Sustainable Agriculture by Increasing Nitrogen Fertilizer Efficiency Using Low-Resolution Camera Mounted on Unmanned Aerial Vehicles.

Nitrogen use efficiency in modern agriculture is very low. It means that a lot of synthetic chemicals are wasted rather than utilized by crops. This can cause more problems where the soil surface is thin and rocky like Jeju Island in the Republic of Korea. This is because overly used nitrogen fertilizer can be washed into the underground water and pollute it. Thus, it would be important to monitor the nitrogen deficiency of crops in the field to provide the right amount of nitrogen in a timely manner so that nitrogen waste can be limited. To achieve this, the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) was used to monitor chlorophyll content, which is tightly associated with nitrogen content in the buckwheat field. The NDVI was calculated with the data obtained by a low-resolution camera mounted on an unmanned aerial vehicle. The results showed that the NDVI can estimate the chlorophyll content of buckwheat. These simple but clear results imply that precision agriculture could be achieved even with a low-resolution camera in a cost-effective manner to reduce the pollution of underground water.

Metabolomics and Lipidomics Approaches in the Science of Probiotics: A Review.

The intestinal microflora plays important roles in the health of the host, such as nutrient processing and the modulation of intestinal immune responses. The constituents of the diet greatly affect the composition of the microbiota and its metabolites. The human intestinal microbiota is made up of around 100 trillion microbial cells encompassing at least 300 species. Consuming probiotics may lead to changes in the intestinal microflora that influence host health. Metabolomics is a powerful tool for revealing metabolic changes in biofluids, tissues, and organs of hosts induced by the consumption of probiotics, and lipidomics in particular is a technical approach that focuses on the analysis of lipids in various cells and biofluids. Metabolomics and lipidomics have been used to investigate intracellular and extracellular metabolites as well as for the nontargeted profiling and fingerprinting of metabolites. Based on metabolomics and lipidomics investigations, we reviewed the effects of consuming probiotics on metabolic profiles in controlled intestinal environments. We also discuss the associations between metabolic changes and human diseases after consuming probiotics in uncontrolled intestinal environments. In addition, we review the metabolic changes that take place within the food matrix during probiotic fermentation.

Biphasic activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 in epidermal growth factor (EGF)-stimulated SW480 colorectal cancer cells.

Cancer cells have different characteristics due to the genetic differences where these unique features may strongly influence the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions. Here, we show that the spontaneous reactivation of extracellular signalregulated kinase (ERK), distinct from conventional ERK activation, represents a potent mechanism for cancer cell survival. We studied ERK1/2 activation in vitro in SW480 colorectal cancer cells. Although ERK signaling tends to be transiently activated, we observed the delayed reactivation of ERK1/2 in epidermal growth factor (EGF)-stimulated SW480 cells. This effect was observed even after EGF withdrawal. While phosphorylated ERK1/2 translocated into the nucleus following its primary activation, it remained in the cytoplasm during late-phase activation. The inhibition of primary ERK1/2 activation or protein trafficking, blocked reactivation and concurrently increased caspase 3 activity. Our results suggest that the biphasic activation of ERK1/2 plays a role in cancer cell survival; thus, regulation of ERK1/2 activation may improve the efficacy of cancer therapies that target ERK signaling. [BMB Reports 2016; 49(4): 220-225].

Transcriptome analysis reveals in vitro cultured Withania somnifera leaf and root tissues as a promising source for targeted withanolide biosynthesis.

BACKGROUND: The production of metabolites via in vitro culture is promoted by the availability of fully defined metabolic pathways. Withanolides, the major bioactive phytochemicals of Withania somnifera, have been well studied for their pharmacological activities. However, only a few attempts have been made to identify key candidate genes involved in withanolide biosynthesis. Understanding the steps involved in withanolide biosynthesis is essential for metabolic engineering of this plant to increase withanolide production. RESULTS: Transcriptome sequencing was performed on in vitro adventitious root and leaf tissues using the Illumina platform. We obtained a total of 177,156 assembled transcripts with an average unigene length of 1,033 bp. About 13% of the transcripts were unique to in vitro adventitious roots but no unique transcripts were observed in in vitro-grown leaves. A putative withanolide biosynthetic pathway was deduced by mapping the assembled transcripts to the KEGG database, and the expression of candidate withanolide biosynthesis genes -were validated by qRT PCR. The accumulation pattern of withaferin A and withanolide A varied according to the type of tissue and the culture period. Further, we demonstrated that in vitro leaf extracts exhibit anticancer activity against human gastric adenocarcinoma cell lines at sub G1 phase. CONCLUSIONS: We report here a validated large-scale transcriptome data set and the potential biological activity of in vitro cultures of W. somnifera. This study provides important information to enhance tissue-specific expression and accumulation of secondary metabolites, paving the way for industrialization of in vitro cultures of W. somnifera.

