Serum antibody titers against heat shock protein 27 are associated with the severity of coronary artery disease

Antibody titers to several heat shock proteins (anti-Hsps) have been reported to be associated with the severity and progression of cardiovascular disease. However, there are little data regarding anti-Hsp27 titers in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). A total of 400 patients with suspected CAD were recruited. Based on the results of coronary angiography, these patients were classified into CAD⁺ (n = 300) and CAD⁻ (n = 100) groups defined as patients with ≥50% and <50% stenosis of any major coronary artery, respectively. Eighty-three healthy subjects were also recruited as the control group. Serum anti-Hsp27 IgG titers were measured using an in-house enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. CAD⁺ patients had significantly higher anti-Hsp27 titers compared with both CAD⁻ and control groups. Anti-Hsp27 titers were also higher in the CAD⁻ group compared with the control group. With regard to the number of affected vessels in the CAD⁺ group, patients with three-vessel disease had higher anti-Hsp27 titers compared with both two-vessel disease (2VD) and one-vessel disease (1VD) subgroups. However, there was no significant difference between 1VD and 2VD subgroups. In multiple linear regression analysis, the number of narrowed vessels and smoking were significant independent determinants of serum anti-Hsp27 titers. The present findings indicate that serum anti-Hsp27 titers may be associated with the presence and severity of coronary artery disease.     

Lethal and sublethal effects of Iranian isolates of Steinernema feltiae and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora on the Colorado potato beetle, Leptinotarsa decemlineata

To determine the LC₅₀ values of two entomopathogenic nematodes against Leptinotarsa decemlineata Say (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) prepupae, different concentrations of the nematodes were tested in soil. Because of the different temperature requirements of the two nematode species, bioassay experiments were conducted at 20 ± 1°C and 27 ± 2°C for Steinernema feltiae Filipjev (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae) and Heterorhabditis bacteriophora Poinar (Rhabditida: Heterorhabditidae), respectively. Both the isolates were effective against L. decemlineata. LC₅₀ values of H. bacteriophora against progeny of field-collected adults and laboratory-reared adults were estimated as 8.5 and 7.6 IJ per prepupa, respectively. For S. feltiae the value was calculated as 51.2 IJ per prepupa against offspring of laboratory-reared adults of L. decemlineata only. Cellular encapsulation of both nematode species was observed. Sublethal nematode concentrations caused wing deformation and delayed metamorphosis which may affect Colorado potato beetle adult fitness.     

Molecular characterization of acquired tolerance of tumor cells to picropodophyllin (PPP)

Background

Picropodophyllin (PPP) is a promising novel anti-neoplastic agent that efficiently kills tumor cells in vitro and causes tumor regression and increased survival in vivo. We have previously reported that PPP treatment induced moderate tolerance in two out of 10 cell lines only, and here report the acquired genomic and expression alterations associated with PPP selection over 1.5 years of treatment.

Methodology/Principal Findings

Copy number alterations monitored using metaphase and array-based comparative genomic hybridization analyses revealed largely overlapping alterations in parental and maximally tolerant cells. Gain/ amplification of the MYC and PVT1 loci in 8q24.21 were verified on the chromosome level. Abnormalities observed in connection to PPP treatment included regular gains and losses, as well as homozygous losses in 10q24.1-q24.2 and 12p12.3-p13.2 in one of the lines and amplification at 5q11.2 in the other. Abnormalities observed in both tolerant derivatives include amplification/gain of 5q11.2, gain of 11q12.1-q14.3 and gain of 13q33.3-qter. Using Nexus software analysis we combined the array-CGH data with data from gene expression profilings and identified genes that were altered in both inputs. A subset of genes identified as downregulated (ALDH1A3, ANXA1, TLR4 and RAB5A) or upregulated (COX6A1, NFIX, ME1, MAPK and TAP2) were validated by siRNA in the tolerant or parental cells to alter sensitivity to PPP and confirmed to alter sensitivity to PPP in further cell lines.

Conclusions

Long-term PPP selection lead to altered gene expression in PPP tolerant cells with increase as well as decrease of genes involved in cell death such as PTEN and BCL2. In addition, acquired genomic copy number alterations were observed that were often reflected by altered mRNA expression levels for genes in the same regions.     

Enzymatic hydrolysis of rice straw and corn stalks for monosugars production

Rice straw and corn stalks were used as fermentation substrate for the evaluation of cellulases activity secreted by different organisms. The substrates were pretreated with alkaline hydrogen peroxide (AHP) for 6 h at 30 and 60 °C. From the fermentation studies, rice straw and corn stalks substrates showed the highest cellulases activity after 96 h at 60 °C of pre-treatment.     

