Lipopolysaccharide From E. coli Increases Glutamate-Induced Disturbances of Calcium Homeostasis, the Functional State of Mitochondria, and the Death of Cultured Cortical Neurons

Lipopolysaccharide (LPS), a fragment of the bacterial cell wall, specifically interacting with protein complexes on the cell surface, can induce the production of pro-inflammatory and apoptotic signaling molecules, leading to the damage and death of brain cells. Similar effects have been noted in stroke and traumatic brain injury, when the leading factor of death is glutamate (Glu) excitotoxicity too. But being an amphiphilic molecule with a significant hydrophobic moiety and a large hydrophilic region, LPS can also non-specifically bind to the plasma membrane, altering its properties. In the present work, we studied the effect of LPS from Escherichia coli alone and in combination with the hyperstimulation of Glu-receptors on the functional state of mitochondria and Ca2+ homeostasis, oxygen consumption and the cell survival in primary cultures from the rats brain cerebellum and cortex. In both types of cultures, LPS (0.1–10 μg/ml) did not change the intracellular free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) in resting neurons but slowed down the median of the decrease in [Ca2+]i on 14% and recovery of the mitochondrial potential (ΔΨm) after Glu removal. LPS did not affect the basal oxygen consumption rate (OCR) of cortical neurons; however, it did decrease the acute OCR during Glu and LPS coapplication. Evaluation of the cell culture survival using vital dyes and the MTT assay showed that LPS (10 μg/ml) and Glu (33 μM) reduced jointly and separately the proportion of live cortical neurons, but there was no synergism or additive action. LPS-effects was dependent on the type of culture, that may be related to both the properties of neurons and the different ratio between neurons and glial cells in cultures. The rapid manifestation of these effects may be the consequence of the direct effect of LPS on the rheological properties of the cell membrane.

Additive and synergistic interactions of entomopathogenic fungi with Bacillus thuringiensis for the control of the European grapevine moth Lobesia botrana (Denis and Schiffermüller) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae)

Background The European grapevine moth, Lobesia botrana (Denis and Schiffermüller) (Lepidoptera: Tortricidae) is currently the most damaging pest in many viticultural regions across the Mediterranean basin and elsewhere. Its feeding activity also enhances the development of secondary infections by Botrytis cinerea - and other fungi - to wine grapes. The gram-positive bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) has been reported to partially control larval populations of L. botrana, while it requires to be digested by the insect to cause infection. Entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) are possibly capable of acting synergistically with Bt to increase its efficacy against insect pests. Results The hypothesis of synergy or antagonism between Bt and EPF for the control of L. botrana was tested in two bioassays: A) Insects fed on Bt diet and subsequently some groups were sprayed by conidia of Beauveria bassiana or Paecilomyces fumosoroseus, and B) Grapes were sprayed by Bt, or B. bassiana, or combination of the two, and then untreated insects were placed to feed on the grapes. In both bioassays, combination treatments performed better than single treatments, indicating additive action or synergy. The Bt and B. bassiana combination treatment (Bt diet for 30 h and then sprayed with conidia of B. bassiana) resulted in 91% larval mortality while the single Bt and B. bassiana treatments caused 28% and 34% mortality respectively. Such results indicated synergism. Combination treatment on grapes also caused significantly higher mortality on L. botrana larvae, compared to single treatments. The median lethal time (LT50) was estimated as 8.43 days for the single Bt treatment, 7.87 days for the single B. bassiana treatment and 6.3 days for the combination Bt + B. bassiana treatment. Conclusions Absence of antagonism as well as additive action or synergy were indicated by the results. Larval populations of the pest can be effectively controlled by using microbial biocontrol agents. Further research is needed to investigate the biotic and abiotic factors that affect interactions between insect hosts and entomopathogenic organisms. However, the entomopathogens used in the present study showed remarkable action and may be included parallelly in control strategies against vineyard pests.

NEIGHBORHOOD MODELING FOR COMMULATIVE PROCESSING OF MEASURED STOCHASTIC DATA FLOW

В статье обсуждается предложенная авторами окрестностная модель конвейерной обработки движущегося протяженного объекта с измеряемыми на входе стохастическими свойствами. Эта модель интерпретируется как задача управления по возмущению в теории дискретных динамических систем и предлагается алгоритм динамического генерирования расписания для последовательного аддитивного действия узлов конвейера на протяженный объект. The article discusses the proposed neighborhood model of sequential processing of a moving extended object with stochastic properties measured at the input. This model is interpreted as an input-disturbance control problem in the theory of discrete dynamical systems, and an algorithm for generating a schedule for the sequential additive action of the conveyor nodes on an extended object is proposed.

Mechanochemically Obtained Phytobiotics Suppress the Development of Pathogens

A study of the bactericidal action of a number of phytopreparations obtained as a result of mechanochemical treatment of mixtures of plant raw materials with solid sodium carbonate in relation to 10 species of opportunistic bacteria was carried out. The investigated phytopreparations have a selective effect on 1-3 types of microorganisms. The effect of the additive action of phytopreparations in mixtures, which can be used for the prevention and treatment of diseases of animals and humans with an established bacterial etiology, has been discovered

Additive actions on hyperquadrics of corank two

<abstract><p>For a projective variety $ X $ in $ {\mathbb{P}}^{m} $ of dimension $ n $, an additive action on $ X $ is an effective action of $ {\mathbb{G}}_{a}^{n} $ on $ {\mathbb{P}}^{m} $ such that $ X $ is $ {\mathbb{G}}_{a}^{n} $-invariant and the induced action on $ X $ has an open orbit. Arzhantsev and Popovskiy have classified additive actions on hyperquadrics of corank 0 or 1. In this paper, we give the classification of additive actions on hyperquadrics of corank 2 whose singularities are not fixed by the $ {\mathbb{G}}_{a}^{n} $-action.</p></abstract>

Additive actions on complete toric surfaces

By an additive action on an algebraic variety [Formula: see text] we mean a regular effective action [Formula: see text] with an open orbit of the commutative unipotent group [Formula: see text]. In this paper, we give a classification of additive actions on complete toric surfaces.

