3-Acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid attenuated oxidative glutamate toxicity in neuron-like cell lines by apoptosis inhibition

3-Acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid (AKBA), a pentacyclic triterpenic acid present in gum resin of Boswellia serrata, has been found to possess antioxidant and neuroprotective properties. In this study, we aimed to examine protective properties of AKBA against glutamate-induced neuronal injury. To investigate the effects of AKBA (2.5-10 µM) on glutamate injury in neuron-like cells PC12 and N2a, two treatment regimens (incubation for 2 or 0 hours before glutamate exposure) were used. Then, the 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide method was used to determine viability of the cells. Cellular redox status was evaluated using fluorimetry and comet assays. Annexin V/propidium iodide double staining and Western blot analysis of relative apoptotic proteins were conducted. Based on the results, 24 hours incubation with glutamate (8 mM) increased the cell mortality of PC12 and N2a (P < .001). However, AKBA (2.5-10 µM) enhanced the cell viability in both treatment regimens (P < .001). Also co- and pretreatment with AKBA significantly attenuated lipid peroxidation, reactive oxygen species production, and DNA injury (P < .05 and P < .001). AKBA also restored the activity of cellular superoxide dismutase under glutamate toxicity; this effect was seen to be more significant during the pretreatment regimen (P < .001). Moreover, Western blot analysis indicated that AKBA inhibited glutamate-induced programmed cell death through depressing the elevation of the expression ratio of Bax/Bcl-2 and cleaved-caspase-3 proteins, concentration-dependently. Overall, the present findings suggest the neuroprotective activities of AKBA against glutamate-induced cell injury probably by inhibiting oxidative damage and reducing apoptotic cell death.     

Predictive value of weight-for-age to identify overweight children

Objective: The objective was to assess the predictive value of weight‐for‐age to identify overweight children and adolescents in the unusual research or public health situations where height is not available to calculate BMI. Research Methods and Procedures: Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999 to 2004 were used to calculate the sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values of selected weight‐for‐age cut‐off points to identify overweight children and adolescents (as defined by BMI ≥95th percentile). Positive and negative predictive values are dependent on prevalence and are reported here for this study population only. Results: The 50th and 75th weight‐for‐age percentiles had good sensitivity (100% and 99.6%, respectively), but poor positive predictive value (23.7% and 37.0%, respectively), while the 95th and 97th percentiles had reasonable positive predictive value (80.3% and 91.5%, respectively), but limited sensitivity (82.0% and 66.7%, respectively) to identify overweight subjects. The properties of weight‐for‐age percentiles to identify overweight subjects differed between sex, age, and race/ethnicity but remain within a relatively narrow range. Discussion: No single weight‐for‐age cut‐off point was found to identify overweight children and adolescents with acceptable values for all properties and, therefore, cannot be used in the clinical setting. Furthermore, the positive predictive values reported here may be lower in populations with a lower prevalence of obesity. However, in unusual research or public health situations where height is not available, such as existing databases, weight‐for‐age percentiles may be useful to target limited resources to groups more likely to include overweight children and adolescents than the general population.     

Limber pine (Pinus flexilis James) genetic map constructed by exome‐seq provides insight into the evolution of disease resistance and a genomic resource for genomics‐based breeding

Limber pine ( Pinus flexilis ) is a keystone species of high‐elevation forest ecosystems of western North America, but some parts of the geographic range have high infection and mortality from the non‐native white pine blister rust caused by Cronartium ribicola . Genetic maps can provide essential knowledge for understanding genetic disease resistance as well as local adaptation to changing climates. Exome‐seq was performed to construct high‐density genetic maps in two seed families. Composite maps positioned 9612 unigenes across 12 linkage groups ( LG s). Syntenic analysis of genome structure revealed that the majority of orthologs were positional orthologous genes ( POG s) with localization on homologous LG s among conifer species. Gene ontology ( GO) enrichment analysis showed relatively fewer constraints for POG s with putative roles in adaptation to environments and relatively more conservation for POG s with roles in basic cell function and maintenance. The mapped genes included 639 nucleotide‐binding site leucine‐rich repeat genes ( NBS ‐ LRR s) , 290 receptor‐like protein kinase genes ( RLK s), and 1014 genes with potential roles in the defense response and induced systemic resistance to attack by pathogens. Orthologous loci for resistance to rust pathogens were identified and were co‐positioned with multiple members of the R gene family, revealing the evolutionary pressure acting upon them. This high‐density genetic map provides a genomic resource and practical tool for breeding and genetic conservation programs, with applications in genome‐wide association studies ( GWASs ), the characterization of functional genes underlying complex traits, and the sequencing and assembly of the full‐length genomes of limber pine and related Pinus species.     

