Structural studies on some saponins from Lecaniodiscus cupanioides

Four triterpenoid saponins isolated from the stem bark of Lecaniodiscus cupanioides and denoted S-2,S-3,S-4 and S-5, were identified as follows. S-2:3-O-[α-l-arabinopyranosyl-(1→3)-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-α-l-arabinopyranosyl]-hederagenin; S-3:3-O-[α-d-xylopyranosyl-(1→3)-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-α-l-arabino-pyranosyl ]-hederagenin; S-4:3-O- [α-l-arabinopyranosyl-(1→3)-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→ 2)-α-l-arabinopyranosyl]-hederagenin; S-5:3-O- [α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→2)-α-l-arabinopyranosyl ]-hederagenin. Of these, S-2 and S-4 are new substances.     

A new perspective on the role of CuZn superoxide dismutase (SOD1)

The CuZn superoxide dismutase (SOD1), a member of a group of isoenzymes involved in the scavenger of superoxide anions, is a dimeric carbohydrate free protein, mainly localized in the cytosol. The reactive oxygen species (ROS) are involved in many pathophysiological events correlated with mutagenesis, cancer, degenerative processes and aging. In the first part of this mini-review the well known role of SOD1 and ROS are briefly summarized. Following, a potential novel biological action that SOD1 could exert is described, based on the recent researches demonstrating the secretion of this enzyme in many cellular lines. Moreover, the role of impaired mutant SOD1 secretion, associated with cytoplasmic toxic inclusion, which occurs in familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), is summarized. In addition, a depolarization-dependent release of SOD1 in pituitary GH3 cells and in rat synaptosomes through a calcium and SNARE-dependent mechanism is reported.     

Ultrastructural aspects of mechano- and chemoreceptors in Branchiobdella pentodonta (annelida,oligochaeta)

The surface receptors in Branchiobdella pentodonta consist of “sense buttons” prevalent on the prostomium, isolated sense cells all along the body of the animal, and free nerve endings. The “sense buttons” are uni- and multiciliated neurosensitive elements and supporting cells together with mucus glandular processes and muscle fibers. In the neurosensitive elements the cilia are always surrounded by cytoplasmic extroversion. The cytoplasm of the apical zone has abundant small dense granules, mitochondria, bands of tonofilaments, and microtubules. The cilium of uniciliated elements originates from three short roots. The highly vacuolated support cells surround the neurosensitive elements, separating them from each other. The “sense buttons” appear to be mechanoreceptors and chemoreceptors, and the isolated sense cells tactile mechanoreceptors, as are the free nerve endings. The surface receptors are compared with those of other Oligochaeta and Hirudinea.     

Lactoferrin efficacy versus ferrous sulfate in curing iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia in pregnant women

Iron deficiency (ID) and iron deficiency anemia (IDA) are the most common iron disorders throughout the world. ID and IDA, particularly caused by increased iron requirements during pregnancy, represent a high risk for preterm delivery, fetal growth retardation, low birth weight, and inferior neonatal health. Oral administration of ferrous sulfate to cure ID and IDA in pregnancy often fails to increase hematological parameters, causes adverse effects and increases inflammation. Recently, we have demonstrated safety and efficacy of oral administration of 30% iron saturated bovine lactoferrin (bLf) in pregnant women suffering from ID and IDA. Oral administration of bLf significantly increases the number of red blood cells, hemoglobin, total serum iron and serum ferritin already after 30 days of the treatment. The increasing of hematological values by bLf is related to the decrease of serum IL-6 and the increase of serum hepcidin, detected as prohepcidin, whereas ferrous sulfate increases IL-6 and fails to increase hematological parameters and prohepcidin. bLf is a more effective and safer alternative than ferrous sulfate for treating ID and IDA in pregnant women.     

Sequence similarity is more relevant than species specificity in probabilistic backtranslation

Background  

Backtranslation is the process of decoding a sequence of amino acids into the corresponding codons. All synthetic gene design systems include a backtranslation module. The degeneracy of the genetic code makes backtranslation potentially ambiguous since most amino acids are encoded by multiple codons. The common approach to overcome this difficulty is based on imitation of codon usage within the target species.