ANTIFUNGAL ACTIVITY OF CHITOSAN AGAINST Rhizopus stolonifer

These days instead of chemical pesticides, various natural alternatives have been used for the management of post-harvest diseases. This research was carried out to evaluate the antifungal potential of different chitosan concentrations viz., 5, 10, and 15 mg/µl against Rhizopus stolonifer by the agar dilution and well diffusion methods. The evaluation was carried out after seven days of incubation by measuring the inhibition of R. stolonifer mycelial growth. Results of the study revealed that the chitosan had a significant inhibitory effect on mycelial growth and maximum mycelial growth inhibition was reported at the 10 and 15 mg/µl concentrations and these two treatments are not significantly different. Based on these results, the best concentration (15 mg/µl) was further evaluated by the well diffusion technique. The average inhibition zones formed by the higher concentration was 25mm. Results of the study suggested that chitosan can be used for the management of post-harvesting diseases of tomatoes.

In vitro growth of uropathogenic Escherichia coli isolated from a snow leopard treated with homeopathic and isopathic remedies: a pilot study

This paper reports the results of incubation of a strain of uropathogenic Escherichia coli (UPEC) isolated from a snow leopard - which had died of septicemia secondary to necro-hemorrhagic cystitis - with homeopathic and isopathic remedies. Methods: UPEC was isolated from heart blood and previously typified for virulence factors; it was incubated with homeopathic remedies Cantharis vesicatoria (urinary tract infection affinity), Mercurius solubilis (from symptoms analysis) and nosode prepared from the actual strain, all in dilution 12cH. Results: 2 patterns of bacterial growth were observed, associated to the quality of nutrients in the culture medium; in rich-nutrient medium, nosode of E. coli 12cH had a significant inhibitory effect; in poor-nutrient medium, Merc 12cH exerted significant inhibitory effect. Conclusion: results suggest that the previous conditions of prokaryote systems may influence the in vitro response to homeopathic and isopathic remedies. Keywords: urinary tract infection; Felines; Uropathogenic Escherichia coli; Homeopathy; Isopathy.  Estudo do crescimento (in vitro) de Escherichia coli uropatogénica isolada a partir de um leopardo das neves e tratada com medicamentos homeopáticos e isopáticos: estudo piloto. ResumoEste artigo relata os resultados da incubação de uma linhagem de Escherichia coli uropatogénica (UPEC) isolada a partir de um leopardo das neves, que morreu de septicemia secundária a cistite necrótica-hemorrágica. A UPEC foi tratada com preparados homeopáticos e isopáticos. Métodos: UPEC foi isolada de sangue cardíaco e previamente tipificada para fatores de viruléncia; foi incubada com o medicamento homeopático Cantharis vesicatoria (afinidade com infecção do trato urinário), Mercurius solubilis (a partir da análise de sintomas) e nosódio preparado a partir da mesma linhagem de bactérias, todas em 12 cH. Resultados: 2 padrões de crescimento bacteriano foram observados, associados àqualidade dos nutrientes do meio de cultura; em meios ricos em nutrientes, nosódio de E. coli 12 cH teve um significativo efeito inibitório; em meio pobre de nutrientes, Merc 12 cH exerceu efeito inibitório significativo. Conclusão: os resultados sugerem que as condições prévias do sistema procarioto estudado podem influenciar as respostas proliferativas in vitro para preparados homeopáticos e isopáticos. Palavras-chave: infecção do trato urinário, felinos, Escherichia coli uropatogénica; homeopatia, isopatia.  Crecimiento in vitro de Escherichia coli uropatogenica, aisladas de un leopardo de la nieve, tratadas con remedios homeopáticos y isopáticos: un estudio preliminar ResumenEste trabajo presenta los resultados de la incubación de una cepa de Escherichia coli uropatogenica (UPEC) aislada de un leopardo de la nieve, que había muerto de septicemia secundaria a la necro-hemorrágica cistitis, con remedios homeopáticos y isopáticos. Métodos: Se aisló UPEC de la sangre del corazón y caracterizado por factores de virulencia, y se incubó con los remedios homeopáticos Cantharis vesicatoria (afinidad con la infección del tracto urinario), Mercurius solubilis (a partir de la análisis de los síntomas) y nosódio preparado a partir de la cepa, todos em la dilución 12cH. Resultados: 2 patrones de crecimiento de las bacterias se han observado, asociado a la calidad de los nutrientes en el medio de cultivo. En medio rico en nutrientes, nosódios de E. coli 12cH tuvo un importante efecto inhibitorio; en médios pobres en nutrientes, Merc 12cH haz ejercido importante efecto inhibitorio. Conclusión: los resultados sugieren que las condiciones anteriores de los sistemas procariotos pueden influir en la respuesta in vitro a los remedios homeopáticos y isopáticos. Palabras-clave: Infección del tracto urinario; Felinos; Escherichia coli Uropatogenica ; Homeopatía; Isopatía  Correspondence author: Leoni Villano Bonamin, [email protected] How to cite this article: Kawakami AP; Osugui L; César AT; Priven SW; Carvalho VM; Bonamin LV. In vitro growth of uropathogenic Escherichia coli isolated from a snow leopard treated with homeopathic and isopathic remedies: a pilot study. Int J High Dilution Res [online]. 2009 [cited YYYY Month dd]; 8 (27): 41-44. Available from: http://journal.giri-society.org/index.php/ijhdr/article/view/341/394. ÂÂÂ

