Expression of low molecular weight heat-shock proteins and total antioxidant activity in the Mediterranean tree Quercus ilex L. in relation to seasonal and diurnal changes in physiological parameters

The total antioxidant activity (TAA) and the accumulation of small heat shock proteins (sHsps) were analysed under field conditions in Quercus ilex with regard to organ ontogeny and the physiological state of the plant. The results point toward the participation of sHsps and an increase of TAA in the general adaptation syndrome (GAS) of woody Mediterranean evergreens. In leaves and stems, there was a definite TAA seasonal pattern but no effect from diurnal variations or from the current stage of organ ontogeny. TAA was about twice as large in summer as in spring and winter and the hydrophilic antioxidant content was about 16 times greater than that of lipophilic antioxidants. The accumulation of sHsps in leaves also showed a seasonal pattern, but no effect from diurnal variations or from leaf ontogeny. In summer days, the sHsps content remained invariable even during the daylight hours in which the leaves were physiologically recovered. However, the accumulation of sHsps in stems did vary in relation to organ ontogeny. Old stems had a high accumulation of sHsps throughout the year, whereas in young stems, accumulation of sHsps was detected only in summer. This is probably due to a higher quantity of lignified and suberized tissues in the older stems. Using two‐dimensional immunodetection for leaves and stems, two sets of Hs protein species (17 and 10 kDa regions) were observed. In stems, there was an increase in 10 kDa proteins from winter to summer. These results are discussed and the possible role of the two types of polypeptides in the face of environmental and endogenous oxidative stress are considered.     

Synthesis,Biological Evaluation,and Molecular Docking of Novel Thiazoles and [1,3,4]Thiadiazoles Incorporating Sulfonamide Group as DHFR Inhibitors

2‐(1‐{4‐[(4‐Methylphenyl)sulfonamido]phenyl}ethylidene)thiosemicarbazide ( 3 ) was exploited as a starting material for the synthesis of two novel series of 5‐arylazo‐2‐hydrazonothiazoles 6a  –  6j and 2‐hydrazono[1,3,4]thiadiazoles 10a  –  10d , incorporating sulfonamide group, through its reactions with appropriate hydrazonoyl halides. The structures of the newly synthesized products were confirmed by spectral and elemental analyses. Also, the antimicrobial, anticancer, and DHFR inhibition potency for two series of thiazoles and [1,3,4]thiadiazoles were evaluated and explained by molecular docking studies and SAR analysis.     

Ultrastructural Study of the Development of Pleistophora schubergi Zwölfer, 1927 (Protozoa,Microsporida) in Larvae of the Spruce Budworm,Choristoneura fumiferana and Its Subsequent Taxonomic Change to the Genus Endoreticulatus

This study demonstrates that Pleistophora schubergi Zwölfer, 1927, a microsporidium originally isolated from the midgut epithelium of Nygmia phaeorrhoea Don (Euproctis chrysorrhoea L.) and Porthetria dispar L., and subsequently reported in several other insects including the spruce budworm, Choristoneura fumiferana (the host used in this investigation), does not belong in the genus Pleistophora Gurley, 1893. Pleistophora schubergi lacks the major features that are characteristic of Pleistophora typicalis, the type species of this genus. A comparison of ultrastructural observations reported for the type species of the genus Pleistophora, P. typicalis, and our observations of P. schubergi revealed significant differences. A thick (0.5 μm) amorphous coat, derived from parasite secretions and deposited external to the parasite plasmalemma, surrounds all developmental stages in P. typicalis. Double membranes, derived from host rough endoplasmic reticulum cisternae encircle the parasite plasmalemma of all developmental stages in P. schubergi. The sporophorous vesicle encases the spores in P. typicalis, and originates from the parasite-secreted coat that is present around meronts. In P. schubergi, the host endoplasmic reticulum cisternae form the envelope that surrounds the meronts. Moreover, the sporophorous vesicle envelope in P. typicalis persists around groups of spores, while in P. schubergi this envelope breaks easily to release the spores in the host cytoplasm. By comparing the characteristics of the microsporidium found in the spruce budworm with those of the recently created polysporous genera that sporulate within a vesicle, we found that P. schubergi does belong in the new genus Endoreticulatus Brooks et al. 1988, and consequently rename it Endoreticulatus schubergi (Zwölfer, 1927) n. comb.     

