Bacterial chemotaxis to xenobiotic chemicals and naturally-occurring analogs

2015 ◽  
Vol 33 ◽  
pp. 318-326 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rebecca E Parales ◽  
Rita A Luu ◽  
Jonathan G Hughes ◽  
Jayna L Ditty
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Chemotaxis ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Xenobiotic Chemicals

scholarly journals Bacterial Chemotaxis to Atrazine and Related s-Triazines

2009 ◽  
Vol 75 (17) ◽  
pp. 5481-5488 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xianxian Liu ◽  
Rebecca E. Parales
Keyword(s):  
Cyanuric Acid ◽  
Bacterial Chemotaxis ◽  
Chemotactic Response ◽  
E Coli ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Catabolic Plasmid ◽  
Herbicide Atrazine ◽  
Degradation Intermediates ◽  
Competition Assays ◽  
Atrazine Degradation

ABSTRACT Pseudomonas sp. strain ADP utilizes the human-made s-triazine herbicide atrazine as the sole nitrogen source. The results reported here demonstrate that atrazine and the atrazine degradation intermediates N-isopropylammelide and cyanuric acid are chemoattractants for strain ADP. In addition, the nonmetabolized s-triazine ametryn was also an attractant. The chemotactic response to these s-triazines was not specifically induced during growth with atrazine, and atrazine metabolism was not required for the chemotactic response. A cured variant of strain ADP (ADP M13-2) was attracted to s-triazines, indicating that the atrazine catabolic plasmid pADP-1 is not necessary for the chemotactic response and that atrazine degradation and chemotaxis are not genetically linked. These results indicate that atrazine and related s-triazines are detected by one or more chromosomally encoded chemoreceptors in Pseudomonas sp. strain ADP. We demonstrated that Escherichia coli is attracted to the s-triazine compounds N-isopropylammelide and cyanuric acid, and an E. coli mutant lacking Tap (the pyrimidine chemoreceptor) was unable to respond to s-triazines. These data indicate that pyrimidines and triazines are detected by the same chemoreceptor (Tap) in E. coli. We showed that Pseudomonas sp. strain ADP is attracted to pyrimidines, which are the naturally occurring structures closest to triazines, and propose that chemotaxis toward s-triazines may be due to fortuitous recognition by a pyrimidine chemoreceptor in Pseudomonas sp. strain ADP. In competition assays, the presence of atrazine inhibited chemotaxis of Pseudomonas sp. strain ADP to cytosine, and cytosine inhibited chemotaxis to atrazine, suggesting that pyrimidines and s-triazines are detected by the same chemoreceptor.

scholarly journals New Modes of Action for Endocrine-Disrupting Chemicals

2006 ◽  
Vol 20 (3) ◽  
pp. 475-482 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle M. Tabb ◽  
Bruce Blumberg
Keyword(s):  
Steroid Hormones ◽  
Nuclear Receptors ◽  
Hormone Receptors ◽  
Methylation Status ◽  
Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals ◽  
Steroid Hormone Receptors ◽  
Protein Kinase Activity ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Endocrine Disrupting ◽  
Xenobiotic Chemicals

Abstract Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDC) are commonly considered to be compounds that mimic or block the transcriptional activation elicited by naturally circulating steroid hormones by binding to steroid hormone receptors. For example, the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996 defines EDC as those, that “may have an effect in humans that is similar to an effect produced by a naturally occurring estrogen, or other such endocrine effect as the Administrator may designate.” The definition of EDC was later expanded to include those that act on the estrogen, androgen, and thyroid hormone receptors. In this minireview, we discuss new avenues through which xenobiotic chemicals influence these and other hormone-dependent signaling pathways. EDC can increase or block the metabolism of naturally occurring steroid hormones and other xenobiotic chemicals by activating or antagonizing nuclear hormone receptors. EDC affect the transcriptional activity of nuclear receptors by modulating proteasome-mediated degradation of nuclear receptors and their coregulators. Xenobiotics and environmental contaminants can act as hormone sensitizers by inhibiting histone deacetylase activity and stimulating mitogen-activated protein kinase activity. Some endocrine disrupters can have genome-wide effects on DNA methylation status. Others can modulate lipid metabolism and adipogenesis, perhaps contributing to the current epidemic of obesity. Additional elucidation of these new modes of endocrine disruption will be key in understanding the nature of xenobiotic effects on the endocrine system.