Research on the Effect of an Environmental Protection Tax Policy on Haze Control in China—Empirical Analysis Based on Provincial Panel Data

This paper describes the construction of a model to explore the effectiveness of environmental protection taxes on haze emission reduction in China. The model is based on panel data from 30 provinces and cities in China, from 2003–2019. It is found that the current environmental protection tax has a significant inhibitory effect on haze. In addition, an upfront pollutant discharge fee can guide enterprises to significantly reduce the emission of haze-causing pollutants. A robustness test is conducted, using the variable substitution method of taking sulfur dioxide (SO2) as haze, and the research conclusions are consistent. We then put forward three specific suggestions: (1) Expand the scope of the environmental protection tax, gradually increase the tax rate, or adopt an excessive progressive tax rate. For example, China could consider including mobile pollution sources into the scope of taxation. (2) Increase the supervision and collection of the environmental protection tax. (3) Strengthen the multiple linkages between regional taxation departments and environmental protection departments, in order to form a collaboration between the departments in an effort to control haze and promote the sustainable development of the Chinese economy and the environment.

Anti-inflammatory Activity of Sclerotium stipitatum Berk. et. Curr. an Ethnomedicinal Fungus, in Chronic and Acute Animal Models of Inflammation

Sclerotium stipitatum Berk. et. Curr., locally known as ‘nilamanga’ is a rare macro fungus, traditionally used to treat numerous diseases like arthritis, earache, jaundice etc. The present study aims to evaluate the anti-inflammatory activity of ethanol extract of S. stipitatum and identify the bioactive compounds present in them. Phytochemical screening of extracts obtained using different solvents like petroleum ether, chloroform, ethanol and water were done. The best extract was chosen for the acute carrageenan-induced and chronic formalin-induced anti-inflammatory studies. Diclofenac was used as the standard drug. Ethanol extract showed significant inhibition of inflammation induced by carrageenan and formalin-induced paw edema models compared to the control. GC-MS analysis shows certain bioactive compounds. The significant inhibitory effect on paw edema proves that S. stipitatum possesses remarkable anti-inflammatory activity, and isolation and identification of bioactive compounds can be used for new drug formulations.

Inhibitory Effects of Six Types of Tea on Aging and High-Fat Diet-Related Amyloid Formation Activities

Aging and lipid metabolism disorders promote the formation and accumulation of amyloid with β-sheet structure, closely related to cardiovascular disease, senile dementia, type 2 diabetes, and other senile degenerative diseases. In this study, five representative teas were selected from each of the six types of tea, and a total of 30 teas were selected to evaluate the inhibitory activities on the formation of aging-related amyloid in vitro. The results showed that the 30 teas had a significant inhibitory effect on the formation activity on aging-related amyloid at the protein level in vitro. Although the content of catechins is relatively low, black tea and dark tea still have significant antioxidant activity and inhibit the formation of amyloid. A high-fat diet established the model of lipid metabolism disorder in premature aging SAMP8 mice, and these mice were gavaged different tea water extracts. The results showed that different tea types have a significant inhibitory effect on the formation of β-amyloid and Aβ42 mediated by age-related lipid metabolism disorders, and the in vivo activity of fully fermented teas was better than that of green tea. The action mechanism was related to antioxidation, anti-inflammatory, and improving lipid metabolism.

Discovery of Chalcone-Based Hybrid Structures as High Affinity and Site-Specific Inhibitors Against COVID-19; a Study Based on Various Host-Based and Viral Targets

