Retinal projections in the catfish,Mystus vittatus (Bloch) as revealed by tracer studies with horseradish peroxidase

Summary The retinal efferents of the catfish, Mystus vittatus, were investigated with the use of the horseradish peroxidase (HRP) technique. Most retinal fibres extended contralateral to the eye that had received HRP label, while a few fascicles projected to the ipsilateral side without decussation in the optic chiasma. The contralateral fibres projected to the suprachiasmatic nucleus, the nucleus opticus dorsolateralis, the nucleus of the posterior commissure, the nucleus geniculatus lateralis, pretectal nuclear complex, and to two layers of the optic tectum, i.e., stratum fibrosum et griseum superficiale and stratum griseum centrale. The accessory optic tract arose from the inner area of the optic tract and extended ventromedially to the accessory optic nucleus. The ipsilateral fascicles projected to almost all the above mentioned nuclei, but these projections were comparatively sparse. The ipsilateral retinal projection was restricted to the rostral tectum.     

A rapid culture-harvest protocol for amniotic cell cultures

Summary A rapid culture-harvest technique for amniotic fluid is presented using the poly-L-lysine technique (Rajendra et al. 1980). The procedure is simple, reproducible, and involves harvesting primary cultures five to eight days after culture. This technique is particularly useful as an adjunct to routine procedures, in advanced gestational age where preliminary chromosome counts are re1uired to relieve anxiety, sex determination when sex linked traits are involved, and in situations where the cultures produce very small colonies that do not proliferate or respond to sub-cultures and thus are difficult to harvest.     

Inverse correlation of intracellular calcium and cyclic AMP levels in renal cell carcinoma

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most common renal tumour in adults. Altered levels of secondary messengers, that is, intracellular calcium and cyclic AMP (cAMP), have been implicated in the pathogenesis of various malignancies. In the present study, we measured levels of intracellular calcium and cAMP in RCC. The intracellular calcium level was significantly reduced, whereas the cAMP level was significantly augmented in RCC as compared with adjacent grossly normal renal parenchyma. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A taxonomic appraisal on the rare green algal genus Ecballocystopsis M.O.P.Iyengar (Chlorellales: Trebouxiophyceae): morphological and numerical approach

Ecballocystopsis (Oocystaceae, Chlorellales, Trebouxiophyceae) is a rare green algal genus, represented by only five taxa: E. dichotoma var. dichotoma from China and E. indica, E. desikacharyi, E. himalayensis and E. dichotoma var. minuta from India. Here we propose the novel variety E. dichotoma var. anandii from Jharkhand, synonymization of E. himalayensis with E. dichotoma and erection of E. dichotoma var. minuta to a separate species as E. minuta stat. et comb. nov. These taxonomic changes are well supported by the results of a multivariate analysis based on a numerical taxonomic approach. Cluster analysis (CA), principal component analysis (PCA) and principal coordinates analysis (PCoA) were performed to resolve the species delimitation ambiguity and supplement the morphology-based classification of the genus. Ecballocystopsis himalayensis and E. dichotoma grouped in a single cluster along with the proposed new variety, while E. indica, E. desikacharyi and E. minuta formed separate clusters. An identification key to the species of the genus Ecballocystopsis is also presented.     

Overexpression of HumanN-Myristoyltransferase Utilizing a T7 Polymerase Gene Expression System

Myristoyl CoA:proteinN-myristoyltransferase catalyzes the addition of myristate to the amino-terminal glycine residue of a number of eukaryotic proteins. The gene encoding humanN-myristoyltransferase (hNMT) was cloned into the overexpression vector pT7-7 which utilizes the T7 RNA polymerase gene expression system. The hNMT enzyme was purified to near homogeneity with more than 95% recovery using a single-step purification method involving SP–Sepharose fast flow column chromatography. The specific activity of the purified NMT was 220 nmol/min/mg of protein in the presence of oncoprotein-derived peptide substrate pp60^src. The hNMT exhibited an apparent molecular weight of 49 kDa on SDS–polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Antibodies toEscherichia coli-expressed hNMT specifically recognize hNMT from crude bacterial lysates. The overexpressed hNMT was homogeneous and showed enzyme activity.     

Anti-photoaging activities of Sorbaria kirilowii ethanol extract in UVB-damaged cells

Sorbaria kirilowii (Regel) Maxim, a plant found in China, Korea, Japan, and east of Europe, is a common herb used for traditional medicinal purposes. However, its ability to prevent photoaging has not been studied. In this study, we investigated the anti-photoaging functions of an ethanol extract (Sk-EE) of S. kirilowii (Regel) Maxim using human keratinocytes exposed to UVB. First, we analyzed the cytotoxicity of Sk-EE. Then, we determine the expression of genes related to inflammation, collagen degradation, and moisture retention. We also explored the anti-photoaging mechanism of Sk-EE by determining correlated signaling pathways and target molecules using reporter gene assays and immunoblotting analyses. Sk-EE treatment of cells increased hyaluronic acid synthase (HAS), filaggrin (FLG), and collagen type I alpha 1 (COL1A1) expression. Sk-EE dose-dependently inhibited the UVB-induced expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) 1, 2, 9 and cyclooxygenase (COX)-2 by blocking the activator protein (AP)-1 signaling pathway, in particular the phosphorylation of c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK), p38, and extracellular response kinase (ERK). In addition, c-Fos and c-Jun were targeted by Sk-EE. Our results indicate that Sk-EE has anti-inflammatory and skin-protective properties, and could be a candidate to treat signs of photoaging.     

Effect in vitro of propoxur on calcium dependent ATP hydrolysis and calcium uptake by the rat brain synaptosomes

Effect in vitro of propoxur on the specific activity of calcium stimulated ATPase and calcium uptake was studied in the rat brain synaptosomes. The data suggest that propoxur might disrupt the synaptic function by altering the calcium dependent ATP hydrolysis and calcium uptake in the central nervous system.     

A hypothesis for the possible involvement of microtubules and protein kinase in the mechanism of action of cdc 28 gene product of Saccharomyces cerevisiae

MicrotubuleProtein kinaseGrowth controlG₁ arrestCell cycleSaccharomyces cerevisiae     

Hedychenone: A furanoid diterpene from Hedychium spicatum

The structure of hedychenone, a furanoid diterpene, isolated from the rhizomes of Hedychium spicatum has been deduced on the basis of spectroscopic and chemical evidence.