Immunolocalization of caveolin-1 in rat and human mesothelium.

Flask-shaped vesicles have been described as caveolae in mesothelial cells in a number of animal species based on morphological criteria only. Using an antibody against caveolin-1, said to be a biochemical marker of caveolae, immunoelectron microscopy suggests that many but not all such vesicles in mesothelial cells are caveolae. Mesothelial cells from different anatomical sites showed obvious variations in both the population density and distribution of these flask-shaped vesicles and in their density of immunostaining. Lung and pericardial sac had the highest staining density. In some sites (e.g., lung, bladder, colon) caveolae were equally distributed between apical and basolateral surfaces, whereas in others (e.g., spleen, liver), they were predominantly apical. Additional immunopositive sites in the peritoneal membrane were identified, including the epineurium of peripheral nerves and the endothelium of lymphatic vessels. We further suggest that variations in the number of mesothelial cell caveolae and the density of their immunolabeling may have implications for our understanding of certain diseases such as malignant mesothelioma, especially in view of the recent hypothesis that it may be caused by SV40, a virus that appears to enter cells via caveolae.     

Effect of soil burning on microfungi

Summary The qualitative and quantitative nature of microfungi in soil after burning was studied for seven months. The numbers of fungal species and their colonies in soil were reduced immediately after burning but returned to their normal state after about a couple of months. Species of Aspergillus and Penicillium were the first to colonize the burnt soil. Trichoderma viride appeared after two months. Penicillium spp. decreased consistently with time whereas T. viride followed the reverse path. Several other species appeared in due course as and when ecological conditions became suitable for them. re]19760720     

Milk fermented with probiotic strains Lactobacillus rhamnosus MTCC: 5957 and Lactobacillus rhamnosus MTCC: 5897 ameliorates the diet-induced hypercholesterolemia in rats

The current study was intended to investigate the cholesterol-lowering potential of the two Lactobacillus rhamnosus probiotic strains, LR 5957 and LR 5897, isolated from ‘dahi’. Cholesterol-lowering ability of both strains was determined in in vitro conditions. For in vivo investigations, the Wistar rats were randomly assigned into five groups and treated with different diets: standard diet (SD), high-cholesterol diet (HCD), HCD with Milk, HCD with LR 5957–fermented milk, and HCD with LR 5897–fermented milk. After 3 months of feeding, different parameters of hypercholesterolemia were measured in blood, feces, liver, and kidney. Both the strains, LR 5957 and LR 5897, showed the ability to grow in the presence of cholesterol and eliminate the cholesterol under in vitro conditions. In vivo results indicate that consumption of probiotic-fermented milk has significantly reduced the HCD-induced body weight, hyperlipidemia, and hepatic lipids (total cholesterol and triacylglycerol). Further, increased cholesterol excretion in feces was also observed in probiotic-fed groups. The studied fermented milk also helped to maintain healthy liver and kidney by increasing the antioxidant activities and decreasing the lipid peroxidation. Consumption of probiotic-fermented milk also found to decrease the mRNA expression of the inflammatory markers TNF-α and IL-6 in the liver. Overall, our results indicate that the L. rhamnosus strains, LR 5957 and LR 5897, are two potential probiotic strains that can ameliorate the diet-induced hypercholesterolemia.     

Development of micro satellite markers for a critically endangered species, Ceropegia fantastica from the Western Ghats, India

Ceropegia fantastica L. (Asclepiadaceae) is a highly endemic and endangered species in the Western Ghats of India. Fourteen microsatellite markers were developed for C. fantastica. Eight microsatellite primers screened had 2–5 alleles per locus and the observed and expected heterozygosity ranged from 0.48 to 0.83 and 0.48 to 0.62, respectively. The primers were also evaluated for their cross amplification against two related species Ceropegia hirsuta and Ceropegia oculata. The microsatellites developed for this species could be used for addressing population genetics of this endemic and critically endangered species.     

Photo-induced DNA interstrand cross-links formed by a coumarin-modified nucleoside

Coumarins are a class of naturally occurring compounds that have been shown to form photochemical DNA interstrand cross-links (ICLs). However, study of a coumarin base has not been explored. Using nucleophilic substitution and phosphoramidite chemistry, we synthesized a coumarin base-containing oligonucleotide. Upon exposure to long-wave ultraviolet light, the coumarin-modified oligonucleotide formed ICLs with complementary oligonucleotide containing dT and dC opposite the coumarin base, presumably through a [2?+?2] cycloaddition mechanism. Moderate yields with both bases were observed; though, dT has a higher reactivity than dC. Overall, this work provides new means for biochemical characterization of ICLs formed by coumarins.