Analysis of the human <Emphasis Type="Italic">Alu</Emphasis> Ye lineage

Background  

Alu elements are short (~300 bp) interspersed elements that amplify in primate genomes through a process termed retroposition. The expansion of these elements has had a significant impact on the structure and function of primate genomes. Approximately 10 % of the mass of the human genome is comprised of Alu elements, making them the most abundant short interspersed element (SINE) in our genome. The majority of Alu amplification occurred early in primate evolution, and the current rate of Alu retroposition is at least 100 fold slower than the peak of amplification that occurred 30–50 million years ago. Alu elements are therefore a rich source of inter- and intra-species primate genomic variation.     

Licorice: A possible anti-inflammatory and anti-ulcer drug

The purpose of this investigation was to study the anti-inflammatory activities of both glycerrhitinic acid (GA) and the aqueous licorice extract (ALE) in comparison with diclofenac sodium (DS) (10 mg/kg), using the carrageenan-induced paw edema model in male albino rats. In addition, the anti-ulcer activities of ALE, famotidine (FT), and a combination of ALE and FT using indomethacin-induced ulceration technique in rat stomach were investigated. Conventional DS tablets containing GA, as well as DS chewable tablets containing either GA or ALE with different tastes were prepared. Also, rapidly disintegrating FT tablets were prepared using direct compression and camphor sublimation methods. ALE or GA produced significant anti-inflammatory activity similar to DS, and when taken concomitantly, there is no possible antagonism. The anti-ulcer activity of licorice was found to be similar to that of FT in indomethacin-induced ulceration technique in rat stomach. Combination therapy of both FT and licorice showed higher anti-ulcer activity than either of them alone. Generally, tablets containing the crosslinked sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (AcDisol) showed more rapidly disintegrating effect than those including Sodium starch glycolate (Primojel). The oral disintegration was very rapid for all the tested formulations. Also, the amount of FT absorbed from the oral cavity was nearly 9 from 10 mg theoretically present in each formula. It could be concluded that both GA and ALE have anti-inflammatory activity comparable with DS. It may be recommended to add ALE to either FT or diclofinac for more effective anti-inflammatory or anti-ulcer formulations, respectively.     

Sports-anthropological analysis of Tunisian elite karateka

This study is based on a careful sport anthropological investigation (ca. 15 min) of 25 Tunisian athletes of the Karate team (aged 18 - 31 years) with special permission of the Tunisian Ministry of Youth and Sports. Considering the height of the Tunisian elite athletes (175.6 +/- 4.9 cm), heavier kareteka are bigger (178.9 +/- 2.2 cm vs. 171.4 +/- 3.9 cm). The mean weight was 73.1 +/- 8.2 kg (heavier athletes 78.7 +/- 5.9 kg vs. lighter athletes 66.0 +/- 4.1 kg). On Conrad's chessboard diagram all the Tunisian karateka were placed in the leptomorph half, only two in the metromorph corridor, but most of them in the middle between hypoplastic and hyperplastic poles. The AKS index diagram demonstrates a faint diagonal positioning of the single weight categories, with progression of body mass from the lower to the upper right area. None of the athletes surpasses a body height of 184 cm. The variation of the AKS index is higher than the variation of body height. The constitutional analysis according to Knussmann (1961) reveals an orientation of heavier weight classes towards macrosomia and pyknomorphism. The proportional figures of the athletes show a small variation of joint heights in lower extremities. In Parnell's somatochart (1954, 1958) the concentration of Tunisian karateka is found in the mesoectomorph third as well as in the somatochart of Heath & Carter (1967). Further sport anthropological karate studies should focus on adolescents and females as well as on physiological and biomechanic parameters.     

Side-chain contributions to membrane protein structure and stability

The molecular forces that stabilize membrane protein structure are poorly understood. To investigate these forces we introduced alanine substitutions at 24 positions in the B helix of bacteriorhodopsin and examined their effects on structure and stability. Although most of the results can be rationalized in terms of the folded structure, there are a number of surprises. (1) We find a remarkably high frequency of stabilizing mutations (17%), indicating that membrane proteins are not highly optimized for stability. (2) Helix B is kinked, with the kink centered around Pro50. The P50A mutation has no effect on stability, however, and a crystal structure reveals that the helix remains bent, indicating that tertiary contacts dominate in the distortion of this helix. (3) We find that the protein is stabilized by about 1kcal/mol for every 38A(2) of surface area buried, which is quite similar to soluble proteins in spite of their dramatically different environments. (4) We find little energetic difference, on average, in the burial of apolar surface or polar surface area, implying that van der Waals packing is the dominant force that drives membrane protein folding.     

