Ginkgo biloba attenuated hepatotoxicity induced by combined exposure to cadmium and fluoride via modulating the redox imbalance,Bax/Bcl-2 and NF-kB signaling pathways in male rats

Molecular Biology Reports - Aim of this study was to investigate the efficacy of Ginkgo Biloba (G.B) hydro-ethanolic extract against hepatotoxicity induced by combined exposure to cadmium (Cd) and...     

Isolation and structure of a pseudopeptide gamma-L-glutamyl-L-aspartic acid from Datura stramonium that impairs learning retention in mice

Datura stramonium contains a compound that impairs learning retention in mice. It has been purified to homogeneity and its structure has been established as that of a gamma-L-glutamyl-L-aspartate. The biological activity of this pseudodipeptide has been found to be identical with that of the corresponding synthetic one. It has also been compared to those of various synthetic di- and tripeptides containing L- and/or D-enantiomers of the constitutive amino acids. The results show that the activity is associated with a peptidic structure containing only one type of enantiomer.     

Sleep disturbances and risk of sick leave: systematic review and meta-analysis

Sleep and Biological Rhythms - Sleep disturbances have multiple negative effects on psychological, social, and occupational aspects. The effects of sleep disturbances on the risk of taking sick...     

Antifeedant Properties of Destruxins and their Potential Use with the Entomogenous Fungus Metarhizium anisopliae for Improved Control of Crucifer Pests

Destruxins A, B and E, produced by the entomogenous fungus Metarhizium anisopliae, are insecticidal but comparatively low doses have antifeedant properties. Treatment of cabbage leaf discs with destruxins significantly reduced feeding by larvae of Plutella xylostella and Phaedon cochleariae in both choice and no-choice assays. The Antifeedant Index (AI) was dose related and there were significant differences between treated and untreated leaves. The AI and acute toxicity assays suggest that insect death was due to a combination of the starvation and toxicity effects of destruxins. In whole plant experiments, adults and larvae of P. cochleariae were found to be more susceptible to infection by M. anisopliae V245 if it was used in conjunction with a crude destruxin mixture. Destruxins drove larvae off the plant, irrespective of which leaf surface was treated. Adults could be forced to the adaxial or abaxial surface of leaves using the crude destruxin. Mortality was usually more consistent and generally greater if adults were forced to abaxial than adaxial surfaces inoculated with the fungus. High humidity on the abaxial surface favoured conidia germination and infection. Mortality was also greater for adults dusted with the pathogen and forced to the abaxial rather than to the adaxial leaf surface. The increased movement and starvation associated with destruxin treatment may also have stressed the insects making them more susceptible to infection.     

Maternal Urinary Iodine Concentration and Pregnancy Outcomes: Tehran Thyroid and Pregnancy Study

Biological Trace Element Research - Long-term use of hair dyes has potential effects on metal content in hair. However, little research dissects the specific distribution and composition variations...     

Spectroscopic,electrochemical, docking and molecular dynamics studies on the interaction of three oxovanadium (IV) Schiff base complexes with bovine serum albumin and their cytotoxicity against cancer

This study was designed to investigate the interaction of three oxovanadium (IV) Schiff base complexes with bovine serum albumin (BSA) by means of various spectroscopic and electrochemical methods along with molecular docking study and molecular dynamics simulations. Binding constants were estimated by fluorescence and UV-Vis spectroscopy. The results indicated a good affinity of the complexes for BSA in which furyl derivative had more activity. Molecular docking study showed that these complexes have the similar binding modes and located within subdomain IB in site III of BSA. The supporting of molecular docking and molecular dynamics results by experimental data, confirms the validity of the interactions data obtained by these methods. Biological activity against cancer cell showed that furyl derivative has higher activity than other complexes. Pharmaceutical analysis also showed that, these complexes potentially can be used as anticancer agents.