Increased Disease Resistance Research Articles

PECULIARITIES OF SCHOOLCHILDREN INVOLVEMENT IN HEALTH RELATED AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES USING MEANS OF FOOTBALL

The peculiarities of attracting schoolchildren to health related and recreational activities using football means are considered, as this sports event is widely used in various parts of the physical education system. Objective. Determining principles of schoolchildren involvement in health related and recreational activities by football means. Methods. Analysis of scientific and methodical literature, observation, comparison. Results. The collective nature of football activities fosters a sense of friendship and mutual assistance, develops such moral qualities as a sense of responsibility, respect for partners and opponents, discipline, activity. Each footballer can show his personal qualities: independence, initiative, creativity. However, the game requires subordination of personal aspirations to the interests of the team. Regular football activities in different climatic and meteorological conditions contribute to physical hardening, increase disease resistance and enhance the adaptation capacities of the body. At that, important habits for constant observance of everyday, labor, educational and sports modes are developed. The article considers football as a type of recreational activity. The motivation for playing football among young children is given. For most of them, recreational games have been shown to be a means of promoting health and wellness. The health related effect of playing football and its accessibility have been determined. It has been revealed that the feature of this game is a large variety of motor actions. Playing with feet, head, chest requires high coordination of movements and joint mobility. The skill of performing the technical skills by the foot (part of the body, much less differentiated, and adapted for such movements than the hand) causes admiration for both the spectators and the participants of the game. The article proves that the health effect of playing football is ensured by dynamic work, variety of muscular loads in the open air. The game is accompanied by the development of all quality aspects of motor activity. The great variety of motor actions contributes to the creative reproduction of new conditioned-reflex connections, and, thus, to mastering new forms of movements, which enriches the motor experience of young athletes.

Quantitative Proteomics Reveals a Role for SERINE/ARGININE-Rich 45 in Regulating RNA Metabolism and Modulating Transcriptional Suppression via the ASAP Complex in Arabidopsis thaliana.

Pre-mRNA alternative splicing is a conserved mechanism for eukaryotic cells to leverage existing genetic resources to create a diverse pool of protein products. It is regulated in coordination with other events in RNA metabolism such as transcription, polyadenylation, RNA transport, and nonsense-mediated decay via protein networks. SERINE/ARGININE-RICH 45 (SR45) is thought to be a neutral splicing regulator. It is orthologous to a component of the apoptosis and splicing-associated protein (ASAP) complex functioning to regulate RNA metabolism at multiple levels. Within this context, we try to understand why the sr45-1 mutant Arabidopsis has malformed flowers, delayed flowering time, and increased disease resistance. Prior studies revealed increased expression for some disease resistance genes and the flowering suppressor Flowering Locus C (FLC) in sr45-1 mutants and a physical association between SR45 and reproductive process-related RNAs. Here, we used Tandem Mass Tag-based quantitative mass spectrometry to compare the protein abundance from inflorescence between Arabidopsis wild-type (Col-0) and sr45-1 mutant plants. A total of 7,206 proteins were quantified, of which 227 proteins exhibited significantly different accumulation. Only a small percentage of these proteins overlapped with the dataset of RNAs with altered expression. The proteomics results revealed that the sr45-1 mutant had increased amounts of enzymes for glucosinolate biosynthesis which are important for disease resistance. Furthermore, the mutant inflorescence had a drastically reduced amount of the Sin3-associated protein 18 (SAP18), a second ASAP complex component, despite no significant reduction in SAP18 RNA. The third ASAP component protein, ACINUS, also had lower abundance without significant RNA changes in the sr45-1 mutant. To test the effect of SR45 on SAP18, a SAP18-GFP fusion protein was overproduced in transgenic Arabidopsis Col-0 and sr45-1 plants. SAP18-GFP has less accumulation in the nucleus, the site of activity for the ASAP complex, without SR45. Furthermore, transgenic sr45-1 mutants overproducing SAP18-GFP expressed even more FLC and had a more severe flowering delay than non-transgenic sr45-1 mutants. These results suggest that SR45 is required to maintain the wild-type level of SAP18 protein accumulation in the nucleus and that FLC-regulated flowering time is regulated by the correct expression and localization of the ASAP complex.

