The Amusic Brain: Lost in Music,but Not in Space

Congenital amusia is a neurogenetic disorder of music processing that is currently ascribed to a deficit in pitch processing. A recent study challenges this view and claims the disorder might arise as a consequence of a general spatial-processing deficit. Here, we assessed spatial processing abilities in two independent samples of individuals with congenital amusia by using line bisection tasks (Experiment 1) and a mental rotation task (Experiment 2). Both amusics and controls showed the classical spatial effects on bisection performance and on mental rotation performance, and amusics and controls did not differ from each other. These results indicate that the neurocognitive impairment of congenital amusia does not affect the processing of space.     

Development of in vitro matured and fertilized bovine oocytes co-cultured with Buffalo Rat Liver cells

This study was designed to evaluate the efficacy of Buffalo Rat Liver cells (BRLC) monolayers in supporting the development of in vitro matured and fertilized (IVM/IVF) bovine oocytes through to the hatched blastocyst stage compared to the commonly used co-culture system of bovine oviduct epithelial cells (BOEC). Cumulus oocyte complexes (COCs) obtained from 2- to 6-mm ovarian follicles at slaughter were matured for 24 h in TCM-199 supplemented with FBS and hormones (FSH, LH and estradiol 17-beta). In vitro fertilization (IVF) was performed using 1 x 10(6) percoll separated frozen-thawed spermatozoa in 1 ml of IVF-TL medium containing 18 to 20 matured oocytes. After 20 to 22 h of sperm exposure, 584 presumptive zygotes in 2 separate trials were randomly assigned to 3 treatment groups (BRLC co-culture, BOEC co-culture and control, consisting of medium alone). Zygotes were cultured in CZB media, a simple semi-defined medium, without glucose for the first 2 d, transferred to M199/FBS (TCM-199-HEPES supplemented with 20% HTFBS, 1 mM Sodium pyruvate), and cultured for an additional 8 days. Cleavage and development to morula and various blastocyst stages were recorded between d 3 and 11 after the start of IVF. Overall average cleavage rate was 75% (440 584 ) and did not vary across the treatments or trials. The proportion of embryos that reached the morula stage in both co-culture systems did not differ (P > 0.05) and was significantly higher (P > 0.05) compared to the control group. However, the percentage of the number of blastocysts, expanded blastocysts and hatched blastocysts varied across the treatment groups (P < 0.05), with the highest results obtained in the BRLC co-culture system. The production of blastocysts in BOEC co-culture was inconsistent between the 2 trials where a significant difference (40.6 vs 53.0%; P > 0.05) was observed. Rate of development to the blastocyst stage was similar between the 2 co-culture systems, with most of the embryos reaching the blastocyst stage by d 8 post insemination. The results of this study show that BRLC from a commercially available established cell line offer a more reliable alternative to a BOEC co-culture system for in vitro maturation, fertilization and culture of bovine embryos.     

Development of IVM-IVF produced 8-cell bovine embryos in simple,serum-free media after conditioning or Co-culture with buffalo rat liver cells

Development of 8-cell bovine embryos derived from in vitro matured/in vitro fertilized (IVM/IVF) oocytes was evaluated in two simple, serum-free media (CZB and SOM) with buffalo rat liver cells co-culture (BRLC) or after conditioning compared to a commonly used, serum-supplemented complex medium TCM-199. In a 3 x 4 factorial design, 578 eight-cell embryos were randomly assigned to 12 treatment groups. The factors were: first, type of culture medium (M199/FBS, CZBg and SOM), and second, the use of BRLC (as co-culture or to condition media for 24 hr and 48 hr) and unconditioned media. Development to morula was not affected by the type of medium, but co-culture and 48 hr conditioning within media type resulted in better development when compared to the 24-hr conditioned or unconditioned groups. Blastocyst development in SOM (38.9%) was different (P < 0.05) than in CZBg (46.6%) and M199/FBS (48.7%) and was lowest in the unconditioned group (27.8%) followed by 24 hr conditioned (33.3%), 48 hr (56.3%), and co-culture (59.6%). No blastocyst expansion was observed with unconditioned media and 24 hr conditioned SOM. Significant differences (P < 0.05) were found among all treatment groups except the co-culture and 48-hr conditioned groups. Hatching occurred only with co-culture and 48-hr conditioned groups of M199/FBS and CZBg media. These data show that CZB with glucose conditioned by BRLC monolayers for 48 hr can support the development of IVM/IVF produced bovine embryos to blastocyst compared to culture in TCM-199 with serum. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Evaluation of cytotoxic,antifungal, and larvicidal activities of different bis-sulfonamide Schiff base compounds

