The Discrepancy between Clove and Non-Clove Cigarette Smoke-Promoted Candida albicans Biofilm Formation with Precoating RNA-aptamer

This study explores the influence of precoating aptamer (Ca-apt1) on C. albicans viability while the fungus was growing in the presence of exposing condensed cigarette smoke (CSC), prepared from clove (CCSC) and non-clove (NCSC) cigarettes, for 48 h. Using qPCR, we found that mRNA expression of adhesion-associated genes (ALS3 and HWP1) was impaired by precoating C. albicans yeast cells with the aptamer. Conversely, the gene transcription was upregulated when aptamer-uncoated yeast was pre-treated with either CSC. In addition, by analysing the result of MTT ([3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide] assay, we found that the presence of added CCSC or NCSC in growth medium for 48 h was significantly enhanced C. albicans biofilm development. However, the presence of precoated aptamer was significantly impaired biofilm development accelerated by the NCSC. The inhibitory effect of the Ca-apt1 was not dependent on the precoated aptamer (1 and 10%). Interestingly, we noted that the enhancer effect of treated CCSC was no longer effective when the yeast had been precoated with 10% aptamer tested. Additionally, light microscopy analysis revealed that precoating aptamer alleviates morphological changes of C. albicans (from yeast to hypha formation) that are enhanced by adding CCSC or NCSC in the growth medium. In conclusion, these results suggest that administration on Ca-ap1 exhibits a significant protective effect on CSC-induced biofilm formation by C. albicans.

The Discrepancy between Clove and Non-Clove Cigarette Smoke-Promoted Candida albicans Biofilm Formation with Precoating RNA-aptamer

This study explores the influence of precoating aptamer (Ca-apt1) on C. albicans viability while the fungus was growing in the presence of exposing condensed cigarette smoke (CSC), prepared from clove (CCSC) and non-clove (NCSC) cigarettes, for 48 h. Using qPCR, we found that mRNA expression of adhesion-associated genes (ALS3 and HWP1) was impaired by precoating C. albicans yeast cells with the aptamer. Conversely, the gene transcription was upregulated when aptamer-uncoated yeast was pre-treated with either CSC. In addition, by analysing the result of MTT ([3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide] assay, we found that the presence of added CCSC or NCSC in growth medium for 48 h was significantly enhanced C. albicans biofilm development. However, the presence of precoated aptamer was significantly impaired biofilm development accelerated by the NCSC. The inhibitory effect of the Ca-apt1 was not dependent on the precoated aptamer (1 and 10%). Interestingly, we noted that the enhancer effect of treated CCSC was no longer effective when the yeast had been precoated with 10% aptamer tested. Additionally, light microscopy analysis revealed that precoating aptamer alleviates morphological changes of C. albicans (from yeast to hypha formation) that are enhanced by adding CCSC or NCSC in the growth medium. In conclusion, these results suggest that administration on Ca-ap1 exhibits a significant protective effect on CSC-induced biofilm formation by C. albicans.

The discrepancy between Clove and Non-Clove Cigarette Smoke-Promoted Candida albicans Biofilm Formation with precoating RNA-aptamer

This study explores the influence of precoating aptamer (Ca-apt1) on C. albicans viability while the fungus was growing in the presence of exposing condensed cigarette smoke (CSC), prepared from clove (CCSC) and non-clove (NCSC) cigarettes, for 48 h. Using qPCR, we found that mRNA expression of adhesion-associated genes (ALS3 and HWP1) was impaired by precoating C. albicans yeast cells with the aptamer. Conversely, the gene transcription was upregulated when aptamer-uncoated yeast was pre-treated with either CSC. In addition, by analysing the result of MTT ([3-(4,5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide] assay, we found that the presence of added CCSC or NCSC in growth medium for 48 h was significantly enhanced C. albicans biofilm development. However, the presence of precoated aptamer was significantly impaired biofilm development accelerated by the NCSC. The inhibitory effect of the Ca-apt1 was not dependent on the precoated aptamer (1 and 10%). Interestingly, we noted that the enhancer effect of treated CCSC was no longer effective when the yeast had been precoated with 10% aptamer tested. Additionally, light microscopy analysis revealed that precoating aptamer alleviates morphological changes of C. albicans (from yeast to hypha formation) that are enhanced by adding CCSC or NCSC in the growth medium. In conclusion, these results suggest that administration on Ca-ap1 exhibits a significant protective effect on CSC-induced biofilm formation by C. albicans.

