The tropical white rot fungus, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lentinus squarrosulus</Emphasis> Mont.: lignocellulolytic enzymes activities and sugar release from cornstalks under solid state fermentation

Lentinus squarrosulus Mont., a high temperature tolerant white rot fungus that is found across sub-Saharan Africa and many parts of Asia, is attracting attention due to its rapid mycelia growth and potential for use in food and biodegradation. A solid state fermentation (SSF) experiment with L. squarrosulus (strain MBFBL 201) on cornstalks was conducted. The study evaluated lignocellulolytic enzymes activity, loss of organic matter (LOM), exopolysaccharide content, and the release of water soluble sugars from degraded substrate. The results showed that L. squarrosulus was able to degrade cornstalks significantly, with 58.8% LOM after 30 days of SSF. Maximum lignocellulolytic enzyme activities were obtained on day 6 of cultivation: laccase = 154.5 U/L, MnP = 13 U/L, peroxidase = 27.4 U/L, CMCase = 6.0 U/mL and xylanase = 14.5 U/mL. L. squarrosulus is a good producer of exopolysaccharides (3.0–5.13 mg/mL). Glucose and galactose were the most abundant sugars detected in the substrate during SSF, while fructose, xylose and trehalose, although detected on day zero of the experiment, were absent in treated substrates. The preference for hemicellulose over cellulose, combined with the high temperature tolerance and the very fast growth rate characteristics of L. squarrosulus could make it an ideal candidate for application in industrial pretreatment and biodelignification of lignocellulosic biomass.     

Association between oral health, cognitive impairment and oral health-related quality of life

doi: 10.1111/j.1741‐2358.2011.00542.x
Association between oral health, cognitive impairment and oral health–related quality of life Objective: Investigating oral health–related quality of life’s (OH‐QoL) relationship with cognitive state. Background: Oral health affects OH‐QoL and is poor in institutionalised and cognitively impaired people. Material and Methods: This was a cross‐sectional study involving 215 institutionalised elderly (82.9 mean age), who were interviewed, examined and cognitively screened using the Pfeiffer test. Results: Mean GOHAI score was 53.1; only 43.7% of the participants reported having a good OH‐QoL. Needing help with dressing or washing (OR 2.14; p = 0.004), having one to nine teeth (OR 4.65; p ≥ 0.001), eight or less occluding pairs (OR 2.74; p = 0.002), one to three caries (OR 1.85; p = 0.005) and being cognitive impaired (OR 0.54; p = 0.034) were significantly associated with altered OH‐QoL in bi‐variate analysis. Being edentulous (OR 3.18; p = 0.0046), having 1–9 teeth (OR 2.62; p = 0.056) and presenting mild cognitive impairment (MCI) (OR 0.32; p = 0.016) appeared as predictive variables in logistic regression for having an altered OH‐QoL. Conclusions: Participants having MCI had significantly better GOHAI score than cognitively normal residents. Performing cognitive screening parallel to applying any OH‐QoL instrument would make the results more reliable and would benefit cognitively impaired people.     

Exploring the nuclear envelope of herpes simplex virus 1-infected cells by high-resolution microscopy

Herpesviruses are composed of capsid, tegument, and envelope. Capsids assemble in the nucleus and exit the nucleus by budding at the inner nuclear membrane, acquiring tegument and the envelope. This study focuses on the changes of the nuclear envelope during herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) infection in HeLa and Vero cells by employing preparation techniques at ambient and low temperatures for high-resolution scanning and transmission electron microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy. Cryo-field emission scanning electron microscopy of freeze-fractured cells showed for the first time budding of capsids at the nuclear envelope at the third dimension with high activity at 10 h and low activity at 15 h of incubation. The mean number of pores was significantly lower, and the mean interpore distance and the mean interpore area were significantly larger than those for mock-infected cells 15 h after inoculation. Forty-five percent of nuclear pores in HSV-1-infected cells were dilated to more than 140 nm. Nuclear material containing capsids protrude through them into the cytoplasm. Examination of in situ preparations after dry fracturing revealed significant enlargements of the nuclear pore diameter and of the nuclear pore central channel in HSV-1-infected cells compared to mock-infected cells. The demonstration of nucleoporins by confocal microscopy also revealed fewer pores but focal enhancement of fluorescence signals in HSV-1-infected cells, whereas Western blots showed no loss of nucleoporins from cells. The data suggest that infection with HSV-1 alters the number, size, and architecture of nuclear pores without a loss of nucleoporins from altered nuclear pore complexes.     

The effect of GnRH on in vitro bovine myometrial activity

The aim of this study was to evaluate, in vitro, the effects of increasing concentrations of GnRH on spontaneous mechanical activity patterns of uterine smooth muscle preparations of cows during the follicular and the luteal phases of the oestrus cycle. Uterine smooth muscle strips from 14 cows in follicular and 9 in luteal phase were collected immediately after slaughter and processed within 60 min from collection. Two strips of the same uterus were mounted in an isolated organ bath with two chambers to evaluate the role of decapeptide GnRH on spontaneous myometrial contractility. After equilibration period at 20 mN resting tension, the mechanical activity of the uterus was recorded for 10 min and the mean contractile force (MCF) was calculated. Then GnRH antagonist (antide) was added to one chamber at fixed concentration (10(-4)mol) and allowed to diffuse in solution and make contact with the strips. Subsequently, GnRH was added to the two baths at the same time at increasing concentration and MCF was recorded for 10 min. The effect of GnRH on spontaneous myometrial activity was evident only in the strips from subjects in follicular phase. Our results are suggestive of the presence of GnRH receptors in bovine myometrial tissue. The involvement of GnRH on uterine contractions at mating can be postulated.     

