Discovery of new chromone containing sulfonamides as potent inhibitors of bovine cytosolic carbonic anhydrase

Series of chromone containing sulfonamides were prepared by the reaction of (un)substituted 3-formylchromones with 3-aminobenzenesulfonamide and 4-aminobenzenesulfonamide. Bovine carbonic anhydrase (bCA) inhibitory activity of these newly synthesized compounds was determined. All compounds were active and possessed excellent bCA inhibitory activities with IC?? values ranged between 4.31 ± 0.001 and 29.12 ± 0.008 μmol. Compounds derived from 6-fluoro-3-formylchromones were the most active.     

Evaluation of anti-phytoplasma properties of surfactin and tetracycline towards lime witches' broom disease using real-time PCR

The anti-phytoplasma activities of surfactin (derived from Iranian native Bacillus subtilis isolates) and tetracycline towards Candidatus "Phytoplasma aurantifolia", the agent of lime Witches' broom disease, were investigated. HPLC was used to quantify the surfactin production in four previously characterized native surfactin-producing strains, and the one producing the highest amount of surfactin (about 1,500 mg/l) was selected and cultivated following optimized production and extraction protocols. Different combinations of purified surfactin and commercial tetracycline were injected into artificially phytoplasmainfected Mexican lime seedlings using a syringe injection system. An absolute quantitative real-time PCR system was developed to monitor the phytoplasma population shifts in the lime phloem during 3 months following the injections. The results revealed that the injections of surfactin or tetracycline had a significant inhibitory effect on Candidatus "P. aurantifolia". However, the combined treatment with both surfactin and tetracycline (1:1) resulted in the highest inhibition due to a synergic effect, which suppressed the phytoplasma population from about 2×10(5) to less than 10 phytoplasma units/g plant tissue.     

Interleukin-1 beta, interleukin-6 and TGF-beta in follicular tissue of impacted third molars

The clinical evaluation and management of impacted third molars remain challenging. The aim of the present study was to investigate possible associations between follicular tissue cytokines and radiographic manifestations of impacted third molar. The population included 72 patients who underwent surgical extraction of impacted third molars. All these patients underwent a preliminary panoramic radiograph. Levels of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) in tissue extracts were determined using ELISA. There were no significant differences between bony and tissue impaction as regards IL-1β, IL-6 and TGF-β levels. Moreover, the same results were obtained as far as the amount of pericoronal space and the presence or absence of a history of pericoronitis are concerned. These results suggest that radiographic findings or a history of pericoronitis are not associated with levels of expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in patients undergoing surgical removal of impacted third molars. However, further studies are needed to address the possibility of variability during disease progression.     

Bone marrow-derived cells: A potential approach for the treatment of xerostomia

Transplantations of bone marrow-derived cells (BMDCs) are traditionally used for hematologic diseases, but there are increasing numbers of clinical trials using BMDC treatments for non-hematologic disorders, including autoimmune diseases. BMDCs are recently reported to improve organ functions. This paper will review available reports supporting the role of BMDCs in reducing xerostomia (i.e. re-establishing salivary gland functions) due to head and neck irradiation for cancer therapies and in Sj?gren's syndrome. There are reports that BMDCs provide a beneficial effect on the saliva production. BMDCs positively affect blood vessels stability and regeneration in irradiated salivary glands. Also, BMDCs provide an immunomodulatory activity in mice with Sj?gren's-like disease. While the exact mechanisms by which BMDCs improve organ functions remain controversial, there is preliminary evidence that a combination of them (such as cell transdifferentiation, vasculogenesis, and paracrine effect) occur in salivary glands.     

Physico-mechanical and Stability Evaluation of Carbamazepine Cocrystal with Nicotinamide

The focus of this investigation was to prepare the cocrystal of carbamazepine (CBZ) using nicotinamide as a coformer and to compare its preformulation properties and stability profile with CBZ. The cocrystal was prepared by solution cooling crystallization, solvent evaporation, and melting and cryomilling methods. They were characterized for solubility, intrinsic dissolution rate, chemical identification by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, crystallinity by differential scanning calorimetry, powder X-ray diffraction, and morphology by scanning electron microscopy. Additionally, mechanical properties were evaluated by tensile strength and Heckel analysis of compacts. The cocrystal and CBZ were stored at 40°C/94% RH, 40°C/75% RH, 25°C/60% RH, and 60°C to determine their stability behavior. The cocrystals were fluffy, with a needle-shaped crystal, and were less dense than CBZ. The solubility profiles of the cocrystals were similar to CBZ, but its intrinsic dissolution rate was lower due to the high tensile strength of its compacts. Unlike CBZ, the cocrystals were resistant to hydrate transformation, as revealed by the stability studies. Plastic deformation started at a higher compression pressure in the cocrystals than CBZ, as indicated by the high yield pressure. In conclusion, the preformulation profile of the cocrystals was similar to CBZ, except that it had an advantageous resistance to hydrate transformation.     

