Paenibacillus hemolyticus, the first hemolytic Paenibacillus with growth-promoting activities discovered

Paenibacillus spp. are Gram-positive, facultatively aerobic, bacilli-shaped endospore-forming bacteria. They have been detected in a variety of environments, such as soil, water, forage, insect larvae, and even clinical samples. The strain 139SI (GenBank accession No.: JF825470.1) from three strains of Paenibacillus isolates investigated here was chosen as the type strain of the proposed novel species. The other two similar strain isolates investigated were 140SI (JF825471.1) and 141SI (JQ734548.1). These strains were identified as members of the genus Paenibacillus on the basis of phenotypic characteristics, phylogenetic analysis and 16S rRNA G+C content. Surprisingly, these strains exhibited a strong hemolytic activity on 5% sheep blood agar. Their crude extracts also showed positive growth-promoting activities in colon cancer and Vero cell lines. To our knowledge, this is the first Paenibacillus with hemolytic and growth-promoting activities reported, and the name Paenibacillus hemolyticus for this novel species is proposed. The capability of this novel species in hemolytic and cell growth activities suggests its potential in both clinical and pharmacological implications.     

A diaminocyclohexyl analog of SNS-032 with improved permeability and bioavailability properties

The identification of a selective CDK2, 7, 9 inhibitor 4 with improved permeability is described. Compound 4 exhibits comparable CDK selectivity profile to SNS-032, but shows improved permeability and higher bioavailability in mice.     

Expression and Changes of Hyperoxidized Peroxiredoxins in Non-Pyramidal and Polymorphic Cells in the Gerbil Hippocampus During Normal Aging

Oxidative stress is one of predisposing factors to age-related neurodegeneration in the brain. In particular, thiol-containing groups are susceptible to oxidative stress, which induces the formation of the disulfide bond and/or hyperoxidized form of thiol-containing proteins. We observed the protein thiol levels in the hippocampal homogenates and also investigated changes in hyperoxidized form of peroxiredoxin (Prx–SO₃) immunoreactivity and proteins levels in the gerbil hippocampal subregions during normal aging. Levels of total thiol, non-protein thiol, and protein thiol were decreased in the hippocampal homogenates with age. At post-natal month 1 (PM 1), pyramidal and non-pyramidal cells in the hippocampal CA1 region (CA1) showed Prx–SO₃ immunoreactivity. Prx–SO₃ immunoreactivity in the cells was decreased by PM 12, thereafter, Prx–SO₃ immunoreactivity in the cells increased again with age. In the CA2/3, Prx–SO₃ immunoreactivity in pyramidal cells was not significantly changed; however, the immunoreactivity in pyramidal cells was very low at PM 12. Prx–SO₃ immunoreactivity in the dentate gyrus (DG) was distinctly changed during aging. At PM 1, Prx–SO₃ immunoreactivity in granule and polymorphic cells was weak and strong, respectively. The immunoreactivity in the neurons was decreased with age, not shown in any neurons at PM 12. Thereafter, Prx–SO₃ immunoreactivity increased again with age. In addition, Prx–SO₃ protein level in the hippocampus was lowest at PM 12. These results suggest that thiol-containing proteins are changed during aging and Prx–SO₃ immunoreactivity was different according to cells in the hippocampal subregion during aging.     

An interesting diagnosis for a presacral mass: case report

A presacral mass can present a diagnostic dilemma for the surgical oncologist. Differential diagnoses include congenital causes such as teratoma or chordoma, neurological causes such as neurilemoma or neurofibroma or other malignancies such as lymphoma or sarcoma. Diagnosis usually requires imaging such as CT and MRI and tissue biopsy. We present an unusual cause of a presacral mass being extramedullary haematopoiesis, found incidentally in a 71 year old female. Extramedullary haematopoiesis is defined as the production of myeloid and erythroid elements outside of the bone-marrow. This diagnosis is extremely rare in the presacral area especially in a patient with no haematological abnormalities. A review of the literature is presented.     

Calpain inhibitory flavonoids isolated from Orostachys japonicus

The n-butanol (n-BuOH) fraction of Orostachys japonicus A. Berger (Crassulaceae) significantly inhibited calpain activity. Through the activity-guided isolation from the n-BuOH fraction, herbacetin 8-O-alpha-D-ribopyranoside (1), kaempferol (2), quercetin (3), afzelin (4), astragalin (5), isoquercetin (6) and quercitrin (7) were obtained. Their structures were determined by spectroscopic techniques. Among them, compound 3 and 5 had significant calpain inhibitory activities.     

NaV1.6a is required for normal activation of motor circuits normally excited by tactile stimulation

A screen for zebrafish motor mutants identified two noncomplementing alleles of a recessive mutation that were named non‐active (nav^mi89 and nav^mi130). nav embryos displayed diminished spontaneous and touch‐evoked escape behaviors during the first 3 days of development. Genetic mapping identified the gene encoding Na_V1.6a (scn8aa) as a potential candidate for nav. Subsequent cloning of scn8aa from the two alleles of nav uncovered two missense mutations in Na_V1.6a that eliminated channel activity when assayed heterologously. Furthermore, the injection of RNA encoding wild‐type scn8aa rescued the nav mutant phenotype indicating that scn8aa was the causative gene of nav. In‐vivo electrophysiological analysis of the touch‐evoked escape circuit indicated that voltage‐dependent inward current was decreased in mechanosensory neurons in mutants, but they were able to fire action potentials. Furthermore, tactile stimulation of mutants activated some neurons downstream of mechanosensory neurons but failed to activate the swim locomotor circuit in accord with the behavioral response of initial escape contractions but no swimming. Thus, mutant mechanosensory neurons appeared to respond to tactile stimulation but failed to initiate swimming. Interestingly fictive swimming could be initiated pharmacologically suggesting that a swim circuit was present in mutants. These results suggested that Na_V1.6a was required for touch‐induced activation of the swim locomotor network. © 2010 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Develop Neurobiol 70:508–522, 2010     

