scholarly journals Microplastics in Sea Turtles, Marine Mammals and Humans: A One Environmental Health Perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Idoia Meaza ◽  
Jennifer H Toyoda ◽  
John Pierce Wise Sr
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Health ◽  
Marine Mammals ◽  
Sea Turtles ◽  
Membrane Integrity ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Trophic Chain ◽  
Type Size ◽  
Route Of Exposure

Microplastics are ubiquitous pollutants in the marine environment and a health concern. They are generated directly for commercial purposes or indirectly from the breakdown of larger plastics. Examining a toxicological profile for microplastics is a challenge due to their large variety of physico-chemical properties and toxicological behavior. In addition to their concentration, other parameters such as polymer type, size, shape and color are important to consider in their potential toxicity. Microplastics can adsorb pollutants such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) or metals on their surface and are likely to contain plastic additives that add to their toxicity. The observations of microplastics in seafood increased concern for potential human exposure. Since literature considering microplastics in humans is scarce, using a One Environmental Health approach can help better inform about potential human exposures. Marine mammals and sea turtles are long-lived sentinel species regularly used for biomonitoring the health status of the ocean and share trophic chain and habitat with humans. This review considers the available research regarding microplastic and plastic fiber exposures in humans, marine mammals and turtles. Overall, across the literature, the concentration of microplastics, size, color, shape and polymer types found in GI tract and feces from sea turtles, marine mammals and humans are similar, showing that they might be exposed to the same microplastics profile. Additionally, even if ingestion is a major route of exposure due to contaminated food and water, dermal and inhalation studies in humans have provided data showing that these exposures are also health concerns and more effort on these routes of exposures is needed. In vitro studies looked at a variety of endpoints showing that microplastics can induce immune response, oxidative stress, cytotoxicity, alter membrane integrity and cause differential expression of genes. However, these studies only considered three polymer types and short-term exposures, whereas, due to physiological relevance, prolonged exposures might be more informative.

Bioactivity of Phenolic Compounds Extracted from Strawberry against Formation of Pseudomonas aeruginosa Biofilm

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (01) ◽  
Author(s):  
Baydaa Hussein ◽  
Zainab A. Aldhaher ◽  
Shahrazad Najem Abdu-Allah ◽  
Adel Hamdan
Keyword(s):  
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa ◽  
Phenolic Compounds ◽  
Biofilm Formation ◽  
Opportunistic Infections ◽  
Formation Rate ◽  
Hydrocarbon Chain ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry ◽  
Phenolic Contents

Background: Biofilm is a bacterial way of life prevalent in the world of microbes; in addition to that it is a source of alarm in the field of health concern. Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a pathogenic bacterium responsible for all opportunistic infections such as chronic and severe. Aim of this study: This paper aims to provide an overview of the promotion of isolates to produce a biofilm in vitro under special circumstances, to expose certain antibiotics to produce phenotypic evaluation of biofilm bacteria. Methods and Materials: Three diverse ways were used to inhibited biofilm formation of P.aeruginosa by effect of phenolic compounds extracts from strawberries. Isolates produced biofilm on agar MacConkey under certain circumstances. Results: The results showed that all isolates were resistant to antibiotics except sensitive to azithromycin (AZM, 15μg), and in this study was conducted on three ways to detect the biofilm produced, has been detected by the biofilm like Tissue culture plate (TCP), Tube method (TM), Congo Red Agar (CRA). These methods gave a clear result of these isolates under study. Active compounds were analyzed in both extracts by Gas Chromatography-mass Spectrometry which indicate High molecular weight compound with a long hydrocarbon chain. Conclusion: Phenolic compounds could behave as bioactive material and can be useful to be used in pharmaceutical synthesis. Phenolic contents which found in leaves and fruits extracts of strawberries shows antibacterial activity against all strains tested by the ability to reduce the production of biofilm formation rate.