Naproxen and Cromolyn as New Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3β Inhibitors for Amelioration of Diabetes and Obesity: An Investigation by Docking Simulation and Subsequent In Vitro/In Vivo Biochemical Evaluation

Naproxen and cromolyn were investigated as new inhibitors of glycogen synthase kinase‐3β (GSK‐3β) in an attempt to explain their hypoglycemic properties. Study included simulated docking experiments, in vitro enzyme inhibition assay, and in vivo validations. Both drugs not only were optimally fitted within a GSK‐3β binding pocket via several attractive interactions with key amino acids but also exhibited potent in vitro enzymatic inhibitory activities of IC50 1.5 and 2.0 µM for naproxen and cromolyn, respectively. In vivo experiments illustrated that both drugs significantly reduced serum glucose and increased hepatic glycogen‐ and serum insulin levels in normal and type II diabetic Balb/c mice models. In obese animal model, both drugs exhibited significant reduction in mice weights, serum glucose, and resistin levels along with significant elevation in serum insulin, C‐peptide, and adiponectin values. It can be concluded that naproxen and cromolyn are novel GSK‐3β inhibitors and can help in management of diabetes and obesity. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J BiochemMol Toxicol 27:425–436, 2013; View this article online at wileyonlinelibrary.com . DOI 10.1002/jbt.21503     

Promotion of crown-gall tumor initiation on primary pinto bean leaves by certain inorganic salts

Crown-gall tumor initiation by Agrobacterium tumefaciens (SMITHand TOWN.) CONN, strain B6, on Phaseolus vulgaris L. var. "Pinto"was found to be sensitive to the addition of various salts tothe freshly inoculated primary leaves. Calcium, magnesium, zincand ammonium sulfates, cobalt and nickel chlorides and potassiumnitrate increased the number of tumors on inoculated leavesby 100 to 200 percent. Maximal promotions were obtained at concentrationsof 10^–7 to 10^–5 M with all of these salts exceptpotassium nitrate which was most active at 10^–2M. Sodium,potassium, calcium, magnesium and aluminum chlorides, and sodium,potassium and nickel sulfates had little or no effect on tumorinitiation. The combination of sodium sulfate with magnesiumchloride gave promotions comparable to those obtained with magnesiumsulfate, indicating that both the magnesium and sulfate ionswere necessary for the promotion obtained with this latter salt.Combining any two of the active salts at their optimum concentrationsfor promotion resulted in a reciprocal inhibition of the promotionobtained with either salt alone, suggesting these salts to beactive by different and potentially antagonistic mechanisms.The possible nature of these promotions is discussed, but theyremain too obscure to warrant a specific proposal for theirmode of action. ¹Present adress: Department of Botany, University of Khartoum,Khartoum, Sudan.     

A new large philisid (Mammalia,Chiroptera, Vespertilionoidea) from the late Early Eocene of Chambi,Tunisia

Abstract: Among the new dental remains from the late Early Eocene of Chambi (Kasserine area, Tunisia) is a large‐sized upper molar of a new bat species, Witwatia sigei nov. sp. (Chiroptera, Vespertilionoidea, Philisidae), described herein. The locality of Chambi has revealed evidence for an early appearance of two modern microchiropteran superfamilies in Africa: Dizzya exsultans, a Philisidae, which is considered to be an archaic Vespertilionoidea, and an indeterminate Rhinolophoidea. In addition to D. exsultans, the new species, W. sigei, is the second representative of the Philisidae in this locality. W. sigei extends back to the late Early Eocene the occurrence of the genus Witwatia, which was previously only reported from the early Late Eocene of the Fayum (BQ‐2, Egypt). By analogy with the largest extant microbats, the large size of Witwatia suggests a tendency to the opportunistic diet of this taxon, thereby contrasting with the strict insectivory characterizing primitive bats found in other continents in the same epoch.     