Effects of pyriproxyfen on some physiological aspects of the pistachio fruit hull borer,Arimania comaroffi Ragonot,pupae

The pistachio fruit hull borer, Arimania comaroffi (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) is one of the minor pests of pistachio orchards. This pest passes the winter as pupae in silken cocoons in soil beside pistachio trees. In this study, effects of insect growth regulator pyriproxyfen were investigated on some physiological aspects of the pest by measuring glycogen, total sugar, lipid, protein, low-molecular-weight carbohydrates (trehalose and glucose) and polyols (sorbitol and myo-inositol) contents of the pupal body. Last larval instar was treated with 1?μl of the pesticide, and the effects on pupae were measured after one week. Glycogen content in treatment with 3.11?mg/g fresh body weight was significantly different from control with 8.51?mg/g fresh body weight, but no significant differences in protein and lipid contents (p?>?0.05) were observed. Glucose content in treated pupae with 1.50?mg/g fresh body weight was significantly different from control with 2.99?mg/g fresh body weight. Trehalose and sorbitol contents in treated pupae with 0.52 and 0.04?mg/g fresh body weight, respectively, were significantly lower than control with 2.07 and 1.5?mg/g fresh body weight, while there were no significant differences in glucose and myo-inositol contents between treated and control pupae.     

Effects of diet on development and reproduction of the predatory pentatomids Picromerus bidens and Podisus maculiventris

The effects of five diets (larvae of Galleria mellonella L., larvae of Spodoptera littoralis (Boisduval), eggs of Ephestia kuehniella Zeller, cysts of Artemia franciscana Kellogg and an artificial diet based on bovine meat) on development, survival and reproduction of two predatory stinkbugs, Picromerus bidens L. and Podisus maculiventris (Say), were studied in the laboratory. Both species successfully completed immature development on the foods offered, except for P. bidens on cysts of A. franciscana. Significant effects of diet on developmental duration were found in both species. Total developmental time from second instar to adult ranged from 25.0 to 41.5 days and from 18.7 to 46.0 days in P. bidens and P. maculiventris, respectively. Nymphal survival of P. maculiventris was superior to that of P. bidens on all diets tested. Nymphal survival of P. maculiventris was greater than 92% on all diets except on A. franciscana cysts, yielding only 50% survival to adulthood. Survival of P. bidens fed on eggs of E. kuehniella was higher than that of conspecifics fed on caterpillar prey or artificial diet (89% on flour moth eggs vs. 68 and 80% on G. mellonella and S. littoralis and only 50% on meat diet). Fresh weight of newly emerged females of both pentatomids was affected by the diet offered to the predators during their nymphal stage. Females of P. maculiventris produced viable eggs on all diets except on cysts of A. franciscana and had mean fecundities of 691, 436, 608 and 344 eggs per female on S. littoralis, G. mellonella, E. kuehniella eggs and the meat diet, respectively. Females of P. bidens laid eggs only on live prey with mean fecundities of 94 and 38 eggs per female on S. littoralis and G. mellonella, respectively. The results indicate a lower nutritional plasticity of P. bidens as compared with P. maculiventris. An erratum to this article can be found at     

A wood based low-temperature biochar captures NH3-N generated from ruminant urine-N, retaining its bioavailability

Aims

Ammonia (NH₃) can be volatilised from the soil surface following the surface application of nitrogenous fertilisers or ruminant urine deposition. The volatilisation of NH₃ is of agronomic and environmental concern, since NH₃-N is a form of reactive nitrogen. Ammonia adsorption onto biochar has the potential to mitigate NH₃ losses, but to date no studies have examined the potential for reducing NH₃ losses when biochar is present in the soil matrix.

Methods

We used ¹⁵N-enriched urine to examine the effect of incorporating a wood based low-temperature biochar into soil on NH₃ volatilisation. Then, we extracted the urine-treated biochar and compared its potential to act as a plant N source with fresh biochar, while growing ryegrass (Lolium perenne).

Results

The NH₃ volatilisation from ¹⁵N-labelled ruminant urine, applied to soil, was reduced by 45% after incorporating either 15 or 30?t ha^?1 of biochar. When the urine-treated biochar particles were transferred into fresh soil, subsequent plant growth was not affected but the uptake of ¹⁵N in plant tissues increased, indicating that the adsorbed-N was plant available.