Cu Doped TiO2: Visible Light Assisted Photocatalytic Antimicrobial Activity and High Temperature Anatase Stability

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Snehamol Mathew ◽  
Priyanka Ganguly ◽  
Stephen Rhatigan ◽  
Vignesh Kumaravel ◽  
Ciara Byrne ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Visible Light ◽  
Visible Light Irradiation ◽  
Density Functional ◽  
Anatase Phase ◽  
Sol Gel ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Light Irradiation ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Bacterial Inactivation ◽  
X Ray

Indoor surface contamination by microbes is a major public health concern. A damp environment is one potential sources for microbe proliferation. Smart photocatalytic coatings on building surfaces using semiconductors like titania (TiO<sub>2</sub>) can effectively curb this growing threat.<b> </b>Metal-doped titania in anatase phase has been proved as a promising candidate for energy and environmental applications. In this present work, the antimicrobial efficacy of copper (Cu) doped TiO<sub>2 </sub>(Cu-TiO<sub>2</sub>) was evaluated against <i>Escherichia coli</i> (Gram-negative) and <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> (Gram-positive) under visible light irradiation. Doping of a minute fraction of Cu (0.5 mol %) in TiO<sub>2 </sub>was carried out <i>via</i> sol-gel technique. Cu-TiO<sub>2</sub> further calcined at various temperatures (in the range of 500 °C – 700 °C) to evaluate the thermal stability of TiO<sub>2</sub> anatase phase. The physico-chemical properties of the samples were characterised through X-ray diffraction (XRD), Raman spectroscopy, X-ray photo-electron spectroscopy (XPS) and UV-visible spectroscopy techniques. XRD results revealed that the anatase phase of TiO<sub>2</sub> was maintained well, up to 650 °C, by the Cu dopant. UV-DRS results suggested that the visible light absorption property of Cu-TiO<sub>2 </sub>was enhanced and the band gap is reduced to 2.8 eV. Density functional theory (DFT) studies emphasises the introduction of Cu<sup>+</sup> and Cu<sup>2+</sup> ions by replacing Ti<sup>4+</sup> ions in the TiO<sub>2</sub> lattice, creating oxygen vacancies. These further promoted the photocatalytic efficiency. A significantly high bacterial inactivation (99.9%) was attained in 30 mins of visible light irradiation by Cu-TiO<sub>2</sub>.

IMPACT OF SORBITOL- INDUCED OSMOTIC STRESS ON SOME BIOCHEMICAL TRAITS OF POTATO IN VITRO

2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (4) ◽  
pp. 1038-1047
Author(s):  
Mawia & et al.
Keyword(s):  
Ascorbic Acid ◽  
Osmotic Stress ◽  
Cytoplasmic Membrane ◽  
Genotypic Variation ◽  
Membrane Damage ◽  
Membrane Integrity ◽  
Culture Collection ◽  
Nutritive Medium ◽  
Starting Point

This study had as principal objective identification of osmotic-tolerant potato genotypes by using "in vitro" tissue culture and sorbitol as a stimulating agent, to induce water stress, which was added to the  culture nutritive medium in different concentration (0,50, 110, 220, 330 and 440 mM).  The starting point was represented by plantlets culture collection, belonging to eleven potato genotypes: Barcelona, Nectar, Alison, Jelly, Malice, Nazca, Toronto, Farida, Fabulla, Colomba and Spunta. Plantlets were multiplied between two internodes to obtain microcuttings (in sterile condition), which were inoculated on medium. Sorbitol-induced osmotic stress caused a significant reduction in the ascorbic acid, while the concentration of proline, H2O2 and solutes leakage increased compared with the control. Increased the proline content prevented lipid peroxidation, which played a pivotal role in the maintenance of membrane integrity under osmotic stress conditions. The extent of the cytoplasmic membrane damage depends on osmotic stress severity and the genotypic variation in the maintenance of membranes stability was highly associated with the ability of producing more amounts of osmoprotectants (proline) and the non-enzymic antioxidant ascorbic acid in response to osmotic stress level. The results showed that the genotypes Jelly, Nectar, Allison, Toronto, and Colomba are classified as highly osmotic stress tolerant genotypes, while the genotypes Nazca and Farida are classified as osmotic stress susceptible ones.

