Mitochondrial dysfunction in perinatal asphyxia: role in pathogenesis and potential therapeutic interventions

Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry - Perinatal asphyxia (PA)-induced brain injury may present as hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy in the neonatal period, and long-term sequelae such as spastic...     

Micropropagation of Dendrocalamus asper {Schult. & Schult. F.} Backer ex k. Heyne): an exotic edible bamboo

Effect of season, media type, carbon source, growth regulators and transplanting media on micropropagation of Dendrocalamus asper, an important bamboo species, was examined. The season of explant collection played an important role in axillary bud sprouting and spring (February?CApril) was found to be the best period for explant collection. Among the different media MS was found to be the best for micropropagation. Maximum numbers (4.83/explant) of shoots were initiated in MS?+?15???M BAP. For shoot multiplication, MS medium supplemented with 10???M BAP and 75???M Adenine sulfate was used. BAP was superior to KIN for both explant establishment, as well as, shoot multiplication. Optimal rooting was achieved in shoots cultured on ? strength MS medium supplemented with 5???M each of IBA and NAA. Regenerated plantlets were acclimatized and hardened in green house using dune sand and vermi-compost (3:1) with 92.34% success and transferred to the field with 100% survival rate. In the field, plants supplied with FYM along with urea showed better growth and development. Macroproliferation, plant multiplication by separating the rooted tillers of well established in vitro raised plantlets after 5 to 6?months of growth in the green house could double the multiplication rate. More than 25000 in vitro raised plants were successfully transferred to the field and no morphological variations in growth were observed, thus proving the potential of tissue culture for raising large scale plantations of D. asper.     

Effect of picroliv on low density lipoprotein receptor binding of rat hepatocytes in hepatic damage induced by paracetamol.

Picroliv from root and rhizome of Picrorhiza kurroa showed reversal of low density lipoprotein (LDL) binding to paracetamol-induced damaged hepatocytes of rats. Changes in levels of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, glutamic pyruvic transaminase, alkaline phosphatase, conjugated dienes and lipids of hepatocytes were significantly prevented by picroliv at different doses. The effect of picroliv on enzyme levels, LDL receptor binding and lipids in damaged hepatocytes was found to be comparable to silymarin, a known hepatoprotective agent.     

Mass spectrometric measurement of end-tidal xenon concentration for clinical stable xenon/computerized tomography cerebral blood flow studies

We have demonstrated the feasibility of using a compact dedicated mass spectrometer to monitor end-tidal xenon concentration in human subjects during stable xenon computerized tomography measurements of regional cerebral blood flow. End-tidal carbon dioxide concentration is monitored simultaneously and noninvasively without degrading the dynamic response to xenon. For clinical regional cerebral blood flow studies we employed a Nuclide 3-60-G Sectorr mass spectrometer with a 3 in radius, 60 degrees magnetic sector and a variable (0-5000 V) ion accelerating potential. The required high vacuum (10(-7) Torr) was achieved and maintained by means of a turbomolecular pump. A needlemetering valve was incorporated into an anesthesia mask connector, and exhaled gases were transported to the mass spectrometer via a 6 ft length of Teflon tubing (1/16 in i.d.). Molecular flow conditions between the sample and analysis chambers were provided by use of a gold foil leak (0.0005 in. hole). At an inlet pressure of 400 m Torr (achieved by means of the needle valve), the inlet system was characterized by a gas transport lag-time of 1.3 s and a rise-time constant of 85 ms. Xenon (doubly charged ion: m/z 68) and carbon dioxide (doubly charged ion: m/z 22) were monitored alternately at 75 ms intervals. Our experience with mass spectrometry has demonstrated the feasibility of using a compact dedicated instrument for accurately and non-invasively monitoring end-tidal xenon concentration in a clinical setting.     

Upf proteins: highly conserved factors involved in nonsense mRNA mediated decay

Over 10% of genetic diseases are caused by mutations that introduce a premature termination codon in protein-coding mRNA. Nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD) is an essential cellular pathway that degrades these mRNAs to prevent the accumulation of harmful partial protein products. NMD machinery is also increasingly appreciated to play a role in other essential cellular functions, including telomere homeostasis and the regulation of normal mRNA turnover, and is misregulated in numerous cancers. Hence, understanding and designing therapeutics targeting NMD is an important goal in biomedical science. The central regulator of NMD, the Upf1 protein, interacts with translation termination factors and contextual factors to initiate NMD specifically on mRNAs containing PTCs. The molecular details of how these contextual factors affect Upf1 function remain poorly understood. Here, we review plausible models for the NMD pathway and the evidence for the variety of roles NMD machinery may play in different cellular processes.     

Senescence regulation by alcohols in cut flowers of Calendula officinalis L.

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of alcohols viz., ethanol, methanol and n-butanol at different concentrations not only on the vase life of Calendula officinalis L. cut flowers but also to record changes in metabolites like starch content and amount of sugars, and activities of α-amylase, and antioxidant enzymes like peroxidase and superoxide dismutase as well as lipid peroxidation. Ethanol as holding solution significantly increased the vase life as compared to other treatments or the control. n-Butanol shortened vase life and caused the flower stem to fold, whereas ethanol and methanol individually delayed drying up and petals dried slowly from their tips. Significant increments in solution uptake, moisture content and flower diameter were noticed with 2 % ethanol followed by 2 % methanol. Cut scapes having 2 % ethanol exhibited maximum amount of starch and considerably lower amount of reducing and non-reducing sugars. This treatment not only brings down the specific activities of α-amylase and peroxidase but also decreases the process of lipid peroxidation. Effectiveness of methanol (2 %) is evident just after ethanol application (2 %). Lowest concentrations of ethanol and methanol also show relatively higher level of SOD activity in cut flowers of Calendula officinalis.     

Combined Enzymatic and Physical Deinking Methodology for Efficient Eco-Friendly Recycling of Old Newsprint

Background

The development in the deinking process has made recycled fiber a major part of the raw material for pulp and paper industry. Enzymes have revolutionized the deinking process obtaining brightness levels surpassing conventional deinking processes. This study explores the deinking efficiencies of bacterial alkalophilic laccase (L) and xylanase (X) enzymes along with physical deinking methods of microwaving (MW) and sonication (S) for recycling of old newsprint (ONP).

Methods and Results

The operational parameters viz. enzyme dose, pH and treatment time for X and L deinking were optimized statistically using Response Surface Methodology. Laccase did not require any mediator supplementation for deinking. Deinking of ONP pulp with a combination of xylanase and laccase enzymes was investigated, and fiber surface composition and morphological changes were studied using X-ray diffraction, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Compared to the pulp deinked with xylanase (47.9%) or laccase (62.2%) individually, the percentage reduction of effective residual ink concentration (ERIC) was higher for the combined xylanase/laccase-deinked pulp (65.8%). An increase in brightness (21.6%), breaking length (16.5%), burst factor (4.2%) tear factor (6.9%), viscosity (13%) and cellulose crystallinity (10.3%) along with decrease in kappa number (22%) and chemical consumption (50%) were also observed. Surface appeared more fibrillar along with changes in surface functional groups. A combination of physical and enzymatic processes (S-MW-XL) for deinking further improved brightness (28.8%) and decreased ERIC (73.9%) substantially.

Conclusion

This is the first report on deinking of ONP with laccase without any mediator supplementation. XL pretreatment resulted in marked improvement in paper quality and a new sequence being reported for deinking (S-MW-XL) will contribute further in decreasing chemical consumption and making the process commercially feasible.