Phytochemical evaluation and anticancer activity of rambutan (Nephelium lappaceum) fruit endocarp extracts against human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG-2) cells

The current investigation was taken to screen the phytoconstituents present in fruit endocarp various extracts of Nephelium lappaceum commonly called as Rambutan fruit and its anticancer property against human hepatocellular carcinoma (HepG-2) cells. Different analytical techniques including qualitative phytochemical analysis, cell viability assay (MTT), apoptotic nuclear staining (DAPI), DNA fragmentation assay, Attenuated total reflection (ATR) and Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) spectral analysis were carried out. ATR and GC–MS study revealed the presence of functional groups and 9 compounds, respectively in methanol endocarp extract. The results obtained depicts that methanol endocarp extract profoundly controlled cell proliferation and caused shrinkage of HepG-2 cells from polygonal to spherical shape. DAPI staining revealed that methanol endocarp extract caused increased fragmentation of nucleus and DNA fragmentation, which can be taken as a sign of apoptosis. The anticancer potential of methanol fruit endocarp extract of Nephelium lappaceum than other extracts and could be used successfully in future drug delivery systems and other biomedical concerns.     

Oil Palm Biomass Biorefinery for Sustainable Production of Renewable Materials

Oil palm biomass is widely known for its potential as a renewable resource for various value‐added products due to its lignocellulosic content and availability. Oil palm biomass biorefinery is an industry that comes with sociopolitical benefits through job opportunities, as well as potential environmental benefits. Many studies have been conducted on the technological advancements of oil‐palm biomass‐derived renewable materials, which are discussed comprehensively in this review. Recent technological developments have made it possible to bring new and innovative technologies to commercialization, such as compost, biocharcoal, biocomposites, and bioplastics.     

Liberation and oxygenation of polyenoic acids in stimulated platelets

Radiolabeled polyenoic acids were incorporated into human platelet lipids using albumin as vector. Platelets were then triggered with 0.1 or 1 U/ml thrombin, and 0.5 or 2 x 10(-6) M calcium ionophore A23187. Lipid extracts were analyzed for neutral lipids, free fatty acids, monohydroxylated acids, prostanoids and glycocerophospholipid subclasses. During platelet activation induced by thrombin or by ionophore, arachidonic and eicosapentaenoic acids were liberated from phospholipids in large amounts and were subsequently oxygenated via platelet oxygenases. Substantial amounts of lipoxygenase products and thromboxanes were produced from these acids. Liberation and oxygenation of linoleic, alpha-linolenic, and docosahexaenoic acids were much less pronounced. Polyenoic acid liberation from phospholipid subclasses also behaved quite differently. Apart from alpha-linolenic and adrenic acids, which were poorly liberated, all the others were freed from phosphatidylinositol. In addition, arachidonic, eicosapentaenoic, and 5, 8, 11-eicosatrienoic acids were liberated from phosphatidylcholine at high concentrations of agonists and partially reincorporated into phosphatidylethanolamine. Finally, linoleic acid was deacylated from phosphatidylinositol and phosphatidylserine and almost entirely reacylated into phosphatidylcholine, whereas docosahexaenoic acid was deacylated from phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylinositol reacylated into phosphatidylethanolamine, respectively. It is concluded that these polyenoic acids, all for which modulate platelet functions, exhibit very different metabolisms. They may act via their oxygenated derivatives and/or at the membrane phospholipid level.     

A segmentation approach to long duration surface EMG recordings.

The purpose of this study was to develop an automatic segmentation method in order to identify postural surface EMG segments in long-duration recordings. Surface EMG signals were collected from the cervical erector spinae (CES), erector spinae (ES), external oblique (EO), and tibialis anterior (TA) muscles of 11 subjects using a bipolar electrode configuration. Subjects remained seated in a car seat over the 150-min data-collection period. The modified dynamic cumulative sum (MDCS) algorithm was used to automatically segment the surface EMG signals. Signals were rejected by comparison with an exponential mathematical model of the spectrum of a surface EMG signal. The average power ratio computed between two successive retained segments was used to classify segments as postural or surface EMG. The presence of a negative slope of a regression line fitted to the median frequency values of postural surface EMG segments was taken as an indication of fatigue. Alpha level was set at 0.05. The overall classification error rate was 8%, and could be performed in 25 min for a 150-min signal using a custom-built software program written in C (Borland Software Corporation, CA, USA). This error rate could be enhanced by concentrating on the rejection method, which caused most of the misclassification (6%). Furthermore, the elimination of non-postural surface EMG segments by the use of a segmentation approach enabled muscular fatigue to be identified in signals that contained no evidence of fatigue when analysed using traditional methods.     