3-Chymotrypsin-like protease (3CLpro) and papain-like protease (PLpro) of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) are at the forefront of attention for finding therapeutic agents for the treatment of COVID-19. In addition, proper modulation of host-based antiviral targets (HBATs) has also been highlighted by scientists as a promising approach for the suppression of the SARS-CoV-2. Previous studies indicated that some natural-based chalcones have significant inhibitory effect on the coronavirus enzymes 3CLpro and PLpro as well as modulation of some HBATs. In this study, a computational screening was performed to investigate the affinity of our compound library consisting of 757 chalcone-based structures (CHA-1 to CHA-757) for inhibiting the 3CLpro and PLpro enzymes, and also against twelve selected host-based targets. The twelve selected HBATs were chosen based on their involvement in viral reproduction. Our results indicated that CHA-12 (VUF 4819) is the most potent and a multi-target inhibitor in our chemical library over all viral and host-based targets. Correspondingly, CHA-384 and its congeners containing ureide moieties were found to be potent and selective 3CLpro inhibitors, and benzotriazole moiety in CHA-37 was found to be a main fragment for inhibiting the 3CLpro and PLpro. Surprisingly, our results were fully consistent with recent reports on the site-specific 3CLpro inhibitors. The results also indicate that the ureide and sulfonamide moieties are integral fragments for the optimum 3CLpro inhibition while occupying the S1 and S3 subsites. Finding the multi-target inhibitor CHA-12, previously reported as a LTD4 antagonist for the treatment of inflammatory pulmonary diseases, prompted us to suggest it as a concomitant antiviral agent for relieving respiratory symptoms and suppressing COVID-19 infection.

Impacts of Extracts From Styrax officinalis L. on Seedling Growth of Salvia sclarea L.

Many plant species synthesize different biochemical substances from their various organs (leaves, flowers, fruits and roots, etc.). While some of these biochemical substances which are known as allelochemicals have a stimulating effect on the growth and development of other plants, some of them have an inhibitory effect. In this study, the effect of extracts obtained from the Styrax officinalis L., which spreads naturally in the Mediterranean and Aegean regions, on the seedling growth of Salvia sclarea L. were investigated. In the study, the extracts prepared with water at 5% concentration from dry fruit peel and seed coat of S. officinalis, and tap water as control were used. According to the results of this study, it was determined that the fruit peel and seed coat extracts obtained from S. officinalis had a significant inhibitory effect on the emergence of S. sclarea seeds and its seedling growth. The inhibitory effect of fruit peel was higher than that of seed coat.

Effect of Low Threshold Versus High Threshold Genitalia Stimuli on the Cystometry Parameters in Male Rats

The cross talk between external genitalia and urinary bladder could be utilized as part of management to certain pathological conditions affecting urinary bladder. Since urinary bladder function is also affected by pathologies of other organs (e.g., colon and esophagus), the effect of genitalia stimuli on parameters of bladder function in normal or under different pathological conditions needs to be characterized. Cystometry recordings in male rats were used to examine the effect of low threshold (LT) and high threshold (HT) stimulation of the scrotum and penis on urinary bladder function. These effects were studied in intact, colon irritation (CI), and esophagus irritation (EI) groups. Although, HT penile stimulation had a significant inhibitory effect on micturition reflex in all groups, CI hypersensitized the penile-bladder inhibitory reflex. In addition, LT penile stimulation had a significant inhibitory effect on micturition, which was significant in CI group, only. On the other hand, HT penile stimulation, in CI group, significantly increased the timing parameters of cystometry. While, LT and HT penile stimuli, in EI group, had a significantly increasing effect on all pressure parameters of cystometry. The scrotal stimuli had minimal effect on bladder function in all groups except for HT scrotal stimulation in the CI group, where it had a significant inhibitory effect on micturition reflex and significantly increased the maximum pressure and pressure amplitude of micturition cycles. These results show that CI and EI exacerbate the effects of genitalia stimuli, especially penile stimuli, on urinary bladder function.

A novel BRD4 inhibitor suppresses osteoclastogenesis and ovariectomized osteoporosis by blocking RANKL-mediated MAPK and NF-κB pathways

Bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) has emerged as a promising treatment target for bone-related disorders. (+)-JQ1, a thienotriazolodiazepine compound, has been shown to inhibit pro-osteoclastic activity in a BRD4-dependent approach and impede bone loss caused by ovariectomy (OVX) in vivo. However, clinical trials of (+)-JQ1 are limited because of its poor druggability. In this study, we synthesized a new (+)-JQ1 derivative differing in structure and chirality. One such derivative, (+)-ND, exhibited higher solubility and excellent inhibitory activity against BRD4 compared with its analogue (+)-JQ1. Interestingly, (-)-JQ1 and (-)-ND exhibited low anti-proliferative activity and had no significant inhibitory effect on RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis as compared with (+)-JQ1 and (+)-ND, suggesting the importance of chirality in the biological activity of compounds. Among these compounds, (+)-ND displayed the most prominent inhibitory effect on RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis. Moreover, (+)-ND could inhibit osteoclast-specific gene expression, F‐actin ring generation, and bone resorption in vitro and prevent bone loss in OVX mice. Collectively, these findings indicated that (+)-ND represses RANKL‐stimulated osteoclastogenesis and averts OVX-triggered osteoporosis by suppressing MAPK and NF-κB signalling cascades, suggesting that it may be a prospective candidate for osteoporosis treatment.