Role of Zinc in Zinc-α2-Glycoprotein Metabolism in Obesity: a Review of Literature

Biological Trace Element Research - Excessive adipose tissue promotes the manifestation of endocrine disorders such as reduction of the secretion of zinc-α2-glycoprotein (ZAG), an adipokine...     

Mutation of critical residues reveals insights of yellow fever virus nonstructural protein 1 (NS1) stability and its formation

Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma     

Molecular Identification of Candida Species in the Oral Microbiota of Individuals with Down Syndrome: A Case–Control Study

Mycopathologia - Candida species are common in the human oral microbiota and may cause oral candidiasis (OC) when the microbiota equilibrium is disturbed. Immunosuppressed individuals are...     

The novel NhaE-type Na+/H+ antiporter of the pathogenic bacterium Neisseria meningitidis

Neisseria meningitidis is a pathogenic bacterium responsible for meningitis. The mechanisms underlying the control of Na⁺ transmembrane movement, presumably important to pathogenicity, have been barely addressed. To elucidate the function of the components of the Na⁺ transport system in N. meningitidis, an open reading frame from the genome of this bacterium displaying similarity with the NhaE type of Na⁺/H⁺ antiporters was expressed in Escherichia coli and characterized for sodium transport ability. The N. meningitidis antiporter (NmNhaE) was able to complement an E. coli strain devoid of Na⁺/H⁺ antiporters (KNabc) respecting the ability to grow in the presence of NaCl and LiCl. Ion transport assays in everted vesicles prepared from KNabc expressing NmNhaE from a plasmid confirmed its ability to translocate Na⁺ and Li⁺. Here is presented the characterization of the first NhaE from a pathogen, an important contribution to the comprehension of sodium ion metabolism in this kind of microorganisms.     

Different assembly of acid and salt tolerance response in two dairy Listeria monocytogenes wild strains

A lack on the association between acid tolerance response (ATR) and osmotolerance response (OTR) among Listeria monocytogenes dairy isolates was found. In order to evaluate how wild L. monocytogenes isolates mount tolerance responses under a sub-lethal pH and a low sodium chloride concentration (pH 5.5 and 3.5 % [w/v] NaCl), a proteomic approach was used. The ATR and OTR of two L. monocytogenes cheese dairy isolates (strain T8, serotype 4b and A9, serotype 1/2b or 3b) were determined. The proteomes of the adapted and non-adapted cultures were evaluated by 2-DE. One strain displayed an ATR, but not an OTR and the other displayed an OTR, but not an ATR. The ATR positive strain showed the over-production of proteins related with protein synthesis, protein folding, attainment of reduction power, ribose production and cell wall. In contrast, in the OTR-positive-strain proteins related with glycolysis, general stress and detoxification were identified.     

Effect of Metalaxyl on the incidence and severity of Pearl millet downy mildew disease in Northern Nigeria

Pearl millet downy mildew (DM) incidence, severity and yield losses of two pearl millet varieties (local and improved) due to the disease were determined in the field. Significant differences in the disease incidence and severity were recorded in the plots sown with metalaxyl-treated seeds and those sown with non-treated seeds, indicating the efficacy of the fungicide on the fungus. Yield losses due to non-treatment of seeds with metalaxyl was 40.88 and 45.39% in a local variety and 43.00 and 18.60% in an improved variety in the 2000 and 2001 cropping seasons respectively. Significant differences between plots sown with metalaxyl-treated and those sown with non-treated seeds were obtained for other yield components such as 1000-grains weight, panicle length and weight.     

Shining light on nanotechnology to help repair and regeneration

Phototherapy can be used in two completely different but complementary therapeutic applications. While low level laser (or light) therapy (LLLT) uses red or near-infrared light alone to reduce inflammation, pain and stimulate tissue repair and regeneration, photodynamic therapy (PDT) uses the combination of light plus non-toxic dyes (called photosensitizers) to produce reactive oxygen species that can kill infectious microorganisms and cancer cells or destroy unwanted tissue (neo-vascularization in the choroid, atherosclerotic plaques in the arteries). The recent development of nanotechnology applied to medicine (nanomedicine) has opened a new front of advancement in the field of phototherapy and has provided hope for the development of nanoscale drug delivery platforms for effective killing of pathological cells and to promote repair and regeneration. Despite the well-known beneficial effects of phototherapy and nanomaterials in producing the killing of unwanted cells and promoting repair and regeneration, there are few reports that combine all three elements i.e. phototherapy, nanotechnology and, tissue repair and regeneration. However, these areas in all possible binary combinations have been addressed by many workers. The present review aims at highlighting the combined multi-model applications of phototherapy, nanotechnology and, reparative and regeneration medicine and outlines current strategies, future applications and limitations of nanoscale-assisted phototherapy for the management of cancers, microbial infections and other diseases, and to promote tissue repair and regeneration.     

Photosynthetic characteristics and quality of five passion fruit varieties under field conditions

Due to photosynthetic mechanisms respond very quickly to most stressors and due to strong concerns regarding the impact of climate change on future plant productivity, the purpose of this study was to perform a comparative analysis of in vivo photosynthetic efficiencies and fruit quality of five cultivars of passion fruit (Passiflora edulis Sims. f. flavicarpa Degener). The experiments were conducted in the northern region of Espírito Santo State using cultivars FB 200, FB 300, BRS Gigante Amarelo, BRS Sol do Cerrado, and BRS Ouro Vermelho. Analyses were performed 6 months after planting, when the plants were beginning reproduction and were repeated two times during the next 4 months until fruit ripening. Chlorophyll a fluorescence transient, total chlorophyll content, and gas exchange were measured in the leaves. Physical and chemical fruit attributes were also assessed. The lowest fluorescence rates were identified in the FB 300, BRS Sol do Cerrado, and BRS Ouro Vermelho cultivars, which exhibited better capacities for quinone A (Q_A) reoxidation and better electron transfer efficiencies from Photosystem II to Photosystem I acceptors. Better photochemical performances (PI_total) and CO₂ assimilations (A) resulted in higher fruit pulp yields, demonstrating the superior quality of the FB 300, BRS Sol do Cerrado, and BRS Ouro Vermelho cultivars.     

5′‐ectonucleotidase mediates multiple‐drug resistance in glioblastoma multiforme cells

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) cells are characterised by their extreme chemoresistance. The activity of multiple‐drug resistance (MDR) transporters that extrude antitumor drugs from cells plays the most important role in this phenomenon. To date, the mechanism controlling the expression and activity of MDR transporters is poorly understood. Activity of the enzyme ecto‐5′‐nucleotidase (CD73) in tumor cells, which hydrolyses AMP to adenosine, has been linked to immunosuppression and prometastatic effects in breast cancer and to the proliferation of glioma cells. In this study, we identify a high expression of CD73 in surgically resected samples of human GBM. In primary cultures of GBM, inhibition of CD73 activity or knocking down its expression by siRNA reversed the MDR phenotype and cell viability was decreased up to 60% on exposure to the antitumoral drug vincristine. This GBM chemosensitization was caused by a decrease in the expression and activity of the multiple drug associated protein 1 (Mrp1), the most important transporter conferring multiple drug resistance in these cells. Using pharmacological modulators, we have recognized the adenosine A₃ receptor subtype in mediation of the chemoresistant phenotype in these cells. In conclusion, we have determined that the activity of CD73 to trigger adenosine signaling sustains chemoresistant phenotype in GBM cells. J. Cell. Physiol. 228: 602–608, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.