Smad3 and Snail show circadian expression in human gingival fibroblasts, human mesenchymal stem cell, and in mouse liver

Smads are intracellular signaling mediators. Complexes of Smad2 and Smad3 with Smad4 transmit transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) receptor-induced signaling. Snail plays important roles in mesoderm formation, gastrulation, neural crest development, and epithelial mesenchymal transition. However, it remains unknown whether Smad3 and Snail expression is circadian rhythm-dependent. Here, we showed for the first time that Smad3 and Snail show circadian expression in human gingival fibroblasts (HGF-1) and human mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) after serum shock. They also showed circadian expression in the mouse liver. We confirmed that BMAL1/2, DEC1/2, VEGF, and PER1/2/3 also show circadian expression in both HGF-1 and MSC. The mRNA peaks and phases in circadian expression of these genes differed between HGF-1 and MSC. In a luciferase assay, Smad3 promoter activity was upregulated by CLOCK/BMAL1. These findings suggest that Smad3 and Snail have circadian rhythm in vitro and vivo, and that circadian expression of Smad3 depends on CLOCK/BMAL1.     

Growth patterns as deduced from bone microstructure of some selected neotherapsids with special emphasis on dicynodonts: Phylogenetic implications

Osteohistological analysis of the dicynodonts Endothiodon, Diictodon, Lystrosaurus and Wadiasaurus reveals distinctly different growth patterns within a framework of an overall fast growth. The late Permian endemic taxon from India, Endothiodon mahalanobisi and the South African Diictodon feliceps had periodic fast growth. The early Triassic Lystrosaurus murrayi and the middle Triassic Wadiasaurus indicus had an initial fast growth followed by a relatively slow growth later in ontogeny as is observed from the presence of peripheral parallel fibred bone. Although all examined dicynodont genera had an indeterminate growth strategy, the bone microstructure of Wadiasaurus suggests that its growth was much slower than that of other dicynodonts examined. Mapping of osetohistological character states on a cladogram depicting the inter-relationship between available neotherapsid genera shows that fibrolamellar bone tissue, overall fast growth and indeterminate growth strategy were plesiomorphic for the neotherapsids. A considerable reduction in developmental plasticity and evolution of apparently independent growth trajectories from environmental conditions are evident within the non-mammalian cynodonts, with the advanced tritylodontids achieving almost a mammalian growth trajectory.     

Biofunctional Attributes of Surface Layer Protein and Cell-Bound Exopolysaccharide from Probiotic Limosilactobacillus fermentum (MTCC 5898)

The probiotic extracellular matrix components (ECM) have been considered as an important factor in eliciting the beneficial roles of the bacteria. The study involved the growth phase–dependent extraction of the surface layer protein (SLP) and cell-bound exopolysaccharide (EPS-b) from novel Limosilactobacillus fermentum (MTCC 5898). Both SLP and EPS-b were optimally extracted at the late logarithmic phase of the bacteria upon 8 h of incubation. Furthermore, the adhesive, immunomodulatory, and anti-oxidative potential of the extracted components were evaluated using in vitro models. The major role of SLP was evidenced on bacterial adhesion to mucin and was related to its hydrophobic character. Under in vitro conditions, no effect of SLP and EPS-b was observed on the proliferation of murine splenocytes; however, both the components stimulated the phagocytosis of murine peritoneal macrophages at varying concentrations. Furthermore, all the components exhibited strong radical scavenging, chelating, and reducing potential with increasing concentration. Therefore, the ECM components of L. fermentum exhibited a variable biofunctional effect, providing crucial information to enable its further use as functional foods and overcome the challenges posed by probiotics.

     

CNS activity of Vitex negundo Linn. in mice

Methanolic extract (ME) of the leaves of V. negundo potentiated significantly the sleeping time induced by pentobarbitone sodium, diazepam and chlorpromazine in mice. ME possesses analgesic properties and potentiated analgesia induced by morphine and pethidine. ME also showed significant protection against strychnine and leptazole induced convulsions. The results suggest that ME exhibits CNS depressant activity in a dose dependent manner.