Immunomodulatory effects of Ulva-derived polysaccharides, oligosaccharides, and residues in a murine model of delayed-type hypersensitivity.

Ulva, an edible green alga, contains sulfated polysaccharides and oligosaccharides that possess immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties. The objective of this study was to investigate the anti-allergic effects of Ulva-derived samples of polysaccharides (UP), oligosaccharides (UO), and residues (UR) on delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) in mice. Oral treatment of mice with UP, UO, and UR (250 mg/kg body weight) daily noticeably improved the DTH reaction as evidenced by attenuation of footpad swelling and cell infiltration at the allergen-challenge site. Although the Ulva samples had limited impacts on the production of serum total IgG, decreased concentrations of allergen-specific IgG and IgG2a and an increased concentration of IgG1 were observed in the treated mice. Moreover, treatment with them suppressed allergen-induced IFN-γ and TNF-α secretion and elevated IL-4 secretion. However, none of the Ulva sample treatments could modulate the production of IL-10. Concordantly, the in situ data reveal that the Ulva sample treatments suppressed IFN-γ and TNF-α expression at the allergen-injection site. These findings collectively suggest the potential of UP, UO, and UR as functional food candidates for the management of delayed-type hypersensitivity.

Anti-allergic effects of Ulva-derived polysaccharides, oligosaccharides and residues in a murine model of food allergy.

The medicinal benefits of green seaweed Ulva have been documented in traditional Chinese medicine literatures. Sulfated polysaccharides found in Ulva are recognized as the primary bioactive compounds, known for their immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties. Despite this knowledge, the available information regarding anti-allergic activities of Ulva remains limited. The objective of this study was to prepare and characterize Ulva-derived polysaccharides (UP), oligosaccharides (UO), and residues (UR), followed by assessing their potential in improving allergic enteritis and gut microbiota in a murine model of ovalbumin (OVA)-induced food allergy. The immunomodulatory activities of UP, UO, and UR were evaluated by measuring the expression of serum antibodies, splenic cytokines and duodenal transcript factors of T cell subsets. The impact of UP, UO, and UR on enteric microbiota was explored by 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis of fresh fecal samples from treated mice. Oral treatment of UP, UO, and UR noticeably attenuated allergic diarrhea and enteritis. Additionally, Ulva samples treatment decreased serum levels of IgG1 and OVA-specific IgE while increased the level of OVA-specific IgG. Enhanced production of IFN-γ and reduced production of IL-4 and IL-10 by splenocytes were observed in the treated mice. In parallel, Ulva samples treatment led to a decreased number of GATA3+ cells and an increased number of T-bet+ cells in the duodenum. However, the population of Foxp3+ cells was not significantly altered. Moreover, treatment of Ulva samples improved enteric dysbiosis evidenced by an increased abundance of Lactobacillus murinus, L. johnsonii, and L. reuteri, and a decreased abundance of Kineothrix alysoides, Lacrimispora saccharolytica, L. aerotolerans, and Erysipelotrichaceae in feces. In conclusion, UP, UO, and UR, which could modulate the Th1/Th2 immune balance, alleviate allergic enteritis and improve enteric dysbiosis in varying degrees, are potential to be developed into therapeutic agents for food allergy.

Enhancing Immunity and Modulating Vaginal Microflora Against Candidal Vaginitis Through Nanoemulsion Supplemented with Porphyra Oligosaccharide as an Intravaginal Vaccine Adjuvant.

