Effect of pinocembrin isolated from Alpinia zerumbet on osteoblast differentiation

Cytotechnology - Bone mass is regulated by osteoblast-mediated bone formation and osteoclast-mediated bone resorption. Osteoporosis is a bone metabolism disorder in which bone mass decreases due to...     

2-Bromoadenosine-Substituted 2′,5′-Oligoadenylates Modulate Binding and Activation Abilities of Human Recombinant RNase L

Abstract

2-Bromoadenosine-substituted analogues of 2–5A, p5′A2′p-5′A2′p5′(br²A), p5′(br²A)2′p5′A2′p5′A, and p5′(br²A)2′p5′(br²A)2′p-S′(br²A), were prepared via a modification of a lead ion-catalyzed ligation reaction and were subsequently converted into the corresponding 5′-triphosphates. Both binding and activation of human recombinant RNase L by various 2-bromoadenosine-substituted 2–5A analogues were examined. Among the 2-bromoadenosine-substituted 2–5A analogues, the analogue with 2-bromoadenosine residing in the 2′-terminal position, p5′A2′p5′A2′p-5′(br²A), showed the strongest binding affinity and was as effective as 2–5A itself as an activator of RNase L. The CD spectrum of p5′A2′p-5′A2′p5′(br²A) was superimposable on that of p5′A2′p5′A2′p5′A, indicative of an anti orientation about the base-glycoside bonds as in naturally occurring 2–5A.     

Inhibition of Influenza Virus Replication by Phosphorothioate and Liposomally Endocapsulated Oligonucleotides

Abstract

We have demonstrated that antisense phosphorothioate oligonucleotides (S-ODNs) inhibit influenza virus A replication in MDCK cells. Phosphorothioate and liposomally encapsulated oligonucleotides with two target sites (PB1 and PB2) were synthesized and tested for virus-induced cytopathogenicity effects by a MTT assay using MDCK cells. The liposomally encapsulated S-ODNs complementary to the sites of the PB2-AUG initiation codon showed highly inhibitory effects. On the other hand, the inhibitory effect of the liposomally encapsulated S-ODNs targeted to PB1 was considerably decreased in comparison with the PB2 target sites. The liposomally encapsulated oligonucleotides exhibited higher inhibitory activity than the free oligonucleotides. The activities of the modified oligonucleotides are effectively enhanced by using the liposomal carrier.     

On newly and recently recorded species of the genus Lema Fabricius (Coleoptera,Chrysomelidae,?Criocerinae) from Taiwan

New records of four species (Lema lacertosa Lacordaire, 1845, Lema diversipes Pic, 1921, Lema cyanella (Linnaeus, 1758), Lema trivittata trivittata Say, 1824 and additional information on one recently recorded species (Lema solani Fabricius, 1798) are reported for Taiwan. Lema diversipes Pic, 1921 is removed from synonymy with Lema lacertosa Lacordaire, 1845; both species are redescribed. A lectotype is designated for Lema phungi Pic, 1924. The synonymies of Lema phungi Pic, 1924 and Lema jeanvoinei Pic, 1932 with Lema lacertosa Lacordaire, 1845 are supported. A revised key to the known species in Taiwan is provided.     

Irreversible inactivation of glutathione S-transferase-π by a low concentration of naphthoquinones

π-Class glutathione S-transferase (GST-π) was very potently inactivated by oxidants such as H₂O₂, xanthine-xanthine oxidase and naphthoquinones. Thiols and glutathione analogs including dithiothreitol, reduced gluta-thione, cysteine, cysteamine, S-methyl-SG, S-hexyl-SG and S-decyl-SG protected GST-π from the inactivation, but a substrate analog (2,4-dinitrophenol), superoxide dismutase and catalase did not, suggesting that the cysteinyl residue(s) in/nearby the glutathione binding site (G-site) may be oxidatively modified by these oxidants. Many reductants and radical scavengers including butylated hydoxytoluene, α-tocopherol, ascorbate, uric acid, mannitol, tyrosine, tryptophan, histidine, quercitrin and bilirubin had no effect on the inactivation. GST-π pretreated with cystamine was reactivated very efficiently by 50 mM DTT following incubation with 1,2-naphthoquinone, whereas cystamine-untreated GST-π was not reactivated.     

