Halacaridae (Acari) from Pujada Bay (the Philippines): description and biogeography of three new and two known species

Three new and two known Halacaridae species belonging to the genus Copidognathus collected among seagrass plants in Pujada Bay (Mindanao, the Philippines) are described. Copidognathus ivanomorsellii sp.n. belongs to the `Copidognathus gibbus' group and shows the main characteristics of the group but differs from known species as the two triangular porose areolae on AD are joined together, the typical shape of the lateral line of the costae of PD, the distance between the anterior gland pore on PD and the lateral margin of PD, tarsi III and IV with 4:4 dorsal setae, ventral seta on trochanter III almost as long as ventral seta of basifemur III, anterior end of AD with rosette pores, AE and GA only laterally fused but separated in the middle portion and elongated frontal spine (projection) on AD, lateral claws with very fine pecten ventrally. A zoogeographical distribution of the `C. gibbus' group is reported. Copidognathus pujadus sp.n. belongs to the `Copidognathus bairdi' group and is loosely related to C. sideus Bartsch, 1982, C. sidellus Bartsch, 1985 and C. euryalus Bartsch, 1997b. Differences were observed and are discussed. Copidognathus philippinensis sp.n. belongs to the `Copidognathus curassaviensis' group but differs from the four known species within the group by the elevated ridge below the middle two areolae on AD area which connects the two areolae. In addition, two known species i.e. Copidognathus uniscutatus Bartsch, 1984, C. faubeli Bartsch, 1986 were collected. The Halacaridae fauna recorded so far from the Philippines is summarised and discussed.     

The mannitol cycle in Pleurotus ostreatus (Florida)

In mushroom, presence of the mannitol cycle has not been reported so far although the polyol is supposed to be generated by the reduction of fructose by mannitol dehydrogenase. This study submits evidence for the presence of the mannitol cycle in Pleurotus ostreatus. The key enzyme of the cycle, mannitol-1-phosphate dehydrogenase (M1PDH), was present appreciably in all the developmental stages of the mushroom. However, the enzyme level dropped significantly at the onset of sporulation. The presence of M1DPH was confirmed by isozyme analysis and RT-PCR mediated amplification of a approximately 400 bp DNA fragment.     

Effect of Azadirachta indica on paracetamol-induced hepatic damage in albino rats.

Azadirachta indica, a plant used widely in Ayurveda, has been reported to have anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory and adaptogenic properties. The present study evaluates its hepatoprotective role. Fresh juice of tender leaves of Azadirachta indica (200 mg/kg body wt. p.o.) inhibited paracetamol (2 g/kg body wt. p.o.)-induced lipid peroxidation and prevented depletion of sulfhydryl groups in liver cells. There was an increase in serum marker enzymes of hepatic damage (aspartate transaminase, alanine transaminase and alkaline phosphatase) after paracetamol administration. Azadirachta indica pretreatment stabilized the serum levels of these enzymes. Histopathological observations of liver tissues corroborated these findings.     

Glucans from alkaline extract of a hybrid mushroom (backcross mating between PfloVv12 and Volvariella volvacea): structural characterization and study of immunoenhancing and antioxidant properties

Two different glucans (water-soluble PS-I, water-insoluble PS-II) were isolated from the alkaline extract of the fruit bodies of hybrid mushroom. PS-I was found to consist of only (1→6)-linked β-D-glucopyranose. PS-II was composed of terminal, (1→3,4)-linked, and (1→3)-linked β-D-glucopyranosyl moieties in a molar ratio of nearly 1:1:1. PS-I showed macrophages, splenocytes, and thymocytes activation as well as antioxidant property. On the basis of sugar analysis, methylation analysis, and NMR studies ((1)H, (13)C, DEPT-135, TOCSY, DQF-COSY, NOESY, ROESY, HMQC, and HMBC), the structure of the repeating unit of these glucans were established as:     

Modulation of mitochondrial respiratory capacity by carrier-mediated transfer of RNA in vivo

Genetic dysfunction of mitochondria is pathological, but an effective method of nucleic acid delivery to mitochondria in vivo is lacking. Injection into rodents of tagged polycistronic RNAs (pcRNAs) encoding parts of the organelle genome and bound to a carrier complex, resulted in rapid uptake and concentration of the RNA in many tissues. The delivered RNA was localized to mitochondria. A pan-genomic cocktail of pcRNAs restored mRNA levels, stimulated mitochondrial translation and respiratory capacity of skeletal muscle of middle-aged and old rats. Thus, the carrier-based protocol may be suitable for delivery of functional RNAs to mitochondria in vivo.     

Nardostachys jatamansi Protects Against Cold Restraint Stress Induced Central Monoaminergic and Oxidative Changes in Rats

Cold restraint stress (CRS) model exerts similar effect as physiological stress because it combines emotional stress (escape reaction) and physical stress (muscle work). It is well established that various responses to stress are regulated by sympathoadrenal system, brain monoaminergic systems and oxidative processes. Nardostachys jatamansi (NJE) is known to possess soothing and sedative action on the central nervous system. The present investigation was performed to explore the anti-stress activity of NJE on CRS model, through its effect on biochemical and neurochemical alterations. The rats were restrained in metallic chambers for 3?h at 4?°C was followed by sacrifice and assessment of stress related alterations. Hydro-ethanolic (30:70) extract of NJE was administrated orally at the doses of 200 and 500?mg/kg for 14?days and compared with vehicle control and Panax ginseng (100?mg/kg). Effects of NJE on CRS induced oxidative stress including reduced glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glutathione-s-transferase were estimated. Dopamine, norepinephrine, serotonin and 5-hydroxy indole acetic acid were measured in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus and hypothalamus by HPLC electrochemical detector. NJE at both doses significantly inhibited CRS induced oxidative stress. It significantly mitigated CRS induced altered level of neurotransmitters in different brain regions. The study implied that NJE has the ability to provide protection against CRS induced oxidative stress and neurochemical alterations. Findings indicated that NJE revealed potent anti-stress effect implicating its therapeutic importance in stress-related disorders.     

Activation of ras signaling pathway by 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase bound to its excision product, 8-oxoguanine

8-Oxo-7,8-dihydroguanine (8-oxoG), arguably the most abundant base lesion induced in mammalian genomes by reactive oxygen species, is repaired via the base excision repair pathway that is initiated with the excision of 8-oxoG by OGG1. Here we show that OGG1 binds the 8-oxoG base with high affinity and that the complex then interacts with canonical Ras family GTPases to catalyze replacement of GDP with GTP, thus serving as a guanine nuclear exchange factor. OGG1-mediated activation of Ras leads to phosphorylation of the mitogen-activated kinases MEK1,2/ERK1,2 and increasing downstream gene expression. These studies document for the first time that in addition to its role in repairing oxidized purines, OGG1 has an independent guanine nuclear exchange factor activity when bound to 8-oxoG.