Mycoflora and mycotoxins natural occurrence in corn from entre rios province, Argentina

Corn samples were collected in 1999 from three departments of Entre Réos province, Argentina, and were surveyed for mould contamination and natural occurrence ofFusarium mycotoxins, ochratoxin A and aflatoxins.Fusarium verticillioides was the most prevalent fungal species recorded at all departments. Zearalenone, deoxynivalenol and ochratoxin A were not found in any samples. Only one of the 52 corn samples analysed was contaminated with aflatoxin B₁ (17 μg/kg). Fumonisin B₁ was found in 58 % of samples (range of positive samples: 47– 3,347 μg/kg), fumonisin B₂ in 33.0 % (range of positive samples: 23–537 μg/kg) and fumonisin B₃ in 25.0 % (range of positive samples: 24–287 μg/kg) of them. This is the first report on the natural occurrence of mycotoxins in corn from Entre Ríos province, Argentina. Levels of fumonisins were lower than detected in other Argentinian provinces.     

Molecular action of methotrexate in inflammatory diseases

Despite the recent introduction of biological response modifiers and potent new small-molecule antirheumatic drugs, the efficacy of methotrexate is nearly unsurpassed in the treatment of inflammatory arthritis. Although methotrexate was first introduced as an antiproliferative agent that inhibits the synthesis of purines and pyrimidines for the therapy of malignancies, it is now clear that many of the anti-inflammatory effects of methotrexate are mediated by adenosine. This nucleoside, acting at one or more of its receptors, is a potent endogenous anti-inflammatory mediator. In confirmation of this mechanism of action, recent studies in both animals and patients suggest that adenosine-receptor antagonists, among which is caffeine, reverse or prevent the anti-inflammatory effects of methotrexate.     

Diversification of plant species in a subtropical region of eastern South American highlands: a phylogeographic perspective on native Petunia (Solanaceae)

In the Southern and Southeastern Brazilian highlands, a clade of seven species of Petunia that are endemic to the region (P. altiplana, P. bonjardinensis, P. guarapuavensis, P. mantiqueirensis, P. reitzii, P. saxicola and P. scheideana) exists in association with grassland formations. These formations are isolated in high-altitude regions, being surrounded by forested areas, and experienced contraction-expansion cycles associated with the glacial cycles of the Pleistocene. To understand the evolutionary history of this group, the divergence of which is probably linked to these past shifts in habitat, we analysed the sequences of the plastidial intergenic spacers trnH-psbA and trnS-trnG from populations throughout the known distributions of all seven species. The common ancestor of this highland clade started to differentiate ～0.9 million years (Myr) ago, which corresponds to a high diversification rate of 2.06 species per Myr in the intervening period. The high level of haplotype sharing among several species in the clade and the absence of reciprocal monophyly suggest the persistence of ancestral polymorphisms during speciation events and/or past hybridization, because no hybrid was found. Four of the five species displayed very low genetic diversity and possessed either one or two haplotypes, which is consistent with long-term isolation in restricted areas. The three more diverse species displayed significant population structure, and P. altiplana showed a clear signs of population growth during the last glacial period. These results suggest that diversification occurred as a result of expansion of the ancestral species of the clade during glacial periods followed by fragmentation and isolation during retraction in interglacial periods.     

Hypolipidemic and antioxidant properties of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Ganoderma lucidum</Emphasis> (Leyss:Fr) Karst used as a dietary supplement

In this study, the hypolipidemic and antioxidant properties of Ganoderma lucidum CG 144, a medicinal mushroom cultivated on wet wheat grains by solid-state fermentation, were investigated followed dietary supplementation. Basal chow was supplemented with 85, 50, or 10% of G. lucidum CG 144 dried spawn, resulting in G85, G50, and G10 diets, respectively, and fed to normocholesterolemic and induced-hypercholesterolemic mice. The G85 diet triggered significant loss of body weight compared with the G50 and G10 diets (P < 0.01). In the normocholesterolemic mice, regular consumption of high concentrations (G85 and G50 diets) of dried spawn led to significant changes in the plasma lipid concentrations (P < 0.05). Although there were no significant changes in the plasma cholesterol concentrations, the G85 and G50 diets decreased the low-density-lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels by 71 and 98%, respectively, and increased the high-density-lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels by 80 and 86%, respectively. Further, the plasma triacylglycerol levels decreased by 32.5 and 42% with the G85 and G50 diets, respectively. The G10 diet did not alter the plasma lipid profile in the normocholesterolemic mice (P > 0.05) but significantly decreased the cholesterol concentrations (P < 0.001) in the induced-hypercholesterolemic mice. Peritoneal macrophages from the induced-hypercholesterolemic mice fed the G10 diet produced lower nitric oxide than the controls (P < 0.05).     

