ALCAPs induce mitochondrial apoptosis and activate DNA damage response by generating ROS and inhibiting topoisomerase I enzyme activity in K562 leukemia cell line

The solution structure of an insecticidal toxin LaIT1, a 36-residue peptide with a unique amino-acid sequence and two disulfide bonds, isolated from the venom of the scorpion Liocheles australasiae was determined by heteronuclear NMR spectroscopy. Structural similarity search showed that LaIT1 exhibits an inhibitory cystine knot (ICK)-like fold, which usually contains three or more disulfide bonds. Mutational analysis has revealed that two Arg residues of LaIT1, Arg¹³ and Arg¹⁵, play significant roles in insecticidal activity.     

Combined genetic mutations have remarkable effect on deep venous thrombosis and/or pulmonary embolism occurence

Purpose

Although deep vein thrombosis and thromboembolic diseases differ among various races, they are still important in our day. The difficulties in treatment and following-up of these diseases are caused by secret genetic mutations rather than predisposing factors.

Methods

Between January 2011 and May 2013, patients who were traced for deep vein thrombosis and/or pulmonary embolism were evaluated retrospectively. 84 patients (53.6% males and 46.4% females) were included in the study. Their family histories, predisposing factors and treatments were researched. Factor V Leiden (G 1691A), Factor II G20210A, Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor-Type 1 (4G/5G), and Methylene Tetrahydrofolate Reductase (C677T, A1298C) mutations were investigated from peripheral venous blood.

Results

Among the genetic mutations we searched, the incidence of single mutation rate was observed at 11.9%, double mutation collocation at 44%, triple mutation collocation at 29.8%, quadruple mutation collocation at 13.1%, and finally, quintuplet mutation collocation at 1.2%. Our approximate mutation number was found as 2.47 ± 0.91.

Conclusion

We observed that multiple mutations were high in number compared to single genetic mutations. The patients who have multiple mutations should be more in the front line considering their diagnosis, treatment and following up, and also in terms of decreasing mortality, morbidity and recurrence.     

Molecular phylogenetic analysis of Tulipa (Liliaceae) based on noncoding plastid and nuclear DNA sequences with an emphasis on Turkey

We investigated the phylogenetic relationships in Tulipa in Turkey using DNA sequences from the plastid trnL‐trnF region and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) of nuclear ribosomal DNA. We generated trnL‐trnF and nuclear ITS sequences for 11 Tulipa spp. from Turkey and compared the utility of trnL‐trnF and ITS sequences for phylogenetic analysis. Neighbor‐joining, Bayesian and maximum parsimony methods were implemented using the same matrices. Our study of Tulipa based on molecular data revealed congruent results with previous studies. Despite the relatively lower resolution of trnL‐trnF than that of ITS, both sequence matrices generated similar results. Three clades were clearly distinguished, corresponding to subgenera Tulipa, Eriostemones and Orithyia. It is not fully resolved whether Clusianae should be recognized as a separate section of subgenus Tulipa or a distinct subgenus. © 2013 The Linnean Society of London, Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society, 2013, 172 , 270–279.     

The role of Wnt pathway antagonists in early-stage lung adenocarcinoma

Molecular Biology Reports - We aimed to examine the expression levels of the genes encoding adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) 1, APC-2, Dickkopf related protein (DKK)-1, DKK-3, secreted...     

Cytogenetic effects of extremely low frequency magnetic field on Wistar rat bone marrow

In this study, the genotoxic and cytotoxic potential of extremely low frequency magnetic fields (ELF-MF) was investigated in Wistar rat tibial bone marrow cells, using the chromosomal aberration (CA) and micronucleus (MN) test systems. In addition to these test systems, we also investigated the mitotic index (MI), and the ratio of polychromatic erythrocytes (PCEs) to normochromatic erythrocytes (NCEs). Wistar rats were exposed to acute (1 day for 4h) and long-term (4h/day for 45 days) to a horizontal 50Hz, 1mT uniform magnetic field generated by a Helmholtz coil system. Mitomycin C (MMC, 2mg/kg BW) was used as positive control. Results obtained by chromosome analysis do not show any statistically significant differences between the negative control and both acute and long-term ELF-MF exposed samples. When comparing the group mean CA of long-term exposure with the negative control and acute exposure, the group mean of the long-term exposed group was higher, but this was not statistically significant. However, the mean micronucleus frequency of the longer-term exposed group was considerably higher than the negative control and acutely exposed groups. This difference was statistically significant (p<0.01). The results of the MI in bone marrow showed that the averages of both A-MF and L-MF groups significantly decreased when compared to those in the negative control (p<0.001 and p<0.01, respectively). No significant differences were found between the group mean MI of A-MF exposure with L-MF. We found that the average of PCEs/NCEs ratios of A-MF exposed group was significantly lower than the negative control and L-MF exposed groups (p<0.001 and p<0.01, respectively). In addition, the group mean of the PCEs/NCEs ratios of L-MF was significantly lower than negative control (p<0.01). We also found that the MMC treated group showed higher the number of CA and the frequency of MN formation when compared to those in all other each groups (p-values of all each groups <0.01) and also MMC treated group showed lower MI and the PCEs/NCEs ratios when compared to those in all other each groups (p-values of all groups <0.01). These observations indicate the in vivo suspectibility of mammals to the genotoxicity potential of ELF-MF.     

