Effect of amphotericin B on the lipids of five different strains ofCryptococcus neoformans

Cells of five strains ofCryptococcus neoformans were obtained for partial analysis of lipid composition. Quantitative analysis of lipids and sterols were completed, as well as qualitative analysis of sterols by thin-layer chromatography and by the ultraviolet spectra. Such determinations were made on cells cultured in the absence and presence of amphotericin B at sub-MIC (minimal inhibitory concentration) levels. Marked alterations of the lipid and sterol contents were observed in the amphotericin B — treated cells. Moreover, ergosterol disappeared in these antibiotic-exposed cells. It is concluded that amphotericin B altered the lipid profiles, especially sterols ofC. neoformans.     

Evaluation of genetic diversity of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Clinacanthus nutans</Emphasis> (Acanthaceaea) using RAPD,ISSR and RAMP markers

Three polymerase chain reaction (PCR) techniques were compared to analyse the genetic diversity of Clinacanthus nutans eight populations in the northern region of Peninsular Malaysia. The PCR techniques were random amplified polymorphic deoxyribonucleic acids (RAPD), inter-simple sequence repeats (ISSR) and random amplified microsatellite polymorphisms (RAMP). Leaf genomic DNA was PCR amplified using 17 RAPD, 8 ISSR and 136 RAMP primers . However, only 10 RAPD primers, 5 ISSR primers and 37 RAMP primers produced reproducible bands. The results were evaluated for polymorphic information content (PIC), marker index (MI) and resolving power (RP). The RAMP marker was the most useful marker compared to RAPD and ISSR markers because it showed the highest average value of PIC (0.25), MI (11.36) and RP (2.86). The genetic diversity showed a high percentage of polymorphism at the species level compared to the population level. Furthermore, analysis of molecular variance revealed that the genetic diversity was higher within populations, as compared to among populations of C. nutans. From the results, the RAMP technique was recommended for the analysis of genetic diversity of C. nutans.     

Mapping of major and modifying genes for high oleic acid content in safflower

Oils with high oleic acid content are in great demand because they have optimal properties for food and non-food uses. Two different levels of high oleic acid content (>75 and >84%) have been reported in safflower (Carthamus tinctorius L.). The trait is mainly controlled by partially recessive alleles at a major gene Ol, but the highest levels have been attributed to modifying genes. The objectives of this research were to map the Ol locus and modifying genes involved in oleic acid content of safflower seeds and to determine the nature of Ol through a candidate gene approach. Two F2 mapping populations from the nuclear male-sterile line CL-1 and the high oleic acid lines CR-6 (>75% oleic acid) and CR-9 (>84%) were developed and phenotyped for oleic acid content at the F2 and F3 seed level. A genetic linkage map comprising 15 linkage groups and 116 random amplified polymorphic DNA, simple sequence repeat (SSR), and sequence-characterized amplified regions marker loci was constructed for the CL-1?×?CR-9 population. The Ol gene was mapped to linkage group (LG) T3 tightly linked to the SSR marker ct365, which was confirmed in the CL-1?×?CR-6 population. Additionally, a quantitative trait locus with a minor effect on increasing oleic acid content was identified on LG T2. The candidate gene approach indicated that an oleoyl-phosphatidylcholine desaturase FAD2-1 locus underlies the Ol gene. Both the genetic information and the markers developed in this research will contribute to marker-assisted selection for high oleic acid content in safflower.     

