Analysis of Schistosoma mansoni genes using the expressed sequence tag approach

Expressed sequence tags (ESTs) are partial cDNA sequences read from both ends of random expressed gene fragments used for discovering new genes. DNA libraries from four different developmental stages of Schistosoma mansoni used in this study generated 141 ESTs representing about 2.5% of S. mansoni sequences in dbEST. Sequencing was done by the dideoxy chain termination method. The sequences were submitted to GenBank for homology searching in nonredundant databases using Basic Local Alignment Search Tool for DNA (BLASTN) alignment and for protein (BLASTX) alignment at the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI). Among submitted ESTs, 29 were derived from lambdagt11 sporocyst library, 70 from lambdaZap adult worm library, 31 from lambdaZap cercarial library, and 11 from lambdaZap female B worm library. Homology search revealed that eight (5.6%) ESTs shared homology to previously identified S.mansoni genes in dbEST, 15 (10.6%) are homologous to known genes in other organisms, 116 (81.7%) showed no significant sequence homology in the databases, and the remaining sequences (2.1%) showed low homologies to rRNA or mitochondrial DNA sequences. Thus, among the 141 ESTs studied, 116 sequences are derived from noval, uncharactarized S. mansoni genes. Those 116 ESTs are important for identification of coding regions in the sequences, helping in mapping of schistosome genome, and identifying genes of immunological and pharmacological significance.     

Synthesis and in vitro leishmanicidal activity of some hydrazides and their analogues

Twenty-one hydrazides were synthesized by treating different esters with hydrazine hydrate. Substituted hydrazides were obtained by treating hydrazides with alkyl/aryl/acyl halides. Some of these compounds exhibit potential in vitro leishmanicidal activity. The structures of all the synthesized compounds were confirmed by spectroscopic analysis.     

Geochemistry and Bacterial Recovery from Hindu Kush Range Glacier and Their Potential for Metal Resistance and Antibiotic Production

In this study, we isolated and characterized bacteria and analyzed the geochemistry of unexplored non-polar Tirich Mir glacier, Chitral, Pakistan. The glacier is located in the Hindu Kush mountains range with the highest peak of 7708 m. Three types of samples, i.e. glacial ice, sediment, and melt water were collected. The geochemical analysis demonstrated a higher concentration of heavy metals Fe⁺², Mn⁺², and Cr⁺², cations Na⁺², Ca⁺², and Mg⁺², anions SO₄^?2 and Cl^?1. While among the dissolved free amino acids, tyrosine was detected in high concentration. A total of 43 strains were isolated based on colony morphology. Molecular identification revealed these isolates belong to four phyla, i.e. Proteobacteria 23(54%), Bacteroidetes 4(9%), Actinobacteria 7(16%), and Firmicutes 9(21). Gram-negative bacteria were enrich relative to Gram-positive bacteria. The bacterial communities were more abundant in sediment (21) than in water (12) and ice (10) samples. The isolates also exhibited potent activity against both ATCC and multidrug-resistant clinical isolates. The increased level of tolerance against heavy metals (Cd⁺², Cr⁺³, Hg⁺², Fe⁺³, Ar⁺³, and Ni⁺²) and NaCl was observed. Tirich Mir glacier was found to have a diverse bacterial community structure, with potential candidates having ability to produce bioactive metabolites with possible industrial applications.     

Effects of NaCl and mannitol induced stress on sugarcane (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Saccharum</Emphasis> sp.) callus cultures

The effects of NaCl and mannitol iso-osmotic stresses on calli issued from sugarcane cultivars (cvs.) R570, CP59-73 and NCo310 were investigated in relation to callus growth, water content, ion and proline concentrations. Callus growth and water content decreased under both stresses with the highest reduction under mannitol-induced osmotic stress. The ion concentration was drastically affected after exposure to NaCl and mannitol. Salt stress induced an increase in Na⁺ and Cl⁻ accumulation and a decrease in K⁺ and Ca²⁺ concentrations. Under mannitol-induced osmotic stress, K⁺ and Ca²⁺ concentrations decreased significantly while Na⁺ and Cl⁻ concentrations remained unchanged. Free proline accumulation occurred under both stresses and was more marked in stress-sensitive cv. than in stress-resistant one. Our results indicated that the physiological mechanisms operating at the plant cell level in response to salt- and osmotic-induced stress in sugarcane cvs. are different. Among the cvs., we concluded that the stress resistance is closely related to the maintain of an adequate water status and a high level of K⁺ and Ca²⁺ under both stresses and a low level of Na⁺ concentration in the presence of NaCl. Thus, sugarcane (Saccharum sp.) can be regarded as a Na⁺ excluder. We also provided evidence that proline accumulation is a stress-sensitive trait rather than a stress resistance marker.     

