Enantioselective synthesis and cytotoxic evaluation of 4,5-dihydro-5-[aryl(hydroxy)methyl]-3-methylidenefuran-2(3H)-ones

A series of enantiomerically enriched 4,5-dihydro-5-[aryl(hydroxy)methyl]-3-methylidenefuran-2(3H)-ones (8) were synthesized by means of asymmetric Sharpless dihydroxylation of the 2-phosphorylated 5-aryl-pent-4-enoic acids 13, followed by Horner-Wadsworth-Emmons reaction of the resulting furanones 15 (Scheme 2). An enantiomeric excess (ee) of 20-95% was achieved for compounds 8, and their absolute configurations were determined by the Mosher ester method. Cytotoxic evaluation against L-1210 and HL-60 leukemia cell lines revealed that the target compounds 8 are active in the micromolar concentration range (Table 2). Thereby, significant differences in activity between the corresponding enantiomers were observed for the HL-60 cell line.     

The elicitor-induced oxidative processes in leaves of Solanum species with differential polygenic resistance to Phytophthora infestans

Previous studies have shown that suspension-cultured cells of Solanum genotypes with various polygenic resistances to Phytophthora infestans differed in activities of early oxidative processes in response to culture filtrate (CF) from this pathogen. These studies have now been extended by analysing production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), lipid peroxidation and Lipoxygenase (LOX, E.C.1.13.11.12) activity induced by CF in detached leaves of S. tuberosum cv Bzura and clone H-8105, polygenically resistant and susceptible, respectively, as well as S. nigrum, nonhost, completely resistant. The relative increase in the ROS production was higher in the susceptible clone H-8105 than in both resistant genotypes. Lipid peroxidation increased only in the nonhost S. nigrum. An increase in lipid peroxidation in S. nigrum leaves coincided with enhanced LOX activity. In both S. tuberosum genotypes, significant increases in LOX activity were delayed and unaccompanied by changes in the level of lipid peroxidation. LOX activity attained a higher level in both of the resistant genotypes than in the susceptible one. The present results suggest that the involvement of both ROS production and LOX activity in the defense strategy in Solanum species/P. infestans interactions.     

Genetic immunization of ducks for production of antibodies specific to Helicobacter pylori UreB in egg yolks

Following genetic immunization of laying ducks with a plasmid expressing Helicobacter pylori UreB (large subunit of urease), IgY against UreB were obtained from egg yolks. These polyclonal and monospecific IgY antibodies are of higher-titer and specifically recognize recombinant H. pylori urease purified from Escherichia coli. To our knowledge this is the first report describing generation of IgY antibodies directed against antigens of H. pylori by DNA-based immunization.     

The Speciation of Organotin Compounds in Sediment and Water Samples from the Port of Gdynia

Organotin compounds (OTC) are toxic towards all living organisms. The application of organitin-based antifouling systems is becoming the main source of OTC in the ocean. Harbor sediments and water contain large deposits of organotin compounds due to application of antifouling systems in the shipping industry. OTC contamination presents a potential risk to the marine environment.

Sediment and water samples were collected in 2009 from Gdynia Harbor. For all the analyzed organotin compounds, the mean concentration values were determined: water samples monobutyltin (MBT): 13.2, dibutyltin (DBT): 16.7, tributyltin (TBT): 60.7 (ng cation dm^?3), and sediment samples MBT: 261.4, DBT: 751.9, TBT: 2148.2 (ng cation g^?1 d.w.). The estimated content of monophenyltin (MPhT), diphenyltin (DPhT), triphenyltin (TPhT), monooctyltin (MOT), dioctyltin (DOT), and tricyclohexyltin (TCHT) were below the detection limit of the applied method. It was found that the content of organic matter, the amount of fine fraction, and the pH all play a significant role in the distribution and sorption process of OTC between the water and the sediment on the bottom. Compared to an earlier study, the concentrations of all OTC are much lower, confirming that the applied legislation has had a positive impact.     