Effect of Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides–Treated Wastewater on Yield, Digestive Enzymes, Antioxidants, Nonspecific Immunity, and Intestinal Microbiota of Common Carp

AbstractThe employment of traditional bait and medicament in freshwater aquaculture causes the frequent occurrence of environmental pollution and disease. Effluent collected after wastewater treatment with Rhodopseudomonas sphaeroides could be reutilized for microbial feed, medicament, and aquaculture water to culture Common Carp Cyprinus carpio. Therefore, a novel integrated system of wastewater treatment and the use of the effluent containing R. sphaeroides, which could improve yield, increase disease resistance, and enhance the quality of aquaculture water for Common Carp culture, was proposed and investigated. Common Carp can grow well in effluent containing R. sphaeroides. The survival rate, yield, and whole‐body composition of the fish raised in effluent containing R. sphaeroides were all increased compared with the control group. The biochemical (B vitamin) and other substances in the effluent with R. sphaeroides enhanced the activity of proteases, amylases, lipases, alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase, phagocytes, superoxide dismutase, and catalase by up‐regulating the expression of their associated genes. Theoretical analysis showed that biochemical molecules regulate the expression of these gene and enzyme activities by acting as a signal that stimulates the active center. Moreover, biochemicals present in R. sphaeroides enhanced the mTOR and NF‐kB signaling pathways and improved intestinal microbiota. Furthermore, R. sphaeroides inhibited Aeromonas hydrophila, increasing resistance against fish disease and promoting the growth of intestinal bacteria. Meanwhile, R. sphaeroides in the effluent also improved the aquaculture water quality. This technology would simultaneously save water in aquaculture, reduce water pollution and wastewater discharge, and increase the output and disease resistance of Common Carp.

RETRACTED: Effect of Rhodospirillum rubrum in effluent on disease resistance, intestinal microbiotaof silver carp

Abstract The employment of traditional bait and medicament in freshwater aquaculture causes the frequent occurrence of environmental pollution and disease. Effluent collected after Rhodospirillum rubrum-mediated wastewater treatment could be re-utilized as microbial feeds, medicament, and aquaculture water to culture silver carp. Therefore, a novel integrated system of wastewater treatment using effluent containing R. rubrum that improves yield, increases disease resistance, and enhances the quality of aquaculture water for silver carp culture was proposed and investigated. The yield, whole fish body composition, survival rate, digestive enzymes, nonspecific immune and antioxidant capacity, intestinal microbiota were tested under four groups. Silver carp can grow well in effluent containing R. rubrum (ER). The survival rate, yield, and whole body composition of the ER group were all increased compared to the control group (CK). The biochemical (B vitamin) and other substances in the effluent of R. rubrum enhanced the 20–50% activity of proteases, amylases, lipases, AKP, ACP, phagocytic, SOD, CAT by upregulating the expression of AKP, ACP, SOD, and CAT genes. Theoretical analysis showed that biochemical molecules regulate the expression of these gene and enzyme activities by acting as a signal that stimulates the active center. Furthermore, R. rubrum inhibited Aeromonas hydrophila that increases resistance against fish disease and promotes the growth of intestinal bacteria. Meanwhile, R. rubrum in the effluent also improved the aquaculture water quality. This technology would save the aquaculture water, reduce water pollution and wastewater discharge, and increase the output and disease resistance of silver carp, simultaneously.

