N-β-(t-Butoxycarbonyl)-DL-isoserine

Cave ecosystems remain largely unstudied and risk being severely degraded as a result of anthropogenic activities. The Wonderfontein Cave, situated in the extensive gold mining region of the Witwatersrand Basin, is one such system that hosts a population of Clarias gariepinus, which is exposed to the influx of polluted mine water from the Wonderfontein Spruit River. The aim of this study was to investigate the bioaccumulation of metals, as well as relevant biomarkers, in C. gariepinus specimens sampled from the Wonderfontein Cave during high (April 2013) and low (September 2013) flow surveys. Results were also compared to a surface population associated with the Wonderfontein Spruit River. There were temporal differences in metal bioaccumulation patterns and this was attributed to the lack of dilution during the low flow period. Metals associated with acid mine drainage, i.e. Co, Mn and Zn were significantly higher in the Wonderfontein Cave population and were reflected in an increase in oxidative stress biomarkers (catalase, protein carbonyls and superoxide dismutase) and the induction of metallothionein, a biomarker of metal exposure.

The potentiality of collagen sponge as a skin substitute, derived from mrigal (Cirrhinus cirrhosus) scale has been explored in this study. Acid soluble collagen (ASC) and pepsin soluble collagen (PSC) from the scale of mrigal were isolated and characterized. The yields of ASC and PSC were ∼3% and ∼7% based on the dry weight of scale while the hydroxyproline content was ∼90mg/g. Scanning electron microscope revealed progressive demineralization with EDTA on time dependent scale. Further, the D-Spacing in fibril bundles were calculated to be ∼67nm. Fourier transform infrared and circular dichroism spectra confirmed extracted protein to be collagen I, where both ASC and PSC comprised of two different α-chains (α1 and α2). The denaturation temperature (Td) of the collagen solution was 35°C closer to Td of mammalian collagen. In vitro cell culture studies on the extracted collagen sponge showed efficient cell growth and proliferation. Additionally, co-culture with fibroblast and keratinocyte cells showed development of stratified epidermal layer in vitro.

Hypertension is accompanied by perturbations to the endocannabinoid and antioxidant systems. Thus, potential pharmacological treatments for hypertension should be examined as modulators of these two metabolic systems. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of chronic administration of the fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) inhibitor [3-(3-carbamoylphenyl)phenyl]N-cyclohexylcarbamate (URB597) on the endocannabinoid system and on the redox balance in the livers of DOCA-salt hypertensive rats. Hypertension caused an increase in the levels of endocannabinoids [anandamide (AEA), 2-arachidonoyl-glycerol (2-AG) and N-arachidonoyl-dopamine (NADA)] and CB1 receptor and the activities of FAAH and monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL). These effects were accompanied by an increase in the level of reactive oxygen species (ROS), a decrease in antioxidant activity/level, enhanced expression of transcription factor Nrf2 and changes to Nrf2 activators and inhibitors.

OBJECTIVE: To high light some epidemiological, clinical and diagnostic features of dengue fever during an outbreak and the role of different diagnostic techniques to achieve the highest level of accuracy in results.