Expression of pref-1/dlk-1 is regulated by microRNA-143 in 3T3-L1 cells.

Preadipocyte factor 1 (Pref-1), also known as a delta-like 1 protein, is a transmembrane and secreted protein containing the epidermal growth factor-like repeat. Pref-1 inhibits adipocyte differentiation by activating the ERK1/2 pathway. MicroRNAs, a new class of small noncoding RNAs of 20-24 nucleotides, act as negative regulators of gene expression and result in mRNA degradation or translational repression. MicroRNA-143 (miR-143) is known to induce adipocyte differentiation; however, miR-143 targets in the regulation of adipocyte differentiation remain unknown. In this study, we investigated whether pref-1 is a miR-143 target to regulate adipogenesis. After the induction of adipocyte differentiation the level of miR-143 was increased, whereas the expression of pref-1 mRNA was decreased. The pref-1 protein level was also down-regulated in preadipocytes ectopically expressing miR-143, and recovered by miR-143 inhibitor. The binding region for miR-143 was predicted to be located between positions 247 and 252 in the 3'-UTR of pref-1. The luciferase activity of the vector containing the wild-type 3'-UTR of pref-1 was decreased by 65 % in cells transfected with miR-143 mimic compared to that of the corresponding control. In contrast, the activity of the pref-1 mutant cells was not affected by the treatment with miR-143 mimic. The ectopic expression of miR-143 mimic suppressed the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 induced by pref-1 in 3T3-L1 cells. However, the suppressed phosphorylation was restored by miR-143 inhibitor. Taken together, these data suggest that miR-143 promotes adipogenesis by directly modulating the pref-1 expression in adipocytes.

Efficacious rat model displays non-toxic effect with Korean beechwood creosote: a possible antibiotic substitute.

Wood creosote, an herbal anti-diarrheal and a mixture of major volatile compounds, was tested for its non-toxicological effects, using a rat model, with the objective to use the creosote as an antibiotic substitute. A total of 30 Sprague-Dawley rats were studied to form five groups with 6 rats each. Korea beechwood creosote was supplemented into three test groups with 0.03 g/kg, 0.07 g/kg and 0.1 g/kg body weight/day without antibiotic support, along with a positive control of Apramycin sulphate (at 0.5% of the daily feed) and a negative control. Korean beechwood creosote supplementation showed no negative effect on the body weight gain in comparison to the negative and the positive control groups and the feed conversion ratio was also comparable with that of the control groups. The clinical pathology parameters studied were also under the umbrella of normal range, including liver specific enzymes, blood glucose, total protein, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), which indicated no toxic effect of creosote at the given doses. The non-hepatotoxic effect was also confirmed using hepatic damage specific molecular markers like Tim-p1, Tim-p2 and Tgf-ß1. The results suggested that Korean beechwood may be used as antibiotic substitute in weanling pigs feed without any toxic effect on the body. Although the antimicrobial properties of creosote were not absolutely similar to those of apramycin sulphate, they were comparable.

Omega-3 fatty acids suppress Th2-associated cytokine gene expressions and GATA transcription factors in mast cells.

