G1 phase arrest and apoptosis induction in human thyroid cancer cell line Thr.C1.PI33 by 3-hydrogenkwadaphnin isolated from Dendrostellera lessertii

BACKGROUND: Dendrostellera lessertii (Thymelaeaceae) is a toxic plant that grows in parts of Iran. The anti-proliferative properties of its crude methanol extract and one of its active components, 3-hydrogenkwadaphnin (3-HK), have been established using several cancer cell lines. METHODS: In a further attempt to determine the mode of action, two groups of synchronously growing cells were treated with a single dose of 3-HK (3.5 nM) and/or a single dose of the crude extract (equivalent to 0.36 mg plant powder). Every 8 hours, the percentages of cells within G1, S, and G2-M phases were determined by flow cytometric (FCM) analysis; electron microscopic pictures were taken after fixation with 2% glutaraldehyde. RESULTS: Twelve hours after treatments, apoptotic cell death was confirmed by the observation of marked morphological changes of the plasma membrane as microvillar disappearance and the appearance of apoptotic bodies in the treated cells. FCM analyses revealed that the G1 phase arrest was under the influence of the pure substance. CONCLUSION: The results confirmed the previously drawn conclusion that the raw material and the pure substance from D. lessertii exert their anti-tumor effects through cell cycle arrest at G1 phase and diversion of cell fate toward programmed cell death.     

Antioxidant and free radical scavenging potential of yakuchinone B derivatives in reduction of lipofuscin formation using H2O2-treated neuroblastoma cells

Background: The progressive accumulation of misfolded and aggregated proteins in neurons is an accepted mechanism in aging. Overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS), referred to as oxidative stress, is currently believed to play a pivotal role in this process. Lipofuscin as a histological index of aging results from cross-links between oxidized proteins and lipids. Therefore, to attenuate lipofuscin formation, it would be logical to use exogenous natural or synthetic antioxidants. Yakuchinone B (1-[4''-hydroxy-3''-methoxyphenyl]-7-phenylhept-1-en-3-one) is a component of Alpinia oxyphylla seeds with established antioxidant activity. Methods: To evaluate the neuroprotective roles of yakuchinone B (JC6) and its structural analogues (JC1-JC5), the free radical scavenging capabilities of yakuchinone B derivatives were studied in terms of cell viability, apoptosis, cells ROS content, catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and the intracellular lipofuscin content in SK-N-MC cells exposed to H₂O₂. The level of MDA (malondialdehyde), as an index of lipid peroxidation and acid phosphatase activity were also measured. Results: Our results indicated that derivatives especially JC4, JC5 and JC6 decreased the extent of apoptosis and ROS level, while they increased the activities of SOD and CAT in drug-pretreated cells as compared to H₂O₂-treated cells. A clear relationship between the structure and antioxidant activities of these compounds was established. In addition, JC4, JC5 and JC6 were capable of down-regulating the formation of MDA and lipofuscin. Conclusion: Our results indicated that free radicals play significant roles in lipofuscin formation and cellular aging which can be attenuated by yakuchinone B derivatives.Key Words: Aging, Lipofuscin, Reactive oxygen species (ROS), Yakuchinone B     

Wicking phenomenon in polyacrylonitrile nanofiber yarn

The aim of this paper is to investigate vertical wicking in polyacrylonitrile (PAN) electrospinning nanofiber yarn using image analysis. Colored liquid rising phenomenon into the yarn and the distance of liquid rise were determined as a function of time. The kinetics of capillary rise follows the Lucas-Washburn equation. The results show that capillary rise rate coefficient is being reduced with increasing yarn twist, due to the reduction of continuity and size of capillaries. Increasing heat treatment stretch from 0 % (draw ratio=1) to 50 % (draw ratio=1.5) increases the capillary rise rate coefficient, due to the more homogeneity of capillary spaces in the yarn structure and increasing heat treatment stretch from 50 to 100 % (draw ratio=2) reduces capillary rise rate coefficient, because of the low capillary length. The present study indicates that an appropriate choice in production parameters of nanofiber yarn is all important in obtaining the desired properties of capillary rise.     

