Dry Weight Ratio Research Articles

The Attenuation of Traumatic Brain Injury via Inhibition of Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis by Tanshinone IIA.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a major source of mortality and long-term disability worldwide. The mechanisms associated with TBI development are poorly understood, and little progress has been made in the treatment of TBI. Tanshinone IIA is an effective agent to treat a variety of disorders; however, the mechanisms of Tanshinone IIA on TBI remain unclear. The aim of the present study was to investigate the therapeutic potential of Tanshinone IIA on TBI and its underlying molecular mechanisms. Changes in microvascular permeability were examined to determine the extent of TBI with Evans blue dye. Brain edema was assessed by measuring the wet weight to dry weight ratio. The expression levels of CD11, interleukin- (IL-) 1β, and tumor necrosis factor- (TNF-) α mRNA were determined by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR. Aquaporin-4 (AQP4), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and p47phox protein expression levels were detected by western blotting. Superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) activities, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content were determined using commercial kits. Cell apoptosis was detected by western blotting and TUNEL staining. Tanshinone IIA (10 mg/kg/day, intraperitoneal administration) significantly reduced brain water content and vascular permeability at 12, 24, 48, and 72 h after TBI. Tanshinone IIA downregulated the mRNA expression levels of various factors induced by TBI, including CD11, IL-1β, and TNF-α. Notably, CD11 mRNA downregulation suggested that Tanshinone IIA inhibited microglia activation. Further results showed that Tanshinone IIA treatment significantly downregulated AQP4 and GFAP expression. TBI-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis were markedly reversed by Tanshinone IIA, with an increase in SOD and GSH-PX activities and a decrease in the MDA content. Moreover, Tanshinone IIA decreased TBI-induced NADPH oxidase activation via the inhibition of p47phox. Tanshinone IIA attenuated TBI, and its mechanism of action may involve the inhibition of oxidative stress and apoptosis.

Propagación de Forestiera phillyreoides: una especie potencial para la restauración en el Centro-Norte de México

Forestiera phillyreoides es una especie de amplia distribución en zonas semiáridas y subtropicales del país. A pesar de ser una especie común, no se cuenta con información sobre su propagación. Por lo anterior el objetivo fue generar información sobre su fructificación, su germinación bajo distintos tratamientos pregerminativos y el crecimiento de las plántulas en vivero. Se realizó una revisión de herbario y salidas a campo para conocer la fructificación. Se evaluaron ocho tratamientos pregerminativos: control, inmersión en agua 24 h, inmersión en ácido sulfúrico (3 min, 6 min, 9 min y 12 min), remoción manual de endocarpio más inmersión 24 h e inmersión 24 h en 500 ppm de GA3. Se cultivaron plántulas por siete meses, al finalizar el periodo se midió la altura, el diámetro y calculó la relación peso seco aéreo/peso seco radicular (PSA/PSR), índice de robustez e índice de calidad de Dickson. La fructificación se presenta durante los meses de marzo a junio. El tratamiento de remoción de endocarpio presentó el mayor porcentaje de germinación (95 ± 4.08), se presentó una respuesta positiva a los tratamientos con ácido sulfúrico, el tratamiento con GA3 presentó efectos negativos sobre la germinación. Las plántulas alcanzaron una altura de 31.65 cm ± 5.01 cm y un diámetro de 5.13 mm ± 0.34 mm, los valores de PSA/PSR (1.02 ± 0.17) indican resistencia a sequías. Los tratamientos que remueven o degradan el endocarpio son los más adecuados para lograr una mejor germinación. A los siete meses alcanzó los parámetros necesarios para el uso en reforestación. La información generada brinda las bases para la propagación de F. phillyreoides.

