Alkaline Phosphatase Production Research Articles

Interactions between root and rhizosphere microbes mediate phosphorus acquisition in Pinus tabulaeformis

The Pinus tabulaeformis plantation is a major industrial forest in China. Phosphorus (P) deficiency seriously affected its growth and productivity. Root traits and rhizosphere microorganisms play essential roles in plant P acquisition. However, how root traits interact with microbial communities for P acquisition remains largely unclear. The responses of P. tabulaeformis root morphological characteristics, oxalic acid, soil P fractions and rhizosphere bacterial and fungal communities and potential functions to P addition were investigated using a pot experiment with three P levels (0, 20, and 80 mg P kg−1 soil). Additionally, we constructed a functional synthetic microbial community (SynCom) and verified their behaviors in promoting plant P acquisition and growth. P fertilization significantly increased the soil CaCl2-P, citrate-P, HCl-P and microbial biomass P (MBP) fractions and decreased oxalic acid, bacterial indicator genera in P deficiency and ectomycorrhizal fungi (ECM). Most of the bacterial indicator genera in P deficiency were negatively correlated with citrate-P and HCl-P but were positively correlated with alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and oxalic acid. According to structure equation models, soil total P could directly influence P acquisition efficiency and indirectly through its effects on ECM or by regulating oxalic acid, which regulated bacterial indicator genera in P deficiency and thus affected ALP production. Inoculation with SynCom significantly increased soil available P contents, ALP activities, root P concentrations and superoxide dismutase activities. Under low P conditions, P. tabulaeformis adopted a high carbon cost strategy for P acquisition, specifically moderating root secretion. Rhizosphere bacteria could accelerate soil P mobility and enhance the P absorption ability and systemic resistance of roots to alleviate P stress. This study provided the theoretical basis for the exploitation and utilization of microbial fertilizers, as well as for the cultivation and management of plantation.

Cardamonin inhibits osteogenic differentiation by downregulating Wnt/beta-catenin signaling and alleviates subchondral osteosclerosis in osteoarthritic mice.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a common degenerative joint disease, and subchondral osteosclerosis is an important pathological change that occurs in its late stages. Cardamonin (CD) is a natural flavonoid isolated from Alpinia katsumadai that has anti-inflammatory activity. The objectives of this study were to investigate the therapeutic effects and potential mechanism of CD in regulating OA subchondral osteosclerosis at in vivo and in vitro settings. Eight-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into four groups: sham operation, anterior cruciate ligament transection (ACLT)-induced OA model, low-dose and high-dose CD treated ACLT-OA model groups. Histological assessment and immunohistochemical examinations for chondrocyte metabolism-related markers metalloproteinase-13, ADAMTS-4, Col II, and Sox-9 were performed. Microcomputed tomography was used to assess the sclerosis indicators in subchondral bone. Further, MC3T3-E1 (a mouse calvarial preosteoblast cell line) cells were treated with various concentrations of CD to reveal the influence and potential molecular pathways of CD in osteogenic differentiations. Animal studies suggested that CD alleviated the pathological changes in OA mice such as maintaining integrity and increasing the thickness of hyaline cartilage, decreasing the thickness of calcified cartilage, decreasing the Osteoarthritis Research Society International score, regulating articular cartilage metabolism, and inhibiting subchondral osteosclerosis. In vitro investigation indicated that CD inhibited alkaline phosphatase expression and production of calcium nodules during osteogenic differentiation of MC3T3-E1 cells. In addition, CD inhibited the expression of osteogenic differentiation-related indicators and Wnt/β-catenin pathway-related proteins. In conclusion, CD inhibits osteogenic differentiation by downregulating Wnt/β-catenin signaling and alleviating subchondral osteosclerosis in a mouse model of OA.

Investigating the Role of Amino Acids in Short Peptides for Hydroxyapatite Binding and Osteogenic Differentiation of Mesenchymal Stem Cells to Aid Bone Regeneration.

