Phenolic compounds and vitamins in wild and cultivated apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.) fruits grown in irrigated and dry farming conditions

Background

Turkey is the main apricot producer in the world and apricots have been produced under both dry and irrigated conditions in the country. In this study, phenolic compounds and vitamins in fruits of one wild (Zerdali) and three main apricot cultivars (‘Cataloglu’, ‘Hacihaliloglu’ and ‘Kabaasi’) grown in both dry and irrigated conditions in Malatya provinces in Turkey were investigated.

Results

The findings indicated that higher content of phenolic compounds and vitamins was found in apricot fruits grown in irrigated conditions. Among the cultivars, ‘Cataloglu’ had the highest rutin contents both in irrigated and dry farming conditions as 2855 μg in irrigated and 6952 μg per 100 g dried weight base in dry conditions and the highest chlorogenic acid content in irrigated and dry farming conditions were measured in fruits of ‘Hacıhaliloglu’ cultivar as 7542 μg and 15251 μg per 100 g dried weight base. Vitamin C contents in homogenates of fruit flesh and skin was found to be higher than β-caroten, retinol, vitamin E and lycopen contents in apricot fruits both in irrigated and dry farming conditions.

Conclusion

The results suggested that apricot fruits grown in both dry and irrigated conditions had high health benefits phytochemicals and phytochemical content varied among cultivars and irrigation conditions as well. However, more detailed biological and pharmacological studies are needed for the demonstration and clarification of health benefits of apricot fruits.     

A non-parametric Bayesian model for joint cell clustering and cluster matching: identification of anomalous sample phenotypes with random effects

Background

Flow cytometry (FC)-based computer-aided diagnostics is an emerging technique utilizing modern multiparametric cytometry systems.The major difficulty in using machine-learning approaches for classification of FC data arises from limited access to a wide variety of anomalous samples for training. In consequence, any learning with an abundance of normal cases and a limited set of specific anomalous cases is biased towards the types of anomalies represented in the training set. Such models do not accurately identify anomalies, whether previously known or unknown, that may exist in future samples tested. Although one-class classifiers trained using only normal cases would avoid such a bias, robust sample characterization is critical for a generalizable model. Owing to sample heterogeneity and instrumental variability, arbitrary characterization of samples usually introduces feature noise that may lead to poor predictive performance. Herein, we present a non-parametric Bayesian algorithm called ASPIRE (anomalous sample phenotype identification with random effects) that identifies phenotypic differences across a batch of samples in the presence of random effects. Our approach involves simultaneous clustering of cellular measurements in individual samples and matching of discovered clusters across all samples in order to recover global clusters using probabilistic sampling techniques in a systematic way.

Results

We demonstrate the performance of the proposed method in identifying anomalous samples in two different FC data sets, one of which represents a set of samples including acute myeloid leukemia (AML) cases, and the other a generic 5-parameter peripheral-blood immunophenotyping. Results are evaluated in terms of the area under the receiver operating characteristics curve (AUC). ASPIRE achieved AUCs of 0.99 and 1.0 on the AML and generic blood immunophenotyping data sets, respectively.

Conclusions

These results demonstrate that anomalous samples can be identified by ASPIRE with almost perfect accuracy without a priori access to samples of anomalous subtypes in the training set. The ASPIRE approach is unique in its ability to form generalizations regarding normal and anomalous states given only very weak assumptions regarding sample characteristics and origin. Thus, ASPIRE could become highly instrumental in providing unique insights about observed biological phenomena in the absence of full information about the investigated samples.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/1471-2105-15-314) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Leptin Does Not Play a Major Role in Platelet Aggregation in Obesity and Leptin Deficiency