Background: Intravaginal vaccination is an encouraging approach to prevent infectious vaginitis, with nanoemulsions showing effectiveness as mucosal adjuvants. Purpose: This study aimed to formulate a nanoemulsion incorporating Porphyra oligosaccharide (PO@NE) and assess its effectiveness as a mucosal adjuvant in intravaginal vaccines against candidal vaginitis. Materials and Methods: PO@NE was prepared, and the stability, immunomodulatory activity and cytotoxicity were screened in vitro. Further, the preventive effect of PO@NE as adjuvants for heat-killed Candida albicans (HK-CA) vaccines was explored in a murine model of candidal vaginitis, in comparison with those supplemented with polysaccharide (PP@NE). The mice were intravaginally vaccinated with 106 HK-CA cells, suspended in 1% NE without or with either PO or PP at a final concentration of 6.5 µg/mL, in a total volume of 20 µL. This vaccination was intravaginally administered once a week for 3 weeks. One week following the final vaccination, the mice underwent an intravaginal challenge with 107 C. albicans cells. One week after the challenge, the mice were euthanized to isolate serum, spleen, vaginal washes, and vaginal tissues for analysis. Results: PP@NE and PO@NE, with diameters approximately around 100 nm, exhibited exceptional stability at 4°C and low cytotoxicity when used at a concentration of 1% (v/v). Intravaginal vaccination with HK-CA adjuvanted with PO@NE effectively protected against candidal vaginitis evidenced by less Candida hyphae colonization, milder mucosal damage and cell infiltration. Moreover, enhanced mucosal antibody production, induction of T helper (Th)1 and Th17-related immune responses, enlarged the population of CD8+ cells, and elevated vaginal microflora diversity were observed in vaccinated mice. Interestingly, the potency was rather attenuated when PO@NE was replaced with PP@NE. Conclusion: These findings indicate PO@NE as a HK-CA vaccine adjuvant for candidal vaginitis prevention via enhancement of both cellular and humoral immunity and modulation of vaginal microflora, emphasizing further intravaginal vaccination development.

Antrodia salmonea Extracts Regulate p53-AR Signaling and Apoptosis in Human Prostate Cancer LNCaP Cells.

Antrodia salmonea (AS) is a genus of Antrodia, an epiphyte of Cunninghamia konishii in Taiwan. AS has been reported to have potential therapeutic effects on different diseases, including diarrhea, abdominal pain, and hypertension. AS has been reported to have anticancer effects on numerous cancer types, such as ovarian carcinoma and triple-negative breast cancer. Our previous studies demonstrated that antrocins and triterpenoids are possibly bioactive compositions. However, the effects of AS on prostate cancer remain unknown. Therefore, we investigated the role of AS in prostate cancer growth, apoptosis, and cell cycle regulation. The results showed that AS extracts significantly inhibited the proliferation of prostate cancer LNCaP cells in a dose-dependent manner and increased the levels of apoptotic markers (cleaved PARP and cleaved caspase 3/8/9). In addition, the cell cycle-related proteins CDK1, CDK2, CDK4, and their respective specific regulators Cyclin B1, Cyclin A, and Cyclin D were also affected. Besides, AS treatment increased p53 protein levels and slowed its degradation in LNCaP cells. Interestingly, we found that AS treatment reduced both total protein and Ser-81 phosphorylation levels of the androgen receptor (AR). Notably, the increase of nuclear p53 was accompanied by the down-regulation of AR, suggesting a reverse regulation between p53 and AR in LNCaP cells was triggered by AS treatment. These findings suggest that AS extracts trigger the apoptosis of prostate cancer cells through the reverse regulation of p53 and AR and elucidate that AS extracts might be a potential treatment for androgen-dependent prostate cancer in the near future.

Seasonal Dynamics of Flight Phenology of the Euwallacea fornicatus Species Complex and an Associated Parasitoid Wasp in Avocado Groves in Taiwan.

