Myosin head orientation and mobility during isometric contraction: effects of osmotic compression.

We have correlated the mobility and the generation of force of myosin heads by applying radial compression to isometrically contracting muscle fibers. Osmotic pressure was produced by dextran T-500, and its effect on the orientation and mobility of myosin heads labeled with N-(1-oxy-2,2,5,5-tetramethyl-4-pyperidinyl)maleimide was observed by conventional and saturation-transfer electron paramagnetic resonance methods. A biphasic behavior is spectral changes coinciding with the tension dependence was observed as the fibers were compressed. At diameters above the equilibrium spacing, the large myosin head disorder characteristic during contraction in the absence of compression was largely maintained, whereas the mobility decreased threefold, from tauR approximately 25 microseconds to approximately 80-90 microseconds. The inhibition of fast microsecond motions was not accompanied by tension loss, implying that these motions are not necessary for force generation. At diameters below the equilibrium spacing, both the disorder and the mobility decreased dramatically in parallel with the tension inhibition, suggesting that slower microsecond motions and the disorder of the myosin head are necessary for muscle function.     

Sublethal malathion induced changes in the ovary of an air-breathing fish,Heteropneustes fossilis: a histological study

This paper describes effects of a sublethal (1.2 mg 1^–1) organophosphate, malathion, on the ovary of an air breathing catfish, Heteropneustes fossilis. The study focuses on microscopic changes that occur on ovigerous lamellae, oocytes at different stages of development and the nucleus of the immature oocyte. Also, change in estrogen levels in blood serum is investigated. Clumping of cytoplasm appears after 24 h of exposure to malathion. Clumping intensified after 48 h. Degeneration in the follicular cells was also observed. After 72 h exposure the number of nucleoli increased, nuclear materials shrunk, oocytes became adhered. With 96 h of exposure, nuclear materials of all the oocytes shrunk to a smaller clump. The oocytes fused together, and follicular epithelium became loose and ruptured. A few atretic oocytes were visible. Radioimmunoassay of the estrogen level in blood serum after 72 h of exposure of malathion showed a reduction in the level. This study showed that the histopathological condition of the gonad is reflected in malfunctioning of the endocrine system and hormonal disbalance.     

Enantioseparation and molecular modeling study of chiral amines as three naphthaldimine derivatives using amylose or cellulose trisphenylcarbamate chiral stationary phases

This study describes the enantioseparation of three chiral amines as naphthaldimine derivatives, using normal phase HPLC with amylose and cellulose tris(3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate) chiral stationary phases (CSPs). Three chiral amines were derivatized using three structurally similar naphthaldehyde derivatizing agents, and the enantioselectivity of the CSPs toward the derivatives was examined. The degree of enantioseparation and resolution was affected by the amylose or cellulose-derived CSPs and aromatic moieties as well as a kind of chiral amine. Especially, efficient enantiomer separation was observed for 2-hydroxynapthaldimine derivatives on cellulose-derived CSPs. Molecular docking studies of three naphthaldimine derivatives of leucinol on cellulose tris(3,5-dimethylphenylcarbamate) were performed to estimate the binding energies and conformations of the CSP–analyte complexes. The obtained binding energies were in good agreement with the experimentally determined enantioseparation and elution order.     

Interaction of gibberellic and indole-3-acetic acid on root formation in pea (Pisum sativum L.) epicotyl cuttings

Indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) strongly enhanced rooting of etiolated pea epicotyl cuttings while gibberellic acid (GA₃) enhanced rooting only slightly. The promoting effects of the hormones appeared not until 14 d after the onset of treatment. When GA₃ and IAA were applied together, the initiation of rooting started already after 6 d after onset of treatment. It is suggested that gibberellin plays an important role, in combination with auxin, in the initiation of root formation in Pisum cuttings.Abbreviations IAA Indole-3-acetic acid - GA₃ Gibberellic acid     

Exploring Lassa Virus Proteome to Design a Multi-epitope Vaccine Through Immunoinformatics and Immune Simulation Analyses

International Journal of Peptide Research and Therapeutics - Lassa virus (LASV) is responsible for a type of acute viral haemorrhagic fever referred to as Lassa fever. Lack of adequate treatment...     

