Biting reduces acute stress-induced oxidative stress in the rat hypothalamus

We investigated the inhibitory effect of para-masticatory activity, namely biting, on restraint stress-induced oxidative stress. A blood brain barrier-permeable nitroxyl spin probe, 3-methoxycarbonyl-2,2,5,5,-tetramethylpyrrolidine-1-oxyl (MC-PROXYL), was administered to rats and L-band electron spin resonance (ESR) and ESR-computerized tomography (ESR-CT) imaging were used to show that the decay rate constant of MC-PROXYL in the hypothalamus of isolated brain after 30 min of restraint stress was more rapid than in unrestrained control rats, suggesting that restraint was associated with oxidative stress. Interestingly, biting during restraint stress caused the decay rate constant of MC-PROXYL in isolated brain to approach that of the control group. These observations suggest that biting suppresses oxidative stress induced by restraint stress, and that the anti-stress effect of masticatory motor activity movements, such as biting, are important for reducing the adverse effects associated with exposure to psychological stressors.     

Dermatophytosis in Military in the Central-West Region of Brazil: Literature Review

Background

Dermatophytes represent a group of keratinophilic fungi capable of invading the superficial layer of the skin, hair, and nails of humans and animals. There is a high prevalence of dermatomycosis in tropical regions, and military personnel are susceptible to this kind of infection due to the type of occupational activities.

Objective

This study was to investigate dermatophytosis in military, in addition to predisposing factors to such infections.

Methods

The direct examination of the 221 samples obtained was conducted by preparing fresh slides, clarified with KOH. The clinical materials were seeded in duplicate in SDA and in Mycosel agar medium. The identification of the etiologic agents was performed according to the Riddell technique.

Results

99/221 (44.8 %) of the dermatophyte infection agents distributed in the three taxonomic genera that cause Tinea were recovered. The Trichophyton genus was the most representative and T. rubrum species 33 (33.3 %), the most prevalent. The other species found were as follows: T. tonsurans 13 (13.1 %), T. verrucosum 11 (11.1 %), T. interdigitale 9 (9.1 %), and T. mentagrophytes 6 (6.1 %). Among the most affected anatomical sites were skin 83 (83.8 %) and nails 17 (17.2 %).

Conclusions

Dermatophyte infections are common disorders in tropical countries. These infections lead to a variety of clinical manifestations. This study reports the incidence of dermatophytosis in the military personnel in the Central-West Region of Brazil. The occupational activities of the military individuals, in addition to the hot and humid climate of the region, can predispose them to infection by these fungal entities.     

A new mycinosyl rosamicin derivative produced by an engineered Micromonospora rosaria mutant with a cytochrome P450 gene disruption introducing the d-mycinose biosynthetic gene

Genetic engineering of post-polyketide synthase-tailoring genes can be used to generate new macrolide analogs through manipulation of the genes involved in their biosynthesis. Rosamicin, a 16-member macrolide antibiotic produced by Micromonospora rosaria IFO13697, contains a formyl group and an epoxide at C-20 and C-12/13 positions which are formed by the cytochrome P450 enzymes RosC and RosD, respectively. The d-mycinose biosynthesis genes in mycinamicin II biosynthesis gene cluster of Micomonospora guriseorubida A11725 were introduced into the rosC and rosD disruption mutants of M. rosaria IFO13697. The resulting engineered strains, M. rosaria TPMA0054 and TPMA0069, produced mycinosyl rosamicin derivatives, IZIV and IZV, respectively. IZIV was identified as a novel mycinosyl rosamicin derivative, 23-O-mycinosyl-20-deoxo-20-dihydrorosamicin.     

Chiral recognition in the binding of helicenediamine to double strand DNA: interactions between low molecular weight helical compounds and a helical polymer

Binding of a helicene, 5,8-bis(aminomethyl)-1,12-dimethylbenzo[c]phenanthrene, to calf thymus DNA was studied using UV, CD, and fluorescence spectroscopy as well as calorimetry. The enantiomeric helicenes strongly bound to the double strand DNA possessing the right-handed helical structure. In addition, chiral recognition was observed in the binding, where the (P)-helicene with the right-handed helicity formed more stable complex than the (M)-helicene with the left-handed helicity. The binding studies of the helicenes and natural nucleosides by 1H NMR spectroscopy also revealed the higher affinity to the (P)-helicene. Both monomeric and polymeric nucleic acids thus turned out to favor the (P)-helicity.     

