Effect of soil texture and its organic content on the efficacy of Trichoderma harzianum (MIAU 145 C) in controlling Meloidogyne javanica and stimulating the growth of kidney beans

The efficiency of Trichoderma harzianum (MIAU 145 C) in promoting kidney bean (cv. Goli) growth in different soil texture (sandy loam, loam and clay loam) and organic matter content (0.5 and 2% of leaf litter) was assessed in a factorial experiment in the absence of Meloidogyne javanica. In another factorial experiment, the effect of soil texture, soil organic content and control measure (no control, 10?ml of T. harzianum containing 10⁶ spore ml^?1 and 2?mg ai cadusafos kg^?1 soil) was determined on nematode-infected kidney bean’s growth, fungus controlling activity and M. javanica reproduction. Except for the shoot length, the fungus improved plant growth. Clay loam was not a proper soil type for the cultivation of kidney bean plants (even in the soil without nematode), but the plant grew better in sandy loam and loam soil. The presence of leaf litter in the soil enhanced plant growth, increased fungal efficiency and increased nematode reproduction. It seems that T. harzianum can activate the plant defence system in sandy loam soil. T. harzianum was more effective in sandy loam or loam soil containing 2% organic matter (leaf litter) and reduced the reproduction factor of the nematode in the tested soil textures equally to the chemical nematicide treatment.     

Hypoglycemic and Hypolipidemic Effects of Leucine,Zinc, and Chromium,Alone and in Combination,in Rats with Type 2 Diabetes

The main objective was to determine the elemental profile of the lung lining fluid of rats which are used as model animals in various experiments. Lung lining fluid elemental constitution obtained after bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to determine the biological trace elements along with calcium and magnesium. BALF was collected from healthy rats using a tracheal cannula. However, cells in BALF were counted to monitor any underlying inflammatory lung condition. Cell free BALF samples were processed and analyzed for the elements including magnesium (Mg), calcium (Ca), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), selenium (Se), bromine (Br), and iodine (I). In view of this, calcium concentration was the highest (6318.08 ± 3094.3 μg/L) and copper concentration was the lowest (0.89 ± 0.21 μg/L). The detected elements, from high to low concentration, include Ca > Mg > Fe > Br > I > Cr > Ni > Zn > Mn > Se > Cu. Pearson’s correlation analysis revealed no significant correlation between cell count and concentration of any of the element detected in BALF. Correlation analysis also revealed significant positive correlation among Fe, I, Cr, Ni, and Mn. Ca was found to be correlated negatively with Cu and positively with Se. Br and Mg found to be positively correlated with each other. Zn remained the only element that was not found to be correlated with any of the elements in the rat BALF.     

Extracellular 14-3-3 from human lung epithelial cells enhances MMP-1 expression

Airway remodelling in asthma involves various mediators modulating the production/breakdown of collagen by lung fibroblasts. Matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) plays an important role in collagen breakdown. We recently showed that epithelial cell-derived extracellular form of 14-3-3σ is an important inducer of MMP-1 expression in skin fibroblasts. Thus, we hypothesized that 14-3-3 proteins are important regulators of MMP-1 expression in the respiratory airway. We examined the presence of extracellular 14-3-3 proteins in conditioned media obtained from primary lung epithelial cells, A549 and HS24 cells, and their effect on MMP-1 expression by lung fibroblasts (IMR-90). In addition, we evaluated IMR-90 response to 14-3-3 proteins in the presence of transforming growth factor-β(1) (TGF-β(1)), a cytokine known to decrease MMP-1 expression by fibroblasts. Extracellular 14-3-3α/β, but not -σ, is released by the human-derived lung epithelial cell lines, A549 and HS24. Unlike dermal fibroblasts, IMR-90 cells do not produce MMP-1 in response to 14-3-3σ. Conversely, MMP-1 production was induced following treatment of IMR-90 with recombinant or lung epithelial cell-derived 14-3-3α/β. These findings were also confirmed using primary human bronchial epithelial cells and lung fibroblasts obtained from non-asthmatic patients. The MMP-1-inducing effect of 14-3-3α/β on IMR-90 was not inhibited by TGF-β(1). Lung epithelial cell-derived 14-3-3α/β has a potent MMP-1-inducing effect on airway fibroblasts. Modulation of MMP-1 by 14-3-3α/β, may be important in the alteration of collagenase production associated with airway remodelling in obstructive lung diseases. Our data indicate that 14-3-3 proteins may be potential targets for future therapeutic strategies aimed at modulating tissue remodelling in asthma.     

Natural flavonoids for the prevention of colon cancer: A comprehensive review of preclinical and clinical studies

Flavonoids comprise a group of natural polyphenols consisting of more than 5,000 subtypes mostly existing in fruits and vegetables. Flavonoids consumption could potentially attenuate the incidence and recurrence risk of colorectal cancers through their antiperoxidative, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory effects. In addition, these compounds regulate the mitochondrial function, balance the bacterial flora and promote the apoptosis process in cancerous cells. However, some previous data failed to show the effectiveness of flavonoids in reducing the risk of colorectal cancer. In this study, we have reviewed the efficacy of different flavonoids subtypes on the risk of colon cancer and molecular mechanisms involved in this process in both clinical and animal studies. In addition, we tried to elucidate the potential synergy between these compounds and current colorectal cancer treatments.     

