A benzoquinone and flavonoids from Cyperus alopecuroides

A benzoquinone, named alopecuquinone, was isolated from the ethanol extract of the inflorescences of Cyperus alopecuroides. Its structure was primarily elucidated by spectroscopic analysis including 1H, 13C NMR, APT, HMQC, 1H-1H COSY and CIMS. The known flavonoids, vicenin 2, orientin, diosmetin, quercetin 3,3'-dimethyl ether and its 3,4'-dimethyl ether, were also isolated and characterized. The ethanol extract of the plant material showed moderate estrogenic activity using a strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.     

HIV-particles in spermatozoa of patients with AIDS and their transfer into the oocyte

By immunocytochemistry and in situ hybridization at the electron microscopy level, and by the PCR technique, we have shown that HIV-1 binds and enters normal sperm; that viral particles, their antigens, and nucleic acid are present in sperm from HIV-1 infected men; and that such sperm can transfer HIV-1 like particles to normal human oocytes. We also present evidence that a galactosylceramide-like compound is present on the sperm membrane and could function as an alternative receptor for HIV.     

Prospects for estimating nucleotide divergence with RAPDs

The technique of random amplification of polymorphic DNA (RAPD), which is simply polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of genomic DNA by a single short oligonucleotide primer, produces complex patterns of anonymous polymorphic DNA fragments. The information provided by these banding patterns has proved to be of great utility for mapping and for verification of identity of bacterial strains. Here we consider whether the degree of similarity of the banding patterns can be used to estimate nucleotide diversity and nucleotide divergence. With haploid data, fragments generated by RAPD-PCR can be treated in a fashion very similar to that for restriction-fragment data. Amplification of diploid samples, on the other hand, requires consideration of the fact that presence of a band is dominant to absence of the band. After describing a method for estimating nucleotide divergence on the basis of diploid samples, we summarize the restrictions and criteria that must be met when RAPD data are used for estimating population genetic parameters.      

DISTORTED2 encodes an ARPC2 subunit of the putative Arabidopsis ARP2/3 complex

Arabidopsis trichomes are unicellular, branched structures that have highly constrained requirements for the cytoskeleton. The 'distorted group' genes function downstream from microtubule-based branch initiation, and are required during the actin-dependent phase of polarized stalk and branch expansion. Of the eight known 'distorted group' genes, a subset encode homologs of ARP2/3 complex subunits. In eukaryotic cells, the seven-protein ARP2/3 complex nucleates actin filament networks that push on the plasma membrane and organelles. In plants cells, the existence and function of an ARP2/3 complex is unclear. In this paper, we report that DISTORTED2 (DIS2) encodes a paralogue of the ARP2/3 complex subunit ARPC2. DIS2 has ARPC2 activity, based on its ability to rescue the growth defects of arpc2 (arc35Delta) null yeast cells. Like known ARPC2s, DIS2 physically interacts with ARPC4. Mutations in DIS2 cause a distorted trichome phenotype, defects in cell-cell adhesion, and a modest reduction in shoot FW. The actin cytoskeleton in dis2 trichomes is extensive, but developing branches fail to generate and maintain highly organized cytoplasmic actin bundles.     

Intra-articular CD1c-expressing myeloid dendritic cells from rheumatoid arthritis patients express a unique set of T cell-attracting chemokines and spontaneously induce Th1, Th17 and Th2 cell activity

Introduction

Myeloid dendritic cells (mDCs) are potent T cell-activating antigen-presenting cells that have been suggested to play a crucial role in the regulation of immune responses in many disease states, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Despite this, studies that have reported on the capacity of naturally occurring circulating mDCs to regulate T cell activation in RA are still lacking. This study aimed to evaluate the phenotypic and functional properties of naturally occurring CD1c (BDCA-1)⁺ mDCs from synovial fluid (SF) compared to those from peripheral blood (PB) of RA patients.

