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Isoprenoid metabolism and its derivatives took part in photosynthesis, growth regulation, signal transduction, and plant defense to biotic and abiotic stresses. However, how aluminum (Al) stress affects the isoprenoid metabolism and whether isoprenoid metabolism plays a vital role in the Citrus plants in coping with Al stress remain unclear. In this study, we reported that Al–treatment–induced alternation in the volatilization rate of monoterpenes (α–pinene, β–pinene, limonene, α–terpinene, γ–terpinene and 3–carene) and isoprene were different between Citrus sinensis (Al-tolerant) and C. grandis (Al-sensitive) leaves. The Al-induced decrease of CO 2 assimilation, maximum quantum yield of primary PSII photochemistry (F v /F m), the lower contents of glucose and starch, and the lowered activities of enzymes involved in the mevalonic acid (MVA) pathway and 2-C-methyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate (MEP) pathway might account for the different volatilization rate of isoprenoids. Furthermore, the altered transcript levels of genes related to isoprenoid precursors and/or derivatives metabolism, such as geranyl diphosphate (GPP) synthase (GPPS) in GPP biosynthesis, geranylgeranyl diphosphate synthase (GGPPS), chlorophyll synthase (CHS) and GGPP reductase (GGPPR) in chlorophyll biosynthesis, limonene synthase (LS) and α-pinene synthase (APS) in limonene and α–pinene synthesis, respectively, might be responsible for the different contents of corresponding products in C. grandis and C. sinensis. Our data suggested that isoprenoid metabolism was involved in Al tolerance response in Citrus , and the alternation of some branches of isoprenoid metabolism could confer different Al-tolerance to Citrus species. [Display omitted] • The emission rate of volatile isoprenoids varied in C. grandis and C. sinensis. • Al treatment downregulated both MVA and MEP pathways in C. grandis leaves. • Al treatment upregulated MEP pathway in C. sinensis leaves. • Isoprenoid metabolism was involved in Al tolerance response in Citrus plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aluminum (Al)-toxicity and boron (B)-deficiency are two major factors limiting crop production in tropical and subtropical areas. Elevating B supply can alleviate the Al-induced inhibition of growth in Citrus grandis . Seedlings of C. grandis were irrigated for 18 weeks with nutrient solutions containing two B levels (2.5 and 20 μM H 3 BO 3 ) and two Al levels (0 and 1.2 mM AlCl 3 ·6H 2 O). By using 2-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) based MALDI-TOF/TOF-MS method, this study successfully identified and quantified sixty-one differentially abundant proteins in Citrus roots in response to B-Al interactions. The mechanisms underlying the B-induced alleviation of Al-toxicity unveiled by 2-DE technique could be summarized as follows: a) remodeling of cell wall by reducing the synthesis of lignin (sugar ATP Binding Cassette (ABC) transporter ATPase and cinnamyl alcohol dehydrogenase) and increasing the modification of cell wall (UDP-forming); b) enhancing the abundances of proteasomes and turnover of dysfunctional proteins (proteasome or protease); c) increasing the abundance of stress response proteins, such as alcohol dehydrogenase, S-adenosylmethionine synthetase (SAMS) and glycosyl hydrolase; d) reinforcing cellular biological regulation and signal transduction (calreticulin-1). For the first time, some proteins, such as cell division protein 48 (CDC48), calreticulin and phospholipase, which might be involved in the downstream signaling of Al in Citrus plants, were successfully identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel method called hyper-spherical distance discrimination (HDD) is proposed in order to meet the requirement of aero-engine rolling bearing on-line monitoring. In proposed method, original multi-dimensional features extracted from vibration acceleration signal are transformed to the same dimensional reconstructed features by de-correlation and normalization while the distribution of feature vectors is transformed from hyper-ellipsoid to hyper-sphere. Then, a simple model built up by distance discriminant analysis is used for rolling bearing fault detection and degradation assessment. HDD is compared with the support vector data description (SVDD) and the self-organizing map (SOM) in rolling bearing fault simulation experiments. The results show that the HDD method is superior to the SVDD and SOM in terms of recognition rate. Besides, HDD is applied to a run-to-failure test of aero-engine rolling bearing. It proves that the evaluating indicator obtained by HDD method is able to reflect the degradation tendency of rolling bearing, and it is also more sensitive to initial fault than the root mean square (RMS) of vibration acceleration signal. With the advantages of low computational complexity and no need to tuning parameters, HDD method can be applied to practical engineering effectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little is known about the physiological and molecular responses