Elucidating the genetic architecture controlling antioxidant status and ionic balance in barley under salt stress

Plant Molecular Biology - Association genetic analysis empowered us to identify candidate genes underlying natural variation of morpho-physiological, antioxidants, and grain yield-related traits in...     

An investig-ation into the epidemiology of chikungunya virus across neglected regions of Indonesia

BackgroundChikungunya virus (CHIKV) is an important emerging and re-emerging public health problem worldwide. In Indonesia, where the virus is endemic, epidemiological information from outside of the main islands of Java and Bali is limited.Methodology/Principal FindingsFour hundred and seventy nine acutely febrile patients presenting between September 2017–2019 were recruited from three city hospitals situated in Ambon, Maluku; Banjarmasin, Kalimantan; and Batam, Batam Island as part of a multi-site observational study. CHIKV RNA was detected in a single serum sample while a separate sample was IgM positive. IgG seroprevalence was also low across all three sites, ranging from 1.4–3.2%. The single RT-PCR positive sample from this study and 24 archived samples collected during other recent outbreaks throughout Indonesia were subjected to complete coding region sequencing to assess the genetic diversity of Indonesian strains. Phylogenetic analysis revealed all to be of a single clade, which was distinct from CHIKV strains recently reported from neighbouring regions including the Philippines and the Pacific Islands.Conclusions/SignificanceChikungunya virus strains from recent outbreaks across Indonesia all belong to a single clade. However, low-level seroprevalence and molecular detection of CHIKV across the three study sites appears to contrast with the generally high seroprevalences that have been reported for non-outbreak settings in Java and Bali, and may account for the relative lack of CHIKV epidemiological data from other regions of Indonesia.     

Specific loss of toll-like receptor 2 on bone marrow derived cells decreases atherosclerosis in LDL receptor null mice

Innate immunity and, notably, Toll-like receptors (TLR), have an important role in atherogenesis. We have tested the hypothesis that the selective loss of TLR-2 by cells of bone marrow (BM) origin will protect low-density receptor-deficient (Ldlr (-/-)) mice from both early- and late-stage atherosclerosis. BM cells from Tlr2(+/+) and Tlr2(-/-) littermates were used to reconstitute lethally irradiated Ldlr(-/-) mice. Following a recovery period, mice were placed either on a diet containing 21% saturated fat - 0.15% cholesterol for 8?weeks to study early-stage atherosclerosis, or on a diet richer in cholesterol (1.5%) for 16?weeks to study late-stage atherosclerosis. Donor cell Tlr2 genotype did not alter serum cholesterol levels or lipoprotein profiles in recipient animals. After 8?weeks on the 0.15% cholesterol diet, deficiency of TLR-2 expression on cells of BM origin reduced atherosclerosis in the aortic root and the aortic arch in both genders of mice. In contrast, the BM recipients who received the 1.5% cholesterol diet for 16?weeks showed much larger lesions in the aortic root, and TLR-2 deficiency in BM cells failed to provide protection. Thus, TLR-2 expression in BM-derived cells contributes primarily to early stage atherosclerosis.     

A gynecologic oncology group phase II trial of two p53 peptide vaccine approaches: subcutaneous injection and intravenous pulsed dendritic cells in high recurrence risk ovarian cancer patients

Purpose

Peptide antigens have been administered by different approaches as cancer vaccine therapy, including direct injection or pulsed onto dendritic cells; however, the optimal delivery method is still debatable. In this study, we describe the immune response elicited by two vaccine approaches using the wild-type (wt) p53 vaccine.

Experimental design

Twenty-one HLA-A2.1 patients with stage III, IV, or recurrent ovarian cancer overexpressing the p53 protein with no evidence of disease were treated in two cohorts. Arm A received SC wt p53:264-272 peptide admixed with Montanide and GM-CSF. Arm B received wt p53:264-272 peptide-pulsed dendritic cells IV. Interleukin-2 (IL-2) was administered to both cohorts in alternative cycles.

Results

Nine of 13 patients (69%) in arm A and 5 of 6 patients (83%) in arm B developed an immunologic response as determined by ELISPOT and tetramer assays. The vaccine caused no serious systemic side effects. IL-2 administration resulted in grade 3 and 4 toxicities in both arms and directly induced the expansion of T regulatory cells. The median overall survival was 40.8 and 29.6?months for arm A and B, respectively; the median progression-free survival was 4.2 and. 8.7?months, respectively.

Conclusion

We found that using either vaccination approach generates comparable specific immune responses against the p53 peptide with minimal toxicity. Accordingly, our findings suggest that the use of less demanding SC approach may be as effective. Furthermore, the use of low-dose SC IL-2 as an adjuvant might have interfered with the immune response. Therefore, it may not be needed in future trials.     

Short-term response of wild grapevines (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Vitis vinifera</Emphasis> L<Emphasis Type="Italic">. ssp. sylvestris</Emphasis>) to NaCl salinity exposure: changes of some physiological and molecular characteristics

The physiological and molecular response to salt stress was studied in two wild grapevine (Vitis vinifera L. ssp. sylvestris or Vitis sylvestris) accessions “Khédhayria” and “Houamdia”, previously identified as salt-tolerant and salt-sensitive pair wise. Plants from both accessions were subjected to a progressive salt stress by the use of a nutritional solution containing up to 150 mM NaCl for 2 weeks. Salt stress adversely affected growth and water potential since the first day of exposure to 150 mM NaCl. However, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters were unchanged until 14 days of salt exposure. At that time point the predawn water potential (Ψ_PD), the non-photochemical quenching of fluorescence (NPQ) and the coefficient of photochemical quenching (q_p) were significantly less altered in the tolerant accession. At the molecular level semi-quantitative RT-PCR assays revealed a differential expression of (Vs α-gal/SIP and Vs DHN) genes within these contrasting accessions after exposure to 24 h and 14 days of salt. Comparably, the Vs RD22 gene had increased slightly after only 14 days of treatment in both accessions. These results were the first pieces of information reported on the early and late regulation of salt response genes in wild grapevines. Furthermore, genotype-dependent parameters such as NPQ, q_p, mRNA levels of Vs α-gal/SIP and Vs DHN could be used to screen salt-tolerant wild grapevine genotypes.     

Physicochemical and Functional Properties of Typical Tunisian Drink: Date Palm Sap (Phoenix dactylifera L.)

The present work aimed to study the physicochemical characteristics and the functional properties of the male date palm sap (Phoenix dactylifera L.). The surface properties at the air–water interface were studied on the basis of the drop volume method. Foaming properties (foam capacity and stability) were evaluated using bubbling method by optical and conductimetric measurements (foamscan). Composition analysis revealed a high sugar content (92.29% w/w dry matter basis) with dominance of sucrose. Sap contains also 5.14% w/w of proteins and 2.57% w/w of ash. Proteins are probably the source of the surface activity and the observed foam power. At higher contents of dry matter, lyophilized sap solutions showed Newtonian comportment and improved surface activity and foam properties. Results present some interesting functional properties that suggest to deepen research particularly in sap proteins.