Bone defects show a slow rate of osteoconduction and imperfect reconstruction, and the current treatment strategies to treat bone defects suffer from limitations like immunogenicity, lack of cell adhesion, and the absence of osteogenic activity. In this context, bioactive supramolecular peptides and peptide gels offer unique opportunities to develop biomaterials that can play a dominant role in the biomineralization of bone tissues and promote bone formation. In this article, we have demonstrated the potential of six tetrapeptides for specific binding to hydroxyapatite (HAp), a major inorganic component of the bone, and their effect on the growth and osteogenic differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). We adopted a simplistic approach of rationally designing amphiphilic peptides by incorporating amino acids, Ser, pSer, Pro, Hyp, Asp, and Glu, which are present in either collagenous or noncollagenous proteins and render properties like antioxidant, calcification, and mineralization. A total of six tetrapeptides, Trp-Trp-His-Ser (WWHS), Trp-Trp-His-pSer (WWHJ), Trp-Trp-His-Pro (WWHP), Trp-Trp-His-Hyp (WWHO), Trp-Trp-His-Asp (WWHD), and Trp-Trp-His-Glu (WWHE), were synthesized. Four peptides were found to self-assemble into nanofibrillar gels resembling the extracellular matrix (ECM), and the remaining two peptides (WWHJ, WWHP) self-assembled into nanorods. The peptides showed excellent cell adhesion, encapsulation, proliferation, and migration and induced the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), as evident from the enhanced mineralization, resulting from the upregulation of osteogenic markers, RUNX 2, COL I, OPN, and OCN, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) production, and calcium deposition. The peptides also induced the downregulation of inflammatory markers, TNF-α and iNOS, and the upregulation of the anti-inflammatory marker, IL-10, resulting in M2 macrophage polarization. RANKL and TRAP genes were downregulated in a coculture system of MC3T3-E1 and RAW 264.7 cells, implying that peptides promote osteogenesis and inhibit osteoclastogenesis. The peptide-based biomaterials developed in this work can enhance bone regeneration capacity and show strong potential as scaffolds for bone tissue engineering.

Effect of polydatin on the viability and odontogenic differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells: An in-vitro study

Background/purposeVarious materials have been used to promote human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) differentiation to produce dentin bridge formation with less-than-optimal results. Polydatin (PD), a naturally present material with osteogenic properties can be a promising material in the pulp regeneration/repair process. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of (PD) on the viability and differentiation of human dental pulp stem cells. Materials and methodsPD effect on hDPSCs in terms of cellular viability, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) production, and messenger RNAs (mRNA) of odontogenic markers production using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) were evaluated. In addition, mineral deposits were detected with Alizarin red stain. ResultsThe viable hDPSCs in the presence of 0.01 μM and 0.1 μM PD were significantly higher than the control on days 3 and 7, respectively. In addition, ALP activity of hDPSCs was significantly increased with 0.01, 0.1, and 1 μM of PD. In addition, increased expression mRNAs of ALP, osteocalcin (OC), osteonectin (ON), osteopontin (OP), Runt-related transcription factor-2 (RUNX-2), dentin sialophosphoprotein (DSPP), and dentin matrix protein-1 (DMP-1) was observed after PD treatment, however, the difference was not statistically significant. Furthermore, increased size of mineral deposits was observed with PD. ConclusionPD promoted the expression of markers associated with odontogenic differentiation and mineralized tissue deposition in hDPSCs.

Anti-Salmonella Defence and Intestinal Homeostatic Maintenance In Vitro of a Consortium Containing Limosilactobacillus fermentum 3872 and Ligilactobacillus salivarius 7247 Strains in Human, Porcine, and Chicken Enterocytes.

