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关键词： Stress-memory   Seed priming   Wheat   Sustainable productivity   Drought stress tolerance  

摘要： Aim: Water-deficit stress is the most devastating environmental factor that adversely affects plant growth causing yield losses and low crop productivity. In this study, we employed sodium nitroprusside (SNP) as a seed priming agent for the acclimation of water-deficit stress in wheat plants by invoking priming memory. Methods: The SNP-primed (75, 100, and 125 mu M) and non-primed controls were allowed to grow in pots under water deficit and normal conditions. The flag leaves of 98-days mature plants were used for biochemical and physiological studies by following the well-established methods. Results: The antioxidant and hydrolytic enzymes were upregulated while reducing sugars, total sugars, and glycine betaine increased significantly in flag leaves of wheat plants originated from SNP-treated seeds compared to control under water deficit stress. However, a significant reduction in MDA and proline contents represented a lesser ROS production which resulted in enhanced cell membrane stability. Consequently, there was a significant enhancement in yield, plant biomass and 100 grains weight of wheat plants under water deficit stress. Conclusion: The improvement in yield parameters indicates the induction of priming memory in SNP-primed seeds which elicit water deficit tolerance till the maturity of plants thus ensures sustainable productivity of wheat.

关键词： Lactobacillus fermentum   probiotic strains   human rotaviruses  

摘要： Lactobacillus fermentum 39 is a well-known probiotic strain, which is widely used for production of pharmacopoeial probiotic preparations, dietary supplements, and foodstuffs enriched with probiotic microorganisms. In the course of analysis by transmission electron microscopy, the cell morphology was studied, biochemical properties of the strain and strain-specific characteristics of sugar metabolism were thoroughly analyzed, its full genome was sequenced, and the cluster of genes responsible for exopolysaccharide synthesis was characterized. The cells of Lactobacillus fermentum 39 were shown to be capable of adsorbing rotavirus particles, which allows us to substantiate a new aspect of application of probiotics, including this strain, in acute gastroenteritis caused by human rotaviruses.

关键词： Hypophosphatasia   Alkaline phosphatase   Pyridoxal 5-phosphate   Fractures bone mineral density  

摘要： Objectives: This study sought to identify the clinical and biochemical characteristics that would help distinguish hypophosphatasia (HPP) from other metabolic bone diseases in adult patients attending a metabolic bone clinic by comparing patients who have genetically confirmed HPP with a group of patients with low bone mineral density (BMD) in the osteoporotic or osteopenic range. Methods: Data were collected from February 2016 to October 2018 for 41 patients (n = 20 in the HPP group, n = 21 in the low-BMD group) attending the metabolic bone clinic at Sheffield, United Kingdom (UK) or who were recruited via the Rare UK Diseases Study (RUDY) platform during the same period. A study questionnaire was administered to all patients, and assessments were conducted for laboratory values, physical functions, BMD, and spine imaging. Results: Patients with HPP were characterized as being younger, more likely to have metatarsal or femoral shaft fractures, and less likely to have vertebral fractures compared with patients in the low-BMD group. The HPP group had lower total and bone-specific alkaline phosphatase, higher pyridoxal 5 '-phosphate (PLP), and lower, albeit sufficient, 25-hydroxyvitamin D. Low-BMD group had lower C-terminal telopeptide and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b (61.9% were on bisphosphonates at enrollment). Dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) analysis found that the HPP group had higher total hip and lumbar BMD Tand Z-scores compared with the low-BMD group. There were no differences found between the two groups with physical functional assessments. Results of receiver operating characteristic analysis indicated strong diagnostic accuracy of these biomarkers for HPP. Thresholds of total alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity of 43 IU/L or less and PLP level of 120 nmol/L or more were determined to be potentially clinically useful for distinguishing HPP from other metabolic bone diseases. Conclusion: This study supported the use of ALP and PLP measurements as

关键词： Glutathione transferase   Glutathione   Flavonoid   Enzyme   Structure-function   Fungi  

