Inhibition of photohemolysis induced by m-chloroperbenzoic acid by metal complexes with SOD-mimetic activity

Red blood cells (RBCs) are probably the most common target through the damaging action of reactive oxygen species on the cells. The photohemolysis activity of m-chloroperbenzoic acid (CPBA) was concentration- and exposure time-dependent. Twenty minutes photo exposure time and 200 μm of CPBA concentration were optimum to study the effect of generated superoxide (O_{2-) and hydroxyl (&bull•OH) radicals on RBCs. RBCs lysis photosensitized by CPBA was investigated in the presence of [(VL2O)(VL2H2O)]Cl6, [MnL2O]2Cl42H2O, [FeL2Cl2]Cl H2O, [CoL2Cl2]4H2O or [ZnL2Cl2]H2O respectively, where L is 2-methylaminopyridine, with SOD-mimetic activities with the aim of ascertaining their protective activity towards the photo induced cell damage. The decrease of photolytic activity caused by these complexes was concentration-dependent and the maximum percentage of protective activity was 75, 70, 68, 57 or 24% for [(VL2O)(VL2H2O)]Cl6, [MnL2O]2Cl4 2H2O, [FeL2Cl2]Cl H2O, [CoL2Cl2]4H2O or [ZnL2Cl2]H2O complex respectively, against the cell irradiated without addition of metal complexes. The comparison between the decrease of photolytic activity caused by these complexes and their SOD-mimetic activity of these metal complexes showed an appreciable correlation.}     

Synthesis of some N-galactosides of 3-aryl-5-benzyl (or substituted benzyl)-1,2,4-triazin-6(1H)-/ones or thiones of expected biological activity

The 1-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-beta-D-galactopyranosyl)-3-aryl-5-benzyl (or substituted benzyl)-1,2,4-triazin-6(1H)-/ones or thiones were prepared via galactosidation of 3-aryl-5-benzyl (or substituted benzyl)-1,2,4-triazin-6(1H)-/ones or thiones with 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-alpha-D-galactopyranosyl bromide. The structure of the new galactosyl derivatives was based on both spectroscopic and chemical evidences.     

Synthesis of some new 2-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-1,2,4-triazines as potential antitumor chemotherapeutics

Synthetic routes towards different 2-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl-3-thioxo-2,3-dihydro-1,2,4-triazin-5(4H)-/ones or thiones were investigated. Primary human anticancer screening of two selected compounds resulted in an active compound against SF-268 (CNS) cell line.     

Triterpenoid saponins from Fagonia cretica

Four new triterpenoid saponins were isolated and identified from the aerial parts of Fagonia cretica. They were characterized as 3-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1-->2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl] hederagenin 28-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl ester, 3-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1-->2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl] oleanolic acid 28-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl] ester, 3-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1-->2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl] 27-hydroxy oleanolic acid 28-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl] ester and 3beta-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1-->2)-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl] olean-12-en-27-al-28-oic acid 28-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl (1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranosyl] ester. The structures of the saponins were assigned by spectral analyses (FABMS, 1H, 13C NMR, 1H-1H COSY, TOCSY, HMQC and HMBC spectra) and NOE experiments. To the best of our knowledge the genin 3beta hydroxy olean-12-en-27-al-28-oic acid is new.     

Different natural biomasses for lead cation removal

It is believed that some wastes play an important role on the pollution prevention. In this paper, three different natural biomasses were investigated as biosorbent. Salsola green plant which grown at Jubail (industrial area) in KSA, it is phyto remediation plant. Salsola is metal hyper accumulation plant, it adsorbed (23.5, 25.7 mg lead per gram stem or leaf) from soil. Also it can be reused as ion exchanger for pb²⁺ from solution. Shrimp shell’s used for extraction of chitosan in laboratory with degree of substitution 81%. Chitosan and crosslinked carboxymethyl chitosan were investigated for pb²⁺ adsorption and compared with crosslinked carboxymethyl corn cob. The adsorption experiments demonstrated that the three biomasses have high adsorption capacity for pb²⁺, good reusability and stability for three cycles.     