Floral morphology and anatomy of Fagus grandifolia subsp. mexicana (Fagaceae), an endangered-relict tree of the Mexican montane cloud forest

Background: This study is the first to examine the inflorescence, and the staminate and pistillate flowers of the Mexican beech, an endangered-relict tropical montane cloud tree species. Questions: Are there morphological and anatomical differences in Mexican beech's inflorescence and flowers in comparison with other beech species worldwide? Study species: Fagus grandifolia subsp. mexicana (Martínez) A.E. Murray) Study site and dates: Five Mexican beech stands from eastern Mexico, early February to early March 2017 and 2020. Methods: 400 Mexican beech floral buds and immature pistillate and staminate flowers in anthesis were collected and processed by light microscopy analysis and the pollen by scanning electron microscopy. Results: We found floral morphology and anatomy differences of this southernmost American beech species regarding the New- and Old-World taxa. We found that the inflorescence morphology of the Mexican beech is similar to some Asian beeches such as F. hayatae subsp. pashanica, F. lucida and F. longipetiolata. Notwithstanding, the staminate and pistillate flowers' anatomy is similar to that of F. grandifolia from Canada and the United States of America, F. sylvatica from Europe and F. crenata from Japan. Conclusions: The inflorescence and floral anatomical and morphological differences can be explained by possible hybridizations. Since only the pistillate and staminate flowers of F. sylvatica and F. grandifolia have been studied in detail, morphological, molecular and ecological studies of the Asian beech species are needed to achieve a better understanding of the floral morphology and anatomical evolution of these species and their relationship with the Mexican beech.

Synthesis, Cytotoxicity and Anti−Proliferative Activity Against AGS Cells of New 3(2H)−Pyridazinone Derivatives Endowed with a Piperazinyl Linker

Novel twenty−three 3(2H)−pyridazinone derivatives were designed and synthesized based on the chemical requirements related to the anti−proliferative effects previously demonstrated within this scaffold. The introduction of a piperazinyl linker between the pyridazinone nucleus and the additional (un)substituted phenyl group led to some compounds endowed with a limited cytotoxicity against human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) and good anti−proliferative effects against gastric adenocarcinoma cells (AGS) as evaluated by MTT and LDH assays, using doxorubicin as a positive control. Successive analyses revealed that the two most promising representative compounds (12 and 22) could exert their effects by inducing oxidative stress as demonstrated by the hydrogen peroxide release and the morphological changes (cell blebbing) revealed by light microscopy analysis after the haematoxylin−eosin staining. Moreover, to further assess the apoptotic process induced by compounds 12 and 22, Bax expression was measured by flow cytometry. These findings enlarged our knowledge of the structural requirements in this scaffold to display valuable biological effects against cancerous cell lines.

Comparison between Ocimum Sanctum Hepatoprotector Extract and Curcuma Xanthorrhiza on the Histological Structure of Aspartame-Induced Wistar Rats

The use of aspartame is still controversial, because there are studies stating that aspartame is safe to use, and there are studies suggesting aspartame has the potential to damage the liver, but aspartame has been approved by the FDA and BPOM in Indonesia with a daily dose of 50 mg / kg / day, the level of public knowledge we are still low to allow this dose to be overtaken, coupled with the presence of several food products that do not include the content of aspartame, basil leaves have been known to have hepatoprotector effect, but the dosage is still varied, and no researchers have compared curcuma Xanthoriza which is herbal medicine that has been quite well accepted in the community, Objective: to compare the hepatoprotector effect of basil leaf extract with xanthoriza curkuma, Method: Laboratory experimental study with posttest only with control group design. Wistar rats were divided into 5 groups and treated for 30 days. This study analyzed the histopathology of liver using paraffin histotechnics blocks, with HE staining and light microscopy. Analysis of degeneration degree using Kruskal-walis analysis post Hoc Mann-Whitney Results showed an increase in the degree of degeneration in the aspartame group at a dose of 100 mg / kgbb / day (p <0.05) compared to the normal group and treatment. Use of aspartame past the ADI dose damaged the liver, kurkuma and basil leaf extract at a dose of 300 mg / kg has the same protective effect on aspartame-induced rat liver, conclusions: aspartame is toxic for the liver, the use of basil leaf extract at a dose of 300 mg / kg / day or kurkuma xhantoriza extract can reduce the toxicity of aspartame.

Chitosan and Carnauba Wax Coatings Are Not Recommended for Yellow Carrots

The objective of this study was to evaluate the use of different concentrations of carnauba wax and chitosan edible coatings for commercial quality preservation of ‘Yellow Stone’ carrots. Seven treatments were tested: Chitosan at concentrations of 1%, 3%, and 5%; carnauba wax at concentrations of 0.5%, 1%, and 12%, and a control treatment, without coating application. Carrots were stored at 2 °C, 95–100% RH, for 30 days, and were evaluated on the day of application (day 0) and at 7, 15, and 30 days. Indices of brown stains, coloring, and light microscopy analysis were developed. The use of edible coatings for yellow carrots was not viable, regardless of the treatment used, and carnauba waxes caused more severe brown stains. Higher concentrations of carnauba wax caused damage of the carrot periderm, generating, in addition to the stains, deep depressions and superficial viscosity. Only the control treatment showed no degradation in appearance. Treatments with the highest index scores presented lower luminosity, lower b color values, and higher a color values, which showed that the brown stains impacted carrot appearance and, therefore, their visual quality. The results showed that coatings based on chitosan and carnauba wax are not recommended for yellow carrots, since they negatively affected appearance of the product, leaving them unmarketable.