Pathology of Bone Cells in Pigs with Experimental Turbinate Osteoporosis (Atrophic Rhinitis)

1971 ◽  
Vol 29 ◽  
pp. 304-305
Author(s):  
A. W. Fetter ◽  
C. C. Capen
Keyword(s):  
Mucous Membrane ◽  
Bone Cells ◽  
Atrophic Rhinitis ◽  
Infectious Agents ◽  
Metabolic Disturbances ◽  
Progressive Reduction ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Fundamental Cause ◽  
Osteocytic Osteolysis ◽  
Uncertain Etiology

Atrophic rhinitis in swine is a disease of uncertain etiology in which infectious agents, hereditary predisposition, and metabolic disturbances have been reported to be of primary etiologic importance. It shares many similarities, both clinically and pathologically, with ozena in man. The disease is characterized by deformity and reduction in volume of the nasal turbinates. The fundamental cause for the localized lesion of bone in the nasal turbinates has not been established. Reduced osteogenesis, increased resorption related to inflammation of the nasal mucous membrane, and excessive resorption due to osteocytic osteolysis stimulated by hyperparathyroidism have been suggested as possible pathogenetic mechanisms.The objectives of this investigation were to evaluate ultrastructurally bone cells in the nasal turbinates of pigs with experimentally induced atrophic rhinitis, and to compare these findings to those in control pigs of the same age and pigs with the naturally occurring disease, in order to define the fundamental lesion responsible for the progressive reduction in volume of the osseous core.

High Resolution Replication of Organoclay Surfaces

1982 ◽  
Vol 40 ◽  
pp. 576-577
Author(s):  
W. W. Barker ◽  
W. E. Rigsby ◽  
V. J. Hurst ◽  
W. J. Humphreys
Keyword(s):  
Clay Mineral ◽  
Organic Molecule ◽  
Organic Molecules ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
Xrd Pattern ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Silicate Layers ◽  
Mineral Identification

Experimental clay mineral-organic molecule complexes long have been known and some of them have been extensively studied by X-ray diffraction methods. The organic molecules are adsorbed onto the surfaces of the clay minerals, or intercalated between the silicate layers. Natural organo-clays also are widely recognized but generally have not been well characterized. Widely used techniques for clay mineral identification involve treatment of the sample with H2 O2 or other oxidant to destroy any associated organics. This generally simplifies and intensifies the XRD pattern of the clay residue, but helps little with the characterization of the original organoclay. Adequate techniques for the direct observation of synthetic and naturally occurring organoclays are yet to be developed.

SEM study of the morphological effects of kinetin and zeatin on the growth and development of the apical meristem in wheat

1995 ◽  
Vol 53 ◽  
pp. 978-979
Author(s):  
G. M. Hutchins ◽  
J. S. Gardner
Keyword(s):  
Growth And Development ◽  
Furfuryl Alcohol ◽  
Apical Meristem ◽  
Plant Cells ◽  
Triticum Aestivum L ◽  
Morphological Development ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Chinese Spring Wheat ◽  
Sem Study ◽  
Moist Environment

Cytokinins are plant hormones that play a large and incompletely understood role in the life-cycle of plants. The goal of this study was to determine what roles cytokinins play in the morphological development of wheat. To achieve any real success in altering the development and growth of wheat, the cytokinins must be applied directly to the apical meristem, or spike of the plant. It is in this region that the plant cells are actively undergoing mitosis. Kinetin and Zeatin were the two cytokinins chosen for this experiment. Kinetin is an artificial hormone that was originally extracted from old or heated DNA. Kinetin is easily made from the reaction of adenine and furfuryl alcohol. Zeatin is a naturally occurring hormone found in corn, wheat, and many other plants.Chinese Spring Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) was used for this experiment. Prior to planting, the seeds were germinated in a moist environment for 72 hours.

Fine structure and properties of defects in naturally occurring silicates and oxides

1990 ◽  
Vol 48 (4) ◽  
pp. 460-461
Author(s):  
David R. Veblen
Keyword(s):  
Chemical Reactions ◽  
High Resolution Electron Microscopy ◽  
Extended Defects ◽  
Single Chain ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Resolution Electron ◽  
Fine Structures ◽  
Image Simulations ◽  
Similar Crystal Structure

Extended defects and interfaces control many processes in rock-forming minerals, from chemical reactions to rock deformation. In many cases, it is not the average structure of a defect or interface that is most important, but rather the structure of defect terminations or offsets in an interface. One of the major thrusts of high-resolution electron microscopy in the earth sciences has been to identify the role of defect fine structures in reactions and to determine the structures of such features. This paper will review studies using HREM and image simulations to determine the structures of defects in silicate and oxide minerals and present several examples of the role of defects in mineral chemical reactions. In some cases, the geological occurrence can be used to constrain the diffusional properties of defects.The simplest reactions in minerals involve exsolution (precipitation) of one mineral from another with a similar crystal structure, and pyroxenes (single-chain silicates) provide a good example. Although conventional TEM studies have led to a basic understanding of this sort of phase separation in pyroxenes via spinodal decomposition or nucleation and growth, HREM has provided a much more detailed appreciation of the processes involved.

