Influence of Magnetic Field on Brain Activity During Administration of Caffeine

The aim of the present work is to evaluate the effect of caffeine, the world’s most popular psychoactive drug, on the electric activity of the rat’s brain that exposed to extremely low-frequency magnetic field (ELF-MF), during 15 days. The obtained results showed that administration of caffeine in a group of rats by dose of 10 mg/kg (equivalent to human daily consumption) caused a reduction in the mean power amplitude of electroencephalogram (EEG) trace for almost all frequency bands especially α (8–12 Hz). It was observed that the influence of caffeine was more evident in motor cortex than in visual cortex. While the exposure of another group to ELF-MF of intensity 0.2 mT during the same period caused an enhancement in the mean power amplitude of most EEG frequency bands; this was more observed in the right hemisphere of the brain than that of the left hemisphere. The administration of caffeine while rats were exposed to ELF-MF, led, after 5 days of exposure, to a great increase in the mean power amplitude of α band at all places of recording electrodes. It may be concluded that caffeine administration was more effective in reducing the hazardous of ELF-MF in motor cortex than in visual cortex.     

Structural and functional characterization of peptides derived from the carboxy‐terminal region of a defensin from the tick Ornithodoros savignyi

Tick defensins may serve as templates for the development of multifunctional peptides. The purpose of this study was to evaluate shorter peptides derived from tick defensin isoform 2 (OsDef2) in terms of their antibacterial, antioxidant, and cytotoxic activities. We compared the structural and functional properties of a synthetic peptide derived from the carboxy‐terminal of the parent peptide (Os) to that of an analogue in which the three cysteine residues were omitted (Os–C). Here, we report that both peptides were bactericidal (MBC values ranging from 0.94–15 µg/ml) to both Gram‐positive and Gram‐negative bacteria, whereas the parent peptide only exhibited Gram‐positive antibacterial activity. The Os peptide was found to be two‐fold more active than Os–C against three of the four tested bacteria but equally active against Staphylococcus aureus. Os showed rapid killing kinetics against both Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis, whereas Os–C took longer, suggesting different modes of action. Scanning electron microscopy showed that in contrast to melittin for which blebbing of bacterial surfaces was observed, cells exposed to either peptide appeared flattened and empty. Circular dichroism data indicated that in a membrane‐mimicking environment, the cysteine‐containing peptide has a higher α‐helical content. Both peptides were found to be non‐toxic to mammalian cells. Moreover, the peptides displayed potent antioxidant activity and were 12 times more active than melittin. Multifunctional peptides hold potential for a wide range of clinical applications and further investigation into their mode of antibacterial and antioxidant properties is therefore warranted. Copyright © 2013 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

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.     

Genotyping of –374A/T, –429A/G,And 63 bp Ins/Del Polymorphisms of Rage By Rapid One-Step Hexaprimer Amplification Refractory Mutation System Polymerase Chain Reaction in Breast Cancer Patients

Several studies have focused on the RAGE genetic background and have demonstrated that its polymorphisms affect the receptor's activity, expression, and downstream signaling. However, there is only little information regarding RAGE polymorphism in breast cancer. In the present study, the authors studied RAGE polymorphisms in 71 patients with breast cancer and 93 healthy women. RAGE –374T/A, –429T/C, and 63 bp Ins/del polymorphisms were analyzed using a hexaprimer amplification refractory mutation system PCR (H-ARMS-PCR). The results showed that RAGE polymorphisms are not associated with breast cancer in the current study population. Larger studies are required to confirm these data in other populations.     

Associations between Active Travel to Work and Overweight,Hypertension, and Diabetes in India: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background

Increasing active travel (walking, bicycling, and public transport) is promoted as a key strategy to increase physical activity and reduce the growing burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) globally. Little is known about patterns of active travel or associated cardiovascular health benefits in low- and middle-income countries. This study examines mode and duration of travel to work in rural and urban India and associations between active travel and overweight, hypertension, and diabetes.

Methods and Findings

Cross-sectional study of 3,902 participants (1,366 rural, 2,536 urban) in the Indian Migration Study. Associations between mode and duration of active travel and cardiovascular risk factors were assessed using random-effect logistic regression models adjusting for age, sex, caste, standard of living, occupation, factory location, leisure time physical activity, daily fat intake, smoking status, and alcohol use. Rural dwellers were significantly more likely to bicycle (68.3% versus 15.9%; p<0.001) to work than urban dwellers. The prevalence of overweight or obesity was 50.0%, 37.6%, 24.2%, 24.9%; hypertension was 17.7%, 11.8%, 6.5%, 9.8%; and diabetes was 10.8%, 7.4%, 3.8%, 7.3% in participants who travelled to work by private transport, public transport, bicycling, and walking, respectively. In the adjusted analysis, those walking (adjusted risk ratio [ARR] 0.72; 95% CI 0.58–0.88) or bicycling to work (ARR 0.66; 95% CI 0.55–0.77) were significantly less likely to be overweight or obese than those travelling by private transport. Those bicycling to work were significantly less likely to have hypertension (ARR 0.51; 95% CI 0.36–0.71) or diabetes (ARR 0.65; 95% CI 0.44–0.95). There was evidence of a dose-response relationship between duration of bicycling to work and being overweight, having hypertension or diabetes. The main limitation of the study is the cross-sectional design, which limits causal inference for the associations found.

