Inhibitory effect of Abrus abrin-derived peptide fraction against Dalton's lymphoma ascites model

Peptides derived from larger molecules that are important modulators in cancer regression are becoming leads for development of therapeutic drugs. It has been reported that Abrus abrin, isolated from the seeds of Abrus precatorius, showed in vitro and in vivo antitumor properties by the induction of apoptosis. The present study was designed to evaluate the in vivo therapeutic effectiveness of abrin-derived peptide (ABP) fraction in Dalton's lymphoma (DL) mice model. The lethal dose (LD₅₀) of ABP was found to be 2.25 mg/kg body weight and further the acute toxicity was determined with sublethal doses in normal mice. The acute toxicity like body weight, peripheral blood cell count, lympho-hematological and biochemical parameters remained unaffected till 200 μg/kg body weight of ABP. The sublethal doses of ABP showed very significant growth inhibitory properties in vivo DL mice model. There were 24%, 70.8% and 89.7% reductions in DL cell survival in 25, 50 and 100 μg/kg body weight of ABP, respectively. Analysis of the growth inhibitory mechanism in DL cells revealed nuclear fragmentation, and condensation with the appearance of the sub-G₀/G₁ peak is indicative of apoptosis. Further, the Western blotting showed that apoptosis was mediated by the reduction in the ratio of Bcl-2 and Bax protein expression, and activation of caspase-3 through the release of cytochrome c in DL cells. Kaplan–Meier survival analysis showed an effective antitumor response (104.6 increase in life span (ILS) %) with a dose of 100 μg/kg body weight.     

Relationship of Adipocyte Size with Adiposity and Metabolic Risk Factors in Asian Indians

Background

Enlargement of adipocyte is associated with their dysfunction and alterations in metabolic functions.

Objectives

We evaluated the association of adipocyte size of subcutaneous and omental adipose tissue with body composition and cardiovascular risk factors in Asian Indians.

Methodology

Eighty (40 males and 40 females) non-diabetic adult subjects undergoing elective abdominal surgery were included. Pre-surgery evaluation included anthropometric measurements, % body fat by bioimpedance, abdominal fat area at L_2–3 level (computed tomography) and biochemical investigations (fasting blood glucose and insulin, lipids and hsCRP). During surgery, about 5 grams each of omental and subcutaneous adipose tissue was obtained for adipocyte size determination.

Results

Females had higher BMI, % body fat, skinfold thickness, total and subcutaneous abdominal fat area as compared to males. Overweight was present in 42.5% and 67.5%, and abdominal obesity in 5% and 52.5% males and females, respectively. Subcutaneous adipocyte size was significantly higher than omental adipocyte size. Omental adipocyte size correlated more strongly than subcutaneous adipocyte size with measures of adiposity (BMI, waist circumference, %BF), total and subcutaneous abdominal fat area and biochemical measures (fasting glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides and HOMA-IR), the correlations being stronger in females. The correlation of adipocyte size with metabolic parameters was attenuated after adjusting for measures of adiposity.

Conclusion

Omental adipocyte size, though smaller than the subcutaneous adipocyte size, was more closely related to measures of adiposity and metabolic parameters. However, the relationship was not independent of measures of adiposity.     

Detection of microRNAs in dried serum blots

We observed the preservation of microRNAs in unrefrigerated dried serum blots. Preservation was not adversely affected by drying or storing at 37, 45, or 60 °C instead of room temperature, but it was harmed when blots were dried incompletely before storage. Preservation of microRNAs in serum was not diminished if, instead of being kept frozen at −80 °C, it was stored as dried blots at room temperature for 5 months or at 37 °C for 4 weeks. Thus, dried blots can be a convenient and safer way to save, transport, and store serum for microRNA assays.     

鲎试剂在抗淋巴细胞免疫球蛋白热原检测中的应用

报道了鲎试剂在抗淋巴细胞免疫球蛋白内毒素检查中的应用。在用鲎试剂检测细菌内毒素时 ,按中国药典的要求对鲎试剂灵敏度进行标定 ,并作干扰实验 (增强或抑制实验 ) ,然后用鲎试法与家兔法同时测定 15批抗淋巴细胞免疫球蛋白。结果发现三批鲎试剂的灵敏度标示值均正确 ,五批抗淋巴细胞免疫球蛋白半成品在最大有效稀释度 (MVD)时对试验无干扰 ,这两种方法测定结果的符合率达到 91.7%。从而表明鲎试法很有可能代替家兔法     

低温弱光对黄瓜幼苗Rubisco与Rubisco活化酶的影响

以‘津优3号'黄瓜幼苗为试材,研究弱光(100 μmol·m-2·s-1)下适温(WL:25℃/18℃)、亚适温(ST+WL:18℃/12℃)和低温(LT+WL:10℃/5℃)对黄瓜幼苗光合速率(Pn)、核酮糖-1,5-二磷酸羧化/加氧酶(Rubisco)、Rubisco活化酶(RCA)活性及其基因表达量的影响.结果表明:与对照(25℃/18℃,400 μmol·m-2·s-1)相比,WL、ST+WL和LT+WL处理的单株叶面积和干物质量均明显减小.处理初期,Pn、Rubisco活性及其大亚基基因(rbcL)、小亚基基因(rbcS)表达、RCA活性与基因(CsRCA)表达量大幅度降低,5～7 d后,WL处理趋于平稳,ST+WL处理缓慢回升,而LT+WL处理持续下降,表明黄瓜光合机构对适温弱光和亚适温弱光环境有逐步适应机制.Rubisco和RCA活性及其基因表达对低温弱光的响应与Pn基本一致,表明低温弱光下RCA和Rubisco活性及其基因表达量下降是黄瓜幼苗Pn降低的重要原因.     

生物炭配施氮肥对典型黄河故道区土壤理化性质和冬小麦产量的影响

探讨典型黄河故道区生物炭配施氮肥对耕层土壤理化性质和作物产量的影响,阐明生物炭配施氮肥后土壤碳氮含量和理化性质的变化规律,可为合理培肥土壤、提升耕地质量、提高冬小麦产量提供科学依据.本研究以黄河故道典型区域潮土和中性生物炭为供试材料,连续两年进行田间定位试验,开展不同生物炭用量(0、15、30 thm-2)配施氮肥(N...