The mitochondrial and nuclear genetic structure of Myotis capaccinii (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae) in the Eurasian transition, and its taxonomic implications

Allopatric isolation in glacial refugia has caused differentiation and speciation in many taxa globally. In this study, we investigated the nuclear and mitochondrial genetic differentiation of the long fingered bat, Myotis capaccinii during the ice ages in south-eastern Europe and Anatolia. The mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analyses indicated a suture zone similar to those recorded in other animal species, including bats, suggesting the association of more than one refugium with the region. Contrary to most of the other species where a suture zone was seen in Anatolia, for M. capaccinii the geographical location of the genetic break was in south-eastern Europe. This mitochondrial differentiation was not reflected in the nuclear microsatellites, however, suggesting that the lack of contact during the ice ages did not result in reproductive isolation. Hence taxonomically, the two mitochondrial clades cannot be treated as separate species.     

Diverse effects of three furocoumarins on human lymphocyte proliferation

The biological effects of three furocoumarins on the proliferation of human normal peripheral blood lymphocytes have been investigated. Mitogen-stimulated human lymphocytes were assayed "in vitro" by measuring 3H-thymidine (3H-TdR) incorporation in the presence and in the absence of 15-30 microM 3-carbethoxypsoralen (3-CPs), trimethylangelicin (TMA) and psoralen (PSR) with and without UV-A irradiation (365 nm). The three furocoumarins differ in their ability to form mono- and bi-functional adducts with DNA pyrimidine bases and in producing reactive species of oxygen. At low furocoumarin doses and short times of UV-A irradiation (15-30 sec) used in the present study, 3-CPs did not affect 3H-TdR incorporation in PHA-stimulated human lymphocytes, TMA strongly inhibited 3H-TdR incorporation, while, unexpectedly, PSR increased 3H-TdR incorporation in the absence of irradiation, likely acting, under these experimental conditions, as a co-mitogen.     

Characterization and co-culture of novel nontransformed cell lines derived from rat endometrial epithelium and stroma

Summary Normal and neoplastic growth of epithelial cells depends on mutual interactions between epithelial and stromal cells. As a tool for the study of the underlying molecular mechanisms, we have developed temperature-sensitive, nontransformed cell lines derived from rat uterine epithelium and stroma by transfecting primary cultures with a temperature-sensitive mutant of the SV40 large T antigen. The epithelial and stromal cell lines obtained shared relevant morphological characteristics with the primary cells from which they were derived. Immunocytochemical analysis showed that the epithelial cell lines expressed the intermediate filament cytokeratin, whereas the stromal lines expressed the intermediate filament vimentin. Alkaline phosphatase activity was present in all cell lines examined. All cell lines were anchorage dependent and did not form foci. One epithelial cell line expressed oxytocin mRNA, a gene product recently shown to be highly expressed in vivo in the uterine epithelium at term. If grown on Matrigel, this cell line formed domelike structures, a further characteristic of its differentiated phenotype. In an attempt to reconstitute an endometrium in vitro, epithelial cells were seeded on top of a layer of stromal cells. Paraffin cross sections showed that this in vitro system consisted of a bilayer structure. Four to five cuboidal epithelial cells were typically anchored atop one stromal cell, forming an endometriumlike tissue. The present in vitro system should provide a useful model for further studies on endometrial functions and epithelial/stromal cell interactions at a molecular level.     

Comparative bioinformatics analysis and abiotic stress responses of expansin proteins in Cucurbitaceae members: watermelon and melon

Protoplasma - Watermelon and melon are members of the Cucurbitaceae family including economically significant crops in the world. The expansin protein family, which is one of the members of the...     

Evaluation of Acetic Acid-Induced Chronic Gastric Ulcer Healing by Propionyl-L-Carnitine Administration

The aim of our study was to investigate the healing effect of propionyl-L-carnitine (PLC) on chronic gastric ulcers and its underlying mechanisms. This study included rats with gastric ulcers induced by applying serosal glacial acetic acid. These rats were then given either saline (vehicle) or PLC at doses of 60 and 120 mg/kg, administered orally 3 days after ulcer induction for 14 consecutive days. Our study found that treatment with PLC resulted in a reduction of the gastric ulcer area, a faster rate of ulcer healing, and stimulated mucosal restoration. Additionally, the treatment with PLC reduced the number of Iba-1+ M1 macrophages while increasing the number of galectin-3+ M2 macrophages, as well as desmin+ microvessels, and α-SMA+ myofibroblasts in the gastric ulcer bed. The mRNA expression of COX-2, eNOS, TGF-β1, VEGFA, and EGF in the ulcerated gastric mucosa was greater in the PLC-treated groups compared with the vehicle-treated rats. In conclusion, these findings suggest that PLC treatment may accelerate gastric ulcer healing by stimulating mucosal reconstruction, macrophage polarization, angiogenesis, and fibroblast proliferation, as well as fibroblast-myofibroblast transition. This process is associated with the upregulation of TGF-β1, VEGFA, and EGF, as well as modulation of the cyclooxygenase/nitric oxide synthase systems.     