of leaves to aluminum (Al)-toxicity. Seedlings of Al-intolerant Citrus grandis and Al-tolerant Citrus sinensis were supplied daily with nutrient solution containing 0 mM (control) and 1.0 mM (Al-toxicity) AlCl 3 ·6H 2 O for 18 weeks. We found that Al-treatment only decreased CO 2 assimilation in C. grandis leaves, and that the Al-induced alterations of gene expression profiles were less in C. sinensis leaves than those in C. grandis leaves, indicating that C. sinensis seedlings were more tolerant to Al-toxicity than C. grandis ones. Al concentration was similar between Al-treated C. sinensis and C. grandis roots, but it was higher in Al-treated C. grandis stems and leaves than that in Al-treated C. sinensis stems and leaves. Al-treated C. sinensis seedlings accumulated relatively more Al in roots and transported relatively little Al to shoots. This might be responsible for the higher Al-tolerance of C. sinensis . Further analysis showed that the following several aspects might account for the higher Al-tolerance of C. sinensis , including: (a) Al-treated C. sinensis leaves had higher capacity to maintain the homeostasis of energy and phosphate, the stability of lipid composition and the integrity of cell wall than did Al-treated C. grandis leaves; (b) Al-triggered production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the other cytotoxic compounds was less in Al-treated C. sinensis leaves than that in Al-treated C. grandis leaves, because Al-toxicity decreased CO 2 assimilation only in C. grandis leaves; accordingly, more upregulated genes involved in the detoxifications of ROS, aldehydes and methylglyoxal were identified in Al-treated C. grandis leaves; in addition, flavonoid concentration was increased only in Al-treated C. grandis leaves; (c) Al-treated C. sinensis leaves could keep a better balance between protein phosphorylation and dephosphorylation than did Al-treated C. grandis leaves; and (d) both the equilibrium of hormones and hormone-mediated signal transduction were greatly disrupted in Al-treated C. grandis leaves, but less altered in Al-treated C. sinensis leaves. Finally, we discussed the differences in Al-responsive genes between Citrus roots and leaves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Little information is available on the molecular mechanisms of boron (B)-induced alleviation of aluminum (Al)-toxicity. ‘Sour pummelo’ ( Citrus grandis ) seedlings were irrigated for 18 weeks with nutrient solution containing different concentrations of B (2.5 or 20 μM H 3 BO 3 ) and Al (0 or 1.2 mM AlCl 3 ·6H 2 O). B alleviated Al-induced inhibition in plant growth accompanied by lower leaf Al. We used cDNA-AFLP to isolate 127 differentially expressed genes from leaves subjected to B and Al interactions. These genes were related to signal transduction, transport, cell wall modification, carbohydrate and energy metabolism, nucleic acid metabolism, amino acid and protein metabolism, lipid metabolism and stress responses. The ameliorative mechanisms of B on Al-toxicity might be related to: (a) triggering multiple signal transduction pathways; (b) improving the expression levels of genes related to transport; (c) activating genes involved in energy production; and (d) increasing amino acid accumulation and protein degradation. Also, genes involved in nucleic acid metabolism, cell wall modification and stress responses might play a role in B-induced alleviation of Al-toxicity. To conclude, our findings reveal some novel mechanisms on B-induced alleviation of Al-toxicity at the transcriptional level in C. grandis leaves. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

'Xuegan' (Citrus sinensis) seedlings were fertilized 6 times weekly for 24 weeks with 0.5 or 350 μM CuCl 2 and 2.5, 10 or 25 μM H 3 BO 3. Cu-toxicity increased Cu uptake per plant (UPP) and Cu concentrations in leaves, stems and roots, decreased water uptake and phosphorus, nitrogen, calcium, magnesium, potassium, sulfur, boron and iron UPP, and increased the ratios of magnesium, potassium, calcium and sulfur UPP to phosphorus UPP and the ratios of leaf magnesium, potassium and calcium concentrations to leaf phosphorus concentration. Many decaying and dead fibrous roots occurred in Cu-toxic seedlings. Cu-toxicity-induced alterations of these parameters and root damage decreased with the increase of boron supply. These results demonstrated that B supplementation lowered Cu uptake and its concentrations in leaves, stems and roots and subsequently alleviated Cu-toxicity-induced damage to root growth and function, thus improving plant nutrient (decreased Cu uptake and efficient maintenance of the other nutrient homeostasis and balance) and water status. Further analysis indicated that the improved nutrition and water status contributed to the boron-mediated amelioration of Cu-toxicity-induced inhibition of seedlings, decline of leaf pigments, large reduction of leaf CO 2 assimilation and impairment of leaf photosynthetic electron transport chain revealed by greatly altered chlorophyll a fluorescence (OJIP) transients, reduced maximum quantum yield of primary photochemistry (F v /F