An isotopic perspective on the transport of Byzantine mining camp laborers into southwestern Jordan

The Byzantine Empire managed a complex administrative network that controlled the mining and processing of natural resources from within its boundaries. Scholars relying upon archeological and textual evidence debate the level of imperial involvement in these ventures, particularly in the provinces. Ancient sources note that many mining camps, for instance, purportedly contained criminal laborers and elite administrators transported from distant locales, indicating significant organization and expenditures by the imperial administration to run the mines. This analysis explores the presence of these nonlocal individuals in a cemetery associated with the third to seventh century A.D. mining camp of Phaeno (Faynan), located in modern Jordan. Strontium isotope analysis of 31 burials indicates that most spent their childhood in a similar geological region as Phaeno, implying that they were locally born. The δ¹⁸O results mirror the homogeneous ⁸⁷Sr/⁸⁶Sr values, confirming a local origin for most of the sample. Isotopic evidence therefore suggests that the Phaeno mining camp was largely a local operation, contrary to the picture presented in textual sources, although the profits surely padded imperial coffers. Am J Phys Anthropol, 2009. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Alternative Splicing at a NAGNAG Acceptor Site as a Novel Phenotype Modifier

Approximately 30% of alleles causing genetic disorders generate premature termination codons (PTCs), which are usually associated with severe phenotypes. However, bypassing the deleterious stop codon can lead to a mild disease outcome. Splicing at NAGNAG tandem splice sites has been reported to result in insertion or deletion (indel) of three nucleotides. We identified such a mechanism as the origin of the mild to asymptomatic phenotype observed in cystic fibrosis patients homozygous for the E831X mutation (2623G>T) in the CFTR gene. Analyses performed on nasal epithelial cell mRNA detected three distinct isoforms, a considerably more complex situation than expected for a single nucleotide substitution. Structure-function studies and in silico analyses provided the first experimental evidence of an indel of a stop codon by alternative splicing at a NAGNAG acceptor site. In addition to contributing to proteome plasticity, alternative splicing at a NAGNAG tandem site can thus remove a disease-causing UAG stop codon. This molecular study reveals a naturally occurring mechanism where the effect of either modifier genes or epigenetic factors could be suspected. This finding is of importance for genetic counseling as well as for deciding appropriate therapeutic strategies.     

A Simple Genetic Architecture Underlies Morphological Variation in Dogs

Domestic dogs exhibit tremendous phenotypic diversity, including a greater variation in body size than any other terrestrial mammal. Here, we generate a high density map of canine genetic variation by genotyping 915 dogs from 80 domestic dog breeds, 83 wild canids, and 10 outbred African shelter dogs across 60,968 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs). Coupling this genomic resource with external measurements from breed standards and individuals as well as skeletal measurements from museum specimens, we identify 51 regions of the dog genome associated with phenotypic variation among breeds in 57 traits. The complex traits include average breed body size and external body dimensions and cranial, dental, and long bone shape and size with and without allometric scaling. In contrast to the results from association mapping of quantitative traits in humans and domesticated plants, we find that across dog breeds, a small number of quantitative trait loci (≤3) explain the majority of phenotypic variation for most of the traits we studied. In addition, many genomic regions show signatures of recent selection, with most of the highly differentiated regions being associated with breed-defining traits such as body size, coat characteristics, and ear floppiness. Our results demonstrate the efficacy of mapping multiple traits in the domestic dog using a database of genotyped individuals and highlight the important role human-directed selection has played in altering the genetic architecture of key traits in this important species.     

Vinpocetine ameliorates acute hepatic damage caused by administration of carbon tetrachloride in rats

Vinpocetine is a widely used drug for the treatment of cerebrovascular and memory disorders. This study aimed to investigate the effect of vinpocetine on the acute hepatic injury caused in the rat by the administration of CCl4 in vivo. Vinpocetine (2.1, 4.2, 8.4 mg/kg) or silymarin (30 mg/kg) was given once daily orally simultaneously with CCl4 and for 15 days thereafter. Liver damage was assessed by determining serum enzyme activities and hepatic histopathology. Stained sections were subjected to morphometric evaluation using computerized image analyzer. The results showed that vinpocetine administered to CCl4-treated rats decreased the elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) by 49.3, 58.1 and 63.6%, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) by 10.5, 22.6 and 27.2% and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) by 52.5, 59.6 and 64.9%, respectively, and in a dose-dependent manner. Meanwhile, silymarin reduced elevated ALT, AST and ALP levels by 53.1, 26.9 and 66%, respectively. Histological examination of liver specimens revealed a marked reduction in liver cell necrosis in vinpocetine and silymarin-treated rats compared with vehicle-treated CCl4-treated rats. Quantitative analysis of the area of damage showed 85.3% reduction in the area of damage after silymarin and 72.2, 78.9 and 82.6% reduction after vinpocetine treatment at 2.1, 4.2, 8.4 mg/kg, respectively. It is concluded that administration of vinpocetine in a model of CCl4-induced liver injury in rats reduced liver damage. The reduction obtained by 4.2 mg/kg of vinpocetine was similar to that obtained by 30 mg/kg silymarin. Therefore, it is suggested that vinpocetine might be a good pharmacological agent in the treatment of liver disease besides its neuroprotective effects.