A Computational analysis on Lectin and Histone H1 protein of different pulse species as well as comparative study with rice for balanced diet

The issue of balanced nutrition is of great concern to human. Meat and fish are the best sources of protein. The affordability of these resources for people in developing countries is less. Thus, there is an increasing interest in pulses and its derivates as an alternative to fish and meat. Lectin and histone H1 are the most common proteins in various pulses and our interest is in identifying the dominant essential amino acids in them for use as supplements. However, actin and lectin are common among Oryza Sativa and cicer arietinum. We describe the amount of lectin and histone H1 in cicer arietinum, Lens culinaris and Pisum sativum in a comparative manner. cicer arietinum was found to contain more essential amino acids than Lens culinaris and Pisum sativum. The secondary structures of lectin and histone H1 protein were analyzed to gain functional inferences in these species. The comparative study shows the relatively poor presence of the amino acid methionine in most pulses. However, Oryza Sativa was found to contain sufficient methionine. The study shows that pulses (especially cicer arietinum) were a suitable alternative source to meat and fish for Lectin and Histone H1 balance. Hence, pulses could be suggested with rice for balanced protein diet.     

Candidate genes for drought tolerance and improved productivity in rice (Oryza sativa L.)

Candidate genes are sequenced genes of known biological action involved in the development or physiology of a trait. Twenty-one putative candidate genes were designed after an exhaustive search in the public databases along with an elaborate literature survey for candidate gene products and/or regulatory sequences associated with enhanced drought resistance. The downloaded sequences were then used to design primers considering the flanking sequences as well. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) performed on 10 diverse cultivars that involvedJaponica, Indica and local accessions, revealed 12 polymorphic candidate genes. Seven polymorphic candidate genes were then utilized to genotype 148 individuals of CT9993 × IR62266 doubled haploid (DH) mapping population. The segregation data were tested for deviation from the expected Mendelian ratio (1:1) using a Chi-square test (<1%). Based on this, four candidate genes were assessed to be significant and the remaining three, as non-significant. All the significant candidate genes were biased towards CT9993, the female parent in the DH mapping population. Single-marker analysis strongly associated (<1%) them to different traits under both well-watered and low-moisture stress conditions. Two candidate genes,EXP15 andEXP13, were found to be associated with root number and silicon content in the stem respectively, under both well-watered and low-moisture stress conditions     

Synthesis of 3-benzyl-2-substituted quinoxalines as novel monoamine oxidase A inhibitors

A new series of 3-benzyl-2-substituted quinoxalines have been synthesized by means of microwave enhancement of nucleophilic substitution reaction involving the corresponding 2-chloroquinoxaline analogs and substituted amines or hydrazine. The synthesized compounds were evaluated for their monoamine oxidase A and B inhibitory activity by determination of their IC(50). All the newly synthesized compounds showed more selective inhibitory activity toward MAO-A than MAO-B. In addition, the acute toxicity of the synthesized compounds was determined. This work may be a fruitful matrix of the synthesis of a new series of novel MAO-A inhibitors with good safety margins.     

Novel Leb-like Helicobacter pylori-binding glycosphingolipid created by the expression of human alpha-1,3/4-fucosyltransferase in FVB/N mouse stomach

The "Le(b) mouse" was established as a model for investigations of the molecular events following Le(b)-mediated adhesion of Helicobacter pylori to the gastric epithelium. By the expression of a human alpha-1,3/4-fucosyltransferase in the gastric pit cell lineage of FVB/N transgenic mice, a production of Le(b) glycoproteins in gastric pit and surface mucous cells was obtained in this "Le(b) mouse," as demonstrated by binding of monoclonal anti-Le(b) antibodies. To explore the effects of the human alpha-1,3/4-fucosyltransferase on glycosphingolipid structures, neutral glycosphingolipids were isolated from stomachs of transgenic alpha-1,3/4-fucosyltransferase-expressing mice. A glycosphingolipid recognized by BabA-expressing H. pylori was isolated and characterized by mass spectrometry and proton NMR as Fuc alpha 2Gal beta 3(Fuc alpha 4)GalNAc beta 4 Gal beta 4 Glc beta 1Cer, i.e., a novel Le(b)-like glycosphingolipid on a ganglio core. In addition, two other novel glycosphingolipids were isolated from the mouse stomach epithelium that were found to be nonbinding with regard to H. pylori. The first was a pentaglycosylceramide, GalNAc beta 3 Gal alpha 3(Fuc alpha 2)Gal beta 4 Glc beta 1Cer, in which the isoglobotetrasaccharide has been combined with Fuc alpha 2 to yield an isoglobotetraosylceramide with an internal blood group B determinant. The second one was an elongated fucosyl-gangliotetraosylceramide, GalNAc beta 3(Fuc alpha 2)Gal beta 3GalNAc beta 4Gal beta 4 Glc beta 1Cer.     

Structure–activity relationship (SAR) studies of 3-(2-amino-ethyl)-5-(4-ethoxy-benzylidene)-thiazolidine-2,4-dione: Development of potential substrate-specific ERK1/2 inhibitors

A series of analogs of 3-(2-amino-ethyl)-5-(4-ethoxy-benzylidene)-thiazolidine-2,4-dione, a putative substrate-specific ERK1/2 inhibitor, were synthesized and biologically characterized in human leukemia U937 cells to define its pharmacophore. It was discovered that shift of ethoxy substitution from the 4- to the 2-position on the phenyl ring significantly improved functional activities of inhibiting cell proliferation and inducing apoptosis. This may provide access to a new lead for developing ERK1/2 substrate-specific inhibitors.     

