Cadmium causes oxidative stress in mung bean by affecting the antioxidant enzyme system and ascorbate-glutathione cycle metabolism

Ascorbate (AsA)-glutathione (GSH) cycle metabolism is an essential mechanism for the resistance of plants under stress conditions. In a greenhouse pot experiment, the influence of cadmium (Cd) (25, 50, and 100 mg/kg soil) on plant dry weight and leaf area, photosynthetic parameters (net photosynthetic rate (P_N) and chlorophyll (Chl) content) and oxidative stress, and the possible protective role of AsA-GSH cycle metabolism was studied in two mung bean (Vigna radiata (L.) Wilczek.) cvs. Pusa 9531 (Cd-tolerant) and PS 16 (Cd-susceptible) at 30 days after sowing. The contents of thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBARS), H₂O₂, and the leakage of ions were the highest at 100 mg Cd/kg soil, and the effect was more pronounced in cv. PS 16 than in cv. Pusa 9531. This was concomitant with the strongest decreases in P_N, plant dry weight, and leaf area. The changes in the AsA-GSH redox state and an increase in AsA-GSH-regenerating enzymes, such as glutathione reductase, monodehydroascorbate reductase, dehydroascorbate reductase, and other antioxidant enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase and ascorbate peroxidase, strongly supported over-utilization of AsA-GSH in Cd-treated plants. However, the oxidative stress caused by Cd toxicity was partially overcome by AsA-GSH-based detoxification mechanism in the two genotypes studied because an increases in lipid peroxidation (TBARS, ion leakage) and H₂O₂ content were accompanied by a corresponding decrease in reduced AsA and GSH pools. Thus, changes in AsA-GSH pools and the coordination between AsA-GSH-regenerating enzymes and other enzymatic antioxidants of the leaves suggest their relevance to the defense against Cd stress.     

Lumen irregularity dominates the relationship between mechanical stress condition, fibrous-cap thickness, and lumen curvature in carotid atherosclerotic plaque

High mechanical stress condition over the fibrous cap (FC) has been widely accepted as a contributor to plaque rupture. The relationships between the stress, lumen curvature, and FC thickness have not been explored in detail. In this study, we investigate lumen irregularity-dependent relationships between mechanical stress conditions, local FC thickness (LT(FC)), and lumen curvature (LC(lumen)). Magnetic resonance imaging slices of carotid plaque from 100 patients with delineated atherosclerotic components were used. Two-dimensional structure-only finite element simulations were performed for the mechanical analysis, and maximum principal stress (stress-P?) at all integral nodes along the lumen was obtained. LT(FC) and LC(lumen) were computed using the segmented contour. The lumen irregularity (L-δir) was defined as the difference between the largest and the smallest lumen curvature. The results indicated that the relationship between stress-P?, LT(FC), and LC(lumen) is largely dependent on L-δir. When L-δir ≥ .31 (irregular lumen), stress-P? strongly correlated with lumen curvature and had a weak/no correlation with local FC thickness, and in 73.4% of magnetic resonance (MR) slices, the critical stress (maximum of stress-P? over the diseased region) was found at the site where the lumen curvature was large. When L-δir ≤ 0.28 (relatively round lumen), stress-P? showed a strong correlation with local FC thickness but weak/no correlation with lumen curvature, and in 71.7% of MR slices, the critical stress was located at the site of minimum FC thickness. Using lumen irregularity as a method of identifying vulnerable plaque sites by referring to the lumen shape is a novel and simple method, which can be used for mechanics-based plaque vulnerability assessment.     

Seroprevalence of Neospora caninum and Brucella abortus in dairy cattle herds with high abortion rates

The protozoan Neospora caninum and the bacterium Brucella abortus are well-recognized causes of abortion in dairy cattle. Serum samples (n = 240) from aborting (n = 141) and at-risk (n = 99) animals from 5 herds with high abortion rates in Punjab Province, Pakistan, were tested for antibodies to N. caninum using monoclonal antibody-based ELISA and for antibodies to B. abortus using the serum agglutination test. Antibodies to N. caninum and B. abortus were detected in 105 (43.8%) and 135 (56.3%) cattle, respectively. Prevalences of antibodies to N. caninum and B. abortus were higher in aborting cows (46.8% and 76.6%, P < 0.05) than in animals at risk (39.4% and 27.3%, P > 0.05). Sixty-six animals (27.5%) were seropositive to both N. caninum and B. abortus , and results showed no significant difference (P > 0.05) with respect to geographical district, breed, and age. This is the first report of N. caninum infection among dairy cattle herds in Pakistan.     

The significance of hair for face recognition

Hair is a feature of the head that frequently changes in different situations. For this reason much research in the area of face perception has employed stimuli without hair. To investigate the effect of the presence of hair we used faces with and without hair in a recognition task. Participants took part in trials in which the state of the hair either remained consistent (Same) or switched between learning and test (Switch). It was found that in the Same trials performance did not differ for stimuli presented with and without hair. This implies that there is sufficient information in the internal features of the face for optimal performance in this task. It was also found that performance in the Switch trials was substantially lower than in the Same trials. This drop in accuracy when the stimuli were switched suggests that faces are represented in a holistic manner and that manipulation of the hair causes disruption to this, with implications for the interpretation of some previous studies.     