Schiff bases (imines or azomethines) are versatile ligands synthesized from the condensation of amino compounds with active carbonyl groups and used for many pharmaceutical and medicinal applications. In our study, we aimed to determine the cytotoxic, antifungal and larvicidal activities of biologically potent bis-sulfonamide Schiff base derivatives that were re-synthesized by us. For this aim, 16 compounds were re-synthesized and tested for their cytotoxic, antifungal and larvicidal properties. Among this series, compounds A1B2 , A1B4 , A4B2 , A4B3 , and A4B4 were shown to have cytotoxic activity against tested cancer lung cell line (A549). The most potent antifungal activity was observed in compounds A2B1 and A2B2 against all fungi. A1B1 showed the strongest larvicidal effect at all concentrations at the 72nd h (100% mortality). These obtained results demonstrate that these type of bis-substituted compounds might be used as biologically potent pharmacophores against different types of diseases.     

Structure-Activity Relationship of Methyl 4-Aminobenzoate Derivatives as Being Drug Candidate Targeting Glutathione Related Enzymes: in Vitro and in Silico Approaches

A thiol compound, glutathione, is essential for healthy cell defence against xenobiotics and oxidative stress. Glutathione reductase (GR) and glutathione S-transferase (GST) are two glutathione-related enzymes that function in the antioxidant and the detoxification systems. In this study, potential inhibitory effects of methyl 4-aminobenzoate derivatives on GR and GST were examined in vitro. GR and GST were isolated from human erythrocytes with 7.63 EU/mg protein and 5.66 EU/mg protein specific activity, respectively. It was found that compound 1 (methyl 4-amino-3-bromo-5-fluorobenzoate with K_i value of 0.325±0.012 μM) and compound 5 (methyl 4-amino-2-nitrobenzoate with K_i value of 92.41±22.26 μM) inhibited GR and GST stronger than other derivatives. Furthermore, a computer-aided method was used to predict the binding affinities of derivatives, ADME characteristics, and toxicities. Derivatives 4 (methyl 4-amino-2-bromobenzoate) and 6 (methyl 4-amino-2-chlorobenzoate) were estimated to have the lowest binding energies into GR and GST receptors, respectively according to results of in silico studies.     

Mutations determining generalized resistance to aminoglycoside antibiotics in Escherichia coli.

Summary Mutations conferring resistance to low levels of kanamycin in Escherichia coli have been mapped at 3 locations: the unc locus (min. 83), a locus we have designated, kanA (min. 72), close to strA (rpsL), and a locus at min. 86.5 previously discovered by Plate (1976) that we have designated ecfB. The unc and ecfB mutations are associated with defects in energy metabolism, while mutations at kanA may be in the gene coding for ribosomal protein S12 (rpsL). The three types of mutations cause cross resistance to a number of different aminoglycoside antibiotics and the effects of the mutations are cumulative in combination.     

Effects of prolonged poisoning by Russell's viper venom on blood coagulation, platelets and fibrinolysis

The effects of Russell's viper venom on blood coagulation, platelets and the fibrinolytic enzyme system were studied in rabbits after injecting repeated doses of 0.05 MLD of the venom. Thrombocytopenia was the earliest change to appear. It was followed by rise in serum fibrinogen degradation products and prolongation of prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time and thrombin time indicating a progressive consumption coagulopathy and activation of fibrinolysis. Red blood cell morphology was unchanged during the first three weeks; whereas the fragmentation appeared after the fourth week and it increased in severity with further envenomations, i.e. when chronic DIC was established.     