Identification and characterization of maize ACD6-like gene reveal ZmACD6 as the maize orthologue conferring resistance to Ustilago maydis

ABSTRACTEnhancing broad-spectrum resistance is a major goal of crop breeding. However, broad-spectrum resistance has not been thoroughly investigated, and its underlying molecular mechanisms remain elusive. In the model plant Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana), ACCELERATED CELL DEATH6 (ACD6) is a key component of broad-spectrum resistance that acts in a positive feedback loop with salicylic acid (SA) to regulate multiple pattern recognition receptors. However, the role of ACD6 in disease resistance in crop plants is unclear. Here, we show that the transcript of ANK23, one of the 15 ACD6-like genes in maize (Zea mays), is induced by SA and by infection with the pathogenic fungus Ustilago maydis. Heterologous expression of ANK23 restored disease resistance in the Arabidopsis mutant acd6-2. We show that ANK23 is a maize ortholog of ACD6 and therefore rename ANK23 as ZmACD6. Furthermore, using CRISPR/Cas9, we generated ZmACD6 knockout maize plants, which are more susceptible to U. maydis than wild-type plants. We also identified a maize line (SC-9) with relatively high ZmACD6 expression levels from a diverse natural maize population. SC-9 has increased disease resistance to U. maydis and defense activation, suggesting a practical approach to cultivate elite varieties with enhanced disease resistance.

Review: Endophytic microbes and their potential applications in crop management.

Endophytes are microbes (mostly bacteria and fungi) present asymptomatically in plants. Endophytic microbes are often functional in that they may carry nutrients from the soil into plants, modulate plant development, increase stress tolerance of plants, suppress virulence in pathogens, increase disease resistance in plants, and suppress development of competitor plant species. Endophytic microbes have been shown to: (i) obtain nutrients in soils and transfer nutrients to plants in the rhizophagy cycle and other nutrient‐transfer symbioses; (ii) increase plant growth and development; (iii) reduce oxidative stress of hosts; (iv) protect plants from disease; (v) deter feeding by herbivores; and (vi) suppress growth of competitor plant species. Because of the effective functions of endophytic microbes, we suggest that endophytic microbes may significantly reduce use of agrochemicals (fertilizers, fungicides, insecticides, and herbicides) in the cultivation of crop plants. The loss of endophytic microbes from crop plants during domestication and long‐term cultivation could be remedied by transfer of endophytes from wild relatives of crops to crop species. Increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide levels could reduce the efficiency of the rhizophagy cycle due to repression of reactive oxygen used to extract nutrients from microbes in roots. © 2019 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

VqbZIP1 isolated from Chinese wild Vitis quinquangularis is involved in the ABA signaling pathway and regulates stilbene synthesis

Resveratrol is an important phytoalexin in grapevine. Not only does it confer increased disease resistance and but as a food component it offers significant benefits in human health. Abscisic acid (ABA) is an important phytohormone involved in many biological processes in plants and can also promote the accumulation of stilbenes. Stilbene synthase (STS) is an important enzyme which catalyzes the last step of resveratrol synthesis. Our study characterizes a basic leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factor, VqbZIP1, isolated from Chinese wild Vitis quinquangularis accession Danfeng-2. The results show that VqbZIP1 encodes 299 amino acids and belongs to the Group A subfamily of the bZIP family. VqbZIP1 showed transcriptional activation activity in yeast and is predicted to be located in the nucleus. The yeast two-hybrid assay and bimolecular fluorescence complementation (BiFC) assay together show that VqbZIP1 interacts with VqSnRK2.4 and VqSnRK2.6. VqbZIP1, the STS genes, VqSnRK2.4 and VqSnRK2.6 can all be induced by ABA treatment. A GUS activity experiment indicates VqbZIP1 can activate the GUS reporter gene driven by STS promoters. Further studies show that co-expression of VqbZIP1 with VqSnRK2.4 or VqSnRK2.6 can confer higher efficiency than expression of VqbZIP1 alone in activating the STS promoters. Overexpression of VqbZIP1 in grape leaves promoted the transcript level of the STS genes and the accumulation of stilbenes. Overexpression of VqbZIP1 in Arabidopsis thaliana can confer ABA sensitivity. In summary, our results suggest VqbZIP1 participates in the ABA signaling pathway and regulates stilbene synthesis.

