Biochemical Resistance Research Articles

Prebiotics from acorn and sago prevent high-fat-diet-induced insulin resistance via microbiome–gut–brain axis modulation

Role of gut microbiome in obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D) became apparent from several independent studies indicating that gut microbiome modulators like prebiotics may improve microbiome perturbations (dysbiosis) to ameliorate metabolic derangements. We herein isolate water soluble, nondigestible polysaccharides from five plant-based foods (acorn, quinoa, sunflower, pumpkin seeds and sago) and assess their impact on human fecal microbiome and amelioration of high-fat-diet (HFD)-induced obesity/T2D in mice. During polysaccharide isolation, purification, biochemical and digestion resistance characterization, and fermentation pattern by human fecal microbiome, we select acorn- and sago-derived prebiotics (on the basis of relatively higher purity and yield and lower protein contamination) and examine their effects in comparison to inulin. Prebiotics treatments in human fecal microbiome culture system not only preserve microbial diversity but also appear to foster beneficial bacteria and short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Feeding of acorn- and sago-derived prebiotics ameliorates HFD-induced glucose intolerance and insulin resistance in mice, with effects comparatively superior to those seen in inulin-fed mice. Feeding of both of novel prebiotics as well as inulin increases SCFAs levels in the mouse gut. Interestingly, gut hyperpermeability and mucosal inflammatory markers were significantly reduced upon prebiotics feeding in HFD-fed mice. Hypothalamic energy signaling in terms of increased expression of pro-opiomelanocortin was also modulated by prebiotics administration. Results demonstrate that these (and/or such) novel prebiotics can ameliorate HFD-induced defects in glucose metabolism via positive modulation of gut–microbiome–brain axis and hence could be useful in preventing/treating diet-induced obesity/T2D.

Difference of resistance to postharvest blue mold between Hongyang and Qihong kiwifruits

This study aimed to reveal the physiological mechanism of resistance to postharvest blue mold of kiwifruit. Hongyang and Qihong kiwifruits were inoculated with Penicillium expansum (P. expansum) and stored at low temperature (0 ± 1 °C). The disease incidence and lesion diameter, activities of defense-related enzymes, and contents of defense-related substance of Hongyang and Qihong kiwifruits were also compared, combined with the observation of fruit pericarp structure by scanning electron microscopy. Results showed that the disease resistance of Hongyang was stronger than that of Qihong with late onset, low incidence, and small lesion diameter. And Hongyang kiwifruit showed a high biochemical resistance after inoculation with P. expansum. The epidermis structure of Hongyang kiwifruit had typical disease resistance characteristics with a dense epidermis structure, orderly cell arrangement, and less obvious microcracks. The strong biochemical resistance, dense, and complete epidermis structure of Hongyang fundamentally guarantee its strong resistance to diseases.

Utilidad de la PET/TC con 18F-fluorocolina en la recidiva bioquímica del cáncer de próstata: relevancia de la cinética del PSA y la terapia hormonal

PurposeTo evaluate the capacity of 18f-fluorocholine positron emission tomography/computed tomography (FCH PET/CT) to detect biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer and to determine the correlation with PSA kinetics and influence of antiandrogen hormone therapy. Patients and methodsObservational and retrospective study, which included patients with prostate cancer and criteria for biochemical recurrence and/or resistance to castration, according to the European Association of Urology. FCH PET/CT results were classified as positive or negative, using as gold standard the pathology report, findings of other imaging test, and/or clinical follow-up results. The correlation between FCH PET/CT and PSA kinetics (PSA at the time of exploration [PSA-trigger], doubling time [PSAdt] and velocity [PSAva]) was studied and the influence of hormone therapy was analysed. ResultsThe study included 203 patients. The FCH PET/CT detection rate was 43.3%. The group of patients with FCH PET/CT positive showed more aggressive PSA kinetics (PSAdt: 7.5 months and PSAva 8.37±14.8ng/ml/a) than the FCH PET/CT negative group (PSAdt: 14.5±7.6 months and PSAva: 1.8±3.7ng/ml/a). The detection rate of FCH PET/CT in the subgroup with castration resistance was 89.1%, significantly higher than in the group with radical treatment at 29.9%, p<.001. ConclusionsFCH PET/CT is useful to detect biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer, especially in patients who receive hormone therapy or more aggressive PSA kinetics.

