Characterization of ISXax1, a Novel Insertion Sequence Restricted to Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. phaseoli (Variants fuscans and non-fuscans) and Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. vesicatoria

ISXax1 is a novel insertion sequence belonging to the IS256 and Mutator families. Dot blot, Southern blot, and PCR analyses revealed that ISXax1 is restricted to Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. phaseoli (variants fuscans and non-fuscans) and X. axonopodis pv. vesicatoria strains. Directed AFLP also showed that a high degree of polymorphism is associated with ISXax1 insertion in these strains.     

PD98059 enhanced insulin, cytokine, and growth factor activation of xanthine oxidoreductase in epithelial cells involves STAT3 and the glucocorticoid receptor

PD98059 and U0126 are organic compound inhibitors frequently used to block the activity of the MEK-1/2 protein kinase. In the present work, promoter activation analyses of xanthine oxidoreductase (XOR) in epithelial cells uncovered the unexpected opposite effect of these inhibitors on activation of XOR. Activation of an XOR-luciferase fusion gene was studied in stably transfected epithelial cells. The XOR reporter gene was activated by the epidermal growth factors (EGF), prolactin, and dexamethasone and by the acute phase cytokines (APC) IL-1, IL-6, and TNFalpha as previously reported for its native gene, and insulin further stimulated activation induced with acute phase cytokines or growth factors. Activation of the proximal promoter was blocked by inhibitors of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR), p38 MAP kinase, and U0126. Unexpectedly, PD98059 activated the promoter and significantly enhanced expression induced by insulin, APC, or growth factors. Analysis of the XOR upstream DNA and proximal promoter revealed primary roles for the GR and STAT3 in mediating the effects of PD98059 on XOR activation and protein complex formation with the promoter. STAT3 phosphotyrosine-705 was rapidly induced by PD98059, dexamethasone, and insulin. XOR activation by PD98059, dexamethasone, or insulin was superinduced by a constitutively active derivative of STAT3, while a dominant negative derivative of STAT3 blocked the enhancing effect of PD98059 on XOR activation. These data demonstrate a previously unrecognized effect of PD98059 on STAT3 and the GR that could have unanticipated consequences when used to infer the involvement of the MEK-1/2 protein kinase.     

Dillapiol and Apiol as specific inhibitors of the biosynthesis of aflatoxin G1 in Aspergillus parasiticus

Dillapiol was isolated from the essential oil of dill as a specific inhibitor of aflatoxin G1 production. It inhibited aflatoxin G1 production by Aspergillus parasiticus with an IC50 value of 0.15 microM without inhibiting aflatoxin B1 production or fungal growth. Apiol and myristicin, congeners of dillapiol, showed similar activity with IC50 values of 0.24 and 3.5 microM, respectively.     

Proline-Functionalized Graphene Oxide Nanoparticles (GO–Pro NPs) Mitigate Salt-Induced Adverse Effects on Morpho-Physiological Traits and Essential Oils Constituents in Moldavian Balm (Dracocephalum moldavica L.)

Many methodologies have been established to lessen negative impacts of salinity on plants. Of those methodologies, nanoparticles (NPs) application has achieved great importance thanks to their unique physico-chemical properties. Consequently, formerly respecting encouraging impacts of graphene oxide (GO) and proline (Pro) on different plant processes under non-stress and stress conditions, proline-functionalized graphene oxide nanoparticles “GO–Pro NPs” were synthesized and characterized. Graphite powder, as starting material, was used to synthesize GO using modified Hummers method followed by functionalization of its surface by proline in basic media. Afterward, GO–Pro NPs, GO and Pro, each at 0, 50 and 100 mg L^?1 concentrations with three replications, were applied on Moldavian balm (Dracocephalum moldavica L.) plants to assay their effects under non-stress (0 mM) and salt stress (50 and 100 mM) conditions. GO–Pro NPs and Pro effectively alleviated negative effects of salinity through increasing morphological parameters, photosynthetic pigments, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, chlorophyll index (SPAD), and membrane stability index (MSI) and decreasing hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde, as well. Also application of GO–Pro NPs enhanced proline, antioxidant enzymes activities, and most dominant constituents of essential oil. The highest MSI (48.87%) and proline content (15.36 µM g^?1 FW) were observed in plant treated with GO–Pro NPs (50 mg L^?1) under 100 mM NaCl salinity stress. The GO–Pro NPs treatment at lower dose (50 mg L^?1) could be introduced as the best preservative treatment for Moldavian balm under salt stress. GO application mostly had no effect on the measured parameters announcing it as carrier for Pro to enhance its efficiency. In conclusion, GO–Pro NPs application could promote Moldavian balm performance and essential oil under salinity presenting GO–Pro NPs as new treatment against stress conditions.

     

Immunomodulatory agents for COVID-19 treatment: possible mechanism of action and immunopathology features

Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry - The novel coronavirus pandemic has emerged as one of the significant medical-health challenges of the current century. The World Health Organization has named...     

The relation of omentin gene expression and glucose homeostasis of visceral and subcutaneous adipose tissues in non-diabetic adults

Molecular Biology Reports - Adipose tissue (AT) is a passive reservoir for energy storage and an active endocrine organ responsible for synthesizing bioactive molecules called...     

First volumetric records of airborne Cladosporium and Alternaria spores in the atmosphere of Al Khor (northern Qatar): a preliminary survey

Aerobiologia - Daily monitoring of airborne fungal spores was carried out for the first time in Al Khor city, Qatar, using a Hirst type 7-day recording volumetric spore trap, from May 2017 to May...     

A surface acoustic wave sensor functionalized with a polypyrrole molecularly imprinted polymer for selective dopamine detection

A surface acoustic wave sensor operating at 104 MHz and functionalized with a polypyrrole molecularly imprinted polymer has been designed for selective detection of dopamine (DA). Optimization of pyrrole/DA ratio, polymerization and immersion times permitted to obtain a highly selective sensor, which has a sensitivity of 0.55°/mM (≈550 Hz/mM) and a detection limit of ≈ 10 nM. Morphology and related roughness parameters of molecularly imprinted polymer surfaces, before and after extraction of DA, as well as that of the non imprinted polymer were characterized by atomic force microscopy. The developed chemosensor selectively recognized dopamine over the structurally similar compound 4‐hydroxyphenethylamine (referred as tyramine), or ascorbic acid,which co‐exists with DA in body fluids at a much higher concentration. Selectivity tests were also carried out with dihydroxybenzene, for which an unexpected phase variation of order of 75% of the DA one was observed. Quantum chemical calculations, based on the density functional theory, were carried out to determine the nature of interactions between each analyte and the PPy matrix and the DA imprinted PPy polypyrrole sensing layer in order to account for the important phase variation observed during dihydroxybenzene injection. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.