Isoform-specific functions of c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1 and 2 in lung ischemia-reperfusion injury through the c-Jun/activator protein-1 pathway

Background: c-Jun N-terminal kinase 1 (JNK1) and JNK2 regulate distinct pathological processes in lung diseases. Here we discriminated the respective roles of these kinases in lung transplantation-induced ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). MethodsRat pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells were transfected with JNK1 small-interfering RNA (siRNA) and JNK2 siRNA and then subjected to in vitro IRI. For the isoform confirmed to aggravate IRI, the delivery of short-hairpin RNA (shRNA) plasmid was performed by intratracheal administration 48 hours before transplantation into donor rats. After a 3-hour reperfusion, the samples were collected. ResultsJNK1 siRNA decreased but JNK2 siRNA increased JNK phosphorylation and activity, phosphorylated and total c-Jun, and activator protein-1 activity. Although JNK1 siRNA decreased apoptosis and the levels of malondialdehyde, interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF-α), it increased the levels of superoxide dismutase, S-phase percentage, and cyclin D1; JNK2 siRNA had a converse effect. JNK1 siRNA decreased the level of lactate dehydrogenase and increased the levels of VE-cadherin, nitric oxide, phosphorylated nitric oxide synthase, and cell viability; JNK2 si RNA had a converse effect. Compared with the control group, the JNK1 shRNA group exhibited a higher lung oxygenation index and lower lung apoptosis index, injury score, wet weight:dry weight ratio, and levels of IL-1, IL-6, and TNF-α. ConclusionsJNK1 aggravated, but JNK2 alleviated, IRI through differential regulation of the JNK1 pathway in in vitro ischemia-reperfusion. JNK1 silence attenuated lung graft dysfunction by inhibiting inflammation and apoptosis. These findings provide a theoretical basis for devising therapeutic strategies against IRI after lung transplantation.

Investigation of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch (OPEFB) Embedded with Artocarpus Odorattisimus Mechanical Behaviour as an Alternative Replacement for Raw Material in Wood Industry

This paper presented the investigation of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch (OPEFB) reinforced with Artocarpus Odorattisimus (Mahang/Tarap) board in which fabricated manually using hand lay method and hot pressed in order to determine a suitable alternative fiber board as a replacement for the usage of woods as raw materials in various types of industry. The idea of conducting this research came due to the worldwide community attention on major deforestation which may lead to natural disaster throughout the world. The effects of adding Artocarpus Odorattisimus (Mahang/Tarap) to the oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) on certain dry weight ratios are being studied and the main objective of this research is to determine certain mechanical properties of the board especially tensile strength to be compared to the pure oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) board (4.712 Nmm-2)[22]. The experimental process is carried out in accordance to test standard of ASTM D3039/3039m-17. Morphological structure study by using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) also conducted on the tested samples to further understand the board properties.Practically, aluminium swarf (chips) collected from an automotive production line is less likely to have any contaminants once the lubricants are removed. In theory, metals do not degrade in value and can be used infinitely.

