Overexpression of <Emphasis Type="Italic">AtGRDP2</Emphasis> gene in common bean hairy roots generates vigorous plants with enhanced salt tolerance

Proteins with glycine-rich repeats have been identified in plants, mammalians, fungi, and bacteria. Plant glycine-rich proteins have been associated to stress response. Previously, we reported that the Arabidopsis thaliana AtGRDP2 gene, which encodes a protein with a glycine-rich domain, plays a role in growth and development of A. thaliana and Lactuca sativa. In this study, we generated composite Phaseolus vulgaris plants that overexpress the AtGRDP2 gene in hairy roots generated by Agrobacterium rhizogenes. We observed that hairy roots harboring the AtGRDP2 gene developed more abundant and faster-growing roots than control hairy roots generated with the wild type A. rhizogenes. In addition, composite common bean plants overexpressing the AtGRDP2 gene in roots were more tolerant to salt stress showing increments in their fresh and dry weight. Our data further support the role of plant GRDP genes in development and stress response.     

Antinociceptive Activity of Compounds from the Aqueous Extract of Melampodium divaricatum

A decoction prepared from the aerial parts of Melampodium divaricatum showed antinociceptive and antihyperalgesic responses when tested in the formalin model in mice. From the CH₂Cl₂ fraction of the decoction, two non-previously reported secondary metabolites, 3-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl-16α-hydroxy-ent-kaurane ( 1 ) and melampodiamide ( 2 ) [(2′R*,4′Z)-2′-hydroxy-N-[(2S*,3S*,4R*)-1,3,4-trihydroxyoctadec-2-yl]tetracos-4-enamide] were separated and characterized by spectroscopic, spectrometric, and computational techniques. The flavonoids isoquercitrin and hyperoside, which possessed noted antinociceptive properties, were obtained from the active AcOEt fraction of the decoction. The chemical composition of the essential oil of the plant was also analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The major constituents were (E)-caryophyllene, germacrene D, β-elemene, δ-elemene, γ-patchoulene, and 7-epi-α-selinene. Headspace solid-phase microextraction analysis detected (E)-caryophyllene as the main volatile compound of the plant.     

Efectos del uso del 17 β-estradiol y la genisteína en la enfermedad de Alzheimer en mujeres con menopausia

The use of 17 β-estradiol and genistein in women with menopause helps in the reduction of vasomotor symptoms and cognitive improvement. There is evidence on the use of certain flavonoids such as genistein, which has a potentially neuroprotective role in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's. Scientific evidence on the effects of phytoestrogens and genistein during menopause and their effect on cognition are scarce, however, in the present review it was found that the intervention with 17 β-estradiol has positive effects on cognition in women with Alzheimer's disease. In addition, the use of genistein, daidzein or any supplement based on isoflavones may influence vasomotor symptoms. 17 β-estradiol supplements in women in early menopause and with some degree of cognitive impairment may have beneficial effects.     

Immunological evaluation of rheumatoid arthritis patients treated with itolizumab

Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease characterized by joint inflammation that affects approximately 1% of the general population. Itolizumab, a monoclonal antibody specific for the human CD6 molecule mainly expressed on T lymphocytes, has been shown to inhibit proliferation of T cells and proinflammatory cytokine production in psoriasis patients. We have now assessed the immunological effect of itolizumab in combination with methotrexate in rheumatoid arthritis by analyzing clinical samples taken from 30 patients enrolled in a clinical trial. T and B cell subpopulations were measured at different time points of the study. Plasma cytokine levels and anti-idiotypic antibody response to itolizumab were also evaluated. The combined treatment of itolizumab and methotrexate led to a reduction in the frequency of T cell subpopulations, and plasma levels of proinflammatory cytokines showed a significant decrease up to at least 12 weeks after treatment ended. No anti-idiotypic antibody response was detected. These results support the relevance of the CD6 molecule as a therapeutic target for the treatment of this disease.     

