Molecular Identification,Genotyping, Phenotyping,and Antifungal Susceptibilities of Medically Important Trichosporon,Apiotrichum, and Cutaneotrichosporon Species

Mycopathologia - Recently, Trichosporon taxonomy has been reevaluated and new genera of the Trichosporonaceae family have been described. Here, 26 clinical isolates were submitted for...     

Synthesis,spectroscopic, and antibacterial activity of tetraazamacrocyclic complexes of trivalent chromium,manganese, and iron

A new series of macrocyclic complexes of type [M(TML)X]X₂, where M = Cr(III), Mn(III), or Fe(III), TML is tetradentate macrocyclic ligand, and X = Cl^?, NO₃^?, CH₃COO^? for Cr(III), Fe(III) and X = CH₃COO^? for Mn (III), has been synthesized by condensation of benzil and succinyldihydrazide in the presence of metal salt. The complexes have been so formulated due to the 1:2 electrolytic nature of these complexes as shown by conductivity measurements. The complexes have been characterized with the help of various physicochemical techniques such as elemental analysis, molar conductance, electronic and infrared spectral studies, and magnetic susceptibility. On the basis of these studies, a five-coordinate distorted square pyramidal geometry, in which two nitrogens and two carbonyl oxygen atoms are suitably placed for coordination toward the metal ion, has been proposed for all the complexes. The complexes have been tested for their in vitro antibacterial activity. Some of the complexes show remarkable antibacterial activities against some selected bacterial strains. The minimum inhibitory concentrations shown by these complexes have been compared with those shown by some standard antibiotics such as linezolid and cefaclor.     

Studies of fossil brachiopods of Mongolia: Ordovician,Silurian, Devonian,Carboniferous, and Permian

Fossil brachiopods from the Ordovician, Silurian, Devonian, Carboniferous, and Permian deposits of Mongolia have been studied for the last forty-five years by the Joint Soviet-Mongolian (later RussianMongolian) Paleontological and Geological Expeditions. New data on the taxonomic composition, stratigraphic and geographic distribution of the brachiopod assemblages have been obtained. The brachiopod systematics has been further refined and detailed, and the stratigraphic and correlation scales and biogeographic reconstructions have been elaborated for the Paleozoic of Mongolia.     

Peptidomes of the brain,heart, lung,and spleen of a rat: Similarity and differences

Profiles of endogenous peptides of the brain, heart, lungs, and spleen of a rat have been obtained by chromatographic and mass spectrometric analysis of low-molecular-mass fractions of tissues extracts. The concentrations of the corresponding components have been estimated from the intensities of 119 major chromatographic peaks. The total content of peptides in tissues, nmol/g (mg/g), was 3–13 (0.005–0.05) for the brain, 7–27 (0.01–0.10) for the heart, 17–68 (0.02–0.25) for the lungs, and 80–300 (0.08–1.30) for the spleen. A comparative analysis of the data obtained for the organs has been performed. The primary structures for 68 peptides have been determined; most substances (>70%) have been identified as hemoglobin fragments. It has been shown that many of the peptide components identified (>75%) are common for several organs. The relationship between the composition, the mechanism of formation, and the functional role of peptidomes of the organs, tissues, and cells of higher organisms has been discussed.     

Synthesis and Cytotoxicity of Indole Derivatives of Betulin,Erythrodiol, and Uvaol

2,3-Indolotriterpenic alcohols have been synthesized for the first time by successive modification of 3-oxo triterpenic acids (Fisher reaction, reduction of С17-СOOH, cyanoethylation) and characterized by physicochemical methods of analysis. It has been found that 2,3-indolouvaol and 2,3-indolo-28-cyanoethoxybetulin exhibit antitumor activity in vitro toward NCI-H522 lung cancer (–12.65%) and COLO 205 colon cancer cells (–42.78%), respectively. The activity of 2,3-indolooleanolic and 2,3-indolobetulinic acids toward 19 and 9 cell lines of six and four human cancers, respectively, has been revealed. Indole-fused triterpenoids have been shown to hold promise as objects in the search for novel antitumor agents.     

Metabolomics, genomics, proteomics, and the identification of enzymes and their substrates and products

A large proportion of the genes in any plant genome encode enzymes of primary and specialized (secondary) metabolism. Not all plant primary metabolites, those that are found in all or most species, have been identified. Moreover, only a small portion of the estimated hundreds of thousand specialized metabolites, those found only in restricted lineages, have been studied in any species. The correlative analysis of extensive metabolic profiling and gene expression profiling has proven a powerful approach for the identification of candidate genes and enzymes, particularly those in secondary metabolism. The final characterization of substrates, enzymatic activities, and products requires biochemical analysis, which has been most successful when candidate proteins have homology to other enzymes of known function. The challenges are to identify new types of enzymes and to develop biochemical techniques that are suitable for large-scale analysis.     

