Comparative analysis of trophoblasts and angiogenesis in human placental compartments / Análisis comparativo de trofoblastos y angiogénesis en compartimentos placentarios humanos

SUMMARY: Trophoblasts perform different functions depending on their location. This study aimed to obtain structural clues about the functions of villous and extravillous trophoblasts by using light and electron microscopy. Term placenta samples were obtained from 10 healthy pregnant women following cesarean sections. Frozen sections were stained with hematoxylin-eosin, semi- thin sections were stained with toluidine blue and examined with a light microscope, while thin sections were contrasted using uranyl acetate-lead citrate and evaluated under an electron microscope. Fine structural features of villous trophoblasts overlapped some villous stromal cells. In addition to the usual appearance of mature capillaries in villous stroma, we demonstrated and reported maturational stages of angiogenetic sprouts in term placenta. Extravillous trophoblasts were classified according to their location: fibrinoid, chorion, trophoblastic, column, maternal vascular endothelium, or decidua. All of these trophoblasts shared some ultrastructural features but also were distinct from each other. In decidua, it was noted that the endothelial lining of some vessels was invaded by a few endovascular trophoblasts with irregular microvilli. These cells shared some ultrastructural properties with both villous trophoblasts and stromal cells. Examination showed that angiogenesis was still present in term placentas and that trophoblasts, endothelial and stromal cells have very similar properties ultrastructurally, suggesting they represent transformational forms.

RESUMEN: Los trofoblastos dependiendo de su ubicación realizan diferentes funciones. Este estudio tuvo como objetivo obtener pistas estructurales sobre las funciones de los trofoblastos vellosos y extravellosos mediante el uso de microscopía óptica y electrónica. Se obtuvieron muestras de placenta a término de 10 mujeres embarazadas sanas después de cesáreas. Las secciones congeladas se tiñeron con hematoxilina-eosina, las secciones semidelgadas se tiñeron con azul de toluidina y se examinaron con un microscopio óptico, mientras que las secciones delgadas se contrastaron con acetato de uranilo-citrato de plomo y se evaluaron con un microscopio electrónico. Las finas características estructurales de los trofoblastos vellosos se superponen a algunas células estromales vellosas. Además de la apariencia habitual de capilares maduros en el estroma velloso, demostramos e informamos etapas de maduración de brotes angiogenéticos en la placenta a término. Los trofoblastos extravellosos se clasificaron según su localización: fibrinoide, corion, trofoblástico, columna, endotelio vascular materno o decidua. Todos estos trofoblastos compartían algunas características ultraestructurales, pero también eran distintos entre sí. En decidua se observó que el revestimiento endotelial de algunos vasos estaba invadido por unos pocos trofoblastos endovasculares con microvellosidades irregulares. Estas células compartían algunas propiedades ultraestructurales tanto con los trofoblastos vellosos como con las células del estroma. El examen mostró que la angiogénesis todavía estaba presente en las placentas a término y que los trofoblastos, las células endoteliales y estromales tienen propiedades ultraestructurales muy similares, lo que sugiere que representan formas de transformación.

Immunoreactive Scoring of Metallothionein-3 (MT-3) Expression as an Indicator of Metallic Taste Rats which are Induced by Doxorubicin and Antioxidant

@#Introduction: Cancer is one of the leading causes of deathworldwide. Chemotherapy like as doxorubicin is the most common treatment procedure given to cancer patients. Doxorubicin is a cytotoxic drug that triggers the production of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) affect to body cells including taste bud cells to induced the expression of Metallothionein 3 (MT-3), eventually cause cell damage that leads to a metallic taste. Antioxidant therapy can be an alternative to overcome metallic taste as it counters ROS effect and lowers the expression of MT-3. The aim of this study is to evaluate MT-3 expression in the taste bud cells of male Wistar Rats after induction of doxorubicin combined with vitamin E and mung bean sprouts (Phaseolusradiatus L.) juice. Methods: 27 male Wistar rats weighing 250-300 g aged 3-4 months were divided into 3 groups randomly; control group, treatment group 1 (receiving doxorubicin and vitamin E), and treatment group 2 (receiving doxorubicin and mung bean sprouts juice). After 5 days, the rats were sacrificed, and the tongue was taken for immunohistochemistry analysis. Data were then analyzed by One Sample Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Levene Test, and Oneway-ANOVA statistical test (p<0.05). Results: The MT-3 expression increases in the following order; control group (4.93), treatment group 2 (7.08), and treatment group 1 (9.95). Treatment group 1 and 2 both show remarkable increases of MT-3 expression compare to control. Conclusion: The induction of doxorubicin and antioxidant can increase the level of MT-3 expression.