Limosilactobacillus fermentum strain 3872 (LF3872) was originally isolated from the breast milk of a healthy woman during lactation and the breastfeeding of a child. Ligilactobacillus salivarius strain 7247 (LS7247) was isolated at the same time from the intestines and reproductive system of a healthy woman. The genomes of these strains contain genes responsible for the production of peptidoglycan-degrading enzymes and factors that increase the permeability of the outer membrane of Gram-negative pathogens. In this work, the anti-Salmonella and intestinal homeostatic features of the LF3872 and LS7247 consortium were studied. A multi-drug resistant (MDR) strain of Salmonella enteritidis (SE) was used in the experiments. The consortium effectively inhibited the adhesion of SE to intact and activated human, porcine, and chicken enterocytes and reduced invasion. The consortium had a bactericidal effect on SE in 6 h of co-culturing. A gene expression analysis of SE showed that the cell-free supernatant (CFS) of the consortium inhibited the expression of virulence genes critical for the colonization of human and animal enterocytes. The CFS stimulated the production of an intestinal homeostatic factor-intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IAP)-in Caco-2 and HT-29 enterocytes. The consortium decreased the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines IL-8, TNF-α, and IL-1β, and TLR4 mRNA expression in human and animal enterocytes. It stimulated the expression of TLR9 in human and porcine enterocytes and stimulated the expression of TLR21 in chicken enterocytes. The consortium also protected the intestinal barrier functions through the increase of transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and the inhibition of paracellular permeability in the monolayers of human and animal enterocytes. The results obtained suggest that a LF3872 and LS7247 consortium can be used as an innovative feed additive to reduce the spread of MDR SE among the population and farm animals.

Effects of advanced glycation end-products, diabetes and metformin on the osteoblastic transdifferentiation capacity of vascular smooth muscle cells: In vivo and in vitro studies

AimsOur objective was to study the vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) osteoblastic transdifferentiation in AGE exposed cells or those from diabetic animals, and its response to metformin treatment. MethodsVSMC were obtained from non-diabetic rats, grown with or without AGE; while VSMC of in vivo-ex vivo studies were obtained from non-diabetic control animals (C), diabetic (D), C treated with metformin (M) and D treated with metformin (D-M). We studied the osteoblastic differentiation by evaluating alkaline phosphatase (ALP), type I collagen (Col) and mineral deposit. ResultsIn vitro, AGE increased proliferation, migration, and osteoblastic differentiation of VSMC. Metformin cotreatment prevented the AGE induced proliferation and migration. Both AGE and metformin stimulated the expression of ALP and Col. AGE induced mineralization was prevented by metformin. VSMC from D expressed a higher production of Col and ALP. Those from D-M showed an ALP increase vs C and M, and a partial decrease vs D. Cultured in osteogenic medium, ALP, Col and mineralization increased in D vs C, remained unchanged in M, and were prevented in D-M animals. ConclusionBoth AGE and DM favor VSMC differentiation towards the osteogenic phenotype and this effect can be prevented by metformin.

The effect of intradialytic exercise on calcium, phosphorus and parathyroid hormone: a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundPatients with kidney failure experience derangements of circulating markers of mineral metabolism and dysregulation of skeletal and cardiovascular physiology which results in high mortality rate in these patients. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of intradialytic exercise on regulation of these abnormalities in patients receiving chronic hemodialysis (HD).MethodsIn this randomized controlled trial conducted in an HD center in Iran, adult patients receiving chronic HD were randomized to intradialytic exercise (60 min) in the second hour of thrice weekly dialysis for 6 months (intervention) or no intradialytic exercise (control). The primary outcomes were serum calcium, serum phosphorous and parathyroid hormone levels. Secondary outcomes were serum alkaline phosphatase and calcium-phosphorous product.ResultsThe study included 44 participants randomized to intervention (n = 22) or control (n = 22). During the 6-month intervention period, significant between-group changes were observed in all primary and secondary outcomes between the intervention and control groups. Statistical analyses reveal a significant increase in serum calcium (P < 0.05) as well as a significant decrease in serum phosphorous, parathyroid hormone, alkaline phosphatase and calcium-phosphorous product (P < 0.05).ConclusionIntradialytic exercise performed for at least 60 min during thrice weekly dialysis sessions improves bone mineral metabolism in adult patients receiving HD. Further studies should focus on observing and comparing the effect of different types of exercise on bone mineral disorders and all-cause mortality in HD patients.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT04916743, Registered on 08/06/2021. Registered trial name: The Effect of Intradialytic Exercise on Calcium, Phosphorous and Parathyroid Hormone: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Algal growth and alkaline phosphatase activity of ‘green tide’ Chaetomorpha linum in response to phosphorus stress