Methods

CD1c⁺ mDC numbers and expression of costimulatory molecules were assessed by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis in SF and PB from RA patients. Ex vivo secretion of 45 inflammatory mediators by mDCs from SF and PB of RA patients was determined by multiplex immunoassay. The capacity of mDCs from SF to activate autologous CD4⁺ T cells was measured.

Results

CD1c⁺ mDC numbers were significantly increased in SF versus PB of RA patients (mean 4.7% vs. 0.6%). mDCs from SF showed increased expression of antigen-presenting (human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II, CD1c) and costimulatory molecules (CD80, CD86 and CD40). Numerous cytokines were equally abundantly produced by mDCs from both PB and SF (including IL-12, IL-23, IL-13, IL-21). SF mDCs secreted higher levels of interferon γ-inducible protein-10 (IP-10), monokine induced by interferon γ (MIG) and, thymus and activation-regulated chemokine (TARC), but lower macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC) levels compared to mDCs from PB. mDCs from SF displayed a strongly increased capacity to induce proliferation of CD4⁺ T cells associated with a strongly augmented IFNγ, IL-17, and IL-4 production.

Conclusions

This study suggests that increased numbers of CD1c⁺ mDCs in SF are involved in the inflammatory cascade intra-articularly by the secretion of specific T cell-attracting chemokines and the activation of self-reactive T cells.     

Efficacy of Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) juveniles and spinosyns bioinsecticides against aquatic stages of Culex pipiens: An experimental study

The mosquito Culex pipiens is the most widely distributed dipteran species in all regions of Egypt and the principal vector of Wuchereria bancrofti and certain arboviruses in human beings. For controlling C. pipiens vector, biological tools (e.g., larvivorous fish and bioinsecticides) are more potent and safer options to the environment, human beings, and beneficial organisms than chemical pesticides. The efficiency of O. niloticus juveniles as predatory fish species and two bioinsecticides, spinosad 24% and spinetoram 12%, was investigated against the C. pipiens developmental stages in the laboratory. The first trial evaluated the predatory efficacy of small-sized O. niloticus (2.1–2.6 cm; 250–315 mg) and large-sized O. niloticus (2.5–3.2 cm; 250–315 mg) against the 3rd larvae and pupae of C. pipiens. This is the first report in Egypt confirming the predation potential of O. niloticus as efficient predatory fish against the immature C. pipiens. Large-sized O. niloticus predated a greater number of 3rd of C. pipiens larvae and pupae than the small-sized ones. Furthermore, the daily consumption of C. pipiens larvae by small- and large-sized O. niloticus was significantly higher than the pupae. The second trial assessed the toxicity efficacy of spinosad 24% and spinetoram 12% against C. pipiens larvae and pupae. The results confirmed that the tested bioinsecticides showed higher potency toward C. pipiens larvae than pupae after exposure for 24 h and 48 h. Spinosad was more toxic toward 3rd C. pipiens larvae (LC₅₀ = 0.013 and 0.003 mg/L) and pupae (LC₅₀ = 320.69 and 44.28 mg/L) than spinetoram after 24 and 48 h. Herein, O. niloticus juveniles (as promising native predatory fish) and spinosyns bioinsecticides were more effective against C. pipiens in the larval stage than in the pupal stage. In conclusion, Nile tilapia juveniles and biorational compounds, spinosad 24% and spinetoram 12%, might be considered as promising and favorable environmental biological agents for controlling C. pipiens in Egypt. However, further trials are needed to investigate the potential of these agents in the control of this mosquito vector under field conditions.     

Whale Sharks,Rhincodon typus,Aggregate around Offshore Platforms in Qatari Waters of the Arabian Gulf to Feed on Fish Spawn

Whale sharks, Rhincodon typus, are known to aggregate to feed in a small number of locations in tropical and subtropical waters. Here we document a newly discovered major aggregation site for whale sharks within the Al Shaheen oil field, 90 km off the coast of Qatar in the Arabian Gulf. Whale sharks were observed between April and September, with peak numbers observed between May and August. Density estimates of up to 100 sharks within an area of 1 km² were recorded. Sharks ranged between four and eight metres’ estimated total length (mean 6.92±1.53 m). Most animals observed were actively feeding on surface zooplankton, consisting primarily of mackerel tuna, Euthynnus affinis, eggs.     

