Molecular genetic polymorphism of androgen receptor gene (AR) in African populations of Hadza and Datoga

The molecular genetic analysis of the polymorphic variants of the CAG repeat-containing locus of the androgen receptor (AR) gene was performed in the populations of Hadza and Datoga. Allele frequency distribution patterns were established. Alleles containing 20–25 repeats were the most abundant in both populations. The populations studied were compared with Asians (Han), white Americans, and Africans (Ariaal). Statistically significant difference between populations of Hadza and Datoga in the distribution of the AR allelic variants was demonstrated.     

Spreading of<Emphasis Type="Italic">Salmonella enteritidis</Emphasis> in the cecum of chickens

Adhesion and colonization of high (2 x 10(8) CFU) and low doses (2 x 10(2) CFU) of Salmonella enteritidis (phage type 4) was determined in the ceca collected 6 h-4 weeks after inoculation (pi), of 1-d-old White Plymouth Rock orally-inoculated chickens. S. enteritidis was associated with the epithelial surface of the villi in the low-dose group 18 h-7 d pi, the penetration in the cecal lamina propria was observed on day 1 and 10 pi. In the high-dose group, adhesion and colonization was observed in all birds killed 6 h-14 d pi; penetration of the bacteria into the cecal lamina propria was seen 1-21 d pi. Large numbers of macrophage-like cells containing S. enteritidis were observed in the cecal lamina propria on days 3-21 pi. Colonization and migration by S. enteritidis in the intestinal tract of chickens was shown to be dose dependent.     

Isotope composition of carbon and nitrogen in tissues and organs of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Betula pendula</Emphasis>

Ratios of ¹³С/¹²C and ¹⁵N/¹⁴N isotopes were identified in different parts and organs of drooping birch (Betula pendula Roth) in preforest-steppe and pine-birch forests of the Middle Urals by mass spectrometry. The data were analyzed and interpreted from the perspective of biochemical processes of carbon and nitrogen metabolism in the leaf, cambial tissue, trunk wood, branches, roots, and in the soil. The lighter isotopic composition of carbon is characteristic for the leaves, trunk cambium as well as fine (<2 mm) roots. The trunk wood is characterized by the basal trend for ¹³C enrichment. The heavier carbon isotopic composition inversely related to metabolic activity of organs and tissues, in addition, ¹³С/¹²C ratio corresponds to the nitrogen content in the organs and tissues, indicating the metabolic control of carbon fractionation in woody plants. The isotopic composition of nitrogen in the aboveground parts of the plant (leaves, trunk cambium, wood) and in the medium and fine roots was significantly depleted in ¹⁵N (δ¹⁵N varies from 0 to–3‰), while main roots (δ¹⁵N = 0.6 ‰) and soil (δ¹⁵N = 2.4–6.7‰) were more enriched. The ratio of stable isotopes of carbon and nitrogen is an integrating index of carbon and nitrogen metabolism in plants.     

Extracellular hydrolases of strain <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus</Emphasis> sp. 739 and their involvement in the lysis of micromycete cell walls

The mycolytic bacterial strain Bacillus sp. 739 produces extracellular enzymes which degrade in vitro the cell walls of a number of phytopathogenic and saprophytic fungi. When Bacillus sp. 739 was cultivated with Bipolaris sorokiniana, a cereal root-rot pathogen, the fungus degradation process correlated with the levels of the β-1,3-glucanase and protease activity. The comparative characteristic of Bacillus sp. 739 enzymatic preparations showed that efficient hydrolysis of the fungus cell walls was the result of the action of the complex of enzymes produced by the strain when grown on chitin-containing media. Among the enzymes of this complex, chitinases and β-1,3-glucanases hydrolyzed most actively the disintegrated cell walls of B. sorokiniana. However, only β-1,3-glucanases were able to degrade the cell walls of native fungal mycelium in the absence of other hydrolases, which is indicative of their key role in the mycolytic activity of Bacillus sp. 739.     

Mechanisms of plant and microbial adaptation to heavy metals in plant–microbial systems

The data on heavy metal (HM) accumulation and detoxification by plants and bacteria in plant–microbial systems (PMS) are reviewed. Bacteria are shown to be the labile component of the system, responsible for a considerable amelioration of HM stress impact on plants and for improved PMS adaptation to heavy metals. Simulation of plant–microbial interactions under conditions of soil contamination by HM revealed the protective role of bacterial migration from the rhizoplane to the rhizosphere.     

Exogenous heat shock protein HSP70 reduces response of human neuroblastoma cells to lipopolysaccharide

The effect of exogenous heat shock protein HSP70 and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), TNFα secretion, and mRNA expression by human neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cells. It was shown that exogenous HSP70 protects neuroblastoma cells from the action of LPS. The protection mechanism of HSP70 includes a reduction in the production of ROS and TNFα and a decrease in the expression of TLR4 and IL-1β mRNA in SK-N-SH cells induced by LPS.     

