Carnosine modulates nitric oxide in stimulated murine RAW 264.7 macrophages

C14orf28 [alias dopamine receptor-interacting protein (DRIP1)] is belonging to the family of DRIPs. However, the function of C14orf28 in cancer remains unclear. Herein, we found that C14orf28 was upregulated in colorectal cancer tissues compared to the adjacent non-tumor tissues. Overexpression of C14orf28 promoted the cellular proliferation, migration, invasion of colorectal cancer cells. In addition, C14orf28 inhibited apoptosis and promoted the EMT process. To explore the mechanism of dysregulation, C14orf28 was identified to be a target of miR-519d by targeting its 3′UTR. Furthermore, in agreement, C14orf28 overexpression counteracted the inhibitory effect of miR-519d. Together, these results evidenced that C14orf28 downregulated by miR-519d contributes to tumorigenesis and might provide new potential targets for colorectal cancer therapy.     

Messenger RNA Levels of Chromogranin B, Secretogranin II, and VGF in Rat Brain After AF64A-Induced Septohippocampal Cholinergic Lesions

Abstract— The mRNA levels of secretogranin II, chromo-granin B, and VGF were compared in brains of control and AF64A-treated rats. This toxin induces specific lesions of the septohippocampal cholinergic pathway. As a consequence of this treatment, the Chromogranin B message was elevated in the dentate gyrus granule cells of the hippocampus. In the paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus, a concomitant elevation of the messages of secretogranin II and corticotropin-releasing factor occurred in the parvocellular neurons, and an increase of those of secretogranin II and VGF occurred in a subgroup of magnocellular neurons. Further increases for secretogranin II were seen in the amygdaloid nuclei and the reticular thalamic nuclei and increases for Chromogranin B in the temporal cortex, substantia nigra compacta, and ventral tegmental area. These results indicate that the toxin-induced lesion of the cholinergic pathway innervating the hippocampus apparently leads to the stimulation of several defined groups of neurons that react with an increase in the mRNA levels of their secretory peptides. We suggest that changes in mRNA expression of these peptides are useful parameters for defining neurons under chronic stimulation. Key Words: Secretory peptides—Large dense core vesicles—Corticotropin releasing factor—Septohippocampal cholinergic system—Hippocampus—AF64A.     

Seminalplasmin

The importance of seminal plasma in fertilization was appreciated as early as 1677 and would thus hardly seem a source for the search of antibacterial agents. The observation that seminal plasma had the ability to inhibit the growth of microorganisms in 1940 led to a systematic search for molecules possessing antimicrobial activity in addition to factors that might have a role in reproductive physiology. Extensive investigations led to the discovery in bovine seminal fluid of a 47-residue peptide, possessing potent antimicrobial activity as well as calcium transport modulatory properties in bovine sperm. We describe in this article the two, apparently unrelated, biological activities of this peptide.     

Low temperature-synthesized MgAl2O4:Eu3+ nanophosphors and their structural validations using density functional theory: photoluminescence,photocatalytic, and electrochemical properties for multifunctional applications

A low temperature-assisted and oxalyl dihydrazide fuel-induced combustion synthesized series of uncalcined MgAl₂O₄:Eu³⁺ nanophosphors showed an average crystallite size of ~20 nm, and bandgap energy (E_g) of 4.50–5.15 eV, and were validated using density functional theory and found to match closely with the experimental values. The photoluminescence characteristic emission peaks of Eu³⁺ ions were recorded between 480 and 680 nm. The nanophosphors excited at 392 nm showed f–f transitions assigned as ⁵D₀→⁷F_J (J = 0, 1, 2, and 3). The optimized MgAl₂O₄ phosphors had Commission Internationale de l'Eclairage coordinates in the red region, a correlated colour temperature of 2060 K, and a colour purity of 98.83%. The estimated luminescence quantum efficiency ( $\eta$) was observed to be ~63% using Judd–Ofelt analysis. Electrochemical and photocatalytic performance were explored and indicated its multifunctional applications. Therefore, MgAl₂O₄:Eu³⁺ nanophosphors could be used for the fabrication of light-emitting diodes, industrial dye degradation, and as electrodes for supercapacitor applications.     

Cytogenetic effects of chemotherapy with three combinations of anti-tubercular drugs involving isoniazid,thiacetazone, para-aminosalicylic acid and streptomycin on human lymphocytes: chromosome aberrations,sister chromatid exchanges and mitotic index

Cytogenetic effects of three combinations of anti-tubercular drugs were evaluated on human lymphocytes in vivo and were compared with controls of two types: (1) newly diagnosed tuberculosis patients before starting therapy and (2) individuals from the general population. The drugs used were: isoniazid (INH), thiacetazone (TAZ), para-aminosalicylic acid (PAS), and streptomycin (SM). These drugs were tested in the following combinations: (a) INH + TAZ + SM, (b) INH + PAS + SM, (c) INH + SM. The frequency of chromosome aberrations was significantly increased in patients treated with both the triple drug combinations, i.e., with INH + TAZ + SM and INH + PAS + SM, whereas patients treated with INH + SM did not exhibit an increase in the frequency of chromosome aberrations as compared to the controls. Although both the triple drug combinations were clastogenic, none of the three drug combinations tested induced an increase in the frequency of sister chromatid exchanges (SCEs). In other words, the mechanisms leading to SCEs and chromosome aberrations may be different. SM appeared to depress the mitotic index in patients treated with INH + SM and INH + PAS + SM, though it was found to possess a mild anti-clastogenic effect. INH + TAZ + SM, on the other hand, enhanced the mitotic index. This enhanced mitotic index was probably due to the presence of TAZ.     

Microradioisotopic assay for indoleamine N-methyltransferase and analysis of products by liquid chromatography

A rapid method for the separation of tryptamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine, and their N-methylated derivatives is described. The method involves liquid chromatography using a cation exchange column with the eluant monitored either by ultraviolet or fluorescence spectroscopy. The latter technique permits the detection of picogram quantities of indoleamines. Using normal-phase liquid chromatography a complete separation of tryptamine, its N-methylated derivatives, and their β-carboline analogs was also achieved. A radioisotopic assay with the potential to detect indoleamine N-methyltransferase activity in milligram quantities of rabbit lung tissue was developed. The radioisotopically labeled products formed from a number of substrates in such assays were characterized by liquid chromatography.