Induction of CYP1A1, CYP1A2, CYP1B1, increased oxidative stress and inflammation in the lung and liver tissues of rats exposed to incense smoke

Incense smoke is increasingly being recognized as a potential environmental contaminant and is linked to malignant and non-malignant respiratory diseases. The detoxification of environmental contaminants including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) involves the induction of cytochrome P-450 family enzymes (CYPs) by PAHs. However, the detoxification of PAHs also results in the generation of reactive and unstable intermediary metabolites which are implicated in the oxidative stress, DNA damage, and inflammation. It is unclear whether CYPs are similarly induced by incense smoke, which incidentally contains substantial amounts of PAHs. Here, we examined the impact of long-term incense smoke exposure on the induction of CYPs in male Wister Albino rats. Incense smoke exposure significantly induced the expression of CYP1A1, CYP1A2, and CYP1B1 mRNAs in both lung and liver tissues. The extent of CYP1A1 and CYP1B1 induction was significantly higher in the liver compared to that in the lung, while that of CYP1A2 was greater in the lung than in liver. Incense smoke exposure also increased malondialdehyde and reduced glutathione levels in lung and liver tissues, and the catalase activity in the liver tissues to significant levels. Furthermore incense smoke exposure led to a marked increase in TNF-α and IL-4 levels. The data demonstrate for the first time the capacity of incense smoke to induce CYP1 family enzymes in the target and non-target tissues. Induction of CYPs increased oxidative stress and inflammation appear to be intimately linked to promote the carcinogenesis and health complications in people chronically exposed to incense smoke.     

Interleukin-7-aggravated joint inflammation and tissue destruction in collagen-induced arthritis is associated with T-cell and B-cell activation

Introduction

We sought to investigate the capacity of interleukin (IL)-7 to enhance collagen-induced arthritis and to study by what mechanisms this is achieved.

Methods

Mice received multiple injections with IL-7 or phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) as a control. Arthritis severity and incidence were determined by visual examination of the paws. Joint destruction was determined by assessing radiographs and immunohistochemistry of the ankle joints. Total cellularity and numbers of T-cell and B-cell subsets were assessed, as well as ex vivo production of interferon-γ (IFN-γ), IL-17, and IL-4. Proinflammatory mediators were measured in serum with multianalyte profiling.

Results

IL-7 increased arthritis severity and radiology-assessed joint destruction. This was consistent with IL-7-increased intensity of cell infiltrates, bone erosions, and cartilage damage. Splenic CD19⁺ B cells and CD19⁺/GL7⁺ germinal center B cells, as well as CD4 and CD8 numbers, were increased by IL-7. IL-7 expanded memory T cells, associated with increased percentages of IFN-γ-, IL-4-, and IL-17-producing CD4⁺ T cells. On antigen restimulation of draining lymph node cells in vitro IL-7 treatment was found to increase IFN-γ and IL-17 production, whereas IL-4 was reduced. IL-7 also increased concentrations of proinflammatory mediators, indicative of T-cell activation (sCD40L), vascular activation (VCAM-1, VEGF), tissue destruction (fibroblast growth factor-basic (FGF-b), LIF), and chemotaxis (MIP-1γ, MIP-3β, lymphotactin, MDC, and MCP-5).

Conclusions

In arthritic mice, IL-7 causes expansion of T and B cells, associated with increased levels of proinflammatory mediators. IL-7 intensifies arthritis severity and joint destruction, accompanied by increased Th1 and Th17 activity. These data indicate that IL-7 could be an important mediator in arthritic conditions and that targeting IL-7 or its receptor represent novel therapeutic strategies.