Localization,transmission, spontaneous mutations,and variation of function of the Dpp4 (Dipeptidyl-peptidase IV; CD26) gene in rats

Dipeptidyl-peptidase IV (DPPIV) is involved in endocrine and immune functions via cleavage of regulatory peptides with a N-terminal proline or alanine such as incretins, neuropeptide Y, or several chemokines. So far no systematic investigations on the localization and transmission of the Dpp4 gene or the natural variations of DPPIV-like enzymatic function in different rat strains have been conducted. Here we mapped the Dpp4 gene to rat chromosome 3 and describe a semi-dominant mode of inheritance for Dpp4 in a mutant F344/DuCrj(DPPIV-) rat substrain lacking endogenous DPPIV-like activity. This mutant F344/DuCrj(DPPIV-) rat substrain constantly exhibits a nearly complete lack of DPPIV-like enzymatic activity, while segregation of DPPIV-like enzymatic activity was observed in another DPPIV-negative F344/Crl(Ger/DPPIV-) rat substrain. Screening of 12 different inbred laboratory rat strains revealed dramatic differences in DPPIV-like activity ranging from 11 mU/microl (LEW/Ztm rats) to 40 mU/microl (BN/Ztm and DA/Ztm rats). A lack of DPPIV-like activity in F344 rats was associated with an improved glucose tolerance and blunted natural killer cell function, which indicates the pleiotropic functional role of DPPIV in vivo. Overall, the variations in DPPIV-like enzymatic activity probably represent important confounding factors in studies using rat models for research on regulatory peptides.     

Movement of fluorescent dyes Lucifer Yellow (LYCH) and carboxyfluorescein (CF) in Medicago truncatula Gaertn. roots and root nodules

Lucifer Yellow (LYCH) and carboxyfluorescein (CF) served in Medicago truncatula roots and root nodules as the markers of apoplastic and symplastic transport, respectively. The aim of this study was to understand better the water and photoassimilate translocation pathways to and within nodules. The present study shows that in damaged roots LYCH moves apoplastically through the vascular elements but it was not detected within the nodule vascular bundles. In intact roots, the outer cortex was strongly labeled but the dye was not present in the interior of intact root nodules. The inwards movement of LYCH was halted in the endodermis. When the dye was introduced into a damaged nodule by infiltration, it spread only in the cell walls and the intercellular spaces up to the inner cortex. Our research showed that in addition to the outer cortex, the inner tissue containing bacteroid-infected cells is also an apoplastic domain. Our results are consistent with the hypothesis that nodules do not receive water from the xylem but get it and photoassimilates from phloem. A comparison between using LYCH and LYCH followed by glutaraldehyde fixation indicates that glutaraldehyde is responsible for fluorescence of some organelles within root nodule cells. The influence of the fixation on nodule fluorescence has not been reported before but must be taken into consideration to avoid errors. An attempt was made to follow carboxyfluorescein (6(5) CF) translocation from leaflets into roots and root nodules. In root nodules, CF was present in all or a couple of vascular bundles (VB), vascular endodermis and some adjacent cells. The leakage of CF from the VBs was observed, which suggests symplastic continuity between the VBs and the nodule parenchyma. The lack of CF in inner tissue was observed. Therefore, photoassimilate entry to the infected region of nodule must involve an apoplastic pathway.     

Quantitative methods for determining the points of O-(carboxymethyl) substitution in O-(carboxymethyl)-guar

Two methods are described for locating the O-(carboxymethyl) groups in O-(carboxymethyl)guar. In Method I, O-(carboxymethyl)guar was depolymerized by methanolysis, the O-(carboxymethyl) groups were reduced, and the mixture of methyl glycosides and O-(2-hydroxyethyl)-substituted methyl glycosides was converted into a mixture of per-O-acetylated alditols and partially O-(2-acetoxyethyl)ated, partially O-acetylated alditols. Analysis of these alditols by gas-liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry allowed the positions of substitution of the O-(carboxymethyl) groups on the galactosyl groups and mannosyl residues to be determined. However, this method did not distinguish between O-(carboxymethyl) substitution on 4-linked and 4,6-linked mannosyl residues. This limitation was overcome by the more-detailed analysis provided by Method II, in which O-(carboxymethyl)guar was carboxyl-reduced, the product methylated, the glycosyl residues hydrolyzed, the sugars reduced, and the alditols acetylated to yield a mixture of partially O-acetylated, partially O-methylated alditols and partially O-acetylated, partially O-(2-methoxyethyl)ated, partially O-methylated alditols. These derivatives, when separated and quantitated by g.l.c., and identified by g.l.c.-m.s., gave a quantitative measure of every type of carboxymethyl substitution in guar.     

