Effects of dietary supplementation with Lactobacillus acidophilus on the performance, intestinal physical barrier function, and the expression of NOD-like receptors in weaned piglets

Lactobacillus supplementation is beneficial to the barrier function of the intestinal physical barrier in piglets. However, the mechanisms underlying this beneficial function remain largely unknown. Here, we investigated the effects of dietary supplementation with Lactobacillus acidophilus on the performance, intestinal physical barrier functioning, and NOD-like receptors (NLRs) expression in weaned piglets. Sixteen weaned piglets were randomly allocated to two groups. The control group received a corn-soybean basal diet, while the treatment group received the same diet adding 0.1% L. acidophilus, for 14 days. As a result, dietary L. acidophilus supplementation was found to increase the average daily gain (ADG) (P < 0.05), reduced serum diamine oxidase (DAO) activity (P < 0.05), increased the mRNA expression and protein abundance of occludin in the jejunum and ileum (P < 0.01), reduced the mRNA levels of NOD1 (P < 0.01), receptor interacting serine/threonine kinase 2 (RIPK2) (P < 0.05), nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) (P < 0.01), NLR family pyrin domain containing 3 (NLRP3) (P < 0.01), caspase-1 (P < 0.01), interleukin 1β (IL-1β) (P < 0.05) and IL-18 (P < 0.01) in the jejunum tissues of the weaned pigs. The expression of NLRP3 (P < 0.05), caspase-1 (P < 0.01), IL-1β (P < 0.05) and IL-18 (P < 0.05) was also reduced in the ileum tissues of the weaned pigs. These results showed that L. acidophilus supplementation improves the growth performance, enhances the intestinal physical barrier function, and inhibits the expression of NOD1 and NLRP3 signaling-pathway-related genes in jejunum and ileum tissues. They also suggest that L. acidophilus enhances the intestinal physical barrier functioning by inhibiting IL-1β and IL-18 pro-inflammatory cytokines via the NOD1/NLRP3 signaling pathway in weaned piglets

Effects of oligosaccharides from endophytic Fusarium oxysporum Dzf17 on activities of defense-related enzymes in Dioscorea zingiberensis suspension cell and seedling cultures

Background: Three oligosaccharides (EOS, WOS and SOS) were respectively prepared from the corresponding polysaccharides, namely exopolysaccharide (EPS), water-extracted mycelial polysaccharide (WPS) and sodium hydroxide-extracted mycelial polysaccharides (SPS) from the endophytic fungus Fusarium oxysporum Dzf17. In this study, the effects of EOS,WOS and SOS on the activities of the defense-related enzymes, namely phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), polyphenoloxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD) in its host plant Dioscorea zingiberensis cultures were investigated. Results: For the suspension cell cultures of D. zingiberensis, the highest PAL activity was induced by 0.5 mg/mL of WOS at 48 h after treatment, which was 4.55-fold as that of control. Both PPO and POD activities were increased to themaximumvalues by 0.25 mg/mL ofWOS at 48 h after treatment,whichwere respectively 3.74 and 3.45-fold as those of control. For the seedling cultures, the highest PAL activity was elicited by 2.5 mg/mL of EOS at 48 h after treatment, which was 3.62-fold as that of control. Both PPO and POD reached theirmaximum values treatedwith 2.5 mg/mL ofWOS at 48 h after treatment, whichwere 4.61 and 4.19-fold as those of control, separately. Conclusions: Both EOS and WOS significantly increased the activities of PAL, PPO and POD in the suspension cell and seedling cultures of D. zingiberensis. The results suggested that the oligosaccharides from the endophytic fungus F. oxysporum Dzf17 may be related to the activation and enhancement of the defensivemechanisms of D. zingiberensis suspension cell and seedling cultures

Extraction Optimization of Water-Extracted Mycelial Polysaccharide from Endophytic Fungus Fusarium oxysporum Dzf17 by Response Surface Methodology

