Herbal Science Research aggregator

PubMed - Fulltext: Comparison of the antiinflammatory activities of three medicinal plants known as "meiduoluomi" in Tibetan folk medicine.

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 10:20:08 -0700

Comparison of the antiinflammatory activities of three medicinal plants known as "meiduoluomi" in Tibetan folk medicine.

Yakugaku Zasshi. 2008 May;128(5):805-10

Authors: Zhang Z, Luo P, Li J, Yi T, Wang J, An J, Zhang H

Erigeron breviscapus (Vant.) Hand-mazz (EB), Erigeron multiradiatus (Lindl.) Benth (EM), and Aster brachytrichus Franch (AB), confused under the vernacular name "meiduoluomi" by native people and traditional healers, have been used for the treatment of meningitis, polyneuritis, hepatitis, adenolymphitis, and enteronitis in traditional Tibetan medicine. In this study, the antiinflammatory activity of methanol extracts of all three plants was investigated in the xylene-induced ear edema model, carrageenan-induced paw edema model, and cotton pellet-induced granuloma model. It was found that the methanolic extracts of both EB and EM had strong inhibitory effects on the acute phase of inflammation in carrageenan-induced paw edema in rats. On the other hand, the methanolic extract of EM showed stronger effects than those of EB in xylene-induced ear edema. In the chronic test, the methanolic extracts of EB and EM resulted in a significant reduction in granuloma weight in rats. In addition, myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity was strongly reduced in the EB-treated and EM-treated groups, which indicated that EB and EM can inhibit certain inflammatory modulator factors that cause neutrophil aggregation in inflamed tissue, e.g., nuclear factor-kappaB. However, the methanolic extracts of AB had no antiinflammatory effects in the tested models and MPO assay. The similar effects of EM and EB in tested models provided some scientific basis for the traditional usage of meiduoluomi in inflammatory disease. However, the results also suggest that further study is needed to investigate the antiinflammatory profile of AB and provide a scientific basis for the use of AB in inflammatory diseases.

PMID: 18451629 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

PubMed - Fulltext: [Elucidation of structures and functions through Peyer's patches of responsible carbohydrate chains in intestinal immune system modulating polysaccharides from Japanese medicinal herbs]

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 10:20:08 -0700

[Elucidation of structures and functions through Peyer's patches of responsible carbohydrate chains in intestinal immune system modulating polysaccharides from Japanese medicinal herbs]

Yakugaku Zasshi. 2008 May;128(5):709-16

Authors: Kiyohara H, Matsuzaki T, Matsumoto T, Nagai T, Yamada H

Carbohydrate chains in glycoconjugates play important roles in various life phenomena, and there are numerous types of recognition system for carbohydrate chains due to carbohydrate-lectin interactions/carbohydrate-carbohydrate interactions in all higher life forms. It has been proposed that macromolecular polysaccharides isolated from plants, marine organisms, or fungi cross-interact with known and unknown recognition systems in mammals to express their pharmacological activities. Therefore the elucidation of carbohydrate structures related to the activities and functions of these polysaccharide molecules will lead us to utilize the related information in the development of novel carbohydrate-based drugs and functional foods for human health care. Peyer's patches present in the upper intestinal tract play important roles as inductive sites for both protective IgA production and immune tolerance induction in mucosal and systemic immune systems. Dysfunction of the immunocompetent cells of Peyer's patches is thought to induce allergic/autoimmune diseases and down-regulation of the protective system against infectious agents on mucosal sites. We have isolated several Peyer's patch cell-modulating polysaccharides from medicinal herbs used in traditional Japanese herbal remedies, and they have been assumed to comprise the responsible carbohydrate chains with oligosaccharide sizes for expression of modulating activity. Accumulation of knowledge on the structures and functions of these responsible carbohydrate chains in polysaccharide molecules is believed to be important for the development of methodology for logically factitious regulation of functions of immunocompetent cells in Peyer's patches. This review deals with recent results of our study on the structural clarification of responsible carbohydrate chains in modulating polysaccharides against functions of immunocompetent cells in Peyer's patches.

PMID: 18451617 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

PubMed - Fulltext: New cytotoxic bicyclic hexapeptides, RA-XXIII and RA-XXIV, from Rubia cordifolia L.

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 10:20:08 -0700

New cytotoxic bicyclic hexapeptides, RA-XXIII and RA-XXIV, from Rubia cordifolia L.

Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo). 2008 May;56(5):730-3

Authors: Lee JE, Hitotsuyanagi Y, Fukaya H, Kondo K, Takeya K

Two new bicyclic hexapeptides, RA-XXIII and RA-XXIV, were isolated from the roots of Rubia cordifolia L. (Rubiaceae). Their structures were determined by the analysis of their 2D NMR spectra, chemical methods, and X-ray crystallography. The IC50 values of RA-XXIII and RA-XXIV against P-388 leukemia cells were 0.16 and 0.48 microg/ml, respectively.

PMID: 18451569 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

PubMed - Fulltext: Three new furoquinoline alkaloids from the leaves of Boninia glabra.

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 10:20:08 -0700

Three new furoquinoline alkaloids from the leaves of Boninia glabra.

Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo). 2008 May;56(5):727-9

Authors: Inada A, Ogasawara R, Koga I, Nakatani N, Inatomi Y, Murata H, Nishi M, Nakanishi T

Three novel furoquinoline alkaloid oxogeranyl ethers (1-3) and one known furoquinoline alkaloid (4) were isolated from the leaves of Boninia glabra, an endemic plant of the Bonin Islands. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic analysis.

PMID: 18451568 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

PubMed - Fulltext: Myeloperoxidase inhibitory and radical scavenging activities of flavones from Pterogyne nitens.

