Inhibitory effects of anthracyclines on partially purified 5'-3' DNA helicase of Plasmodium falciparum.

Background: Plasmodium falciparum has been becoming resistant to the currently used anti-malarial drugs. Searching for new drug targets is urgently needed for anti-malarial development. DNA helicases separating double-stranded DNA into single-stranded DNA intermediates are essential in nearly all DNA metabolic transactions, thus they may act as a candidate for new drug targets against malarial parasites.

An In Vitro Study on the Effects of Selected Natural Dietary Fiber from Salad Vegetables for Lowering Intestinal Glucose and Lipid Absorption.

Background: Salad vegetables are good sources of dietary fiber and are becoming increasingly popular among consumers. Therefore, these plants have the potential to be developed as functional foods.

Objective: Using an in vitro model, this study investigated the physical properties and intestinal glucose and lipid absorption capacities of dry dietary fiber from vegetables typically consumed in salads (types of lettuce, including red oak, red coral, green oak, butterhead, and cos).

Study of prebiotic properties of selected banana species in Thailand.

Prebiotics are functional foods with health-promoting properties that are used in many developed countries. Thailand is one of the countries that produces many plants that should have prebiotic properties. In this study, we investigated the potential prebiotic effects of powders obtained from Saba, Pisang Awak Banana and Silver bluggoe in vitro in accordance with their physical, chemical and microbiological properties.

Characterization of Plasmodium falciparum ATP-dependent DNA helicase RuvB3.

Background: Malaria is one of the most serious and widespread parasitic diseases affecting humans. Because of the spread of resistance in both parasites and the mosquito vectors to anti-malarial drugs and insecticides, controlling the spread of malaria is becoming difficult. Thus, identifying new drug targets is urgently needed.

Characterization of recombinant malarial RecQ DNA helicase.

RecQ DNA gene of multi-drug resistant Plasmodium falciparum K1 (PfRecQ1) was cloned, and the recombinant C-terminal-decahistidine-tagged PfRecQ1 was expressed in Escherichia coli. The purified enzyme could efficiently unwind partial duplex DNA substrate in a 3' to 5' direction. The malarial RecQ1 could not unwind substrates with both 5' and 3' overhangs, those with a 5' overhang, or blunt-ended DNA duplexes.

Anisakids in marine fish from the coast of Chon Buri Province, Thailand.

A total of 1,600 specimens, consisting of 16 different species of marine fish, were dissected and examined for anisakid larvae and adults in visceral organs, abdominal cavity, and muscles. One species of adult-stage nematode was found in two of 16 species of marine fish studied, Johnius carouna and Dendrophysa russelli. No anisakid larvae (third-stage) was found in any of the 16 species of marine fish studied.