Amomum xanthoides extract prevents cytokine-induced cell death of RINm5F cells through the inhibition of nitric oxide formation

We previously showed that Amomum xanthoides extract prevented alloxan-induced diabetes through the suppression of NF-kappaB activation. In this study, the preventive effects of A. xanthoides extract on cytokine-induced beta-cell destruction were examined. Cytokines produced by immune cells infiltrating pancreatic islets are important mediators of beta-cell destruction in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. A. xanthoides extract completely protected interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma)-mediated cytotoxicity in rat insulinoma cell line (RINm5F). Incubation with A. xanthoides extract resulted in a significant reduction in IL-1beta and IFN-gamma-induced nitric oxide (NO) production, a finding that correlated well with reduced levels of the inducible form of NO synthase (iNOS) mRNA and protein. The molecular mechanism by which A. xanthoides extract inhibited iNOS gene expression appeared to involve the inhibition of NF-kappaB activation. Our results revealed the possible therapeutic value of A. xanthoides extract for the prevention of diabetes mellitus progression.     

Ambient temperature signaling in plants: An emerging field in the regulation of flowering time

Plants show remarkable developmental plasticity to survive in a continually changing environment. One example is their capability to adjust flowering time in response to environmental changes. Ambient growth temperature, which is strongly affected by global temperature changes, has a profound effect on flowering time. However, those effects have been largely ignored in research. Recent molecular genetic studies ofArabidopsis as a model system have implicated several genes, and have identified a molecular mechanism underlying the responses of plants to changes in ambient temperature. Here, we describe recent discoveries related to ambient temperature signaling and the control of flowering time inArabidopsis. We also discuss current perspectives on how plants sense and respond to such changes.     

Plant gene responses to frequency-specific sound signals

We identified a set of sound-responsive genes in plants using a sound-treated subtractive library and demonstrated sound regulation through mRNA expression analyses. Under both light and dark conditions, sound up-regulated expression of rbcS and ald. These are also light-responsive genes and these results suggest that sound could represent an alternative to light as a gene regulator. Ald mRNA expression increased significantly with treatment at 125 and 250 Hz, whereas levels decreased significantly with treatment at 50 Hz, indicating a frequency-specific response. To investigate whether the ald promoter responds to sound, we generated transgenic rice plants harboring a chimeric gene comprising a fusion of the ald promoter and GUS reporter. In three independent transgenic lines treated with 50 or 250 Hz for 4 h, GUS mRNA expression was up-regulated at 250 Hz, but down-regulated at 50 Hz. Thus, the sound-responsive mRNA expression pattern observed for the ald promoter correlated closely with that of ald, suggesting that the 1,506 bp ald promoter is sound-responsive. Therefore, we propose that in transgenic plants, specific frequencies of sound treatment could be used to regulate the expression of any gene fused to the ald promoter.     

Identification of canine norovirus in dogs in South Korea

Background

Canine noroviruses (CaNoVs) are classified into genogroups GIV, GVI, and GVII and have been detected in fecal samples from dogs since their first appearance in a dog with enteritis in Italy in 2007. CaNoVs may be a public health concern because pet animals are an integral part of the family and could be a potential reservoir of zoonotic agents. Nonetheless, there was no previous information concerning the epidemiology of CaNoV in South Korea. In the present study, we aimed to detect CaNoV antigens and to investigate serological response against CaNoV in dogs.

Results

In total, 459 fecal samples and 427 sera were collected from small animal clinics and animal shelters housing free-roaming dogs in geographically distinct areas in South Korea. For the detection of CaNoV, RT-PCR was performed using target specific primers, and nucleotide sequences of CaNoV isolates were phylogenetically analyzed. Seroprevalence was performed by ELISA based on P domain protein. CaNoVs were detected in dog fecal samples (14/459, 3.1%) and were phylogenetically classified into the same cluster as previously reported genogroup GIV CaNoVs. Seroprevalence was performed, and 68 (15.9%) of 427 total dog serum samples tested positive for CaNoV IgG antibodies.

Conclusion

This is the first study identifying CaNoV in the South Korean dog population.

     

A case of interdigitating dendritic cell sarcoma studied by whole-exome sequencing

Interdigitating dendritic cell sarcoma (IDCS) is an aggressive neoplasm and is an extremely rare disease, with a challenging diagnosis. Etiology of IDCS is also unknown and most studies with only case reports. In our case, immunohistochemistry showed that the tumor cells were positive for S100, CD45, and CD68, but negative for CD1a and CD21. This study aimed to investigate the causative factors of IDCS by sequencing the protein-coding regions of IDCS. We performed whole-exome sequencing with genomic DNA from blood and sarcoma tissue of the IDCS patient using the Illumina Hiseq 2500 platform. After that, we conducted Sanger sequencing for validation of sarcoma-specific variants and gene ontology analysis using DAVID bioinformatics resources. Through comparing sequencing data of sarcoma with normal blood, we obtained 15 nonsynonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) as sarcoma-specific variants. Although the 15 SNPs were not validated by Sanger sequencing due to tumor heterogeneity and low sensitivity of Sanger sequencing, we examined the function of the genes in which each SNP is located. Based on previous studies and gene ontology database, we found that POLQ encoding DNA polymerase theta enzyme and FNIP1 encoding tumor suppressor folliculin-interacting protein might have contributed to the IDCS. Our study provides potential causative genetic factors of IDCS and plays a role in advancing the understanding of IDCS pathogenesis.     

Involvement of p38 kinase in hydroxyurea-induced differentiation of K562 cells.

Hydroxyurea is a differentiation-inducing agent of human erythroleukemia K562 cells. However, the cellular mechanisms by which hydroxyurea exerts its effects on tumor cells, leading to the inhibition of cell growth and the induction of differentiation markers, are largely unknown. This study examined the role of different mitogen-activated protein kinase signal transduction pathways in hydroxyurea-induced erythroid differentiation of K562 cells. Using a panel of anti-extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK), c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase (JNK), and p38 phosphospecific antibodies, we demonstrated that phosphorylation of ERK and JNK is decreased after the treatment of cells with hydroxyurea, whereas phosphorylation of p38 is increased. Moreover, inhibition of ERK activity by PD98059 induced erythroid differentiation, and it acted synergistically with hydroxyurea on hemoglobin synthesis, whereas inhibition of p38 activity by SB203580 inhibited induction of hemoglobin production by hydroxyurea. These findings suggest that the activation of p38 kinase may play important roles in the signal transduction mechanisms of hydroxyurea leading to erythroid differentiation.     

Study on the ophthalmic diseases in ICR mice and BALB/c mice.

In pharmaceutical companies and research institutes, many toxicity tests are performed with laboratory animals. This study was performed to produce reference data for eye toxicity tests and to investigate the ophthalmic diseases of 408 ICR mice and 119 BALB/c mice, which are commonly used as subjects in toxicity tests. The experimental animals without clinical disorders were selected regardless of sex. The ophthalmic diseases were examined by using special ophthalmic instruments: direct ophthalmoscope, indirect ophthalmoscope, slit-lamp biomicroscope and focal illuminator. The most prevalent ocular variation within normal limits was hyaloid vessel remnant (ICR mice, 28.2%; BALB/c mice, 31.9%) and the incidence gradually decreased with age. The ocular diseases found in ICR mice were retinal degeneration (9.8%), corneal scar (4.2%), focal cataract (2.2%), anisocoria (1.2%), corneal ulcer (0.2%) and uveitis (0.2%). In BALB/c mice, corneal scar (9.2%), focal cataract (1.7%) and corneal ulcer (0.8%) were the ocular diseases found.