Diene Valepotriates fromValeriana glechomifoliaPrevent Lipopolysaccharide-Induced Sickness and Depressive-Like Behavior in Mice

Valeriana glechomifolia, a native species from southern Brazil, presents antidepressant-like activity and diene valepotriates (VAL) contribute to the pharmacological properties of the genus. It is known that depression can develop on an inflammation background in vulnerable patients and antidepressants present anti-inflammatory properties. We investigated the effects of VAL (10 mg/kg, p.o.) on sickness and depressive-like behaviors as well as proinflammatory cytokines (IL-1βand TNF-α) and BDNF expression in the cortex of mice exposed to a 5 min swimming session (as a stressful stimulus) 30 min before theE. coliLPS injection (600 µg/kg, i.p.). The forced swim + LPS induced sickness and depressive-like behaviors, increased the cortical expression of IL-1βand TNF-α, and decreased BDNF expression. VAL was orally administered to mice 1 h before (pretreatment) or 5 h after (posttreatment)E. coliLPS injection. The pretreatment with VAL restored the behavioral alterations and the expression of cortical proinflammatory cytokines in LPS-injected animals but had no effects on BDNF expression, while the posttreatment rescued only behavioral alterations. Our results demonstrate for the first time the positive effects of VAL in an experimental model of depression associated with inflammation, providing new data on the range of action of these molecules.

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Effect of trans-chalcone on hepatic IL-8 through the regulation of miR-451 in male rats

Endocrine Regulations ◽

10.2478/enr-2018-0001 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 52 (1) ◽

pp. 1-5 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Elham Karimi-Sales ◽

Sajad Jeddi ◽

Arshad Ghaffari-Nasab ◽

Mina Salimi ◽

Mohammad Reza Alipour

Keyword(s):

Serum Level ◽

Proinflammatory Cytokines ◽

Serum Levels ◽

Male Rats ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Qrt Pcr ◽

Group Control ◽

First Time ◽

Hepatic Level

Abstract Objective. Trans-chalcone is a chalcone with hepatoprotective and anti-inflammatory effects. However, the mechanism of these positive effects, especially on miR-451 as an inflammatory regulator, is poorly understood. In this regard, this microRNA (miRNA) acts by inhibition of hepatic interleukin-8 (IL-8) production in the liver which is one of the main proinflammatory cytokines. Th is study for the first time examined the effect of trans-chalcone on miR-451/IL-8 pathway. Methods. In present study, 21 male rats were randomly divided into 3 groups (n=7 per each group): control which received solvent (NS), groups 2 (N2T) and 3 (N6T), which received transchalcone for 2 and 6 weeks, respectively. Hepatic level of miR-451 was measured by qRT-PCR. Serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) as well as hepatic level of IL-8 protein were measured. Results. Trans-chalcone decreased hepatic level of IL-8 protein and serum level of ALT aft er 2 weeks of treatment without significant change in hepatic miR-451. Moreover, it increased hepatic level of miR-451 and reduced hepatic IL-8 as well as AST and ALT aft er 6 weeks. Conclusion. Based on the results of present study, miR-451/IL-8 pathway is a possible mechanism for hepatoprotective action of trans-chalcone in long-term.

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Efficacy of compressed sodium chloride (CSC) against E. coli and Candida auris in minutes and methods improvement for testing

Scientific Reports ◽

10.1038/s41598-020-79212-2 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Lan N. Truong ◽

Brayden D. Whitlock

Keyword(s):

Sodium Chloride ◽

Improved Method ◽

Candida Auris ◽

Antimicrobial Surfaces ◽

E Coli ◽

Route Of Transmission ◽

The World ◽

Short Time ◽

First Time ◽

Time Point

AbstractControlling infections has become one of the biggest problems in the world, whether measured in lives lost or money spent. This is worsening as pathogens continue becoming resistant to therapeutics. Antimicrobial surfaces are one strategy being investigated in an attempt to decrease the spread of infections through the most common route of transmission: surfaces, including hands. Regulators have chosen two hours as the time point at which efficacy should be measured. The objectives of this study were to characterize the new antimicrobial surface compressed sodium chloride (CSC) so that its action may be understood at timepoints more relevant to real-time infection control, under two minutes; to develop a sensitive method to test efficacy at short time points; and to investigate antifungal properties for the first time. E. coli and Candida auris are added to surfaces, and the surfaces are monitored by contact plate, or by washing into collection vats. An improved method of testing antimicrobial efficacy is reported. Antimicrobial CSC achieves at least 99.9% reduction of E. coli in the first two minutes of contact, and at least 99% reduction of C. auris in one minute.

