Growth but not photosynthesis response of a host plant to infection by a holoparasitic plant depends on nitrogen supply

Parasitic plants can adversely influence the growth of their hosts by removing resources and by affecting photosynthesis. Such negative effects depend on resource availability. However, at varied resource levels, to what extent the negative effects on growth are attributed to the effects on photosynthesis has not been well elucidated. Here, we examined the influence of nitrogen supply on the growth and photosynthesis responses of the host plant Mikania micrantha to infection by the holoparasite Cuscuta campestris by focusing on the interaction of nitrogen and infection. Mikania micrantha plants fertilized at 0.2, 1 and 5 mM nitrate were grown with and without C. campestris infection. We observed that the infection significantly reduced M. micrantha growth at each nitrate fertilization and more severely at low than at high nitrate. Such alleviation at high nitrate was largely attributed to a stronger influence of infection on root biomass at low than at high nitrate fertilization. However, although C. campestris altered allometry and inhibited host photosynthesis, the magnitude of the effects was independent of nitrate fertilizations. The infection reduced light saturation point, net photosynthesis at saturating irradiances, apparent quantum yield, CO2 saturated rate of photosynthesis, carboxylation efficiency, the maximum carboxylation rate of Rubisco, and maximum light-saturated rate of electron transport, and increased light compensation point in host leaves similarly across nitrate levels, corresponding to a similar magnitude of negative effects of the parasite on host leaf soluble protein and Rubisco concentrations, photosynthetic nitrogen use efficiency and stomatal conductance across nitrate concentrations. Thus, the more severe inhibition in host growth at low than at high nitrate supplies cannot be attributed to a greater parasite-induced reduction in host photosynthesis, but the result of a higher proportion of host resources transferred to the parasite at low than at high nitrate levels.

Effects of electro-acupuncture on personality traits in depression: a randomized controlled study

OBJECTIVE

To explore the personality-adjusting effect of electro-acupuncture treatment for depression and compared this treatment with paroxetine treatment.

METHODS

A non-blinded, randomized controlled trial was adopted. Sixty depressed patients, who met trial criteria, were randomly assigned to the treatment and the control groups. In the treatment group, electro-acupuncture treatment was used, and paroxetine treatment was used in the control group. During the 24-week study period, 12 patients dropped out and 48 patients completed the study. The Minnesota Multiple Personality Inventory (MMPI) was adopted as the evaluation tool. At the same time, the Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS), Self-rating Anxiety Scale (SAS) and Montgomery-Asberg Depression Rating Scale (MADRS) were used to evaluate the psychological state. Evaluations were done before and after treatment.

RESULTS

After treatment, patients' psychological state improved significantly in both groups (P<0.01). For the treatment group, within-group comparison between baseline and after 24 weeks of treatment showed that severity of depression had significantly decreased (P<0.01). MADRS and SDS scores decreased significantly (P<0.05) and MMPI subscale scores for hypochondriasis, depression, psychopathic deviate, psychasthenia, social introversion and fake decreased significantly (P<0.05). For the control group, severity of depression also decreased significantly. MADRS and SDS scores decreased significantly (P<0.05); and MMPI subscale scores for hypochondriasis, depression, hysteria, paranoia, and psychasthenia decreased significantly (P<0.05). Between-group comparison demonstrated that for the MMPI subscales paranoia and social introversion, the decrease of score was greater in the treatment group than in the control group (P<0.05). However, there were no other significant differences between the control group and the treatment group.

CONCLUSION

Electro-acupuncture is effective for treating depression and affects personality traits.

Relation of excess body weight and survival in patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma: a meta-analysis

Excess body weight (body mass index >25 kg/m(2)) is common in patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma. In this study, a meta-analysis was performed by searching PubMed, Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and Science Direct databases from 1960 to June 2012. Data were extracted from studies comparing survival in obese (body mass index >30), overweight (body mass index 25-29), and normal-weight (body mass index 20-24) patients undergoing esophagectomy. A total of six studies with 1988 cases were suitable for this global meta-analysis. Compared with patients of normal weight, the hazard ratio of postoperational survival for overweight and obese patients was 0.79 (95% confidence interval 0.65-0.95, P = 0.108) and 0.80 (95% confidence interval 0.68-0.93, P = 1.00), respectably. Taken together, the excess body weight did not have the value of predicting survival for patients with esophageal adenocarcinoma.

