A chemosystematic study of some geraniaceae

The flavonoids of five Geranium, fourteen Erodium and four Monsonia species were studied. Quercetin was the most common aglycone with lesse     

Kindlin Is Mechanosensitive: Force-Induced Conformational Switch Mediates Cross-Talk among Integrins

Mechanical stresses directly regulate the function of several proteins of the integrin-mediated focal adhesion complex as they experience intra- and extracellular forces. Kindlin is a largely overlooked member of the focal adhesion complex whose roles in cellular mechanotransduction are only recently being identified. Recent crystallographic experiments have revealed that kindlins can form dimers that bind simultaneously to two integrins, providing a mechanistic explanation of how kindlins may promote integrin activation and clustering. In this study, using the newly identified molecular structure, we modeled the response of the kindlin2 dimer in complex with integrin β1 to mechanical cytoskeletal forces on integrins. Using molecular dynamics simulations, we show that forces on integrins are directly transmitted to the kindlin2 dimerization site, resulting in a shift in an R577-S550/E553 interaction network at this site. Under force, R577 on one protomer switches from interacting with S550 to forming new hydrogen bonds with E553 on the neighboring protomer, resulting in the strengthening of the kindlin2 dimer in complex with integrin β1. This force-induced strengthening is similar to the catch-bond mechanisms that have previously been observed in other adhesion molecules. Based on our results, we propose that the kindlin2 dimer is mechanosensitive and can strengthen integrin-mediated focal adhesions under force by shifting the interactions at its dimerization sites.     

First detection and molecular characterization of grapevine phytoplasmas in Kosovo

A search for phytoplasma-associated diseases was conducted for the first time in the main grapevine-growing localities of the Dukagjini plain in Kosovo. A total of 144 samples were collected from grapevine cultivars displaying leaf yellowing, reddening, discolouration and irregular wood ripening, and analysed using nested and quantitative PCR assays. These assays showed that 35.4% of samples belonging to eight cultivars were positive to the presence of phytoplasmas in the 16SrXII group. The 16S rDNA phytoplasma sequences obtained from 15 samples shared identity greater than 99.5% with ‘Candidatus Phytoplasma solani’. Sequence analysis of the tuf gene showed that the strains found in Kosovar grapevines are in the tuf-type b1 group, sharing 99.6% to 99.8% identity with ‘Ca. P. solani'-related strains associated with the “bois noir” grapevine disease in many European countries; the secY gene sequences, on the other hand, shared 100% identity with ‘Ca. P. solani' strains from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Croatia and Turkey. This study constitutes the first report on the presence and molecular characterization of phytoplasmas in Kosovar vineyards. Based on these results, it is recommended that testing for phytoplasma be included in the certification program for grapevine in Kosovo.     

Influence of Polymer Aggregation and Liquid Immiscibility on Morphology Tuning by Varying Composition in PffBT4T‐2DT/Nonfullerene Organic Solar Cells

The temperature‐dependent aggregation behavior of PffBT4T polymers used in organic solar cells plays a critical role in the formation of a favorable morphology in fullerene‐based devices. However, there is little investigation into the impact of donor/acceptor ratio on morphology tuning, especially for nonfullerene acceptors (NFAs). Herein, the influence of composition on morphology is reported for blends of PffBT4T‐2DT with two NFAs, O‐IDTBR and O‐IDFBR. The monotectic phase behavior inferred from differential scanning calorimetry provides qualitative insight into the interplay between solid–liquid and liquid–liquid demixing. Transient absorption spectroscopy suggests that geminate recombination dominates charge decay and that the decay rate is insensitive to composition, corroborated by negligible changes in open‐circuit voltage. Exciton lifetimes are also insensitive to composition, which is attributed to the signal being dominated by acceptor excitons which are formed and decay in domains of similar size and purity irrespective of composition. A hierarchical morphology is observed, where the composition dependence of size scales and scattering intensity from resonant soft X‐ray scattering (R‐SoXS) is dominated by variations in volume fractions of polymer/polymer‐rich domains. Results suggest an optimal morphology where polymer crystallite size and connectivity are balanced, ensuring a high probability of hole extraction via such domains.     

Flooding or drought which one is more offensive on pepper physiology and growth?

Molecular Biology Reports - Both extreme usage of water in agriculture i.e., drought and flooding affect physiological and growth aspects of the plant as well as gene expression undertaken in water...     

