Distribution of calcareous nannoplankton in surface sediments from intertidal and shallow marine regimes of a marginal sea: Jason Bay,South China Sea

The surface sediments collected from the intertidal and shallow marine (0–20 m) regimes of Jason Bay, South China Sea contain calcareous nannoplankton assemblages in whichGephyrocapsa oceanica comprises 99% of the assemblage. The calcareous nannoplankton diversity is very low and the abundance of species tends to increase with both depth and distance offshore and becomes abundant in samples from water depths of 18 m and 20 m.Emiliania huxleyi is absent from all studied samples. The sediments from the intertidal regime contained rare calcareous nannoplankton.     

Expression of several growth factors and their receptor genes in human colon carcinomas

We have examined the expression of mRNAs for epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-α), EGF receptor (EGFR), PDGF-A chain (PDGFA), PDGF-B chain (PDGFB) and PDGF receptor (PDGFR) genes in seven human colorectal carcinoma cell lines and 18 human colorectal carcinomas. In surgically resected specimens of the 18 colorectal tumors, TGF-α, EGFR, PDGFA, PDGFB and PDGFR mRNAs were detected at various levels in 15 (83%), 9 (50%), 18 (100%), 8 (44%) and 12 (67%), respectively. They were also detected in normal tissues. Interestingly, EGF mRNA was detected in only five (28%) of the tumors, but not in normal mucosa. Expression of EGF was also confirmed immunohistochemically in tumor cells. Of the five tumors expressing EGF, four expressed EGFR mRNA and showed a tendency to invade veins and lymphatics. All the colorectal carcinoma cell lines expressed TGF-α mRNA, and five cell lines expressed EGFR mRNA simultaneously. Production of TGF-α protein by DLD-1 and CoLo320DM cells was confirmed by TGF-α specific monoclonal antibody binding assay. The spontaneous³H-thymidine uptake by DLD-1 was suppressed by an anti-TGF-α monoclonal antibody. PDGFA and PDGFB mRNA were also expressed in four cell lines, but PDGFR and EGF mRNA was not detected. These results suggest that human colorectal carcinomas express multi-loops of growth factors and that TGF-α produced by tumor cells functions as an autocrine growth factor in human colonic carcinoma.     

Flavone 5-O-glucosides from Daphne sericea

The aerial parts of Daphne sericea yielded two new flavonoids, luteolin 7-methyl ether 5-β-d-glucoside and luteolin 7,3′-dimethyl ether 5-β-d-glucoside, as well as luteolin 7-methyl ether, isovitexin, apigenin and its 7-β-d-glucoside.     

Two new neoflavonoids and C-glycosylflavones from Passiflora serratodigitata

The aerial parts of Passiflora serratodigitata yielded 5,7-dihydroxy-4-phenylcoumarin, its 7-β-glucoside and the known C-glycosylflavones 2″-xylosylvitexin, 2″-xylosylisovitexin, vitexin, isovitexin, a vicenin, and orientin. The known flavone chrysin was also isolated. This is the first report of neoflavonoids in the family Passifloraceae.     

Synthesis and evaluation of N-substituted indole-3-carboxamide derivatives as inhibitors of lipid peroxidation and superoxide anion formation

The in vitro antioxidant effects of novel N-substituted indole-3-carboxamides (I3CDs) 1-10 on rat liver microsomal NADPH-dependent lipid peroxidation (LP) levels and their free radicals scavenging properties were determined by the inhibition of superoxide anion formation (SOD). Among the synthesized compounds, 4, 5, 8 and 9 significantly inhibited SOD with an inhibition range at 84–100% at 10^{? 3} M concentration. The presence of halo substituents both ortho- and para- positions of these compounds resulted 100% inhibition of SOD. Comparison the activity results of halogenated and non-halogenated derivatives suggested that the halogenated compounds are more active than the non-halogenated compounds. On the other hand, the introduction of a para fluoro benzyl in the 1-position of indole (compounds 7, 8) has more impact on the SOD inhibition when the benzamide ring was mono halogenated. However, none of other compounds had a significant inhibitory effects on the level of lipid peroxidation.     

