Declines in some fish populations in the Upper Danube River, Germany, have been reported during the past decades despite extensive stocking efforts. Many theories exist for why such declines have occurred including habitat change, dams, invasive species, disease and pollution. One of the factors of concern in the Upper Danube River is pollution because a number of studies have shown that sediments collected from this area were acutely and/or chronically toxic to fish. Although it can be difficult to link bioassay results to direct effects on the population level, bioassays can give us insight into the potential of exposure of wildlife including fish to sediment. In combination with other researchers a large battery of sediment testing on the Upper Danube River is being performed. Testing includes sediment testing of estrogen receptor mediated processes, dioxin-like responses and genotoxic effects. In this study, four sediment extracts from the Upper Danube River in Germany were used with a novel fractionation technique to characterize the sediment extracts and fractions for their ability to disrupt steroidogenesis, for their mutagenic activities and their teratogenic effects. Fractionation of each of the four sediment samples was performed by separating compounds according to their polarity, planarity, and the size of the aromatic ring system in an on-line fractionation procedure on coupled high performance liquid chromatography columns.<p> Mutagenic activity was measured in the raw sediment extracts and all 18 fractions using the Ames fluctuation assay and the Danio rerio embryo assay was used to assess lethal endpoints. Furthermore, disruptions of steroidogenesis were assessed by first establishing methods and a proof of concept of the H295R assay by exposing H295R cells to 7 model chemicals and measuring changes from a control in estradiol, testosterone and aromatase activity. Once methods were established all sediments and their fractions were analyzed using the Assay.<p> Specifically, in the <i>Danio rerio</i> assay, two raw sediment extracts killed 100% of <i>Danio rerio</i> embryos at a concentration of 33.3 mg sediment equivalents (SEQ)/ml, but none of the 18 fractions of these samples produced any measured toxicity at a concentration of 100 mg SEQ/ml. In the Ames fluctuation assay, significant mutagenic activity was measured in raw sediment extracts and in the fractions. Fraction 10 produced a significant mutagenic response in all sediment samples measured only in S9 bio-activated samples. Furthermore, fraction 15 produced a significant mutagenic response in all sediment samples measured only in non bio-activated samples.<p> All raw extracts tested in the H295R assay caused an increase in estradiol production up to 4-fold from controls. Testosterone production increased slightly from controls in only two of the raw extract samples. Of the 18 fractions, fractions 7, 10 and 15 increased estradiol in at least three of the samples studied (Sigmaringen2006, Opfingen2006, Lauchert2006 and Lauchert2004). Furthermore, fraction 7 significantly decreased testosterone production compared to controls in three of the four sediment samples.<p> Taken as a whole, these results show the value of using multiple bioassays and fractionation to characterize sediments that covers a variety of different biological endpoints. This study also demonstrates the usefulness of the H295R assay when combined with a new fraction technique to assess endocrine disrupting chemicals in sediment samples.

PCWE has been used widely in oriental traditional medicine in treating edema and diarrhea. Recent studies have shown that PCWE may also have anti-tumor and anti-inflammation acts. However, few studies have been conducted to reveal the mechanisms of these effects. In the present study, we tried to elucidate the mechanisms by investigating the effects on PCWE on the regulation of ion transport across the epithelial membranes of colon, which is also useful in explaining the anti-diarrhea and anti-edema effects. Alternation in membrane potential and short-circuit current (Isc) were examined using the Ussing chamber technique. Our results showed that PCWE decreased Isc upon application to the apical side. Amiloride inhibited this Isc induced by PCWE indicating that PCWE acted on amiloride-sensitive sodium channel of the epithelium. However, when PCWE was applied to the serosal side, the Isc was not changed, indicating a minimal influence of this substance on ATP-driving Na+/K+ counter transporters. Our data also showed that the Isc decreased by PCWE could be inhibited by bumetanide and chlorothiazide (Cl¡Â channel inhibitors). We therefore concluded that PCWE could both enhance sodium transport and stimulate the secretion of Cl¡Â in colon epithelium.

