Mycotoxin contamination of food in Europe: Early detection and prevention strategies

This paper reviews the early detection and prevention strategies which have been employed in Europe for the control of mycotoxin contamination of food in the context of a hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP) framework. The critical control points (CCPs) in the whole food chain where mycotoxins such as trichothecenes and ochratoxins are important have been identified. Ecological studies on the effect of environmental factors which are marginal for growth and mycotoxin production have been identified for Fusarium culmorum and F. graminearum (deoxynivlenol production), and for Penicillium verrucosum and Aspergillus ochraceus (ochratoxin production) in relation to cereal production and for A. carbonarius in relation to grapes and wine production (ochratoxin formation). To minimise the entry of these mycotoxins into the food chain, effective and rapid diagnostic tools are required to monitor the CCPs effectively. To this end the potential use of molecular imprinted polymers, lateral flow devices and molecular-based techniques for the rapid detection and quantification of the mycotoxigenic moulds or their toxins have also been developed.     

Stand structure and woody species diversity in relation to stand stratification in a subtropical evergreen broadleaf forest, Okinawa Island

Stand structure and woody species diversity in a subtropical evergreen broadleaf forest grown in a silicate habitat, Okinawa Island, have been investigated on the basis of stand stratification. The forest stand consisted of four layers. The floristic composition of the top and the lower three layers was only slightly similar, although approximately one-third of the species were common to them. Mean tree weight decreased from the top toward the bottom layer whereas tree density increased from the top downward. This trend resembled the mean weight–density trajectory of self-thinning plant populations. The relationship between mean tree height and tree density for the upper two layers supported Yamakuras quasi –1/2 power law of tree height. The values of the Shannon–Wiener index, H, and the equitability index, J, tended to increase from the top layer downward except for the bottom layer. The values of H and J were, respectively, 4.83 bit and 0.82 for trees taller than 0.10 m. The lower layers contained many species of smaller height. High species diversity of the forest depended on small trees in the lower layers. Conservation of small trees in the lower layers, especially the bottom layer, is indispensable for sound maintenance of Okinawan evergreen broadleaf forests.     

Dynamics of RhoA and ROKα translocation in single living cells

The RhoA-binding kinase (ROK) is one of the target kinases of RhoA and is known to play a critical role in regulating cytoskeletal rearrangement in cells. ROK translocates to the plasma membrane fraction; however, the mechanism of the translocation of ROK still remains obscure. To clarify the molecular mechanisms of the translocation of ROK, we co-transfected MDCK cells wity cyan fluorescent protein-tagged RhoA and yellow fluorescent protein-tagged ROKα, or their variants, and monitored the localization and translocation of the two different fluorescent tagged-molecules in single living cells during epithelial growth factor (EGF) stimulation. Both RhoA (wild-type) and ROKα (wild-type) translocated to ruffling membrane with EGF stimulation in several minutes. A ROKα mutant, in which Rho-binding ability is disrupted, is unable to translocate to the membrane with RhoA. However, RhoA mutant Q63L/C190R, an active form lacking membrane localization activity, abolished the translocation of wild-type ROKα, suggesting that the translocation of RhoA is critical for ROK translocation to the membrane. Another mutant lacking the pleckstrin homology domain failed in translocation as well. On the other hand, it was surprising that the kinase dead mutant succeeded in translocation to the membrane after EGF stimulation. Based on these results, we propose the following ROKα translocation mechanism. ROKα binds to RhoA in cytosol and translocates to the membrane based on the membrane-targeting ability of active RhoA. After ROKα associates with the membrane, the pleckstrin homology domain provides the stability of ROKα on the membrane. The activation of enzymatic activity or adenosine triphosphate binding, however, is not directly related to the translocation mechanism, although we found that the membrane association is critical for the activation of the kinase activity.     

A role for Wnt/planar cell polarity signaling during lens fiber cell differentiation?

Wnt signaling through frizzled (Fz) receptors plays key roles in just about every developmental system that has been studied. Several Wnt-Fz signaling pathways have been identified including the Wnt/planar cell polarity (PCP) pathway. PCP signaling is crucial for many developmental processes that require major cytoskeletal rearrangements. Downstream of Fz, PCP signaling is thought to involve the GTPases, Rho, Rac and Cdc42 and regulation of the JNK cascade. Here we report on the localization of these GTPases and JNK in the lens and assess their involvement in the cytoskeletal reorganisation that is a key element of FGF-induced lens fiber cell differentiation.     

