Prophylactic and curative effects of Bacopa monniera in gastric ulcer models.

Bacopa monniera Wettst. (BM, syn. Herpestis monniera L; Scrophulariaceae), is an Ayurvedic drug used as a rasayana. Its fresh juice was earlier reported to have significant antiulcerogenic activity. In continuation, methanolic extract of BM (BME) standardized to bacoside-A content (percentage-38.0 ± 0.9), when given in the dose of 10–50 mg/kg, twice daily for 5 days, showed dose-dependent anti-ulcerogenic on various gastric ulcer models induced by ethanol, aspirin, 2 h cold restraint stress and 4 h pylorus ligation. BME in the dose of 20 mg/kg, given for 10 days, twice daily showed healing effects against 50% acetic acid-induced gastric ulcers. Further work was done to investigate the possible mechanisms of its action by studying its effect on various mucosal offensive acid-pepsin secretion and defensive factors like mucin secretion, mucosal cell shedding, cell proliferation and antioxidant activity in rats. BME 20 mg/kg showed no effect on acid-pepsin secretion, increased mucin secretion, while it decreased cell shedding with no effect on cell proliferation. BME showed significant antioxidant effect per se and in stressed animals. Thus, the gastric prophylactic and curative effects of BME may be due to its predominant effect on mucosal defensive factors.     

Studies of the seminal receptacle of the crab Portunus sanguinolentus (Portunidae: Brachyura)

The seminal receptacle or spermatheca of Portunus sanguinolentus consists of two parts--an anterior glandular and a posterior chitinous part. The chitinous part continues as the oviduct, which opens on the sternite of the sixth thoracic segment. Significant morphological and histological differences were observed between the spermatheca, as well as the oviduct, of mated and unmated crabs. In mated crabs the spermatheca is much more bulging, owing to receipt of a copious supply of seminal products, and its cells are hyperactive. Further stages of ovarian development were observed as indicators of sequential changes in the spermatheca. The secretory cells gradually disintegrate by way of holocrine secretion; this results in cellular stratification and the formation of distinct furrows in the chitinous posterior part.     

Characterization of newly established colorectal cancer cell lines: correlation between cytogenetic abnormalities and allelic deletions associated with multistep tumorigenesis

We have established a series of 20 colorectal cancer cell lines and performed cytogenetic and RFLP analyses to show that the recurrent genetic abnormalities of chromosomes 1, 5, 17 and 18 associated with multistep tumorigenesis in colorectal cancer, and frequently detected as recurrent abnormalities in primary tumours, are also retained in long-term established cell lines. Earlier studies by us and other investigators showed that allelic losses of chromosomes 1 and 17 in primary colorectal cancers predicted poorer survival for the patients (P = 0.03). We utilized the cell lines to identify specific chromosomal sites or gene(s) on chromosomes 1 and 17 which confer more aggressive phenotype. Cytogenetic deletions of chromosome 1p were detected in 14 out of the 20 (70%) cell lines, whereas allelic deletions for 1p using polymorphic markers were detected in 13 out of 18 (72%) informative cell lines for at least one polymorphic marker. We have performed Northern blotting, immunohistochemical staining (p53 mRNA, protein) and RFLP analysis using several probes including p53 and nm23. RFLP analysis using a total of seven polymorphic markers located on 17p and 17q arms showed allelic losses aroundthe p53 locus in 16 out of the 20 cell lines (80%), four of which were losses of thep53 locus itself. In addition, seven cell lines (out of nine informative cases) also showed losses of thenm23 gene, four with concurrent losses of thep53 locus, while the remaining three were homozygous. In addition, five out of seven cell lines withnm23 deletions were derived from hepatic metastatic tumours, and one cell line was obtained from recurrent tumour. A comparison between allelic deletions of 1p and functional loss ofnm23 gene revealed a close association between these two events in cell lines derived from hepatic metastasis. Following immunohistochemical staining, nine out of the twenty cell lines showed high levels (25–80%) of mutant p53, four showed intermediate levels (>20%), and seven had undetectable levels of the protein. Of these seven, four showed complete absence of mRNA. Of the remaining three cell lines one showed aberrant mRNA due to germline rearrangement of thep53 gene, whereas in two cell lines normal levels of mRNA were present. Nineteen of the 20 cell lines had normal germline configurations for thep53 gene, while one showed a rearrangement. These data suggest that functional loss ofp53 andnm23 genes accomplished by a variety of mechanisms may be associated with poor prognosis and survival. In addition, concurrent deletions of chromosome regions 17p, 17q and 1p were closely associated with high-stage hepatic metastatic disease. These cell lines with well-characterized genetic alterations and known clinical history provide an invaluable source of material for various biological and clinical studies relating to multistep colorectal tumorigenesis.     

