Oleic acid: an efficient inhibitor of glucosyltransferase

Among the extracts from 420 kinds of herbs, Prunus salicina, showing the highest glucosyltransferase inhibition activity, was purified and designated GTI-0163. Structural determination of GTI-0163 revealed it to be an oleic acid-based unsaturated fatty acid. GTI-0163 was an uncompetitive inhibitor of GTase. Among the unsaturated fatty acids, oleic acid showed a significantly higher GTase inhibitory activity than the saturated fatty acids or the ester form of oleic acid. These results strongly suggested that both the number of double bonds and the existence of free carboxyl groups of fatty acids play an important role in GTase inhibitory activity.     

Taxonomic Significance of Phenethyl Alcohol Production by Achromobacter Isolates from Fishery Sources

The formation of phenethyl alcohol from L-phenylalanine and ethanol by achromobacter isolates of fishery origin was found to be taxonomically significant for such organisms. Phenylpyruvate, the direct oxidative deamination product of L-phenylalanine, was found to serve as an intermediate precursor to phenethyl alcohol formation. Among ten Acinetobacter isolates examined, none produced phenethyl alcohol. Among nine Moraxella isolates examined, one produced phenethyl alcohol.     

Maternal smoking and trisomy among spontaneously aborted conceptions

In a study of spontaneous abortions, we found an apparently robust association of trisomy with smoking that varies with maternal age. Among women under age 30, smoking either before or at the time of conception is less common in women aborting trisomic conceptions than in controls delivering at 28 weeks or later. Among older women, smoking is more common in women aborting trisomic conceptions than in controls. Our results point to an effect of smoking on the frequency of trisomic abortions that varies with age, and they suggest that the causes of recognized trisomic abortions differ in younger and older women.     

Obesity, leanness, and mortality: effect modification by physical activity in men and women

The 13-year mortality from BMI, body fat (BF), and fat-free mass (FFM) was examined among active and sedentary adults. In total, 2,819 men and women aged 35-65 years in 1987/1988, participating in the Danish MONICA project, were included, and followed for 13.6 years for total mortality. In men, physical activity modified the health hazard of both a high and a low BMI, and the U-shaped association disappeared among the active (hazard ratio (HR) = 0.86, CI: 0.72-1.02). Among active men, FFM was inversely related to mortality (HR = 0.55, 95% CI: 0.40-0.77) whereas a direct positive trend was seen for BF. Among women, physical activity modified association between BMI and mortality, but the U-shaped association remained among the active. Among women, no significant associations were found between either BF or FFM and total mortality. All effects were independent of waist- and hip-circumferences. In conclusion, among men, physical activity may play an important role for the prevention of early mortality beyond its direct effects, by modifying the health hazard of both a high and a low BMI, and by lowering the risk associated with a high BF or a low FFM. Among women physical activity lowers mortality, but an effect-modifying potential of physical activity on associations between BMI or body composition could not be identified.     

Radiodiagnosis of patients with primary sclerosing cholangitis

Among diseases of the hepatobiliary system, primary sclerosing cholangitis is an undetectable disorder of the biliary tract rather than a rare nosological entity, complex radiation study is of great importance in its preoperative diagnosis. Among direct methods for contrasting the biliary tract, the authors gave preference to percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography that allows the dilated biliary tract to be contrasted virtually in 100% of cases. The specific features of X-ray semiotics of primary sclerosing cholangitis were identified in 17 patients.     

A conspectus of Barley Yellow Dwarf in Pakistan

Wheat is an important cereal crop worldwide and in Pakistan. Among the wheat producing countries, Pakistan ranks 6th with an annual wheat production of 24.214 million tons. Burgeoning population of the country demands increase in its production that is hindered by a number of pests, pathogens and environmental stresses. Among the yield limiting constraints, Barley Yellow Dwarf Virus (BYDV) is important, inflicting approximately 75% wheat production losses in diseased crop nationally. Research on BYDV and its management is mandatory for sustainable agriculture in the country. This review focuses on BYDV, its relationship with vectors, classification and management practices. Additionally, its currents status in Pakistan has been reviewed.     

Monoclonal Antibody HlyIIC‑15 to C-End Domain HlyII B. cereus Interacts with the Trombin Recognition Site

Russian Journal of Bioorganic Chemistry - Among the panel of monoclonal antibodies to the recombinant protein HlyIICTD Bacillus cereus an antibody was found capable of forming an immune complex...     

Biosynthesis of folic acid

Summary Biosynthesis of folic acid activity by Bacillus subtilis cell suspensions was studied with respect to substrates utilized as precursors. Among purine bases, adenine was utilized the best and not guanine although guanosine or guanylic acid were utilized efficiently. Among 3-C precursors, glyceraldehyde gave maximum synthesis of folate activity. The cells appeared to utilize p-aminobenzoate preferentially to p-aminobenzoyl-glutamate. Pteroic acid appears to be an intermediate in the synthesis of folate derivatives in this system. Ascorbic acid stimulates the synthesis to a great extent.     

Delineating Novel Therapeutic Drug and Vaccine Targets for Staphylococcus cornubiensis NW1T Through Computational Analysis

International Journal of Peptide Research and Therapeutics - Staphylococcal multidrug resistance is an emerging future threat. Among staphylococci species, Staphylococcus intermedius group (SIG)...     