Cardioprotective Effects of an Aminothiazole Compound on Isoproterenol-Induced Myocardial Injury in Mice

Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), marker of anaerobic metabolism, is associated with highly invasive and metastatic breast cancer. Novel studies show that increased anaerobic metabolism (LDH), as well as activity of antioxidative enzymes (superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT)), is correlated with higher mammographic density, as known predictor of breast cancer risk. In this study, we measured LDH, MDH, and SOD activity in tumor and adjacent tissues of breast cancer patients by spectrophotometric assay. Mammograms were evaluated according to the American College of Radiology Breast Imaging Reporting and Data system. Mammographically dense breast tissue is associated with higher activity of LDH in tumor tissue of breast cancer patients. Moreover, patients with masses have significantly higher activity of LDH compared to patients with focal asymmetries or architectural distortion. Patients with spiculated mass margin had higher activity of LDH compared to patients with focal asymmetries or architectural distortion. Activity of LDH in patients significantly increases, while activity of CAT significantly decreases with the increase of BIRADS category. These results suggest that the association of activity of LDH and CAT in tumor tissue with mammographic characteristics could help in defining aggressive breast cancers.     

In vitro morphogenesis in Selaginella microphylla (Kunth.) Spring

Selaginella, an extant genus of primitive vascular plants, has survived over 400 million years of evolution. In vitro morphogenesis in Selaginella microphylla is considered for the first time to establish a well-documented aseptic culture on half- strength Murashige and Skoog’s basal medium with 2ip (4.92–49.21 μM), or Kn (4.65–46.47 μM) or GA₃ (2.89–28.90 μM) for shoot multiplication, and with different concentrations of IBA (4.9–49 μm) to initiate root cultures. GA₃ was instrumental for shoot multiplication as well as induction of reproductive structures in each and every leaf axil. On the other hand, it is observed that IBA alone in S. microphylla can act as signal molecules for induction of enormous numbers of root masses from a few existing roots. An interesting pattern of re-differentiation has also been observed where apical portions of large numbers of roots were converted to green shoot apical meristems. Further differentiation produced tiny green shoots. Distinct bipolarity was noted in shoots when they were isolated from root masses and appeared as embryo-like structures. Chromosome analysis from in vitro sporophytic plants revealed 2n = 16 chromosomes, indicating chromosomal stability. The interesting in vitro pattern of morphogenesis obtained in S. microphylla may provide new insights into totipotency of plants.     

Comparative Genomics Reveals Insight into Virulence Strategies of Plant Pathogenic Oomycetes

The kingdom Stramenopile includes diatoms, brown algae, and oomycetes. Plant pathogenic oomycetes, including Phytophthora, Pythium and downy mildew species, cause devastating diseases on a wide range of host species and have a significant impact on agriculture. Here, we report comparative analyses on the genomes of thirteen straminipilous species, including eleven plant pathogenic oomycetes, to explore common features linked to their pathogenic lifestyle. We report the sequencing, assembly, and annotation of six Pythium genomes and comparison with other stramenopiles including photosynthetic diatoms, and other plant pathogenic oomycetes such as Phytophthora species, Hyaloperonospora arabidopsidis, and Pythium ultimum var. ultimum. Novel features of the oomycete genomes include an expansion of genes encoding secreted effectors and plant cell wall degrading enzymes in Phytophthora species and an over-representation of genes involved in proteolytic degradation and signal transduction in Pythium species. A complete lack of classical RxLR effectors was observed in the seven surveyed Pythium genomes along with an overall reduction of pathogenesis-related gene families in H. arabidopsidis. Comparative analyses revealed fewer genes encoding enzymes involved in carbohydrate metabolism in Pythium species and H. arabidopsidis as compared to Phytophthora species, suggesting variation in virulence mechanisms within plant pathogenic oomycete species. Shared features between the oomycetes and diatoms revealed common mechanisms of intracellular signaling and transportation. Our analyses demonstrate the value of comparative genome analyses for exploring the evolution of pathogenesis and survival mechanisms in the oomycetes. The comparative analyses of seven Pythium species with the closely related oomycetes, Phytophthora species and H. arabidopsidis, and distantly related diatoms provide insight into genes that underlie virulence.