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Antimicrobial and Immunomodulating Activities of Two Endemic Nepeta Species and Their Major Iridoids Isolated from Natural Sources

Pharmaceuticals ◽

10.3390/ph14050414 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 14 (5) ◽

pp. 414

Author(s):

Neda Aničić ◽

Uroš Gašić ◽

Feng Lu ◽

Ana Ćirić ◽

Marija Ivanov ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Biofilm Formation ◽

Food Industry ◽

Balkan Peninsula ◽

Antimicrobial Activities ◽

Natural Sources ◽

E Coli ◽

Food Borne ◽

Metabolite Profiles ◽

Aspergillus Sp ◽

First Time

Two Balkan Peninsula endemics, Nepeta rtanjensis and N. argolica subsp. argolica, both characterized by specialized metabolite profiles predominated by iridoids and phenolics, are differentiated according to the stereochemistry of major iridoid aglycone nepetalactone (NL). For the first time, the present study provides a comparative analysis of antimicrobial and immunomodulating activities of the two Nepeta species and their major iridoids isolated from natural sources—cis,trans-NL, trans,cis-NL, and 1,5,9-epideoxyloganic acid (1,5,9-eDLA), as well as of phenolic acid rosmarinic acid (RA). Methanol extracts and pure iridoids displayed excellent antimicrobial activity against eight strains of bacteria and seven strains of fungi. They were especially potent against food-borne pathogens such as L. monocytogenes, E. coli, S. aureus, Penicillium sp., and Aspergillus sp. Targeted iridoids were efficient agents in preventing biofilm formation of resistant P. aeruginosa strain, and they displayed additive antimicrobial interaction. Iridoids are, to a great extent, responsible for the prominent antimicrobial activities of the two Nepeta species, although are probably minor contributors to the moderate immunomodulatory effects. The analyzed iridoids and RA, individually or in mixtures, have the potential to be used in the pharmaceutical industry as potent antimicrobials, and in the food industry to increase the shelf life and safety of food products.

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Radical Dehalogenation and Purine Nucleoside Phosphorylase E. coli: How Does an Admixture of 2′,3′-Anhydroinosine Hinder 2-fluoro-cordycepin Synthesis

Biomolecules ◽

10.3390/biom11040539 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (4) ◽

pp. 539

Author(s):

Alexey L. Kayushin ◽

Julia A. Tokunova ◽

Ilja V. Fateev ◽

Alexandra O. Arnautova ◽

Maria Ya. Berzina ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Nmr Spectroscopy ◽

Chemical Synthesis ◽

Purine Nucleoside Phosphorylase ◽

Purine Nucleoside ◽

Preparative Synthesis ◽

Nucleoside Phosphorylase ◽

E Coli ◽

First Time

During the preparative synthesis of 2-fluorocordycepin from 2-fluoroadenosine and 3′-deoxyinosine catalyzed by E. coli purine nucleoside phosphorylase, a slowdown of the reaction and decrease of yield down to 5% were encountered. An unknown nucleoside was found in the reaction mixture and its structure was established. This nucleoside is formed from the admixture of 2′,3′-anhydroinosine, a byproduct in the preparation of 3-′deoxyinosine. Moreover, 2′,3′-anhydroinosine forms during radical dehalogenation of 9-(2′,5′-di-O-acetyl-3′-bromo- -3′-deoxyxylofuranosyl)hypoxanthine, a precursor of 3′-deoxyinosine in chemical synthesis. The products of 2′,3′-anhydroinosine hydrolysis inhibit the formation of 1-phospho-3-deoxyribose during the synthesis of 2-fluorocordycepin. The progress of 2′,3′-anhydroinosine hydrolysis was investigated. The reactions were performed in D2O instead of H2O; this allowed accumulating intermediate substances in sufficient quantities. Two intermediates were isolated and their structures were confirmed by mass and NMR spectroscopy. A mechanism of 2′,3′-anhydroinosine hydrolysis in D2O is fully determined for the first time.

