Effects of Water Temperature on Activities of Metabolic Enzymes of Juvenile Siganus guttatus

Background: Temperature is one of the most important environmental factors affecting the survival, growth and metabolism of fish. The current study was aimed to study the effects of water temperature on the metabolic enzyme activities of juvenile Siganus guttatus. Methods: The juveniles were domesticated at 28±1°C for two weeks and then the temperature was adjusted to the target temperature groups (31°C, 27°C, 23°C and 19°C) by the gradually increasing or decreasing temperature with the change rate of 2°C per day. The experiment lasted for 70 d. At the end of the experiment, the fish were anesthetized and all the livers were dissected on ice plate and stored in the refrigerator at -80°C for the determination of enzyme activity. Result: The activities of glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPT) and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), hexokinase (HK) and pyruvate kinase (PK), lipoprotein lipase (LPL) and hepatic lipase (HL) tend to be increased with the reduction of temperature. The above enzymes activities in 19°C group were highest. The activity of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) and citrate synthase (CS) was lowest in 19°C. These results suggests that 19°C had exceeded the suitable temperature range for juvenile S. guttatus. At low temperature, S. guttatus mainly use fat for energy, but less anaerobic metabolism for energy.

Isolation of Scalarane-Type Sesterterpenoids from the Marine Sponge Dysidea sp. and Stereochemical Reassignment of 12-epi-phyllactone D/E

The chemical investigation of the marine sponge Dysidea sp., which was collected from Bohol province in the Philippines, resulted in the identification of 15 new scalarane-type sesterterpenoids (1–14, 16), together with 15 known compounds. The chemical structures of the new compounds were elucidated based on NMR spectroscopy and HRMS. The structure of 12-epi-phyllactone D/E (15) isolated during this study was originally identified in 2007. However, careful inspection of our experimental 13C NMR spectrum revealed considerable discrepancies with the reported data at C-9, C-12, C-14, and C-23, leading to the correction of the reported compound to the C-12 epimer of 15, phyllactone D/E. The biological properties of compounds 1–16 were evaluated using the MDA-MB-231 cancer cell line. Compound 7, which bears a pentenone E-ring, exhibits significant cytotoxicity with a GI50 value of 4.21 μM.

The impact of daylight presence on cooling strategies: energy simulations of a test room in Austin, Texas, and Geneva, Switzerland

In order to understand how to reduce energy consumption in buildings, all factors affecting occupant comfort and behavior must be considered. Previous work from EPFL has elucidated the influence of daylight on thermal perception and its resulting potential to reduce cooling loads in a controlled test space in Geneva, Switzerland with three different illumination levels (130 lux, 600 lux, and 1400 lux) and under three different indoor air temperature levels (19°C, 23°C, 27°C). Occupants perceived the temperature as up to 2°C cooler when exposed to daylight, leading to reduced cooling loads. For climates with high cooling loads for much of the year, such as Austin, Texas, this reduction could yield significant benefits for low-energy building design. Simulations show the total amount of energy saved from adopting this strategy in Austin, Texas.

Effects on Growth and Metabolism of Difference between Day and Night Temperatures (DIF) and Supplementation with Rare Earth Elements (REE) in Micropropagated Dendrobium aphyllum (Roxb.) C. E. Fischer

Dendrobium aphyllum (Roxb.) C. E. Fischer is an ornamental plant with certain medicinal values from the Orchidaceae family. Currently, micropropagation is the main means through which it is propagated. In this research, the effects of different daytime and nighttime temperatures (DIF) and medium supplementation with rare earth elements (REE) on the growth and metabolism of D. aphyllum during a micropropagation period were investigated. Three kinds of REE nitrates, La(NO₃)₃, Ce(NO₃)₃ and Nd(NO₃)₃, at four concentrations, 50, 100, 150, and 200 μM, were added to the culture medium. Three DIFs, 0, 6 and 12 °C, with an identical mean daily temperature of 20 °C, were used with photoperiod/dark period temperatures of 20/20 °C, 23/17 °C and 26/14 °C, respectively. After four weeks of culture, both supplemental REE and DIF treatments promoted growth of the plant compared with the control group. With increased REE concentration and DIF, the growth of the plants was suppressed and symptoms of stress response occurred. At the same concentration, Ce(NO₃)₃ had a more significant promotional effect on plant growth. In general, the medium supplemented with 100 μM Ce(NO₃)₃ combined with a 6 °C DIF was the most optimal for the vegetative growth of the plant. A 12 °C DIF promoted synthesis of more primary metabolites such as total proteins and polysaccharides. From the perspective of improving the medicinal values of this plant, increasing the DIF for an optimal growth environment is a valuable reference. This study can provide a technical basis for the propagation and production of Dendrobium aphyllum in the future.

Spectrum and frequency of GJB2 (Cx26) gene mutations in patients with hearing impairments in the Republic of Buryatia