Flavonoids in adipose tissue inflammation and atherosclerosis: one arrow, two targets

2020 ◽  
Vol 134 (12) ◽  
pp. 1403-1432 ◽  
Author(s):  
Manal Muin Fardoun ◽  
Dina Maaliki ◽  
Nabil Halabi ◽  
Rabah Iratni ◽  
Alessandra Bitto ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Adipose Tissue ◽  
Fruits And Vegetables ◽  
Metabolic Diseases ◽  
Therapeutic Agents ◽  
Adipose Tissue Inflammation ◽  
Cellular Mechanisms ◽  
Tissue Inflammation ◽  
Cholesterol Levels ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Pro Inflammatory Cytokines

Abstract Flavonoids are polyphenolic compounds naturally occurring in fruits and vegetables, in addition to beverages such as tea and coffee. Flavonoids are emerging as potent therapeutic agents for cardiovascular as well as metabolic diseases. Several studies corroborated an inverse relationship between flavonoid consumption and cardiovascular disease (CVD) or adipose tissue inflammation (ATI). Flavonoids exert their anti-atherogenic effects by increasing nitric oxide (NO), reducing reactive oxygen species (ROS), and decreasing pro-inflammatory cytokines. In addition, flavonoids alleviate ATI by decreasing triglyceride and cholesterol levels, as well as by attenuating inflammatory mediators. Furthermore, flavonoids inhibit synthesis of fatty acids and promote their oxidation. In this review, we discuss the effect of the main classes of flavonoids, namely flavones, flavonols, flavanols, flavanones, anthocyanins, and isoflavones, on atherosclerosis and ATI. In addition, we dissect the underlying molecular and cellular mechanisms of action for these flavonoids. We conclude by supporting the potential benefit for flavonoids in the management or treatment of CVD; yet, we call for more robust clinical studies for safety and pharmacokinetic values.

Molecular Mechanism of Apoptosis Induction by Resveratrol, a Natural Cancer Chemopreventive Agent

2008 ◽  
Vol 78 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fan ◽  
Jiang ◽  
Zhang ◽  
Bai
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Molecular Mechanism ◽  
Apoptosis Induction ◽  
Protective Agents ◽  
Chemopreventive Agent ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Apoptosis Pathways ◽  
Present Understanding

In efforts to identify naturally occurring compounds that act as protective agents, resveratrol, a phytoalexin existing in wine, has attracted much interest because of its diverse pharmacological characteristics. Considering that apoptosis induction is the most potent defense approach for cancer treatment, we have tried to summarize our present understanding of apoptosis induction by resveratrol based on the two major apoptosis pathways.

An Empirical Analysis of the Obtrusiveness of and Participants' Compliance with the Electronically Activated Recorder (EAR)

2007 ◽  
Vol 23 (4) ◽  
pp. 248-257 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthias R. Mehl ◽  
Shannon E. Holleran
Keyword(s):  
Empirical Analysis ◽  
Sampling Method ◽  
Daily Life ◽  
Assessment Method ◽  
Data Confidentiality ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Two Samples ◽  
Audio Recorder ◽  
Term Monitoring

Abstract. In this article, the authors provide an empirical analysis of the obtrusiveness of and participants' compliance with a relatively new psychological ambulatory assessment method, called the electronically activated recorder or EAR. The EAR is a modified portable audio-recorder that periodically records snippets of ambient sounds from participants' daily environments. In tracking moment-to-moment ambient sounds, the EAR yields an acoustic log of a person's day as it unfolds. As a naturalistic observation sampling method, it provides an observer's account of daily life and is optimized for the assessment of audible aspects of participants' naturally-occurring social behaviors and interactions. Measures of self-reported and behaviorally-assessed EAR obtrusiveness and compliance were analyzed in two samples. After an initial 2-h period of relative obtrusiveness, participants habituated to wearing the EAR and perceived it as fairly unobtrusive both in a short-term (2 days, N = 96) and a longer-term (10-11 days, N = 11) monitoring. Compliance with the method was high both during the short-term and longer-term monitoring. Somewhat reduced compliance was identified over the weekend; this effect appears to be specific to student populations. Important privacy and data confidentiality considerations around the EAR method are discussed.

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