Impact of mineral fertilizers on mineral nutrients in the ginger rhizome and on soil enzymes activities and soil properties

Ginger is used as one of the important ingredients in traditional as well as modern medicine besides as a spice. It boosts immunity and is a rich source of many biologically active substances and minerals. Although it is a medicinally important crop, its productivity is, however, affected due to poor nutrient management and therefore it requires an adequate supply of nutrients in the form of inorganic fertilizers or organic manuring, or a mixture of both. In this context, the present study was aimed to investigate the effect of mineral fertilizers on the content of mineral elements in the ginger rhizome, on soil enzyme activity, and soil properties. Lysimeter experiments were conducted at the Institute of Genetics and Plant Experimental Biology, Kibray, Tashkent region, Uzbekistan. The experiment comprised of four treatments T1 – Control, T2 - N₇₅P₅₀K₅₀ kg/ha, T3 - and T4 - N₁₀₀P₇₅K₇₅ + B₃Zn₆Fe₆ kg/ha. The results showed that the application of N₁₂₅P₁₀₀K₁₀₀ kg/ha increased rhizome K content by 49%, P content by 20%, and Na content by 58% as compared to control without fertilizer. While the application of N₁₀₀P₇₅K₇₅ + B₃Zn₆Fe₆ kg/ha showed a significant enhancement in rhizome K, Ca, P, Mg, Na, Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Cr, Mo, and Si contents over the control. This treatment also improved active P content by 29%, total P content by 80%, total K content 16%, and N content by 33% content, and the activities of urease, invertase, and catalase activities as compared to control of without mineral fertilizer and control respectively. Thus the application of NPK + BZnFe at the rate of 100:75:75:3:6:6 kg/ha helps in improving macroelements and microelements in the ginger rhizome and activities of soil enzymes that helps in mineral nutrition of the rhizome.     

Phenolics Composition and Biological Activities Assessment of Leaves,Flowers and Roots Extracts from Erodium glaucophyllum,Erodium hirtum and Erodium guttatum

Biology Bulletin - Erodium glaucophyllum, Erodium hirtum and Erodium guttatum were medicinal herbs from a southern Mediterranean known for its health benefits. There is a strong demand for the find...     

EFFECTS OF DIETARY SUPPLEMENTAL L-CARNITINE AND ASCORBIC ACID ON PERFORMANCE,CARCASS COMPOSITION AND PLASMA L-CARNITINE CONCENTRATION OF BROILER CHICKS REARED UNDER DIFFERENT TEMPERATURE

The present study was initiated to determine whether dietary supplemental L-carnitine and ascorbic acid affect growth performance, carcass yield and composition, abdominal fat and plasma L-carnitine concentration of broiler chicks reared under normal and high temperature. During the experiment, two temperature regimes were employed in two experimental rooms, which were identical but different in environmental temperature. The regimes were thermoneutral (20-22°C for 24 h) or recycling hot (34-36°C for 8 h and 20-22°C for 16 h). One-day-old broiler chicks (ROSS) were used in the experiment. A 2 x 2 x 2 factorial arrangement was employed with two levels (0 and 50 mg/kg) of supplemental L-carnitine and two levels (0 or 500 mg/kg) of supplemental ascorbic acid in drinking water under thermoneutral or high temperature regimes. Body weight gain was affected by high temperature. However, body weight gain was significantly improved in animals receiving supplemental L-carnitine, ascorbic acid or L-carnitine + ascorbic acid compared to animals receiving unsupplemented diet under high temperature. On the other hand, supplemental L-carnitine or L-carnitine + ascorbic acid reduced body weight gain under thermoneutral condition. Supplemental ascorbic acid significantly improved feed conversion efficiency, the improvement was relatively greater under high temperature. The L-carnitine content in the plasma was higher in the groups receiving supplemental L-carnitine and ascorbic acid under high temperature, while broilers fed supplemental L-carnitine and ascorbic acid had a decreased level of plasma L-carnitine concentration under normal temperature. It is concluded that dietary supplemental L-carnitine or L-carnitine + ascorbic acid may have positive effects on body weight gain, carcass weight under high temperature conditions.