Three acylated flavone glycosides from Sideritis ozturkii Aytac & Aksoy

From the aerial parts of Sideritis ozturkii, three new flavonoids, chrysoeriol 7-O-[2'-O-caffeoyl-O-acetyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranoside], chrysoeriol 7-O[2'-O-caffeoyl-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 -->2)-beta-D-glucopyranoside] and chrysoeriol 7-O[2'-O-p-coumaroyl-6'-beta-O-acetyl-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)-beta-D-glucopyranoside] named as ozturkosides A, B and C, respectively, were isolated, along with three known phenylethanoid glycosides, verbascoside, leucoseptoside A, martynoside and five known diterpenoids, 7-epicandicandiol, linearol, sidol, sideroxol, epoxyisolinearol. The structures were elucidated mainly by spectroscopic methods.     

Characterisation by proteomics of peribacteroid space and peribacteroid membrane preparations from pea (Pisum sativum) symbiosomes

The legume Rhizobium symbiosis leads to the formation of a new compartment in the plant cell, the symbiosome. This compartment harbours the bacteroids surrounded by a peribacteroid membrane (PBM) originating from the plant plasma membrane. The PBM and the space between the PBM and the bacteroid membrane, called peribacteroid space (PS), mediate the exchange of metabolites between the symbionts. Proteome analysis was used as an approach to characterise the proteins in the PBM and the PS. A standard differential centrifugation procedure including a Percoll gradient was used for symbiosome isolation from pea root nodules. Proteins in the PBM and PS fractions obtained from the symbiosomes were separated by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis, and 89 spots were analysed by tandem mass spectrometry. The proteins of 46 spots could be identified by database search. The results showed that PS and even PBM preparations from pea symbiosomes always contain abundant amounts of bacteroid proteins as a contaminate. Interestingly, in addition to a few PS/PBM proteins a number of endomembrane proteins (less likely representing a contaminate), including V-ATPase, BIP, and an integral membrane protein known from COPI-coated vesicles, were found in the PBM fraction, supporting the role of the endomembrane system in PBM biogenesis.     

Synthesis of N-substituted indole-2-carboxamides and investigation of their biochemical responses against free radicals

The antioxidant role of novel N-substituted indole-2-carboxamides (I2CDs) was investigated for their inhibitory effects on superoxide anion (O₂^? ) and lipid peroxidation (LP). Among the synthesized I2CDs, 3, 4, 6, 8 and 9 significantly inhibited O₂^{· ?} with an inhibition range at 70–98%. Examination of substituent effects on activity showed that both the ortho- and para-positions of the benzamide residue needs to be dichlorinated in order to get a maximum inhibitory effect on superoxide anion. In general, halogenated derivatives were found more active then the non-halogenated ones. However, none of the I2CDs had a significant inhibitory effects on the level of lipid peroxidation; only compounds 7 and 10 moderately decreased LP levels by over 50% at 10^{? 3} M concentrations.     

Introduction and Institutionalization of Genetics in Mexico Ana Barahona,Susana Pinar and Francisco J. Ayala

We explore the distinctive characteristics of Mexico’s society, politics and history that impacted the establishment of genetics in Mexico, as a new disciplinary field that began in the early 20th century and was consolidated and institutionalized in the second half. We identify about three stages in the institutionalization of genetics in Mexico. The first stage can be characterized by Edmundo Taboada, who was the leader of a research program initiated during the Cárdenas government (1934–1940), which was primarily directed towards improving the condition of small Mexican farmers. Taboada is the first Mexican post-graduate investigator in phytotechnology and phytopathology, trained at Cornell University and the University of Minnesota, in 1932 and 1933, respectively. He was the first investigator to teach plant genetics at the National School of Agriculture and wrote the first textbook of general genetics, Genetics Notes, in 1938. Taboada’s most important single genetics contribution was the production of “stabilized” corn varieties. The extensive exile of Spanish intellectuals to Mexico, after the end of Spain’s Civil War (1936–1939), had a major influence in Mexican science and characterizes the second stage. The three main personalities contributing to Mexican genetics are Federico Bonet de Marco and Bibiano Fernández Osorio Tafall, at the National School of Biological Sciences, and José Luis de la Loma y Oteyza, at the Chapingo Agriculture School. The main contribution of the Spanish exiles to the introduction of genetics in Mexico concerned teaching. They introduced in several universities genetics as a distinctive discipline within the biology curriculum and wrote genetics text books and manuals. The third stage is identified with Alfonso León de Garay, who founded the Genetics and Radiobiology Program in 1960 within the National Commission of Nuclear Energy, which had been founded in 1956. The Genetics and Radiobiology Program rapidly became a disciplinary program, for it embraced research, teaching, and training of academics and technicians. The Mexican Genetics Society, created by de Garay in 1966, and the development of strains and cultures for genetics research were important activities. One of de Garay’s key requirements was the compulsory training of the Program’s scientists for at least one or two years in the best universities of the United States and Europe. De Garay’s role in the development of Mexican genetics was fundamental. His broad vision encompassed the practice of genetics in all its manifestations.     