Because the interaction between omega-3 fatty acids and mast cells has remained largely unknown in allergies, we investigated whether omega-3 fatty acids affect the activation of mast cells by examining Th2-associated cytokine production and possible molecular mechanisms. Alpha-linolenic acid and its metabolites including eicosapentaenoic acid and decosahexaenoic acid induced a dramatic decrease in the production of interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5 and IL-13 in a dose-dependent manner, as well as mRNA expression of their genes, in activated MC/9 mast cells and bone marrow-derived mast cells. The effects were comparable to those of cyclosporin A (1 µM), a well-known immunosuppressive agent. Nuclear expression of GATA binding protein-1 (GATA-1) and GATA binding protein-2 (GATA-2), essential transcription factors for mast cell activation, was also greatly suppressed. However, their mRNA expressions were not affected. In P815 mast cells, which do not express GATA-1, the suppressive effects on cytokines were abolished. On the contrary, omega-3 fatty acids had less significant effects on IL-4 and IL-5 and resulted in a slight decrease in IL-13 production in EL-4 T cells. Finally, oral administration of fish oil containing high level of omega-3 fatty acids significantly reduced the severity of dermatitis and the thickening of epidermis/dermis in a NC/Nga murine atopic model. The number of cells expressing CD117(+) and FcεRIα(+) was greatly decreased and GATA-1 expression in the cells was also diminished. Taken together, omega-3 fatty acids might target mast cells to a greater extent than T cells to suppress Th2 cytokine expression by inhibiting GATAs for alleviation of allergic disease.

The role of carbon monoxide in metabolic disease.

Metabolic disease is a complex disorder defined by various factors that increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes mellitus. In recent years, the incidence of chronic metabolic disease has dramatically increased throughout the world. These chronic metabolic diseases are associated with elevated inflammatory activities. In addition, endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress leads to metabolic syndrome. Inflammation and ER stress are linked in the context of metabolic homeostasis and disease. Carbon monoxide (CO), a reaction product of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1), reduces oxidative stress and inflammatory response and protects cells from ER stress. CO has anti-inflammatory effects via induction of HO-1 expression and prevents ER stress-induced apoptosis by inhibiting the C/EBP homologous protein expression. In addition to its anti-inflammatory effects and antiapoptotic effects, HO-1 plays an important role in insulin release and glucose metabolism. In our study, inhalation of CO gas or CO-releasing molecule injection ameliorates 30% fructose or methionine-deficient- and choline-deficient-diet-induced hepatic steatosis. Therefore, CO can be studied in the search for potential therapeutic targets for metabolic diseases via inhibition of inflammatory response and ER stress.

Interactions of dendritic cells with cancer cells and modulation of surface molecules affect functional properties of CD8+ T cells.

To understand the interaction of dendritic cells (DCs) with cancer cells, we investigated molecular changes in DCs following co-culture with cancer cells. DCs co-cultured with Jurkat cancer cells showed remarkable down-regulation of MHC class I molecules, while DCs co-cultured with MCF-7 cancer cells showed minimal changes. Interestingly, down-regulation of MHC class I on DCs was not observed upon treatment with Jurkat cell lysate or culture supernatant, suggesting the importance of direct cell-cell interactions. The expressions of CD40, CD80, CD83, MHC class II, and IL-12p40 on DCs co-cultured with Jurkat cells were only slightly affected. In contrast, DCs co-cultured with MCF-7 cells showed increased expressions of CD80, CD83, CD86, and IL-12p40. Furthermore, DCs co-cultured with Jurkat cells showed a down-regulation of low molecular weight polypeptides (LMP) 7, and of transporter associated with antigen processing (TAP) 1 and 2 at the mRNA expression level. LMP7, TAP2 and ß2-microglobulin (ß2M) were also down-regulated at the protein level. We further demonstrated how altered expression of MHC class I on DCs caused by co-culture with cancer cells affected autologous CD8(+) T cells, using the model MHC class I-presented HSV antigen. We found that DCs that had been HSV-treated and co-cultured with Jurkat cells showed a reduced potency to activate CD8(+) T cells. In contrast, HSV-treated DCs that had been co-cultured with MCF-7 cells induced activation of CD8(+) T cells, including high expression of CD25, CD69, granzyme B and cytokines, TNF-α and IFN-γ.

Ameliorating effects of Mango (Mangifera indica L.) fruit on plasma ethanol level in a mouse model assessed with H-NMR based metabolic profiling.

