Effects of dietary Ergosan on cutaneous mucosal immune response in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss)

The effects of dietary Ergosan on the growth performance and mucosal immunity in rainbow trout skin were investigated. 60 rainbow trout (100-110 g) were randomly assigned to 2 groups in triplicates and fed one of the experimental diet formulated with 5 g kg⁻¹ Ergosan or control diet for 50 days. Results showed that on the 45th day of feeding trial, Ergosan supplementation significantly enhanced the growth performance compared to control group. Various enzyme activities, namely lysozyme, protease, alkaline phosphatase and esterase in treatment group were also enhanced on the 45th and 50th day. Skin mucus in Ergosan-fed fish showed the agglutination of erythrocytes while in control group, no visible agglutination was shown. In addition, skin mucus in treatment group showed strong antibacterial activity against Yersinia ruckeri. In conclusion, the major immune components of rainbow trout mucus that are involved in the non-specific immunity were enhanced by administration of Ergosan in 5 g kg⁻¹.     

Application of plasma surface modification techniques to improve hemocompatibility of vascular grafts: A review

Surface modification using plasma processing can significantly change the chemical and physical characteristics of biomaterial surfaces. When used in combination with additional modification techniques such as direct chemical or biochemical methods, it can produce novel biomaterial surfaces, which are anticoagulant, bioactive, and biomimetic in nature. This article reviews recent advances in improving hemocompatibility of biomaterials by plasma surface modification (PSM). The focus of this review is on PSM of the most commonly used polymers for vascular prostheses such as expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyethylene terephthalate (Dacron(?) ), and next generation of biomaterials, including polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane nanocomposite.     

A role for Rac3 GTPase in the regulation of autophagy

The process of autophagy is situated at the intersection of multiple cell signaling pathways, including cell metabolism, growth, and death, and hence is subject to multiple forms of regulation. We previously reported that inhibition of isoprenylcysteine carboxylmethyltransferase (Icmt), which catalyzes the final step in the post-translational prenylation of so-called CAAX proteins, results in the induction of autophagy which enhances cell death in some cancer cells. In this study, using siRNA-mediated knockdown of a group of small GTPases that are predicted Icmt substrates, we identify Rac3 GTPase as a negative regulator of the process of autophagy. Knockdown of Rac3, but not the closely related isoforms Rac1 and Rac2, results in induction of autophagy. Ectopic expression of Rac3, significantly rescues cells from autophagy and cell death induced by Icmt inhibition, strengthening the notion of an isoform-specific autophagy regulatory function of Rac3. This role of Rac3 was observed in multiple cell lines with varying Rac subtype expression profiles, suggesting its broad involvement in the process. The identification of this less-studied Rac member as a novel regulator provides new insight into autophagy and opens opportunities in identifying additional regulatory inputs of the process.     

Curcumin can prevent the loss of sinoatrial node cells in methionine-treated rats: A stereological study

Methionine (MET) rich diets, smoking, coffee and alcohol consumption, low physical activity, and aging are related to high plasma concentrations of homocysteine, which can jeopardize the heart health. Although hyperhomocysteinemia has been considered a recognized risk factor for cardiac dysrhythmia, the structural changes of the conductive system, including Sinoatrial (SA) node of the heart involved in the disorder, have not been completely clarified. Curcumin is the main component of turmeric and has shown some cardioprotective effects.This study aimed to evaluate the effect of curcumin on the structural changes of the SA node in L-MET-treated rats. These alterations were evaluated by means of stereological techniques, namely cavalieri principle for volume estimation and optical disector counting technique for cell counting. Both techniques used two-dimensional images for obtaining three-dimensional parameters. The rats were divided into four groups, including control, MET-treated (1 g/kg/day), curcumin-treated, (100 mg/kg/day), and MET + curcumin. The treatments were performed for 28 days. On the final day, SA nodes were dissected out for stereological investigation. Compared to the control rats, the volume of SA node, total volume of grape-like cell clusters, and number of SA node cells were respectively decreased by 42%, 34%, and 37% in the MET-treated group (p < 0.04). However, collagen density remained constant in all the study groups. Furthermore, treatment with curcumin could protect the SA node from cellular decline in the MET + curcumin group (p < 0.01).It can be concluded that curcumin could prevent the structural changes of the SA node in the rats treated with methionine.     