Development and characterization of microsatellite markers for the invasive weed Mikania micrantha (Asteraceae)

Mikania micrantha is a successful invasive weed in many parts of the world. Twelve polymorphic microsatellite loci were isolated and characterized from an AC-enriched genomic library of this species. Twenty-eight individuals from one population in Dongguan were tested for polymorphism. The average allele number of these microsatellites was three per locus, ranging from two to five. The expected and observed heterozygosities ranged from 0.275 to 0.742, and from 0.250 to 1.000, respectively. These microsatellite markers can be applied to study the population genetics in the native and invasive ranges of this species, and to trace its invasion history.

A genome-wide analysis of the ERF gene family in sorghum

The ethylene response factor (ERF) family are members of the APETALA2 (AP2)/ERF transcription factor superfamily; they are known to play an important role in plant adaptation to biotic and abiotic stress. ERF genes have been studied in Arabidopsis, rice, grape, and maize; however, there are few reports of ERF genes in sorghum. We identified 105 sorghum ERF (SbERF) genes, which were categorized into 12 groups (A-1 to A-6 and B-1 to B-6) based on their sequence similarity, and this new method of classification for ERF genes was then further characterized. A comprehensive bioinformatic analysis of SbERF genes was performed using a sorghum genomic database, to analyze the phylogeny of SbERF genes, identify other conserved motifs apart from the AP2/ERF domain, map SbERF genes to the 10 sorghum chromosomes, and determine the tissue-specific expression patterns of SbERF genes. Gene clustering indicates that SbERF genes were generated by tandem duplications. Comparison of SbERF genes with maize ERF homologs suggests lateral gene transfer between monocot species. These results can contribute to our understanting of the evolution of the ERF gene family.

Autologous dendritic cells combined with cytokine-induced killer cells synergize low-dose chemotherapy in elderly patients with acute myeloid leukaemia

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the possibility of culturing dendritic cells (DCs) and cytokine-induced killer (CIK) cells, obtained at initial diagnosis of AML in elderly patients, and to investigate the safety and efficacy of treatment with autologous DCs and CIK cells when administered to these patients in combination with low-dose chemo therapy.

METHODS

DCs and CIK cells obtained at initial diagnosis of AML in elderly patients were cultured and used in combination with low-dose chemo therapy to treat these patients (immunotherapy group). Elderly patients with AML treated only with low-dose chemotherapy served as the control. Before treatment and on day 7 after treatment with autologous DCs and CIK cells, T cell subsets and cytokine levels were evaluated in the immunotherapy group.

RESULTS

A total of 21 elderly patients with AML were included in the immunotherapy group and 23 in the control group. The clinical efficacy in the immunotherapy group was greater than in the control group. The percentages of T cell subsets and cytokine levels after immunotherapy treatment were significantly higher than before the treatment.

CONCLUSION

Immuno therapy with autologous DCs and CIK cells was found to be a promising candidate for treatment of AML in elderly patients.

Vulvar melanoma and endometrial polyp following breast carcinoma: a case report

The authors describe the occurrence of a 55-year-old female patient presenting with a vulvar melanoma, endometrial polyp, and a prior history of breast carcinoma excised from the left chest wall, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and tamoxifen maintenance for two years. This case exemplified second primary vulvar melanoma following breast cancer and supported that radiotherapy might play a role in the onset of secondary cancer. This case report also emphasizes the onset of endometrial polyp induced by tamoxifen.

Synthesis and antibacterial evaluation of rhodanine-based 5-aryloxy pyrazoles against selected methicillin resistant and quinolone-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA and QRSA)

With an intention to synergize the anti-bacterial activity of 5-aryloxy pyrazole and rhodanine derivatives, eight series of hybrid compounds have been synthesized and evaluated for their antibacterial activity. The majority of the synthesized compounds showed good inhibitory activity against selected methicillin resistant and quinolone-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA, QRSA) with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values in the range of 1-32 μg/mL. The cytotoxicity test suggests that these compounds exhibited in vitro antibacterial activity at non-cytotoxic concentrations. These studies therefore suggest that rhodanine-based 5-aryloxy pyrazoles are interesting scaffolds for the development of novel Gram-positive antibacterial agents.