Objective: A recent study suggested that high concentrations of leptin enhance platelet aggregations. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate whether platelet aggregation is altered in patients with leptin gene mutations compared with obese subjects or controls. Research Methods and Procedures: Four men (one homozygous man and his three heterozygous brothers) carrying a leptin gene mutation; 20 age‐matched, healthy, unrelated men; and 18 age‐matched obese men were enrolled in the study. Adenosine diphosphate (ADP)‐, collagen‐, and epinephrine‐induced platelet aggregation were evaluated in all individuals. Results: Our results show that patients with the leptin gene mutation (both the homozygous and heterozygous patients) had significantly higher ADP‐induced (78.3 ± 3.4% vs. 57.9 ± 9.3%, p = 0.001), collagen‐induced (78.1 ± 2.9% vs. 56.7 ± 9.3%, p = 0.007), and epinephrine‐induced (76.5 ± 9.2% vs. 59.5 ± 7.70%, p = 0.003) platelet aggregation compared with controls. However, ADP‐, collagen‐, or epinephrine‐induced platelet aggregations were similar to those in obese patients. Platelet aggregation responses to a combination of pretreatment with leptin at concentrations of 20, 50, 100, or 500 ng/mL for 5 minutes and ADP at concentrations of 2 μmol/liter also were evaluated. However, we did not find significant increases in platelet aggregation even at high concentrations of leptin (100 or 500 ng/mL) in leptin‐deficient patients, obese subjects, or controls. Discussion: Our data show that similar to findings in obese humans, homozygous or heterozygous leptin deficiency is associated with increased platelet aggregation compared with controls, and that higher concentrations of leptin do not increase platelet aggregation.     

Estimation of the whole-plant CO2 compensation point of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum L.)

The whole-plant CO₂ compensation point (Γ_plant) is the minimum atmospheric CO₂ level required for sustained growth. The minimum CO₂ requirement for growth is critical to understanding biosphere feedbacks on the carbon cycle during low CO₂ episodes; however, actual values of Γ_plant remain difficult to calculate. Here, we have estimated Γ_plant in tobacco by measuring the relative leaf expansion rate at several low levels of atmospheric CO₂, and then extrapolating the leaf growth vs. CO₂ response to estimate CO₂ levels where no growth occurs. Plants were grown under three temperature treatments, 19/15, 25/20 and 30/25°C day/night, and at CO₂ levels of 100, 150, 190 and 270 μmol CO₂ mol⁻¹ air. Biomass declined with growth CO₂ such that Γ_plant was estimated to be approximately 65 μmol mol⁻¹ for plants grown at 19/15 and 30/25°C. In the first 19 days after germination, plants grown at 100 μmol mol⁻¹ had low growth rates, such that most remained as tiny seedlings (canopy size <1 cm²). Most seedlings grown at 150 μmol mol⁻¹ and 30/25°C also failed to grow beyond the small seedling size by day 19. Plants in all other treatments grew beyond the small seedling size within 3 weeks of planting. Given sufficient time (16 weeks after planting) plants at 100 μmol mol⁻¹ eventually reached a robust size and produced an abundance of viable seed. Photosynthetic acclimation did not increase Rubisco content at low CO₂. Instead, Rubisco levels were unchanged except at the 100 and 150 μmol mol⁻¹ where they declined. Chlorophyll content and leaf weight per area declined in the same proportion as Rubisco, indicating that leaves became less expensive to produce. From these results, we conclude that the effects of very low CO₂ are most severe during seedling establishment, in large part because CO₂ deficiency slows the emergence and expansion of new leaves. Once sufficient leaf area is produced, plants enter the exponential growth phase and acquire sufficient carbon to complete their life cycle, even under warm conditions (30/25°C) and CO₂ levels as low as 100 μmol mol⁻¹.     

