Antidepressant effect of helicid in chronic unpredictable mild stress model in rats.

Helicid (4-formylphenyl-ß-D-allopyranoside) is a bioactive constituent of Helicid nilgirica Bedd that has been used in Chinese traditional herbal medicine to treat headache, insomnia, and depression. However, the underlying mechanisms of these effects are unclear. We have now investigated the effect of helicid on depression-related behaviors in rats exposed to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) and have also explored possible underlying mechanisms that involve neurotrophin expression. After 6 weeks isolation, body weight and sucrose preference were significantly reduced in rats with CUMS-induced depression compared with controls. The CUMS rats also showed significant inhibition of locomotory parameters in open field tests (involving behavioral assays). Helicid significantly regulated levels of corticosterone (CORT), inflammatory cytokines and 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT). Helicid also reversed CUMS-induced decreases of 5-HT1A receptor expression and promoted brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression in the hippocampus The significant reversal of depressive-like behaviors by helicid is similar to that achieved by fluoxetine. The antidepressive effects are likely attributable to the promotion of hippocampal neurotrophin expression through activation of the serotonergic system. Helicid thus has potential for treating depressive disorders.

Pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia secondary to allergic contact dermatitis to Grevillea†Robyn Gordon.

We report a case of pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia (PEH) in a 55-year-old woman following allergic contact dermatitis (ACD) to Grevillea Robyn Gordon. We believe this to be the first reported case of PEH secondary to ACD, and postulate that this was an exaggerated response to severe ACD as a result of a lack of topical treatment.

Expression, purification and identification of Pla a1 in a codon-optimized Platanus pollen allergen.

The present study aimed to express, purify and identify the major allergen gene, Pla a1, in Platanus pollen. According to previous studies, the major gene sequences of the Pla a1 allergen were obtained and codon optimization and synthesis of the genome were performed using DNAStar software. Following binding of the target gene fragment and the pET-44a vector, the JM109 cells were transfected to produce positive clones. The vectors were then transformed into Escherichia coli Rosetta cells to induce the expression of the target protein. The exogenous protein was purified using affinity chromatography and was identified by western blot analysis. Pla a1, the major allergen protein in Platanus pollen, was successfully isolated and this exogenous protein was purified using affinity chromatography. The present study was the first, to the best of our knowledge, to obtain expression of the allergen recombinant protein, Pla a1, fused with a Strep-TagII via codon optimization and provided the basis for the preparation of allergens with high purity, recombinant hypoallergenic allergens and allergen nucleic acid vaccines.

Kinase domain-targeted isolation of defense-related receptor-like kinases (RLK/Pelle) in Platanus×acerifolia: phylogenetic and structural analysis.

BACKGROUND: Plant receptor-like kinase (RLK/Pelle) family regulates growth and developmental processes and interaction with pathogens and symbionts.Platanaceae is one of the earliest branches of Eudicots temporally located before the split which gave rise to Rosids and Asterids. Thus investigations into the RLK family in Platanus can provide information on the evolution of this gene family in the land plants.Moreover RLKs are good candidates for finding genes that are able to confer resistance to Platanus pathogens. RESULTS: Degenerate oligonucleotide primers targeting the kinase domain of stress-related RLKs were used to isolate for the first time 111 RLK gene fragments in Platanus×acerifolia. Sequences were classified as candidates of the following subfamilies: CrRLK1L, LRR XII, WAK-like, and LRR X-BRI1 group. All the structural features typical of the RLK kinase domain were identified, including the non-RD motif which marks potential pathogen recognition receptors (PRRs). The LRR XII candidates, whose counterpart in Arabidopsis and rice comprises non-RD PRRs, were mostly non-RD kinases, suggesting a group of PRRs. Region-specific signatures of a relaxed purifying selection in the LRR XII candidates were also found, which is novel for plant RLK kinase domain and further supports the role of LRR XII candidates as PRRs. As we obtained CrRLK1L candidates using primers designed on Pto of tomato, we analysed the phylogenetic relationship between CrRLK1L and Pto-like of plant species. We thus classified all non-solanaceous Pto-like genes as CrRLK1L and highlighted for the first time the close phylogenetic vicinity between CrRLK1L and Pto group. The origins of Pto from CrRLK1L is proposed as an evolutionary mechanism. CONCLUSIONS: The signatures of relaxed purifying selection highlight that a group of RLKs might have been involved in the expression of phenotypic plasticity and is thus a good candidate for investigations into pathogen resistance.Search of Pto-like genes in Platanus highlighted the close relationship between CrRLK1L and Pto group. It will be exciting to verify if sensu strictu Pto are present in taxonomic groups other than Solanaceae, in order to further clarify the evolutionary link with CrRLK1L.We obtained a first valuable resource useful for an in-depth study on stress perception systems.

Allergic contact dermatitis from exposure to Grevillea robusta in New Zealand.

There are a number of reports in the literature of allergic contact dermatitis as a result of exposure to the sawdust and plant parts of Grevillea robusta. While this tree is prevalent in New Zealand, there seems to have been no previous published accounts of contact dermatitis, although anecdotal evidence indicates that such cases may be common. Two brief case reports are provided regarding severe phytodermatitis to G. robusta among professional arborists in New Zealand. As with other common plants capable of inducing allergic contact dermatitis, greater awareness among arborists, orchardists, forestry workers, gardeners, and health professionals will likely result in a reduction of cases.

Pollination and plant defence traits co-vary in Western Australian Hakeas.

* Despite the conflicting demands imposed by mutualistic (pollination) and antagonistic (florivory) processes, the relative importance of the key selective pressures influencing floral evolution are not readily apparent. In this study we quantified a range of floral and foliar traits within the genus Hakea to investigate how pollinator and herbivore selection might influence the evolution of floral attraction and defence attributes. * Plant material was collected from populations of 51 Australian Hakea species native to southwestern Australia, and measurements were taken of foliage and inflorescence morphology, inflorescence colour and floral chemical defence. Hakeas were separated into bird- vs insect-pollinated species on the basis of stigma-nectary distance. * Our results show how the evolution of insect vs bird pollination is closely linked to whether inflorescences are protected by physical (leaf spines, dense foliage) or chemical (floral cyanide) defences, respectively. * Rather than being constrained by the necessity to attract pollinators, we suggest that pre-existing adaptations to combat florivore and herbivore attack directed the evolution of floral characteristics employed to attract pollinators and deter florivores. The inter-correlation among bird pollination, red flower colour and floral cyanide indicates floral coloration may signal to vertebrate florivores that the inflorescences are unpalatable despite their high accessibility.