Different strategies of energy storage in cultured and freshly isolated Symbiodinium sp.

The endosymbiotic relationship between cnidarians and Symbiodinium is critical for the survival of coral reefs. In this study, we developed a protocol to rapidly and freshly separate Symbiodinium from corals and sea anemones. Furthermore, we compared these freshly‐isolated Symbiodinium with cultured Symbiodinium to investigate host and Symbiodinium interaction. Clade B Symbiodinium had higher starch content and lower lipid content than those of clades C and D in both freshly isolated and cultured forms. Clade C had the highest lipid content, particularly when associated with corals. Moreover, the coral‐associated Symbiodinium had higher protein content than did cultured and sea anemone‐associated Symbiodinium. Regarding fatty acid composition, cultured Symbiodinium and clades B, C, and D shared similar patterns, whereas sea anemone‐associated Symbiodinium had a distinct pattern compared coral‐associated Symbiodinium. Specifically, the levels of monounsaturated fatty acids were lower than those of the saturated fatty acids, and the level of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) were the highest in all examined Symbiodinium. Furthermore, PUFAs levels were higher in coral‐associated Symbiodinium than in cultured Symbiodinium. These results altogether indicated that different Symbiodinium clades used different energy storage strategies, which might be modified by hosts.     

番茄红素对高同型半胱氨酸血症大鼠血管内皮舒缩功能和纤溶功能的影响

本文研究了补充番茄红素对高同型半胱氨酸血症大鼠血液Hcy的影响,及对血管内皮舒缩功能和纤溶功能的影响。SD大鼠30只,随机分为普通饮食组(C)、蛋氨酸饮食组(M)、蛋氨酸饮食+番茄红素组(ML)。ML组灌胃番茄红素(6.25 mg/kg),每天2 m L,其余组灌胃同等剂量生理盐水,共8周。末次实验后24 h,测试血浆Hcy、TXB2、6-Keto-PGF1α、t-PA和PAI。实验结果表明8周高蛋氨酸饮食可导致大鼠形成高同型半胱氨酸血症,血浆Hcy、TXB2和PAI显著升高(P0.01),6-Keto-PGF1α和t-PA显著降低(P0.01),血管舒缩和纤溶功能紊乱。但8周番茄红素补充可以显著降低血浆Hcy和TXB2,增加6-Keto-PGF1α含量,同时调节t-PA和PAI的活性,改善纤溶功能,预防动脉粥样硬化病的形成。     

Valsartan Attenuates Atherosclerosis via Upregulating the Th2 Immune Response in Prolonged Angiotensin II–Treated ApoE?/? Mice

Valsartan has a protective effect against hypertension and atherosclerosis in humans and experimental animal models. This study aimed to determine the effect of prolonged treatment with angiotensin II (Ang II) on atherosclerosis and the effect of valsartan on the activity of CD4⁺ T lymphocyte subsets. The results showed that prolonged treatment (8 wks) with exogenous Ang II resulted in an increased atherosclerotic plaque size and a switch of stable-to-unstable plaque via modulating on CD4⁺ T lymphocyte activity, including an increase in the T helper cell type 1 (Th1) and Th17 cells and a decrease in Th2 and regulatory T (Treg) cells. In contrast, valsartan treatment efficiently reversed the imbalance in CD4⁺ T lymphocyte activity, ameliorated atherosclerosis and elicited a stable plaque phenotype in addition to controlling blood pressure. In addition, treatment with anti-interleukin (IL)-5 monoclonal antibodies weakened the antiatherosclerotic effects of valsartan without affecting blood pressure.     

A novel cysteine‐free venom peptide with strong antimicrobial activity against antibiotics‐resistant pathogens from the scorpion Opistophthalmus glabrifrons

Antibiotic‐resistant bacteria, such as methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus and vancomycin‐resistant Enterococcus, pose serious threat to human health. The outbreak of antibiotic‐resistant pathogens in recent years emphasizes once again the urgent need for the development of new antimicrobial agents. Here, we discovered a novel antimicrobial peptide from the scorpion Opistophthalmus glabrifrons, which was referred to as Opisin. Opisin consists of 19 amino acid residues without disulfide bridges. It is a cationic, amphipathic, and α‐helical molecule. Protein sequence homology search revealed that Opisin shares 42.1–5.3% sequence identities to the 17/18‐mer antimicrobial peptides from scorpions. Antimicrobial assay showed that Opisin is able to potently inhibit the growth of the tested Gram‐positive bacteria with the minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values of 4.0–10.0 μM; in contrast, it possesses much lower activity against the tested Gram‐negative bacteria and a fungus. It is interesting to see that Opisin is able to strongly inhibit the growth of methicillin‐ and vancomycin‐resistant pathogens with the MICs ranging from 2.0 to 4.0 μM and from 4.0 to 6.0 μM, respectively. We found that at a concentration of 5 × MIC, Opisin completely killed all the cultured methicillin‐resistant Staphylococcus aureus. These results suggest that Opisin is a promising therapeutic candidate for the treatment of the antibiotic‐resistant bacterial infections. Copyright © 2015 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Review of the genus Apotrechus in China (Orthoptera,Gryllacrididae, Gryllacridinae)

In the present paper, the genus Apotrechus Brunner-Wattenwyl, 1888 is revised. Two new species from China are described and illustrated: Apotrechus quadratus sp. n. and Apotrechus truncatolobus sp. n.. A new key and the distributional data are given.     

Tissue‐specific and pathogen‐inducible expression of a fusion protein containing a Fusarium‐specific antibody and a fungal chitinase protects wheat against Fusarium pathogens and mycotoxins

Fusarium head blight (FHB) in wheat and other small grain cereals is a globally devastating disease caused by toxigenic Fusarium pathogens. Controlling FHB is a challenge because germplasm that is naturally resistant against these pathogens is inadequate. Current control measures rely on fungicides. Here, an antibody fusion comprised of the Fusarium spp.‐specific recombinant antibody gene CWP2 derived from chicken, and the endochitinase gene Ech42 from the biocontrol fungus Trichoderma atroviride was introduced into the elite wheat cultivar Zhengmai9023 by particle bombardment. Expression of this fusion gene was regulated by the lemma/palea‐specific promoter Lem2 derived from barley; its expression was confirmed as lemma/palea‐specific in transgenic wheat. Single‐floret inoculation of independent transgenic wheat lines of the T₃ to T₆ generations revealed significant resistance (type II) to fungal spreading, and natural infection assays in the field showed significant resistance (type I) to initial infection. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis revealed marked reduction of mycotoxins in the grains of the transgenic wheat lines. Progenies of crosses between the transgenic lines and the FHB‐susceptible cultivar Huamai13 also showed significantly enhanced FHB resistance. Quantitative real‐time PCR analysis revealed that the tissue‐specific expression of the antibody fusion was induced by salicylic acid drenching and induced to a greater extent by F. graminearum infection. Histochemical analysis showed substantial restriction of mycelial growth in the lemma tissues of the transgenic plants. Thus, the combined tissue‐specific and pathogen‐inducible expression of this Fusarium‐specific antibody fusion can effectively protect wheat against Fusarium pathogens and reduce mycotoxin content in grain.