Levels of paraoxonase and arylesterase activities and malondialdehyde in workers exposed to ionizing radiation

We examined levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) (an end-product of lipid peroxidation) and paraoxonase (PON1) (an antioxidant enzyme) activity and PON1 phenotypes in people who were exposed to ionizing radiation for different time periods and doses. A total of 78 individuals (mean age 34 +/- 7 years) were included in the study. Fifty-one of them were radiology workers whereas the control group was composed of 27 healthy volunteers who had never worked in a radiology-related job. Paraoxon was used as substrate for measurement of PON1 activity levels (basal and NaCl-stimulated). Phenylacetate was used as substrate for measurement of arylesterase activity levels. Cumulative levels of serum NaCl-stimulated PON1/arylesterase activities were utilized for phenotypic differentiation. In radiology workers, three different phenotypes were determined based on paraoxonase/arylesterase ratio. The ratios were 1.09 +/- 0.30 for AA (homozygote low activity); 2.91 +/- 1.07 for AB (heterozygote activity) and 4.97 +/- 1.21 for BB (homozygote high activity). There was a statistically meaningful negative correlation between serum MDA levels and PON1 activity levels in all phenotypes (p < 0.05). PON1 activity levels were found to be 25-35% lower in people who were exposed to long-term ( > 5 years) radiation compared to controls. There was no statistically significant correlation between serum arylesterase activity and MDA levels in these subjects (r = -0.185, p > 0.05). PON1 activity levels were decreased whereas serum MDA levels were increased in individuals exposed to radiation for a long period. PON phenotypes of people employed in jobs which expose them to radiation should be determined and based on these findings they should be advised to avoid risk factors inducing oxidative stress, such as smoking, and to consume foods rich in vitamins and trace elements to increase their antioxidant capacity.     

Protective effect of selenium against mercury-induced toxicity on hematological and biochemical parameters of Oreochromis niloticus

In this study, to identify mercury (Hg) toxicity and whether selenium (Se) has any role in alleviation of this toxicity, it was investigated the changes in hematological and serum biochemical parameters of Oreochromis niloticus. Fish were exposed to 0.01 and 0.1 mg/L Hg and 0.01 mg/L Hg + 0.1 mg/L Se and 0.1 mg/L Hg + 1.0 mg/L Se for 7 and 14 days. The exposure of O. niloticus to Hg alone resulted in decreases in red blood cell, white blood cell, hemoglobin, hematocrit values, and cholinesterase activity while it increased in alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase activities and cortisol and glucose levels. Se, in combination with Hg, partially or totally caused an alleviation for the toxic effect of Hg on the above mentioned hematological and biochemical parameters. The results of our study showed that Se has a protective effect against toxicity induced by Hg.     

Protein profiling of anastomosed facial nerve treated with mesenchymal stromal cells

Background aimsThe types of proteins released from mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) are still unclear. Our aim was to compare apoptosis scores and the expression of myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG), myelin basic protein (MBP), neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM)-1,matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-1A, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP)-1, TIMP-1/MMP-1A ratio, nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), neurotrophin (NT)-3, NT-4, glial cell-derived neurotropic factor (GDNF), leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), basic fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-2, insulin-like growth factor (IGF)-1, platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-α and transforming growth factor (TGF)-β1 in anastomosed facial nerves that had been treated with or without MSC.MethodsIn seven rats, the buccal branch of the right facial nerve was transected, anastomosed and treated with MSC (anastomosed + MSC group). The left buccal branch was anastomosed only (anastomosed-only group). The left mandibular branch served as an intact nerve group. On days 18–20, the distal segments of the branches were examined in terms of expression of the mentioned proteins and apoptosis scores using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated digoxigenin-UTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assays.ResultsMSC application significantly increased CNTF, PDGF-α, LIF, TGF-β1, BDNF and NT-3 expression (P < 0.05). MAG expression slightly decreased whereas NCAM-1, MMP-1A and FGF-2 slightly increased(P > 0.05). Changes in other proteins and apoptosis scores were not significant.ConclusionsThese results suggest that MSC increases expression of CNTF, PDGF-α, LIF,TGF-β1, BDNF and NT-3. MAG, NCAM-1, MMP-1A and FGF-2 expressions were slightly changed in this stage of nerve regeneration. The comparison of apoptotic activity was not conclusive. Overall, it appears that MSC might have differential effects on the mentioned tissue-related proteins and trophic/growth factors.     

