Understanding and mitigating thiaminase activity in silver carp.

A deficiency of thiamine (vitamin B1), an essential cofactor for enzymes involved in metabolic processes, can be caused by the enzyme thiaminase. Thiaminase in food stocks has been linked to morbidity and mortality due to thiamine depletion in many ecologically and economically important species. Thiaminase activity has been detected in certain bacteria, plants, and fish species, including carp. The invasive silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) presents an enormous burden to ecosystems throughout the Mississippi River watershed. Its large biomass and nutritional content offer an attractive possibility as a food source for humans, wild animals, or pets. Additionally, harvesting this fish could alleviate some of the effects of this species on waterways. However, the presence of thiaminase would detract from its value for dietary consumption. Here we confirm the presence of thiaminase in several tissues from silver carp, most notably the viscera, and systematically examine the effects of microwaving, baking, dehydrating, and freeze-drying on thiaminase activity. Certain temperatures and durations of baking and microwaving reduced thiaminase activity to undetectable levels. However, caution should be taken when carp tissue is concentrated by processes without sufficient heat treatment, such as freeze-drying or dehydration, which results in concentration, but not inactivation of the enzyme. The effects of such treatments on the ease of extracting proteins, including thiaminase, and the impact on data interpretation using the 4-nitrothiophenol (4-NTP) thiaminase assay were considered.

Mapping quantitative trait loci for biomass yield and yield-related traits in lowland switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) multiple populations.

Switchgrass can be used as an alternative source for bioenergy production. Many breeding programs focus on the genetic improvement of switchgrass for increasing biomass yield. Quantitative trait loci (QTL) mapping can help to discover marker-trait associations and accelerate the breeding process through marker-assisted selection. To identify significant QTL, this study mapped 7 hybrid populations and one combined of 2 hybrid populations (30-96 F1s) derived from Alamo and Kanlow genotypes. The populations were evaluated for biomass yield, plant height, and crown size in a simulated-sward plot with 2 replications at 2 locations in Tennessee from 2019 to 2021. The populations showed significant genetic variation for the evaluated traits and exhibited transgressive segregation. The 17,251 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) generated through genotyping-by-sequencing (GBS) were used to construct a linkage map using a fast algorithm for multiple outbred families. The linkage map spanned 1,941 cM with an average interval of 0.11 cM between SNPs. The QTL analysis was performed on evaluated traits for each and across environments (year and location) that identified 5 QTL for biomass yield (logarithm of the odds, LOD 3.12-4.34), 4 QTL for plant height (LOD 3.01-5.64), and 7 QTL for crown size (LOD 3.0-4.46) (P ≤ 0.05). The major QTL for biomass yield, plant height, and crown size resided on chromosomes 8N, 6N, and 8K explained phenotypic variations of 5.6, 5.1, and 6.6%, respectively. SNPs linked to QTL could be incorporated into marker-assisted breeding to maximize the selection gain in switchgrass breeding.

Correction: Global meta-analysis reveals agro-grassland productivity varies based on species diversity over time.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0200274.].

Global meta-analysis reveals agro-grassland productivity varies based on species diversity over time.