Значение вторичных метаболитов в формировании устойчивости к мучнистой росе деревьев 16-летних культур дуба черешчатого

Значение вторичных метаболитов в формировании устойчивости к мучнистой росе деревьев 16-летних культур дуба черешчатого

Parametric Study on Nanopattern Bactericidal Activity

The ever-lurking threat of bacterial contamination and infection has seen a recent resurgence in line with the increasing ubiquity of biochemical resistance. Accordingly, intense research focus has been placed on the discovery of alternative mechanisms of action for antibacterial property. Nanopatterned surfaces, which operate on a physical mechanism of action, are showing great promise in this regard. That being said, the role of individual parameters in nanopattern bactericidal activity remains unclear. In this work, we develop a two-dimensional finite element model to study the interaction of a Bacillus subtilis cell with a nanopatterned surface in ABAQUS/Standard. Using our model, we analyze the effect of key physical parameters associated with pillar geometry and bacteria-surface interaction. Our results indicate that the localized deformational stresses generated within the bacterial peptidoglycan are sufficient to bring about catastrophic rupture and subsequent death. Moreover, we demonstrate that the most effective strategies for enhancing bactericidal efficiency are reducing pillar diameter and increasing attractive interaction. These findings can be used to guide the optimization of fabricated nanopatterned surfaces.

USE OF LOW-INTENSITY LASER RADIATION IN REHABILITATION OF HYPOTROPHIC CALVES

The effect of low-intensity laser radiation on the biochemical, immune and clinicalstatus of hypotrophic calves was studied. The studies were carried out in 2 groups(test and control ones) of 12 animals with symmetric moderate hypotrophy. Thecalves in the test group underwent low-intensity laser irradiation of blood withinthe red spectral range (wave length of 630 nm). The animals of the control group(intact) were not treated. Clinical observations of the calves were carried out during2 months, taking into account the incidence, duration and severity of the course ofthe disease, as well as the calves’ weight gain. Blood sampling for biochemical andimmunological studies was performed on the 1st and the 21st days of the calves’life. On the first day the biochemical status and natural resistance in the animals ofthe both groups did not differ. On the 21st day, the calves of the test group hadhigher levels of glucose, pyruvic acid, vitamin E, Blood Serum ComplementActivity (SCA), Blood Serum Lysozyme Activity (SLA), Leucocyte PhagocyticActivity (LPA), Phagocytic Number (PN), Phagocytic Intensivity (PI), and lowerlevels of lactic acid, middle molecules and ectoglobular hemoglobin in comparisonwith the control group. The treatment of the animals with low-intensity laserradiation positively affected their clinical state and productivity. The calves in thetest group had mild forms of gastrointestinal diseases with a shorter courseduration, and the increase in body weight was significantly higher compared withthe control group. The positive effects of low-intensity laser radiation onbiochemical status, natural resistance and clinical condition of hypotrophic calveswere established, which allows us to recommend it for their rehabilitation.

Effect of sodium nitroprusside on the biochemical resistance of mungbean to cowpea aphid

In this study, the inducible function of sodium nitroprusside (SNP, a nitric oxide donor) was evaluated based on the changes in some biochemical characteristics of mungbean (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek cv. DX208) involving resistance to cowpea aphid (Aphis craccivora Koch). SNP treatment was sufficient to increase content of chlorophylls, reduced aphid-infested damage, accumulated biosynthesis of antioxidants such as phenolic compounds and flavonoids in mungbean plants attacked by A. craccivora. Furthermore, SNP was also capable of either negatively altering the lifetime or diminishing fecundity of cowpea aphid. Those results demonstrated that SNP application improved the biochemical resistance of V. radiata cv. DX208 against its pest, A. craccivora.