TMEM180 contributes to SW480 human colorectal cancer cell proliferation through intra-cellular metabolic pathways

TMEM180, a novel colon cancer–specific protein with a 12-transmembrane topology, is upregulated at low oxygen. Previously, we established a humanized monoclonal antibody against TMEM180 aimed at clinical trials. Prior to such trials, it is necessary to clarify the function of TMEM180 in cancer. To compare SW480 human colon cancer cells and their TMEM180-knockdown derivatives, we analyzed proliferation and oxygen consumption, and also performed phosphorylation proteomics, metabolomics, and next-generation sequencing (NGS). The preliminary results revealed that TMEM180 appeared to promote the growth of colon cancer but had almost no effect on oxygen consumption or expression of phosphorylated proteins. By contrast, glycolysis differed dramatically between SW480 and TMEM180-knockdown cells. The NGS analysis revealed that TMEM180 promotes enzyme expression in nitric oxide (NO) synthesis system, suggesting that it promotes glucose and glutamine metabolism, thereby contributing to cancer growth. Overall, the results of this study warrant further basic studies of TMEM180 molecule.     

The difference in LET and ion species dependence for induction of initially measured and non-rejoined chromatin breaks in normal human fibroblasts

We studied the LET and ion species dependence of the induction of chromatin breaks measured immediately after irradiation as initially measured breaks and after 24 h postirradiation incubation (37 degrees C) as non-rejoined breaks in normal human fibroblasts with different heavy ions, such as carbon, neon, silicon and iron, generated by the Heavy Ion Medical Accelerator in Chiba (HIMAC) at the National Institute of Radiological Science (NIRS). Chromatin breaks were measured as an excess number of fragments of prematurely condensed chromosomes using premature chromosome condensation (PCC). The results showed that the number of excess fragments per cell per Gy for initially measured chromatin breaks was dependent on LET in the range from 13.3 to 113.1 keV/mum but was not dependent on ion species. On the other hand, the number of non-rejoined chromatin breaks detected after 24 h postirradiation incubation was clearly dependent on both LET and ion species. No significant difference was observed in the cross section for initially measured breaks, but a statistically significant difference was observed in the cross section for non-rejoined breaks among carbon, neon, silicon and iron ions. This suggests that the LET-dependent structure in the biological effects is reflected in biological consequences of repair processes.     

Amino Acid Sequence of Triculamin

The amino acid sequence of triculamin is established from the amino acid composition of the peptides, which have been obtained by partial acid hydrolysis. It is a branched peptides, and a possible structure of the branched parts is proposed.     

Potential of bioinsecticidal Bacillus thuringiensis inoculum to suppress gray mold in tomato based on induced systemic resistance

The potential of the active ingredient of a commercial bioinsecticide, XenTari^® (Bacillus thuringiensis [BT] serovar aizawai strain ABTS‐1857), to suppress gray mold in tomato plants was elucidated. First, a suspension of the active ingredient of XenTari^® and a liquid culture of the bacterial strain as BT inocula were sprayed onto detached leaves or drenched into pots of tomato seedlings, and then, propagules of the gray mold fungus, Botrytis cinerea, were inoculated onto the leaves. The gray mold disease was significantly suppressed when rhizospheres were drenched with either inoculum, but not when inocula were sprayed onto detached leaves of seedlings. Both BT inocula were verified not to directly inhibit the mycelial growth of B. cinerea based on in vitro culture plate assays. Additionally, real‐time RT‐PCR analysis verified that the active ingredient increased the expression levels of defence‐related genes, such as PR‐1(P6) and P4, in the leaves of tomato seedlings. These results suggest that the active ingredient has the potential to suppress gray mold disease in tomato, not through direct antagonistic interactions with B. cinerea, but rather through systemic activation of the plant defence system by increased expression of several defence‐related genes.