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Acid Phosphatase Activity (acid + phosphatase_activity)
Selected AbstractsThe structure of the bursa copulatrix in virgin and mated snails, Helisoma duryi (Mollusca): role of acid phosphatase in reproductionINVERTEBRATE BIOLOGY, Issue 1 2001Eric Clelland Abstract. The fine structure of the bursa copulatrix of the virgin snails has been compared with that of mated snails. One of the noticeable changes after mating is an increase in the number of the Golgi and the secretory vesicles. Since some of the vesicles react positively for acid phosphatase it is suggested that this enzyme activity increases following mating. The bursa lumen of the virgin snail contains gel-like materials devoid of spermatozoa, however, following mating, the lumen is full of semen containing live spermatozoa and bacteria. The source of bacteria in the lumen is not known. Acid phosphatase activity is significantly higher in the luminal content of mated snails than in the virgin snails. The activity is higher in the lumen than in the epithelial cells, suggesting that the enzyme is secreted into the lumen where it is utilized for extracellular degradation of spermatozoa. Following mating, the spermatozoa are motile in the lumen of the bursa for ,3,7 d, but become immobile and finally undergo extracellular digestion so that intact spermatozoa are not recognizable by day 10. The use of castrated snails in mating experiments suggest that individuals of Helisoma duryi reproduce by cross fertilization and that the bursa may act as the holding organ from where the spermatozoa are periodically transported to the carrefour over ,7 d. At day 10 following mating, however, autosperms appear in the hermaphroditic duct awaiting the next mating. [source] Identification of mutants in phosphorus metabolismANNALS OF APPLIED BIOLOGY, Issue 1 2001JULIE C LLOYD Summary Phosphorus availability is often limiting for plant growth. However, little is known of the pathways and mechanisms that regulate phosphorus (P) uptake and distribution in plants. We have developed a screen based on the induction of secreted root acid phosphatase activity by low-P stress to identify mutants of Arabidopsis thaliana with defects in P metabolism. Acid phosphatase activity was detected visually in the roots of A. thaliana seedlings grown in vitro on low-P medium, using the chromogenic substrate, 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-phosphate (BCIP). In low-P stress conditions the roots of wild-type plants stained blue, as the induced root acid phosphatase cleaved BCIP to release the coloured product. Potential mutants were identified as having white, or pale blue, roots under these conditions. Out of approximately 79 000 T-DNA mutagenised seedlings screened, two mutants with reduced acid phosphatase staining were further characterised. Both exhibited reduced growth and differences in their P contents when compared to wild-type A. thaliana. The mutant with the most severe phenotype, pho3, accumulated high levels of anthocyanins and starch in a distinctive visual pattern within the leaves. The phenotypes of these mutants are distinct from two previously identified phosphorus mutants (phol and pho2) and from an acid phosphatase deficient mutant (pupl) of A. thaliana. This suggested that the screening method was robust and might lead to the identification of further mutants with the potential for increasing our understanding of P nutrition. [source] Pigment epithelium-derived factor induces the production of chemokines by rat microgliaGLIA, Issue 4 2005Asako Takanohashi Abstract Many studies have shown that pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) has neurotrophic effects on retinal cells and hippocampal, spinal cord, and cerebellar granule cell neurons, but much less work has examined the effects of PEDF on glia. In this study, we show that PEDF changes microglial morphology within 1 h of exposure, to a more deactivated form, while having no effect on the expression of such activation markers as OX-42 and ED-1. In contrast, urea activates acid phosphatase, and PEDF blocks that activation. PEDF also activates NF,B, accompanied by the induction of mRNAs and proteins for the chemokines macrophage inflammatory protein-1, (MIP-1,, MIP-2, and MIP-3,. All the chemokines stimulate acid phosphatase activity, and high doses of MIP-2 and MIP-3,), alter the morphology of the microglia at 1 h after treatment. These results suggest that the use of PEDF for clinical treatments, such as for retinal neovascularization, brain injury, or ischemia, should be undertaken with caution because of the possibility of induction of inflammation caused by microglial or other immune cell migration in response to the chemokines induced by PEDF. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Does l -carnitine have any effect on cold preservation injury of non-fatty liver in the University of Wisconsin solution?HEPATOLOGY RESEARCH, Issue 8 2007Abdurrahman Coskun Aim:, To evaluate the protective effect of l -carnitine on liver tissue preserved in University of Wisconsin (UW) solution. Methods:, Twenty Wistar Albino rats were divided into two groups, a control (UW) group and a UW plus l -carnitine group. Retrieved liver grafts were preserved in UW and UW plus l -carnitine solutions at +4°C. Preservation solution samples were assessed at 2, 24, 36, and 48 h to measure alanine aminotransferase and acid phosphatase activity. Tissue injury was scored on paraffin sections. Results:, No micro or macrovacuolar fat droplets were observed in the tissue slices. l -Carnitine effectively decreased enzyme release when added to UW solution (P < 0.05). Conclusion:, In addition to fatty liver, l -carnitine might be a metabolic adjunct in preservation solutions for non-fatty liver within UW solution. [source] Effect of Organic and Inorganic Nutrients for Soil Quality Conservation and Yield of Rainfed Low Land Rice in Sub-tropical Plateau RegionJOURNAL OF AGRONOMY AND CROP SCIENCE, Issue 5 2006P. Banik Abstract The effect of organic sources of nutrients and inorganic fertilizers, was studied on grain yield of lowland rice and some aspect of soil quality parameters in a field experiment at Agricultural Experimental Farm of Indian Statistical Institute, Giridih, situated at eastern plateau region of India, during consecutive years 1997,2002. Chemical fertilizers and various organic matters were applied to two rice cultivars, Sabita and Subarna. The highest mean grain yield was 3.53 t ha,1 and maximum agronomic efficiency was 60.3 % with the application of inorganic fertilizer followed by cow dung, where 3.47 t ha,1 grain yield was recorded with an agronomic efficiency of 57.5 %. Grain yield of rice recorded under organic sources of nutrients was not significantly different from that of inorganic fertilization though there was improvement in soil quality parameters under organic sources. Soil organic carbon (0.72 %), microbial biomass-C (279.23 ,g g,1 dry soil), urease activity with buffer (33.54 ,g urea hydrolyzed g,1 oven-dry soil) and non-buffer (21.97 ,g urea hydrolyzed g,1 of oven-dry soil) methods and acid phosphatase activity (2.24 ,g para-nitrophenol released g,1 of oven-dry soil) analysed following the harvest of the crop were highest under cow dung manure treatment; the most efficient organic source under the experiment. Mean grain yield of rice was significantly higher in Sabita cultivar over Subarna. The regression analyses among the variables have shown that there was linear relationship among soil parameters and grain yield of rice. [source] Physiological Performance of Asymptomatic and Yellow Leaf Syndrome-affected Sugarcanes in VenezuelaJOURNAL OF PHYTOPATHOLOGY, Issue 1 2002M. L. IZAGUIRRE-MAYORAL Serological analyses revealed the presence of the sugarcane yellow leaf virus (ScYLV) in asymptomatic (S,) and symptomatic (S+) yellow leaf syndrome-affected sugarcane plants of the cultivars PR.692176, C.323,68, V.64,10, V.71,47, V.75,6, SP.72,2086, SP.72,1210, SP.74,2005, C.323,68, B.80,549 and B.82,363. Tests for the presence of the sugarcane yellows phytoplasma, carried out by Dr P. Jones (IACR-Rothamsted), gave negative results in all cultivars. Physiological analyses were performed in the top visible dewlap (TVD) leaf of S, and S+ plants of the cultivar PR.692176. All plants were at the second ratoon and flowering. When compared with S, plants, the S+ plants showed: (a) a marked reduction in the area of the leaf and internodes; (b) a