Na+ Recirculation and Isosmotic Transport

The Na(+) recirculation theory for solute-coupled fluid absorption is an expansion of the local osmosis concept introduced by Curran and analyzed by Diamond & Bossert. Based on studies on small intestine the theory assumes that the observed recirculation of Na(+) serves regulation of the osmolarity of the absorbate. Mathematical modeling reproducing bioelectric and hydrosmotic properties of small intestine and proximal tubule, respectively, predicts a significant range of observations such as isosmotic transport, hyposmotic transport, solvent drag, anomalous solvent drag, the residual hydraulic permeability in proximal tubule of AQP1 (-/-) mice, and the inverse relationship between hydraulic permeability and the concentration difference needed to reverse transepithelial water flow. The model reproduces the volume responses of cells and lateral intercellular space (lis) following replacement of luminal NaCl by sucrose as well as the linear dependence of volume absorption on luminal NaCl concentration. Analysis of solvent drag on Na(+) in tight junctions provides explanation for the surprisingly high metabolic efficiency of Na(+) reabsorption. The model predicts and explains low metabolic efficiency in diluted external baths. Hyperosmolarity of lis is governed by the hydraulic permeability of the apical plasma membrane and tight junction with 6-7 mOsm in small intestine and < or = 1 mOsm in proximal tubule. Truly isosmotic transport demands a Na(+) recirculation of 50-70% in small intestine but might be barely measurable in proximal tubule. The model fails to reproduce a certain type of observations: The reduced volume absorption at transepithelial osmotic equilibrium in AQP1 knockout mice, and the stimulated water absorption by gallbladder in diluted external solutions. Thus, it indicates cellular regulation of apical Na(+) uptake, which is not included in the mathematical treatment.     

A new mobergellan (small shelly fossils) from the early middle cambrian of morocco and its significance

A new mobergellan genus and species,Tateltella ranoculata, is described from the early Middle Cambrian (Agdzian Stage) of Morocco. The new taxon is characterized by only four pairs of muscle scars and is furthermore distinguished from other mobergellans by its strongly concave shape and its distally rising muscle scars. The individual specimens ofTateltella ranoculata distinctly vary in size and display different ontogenetic stages. Juvenile, intermediate, and adult stages can be distinguished by means of the development of the muscle scars that differ in Position relative to the apex, size, and distinctness between individual stages. The shell ofT. ranoculata is composed of a succession of thin phosphatic lamellae separated by interlamellar gaps, presumably originally filled by organic material. The interlamellar gaps may be divided by septum-like structures producing discrete cavities. The specimens are the youngest mobergellans known so far and correlation of their stratigraphic position suggests a correspondence with the lower part of the Amgan stage of the Siberian Platform. In addition, they are the first reported mobergellans from the present day continent Africa. Other mobergellan taxa and mobergellan-like species are briefly reviewed and the genusHippoklosma Missarzhevsky, previously assigned to the Mobergellidae, is excluded from the family due to its different shell structure. An evolutionary trend of reduction in the number of muscle scars from 14 in the early Early Cambrian to only eight in the early Middle Cambrian is apparent among mobergellans.      

BDNF RNA干扰在多巴胺能PC12细胞凋亡中的作用研究

目的：探讨脑源性神经营养因子（brain derived neurotrophic factor,BDNF）在PC12细胞凋亡中的作用。方法：设计并合成针对BDNF mRNA序列的小片段干扰RNA（siRNA）,利用lipofectamine 2000将siRNA转染入PC12细胞中或给与6-OHDA损伤,给与/不给予BDNF蛋白保护,采用定量PCR和免疫荧光法检测BDNF mRNA和蛋白表达水平;采用上清液乳酸脱氢酶（LDH）释放量测定和流式细胞仪法检测siRNA对细胞凋亡的影响。结果：转染siRNA的细胞的BDNF mRNA的表达量比正常组细胞减少73%,而转染作为对照的scrambled siRNA的细胞的BDNF mRNA的表达没有明显变化。BDNF RNA干扰与6-OHDA神经毒性一样可诱导PC12细胞的LDH释放和细胞凋亡。给予BDNF蛋白保护后细胞毒性减轻。结论：BDNF基因下调可以导致PC12细胞的凋亡,BDNF蛋白对PC12细胞有保护作用,为进一步进行动物体内研究奠定了基础。     

Protein related to DAN and cerberus (PRDC) inhibits osteoblastic differentiation and its suppression promotes osteogenesis in vitro

Protein related to DAN and cerberus (PRDC) is a secreted protein characterized by a cysteine knot structure, which binds bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) and thereby inhibits their binding to BMP receptors. As an extracellular BMP antagonist, PRDC may play critical roles in osteogenesis; however, its expression and function in osteoblastic differentiation have not been determined. Here, we investigated whether PRDC is expressed in osteoblasts and whether it regulates osteogenesis in vitro. PRDC mRNA was found to be expressed in the pre-osteoblasts of embryonic day 18.5 (E18.5) mouse calvariae. PRDC mRNA expression was elevated by treatment with BMP-2 in osteoblastic cells isolated from E18.5 calvariae (pOB cells). Forced expression of PRDC using adenovirus did not affect cell numbers, whereas it suppressed exogenous BMP activity and endogenous levels of phosphorylated Smad1/5/8 protein. Furthermore, PRDC inhibited the expression of bone marker genes and bone-like mineralized matrix deposition in pOB cells. In contrast, the reduction of PRDC expression by siRNA elevated alkaline phosphatase activity, increased endogenous levels of phosphorylated Smad1/5/8 protein, and promoted bone-like mineralized matrix deposition in pOB cells. These results suggest that PRDC expression in osteoblasts suppresses differentiation and that reduction of PRDC expression promotes osteogenesis in vitro. PRDC is accordingly identified as a potential novel therapeutic target for the regulation of bone formation.