Discovery and molecular docking of quinolyl-thienyl chalcones as anti-angiogenic agents targeting VEGFR-2 tyrosine kinase

Vascular endothelial growth factor Receptor-2 (VEGFR-2) kinase inhibition is one of the well established strategies to promptly tackle tumor growth by suppression of angiogenesis. In the current study, structure-based virtual screening methodology of a series of quinolyl-thienyl chalcones indicated their strong potential as VEGFR-2 kinase inhibitors. In vitro VEGFR-2 kinase inhibitory activity was found to be significant (compound 19, IC(50): 73.41nM). All compounds showed significant inhibition of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) proliferation (compound 19, IC(50): 21.78nM). Molecular interactions of the compounds were studied using molecular docking studies.     

重组人脱氧核糖核酸酶Ⅰ的复性及活性鉴定

建立尿素梯度凝胶过滤复性重组人脱氧核糖核酸酶Ⅰ的方法。将诱导表达的重组人脱氧核糖核酸酶Ⅰ包涵体通过初步纯化后变性,然后在尿素梯度凝胶过滤色谱柱Sephadex G-75中复性,洗脱流速0.4 mL/min,复性完毕后透析除去小分子复性剂,使用琼脂糖电泳法检验其有活性后,再用单向酶扩散法测定其酶活力为655.8 U/mg,复性得率为83.7%。最后通过LC-ESI-MS/MS从氨基酸序列组成上证明复性产物是重组人脱氧核糖核酸酶Ⅰ。结果表明,建立的方法能成功用于复性变性的重组人脱氧核糖核酸酶Ⅰ包涵体蛋白,获得了可用于结构和功能研究的具有生物学活性的重组人脱氧核糖核酸酶Ⅰ。     

Are bioactive-rich fractions functionally richer?

Plant bioresources are relied upon as natural, inexpensive, and sustainable remedies for the management of several chronic diseases worldwide. Plants have historically been consumed for medicinal purposes based on traditional belief, but this trend is currently changing. The growing interest in the medicinal properties of plant bioresources stems from concerns of side effects and other adverse effects caused by synthetic drugs. This interest has yielded a better understanding of the roles of plant bioactive compounds in health promotion and disease prevention, including the underlying mechanisms involved in such functional effects. The desire to maximize the potential of phytochemicals has led to the development of “rich fractions,” in which extracts contain bioactive compounds in addition to elevated levels of the primary compound. Although a rich fraction effectively increases the bioactivity of the extract, the standardization and quality assurance process can be challenging. However, the supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) system is a promising green technology in this regard. Future clinical and pharmacological studies are needed to fully elucidate the implications of these preparations in the management of human diseases, thereby fostering a move toward evidence-based medicine.     

Biological Effect and Inactivation Mechanism of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Bacillus subtilis</Emphasis> Exposed to Pulsed Magnetic Field: Morphology,Membrane Permeability and Intracellular Contents

Biological effect and inactivation mechanism of Bacillus subtilis exposed to pulsed magnetic field (PMF) were investigated. Cell morphology, membrane permeability, release of intracellular proteins and damage of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) were monitored. The inactivation effect of PMF treatment on B. subtilis was enhanced with the increase in intensity and pulse number. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis showed that the PMF treated bacterial cells had rough surfaces and damaged cellular membranes. Flow cytometry measurements showed that the cell membrane permeability increased after the PMF treatment. Leakage of intracellular contents, measured as OD, significantly increased with the increase in PMF intensity and pulsed number. A maximum leakage of cytoplasmic contents was detected at intensity of 3.30 T and 30 pulses. Enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus - polymerase chain reaction (ERIC-PCR) fingerprint signaled that the DNA was fragmented after the PMF treatment at the intensity of 3.0 T with 30 pulses and 3.3 T with 10, 20 and 30 pulses. These findings may give clues to the mechanism of bacterial cell death due to the PMF treatment.     

Real-time multichannel imaging framework for endoscopy, catheters, and fixed geometry intraoperative systems

To address the need for a clinically applicable intravital optical imaging system, we developed a new hardware and software framework. We demonstrate its utility by applying it to an endoscope-based white light and fluorescent imaging system. The capabilities include acquisition and visualization algorithms that perform registration, segmentation, and histogram-based autoexposure of two imaging channels (full-spectrum white light and near-infrared fluorescence), all in real time. Data are processed and saved as 12-bit files, matching the standards of clinical imaging. Dynamic range is further improved by the evaluation of flux as a quantitative parameter. The above features are demonstrated in a series of in vitro experiments, and the in vivo application is shown with the visualization of fluorescent-labeled vasculature of a mouse peritoneum. The approach may be applied to diverse systems, including handheld devices, fixed geometry intraoperative devices, catheter-based imaging, and multimodal systems.