В диагностике наследственной несиндромальной потери слуха высокую информативность обеспечивают методы молекулярно-генетического анализа мутаций гена GJB2 (Cx26). Впервые в Республике Бурятия (Восточная Сибирь) путем прямого секвенирования были определены спектр и частота мутаций гена GJB2 у 165 индивидов с нарушениями слуха. В обследованной выборке было обнаружено 13 известных аллельных вариантов гена GJB2 (c.-254C>T, c.-49G>A, c.-23+1G>A, c.35delG, c.79G>A, c.101T>C, c.109G>A, c.235delC, c.299_300delАТ, c.327_328delinsA, c.341A>G, c.457G>A и c.516G>C). У пациентов бурятов мутационный спектр был представлен пятью патогенными GJB2-вариантами: c.-23+1G>A (4,1%), c.109G>A (0,6%), c.235delC (1,4%), c.327_328delGGinsA (0,6%), c.516G>C (0,6%). Среди русских пациентов было обнаружено пять мутаций: c.35delG (25,7%), c.-23+1G>A (3,3%), c.101Т>С (0,6%), c.109G>A (1,9%), c.299_300delАТ (0,6%). Вклад биаллельных мутаций гена GJB2 в этиологию потери слуха в общей выборке пациентов из Бурятии составил 15,8% (26/165). При распределении пациентов по этнической принадлежности вклад биаллельных мутаций гена GJB2 в этиологию потери слуха у русских составил 28,9% (22/76), в то время как у бурятов лишь 5,1% (4/79). Таким образом, результаты нашего исследования свидетельствуют о том, что мутации гена GJB2 не являются основной причиной потери слуха у бурятов. Вероятно, у большей части GJB2-негативных пациентов потеря слуха может быть обусловлена мутациями в других генах, ответственных за развитие наследственных нарушений слуха. In the diagnosis of hereditary non-syndromic hearing loss (HL), the methods of molecular genetic analysis of the GJB2 (Cx26) gene mutations provide high valuable information. For the first time, in the Republic of Buryatia (Eastern Siberia), the spectrum and frequency of GJB2 gene mutations were determined in a sample of 165 individuals with HL using sequencing of significant regions of the GJB2 gene. A total of 13 known allelic variants were found (c.-254C>T, c.-49G>A, c.-23+1G>A, c.35delG, c.79G>A, c.101T>C, c.109G>A, c.235delC, c.299_300delAT, c.327_328delinsA, c.341A>G, c.457G>A u c.516G>C). In the sample of Buryat patients, the mutation spectrum was represented by five GJB2 variants: c.-23+1G>A (4.1%), c.109G>A (0.6%), c.235delC (1.4%), c.327_328delGGinsA (0.6%), c.516G>C (0.6%). Five mutations were found among Russian patients: c.35delG (25.7%), c.-23+1G>A (3.3%), c.109G>A (1.9%), c.101T>C (0.6%), c.299_300delAT (0.6%). In general, the contribution of biallelic mutations of the GJB2 gene to the etiology of HL in the total sample of patients in Buryatia was 15.8% (26/165). When the total sample of patients was divided by ethnicity the contribution of biallelic mutations of the GJB2 gene to the etiology of HL in Buryat patients was 5.1% (4/79), and in Russian patients - 28.9% (22/76). Thus, the results of our study indicate that the mutations in the GJB2 gene are not the main cause of HL in Buryats. Probably, in some GJB2-negative patients (84.2% in our study), HL may be due to the mutations in other genes responsible for the development of hereditary hearing impairments.

A Common Founder Effect of the Splice Site Variant c.-23+1G>A in GJB2 Gene Causing Autosomal Recessive Deafness 1A (DFNB1A) in Eurasia

The mutations in the GJB2 gene are known to be a major cause of autosomal recessive deafness 1A (OMIM 220290). The most common pathogenic variants of the GJB2 gene have high ethno-geographic specificity in their distribution that being attributed to a founder effect related with Neolithic migration routes of Homo sapiens. Curiously, the c.-23+1G>A splice site variant is frequently found among deaf patients of both Caucasian and Asian origin. It is currently unknown whether this mutation did spread across Eurasia as a result of the founder effect or it could have multiple local centers of origin. To determine the origin of the c.-23+1G>A we reconstructed 𝑓2-haplotypes by genotyping SNPs on the Illumina OmniExpress 730K platform in 23 deaf individuals homozygous for this variant from different populations of Eurasia (Yakuts, Tuvinians, Evenk, Kumyk, Armenian, Russians and Slovak). The analysis revealed that the homozygosity regions in different individuals overlapped in one short region with the length of ~5.2 kb. These data support the hypothesis of the common founder effect in distribution of the c.-23+1G>A variant of GJB2 gene. Based on the published data on the c.-23+1G>A prevalence among 16,177 deaf people and calculation of TMRCA of the 𝑓2-haplotypes carrying this variant we reconstructed the potential migration routes of the c.-23+1G>A carriers around the world. This analysis indicates that the c.-23+1G>A variant may have originated approximately 6,000 years ago in the territory of the Caucasus or Middle East, followed by spread throughout Europe, South and Central Asia and other regions of the world.

Organic fertilization attenuates heat stress in lettuce cultivation

Organic or organomineral fertilization favours aeration; the distribution, storage and drainage of water through the structure of the soil favouring, in this way, the reduction in sudden variations in temperature that interrupts the of absorption of nutrients by plants. In addition, it is an important source of macro- and micronutrients essential for plant growth and development. The present study was carried out at the Olericulture Sector of the Federal University of the Valleys of Jequitinhonha and Mucuri with the aim of determining the behaviour and growth pattern of lettuce plants (Lactuca sativa L.) cv. Regina, at different levels of fertilization and variable temperature. Temperatures were 12 °C, 20 °C, 23°C and 28°C. A granulated organic fertilizer modified with conventional minerals, proposed by Geofert (a pelletized organic-mineral ((4N-17P2O5-7K2O at 5.30 g/pot) was applied, and cattle manure plus a control treatment without fertilizer. Parameters as plant height, 'head' point diameter, and leaves number/plant were measured. In addition, chlorophyll A and B contents were estimated, leaf area ratio (LAR), the specific leaf area (SLA) and leaf weight ratio (LWR). Fertilization with bovine manure and Geofert fertilizer favoured plant growth, especially at lower or higher temperatures than the recommended for this vegetable (15 - 24 ° C). Organic fertilizers were more efficient than conventional fertilization in the moderating effects of the high temperatures evaluated.