Cyclophilin A as a Novel Mediator in Ventilator‐Induced Lung Injury

RationaleCyclophilin A (CypA) is a ubiquitously distributed cytoplasmic protein. While focus has previously been on its intracellular roles, extracellular CypA and its receptor CD147 have emerged as a novel signalling axis in various inflammatory diseases. We explore the role of the CypA:CD147 axis in ventilator‐induced lung injury (VILI) and hypothesise that CypA is secreted into the alveolar space following epithelial insult where it promotes inflammation during acute lung injury (ALI).MethodsC57BL/6 mice received low‐stretch (LS; tidal volume: 8 mL/kg) or high‐stretch (HS: 40 mL/kg) ventilation for up to three hours (n=6–8/group). For inhibition experiments, mice received a 50 μL intratracheal dose of either a non‐permeable extracellular‐specific CypA inhibitor, MM‐284 (0.67 mM), or vehicle control, DMSO (10%), immediately prior to HS ventilation. Bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) CypA and soluble receptor for advanced glycation endproducts (sRAGE) were assessed by ELISA; cell activation status (surface ICAM‐1 expression) and intracellular CypA (iCypA) by flow cytometry; and matrix metalloproteinase‐2 (MMP‐2) by gelatin zymography.ResultsDuring VILI, there is a significant early upregulation of BALF CypA at two hours (LS: 663±268 vs HS: 2,586±1,054 pg/mL; p<0.05), preceding signs of physiological deterioration, with further increase at three hours. In contrast, plasma CypA levels showed no significant changes across three hours regardless of ventilation strategy and were consistently below BALF levels. iCypA decreased in EpCAM‐/T1α+ and EpCAM+/T1α‐epithelial cells but not alveolar macrophages. MM‐284 mediated inhibition of extracellular CypA led to protection from the development of VILI (vehicle: 50% vs MM‐284: 100% survival; p<0.05), attenuated lung wet:dry weight ratio (7.0±1.2 vs 5.0±0.2; p<0.001), BALF protein (3.7±1.4 vs 1.3±0.2 mg/mL; p<0.001), BALF sRAGE (40.3±11.2 vs 8.3±3.8 ng/mL; p<0.0001), and deteriorations in elastance and oxygenation (interaction p<0.01). Surprisingly, CypA inhibition appeared to have no impact on leukocyte recruitment into lung tissue but was associated with a reduction in stretch‐induced activation of alveolar macrophages (135.6±18.4 vs 21.8±45.4 ICAM‐1 MFI; p<0.001) and both EpCAM‐/T1α+ (129.1±28.7 vs 91.9±6.1 ICAM‐1 MFI; p<0.05) and EpCAM+/T1α‐(99.8±12.1 vs 76.5±15.2 ICAM‐1 MFI; p<0.05) epithelial cells. Further, CypA inhibition also led to a decrease in active MMP‐2 in BALF (0.9±0.5 vs 0.4±0.2 relative band intensity; p<0.05).ConclusionsWe have demonstrated the involvement of a novel mediator, CypA, in VILI. The early upregulation in BALF and corresponding decrease of iCypA in epithelial cells suggest that CypA is produced locally following epithelial injury. Inhibition of extracellular CypA promoted an impressive attenuation of VILI, particularly parameters related to alveolar‐capillary barrier integrity (e.g. BALF sRAGE, oedema formation, oxygenation, and MMP activity). Together, our findings support the CypA:CD147 axis as a novel mediator of epithelial cell dysfunction during the pathogenesis of VILI.Support or Funding InformationBritish Journal of Anaesthesia/Royal College of Anaesthetists

Hemodynamic Effects of Acute Over‐Ventilation in a Swine Hemorrhage Model

IntroductionAirway compromise is the second leading cause of potentially survivable death on the battlefield, indicating a need for improved airway management approaches. Over‐ventilation of the lungs is a complication associated with prolonged use of mechanical ventilation, but few studies have examined the consequence of acute, pre‐hospital over‐ventilation. Therefore, the goal of this study was to determine the effect of acute hyperventilation on the morbidity of hemorrhaged swine.Materials and MethodsFemale Yorkshire pigs (40–50 kg) were anesthetized with isoflurane, instrumented for hemodynamic measurements and blood draws, and switched to IV anesthesia with midazolam and ketamine. Following baseline recording, 25% blood volume by weight was removed, followed by 1 hour of: spontaneous breathing (n=8), “normal” bag ventilation (6 L minute volume, n=9), bag hyperventilation (20 L minute volume, n=8), or mechanical ventilation (n=8). The pigs were then allowed to wake up from anesthesia, recovered for 24 hours, and euthanized for blood and tissue collections.ResultsHemorrhage significantly decreased mean arterial pressure (P<0.001), cardiac output (P<0.001), and stroke volume (P=0.004), but increased heart rate (P<0.001). Ventilation following hemorrhage did not have any further impact on hemodynamic variables, except a significant increase in heart rate in those that underwent bag hyperventilation as compared to spontaneous breathing, normal bag ventilation, and mechanical ventilation groups (24±5 bpm, vs −7±7, 9±11, and 2±2 bpm), respectively. Following ventilation, blood lactate levels were significantly elevated compared to baseline in all groups. The change was significantly greater in those that underwent hyperventilation than in spontaneous breathing, normal bag ventilation, and mechanical ventilation groups (7.9±0.7 mmol/L, vs 4.1±0.6, 5.9±0.4, and 5.4±1 mmol/L), respectively. Blood lactate levels returned to baseline levels by 24 h in all groups. Wet to dry lung weight ratios were also not significantly different between groups, an indication that any edema caused by over‐inflation dissipates by 24 hours.DiscussionThis study was undertaken on the premise that over‐inflation of the lungs, even acutely, would result in significant barotrauma and negative downstream physiological effects. Preliminary results, however, indicate that hemorrhage followed by acute hyperventilation does not affect hemodynamic variables or increase morbidity in mildly hemorrhaged swine. Ongoing studies include histological evaluation of tissue samples, assessment of blood markers for tissue damage, and measurement of plasma cytokine levels to more fully discern the presence of any lasting detrimental physiological effects to the lung or to systemic physiology.Support or Funding InformationUSAMRDC Tactical Combat Casualty Care Research Program

