Phytotoxicity of plant extracts of Vismia japurensis cultivated in vivo and in vitro

Plants that produce secondary metabolites with allelopathic activity or phytotoxicity can be biotechnologically important, serving as sources of allelochemicals, and thus contributing to the agroindustrial sector. Vismia japurensis (Hypericaceae) is an Amazonian species that grows in clumps called vismiais, from which most other plants are absent. Accordingly, the objective of this study was to identify possible phytotoxicity effects of hexane and methanol extracts of Vismia japurensis leaves and branches in vivo and from seedlings grown in vitro on Lactuca sativa. In addition, fresh and dry leaves were assayed by the sandwich method in order to determine their ability to release allelochemicals. The hexanic extract from in vitro seedlings reduced germination by 10%, while the methanol extract produced a 16% reduction in germination speed. Root growth of Lactuca sativa was inhibited by 64.7% when subjected to hexane leaf extract, by 39.3% under the influence of hexane branch extract, and by 96.09% for in vitro seedling hexanic extract. When analysed by thin layer chromatography and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance, extracts showed evidence of terpenes, anthraquinones and flavonoids, with greater intensity of signals in the aromatic region of in vitro seedling hexanic extract. Clearly, Vismia japurensis has a high biotechnological potential in terms of the production of substances of low polarity with capacity to interfere in plant development.

Extraction of Lignin from Empty Fruit Bunch Fiber via Microwave-Assisted Deep-Eutectic Solvent Heating

This work study about the extraction of lignin from Empty Fruit Bunch (EFB). It is a type of lignocellulosic waste produced during the palm oil extraction process. There are three main components of lignocellulosic, which is one of them is lignin. A deep eutectic solvent (DES) with microwave-assisted heating has been used as a process to extract the lignin from EFB and turn it into a value-product. This convenient method was started with the mixing of EFB and DES. After that, the mixture was heated via microwave synthesis reactor at different temperature and time parameters. The extracted lignin yield was dried and ground into a powder form. The highest lignin yield recovered is 30 % by the highest time and temperature. Interestingly, the purity of all lignin yields are above than 80 %. The highest yield of lignin was characterized. According to Fourier-Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectra, there was a significant functional group of phenolic and aliphatic hydroxyl in lignin. Besides, the methoxy group was also configured in lignin spectra. The presence of conjugated alkene also conveyed the characteristic of lignin. The FTIR spectra were intensified with 1H Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectra where there was a chemical shift in lignin and raw EFB which was designated to aliphatic and aromatic protons bonded to a carbon atom. Three regions of decomposition occur in the Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA) spectra. The initial decompose temperature of lignin was lower compare to raw EFB. Next, second-stage lignin decomposed at 434.14 ℃ with weight loss of 36.21 %. Lastly, for the final stage, lignin decomposes at 552.54 ℃. Moreover, Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) spectra demonstrate that the Tg value of lignin managed to be identified. However, the Tg value of raw EFB cannot be well defined. As for the characterization in residual fractions of EFB, the lowest crystallinity index (CrI) value of raw EFB has proven the presence of lignocellulosic in its structure. The residual fractions that reacted at higher temperatures have an inflated value of CrI as they contain abundant left out cellulose.

Features of the Gas-Permeable Crystalline Phase of Poly-2,6-Dimethylphenylene Oxide

Poly-2,6-dimethylphenylene oxide (PPO) film samples with varying degrees of crystallinity (from 0 to 69%) were obtained by means of different techniques. The films were studied by various physicochemical methods (Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance relaxation). Solubility coefficients of gases in the PPO samples were measured via sorption isotherms of gases by volumetric technique with chromatographic detection. The apparent activation energy of permeation and the activation energy of diffusion of all gases were estimated based on temperature dependences of gas permeability and diffusivity for amorphous and semi-crystalline PPO in the range of 20–50 °C. The peculiarities of free volume, density, and thermal properties of gas transport confirm the nanoporosity of the gas-permeable crystalline phase of PPO. So, the PPO can be included in the group of organic molecular sieves.