Micropropagation,encapsulation, and conservation of Decalepis salicifolia,a vanillin isomer containing medicinal and aromatic plant

In Vitro Cellular & Developmental Biology - Plant - An efficient in vitro propagation and synthetic seed production protocol was established for the conservation of Decalepis salicifolia (Bedd....     

Foliar Application of Phosphorus Enhances Photosynthesis and Biochemical Characteristics of Maize under Drought Stress

Water is essential for the growth period of crops; however, water unavailability badly affects the growth and physiological attributes of crops, which considerably reduced the yield and yield components in crops. Therefore, a pot experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of foliar phosphorus (P) on morphological, gas exchange, biochemical traits, and phosphorus use efficiency (PUE) of maize (Zea mays L.) hybrids grown under normal as well as water deficit situations at the Department of Agronomy, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan in 2014. Two different treatments (control and P @ 8 kg ha⁻¹ ) and four hybrids (Hycorn, 31P41, 65625, and 32B33) of maize were tested by using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Results showed that the water stress caused a remarkable decline in total soluble protein (9.7%), photosynthetic rate (9.4%) and transpiration rate (13.4%), stomatal conductance (10.2%), and internal CO₂ rate (20.4%) comparative to well-watered control. An increase of 37.1%, 36.8%, and 24.5% were recorded for proline, total soluble sugar, and total free amino acid, respectively. However, foliar P application minimized the negative impact of drought by improving plant growth, physio-biochemical attributes, and PUE in maize plants under water stress conditions. Among the hybrids tested, the hybrid 6525 performed better both under stress and non-stress conditions. These outcomes confirmed that the exogenous application of P improved drought stress tolerance by modulating growth, physio-biochemical attributes, and PUE of maize hybrids.     

Phenotypic and Molecular Assessment of Wheat Genotypes Tolerant to Leaf Blight,Rust and Blast Diseases

Globally among biotic stresses, diseases like blight, rust and blast constitute prime constraints for reducing wheat productivity especially in Bangladesh. For sustainable productivity, the development of disease-resistant lines and high yielding varieties is vital and necessary. This study was conducted using 122 advanced breeding lines of wheat including 21 varieties developed by Bangladesh Wheat and Maize Research Institute (BAMRI) with aims to identify genotypes having high yield potential and resistance to leaf blight, leaf rust and blast diseases. These genotypes were evaluated for resistance against leaf blight and leaf rust at Dinajpur and wheat blast at Jashore under field condition. Out of 122 genotypes tested, 20 lines were selected as resistant to leaf blight based on the area under the diseases progress curve (AUDPC) under both irrigated timely sown (ITS) and irrigated late sown (ILS) conditions. Forty-two genotypes were found completely free from leaf rust infection, 59 genotypes were identified as resistant, and 13 genotypes were identified as moderately resistant to leaf rust. Eighteen genotypes were immune against wheat blast, 42 genotypes were categorized as resistant, and 26 genotypes were identified as moderately resistant to wheat blast. Molecular data revealed that the 16 genotypes showed a positive 2NS segment among the 18 immune genotypes selected against wheat blast under field conditions. The genotypes BAW 1322, BAW 1295, and BAW 1203 can be used as earlier maturing genotypes and the genotypes BAW 1372, BAW 1373, BAW 1297 and BAW 1364 can be used for lodging tolerant due to short plant height. The genotypes WMRI Gom 1, BAW 1349 and BAW 1350 can be selected for bold grain and the genotypes WMRI Gom 1, BAW 1297, BAW 1377 can be used as high yielder for optimum seeding condition but genotypes BAW 1377 and BAW 1366 can be used for late sown condition. The selected resistant genotypes against specific diseases can be used in the further breeding program to develop wheat varieties having higher disease resistance and yield potential.