Development and Ex-vivo Evaluation of Topiramate Mucoadhesive Nanoparticles for Intranasal Delivery

2020 ◽  
Vol 13 (6) ◽  
pp. 5250-5255
Author(s):  
Ashwin Kumar Tulasi ◽  
Anil Goud Kandhula ◽  
Ravi Krishna Velupula
Keyword(s):  
Particle Size ◽  
Nasal Mucosa ◽  
Intranasal Administration ◽  
Ex Vivo ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Brain Targeting ◽  
Oral Tablet ◽  
Promising Alternative ◽  
Ex Vivo Permeation

Topiramate is a second-generation antiepileptic drug used in partial, generalized seizures as an oral tablet. Oral route of administration is most convenient but shows delayed absorption. Moreover, in emergency cases, parenteral administration is not possible as it requires medical assistance. Hence, the present study was aimed to develop topiramate mucoadhesive nanoparticles for intranasal administration using ionotropic gelation method. The developed nanoparticles were evaluated for physico-chemical properties like particle size, zeta potential, surface morphology, drug content, entrapment efficiency, in vitro drug release, mucoadhesive strength, and ex vivo permeation studies in excised porcine nasal mucosa. Optimized nanoparticle formulation (T9) was composed oil mucoadhesive agent (Chitosan 1% w/w), cross linking polymer (TPP) and topiramate 275mg, 100mg and 4% respectively. It showed particle size of 350nm, high encapsulation efficacy and strong mucoadhesive strength. In vitro drug diffusion of optimized formulation showed 95.12% release of drug after 180min. Ex-vivo permeation of drug across nasal mucosa was   88.05 % after 180min. Nasocilial toxicity studies showed optimized formulation did not damage the nasal mucosa. Thus, the intranasal administration of topiramate using chitosan can be a promising alternative for brain targeting and the treatment of epilepsy.

Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Lectin Exhibit Inhibition of ACE-I, α-amylase and α-glucosidase Activity

2019 ◽  
Vol 26 (7) ◽  
pp. 494-501 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sameer Suresh Bhagyawant ◽  
Dakshita Tanaji Narvekar ◽  
Neha Gupta ◽  
Amita Bhadkaria ◽  
Ajay Kumar Gautam ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Biological Effects ◽  
Exchange Chromatography ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Carbohydrate Binding ◽  
Dependent Manner ◽  
Concentration Dependent Manner ◽  
Ic50 Values ◽  
Chickpea Lectin

Background: Diabetes and hypertension are the major health concern and alleged to be of epidemic proportions. This has made it a numero uno subject at various levels of investigation. Glucosidase inhibitor provides the reasonable option in treatment of Diabetes Mellitus (DM) as it specifically targets post prandial hyperglycemia. The Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) plays an important role in hypertension. Therefore, inhibition of ACE in treatment of elevated blood pressure attracts special interest of the scientific community. Chickpea is a food legume and seeds contain carbohydrate binding protein- a lectin. Some of the biological properties of this lectin hitherto been elucidated. Methods: Purified by ion exchange chromatography, chickpea lectin was tested for its in vitro antioxidant, ACE-I inhibitory and anti-diabetic characteristic. Results: Lectin shows a characteristic improvement over the synthetic drugs like acarbose (oral anti-diabetic drug) and captopril (standard antihypertensive drug) when, their IC50 values are compared. Lectin significantly inhibited α-glucosidase and α-amylase in a concentration dependent manner with IC50 values of 85.41 ± 1.21 ҝg/ml and 65.05 ± 1.2 µg/ml compared to acarbose having IC50 70.20 ± 0.47 value of µg/ml and 50.52 ± 1.01 µg/ml respectively. β-Carotene bleaching assay showed antioxidant activity of lectin (72.3%) to be as active as Butylated Hydroxylanisole (BHA). In addition, lectin demonstrated inhibition against ACE-I with IC50 value of 57.43 ± 1.20 µg/ml compared to captopril. Conclusion: Lectin demonstrated its antioxidant character, ACE-I inhibition and significantly inhibitory for α-glucosidase and α-amylase seems to qualify as an anti-hyperglycemic therapeutic molecule. The biological effects of chickpea lectin display potential for reducing the parameters of medically debilitating conditions. These characteristics however needs to be established under in vivo systems too viz. animals through to humans.