Seed priming induced blast disease resistance in finger millet plants through phenylpropanoid metabolic pathway

Phenylpropanoids contribute to all aspects of plant responses to biotic and abiotic stimuli. The lignin biosynthesis by phenylpropanoid pathway induces cell wall strengthening, a barrier against fungal penetration and progression. In the present study, two fluorescent Pseudomonas isolates JUPC113 and JUPW121 from cotton and wheat rhizospheres respectively were used for seed priming in greenhouse studies along with the unprimed seeds as control. Plants were assessed for disease symptoms from 10 to 20d of challenge inoculation with the blast pathogen Magnaporthe grisea (MTCC-1477). Pronounced increase in disease resistance was seen in primed plants; JUPW121 (0.21 ± 0.04) and JUPC113 (0.27 ± 0.02) compared with the mock control plants with maximum disease incidence rate of 2.67 ± 0.33. Spectrophotometric estimation of the different enzymes involved in lignin biosynthesis, viz., phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL; EC 4.3.1.24) and tyrosine ammonia lyase (TAL; EC 4.3.1.25) showed an increased activity in JUPC113-primed plants at the initial 6 and 12 hpi in comparison with the control. The biochemical studies were validated by the histochemical (lignin) and metabolomic (phenolic compounds and amino acids) studies. The disease incidence rate was also low when compared to the primed and mock control plants which was validated by biochemical estimation of the enzyme activities. The present study presented the experimental evidence on induction of disease resistance in finger millet against the pathogen by accumulation of host defense compounds during early hours post challenge. Hence these isolates can be used in further studies of seed priming for disease resistance against different plant pathogens.

Global developments of genome editing in agriculture

Genome editing, particularly using of site-directed nucleases such as the CRISPR system, has spread rapidly through the biological sciences. Genome editing in crops could significantly speed up the progress of breeding programs. It could drive the development of traits in new crops and allow improvements in yield and pest resistance, adaptation to climate change, and industrial and pharmaceutical applications. However biofortification is a key challenge to satisfy nutritional needs in vitamins for developing countries and new consumer's needs for developed countries. China and the USA lead scientific research in crop editing. Nigeria, being headquarters to numerous research consortia, is the most involved country in Africa. Genome editing in animals including pig, cattle, sheep, and carp, has not merely accelerated research but has made possible research that was previously unfeasible. It has been used to increase disease resistance, to make livestock better adapted to farming or environmental conditions, to increase fertility and growth, and to improve animal welfare. The USA, the UK and China are the most involved countries in animal genome editing. Global food production needs to increase as much as 70 per cent to support the growing population. Genome editing could contribute improving the efficiency of food distribution and reducing waste. Depending on the regulatory conditions, genome editing could open up the field to smaller companies and public labs.

Treatment With Wheat Root Exudates and Soil Microorganisms From Wheat/Watermelon Companion Cropping Can Induce Watermelon Disease Resistance Against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum.

Companion cropping with wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) can enhance watermelon [Citrullus lanatus (Thunb.) Matsum. & Nakai] wilt disease resistance against Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum. However, the mechanism of resistance induction remains unknown. In this study, the effects of microbial community dynamics and the interactions between wheat and watermelon plants, particularly the effect of wheat root exudates on watermelon resistance against F. oxysporum f. sp. niveum, were examined using a plant-soil feedback trial and plant tissue culture approach. The plant-soil feedback trial showed that treating watermelon with soil from wheat/watermelon companion cropping decreased watermelon wilt disease incidence and severity, increased lignin biosynthesis- and defense-related gene expression, and increased β-1,3-glucanase activity in watermelon roots. Furthermore, soil microbes can contribute to increasing disease resistance in watermelon plants. Tissue culture experiments showed that both exogenous addition of wheat root exudates and companion cropping with wheat increased host defense gene expression, lignin and total phenols, and increased β-1,3-glucanase activity in watermelon roots. In conclusion, both root exudates from wheat and the related soil microorganisms in a wheat/watermelon companion cropping system played critical roles in enhancing resistance to watermelon wilt disease induced by F. oxysporum f. sp. niveum.

Influence of the Intestinal Microbiota on Colonization Resistance to Salmonella and the Shedding Pattern of Naturally Exposed Pigs.