Effect of isolated garlic sprouts on germination properties of Angelica sinensis seeds under simulated continuous cropping stress / 中草药

Objective: To study the effect of volatile from isolated garlic sprouts on the germination characteristics of Angelica sinensis seeds under simulated continuous cropping stress. Methods: Treating the obstacle of A. sinensis seeds under simulate continuous cropping stress with the extract from Angelica Sinensis Radix and using isolated garlic sprouts to simulate garlic volatile allelopathy environment, so as to study the germination characteristics of A. sinensis seeds. Results: The extracts from Angelica Sinensis Radix inhibited the germination of A. sinensis seeds, and the higher the concentration was, the stronger the inhibition effects will be. The volatile from the isolated garlic sprouts promoted the germination of A. sinensis seeds, which was not treated with the extracts from Angelica Sinensis Radix at low concentration (50 g isolated garlic sprouts) and inhibited the germination at high concentration (100-200 g isolated garlic sprouts). The isolated garlic sprouts volatile had certain promoting allelopathy on the germination properties of A. sinensis seeds which were treated with the extracts from Angelica Sinensis Radix. When the fresh weight of the donor garlic sprouts was 50-100 g, the promoting effects on A. sinensis seeds germination reached extremely significant level (P<0.01). When the fresh weight of garlic sprouts was 200 g, the promoting effects were not significant (P<0.05). Conclusion: The volatile from the isolated garlic sprouts could alleviate the germination inhibition by extracts from Angelica Sinensis Radix.

Ethanol Extract of Peanut Sprout Exhibits a Potent Anti-Inflammatory Activity in Both an Oxazolone-Induced Contact Dermatitis Mouse Model and Compound 48/80-Treated HaCaT Cells

BACKGROUND: We developed an ethanol extract of peanut sprouts (EPS), a peanut sprout-derived natural product, which contains a high level of trans-resveratrol (176.75 microg/ml) and was shown to have potent antioxidant activity. OBJECTIVE: We evaluated the potential anti-inflammatory activity of EPS by measuring its antioxidant potential in skin. METHODS: The anti-inflammatory activity of EPS was tested using two models of skin inflammation: oxazolone (OX)-induced contact dermatitis in mice and compound 48/80-treated HaCaT cells. As biomarkers of skin inflammation, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and nerve growth factor (NGF) levels were measured. RESULTS: OX-induced contact dermatitis was suppressed markedly in mice that were treated with an ointment containing 5% EPS as evidenced by a decrease in the extent of scaling and thickening (p<0.05) and supported by a histological study. COX-2 (messenger RNA [mRNA] and protein) and NGF (mRNA) levels, which were upregulated in the skin of OX-treated mice, were suppressed markedly in the skin of OX+EPS-treated mice. Consistent with this, compound 48/80-induced expression of COX-2 (mRNA and protein) and NGF (mRNA) in HaCaT cells were suppressed by EPS treatment in a dose-dependent manner. As an inhibitor of NF-kappaB, IkappaB protein levels were dose-dependently upregulated by EPS. Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) analysis revealed that EPS scavenged compound 48/80-induced reactive oxygen species (ROS) in HaCaT cells. CONCLUSION: EPS exerts a potent anti-inflammatory activity via its anti-oxidant activity in both mouse skin and compound 48/80-treated HaCaT cells in vitro. Compound 48/80-treated HaCaT cells are a useful new in vitro model of skin inflammation.

