Effect of Sodium Selenite on the Metabolite Profile of Epichloë sp. Mycelia from Festuca sinensis in Solid Culture

AbstractSelenium (Se) is an essential micronutrient with many beneficial effects for humans and other living organisms. Numerous microorganisms in culture systems enrich and convert inorganic selenium to organic selenium. In this study, Epichloë sp. from Festuca sinensis was exposed to increasing Na2SeO3 concentrations (0, 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, and 0.4 mmol/L) in Petri dishes with potato dextrose agar (PDA) for 8 weeks. Epichloë sp. mycelia were immediately collected after mycelial diameters were measured at 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 weeks of cultivation, respectively. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC-MS) analysis was performed on different groups of Epichloë sp. mycelia. Different changes were observed as Epichloë sp. was exposed to different selenite conditions and cultivation time. The colony diameter of Epichloë sp. decreased in response to increased selenite concentrations, whereas the inhibitory effects diminished over time. Seventy-two of the 203 identified metabolites did not differ significantly across selenite treatments within the same time point, while 82 compounds did not differ significantly between multiple time points of the same Se concentration. However, the relative levels of 122 metabolites increased the most under selenite conditions. Specifically, between the 4th and 8th weeks, there were increases in 2-keto-isovaleric acid, uridine, and maltose in selenite treatments compared to controls. Selenium increased glutathione levels and exhibited antioxidant properties in weeks 4, 5, and 7. Additionally, we observed that different doses of selenite could promote the production of carbohydrates such as isomaltose, cellobiose, and sucrose; fatty acids such as palmitoleic acid, palmitic acid, and stearic acid; and amino acids such as lysine and tyrosine in Epichloë sp. mycelia. Therefore, Epichloë sp. exposed to selenite stress may benefit from increased levels of some metabolite compounds.

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Involvement of Superoxide Dismutases in the Response of Escherichia coli to Selenium Oxides

Journal of Bacteriology ◽

10.1128/jb.184.6.1556-1564.2002 ◽

2002 ◽

Vol 184 (6) ◽

pp. 1556-1564 ◽

Cited By ~ 55

Author(s):

Magali Bébien ◽

Gilles Lagniel ◽

Jérôme Garin ◽

Danièle Touati ◽

André Verméglio ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Escherichia Coli ◽

Superoxide Dismutase ◽

Antioxidant Properties ◽

Superoxide Dismutases ◽

Aerobic Conditions ◽

Major Mechanism ◽

Beneficial Effects ◽

Cellular Defense ◽

Low Concentrations ◽

Living Organisms

ABSTRACT Selenium can provoke contrasting effects on living organisms. It is an essential trace element, and low concentrations have beneficial effects, such as the reduction of the incidence of cancer. However, higher concentrations of selenium salts can be toxic and mutagenic. The bases for both toxicity and protection are not clearly understood. To provide insights into these mechanisms, we analyzed the proteomic response of Escherichia coli cells to selenate and selenite treatment under aerobic conditions. We identified 23 proteins induced by both oxides and ca. 20 proteins specifically induced by each oxide. A striking result was the selenite induction of 8 enzymes with antioxidant properties, particularly the manganese and iron superoxide dismutases (SodA and SodB). The selenium inductions of sodA and sodB were controlled by the transcriptional regulators SoxRS and Fur, respectively. Strains with decreased superoxide dismutase activities were severely impaired in selenium oxide tolerance. Pretreatment with a sublethal selenite concentration triggered an adaptive response dependent upon SoxRS, conferring increased selenite tolerance. Altogether, our data indicate that superoxide dismutase activity is essential for the cellular defense against selenium salts, suggesting that superoxide production is a major mechanism of selenium toxicity under aerobic conditions.

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In Vitro Enzyme Inhibitory Properties, Secondary Metabolite Profiles and Multivariate Analysis of Five Seaweeds

Marine Drugs ◽

10.3390/md18040198 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 18 (4) ◽

pp. 198 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Mohamad Fawzi Mahomoodally ◽

Nabeelah Bibi Sadeer ◽

Gokhan Zengin ◽

Zoltán Cziáky ◽

József Jekő ◽

...

