Simulation of normal, carrier and affected controls for large-scale genotyping of cattle for factor XI deficiency

An insertion mutation within exon 12 of the factor XI gene has been described in Holstein cattle. This has opened the prospect for large-scale screening of cattle using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technique for the rapid identification of heterozygous animals. To facilitate such a screening process, the mutant and normal alleles of factor XI gene, represented by 244- and 320-bp PCR amplified fragments, were individually cloned in Escherichia coli using a multicopy plasmid cloning vehicle to generate pFXI-N and pFXI-M, respectively. The authenticity of the inserts was confirmed by nucleotide sequencing. A nested PCR method was developed, by which PCR amplicons generated from primers with annealing sites on the recombinant plasmids and by flanking the insert were used as templates for amplification of the diagnostic products using factor XI gene-specific primers. An equimolar mixture of both PCR amplicons, originating from pFXI-N and pFXI-M, constituted the carrier control while the individual amplicons were the affected and normal controls. The controls were used as references for in-gel comparison to screen a population of 307 cattle and 259 water buffaloes; the frequency of the mutant allele was found to be 0. No DNA size standards were required in this study. The simulated control DNA samples representing normal, carrier and affected cattle have the potential to help in large-scale screening of a cattle population for individuals that are carriers or affected by factor XI deficiency.     

A new Bombyx mori larval ovarian cell line highly susceptible to nucleopolyhedrovirus

Lepidopteran cell lines constitute the backbone for studying baculoviral biology in culturo and for baculovirus vector based recombinant protein expression systems. In the present study, we report establishment of a new continuous cell line designated as DZNU-Bm-1 from larval ovaries of the silkworm, Bombyx mori. The cells were grown in MGM-448 insect cell culture medium supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum (FBS) and 3% heat inactivated B. mori haemolymph at 25+/-1 degrees C. A large number of attached epithelial-like and round refractive cells migrated from the explants and multiplied in the primary cultures. Both type of cells were subcultured initially for a few passages but after 10 passages the round refractive cells dominated the population, which could be subcultured continuously using MGM-448 medium with 10% FBS. The population doubling time of cell line was about 42h at 25+/-1 degrees C. The cell populations were largely diploids and triploids, while a few tetraploids and hexaploids were also observed. DNA profiles using Inter Simple Sequence Repeat (ISSR)-PCR and Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) loci established the differences between DZNU-Bm-1 cell line and most widely used BmN cell line and the B. mori W-chromosome specific sequences confirmed the origin of DZNU-Bm-1 cell line to be from female silkworm. When cells were infected with free nonoccluded B. mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV), the cell line was found to be highly susceptible with 92-94% of the cells harbouring BmNPV and having an average of 20-23 OBs/infected cell. We suggest the usefulness of this cell line in BmNPV based baculoviral expression system and also for studying in culturo virus replication.     

A Reaction-Diffusion Model of ROS-Induced ROS Release in a Mitochondrial Network

Loss of mitochondrial function is a fundamental determinant of cell injury and death. In heart cells under metabolic stress, we have previously described how the abrupt collapse or oscillation of the mitochondrial energy state is synchronized across the mitochondrial network by local interactions dependent upon reactive oxygen species (ROS). Here, we develop a mathematical model of ROS-induced ROS release (RIRR) based on reaction-diffusion (RD-RIRR) in one- and two-dimensional mitochondrial networks. The nodes of the RD-RIRR network are comprised of models of individual mitochondria that include a mechanism of ROS-dependent oscillation based on the interplay between ROS production, transport, and scavenging; and incorporating the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, oxidative phosphorylation, and Ca²⁺ handling. Local mitochondrial interaction is mediated by superoxide (O₂ ^.−) diffusion and the O₂ ^.−-dependent activation of an inner membrane anion channel (IMAC). In a 2D network composed of 500 mitochondria, model simulations reveal ΔΨ_m depolarization waves similar to those observed when isolated guinea pig cardiomyocytes are subjected to a localized laser-flash or antioxidant depletion. The sensitivity of the propagation rate of the depolarization wave to O₂^.− diffusion, production, and scavenging in the reaction-diffusion model is similar to that observed experimentally. In addition, we present novel experimental evidence, obtained in permeabilized cardiomyocytes, confirming that ΔΨ_m depolarization is mediated specifically by O₂ ^.−. The present work demonstrates that the observed emergent macroscopic properties of the mitochondrial network can be reproduced in a reaction-diffusion model of RIRR. Moreover, the findings have uncovered a novel aspect of the synchronization mechanism, which is that clusters of mitochondria that are oscillating can entrain mitochondria that would otherwise display stable dynamics. The work identifies the fundamental mechanisms leading from the failure of individual organelles to the whole cell, thus it has important implications for understanding cell death during the progression of heart disease.     

