Evaluation of new chalcone derivatives as polyphenol oxidase inhibitors

A newly series of 4-(phenylurenyl)chalcone (4a–j) and 4′-(phenylurenyl/thiourenyl)chalcone (9a–l) derivatives were synthesized and their inhibitory effects on the diphenolase activity of banana tyrosinase were evaluated. Tyrosinase has been purified from banana on an affinity gel comprised of Sepharose 4B-l-tyrosine-p-aminobenzoic acid. The result showed that 4a–j inhibited the PPO enzyme activity. Conversely, 9a–h and 9i–l showed activator effect on tyrosinase enzyme activity.     

Anticancer and antimetastatic activity of Hypomyces chrysospermus,a cosmopolitan parasite in different human cancer cells

The importance of microbial natural compounds in drug research is increasing every year and they are used to prevent or treat a variety of diseases. Hypomyces chrysospermus is a cosmopolitan parasite of many Boletaceae members. Since not much work has been conducted to date, this study is undertaken to explore the anticancer effect, including the antiproliferative and antimetastatic activity of Hypomyces chrysospermus. The aim of this study is to determine the antiproliferative and antimetastatic activity of Hypomyces chrysospermus ethyl acetate extract, having antioxidant activity, against A549, Caco2, MCF-7 human cancer and CCD-19 Lu and CCD 841 CoN healthy human cell lines. Firstly, cytotoxic activity was determined by the WST-1 assay. After cell proliferations and anti-metastatic effects were investigated by a real-time cell analysis system (RTCA-DP) and IC₅₀ concentrations were calculated for each cell line. In addition, the expression levels of Apaf-1, TNF and NF-kB mRNA in cancer cells were investigated with RealTime-PCR. The ethyl acetate extract of Hypomyces chrysospermus presented anticancer activities including antiproliferative and antimetastatic effects. Hypomyces chrysospermus as a source of biologically active metabolites can be used as an important resource in the development of new anticancer effective agents.

     

New volatile anesthetic,desflurane, reduces vitamin E level in blood of operative patients via oxidative stress

It has been well known that some volatile anesthetic agents produce oxidative stress. Desflurane as a new volatile agent might have limited oxidative toxic effect because it is relatively a new short‐acting anesthetic characterized by a short duration of action and a quick postanesthetic recovery. We investigated effect of desflurane on serum glutathione peroxidase (GSH‐Px), lipid peroxidation (LP), vitamin E, and erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD) values in patients. Fifteen adult patients are scheduled for elective surgery, ASA I or II physical status. Tidal volume and ventilation frequency were kept unchanged during the operation. Baseline values in venous blood samples were preoperatively taken and blood was also taken postoperatively at the 1st and the 12th hours of desflurane exposure. LP levels were significantly (p < 0.05) higher postoperatively at 1st hour than in preoperative values while α‐tocopherol concentration was significantly (p < 0.001) lower in postoperative period at 1st hour than in preoperative period. Erythrocyte SOD and serum GSH‐Px activities did not differ between pre‐ and postoperative periods. In conclusion, we observed that desflurane produced oxidative stress by decreasing α‐tocopherol levels. Use of vitamin E may be possible to reduce the oxidative effect of desflurane. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Congenital myasthenic syndrome: a case report

Summary: Congenital myasthenic syndromes (CMS) are diseases of the neuromuscular junction. They usually belong to the disease groups that begin in the infantile or childhood period and carry genetic characteristics. The following is important in establishing the diagnosis of this disease: clinical findings, electromyography, genetic tests, determination of serum acetylcholine receptor antibodies. Acetylcholine esterase inhibitor drugs are used in treatment of CMS. A seven-month old male patient was brought to our department with the complaints of difficult breathing, falling of the eyelids and swallowing difficulty. With clinical and laboratory findings, he was diagnosed with congenital myasthenia and treatment was started. CMS should be suspected in patients with no pathological findings on the physical examination, and normal chest X-rays.     

Contributions of root uptake and remobilization to grain zinc accumulation in wheat depending on post-anthesis zinc availability and nitrogen nutrition

Background and aims

Whether root Zn uptake during grain filling or remobilization from pre-anthesis Zn stores contributes more to grain Zn in wheat is subject to an on-going debate. This study investigated the effects of N nutrition and post-anthesis Zn availability on the relative importance of these sources.

Methods

Durum wheat plants were grown in nutrient solution containing adequate Zn (0.5?μM) and three different N levels (0.5; 1.5; 4.5?mM). One third of the plants were harvested when they reached anthesis. One half of the remaining plants were grown to maturity with adequate Zn, whereas the Zn supply to the other half was discontinued at anthesis. Roots, straw and grains were harvested separately and analyzed for Zn and N.

Results

Depending on the N supply, Zn remobilization from pre-anthesis sources provided almost all of grain Zn when the Zn supply was withheld at anthesis; otherwise up to 100?% of grain Zn could be accounted for by Zn taken up post-anthesis. By promoting tillering and grain yield and extending the grain filling, higher N supply favored the contribution of Zn uptake to grain Zn accumulation.

Conclusion

Remobilization is critical for grain Zn accumulation when Zn availability is restricted during grain filling. However, where root uptake can continue, concurrent Zn uptake during grain development, favored by higher N supply, overshadows net remobilization.     