Keyword(s):

High Performance ◽

Antioxidant Properties ◽

Metabolite Profile ◽

Ionization Mass ◽

Potential Candidate ◽

Inhibitory Effects ◽

Acetyl Cholinesterase ◽

Metabolite Profiles ◽

Butyryl Cholinesterase

Seaweeds have been exploited as both food products and therapeutics to manage human ailments for centuries. This study investigated the metabolite profile of five seaweeds (Halimeda spp., Spyridia hypnoides (Bory de Saint-Vincent) Papenfuss, Valoniopsis pachynema (G. Martens) Børgesen, Gracilaria fergusonii J. Agardh and Amphiroa anceps (Lamarck) Decaisne using ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (UHPLC-ESI-MS/MS). Furthermore, these seaweeds were assessed for antioxidant and inhibitory effects against α-amylase, α-glucosidase, acetyl-cholinesterase (AChE), butyryl-cholinesterase (BChE) and tyrosinase. Valoniopsis pachynema and A. anceps yielded the highest flavonoid (4.30 ± 0.29 mg RE/g) and phenolic content (7.83 ± 0.08 mg RE/g), respectively. Additionally, A. anceps exhibited significant antioxidant properties with all assays and significantly depressed BChE (IC50 = 6.68 ± 0.83 mg/mL) and α-amylase activities (IC50 = 5.34 ± 0.14 mg/mL). Interestingly, the five seaweeds revealed potent inhibitory effects against tyrosinase activity. In conclusion, A. anceps might be considered as a key source of phytoantioxidants and a potential candidate to develop nutritional supplements. Besides, the five tested seaweeds warrant further study and may be exploited as promising natural sources for managing hyperpigmentation.

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Physical activity levels among ovarian cancer survivors: a prospective longitudinal cohort study

International Journal of Gynecological Cancer ◽

10.1136/ijgc-2020-002107 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. ijgc-2020-002107

Author(s):

Tamara Jones ◽

Carolina Sandler ◽

Dimitrios Vagenas ◽

Monika Janda ◽

Andreas Obermair ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Ovarian Cancer ◽

Stage Iv ◽

Multiple Time ◽

Activity Levels ◽

Prospective Longitudinal Study ◽

Physical Activity Advice ◽

Physical Activity Levels ◽

Multiple Time Points ◽

Prospective Longitudinal

ObjectivePhysical activity following cancer diagnosis is associated with improved outcomes, including potential survival benefits, yet physical activity levels among common cancer types tend to decrease following diagnosis and remain low. Physical activity levels following diagnosis of less common cancers, such as ovarian cancer, are less known. The objectives of this study were to describe physical activity levels and to explore characteristics associated with physical activity levels in women with ovarian cancer from pre-diagnosis to 2 years post-diagnosis.MethodsAs part of a prospective longitudinal study, physical activity levels of women with ovarian cancer were assessed at multiple time points between pre-diagnosis and 2 years post-diagnosis. Physical activity levels and change in physical activity were described using metabolic equivalent task hours and minutes per week, and categorically (sedentary, insufficiently, or sufficiently active). Generalized Estimating Equations were used to explore whether participant characteristics were related to physical activity levels.ResultsA total of 110 women with ovarian cancer with a median age of 62 years (range 33–88) at diagnosis were included. 53–57% of the women were sufficiently active post-diagnosis, although average physical activity levels for the cohort were below recommended levels throughout the 2-year follow-up period (120–142.5min/week). A decrease or no change in post-diagnosis physical activity was reported by 44–60% of women compared with pre-diagnosis physical activity levels. Women diagnosed with stage IV disease, those earning a lower income, those receiving chemotherapy, and those currently smoking or working were more likely to report lower physical activity levels and had increased odds of being insufficiently active or sedentary.ConclusionsInterventions providing patients with appropriate physical activity advice and support for behavior change could potentially improve physical activity levels and health outcomes.

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The molecular make up of smoldering myeloma highlights the evolutionary pathways leading to multiple myeloma

Nature Communications ◽

10.1038/s41467-020-20524-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Eileen M. Boyle ◽

Shayu Deshpande ◽

Ruslana Tytarenko ◽

Cody Ashby ◽

Yan Wang ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Tumour Suppressor Genes ◽

Multiple Time ◽

Clonal Structure ◽

Time To Progression ◽

Novel Mutations ◽

Evolutionary Patterns ◽

Risk Of Progression ◽

Multiple Time Points ◽

Smoldering Myeloma ◽

Copy Number Changes

AbstractSmoldering myeloma (SMM) is associated with a high-risk of progression to myeloma (MM). We report the results of a study of 82 patients with both targeted sequencing that included a capture of the immunoglobulin and MYC regions. By comparing these results to newly diagnosed myeloma (MM) we show fewer NRAS and FAM46C mutations together with fewer adverse translocations, del(1p), del(14q), del(16q), and del(17p) in SMM consistent with their role as drivers of the transition to MM. KRAS mutations are associated with a shorter time to progression (HR 3.5 (1.5–8.1), p = 0.001). In an analysis of change in clonal structure over time we studied 53 samples from nine patients at multiple time points. Branching evolutionary patterns, novel mutations, biallelic hits in crucial tumour suppressor genes, and segmental copy number changes are key mechanisms underlying the transition to MM, which can precede progression and be used to guide early intervention strategies.