m), quantum yield for electron transport (ET o /ABS) and total performance index (PI abs,total), and elevated dissipated energy per reaction center (DI o /RC). To conclude, our findings corroborate the hypothesis that B-mediated amelioration of Cu-toxicity involved reduced damage to roots and improved nutrient and water status. Principal component analysis showed that Cu-toxicity-induced changes of above physiological parameters generally decreased with the increase of B supply and that B supply-induced alterations of above physiological parameters was greater in 350 μM Cu-treated than in 0.5 μM Cu-treated seedlings. B and Cu had a significant interactive influence on C. sinensis seedlings. • B supply lowered Cu uptake and Cu level in C. sinensis leaves, stems and roots. • Cu-toxicity-induced root damage decreased with the increase of B supply. • B supply improved nutrition and water status of Cu-toxic seedlings. • B and Cu had a significant and interactive influence on C. sinensis seedlings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Culture impacts visual perception in several ways.To identify stages of perceptual processing that differ between cultures, we usedelectroencephalography measures of perceptual and attentional responses to simple visual stimuli.Gabor patches of higher or lower spatialfrequencywere presented at high contrast to 25 American and 31 East Asian participants while they were watching for the onset of aninfrequent, oddball stimulus. Region of interest and mass univariate analyses assessed how cultural background and stimuli spatial frequency affected the visual evoked response potentials. Across both groups, the Gabor of lower spatial frequency produced stronger evoked response potentials in the anterior N1 and P3 than did the higher frequency Gabor. The mass univariate analyses also revealed effects of spatial frequency, including a frontal negativity around 150 ms and a widespread posterior positivity around 300 ms. The effects of spatial frequency generally differed little across cultures; although there was some evidence for cultural differences in the P3 response to different frequencies at the Pz electrode, this effect did not emerge in the mass univariate analyses. We discuss these results in relation to those from previous studies, and explore the potential advantages of mass univariate analyses for cultural neuroscience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Limited data are available on metabolic responses of plants to copper (Cu)-toxicity. Firstly, we investigated Cu-toxic effects on metabolomics, the levels of free amino acids, NH 4 +-N, NO 3 --N, total nitrogen, total soluble proteins, total phenolics, lignin, reduced glutathione (GSH) and malondialdehyde, and the activities of nitrogen-assimilatory enzymes in 'Shatian' pummelo (Citrus grandis) leaves. Then, a conjoint analysis of metabolomics, physiology and transcriptomics was performed. Herein, 59 upregulated [30 primary metabolites (PMs) and 29 secondary metabolites (SMs)] and 52 downregulated (31 PMs and 21 SMs) metabolites were identified in Cu-toxic leaves. The toxicity of Cu to leaves was related to the Cu-induced accumulation of NH 4 + and decrease of nitrogen assimilation. Metabolomics combined with physiology and transcriptomics revealed some adaptive responses of C. grandis leaves to Cu-toxicity, including (a) enhancing tryptophan metabolism and the levels of some amino acids and derivatives (tryptophan, phenylalanine, 5-hydroxy- l -tryptophan, 5-oxoproline and GSH); (b) increasing the accumulation of carbohydrates and alcohols and upregulating tricarboxylic acid cycle and the levels of some organic acids and derivatives (chlorogenic acid, quinic acid, d -tartaric acid and gallic acid o -hexoside); (c) reducing phospholipid (lysophosphatidylcholine and lysophosphatidylethanolamine) levels, increasing non-phosphate containing lipid [monoacylglycerol ester (acyl 18:2) isomer 1] levels, and inducing low-phosphate-responsive gene expression; and (d) triggering the biosynthesis of some chelators (total phenolics, lignin, l -trytamine, indole, eriodictyol C-hexoside, quercetin 5-O-malonylhexosyl-hexoside, N-caffeoyl agmatine, N′-p-coumaroyl agmatine, hydroxy-methoxycinnamate and protocatechuic acid o -glucoside) and vitamins and derivatives (nicotinic acid-hexoside, B 1 and methyl nicotinate). Cu-induced upregulation of many antioxidants could not protect Cu-toxic leaves from oxidative damage. To conclude, our findings corroborated the hypothesis that extensive reprogramming of metabolites was carried out in Cu-toxic C. grandis leaves in order to cope with Cu-toxicity. [Display omitted] • Citrus leaves underwent extensive metabolic reprograming under Cu-toxicity. • Cu impaired N assimilation in leaves, thus lowering Cu-tolerance. • Cu increased carbohydrates and alcohols levels and upregulated TCA cycle in leaves. • Cu triggered the biosynthesis of some chelators, vitamins and derivatives in leaves. • MDA accumulated in Cu-toxic leaves despite increased levels of some antioxidants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Depressed patients who