Olean (1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane): A Novel Intraspecific Chemical Cue in Coraebus undatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Buprestidae)

The main aim of this work was to identify semiochemicals from the jewel beetle Coraebus undatus (F.) (Coleoptera: Buprestidae) that may aid in the improvement of current monitoring tools. First, HS-SPME collections revealed that individually sampled adults (>7 days old) of both sexes release the spiroacetal 1,7-dioxaspiro[5.5]undecane (olean). Electroantennographic recordings from both sexes exposed to increasing amounts of olean followed a dose-dependent pattern, with females being more responsive than males to the highest amount of the compound (100 µg). In double-choice assays, adults older than seven days were significantly attracted to olean, whereas this attraction was not detected in insects aged less than seven days. Indeed, a repellent effect was observed in young females. Subsequent field trials employing sticky purple prism traps revealed that there were no differences among the number of insects caught in control and olean-baited traps at two different release rates (0.75 and 3.75 mg/day). Interestingly, all the trapped specimens were determined as mated females, regardless of the presence of olean. Overall, these findings provide a basis for unraveling the chemical ecology of the species, although further research is still needed to determine the specific role of this compound within the chemical communication of the species.

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Amelioration of Carbon Tetrachloride-Induced Liver Injury by Citrus Leaf Extract

Current Topics in Nutraceutical Research ◽

10.37290/ctnr2641-452x.17:426-431 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 17 (4) ◽

pp. 426-431

Author(s):

Jin Xuezhu ◽

Li Jitong ◽

Nie Leigang ◽

Xue Junlai

Keyword(s):

Carbon Tetrachloride ◽

Leaf Extract ◽

Hepatic Injury ◽

The Body ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Weight Changes ◽

Citrus Leaf ◽

Dose Dependent ◽

And Oxidative Stress

The main purpose of this study is to investigate the role of citrus leaf extract in carbon tetrachloride-induced hepatic injury and its potential molecular mechanism. Carbon tetrachloride was used to construct hepatic injury animal model. To this end, rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: control, carbon tetrachloride-treated, and two carbon tetrachloride + citrus leaf extract-treated groups. The results show that citrus leaf extract treatment significantly reversed the effects of carbon tetrachloride on the body weight changes and liver index. Besides, treatment with citrus leaf extract also reduced the levels of serum liver enzymes and oxidative stress in a dose-dependent manner. H&E staining and western blotting suggested that citrus leaf extract could repair liver histological damage by regulating AMPK and Nrf-2.

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Investigation on the antibacterial activity of electronic cigarette liquids (ECLs): a proof of concept study

Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology ◽

10.2174/1389201021666200903121624 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 21 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Virginia Fuochi ◽

Massimo Caruso ◽

Rosalia Emma ◽

Aldo Stivala ◽

Riccardo Polosa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Antibacterial Activity ◽

Bacterial Species ◽

A549 Cells ◽

Bactericidal Effect ◽

Minimal Bactericidal Concentration ◽

Viability Assay ◽

Dependent Inhibition ◽

Dose Dependent Inhibition ◽

Dose Dependent

Background: The key ingredients of e-cigarettes liquid are commonly propane-1,2-diol (also called propylene glycol) and propane-1,2,3-triol (vegetal glycerol) and their antimicrobial effects are already established. The nicotine and flavors which are often present in e-liquids can interfere with the growth of some microorganisms. Objective: The effect of the combining these elements in e-liquids is unknown. The aim of the study was to investigate the possible effects of these liquids on bacterial growth in the presence or absence of nicotine and flavors. Methods: Susceptibilities of pathogenic strains (Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Acinetobacter baumannii, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus faecalis and Sarcina lutea) were studied by means of a multidisciplinary approach. Cell viability and antioxidant assays were also evaluated. Results: All e-liquids investigated showed antibacterial activity against at least one pathogenic strain. A higher activity was correlated to the presence of flavors and nicotine. Discussion: In most cases the value of minimal bactericidal concentration is equal to the value of minimal inhibitory concentration showing that these substances have a bactericidal effect. This effect was observed in concentrations up to 6.25% v/v. Antioxidant activity was also correlated to presence of flavors. Over time, the viability assay in human epithelial lung A549 cells showed a dose-dependent inhibition of cell growth. Conclusion: Our results have shown that flavors considerably enhance the antibacterial activity of propane-1,2-diol and propane-1,2,3-triol. This study provides important evidence that should be taken into consideration in further investigative approaches, to clarify the different sensitivity of the various bacterial species to e-liquids, including the respiratory microbiota, to highlight the possible role of flavors and nicotine.

