A lignan from the root of Ecbolium linneanum Kurz

From the chloroform extract of the root of Ecbolium linneanum Kurz., a furofuran type of unsymmetrical lignan named as Ecbolin A was isolated. The structure was established by spectroscopic methods and confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction studies.     

Length–weight relationships of Channa punctata (Bloch, 1793) from Western Ghats rivers of Tamil Nadu

The study deals with the length–weight relationships of 1940 spotted murrel, Channa punctata (Bloch, 1793), collected in the Tamirabarani, Siruvani, Vellar and Cauvery rivers of Western Ghats, Tamil Nadu, India in the years 2001 through 2003. Lengths varied from 5 to 27 cm. Linear regression was used for the study and a trend line graph applied to compare conditions in the various rivers as per relationships. Results of the present study show that there is no significant difference (P > 0.005) in the length–weight relationship as a function of sex in the Siruvani, Vellaru and Cauvery populations, whereas there is a significant difference between males and females in the Tamirabarani population, indicating non‐homogeneity of these relationships.     

Exploring the potential of CRISPR/Cas genome editing for vegetable crop improvement: An overview of challenges and approaches

Vegetables provide many nutrients in the form of fiber, vitamins, and minerals, which make them an important part of our diet. Numerous biotic and abiotic stresses can affect crop growth, quality, and yield. Traditional and modern breeding strategies to improve plant traits are slow and resource intensive. Therefore, it is necessary to find new approaches for crop improvement. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats/CRISPR associated 9 (CRISPR/Cas9) is a genome editing tool that can be used to modify targeted genes for desirable traits with greater efficiency and accuracy. By using CRISPR/Cas9 editing to precisely mutate key genes, it is possible to rapidly generate new germplasm resources for the promotion of important agronomic traits. This is made possible by the availability of whole genome sequencing data and information on the function of genes responsible for important traits. In addition, CRISPR/Cas9 systems have revolutionized agriculture, making genome editing more versatile. Currently, genome editing of vegetable crops is limited to a few vegetable varieties (tomato, sweet potato, potato, carrot, squash, eggplant, etc.) due to lack of regeneration protocols and sufficient genome sequencing data. In this article, we summarize recent studies on the application of CRISPR/Cas9 in improving vegetable trait development and the potential for future improvement.     

Structure-activity studies for a novel series of tricyclic dihydropyridopyrazolones and dihydropyridoisoxazolones as K(ATP) channel openers

In search of a novel chemotype of K(ATP) channel openers a series of tricyclic dihydropyridopyrazolones and dihydropyridoisoxazolones was synthesized. It was found that cyclopentanone in the left hand portion of the molecule was 4-fold more potent than cyclohexanone. Introduction of gem-dimethyl groups as well as incorporation of oxygen in the cyclohexanone ring in the left hand portion of the molecule increased the potency 10-fold. In the right hand portion of the molecule, the NH-group of the pyrazolone can be effectively substituted by oxygen increasing the activity 5-fold. Incorporation of a methyl group adjacent to the dihydropyridine (DHP) nitrogen not only significantly boosted activity, but also provided an additional benefit of increased metabolic stability. In vitro tests on the tissue from pig bladder strips provided further confirmation of K(ATP) activity of these compounds.     

Expression, purification, and characterization of avian Thy-1 from Lec1 mammalian and Tn5 insect cells

Structural studies of asparagine-linked glycoproteins are complicated by the oligosaccharide heterogeneity inherent to individual glycosylation sites. Herein, we report the cloning of a novel isoform of avian Thy-1 and the subsequent expression, purification, and characterization of a soluble form of Thy-1 from Lec1 mammalian and Tn5 insect cells. The novel isoform of Thy-1 differs from the previously reported chicken isoform by eight amino acid residues, but these changes do not alter the secondary structure content, the disulfide bond pattern, or the sites of glycosylation. The disulfide linkage pattern and glycoform distribution on each N-glycosylation site of recombinant chicken Thy-1 from both cell lines were determined by a combination of amino-terminal sequencing and mass spectrometry. The mass spectral data showed that the amino-terminal glutamine was modified to pyroglutamate. Recombinant Thy-1 from Lec1 cells contained (GlcNAc)(2)(Man)(5) on asparagine 60, whereas the oligosaccharides on asparagine 23 and 100 contained approximately 80% (GlcNAc)(2)(Man)(4) and approximately 20% (GlcNAc)(2)(Man)(5). The glycoforms on Thy-1 expressed in Tn5 cells were more heterogeneous, with the oligosaccharides ranging over (GlcNAc)(2)(Fuc)(0-2)(Man)(2-3) on each site. The ability to generate recombinant glycoproteins with restricted carbohydrate heterogeneity is the first step toward the systematic study of structure-function relationships in intact glycoproteins.     

