Inflammatory markers in chronic kidney disease and end stage renal disease patients

Molecular Biology Reports - Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is condition characterized by a gradual loss of kidney function, patient with CKD suffering from a variety of immune system defects. This...     

Arabinogalactan protein profiles and distribution patterns during microspore embryogenesis and pollen development in Brassica napus

Arabinogalactan proteins (AGPs), present in cell walls, plasma membranes and extracellular secretions, are massively glycosylated hydroxyproline-rich proteins that play a key role in several plant developmental processes. After stress treatment, microspores cultured in vitro can reprogramme and change their gametophytic developmental pathways towards embryogenesis, thereby producing embryos which can further give rise to haploid and double haploid plants, important biotechnological tools in plant breeding. Microspore embryogenesis constitutes a convenient system for studying the mechanisms underlying cell reprogramming and embryo formation. In this work, the dynamics of both AGP presence and distribution were studied during pollen development and microspore embryogenesis in Brassica napus, by employing a multidisciplinary approach using monoclonal antibodies for AGPs (LM2, LM6, JIM13, JIM14, MAC207) and analysing the expression pattern of the BnAGP Sta 39–4 gene. Results showed the developmental regulation and defined localization of the studied AGP epitopes during the two microspore developmental pathways, revealing different distribution patterns for AGPs with different antigenic reactivity. AGPs recognized by JIM13, JIM14 and MAC207 antibodies were related to pollen maturation, whereas AGPs labelled by LM2 and LM6 were associated with embryo development. Interestingly, the AGPs labelled by JIM13 and JIM14 were induced with the change of microspore fate. Increases in the expression of the Sta 39–4 gene, JIM13 and JIM14 epitopes found specifically in 2–4 cell stage embryo cell walls, suggested that AGPs are early molecular markers of microspore embryogenesis. Later, LM2 and LM6 antigens increased progressively with embryo development and localized on cell walls and cytoplasmic spots, suggesting an active production and secretion of AGPs during in vitro embryo formation. These results give new insights into the involvement of AGPs as potential regulating/signalling molecules in microspore reprogramming and embryogenesis.     

Influence of selenium on the efficiency of fungicide action against certain fungi

Aspergillus funiculosus was isolated from rotted banana fruits, whereas Alternaria tenuis and Fusarium sp. were isolated from rotted tomato fruits. The isolated fungi tolerated relatively high levels of the fungicide, Dithane, up to 2560 ppm on solid medium, but grew well at 40 ppm when supplemented with liquid medium. They are able to tolerate selenite up to 2% (w/v) sodium selenite. A. funiculosus showed no growth in the presence of mixture of 2.5 ppm selenium and 20 ppm Dithane, whereas Fusarium sp. failed to grow at 2.5 ppm selenium and 10 ppm Dithane, or at 10 ppm of each. Nevertheless, Alternaria tenuis is more tolerant; it showed growth in the presence of relatively high levels of selenium and Dithane; up to 10 ppm selenium and 40 ppm Dithane, however, its growth was inhibited by the presence of a mixture of both. The results suggested new form of highly active fungicides. Selenium as an essential nutrient at such very low concentrations, as well as the application of very low concentrations of the fungicide, would certainly reduce the hazardous effect of such pollutant in the environment.     

In vivo effect of single oral dose of artemether against early juvenile stages of Schistosoma mansoni Egyptian strain

The current treatment and control of schistosomiasis, rely on a single drug, praziquantel, although, it has minor activity against juvenile stages of the parasite. Studies have shown that artemether (ART) exhibits effects against juveniles of Schistosoma mansoni Liberian and Puerto Rican strains, Schistosoma japonicum and Schistosoma haematobium. Aiming to assess the in vivo activity of single oral dose of ART against early juvenile stages of S. mansoni Egyptian strain, this study was established. Mice were treated with ART (400 mg/kg) at two time points evenly spaced over the period of larval development (7 and 21 days post-infection; pi), and a third treatment point (day 49 pi) was included to elucidate when susceptibility decreases. Administration of ART on day 7 pi reduced the total worm burden by 85.94%. The greatest reductions were seen when treatment was given on day 21 pi, with total and female worm burden reductions of 91.52% and 90.57%, respectively, and cessation of oviposition. Similar dose given on day 49 pi reduced total worm burden by 55.17% and female worm burden by 66.51%. Moreover, it induced significant reduction in the tissue egg load and significant alterations in the oogram pattern with decreased immature eggs and increased dead eggs. Antipathological activities were evident in significant reductions in granulomata count and diameter. In conclusion, ART exhibits major in vivo schistosomicidal effects against the early larval migratory stages of S. mansoni Egyptian strain, mainly the 21-day old schistosomula, hence preventing disease progression and morbidity.     

Hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of alcoholic extract of Tribulus alatus in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats: a comparative study with T. terrestris (Caltrop)

The extracts of both T. alatus and T. terrestris significantly decrease fasting glucose level in diabetic rats. After 4 and 6 hr, T. alatus extract showed significant reduction in glucose level as compared to T. terrestris. After 3 weeks of treatment with T. alatus extract, glucose level was significantly decreased to the normal level. Both the extracts also caused a significant decrease in the levels of glycosylated hemoglobin, total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL-cholesterol. The percent of reduction in rats treated with T. alatus extract was significantly higher than that of the rats treated with T. terrestris. The results indicate that alcoholic extract of T. alatus possesses hypoglycemic activity in type-1 model of diabetes.     