The ameliorating effects of Mango (Mangifera indica L.) flesh and peel samples on plasma ethanol level were investigated using a mouse model. Mango fruit samples remarkably decreased mouse plasma ethanol levels and increased the activities of alcohol dehydrogenase and acetaldehyde dehydrogenase. The (1)H-NMR-based metabolomic technique was employed to investigate the differences in metabolic profiles of mango fruits, and mouse plasma samples fed with mango fruit samples. The partial least squares-discriminate analysis of (1)H-NMR spectral data of mouse plasma demonstrated that there were clear separations among plasma samples from mice fed with buffer, mango flesh and peel. A loading plot demonstrated that metabolites from mango fruit, such as fructose and aspartate, might stimulate alcohol degradation enzymes. This study suggests that mango flesh and peel could be used as resources for functional foods intended to decrease plasma ethanol level after ethanol uptake.

Resistin enhances the expansion of regulatory T cells through modulation of dendritic cells.

BACKGROUND: Resistin, a member of adipokine family, is known to be involved in the modulation of immune responses including inflammatory activity. Interestingly, resistin is secreted by adipocytes in mice and rats whereas it is secreted by leukocytes in humans. However, the mechanism behind the effect of resistin on the expansion of regulatory T cells (Tregs) remains poorly understood. Therefore, we examined regulatory effect of resistin on the induction and cellular modification of Tregs. RESULTS: Both protein and mRNA expression of FoxP3, a representative marker of Tregs, increased in a dose-dependent manner when peripheral blood mononuclear cells were treated with resistin. At the same time, resistin had no direct effect on the induction of FoxP3 in CD4+ T cells, suggesting an indirect role through other cells type(s). Since DCs are an important player in the differentiation of T cells, we focused on the role of DCs in the modulation of Tregs by resistin. Resistin suppressed the expression of interferon regulatory factor (IRF)-1 and its target cytokines, IL-6, IL-23p19 and IL-12p40, in DCs. Furthermore, FoxP3 expression is increased in CD4+ T cells when co-cultured with DCs and concomitantly treated with resistin. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that resistin induces expansion of functional Tregs only when co-cultured with DCs.

Tribuli fructus constituents protect against tacrine-induced cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells.

A new phenolic amide, tribulusimide D (4-hydroxy-N-[3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1-oxo-2-propen-1-yl]-3-methoxybenzamide) (1), together with a known phenolic amide, terrestriamide ((E)-3-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-N-[2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-2-oxoethyl]-prop-2-enamide) (2) and a flavonol glycoside, quercetin-3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside (3) were isolated from the H2O extract of Tribuli Fructus. Compounds 1 and 3 showed significant hepatoprotective activities, with EC50 values of 13.46 +/- 0.2 and 7.06 +/- 0.7 microM, respectively, against tacrine-induced cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells.

Alpha-eleostearic acid induces autophagy-dependent cell death through targeting AKT/mTOR and ERK1/2 signal together with the generation of reactive oxygen species.

Alpha-eleostearic acid (alpha-ESA, 9Z11E13E-18:3), a linolenic acid isomer with a conjugated triene system, is a natural and biologically-active compound that has been shown to possess potent anti-tumor properties. Herein, we demonstrate alpha-ESA induced apoptosis and autophagy with reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation in HeLa cells. Treatment with alpha-ESA caused inhibition of phosphorylated (p)AKT and elongated the sub G1 phase in the cell cycle, indicating induction of apoptosis. Autophagy was also induced by alpha-ESA treatment, causing low pAKT and pP70S6K activities, increasing pERK1/2 and leading to a higher conversion rate of LC3 I to LC3 II compared to that of the control. The autophagy was further confirmed by fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry through monodansylcadavarine (MDC) staining. It appears that the role of autophagy is a protective mechanism against cell death in alpha-ESA-treated HeLa cells. Subsequently, we found that treating HeLa cells with alpha-ESA induced the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS). The phosphorylation of P70S6K, downstream of mTOR signaling, and AKT were further reduced by pretreatment with N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC), an ROS scavenger, whereas the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and the conversion of LC3 I to LC3 II were further enhanced. As a result, the blocking of the action of ROS promoted alpha-ESA-induced apoptosis and autophagy. Taken together, our results indicate that the generation of ROS by alpha-ESA treatment impedes the progress of apoptosis and excessive autophagy formation which takes part in cell death, thus impeding death promotion.

Actions of ferulic acid and vitamin E on prevention of hypercholesterolemia and atherogenic lesion formation in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice.

