Cell death evaluation in benzo[a]pyrene-transformed human breast epithelial cells after microcell-mediated transfer of chromosomes 11 and 17

The incidence of apoptosis and nuclear instability, including the incidence of catastrophic death, were investigated in benzo[a]pyrene (BP)-transformed human breast epithelial cells (BP1-E cell line) after microcell-mediated transfer of chromosomes 11 and 17. Since the introduction of normal chromosomes 11 and 17 into tumorigenic human breast BP1-E cells reverts some of these cells' characteristics (especially those affected by microsatellite instabilities and loss of heterozygosity) to those of parental non-transformed MCF-10F cells, it was expected that the cell death rates would also be affected by this treatment. The transfer of the mentioned chromosomes, especially chromosome 17, to tumorigenic BP1-E cells increased the apoptotic ratios and decreased the nuclear instability ratios, thus showing that the microsatellite instability and loss of heterozygosity induced by BP in these chromosomes of MCF-10F cells affect the control of cell death mechanisms.     

Mucosal vaccine delivery of antigens tightly bound to an adjuvant particle made from food-grade bacteria

Mucosal immunization with subunit vaccines requires new types of antigen delivery vehicles and adjuvants for optimal immune responses. We have developed a non-living and non-genetically modified gram-positive bacterial delivery particle (GEM) that has built-in adjuvant activity and a high loading capacity for externally added heterologous antigens that are fused to a high affinity binding domain. This binding domain, the protein anchor (PA), is derived from the Lactococcus lactis AcmA cell-wall hydrolase, and contains three repeats of a LysM-type cell-wall binding motif. Antigens are produced as antigen-PA fusions by recombinant expression systems that secrete the hybrid proteins into the culture growth medium. GEM particles are then used as affinity beads to isolate the antigen-PA fusions from the complex growth media in a one step procedure after removal of the recombinant producer cells. This procedure is also highly suitable for making multivalent vaccines. The resulting vaccines are stable at room temperature, lack recombinant DNA, and mimic pathogens by their bacterial size, surface display of antigens and adjuvant activity of the bacterial components in the GEM particles. The GEM-based vaccines do not require additional adjuvant for eliciting high levels of specific antibodies in mucosal and systemic compartments.     

Purification and characterization of phycocyanin from the blue-green alga Aphanizomenon flos-aquae

Aphanizomenon flos-aquae (AFA) is a blue-green alga and represents a nutrient-dense food source. In this study the presence of phycocyanin (PC), a blue protein belonging to the photosynthetic apparatus, has been demonstrated in AFA. An efficient method for its separation has been set up: PC can be purified by a simple single step chromatographic run using a hydroxyapatite column (ratio A620/A280 of 4.78), allowing its usage for health-enhancing properties while eliminating other aspecific algal components. Proteomic investigation and HPLC analysis of purified AFA phycobilisomes revealed that, contrary to the well-characterized Synechocystis and Spirulina spp., only one type of biliprotein is present in phycobilisomes: phycocyanins with no allo-phycocyanins. Two subunit polypeptides of PC were also separated: the beta subunit containing two bilins as chromophore and the alpha subunit containing only one.     

Pathocycles: Ustilago maydis as a model to study the relationships between cell cycle and virulence in pathogenic fungi

Activation of virulence in pathogenic fungi often involves differentiation processes that need the reset of the cell cycle and induction of a new morphogenetic program. Therefore, the fungal capability to modify its cell cycle constitutes an important determinant in carrying out a successful infection. The dimorphic fungus Ustilago maydis is the causative agent of corn smut disease and has lately become a highly attractive model in addressing fundamental questions about development in pathogenic fungi. The different morphological and genetic changes of U. maydis cells during the pathogenic process advocate an accurate control of the cell cycle in these transitions. This is why this model pathogen deserves attention as a powerful tool in analyzing the relationships between cell cycle, morphogenesis, and pathogenicity. The aim of this review is to summarize recent advances in the unveiling of cell cycle regulation in U. maydis. We also discuss the connection between cell cycle and virulence and how cell cycle control is an important downstream target in the fungus-plant interaction.     

