Effect of hypoxia by intermittent altitude exposure on semen characteristics and testicular morphology of male rhesus monkeys

Semen characteristics and testicular morphology of rhesus monkeys were studied on exposure to a simulated high altitude of 4411 m for 21 days. There was a partially reversible decrease in the semen volume, sperm count and sperm motility, as well as an elevation of pH and fructose concentration. These changes were associated with degeneration of the germinal epithelium and spermatogenic arrest at the end of third week of exposure which had not recovered even 3 weeks after the exposure.     

Synthetic Antimicrobial Peptide Polybia MP-1 (Mastoparan) Inhibits Growth of Antibiotic Resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa Isolates From Mastitic Cow Milk

International Journal of Peptide Research and Therapeutics - Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) offer a potent and effective alternative for treatment of antibiotic resistant microbes. Mastoparans or...     

Rapid screening procedures for identification of succinic acid producers

Succinic acid, an intermediate of tricarboxylic acid cycle, is produced and accumulated by anaerobic microorganisms. The long-standing interest in the production of this organic acid is because it is a key compound in producing more than 30 commercially important products. The detection of succinic acid is generally carried out by gas chromatography (GC), enzymatic assays, ion-exclusion chromatography (IEC) or by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). However, these methods are time consuming, require sophisticated instrumentation and are expensive. In the present investigation we are reporting two rapid, cost effective screening methods for the detection of this important organic acid. These methods can be utilized to screen a large number of microbes producing succinic acid in a very short span of time.     

Glutathione S-transferases of human lung: characterization and evaluation of the protective role of the alpha-class isozymes against lipid peroxidation.

Glutathione S-transferase (GST) isozymes of human lung have been purified, characterized, quantitated, and, based on their structural and immunological profiles, identified with their respective classes. The tau-, mu-, and alpha-class GSTs represented 94, 3, and 3% activities of total human lung GSTs toward CDNB, respectively, and 60, 10, and 30% of total GST protein, respectively. Both the mu- and the alpha-class GSTs of human lung exhibited heterogeneity. The two mu-class GSTs of human lung had pI values of 6.5 and 6.25 and were differentially expressed in humans. Significant differences were seen between the kinetic properties of these two isozymes and also between the lung and liver mu-class GSTs. The alpha-class GST isozymes of lung resolved into three peaks during isoelectric focusing corresponding to pI values of 9.2, 8.95, and 8.8. All three alpha-class GSTs isozymes had blocked N-termini and were immunologically similar to human liver alpha-class GSTs. Peptide fingerprints generated by SV-8 protease digestion and CNBr cleavage indicated minor structural differences between the liver and the lung alpha-class GSTs. The three alpha-class GSTs of lung expressed glutathione peroxidase activities toward the hydroperoxides of phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, and phosphatidylglycerol, with Km values in the range of 22 to 87 microM and Vmax values in the range of 67-120 mol/mol/min, indicating the involvement of the alpha-class GSTs in the protection mechanisms against peroxidation. All three classes of lung GSTs expressed activities toward leukotriene A4 methyl ester and epoxy stearic acid but the mu-class GSTs had relatively higher activities toward these substrates.     

QTL-seq for the identification of candidate genes for days to flowering and leaf shape in pigeonpea

To identify genomic segments associated with days to flowering (DF) and leaf shape in pigeonpea, QTL-seq approach has been used in the present study. Genome-wide SNP profiling of extreme phenotypic bulks was conducted for both the traits from the segregating population (F₂) derived from the cross combination- ICP 5529 × ICP 11605. A total of 126.63 million paired-end (PE) whole-genome resequencing data were generated for five samples, including one parent ICP 5529 (obcordate leaf and late-flowering plant), early and late flowering pools (EF and LF) and obcordate and lanceolate leaf shape pools (OLF and LLS). The QTL-seq identified two significant genomic regions, one on CcLG03 (1.58 Mb region spanned from 19.22 to 20.80 Mb interval) for days to flowering (LF and EF pools) and another on CcLG08 (2.19 Mb region spanned from 6.69 to 8.88 Mb interval) for OLF and LLF pools, respectively. Analysis of genomic regions associated SNPs with days to flowering and leaf shape revealed 5 genic SNPs present in the unique regions. The identified genomic regions for days to flowering were also validated with the genotyping-by-sequencing based classical QTL mapping method. A comparative analysis of the identified seven genes associated with days to flowering on 12 Fabaceae genomes, showed synteny with 9 genomes. A total of 153 genes were identified through the synteny analysis ranging from 13 to 36. This study demonstrates the usefulness of QTL-seq approach in precise identification of candidate gene(s) for days to flowering and leaf shape which can be deployed for pigeonpea improvement.Subject terms: Genetic association study, Plant hybridization

QTL-seq approach was utilized for mapping of genomic regions/genes associated with days to flowering and leaf shape in pigeonpea. Analysis of genomic regions and associated SNPs with days to flowering and leaf shape revealed 1 and 4 non-synonymous SNPs, respectively. The study demonstrated sequencing-based trait mapping approach can accelerate trait mapping of the targeted traits.     

