Narcotic alkaloids of four papaver species from Iran

Four native Papaver species of Iran, i. e. P. glaucum, P. tenuifolium, P. dubium and P. fugax, were collected from their natural habitat and subjected to HPLC analysis for determination of their morphine, codeine and thebaine content. P. dubium and R. glaucum contained all of the three mentioned narcotic alkaloids, while morphine was not found in P. fugax, and P. tenuifolium was free from codeine.     

MasterCARD: a priceless link to innate immunity

Intracellular viral infection is detected by the cytoplasmic RNA helicase RIG-I, which has an essential role in initiating the host antiviral response. The adaptor molecule that connects RIG-I sensing of incoming viral RNA to downstream signaling and gene activation has recently been elucidated by four independent research groups, and has been ascribed four different names: MAVS, IPS-1, VISA and Cardif. The fact that MAVS/IPS-1/VISA/Cardif localizes to the mitochondrial membrane suggests a link between viral infection, mitochondrial function and development of innate immunity. Furthermore, the hepatitis C virus NS3/4A protease specifically cleaves MAVS/IPS-1/VISA/Cardif as part of its immune-evasion strategy. These studies highlight a novel role for the mitochondria and for caspase activation and recruitment domain (CARD)-containing proteins in coordinating immune and apoptotic responses.     

Interferon γ induced compositional changes in human bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem/stromal cells

Background

Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSC) display a range of immunoregulatory properties which can be enhanced by the exposure to cytokines such interferon γ (IFN-γ). However the compositional changes associated with the ‘licensing’ of these cells have not been clearly defined. The present study was undertaken to provide a detailed comparative proteomic analysis of the compositional changes that occur in human bone marrow derived MSC following 20 h treatment with IFN-γ.

Methods

2D LC MSMS analysis of control and IFN-γ treated cells from 5 different healthy donors provided confident identification of more than 8400 proteins.

Results

In total 210 proteins were shown to be significantly altered in their expression levels (≥|2SD|) following IFN-γ treatment. The changes for several of these proteins were confirmed by flow cytometry. STRING analysis determined that approximately 30% of the altered proteins physically interacted in described interferon mediated processes. Comparison of the list of proteins that were identified as changed in the proteomic analysis with data for the same proteins in the Interferome DB indicated that ~35% of these proteins have not been reported to be IFN-γ responsive in a range of cell types.

Conclusions

This data provides an in depth analysis of the proteome of basal and IFN-γ treated human mesenchymal stem cells and it identifies a number of novel proteins that may contribute to the immunoregulatory capacity if IFN-γ licensed cells.

     

Highly Stretchable,Sparse, Metallized Nanofiber Webs as Thin,Transferrable Transparent Conductors

The need for transparent conductors (TCs) that are capable of withstanding high mechanical deformation in comparison to the brittle indium tin oxide (ITO) films is paramount for roll‐to‐roll production of flexible and stretchable displays, signage systems, lighting devices and solar panels with stringent weatherability requirements. This paper reports a highly stretchable TC comprising of a web of core‐shell nanofibers, which mimics the fibrous structure of natural systems such as veins of a leaf or nerve systems. The TC web demonstrates high transparency, low sheet resistance, and unprecedented stretchability and stability over repeated stretching. The nanofiber TC web can be transferred to different substrates, which is manifested by the transfer onto an organic solar cell, demonstrating a photovoltaic performance comparable to that of a device with an ITO electrode. This work presents a technological platform, scalable for the manufacturing of large area transparent conductors for flexible and stretchable displays, electronics and solar cells on unconventional substrates such as rubber, fabric and paper.     

Association of interleukin‐17 gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to brucellosis in Hamadan,western Iran

IL‐17is one of the most important inflammatory cytokines that stimulate immunity responses in humans infected with Brucella species, acting as a regulator that reduces release of γ‐IFN, thus increasing resistance to brucellosis. Gene polymorphisms in the regulatory regions of cytokine‐encoding genes affect the amountsof cytokines produced and play a fundamental role in infectious diseases. The aim of this study was to determine the association between IL‐17 gene polymorphisms and susceptibility to brucellosis. In this case‐control study, 86 patients with brucellosis and 86 healthy persons in Hamadan, western Iran, from September 2014 to September 2016, were included. IL‐17 genetic variants at positions rs4711998 A/G, rs8193036 C/T, rs3819024 A/G, rs2275913 A/G, rs3819025 A/G, rs8193038 A/G, rs3804513 A/T, rs1974226 A/G and rs3748067 A/G were analyzed by restriction fragment length polymorphism‐PCR. Serum IL‐17 titers were measured by sandwich ELISA. GG genotypes at positions rs4711998 and rs3748067 were present significantly more frequently in patients with brucellosis than in controls (P < 0.05). The AA genotype at positions rs4711998, rs2275913 and rs3748067 and GG genotype at position rs19744226 were present significantly more frequently in controls than in the patient group. These results suggest that the AA genotype at positions rs3748067, rs3819025 and rs4711998 and GG genotype at position rs3819024 are likely protective factors against brucellosis, whereas the GG genotype at positions rs3748067, rs3819025 and rs4711998 and AA genotype at position rs3819024 may be risk factors against the disease. No significant relationships were found between serum IL‐17 titers and genotypes of the single‐nucleotide polymorphisms.     

