Genetics study of resistance to yellow rust in CIMMYT origin wheat advanced lines at seedling and adult plant stages

To study genetically and evaluate resistance to yellow rust, 29 wheat advanced lines were evaluated in randomised complete blocks design with three replicates in seedling stage under greenhouse conditions using nine races 6E150A+, 198E150A+, 134E150A+, 6E158A+, 166E150A+, 198E130A+, 166E158A+, 230E158A+ and 70E0A+, separately. In the adult plant stage, the genotypes were evaluated in two regions of Iran, Zarghan and Gorgan. The components of resistance including latent period and infection type were recorded under greenhouse conditions. Cluster analysis in all races showed that the genotypes 11, 28 and 29 were completely resistant to all races. Under Zarghan and Gorgan races, 27 and 73% of genotypes were resistant in the adult plant stage, respectively. Seven percent of genotypes were resistant in both stages, seedling and adult plant. All resistant lines can be used in plant breeding programme.     

Suppression of migratory and metastatic pathways via blocking VEGFR1 and VEGFR2

Abstract

Background: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) A and B are endothelial cell mitogens whose ligation to VEGFR1/VEGFR2 drives tumor angiogenesis and metastasis, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Blockade of these signaling axes could be obtained by disturbing the interactions between VEGFA and/or VEGFB with VEGFR1 and/or VEGFR2.

Methods: A 14-mer peptide (VGB) that recognizes both VEGFR1 and VEGFR2 were investigated for its inhibitory effects on the VEGF‐induced proliferation and migration using MTT and scratch assay, respectively. Downstream signaling pathways were also assessed by quantitative estimation of gene and protein expression using real-time PCR and immunohistochemistry (IHC).

Results: We investigated the inhibitory effects of VGB on downstream mediators of metastasis, including epithelial-cadherin (E-cadherin), matrix metalloprotease-9 (MMP-9), cancer myelocytomatosis (c-Myc), and nuclear factor-κβ (NF-κβ), and migration, comprising focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and its substrate Paxilin. VGB inhibited the VEGF‐induced proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs), 4T1 and U87 cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner and migration of HUVECs. Based on IHC analyses, treatment of 4T1 mammary carcinoma tumor with VGB led to the suppression of p-AKT, p-ERK_1/2, MMP-9, NF-κβ, and activation of E-cadherin compared with PBS-treated controls. Moreover, quantitative real-time PCR analyses of VGB-treated tumors revealed the reduced expression level of FAK, Paxilin, NF-κβ, MMP-9, c-Myc, and increased expression level of E-cadherin compared to PBS-treated controls.

Conclusions: Our results demonstrated that simultaneous blockade of VEGFR1/VEGFR2 is an effective strategy to fight solid tumors by targeting a wider range of mediators involved in tumor angiogenesis, growth, and metastasis.     

The Influence of Oral Magnesium Sulfate on Skin Microvasculature Blood Flow in Diabetic Rats

Microvascular disease is a major feature of type1 diabetes and results from long-standing structural and functional changes especially in the skin microvasculature. Magnesium (Mg) deficiency has recently been proposed as a novel factor implicated in the pathogenesis of diabetes complications such as vascular disturbance, but its mechanism of action is not completely elucidated. The present study was designed to determine whether chronic magnesium sulfate administration could control streptozocin-induced diabetes and improve endothelium-dependent and endothelium-independent dilatation, and identify its probable mechanism in the skin microvasculature of diabetic rats. Fifty male Wistar rats (220?±?10 g) were divided into two diabetic and one control groups. One subgroup of diabetic received magnesium sulfate (10 g/l) in their drinking water, while two other groups had only tap water. Laser Doppler flow meter with iontophoresis was used to measure the relative changes in skin blood flow. We used acetylcholine (Ach), sodium nitroprusside (SNP), and N ^w-nitro-l-arginine (LNNA; NO synthase inhibitor) with magnesium sulfate (0.1 M) in control and experimental animal by microsyringe pump microinjection. SNP- and Ach-induced cutaneous perfusion increased significantly by Mg treatment in the diabetic groups, and local microinjection of magnesium sulfate (0.1 M) increased cutaneous blood flow in all groups (p?<?0.01). However, the administration of LNNA prior to magnesium sulfate attenuated (p?<?0.05) but not abolished the increase in cutaneous blood flow in diabetic and normal rats. From the results of this study, it may be concluded that Mg could improve skin microvasculature of diabetic rats with potentiation of nitric oxide pathway.     

