Increased expression of lipocalin-type prostaglandin D<Subscript>2</Subscript>synthase in osteoarthritic cartilage

Introduction  

Prostaglandin D synthase (PGDS) is responsible for the biosynthesis of PGD and J series, which have been shown to exhibit anti-inflammatory and anticatabolic effects. Two isoforms have been identified: hematopoietic- and lipocalin-type PGDS (H-PGDS and L-PGDS, respectively). The aims of this study were to investigate the expressions of H-PGDS and L-PGDS in cartilage from healthy donors and from patients with osteoarthritis (OA) and to characterize their regulation by interleukin-1-beta (IL-1β) in cultured OA chondrocytes.     

Chemical characterization and evaluation of the neuroprotective potential of Indigofera sessiliflora through in-silico studies and behavioral tests in scopolamine-induced memory compromised rats

In the current study, we investigated the phytochemical and neuropharmacological potential of Indigofera sessiliflora, an indigenous least characterized plant widely distributed in deserted areas of Pakistan. The crude extract of the whole plant Indigofera sessiliflora (IS.CR) was preliminary tested in-vitro for the existence of polyphenol content, antioxidant and anticholinesterase potential followed by detailed chemical characterization through UHPLC-MS. Rats administered with different doses of IS.CR (100–300 mg/kg) for the duration of 4-weeks were behaviorally tested for anxiety and cognition followed by biochemical evaluation of dissected brain. The in-silico studies were employed to predict the blood–brain barrier crossing tendencies of secondary metabolites with the elucidation of the target binding site. The in-vitro assays revealed ample phenols and flavonoids content in IS.CR with adequate anti-oxidant and anticholinesterase potential. The dose-dependent anxiolytic potential of IS.CR was demonstrated in open field (OFT), light/dark (L/D) and elevated plus maze (EPM) tests as animals spent more time in open, illuminated and elevated zones (P < 0.05). In the behavioral tests for learning/memory, the IS.CR reversed the scopolamine-induced cognitive deficits, as animals showed better (P < 0.05) spontaneous alternation and discrimination index in y-maze and novel object recognition (NOR) tests. Similarly, as compared to amnesic rats, the step-through latencies were increased (P < 0.05) and escape latencies were decreased (P < 0.05) in passive avoidance (PAT) and Morris water maze (MWM) tests, respectively. Biochemical analysis of rat brains showed significant reduction in malondialdehyde and acetylcholinesterase levels, alongwith preservation of glutathione peroxidase and superoxide dismutase activity. The docking studies further portrayed a possible interaction of detected phytoconstituents with acetylcholinesterase target. The results of the study show valuable therapeutic potential of phytoconstituents present in IS.CR to correct the neurological disarrays which might be through antioxidant activity or via modulation of GABAergic and cholinergic systems by artocommunol, 1,9-dideoxyforskolin and 6E,9E-octadecadienoic acid.     

Identification of seven species of hymenopteran parasitoids of Spodoptera frugiperda, using polymerase chain reaction amplification and restriction enzyme digestion

1 The fall armyworm Spodoptera frugiperda is a voracious pest of numerous crops of economic importance throughout the New World. In its native Mexico, larvae can be attacked by several species of parasitic wasps, which are candidate biological control agents against this and other lepidopteran pests. 2 We attempted to survey the parasitoid fauna on S. frugiperda in maize and sorghum fields throughout Mexico. However, our efforts have been hampered by the incomplete development of parasitoid larvae emerging from collected Spodoptera caterpillars. 3 This problem was solved by developing a method to identify seven species of parasitic wasps using polymerase chain reaction amplification and restriction enzyme digestion. This enables the precise determination of the species of those parasitoid larvae that are usually not morphologically identifiable.     

An anthraquinone from the roots of Digitalis davisiana

A new anthraquinone, 1-hydroxy-2-hydroxymethyl-8-methoxyanthraquinone, was isolated from the root of Digitalis davisiana.     

NaCl stress inhibits maltose fermentation by Saccharomyces cerevisiae

While fermentation of 20 g glucose l^–1 by Saccharomyces cerevisiae was not impaired by high NaCl concentrations, fermentation of 20 g maltose l^–1 was significantly decreased by 0.7 M NaCl, and completely inhibited with 1.4 M NaCl. No glycerol was produced in response to the salt stress when yeast cells were fermenting maltose. Active maltose transport, and not intracellular hydrolysis, was the metabolic step severely impaired by the NaCl stress.     

Dye-coupling between term pregnant human myometrial cells before labor: Carboxyfluorescein versus lucifer yellow

Term pregnant human myometrial cells in whole mounts were microinjected by pressure with the fluorescent probes Lucifer Yellow and carboxyfluorescein. Tissues obtained from acute and elective sections displayed weak dye-coupling when injected with Lucifer Yellow. Injection of carboxyfluorescein into cells from the elective sections resulted in a more extensive dye-coupling than that observed with Lucifer Yellow. These results indicate that term pregnant human myometrial cells are metabolically coupled before labor and carboxyfluorescein is superior to Lucifer Yellow in detecting the coupling.     

Subcellular distribution of 2'',5''-oligoadenylate synthetase in differentiating Friend leukemia cells

The occurrence of distinct (2'-5')(A)n-synthetase activities has recently been documented in cytoplasmic and nuclear extracts of several interferon (IFN)-treated cell lines. Since a role has been proposed for (2'-5')(A)n synthetase in the control of cell growth and differentiation, we examined the subcellular distribution of (2'-5')(A)n-synthetase activity both in IFN-treated undifferentiated Friend leukemia cells (FLCs) and during dimethyl-sulfoxide (DMSO)-induced erythroid differentiation of FLCs. Both the nuclear and cytoplasmic (2'-5')(A)n activities were modulated to the same extent by IFNs and DMSO. No evidence for a causal relationship between enzyme activation and FLC differentiation was found.