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 10:20:08 -0700

Myeloperoxidase inhibitory and radical scavenging activities of flavones from Pterogyne nitens.

Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo). 2008 May;56(5):723-6

Authors: Fernandes DC, Regasini LO, Vellosa JC, Pauletti PM, Castro-Gamboa I, Bolzani VS, Oliveira OM, Silva DH

Two new flavone glucosides, nitensosides A and B (1, 2), together with four known compounds, sorbifolin (3), sorbifolin 6-O-beta-glucopyranoside (4), pedalitin (5), and pedalitin 6-O-beta-glucopyranoside (6) were isolated from Pterogyne nitens. Their structures were elucidated from 1D and 2D NMR analysis, as well as by high resolution mass spectrometry. All the isolated flavones were evaluated for their myeloperoxidase (MPO) inhibitory activity. The most active compound, pedalitin, exhibited IC50 value of 3.75 nM on MPO. Additionally, the radical-scavenging capacity of flavones 1-6 was evaluated towards ABTS and DPPH radicals and compared to standard compounds quercetin and Trolox.

PMID: 18451567 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

PubMed - Fulltext: Two new triterpenes from the Rhizome of Dryopteris crassirhizoma, and inhibitory activities of its constituents on human immunodeficiency virus-1 protease.

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 10:20:08 -0700

Two new triterpenes from the Rhizome of Dryopteris crassirhizoma, and inhibitory activities of its constituents on human immunodeficiency virus-1 protease.

Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo). 2008 May;56(5):711-4

Authors: Lee JS, Miyashiro H, Nakamura N, Hattori M

Two new hopane type triterpenes, named dryopteric acids A (1) and B (2), were isolated from the Rhizome of Dryopteris crassirhizoma (Aspiadaceae) together with sixteen known compounds (3-18). Of isolated compounds, ursolic acid (15), and dryopteric acid A (1) and B (2) showed potent inhibitory activities against HIV-1 protease with IC50 values of 8.9-44.5 microM. In addition, acetylated compounds 1 and 2 appreciably increased inhibitory activities with their IC50 values of 1.7 and 10.8 microM, respectively.

PMID: 18451564 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

PubMed - Fulltext: Phenolic glycosides from Lindera fruticosa root and their inhibitory activity on osteoclast differentiation.

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 10:20:08 -0700

Phenolic glycosides from Lindera fruticosa root and their inhibitory activity on osteoclast differentiation.

Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo). 2008 May;56(5):707-10

Authors: Song MC, Nigussie F, Yang HJ, Kim HH, Kim JY, Chung DK, Baek NI

Two new compounds were found in the phenolic glycosides isolated from the roots of Lindera fruticosa: 5-O-[beta-D-apiofuranosyl-(1''-->2')-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl]gentisic acid-7,5''-ester (3), named linderofruticoside A; and 5-O-[beta-D-apiofuranosyl-(1''-->3')-O-beta-D-xylopyranosyl]gentisic acid methyl ester (4), linderofruticoside B. Two previously known phenolic glycosides were also identified: beta-D-(3,4-disinapoyl)fructofuranosyl-alpha-D-(6-sinapoyl)glucopyranoside (1) and beta-D-(3-sinapoyl)fructofuranosyl-alpha-D-(6-sinapoyl)glucopyranoside (2). Compounds 1 and 2 inhibited osteoclast differentiation in a dose-dependent manner at concentrations higher than 1.04 microM and 0.132 microM, respectively.

PMID: 18451563 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

PubMed - Fulltext: Reinvestigation of absolute stereostructure of (-)-rosiridol: structures of monoterpene glycosides, rosiridin, rosiridosides A, B, and C, from Rhodiola sachalinensis.

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 10:20:08 -0700

Reinvestigation of absolute stereostructure of (-)-rosiridol: structures of monoterpene glycosides, rosiridin, rosiridosides A, B, and C, from Rhodiola sachalinensis.

Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo). 2008 May;56(5):695-700

Authors: Yoshikawa M, Nakamura S, Li X, Matsuda H

Three new (-)-rosiridol glycosides, rosiridosides A, B, and C, were isolated from the roots of Rhodiola sachalinensis together with rosiridin [(-)-rosiridol 1-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside]. In the course of the structure elucidation of those new glycosides, the absolute configuration of the 4-position in (-)-rosiridol was reinvestigated. On the basis of the application of the modified Mosher's method for (-)- and (+)-rosiridol derivatives, the absolute configuration of the 4-position in (-)-rosiridol should be revised to be S orientation from the recently assigned R form, so that the absolute stereostructures of rosiridosides A, B, and C and rosiridin were determined.

PMID: 18451561 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

PubMed - Fulltext: Sesquiterpenoids isolated from Eupatorium glehnii. Isolation of guaiaglehnin A, structure revision of Hiyodorilactone B, and genetic comparison.

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 10:20:08 -0700

Sesquiterpenoids isolated from Eupatorium glehnii. Isolation of guaiaglehnin A, structure revision of Hiyodorilactone B, and genetic comparison.

Chem Pharm Bull (Tokyo). 2008 May;56(5):677-81

Authors: Tori M, Morishita N, Hirota N, Saito Y, Nakashima K, Sono M, Tanaka M, Utagawa A, Hirota H

A new sesquiterpenoid substituted with unsaturated ester, guaiaglehnin A (1), along with 15 previously known compounds, were isolated from the methanol extract of the terrestrial part of Eupatorium glehnii (Compositae) collected in Nagano Prefecture, Japan, the results of which supported the previous study by Takahashi et al. The chemical constituents of E. glehnii collected in Nagano Prefecture and those collected in Tokushima or Hokkaido are quite different, depending on collection site, although the species are identical. The base sequences of three different samples were identical. Diversity in the chemical components was detected, though no diversity existed in the DNA sequence. In this study, eupasimplicin A (2) was also isolated, whose presence in the extract of E. chinense simplicifolium was recorded but not in an article. The side chain geometry of hiyodorilactone B (5) was revised to be E.

