Crystal structure of human PACRG in complex with MEIG1 reveals roles in axoneme formation and tubulin binding

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Effect of colchicine on lysosomal structures in maturation-ameloblasts of the rat incisor

Summary The lysosomal systems in maturation-ameloblasts affected by colchicine were examined using trimetaphosphatase cytochemistry. Demineralized segments of rat incisor were incubated for trimetaphosphatase. At all time intervals, lysosomal structures exhibited reduced enzyme reactivity and were clustered in the Golgi region of the cell. Both ruffle-ended and smooth-ended ameloblasts maintained essentially normal morphology up to 4 h after colchicine injection, except for some migration of organelles. After 8 h, the ruffled border was markedly modified and the associated dense granular material was no longer present. Changes in the lysosomal system and ruffled border indicate interference by colchicine with a putative resorptive function of the maturation-ameloblasts.     

Synthesis of New Bis(pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines) Linked to Different Spacers as Potential MurB Inhibitors

An efficient protocol was adopted to efficiently prepare three new series of bis(pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines) linked to different spacers. The new bis(pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines) were prepared in 80–90 % yields by reacting the respective bis(enaminones) and 4-(4-substituted benzyl)-1H-pyrazole-3,5-diamines in pyridine at reflux temperature for 5–7 h. The new products showed a wide spectrum of antibacterial activity against six different bacterial strains. In general, propane- and butane-linked bis(pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines), which are attached to 3-(4-methyl- or 4-methoxybenzyl) units, had the best antibacterial activity with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values up to 2.5 and 5.1 μM, respectively. Additionally, the previous products demonstrated promising MurB inhibitory activity with IC₅₀ values up to 7.2 μM.     

Chemical modification of membrane proteins in relation to inhibition of anion exchange in human red blood cells

Mono-, di-, and trisulfonic acids, including 4,4′-diacetamido stilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acid (DAS) and 2-(4′-amino phenyl)-6-methylbenzene thiazol-3′,7-disulfonic acid (APMB) produce a reversible inhibition of sulfate equilibrium exchange in human red cells. A study of the sidedness of the action of a number of these sulfonic acids in red cell ghosts revealed that some, like DAS, inhibit only at the outer membrane surface while others, like APMB, inhibit at either surface. This finding suggests that at least two different types of membrane sites are involved in the control of anion permeability. The nature of the anion permeability controlling sites in the outer cell surface was investigated by studying the effects of DAS on the inhibition by dinitrofluoro-benzene (DNFB) of anion equilibrium exchange and on the binding of DNFB to the proteins of the red blood cell membrane. After exposure to DNFB in the presence of DAS for a certain period of time, there was a reduction of both the inhibitory effect of DNFB on sulfate exchange and the binding of DNFB to the protein in band 3 of SDS polyacrylamide gel electropherograms (nomenclature of Steck, J. Cell. Biol., 62: 1, 1974). Since binding to other membrane proteins was not affected, this observation supports the assumption that the protein in band 3 plays some role in anion transport. In accordance with the absence of an inhibitory effect at the inner membrane surface, internal DAS does not affect DNFB binding to the protein in band 3. DAS protected the anion exchange system not only against inhibition by DNFB but also by m-isothiocyanato benzene sulfonic acid. In contrast to DAS, the equally inhibitory phlorizin does not reduce the rate of dinitrophenylation of the protein in band 3. This suggests that either not all inhibitors of anion exchange exert their action by a combination with sites on the protein in band 3 or that in spite of the described evidence this protein is not involved in the control of anion movements. The effect of the irreversibly binding inhibitor 4-acetamido-4′-isothiocyanato-stilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acid (SITS) on DNFB binding to the protein in band 3 was studied in an attempt to differentiate DNFB binding related to inhibition of anion permeability from DNFB binding which is not involved. At least three distinguishable populations of DNFB binding sites were found: (1) binding sites common for DNFB and SITS which are probably related to inhibition, (2) other common sites which are not related to inhibition and (3) different sites whose dinitrophenylation is not affected by SITS. The number of sites in population (1) was estimated to be 0.8–1.2 ± 10⁶/cell. A study of the concentration dependence of the inhibition of anion equilibrium exchange with 4,4′-isothiocyanato-2,2′-stilbene disulfonic acid (DIDS) and APMB further suggests that among the sites in population (1) a major fraction is susceptible to modification by APMB and DIDS while the rest is only susceptible to DIDS. It remains undecided whether these differences of susceptibility reflect differences of accessibility or reactivity.     

