Expression and localization of locally produced growth factors regulating lymphangiogenesis during different stages of the estrous cycle in corpus luteum of buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

Recent experiments using expression, immunolocalization, and cell culture approaches have provided leading insights into regulation of luteal angiogenesis by different growth factor systems and its role in the function of corpus luteum (CL) in buffalo. On the contrary, lymphangiogenesis and its regulation in the CL are still poorly understood. The aim of this study was to evaluate the expression and localization of lymphangiogenic factors (vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF]-C and VEGFD), their receptor (VEGFR3), and lymphatic endothelial marker (LYVE1) in bubaline CL during different stages of the estrous cycle and to investigate functional role of VEGFC and VEGFD in luteal lymphangeogenesis. The mRNA and protein expression of VEGFC, VEGFD, and VEGFR3 was significantly greater in mid and late luteal phases, which correlated well with the expression of LYVE1. The lymphangiogenic factors were localized in luteal cells, exclusively in the cytoplasm. Immunoreactivity of VEGFC was greater during midluteal phase and that of VEGFD was greater during the mid and late luteal phases. Luteal cells were cultured in vitro and treated for different time duration (24, 48, and 72 hours) with VEGFC and VEGFD each at 50, 100, and 150 ng/mL concentration and VEGFC with VEGFD at 100 ng/mL concentration. The temporal increase in LYVE1 mRNA expression was significant (P < 0.05) in VEGFC and VEGFC with VEGFD treatment and no significant change was seen in VEGFD treatment. Thus, it seems likely that VEGFD itself has little role in lymphangiogenesis but along with VEGFC it might have a synergistic effect on VEGFR3 receptors for inducing lymphangiogenesis. In summary, the present study provided evidence that VEGFC and VEGFD, and their receptor VEGFR3, are expressed in bubaline CL and are localized exclusively in the cell cytoplasm, suggesting that these factors have a functional role in lymphangiogenesis of CL in buffalo.     

Syntheses, characterization, and microbial activity of some transition metal complexes involving potentially active O and N donor heterocyclic ligands

The formation of binary as well as ternary metal complexes of type MLL′ (where M(II) = Cu(II), Ni(II), Co(II), and Zn(II); L = 8-hydroxyquinoline, and L′ = 2-furoic acid) has been studied. The complexes were synthesized and characterized by elemental analyses, molecular weight determination, the IR and electronic spectra, conductivity, and magnetic measurements. The presence of coordinated water molecules was demonstrated by thermogravimetric analysis. The microbial activity of these ligands and their metal complexes was determined on gram positive (Staphylococcus aureus) and gram negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria, the antifungal activity on some common fungi, viz. Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus nidulense, and Penicillium citrinum.     

The relations between morphology, asymmetry of mutual articular facets, and range of movement, in the human hand joints

Surface area measurements were performed on the articular facets in the human hand joints in order to calculate the area-asymmetry (incongruency) between mutual articular facets in every one of the hand joints, and to learn about the relations between the asymmetry in the joint, the joint's morphology, and the range of movement exhibited by it. Several different trials have led to the conclusion that the asymmetry in a joint is strongly influenced by its morphological type (plane; sellar; condyloid; bicondylar). No such correlation was found between the asymmetry in a joint and its characteristic range of movement. The results contradict the intuitive assumption that the greater the incongruency in a joint, the wider the movement it can perform.     

Production of alkali tolerant cellulase free xylanase in high levels by Bacillus pumilus SV-205

The fermentation conditions were optimized for hyper production of xylanase from Bacillus pumilus SV-205. The bacterium secretes high levels (7382.7±1200 IU/mL) of cellulase-free xylanase using wheat bran led to 21.63 fold increase in activity. A combination of yeast extract and peptone stimulated highest xylanase production (2448.0 IU/mL) as compared to other combinations. The most important characteristic of the enzyme is its high pH stability (100%) over a broad pH range of 6-11 for 24h. Thermostability studies revealed that enzyme retained 65% activity after an incubation of 2h at 60°C. The level of production is remarkable as compared to earlier reports.     