A Through-chain Analysis of Food Safety Hazards and Control Measures Associated with the Production and Supply of Seed Sprouts for Human Consumption.

Background: Seed sprouts contaminated with pathogenic microorganisms, such as Salmonella spp. and Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) present an unacceptable health risk to consumers. An outbreak that occurred in Australia during 2005 and 2006 due to the consumption of alfalfa sprouts contaminated with Salmonella Oranienburg resulted in 141 infected cases, and cost an estimated $1.19 million to the Australian community. In Japan in 1996, consumption of radish sprouts contaminated with STEC O157:H7 affected more than 10,000 individuals. The outbreak of E. coli O104:H4 linked to the consumption of fenugreek sprouts that occurred in Europe in 2011 was an unprecedented foodborne outbreak. More than 4,000 individuals were infected by STEC O104:H4. Among them, 908 developed haemorrhagic uraemic syndrome (HUS), and 50 died of STEC infection. This demonstrates the potential food safety risk arising from seed sprouts and that the consequences can be devastating. Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) initiated the development of a primary production and processing standard for seed sprouts in 2009 to enhance the safety of seed sprouts produced and sold in Australia. After extensive consultations with the State and Territory food safety regulators, and a thorough investigation of the Australian industry practices in producing seed sprouts for human consumption, a technical paper was prepared to inform the design of potential risk mitigation measures for a national food safety standard on seed sprout production. This technical paper described the Australian seed sprout industry, depicted the steps involved in the production of seed sprouts for human consumption, and provided an analysis of potential food safety hazards that could occur during seed sprout production and processing. A food safety standard for the production and sale of seed sprouts in Australia was finalised in November 2011. This extended abstract describes the key aspects of the technical paper. Aims: To provide technical and scientific information to support risk management decisions aimed at maximizing the safety of seed sprouts produced for human consumption in Australia. Study Design: A through-chain qualitative food safety risk analysis. Place and Duration of Study: FSANZ, Canberra, Australia, between July 2009 and January 2010. Methodology: This through-chain risk analysis was prepared upon a comprehensive review of literature available at the time on: investigations of foodborne outbreaks associated with consumption of seed sprouts; surveys of microbial contamination of seed sprouts; specific publications on crop production, seed harvest, post-harvest processing and storage of seeds; production of seed sprouts; risk assessments on seed sprouts; and regulatory guidelines published by Australian and international food safety regulatory authorities on seed sprouts. Members of the FSANZ project team conducted field studies of sprout production, lucerne crop production, lucerne seed processing, wholesale and retail sale of seed sprouts. A survey was conducted on the variety, volume and value of sprouts produced, source and quantity of seeds used to produce sprouts for human consumption, trend of consumption of seed sprouts in Australia, as well as the size and the location of sprout producers in Australia. Stakeholders were consulted through a FSANZ standard development committee with participants from State and Territory food safety regulators, peak sprout producer industry bodies, seed producers and seed processors, major food retailers, and consumer representatives. The through-chain analysis of food safety hazards associated with the production and processing of seed sprouts was prepared in line with the principles of hazard analysis critical control points (HACCP). Results: Key pathogens of concern: Among the range of biological, chemical and physical food safety hazards that were likely to be associated with seed sprouts produced for human consumption, pathogenic microorganisms represent the highest risk to consumers. Outbreaks associated with the consumption of seed sprouts contaminated with pathogenic microorganisms were seen to be frequent events in developed economies despite food regulatory interventions. The key pathogenic microorganisms of concern were Salmonella spp. and STEC. Salmonella spp. were found to be the causative pathogen almost five times more frequently than STEC. Main varieties of seed sprouts causing foodborne illness: Among the 41 reported outbreaks that occurred worldwide between 1988 and 2007 involving consumption of seed sprouts contaminated with pathogenic microorganisms, alfalfa sprouts represented 68% of the outbreaks, followed by mingbean sprouts (22%), clover sprouts (5%), radish sprouts (2%) and clover sprouts (2%). Source of pathogenic microorganisms: FSANZ divided the production and supply of seed sprouts