Oxidative stress‐induced renal telomere shortening as a mechanism of cyclosporine‐induced nephrotoxicity

Due to the association of oxidative stress and telomere shortening, it was aimed in the present study to investigate the possibility whether cyclosporine‐A exerts its nephrotoxic side effects via induction of oxidative stress‐induced renal telomere shortening and senescent phenotype in renal tissues of rats. Renal oxidative stress markers, 8‐hydroxydeoxyguanosine, malondialdehyde, and protein carbonyl groups were measured by standard methods. Telomere length and telomerase activity were also evaluated in kidney tissue samples. Results showed that cyclosporine‐A treatment significantly (P < 0.05) enhanced renal malondialdehyde, 8‐hydroxydeoxyguanosine, and protein carbonyl groups levels, decreased renal telomere length, and deteriorated renal function compared with the controls. Renal telomerase activity was not affected by cyclosporine‐A. Renal telomere length could be considered as an important parameter of both oxidative stress and kidney function. Telomere shortening and accelerated kidney aging may be caused by cyclosporine‐induced oxidative stress, indicating the potential mechanism of cyclosporine‐induced nephrotoxicity.     

Pro‐haemostatic effect of DDAVP is partially derived through non‐classical (CD14dim /CD16 ++) monocytes residing the spleen

The splenic endothelial Weibel‐palade bodies are one of the most important candidate organelles to release von Willebrand factor upon stimulation with desmopressin. However, the presence of functional desmopressin‐specific receptor has not yet been demonstrated on endothelial cells. Experimental evidences are in favour of an indirect pro‐haemostatic effect of desmopressin, but the exact mediator and its cellular origin are largely elusive. Here, we report partially hampered desmopressin response in a splenectomised severe haemophilia A/Beta Thalassemia patient without any genetic variant relevant to his incomplete desmopressin response. To further investigate the role of the spleen in this phenomenon, the release of VWF from desmopressin‐treated human splenic endothelial cells was assessed in vitro. As a result, desmopressin induced the release of VWF from endothelial cells when the cells were co‐cultured with non‐classical (CD14^dim/CD16⁺⁺), but not other subtypes of monocytes or PBMCs. This in vitro study which resembles close proximity of endothelial cells of sinusoids to monocyte reservoir reside in parenchyma of subcapsular red pulp of the spleen sheds a light upon the role of this highly vascularized VWF‐producing organ in driving indirect effect of desmopressin.     

Hybridization of wheat and Aegilops cylindrica: development,karyomorphology, DNA barcoding and salt tolerance of the amphidiploids

The development of salt‐tolerant genotypes is key to a better utilization of salinized irrigated lands. Given the relatively low genetic diversity within the cultivated wheats for salt tolerance, exploring the Aegilops cylindrica's genetic diversity for salt tolerance is thus crucial to breed wheat for saline environments. In the current study, wheat genotypes were hybridized with Ae. cylindrica (a hyper salt-tolerant genotype), and amphidiploid plants were produced using embryo rescue and chromosome doubling techniques. Crossability and cytological examinations of amphidiploids and BC₁ were performed before sequencing the ITS4/5 and trnE/trnF DNAs to explore the phylogenetic relationships of the amphidiploids and their parents. Finally, amphidiploids were assessed for salt tolerance. Only two common wheat cultivars (‘Chinese Spring’ and ‘Roshan’) were crossable with Ae. cylindrica. The resultant intergeneric hybrids possessed 70 chromosomes, and morphologically either were similar to the male parent in ‘Chinese Spring’ × Ae. cylindrica or tended to be intermediate between parents in ‘Roshan’ × Ae. cylindrica. The phylogenetic tree divided the genotypes into two groups, in which Clade I contained Ae. cylindrica and three amphidiploids, and Clade II consisted of female parents and one amphidiploid. Amphidiploids exhibited significantly higher tolerance to salt stress compared to the female parents (wheat cultivars) in terms of a higher dry matter, lower accumulation of Na, higher K, and higher K/Na ratio in their root and leaf tissues. Taken together, the amphiploid plants might contain valuable salt tolerance factors.

     

Effect of biotic and abiotic elicitors on production of betulin and betulinic acid in the hairy root culture of Betula pendula Roth

Abstract

Betulin (B) and betulinic acid (BA) are two triterpenoids with a wide range of biological and medicinal activities in different organs of Betula pendula. This research aimed to increase the accumulation of B and BA in the hairy root culture of B. pendula by seven biotic and abiotic elicitors. Hairy root was induced in the stem’s inner bark of B. pendula using the C58C1 strain in the WPM (Woody Plant Medium). The effects of different concentrations of elicitors and different time of root harvest in hairy root culture of B. pendula showed that highest level of growth index (GI), B, and BA was acquired in treated hairy roots with chitosan (CTS), chlorocholine chloride (CCC) and chitosan nano-fiber (CTS NF). Highest GI of B. pendula hairy roots was 13 that was obtained in the roots treated with CTS 150?mg l^?1 on the 8th day. The highest content of BA was 1.3?mg g^?1 DW after treatment with 1?mg l^?1CCC on the 4th and 6th days and 200?mg l^?1CTS NF on the 10th day. The highest B content (0.94?mg g^?1DW) was obtained in the treated hairy root by 2?mg l^?1 CCC after 4 and 6?days.     

Enhanced ethanol and chitosan production from wheat straw by Mucor indicus with minimal nutrient consumption

Recently, Mucor indicus was introduced as a promising ethanol producing microorganism for fermentation of lignocellulosic hydrolysates, showing a number of advantages over Saccharomyces cerevisiae. However, high nutrient requirement is the main drawback of the fungus in efficient ethanol production from lignocelluloses. In this study, application of fungal extract as a potential nutrient source replacing all required nutrients in fermentation of wheat straw by M. indicus was investigated. Wheat straw was pretreated with N-methylmorpholine-N-oxide (NMMO) at 120 °C for 1–5 h prior to enzymatic hydrolysis. Hydrolysis yield was improved at least by 6-fold for 3 h pretreated straw compared with that of untreated one. A fungal extract was produced by autolysis of M. indicus biomass, an unavoidable byproduct of fermentation. Maximum free amino nitrogen (2.04 g/L), phosphorus (1.50 g/L), and total nitrogen (4.47 g/L) as well as potassium, magnesium, and calcium in the fungal extract were obtained by autolysis of the biomass at 50 °C and pH 5.0. The fungal extract as a nutrient-rich supplement substituted yeast extract and all other required minerals in fermentation and enhanced the ethanol yield up to 92.1% of the theoretical yield. Besides, appreciate amounts of chitosan were produced as another valuable product of the autolysis.