Permanent Genetic Resources added to Molecular Ecology Resources Database 1 June 2011-31 July 2011

This article documents the addition of 112 microsatellite marker loci and 24 pairs of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) sequencing primers to the Molecular Ecology Resources Database. Loci were developed for the following species: Agelaius phoeniceus, Austrolittorina cincta, Circus cyaneus, Circus macrourus, Circus pygargus, Cryptocoryne × purpurea Ridl. nothovar. purpurea, Mya arenaria, Patagioenas squamosa, Prochilodus mariae, Scylla serrata and Scytalopus speluncae. These loci were cross-tested on the following species: Cryptocoryne × purpurea nothovar. purpurea, Cryptocoryne affinis, Cryptocoryne ciliata, Cryptocoryne cordata var. cordata, Cryptocoryne elliptica, Cryptocoryne griffithii, Cryptocoryne minima, Cryptocoryne nurii and Cryptocoryne schulzei. This article also documents the addition of 24 sequencing primer pairs and 24 allele-specific primers or probes for Aphis glycines.     

Transcriptomics and systems biology analysis in identification of specific pathways involved in cacao resistance and susceptibility to witches' broom disease

This study reports on expression analysis associated with molecular systems biology of cacao-Moniliophthora perniciosa interaction. Gene expression data were obtained for two cacao genotypes (TSH1188, resistant; Catongo, susceptible) challenged or not with the fungus M. perniciosa and collected at three time points through disease. Using expression analysis, we identified 154 and 227 genes that are differentially expressed in TSH1188 and Catongo, respectively. The expression of some of these genes was confirmed by RT-qPCR. Physical protein-protein interaction (PPPI) networks of Arabidopsis thaliana orthologous proteins corresponding to resistant and susceptible interactions were obtained followed by cluster and gene ontology analyses. The integrated analysis of gene expression and systems biology allowed designing a general scheme of major mechanisms associated with witches' broom disease resistance/susceptibility. In this sense, the TSH1188 cultivar shows strong production of ROS and elicitors at the beginning of the interaction with M. perniciosa followed by resistance signal propagation and ROS detoxification. On the other hand, the Catongo genotype displays defense mechanisms that include the synthesis of some defense molecules but without success in regards to elimination of the fungus. This phase is followed by the activation of protein metabolism which is achieved with the production of proteasome associated with autophagy as a precursor mechanism of PCD. This work also identifies candidate genes for further functional studies and for genetic mapping and marker assisted selection.     

Microsatellites in Aureliana fasciculata var. fasciculata (Solanaceae), a shrub that inhabits the Atlantic Rainforest

? Premise of the study: Microsatellite primers were developed in Aureliana fasciculata var. fasciculata, a shrub that inhabits the Atlantic Rainforest, to investigate the intraspecific genetic structure of the species. ? Methods and Results: Nine pairs of microsatellite primers were designed that were based on a simple sequence repeat (SSR)-enriched library. Seven loci were amplified successfully. Two populations of A. fasciculata var. fasciculata were genotyped and all loci were polymorphic, with two to five alleles per locus per population detected. Cross-species amplification was achieved in other members of the genus and members of the sister genus Athenaea. ? Conclusions: The development of these microsatellite markers will contribute to future population genetic studies in A. fasciculata var. fasciculata. Cross-amplification among other species in the genus and in the sister genus Athenaea might be a useful tool to establish patterns of genetic variability within the Atlantic Rainforest.     

Isolation and characterization of 12 dinucletiotide microsatellite loci in Paratrechalea galianoae (Araneae, Trechaleidae), a nuptial gift-spider

Twelve microsatellite loci from the Neotropical spider Paratrechalea galianoae were isolated from a microsatellite-enriched genomic library, and were tested in a sample of 27 individuals from a population that occurs in Brazil. All loci were polymorphic and three to 14 (mean 7.58) alleles per locus were identified. The observed and expected heterozygosities per locus ranged from 0.417 to 0.885 and from 0.595 to 0.878, respectively. Two loci deviated significantly from Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium and one pair showed evidence of linkage disequilibrium. These loci are being used to study the population structure and genetic diversity in P. galianoae.     

Mutagenesis of the fusion peptide-like domain of hepatitis C virus E1 glycoprotein: involvement in cell fusion and virus entry

Background  

Envelope (E) glycoprotein E2 of the hepatitis C virus (HCV) mediates binding of the virus to target cell receptors. Nevertheless, the precise role of E1 in viral entry remains elusive.     

Lifelong exposure to dietary fish oil alters macrophage responses in Walker 256 tumor-bearing rats

Supplementation of the diet with fish oil (FO) decreases growth of the Walker 256 tumor and decreases the cachexia associated with tumor-bearing. The mechanisms by which FO inhibits tumor growth and cachexia are unknown. Macrophages are very important in host defence against tumors since they produce several anti-tumor agents which in turn have been shown to be modified by dietary FO, but rarely in the setting of tumor bearing and never in relation to lifelong exposure. In this study, we compared the effects of supplementation of the diet of pregnant and lactating rats and subsequent supplementation of the offspring with coconut fat or FO on macrophage activities involved in anti-tumor defence. FO supplementation was able to induce an increase in phagocytosis, in O2-, H2O2, nitric oxide, and TNF-alpha production by macrophages and in lysosomal volume in non-tumor-bearing rats. However, phagocytosis, production of O2- and H2O2 and lysosomal volume were not affected by the FO diet when rats were bearing tumors, although nitric oxide production was higher in these animals. It appears that tumor bearing activates the innate immune system and that dietary FO has little effect on innate immunity in the presence of Walker 256 tumors. Thus, it is still unclear how FO decreases the growth of Walker 256 tumors and the associated cachexia.