Variation in Phenotype,Parasite Load and Male Competitive Ability across a Cryptic Hybrid Zone

Background

Molecular genetic studies are revealing an increasing number of cryptic lineages or species, which are highly genetically divergent but apparently cannot be distinguished morphologically. This observation gives rise to three important questions: 1) have these cryptic lineages diverged in phenotypic traits that may not be obvious to humans; 2) when cryptic lineages come into secondary contact, what are the evolutionary consequences: stable co-existence, replacement, admixture or differentiation and 3) what processes influence the evolutionary dynamics of these secondary contact zones?

Methodology/Principal Findings

To address these questions, we first tested whether males of the Iberian lizard Lacerta schreiberi from two highly genetically divergent, yet morphologically cryptic lineages on either side of an east-west secondary contact could be differentiated based on detailed analysis of morphology, coloration and parasite load. Next, we tested whether these differences could be driven by pre-copulatory intra-sexual selection (male-male competition). Compared to eastern males, western males had fewer parasites, were in better body condition and were more intensely coloured. Although subtle environmental variation across the hybrid zone could explain the differences in parasite load and body condition, these were uncorrelated with colour expression, suggesting that the differences in coloration reflect heritable divergence. The lineages did not differ in their aggressive behaviour or competitive ability. However, body size, which predicted male aggressiveness, was positively correlated with the colour traits that differed between genetic backgrounds.

Conclusions/Significance

Our study confirms that these cryptic lineages differ in several aspects that are likely to influence fitness. Although there were no clear differences in male competitive ability, our results suggest a potential indirect role for intra-sexual selection. Specifically, if lizards use the colour traits that differ between genetic backgrounds to assess the size of potential rivals or mates, the resulting fitness differential favouring western males could result in net male-mediated gene flow from west to east across the current hybrid zone.     

Murine neonatal infection provides an efficient model for congenital ocular toxoplasmosis

Congenital infection is one of the most serious settings of infection with the apicomplexan parasite Toxoplasma gondii. Ocular diseases, such as retinochoroiditis, are the most common sequels of such infection in utero. However, while numerous studies have investigated the physiopathology of acquired toxoplasmosis, congenital infection has been largely neglected so far. Here, we establish a mouse model of congenital ocular toxoplasmosis. Parasite load and ocular pathology have been followed for the first 4 weeks of life. Ocular infection developed slowly compared to cerebral infection. Even after 4 weeks, not all eyes were infected and ocular parasite load was low. Therefore, we evaluated a scheme of neonatal infection to overcome problems associated with congenital infection. Development of infection and physiopathology was similar, but at a higher, more reliable rate. In summary, we have established a valuable model of neonatal ocular toxoplasmosis, which facilitates the research of the underlying physiopathological mechanisms and new diagnostic approaches of this pathology.     

Morphological and anatomical characteristics and taxonomical significance of achene micromorphology of Achillea phrygia and A. gypsicola (Asteraceae), endemic to Turkey

Micromorphological and anatomical characters of two Achillea L. species, A . phrygia Boiss. & Bal. and A. gypsicola Hub-Mor., which are endemic to Turkey, were investigated. It was observed that stem length, corymb width, number of capitula and median phyllary shape were diagnostic characters. In the anatomical studies, cross sections were taken from roots, stem and leaves. It was observed that roots of the investigated taxa had a secondary thickening. Endodermis and collenchyma layers were prominent in the stem of both taxa and they had a bifacial mesophyll while the layers of the mesophyll varied. Stomata were anomocytic in both species. We found that there was a significant difference in terms of width of epidermis cells and length of cortex cells in the root, epidermis width and length, collenchyma and parenchyma cells, endodermis length, diameter of trachea of stem, length of upper epidermis cells, width of lower epidermis cells, length of palisade parenchyma and spongy parenchyma cells, diameter of trachea and stomata length of leaf between the two taxa (p<0.05). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to describe the micromorphology of trichomes and achenes. In A. phrygia , long and eglandular trichomes were more dense on the stem and leaf epidermis. Achene micromorphological characteristics such as size, shape and achene coat were considered to be useful in separating the investigated species.     

Genome-wide functional analysis of human 5' untranslated region introns

Background  

Approximately 35% of human genes contain introns within the 5' untranslated region (UTR). Introns in 5'UTRs differ from those in coding regions and 3'UTRs with respect to nucleotide composition, length distribution and density. Despite their presumed impact on gene regulation, the evolution and possible functions of 5'UTR introns remain largely unexplored.     

Mapping vascular response to in vivo Hemodynamics: application to increased flow at the basilar terminus

Hemodynamic forces play critical roles in vascular pathologies such as atherosclerosis, aneurysms, and stenosis. However, detailed relationships between the specific in vivo hemodynamic microenvironment and vascular responses leading to the triggering or exacerbation of pathological remodeling of the vessel remain elusive. We have developed a hemodynamics-biology co-mapping technique that enables in situ correlation between the in vivo blood flow field and vascular changes secondary to hemodynamic insult. The hemodynamics profile is obtained from computational fluid dynamics simulation within the vascular geometry reconstructed from three-dimensional in vivo images, whereas the vascular response is obtained from histology or immunohistochemistry on harvested vascular tissue. The hemodynamics field is virtually sectioned in the histological slicing planes and digitally co-mapped with the histological images, thereby enabling correlation of the specific local vascular responses with the inciting hemodynamic stresses. We demonstrate application of this technique to rabbit basilar terminus subjected to elevated flow. Morphological changes at the basilar terminus 5 days after the flow increase were co-mapped with the initial wall shear stress and wall shear stress gradient distributions, from which localization of destructive remodeling in a specific hemodynamic zone was noticed. This method paves the way for further investigations to determine the connection between in vivo mechanical stimuli and biological responses, such as initiation of aneurysmal remodeling.