Damage to plant productivity due to soil salinity is a major agricultural problem, necessitating the development of effective salinity management measures. Here, we sought the potential effects of yeast and carrot extracts, and their associated mechanisms in the alleviation of seawater-induced salt stress in maize. Pretreatment of maize seeds with yeast or carrot extract provided maize plants with enormous abilities in reducing growth inhibition and biomass loss when exposed to seawater. The better growth performance of yeast extract- and carrot extract-primed plants under saline conditions coincided with improved protection of the photosynthetic pigments, chlorophylls and carotenoids. The primed plants also restricted Na+ accumulation in both roots and shoots while maintaining a higher K+ content and lower Na+/K+ ratio when compared with that of non-primed plants. Yeast extract and carrot extract also potentiated salt tolerance mechanisms by accelerating the production of osmolytes, as evidenced by accumulating levels of total free amino acids and soluble sugars, especially in the roots of primed plants during salinity. The enhanced levels of ascorbic acid and phenolic compounds, and the heightened activities of reactive oxygen species-detoxifying enzymes superoxide dismutase, catalase, and ascorbate peroxidase with concurrent reduction of lipid peroxidation in the leaves of primed plants clearly indicated a positive impact of yeast extract- and carrot extract-priming on the antioxidant system of maize under salt stress. Our results together suggest decisive roles of yeast extract and carrot extract in the management of salt-induced adverse effects in economically important maize, and perhaps other crops.
Accurate methods for measuring the biological effects of radiation are critical for estimating an individual’s health risk
from radiation exposure. We investigated the feasibility of using radiation-induced mutations in repetitive DNA sequences
to measure genetic damage caused by radiation exposure. Most repetitive sequences are in non-coding regions of the genome
and alterations in these loci are usually not deleterious. Thus, mutations in non-coding repetitive sequences might accumulate,
providing a stable molecular record of DNA damage caused by all past exposures. To test this hypothesis, we screened repetitive
DNA sequences to identify the loci most sensitive to radiation-induced mutations and then investigated whether these mutations
were stable in vivo over time and after multiple exposures. Microsatellite repeat markers were identified that exhibited a
linear dose response up to 1 Gy of 1 GeV/nucleon 56Fe ions and 137Cs gamma rays in mouse and human cells. Short tandem repeats on the Y chromosome and mononucleotide repeats on autosomal chromosomes
exhibited significant increases in mutations at ≥ 0.5 Gy of 56Fe ions with frequencies averaging 4.3–10.3 × 10−3 mutations/locus/Gy/cell, high enough for direct detection of mutations in irradiated cells. A significant increase in radiation-induced
mutations in extended mononucleotide repeats was detectible in vivo in mouse blood and cheek samples 10 and 26 weeks after
radiation exposure and these mutations were additive over multiple exposures. This study demonstrates the feasibility of a
novel method for biodosimetry that is applicable to humans and other species. This new approach should complement existing
methods of biodosimetry and might be useful for measuring radiation exposure in circumstances that are not amenable to current
methods. 相似文献
Intrinsic muscle abnormalities affecting skeletal muscle are often reported during chronic heart failure (CHF). Because myosin is the molecular motor of force generation, we sought to determine whether its dysfunction contributes to skeletal muscle weakness in CHF and, if so, to identify the underlying causative factors. Severe CHF was induced in rats by aortic stenosis. In diaphragm and soleus muscles, we investigated in vitro mechanical performance, myosin-based actin filament motility, myosin heavy (MHC) and light (MLC) chain isoform compositions, MLC integrity, caspase-3 activation, and oxidative damage. Diaphragm and soleus muscles from CHF exhibited depressed mechanical performance. Myosin sliding velocities were 16 and 20% slower in CHF than in