Probiotic Potential of the Farmed Olive Flounder,Paralichthys olivaceus,Autochthonous Gut Microbiota

In recent years, considerable and growing attention has been given to the application of host-associated microorganisms as a more suitable source of probiotics in aquaculture sector. Herein, we isolated and screened the olive flounder gut microbiota for beneficial bacterial strains that might serve as potential probiotics in a low fishmeal extruded aquafeed. Among the ten identified isolates, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens SK4079 and B. subtilis SK4082 were screened out based on their heat-resistant ability as well as enzymatic and non-hemolytic activities. Although both strains were well able to utilize carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), xylan, and soybean meal (SBM) as a single carbon source in the minimal nutrient M9 medium, B. subtilis exhibited significantly higher cellulase, xylanase, and protease activities than B. amyloliquefaciens. The two selected strains were well able to degrade the undesirable anti-nutritional component of the SBM, which would limit its utilization as protein source in aquafeed industry. Significantly higher biofilm formation capacity and notably stronger adhesive interactions with the flounder’s skin mucus were detected in B. subtilis than B. amyloliquefaciens. Immobilization of the spores from the selected strains, in a SBM complex carrier, remarkably enhances their thermal resistance at 120 °C for 5 min and different drying conditions. It was also interesting to learn that the B. subtilis spores could survive and remain viable after being sprayed onto extruded low-fish meal feed pellets for as long as 6 months. Overall, the findings of the present study could help the food/feed industries achieve their goal of developing cost-effective yet efficient products.

     

Expression analysis of the genes involved in accumulation and remobilization of assimilates in wheat stem under terminal drought stress

Stem reserve mobilization and expression of major genes involved in fructan metabolism during grain filling in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars, Zagros and Marvdasht were studied under terminal drought through withholding water at the anthesis. Mobilized dry matter, maximum specific weight and mobilization efficiency were observed to be higher in the internodes of tolerant cultivar (Zagros), both under well-watered and stress conditions, which resulted in enhanced translocation of stem reserves to the grains. Water soluble carbohydrates (WSC) and its constituent compounds were observed to be higher in the internodes of Zagros than those of sensitive cultivar (Marvdasht). Maximum relative expression of 1-SST, 6-SFT, INV, 1-FEHw1, 1-FEHw2, 1-FEHw3 and 6-FEH was significantly higher in the peduncle and penultimate of Zagros compared to Marvdasht cultivar under both drought and well-watered conditions. Expression of 1-FEHw3 and 6-FEH were increased during carbon remobilization in Zagros cultivar, suggesting that both genes are necessary for an efficient degradation and translocation of stem fructans. The mRNA levels of two fructan synthetic enzymes (1-SST and 6-SFT) in the stem were positively correlated with stem WSC concentrations, while the mRNA levels of enzymes involved in fructan hydrolysis (INV, 1-FEHw3 and 6-FEH) were inversely correlated with WSC concentration. According to the achieved results, it can be concluded that certain characteristics of Zagros cultivar, enhanced capability of fructan storage, higher mobilization efficiency and high gene expression level of 1-SST, 6-SFT, 1-FEHw3 as well as 6-FEH genes might help the drought tolerant cultivar to cope the stress conditions.     

Restoration of morphine-induced alterations in rat submandibular gland function by N-methyl-D-aspartate agonist

The effects of morphine, 1-aminocyclobutane-cis-1,3-dicarboxylic (ACBD; NMDA agonist) and 3-((R)2-carboxypiperazin-4-yl)-propyl-l-phosphoric acid (CPP; NMDA antagonist) and their concurrent therapy on rat submandibular secretory function were studied. Pure submandibular saliva was collected intraorally by micro polyethylene cannula from anaesthetized rats using pilocarpine as secretagogue. Intraperitoneal injection of morphine (6 mg/kg) induced significant inhibition of salivary flow rate, total protein, calcium, and TGF-beta1 concentrations. Administration of ACBD (10 mg/kg) and CPP (10 mg/kg) alone did not influence secretion of submandibular glands. In combination therapy, coadministration of CPP with morphine did not influence morphine-induced changes in salivary function while ABCD could restore all morphine-induced changes. In combination treatment, ACBD prevented morphine-induced reduction of flow rate, total protein, calcium, and TGF-beta1 and reached control levels. It is concluded that morphine-induced alterations in submandibular gland function are mediated through NMDA receptors.     