Extract from Terminalia chebula Seeds Protect Against Experimental Ischemic Neuronal Damage Via Maintaining SODs and BDNF Levels

The fruit of Terminalia chebula Retz has been used as a traditional medicine in Asia and contains tannic acid, chebulagic acid, chebulinic acid and corilagin. Extract from T. chebula seeds (TCE) has various biological functions. We observed the neuroprotective effects of TCE against ischemic damage in the hippocampal C1 region (CA1) of the gerbil that had received oral administrations of TCE (100?mg/kg) once a day for 7?days before the induction of transient cerebral ischemia. In the TCE-treated ischemia group, neuronal neuclei (a marker for neurons)-positive neurons were distinctively abundant (62% of the sham group) in the CA1 4?days after ischemia-reperfusion (I-R) compared to those (12.2% of the sham group) in the vehicle-treated ischemia group. Four days after I-R TCE treatment markedly decreased the activation of astrocytes and microglia in the ischemic CA1 compared with the vehicle-treated ischemia group. In addition, immunoreactivities of Cu, Zn-superoxide dismutase (SOD1), Mn-superoxide dismutase (SOD2) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the CA1 of the TCE-treated ischemia group were much higher than those in the vehicle-ischemia group 4?days after I-R. Protein levels of SOD1, SOD2 and BDNF in the TCE-treated ischemia group were also much higher than those in the vehicle-ischemia group 4?days after I-R. These results indicate that the repeated supplement of TCE protected neurons from ischemic damage induced by transient cerebral ischemia by maintaining SODs and BDNF levels as well as decreasing glial activation.     

The ameliorating effects of 2,3-dihydroxy-4-methoxyacetophenone on scopolamine-induced memory impairment in mice and its neuroprotective activity

We isolated 2,3-dihydroxy-4-methoxyacetophenone, a neuroprotective compound from Cynenchum paniculatum in our previous study.The present study was conducted to investigate the possible neuroprotective effect of 2,3-dihydroxy-4-methoxyacetophenone that has been previously isolated from Cynenchum paniculatum on hippocampal neuronal cell line, HT22 cells and its possible cognitive-enhancing effect on scopolamine-induced amnesia in mice.Neuroprotective effect against glutamate-induced neurotoxicity in HT22 cells was evaluated by MTT assay. Also, cognitive enhancing effect against scopolamine (1 mg/kg, ip) induced learning and memory deficit was measured by Morris water maze test. Oral administered of 2,3-dihydroxy-4-methoxyacetophenone (1, 10, 20, 40 and 50 mg/kg) to amnesic mice induced by scopolamine. In Morris water maze test, 2,3-dihydroxy-4-methoxyacetophenone (50 mg/kg) improved the impairment of spatial memory induced by scopolamine. 2,3-Dihydroxy-4-methoxyacetophenone protect HT22 cells on glutamate induced cell-death in a dose-dependent manner (EC₅₀ value: 10.94 μM). Furthermore, 2,3-dihydroxy-4-methoxyacetophenone was found to inhibit [Ca²⁺] accumulation in HT22 cells and had antioxidantive activity. The results showed that 2,3-dihydroxy-4-methoxyacetophenone exert neuroprotective and cognitive-enhancing activities through its antioxidant activity. We suggest that 2,3-dihydroxy-4-methoxyacetophenone improves cognitive function and may be helpful for the treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.     

Calbindin D-28k Immunoreactivity and Its Protein Level in Hippocampal Subregions During Normal Aging in Gerbils

The hippocampus is associated with learning and memory function and shows neurochemical changes in aging processes. Calbindin D-28k (CB) binds calcium ion with a fast association rate. We examined age-related changes in CB immunoreactivity and its protein level in the gerbil hippocampus during normal aging. In the hippocampal CA1 region (CA1) and CA2, CB immunoreaction was found in some neurons in the stratum pyramidale (SP) at postnatal month 1 (PM 1). CB immunoreactivity in neurons was markedly increased at PM 3. Thereafter, CB immunoreactivity was decreased with time: CB-immunoreactive (⁺) neurons were fewest at PM 24. In the CA3, a few CB⁺ neurons were found only in the SP at PM 1 and in the stratum radiatum at PM 18 and 24. In addition, mossy fibers were stained with CB at PM 1. CB immunoreactivity in mossy fibers was markedly increased at PM 3, thereafter it was decreased with time. In the dentate gyrus, many granule cells (GC) in the granule cell layer were stained with CB at PM 1. CB immunoreactivity in GC was markedly increased at PM 3, thereafter CB immunoreactivity was decreased with time. In Western blot analysis, CB protein level in the gerbil hippocampus was highest at PM 3, thereafter CB protein levels were decreased with time. This result indicates that CB in the gerbil hippocampus is abundant at PM 3 and is decreased with age.