Relative Protein Content Research Articles

Pinellia polysaccharide activates PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and regulates the expression of airway smooth muscle related apoptosis molecules in airway remodeling in rats with cough variant asthma

Purpose: To investigate the effect of Pinellia polysaccharide on airway remodeling in cough-variant asthmatic rats, and the involvement of PI3K/AKT signal route in the process.
 Methods: Seventy-five Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were assigned to 5 groups: blank control, model, low-dose Pinellia polysaccharide (100 mg/kg), medium-dose Pinellia polysaccharide (200 mg/kg) and high-dose Pinellia polysaccharide (400 mg/kg) groups, each with 15 rats. Immunoblot assay was employed to measure relative protein concentrations of phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-AKT), phosphorylated phosphoinositide-3-kinase (p-PI3K), MMP-9, B lymphocytes expression of cell tumor-2, B-lymphoma-2 gene-related promoter (Bad), Fas, and Caspase-3.
 Results: The levels of Wat, Wam, Wai, p-AKT, p-PI3K, MMP-9 and bcl-2 in model group were significantly higher than those in blank control group (p < 0.05). However, these factors were significantly up-regulated, relative to blank control levels, but lower than those in the model group (p < 0.05). The levels of Bad, Fas and Caspase3 in the model group were significantly lower than the corresponding levels in the blank control group (p < 0.05). Moreover, levels of Bad, Fas and Caspase3 differed significantly amongst rats given the 3 doses of Pinellia polysaccharide (p < 0.05).
 Conclusion: Pinellia polysaccharide mitigates cough-variant asthma in rats through stimulation of PI3K/AKT signal route, regulation of expressions of airway smooth muscle-related apoptotic molecules (Bad, Fas and Caspase-3), and slowing down airway remodeling and airway inflammation. Thus, this polysaccharide is a potential agent for the management of cough variant asthma.

Alleviation of the adverse effects of NaCl stress on tomato seedlings (Solanum lycopersicum L.) by Trichoderma viride through the antioxidative defense system

BackgroundTrichoderma viride are well known for their biocontrol capabilities, but little is known about how they stimulate plant development and increase their resistance to salt stress. One of the main abiotic factors limiting crop development and yield is salt stress. Therefore, the purpose of this work was to ascertain how NaCl effects on T. viride growth as well as on the seedlings morphological and physio-biochemical parameters of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) under plate culture conditions. Additionally, a pot experiment was conducted to determine how T. viride affected the development characteristics of tomato plants subjected to various salt concentrations (50 and 100 mM NaCl). T. viride's contribution to tomato seedling stress tolerance was also closely examined.ResultsResults showed that 100 mM NaCl decreased the colony diameter of T. viride by 13.4% compared to the control. Under plate and greenhouse conditions, tomato seedlings exposed to salt exposure exhibited an overall decline in growth. Also, a reduction in relative water content (RWC) and protein contents occurred under salt stress. At the same time, increases were found in proline, total phenolics, flavonoids, H2O2 content, malondialdehyde, likewise the activities of peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) enzymes. Even though, with T. viride application, the salt negative effects on both morphological and physio-biochemical parameters were mitigated to a greater extent. T. viride increased proline and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in tomato seedlings at 100 mM NaCl by an average of 20.66 and 43.82% compared to their comparable control. T. viride increased the activities of CAT, PPO, and APX enzymes by 74.6, 58.48, and 61.61% at 50 mM NaCl compared to non-saline control seedlings. As well, T. viride decreased MDA and H2O2 contents by an average of 14 and 24.8% in tomato seedlings at 50 mM NaCl compared to their comparable control. Also, under 100 mM NaCl, the T. viride-treated tomato seedlings showed increased total phenolics (17.85%) and flavonoids (33.17%) compared to non- treated one.ConclusionHence, our research sheds new insight on the pathways by which T. viride can boost tomato seedling tolerance to salt stress at morphological and physio-biochemical levels by activating both enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidant defense systems.

