Propranolol,a β-adrenergic antagonist,attenuates the decrease in trabecular bone mass in high calorie diet fed growing mice

We investigated the effects of high calorie and low calorie diets on skeletal integrity, and whether β-adrenergic blockade (BB) attenuates bone loss induced by dietary calorie alteration. Male 6-week-old C57BL/6 mice were assigned to either an ad-lib fed control diet (CON), a high calorie diet (HIGH), or a low calorie diet (LOW) group. In each diet group, mice were treated with either vehicle (VEH) or propranolol, a β-adrenergic antagonist. Over 12-weeks, β-blockade mitigated body weight and fat mass increases induced by the high calorie diet. Femoral trabecular bone mineral density and the expression levels of osteogenic marker genes in bone marrow cells were reduced in HIGHVEH and LOWVEH mice, and BB significantly attenuated this decline only in HIGH mice. In summary, the magnitude of bone loss induced by low calorie diet was greater than that caused by high calorie diet in growing mice, and β-blockade mitigated high calorie diet-induced bone loss. [BMB Reports 2014; 47(9): 506-511]     

LEAD PHYTOEXTRACTION BY WHEAT IN RESPONSE TO THE EDTA APPLICATION METHOD

Lead solubilization in soil and accumulation by spring wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was studied in response to the ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) application method. In this study, 4 mmol EDTA kg^?1 was applied using two application methods (a single dose and split doses) either alone or in combination with elemental sulfur. Results indicate that the application of EDTA in four equal splits at 1 mmol kg^?1 during the growth period resulted in significantly higher shoot dry matter than its application at 4 mmol kg^?1 at once 10 d before harvesting the wheat crop at the bolting stage. EDTA applied in split doses resulted in less lead (Pb) solubilization as compared with the single-dose application. The split application also significantly increased the shoot Pb concentration and Pb accumulation by wheat shoots as compared with the single-dose application. Despite its lesser effect on Pb solubilization, the EDTA application in split doses substantially increased Pb accumulation; thus, it is expected to minimize the risk of groundwater contamination.     

CD95/Fas Increases Stemness in Cancer Cells by Inducing a STAT1-Dependent Type I Interferon Response

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A simple apparatus for measuring hardness of agar and Gelrite plates

A simple apparatus for measuring hardness of Gelrite and agar plates, that can be easily fabricated, is described. It gives reproducible results comparable with those obtained with expensive commercial equipment. It has been successfully used to improve enumeration ofThiobacillus ferrooxidans andT. thiooxidans on solid media plates.     

A phytosociological survey of the Karachi University Campus

Summary The vegetation of the Karachi University Campus was sampled by mean area methods. Six plant communities were recognized. Importance value data formed the basis of designating community dominants. The vegetation consists of open communities, in which xerophytic and deciduous shrubs predominate.Soils and physiographic features associated with the communities were studied. Soils are young, azonal and calcareous.The correlation of vegetation types seems to be the best with soil texture, physiographic features, soil depth and soil chemical characteristics, in that order.     

Novel synthesis of mannosamine conjugated magnetic nanoparticles for purification and stabilization of human lysosomal β-mannosidase

Human β-mannosidase (MANB) was purified to homogeneity directly from lysosomes by using mannosamine conjugated magnetic (Fe₃O₄) nanoparticles, DE-52 cellulose, and sephadex G-200 chromatography. Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles were synthesized and utilized ammonia to attach the amino group on the nanoparticles. The particles were covalently attached with D-mannosamine by cross linker glutaraldehyde and confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy. In FTIR analysis, the peaks appeared at 2,356.6 cm⁻¹ for −N = CH linkage and at 3,378.4 cm⁻¹, 3,664.9 cm⁻¹ for −OH groups confirmed the conjugation of D-mannosamine with Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles. Results showed a single band of 97 kDa of purified MANB in SDS-PAGE. The isoelectric point was 4.5 and the K_m and Vmax values were 2.51 mM and 0.315 μM/min/mg, respectively. The purification fold was 329 with 68% yield. The optimal activity was at pH 5.0 and 75% activity was stable in 20% glycerol at 4°C. The enzyme activity was inhibited by Ni²⁺, Zn²⁺, Cd²⁺, Cu²⁺, Mo²⁺, Ag⁺¹, iodoacetate, SDS, DMF, DMSO, ethanol, and acetone; slightly reduced by Pb²⁺, Co²⁺, EDTA, DTT, and β-mercaptoethanol. The activity was not affected by Mg²⁺, Mn²⁺, Sn²⁺, Ca²⁺, Fe³⁺, PMSF, Triton X-100, D-mannosamine, D-mannose, D-mannitol, D-glucose, and D-fructose. The homogeneity of MANB enzyme was further confirmed by 2D-PAGE and immunoblot. This is the first novel report of conjugation of D-mannosamine with Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles for purification of human MANB enzyme.     

GPSM2 mutations cause the brain malformations and hearing loss in Chudley-McCullough syndrome

Autosomal-recessive inheritance, severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss, and partial agenesis of the corpus callosum are hallmarks of the clinically well-established Chudley-McCullough syndrome (CMS). Although not always reported in the literature, frontal polymicrogyria and gray matter heterotopia are uniformly present, whereas cerebellar dysplasia, ventriculomegaly, and arachnoid cysts are nearly invariant. Despite these striking brain malformations, individuals with CMS generally do not present with significant neurodevelopmental abnormalities, except for hearing loss. Homozygosity mapping and whole-exome sequencing of DNA from affected individuals in eight families (including the family in the first report of CMS) revealed four molecular variations (two single-base deletions, a nonsense mutation, and a canonical splice-site mutation) in the G protein-signaling modulator 2 gene, GPSM2, that underlie CMS. Mutations in GPSM2 have been previously identified in people with profound congenital nonsyndromic hearing loss (NSHL). Subsequent brain imaging of these individuals revealed frontal polymicrogyria, abnormal corpus callosum, and gray matter heterotopia, consistent with a CMS diagnosis, but no ventriculomegaly. The gene product, GPSM2, is required for orienting the mitotic spindle during cell division in multiple tissues, suggesting that the sensorineural hearing loss and characteristic brain malformations of CMS are due to defects in asymmetric cell divisions during development.     

The role of antioxidants enzymes of E. coli ASU3, a tolerant strain to heavy metals toxicity, in combating oxidative stress of copper

The current study describes the isolation and characterization of E. coli from wastewater that collected from El-Malah canal in Assiut, Egypt. Twelve isolates were investigated for heavy metal resistance by which one of them showed multiple metal resistances. Furthermore, the bacterium was identified as E. coli ASU3 according to biochemical tests and then, preserved at Assuit University Mycological Centre with accession number AUMC B83. It exhibited high minimal inhibitory concentrations for metals and antibiotic resistance. The order of metals toxicity to the bacterium was Cr⁶⁺ > Cu²⁺ > Co²⁺ > Pb²⁺ > Ni²⁺ > Cr³⁺ > Cd²⁺ > Zn²⁺. Total protein content of E. coli ASU3 decreased with the increase of copper concentration. Under exposure of different concentrations of copper, the induction of antioxidant enzymes such as catalase, peroxidase and ascorbate peroxidase was increased and these antioxidant enzymes can contribute to combating oxidative stresses.