Expression studies of stress responsive genes in cotton Gossypium hirsutum L.

Molecular Biology Reports - Cotton is the world’s richest source of natural fiber. Meanwhile cotton plant is top ranked stress sensitive plant thereby affecting its yield and fiber quality....     

Antioxidant Activity of Purified Protein Hydrolysates from Northern Whiting Fish (Sillago sihama) Muscle

In the present study, northern whiting fish (Sillago sihama) muscle was hydrolyzed with gastrointestinal enzymes (pepsin, trypsin and α-chymotrypsin) separately and the resulted protein hydrolysates were tested for antioxidant activities using DPPH radical scavenging activity and reducing power assays. The protein hydrolysate obtained from trypsin exhibited highest antioxidant activity. Further, it was fractionated by consecutive chromatography using anion exchange and gel filtration chromatography; the separated fractions were collected and evaluated for antioxidant activity. The results showed that fraction 2 exhibited high chelating activity (73.15 % at 0.5 mg/mL) and best radical scavenging activity for DPPH radical (55.16 % at 0.5 mg/mL), ABTS radical (57.98 % at 50 μg/mL), superoxide radical (39.55 % at 200 μg/mL) and hydroxyl radical (51.33 % at 100 μg/mL). In addition, the active fraction showed strong antioxidant activity in the inhibition of linoleic acid autooxidation (60 % at 0.5 mg/mL) and also it exhibited significant protective effect on DNA damage caused by hydroxyl radicals. The size of the active fraction was found to be <360.2 Da using mass spectroscopy. These results demonstrate that muscle protein hydrolysate from northern whiting fish could be a best alternative to produce natural antioxidant peptides.     

Combinational therapeutics to combat cancer

Mono-therapeutics is rarely effective as a treatment option, which limits the survival of patients in advanced grade aggressive cancers. Combinational therapeutics (multiple drugs for multiple targets) to combat cancer is gaining momentum in recent years. Hence, it is of interest to document known data for combinational therapeutics in cancer treatment. An amalgamation of therapeutic agents enhances the efficacy and potency of the therapy. Combinational therapy can potentially target multiple pathways that are necessary for the cancer cells to proliferate, and/or target molecules, which may help cancer to become more aggressive and metastasize. In this review, we discuss combinational therapeutics, which include human γδ T cells in combinations with biologically active anti-cancer molecules, which synergistically may produce promising combinational therapeutics.     

Strengths and weaknesses in the long-term sustainability of two sympatric seabreams (Argyrops spinifer and Rhabdosargus haffara,Sparidae)

Argyrops spinifer and Rhabdosargus haffara are two sympatric seabream species making important contributions to fisheries landings in the western Arabian/Persian Gulf. We identified the strengths and weaknesses in the long-term sustainability of A. spinifer and R. haffara stocks by integrating multiple sources of data, including fisheries catch and effort statistics, life history traits, scientific trawl surveys and historical length frequency distribution. Four strengths were identified in A. spinifer: wide distribution of juveniles, positive association to the network of de facto fishing exclusion areas created by hundreds of oil-gas facilities, early maturation and the existence of large and old individuals. A. spinifer suffers from two potential weaknesses: slow growth rate and higher exploitation pressure on the small-sized individuals. R. haffara, on the other hand, has a strength of having a short life span and a fast growth rate, characteristics that make it robust to unfavourable conditions. R. haffara suffers from two weaknesses: the lack of association to the oil and gas facilities, and the preference for nearshore shallow waters with stronger negative anthropogenic impacts. Identified strengths and weaknesses of these two sparids provided a preliminary assessment about their long-term sustainability, as well as a roadmap about how to develop different management strategies to meet specific objectives.     

Association of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme gene polymorphism in Pakistani women with the atypical steroidogenesis in Polycystic ovarian syndrome: A case-control study

BackgroundPolymorphism in the angiotensin-converting enzyme gene (ACE) is responsible for elevated ACE concentrations in plasma. High ACE levels induce insulin resistance and hyperandrogenism, which are the main attributes of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). Therefore, it was hypothesized that I/D polymorphism plays a role in the pathogenesis of PCOS.ObjectiveA case-control study was designed to investigate the association of I/D polymorphism of the ACE gene with PCOS in Pakistani women of reproductive age.MethodsACE I/D polymorphism was assessed in 252 women of age group 16–40 years. For genotypic analysis, PCR amplification of genomic DNA was carried out. Statistical analysis was performed to interpret the results using SPSS software.ResultsOur study showed that PCOS women were more likely to have a high body mass index and waist circumferences. Most PCOS patients had menstrual irregularities 99.3%, hirsutism 75.2% and cysts in ovaries 66.6%, along with other hyperandrogenic conditions (P-value = 0.001). The genotypic and allelic frequencies were significantly different between patients and controls. There was a significant association of three genotypes with the ratio of LH: FSH among PCOS patients (P = 0.05). Anthropometric characters, comorbidities, clinical symptoms, and PCOS conditions showed no statistical significance with ACE polymorphism.ConclusionsACE I/D polymorphism was not found associated with clinical conditions of PCOS in women of reproductive age. However, it was associated with atypical steroidogenesis. So, it indicates that ACE I/D polymorphism aggravates the pathogenesis of PCOS.