Impact of new cyclooxygenase 2 inhibitors on human cytomegalovirus replication in vitro

Background Human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is involved in complications on immunocompromised patients. Current therapeutics are associated with several drawbacks, such as nephrotoxicity. Purpose: As HCMV infection affects inflammation pathways, especially prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production via cyclooxygenase 2 enzyme (COX-2), we designed 2'-hydroxychalcone compounds to inhibit human cytomegalovirus. Study design We first selected the most efficient new synthetic chalcones for their effect against COX-2-catalyzed PGE2. Study sample Among the selected compounds, we assessed the antiviral efficacy against different HCMV strains, such as the laboratory strain AD169 and clinical strains (naïve or multi-resistant to conventional drugs) and toxicity on human cells. Results The most efficient and less toxic compound (chalcone 7) was tested against HCMV in combination with other antiviral molecules: artesunate (ART), baicalein (BAI), maribavir (MBV), ganciclovir (GCV), and quercetin (QUER) using Compusyn software. Association of chalcone 7 with MBV and BAI is synergistic, antagonistic with QUER, and additive with GCV and ART. Conclusion These results provide a promising search path for potential bitherapies against HCMV.

Characterization of the Glutathione S -Transferases Involved in Styrene Degradation in Gordonia rubripertincta CWB2

Styrene is a toxic compound that is used at a large scale by industry for plastic production. Bacterial degradation of styrene is a possibility for bioremediation and pollution prevention.

Description of Devosia faecipullorum sp. nov., harboring antibiotic- and toxic compound-resistace genes, isolated from poultry manure

A polyphasic taxonomic approach was used to characterize a Gram-stain-negative bacterium, designated strain CC-YST696T, harbouring antibiotic- and toxic compound-resistace genes, isolated from poultry manure in Taiwan. Cells of CC-YST696T were short rods, motile with polar flagella, catalase- and oxidase-positive. Optimal growth occurred at 30 °С, pH 9 and with 1 % NaCl. The results of phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA genes revealed a distinct taxonomic position attained by CC-YST696T associated with Devosia chinhatensis (97.9 % sequence identity), Devosia riboflavina (97.3 %) and Devosia indica (97.2 %), and with lower sequence similarity values to other species. Average nucleotide identity (ANI) values were 72.8–80.0 % (n=17) compared within the type strains of species of of the genus Devosia . CC-YST696T contained C16:0, C18:0, C18:1ω7c 11-methyl and C18:1ω6c/ C18:1ω7c as the predominant fatty acids. The polar lipid profile consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, two unidentified aminolipids, three unidentified glycolipids, two unidentified phospholipids and three unidentified lipids. The DNA G+C content was 62.2 mol% and the predominant quinone was ubiquinone Q-10. On the basis of its distinct phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic traits together with results of comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence and ANI analyses, strain CC-YST696T is proposed to represent a novel species of the genus Devosia , for which the name Devosia faecipullorum sp. nov. (type strain CC-YST696T=BCRC 81284T=JCM 34167T) is proposed.

Mercury Export From Freshwater to Estuary: Carbocentric Science Elucidates the Fate of a Toxic Compound in Aquatic Boreal Environments

The chemistry of mercury in freshwater systems, particularly man-made reservoirs, has received a great deal of attention owing to the high toxicity of the most common organic form, methylmercury. Although methylmercury bioaccumulation in reservoirs and natural lakes has been extensively studied at all latitudes, the fate of the different forms of mercury (total vs. dissolved; organic vs. inorganic) along the entire river-estuary continuum is less well documented. In fact, the difficulty of integrating the numerous parameters involved in mercury speciation in such large study areas, combined with the technical difficulties in sampling and analyzing mercury, have undoubtedly hindered advances in the field. At the same time, carbocentric science has grown exponentially in the last 25 years, and the common fate of carbon and mercury in freshwater has become increasingly clear with time. This literature review, by presenting the knowledge acquired in these two fields, aims to better understand the extent of mercury export from boreal inland waters to estuaries and to investigate the possible downstream ecotoxicological impact of reservoir creation on mercury bioavailability to estuarine food webs and local communities.

Anoxygenic Photosynthesis in Photolithotrophic Sulfur Bacteria and Their Role in Detoxication of Hydrogen Sulfide

Hydrogen sulfide is a toxic compound that can affect various groups of water microorganisms. Photolithotrophic sulfur bacteria including Chromatiaceae and Chlorobiaceae are able to convert inorganic substrate (hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide) into organic matter deriving energy from photosynthesis. This process takes place in the absence of molecular oxygen and is referred to as anoxygenic photosynthesis, in which exogenous electron donors are needed. These donors may be reduced sulfur compounds such as hydrogen sulfide. This paper deals with the description of this metabolic process, representatives of the above-mentioned families, and discusses the possibility using anoxygenic phototrophic microorganisms for the detoxification of toxic hydrogen sulfide. Moreover, their general characteristics, morphology, metabolism, and taxonomy are described as well as the conditions for isolation and cultivation of these microorganisms will be presented.

Characteristics of French Fries and Potato Chips in Aspect of Acrylamide Content—Methods of Reducing the Toxic Compound Content in Ready Potato Snacks

The reduction of toxic acrylamide content in potato snacks, i.e., French fries and potato chips, is necessary due to the adverse effects of this compound on the human body. Therefore, in the presented review paper, a detailed characterization of French fries and chips in terms of AA content and their organoleptic quality is included. Detailed information was also collected on the raw material and technological factors that affect the formation of acrylamide content, including methods and techniques affecting the reduction of the amount of this compound in potato snacks. The obligation to control the level of acrylamide in various food products (including fried potato snacks with a higher content of this compound), introduced in 2018, has mobilized manufacturers to seek solutions, while scientists conduct further intensive research on the possibility of reducing the level of AA or even eliminating its presence from products. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct such activities, especially, because potato French fries and potato chips are willingly consumed by younger and younger consumers.

Artificial almond flavoring additive: A potential toxic compound for the environment

In this work, the chemical composition of the artificial almond flavoring was investigated, as well as the toxicity of this additive against bioassays commonly used to assess the environmental risk offered by chemical compounds and/or substances. The chemical identification detected ethanol (solvent), saccharin, benzaldehyde and benzoic acid. In L. sativa and A. cepa, concentrations of 100 and 10 µL/L flavoring caused a reduction in the germination rate and inhibition of root growth. In A. cepa, at 24 and 48 hours of exposure, concentrations 100 and 10µL/L significantly reduced the division of root meristems, and concentrations 1 and 0.10 µL/L induced cellular changes and were aneugenic to plant meristems. The flavoring was highly toxic to A. salina with LC50 = 0.082 ppm. Also, by partitioning into saturated solutions of octane and water, the commercial solution of the almond presented a log Kow of 1.37. Based on the results obtained, under the established analysis conditions, the flavoring was significantly phytotoxic, cytogenotoxic and toxic, and based on Kow it is estimated to have good stability in water and soil. These results indicate that almond flavoring is a potential environmentally toxic compound.