High-frequency protocorm-like bodies and shoot regeneration through a combination of thin cell layer and RITA® temporary immersion bioreactor in Cattleya forbesii Lindl.

Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture (PCTOC) - An efficient in vitro mass propagation through protocorm-like bodies (PLBs) was established in Cattleya forbesii Lindl., a commercially important...     

Sphk2−/− mice are protected from obesity and insulin resistance

Sphingosine kinases phosphorylate sphingosine to sphingosine 1?phosphate (S1P), which functions as a signaling molecule. We have previously shown that sphingosine kinase 2 (Sphk2) is important for insulin secretion. To obtain a better understanding of the role of Sphk2 in glucose and lipid metabolism, we have characterized 20- and 52-week old Sphk2^?/? mice using glucose and insulin tolerance tests and by analyzing metabolic gene expression in adipose tissue. A detailed metabolic characterization of these mice revealed that aging Sphk2^?/? mice are protected from metabolic decline and obesity compared to WT mice. Specifically, we found that 52-week old male Sphk2^?/? mice had decreased weight and fat mass, and increased glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity compared to control mice. Indirect calorimetry studies demonstrated an increased energy expenditure and food intake in 52-week old male Sphk2^?/? versus control mice. Furthermore, expression of adiponectin gene in adipose tissue was increased and the plasma levels of adiponectin elevated in aged Sphk2^?/? mice compared to WT. Analysis of lipid metabolic gene expression in adipose tissue showed increased expression of the Atgl gene, which was associated with increased Atgl protein levels. Atgl encodes for the adipocyte triglyceride lipase, which catalyzes the rate-limiting step of lipolysis. In summary, these data suggest that mice lacking the Sphk2 gene are protected from obesity and insulin resistance during aging. The beneficial metabolic effects observed in aged Sphk2^?/? mice may be in part due to enhanced lipolysis by Atgl and increased levels of adiponectin, which has lipid- and glucose-lowering effects.     

Adaptive Regulation of Motor Variability

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Effects of repeated desflurane and sevoflurane anesthesia on enzymatic free radical scavanger system

Background: To investigate the possible effects of repeated sevoflurane and desflurane anesthesia on hepatocellular system by evaluating the free radical metabolism, hepatocellular enzymes and histopatholgical changes in rats. Methods: Four groups of animals were studied. Sevoflurane 2% (v/v) and desflurane 6% (v/v) in air/O₂ were administered to animals in group II (n = 9) and III (n = 9) respectively. 100% (v/v) O₂ was administered in group IV (n = 9). Administration was done for 60 minutes over 3 days. Nine animals were allocated to control group (group I), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathion peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione-s-transferase (GST) and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were studied. Also electron microscopy was performed. Results: Catalase, SOD, GSH-Px, GST activities and TBARS levels were significantly higher in groups II and III than in group I (p < 0.05). All parameters were significantly higher in groups II versus group IV (p < 0.05). On the other hand, SOD, GSH-Px and GST activities were significantly elevated in group III than IV, but CAT activity and TBARS levels were not significantly. Catalase, SOD, GSH-Px, GST but not TBARS levels were significantly higher in groups II and III than in group IV (p < 0.05). TBARS levels were higher in group III than in group IV, but this elevation was not statistically significant. CAT, SOD and GSH-Px activities were significantly higher in groups II than in group III (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Although electron microscopy findings were similar for group II and III, we can conclude that sevoflurane might cause more cellular damage than desflurane by causing higher activation of free radical metabolising enzymes.     

Exposure of Dunaliella tertiolecta to Lead and Aluminum: Toxicity and Effects on Ultrastructure

The growth response of the marine alga Dunaliella tertiolecta to different concentrations of lead and aluminum was investigated. Both metals had a stimulatory effect at low concentration and an inhibitory effect at high concentration (hormesis). The IC₂₅ values of lead are 8.43, 7.29, and 6.74 mg L⁻¹ for 24, 48, and 72 h, respectively. The corresponding values for aluminum are 30.54, 22.42, and 18.16 mg L⁻¹. Although it seems that the two metals are not directly toxic to the alga at the concentrations found in the environment, as implied by the IC₂₅ values and the environmental concentrations of the metals, low concentrations of both metals, alone and in combination, affected the ultrastructure. The growth of batch-grown cells exposed to 0.5 mg L⁻¹ lead and aluminum, alone and combined, during the 24-h exponential phase was investigated. The same cells were also examined under an electron microscope to determine the biological effects of the two metals on the ultrastructure. The most obvious effects of lead were disrupted thylakoidal membranes, accumulated polyphosphate bodies and vacuoles, and lead precipitates on the cell surface. These ultrastructural alterations were partially present in aluminum-treated and lead–aluminum-treated cells. In joint exposure, the most important change was the lysis of the cell membrane. Aluminum and lead seem to act synergistically on the cell membrane leading to cell membrane lysis.     

