1
|
Perego MC, Spicer LJ, Cortinovis C, Bertero A, Caloni F. In vitro effects of two environmental toxicants, beauvericin and glyphosate in Roundup, on cell numbers and steroidogenesis of bovine ovarian cells. Vet Res Commun 2024:10.1007/s11259-024-10357-5. [PMID: 38558370 DOI: 10.1007/s11259-024-10357-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Beauvericin is an emerging Fusariotoxin naturally occurring in cereal grains throughout the world whereas glyphosate (N-phosphonomethyl-glycine) is a non-selective systemic herbicide used worldwide. The purpose of this study is to evaluate a newly developed ovarian cell culture system (that includes both granulosa and theca cells) as an in vitro model for toxicological studies. Specifically, the effects of beauvericin and glyphosate in formulation with Roundup on ovarian cell numbers and steroid production were evaluated. Ovaries collected from cattle without luteal structures were sliced into 30-70 pieces each, and granulosa and theca cells were collected. Harvested cells were cultured for 48 h in 10% fetal bovine serum-containing medium followed by 48 h in serum-free medium containing testosterone (500 ng/mL; as an estrogen precursor) with the following eight treatments: (1) controls, (2) FSH (30 ng/mL) alone, (3) FSH plus insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF1; 30 ng/mL), (4) FSH plus IGF1 plus beauvericin (3 µM), (5) FSH plus IGF1 plus glyphosate in Roundup (10 µg/mL), (6) FSH plus IGF1 plus fibroblast growth factor 9 (FGF9, 30 ng/mL), (7) a negative control without added testosterone, and (8) IGF1 plus LH (30 ng/mL) with basal medium without added testosterone. In the presence of FSH, IGF1 significantly increased cell numbers, estradiol and progesterone production by severalfold. Glyphosate in Roundup formulation significantly inhibited IGF1-induced cell numbers and estradiol and progesterone production by 89-94%. Beauvericin inhibited IGF1-induced cell numbers and estradiol and progesterone by 50-97% production. LH plus IGF1 significantly increased androstenedione secretion compared with controls without added testosterone indicating the presence of theca cells. In conclusion, the present study demonstrates that toxicological effects of beauvericin and glyphosate in Roundup formulation are observed in a newly developed ovarian cell model system and further confirms that both glyphosate and beauvericin may have the potential to impair reproductive function in cattle.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M C Perego
- Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA
| | - L J Spicer
- Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA.
| | - C Cortinovis
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 10, Milan, 20133, Italy
| | - A Bertero
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - F Caloni
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Celoria 10, Milan, 20133, Italy
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Holder AL, Gross MA, Moehlenpah AN, Goad CL, Rolf M, Walker RS, Rogers JK, Lalman DL. Effects of diet on feed intake, weight change, and gas emissions in beef cows. J Anim Sci 2022; 100:skac257. [PMID: 35952719 PMCID: PMC9527298 DOI: 10.1093/jas/skac257] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study was to examine the effects of diet energy density on ranking for dry matter intake (DMI), residual feed intake (RFI), and greenhouse gas emissions. Forty-two mature, gestating Angus cows (600 ± 69 kg body weight [BW]; body condition score [BCS] 5.3 ± 1.1) with a wide range in DMI expected progeny difference (-1.38 to 2.91) were randomly assigned to two diet sequences; forage then concentrate (FC) or concentrate then forage (CF). The forage diet consisted of long-stem native grass hay plus protein supplement (HAY; 1.96 Mcal ME/kg DM). The concentrate diet consisted of 35% chopped grass hay and 65% concentrate feeds on a dry matter basis (MIX; 2.5 Mcal ME/kg DM). The GreenFeed Emission Monitoring system was used to determine carbon dioxide (CO2), oxygen (O2), and methane (CH4) flux. Cow performance traits, ultrasound back fat and rump fat, feed DMI, and gas flux data were analyzed in a crossover design using a mixed model including diet, period, and sequence as fixed effects and pen and cow within sequence as random effects. For all measured traits excluding DMI, there was a diet × sequence interaction (P < 0.05). The correlation between MIX and HAY DMI was 0.41 (P = 0.067) and 0.47 (P = 0.03) for FC and CF sequences, respectively. There was no relationship (P > 0.66) between HAY and MIX average daily gain (ADG), regardless of sequence. Fifty-seven percent of the variation in DMI was explained by metabolic BW, ADG, and BCS for both diets during the first period. During the second period, the same three explanatory variables accounted for 38% and 37% of the variation in DMI for MIX and HAY diets, respectively. The negative relationship between BCS and DMI was more pronounced when cows consumed the MIX diet. There was no relationship between MIX and HAY RFI, regardless of sequence (P > 0.18). During the first period, correlations for CO2, CH4, and O2 with MIX DMI were 0.69, 0.81, and 0.56 (P ≤ 0.015), respectively, and 0.76, 0.74, and 0.64 (P < 0.01) with HAY DMI. During the second period, correlations for CO2, CH4, and O2 with MIX DMI were 0.62, 0.47, and 0.56 (P ≤ 0.11), respectively. However, HAY DMI during the second period was not related to gas flux (P > 0.47). Results from this experiment indicate that feed intake of two energy-diverse diets is moderately correlated while ADG while consuming the two diets is not related. Further experimentation is necessary to determine if gas flux data can be used to predict feed intake in beef cows.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Amanda L Holder
- Department of Animal and Food Science, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Megan A Gross
- Department of Animal and Food Science, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Alexandra N Moehlenpah
- Department of Animal and Food Science, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Carla L Goad
- Department of Statistics, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Megan Rolf
- Department of Animal Sciences and Industry, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA
| | | | | | - David L Lalman
- Department of Animal and Food Science, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Maples WE, Brorsen BW, Peel D, Hicks B. Observational study of the effect of metaphylaxis treatment on feedlot cattle productivity and health. Front Vet Sci 2022; 9:947585. [PMID: 35937284 PMCID: PMC9355686 DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2022.947585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Accepted: 06/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
There is public pressure to reduce antimicrobial use in livestock production. Metaphylaxis usage raises special concern as it is given to a whole group of animals. The objective of this research was to determine the difference in cattle productivity and health (average daily gain, death loss, etc.) between cattle given metaphylaxis and those to which it was not given. Observational data were provided by a commercial feedlot in the Southern Great Plains region of the U.S.A. with an operating capacity >50,000 head. Cattle that received metaphylaxis treatment had substantially poorer health outcomes than those that did not. Cattle were more likely to have been given metaphylaxis treatment if they had a lower weight, were from a sale barn, or had been shipped long distances. Propensity score matching was used in an attempt to estimate the effect of metaphylaxis treatment on feedlot cattle. Propensity score matching was unable to overcome the endogeneity issues present in the data (endogeneity results from the animals being more likely to benefit from the treatment being the ones who received it). The dataset had information on cattle weight, state of purchase, and whether or not the cattle were from a sale barn, and so the feedlot must have based the treatment decision on information that was not recorded and therefore not included in the dataset. As an observational study, there are limitations in addition to data limitations, such as the possibility that the feedlot studied might not be representative of others. Even though the effect of metaphylaxis was not identified, the fact that it was unidentifiable supports the argument that the feedlot did treat the animals most likely to need metaphylaxis treatment. This should temper some fear of metaphylaxis treatment being overused and of antimicrobials being given needlessly.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- William E. Maples
- Department of Agricultural Economics, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS, United States
| | - B. Wade Brorsen
- Department of Agricultural Economics, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, United States
- *Correspondence: B. Wade Brorsen
| | - Derrell Peel
- Department of Agricultural Economics, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, United States
| | - Britt Hicks
- Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, Oklahoma Panhandle Research and Extension Center, Goodwell, OK, United States
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Kayastha BB, Kubo A, Burch-Konda J, Dohmen RL, McCoy JL, Rogers RR, Mares S, Bevere J, Huckaby A, Witt W, Peng S, Chaudhary B, Mohanty S, Barbier M, Cook G, Deng J, Patrauchan MA. EF-hand protein, EfhP, specifically binds Ca 2+ and mediates Ca 2+ regulation of virulence in a human pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Sci Rep 2022; 12:8791. [PMID: 35614085 PMCID: PMC9132961 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-12584-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Calcium (Ca2+) is well known as a second messenger in eukaryotes, where Ca2+ signaling controls life-sustaining cellular processes. Although bacteria produce the components required for Ca2+ signaling, little is known about the mechanisms of bacterial Ca2+ signaling. Previously, we have identified a putative Ca2+-binding protein EfhP (PA4107) with two canonical EF-hand motifs and reported that EfhP mediates Ca2+ regulation of virulence factors production and infectivity in Pseudomonas aeruginosa, a human pathogen causing life-threatening infections. Here, we show that EfhP selectively binds Ca2+ with 13.7 µM affinity, and that mutations at the +X and -Z positions within each or both EF-hand motifs abolished Ca2+ binding. We also show that the hydrophobicity of EfhP increased in a Ca2+-dependent manner, however no such response was detected in the mutated proteins. 15 N-NMR showed Ca2+-dependent chemical shifts in EfhP confirming Ca2+-binding triggered structural rearrangements in the protein. Deletion of efhP impaired P. aeruginosa survival in macrophages and virulence in vivo. Disabling EfhP Ca2+ binding abolished Ca2+ induction of pyocyanin production in vitro. These data confirm that EfhP selectively binds Ca2+, which triggers its structural changes required for the Ca2+ regulation of P. aeruginosa virulence, thus establishing the role of EfhP as a Ca2+ sensor.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Biraj B Kayastha
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA
| | - Aya Kubo
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA
| | - Jacob Burch-Konda
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA
| | - Rosalie L Dohmen
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA
| | - Jacee L McCoy
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA
| | - Rendi R Rogers
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA
| | - Sergio Mares
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA
| | - Justin Bevere
- Vaccine Development Center at West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
| | - Annalisa Huckaby
- Vaccine Development Center at West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
| | - William Witt
- Vaccine Development Center at West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
| | - Shuxia Peng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA
| | - Bharat Chaudhary
- Department of Chemistry, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA
| | - Smita Mohanty
- Department of Chemistry, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA
| | - Mariette Barbier
- Vaccine Development Center at West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
- Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Cell Biology, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV, 26506, USA