Manifestation of anomeric form,ring structure,and linkage in the 13c-n.m.r. spectra of oligomers and polymers containing D-fructose: maltulose,isomaltulose, sucrose,leucrose, 1-kestose,nystose, inulin,and grass levan

¹³C-N.m.r. spectroscopy has been used to determine the equilibrium composition of solutions of maltulose and isomaltulose in deuterium oxide. Resonance assignments have been made for maltulose, isomaltulose, sucrose, leucrose, 1-kestose, nystose, inulin, and grass levan. Some earlier assignments for sucrose and grass levan are corrected. The resonances of the D-glucopyranosyl group in maltulose and isomaltulose have been observed to be sensitive to the ring and anomeric forms of the adjacent D-fructose residue. Spin-lattice relaxation-times (T1) and nuclear Overhauser enhancement factors (n.O.e.f.) for the carbon atoms of the D-fructofuranosyl residues of inulin have been measured, and used in conjunction with deuteration, to aid in resonance and linkage assignments.     

Synthesis, Conforming, Linear, and Non-linear Optical Properties of Gold Nanoparticles-sepiolite Compacts

Gold monodispersed nanoparticles (smaller than 10 nm) have been embedded into sepiolite fibres and sintered by spark plasma sintering (SPS) in order to preserve their nanometre size. The optical properties of these nanoparticles have been measured showing the surface plasmon resonance. Plasmon absorption curves have been successfully fitted by using the quasistatic approximation for gold nanoparticles. It has been observed that the sintering process decreases the plasmon width. SPS sintered nanostructured compacts present large values of the non-linear third-order dielectric susceptibility related to the gold concentration.     

Myelomonocytic leukemia: clinical, cytological, and cytogenetic studies of acute, subacute, and chronic forms (author's transl)]

44 patients suffering from myelomonocytic leukemia (MML) have been observed over the last four years. They have been subclassified in acute myelomonocytic and acute monoblastic leukemias (AMML, n = 12; AMoL, n = 10), subacute myelomonocytic leukemias (SMML, n = 13), and chronic myelomonocytic leukemias (CMML, n = 9) on the basis of bone marrow cytology(blast and promonocyte counts, maturation of granulopoesis) and cytochemical findings (peroxydase and unspecific esterase reaction). This subclassification has been proved to be of prognostic relevance by its good correlation with the mean survival times (AMML : 4.5 months, AMoL : 2.4 months, SMML : 8 months, CMML : 18 months). The acute forms have been treated in general with combined cytostatic chemotherapy, whereas SMML and CMML have been treated this way only in case of progression to an acute phase. These progressions to an AMML have been observed more often and earlier in subacute forms than in chronic forms. The diagnosis of SMML and CMML is supported by the finding of sea-blue histiocytes in the bone marrow, increased lysozyme levels in serum and urine and by the absence of the Philadelphia-Chromosome.     

Radioimmunoassays of plasma thymidine,uridine, deoxyuridine,and cytidine/deoxycytidine

Radioimmunoassay techniques have been developed for the assay of thymidine, uridine, deoxyuridine, and deoxycytidine. Plasma levels of the first three nucleosides have been measured, and an upper limit has been determined for the plasma concentration of deoxycytidine. The assays involve displacement of a [³H]pyrimidine nucleoside from the appropriate labeled rabbit immunoglobulin. By assaying a mixture of uridine and deoxyuridine in the presence and absence of borax, the concentrations of both nucleosides have been measured. In seven healthy adults, plasma levels of uridine were 21.1 ± 8.4 μm (mean ± SD) and of deoxyuridine were 0.62 ± 0.39 μm. In cancer patients, thymidine levels were 7.5 ± 2.7 × 10^?7m. The upper limit for plasma deoxycytidine levels in six healthy adults was 0.71 ± 0.1 μm.     

Synthesis, characterization, antibacterial activity, and interaction with DNA of the vanadyl-enrofloxacin complex

The neutral mononuclear vanadyl complex with the quinolone antibacterial drug enrofloxacin has been prepared and characterized with physicochemical and spectroscopic techniques and molecular mechanics calculations. The interaction of the complex with calf-thymus DNA has also been investigated and the antimicrobial activity has been evaluated against three different microorganisms.     

Ethnobotany and phytochemistry of yarrow,Achillea millefolium,compositae

The data reported in the literature concerning the uses and composition of yarrow,Achillea millefolium aggr., Compositae, are compiled and discussed. Historically, this plant has been extensively used as a herbal remedy for numerous afflictions by many cultures on several continents. It has also been the subject of a considerable number of scientific investigations. It has, however, not been previously reviewed. Analysis of available information demonstrates the value of continued phytochemical investigations of folklore remedies.     