PMID: 18451557 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

PubMed - Fulltext: [Olfactory alterations in allergic rhinitis to pollens and mites]

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 10:20:08 -0700

[Olfactory alterations in allergic rhinitis to pollens and mites]

Acta Otorrinolaringol Esp. 2008 Feb;59(2):47-51

Authors: de Haro J, Benítez P, Alobid I, González JA, Pascual B, Mullol J

INTRODUCTION: In the last 80 years, the presence of allergies has increased among Europeans from 0.28% to 14.2%. Allergic rhinitis is the main presentation, rising from 18% to 40% of cases. The aim of this study is to demonstrate that allergic rhinitis due to pollen and mites has an effect on the olfactory system. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We describe the impairment of olfactory function in two groups of individuals with allergic rhinitis due to mites or pollen (n = 76; 42 with allergy to pollen [48.9%], and 34 with allergy to mites [39%]), compared with a group of healthy volunteers (n = 120). Olfactory ability was measured by the BAST-24 (Barcelona Smell Test) olfactometer comprising 20 odours tested by the forced choice method to compare the levels of odour detection (knowing if there is odour in the environment), and efficacy (identifying what was smelt). RESULTS: The results show firstly that people with allergic rhinitis have a clear, definitive, and significant impairment (P >.05) in olfactory levels; secondly, there is a tendency towards greater olfactory loss in the case of people with pollen-related allergic rhinitis than in those allergic to mites; and thirdly, the different odours are affected differently in the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS: We propose consideration of the study of olfactory status in the assessment of patients with allergic rhinitis.

PMID: 18341859 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

PubMed - Fulltext: Role of the Clp system in stress tolerance, biofilm formation, and intracellular invasion in Porphyromonas gingivalis.

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 10:20:08 -0700

Role of the Clp system in stress tolerance, biofilm formation, and intracellular invasion in Porphyromonas gingivalis.

J Bacteriol. 2008 Feb;190(4):1436-46

Authors: Capestany CA, Tribble GD, Maeda K, Demuth DR, Lamont RJ

Clp proteases and chaperones are ubiquitous among prokaryotes and eukaryotes, and in many pathogenic bacteria the Clp stress response system is also involved in regulation of virulence properties. In this study, the roles of ClpB, ClpC, and ClpXP in stress resistance, homotypic and heterotypic biofilm formation, and intracellular invasion in the oral opportunistic pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis were investigated. Absence of ClpC and ClpXP, but not ClpB, resulted in diminished tolerance to high temperatures. Response to oxidative stress was not affected by the loss of any of the Clp proteins. The clpC and clpXP mutants demonstrated elevated monospecies biofilm formation, and the absence of ClpXP also enhanced heterotypic P. gingivalis-Streptococcus gordonii biofilm formation. All clp mutants adhered to gingival epithelial cells to the same level as the wild type; however, ClpC and ClpXP were found to be necessary for entry into host epithelial cells. ClpB did not play a role in entry but was required for intracellular replication and survival. ClpXP negatively regulated the surface exposure of the minor fimbrial (Mfa) protein subunit of P. gingivalis, which stimulates biofilm formation but interferes with epithelial cell entry. Collectively, these results show that the Clp protease complex and chaperones control several processes that are important for the colonization and survival of P. gingivalis in the oral cavity.

PMID: 18065546 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

PubMed - Fulltext: A transposase-independent mechanism gives rise to precise excision of IS256 from insertion sites in Staphylococcus epidermidis.

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 10:20:07 -0700

A transposase-independent mechanism gives rise to precise excision of IS256 from insertion sites in Staphylococcus epidermidis.

J Bacteriol. 2008 Feb;190(4):1488-90

Authors: Hennig S, Ziebuhr W

The mobile element IS256 causes phase variation of biofilm formation in Staphylococcus epidermidis by insertion and precise excision from the icaADBC operon. Precise excision, i.e., removal of the target site duplications (TSDs) and restoration of the original DNA sequence, occurs rarely but independently of functional transposase. Instead, the integrity of the TSDs is crucial for precise excision. Excision increased significantly when the TSDs were brought into closer spatial proximity, suggesting that excision is a host-driven process that might involve most likely illegitimate recombination.

PMID: 18065530 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

PubMed - Fulltext: Binding site determinants for the LysR-type transcriptional regulator PcaQ in the legume endosymbiont Sinorhizobium meliloti.

Thu, 03 Jul 2008 10:20:07 -0700

Binding site determinants for the LysR-type transcriptional regulator PcaQ in the legume endosymbiont Sinorhizobium meliloti.

J Bacteriol. 2008 Feb;190(4):1237-46

Authors: MacLean AM, Anstey MI, Finan TM

LysR-type transcriptional regulators represent one of the largest groups of prokaryotic regulators described to date. In the gram-negative legume endosymbiont Sinorhizobium meliloti, enzymes involved in the protocatechuate branch of the beta-ketoadipate pathway are encoded within the pcaDCHGB operon, which is subject to regulation by the LysR-type protein PcaQ. In this work, purified PcaQ was shown to bind strongly (equilibrium dissociation constant, 0.54 nM) to a region at positions -78 to -45 upstream of the pcaD transcriptional start site. Within this region, we defined a PcaQ binding site with dyad symmetry that is required for regulation of pcaD expression in vivo and for binding of PcaQ in vitro. We also demonstrated that PcaQ participates in negative autoregulation by monitoring expression of pcaQ via a transcriptional fusion to lacZ. Although pcaQ homologues are present in many alpha-proteobacteria, this work describes the first reported purification of this regulator, as well as characterization of its binding site, which is conserved in Agrobacterium tumefaciens, Rhizobium leguminosarum, Rhizobium etli, and Mesorhizobium loti.

