Soil salinization is a significant abiotic factor threatening agricultural production, while the low availability of phosphorus (P) in plants is another worldwide limitation. Approximately 95-99% of ...the P in soil is unavailable to plants. Phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (PSB) transform insoluble phosphates into soluble forms that plants can utilize. The application of PSB can replace or partially reduce the use of P fertilizers. Therefore, selecting bacteria with high solubilization capacity from extreme environments, such as saline soils, becomes crucial. This study aimed to identify twenty-nine bacterial strains from the rhizosphere of
by sequencing the 16S rDNA gene, evaluate their development in increasing concentrations of NaCl, classify them according to their salinity response, and determine their P solubilization capability. The bacteria were cultivated in nutrient agar medium with NaCl concentrations ranging from 0.5% to 30%. The phosphate solubilization capacity of the bacteria was evaluated in angar and broth National Botanical Research Institute (NBRIP) media supplemented with calcium phosphate (CaHPO
) and aluminum phosphate (AlPO
), and increased with 3% NaCl. All bacterial strains were classified as halotolerant and identified to the genera
,
,
,
,
,
,
, and
, with only one isolate was not identified. The isolates with the highest ability to solubilize phosphorus from CaHPO
in the liquid medium were
sp. (SS102) and
sp. (SS186), with 989.53 and 956.37 mg·Kg
P content and final pH of 4.1 and 3.9, respectively. For the solubilization of AlPO
, the most effective isolates were
sp. (SS89) and
sp. (SS94), which raised soluble P by 61.10 and 45.82 mg·Kg
and final pH of 2.9 and 3.6, respectively. These bacteria demonstrated promising results in
P solubilization and can present potential for the development of bioinput. Further analyses, involving different phosphate sources and the composition of produced organic acids, will be conducted to contribute to a comprehensive understanding of their applications in sustainable agriculture.
A few ruthenium based metal carbonyl complexes, e.g. CORM-2 and CORM-3, have therapeutic activity attributed to their ability to deliver CO to biological targets. In this work, a series of related ...complexes with the formula Ru(CO)3Cl2L (L = DMSO (3), L-H3CSO(CH2)2CH(NH2)CO2H) (6a); D,L-H3CSO(CH2)2CH(NH2)CO2H (6b); 3-NC5H4(CH2)2SO3Na (7); 4-NC5H4(CH2)2SO3Na (8); PTA (9); DAPTA (10); H3CS(CH2)2CH(OH)CO2H (11); CNCMe2CO2Me (12); CNCMeEtCO2Me (13); CN(c-C3H4)CO2Et) (14)) were designed, synthesized and studied. The effects of L on their stability, CO release profile, cytotoxicity and anti-inflammatory properties are described. The stability in aqueous solution depends on the nature of L as shown using HPLC and LC-MS studies. The isocyanide derivatives are the least stable complexes, and the S-bound methionine oxide derivative is the more stable one. The complexes do not release CO gas to the headspace, but release CO2 instead. X-ray diffraction of crystals of the model protein Hen Egg White Lysozyme soaked with 6b (4UWN) and 8 (4UWN) shows the addition of Ru(II)(CO)(H2O)4 at the His15 binding site. Soakings with 7(4UWN) produced the metallacarboxylate Ru(COOH)(CO)(H2O)3(+) bound to the His15 site. The aqueous chemistry of these complexes is governed by the water-gas shift reaction initiated with the nucleophilic attack of HO(-) on coordinated CO. DFT calculations show this addition to be essentially barrierless. The complexes have low cytotoxicity and low hemolytic indices. Following i.v. administration of CORM-3, the in vivo bio-distribution of CO differs from that obtained with CO inhalation or with heme oxygenase stimulation. A mechanism for CO transport and delivery from these complexes is proposed.
The complex fac-Mo(CO)(3)(histidinate)Na has been reported to be an effective CO-Releasing Molecule in vivo, eliciting therapeutic effects in several animal models of disease. The CO releasing ...profile of this complex in different settings both in vitro and in vivo reveals that the compound can readily liberate all of its three CO equivalents under biological conditions. The compound has low toxicity and cytotoxicity and is not hemolytic. CO release is accompanied by a decrease in arterial blood pressure following administration in vivo. We studied its behavior in solution and upon the interaction with proteins. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation upon exposure to air and polyoxomolybdate formation in soaks with lysozyme crystals were observed as processes ensuing from the decomposition of the complex and the release of CO.