Cell-free protein synthesis: The transition from batch reactions to minimal cells and microfluidic devices

Thanks to the synthetic biology, the laborious and restrictive procedure for producing a target protein in living microorganisms by biotechnological approaches can now experience a robust, pliant yet efficient alternative. The new system combined with lab-on-chip microfluidic devices and nanotechnology offers a tremendous potential envisioning novel cell-free formats such as DNA brushes, hydrogels, vesicular particles, droplets, as well as solid surfaces. Acting as robust microreactors/microcompartments/minimal cells, the new platforms can be tuned to perform various tasks in a parallel and integrated manner encompassing gene expression, protein synthesis, purification, detection, and finally enabling cell-cell signaling to bring a collective cell behavior, such as directing differentiation process, characteristics of higher order entities, and beyond. In this review, we issue an update on recent cell-free protein synthesis (CFPS) formats. Furthermore, the latest advances and applications of CFPS for synthetic biology and biotechnology are highlighted. In the end, contemporary challenges and future opportunities of CFPS systems are discussed.     

DNA-PHONA-PNA Chimeric Molecules: Contributions to Binding Against Complementary DNA

Abstract

The synthesis of a DNA-PHONA-PNA chimeric molecule using the Mmt protection strategy is described. The chimeric oligomer shows duplex binding properties that are comparable to PNA. Obviously, PHONA building blocks can be incorporated into PNAs without distortion of the PNA structure

     

Comparison of susceptibility of two populations of Tetranychus urticae Koch to two acaricides,abamectin and propargite

The spider mite, Tetranychus urticae Koch is a serious pest of economically important plants in closed and open area worldwide. The spider mite resistance to acaricide plays a major role in the failure of the chemical control method. Thus, the aim of the current study was to evaluate the efficacy of two acaricides, abamectin and propargite, against two populations (strains) of the spider mite. Results showed that LC₅₀s of the abamectin against susceptible and resistant strains of the spider mite were 0.1 and 2730?ppm, respectively. Whilst LC₅₀s of the propargite against susceptible and resistant strains of the spider mite were 55 and 7199?ppm, respectively. Resistance ratio (RR) calculated as the ratio of resistance LC₅₀/susceptible LC₅₀ showed that RR for abamectin and propargite was 20285 and 130, respectively. The enzyme assay results showed that three mechanisms of MFO, GST and EST are involved in the abamectin resistance of the spider mite. In gel assays, when α-naphthyl acetate was used as substrate, three bands appeared in the gel in which bands E2 and E3 were major bands and E1 was a minor band confirming that α-naphthyl acetate was a better substrate for general esterase activity in the spider mite whereas β-acetate when used for esterase activity, only two faint bands (E1 and E2) were observed. The order of their involvement in the abamectin resistance is EST?>?MFO?>?GST.     

S100B: a multifunctional role in cardiovascular pathophysiology

S100B, a calcium-binding protein of the EF-hand type exerts both intracellular and extracellular functions. S100B is induced in the myocardium of human subjects and an experimental rat model following myocardial infarction. Forced expression of S100B in neonatal rat myocyte cultures, and high level expression of S100B in transgenic mice hearts and aortic smooth muscle cells inhibit cardiac hypertrophy and the associated phenotype, arterial smooth muscle proliferation, respectively, but demonstrate increased apoptosis following α₁-adrenergic stimulation or myocardial infarction. Knocking out S100B, augmented hypertrophy, decreased apoptosis and preserved cardiac function following myocardial infarction. S100B induces apoptosis by an extracellular mechanism by interacting with the receptor for advanced glycation end products and activating ERK1/2 and p53 signaling. The intracellular, and extracellular, roles of S100B are attractive therapeutic targets for the treatment of both cardiac and vascular disease.