Milkov (2004) conservatively estimated global methane hydrate sources to be composed of ca. 1–5×1015 m3 in terms of methane. This amount of hydrated gas is approximately twice as much click here as that of natural gas present in all hydrocarbon reservoirs (Sloan and Koh, 2007). Methane in these reservoirs is mostly of biogenic origin (Koh et al., 2011). Hence, studies on methanogens associated with methane hydrate reservoirs are important.

A methanogen was isolated from deep sub seafloor methane hydrate sediment from the Krishna Godavari Basin off the eastern coast of India, following enrichment in MS medium (Boone et al., 1989) with H2 and CO2 as a source of carbon and energy and subsequent isolation using the roll tube method (Hungate, 1950). This isolate (designated as selleck inhibitor MH98A) was identified as a putative novel species of the genus Methanoculleus on the basis of its mcrA gene and 16S rRNA gene sequence featuring similarities of 94% and 99% respectively with the closest phylogenetic relative, Methanoculleus marisnigri JR1 (GenBank Accession No. NC_009051.1; Anderson et al.,

2009). Similar enrichment and isolation of methanogens was performed using MS medium supplemented with alternate substrates such as formate, acetate, methylamine and methanol. However, all isolates showed a similar phylogenetic affiliation. Hence, strain MH98A was believed to be the dominant methanogen principally contributing to methane hydrate deposits in the Krishna Godavari basin. Considering the enormous volumes of methane hydrate deposits in the region and Methanoculleus sp. MH98A as a dominant methanogen, gaining insights into the genome organization of MH98A was of immense interest to understand the methanogenesis that almost entirely contributes to the

vast methane hydrate deposits. Characterization of the methanogenic metabolism of this organism is crucial to deduce the magnitude and the energy content of methane hydrate deposits. To our best knowledge, genome sequences Clomifene of other methanogens associated with deep submarine methane hydrate deposits are not available so far. Further studies on these kinds of microorganisms to exploit their massive methanogenic potential could possibly revolutionize the energy industry. The genome of strain MH98A was sequenced using the Ion Torrent PGM sequencer (200-bp library) applying the 316™ sequencing chip according to the manufacturer’s instructions (Life Technologies, USA). De novo assembly was performed using version 4.0.5 of MIRA Assembler ( Chevreux et al., 1999) and generated 80 large contigs (> 8000 bp) and 226 smaller contigs (< 8000 bp) featuring a G + C content of 61.4%, an N50 value of 27533 bp, an N90 value of 4146 bp and a maximum contig size of 135,061 bp ( Table 1). All of 306 contigs were used for gene prediction and annotation by the RAST (Rapid Annotation using Subsystem Technology) system ( Aziz et al., 2008), with tRNAscan-SE-1.23 software ( Lowe and Eddy, 1997). RAST analysis revealed that, M.

The pattern in the SLI group

was less lateralised in both frontal and temporal lobes for the Speech greater than Reversed Speech contrast (see Fig. 6). This was mainly due to three individuals in the SLI group who showed a tendency to right lateralisation (two) or no clear lateralisation (one). The individual in the SLI group who was most clearly right lateralised was also left-handed. There was a significant difference between the SLI and TYP groups in the laterality indices for frontal lobe activation for the Speech condition only; SLI vs. TYP, U = 22, p = 0.03, r = −0.47; SLI vs. SIB, U = 11, p = 0.09, r = −0.45. The SLI group showed both structural and functional abnormalities in several areas. The left inferior frontal Selleck Omipalisib cortex showed increased grey matter and decreased functional activation, whereas the posterior temporal cortex showed both decreased grey matter and functional activation. Grey matter volume estimates

and percent signal change for the Speech condition were extracted for each participant at the first-level from 6-mm radius spherical regions of interest centred on the coordinates reported in Table 2. selleck screening library Also, because previous studies in the KE family had noted reduced grey matter in the caudate nucleus and found this to be related to behavioural measures on nonword repetition and oromotor praxis (see Watkins et al., 2002b), we examined the same correlations in the SLI and the SIB groups separately. These analyses showed a negative correlation between nonword repetition and grey matter volume in the right caudate nucleus for the SLI group (ρ = −0.55, p = 0.05); the remaining correlations were not significant. We compared brain structure

and function during a language task in a group of individuals with SLI, their buy Etoposide unaffected siblings and typically developing controls. The SLI group had significantly more grey matter than controls in the left inferior frontal gyrus (IFG) and significantly less grey matter in the right caudate nucleus and the superior temporal sulcus (STS) bilaterally. Functionally, when performance of the covert naming task was contrasted with a silent baseline or passive listening to reversed speech, the SLI group showed generally reduced activity relative to the sibling and typical groups. This underactivity was localised to the left IFG, the right putamen, and to the STS/G bilaterally. Furthermore, lateralisation, clearly left in the sibling and typical groups, was reduced in the SLI group.

