Expression of the BnmNAP subfamily of napin genes coincides with the induction of Brassica microspore embryogenesis

Brassica napus cv. Topas microspores can be diverted from pollen development toward haploid embryo formation in culture by subjecting them to a heat stress treatment. We show that this switch in developmental pathways is accompanied by the induction of high levels of napin seed storage protein gene expression. Changes in the plant growth or microspore culture conditions were not by themselves sufficient to induce napin gene expression. Specific members of the napin multigene family were cloned from a cDNA library prepared from microspores that had been induced to undergo embryogenesis. The majority of napin clones represented three members (BnmNAP2, BnmNAP3 and BnmNAP4) that, along with a previously isolated napin genomic clone (BngNAP1), constitute the highly conserved BnmNAP subfamily of napin genes. Both RNA gel blot analysis, using a subfamily-specific probe, and histochemical analysis of transgenic plants expressing a BngNAP1 promoter--glucuronidase gene fusion demonstrated that the BnmNAP subfamily is expressed in embryogenic microspores as well as during subsequent stages of microsporic embryo development.     

Comparison of the Effects of Cuprizone on Demyelination in the Corpus Callosum and Hippocampal Progenitors in Young Adult and Aged Mice

Neurochemical Research - Cuprizone is commonly used to induce neuronal demyelination in mice. In the present study, we compared the cuprizone-induced demyelination in the corpus callosum and...     

Synthesis of oxidative metabolites of CRA13 and their analogs: Identification of CRA13 active metabolites and analogs thereof with selective CB2R affinity

CRA13; a peripheral dual CB₁R/CB₂R agonist with clinically proven analgesic properties, infiltrates into CNS producing adverse effects due to central CB₁R agonism. Such adverse effects might be circumvented by less lipophilic compounds with attenuated CB₁R affinity. Metabolism produces less lipophilic metabolites that might be active metabolites. Some CRA13 oxidative metabolites and their analogues were synthesized as less lipophilic CRA13 analogues. Probing their CB₁R and CB₂R activity revealed the alcohol metabolite 8c as a more potent and more effective CB₂R ligand with attenuated CB₁R affinity relative to CRA13. Also, the alcohol analogue 8b and methyl ester 12a possessed enhanced CB₂R affinity and reduced CB₁R affinity. The CB₂R binding affinity of alcohol analogue 8b was similar to CRA13 while that of methyl ester 12a was more potent. In silico study provided insights into the possible molecular interactions that might explain the difference in the elicited biological activity of these compounds.     

The Synergistic Effect of Cation and Anion of an Ionic Liquid Additive for Lithium Metal Anodes

Lithium metal anodes are steadily gaining more attention, as their superior specific capacities and low redox voltage can significantly increase the energy density of rechargeable batteries far beyond those of current Li‐ion batteries. Nonetheless, the relevant technology is still in a premature research stage mainly due to the uncontrolled growth of Li dendrites that ceaselessly cause unwanted side reactions with electrolyte. In order to circumvent this shortcoming, herein, an ionic liquid additive, namely, 1‐dodecyl‐1‐methylpyrrolidinium (Pyr1(12)⁺) bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (FSI^?), for conventional electrolyte solutions is reported. The Pyr1(12)⁺ cation with a long aliphatic chain mitigates dendrite growth via the combined effects of electrostatic shielding and lithiophobicity, whereas the FSI^? anion can induce the formation of rigid solid–electrolyte interphase layers. The synergy between the cation and anion significantly improves cycling performance in asymmetric and symmetric control cells and a full cell paired with an LiFePO₄ cathode. The present study provides a useful insight into the molecular engineering of electrolyte components by manipulating the charge and structures of the involved molecules.     