Biopolymer-Based Transdermal Films of Donepezil as an Alternative Delivery Approach in Alzheimer’s Disease Treatment

Matrix type transdermal films of donepezil (DNP) as an alternative delivery approach was designed to improve patient compliance to Alzheimer disease treatment. Sodium alginate, a natural polysaccharide, was used as matrix-forming agent in the optimization of transdermal films. Propylene glycol and dl-limonene was added into films as a plasticizer and permeation enhancer, respectively. As well as mechanical strength and bioadhesiveness of optimized transdermal films of DNP, the impact of dl-limonene concentration in films on DNP in vitro permeation across pig skin was assessed. Attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) measurements were carried out to examine the effects of enhancer on in vitro conformational order of the stratum corneum intercellular lipids following permeation study. Results showed that transdermal formulations of DNP were suitable due to both mechanical and bioadhesive features of the films. In vitro skin permeation study indicated that dl-limonene at a concentration of 3% was optimum with high drug flux. ATR-FTIR results confirmed a more fluidized stratum corneum lipid state in the presence of dl-limonene, indicating its permeation enhancement effect. Regarding to achieve therapeutic levels of DNP, it seems to be feasible deliver DNP with transdermal films for the management of Alzheimer disease.KEY WORDS: Alzheimer disease, donepezil, limonene, permeation enhancement, transdermal film     

Evaluation of winter wheat as a potential relay crop for enhancing biological control of cotton aphids

A 2-year study was conducted to evaluate the role of winter wheat, Triticum aestivum L., as a potential relay crop to conserve arthropod natural enemies and suppress cotton aphids, Aphis gossypii Glover, in seedling cotton. The results suggested that the natural enemies that moved from the adjacent wheat fields to cotton fields with the maturity and harvest of wheat could keep the cotton aphid population at the edges (0--4 m) of cotton fields under the action threshold of 100 aphids/m². Data also suggested that the wheat strip served as a reservoir to conserve arthropod predators and relayed its predators to cotton when wheat matured and senesced.     

Electrical remodeling of cardiac myocytes from mice with heart failure due to the overexpression of tumor necrosis factor-alpha

Mice that overexpress the inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor-alpha in the heart (TNF mice) develop heart failure characterized by atrial and ventricular dilatation, decreased ejection fraction, atrial and ventricular arrhythmias, and increased mortality (males > females). Abnormalities in Ca2+ handling, prolonged action potential duration (APD), calcium alternans, and reentrant atrial and ventricular arrhythmias were previously observed with the use of optical mapping of perfused hearts from TNF mice. We therefore tested whether altered voltage-gated outward K+ and/or inward Ca2+ currents contribute to the altered action potential characteristics and the increased vulnerability to arrhythmias. Whole cell voltage-clamp recordings of K+ currents from left ventricular myocytes of TNF mice revealed an approximately 50% decrease in the rapidly activating, rapidly inactivating transient outward K+ current Ito and in the rapidly activating, slowly inactivating delayed rectifier current IK,slow1, an approximately 25% decrease in the rapidly activating, slowly inactivating delayed rectifier current IK,slow2, and no significant change in the steady-state current Iss compared with controls. Peak amplitudes and inactivation kinetics of the L-type Ca2+ current ICa,L were not altered. Western blot analyses revealed a reduction in the proteins underlying Kv4.2, Kv4.3, and Kv1.5. Thus decreased K+ channel expression is largely responsible for the prolonged APD in the TNF mice and may, along with abnormalities in Ca2+ handling, contribute to arrhythmias.     

Cytogenetic status of patients with congenital malformations or suspected chromosomal abnormalities in Turkey: a comprehensive cytogenetic survey of 11,420 patients

Chromosoma - Cytogenetic analysis is helpful in diagnostic workup of patients having prenatal or early postnatal medical problems and provides a basis for genetic counseling or deciding on clinical...