18 Selumetinib Boceprevir and telaprevir also are associated with a high incidence of adverse events (AEs), including anemia, rash, and renal dysfunction.19, 20, 21 and 22 Recently, the nucleotide analog NS5B polymerase inhibitor sofosbuvir also was approved for the treatment of chronic HCV infection in the United States and Europe, representing an improvement on first-generation DAAs.23 and 24

Simeprevir (TMC435) is administered orally, once daily, as a single pill25; has been approved in Japan, Canada, the United States and Russia; and is under regulatory review in Europe for the treatment of chronic HCV infection. The median simeprevir EC50 and EC90 values against a HCV genotype 1b replicon were 9.4 and 19 nmol/L, respectively.26 Activity of simeprevir against a selection of genotype 1a (N = 78) and 1b (N = 59) chimeric replicons carrying NS3 sequences from HCV NS3/4A protease

inhibitor-naive subjects resulted in median fold change in EC50 of 1.4 (interquartile range [IQR], 0.8–11) and 0.4 (IQR, 0.3–0.7), compared IDH assay with reference genotype 1b replicon. Genotype 1a (N = 33) and 1b (N = 2) isolates with a baseline Q80K polymorphism, a naturally occurring NS3 polymorphism that confers low-level resistance to simeprevir, resulted in a median fold change in simeprevir EC50 of 11 (IQR, 7.4–13) and 8.4, respectively. Simeprevir has antiviral activity in patients infected with HCV genotypes 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6,27, Nitroxoline 28, 29 and 30 and is being evaluated in both PegIFNα/RBV and IFN-free combinations.27, 28, 31, 32, 33 and 34 Simeprevir in combination with PegIFNα/RBV showed SVR rates of approximately 80% in phase 3 trials in treatment-naive patients with HCV genotype 1 infection, with most patients (>84%) able to reduce their treatment duration to 24 weeks.33 and 34 In these studies, no additional AEs were observed with simeprevir compared with those seen with PegIFNα/RBV alone. Results of the PROtease inhibitor TMC435 In patientS who have previously

rElapsed on IFN/RBV (PROMISE) study, a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 3 trial undertaken to assess the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of simeprevir with PegIFNα-2a/RBV (PR) for the treatment of chronic HCV genotype 1 infection in patients who had relapsed after previous IFN-based therapy, are presented. Patients were enrolled at study sites in 14 countries across North America, Europe, and the Asia–Pacific region. Eligible patients were adults (≥18 y) with confirmed genotype 1 HCV infection and screening plasma HCV-RNA levels greater than 10,000 IU/mL, who had relapsed after 24 weeks or more of IFN-based therapy (undetectable HCV-RNA at end of treatment [EOT] or within 2 months after EOT, with documented relapse within 1 year after therapy).

Stations in optically shallow water, where the signal is affected by light reflection from the sea floor, were excluded. A Type II linear regression of log-transformed satellite and Secchi values was applied, to then estimate GBR Z10% as: equation(1) GBRZ10%=10∧[(log10(Z10%)-a0)/a1]where a0 and a1 are slope and intercepts of satellite data against Secchi (values: 0.518 and 0.811 for SeaWiFS, and 0.529 and 0.816 for MODIS-Aqua).

