To cite this article: Petrosino S, Cristino L, Karsak M, Gaffal E, Ueda N, Tüting T, Bisogno T, De Filippis D, D’Amico A, Saturnino C, Orlando P, Zimmer A, Iuvone T, Di Marzo V. Protective role of ...palmitoylethanolamide in contact allergic dermatitis. Allergy 2010; 65: 698–711.
Background: Palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) is an anti‐inflammatory mediator that enhances the activation by anandamide (AEA) of cannabinoid receptors and transient receptor potential vanilloid type‐1 (TRPV1) channels, and directly activates peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor‐α (PPAR‐α). In mice, 2,4‐dinitrofluorobenzene (DNFB)‐induced contact allergic dermatitis (CAD) in inflamed ears is partly mediated by the chemokine Monocyte Chemotactic Protein‐2 (MCP‐2) and accompanied by elevation of AEA levels. No datum is available on PEA regulation and role in CAD.
Objective: We examined whether PEA is produced during DNFB‐induced CAD, and if it has any direct protective action in keratinocytes in vitro.
Methods: Eight‐ to ten‐week‐old female C57BL/6J wild‐type and CB1/CB2 double knock‐out mice were used to measure PEA levels and the expression of TRPV1, PPAR‐α receptors and enzymes responsible for PEA biosynthesis and degradation. Human keratinocytes (HaCaT) cells were stimulated with polyinosinic polycytidylic acid poly‐(I:C), and the expression and release of MCP‐2 were measured in the presence of PEA and antagonists of its proposed receptors.
Results: 2,4‐Dinitrofluorobenzene increased ear skin PEA levels and up‐regulated TRPV1, PPAR‐α and a PEA‐biosynthesizing enzyme in ear keratinocytes. In HaCaT cells, stimulation with poly‐(I:C) elevated the levels of both PEA and AEA, and exogenous PEA (10 μM) inhibited poly‐(I:C)‐induced expression and release of MCP‐2 in a way reversed by antagonism at TRPV1, but not PPAR‐α. PEA (5–10 mg/kg, intraperitoneal) also inhibited DNFB‐induced ear inflammation in mice in vivo, in a way attenuated by TRPV1 antagonism.
Conclusions: We suggest that PEA is an endogenous protective agent against DNFB‐induced keratinocyte inflammation and could be considered for therapeutic use against CAD.
Hsp90 C-terminal modulation represents an attractive strategy for the development of potent and safer antitumor compounds. Continuing our investigation on DHPM type inhibitors here we report a new ...set of potent C-terminal ligands which allowed us to identify the key structural features crucial for the biological activity.
Abstract The work aimed to evaluate the weight-length relationship and the condition factor, characterizing the biometry, anatomy, histology and volumetric density of the liver of Brycon amazonicus, ...in different stages of body growth. The experiment used twenty specimens in four stages of body growth (PI, PII, PIII and PIV) harvested every 90 days, containing five specimens, each group. The livers were dissected, weighed (g) and processed routinely using the hematoxylin and eosin technique. The data were submitted to analysis of variance, Pearson’s correlation test and linear regression. The equation that represented the weight-length relation was W = 0.05902 x L2.63, with negative allometric growth, but with a relative condition factor equal to 1.0. The liver was divided into three lobes with the gallbladder close to the right lobe and its color varied from light red to dark red, not varying in relation to other fish species. The hepatosomatic relationship followed body growth until the PII group stage and then declined, demonstrating the behavior of its development in Brycon amazonicus. The organ consists predominantly of hepatocytes, followed by sinusoidal vessels and capillaries, with histological morphology similar to that of many species of fish. Melanomacrophage centers were found only in the most developed animals, but in small quantities, prompting the development of new research on this cell, in this species. In this way, research of this nature allows the characterization of fish species, helping to improve breeding methods, understanding pathological processes caused by diseases, and obtaining better productive capacity, serving an increasingly demanding and prosperous market.