The oxidative damage to DNA, protein and lipid, may be accumulated and play a role in the process of human cell aging. Oxidative stress may be due to the aerobic respiration and ozone-induced radiation which result in reactive oxygen species known as free radicals. Therefore, the antioxidant and free radical scanvenger which may reduce the oxidative damage, are of great interest, both in academic research and in the business world. The present study aims to evaluate the antioxidative potential of a very unique vegetable-fruit extract (Tsan-Ron-Bau-Yuan). The extract consists of over forty domestic vegetables and fruits, without using chemical fertilizers and pesticides during their entire growth period, is produced through a sophisticated freeze-dry technology. The anti-hydroxyl radical antioxidative potential were evaluated using the following four methods: (1) the plasmid DNA (2) the protein (3) the cell line and (4) the red blood cell . The results clearly demonstrat that the aqueous fraction of this extract can remarkably reduce the oxidative damage as evidenced by the DNA and protein model. In addition, the susceptibility of human red cells to oxidative stress can also be alleviated to some extents based on the RBC deformability studies. The efficacy of protection of the oxidative damage mediated by .OH generated by the Fenton¡¦s reaction was in the order of : aquaeous extract >100% ethanol extract > ethanol/ethylacetatee extract > 50% ethanol extract. Conversely, no significant protection to the action of hydrogen peroxide was observed in the cell line. Lysozyme which is ubiquitous among various natural products has negligible contribution as an antioxidant as revealed in the RBC deformability tests. Swine enzootic pneumoniae ¡]SEP¡^, is a disease caused by Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae infection, and usually lead to considerable economic loss. Though extensive research during the past years, the molecular mechanism about the infective pathway of M. hyopneumoniae was still elusive. The membrane proteins of this microorganism were considered as critical adhesion molecules and therefore are potential candidates for vaccine development. Through immunoscreening, we had isolated five recombinant phage clones expressing 10 kDa, 32 kDa, 36 kDa, 42 kDa and 60 kDa antigen proteins from the lEMBL3 library of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae. The clone carrying the P42 gene was subcloned and further characterized as a heat shock protein gene. In the present study, the heat-shock protein gene encoding a 42 kDa/ 65 kDa protein¡]P42/P65¡^was cloned into the mammalian expression vector pcDNA3 and obtained plasmid pcDNA42. The immune response induced by pcDNA42 was evaluated in mice. The IgG titer was obviously elevated during the first eight weeks with the IgG1 titer slightly higher than IgG2a. However, the IgM titer was not changed signifcantly. Studies on the macrophage activity and T cell cytotoxity were still undergoning.

Thesis (M.S.)--Worcester Polytechnic Institute. / Keywords: code transformation; Java programming language; compilers. Includes bibliographical references (p. 65-67).

The E3 ubiquitin ligase \(CRL4^{Cdt2}\) targets proteins for destruction during DNA replication and following DNA damage (Havens and Walter, 2011). Its substrates contain "PIP degrons" that mediate substrate binding to the processivity factor PCNA at replication forks and damage sites. The resulting PCNA-PIP degron complex forms a docking site for \(CRL4^{Cdt2}\), which ubiquitylates the substrate on chromatin. Several \(CRL4^{Cdt2}\) substrates are known, including Cdt1, multiple CDK inhibitors, Drosophila E2f1, human Set8, S. pombe Spd1, and C. elegans \(Pol\eta\) (Havens and Walter, 2011). An emerging theme is that \(CRL4^{Cdt2}\) targets proteins whose presence in S phase is toxic. Here, I used Xenopus egg extract to characterize a new \(CRL4^{Cdt2}\) substrate, thymine DNA glycosylase (TDG). TDG is a base excision repair protein that targets G-U and G-T mispairs, which arise from cytosine and 5-methylcytosine deamination (Cortazar et al., 2007). Thus, TDG may function in epigenetic gene regulation via DNA demethylation, in addition to its canonical DNA repair function. A yet unknown E3 ubiquitin ligase triggers TDG destruction during S phase (Hardeland et al., 2007). Understanding TDG proteolysis in S phase is relevant to the regulation of DNA replication, DNA repair, and epigenetic control of gene expression. I discovered that TDG contains a variant of the "PIP degron" consensus and that TDG is ubiquitylated and destroyed in a PCNA-, Cdt2-, and degron-specific manner during DNA repair and DNA replication in Xenopus egg extract. I further characterized what features of TDG contribute to its proteolysis. Interestingly, I could not identify any defects during DNA replication or during Xenopus embryonic development in response to a non-degradable form of TDG. Additionally, I examined how interactions between \(CRL4^{Cdt2}\) and multiple subunits of the PCNA homotrimer contribute to \(CRL4^{Cdt2}\) function. In a popular model, PCNA functions as a "tool belt" on DNA, binding three separate proteins through its individual subunits to facilitate rapid exchange of DNA replication and repair proteins as they are needed on DNA. To address this model, I generated a single chain polypeptide with three PCNA subunits connected through flexible linker sequences. I used this tool to determine how multiple PCNA subunits contribute to \(CRL4^{Cdt2}\) function. I found that a single wildtype subunit is sufficient for modest destruction of the \(CRL4^{Cdt2}\) substrate Cdt1, but complete Cdt1 destruction requires two separate wildtype subunits. Additionally, a single subunit was sufficient for leading strand elongation, challenging the "tool belt" model during DNA replication. I also discuss implications and future use of the single-chain PCNA.