PMID: 18055594 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

PubMed - Fulltext: Juzen-taiho-to, an herbal medicine, activates and enhances phagocytosis in microglia/macrophages.

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 10:37:13 -0700

Juzen-taiho-to, an herbal medicine, activates and enhances phagocytosis in microglia/macrophages.

Tohoku J Exp Med. 2008 May;215(1):43-54

Authors: Liu H, Wang J, Sekiyama A, Tabira T

Microglia are the main resident immunocompetent and phagocytic cells in the central nervous system (CNS). Activated microglia could play phagocytic roles as well as mediate inflammatory processes in the CNS. Involvement of activated microglia in the pathogenesis has been demonstrated in several neurological diseases including Alzheimer's disease (AD). Juzen-taiho-to (JTT), a traditional herbal medicine, has been reported to have effects on activating immune responses and phagocytosis. So far, little is known about the effects of this Kampo formulation JTT on microglia and in AD. In this report, we studied the effects of JTT on the activation and phagocytic functions of mouse microglia and bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMM). JTT could activate microglia, which was confirmed by the prominent morphological change and increased surface expression of an activation marker CD11b. In addition, JTT was revealed to induce microglial proliferation, and enhance microglial phagocytosis of, without eliciting an excessive production of nitric oxide. Furthermore, when mice were administrated with JTT in vivo, their BMM showed more effective phagocytosis of fibrillar Abeta(1-42). These findings implicate the therapeutic potential of JTT in AD and other neurological diseases accompanied by microglial activation.

PMID: 18509234 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

PubMed - Fulltext: A systematic review of natural health product treatment for vitiligo.

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 10:37:13 -0700

A systematic review of natural health product treatment for vitiligo.

BMC Dermatol. 2008;8:2

Authors: Szczurko O, Boon HS

BACKGROUND: Vitiligo is a hypopigmentation disorder affecting 1 to 4% of the world population. Fifty percent of cases appear before the age of 20 years old, and the disfigurement results in psychiatric morbidity in 16 to 35% of those affected. METHODS: Our objective was to complete a comprehensive, systematic review of the published scientific literature to identify natural health products (NHP) such as vitamins, herbs and other supplements that may have efficacy in the treatment of vitiligo. We searched eight databases including MEDLINE and EMBASE for vitiligo, leucoderma, and various NHP terms. Prospective controlled clinical human trials were identified and assessed for quality. RESULTS: Fifteen clinical trials were identified, and organized into four categories based on the NHP used for treatment. 1) L-phenylalanine monotherapy was assessed in one trial, and as an adjuvant to phototherapy in three trials. All reported beneficial effects. 2) Three clinical trials utilized different traditional Chinese medicine products. Although each traditional Chinese medicine trial reported benefit in the active groups, the quality of the trials was poor. 3) Six trials investigated the use of plants in the treatment of vitiligo, four using plants as photosensitizing agents. The studies provide weak evidence that photosensitizing plants can be effective in conjunction with phototherapy, and moderate evidence that Ginkgo biloba monotherapy can be useful for vitiligo. 4) Two clinical trials investigated the use of vitamins in the therapy of vitiligo. One tested oral cobalamin with folic acid, and found no significant improvement over control. Another trial combined vitamin E with phototherapy and reported significantly better repigmentation over phototherapy only. It was not possible to pool the data from any studies for meta-analytic purposes due to the wide difference in outcome measures and poor quality ofreporting. CONCLUSION: Reports investigating the efficacy of NHPs for vitiligo exist, but are of poor methodological quality and contain significant reporting flaws. L-phenylalanine used with phototherapy, and oral Ginkgo biloba as monotherapy show promise and warrant further investigation.

PMID: 18498646 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

PubMed - Fulltext: Betel nut chewing is associated with hypertension in Taiwanese type 2 diabetic patients.

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 10:37:13 -0700

Betel nut chewing is associated with hypertension in Taiwanese type 2 diabetic patients.

Hypertens Res. 2008 Mar;31(3):417-23

Authors: Tseng CH

Betel nut chewing is associated with oral cancers and diabetes. This study investigated whether betel nut chewing could be associated with hypertension in Taiwanese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The data of a total of 81,226 (37,226 men and 44,000 women) patients with T2DM obtained from a cross-sectional telephone survey in a national sample of diabetic patients in Taiwan were analyzed. Hypertension was defined by a positive history or reported systolic blood pressure>or=140 mmHg and/or diastolic blood pressure>or=90 mmHg. Analyses were performed in separate sexes with consideration paid to the potential confounding effects of age, diabetic duration, body mass index and smoking. The prevalences of betel nut chewing in men and women were 20.4% and 1.1%, respectively. Betel nut chewing was more common in the younger age groups of the male sex. The multivariate-adjusted odds ratios for hypertension in chewers vs. non-chewers were 1.067 (1.007-1.131) and 1.897 (1.534-2.346) for men and women, respectively. In multiple linear regression, although no adjustment was made for the use of antihypertensive agents, betel nut chewing was significantly associated with blood pressure, with regression coefficients of 0.958+/-0.163 (SEM) for systolic and 0.441+/-0.108 for diastolic blood pressure in men; and the respective values for women were 1.805+/-0.618 and 1.198+/-0.393. In conclusion, betel nut chewing was significantly associated with hypertension in Taiwanese patients with T2DM and the association was stronger in women.