Characterization of bacterial communities associated with Brassica napus L. growing on a Zn-contaminated soil and their effects on root growth

The interaction between plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) and plants can enhance biomass production and metal tolerance of the host plants. This work aimed at isolating and characterizing the cultivable bacterial community associated with Brassica napus growing on a Zn-contaminated site, for selecting cultivable PGPB that might enhance biomass production and metal tolerance of energy crops. The effects of some of these bacterial strains on root growth of B. napus exposed to increasing Zn and Cd concentrations were assessed. A total of 426 morphologically different bacterial strains were isolated from the soil, the rhizosphere, and the roots and stems of B. napus. The diversity of the isolated bacterial populations was similar in rhizosphere and roots, but lower in soil and stem compartments. Burkoholderia, Alcaligenes, Agrococcus, Polaromonas, Stenotrophomonas, Serratia, Microbacterium, and Caulobacter were found as root endophytes exclusively. The inoculation of seeds with Pseudomonas sp. strains 228 and 256, and Serratia sp. strain 246 facilitated the root development of B. napus at 1,000 µM Zn. Arthrobacter sp. strain 222, Serratia sp. strain 246, and Pseudomonas sp. 228 and 262 increased the root length at 300 µM Cd.     

Caveolin-1 regulates cell polarization and directional migration through Src kinase and Rho GTPases

Development, angiogenesis, wound healing, and metastasis all involve the movement of cells in response to changes in the extracellular environment. To determine whether caveolin-1 plays a role in cell migration, we have used fibroblasts from knockout mice. Caveolin-1–deficient cells lose normal cell polarity, exhibit impaired wound healing, and have decreased Rho and increased Rac and Cdc42 GTPase activities. Directional persistency of migration is lost, and the cells show an impaired response to external directional stimuli. Both Src inactivation and p190RhoGAP knockdown restore the wild-type phenotype to caveolin-1–deficient cells, suggesting that caveolin-1 stimulates normal Rho GTP loading through inactivation of the Src–p190RhoGAP pathway. These findings highlight the importance of caveolin-1 in the establishment of cell polarity during directional migration through coordination of the signaling of Src kinase and Rho GTPases.     

Association and interaction of the IL4R,IL4, and IL13 loci with type 1 diabetes among Filipinos

In the search for genes involved in type 1 diabetes (T1D), other than the well-established risk alleles at the human leukocyte antigen loci, we have investigated the association and interaction of polymorphisms in genes involved in the IL4/IL13 pathway in a sample of 90 Filipino patients with T1D and 94 controls. Ten single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), including two promoter SNPs in the IL4R locus on chromosome 16p11, one promoter SNP in the IL4 locus on chromosome 5q31, and four SNPs--including two promoter SNPs--in the IL13 locus on chromosome 5q31 were examined for association, linkage disequilibrium, and interaction. We found that both individual SNPs (IL4R L389L; odds ratio [OR] 0.34; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.17-0.67; P=.001) and specific haplotypes both in IL4R (OR 0.10; 95% CI 0-0.5; P=.001) and for the five linked IL4 and IL13 SNPs (OR 3.47; P=.004) were strongly associated with susceptibility to T1D. Since IL4 and IL13 both serve as ligands for a receptor composed, in part, of the IL4R alpha chain, we looked for potential epistasis between polymorphisms in the IL4R locus on chromosome 16p11 and the five SNPs in the IL4 and IL13 loci on chromosome 5q31 and found, through use of a logistic-regression model, significant gene-gene interactions (P=.045, corrected for multiple comparisons by permutation analysis). Our data suggest that the risk for T1D is determined, in part, by polymorphisms within the IL4R locus, including promoter and coding-sequence variants, and by specific combinations of genotypes at the IL4R and the IL4 and IL13 loci.     

Morphological and biological characterization of cell line developed from bovine <Emphasis Type="Italic">Echinococcus granulosus</Emphasis>

The taeniid tapeworm Echinococcus granulosus is the causative agent of echinococcal disease, a major zoonosis with worldwide distribution. Several efforts to establish an in vitro model of E. granulosus have been undertaken; however, many of them have been designed for Echinococcus multilocularis. In the present study, we have described and characterized a stable cell line obtained from E. granulosus bovine protoscoleces maintained 3 yr in vitro. Growth characterization, morphology by light, fluorescent and electronic microscopy, and karyotyping were carried out. Cell culture origin was confirmed by immunofluorescent detection of AgB4 antigen and by PCR for the mitochondrial cytochrome c-oxidase subunit 1 (DCO1) gene. Cells seeded in agarose biphasic culture resembled a cystic structure, similar to the one formed in secondary hosts. This cell line could be a useful tool to research equinococcal behavior, allowing additional physiological and pharmacological studies, such as the effect of growth factors, nutrients, and antiparasitic drugs on cell viability and growth and on cyst formation.