The Relationship Between Taurine and 3-Nitrotyrosine Level of Hepatocytes in Experimental Endotoxemia

It has been proposed that taurine may function as an oxidant in a dose-dependent manner in vivo and in vitro. The present study was carried out to investigate the relationship between taurine concentration and 3-nitrotyrosine level, a stable marker of peroxynitrite action, in hepatocytes of guinea pig in endotoxemia before and after taurine administration. The levels of taurine and 3-nitrotyrosine were measured by HPLC method. In the present study, taurine was low concentration in hepatocytes exposed to endotoxemia. In taurine plus endotoxin treated animals, HPLC analysis showed higher taurine level compared with animals only supplemented with taurine. But 3-nitrotyrosine levels were same in both taurine alone and taurine plus endotoxin groups. In conclusion, taurine is able to prevent the damaging effect of peroxynitrite, at concentration measured in hepatocytes, in our experimental conditions.     

Triterpenoid saponins with N-acetyl sugar from the bark of Albizia procera

Three (1,2,4) and one known (3) triterpenoid saponins were isolated from the bark of Albizia procera. The saponins were characterized as 3-O-[beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1-->6)-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranosyl] echinocystic acid (1), 3-O-[alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-fucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranosyl] echinocystic acid (2) and 3-O-[beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1-->6)-2-acetamido-2-deoxy-beta-D-glucopyranosyl] acacic acid lactone (4). Their structures were elucidated by 1D and 2D NMR experiments, FABMS as well as chemical means. Saponins 1 and 3 exhibited cytotoxicity against HEPG2 cell line with IC50 9.13 microg/ml and 10 microg/ml, respectively.     

NF-kappaB is a negative regulator of IL-1beta secretion as revealed by genetic and pharmacological inhibition of IKKbeta

IKKbeta-dependent NF-kappaB activation plays a key role in innate immunity and inflammation, and inhibition of IKKbeta has been considered as a likely anti-inflammatory therapy. Surprisingly, however, mice with a targeted IKKbeta deletion in myeloid cells are more susceptible to endotoxin-induced shock than control mice. Increased endotoxin susceptibility is associated with elevated plasma IL-1beta as a result of increased pro-IL-1beta processing, which was also seen upon bacterial infection. In macrophages enhanced pro-IL-1beta processing depends on caspase-1, whose activation is inhibited by NF-kappaB-dependent gene products. In neutrophils, however, IL-1beta secretion is caspase-1 independent and depends on serine proteases, whose activity is also inhibited by NF-kappaB gene products. Prolonged pharmacologic inhibition of IKKbeta also augments IL-1beta secretion upon endotoxin challenge. These results unravel an unanticipated role for IKKbeta-dependent NF-kappaB signaling in the negative control of IL-1beta production and highlight potential complications of long-term IKKbeta inhibition.     

Comparison of fatty acids and some mineral matter profiles of wild and farmed snails,Cornu aspersum Müller, 1774

ABSTRACT

The fatty acid and mineral matter compositions of the visceral mass and pedal mass of wild and farmed Cornu aspersum were compared. The relative fatty acid amounts of the visceral and pedal masses of wild and farmed snails are: polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) > saturated fatty acid (SFA) > monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA), PUFA?>?SFA?>?MUFA, MUFA?>?PUFA?>?SFA and PUFA?>?MUFA?>?SFA, respectively. Wild snails had a higher concentration of iron and zinc than farmed snails. Selenium was 2.82 times higher in the pedal mass of farmed snails than the pedal mass of wild snails. Ca:P ratios in the visceral mass of wild snails, visceral mass and pedal mass of farmed snails were 1.76:1, 1.12:1 and 3.87:1 respectively. Both wild and farmed snails have high contents of oleic, linoleic, eicosapentaenoic and docosahexaenoic fatty acids and are a good source of minerals. Careful attention should be paid, however, as to which diet will be used during farming because the composition of fatty acid in the snail is affected by diet.     

Characterization of Genetic Diversity in Cultivated Emmer Wheat [Triticum turgidum L. ssp. dicoccon (Schrank) Thell.] Landrace Populations from Turkey by SSR

Russian Journal of Genetics - The aim of this study is an evaluation of the genetic diversity among nine emmer wheat [Triticum turgidum L. ssp. dicoccon (Schrank) Thell.] landrace populations,...