Evaluation of cytotoxic,antifungal, and larvicidal activities of different bis-sulfonamide Schiff base compounds

Schiff bases (imines or azomethines) are versatile ligands synthesized from the condensation of amino compounds with active carbonyl groups and used for many pharmaceutical and medicinal applications. In our study, we aimed to determine the cytotoxic, antifungal and larvicidal activities of biologically potent bis-sulfonamide Schiff base derivatives that were re-synthesized by us. For this aim, 16 compounds were re-synthesized and tested for their cytotoxic, antifungal and larvicidal properties. Among this series, compounds A1B2 , A1B4 , A4B2 , A4B3 , and A4B4 were shown to have cytotoxic activity against tested cancer lung cell line (A549). The most potent antifungal activity was observed in compounds A2B1 and A2B2 against all fungi. A1B1 showed the strongest larvicidal effect at all concentrations at the 72nd h (100% mortality). These obtained results demonstrate that these type of bis-substituted compounds might be used as biologically potent pharmacophores against different types of diseases.     

Serum Levels of Zinc,Copper, Iron,Cobalt, Magnesium,and Selenium Elements in Children Diagnosed with <Emphasis Type="Italic">Giardia Intestinalis</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Enterobiosis Vermicularis</Emphasis> in Hatay,Turkey

The intestinal parasites are noted to be an important health problem in Turkey as similarly reported in the globe. The aim of this study was to investigate the changes in total content of essential elements, namely, zinc, iron, copper, cobalt, magnesium, and selenium, in children infected with intestinal parasites aged between 6 and 12 years inhabiting in Hatay Province, Turkey. These essential elements were measured in the children/patient who was positive for intestinal parasites, Giardia intestinalis and Enterobius vermicularis. Scores were obtained from the positive study group (SG), and their age matched the healthy children control group (CG). Serological levels of zinc, iron, copper, cobalt, magnesium, and selenium were analyzed by Varian Liberty Series II inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometer (ICP-AES). The mean magnesium concentrations were found to be statistically different at 95% confidence interval level between study groups. As a result of this study, selenium was found to be uncorrelated with all other elements examined; whereas, copper was observed to have statistically significant correlations with cobalt, magnesium, and zinc. In addition, cobalt-magnesium, cobalt-zinc, and magnesium-zinc metal pairs were found to have statistically significant correlations based on study findings.     

Connexin 26 (GJB2) mutations in the Turkish population: implications for the origin and high frequency of the 35delG mutation in Caucasians

Mutations in the Connexin 26 (GJB2/Cx26) gene are responsible for more than half of all cases of prelingual non-syndromic recessive deafness in many Caucasian populations. To determine the importance of Cx26 mutations as a cause of deafness in Turks we screened 11 families with prelingual non-syndromic deafness, seven (64%) of which were found to carry the 35delG mutation. We subsequently screened 674 Turkish subjects with no known hearing loss and found twelve 35delG heterozygotes (1.78%; 95% confidence interval: 0.9%-3%) but no examples of the 167delT mutation. To search for possible founder effects, we typed chromosomes carrying the 35delG mutation for closely linked polymorphic markers in samples from Turkey and United States and compared the allele frequencies with those of hearing subjects. The data showed a modest degree of disequilibrium in both populations. Analyses of two pedigrees from Turkey demonstrated both conserved and different haplotypes, suggesting possible founder effects and multiple origins of the 35delG mutation.     

Analysis of stochastic strategies in bacterial competence: a master equation approach

Competence is a transiently differentiated state that certain bacterial cells reach when faced with a stressful environment. Entrance into competence can be attributed to the excitability of the dynamics governing the genetic circuit that regulates this cellular behavior. Like many biological behaviors, entrance into competence is a stochastic event. In this case cellular noise is responsible for driving the cell from a vegetative state into competence and back. In this work we present a novel numerical method for the analysis of stochastic biochemical events and use it to study the excitable dynamics responsible for competence in Bacillus subtilis. Starting with a Finite State Projection (FSP) solution of the chemical master equation (CME), we develop efficient numerical tools for accurately computing competence probability. Additionally, we propose a new approach for the sensitivity analysis of stochastic events and utilize it to elucidate the robustness properties of the competence regulatory genetic circuit. We also propose and implement a numerical method to calculate the expected time it takes a cell to return from competence. Although this study is focused on an example of cell-differentiation in Bacillus subtilis, our approach can be applied to a wide range of stochastic phenomena in biological systems.     

Assessment on Pollution by Heavy Metals and Arsenic Based on Surficial and Core Sediments in the Cam River Mouth,Haiphong Province,Vietnam

The Cam River mouth (Haiphong Province) is one of the main river mouths of the Red River System, which is one of the most important water resources in Northern Vietnam. Over the past 50 years, the strong socio-economic development in the area has caused a considerable contamination with heavy metals (Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, and Zn) and arsenic. In this study, the vertical and horizontal distributions of heavy metals and arsenic in sediments from the Cam River mouth were investigated. In addition, the history, origin, and degree of contamination were assessed. Normalized (with respect to Al) heavy metal and arsenic concentrations in sediment cores and absolute dates obtained from the ¹³⁷Cs analysis were used to reconstruct the pollution history of the river mouth. As, Cu, Mn, Pb, and Zn concentrations increase rapidly by approximately two times or more from 1954 to 1975, and then remain nearly unchanged from 1975 until 2008, whereas Co, Cr, and Ni concentrations slightly increase from 1954 until 2008. In addition, background values for heavy metals and arsenic have also been determined with regard to the period before 1954. In the study area, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Mn, and Zn are evaluated as minorly enriched, whereas As and Pb are classified as moderately enriched. Generally, the anthropogenic activities in the Haiphong harbor and industrial zone locally contribute to the contamination by heavy metals and arsenic in the Cam River mouth.     