medicate with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) often report ocular dryness. Epidemiological studies have found that serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) are not risk factors for dry eye in depressed patients. However, the effect of SNRIs on the ocular surface is unknown. A depression rat model was induced by chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS), and SNRIs or SSRIs were administered to the rats for 3 or 6 weeks. The levels of norepinephrine (NE) and serotonin in tear fluid were tested by ELISA. The corneal fluorescence and lissamine green staining were used to evaluate ocular surface damage. NE and/or serotonin were administered to human corneal epithelial cells in vitro. RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis was performed to investigate the mRNA expression profiles. Tear NE levels were higher in the SNRIs group, and ocular surface inflammation and apoptosis were significantly reduced compared to the SSRIs group. RNA-Seq indicated that NE significantly activate MAPK signaling pathway. NE can inhibit serotonin-induced activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway through α-1 adrenergic receptors and promotes the proliferation of corneal epithelial cells through activation of the MAPK signaling pathway. SNRIs administration have less ocular surface damage than SSRIs. NE protects human corneal epithelial cells from damage, and reduce inflammation on the ocular surface via activating the MAPK signaling pathway. SNRIs might be used as an appropriate treatment for depression-related DED. [Display omitted] • SNRIs administration elevated dramatically the concentration of norepinephrine in tears fluid. • Ocular surface inflammation was milder in CUMS rats when treated with SNRIs, compared to SSRIs. • Norepinephrine promoted the proliferation of human corneal epithelial cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The systemic treatment of advanced hepatocellular carcinoma is currently facing a bottleneck. EGCG, the primary active compound in green tea, exhibits anti-tumor effects through various pathways. However, there is a lack of study on EGCG-induced immunogenic cell death (ICD) in hepatocellular carcinoma. In a previous study, we successfully synthesized folate-modified thermosensitive nano-materials, encapsulated EGCG within nanoparticles using a hydration method, and established the EGCG nano-drug delivery system. The viability of HepG2 cells post-EGCG treatment was assessed via the MTT and EdU assays. Cell migration and invasion were evaluated through wound healing experiments, Transwell assays, and Annexin V-FITC/PI assay for apoptosis detection. Additionally, the expression levels of damage-associated molecular patterns (DAMPs) were determined using immunofluorescence, ATP measurement, RT-qPCR, and Western Blot. The drug sensitivity test revealed an IC50 value of 96.94 μg/mL for EGCG in HepG2 cells after 48 h. EGCG at a low concentration (50 μg/mL) significantly impeded the migration and invasion of HepG2 cells, showing a clear dose-dependent response. Moreover, medium to high EGCG concentrations induced cell apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner and upregulated DAMPs expression. Immunofluorescence analysis demonstrated a notable increase in CRT expression following low-concentration EGCG treatment. As EGCG concentration increased, cell viability decreased, leading to CRT exposure on the cell membrane. EGCG also notably elevated ATP levels. RT-qPCR and Western Blot analyses indicated elevated expression levels of HGMB1, HSP70, and HSP90 following EGCG intervention. EGCG not only hinders the proliferation, migration, and invasion of hepatocellular carcinoma cells and induces apoptosis, but also holds significant clinical promise in the treatment of malignant tumors by promoting ICD and DAMPs secretion. • EGCG can induce ICD in HCC. • EGCG can promote DAMPs. • EGCG has both medicinal and dietary significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we sought to examine whether evidence existed suggesting that pigs were being infected with the novel H7N9 avian influenza virus. From November 2012 to November 2013, blood was drawn from 1560 pigs from 100 large farms in 4 provinces of eastern China. Many of these pigs were in close proximity to wild birds or poultry. Swine sera were studied using hemagglutinin inhibition (HI) assays and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) against the H7 antigen derived from the emergent H7N9 avian influenza virus (AIV). Only 29 of the 1560 samples had HI titers of 1:20 when using the H7N9 AIV antigens, and none of the 29 (H7N9 AIV) HI-positive samples were positive when using ELISA, indicating that no samples were positive for H7N9. The negative results were also verified using a novel competitive HA-ELISA. As pigs have been shown to be infected with other avian influenza viruses and as the prevalence of novel influenza A viruses (e.g., H7N9 AIV) may be increasing among poultry in China, similar seroepidemiological studies of pigs should be periodically conducted