Nitric oxide synthase isoform III gene expression in rat liver is up-regulated by lipopolysaccharide and lipoteichoic acid

AbstractThis study was done to investigate the influence of Gram-negative and Gram-positive sepsis on the expression of the three isoforms of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) gene in rat liver and kidney. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 10 mg/kg i.v.) as an in vivo model for Gram-negative sepsis or lipoteichoic acid (LTA, 10 mg/kg i.v.) as an in vivo model for Gram-positive sepsis. Animals were killed 12 h and 24 h after i.v. treatment. NOS mRNA of the three isoforms was determined by RNase protection assay. NOSII gene expression was strongly induced after LPS or LTA treatment in rat liver and kidney, indicating the efficacy of this treatment to induce sepsis. We found no change of NOSI gene expression after LPS or LTA injection in rat liver and kidney. NOSIII gene expression was increased about 8-fold 12 h and about 5-fold 24 h after induction of sepsis in the rat liver whereas in the kidney there was no significant increase in NOSIII gene expression. After correction for length NOSIII mRNA was about 4- and 40-fold more abundant 12 h and 24 h after LPS treatment than NOSII mRNA in the liver, respectively. Twelve and 24 h after LTA treatment NOSIII mRNA was about 18- and 140-fold more abundant than NOSII in the liver. These findings suggest that NOSIII is an even more potent source of NO than NOSII in the liver after stimulation with LPS or LTA

Flower palate ultrastructure of the carnivorous plant Genlisea hispidula Stapf with remarks on the structure and function of the palate in the subgenus Genlisea (Lentibulariaceae)

In the genus Genlisea as well as in its sister genus Utricularia, the palate probably plays a key role in providing the colour, mechanical and olfactory stimuli to attract insect pollinators and to guide them to the generative structures and the nectary spur. However, information about the micro-morphology of the palate of Genlisea is scarce. This study aims to examine the structure of the palate in Genlisea hispidula in detail as well as the palate from other five species from the subgenus Genlisea. In particular, its aim is to ascertain whether these palates function as an area for the osmophores in the flower or whether they produce nectar. We showed that the palate in all of the species that were examined was the glandular type and that it had capitate, glandular trichomes, which had a similar general architecture across the species that were examined. No nectar secretion was observed on the palates. The ultrastructure of the palate trichomes showed that the palate glandular trichomes most probably function as scent glands that produce an olfactory stimulus for flower pollinators

Data from: Floral trait evolution associated with shifts between insect and wind pollination in the dioecious genus Leucadendron (Proteaceae)

Transitions between animal and wind pollination have occurred in many lineages and have been linked to various floral modifications, but these have seldom been assessed in a phylogenetic framework. In the dioecious genus Leucadendron (Proteaceae), transitions from insect to wind pollination have occurred at least four times. Using analyses that controlled for relatedness among Leucadendron species, we investigated how these transitions shaped the evolution of floral structural and signaling traits, including the degree of sexual dimorphism in these traits. Pollen grains of wind-pollinated species were found to be smaller, more numerous, and dispersed more efficiently in wind than were those of insect-pollinated species. Wind-pollinated species also exhibited a reduction in spectral contrast between showy subtending leaves and background foliage, reduced volatile emissions, and a greater degree of sexual dimorphism in color and scent. Uniovulate flowers and inflorescence condensation are conserved ancestral features in Leucadendron and likely served as exaptations in shifts to wind pollination. These results offer insights into the key modifications of male and female floral traits involved in transitions between insect and wind pollination

Prostaglandin I2 release following mesenteric traction during abdominal surgery is mediated by cyclooxygenase-1

Our study aimed to determine the role of cyclooxygenase-2 in the release of prostaglandin-(PG)-I2 following mesenteric traction during abdominal surgery. In a prospective double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study, 40 patients electively scheduled for non-laparoscopic abdominal surgery, were pretreated with the cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitor parecoxib (n=20) or placebo (n=20). Heart rate, arterial blood pressure, oxygenation ratio and plasma concentrations of the stable PGI2-metabolite 6-keto-PGF1alpha were compared between groups before injection of parecoxib (-40 min), immediately before mesenteric traction (0 min), and 5, 10, and 30 min thereafter. In addition, plasma concentrations of valdecoxib, the active metabolite of the prodrug parecoxib, were determined. Plasma concentrations of 6-keto-PGF1alpha and heart rate increased in both groups after mesenteric traction. There were no significant differences between groups at individual times in heart rate, arterial blood pressure and plasma concentrations of 6-keto-PGF1alpha. Oxygenation ratio decreased after 10 and 30 min following mesenteric traction in the parecoxib group with a significant difference between treatment groups at 10 and 30 min. Plasma concentrations of valdecoxib revealed therapeutic values. Our data indicate that PGI2 release following mesenteric traction is mediated by cyclooxygenase-1

Evolutionary and ecological insights from Cytinus: A plant within a plant.

Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovación PID2020-116355GB-I0