Salmonella colonization and infection in production animals such as pigs are a cause for concern from a public health perspective. Variations in susceptibility to natural infection may be influenced by the intestinal microbiota. Using 16S rRNA compositional sequencing, we characterized the fecal microbiome of 15 weaned pigs naturally infected with Salmonella at 18, 33, and 45 days postweaning. Dissimilarities in microbiota composition were analyzed in relation to Salmonella infection status (infected, not infected), serological status, and shedding pattern (nonshedders, single-point shedders, intermittent-persistent shedders). Global microbiota composition was associated with the infection outcome based on serological analysis. Greater richness within the microbiota postweaning was linked to pigs being seronegative at the end of the study at 11 weeks of age. Members of the Clostridia, such as Blautia, Roseburia, and Anaerovibrio, were more abundant and part of the core microbiome in nonshedder pigs. Cellulolytic microbiota (Ruminococcus and Prevotella) were also more abundant in noninfected pigs during the weaning and growing stages. Microbial profiling also revealed that infected pigs had a higher abundance of Lactobacillus and Oscillospira, the latter also being part of the core microbiome of intermittent-persistent shedders. These findings suggest that a lack of microbiome maturation and greater proportions of microorganisms associated with suckling increase susceptibility to infection. In addition, the persistence of Salmonella shedding may be associated with an enrichment of pathobionts such as Anaerobiospirillum. Overall, these results suggest that there may be merit in manipulating certain taxa within the porcine intestinal microbial community to increase disease resistance against Salmonella in pigs. IMPORTANCE Salmonella is a global threat for public health, and pork is one of the main sources of human salmonellosis. However, the complex epidemiology of the infection limits current control strategies aimed at reducing the prevalence of this infection in pigs. The present study analyzes for the first time the impact of the gut microbiota in Salmonella infection in pigs and its shedding pattern in naturally infected growing pigs. Microbiome (16S rRNA amplicon) analysis reveals that maturation of the gut microbiome could be a key consideration with respect to limiting the infection and shedding of Salmonella in pigs. Indeed, seronegative animals had higher richness of the gut microbiota early after weaning, and uninfected pigs had higher abundance of strict anaerobes from the class Clostridia, results which demonstrate that a fast transition from the suckling microbiota to a postweaning microbiota could be crucial with respect to protecting the animals.

Inducible overexpression of Ideal Plant Architecture1 improves both yield and disease resistance in rice

Breeding crops with resistance is an efficient way to control diseases. However, increased resistance often has a fitness penalty. Thus, simultaneously increasing disease resistance and yield potential is a challenge in crop breeding. In this study, we found that downregulation of microRNA-156 (miR-156) and overexpression of Ideal Plant Architecture1 (IPA1) and OsSPL7, two target genes of miR-156, enhanced disease resistance against bacterial blight caused by Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae (Xoo), but reduced rice yield. We discovered that gibberellin signalling might be partially responsible for the disease resistance and developmental defects in IPA1 overexpressors. We then generated transgenic rice plants expressing IPA1 with the pathogen-inducible promoter of OsHEN1; these plants had both enhanced disease resistance and enhanced yield-related traits. Thus, we have identified miR-156-IPA1 as a novel regulator of the crosstalk between growth and defence, and we have established a new strategy for obtaining both high disease resistance and high yield.

Astaxanthin enhances hematology, antioxidant and immunological parameters, immune-related gene expression, and disease resistance against in Channa argus

The present study was aimed to add 0, 50, or 100 mg/kg of astaxanthin (AST) to the basal diet of Channa argus and determine the effects on hematology, antioxidant and immunological parameters, immune-related genes expression, and disease resistance. Adding 50 or 100 mg/kg AST significantly enhanced (P < 0.05) Hb content at 14, 21, and 28 days and also the levels of Ht and RBC at 21 and 28 days. Supplementing 50 or 100 mg/kg of AST for 21 and 28 days significantly increased (P < 0.05) the level of serum antioxidant enzymes (SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px) or decreased (P < 0.05) serum MDA content. The level of serum lysozyme significantly enhanced (P < 0.05) at 28 days and also IgM and C3 at 21 days in 100 mg/kg AST treatment and at 28 days in 50 or 100 mg/kg AST treatment. Meanwhile, 50 and 100 mg/kg AST treatment significantly upregulated (P < 0.05) the expression of HSP70, HSP90, IκB-α, and GR or downregulated NF-κB p65 and inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-8) transcription at 21 and 28 days. Fish fed 50 and 100 mg/kg AST enhanced (P < 0.05) disease resistance against Aeromonas hydrophila (survival rate 51.0% and 58.0%, respectively). The present results suggested that AST enhanced hematology and serum antioxidant and immune response, regulated immune-related gene expression, and increased disease resistance against A. hydrophila in C. argus.

