Molecular Cross-Talk between Gravity- and Light-Sensing Mechanisms in Euglena gracilis

Euglena gracilis is a photosynthetic flagellate. To acquire a suitable position in its surrounding aquatic environment, it exploits light and gravity primarily as environmental cues. Several physiological studies have indicated a fine-tuned relationship between gravity sensing (gravitaxis) and light sensing in E. gracilis. However, the underlying molecular mechanism is largely unknown. The photoreceptor photoactivated adenylyl cyclase (PAC) has been studied for over a decade. Nevertheless, no direct/indirect interaction partner (upstream/downstream) has been reported for PAC. It has been shown that a specific protein, kinase A (PKA), showed to be involved in phototaxis and gravitaxis. The current study reports the localization of the specific PKA and its relationship with PAC.     

Gene Expression over Time during Cell Transformation Due to Non-Genotoxic Carcinogen Treatment of Bhas 42 Cells

The Bhas 42 cell transformation assay (Bhas 42 CTA) is the first Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)-certificated method used as a specific tool for the detection of the cell-transformation potential of tumor-promoting compounds, including non-genotoxic carcinogens (NGTxCs), as separate from genotoxic carcinogens. This assay offers the great advantage of enabling the phenotypic detection of oncotransformation. A key benefit of using the Bhas 42 CTA in the study of the cell-transformation mechanisms of tumor-promoting compounds, including non-genotoxic carcinogens, is that the cell-transformation potential of the chemical can be detected directly without treatment with a tumor-initiating compound since Bhas 42 cell line was established by transfecting the v-Ha-ras gene into a mouse fibroblast cloned cell line. Here, we analyzed the gene expression over time, using DNA microarrays, in Bhas 42 cells treated with the tumor-promoting compound 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), and NGTxC, with a total of three repeat experiments. This is the first paper to report on gene expression over time during the process of cell transformation with only a tumor-promoting compound. Pathways that were activated or inactivated during the process of cell transformation in the Bhas 42 cells treated with TPA were related not only directly to RAS but also to various pathways in the hallmarks of cancer.     

人促甲状腺激素生物素—亲和素系统免疫放射分析法的建立

报道将ＢＡＳ引入双们点夹心ＩＲＭＡ，建立了人血清ＴＳＨ固相试管双位点夹心ＢＡＳ－ＩＲＭＡ。该法批内ＣＶ为１．４％－８．３％，批间ＣＶＯ ６．１％－８．４％，最小检出量为０．０４ｍＩＵ／Ｌ，平均回收率为１００．１６％，灵敏度约是同条件下ＩＲＭＡ的３倍；与ＩＲＭＡ对比测定２０份病人血管ＴＳＨ样品，经统计学处理，两者测定结果呈良好相关性。     

放射性废物快速非破坏性检测装置算法研究

本工作研究放射性废物快速非破坏性检测装置的数据分析方法和检测装置探测效率的蒙特卡罗法计算。对分析计算方法的合理性进行了实验验证。验证结果表明,²³⁵U计算值与实际值间的相对偏差<10%,由此证实了本方法的合理性。     

Insect pest susceptibility of grains and seeds recently introduced to the Italian market: An experimental evaluation

To assess the susceptibility of pseudocereals (amaranth and quinoa), minor cereals (teff and millet), and oilseeds (chia and hemp), now commercially available on the European market, to attacks by polyphagous and cosmopolitan insect pests, laboratory tests were set up. Tests involving controlled infestation of seeds, using laboratory-bred insects (Tenebrio molitor, Tribolium confusum, Oryzaephilus surinamensis, Cryptolestes pusillus and Plodia interpunctella), were carried out in a climatic chamber at 23 ± 2 °C and 65 ± 5% R.H.. Development time, the number of adults and the weight of these adults were evaluated. The results show that each considered foodstuff has a different susceptibility to infestation and differences both in the number of adults emerged and in their weight compared to control. Millet was the only product that allowed larval development up to the adult stage for all the species examined. No species developed on amaranth. T. confusum and O. surinamensis reached the adult stage on the greatest number of products, 5 and 4 respectively; C. pusillus and T. molitor completed their life cycles on only two commodities: millet and teff, while P. interpunctella only on millet and hemp seeds. Considering the impact of the different pests on the studied grains, T. confusum was the only species able to develop on all the grains, but the number of emerged adults was lower than on the standard diet. These results show that, even if these commodities are new in the European market, they are susceptible to the infestation of common stored product pests that could led to a removal from the market of a contaminated stock, so a continuous monitoring is needed.     