PMID: 18497460 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

PubMed - Fulltext: TRPA1 is a major oxidant sensor in murine airway sensory neurons.

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 10:37:13 -0700

TRPA1 is a major oxidant sensor in murine airway sensory neurons.

J Clin Invest. 2008 May;118(5):1899-910

Authors: Bessac BF, Sivula M, von Hehn CA, Escalera J, Cohn L, Jordt SE

Sensory neurons in the airways are finely tuned to respond to reactive chemicals threatening airway function and integrity. Nasal trigeminal nerve endings are particularly sensitive to oxidants formed in polluted air and during oxidative stress as well as to chlorine, which is frequently released in industrial and domestic accidents. Oxidant activation of airway neurons induces respiratory depression, nasal obstruction, sneezing, cough, and pain. While normally protective, chemosensory airway reflexes can provoke severe complications in patients affected by inflammatory airway conditions like rhinitis and asthma. Here, we showed that both hypochlorite, the oxidizing mediator of chlorine, and hydrogen peroxide, a reactive oxygen species, activated Ca(2+) influx and membrane currents in an oxidant-sensitive subpopulation of chemosensory neurons. These responses were absent in neurons from mice lacking TRPA1, an ion channel of the transient receptor potential (TRP) gene family. TRPA1 channels were strongly activated by hypochlorite and hydrogen peroxide in primary sensory neurons and heterologous cells. In tests of respiratory function, Trpa1(-/-) mice displayed profound deficiencies in hypochlorite- and hydrogen peroxide-induced respiratory depression as well as decreased oxidant-induced pain behavior. Our results indicate that TRPA1 is an oxidant sensor in sensory neurons, initiating neuronal excitation and subsequent physiological responses in vitro and in vivo.

PMID: 18398506 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

PubMed - Fulltext: [Clinical cases in medical mycology. Case no. 31]

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 10:37:13 -0700

[Clinical cases in medical mycology. Case no. 31]

Rev Iberoam Micol. 2008 Mar;25(1):62-4

Authors: Negroni R, Arechavala AI, Maiolo E, Bianchi MH, Santiso G, Garro S, Orduna T

PMID: 18338933 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

PubMed - Fulltext: [Use of kenaf fibre in the elaboration of specific substrates for Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq. ex Fr.) Kummer cultivation]

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 10:37:13 -0700

[Use of kenaf fibre in the elaboration of specific substrates for Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq. ex Fr.) Kummer cultivation]

Rev Iberoam Micol. 2008 Mar;25(1):57-61

Authors: Pardo Giménez A, Perona Zamora MA, Pardo Núñez J

In this study, the viability of the kenaf fibre use, alone or combined with cereal straw, vine shoots and olive mill dried waste, in the elaboration of specific substrates for the cultivation of Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq. ex Fr.) Kummer, second mushroom in importance cultivated in Spain, is described. Furthermore, three different methods of preparation of the substrate have been considered in order to obtain selectivity for the growth and later fruiting of Pleurotus sporophore. As for the production parameters, the best results have been provided by the substrates that combined kenaf with straw and with vine shoots, being unfavourable the substrates based in just kenaf or combined with olive mill dried waste. As for the treatment applied to the materials, the immersion in water alone and subsequent pasteurization and thermophilic conditioning, together with the semi-anaerobic fermentation, has been favoured in front of the immersion in water with fungicide and later pasteurization.

PMID: 18338932 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

PubMed - Fulltext: A seed and feed model for the formation of Candida albicans biofilms under flow conditions using an improved modified Robbins device.

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 10:37:13 -0700

A seed and feed model for the formation of Candida albicans biofilms under flow conditions using an improved modified Robbins device.

Rev Iberoam Micol. 2008 Mar;25(1):37-40

Authors: Ramage G, Wickes BL, López-Ribot JL

A variety of manifestations of Candida albicans infections are associated with the formation of biofilms on the surface of biomaterials. In order to maintain their niche these adherent populations need to withstand the continuous bathing action of physiological fluids (saliva, blood), which also provide water and nutrients to the fungal cells. Thus, it was the aim of this study to examine and further characterize the development of C. albicans biofilms under shear forces and a flow of replenishing nutrients, emulating the conditions that fungal cells would normally encounter within the host. An improved modified Robbins device (MRD) was designed to hold six poly methyl methacrylate (PMMA) plugs of 25 mm in diameter. A "seed and feed" model of biofilm formation was then implemented for which the apparatus was initially seeded with a C. albicans cell suspension to allow initial adhesion of fungal cells to the biomaterial. Following this initial step, sterile medium was then pumped through the MRD at a constant flow rate. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confocal scanning laser microscopy (CSLM) demonstrated a high degree of heterogeneity associated with the structure of biofilms formed under flowing conditions using the MRD. In addition, these biofilms displayed a complex three dimensional architecture and increased production of exopolymeric material.