Ovicidal activity of Sesamum indicum (L.) oil against Spodoptera littoralis (Boisd.)

In the research for alternative tools and botanical products to control Spodoptera littoralis (Boisduval) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae). Sesamum indicum (L.) (Lamiales: Pedaliaceae) oil was assayed as an ovicide. The mortality increased with existence of fatty acids. Chemical analysis of S. indicum oil using GLC analysis showed palmitic acid as the major fatty acid (51.27%), while the major hydrocarbon and sterols were found to be heneicosane (58.63%) and β-sitosterol (2.60%), respectively. Generally, the values of LC₅₀s indicated that one-day-old egg masses are more susceptible than three-day-old eggs. Also, the leaf dip technique is more efficient than the spraying one. Results showed several features of chorionic surface deformation treated with sesame and KZ oils than control using scanning electron microscopy. Meanwhile, the tested oils caused significant reduction in both total soluble protein and transaminase enzymes as compared to control. Additionally, the oils elongated the incubation period and larval duration than control.     

A Novel Molecular Design for a Hybrid Phage-DNA Construct Against DKK1

Nucleic acid immunization has recently exhibited a great promise for immunotherapy of various diseases. However, it is now clear that powerful strategies are imminently needed to improve their efficiency. In this regard, whole bacteriophage particles have been described as efficient DNA vaccine delivery vehicles, capable of circumventing the limitations of naked DNA immunization. Moreover, phage particles could be engineered to display specific peptides on their surfaces. Given these inherent characteristics of phages, we have designed a novel hybrid phage-DNA immunization vector using both M13 and pAAV plasmid elements. Following the construction and in vitro confirmation of the designed vectors, they were used for comparative mice immunization, carrying the same DNA sequence. The results indicated the efficacy of the designed hybrid phage particles, to elicit higher humoral immunity, in comparison to conventional DNA-immunization vectors (pCI). In light of these findings, it could be concluded that using adeno-associated virus (AAV) expression cassette along with displaying TAT peptide on the surface of the phage particle could be deemed as an appealing strategy to enhance the DNA-immunization and vaccination efficacy.     

Genetically encoded FRET-based optical sensor for Hg2+ detection and intracellular imaging in living cells

Journal of Industrial Microbiology & Biotechnology - Due to the potential toxicity of mercury, there is an immediate need to understand its uptake, transport and flux within living cells....     

The effect of redox signaling on extracellular matrix changes in diabetic wounds leading to amputation

Introduction& Objectives: Redox signaling is a critical regulator in the process of wound healing. This signaling pathway can be effective in the development or healing of diabetic ulcers through the ECM.In this study, the structure of extracellular matrix investigated in relation to redox signaling in the tissue of patients with diabetic ulcers that lead to organ amputation.Materials and methodsThe case-control design on diabetic patients ulcers as case group and non-diabetic limb ischemia as control were used.Hematoxylin-eosin, trichrome, and elastin staining methods were used for pathological evaluations of ECM. MDA, total thiol, and SOD levels were measured using ELISA kits to assess the oxidative stress level. Also, NO level was measured by using ELISA kits in both groups. Expression levels of genes MMP2, MMP9, and HIF were detected using real-time PCR with SYBR-green assay.ResultsThe pathological results showed an increase in the thickness of collagen and elastin fibers. Lipids atrophy was visible in the tissue isolated from the diabetic wound group. The amount of MAD to evaluate the level of lipid oxidation in patients with diabetic Ulcer was significantly higher than the control group(p < 0.01). Thiol level was significantly lower in the diabetic ulcer group than in the control group(p < 0.0001). The expression of metalloproteinases 2 and 9 genes in the tissues isolated from diabetic ulcers was lower than the control group(p < 0.0001). While the expression of the HIF gene in this group was higher than the control group(p < 0.0001).ConclutionIn the diabetic wound, the HIF secretion due to hypoxic conditions is beneficial for matrix deposition and prevents protease activity, but if the hypoxia persists, it can lead to ECM deposition subsequently increases the tissue pressure, increases of the collagen I-to-collagen III ratio in collagen accumulation that due to more hypoxia , lipidsAtrophy and eventually amputation.