Integrated Application of Salicylic Acid and PGPRs to Control Fusarium Wilt of Chickpea

Fusarium wilt and Ascochyta blight are the most important diseases of chickpea. The current study was designed to investigate the individual and combined effect of salicylic acid (SA) with Pseudomonas stutzeri and Pseudomonas putida to suppress Fusarium wilt and promote growth of chickpea varieties: Thal-2006 and Punjab-2008. At the time of sowing, inoculum of Fusarium oxysporum was applied to the soil and the incidence of Fusarium wilt was recorded after 60 days. The seeds were inoculated with Pseudomonas stutzeri and Pseudomonas putida prior to sowing. Chickpea plants were treated with salicylic acid at seedling stage. The combination of P. stutzeri and SA significantly increased root length (166% and 145%), shoot height (50% and 47%) and shoot biomass (300% and 233%) in cv. Thal-2006 and cv. Punjab-2008, respectively, in infected plants. Similarly, the combined treatment of P. putida + SA, also enhanced the plant growth parameters of chickpea varieties. Maximum reduction in disease severity was observed in both P. stutzeri + SA (90% and 84%) and P. putida + SA (79% and 77%) treatments in cv. Thal-2006 and Punjab-2008, respectively. Both P. putida + SA and P. stutzeri + SA treatments resulted in increased leaf relative water and total protein content, peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and polyphenol oxidase activities in both resistant (cv. Thal-2006) and susceptible (cv. Punjab-2008) cultivars. Both treatments also significantly reduced malondialdehyde (MDA) and proline content in cv. Thal-2006 and Punjab-2008. Cultivar Thal-2006 was more effective than cv. Punjab-2008. The results suggested that, in combination, salicylic acid and P. stutzeri may play an important role in controlling Fusarium wilt diseases by inducing systemic resistance in chickpea.

Dissecting Rice Pearl Character, an Important Added Value in High-Quality Temperate Mediterranean Japonica Cultivars

Rice holds an important sociocultural meaning in Europe, and especially in the gastronomy of its Mediterranean regions, as it is used for world-famous recipes such as Risotto in Italy and Paella in Spain. Paella is prepared with highly appreciated pearled (white-core) rice cultivars such as Bomba or Montsianell, while Risotto is prepared with white-belly Carnaroli cultivar among others. Pearled rice grains have a limited and enclosed translucent zone which is physicochemically different from stress-induced chalky grains present in any rice cultivar at a low rate, and whose opaque area covers at least three quarters of the grain surface. We have studied for the first time the physicochemical aspects of grains from pearled white-belly, white-core and crystalline rice grains of Mediterranean japonica rice cultivars in comparison with their defective stress-induced chalky grains in order to shed some light on their differences. Spanish Bomba and Montsianell white-core (pearled) cultivars have similar physicochemical behaviours but are clearly different from white-belly Carnaroli cultivar. Furthermore, their pearled fractions differ in some traits from stress-induced chalkiness, especially in terms of amyloplastic integrity, relative amylose content and relative storage protein content. This study establishes some physicochemical differences between white-belly, white-core and stress-induced defective chalky grains and will guide future studies to unravel this much-appreciated pearl character in the Mediterranean gastronomy.

СОДЕРЖАНИЕ ЦИТОСКЕЛЕТНЫХ БЕЛКОВ, мРНК СООТВЕТСТВУЮЩИХ ГЕНОВ И ПОСТТРАНСЛЯЦИОННЫЕ МОДИФИКАЦИИ ГИСТОНОВ В ЯИЧНИКАХ DROSOPHILA MELANOGASTER НА ФОНЕ ВОЗДЕЙСТВИЯ СИМУЛИРОВАННОЙ НЕВЕСОМОСТИ