| | - Gabriel Cook
- Department of Chemistry, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA
| | - Junpeng Deng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA
| | - Marianna A Patrauchan
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK, 74078, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Chang D, Dong H, Bai S, Wu Y. Mapping QTLs for spring green-up, plant vigor, and plant biomass in two lowland switchgrass populations. Mol Breed 2022; 42:27. [PMID: 37309534 PMCID: PMC10248649 DOI: 10.1007/s11032-022-01296-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 04/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) is an important perennial C4 species due to its large potential for cellulosic bioenergy feedstock production. Identification of quantitative trait loci (QTL) controlling important developmental traits is valuable to understanding the genetic basis and using marker-assisted selection (MAS) in switchgrass breeding. One F1 hybrid population derived from NL94 (♀) × SL93 (♂) and one S1 (first-generation selfed) population from NL94 were used in this study. Both the populations showed significant variations for genotype and genotype by environment interactions for three traits studied: plant vigor, spring green-up, and plant biomass. Plant vigor had strong and positive correlations with plant biomass in both populations. Broad-sense heritability estimates for plant vigor ranged from 0.46 to 0.74 and 0.45 to 0.74 in the hybrid and selfed population, respectively. Spring green-up had similar heritability estimates, 0.42-0.78 in the hybrid population, and 0.47-0.82 in the selfed population. Heritability of plant biomass was 0.54-0.64 in the hybrid population and 0.64-0.74 in the selfed population. Fifteen QTLs for spring green-up, 6 QTLs for plant vigor, and 3 QTLs for biomass yield were detected in the hybrid population, whereas 4 QTLs for spring green-up, 4 QTLs for plant vigor, and 1 QTL for biomass yield were detected in the selfed population. Markers associated with these QTLs can be used in MAS to accelerate switchgrass breeding program. This study provided new information in understanding the genetic control of biomass components and demonstrated substantial heterotic vigor that could be explored for breeding hybrid cultivars in switchgrass. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11032-022-01296-7.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Dan Chang
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078 USA
- Sichuan Academy of Grassland Science, Xipu, Chengdu, 611731 Sichuan China
| | - Hongxu Dong
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078 USA
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Mississippi State University, Starkville, MS 39762 USA
| | - Shiqie Bai
- Sichuan Academy of Grassland Science, Xipu, Chengdu, 611731 Sichuan China
| | - Yanqi Wu
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078 USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Zhang B, Lam KY, Ni WM, Signorelli R, Collins KM, Fu Z, Zhai L, Lou Y, DeAngelis DL, Hastings A. Directed movement changes coexistence outcomes in heterogeneous environments. Ecol Lett 2022; 25:366-377. [PMID: 34818698 PMCID: PMC8799502 DOI: 10.1111/ele.13925] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2020] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
Understanding mechanisms of coexistence is a central topic in ecology. Mathematical analysis of models of competition between two identical species moving at different rates of symmetric diffusion in heterogeneous environments show that the slower mover excludes the faster one. The models have not been tested empirically and lack inclusions of a component of directed movement toward favourable areas. To address these gaps, we extended previous theory by explicitly including exploitable resource dynamics and directed movement. We tested the mathematical results experimentally using laboratory populations of the nematode worm, Caenorhabditis elegans. Our results not only support the previous theory that the species diffusing at a slower rate prevails in heterogeneous environments but also reveal that moderate levels of a directed movement component on top of the diffusive movement allow species to coexist. Our results broaden the theory of species coexistence in heterogeneous space and provide empirical confirmation of the mathematical predictions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bo Zhang
- Department of Integrative Biology, Oklahoma State University, United States
| | - King-Yeung Lam
- Department of Mathematics, Ohio State University, United States
| | - Wei-Ming Ni
- Chinese University of Hong Kong – Shenzhen, China
| | | | | | - Zhiyuan Fu
- Co-Innovation Center for Sustainable Forestry in Southern China, Jiangsu Province Key Laboratory of Soil and Water Conservation and Ecological Restoration, Nanjing Forestry University, China
| | - Lu Zhai
- Department of Natural Ecology Resource and Management, Oklahoma State University, United States
| | - Yuan Lou
- Department of Mathematics, Ohio State University, United States
| | | | - Alan Hastings
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of California, Davis, United States; Santa Fe Institute, United States
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Pathak PK, Zhang F, Peng S, Niu L, Chaturvedi J, Elliott J, Xiang Y, Tadege M, Deng J. Structure of the unique tetrameric STENOFOLIA homeodomain bound with target promoter DNA. Acta Crystallogr D Struct Biol 2021; 77:1050-1063. [PMID: 34342278 PMCID: PMC8329861 DOI: 10.1107/s205979832100632x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/18/2021] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Homeobox transcription factors are key regulators of morphogenesis and development in both animals and plants. In plants, the WUSCHEL-related homeobox (WOX) family of transcription factors function as central organizers of several developmental programs ranging from embryo patterning to meristematic stem-cell maintenance through transcriptional activation and repression mechanisms. The Medicago truncatula STENOFOLIA (STF) gene is a master regulator of leaf-blade lateral development. Here, the crystal structure of the homeodomain (HD) of STF (STF-HD) in complex with its promoter DNA is reported at 2.1 Å resolution. STF-HD binds DNA as a tetramer, enclosing nearly the entire bound DNA surface. The STF-HD tetramer is partially stabilized by docking of the C-terminal tail of one protomer onto a conserved hydrophobic surface on the head of another protomer in a head-to-tail manner. STF-HD specifically binds TGA motifs, although the promoter sequence also contains TAAT motifs. Helix α3 not only serves a canonical role as a base reader in the major groove, but also provides DNA binding in the minor groove through basic residues located at its C-terminus. The structural and functional data in planta reported here provide new insights into the DNA-binding mechanisms of plant-specific HDs from the WOX family of transcription factors.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Prabhat Kumar Pathak
