Biological assessment of an urban river using algal indices

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder, characterized by hyperglycemia over a prolonged period, disturbance of fat, protein and carbohydrate metabolism, resulting from defective insulin secretion, insulin action or both. Dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) inhibitors are relatively a new class of oral hypoglycemic agents that reduces the deterioration of gut-derived endogenous incretin hormones that are secreted in response to food ingestion to stimulate the secretion of insulin from beta cells of pancreas. Objective: In this study, synthesis, characterization, and biological assessment of twelve novel phenanthridine sulfonamide derivatives 3a-3l as potential DPP-IV inhibitors was carried out. The target compounds were docked to study the molecular interactions and binding affinities against DPP-IV enzyme. Methods: The synthesized molecules were characterized using 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, IR, and MS. Quantum-polarized ligand docking (QPLD) was also performed. Results: In vitro biological evaluation of compounds 3a-3l reveals comparable DPP-IV inhibitory activities ranging from 10%-46% at 100 µM concentration, where compound 3d harboring ortho-fluoro moiety exhibited the highest inhibitory activity. QPLD study shows that compounds 3a-3l accommodate DPP-IV binding site and form H-bonding with the R125, E205, E206, S209, F357, R358, K554, W629, S630, Y631, Y662, R669 and Y752 backbones. Conclusion: In conclusion, phenanthridine sulfonamides could serve as potential DPP-IV inhibitors that require further structural optimization in order to enhance their inhibitory activity.

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Evidences of Brain Plasticity and Motor Control Modulation after Hemodialysis Session by Helixone Membrane: BOLD-fMRI Study

CNS & Neurological Disorders - Drug Targets ◽

10.2174/1871527319666200902133343 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 19 (6) ◽

pp. 466-477

Author(s):

Saïd Boujraf ◽

Rachida Belaïch ◽

Abdelkhalek Housni ◽

Badreeddine Alami ◽

Tariq Skalli ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Oxidative Stress ◽

Functional Activity ◽

Brain Plasticity ◽

Biological Assessment ◽

Bold Fmri ◽

Before And After ◽

Total Antioxidant ◽

Inflammatory State ◽

Functional Control ◽

The Impact

Objective: The aim of this paper is to demonstrate the impact of hemodialysis (HD) using synthetic Helixone membrane on brain functional control reorganization and plasticity in the cortical area generated while Oxidative Stress (OS) would be the main impacting agent. Methods: Indeed, 9 chronic HD patients underwent identical brain BOLD-fMRI assessment using the motor paradigm immediately before and after the same HD sessions. To assess the oxidative stress, the same patients underwent biological-assessment, including Malondialdehyde (MDA) and Total- Antioxidant-Activity (TAOA) reported in earlier papers. Results: BOLD-fMRI maps of motor areas obtained from HD-patients before and after HD sessions revealed a significant enhancement of activation volume of the studied motor cortex after HD reflecting brain plasticity. Results were correlated with OS assessed by the measurement of MDA and TAOA; this correlation was close to 1. Conclusion: Indeed, HD enhances the inflammatory state of brain tissues reflected by the increased OS. The functional brain reaction demonstrated a functional activity reorganization to overcome the inflammatory state and OS enhanced by HD process. This functional activity reorganization reveals brain plasticity induced by OS originated by HD.

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The Molecular Characterization and Biological Assessment of the Leaves Extracts of Loofah Reveal their Nutraceutical Potential

Recent Patents on Food Nutrition & Agriculturee ◽

10.2174/2212798411999201110211931 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 11 ◽

Author(s):

Takoua Ben Hlel ◽

Feten Belhadj ◽

Fatih Gül ◽

Muhammed Altun ◽

Ayşe Şahin Yağlıoğlu ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Fatty Acids ◽

Phenolic Compounds ◽

Hela Cell ◽

Arid Region ◽

Biological Properties ◽

Biological Assessment ◽

Omega 3 ◽

Hela Cell Lines ◽

Semi Arid Region ◽

Semi Arid

Background:: Luffa cylindrica is a plant that is widely distributed in Africa and Asia and it can be grown in regions with tropical or subtropical climates. Few patents dealt with Loofah biological properties, including some functional foods formulated from its leaves. Objective:: This study aimed to structurally and functionally characterize the bioactive compounds of L. cylindrica leaves grown in two different environments. Methods:: The extracts of L. cylindrica leaves collected from two Tunisian locations: Essouasi (LE), a semi-arid region and Medenine (LM) an arid region, were investigated for their phenolic compounds and fatty acids using HPLC/TOF-MS and GCMS techniques respectively. Furthermore, the antioxidant capacity was evaluated with DPPH, Chelating effect, Hydroxyl radical and Superoxide anion scavenging activities while the anticancer activity against HeLa cell lines was assessed using xCELLigence real time cell analyzer and lactate dehydrogenase cytotoxicity assay. Results:: The antiproliferative capacity of both extracts was time and dose-dependent with LE presenting the lowest HeLa cell index (CI = 0.035 ± 0.018, 250 μg/ml). LE also showed the best cytotoxic capacity (56.49 ± 0.8%) and antioxidant potential (IC50 = 54.41 ± 1.12 μg/ml for DPPH and 12.12 ± 0.07 μg/ml for chelating effet). 14 phenolic compounds were detected in LE with ferulic acid being the major compound (5128.5 ± 4.09 μg Phenols/g) while LM had only 6 phenolics. GCMS analysis showed the presence of omega-3 fatty acids in LE. Conclusions:: Our findings suggest that L. cylindrica leaves, especially when collected from semi-arid regions, are promising for formulating nutraceuticals of interest.

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Impact of Organic Matter from Stormwater on Water Quality in an Urban River

Proceedings of the Water Environment Federation ◽

10.2175/193864715819555184 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 2015 (9) ◽

pp. 1462-1481

Author(s):

Jacob Richardson ◽

R. Ryan Dupont ◽

Joan E McLean

Keyword(s):

Water Quality ◽

Organic Matter ◽

Urban River

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The Urban River Syndrome: Achieving Sustainability Against a Backdrop of Accelerating Change

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18126406 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (12) ◽

pp. 6406

Author(s):

Martin Richardson ◽

Mikhail Soloviev

Keyword(s):

River Restoration ◽

Native Species ◽

Systems Approach ◽

Similar Type ◽

Urban River ◽

Urban Rivers ◽

River Ecology ◽

Spatial And Temporal Scales ◽

Natural Systems ◽

Urban River Restoration

Human activities have been affecting rivers and other natural systems for millennia. Anthropogenic changes to rivers over the last few centuries led to the accelerating state of decline of coastal and estuarine regions globally. Urban rivers are parts of larger catchment ecosystems, which in turn form parts of wider nested, interconnected systems. Accurate modelling of urban rivers may not be possible because of the complex multisystem interactions operating concurrently and over different spatial and temporal scales. This paper overviews urban river syndrome, the accelerating deterioration of urban river ecology, and outlines growing conservation challenges of river restoration projects. This paper also reviews the river Thames, which is a typical urban river that suffers from growing anthropogenic effects and thus represents all urban rivers of similar type. A particular emphasis is made on ecosystem adaptation, widespread extinctions and the proliferation of non-native species in the urban Thames. This research emphasizes the need for a holistic systems approach to urban river restoration.

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