Abstract This study focused on three-dimensional (3D) airway space changes and stability following simultaneous maxillomandibular counterclockwise rotation, mandibular advancement, and ...temporomandibular joint (TMJ) reconstruction with custom-made total joint prostheses (TMJ Concepts® ). Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans of 30 consecutive female patients with irreversibly compromised TMJs were obtained at the following intervals: T1, presurgery; T2, immediately after surgery; and T3, at least 6 months after surgery. The CBCT volumetric datasets were analysed with Dolphin Imaging® software to evaluate surgical and postsurgical changes to oropharyngeal airway parameters. The average changes in airway surface area (SA), volume (VOL), and minimum axial area (MAA) were, 179.50 mm2 , 6302.60 mm3 , and 92.23 mm2 , respectively, at the longest follow-up (T3 − T1) ( P ≤ 0.001). Significant correlations between the amount of mandibular advancement and counterclockwise rotation of the occlusal plane and 3D airway changes were also found ( P ≤ 0.01). The results of this investigation showed a significant immediate 3D airway space increase after maxillomandibular counterclockwise rotation and mandibular advancement with TMJ Concepts total joint prostheses, which remained stable over the follow-up period.
Whilst the relationships between growth strategies and leaf traits are well established in functional plant ecology, little attention has been paid to root traits in very deep soil layers. The ...objective of our study was to compare the vertical velocity of the above- and belowground exploration of the environment for one of the fastest-growing tree species. Fine roots were studied in a chronosequence of intensively-managed
Eucalyptus
plantations established on highly weathered soils. Here we show that the root front depth was accurately predicted at 85% of mean tree height for stands <20 m in height, in the absence of any physical or chemical barrier. Tree height and root front growth velocities peaked at 0.59 and 0.55 m month
−1
respectively 9-10 months after planting, and decreased steadily thereafter. Fast root front displacement might provide a competitive advantage to fast-growing species in forests established on deep soils. Our study may contribute to the debate on the environmental impact of short-rotation plantation forests in the Tropics.
Cardiovascular diseases have high morbidity and mortality rates, and their treatment is not effective in reducing the damage caused by myocardial infarction (MI). This study aimed to investigate ...whether nerolidol (NRD), a sesquiterpene alcohol, could attenuate MI in an isoproterenol-treated rat model. MI was induced by the administration of two doses of isoproterenol (ISO, 100 mg/kg, i.p.) with an interval of 24 h between doses.The animals were divided into four groups: control (CTR) (vehicle – NaCl 0.9% + Tween 80 0.2%), MI (ISO + vehicle), MI + NRD (50 mg/kg) and MI + NRD (100 mg/kg). An electrocardiogram was performed, and contractile parameters, cardiac enzymes, infarction size, and antioxidant parameters in the heart were measured to evaluate the effects of NRD. The ISO group showed a significant rise in ST segment, QTc, and heart rate associated with a reduction in left ventricular developed pressure (LVDP), + dP/dt, and –dP/dt. In addition, there were increases in levels of creatine kinase (CK), creatine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and thiobarbituric acid
(
TBARS); reductions in superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities; and an increase in the infarction size. Interestingly, NRD significantly attenuated almost all the parameters of ISO-induced MI mentioned above. Our results suggest that nerolidol attenuates MI caused by ISO by a marked reduction in myocardial infarct size and suppression of oxidative stress.
Graphical abstract
CK total, creatine kinase total; CK-MB, creatine kinase myocardial band; LDH, lactate dehydrogenase; SOD, superoxide dismutase; CAT, catalase. CTR (vehicle group), MI (100 mg/kg of isoproterenol), ISO + NRD 50 (50 mg/kg of nerolidol), and ISO + NRD 100 (100 mg/kg of nerolidol)
Aims
Belowground interactions are still poorly understood in mixed-species forests. We investigated the effects of soil fertility on belowground processes in mixed planted forests.
Methods
The ...dynamics and traits of
Eucalyptus
and
Acacia mangium
fine roots (diameter < 2 mm) in plantations with 50% of each species were studied in a randomized block design established in a nutrient depleted soil. Stands with NPK fertilization applied at planting (F+) were compared to unfertilized stands (F-).