摘要： The Omega class of glutathione transferases (GSTs) forms a distinct class within the cytosolic GST superfamily because most of them possess a catalytic cysteine residue. The human GST Omega 1 isoform was first characterized twenty years ago, but it took years of work to clarify the roles of the human isoforms. Concerning the kingdom of fungi, little is known about the cellular functions of Omega glutathione transferases (GSTOs), although they are widely represented in some of these organisms. In this study, we re-assess the phylogeny and the classification of GSTOs based on 240 genomes of mushroom-forming fungi (Agaricomycetes). We observe that the number of GSTOs is not only extended in the order of Polyporales but also in other orders such as Boletales. Our analysis leads to a new classification in which the fungal GSTOs are divided into two Types A and B. The catalytic residue of Type-A is either cysteine or serine, while that of Type-B is cysteine. The present study focuses on Trametes versicolor GSTO isoforms that possess a catalytic cysteine residue. Transcriptomic data show that Type-A GSTOs are constitutive enzymes while Type-B are inducible ones. The crystallographic analysis reveals substantial structural differences between the two types while they have similar biochemical profiles in the tested conditions. Additionally, these enzymes have the ability to bind antioxidant molecules such as wood polyphenols in two possible binding sites as observed from X-ray structures. The multiplication of GSTOs could allow fungal organisms to adapt more easily to new environments.

关键词： Diagnostic Factors   Disease Subtype   Phenotype   Categorization  

摘要： BACKGROUND & AIMS: Wilson disease is an autosomal recessive disorder that impairs copper homeostasis and is caused by homozygous or compound heterozygous mutations in ATP7B, which encodes a copper-transporting P-type ATPase. Patients have variable clinical manifestations and laboratory test results, resulting in diagnostic dilemmas. We aimed to identify factors associated with symptoms and features of Wilson disease from a large cohort, over 15 years. METHODS: We collected data from 715 patients (529 with symptoms, 146 without symptoms, and 40 uncategorized) and a genetic confirmation of Wilson's disease (mean age of diagnosis, 18.84 years), recruited from 3 hospitals in China from 2004 through 2019. We analyzed clinical data along with serum levels of ceruloplasmin (available from 636 patients), 24-hr urinary copper excretion (collected from 131 patients), Kayser-Fleisher rings (copper accumulation in eyes, with neurologic data from 355 patients), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) abnormalities. Differences among the groups were analyzed using 1-way analysis of variance followed by Tukey multiple comparison test. ESULTS: Of the 529 patients with symptoms, 121 had hepatic features, 355 had neurologic features, 28 had osteomuscular features (premature osteoarthritis, skeletal deformities, and pathological bone fractures), and 25 had psychiatric symptoms. Age of onset was significantly younger in patients with hepatic (16.94 +/- 1.03 years;P = .0105) or osteomuscular features (13 +/- 1.33 years;P = .0001) than patients with neurological features (19.48 +/- 0.46 years). Serum levels of ceruloplasmin differed among asymptomatic patients and patients with osteomuscular or neurologic symptoms of Wilson disease. Serum levels of ceruloplasmin ranged from 18.93 mg/L to approximately 120.00 mg/L (quantiles of 0.025 to approximately 0.975). Fifty-one of 131 patients (39%) had urinary copper excretion levels below 100 mu g/24 hr;there was significant variation in levels of u