Genomic alterations in breast cancer patients in betel quid and non betel quid chewers

Betel Quid (BQ) chewing independently contributes to oral, hepatic and esophageal carcinomas. Strong association of breast cancer risk with BQ chewing in Northeast Indian population has been reported where this habit is prodigal. We investigated genomic alterations in breast cancer patients with and without BQ chewing exposure. Twenty six BQ chewers (BQC) and 17 non BQ chewer (NBQC) breast cancer patients from Northeast India were analyzed for genomic alterations and pathway networks using SNP array and IPA. BQC tumors showed significantly (P<0.01) higher total number of alterations, as compared with NBQC tumors, 48±17% versus 32±25 respectively. Incidence of gain in fragile sites in BQC tumors were significantly (P<0.001) higher as compared with NBQC tumors, 34 versus 23% respectively. Two chromosomal regions (7q33 and 21q22.13) were significantly (p<0.05) associated with BQC tumors while two regions (19p13.3-19p12 and 20q11.22) were significantly associated with NBQC tumors. GO terms oxidoreductase and aldo-keto reductase activity in BQC tumors in contrast to G-protein coupled receptor protein signaling pathway and cell surface receptor linked signal transduction in NBQC tumors were enriched in DAVID. One network "Drug Metabolism, Molecular Transport, Nucleic Acid Metabolism" including genes AKR1B1, AKR1B10, ETS2 etc in BQC and two networks "Molecular Transport, Nucleic Acid Metabolism, Small Molecule Biochemistry" and "Cellular Development, Embryonic Development, Organismal Development" including genes RPN2, EMR3, VAV1, NNAT and MUC16 etc were seen in NBQC. Common alterations (>30%) were seen in 27 regions. Three networks were significant in common regions with key roles of PTK2, RPN2, EMR3, VAV1, NNAT, MUC16, MYC and YWHAZ genes. These data show that breast cancer arising by environmental carcinogens exemplifies genetic alterations differing from those observed in the non exposed ones. A number of genetic changes are shared in both tumor groups considered as crucial in breast cancer progression.     

Critical role of mitochondrial dysfunction and impaired mitophagy in diabetic nephropathy

Mitochondrial dynamics play a critical role in deciding the fate of a cell under normal and diseased condition. Recent surge of studies indicate their regulatory role in meeting energy demands in renal cells making them critical entities in the progression of diabetic nephropathy. Diabetes is remarkably associated with abnormal fuel metabolism, a basis for free radical generation, which if left unchecked may devastate the mitochondria structurally and functionally. Impaired mitochondrial function and their aberrant accumulation have been known to be involved in the manifestation of diabetic nephropathy, indicating perturbed balance of mitochondrial dynamics, and mitochondrial turnover. Mitochondrial dynamics emphasize the critical role of mitochondrial fission proteins such as mitochondrial fission 1, dynamin-related protein 1 and mitochondrial fission factor and fusion proteins including mitofusin-1, mitofusin-2 and optic atrophy 1. Clearance of dysfunctional mitochondria is aided by translocation of autophagy machinery to the impaired mitochondria and subsequent activation of mitophagy regulating proteins PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 and Parkin, for which mitochondrial fission is a prior event. In this review, we discuss recent progression in our understanding of the molecular mechanisms targeting reactive oxygen species mediated alterations in mitochondrial energetics, mitophagy related disorders, impaired glucose transport, tubular atrophy, and renal cell death. The molecular cross talks linking autophagy and renoprotection through an intervention of 5′-AMP-activated protein kinase, mammalian target of rapamycin, and SIRT1 factors are also highlighted here, as in-depth exploration of these pathways may help in deriving therapeutic strategies for managing diabetes provoked end-stage renal disease.     

Nematicidal prenylated flavanones from Phyllanthus niruri

Two prenylated flavanones have been isolated from the hexane extract of Phyllanthus niruri plant. The structure of these flavanones were established as 8-(3-Methyl-but-2-enyl)-2-phenyl chroman-4-one (1) and 2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-8-(3-methyl-but-2-enyl)-chroman-4-one (2) on the basis of spectral analysis. These were evaluated for nematicidal activity against root-knot, Meloidogyne incognita, and reniform, Rotylenchulus reniformis, nematodes. Compound 2 exhibited nematicidal activity at par with the standard carbofuran (LC50 3.3 and 3.1ppm, respectively) when tested against reniform nematode. The LC50 value against root-knot nematode was found to be 14.5ppm. Compound 1 however, showed moderate activity against both the test nematodes.     

Synthesis and in vitro study of 14-aryl-14H-dibenzo[a.j]xanthenes as cytotoxic agents

A simple and expedient method for the synthesis of a series of 14-aryl-14H-dibenzo[a.j]xanthenes is described through a one-pot condensation of β-naphthol with aryl aldehydes catalysed by TaCl₅ under solvent-free conventional heating. The major advantages of the present method are: high yields, less reaction time, solvent-free condition and easy purification of the products. The synthesized 14-aryl-14H-dibenzo[a.j]xanthenes were evaluated against a panel of six human cancer lines of different tissues. Synthesized compound 3o showed IC₅₀ of 37.9 and 41.3 μM against Colo-205 and 502713, respectively, whereas 3g showed IC₅₀ of 41.9 μM against Colo-205.