GBR Z10% was implemented into the NASA satellite processing software (SeaDAS) and applied to the full time series of MODIS-Aqua data (01 July 2002 to 21 November 2012). The large Burdekin River with its 133,400 km2 catchment area is the single greatest HCS assay source of suspended sediments into the GBR lagoon (mean: 4 million tonnes yr−1, representing ∼25% of total loads entering into GBR; Kroon et al., 2012). A mask was generated for the continental shelf off the Burdekin Natural Resource Management region (∼17.9–20.1°S and 146.3–149.3°E), extending from the shore to the 200 m depth selleck screening library contour, and excluding coral reefs (Fig. 1). To the best of our knowledge, grid points in optically shallow water were also

excluded. The final data contained 25,621 grid points each covering a 1-km2 area. Data availability varied greatly between days and months due to cloud cover. Environmental data were obtained as follows: bathymetry data (meters below mean sea level) for each grid point were obtained from a high-resolution digital elevation model for the GBR at a resolution of 0.001-arc degrees (about 100 m) (Beaman, 2012). Daily data of freshwater discharge volumes of the Burdekin, Houghton, Ross and Black Rivers were provided by the State of Queensland, Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (DEHP).

Annual loads of suspended solids, total nitrogen and total phosphorus of the Burdekin River were obtained for 2003–2009 from Kuhnert et al. (2012) and for 2010–2011 from DEHP at the Clare/Home Hill gauge and monitoring station (Table 1). Hourly data on wave heights and wave frequencies were obtained from the DEHP from a wave rider buoy in the center of the study region (8 km O-methylated flavonoid off the coast, at 19.1487° latitude South, 147.0576° longitude East). Daily rainfall data from Townsville Airport station and hourly wind speed data from Cape Ferguson were obtained from the Australian Bureau of Meterology (http://www.bom.gov.au/oceanography/projects/abslmp/data/index.shtml). Daily tidal amplitudes as a proxy for tidal currents (one daily value for the whole region) were calculated from hourly predicted sea level data derived from a DEHP-operated storm tide gauge site in Townsville Harbour (19.2538°S, 146.8295°E). Gaps in the tidal range data were input from estimates generated from a harmonic tide clock and tide predictor (Flater, 2007) after correcting for an offset calculated over all available tide measurements.

The expectation is also to search for modulate, or minimize the toxic symptoms, while preserving the pro-erectile effect. Another approach, also based in this prediction model, is coming out

by using a smaller synthetic Selleck INK-128 peptide, able to mimics the action of the toxin, improving erectile function, without eliciting, or minimizing side effects. At present, our group successfully synthesized a peptide that relaxes slices of corpus cavernosum from rat and it did not show any apparent toxicity in high tested doses (100 μg) in mice. Studies are in progress to verify the mechanism of action and the real efficacy and low toxicity of this peptide and its potential use as a pro-erectile drug model. Few clinical events of priapism caused by other spiders have been reported in literature. One of them refers to a young boy who was stung by a widow spider (Latrodectus mactans) and presented priapism, along with other symptoms like prolonged pain and hypertension ( Quan and Ruha, 2009). However, it seems that find more priapism is quite uncommon in envenomation by widow spiders. Stings from all scorpions from Buthidae family,

except for Hemiscorpion ( Bawaskar and Bawaskar, 2012), may cause priapism, particularly in children ( Bahloul et al., 2010). The venom of the African scorpion Leiurus quinquestriatus quinquestriatus and the scorpion Buthus martensi Karsh relaxed rat isolated anococcygeus muscle via NO release ( Gwee et al., 1995; Srinivasan et al., 2001). However, when considering scorpions, only toxins extracted from T. serrulatus scorpion venom have been investigated as a pharmacological tool in the study of penile erection. This venom is known to act on nerve endings stimulating the Morin Hydrate release of neurotransmitters such as acetylcholine ( Gomez et al., 1973), which activate eNOS in endothelial cells. In addition, it has been demonstrated that this venom relaxes rabbit and human CC ( Teixeira et al., 1998, 2001). Nevertheless, the muscarinic receptor antagonist atropine does not affect

T. serrulatus-induced cavernosal relaxation. In both, rabbit and human CC, the typical sodium channel blocker tetrodotoxin specifically inhibited the venom-induced relaxation, suggesting the participation of sodium channels ( Teixeira et al., 1998). These authors also suggested that NO release is involved in the potentiation of erectile function by T. serrulatus venom and some of its fractions. It has been demonstrated that the toxin Ts3, from this scorpion, induces human CC relaxation, similar to that evoked by acetylcholine or electric field stimulation ( Teixeira et al., 2004a and Teixeira et al., 2004b). Ts3 binds on site 3 of the sodium channels ( Martin-Eauclaire et al., 1994) and slows-down the kinetics of inactivation ( Campos et al., 2008).

