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This work reports on radiochromic dosimeters for 1D UV light measurements. The dosimeter is composed of a 25% Pluronic F–127 that forms a physical gel matrix and nitro blue tetrazolium chloride (NBT) as a radiation-sensitive compound. This dosimeter was exposed to UVA, UVB and UVC radiation, and the radiochromic reactions were followed with reflectance spectrophotometry including changes in light reflectance and color coordinates in the CIELAB color system. The exposition of dosimeters to all UV radiation caused color changes from pale yellow to dark violet, and its intensity increased with increasing absorbed dose. The effects of NBT concentration and UV radiation type on the dose–response of the dosimeters were also examined. The results obtained reveal that the dosimeters are the least sensitive to irradiation with UVC and the most sensitive to irradiation with UVB (e.g., dosimeter with 2 g/dm3 of NBT was characterized by the following parameters: the threshold dose 0.1 J/cm2; the dose sensitivity −5.97 ± 0.69 cm2/J; the linear dose range 0.1–2.5 J/cm2; the dynamic dose range was equal to 0.1–3 J/cm2). The results obtained reveal that the NBT–Pluronic F–127 dosimeters can be potentially useful as 1D sensors for artificial UV radiation sources measurements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work reports on radiochromic dosimeters for 1D UV light measurements. The dosimeter is composed of a 25% Pluronic F–127 that forms a physical gel matrix and nitro blue tetrazolium chloride (NBT) as a radiation-sensitive compound. This dosimeter was exposed to UVA, UVB and UVC radiation, and the radiochromic reactions were followed with reflectance spectrophotometry including changes in light reflectance and color coordinates in the CIELAB color system. The exposition of dosimeters to all UV radiation caused color changes from pale yellow to dark violet, and its intensity increased with increasing absorbed dose. The effects of NBT concentration and UV radiation type on the dose–response of the dosimeters were also examined. The results obtained reveal that the dosimeters are the least sensitive to irradiation with UVC and the most sensitive to irradiation with UVB (e.g., dosimeter with 2 g/dm3 of NBT was characterized by the following parameters: the threshold dose 0.1 J/cm2; the dose sensitivity −5.97 ± 0.69 cm2/J; the linear dose range 0.1–2.5 J/cm2; the dynamic dose range was equal to 0.1–3 J/cm2). The results obtained reveal that the NBT–Pluronic F–127 dosimeters can be potentially useful as 1D sensors for artificial UV radiation sources measurements.

This work reports on the surface-modified woven fabrics for use as UV radiation sensors. The cotton and polyamide fabrics were printed with radiochromic hydrogels using a screen-printing method. The hydrogels used as a printing paste were composed of water, poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(propylene oxide)-block-poly(ethylene oxide) (Pluronic F-127) as a gel matrix and nitro blue tetrazolium chloride as a radiation-sensitive compound. The development of the hydrogels’ colour occurs after exposure to UV radiation and its intensity increases with increasing absorbed dose. The features of the NBT-Pluronic F-127 radiochromic hydrogels and the fabrics printed with the hydrogels were examined using UV-Vis and reflectance spectrophotometry as well as scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The effects of NBT concentration and UV radiation type (UVA, UVB, UVC) on dose responses of the hydrogels and printed fabrics were also examined. The results obtained reveal that the fabrics printed with NBT-Pluronic F-127 hydrogels can be potentially useful as UV radiation sensors.