Characterization and kinetic properties of the purified Trematosphaeria mangrovei laccase enzyme

The properties of Trematosphaeria mangrovei laccase enzyme purified on Sephadex G-100 column were investigated. SDS–PAGE of the purified laccase enzyme showed a single band at 48 kDa. The pure laccase reached its maximal activity at temperature 65 °C, pH 4.0 with K_m equal 1.4 mM and V_max equal 184.84 U/mg protein. The substrate specificity of the purified laccase was greatly influenced by the nature and position of the substituted groups in the phenolic ring. The pure laccase was tested with some metal ions and inhibitors, FeSO₄ completely inhibited laccase enzyme and also highly affected by (NaN₃) at a concentration of 1 mM. Amino acid composition of the pure enzyme was also determined. Carbohydrate content of purified laccase enzyme was 23% of the enzyme sample. The UV absorption spectra of the purified laccase enzyme showed a single peak at 260–280 nm.     

A novel bioactive nanoparticle synthesized by conjugation of 3-chloropropyl trimethoxy silane functionalized Fe3O4 and 1-((3-(4-chlorophenyl)-1-phenyl-1H-pyrazol-4-yl)methylene)-2-(4-phenylthiazol-2-yl) hydrazine: assessment on anti-cancer against gastric AGS cancer cells

Molecular Biology Reports - Gastric cancer is one of the common types of cancer around the world which has few therapeutic options. Nitrogen heterocyclic derivatives such as thiazoles are used as...     

Correction to: Isolation,Characterization, and Expression Profiling of Nucleoside Diphosphate Kinase Gene from Tall Fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) (FaNDPK) under Salt Stress

Plant Molecular Biology Reporter - The original version of this article unfortunately contained some mistakes in article Title and Table 1.     

Cytokine gene polymorphism and graft-versus-host disease: a survey in Iranian bone marrow transplanted patients

Graft versus host disease (GVHD) is a major complication of bone marrow transplantation (BMT). Numerous studies have shown the potential role of cytokine genotypes in the occurrence of GVHD. In this retrospective, case–control study we aimed to investigate the association between 13 cytokine genes and acute GVHD (aGVHD) after HLA-identical sibling BMT in 91 Iranian subjects. Negative association was found between aGVHD and donor IL-10/GCC haplotype or donor IL-4Ra-A allele in the population study. When compared within the leukemia subgroup, we observed positive association between recipient IL-1α ?889/C allele and aGVHD. Also there were negative association between recipient IL-10/CAA haplotype and donor IL-4Ra/A allele and development of aGVHD. Among the different genotypes only donor IL-4Ra and donor IL-12 showed significant association. We conclude that several cytokine polymorphisms are positively and negatively associated with aGVHD in Iranian HLA matched siblings, of which IL-4Ra and IL-12 may play important roles.     

Antioxidant, anticancer and hepatoprotective activities of Cotoneaster horizontalis Decne extract as well as α-tocopherol and amygdalin production from in vitro culture

The phytochemical analysis of the ethanolic extract of branches of Cotoneaster horizontalis, Decne revealed the presence of: β-carotene, ascorbic acid and less amounts of α-tocopherol and amygdalin (vitamin B₁₇) in proportions of: 2,500, 70, 0.093, 0.334 mg 100 g^?1, respectively. Acute oral toxicity test revealed its safety profile. In vitro study revealed its good 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging and anticancer activities. Invivo study, simultaneous administration of this extract at a dose of 100 or 200 mg kg^?1 body weight for 4 weeks, exhibited a significant protection in a dose-dependant manner against hepatotoxicity induced by repeated dose of acetaminophen (1 g kg^?1 body weight day^?1, p.o.) by preserving the liver function parameters, hepatic redox state and serum lipid profile near the healthy levels. Consequently, in vitro culture was carried out on full or half strength of Murashige and Skoog medium supplemented with different concentrations of benzyl amino purine or kinetin provided shootlets production; different concentrations of 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid and naphthalene acetic acid showed an increase of callus. Determination of α-tocopherol and amygdalin in different shootlets and callus extracts showed a pronounced increases up to 30.62 and 3.69 mg 100 g^?1 in shootlet extract, respectively as well as 26.61 and 12.71 mg 100 g^?1 in callus extract, respectively, as compared with those of the mother plant (0.76 and 0.11 mg 100 g^?1 extract, respectively).