Observations on the nature of neurosecretion in the marine crab Portunus sanguinolentus (Herbst) (Crustacea: Brachyura)

Several types of NS cells were identified in Portunus sanguinolentus--five types (A, A', B, C and D) in the brain and thoracic ganglion, four types (A, B, C and D) in the commissural ganglia and four types (alpha, beta, gamma and delta) in the optic ganglia. The distribution of these NS cells is described. Cytochemically, the neurosecretory material in the NS cells has a carbohydrate moiety and is rich in disulphide groups, lipids, phospholipids and RNA. It contains a small amount of sulphydryl groups and protein-bound NH2 groups, but no tyrosine or tryptophan. The NS activity of the brain was found to be closely associated with the reproductive and moult cycles. Just before the initiation of vitellogenesis and moulting the NS cells display secretory hyperactivity. Axonal transport of NS material was also observed in the NS cells.     

MMP-9 gene ablation mitigates hyperhomocystenemia-induced cognition and hearing dysfunction

Hyperhomocysteinemia (HHcy) is associated with cognitive decline and hearing loss due to vascular dysfunction. Although we have shown that HHcy-induced increased expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) is associated with cochlear pathology in cystathionine-β-synthase heterozygous (CBS^+/?) mice, it is still unclear whether MMP-9 contributes to functional deficit in cognition and hearing. Therefore, we hypothesize that HHcy-induced MMP-9 activation causes vascular, cerebral and cochlear remodeling resulting in diminished cognition and hearing. Wildtype (WT), CBS^+/?, MMP-9^?/? and CBS^+/?/MMP-9^?/? double knock-out (DKO) mice were genotyped and used. Doppler flowmetry of internal carotid artery (ICA) was performed for peak systolic velocity [PSV], pulsatility index [PI] and resistive index [RI]. Cognitive functions were assessed by Novel Object Recognition Test (NORT) and for cochlear function Auditory brainstem response (ABR) was elicited. Peak systolic velocity, pulsatility and resistive indices of ICA were decreased in CBS^+/? mice, indicating reduced perfusion. ABR threshold was increased and maximum ABR amplitude and NORT indices (recognition, discrimination) were decreased in CBS^+/? mice compared to WT and MMP-9^?/?. All these parameters were attenuated in DKO mice suggesting a significant role of MMP-9 in HHcy-induced vascular, neural and cochlear pathophysiology. Regression analysis of PSV with ABR and cognitive parameters revealed significant correlation (0.44–0.58). For the first time, MMP-9 has been correlated directly to functional deficits of brain and cochlea, and found to have a significant role. Our data suggests a dual pathology of HHcy occurring due to a decrease in blood supply (vasculo-neural and vasculo-cochlear) and direct tissue remodeling.     

Crystallization and preliminary x-ray investigation of sarcoplasmic calcium-binding protein from Nereis diversicolor

Crystals of sarcoplasmic calcium-binding proteins from Nereis diversicolor have been grown from solutions of ammonium sulfate. The crystals are monoclinic, space group P2(1); the axes are a = 43.65 (1), b = 56.05 (1), c = 65.77 (1) A, and beta = 92.58 (2) degrees. The crystals are quite stable to x-rays and diffract beyond 2.5 A resolution. The asymmetric unit contains two protein molecules.     

