Immunomodulatory role of thyroid hormones: in vitro effect of tetraiodothyronine (T4) on mitogen induced blastogenic response of lymphocytes

An attempt was made to find out the immunomodulatory role of thyroid hormone, tetraiodothyronine (T4), and its effect on in vitro mitogen induced blastogenesis. Human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) were subjected to phytohaemagglutinin (PHA) concanavalin-A (Con. A) and pokeweed mitogen (PWM) in presence or absence of T4. Basal blastogenic response was significantly enhanced in dose related manner by T4. PHA and Con.A induced response was depressed significantly (r = -0.975 and r = -0.945) whereas less than 50 ng T4 in presence of PHA showed mild stimulation. On the other hand, PWM induced response in presence of T4 was enhanced significantly in dose related manner.     

Insights into archaeal chaperone machinery: a network-based approach

Molecular chaperones are a diverse group of proteins that ensure proteome integrity by helping the proteins fold correctly and maintain their native state, thus preventing their misfolding and subsequent aggregation. The chaperone machinery of archaeal organisms has been thought to closely resemble that found in humans, at least in terms of constituent players. Very few studies have been ventured into system-level analysis of chaperones and their functioning in archaeal cells. In this study, we attempted such an analysis of chaperone-assisted protein folding in archaeal organisms through network approach using Picrophilus torridus as model system. The study revealed that DnaK protein of Hsp70 system acts as hub in protein-protein interaction network. However, DnaK protein was present only in a subset of archaeal organisms and absent from many archaea, especially members of Crenarchaeota phylum. Therefore, a similar network was created for another archaeal organism, Sulfolobus solfataricus, a member of Crenarchaeota. The chaperone network of S. solfataricus suggested that thermosomes played an integral part of hub proteins in archaeal organisms, where DnaK was absent. We further compared the chaperone network of archaea with that found in eukaryotic systems, by creating a similar network for Homo sapiens. In the human chaperone network, the UBC protein, a part of ubiquitination system, was the most important module, and interestingly, this system is known to be absent in archaeal organisms. Comprehensive comparison of these networks leads to several interesting conclusions regarding similarities and differences within archaeal chaperone machinery in comparison to humans.     

Selenium unmasks protective iron armor: A possible defense against cutaneous inflammation and cancer

Background

A link between selenium deficiency and inflammatory skin diseases have been noted by many, but this link is still not well understood. We have previously studied the efficacy of ceramide analogs, based on the fire ant venom Solenopsin A, against our psoriasis animal model. Treatment of animals with solenopsin analogs resulted in significantly improved skin as well as in a coordinate downregulation of selenoproteins, namely Glutathione Peroxidase 4 (GPX4). We thus hypothesize that ferroptosis may be a physiologic process that may protect the skin from both inflammatory and neoplastic processes.

Synthesis,characterization and optical properties of polymer‐based ZnS nanocomposites

Nanostructured polymer–semiconductor hybrid materials such as ZnS–poly(vinyl alcohol) (ZnS–PVA), ZnS–starch and ZnS–hydroxypropylmethyl cellulose (Zns–HPMC) are synthesized by a facile aqueous route. The obtained nanocomposites are characterized using various techniques such as X‐ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), UV/vis spectroscopy and photoluminescence (PL). XRD studies confirm the zinc blende phase of the nanocomposites and indicate the high purity of the samples. SEM studies indicate small nanoparticles clinging to the surface of a bigger particle. The Energy Dispersive Analysis by X‐rays (EDAX) spectrum reveals that the elemental composition of the nanocomposites consists primarily of Zn:S. FTIR studies indicate that the polymer matrix is closely associated with ZnS nanoparticles. The large number of hydroxyl groups in the polymer matrix facilitates the complexation of metal ions. The absorption spectra of the specimens show a blue shift in the absorption edge. The spectrum reveals an absorption edge at 320, 310 and 325 nm, respectively. PL of nanocomposites shows broad peaks in the violet–blue region (420–450 nm). The emission intensity changes with the nature of capping agent. The PL intensity of ZnS–HPMC nanocomposites is found to be highest among the studied nanocomposites. The results clearly indicate that hydroxyl‐functionalized HPMC is much more effective at nucleating and stabilizing colloidal ZnS nanoparticles in aqueous suspensions compared with PVA and starch. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Searching Biomarkers in the Sequenced Genomes of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Staphylococcus</Emphasis> for their Rapid Identification

Bacterial identification using rrs (16S rRNA) gene is widely reported. Bacteria possessing multiple copies of rrs lead to overestimation of its diversity. Staphylococcus genomes carries 5–6 copies of rrs showing high similarity in their nucleotide sequences, which lead to ambiguous results. The genomes of 31 strains of Staphylococcus representing 7 species were searched for the presence of common genes. In silico digestion of 34 common genes using 10 restriction endonucleases (REs) lead to select gene-RE combinations, which could be used as biomarkers. RE digestion of recA allowed unambiguous identification of 13 genomes representing all the 7 species. In addition, a few more genes (argH, argR, cysS, gyrB, purH, and pyrE) and RE combinations permitted further identification of 12 strains. By employing additional RE and genes unique to a particular strain, it was possible to identify the rest 6 Staphylococcus aureus strains. This approach has the potential to be utilized for rapid detection of Staphylococcus strains.

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1007/s12088-016-0565-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

In vitro propagation of Allium tuberosum Rottl. ex. Spreng. by shoot proliferation

Halved shoot bases of Allium tuberosum Rottl. ex Spreng. proliferated both axillary and adventitious shoots on B5 medium (1968) supplemented with either 6-benzylaminopurine (0.5 mg/l) or 1-naphthalene acetic acid (0.1 mg/l) and 2-isopentenyladenine (0.5 mg11). Ia vitro shoots proliferated further numerous shoots upon subculture to fresh medium, and these shoots rooted spontaneously. Plantlets were transplanted successfully to soil and retained the diploid condition of the parents.