Kinetics of Resorcinol-Formaldehyde Condensation—Comparison of Common Experimental Techniques

Porous carbons, originated from resorcinol-formaldehyde (RF) gels, show high application potential. However, the kinetics and mechanism of RF condensation are still not well described. In this work, different methods (dynamic light scattering–DLS, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy–FTIR, low field 1H nuclear magnetic resonance relaxometry–1H-NMR, and differential scanning calorimetry–DSC) were used to follow the isothermal RF condensation of mixtures varying in catalyst content (Na2CO3) and reactant concentration. The applicability and results obtained by the methods used differ significantly. The changes in functional groups can be followed by FTIR only at very early stages of the reaction. DLS enables the estimate of the growth of particles in reaction solution, but only before the solution becomes more viscous. Following the relaxation of 1H nuclei in water during RF condensation brings a different view on the system—this technique follows the properties of the present water that is gradually captured in polymeric gel. From this side, the process behaves similarly to the nucleation reaction, which is in contradiction to the n-order mechanism confirmed by other techniques. The widest range of applicability was found for DSC measurement of the freezing/melting behavior of the reaction mixture, which is possible to use without any limitations until full solidification. Furthermore, this approach enables us to follow the gradual formation and development of the gel through the intermediate undergoing glass transition.

1H-Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Analysis of Urine as Diagnostic Tool for Organic Acidemias and Aminoacidopathies

The utility of low-resolution 1H-NMR analysis for the identification of biomarkers provided evidence for rapid biochemical diagnoses of organic acidemia and aminoacidopathy. 1H-NMR, with a sensitivity expected for a field strength of 400 MHz at 64 scans was used to establish the metabolomic urine sample profiles of an infant population diagnosed with small molecule Inborn Errors of Metabolism (smIEM) compared to unaffected individuals. A qualitative differentiation of the 1H-NMR spectral profiles of urine samples obtained from individuals affected by different organic acidemias and aminoacidopathies was achieved in combination with GC–MS. The smIEM disorders investigated in this study included phenylalanine metabolism; isovaleric, propionic, 3-methylglutaconicm and glutaric type I acidemia; and deficiencies in medium chain acyl-coenzyme and holocarboxylase synthase. The observed metabolites were comparable and similar to those reported in the literature, as well as to those detected with higher-resolution NMR. In this study, diagnostic marker metabolites were identified for the smIEM disorders. In some cases, changes in metabolite profiles differentiated post-treatments and follow-ups while allowing for the establishment of different clinical states of a biochemical disorder. In addition, for the first time, a 1H-NMR-based biomarker profile was established for holocarboxylase synthase deficiency spectrum.

Separation and Identification of Resveratrol Butyrate Ester Complexes and Their Bioactivity in HepG2 Cell Models

Resveratrol butyrate ester (RBE) complexes have demonstrated higher antioxidant capacity and anti-fat accumulation activity in previous studies. In this study, silica gel, high-performance liquid chromatography, and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance were used for separation and identification of RBE complex components. With the exception of resveratrol, five different structures of ester derivatives were separated from silica gel: 3,4′-di-O-butanoylresveratrol (ED2, 18.8%), 3-O-butanoylresveratrol (ED4, 35.7%), 4′-O-butanoylresveratrol (ED5, 4.4%), 3,5,4′-tri-O-butanoylresveratrol (ED6, 1.5%), and 3,5-di-O-butanoylresveratrol (ED7, 0.7%). Among the ester derivatives obtained, ED2 and ED4 were the main ester derivatives in the RBE complex. Thus, the cellular antioxidant activities of the RBE mixture, ED2, and ED4 were evaluated. Results showed that the antioxidant capacity of ED2 and ED4 was higher than that of the RBE mixture, demonstrating that the number and position of butyrate esterification sites are related to cell survival rate and antioxidant capacity. This study is the first to report the successful isolation, structural identification, and cellular biological antioxidant activity of RBE complex derivatives, which are key characteristics for the potential practical application of RBE complexes.

Glycoprotein Profile Measured by a 1H-Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Based on Approach in Patients with Diabetes: A New Robust Method to Assess Inflammation

Patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and atherogenic dyslipidemia (AD) are at higher risk of developing cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), so an interest in discovering inflammation biomarkers as indicators of processes related to CVD progression is increasing. This study aims (a) to characterize the plasma glycoprotein profile of a cohort of 504 participants, including patients with and without T2DM and/or AD and controls, and (b) to study the associations between the glycoprotein profile and other lipid and clinical variables in these populations. We characterized the plasma glycoprotein profiles by using 1H-NMR. We quantified the two peaks associated with the concentration of plasma glycoproteins (GlycA and GlycB) and their height/width ratios (H/W GlycA and H/W GlycB), as higher and narrower signals have been related to inflammation. We also quantified GlycF, the signal of which is proportional to the concentration of the acetyl groups of free N-acetylglucosamine, N-acetylgalactosamine, and N-acetylneuraminic in the samples. The lipoprotein profile was also determined (Liposcale®). Standard clinical and anthropometric measurements were taken. Multivariate classification models were developed to study the differences between the study groups. Reduced HDL-C levels, increased small dense LDL and HDL particles, and elevated TG levels were significantly associated with glycoprotein variables. Glycoprotein values in the diagnostic groups were significantly different from those in the CT groups. AD and DM conditions together contribute to a positive and significant synergetic effect on the GlycA area (<0.05) and the H/W ratios of GlycA (<0.01) and GlycB (<0.05). By adding the new glycoprotein variables to the traditionally used marker of inflammation C-reactive protein (CRP), the AUC increased sharply for classification models between the CT group and the rest (0.68 to 0.84), patients with and without dyslipidemia (0.54 to 0.86), and between patients with and without diabetes (0.55 to 0.75). 1H-NMR-derived glycoproteins can be used as possible markers of the degree of inflammation associated with T2DM and AD.

