Effects of antioxidants and duration of pre-freezing equilibration on frozen-thawed ram semen

The objective was to evaluate the effects of various antioxidants and duration of pre-freezing equilibration on cryopreservation of ram semen. Semen samples from four rams were pooled, diluted with Tris-egg yolk extender without antioxidants (control), or supplemented with reduced glutathione (GSH: 0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mM), superoxide dismutase (SOD: 5, 10, and 20 U/mL), or catalase (CAT: 5, 10, and 20 U/mL), and cryopreserved, immediately after thermal equilibrium was reached at 5 °C (0 h), or 12 or 24 h after equilibration. Total antioxidant capacity was determined in the in natura extenders and after addition of semen samples for various durations of processing (fresh/dilute, throughout refrigeration, and post-thaw). Plasma membrane (PI-CFDA), acrosome integrity (FITC-PNA), and mitochondrial membrane potential (JC-1) were determined in fresh/diluted, refrigerated, and post-thaw samples. Post-thaw sperm motility was assessed with a computerized analysis system (CASA). There were no significant differences in acrosome damage or mitochondrial membrane potential after refrigeration and freeze-thaw, regardless of antioxidant addition. Sperm plasma membrane integrity was worse (P < 0.05) with cryopreservation immediately after equilibration (average 20.1 ± 8.3; mean ± SD) than after 12 h of equilibration (average 42.5 ± 10.9); however, the addition of SOD and CAT (10 and 20 U/mL) resulted in no significant difference between post-equilibration intervals of 0 and 12 h. Total antioxidant activity was not different (P > 0.05) among treatments after sperm addition or throughout the refrigeration and post-thaw. In conclusion, adding GSH, SOD or CAT did not increase the total antioxidant capacity of semen, nor did it enhance the quality of the post-thaw sperm. However, maintenance of ram semen at 5 °C for 12 h prior to cryopreservation reduced membrane damage of frozen-thawed sperm.     

Ambient UV-B radiation reduces PSII performance and net photosynthesis in high Arctic Salix arctica

Ambient ultraviolet-B (UV-B) radiation potentially impacts the photosynthetic performance of high Arctic plants. We conducted an UV-B exclusion experiment in a dwarf shrub heath in NE Greenland (74°N), with open control, filter control, UV-B filtering and UV-AB filtering, all in combination with leaf angle control. Two sites with natural leaf positions had ground angles of 0° (‘level site’) and 45° (‘sloping site’), while at a third site the leaves were fixed in an angle of 45° to homogenize the irradiance dose (‘fixed leaf angle site’). The photosynthetic performance of the leaves was characterized by simultaneous gas exchange and chlorophyll fluorescence measurements and the PSII performance through the growing season was investigated with fluorescence measurements. Leaf harvest towards the end of the growing season was done to determine the specific leaf area and the content of carbon, nitrogen and UV-B absorbing compounds. Compared to a 60% reduced UV-B irradiance, the ambient solar UV-B reduced net photosynthesis in Salix arctica leaves fixed in the 45° position which exposed leaves to maximum natural irradiance. Also a reduced Calvin Cycle capacity was found, i.e. the maximum rate of electron transport (J_max) and the maximum carboxylation rate of Rubisco (V_cmax), and the PSII performance showed a decreased quantum yield and increased energy dissipation. A parallel response pattern and reduced PSII performance at all three sites indicate that these responses take place in all leaves across position in the vegetation. These findings add to the evidence that the ambient solar UV-B currently is a significant stress factor for plants in high Arctic Greenland.     

Isolation, structural characterization and antioxidant activity of a new water-soluble polysaccharide from Acanthophyllum bracteatum roots

ABPS-1, a new water-soluble polysaccharide with molecular weight of 26 kDa and a specific optical rotation of +170° (c 1.0, H₂O), was extracted from the roots of Acanthophyllum bracteatum by warm water and further successively purified through DEAE-cellulose A52 and Sephadex G-100 columns. Monosaccharide analysis revealed that the ABPS-1 was composed of Glc, Gal and Ara with a relative molar ratio of 1.4:5.2:1.0. Its structural features were elucidated by a combination of FT-IR, methylation and GC-MS analysis, periodate oxidation and Smith degradation, partial acid hydrolysis and ¹³C and ¹H NMR spectroscopy. The data obtained indicate that ABPS-1 possessed a backbone of α-(1 → 6)-linked Gal with branches attached to O-2 by α-1 → linked Glc and at O-3 by α-1 → linked Gal and by α-(1 → 3)-linked Ara. The in vitro antioxidant activity showed that ABPS-1 possesses DPPH radical-scavenging activity in a concentration-dependent manner with an EC₅₀ value of 2.6 mg/ml.     

