Clinical Correlates of Mass Effect in Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease

Mass effect from polycystic kidney and liver enlargement can result in significant clinical complications and symptoms in autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD). In this single-center study, we examined the correlation of height-adjusted total liver volume (htTLV) and total kidney volume (htTKV) by CT imaging with hepatic complications (n = 461) and abdominal symptoms (n = 253) in patients with ADPKD. “Mass-effect” complications were assessed by review of medical records and abdominal symptoms, by a standardized research questionnaire. Overall, 91.8% of patients had 4 or more liver cysts on CT scans. Polycystic liver disease (PLD) was classified as none or mild (htTLV < 1,600 mL/m); moderate (1,600 ≤ htTLV <3,200 mL/m); and severe (htTLV ≥ 3,200 mL/m). The prevalence of moderate and severe PLD in our patient cohort was 11.7% (n = 54/461) and 4.8% (n = 22/461), respectively, with a female predominance in both the moderate (61.1%) and severe (95.5%) PLD groups. Pressure-related complications such as leg edema (20.4%), ascites (16.6%), and hernia (3.6%) were common, and patients with moderate to severe PLD exhibited a 6-fold increased risk (compared to no or mild PLD) for these complications in multivariate analysis. Similarly, abdominal symptoms including back pain (58.8%), flank pain (53.1%), abdominal fullness (46.5%), and dyspnea/chest-discomfort (44.3%) were very common, and patients with moderate to severe PLD exhibited a 5-fold increased risk for these symptoms. Moderate to severe PLD is a common and clinically important problem in ~16% of patients with ADPKD who may benefit from referral to specialized centers for further management.     

Allelopathic suppression of wheat and mustard byRumex dentatus ssp.klotzschianus

Laboratory studies were conducted to see the allelopathic suppression of wheat and mustard byRumex dentatus ssp.klotzschianus (Meissn) Rech. It was observed that aqueous extracts, rain leachates and litter from dried and fresh shoot and roots invariably inhibited the germination and seedling growth of both the crop species. Soil collected from beneathRumex dentatus also proved harmful for the germination and seedling growth. It is suggested thatRumex dentatus ssp.klotzschianus exhibits allelopathy against wheat and mustard.     

Synthesis and evaluation of benzoxazole derivatives as 5-lipoxygenase inhibitors

5-Lipoxygenase (5-LOX) is important enzyme in the biosynthesis of leukotrienes, and is a potential target in the treatment of asthma and allergy. We designed and synthesized a series of benzoxazoles and benzothiazoles as 5-LOX inhibitors. Fourteen compounds prepared showed the inhibition of LTC4 formation with IC₅₀ value of 0.12–23.88 μM. Also two compounds 2d and 2g showed improved airway hypersensitiveness.     

Low molecular weight polyethylenimine for efficient transfection of human hematopoietic and umbilical cord blood-derived CD34+ cells

With the emerging role of hematopoietic stem cells as potential gene and cell therapy vehicles, there is an increasing need for safe and effective nonviral gene delivery systems. Here, we report that gene transfer and transfection efficiency in human hematopoietic and cord blood CD34+ cells can be enhanced by the use of low molecular weight polyethylenimine (PEI). PEIs of various molecular weights (800-750,000) were tested, and our results showed that the uptake of plasmid DNA by hematopoietic TF-1 cells depended on the molecular weights and the N/P ratios. Treatment with PEI 2K (m.w. 2000) at an N/P ratio of 80/1 was most effective, increasing the uptake of plasmid DNA in TF-1 cells by 23-fold relative to Lipofectamine 2000. PEI 2K-enhanced transfection was similarly observed in hematopoietic K562, murine Sca-1+, and human cord blood CD34+ cells. Notably, in human CD34+ cells, a model gene transferred with PEI 2K showed 21,043- and 513-fold higher mRNA expression levels relative to the same construct transfected without PEI or with PEI 25 K, respectively. Moreover, PEI 2K-treated TF-1 and human CD34+ cells retained good viability. Collectively, these results indicate that PEI 2K at the optimal N/P ratio might be used to safely enhance gene delivery and transfection of hematopoietic and human CD34+ stem cells.     