Resumo O trabalho objetivou avaliar a relação peso-comprimento e o fator de condição, caracterizando a biometria, anatomia, histologia e densidade volumétrica do fígado de Brycon amazonicus, em diferentes estágios de crescimento corporal. O experimento utilizou vinte espécimes em quatro fases de crescimento corporal (PI, PII, PIII e PIV) colhidos a cada 90 dias, contendo cinco espécimes, cada grupo. Os fígados foram dissecados, pesados (g) e processados rotineiramente pela técnica da hematoxilina e eosina. Os dados foram submetidos à análise de variância, teste de correlação de Pearson e regressão linear. A equação que representou a relação peso-comprimento foi W = 0,05902 x L2,63, com crescimento alométrico negativo, mas com fator de condição relativo igual a 1,0. O fígado apresentou-se dividido em três lobos com a vesícula biliar próxima ao lobo direito e sua cor variou de vermelho claro a vermelho escuro, não variando em relação a outras espécies de peixes. A relação hepatossomática acompanhou o crescimento corporal até a fase do grupo PII e então declinou, demonstrando o comportamento de seu desenvolvimento em Brycon amazonicus. O órgão constitui-se predominantemente por hepatócitos, seguido de vasos e capilares sinusoidais, com a morfologia histológica semelhante ao de muitas espécies de peixes. Centros melanomacrófagos foram encontrados apenas nos animais mais desenvolvidos, mas em pequena quantidade, instigando o desenvolvimento de novas pesquisas sobre esta célula, nesta espécie. Desta forma, pesquisas desta natureza permitem a caracterização de espécies de peixes, auxiliando no aperfeiçoamento de métodos de criação, compreensão de processos patológicos provocados por enfermidades, e obtenção de melhor capacidade produtiva, atendendo um mercado cada vez mais exigente e próspero.
The aim of this study was to report the first record of Trichodina heterodentata in banded knifefish Gymnotus carapo. Banded knifefish cultivated in the municipality of Jataí, state of Goiás, in the ...central western region of Brazil, experienced fish mortality rates of 3-4% per tank. Macroscopic analysis found that fish had lesions on their skin and gills. Smears of the integument and gills were confectioned and air-dried at room temperature and impregnated with silver nitrate to identify the Trichodinidae species causing the lesions. The trichodinid were identified as T. heterodentata, and their characteristics were compared to those from T. heterodentata recorded from other species of host fish. It was observed that the presence of T. heterodentata was associated with inadequate fish management, low water quality, high rates of stocking density, and inadequate nutritional management.
The inhibition of the C-terminal domain of heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) is emerging as a novel strategy for cancer therapy, therefore the identification of a new class of C-terminal inhibitors is ...strongly required, also in consideration that to date only nature-inspired molecules have been largely expanded. Our recent discovery of potent antiproliferative dihydropyrimidone based C-terminal Hsp90 inhibitor ( 1 , IC 50 = 50.8 ± 0.2 μM and 20.8 ± 0.3 μM in A375 and Jurkat cell lines, respectively) drove us to further explore this very promising pharmacophoric core. In this study, we identified a new set of DHPM-derivatives that exhibited antiproliferative activity against two cancer lines by their modulation of Hsp90 C-terminus without inducing the undesired heat shock response. Our results strongly outline the high sensitivity of the Biginelli scaffold to structural decorations allowing us to point out also that small variations can deeply influence biological activity.