MicroRNAs in the shoot apical meristem of soybean

Plant microRNAs (miRNAs) play crucial regulatory roles in various developmental processes. In this study, we characterize the miRNA profile of the shoot apical meristem (SAM) of an important legume crop, soybean, by integrating high-throughput sequencing data with miRNA microarray analysis. A total of 8423 non-redundant sRNAs were obtained from two libraries derived from micro-dissected SAM or mature leaf tissue. Sequence analysis allowed the identification of 32 conserved miRNA families as well as 8 putative novel miRNAs. Subsequent miRNA profiling with microarrays verified the expression of the majority of these conserved and novel miRNAs. It is noteworthy that several miRNAs* were expressed at a level similar to or higher than their corresponding mature miRNAs in SAM or mature leaf, suggesting a possible biological function for the star species. In situ hybridization analysis revealed a distinct spatial localization pattern for a conserved miRNA, miR166, and its star speciessuggesting that they serve different roles in regulating leaf development. Furthermore, localization studies showed that a novel soybean miRNA, miR4422a, was nuclear-localized. This study also indicated a novel expression pattern of miR390 in soybean. Our approach identified potential key regulators and provided vital spatial information towards understanding the regulatory circuits in the SAM of soybean during shoot development.     

Modulation of anticonvulsant effects of cannabinoid compounds by GABA-A receptor agonist in acute pentylenetetrazole model of seizure in rat

Cannabinoid system plays an important role in controlling neuronal excitability and brain function. On the other hand, modulation of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) transmission is one of the initial strategies for the treatment of seizure. The aim of the present study was to evaluate possible interaction between cannabinoidergic and GABAergic systems in pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced acute seizure in rat. Drugs were administered by intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration 20 min before a single intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of PTZ and the latency to the first generalized tonic-clonic seizure was measured. Both the cannabinoid receptor agonist WIN55212-2 (10, 30, 50 and 100 μg/rat) and the GABA-A receptor agonist isoguvacine (IGN; 10, 30 and 50 μg/rat) significantly increased the latency of seizure occurrence. Moreover, the fatty acid amide hydrolase inhibitor URB597 showed no anticonvulsive effect while the monoacyl glycerol lipase (MAGL) inhibitor URB602 (10, 50 and 100 μg/rat) protected rats against PTZ-induced seizure. Moreover, co-administration of IGN and cannabinoid compounds attenuated the anticonvulsant action of both WIN55212-2 and IGN in this model of seizure. Our data suggests that exogenous cannabinoid WIN55212-2 and MAGL inhibitor URB602 imply their antiseizure action in part through common brain receptorial system. Moreover, the antagonistic interaction of cannabinoids and IGN in protection against PTZ-induced seizure could suggest the involvement of GABAergic system in their anticonvulsant action.     

Phasor analysis of multiphoton spectral images distinguishes autofluorescence components of in vivo human skin

Skin contains many autofluorescent components that can be studied using spectral imaging. We employed a spectral phasor method to analyse two photon excited autofluorescence and second harmonic generation images of in vivo human skin. This method allows segmentation of images based on spectral features. Various structures in the skin could be distinguished, including Stratum Corneum, epidermal cells and dermis. The spectral phasor analysis allowed investigation of their fluorescence composition and identification of signals from NADH, keratin, FAD, melanin, collagen and elastin. Interestingly, two populations of epidermal cells could be distinguished with different melanin content. (© 2014 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim)     

Short-term effect of weight loss through restrictive bariatric surgery on serum levels of vaspin in morbidly obese subjects

The aims of this study were to evaluate the short-term effects of laparoscopic restrictive bariatric surgery (LRBS) on plasma levels of vaspin and the potential associations of changes in vaspin levels with changes in anthropometric indices, insulin-resistance and dietary intake. Thirty, severely obese subjects (21 female; mean age, 32.5 years) with a mean body mass index (BMI) of 44.1 ± 4.9 kg/m(2) underwent LRBS. Measurements of anthropometric indices, dietary intakes, physical activity and plasma vaspin concentrations were performed prior to, and six weeks after LRBS. Insulin-sensitivity was estimated using the homeostasis model assessment of insulin-resistance (HOMA-IR). Six weeks after LRBS, BMI decreased to a mean of 38.4 ± 4.9 kg/m(2). Significant reductions were also observed in waist circumference (WC), daily intakes of calorie, fat and protein, and plasma concentrations of triglyceride. No significant change was observed in fasting levels of insulin, blood sugar or HOMA-IR. Vaspin decreased significantly (0.26 ± 0.17 vs 0.36 ± 0.20, p=0.048) following surgery. While the percentage change of vaspin was not correlated with percent changes in anthropometric indices and HOMA-IR, it correlated positively with the percentage change in intake of calories, fat and protein: this correlation remained significant even after adjustment for sex and changes in WC and HOMA-IR. Our study suggests that LRBS decreases the serum vaspin concentrations in parallel with the restriction of dietary intake. Furthermore, decreased levels of vaspin early after LRBS seem more likely to result from decreased dietary intake rather than weight-loss-induced insulin sensitivity improvement.