Putative Virulence Traits and Pathogenicity of Vibrio cholerae Non-O1, Non-O139 Isolates from Surface Waters in Kolkata, India

Vibrio cholerae non-O1, non-O139 was isolated from natural surface waters from different sites sampled in diarrhea endemic zones in Kolkata, India. Twenty-one of these isolates were randomly selected and included in the characterization. The multiserogroup isolates were compared by their virulence traits with a group of clinical non-O1, non-O139 isolates from the same geographic area. Of the 21 environmental isolates, 6 and 14 strains belonged to Heiberg groups I and II, respectively. Three of the environmental isolates showed resistance to 2,2-diamine-6,7-diisopropylpteridine phosphate. All of the non-O1, non-O139 strains were positive for toxR, and except for one environmental isolate, none of them were positive for tcpA in the PCR assay. None of the isolates were positive for genes encoding cholera toxin (ctxA), heat-stable toxin (est), heat-labile toxin (elt), and Shiga toxin variants (stx) of Escherichia coli. Additionally, except for one environmental isolate (PC32), all were positive for the gene encoding El Tor hemolysin (hly). The culture supernatants of 86% (18 of 21) of the environmental isolates showed a distinct cytotoxic effect on HeLa cells, and some of these strains also produced cell-rounding factor. The lipase, protease, and cell-associated hemagglutination activities and serum resistance properties of the environmental and clinical isolates did not differ much. However, seven environmental isolates exhibited very high hemolytic activities (80 to 100%), while none of the clinical strains belonged to this group. The environmental isolates manifested three adherence patterns, namely, carpet-like, diffuse, and aggregative adherence, and the clinical isolates showed diffuse adherence on HeLa cells. Of the 11 environmental isolates tested for enteropathogenic potential, 8 (73%) induced positive fluid accumulation (≥100) in a mouse model, and the reactivities of these isolates were comparable to those of clinical strains of non-O1, non-O139 and toxigenic O139 V. cholerae. Comparison of the counts of the colonized environmental and clinical strains in the mouse intestine showed that the organisms of both groups had similar colonizing efficiencies. These findings indicate the presence of potentially pathogenic V. cholerae non-O1, non-O139 strains in surface waters of the studied sites in Kolkata.     

Zn2+ enhances the molecular chaperone function and stability of alpha-crystallin

Alpha-crystallin, the major eye lens protein, is a molecular chaperone that plays a crucial role in the suppression of protein aggregation and thus in the long-term maintenance of lens transparency. Zinc is a micronutrient of the eye, but its molecular interaction with alpha-crystallin has not been studied in detail. In this paper, we present results of in vitro experiments that show bivalent zinc specifically interacts with alpha-crystallin with a dissociation constant in the submillimolar range (Kd approximately 0.2-0.4 mM). We compared the effect of Zn2+ with those of Ca2+, Cu2+, Mg2+, Cd2+, Pb2+, Ni2+, Fe2+, and Co2+ at 1 mM on the structure and chaperoning ability of alpha-crystallin. An insulin aggregation assay showed that among the bivalent metal ions, only 1 mM Zn2+ improved the chaperone function of alpha-crystallin by 30% compared to that in the absence of bivalent metal ions. Addition of 1 mM Zn2+ increased the yield of alpha-crystallin-assisted refolding of urea-treated LDH to its native state from 33 to 38%, but other bivalent ions had little effect. The surface hydrophobicity of alpha-crystallin was increased by 50% due to the binding of Zn2+. In the presence of 1 mM Zn2+, the stability of alpha-crystallin was enhanced by 36 kJ/mol, and it became more resistant to tryptic cleavage. The implications of enhanced stability and molecular chaperone activity of alpha-crystallin in the presence of Zn2+ are discussed in terms of its role in the long-term maintenance of lens transparency and cataract formation.     

Synthèse et étude conformationelle par r.m.n.-13c de β-nucléosides pyrimidiques contenant une ou deux sous-unités hexopyranosyles: Application à la conformation de l'anthelmycine

Several new peracetylated pyrimidine N-1 nucleosides containing one or two β-d-hexopyranosyl residues have been synthesized and their physical characteristics are reported. The conformation of these nucleosides has been investigated by high-resolution ¹³C-n.m.r. analysis after deblocking. It was possible to distinguish between the syn and anti rotamers of 3-β-d-glucopyranosyluracil, and to establish the favored anti conformation in solution of the nucleoside disaccharide, antibiotic anthelmycin.     

