Construction of Novel Phytochelatins by Overlap Oligonucleotides

Synthetic phytochelatins are protein analogs of phytochelatin with similar heavy metal binding affinities that can be easily produced from a synthetic DNA template. We design synthetic phytochelatin [(Glu-Cys)n Gly] linked to hexahistidine by viral linker peptide and then followed by gene synthesis and cloning of it. Then peptide coding gene (synthetic phytochelatin with linker and hexahistidine) was designed exactly and constructed with step by step methods by overlapping oligonucleotides using T4 DNA Ligase. Finally, synthesized gene amplified by PCR, cloned in pTZ57R/T and transformed to Escherichia coli (DH5α). The results of sequencing show that some types of synthetic phytochelatin (EC4, EC12, and EC20) with linker and hexahistidine were constructed and cloned in vector

Chondroprotective Effect of Zerumbone on Monosodium Iodoacetate Induced Osteoarthritis in Rats

The objective of this investigation was to evaluate chondroprotective effect of zerumbone, a purified compound of Zingiber zerumbet Smith against monosodium iodoacetate (MIA) induced knee osteoarthritis (OA) in the rat. The effect on the articular cartilage was examined and compared with celecoxib (Celebrex®), a Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (NSAID). Forty adult male Sprague Dawley rats were divided into four groups (n=10 for each). All animals were injected with MIA intraarticularly in their right knee joints to induce OA. Rats from first and second groups were treated with zerumbone in a same dose but with two different concentrations. Rats in the third group were treated with celecoxib and served as positive control whereas the fourth group were treated with corn oil and served as negative control. Evaluation of OA changes in the knees was assessed with the aid of both radiography and histopathology score. Macroscopic as well as microscopic examinations revealed curative effect of zerumbone in a dose dependent manner on the osteoarthritic knee joints. Apart from this, our data also revealed very poor anti-OA property of celecoxib. We concluded that oral administration of zerumbone in a dose of 2 mL kg-1 b.wt. of 0.4% w/v diluted with corn oil for a period of 4 weeks has some chondroprotective effects

Optimization of expression, purification and handling anti bacteria feature protein of bovine neutrophil B-defensing BNBD2

زمینه و هدف: دیفنسین‎ها یکی از بزرگ‎ترین خانواده‎ی پپتید‎های ضد میکروب می‎باشند که به واسطه‎ی فعالیت بر علیه باکتری‎ها، قارچ‎ها و بسیاری از ویروس‎ها به عنوان آنتی‎بیوتیک‎های نسل جدید منفعت بسیاری دارند. هدف از این مطالعه بهینه سازی بیان، تخلیص و بررسی خاصیت ضد میکروبی پروتئین بتا دیفنسین 2 نوتروفیل‎های گاو (BNBD2) بوده است. روش بررسی: در این مطالعه‎ی تجربی-آزمایشگاهی باکتری اشرشیاکلی B‏L21(DE3) حامل وکتور pET-32a(+) که ژن BNBD2 در آن همسانه سازی شده بود جهت مطالعات مورد استفاده قرار گرفت. بیان پروتئین BNBD2 با تغییر در پارامترهای دانسیته‎ی سلولی، دمای رشد، مدت زمان القاء با استفاده از سیستم الکتروفورز عمودی (SDS-PAGE) و تست برادفورد به صورت کمی و کیفی بررسی گردید. مراحل تخلیص پروتئین نوترکیب با کمک روش شیمیایی شکافت در جایگاه فرمیک اسید و عبور از سانتریکون و اثر ضد باکتری پروتئین تخلیص شده بر چند نمونه‎ی باکتریایی گرم مثبت و گرم منفی مورد بررسی قرار گرفت. یافته ها: با استفاده از محیط کشت Luria–Bertani، شروع القاء در جذب نوری 8/0 در طول موج 600 نانومتر، غلظت یک میلی مولار ماده‎ی القاء کننده‎ی IPTG، دمای رشد 30 درجه و مدت زمان 4 ساعت پس از القاء بیشترین میزان بیان پروتئین به دست آمد. پروتئین نوترکیب با استفاده از شکافت در جایگاه فرمیک اسید و عبور از سانتریکون تخلیص گردید. نتایج آزمایش وسترن بلاتینگ نیز نشان داد که پروتئین نوترکیب به طور اختصاصی به آنتی‎بادی mouse anti-(His)6 peroxidase متصل می‎گردد. تشکیل هاله‎ی عدم رشد در محیط‎های کشت مولر هینتون آگار حاوی کشت سطحی باکتری های مورد آزمایش خاصیت ضد باکتری این پروتئین را نشان داد. نتیجه گیری: با توجه به خاصیت ضد میکروبی پروتئین BNBD2و امکان بیان پروتئین در باکتری E. coli می توان به تولید انبوه این پروتئین نوترکیب اقدام نمود

A review and illustrated description of Musca Crassirostris, one of the most neglected livestock hematophageous flies

Tabanids, stomoxyine flies, hippoboscids and tsetse flies are the most well‐known brachyceran biting flies of livestock. Only a few other higher Diptera have developed the unique mouthparts required for blood feeding. These neglected blood feeders can also have direct effects on hosts through blood loss, and are likely to contribute to the transmission of pathogens. Musca crassirostris (Diptera: Muscidae) is one of the most abundant of the muscid flies with this haematophagous lifestyle; it is widespread in the Palaearctic, Afrotropical and Oriental regions. The present study reviews and summarizes the biology and morphology of this species, and its potential for impact on animals and humans. The study also provides a fully illustrated description of the fly to facilitate its identification, and reviews information on abundance, with a focus on recent trapping surveys in Thailand. When sampled using traps designed for other biting flies, M. crassirostris appears to be four and 45 times more abundant than stomoxyines and tabanids, respectively. High numbers of M. crassirostris in the vicinity of livestock have also been associated with outbreaks of disease, such as that of a fatal plague in bovine farms in Egypt. This calls for a reconsideration of its potential impacts on livestock economics and health, and thus the development of suitable control methods