Mechanism of the microgravity-induced changes in the cytoskeleton, reproductive system cells in particular, is still poorly known. We measured the relative content of cytoskeleton proteins and mRNAs in associated genes, levels of lysines 4 and 9 methylation, and lysines 9 and 27 acetylation in histone H3 in ovaries of 5-day Drosophila melanogaster after rotation in a random positioning machine with the aim to investigate the effects of microgravity on the course of hametogenesis. After the exposure in simulated microgravity, β-actin and α-tubulin in fly ovaries were found increased as compared to the control; content of associated mRNAs did not change. There was an increase in the relative content of histone H3 modifications, and also increases in both lysines 9 and 27 acetylation and lysines 4 and 9 methylation. These data shed light on the mechanisms of epigenetic regulation of gene expression and development of an adaptive pattern of the reproductive system cell structure in the condition of microgravity.

Trait Association and path coefficient analysis for yield and yield attributing traits in Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.)

Correlation and path analysis were carried out in 36 diverse genotypes of sesame collected from different parts of the country along with North-East region of India for local landraces. Analysis of variance indicated the presence of good amount of genetic variability among the genotypes under study. Correlation studies indicated that seed yield per plant was significantly and positively associated with traits, i.e. plant height, internodal length, number of capsules per plant, number of branches per plant, stover yield per plant and harvest index both at genotypic and phenotypic levels which indicate the importance of these traits in selection for enhancing the seed yield. Path analysis revealed that maximum positive direct effect on seed yield per plant was imposed by days to 80% physiological maturity, internodal length, capsule length, stem height from base to first branch, stover yield per plant, harvest index, relative water content, oil content and protein content both at genotypic and phenotypic levels. This indicate that these are the real independent characters and they have maximum contribution towards increase in the seed yield per plant.

Analysis of copper-induced protein precipitation across the E. coli proteome.

Metal cations have been exploited for their precipitation properties in a wide variety of studies, ranging from differentiating proteins from serum and blood to identifying the protein targets of drugs. Despite widespread recognition of this phenomenon, the mechanisms of metal-induced protein aggregation have not been fully elucidated. Recent studies have suggested that copper's (Cu) ability to induce protein aggregation may be a main contributor to Cu-induced cell death. Here, we provide the first proteome-wide analysis of the relative sensitivities of proteins across the Escherichia coli proteome to Cu-induced aggregation. We utilize a metal-induced protein precipitation (MiPP) methodology that relies on quantitative bottom-up proteomics to define the metal concentration-dependent precipitation properties of proteins on a proteomic scale. Our results establish that Cu far surpasses other metals in promoting protein aggregation and that the protein aggregation is reversible upon metal chelation. The bulk of the Cu bound in the protein aggregates is Cu1+, regardless of the Cu2+ source. Analysis of our MiPP data allows us to investigate underlying biophysical characteristics that determine a protein's sensitivity to Cu-induced aggregation, which is independent of the relative concentration of protein in the lysate. Overall, this analysis provides new insights into the mechanism behind Cu cytotoxicity, as well as metal cation-induced protein aggregation.

Isolation, Production, and Characterization of Serum Immunoglobulin M (IgM) of Indian Major Carp Cirrhinus mrigal (MRIGAL).

A method for the isolation of immunoglobulin M (IgM) in Indian major carp Cirrhinus mrigal (mrigal) serum to produce polyclonal antibodies is described in the present study. The purified immunoglobulins (IgM) were isolated from the serum of mrigal (Cirrhinus mrigal) by the bovine serum albumin (BSA)-CL affinity column purification method, and the IgM was used to produce a polyclonal rabbit anti-mrigal IgM antiserum. The IgM preparations were employed in the characterization of mrigal serum immunoglobulin. Reduced mrigal IgM on sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) was shown to consist of two subunits, compatible with heavy and light chains. A single heavy chain at approximately 90 kDa and variant of light chain 30 kDa were found. The dominant form of nonreduced IgM had a MW of approximately 900 kDa, suggesting a tetrameric structure based on estimated molecular weights, the relative protein content, and the reactivity with anti-mrigal IgM antisera, was obtained. The antisera were characterized as to specificity and reactivity by means of the enzyme linked immuno-sorbent assay (ELISA) and western blotting method. The information on the structure and character of immunoglobulin of fishes is essential in health management. The study described here investigates the possibility of using the serological techniques to assess the reactivity of antibody with the anti-mrigal IgM antisera.