Solid lipid nanoparticles of Annona muricata fruit extract: formulation,optimization and in vitro cytotoxicity studies

The present study was aimed to develop Annona muricata fruit extract loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SLNs) and explore its cytotoxic potential in vitro model of breast cancers. Extract loaded SLNs were successfully prepared by high-pressure homogenization followed by ultrasonication method and optimized using 2³ full factorial design. The extract loaded SLNs were characterized using different parameters such as particle size (PS), % entrapment efficiency (EE), zeta potential (ZP) and % cumulative drug release (CDR). The SLNs formulation was optimized on the basis of software analysis with an overall desirability factor. The PS and %EE of the optimized formulation were found to be 134.8?nm and 83.26%, respectively. The optimized formulation showed a CDR of 79.83% up to 48?h. In vitro cytotoxicity efficacy of extract loaded SLNs was determined using MTT and Apoptosis assay and compared to that of a free extract. The SLNs showed a notable apoptotic effect and better efficacy to kill MCF7 cancer cells as compared to free extract. Thus, extract loaded SLNs could be an alternative dosage form which possibly controls therapeutic action with reducing side effect.     

miRNAs Participate in the Regulation of Oxidative Stress-Related Gene Expression in Endometrioid Endometrial Cancer

Reactive oxygen species are formed as by-products of normal cell metabolism. They are needed to maintain cell homeostasis and signaling, which is possible due to defense systems. Disruption of this balance leads to oxidative stress that can induce cancer. Redox regulation by miRNAs may be a potential therapeutic target. The aim of the study was to assess the activity of genes associated with oxidative stress in endometrial cancer and to determine their relationship with miRNAs. The study included 45 patients with endometrioid endometrial cancer and 45 without neoplastic changes. The expression profile of genes associated with oxidative stress was determined with mRNA microarrays, RT-qPCR and ELISA. The miRNA prediction was performed based on the miRNA microarray experiment and the mirDB tool. PRDX2 and AQP1 showed overexpression that was probably not related to miRNA activity. A high level of PKD2 may be the result of a decrease in the activity of miR-195-3p, miR-20a, miR-134. A SOD3 level reduction can be caused by miR-328, miR-363. In addition, miR-363 can also regulate KLF2 expression. In the course of endometrial cancer, the phenomenon of oxidative stress is observed, the regulation of which may be influenced by miRNAs.     

Evaluation of the Impact of Esterases and Lipases from the Circulatory System against Substrates of Different Lipophilicity

Esterases and lipases can process amphiphilic esters used as drugs and prodrugs and impact their pharmacokinetics and biodistribution. These hydrolases can also process ester components of drug delivery systems (DDSs), thus triggering DDSs destabilization with premature cargo release. In this study we tested and optimized assays that allowed us to quantify and compare individual esterase contributions to the degradation of substrates of increased lipophilicity and to establish limitations in terms of substrates that can be processed by a specific esterase/lipase. We have studied the impact of carbonic anhydrase; phospholipases A1, A2, C and D; lipoprotein lipase; and standard lipase on the hydrolysis of 4-nitrophenyl acetate, 4-nitrophenyl palmitate, DGGR and POPC liposomes, drawing structure–property relationships. We found that the enzymatic activity of these proteins was highly dependent on the lipophilicity of the substrate used to assess them, as expected. The activity observed for classical esterases was diminished when lipophilicity of the substrate increased, while activity observed for lipases generally increased, following the interfacial activation model, and was highly dependent on the type of lipase and its structure. The assays developed allowed us to determine the most sensitive methods for quantifying enzymatic activity against substrates of particular types and lipophilicity.     

Biosurfactants: Recent advances

Surfactants find applications in a wide variety of industrial processes. Biomolecules that are amphiphilic and partition preferentially at interfaces are classified as biosurfactants. In terms of surface activity, heat and pH stability, many biosurfactants are comparable to synthetic surfactants. Therefore, as the environmental compatibility is becoming an increasingly important factor in selecting industrial chemicals, the commercialization of biosurfactant is gaining much attention. In this paper, the general properties and functions of biosurfactants are introduced. Strategies for development of biosurfactant assay, enhanced biosurfactant production, large scale fermentation, and product recovery are discussed. Also discussed are recent advances in the genetic engineering of biosurfactant production. The potential applications of biosurfactants in industrial processes and bioremediation are presented. Finally, comments on the application of enzymes for the production of surfactants are also made.