Hematopoietic stem cell and mesenchymal stem cell population size in bone marrow samples depends on patient’s age and harvesting technique

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are heterogeneous population of cells with great potential for regenerative medicine. MSCs are relatively easy to expand in a cell culture, however determination of their concentration in harvested tissue is more complex and is not implemented as routine procedure. To identify MSCs collected from bone marrow we have used two combinations of cell markers (CD45^?/CD73⁺/CD90⁺/CD105⁺ and CD45^?/CD271⁺) and fibroblast colony-forming unit (CFU-F) assay. Further, in donors of various ages, mesenchymal stem cell concentration was compared with the result of CFU-F assay and with hematopoietic stem cell concentration, determined by a standardized flow cytometric assay. A positive correlation of MSC populations to the CFU-F numbers is observed, the population of the CD45^?/CD271⁺ cells correlates better with CFU-F numbers than the population of the CD45^?/CD73⁺/CD90⁺/CD105⁺ cells. The relationship between the hematopoietic CD45^dim/CD34⁺ cell concentration and mesenchymal CFU-Fs or CD45^?/CD271⁺ cells shows a positive linear regression. An age-related quantitative reduction of hematopoietic CD45^dim/CD34⁺, mesenchymal CD45^?/CD73⁺/CD90⁺/CD105⁺ and CD45^?/CD271⁺ stem cells, and CFU-F numbers were noted. Additionally, statistically significant higher CFU-F numbers were observed when bone marrow samples were harvested from three different sites from the anterior iliac crest instead of harvesting the same sample amount only from one site.     

Changes in the lung bacteriome in relation to antipseudomonal therapy in children with cystic fibrosis

The lung in cystic fibrosis (CF) is home to numerous pathogens that shorten the lives of patients. The aim of the present study was to assess changes in the lung bacteriome following antibiotic therapy targeting Pseudomonas aeruginosa in children with CF. The study included nine children (9–18 years) with CF who were treated for their chronic or intermittent positivity for Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The bacteriomes were determined in 16 pairs of sputa collected at the beginning and at the end of a course of intravenous antibiotic therapy via deep sequencing of the variable region 4 of the 16S rRNA gene, and the total bacterial load and selected specific pathogens were assessed using quantitative real-time PCR. The effect of antipseudomonal antibiotics was observable as a profound decrease in the total 16S rDNA load (p = 0.001) as well as in a broad range of individual taxa including Staphylococcus aureus (p = 0.03) and several members of the Streptococcus mitis group (S. oralis, S. mitis, and S. infantis) (p = 0.003). Improvements in forced expiratory volume (FEV₁) were associated with an increase in Granulicatella sp. (p = 0.004), whereas a negative association was noted between the total bacterial load and white blood cell count (p = 0.007). In conclusion, the data show how microbial communities differ in reaction to antipseudomonal treatment, suggesting that certain rare species may be associated with clinical parameters. Our work also demonstrates the utility of absolute quantification of bacterial load in addition to the 16S rDNA profiling.     

Finding of Arcrtic Charr Salvelinus alpinus (Salmonidae) and Sculpin Cottus cf. poecilopus (Cottidae) in the Verkhnyaya Angara basin Near the Divide with the Lena River System: New Data About the Invasion Routes of the Representatives of Lena Ichthyofauna Into Baikal Basin

Journal of Ichthyology - In Lake Amut (the Verkhnyaya Angara drainage basin) the third population of Arctic charr Salvelinus alpinus (L.) in Baikal basin was found, a presumed invader from the Lena...     

MAPK signaling regulates c‐MYC for melanoma cell adaptation to asparagine restriction

Amino acid restriction is among promising potential cancer treatment strategies. However, cancer cells employ a multitude of mechanisms to mount resistance to amino acid restriction, which impede the latter’s clinical development. Here we show that MAPK signaling activation in asparagine‐restricted melanoma cells impairs GSK3‐β‐mediated c‐MYC degradation. In turn, elevated c‐MYC supports ATF4 translational induction by enhancing the expression of the amino acid transporter SLC7A5, increasing the uptake of essential amino acids, and the subsequent maintenance of mTORC1 activity in asparagine‐restricted melanoma cells. Blocking the MAPK‐c‐MYC‐SLC7A5 signaling axis cooperates with asparagine restriction to effectively suppress melanoma cell proliferation. This work reveals a previously unknown axis of cancer cell adaptation to asparagine restriction and informs mechanisms that may be targeted for enhanced therapeutic efficacy of asparagine limiting strategies.