PMID: 18338926 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

PubMed - Fulltext: [Protease and phospholipase activities of Candida albicans isolated from vaginal secretions with different pH values]

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 10:37:13 -0700

[Protease and phospholipase activities of Candida albicans isolated from vaginal secretions with different pH values]

Rev Iberoam Micol. 2008 Mar;25(1):12-6

Authors: Ombrella AM, Racca L, Ramos L

Even though vulvovaginal candidiasis and bacterial vaginosis are seldom simultaneously found, we have detected this association at an above average frequency. Thus, we set out to study the activity of proteinases and phospholipases, virulence factors of Candida albicans, to assess their role in the above mentioned association. Of a total of 70 Candida isolates were retrieved from samples of vaginal secretions analyzed at our Diagnostic Service, 65 were identified as C. albicans (a group of n=26 obtained from clinical samples of pH>4.5 and a group of n=39 from clinical samples of pH=or<4.5). The evaluation of phospholipases activity was performed on malt agar and Sabouraud dextrose agar with the addition of egg yolk as substrate. The proteolytic activity was detected on plates of agar base medium with the addition of bovine albumin serum as substrate as sole nitrogen source. Phospholipases activity was essentially the same in both groups of samples (p=0.2003). Proteolytic activity was detected in 61.5% of the isolates from the group with pH=or<4.5 and in 96.2% in the group with pH>4.5; being the former much higher than the latter (p=0.0001). Based on these results we postulate that the simultaneous occurrence of bacterial vaginosis and vulvovaginal candidiasis could be related to the proteolytic activity but unrelated to phospholipases activity.

PMID: 18338921 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

PubMed - Fulltext: The Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae PhoPQ two-component system is required for AvrXA21 activity, hrpG expression, and virulence.

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 10:37:13 -0700

The Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae PhoPQ two-component system is required for AvrXA21 activity, hrpG expression, and virulence.

J Bacteriol. 2008 Mar;190(6):2183-97

Authors: Lee SW, Jeong KS, Han SW, Lee SE, Phee BK, Hahn TR, Ronald P

The rice pathogen recognition receptor, XA21, confers resistance to Xanthomonas oryzae pv. oryzae strains producing the type one system-secreted molecule, AvrXA21. X. oryzae pv. oryzae requires a regulatory two-component system (TCS) called RaxRH to regulate expression of eight rax (required for AvrXA21 activity) genes and to sense population cell density. To identify other key components in this critical regulatory circuit, we assayed proteins expressed in a raxR gene knockout strain. This survey led to the identification of the phoP gene encoding a response regulator that is up-regulated in the raxR knockout strain. Next we generated a phoP knockout strain and found it to be impaired in X. oryzae pv. oryzae virulence and no longer able to activate the response regulator HrpG (hypersensitive reaction and pathogenicity G) in response to low levels of Ca2+. The impaired virulence of the phoP knockout strain can be partially complemented by constitutive expression of hrpG, indicating that PhoP controls a key aspect of X. oryzae pv. oryzae virulence through regulation of hrpG. A gene encoding the cognate putative histidine protein kinase, phoQ, was also isolated. Growth curve analysis revealed that AvrXA21 activity is impaired in a phoQ knockout strain as reflected by enhanced growth of this strain in rice lines carrying XA21. These results suggest that the X. oryzae pv. oryzae PhoPQ TCS functions in virulence and in the production of AvrXA21 in partnership with RaxRH.

PMID: 18203830 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

PubMed - Fulltext: Genome of the actinomycete plant pathogen Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus suggests recent niche adaptation.

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 10:37:12 -0700

Genome of the actinomycete plant pathogen Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus suggests recent niche adaptation.

J Bacteriol. 2008 Mar;190(6):2150-60

Authors: Bentley SD, Corton C, Brown SE, Barron A, Clark L, Doggett J, Harris B, Ormond D, Quail MA, May G, Francis D, Knudson D, Parkhill J, Ishimaru CA

Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus is a plant-pathogenic bacterium and the causative agent of bacterial ring rot, a devastating agricultural disease under strict quarantine control and zero tolerance in the seed potato industry. This organism appears to be largely restricted to an endophytic lifestyle, proliferating within plant tissues and unable to persist in the absence of plant material. Analysis of the genome sequence of C. michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus and comparison with the genome sequences of related plant pathogens revealed a dramatic recent evolutionary history. The genome contains 106 insertion sequence elements, which appear to have been active in extensive rearrangement of the chromosome compared to that of Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis. There are 110 pseudogenes with overrepresentation in functions associated with carbohydrate metabolism, transcriptional regulation, and pathogenicity. Genome comparisons also indicated that there is substantial gene content diversity within the species, probably due to differential gene acquisition and loss. These genomic features and evolutionary dating suggest that there was recent adaptation for life in a restricted niche where nutrient diversity and perhaps competition are low, correlated with a reduced ability to exploit previously occupied complex niches outside the plant. Toleration of factors such as multiplication and integration of insertion sequence elements, genome rearrangements, and functional disruption of many genes and operons seems to indicate that there has been general relaxation of selective pressure on a large proportion of the genome.

PMID: 18192393 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

PubMed - Fulltext: The genome sequence of the tomato-pathogenic actinomycete Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis NCPPB382 reveals a large island involved in pathogenicity.

Wed, 02 Jul 2008 10:37:12 -0700

The genome sequence of the tomato-pathogenic actinomycete Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis NCPPB382 reveals a large island involved in pathogenicity.

J Bacteriol. 2008 Mar;190(6):2138-49

Authors: Gartemann KH, Abt B, Bekel T, Burger A, Engemann J, Flügel M, Gaigalat L, Goesmann A, Gräfen I, Kalinowski J, Kaup O, Kirchner O, Krause L, Linke B, McHardy A, Meyer F, Pohle S, Rückert C, Schneiker S, Zellermann EM, Pühler A, Eichenlaub R, Kaiser O, Bartels D

Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. michiganensis is a plant-pathogenic actinomycete that causes bacterial wilt and canker of tomato. The nucleotide sequence of the genome of strain NCPPB382 was determined. The chromosome is circular, consists of 3.298 Mb, and has a high G+C content (72.6%). Annotation revealed 3,080 putative protein-encoding sequences; only 26 pseudogenes were detected. Two rrn operons, 45 tRNAs, and three small stable RNA genes were found. The two circular plasmids, pCM1 (27.4 kbp) and pCM2 (70.0 kbp), which carry pathogenicity genes and thus are essential for virulence, have lower G+C contents (66.5 and 67.6%, respectively). In contrast to the genome of the closely related organism Clavibacter michiganensis subsp. sepedonicus, the genome of C. michiganensis subsp. michiganensis lacks complete insertion elements and transposons. The 129-kb chp/tomA region with a low G+C content near the chromosomal origin of replication was shown to be necessary for pathogenicity. This region contains numerous genes encoding proteins involved in uptake and metabolism of sugars and several serine proteases. There is evidence that single genes located in this region, especially genes encoding serine proteases, are required for efficient colonization of the host. Although C. michiganensis subsp. michiganensis grows mainly in the xylem of tomato plants, no evidence for pronounced genome reduction was found. C. michiganensis subsp. michiganensis seems to have as many transporters and regulators as typical soil-inhabiting bacteria. However, the apparent lack of a sulfate reduction pathway, which makes C. michiganensis subsp. michiganensis dependent on reduced sulfur compounds for growth, is probably the reason for the poor survival of C. michiganensis subsp. michiganensis in soil.

PMID: 18192381 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

PubMed - Fulltext: A novel resource for genomics of Triticeae: BAC library specific for the short arm of rye (Secale cereale L.) chromosome 1R (1RS).

Sun, 29 Jun 2008 18:10:33 -0700

A novel resource for genomics of Triticeae: BAC library specific for the short arm of rye (Secale cereale L.) chromosome 1R (1RS).

BMC Genomics. 2008;9:237

Authors: Simková H, Safár J, Suchánková P, Kovárová P, Bartos J, Kubaláková M, Janda J, Cíhalíková J, Mago R, Lelley T, Dolezel J

BACKGROUND: Genomics of rye (Secale cereale L.) is impeded by its large nuclear genome (1C approximately 7,900 Mbp) with prevalence of DNA repeats (> 90%). An attractive possibility is to dissect the genome to small parts after flow sorting particular chromosomes and chromosome arms. To test this approach, we have chosen 1RS chromosome arm, which represents only 5.6% of the total rye genome. The 1RS arm is an attractive target as it carries many important genes and because it became part of the wheat gene pool as the 1BL.1RS translocation. RESULTS: We demonstrate that it is possible to sort 1RS arm from wheat-rye ditelosomic addition line. Using this approach, we isolated over 10 million of 1RS arms using flow sorting and used their DNA to construct a 1RS-specific BAC library, which comprises 103,680 clones with average insert size of 73 kb. The library comprises two sublibraries constructed using HindIII and EcoRI and provides a deep coverage of about 14-fold of the 1RS arm (442 Mbp). We present preliminary results obtained during positional cloning of the stem rust resistance gene SrR, which confirm a potential of the library to speed up isolation of agronomically important genes by map-based cloning. CONCLUSION: We present a strategy that enables sorting short arms of several chromosomes of rye. Using flow-sorted chromosomes, we have constructed a deep coverage BAC library specific for the short arm of chromosome 1R (1RS). This is the first subgenomic BAC library available for rye and we demonstrate its potential for positional gene cloning. We expect that the library will facilitate development of a physical contig map of 1RS and comparative genomics of the homoeologous chromosome group 1 of wheat, barley and rye.

PMID: 18495015 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

PubMed - Fulltext: How Athila retrotransposons survive in the Arabidopsis genome.

Sun, 29 Jun 2008 18:10:33 -0700

How Athila retrotransposons survive in the Arabidopsis genome.

BMC Genomics. 2008;9:219

Authors: Marco A, Marín I

BACKGROUND: Transposable elements are selfish genetic sequences which only occasionally provide useful functions to their host species. In addition, models of mobile element evolution assume a second type of selfishness: elements of different families do not cooperate, but they independently fight for their survival in the host genome. RESULTS: We show that recombination events among distantly related Athila retrotransposons have led to the generation of new Athila lineages. Their pattern of diversification suggests that Athila elements survive in Arabidopsis by a combination of selfish replication and of amplification of highly diverged copies with coding potential. Many Athila elements are non-autonomous but still conserve intact open reading frames which are under the effect of negative, purifying natural selection. CONCLUSION: The evolution of these mobile elements is far more complex than hitherto assumed. Strict selfish replication does not explain all the patterns observed.

PMID: 18479510 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

PubMed - Fulltext: Evidence of a chimeric genome in the cyanobacterial ancestor of plastids.

Sun, 29 Jun 2008 18:10:33 -0700

Evidence of a chimeric genome in the cyanobacterial ancestor of plastids.

BMC Evol Biol. 2008;8:117

Authors: Gross J, Meurer J, Bhattacharya D

BACKGROUND: Horizontal gene transfer (HGT) is a vexing fact of life for microbial phylogeneticists. Given the substantial rates of HGT observed in modern-day bacterial chromosomes, it is envisaged that ancient prokaryotic genomes must have been similarly chimeric. But where can one find an ancient prokaryotic genome that has maintained its ancestral condition to address this issue? An excellent candidate is the cyanobacterial endosymbiont that was harnessed over a billion years ago by a heterotrophic protist, giving rise to the plastid. Genetic remnants of the endosymbiont are still preserved in plastids as a highly reduced chromosome encoding 54 - 264 genes. These data provide an ideal target to assess genome chimericism in an ancient cyanobacterial lineage. RESULTS: Here we demonstrate that the origin of the plastid-encoded gene cluster for menaquinone/phylloquinone biosynthesis in the extremophilic red algae Cyanidiales contradicts a cyanobacterial genealogy. These genes are relics of an ancestral cluster related to homologs in Chlorobi/Gammaproteobacteria that we hypothesize was established by HGT in the progenitor of plastids, thus providing a 'footprint' of genome chimericism in ancient cyanobacteria. In addition to menB, four components of the original gene cluster (menF, menD, menC, and menH) are now encoded in the nuclear genome of the majority of non-Cyanidiales algae and plants as the unique tetra-gene fusion named PHYLLO. These genes are monophyletic in Plantae and chromalveolates, indicating that loci introduced by HGT into the ancestral cyanobacterium were moved over time into the host nucleus. CONCLUSION: Our study provides unambiguous evidence for the existence of genome chimericism in ancient cyanobacteria. In addition we show genes that originated via HGT in the cyanobacterial ancestor of the plastid made their way to the host nucleus via endosymbiotic gene transfer (EGT).