ITRAQ Proteomic Analysis of Continuously Cropped Soybean Root Inoculated With Funneliformis mosseae.

Soybean (Glycine max) is susceptible to root rot when subjected to continuous cropping, and this disease can seriously diminish the crop yield. Proteomics analyses can show the difference of protein expression in different treatment samples. Herein, isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ) labeling and liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) were employed for proteomic analysis of continuously cropped soybean inoculated with the arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) Funneliformis mosseae. The AMF can reduce the incidence of root rot and increase plant height, biomass index in 1, 2, and 4 year of continuous cropping. Differential expression of proteins in soybean roots was determined following 1 year of continuous cropping. A total of 131 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified in F. mosseae-treated samples, of which 49 and 82 were up- and down-regulated, respectively. The DEPs were annotated with 117 gene ontology (GO) terms, with 48 involved in biological processes, 31 linked to molecular functions, and 39 associated with cell components. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis mapped the DEPs to 113 mainly metabolic pathways including oxidative phosphorylation, glycolysis, and amino acid metabolism. Expression of glucan 1,3-beta-glucosidase, chalcone isomerase, calcium-dependent phospholipid binding and other defense-related proteins was up-regulated by F. mosseae, suggesting inoculation promotes the growth and development of soybean and increases disease resistance. The findings provide an experimental basis for further research on the molecular mechanisms of AMF in resolving problems associated with continuous soybean cropping.

Comparative immunostimulatory effect of probiotics and prebiotics in Channa punctatus against Aphanomyces invadans

In aquaculture and human health care probiotics and prebiotics have been widely used due to their important role in enhancing beneficial gut microbiota, promoting growth, increasing disease resistance, and positively modulating the host immune system. This study reports for the first time a comparative analysis on the effect of the probiotics and prebiotics on growth, digestive enzymes activity, antioxidant activity, and immune response in Channa punctatus against Aphanomyces invadans. Among the diets enriched with Saccharomyces cerevisiae (S. cerevisiae) and Galactooligosaccharide (GOS) in C. punctatus, feeding 2.5 g kg−1 diet did not significantly influence the mean weight gain (MWG) between weeks 2 and 4 in both the infected and control groups; however the increase in MWG became significant from weeks 6–8. Similarly, during this period the protein efficiency ratio (PER), feed conversion ratio (FCR) and protein intake (PI) did not increase significantly. The intestinal protease, lipase, and amylase enzyme activities also did not increase significantly between weeks 2 and 4, whereas the values increased significantly after 6 weeks in both groups when fed with dietary supplementation of S. cerevisiae and GOS. The total S. cerevisiae count significantly increased in the gut of infected and non-infected fish fed with S. cerevisiae and GOS diets while the total bacterial (TB) count decreased between weeks 6 and 8. The total superoxide dismutase (t-SOD) activity and the malonaldehyde (MDA) concentration increased significantly in the non-infected fish fed with S. cerevisiae and GOS supplementation diets between weeks 6 and 8 whereas the catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activities increased significantly only on week 8. The innate immune parameters such as plasma lysozyme, acid phosphatase (ACP), and myeloperoxidase (MPO) activities increased significantly in the infected and non-infected fish fed with S. cerevisiae and GOS containing diets after 6 weeks. Similarly, the plasma nitric oxide (NO) level and total protein (TP) content significantly increased in the non-infected fish fed with S. cerevisiae and GOS containing diets between weeks 6 and 8. In the control and the non-infected fish fed with S. cerevisiae and GOS enriched diets caused no mortality whereas 15% and 10% mortality was observed in the infected fish fed with S. cerevisiae and GOS diets, respectively. This study indicates that the infected and non-infected C. punctatus fed with dietary supplementation of GOS diet at 2.5 g kg−1 had exhibited better growth performance, digestive enzyme activities, gut microbiota composition, and immune response than that of S. cerevisiae diet.