Proteomic analysis of the Mexican lime tree response to "Candidatus Phytoplasma aurantifolia" infection

"Candidatus Phytoplasma aurantifolia" is the causative agent of witches' broom disease in the Mexican lime tree (Citrus aurantifolia L.), and is responsible for major tree losses in Southern Iran and Oman. The pathogen is strictly biotrophic, and, therefore, completely dependent on living host cells for its survival. The molecular basis of compatibility and disease development in this system is poorly understood. We applied a proteomics approach to analyse gene expression in Mexican limes infected with "Ca. Phytoplasma aurantifolia". Leaf samples were collected from healthy and infected plants and were analysed using 2-DE coupled with MS. Among 800 leaf proteins that were detected reproducibly in eight biological replicates of healthy and eight biological replicates of infected plants, 55 showed a significant response to the disease. MS resulted in identification of 39 regulated proteins, which included proteins that were involved in oxidative stress defence, photosynthesis, metabolism, and the stress response. Our results provide the first proteomic view of the molecular basis of the infection process and identify genes that could help inhibit the effects of the pathogen.     

Antibacterial and antioxidant activity and essential oil composition of Grammosciadium scabridum Boiss. from Iran

The in vitro antibacterial and antioxidant activity of the essential oil and its two main components of Grammosciadium scabridum Boiss. (Apiaceae) growing wild in Iran, as well as the composition of its essential oil were studied. A total of 19 compounds representing 99.9% of the oil has been identified. Gamma-Terpinene (73.5%), p-cymene (14.2%) and (E)-beta-farnesene (5.3%) were characterized as the main components. The oil showed remarkable activity against three Gram-negative and four Gram-positive test bacteria, with minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranging from 0.31 to 10.00 mg/ml. The oil and its two main components were also subjected to screening for their possible antioxidant activity by using the 2,2-diphenyl-l-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay. The free radical scavenging capacity of the oil was determined with an IC50 value of 6.6 mg/ml.     

Discordance in diagnosis of osteoporosis using spine and hip bone densitometry

BACKGROUND: Diagnostic discordance for osteoporosis is the observation that the T-score of an individual patient varies from one key measurement site to another, falling into two different diagnostic categories identified by the World Health Organization (WHO) classification system. This study was conducted to evaluate the presence and risk factors for this phenomenon in a large sample of Iranian population. METHODS: Demographic data, anthropometric measurements, and risk factors for osteoporosis were derived from a database on 4229 patients referred to a community-based outpatient osteoporosis testing center from 2000 to 2003. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) was performed on L1-L4 lumbar spine and total hip for all cases. Minor discordance was defined as present when the difference between two sites was no more than one WHO diagnostic class. Major discordance was present when one site is osteoporotic and the other is normal. Subjects with incomplete data were excluded. RESULTS: In 4188 participants (3848 female, mean age 53.4 +/- 11.8 years), major discordance, minor discordance, and concordance of T-scores were seen in 2.7%, 38.9% and 58.3%, respectively. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, older age, menopause, obesity, and belated menopause were recognized as risk factors and hormone replacement therapy as a protective factor against T-score discordance. CONCLUSION: The high prevalence of T-score discordance may lead to problems in interpretation of the densitometry results for some patients. This phenomenon should be regarded as a real and prevalent finding and physicians should develop a particular strategy approaching to these patients.     

ISB recommendation on definitions of joint coordinate systems of various joints for the reporting of human joint motion--Part II: shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand

In this communication, the Standardization and Terminology Committee (STC) of the International Society of Biomechanics proposes a definition of a joint coordinate system (JCS) for the shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand. For each joint, a standard for the local axis system in each articulating segment or bone is generated. These axes then standardize the JCS. The STC is publishing these recommendations so as to encourage their use, to stimulate feedback and discussion, and to facilitate further revisions. Adopting these standards will lead to better communication among researchers and clinicians.     

Chemical modification of glucose oxidase: possible formation of molten globule-like intermediate structure

Chemical modification of lysine residues in glucose oxidase was carried out using citraconic anhydride. Modification brought about changes in the kinetic properties of the enzyme as evident by substantial lowering of V(max) and K(m). Enhancement of tryptophan fluorescence was observed with a dramatic change in its pH dependence due to modification. Near- and far-UV circular dichroism spectra of the native and modified forms suggested formation of molten globule-like structures, further supported by 8-anilino-1-naphthalenesulfonic acid fluorescence which indicated higher exposure of hydrophobic residues as a result of chemical modification.     

Phosphotyrosyl peptides and analogues as substrates and inhibitors of purple acid phosphatases

Purple acid phosphatases are metal-containing hydrolases. While their precise biological role(s) is unknown, the mammalian enzyme has been linked in a variety of biological circumstances (e.g., osteoporosis) with increased bone resorption. Inhibition of the human enzyme is a possible strategy for the treatment of bone-resorptive diseases such as osteoporosis. Previously, we determined the crystal structure of pig purple acid phosphatase to 1.55A and we showed that it is a good model for the human enzyme. Here, a study of the pH dependence of its kinetic parameters showed that the pig enzyme is most efficient at pH values similar to those encountered in the osteoclast resorptive space. Based on the observation that phosphotyrosine-containing peptides are good substrates for pig purple acid phosphatase, peptides containing a range of phosphotyrosine mimetics were synthesized. Kinetic analysis showed that they act as potent inhibitors of mammalian and plant purple acid phosphatases, with the best inhibitors exhibiting low micromolar inhibition constants at pH 3-5. These compounds are thus the most potent organic inhibitors yet reported for the purple acid phosphatases.