Localization of sequences regulating ancestral and acquired sites of esterase6 activity in Drosophila melanogaster

We have broadly defined the DNA regions regulating esterase6 activity in several life stages and tissue types of D. melanogaster using P- element-mediated transformation of constructs that contain the esterase6 coding region and deletions or substitutions in 5' or 3' flanking DNA. Hemolymph is a conserved ancestral site of EST6 activity in Drosophila and the primary sequences regulating its activity lie between -171 and -25 bp relative to the translation initiation site: deletion of these sequences decrease activity approximately 20-fold. Hemolymph activity is also modulated by four other DNA regions, three of which lie 5' and one of which lies 3' of the coding region. Of these, two have positive and two have negative effects, each of approximately twofold. Esterase6 activity is present also in two male reproductive tract tissues; the ejaculatory bulb, which is another ancestral activity site, and the ejaculatory duct, which is a recently acquired site within the melanogaster species subgroup. Activities in these tissues are at least in part independently regulated: activity in the ejaculatory bulb is conferred by sequences between -273 and -172 bp (threefold decrease when deleted), while activity in the ejaculatory duct is conferred by more distal sequences between -844 and -614 bp (fourfold decrease when deleted). The reproductive tract activity is further modulated by two additional DNA regions, one in 5' DNA (-613 to -284 bp; threefold decrease when deleted) and the other in 3' DNA (+1860 to +2731 bp; threefold decrease when deleted) that probably overlaps the adjacent esteraseP gene. Collating these data with previous studies suggests that expression of EST6 in the ancestral sites is mainly regulated by conserved proximal sequences while more variable distal sequences regulate expression in the acquired ejaculatory duct site.      

Human T Cell Leukemia Virus Type 1 (HTLV-1) Antibodies in Healthy Populations and Renal Transplanted Patients in the North-East of Brazil

The seroprevalence of human T cell leukemia virus type 1 (HTLV-1) infection was investigated in Brazilians (570): native inhabitants (298) and descendants from Japanese (272) living in Recife and its neighborhoods—North-east of Brazil. Furthermore, polytransfused renal transplanted patients (54) were also examined for the serological status to this virus. The seropositivity to HTLV-1, screened by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), was low: 1.34% for the local population and 0.73% for the descendants from Japanese. However, the seropositivity for the renal transplanted patients was found to be 11.1%. This higher value suggests that this retrovirus infection seems to be of importance in this clinical condition.     

Phylogenetic diversification of immunoglobulin genes and the antibody repertoire

Immunoglobulins are encoded by a large multigene system that undergoes somatic rearrangement and additional genetic change during the development of immunoglobulin-producing cells. Inducible antibody and antibody-like responses are found in all vertebrates. However, immunoglobulin possessing disulfide-bonded heavy and light chains and domain-type organization has been described only in representatives of the jawed vertebrates. High degrees of nucleotide and predicted amino acid sequence identity are evident when the segmental elements that constitute the immunoglobulin gene loci in phylogenetically divergent vertebrates are compared. However, the organization of gene loci and the manner in which the independent elements recombine (and diversify) vary markedly among different taxa. One striking pattern of gene organization is the "cluster type" that appears to be restricted to the chondrichthyes (cartilaginous fishes) and limits segmental rearrangement to closely linked elements. This type of gene organization is associated with both heavy- and light-chain gene loci. In some cases, the clusters are "joined" or "partially joined" in the germ line, in effect predetermining or partially predetermining, respectively, the encoded specificities (the assumption being that these are expressed) of the individual loci. By relating the sequences of transcribed gene products to their respective germ-line genes, it is evident that, in some cases, joined-type genes are expressed. This raises a question about the existence and/or nature of allelic exclusion in these species. The extensive variation in gene organization found throughout the vertebrate species may relate directly to the role of intersegmental (V<==>D<==>J) distances in the commitment of the individual antibody-producing cell to a particular genetic specificity. Thus, the evolution of this locus, perhaps more so than that of others, may reflect the interrelationships between genetic organization and function.      

Phytochemical Characterization of Cannabis sativa L. Roots from Northeastern Brazil

This article describes the phytochemical study of Cannabis sativa roots from northeastern Brazil. The dried plant material was pulverized and subjected to exhaustive maceration with ethanol at room temperature, obtaining the crude ethanolic extract (Cs-EEBR). The volatile compounds were analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC/MS), which allowed to identify 22 compounds by comparing the linear retention index (LRI), the similarity index (SI) and the fragmentation pattern of the constituents with the literature. By this technique the major compounds identified were: friedelan-3-one and β-sitosterol. In addition, two fractions were obtained from Cs-EEBR by classical column chromatography and preparative thin layer chromatography. These fractions were analyzed by NMR and IR and together with the mass spectrometry data allowed to identify the compounds: epifriedelanol, friedelan-3-one, β-sitosterol and stigmasterol. The study contributed to the phytochemical knowledge of Cannabis sativa, specifically the roots, as there are few reports on the chemical constituents of this part of the plant.     

The Roberts syndrome

Summary Four siblings with the autosomal recessive Roberts syndrome are reported, and we discuss the phenotypic overlap of this syndrome with other similar radial, aplasia syndromes.     

Ascorbate oxidase from Cucurbita maxima

Ascorbate oxidase is present in homogenates of the flesh of Cucurbita maxima fruits. Its activity is independent of ascorbate concentration over th     

Abiotic factors driving cyanobacterial biomass and composition under perennial bloom conditions in tropical latitudes

Hydrobiologia - While warming and eutrophication have increased the frequency and magnitude of harmful cyanobacterial blooms globally, the scenario for many eutrophic tropical freshwaters is a...     

Evaluation of Antioxidant,Antibacterial and Enhancement of Antibiotic Action by Punica granatum Leaves Crude Extract and Enriched Fraction against Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria

The aim of this study was to evaluate the phytochemical composition, antioxidant, and antimicrobial potential of crude extract and fractions of Punica granatum leaves. The extract was produced by turbo extraction, after which hexanic, ethyl acetate, and aqueous fractions were obtained by partitioning. The chemical analyses were performed by thin layer chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography, and the antioxidant activities were assayed by DPPH^. and ABTS^.+. Minimal inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations (MIC/MBC) were applied to twenty-two bacteria. Most strains susceptible to extract/fractions and resistant to antibiotics were selected, and ampicillin, azithromycin, ciprofloxacin, and gentamicin were associated with the ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) against multidrug-resistant strains in modulatory and checkboard models. The data from chromatographic analyses showed flavonoids and tannins in the extract, as well as the enrichment of EAF in phenols, mainly flavonoids. The flavonoids were connected to the electron transfer activity demonstrated in the DPPH^. and ABTS^.+ assays. Gram-positive strains are more susceptible to EAF. The subinhibitory concentrations of P. granatum enhanced the antimicrobial activity of the agents and reduced the EAF individual MIC, and the combination of EAF and antibiotics demonstrated a synergistic effect. These results present a promising approach for developing a therapy in which antioxidant extracts and fractions can be used in combination with antibiotics.