Biomineralization of gold by Mucor plumbeus: The progress in understanding the mechanism of nanoparticles’ formation

This contribution describes the deposition of gold nanoparticles by microbial reduction of Au(III) ions using the mycelium of Mucor plumbeus. Biosorption as the major mechanism of Au(III) ions binding by the fungal cells and the reduction of them to the form of Au(0) on/in the cell wall, followed by the transportation of the synthesized gold nanoparticles to the cytoplasm, is postulated. The probable mechanism behind the reduction of Au(III) ions is discussed, leading to the conclusion that this process is nonenzymatic one. Chitosan of the fungal cell wall is most likely to be the major molecule involved in biomineralization of gold by the mycelium of M. plumbeus. Separation of gold nanoparticles from the cells has been carried out by the ultrasonic disintegration and the obtained nanostructures were characterized by UV‐vis spectroscopy and transmission electron micrograph analysis. © 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 33:1381–1392, 2017     

Ritual behaviors associated with spermatophore transfer in Deuterosminthurus bicinctus (Collembola: Bourletiellidae)

The springtail Deuterosminthurus bicinctus, similarly to other members of Bourletiellidae, use their antennae, legs or heads to monopolize, stimulate, and direct female partners to spermatophores. The mating behavior of this species was examined by analysis of video recordings made on the leaves of its host plant. The characteristic stages of the behavioral sequence leading to sperm transfer were (1) preliminary courtship, highly variable in time and intensity—a male (rarely a female) endeavors to recruit a partner for further courtship, (2) push-and-retreat ritual—a rigid and rhythmical head-to-head dance of both partners, composed of some 180 phases and interspersed by several (3) free turns of a male and ended by (4) spermatophore deposition in front of a female, followed by stimulation of a female by a male to walk over the spermatophore, (5) spermatophore pick-up by a female with her gonopore, or alternately, (6) total spermatophore consumption by a female, as happened in 29% of the observed pairs. The mating ended always with (7) competition by both partners for the consumption of spermatophore residuals, usually won by the female. Comparison of mating elements and morphological features of partners engaged in mating sessions that ended either with spermatophore pick-up or consumption did not reveal any substantial differences. This suggests that changes in female motivation (hunger, state of impregnation) may be crucial for the male success in sperm transfer to a female. A digital video image is available at An erratum to this article can be found at     

Multinuclear magnetic resonance, electrospray ionization-mass spectroscopy, and parametric method 5 studies of a new derivative of gossypol with 2-thiophenecarbohydrazide as well as its complexes with LI+, Na+, K+, RB+, and Cs+ cations

A new derivative of racemic gossypol with 2-thiophenecarbohydrazide (GHHT) and its complexes with monovalent cations have been synthesized and studied by electrospray ionization-mass spectroscopy (ESI-MS), multinuclear nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), as well as by the Parametric Method 5 (PM5) methods. It is demonstrated that GHHT forms stable complexes of 1:1 stoichiometry with monovalent metal cations. The structures of the complexes are stabilized by three types of intramolecular hydrogen bonds. The spectroscopic methods have provided clear evidence that GHHT and its complexes exist in the DMSO-d6 solution in the N-imine-N-imine tautomeric forms. The structures of the GHHT and its complexes with Li+, Na+, K+, Rb+, and Cs+ cations are visualized and discussed in detail.     

Kynurenic Acid Induces Impairment of Oligodendrocyte Viability: On the Role of Glutamatergic Mechanisms

Kynurenic acid (KYNA) is an end stage product of tryptophan metabolism with a variety of functions in the human body, both in the central nervous system (CNS) and in other organs. Although its activity in the human brain has been widely studied and effects on neural cells were emphasized, the effect of KYNA on oligodendroglial cells remains unknown. Present study aims at describing the activity of high concentration of KYNA in OLN-93 cells. The inhibition of OLN-93 oligodendrocytes viability by KYNA in a medium with reduced serum concentration has been demonstrated. Although decreased metabolic activity of KYNA treated OLN-93 cells was shown, the cells proliferation was not altered. KYNA treatment did not alter morphology as well as expression level of cell cycle and proliferation regulating proteins. Furthermore, glutamate receptor antagonists and agonists did not alter the inhibitory effect of KYNA on viability of OLN-93 oligodendrocytes. This study contributes to the elucidation of effects of KYNA on oligodendrocytes in vitro, yet further analyses are necessary to explain the mechanisms behind the damage and loss of myelin sheaths.     