PMID: 18433492 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

PubMed - Fulltext: A systematic survey in Arabidopsis thaliana of transcription factors that modulate circadian parameters.

Sun, 29 Jun 2008 18:10:33 -0700

A systematic survey in Arabidopsis thaliana of transcription factors that modulate circadian parameters.

BMC Genomics. 2008;9:182

Authors: Hanano S, Stracke R, Jakoby M, Merkle T, Domagalska MA, Weisshaar B, Davis SJ

BACKGROUND: Plant circadian systems regulate various biological processes in harmony with daily environmental changes. In Arabidopsis thaliana, the underlying clock mechanism is comprised of multiple integrated transcriptional feedbacks, which collectively lead to global patterns of rhythmic gene expression. The transcriptional networks are essential within the clock itself and in its output pathway. RESULTS: Here, to expand understanding of transcriptional networks within and associated to the clock, we performed both an in silico analysis of transcript rhythmicity of transcription factor genes, and a pilot assessment of functional phenomics on the MYB, bHLH, and bZIP families. In our in silico analysis, we defined which members of these families express a circadian waveform of transcript abundance. Up to 20% of these families were over-represented as clock-controlled genes. To detect members that contribute to proper oscillator function, we systematically measured rhythmic growth via an imaging system in hundreds of misexpression lines targeting members of the transcription-factor families. Three transcription factors were found that conferred aberrant circadian rhythms when misexpressed: MYB3R2, bHLH69, and bHLH92. CONCLUSION: Transcript abundance of many transcription factors in Arabidopsis oscillates in a circadian manner. Further, a developed pipeline assessed phenotypic contribution of a panel of transcriptional regulators in the circadian system.

PMID: 18426557 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

PubMed - Fulltext: Characteristic expression of twelve rice PR1 family genes in response to pathogen infection, wounding, and defense-related signal compounds (121/180).

Sun, 29 Jun 2008 18:10:33 -0700

Characteristic expression of twelve rice PR1 family genes in response to pathogen infection, wounding, and defense-related signal compounds (121/180).

Mol Genet Genomics. 2008 Apr;279(4):415-27

Authors: Mitsuhara I, Iwai T, Seo S, Yanagawa Y, Kawahigasi H, Hirose S, Ohkawa Y, Ohashi Y

Pathogenesis-related (PR) proteins have been used as markers of plant defense responses, and are classified into 17 families. However, precise information on the majority members in specific PR families is still limited. We were interested in the individual characteristics of rice PR1 family genes, and selected 12 putatively active genes using rice genome databases for expressed genes. All were upregulated upon compatible and/or incompatible rice-blast fungus interactions; three were upregulated in the early infection period and four in the late infection period. Upon compatible rice-bacterial blight interaction, four genes were upregulated, six were not affected, and one was downregulated. These results are in striking contrast to those among 22 Arabidopsis PR1 genes where only one gene was pathogen-inducible. The responses of individual genes to salicylic acid, jasmonic acid, and ethylene induced defense signaling pathways in rice are likely to be different from those in dicot plants. Transcript levels in healthy leaves, roots, and flowers varied according to each gene. Analysis of the partially overlapping expression patterns of rice PR1 genes in healthy tissues and in response to pathogens and other stresses would be useful to understand their possible functions and for use as characteristic markers for defense-related studies in rice.

PMID: 18247056 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]

PubMed - Fulltext: Effects of anti-secretory factor (ASF) on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). A double-blind, randomized study.

Thu, 26 Jun 2008 09:47:07 -0700

Effects of anti-secretory factor (ASF) on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). A double-blind, randomized study.

Scand J Prim Health Care. 2008 Jun;26(2):106-10

Authors: Ekesbo R, Nilsson PM, Sjölund K

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of the endogenous protein anti-secretory factor (ASF) on the symptoms, especially loose stools, in irritable bowel ayndrome (IBS). DESIGN: A diet with specially processed cereals (SPC) known to induce ASF production was used in patients with IBS, in an eight-week randomized, placebo-controlled study. SUBJECTS: Eighty-two patients with IBS were randomized to a diet with either SPC or placebo. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The overall clinical condition and the quality of life were measured by VAS and SF-36 questionnaire, respectively. The plasma levels of ASF were determined in 14 patients with dominating loose stools before and after diet. RESULTS: All patients significantly (p<0.001) improved in IBS-related symptoms irrespective of active or placebo diet. In an active-diet sub-group with diarrhoea (n=11) there was a significant (p<0.05) correlation between the increase of plasma ASF level and the improvement on the VAS. CONCLUSION: Both study groups improved significantly on the VAS but no additive effect was seen for the active treatment. In the sub-group with loose stools, the SPC diet induced ASF plasma levels in IBS patients and was correlated to significant symptom improvement in the individual patient.

PMID: 18570009 [PubMed - indexed for MEDLINE]