Assessment of post-stroke elbow flexor spasticity in different forearm positions

Abstract

Purpose/Aim: There have been conflicting results regarding which muscle contribute most to the elbow spastic flexion deformity. This study aimed to investigate whether flexor spasticity of the elbow changed according to the position of the forearm, and to determine the muscle or muscles that contributed most to the elbow spastic flexion deformity by clinical examination.

Methods: This study is a single group, observational and cross-sectional study. Sixty patients were assessed for elbow flexor spasticity in different forearm positions (pronation, neutral and supination) with Modified Tardieu Scale. The primary outcome measure was a domain of the Modified Tardieu Scale, the dynamic component of spasticity (spasticity angle).

Results: In general, there was a significant difference between forearm positions regarding spasticity angle (p?<?.001). In pairwise comparisons, median spasticity angles in pronation (70 degrees) and neutral position (60 degrees) were significantly higher than those in supination (57.5 degrees) (adjusted p?<?.001 and adjusted p?=?.003, respectively). However, median spasticity angle in pronation did not differ significantly from those in neutral position in favour of pronation (adjusted p?=?.274).

Conclusions: The severity of spasticity changes according to the elbow position which suggests that the magnitude of contribution of each elbow flexor muscle to spastic elbow deformity is different. Reduction of spasticity from pronation to supination leads us to consider brachialis as the most spastic muscle. Since biceps was suggested to be the least spastic muscle in this study, and also to avoid spastic pronation deformity of the forearm, it should be rethought before performing chemodenervation into biceps muscle.     

Spiders active on snow in eastern Turkey

Abstract

At temperatures below zero in winter months, a total of 202 spiders was collected by pitfall traps from a snow-covered grassland in eastern Turkey. 16 genera and 20 species were recorded, belonging to the families Gnaphosidae, Lycosidae, Linyphiidae, Thomisidae, Theridiidae, Philodromidae, Salticidae, and Tetragnathidae.     

In silico investigation of PARP-1 catalytic domains in holo and apo states for the design of high-affinity PARP-1 inhibitors

The rational design of high-affinity inhibitors of poly-ADP-ribose polymerase-1 (PARP-1) is at the heart of modern anti-cancer drug design. While relevance of enzyme to DNA repair processes in cellular environment is firmly established, the structural and functional understanding of the main determinants for high-affinity ligands controlling PARP-1 activity is still lacking. The conserved active site of PARP-1 represents an ideal target for inhibitors and may offer a novel target at the treatment of breast cancer. To fill the gap in the structural knowledge, we report on the combination of molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, principal component analysis (PCA), and conformational analysis that analyzes in great details novel binding mode for a number of inhibitors at the PARP-1. While optimization of the binding affinity for original target is an important goal in the drug design, many of the promising molecules for treatment of the breast cancer are plagued by significant cardiotoxicity. One of the most common side-effects reported for a number of polymerase inhibitors is its off-target interactions with cardiac ion channels and hERG1 channel, in particular. Thus, selected candidate PARP-1 inhibitors were also screened in silico at the central cavities of hERG1 potassium ion channel.     

8-Br-cADPR, a TRPM2 ion channel antagonist,inhibits renal ischemia–reperfusion injury

The transient receptor potential melastatin-2 (TRPM2) channel belongs to the transient receptor potential channel superfamily and is a cation channel permeable to Na⁺ and Ca ²⁺. The TRPM2 ion channel is expressed in the kidney and can be activated by various molecules such as hydrogen peroxide, calcium, and cyclic adenosine diphosphate (ADP)-ribose (cADPR) that are produced during acute kidney injury. In this study, we investigated the role of 8-bromo-cyclic ADP-ribose (8-Br-cADPR; a cADPR antagonist) in renal ischemia–reperfusion injury using biochemical and histopathological parameters. CD38, cADPR, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-1β, and myeloperoxidase (inflammatory markers), urea and creatinine, hydrogen peroxide (oxidant), and catalase (antioxidant enzyme) levels that increase with ischemia–reperfusion injury decreased in the groups treated with 8-Br-cADPR. In addition, renin levels were elevated in the groups treated with 8-Br-cADPR. Histopathological examination revealed that 8-Br-cADPR reduced renal damage and the expression of caspase-3 and TRPM2. Our results suggest that the inhibition of TRPM2 ion channel may be a new treatment modality for ischemic acute kidney injury.