Anticancer and apoptotic activities of parthenolide in combination with epirubicin in mda-mb-468 breast cancer cells

Molecular Biology Reports - Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women worldwide. Unfortunately, current therapeutic methods are not completely efficient. Hence, combination therapy with...     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Acanthocephaloides irregularis</Emphasis> n. sp. (Acanthocephala: Arhythmacanthidae) from marine fishes off the Ukrainian Black Sea coast

Acanthocephaloides irregularis n. sp. (Arhythmacanthidae) is described from four species of marine fishes in the Gulf of Odessa and Sukhyi Lyman, Ukrainan Black Sea waters, making it the tenth species of the genus. The hosts are the combtooth blenny Parablennius zvonimiri (Kolombatovic) (Blenniidae), the mushroom goby Ponticola eurycephalus (Kessler) (Gobiidae), the tubenose goby Proterorhinus marmoratus (Pallas) (Gobiidae) and the black-striped pipefish Syngnathus abaster Risso (Syngnathidae). The new species is most similar to its closest relative, Acanthocephaloides propinquus (Dujardin, 1845), in proboscis shape and armature (12 longitudinal rows of 5 hooks) and the shape of the trunk, reproductive system and lemnisci, but differs in having randomly distributed trunk spines. These trunk spines are organised in circular rings of individual spines separated by aspinose zones. The new species is also unique in having an anterior trunk collar, a very large triangular cephalic ganglion, nucleated pouches at the posterior end of the proboscis receptacle, and hooks and spines with roots bearing anterior manubria. Valid and invalid species of Acanthocephaloides Meyer, 1932 are listed and a key to all ten species is included.     

New cytologic clues in localized Leishmania lymphadenitis

OBJECTIVE: To describe new cytologic clues to diagnose localized leishmania lymphadenitis (LLL). STUDY DESIGN: The study examined cytologic smears of 170 cases of LLL referred to our department from November 1989 to October 2004. A total of 120 cases were confirmed by detecting Leishman-Donovan (LD) bodies in at least 1 of the cytologic smears and 50 cases, which were histologically confirmed. For comparison we studied cytologic smears of 20 cases of tuberculous lymphadenitis, 20 cases of toxoplasma lymphadenitis and 20 cases of granulomatous lymphadenitis of unspecified causes. RESULTS: Cases were divided into 4 major groups. Cytologic findings in these groups were studied to find highly suggestive clues. Cytologic findings present in most of these groups, but absent or very rare in other granulomatous lymphadenitis, were LD kinetoplasts, plasma cells with different shapes of inclusions and lymphogranular bodies. Rare findings not reported previously were: intraneutrophilic LD bodies, hematoxylin body-like inclusions, fibroblasts, cytoplasmic blebbing and floating parasitophorous vacuoles. CONCLUSION: Despite previous reports emphasizing detecting LD bodies in diagnosing LLL, we present cytologic clues highly suggestive of this self-limited disease when LD bodies cannot be detected or are very few on the smears.     

Zinc and Metallothionein in the Development and Progression of Dental Caries

Biological Trace Element Research - Chronic oxidative stress and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in oral cavity as well as acidic pH on dental enamel surface due to the metabolic activities of...     

The potential impact of P53 and APO-1 genetic polymorphisms on hepatitis C genotype 4a susceptibility

The hepatitis C virus (HCV), the main cause of morbidity and mortality, is endemic worldwide. HCV causes cirrhosis and other complications that often lead to death. HCV is most common in underdeveloped nations, with the highest prevalence rates in Egypt. Tumor suppressor gene (P53) induces the expression of apoptotic antigen-1 gene (APO-1) by binding to its promoter for mediating apoptosis; an important mechanism for limiting viral replication. This study aims at investigating the impact of P53 72 Arg/Pro and APO-1 − 670 A/G polymorphisms on HCV genotype 4a susceptibility. Two hundred and forty volunteers were enrolled in this study and divided into two major groups; 160 HCV infected patient group and 80 healthy control group. HCV patients were classified according to Metavir scoring system into two subgroups; 72 patients in F0/1-HCV subgroup (patients with no or mild fibrotic stages) and 38 patients in F3/4-HCV subgroup (patients with advanced fibrotic stages). Quantification of HCV-RNA by qRT-PCR and fibrotic scores as well as genotyping of HCV-RNA, P53 at 72 Arg/Pro, and APO-1 at − 670 A/G were performed for all subjects. It was resulted that F0/1-HCV patients have significant differences of P53 at 72 (Pro/Pro and Arg/Arg) genotypes and dominant/recessive genetic models as well as APO-1 − 670 A/A genotype and dominant genetic model as compared to F3/4-HCV patients. Moreover, HCV patients have significant differences of P53 at 72 (Pro/Pro) genotype and recessive genetic model as well as APO-1 − 670 A/A genotype and dominant genetic model as compared to those of healthy individuals. Finally, it was concluded that P53 rs 1042522 (Pro/Pro and Arg/Arg) genotypes and APO-1 rs 1800682 A/A genotype may be potentially used as sensitive genetic markers for HCV genotype 4a susceptibility.     

Synthesis,Characterization, Antimicrobial Activity,and Docking Studies of New Triazolic Tripodal Ligands

The synthesis and characterization of new N‐donor bitriazolic tripods were reported. The in vitro antibacterial and antifungal activities of these products were screened against fungal strain (Candida pelliculosa) and against four bacterial strains (Micrococcus luteus, Bacillus subtilis, Listeria innocua, and Escherichia coli). Biological data revealed the effect of the chemical structure on antimicrobial activity. Molecular docking studies of some compounds showed that they could act as inhibitors for the biotin carboxylase enzyme.     

Development of sustainable dye adsorption system using nutraceutical industrial fennel seed spent—studies using Congo red dye

Fennel seed spent (FSS)—an inexpensive nutraceutical industrial spent has been used as an efficient biosorbent for the removal of Congo red (CR) from aqueous media. Results show that the conditions for maximum adsorption would be pH 2-4 and 30°C were ideal for maximum adsorption. Based on regression fitting of the data, it was determined that the Sips isotherm (R² = 0.994, χ² = 0.5) adequately described the mechanism of adsorption, suggesting that the adsorption occurs homogeneously with favorable interaction between layers with favorable interaction between layers. Thermodynamic analysis showed that the adsorption is favorable (negative values for ΔG°) and endothermic (ΔH° = 12–20 kJ mol^?1) for initial dye concentrations of 25, 50, and 100 ppm. The low ΔH° value indicates that the adsorption is a physical process involving weak chemical interactions like hydrogen bonds and van der Waals interactions. The kinetics revealed that the adsorption process showed pseudo-second-order tendencies with the equal influence of intraparticle as well as film diffusion. The scanning electron microscopy images of FSS show a highly fibrous matrix with a hierarchical porous structure. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy analysis of the spent confirmed the presence of cellulosic and lignocellulosic matter, giving it both hydrophilic and hydrophobic properties. The investigations indicate that FSS is a cost-effective and efficient biosorbent for the remediation of toxic CR dye.