Chaetomorpha linum is a bloom-forming macroalgae found all over the world. In the past 10 years, green tides dominated by Chaetomorpha spp. have broken out frequently in the phosphate-deficient Swan Lagoon, China. Here, we evaluated the changes in P concentration and alkaline phosphatase activity (APA) in water and sediments during the growth of C. linum in the laboratory experiment. The objective of this study was to clarify the phosphorus (P) sources supporting the C. linum blooms throughout the year in this phosphate-deficient lagoon. Our results show that C. linum is able to store a large amount of P when phosphate is abundant in the water, and the P in algal tissue can be utilized for algal growth at a short time. This species can also produce alkaline phosphatase (APase) and facilitate the release of mobile P (BD-P and NaOH-P) from sediments when phosphate is deficient in order to sustain growth. The field investigation shows the seasonal differences in the P sources supporting C. linum blooms in Swan Lagoon. In addition to sediment released P, the tissue P in living algae and the dissolved organic P in water are the main utilized P sources in spring and winter, respectively. This possibly explains why C. linum can persist and proliferate in such a lagoon system throughout the year.

3D-Printed PLA Scaffold with Fibronectin Enhances In Vitro Osteogenesis.

Tricalcium phosphate (TCP, Molecular formula: Ca3(PO4)2) is a hydrophilic bone graft biomaterial extensively used for guided bone regeneration (GBR). However, few studies have investigated 3D-printed polylactic acid (PLA) combined with the osteo-inductive molecule fibronectin (FN) for enhanced osteoblast performance in vitro, and specialized bone defect treatments. This study evaluated PLA properties and efficacy following glow discharge plasma (GDP) treatment and FN sputtering for fused deposition modeling (FDM) 3D printed PLA alloplastic bone grafts. 3D trabecular bone scaffolds (8 × 1 mm) were printed by the 3D printer (XYZ printing, Inc. 3D printer da Vinci Jr. 1.0 3-in-1). After printing PLA scaffolds, additional groups for FN grafting were continually prepared with GDP treatment. Material characterization and biocompatibility evaluations were investigated at 1, 3 and 5 days. SEM images showed the human bone mimicking patterns, and EDS illustrated the increased C and O after fibronectin grafting, XPS and FTIR results together confirmed the presence of FN within PLA material. Degradation increased after 150 days due to FN presence. 3D immunofluorescence at 24 h demonstrated better cell spreading, and MTT assay results showed the highest proliferation with PLA and FN (p < 0.001). Cells cultured on the materials exhibited similar alkaline phosphatase (ALP) production. Relative quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) at 1 and 5 days revealed a mixed osteoblast gene expression pattern. In vitro observations over a period of five days, it was clear that PLA/FN 3D-printed alloplastic bone graft was more favorable for osteogenesis than PLA alone, thereby demonstrating great potential for applications in customized bone regeneration.

Advanced platelet rich fibrin demonstrates improved osteogenic induction potential in human periodontal ligament cells, growth factor production and mechanical properties as compared to leukocyte and platelet fibrin and injectable platelet rich fibrin.