The IGSF1, Wnt5a,FGF14, and ITPR1 Gene Expression and Prognosis Hallmark of Prostate Cancer

Background:Prostate cancer is considered as the second leading cause of cancer related death in men worldwide and the third frequent cancer among Iranian men. Despite the use of PSA as the only biomarker for early diagnosis of prostate cancer, its application in clinical settings is under debate. Therefore, the introduction of new molecular markers for early detection of prostate cancer is needed. Methods:In the present study we intended to evaluate the expression of IGSF1, Wnt5a, FGF14, and ITPR1 in prostate cancer specimens by real time PCR. Biopsy samples of 40 prostate cancer cases and 41 healthy Iranian men were compared to determine the relative gene expression of IGSF1, Wnt5a, FGF14, and ITPR1 by real time PCR. Results:Our results showed that Wnt5a, FGF14, and IGSF1 were significantly overexpressed in the prostate cancer patients while the mean relative expression of ITPR1 showed a significant decrease in PCa samples compared to healthy controls. Conclusion:According to results of the present study, the combination panel of IGSF1, Wnt5a, FGF14, and ITPR1 genes could be considered as potential genetic markers for prostate cancer diagnosis. However further studies on larger populations and investigating the clinicopathological relevance of these genes is needed.Key Words: FGF14, IGSF1, ITPR1, Prostate Cancer, Wnt5a     

Stress tolerance in flax plants inoculated with Bacillus and Azotobacter species under deficit irrigation

Drought stress affects not only crop growth but also its morpho-physiological and biochemical traits to reduce crop productivity. The study reported in this article was designed and implemented to determine the effects of deficit irrigation and bacterial inoculation on flax plants. For this purpose, seeds were inoculated with Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (B₁), Bacillus sp. Strain1 (B₂), and Azotobacter chroococcum (A) as plant growth promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR). The individual inoculated plants were then grown under field conditions in 2015, while individually and in combination in pots in 2016. The irrigation regimes in either experiments included 50, 75 and 100% crop water requirement. Bacterial cultures were observed to produce ammonia (except B₂), indole acetic acid and siderophores. Results showed that the PGPRs significantly mitigated the effects of water deficit. Compared with the control plants, the bacterially-inoculated plants had an enhanced relative water content, plant height, water-soluble carbohydrate and proline contents and antioxidant enzyme activities, but a decreased malondialdehyde content. B₁ exhibited greater effects on most of the traits investigated under the field conditions rather than those with moderate and severe drought stress, while application of the triple bacteria in pots had greater effects on relative water content, carbohydrate and proline contents as well as malondialdehyde. The significant differences in abiotic stress indicators in PGPR-treated plants suggest that these bacteria could be used as biofertilizers to assist plant growth and to reduce the adverse effects of deficit irrigation.     

Scale morphological variation across the flank in four Tonguefishes species collected from the Gulf of Oman (Pleuronectiforms; Cynoglossidae)

The scale morphology of pleuronectiforms in the Gulf of Oman remains insufficiently known. This study used light microscopy and morphological analysis to examine scale variation across the flank of four Tonguefishes species; Cynoglossus arel, C. bilineatus, C. lingua, and C. puncticeps. Scales were extracted from six flank regions, three on the eyed and blind sides, respectively. The most differentiated species was C. arel, which showed significant differences in four size variables in five regions. In Cynoglossus arel and C. lingua, the scales of the eyed side were ctenoid, and those scales from the blind side were cycloid; C. puncticeps have ctenoid scales on both flank sides and C. bilineatus has cycloid scales on both sides. All species' scales on the blind side have fewer ctenial spines (except in C. bilineatus). This study indicated that scale morphology demonstrated considerable variation among the flank regions of the examined species. As a result, the scales from the head and the trunk regions of the eyed side and the scales from the head region of the blind side have a good power of species separation in this family.     

Deep and intermediate complex morphophysiological dormancy in seeds of Ferula gummosa (Apiaceae)

We tested the hypothesis that seeds of the monocarpic perennial Ferula gummosa from the Mediterranean area and central Asia have deep complex morphophysiological dormancy. We determined the water permeability of seeds, embryo morphology, temperature requirements for embryo growth and seed germination and responses of seeds to warm and cold stratification and to different concentrations of GA₃. The embryo has differentiated organs, but it is small (underdeveloped) and must grow inside the seed, reaching a critical embryo length, seed length ratio of 0.65–0.7, before the seed can germinate. Seeds required 9 weeks of cold stratification at <10°C for embryo growth, dormancy break and germination to occur. Thus, seeds have morphophysiological dormancy (MPD). Furthermore, GA₃ improved the germination percentage and rate at 5°C and promoted 20 and 5% germination of seeds incubated at 15 and 20°C, respectively. Thus, about 20% of the seeds had intermediate complex MPD. For the other seeds in the seed lot, cold stratification (5°C) was the only requirement for dormancy break and germination and GA₃ could not substitute for cold stratification. Thus, about 80% of the seeds had deep complex MPD.     

Differentiation of multipotent stem cells to insulin-producing cells for treatment of diabetes mellitus: bone marrow- and adipose tissue-derived cells comparison

Molecular Biology Reports - Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from human adipose tissue and bone marrow have a great potential for use in cell therapy due to their ease of isolation, expansion, and...