Biochemical screening of Lactobacilli in midgut of wild Aedes aegypti mosquitoes. A step toward paratransgenesis candidate

This study was conducted to isolate and identify lactobacilli from larval and adult midgut of wild Aedes aegypti (Ae. aegypti) to find candidate bacteria for paratransgenic control. Characterization of the bacterial symbionts was done using Gram staining, motility test, catalase test, and biochemical tests, among others, and the morphological features were confirmed using a standard scheme that simplifies the identification of lactic acid bacteria. A total of 174 strains were isolated and identified, 135 strains from larval midgut and 39 strains from adult midgut (mean ± SE, 4.00 ± 0.72; P = 0.00). The isolated species were confirmed to be Lactobacillus fermentum, L. casei, L. acidophilus, L. viridescens, L. brevis and L. gasseri. It can be concluded that Ae. aegypti has the potential of harboring the cultivable bacterial symbionts. In conclusion, the isolated species were nominated for paratransgenic control, particularly L. fermentum, being found in large numbers from both larval and adulxt midgut.     

Cor Triatriatum Sinister diagnosed in adult life with three dimensional transesophageal echocardiography

Background

Cor triatriatum is a very rare congenital abnormality, usually symptomatic during childhood, diagnosis in adult age is less common.

Case Presentation

We report the case of a 40 years old woman referred to our hospital for atrial flutter ablation, transthoracic cardiac bidimensional echocardiography showed an abnormal membrane bisecting the left atrium, the diagnosis of cor triatriatum was fully made via three dimensional transesophageal echocardiography. More interstingly three other cardiac anomalies were associated: ostium secundum atrial septal defect, dilated coronary sinus due probably to persistent left superior vena cava and normally functioning bicuspid aortic valve.

Conclusions

Cor triatriatum sinister in adult life is important to recognize because it may be easily surgically correctable when hemodynamically significant. Three Dimensional transesophageal echocardiography is a minimally invasive and highly sensitive diagnostic modality.     

Leishmania major: low infection dose causes short-lived hyperalgesia and cytokines upregulation in mice

Neural involvement was traditionally associated with leprosy. However, more recent studies have shown the presence of a persistent hyperalgesia in cutaneous leishmaniasis caused by the infection of BALB/c mice with a high dose of Leishmania major. In this study, we report the presence of hyperalgesia within the first two weeks of infection caused by a low dose of the parasite. Using BALB/c mice, we demonstrate the presence of hyperalgesia during the first 10 days of infection as assessed by thermal pain tests. After 10 days these decreased pain thresholds start to recover resulting in similar levels to those in uninfected controls during the third week of infection. This hyperalgesia is accompanied by a sustained upregulation of interleukin-1beta (IL-1beta) and an early upregulation of interleukin-6 (IL-6) which is restored to normal levels after five days of infection. In conclusion, this study shows that, during early infection, the low dose of L. major causes hyperalgesia accompanied by an upregulation of IL-1beta and IL-6 and that these effects are reversed within the first two weeks of infection.     

Salvadora persica protects libido by reducing corticosterone and elevating the testosterone levels in chronic cigarette smoke exposure rats

Background & ObjectivesCigarette smoke is associated with several diseased states including defects in reproductive behavior. Salvadora persica (S. persica) known as the toothbrush plant is reported to possess several pharmacological properties including antidepressants and anxiolytics. The present research was done to determine the libido-protective effect of S. persica in chronic cigarette smoke-exposed rats.Materials and MethodsThe decoction of freshly dried roots of S. persica (50, 100, and 200 mg/kg, oral) was administered to the chronic-cigarette smoke-exposed adult rats. The parameters related to libido were recorded using a close-camera circuit (CCTV). Serum corticosterone and testosterone levels were estimated. Further, the phytochemical constituents were identified in the decoction. The data obtained were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance and significance was considered at p < 0.05.ResultsThe observation from the study revealed that cigarette smoke exposure reduces the sexual activity parameters significantly (p < 0.01), besides elevated the serum corticosterone and suppressed the testosterone levels in rats. Administration of S. persica at 200 mg/kg improved significantly (p < 0.05) the parameters related to libido. The decoction also reversed the changes in the levels of tested hormones in serum.Interpretation and ConclusionThe findings indicate that a 200 mg/kg S. persica decoction can protect libido in chronic cigarette smoke-exposed rats. The activity may be due to the presence of several phytoconstituents such as alkaloid, flavonoids and phytosterols that might produce vasodilatory effect in sex organs and enhance the synthesis of endogenous testosterone to improve libido characteristics weakened by chronic cigarette smoke exposure.     

