Modulation of the immune response by Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus

Coronavirus (CoV) infections are commonly associated with respiratory and enteric disease in humans and animals. In 2012, a new human disease called Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) emerged in the Middle East. MERS was caused by a virus that was originally called human coronavirus-Erasmus Medical Center/2012 but was later renamed as Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV). MERS-CoV causes high fever, cough, acute respiratory tract infection, and multiorgan dysfunction that may eventually lead to the death of the infected individuals. The exact origin of MERS-CoV remains unknown, but the transmission pattern and evidence from virological studies suggest that dromedary camels are the major reservoir host, from which human infections may sporadically occur through the zoonotic transmission. Human to human transmission also occurs in healthcare facilities and communities. Recent studies on Middle Eastern respiratory continue to highlight the need for further understanding the virus-host interactions that govern disease severity and infection outcome. In this review, we have highlighted the major mechanisms of immune evasion strategies of MERS-CoV. We have demonstrated that M, 4a, 4b proteins and Plppro of MERS-CoV inhibit the type I interferon (IFN) and nuclear factor-κB signaling pathways and therefore facilitate innate immune evasion. In addition, nonstructural protein 4a (NSP4a), NSP4b, and NSP15 inhibit double-stranded RNA sensors. Therefore, the mentioned proteins limit early induction of IFN and cause rapid apoptosis of macrophages. MERS-CoV strongly inhibits the activation of T cells with downregulation of antigen presentation. In addition, uncontrolled secretion of interferon ɣ-induced protein 10 and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 can suppress proliferation of human myeloid progenitor cells.     

Cell physiology and antibiotic production of Streptomyces coelicolor grown on solid medium

Summary In order to examine the physiology ofStreptomyces coelicolor when growing on solid media, we have employed a membrane overlay technique and used a new approach to extract substrate and product compounds from the agar. Comparisons made with liquid grown cultures indicate a change from non-growth associated productivity of actinorhodin in liquid culture, to growth associated production on agar plates. In contrast, the temporal control of methylenomycin production was virtually identical under both culture conditions. Considerable extracellular protein production was observed during growth on agar.     

Cross-Reactions of Human Lupus Autoantibodies with 8-Methoxypsoralen Photomodified DNA Fragments

DNA fragments of around 200 base pair (average size) have been covalently crosslinked with 8-methoxypsoralen under 365 nm UV light. The photoadduct, induced antibodies in rabbits with a titer of > 1:12,800 by direct bindng ELISA. Binding data showed that the induced antibodies are conformation-specific recognizing restricted conformational change at site of crosslinking. Human autoantibodies against DNA, bound not only to native DNA but to the photomodified DNA fragment as well. In addition, binding patterns of SLE sera obtained from different patients were remarkably similar, indicating the recognition of altered conformation of the modified polymer by naturally occurring SLE anti-DNA autoantibodies.     

The reproductive cycle in the population of Saccostrea cuccullatta (Born) from the coast of Karachi,Pakistan

Periphytic diatom communities on clay tile and sterilized rock substrates were compared with those on natural substrates. Clay tiles yielded diatom communities with the least variability between replicate samples, and the greatest similarity to the natural substrate assemblage. The advantages of utilizing introduced substrate communities and problems encountered with their simulation of the natural substrate community are discussed.     

Acetophenone and stilbene derivatives from Gnetum ula

The isolation of bergenin, 2-hydroxy-4-benzyloxyacetophenone and the related dimer and stilbene from Gnetum ula is reported.     

Environmental footprints of British Columbia wood pellets from a simplified life cycle analysis

Purpose  

Environmental footprints of wood pellets produced in British Columbia (BC) of Canada are to be estimated based on industry surveys and published emission factor data.     

The alteration of PLCζ protein expression in unexplained infertile and asthenoteratozoospermic patients: A potential effect on sperm fertilization ability

Failed oocyte activation has been observed in unexplained infertile (UI) and asthenoteratozoospermic (AT) men. The deficiency of phospholipase C‐zeta (PLCζ) could be a possible reason for such failures and has not been studied yet. We investigated the expression and localization of PLCζ protein in the sperms of patients with UI and AT conditions. The relationships between PLCζ‐related parameters with male age, sperm characteristics, DNA integrity, and cellular maturity were assessed. Semen samples were collected from fertile (n = 40), UI (n = 40), and AT (n = 40) men. Subsequently, semen analysis, DNA fragmentation, hyaluronic acid‐binding ability, and PLCζ level along with its distribution were evaluated using computer‐assisted sperm analyzer, sperm chromatin structure assay (SCSA), hyaluronic acid‐binding assay (HBA), western blot analysis and immunofluorescence microscopy, respectively. Unlike SCSA, the values of HBA, and PLCζ expression were significantly reduced in UI and AT patients compared to fertile men, whereas no significant differences were observed among the experimental groups in terms of PLCζ localization patterns. The regression analysis also showed that HBA is the only variable associated with PLCζ levels. Furthermore, the correlation of male age with PLCζ localization in postacrosomal, equatorial, and acrosomal+postacrosomal+equatorial (A+PA+E) patterns, as well as the relation of normal morphology, with the (A+PA+E) pattern, remained in the regression model. Our findings indicated that reduced PLCζ level along with the increased DNA fragmentation and impaired maturation may be possible etiologies of decreased fertilization in the studied subjects.     

Study of Various Pyridazine and Phthalazine Drugs with Diverse Therapeutical and Agrochemical Activities

Russian Journal of Bioorganic Chemistry - Pyridazines hold considerable interest relative to pharmacologically active molecules. The pyridazine compounds are exhibited different types of...     

Overview of Strain Characterization in Relation to Serological and Molecular Detection of Citrus tristeza <i>Closterovirus</i>

Tristeza is a devastating viral disease in all the citrus growing countries throughout the world and has killed millions of citrus trees in severely affected orchards. The citrus species grafted on sour orange rootstock are affected by this disease. Predominantly, the sweet orange, grapefruit and lime trees grafted on sour orange exhibit severe symptoms like quick decline, vein clearing, pin holing, bark scaling and degeneration leading to variable symptoms. Symptomatic expression of Citrus tristeza virus (CTV) in different hosts has been attributed to virus isolates which are from severe to mild. Different serological and molecular assays have been deployed to differentiate the strains of CTV. Citrus tristeza virus is diversified towards its strains on the basis of biological, serological and molecular characterization. Phenotypic expression is due to genetic alteration and different molecular basis have now been adopted for strain differentiation. This review will give a brief idea about the different CTV isolates, their characterization based on nucleic acid and serological assays. Different methods along with salient features for strain characterization has also been reviewed. This review will also open the new aspects towards formulation of management strategies through different detection techniques.     

PpGRAS12 acts as a positive regulator of meristem formation in Physcomitrium patens

Plant Molecular Biology - This study focused on the key regulatory function of Physcomitrium patens GRAS12 gene underlying an increasing plant complexity, an important step in plant...