Fecal Streptococci on Barley and Malt Kernels and Instant Malted Milk Powder

Among 500 barley kernels, tested singly, 1.8% (9 kernels) were positive for fecal streptococci. Among 800 malt kernels, tested singly by the same procedure, 68% (540 kernels) were positive for fecal streptococci. In unsulfured and sulfured malts, 67 and 68% of the kernels, respectively, were positive for these bacteria. Fecal streptococci were also isolated by an enrichment procedure from two brands of instant malted milk powder sold in supermarkets. Seventy randomly picked isolates from malts were identified to be fecal streptococci, belonging probably to more than one species.     

The versatile role of glucose signalling in regulating growth,development and stress responses in plants

Journal of Plant Biochemistry and Biotechnology - Sugars as an energy source and a signalling molecule are indispensible for growth, development and stress responses in plants. Among sugars,...     

Novel inhibitors of human histone deacetylases: Design,synthesis and bioactivity of 3-alkenoylcoumarines

Histone deacetylases (HDACs) are well-established, promising targets for anticancer therapy due to their critical role in cancer development. Accordingly, an increasing number of HDAC inhibitors displaying cytotoxic effects against cancer cells have been reported. Among them, a large panel of chemical structures was described including coumarin-containing molecules. In this study, we described synthesis and biological activity of new coumarin-based derivatives as HDAC inhibitors. Among eight derivatives, three compounds showed HDAC inhibitory activities and antitumor activities against leukemia cell lines without affecting the viability of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy donors.     

Isofuhalols,a type of phlorotannin from the brown alga Chorda filum

From an acetylated fraction of an extract of Chorda filum, phloroglucinol triacetate and six 2-to 5-ringed phloroglucinol-derived polyhydroxyphenyl ethers were isolated and their structures elucidated. Among these are three isofuhalols, compounds of a new structural type.     

Effect of light and nutrition on fruiting ofAscobolus biguttulatus

The influence of light and nutrition on fruit body development inAscobolus biguttulatus was studied. High C and N concentrations inhibited sexual reproduction. A wide variety of carbon sources supported the production of fertile apothecia. Among the nitrogen sources, urea and asparagine were the best, while inorganic salts resulted in very poor fruit body production. Light was an absolute requirement for apothecial production. When photoinduction was accomplished by single 24-h periods, the colonies were most receptive at the 5^th day of growth. Among types of light, near ultraviolet light was the most effective.     

Production of glucosyl-transferring enzyme by Aspergillus niger in batch cultures

Aspergillus niger produced an extracellular glucosyltransferase with a high transglucosylating activity. Among carbon sources tested, maltose gave the highest enzyme production: 0.20-0.26 units/ml.     

Assessing the reliability of an automated method for measuring dominance hierarchy in non-human primates

Primates - Among animal societies, dominance is an important social factor that influences inter-individual relationships. However, assessing dominance hierarchy can be a time-consuming activity...     

Corn-based vaccines: current status and prospects

Planta - Corn is an attractive host for vaccine production and oral delivery. The present review provides the current outlook and perspectives for this field. Among seed-crops, corn represents a...     

无精子症和严重少精子症患者Y染色体微缺失研究

目的：研究Y染色体微缺失与男性不育的关系。方法：采用多重PCR技术,研究正常男性、无精子症和严重少精子症男性不育患者Y染色体无精子因子（AZF）区域3个序列标志位点（STS）的缺失情况。结果：在93例无精子症或严重少精子症患者中,15例有Y染色体微缺失,缺失率为16%。其中,42例无精子症患者中,6例为AZFc区SY255位点缺失,2例为AZFb区SY134位点缺失;51例严重少精子症患者中,7例为AZFc区SY255位点缺失。40例正常男性无Y染色体微缺失。结论：多重PCR技术是简便而有效的对男性不育患者进行Y染色体微缺失筛查的方法;Y染色体微缺失是造成男性不育的一个重要原因,对男性不育患者进行辅助生育技术治疗前应常规进行Y染色体微缺失的检测。     

Modelling spatial dynamics of fish

Our ability to model spatial distributions of fish populations is reviewed by describing the available modelling tools. Ultimate models of the individual's motivation for behavioural decisions are derived from evolutionary ecology. Mechanistic models for how fish sense and may respond to their surroundings are presented for vision, olfaction, hearing, the lateral line and other sensory organs. Models for learning and memory are presented, based both upon evolutionary optimization premises and upon neurological information processing and decision making. Functional tools for modelling behaviour and life histories can be categorized as belonging to an optimization or an adaptation approach. Among optimization tools, optimal foraging theory, life history theory, ideal free distribution, game theory and stochastic dynamic programming are presented. Among adaptation tools, genetic algorithms and the combination with artificial neural networks are described. The review advocates the combination of evolutionary and neurological approaches to modelling spatial dynamics of fish.     

Potent inhibitors of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A(2): benzaldehyde O-heterocycle-4-carbonyloxime

A series of multi-substituted oximes were prepared and their potencies for inhibiting lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A(2) (Lp-PLA(2)) activity were evaluated in vitro. Among them, compounds 3a, 3b, and 3m were identified to display a micromolar potency for inhibiting Lp-PLA(2) in whole human plasma and isolated human LDL. Based on these results, structure-activity relationship was studied on modification of three parts of R(1), R(2), and R(3) to identify a potent pharmacophore for Lp-PLA(2). In an attempt to introduce various functional groups at R(2) and R(3), we discovered that replacement of less lipophilic groups led to an increase of inhibitory activity. Among the tested oxime derivatives, cyano- and morpholino-substituted analogue 4f at R(2) and R(3) had the highest potency with an IC(50) value of 0.05 microM in whole human plasma.