Antioxidant responses of Chilo suppressalis (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) larvae exposed to thermal stress

High temperatures cause a variety of physiological stress responses in insects, including increased generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which can cause oxidative damage. This study investigated the effects of thermal stress on ROS generation, the expression of heat shock protein 70 (Hsp70) at the mRNA and protein levels, the activity of antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT), and apoptosis in hemocytes of Chilo suppressalis larvae. Results indicated that thermal stress significantly elevated the level of ROS and antioxidant enzyme activity in C. suppressalis larvae. Real-time quantitative PCR showed that hsp70 gene expression was induced by heat stress. Flow cytometric results revealed that the expression profile of Hsp70 at the protein level was in agreement with that at the mRNA level. The expression of Hsp70 at both the mRNA and protein levels reached a maximum at 36 °C in larval hemocytes. Exposure to tested temperatures did not cause any significant change in the rate of apoptosis in larval hemocytes. These results suggest that thermal stress leads to oxidative stress and that antioxidant enzymes and the Hsp70 play an important role in reducing oxidative damage in C. suppressalis larvae.     

Immobilization of rat brain acetylcholinesterase on porous gold-nanoparticle-CaCO₃ hybrid material modified Au electrode for detection of organophosphorous insecticides

An acetylcholinesterase (AChE) purified from rat brain was immobilized onto gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) assembled on the surface of porous calcium carbonate (CaCO₃) microsphere. The resulting AChE-AuNPs-CaCO₃ bioconjugate was mounted on the surface of Au electrode with the help of silica sol-gel matrix to prepare the working electrode. This electrode was connected to Ag/AgCl (3 M/saturated KCl) as standard and Pt wire as an auxiliary electrode through a potentiostat to construct an organophosphorus (OP) biosensor. The biosensor was based on inhibition of AChE by OP compounds/insecticides. The biosensor showed optimum response at pH 7.0, 30 °C, when polarized at +0.2 V. Two OP compounds, malathion and chlorpyrifos could be detected in the range of 0.1-100 nM and 0.1-70 nM, respectively at 2.0-3.0% inhibition level of AChE. The sensor was reactivated by immersing it in 0.1 mM 2-pyridine aldoxime for 10 min. The detection limit of the sensor was 0.1 nM for both malathion and chlorpyrifos. The biosensor exhibited good reusability (50 times without considerable loss) and storage stability (50% within 60 days, when stored at 4 °C).     

Nickel-quinolones interaction. Part 5-Biological evaluation of nickel(II) complexes with first-, second- and third-generation quinolones

The nickel(II) complexes with the quinolone antibacterial agents oxolinic acid, flumequine, enrofloxacin and sparfloxacin in the presence of the N,N′-donor heterocyclic ligand 2,2′-bipyridylamine have been synthesized and characterized. The quinolones act as bidentate ligands coordinated to Ni(II) ion through the pyridone oxygen and a carboxylato oxygen. The crystal structure of [(2,2′-bipyridylamine)bis(sparfloxacinato)nickel(II)] has been determined by X-ray crystallography. UV study of the interaction of the complexes with calf-thymus DNA (CT DNA) has shown that they bind to CT DNA with [(2,2′-bipyridylamine)bis(flumequinato)nickel(II)] exhibiting the highest binding constant to CT DNA. The cyclic voltammograms of the complexes have shown that in the presence of CT DNA the complexes can bind to CT DNA by the intercalative binding mode which has also been verified by DNA solution viscosity measurements. Competitive study with ethidium bromide (EB) has shown that the complexes can displace the DNA-bound EB indicating that they bind to DNA in strong competition with EB. The complexes exhibit good binding propensity to human or bovine serum albumin protein having relatively high binding constant values. The biological properties of the [Ni(quinolonato)₂(2,2′-bipyridylamine)] complexes have been evaluated in comparison to the previously reported Ni(II) quinolone complexes [Ni(quinolonato)₂(H₂O)₂], [Ni(quinolonato)₂(2,2′-bipyridine)] and [Ni(quinolonato)₂(1,10-phenanthroline)]. The quinolones and their Ni(II) complexes have been tested for their antioxidant and free radical scavenging activity. They have been also tested in vitro for their inhibitory activity against soybean lipoxygenase.     

Multivariate analysis of bacterial volatile compound profiles for discrimination between selected species and strains in vitro

Volatile compounds (VCs) are produced by all microorganisms as part of their normal metabolism. The aim of this study was to determine whether bacterial VC profiles could be used to discriminate between selected bacterial species and strains in vitro.Selected Ion Flow Tube Mass Spectrometry (SIFT-MS) was used to quantify the concentration of 23 microbial VCs within the head-space of various bacterial monocultures, during both the logarithmic and stationary growth phases. In comparison with existing techniques, SIFT-MS enables quantitative, high throughput, real-time head-space analysis to be performed, without need for sample preparation. The results show that most VCs were produced by > 1 bacterial species or strain, and some were produced by all strains tested. Multivariate analysis using similarity matrices, cluster analysis and multidimensional scaling (MDS) was used to determine whether there was a characteristic VC profile at either the species or strain level. Significant discrimination of all bacterial species and strains was achieved by analysing the VC profiles, and the relative similarity of VC profiles could be differentiated in 2 or 3 dimensional space. This study has shown that there are significant differences in the volatile profiles obtained from various bacterial monocultures grown in vitro, and that the analysis techniques herein employed have the potential to differentiate samples at the strain level.     

