Functional Quality,Antioxidant Capacity and Essential Oil Percentage in Different Mint Species Affected by Salinity Stress

Saline stress is responsible for significant reductions in the growth of plants, and it globally leads to limitations in the performance of crops, especially in drought-affected areas. However, a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in the resistance of plants to environmental stress can lead to a better plant breeding and selection of cultivars. Mint is one of the most important medicinal plants, and it has important properties for industry, and for the medicinal and pharmacy fields. The effects of salinity on the biochemical and enzymatic properties of 18 ecotypes of mint from six different species, that is, Mentha piperita, Mentha mozafariani, Mentha rotundifolia, Mentha spicata, Mentha pulegium and Mentha longifolia, have been examined in this study. The experimental results showed that salinity increased with increasing in stress integrity influenced the enzymatic properties, proline content, electrolyte leakage, and the hydrogen peroxide, malondialdehyde, and essential oil contents. Cluster analysis and principal component analysis were conducted, and they grouped the studied species on the basis of their biochemical characteristics. According to the obtained biplot results, M. piperita and M. rotundifolia showed better stress tolerance than the other varieties, and M. longifolia was identified as being salt sensitive. Generally, the results showed that H₂O₂ and malondialdehyde had a positive connection with each other and showed a reverse relationship with all the enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants. Finally, it was found that the M. spicata, M. rotundifolia and M. piperita ecotypes could be used for future breeding projects to improve the salinity tolerance of other ecotypes.     

Gender Differences and Lateralization in the Distribution Pattern of Insulin-Like Growth Factor-1 Receptor in Developing Rat Hippocampus: An Immunohistochemical Study

Numerous investigators have provided data supporting essential roles for insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) in development of the brain. The aim of this study was to immunohistochemically determine the distinct regional distribution pattern of IGF-1 receptor (IGF-IR) expression in various portions of newborn rat hippocampus on postnatal days 0 (P0), 7 (P7), and 14 (P14), with comparison between male/female and right/left hippocampi. We found an overall significant increase in distribution of IGF-IR-positive (IGF-IR+) cells in CA1 from P0 until P14. Although, no marked changes in distribution of IGF-IR+ cells in areas CA2 and CA3 were observed; IGF-IR+ cells in DG decreased until P14. The smallest number of immunoreactive cells was present in CA2 and the highest number in DG at P0. Moreover, in CA1, CA3, and DG, the number of IGF-IR+ cells was markedly higher in both sides of the hippocampus in females. Our data also showed a higher mean number of IGF-IR+ cells in the left hippocampus of female at P7. By contrast, male pups showed a significantly higher number of IGF-IR+ cells in the DG of the right hippocampus. At P14, the mean number of immunoreactive cells in CA1, CA3, and DG areas found to be significantly increased in left side of hippocampus of males, compared to females. These results indicate the existence of a differential distribution pattern of IGF-IR between left–right and male–female hippocampi. Together with other mechanisms, these differences may underlie sexual dimorphism and left–right asymmetry in the hippocampus.     

Characterization of a bicistronic knock-in reporter mouse model for investigating the role of CABLES2 in vivo

Two members of the CDK5 and ABL enzyme substrate (CABLES) family, CABLES1 and CABLES2, share a highly homologous C-terminus. They interact and associate with cyclin-dependent kinase 3 (CDK3), CDK5, and c-ABL. CABLES1 mediates tumor suppression, regulates cell proliferation, and prevents protein degradation. Although Cables2 is ubiquitously expressed in adult mouse tissues at RNA level, the role of CABLES2 in vivo remains unknown. Here, we generated bicistronic Cables2 knock-in reporter mice that expressed CABLES2 tagged with 3×FLAG and 2A-mediated fluorescent reporter tdTomato. Cables2-3×FLAG-2A-tdTomato (Cables2^Tom) mice confirmed the expression of Cables2 in various mouse tissues. Interestingly, high intensity of tdTomato fluorescence was observed in the brain, testis and ovary, especially in the corpus luteum. Furthermore, immunoprecipitation analysis using the brain and testis in Cables2^Tom/Tom revealed interaction of CABLES2 with CDK5. Collectively, our new Cables2 knock-in reporter model will enable the comprehensive analysis of in vivo CABLES2 function.     

