The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of the addition of prebiotics (xylooligosaccharide, galactooligosaccharide, polydextrose, fructooligosaccharide, or inulin) on the quality ...parameters of Greek yogurt. Composition, rheological parameters, and the volatile compounds profile were evaluated. The effect of prebiotic addition was dependent on the type of the component used. The addition of galactooligosaccharide, polydextrose, and inulin resulted in more consistent (increase in k and decrease in n), elastic (increase in G′), viscous (decrease in tan δ) and firm products (increase in G * and z). In addition, the volatile compounds profile was diverse, with the appearance of isobutyric acid, 5-hydroxy-2,7-dimethyl-4-octanone, 2 (5H) -furanone and/or 2-hydroxy-3-pentanone, which contributes to the sweet aroma, sweet taste, and buttery flavor of the products. The addition of fructooligosaccharides had a negative impact on the rheological parameters, resulting in less consistent, elastic, viscous, and firm products. The addition of xylooligosaccharide resulted in products with intermediate characteristics. Therefore, galactooligosaccharide, polydextrose, and inulin proved to be technological and interesting alternatives for the manufacture of prebiotic Greek yogurts.
•Development of Greek yogurts with prebiotic ingredients.•GOS, polydextrose, and inulin improved the rheological properties.•GOS, polydextrose and inulin improved the volatile compounds profile.•FOS addition resulted in less consistent, elastic, viscous, and firm products.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
The grasshopper Rhammatocerus brasiliensis shows polymorphism of B chromosomes, but the magnitude of B-chromosome occurrence and the factors that may contribute to their dispersion in the species ...remain unknown thus far. The present study analyzed the occurrence and dispersion of B chromosomes in R. brasiliensis individuals from 21 populations widely distributed in the Brazilian Northeast. The genetic connectivity between 10 populations was verified through analysis of ISSR markers from 200 individuals. Of the 21 populations, 19 presented individuals with one B chromosome, three with two, and one with three B chromosomes. The B chromosome is of medium size and constitutive heterochromatin (CH) located in the pericentromeric region. A variant B chromosome was observed in three populations, similar in size to that of chromosome X, gap and CH, and located in the terminal region. B chromosome frequencies in different populations varied from 0% to 18,8%, mean 8,5%. The wide distribution of the B chromosome is likely a consequence of the positive gene flow among the analyzed populations. B-chromosome occurrence in populations of R. brasiliensis possibly follows the population genetic structure of the species and, owing to the existence of a variant, its origin may not be recent.
Supernumerary B chromosomes occur in addition to standard karyotype and have been described in about 15% of eukaryotes, being the repetitive DNAs the major component of these chromosomes, including ...in some cases the presence of multigene families. To advance in the understanding of chromosomal organization of multigene families and B chromosome structure and evolution, the distribution of rRNA and H3 histone genes were analyzed in the standard karyotype and B chromosome of three populations of the grasshopper Rhammatocerus brasiliensis.
The location of major rDNA was coincident with the previous analysis for this species. On the other hand, the 5S rDNA mapped in almost all chromosomes of the standard complement (except in the pair 11) and in the B chromosome, showing a distinct result from other populations previously analyzed. Besides the spreading of 5S rDNA in the genome of R. brasiliensis it was also observed multiple sites for H3 histone genes, being located in the same chromosomal regions of 5S rDNAs, including the presence of the H3 gene in the B chromosome.
Due to the intense spreading of 5S rRNA and H3 histone genes in the genome of R. brasiliensis, their chromosomal distribution was not informative in the clarification of the origin of B elements. Our results indicate a linked organization for the 5S rRNA and H3 histone multigene families investigated in R. brasiliensis, reinforcing previous data concerning the association of both genes in some insect groups. The present findings contribute to understanding the organization/evolution of multigene families in the insect genomes.
