Microbial transformation of Astragalus sapogenins using Cunninghamella blakesleeana NRRL 1369 and Glomerella fusarioides ATCC 9552

WOS: 000353599300005The microbial transformation of Astragalus sp. derived sapogenins, namely cycloastragenol, astragenol and cyclocanthogenol, by Cunninghamella blakesleeana NRRL 1369 and Glomerella fusarioides ATCC 9552 were investigated. The unique enzyme system of both fungi resulted hydroxylation, cyclization, dehydrogenation and oxidation reactions. Structures of the new metabolites were elucidated by 1-D (H-1, C-13, NOESY), 2-D NMR (DQF-COSY, HMBC, HMQC, NOESY) and HR-MS analyses. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK)Turkiye Bilimsel ve Teknolojik Arastirma Kurumu (TUBITAK) [109S345]; European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST, Action)European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST) [CM0804]This work is supported by The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK, Project No: 109S345) and European Cooperation in Science and Technology (COST, Action No: CM0804). The fungi, Cunninghamella blakesleeana NRRL 1369 was obtained from the ARS Culture Collection, USA, and Glomerealla fusarioides ATCC 9552 was obtained from LGC Standards-ATCC Culture Collection. Finally, we are very greatful to Biological Mass Spectrometry and Proteomics Facility, Izmir Institute of Technology, Department of Chemistry for obtaining mass spectra

Influence of maternal nicotine exposure on neonatal rat bone: Protective effect of pentoxifylline

Limited research in young adults and immature animals suggests a detrimental effect of tobacco on bone during growth. The aim of this study was to determine the adverse effects of maternal nicotine exposure during pregnancy and lactation on neonatal rat bone development, and to determine a protective effect of pentoxifylline (PTX). Gravid rats were assigned into four groups, one control (group 1) and three experimental (groups 11, III, and IV). In group II, pregnant rats received 3 mg/kg/day nicotine alone, subcutaneously, until 21 days postnatal. In group III, pregnant rats received nicotine (3 mg/kg/day) and PTX (60 mg/kg/day). In group IV, pregnant rats received PTX alone (60 mg/kg/day). Whole body mineral density (BMD), content (BMC), area (BA), and histopathologic and morphologic findings of the femur were determined at 21 days of age. The study revealed that nicotine exposure (group 11) decreased birth weight, pregnancy weight gain, and length of femur compared with other groups (P < 0.01). Birth weight was higher in groups III (PTX + nicotine) and IV (PTX) than in group 11 (nicotine). Body weight at 21 days of age was higher (P = 0.009) in the PTX alone group (group IV) compared with the other groups. BMD was higher (P < 0.001) in the PTX-treated groups (group III and IV) compared with other groups. In addition, there were more apoptotic chondrocytes in the hypertrophic zone of rats exposed to nicotine alone (group 11) compared with the other groups (P < 0.001). In conclusion, maternal nicotine exposure resulted in decreased birth weight, pregnancy weight gain, and bone lengthening, and increased apoptosis. Pentoxifylline supplementation was found to prevent the adverse effects of maternal nicotine exposure on BMD and birth weight

Follicular Thyroid Cancer Presenting as a Pelvic Mass: A Case Report

Distant metastasis is uncommon in differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) and 7% to 23% of DTC patients develop distant metastasis. The remarkably good prognosis and long-term survival in DTC are significantly reduced in patients with distant metastasis as those at the pelvic site. We report the rare case of a patient wth follicular thyroid cancer initially diagnosed as a pelvic mass

Attenuation of Type IV pili activity by natural products

The virulence factor Type IV pili (T4P) are surface appendages used by the opportunistic pathogen Pseudomonas aeruginosa for twitching motility and adhesion in the environment and during infection. Additionally, the use of these appendages by P. aeruginosa for biofilm formation increases its virulence and drug resistance. Therefore, attenuation of the activity of T4P would be desirable to control P. aeruginosa infections. Here, a computational approach has been pursued to screen natural products that can be used for this purpose. PilB, the elongation ATPase of the T4P machinery in P. aeruginosa, has been selected as the target subunit and virtual screening of FDA-approved drugs has been conducted. Screening identified two natural compounds, ergoloid and irinotecan, as potential candidates for inhibiting this T4P-associated ATPase in P. aeruginosa. These candidate compounds underwent further rigorous evaluation through molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and then through in vitro twitching motility and biofilm inhibition assays. Notably, ergoloid emerged as a particularly promising candidate for weakening the T4P activity by inhibiting the elongation ATPases associated with T4P. This repurposing study paves the way for the timely discovery of antivirulence drugs as an alternative to classical antibiotic treatments to help combat infections caused by P. aeruginosa and related pathogens. Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma</p