Pomegranate extract (PE) is a standardized whole fruit extract of pomegranate (Punica granatum L.), a fruit with known anti inflammatory and anti cancer properties. In the present study, the effects of PE on two different cell lines of human pancreatic cancer cells, AsPC-1 and PANC-1 were examined. Both cell lines are epithelial cancers but differ morphologically and in their response to treatment with PE. PE inhibited proliferation of both cancer cell lines in a dose dependent and time dependent manner. The reason for this was the potency of PE to cause significant cell cycle arrest in the pancreatic cancer cells, which was noted to be cell specific. AsPC-1 was arrested in G₂ phase while PANC-1 was arrested in G₀/G₁phase of the cell cycle. PE also checked the viability of confluent cancer cells in a concentration dependent manner. In case of AsPC-1 this was due to the action of PE to induce apoptosis, as demonstrated by the Annexin-V assay. In case of PANC-1, a highly invading cancer greatly affected by the presence of surface stem cell markers CD44⁺/CD24⁺, PE was capable of modifying the stem cell markers and induce an increase in the non tumorigenic sub population of cells. A study was also conducted to look at the action of PE in causing inhibition of pancreatic cancer cell proliferation, in comparison to a clinically used chemotherapeutic agent, Paclitaxel. The results indicated that the effect of PE, at clinically feasible doses was superior to that of clinically used doses of Paclitaxel. This data suggests that PE, which is proven to be a safe dietary supplement, looks promising in the prevention and treatment of human pancreatic cancer cells without the side effects of standard drug therapy and could possibly have a role in controlling stem cancer cell population / text

At present, little is known concerning the fungi communities inhabiting the Greater Sudbury Region. This study aimed at identifying the fungal species and abundance in limed and unlimed areas contaminated with metals. Samples were collected from the LFH soil layer from Wahnapitae Hydro-Dam, Daisy Lake, Kingsway, Kelly Lake, Hagar, Onaping Falls and Capreol. Limed and unlimed areas were compared for soil metals, pH, fungi diversity, abundance and seasonal soil respiration. Fungi from soil samples were cultured using Sabouraud Dextrose Agar and Malt Extract Agar. A total of 52 fungi species from 34 genera were identified. There was a significantly higher fungal diversity in the limed areas compared to the samples from unlimed sites based on SDA medium data. Fungi abundance followed the same trend. Significantly higher soil respiration rates were recorded for limed sites compared to unlimed sites. Summer soil respiration rates correlated (r = 0.50) with total fungal abundance.

South Africa is a country of great diversity. Different climate zones and a host of different habitats make South Africa the perfect platform for rich floral diversity. This floral diversity lends itself to the study of natural products by discovering new natural drugs that can be used in the treatment of many illnesses. Studies into the antioxidant properties of plants that are used in traditional medicine are an important aspect of research to determine the rationale of the use of plants by traditional healers. Many neurodegenerative diseases, like epilepsy, Parkinson s and Alzheimer s diseases, are linked to oxidative stress. Antioxidants could play a major role as neuroprotective agents and could alter the progression of these diseases. Epilepsy is one of the world s most prevalent central nervous system disorders and affects more than seventy per one thousand children in South Africa. Most of these cases are people in rural areas of South Africa where communities rely on the use of traditional medicine. Cotyledon orbiculata L. var orbiculata (Haw.) DC. is widely used in traditional medicine to treat epilepsy and other central nervous system disorders. The need to screen these plants for activity and toxicity is very important to understand the complex mechanism of action in the treatment of patients. In this study the methanol extract and three different fractions of the methanol extract of Cotyledon orbiculata were used to test for antioxidant activity and toxicity towards neuroblastoma cells. The freeze dried leaves of Cotyledon orbiculata were extracted with methanol using a Soxhlet apparatus. The concentrated extracts were analysed using HPLC (high pressure liquid chromatography) and three major peaks were selected for isolation. Three assays were performed to assess the antioxidant activity and toxicity of the isolated compounds. The thiobarbituric acid assay (TBA) quantifies the extent of the inhibition of lipid peroxidation in rat brain homogenates by the isolated fractions. All of the samples were able to attenuate lipid peroxidation as seen from the results obtained from the TBA assay. The methanol extract showed the best attenuation of lipid peroxidation in the rat brain homogenate with fraction 1 and 2 showing greater attenuation of lipid peroxidation than fraction 3. The nitroblue tetrazolium assay (NBT) quantifies the ability of the fractions to scavenge superoxide radicals in a rat brain homogenate. All samples were able to scavenge superoxide radicals as indicated by the NBT assay. The methanol extract showed the best superoxide scavenging abilities in the assay whereas fraction 1 showed better scavenging abilities than fraction 2 and 3. The 3–(4,5–dimethylthiazol–2–yl)–2,5–diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay (MTT) indicates the toxicity of the fractions towards neuroblastoma cells. The methanol extract and fraction 2 in the highest concentration of 10 mg/ml were the only samples that showed toxicity towards neuroblastoma cells. The molecular structure of a compound from fraction 2 was determined by using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), infrared spectroscopy (IR), and mass spectroscopy (MS). This compound was identified as diethyl malate. Diethyl malate is an artefact that is generated in HPLC procedures in the presence of malic acid (which naturally occurs in the leaves of Cotyledon orbiculata) and ethanol. The methanol extract of Cotyledon orbiculata has high antioxidant activity and could be due to the presence of malic acid in the leaves of the plant. The rationale in the use of Cotyledon orbiculata in the treatment of epilepsy could not be determined due to the isolation of an artefact, diethyl malate, obtained from the fraction. Further research should include methods to prevent artefact formation and purification of the samples that are obtained. / Thesis (MSc (Pharmaceutical Chemistry))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