Effect of Baking Temperature and Time on Advanced Glycation End Products and Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in Beef

Beef is an important red meat that contains essential nutrients for human growth and development. Baking is a popular beef cooking method. Temperature and time play key roles in the final quality of beef. How temperature and time affect the changes of nutrients and the formation of harmful products in beef is not clear. The purpose of this study was to measure the content of water, fat, protein, ash, nitrite, total volatile base nitrogen, advanced glycation end products (AGEs) and their precursors, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) at different temperatures (150, 190, 230, 270, and 310°C) for 20 min and at 190°C for different times (10, 20, and 30 min), so as to discuss the effect of different temperatures and times on beef nutrients and harmful products. The results showed that the moisture content of beef decreased with increased baking temperature and time, resulting in the increase of the relative content of fat, protein, and ash. The content of total volatile base nitrogen increased continuously. Compared with the control group, the content of glyoxal in beef decreased, whereas the content of methylglyoxal, pentosidine, and fluorescent AGEs increased, indicating the continuous accumulation of AGEs in beef. A total of 13 PAHs were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The concentrations of 13 PAHs in beef increased with increases in baking temperature and time. The concentrations of BkP and BaP, which are the most carcinogenic to humans, were 0.36 and 0.35 μg/kg in raw meat, respectively; these were increased by high temperature and long baking times. After beef was baked at 270 and 310°C for 20 min, the concentration of BkP increased to 9.49 and 5.66 μg/kg, respectively, and the concentration of BaP increased to 5.45 and 4.42 μg/kg, respectively. After baking at 190°C for 30 and 40 min, the concentration of BkP increased to 4.81 and 24.20 μg/kg, respectively, and the concentration of BaP increased to 3.85 and 17.79 μg/kg, respectively.

The potential of Bacillus subtilis and phosphorus in improving the growth of wheat under chromium stress.

Hexavalent chromium (Cr+6 ) is one of the most toxic heavy metals that have deteriorating effects on the growth and quality of the end product of wheat. Consequently, this research was designed to evaluate the role of Bacillus subtilis and phosphorus fertilizer on wheat facing Cr+6 stress. The soil was incubated with Bacillus subtilis and phosphorus fertilizer before sowing. The statistical analysis of the data showed that the co-application of B. subtilis and phosphorus yielded considerably more significant (p < 0.05) results compared with an individual application of the respective treatments. The co-treatment improved the morphological, physiological and biochemical parameters of plants compared with untreated controls. The increase in shoot length, root length, shoot fresh weight and root fresh weight was 38.17%, 29.31%, 47.89% and 45.85%, respectively, compared with untreated stress-facing plants. The application of B. subtilis and phosphorus enhanced osmolytes content (proline 39.98% and sugar 41.30%), relative water content and stability maintenance of proteins (86.65%) and cell membranes (66.66%). Furthermore, augmented production of antioxidants by 67.71% (superoxide dismutase), 95.39% (ascorbate peroxidase) and 60.88% (catalase), respectively, were observed in the Cr+6 - stressed plants after co-application of B. subtilis and phosphorus. It was observed that the accumulation of Cr+6 was reduced by 54.24%, 59.19% and 90.26% in the shoot, root and wheat grains, respectively. Thus, the combined application of B. subtilis and phosphorus has the potential to reduce the heavy metal toxicity in crops. This study explored the usefulness of Bacillus subtilis and phosphorus application on wheat in heavy metal stress. It is a step toward the combinatorial use of plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria with nutrients to improve the ecosystems' health.