high accumulation of total reducing sugars (TRS), glucans and ,-amino-N in the leaf blade and of TRS in the corresponding leaf sheath; (c) a decrease in the chlorophyll, phosphorus and nitrogen content in the leaf; (d) the disappearance of the leaf diurnal fluctuations in TRS accumulation and export as well as the daily oscillations of TRS and glucans between dawn and dusk; and (e) major ultrastructural alterations in the companion cells of the phloem, including the accumulation of ScYLV particles in the cytoplasm. In S, plants, none of the growth and physiological alterations described above were observed, in spite of the high density of ScYLV particles in the cytoplasm. The location of S, and S+ plants close to each other without a discernible pattern of distribution in plots subjected to optimal irrigation and fertilization rule out the possibility that environmental conditions underlay the appearance of symptoms. In plots under severe drought for 3 months, however, all S, plants become S+. Symptom expression did not affect the acid phosphatase activity in the rhizosphere of S+ plants. [source] Effects of phosphate supply and elevated CO2 on root acid phosphatase activity in Pinus densiflora seedlingsJOURNAL OF PLANT NUTRITION AND SOIL SCIENCE, Issue 2 2006Mariko Norisada Abstract The exudation of root acid phosphatase (APase) is a plant response mechanism to phosphorus (P) deficiency. Under conditions of elevated CO2, P demand increases and possibly further enhances APase activity. We examined the activity of APase in 1-year-old ectomycorrhizal Pinus densiflora Sieb. et Zucc. seedlings grown in potted sand in the greenhouse under ambient (400 ,mol mol,1) and elevated (700 ,mol mol,1) CO2 with three modes of P supply: inorganic (NaH2PO4; Pin), organic (inositol hexaphosphate dodecasodium salt; Porg), and no phosphate (P0) for 78 d. Phosphorus limitations decreased P content in leaves and roots with lowest P content in P0 treatments, irrespective of CO2 conditions. However, P limitations decreased plant biomass at elevated CO2 levels, but not at ambient CO2 levels. The content in leaves of nutrients other than P was mostly unaffected by P supply, but decreased under elevated CO2. This observation was attributed to starch accumulation in leaves at elevated CO2, especially in the P0 treatment. The photosynthetic activity (expressed per unit of chlorophyll) was unaffected by P supply, but tended to be less at elevated CO2. There was no increase in root APase activity of Pinus densifolia in response to the P shortage caused by elevated CO2. [source] Effect of section of yam (Dioscorea cayenensis) tuber used in minisett on the biochemical properties of the resultant tuberJOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 13 2002Andrew O Wheatley Abstract The effect of the section of yam (Dioscorea cayenensis) tuber used as planting material in minisett on the biochemical properties of the resultant tuber was studied. The biochemical parameters invertase (EC 3.2.1.26), acid phosphatase (EC 3.1.3.2), peroxidase (EC1.11.1.7), polyphenol oxidase (EC 1.10.3.1), total sugars and starch were evaluated in tubers resulting from field-grown and tissue culture-derived setts of the cultivars Roundleaf and Blackwiss yellow yams. No significant differences were observed between tubers resulting from field-grown and tissue culture-derived setts relative to the parameters studied. Invertase activity was found to be highest in tubers from middle-derived setts, while tail-derived setts had the lowest activity for both cultivars. Middle-derived tubers were also found to have significantly higher levels of acid phosphatase activity and starch content. However, middle-derived tubers had the lowest level of total sugars. Polyphenol oxidase and peroxidase were also found to be significantly higher in tubers from middle-derived setts. These results suggest a higher rate of active starch formation in tubers from middle-derived setts. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi respond to the substrate pH of their extraradical mycelium by altered growth and root colonizationNEW PHYTOLOGIST, Issue 1 2002Ingrid M. Van Aarle Summary ,,To test the response of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi to a difference in soil pH, the extraradical mycelium of Scutellospora calospora or Glomus intraradices, in association with Plantago lanceolata, was exposed to two different pH treatments, while the root substrate pH was left unchanged. ,,Seedlings of P. lanceolata, colonized by one or other of the fungal symbionts, and nonmycorrhizal controls, were grown in mesh bags placed in pots containing pH-buffered sand (pH around 5 or 6). The systems were harvested at approximately 2-wk intervals between 20 and 80 d. ,,Both fungi formed more extraradical mycelium at the higher pH. Glomus intraradices formed almost no detectable extraradical mycelium at lower pH. The extraradical mycelium of S. calospora had higher acid phosphatase activity than that of G. intraradices. Total AM root colonization decreased for both fungi at the higher pH, and high pH also reduced arbuscule and vesicle formation in G. intraradices. ,,In conclusion, soil pH influences AM root colonization as well as the growth and phosphatase activities of extraradical mycelium, although the two fungi responded differently. [source] Anti-tumour and immuno-stimulating activities of the fruiting bodies of Paecilomyces japonica, a new type of Cordyceps spp.PHYTOTHERAPY RESEARCH, Issue 7 2003Kuk Hyun Shin Abstract The anti-tumor and immuno-stimulating activities of the fruiting bodies of Paecilomyces japonica (PJ), grown on silk-worm larvae and of Cordyceps sinensis (CS), a wild form of Cordyceps Fungi, were investigated. Ethanol extracts of both fungi, when administered for 9 consecutive days, at 50 and 100 mg/kg i.p., caused a signi,cant increase in life span and a signi,cant decrease in tumor weights and volumes, in mice inoculated with Sarcoma-180 tumor cells. Both fungal extracts were demonstrated to exhibit phagocytosis enhancing activity as measured by carbon clearance in mice. PJ extracts, when administered i.p. at 50 mg/kg/day for 3 consecutive days, exhibited a signi,cant enhancement of phagocytosis, its potency as expressed by the regression coef,cient ratio, RCtr/RCc, being 1.64 (the phagocytosis index = 2). This was approximately the same for that of zymosan (RCtr/RCc = 1.55, PI = 2), a typical phagocytosis enhancer, whereas CS extracts exhibited a moderate phagocytosis enhancing activity at the same dose level (RCtr/RCc = 1.30, PI = 1). Both fungal extracts caused a signi,cant increase in an acid phosphatase activity, representing lysosomal enzymes, in macrophages at 20 and 100 µg/ml in vitro, in compliance with in vivo results. These results suggest that the anti-tumor activity of both fungi might be related to an immuno-stimulating function. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] ORIGINAL ARTICLE: Evaluation of Semen Detection in Vaginal Secretions: Comparison of Four MethodsAMERICAN JOURNAL OF REPRODUCTIVE IMMUNOLOGY, Issue 3 2008Jennifer Flatow Culhane Problem, To determine the best method to detect semen in human vaginal secretions. Method of study, Vaginal secretions from 302 pregnant women at mean 11.8 weeks' gestation were analyzed. Semen detection was assessed with: (i) measurement of total prostate-specific antigen (PSA), (ii) acid phosphatase activity, (iii) microscopic measurement of spermatozoa on Gram stain, and (iv) self-reported sexual intercourse in the past 2 days. Sensitivity and specificity were calculated for each technique in comparison with PSA levels. Results, A total of 119 (39.4%) women had a detectable PSA. Compared with measurable PSA, the sensitivity and specificity for other methods were: acid phosphatase (26.9%, 98.4%), Gram stain (36.1%, 98.4%), and self-report of intercourse in the past 48 hr (41.9%, 88.8%). Conclusion, Compared with PSA levels, commonly used assays for recent semen exposure are inaccurate. This inaccuracy may affect the results of studies, which measure vaginal immune factors like cytokines or retrieve DNA from vaginal specimens. [source] Identification of mutants in phosphorus metabolismANNALS OF APPLIED BIOLOGY, Issue 1 2001JULIE C LLOYD Summary Phosphorus availability is often limiting for plant growth. However, little is known of the pathways and mechanisms that regulate phosphorus (P) uptake and distribution in plants. We have developed a screen based on the induction of