BMP-1/Tolloid-like metalloproteases process endorepellin, the angiostatic C-terminal fragment of perlecan

Endorepellin, the C-terminal domain of the heparan sulfate proteoglycan perlecan, possesses angiostatic activity. The terminal laminin-like globular (LG3) domain of endorepellin appears to possess most of the biological activity on endothelial cells. LG3 protein has been detected in the urine of patients with end-stage renal disease and in the amniotic fluid of pregnant women with premature rupture of fetal membranes. These findings suggest that proteolytic processing of endorepellin and the generation of LG3 might have biological significance. In this study, we have identified specific enzymes of the bone morphogenetic protein-1 (BMP-1)/Tolloid family of metalloproteases that cleave LG3 from recombinant endorepellin at the physiologically relevant site and that cleave LG3 from endogenous perlecan in cultured mouse and human cells. The BMP-1/Tolloid family of metalloproteases is thereby implicated in the processing of a major basement membrane proteoglycan and in the liberation of an anti-angiogenic factor. Using molecular modeling, site-directed mutagenesis and angiogenic assays, we further demonstrate that LG3 activity requires specific amino acids involved in Ca(2+) coordination.     

Chickpea wilt: identification and toxicity of 8-O-methyl-fusarubin from Fusarium acutatum

Fusarium acutatum was isolated from wilting chickpea plants in Pakistan. Filtrates from cultures grown on a defined liquid medium caused permanent wilting of chickpea cuttings and killed cells, isolated enzymically from healthy plants, in a bioassay. Toxic activity was retained by a cyano solid phase extraction cartridge and the toxin was isolated by elution from the cartridge in acetonitrile and Si-gel thin layer chromatography of the eluate. Analytical HPLC of the compound on a cyano column with diode array detection gave a single peak with a homogeneous spectrum and lambda(max) at 224 and 281 nm. NMR and mass spectral studies showed that the toxin was 8-O-methyl-fusarubin. The pure compound caused permanent wilting of chickpea cuttings and the LD50 value in the cell bioassay was 327 ng/ml.     

Ethnic variations in incidence of asthma episodes in England & Wales:national study of 502,482 patients in primary care

Background

Recent studies have demonstrated marked international variations in the prevalence of asthma, but less is known about ethnic variations in asthma epidemiology within individual countries and in particular the impact of migration on risk of developing asthma. Recent within country comparisons have however revealed that despite originating from areas of the world with a low risk for developing asthma, South Asian and Afro-Caribbean people in the UK are significantly (3× and 2× respectively) more likely to be admitted to hospital for asthma related problems than Whites.

Methods

Using data from the Fourth National Study of Morbidity Statistics in General Practice, a one-percent broadly representative prospective cohort study of consultations in general practice, we investigated ethnic variations in incident asthma consultations (defined as new or first consultations), and compared consultation rates between those born inside and outside the UK (migrant status). Logistic regression models were used to examine the combined effects of ethnicity and migration on asthma incident consultations.

Results

Results showed significantly lower new/first asthma consultation rates for Whites than for each of the ethnic minority groups studied (mean age-adjusted consultation rates per 1000 patient-years: Whites 26.4 (95%CI 26.4, 26.4); South Asians 30.4 (95%CI 30.3, 30.5); Afro-Caribbeans 35.1 (95%CI 34.9, 35.3); and Others 27.8 (27.7, 28.0). Within each of these ethnic groups, those born outside of the UK showed consistently lower rates of incident asthma consultations. Modelling the combined effects of ethnic and migrant status revealed that UK-born South Asians and Afro-Caribbeans experienced comparable risks for incident GP consultations for asthma to UK-born Whites. Non-UK born Whites however experienced reduced risks (adjusted OR 0.82, 95%CI 0.69, 0.97) whilst non-UK born South Asians experienced increased risks (adjusted OR 1.33, 95%CI 1.04, 1.70) compared to UK-born Whites.

Conclusion

These findings strongly suggest that ethnicity and migration have significant and independent effects on asthma incidence. The known poorer asthma outcomes in UK South Asians and Afro-Caribbeans may in part be explained by the offspring of migrants experiencing an increased risk of developing asthma when compared to UK-born Whites. This is the first study to find heterogeneity for incident asthma consultations in Whites by migrant status.