The cell fate: senescence or quiescence

Senescence and quiescence are frequently used as interchangeable terms in the literature unwittingly. Despite the fact that common molecules play role in decision of cell cycle arrest, senescent and quiescent cells have some distinctive phenotypes at both molecular and morphological levels. Thus, in this review we summarized the features of senescence and quiescence with respect to visual characteristics and prominent key molecules. A PubMed research was conducted for the key words; “senescence”, “quiescence” and “cell cycle arrest”. The results which are related to cell cycle control were selected. The selection criteria of the target articles used for this review included also key cell cycle molecules such as p53, pRB, p21, p16, mTOR, p27, etc. The results were not evaluated statistically. The mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) has been claimed to be key molecule in switching on/off senescence/quiescence. Specifically, although maximal p53 activation blocks mTOR and causes quiescence, partial p53 activation sustains mTOR activity and causes senescence subsequently. In broader perspective, quiescence occurs due to lack of nutrition and growth factors whereas senescence takes place due to aging and serious DNA damages. Contrary to quiescence, senescence is a degenerative process ensuing a certain cell death. We highlighted several differences between senescence and quiescence and their key molecules in this review. Whereas quiescence (cell cycle arrest) is only one half of the senescence, the other half is growth stimulation which causes actual senescence phenotype.     

The application of various anatomical techniques for studying the hydraulic network in tomato fruit pedicels

The abscission zone in fruit pedicels plays an important role in affecting not only water uptake in the developing fruit, but also in the transport of chemical signals from root to shoot. In order to characterize the hydraulic network of tomato fruit pedicels, we applied various techniques, including light, fluorescence microscopy, electron microscopy, maceration, tissue clearing, and X-ray computed tomography. Because of significant changes in xylem anatomy, the abscission zone in tomato fruit pedicels is illustrated to show a clear reduction in hydraulic conductance. Based on anatomical measurements, the theoretical axial xylem conductance was calculated via the Hagen–Poiseuille law, suggesting that the hydraulic resistance of the abscission zone increases at least two orders of magnitude compared to the pedicel zone near the stem. The advantages and shortcomings of the microscope techniques applied are discussed.     

Evaluation of possible decay and termite resistance of particleboard containing waste tire rubber

Particleboard specimens produced by adding waste tire rubber particles were assayed against white- and brown-rot fungi and termites in laboratory conditions. Particleboards were manufactured from a mixture of pine and poplar particles bonded with two different resins (melamine/urea formaldehyde [MUF] and polyisocyanate [PI]) by adding waste tire rubber particles at three different levels (10%/90%, 20%/80%, and 30%/70% by weight of waste tire rubber/wood). The particleboard specimens with waste tire rubber were not generally resistant against four fungi tested. Only MUF-containing specimens showed considerably better performance in decay resistance tests using the brown-rot fungus, Postia placenta; however, addition of waste tire rubber into those specimens did not provide resistance in comparison with control specimens without tire rubber. Formosan termites were also able to degrade particleboard specimens with waste tire rubber.     

Establishing a procedure for dimethyl sulfoxide removal from cardiovascular allografts: a quantitative study

The success of allotransplants is critically dependent on both tissue viability and efficient removal of potentially toxic cryopreservants. In this study we analysed the dimethyl sulphoxide (Me2SO) content of cardiovascular tissue samples stored in tissue banks and optimized a washing protocol to be used before surgical implant. We compared the Me2SO content of heart valves, arteries and veins and quantitatively determined by HPLC the washing kinetics of each group of tissue samples under strictly controlled conditions using an industrial washing medium (BASE). Our results showed that heart valves and arteries have significantly slower Me2SO release kinetics than veins. Approximately 20 % of the initial content of cryopreservant could still be detected in the valves and arterial tissue after 15 min of continuous washing. Conversely, veins were almost completely cleared of the cryoprotectant under the same conditions. We propose a washing protocol consisting of two sequential washing with BASE for a total of 25 min for valves and arteries and 15 min for veins. In our hands, this protocol reliably ensures the removal of more than 95 % of the initial Me2SO content.     

Association between regulator of G protein signaling 9-2 and body weight

Regulator of G protein signaling 9-2 (RGS9-2) is a protein that is highly enriched in the striatum, a brain region that mediates motivation, movement and reward responses. We identified a naturally occurring 5 nucleotide deletion polymorphism in the human RGS9 gene and found that the mean body mass index (BMI) of individuals with the deletion was significantly higher than those without. A splicing reporter minigene assay demonstrated that the deletion had the potential to significantly decrease the levels of correctly spliced RGS9 gene product. We measured the weights of rats after virally transduced overexpression of RGS9-2 or the structurally related RGS proteins, RGS7, or RGS11, in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) and observed a reduction in body weight after overexpression of RGS9-2 but not RGS7 or 11. Conversely, we found that the RGS9 knockout mice were heavier than their wild-type littermates and had significantly higher percentages of abdominal fat. The constituent adipocytes were found to have a mean cross-sectional area that was more than double that of corresponding cells from wild-type mice. However, food intake and locomotion were not significantly different between the two strains. These studies with humans, rats and mice implicate RGS9-2 as a factor in regulating body weight.     