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Protective Role of Natural and Semi-Synthetic Tocopherols on TNFα-Induced ROS Production and ICAM-1 and Cl-2 Expression in HT29 Intestinal Epithelial Cells

Antioxidants ◽

10.3390/antiox10020160 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 160

Author(s):

Vladana Domazetovic ◽

Irene Falsetti ◽

Caterina Viglianisi ◽

Kristian Vasa ◽

Cinzia Aurilia ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Antioxidant Properties ◽

Intestinal Barrier ◽

Protective Role ◽

Intercellular Adhesion Molecule ◽

Intestinal Epithelial ◽

Intercellular Adhesion Molecule 1 ◽

Beneficial Effects ◽

Bowel Diseases

Vitamin E, a fat-soluble compound, possesses both antioxidant and non-antioxidant properties. In this study we evaluated, in intestinal HT29 cells, the role of natural tocopherols, α-Toc and δ-Toc, and two semi-synthetic derivatives, namely bis-δ-Toc sulfide (δ-Toc)2S and bis-δ-Toc disulfide (δ-Toc)2S2, on TNFα-induced oxidative stress, and intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and claudin-2 (Cl-2) expression. The role of tocopherols was compared to that of N-acetylcysteine (NAC), an antioxidant precursor of glutathione synthesis. The results show that all tocopherol containing derivatives used, prevented TNFα-induced oxidative stress and the increase of ICAM-1 and Cl-2 expression, and that (δ-Toc)2S and (δ-Toc)2S2 are more effective than δ-Toc and α-Toc. The beneficial effects demonstrated were due to tocopherol antioxidant properties, but suppression of TNFα-induced Cl-2 expression seems not only to be related with antioxidant ability. Indeed, while ICAM-1 expression is strongly related to the intracellular redox state, Cl-2 expression is TNFα-up-regulated by both redox and non-redox dependent mechanisms. Since ICAM-1 and Cl-2 increase intestinal bowel diseases, and cause excessive recruitment of immune cells and alteration of the intestinal barrier, natural and, above all, semi-synthetic tocopherols may have a potential role as a therapeutic support against intestinal chronic inflammation, in which TNFα represents an important proinflammatory mediator.

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Nutrition in Menopausal Women: A Narrative Review

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13072149 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (7) ◽

pp. 2149

Author(s):

Thais R. Silva ◽

Karen Oppermann ◽

Fernando M. Reis ◽

Poli Mara Spritzer

Keyword(s):

Body Composition ◽

Postmenopausal Women ◽

Bone Fractures ◽

Blood Pressure Reduction ◽

Antioxidant Properties ◽

Narrative Review ◽

Current Evidence ◽

Beneficial Effects ◽

Clinical Endpoints ◽

Postmenopausal Period

Among the various aspects of health promotion and lifestyle adaptation to the postmenopausal period, nutritional habits are essential because they concern all women, can be modified, and impact both longevity and quality of life. In this narrative review, we discuss the current evidence on the association between dietary patterns and clinical endpoints in postmenopausal women, such as body composition, bone mass, and risk markers for cardiovascular disease. Current evidence suggests that low-fat, plant-based diets are associated with beneficial effects on body composition, but further studies are needed to confirm these results in postmenopausal women. The Mediterranean diet pattern along with other healthy habits may help the primary prevention of bone, metabolic, and cardiovascular diseases in the postmenopausal period. It consists on the use of healthy foods that have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, and is associated with a small but significant decrease in blood pressure, reduction of fat mass, and improvement in cholesterol levels. These effects remain to be evaluated over a longer period of time, with the assessment of hard outcomes such as bone fractures, diabetes, and coronary ischemia.

