Severe suppression (BiP1 KD) or significant over-expression (BiP1 OEmax) of BiP1 not only altered seed phenotype and the intracellular structure of endosperm cells, but also reduced seed storage protein content, starch accumulation and grain weight. Microarray and RT-PCR analyses indicated that expression of many chaperone and co-chaperone genes was induced in transgenic plants, with more prominent expression in the BiP1 KD line than in

the BiP1 OEmax line. Transcriptional induction of most chaperones was observed in calli treated with dithiothreitol or tunicamycin, treatments that trigger Dinaciclib nmr ER stress, indicating that induction of the chaperone genes in transgenic rice was caused by an ER stress response. In transient assays using rice protoplasts, the ortholog (Os06g0622700) of the AtbZIP60 transcription factor was shown to be involved in activation of some chaperone genes. Slight increases in the BiP1 level compared with wild-type, accompanied by increased levels of calnexin and protein disulfide isomerase-like proteins, resulted in significant enhancement of seed storage protein content, without any change in intracellular structure or seed phenotype. Judicious modification

of BiP1 levels in transgenic rice can provide suitable conditions for the production Torin 1 of secretory proteins by alleviating ER stress.”
“Hydroquinone, a dihydroxylated benzene derivative is used therapeutically as a topical AZD1080 agent for the treatment of certain skin conditions. Ten (10) cosmetic creams containing hydroquinone were randomly sampled based on consumer demand from the open market in Jos, Plateau State. The labels on the packages noticeably did not indicate the levels of hydroquinone

present. The creams were subjected to colour and chromatographic test for identification, as well as assay by UV spectrophotometry. All ten (10) creams sampled, gave positive results to the test for hydroquinone. The level of hydroquinone was below 2% for seven of the creams, between 2 – 5% for two and above 5% for one. (The upper limit for cosmetic creams is 2 and 5% for therapeutic use). This study shows that despite the potential health hazards of hydroquinone, cosmetic products containing this agent are available for sale in the open market with inadequate warning on the labels.”
“From the 1-BuOH-soluble fraction of a MeOH extract of the leaves of Schoepfia jasminodora collected from Okinawa Island, two new galloyl esters and 15 known compounds were isolated. The structures of the new compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic analysis to be isoorientin 4aEuro(3)-O-gallate and (2S)-1,2-propanediol 1-O-beta-d-glucopyranoside 6′-O-gallate. The compounds possessing galloyl or cathechol moieties showed equal radical scavenging activity.