Abstract: A drought-suppressed cDNA (RiP-3), encoding a putative α-tubulin protein was isolated from rice panicle at pollen-mother-cell meiosis stage. Analysis of its deduced amino acid sequence showed all the typical structural motifs for plant α-tubulins. The expression of α-tubulin transcripts was observed in all the reproductive organs of rice panicle, and in 5- or 15-day old seedlings, but not in mature leaves. Expression levels were positively correlated with the regions and periods of high growth, and the transcript level declined in parallel with drought-induced reduction in growth rates in all tissues examined. Immunoblot analysis of proteins separated by SDS-PAGE with anti-α-tubulin monoclonal antibody showed that the level of protein paralleled the changes in the transcript abundance in these organs. In situ immunolocalization of the α-tubulin protein in sections of the basal part of 5-day old seedlings showed that the highest levels of the protein were associated with the fastest growing leaf whorls, and the protein level declined upon a brief episode of water stress. Given the known critical role of tubulin in cell division and elongation, the results indicate that the expression of α-tubulin gene may be part of the events that suppress panicle elongation during water deficit, which is in turn a suspected cause of male reproductive failure and yield reduction in rice. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A lysosomal cathepsin D (EC 3.4.23.5) was purified to homogeneity from the soft tissues of the fresh water mussel (Lamellidens corrianus) by pepstatin A affinity chromatography. The purified enzyme is a glycoprotein and migrates as a single protein species in native PAGE and shows a single band in SDS-PAGE corresponding to a molecular mass of ~43kDa. Under both these conditions cathepsin D hydrolyzes hemoglobin as shown by zymogram analysis. The purified enzyme cross-reacts with an antiserum to purified starfish (Asterias rubens) cathepsin D. Additionally, the enzyme was recognized by the starfish lysosomal enzyme targeting receptors (mannose 6-phosphate receptors: MPR 300 and 46) in ligand blot analysis. The KM value of the purified enzyme with hemoglobin is 1.5mM. pH and temperature optimum for the enzyme are 3.5 and 60°C respectively. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A detailed understanding of the effect of natural products on plant growth and protection will underpin new product development for plant production. The isolation and characterization of a known secondary metabolite named harzianolide from Trichoderma harzianum strain SQR-T037 were described, and the bioactivity of the purified compound as well as the crude metabolite extract in plant growth promotion and systemic resistance induction was investigated in this study. The results showed that harzianolide significantly promoted tomato seedling growth by up to 2.5-fold (dry weight) at a concentration of 0.1 ppm compared with the control. The result of root scan suggested that Trichoderma secondary metabolites may influence the early stages of plant growth through better root development for the enhancement of root length and tips. Both of the purified harzianolide and crude metabolite extract increased the activity of some defense-related enzymes to response to oxidative stress. Examination of six defense-related gene expression by real-time reverse transcription-PCR analysis revealed that harzianolide induces the expression of genes involved in the salicylic acid (PR1 and GLU) and jasmonate/ethylene (JERF3) signaling pathways while crude metabolite extract inhibited some gene expression (CHI-II and PGIP) related to basal defense in tomato plants. Further experiment showed that a subsequent challenge of harzianolide-pretreated plants with the pathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum resulted in higher systemic resistance by the reduction of lesion size. These results indicate that secondary metabolites of Trichoderma spp., like harzianolide, may play a novel role in both plant growth regulation and plant defense responses. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights: [•] Homo bi-nuclear complex. [•] Schiff base hydrazone ligand. [•] Density functional theory. [•] Epr spectroscopy. [•] Superoxide dismutase activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The approved treatments for Alzheimer’s disease (AD) exploit mainly a symptomatic approach based on the use of cholinesterase inhibitors or N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists. Natural antioxidant compounds, able to pass through the blood–brain barrier (BBB), have been extensively studied as useful neuroprotective agents. A novel approach towards excitotoxicity protection and oxidative stress associated with excess β amyloid (Aβ) preservation in AD is represented by selective glutamatergic antagonists that possess as well antioxidant capabilities. In the present work, GSH (1) or (R)-α-lipoic acid (LA) (2) have been covalently linked with the NMDA receptor antagonists memantine (MEM). The new conjugates, proposed as potential antialzheimer drugs, should act both as glutamate receptor antagonists and radical scavenging agents. The physico-chemical properties and “in vitro” membrane permeability, the enzymatic and chemical stability, the demonstrated “in vitro” antioxidant activity associated to the capacity to inhibit Aβ(1–42) aggregation makes at least compound 2 a promising candidate for treatment of AD patients. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: In the present study the developmental profile of ATP-hydrolyzing activity promoted by NTPDase 1, its kinetic properties and the enzyme protein abundance associated with synaptic plasma membrane from rat cerebral cortex were characterized. NTPDase 1 activity increased from birth to day 30; afterwards it decreased and remained unchanged from adulthood (90 days) to senescence (365 days). Kinetic analysis revealed that enzyme exhibited the highest specific activity at day 30 and highest apparent affinity for ATP at day 365; however, Vmax/Km values remained unchanged for each age studied. Immunoblot analysis demonstrated that relative abundance of NTPDase 1 is highest at day 15 during ontogeny. The discrepancy between maximum enzyme activity and maximum enzyme protein abundance indicates that NTPDase 1 may have an additional role during development. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