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Fei Zhang
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Institute for Agricultural Biosciences, Oklahoma State University, Ardmore, OK 73401, USA
| | - Shuxia Peng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Lifang Niu
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Institute for Agricultural Biosciences, Oklahoma State University, Ardmore, OK 73401, USA
| | - Juhi Chaturvedi
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Justin Elliott
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Yan Xiang
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA
| | - Million Tadege
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Institute for Agricultural Biosciences, Oklahoma State University, Ardmore, OK 73401, USA
| | - Junpeng Deng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Jia H, Xue S, Lei L, Fan M, Peng S, Li T, Nagarajan R, Carver B, Ma Z, Deng J, Yan L. A semi-dominant NLR allele causes whole-seedling necrosis in wheat. Plant Physiol 2021; 186:483-496. [PMID: 33576803 PMCID: PMC8154059 DOI: 10.1093/plphys/kiab058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2020] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Programmed cell death (PCD) and apoptosis have key functions in development and disease resistance in diverse organisms; however, the induction of necrosis remains poorly understood. Here, we identified a semi-dominant mutant allele that causes the necrotic death of the entire seedling (DES) of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) in the absence of any pathogen or external stimulus. Positional cloning of the lethal allele mDES1 revealed that this premature death via necrosis was caused by a point mutation from Asp to Asn at amino acid 441 in a nucleotide-binding leucine-rich repeat protein containing nucleotide-binding domain and leucine-rich repeats. The overexpression of mDES1 triggered necrosis and PCD in transgenic plants. However, transgenic wheat harboring truncated wild-type DES1 proteins produced through gene editing that exhibited no significant developmental defects. The point mutation in mDES1 did not cause changes in this protein in the oligomeric state, but mDES1 failed to interact with replication protein A leading to abnormal mitotic cell division. DES1 is an ortholog of Sr35, which recognizes a Puccinia graminis f. sp. tritici stem rust disease effector in wheat, but mDES1 gained function as a direct inducer of plant death. These findings shed light on the intersection of necrosis, apoptosis, and autoimmunity in plants.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Haiyan Jia
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
- Crop Genomics and Bioinformatics Center and National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Nanjing Agricultural University, Jiangsu, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Shulin Xue
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
- Crop Genomics and Bioinformatics Center and National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Nanjing Agricultural University, Jiangsu, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Lei Lei
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Min Fan
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
- Crop Genomics and Bioinformatics Center and National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Nanjing Agricultural University, Jiangsu, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Shuxia Peng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Tian Li
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Ragupathi Nagarajan
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Brett Carver
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Zhengqiang Ma
- Crop Genomics and Bioinformatics Center and National Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Germplasm Enhancement, Nanjing Agricultural University, Jiangsu, Nanjing 210095, China
| | - Junpeng Deng
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| | - Liuling Yan
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Lawless M, Shriver LH, Hubbs-Tait L, Topham GL, Swindle T, Harrist AW. Bidirectional Associations between Restrained Eating and Body Mass Index in Middle Childhood. Nutrients 2021; 13:1485. [PMID: 33924792 PMCID: PMC8146129 DOI: 10.3390/nu13051485] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
The nature of the association between dietary restraint and weight has been examined in adult samples, but much less is known about this relationship among children. The current study examined the transactional associations among restrained eating behavior and weight among boys and girls during middle childhood. Data for this study came from 263 children participating in the Families and Schools for Health Project (FiSH), a longitudinal study of the psychosocial correlates of childhood obesity. Participants were interviewed by trained researchers in their third- and fourth-grade year when they completed questionnaires and anthropometric assessments. Dietary restraint was assessed using the restrained eating subscale of the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ), and weight was assessed using Body Mass Index z-scores (BMIz). Bidirectional associations between variables were examined using cross-lagged models controlling for children's sex, ethnicity, and weight in first grade. Results indicated that weight in grade 3 was related to greater dietary restraint in grade 4 (B = 0.20, p = 0.001), but dietary restraint in grade 3 was not associated with weight in grade 4 (B = 0.01, p = 0.64). Neither child sex nor race/ethnicity were associated with BMIz or dietary restraint at either time point. Findings from this study advance the existing limited understanding of eating behavior development among children and show that weight predicts increases in children's dietary restraint in middle childhood.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Meg Lawless
- Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina Greensboro, 319 College Avenue, Greensboro, NC 27412, USA;
| | - Lenka H. Shriver
- Department of Nutrition, University of North Carolina Greensboro, 319 College Avenue, Greensboro, NC 27412, USA;
| | - Laura Hubbs-Tait
- Department of Human Development & Family Science, Oklahoma State University, 341 Human Sciences, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA;
| | - Glade L. Topham
- Department of Applied Human Sciences, Kansas State University, 101 Campus Creek Complex, Manhattan, KS 66506, USA;
| | - Taren Swindle
- Department of Family and Preventive Medicine, University of Arkansas for Medical Science, 4301 West Markham, Little Rock, AR 72205, USA;
| | - Amanda W. Harrist
- Department of Human Development & Family Science, Oklahoma State University, 244 Human Sciences, Stillwater, OK 74078, USA;
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Aryal M, Muriana PM. Efficacy of Commercial Sanitizers Used in Food Processing Facilities for Inactivation of Listeria Monocytogenes, E. Coli O157:H7, and Salmonella Biofilms. Foods 2019; 8:E639. [PMID: 31817159 PMCID: PMC6963748 DOI: 10.3390/foods8120639] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2019] [Revised: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 11/28/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Bacteria entrapped in biofilms are a source of recurring problems in food processing environments. We recently developed a robust, 7-day biofilm microplate protocol for creating biofilms with strongly adherent strains of Listeria monocytogenes, Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Salmonella serovars that could be used to examine the effectiveness of various commercial sanitizers. Listeria monocytogenes 99-38, E.coli O157:H7 F4546, and Salmonella Montevideo FSIS 051 were determined from prior studies to be good biofilm formers and could be recovered and enumerated from biofilms following treatment with trypsin. Extended biofilms were generated by cycles of growth and washing daily, for 7 days, to remove planktonic cells. We examined five different sanitizers (three used at two different concentrations) for efficacy against the three pathogenic biofilms. Quaternary ammonium chloride (QAC) and chlorine-based sanitizers were the least effective, showing partial inhibition of the various biofilms within 2 h (1-2 log reduction). The best performing sanitizer across all three pathogens was a combination of modified QAC, hydrogen peroxide, and diacetin which resulted in ~6-7 log reduction, reaching levels below our limit of detection (LOD) within 1-2.5 min. All treatments were performed in triplicate replication and analyzed by one way repeated measures analysis of variance (RM-ANOVA) to determine significant differences (p < 0.05) in the response to sanitizer treatment over time. Analysis of 7-day biofilms by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) suggests the involvement of extracellular polysaccharides with Salmonella and E. coli, which may make their biofilms more impervious to sanitizers than L. monocytogenes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Manish Aryal
- Robert M. Kerr Food & Agricultural Products Center, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078-6055, USA;
- Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078-6055, USA
| | - Peter M. Muriana
- Robert M. Kerr Food & Agricultural Products Center, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078-6055, USA;
- Department of Animal and Food Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, OK 74078-6055, USA
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Riding CS, Loss SR. Factors influencing experimental estimation of scavenger removal and observer detection in bird-window collision surveys. Ecol Appl 2018; 28:2119-2129. [PMID: 30194798 DOI: 10.1002/eap.1800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2018] [Revised: 06/26/2018] [Accepted: 08/20/2018] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Wildlife collisions with human-built structures are a major source of direct anthropogenic mortality. Understanding and mitigating the impact of anthropogenic collisions on wildlife populations require unbiased mortality estimates. However, counts of collision fatalities are underestimated due to several bias sources, including scavenger removal of carcasses between fatality surveys and imperfect detection of carcasses present during surveys. These biases remain particularly understudied for bird-window collisions, the largest source of avian collision mortality. In Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA, we used bird carcasses collected during window collision monitoring to experimentally assess factors influencing scavenging and observer detection, and we employed trail cameras to characterize the scavenger community and timing of scavenging. We recorded nine scavenger species, but the domestic cat and Virginia opossum were responsible for 73% of known-species scavenging events. The most frequent scavenger species were primarily nocturnal, and 68% of scavenging events occurred at night. Scavenger species best predicted time to first scavenging event, season best predicted carcass persistence time, and both season and carcass size predicted whether any carcass remains persisted after scavenging. Our results also suggest that observer detection was influenced by substrate, with greater detection of carcasses on artificial substrates. Our findings related to scavenging timing have important implications for the unbiased estimation of collision mortality because the timing of peak scavenging relative to timing of peak mortality can substantially influence accuracy of adjusted mortality estimates. Further, the differences in correlates for time to first scavenging and time to carcass removal (i.e., persistence time) illustrate the importance of explicitly measuring these often-independent events that are frequently conflated in the anthropogenic mortality literature.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Corey S Riding