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Antimicrobial Activity of L-Lysine and Poly-L-Lysine with Pulsed Electric Fields

Applied Sciences ◽

10.3390/app11062708 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (6) ◽

pp. 2708

Author(s):

Jurgita Švedienė ◽

Vitalij Novickij ◽

Rokas Žalnėravičius ◽

Vita Raudonienė ◽

Svetlana Markovskaja ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Electric Fields ◽

Pulsed Electric Fields ◽

Antimicrobial Treatment ◽

Treatment Development ◽

E Coli ◽

Yeast Fungi ◽

New Treatment ◽

First Time ◽

Resistant Microorganism ◽

Susceptibility Patterns

For the first time, the possibility to use L-lysine (Lys) and poly-L-lysine (PLL) as additives with pulsed electric fields (PEF) for antimicrobial treatment is reported. The antimicrobial efficacy of Lys and PLL for Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Trichophyton rubrum and Candida albicans was determined. Inactivation of microorganisms was also studied by combining Lys and PLL with PEF of 15 and 30 kV/cm. For PEF treatment, pulses of 0.5, 1, 10 or 100 μs were applied in a sequence of 10 to 5000 at 1 kHz frequency. The obtained results showed that 100 μs pulses were the most effective in combination with Lys and PLL for all microorganisms. Equivalent energy PEF bursts with a shorter duration of the pulse were less effective independently on PEF amplitude. Additionally, various treatment susceptibility patterns of microorganisms were determined and reported. In this study, the Gram-negative E. coli was the most treatment-resistant microorganism. Nevertheless, inactivation rates exceeding 2 log viability reduction were achieved for all analyzed yeast, fungi, and bacteria. This methodology could be used for drug-resistant microorganism’s new treatment development.

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Conifer Essential Oils Reversed Amyloid Beta1-42 Action by Modulating BDNF and ARC Expression in The Rat Hippocampus

CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets ◽

10.2174/1871527320666210303111537 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 20 ◽

Author(s):

Paula Alexandra Postu ◽

Adrian Tiron ◽

Crina Elena Tiron ◽

Dragoș Lucian Gorgan ◽

Marius Mihasan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Essential Oils ◽

Dna Fragmentation ◽

Rat Model ◽

Pinus Halepensis ◽

Chemical Constituents ◽

Gene Expressions ◽

Bdnf Expression ◽

Neuroprotective Effects ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Cognitive Improvement

Background: The conifer species Pinus halepensis (Pinaceae) and Tetraclinis articulata (Cupressaceae) are widely used in traditional medicine due to their health beneficial properties. Objective: This study aimed to investigate the mechanisms by which P. halepensis and T. articulata essential oils (1% and 3%) could exhibit neuroprotective effects in an Alzheimer's disease (AD) rat model, induced by intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) administration of amyloid beta1-42 (Aβ1-42). Method: The essential oils were administered by inhalation to the AD rat model, once daily, for 21 days. DNA fragmentation was assessed through Cell Death Detection ELISA kit. Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein (ARC) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) gene expressions were determined by RT-qPCR analysis, while BDNF and ARC protein expressions were assessed using immunohistochemistry technique. Results: Our data showed that both essential oils substantially attenuated memory impairments, with P. halepensis mainly stimulating ARC expression and T. articulata mostly enhancing BDNF expression. Also, the inhalation of essential oils reduced IL-1β expression and induced positive effects against DNA fragmentation associated with Aβ1-42-induced toxicity, further contributing to the cognitive improvement in the rats with AD-like model. Conclusion: Our findings provide further evidence that these essential oils and their chemical constituents could be natural agents of therapeutic interest against Aβ1-42-induced neurotoxicity.

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Freshwater temperature in the state of Rio Grande do Sul, Southern Brazil, and its implication for fish culture

Neotropical Ichthyology ◽

10.1590/s1679-62252008000200016 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 6 (2) ◽

pp. 275-281 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Luciano de Oliveira Garcia ◽

Carlos Eduardo Copatti ◽

Flávio Wachholz ◽

Waterloo Pereira Filho ◽

Bernardo Baldisserotto

Keyword(s):

Water Temperature ◽

Fish Species ◽

Native Species ◽

Amazon Basin ◽

Rio Grande ◽

The State ◽

Tropical Species ◽

Southern Brazil ◽

Rio Grande Do Sul ◽

Lower Growth

In this study we verified data of water temperatures collected by CORSAN-RS from 1996 to 2004 in several cities of the state of Rio Grande do Sul, southern Brazil, and analyzed the possibility of raising the most cultivated fish species in Brazil. The water temperature from 1996 to 2004 was 16 to 28ºC in summer, 17 to 23ºC in fall, 14 to 17ºC (down to 9ºC in the coldest months) in winter and 14 to 21ºC in spring. Native species of this state, such as silver catfish (Rhamdia quelen), traíra (Hoplias malabaricus), dorado (Salminus brasiliensis), pintado (Pimelodus maculatus), as well as carps (family Cyprinidae), are resistant to the low winter temperatures. These species have a lower growth rate in coldest months (winter/spring) but a good development in warmer months (summer/fall), reaching a satisfactory performance throughout the year. In the periods of more intense cold, mortality of some introduced species, such as surubim from Amazon Basin (Pseudoplatystoma sp.), pirapitinga (Piaractus brachypomus), pirarucu (Arapaimas gigas), pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus), tambaqui (Colossoma macropomum) and Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) may occur. In addition, as most tropical species have a thermal range for growth and reproduction between 20 to 28ºC, some species may have poor development even in fall. Therefore, water temperature in this state should be considered in the choice of fish species to be cultivated.