Gastrophysa polygoni herbivory on Rumex confertus: single leaf VOC induction and dose dependent herbivore attraction/repellence to individual compounds

We report large induction (>65_fold increases) of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from a single leaf of the invasive weed mossy sorrel, Rumex confertus Willd. (Polygonaceae), by herbivory of the dock leaf beetle, Gastrophysa polygoni L. (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae). The R. confertus VOC blend induced by G. polygoni herbivory included two green leaf volatiles ((Z)-3-hexenal, (Z)-3-hexen-1-yl acetate) and three terpenes (linalool, ß-caryophyllene, (E)-ß-farnesene). Uninjured leaves produced small constitutive amounts of the GLVs and barely detectable amounts of the terpenes. A Y-tube olfactometer bioassay revealed that both sexes of adult G. polygoni were attracted to (Z)-3-hexenal and (Z)-3-hexen-1-yl acetate at a concentration of 300 ng h⁻¹. No significant G. polygoni attraction or repellence was detected for any VOC at other concentrations (60 and 1500 ng h⁻¹). Yet, G. polygoni males and females were significantly repelled by (or avoided) at the highest test concentration (7500 ng h⁻¹) of both GLVs and (E)-ß-farnesene. Mated male and female G. polygoni might be attracted to injured R. confertus leaves, but might avoid R. confertus when VOC concentrations (especially the terpene (E)-ß-farnesene) suggest high overall plant injury from conspecifics, G. viridula, or high infestations of other herbivores that release (E)-ß-farnesene (e.g., aphids). Tests in the future will need to examine G. polygoni responses to VOCs emitted directly from uninjured (constitutive) and injured (induced) R. confertus, and examine whether R. confertus VOC induction concentrations increase with greater tissue removal on a single leaf and/or the number of leaves with feeding injury.     

Effects of Botrytis cinerea and Pseudomonas syringae infection on the antioxidant profile of Mesembryanthemum crystallinum C3/CAM intermediate plant

Mesembryathemum crystallinum plants performing C₃ or CAM (crassulacean acid metabolism) appear to be highly resistant to Botrytis cinerea as well as to Pseudomonas syringae. Fungal hyphae growth was restricted to 48 h post-inoculation (hpi) in both metabolic types and morphology of hyphae differed between those growing in C₃ and CAM plants. Growth of bacteria was inhibited significantly 24 hpi in both C₃ and CAM plants. B. cinerea and P. syringae infection led to an increase in the concentration of H₂O₂ in C₃ plants 3 hpi, while a decrease in H₂O₂ content was observed in CAM performing plants. The concentration of H₂O₂ returned to the control level 24 and 48 hpi. Changes in H₂O₂ content corresponded with the activity of guaiacol peroxidase (POD), mostly 3 hpi. We noted that its activity decreased significantly in C₃ plants and increased in CAM plants in response to inoculation with both pathogens. On the contrary, changes in the activity of CAT did not correlate with H₂O₂ level. It increased significantly after interaction of C₃ plants with B. cinerea or P. syringae, but in CAM performing plants, the activity of this enzyme was unchanged. Inoculation with B. cinerea or P. syringae led to an increase in the total SOD activity in C₃ plants while CAM plants did not exhibit changes in the total SOD activity after interaction with both pathogens. In conclusion, the pathogen-induced changes in H₂O₂ content and in SOD, POD and CAT activities in M. crystallinum leaves, were related to the photosynthetic metabolism type of the stressed plants rather than to the lifestyle of the invading pathogen.     

Suppression of high pacing-induced ANP secretion by antioxidants in isolated rat atria

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are formed as a natural by-product of the normal metabolism of oxygen and have important roles in cell signaling. The aim of this study was to investigate direct effects of ROS on atrial hemodynamics and ANP secretion in isolated perfused beating rat atria with antioxidants. When atria were paced at 1.2 Hz, N-acetyl cystein (antioxidant, NAC), α-lipoic acid (antioxidant), tempol (superoxide dismutase mimic), and apocynin (NADPH oxidase inhibitor; NOX inhibitor) did not affect ANP secretion and atrial contractility. When pacing frequency was increased from 1.2 Hz to 4 Hz, the ANP secretion increased and atrial contractility decreased. H₂O₂ level was increased in perfusate obtained from atria stimulated by high pacing frequency. NAC, α-lipoic acid and tempol attenuated high pacing frequency-induced ANP secretion but apocynin did not. In contrast, pyrogallol (a superoxide generator) augmented high pacing frequency-induced ANP secretion. NOX-4 protein was increased by high pacing stimulation and in diabetic rat atria. In diabetic rat atria, high pacing frequency caused an increased ANP secretion and a decreased atrial contractility, that were markedly attenuated as compared to control rats. NAC and apocynin reduced high pacing frequency-induced ANP secretion in diabetic rat atria. These results suggest that intracellular ROS formation partly through an increasing NOX activity in response to high pacing frequency is associated with an increased ANP secretion in rat atria.