Middle–Late Eocene Nummulites (N. burdigalensis group) from Gebel Hafit,along the United Arab Emirates and Oman borders,Arabian Peninsula

A Middle–Late Eocene diagnostic larger foraminiferal assemblage is described and illustrated from carbonates of the uppermost Dammam Formation, on both sides of Gebel Hafit anticline in the Northern Oman Mountains in the United Arab Emirates. The Middle Eocene carbonates yielded Nummulites obesus d'Archiac, 1852, N. ismaili Boukhary, Hamdan & Bahr n. sp., N. papazzonii Boukhary, Hamdan & Bahr n. sp. and N. kenawyi Boukhary, Hamdan & Bahr n. sp. (a species of the N. burdigalensis group). In addition, N. cf. boussaci Rozlozsnik, 1924, N. cf. lorioli De La Harpe, 1879, N. hottingeri Schaub, 1981, N. strougoi Boukhary, Hamdan & Bahr n. sp. (of the N. partschi group), N. ansaryi Boukhary, Hamdan & Bahr n. sp. (of the N. gizehensis group), N. cf. praebullatus Schaub, 1981, N. cizancourti Sander, 1962 (of the group of N. fabianii), N. cf. stamineus Nuttall, 1927 (of the N. discorbinus group), N. maculatus Nuttall, 1926 (of the N. laevigatus group) and Assilina gigantea De La Harpe, 1926 are recorded. On the top of the sequence, an assemblage with N. hottingeri Schaub, 1981, which was assigned by Schaub 1981 to the Biarritzian ( = Bartonian), was found associated with N. ptukhiani, Silvestriella tetraedra (Gümbel, 1870) and Pellatispira madaraszi (Hantken, 1875); these findings suggest that this association should be assigned to the Priabonian stage, confirming for the sampled succession of a Late Eocene age for sediments deposited in an inner-shelf environment, which was possibly related to the eustatic fall of sea level at the end of the Priabonian.

http://zoobank.org/2EBD2891-293F-465A-AE1C-F419F0CDB970     

Th17 cytokines induce pro-fibrotic cytokines release from human eosinophils

Background

Subepithelial fibrosis is one of the most critical structural changes affecting bronchial airway function during asthma. Eosinophils have been shown to contribute to the production of pro-fibrotic cytokines, TGF-β and IL-11, however, the mechanism regulating this process is not fully understood.

Objective

In this report, we investigated whether cytokines associated with inflammation during asthma may induce eosinophils to produce pro-fibrotic cytokines.

Methods

Eosinophils were isolated from peripheral blood of 10 asthmatics and 10 normal control subjects. Eosinophils were stimulated with Th1, Th2 and Th17 cytokines and the production of TGF-β and IL-11 was determined using real time PCR and ELISA assays.

Results

The basal expression levels of eosinophil derived TGF-β and IL-11 cytokines were comparable between asthmatic and healthy individuals. Stimulating eosinophils with Th1 and Th2 cytokines did not induce expression of pro-fibrotic cytokines. However, stimulating eosinophils with Th17 cytokines resulted in the enhancement of TGF-β and IL-11 expression in asthmatic but not healthy individuals. This effect of IL-17 on eosinophils was dependent on p38 MAPK activation as inhibiting the phosphorylation of p38 MAPK, but not other kinases, inhibited IL-17 induced pro-fibrotic cytokine release.

Conclusions

Th17 cytokines might contribute to airway fibrosis during asthma by enhancing production of eosinophil derived pro-fibrotic cytokines. Preventing the release of pro-fibrotic cytokines by blocking the effect of Th17 cytokines on eosinophils may prove to be beneficial in controlling fibrosis for disorders with IL-17 driven inflammation such as allergic and autoimmune diseases.