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Innovative Utilization of a Borate Additive in Magnesium Production to Decrease Environmental Impact of Fluorides from Pidgeon Process

Advanced Materials Research ◽

10.4028/www.scientific.net/amr.690-693.378 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 690-693 ◽

pp. 378-389 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Feng Lan Han ◽

Qi Xing Yang ◽

Lan Er Wu ◽

Chun Du

Keyword(s):

Environmental Impact ◽

Pilot Scale ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Magnesium Production ◽

First Time ◽

Pidgeon Process

The present authors have utilized, for the first time, H3BO3as an additive in pilot scale experiments of Mg production using Pidgeon process. The results from the experiments revealed positive effects of H3BO3on both quantity and quality of the Mg metal crowns. Besides acting as a catalyzer for MgO reduction, H3BO3stabilized also β-Ca2SiO4in the Mg slag. Based on these results, H3BO3may be adopted as an innovative additive replacing fluorite in the Mg production, to enhance sustainability and environmental soundness for the Pidgeon process in China.

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Expression of Heterologous Cellulases inThermotogasp. Strain RQ2

BioMed Research International ◽

10.1155/2015/304523 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2015 ◽

pp. 1-11 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Hui Xu ◽

Dongmei Han ◽

Zhaohui Xu

Keyword(s):

Enzyme Activities ◽

Bacterial Cells ◽

Recombinant Enzymes ◽

Caldicellulosiruptor Saccharolyticus ◽

Shuttle Vectors ◽

E Coli ◽

Chimeric Enzymes ◽

Coding Regions ◽

First Time ◽

Culture Supernatants

The ability ofThermotogaspp. to degrade cellulose is limited due to a lack of exoglucanases. To address this deficiency, cellulase genes Csac_1076 (celA) and Csac_1078 (celB) fromCaldicellulosiruptor saccharolyticuswere cloned intoT.sp. strain RQ2 for heterologous overexpression. Coding regions of Csac_1076 and Csac_1078 were fused to the signal peptide of TM1840 (amyA) and TM0070 (xynB), resulting in three chimeric enzymes, namely, TM1840-Csac_1078, TM0070-Csac_1078, and TM0070-Csac_1076, which were carried byThermotoga-E. colishuttle vectors pHX02, pHX04, and pHX07, respectively. All three recombinant enzymes were successfully expressed inE. coliDH5αandT.sp. strain RQ2, rendering the hosts with increased endo- and/or exoglucanase activities. InE. coli, the recombinant enzymes were mainly bound to the bacterial cells, whereas inT.sp. strain RQ2, about half of the enzyme activities were observed in the culture supernatants. However, the cellulase activities were lost inT.sp. strain RQ2 after three consecutive transfers. Nevertheless, this is the first time heterologous genes bigger than 1 kb (up to 5.3 kb in this study) have ever been expressed inThermotoga, demonstrating the feasibility of using engineeredThermotogaspp. for efficient cellulose utilization.

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Record of Electrona paucirastra Bolin, 1962 (Pisces: Myctophiformes: Myctophidae) in Brazilian waters, with comments on the occurrence of Electrona risso (Cocco, 1829) in the western South Atlantic

Check List ◽

10.15560/12.4.1949 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 12 (4) ◽

pp. 1949

Author(s):

Rodrigo A. Caires

Keyword(s):

Sao Paulo ◽

South Atlantic ◽

São Paulo ◽

Southern Brazil ◽

Western Atlantic ◽

First Time

Electrona risso, a warm circumtropical lanternfish species distributed in all oceans, has been reported in the western Atlantic from Suriname to Southern Brazil. Re-examination of specimens attributed to this species which presumably supported the southernmost record in the western South Atlantic and are available at Museu de Zoologia, Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil, revealed that they were misidentified and are really Electrona paucirastra. As a result, E. paucirastra is reported for the first time in southern Brazil and the distribution of E. risso in the western Atlantic is discussed.

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