Magnetoelectric nanocomposite scaffold for high yield differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells to neural-like cells

While the differentiation factors have been widely used to differentiate mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) into various cell types, they can cause harm at the same time. Therefore, it is beneficial to propose methods to differentiate MSCs without factors. Herein, magnetoelectric (ME) nanofibers were synthesized as the scaffold for the growth of MSCs and their differentiation into neural cells without factors. This nanocomposite takes the advantage of the synergies of the magnetostrictive filler, CoFe₂O ₄ nanoparticles (CFO), and piezoelectric polymer, polyvinylidene difluoride (PVDF). Graphene oxide nanosheets were decorated with CFO nanoparticles for a proper dispersion in the polymer through a hydrothermal process. After that, the piezoelectric PVDF polymer, which contained the magnetic nanoparticles, underwent the electrospun process to form ME nanofibers, the ME property of which has the potential to be used in areas such as tissue engineering, biosensors, and actuators.     

Fine needle aspiration findings in angiofollicular hyperplasia with eosinophilia: a case report

BACKGROUND: Angiolymphoid hyperplasia with eosinophilia (ALHE) is an uncommon vascular inflammatory lesion usually involving the dermis or subcutaneous tissue of the head-neck region of middle-aged women. Histologically, this lesion shows a florid proliferation of vessels lined by particular endothelial cells and an inflammatory infiltrate composed of lymphocytes and eosinophils. CASE: A 30-year-old woman presented with multiple periauricular skin nodules. Fine needle aspiration cytology shows a mixed population of lymphoid cells with an admixture of eosinophils and large cells with vesicular nuclei and prominent nucleoli. A diagnosis of AHLE was confirmed on histopathologic examination. CONCLUSION: Various conditions, both benign and malignant, may mimic Kimura's disease clinically and on smears. These must be ruled out before making a diagnosis of Kimura's disease. The cytologic features of Kimura's disease have to be interpreted in the appropriate clinical setting in order to make a correct preoperative diagnosis.     

The synaptonemal complex is assembled by a polySUMOylation-driven feedback mechanism in yeast

During meiotic prophase I, proteinaceous structures called synaptonemal complexes (SCs) connect homologous chromosomes along their lengths via polymeric arrays of transverse filaments (TFs). Thus, control of TF polymerization is central to SC formation. Using budding yeast, we show that efficiency of TF polymerization closely correlates with the extent of SUMO conjugation to Ecm11, a component of SCs. HyperSUMOylation of Ecm11 leads to highly aggregative TFs, causing frequent assembly of extrachromosomal structures. In contrast, hypoSUMOylation leads to discontinuous, fragmented SCs, indicative of defective TF polymerization. We further show that the N terminus of the yeast TF, Zip1, serves as an activator for Ecm11 SUMOylation. Coexpression of the Zip1 N terminus and Gmc2, a binding partner of Ecm11, is sufficient to induce robust polySUMOylation of Ecm11 in nonmeiotic cells. Because TF assembly is mediated through N-terminal head-to-head associations, our results suggest that mutual activation between TF assembly and Ecm11 polySUMOylation acts as a positive feedback loop that underpins SC assembly.     

Biocompatible scaffolds based on collagen and oxidized dextran for endothelial cell survival and function in tissue engineering

Angiogenesis is a vital step in tissue regeneration. Hence, the current study aimed to prepare oxidized dextran (Odex)/collagen (Col)-hydrogels with laminin (LMN), as an angiogenic extracellular matrix (ECM) component, for promoting human umbilical vein endothelial cell (HUVEC) proliferation and function. Odex/Col scaffolds were constructed at various concentrations and temperatures. Using oscillatory rheometry, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and cell viability testing, the scaffolds were characterized, and then HUVEC proliferation and function was compared with or without LMN. The gelation time could be modified by altering the Odex/Col mass ratio as well as the temperature. SEM showed that Odex/Col hydrogels had a more regular three-dimensional (3D) porous structure than the Col hydrogels. Moreover, HUVECs grew faster in the Col scaffold (12 mg/mL), whereas the Odex (30 mg/mL)/Col (6 mg/mL) scaffold exhibited the lowest apoptosis index. Furthermore, the expression level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) mRNA in the group without LMN was higher than that with LMN, and the Odex (30 mg/mL)/Col (6 mg/mL) scaffold without LMN had the highest VEGF protein secretion, allowing the cells to survive and function effectively. Odex/Col scaffolds, with or without LMN, are proposed as a tissue engineering construct to improve HUVEC survival and function for angiogenesis.