Effects of the dichloromethane fraction of Dipsaci Radix on the osteoblastic differentiation of human alveolar bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells

Dipsaci Radix is the dried root of Dipsacus asper Wall. It has been used in Korean herbal medicine to treat bone fractures. In this study, we examined the effect of the dichloromethane fraction of Dipsaci Radix (DR(DM)) on the osteoblastic differentiation of human alveolar bone marrow-derived MSCs (ABM-MSCs). The ABM-MSCs were isolated from healthy subjects and cultured in vitro, followed by phenotypic characterization. They showed a fibroblast-like morphology and expressed CD29, CD44, CD73, and CD105, but not CD34. Calcified nodules were generated in response to both dexamethasone (DEX) and DR(DM). There was a significant increase in the alkaline phosphatase (ALP) activity and protein expression of bone sialoprotein (BSP) and osteocalcin (OC) in response to DEX and DR(DM) as compared to control. These results provide evidence for the osteogenic potential of cultured ABM-MSCs in response to DR(DM). Also, an active single compound was additionally isolated from DR(DM). The single compound (hederagenin 3-O-(2-O-acetyl)-α-L-arabinopyranoside) also significantly increased ALP activity and the level of protein expression of BSP and OC. These results highlight the possible clinical applications of DR(DM) and hederagenin 3-O-(2-O-acetyl)-α-L-arabinopyranoside in bone regeneration.     

Identification of novel Leishmania major antigens that elicit IgG2a response in resistant and susceptible mice

Experimental murine models with high, intermediate and low levels of genetically based susceptibility to Leishmania major infection reproduce almost entire spectrum of clinical manifestations of the human disease. There are increasing non-comparative studies on immune responses against isolated antigens of L. major in different murine strains. The aim of the present study was to find out whether there is an antigen that can induce protective immune response in resistant and susceptible murine strains. To do that, crude antigenic extract of procyclic and metacyclic promastigotes of L. major was prepared and subjected to SDS-PAGE electrophoresis. Western-blotting was used to search for antigen(s) capable of raising high antibody level of IgG2a versus IgG1 in the sera of both infected resistant and susceptible strains. Two novel antigens from metacyclic promastigotes of L. major (140 and 152 kDa) were potentially able to induce specific dominant IgG2a responses in BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice. The 2 antigens also reacted with IgG antibody of cutaneous leishmaniasis patients. We confirm that 140 and 152 kDa proteins of L. major promastigotes are inducing IgG production in mice and humans.     

Synthesis,Characterization, and Evaluation of Antibacterial Activity of New Bis-Dapsone-Derived Dihydropyridines Using Fe3O4@SiO2–Pr@L-proline

Russian Journal of Bioorganic Chemistry - Fe3O4@SiO2–Pr@L-proline magnetic nanoparticles were synthesized and their efficiency as nanocatalyst for the synthesis of new derivatives of bis...     

Genome‐wide association study to identify genomic regions affecting prolificacy in Lori‐Bakhtiari sheep

Several causative mutations in candidate genes affecting prolificacy have been detected in various sheep breeds. A genome‐wide association study was performed on estimated breeding values for litter size in Lori‐Bakhtiari sheep. Prolific ewes with twinning records and others with only singleton records were genotyped using the medium‐density Illumina Ovine SNP50 array. Four single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with litter size were identified on chromosomes 3, 6 and 22. The region on sheep chromosome 3 between 75 739 167 and 75 745 152 bp included two significant SNPs (s52383.1 and OAR3_80038014_X.1) in high linkage disequilibrium with each other. The region that surrounds these SNPs contains a novel putative candidate gene: luteinizing hormone/choriogonadotropin receptor (LHCGR), known to be involved in ovarian steroidogenesis and organism‐specific biosystem pathways in sheep. Known prolificacy genes BMPR1B, BMP15 and GDF9 were not associated with litter size in Lori‐Bakhtiari sheep, suggesting that other biological mechanisms could be responsible for the trait's variation in this breed.     

d‐penicillamine capped cadmium telluride quantum dots as a novel fluorometric sensor of copper(II)

d ‐penicillamine‐capped cadmium telluride quantum dots (DPA‐capped CdTe QDs) were synthesized as the new fluorescent semiconductor nanocrystal in aqueous solution. Fourier transmission infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, ultraviolet‐visible and photoluminescence spectroscopy were used for characterization of the QDs. Based on the quenching effect of Cu²⁺ ions on the fluorescence intensity of DPA‐capped CdTe QDs, a new fluorometric sensor for copper(II) detection was developed that showed good linearity over the concentration range 5 × 10^–9–3 × 10^–6 m with the detection limit 0.4 × 10^–9 m . Owing to the strong affinity of the DPA to copper(II), the sensor showed appropriate selectivity for copper(II) compared with conventional QDs. The DPA‐capped CdTe QDs was successfully applied for determination of Cu²⁺ concentration in river, well and tap waters with satisfactory results. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Comparing the Recurrence of Vulvovaginal Candidiasis in Patients Undergoing Prophylactic Treatment with Probiotic and Placebo During the 6 Months

This is a randomized, double-blind, clinical/comparative trial study, involving the recurrence of vaginal candidiasis (VVC) after initial treatment with oral fluconazole in patients undergoing prophylactic management with a probiotic and placebo for 6 months. Fifty-nine VVC patients who were diagnosed based on their history, physical examination, and culture of vaginal discharge were initially treated by a single dose of 150 mg fluconazole. According to the table of random numbers, the sample was divided into two groups. The patients from one group took probiotics, while those from the other group took a placebo, with all of them being continuously monitored for 6 months. The patients complaining of vaginal candidiasis symptoms, such as burning, pruritus, and a vaginal (curd-like) discharge, were examined and the discharge was cultured for candida. The positive cultures were considered to be recurring for the patients in each group. Thirty-one cases from the placebo group and 28 cases from the probiotic group were carefully observed. In total, the 6-month recurrence in the control group was eleven (35.5 %) and in the research group was two (7.2 %). The results from Fisher’s exact test for the value p = 0.01 and OR 0.14 95 % CI (0.028–0.7) showed significant recurrence in the placebo group. The findings demonstrated that taking probiotics withazole antifungal drugs could be highly effective in treating VVC, resulting in a lower recurrence rate as well.