关键词： blood conservation   buffaloes   hemotherapy   pH  

摘要： Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate the biochemical and blood gas alterations of whole blood of buffaloes that was stored in citrate-phosphate-dextrose with adenine (CPDA-1) and CPD/SAG-M blood bags for 42 days. Design Prospective study. Interventions Ten male buffaloes were used in this study. A total volume of 900 mL of blood was collected from each buffalo so that 450 mL was stored in CPDA-1 and 450 mL was stored in CPD/SAG-M bags at 2-6 degrees C for 42 days. The stored blood was evaluated at 7 time points (D): D0 (immediately after blood collection) and 7 (D7), 14 (D14), 21 (D21), 28 (D28), 35 (D35), and 42 (D42) days after collection. Blood gas, biochemical, and microbiological parameters were monitored. Measurements and main results The overall blood pH decreased from 6.997 +/- 0.05 at D0 to 6.784 +/- 0.09 at D42, differing from baseline from D14 onward (P < 0.05). There were increases in partial pressure of oxygen (pO(2)), partial pressure of carbon dioxide (pCO(2)), lactate, and potassium (K) and decreases in the concentrations of sodium, bicarbonate, glucose, and pH (P < 0.05) during storage in both bags but no alterations in total protein concentration. Most of the variables were consistently similar between the 2 types of blood bags (P > 0.05) evaluated, with the exception of pCO(2), HCO3, cholesterol, and total protein, which had higher values in the CPDA-1 bag (P < 0.05). The K, pO(2), and lactate had the highest alterations during storage, with increases from baseline to D42 of 563%, 317%, and 169%, respectively. Conclusion In general, no significant changes of clinical importance were observed after storage of whole blood samples from buffaloes for 42 days in the 2 types of blood bags that are indicated for use with this species.

关键词： Seaweed   Microalgae   Taxonomical identification   Estimated daily intake   Multiple regression analysis  

摘要： Marine algae have made a strong contribution to global food security in the future. This study is the first report describing the concentration, pathways, and interactions of halogens in 15 species of marine algae collected from the Eastern Harbor in Alexandria, Egypt, relative to 22 key variables. The relationship between halogen content and chemical and biochemical parameters was studied through multivariate analysis. Among all the tested algae, the iodine content was the lowest (2.53-3.00 mu g/g). The range of fluoride and chloride in macroalgae (1.12-1.70 and 0.10-0.46 mg/g) was smaller than that of microalgae (0.10-0.46 and 1.48-3.17 mg/g). The bromide content in macroalgae (0.36-5.45 mg/g) was higher than that in microalgae (0.40-0.76 mg/g). The halogen content in macroalgae was arranged in the order of Br > F > Cl > I. In addition, the biochemical parameters such as carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and certain heavy metals (Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, Pb, Ni, Co, Cd, and Cr) were determined. Calories, energy, total antioxidant activity (TAC), K/Na, and ion quotient amounts were estimated. The results showed that the green seaweed species had the highest TAC content. In most of the studied algal species, the calculated ion quotient referred to their likelihood of overcoming high blood pressure. The estimated daily intake (EDI) of algae showed no adverse effects on human health. Most of the research variables are below the acceptable WHO/FAO level. Generally, the calorie content of the selected algae is less than 2 kcal, which makes the algae considered an alternative source of healthy food to reduce obesity.

关键词： Atherosclerosis   Coronary artery disease   Intravascular ultrasound   Endothelial shear stress   Near infrared spectroscopy   Vulnerable plaque  

摘要： Background and aims: We aimed to characterize the spatial proximity of plaque destabilizing features local endothelial shear stress (ESS), minimal luminal area (MLA), plaque burden (PB), and near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) lipid signal in high-vs. low-risk plaques. Methods: Coronary arteries imaged with angiography and NIRS-intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) underwent 3D reconstruction and computational fluid dynamics calculations of local ESS. ESS, PB, MLA, and lipid core burden index (LCBI), for each 3-mm arterial segment were obtained in arteries with large lipid-rich plaque (LRP) vs. arteries with smaller LRP. The locations of the MLA, minimum ESS (minESS), maximum ESS (maxESS), maximum PB (maxPB), and maximum LCBI in a 4-mm segment (maxLCBI(4mm)) were determined along the length of each plaque. Results: The spatial distributions of minESS, maxESS, maxPB, and maxLCBI(4mm), in reference to the MLA, were significantly heterogeneous within and between each variable. The location of maxLCBI(4mm) was spatially discordant from sites of the MLA (p<0.0001), minESS (p = 0.003), and maxESS (p = 0.003) in arteries with large LRP (maxLCBI(4mm) >= 400) and non-large LRP. Large LRP arteries had higher maxESS (9.31 +/- 4.78 vs. 6.32 +/- 5.54 Pa;p = 0.023), lower minESS (0.41 +/- 0.16 vs. 0.61 +/- 0.26 Pa;p = 0.007), smaller MLA (3.54 +/- 1.22 vs. 5.14 +/- 2.65 mm(2);p = 0.002), and larger maxPB (70.64 +/- 9.95% vs. 56.70 +/- 13.34%, p<0.001) compared with non-large LRP arteries. Conclusions: There is significant spatial heterogeneity of destabilizing plaque features along the course of both large and non-large LRPs. Large LRPs exhibit significantly more abnormal destabilizing plaque features than non large LRPs. Prospective, longitudinal studies are required to determine which patterns of heterogeneous destabilizing features act synergistically to cause plaque destabilization.

