Physiological significance of proline and glycinebetaine: Maintaining photosynthesis during NaCl stress in wheat

Experiments on the physiological significance of accumulation of proline and glycinebetaine (GB) in sustaining photosynthesis during salt stress in wheat in vivo showed that pre-treatment with GB, but not proline, alleviated NaCl-induced stomatal and non-stomatal inhibition of photosynthesis completely. A permeating and non-dissociating osmoticum, 3-orthomethyl-glucopyranose, also alleviated NaCl-induced perturbations of photosynthesis, suggesting that GB may work by maintaining chloroplast volume and not by specific effects on photosynthetic processes.     

Probing the interaction of thionine with human serum albumin by multispectroscopic studies and its in vitro cytotoxic activity toward MCF-7 breast cancer cells

The studies on protein–dye interactions are important in biological process and it is regarded as vital step in rational drug design. The interaction of thionine (TH) with human serum albumin (HSA) was analyzed using isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC), spectroscopic, and molecular docking technique. The emission spectral titration of HSA with TH revealed the formation of HSA–TH complex via static quenching process. The results obtained from absorption, synchronous emission, circular dichroism, and three-dimensional (3D) emission spectral studies demonstrated that TH induces changes in the microenvironment and secondary structure of HSA. Results from ITC experiments suggested that the binding of TH dye was favored by negative enthalpy and a favorable entropy contribution. Site marker competitive binding experiments revealed that the binding site of TH was located in subdomain IIA (Sudlow site I) of HSA. Molecular docking study further substantiates that TH binds to the hydrophobic cavity of subdomain IIA (Sudlow site I) of HSA. Further, we have studied the cytotoxic activity of TH and TH–HSA complex on breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7) by MTT assay and LDH assay. These studies revealed that TH–HSA complex showed the higher level of cytotoxicity in cancer cells than TH dye-treated MCF-7 cells and the significant adverse effect did not found in the normal HBL-100 cells. Fluorescence microscopy analyses of nuclear fragmentation studies validate the significant reduction of viability of TH–HSA-treated human MCF-7 breast cancer cells through activation of apoptotic-mediated pathways.     

Impact of dengue virus (serotype DENV-2) infection on liver of BALB/c mice: A histopathological analysis

In this research, we characterized the histopathological impact of dengue virus (serotype DENV-2) infection in livers of BALB/c mice. The mice were infected with different doses of DENV-2 via intraperitoneal injection and liver tissues were processed for histological analyses and variation was documented. In the BALB/c mouse model, typical liver tissues showed regular hepatocyte architecture, with normal endothelial cells surrounding sinusoid capillary. Based on histopathological observations, the liver sections of BALB/c mice infected by DENV-2 exhibited a loss of cell integrity, with a widening of the sinusoidal spaces. There were marked increases in the infiltration of mononuclear cells. The areas of hemorrhage and micro- and macrovesicular steatosis were noted. Necrosis and apoptosis were abundantly present. The hallmark of viral infection, i.e., cytopathic effects, included intracellular edema and vacuole formation, cumulatively led to sinusoidal and lobular collapse in the liver. The histopathological studies on autopsy specimens of fatal human DENV cases are important to shed light on tissue damage for preventive and treatment modalities, in order to manage future DENV infections. In this framework, the method present here on BALB/c mouse model may be used to study not only the effects of infections by other DENV serotypes, but also to investigate the effects of novel drugs, such as recently developed nano-formulations, and the relative recovery ability with intact immune functions of host.     

Isolation and characterization of anticancer flavone chrysin (5,7-dihydroxy flavone)-producing endophytic fungi from <Emphasis Type="Italic">Passiflora incarnata</Emphasis> L. leaves

Chrysin (5,7-dihydroxy flavone, ChR) is a flavone of plant origin, possessing numerous biomedical properties, such as antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anxiolytic, hepatoprotective, anti-aging and anticonvulsant activities. In this study, chrysin-producing fungal endophytes (A. alternata KT380662, C. capsici KT373967, and C. taiwanense PI-3 KX580307) were isolated from the leaves of Passiflora incarnata L. and characterised via morphology and internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences. Thin layer chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography profiles of fungal extracts showed Rf values and retention times that closely match those of standard chrysin (ChR). Further, the production of fungal chrysin (FChR) was confirmed through UV-vis spectroscopy, FT-IR, LC-ESI-MS, and ¹H₁ NMR analysis. Among the isolated strains, A. alternata KT380662 was identified as having a high-level of ChR production, with rates measuring approximately 846 mg L^?1. On the other hand, in vitro anticancer and radical scavenging studies proved that FChR has significant cytotoxic activity against human liver carcinoma cells (HepG2). These results clearly imply that the isolated A. alternata KT380662 could serve as an alternative source for the commercial production of ChR, which holds anticancer and radical scavenging activities, and the fungal-derived ChR can be used in chemotherapy or in prodrug development.     

Design and synthesis of 3-(4-ethylphenyl)-2-substituted amino-3H-quinazolin-4-ones as a novel class of analgesic and anti-inflammatory agents

A new series of 3-(4-ethylphenyl)-2-substituted amino-3H-quinazolin-4-ones were synthesized by reacting the amino group of 2-hydrazino-3-(4-ethylphenyl)-3H-quinazolin-4-one from 4-ethyl aniline with a variety of aldehydes and ketones. The title compounds were investigated for analgesic, anti-inflammatory and ulcerogenic index activities. The compound 2-(N'-3-pentylidene-hydrazino)-3-(4-ethylphenyl)-3H-quinazolin-4-one (AS2) emerged as the most active compound of the series and was moderately more potent than the reference standard diclofenac sodium. Interestingly the test compounds showed only mild ulcerogenic potential when compared to aspirin.     

Wnt signaling in kidney development and disease

The Wnt gene family, which encodes secreted growth and differentiation factors, has been implicated in kidney organogenesis. The Wnts control both ureteric bud development and signaling, but they also serve as inductive factors to regulate nephrogenesis in the mesenchcymal cells. Several of the Wnt genes are expressed in the developing kidney, and gene knock-out studies have revealed specific developmental functions for these. Consistent with this, changes in Wnt ligands and pathway components are associated with many kidney diseases, including kidney cancers, renal fibrosis, cystic kidney diseases, acute renal failure, diabetic nephropathy and ischaemic injury. It is these associations of the Wnt signaling system with kidney development and kidney diseases that form to topic of this review.Key words: Wnt signaling, tubule induction, ureter development, kidney diseases, kidney cancer     

Role of thymine in protein coding frames of mRNA sequences

Distribution of thymine in protein coding mRNA sequences has been studied here. Our study suggest that thymine in protein coding sequences are not randomly distributed but with probability. Frame1 prefers to have definite amount of thymine. It is observed that the thymine content of frame 4 is also involved in protein coding. Frame 3 prefers to have least amount of thymine. However, frame 2 and frame 6 shows a variable degree of thymine content. The mRNA sequences of heterosexual animals, particularly, the human show a different distribution profile (less thymine in frame 1) compared to that of yeast and plants.     

Synthesis and antibacterial activity of novel oxazolidinones bearing N-hydroxyacetamidine substituent

Novel oxazolidinone antibacterials containing N-hydroxyacetamidine moiety are synthesized with the diversity at C-5 terminus. These compounds have been evaluated against a panel of clinically relevant gram-positive and gram-negative pathogens. Most of the analogs in this series displayed activity superior to Linezolid and in vivo efficacies of selected oxazolidinones are also disclosed herein.