Fenoxycarb modulates ecdysone receptor B1 and programmed cell death of the anterior silk gland of silkworm Bombyx mori

Fenoxycarb, O‐ethyl N‐(2‐(4‐phenoxyphenoxy)‐ethyl) carbamate has been shown to be one of the most potent juvenile hormone analogues against a variety of insect species. In the present study, topical application of fenoxycarb to fifth‐instar larvae of the silkworm Bombyx mori (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae) was performed immediately after the fourth ecdysis (on day 0), day 3 and day 6 of the instar and then its effects on the anterior silk glands (ASG) and ecdysone receptor B1 (EcR‐B1) protein were investigated during larval pupal development. Fenoxycarb application increased the instar length and prevented metamorphic events, depending on the application time. The ASGs of B. mori undergo programmed cell death during the larval–pupal metamorphosis and an insect steroid, 20‐hydroxyecdysone (20E), triggers this cell death. The exact mechanism by which 20E and juvenile hormone regulates programmed cell death in insect tissues is poorly understood. To gain insights into how juvenile hormone regulates metamorphic events like programmed cell death in the anterior silk glands, we analyzed the progression of programmed cell death with morphological observations and biochemical experiments like acid phosphatase activity and DNA electrophoresis. Then we examined the EcR‐B1 protein levels and their relationships with programmed cell death. Our results indicated that fenoxycarb modulates programmed cell death of the anterior silk glands and EcR‐B1 protein level, depending on the application time. Fenoxycarb may exhibit its effects in at least two different ways: (i) acting on prothoracic gland secretory activity; and/or (ii) regulation of EcR‐B1 expression in the anterior silk glands for programmed cell death process.     

Effects of salicylic acid and cold on freezing tolerance in winter wheat leaves

The effects of salicylic acid (SA) (0.01, 0.1 and 1 mM) and cold on freezing tolerance (freezing injury and ice nucleation activity) were investigated in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum cv. Dogu-88) grown under control (20/18 °C for 15, 30 and 45-day) and cold (15/10 °C for 15-day, 10/5 °C for 30-day and 5/3 °C for 45-day) conditions. Cold acclimatisation caused a decrease of injury to leaf segments removed from the plants and subjected to freezing conditions. Exogenous SA also decreased freezing injury in the leaves grown under cold (15/10 °C) and control (15 and 30-day) conditions. Cold conditions (10/5 and 5/3 °C) caused an increase in ice nucleation activity by apoplastic proteins, which were isolated from the leaves. For the first time, it was shown that exogenous SA caused an increase in ice nucleation activity under cold (15/10 and 10/5 °C) and control conditions. These results show that salicylic acid can increase freezing tolerance in winter wheat leaves by affecting apoplastic proteins.     

New water mites of the family Hygrobatidae (Acari,?Hydrachnidia) from Turkey

In this study, the findings of three water mite species of the family Hygrobatidae collected from different streams in Turkey were evaluated. Hygrobates (s. str.) anatolicus Esen & Pešić, sp. n. is described as new for science. Hygrobates (Rivobates) diversiporus Sokolow, 1927 and Atractides (s. str.) nikooae Pešić, 2004, which were illustrated and thoroughly discussed, are new records for the Turkish fauna.     

Analysis of functional brain connections for positive–negative emotions using phase locking value

In this study, we investigate the brain networks during positive and negative emotions for different types of stimulus (audio only, video only and audio + video) in \(\alpha , \beta\), and \(\gamma\) bands in terms of phase locking value, a nonlinear method to study functional connectivity. Results show notable hemispheric lateralization as phase synchronization values between channels are significant and high in right hemisphere for all emotions. Left frontal electrodes are also found to have control over emotion in terms of functional connectivity. Besides significant inter-hemisphere phase locking values are observed between left and right frontal regions, specifically between left anterior frontal and right mid-frontal, inferior-frontal and anterior frontal regions; and also between left and right mid frontal regions. ANOVA analysis for stimulus types show that stimulus types are not separable for emotions having high valence. PLV values are significantly different only for negative emotions or neutral emotions between audio only/video only and audio only/audio + video stimuli. Finding no significant difference between video only and audio + video stimuli is interesting and might be interpreted as that video content is the most effective part of a stimulus.     