Factors that Affect the Content of Cadmium,Nickel, Copper and Zinc in Tissues of the Knee Joint

Osteoarthritis causes the degradation of the articular cartilage and periarticular bones. Trace elements influence the growth, development and condition of the bone tissue. Changes to the mineral composition of the bone tissue can cause degenerative changes and fractures. The aim of the research was to determine the content of cadmium (Cd), nickel (Ni), copper (Cu) and zinc (Zn) in the tibia, the femur and the meniscus in men and women who underwent a knee replacement surgery. Samples were collected from 50 patients, including 36 women and 14 men. The determination of trace elements content were performed by ICP-AES method, using Varian 710-ES. Average concentration in the tissues of the knee joint teeth amounted for cadmium 0.015, nickel 0.60, copper 0.89 and zinc 80.81 mg/kg wet weight. There were statistically significant differences in the content of cadmium, copper and zinc in different parts of the knee joint. There were no statistically significant differences in the content of cadmium, nickel, copper and zinc in women and men in the examined parts of the knee joint. Among the elements tested, copper and nickel showed a high content in the connective tissue (the meniscus) compared to the bone tissue (the tibia and the femur).     

The influence of bariatric surgery on calcium homeostasis and biochemical markers of bone turnover in patients with morbid obesity

INTRODUCTION: Obese patients may have abnormal calcium homeostasis because of unbalanced diet and decreased sun exposure. Bariatric surgery itself may lead to disturbances in calcium homeostasis (and in consequence changes in bone mass) or increase preexisting metabolic derangements. The aim of the study was: 1. To assess calcium homeostasis and biochemical markers of bone turnover in patients with morbid obesity. 2. To determine the impact of bariatric surgery on parameters mentioned above. 3. To establish recommendations for supplementation with calcium and vitamin D in morbidly obese patients after bariatric surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Serum calcium, parathormone (PTH), vitamin D (25(OH)D), biochemical markers of bone turnover (beta-CrossLaps as a marker of bone resorption and osteocalcin as a marker of bone formation) and urine calcium as well as fat mass, lean mass and bone mineral content (by DXA) were measured before bariatric surgery of the stomach (VBG or GBP) in 57 morbidly obese patients (48 women, 9 men; mean age 35.9 y). The same procedures were repeated six months after operation in 28 of them (24 women, 4 men). Daily calcium intake was also determined based on food questionnaire. RESULTS: Biochemical findings in the group of patients before bariatric surgery were as follows: serum calcium, beta-CrossLaps and urine calcium were within normal range, PTH concentration was increased to 81.0 pg/ml and 25(OH)D as well as osteocalcin concentration decreased (4.9 ng/ml and 13.6 ng/ml, respectively). Six months after bariatric surgery there was no change in serum and urine calcium, PTH concentration decreased to normal level (46.8 pg/ml), 25(OH)D concentration increased to 6.5 ng/ml (not significant) and still remained below normal range. Markers of bone turnover--both resorption and formation--increased (beta-CrossLaps over normal range to 0.594 ng/ml, osteocalcin to normal range 26.8 ng/ml). Daily calcium intake was below RDA before and after bariatric procedure. CONCLUSIONS: 1. Patients with morbid obesity have secondary hyperparathyroidism and deficiency of vitamin D. 2. Abrupt weight loss after bariatric surgery is accompanied by the regression of secondary hyperparathyroidism, decrease of the deficiency of vitamin D and increase in bone turnover. 3. Supplementation with vitamin D and calcium is recommended for patients with morbid obesity after bariatric surgery.     

Ionomycin-induced apoptosis of thymocytes is independent of Nur77 NBRE or NurRE binding, but is accompanied by Nur77 mitochondrial targeting

The induction of thymocyte apoptosis through the Nur77-mediated intrinsic pathway can be of physiological importance in the clonal deletion of autoreactive thymocytes during negative selection in the thymus and/or in thymocytes undergoing oncogenic transformation. Ionomycin treatment induces endogenous Nur77 expression as well as apoptosis and cytochrome c release in thymocytes. Here it is shown for the first time that in normal thymocytes undergoing apoptosis, ionomycin induces translocation of endogenous Nur77 not only to the nucleus, but also to mitochondria. Immunosuppressant FK506 inhibits Nur77 NBRE and NurRE binding activity but has no effect on thymocytes apoptosis, the subcellular localization of Nur77, or cytochrome c release. This indicates that thymocytes can undergo apoptosis through the intrinsic Nur77-mediated mitochondrial pathway and that the transactivation activity of Nur77 monomers or dimers is not necessary for thymocyte apoptosis.