Characterization of Pectobacterium species from Iran using biochemical and molecular methods

Characteristics of forty strains from macerated potato tubers and water-soaked lesions of some ornamental plants were studied in north parts of Iran. The causal organisms isolated from infected tissues were identified as Pectobacterium spp. based on their physiological and biochemical assays and confirmed by species and subspecies specific PCR and RFLP analysis of 16S–23S intergenic transcribed spacer region. Artificial inoculation of isolates to their related hosts generated the same symptoms on potato and ornamental plants, from which the same bacteria were isolated and identified. We detected two groups of atypical isolates in this study. The first group from potato classified as Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum by phenotypic tests but was unable to elicit HR on tobacco leaves, to grow at 37°C and to amplify the pel gene relevant to this subspecies. The second one from ornamental plants which was again characterized as Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum in biochemical assays, produced a unique ITS-RFLP profile different from all of known Pectobacterium species and subspecies. Our findings based on phylogenetic analysis using concatenated partial sequences of housekeeping genes mdh and gapA, indicated the occurrence of P. wasabiae as a novel species in potato storage in Iran. Furthermore we detected a distinct clade of Pectobacterium spp. from some ornamental plants including Schlumbergera bridgesii, Syngonium podophyllum and Iris spp.     

Prevention of Nonalcoholic Steatohepatitis in Rats by Two Manganese-Salen Complexes

Background: Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), a progressive stage of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), is characterized by steatosis with inflammation. Investigations have suggested that oxidative stress may play an important role in the progress of NAFLD to NASH. To provide further insights into beneficial effects of antioxidants in NASH prevention, we employed two manganese-superoxide dismutase/catalase mimetics, manganese N,N`-bis(salicyldene) ethylene diamine chloride (EUK-8) and manganese-3-methoxy N,N`-bis(salicyldene)ethylenediamine chloride (EUK-134), as two salen representatives and vitamin C as the standard antioxidant. Methods: Experimental NASH was induced in Male N-Mary rats by feeding a methionine/choline-deficient (MCD) diet to rats for 10 weeks. The rats (n = 5, 30 mg/kg/day) were randomly assigned to receive vitamin C, EUK-8, EUK-134 or vehicle orally. Results: Administration of salens together with the MCD diet reduced the serum aminotransferases, glutathione transferase and alkaline phosphatase, cholesterol, and LDL contents. In addition, the EUK-8 and EUK-134 improved NASH pathological features in liver of MCD-fed rats. Conclusion: EUK-8 and EUK-134 supplementation reduces NASH-induced abnormalities, pointing out that antioxidant strategy could be beneficial for prevention of NASH.Key Words: Fatty liver, Oxidative stress, Antioxidants     

Simultaneous Determination of Amino Acids and Biogenic Amines in Tuna and Mahi-Mahi by Reversed-Phase Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography

Tuna and mahi-mahi are two major fish species responsible for histamine poisoning. This research developed a rapid ultra-high performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC) method to determine amino acids, histamine, and other biogenic amines that can act as co-indicators of histamine poisoning in tuna and mahi-mahi. The modified UHPLC method could simultaneously determine four biogenic amines and 10 major free amino acids in mahi-mahi (Coryphaena hippurus) and yellowfin tuna (Thunnus albacares) within 17.5 min. This UHPLC method showed good linear response, sensitivity, resolution, recovery, repeatability, and number of theoretical plates. The concentrations of detected amino acids, biogenic amines in mahi-mahi and tuna, and their relationships with fish spoilage grade were determined by this UHPLC method. The developed UHPLC method is a rapid and accurate way to monitor quality changes of mahi-mahi and tuna by inspecting the changes of amino acids and biogenic amines.     

Evaluation of anti-nociceptive effect of epidural tramadol, tramadol-lidocaine and lidocaine in goats

Objective To compare the anti‐nociceptive effect of tramadol, a combination of tramadol‐lidocaine, and lidocaine alone when administered in the epidural space. Study design Experimental randomized cross‐over study. Animals Seven healthy male goats, aged 9–11 months, weight 17.5–25.5 kg. Methods Treatments were lidocaine, 2.86 mg kg^?1, tramadol‐lidocaine (1 mg kg^?1 and 2.46 mg kg^?1, respectively) and tramadol (1 mg kg^?1) given into the epidural space. The volume of all treatments was 0.143 mL kg^?1. Nociception was tested by pin prick and by pressure from a haemostat clamp. Times to the onset and duration of anti‐nociception in the perineal region were recorded. Recumbency and ataxia were noted. Rectal temperature, heart rate and respiratory rate were recorded before and at 15 minute intervals for 2 hours after the administration of each treatment. Statistical comparison used one‐way anova with a post hoc Duncan’s test as a post hoc. Significance was taken as p < 0.05. Results Times (mean ± SD) to onset of and duration of loss of sensation, respectively in minutes were; lidocaine, 3 ± 1 and 85 ± 11), tramadol‐lidocaine 4 ± 1 and 140 ± 2; tramadol 12 ± 1 and 235 ± 18. Onset and duration times were significantly longer with tramadol than the other two treatments. Duration was significantly longer with tramadol‐lidocaine than with lidocaine alone. With lidocaine treatment all goats were severely ataxic or recumbent, after tramadol‐lidocaine mildly ataxic, and after tramadol not ataxic. Rectal temperature, heart and respiratory rates did not differ significantly from baseline after any treatment. Conclusions and clinical relevance The combination of tramadol‐lidocaine given by epidural injection produced an anti‐nociceptive effect in the perineal region, which was rapid in onset and had a longer duration of action than lidocaine alone. This combination might prove useful clinically to provide analgesia in goats for long‐duration obstetrical and surgical procedures but surgical stimuli were not investigated in this study.     