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IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UL, UM, UPUK
The present study describes the synthesis, characterization, antileishmanial and antiplasmodial activities of novel diimine/(2,2′-bipyridine (bipy), 1,10-phenanthroline (phen), 4,4′-methylbipyridine ...(Me-bipy) and 4,4′-methoxybipyridine (MeO-bipy)/phosphine/ruthenium(II) complexes containing lapachol (Lap, 2-hydroxy-3-(3-33 methyl-2-buthenyl)-1,4-naphthoquinone) as bidentate ligand. The Ru(Lap)(PPh3)2(bipy)PF6 (1), Ru(Lap)(PPh3)2(Me-bipy)PF6 (2), Ru(Lap)(PPh3)2(MeO-bipy)PF6(3) andRu(Lap)(PPh3)2(phen)PF6 (4) complexes, PPh3=triphenylphospine, were synthesized from the reactions of cis-RuCl2(PPh3)2(X-bipy) or cis-RuCl2(PPh3)2(phen), with lapachol. The RuCl2(Lap)(dppb) (5) dppb=1,4-bis(diphenylphosphine)butane was synthesized from the mer-RuCl3(dppb)(H2O) complex. The complexes were characterized by elemental analysis, molar conductivity, infrared and UV–vis spectroscopy, 31P{1H} and 1H NMR, and cyclic voltammetry. The Ru(III) complex, RuCl2(Lap)(dppb), was also characterized by the EPR technique. The structure of the complexes Ru(Lap)(PPh3)2(bipy)PF6 and RuCl2(Lap)(dppb) was elucidated by X-ray diffraction. The evaluation of the antiparasitic activities of the complexes against Leishmania amazonensis and Plasmodium falciparum demonstrated that lapachol–ruthenium complexes are more potent than the free lapachol. The RuCl2(Lap)(dppb) complex is the most potent and selective antiparasitic compound among the five new ruthenium complexes studied in this work, exhibiting an activity comparable to the reference drugs.
Five ruthenium–lapachol complexes were synthesized and evaluated against Leishmania amazonensis and Plasmodium falciparum. The metal complexes are promising antiparasite metallodrug candidates, in which they are more potent than lapachol free and the reference drugs. Display omitted
•Five new ruthenium-lapachol complexes were synthesized and characterized.•The complexes were evaluated against Leishmania amazonensis and Plamodium falciparum.•The complexes are promising antiparasite metallodrug candidates.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
Although their exact role in controlling tumour growth and apoptosis in humans remains undefined, acridine and thiazolidine compounds have been shown to act as tumour suppressors in most cancers. ...Based on this finding, a series of novel hybrid 5-acridin-9-ylmethylene-3-benzyl-thiazolidine-2,4-diones were synthesised via N-alkylation and Michael reaction. The cell viability was analysed using a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, and DNA interaction assays were performed using electrochemical techniques.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
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•Extracts from Schinus terebenthifolius successfully inhibited Zika virus entry in trophoblast cells.•They present a potential early antiviral effect.•Present data represent a ...potential hope in a scarce therapeutical field.•The extract and formulations are excellent for photoprotection.•Resveratrol was evidenced for the first time in whole fruit and peel ethanolic extracts.
Schinus terebinthifolius Raddi is a well-known medicinal plant native of South America. This species has demonstrated important biological activities such as antihypertensive and vasodilator, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. However, no studies have been, so far, reported with the fruits of S. terebinthifolius as a protector of the placenta against Zika virus infection and as sunscreen agents. The present study aimed to investigate new uses for the ethanolic fruit extracts of S. terebinthifolius, from fruits’peel (STPE) and from the whole fruits (STWFE). Zika virus (ZIKV) has been linked to several fetal malformations, such as microcephaly and other central nervous system abnormalities. Thus, the potential of these natural extracts against ZIKV infection was evaluated, using an in vitro method. The photoprotective potential, determined by spectrometry, along with phenolic content, antioxidant capacity, and chemical composition of both extracts were also evaluated. The chemical composition of the extracts was evaluated by HPLC-UV / vis. The cytotoxicity of peel and whole fruit extracts in vero E6 cell lines, in placental cell lines and placental explant cultures were evaluated by the MTT assay. The infectivity of placental cells and explants was evaluated by qRT-PCR and the effects of extracts on ZIKV infection were investigated using HTR-8/SVneo cells, pre-treated with 100 μg mL−1 of STWFE for 1 h, and infected with MR766 (AD) or PE243 (EH) ZIKV strains. STFE and STWFE were well-tolerated by both placental-derived trophoblast cell line HTR-8/SVneo as well as by term placental chorionic villi explants, which indicate absence of cytotoxicity in all analysed concentrations. Two strains of ZIKV were tested to access if pre-treatment of trophoblast cells with the STWFE would protect them against infection. Flow cytometry analysis revealed that STWFE extract greatly reduced ZIKV infection. The extracts were also photoprotective with SPF values equivalent to the standard, benzophenone-3. The formulations prepared in different concentrations of the extracts (5–10 %) had shown maximum SPF values of 32.21. STWFE represents a potential natural mixture to be used in pregnancy in order to restrain placental infection by ZIKV and might potentially protect fetus against ZIKV-related malformations. The extracts exhibited photoprotective activity and some of the phenolic compounds, mainly resveratrol, catechin and epicatechin, are active ingredients in all assayed activities. The development of biotechnological/medical products, giving extra value to products from family farming, is expected, with strong prospects for success.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
The antiproliferative effects of twenty-eight tetrasubstituted olefins bearing a ferrocenyl group, including six never-reported compounds, were evaluated against SF-295 (human glioblastoma), HCT-8 ...(human colon cancer), MDA-MB-435 (human melanoma) and HL-60 (human promyelocytic leukemia) using the MTT test. IC
50 values were determined for twenty-three active compounds and of these, ten compounds had IC
50 values lower than 2 μM on one or more cell lines. Of all the compounds, only two produced significant amounts of ROS on HL-60 cells, and ROS production and growth inhibition could not be correlated. The ten most antiproliferative compounds were tested for their hemolytic activity on mouse erythrocytes. Five compounds showing high antiproliferative activity and low hemolytic activity were thus identified for further study.