Safety assessment of ovarian cryopreservation and transplantation in nude mice bearing human epithelial ovarian cancer

OBJECTIVE

Nude mice with orthotopic transplantation of human ovarian epithelial cancer were used to investigate screening criteria for paraneoplastic normal ovarian tissue and the security of the freezing and thawing for ovarian tissue transplantation.

METHODS

Expression of CK-7, CA125, P53, survivin, MMP-2/TIMP- 2 in paraneoplastic normal ovarian tissues were detected by RT-PCR as well as immunohistochemistry. The tissues of the groups with all negative indicators of RT-PCR, all negative indicators of immunohistochemistry, negative expression of CK-7, CA125 and survivin, positive expression of CK-7, CA125 and survivin, cancer tissues and normal ovarian tissues of nude mice were used for freezing and thawing transplantation, to analyze overt and occult carcinogenesis rates after transplantation.

RESULTS

When all indicators or the main indicators, CK-7, CA125 and survivin, were negative, tumorigenesis did not occur after transplantation. In addition the occult carcinogenesis rate was lower than in the group with positive expression of CK-7, CA125 and survivin (P<0.01). After subcutaneous and orthotopic transplantation of ovarian tissues, rates did not change (P>0.05). There was no statistical significance among rates after transplantation of ovarian tissues which were obtained under different severity conditions (P>0.05).

CONCLUSION

Negative expression of CK-7, CA125 and survivin can be treated as screening criteria for security of ovarian tissues for transplantation. Immunohistochemical methods can be used as the primary detection approach. Both subcutaneous and orthotopic transplantation are safe. The initial severity does not affect the carcinogenesis rate after tissue transplantation. Freezing and thawing ovarian tissue transplantation in nude mice with human epithelial ovarian carcinoma is feasible and safe.

Application of a liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method to the pharmacokinetics, tissue distribution and excretion studies of Dactylicapnos scandens in rats

The herbal ingredients of isocorydine and protopine were isolated from Dactylicapnos scandens. This study was aimed at developing a liquid chromatography-electrospray ionization-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-ESI-MS/MS) method to quantify isocorydine and protopine in rat plasma and tissues for pharmacokinetic, tissue distribution and excretion studies. Biological samples were processed with ethyl acetate extraction, and corydaline was chosen as the internal standard (IS). The analytes were separated by a C(18) column and detected with a triple quadrupole mass spectrometer using positive ion ESI in the multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) mode. The MS/MS ion transitions monitored were m/z 342.0→278.9 for isocorydine, 354.1→188.0 for protopine and 370.0→192.0 for IS, respectively. Excellent linearity was observed over the concentration range between 10 and 3000 ng/mL for isocorydine and 10-300 ng/mL for protopine. The lower limit of quantification (LLOQ) was 10 ng/mL for both isocorydine and protopine. This novel method was rapid, accurate, high sensitive and high selective. It was successfully applied to the pharmacokinetic, tissue distribution and excretion studies of D. scandens. These preclinical data of D. scandens would be useful for the clinical reference.

A model of isolated, vascular whole thymus transplantation in nude rats

BACKGROUND

We used a model of vascularized thymus lobes as a whole isolated organ transplantation in rats.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Male Fisher rats (F344, RT11v1; n = 10) and male homozygous Rowett nude rats (rnu/rnu; n = 10) were used as donors and recipients, respectively. Both vascular lobes of the thymus as a whole isolated organ were heterotopically transplanted to the neck of recipients. The right common carotid artery of the donor thymus was anastomosed end-to-end to the homonymous artery of the recipient. The anterior vena cava and the left brachiocephalic vein of the donor thymus were anastomosed end-to-side to the right and left external jugular veins of the recipient, respectively. Histological examination was used to monitor graft viability; graft function was assessed using flow cytometry (FCM) and immunologic effects by skin grafts in vivo.