Dietary flavonoids from Allium mongolicum Regel promotes growth, improves immune, antioxidant status, immune-related signaling molecules and disease resistance in juvenile northern snakehead fish (Channa argus)

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary flavonoids from Allium mongolicum Regel (AMRF) supplementation on growth, antioxidant and immune status, immune-related genes expression and disease resistance in Channa argus. A basal diet was supplemented with AMRF at 0, 10, 20 or 40 mg/kg feed for 56 days. The result revealed that weight gain (WG) and specific growth rate (SGR) were significantly increased (P < .05) with the increase of dietary AMRF levels from 0 to 40 mg/kg. All AMRF-supplemented groups (10, 20 or 40 mg/kg) significantly enhanced (P < .05) serum AKP, lysozyme activity, C3, IgM concentration, liver antioxidant enzymes activity (SOD, CAT and GSH-Px) or decreased (P < .05) serum cortisol, liver MDA content, serum ALT and AST activity. Meanwhile, AMRF administration significantly up-regulated (P < .05) the expression of SOD, IgM, HSP70, HSP90, IκB-α and GR or down-regulated (P < .05) NF-κB p65 and inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β and IL-8) transcription in head kidney of C. argus. After challenge with Aeromonas hydrophila, survival rates in all AMRF treatment groups were significantly increased (P < .05). These results indicated that dietary intake containing AMRF enhanced growth, antioxidant and immune response and regulated immune-related genes expression and increased disease resistance against Aeromonas hydrophila in snakehead fish, with greatest effects in fish given 40 mg/kg AMRF for 56 days.

Sustainable crop production in greenhouses based on understanding crop physiology

More precise control of growth conditions has led to a strong increase in crop yield in greenhouses. To further improve crop production, product quality and sustainability, we need profound knowledge of the responses of plants to environmental conditions as well as crop management by growers (e.g., pruning and plant density). In young plants, rapid leaf formation initially boosts production through its role in intercepting light. However, we propose that many full-grown crops invest too much assimilate in new leaves. Responses of plants to the environment are seldom linear, and show many interactions. Furthermore, short- and long-term responses can be very different because of acclimation and feedback mechanisms. Therefore, research should not only study plant responses under constant conditions, but also analyse multiple interacting factors under fluctuating conditions. Controlling the climate should focus more on the microclimate near plant organs than on the average greenhouse climate. For instance, the temperature of the apical meristem may deviate by 4°C from that of the air. Leaf initiation rate depends on the temperature of the apical meristem, independent of the temperature of the other plant organs, and this has a significant impact on the plant phenotype. LED lamps open opportunities for energy saving while improving growth, yield and product quality, as they allow the instantaneous control of spectrum, intensity and direction of light, and the decoupling of lighting from heating. Effects of LED light on yield can be attributed to effects on leaf photosynthesis, plant morphology, which affects the absorption of light, and dry-matter partitioning. LED light can also trigger secondary metabolite production, resulting in increased disease resistance, or increased antioxidants such as vitamin C or anthocyanins. A next step in the control of the production process is indoor production without solar light in vertical farms. This step is boosted by developments in LED technology.

Genetic potential for disease resistance in critically endangered amphibians decimated by chytridiomycosis

AbstractHundreds of amphibian species have declined worldwide after the emergence of the amphibian fungal pathogen Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis (Bd). Despite captive breeding efforts, it is unlikely that wild populations for many species will be reestablished unless Bd resistance increases. We performed a Bd‐challenge study in the functionally extinct southern corroboree frog Pseudophryne corroboree to investigate differences in Bd susceptibility among individuals and populations, identify genetic [major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I] and genome‐wide variants associated with Bd resistance, and measure genetic diversity and population genetic structure. We found three MHC variants and one MHC supertype associated with Bd infection load and survival along with a suggestively associated single nucleotide polymorphism. We also showed that genome‐wide heterozygosity is associated with increased survival. Additionally, we found evidence of significant population structure among the four P. corroboree populations studied and high MHC genetic diversity. Our results indicate that there are immunogenetic differences among captive southern corroboree frogs; such differences could be manipulated to increase disease resistance and mitigate the significant threat of chytridiomycosis. These results demonstrate a potential long‐term solution to chytridiomycosis that could include breeding more resistant individuals and returning them to the wild.