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► Ferrocene compounds show low micromolar activity against cancer cells. ► Aminated ether substituents contribute to activity, but also to hemolysis. ► ROS production in HL-60 does not correlate with activity. ► MDA-MB-435 melanoma cells are resistant to most ferrocenyl compounds.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
•A new cosmetic ingredient from Prosopis juliflora characterized as an α-glucan.•In vitro antioxidant activity demonstrated through different mechanisms.•An innovative solid core formulation that ...when is in contact with water instantly forms a gel.•Skin moisturizing and microrelief improvement determined through clinical evaluation.
Prosopis juliflora is an invasive plant distributed throughout the world and presents metabolites of interest for cosmetology. The aim of this work was to develop a new polysaccharide-based ingredient from P. juliflora and analyze its application in a solid core formulation that upon contact with water instantly forms a gel to improve moisturizing and anti-aging skin properties. Purified extracts by gel chromatography were characterized by NMR and LC-DAD-MS-MS. The in vitro and in vivo safety, antioxidant activity, formulation development and clinical evaluation were performed. The extract was characterized as containing an α-glucan and phenolics. It was non-cytotoxic, non-phototoxic and no skin reactions were observed in vivo. Antioxidant activity were present through different mechanisms. Clinical evaluation reinforced the potential of P. juliflora in skin hydration and microrelief improvement. This innovative form proved to be a prototype of a new product and the first study of an α-glucan as a cosmetic ingredient.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NLZOH, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UILJ, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK, ZAGLJ, ZRSKP
This study investigated the effects of repeated
l-arginine administration during lactation, combined with different suckling conditions, on morphometric parameters of primary visual cortex ...NADPH-diaphorase-positive neurons. Wistar rat pups reared in “normal-size litters” or “large litters” (N- and L-conditions; litters formed by 6 and 12 pups, respectively) received, from postnatal day 7 to 28, either arginine (300 mg/kg/day, per gavage) or distilled water (control). At 90–120 days of life, they were perfused with saline + formaldehyde, and their brains were processed for histochemical reaction to reveal NADPH-diaphorase-positive neurons (malic enzyme indirect method). Compared to the normal-size litters, L-rats had lower body weights (
P < 0.05), confirming the effectiveness of the L-condition in affecting pup development. Concerning NADPH-d histochemistry, arginine treatment was associated with increased (
P < 0.05) density of dendrite varicosities and of dendrite branching frequency, suggesting a plastic response of the developing brain to that treatment, even in previously malnourished rats. No difference was seen, however, in dendrite orientation, total number of neurons, soma area and perimeter, as well as dendrite bifurcation points, fractal dimension, and area and volume of dendrite field, suggesting that NADPH-d cells are resistant to arginine and nutritional changes, regarding these features. Data are considered of interest for studies of synaptic plasticity during neural development and its relationships to aggressive agents like malnutrition.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
The cytotoxicity of nine naphthoquinones (NQ) was assayed against HL-60 (leukaemia), MDA-MB-435 (melanoma), SF-295 (brain) and HCT-8 (colon), all human cancer cell lines, and peripheral blood ...mononuclear cells (PBMC), as representatives of normal cells, after 72
h of incubation. 5-Methoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone was the most active compound, showing IC
50 values in the range of 0.31 (1.7
μM) in HL-60 to 0.88
μg/mL (4.7
μM) in SF-295 and IC
50 of 0.69
μg/mL (3.7
μM) against PBMC. With the introduction of a bromo-substituent in position 2 or 3 of juglone, the IC
50 significantly decreased, regardless of the position on the NQ moiety. However, compared with juglone methyl ether, the halogen substitution decreased the activity. To further understand the mechanism underlying the cytotoxicity of 5-methoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone, studies involving DNA fragmentation, cell cycle analysis, phosphatidyl serine externalization, mitochondrial depolarization and activation of caspases 8 and 3/7 were performed in HL-60 cell line, using doxorubicin as a positive control. The results indicate that the cytotoxic 5-methoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone activates caspases 8 and 3/7 and thus induces apoptosis independent of mitochondria.
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GEOZS, IJS, IMTLJ, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, OILJ, PNG, SAZU, SBCE, SBJE, UL, UM, UPCLJ, UPUK
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