The second coordination sphere of FIH controls hydroxylation

The factor inhibiting HIF (FIH) is a proximate oxygen sensor for human cells, hydroxylating Asn(803) within the α-subunit of the hypoxia inducible factor (HIF). FIH is an α-ketoglutatrate (αKG)-dependent, non-heme Fe(II) dioxygenase, in which Fe(II) is coordinated by a (His(2)Asp) facial triad, αKG, and H(2)O. Hydrogen bonding among the facial triad, the HIF-Asn(803) side chain, and various second-sphere residues suggests a functional role for the second coordination sphere in tuning the chemistry of the Fe(II) center. Point mutants of FIH were prepared to test the functional role of the αKG-centered (Asn(205) and Asn(294)) or HIF-Asn(803)-centered (Arg(238) and Gln(239)) second-sphere residues. The second sphere was tested for local effects on priming Fe(II) to react with O(2), oxidative decarboxylation, and substrate positioning. Steady-sate kinetics were used to test for overall catalytic effects; autohydroxylation rates were used to test for priming and positioning, and electronic spectroscopy was used to assess the primary coordination sphere and the electrophilicity of αKG. Asn(205) → Ala and Asn(294) → Ala mutants exhibited diminished rates of steady-state turnover, while minimally affecting autohydroxylation, consistent with impaired oxidative decarboxylation. Blue-shifted metal to ligand charge transfer transitions for (Fe+αKG)FIH indicated that these point mutations destabilized the π* orbitals of αKG, further supporting a slowed rate of oxidative decarboxylation. The Arg(238) → Met mutant exhibited steady-state rates too low to measure and diminished product yields, suggesting impaired substrate positioning or priming; the Arg(238) → Met mutant was capable of O(2) activation for the autohydroxylation reaction. The Gln(239) → Asn mutant exhibited significantly slowed steady-state kinetics and diminished product yields, suggesting impaired substrate positioning or priming. As HIF binding to the Gln(239) → Asn mutant stimulated autohydroxylation, it is more likely that this point mutant simply mispositions the HIF-Asn(803) side chain. This work combines kinetics and spectroscopy to show that these second-sphere hydrogen bonds play roles in promoting oxidative decarboxylation, priming Fe(II) to bind O(2), and positioning HIF-Asn(803).     

Exogenous salicylic acid alleviates effects of long term drought stress and delays leaf rolling by inducing antioxidant system

Salicylic acid (SA) is one of the important signal molecules modulating plant responses to environmental stress. In this study, the effects of exogenous SA on leaf rolling, one of drought avoidance mechanisms, and antioxidant system were investigated in Ctenanthe setosa during long term drought stress. The plants were subjected to 38-day drought period and they were treated with or without SA (10⁻⁶ M) on the 25th, 27th and 29th days of the period. Leaf samples were harvested on the 30th, 34th and 38th days. Some antioxidant enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase, catalase, ascorbate peroxidase, dehydroascorbate reductase, monodehydroascorbate reductase, glutathione reductase), reactive oxygen species (hydrogen peroxide and superoxide) and lipid peroxidation were determined during the drought period. Treatment with SA prevented water loss and delayed leaf rolling in comparison with control leaves. Exogenous SA induced all antioxidant enzyme activities more than control leaves during the drought. Ascorbate and glutathione, α-tocopherol, carotenoid and endogenous SA level were induced by the SA treatment. Levels of reactive oxygen species were higher in SA treated plants than control ones on the 34th day. Their levels on the 38th day, however, fastly decreased in SA treated plants. SA treatment prevented lipid peroxidation while the peroxidation increased in control plants. The results showed that exogenous SA can alleviate the damaging effect of long term drought stress by decreasing water loss and inducing the antioxidant system in the plant having leaf rolling, alternative protection mechanism to drought.     

Continuous flow membrane-less air cathode microbial fuel cell with spunbonded olefin diffusion layer

The power production performance of a membrane-less air-cathode microbial fuel cell was evaluated for 53 days. Anode and cathode electrodes and the micro-fiber cloth separator were configured by sandwiching the separator between two electrodes. In addition, the air-facing side of the cathode was covered with a spunbonded olefin sheet instead of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) coating to control oxygen diffusion and water loss. The configuration resulted in a low resistance of about 4Ω and a maximum power density of 750 mW/m2. However, as a result of a gradual decrease in the cathode potential, maximum power density decreased to 280 mW/m2. The declining power output was attributed to loss of platinum catalyst (8.26%) and biomass growth (38.44%) on the cathode. Coulombic efficiencies over 55% and no water leakage showed that the spunbonded olefin sheet covering the air-facing side of the cathode can be a cost-effective alternative to PTFE coating.