Inhibition of hydrogen sulfide synthesis provides protection for severe acute pancreatitis rats via apoptosis pathway

We aimed to investigate the relationship between the synthesis of hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) and the pancreatic acinar cell apoptosis in severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) rats, as well as analyse the potential apoptotic pathway involved in this process. Sixty rats had been equally divided into four groups: sham, SAP, SAP + sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS) and SAP + DL-propargylglycine (PAG). 24 h after SAP induction, all surviving animals of each group were sacrificed to collect blood and tissue samples for the following measurements: the level of serum H₂S as well as the levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-10 (IL-10), H₂S synthesizing activity, CSE mRNA and protein expression, maleic dialdehyde (MDA) and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity, the expression of Bax, Bcl-2, caspase-3, -8 and -9, the release of cytochrome c and the activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB), ERK1/2, JNK1/2 and p38 in pancreas. Furthermore, in situ detection of cell apoptosis was examined and the severity of pancreatic damage was analyzed by pathological grading and scoring. Results Significant differences in every index except IL-10 had been found between the SAP, NaHS and PAG groups (P < 0.05). Treatment with PAG obviously induced the pancreatic acinar cell apoptosis as well as improved all the pathological changes and inflammatory parameters. In contrast, administration of NaHS significantly attenuated apoptosis in the pancreas and aggravated the severity of pancreatic damage. Moreover, the expressions of caspase-3, -8, -9 and the release of cytochrome c were all increased in the apoptotic cells, and the activity of NF-κB as well as the phosphorylation of ERK1/2, JNK1/2 and p38 decreased accompanying with the reduction of the serum H₂S level. H₂S plays a pivotal role in the regulation of pancreatic acinar cell apoptosis in SAP rats. The present results showed that inhibition of H₂S synthesis provided protection for SAP rats via inducing acinar cell apoptosis. This process acted through both extrinsic and intrinsic apoptotic pathways, and may be regulated by reducing the activity of NF-κB.     

Delphinidin prevents hypoxia-induced mouse embryonic stem cell apoptosis through reduction of intracellular reactive oxygen species-mediated activation of JNK and NF-κB, and Akt inhibition

Delphinidin, gallic acid, betulinic acid, and ursolic acid, which are bio-active ingredients in a variety of fruits, vegetables, and herbs, have potent antioxidant activity and various biological activities. However, it is not clear whether these bio-active ingredients can significantly contribute to the protection of embryonic stem (ES) cells from hypoxia-induced apoptosis. In the present study, hypoxia-induced ES cells apoptosis with time, which were abrogated by pretreatment with all ingredients. Hypoxia-induced ROS generation was blocked by pretreatment with all ingredients in a dose-dependent manner, with the maximum ROS scavenging effect observed for delphinidin. Hypoxia increased phosphorylation of JNK and NF-κB were blocked by pretreatment of delphinidin as well as NAC. Hypoxia decreased phosphorylation of Akt^thr308 and ^ser473; these decreases were reversed by pretreatment with delphinidin or NAC. However, Akt inhibition did not affect NF-κB phosphorylation. Delphinidin attenuated the hypoxia-induced increase in Bax, cleaved caspase-9, cleaved caspase-3, and decrease in Bcl-2, which were diminished by pretreatment of Akt inhibitor. Hypoxia induced Bax translocation from the cytosol to mitochondria. Furthermore, hypoxia induced mitochondria membrane potential loss and cytochrome c release in cytosol, which were blocked by delphinidin pretreatment. Hypoxia induced cleavage of procaspase-9 and procaspase-3 which were blocked by delphinidin or SP600125, but Akt inhibitor abolished the protection effect of delphinidin. Moreover, inhibition of JNK and NF-κB abolished hypoxia-induced ES cell apoptosis and inhibition of Akt attenuated delphinidin-induced blockage of apoptosis. The results indicate that delphinidin can prevent hypoxia-induced apoptosis of ES cells through the inhibition of JNK and NF-κB phosphorylation, and restoration of Akt phosphorylation.     