Impact of Aging Time on the Dermal Penetration of Phenol in Soil

Phenol is released to soil through accidental spills, manufacturing processes, and waste disposal. With time, chemicals can become more sequestered in soil (aging). Since skin is the body's primary route of entry for phenol, the impact of aging time on the dermal penetration of phenol was assessed in Atsion and Keyport soils. In vitro studies were conducted on dermatomed male pig skin using a flow-through diffusion cell methodology and radiolabeled phenol. After 3 and 6 months of aging in the Atsion soil, dermal penetration decreased from 84% of the initial dose for pure phenol (without soil) to 15% and 8%, respectively, while the dermal penetration of phenol aged in the Keyport soil was reduced to 22% and 17%, respectively. Atsion soil has a higher organic matter content (4.4%) than Keyport soil (1.6%) suggesting that the lower bioavailability of phenol aged in the Atsion soil may be due to the amount of organic matter in that soil. Although the data indicate that the potential health risk from dermal exposure to phenol would be lower after aging in soil than to pure chemical, further experiments are warranted at lower soil loads and with additional concentrations of phenol to quantify the risk.     

Phyloproteomics: what phylogenetic analysis reveals about serum proteomics

Phyloproteomics is a novel analytical tool that solves the issue of comparability between proteomic analyses, utilizes a total spectrum-parsing algorithm, and produces biologically meaningful classification of specimens. Phyloproteomics employs two algorithms: a new parsing algorithm (UNIPAL) and a phylogenetic algorithm (MIX). By outgroup comparison, the parsing algorithm identifies novel or vanished MS peaks and peaks signifying up or down regulated proteins and scores them as derived or ancestral. The phylogenetic algorithm uses the latter scores to produce a biologically meaningful classification of the specimens.     

Can folic acid protect against congenital heart defects in down syndrome?

BACKGROUND: Several studies have suggested a protective effect of folic acid (FA) on congenital heart anomalies. Down syndrome (DS) infants are known to have a high frequency of heart anomalies. Not all children with DS suffer from heart anomalies, which raises the question whether maternal factors might affect the risk of these anomalies. Our objectives were to investigate whether first-trimester FA use protects against heart anomalies among DS children. METHODS: Women with liveborn DS children participating in the Slone Epidemiology Center Birth Defects Study between 1976 and 1997 were included. We performed case-control analyses using DS, with heart anomalies as cases and DS, without heart anomalies as controls. Subanalyses were performed for defects that have been associated with FA in non-DS populations (conotruncal, ventricular septal [VSD]) and for those that are associated with DS (ostium secundum type atrial septal defects [ASD] and endocardial cushion defects [ECD]). Exposure was defined as the use of any FA-containing product for an average of at least 4 days per week during the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, whereas no exposure was defined as no use of FA in these 12 weeks. RESULTS: Of the 223 cases, 110 (49%) were exposed versus 84 (46%) of the 184 controls. After adjustment for possible confounders, no protective effect of FA was found on heart anomalies overall (OR 0.95, 95% CI: 0.61-1.47) nor separately for conotruncal defects, VSDs, ASDs, or ECDs. CONCLUSIONS: Our study does not show a protective effect of FA on heart anomalies among infants with DS.     

Class-based stratification matrix for physical leaf traits in phenetic relations of Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal accessions

Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal is a promising herb with many pharmaceutical and therapeutic uses ranging from immunomodulation to anticarcinogenicity. It is commonly known as Indian ginseng, as it is comparable to Panax ginseng, which is a widely studied and utilized herb. There are limited studies on the genetic diversity of W. somnifera from the northeastern region of the Indian Subcontinent. This paper describes the characterization of wild accessions collected from Tamil Nadu State. A total of 15 accessions collected from wild populations were studied for their physical leaf traits such as leaf fresh weight (g), dry weight (mg), leaf dry matter content (mg g^?1), specific leaf area (mm² mg^?1), leaf size (mm²), total carbon and nitrogen, and total withaferin-A content in leaves. An attempt was made to correlate physical leaf traits with withaferin-A content. The molecular traits, which were treated in a presence–absence matrix, failed to group the hyper-withaferin-A accessions. The quantified physical leaf traits were converted into a presence–absence matrix using a novel method of class-based stratification. The phenetic relations inferred from the Fitch–Margoliash algorithm applied to physical leaf trait data resulted in grouping of accessions with high withaferin-A content. These traits were used in the selection of promising accessions which can be further used for breeding programmes.