Ecological research suggests increased diversity may improve ecosystem services, as well as yield stability; however, such theories are sometimes disproven by agronomic research, particularly at higher diversity levels. We conducted a meta-analysis on 2,753 studies in 48 articles published over the last 53 years to test: if biological N2 fixation (BNF) supplies adequate nitrogen (N) for plant growth relative to synthetic fertilizers; how crop physiological traits affect legume-grass symbiosis; and, how cultural practices affect BNF over a range of soils and climates overtime (in polycultures versus sole grasslands). Globally, net primary productivity (NPP; total aboveground production response of grass and legume in higher-diversity treatments) increased 44% via legume associations relative to sole grass controls (including both with and without N fertilizer). Several moderating variables affected NPP including: (i) plant photosynthetic pathway (mixtures of C3 grasses resulted in a 57% increase in NPP, whereas mixtures of C4 grasses resulted in a 31% increase; similarly cool-season legumes increased NPP 52% compared to a 27% increase for warm-season legumes relative to grasslands without diversity); (ii) legume life cycle [NPP response for perennial legume mixtures was 50% greater than sole grass controls, followed by a 28% increase for biennial, and a 0% increase for annual legumes)]; and, (iii) species richness (one leguminous species in a grassland agroecosystem resulted in 52% increase in NPP, whereas >2 legumes resulted in only 6% increases). Temporal and spatial effect sizes also influenced facilitation, considering facilitation was greatest (114% change) in Mediterranean climates followed by oceanic (84%), and tropical savanna (65%) environments; conversely, semiarid and subarctic systems had lowest Rhizobium-induced changes (5 and 0% change, respectively). Facilitation of grass production by legumes was also affected by soil texture. For example, a 122% NPP increase was observed in silt clay soils compared to 14% for silt loam soils. Niche complementarity effects were greatest prior to 1971 (61% change), compared to recent studies (2011-2016; -7% change), likely owing to reduced global sulfur deposition and increased ambient temperatures overtime. These historical trends suggest potential for legume intercrops to displace inorganic-N fertilizer and sustainably intensify global NPP. Results herein provide a framework for ecologists and agronomists to improve crop diversification systems, refine research goals, and heighten BNF capacities in agro-grasslands.

Autolysis in Vibrio tubiashii and Vibrio coralliilyticus.

Vibrio tubiashii has been linked to disease outbreaks in molluscan species, including oysters, geoducks, and clams, and shellfish hatcheries in the Pacific Northwest have been plagued by intermittent vibriosis outbreaks since 2006. Like V. tubiashii, Vibrio coralliilyticus has recently been described as an oyster pathogen in addition to its role in coral disease. Here, we describe an autolysis phenotype in V. tubiashii and its close relative V. coralliilyticus and characterize the effects of environmental conditions on this phenotype. We also explored whether the survivors of autolysis were resistant to the phenotype and if material from the autolysed culture would either regrow or have a population of viable cells. Ultimately, this work contributes to the larger understanding of bacterial population dynamics as it relates to aquaculture pathogens.

Accelerated differentiation of osteoblast cells on polycaprolactone scaffolds driven by a combined effect of protein coating and plasma modification.

A combined effect of protein coating and plasma modification on the quality of the osteoblast-scaffold interaction was investigated. Three-dimensional polycaprolactone (PCL) scaffolds were manufactured by the precision extrusion deposition (PED) system. The structural, physical, chemical and biological cues were introduced to the surface through providing 3D structure, coating with adhesive protein fibronectin and modifying the surface with oxygen-based plasma. The changes in the surface properties of PCL after those modifications were examined by contact angle goniometry, surface energy calculation, surface chemistry analysis (XPS) and surface topography measurements (AFM). The effects of modification techniques on osteoblast short-term and long-term functions were examined by cell adhesion, proliferation assays and differentiation markers, namely alkaline phosphatase activity (ALP) and osteocalcin secretion. The results suggested that the physical and chemical cues introduced by plasma modification might be sufficient for improved cell adhesion, but for accelerated osteoblast differentiation the synergetic effects of structural, physical, chemical and biological cues should be introduced to the PCL surface.

Mary Elizabeth Hickox Mandels, 90, bioenergy leader.

Mary E H Mandels, who spearheaded the US Army's national bioconversion studies for four decades and was an early proponent of conversion of waste biomass to readily bioconvertible sugars for the production of chemicals and transportation fuels such as ethanol, died 17 February 2008 at Natick, MA, USA. She was 90.

A multidisciplinary youth violence-prevention initiative: impact on attitudes.

