Neurological consequences of human calmodulin mutations

When calcium ions enter the cytosol,it is a stimulatory signal for cellular events.The calcium sensor calmodulin picks up the change in calcium concentration and relays this information to its more than 300 downstream interaction partners.In this way,calmodulin affects cellular processes such as fertilization,muscle contraction,neuronal firing,and apoptosis.That is,calmodulin is involved in(nearly)everything!The significance of calmodulin is emphasized by the fact that we all carry three different genes(CALM1,2,3)on different chromosomes that encode the exact same calmodulin protein,and these are all expressed in all cell types.Moreover,throughout vertebrate evolution,the protein sequence has remained completely unchanged.

Antifungal activity of Aegle marmelos(L.) Correa(Rutaceae) leaf extract on dermatophytes

Objective:To evaluate the in vitro antifungal activity of Aegle marmelos leaf extracts and fractions on the clinical isolates of dermatophytic fungi like Trichophyton mentagrophytes,Trichophyton rubrum,Microsporum canis,Microsporum gypseum and Epidermophyton floccosum.Methods:The minimum inhibitory concentration(MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration(MFC) of various extracts and fractions of the leaves of Aegle marmelos were measured using method of National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standards(NCCLS).Results:Aegle marmelos leaf extracts and fractions were found to have fungicidal activity against various clinical isolates of dermatophytic fungi.The MIC and MFC was found to be high in water and ethyl alcohol extracts and methanol fractions(200μg/mL) against dermatophytic fungi studied.Conclusions:Aegle marmelos leaf extracts significantly inhibites the growth of all dermatophytic fungi studied.If this activity is confirmed by in vivo studies and if the compound is isolated and identified,it could be a remedy for dermatophytosis.

Antifungal activity of Ocimum sanctum Linn.(Lamiaceae) on clinically isolated dermatophytic fungi

Objective:To assess antifungal activity of Ocimum sanctum leaves against dermatophytic fungi. Methods:Antifungal activity of Ocimum sanctum leaves was measured by 38 A NCCLS method. Minimum inhibitory concentration(MIC) and minimum fungicidal concentration(MFC) of various extracts and fractions of Ocimum sanctum leaves were also determined.Results:Ocimum sanctum leaves possessed antifungal activity against clinically isolated dermatophytes at the concentration of 200μg/mL.MIC and MFC were high with water fraction(200μg/mL) against dermatophytic fungi used.Conclusions:Ocimum sanctum has antifungal activity,and the leaf extracts may be a useful source for dermatophytic infections.

Preparation of stimuli-responsive nano-sized capsules based on cyclodextrin polymers with redox or light switching properties

We report the preparation and encapsulation properties of stimuli-responsive nanocapsules, self-assembled by the noncovalent interactions of cyclodextrin- appended polymers （host） and complementary ferrocene or azobenzene carriers （guest）. The encapsulation process was significantly accelerated by applying （electro） chemical or light stimulus, enabling the easier and faster diffusion of guest molecules through the polymer layers. The nanocapsules were characterized by dynamic light scattering, confocal microscopy, ESEM, AFM, W-visible and fluorescence spectroscopy, and electrochemical techniques. The encapsulation and release properties of the nanocapsules were reversible and could be repeated several times, indicating that the prepared nanoassemblies are very stable.