South Africa is a country of great diversity. Different climate zones and a host of different habitats make South Africa the perfect platform for rich floral diversity. This floral diversity lends itself to the study of natural products by discovering new natural drugs that can be used in the treatment of many illnesses. Studies into the antioxidant properties of plants that are used in traditional medicine are an important aspect of research to determine the rationale of the use of plants by traditional healers. Many neurodegenerative diseases, like epilepsy, Parkinson s and Alzheimer s diseases, are linked to oxidative stress. Antioxidants could play a major role as neuroprotective agents and could alter the progression of these diseases. Epilepsy is one of the world s most prevalent central nervous system disorders and affects more than seventy per one thousand children in South Africa. Most of these cases are people in rural areas of South Africa where communities rely on the use of traditional medicine. Cotyledon orbiculata L. var orbiculata (Haw.) DC. is widely used in traditional medicine to treat epilepsy and other central nervous system disorders. The need to screen these plants for activity and toxicity is very important to understand the complex mechanism of action in the treatment of patients. In this study the methanol extract and three different fractions of the methanol extract of Cotyledon orbiculata were used to test for antioxidant activity and toxicity towards neuroblastoma cells. The freeze dried leaves of Cotyledon orbiculata were extracted with methanol using a Soxhlet apparatus. The concentrated extracts were analysed using HPLC (high pressure liquid chromatography) and three major peaks were selected for isolation. Three assays were performed to assess the antioxidant activity and toxicity of the isolated compounds. The thiobarbituric acid assay (TBA) quantifies the extent of the inhibition of lipid peroxidation in rat brain homogenates by the isolated fractions. All of the samples were able to attenuate lipid peroxidation as seen from the results obtained from the TBA assay. The methanol extract showed the best attenuation of lipid peroxidation in the rat brain homogenate with fraction 1 and 2 showing greater attenuation of lipid peroxidation than fraction 3. The nitroblue tetrazolium assay (NBT) quantifies the ability of the fractions to scavenge superoxide radicals in a rat brain homogenate. All samples were able to scavenge superoxide radicals as indicated by the NBT assay. The methanol extract showed the best superoxide scavenging abilities in the assay whereas fraction 1 showed better scavenging abilities than fraction 2 and 3. The 3–(4,5–dimethylthiazol–2–yl)–2,5–diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay (MTT) indicates the toxicity of the fractions towards neuroblastoma cells. The methanol extract and fraction 2 in the highest concentration of 10 mg/ml were the only samples that showed toxicity towards neuroblastoma cells. The molecular structure of a compound from fraction 2 was determined by using nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), infrared spectroscopy (IR), and mass spectroscopy (MS). This compound was identified as diethyl malate. Diethyl malate is an artefact that is generated in HPLC procedures in the presence of malic acid (which naturally occurs in the leaves of Cotyledon orbiculata) and ethanol. The methanol extract of Cotyledon orbiculata has high antioxidant activity and could be due to the presence of malic acid in the leaves of the plant. The rationale in the use of Cotyledon orbiculata in the treatment of epilepsy could not be determined due to the isolation of an artefact, diethyl malate, obtained from the fraction. Further research should include methods to prevent artefact formation and purification of the samples that are obtained. / Thesis (MSc (Pharmaceutical Chemistry))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2012.

Neaustinė medžiaga gali būti nauja vaisto forma, todėl yra svarbu rasti biofarmacinį tyrimą, kuris būtų tinkamas įvertinti vaistinių medžiagų atsipalaidavimą iš neaustinės medžiagos. Tyrimo tikslas buvo atlikti tirpimo testo modifikacijas siekiant jį pritaikyti nustatant vaistinių medžiagų atpalaidavimą iš neaustinės medžiagos. / Nonwoven fabric can be a new drug form, it is important to find a biopharmaceutical assay, which would be suitable to assess the drug release from nonwoven fabric. Main aim was to carry out the modifications of the dissolution test in order to adapt it to the process of medicinal substance release from nonwoven fabric.