Impact of Reduced ASIC2a on Cortical Thickness, Microglia Density, and Brain Water Content in E18.5 Fetuses

Acid‐sensing Ion Channels (ASICs) are ligand‐gated cation channels that respond to acidic stimuli. ASIC2 is widely expressed in neurons of the central and peripheral nervous system as well as on microglia. Although ASIC2 plays a role in cell migration, their role in brain development is not fully known. We tested the hypothesis that reduction or absence of ASIC2a contributes to changes in microglia density, cortical thickness, and brain water content during development. Brains were collected from ASIC2a wild type (WT, n=6), heterozygous (HET, n=4), and homozygous (HOMO, n=3) fetuses at E18.5. We used hematoxylin & eosin (H&E) staining for cortical thickness measurements, immunofluorescence staining using ionized calcium‐binding adapter molecule (Iba‐1) to measure microglia density, and wet weight to dry weight ratio for brain water content. Reduction of ASIC2a had no impact on cortical thickness (WT=499±21, HET=509±7, and HOMO=478±21 μm; p=0.60) or microglia density in the subventricular zone near the lateral ventricle (WT=22±2, HET=18±2, and HOMO=24±3; p=0.34) at E18.5. Interestingly, microglia morphology in HET fetuses were different compared to WT and HOMO mice with thinner and longer processes. Brain water content increased in HOMO mice (88.2±0.7%) compared to WT (86.5±0.3%, p<0.01) and HET (86.8±0.2%, p=0.02) fetuses. Our results indicate that while reduced ASIC2a does not contribute to changes in microglia density or cortical thickness in E18.5 mouse fetuses, reduced ASIC2a induces morphological changes in microglia and ASIC2 knockout increases brain water content at E18.5. Increased brain water content could be an indicator of hydrocephalus. In ongoing studies, we are determining whether reduced ASIC2a mediates structural and functional impairments in the neurovasculature of the maternal and developing brain.Support or Funding InformationNIH Grants: R00HL129192, R00HL129192‐S1

Effect of irrigation scheduling and live mulching of cowpea on root characteristics, consumptive use and water use efficiency of upland rice

The field experiment was conducted in the farmer's field, Peringammala, Kalliyoor, Thiruvananthapuram during the Virippu 2017 to study the effect of irrigation scheduling and live mulching with cowpea on root and soil moisture characteristics of upland rice. The results revealed that root characters like root volume, root dry weight and root shoot ratio significantly increased under the irrigation treatment I1 [irrigation at 3 cm depth at 10 mm cumulative pan evaporation (CPE)]. The root length was the highest for rain fed control (I7). Among the mulches, live mulching with cowpea (M2) recorded the highest root length and root shoot ratio. The treatments and their interaction had a significant influence on soil moisture. Irrigation at 3 cm depth at 10 mm CPE, live mulching with cowpea and their interaction recorded the highest consumptive use. The highest water use efficiency was recorded by the treatment irrigation at 2 cm depth at 20 mm CPE (I5) and live mulching with cowpea (M2).

Methane production through anaerobic digestion of residual microalgal biomass after the extraction of valuable compounds

Biorefinery concepts that combine several valorization pathways, including both bioproducts and bioenergy/biofuels, are of high interest in order to maximize the economic value of microalgal cultivation systems. In this study, the residual biomass obtained from the microalga Chlorella vulgaris following the chemical extraction of a valuable fraction consisting of either chlorophyll, proteins, or lipids was used as feedstock for biogas production in a laboratory-scale biochemical methane potential (BMP) assay performed in batch mode. The main aim of this study is to assess the effect of chemical extraction and removal of valuable fractions on the methane yield of residual microalgal biomass. The dry weight ratio of residual biomass to total biomass was 0.54 g/g after lipid extraction, 0.62 g/g after chlorophyll extraction, and 0.42 g/g after protein extraction. The methane yields of raw microalgae as well as residual microalgal biomass after lipid, chlorophyll, or protein extraction and removal were in the range 207–237 mL CH4/g volatile solids. Differences in the methane yields were not statistically significant. Hence, the recovery and removal of valuable compounds did not have a significant impact on the final methane yields of microalgal biomass by anaerobic digestion. Nevertheless, the methane production kinetics of residual microalgal biomass after lipid extraction displayed a diauxic pattern, possibly due to the inhibition of methanogenic bacteria by chloroform used as extraction solvent. This suggests that solvent toxicity must be considered when applying anaerobic digestion as a downstream process in biomass-based biorefineries.