Salicylic Acid Confers Salt Tolerance in Giant Juncao Through Modulation of Redox Homeostasis,Ionic Flux,and Bioactive Compounds: An Ionomics and Metabolomic Perspective of Induced Tolerance Responses

We investigated the stimulatory and/or inhibitory role of exogenous SA in alleviating the salt stress (250, 500 mM NaCl) in Pennisetum giganteum (Giant Juncao) through coordinated induction of redox homeostasis, ionic flux, and bioactive compounds. Salt stress radically impaired root and shoot (growth, fresh, and dry biomass as well as tolerance indices), leaf relative water content, and leaf chlorophyll a/b ratio of Juncao due to higher Na⁺ and Cl^? accumulation followed by H₂O₂ generation, lipid peroxidation (MDA contents), and electrolyte leakage. However, the innate defense response of Juncao counteracted salt-induced damages by osmolytes accumulation combined with orchestrating antioxidants and ionic homeostasis mechanisms. Furthermore, the application of SA had an incremental impact on the development and productivity of high-salinity-exposed Juncao plants by increasing root length, plant biomass, tolerance indices, chlorophyll a/b ratio, and protein contents. Furthermore, SA treatment considerably decreased Na⁺ and Cl^? toxicity by orchestrating antioxidant enzymes, ion transport, and secondary metabolism. Notably, the application of SA substantially mitigated the adverse effects of high salinity concentration (500 mM NaCl), owing to the simultaneous upregulation in enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants, nutrient ion flux, alongside chlorogenic acid production. Thus, we concluded that SA enhanced the tolerance capability of Juncao plants in a NaCl concentration-dependent manner. The findings of this study will enable environmentalists and pharmacologists to gain dual farm-level benefits, including animal therapeutics and restoration of salinized soils for arable purposes.

     

ROS production and protein oxidation as a novel mechanism for seed dormancy alleviation

At harvest, sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) seeds are dormant and unable to germinate at temperatures below 15 degrees C. Seed storage in the dry state, known as after-ripening, is associated with an alleviation of embryonic dormancy allowing subsequent germination at suboptimal temperatures. To identify the process by which dormancy is broken during after-ripening, we focused on the role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in this phenomenon. After-ripening entailed a progressive accumulation of ROS, namely superoxide anions and hydrogen peroxide, in cells of embryonic axes. This accumulation, which was investigated at the cellular level by electron microscopy, occurred concomitantly with lipid peroxidation and oxidation (carbonylation) of specific embryo proteins. Incubation of dormant seeds for 3 h in the presence of hydrogen cyanide (a compound that breaks dormancy) or methylviologen (a ROS-generating compound) also released dormancy and caused the oxidation of a specific set of embryo proteins. From these observations, we propose a novel mechanism for seed dormancy alleviation. This mechanism involves ROS production and targeted changes in protein carbonylation patterns.     

Design and synthesis of novel series of 5-HT6 receptor ligands having indole,a central aromatic core and 1-amino-4 methyl piperazine as a positive ionizable group

The exclusive distribution of 5-HT₆ receptor in the brain regions and high affinity for antipsychotic and antidepressant drugs makes 5-HT₆ receptor a promising target in treatment of CNS diseases. Based on a pharmacophore model reported in the literature, we designed and synthesized a novel series of 5-HT₆ receptor ligands having indole as a central aromatic core and 1-amino-4-methyl piperazine as positive ionizable group. Out of 32 compounds we have successfully identified 10 new compounds as 5-HT₆ receptor antagonists. The structure–activity relationship (SAR) studies have been carried out by mapping the compounds with the 3D QSAR model.     

Soret and Dufour Effects on MHD Peristaltic Flow of Jeffrey Fluid in a Rotating System with Porous Medium

The objective of present paper is to examine the peristaltic flow of magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) Jeffrey fluid saturating porous space in a channel through rotating frame. Unlike the previous attempts, the flow formulation is based upon modified Darcy''s law porous medium effect in Jeffrey fluid situation. In addition the impacts due to Soret and Dufour effects in the radiative peristaltic flow are accounted. Rosseland’s approximation has been utilized for the thermal radiative heat flux. Lubrication approach is implemented for the simplification. Resulting problems are solved for the stream function, temperature and concentration. Graphical results are prepared and analyzed for different parameters of interest entering into the problems.     

Radiation Effects on the Flow of Powell-Eyring Fluid Past an Unsteady Inclined Stretching Sheet with Non-Uniform Heat Source/Sink

This study investigates the unsteady flow of Powell-Eyring fluid past an inclined stretching sheet. Unsteadiness in the flow is due to the time-dependence of the stretching velocity and wall temperature. Mathematical analysis is performed in the presence of thermal radiation and non-uniform heat source/sink. The relevant boundary layer equations are reduced into self-similar forms by suitable transformations. The analytic solutions are constructed in a series form by homotopy analysis method (HAM). The convergence interval of the auxiliary parameter is obtained. Graphical results displaying the influence of interesting parameters are given. Numerical values of skin friction coefficient and local Nusselt number are computed and analyzed.