Water-extracted mycelial polysaccharide (WPS) from the endophytic fungus Fusarium oxysporum Dzf17 isolated from Dioscorea zingiberensis was found to be an efficient elicitor to enhance diosgenin accumulation in D. zingigerensis cultures, and also demonstrated antioxidant activity. In this study, response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to optimize the extraction process of WPS from F. oxysporum Dzf17 using Box-Behnken design (BBD). The ranges of the factors investigated were 1–3 h for extraction time (X1), 80–100 °C for extraction temperature (X2), and 20–40 (v/w) for ratio of water volume (mL) to raw material weight (g) (X3). The experimental data obtained were fitted to a second-order polynomial equation using multiple regression analysis. Statistical analysis showed that the polynomial regression model was in good agreement with the experimental results with the determination coefficient (R2) of 0.9978. By solving the regression equation and analyzing the response surface contour plots, the extraction parameters were optimized as 1.7 h for extraction time, 95 °C for extraction temperature, 39 (v/w) for ratio of water volume (mL) to raw material weight (g), and with 2 extractions. The maximum value (10.862%) of WPS yield was obtained when the WPS extraction process was conducted under the optimal conditions

Micro/nanofluidic transport by special fibers deposited by electrohydrodynamic direct-writing

Recently micro/nanofluidic transportation is important in many natural and engineering processes, such as water collection, fluid patterning and microfluidic chip. But the natural microstructures for fluid transportation are usually difficult to manufacture and adjust. Here we find that some fibers (the diameters < 10 μm) deposited by electrohydrodynamic direct-writing(EDW) can be directly used for micro/nanofluidic transportation due to the geometries of fibers. The liquid paraffin (its minimum width < 100 nm) can transport along the circular fiber because of the wedge microcavities formed by circular fiber and substrate. Ultrafast directional water transport (about 22 mm/s) has been achieved by oblique elliptic fiber array which has been placed at a distance of 300 μm above the substrate. Moreover, we found that the contact angles of the test liquids on the substrates and on the fiber materials also play a crucial role in this structure. So electrowetting has been used to change the contact angles of water on the substrate to fast switch (response time < 0.4 s) direction of water transport. We think electrohydrodynamic direct-writing the fibers with various geometries opens up new low-cost, high efficiency, fast and accurate pathways to realize fabric-based wearable microfluidic device

Mécanique et dynamique de l'adhésion cellulaire (étude expérimentale des ostéoclastes )

Osteoclasts are large, multinucleated cells, which resorb mineralized bone. When an osteoclast encounters a substrate, dot-like actin-rich structures, the podosomes, appear and assemble into clusters, rings or a belt. We experimentally investigate, from a cell population to a single podosome, their function and dynamics. Over a cell population, kinetic measurements show that the cell surface area A scales as A ~ K2, where K is the number of nuclei, indicating a flat morphology. By defining quantities that account for the spatial distribution of the actin within the cell, we demonstrate that the podosomes organization only depends on the time after differentiation, and not on K. In a single osteoclast, the observation of a strong coupling between cell spreading and podosomes formation lead us to propose that podosomes play an important role in osteoclast motility. Analysis of osteoclast migration, and the forces it applies on the substrate, demonstrates that the internal dynamics of the actin within the cell does not only correlate with cell migration, but drives it. Finally, in order to understand the internal dynamics of a single podosome, we improved the model of Biben et al. (2005) by considering on the one hand, actin polymerization, and on the other hand, diffusion and attachment kinetics of the gelsolin, an actin severing protein. We find that podosomes are mainly governed by the actin dynamics, regardless of gelsolin concentration.Les ostéoclastes sont des cellules multinucléées, responsables de la résorption osseuse. Quand ils sont déposés sur un substrat, des structures ponctuelles riches en actine, les podosomes, apparaissent et s'assemblent en clusters, anneaux ou ceinture. Nous avons étudié expérimentalement leur fonction et leur dynamique, depuis une population entière jusqu'à l'échelle d'un unique podosome. Sur une population de cellules, des mesures cinétiques montrent que la surface de la cellule A varie comme A ~ K2, où K est le nombre de noyaux ; ce résultat indique une forme aplatie. Par ailleurs, la mesure de quantités qui prennent en compte l'organisation spatiale de l'actine dans la cellule montre que l'organisation des podosomes ne dépend que du temps écoulé après différentiation, et non de K. Dans un seul ostéoclaste, l'observation d'un fort couplage entre l'étalement d'une cellule et la formation des podosomes nous a conduit a suggérer que les podosomes jouent un rôle important dans la mobilité des ostéoclastes. L'analyse de la migration d'ostéoclastes, ainsi que des forces appliquées sur le substrat, montre que la dynamique interne de l'actine dans la cellule est non seulement corrélée avec la migration cellulaire, mais la gouverne. Enfin, afin de comprendre la dynamique interne d'un podosome, nous avons amélioré le modèle de Biben et al. (2005), en prenant en compte d'une part, la polymérisation de l'actine, et d'autre part, la diffusion et la cinétique d'attachement de la gelsoline, une protéine responsable de la coupe des filaments d'actine. Nous montrons que les podosomes sont principalement gouvernés par la dynamique de l'actine, indépendamment de la concentration en gelsoline.LYON-ENS Sciences (693872304) / SudocSudocFranceF