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Anthonomus rubi on Strawberry Fruit: Its Biology, Ecology, Damage, and Control from an IPM Perspective

Insects ◽

10.3390/insects12080701 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (8) ◽

pp. 701

Author(s):

Lorenzo Tonina ◽

Giulia Zanettin ◽

Paolo Miorelli ◽

Simone Puppato ◽

Andrew G. S. Cuthbertson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Feeding Activity ◽

Host Feeding ◽

Mass Trapping ◽

Natural Habitats ◽

Potential Control ◽

North East ◽

Monitoring Tools ◽

Anthonomus Rubi ◽

And Control

The strawberry blossom weevil (SBW), Anthonomus rubi, is a well-documented pest of strawberry. Recently, in strawberry fields of Trento Province (north-east Italy), new noteworthy damage on fruit linked to SBW adults was observed, combined with a prolonged adult activity until the autumn. In this new scenario, we re-investigated SBW biology, ecology, monitoring tools, and potential control methods to develop Integrated Pest Management (IPM) strategies. Several trials were conducted on strawberry in the laboratory, field and semi-natural habitats. The feeding activity of adult SBW results in small deep holes on berries at different stages, causing yield losses of up to 60%. We observed a prolonged survival of newly emerged adults (>240 days) along with their ability to sever flower buds without laying eggs inside them in the same year (one generation per year). SBW adults were present in the strawberry field year-round, with movement between crop and no crop habitats, underlying a potential role of other host/feeding plants to support its populations. Yellow sticky traps combined with synthetic attractants proved promising for both adult monitoring and mass trapping. Regarding control, adhesive tapes and mass trapping using green bucket pheromone traps gave unsatisfactory results, while the high temperatures provided by the black fabric, the periodic removal of severed buds or adults and Chlorpyrifos-methyl application constrained population build-up. The findings are important for the development of an IPM strategy.

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The Role of the Pathogen Dose and PI3Kγ in Immunometabolic Reprogramming of Microglia for Innate Immune Memory

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms22052578 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (5) ◽

pp. 2578

Author(s):

Trim Lajqi ◽

Christian Marx ◽

Hannes Hudalla ◽

Fabienne Haas ◽

Silke Große ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxygen Consumption ◽

Immune Tolerance ◽

Immune Cells ◽

Low Dose ◽

Innate Immune ◽

Immune Memory ◽

Innate Immune Cells ◽

Atp Production ◽

Dose Dependent

Microglia, the innate immune cells of the CNS, exhibit long-term response changes indicative of innate immune memory (IIM). Our previous studies revealed IIM patterns of microglia with opposing immune phenotypes: trained immunity after a low dose and immune tolerance after a high dose challenge with pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMP). Compelling evidence shows that innate immune cells adopt features of IIM via immunometabolic control. However, immunometabolic reprogramming involved in the regulation of IIM in microglia has not been fully addressed. Here, we evaluated the impact of dose-dependent microglial priming with ultra-low (ULP, 1 fg/mL) and high (HP, 100 ng/mL) lipopolysaccharide (LPS) doses on immunometabolic rewiring. Furthermore, we addressed the role of PI3Kγ on immunometabolic control using naïve primary microglia derived from newborn wild-type mice, PI3Kγ-deficient mice and mice carrying a targeted mutation causing loss of lipid kinase activity. We found that ULP-induced IIM triggered an enhancement of oxygen consumption and ATP production. In contrast, HP was followed by suppressed oxygen consumption and glycolytic activity indicative of immune tolerance. PI3Kγ inhibited glycolysis due to modulation of cAMP-dependent pathways. However, no impact of specific PI3Kγ signaling on immunometabolic rewiring due to dose-dependent LPS priming was detected. In conclusion, immunometabolic reprogramming of microglia is involved in IIM in a dose-dependent manner via the glycolytic pathway, oxygen consumption and ATP production: ULP (ultra-low-dose priming) increases it, while HP reduces it.

