Conserved cysteine residues in the mammalian lamin A tail are essential for cellular responses to ROS generation

Pre-lamin A and progerin have been implicated in normal aging, and the pathogenesis of age-related degenerative diseases is termed 'laminopathies'. Here, we show that mature lamin A has an essential role in cellular fitness and that oxidative damage to lamin A is involved in cellular senescence. Primary human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) aged replicatively or by pro-oxidants acquire a range of dysmorphic nuclear shapes. We observed that conserved cysteine residues in the lamin A tail domain become hyperoxidized in senescent fibroblasts, which inhibits the formation of lamin A inter- and intramolecular disulfide bonds. Both in the absence of lamin A and in the presence of a lamin A cysteine-to-alanine mutant, which eliminates these cysteine residues (522, 588, and 591), mild oxidative stress induced nuclear disorganization and led to premature senescence as a result of decreased tolerance to ROS stimulators. Human dermal fibroblasts lacking lamin A or expressing the lamin A cysteine-to-alanine mutant displayed a gene expression profile of ROS-responsive genes characteristic of chronic ROS stimulation. Our findings suggest that the conserved C-terminal cysteine residues are essential for lamin A function and that loss or oxidative damage to these cysteine residues promotes cellular senescence.     

Spatial distribution of predators and prey affect biological control of twospotted spider mites by Phytoseiulus persimilis in greenhouses

We evaluated the effects of predator release pattern and prey distribution on rate of suppression of the twospotted spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch (Acari, Tetranychidae) and visual damage to the ornamental plant, Impatiens wallerana Hook.f., in a greenhouse. Sixteen impatiens plants were arranged in a square and infested with the same total number of spider mites distributed either evenly (equal numbers on all plants) or clumped (divided equally among the 4 central plants), simulating a “hot spot.” The predatory mite, Phytoseiulus persimilis Athias-Henriot, was released at a 1:4 predator:prey ratio based on total spider mites in the experimental unit, but the pattern of release was either even or clumped, which simulated broadcast or point-release strategies, respectively. Nine days after predator release, spider mite populations were reduced in all treatments, but only in the clumped pest-clumped predator treatment were spider mites undetectable. Poorest pest suppression occurred in the clumped spider mite-even predator treatment. Eighteen days after predator release, spider mites were eliminated in all treatments, but a reduction in average plant damage occurred only in treatments in which the predator release pattern matched the spider mite distribution (i.e., even-even or clumped-clumped) with the greatest reduction in the even-even treatment. Results suggest that there is an advantage to releasing predators in “hot spots” provided that the recommended predator:prey ratio is maintained within infested patches. If more uniform predator releases are planned, overall predator numbers need to be kept sufficiently high so that the predator:prey ratio of 1:4 shown to prevent damage on impatiens is achieved in higher-density spider mite patches.     

Knee cartilage loss in symptomatic knee osteoarthritis over 4.5 years

The objective of this study was to describe the rate of change in knee cartilage volume over 4.5 years in subjects with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA) and to determine factors associated with cartilage loss. One hundred and five subjects were eligible for this longitudinal study. Subjects' tibial cartilage volume was assessed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at baseline, at 2 years and at 4.5 years. Of 105 subjects, 78 (74%) completed the study. The annual percentage losses of medial and lateral tibial cartilage over 4.5 years were 3.7 ± 4.7% (mean ± SD; 95% confidence interval 2.7 to 4.8%) and 4.4 ± 4.7% (mean ± SD; 95% confidence interval 3.4 to 5.5%), respectively. Cartilage volume in each individual seemed to track over the study period, relative to other study participants. After multivariate adjustment, annual medial tibial cartilage loss was predicted by lesser severity of baseline knee pain but was independent of age, body mass index and structural factors. No factors specified a priori were associated with lateral cartilage volume rates of change. Tibial cartilage declines at an average rate of 4% per year in subjects with symptomatic knee OA. There was evidence to support the concept that tracking occurs in OA. This may enable the prediction of cartilage change in an individual. The only significant factor affecting the loss of medial tibial cartilage was baseline knee pain, possibly through altered joint loading.     

Toxoplasma gondii actively inhibits neuronal function in chronically infected mice

Upon infection with the obligate intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii, fast replicating tachyzoites infect a broad spectrum of host cells including neurons. Under the pressure of the immune response, tachyzoites convert into slow-replicating bradyzoites, which persist as cysts in neurons. Currently, it is unclear whether T. gondii alters the functional activity of neurons, which may contribute to altered behaviour of T. gondii-infected mice and men. In the present study we demonstrate that upon oral infection with T. gondii cysts, chronically infected BALB/c mice lost over time their natural fear against cat urine which was paralleled by the persistence of the parasite in brain regions affecting behaviour and odor perception. Detailed immunohistochemistry showed that in infected neurons not only parasitic cysts but also the host cell cytoplasm and some axons stained positive for Toxoplasma antigen suggesting that parasitic proteins might directly interfere with neuronal function. In fact, in vitro live cell calcium (Ca(2+)) imaging studies revealed that tachyzoites actively manipulated Ca(2+) signalling upon glutamate stimulation leading either to hyper- or hypo-responsive neurons. Experiments with the endoplasmatic reticulum Ca(2+) uptake inhibitor thapsigargin indicate that tachyzoites deplete Ca(2+) stores in the endoplasmatic reticulum. Furthermore in vivo studies revealed that the activity-dependent uptake of the potassium analogue thallium was reduced in cyst harbouring neurons indicating their functional impairment. The percentage of non-functional neurons increased over time In conclusion, both bradyzoites and tachyzoites functionally silence infected neurons, which may significantly contribute to the altered behaviour of the host.     