in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Waste classification is regarded as one of the most important strategies for waste management, and its success depends on the active participation of the public. Based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and attitude-behavior-condition (A-B-C) theory, this research investigated the key factors affecting residents' domestic waste classification intention (WCI) and waste classification behavior (WCB), and explored the moderating effects of three external factors including infrastructure (INF), government publicity (GP), and incentive measures (IM) on the intention-behavior relationship. The valid data were collected from 584 residents via conducting a face-to-face interview in Chengdu, a pilot city of waste classification in China, and analyzed by using the structural equation model (SEM). Results showed that residents' WCI and WCB had a significant discrepancy with the average values of 4.07 and 2.81, respectively. Attitude (AT), perceived behavior control (PBC) and classification knowledge (CK) were significantly related to residents' WCI, with AT (β = 0.65, P < 0.001) having the greatest direct impact. Meanwhile, CK and INF had a stronger impact on the WCB than WCI. GP indirectly affected WCB through the intermediary effect of CK. In addition, INF and GP had a positively moderating effect on residents' waste classification intention-behavior relationship and can facilitate the intention-behavior conversion. By contrast, IM failed to promote the conversion of residents' classification intention into behavior, and had no direct significant influence on residents' WCB. Finally, some relevant policy suggestions were put forward for the new pilot cities of waste classification in China. • Key factors affecting residents' WCI and WCB were investigated. • Moderating effects of external factors on intention-behavior relation was explored. • Attitude had the greatest direct influence on residents' WCI. • CK and Infrastructure had a stronger impact on WCB than WCI. • Infrastructure and GP can strengthen the intention-behavior conversion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Z basic -ΔI-CM is a novel intein-based self-cleavable tag we developed to accelerate the soluble expression of recombinant proteins in Escherichia coli (E. coli). Previously we found that intein activity could be interfered by its flanking exteins, and thus reducing the production efficiency and final yield. In this work, we used CXC-chemokine 9 (CXCL9) as a model C-extein, which fusion with Z basic -ΔI-CM showed high intein activity. When the fusion protein got soluble expression, CXCL9 was released immediately and purified directly from cell lysis supernatant. The results demonstrated that Z basic -ΔI-CM tag had successfully mediated the efficient production of high-quality CXCL9 with reduced time and resources consumption in comparison with inclusion bodies expression. Molecular dynamics simulations suggested that the improved cleavage activity of Z basic -ΔI-CM upon fusion with CXCL9 may be due to the higher dynamics of the first half loop and stabilization of the second half loop of intein. Our results proved that the self-cleavable Z basic -ΔI-CM mediated soluble expression could be a feasible process for cytokines like CXCL9, thus of attractive potentials for production of therapeutic proteins using E. coli expression system. • Z basic -ΔI-CM facilitates soluble expression and purification of recombinant CXCL9 in Escherichia coli. • Cleavage activity of Z basic -ΔI-CM is improved with CXCL9 as C-extein than IL-15 as C-extein. • The higher dynamics of the first half loop and stabilization of the second half loop of intein contribute to its cleavage activity improvement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mast cells play a critical role in allergic reactions. The cross-linking of FcεRI-bound IgE with multivalent antigen initiates a cascade of signaling events leading to mast cell activation. It has been well-recognized that cross linking of FcεRI mediates tyrosine phosphorylation. However, the mechanism involved in tyrosine dephosphorylation in mast cells is less clear. Here we demonstrated that protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B)-deficient mast cells showed increased IgE-mediated phosphorylation of the signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (STAT5) and enhanced production of CCL9 (MIP-1γ) and IL-6 in IgE-mediated mast cells activation in vitro . However, IgE-mediated calcium mobilization, β-hexaosaminidase release (degranulation), and phosphorylation of IκB and MAP kinases were not affected by PTP1B deficiency. Furthermore, PTP1B deficient mice showed normal IgE-dependent passive cutaneous anaphylaxis and late phase cutaneous reactions in vivo . Thus, PTP1B specifically regulates IgE-mediated STAT5 pathway, but is redundant in influencing mast cell function in vivo . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) is a common thermo-responsive, water-soluble polymer, while Hercosett is a cationic resin commonly employed in the paper industry. In this paper, Hercosett™ and poly(N-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAM) nanoparticles were used to prepare composite films that show thermo-responsive behavior and swelling–shrinking properties in water. First, size-controlled PNIPAM hydrogel nanoparticles were synthesized. These were then embedded within a matrix of the cationic resin Kymene 577H by film casting. The distribution of nanoparticles in the resin film was investigated. The thermo-responsive properties of the as-synthesized PNIPAM hydrogel nanoparticles and of the composite films were characterized together with the repeatability of the swelling–shrinking cycles. The presence of nanoparticles endowed the film with highly enhanced water retention (in comparison with resin-only films) and, most importantly, thermo-responsiveness. A very fast optical and morphological response was in fact observed. Due to the dual (optical and morphological) response, this new system is suitable for applications in optical or morphological actuation and gating. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Curcumin (diferulomethane) is the principal curcuminoid in the spice tumeric and a potent inhibitor of activation-induced T-lymphocyte proliferation; however, the molecular basis of this immunosuppressive effect has not been well studied. Here we show that micromolar concentrations of curcumin inhibited DNA synthesis by mouse CD4+ T-lymphocytes, as well as interleukin-2 (IL-2) and CD25 (α chain of the high affinity IL-2 receptor) expression in response to antibody-mediated cross-linking of CD3 and CD28. Curcumin acted downstream of protein kinase C activation and intracellular Ca2+ release to inhibit IκB phosphorylation, which is required for nuclear translocation of the transcription factor NFκB. In addition, IL-2-dependent DNA synthesis by mouse CTLL-2 cells, but not constitutive CD25 expression, was impaired in the presence of curcumin, which demonstrated an inhibitory effect on IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) signaling. IL-2-induced phosphorylation of STAT5A and JAK3, but not JAK1, was diminished in the presence of curcumin, indicating inhibition of critical proximal events in IL-2R signaling. In line with the inhibitory action of curcumin on IL-2R signaling, pretreatment of CD4+CD25+ regulatory T-cells with curcumin downregulated suppressor function, as well as forkhead box p3 (Foxp3) expression. We conclude that curcumin inhibits IL-2 signaling by reducing available IL-2 and high affinity IL-2R, as well as interfering with IL-2R signaling. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In the present study, we report the sequences and characterization of the porcine integrin cDNAs encoding αv, β3, β6 and β8 subunits and compare them to those of other species. The coding sequences for the porcine αv, β3, β6 and β8 subunits were found to be 3141, 2289, 2367 and 2304 nucleotides in length, encoding 1046, 762, 788 and 767-amino-acid-residue protein, respectively. The porcine integrin αv, β3, β6 and β8 subunit shares common structural and functional elements with their counterparts from the other species. Phylogenetic trees showed that the porcine αv, β3, β6 and β8 were clustered into the Artiodactyla group, together with those of camels, sheep, and cattle, that are susceptible to FMDV infection. Real-time RT-PCR was used to investigate expression of the integrins αvβ3, αvβ6 and αvβ8 in different tissues of pigs in order to determine the role of these receptors in tissue tropism. Expression analysis showed that αvβ6 and αvβ8 mRNA expression were detected at high levels in tissues known to support replication of FMDV. Tissue distribution pattern of αvβ3 mRNA seems to be unrelated to the known tissue tropism of FMDV. This study provided the first data of porcine integrins for the further studies of the FMDV pathogenesis in pigs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Four members of the αv integrin family of cellular receptors, αvβ1, αvβ3, αvβ6, and αvβ8, have been identified as receptors for foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV) in vitro, and integrins are believed to be the receptors used to target epithelial cells in the infected animals. To analyse roles of the αv integrins from a susceptible species as viral receptors, we have cloned sheep αv, β1, and β6 integrin cDNAs and compared them to those of other species. The coding sequences for sheep integrin αv, β1, and β6 were found to be 3147, 2397, and 2364 nuclotides in length, encoding 1048, 798, and 787 amino acids, respectively. The sheep αv, β1, and β6 subunits share many structural features including ligand binding domain and cysteine-rich region with homologues of other species. Phylogenetic trees and similarity analyses showed the close relationship of integrin genes among sheep, pigs, cattle and Bactrian camels that are susceptible to FMDV infection, which were distinct from the order Rodentia, Primates, Perissodactyla, Carnivora, Galliformes. We postulate that host tropism of FMDV may be related to divergence in integrin subunits among different species. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]