Genetic variability of NaCl tolerance in tomato

Cultivation of crops in soils with high salt (NaCl) content can affect plant development. We examined the morphological and physiological mechanisms of salt tolerance in tomato. The responses of 72 accessions of tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) to salinity were compared by measuring shoot and root lengths, and fresh shoot and root weights relative to those of controls (plants grown in normal salt levels). All traits were reduced at the seedling stage when salinity levels were increased. The accession x salinity interaction was significant for all traits. Root length had higher heritability than other traits and was used as a selection criterion to identify salt-tolerant and -non-tolerant accessions. On the basis of root length, accessions LA2661, CLN2498A, CLN1621L, BL1176, 6233, and 17870 were considered to be more tolerant than accessions 17902, LO2875 and LO4360. The degree of salt tolerance was checked by analyzing K+ and Na+ concentrations and K+/Na+ ratio in tissues of plants treated with 10 and 15 dS/m salinity levels. Tolerance of these accessions to salinity was most associated with low accumulation of Na+ and higher K+/Na+ ratios.     

Distribution pattern of the Snake-eyed Lizard,Ophisops elegans Ménétriés, 1832 (Squamata: Lacertidae), in Iran

Ophisops elegans, a common lizard with a wide distribution range in Iran, was selected to investigate the influence of environmental factors on its distribution pattern. Based on a distribution model developed with the software Maxent for O. elegans, the most important factors influencing the distribution pattern were found to be high winter precipitation, intermediate levels of Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and intermediate levels of sunshine. It seems that overall plant cover and competition with Mesalina watsonana are the main factors which influence the distribution pattern of O. elegans in the central Iranian Plateau.     

Morphogenesis of Plasmodium zoites is uncoupled from tensile strength

A shared feature of the motile stages (zoites) of malaria parasites is a cortical cytoskeletal structure termed subpellicular network (SPN), thought to define and maintain cell shape. Plasmodium alveolins comprise structural components of the SPN, and alveolin gene knockout causes morphological abnormalities that coincide with markedly reduced tensile strength of the affected zoites, indicating the alveolins are prime cell shape determinants. Here, we characterize a novel SPN protein of Plasmodium berghei ookinetes and sporozoites named G2 (glycine at position 2), which is structurally unrelated to alveolins. G2 knockout abolishes parasite transmission and causes zoite malformations and motility defects similar to those observed in alveolin null mutants. Unlike alveolins, however, G2 contributes little to tensile strength, arguing against a cause‐effect relationship between tensile strength and cell shape. We also show that G2 null mutant sporozoites display an abnormal arrangement of their subpellicular microtubules. These results provide important new understanding of the factors that determine zoite morphogenesis, as well as the potential roles of the cortical cytoskeleton in gliding motility.     

A test of time–place learning in single and grouped great sturgeon Huso huso

Although there exists a large body of knowledge on the ecology, physiology, and nutrition of great sturgeon, time–place learning has thus far not been examined in this species and other sturgeons. The aim of the present study is to evaluate whether individual or grouped juvenile great sturgeons are able to associate time and place of food delivery when examined under light and dark conditions. During a 30-day period, food was made available to the sturgeons twice a day or twice a night, in the first time in one side of the tank and in the second time in the opposite side of the tank. Food was withheld on test days to assess time–place learning by the fish. The results of the present study indicate that, at both the group and individual levels, great sturgeons are not able to clearly demonstrate time–place learning under the conditions examined.     

Anti-fungal properties of 43 plant species against Alternaria solani and Botrytis cinerea

Investigation of plants containing natural anti-microbial metabolites for plant protection has been identified as a desirable method of disease control. Crude methanolic extracts of 43 plant species belonging to 27 families, which most of them are medicinal plants, mostly collected from the west of Iran were screened for anti-fungal activity against two economically important phytopathogenic fungi, Alternaria solani and Botrytis cinerea during 2010–2012. Bioassay of the extracts was conducted by agar diffusion method on agar plate cultures with five replications. Among all the 43 plant methanolic extracts, mycelia growth of A. solani and B. cinerea was reduced by 28 (65%) and 30 (70%) plant extracts when compared to the control, respectively. The strongest extracts with more than 50% inhibition against A. solani were Elaeagnus angustifolia, Dodonaea viscosa, Haplophyllum perforatum and inflorescence of Allium hirtifolium, respectively. Leaves of A. hirtifolium, H. perforatum, inflorescence of A. hirtifolium and D. viscosa showed highest inhibitory effect (≥50%) against B. cinerea. Moreover, complete inhibition of leaves of A. hirtifolium against B. cinerea was due to their fungistatic activity. The results of this experiment and high number of plants with anti-fungal activity showed that the flora in the west of Iran could be regarded as a rich source of plants with anti-fungal activity. Therefore, further screening of other plant species, identifying active fractions or metabolites and in vivo application of active extracts are warranted.