Biodegradation of Mordant orange-1 using newly isolated strain Trichoderma harzianum RY44 and its metabolite appraisal

Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering - Herein, we systematically reported the capability of T. harzianum RY44 for decolorization of Mordant orange-1. The fungi strains were isolated from the...     

Diazepam ameliorates altered proinflammatory and cardiac markers in stress exposed rats

Regular exposure to stress causes alteration in biochemical parameter but till date no specific medicine prescribed for controlling it. Current study aimed to determine the effect of Diazepam on proinflammatory and cardiac markers in stress exposed rats. Male Wistar rats were divided into four groups with six animals in each group for 90 days study. Group-1 served as a Normal Control (NC), Groups-2, as a Disease Control (DC), Group-3 as a Diazepam Control (DMC) and Group-4 as a Disease + Diazepam Treatment (DT). DMC and DT animals exposed to regular stress by forced swimming exercise method for 90 days. DMC and DT received 5 mg/kg, p.o the daily dose of Diazepam. At the end of the protocol, animals were sacrificed. The level of serum proinflammatory marker interleukin-6 in DC increased significantly (p < 0.001) while restored significantly (p < 0.001) in DT. Level of interleukin-10 in DC decreased significantly (p < 0.001) while restored significantly (p < 0.001) in DT. Level of fibrinogen was also increased by stress, which was restored significantly (p < 0.05) by diazepam. Increased level of Creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB) by stress was restored significantly (p < 0.05) by diazepam. The level of cortisol was increased also significantly (p < 0.001) and restored to normal by diazepam. The level of C-reactive protein (CRP) and cholesterol was increased significantly (p < 0.01; p < 0.001) by stress while restored significantly (p < 0.01; p < 0.001) by diazepam. Findings from results suggest that diazepam ameliorates altered proinflammatory and cardiac markers in stress exposed rats.     

Aminolevulinic acid and nitric oxide regulate oxidative defense and secondary metabolisms in canola (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Brassica napus</Emphasis> L.) under drought stress

To minimize the damaging effects of stresses, plant growth regulators (PGRs) are widely used to sustain the plant life under stress-prone environments. So, a study was carried out to evaluate the response of two canola (Brassica napus L.) cultivars, Dunkeld and Cyclone, to foliar-applied two potential PGRs, nitric oxide (NO) and 5-aminolevulinic acid, under water deficit conditions. In this study, the levels of NO and ALA used were 0.02 and 0.895 mM, respectively. Plants of both canola cultivars were subjected to control (100% field capacity) and water deficit (60% field capacity). Drought stress significantly decreased growth, chlorophyll pigments, relative water contents (RWC), and soluble proteins, while it increased relative membrane permeability (RMP), proline, glycinebetaine (GB), malondialdehyde (MDA), total phenolics, and activities of catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POD) enzymes in both cultivars. Foliar application of PGRs improved growth, chlorophyll a, GB, total phenolics, CAT activity, and total soluble proteins, while it decreased RMP, MDA, and POD activity in both canola cultivars. Other physio-biochemical attributes such as chlorophyll b, RWC, hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and proline contents as well as superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity remained unaffected due to application of PGRs. So, the results of the present study suggest that exogenous application of NO and ALA could be useful to enhance the drought tolerance of canola plants by up-regulating the oxidative defense system, osmoprotectant accumulation, and minimizing the lipid peroxidation.     

Webbing life type and behavioral response of the date palm mite, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Oligonychus afrasiaticus</Emphasis>, to webbing residues on leaves and fruits of date palm

The present study examined the webbing life type and behavioral response of date palm mite (DPM) Oligonychus afrasiaticus (McGregor) toward its webbing residues, in presence or absence of immature individuals, on leaves and fruits of date palm. DPM exhibited a complicated web life type on both the leaves and fruits of date palm, which is characterized by the following features: complicated irregular web structure; webbing density on the leaves is medium and on the fruits extremely high; eggs are always laid on the threads of web without web cover; fecal pellets are deposited on the substrate surface (both leaf and fruit); quiescent stages are on the silken web threads; and the preferred site for feeding and walking is under the web. Behavioral observation of DPM females revealed that the midrib of leaves and the base of fruits of date palm were the preferred sites for feeding and web construction. The number and development stage of DPM affected the behavioral response of females on date palm leaves but not on the fruits. DPM spent most time feeding under the web on both the leaves and fruits of date palm.     

Rapid plant regeneration,validation of genetic integrity by ISSR markers and conservation of Reseda pentagyna an endemic plant growing in Saudi Arabia

Reseda pentagyna is the only endemic species among the seven species of the genera Reseda found in Saudi Arabia. Probably no information is available on regeneration by conventional method of regeneration through seeds or cuttings. Therefore, alternative method of tissue culture was attempted to regenerate and multiply the plant. High shoot regeneration (14.44 shoots/explant) was obtained after four weeks, when shoot cuttings cultured on MS containing BA at 1.0 µM. Other cytokinins e.g., Kn, 2iP and TDZ found to be less effective in bud induction and shoot multiplication. Individual shoots were rooted on MS medium supplemented with various auxins at 0.5–5.0 µM concentrations. The IBA (1.5 µM) supplemented MS media induced maximum (83.3%) rooting. The plantlets were acclimatized and hardened under greenhouse conditions in plastic pots containing soil and farm yard manure with 95.0% success. The protocol developed would help to multiply the plant as well as conserve them in natural habitat. This can also be utilized to obtain active constituents for pharmaceutics and genetic manipulations.