By introducing sequence “barcodes” during sample amplification, multiple samples can be pooled within a single run, allowing generation of tens to hundreds of thousands of sequences per sample. This massively parallel sequencing allows a more thorough assessment of microbial communities that includes the

description of lower abundance microbes. Indeed, analysis of stool samples on the Roche 454 platform revealed a greater number of viruses compared with the ABI 3730.25 Many novel viruses were discovered using the Roche platform (discussed below). The Illumina Genome Analyzer (Illumina Inc, San Diego, CA) generates up to 640 million sequences per run, and the Illumina HiSeq 2000 can generate up to 6 billion paired-end sequences per run. On each of these platforms, multiple pooled, barcoded samples Epacadostat concentration can be included Selleck PD0332991 on each run. Illumina sequences are shorter than those generated by Roche 454 pyrosequencing: In early experiments, they were less than 50 bases in length but now are routinely 100 bases. Although the read length is short, sequences can be generated from both

ends of a DNA fragment to yield “paired-end” reads, allowing 200 bases to be sequenced from the same DNA fragment. Illumina technology provides the sensitivity needed to detect rare virus sequences, with sensitivity comparable to that of quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction in some studies.26 The short lengths seem to be sufficient for detecting novel viruses within a sample of a microbial community.27 Assembly of Illumina sequences can also be used to achieve longer contiguous sequences,27 and assembly programs such as PRICE have been developed to extend a fragment of sequence from a novel organism iteratively using paired-end Illumina data (DeRisi, unpublished, available 2-hydroxyphytanoyl-CoA lyase at: http://derisilab.ucsf.edu/software/price/index.html). Trends toward increasing numbers of sequences per run and decreased cost

per base are likely to continue. New sequencing platforms, including the Illumina MiSeq and the Life Technologies (Grand Island, NY) Ion Torrent Personal Genome Machine Sequencer, are being developed to generate large amounts of sequence data with a rapid turnaround time. Rapid, accurate analysis of sequence data is critical for research, with more stringent requirements anticipated as clinical applications for virome analysis are developed. Identification of viral sequences is generally achieved by comparison of microbial sequences with reference genomes. Use of programs such as BLAST and BLASTX28 is the traditional method for doing this; these programs work well for relatively small data sets generated by the ABI 3730 and Roche 454 pyrosequencer or for longer contiguous sequences assembled from shorter Illumina reads.

Since the available literatures suggested that the ring opening followed by further cleavage of PAHs takes place at pH above neutral, Bacillus species with the said robustness (biosurfactant production as well as growth at alkali pH) have been the choice to study the degradation of PAHs. Thus, the present study exemplifies the biosurfactant mediated anthracene degradation efficacy of marine bacterial species in an aqueous medium. In brief, the study explores degradation of anthracene and finger printing of the degradative products using TLC, HPLC and GC–MS analyses. Further, the study extended to identify the genes responsible for the biosurfactant production and said degradation,

elucidation of degradation pathway and the schematic representation on the degradation process. Anthracene (99% purity) was purchased from HiMedia. Bacteriological PLX3397 in vivo media, chemicals, silica gel coated TLC plates and solvents were purchased from Hi-Media and Sisco Research Laboratory (SRL), Mumbai, India. Isolate MTCC 5514 was initially screened from marine samples, characterized and identified according to the standard protocol and procedures and deposited in Microbial Type Culture Collection (MTCC), Chandigarh, India and used for the study. The 16S rRNA gene sequence was submitted buy Ku-0059436 to NCBI with the accession number HM145910. To the pre-sterilized medium (Zobell Marine Broth, (HiMedia)), anthracene at 100–1000 ppm

concentrations were supplemented aseptically and inoculated with the 1 × 105 cells/mL of MTCC 5514, incubated at 37 °C under shaking condition (200 rpm) for the period of 10, 16 and 22 days. Growth of the marine isolate MTCC 5514 in the presence of anthracene at varying concentrations,

viz., 0, 100, 300, 500, 750 and 1000 ppm was observed by measuring the optical density of the culture broth at 600 nm at 24 h intervals using UV–visible spectrophotometer (UV-2450, Shimadzu, Japan). The pH of the growth medium measured ZD1839 manufacturer at 24 h intervals till 22 days using Elico pH meter, model CL 54. The surfactant property of the extracellular medium during the growth of the isolate was qualitatively measured by drop collapse test and quantitatively by plate method using GBX-3S tensiometer (DM) at room temperature [3]. Both synthetic (SDS, Tween 20, Triton X 100 (at 1% concentration)) and commercially available surfactant (Lecithin (at 10% concentration)) were used for comparison. Thin layer chromatography was used as a primary tool to identify the degraded products. Followed by removal of the samples, the cell free supernatant was mixed with ethyl acetate and the ethyl acetate fraction was separated and subjected to TLC analysis using chloroform:ethyl acetate:acetic acid (5:5:0.1) (v/v) as a solvent system and exposed to 2% Gibbs reagent after drying. Followed by the extraction with ethyl acetate, the samples were filtered through 0.