Protein intensity changes in the hemoglobin and plasma electrophoretic patterns of Oreochromis niloticus in response to single and combined Zn and Cd exposure

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of metals on the electrophoretic patterns of hemoglobin and blood plasma proteins of Oreochromis niloticus. Fish were exposed to 0.5 and 5.0 mg/L Zn, 0.1 and 1.0 mg/L Cd, and 0.5 mg/L Zn + 0.1 mg/L Cd, and 5.0 mg/L Zn + 1.0 mg/L Cd mixtures for 7 and 28 days. In all concentrations tested, electrophoretic pattern of hemoglobin and plasma proteins by cellulose acetate electrophoresis consist of three and eight bands, respectively. The three bands for hemoglobin are one cathodic (Hb1) and two anodic (Hb2 and Hb3) bands. The protein intensity in hemoglobins of fish following Zn, Cd, and Zn + Cd exposures decreased in Hb1, whereas it increased in Hb3. The eight bands for plasma proteins are 60, 78, 87, and 94 kDA high molecular weight proteins (HMP) for four bands and 120, 132, 176, and 273 kDA very high molecular weight proteins (VHMP) for four bands. The level of 60, 78, and 94 kDA HMP and 120, 132, and 176 kDA VHMP increased in response to single and combined Zn and Cd exposure. Also, there was increasing level of the metals in the whole blood with increasing concentrations of metals in the exposure medium and with increasing duration of exposure.     

Introducing metallocene into a triazole peptide conjugate reduces its off-rate and enhances its affinity and antiviral potency for HIV-1 gp120

In this work, we identified a high affinity and potency metallocene-containing triazole peptide conjugate that suppresses the interactions of HIV-1 envelope gp120 at both its CD4 and co-receptor binding sites. The ferrocene-peptide conjugate, HNG-156, was formed by an on-resin copper-catalysed [2+3] cycloaddition reaction. Surface plasmon resonance interaction analysis revealed that, compared to a previously reported phenyl-containing triazole conjugate HNG-105 (105), peptide 156 had a higher direct binding affinity for several subtypes of HIV-1 gp120 due mainly to the decreased dissociation rate of the conjugate-gp120 complex. The ferrocene triazole conjugate bound to gp120 of both clade A (92UG037-08) and clade B (YU-2 and SF162) virus subtypes with nanomolar KD in direct binding and inhibited the binding of gp120 to soluble CD4 and to antibodies that bind to HIV-1YU-2 gp120 at both the CD4 binding site and CD4-induced binding sites. HNG-156 showed a close-to nanomolar IC50 for inhibiting cell infection by HIV-1BaL whole virus. The dual receptor site antagonist activity and potency of HNG-156 make it a promising viral envelope inhibitor lead for developing anti-HIV-1 treatments.     

Assessment of serum thiol/disulfide homeostasis in multiple myeloma patients by a new method

Objectives: The etiology of multiple myeloma (MM) is not exactly known. This study investigated the role of thiol/disulfide homeostasis in the etiopathogenesis of MM.

Methods: Some 50 patients with MM (aged 39–84 years) and 50 sex-matched healthy volunteer controls (aged 50–91 years) participated in this study. Venous blood samples were collected, and levels of native thiols, total thiols, and disulfide were measured.

Results: Native and total thiol levels in the control group were determined to be higher than in the study and patient groups (P<0.001). Disulfide levels were found to be higher in the control group than in the study group and higher in newly diagnosed patients than in outpatients who were undergoing treatment (P=0.002). The ratios of thiol levels were found to be similar in both the study and control groups (P>0.05).

Discussion: The results of the study show that although there was a decrease in the levels of disulfide, native thiol, and total thiol, the balance of thiol/disulfide was maintained. This is the first study to research the homeostasis of dynamic thiol/disulfide from the perspective of the new method that was used. We hope that this study will encourage and facilitate further studies in this area.