Significance of characteristics of microorganisms in the pathogenesis B. pyocyaneus infection (an experimental study)

The experimental Pseudomonas Sepsis was induced by various strains. Biological features of these strains were different and various forms of sepsis were induced. The authors suggested that biological features of microorganisms cause the development of different and various forms of sepsis.     

Green synthesis and characterization of Carica papaya leaf extract coated silver nanoparticles through X-ray diffraction,electron microscopy and evaluation of bactericidal properties

The evolution of nanotechnology and the production of nanomedicine from various sources had proven to be of intense value in the field of biomedicine. The smaller size of nanoparticles is gaining importance in research for the treatment of various diseases. Moreover the production of nanoparticles is eco-friendly and cost effective. In the present study silver nanoparticles were synthesized from Carica papaya leaf extract (CPL) and characterized for their size and shape using scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, respectively. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS/EDX) and X-ray diffraction spectroscopy (XRD) were conducted to determine the concentration of metal ions, the shape of molecules. The bactericidal activity was evaluated using Luria Bertani broth cultures and the minimum inhibition concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) were estimated using turbidimetry. The data analysis showed size of 50–250 nm spherical shaped nanoparticles. The turbidimetry analysis showed MIC and MBC was >25 μg/mL against both Gram positive and Gram negative bacteria in Luria Bertani broth cultures. In summary the synthesized silver nanoparticles from CPL showed acceptable size and shape of nanoparticles and effective bactericidal activity.     

Simulation of the Level of Prostaglandins in Open Systems under the Action of Nonsteroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs

Russian Journal of Bioorganic Chemistry - Modeling the flow and level of prostaglandins in open systems under the action of prostaglandin H synthase (PGHS) inhibitors (nonsteroidal...     

Resource recovery from low strength wastewater in a bioelectrochemical desalination process

In this research, low strength synthetic wastewaters with chemical oxygen demand less than 300 mg L^?1 were treated at different concentrations in a bioelectrochemical desalination process. A process optimization model was utilized to study the performance of the photosynthetic bioelectrochemical desalination process. The variables include substrate (chemical oxygen demand) concentration, total dissolved solids, and microalgae biomass concentration in the cathode chamber. Relationships between the chemical oxygen demand concentration, microalgae, and salt concentrations were evaluated. Power densities and potential energy benefits from microalgal biomass growth were discussed. The results from this study demonstrated the reliability and reproducibility of the photosynthetic microbial desalination process performance followed by a response surface methodology optimization. This study also confirms the suitability of bioelectrochemical desalination process for treating low substrate wastewaters such as agricultural wastewaters, anaerobic digester effluents, and septic tank effluents for net energy production and water desalination.     

Detection of carotenoids in the vitreous body of the human eye during prenatal development

Carotenoids were found for the first time in the vitreous body of human eye during the fetal period from week 15 until week 28. Their maximum content was timed to week 16-22. No carotenoids were found the vitreous body of 31-week fetuses, as well as adult humans, which corresponds to the published data. It was shown using HPLC that chromatographic characteristics of these carotenoids correspond to those of lutein and zeaxanthin, characteristic pigments of the retinal yellow macula.     

Use of a cyanine dye as a probe for albumin and collagen in the extracellular matrix

The aim of this work was to develop a quick method for analysis of macromolecules of the extracellular matrix. Of great interest are soluble components of the extracellular matrix, in particular, carrier proteins, whose variation dynamics can characterize the studied tissue in its development, adult stage, and aging. We suggest the method of analysis of the extracellular matrix to reveal the presence of albumin and collagen by using an anionic cyanine dye as a spectral and fluorescence probe. The method was applied for the analysis of the human vitreous body in the course of its development. Albumin was detected by the appearance of the trans monomer absorption and fluorescence bands in the dye spectra, and collagen was detected by the absorption and fluorescence bands of J aggregates. Hyaluronic acid present in the vitreous body does not interfere with the results of the analysis. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and Western blot analysis confirmed the presence of albumin in the vitreous body. We suppose that albumin as a protein carrying biologically active macromolecules plays an important role in the processes of differentiation and functional establishment of ocular tissues in the course of their prenatal development.     

Lactosylceramide synthase β-1,4-GalT-V: A novel target for the diagnosis and therapy of human colorectal cancer

Little is known about an oncogenic signal transducer β-1,4-galactosyltransferase-V (β-1,4-GalT-V), in human colorectal cancer. Using quantitative RT-PCR, immunohistochemical staining and ELISA assays, we determined that β-1,4-GalT-V gene/protein expression is specifically increased in human colorectal cancer (CRC) tumors, compared to visibly normal tissue. Furthermore, we observed a marked increase in its enzymatic activity, and its product lactosylceramide. Moreover, we found increased dihydrosphingolipid metabolites, in particular dihydrosphingomyelin in cancer tissue compared to normal. Further, inhibition of glycosphingolipid synthesis by the synthetic ceramide analog, D-threo-1-phenyl-2-decanoylamino-3-morpholino-1-propanol (D-PDMP), concurrently inhibited colorectal cancer cell (HCT-116) proliferation, as well as β-1,4-GalT-V mass and several glycosphingolipid levels. We conclude that β-1,4-GalT-V may serve as a diagnostic and therapeutic biomarker for the progression of human colorectal cancer, and consequently, inhibition of GSL synthesis may be a novel approach for the treatment of this life-threatening disease.     

Ceramide metabolism analysis in a model of binge drinking reveals both neuroprotective and toxic effects of ethanol

Binge drinking is a common form of alcohol abuse that involves repeated rounds of intoxication followed by withdrawal. The episodic effects of binge drinking and withdrawal on brain resident cells are thought to contribute to neural remodeling and neurological damage. However, the molecular mechanisms for these neurodegenerative effects are not understood. Ethanol (EtOH) regulates the metabolism of ceramide, a highly bioactive lipid that is enriched in brain. We used a mouse model of binge drinking to determine the effects of EtOH intoxication and withdrawal on brain ceramide metabolism. Intoxication and acute alcohol withdrawal were each associated with distinct changes in ceramide regulatory genes and metabolic products. EtOH intoxication was accompanied by decreased concentrations of multiple ceramides, coincident with reductions in the expression of enzymes involved in the production of ceramides, and increased expression of ceramide‐degrading enzymes. EtOH withdrawal was associated with specific increases in ceramide C16:0, C18:0, and C20:0 and increased expression of enzymes involved with ceramide production. These data suggest that EtOH intoxication may evoke a ceramide phenotype that is neuroprotective, whereas EtOH withdrawal results in a metabolic shift that increases the production of potentially toxic ceramide species.