Primary structure of a proline-rich zein and its cDNA

Eighty-five cDNA clones for γ-zein (proline-rich zein) from a cDNA expression library were isolated using specific antibody and cDNA probes. Nucleotide sequences of seven independent clones were determined and found to be identical in regions where they overlapped. The primary structure of the mature protein, determined from the sequence of one near full-length clone, consists of 204 amino acids. It has a molecular weight of 21,824 daltons, about 5 kilodaltons less than that estimated by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The N-terminal one-half of the sequence contained eight essentially identical tandem repeats of the hexapeptide Pro-Pro-Pro-Val-His-Leu and two of the octapeptide Gln-Pro-His-Pro-Cys-Pro-Cys-Gln. The codon specifying the third proline in the hexapeptide repeating units is identical (CCG) in all of the eight repeats. The coding region has a very high G-C content (69.8%). The multiple charge components of γ-zein detected by isoelectric focusing do not seem to be encoded by members of a multigene family. Moreover, it was found that the codon preference in γ-zein is, in fact, the base preference in the wobble position. A codon usage value was devised to express this phenomenon.     

Hydrogen production by hup− mutant and wild-type strains of Rhodobacter capsulatus from dark fermentation effluent of sugar beet thick juice in batch and continuous photobioreactors

Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering - Photofermentative production of hydrogen is a promising and sustainable process; however, it should be coupled to dark fermentation to become cost effective....     

Purification,biochemical characterization and gene sequencing of a thermostable raw starch digesting α-amylase from Geobacillus thermoleovorans subsp. stromboliensis subsp. nov.

This study reports the purification and biochemical characterization of a raw starch-digesting α-amylase from Geobacillus thermoleovorans subsp. stromboliensis subsp. nov. (strain Pizzo^T). The molecular weight was estimated to be 58 kDa by SDS–PAGE. The enzyme was highly active over a wide range of pH from 4.0–10.0. The optimum temperature of the enzyme was 70°C. It showed extreme thermostability in the presence of Ca²⁺, retaining 50% of its initial activity after 90 h at 70°C. The enzyme efficiently hydrolyzed 20% (w/v) of raw starches, concentration normally used in starch industries. The α-amylase showed an high stability in presence of many organic solvents. In particular the residual activity was of 73% in presence of 15% (v/v) ethyl alcohol, which corresponds to ethanol yield in yeast fermentation process. By analyzing its complete amyA gene sequence (1,542 bp), the enzyme was proposed to be a new α-amylase.     

Effect of pioglitazone on the expression of ubiquitin proteasome system and autophagic proteins in rat pancreas with metabolic syndrome

The metabolic syndrome (MetS) and pathologies associated with metabolic dysregulations a worldwide growing problem. Our previous study demonstrated that pioglitazone (PGZ) has beneficial effects on metabolic syndrome associated disturbances in the heart. However, mechanism mediating the molecular alterations of Ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) and autophagy has not been investigated in rat pancreas with metabolic syndrome. For this reason, we first aimed to detect whether MetS effects on the expression of UPS (p97/VCP, SVIP, Ubiquitin) and autophagic (p62, LC3) proteins in rat pancreas. The second aim of the study was to find impact of pioglitazone on the expression of UPS and autophagic proteins in MetS rat pancreas. To answer these questions, metabolic syndrome induced rats were used as a model and treated with pioglitazone for 2 weeks. Pancreatic tissue injuries, fibrosis and lipid accumulation were evaluated histopathologically in control, MetS and MetS-PGZ groups. Apoptosis and cell proliferation of pancreatic islet cells were assessed in all groups. UPS and autophagic protein expressions of pancreas in all groups were detected by using immunohistochemistry, double-immunfluorescence and Western blotting. Compared with the controls, the rat fed with high sucrose exhibited signs of metabolic syndrome, such as higher body weight, insulin resistance, higher triglyceride level and hyperglycaemia. MetS rats showed pancreatic tissue degeneration, fibrosis and lipid accumulation when their pancreas were examined with Hematoxilen-eozin and Mallory trichrome staining. Metabolic, histopathologic parameters and cell proliferation showed greater improvement in MetS-PGZ rats and pioglitazone decreased apoptosis of islet cells. Moreover, SVIP, ubiquitin, LC3 and p62 expressions were significantly increased while only p97/VCP expression was significantly decreased in MetS-rat pancreas compared to control. PGZ treatment significantly decreased the MetS-induced increases in autophagy markers. Additionally, UPS and autophagy markers were found to colocalizated with insulin and glucagon. Colocalization ratio of UPS markers with insulin showed significant decrease in MetS rats and PGZ increased this ratio, whereas LC3-insulin colocalization displayed significant increase in MetS rats and PGZ reversed this effect. In conclusion, PGZ improved the pancreatic tissue degeneration by increasing the level of p97/VCP and decreasing autophagic proteins, SVIP and ubiquitin expressions in MetS-rats. Moreover, PGZ has an effect on the colocalization ratio of UPS and autophagy markers with insulin.