secreted root acid phosphatase activity by low-P stress to identify mutants of Arabidopsis thaliana with defects in P metabolism. Acid phosphatase activity was detected visually in the roots of A. thaliana seedlings grown in vitro on low-P medium, using the chromogenic substrate, 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl-phosphate (BCIP). In low-P stress conditions the roots of wild-type plants stained blue, as the induced root acid phosphatase cleaved BCIP to release the coloured product. Potential mutants were identified as having white, or pale blue, roots under these conditions. Out of approximately 79 000 T-DNA mutagenised seedlings screened, two mutants with reduced acid phosphatase staining were further characterised. Both exhibited reduced growth and differences in their P contents when compared to wild-type A. thaliana. The mutant with the most severe phenotype, pho3, accumulated high levels of anthocyanins and starch in a distinctive visual pattern within the leaves. The phenotypes of these mutants are distinct from two previously identified phosphorus mutants (phol and pho2) and from an acid phosphatase deficient mutant (pupl) of A. thaliana. This suggested that the screening method was robust and might lead to the identification of further mutants with the potential for increasing our understanding of P nutrition. [source] Immune response, disease resistance and intestinal microflora of juvenile Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian) fed graded levels of pantothenic acidAQUACULTURE NUTRITION, Issue 4 2010Z.-P. WEN Abstract This study was to investigate the effect of dietary pantothenic acid (PA) on the disease resistance, immune response and intestinal microflora on juvenile Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian). Seven diets (4.0, 15.5, 25.6, 36.1, 45.9, 56.1 and 65.9 mg PA kg,1) were fed to Jian carp (12.95 ± 0.03 g) for 9 weeks. After 9-week feeding trial, the challenge experiment with Aeromonas hydrophila was conducted to determine the impact of PA on fish disease resistance. Survival rate after challenge was promoted with the increasing PA levels (P < 0.05). Blood counts also significantly increased up to the dietary PA level of 25.6 mg PA kg,1 (P < 0.05). Leucocyte phagocytic activity, lectin potency, lysozyme and acid phosphatase activity, and total iron-binding capacity were improved with increasing PA levels (P < 0.05). Serum immunoglobulin M level and agglutination antibody titre to A. hydrophila were increased (P < 0.05) in fish fed the diets with the dietary PA levels between 56.1 and 65.9 mg kg,1. PA also promoted the growth and reproduction of Lactobacillus and depressed Escherichia coli and A. hydrophila (P < 0.05). These results suggested that pantothenic acid could improve disease resistance, immune response, and the balance of intestinal microflora in juvenile Jian carp. [source] Effects of dietary pyridoxine on disease resistance, immune responses and intestinal microflora in juvenile Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian)AQUACULTURE NUTRITION, Issue 3 2010L. FENG Abstract This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effects of dietary pyridoxine on disease resistance, immune responses and intestinal microflora of fish. A total of 1050 Jian carp (11.71 ± 0.05 g) were randomly distributed into seven groups, feeding diets containing graded levels of pyridoxine (0.2, 1.7, 3.2, 5.0, 6.3, 8.6 and 12.4 mg kg,1 diet). After 80 days of feeding, a challenge trial was conducted by injection of Aeromonas hydrophila for 17 days. Results indicated that with increasing dietary pyridoxine concentration up to 5.0 mg kg,1 diet, survival rate after challenge with A.hydrophila and phagocytic activity of leukocyte were improved (P < 0.05), and plateaued thereafter (P > 0.05). Red blood cell and white blood cell counts were lowest when fed the diet containing 1.7 mg pyridoxine kg,1 diet. Haemagglutination titre, lysozyme activity, acid phosphatase activity, total iron-binding capacity, antibody titre and immunoglobulin M content followed the similar pattern to that observed with survival rate. Aeromonas hydrophila, Escherichia coli and Lactobacillus counts in intestine were not affected by dietary pyridoxine concentration (P > 0.05). These results suggested that pyridoxine could enhance immune response of fish. [source] Effects of graded levels of dietary myo -inositol on non-specific immune and specific immune parameters in juvenile Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian)AQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 10 2010Wei-Dan Jiang Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of myo -inositol (MI) on non-specific immune and specific immune defence in fish. A total of 1050 Jian carp (Cyprinus carpio var. Jian) (22.28±0.07 g) were randomly distributed into seven groups, of three replicates each, of feeding diets containing graded levels of MI (163.5, 232.7, 384.2, 535.8, 687.3, 838.8 and 990.3 mg MI kg,1 diet). After a 60-day growth trial, an infectious trial was conducted by injection of Aeromonas hydrophila for 17 days. Results showed that the red blood cell (RBC) and the white blood cell count were significantly increased with increasing MI levels up to 535.8 mg kg,1 diet (P<0.05). The spleen index showed a tendency similar to RBC, whereas the head kidney index showed the inverse pattern (P<0.05). The phagocytic activity of leucocytes, haemagglutination titre, lysozyme activity, anti- A. hydrophila antibody titre and immunoglobulin M, after being injected with A. hydrophila, were all improved with an increase in the MI levels up to 232.7,687.3 mg kg,1 diet respectively (P<0.05). Myo -inositol did not influence serum acid phosphatase activity and total iron-binding capacity (P>0.05). These results suggested that MI could enhance non-specific immune and specific immune responses in fish. [source] Growth and digestive enzymes of Macrobrachium rosenbergii juveniles: effect of different stocktypes and dietary protein levels under a similar culture environmentAQUACULTURE RESEARCH, Issue 12 2009Vidya Sagar Abstract A feeding trial was conducted to study the effect of dietary protein (DP) levels on the growth and digestive enzyme activities of different wild stocks of Macrobrachium rosenbergii juveniles. Wild juveniles of M. rosenbergii were collected from the west coast of India, Gujarat (G), Maharashtra (M) and from the east coast of India, Andhra Pradesh (A), and raised in culture ponds of 200 m2 at 1 juvenile m,2. All the animals were tagged individually with Elastomer tags of a particular colour assigned to their respective stock and acclimatized for 7 days before being released into the pond at a ratio of 70:65:65 (A:M:G). Each of the two feeds, the first with 27% DP, termed the suboptimum level (S), and the second 32% DP, termed the optimum level (O), was fed in duplicate ponds at 6% of the body mass for the first 30 days and 4% for the last 30 days. The average weight of stocked prawn, respectively, in O DP and S DP fed ponds was 0.90 ± 0.04 and 1.06 ± 0.08 g for the G stock, 0.80 ± 0.07 and 1.01 ± 0.1 g for the M stock and 3.06 ± 0.13 and 3.10 ± 0.23 g for the A stock. Both the protein level and the stock type had a significant (P<0.05) effect on the weight gain% of the prawn. There was an approximate 95% change in weight gain with a DP change. Similarly, G and M stocks exhibited significantly higher (P<0.05) growth rates of approximately 90% than the A stock, although no difference was noted between the G and the M stocks. However, for protein × stock (interaction) levels, there was no significant difference (P>0.05) among the groups. Although insignificant, the survival rates among the different stocks varied from 56% to 77%. Optimum protein level showed a significant increase (P<0.05) in the specific growth rate (SGR). Feed conversion ratio, feed efficiency ratio, protein efficiency ratio and net protein utilization were not affected either due to DP, stock type or their interaction. The O × A group exhibited the maximum variation in body weight. Digestive enzyme activities were similar in all the groups, but enzymes for phospho-monoesterase were significantly higher (P<0.05) at O DP. Both the G and the M stock showed a significantly higher (P<0.05) alkaline phosphatase activity while acid phosphatase activity was significantly higher (P<0.05) in the M stock only. Overall, the G and M stocks showed higher growth responses compared with the A stock. [source] | ||||||||||||||||