Conclusions

Our results show that incorporating biochar into the soil can significantly decrease NH₃ volatilisation from ruminant urine and that the NH₃-N adsorbed onto the biochar is bioavailable. Further studies are now required to assess the temporal dynamics of the N pools involved.     

Occult hepatitis B demonstrated by anti-HBc and HBV DNA in HIV-positive patients

Background:

In patients who are hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA-positive, but HBV surface antigen (HBsAg) -negative, the infection is referred to as occult hepatitis B infection (OBI). Occult HBV infection is harmful when other liver diseases are present, and can aggravate liver damage in in patients with chronic liver diseases. In human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection the suppression of viral replication by the immune system might be inactivated, and classical HBV infection in OBI patients may occur. Health care professionals should be aware of OBI in HIV patients. The routine test for HBV infection in Iran is the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the HBV surface antigen (ELISA HBsAg); therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of OBI in Iranian HIV patients.

Methods:

This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2012 on sera from all the known and accessible HIV patients in Jahrom and Fassa, two cities in southern Iran. All samples were tested for the HBsAg, HBV core antibody (HBcAb). All the results were analyzed using SPSS.

Results:

Of the 91 patients, seven (7.7%) were HBsAg-positive and forty-five (49.5%) were HBcAb-positive. In patients with negative HBsAg (84 patients), 39 (46.4%) were HBcAb positive and 53 (63%) were positive for HBV DNA.

Conclusion:

The prevalence of HBV infection is relatively high in HIV patients, and more accurate tests than those presently in use should be used for diagnosis.Key Words: Hepatitis B, HIV infection, Occult hepatitis     

The Effects of Suction and Pin/Lock Suspension Systems on Transtibial Amputees’ Gait Performance

Background

The suction sockets that are commonly prescribed for transtibial amputees are believed to provide a better suspension than the pin/lock systems. Nevertheless, their effect on amputees’ gait performance has not yet been fully investigated. The main intention of this study was to understand the potential effects of the Seal-in (suction) and the Dermo (pin/lock) suspension systems on amputees’ gait performance.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Ten unilateral transtibial amputees participated in this prospective study, and two prostheses were fabricated for each of them. A three-dimensional motion analysis system was used to evaluate the temporal-spatial, kinematics and kinetics variables during normal walking. We also asked the participants to complete some part of Prosthesis Evaluation Questionnaire (PEQ) regarding their satisfaction and problems with both systems. The results revealed that there was more symmetry in temporal-spatial parameters between the prosthetic and sound limbs using the suction system. However, the difference between two systems was not significant (p<0.05). Evaluation of kinetic data and the subjects’ feedback showed that the participants had more confidence using the suction socket and the sockets were more fit for walking. Nevertheless, the participants had more complaints with this system due to the difficulty in donning and doffing.

Conclusion

It can be concluded that even though the suction socket could create better suspension, fit, and gait performance, overall satisfaction was higher with the pin/lock system due to easy donning and doffing of the prosthesis.

Trial Registration

irct.ir IRCT2014012816395N1     

Gait Biomechanics of Individuals with Transtibial Amputation: Effect of Suspension System

Prosthetic suspension system is an important component of lower limb prostheses. Suspension efficiency can be best evaluated during one of the vital activities of daily living, i.e. walking. A new magnetic prosthetic suspension system has been developed, but its effects on gait biomechanics have not been studied. This study aimed to explore the effect of suspension type on kinetic and kinematic gait parameters during level walking with the new suspension system as well as two other commonly used systems (the Seal-In and pin/lock). Thirteen persons with transtibial amputation participated in this study. A Vicon motion system (six cameras, two force platforms) was utilized to obtain gait kinetic and kinematic variables, as well as pistoning within the prosthetic socket. The gait deviation index was also calculated based on the kinematic data. The findings indicated significant difference in the pistoning values among the three suspension systems. The Seal-In system resulted in the least pistoning compared with the other two systems. Several kinetic and kinematic variables were also affected by the suspension type. The ground reaction force data showed that lower load was applied to the limb joints with the magnetic suspension system compared with the pin/lock suspension. The gait deviation index showed significant deviation from the normal with all the systems, but the systems did not differ significantly. Main significant effects of the suspension type were seen in the GRF (vertical and fore-aft), knee and ankle angles. The new magnetic suspension system showed comparable effects in the remaining kinetic and kinematic gait parameters to the other studied systems. This study may have implications on the selection of suspension systems for transtibial prostheses.

Trial Registration

Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials IRCT2013061813706N1.