Polymorphonuclear neutrophil-derived ectosomes interfere with the maturation of monocyte-derived dendritic cells

Polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) are a key component of the innate immune system. Their activation leads to the release of potent antimicrobial agents through degranulation. Simultaneously, PMNs release cell surface-derived microvesicles, so-called ectosomes (PMN-Ect). PMN-Ect are rightside-out vesicles with a diameter of 50-200 nm. They expose phosphatidylserine in the outer leaflet of their membrane and down-modulate monocyte/macrophage-activation in vitro. In this study, we analyzed the effects of PMN-Ect on maturation of human monocyte-derived dendritic cells (MoDCs). Intriguingly, exposing immature MoDCs to PMN-Ect modified their morphology, reduced their phagocytic activity, and increased the release of TGF-beta1. When immature MoDCs were incubated with PMN-Ect and stimulated with the TLR4 ligand LPS, the maturation process was partially inhibited as evidenced by reduced expression of cell surface markers (CD40, CD80, CD83, CD86, and HLA-DP DQ DR), inhibition of cytokine-release (IL-8, IL-10, IL-12, and TNF-alpha), and a reduced capacity to induce T cell proliferation. Together these data provide evidence that PMN-Ect have the ability to modify MoDC maturation and function. PMN-Ect may thus represent an as yet unidentified host-factor influencing MoDC maturation at the site of injury, thereby possibly impacting on downstream MoDC-dependent immunity.     

Osteogenic ability of free perichondreal autografts in canine tibial defects: An experimental study

This study set out to establish the effect of transplanting perichondreum on bone healing at sites of tibial bone defects in an experimental dog model. Transplantation of free, autologous, non-vascularised, perichondreal grafts to the distal of right anteromedial plane side of the tibia was compared with non-transplantation on the proximal side of the same bone.

In experimental dogs (n = 7), a 5 cm piece segment of perichondreum, that has been excised from the thirteenth rib of the same animal, was transplanted to the middle defect fracture site of bone, but not to the control proximal defect fracture site.

The dogs were allowed to recover from the operation and were kept 21 days in cages, with free-range. On days 30 (Group I) and 45 (Group II) after operations, the dogs were euthanatized. Histopathologically, defects in 30 days treated perichondreum group were filled by new ossified tissue while control defects in the same period were not fully resurfaced. The new ossified tissue consisted of a thin and inadequate trabeculae. In 45 days treated groups, defects with transplanting perichondreum were filled by thick trabeculae converting into a compact bone tissue. The control defects of this group, however, were filled by an extreme callus overflowing to medulla and bone surface.

This study has provided evidence to show that autologous, non-vascularized perichondreum retains an osteogenic ability when transplanted to tibial bone defect sites. It appears that callus formation occurred within the perichondreum grafting which resembles that of enchondral and intramembranous ossification.     

Muslim community organizations – sites of active citizenship or self-segregation?

Ethno-religious community organizations in Western countries have often been described as being disconnected from mainstream society, and Muslim community groups have been a special focus of such critique. This article offers a counter-narrative to these widespread allegations. It draws on a synthesis of emerging research on the citizenship-enhancing effects of mosque involvement and on an explorative study involving thirty in-depth interviews with civically active Muslims in Australia and Germany. The article examines the potential of Muslim community organizations to mobilize their member into performing their citizenship through civic and political participation. It offers empirical evidence that many Muslim community organizations, rather than promoting social segregation, act as accessible entry point for Muslims’ civic participation, facilitate cross-community engagement and provide gateways to political involvement. These civic potentials of Muslim community organization have remained underestimated in the public and political discourse on cohesive societies and healthy democracies.     

An approach for prediction of optimum reaction conditions for laccase-catalyzed bio-transformation of 1-naphthol by response surface methodology (RSM)

Response surface methodology (RSM) was successfully applied to enzymatic bio-transformation of 1-naphthol. The experiments were conducted in a closed system containing acetone and sodium acetate buffer, with laccase enzyme. Laccase enzyme used as catalyst was derived from Trametes versicolor (ATCC 200801). The enzymatic bio-transformation rate of 1-naphthol, based on measurements of initial dissolved oxygen (DO) consumption rate in the closed system, was optimized by the application of RSM. The independent variables, which had been found as the most effective variables on the initial DO consumption rate by screening experiments, were determined as medium temperature, pH and acetone content. A quadratic model was developed through RSM in terms of related independent variables to describe the DO consumption rate as the response. Based on contour plots and variance analysis, optimum operational conditions for maximizing initial DO consumption rate, while keeping acetone content at its minimum value, were 301 K of temperature, pH 6 and acetone content of 7% to obtain 9.17 x 10(-3) mM DO/min for initial oxidation rate.     

Effects of simvastatin treatment on oxidant/antioxidant state and ultrastructure of diabetic rat myocardium

In the present study we investigated the effects of simvastatin treatment on lipid metabolism and peroxidation, antioxidant enzyme activities and ultrastructure of the diabetic rat myocardium. Diabetes was induced by single injection of streptozotocin (45 mg/kg i.p.). Eight weeks after induction of diabetes, a subgroup of control and of diabetic rats was treated with simvastatin for 4 weeks (10 mg/kg/day, orally). Blood glucose, plasma cholesterol and triacylglycerol, as well as levels of cardiac thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were significantly increased in diabetic rats. The activities of antioxidant enzymes, catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx), were also elevated in the diabetic myocardium. Treatment with simvastatin markedly reduced serum triacylglycerol and cholesterol, and partially controlled hyperglycemia in diabetic animals. The increased activation of antioxidant enzymes and the excess of lipid peroxidation measured by TBARS were completely reversed by simvastatin treatment. Diabetic rats displayed ultrastructural ischemia-like alterations of cardiomyocytes and capillaries, which support oxidative stress-induced tissue remodelling. In the diabetic myocardium simvastatin treatment partly attenuated angiopathic and atherogenic processes, detected by electron microscopy. These results suggest that simvastatin, known as a lipid-lowering drug, may positively affect diabetes induced cardiovascular complications via reducing risks of atherosclerotic pathological processes, such as imbalance between oxidant and antioxidant state.