for human consumption into eleven consecutive steps, starting with seed production in the field and ending with transportation and distribution of seed sprouts to retail establishments. This was to enable a systematic identification of the food safety hazards, sources of the hazards, specific controls that could be applied to control or eliminate food safety hazards, and the associated requirements of food safety management practices including food safety knowledge and food safety skills. Contamination of seeds by pathogenic microorganisms such as Salmonella spp. and STEC can occur during seed production, seed harvest, seed processing, seed storage and transportation. The origin of these pathogenic microorganisms is animal faeces and manure present in the field where the crop is grown. Soil for growing the seed crop, water used for irrigation, and machinery used for crop management including the harvest of seeds, can be contaminated with pathogenic microorganisms and can transfer the contamination to seeds during crop production and seed harvest. Seed processing as a post-harvest step may also contribute to seed contamination. For example, blending different harvest lots of seeds for seed cleaning can spread what was originally a localised contamination into a larger volume of seeds. Rodent, insect and bird activities in seed processing and seed storage establishments can introduce and spread pathogenic microorganisms to seeds. Provided that seeds delivered to sprout production sites are free of pathogenic microorganisms, activities of rodents, insects, and infected workers in seed receipt, storage, sprout production, sprout storage and transportation at sprouting establishment can lead to contamination of seed sprouts by pathogenic microorganisms. So is the use of contaminated water for sprouting. Much of these are also applicable to retail handling and storage of seed sprouts. Investigations into the source of sprout contamination for outbreaks that occurred between 1988 and 2007 found that in almost every case the pathogenic microorganisms causing the outbreaks were present in the seeds used for sprout production. In approximately 20% of the outbreaks, contamination in sprouting establishments was also identified as a likely source of contamination. Identified risk mitigation measures: Based on an analysis of a wide range of possible recommendations aimed at improving the safety of seed sprouts, the though-chain analysis recommended the following good agricultural practices to be implemented in the primary production phase of seeds: · Environment - soil and environment where seeds are grown for the production of seed sprouts as a human food should be suitable. · Inputs - manure, biosolids and other natural fertilisers should only be used for the growth of seed crops when a high level of pathogen reduction has been achieved; equipment (bins, containers, silos, vehicles) and machinery are maintained and used in a manner that minimises and/or avoids contamination of seeds with pathogenic microorganisms. · Protection - grazing animals and wild animals are prevented from entering the field where seeds are grown; and seed crops are protected from contamination by human, animal, domestic, industry and agricultural wastes. · Segregation - seeds produced for the production of sprouts for human consumption are segregated from seeds produced for the production of animal feed and are clearly labelled. The through-chain analysis also recommended the following components to be included in a Food Safety Program that must be effectively implemented in sprout production establishments: · Environment – the sprouting facility (including the seed storage area) should not allow access of rodents, insects, pests or animals; sprouting facility and equipment are effectively cleaned and sanitised to ensure the environment is suitable for producing ready-to-eat foods. · Input – each seed lot is tested for the presence of microbial pathogens of concern and seeds should not be used unless the testing results are negative; solid medium supporting sprout growth and water for sprouting are treated to eliminate pathogenic microorganisms; seeds are disinfected prior to sprouting to eliminate microbial pathogens. · Separation – seed rinsing and microbiological decontamination, seed germination/sprouting, and storage of seed sprouts are physically separated from each other to prevent cross contamination. · Monitoring – implement appropriate sampling/testing programs to regularly monitor microbial pathogens during and at the end of production of seed sprouts. Implementation of food safety controls on farm presents many challenges. One of the main obstacles is the inability to control environmental factors under conventional farming practices. The environment under which seeds are produced for the production of seed sprouts for human consumption should exclude animal grazing and minimise and avoid pest and wildlife interference. The cost involved in growing seeds under these conditions can be prohibitive unless s