Influence of interleukin-2 and interferon-gamma in murine schistosomiasis

Schistosoma mansoni-infected mice were administered at the time of parasite residency in the lung with recombinant murine interleukin (IL)-2 or interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), to evaluate the impact of cytokines in host responses to primary schistosomiasis. S. mansoni lung-stage schistosomula did not affect plasma lipids levels in BALB/c, while elicited significant (p<0.05) increase in free fatty acids (FA) and decrease in cholesterol plasma levels in C57BL/6 and CD1 mice, and stimulated expression of mRNA for Th2 cytokines in BALB/c and Th1 cytokines in C57BL/6 and CD1 mice. Production of specific antibodies was negligible in the 3 strains. Interleukin-2 treatment elicited significant (p<0.001) decrease in triglycerides (TG) in CD1, and decrease in TG and cholesterol plasma levels and down-regulation of TNF-alpha mRNA expression in C57BL/6 mice. Induction of type 2 cytokines and/or IFN-gamma mRNA expression did not lead to increase in percentage of specific antibody responders in any mouse strain. Exogenous IL-2-related reduction in cholesterol plasma levels and TNF-alpha mRNA expression in C57BL/6 mice was associated with significant (p<0.05) decrease in adult worm recovery and egg count. Treatment with IFN-gamma elicited significant (p<0.05) free FA plasma levels increase in BALB/c and C57BL/6 and decrease in CD1 mice. Expression of type 2 cytokines mRNA was stimulated in BALB/c and CD1 mice, yet was not accompanied with increase in humoral responses. Exogenous IFN-gamma-related reduction in free FA plasma levels and IFN-gamma mRNA response, and up-regulation of TNF-alpha mRNA expression in CD1 mice were associated with significant increase in adult worm burden and egg load. The data were discussed in an attempt to define host factors predictive of resistance to schistosome infection.     

Influence of culture conditions on lipase production byBacillus sp. FH5

Lipases are a class of enzymes, which catalyse the hydrolysis of long chain triglycerides. Microbial lipases are currently receiving much attention with the rapid development of enzyme technology. Lipases have industrial potential in the chemical, pharmaceutical, medical, cosmetic, leather and paper manufacturing industries, biosurfactant synthesis, and agrochemicals. ABacillus strain isolated from soil was tested for the production of extracellular lipase, by batch culturing in shake flask. The growth conditions were optimised for the maximum production of enzyme. Various parameters for the production of lipase, such as temperature, incubation period, pH, carbon source, nitrogen source and lipids were studied. Maximum lipase production was found in 48-h-old culture filtrate at 37 °C, pH 8.0. Among all the carbon sources, salicin gave the maximum activity and among all the nitrogen sources yeast extract gave maximum production/activity. Tween (20 and 80) does not stimulate the growth much but assisted in enzyme production.     

Cotton Leaf Curl Virus： Ionic Status of Leaves and Symptom Development

In the present study, the relationship between the nutritional status of leaves and the development of symptoms of cotton leaf curl virus （CLCuV） in two cotton （Gossypium hirsutum L.） cuItlvars （I.e. CIM-240 and S-12） was Investigated. The incidence of disease attack was found to be 100% In the S-12 cuItlvar and 16% in the CIM-240 cuItivar. Geminivirus particles in infected leaves were confirmed by transmission electron microscope examination of highly specific geminivirus coat protein antlsera-treated cell sap. The CLCuV Impaired the accumulation of different nutrients in both cuItivars. A marked decrease in the accumulation of Ca^2＋ and K^＋ was observed in infected leaves. However, the disease had no effect on leaf concentrations of Na^＋, N, and P. It was observed that the curling of leaf margins in CLCuV-Infected plants was associated with the leaf Ca^2＋ content; leaf curling was severe in plants with a significant reduction In Ca^2＋ content. Moreover, leaf K＆＋ content was found to be associated with resistance/susceptibility to CLCuV infection.     

Cotton Leaf Curl Virus: lonic Status of Leaves and Symptom Development

In the present study, the relationship between the nutritional status of leaves and the development of symptoms of cotton leaf curl virus (CLCuV) in two cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.) cultivars (i.e. CIM-240 and S-12) was investigated. The incidence of disease attack was found to be 100% in the S-12 cultivar and 16% in the CIM-240 cultivar. Geminivirus particles in infected leaves were confirmed by transmission electron microscope examination of highly specific geminivirus coat protein antisera-treated cell sap. The CLCuV impaired the accumulation of different nutrients in both cultivars. A marked decrease in the accumulation of Ca2+ and K+ was observed in infected leaves. However, the disease had no effect on leaf concentrations of Na+, N, and P. It was observed that the curling of leaf margins in CLCuV-infected plants was associated with the leaf Ca2+ content; leaf curling was severe in plants with a significant reduction in Ca2+ content.Moreover, leaf K+ content was found to be associated with resistance/susceptibility to CLCuV infection.