Localization of secreted ferritin (FER2) in the embryos of the tick Haemaphysalis longicornis.

Despite the absence of a blood meal, embryogenesis involves many processes that require nutrients and other essential elements, including iron. Due to the lack of an external source of these nutrients, these requirements are acquired maternally. Because of the toxic nature of iron, they are transferred through iron transport molecules such as secreted ferritin (FER2).

Synthesis and cytotoxic activities of 8- and 6-demethyleucalyptins.

Secondary metabolites in plants influence the health of herbivores such as Japanese rock ptarmigans that feed on the leaves and fruits of alpine plants. Thus, it is important to understand the secondary metabolites of alpine plants and their biological activities for conserving Japanese rock ptarmigans. We isolated C-methylflavone from the leaves of Kalmia procumbens, on which Japanese rock ptarmigans feed.

Parallel motif triplex formation a new, bi-directional hydrogen bonding pattern incorporating a synthetic cyanuryl nucleoside into the sense chain.

This research presents the first example of the formation of a triplex hydrogen bonding of a synthetic cyanuryl nucleoside (Cn) composed of a 6-membered ring compound (triazine-2,4,6-trione) which functions as a pyrimidine base. The Cn was able to form the triad hydrogen bonding in two directions with two adenines, one in the antisense and one in the parallel chain. The thermal stability of the duplex between the antisense and sense chains was evaluated its UV melting temperature.

Expression analysis of glutathione S-transferases and ferritins during the embryogenesis of the tick .

In the tick life cycle, embryogenesis is the only stage of development wherein no blood meal is required. Nevertheless, even in the absence of a blood meal, which is the source of nutrients as well as the ferrous iron and heme that could cause oxidative stress in ticks, malondialdehyde (MDA) has been reported to increase during this period. Additionally, the knockdown of some oxidative stress-related molecules such as ferritin has resulted in abnormal eggs and embryonic death.

Inhibitory effects on microbial growth using the derivatives of benzyl phenyl sulfide.

We investigated the antimicrobial activities of twelve derivatives of benzyl phenyl sulfide by using Minimum Inhibitory Concentration (MIC) and Minimum Bactericidal Concentration (MBC) values against 10 microbial strains. These derivatives of benzyl phenyl sulfides were synthesized by means of the nucleophilic coupling reaction at our laboratory. MIC testing revealed that all synthetic derivatives of benzyl and 4-methoxybenzyl phenyl sulfides had no effect against the tested microbial strains.

Antiviral activity of lactoferrin against canine herpesvirus.

Lactoferrin (LF) is an iron-binding protein that is found in milk and other mammalian secretions. We found that bovine lactoferrin (bLF) inhibited both the in vitro infection and replication of canine herpesvirus (CHV) in Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells. Incubation of CHV with bLF prevented subsequent infection of MDCK cells.