DPP-IV Inhibitory Phenanthridines: Ligand, Structure-Based Design and Synthesis

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 295-307
Author(s):  
Reema A. Khalaf ◽  
Dalal Masalha ◽  
Dima Sabbah
Keyword(s):  
Pharmacophore Model ◽  
Pharmacophore Modeling ◽  
Ligand Docking ◽  
Health Concern ◽  
Aromatic Rings ◽  
Oral Antidiabetic Agents ◽  
Design And Synthesis ◽  
Dpp Iv ◽  
Novel Scaffold

Background: Lately, diabetes has become the main health concern for millions of people around the world. Dipeptidyl peptidase-IV (DPP-IV) inhibitors have emerged as a new class of oral antidiabetic agents. Formerly, acridines, N4-sulfonamido-succinamic, phthalamic, acrylic and benzoyl acetic acid derivatives, and sulfamoyl-phenyl acid esters were designed and developed as new DPP-IV inhibitors. Objective: This study aims to develop a pharmacophore model of DPP-IV inhibitors and to evaluate phenanthridines as a novel scaffold for inhibiting DPP-IV enzyme. In addition, to assess their binding interactions with the enzyme through docking in the binding site of 4A5S (PDB). Methods: Herein, Quantum–Polarized Ligand Docking (QPLD) and ligand-based pharmacophore modeling investigations were performed. Three novel 3,8-disubstituted-6-phenyl phenanthridine derivatives 3-5 have been designed, synthesized and characterized. In vitro biological testing against DPP-IV was carried out using fluorometric assay kit. Results: QPLD study demonstrates that compounds 3-5 forms H-bond with Lys554, Trp629, and Tyr631, besides charge transfer interaction between their aromatic rings and the aromatic rings of Tyr547 and Tyr666. Moreover, they fit the three pharmacophoric point features of DPP-IV inhibitors and were proven to have in vitro DPP-IV inhibitory activity where compound 5 displayed a % inhibition of 45.4 at 100 μM concentration. Conclusion: Phenanthridines may serve as a potential lead compound for developing new DPP-IV inhibitors as a promising antidiabetic agent. Computational results suggest future structural simplification.

scholarly journals Biological Effects of XyloCore, a Glucose Sparing PD Solution, on Mesothelial Cells: Focus on Mesothelial-Mesenchymal Transition, Inflammation and Angiogenesis

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (7) ◽  
pp. 2282
Author(s):  
Valentina Masola ◽  
Mario Bonomini ◽  
Maurizio Onisto ◽  
Pietro Manuel Ferraro ◽  
Arduino Arduini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Endothelial Cell ◽  
Cell Viability ◽  
Biological Effects ◽  
Membrane Integrity ◽  
Glucose Content ◽  
Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Low Glucose ◽  
Endothelial To Mesenchymal Transition ◽  
Osmotic Agents

Glucose-based solutions remain the most used osmotic agents in peritoneal dialysis (PD), but unavoidably they contribute to the loss of peritoneal filtration capacity. Here, we evaluated at a molecular level the effects of XyloCore, a new PD solution with a low glucose content, in mesothelial and endothelial cells. Cell viability, integrity of mesothelial and endothelial cell membrane, activation of mesothelial and endothelial to mesenchymal transition programs, inflammation, and angiogenesis were evaluated by several techniques. Results showed that XyloCore preserves mesothelial and endothelial cell viability and membrane integrity. Moreover XyloCore, unlike glucose-based solutions, does not exert pro-fibrotic, -inflammatory, and -angiogenic effects. Overall, the in vitro evidence suggests that XyloCore could represent a potential biocompatible solution promising better outcomes in clinical practice.