This cross-sectional invitro research aimed to compare and contrast the macroscopic and microscopic, mechanical and biochemical features of leukocyte-rich platelet-rich fibrin, advanced platelet-rich fibrin, and injectable platelet-rich fibrin. In all, 150 samples were taken from males aged 18 to 25 with good systemic health (n = 50 each for i-PRF, A-PRF, and L-PRF). The samples were assessed for clot length, clot width, membrane length and width. Microscopic parameters assessed were the distribution of cells and fibrin structure. Mechanical tests were performed for tensile strength using a universal testing machine and growth factor analysis was performed for platelet derived growth factor (PDGF), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and transforming growth factor (TGF)- on Days 1, 3 and 7 using commercially available ELISA kits. The osteogenic potential was analyzed in a culture of human periodontal ligament cells for 21days using cell viability assay, alkaline phosphatase formation and alizarin red staining for mineralization. L-PRF demonstrates statistically superior clot length, width, weight, membrane length, width and weight in comparison to A-PRF (p < 0.05). L-PRF demonstrates a denser fibrin structure in comparison to A-PRF and i-PRF (p < 0.05). The cells in L-PRF are most commonly situated in the proximal of the clot where as they are distributed in the proximal and middle aspect for A-PRF(p < 0.05). A-PRF demonstrates the highest tensile strength followed by L-PRF (p < 0.05). When growth factor release was evaluated, A-PRF showed noticeably increased release of all growth factors, namely PDGF-BB, TGF-ß, and VEGF, in comparison to i-PRF and L-PRF (p < 0.05). On days 7 and 14, the cell viability of human periodontal ligament cells in co-culture with A-PRF was statistically substantially greater than that of L-PRF and i-PRF (p < 0.05). Alkaline phosphatase levels were statistically substantially higher in A-PRF, followed by i-PRF and L-PRF on days 14 and 21 (p < 0.05). After 21days of culture, A-PRF treated cultures had much more Alizarin Red staining than L-PRF and i-PRF cultures did (p < 0.05). It was determined that although L-PRF exhibits greater size and weight in comparison to A-PRF and i-PRF, A-PRF has superior mechanical properties, increased growth factor releases of TGF-b, PDGF-BB, and VEGF as well as superior cell viability, alkaline phosphatase production, and mineralization on human periodontal ligament cells. Based on these findings, A-PRF can be recommended for improved delivery of growth factors and osteogenesis whereas L-PRF is better-suited for applications relying on the size of membrane.

Mesoporous Core-Cone Silica Nanoparticles Can Deliver miRNA-26a to Macrophages to Exert Immunomodulatory Effects on Osteogenesis In Vitro.

Nanoparticles can play valuable roles in delivering nucleic acids, including microRNAs (miRNA), which are small, non-coding RNA segments. In this way, nanoparticles may exert post-transcriptional regulatory influences on various inflammatory conditions and bone disorders. This study used biocompatible, core-cone-structured, mesoporous silica nanoparticles (MSN-CC) to deliver miRNA-26a to macrophages in order to influence osteogenesis in vitro. The loaded nanoparticles (MSN-CC-miRNA-26) showed low-level toxicity towards macrophages (RAW 264.7 cells) and were internalized efficiently, causing the reduced expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, as seen via real-time PCR and cytokine immunoassays. The conditioned macrophages created a favorable osteoimmune environment for MC3T3-E1 preosteoblasts, driving osteogenic differentiation with enhanced osteogenic marker expression, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) production, extracellular matrix formation, and calcium deposition. An indirect co-culture system revealed that direct osteogenic induction and immunomodulation by MSN-CC-miRNA-26a synergistically increased bone production due to the crosstalk between MSN-CC-miRNA-26a-conditioned macrophages and MSN-CC-miRNA-26a-treated preosteoblasts. These findings demonstrate the value of nanoparticle delivery of miR-NA-26a using MSN-CC for suppressing the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines with macrophages and for driving osteogenic differentiation in preosteoblasts via osteoimmune modulation.

Dietary marine-derived ingredients for stimulating hair cell cycle

In normal condition human hair growth occurs through three phases, anagen (growth phase included about 85 % of hairs, last from 2 to 6 years), catagen (transitional phase lasting up to 2 weeks) and telogen (resting phase which last from 1 to 4 months). Natural dynamics of the hair growth process can be impaired by several factors, such as genetic predisposition, hormonal disorders, aging, poor nutrition or stress, which can lead to the slowdown in the growth of hair or even hair loss. The aim of the study was to assess the hair growth promotion effect of marine-derived ingredients, hair supplement Viviscal® and its raw components (marine protein complex AminoMarC®, shark and oyster extract). Cytotoxicity, production of alkaline phosphatase and glycosaminoglycans, as well as expression of genes involved in hair cycle-related pathways were investigated using dermal papilla cells, both immortalized and primary cell lines. Tested marine compounds showed no evidence of cytotoxicity under in vitro conditions. Viviscal® significantly increased proliferation of dermal papilla cells. Moreover, tested samples stimulated cells to produce alkaline phosphatase and glycosaminoglycans. Increased expression of hair cell cycle-related genes was also observed. The obtained results indicate that marine-derived ingredients stimulate hair growth through anagen activation.