Taxonomy of Buellia epigaea-group (Caliciales, Caliciaceae), revealing a new species and two new records from China

During the Second Tibetan Plateau Scientific Expedition and Research Program, we discovered that white terricolous lichenized fungal species of Buellia De Not. were widely distributed across the Tibetan Plateau. After examining their morphology, chemistry and phylogeny, we describe Buellia alpina Xin Y. Wang & Li S. Wang, sp. nov. as new to science. It is present in alpine meadows, and is characterized by its effigurate thallus, distinct linear marginal lobes, cover of thick white pruina and four-spored asci. This is also the first report of Buellia elegans Poelt and Buellia epigaea (Pers.) Tuck from China. The Buellia epigaea-group has previously been characterized by white and often effigurate thalli that occur mainly on soil. However, our results show that species in this group actually belong to two distinct clades. This conclusion is based on analyses of the nuITS region and the combined regions dataset (nuITS-nuLSU-mtSSU-β-tubulin). We discuss differences in morphology, anatomy, chemistry and ecology among the putative Buellia epigaea-group. Detailed descriptions and figures for the three species from China and a key for species of Buellia epigaea-group are provided

Squamarina (lichenised fungi) species described from China belong to at least three unrelated genera

Volume: 66Start Page: 135-15

Structural and Biochemical Characterization of a Cyanobacterial PP2C Phosphatase Reveals Insights into Catalytic Mechanism and Substrate Recognition

PP2C-type phosphatases play roles in signal transduction pathways related to abiotic stress. The cyanobacterial PP2C-type phosphatase tPphA specifically dephosphorylates the PII protein, which is a key regulator in cyanobacteria adapting to nitrogen-deficient environments. Previous studies have shown that residue His39 of tPphA is critical for the enzyme’s recognition of the PII protein; however, the manner in which this residue determines tPphA substrate specificity is unknown. Here, we solved the crystal structure of H39A, a tPphA variant. The structure revealed that the mutation of residue His39 to alanine changes the conformation and the flexibility of the loop in which residue His39 is located, and these changes affect the substrate specificity of tPphA. Moreover, previous studies have assumed that the FLAP subdomain and the third metal (M3) of tPphA could mutually influence each other to regulate PP2C catalytic activity and substrate specificity. However, despite the variable conformations adopted by the FLAP subdomain, the position of M3 was consistent in the tPphA structure. These results indicate that the FLAP subdomain does not influence M3 and vice versa. In addition, a small screen of tPphA inhibitors was performed. Sanguinarine and Ni2+ were found to be the most effective inhibitors among the assayed chemicals. Finally, the dimeric form of tPphA was stabilized by cross-linkers and still exhibited catalytic activity towards p-nitrophenyl phosphate