Microbial Evaluation of Fresh, Minimally-processed Vegetables and Bagged Sprouts from Chain Supermarkets.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the bacterial and fungal quality of minimally-processed vegetables (MPV) and sprouts. A total of 116 samples of fresh-cut vegetables, ready-to-eat salads, and mung bean and wheat sprouts were randomly collected and analyzed. The load of aerobic mesophilic bacteria was minimum and maximum in the fresh-cut vegetables and fresh mung bean sprouts respectively, corresponding to populations of 5.3 and 8.5 log CFU/g. E. coli O157:H7 was found to be absent in all samples; however, other E. coli strains were detected in 21 samples (18.1%), and Salmonella spp. were found in one mung bean (3.1%) and one ready-to-eat salad sample (5%). Yeasts were the predominant organisms and were found in 100% of the samples. Geotrichum, Fusarium, and Penicillium spp. were the most prevalent molds in mung sprouts while Cladosporium and Penicillium spp. were most frequently found in ready-to-eat salad samples. According to results from the present study, effective control measures should be implemented to minimize the microbiological contamination of fresh produce sold in Tehran, Iran.

Identification of Grain Sprouts Herbs and Their Adulterants Using ITS2 Barcode / 世界科学技术-中医药现代化

Some grain sprouts herbs recorded in Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2010, including Oryzae Fructus Germinatus, Setariae Fructus Germinatus and Hordei Fructus Germinatus, together with their adulterants, were identified by ITS2 sequences. The genomic DNA were extracted, their ITS2 sequences were amplified, and purified PCR products were sequenced. Sequences were assembled using the CodonCode Aligner. The genetic distances, variable sites and the neighbor-joining (NJ) phylogenetic tree were computed by MEGA 6.0 in accordance with the Kimura 2-Parameter (K2P) model. The results showed that their intraspecific genetic distances were all much lower than the interspecific ones of themselves and their adulterants. The NJ tree based on ITS2 sequence indicated that Oryza sativa, Setariaitalica, and Hordeum vulgar formed one monophyletic clade respectively, in addition any one of the grain sprouts herbs and its adulterants could be distinguished clearly. Therefore, ITS2 sequence is suitable to be as a barcode to identify the grain sprouts herbs and their adulterants.

Herbicidas e danos físicos em tocos de teca para controle de brotos após o desbaste / Herbicides and physical damages in teak stumps to control of sprouts after thinning

Tocos de árvores desbastadas de Tectona grandis apresentam rebrota intensa que compete com as árvores remanescentes. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a eficácia da aplicação isolada ou combinada de diferentes concentrações dos herbicidas picloram e triclopyr, associados ou não à aplicação de danos físicos, no controle dessas brotações. Em um povoamento com quatro anos de idade, os tocos foram tratados imediatamente após o desbaste. Em outro povoamento com seis anos, foram tratadas as brotações presentes nos tocos desbastados no ano anterior. Foi registrada a porcentagem de tocos mortos, o número de brotações por toco e as respectivas alturas. No primeiro ensaio, a aplicação combinada de picloram a 0,48% com triclopyr a 0,96%, associada a 20 rachas com machado matou todos os tocos. No segundo ensaio, a maior eficácia, 21,7%, foi registrada com roçada prévia das brotações e a aplicação de picloram a 0,96%. Após o desbaste, a aplicação isolada de picloram ou combinada com triclopyr associada ou não aos danos físicos é eficiente para controlar os brotos de teca. A aplicação nas rebrotas de tocos desbastados no ano anterior apresenta alguma eficiência, mas com menor percentual de tocos mortos em relação à aplicação após o desbaste.