Development of gene therapy for hypophosphatasia

Hypophosphatasia (HPP) is a disease caused by an inborn defect in the production of alkaline phosphatase that affects bones and teeth. The six types are perinatal lethal form, perinatal benign form, infantile form, childhood form, adulthood form and odontohypophosphatasia. Treatments have historically been limited but, in 2015, an enzyme replacement therapy known as Asfotase Alfa was approved. This has improved life expectancy and quality of life but drawbacks such as requires 3-6 injections per week for life, injection pain and swelling at injection sites remain. Professor Koichi Miyake and his team at the Department of Gene Therapy at Nippon Medical School (NMS), Japan, are working to improve treatments for HPP. The researchers are developing novel therapeutic agents to potentially treat HPP by only single injection, one of which is ARU-2801. The hope is that this will not only prolong the life of HPP patients and improve their symptoms, but also improve their quality of life and will also improve the symptoms of patients with disease types that currently cannot be treated with enzyme replacement therapy. Miyake and the team have evaluated the efficacy and safety of ARU-2801 using non-human primates (NHPs). In their studies, ARU-2801 was able to maintain tissue nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNALP) expression in NHPs and mice for a long period, with no side effects. In future clinical trials the effectiveness of ARU-2801 will need to be confirmed in patients.

Surface Characteristics and Bone Biocompatibility of Cold-Sprayed Porous Titanium on Polydimethylsiloxane Substrates.

A variant of the cold spray (CS) technique was applied for the functionalization of polymer-based materials such as polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) to improve the extent of mammalian cell interactions with these substrates. This was demonstrated by the embedment of porous titanium (pTi) into PDMS substrates using a single-step CS technique. CS processing parameters such as gas pressure and temperature were optimized to achieve the mechanical interlocking of pTi in the compressed PDMS to fabricate a unique hierarchical morphology possessing micro-roughness. As evidenced by the preserved porous structure, the pTi particles did not undergo any significant plastic deformation upon impact with the polymer substrate. The thickness of the particle embedment layer was determined, by cross-sectional analysis, ranging from 120 μm to over 200 μm. The behavior of osteoblast-like cells MG63 coming into contact with the pTi-embedded PDMS was examined. The results showed that the pTi-embedded PDMS samples promoted 80-96% of cell adhesion and proliferation during the early stages of incubation. The low cytotoxicity of the pTi-embedded PDMS was confirmed, with cell viability of the MG63 cells being above 90%. Furthermore, the pTi-embedded PDMS facilitated the production of alkaline phosphatase and calcium deposition in the MG63 cells, as demonstrated by the higher amount of alkaline phosphatase (2.6 times) and calcium (10.6 times) on the pTi-embedded PDMS sample fabricated at 250 °C, 3 MPa. Overall, the work demonstrated that the CS process provided flexibility in the parameters used for the production of the modified PDMS substrates and is highly efficient for the fabrication of coated polymer products. The results obtained in this study suggest that a tailorable porous and rough architecture could be achieved that promoted osteoblast function, indicating that the method has promise in the design of titanium-polymer composite materials applied to biomaterials used in musculoskeletal applications.

