Analysis of 22 heterologous microsatellite markers for genetic variability in Indian goats

The genetic variability of 22 heterologous microsatellite markers was analyzed in two Indian goat breeds, namely Bengal and Chegu. The heterozygosity, polymorphism information content (PIC), and probability of identity of two individuals were calculated for all microsatellite loci in both the breeds. The observed number of alleles varied between 4 and 13 at the studied microsatellite loci. The evaluated microsatellite loci exhibited high mean heterozygosity of 0.69 +/- 0.11 and 0.66 +/- 0.07 in Bengal and Chegu goats, respectively. The mean PIC values of the studied loci in these breeds were 0.79 +/- 0.08 and 0.78 +/- 0.05, respectively. The probability of identity of two random individuals from different breeds, taking into account, all the 22 microsatellite loci was as low as 5.523 x 10(-40). On the basis of these results, we propose that these microsatellite markers may be used with reliability for studying genetic diversity and for identification of individuals in Indian goat breeds.     

Single-strand-specific nucleases

Single-strand-specific nucleases are multifunctional enzymes and widespread in distribution. Their ability to act selectively on single-stranded nucleic acids and single-stranded regions in double-stranded nucleic acids has led to their extensive application as probes for the structural determination of nucleic acids. Intracellularly, they have been implicated in recombination, repair and replication, whereas extracellular enzymes have a role in nutrition. Although more than 30 single-strand-specific nucleases from various sources have been isolated till now, only a few enzymes (S1 nuclease from Aspergillus oryzae, P1 nuclease from Penicillium citrinum and nucleases from Alteromonas espejiana, Neurospora crassa, Ustilago maydis and mung bean) have been characterized to a significant extent. Recently, some of these enzymes have been cloned, their crystal structures solved and their interactions with different substrates have been established. The detection, purification, characteristics, structure-function correlations, biological role and applications of single-strand-specific nucleases are reviewed.     

Synthesis, characterization and in vitro anti-amoebic activity of new palladium(II) complexes with 5-nitrothiophene-2-carboxaldehyde N(4)-substituted thiosemicarbazones

Reaction between [Pd(DMSO)(2)Cl(2)] (DMSO=dimethylsulfoxide) and N(4)-substituted thiosemicarbazones derived from 5-nitrothiophene-2-carboxaldehyde (L) afforded the complexes [Pd(L)Cl(2)]. These new complexes have been characterized by elemental analyses and spectroscopic studies. Spectroscopic studies reveal that thionic sulfur and azomethine nitrogen atom of thiosemicarbazones are coordinated to metal ion. The testing of the anti-amoebic activity of these complexes against the protozoan parasite Entamoeba histolytica suggests that compound 9, 10, and 11 might be endowed with important anti-amoebic properties since they showed less IC(50) values than metronidazole. Moreover, compound 11 displays notable amoebicidal activity than metronidazole (IC(50) values of 0.79 microM vs 1.93 microM, respectively).     

Flow cytometric analysis of DNA indices, expression of p53 and multidrug resistance genes in multiple myeloma patients

OBJECTIVE: To perform a quantitative analysis of DNA ploidy, S-phase fraction % (SPF%), p53 and multidrug resistance (MDR) gene expression as independent prognostic parameters and to compare these parameters with stage of the disease in multiple myeloma (MM) patients. STUDY DESIGN: Peripheral blood bone marrow samples were analyzed for DNA ploidy and SPF% using a FACScan flow cytometer (Becton Dickinson). Detection of p53 and MDR gene expression was done using immunocytochemistry. RESULTS: Aneuploidy was found in 5/48 (10.42%) total myeloma patients, all of whom revealed hyperdiploidy. High SPF% was noted in 18/37 (48.65%) newly diagnosed MM patients and 5/11 (45.45%) follow-up cases of myeloma. p53 Gene product was noted in 8/48 (16.66%) myeloma patients, 6 newly diagnosed and 2 on follow-up. MDR gene expression was detected in 4/27 (10.81%) newly diagnosed patients and in 1/11 (9.09%)follow-up patients. CONCLUSION: All myeloma patients with aneuploidy revealed hyperdiploidy. The majority of cases with high SPF% were at advanced stages, indicating the prognostic significance of SPF%. Although, there was no statistical significance of DNA ploidy, SPF%, p53 and MDR gene product expression, they are important prognostic parameters. Our results can provide baseline data for comparison with future studies since these parameters have not been reported earlier from the Indian subcontinent.     