Recordings were considered acceptable when the blood flow velocities could be detected bilaterally, with a clear envelope of the velocity spectrum during the entire cardiac cycle. The visual-evoked Pifithrin-�� price paradigm consisted of 10

cycles, each with a resting phase of 20 s with closed eyes and a stimulating phase of 40 s of silent reading text columns. The text that the study subjects read was the same for all participants and free of strong emotional content. Changes between phases were signalled acoustically using a tone. The complete test cycle had a total duration of 10 min, and was repeated in each position – supine, sitting and 70° head-up tilt (HUT). The reading test and its reliability have been already validated against a checkerboard stimulation paradigm [19]. All signals were visually inspected to identify artifacts or noise, and narrow spikes were removed by linear interpolation. The heart–MCA distance was used to obtain estimates of ABP in the MCA (ABP-MCA). Cerebrovascular resistance index (CVRi) was estimated by the ratio of mean ABP to mean BFV for each heartbeat. For both PCA and MCA, the instantaneous relationship between

ABP and BFV was also used to estimate the critical closing pressure (CrCP) of the cerebral circulation, by extrapolation of the linear regression BFV = a × ABP + b, as previously described [20], [21] and [22]. The inverse of the linear regression slope was also obtained for each cardiac cycle, and it is referred to as “resistance area product” (RAP = 1/a) to differentiate it from CVRi C59 molecular weight [22] and [23]. The CrCP can be obtained from the value of ABP where BFV = 0, that is, see more CrCP = −b/a. All beat-to-beat estimates were interpolated with a third-order polynomial and resampled at 0.2-s intervals to generate a time series with a uniform time base. To become independent from the insonation angle, all parameters were

normalized by the averaged value of the 5 s period prior to activation [8], [15], [17] and [19]. Ten cycles of 20 s rest (closed eyes) and 40 s stimulation (silent reading) were averaged for each volunteer at each position. For each parameter, two different variables were calculated from the evoked CBF in response to visual task: (1) the maximal velocity variation during the 40 s of stimulation and (2) the averaged last 20 s corresponding to a stable phase of flow evoked response. The first one corresponds to the classical overshoot phase used in other fTCD investigations [24], [25], [26], [27], [28] and [29]; the second was included since it seems to be the most stable phase during activation, after the initial overshooting, and allows some comparison with the gain parameter of a second order analysis [14], [15] and [19]. Data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation (SD). Normal distribution of all variables was confirmed by Shapiro–Wilk test and homogeneity of the variances was assured by Levene’s test.

The minimum temperature and salinity of (CIW)8 is observed from March to May, indicating that this water is formed during the winter months in the region. On the other hand, the

minimum temperature of (CIW)8 decreases slightly in June 1997 and 1998. The reason for this temperature decrease is thought to be new cold water, advected to the region by the Rim Current (Oğuz et al., 1992, Sur and Ilyin, 1997 and Oğuz and Beşiktepe, 1999). Because the temperatures of the layers above and below (CIW)8 are higher than that of the cold intermediate layer, there is no source of cooling; the temperature decrease must therefore be due to advection. The (CIW)8 thickness decreases and its depth increases from April to October due to atmospheric heating. However, this decrease in thickness is not a regular feature. In some months (CIW)8 is not observed at all. But later on it appears INK 128 nmr again, as in November 1997. This feature can be

explained this website by the existence of anticyclonic eddies in the region during the summer months (Sur & Ilyin 1997). The other effect is considered to be Danube-influenced water, which is advected by the Rim Current to the region. When the Rim Current is strong and close to the coast, Danubian water is observed in the exit of the Strait of Istanbul (Sur et al. 1994). Our observations show that (CIW)8 has a weak signature at stations K0 and K2 in June and July 1999, when Danubian water is plentiful. The behaviour of the Rim Current and the existence of anticyclonic eddies in the region also influence the amount of (CIW)8 cAMP in the exit region of the Strait of Istanbul annually and monthly. The salinity