Sorbitan ester niosomes for topical delivery of rofecoxib

The aim of the present investigation is to encapsulate rofecoxib in niosomes and incorporate the prepared niosomes into dermal gel base for sustained therapeutic action. Niosomes were prepared by lipid film hydration technique and were analyzed for size, entrapment efficiency and drug retention capacity. Niosomal vesicles were then incorporated into blank carbopol gel to form niosomal gel. The in vitro permeation study across pig skin was performed using Keshary-Chien glass diffusion cell. The size and entrapment efficiency of the niosomal vesicles increased with gradual increase in HLB value of nonionic surfactants used. Maximum drug entrapment was observed with Span 20 with HLB value of 8.6 and drug leakage from vesicles was less at refrigerated condition than at the room temperature. Higher proportion of cholesterol made the niosomal formulation more stable with high drug retention properties. The niosomal gel showed a prolong drug release behavior compared to plain drug gel. Differential scanning calorimetric study of drug loaded gel and pig skin after permeation study confirmed inertness of carbopol gel base toward rofecoxib and absence of drug metabolism in the skin during permeation study, respectively. The niosomal formulations were successfully prepared by lipid film hydration technique using cholesterol and Span as nonionic surfactant. Presence of cholesterol made niosomes more stable with high drug entrapment efficiency and retention properties. The lower flux value of niosomal gel as compared to plain drug gel across pig skin assured the prolong drug release behavior with sustained action.     

A dynamic model for functional mapping of biological rhythms

Functional mapping is a statistical method for mapping quantitative trait loci (QTLs) that regulate the dynamic pattern of a biological trait. This method integrates mathematical aspects of biological complexity into a mixture model for genetic mapping and tests the genetic effects of QTLs by comparing genotype-specific curve parameters. As a way of quantitatively specifying the dynamic behavior of a system, differential equations have proven to be powerful for modeling and unraveling the biochemical, molecular, and cellular mechanisms of a biological process, such as biological rhythms. The equipment of functional mapping with biologically meaningful differential equations provides new insights into the genetic control of any dynamic processes. We formulate a new functional mapping framework for a dynamic biological rhythm by incorporating a group of ordinary differential equations (ODE). The Runge-Kutta fourth order algorithm was implemented to estimate the parameters that define the system of ODE. The new model will find its implications for understanding the interplay between gene interactions and developmental pathways in complex biological rhythms.     

Root exudates of rice seedlings. The influence of one variety on another

Summary In the present study attempts have been made to elucidate the composition and physiological actions of root exudates from CB-1 Rupsail and the mixed population of these two varieties. The chemical nature of the different components of root exudates was studied by means of paper chromatography, bioassay and other biochemical procedures. It was noted that exudates from CB-1 and Rupsail seedlings inhibited root/shoot growth of test seedlings of both varieties. But when these two varieties were grown together root/shoot growth of both varieties were markedly promoted. Both qualitative and quantitative differences in amino acids, carbohydrates and growth substances contents of root exudates of individual and mixed population of rice varieties were noted.     

Molecular chaperone-like properties of an unfolded protein, alpha(s)-casein.

All molecular chaperones known to date are well organized, folded protein molecules whose three-dimensional structure are believed to play a key role in the mechanism of substrate recognition and subsequent assistance to folding. A common feature of all protein and nonprotein molecular chaperones is the propensity to form aggregates very similar to the micellar aggregates. In this paper we show that alpha(s)-casein, abundant in mammalian milk, which has no well defined secondary and tertiary structure but exits in nature as a micellar aggregate, can prevent a variety of unrelated proteins/enzymes against thermal-, chemical-, or light-induced aggregation. It also prevents aggregation of its natural substrates, the whey proteins. alpha(s)-Casein interacts with partially unfolded proteins through its solvent-exposed hydrophobic surfaces. The absence of disulfide bridge or free thiol groups in its sequence plays important role in preventing thermal aggregation of whey proteins caused by thiol-disulfide interchange reactions. Our results indicate that alpha(s)-casein not only prevents the formation of huge insoluble aggregates but it can also inhibit accumulation of soluble aggregates of appreciable size. Unlike other molecular chaperones, this protein can solubilize hydrophobically aggregated proteins. This protein seems to have some characteristics of cold shock protein, and its chaperone-like activity increases with decrease of temperature.