The stumps of thinning trees of Tectona grandis L.f. present intense sprouts that compete with the remaining trees. The efficacy of the control of sprouts with the herbicides picloram and triclopyr, associated or no it applications of physical damages, were evaluated. Immediately after thinning, in plantation with four years old, the stumps were treated, and in other plantation, with age of six, the sprouts of stumps thinned in the previous year, were treated. The percentage of died stumps, the number of sprouts by stump and the respective heights were registered. In the first trial, the combined application of picloram at 0.48% with triclopyr at 0.96%, associated a 20 cracks with axe killed all stumps. In the second trial, the best efficacy, 21.7%, was obtained with the previous mowing of sprouts and application of picloram at 0.96%. After thinning, the isolated application of picloram or combined with triclopyr, associates or not a physical damage is efficient to control sprouts of teak. The application in the sprouts of stumps thinned in the last year present any efficiency, with least percentage of dead stumps in relation to application after thinning.

Antioxidant potentials in sprouts vs. seeds of Vigna radiata and Macrotyloma uniflorum.

Antioxidant activity of methanol extracts of two common legumes, Vigna radiata (Green gram) and Macrotyloma uniflorum (Horse gram) for their seeds and sprouts was investigated by adopting various in vitro models such as reducing power assay, DPPH assay, total phenolic assay and total antioxidant assays. The results showed higher antioxidant abilities in the sprouts than their seeds for the various antioxidant tests performed. Sprouts described above are being used in traditional diet as a beneficial source of food with very high nutritional value and support the concept of functional foods and the results are discussed.

Bioavailability Assessment of Isoflavones between Soybean and Soybean Sprout in Rat

Rodent models have been used to study the anticarcinogenic properties of the soy isoflavones, particularly genistein, but there is little information regarding the pharmacokinetics of the absorption and excretion of genistein. In this study, rats were given a single oral dose of genistein (20 mg/kg body wt) or an equivalent dose as Myougjoonamul-kong and Myoungjoonamul soy sprouts. Concentrations of genistein were measured in plasma, urine and feces at intervals up to 48 hr after dosing. Maximum peak of plasma genistein concentration is 8 hr after dosing, and its concentration is 13.2, 7.4 mol/L in soy and soy sprout-treated rats, respectively. In pure genistein treated rats, maximum peak of plasma genistein concentration is 2 hr after dosing (5.7 mol/L). The percentage of dose recovered in urine over 48 hr was not different between groups (21.2% soy treated : 18.2% soy sprout treated : 16.1% pure genistein treated). There were no significant differences between groups in the recovery of genistein in feces (19.5%, 7.5% and 15.7% of doses, respectively). 6.9% and 6.07% of the daidzein from the soy and soy sprout treated was recovered in the feces.

Comparison in Isoflavone Contents between Soybean and Soybean Sprouts of Various Soybean Cultivas

In this study, isoflavone (genistein, genistin, daidzein, daidzin) contents in various parts of twelve soybean cultivars and three soy sprouts were determined by high performance liquid chromatography with UV detector. Three cultivars of soybean were selected and cultured in the lab to produce sprout for five days. Total isoflavone (Total IF) varied greatly among differnt breeds of soybean in range of 99 - 649.9 microgram/g and 522.3 - 1,277.7 microgram/g respectively, domestic and foreign cultivars. There were greatly difference in total IF of various parts of the soybean sprouts. Sprout from the Myunjunamul-kong appeared to have 69% genistein and 22% genistin in head part, and 30% and 62% of daidzin and daidzein, respectively, in root. Meanwhile, the sprouts from Junjori contains most (84%) of daidzein in its root. Sprout from chinese black-soybean had the largest amount of genistein among the sprouts but, there were no differences in the average genistein content between three selected black and non-black soys. The glycosidic form of IF were dominant compared to aglycone forms both in soybean and sprouts by 24 times and 12 times, respectively, suggesting that during the sprouts cultivation glycosidic forms could change to aglycone forms. There are no difference in total content between genistein + genistin and daidzein + daidzin in soy and soy sprout. Therfore, considering the total IF contents, the intake of 1 soy sprout is similer to 1.5 times as soybean.