Facile synthesis and characterization of novel pyrazole-sulfonamides and their inhibition effects on human carbonic anhydrase isoenzymes

In the current study, a series of pyrazole-sulfonamide derivatives (2–14) were synthesized, characterized, and the inhibition effects of the derivatives on human carbonic anhydrases (hCA I and hCA II) were investigated as in vitro. Structures of these sulfonamides were confirmed by FT-IR, ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR and LC–MS analysis. ¹H NMR and ¹³C NMR revealed the tautomeric structures. hCA I and hCA II isozymes were purified from human erythrocytes and inhibitory effects of newly synthesized sulfonamides on esterase activities of these isoenzymes have been studied. The K_i values of compounds were 0.062–1.278 μM for hCA I and 0.012–0.379 μM for hCA II. The inhibition effects of 7 for hCA I and 4 for hCA II isozymes were almost in nanomolar concentration range.     

Adequate magnesium nutrition mitigates adverse effects of heat stress on maize and wheat

Aims

Heat stress is a growing concern in crop production because of global warming. In many cropping systems heat stress often occurs simultaneously with other environmental stress factors such as mineral nutrient deficiencies. This study aimed to investigate the role of adequate magnesium (Mg) nutrition in mitigating the detrimental effects of heat stress on wheat (Triticum aestivum) and maize (Zea mays).

Methods

Wheat and maize plants were grown in solution culture with low or adequate Mg supply at 25/22 °C (light/dark). Half of the plants were, then, exposed to heat stress at 35/28 °C (light/dark). Development of leaf chlorosis and changes in root and shoot growth, chlorophyll and Mg concentrations as well as the activities of major antioxidative enzymes were quantified in the experimental plants. Additionally, maize plants were analyzed for the specific weights (e.g., dry or fresh weight per a given leaf surface area) and soluble carbohydrate concentrations of sink and source leaves.

Results

Visual leaf symptoms of Mg deficiency were aggravated in wheat and maize when exposed to heat stress. In both species, root growth was more sensitive to Mg deficiency than shoot growth, and the shoot-to-root ratios peaked when heat stress was combined with Mg deficiency. Magnesium deficiency markedly reduced soluble carbohydrate concentrations in young leaf; but resulted in substantial increase in source leaves. Magnesium deficiency also increased activities of antioxidative enzymes, especially when combined with heat stress. The highest activities of superoxide dismutase (up to 80 % above the control), glutathione reductase (up to 250 % above the control) and ascorbate peroxidase (up to 300 % above the control) were measured when Mg-deficient plants were subjected to heat, indicating stimulated formation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in Mg deficient leaves under heat stress.

Conclusions

Magnesium deficiency increases susceptibility of wheat and maize plants to heat stress, probably by increasing oxidative cellular damage caused by ROS. Ensuring a sufficiently high Mg supply for crop plants through Mg fertilization is a critical factor for minimizing heat-related losses in crop production.     

Protective Effects of Selenium and Vitamin E Combination on Experimental Colitis in Blood Plasma and Colon of Rats

Ulcerative colitis increases oxidative damage accompanied by production of free oxygen radicals. Selenium (Se) and vitamin E are two natural antioxidants. The present study was undertaken to investigate the possible protective role of Se and vitamin E combination in experimental colitis induced by acetic acid (AA) in rats. This study was carried out on three groups, namely the first (control), the second (experimental colitis group, 2 ml 5% acetic acid), and the third groups (2 ml 5% acetic acid, vitamin E (100 mg/kg body weight (bw)) plus Se (0.2 mg/kg bw)). The activities of catalase (CAT), prolidase (PRS), myeloperoxidase (MPO), total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total oxidant status (TOS), oxidative stress index (OSI), total thiol (T-SH) were determined in plasma and colon samples. Macroscopic and microscopic damages in colon were increased by AA treatment (p < 0.01 and p < 0.01, respectively), whereas they were decreased by selenium and vitamin E treatment (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01, respectively). The activities of CAT and PRS in the plasma and colon were significantly affected (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01) by treatment of AA, Se, and vitamin E. MPO activity in colon was increased (p < 0.01) by AA treatment and decreased (p < 0.05) by Se and vitamin E administration. The values of TOS and OSI in plasma were increased (p < 0.5) by AA. The TAC and T-SH in colon were decreased (p < 0.05) by AA and increased (p < 0.05) by Se and vitamin E. Based upon these results, Se and vitamin E may play an important role in preventive indication of the oxidative damage associated by acetic acid caused inflammation.