Effects of biofertilizers and cycocel on some physiological and biochemical traits of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under salinity stress

In order to study the effects of biofertilizers and cycocel on some physiological and biochemical characteristics of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) under salinity condition, a factorial experiment was conducted based on randomized complete block design with three replications under greenhouse condition in 2015. Treatments were included salinity in four levels [no salt (control or S₀), salinity 30 (S₁), 60 (S₂) and 90 (S₃) mM NaCl equivalent of 2.76, 5.53 and 8.3 dS m^?1, respectively], four biofertilizers levels [no biofertilizer (F₀), seed inoculation by Azotobacter chrocoocum strain 5 (F₁), Pseudomonas putida strain 186 (F₂), both inoculation Azotobacter + Pseudomonas (F₃)] and three cycocel levels [without cycocel as control (C₀), application of 600 (C₁) and 1000 (C₂) mg L^?1]. Results showed that salinity severe stress (90 mM) decreased chlorophyll content, relative water content (RWC), total chlorophyll, photochemical efficiency of PSII and yield of wheat. Whereas, soluble sugars and proline content, electrical conductivity (EC), the activity of catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), polyphenol oxidase (PPO) enzymes were increased. Similar results were observed in CAT, POD and PPO activities due to inoculation by biofertilizers and cycocel. Salinity at 30 mM increased the photochemical efficiency of PSII and chlorophyll content in plants grown under biofertilizer and cycocel treatment but with increasing salinity up to 90 mM mentioned parameters were decreased. The highest proline and soluble carbohydrate at all salinity levels were observed in plants treated in the highest cycocel level and Azotobacter+ Pseudomonas application. Generally, it was concluded that biofertilizers and cycocel can be used as a proper tool for increasing wheat yield under salinity condition.     

Association of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Pantoea ananatis and Pantoea agglomerans</Emphasis> with leaf spot disease on ornamental plants of Araceae Family

During a survey in 2011–2012, three ornamental plants of Araceae namely Aglaonema nitidum, Syngonium podophyllum and Dieffenbachia amoena showing foliar disease symptoms were collected from central region of Iran. Infected plants exhibited spots on their leaves which appeared as yellow and water-soaked with chlorotic haloes and necrotic center. To investigate the etiology of this disorder, symptomatic leaves were collected from affected plants and six bacterial strains (B2Y, J3Y, SY, E60Y, E68Y and E5MM) were isolated and identified as Pantoea ananatis or P. agglomerans based on morphological, physiological, biochemical and molecular characters. The pathogenicity tests of the isolates demonstrated that they were not host specific. Furthermore, 16S rRNA gene sequencing revealed that the strains were phylogenetically closely related to genus Pantoea. Multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) of concatenated partial atpD, gyrB and rpoB gene sequences of the six isolates showed a high similarity of B2Y, J3Y, and SY strains to P. ananatis and also of E60Y, E5MM and E68Y strains to P. agglomerans. These results were confirmed by phylogenetic analysis. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report of leaf spot and necrosis of A. nitidum, S. podophyllum and D. amoena caused by the genus Pantoea.     

Chronic effects of NeemAzal on biochemical parameters of grass carp,Ctenopharyngodon idella

The aim of this study was to assess the chronic effects of a bio‐pesticide (NeemAzal) on some biochemical parameters of grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idella) under laboratory conditions. At first, 96 h LC₅₀ of the pesticide was determined using probit analysis software and was found to be 0.73 mg L^?1 of the active ingredient (azadirachtin) of the pesticide. Fresh fish were then divided into three treatments and a control and were exposed to sublethal concentrations (10%, 20% and 30% of the 96 h LC₅₀ value) of the pesticide for a month. The biochemical examination of the blood showed a remarkable decrease in values of protein, albumin, AST, ALT, ALP and LDH (P < 0.05).