Genetic and physiological relatedness of antagonistic Trichoderma isolates against soil borne plant pathogenic fungi

In this study, the in vitro potential of 42 Trichoderma spp. were evaluated against four isolates of soil borne phytopathogenic fungi viz., Rhizoctonia solani, Macrophomina sp., Sclerotium rolfsii and Pythium aphanidermatum in dual culture techniques and through production of volatile and non-volatile inhibitors. In vitro screening results showed that the proportion of isolates with antagonistic activities was highest for the S. rolfsii followed by R. solani, Macrophomina sp. and P. aphanidermatum, respectively. The isolates TNT1, TNP2 and TWP1 showed consistent results in volatile and non-volatile activity in vitro against any of the two pathogens tested. Based on genomic finger prints, potential isolates showed no particular correlation between the origin of the isolates and the Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) groups could not be established. However, the polymorphism shown by the isolates did not correlate to their level of antagonism. Whereas, in physiology studies using BIOLOG (microbial identification system), three groups were formed, one group consists with 14 different Trichoderma species and two groups with two isolates each comprised of only T. koningii and T. viride.     

Arch and beam: deployment of microstructural fabrics in relation to loads exerted on the shells of bivalved molluscs in different functional regimes

Two apparently contradictory models have been proposed, relating the disposition of microstructural fabrics of the bivalve shell to stresses they experience. These models are here shown to apply to the function of the shell in different circumstances. In its day-to-day operation, the shell acts as a pair of beams, loaded under opposing stresses exerted by the adductor muscles and the ligament. The resulting strain is built into the shell as new layers are added to its growing interior surface (Wainwright 1969). The distribution of stresses induced by attempts to crush the shell, or by violent adduction intended to prevent it from being opened, is different. Here, the shell acts as a dome, a ‘shell’ in the architect's sense. Compressional stress develops in the outer layer and tension in the inner layer. The distribution of shell microstructures in many bivalves is biomechanically consistent with the need to resist these latter stresses. The shell is prestressed in the right direction to resist this deformation. However, the built-in strain is an exaptation in relation to this function. Any added resistance to crushing it provides is fortuitously advantageous, since it becomes prestressed as an unavoidable consequence of shell growth and articulation.     

Purification and Properties of the Trypsin Inhibitors from Buckwheat Seed

The trypsin inhibitors in buckwheat seeds were isolated by affinity chromatography on trypsin-Sepharose 4B, and the components were fractionated by chromatography on DEAE-Sepharose CL-6B. The major components, inhibitors I, II and III, were found to be homogeneous proteins with molecular weight of about 8,000. Trypsin inhibitory activity was more pronounced than the chymotrypsin inhibitory activity in all the inhibitor preparation obtained. The three major inhibitors had similar amino acid compositions and had no detectable amounts of tryptophan and carbohydrate. A high level of acidic and basic amino acid residues and a low level of methionine, tyrosine and phenylalanine residues characterized the inhibitors. Although the inhibitors I and II were particularly thermostable, inhibitor III, the most abundant component, was shown to be relatively heat-labile.     

γ-Mangostin from Garcinia Mangostana Pericarps as a Dual Agonist That Activates Both PPARα and PPARδ

We tested the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)δ agonistic activity of a Garcinia mangostana pericarp extract to develop a treatment for the metabolic syndrome, and demonstrated γ-mangostin to be an active compound on the basis of a luciferase reporter gene assay. γ-Mangostin induced the expression of the uncoupling protein-3 (UCP-3) gene which is related to energy expenditure and fat metabolism in L6 cells. We showed that γ-mangostin is a dual agonist that activates both PPARδ and PPARα. γ-Mangostin also induced the expression of acyl-CoA synthase and carnitine palmitoyl-transferase 1A genes in HepG2 cells. These results suggest the potential of γ-mangostin as a preventive agent of the metabolic syndrome.     