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Use of TanDEM-X and SRTM-C Data for Detection of Deforestation Caused by Bark Beetle in Central European Mountains

Remote Sensing ◽

10.3390/rs13153042 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (15) ◽

pp. 3042

Author(s):

Kateřina Gdulová ◽

Jana Marešová ◽

Vojtěch Barták ◽

Marta Szostak ◽

Jaroslav Červenka ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bark Beetle ◽

Synergistic Effects ◽

Canopy Height ◽

Surface Model ◽

Multiple Time ◽

Central European ◽

Time Points ◽

Bohemian Forest ◽

Multiple Time Points ◽

Surrounding Areas

The availability of global digital elevation models (DEMs) from multiple time points allows their combination for analysing vegetation changes. The combination of models (e.g., SRTM and TanDEM-X) can contain errors, which can, due to their synergistic effects, yield incorrect results. We used a high-resolution LiDAR-derived digital surface model (DSM) to evaluate the accuracy of canopy height estimates of the aforementioned global DEMs. In addition, we subtracted SRTM and TanDEM-X data at 90 and 30 m resolutions, respectively, to detect deforestation caused by bark beetle disturbance and evaluated the associations of their difference with terrain characteristics. The study areas covered three Central European mountain ranges and their surrounding areas: Bohemian Forest, Erzgebirge, and Giant Mountains. We found that vertical bias of SRTM and TanDEM-X, relative to the canopy height, is similar with negative values of up to −2.5 m and LE90s below 7.8 m in non-forest areas. In forests, the vertical bias of SRTM and TanDEM-X ranged from −0.5 to 4.1 m and LE90s from 7.2 to 11.0 m, respectively. The height differences between SRTM and TanDEM-X show moderate dependence on the slope and its orientation. LE90s for TDX-SRTM differences tended to be smaller for east-facing than for west-facing slopes, and varied, with aspect, by up to 1.5 m in non-forest areas and 3 m in forests, respectively. Finally, subtracting SRTM and NASA DEMs from TanDEM-X and Copernicus DEMs, respectively, successfully identified large areas of deforestation caused by hurricane Kyril in 2007 and a subsequent bark beetle disturbance in the Bohemian Forest. However, local errors in TanDEM-X, associated mainly with forest-covered west-facing slopes, resulted in erroneous identification of deforestation. Therefore, caution is needed when combining SRTM and TanDEM-X data in multitemporal studies in a mountain environment. Still, we can conclude that SRTM and TanDEM-X data represent suitable near global sources for the identification of deforestation in the period between the time points of their acquisition.

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Associations of Binge Drinking With Vascular Brain Injury and Atrophy in Older American Indians: The Strong Heart Study

Journal of Aging and Health ◽

10.1177/08982643211013696 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 33 (7-8_suppl) ◽

pp. 51S-59S

Author(s):

Jordan P. Lewis ◽

Astrid M. Suchy-Dicey ◽

Carolyn Noonan ◽

Valarie Blue Bird Jernigan ◽

Jason G. Umans ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Brain Injury ◽

Binge Drinking ◽

American Indians ◽

Multiple Time ◽

Heart Study ◽

Neurological Risk ◽

The Us ◽

Large Cohort Study ◽

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Mri ◽

Multiple Time Points

Objectives: American Indians (AIs) generally consume less alcohol than the US general population; however, the prevalence of alcohol use disorder is higher. This is the first large cohort study to examine binge drinking as a risk factor for vascular brain injury (VBI). Methods: We used linear and Poisson regression to examine the association of self-reported binge drinking with VBI, measured via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), in 817 older AIs who participated in the Strong Heart and Cerebrovascular Disease and Its Consequences in American Indians studies. Results: Any binge drinking at multiple time-points was associated with increased sulcal (β = 0.360, 95% CI [0.079, 0.641]) and ventricle dilatation (β = 0.512, 95% CI [0.174, 0.850]) compared to no binge drinking. Discussion: These observed associations are consistent with previous findings. Identifying how binge drinking may contribute to VBI in older AIs may suggest modifiable health behaviors for neurological risk reduction and disease prevention.

