SPECTROSCOPIC STUDIES OF INHIBITION OF CALMODULIN ACTIVITY BY SOME DRUGS

The effect of four inhibitors on calmalulin (CuM) were studied by a ftuorescence and ultraviolet techniques. Four compounds IN - ( 6 - aminohexyt) 5-chloro - I - napthalenesulphonamide] (W-7), 1 - [ bis - (4 - chtorophenyt) methyl] - 3 - [2, 4-dichloro - β - ( 2 , 4 - dichlorobenzyloxyl) phenethyt] imidazolium chloride (R24571), trifluoperazine (TFP) , thiodiphenylamide chloride (TDPAC) showed inhibitory effect on bovine brain phosphodiesterase (PDE) induced by CaM. The concentration of inhibitors producing 50% inhibition of of Ca 2+ / CaM activity activity (IC50) and the Hill coefficient were correlating closely between the methods, Ki's and thermodynamic parameters for these interactions were estimated

ETUDE DES VARIATIONS DU TAUX D'OESTRIOL SERIQUE DANS DIVERS CAS AU COURS DE LA GESTATION CHEZ DES FEMMES IRANIENNES

The t otal serum oestriol was measured among the Iranian women a f ter the 25 tho week of pregnancy. From the total of 233 women examined 198 had normal pregnancies and the ot h er 35 were high risk pregnancies and were under medical servillence. From the 25 tho week of gestat ion , the serum oest r iol among the normal subjects ranged from 64 .8 ± 12.4 ng/ml to the highest level of 205 .0 ± 57 .3 ng/ml cor relat ions were ob s e rved between the weights o f the new bor n babies and the serum oestrio l l eve l dur i ng the p regnanc i e s . In mos t cases , among the hi gh risk p r egnanci e s , the t otal serum oestriol showed a notable var iations

A survey of human milk and whey lipoproteins

In this research 20 specimen from human whole milk and whey were studied with respect to lipoproteins, cholesterol and triglycerides, 2-8 months after parturition. The whey was separated by means of ultracentri fugation. Also the 24 hour diet history was recorded. The average lipoprotein components in normal human milk were, chylomicron 16.19%±11.98%, beta lipoprotein 36.71%±9.33%, pre beta-lipoprotein 8.61%±3.03% and alpha lipoprotein 38.49%±9.97%. These components were also measured in whey and the results were as follows: chylomicron 6.91%±1.55%, beta lipoprotein 47.32%±10.5%, pre beta lipoprotein 11.48%±4.4% and alpha lipoprotein 33.87%±7.84%. The percent average of the total lipoprotein content and its free forms were estimated in human milk. The average percent chylomicron content was 6.48%±1.43%, beta lipoprotein 33.85%±13.1%, pre beta lipoprotein 12.88%±2.78% and alpha lipoprotein was 47.25%±10.63%. The average ratio of alpha to beta lipoprotein (HDL/LDL) in human milk was found to be 1.10±0.51. Thus, we conclude that breast-feeding can be considered as a potential preventive factor against future cardiovascular diseases

Comparison of the Recombinant Glucosephosphate Isomerase from Different Zymodemes of Entamoeba histolytica with Their Natural Counterparts by Isoenzyme Electrophoresis

Entamoeba histolytica is the etiological agent of invasive amoebiasis, the third leading parasitic cause of mortality in the world. Our aim was to find a molecular correlation between a glucosephosphate isomerase zymodeme analyses in E. histolytica zymodemes. It was demonstrated that natural and recombinant glucosephosphate isomerase enzymes of E. histolytica comigrated in the starch gel electrophoresis, indicating that the isoenzyme pattern of E. histolytica glucosephosphate isomerase could be explained from the primary sequences alone and means that expression of the polypeptides of the described sequences in Escherichia coli are able to reproduce the classical glucosephosphate isomerase isoenzyme patterns