- Department of Natural Resource Ecology & Management, Oklahoma State University, 008C Ag Hall, Stillwater, Oklahoma, 74078, USA
| | - Scott R Loss
- Department of Natural Resource Ecology & Management, Oklahoma State University, 008C Ag Hall, Stillwater, Oklahoma, 74078, USA
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Espindola AS, Schneider W, Cardwell KF, Carrillo Y, Hoyt PR, Marek SM, Melouk HA, Garzon CD. Inferring the presence of aflatoxin-producing Aspergillus flavus strains using RNA sequencing and electronic probes as a transcriptomic screening tool. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0198575. [PMID: 30325975 PMCID: PMC6191106 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0198575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2018] [Accepted: 09/26/2018] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
E-probe Diagnostic for Nucleic acid Analysis (EDNA) is a bioinformatic tool originally developed to detect plant pathogens in metagenomic databases. However, enhancements made to EDNA increased its capacity to conduct hypothesis directed detection of specific gene targets present in transcriptomic databases. To target specific pathogenicity factors used by the pathogen to infect its host or other targets of interest, e-probes need to be developed for transcripts related to that function. In this study, EDNA transcriptomics (EDNAtran) was developed to detect the expression of genes related to aflatoxin production at the transcriptomic level. E-probes were designed from genes up-regulated during A. flavus aflatoxin production. EDNAtran detected gene transcripts related to aflatoxin production in a transcriptomic database from corn, where aflatoxin was produced. The results were significantly different from e-probes being used in the transcriptomic database where aflatoxin was not produced (atoxigenic AF36 strain and toxigenic AF70 in Potato Dextrose Broth).
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Andres S. Espindola
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States of America
- National Institute for Microbial Forensics and Food and Agricultural Biosecurity (NIMFFAB), Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - William Schneider
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - Kitty F. Cardwell
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States of America
- National Institute for Microbial Forensics and Food and Agricultural Biosecurity (NIMFFAB), Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - Yisel Carrillo
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - Peter R. Hoyt
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - Stephen M. Marek
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - Hassan A. Melouk
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - Carla D. Garzon
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Joshi O, Parajuli R, Kharel G, Poudyal NC, Taylor E. Stakeholder opinions on scientific forest management policy implementation in Nepal. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0203106. [PMID: 30183725 PMCID: PMC6124746 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0203106] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2017] [Accepted: 08/15/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Despite its widespread recognition as a successful model of participatory forest management, the community forestry program in Nepal is often criticized for its protection-oriented emphasis. Recognizing the need for more active timber management, the government of Nepal recently adopted a scientific forest management (SFM) policy in the lowland tropical region. In this study, strength, weakness, opportunity, and threat analytical hierarchical process criteria were employed to understand stakeholder perceptions concerning SFM implementation in Nepal. The overall perception was prioritized in the order of strengths (35%), threats (28%), opportunities (22%), and weaknesses (16%). The study results suggest that there is agreement among stakeholders regarding the need for active management of forests in the tropical lowland region. However, the perceptions of academic researchers and non-government organization professionals differed from those of the other stakeholders in that those two groups were more concerned about potential corruption and uncertainties surrounding policy and legal issues. The findings suggest that the long-term success of SFM may depend on the ability of the government to develop a mechanism that is transparent and capable of ensuring equitable benefit sharing among stakeholders. While the stakeholder perception analysis performed in this study was focused on SFM implementation in Nepal, the results could have implications for other countries that practice the participatory model of forest governance as well.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Omkar Joshi
- Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Rajan Parajuli
- Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, North Carolina, United States of America
| | - Gehendra Kharel
- Department of Natural Resource Ecology and Management, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - Neelam C. Poudyal
- Department of Forestry, Wildlife and Fisheries, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tennessee, United States of America
| | - Eric Taylor
- Department of Sustainable Forestry, Texas A&M Forest Service, College Station, Texas, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Johnson WL, Ramachandran A, Torres NJ, Nicholson AC, Whitney AM, Bell M, Villarma A, Humrighouse BW, Sheth M, Dowd SE, McQuiston JR, Gustafson JE. The draft genomes of Elizabethkingia anophelis of equine origin are genetically similar to three isolates from human clinical specimens. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0200731. [PMID: 30024943 PMCID: PMC6053191 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0200731] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2018] [Accepted: 05/28/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