Comparison of dosimetric characteristics of physical wedge and enhanced dynamic wedge in inhomogeneous medium using Monte Carlo simulations

BackgroundWidely used physical wedges in clinical radiotherapy lead to beam intensity attenuation as well as the beam hardening effect, which must be considered. Dynamic wedges devised to overcome the physical wedges (PWs) problems result in dosimetry complications due to jaw movement while the beam is on. This study was aimed to investigate the usability of physical wedge data instead of enhanced dynamic wedge due to the enhanced dynamic wedge (EDW) dosimetry measurement hardships of Varian 2100CD in inhomogeneous phantom by Monte Carlo code as a reliable method in radiation dosimetry.Materials and methodsA PW and EDW-equipped-linac head was simulated using BEAMnrc code. DOSXYZnrc was used for three-dimensional dosimetry calculation in the CIRS phantom.ResultsBased on the isodose curves, EDW generated a less scattered as well as lower penumbra width compared to the PW. The depth dose variations of PWs and EDWs were more in soft tissue than the lung tissue. Beam profiles of PW and EDW indicated good coincidence in all points, except for the heel area.ConclusionResults demonstrated that it is possible to apply PW data instead of EDW due to the dosimetry and commissioning hardships caused by EDW in inhomogeneous media.     

LEI0258 Microsatellite Variability in Khorasan, Marandi, and Arian Chickens

Microsatellite LEI0258 is a genetic marker for chicken MHC haplotypes and can be used as an indicator of the influence of population genetics on immune responses. LEI0258 microsatellite variability in three Iranian indigenous chicken populations (Khorasan, Marandi, and Arian) was investigated. In total, 142 Khorasan, 42 Marandi, and 58 Arian chickens were examined. Collectively, 25 different alleles and 79 genotypes could be found. The observed levels of heterozygosity were 81% in Khorasan and Marandi and 34% in Arian chickens. Our results indicate that LEI0258 diversity in Marandi chickens is higher than in the other populations. Allelic diversity in Iranian chickens is relatively higher than in the local chicken breeds reported for Brazil and Vietnam.     

Synthesis of novel phosphorothioates and phosphorodithioates and their differential inhibition of cholinesterases

The anticholinesterase activities of newly synthesized phosphorothioates and phosphorodithioates were investigated. The compounds were evaluated for their acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) inhibition potency through IC₅₀ determination. The selectivities of the synthesized compounds toward both enzymes were determined and compared in terms of their molecular structures.     

RelA1 gene control of Escherichia coli lipid structure and cell performance during glucose limited fed-batch conditions

At increasing glucose limitation, typical for fed-batch cultivation performance, cultivation of Escherichia coli (relA1) results in development of a lipid structure that radically differs from the wild type and is characterised by accumulation of neutral phospholipids and saturated fatty acids. The mutant can, furthermore, not change the level of cardiolipin, which is generally the hallmark of changes to severe glucose limitation. The result suggests an increased negative control in the mutant with respect to the flux to phosphatidyl glycerol and cardolipin as well as to unsaturated fatty acids. Opposite to the wild type, the cardiolipin-depleted membrane is more fragile with respect to sonication and osmotic chock, at severe limitation, and results in extensive foaming during the process. Protein leakage and cell lysis is, however, lower in the mutant most likely due to the increased amounts of saturated fatty acids, which might be a possible strategy to overcome the reduced amounts of membrane-strengthening cardiolipin. The membrane potential of the outer surface is negative, however less negative for the mutant. This was supported by aqueous two-phase extraction experiments which, furthermore indicated a difference in outer surface hydrofobicity. These findings suggest that the relA1 gene has a defined, but ppGpp-independent, role in cells with a slowly decreasing metabolism of glucose to control the membrane morphology.