Analysis of monosomy‐3 in immunomagnetically isolated circulating melanoma cells in uveal melanoma patients

Monosomy‐3 in primary uveal melanoma (UM) is associated with a high risk of metastasis and mortality. Although circulating melanoma cells (CMC) can be found in most UM patients, only approximately 50% of the patients develop metastases. We utilized a novel immuno‐FISH assay to detect chromosome‐3 in intact CMC isolated by dual immunomagnetic enrichment. Circulating melanoma cells were detected in 91% of the patients (n = 44) with primary non‐metastatic UM, of which 58% were positive for monosomy‐3. The monosomy‐3 status of CMC corresponded to the monosomy‐3 status of the primary tumor in 10 of the 11 patients where this could be tested. Monosomy‐3 in the CMC was associated with an advanced tumor stage (P = 0.046) and was detected in all four patients who developed metastasis within the follow‐up period of 4 yr. This non‐invasive technique may enable the identification of UM patients at risk for metastasis particularly when a primary tumor specimen is unavailable.     

Support for Kurdish language rights in Turkey: the roles of ethnic group,group identifications,contact, and intergroup perceptions

The question of Kurdish language rights has been a central issue in the Turkish–Kurdish conflict. The current study examined endorsement of Kurdish language rights in relation to intergroup factors (i.e. group identifications, cross-group friendships, perceived discrimination, and perceived out-group beliefs about state unity) among self-identified Turkish and Kurdish participants. The results indicate that Turks were much less in favour of these rights than the Kurds. In addition, for the Turks, higher national and ethnic identification were associated with lower support for Kurdish language rights, while cross-group friendship, perceived discrimination of Kurds and the belief that Kurds endorse national unity were associated with more support for rights. For the Kurdish participants, stronger national identification seems to undermine the mobilizing meaning that Kurdish group identification has for language rights support. Furthermore, friendship with Turks can undermine the support for rights because it strengthens national identification and reduces ethnic identification.     

Dual‐function fluorescent probe for cancer imaging and therapy

To date, several fluorescent probes modified by a single targeting agent have been explored. However, studies on the preparation of dual‐function quantum dot (QD) fluorescent probes with dual‐targeting action and a therapeutic effect are rare. Here, a dual‐targeting CdTe/CdS QD fluorescent probe with a bovine serum albumin–glycyrrhetinic acid conjugate and arginine‐glycine‐aspartic acid was successfully prepared that could induce the apoptosis of liver cancer cells and showed enhanced targeting in in vitro cell imaging. Therefore, the as‐prepared fluorescent probe in this work is an efficient diagnostic tool for the simultaneous detection of liver cancer and breast cancer cells. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

DYRK1A inhibition suppresses STAT3/EGFR/Met signalling and sensitizes EGFR wild‐type NSCLC cells to AZD9291

DYRK1A is considered a potential cancer therapeutic target, but the role of DYRK1A in NSCLC oncogenesis and treatment requires further investigation. In our study, high DYRK1A expression was observed in tumour samples from patients with lung cancer compared with normal lung tissues, and the high levels of DYRK1A were related to a reduced survival time in patients with lung cancer. Meanwhile, the DYRK1A inhibitor harmine could suppress the proliferation of NSCLC cells compared to that of the control. As DYRK1A suppression might be effective in treating NSCLC, we next explored the possible specific molecular mechanisms that were involved. We showed that DYRK1A suppression by siRNA could suppress the levels of EGFR and Met in NSCLC cells. Furthermore, DYRK1A siRNA could inhibit the expression and nuclear translocation of STAT3. Meanwhile, harmine could also regulate the STAT3/EGFR/Met signalling pathway in human NSCLC cells. AZD9291 is effective to treat NSCLC patients with EGFR‐sensitivity mutation and T790 M resistance mutation, but the clinical efficacy in patients with wild‐type EGFR remains modest. We showed that DYRK1A repression could enhance the anti‐cancer effect of AZD9291 by inducing apoptosis and suppressing cell proliferation in EGFR wild‐type NSCLC cells. In addition, harmine could enhance the anti‐NSCLC activity of AZD9291 by modulating STAT3 pathway. Finally, harmine could enhance the anti‐cancer activity of AZD9291 in primary NSCLC cells. Collectively, targeting DYRK1A might be an attractive target for AZD9291 sensitization in EGFR wild‐type NSCLC patients.