Changes of plant biomass partitioning, tissue nutrients and carbohydrates status in magnesium-deficient banana seedlings and remedy potential by foliar application of magnesium

Magnesium (Mg) is involved in many biochemical and physiological processes affecting plant growth and development. Although Mg deficiency is a widespread problem in banana production, detailed study of physiological responses to Mg deficiency in banana crops is lacking. Here, we characterized plant biomass partitioning, tissue nutrient distribution and carbohydrates status of banana seedlings grown under sufficient and deficient Mg supply. We also studied the potential of remedying Mg deficiency by foliar application of Mg. Mg deficiency severely decreased plant growth, especially biomass partitioning from rhizome to root and led to a reduction of root/shoot dry weight ratio. Under Mg deficiency, plant Mg status was reduced but the concentrations of N, P and K were increased in most tissues. Mg deficiency caused an overall reduction in tissue glucose and fructose contents, and accumulation of sucrose, amylose and amylopectin in leaves. Sucrose, amylose and amylopectin contents were however reduced in pseudostem, rhizome and root of plants with Mg deficiency. Foliar application of Mg to Mg-deficient plants completely recovered banana plant growth, nutrients and carbohydrates status.

Effect of Supplementary Lighting Duration on Growth and Activity of Antioxidant Enzymes in Grafted Watermelon Seedlings

Insufficient exposure to light in the winter may result in a longer production periods and lower quality of seedlings in greenhouses for plug growers. Supplementary artificial lighting to plug seedlings may be one solution to this problem. The objective of this study was to assess the effects of the duration of the supplementary light on the growth and development of two watermelon cultivars, ‘Speed’ and ‘Sambok Honey’ grafted onto ‘RS-Dongjanggun’ bottle gourd rootstocks (Lagenaria siceraria Stanld). Seedlings were grown for 10 days in a glasshouse with an average daily natural light intensity of 340 μmol·m−2·s−1 photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) and daily supplementary lighting of 8, 12 or 16 h from mixed LEDs (W1R2B1, chip ratio of white:red:blue = 1:2:1) at a light intensity of 100 μmol·m−2·s−1 PPFD, a group without supplementary light was set as the control (CK). The culture environment in a glasshouse had 25/15 °C day/night temperatures, an 85 ± 5% relative humidity, and a natural photoperiod of 8 h. The results showed that all the growth and development parameters of seedlings grown with supplementary light were significantly greater than those without supplementary light (CK). The 12 and 16 h supplementary light resulted in greater growth and development parameters than the 8 h supplementary light did. The same trend was also found with the indexes that reflect the quality of the seedlings, such as the dry weight ratio of the shoot and root, total biomass, dry weight to height ratio of scions, and specific leaf weight. The 12 h and 16 h light supplements resulted in greater Dickson’s quality indexes compared to the 8 h supplementary light, and the 12 h supplementary light showed the greatest use efficiency of the supplementary light. 16 h of daily supplementary light significantly increased the H2O2 content and the antioxidant enzyme activities in seedlings compared to the other treatments. This indicated that 16 h of supplementary light led to certain stresses in watermelon seedlings. In conclusion, considering the energy consumption, 12 h of supplementary light was the most efficient in improving the quality of the two cultivars of grafted watermelon plug seedlings.