Vigna radiata var.Sublobata (Fabaceae): Economically useful wild relative of urd and mung beans

Eight natural populations ofVigna radiata var.sublobata— wild relative of cultivated urd (V. mungoj and mung (V. radiata,) beans—were sampled from different ecozones of Palney Hills, an eastward offshoot of Western Ghats of Tamilnadu, India. Photosynthetic efficiency, protein content, seed weight, and amino acid composition were determined for it and the cultigens. Some populations ofV. radiata var.sublobata are as good as or even superior to the cultigens. The wild relative is a potential donor of desirable traits to urd and mung beans.     

Purification and Characterization of Soluble (Cytosolic) and Bound (Cell Wall) Isoforms of Invertases in Barley (Hordeum vulgare) Elongating Stem Tissue

Three different isoforms of invertases have been detected in the developing internodes of barley (Hordeum vulgare). Based on substrate specificities, the isoforms have been identified to be invertases (β-fructosidases EC 3.2.1.26). The soluble (cytosolic) invertase isoform can be purified to apparent homogeneity by diethylaminoethyl cellulose, Concanavalin-A Sepharose, organomercurial Sepharose, and Sephacryl S-300 chromatography. A bound (cell wall) invertase isoform can be released by 1 molar salt and purified further by the same procedures as above except omitting the organo-mercurial Sepharose affinity chromatography step. A third isoform of invertase, which is apparently tightly associated with the cell wall, cannot be isolated yet. The soluble and bound invertase isoforms were purified by factors of 60- and 7-fold, respectively. The native enzymes have an apparent molecular weight of 120 kilodaltons as estimated by gel filtration. They have been identified to be dimers under denaturing and nondenaturing conditions. The soluble enzyme has a pH optimum of 5.5, K_m of 12 millimolar, and a V_max of 80 micromole per minute per milligram of protein compared with cell wall isozyme which has a pH optimum of 4.5, K_m of millimolar, and a V_max of 9 micromole per minute per milligram of protein.     

Polarized electric field effects on the regulation of succinate dehydrogenase activity in amphibian muscle and liver: kinetic study

Electropolarity treatment (0.8 V/DC/Cm) was given to the gastrocnemius muscle of Bufo melanostictus every day for 5 min. for 5 days, and kinetic study of succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) in muscle and liver was conducted with different effectors - sodium malonate, ethylene diamine tetra acetic acid (EDTA), calcium chloride (CACl2) and sodium citrate. Of the four modulators tested, the malonate and EDTA inhibited while sodium citrate and CACl2 activated the enzyme. The significance of the modulation in SDH activity to different extents was discussed.     

Reductive dechlorination of perchloroethylene and the role of methanogens

Abstract Perchloroethylene (PCE) was reductively dechlorinated to trichloroethylene in a 10% anaerobic sewage sludge. About 80% of the initially added PCE (300 nmol) was dechlorinated within three weeks. The calculated rates were 250 nM and 445 nM · day⁻¹ during the first and second weeks of incubation, respectively. The depletion of PCE varied in sludges obtained from different sources.
The role of methanogenesis in the dechlorination of PCE was evaluated by inhibiting the methanogens by addition of bromoethane sulfonic acid, a potent methanogenic inhibitor. Dechlorination of PCE was significantly inhibited in sludges amended with the inhibitor. Almost 41–48% less PCE was dechlorinated in sludges containing 5 mM BESA, indicating a relation between the two processes (methanogenesis and dechlorination). Direct proof that methanogens can transform chlorinated aliphatic compounds was obtained using axenic cultures of acetate-cleaving methanogens. Methanosarcina sp , originally isolated from a chlorophenol degrading consortium, showed significantly higher dechlorinating activity as compared to Ms. mazei . Based on these studies and other recently reported observations, it appears that methanogens/methanogenesis play an important role in the anaerobic dechlorination of chlorinated aliphatics such as PCE.