Bacteriostatic and Bactericidal Activities of Camel Lactoferrins Against Salmonella enterica Serovar Typhi

Probiotics and Antimicrobial Proteins - Lactoferrin is an iron-binding glycoprotein present in various secretions (e.g., milk, tears, saliva, pancreatic juice), which performs multiple functions,...     

Effect of the conditioned medium of mesenchymal stem cells on the expression levels of P2X4 and P2X7 purinergic receptors in the spinal cord of rats with neuropathic pain

Purinergic Signalling - Recent studies have shown that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and their conditioned medium (CM) have potential therapeutic effects in animal models of neuropathic pain (NP)....     

Larvicidal potential of gold and silver nanoparticles synthesized using Acalypha fruticosa leaf extracts against Culex pipiens (Culicidae: Diptera)

Plant secondary metabolites have been recently used for the synthesis of different nanoparticles. The present investigation aimed at evaluating the effect of gold (AuNPs) and silver (AgNPs) nanoparticles synthesized using Acalypha fruticosa leaf extracts to control the mosquito Culex pipiens. The A. fruticosa AuNPs and AgNPs spectra displayed their maximum absorption at 550 nm and 440 nm, respectively. The infrared spectra revealed different functional groups related to different chemical compounds. The larval mortality of aqueous leaf extract of A. fruticosa was 499.54 ppm (LC₅₀) and 1734.06 ppm (LC₉₀) after 24 h of treatment. This study revealed that AuNP (LC₅₀, 30.2 and LC₉₀, 104.83 ppm) and AgNP (LC₅₀, 52.86 and LC₉₀, 157.227 ppm) preparations were highly effective compared to the A. fruticosa extract alone and also more affordable, as a smaller amount was required. The present findings show the potential larvicidal effect of the synthesized AuNPs and AgNPs for the control of mosquito-mediated disease transmission.     

Farmers’ knowledge,perception and management of mango mealy bug,Drosicha mangiferae Green (Hemiptera: Monophlebidae), on Mangifera indica in Punjab,Pakistan

In 2004–05, during the December to February about 141 mango farmers were interviewed during peak activity of mango mealy bug in southern Punjab, Pakistan. The objective was to know the farmers’ knowledge, perceptions and practices in the management of mango mealy bug. Most of the farmers (94.33%) reported that Chaunsa variety (king of all mango varieties) was susceptible to mango and irrigation water was the major source of flare up of this pest. Basudin and Supracide were the most commonly used insecticides as 72.92 and 51.77 percent farmers gave positive response and grease bands were applied for the control of mango mealy bug by the majority of the respondents. Hundred percent yield losses was told by 22.7 percent respondents whereas 75 percent, 50 percent and 25 percent losses were reported by 39.7, 31.9 and 14.2 insecticidal spray did not show satisfaction to the respondents for the control of fertilized females of mango mealy bug coming down from the trees. Lack of knowledge about the pest, lack of money, adulterated and shortage of pesticides, lack of unity amongst farmers Further the growers’ views were tested in the field for confirmation and small land holdings were the main constraints for the control of mango mealy bug.     

Association of the myosin heavy chain 9 gene single nucleotide polymorphism with inflammatory bowel disease

BackgroundTo date, the cause of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) remains a mystery. A balance between cell proliferation and apoptosis maintains intestinal tissue homeostasis. Dissociation-induced myosin-actin contraction results in stem cell apoptosis. This study aiming to evaluate the influence of the myosin heavy chain 9 (MYH9) gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) on inflammatory bowel disease.Subjectsand methods: The study carried on eighty patients with IBD and seventy controls. All participants subjected to history taking, thorough physical examination, colonoscopy and laboratory investigations. Genotyping performed for rs4821480 and rs3752462 by SNP assay real-time PCR methods.ResultsOn analyzing rs3752462 CT and TT genotypes were significantly more frequent in IBD patients as compared to controls with 4.6 fold increase in the risk of IBD. While on analyzing rs4821480, The TG and GG genotypes have significant increased distribution among the IBD patients as compared to the controls with 5.3 fold increase in the risk of IBD and higher prevalence of GG genotype in patients with low hemoglobin level and higher BMI.ConclusionThe rs3752462 T allele and rs4821480 G allele of MYH9 are associated with more susceptibility to IBD.     