State of local immunity of respiratory organs in calves with bronchopneumonia

Respiratory diseases are widespread among cattle and represent a significant proportion of the causes of abandonment in dairy and beef cattle. Despite the fact that new vaccines are being developed and introduced to combat respiratory diseases, which create humoral immunity to the main specific pathogens of respiratory diseases, the problem persists. Thus, it can be assumed that a significant proportion of respiratory diseases is caused by opportunistic microflora. Previous studies have shown that in calves under the influence of adverse microclimate factors, the microflora of the upper respiratory tract migrates to the underlying parts of the respiratory tract, resulting in bronchopneumonia.The study of local immunity indicators in healthy calves and calves with bronchopneumonia was realized. The study involved 8 Holstein calves aged 4-5 months, which were divided into 2 groups. Group 1 (control, n = 3) - clinically healthy calves, group 2 (experiment, n = 5) – calves with bronchopneumonia. Nasal secretions were collected from calves to assess local protection of the respiratory tract. The level of lysozyme, mucin, alkaline phosphatase, total protein, IgM, IgA and IgG was determined in it. The study of nonspecific factors protecting the mucous membrane of the respiratory tract showed a decrease in the level of lysozyme by 27.4% (p ˂ 0.01), as well as an increase in mucin by 76.4% and alkaline phosphatase - by 2.3 times compared with healthy calves. At the same time, with the development of pneumonia, there was an increase in the level of immunoglobulins M and A by 2.5 times (p ˂ 0.05). Thus, the conducted studies have shown that in case of bronchopneumonia, the barrier functions of the respiratory tract are activated to a large extent. In the nasal mucus of sick calves, the level of secretory immunoglobulins A and M increases, the production of alkaline phosphatase and mucin is activated.

Effect of Soil Amendments on the Enzymatic Profile of Soil when Nicotiana alata L. and Petunia hybrida L. were Irrigated with Synthetic Heavy Metal-contaminated Wastewater

T he nutrient cycle and organic matter decomposition are catalyzed by soil enzymes. In this study, enzymatic activities of catalase, dehydrogenase, alkaline phosphatase, and urease are studied in soils amended with compost (C), moss (M), or biochar (B) and irrigated with heavy metal-contaminated wastewater (HM-CW), when Nicotiana alata L. and Petunia hybrida L. was grown in pots. The irrigation of HM-CW reduced the soil enzyme activities. However, combined used of 5% M+C+B, results in the improved soil enzyme activities. In case of N. alata and P. hybrida, catalase activity was 222.03 ± 9.24 and 402.34 ± 10.48 mg KMnO4 g-1 soil h-1, respectively, with M+C+B, which was up to 94% higher than non-amended treatment. Similarly, the M+C+B treatment also showed higher activity for dehydrogenase i.e., 180.24 ± 6.95, and 156.79 ± 8.31 μg TPF g-1 soil h-1 for N. alata and P. hybrida, respectively, that were 73% and 49% higher than non-amended treatment. Alkaline phosphatase production (μg p-nitrophenol g-1 soil h-1) for N. alata with M+C+B was 40.10 ± 1.92 and with C+B was 38.41 ± 2.00, while for P. hybrida with M+C+B was 39.33 ± 2.05, which is significantly higher as compared with the non-amended treatment. Urease activity at M+C+B application in soil with P. hybrida was 83.22 ± 5.54 mg urea g-1 soil h-1, which was much higher than that of N. alata. In general enzyme activity enhanced in the soil with N. alata or P. hybrida along with soil amendments. It shows that application of these organic amendments individually or in combination with N. alata or P. hybrida increased enzyme activities possibly through affecting soil nutrient dynamics.

A trade-off between space exploration and mobilization of organic phosphorus through associated microbiomes enables niche differentiation of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on the same root.

Ecology seeks to explain species coexistence, but experimental tests of mechanisms for coexistence are difficult to conduct. We synthesized an arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal community with three fungal species that differed in their capacity of foraging for orthophosphate (P) due to differences in soil exploration. We tested whether AM fungal species-specific hyphosphere bacterial assemblages recruited by hyphal exudates enabled differentiation among the fungi in the capacity of mobilizing soil organic P (Po). We found that the less efficient space explorer, Gigaspora margarita, obtained less 13C from the plant, whereas it had higher efficiencies in Po mobilization and alkaline phosphatase (AlPase) production per unit C than the two efficient space explorers, Rhizophagusintraradices and Funneliformis mosseae. Each AM fungus was associated with a distinct alp gene harboring bacterial assemblage, and the alp gene abundance and Po preference of the microbiome associated with the less efficient space explorer were higher than those of the two other species. We conclude that the traits of AM fungal associated bacterial consortia cause niche differentiation. The trade-off between foraging ability and the ability to recruit effective Po mobilizing microbiomes is a mechanism that allows co-existence of AM fungal species in a single plant root and surrounding soil habitat.