Comparison of morphological, physiological, and related-gene expression responses to saline-alkali stress in eight apple rootstock genotypes

• Saline-alkali inhibited the growth of all tested apple rootstock by restricting root development and reducing plants biomass accumulation. • The morphological, and physiological response performance largely differed among genotypes. • Saline-alkali induced up-regulation of signal transduction related genes expressions to enhancing the stress signal output. • Eight genotypes of apple rootstocks were classified into 3 types: highly tolerant, tolerant and susceptible. Grafting cultivars onto rootstocks capable of high saline-alkalinization tolerance is a promising way to improve apple production under specific regions with saline-alkali stress. The morphological, physiological, and related-gene expression responses of eight apple rootstock genotypes, including ‘Zumi’, ‘Marubakaido’, ‘Qingzhen 1’, ‘SH.6’, ‘M.26’, ‘B.9’, ‘M.9-T337’ and ‘Mark 9’, to saline-alkali stress were investigated under a 1:1 molar ratio of 75 mM sodium chloride (NaCl) and sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO 3 ) conditions. Morphological observations suggested that saline-alkali inhibited root development, limited biomass accumulation, and caused varying degrees of injury symptoms on leaves. Moreover, root activity and photosynthesis capacity of most genotypes declined. Still, the sodium (Na + ) /potassium (K + ) ratios, relative electrolyte conductivity (REC), malondialdehyde (MDA), proline, soluble protein, and soluble sugar contents were increased differently in all genotypes. Furthermore, the antioxidative enzyme activities (superoxide dismutase (SOD), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT)) and the expression levels of stress signal transduction related genes ( MdRD22, MdRD29A, MdRD29B, MdAREB1A, MdAREB1B , and MdDREB2A ) were increased or upregulated in some saline-alkali tolerance genotypes while decreased or downregulated in other sensitive genotypes. To sum up, the studied apple rootstocks were classified as highly tolerant (‘Zumi’ and ‘Qingzhen 1’); tolerant (‘M.9-T337’, ‘Marubakaido’ and ‘SH.6’); and susceptible (‘Mark 9’, ‘M.26’, and ‘B.9’) genotypes based on their saline-alkali stress indexes (SAI), average saline-alkali tolerance trait indexes (SATTI) and clustering analysis. These findings suggested that the rootstocks in current study are potential candidates for apple rootstocks against various levels of saline-alkali stress.

Effect of feeding different diets on postprandial metabolic response, digestive capacity and growth performance in juvenile southern catfish (Silurus meridionalis)

To investigate the effect of feeding different diets (non-artificial food and formulated diet and their mix) on specific dynamic action (SDA), digestive capacity and growth performance in carnivorous fish species, we measured the postprandial metabolic response and meal remaining in the stomach, specific growth rate (SGR) and intestinal microbial diversity of juvenile southern catfish (Silurus meridionalis) fed loach meat, formulated diet and their mix at 25 °C. The peak metabolic rate (PMR) and peak metabolic scope (PMS) of both the formulated diet and mixed diet group were higher than those of the loach meat group, and the SDA duration of both the formulated diet and mixed diet groups was shorter than that of the loach meat group. The percentage food remaining in the stomach was the lowest in the formulated diet group and the highest in the loach meat group at 16 and 24 h postfeeding, and the gastric evacuation rate was the highest in the formulated diet group and the lowest in the loach meat group. Both SGR and feeding rate (FR) were the highest in the formulated diet group and the lowest in the loach meat group. The bacterial community richness and relative abundance at the phylum and genus levels in the gut microbiota were higher in most samples of formulated diet group and lower in all samples of the loach meat group. These results indicated that southern catfish fed formulated diet had a higher metabolic response, faster digestion process and better growth performance than those fed loach meat. We suggest that these differences were related to the macronutrient composition (i.e., the relative content of protein, carbohydrate and lipid), type of food, as well as ingredients of formulated diets and gut microbiota.