Resistance mechanisms of white jabon seedlings (Anthocephalus cadamba) against Botryodiplodia theobromae causing dieback disease

Yanti LA, Achmad, Khumaida N. 2018. Resistance mechanisms of white jabon seedlings (Anthocephalus cadamba) against Botryodiplodia theobromae causing dieback disease. Biodiversitas 19: 1441-1450. Anthocephalus cadamba (Roxb.) Miq. seedlings are the most preferred plant for the nursery as they serve a lot of benefits and can be used as shading trees, reforestation, plywood, pulp, paper, and traditional medicines. Further, those benefits can increase the economic value of this plant. The main problem in the nursery of forestry plants is pest and disease attacks, one of which is dieback disease. The dieback disease is caused by Botryodiplodia theobromae Pat. that may lead death of the host plant. Every plant has its resistance mechanism toward pathogen attacks. This research aimed: (1) to study B. theobromae attack through wounded and non-wounded stem infection methods on white jabon seedlings; (2) to study the resistance mechanisms of white jabon seedlings both structural and biochemical resistance against B. theobromae. This study employed a factorial treatment design laid out in a completely randomized design. The structural resistance was determined by studying the microscopic appearance of the white jabon seedlings’ stem by using a scanning electron microscope. Meanwhile, the biochemical resistance was determined by characterizing the chemical compounds of white jabon seedlings' stem using phytochemistry analysis. The result showed that the disease incidence of the control (inoculated without pathogen isolate) and the inoculated (inoculated with pathogen isolate) seedlings were, respectively, 0% and 100% (with wounded stem) and 0% and 30% (non-wounded). The disease severity of control and inoculated seedlings were 0% and 62% (with wounded stem) and 0% and 12% (non-wounded stem), respectively. The incubation period of wounded and non-wounded stems on inoculated seedlings (inoculated with pathogen isolate) was one day after inoculation with the numeric values (disease scores) of 4 and 2, respectively. White jabon seedlings had necrotic resistance as structural resistance mechanism against the pathogen attack. White jabon seedlings also contained secondary metabolites such as alkaloids, flavonoid, phenyl hydroquinone, tannin, saponin, and steroids. The biochemical resistance of white jabon seedling after pathogen attacks was shown by the increase of accumulated phenolic compounds such as flavonoid and tannin.

New Prebiotics to Ameliorate High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity and Diabetes via Modulation of Microbiome-Gut-Brain Axis

Role of gut microbiome in obesity and diabetes became apparent from several independent studies, indicating that gut microbiome modulators like prebiotics may improve microbiome perturbations (dysbiosis) to ameliorate metabolic derangements. We isolated water soluble, non-digestible polysaccharides from 5 foods (acorn, quinoa, sunflower, pumpkin and sago seeds) and assessed their impact on amelioration of high fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity and diabetes in mice and human microbiome using fecal slurry culture model. During isolation, purification, biochemical and digestion resistance characterization, and fermentation pattern by human fecal microbiome, we selected acorn and sago derived prebiotics, on the basis of purity, protein contamination and yield. All prebiotics increased short chain fatty acid (SCFA) production along with enhanced microbial diversity. Feeding of acorn and sago derived prebiotics supplemented HFD (5%) for 8 weeks, significantly reduced diet induced glucose intolerance and insulin resistance, without affecting adiposity. Beneficial effects of acorn and sago derived prebiotics were superior than inulin-feeding. Feeding of both prebiotics and inulin increased diversity of gut microbiome and enhanced SCFA production into the mice gut. Metabolic function was positively correlated with increased food conversion ratio indicating enhanced whole body metabolic rate by prebiotic feeding. Gastrointestinal motility was enhanced without changing food intake, after probiotic intervention. Hypothalamic energy signaling in terms of increased pro-opiomelanocortin and decreased agouti-related peptide and neuropeptide Y expression, was modulated by prebiotics administration. These results indicate that newly isolated prebiotics ameliorate HFD-induced defects of glucose metabolism via modulating microbiome-gut-brain axis, and can be used to prevent/treat diet induced obesity and diabetes. Disclosure S. Ahmadi: None. R.K. Nagpal: None. S. Wang: None. H. Yadav: None.