Helical preferences of alanine,glycine, and aminoisobutyric homopeptides

The stability between helical conformations of homopeptides of alanine, glycine, and aminoisobutyric acid has been studied by means of quantum-mechanical methods. The influence of peptide length on the relative stability between helical conformations has also been analyzed by means of systematic studies for peptides of size up to 11 residues. Finally, the influence of the solvent has been examined by using self-consistent reaction field methods. The results provide a detailed picture of the modulation exerted by these factors on the helical preferences of these peptides. © 1997 Wiley-Liss Inc.     

Purification, cloning, and expression of the prolactin receptor

The rat liver prolactin receptor has been purified to homogeneity, and partial amino acid sequences have been obtained. The structure of the receptor has been deduced from a single complementary DNA clone. The mature protein of 291 amino acids has a relatively long extracellular region, a single transmembrane segment, and a short (57 amino acids) cytoplasmic domain. With the rat cDNA used as a probe, the prolactin receptor in rabbit mammary gland and human hepatoma cells has also been isolated. These tissues contain a second, longer form of the receptor (592 and 598 amino acids, respectively). Both the short and long forms of the prolactin receptor show regions of strong sequence identity with the human and rabbit growth hormone receptors, suggesting that the prolactin and growth hormone receptors originate from a common ancestor.     

Bacillus megaterium spore protease: purification, radioimmunoassay, and analysis of antigen level and localization during growth, sporulation, and spore germination.

The protease which initiates the massive protein degradation early in bacterial spore germination has been purified from Bacillus megaterium spores. The enzyme has a molecular weight of 160,000 and contains four apparently identical subunits, but only the tetramer is enzymatically active. A radioimmunoassay has been developed for this enzyme and has been used to show that the protease is absent from growing cells, but appears early in sporulation within the developing forespore. In contrast, the protease antigen disappears rapidly during spore germination, in parallel with the loss in enzyme activity.     

Metal-based new sulfonamides: Design, synthesis, antibacterial, antifungal, and cytotoxic properties

Cobalt(II), copper(II), nickel(II) and zinc(II) metal complexes with 5-chlorosalicyladehyde derived Schiff base sulfonamides have been synthesized and characterized. Structure and bonding nature of all the synthesized compounds have been deduced from physical, analytical, and spectral (IR, (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR, Mass, electronic) data. An octahedral geometry has been proposed for all the metal complexes. The ligands and their metal complexes have been screened for their in vitro antibacterial, antifungal, and cytotoxic properties and results are reported.     

Obesity and thermogenesis related to the consumption of caffeine, ephedrine, capsaicin, and green tea

The global prevalence of obesity has increased considerably in the last decade. Tools for obesity management, including caffeine, ephedrine, capsaicin, and green tea have been proposed as strategies for weight loss and weight maintenance, since they may increase energy expenditure and have been proposed to counteract the decrease in metabolic rate that is present during weight loss. A combination of caffeine and ephedrine has shown to be effective in long-term weight management, likely due to different mechanisms that may operate synergistically, e.g., respectively inhibiting the phosphodiesterase-induced degradation of cAMP and enhancing the sympathetic release of catecholamines. However, adverse effects of ephedrine prevent the feasibility of this approach. Capsaicin has been shown to be effective, yet when it is used clinically it requires a strong compliance to a certain dosage, that has not been shown to be feasible yet. Also positive effects on body-weight management have been shown using green tea mixtures. Green tea, by containing both tea catechins and caffeine, may act through inhibition of catechol O-methyl-transferase, and inhibition of phosphodiesterase. Here, the mechanisms may also operate synergistically. In addition, tea catechins have antiangiogenic properties that may prevent development of overweight and obesity. Furthermore, the sympathetic nervous system is involved in the regulation of lipolysis, and the sympathetic innervation of white adipose tissue may play an important role in the regulation of total body fat in general.     

Boron,Chromium, Manganese,and Nickel in Agricultural Animal Production

This paper provides an overview of research that has been conducted with manganese (Mn), chromium (Cr), nickel (Ni), and boron (B) in poultry, swine, and ruminants. Manganese is an essential trace mineral that functions as an enzyme component and enzyme activator. A deficiency of Mn results in a variety of bone abnormalities, and Mn deficiency signs have been observed under practical conditions in poultry and cattle. Chromium can potentiate the action of insulin, but whether Cr is an essential trace mineral is controversial. Insulin sensitivity has been enhanced by Cr in cattle, swine, and broilers. Responses to Cr supplementation have been variable. Production responses to Cr supplementation have been most consistent in animals exposed to various stressors (heat, cold, weaning, etc). The legality of supplementing Cr to animal diets varies among countries, Cr sources, and animal species. A specific biochemical function for Ni and B has not been identified in mammals. Signs of Ni deficiency have been produced experimentally in a number of animal species. Nickel may affect rumen microbial fermentation in ruminants, as Ni is a component of bacterial urease and cofactor F₄₃₀ in methanogenic bacteria. There is little evidence that dietary Ni limits animal production under practical conditions. Beneficial effects of B supplementation on growth and bone strength have been seen in poultry and swine, but results have been variable.