Expression of novel lhmlt fusion protein using plant viral vector and study of its anticancer effect

Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture (PCTOC) - Melittin peptide is the main component of honey bee venom with the cytotoxic and anti-cancer effect which can affect healthy and cancerous cells...     

The commercially important shoemaker spinefoot,Siganus sutor,connects coral reefs to neighbouring seagrass meadows

Spatial management of fish populations can potentially be optimized by determining the area of influence of a particular species. We performed an acoustic tagging study implemented on Denis Island in the Seychelles to assess the area of influence of the heavily targeted shoemaker spinefoot, Siganus sutor. We investigated whether this species acts as a mobile link between coral patches and seagrass meadows, and whether their movements differed between day and night. The study incorporated an array of 22 acoustic stations deployed within dense coral patches, seagrass meadows and mixed habitats of both seagrass and coral. Fifteen S. sutor carrying internal acoustic tags were monitored from November 2016 until May 2017. Detection patterns revealed them to be diurnal herbivores, with only rare nocturnal movements. Home-range estimates showed that individuals differed in their spatial range extents and habitats used, covering ~15% of the total shallow subtidal coastline of the island. However, they displayed very small daily movements (<200 m), concentrated mainly around sites within mixed coral and seagrass habitats. An optimal number of detections was recorded when the coral to seagrass area ratio was approximately 1.6:1. This ratio was confirmed through statistical prediction modelling. Identification of such links of commercially important species between networked habitats may help authorities consider incorporating seagrass meadows of the Seychelles into management discussions, which are currently lacking.     

O-Heterocyclic Embeurekols from Embellisia eureka,an Endophyte of Cladanthus arabicus

Three new polyketides (-)-1 , (+)-1 , and 2 ) were isolated from the EtOAc extract of the fungus Embellisia eureka, an endophyte of the Moroccan plant Cladanthus arabicus (Asteraceae). The structures of these new compounds were determined on the basis of one- and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy as well as by high-resolution mass spectrometry. The absolute configurations of (-)-1 , (+)-1 , and 2 were determined by TDDFT ECD calculations of solution conformers, online HPLC-ECD analysis, and the modified Mosher method. Chirality 25:250–256, 2013. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Molecular and morphological characterization of Pristionchus pacificus (Nematoda: Rhabditida: Neodiplogastridae), a new record of an entomophilic nematode from Iran

During a survey of entomopathogenic nematodes from the Mashhad region, in northeastern Iran, an entomophilic nematode was isolated using the Galleria trap method. Morphological characterization showed that this isolate belongs to the family Neodiplogastridae. Detailed morphological and morphometric characterization including SEM data fit with Pristionchus pacificus Sommer, Carta, Kim et Sternberg, 1996, representing the first record of this genus and species from Iran. Iranian specimens of P. pacificus FUM 5 are characterized by the body length (0.69–0.83 mm), the stoma (6–10 μm) bearing a dorsal tooth and a conical elongated tail (146–220 μm). Molecular analyses using 18S and ITS rDNA genes further support this identification. Measurements, illustrations, and SEM photographs of the Iranian isolate are provided and the phylogenetic position of the species is discussed.     

High Burden of Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Infection among Young Women in KwaZulu-Natal,South Africa

Objectives

HPV infection causes cervical cancer, yet information on prevalence and risk factors for HPV in Africa remain sparse. This study describes the prevalence of HPV genotypes and risk factors associated with HPV among young women ≤ 30 years of age in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa.

Methods

Cervicovaginal lavage samples were tested for HPV genotypes in 224 women enrolled in a prospective cohort study. Clinical, behavioural and demographic data were collected. We measured prevalence of HPV genotypes and using logistic regression, examined for factors associated with HPV.

Results

Median age of participants was 21 years [interquartile range (IQR):18–23]. The overall prevalence of HPV was 76.3% (171/224) with multiple and single genotypes prevalent in 56.3% and 20.1% of women respectively. Proportion of women with high-risk genotypes (16, 18, 31, 33, 35, 39, 45, 51, 52, 56 and 58) was 54.5%. Women not living with their partner [adjusted odds ratio (aOR)] = 3.42 95% CI1.22–9.60; p = 0.019), was significantly associated with HPV infection and high-risk HPV genotype infection.

Conclusion

The high burden of HPV and associated risk behaviours highlight the need to intensify behavioural interventions to prevent HPV acquisition in young women. The large scale delivery of HPV vaccine should be prioritised to prevent HPV acquisition and reduce HPV-related morbidity.     

Experts against precaution: analyzing the process of biosafety regulation in Iran

The process of preparing and enacting a biosafety law in Iran lasted more than a decade. This paper examines the process of biosafety policy-making in Iran in relation to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CPB) and to domestic Iranian factors. While some scholars argued that the CPB would be influential in developing countries, our findings indicate that it was not particularly important in Iranian biosafety legislation. This paper outlines the internal Iranian political processes, which initially envisaged a very precautionary approach, but which concluded with a biosafety law designed to promote the adoption of these technologies. Reference will be made to the changing influence of expert biotechnologists on policy-making. The dominance of domestic policy considerations, compared to CPB provisions, implies that signing the CPB does not imply that national regimes will converge on a common model, based on the text of the CPB.     

Change of antioxidant enzymes activity of hazel (Corylus avellana L.) cells by AgNPs

Elicitation effect of silver nano particles (AgNPs) and triggering of defence system by production of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) as a signaling molecule in the regulation of the activity of stress-related enzymes and production of Taxol was evaluated in suspension- cultured hazel cells (Corylus avellana L.). The cells were treated with different concentrations of AgNPs (0, 2.5, 5, and 10 ppm), in their logarithmic growth phase (d7) and were harvested after 1 week. Treatment of hazel cells with AgNPs decreased the viability of the cells. Also the results showed that while the activity of certain radical scavenging enzymes in particular of catalase and peroxidase increased by 2.5 and 5 ppm AgNPs, the activity of superoxide dismutase decreased in these treatments. The highest activity of ascorbate peroxidase was observed in 10 ppm AgNPs treatments. This treatment also showed the highest contents of H₂O₂ and phenolic compounds, as well as the highest activity of phenylalanine ammonialyase. According to the results, 5 ppm AgNPs was the best concentration for elicitation of hazel cells to produce efficient amounts of H₂O₂ in order for stimulation of antioxidant defence system, production of Taxol at the highest capacity of the cells, meanwhile reserving their viability.