High SEPT9_v1 Expression Is Associated with Poor Clinical Outcomes in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

The purpose of this work was to determine SEPT9_v1 expression levels in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and to analyze whether SEPT9_v1 expression is relevant to clinical outcomes. Recently, the SEPT9 isoform SEPT9_v1 has been implicated in oncogenesis, and methylation of the SEPT9 promoter region was reported in HNSCC. These findings led us to hypothesize that SEPT9_v1 could be differently expressed in HNSCC. To determine whether SEPT9_v1 is expressed in HNSCC, tissue microarray immunohistochemical analysis was performed using a SEPT9_v1-specific antibody. Tissue microarrays stained with a polyclonal SEPT9_v1-specific antibody was used to determine protein expression levels in HNSCC tissue samples, some with known clinical outcomes. This analysis showed that SEPT9_v1 is in fact highly expressed in HNSCC compared with normal epithelium, and high expression levels directly correlated with poor clinical outcomes. Specifically, a high SEPT9_v1 expression was associated with decreased disease-specific survival (P = .012), time to indication of surgery at primary site (P = .008), response to induction chemotherapy (P = .0002), and response to chemotherapy (P = .02), as well as advanced tumor stage (P = .012) and N stage (P = .0014). The expression of SEPT9_v1 was also strongly correlated with smoking status (P = .00094). SEPT9_v1 is highly expressed in HNSCC, and a high expression of SEPT9_v1 is associated with poor clinical outcomes. These data indicate that SEPT9_v1 warrants additional investigation as a potential biomarker for HNSCC.     

MsrA Efflux Pump Inhibitory Activity of Piper cubeba L.f. and its Phytoconstituents against Staphylococcus aureus RN4220

MsrA, an efflux pump belonging to ATP‐binding cassette (ABC) transporter family that conferred resistance to macrolides, was detected in Staphylococcus aureus strains. Herein, we report the isolation of phytoconstituents from Piper cubeba fruit methanol extract and investigated their efflux pump inhibitory potential against S. aureus MsrA pump. Four isolated compounds, viz. pellitorine, sesamin, piperic acid and tetrahydropiperine studied in combination with erythromycin in S. aureus RN4220, exhibited 2–8‐fold reduction in minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of erythromycin. Pellitorine and sesamin decreased MIC of erythromycin by 8‐fold. The real‐time fluorometry‐based efflux and accumulation studies of ethidium bromide (EtBr) on S. aureus RN4220 in the presence of these compounds showed reduced efflux and enhanced uptake, thus indicating inhibition of the efflux pump. Pellitorine showed significant post‐antibiotic effect of erythromycin. The results revealed that the primary mechanism of action of these compounds involves steady ATP production impairment.     

Scope of Archaea in Fish Feed: a New Chapter in Aquafeed Probiotics?

Probiotics and Antimicrobial Proteins - The outbreak of diseases leading to substantial loss is a major bottleneck in aquaculture. Over the last decades, the concept of using feed probiotics was...     

Synthesis of azatricyclodiones & octahydro-benzo[f]isoindoles and their antimicrobial evaluation

A series of azatricyclodiones and octahydro-benzo[f]isoindoles have been synthesized by (4+2) Diels-Alder cycloaddition of maleimides with furfuryl amine. Reaction of azatricyclodiones with isocyanates led to the respective ureides. All of the compounds were screened against a number of bacteria and fungi. One of the compounds (2) displayed moderate antitubercular activity while two compounds (2) and (4) inhibited the fungal growth at 25 μg/mL.     

Floral Color Polymorphism and Reproductive Success in Annatto (Bixa orellana L.)

Floral color polymorphism of annatto (Bixa orellana L.) offers a wide range of colors that are maintained in the population by either pollinators or non pollinator agents of selection. In the present study, maintenance of different floral colors was analyzed in relation to reproductive success of Bixa orellana. The different floral petal colors (white, amaranth rose, petunia purple or cobalt violet) were determined from selected plants with reflectance spectrophotometry. Phenotypic measures of other floral traits, female reproductive success, seed set, seed output and seed weight also revealed variation between different floral morphs. Records on seed set varied significantly for different floral color morphs. Maximum fruit maturation (58 %) was observed in amaranth rose and least fruit maturation (25 %) in the white morph. Seed set data indicates pollinators’ preference for more intensely colored flowers. This preference may be due to ability of the pollinators to distinguish the morphs through differentially reduced sensitivity at the green wavelengths. In flowers which received fewer insect visits, polymorphism might be maintained by self fertilization. The color morphs showed differences in Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) profile indicating a genetic basis for floral color variation and consequent differences in seed set. Out of 88 bands generated with nine operon primers, 70 were polymorphic. The present study provides valuable information on the influence of petal color on maternal fitness in B. orellana.     

Impaired Structural and Functional Development of Cerebellum Following Gestational Exposure of Deltamethrin in Rats: Role of Reelin

Reelin is an extracellular matrix molecule that is involved in the normal development of the cerebellar lamination, Bergmann glial fibres alignment, Purkinje cell monolayer arrangement and granule cell migration. In this study, we have examined the effects of maternal exposure of deltamethrin (DLT), a type II pyrethroid insecticide, on the structural and functional development of rat cerebellum during postnatal life. DLT (0.75 mg/kg body weight, intraperitoneally dissolved in dimethylsulphoxide) was administered in timed pregnant rats during two different gestational time periods, i.e. gestational days of 7–10 and 11–14, respectively. In DLT exposed rats, a significant overexpression of reelin was observed in the cells of the external granule cell layer (EGL) and internal granule cell layer along with an ectopic expression of reelin in the EGL as well as in the migrating granule cells just below the EGL, revealing an arrest of granule cell migration in this zone. Mis-orientation and hypertrophy of the Bergmann glial fibres further hampered the journey of the granule cells to their final destination. Possibly reelin overexpression also caused misalignment of the Purkinje cells and inhibited the neurite growth leading to a significant decrease in the spine density, main dendritic length and width of the dendritic arbour. Thus, it is proposed that the DLT exerts its neurotoxic effects possibly via the intracellular accumulation and low release of reelin leading to an impaired granule cell and Purkinje cell migration, inhibition of neurite outgrowth and reduced spine density. Such impaired cerebellar development leads to motor coordination deficits.