Susceptibility of Alabama argillacea and Chrysodeixis includens (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae to Beauveria bassiana associated with kaolin

The mortality of the Alabama argillacea and Chrysodeixis includens (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) larvae caused by the kaolin inert powder and the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana were determined under laboratory conditions. Using the caterpillar submersion method, the CG 138 B. bassiana isolate was more pathogenic to A. argillacea than the CG 70, GC 82, ESALQ 634, and ESALQ 645. All five tested isolates caused similar mortality of C. includens. The mortality of first-instar larvae of A. argillacea and C. includens by feeding on leaf-disc impregnated with B. bassiana (CG 138) and kaolin was also determined. Higher A. argillacea mortalities were observed in the B. bassiana (CG 138) treatments, regardless of the presence of kaolin. However, the activity of kaolin + B. bassiana (CG 138) against C. includens was higher than each ingredient alone, indicating an additive action against C. includes larvae. The mortality of A. argillacea and C. includens larvae treated with kaolin + B. bassiana (CG 138) was similar, and the A. argillacea mortality was higher than that of C. includens with kaolin and B. bassiana (GC 138) separated. The treatment kaolin + B. bassiana (CG 138) is promising for the simultaneous management of these two defoliator pests, mainly A. includes. In addition, the monophagous A. argillacea is more susceptible to both kaolin and B. bassiana (GC 138) than the polyphagous C. includens, suggesting that the nutritional ecology plays an important role in the susceptibility of these defoliator species to alternative insecticides.

Impact on Longevity of Genetic Cardiovascular Risk and Lifestyle including Red Meat Consumption

Background. Cardiovascular risk (CVR) underlies aging process and longevity. Previous work points to genetic and environmental factors associated with this risk. Objectives. The aim of this research is to look for any CVR gene-gene and gene-multifactorial/lifestyle interactions that may impact health and disease and underlie exceptional longevity. Methods. A case-control study involving 521 both gender individuals, 253 centenarians (100.26±1.98 years), and 268 controls (67.51±3.25 years), low (LCR, n=107) and high (HCR, n=161) CVR. Hypertension, diabetes, obesity (BMI, kg·m-2), and impaired kidney function were defined according to standard criteria. CVR was calculated using Q risk®. DNA was genotyping (ACE-rs4646994, AGT-rs4762, AGR1-rs5182, GRK4-rs2960306, GRK4-rs1024323, NOS3-rs1799983, and SLC12A3-rs13306673) through iPlex-MassARRAY®, read by MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry, and analyzed by EARTDECODE®. Results. Antilongevity factors consisted (OR 95% CI, p<0.05) BMI 1.558 (1.445-1.680), hypertension 2.358 (1.565-3.553), smoking habits 4.528 (2.579-7.949), diabetes 5.553 (2.889-10.675), hypercholesterolemia 1.016 (1.010-1.022), and regular consumption of red meat 22.363 (13.987-35.755). Genetic aspects particularly for HCR individuals ACE II (OR: 3.96 (1.83-8.56), p<0.0001) and NOS3 TT (OR: 3.11 (1.70-5.70), p<0.0001) genotypes were also risk associate. Obesity, smoking, hypercholesterolemia, and frequent consumption of red meat have an additive action to hypertension in the longevity process. There was a synergistic interaction between the endothelial NOS3 genotypes and the severity of arterial hypertension. An epistatic interaction between functional genetic variants of GRK4 and angiotensinogen was also observed. Conclusions. Cardiovascular risk-related genetic and multifactorial or predominantly lifestyle aspects and its interactions might influence the aging process and contribute to exceptional longevity in Portuguese centenarians. Besides lifestyle, the activity of nitrite oxide synthase may be one of the main physiologic regulators of cardiovascular protection in the path of longevity.

Genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance of some yield contributing characters in lablab bean (Lablab purpureus L. Sweet)

Eleven genotypes of lablab bean were put into trial in four consecutive years to evaluate genetic variability among characters. Genotypic and phenotypic coefficient of variability, heritability and genetic advance as percent of mean were estimated for four yield contributing characters i.e. number of flowers per plant, number of pods per plant, average number of seed per pod and average pod weight (gm). The range of variation was highly pronounced in all the four characters. Without grouping the presence of wide range of variation in these characters indicate that they are quantitative in nature and are under polygenic in control. Mean with standard error showed differences between the varieties and co-efficient of variability in percentage (CV%) indicates certain degree of variability for the characters studied which are prerequisite in breeding research. Genotypes were found to be significantly different for all characters in analysis of variance. Low differences between PVC and GVC shows that these traits are less influenced by environment and the effect of heritable components were high. High heritability coupled with high genetic advance as percent of mean was recorded by number of flowers per plant, number of pods per plant and average pod weight (g) indicates additive action of genes controlling them. J. bio-sci. 28: 13-20, 2020