Field cultivation of Kappaphycus alvarezii (DOTY) doty ex silva using tissue-cultured seedlings at bungin permai costal waters, south konawe, Southeast (SE) Sulawesi: the third year of seaweed growth monitoring

Monitoring program is very important to evaluate the growth and performance of the seaweed K. alvarezii cultivated in the coastal areas. However, the program are rarely to be done in Indonesia continuously. In SE Sulawesi, tissue-cultured seedling are already been used by the seaweed farmers. The aims of this study were to evaluate the third period of growth monitoring program based on daily growth rate (DGR) and ratio of final wet weight and dry weight using tissue-cultured seedlings of the seaweed. This study was conducted in Bungin Coastal Waters, South Konawe. The result showed that the mean DGR of the seedlings were 7.01±0.63%.day−1 and significantly higher (p<0.05) than the two previous monitoring years (2017 and 2018). Ratio of final dry weight: wet weight was 9.42:1 and this ratio was also higher than the two previous years. In the present study, the epiphyte infection of Sargassum polycystum and an unidentified moss were also found. In conclusion, tissue-cultured seedling show good quality even though they have been used as seedlings for four years continuously.

Cultivation of seaweed Kappaphycus alvarezii (Doty) doty ex silva using tissue–cultured seedlings in encircling tank culture system

The seaweed, Kappaphycus alvarezii, is the most widely cultivated commodity in Indonesia. The problem currently faced is seedling availability due annual seasonal variations such as heavy flooding This paper presents a study aimed at solving seedling scarcity: the first based on cultivating tissue-cultured seedlings in encircling tanks. The aim of the study was to determine the effect of different initial weight on growth and carrageenan yield of K. alvarezii using tissue – cultured seedlings. This research was conducted from March to June 2019 in the Shrimp Hatchery, Kendari, Indonesia. This study applied three treatments based on different initial weight and five replications. The treatments were 5g, B: 10g and 15 g initial weights (IW). The results showed that the daily growth rate (DGR) of all treatments tended not to differ significantly but the DGR of 5-g IW tended to be higher than those of the other two treatments. The means of DGR were 3.76±0.54%/day, 3.30±0.46%/day, and 2.84±0.27%/day for 5-, 10-, and 15-g IW, respectively. Healthy rates of all treatments were 90.28%, 94.45% and 87.47% for 5-, 10- and 15-g IW. The ratio of fresh weight (FW) and dry weight (DW of 5-, 10-, and 15-g IW were 9.51:1, 9.54:1, and 9.56:1, respectively. The ratio showed no significant differences among treatments. Furthermore, for carrageenan yield, 15-g IW treatment showed the highest yield (37.05±2.18%), but had no significant differences from the other two treatments. Furthermore, all water quality parameters, temperature, salinity, DO, pH, nitrat, phosphate and turbidity were within the normal range for cultivating the seedlings. In conclusion, 5-g initial weight is a prominent weight suitable to be used in cultivating the seedlings in the encircling tank.

Azadirachta Indica A. Juss: Wood Ash Affects Seedling Growth of Mung Bean Vigna Radiata L.

The burning of the wood ash is causing an environmental pollution related issue. The excess concentration of wood ash in the environment normally influenced on plant growth and development. This paper presents the effects of neem wood ash (Azadirachta inidca A. Juss.) on germination and seedling growth performance of mung bean (Vigna radiata L.) crop plants. Overall, the data reveals significant (p&lt;0.05) effects of neem wood ash on the different growth variable of mung bean. The treatment of 4-20% neem wood ash significantly (p&lt;0.05) affected shoot length of mung bean as compared to control. Neem wood ash treatment at all concentration produced fewer toxic effects on root and leaf growth of mung bean. The neem wood ash treatment at 20% also produced significantly (p&lt;0.05) toxic effects on root and leaf dry weight of mung bean. Whereas, neem wood ash treatment at all level did produce any significant effects on shoot dry weight, total plant dry weight and leaf area ratio of mung bean.

First Field-Based Evidence That the Seagrass-Lucinid Mutualism Can Mitigate Sulfide Stress in Seagrasses