Changes of nitric oxide synthase-containing nerve fibers and parameters for oxidative stress after unilateral cavernous nerve resection or manuplation in rat penis

After pelvic surgeries such as radical prostatectomy, two major complications--urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction (ED) may occur. Etiologies for ED are multiple pathologic mediators/systems. Oxidative stress, which is known to be induced after surgical trauma, could be a cause of ED. The purposes of in this study are to investigate the effect of unilateral manipulation/ dissection and resection of the cavernous nerve (neurotomy) to NOS (nitric oxide synthase)-containing nerve fibers and pressure after electro stimulation in rat corpus cavernosum, and to determine whether these procedures would produce oxidative stress within rat cavernous tissue 3 weeks and 6 months after the operation. Male rats were divided into 5 groups. Rats in groups 1 and 2 underwent unilateral cavernous nerve manipulation and sacrificed 3 weeks and 6 months after the operation, respectively. Rats in groups 3 and 4 underwent unilateral neurotomy of a 5-mm. segment of the cavernous nerve, and they were sacrificed 3 weeks and 6 months after nerve ablation, respectively. Group 5 rats were control animals for biochemical analysis. Intracavernous pressure following electro stimulation reduced is significantly 3 weeks after unilateral resection, as compared to that of the manipulated nerve (P < 0.05), and it recovered 6 months after neurotomy. The recovery was also confirmed by NADPH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate) diaphorase staining in neurotomy groups. Lipid peroxidation, which is an indicater of oxidative stress, was determined by measuring thiobarbituric acid reacting substance (TBARS) levels and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. These markers indicated that unilateral cavernous nerve manipulation or resection produced oxidative stress within rat corpus cavernosum. Oxidative stress was more prominent 3 weeks after unilateral neurotomy (P < 0.05). Also, compared to the control animal group, oxidative stress was observed three weeks after manipulation of unilateral cavernous nerve (P < 0.05). Resection of the cavernous nerve caused more prominent oxidative stress than in the manipulation group. This study suggested, that unilateral cavernous neurotomy caused a decrease of intra cavernous pressure and NOS fibers in rat corpus cavernosum, and they recovered 6 months after neurotomy. Our data also provided evidence that neurotomy and manipulation of the cavernous nerve caused oxidative stress in rat corpus cavernosum and that oxidative stress was more prominent in the nerve resection group.     

Shining light on nanotechnology to help repair and regeneration

Phototherapy can be used in two completely different but complementary therapeutic applications. While low level laser (or light) therapy (LLLT) uses red or near-infrared light alone to reduce inflammation, pain and stimulate tissue repair and regeneration, photodynamic therapy (PDT) uses the combination of light plus non-toxic dyes (called photosensitizers) to produce reactive oxygen species that can kill infectious microorganisms and cancer cells or destroy unwanted tissue (neo-vascularization in the choroid, atherosclerotic plaques in the arteries). The recent development of nanotechnology applied to medicine (nanomedicine) has opened a new front of advancement in the field of phototherapy and has provided hope for the development of nanoscale drug delivery platforms for effective killing of pathological cells and to promote repair and regeneration. Despite the well-known beneficial effects of phototherapy and nanomaterials in producing the killing of unwanted cells and promoting repair and regeneration, there are few reports that combine all three elements i.e. phototherapy, nanotechnology and, tissue repair and regeneration. However, these areas in all possible binary combinations have been addressed by many workers. The present review aims at highlighting the combined multi-model applications of phototherapy, nanotechnology and, reparative and regeneration medicine and outlines current strategies, future applications and limitations of nanoscale-assisted phototherapy for the management of cancers, microbial infections and other diseases, and to promote tissue repair and regeneration.     