Synthesis and in vitro antiproliferative activity of new 11-aminoalkylamino-substituted 5H- and 6H-indolo[2,3-b]quinolines; structure-activity relationships of neocryptolepines and 6-methyl congeners

The present report describes the synthesis and antiproliferative evaluation of certain 11-aminoalkylamino-substituted 5H- and 6H-indolo[2,3-b]quinolines and their methylated derivatives. These 5-Me- and 6-Me-indolo[2,3-b]quinoline derivatives 10-14, 20 were prepared by amination at the C-11 position of the 11-chloro-5-methyl-5H- and 11-chloro-6-methyl-6H-indolo[2,3-b]quinolines with different substituents on the quinoline ring. The 11-aminoalkylaminomethylated 23, the homologue of 11, was prepared from the same intermediate for a further SAR study. These intermediates are accessible from 4-substituted anilines or their N-methylated analogues and methyl indole-3-carboxylate as a counterpart. The in vitro antiproliferative assay indicated that the 5-methylated derivatives 10-14 are more cytotoxic than their respective 6-methylated 6H-indolo[2,3-b]quinoline derivatives 20. Among them, N-(3-aminopropyl)-2-bromo-5-methyl-5H-indolo[2,3-b]quinolin-11-amine 12f was the most cytotoxic with a mean IC(50) value of 0.12 μM against human leukemia MV4-11 cell line, and also exhibited selective cytotoxicities against A549 (lung cancer), HCT116 (colon cancer) cell lines and normal fibroblast BALB/3T3 with IC(50) values of 0.543, 0.274 and 0.869 μM, respectively. The binding constant of products 12f and 20f to salmon fish sperm DNA were also evaluated using UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, indicating intercalation binding with a constant of 2.93×10(5) and 3.28×10(5)Lmol(-1), respectively.     

Therapeutic effects of stem cell on hyperglycemia,hyperlipidemia, and oxidative stress in alloxan-treated rats

Diabetes mellitus is the most common endocrine disorder that affects more than 285 million people worldwide. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from the bone marrow of albino rats, on hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and oxidative stress induced by intraperitoneal injection (i.p.) of alloxan at a dose of 150 mg/kg in rats. Injection of alloxan into rats resulted in a significant increase in serum glucose, total cholesterol, triglyceride, low density lipoprotein cholesterol, and sialic acid level and a significant decrease in serum insulin, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol, vitamin E, and liver glycogen as compared to their corresponding controls. Also, oxidative stress was noticed in pancreatic tissue as evidenced by a significant decrease in glutathione level, superoxide dismutase, glutathione-S-transferase activities, also a significant increase in malondialdehyde and nitric oxide levels when compared to control group. Treatment of diabetic rats with MSCs stem cells significantly prevented these alterations and attenuated alloxan-induced oxidative stress. In conclusion, rat bone marrow harbors cells that have the capacity to differentiate into functional insulin-producing cells capable of controlling hyperglycemia, hyperlipidemia, and oxidative stress in diabetic rats. This may be helpful in the prevention of diabetic complications associated with oxidative stress.     

Biochemical effects of Solidago virgaurea extract on experimental cardiotoxicity

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the major health problem of advanced as well as developing countries of the world. The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effect of the Solidago virgaurea extract on isoproterenol-induced cardiotoxicity in rats. The subcutaneous injection of isoproterenol (30 mg/kg) into rats twice at an interval of 24 h, for two consecutive days, led to a significant increase in serum lactate dehydrogenase, creatine phosphokinase, alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, and angiotensin-converting enzyme activities, total cholesterol, triglycerides, free serum fatty acid, cardiac tissue malondialdehyde (MDA), and nitric oxide levels and a significant decrease in levels of glutathione and superoxide dismutase in cardiac tissue as compared to the normal control group (P?<?0.05). Pretreatment with S. virgaurea extract for 5 weeks at a dose of 250 mg/kg followed by isoproterenol injection significantly prevented the observed alterations. Captopril (50 mg/kg/day, given orally), an inhibitor of angiotensin-converting enzyme used as a standard cardioprotective drug, was used as a positive control in this study. The data of the present study suggest that S. virgaurea extract exerts its protective effect by decreasing MDA level and increasing the antioxidant status in isoproterenol-treated rats. The study emphasizes the beneficial action of S. virgaurea extract as a cardioprotective agent.     

Evaluation of growth and nutritional value of Brassica microgreens grown under red,blue and green LEDs combinations

Microgreens are rich functional crops with valuable nutritional elements that have health benefits when used as food supplements. Growth characterization, nutritional composition profile of 21 varieties representing five species of the Brassica genus as microgreens were assessed under light-emitting diodes (LEDs) conditions. Microgreens were grown under four different LEDs ratios (%); red:blue 80:20 and 20:80 (R₈₀:B₂₀ and R₂₀:B₈₀), or red:green:blue 70:10:20 and 20:10:70 (R₇₀:G₁₀:B₂₀ and R₂₀:G₁₀:B₇₀). Results indicated that supplemental lighting with green LEDs (R₇₀:G₁₀:B₂₀) enhanced vegetative growth and morphology, while blue LEDs (R₂₀:B₈₀) increased the mineral and vitamin contents. Interestingly, by linking the nutritional content with the growth yield to define the optimal LEDs setup, we found that the best lighting to promote the microgreen growth was the green LEDs combination (R₇₀:G₁₀:B₂₀). Remarkably, under the green LEDs combination (R₇₀:G₁₀:B₂₀) conditions, the microgreens of Kohlrabi purple, Cabbage red, Broccoli, Kale Tucsan, Komatsuna red, Tatsoi and Cabbage green, which can benefit human health in conditions with limited food, had the highest growth and nutritional content.