While mutations in Sox4, a member of the SRY-like HMG box gene family, have been associated with a variety of human disorders and embryonic defects in the mouse, the structure and developmental expression of Sox4 in the avian embryo has not been described. We have isolated and characterized the chicken Sox4 gene. The chicken Sox4 gene shows a high degree of sequence homology with the mouse and human Sox4 genes, particularly in the HMG-like DNA binding domain and at the carboxy terminus. Furthermore, our in situ hybridization studies document an expression pattern during embryonic development that is very similar to that described for the mouse, particularly with regards to expression in the developing heart. However, abundant expression was also detected in tissues of neural crest origin including pharyngeal arch and craniofacial mesoderm, supporting a potential primary role in neural crest cardiac pathology previously detected in Sox4 mutant mice. Furthermore, a reciprocal pattern of Sox4 and Sox11 expression in the developing neural tube was detected in the chicken compared to that seen in the mouse. These studies suggest that Sox4 plays an important and conserved role in the embryonic development of these structures in the chicken as well as in the mouse and lay the foundation for future studies of the role of Sox4 during critical events of organogenesis. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Laminins are important components of the extracellular matrix, and participate in neuronal development, survival and regeneration. The tissue plasminogen activator/plasmin extracellular protease cascade and downstream laminin degradation are implicated in excitotoxin-induced neuronal degeneration. To determine which specific laminin chains are involved, we investigated the expression of laminins in the hippocampus, and the cell types expressing them. Reverse transcription-PCR demonstrated that the messenger RNAs for all laminin chains could be detected in the hippocampus. To determine the localization of laminin chain expression, immunostaining was used. This method showed that α5, β1 and γ1 are most highly expressed in the neuronal cell layers. Immunoblotting confirmed the hippocampal expression of the chains α5, β1 and γ1, and RNA in situ hybridization showed a neuronal expression pattern of α5, β1 and γ1. At early time points following intrahippocampal injection of kainate, α5, β1 and γ1 chain immunoreactivities were lost. In addition, tissue plasminogen activator-deficient mice, which are resistant to kainate-induced neuronal death, show no significant change in laminins α5, β1 and γ1 after intrahippocampal kainate injection.Taken together, these results suggest that laminin-10 (α5-β1-γ1) comprises a major neuronal laminin in the mouse hippocampus, and is degraded before neuronal death during excitotoxic injury by the tissue plasminogen activator/plasmin protease cascade. By identifying a neuronal laminin (laminin-10) that participates in neuronal degeneration after excitotoxic injury, this study clarifies the molecular definition of the extracellular matrix in the hippocampus and further defines a pathway for mechanisms of neuronal death. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Utilization of cryopreserved peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), rather than fresh ones collected from the same donor on different dates, overcomes the variability in sensitivity of these cells to activation agents. To understand the effect of cryopreservation, frozen PBMCs from eight healthy donors were studied to release TH1 or TH2 cytokines including IL-1β, IL-2, IL-4, IL-6, IL-13, TNF-α and IFN-γ using ELISPOT assay. The number of spot-forming cells (SFC) was determined using three concentrations of PBMCs (5×106, 5×105 and 5×104 cells/ml). PBMCs from all eight donors were found to retain their functional capacity to release TH1 or TH2 cytokines after freezing and thawing. When PBMCs were taken in concentrations 5×106 or 5×105 cells/ml, the density of IL-1β-, IL-2-, IL-6- and TNF-α-related spots in a well for most of the donors appeared to be overly high, making SFC quantification either difficult or impossible. To the contrary, PBMCs in concentration 5×104 produced distinct and quantifiable spots. The density of spots related to IL-4 and IL-13 release appeared to be optimal for SFC quantification when PBMCs were taken in concentration 5×106 whereas in 5×105 cells/ml the spot density was very low and absent in 5×104 cells/ml concentration group. No relationship between release levels of different cytokines was found, except IFN-γ and IL-2 cytokine indicating that cryopreserved PBMCs with a high IFN-γ response will likely have a high IL-2 response as well. Our results indicate that a release level of one cytokine may not be reliably predicted by knowing the level of the other. This implies that it is necessary to test cryopreserved PBMCs in a broad range of concentrations to determine one, which will be optimal for producing distinct and quantifiable spots. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This work reports on the surface-modified woven fabrics for use as UV radiation sensors. The cotton and polyamide fabrics were printed with radiochromic hydrogels using a screen-printing method. The hydrogels used as a printing paste were composed of water, poly(ethylene oxide)-block-poly(propylene oxide)-block-poly(ethylene oxide) (Pluronic F-127) as a gel matrix and nitro blue tetrazolium chloride as a radiation-sensitive compound. The development of the hydrogels' colour occurs after exposure to UV radiation and its intensity increases with increasing absorbed dose. The features of the NBT-Pluronic F-127 radiochromic hydrogels and the fabrics printed with the hydrogels were examined using UV-Vis and reflectance spectrophotometry as well as scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The effects of NBT concentration and UV radiation type (UVA, UVB, UVC) on dose responses of the hydrogels and printed fabrics were also examined. The results obtained reveal that the fabrics printed with NBT-Pluronic F-127 hydrogels can be potentially useful as UV radiation sensors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]