The Euwallacea fornicatus species complex (Coleoptera: Curculionidae: Scolytinae: Xyleborini) is a group of four cryptic ambrosia beetle species. Native to Asia, several members of the complex have invaded other continents, where they cause significant economic losses to agricultural crops (e.g., avocado) and natural ecosystems. We were primarily interested in developing management strategies by focusing on the flight behavior of the beetles. Thus, seasonal differences in flight activity were assessed using panel traps baited with a commercial quercivorol lure, placed in infested avocado orchards in Danei, Tainan, Taiwan. Same traps were used to investigate the flight activity of a natural enemy, an undescribed species of the Braconid genus Eucosmophorus sp. Shothole borer species were identified using a DNA-based, high resolution melting assay. Trap data were compared to the predictions of a simple degree-day model, incorporating developmental data and several environmental parameters known to influence flight. Such as the time period representing most of flight activity in a day and temperature-dependent flight propensity. In stark contrast to the degree-day model which predicted the highest emergence, and by extension flight, of shothole borers during spring and summer (May to November), flight activity was actually lowest during these months, and instead, peaked during the winter (October to March). Abundance of the parasitoid wasp closely mirrored flight activity of the shothole borers. The mismatch of trapping and modeling data can have many causes, heavy precipitation and possibly cooperative brood care may suppress the dispersal behavior of the shothole borers during the summer.

Antrodia salmonea extract inhibits cell proliferation through regulating cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in prostate cancer cell lines.

Antrodia salmonea (AS) is a fungus, which belongs to a fungal family of Taiwanofungus salmoneus with the features of anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer. Recent studies have shown that AS has anti-cancer functions in ovarian and breast cancer. However, the effects of AS on prostate cancer (PCa) proliferation remain unknown. Therefore, we investigated the role of AS in PCa proliferation through apoptosis, and cell cycle regulation in PCa cell lines. Our results showed that Antrodia salmonea extract (ASE) inhibited PCa cells growth with a dose-dependent manner. In addition, ASE decreased the anchorage-independent growth formation ability in PC3 cells. Moreover, ASE-induced cell growth inhibition in PCa cells (DU145, PC3) was correlated to decreased cell cycle-related proteins such as cyclin A/B and cyclin-dependent kinase CDK1/2/4, and increased cell cycle inhibitor proteins p21. Besides, ASE decreased the total protein level of epidermal growth factor receptor and its downstream signaling pathways Akt and Erk in both PCa cells. We found that apoptotic markers such as cleaved-PARP protein levels increased significantly in DU145 cells indicating ASE might induce apoptosis. In conclusion, our results suggest that ASE may have the ability to induce PCa cell death through regulating cell cycle arrest and apoptosis pathways.

The Attractiveness of α-Copaene to Members of the Euwallacea fornicatus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) Species Complex in California and Taiwan.

Species belonging to the Euwallacea fornicatus Eichhoff (Coleoptera: Scolytinae) species complex have invaded the continental U.S. since at least 2003. Three species of this complex are known to have established, two in California (E. fornicatus; and Euwallacea kuroshio), and a third in Florida (Euwallacea perbrevis). Their native ranges are spread across southern and southeast Asia. In Taiwan, all three species occur in sympatry. They attack healthy trees of widely varied species and cause severe damage and death to the trees. The attractant quercivorol is commonly used to promote their detection by passive trapping. Recent studies in Florida have shown that trapping of E. perbrevis can be further improved by adding a synergist, α-copaene, alongside the quercivorol lure. Thus, we were interested in testing the effectiveness of α-copaene for trapping the other invasive members of the complex in California and in an area of Taiwan where all three species co-occur. We found that α-copaene marginally enhanced the trapping of E. perbrevis in Taiwan, but had no effect on the trapping of E. fornicatus or E. kuroshio in either California or Taiwan. We conclude that any enhancing effect of α-copaene is specific to E. perbrevis. This highlights the economic importance of accurate species identification in developing and implementing an efficient, and yet cost-effective, monitoring program for the management of E. fornicatus and E. kuroshio in California and elsewhere.

Presence of the Extended-Spectrum-ß-Lactamase and Plasmid-Mediated AmpC-Encoding Genes in Escherichia coli from Companion Animals-A Study from a University-Based Veterinary Hospital in Taipei, Taiwan.