RESULTS

All recipients survived. Preparation of the donors and recipients took 35.6 ± 5.5 minutes and 60.3 ± 15.1 minutes, respectively. The blood supply to the thymus graft was patent. Histology of the thymus on postoperative days 14, 56, and 112 revealed viable grafts with preserved microarchitecture. FCM analysis showed 37.18 ± 11.1% CD3+ T cells at day 21 after transplantation. Skin grafts from F344 and Rowett rats survived 8-10 and more than 30 days, respectively, whereas all third-party Sprague Dawley grafts were rejected within 5 days.

CONCLUSION

We developed a novel model of isolated, direct vascularized whole thymus transplantation in nude rats, in which both lobes of the fully vascularized thymus were harvested en bloc for successful transplantation.

Increased β-amyloid deposition in Tg-SWDI transgenic mouse brain following in vivo lead exposure

Previous studies in humans and animals have suggested a possible association between lead (Pb) exposure and the etiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Animals acutely exposed to Pb display an over-expressed amyloid precursor protein (APP) and the ensuing accumulation of beta-amyloid (Aβ) in brain extracellular spaces. This study was designed to examine whether in vivo Pb exposure increased brain concentrations of Aβ, resulting in amyloid plaque deposition in brain tissues. Human Tg-SWDI APP transgenic mice, which genetically over-express amyloid plaques at age of 2-3 months, received oral gavages of 50mg/kg Pb acetate once daily for 6 weeks; a control group of the same mouse strain received the same molar concentration of Na acetate. ELISA results revealed a significant increase of Aβ in the CSF, brain cortex and hippocampus. Immunohistochemistry displayed a detectable increase of amyloid plaques in brains of Pb-exposed animals. Neurobehavioral test using Morris water maze showed an impaired spatial learning ability in Pb-treated mice, but not in C57BL/6 wild type mice with the same age. In vitro studies further uncovered that Pb facilitated Aβ fibril formation. Moreover, the synchrotron X-ray fluorescent studies demonstrated a high level of Pb present in amyloid plaques in mice exposed to Pb in vivo. Taken together, these data indicate that Pb exposure with ensuing elevated Aβ level in mouse brains appears to be associated with the amyloid plaques formation. Pb apparently facilitates Aβ fibril formation and participates in deposition of amyloid plaques.

Diet creates metabolic niches in the "immature gut" that shape microbial communities

Although diet composition has been implicated as a major factor in the etiology of various gastrointestinal diseases, conclusive evidence remains elusive. This is particularly true in diseases such as necrotizing enterocolitis where breast milk as opposed to commercial formula appears to confer a "protective effect" to the "immature gut." Yet the mechanism by which this occurs continues to remain speculative. In the present study we hypothesize that the basic chemical composition of diet fundamentally selects for specific intestinal microbiota which may help explain disparate disease outcome and therapeutic direction. Complimentary animal and human studies were conducted on young piglets (21 d.)(n = 8) (IACUC protocols 08070 and 08015) and premature infants (adjusted gestational age 34-36 weeks) (n = 11) (IRB Protocol 15895A). In each study, cecal or stool contents from two groups (Breast milk-fed (BF) vs. Formula-fed (FF)) were analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) and comprehensive metabolic profiles generated and compared. Concurrently, bacterial community structure was assayed and respective representative microbiota of the groups determined by 16S rRNA gene amplicon pyrosequencing. Statistical modeling and analysis was done using SIMCA-P+ and R software. GC/MS metabolomics identified clear differences between BF and FF groups in the intestinal environment of piglets and humans. Sugars, amino-sugars, fatty acids, especially unsaturated fatty acids, and sterols were identified as being among the most important metabolites for distinguishing between BF and FF groups. Joint analysis of microbiota and metabolomics pinpointed specific sets of metabolites (p < 0.05) associated with the dominant bacterial taxa. The chemical composition of diet appears to have a significant role in defining the microbiota of the immature gut. Tandem analysis of intestinal microbial and metabolic profiles is potentially a powerful tool leading to better understanding of the role of diet in disease perhaps even leading to specific strategies to alter microbial behavior to improve clinical outcome.