Rapid establishment of introgression lines using cytoplasmic male sterility and a restorer gene in Oryza sativa cv. Nipponbare

Quantitative trait locus (QTL) analyses have greatly enhanced our understanding of complex traits in rice (Oryza sativa). In parallel, the development of introgression lines has provided a powerful tool for elucidation of complicated genetic networks and identification of QTL. We recently developed a biotron breeding system that allows rapid indoor cultivation of rice plants. The system, however, has two relatively weak points in its application to marker-assisted breeding in rice: first, variation in generation times among cultivars; second, the low number of seeds produced by crosses. To compensate for these weaknesses, we propose utilizing cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) and restorer (Rf) lines with a cv. Nipponbare genetic background. Through use of the Nipponbare genetic background, rice generation times of 2 months can be achieved regardless of any differences in the genetic background of the donor rice plant. This CMS–Rf system confers a high yield of hybrid seeds, avoids the need for emasculation and precludes accidental crosses. Our results demonstrate that this new methodology can markedly accelerate many different aspects of rice research, especially in functional genomics. The combination of biotron breeding system, early flowering habit and CMS will be of great value for screening candidate genes associated with QTL and for introducing useful QTL into elite cultivars.     

Home-field advantage in decomposition of leaf litter and insect frass

Home-field advantage (HFA) hypothesis regarding litter decomposition states that litter is decomposed more rapidly in the habitat from which it is derived (i.e., home) than in other habitat (i.e., away) due to local adaptation of soil decomposers. We tested the HFA hypothesis regarding decomposition of leaf litter, insect frass, and their mixtures, using laboratory incubation of leaf litter from an evergreen (Pinus densiflora) and a deciduous (Quercus acutissima) tree species, frass excreted by two insect herbivores (Dendrolimus spectabilis and Lymantria dispar) fed on one of the two trees, and soil collected underneath the two trees. We found evidence that decomposers in each soil were specialized to decompose the litter derived from the tree species above them, indicating that the HFA occurred in litter decomposition. In contrast, the HFA was not detected in the decomposition of insect frass or litter-frass mixtures. Mixing with D. spectabilis frass non-additively decelerated, while mixing with L. dispar frass non-additively accelerated, decomposition of the mixtures, independent of soil and litter types. These indicate that the presence of insect herbivores may make it difficult to form and maintain a decomposer community specialized to a certain leaf litter, and that it may consequently cancel or weaken HFA in litter decomposition.     

Lake restoration by biomanipulation using piscivore and Daphnia stocking; results of the biomanipulation in Japan

Biomanipulation has been employed in numerous locations throughout the world as a means for reducing phytoplankton biomass; however, it has not been employed very often in Japan. A common approach involves the introduction of piscivorous fish to reduce the abundance of planktivorous fish. In our study, to first apply biomanipulation, we stocked Lake Shirakaba (a high-altitude, protected area in a park) in central Japan with rainbow trout fingerlings and cladoceran Daphnia (Daphnia galeata) in 2000. A “pre-biomanipulation” data set (1997–1999) and “a post-biomanipulation” data set (2000–2006) allowed us to evaluate the lake's response to biomanipulation. After the biomanipulation, zoo-planktivorous pond smelt disappeared and a large population of Daphnia had been established, which substantially reduced the number of the previously dominant small cladocerans and rotifers. Water transparency increased from about 2 m (before biomanipulation) to more than 4 m (after biomanipulation). Reductions in algal biomass and increased transparency led to expansion of the submerged macrophyte Elodea nuttallii. Total phosphorus concentrations declined as well over this time period. Based on these results, we concluded that biomanipulation using piscivore and Daphnia stocking succeeded in improving lake water quality by reducing algal abundance and providing favorable conditions for the establishment of rooted plants.     

The Relationship between Media Consumption and Health-Related Anxieties after the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Disaster

Background

The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster caused a global panic by a release of harmful radionuclides. In a disaster setting, misusage of contemporary media sources available today can lead to disseminated incorrect information and panic. The study aims to build a scale which examines associations between media and individual anxieties, and to propose effective media usages for future disaster management.

Methods

The University of Tokyo collaborated with the Fukushima local government to conduct a radiation-health-seminar for a total of 1560 residents, at 12 different locations in Fukushima. A 13 item questionnaire collected once before and after a radiation-seminar was used on factor analysis to develop sub-scales for multiple regression models, to determine relationships between the sub-scales and media type consumed. A paired t–test was used to examine any changes in sub-scale of pre- and post-seminar scores.

Results

Three sub-scales were revealed and were associated with different media types: was with rumors, while concern for the future was positively associated with regional-newspapers and negatively with national-newspapers. Anxiety about social-disruption was associated with radio. The seminar had a significant effect on anxiety reduction for all the three sub-scales.

Conclusion

Different media types were associated with various heightened concerns, and that a radiation seminar was helpful to reduce anxieties in the post-disaster setting. By tailoring post-disaster messages via specific media types, i.e., radio, it may be possible to effectively convey important information, as well as to calm fears about particular elements of post-disaster recovery and to combat rumors.