Memory Effects of Water Deprivation in European Beech (Fagus sylvatica L.) and Silver Fir (Abies alba Mill.) Seedlings Grown in Mixed Cultivation

Very limited information is available on the drought tolerance of European beech and silver fir in mixed cultivation, both for mature forests and natural regeneration. Particularly, little information is available regarding the significance on memory effects of drought exposure. Therefore, drought memory was analyzed in seedlings of these species grown in mixed cultivation in the present study. The results showed that previous-year drought hardening mediated enhanced biomass accumulation of beech leaves and root in the subsequent year, but did not impact fir growth. Total carbon (C) content was decreased by drought hardening in both the leaves and roots of beech and previous-year needles and roots of fir, in beech probably as a consequence of increased growth. Previous-year drought hardening had no significant effect on relative water contents, total nitrogen (N), or soluble protein contents in leaves and roots of beech and fir, but resulted in decreased total amino acid contents of beech leaves and fir needles. It further reduced structural N in current-year fir needles and decreased C/N ratios in roots of both beech and silver fir seedlings. Generally, the number of interspecific neighbors had no considerable effect on biomass or total C or N contents, as well as N partitioning in leaves and roots of beech and fir seedlings. The present study highlights that drought hardening induces memory effects in European beech and silver fir seedlings in their mixture in the subsequent year of growth, but these memory effects are stronger in beech than in fir.

Systematical Ingredient Investigations of Ficus tikoua Bur. Fruit and Immunoregulatory and Antioxidant Effects of Different Fractions.

Although the fruit of Ficus tikoua Bur. has been consumed by montanic people in China for centuries, its chemical and biological composition was still unclear. A series of comprehensive investigations on its chemical constituents and bioactivities were carried out for the first time. As a result, six compounds were isolated and identified as the main components in this fruit. GC–MS analysis of the lipid components demonstrated that Ficus tikoua Bur. fruit contains some wholesome constituents such as fatty acids, vitamins, triterpenoids, and phytosterols. The fatty acids are mainly composed of linolenic acid (61.27%) and linoleic acid (22.79%). Furthermore, this fruit contains a relative high content of crude protein (9.41 ± 0.03%), total amino acids (9.28%), and total polyphenols (0.86 ± 0.01 g/100 g). The analysis of monosaccharide composition showed that the total polysaccharide mainly consists of glucose, glucuronic acid, xylose, arabinose, mannose, galactose, galacturonic acid, and rhamnose. The polysaccharide, polyphenol, water, ethanol, and flavonoid extracts exhibited prominent antioxidant activity determined by ABTS, DPPH, and FRAPS methods. Meanwhile, the total polysaccharide exhibited significant immunomodulatory effect by enhancing the release of cytokines and expression of iNOS and COX-2 in RAW264.7 cells, significantly decreasing the expression of c-Jun and p65 proteins in the cytoplasm; increasing the translocation of c-Jun and p65 to the nucleus; and regulating the phosphorylation level of Akt, PI3K, and PDK1 in the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. This study proved that the fruit of F. tikoua is a reliable source of functional food.

Silicon Supplementation Alleviates the Salinity Stress in Wheat Plants by Enhancing the Plant Water Status, Photosynthetic Pigments, Proline Content and Antioxidant Enzyme Activities.

Silicon (Si) is the most abundant element on earth after oxygen and is very important for plant growth under stress conditions. In the present study, we inspected the role of Si in the mitigation of the negative effect of salt stress at three concentrations (40 mM, 80 mM, and 120 mM NaCl) in two wheat varieties (KRL-210 and WH-1105) with or without Si (0 mM and 2 mM) treatment. Our results showed that photosynthetic pigments, chlorophyll stability index, relative water content, protein content, and carbohydrate content were reduced at all three salt stress concentrations in both wheat varieties. Moreover, lipid peroxidation, proline content, phenol content, and electrolyte leakage significantly increased under salinity stress. The antioxidant enzyme activities, like catalase and peroxidase, were significantly enhanced under salinity in both leaves and roots; however, SOD activity was drastically decreased under salt stress in both leaves and roots. These negative effects of salinity were more pronounced in WH-1105, as KRL-210 is a salt-tolerant wheat variety. On the other hand, supplementation of Si improved the photosynthetic pigments, relative water, protein, and carbohydrate contents in both varieties. In addition, proline content, MDA content, and electrolyte leakage were shown to decline following Si application under salt stress. It was found that applying Si enhanced the antioxidant enzyme activities under stress conditions. Si showed better results in WH-1105 than in KRL-210. Furthermore, Si was found to be more effective at a salt concentration of 120 mM compared to low salt concentrations (40 mM, 80 mM), indicating that it significantly improved plant growth under stressed conditions. Our experimental findings will open a new area of research in Si application for the identification and implication of novel genes involved in enhancing salinity tolerance.