Continuous countercurrent salting-out extraction of 1,3-propanediol from fermentation broth in a packed column

The possibility of continuous extraction of 1,3-propanediol in a experimental packed column was investigated using a salting-out extraction system of dipotassium phosphate/ethanol. Mass transfer of 1,3-propanediol takes place from the dispersed phase (salt-rich solution) to the continuous phase (ethanol). The influences of flow rate of dispersed phase and size of packing material on partition coefficient and recovery of 1,3-propanediol were investigated and the results were compared with those obtained in spray column and test tube. Furthermore, the influences of various system compositions on hold up of dispersed phase, mass transfer coefficient, and system stability were also studied in the column packed by stainless steel Dixon 3 × 3 mm. It was found that the packed column showed a good extraction efficiency and stability. Besides, 1,3-propanediol recovery of 90.30% was obtained during a 11 h continuous operation when the real fermentation broth was used. At the same time, 94.4% of phosphate could be recovered when 0.2 volume of anhydrous ethanol was added into the raffinate phase at pH 4.0.     

Enhanced production of (+)-terrein by Aspergillus terreus strain PF26 with epigenetic modifier suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid

New strategies for improving the fermentation yield of (+)-terrein which is a fungal metabolite with multiple bioactivities are very urgent. In this study, the effect of suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid, one kind of epigenetic modifier, on the biosynthesis of (+)-terrein by Aspergillus terreus strain PF26 isolated from the marine sponge Phakellia fusca was investigated. It was found that suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid exhibited a positive impact on (+)-terrein production, resulting from promoting the biosynthesis of 6-hydroxymellein, the precursor of (+)-terrein. Through optimization of feeding concentration and time of suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid, 5.58 g/L (+)-terrein could be obtained in shake flask cultivation, 29.5% higher than the control. Correspondingly, the fermentation of A. terreus strain PF26 in 7.5-L stirred bioreactor with feeding suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (900 μM, day 4) yielded 9.07 g/L (+)-terrein, 77.1% higher than the control. These results showed that the epigenetic modifier-suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid could be utilized to enhance the production of (+)-terrein, which laid the foundation of massive production of (+)-terrein by fermentation.     

Short-term effects of dam removal on macroinvertebrates in a Taiwan stream

Dam removal is an approach for restoring rivers. However, there are increasing concerns about the impact of removal on downstream biota. We examined the short-term responses of benthic macroinvertebrates and their avian predator (Brown Dipper, Cinclus pallasii Temminck) in reaches downstream of a check dam after it was removed from a mountain stream in central Taiwan. The density and taxonomic richness of downstream macroinvertebrates decreased immediately after dam removal. The decreases were associated with scouring or burial by sediments from the upstream impoundment. Ten weeks post-removal, downstream macroinvertebrate densities, although marginally recovering, remained lower than both pre-removal and upstream densities. Substantial changes in community structure were not significantly associated with an increase in the proportion of taxa with short life spans. However, this small-scale disturbance had no strong effect on the abundance of their very mobile, avian predator. This study and other studies of dam removal have found that downstream sedimentation following dam removal can reduce macroinvertebrate densities and that they may recover over time. Thus, timescale must be considered when interpreting the consequences of dam removal, especially when the long-term goal is stream restoration.     

The role of IL-6 in bone marrow (BM)-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) proliferation and chondrogenesis

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is the most common degenerative arthritic cartilage and represents a disease where the prospect of stem cell therapy offers considerable hope. Currently, bone marrow (BM) represents the major source of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for cell therapy. In the pathology of RA, the pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin 6 (IL-6) play a pivotal role. To investigate the direct role of IL-6 in the chondrogenic differentiation of murine MSCs (mMSCs), we isolate MSCs from the murine bone marrow, and induce MSCs chondrogenesis with different concentrations of IL-6 in vitro. Through detecting the histological and histochemical qualities of the aggregates, we demonstrate that IL-6 inhibited the differentiation of MSCs into chondrocytes in the dose-dependence manner. These findings suggest that possible strategies for improving the clinical outcome of cartilage repair procedures.     