Effects of diet supplemented with ethanolic extract of propolis on growth performance, hematological and serum biochemical parameters and disease resistance of Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus) against Streptococcus iniae

In the present study, growth performance, serum biochemical, hematological parameters and disease resistance against S. iniae in Mozambique tilapia were determined after 60-day feeding period with ethanol extract propolis supplemented diets. Growth performance increased (P < 0.05) in 2 and 4 g kg−1 propolis supplemented groups. There were no changes in hematological values between all treatment groups (P > 0.05). Total protein, values in serum found significantly higher in P2 group (9.31 ± 0.66 g dL−1) compared to the P0 (7.49 ± 1.66 g dL−1). The highest serum cholesterol value was obtained in P4 (206.76 ± 24.57 mg dL−1) group and found significantly different from P0 (169.79 ± 17.11 mg dL−1). The lactate dehydrogenase, lysozyme and myeloperoxidase activity significantly increased in P1, P2, P4 and P8 groups. The highest lysozyme and myeloperoxidase activity values were obtained in P2 and P4 groups (for lysozyme 255.44 ± 3.41 mg L−1, 260.55 ± 4.29 mg L−1 and for myeloperoxidase 145.01 ± 3.82 U L−1 151.35 ± 4.17 U L−1 respectively) and found significantly different from P0 group. Propolis supplementation to the diets showed no differences on other serum biochemical parameters such as glucose, triglyceride, glutamic pyrivic transaminase and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase. After challenge with S. iniae, fish fed with 2 and 4 g kg−1 propolis showed significant survival rates (72.55% and 68.63%, respectively) compared with other groups. This study indicates that growth performance and non-specific immune response of Mozambique tilapia can be enhanced by dietary supplementation with propolis and that the optimal level would be 2 g kg−1.

Aspirin Resistance and Stroke

Stroke is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide. Aspirin is the most commonly used antiplatelet drug in both primary and secondary prevention of cerebrovascular and cardiovascular diseases. A proportion of patients may have stroke recurrence while they are on treatment with aspirin, giving rise to term aspirin resistance or aspirin failure. Studies have suggested that such recurrence could partly be attributed to biochemical aspirin resistance, with an estimated prevalence ranging between 5% and 65% among patients with ischemic stroke in the published studies. Common methods to evaluate laboratory aspirin resistance include light transmission aggregometry, PFA-100, VerifyNow-Aspirin assay, serum thromboxane B2, and urinary 11-dehydrothromboxane B2. Aspirin resistance is multifactorial in origin and involves diverse environmental and genetic factors, including single-nucleotide polymorphisms, miRNAs, drug interactions, and co-morbid risk factors. The current review overviews the concept of aspirin resistance, its evaluation and relationship with stroke recurrence, its outcome, and its implications on stroke management in the future.

Resistance of Tetranychus uraticae Koch to Some Compounds in Cotton Fields and Biochemical Resistance Mechanisms

Resistance of Tetranychus uraticae Koch to Some Compounds in Cotton Fields and Biochemical Resistance Mechanisms

Biochemical basis of resistance in chickpea varieties against Callosobruchus chinensis Linn. (Coleoptera: Bruchidae)

Eleven chickpea varieties were screened for their biochemical resistance to the pulse beetle (Callosobruchus chinensis L.), a serious pest of the stored pulses. The varieties were found to arrest the growth and development of C. chinensis, at grub stages which were indicated by different parameters viz., oviposition, adult emergence, weight loss, developmental period and growth index. Among the various biochemical analyzed, high growth index was observed in the varieties PKG 2 (0.61), BG 1003 (0.62), BG 1053 (0.62) and PKG 1 (0.71). Low growth index recorded in PG 3 (0.52), BGM 547 and PG 186 (0.56) may be attributed to low phenol and tannin content. Similarly the varieties PKG 1, BG 1003 and BG 1053 with less phenol, flavonoids and tannin content recorded more growth index as compared to moderate resistance varieties PG 4, PBG 1 and PG 114 PBG 1, BGM 547 and PG 114 were found to be moderately resistant and PKG 1, PKG 2, BG 1053 and BG 1003 as highly susceptible, shows the major role of trypsin inhibitor in protein resistance to C. chinensis. The highest protease activity inhibition acts as antimetabolites to C. chinensis, inhibit to the feeding of grubs as result higher trypsin content varieties showed relative resistance. The correlation between different antinutritional factors and growth index of the grub also showed a negative relationship.