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Analysis of Bioavailability and Induction of Glutathione Peroxidase by Dietary Nanoelemental, Organic and Inorganic Selenium

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu13041073 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (4) ◽

pp. 1073

Author(s):

Mitchell T. Ringuet ◽

Billie Hunne ◽

Markus Lenz ◽

David M. Bravo ◽

John B. Furness

Keyword(s):

Glutathione Peroxidase ◽

Similar Efficacy ◽

Enzymatic Assays ◽

Germ Free ◽

Organic Selenium ◽

Protein Levels ◽

Antioxidant Protein ◽

Inorganic Selenium ◽

Fresh Frozen ◽

Gpx Activity

Dietary organic selenium (Se) is commonly utilized to increase formation of selenoproteins, including the major antioxidant protein, glutathione peroxidase (GPx). Inorganic Se salts, such as sodium selenite, are also incorporated into selenoproteins, and there is evidence that nanoelemental Se added to the diet may also be effective. We conducted two trials, the first investigated inorganic Se (selenite), organic Se (L-selenomethionine) and nanoelemental Se, in conventional mice. Their bioavailability and effectiveness to increase GPx activity were examined. The second trial focused on determining the mechanism by which dietary Se is incorporated into tissue, utilising both conventional and germ-free (GF) mice. Mice were fed a diet with minimal Se, 0.018 parts per million (ppm), and diets with Se supplementation, to achieve 0.07, 0.15, 0.3 and 1.7 ppm Se, for 5 weeks (first trial). Mass spectrometry, Western blotting and enzymatic assays were used to investigate bioavailability, protein levels and GPx activity in fresh frozen tissue (liver, ileum, plasma, muscle and feces) from the Se fed animals. Inorganic, organic and nanoelemental Se were all effectively incorporated into tissues. The high Se diet (1.7 ppm) resulted in the highest Se levels in all tissues and plasma, independent of the Se source. Interestingly, despite being ~11 to ~25 times less concentrated than the high Se, the lower Se diets (0.07; 0.15) resulted in comparably high Se levels in liver, ileum and plasma for all Se sources. GPx protein levels and enzyme activity were significantly increased by each diet, relative to control. We hypothesised that bacteria may be a vector for the conversion of nanoelemental Se, perhaps in exchange for S in sulphate metabolising bacteria. We therefore investigated Se incorporation from low sulphate diets and in GF mice. All forms of selenium were bioavailable and similarly significantly increased the antioxidant capability of GPx in the intestine and liver of GF mice and mice with sulphate free diets. Se from nanoelemental Se resulted in similar tissue levels to inorganic and organic sources in germ free mice. Thus, endogenous mechanisms, not dependent on bacteria, reduce nanoelemental Se to the metabolite selenide that is then converted to selenophosphate, synthesised to selenocysteine, and incorporated into selenoproteins. In particular, the similar efficacy of nanoelemental Se in comparison to organic Se in both trials is important in the view of the currently limited cheap sources of Se.

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Inferring time series chromatin states for promoter-enhancer pairs based on Hi-C data

BMC Genomics ◽

10.1186/s12864-021-07373-z ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Henriette Miko ◽

Yunjiang Qiu ◽

Bjoern Gaertner ◽

Maike Sander ◽

Uwe Ohler

Keyword(s):

Time Series ◽

Histone Modifications ◽

Gene Activation ◽

Expectation Maximization Algorithm ◽

Chromatin State ◽

Open Chromatin ◽

Multiple Time ◽

Enhancer Activity ◽

Chromatin States ◽

Multiple Time Points

Abstract Background Co-localized combinations of histone modifications (“chromatin states”) have been shown to correlate with promoter and enhancer activity. Changes in chromatin states over multiple time points (“chromatin state trajectories”) have previously been analyzed at promoter and enhancers separately. With the advent of time series Hi-C data it is now possible to connect promoters and enhancers and to analyze chromatin state trajectories at promoter-enhancer pairs. Results We present TimelessFlex, a framework for investigating chromatin state trajectories at promoters and enhancers and at promoter-enhancer pairs based on Hi-C information. TimelessFlex extends our previous approach Timeless, a Bayesian network for clustering multiple histone modification data sets at promoter and enhancer feature regions. We utilize time series ATAC-seq data measuring open chromatin to define promoters and enhancer candidates. We developed an expectation-maximization algorithm to assign promoters and enhancers to each other based on Hi-C interactions and jointly cluster their feature regions into paired chromatin state trajectories. We find jointly clustered promoter-enhancer pairs showing the same activation patterns on both sides but with a stronger trend at the enhancer side. While the promoter side remains accessible across the time series, the enhancer side becomes dynamically more open towards the gene activation time point. Promoter cluster patterns show strong correlations with gene expression signals, whereas Hi-C signals get only slightly stronger towards activation. The code of the framework is available at https://github.com/henriettemiko/TimelessFlex. Conclusions TimelessFlex clusters time series histone modifications at promoter-enhancer pairs based on Hi-C and it can identify distinct chromatin states at promoter and enhancer feature regions and their changes over time.

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