BACKGROUND: In a previous report, enhanced resource commitment at a Level I trauma center was associated with improved outcomes for most major categories of injured patients, except those with gunshot wounds, which disproportionately affected the young (ages 15 to 24 years). We hypothesized that a primary violence-prevention initiative geared toward changing attitudes about interpersonal conflict among at-risk youths can be effective. STUDY DESIGN: Between May 2002 and November 2003, 97 youths (mean age 12.6 years) were recruited from one of two Police Athletic League centers in the catchment area of our Level I trauma center. Participant attitudes about interpersonal conflicts were surveyed with six previously validated scales before and after a hospital tour with a video and slide presentation graphically depicting the results of gun violence. Mean differences in scores between pre- and postintervention surveys were assessed. RESULTS: Of the 97 participants, 48 (49.4%) completed the intervention program with both the pre- and postintervention tests, with a mean of 25.8 days between tests. There was a statistically significant reduction in the Beliefs Supporting Aggression scale (mean -0.38 U; 95% CI, -0.23 to -0.54; p < 0.01), and a trend toward reduced Likelihood of Violence (mean -0.17 U; 95% CI, 0.01 to -0.34; p = 0.06). CONCLUSIONS: A multidisciplinary violence-prevention outreach program can produce short-term improvement in beliefs supporting aggression among at-risk youth. Longterm impact of this attitude change needs to be examined in future studies.

Correlations of oil and protein with isoflavone concentration in soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merr.].

Twelve isoflavones were detected by high-performance liquid chromatography in seeds of 17 soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] cultivars grown at three locations. 6' '-O-Malonyldaidzin and 6' '-O-malonylgenistin together constituted 71-81% of total isoflavones, which ranged in concentration from 2038 to 9514 microg/g and averaged 5644 microg/g across locations and cultivars. The total as well as several individual isoflavones had a moderate negative correlation with oil across locations and cultivars. Six cultivars had a moderate or strong negative correlation of total isoflavones with oil. Five cultivars had a moderate or strong positive correlation of total isoflavones with protein. These results suggest that judicious selection of germplasm for soybean breeding may facilitate development of soybean lines with desirable isoflavone concentrations.

A resonance frequency analysis assessment of maxillary and mandibular immediately loaded implants.

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the stability of implants in 51 patients following a clinical protocol of immediate functional loading. The stability during the first 3 months following implant placement was assessed according to bone type, implant location, and patient gender. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-two male and 29 female patients were treated with 344 Brånemark System implants placed in edentulous bone or extraction sites and put into functional loading using the Teeth in a Day protocol. Each implant was tested for primary stability with resonance frequency analysis (RFA) at the time of implant placement, and RFA was performed at examinations 30, 60, and 90 days following surgery. RESULTS: The analysis was based on the 276 implants that were successfully measured using RFA at all postoperative intervals. The clinical implant survival rate was 98.5% for the total population. RFA showed a decrease in bone-implant stability in the first month after implant placement from 70.35 +/- 0.5 to 66.38 +/- 0.50, followed by increases in stability in the second and third months (68.01 +/- 0.50 and 68.82 +/- 0.49, respectively), suggesting a process of adaptive bone remodeling around the implant. In general, lower initial stabilities were seen in softer bone types, in the posterior portions of the jaw compared to anterior areas, and in the female population. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: The results of this study suggest an immediate loading protocol should have an undisturbed period of healing for the first 2 months following implant placement. The determination of "predictor" stability levels for different clinical conditions were based on multiple splinted implants, allowing a larger surface area to withstand the distribution of the load. The most significant "predictor" values from a surgical and prosthodontic perspective are those determined in soft bone, in reduced bone, or in areas where lever arms are created as a result of long spans between the implants.

Nerve growth factor-induced migration of endothelial cells.

