Antinociceptive action of GABA-mimetic agent--N-phthaloyl GABA

N-phthaloyl GABA (P-GABA), a nonselective GABA-ergic drug, showed positive analgesic response in four different models in mice, viz-tail immersion, tail clip, hot plate and writhing-induced by acetic acid. Antinociceptive ED50 (ip in mice) of P-GABA was lowest in tail immersion method (ED50 = 24.27, mg/kg). Though pethidine (10 mg/kg, ip) significantly potentiated the antinociceptive action of P-GABA (20 mg/kg, ip), pretreatment of naloxone (5 mg/kg, im) did not influence the same. Pretreatment with atropine (10 mg/kg, im), picrotoxin (0.08 mg/kg) and 3-mercaptopropionic acid (2 mg/kg) reduced the antinociceptive action of P-GABA significantly. But pretreatment with bicuculline (0.4 mg/kg), a specific GABA antagonist, did not reduce the antinociceptive action of P-GABA.     

Analysis and prediction of antibacterial peptides

Background  

Antibacterial peptides are important components of the innate immune system, used by the host to protect itself from different types of pathogenic bacteria. Over the last few decades, the search for new drugs and drug targets has prompted an interest in these antibacterial peptides. We analyzed 486 antibacterial peptides, obtained from antimicrobial peptide database APD, in order to understand the preference of amino acid residues at specific positions in these peptides.     

Synthesis of HPMC stabilized nickel nanoparticles and investigation of their magnetic and catalytic properties

Nickel nanoparticles synthesized from NiCl₂·6H₂O by hydrazine hydrate in mixed solvent of ethanol and water in the presence of hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC) as protective and stabilizing agents. The morphology and sizes of synthesized Ni nanoparticles were studied by field-emission-scanning-electron microscopy (FESEM). Structural properties of nanoparticles were examined by X-ray diffraction (XRD). The polymer stabilized Ni nanoparticles were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The magnetic measurement showed that the resultant Ni nanoparticles were ferromagnetic. Also, the saturation magnetization (M_S), remanent magnetization (M_R) and coercivity (M_R) were observed to increase with decreasing temperature. The results of magnetic characterization showed that the magnetic properties of the HPMC stabilized Ni nanoparticles are quite different from those of the bared Ni nanoparticles. All the observed magnetic properties essentially reflected the very typical nanoparticle type nature. Consequently, the resulting Ni nanoparticles were found to be highly active and recyclable catalyst for Suzuki coupling reactions.     

Synthesis and anticonvulsant activity of N-phthaloyl GABA--a new GABA derivative

A new gamma-aminobutyric acid derivative, N-phthaloyl GABA (P-GABA), was synthesised and its anticonvulsant activity was tested and compared with sodium valproate for efficacy against experimentally induced convulsions in mice. At a dose of 80 mg/kg, P-GABA rendered more protection than sodium valproate. ED50 of P-GABA and sodium valproate against bicuculline-induced convulsion was 96 and 301 mg/kg respectively in mice.     

Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA,C22:6, ω-3) Composition of Milk and Mammary Gland Tissues of Lactating Mother Rats Is Severely Affected by Lead (Pb) Exposure

Biological Trace Element Research - Selenomethionine is able to relieve the effect of inflammation in various tissues and organs. However, there are few studies about the influences of organic...     

High-resolution mapping of mitotic DNA synthesis regions and common fragile sites in the human genome through direct sequencing

DNA replication stress, a feature of human cancers, often leads to instability at specific genomic loci, such as the common fragile sites (CFSs). Cells experiencing DNA replication stress may also exhibit mitotic DNA synthesis (MiDAS). To understand the physiological function of MiDAS and its relationship to CFSs, we mapped, at high resolution, the genomic sites of MiDAS in cells treated with the DNA polymerase inhibitor aphidicolin. Sites of MiDAS were evident as well-defined peaks that were largely conserved between cell lines and encompassed all known CFSs. The MiDAS peaks mapped within large, transcribed, origin-poor genomic regions. In cells that had been treated with aphidicolin, these regions remained unreplicated even in late S phase; MiDAS then served to complete their replication after the cells entered mitosis. Interestingly, leading and lagging strand synthesis were uncoupled in MiDAS, consistent with MiDAS being a form of break-induced replication, a repair mechanism for collapsed DNA replication forks. Our results provide a better understanding of the mechanisms leading to genomic instability at CFSs and in cancer cells.Subject terms: Cancer, DNA damage and repair