Xinjiang herbal tea exerts immunomodulatory activity via TLR2/4-mediated MAPK signaling pathways in RAW264.7 cells and prevents cyclophosphamide-induced immunosuppression in mice

Ethnopharmacological relevanceA multi-herb Chinese medicinal formula consisting of a variety of medicinal and edible materials has long been consumed as a hot drink and immune enhancer for its efficiency to increase disease resistance in Xinjiang, China. However, no fundamental data has been collected associated with traditional consumption. The present work was designed to evaluate the immunostimulatory role of Xinjiang herbal tea (XMT-WE) in RAW 264.7 macrophages and cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced immunosuppression mice model. Materials and methodsRAW 264.7 cells were treated with various concentrations of XMT-WE. Nitric oxide (NO) levels were determined using Griess reagents, and pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α were investigated with a cytometric bead array kit. The effects on mRNA expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), cyclooxygenase (COX)-2, and TNF-α were investigated. Furthermore, activation of nuclear factor (NF)-κB and AP-1 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways was investigated. ResultsPre-treatment with XMT-WE significantly increased secretion of NO, IL-6, and TNF-α. In addition, XMT-WE markedly increased expression of iNOS, COX-2, and TNF-α as well as AP-1 and NF-κB translocation from the cytoplasm into the nucleus, which was associated with an increase of phosphorylated ERK, JNK, and p38 as well as membrane receptors such as toll-like receptor (TLR) 2 and TLR4. Moreover, XMT-WE promoted the secretion of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon-γ (IFN-γ) in cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced immunosuppressive mice. ConclusionThese results indicated that XMT-WE at 50 µg/ml exerts immunomodulatory activity via TLR2/4-mediated MAPK signaling pathways in RAW 264.7 cells. Furthermore, in vivo experiments revealed that XMT-WE at the dose of 50 and 100 mg/kg strongly stimulated inflammatory cytokines.

Energy Demands of Early Life Drive a Disease Tolerant Phenotype and Dictate Outcome in Neonatal Bacterial Sepsis.

Bacterial sepsis is one of the leading causes of death in newborns. In the face of growing antibiotic resistance, it is crucial to understand the pathology behind the disease in order to develop effective interventions. Neonatal susceptibility to sepsis can no longer be attributed to simple immune immaturity in the face of mounting evidence that the neonatal immune system is tightly regulated and well controlled. The neonatal immune response is consistent with a “disease tolerance” defense strategy (minimizing harm from immunopathology) whereas adults tend toward a “disease resistance” strategy (minimizing harm from pathogens). One major advantage of disease tolerance is that is less energetically demanding than disease resistance, consistent with the energetic limitations of early life. Immune effector cells enacting disease resistance responses switch to aerobic glycolysis upon TLR stimulation and require steady glycolytic flux to maintain the inflammatory phenotype. Rapid and intense upregulation of glucose uptake by immune cells necessitates an increased reliance on fatty acid metabolism to (a) fuel vital tissue function and (b) produce immunoregulatory intermediates which help control the magnitude of inflammation. Increasing disease resistance requires more energy: while adults have fat and protein stores to catabolize, neonates must reallocate resources away from critical growth and development. This understanding of sepsis pathology helps to explain many of the differences between neonatal and adult immune responses. Taking into account the central role of metabolism in the host response to infection and the severe metabolic demands of early life, it emerges that the striking clinical susceptibility to bacterial infection of the newborn is at its core a problem of metabolism. The evidence supporting this novel hypothesis, which has profound implications for interventions, is presented in this review.