Rodlet cell biometry: interspecific and intraspecific variability

Intraspecific and interspecific variability in rodlet cell size in various tissues of several species of freshwater and marine fish were documented. Differences were attributed mainly to fish species, although tissue type contributed significantly, providing evidence for the presence of rodlet cell morphotypes.     

Effect of the inhibin-like factor from bull spermatozoa on sexual maturation of the male rat.

The s.c. administration for 25 days of the inhibin-like factor extracted from bull spermatozoa to immature 20-day-old male rats reduced serum FSH levels by about 60% and serum LH and testosterone levels by about 50%. However, neither tubular nor interstitial modifications of the histological appearance of the testis were found and there were no changes in the activity of delta 5-3 beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase. The assay described could be usefully employed for evaluating the activities of inhibin-like factors.     

Rapid chemiluminometric determination of gabapentin in pharmaceutical formulations exploiting pulsed‐flow analysis

In this study, a straightforward and automated pulsed flow‐based procedure was developed for the chemiluminometric determination of gabapentin [1‐(aminomethyl)cyclo‐hexaneacetic acid], a new generation antiepileptic drug, in different formulated dosage forms. The software‐controlled time‐based injection method capitalizes on the decrease of the background chemiluminescence (CL) readout of the luminol–hypochlorite reaction in the presence of gabapentin. In short, gabapentin works as a hypochlorite scavenger. The analytical procedure was implemented in a multi‐pumping flow network furnished with a suite of microdispensing solenoid‐actuated pumps. The diaphragm‐type micropumps might be configured to operate as fluid propellers, commutation units and metering injectors. A dynamic linear working range for gabapentin concentrations in the range 60–350 µmol/L was obtained, with an estimated detection limit of 40 µmol/L. The flow analyser handles about 41 injections/h and yields precise results (RSD < 2%). The miniaturized flow analyser thus has potential to be exploited for in‐line monitoring of drug manufacturing within the quality assurance framework of modern pharmaceutical companies. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Synthesis and biological evaluation of 1,8-naphthyridin-4(1H)-on-3-carboxamide derivatives as new ligands of cannabinoid receptors

Cannabinoid receptors have been studied extensively in view of their potential functional role in several physiological and pathological processes. For this reason, the search for new potent, selective ligands for subtype CB receptors, CB(1) and CB(2), is still of great importance, in order to investigate their role in various physiological functions. The present study describes the synthesis and the biological properties of a series of 1,8-naphthyridine derivatives, characterised by the presence of some important structural requirements exhibited by other classes of cannabinoid ligands, such as an aliphatic or aromatic carboxamide group in position 3, and an alkyl or arylalkyl substituent in position 1. These compounds were assayed for binding both to the brain and to peripheral cannabinoid receptors (CB(1) and CB(2)). The results obtained indicate that the naphthyridine derivatives examined possess a greater affinity for the CB(2) receptor than for the CB(1) receptor. In particular, derivatives 6a and 7a possess an appreciable affinity for the CB(2) receptor, with K(i) values of 5.5 and 8.0 nM respectively; also compounds 4a, 5a and 8a exhibit a good CB(2) affinity, with K(i) values in the range of 10-44 nM. Furthermore, compounds 3g-i and 18 revealed a good CB(2) selectivity, with a CB(1)/CB(2) ratio >20.     

Blockade of nociceptin/orphanin FQ transmission in rat substantia nigra reverses haloperidol-induced akinesia and normalizes nigral glutamate release

We recently showed that pharmacological blockade of nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) peptide (NOP) receptors located in the substantia nigra stimulates the nigrostriatal dopaminergic pathway and motor behavior (Marti et al. J. Neurosci. 2004, 24, 6659-6666). To investigate whether such motor-stimulating action was dependent on functional dopaminergic transmission, the selective NOP receptor peptide antagonist [Nphe1,Arg14,Lys15]N/OFQ-NH2 (UFP-101) was microinjected into the substantia nigra reticulata of rats made cataleptic by systemic haloperidol administration. UFP-101 reduced haloperidol-induced akinesia as measured by immobility time in the bar test. UFP-101 also induced contralateral turning in cataleptic rats. To investigate the mechanisms involved in the anti-akinetic action of UFP-101, nigral glutamate release was monitored by microdialysis technique. The anti-akinetic action of UFP-101 correlated with normalization of nigral glutamate release, previously elevated by haloperidol injection. We conclude that endogenous N/OFQ in the substantia nigra sustains akinesia generated by impaired DA transmission and subthalamic nucleus overactivation. NOP receptor antagonists may be beneficial in the symptomatic therapy of parkinsonism, via normalization of subthalamonigral glutamatergic transmission.