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Lumican Inhibits Osteoclastogenesis and Bone Resorption by Suppressing Akt Activity

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms22094717 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (9) ◽

pp. 4717

Author(s):

Jin-Young Lee ◽

Da-Ae Kim ◽

Eun-Young Kim ◽

Eun-Ju Chang ◽

So-Jeong Park ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bone Resorption ◽

Bone Formation ◽

Map Kinases ◽

Osteoclast Differentiation ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Dual Action ◽

Dose Dependent ◽

Resorptive Activity

Lumican, a ubiquitously expressed small leucine-rich proteoglycan, has been utilized in diverse biological functions. Recent experiments demonstrated that lumican stimulates preosteoblast viability and differentiation, leading to bone formation. To further understand the role of lumican in bone metabolism, we investigated its effects on osteoclast biology. Lumican inhibited both osteoclast differentiation and in vitro bone resorption in a dose-dependent manner. Consistent with this, lumican markedly decreased the expression of osteoclastogenesis markers. Moreover, the migration and fusion of preosteoclasts and the resorptive activity per osteoclast were significantly reduced in the presence of lumican, indicating that this protein affects most stages of osteoclastogenesis. Among RANKL-dependent pathways, lumican inhibited Akt but not MAP kinases such as JNK, p38, and ERK. Importantly, co-treatment with an Akt activator almost completely reversed the effect of lumican on osteoclast differentiation. Taken together, our findings revealed that lumican inhibits osteoclastogenesis by suppressing Akt activity. Thus, lumican plays an osteoprotective role by simultaneously increasing bone formation and decreasing bone resorption, suggesting that it represents a dual-action therapeutic target for osteoporosis.

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A zebrafish model of infection-associated acute kidney injury

AJP Renal Physiology ◽

10.1152/ajprenal.00328.2017 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 315 (2) ◽

pp. F291-F299 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Xiaoyan Wen ◽

Liyan Cui ◽

Seth Morrisroe ◽

Donald Maberry ◽

David Emlet ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Acute Kidney Injury ◽

Unmet Need ◽

Kidney Injury ◽

Edwardsiella Tarda ◽

Adult Zebrafish ◽

Zebrafish Model ◽

Pericardial Edema ◽

Kidney Injury Molecule 1 ◽

Dose Dependent

Sepsis-associated acute kidney injury (S-AKI) independently predicts mortality among critically ill patients. The role of innate immunity in this process is unclear, and there is an unmet need for S-AKI models to delineate the pathophysiological response. Mammals and zebrafish ( Danio rerio) share a conserved nephron structure and homologous innate immune systems, making the latter suitable for S-AKI research. We introduced Edwardsiella tarda to the zebrafish. Systemic E. tarda bacteremia resulted in sustained bacterial infection and dose-dependent mortality. A systemic immune reaction was characterized by increased mRNA expressions of il1b, tnfa, tgfb1a, and cxcl8-l1 ( P < 0.0001, P < 0.001, P < 0.001, and P < 0.01, respectively). Increase of host stress response genes ccnd1 and tp53 was observed at 24 h postinjection ( P < 0.0001 and P < 0.05, respectively). Moderate E. tarda infection induced zebrafish mortality of over 50% in larvae and 20% in adults, accompanied by pericardial edema in larvae and renal dysfunction in both larval and adult zebrafish. Expression of AKI markers insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-7 (IGFBP7), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases 2 (TIMP-2), and kidney injury molecule-1 (KIM-1) was found to be significantly increased in the septic animals at the transcription level ( P < 0.01, P < 0.05, and P < 0.05) and in nephric tubules compared with noninfected animals. In conclusion, we established a zebrafish model of S-AKI induced by E. tarda injection, with both larval and adult zebrafish showing nephron injury in the setting of infection.