A New Coronary Retroinfusion Technique in theRat Infarct Model: Transjugular Cardiac Vein Catheterization

Cell delivery via the retrograde coronary route boasts less vessel embolism, myocardial injury, and arrhythmogenicity when compared with those via antegrade coronary administration or myocardial injection. However, conventional insertion into the coronary sinus and consequent bleeding complication prevent its application in small animals. To overcome the complication of bleeding, we described a modified coronary retroinfusion technique via the jugular vein route in rats with myocardial infarction (MI). A flexible wire with a bent end was inserted into the left internal jugular vein and advanced slowly along the left superior vena cava. Under direct vision, the wire was run into the left cardiac vein by rotating the wire and changing the position of its tip. A fine tube was then advanced along the wire to the left cardiac vein. This modified technique showed less lethal hemorrhage than the conventional technique. Retroinfusion via transjugular catheter enabled efficient fluid or cell dissemination to the majority areas of the free wall of the left ventricle, covering the infarcted anterior wall. In conclusion, transjugular cardiac vein catheterization may make retrocoronary infusion a more safe and practical route for delivering cell, drug, and gene therapy into the infarcted myocardium of rats.     

Effects of seasonal snow on the growing season of temperate vegetation in China

Variations in seasonal snowfall regulate regional and global climatic systems and vegetation growth by changing energy budgets of the lower atmosphere and land surface. We investigated the effects of snow on the start of growing season (SGS) of temperate vegetation in China. Across the entire temperate region in China, the winter snow depth increased at a rate of 0.15 cm yr^?1 (P = 0.07) during the period 1982–1998, and decreased at a rate of 0.36 cm yr^?1 (P = 0.09) during the period 1998–2005. Correspondingly, the SGS advanced at a rate of 0.68 day yr^?1 (P < 0.01) during 1982–1998, and delayed at a rate of 2.13 day yr^?1 (P = 0.07) during 1998–2005, against a warming trend throughout the entire study period of 1982–2005. Spring air temperature strongly regulated the SGS of both deciduous broad‐leaf and coniferous forests, whereas the winter snow had a greater impact on the SGS of grassland and shrubs. Snow depth variation combined with air temperature contributed to the variability in the SGS of grassland and shrubs, as snow acted as an insulator and modulated the underground thermal conditions. In addition, differences were seen between the impacts of winter snow depth and spring snow depth on the SGS; as snow depths increased, the effect associated went from delaying SGS to advancing SGS. The observed thresholds for these effects were snow depths of 6.8 cm (winter) and 4.0 cm (spring). The results of this study suggest that the response of the vegetation's SGS to seasonal snow change may be attributed to the coupling effects of air temperature and snow depth associated with the underground thermal conditions.     

Development of gene-specific markers for acid soil/aluminium tolerance in barley (Hordeum vulgare L.)

Acid soil/aluminium toxicity is one of the major constraints on barley production around the world. Genetic improvement is the best solution and molecular-marker-assisted selection has proved to be an efficient tool for developing barley cultivars with acid soil/aluminium tolerance. In this study, barley variety Svanhals—introduced from CYMMIT (International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center)—was identified as acid soil/aluminium tolerant and the tolerance was mapped to chromosome 4H in 119 doubled haploid (DH) lines from a cross of Hamelin/Svanhals. The HvMATE gene, encoding an aluminium-activated citrate transporter, was selected as a candidate gene and gene-specific molecular markers were developed to detect acid soil/aluminium tolerance based on the polymerase chain reaction. Sequence analysis of the HvMATE gene identified a 21-bp indel (insertion–deletion) between the tolerant and sensitive cultivars. The new marker was further mapped to the QTL (quantitative trait loci) region on chromosome 4H for acid soil tolerance and accounted for 66.9 % of phenotypic variation in the DH population. Furthermore, the polymorphism was confirmed in other tolerant varieties which have been widely used as a source of acid soil tolerance in Australian barley breeding programs. The new gene-specific molecular marker provides an effective and simple molecular tool for selecting the acid soil tolerance gene from multiple tolerance sources.