The Endogenous Th17 Response in NO<inf>2</inf>-Promoted Allergic Airway Disease Is Dispensable for Airway Hyperresponsiveness and Distinct from Th17 Adoptive Transfer

Severe, glucocorticoid-resistant asthma comprises 5-7% of patients with asthma. IL-17 is a biomarker of severe asthma, and the adoptive transfer of Th17 cells in mice is sufficient to induce glucocorticoid-resistant allergic airway disease. Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) is an environmental toxin that correlates with asthma severity, exacerbation, and risk of adverse outcomes. Mice that are allergically sensitized to the antigen ovalbumin by exposure to NO2 exhibit a mixed Th2/Th17 adaptive immune response and eosinophil and neutrophil recruitment to the airway following antigen challenge, a phenotype reminiscent of severe clinical asthma. Because IL-1 receptor (IL-1R) signaling is critical in the generation of the Th17 response in vivo, we hypothesized that the IL-1R/Th17 axis contributes to pulmonary inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness (AHR) in NO2-promoted allergic airway disease and manifests in glucocorticoid-resistant cytokine production. IL-17A neutralization at the time of antigen challenge or genetic deficiency in IL-1R resulted in decreased neutrophil recruitment to the airway following antigen challenge but did not protect against the development of AHR. Instead, IL-1R-/- mice developed exacerbated AHR compared to WT mice. Lung cells from NO2-allergically inflamed mice that were treated in vitro with dexamethasone (Dex) during antigen restimulation exhibited reduced Th17 cytokine production, whereas Th17 cytokine production by lung cells from recipient mice of in vitro Th17-polarized OTII T-cells was resistant to Dex. These results demonstrate that the IL-1R/Th17 axis does not contribute to AHR development in NO2-promoted allergic airway disease, that Th17 adoptive transfer does not necessarily reflect an endogenously-generated Th17 response, and that functions of Th17 responses are contingent on the experimental conditions in which they are generated. © 2013 Martin et al

How do general practitioners experience providing care to refugees with mental health problems? A qualitative study from Denmark

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited

Synthesis of New Glycine Cephalexin Condensed Polymer as Peptide Biopolymer for Controlled Release of Cephalexin

A new peptide-based polymer was synthesized via polymerization of cephalexin acid chloride with glycine acid chloride with molar ratio 1:1 in condensed polymer solution. This Glycine Cephalexin peptide biopolymer was characterized by different analyses of UV, FT-IR and&nbsp;1H NMR spectroscopy. Also, physical properties of new synthesized Glycine Cephalexin peptide biopolymer were studied with measurement of its intrinsic viscosity at 30°C, swelling percentage in water and studying drug release in pH 4-10 at 37°C

Review Article on the Use of Lime Mortar in Heritage Buildings

This review article aims to comprehensively explore the historical significance and modern applications of gypsum, lime mortar, and pozzolanic mortar in heritage buildings. The study will investigate their properties, benefits, and limitations in the context of preservation and restoration, considering the impact of traditional construction practices on the structural integrity and cultural value of heritage structures. By analyzing existing literature, this review aims to formulate a research plan to further enhance our understanding and utilization of these materials in conserving invaluable heritage building

RGTA® or ReGeneraTing Agents mimic heparan sulfate in regenerative medicine: from concept to curing patients

The importance of extracellular matrix (ECM) integrity in maintaining normal tissue function is highlighted by numerous pathologies and situations of acute and chronic injury associated with dysregulation or destruction of ECM components. Heparan sulfate (HS) is a key component of the ECM, where it fulfils important functions associated with tissue homeostasis. Its degradation following tissue injury disrupts this delicate equilibrium and may impair the wound healing process. ReGeneraTing Agents (RGTA®s) are polysaccharides specifically designed to replace degraded HS in injured tissues. The unique properties of RGTA® (resistance to degradation, binding and protection of ECM structural and signaling proteins, like HS) permit the reconstruction of the ECM, restoring both structural and biochemical functions to this essential substrate, and facilitating the processes of tissue repair and regeneration. Here, we review 25 years of research surrounding this HS mimic, supporting the mode of action, pre-clinical studies and therapeutic efficacy of RGTA® in the clinic, and discuss the potential of RGTA® in new branches of regenerative medicine

Toward an integrated sustainable urban design framework in the historic center of Baghdad

The old center in Baghdad is well defined by its unique urban fabric, surrounded by modern urban pattern and by modern roads, which replaced its walls. Narrow alleys, natural shading, mixed use, human scale, privacy, and walkable and natural environments are the most significant features in the historic center, which also represent the main principles of urban sustainability. The historic area in Baghdad is currently suffering from problems such as air pollution, a lack of modern facilities, traffic congestion, uncontrolled land use, and a low standard of infrastructure. These problems have brought into focus the extent to which a sustainable urban design framework can provide appropriate solutions to regenerate the traditional fabric in terms of urban form, land use, transportation, and create a new vision to deal with the social and economic processes. This paper will explore how the traditional urban fabric in Baghdad might be the perfect solution for implementing urban sustainability. Consequently, our challenge in this paper is to find a solution that can serve as a platform to resolve the conflicting values of traditional urban form and modern design models, sourcing new sustainable technologies and the integration of the infrastructure systems