Nerve growth factor (NGF) is a well known neurotropic and neurotrophic agonist in the nervous system, which recently was shown to also induce angiogenic effects in endothelial cells (ECs). To measure NGF effects on the migration of cultured ECs, an important step in neoangiogenesis, we optimized an omnidirectional migration assay using human aortic endothelial cells (HAECs) and validated the assay with human recombinant basic fibroblast growth factor (rhbFGF) and human recombinant vascular endothelial growth factor (rhVEGF). The potencies of nerve growth factor purified from various species (viper, mouse, and recombinant human) to stimulate HAEC migration was similar to that of VEGF and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) (EC50 of approximately 0.5 ng/ml). Recombinant human bFGF was significantly more efficacious than either viper NGF or rhVEGF, both of which stimulated HAEC migration by approximately 30% over basal spontaneous migration. NGF-mediated stimulation of HAEC migration was completely blocked by the NGF/TrkA receptor antagonist K252a [(8R*,9S*,11S*)-(/)-9-hydroxy-9-methoxycarbonyl-8-methyl-2,3,9,10-tetrahydro-8,11-epoxy-1H,-8H,11H-2,7b,11a-triazadibenzo(a,g)cycloocta(c,d,e)trindene-1-one] (30 nM) but not by the VEGF/Flk receptor antagonist SU-5416 [3-[(2,4-dimethylpyrrol-5-yl) methylidenyl]-indolin-2-one] (250 nM), indicating a direct effect of NGF via TrkA receptor activation on HAEC migration. Viper NGF stimulation of HAEC migration was additively increased by either rhVEGF or rhbFGF, suggesting a potentiating interaction between their tyrosine kinase receptor signaling pathways. Viper NGF represents a novel pharmacological tool to investigate possible TrkA receptor subtypes in endothelial cells. The ability of NGF to stimulate migration of HAEC cells in vitro implies that this factor may play an important role in the cardiovascular system besides its well known effects in the nervous system.

Steady unidirectional laminar flow inhibits monolayer formation by human and rat microvascular endothelial cells.

Endothelialization of artificial vascular grafts is rapid and complete in numerous animal models, including dogs and rats, but not in human patients. One possible explanation for this well-known, yet puzzling observation might be that monolayer formation of human endothelial cells (ECs), and of canine or rodent ECs, is affected differently by flow-induced shear stress. To begin testing this hypothesis, the authors wounded confluent monolayers of cultured rat and human ECs and exposed these cultures for 20 h to unidirectional steady laminar shear stress of 10 dyn/cm(2) induced by fluid flow perpendicular to the wound boundaries. In comparison to experimental control cultures simultaneously maintained under static (no-flow) conditions, flow-induced shear stress attenuated the monolayer formation (sheet migration) in both human and rat ECs. In brief, compared to control, the average human EC monolayer formation under shear was reduced by 33% whereas the average rat EC monolayer formation was reduced by 34%. Furthermore, the cell responses showed a dependence on fluid flow direction that differed per species. When exposed to shear stress, human EC monolayer formation was reduced by 16% in the upstream direction (opposing the direction of flow) and reduced by 50% in the downstream direction (with the direction of flow), whereas rat EC monolayer formation was reduced by 64% upstream and showed no change downstream. These findings suggest that although overall monolayer formation is inhibited by fluid-induced shear stress to the same extent in both species, there are cell type- and/or species-dependent migration responses to fluid-induced shear stress, and that different flow conditions possibly contribute to species-specific patterns of endothelialization.

Epidermal growth factor induces fibroblast contractility and motility via a protein kinase C delta-dependent pathway.

Myosin-based cell contractile force is considered to be a critical process in cell motility. However, for epidermal growth factor (EGF)-induced fibroblast migration, molecular links between EGF receptor (EGFR) activation and force generation have not been clarified. Herein, we demonstrate that EGF stimulation increases myosin light chain (MLC) phosphorylation, a marker for contractile force, concomitant with protein kinase C (PKC) activity in mouse fibroblasts expressing human EGFR constructs. Interestingly, PKCdelta is the most strongly phosphorylated isoform, and the preferential PKCdelta inhibitor rottlerin largely prevented EGF-induced phosphorylation of PKC substrates and MARCKS. The pathway through which EGFR activates PKCdelta is suggested by the fact that the MEK-1 inhibitor U0126 and the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase inhibitor LY294002 had no effect on PKCdelta activation, whereas lack of PLCgamma signaling resulted in delayed PKCdelta activation. EGF-enhanced MLC phosphorylation was prevented by a specific MLC kinase inhibitor ML-7 and the PKC inhibitors chelerythrine chloride and rottlerin. Further indicating that PKCdelta is required, a dominant-negative PKCdelta construct or RNAi-mediated PKCdelta depletion also prevented MLC phosphorylation. In the absence of PLC signaling, MLC phosphorylation and cell force generation were delayed similarly to PKCdelta activation. All of the interventions that blocked PKCdelta activation or MLC phosphorylation abrogated EGF-induced cell contractile force generation and motility. Our results suggest that PKCdelta activation is responsible for a major part of EGF-induced fibroblast contractile force generation. Hence, we identify here a new pathway helping to govern cell motility, with PLC signaling playing a role in activation of PKCdelta to promote the acute phase of EGF-induced MLC activation.