Extended-spectrum-ß-lactamase (ESBL) and AmpC ß-lactamase are two enzymes commonly found in Enterobacteriaceae that confer resistance to major antibiotics, such as third-generation cephalosporins that are widely prescribed for both human and animals. We screened for Escherichia coli producing ESBL and plasmid-mediated AmpC ß-lactamase (pAmpC) from dogs and cats brought to National Taiwan University Veterinary Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan from 29 June 2020, to 31 December 2020. The genotypes and phylogenetic relatedness of these E. coli were also analyzed. Fifty samples of E. coli obtained from 249 bacterial isolates were included in this study. Among them, eight isolates had ESBL, seven had pAmpC, and one had both. Thirty-two percent (16/50) of E. coli isolates were resistant to third-generation cephalosporins. The detected ESBL genes included the blaCTX-M-1 and blaCTX-M-9 groups, and the blaCMY-2 group was the only gene type found in pAmpC. ESBL-producing E. coli belonged to the pathogenic phylogroup B2, and the sequence types (STs) were ST131 and ST1193. Three isolates were determined to be ST131-O25b, a highly virulent epidemic clone. The pAmpC-producing E. coli were distributed in multiple phylogroups, primarily the commensal phylogroup B1. The STs of the pAmpC-producing E. coli included ST155, ST315, ST617, ST457, ST767, ST372, and ST93; all of these have been reported in humans and animals. Imipenem was active against all the ESBL/pAmpC-producing E. coli; however, since in humans it is a last-resort antimicrobial, its use in companion animals should be restricted.

Degradation of histamine by Bacillus polymyxa isolated from salted fish products.

Histamine is the causative agent of scombroid poisoning, a foodborne chemical hazard. Histamine is degraded by the oxidative deamination activity of certain microorganisms. In this study, eight histamine-degrading bacteria isolated from salted fish products were identified as Rummeliibacillus stabekisii (1 isolate), Agrobacterium tumefaciens (1 isolate), Bacillus cereus (2 isolates), Bacillus polymyxa (1 isolate), Bacillus licheniformis (1 isolate), Bacillus amyloliquefaciens (1 isolate), and Bacillus subtilis (1 isolate). Among them, B. polymyxa exhibited the highest activity in degrading histamine than the other isolates. The ranges of temperature, pH, and salt concentration for growth and histamine degradation of B. polymyxa were 25-37°C, pH 5-9, and 0.5-5% NaCl, respectively. B. polymyxa exhibited optimal growth and histamine-degrading activity at 30°C, pH 7, and 0.5% NaCl in histamine broth for 24 hours of incubation. The histamine-degrading isolate, B. polymyxa, might be used as a starter culture in inhibiting histamine accumulation during salted fish product fermentation.

Protection but maintained dysfunction of nigral dopaminergic nerve cell bodies and striatal dopaminergic terminals in MPTP-lesioned mice after acute treatment with the mGluR5 antagonist MPEP.

The mGluR5 antagonist MPEP was used to study the role of mGluR5 in MPTP-induced injury of the nigrostriatal DA neurons. The findings indicate that acute blockade of mGluR5 may result in neuroprotective actions against MPTP neurotoxicity on nigral DA cell bodies and striatal DA terminals using stereological analysis of TH immunoreactivity and microdensitometry. Biochemical analysis showed no restoration of DA levels and metabolism indicating a maintained reduction of DA transmission.

Acute intermittent nicotine treatment produces a reduction in the total number of FGF-2 immunoreactive astroglial cells in the substantia nigra of the rat: a stereological analysis.

To understand the morphological substrate of the nicotine effect on nigral FGF-2 expression, a stereological analysis of FGF-2 immunoreactive neuronal and glial profiles has been performed in the substantia nigra of the rat after acute intermittent nicotine treatment. The major finding of this paper is the demonstration that this type of nicotine treatment produces a significant reduction in the total number of nuclear FGF-2 immunoreactive astroglial profiles in the substantia nigra. A parallel analysis of nigral FGF-1 and FGF-5 immunoreactivities showed no effect of this type of nicotine treatment. The results may be explained by an inhibition of FGF-2 synthesis in a subpopulation of nigral astroglia by nicotinic receptor activation, favouring a reduction of astroglial neurotrophism in the substantia nigra.