Amelioration of the Structural and Biochemical Features of Kidney Bean against Root Rot and Rust Diseases

The influential fabaceous crop; Phaseolus vulgaris L. is subjected to destructive infection by root rot and rust diseases, causing serious damage to productivity. The possible role of gibberellic acid (GA3), paclobutrazol (PBZ), and abscisic acid (ABA) in improving the structural and biochemical resistance against such kidney bean diseases were studied. Pathogenicity test indicated that all tested root rot pathogenic fungi caused symptoms of damping-off. Pythium ultimum was the most aggressive in pre-emergence damping-off while Fusarium oxysporum gave the highest values of post-emergence damping-off and seedlings mortality. PBZ and ABA showed fungicidal activity against mycelia growth of root rot fungi. The high concentration of PBZ (150 ppm) was the most effective. PBZ and ABA significantly reduced the root rot and rust diseases, but GA3 induced both diseases. Botanically, GA3 (150 ppm) maximized plant height, and (PBZ 100 ppm) maximized branches number. Biochemically, both PBZ and ABA increased chlorophyll content, carotenoids, total phenolics and total soluble carbohydrates except the high level of ABA (15 ppm), which gave opposite results. On the other hand, GA3 decreased chlorophyll content, phenols and total soluble carbohydrates. With regard to enzymes activity GA3, PBZ and ABA induced the activity of peroxidase enzyme while reduced polyphenol oxidase activity. Anatomically, infected roots characterized by complete distraction changes in the epidermis and separation of some cortex tissue area. On the other side, all tested treatments decreased the harmful effects of pathogen fungi on root structure. In this respect, PBZ gave the highly effect. PBZ and ABA increased the thickness of leaflet and mesophyll tissue. So also, observed increase on stem diameter, cortex thickness, number of cortex cell layers and phloem fibers thickness. The application of PBZ at 100 ppm maximized the number of plant pods. GA3 at 100 ppm gave the highest 100-seed weight. Therefore, treatments with either PBZ (100 ppm) or ABA (10 ppm) is recommended for alleviation the harmful effects of root rot and rust diseases in kidney bean.

Prostate cancer presentation, treatment selection, and outcomes among men with HIV/AIDS: A clinical, stage, and age-matched analysis.

245 Background: The clinical presentation, oncologic outcomes and the optimal management of prostate cancer (PC) among human immunodeficiency virus-seropositive (HIV+) men are poorly described. Our objective was to compare the clinical characteristics, treatment decisions and oncologic outcomes in a contemporary series of HIV+ and HIV negative (HIV-) men with PC. Methods: Clinical data for 3135 men treated for PC at Cook County Hospital (2000-16) were reviewed. HIV+ patients (N = 46) were matched 1:2-3 by age and clinical stage to HIV-negative controls (N = 137). Clinicopathologic features, primary treatment, and oncologic outcomes were compared with Kaplan Meier and Cox proportional hazards analyses. Results: HIV- and HIV+ patients were similar with respect to median age (58.2 vs. 57.2 years, p = 0.2), initial PSA (10.6 vs. 10.5 ng/mL, p = 1), clinical stage (94% cT1/2 vs. 88%, p = 0.4), 8% cN1 vs. 6.5%, p = 1; 10.9% cM1 vs. 10.9%, p = 1), ECOG performance status (0-1 in 99% vs. 100%, p = 1). Among HIV+ men, 67.4% had a history of AIDS, and 91.3% were on HAART at diagnosis with median viral load and CD4+ count of 40 copies/mL and 400 cells/mm3. Median time from HIV diagnosis to PC diagnosis was 8.6 years. Among men with localized disease (N = 153), HIV+ men (N = 37) were more likely to receive radiation therapy (59.5% vs. 44.8%) or no therapy at all (13.5% vs. 4.3%) and less likely to receive surgery (16.2% vs. 30.2%), or to initiate active surveillance (10.8% vs. 16.4%; p = 0.04 overall) than HIV-. There were no differences in rates of biochemical recurrence (Hazard ratio [HR] 0.79; p = 0.6), clinical progression (HR 0.89, p = 0.8), castration resistance (HR 0.71, p = 0.1), or PC-death (HR 3, p = 0.1). However, HIV+ status was associated with an increased risk of all-cause death (HR 2.89, p = 0.04) with median follow-up of 4.2 years (range 0-14). Conclusions: Matched by age and stage, HIV+ men with localized PC were observed to receive surgery and definitive treatment overall at significantly lower rates than HIV- controls. Oncologic outcomes were similar between HIV+ and HIV- men. Further research is necessary to define optimal PC treatment selection in men with HIV.