Results
In the 0–15 cm soil layer,
Eucalyptus
root mass density (RMD) was higher than
Acacia
RMD by 50% in F+ and 10% in F-, considering both ages. At 34 months of age,
Eucalyptus
RMD was 94% higher near
Acacia
trees than near
Eucalyptus
trees in F-. In this layer,
Eucalyptus
specific root length (SRL) was 21% higher than
Acacia
SRL at 16 months of age and was 10% higher in F- than in F+ at 34 months of age. The cumulative
Eucalyptus
fine root length production between 16 and 34 months was 66% higher in F- than in F+ in the 0–1 m soil layer.
Conclusions
Fertilization increased the competition between species and led to a partial exclusion of
Acacia
fine roots from the nutrient-rich topsoil. Soil exploration by
Eucalyptus
roots in the vicinity of
Acacia
trees was higher in F- than in F+, which suggests that unfertilized trees benefited from facilitation through higher soil N availability and direct N transfer from
Acacia
trees.
Invasive aspergillosis (IA) is a life-threatening infection that affects an increasing number of patients undergoing chemotherapy or allo-transplantation, and recent studies have shown that genetic ...factors contribute to disease susceptibility. In this two-stage, population-based, case-control study, we evaluated whether 7 potentially functional single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the
and
genes influence the risk of IA in high-risk hematological patients. We genotyped selected SNPs in a cohort of 500 hematological patients (103 of those had been diagnosed with proven or probable IA), and we evaluated their association with the risk of developing IA. The association of the most interesting markers of IA risk was then validated in a replication population, including 474 subjects (94 IA and 380 non-IA patients). Functional experiments were also performed to confirm the biological relevance of the most interesting markers. The meta-analysis of both populations showed that carriers of the
,
, and
alleles (where the RefSeq identifier appears as a subscript) had a significantly increased risk of developing IA according to a log-additive model (
value from the meta-analysis
= 9.8 · 10
,
= 1.5 · 10
, and
=7.9 · 10
, respectively). Haplotype analysis also confirmed the association of the
haplotype with
CGG with an increased risk of IA (
= 4.0 · 10
). Mechanistically, we observed that monocyte-derived macrophages (MDM) from subjects carrying the
allele or the GG genotype showed a significantly impaired fungicidal activity but that MDM from carriers of the
and
or
alleles had deregulated immune responses to
conidia. These results, together with those from expression quantitative trait locus (eQTL) data browsers showing a strong correlation of the
allele with lower levels of
mRNA in whole peripheral blood (
= 2.46 · 10
) and primary monocytes (
= 4.31 · 10
), highlight the role of the
and
loci in modulating and predicting IA risk and provide new insights into the host immune mechanisms involved in IA development.
Abstract In order to assess the immunotherapeutic potential on canine visceral leishmaniasis of the Leishmune® vaccine, formulated with an increased adjuvant concentration (1 mg of saponin rather ...than 0.5 mg), 24 mongrel dogs were infected with Leishmania (L.) chagasi . The enriched-Leishmune® vaccine was injected on month 6, 7 and 8 after infection, when animals were seropositive and symptomatic. The control group were injected with a saline solution. Leishmune® -treated dogs showed significantly higher levels of anti-FML IgG antibodies (ANOVA; p < 0.0001), a higher and stable IgG2 and a decreasing IgG1 response, pointing to a TH1 T cell mediated response. The vaccine had the following effects: it led to more positive delayed type hypersensitivity reactions against Leishmania lysate in vaccinated dogs (75%) than in controls (50%), to a decreased average of CD4+ Leishmania -specific lymphocytes in saline controls (32.13%) that fell outside the 95% confidence interval of the vaccinees (41.62%, CI95% 43.93–49.80) and an increased average of the clinical scores from the saline controls (17.83) that falls outside the 95% confidence interval for the Leishmune® immunotherapy-treated dogs (15.75, CI95% 13.97–17.53). All dogs that received the vaccine were clustered, and showed lower clinical scores and normal CD4+ counts, whereas 42% of the untreated dogs showed very diminished CD4+ and higher clinical score. The increase in clinical signs of the saline treated group was correlated with an increase in anti-FML antibodies ( p < 0.0001), the parasitological evidence ( p = 0.038) and a decrease in Leishmania -specific CD4+ lymphocyte proportions ( p = 0.035). These results confirm the immunotherapeutic potential of the enriched-Leishmune® vaccine. The vaccine reduced the clinical symptoms and evidence of parasite, modulating the outcome of the infection and the dog's potential infectiosity to phlebotomines. The enriched-Leishmune® vaccine was subjected to a safety analysis and found to be well tolerated and safe.
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