Solubility enhancement of cox-2 inhibitors using various solvent systems

This study examined the solubility enhancement of 4 cox-2 inhibitors, celecoxib, rofecoxib, meloxicam, and nimesulide, using a series of pure solvents and solvent mixtures. Water, alcohols, glycols, glycerol, and polyethylene glycol 400 (PEG 400) were used as solvents and water-ethanol, glycerol-ethanol, and polyethylene glycol-ethanol were used as mixed-solvent systems. A pH-solubility profile of drugs was obtained in the pH range 7.0 to 10.9 using 0.05M glycine-sodium hydroxide buffer solutions. Lower alcohols, higher glycols, and PEG 400 were found to be good solvents for these drugs. The aqueous solubility of celecoxib, rofecoxib, and nimesulide could be enhanced significantly by using ethanol as the second solvent. Among the mixed-solvent systems, PEG 400-ethanol system had highest solubilization potential. In the case of meloxicam and nimesulide, solubility increased significantly with increase in pH value. Physico-chemical properties of the solvent such as polarity, intermolecular interactions, and the ability of the solvent to form a hydrogen bond with the drug molecules were found to be the major factors involved in the dissolution of drugs by pure solvents. The greater the difference in the polarity of the 2 solvents in a given mixed solvent, the greater was the solubilization power. However, in a given mixed-solvent system, the solubilization power could not be related to the polarity of the drugs. Significance of the solubility data in relation to the development of formulations has also been discussed in this study.     

Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis diagnosis and strain typing--present status and future developments

Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) is the etiological agent of paratuberculosis, a chronic gastroenteritis of ruminants and has zoonotic importance. We present here a review of MAP with respect to--(i) present diagnostic techniques and important developments; and (ii) MAP strain-typing tools. A summary of the findings to date is presented, and advantages and disadvantages of each of the methods are compared and discussed.     

Branched-Chain Aminotransferases Control TORC1 Signaling in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

The conserved target of rapamycin complex 1 (TORC1) integrates nutrient signals to orchestrate cell growth and proliferation. Leucine availability is conveyed to control TORC1 activity via the leu-tRNA synthetase/EGOC-GTPase module in yeast and mammals, but the mechanisms sensing leucine remain only partially understood. We show here that both leucine and its α-ketoacid metabolite, α-ketoisocaproate, effectively activate the yeast TORC1 kinase via both EGOC GTPase-dependent and -independent mechanisms. Leucine and α-ketoisocaproate are interconverted by ubiquitous branched-chain aminotransferases (BCAT), which in yeast are represented by the mitochondrial and cytosolic enzymes Bat1 and Bat2, respectively. BCAT yeast mutants exhibit severely compromised TORC1 activity, which is partially restored by expression of Bat1 active site mutants, implicating both catalytic and structural roles of BCATs in TORC1 control. We find that Bat1 interacts with branched-chain amino acid metabolic enzymes and, in a leucine-dependent fashion, with the tricarboxylic acid (TCA)-cycle enzyme aconitase. BCAT mutation perturbed TCA-cycle intermediate levels, consistent with a TCA-cycle block, and resulted in low ATP levels, activation of AMPK, and TORC1 inhibition. We propose the biosynthetic capacity of BCAT and its role in forming multicomplex metabolons connecting branched-chain amino acids and TCA-cycle metabolism governs TCA-cycle flux to activate TORC1 signaling. Because mammalian mitochondrial BCAT is known to form a supramolecular branched-chain α-keto acid dehydrogenase enzyme complex that links leucine metabolism to the TCA-cycle, these findings establish a precedent for understanding TORC1 signaling in mammals.     

Design Considerations for Unconventional Electrochemical Energy Storage Architectures

Batteries have become fundamental building blocks for the mobility of modern society. Continuous development of novel battery chemistries and electrode materials has nourished progress in building better batteries. Simultaneously, novel device form factors and designs with multi‐functional components have been proposed, requiring batteries to not only integrate seamlessly to these devices, but to also be a multi‐functional component for a multitude of applications. Thus, in the past decade, along with developments in the component materials, the focus has been shifting more and more towards novel fabrication processes, unconventional configurations, and additional functionalities. This work attempts to critically review the developments with respect to emerging electrochemical energy storage configurations, including, amongst others, paintable, transparent, flexible, wire or cable shaped, ultra‐thin and ultra‐thick configurations, as well as hybrid energy storage‐conversion, or graphene‐incorporated batteries and supercapacitors. The performance requirements are elaborated together with the advantages, but also the limitations, with respect to established electrochemical energy storage technologies. Finally, challenges in developing novel materials with tailored properties that would allow such configurations, and in designing easier manufacturing techniques that can be widely adopted are considered.