Showing papers on "Toad published in 2013"

Rapid identification of primary constituents in parotoid gland secretions of the Australian cane toad using HPLC/MS-Q-TOF

Abstract: Toad parotoid gland secretion or toad venom has in recent years been increasingly shown to possess potentially beneficial pharmacological effects; this speculation has drawn much interest centred on elucidating the chemical basis of its multimodal effects. For this purpose, we explored the use of a rapid and accurate analysis method for systemic investigation of the parotoid gland chemistry, when extracted from Australian cane toads. Full-scan data of cane toad venom extract was acquired using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with a hybrid quadrupole-time of flight mass spectrometry system (HPLC/MS-Q-TOF), with multiple ionization sources (ESI and APCI) in positive and negative mixed modes. By measuring the exact mass differences between the theoretical and measured mass of each assumed compound, we confirmed the presence of 12 key constituents. The present results demonstrate that the use of HPLC/MS-Q-TOF with multiple ionization sources delivers exemplary selectivity and sensitivity, allowing for the rapid and accurate identification of constituents within cane toad venom. This paves the way for this technique to be used in future routine screening of components within the genus Bufo and for key analytes too, then reliably assessed for any purported beneficial (clinic) properties.

К изучению плодовитости серой жабы bufo bufo (Linnaeus, 1758)

Abstract: The fertility of common toad Bufo bufo on the territory of Kaluga region is reported. The maximum fertility is 6450 eggs, the minimum one is 242 eggs, the average one is 2238 ± 1135. As the body length of common toad increases, the number and diameter of the eggs increases too. Reproductive effort increases with the growth of individuals of common toad, reaching the maximum at 90.7 mm, and then begins to decline.

The Recessus Olfactorius: A Cryptic Olfactory Organ of Anuran Amphibians

Abstract: The recessus olfactorius is a presumably olfactory structure found on the rostral floor of the main nasal cavity of many anuran amphibians. Nevertheless, it has rarely been investigated or even recognized in the past. The aim of the present study was to broaden the knowledge regarding this enigmatic sensory organ. Therefore, we examined the nasal epithelia of the cane toad Bufo marinus and the fire-bellied toad Bombina orientalis, using histology, scanning electron microscopy and lectin histochemistry.

Winter Hibernation and UCHL1-p34cdc2 Association in Toad Oocyte Maturation Competence

Abstract: Currently, it is believed that toad oocyte maturation is dependent on the physiological conditions of winter hibernation. Previous antibody-blocking experiments have demonstrated that toad ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase L1 (tUCHL1) is necessary for germinal vesicle breakdown during toad oocyte maturation. In this paper, we first supply evidence that tUCHL1 is highly evolutionarily conserved. Then, we exclude protein availability and ubiquitin carboxyl-terminal hydrolase enzyme activity as factors in the response of oocytes to winter hibernation. In the context of MPF (maturation promoting factor) controlling oocyte maturation and to further understand the role of UCHL1 in oocyte maturation, we performed adsorption and co-immunoprecipitation experiments using toad oocyte protein extracts and determined that tUCHL1 is associated with MPF in toad oocytes. Recombinant tUCHL1 absorbed p34(cdc2), a component of MPF, in obviously larger quantities from mature oocytes than from immature oocytes, and p13(suc1) was isolated from tUCHL1 with a dependence on the ATP regeneration system, suggesting that still other functions may be involved in their association that require phosphorylation. In oocytes from hibernation-interrupted toads, the p34(cdc2) protein level was significantly lower than in oocytes from toads in artificial hibernation, providing an explanation for the different quantities isolated by recombinant tUCHL1 pull-down and, more importantly, identifying a mechanism involved in the toad oocyte's dependence on a low environmental temperature during winter hibernation. Therefore, in toads, tUCHL1 binds p34(cdc2) and plays a role in oocyte maturation. However, neither tUCHL1 nor cyclin B1 respond to low temperatures to facilitate oocyte maturation competence during winter hibernation.