(-)-Epigallocatechin-3-Gallate Attenuates the Adverse Reactions Triggered by Selenium Nanoparticles without Compromising Their Suppressing Effect on Peritoneal Carcinomatosis in Mice Bearing Hepatocarcinoma 22 Cells

Increasing evidence shows that selenium and polyphenols are two types of the most reported compounds in tumor chemoprevention due to their remarkable antitumor activity and high safety profile. The cross-talk between polyphenols and selenium is a hot research topic, and the combination of polyphenols and selenium is a valuable strategy for fighting cancer. The current work investigated the combination anti-peritoneal carcinomatosis (PC) effect of selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) and green tea (Camellia sinensis) polyphenol (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) in mice bearing murine hepatocarcinoma 22 (H22) cells. Results showed that SeNPs alone significantly inhibited cancer cell proliferation and extended the survival time of mice bearing H22 cells. Still, the potential therapeutic efficacy is accompanied by an approximately eighty percent diarrhea rate. When EGCG was combined with SeNPs, EGCG did not affect the tumor proliferation inhibition effect but eliminated diarrhea triggered by SeNPs. In addition, both the intracellular selectively accumulated EGCG without killing effect on cancer cells and the enhanced antioxidant enzyme levels in ascites after EGCG was delivered alone by intraperitoneal injection indicated that H22 cells were insensitive to EGCG. Moreover, EGCG could prevent SeNP-caused systemic oxidative damage by enhancing serum superoxide dismutase, glutathione, and glutathione peroxidase levels in healthy mice. Overall, we found that H22 cells are insensitive to EGCG, but combining EGCG with SeNPs could protect against SeNP-triggered diarrhea without compromising the suppressing efficacy of SeNPs on PC in mice bearing H22 cells and attenuate SeNP-caused systemic toxicity in healthy mice. These results suggest that EGCG could be employed as a promising candidate for preventing the adverse reactions of chemotherapy including chemotherapy-induced diarrhea and systemic toxicity in cancer individuals

Effects of oligosaccharides from endophytic Fusarium oxysporum Dzf17 on activities of defense-related enzymes in Dioscorea zingiberensis suspension cell and seedling cultures

Background: Three oligosaccharides (EOS, WOS and SOS) were respectively prepared from the corresponding polysaccharides, namely exopolysaccharide (EPS), water-extracted mycelial polysaccharide (WPS) and sodium hydroxide-extracted mycelial polysaccharides (SPS) from the endophytic fungus Fusarium oxysporum Dzf17. In this study, the effects of EOS, WOS and SOS on the activities of the defense-related enzymes, namely phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL), polyphenoloxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD) in its host plant Dioscorea zingiberensis cultures were investigated. Results: For the suspension cell cultures of D. zingiberensis, the highest PAL activity was induced by 0.5 mg/mL of WOS at 48 h after treatment, which was 4.55-fold as that of control. Both PPO and POD activities were increased to the maximum values by 0.25 mg/mL of WOS at 48 h after treatment, which were respectively 3.74 and 3.45-fold as those of control. For the seedling cultures, the highest PAL activity was elicited by 2.5 mg/mL of EOS at 48 h after treatment, which was 3.62-fold as that of control. Both PPO and POD reached their maximum values treated with 2.5 mg/mL of WOS at 48 h after treatment, which were 4.61 and 4.19-fold as those of control, separately. Conclusions: Both EOS and WOS significantly increased the activities of PAL, PPO and POD in the suspension cell and seedling cultures of D. zingiberensis. The results suggested that the oligosaccharides from the endophytic fungus F. oxysporum Dzf17 may be related to the activation and enhancement of the defensive mechanisms of D. zingiberensis suspension cell and seedling cultures