БИОХИМИЧЕСКИЙ СТАТУС И ЕСТЕСТВЕННАЯ РЕЗИСТЕНТНОСТЬ ТЕЛЯТ-ГИПОТРОФИКОВ ПОД ВЛИЯНИЕМ НИЗКОИНТЕНСИВНОГО ЛАЗЕРНОГО ИЗЛУЧЕНИЯ И ВОЗМОЖНОСТЬ ЕГО ИСПОЛЬЗОВАНИЯ ДЛЯ ИХ РЕАБИЛИТАЦИИ

The effect of low-intensity laser radiation on the biochemical, immune and clinical status of calf-malnutrition was studied. The studies were carried out in 2 groups (experimental and control) for 12 animals with symmetric hypotrophy 2 (medium) severity. The calves of the experimental group underwent irradiation of blood with low-intensity laser radiation in the red spectral range (wavelength 630 nm). The animals of the control group were not treated (intact). Clinical observations of the calves were conducted for 2 months, taking into account the incidence, duration and severity of the disease, as well as weight gain. Blood sampling for biochemical and immunological studies was performed on the 1st and 21st days of life. Treatment of animals with low-intensity laser radiation positively affected their clinical state and productivity. Calves of the experimental group compared with the control were ill with gastrointestinal diseases in mild form with shorter duration of their course, and weight gain was significantly higher. The positive effects of low-intensity laser radiation on biochemical status, natural resistance and clinical condition of hypotrophic calves have been established, which allows us to recommend it for their rehabilitation.

Increase of peroxidase activity in tropical maize after recurrent selection to storage pest resistance

Farmers worldwide experience substantial postharvest grain losses of maize (Zea mays L.) caused by the maize weevil, Sitophilus zeamais. Resistance to this pest has recently been demonstrated in Population 84 (P84) maize kernels. This resistance has been correlated with the presence of cell-wall–bound phenolic compounds and endosperm peroxidase (POD) activity. However, the specific role of peroxidases in insect resistance remains unknown. The aim of this study was to expand the knowledge of this role by evaluating the association between POD activity and resistance to S. zeamais during four cycles of recurrent selection of P84. This evaluation involved the use of kernel–insect interaction assays combined with proteomic, biochemical and histological methods. Histological staining confirmed POD activity in the germ, pedicle and aleurone layer. Endosperm POD activity was increased over three cycles of recurrent selection, mainly in advanced red kernels, but this increased activity was not associated with the thickness or number of aleurone layers in the endosperm. A significant negative correlation (P < 0.05) was found between endosperm POD activity and grain weight loss (GWL) in whole kernels and kernels without pericarp, adult progeny (AP) in kernels without pericarp, and number of damaged kernels (DK) in single endosperms, produced by S. zeamais infestation. Our findings provide strong evidence of a specific relationship of peroxidases in the biophysical and biochemical resistance mechanism against S. zeamais, supporting the possible application of peroxidases as a breeding trait for the development of maize varieties resistant to storage pests.