sham in diaphragm (1.9 +/- 0.1 vs. 1.6 +/- 0.1 microm/s) and soleus (0.6 +/- 0.1 vs. 0.5 +/- 0.1 microm/s), respectively (each P < 0.05). The ratio of slow-to-fast myosin isoform did not differ between sham and CHF. Immunoblots with anti-MLC antibodies did not detect the presence of protein fragments, and no activation of caspase-3 was evidenced. Immunolabeling revealed oxidative damage in CHF muscles, and MHC was the main oxidized protein. Lipid peroxidation and expression of oxidized MHC were significantly higher in CHF than in shams. In vitro myosin exposure to increasing ONOO(-) concentrations was associated with an increasing amount of oxidized MHC and a reduced myosin velocity. These data provide experimental evidence that intrinsic myosin dysfunction occurs in CHF and may be related to oxidative damage to myosin. 相似文献
Coronaviruses caused an outbreak pandemic disease characterized by a severe acute respiratory distress syndrome leading to the infection of more than 200 million patients and the death of more than 4 million individuals. The primary treatment is either supportive or symptomatic. Natural products have an important role in the development of various drugs. Thus, screening of natural compounds with reported antiviral activities can lead to the discovery of potential inhibitory entities against coronaviruses. In the current study, an in-silico molecular docking experiment was conducted on the effects of some of these natural antiviral phytoconstituents, (e.g., procyanidin B2, theaflavin, quercetin, ellagic acid, caffeoylquinic acid derivatives, berginin, eudesm-1β, 6α, 11-triol and arbutin), on the crystal structure of SARS-CoV-2 main protease (PDB ID: 6w63) using AutoDock-Vina software. Many of the docked compounds revealed good binding affinity, with procyanidin B2 (–8.6 Kcal/mol) and theaflavin (–8.5 Kcal/mol) showing a better or similar binding score as the ligand (–8.5 Kcal/mol). Molecular dynamics simulations were carried out at 100 ns and revealed that procyanidin B2 forms a more stable complex with SARS-CoV-2 main protease than theaflavin. Procyanidin B2, theaflavin, and 4,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid were evaluated for toxicity by ProTox-II webserver and were non-toxic according to the predicted LD50 values and safe on different organs and pathways. Additionally, these phytoconstituents showed good ADME properties and acceptable lipophilicity, as evaluated using WLOGP. Amongst the tested compounds, procyanidin B2 showed the highest lipophilic value. It is worth mentioning that these natural inhibitiors of SARS-CoV-2 main protease are components of green and black tea that can be used as a supporting supplement for COVID patients or as potential nuclei for further drug design and development campaigns. 相似文献
Moringa oleifera is a miracle plant rich in nutrients, antioxidants, and antibiotic properties. Present study was
designed to evaluate various biochemical attributes of leaves and flowers of M. oleifera. Plant parts (leaves, flowers) of M. oleifera, collected from different roadsides of Multan district, Punjab, Pakistan, were used as experimental material. Result indicates that alkaloids, saponin, carbohydrates, fats, and protein had a high value in the
aqueous extract of both leaves and flowers of M. oleifera. Whereas phenol content was high in methanolic leaves
extract and the phenol contents were high in aqueous extract of flowers. The extract yield of M. oleifera leaves and
flowers both showed a higher percentage in aqueous extract (57.5%), followed by methanol extract and lowest in
ethyl acetate extract. Flavonoids contents were higher in ethyl acetate extract of leaves (33.67%) and aqueous
extract of flowers (53.71%). While crude fiber was high in methanolic extract of leaves (12.40%) and in flowers
crude fiber was high in ethyl acetate extract (15.86%). The moisture contents were higher in leaves (8.87%) than
flowers (7.3%) and similarly, ash percentage in flowers (52.60%) than leaves (41.84%). Ethyl acetate extracts of
M. oleifera leaves show antibacterial activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa while methanolic extract of M. oleifera flowers shows antibacterial activity against Xanthomonas sp. Maximum growth inhibits show in all extracts of