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Insulin-like growth factor-binding protein-3 is partially responsible for high-serum-induced apoptosis in PC-3 prostate cancer cells

Journal of Endocrinology ◽

10.1677/joe.0.1630487 ◽

1999 ◽

Vol 163 (3) ◽

pp. 487-494 ◽

Cited By ~ 29

Author(s):

R Rajah ◽

A Khare ◽

PD Lee ◽

P Cohen

Keyword(s):

Prostate Cancer ◽

Binding Protein ◽

High Serum ◽

Apoptotic Index ◽

Serum Concentrations ◽

Induction Of Apoptosis ◽

Induced Apoptosis ◽

Dose Dependent ◽

Igfbp 3

Cells are known to undergo apoptosis when cultured in high serum concentrations. However, the serum factors responsible for this induction of apoptosis have not been identified. The IGF-binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3), a negative growth regulator, is found at concentrations of 5 microgram/ml in serum. We have recently demonstrated that IGFBP-3 induces apoptosis in PC-3 cells, a prostate cancer cell line, at a concentration of 500 ng/ml. In this communication, we demonstrate the role of IGFBP-3 as one of the apoptosis-inducing agents in high serum concentrations. Treatment of PC-3 cells with increasing concentrations (40% to 90%) of intact human serum (HS) resulted in a dose-dependent decrease in cell growth. Valinomycin, an ionophore, was used as a positive control to measure the induction of apoptosis by serum treatment in PC-3 cells. Treatment with 90% serum showed significant suppression of growth (P<0.001) compared with the effect of 10% serum. Treatment with increasing concentrations of HS (40% to 90%) resulted in a dose-dependent increase in apoptosis. Treatment with 90% HS showed a 10-fold increase in apoptotic index compared with cells treated with 10% HS. Treatment of PC-3 cells with IGFs and IGFBP-3-depleted 90% human sera (depleted serum=DS) demonstrated significantly lower levels of apoptosis (50% reduction in the effect of 90% HS) suggesting a role of IGFBP-3 in inducing apoptosis in high serum concentration. Furthermore, treatment with DS supplemented with recombinant IGFBP-3 (500 ng/ml) brought the apoptotic index down close to the level of apoptosis induced by 90% intact serum treatment (P<0.001). However, DS supplemented with physiological concentrations of IGFs (500 ng/ml) showed only partial recovery of cell survival demonstrated by 90% DS. This data indicates that IGFBP-3 is one of the factors in serum that is responsible for high-serum-induced apoptosis.

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Role of extracellular calcium and calmodulin in prolactin secretion induced by hyposmolarity, thyrotropin-releasing hormone, and high K+ in GH4C1 cells

Acta Endocrinologica ◽

10.1530/acta.0.1230218 ◽

1990 ◽

Vol 123 (2) ◽

pp. 218-224 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Xiangbing Wang ◽

Noriyuki Sato ◽

Monte A. Greer ◽

Susan E. Greer ◽

Staci McAdams

Keyword(s):

Smooth Muscle ◽

Muscle Relaxant ◽

Prolactin Secretion ◽

Thyrotropin Releasing Hormone ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Cell Toxicity ◽