Subacute effects of rose Bengal/Green light cross linking on rabbit thin corneal stability and safety.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the subacute effects of Rose Bengal (RB) and 532 nm green light-induced photochemical crosslinking (RB-PCL) on rabbit thin corneal stability and safety in vivo. Rabbit thin corneal models with 250 μm thickness were created by photorefractive keratectomy surgery. Photochemical crosslinking with green light (wavelength 532 nm) at an illumination intensity of 0.4 W/cm2 for 250 s (100 J/cm2 ) was performed, followed by antibiotic treatment and slit lamp monitoring for four weeks. At the end of week four, corneal biomechanical stiffness, biochemical resistance to collagenase digestion, and corneal cellular morphology were assessed. The penetration depth of RB into the corneal stromal was measured by confocal microscopy. At the end of week 4, RB-PCL had increased corneal tensile strength by an average 2.5-fold and had extended the corneal collagenase digestion time from 10.17 ± 2.93 to 15.83 ± 2.64 days. RB penetrated approximately 90 µm into the corneal stroma. RB-PCL did not alter the corneal endothelial and stromal morphology at the cellular or subcellular levels, according to electron microscopic examination. RB and 532 nm green light irradiation effectively induced crosslinking in rabbit thin cornea, by increasing both the biomechanical stiffness and the biochemical resistance without evidence of morphological damage to the corneal endothelium or stroma. This study demonstrated the efficacy of RB-PCL in strengthening thin cornea at four weeks after the treatment, providing a potential and possibly better option for treating corneal ectasia disorders in cases where corneal thickness is less than 400 µm. Lasers Surg. Med. 50:324-332, 2018. © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Predictive value of epithelial-mesenchymal-transition (EMT) signature and PARP-1 in prostate cancer radioresistance.

Epithelial-mesenchymal-transition (EMT) has been previously identified as a contributor to prostate cancer progression to metastasis and therapeutic resistance to antiandrogens and radiotherapy. In this study we conducted a retrospective analysis to investigate the significance of radiation-induced EMT and consequential changes to the tumor microenvironment in biochemical recurrence and response to radiotherapy in prostate cancer patients. Expression profiling and localization for EMT effectors, E-Cadherin, N-Cadherin, β-catenin and Vimentin was assessed in human prostate tumor specimens pre- and post-radiotherapy and correlated with biochemical recurrence. In addition, immunoreactivity of the DNA repair enzyme, polymerase (PARP-1) and the cytoskeletal-remodeling regulator, cofilin was evaluated in prostate tumor specimens pre- and post-radiotherapy and correlated with pre-treatment prostate-specific antigen levels (PSA). Our findings identified that characteristic changes associated with the EMT phenotype and its reversal to mesenchymal-epithelial-transition (MET) within the tumor microenvironment correlate with biochemical recurrence and resistance to radiotherapy among prostate cancer patients. Moreover, elevated PARP-1 expression among the tumor cells undergoing EMT implicates that DNA repair mechanisms may potentially reverse the cytotoxic effects of radiotherapy-induced DNA breaks. Our results suggest that EMT programming effectors, integrated with the actin cytoskeleton regulator cofilin and mesenchymal PARP-1 expression profile provide a signature of potential predictive significance of therapeutic response to radiotherapy in a subset of prostate cancer patients.

Jerusalem artichoke enriched diet on growth performance, immuno-hematological changes and disease resistance against Aeromonas hydrophila in Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer)

A 45 days feeding trial was conducted to study the effect of Jerusalem artichoke (JA) on growth performance, body composition, biochemical, immuno-hematological parameters and disease resistance in Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer) fingerlings against Aeromonas hydrophila. JA was supplemented at three different levels viz., control 0, 5, 10, and 20 g kg−1 in the commercial diet (403 g kg−1protein and 89 g kg −1lipid) in L. calcarifer. The results showed that there were no significant (P > 0.05) differences in various growth parameters, while the whole body composition showed significant differences (P < 0.05) between control and treatment groups. Hematological parameters showed that red blood cells (RBC), white blood cells (WBC), hemoglobin (Hb), pack cell volume (PCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) were not significantly (P > 0.05) affected by dietary supplementation of JA at different concentration. However, the mean corpuscular volume (MCV) was significantly (P < 0.05) higher in the fish fed with 20 g kg−1 JA supplemented diet. Biochemical parameters revealed that glucose, urea, cholesterol, and triglyceride showed significant (P < 0.05) differences between control and treatments groups. Interestingly, 20 g kg−1 JA supplemented diet significantly modulates the innate immune response and disease resistance against Aeromonas hydrophila compared with control and other treatment groups. The results of the study revealed that 20 g kg−1 JA supplementation has a beneficial effect in the biochemical, immunological and disease resistance in L. calcarifer juveniles.