Image luminance changes contrast sensitivity in visual cortex

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SN-38-Cyclodextrin Complexation and Its Influence on the Solubility,Stability, and In Vitro Anticancer Activity Against Ovarian Cancer

SN-38, an active metabolite of irinotecan, is up to 1,000-fold more potent than irinotecan. But the clinical use of SN-38 is limited by its extreme hydrophobicity and instability at physiological pH. To enhance solubility and stability, SN-38 was complexed with different cyclodextrins (CDs), namely, sodium sulfobutylether β-cyclodextrin (SBEβCD), hydroxypropyl β-cyclodextrin, randomly methylated β-cyclodextrin, and methyl β-cyclodextrin, and their influence on SN-38 solubility, stability, and in vitro cytotoxicity was studied against ovarian cancer cell lines (A2780 and 2008). Phase solubility studies were conducted to understand the pattern of SN-38 solubilization. SN-38-βCD complexes were characterized by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray powder diffraction analysis (XRPD), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR). Stability of SN-38-SBEβCD complex in pH 7.4 phosphate-buffered saline was evaluated and compared against free SN-38. Phase solubility studies revealed that SN-38 solubility increased linearly as a function of CD concentration and the linearity was characteristic of an A_P-type system. Aqueous solubility of SN-38 was enhanced by about 30–1,400 times by CD complexation. DSC, XRPD, and FTIR studies confirmed the formation of inclusion complexes, and stability studies revealed that cyclodextrin complexation significantly increased the hydrolytic stability of SN-38 at physiological pH 7.4. Cytotoxicity of SN-38-SBEβCD complex was significantly higher than SN-38 and irinotecan in both A2780 and 2008 cell lines. Results suggest that SBEβCD encapsulated SN-38 deep into the cavity forming stable inclusion complex and as a result increased the solubility, stability, and cytotoxicity of SN-38. It may be concluded that preparation of inclusion complexes with SBEβCD is a suitable approach to overcome the solubility and stability problems of SN-38 for future clinical applications.     

Aquatic ecosystem health and trophic status classification of the Bitter Lakes along the main connecting link between the Red Sea and the Mediterranean

The Bitter Lakes are the most significant water bodies of the Suez Canal, comprising 85% of the water volume, but spreading over only 24% of the length of the canal. The present study aims at investigation of the trophic status of the Bitter Lakes employing various trophic state indices, biotic and abiotic parameters, thus reporting the health of the Lake ecosystem according to the internationally accepted classification criteria’s. The composition and abundance of phytoplankton with a dominance of diatoms and a decreased population density of 4315–7376?ind. l^?1 reflect the oligotrophic nature of this water body. The intense growth of diatoms in the Bitter Lakes depends on silicate availability, in addition to nitrate and phosphate. If the trophic state index (TSI) is applied to the lakes under study it records that the Bitter Lakes have an index under 40. Moreover, in the total chlorophyll-a measurements of 0.35–0.96?µg?l^?1 there are more indicative of little algal biomass and lower biological productivity. At 0.76–2.3?µg?l^?1, meanwhile, the low quantity of Phosphorus is a further measure of low biological productivity. In the Bitter Lakes, TN/TP ratios are high and recorded 147.4, and 184.7 for minimum and maximum ratios, respectively. These values indicate that in Bitter lakes, the limiting nutrient is phosphorus and confirm the oligotrophic status of the Bitter Lakes. The latter conclusion is supported by Secchi disc water clarity measurements, showing that light can penetrate, and thus algae can photosynthesize, as deep as >13?m. This study, therefore, showed that the Bitter Lakes of the Suez Canal exhibit oligotrophic conditions with clear water, low productivity and with no algal blooming.     

Silver nanoparticle pollutants activate oxidative stress responses and rosmarinic acid accumulation in sage

In this study, physiological and molecular responses of sage (Salvia officinalis) to silver nanoparticles (SNPs) were studied. It is supposed that sage oxidative responses can be activated to overcome the negative effects of SNPs. Results showed the penetration of SNPs via leaf epidermis into the parenchyma cells after foliar application. A significant decrease of photosynthetic pigments and increase of cell injury indicators, the activity of enzymatic antioxidants and also the content of non-enzymatic antioxidants were observed after exposure of sage plants to 50 and 1000 mg l⁻¹ SNPs compared to control plants. Phenolic compounds generally increased, but not in linear response to the dose level. The most abundant phenolic acid, rosmarinic acid (RA), increased more than eightfold at 100 mg l⁻¹ SNPs. Furthermore, the content of RA, salvianolic acid A and B was positively correlated with the activity of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and RA synthase, but not with tyrosine aminotransferase. It could be concluded that the content of phenolic compounds increased in response to lower SNPs concentrations (50 and 100 mg l⁻¹). However, the oxidative stress responses continued above these concentrations.