We report the isolation and characterization of two Elizabethkingia anophelis strains (OSUVM-1 and OSUVM-2) isolated from sources associated with horses in Oklahoma. Both strains appeared susceptible to fluoroquinolones and demonstrated high MICs to all cell wall active antimicrobials including vancomycin, along with aminoglycosides, fusidic acid, chloramphenicol, and tetracycline. Typical of the Elizabethkingia, both draft genomes contained multiple copies of β-lactamase genes as well as genes predicted to function in antimicrobial efflux. Phylogenetic analysis of the draft genomes revealed that OSUVM-1 and OSUVM-2 differ by only 6 SNPs and are in a clade with 3 strains of Elizabethkingia anophelis that were responsible for human infections. These findings therefore raise the possibility that Elizabethkingia might have the potential to move between humans and animals in a manner similar to known zoonotic pathogens.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- William L. Johnson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - Akhilesh Ramachandran
- Oklahoma Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, Center for Veterinary Health Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States of America
- * E-mail: (AR); (JEG)
| | - Nathanial J. Torres
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - Ainsley C. Nicholson
- Special Bacteriology Reference Laboratory, Bacterial Special Pathogens Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Anne M. Whitney
- Special Bacteriology Reference Laboratory, Bacterial Special Pathogens Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Melissa Bell
- Special Bacteriology Reference Laboratory, Bacterial Special Pathogens Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Aaron Villarma
- Special Bacteriology Reference Laboratory, Bacterial Special Pathogens Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Ben W. Humrighouse
- Special Bacteriology Reference Laboratory, Bacterial Special Pathogens Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Mili Sheth
- Division of Scientific Resources, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - Scot E. Dowd
- Molecular Research DNA Laboratory, Shallowater, Texas, United States of America
| | - John R. McQuiston
- Special Bacteriology Reference Laboratory, Bacterial Special Pathogens Branch, Division of High-Consequence Pathogens and Pathology, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Georgia, United States of America
| | - John E. Gustafson
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States of America
- * E-mail: (AR); (JEG)
| |
Collapse
|
15
|
Chen Y, Fokar M, Kang M, Chen N, Allen RD, Chen Y. Phosphorylation of Arabidopsis SINA2 by CDKG1 affects its ubiquitin ligase activity. BMC Plant Biol 2018; 18:147. [PMID: 30012094 PMCID: PMC6048857 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-018-1364-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2017] [Accepted: 07/06/2018] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND SEVEN IN ABSENTIA (SINA) is a RING domain-containing ubiquitin ligase involved in Drosophila eye formation. SINA-like proteins in plants are involved in several signaling pathways. Of the 18 SINA-like proteins identified in Arabidopsis, SEVEN IN ABSENTIA 2 (SINA2) lacks a canonical RING domain and is thought to lack ubiquitin ligase activity. RESULTS Our results show that SINA2 has E3 ligase activity in vitro, raising the possibility that a modified B-box domain may compensate for its lack of a RING domain. SINA2 physically interacts with the nuclear protein CYCLIN-DEPENDENT KINASE G1 (CDKG1), which acts as a positive regulator of plant responses to abiotic stress. CDKG1 is expressed in multiple tissues and its expression increased in response to abscisic acid (ABA) and osmotic stress. Transgenic Arabidopsis plants that ectopically express CDKG1 exhibit increased tolerance to ABA and osmotic stress treatments during seed germination and cotyledon development, while the loss-of-function cdkg1 mutant plants show reduced tolerance to ABA and osmotic stress treatments. Moreover, CDKG1-dependent phosphorylation of SINA2 positively affects its E3 ubiquitin ligase activity. CONCLUSIONS Based on these results, we propose that CDKG1 modulates SINA2 ubiquitin ligase activity to regulate its effect on plant responses to ABA and osmotic stress.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yang Chen
- College of Agriculture, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100 Republic of China
- Institute for Agricultural Biosciences, Oklahoma State University, Ardmore, OK 73401 USA
| | - Mohamed Fokar
- Institute for Agricultural Biosciences, Oklahoma State University, Ardmore, OK 73401 USA
| | - Miyoung Kang
- Institute for Agricultural Biosciences, Oklahoma State University, Ardmore, OK 73401 USA
| | - Naichong Chen
- Institute for Agricultural Biosciences, Oklahoma State University, Ardmore, OK 73401 USA
| | - Randy D. Allen
- Institute for Agricultural Biosciences, Oklahoma State University, Ardmore, OK 73401 USA
| | - Yaofeng Chen
- College of Agriculture, Northwest Agriculture and Forestry University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100 Republic of China
| |
Collapse
|
16
|
Noden BH, Martin J, Carrillo Y, Talley JL, Ochoa-Corona FM. Development of a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay for rapid screening of ticks and fleas for spotted fever group rickettsia. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0192331. [PMID: 29390021 PMCID: PMC5794167 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0192331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2017] [Accepted: 01/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The importance of tick and flea-borne rickettsia infections is increasingly recognized worldwide. While increased focus has shifted in recent years to the development of point-of-care diagnostics for various vector-borne diseases in humans and animals, little research effort has been devoted to their integration into vector surveillance and control programs, particularly in resource-challenged countries. One technology which may be helpful for large scale vector surveillance initiatives is loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP). The aim of this study was to develop a LAMP assay to detect spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsia DNA from field-collected ticks and fleas and compare with published end-point PCR results. Methodology/Principal findings A Spotted Fever Group rickettsia-specific loop-mediated isothermal amplification (SFGR-LAMP) assay was developed using primers based on a region of the R. rickettsii 17kDa protein gene. The sensitivity, specificity, and reproducibility of the assay were evaluated. The assay was then compared with the results of end-point PCR assays for pooled tick and flea samples obtained from field-based surveillance studies. The sensitivity of the SFGR-LAMP assay was 0.00001 ng/μl (25μl volume) which was 10 times more sensitive than the 17kDa protein gene end-point PCR used as the reference method. The assay only recognized gDNA from SFG and transitional group (TRG) rickettsia species tested but did not detect gDNA from typhus group (TG) rickettsia species or closely or distantly related bacterial species. The SFGR-LAMP assay detected the same positives from a set of pooled tick and flea samples detected by end-point PCR in addition to two pooled flea samples not detected by end-point PCR. Conclusions/significance To our knowledge, this is the first study to develop a functional LAMP assay to initially screen for SFG and TRG rickettsia pathogens in field-collected ticks and fleas. With a high sensitivity and specificity, the results indicate the potential use as a field-based surveillance tool for tick and flea-borne rickettsial pathogens in resource-challenged countries.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bruce H. Noden
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Jaclyn Martin
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - Yisel Carrillo
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - Justin L. Talley
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - Francisco M. Ochoa-Corona
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Gebreegziabher T, Stoecker BJ. Iron deficiency was not the major cause of anemia in rural women of reproductive age in Sidama zone, southern Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0184742. [PMID: 28898272 PMCID: PMC5595314 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0184742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2016] [Accepted: 08/30/2017] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Anemia, which has many etiologies, is a moderate/severe public health problem in young children and women of reproductive age in many developing countries. The aim of this study was to investigate prevalence of iron deficiency, anemia, and iron deficiency anemia using multiple biomarkers and to evaluate their association with food insecurity and food consumption patterns in non-pregnant women from a rural area of southern Ethiopia. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in 202 rural women of reproductive age in southern Ethiopia. Anthropometrics and socio-demographic data were collected. A venipuncture blood sample was analyzed for hemoglobin (Hb) and for biomarkers of iron status. Biomarkers were skewed and were log transformed before analysis. Mean, median, Pearson’s correlations and ordinary least-squares regressions were calculated. Results Median (IQR) Hb was 138 (127, 151) g/L. Based on an altitude-adjusted (1708 m) cutoff of 125 g/L for Hb, 21.3% were anemic. Plasma ferritin was <15 μg/L in 18.6% of the women. Only one woman had α-1-acid glycoprotein (AGP) >1.0 g/L; four women (2%) had > 5 mg/L of C-reactive protein (CRP). Of the 43 women who were anemic, 23.3% (10 women) had depleted iron stores based on plasma ferritin. Three of these had elevated soluble transferrin receptors (sTfR). Hemoglobin (Hb) concentration was negatively correlated with sTfR (r = -0.24, p = 0.001), and positively correlated with ferritin (r = 0.17, p = 0.018), plasma iron (r = 0.15, p = 0.046), transferrin saturation (TfS) (r = 0.15, p = 0.04) and body iron (r = 0.14, p = 0.05). Overall prevalence of iron deficiency anemia was only 5%. Conclusion Iron deficiency anemia was not prevalent in the study population, despite the fact that anemia would be classified as a moderate public health problem.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tafere Gebreegziabher
- School of Nutrition, Food Science and Technology, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia
- Department of Health Sciences, Central Washington University, Ellensburg, Washington, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Barbara J. Stoecker
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Abstract
Lr34 in wheat is a non-race-specific gene that confers resistance against multiple fungal pathogens. The resistant allele Lr34 and the susceptible allele Lr34s can be distinguished by three polymorphisms that cause alternation of deduced amino acid sequences of Lr34 at the protein level. In seedlings of a cultivar carrying the resistant Lr34r allele, only a portion (35%) of its transcripts was correctly spliced and the majority (65%) of its transcripts were incorrectly spliced due to multiple mis-splicing events. Lr34 mis-splicing events were also observed at adult plant age when this gene exerts its function. All of the mis-spliced Lr34r cDNA transcripts observed in this study resulted in a premature stop codon due to a shift of the open reading frame; hence, the mis-spliced Lr34r cDNAs were deduced to encode incomplete proteins. Even if a cultivar has a functional Lr34 gene, its transcripts might not completely splice in a correct pattern. These findings suggested that the partial resistance conferred by a quantitative gene might be due to mis-splicing events in its transcripts; hence, the resistance of the gene could be increased by eliminating or mutating regulators that cause mis-splicing events in wheat.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Tilin Fang
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - Brett F. Carver
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - Robert M. Hunger
- Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States of America
| | - Liuling Yan
- Department of Plant and Soil Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| |
Collapse
|