This study was carried out to investigate whether dietary vitamin E and ferulic acid (FA) can exert possible interactions on preventions of hypercholesterolemia and atherogenic lesion formation in C57BL/65 apolipoprotein E-deficient (apo E(-/-)) mice. Four-week-old male apo E(-/-) mice were randomly divided into three groups and given one of three types of Western diets with various amounts of vitamin E (0.02%, 0%, or 0.2%) for 15 weeks. FA was added to vitamin E-free Western diet and vitamin E-rich Western diet at the 0.02% level. The plasma total cholesterol concentration was significantly lowered when FA was added to the vitamin E-free and vitamin E-rich Western diet as compared to the normal vitamin E Western diet (0.02% vitamin E), and this was accompanied with a decreased hepatic acyl-coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase activity. The hepatic and erythrocyte thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances levels were significantly lowered when FA was added to the vitamin E-rich Western diet, which was attributable to increased activities of antioxidant enzymes (superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase) and paraoxonase. Accordingly, vitamin E and/or FA are beneficial for prevention of hypercholesterolemia and atherogenesis in apo E(-/-) mice. In particular, dietary FA exhibited an anti-atherosclerotic property, and this effect was synergistically enhanced with the vitamin E supplement.

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester ameliorates changes in IGFs secretion and gene expression in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

The protective effect of caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) against diabetes-induced alteration of IGFs protein and gene expression was investigated in serum, liver, heart, and kidney. In the present study, diabetic rats exhibited the decrease of IGF-I content in serum, liver and heart but the increase of that in kidney and CAPE blocked them. Diabetic rats also manifested the increase of IGF-II content in serum, liver, heart, and kidney and CAPE prevented them. CAPE prevented the diabetes-induced decrease of liver IGF-I mRNA and IGF-II mRNA, which is similar to pattern of IGFs mRNA in kidney. Moreover, diabetic rats exhibited the decrease of heart IGF-I mRNA but the increase of IGF-II mRNA and CAPE blocked them. In conclusion, CAPE, in part, prevented diabetes-induced alteration of IGF-I and IGF-II protein and gene expression in liver, heart, and kidney in rats.

The medical science research and development supported by the Korea Science and Engineering Foundation.

This study examined ways of promoting research in the medical sciences by evaluating trends in research funding, and the present status of research funding by the Korea Science and Engineering Foundation (KOSEF). This study analyzed statistics from KOSEF from 1978 to 2003 to examine support for research. In medical science field, group-based programs receive more funding than do individual-based programs. The proportion of research funds allocated to the medical sciences has increased markedly each year. Researchers in the medical sciences have submitted more articles to Science Citation Index (SCI) journals than to non-SCI journals, relative to other fields. Researchers supported by the Mission-Oriented Basic Grants program have published the majority of these papers, followed by those supported by the Programs for Leading Scientists, Regional Scientists, Leading Women Scientists, Young Scientists, and Promising Women Scientists, in that order. Funding by KOSEF reflects many decades of government support for research and development, the development and maintenance of necessary infrastructure, and the education and training of medical scientists.

Distribution of trkA in cerebral cortex and diencephalon of the mongolian gerbil after birth.

TrkA is essential components of the high-affinity NGF receptor necessary to mediate biological effects of the neurotrophins NGF. Here we report on the expression of trkA in the cerebral cortex and diencephalon of mongolian gerbils during postnatal development. The expression of trkA was identified by immunohistochemical method. In parietal cortex and piriform cortex, higher levels of trkA IR (immunoreactivity) were detected at 3 days postnatal (P3) and at P9. Although trkA was not expressed till P3 in the parietal cortex, it was detectable at birth in the piriform cortex. Several regions, such as Layers I, IV & VI, did not show much expression. Layer I showed especially weak labeling. In the hippocampus, thalamus, and hypothalamus, higher levels of trkA IR were detected at P6 and P12 than earlier days. But trkA was not expressed at birth in the hippocampus, at P3 in the reticular thalamic nucleus (Rt), or neonatally in the dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus (DM). This data shows that expression of trkA is developmentally regulated and suggests that high affinity neurotrophin-receptors mediate a transient response to neurotrophines in the cerebral cortex and diencephalon during mongolian gerbil brain ontogeny.