leaves against Aspergillus flavus, F. oxysporum, and P. glabrum except for the concentrated aqueous extract of
leaves. While in flowers maximum growth inhibits all extracts against P. glabrum, A. niger, and A. flavus except
the diluted ethyl acetate extract. Phytochemicals present in different parts of moringa have significant edible and
commercial potential. Moringa extracts exhibited significant antimicrobial activity, therefore have applications in
pharmaceuticals. 相似文献
Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry - Preeclampsia (PE) is a multisystem disorder of pregnancy characterized by sudden onset of hypertension and proteinuria. The appearance and diagnosis of the... 相似文献
Novel non-sulfonylureas derivatives bearing an acetamide linker between a spirohydantoin scaffold and a phenyl ring were prepared and their hypoglycemic activity was estimated in vivo. Their abilities to discriminate in vitro between aldehyde reductase (ALR1) and aldose reductase (ALR2) were determined. The molecular docking and the in silico prediction studies were performed to rationalize the obtained biological results and to predict the physicochemical properties and drug-likeness scores of the new compounds. N-(2,4-Dichlorophenyl)-2-(2′,4′-dioxospiro[fluorene-9,5′-imidazolidine]-3′-yl)acetamide (3e) displayed an 84% reduction in blood glucose level superior to that of repaglinide 66% and showed an IC50 value of 0.37 μM against ALR2 that is superior to that of sorbinil 3.14 µM. Compound (3e) was selective 96 fold towards ALR2 which is closely related to serious diabetic complications. Based on the identification of this hit candidate, a new generation of safe and effective antidiabetic agents could be designed. 相似文献
Cryoballoon-based pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) is a treatment option for atrial fibrillation (AF). Left atrial volume (LAV) and left atrial volume index (LAVi) are important parameters for long term success of PVI. Galectin-3 (Gal-3) and neutrophil to lymphocyte ratio (N/L ratio) are biomarkers to demonstrate the cardiac fibrosis and remodelling.
Methods
50 patients with symptomatic PAF despite ≥1 antiarrhythmic drug(s), who underwent PVI were enrolled. LAV, LAVi, Gal-3 and N/L ratio were calculated before ablation and after ablation at 6 and 12 months. According to AF recurrence patients were divided into two groups, recurrent AF (n?=?14) and non-recurrent AF (n?=?36).
Results
In both groups (recurrent and non-recurrent), initial and 12 months follow-up LAV values were 41.39?±?18.13?ml and 53.24?±?22.11?ml vs 48.85?±?12.89?ml and 42.08?±?13.85 (p?=?0.037). LAVi were 20.9?±?8.91 ml/m2 and 26.85?±?11.28 ml/m2 vs 25.36?±?6.21 and 21.87?±?6.66 (p?=?0.05) for recurrent and non-recurrent AF groups, respectively. In both groups PVI had no significant effect on serum Gal-3 levels and N/L ratio during 12 months follow-up. The comparison between two groups at the end of 12th month showed Gal-3 values of 6.66?±?4.09?ng/ml and 6.02?±?2.95?ng/ml (p?=?0.516), N/L ratio values of 2.28?±?1.07 103/μl and 1.98?±?0.66?103/μl (p?=?0.674).
Conclusion
LAV and LAVi are useful to predict the remodelling of the left atrium and AF recurrence after cryoballoon-based PVI. However, biomarkers such as Gal-3 and N/L ratio are not associated with AF recurrence. 相似文献
Activated factor X has a central role in the coagulation activation and also contributes to chronic inflammation and tissue fibrosis. In this study, rivaroxaban, a direct factor X inhibitor, attenuates liver fibrosis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4). Male rats were randomly allocated into three groups: a control group, CCl 4 fibrotic group, and CCl 4+rivaroxaban (5 mg/kg) group. Liver fibrosis was induced by subcutaneous injection of CCl 4 twice a week for 6 weeks. Rivaroxaban significantly restored the biochemical parameter including inflammatory and fibrosis markers with histopathological evidence using routine and Masson trichrome staining. It reduced also the expression of tissue factor, fibrin, transforming growth factor and α‐smooth muscle actin in the liver tissues. This concludes that rivaroxaban attenuates liver injury caused by CCl 4, at least in part by inhibiting coagulation and proinflammatory activation. In conclusion, rivaroxaban may be used for the management of liver fibrosis. 相似文献