Fabrication, Structural and Biological Characterization of Zinc-Containing Bioactive Glasses and Their Use in Membranes for Guided Bone Regeneration.

Polymeric membranes are widely used in guided bone regeneration (GBR), particularly in dentistry. In addition, bioactive glasses can be added to the polymers in order to develop a matrix that is osteoconductive and osteoinductive, increasing cell adhesion and proliferation. The bioactive glasses allow the insertion into its network of therapeutic ions in order to add specific biological properties. The addition of zinc into bioactive glasses can promote antibacterial activity and induce the differentiation and proliferation of the bone cells. In this study, bioactive glasses containing zinc (0.25, 0.5, 1 and 2 mol%) were developed and structurally and biologically characterized. The biological results show that the Zn-containing bioactive glasses do not present significant antibacterial activity, but the addition of zinc at the highest concentration does not compromise the bioactivity and promotes the viability of Saos-2 cells. The cell culture assays in the membranes (PCL, PCL:BG and PCL:BGZn2) showed that zinc addition promotes cell viability and an increase in alkaline phosphatase (ALP) production.

Chlorpyrifos degrading potential of a Bacterial isolate from Thermal Power Plant Soil

The pesticides had a significant role in crop protection and in agricultural production. The organophosphate pesticides are used against many crop pests. But the injudicious application results in residues of organophosphate pesticides in soil routed to food chain by different means and affect the human health. There is a great need for remediation of the toxic residues from the environment. The microbial bioremediation is a safe and eco-friendly technique for pesticide removal. The present study focused on the degradation ability of a bacterium previously isolated from the soil contaminated with fly ash from coal based thermal power plant. The 16S rRNA sequencing confirmed the bacterium as Lysinibacillus fusiformis. The chlorpyrifos utilization capability of the isolated bacterium was studied in mineral salt medium supplemented with 50 mg L-1 chlorpyrifos as sole carbon source at 30oC and 120 rpm for 15 days. The bacterium was able to grow in the medium with the production of alkaline phosphatase and reduction in pH of the growth media. The bacterium degraded 16.54 percent of chlorpyrifos in 15 days. The chlorpyrifos utilization for bacterial biomass production confirmed the in situ biodegradation ability of the bacterium.

Role of growth hormone in orthodontics

Human growth hormone (Somatotropin) is produced by acidophilic growth hormone cells in the anterior pituitary gland, stimulated by hypothalamus. Its production is regulated by several complex feedback mechanisms in response to stress, exercise, diet, sleep and growth hormone itself. Growth hormone plays a major role in linear body growth and craniofacial growth. In Orthodontics, it induces orthodontic tooth movement by activating specific cytokines to regulate osteoclast &amp; osteoblast activity. It mediates STAT signalling in liver &amp; pancreas to produce JAK-IGF-1. IGF-1 has stimulatory effects on osteoblasts and chondrocytes for endochondral ossification to promote bone growth. Growth hormone mediates mitogenic stimulus to odontoblast lineage cells by epidermal growth factor (EGF) to differentiate into odontoblasts. It also stimulates production of alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin in osteoblasts to improve osteoblast proliferation and differentiation. It also induces osteoclastic activity indirectly by production of IGF-1 and IL- 6 thereby activating RANK-RANKL/OPG phenomenon. It also promotes myofibrillar diameter expansion so it increases muscle mass with strength. Growth Hormone Replacement therapy reduces facial convexity and its main effect appears to be on condylar growth. Since deficiencies of growth hormone can adversely affect orthodontic treatment, effects of growth hormone treatment on craniofacial structures should be considered in order to maximize the effectiveness of orthodontic treatment with appliances and it is more important to understand.