of the minimum temperature depth may show the interaction of CIW with other water masses. A lower salinity indicates Danubian effects, whereas a higher salinity shows the effects of Mediterranean water. Although the upper and lower layer in the strait can easily change with meteorological conditions, seasonal variations of Mediterranean water in the exit of the strait show that the salinity of the lower layer at stations K2 and K0 increases during the autumn. Altıok (2001) reported that the mean salinity in the exit of the strait is 36 PSU (at station K0) and ranges between 31 and 38 PSU from an evaluation of monthly T-S data during the period 1996–2000. The maximum thickness and salinity of the Mediterranean water can be observed in the same season. On the other hand, due to atmospheric heating, the seasonal thermocline lies deeper during this season. The fact that the thickness of (CIW)8 at station K2 decreases while that of Mediterranean water increases suggests that (CIW)8 is influenced by the Mediterranean water. Thus we can say that the higher salinity at the minimum temperature depth indicates mixing with Mediterranean water (Figure 3). The factors mentioned above affect the temperature and thickness of (CIW)8 in the northern exit of the strait.

A value of p < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. Spectral and size properties of CdTe-QDs that were used in this study have been recently published by us (Nguyen et al., 2013). Cytotoxicity of CdTe-QDs in HepG2 cells was examined for changes in bioreducing activity using the MTT assay to estimate cellular capacity to reduce

MTT to its formazan. Loss in HepG2 bioreduction caused by CdTe-QDs appeared to be time- and dose-dependent (Fig. 1). The earliest changes were observed at 6 h with 1.0 μg/ml, and the lowest observable effects were observed with 0.1 μg/ml at 12 h exposure. At the longest exposure duration (24 h), CdTe-QDs caused a significant drop R428 in bioreduction at all doses, with maximal effects being ∼25% relative to control. Examination by microscopy showed that, even at this high

dose and exposure, cells had not detached (data not shown) and most still PR-171 order retained at least some capacity to reduce MTT to formazan, albeit at a much lower level compared to PBS-treated controls. The effect of CdTe-QDs on the production of ROS was examined by observing fluorescence of oxidized DHE in HepG2 by confocal microscopy. CdTe-QD treatment caused increased intensity and area of fluorescence from DHE oxidation compared to PBS-controls, indicating that excess ROS levels were induced by CdTe-QDs (Fig. 2A, B and E). Both CdCl2 and menadione treatments also showed an increase in ROS levels in test cells. CdCl2 treatment, however, caused a lower level of ROS generation than CdTe-QD treatment (p < 0.05) ( Fig. 2A–E). Several oxidative stress markers were selected to measure the effects of CdTe-QDs on the oxidative status of HepG2 cells. Exposures of HepG2 cells to CdTe-QDs caused a significant

depletion of reduced glutathione (GSH) (Fig. 3A). Furthermore, CdTe-QDs caused drops in the GSH/GSSG ratio by 2.4-fold, compared to PBS treated controls (Fig. 3A and B). CdCl2 caused a greater depletion of reduced GSH (p < 0.05), but a lower effect on the GSH/GSSG ratio compared to CdTe-QDs (p < 0.05) ( Fig. 3A and B). SOD activity was measured in both cytosolic and mitochondrial fractions (Fig. 3C). About 30% increase in SOD activity, in both cytosolic and mitochondrial extracts, occurred with CdTe-QD treatment. CdCl2 treatment also resulted in increased cytosolic and mitochondrial SOD activities, but to a lesser extent, Paclitaxel mouse compared to CdTe-QD treatment. Nrf2 activation was found to be 2-fold (p < 0.001) greater in CdTe-QD-treated cells, compared with control cells ( Fig. 3D), whereas CdCl2 caused a marginal increase (1.11-fold) in Nrf2 activation ( Fig. 3D). Compared to PBS-treated control cells, CdTe-QDs caused a reduction in GST activity by 1.95-fold (p < 0.001) and CdCl2 also caused a significant decrease in GST activity (1.65-fold, p < 0.001). To determine whether the decrease in GST activity was due to CdTe-QDs reducing GST protein levels directly, quantification of GST-α was performed.