An In Vitro Cytotoxicity Assay Using Rat Hepatocytes and MTT and Coomassie Blue Dye as Indicators

1991 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 352-360
Author(s):  
Kazuhiko Otoguro ◽  
Kanki Komiyama ◽  
Satoshi Ωmura ◽  
Charles A. Tyson
Keyword(s):  
Mtt Assay ◽  
Membrane Integrity ◽  
Cell Number ◽  
Cellular Protein ◽  
Blue Dye ◽  
Tetrazolium Salt ◽  
Sprague Dawley ◽  
Lactate Dehydrogenase Activity ◽  
Coomassie Blue

Isolated hepatocytes from male Sprague-Dawley rats suspended in culture medium supplemented with either 0.2 or 2% bovine serum albumin (BSA) were allowed to attach to collagen coated 96-well dishes. Ten test chemicals from the MEIC list and salicylic acid were added individually to the dishes, and at the end of 24 and 48 hours, cytotoxicity was determined by measuring MTT (tetrazolium salt) reduction (mitochondrial integrity) and total cellular protein using Coomassie blue dye (reflecting cell number). Total cellular lactate dehydrogenase activity was also determined in some experiments, as an indicator of plasma membrane integrity. The relative toxicities of the test chemicals were quantified by the estimation of EC10, EC20 and EC50 values for each parameter. Except for one chemical, digoxin, in the MTT assay, cytotoxic potency increased with incubation time. The hepatocytes tended to be more sensitive to the chemicals in medium containing 0.2% BSA than in medium containing 2% BSA. Simple linear regression analyses of the log transformed data from the MTT assay versus log oral LD50 in rats for the test chemicals gave the best results using EC10 at 24 hours (r2 = 0.86). With protein as the cytotoxic indicator, the best results were obtained with EC values in the medium containing 2% BSA, again at 24 hours (r2 = 0.83). These results suggest that the MTT and Coomassie blue dye assays could be useful indicators for testing the cytotoxic potential of chemicals in rat hepatocyte cultures.

scholarly journals Lignans of Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.): A Comprehensive Review

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (4) ◽  
pp. 883
Author(s):  
Mebeaselassie Andargie ◽  
Maria Vinas ◽  
Anna Rathgeb ◽  
Evelyn Möller ◽  
Petr Karlovsky
Keyword(s):  
Biological Activities ◽  
Chemical Properties ◽  
Transformation Products ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Controversial Issues ◽  
Sesame Seeds ◽  
Historical Texts ◽  
Health Promoting ◽  
Processed Products

Major lignans of sesame sesamin and sesamolin are benzodioxol--substituted furofurans. Sesamol, sesaminol, its epimers, and episesamin are transformation products found in processed products. Synthetic routes to all lignans are known but only sesamol is synthesized industrially. Biosynthesis of furofuran lignans begins with the dimerization of coniferyl alcohol, followed by the formation of dioxoles, oxidation, and glycosylation. Most genes of the lignan pathway in sesame have been identified but the inheritance of lignan content is poorly understood. Health-promoting properties make lignans attractive components of functional food. Lignans enhance the efficiency of insecticides and possess antifeedant activity, but their biological function in plants remains hypothetical. In this work, extensive literature including historical texts is reviewed, controversial issues are critically examined, and errors perpetuated in literature are corrected. The following aspects are covered: chemical properties and transformations of lignans; analysis, purification, and total synthesis; occurrence in Seseamum indicum and related plants; biosynthesis and genetics; biological activities; health-promoting properties; and biological functions. Finally, the improvement of lignan content in sesame seeds by breeding and biotechnology and the potential of hairy roots for manufacturing lignans in vitro are outlined.

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