Effects of acute exercise on serum interleukin-17 concentrations in hot and neutral environments in trained males

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of acute exercise on IL-17 concentrations in hot and neutral environments in trained males. Ten trained, non-heat acclimated males performed two 1 h run on treadmill at 60% VO2max in neutral (22±1 °C, 50±5RH) and hot (35±1 °C, 50±5) temperature conditions. Samples of the venous blood were taken (Pre, post, 2 h post) for determination of serum IL-17, cortisol concentrations and numbers of leukocytes and neutrophils. In addition, body temperature, RPE and PVC during exercise were measured. The collected data were analyzed using the Repeated-Measures analyses of variance and Bonferroni post hoc and Paird T tests (p<0.05). The concentration of cortisol and total number of leukocytes increased significantly after exercise, in both conditions (p<0.0001) and were significantly higher in hot than neutral (p=0.016, p=0.002). During the rest period (2 h post) the number of neutrophils increased significantly in hot environment (p=0.018). The concentrations of IL-17 increased significantly only after exercise in hot (p<0.0001) and were significantly higher during hot than neutral (p=0.002). The results suggest that exercise in hot environment cause increase in body temperature, perceived exertion and cardiac-vascular changes which are sufficient to elicit immune, hormonal and inflammatory responses. The present results confirm the additive effect of heat stress on the IL-17 response during exercise.     

MicroRNAs are essential for stretch-induced vascular smooth muscle contractile differentiation via microRNA (miR)-145-dependent expression of L-type calcium channels

Stretch of the vascular wall is an important stimulus to maintain smooth muscle contractile differentiation that is known to depend on L-type calcium influx, Rho-activation, and actin polymerization. The role of microRNAs in this response was investigated using tamoxifen-inducible and smooth muscle-specific Dicer KO mice. In the absence of Dicer, which is required for microRNA maturation, smooth muscle microRNAs were completely ablated. Stretch-induced contractile differentiation and Rho-dependent cofilin-2 phosphorylation were dramatically reduced in Dicer KO vessels. On the other hand, acute stretch-sensitive growth signaling, which is independent of influx through L-type calcium channels, was not affected by Dicer KO. Contractile differentiation induced by the actin polymerizing agent jasplakinolide was not altered by deletion of Dicer, suggesting an effect upstream of actin polymerization. Basal and stretch-induced L-type calcium channel expressions were both decreased in Dicer KO portal veins, and inhibition of L-type channels in control vessels mimicked the effects of Dicer deletion. Furthermore, inhibition of miR-145, a highly expressed microRNA in smooth muscle, resulted in a similar reduction of L-type calcium channel expression. This was abolished by the Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II inhibitor KN93, suggesting that Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IIδ, a target of miR-145 and up-regulated in Dicer KO, plays a role in the regulation of L-type channel expression. These results show that microRNAs play a crucial role in stretch-induced contractile differentiation in the vascular wall in part via miR-145-dependent regulation of L-type calcium channels.     

Improved phosphate metabolism and biomass production by overexpression of <Emphasis Type="Italic">AtPAP18</Emphasis> in tobacco

Limited availability of phosphate ion (Pi) reduces plant growth in natural ecosystems. Here, we report the functional effects of overexpressing an Arabidopsis thaliana purple acid phosphatase encoding gene, AtPAP18, in Nicotiana tabbacum as a crop model plant. Transgenic tobacco plants exhibited significant increases in acid phosphatase activity, total P and Pi contents leading to improved biomass production in both Pi-deficient and Pi-sufficient conditions. Transient expression of AtPAP18::green fluorescent fusion protein in onion epidermal cells indicated that AtPAP18 is a dual-targeted protein, which is detected mainly in the apoplast of the cells after 24 h and in the vacuole after 72 h. Possibly, AtPAP18 protein confers efficient retrieval of Pi from bonded extracellular compounds as well as expendable intracellular Pi-monoesters and anhydrides. These data clearly indicate that overexpression of AtPAP18 gene offers an effective approach for reducing the consumption of chemical Pi fertilizer through increased acquisition of soil Pi and mobilization of internal resources.     

Preparation, properties and biological applications of water soluble chitin oligosaccharides from marine organisms

Chitin oligosaccharides (COSs) can be isolated from various natural resources, which have widely been used in biological active supplements (BAS) for the benefit of humankind. Several technological approaches for the preparation of COSs such as enzymatic, chemical, acid-catalysts hydrolysis, microwave radiation, membrane bioreactor methods have been developed and among them, membrane bioreactor, bioconversion and continuous mass production technologies are reported to be excellent. Compounds isolated from natural products have made a drastic impact on the pharmaceutical industry and especially, water-soluble chitin oligosaccharides have shown greater clinical activity, which have been demonstrated in various cell lines of disease significance. The activities of these COSs were being investigated in different patients, animals and even plants as a broad phase clinical trial program. In the present article, we have discussed the COSs preparation by different methods through comprehensive diffraction procedures along with the merits and demerits given in detail. In addition, a summary of recent work describing the synthesis and biological activities of water-soluble COSs has been presented here.     