Effect of triiodothyronine on blood lipids in obesity.

Different blood lipid components were evaluated in obese and normal Egyptians. In obese, plasma levels of total lipoproteins, beta-lipoprotein, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and non-esterified fatty acids were found to be significantly elevated. The plasma levels of esterified cholesterol and phospholipids were found to be significantly reduced. Tertroxine caused a drop of the plasma level of total lipoproteins, beta lipoproteins and total cholesterol and rise of plasma level of non-esterified fatty acids.     

Synthesis,Reactions, and Antimicrobial Activity of Novel Heterocyclic Compounds Containing Cyclopenta[d]thieno[2,3-b]pyridine Moiety and Related Fused Heterocycles

Russian Journal of Bioorganic Chemistry - We describe a simple method to synthesize novel 4-cyano-1-morpholin-4-yl-6,7-dihydro-5H-cyclopenta[c]pyridine-3-thione by the reaction of...     

Antimicrobial effect of different herbal plant extracts against different microbial population

This study evaluates the antimicrobial effects of ethanolic extract of five herbal plants; Guava (Psidium guajava), Sage (Salvia officinalis), Rhamnus (Ziziphusspina Christi), Mulberry (Morusalba L.), and Olive (Oleaeuropaea L) leaves against several microbial population representing Gram positive, Gram negative and Mollicutes; S. aureus, E. coli, Pasteurella multocida, B. cereus, Salmonella Enteritidis and M. gallisepticum using standard agar disc diffusion technique and minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC). Different extracts reveal variable results against the microorganism under study. All extracts have no antibacterial potency for Mycoplasma gallisepticum except Psidium guajava. The results of minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and Minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) of the extracts against the six bacteria ranged from 625 to 5000 μg/ml. The used herbal extract could inhibit the selected microorganism under study with variable minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC).     

Predation of potential insect pests in oil palm plantations,rubber tree plantations,and fruit orchards

In human‐modified landscapes, important ecological functions such as predation are negatively affected by anthropogenic activities, including the use of pesticides and habitat degradation. Predation of insect pests is an indicator of healthy ecosystem functioning, which provides important ecosystem services, especially for agricultural systems. In this study, we compare predation attempts from arthropods, mammals, and birds on artificial caterpillars in the understory, between three tropical agricultural land‐use types: oil palm plantations, rubber tree plantations, and fruit orchards. We collected a range of local and landscape‐scale data including undergrowth vegetation structure; elevation; proximity to forest; and canopy cover in order to understand how environmental variables can affect predation. In all three land‐use types, our results showed that arthropods and mammals were important predators of artificial caterpillars and there was little predation by birds. We did not find any effect of the environmental variables on predation. There was an interactive effect between land‐use type and predator type. Predation by mammals was considerably higher in fruit orchards and rubber tree than in oil palm plantations, likely due to their ability to support higher abundances of insectivorous mammals. In order to maintain or enhance natural pest control in these common tropical agricultural land‐use types, management practices that benefit insectivorous animals should be introduced, such as the reduction of pesticides, improvement of understory vegetation, and local and landscape heterogeneity.     

RETRACTED ARTICLE: Acaricidal and pathogenic effects of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana on engorged females of the fowl tick,Argas persicus (Argasidae)

Experimental and Applied Acarology - This study examined the acaricidal, histopathological and genotoxic effects of the entomopathogenic fungus Beauveria bassiana on engorged females of the fowl...