Seagrass meadows form vital ecological components of coastal zones worldwide, but are rapidly declining. Large-scale seagrass diebacks have been related to accumulation of toxic sulfide in the sediment, a phenomenon predicted to occur more frequently in the near future due to ongoing global warming and increasing organic loading of coastal systems worldwide. Recently, a facultative mutualism between seagrasses and lucinid bivalves with endosymbiotic sulfide-consuming gill bacteria was discovered that may prevent toxic sulfide accumulation in seagrass sediments. Yet, direct field-based evidence for the importance of this mutualism in alleviating sulfide stress in seagrasses is currently lacking, as well as how its role may change when sediment sulfide levels increase due to environmental change. Here, we investigated the sulfide detoxification function of this seagrass-lucinid mutualism and its resilience to organic-loading induced sulfide stress in a temperate lagoon system (Thau lagoon, France), using a correlative field survey and a full factorial field experiment. The field survey revealed a strong positive correlation between seagrass above-ground biomass and lucinid densities, and pore water sulfide concentrations close to zero at all sites. Furthermore, the field experiment revealed that addition of organic matter (starch mixed with sucrose) increased sedimentary sulfide intrusion into seagrass (Zostera noltei) leaves (a proxy for sulfide stress), while experimentally enhanced lucinid densities reduced sulfide intrusion, regardless of addition of organic matter. Moreover, addition of organic matter reduced seagrass rhizome biomass and increased pore water sulfide levels, lucinid tissue sulfur content, lucinid condition (expressed as flesh/shell dry weight ratio), and total lucinid biomass, while enhancement of lucinid densities reduced lucinid condition. These results provide the first field-based evidence that lucinid bivalves and their sulfide-oxidizing gill symbionts mitigate sulfide stress in seagrasses, and suggests that the dependence of seagrass on this seagrass-lucinid mutualism will increase under conditions of enhanced sediment sulfide production, as predicted for the near future. Therefore, we suggest that awareness of the ecological importance of the seagrass-lucinid mutualism may be instrumental for designing new measures for improving long-term restoration success and seagrass resilience to global change.

Drought stress enhanced andrographolides contents in Andrographis paniculata

Andrographis paniculata (AP) is an important medicinal plant in South China, but it is often exposed to drought and flooding stress. Here three drought stresses and two flooding stresses with three treated time were imposed on potted AP to explore the water stress effects. The growth physiology characteristics and major effective ingredients (andrographolide (AG), 14-deoxy-11,12-didehydroandrographolide (DDAG), and total andrographolides (AGs)) accumulations were studied. Results showed that water stress treated time was statistically effective while its interactions with treatment were not, except for a few parameters. Leaf area and stem diameter of water stressed plants were not statistically differentiated from control all the time, but the plant height, root length, dry weight, and root-shoot ratio were significantly affected by severe drought/flooding stress in prolonged treated time. Significant bioactive component changes were only occurred in the longest treated time under severe stresses, especially those of DDAG and AGs. Results also showed that the plant dry weight were relatively well correlated with andrographolides contents when expressed on ‘per plant’ basis. The underlying mechanisms behind these responses were discussed.

Dapk1 improves inflammation, oxidative stress and autophagy in LPS-induced acute lung injury via p38MAPK/NF-κB signaling pathway

ObjectiveTo investigate the impact of death-associated protein kinase 1 (Dapk1) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute lung injury (ALI) via p38MAPK/NF-κB pathway. MethodsDapk1+/+ and Dapk1−/− mice were randomized into Control, LPS, SB203580 (a p38MAPK pathway inhibitor) + LPS, and PDTC (a NF-κB pathway inhibitor) + LPS groups. Cell counts, lung wet to dry weight ratio (W/D weight ratio), as well as indicators of oxidative stress were determined followed by the detection with HE staining, ELISA, qRT-PCR, Western blotting and Immunofluorescence. Besides, to explore whether the effect of Dapk1 on ALI directly mediated via p38MAPK/NF-κB pathway, mice were injected with TC-DAPK 6 (a Dapk1 inhibitor) with or without SB203580/PDTC before LPS administration. ResultsLPS induced lung injury with increased lung W/D weight ratio, which could be partly reversed by SB203580 and PDTC in LPS-induced mice with activated p38MAPK/NF-κB pathway in lung tissues, especially in Dapk1−/− mice. SB203580 and PDTC reduced total cells and neutrophils in BALF in LPS-induced mice, accompanying with decreased levels of TNF-α, IL-6, MPO, LPO and MDA and the expressions of beclin-1, Atg5 and LC3II, but with the up-regulated activities of SOD and GSH-Px, as well as p62 protein expression. Besides, TC-DAPK 6 aggravated the pathologic injury in LPS-induced ALI with more serious inflammatory response, oxidative stress and autophagy as well as the activated p38MAPK/NF-κB pathway, which were reversed by SB203580 or PDTC. ConclusionDapk1 improved oxidative stress, inhibited autophagy, and reduce inflammatory response of LPS-induced ALI mice by inhibiting p38MAPK/NF-κB pathway.