Effect of processing on the phytochemicals and quality attributes of vermicelli developed from colored wheat

Biofortified colored wheat is rich in anthocyanin and phenolic acid compounds that have demonstrated positive physiological effects in humans and animals. This study aimed to develop vermicelli from black and purple colored wheat and compared it with non-colored white wheat. Vermicelli (roasted and unroasted) was developed from various colored wheat. Both roasted and unroasted versions were examined for the effect of processing on the quality characteristics such as cooking quality, shelf life, sensory parameters, macronutrients, anthocyanins, phenolics, flavonoids and antioxidant activity. The order of relative content of protein, anthocyanins, phenolics and flavonoids in both the forms was black > purple > white. Higher flour solubility and higher cooking losses in the soup gave black wheat a better texture and taste. Extrusion and roasting reduced anthocyanins, flavonoids, and soluble phenolics but enhanced insoluble phenolics and antioxidant activity. Three-month storage did not affect its quality attributes. Major anthocyanin in black wheat flour and its products was delphinidin-3-o-rutinoside. Several new anthocyanins, including coumaric acid derivatives were identified through MS/MS analysis. Anthocyanin stability followed the trend of peonidin-3-o-glucoside > cyanidin-3-o-glucoside > malvidin-3-o-glucoside > peonidin-3-rutinoside > delphinidin-3-o-galactoside > cyanidin-3-o-rutinoside. Thus, black wheat vermicelli with good shelf life was found to be best in terms of antioxidant activity, protein content, taste, and sensory attributes.

Reconstituting and Characterizing Actin-Microtubule Composites with Tunable Motor-Driven Dynamics and Mechanics.

The composite cytoskeleton, comprising interacting networks of semiflexible actin filaments and rigid microtubules, restructures and generates forces using motor proteins such as myosin II and kinesin to drive key processes such as migration, cytokinesis, adhesion, and mechanosensing. While actin-microtubule interactions are key to the cytoskeleton's versatility and adaptability, an understanding of their interplay with myosin and kinesin activity is still nascent. This work describes how to engineer tunable three-dimensional composite networks of co-entangled actin filaments and microtubules that undergo active restructuring and ballistic motion, driven by myosin II and kinesin motors, and are tuned by the relative concentrations of actin, microtubules, motor proteins, and passive crosslinkers. Protocols for fluorescence labeling of the microtubules and actin filaments to most effectively visualize composite restructuring and motion using multi-spectral confocal imaging are also detailed. Finally, the results of data analysis methods that can be used to quantitatively characterize non-equilibrium structure, dynamics, and mechanics are presented. Recreating and investigating this tunable biomimetic platform provides valuable insight into how coupled motor activity, composite mechanics, and filament dynamics can lead to myriad cellular processes from mitosis to polarization to mechano-sensation.

