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.     

A VIP hybrid antagonist: From developmental neurobiology to clinical applications

Summary 1. The 28 amino acid vasoactive intestinal peptide, VIP, was originally isolated from the intestine, following a bioassay measuring vasodilating properties. Immunocytochemistry, receptor binding assays and in situ hybridizations have demonstrated VIP abundance in the nervous system, suggesting multiple bioactivities.2. A pharmacological approach was chosen to dissect VIP activities and a prototype VIP antagonist (Met-Hybrid) consisting of a carboxyl fragment of VIP_7–28 and a six amino acid fragment of neurotensin, neurotensin_6–11-VIP_7–28 was synthesized.3. This hybrid peptide was designed to maintain the binding capacity of one parent molecule (VIP), while loosing the agonistic properties, representing a classical competitive receptor antagonist. Furthermore, the new molecule exhibited increased specificity to central nervous system VIP receptors.4. The Met-Hybrid was originally discovered as a potent inhibitor of VIP functionin vivo. In the adult rodent, acute administration of the antagonist resulted in blockade of VIP-mediated potentiation of sexual behavior and chronic intracerebroventricular application impaired VIP-associated learning abilities. During ontogeny, chronic injections of the molecule resulted in neuronal damage, disruption of the diurnal rhythmicity of motor behavior, and retardation in the acquisition of neonatal reflexes in the rat.5. During gestation, severe microcephaly was induced by acute administration of the Met-Hybrid to pregnant mice. The hybrid antagonist inhibited VIP-stimulated mitosis in whole embryo cultures and in a variety of cancer cell linesin vitro andin vivo, suggesting therapeutical potential.     

The phagocytosis stimulating peptide tuftsin: Further look into structure-function relationships

Summary Sixteen new analogs of the phagocytosis-stimulating peptide tuftsin have been synthesized. The biological activities of these synthetic peptides, in which either the C-terminal or both C- and N-terminals are chemically altered, were evaluated by studying their effects on the phagocytosis of heat-killed yeasts and on the reduction of the dye nitroblue tetrazolium by normal human polymorphonuclear leukocytes. The results demonstrate that the integrity of the guanidine side chain of arginine at position four of tuftsin is crucial for maximal activity. Modification, even in side chain length, of the guanidine leads to decreasing activity. Preservation of the positive charge of position four of tuftsin yields analogs possessing considerable activity. Simultaneous alterations of both C- and N-terminal results in diminishing activites. The results of this study are discussed in relation to the structural features of tuftsin. It appears that interaction between the carboxyl of Arg⁴ and the amino group of Thr¹ which would indicate a specific conformation such as a 4 1 -turn are not favored.     

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....