Microbiological and molecular assessment of bacteriophage ISP for the control of Staphylococcus aureus

The increasing antibiotic resistance in bacterial populations requires alternatives for classical treatment of infectious diseases and therefore drives the renewed interest in phage therapy. Methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a major problem in health care settings and live-stock breeding across the world. This research aims at a thorough microbiological, genomic, and proteomic characterization of S. aureus phage ISP, required for therapeutic applications. Host range screening of a large batch of S. aureus isolates and subsequent fingerprint and DNA microarray analysis of the isolates revealed a substantial activity of ISP against 86% of the isolates, including relevant MRSA strains. From a phage therapy perspective, the infection parameters and the frequency of bacterial mutations conferring ISP resistance were determined. Further, ISP was proven to be stable in relevant in vivo conditions and subcutaneous as well as nasal and oral ISP administration to rabbits appeared to cause no adverse effects. ISP encodes 215 gene products on its 138,339 bp genome, 22 of which were confirmed as structural proteins using tandem electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry (ESI-MS/MS), and shares strong sequence homology with the 'Twort-like viruses'. No toxic or virulence-associated proteins were observed. The microbiological and molecular characterization of ISP supports its application in a phage cocktail for therapeutic purposes.     

From genotype to phenotype in bovine functional genomics

In past 5 years, the promise that came with genome sequencing has revolutionized the functional genomics research field at unprecedented manner. It would soon know what all known genes do, particularly genes involved in genetic improvement of animal health and increase food animal production. With the availability of full bovine genomic sequence, yet we still have a lot of daunting tasks on 'genotype-to-phenotype problem' particularly about the phenotypic variations and trying to predict what genes are likely to be involved, and improved integrated interactive database. This article outlined and discussed about the current status of bovine functional genomics, recent development in bovine genome databases particularly in annotation of bovine genome, bovine quantitative trait loci database and its potential impact to unveil the from genotype-to-phenotype problem.     

Gene therapy on demand: Site specific regulation of gene therapy

Since 1990 when the first clinical gene therapy trial was conducted, much attention and considerable promise have been given to this form of treatment. Gene therapy has been used with success in patients suffering from severe combined immunodeficiency syndromes (X-SCID and ADA-deficiency), Leber's congenital amaurosis, hemophilia, β-thalassemia and adrenoleukodystrophy. Last year, the first therapeutic vector (Glybera) for treatment of lipoprotein lipase deficiency has been registered in the European Union. Nevertheless, there are still several numerous issues that need to be improved to make this technique more safe, effective and easily accessible for patients.     

Fenoterol did not enhance glucocorticoid-induced skeletal changes in male rats

Glucocorticoids and β(2)-adrenergic receptor agonists are the most commonly used drugs in the treatment of asthma. Both therapies are potentially dangerous to the skeletal system. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of fenoterol, a β(2)-receptor agonist, on the development of bone changes induced by glucocorticoid (prednisolone) administration in mature male rats. The experiments were carried out on 24-week-old male Wistar rats. The effects of prednisolone 21-hemisuccinate sodium salt (7 mg/kg s.c. daily) or/and fenoterol hydrobromide (1.4 mg/kg i.p. daily), administered for 4 weeks, on the skeletal system were studied. Bone turnover markers, geometric parameters, mass, mass of bone mineral in the tibia, femur and L-4 vertebra, bone histomorphometric parameters and mechanical properties of tibial metaphysis, femoral diaphysis and femoral neck were determined. Both prednisolone and fenoterol had damaging effects on the skeletal system of mature male rats. However, concurrent administration of fenoterol and prednisolone did not result in the intensification of the deleterious skeletal effect of either drug administered separately.     

Distribution of mitochondrial haplotypes (cytb) in Polish populations of Emys orbicularis (L., 1758)

The European pond turtle, Emys orbicularis, inhabits a wide distribution area in the western Palaearctic. Polish populations of pond turtle represent the nominotypical subspecies Emys orbicularis orbicularis. The mitochondrial DNA haplotype (cytb gene) variation among 131 turtles from 26 locations in five regions of Poland was investigated. Five haplotypes belonging to three distinct lineages were identified. Two clades (I and II) were represented by two haplotypes each, while the other clade (IV) was represented by one haplotype. Three haplotypes were reported for the first time in E. orbicularis. The eastern part of Poland is inhabited exclusively by turtles bearing haplotype Ia. The remaining four sequence variants were recorded in western Poland where only the IIb haplotype is considered endemic. The distribution of the other haplotypes in western Poland could thus reflect past introductions or accidental releases. The authors regarded the two locations (Drzeczkowo and Karpicko) that were first included in the western Poland populations as autochthonous catchment areas of haplotype Ia.