NI (II) AND PB (II) INHIBIT THE ENZYMATIC ACTIVITY OF DNA IN AN ELECTRON TRANSFER REACTION

Introduction. Ni and Pb are metals with several suggested mechanisms for their toxicity on the biological systems. We have recently investigated involvement of DNA in an electron transfer reaction as an enzyme. In this reaction non- fluorescent dichlorofluorescin (LDCF) is converted to the dichlorofluorescein (DCF) in the presence of peroxides and hematin.
 Methods. The fluorometric technique was used in this study. The pH effect on the reaction rate was investigated. The results showed that DCF has the maximum emission on tris buffer 0.05 Mat pH 8.4.
 Results. DNA and carnosine catalyze the reaction, which proceeds by the electron transfer mechanism. The presence of carnosine is necessary for the catalytic action of DNA as a cofactor. Ni (II) and Pb (11) are the potent inhibitors of the reaction. The kinetic parameters and determined in the presence and absence of the above ligands.
 Discussion. DNA, which has the electrical properties only in the double helical forms, acts as a catalyst in the conversion of LDCF to DCF. The existence of the carnosine, an endogenous dipeptide with antioxidant and free radical scavenging roles, is an important factor for the progress of the reaction. Both Ni (11) and Pb (II) inhibit the reaction. These metals could act as the electron pool to cause inhibition in such electron transfer reaction. This phenomenon could be related to the carcinogenic effect of these metals

Pattern-Reconfigurable Printed Dipole Antenna Using Loaded Parasitic Elements

A printed dipole antenna is designed with two parasitic elements loaded by embedded resonators to provide reconfigurable patterns. The embedded resonators in the parasitic elements are loaded by varactor diodes, which change the phase and the transmission coefficient responses of the parasitic elements. This allows the parasitic elements to act as either a director, a reflector, or a neutral element. The proposed printed dipole antenna with two loaded parasitic elements acts as a printed Yagi-Uda antenna. Because the parasitic elements can act as either a director or a reflector, the directed gain can be increased, and the front-to-back ratio (FBR) may be improved up to 42 dB. It is also possible to achieve different target FBR if broadcasting is needed in two directions of the boresight. This pattern reshaping can be obtained as quickly as the diodes can change their capacitance. The antenna is designed to operate at 2.4 GHz, but this design approach can be applied to other frequency bands. The simulation and measurement results are in good agreement. © 2016 IEEE

Real-Time Assay as A Tool for Detecting lytA Gene in Streptococcus pneumoniae Isolates Citation

Abstract Objective: In-time diagnosis of Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumonia) can play a significant role in decreasing morbidity and mortality rate. Applying molecular methods has gained popularity due to the existing limits of routine diagnostic methods. Examining the expression of different genes of this bacterium through different molecular methods suggests that lytA gene has a higher sensitivity and specificity in diagnosis of Streptococcus pneumoniae. The aim of this study was to evalutate lytA gene expression in diagnosis of invasive S. pneumonia in culture positive specimens by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Materials and Methods: IIn this a descriptive study, All received specimens were isolated to identify S. pneumoniae. DNA was then extracted and after optimizing the test and determining the detection limit, samples were tested by real-time PCR using lytA gene primers. Results: Twenty seven isolates were diagnosed as S. pneumoniae. In all, the extracted DNA was positive in real-time method. The electrophoresis of the products also confirmed the presence of single product b along with the 53 base pair fragment. The detection limit of the test was less 6 colony forming unit (CFU). Conclusion: Real-Time PCR seems to provide reliable and rapid results. We suggest that this test should be conducted on the preliminary isolated specimens, since applying various biochemical tests need one extra working day

An extract of Urtica dioica L. mitigates obesity induced insulin resistance in mice skeletal muscle via protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A)

The leaf extract of Urtica dioica L. (UT) has been reported to improve glucose homeostasis in vivo, but definitive studies on efficacy and mechanism of action are lacking. We investigated the effects of UT on obesity- induced insulin resistance in skeletal muscle. Male C57BL/6J mice were divided into three groups: low-fat diet (LFD), high-fat diet (HFD) and HFD supplemented with UT. Body weight, body composition, plasma glucose and plasma insulin were monitored. Skeletal muscle (gastrocnemius) was analyzed for insulin sensitivity, ceramide accumulation and the post translational modification and activity of protein phosphatase 2A (PP2A). PP2A is activated by ceramides and dephosphorylates Akt. C2C12 myotubes exposed to excess free fatty acids with or without UT were also evaluated for insulin signaling and modulation of PP2A. The HFD induced insulin resistance, increased fasting plasma glucose, enhanced ceramide accumulation and PP2A activity in skeletal muscle. Supplementation with UT improved plasma glucose homeostasis and enhanced skeletal muscle insulin sensitivity without affecting body weight and body composition. In myotubes, UT attenuated the ability of FFAs to induce insulin resistance and PP2A hyperactivity without affecting ceramide accumulation and PP2A expression. UT decreased PP2A activity through posttranslational modification that was accompanied by a reduction in Akt dephosphorylation