The Crystal Structure and Activity of a Putative Trypanosomal Nucleoside Phosphorylase Reveal It to be a Homodimeric Uridine Phosphorylase

Purine nucleoside phosphorylases (PNPs) and uridine phosphorylases (UPs) are closely related enzymes involved in purine and pyrimidine salvage, respectively, which catalyze the removal of the ribosyl moiety from nucleosides so that the nucleotide base may be recycled. Parasitic protozoa generally are incapable of de novo purine biosynthesis; hence, the purine salvage pathway is of potential therapeutic interest. Information about pyrimidine biosynthesis in these organisms is much more limited. Though all seem to carry at least a subset of enzymes from each pathway, the dependency on de novo pyrimidine synthesis versus salvage varies from organism to organism and even from one growth stage to another. We have structurally and biochemically characterized a putative nucleoside phosphorylase (NP) from the pathogenic protozoan Trypanosoma brucei and find that it is a homodimeric UP. This is the first characterization of a UP from a trypanosomal source despite this activity being observed decades ago. Although this gene was broadly annotated as a putative NP, it was widely inferred to be a purine nucleoside phosphorylase. Our characterization of this trypanosomal enzyme shows that it is possible to distinguish between PNP and UP activity at the sequence level based on the absence or presence of a characteristic UP-specificity insert. We suggest that this recognizable feature may aid in proper annotation of the substrate specificity of enzymes in the NP family.     

Clonal Variants of Plasmodium falciparum Exhibit a Narrow Range of Rolling Velocities to Host Receptor CD36 under Dynamic Flow Conditions

Cytoadhesion of Plasmodium falciparum parasitized red blood cells (pRBCs) has been implicated in the virulence of malaria infection. Cytoadhesive interactions are mediated by the protein family of Plasmodium falciparum erythrocyte membrane protein 1 (PfEMP1). The PfEMP1 family is under strong antibody and binding selection, resulting in extensive sequence and size variation of the extracellular domains. Here, we investigated cytoadhesion of pRBCs to CD36, a common receptor of P. falciparum field isolates, under dynamic flow conditions. Isogeneic parasites, predominantly expressing single PfEMP1 variants, were evaluated for binding to recombinant CD36 under dynamic flow conditions using microfluidic devices. We tested if PfEMP1 size (number of extracellular domains) or sequence variation affected the pRBC-CD36 interaction. Our analysis showed that clonal parasite variants varied ∼5-fold in CD36 rolling velocity despite extensive PfEMP1 sequence polymorphism. In addition, adherent pRBCs exhibited a characteristic hysteresis in rolling velocity at microvascular flow rates, which was accompanied by changes in pRBC shape and may represent important adaptations that favor stable binding.     

Analysis of betalains from fruits of Opuntia species

Betalains are of great taxonomic significance in higher plants and occur only in 10 families of the order Caryophyllales (Centrospermae). They are water-soluble nitrogenous pigments. They can be divided into two major structural groups, the red to red-violet betacyanins and the yellow betaxanthins. Betalains are widely used as natural red food colorant as well as antioxidant potentials. Several methods have been published for the determination of betalain in fruits of Opuntia species. The purpose of the current review is to provide a systematic survey of the analytical techniques for the determination of betalain from fruits of Opuntia species.     

