be a useful marker to contribute towards early detection of infection. The distinct expression profile during symbiotic interaction demonstrated its role in plant resistance mechanisms and growth promotion by T. harzianum.     

Ni-hemin metal–organic framework with highly efficient peroxidase catalytic activity: toward colorimetric cancer cell detection and targeted therapeutics

Background

Given the great benefits of artificial enzymes, a simple approach is proposed via assembling of Ni²⁺ with hemin for synthesis of Ni-hemin metal–organic-frameworks (Ni-hemin MOFs) mimic enzyme. The formation of the Ni-hemin MOFs was verified by scanning electron microscopy, Transmission electron microscopy, X-ray powder diffraction, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy and UV–vis absorption spectroscopy. This novel nanocomposite exhibited surprising peroxidase like activity monitored by catalytic oxidation of a typical peroxidase substrate, 3,3,5,5′-tetramethylbenzidine, in the presence of H₂O₂. By using folic acid conjugated MOF nanocomposite as a recognition element, we develop a colorimetric assay for the direct detection of cancer cells.

Results

The proposed sensor presented high sensitivity and selectivity for the detection of human breast cancer cells (MCF-7) and Human Caucasian gastric adenocarcinoma. By measuring UV–vis absorbance response, a wide detection range from 50 to 10⁵ cells/mL with a detection limit as low as 10 cells/mLwas reached for MCF-7 cells. We further discuss therapeutics efficiency of Ni-hemin MOFs in the presence of H₂O₂ and ascorbic acid. Peroxidase-mimic Ni-hemin MOFs as reactive oxygen species which could damage MCF-7 cancer cells, however for normal cells (human embryonic kidney HEK 293 cells) killing effect was negligible.

Conclusions

Based on these behaviors, the developed method offers a fast, easy and cheap assay for the interest in future diagnostic and treatment application.