Electrophysiological protective and therapeutic efficacy of resveratrol against cadmium chloride: An in vitro study

Abstract: Resveratrol (trans-3,4',5-trihydroxystilbene- RES), is a natural antioxidant found in variousfruits and vegetables and is abundant in grapes. It has beneficial effects against coronary heartdiseases. This study aims to explore the protective and therapeutic effects of resveratrol oncadmium chloride induced toxicity on isolated toad's hearts. Electrocardiogram (ECG) wasrecorded before and after direct perfusion of cadmium chloride (CdCl2) and resveratrol.Application of CdCl2 (2mM/L) into isolated toad's heart significantly decreased the heart rate(HR) accompanied by an elongation in the conduction time (P-R interval), while a nonsignificant decrease of the ventricular contraction (R-wave amplitude) was observed withinminutes (5-30 min) of CdCl2 application into isolated toad's. Pretreatment of isolated toad'shearts with RES (21μM/L) five min before CdCl2 application abolished the severe bradycardiaand negative inotropic effect induced by CdCl2, this was accompanied by improvement ofcardiac disorders induced by this toxic heavy metal. While, post treatment of RES afterappearance of cardiac abnormalities induced by CdCl2 didn’t affect these induced disorders. Inconclusion, the obtained investigation indicates that RES could serve as a protective agentagainst some of acute ( CdCl2) toxicity on isolated toad's heart than more that its therapeuticefficacy. However, low level of resveratrol at was not effective in preventing either neither severbradycardia nor in reducing ventricular dysfunction induced by cadmium.

RESEARCH ARTICLE Electrophoretic patterns of proteins in the secretion of Parotoid gland and its extract in Bufo melanostictus (Schneider)

Abstract: Manuscript History: The present study was carried out to analyze qualitatively the Electrophoretic patterns of proteins in Parotoid gland extract and its secretion in terrestrial toad Bufo melanostictus (Indian toad). The patterns indicated that the gland extraction has higher number of protein bands compared to the gland secretion. The patterns of protein bands observed in the parotoid gland extraction of B. melanostictus using Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate Poly Acryl amide Gel Electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) indicated a distinct pattern of four protein bands and some additional bands, with poor resolution, where as two protein bands in the parotoid gland secretion. The electrophoretogram revealed that both the patterns of parotoid gland extract and its secretion showed homology in protein bands with minor variations.

Total unsaturated toad lactone, and preparation method and use thereof

Abstract: The invention discloses a total unsaturated toad lactone, and a preparation method and a use thereof The preparation method for the total unsaturated toad lactone comprises the following steps: (1), crushing the toad, ultrasonically extracting the crushed toad 3-4 times using ethanol solution, and filtering to remove the dredges to obtain the toad extracting solution; (2), concentrating the toad extracting solution under reduced pressure to obtain pulp as the toad total extract; (3), suspending the toad total extract with water, extracting the suspended toad total extract using dichloromethane, and evaporating under reduced pressure to remove dichloromethane to obtain the dichloromethane part; and (4), dissolving the dichloromethane part with a solvent A and regulating the pH value of the solution to 1-6, stirring and reacting the solution for 1-8 hours at a temperature of 0 DEG C to 100 DEG C, adding water to stop the reaction when at least two compounds of Bu-1, Bu-2, Bu-3, Bu-4 and Bu-5 in the solution are detected, extracting using a solvent B, and evaporating under reduced pressure to remove the solvent B to obtain the total unsaturated toad lactone The total unsaturated toad lactone disclosed by the invention has the activity of inhibiting male sex hormone dependent form prostate cancer cell multiplication and non-male sex hormone dependent form prostate cancer cell multiplication, and can be used for preparing the medicine for preventing and treating the prostate cancer

Ultrastructural aspects of the lateral-line organs of the normal and hypophysectomized clawed toad, xenopus laevis (daudin)

Abstract: SUMMARY The fine structure of the lateral-line organ was inspected in eight adult specimens of the clawed toad, Xenopus laevis (Daudin), 21 days after hypophysectomy and in eight intact controls. In both groups the occurrence of cells termed «light», «intermediate» and «dark» cells according to the electron-density of their jaloplasm, was observed. Likewise, differences were noticed in the nuclear and mitochondrial characteristics of these cells, and in both the amount and distribution of their synaptic vesicles and synaptic bodies. We suggest that these cells represent progressive changes of the same receptor type, rather than three different cell types. The purpose of the present study was to examine the ultrastructural changes, if any, of the neuromasts correlated to the impairment of their chemosensitivity resulting from hypophysectomy. These findings are discussed in relation to the duration of the experimental treatment and to the functional significance of the sensory cells.