PDZK1 Is a Novel Factor in Breast Cancer That Is Indirectly Regulated by Estrogen through IGF-1R and Promotes Estrogen-Mediated Growth

Although a relationship between PDZK1 expression and estrogen receptor (ER)-α stimulation has been suggested, the nature of such a connection and the function of PDZK1 in breast cancer remain unknown. Human tissue microarrays (cancer tissue: 262 cores; normal tissue: 87 cores) and breast cancer cell lines were used to conduct the study. We show that PDZK1 protein expression is tightly correlated with human breast malignancy, is negatively correlated with age and had no significant correlation with ER-α expression levels. PDZK1 exhibited an exclusive epithelial expression with mostly cytosolic subcellular localization. Additionally, 17β-estradiol induced PDZK1 expression above its basal level more than 24 h after treatment in MCF-7 cells. PDZK1 expression was indirectly regulated by ER-α stimulation, requiring insulinlike growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R) expression and function. The molecular link between PDZK1 and IGF-1R was supported by a significant correlation between protein and mRNA levels (r = 0.591, p < 0.001, and r = 0.537, p < 0.001, respectively) of the two factors in two different cohorts of human breast cancer tissues. Interestingly, PDZK1 knockdown in MCF-7 cells blocked ER-dependent growth and reduced c-Myc expression, whereas ectopic expression of PDZK1 enhanced cell proliferation in the presence or absence of 17β-estradiol potentially through an increase in c-Myc expression, suggesting that PDZK1 has oncogenic activity. PDKZ1 also appeared to interact with the Src/ER-α/epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) complex, but not with IGF-1R and enhanced EGFR-stimulated MEK/ERK1/2 signaling. Collectively, our results clarify the relationship between ER-α and PDZK1, propose a direct relationship between PDZK1 and IGF-1R, and identify a novel oncogenic activity for PDZK1 in breast cancer.     

Synthesis of Acyclovir and HBG Analogues Having Nicotinonitrile and Its 2-methyloxy 1,2,3-triazole

Reaction of pyridin-2(1H)-one 1 with 4-bromobutylacetate (2), (2-acetoxyethoxy)methyl bromide (3) gave the corresponding nicotinonitrile O-acyclonucleosides, 4 and 5, respectively. Deacetylation of 4 and 5 gave the corresponding deprotected acyclonucleosides 6 and 7, respectively. Treatment of pyridin-2(1H)-one 1 with 1,3-dichloropropan-2-ol (8), epichlorohydrin (10) and allyl bromide (12) gave the corresponding nicotinonitrile O-acyclonucleosides 9, 11, and 13, respectively. Furthermore, reaction of pyridin-2(1H)-one 1 with the propargyl bromide (14) gave the corresponding 2-O-propargyl derivative 15, which was reacted via [3+2] cycloaddition with 4-azidobutyl acetate (16) and [(2-acetoxyethoxy)methyl]azide (17) to give the corresponding 1,2,3-triazole derivatives 18 and 19, respectively. The structures of the new synthesized compounds were characterized by using IR, ¹H, ¹³C NMR spectra, and microanalysis. Selected members of these compounds were screened for antibacterial activity.     

Characterization and kinetic properties of the purified Trematosphaeria mangrovei laccase enzyme

The properties of Trematosphaeria mangrovei laccase enzyme purified on Sephadex G-100 column were investigated. SDS–PAGE of the purified laccase enzyme showed a single band at 48 kDa. The pure laccase reached its maximal activity at temperature 65 °C, pH 4.0 with K_m equal 1.4 mM and V_max equal 184.84 U/mg protein. The substrate specificity of the purified laccase was greatly influenced by the nature and position of the substituted groups in the phenolic ring. The pure laccase was tested with some metal ions and inhibitors, FeSO₄ completely inhibited laccase enzyme and also highly affected by (NaN₃) at a concentration of 1 mM. Amino acid composition of the pure enzyme was also determined. Carbohydrate content of purified laccase enzyme was 23% of the enzyme sample. The UV absorption spectra of the purified laccase enzyme showed a single peak at 260–280 nm.     

Transorbital Sonographic Evaluation of Normal Optic Nerve Sheath Diameter in Healthy Volunteers in Bangladesh

Introduction

Measurement of optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) by ultrasound is increasingly used as a marker to detect raised intracranial pressure (ICP). ONSD varies with age and there is no clear consensus between studies for an upper limit of normal. Knowledge of normal ONSD in a healthy population is essential to interpret this measurement.

Methods

In a prospective observational study, ONSD was measured using a 15 MHz ultrasound probe in healthy volunteers in Chittagong, Bangladesh. The aims were to determine the normal range of ONSD in healthy Bangladeshi adults and children, compare measurements in males and females, horizontal and vertical beam orientations and left and right eyes in the same individual and to determine whether ONSD varies with head circumference independent of age.

Results

136 subjects were enrolled, 12.5% of whom were age 16 or under. Median ONSD was 4.41 mm with 95% of subjects in the range 4.25–4.75 mm. ONSD was bimodally distributed. There was no relationship between ONSD and age (≥4 years), gender, head circumference, and no difference in left vs right eye or horizontal vs vertical beam.

Conclusions

Ultrasonographic ONSD in Bangladeshi healthy volunteers has a narrow bimodal distribution independent of age (≥4 years), gender and head circumference. ONSD >4.75 mm in this population should be considered abnormal.