The steady-state levels of oxidative DNA damage and of lipid peroxidation (F2-isoprostanes) are not correlated in healthy human subjects

Oxidative damage to DNA in human tissues can be determined by measuring multiple products of oxidative damage to the purine and pyrimidine bases using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Oxidative damage to lipids (lipid peroxidation) can be quantitated by the mass spectrometry-based determination of F₂-isoprostanes, specific end-products of the peroxidation of arachidonic acid residues in lipids. For both DNA base damage products and 8-epi prostaglandin F_2α (PGF_2α), there is a wide variation in levels between different healthy human subjects. We measured multiple products of oxidative damage to DNA bases in white cells, and 8-epi PGF_2α in plasma, from blood samples obtained from healthy human subjects in the UK and in Portugal. No correlation of 8-epi PGF_2α levels with levels of any modified DNA base (including 8-hydroxyguanine) was observed. We conclude that no single parameter can be measured as an index of “oxidative stress” or “oxidative damage” in vivo.     

Estimating physical splenic filtration of Plasmodium falciparum‐infected red blood cells in malaria patients

Splenic filtration of Plasmodium falciparum‐infected red blood cells has been hypothesized to influence malaria pathogenesis. We have developed a minimum cylindrical diameter (MCD) filtration model which estimates physical splenic filtration during malaria infection. The key parameter in the model is the MCD, the smallest tube or cylinder that a red blood cell (RBC) can traverse without lysing. The MCD is defined by a relationship between the RBC surface area and volume. In the MCD filtration model, the MCD filtration function represents the probability of a cell becoming physically removed from circulation. This modelling approach was implemented at a field site in Blantyre, Malawi. We analysed peripheral blood samples from 120 study participants in four clinically defined groups (30 subjects each): cerebral malaria, uncomplicated malaria, aparasitaemic coma and healthy controls. We found statistically significant differences in the surface area and volumes of uninfected RBCs when healthy controls were compared with malaria patients. The estimated filtration rates generated by the MCD model corresponded to previous observations in ex vivo spleen experiments and models of red blood cell loss during acute malaria anaemia.There were no differences in the estimated splenic filtration rates between cerebral malaria and uncomplicated malaria patients. The MCD filtration model estimates that at time of admission, one ring‐stage infected RBC is physically filtered by the spleen for each parasite that remains in peripheral circulation. This field study is the first to use microfluidic devices to identify rheological diversity in RBC populations associated with malaria infection and illness in well‐characterized groups of children living in a malaria endemic area.     

Synthesis of new bergenin derivatives as potent inhibitors of inflammatory mediators NO and TNF-α

Bergenin is an isocoumarin natural product which aides in fat loss, healthy weight maintenance, enhancing the lipolytic effects of norepinephrine, inhibiting the formation of interleukin 1α and cyclooxygenases-2. Here we describe the anti-inflammatory activity of new bergenin derivatives 1-15 in the respiratory burst assay. Bergenin was isolated from the crude extract of Mallotus philippenensis after repeated column chromatography and was then subjected to chemical derivatization. The structures of all compounds were elucidated by NMR and mass spectroscopic techniques. Compound 2 was also studied using single crystal X-ray diffraction. Compounds 4, (54.5±2.2%) 5 (47.5±0.5%) 5, and 15 (86.8±1.9%) showed significant (P≤0.005) NO inhibitory activities whereas 6, 7, 11, 12 and 13 displayed moderate inhibitory activities that ranges between 16% and 31%. Furthermore compounds 4 and 15, were discovered as significant (P≤0.005) TNF-α inhibitors with 98% and 96% inhibition, respectively, while compounds 3, 5, 7, 8, 11, and 12 showed low level of TNF-α inhibition (0.4-28%). Compounds 8, 13 and 15 exhibited moderate anti-inflammatory IC(50) activities with 212, 222, and 253 μM, respectively, compared to the standard anti-inflammatory drug indomethacin as well as the parent bergenin compound. No cytotoxic effects could be detected when the compounds were tested on 3T3 cells up to concentrations of 100 μM.