Exogenous salicylic acid alleviates water stress in watermelon plants

AbstractSalicylic acid (SA) has been considered to attenuate the effects of abiotic stresses on plants, including water deficit that intensely affects the growth and production of plants. The goal of this work was to evaluate the role of SA in the alleviation of water stress in watermelon seedlings on a morphophysiological and biochemical level. The experiment consisted of application of SA at concentrations of 0, 0.25, 0.50, 0.75 and 1.0 μmol L−1 to leaves of watermelon seedlings grown in three levels of water retention (100%, 75% and 50% WRL). To evaluate the effect on morphophysiological and biochemical aspects, the plant height, leaf area, shoot and root dry weight, chlorophyll index, relative water content, electrolyte leakage, protein content, amino acids, proline, carbohydrates, sucrose and starch concentration variables were determined. All variables were influenced by the SA concentrations and WRL, with statistically significant interaction between these factors for all except root dry weight. SA promotes increases in the concentration of organic solutes and reduces the rate of electrolyte leakage in watermelon seedlings, thus, supporting metabolism and growth of plants under stress conditions resulting from water deficit.

Removal Efficiency, Accumulation and Biochemical Response of Lemna minor L. Exposed to Some Heavy Metals

Both terrestrial and aquatic plants can be used for removing various pollutants such as hydrocarbons, heavy metals, etc via phytotechnology. This study applied different concentrations of Cd, Pb, and Cr (1, 4, and 8) mg/L to evaluate heavy metal removal and toxicological effects on Lemna minor L. in laboratory experiments for 12 days. At the beginning and the end of experiments, the parameters were measured, including fresh weight, relative growth rate (RGR), total chlorophyll, protein, and proline content, as well as other parameters measuring at the end of experiments such as metal remaining in water, removal efficiency, and bioconcentration factor(BCF) in plant. The results demonstrated a decrease in metal concentrations in aqueous solution at all treatments with different values. The highest removal efficiencies were Pb >Cr >Cd, respectively. It was 88.8 % at the 1 mg/L of lead and 22.22 % at 8 mg/L of Cd. The toxicological effects on plants as a response to selected metals were increased with increasing concentrations and periods of exposure. The reduction in fresh, dry weight, t. chlorophyll, and protein content were more in Cd>Cr>Pb respectively compared with increased in control treatments. The highest reduction at 8 mg/L of Cd were 0.329 µg/gram, 18.656 % for total chlorophyll and protein content respectively. The result showed the proline content increased with increasing concentration and the value was highest in Cd>Cr>Pb. The results suggest that Lemna minor L. is a good candidate for treating polluted water with heavy metals.

The role of dendrin in IgA nephropathy.

Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN) and its systemic variant IgA vasculitis (IgAV) damage the glomeruli, resulting in proteinuria, hematuria and kidney impairment. Dendrin is a podocyte-specific protein suggested to be involved in the pathogenesis of IgAN. Upon cell injury, dendrin translocates from the slit diaphragm to the nucleus, where it is suggested to induce apoptosis and cytoskeletal changes, resulting in proteinuria and accelerated disease progression in mice. Here we investigated gene and protein expression of dendrin in relation to clinical and histopathological findings to further elucidate its role in IgAN/IgAV. Glomerular gene expression was measured using microarray on 30 IgAN/IgAV patients, 5 patients with membranous nephropathy (MN) and 20 deceased kidney donors. Dendrin was spatially evaluated on kidney tissue sections by immunofluorescence (IF) staining (IgAN patients, n=4; nephrectomized kidneys, n=3) and semi-quantified by immunogold electron microscopy (IgAN/IgAV patients, n=21; MN, n=5; living kidney donors, n=6). Histopathological grading was performed according to the Oxford and Banff classifications. Clinical data were collected at the time of biopsy and follow-up. Dendrin mRNA levels were higher (P=.01) in IgAN patients compared with MN patients and controls and most prominently in patients with preserved kidney function and fewer chronic histopathological changes. Whereas IF staining did not differ between groups, immunoelectron microscopy revealed that a higher relative nuclear dendrin concentration in IgAN patients was associated with a slower annual progression rate and milder histopathological changes. Dendrin messenger RNA levels and relative nuclear protein concentrations are increased and associated with a more benign phenotype and progression in IgAN/IgAV patients.