Abstract Helminths are endoparasites that infect a variety of bird species. Endoparasite infections can cause severe diseases, including kill captive avian hosts and represents a problem to ...maintenance and conservation. The eggs and larval forms of these parasites are usually eliminated in the host feces. The main interest of this study is to report the occurrence of eggs and oocysts in feces from captive wild birds in Goiânia Zoo and free-living birds in its surroundings. The fecal samples were subjected to parasitological examination to identify the presence of helminths and to classify their eggs based on morphological characteristics. Eggs of nematode parasites (Positive/N) were identified as Ascaridia spp. in Brotogeris chiriri (2/2), Dromaius novaehollandiae (1/1) and Rhea americana (2/2); Ascarididae in Pavo cristatus nigripensis (1/1); Capillaria spp. in Ara chloropterus (1/1) and Penelope jacucaca (1/1); Capillaria plagiaticia in Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus (1/2) and Ara spp. (2/2); Capillaria venusta in Rhamphastus tucanus (1/2); and unidentified nematode eggs from Amazona amazonica (2/2). Eimeria spp. oocyst was founded in feces from A. hyacinthinus (1/2). Considering free-living birds, Diphyllobothrium spp. eggs were founded in Ardea alba (2/2) and Nycticorax nycticorax (2/3). Co-infection of Eustrongylides spp. was founded in A. alba (1/2). This is the first occurrence of: Ascaridia spp. parasitizing B. chiriri; and C. venusta parasitizing R. tucanus. In conclusion, the helminth eggs found in the abovementioned host bird species are consistent with those reported in the literature, and treatment and control protocols were based on their identification.
Resumo Helmintos são endoparasitas que infectam uma variedade de espécies de aves. As infecções por endoparasitas podem causar doenças graves, podendo matar aves em cativeiro e representam um problema de manutenção e conservação. Os ovos e as formas larvais desses parasitas são geralmente eliminados nas fezes do hospedeiro. O principal objetivo deste estudo é relatar a ocorrência de ovos e oocistos em fezes de aves silvestres em cativeiro no Zoológico de Goiânia e em aves de vida livre em seu entorno. As amostras fecais foram submetidas a exame parasitológico para identificação da presença de helmintos e classificação dos ovos com base nas características morfológicas. Ovos de nematóides (Positivo/N) foram identificados como Ascaridia spp. em Brotogeris chiriri (2/2), Dromaius novaehollandiae (1/1) e Rhea americana (2/2); Ascarididae em Pavo cristatus nigripensis (1/1); Capillaria spp. em Ara chloropterus (1/1) e Penelope jacucaca (1/1); Capillaria plagiaticia em Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus (1/2) e Ara spp. (2/2); Capillaria venusta em Rhamphastus tucanus (1/2); e ovos de nematóide não identificado de Amazona amazonica (2/2). Oocistos de Eimeria spp. foram encontrados nas fezes de A. hyacinthinus (1/2). Considerando pássaros de vida livre, ovos de Diphyllobothrium spp. foram encontrados em Ardea alba (2/2) e Nycticorax nycticorax (2/3). Coinfecção de Eustrongylides spp. foi encontradada em A. alba (1/2). Esta é a primeira ocorrência de: Ascaridia spp. parasitando B. chiriri; e C. venusta parasitando R. tucanus. Em conclusão, os ovos de helmintos encontrados nas espécies de aves hospedeiras acima mencionadas são consistentes com os relatados na literatura, e os protocolos de tratamento e controle foram baseados em sua identificação.
Nasal mites are commonly found in hummingbirds (Apodiformes). In most cases, endoparasitic mites were reported to parasitize the respiratory system, particularly the anterior nasal chambers, larynx, ...trachea, lungs, and the air and conjunctival sacs. However, some mites are only carried by hummingbirds, because flowers serving as a nutrient source for these small mites, such as for Apodiformes, a tropical nectar-feeding in their natural habitat. From August 2012 to May 2014, humminbirds were captured using mist nets, and examined for the presence of nasal mites (identified according to specific keys) in the Pantanal, and Cerrado biomes, from the Mato Grosso state, midwestern Brazil. Overall, 76 Apodiform specimens, from the Trochilidae family were captured, and 20 female nasal mites, identified as being from the Rhinoseius genus, were collected from eight hosts (10.5%), of the following species: Amazilia fimbriata, Amazilia versicolor, Eupetonema macroura, and Thalurania furcata. The Rhinoseius spp. has been reported on, in many ecosystems in the Americas, including Brazil, however, this is the first report on Apodiformes from the Pantanal biome. Phoretic mites are not responsible for direct damage to the population of Apodiformes, as they are not pathogenic. However, they compete for food with hummingbirds and decrease the quantity of food available in the environment. They also affect the reproductive dynamics of plants, feed on pollen, and interfere with the intricacies of the biodiversity where they live.