Association study of Parkin gene polymorphisms with idiopathic Parkinson disease.

BACKGROUND: Previously, we detected linkage of idiopathic Parkinson disease (PD) to the region on chromosome 6 that contains the Parkin gene (D6S305; logarithm of odds score, 5.47) in families with at least one individual with age at onset younger than 40 years (families with early-onset disease). Further study demonstrated the presence of Parkin mutations in this data set. However, previous case-control studies have reported conflicting results regarding the role of more common Parkin polymorphisms as susceptibility alleles for idiopathic PD. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association of 7 previously studied Parkin single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) throughout the promoter and most of the open reading frame with PD in a large cohort of patients with primarily late-onset PD. METHODS: One promoter, 3 intronic, and 3 exonic Parkin SNPs were genotyped in 1580 individuals belonging to 397 families, and their association with PD was evaluated using family-based association tests. RESULTS: No significant association (P>.05) between PD and any Parkin SNP allele or genotype was detected. Haplotype analysis and stratification by age at onset or family history also failed to produce significant results. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that these common variants of Parkin are not associated with PD in white patients, although Parkin mutations are known to cause early- and late-onset PD.

Parkin mutations and susceptibility alleles in late-onset Parkinson's disease.

Parkin, an E2-dependent ubiquitin protein ligase, carries pathogenic mutations in patients with autosomal recessive juvenile parkinsonism, but its role in the late-onset form of Parkinson's disease (PD) is not firmly established. Previously, we detected linkage of idiopathic PD to the region on chromosome 6 containing the Parkin gene (D6S305, logarithm of odds score, 5.47) in families with at least one subject with age at onset (AAO) younger than 40 years. Mutation analysis of the Parkin gene in the 174 multiplex families from the genomic screen and 133 additional PD families identified mutations in 18% of early-onset and 2% of late-onset families (5% of total families screened). The AAO of patients with Parkin mutations ranged from 12 to 71 years. Excluding exon 7 mutations, the mean AAO of patients with Parkin mutations was 31.5 years. However, mutations in exon 7, the first RING finger (Cys253Trp, Arg256Cys, Arg275Trp, and Asp280Asn) were observed primarily in heterozygous PD patients with a much later AAO (mean AAO, 49.2 years) but were not found in controls in this study or several previous reports (920 chromosomes). These findings suggest that mutations in Parkin contribute to the common form of PD and that heterozygous mutations, especially those lying in exon 7, act as susceptibility alleles for late-onset form of Parkinson disease.

Mitochondrial polymorphisms significantly reduce the risk of Parkinson disease.

Mitochondrial (mt) impairment, particularly within complex I of the electron transport system, has been implicated in the pathogenesis of Parkinson disease (PD). More than half of mitochondrially encoded polypeptides form part of the reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide dehydrogenase (NADH) complex I enzyme. To test the hypothesis that mtDNA variation contributes to PD expression, we genotyped 10 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) that define the European mtDNA haplogroups in 609 white patients with PD and 340 unaffected white control subjects. Overall, individuals classified as haplogroup J (odds ratio [OR] 0.55; 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.34-0.91; P=.02) or K (OR 0.52; 95% CI 0.30-0.90; P=.02) demonstrated a significant decrease in risk of PD versus individuals carrying the most common haplogroup, H. Furthermore, a specific SNP that defines these two haplogroups, 10398G, is strongly associated with this protective effect (OR 0.53; 95% CI 0.39-0.73; P=.0001). SNP 10398G causes a nonconservative amino acid change from threonine to alanine within the NADH dehydrogenase 3 (ND3) of complex I. After stratification by sex, this decrease in risk appeared stronger in women than in men (OR 0.43; 95% CI 0.27-0.71; P=.0009). In addition, SNP 9055A of ATP6 demonstrated a protective effect for women (OR 0.45; 95% CI 0.22-0.93; P=.03). Our results suggest that ND3 is an important factor in PD susceptibility among white individuals and could help explain the role of complex I in PD expression.

