Expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 in round ligament and uterosacral ligament tissue from women with pelvic organ prolapse

To evaluate the matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) expression in different parts of pelvic connective tissue in postmenopausal women with and without pelvic organ prolapse (POP). Ninety-one samples were obtained from only postmenopausal women (42 with POP and 49 non-POP subjects). All women were evaluated by pelvic organ prolapse quantitation. The POP group had stage 2 or more, and the controls had stage 1 or less. Round ligament (RL) and uterosacral ligament (USL) biopsies were obtained from women with POP and controls. Immunohistochemistry for MMP-1 was performed on formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded sections. The two groups were matched for age, body mass index, parity and postmenopausal status. MedCalc Statistical Software Programme Version 12.0.5 was used for statistical analysis. Expression of MMP-1 were significantly higher in both RL and USL tissue from postmenopausal women with POP, compared with controls. MMP-1 immunoreactivities were identified in both RL and USL biopsies from all women with and without POP. The expression pattern of MMP-1 were similar in these ligaments and were significantly higher in POP group compared with control subjects. These changes indicate a possible relation between MMP-1 expression of RL and USL in women with and without POP.     

Alternaria capsicicola sp. nov., a new species causing leaf spot of pepper (Capsicum annuum) in Malaysia

A new species of Alternaria causing leaf spot of pepper (Capsicum annuum) obtained from the Cameron highlands, Pahang, Malaysia, was determined based on phylogenetic analyses, morphological characteristics, and pathogenicity assays. Phylogenetic analyses of combined dataset of the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (gpd), Alternaria allergen a 1 (Alt a1) and calmodulin genes revealed that the new isolates clustered into a subclade distinct from the closely related Alternaria species A. tomato and A. burnsii. The solitary or short chains of conidia resemble those of A. burnsii. However, conidia with long beaks are morphologically similar to A. tomato. Hence, the pathogenic fungus is proposed as Alternaria capsicicola sp. nov. Pathogenicity assays indicated that A. capsicicola causes leaf spot on pepper.     

A critical evaluation of peroxidase profiles inParthenium argentatum

Specific localization of peroxidases after electrophoresis on nondenaturing polyacrylamide gels is discussed. The use of a multifunctional analysis for the separation of isoperoxidases from polyphenoloxidases is suggested.The Guayule Cooperative Programme of the Foundation for Research Development is thanked for its financial support.     

Pathways of auxin transport in the intact pea seedling (Pisum sativum L.)

Summary When small colonies of the pea aphid [Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris)] were established on the stem of Meteor Dwarf Pea seedlings (Pisum sativum L.), ¹⁴C was found in the honeydew 4.5 h after applying IAA-1-¹⁴C to a fully-expanded foliage leaf. In contrast, no activity was found in the honeydew or aphids 4.5 h after the application of IAA-1-¹⁴C to the intact apical bud even though the internode upon which the aphids were feeding contained high levels of ¹⁴C. The lack of radio-activity in aphids feeding on stems to which IAA-1-¹⁴C was applied via the apical bud was found not to be influenced by the internode position or by the transport interval allowed (up to 24 h).Radioactivity derived from either foliar or apical applications of IAA-1-¹⁴C was not transported through stem tissues killed by heat treatment. Xylem function was shown not to be impared by the heat treatment employed.It was concluded that the long-distance transport of IAA from the apical bud of intact pea seedlings does not take place in the phloem sieve tubes involved in the transport of metabolites from foliage leaves, or in the non-living tissues of the xylem.     

Ellagitannin geraniin: a review of the natural sources,biosynthesis, pharmacokinetics and biological effects

The discovery of the ellagitannin geraniin was made exactly 40 years ago. It is a secondary metabolite found in plants and is categorised as a hydrolysable tannin under the huge family of polyphenolic compounds. At present, the occurrence of geraniin has been verified in at least 71 plant species, many of which are used in traditional medicine. Hence, like other polyphenols, geraniin has also received widespread interest as a research focus to unearth its beneficial biological effects and therapeutic values apart from understanding its chemical properties, biosynthesis and interaction with the body system. Indeed, it has been demonstrated that geraniin possesses antioxidant, antimicrobial, anticancer, cytoprotective, immune-modulatory, analgesic properties besides exerting promising therapeutic effects on hypertension, cardiovascular disease and metabolic dysregulation. The objective of this review is to summarise the current knowledge about the basic chemistry, natural sources, isolation techniques, biosynthesis, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of geraniin. With reference to this information, the clinical significance, obstacles and future perspectives in geraniin research will also be scrutinised.     

Versican is induced in infiltrating monocytes in myocardial infarction

Versican, a large chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan, plays a role in conditions such as wound healing and tissue remodelling. To test the hypothesis that versican expression is transiently upregulated and plays a role in the infarcted heart, we examined its expression in a rat model of myocardial infarction. Northern blot analysis demonstrated increased expression of versican mRNA. Quantitative real-time RT-PCR analysis revealed that versican mRNA began to increase as early as 6 h and reached its maximal level 2 days after coronary artery ligation. Versican mRNA then gradually decreased, while the mRNA of decorin, another small proteoglycan, increased thereafter. Versican mRNA was localized in monocytes, as indicated by CD68-positive staining, around the infarct tissue. The induction of versican mRNA was accelerated by ischemia/reperfusion (I/R), which was characterized by massive cell infiltration and enhanced inflammatory response. To examine the alteration of versican expression in monocytes/macrophages, we isolated human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and stimulated them with granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF). Stimulation of mononuclear cells with GM-CSF increased the expression of versican mRNA as well as cytokine induction. The production of versican by monocytes in the infarct area represents a novel finding of the expression of an extracellular matrix gene by monocytes in the infarcted heart. We suggest that upregulation of versican in the infarcted myocardium may have a role in the inflammatory reaction, which mediates subsequent chemotaxis in the infarcted heart. (Mol Cell Biochem xxx: 47–56, 2005)     

Nanogold-plasmon-resonance-based glucose sensing

Noble metal nanoparticles are well known for their strong interactions with light through the resonant excitations of the collective oscillations of the conduction electrons on the particles, the so-called surface plasmon resonances. The close proximity of two nanoparticles is known to result in a red-shifted resonance wavelength peak, due to near-field coupling. We have subsequently employed this phenomenon and developed a new approach to glucose sensing, which is based on the aggregation and disassociation of 20-nm gold particles and the changes in plasmon absorption induced by the presence of glucose. High-molecular-weight dextran-coated nanoparticles are aggregated with concanavalin A (Con A), which results in a significant shift and broadening of the gold plasmon absorption. The addition of glucose competitively binds to Con A, reducing gold nanoparticle aggregation and therefore the plasmon absorption when monitored at a near-red arbitrary wavelength. We have optimized our plasmonic-type glucose nanosensors with regard to particle stability, pH effects, the dynamic range for glucose sensing, and the observation wavelength to be compatible with clinical glucose requirements and measurements. In addition, by modifying the amount of dextran or Con A used in nanoparticle fabrication, we can to some extent tune the glucose response range, which means that a single sensing platform could potentially be used to monitor microM --> mM glucose levels in many physiological fluids, such as tears, blood, and urine, where the glucose concentrations are significantly different.