Correction for 'Identification of the key structural elements of a dihydropyrimidinone core driving toward more potent Hsp90 C-terminal inhibitors' by S. Teracciano
et al.
,
Chem. Commun.
, 2016,
52
..., 12857-12860.
Carbazoles are aromatic heterocyclic compounds derived from the fusion of a benzene ring with an indole nucleus in 2,3 position. Today, many carbazole derivatives are widely studied as anticancer, ...anti-fungal, antioxidants, photoconductor, anti-bacterial, antimalarials, anti-Alzheimer, anti-tuberculosis, anti-HIV agents and for the treatment of obesity. Some of them, differently substituted on carbazole nucleus, have been synthetized and their biological activity have been evaluated. The purpose of this work is the study of new species obtained binding, a series of carbazole derivatives in which the carbazolic nitrogen has been functionalized with different alkyl-thiol chains, with gold nanoparticles, synthesized in organic solvent. The formation of self-assembled monolayers of these ligands is obtained on the spherical surface of gold nanoparticles, with a stabilizing effect against aggregation. These systems might present a double innovative function, matching an antineoplastic activity typical of carbazoles, with the photothermal effects of gold nanoparticles.
Mycotoxins, produced by fungi, can contaminate fish food and harm their health. Probiotics enhance immune balance and primarily function in the animal intestine. This study aimed to assess ...aflatoxin's impact on Piaractus mesopotamicus and explore probiotic-based additive (PBA) benefits in mitigating these effects, focusing on antioxidant activity, biochemical indices, and hepatic histopathology. Two experiments were conducted using P. mesopotamicus fry. The first experimental assay tested various levels of aflatoxin B1 (0.0, 25.0, 50.0, 100.0, 200.0, and 400.0 µg kg
) over a 10-day period. The second experimental assay examined the efficacy of the probiotic (supplemented at 0.20%) in diets with different levels of aflatoxin B1 (0.0, 25.0, and 400.0 µg kg
) for 15 days. At the end of each assay, the fish underwent a 24-hour fasting period, and the survival rate was recorded. Six liver specimens from each treatment group were randomly selected for metabolic indicator assays, including superoxide dismutase, catalase, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, and albumin. Additionally, histopathological analysis was performed on six specimens. The initial study discovered that inclusion rates above 25.0 µg kg
resulted in decreased activity of AST (aspartate aminotransferase), ALT (alanine aminotransferase), ALB (albumin), CAT (catalase), and SOD (superoxide dismutase), accompanied by liver histopathological lesions. In the second study, the inclusion of PBA in diets contaminated with AFB1 improved the activity of AST and ALT up to 25.0 µg kg
of AFB1, with no histopathological lesions observed. The study demonstrated the hepatoprotective effects of PBA in diets contaminated with AFB1. The enzyme activity and hepatic histopathology were maintained, indicating a reduction in damage caused by high concentrations of AFB1 (400.0 µg kg
of AFB1). The adverse effects of AFB1 on biochemical and histopathological parameters were observed from 25.0 µg kg
onwards. Notably, PBA supplementation enhanced enzymatic activity at a concentration of 25 µg kg
of AFB1 and mitigated the effects at 400.0 µg kg
of AFB1. The use of PBAs in pacu diets is highly recommended as they effectively neutralize the toxic effects of AFB1 when added to diets containing 25.0 µg kg
AFB1. Dietary inclusion of aflatoxin B1 at a concentration of 25.0 µg kg
adversely affects the liver of Piaractus mesopotamicus (Pacu). However, the addition of a probiotic-based additive (PBA) to the diets containing this concentration of aflatoxin neutralized its toxic effects. Therefore, the study recommends the use of PBAs in Pacu diets to mitigate the adverse effects of aflatoxin contamination.
PDF