Crystallization of silver through reduction process using Elaeis guineensis biosolid extract

This study presents a special, economically valuable, unprecedented eco-friendly green process for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles. The silver nanoparticles were obtained from a waste material with oil palm biosolid extract as the reducing agent. The use of the oil palm biosolid extract for the nanoparticle synthesis offers the benefit of amenability for large-scale production. An aqueous solution of silver (Ag(+) ) ions was treated with the oil palm biosolid extract for the formation of Ag nanoparticles. The nanometallic dispersion was characterized by surface plasmon absorbance measuring 428 nm. Transmission electron microscopy showed the formation of silver nanoparticles in the range of 5-50 nm. Scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) and X-ray diffraction analysis of the freeze-dried powder confirmed the formation of metallic silver nanoparticles. Moreover, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy provided evidence of phenolics or proteins as the biomolecules that were likely responsible for the reduction and capping agent, which helps to increase the stability of the synthesized silver nanoparticles. In addition, we have optimized the production with various parameters.     

Substrate specificity of a recombinant chicken <Emphasis Type="Italic">β</Emphasis>-carotene 15,15′-monooxygenase that converts <Emphasis Type="Italic">β</Emphasis>-carotene into retinal

The recombinant β-carotene 15,15′-monooxygenase from chicken liver was purified as a single 60 kDa band by His-Trap HP and Resource Q chromatography. It had a molecular mass of 240 kDa by gel filtration indicating the native form to be tetramer. The enzyme converted β-carotene under maximal conditions (pH 8.0 and 37°C) with a k _cat of 1.65 min⁻¹ and a K _m of 26 μM and its conversion yield of β-carotene to retinal was 120% (mol mol⁻¹). The enzyme displayed catalytic efficiency and conversion yield for β-carotene, β-cryptoxanthin, β-apo-8′-carotenal, β-apo-4′-carotenal, α-carotene and γ-carotene in decreasing order but not for zeaxanthin, lutein, β-apo-12′-carotenal and lycopene, suggesting that the presence of one unsubstituted β-ionone ring in a substrate with a molecular weight greater than C₃₀ seems to be essential for enzyme activity.     

Surface plasmon resonance immunosensor for the detection of Salmonella typhimurium

An immunosensor based on surface plasmon resonance (SPR) using protein G was developed for the detection of Salmonella typhimurium. A protein G layer was fabricated by binding chemically to self-assembly monolayer (SAM) of 11-mercaptoundecanoic acid (MUA) on gold (Au) surface. The formation of protein G layer on Au surface modified with 11-MUA and the binding of antibody and antigen in series were confirmed by SPR spectroscopy. The effect of detergent such as Tween-20 on binding efficiency of antibody and antigen was investigated by SPR. The binding efficiency of antigen to the antibody immobilized on Au surface was improved up to about 85% and 100% by using protein G and Tween-20, respectively. The surface morphology analyses of 11-MUA monolayer on Au substrate, protein G layer on 11-MUA monolayer and antibody layer immobilized on protein G layer were performed by atomic force microscope (AFM). Consequently, an immunosensor based on SPR for the detection of S. typhimurium using protein G was developed with a detection range of 10(2) to 10(9)CFU/ml. The current fabrication technique of a SPR immunosensor for the detection of S. typhimurium could be applied to construct other immnosensors or protein chips.     

Surface plasmon resonance immunosensor using self-assembled protein G for the detection of Salmonella paratyphi

A surface plasmon resonance (SPR) based immunosensor using self-assembled protein G was developed for the detection of Salmonella paratyphi. In order to endow a solid substrate binding affinity to protein G, the free amine (-NH2) of protein G was substituted into thiol (-SH) using 2-iminothiolane. Thus, self-assembled protein G was fabricated on gold (Au) substrate. The formation of protein G layer on Au surface, and the binding of antibody and antigen in series were confirmed by SPR spectroscopy. The surface morphology analysis of the protein G layer on Au surface was performed by atomic force microscope (AFM). Consequently, an immunosensor based on SPR for the detection of S. paratyphi using self-assembled protein G was developed with a detection range of 10(2)-10(7) CFU/ml. The current fabrication technique of a SPR immunosensor for the detection of S. paratyphi could be applied to construct other immnosensors or protein chips.