Ewing's sarcoma of the mandible: a combined approach to treatment.

Ewing's Sarcoma (ES) is a malignant tumor, which arises primarily in children. Most commonly found in the long bones and pelvis, it rarely is found in the bones of the face. This is a report of ES of the mandible in a nine-year-old Caucasian female. Treatment for this malignancy included an incisional biopsy, chemotherapy and radiotherapy protocol to the involved area in accordance with St. Christopher's Hospital and the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia. The patient is currently disease-free and has been for approximately five years.

Epidermal growth factor induces acute matrix contraction and subsequent calpain-modulated relaxation.

During wound healing, dermal fibroblasts switch from a migratory, repopulating phenotype to a contractile, matrix-reassembling phenotype. The mechanisms controlling this switch are unknown. A possible explanation is suggested by the finding that chemokines that appear late in wound repair prevent growth factor-induced cell-substratum de-adhesion by blocking calpain activation. In this study, we tested the specific hypothesis that fibroblast contraction of the matrix is promoted by a pro-repair growth factor, epidermal growth factor, and is modulated by calpain-mediated release of adhesions. We employed an isometric force transduction system designed to measure the contraction of a collagen matrix under tension by a population of NR6 fibroblasts transfected with the human epidermal growth factor receptor. By maintaining a fixed level of strain, we could monitor both the initial contraction and subsequent relaxation of the matrix. Epidermal growth factor stimulated a transient, dose-dependent increase in matrix contraction that peaked within 60 minutes and then decayed over the ensuing 3 to 6 hours. Calpain inhibitor I (ALLN) prevented epidermal growth factor-stimulated cell de-adhesion and resulted in a significantly slower decay of matrix contraction, with only a slight decrease of the peak magnitude of contraction. The mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase-1-selective inhibitor PD 98059 that blocks signaling through the extracellular signal-regulated kinase/mitogen-activated protein kinase pathway, required for epidermal growth factor receptor-mediated activation of calpain and de-adhesion, does not significantly affect the magnitude of matrix contraction within minutes of epidermal growth factor addition, but slows the decay similarly to calpain inhibition. Epidermal growth factor receptor signaling thus stimulates the complementary mechanisms of intracellular contractile force generation and calpain-mediated de-adhesion, which are known to coordinately facilitate cell migration. These findings suggest that calpain can act as a functional switch for transmission of intracellular contractile force to the surrounding matrix, with calpain-mediated de-adhesion reducing this transmission and corresponding matrix contraction. Countervailing processes that down-regulate calpain activation can, accordingly, direct the transition of cell function from locomotion to matrix contraction.

Age at onset in two common neurodegenerative diseases is genetically controlled.

To identify genes influencing age at onset (AAO) in two common neurodegenerative diseases, a genomic screen was performed for AAO in families with Alzheimer disease (AD; n=449) and Parkinson disease (PD; n=174). Heritabilities between 40%--60% were found in both the AD and PD data sets. For PD, significant evidence for linkage to AAO was found on chromosome 1p (LOD = 3.41). For AD, the AAO effect of APOE (LOD = 3.28) was confirmed. In addition, evidence for AAO linkage on chromosomes 6 and 10 was identified independently in both the AD and PD data sets. Subsequent unified analyses of these regions identified a single peak on chromosome 10q between D10S1239 and D10S1237, with a maximum LOD score of 2.62. These data suggest that a common gene affects AAO in these two common complex neurodegenerative diseases.