Effect of saline irrigation method on the growth of rice (Oryza sativa L.)

A field experiment was carried out to study rice growth under salinity stress in permanently flooded, intermittent, and saturated soil conditions. The experiment was conducted at field station of Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Gadjah Mada located in Bantengan village, Banguntapan, Bantul, DIY, from August to November 2015. The treatments were arranged in a split-plot randomized complete block design, consisting of three irrigation methods as the main plot and two levels of salinity as the subplot, thereby resulting in six treatment combinations with three replications within each combination treatment. The three irrigation methods were permanent irrigation (flooded soil), intermittent irrigation (wet/dry soil), and irrigation above field capacity (saturated soil). The two levels of salinity were fresh water as control treatment (EC  0.3 dS.m-1) and saline water (EC  5 dS.m-1). The results of the experiment showed that there was no significant interaction effect of irrigation method and salinity on all observed rice growth variables. Salt stress negatively affected the rice growth, including plant height, plant dry weight, leaf area, and leaf area ratio (LAR). Irrigation method significantly affected plant dry weight and number of tillers at 3 and 9 weeks after planting. Permanent irrigation resulted in the highest plant growth compared to intermittent irrigation and above field capacity condition.

Ganoderic Acid A Inhibits Bleomycin-Induced Lung Fibrosis in Mice

Background: To study the protective effects of ganoderic acid A (GAA) on bleomycin (BLM)-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Methods: ICR mice were intratracheally instilled with BLM to induce pulmonary fibrosis on day 0. Then the mice were orally given GAA (25, 50 mg/kg) or dexamethasone (2 mg/kg). After treatment for 21 days, the mice were sacrificed. Wet dry weight (W/D) ratio of lung was used to detect pulmonary edema. Myeloperoxidase (MPO), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), malondialdehyde (MDA), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to evaluate the pathological changes. The levels of transforming growth factor β (TGF-β), phosphorylated-smad3 (p-smad3), p-IκB, and p-nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) in lung tissue were detected by western blot. Results: GAA treatment significantly improved MPO activity, W/D ratio, and lung histopathology. The protective effect of GAA may be related to downregulation of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, MDA and upregulation of SOD. In addition, GAA significantly decreased the levels of TGF-β, p-smad3, p-IκB, and p-NF-κB, compared with those in BLM group. Conclusion: GAA has protective effect on BLM-induced lung injury, and TGF-β/Smad-3/NF-κB signaling pathway may play an important role in the pathogenesis of BLM-induced lung injury.

Kentucky bluegrass growth under saline, waterlogging, and saline‐waterlogging conditions during germination and seedling growth

AbstractSalinity and waterlogging, two major problems in turfgrass management, often co‐occur in nature; however, information on the response of turfgrass to the combined salinity‐waterlogging stress is limited. The objective of this study was to determine growth response of nine Kentucky bluegrass (Poa pratensis L.) cultivars to the control (i.e., non‐stress), salinity, waterlogging, and the combined salinity‐waterlogging stress during the germination and seedling stage (six weeks) in pots in a greenhouse. Data including shoot and root dry weight, root‐to‐shoot dry weight ratio, root length, and specific root length were analyzed. Salinity‐waterlogging reduced dry weight of both shoots (556.1 mg) and roots (269.4 mg) compared with the controls (1295.1 and 686.7 mg) (P &lt; .0001). The control plants had a root‐to‐shoot dry weight ratio of 52.9%, higher than the salinity‐treated ones (44.1%) (P = .0017). Root length was higher in the control and waterlogged plants than salinity and salinity‐waterlogged plants. Saline‐waterlogged and control plants had the highest and lowest specific root length, respectively. Among the Kentucky bluegrass cultivars, Sudden Impact, Award, Limousine, and Kenblue had higher tissue biomass, followed by America, Legend, and Arrowhead, whereas Moonlight and Blue Note performed poorly. Blue Note had a higher specific root length than all other grasses, except Moonlight. It may be a better management practice to use cultivars such as Sudden Impact, Award, Limousine, and Kenblue, which appear from this research to be relatively tolerant to salinity/waterlogging stress, when establishing a new turf surface under the aforementioned stresses.