Mechanisms underlying modulation of podocyte TRPC6 channels by suPAR: Role of NADPH oxidases and Src family tyrosine kinases

The soluble urokinase receptor (suPAR) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic kidney diseases (CKD) and may function as a circulating “permeability factor” driving primary focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS). Here we examined the mechanisms whereby suPAR causes mobilization and increased activation of Ca²⁺-permeable TRPC6 channels, which are also implicated in FSGS. Treatment of immortalized mouse podocytes with recombinant suPAR for 24?h caused a marked increase in cytosolic reactive oxygen species (ROS) that required signaling through integrins. This effect was associated with increased assembly of active cell surface NADPH oxidase 2 (Nox2) complexes and was blocked by the Nox2 inhibitor apoycynin. Treatment with suPAR also evoked a functionally measurable increase in TRPC6 channels that was blocked by concurrent treatment with the ROS-quencher TEMPOL as well as by inhibition of Rac1, an essential component of active Nox2 complexes. Elevated ROS evoked by exposing cells to suPAR or H₂O₂ caused a marked increase in the abundance of tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins including Src, and suPAR-evoked Src activation was blocked by TEMPOL. Moreover, mobilization and increased activation of TRPC6 by suPAR or H₂O₂ was blocked by concurrent exposure to PP2, an inhibitor of Src family tyrosine kinases. These data suggest that suPAR induces oxidative stress in podocytes that in turn drives signaling through Src family kinases to upregulate TRPC6 channels. The combination of oxidative stress and altered Ca²⁺ signaling may contribute to loss of podocytes and progression of various forms of CKD.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Brevibacterium anseongense</Emphasis> sp. nov., isolated from soil of ginseng field

Gram-positive, aerobic, non-motile, pale-yellow, and rodshaped bacterium, designated as Gsoil 188^T, was isolated from the soil of a ginseng field in Pocheon, South Korea. A phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparison revealed that the strain formed a distinct lineage within the genus Brevibacterium and was most closely related to B. epidermidis NBRC 14811^T (98.4%), B. sediminis FXJ8.269^T (98.2%), B. avium NCFB 3055^T (98.1%), and B. oceani BBH7^T (98.1%), while it shared less than 98.1% identity with the other species of this genus. The DNA G + C content was 68.1 mol%. The predominant quinone was MK-8(H₂). The major fatty acids were anteiso-C_15:0 and anteiso-C_17:0. The cell wall peptidoglycan of strain Gsoil 188^T contained meso-diaminopimelic acid. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylglycerol, diphosphatidylglycerol, and an unidentified aminolipid. The physiological and biochemical characteristics, low DNA-DNA relatedness values, and taxonomic analysis allowed the differentiation of strain Gsoil 188^T from the other recognized species of the genus Brevibacterium. Therefore, strain Gsoil 188^T represents a novel species of the genus Brevibacterium, for which the name Brevibacterium anseongense sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain Gsoil 188^T (= KACC 19439^T = LMG 30331^T).     

The relationship between epicardial adipose tissue and coronary artery stenosis by sex and menopausal status in patients with suspected angina

Background

Evidence suggests that epicardial adipose tissue (EAT) is closely related to coronary artery stenosis (CAS). However, sexual dimorphism may be present in adipose tissue, and its influence on CAS between men and women is controversial. We assessed the relationship between EAT and CAS by sex and menopausal status in patients with suspected angina.

Methods

Six hundred twenty-eight consecutive patients (men/women n?=?257/371; mean age = 59.9?±?10.2?years) who had chest pain for angina and underwent coronary angiography were included. CAS was defined as >?50% luminal narrowing of at least one epicardial coronary artery. EAT thickness was measured by transthoracic echocardiography.

Results

Of the 628 patients, 52.1% (n?=?134) of men and 35.3% (n?=?131) of women had CAS. The mean EAT thickness was not different between men and women and was larger in patients with CAS (8.04?±?2.39 vs 6.58?±?1.88?mm, P?<?0.001). EAT thickness was independently associated with CAS in both sexes (P?<?0.001). The odds ratio (OR) of EAT for the presence of CAS was higher in men (OR?=?1.43, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.21–1.69) than in women (OR?=?1.24, 95% CI 1.10–1.40). EAT thickness was larger in postmenopausal women than in premenopausal women (7.59?±?2.25 vs 5.80?±?1.57?mm, P?<?0.001) and was independently related with CAS (OR?=?1.24, 95% CI 1.09–1.41). This was not the case in premenopausal women.

Conclusion

In patients with suspected angina, an increase in EAT thickness was independently related to the presence of CAS in both men and women, with it being stronger in men. According to menopausal status in women, EAT thickness is significantly associated with CAS only in postmenopausal women.