Biofilm inhibition and anti-quorum sensing activity of phytosynthesized silver nanoparticles against the nosocomial pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Quorum sensing (QS), the communication signaling network, regulates biofilm formation and several virulence factors in Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1, a nosocomial opportunistic pathogen. QS is considered to be a challenging target for compounds antagonistic to virulent factors. Biologically synthesized silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are reported as anti-QS and anti-biofilm drugs against bacterial infections. The present study reports on the synthesis and characterization of Piper betle (Pb) mediated AgNPs (Pb-AgNPs). The anti-QS activity of Pb-AgNPs against Chromobacterium violaceum and the potential effect of Pb-AgNPs on QS-regulated phenotypes in PAO1 were studied. FTIR analysis exhibited that Pb-AgNPs had been capped by phytochemical constituents of Pb. Eugenol is one of the active phenolic phytochemicals in Pb leaves, therefore molecular docking of eugenol-conjugated AgNPs on QS regulator proteins (LasR, LasI and MvfR) was performed. Eugenol-conjugated AgNPs showed considerable binding interactions with QS-associated proteins. These results provide novel insights into the development of phytochemically conjugated nanoparticles as promising anti-infective candidates.     

The human,F-actin-based cytoskeleton as a mutagen sensor

Background

Forty years ago the actin cytoskeleton was determined to be disrupted in fibroblasts from persons with DNA repair-defective, hereditary colon cancer, with no clear connection between the cytoskeleton and DNA repair defects at that time. Recently, the large number of sequenced genomes has indicated that mammalian mutagenesis has a large stochastic component. As a result, large coding regions are large mutagen targets. Cytoskeletal protein-related coding regions (CPCRs), including extra-cellular matrix proteins, are among the largest coding regions in the genome and are indeed very commonly mutated in cancer.

Methods

To determine whether mutagen sensitivity of the actin cytoskeleton could be assessed experimentally, we treated tissue culture cells with 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone and quantified overall cytoskeleton integrity with rhodamine-phalloidin stains for F-actin.

Results

The above approach indicated cytoskeletal degradation with increasing mutagen exposure, consistent with increased mutagenesis of CPCRs in TCGA, smoker samples, where overall mutation rates correlate with CPCR mutation rates (R² = 0.8694; p < 0.00001). In addition, mutagen exposure correlated with a decreasing cell perimeter to area ratio, raising questions about potential decreasing, intracellular diffusion and concentrations of chemotherapy drugs, with increasing mutagenesis and decreasing cytoskeleton integrity.

Conclusion

Determination of cytoskeletal integrity may provide the opportunity to assess mutation burdens in nonclonal cell populations, such as in intact tissues, where DNA sequencing for heterogeneous mutation burdens can be challenging.

     

Syntheses and anti-inflammatory activity of diphenylamine-2,2'-dicarboxylic acid and its metal complexes

Diphenylamine-2,2'-dicarboxylic acid and its Cu(II), Ni(II), Co(II) and Zn(II) complexes have been synthesized and characterized by their elemental analyses, molecular weight determination, molar conductance, infrared and electronic spectra and magnetic measurements. The Zinc complex was tested by different methods for its anti-inflammatory activity and found to be equipotent to naproxen and ibuprofen, though at higher doses.     

Post-harvest alterations in polyamines and ethylene in two diverse rose species

Changes in the concentrations of endogenous polyamines and ethylene were determined in two diverse species of rose viz. Rosa damascena and Rosa bourboniana during post-harvest periods. At full bloom, the concentrations of free putrescine was significantly higher than rest of the polyamines, i.e. spermine and spermidine in both the species. The concentrations of all the polyamines decreased during subsequent periods upto 48 h after full bloom. Similar situation was also observed in conjugated fraction but in bound fraction, during full bloom, the concentration of spermine was higher than rest of the polyamines. In both the species, ethylene showed higher levels during full bloom with maximum in R. damascena, which increased, during post-harvest periods. The possible significance of polyamines, ethylene and their interactions is discussed during post-harvest periods in flowers.