关键词： Antioxidant   Osmolytes   Oxidative damage   Proline   Net CO2 assimilation   Stomatal conductance  

摘要： In subtropical regions, low-chill stone fruit (Prunus spp.) crops have experienced the negative impacts of flooding caused by hurricanes and tropical storms. These crops are considered very susceptible to oxygen-deficient soil conditions resulting from flooding. We investigated physiological and biochemical responses to flooding of six Prunus spp. rootstocks including Flordaguard, are commonly used as a rootstock for peaches in the subtropics. Flooding caused a reduction in net CO2 assimilation (A), stomatal conductance (gs), and leaf nutrient contents in all rootstocks tested. Antioxidant activity, osmolyte concentrations, lipid peroxidation, and reactive oxygen species (ROS) activity increased in response to flooding in all rootstocks. After exposure to flooding, rootstocks MP-29 and R5064-5 had higher A, gs, antioxidant activities, and osmolyte concentration, and lower lipid peroxidation and ROS activity than the other rootstocks. These two rootstocks also had higher leaf nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), and potassium (K) contents than the other rootstocks. Although leaf iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn) contents increased in all rootstocks exposed to flooding, MP-29 and R5064-5 exhibited the lowest increases in leaf Mn and Fe concentrations. Thus, rootstocks MP-29 and 5064-5 are better suited to subtropical areas prone to flooding than the other rootstocks, including Flordaguard. In the two rootstocks that were the most tolerant of flooding, greater antioxidant activities and osmolyte concentrations appeared to efficiently mitigate oxidative damage caused by oxygen deficiency. Also, osmolyte concentration and lipid peroxidation appear to be potential indicators of sensitivity to flooding stress in Prunus rootstocks.

关键词： Ecdysone receptor   Halloween genes   locust   Pergularia tomentosa   reproduction   retinoid‐   X‐   receptor  

摘要： Fractionation of the methanolic extract of Pergularia tomentosa, using column chromatography, resulted in the separation of 10 fractions and only the active one (that gave mortality >70%) was kept and denoted the active fraction (AFPt). Adult female Schistocerca gregaria were treated with two concentrations of AFPt, 0.24% and 0.96%, to investigate the effect on the female reproductive potential. Both concentrations of AFPt significantly increased the duration between adult emergence and first oviposition, as well as affected fecundity and fertility. Furthermore, the effects of AFPt on vitellogenesis and ecdysteroid titres were examined. Biochemical analyses revealed a significant decrease in protein, lipid and carbohydrate contents in ovaries. This study also showed that AFPt induced a significant decrease in the ovarian ecdysteroids levels, as well as the haemolymph ecdysteroid titres. The transcript levels of the ecdysteroid synthesis enzymes Spook and Shadow were significantly decreased when treated with the highest concentration of AFPt, while transcript levels of the ecdysteroid synthesis enzymes Phantom and Disembodied increased significantly in animals treated with AFPt. Treatment with AFPt also resulted in a significantly higher transcript level of both the ecdysone receptor (EcR) and its partner ultraspiracle/retinoid-X-receptor (USP/RXR).