SYNTHESIS, MOLECULAR BIOINFORMATICS MODELLING, AND ANTIMICROBIAL EVALUATION OF SOME NOVEL OXADIAZOLE FLUOROQUINOLONE DERIVATIVES

Objective: The present study envisages a series of oxadiazole fluoroquinolone derivatives that were synthesized (D1–D12) with added derivatives such as phenyl, aminophenyl, amino hydroxyphenyl along with cyclopropyl, ethyl, piperazine, and imidazole. Methods: All of the newly produced molecules were characterized by infrared, 1H nuclear magnetic resonance, mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis technique and screened for docking stimulation to find out binding modes of synthesized derivatives with 3FV5, 5IMW, and 5ESE and evaluated for in vitro antimicrobial activity. Results: From this study, it was found that the compound D8 showed good antibacterial activity against Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus), compound D9 showed good antibacterial activity against Gram-negative (Escherichia coli), and compound D3 showed good antifungal activity against fungi (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) in comparison with standard drugs (Ciprofloxacin and fluconazole). The zone of inhibition and minimum inhibitory concentration studies was performed on synthesized compounds. Conclusion: The analogs of oxadiazole flouroquinolone are suggested to be potent inhibitors with sufficient scope for further exploration.

Healthy and Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) Dogs Have Differences in Serum Metabolomics and Renal Diet May Have Slowed Disease Progression

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is highly prevalent in dogs, and metabolomics investigation has been recently introduced for a better understanding of the role of diet in CKD. This study aimed to compare the serum metabolomic profile of healthy dogs (CG) and dogs with CKD (CKD-T0 and CKD-T6) to evaluate whether the diet would affect metabolites. Six dogs (5 females; 1 male; 7.47 ± 2.31 years old) with CKD stage 3 or 4 (IRIS) were included. CG consisted of 10 healthy female dogs (5.89 ± 2.57 years old) fed a maintenance diet. Serum metabolites were analyzed by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR) spectra. Principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) were performed to assess differences in metabolomic profiles between groups and before (CKD-T0) and after renal diet (CKD-T6). Data analysis was performed on SIMCA-P software. Dogs with CKD showed an altered metabolic profile with increased urea, creatinine, creatine, citrate, and lipids. Lactate, branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), and glutamine were decreased in the CKD group. However, after 6 months of diet, the metabolite profiles of CKD-T0 and CKD-T6 were similar. Metabolomics profile may be useful to evaluate and recognize metabolic dysfunction and progression of CKD, and the diet may have helped maintain and retard the progression of CKD.

Cyclodextrins Allow the Combination of Incompatible Vancomycin and Ceftazidime into an Ophthalmic Formulation for the Treatment of Bacterial Keratitis

Ceftazidime (CZ) and vancomycin (VA) are two antibiotics used to treat bacterial keratitis. Due to their physical incompatibility (formation of a precipitate), it is not currently possible to associate both molecules in a single container for ophthalmic administration. We firstly characterized the incompatibility then investigated if 2-hydroxypropyl-beta (HPβCD) and 2-hydroxypropyl-gamma cyclodextrins (HPγCD) could prevent this incompatibility. The impact of pH on the precipitation phenomena was investigated by analysing the supernatant solution of the mixture using high performance liquid chromatography. A characterization of the inclusion of CZ with HPγCD using 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and VA with HPβCD using 1H-NMR and a solubility diagram was performed. A design of experiment was built to determine the optimal conditions to obtain a formulation that had the lowest turbidity and particle count. Our results showed that VA and CZ form an equimolar precipitate below pH 7.3. The best formulation obtained underwent an in-vitro evaluation of its antibacterial activity. The impact of HPCDs on incompatibility has been demonstrated through the inclusion of antibiotics and especially VA. The formulation has been shown to be able to inhibit the incompatibility for pH higher than 7.3 and to possess unaltered antibacterial activity.