Novel Cytotoxic Sesquiterpene Ester Derivatives from the Roots of Ferula mervynii

This study is the first chemical investigation of Ferula mervynii M. Sağıroğlu & H. Duman, an endemic species to Eastern Anatolia. The isolations of nine compounds including six previously undescribed sesquiterpene esters, 8-trans-cinnamoyltovarol ( 1 ), 8-trans-cinnamoylantakyatriol ( 3 ), 6-acetyl-8-trans-cinnamoyl-3-epi-antakyatriol ( 5 ), 6-acetyl-8-trans-cinnamoylshiromodiol ( 6 ), 6-acetyl-8-trans-cinnamoylfermedurone ( 7 ), and 6-acetyl-8-trans-cinnamoyl-(1S),2-epoxyfermedurone ( 8 ), were described along with three known sesquiterpene esters, 6-acetyl-8-benzoyltovarol ( 2 ), 6-acetyl-8-trans-cinnamoylantakyatriol ( 4 ), and ferutinin ( 9 ). The structures of novel compounds were elucidated through extensive spectroscopic analyses and quantum chemistry calculations. The putative biosynthetic pathways for compounds 7 and 8 were discussed. The extracts and isolated compounds were tested for cytotoxic activity against the COLO 205, K-562, MCF-7 cancer cell lines, and Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cell (HUVEC) lines using MTT assay. Compound 4 showed the highest activity against the MCF-7 cell lines with an IC₅₀ value of 16.74±0.21 μM.     

The effect of pretreatment or combined treatment of quercetin on menadione toxicity in rat primary mixed glial cells in vitro

Neurons and glia are highly susceptible to reactive oxygen species that play a key role in various neurodegenerative diseases. Menadione, a synthetic derivative of vitamin K, induces reactive oxygen generation. Quercetin one of the most ubiquitous bioflavonoids in food of plant origin, has strong antioxidant activities on different cell types, however recent studies demonstrated that it has also prooxidant and cytotoxic potentials. We examined the action of pre- and co-treatment of quercetin on menadione induced glial toxicity. The primary mixed glial cells obtained from 1 to 3 day old rat brain were pretreated with 10, 25, 100 or 250 μM quercetin for 1 h, washed out and 10, 25, 50, 75 or 100 μM menadione was added for 6 h. The other group of cells was treated with respective doses of quercetin combined simultaneously with the same doses of menadione for 6 h. The cells were washed and incubated for additional 24 h for recovery period and the viability was measured by using MTT assay. Menadione was dose-dependently toxic to glia cells and pretreatment with respective quercetin doses for 1 h could not eliminate this toxicity. Although 10 and 25 μM quercetin combined with 10 and 25 μM menadione could not change, 100 and 250 μM quercetin together with 10 or 25 μM menadione for 6 h increased further the menadione induced toxicity. We conclude that when combined with menadione, quercetin at high doses could be toxic to primary rat glia cells in culture.     

Comamonas testosteroni bacteremia in a patient with perforated acute appendicitis. Short communication

Comamonas testosteroni is an uncommon isolate in the clinical laboratory as a human pathogen. C. testosteroni most commonly emerges in abdominal pathologies especially in perforated appendicitis. In Turkey we report first time a case of bacteremia due to this organism, in a 22-year-old man with perforated acute appendicitis. The organism was shown to be susceptible to routine antibiotics so it was easily eliminated even after having caused a bacteremia.     

Investigation of the in vitro antioxidant behaviour of some 2-phenylindole derivatives: discussion on possible antioxidant mechanisms and comparison with melatonin

Oxidative stress has been implicated in the development of many neurodegenerative diseases and also responsible from aging and some cancer types. Indolic compounds are a broad family of substances present in microorganisms, plants and animals. They are mainly related to tryptophan metabolism, and present particular properties that depend on their respective chemical structures. Due to free radical scavenger and antioxidant properties of indolic derivatives such as indolinic nitroxides and melatonin, a series of 2-phenyl indole derivatives were prepared and their in vitro effects on rat liver lipid peroxidation levels, superoxide formation and DPPH stable radical scavenging activities were determined against melatonin, BHT and alpha-tocopherol. The compounds significantly inhibited (72-98%) lipid peroxidation at 10(-3) M. These values were similar to that observed with BHT (88%). Possible structure-activity relationships of the compounds were discussed.