Conclusions

Walking and bicycling to work was associated with reduced cardiovascular risk in the Indian population. Efforts to increase active travel in urban areas and halt declines in rural areas should be integral to strategies to maintain healthy weight and prevent NCDs in India. Please see later in the article for the Editors'' Summary     

Hypothalamic S-Nitrosylation Contributes to the Counter-Regulatory Response Impairment following Recurrent Hypoglycemia

Aims

Hypoglycemia is a severe side effect of intensive insulin therapy. Recurrent hypoglycemia (RH) impairs the counter-regulatory response (CRR) which restores euglycemia. During hypoglycemia, ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) production of nitric oxide (NO) and activation of its receptor soluble guanylyl cyclase (sGC) are critical for the CRR. Hypoglycemia also increases brain reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. NO production in the presence of ROS causes protein S-nitrosylation. S-nitrosylation of sGC impairs its function and induces desensitization to NO. We hypothesized that during hypoglycemia, the interaction between NO and ROS increases VMH sGC S-nitrosylation levels and impairs the CRR to subsequent episodes of hypoglycemia. VMH ROS production and S-nitrosylation were quantified following three consecutive daily episodes of insulin-hypoglycemia (RH model). The CRR was evaluated in rats in response to acute insulin-induced hypoglycemia or via hypoglycemic-hyperinsulinemic clamps. Pretreatment with the anti-oxidant N-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) was used to prevent increased VMH S-nitrosylation.

Results

Acute insulin-hypoglycemia increased VMH ROS levels by 49±6.3%. RH increased VMH sGC S-nitrosylation. Increasing VMH S-nitrosylation with intracerebroventricular injection of the nitrosylating agent S-nitroso-L-cysteine (CSNO) was associated with decreased glucagon secretion during hypoglycemic clamp. Finally, in RH rats pre-treated with NAC (0.5% in drinking water for 9 days) hypoglycemia-induced VMH ROS production was prevented and glucagon and epinephrine production was not blunted in response to subsequent insulin-hypoglycemia.

Conclusion

These data suggest that NAC may be clinically useful in preventing impaired CRR in patients undergoing intensive-insulin therapy.     

Expression of novel lhmlt fusion protein using plant viral vector and study of its anticancer effect

Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture (PCTOC) - Melittin peptide is the main component of honey bee venom with the cytotoxic and anti-cancer effect which can affect healthy and cancerous cells...     

Fine-scale population genetic structure of Endangered Caspian Sea trout,Salmo caspius: implications for conservation

Hydrobiologia - Many populations of Caspian Sea trout (Salmo caspius)—a nationally endangered species in Iran—have been extirpated or depleted due to anthropogenic impacts. The Lar...     

The commercially important shoemaker spinefoot,Siganus sutor,connects coral reefs to neighbouring seagrass meadows

Spatial management of fish populations can potentially be optimized by determining the area of influence of a particular species. We performed an acoustic tagging study implemented on Denis Island in the Seychelles to assess the area of influence of the heavily targeted shoemaker spinefoot, Siganus sutor. We investigated whether this species acts as a mobile link between coral patches and seagrass meadows, and whether their movements differed between day and night. The study incorporated an array of 22 acoustic stations deployed within dense coral patches, seagrass meadows and mixed habitats of both seagrass and coral. Fifteen S. sutor carrying internal acoustic tags were monitored from November 2016 until May 2017. Detection patterns revealed them to be diurnal herbivores, with only rare nocturnal movements. Home-range estimates showed that individuals differed in their spatial range extents and habitats used, covering ~15% of the total shallow subtidal coastline of the island. However, they displayed very small daily movements (<200 m), concentrated mainly around sites within mixed coral and seagrass habitats. An optimal number of detections was recorded when the coral to seagrass area ratio was approximately 1.6:1. This ratio was confirmed through statistical prediction modelling. Identification of such links of commercially important species between networked habitats may help authorities consider incorporating seagrass meadows of the Seychelles into management discussions, which are currently lacking.