Synthesis and anti-Helicobacter pylori activity of 5-(nitroaryl)-1,3,4-thiadiazoles with certain sulfur containing alkyl side chain

A series of 5-(nitroaryl)-1,3,4-thiadiazoles bearing certain sulfur containing alkyl side chain similar to pendent residue in tinidazole molecule were synthesized and evaluated against Helicobacter pylori using disk diffusion method. The synthesized compounds were also evaluated for their antibacterial, antifungal and cytotoxic effects. Study of the structure-activity relationships of this series of compounds indicated that both the structure of the nitroaryl unit and the pendent group on 2-position of 1,3,4-thiadiazole ring dramatically impact the anti-H. pylori activity. While compound 7a containing 2-[2-(ethylsulfonyl)ethylthio]-side chain from nitrothiophene series was the most potent compound tested against clinical isolates of H. pylori, however, nitroimidazoles 6c and 7c were found to be more promising compounds because of their respectable anti-H. pylori activity besides less cytotoxic effects.     

Serotonin regulates C. elegans fat and feeding through independent molecular mechanisms

We investigated serotonin signaling in C. elegans as a paradigm for neural regulation of energy balance and found that serotonergic regulation of fat is molecularly distinct from feeding regulation. Serotonergic feeding regulation is mediated by receptors whose functions are not required for fat regulation. Serotonergic fat regulation is dependent on a neurally expressed channel and a G protein-coupled receptor that initiate signaling cascades that ultimately promote lipid breakdown at peripheral sites of fat storage. In turn, intermediates of lipid metabolism generated in the periphery modulate feeding behavior. These findings suggest that, as in mammals, C. elegans feeding behavior is regulated by extrinsic and intrinsic cues. Moreover, obesity and thinness are not solely determined by feeding behavior. Rather, feeding behavior and fat metabolism are coordinated but independent responses of the nervous system to the perception of nutrient availability.     

Characterization and Influence of Green Synthesis of Nano‐Sized Zinc Complex with 5‐Aminolevulinic Acid on Bioactive Compounds of Aniseed

A new water soluble zinc‐aminolevulinic acid nano complex (n[Zn(ALA)₂]), which was characterized by TEM, IR, and EDX spectra, has been prepared via sonochemical method under green conditions in water. In the current study, the effectiveness of foliar Zn amendment using synthetic Zn‐ALA nano complex, as a new introduced Zn‐fertilizer here, was evaluated. As the model plant, Pimpinella anisum, the most valuable spice and medicinal plant grown in warm regions, was used. By using zinc nano complex, further twenty compounds were obtained in the essential oil of anise plants. Application of 0.2% (w/v) Zn‐ALA nano complex increased the levels of (E)‐anethole, β‐bisabolene, germacrene D, methyl chavicol, and α‐zingiberene in the essential oil. Nano Zn complex at the rate of 0.2% induced considerable high phenolic compounds and zinc content of shoots and seeds. Chlorogenic acid had the highest level between four detected phenolic compounds. The maximum antioxidant activity was monitored through the application of Zn nano complex. According to the results, nanoscale nutrients can be provided with further decreased doses for medicinal plants. Using Zn‐ALA nano complex is a new and efficient method to improve the pharmaceutical and food properties of anise plants.     

A Genetic Variant in Proline and Serine Rich Coiled-Coil 1 Gene Is Associated with the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease

Background:Cardiovascular disease is one of the most common causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide. The Proline and Serine Rich Coiled-Coil 1 gene in 1p13.3 locus has been reported to be associated with low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and coronary artery disease (CAD). The objective of this study was to investigate the association between the rs599839 polymorphism of the Proline and Serine Rich Coiled-Coil 1 (PSRC1) gene with CVD outcomes in a population sample recruited as part of the Mashhad-Stroke and Heart-Atherosclerotic-Disorders (MASHAD) cohort.Methods:Five hundred and nine individuals who had an average follow-up period of 10 years were enrolled as part of the MASHAD cohort. DNA was extracted and genotyped using the TaqMan-real-time-PCR based method.Results:The study found individuals with GA/GG genotypes were at a higher risk of CVDs (OR= 4.7; 95% CI, 2.5-8.7; p< 0.001) in comparison to those with AA genotype; however, the result was not significant for GG genotype data.Conclusion:The results suggest that the GA/GG genotypes of the PSRC1gene locus were at increased risk of CVD in a representative population-based cohort, demonstrating further functional analysis to discover the value of emerging marker as a risk stratification biomarker to recognize high risk cases.Key Words: Cardiovascular diseases, Cohort studies, Genetic Polymorphism, PSRC1 Gene