Age-related changes in body weight,scrotal size and plasma testosterone levels in buffalo bulls (Bubalus bubalis)

Body weight, testicle size and peripheral testosterone concentrations were measured in 35 water buffalo bulls at 5, 15, 17, 21, 25 and 38 months of age. These parameters were studied in all animals during the same month (October), so the changes due to age were independent of changes in photoperiod and temperature. Body weight increased linearly with age. The testicular size measured in terms of scrotal circumference as related to age, showed a curvilinear increase; the average rate of testicular growth was maximum between 15 and 25 months. Plasma testosterone levels were low between 5 and 21 months. A significant rise in plasma concentration of testosterone was observed at 25 months reaching peak levels at 38 months. The mean age of sexually mature bulls at the time of first ejaculation of semen with motile sperm, was 24.9±0.9 months (n=9). It has been concluded that in the Nili-Ravi buffalo bulls the sexually quiescent period (prepubertal) extends up to 15 months of age and sexual maturation as indicated by the presence of motile sperm in the ejaculate is attained at about 25 months.     

II. Phospholipid exchange and size enlargement in sonicated vesicles induced by a ‘critical’ fatty acid concentration

Size enlargement of dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine vesicles was greatly accelerated in the range of the phase-transition temperatures, when fatty acid concentration was above a threshold level (‘critical’ concentration). This ‘critical’ concentration varied with the length of the fatty acid chain. The size enlargement process had second-order kinetics dependent on the vesicle concentration. Alkaline pH and low ionic strength inhibited the rate of size enlargement.Phospholipid exchange between dimyristoyl and dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine vesicles increased abruptly above a ‘critical’ fatty acid concentration. The donor vesicles were those vesicles in which fatty acids reached the ‘critical’ concentration. The phospholipid exchange occurred both in fluid- and in solid-state vesicles. The ‘critical’ fatty acid concentration accelerating the phospholipid exchange process was lower than that accelerating the size enlargement process.The phospholipid exchange process explained in terms of a diminished hydrophobic attraction among the phospholipid molecules of the bilayer occurs via a free phospholipid molecule transfer through the aqueous phase. The size enlargement process is interpreted in terms of high fatty acid concentration in the membrane fluid domains. The membrane structure is locally perturbed inducing vesicle sticking after collision.     

Evidence for the deficiency of β-glucosidase-activating factor in fibroblasts of patients with I-cell disease

Summary Reduced activity of -glucosidase was shown in the cultured skin fibroblasts of four patients with I-cell disease when the enzyme was tested without the use of detergents. In the presence of taurocholate and triton X100 -glucosidase activity was normal. This suggested a deficiency of a -glucosidase-activating factor in I-cell fibroblasts rather than of the enzyme itself. The deficiency of -glucosidase activity was corrected to some extent by mixing cell lysates, and more effectively by cocultivation and fusion of I-cell disease and Gaucher fibroblasts. These results present evidence for the presence of a -glucosidase-activating factor in normal and Gaucher fibroblasts. In fibroblasts of patients with I-cell disease this activator is probably deficient, as is the case for most lysosomal enzymes.     

Recent chemo‐/biosensor and bioimaging studies based on indole‐decorated BODIPYs

BODIPY is an important fluorophores due to its enhanced photophysical and chemical properties including outstanding thermal/photochemical stability, intense absorption/emission profiles, high photoluminescence quantum yield, and small Stokes' shifts. In addition to BODIPY, indole and its derivatives have recently gained attention because of their structural properties and particularly biological importance, therefore these molecules have been widely used in sensing and biosensing applications. Here, we focus on recent studies that reported the incorporation of indole‐based BODIPY molecules as reporter molecules in sensing systems. We highlight the rationale for developing such systems and evaluate detection limits of the developed sensing platforms. Furthermore, we also review the application of indole‐based BODIPY molecules in bioimaging studies. This article includes the evaluation of indole‐based BODIPYs from synthesis to characterization and a comparison of the advantages and disadvantages of developed reporter systems, making it instructive for researchers in various disciplines for the design and development of similar systems.     

Biotization of Arabidopsis thaliana with Pseudomonas putida and assessment of its positive effect on in vitro growth

Determination of the optimal inoculation method and concentration to use for plant-bacteria interaction studies is important in many cases, such as the phytoremediation of heavy metals and other toxic compounds in contaminated areas. The aim of this study was to compare different concentrations and times of inoculation of Pseudomonas putida with various growth stages of Arabidopsis thaliana in 14-d in vitro cultures. A significant beneficial impact of the bacterium was detected in the shoot length and root weight of seedlings. The highest shoot length and root fresh and dry weights were detected in 14-d and 2 × 10³ cfu mL⁻¹ inoculated samples. In addition, the increase in root weight could be visualized with crystal violet staining, as relatively more root hair and lateral root formation occurred in seedlings inoculated with moderate concentrations of bacteria, possibly due to the ability of P. putida to produce indole-acetic acid. Moreover, the highest photosynthetic pigment accumulation was obtained with the highest bacterial inoculum (2 × 10⁶ cfu mL⁻¹), which was tested in 0- or 3-d-old seedlings. Rhizospheric bacterial colonization was also visualized with GFP-labeled bacteria by confocal microscopy. These results showed that biotization of A. thaliana with P. putida KT2440 did not cause severe oxidative stress in seedlings, because H₂O₂ accumulation levels together with CAT and POX activities were not significantly induced. Therefore, this strain could be used for several applications based on plant-bacteria interactions.