High K ◽

Dose Dependent ◽

Smooth Muscle Relaxant

Abstract. The mechanism by which 30% medium hyposmolarity induces PRL secretion by GH4C1 cells was compared with that induced by 100 nmol/l TRH or 30 mmol/l K+. Removing medium Ca2+, blocking Ca2+ channels with 50 μmol/l verapamil, or inhibiting calmodulin activation with 20 μmol/l trifluoperazine, 10 μmol/l chlorpromazine or 10 μmol/l pimozide almost completely blocked hyposmolarity-induced secretion. The smooth muscle relaxant, W-7, which is believed relatively specific in inhibiting the Ca2+-calmodulin interaction, depressed hyposmolarity-induced PRL secretion in a dose-dependent manner (r = −0.991, p<0.01 ). The above drugs also blocked or decreased high K+-induced secretion, but had much less effect on TRH-induced secretion. Secretion induced by TRH, hyposmolarity, or high K+ was optimal at pH 7.3-7.65 and was significantly depressed at pH 6.0 or 8.0, indicating that release of hormone induced by all 3 stimuli is due to an active cell process requiring a physiologic extracellular pH and is not produced by nonspecific cell toxicity. The data suggest hyposmolarity and high K+ may share some similarities in their mechanism of stimulating secretion, which is different from that of TRH.

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The P-element-induced silencing effect of KP transposons is dose dependent in Drosophila melanogaster

Genome ◽

10.1139/g11-023 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 54 (9) ◽

pp. 752-762 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Alireza Sameny ◽

John Locke

Keyword(s):

Drosophila Melanogaster ◽

Critical Role ◽

Mutagenic Effect ◽

P Element ◽

Dependent Manner ◽

Concentration Dependent Manner ◽

P Elements ◽

Single Well ◽

Dose Dependent

Transposable elements are found in the genomes of all eukaryotes and play a critical role in altering gene expression and genome organization. In Drosophila melanogaster, transposable P elements are responsible for the phenomenon of hybrid dysgenesis. KP elements, a deletion-derivative of the complete P element, can suppress this mutagenic effect. KP elements can also silence the expression of certain other P-element-mediated transgenes in a process called P-element-dependent silencing (PDS), which is thought to involve the recruitment of heterochromatin proteins. To explore the mechanism of this silencing, we have mobilized KP elements to create a series of strains that contain single, well-defined KP insertions that show PDS. To understand the quantitative role of KP elements in PDS, these single inserts were combined in a series of crosses to obtain genotypes with zero, one, or two KP elements, from which we could examine the effect of KP gene dose. The extent of PDS in these genotypes was shown to be dose dependent in a logarithmic rather than linear fashion. A logarithmic dose dependency is consistent with the KP products interacting with heterochromatic proteins in a concentration-dependent manner such that two molecules are needed to induce gene silencing.

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Sociocultural Context of Suicidal Behaviour in the Sundarban Region of India

Psychiatry Journal ◽

10.1155/2013/486081 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 2013 ◽

pp. 1-8 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

A. N. Chowdhury ◽

S. Banerjee ◽

A. Brahma ◽

A. Hazra ◽

M. G. Weiss

Keyword(s):

Psychiatric Diagnosis ◽

Suicidal Behaviour ◽

Adjustment Disorder ◽

Community Action ◽

Easy Access ◽

Social Stressors ◽

Young Females ◽

Detailed Assessment ◽

Self Harm

The role of mental illness in nonfatal deliberate self-harm (DSH) is controversial, especially in Asian countries. This prospective study examined the role of psychiatric disorders, underlying social and situational problems, and triggers of DSH in a sample of 89 patients hospitalised in primary care hospitals of the Sundarban Delta, India. Data were collected by using a specially designed DSH register, Explanatory Model Interview Catalogue (EMIC), and clinical interview. Psychiatric diagnosis was made following the DSM-IV guidelines. The majority of subjects were young females (74.2%) and married (65.2%). Most of them (69.7%) were uncertain about their “intention to die, and pesticide poisoning was the commonest method (95.5%). Significant male-female differences were found with respect to education level, occupation, and venue of the DSH attempt. Typical stressors were conflict with spouse, guardians, or in-laws, extramarital affairs, chronic physical illness, and failed love affairs. The major depressive disorder (14.6%) was the commonest psychiatric diagnosis followed by adjustment disorder (6.7%); however 60.7% of the cases had no psychiatric illness. Stressful life situations coupled with easy access to lethal pesticides stood as the risk factor. The sociocultural dynamics behind suicidal behaviour and community-specific social stressors merit detailed assessment and timely psychosocial intervention. These findings will be helpful to design community-based mental health clinical services and community action in the region.

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