Antioxidant activities of tropical fruit wines Souza, Angélica C.; Fernandes, Annayara C.F.; Silva, Monique S. ...
Journal of the Institute of Brewing,
10/2018, Letnik:
124, Številka:
4
Journal Article
Phosphorus and nitrogen fertilizers represent a source of cadmium (Cd) which may be leached into aquatic systems. Macrophytes accumulate contaminants, and
Egeria densa
has been shown to grow in ...aquatic environments polluted with trace elements. In this study, Cd accumulation by
E. densa
exposed to two Cd treatments (3 and 5 mg L
−1
) was evaluated under increasing nutrient levels (NP as N–NO
3
−
, N–NH
4
+
, and P–PO
4
3−
, in concentrations 5-, 10- and 100-fold higher (NP
5
, NP
10
and NP
100
) than in the sampling site) to simulate different levels of eutrophication. Bioaccumulation factors and Cd recovery were calculated and effects on plants were evaluated based on chloroplastidic pigment concentrations (chlorophylls
a
and
b
, and carotenoids). We conclude that Cd accumulation by
Egeria densa
is positively influenced by increasing availability of N and P at the level of around NP
10
and probably at a broader concentration range not defined in this study. A further increase in N and P, however, does not generate a significant increase in Cd accumulation. Chloroplastidic pigment concentrations were not linearly correlated with Cd accumulation and the NP
10
experiment produced less damage to macrophyte when compared to NP
5
and NP
100
experiments. Under controlled conditions, it was possible to satisfactorily model Cd bioaccumulation over time, in order to provide essential data for
E. densa
use in phytoremediation processes. The Cd residence in the macrophyte tissue is increased in eutrophic environments, which puts at risk the whole food chain of the aquatic ecosystem, mainly the primary consumers.
In this work, we present a computational investigation on the structure and energetics of eleocarpanthraquinone, a newly isolated polyphenolic anthrone-antraquinone. Properties such as bond lengths, ...angles, atomic charges, bond dissociation enthalpies (BDEs), and ionization potential (IP) were determined through the use of density functional theory (DFT). The B3LYP and M06-2X exchange-correlation functionals were employed along with the 6-31+G(d,p), 6-31+ +G(d,p), and 6-311+G(d,p) basis sets for performing computations in the gas-phase, water, methanol, and ethanol. The conformation presenting all the hydroxyl groups undergoing hydrogen-bond interactions with neighboring oxygen atoms (conformation 5) was assigned as the most stable structure while its counterpart presenting no hydrogen-bond interaction was found to be 36.45 kcal/mol less stable than conformation 5 in the potential energy surface probed at the B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p) level of theory in the gas-phase, for instance. More importantly, the lowest O–H bond dissociation enthalpy was determined to be 93.80 kcal/mol at the B3LYP/6-311+G(d,p) level of theory in water against the 146.58 kcal/mol regarding the IP computed at the same approach, suggesting the hydrogen atom transfer mechanism as being preferred over the single electron transfer mechanism in regards to the antioxidant potential for the case of eleocarpanthraquinone; the same conclusion was drawn from the outcomes of all the other approaches used.
Environmental and occupational exposure to benzene from fuels is a major cause for concern for national and international authorities, as benzene is a known carcinogen in humans and there is no safe ...limit for exposure to carcinogens. The objective of this study was to evaluate the genotoxic effects of chronic occupational exposure to benzene among two groups of workers: filling station workers (Group I) and security guards working at vehicles entrances (Group II), both on the same busy highway in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Sociodemographic data on the workers were evaluated; the concentration of benzene/toluene (B/T) in atmospheric air and individual
,
-muconic acid (
MA) and
-phenylmercapturic acid (
-PMA) were measured; oxidative stress was analyzed by catalase (CAT), glutathione
-transferase (GST), superoxide dismutase (SOD), thiol groups (THIOL) and malondialdehyde (MDA); genotoxicity was measured by metaphases with chromosomal abnormalities (MCA) and nuclear abnormalities, comet assay using the enzyme formamidopyrimidine DNA glycosylase (C-FPG), and methylation of repetitive element LINE-1,
and
genes. Eighty-six workers participated: 51 from Group I and 35 from Group II. The B/T ratio was similar for both groups, but Group I had greater oscillation of benzene concentrations because of their work activities. No differences in
MA and
-PMA, and no clinical changes were found between both groups, but linearity was observed between leukocyte count and
MA; and 15% of workers had leukocyte counts less than 4.5 × 10
cells L
, demanding close worker's attention. No differences were observed between the two groups for THIOL, MDA, MCA, or nuclear abnormalities. A multiple linear relationship was obtained for the biomarkers MCA and C-FPG. A significant correlation was found between length of time in current job and the biomarkers C-FPG, MCA, GST, and MDA. Although both populations had chronic exposure to benzene, the filling station workers were exposed to higher concentrations of benzene during their work activities, indicating an increased risk of DNA damage.
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•First report of new anthrone-anthraquinone from the stem bark of Rhamnidium elaeocarpum.•Eleocarpanthraquinone (1) exhibited inhibition of the cathepsins B and L.•The most stable ...conformer was proposed by density functional theory.
Chemical investigation of the stem bark of Rhamnidium elaeocarpum resulted in the isolation of eleocarpanthraquinone (1), a new anthrone-anthraquinone linked through a spiroketal bridge and the known anthraquinone chrysophanol (2). The structure of (1) was determined by analysis of spectrometry and spectroscopy data, including HRESIMS, 1D, and 2D NMR experiments, and optical rotation data. Eleocarpanthraquinone (1) was able to inhibit the cysteine proteases cathepsins B and L with an inhibitory potential IC50 of 3.69 ± 0.38 µM and 1.152 ± 0.025 µM, respectively. Both enzymes showed a parabolic competitive inhibition mechanism and an α parameter with respective values of 0.00253 and 0.0514, implying a positive cooperativity pathway where the binding of the first molecule potentiates the binding of the second molecule. Conformational analysis was performed using density functional theory at the M06-2X/6-31 + G(d,p) level, indicating that the triply H-bonded conformer was the most stable.
Abstract The family Callichthyidae, which comprises the subfamilies Corydoradinae and Callichthyinae, represents one of the largest families within the Siluriformes. Corydoradinae, the largest ...subfamily of Callichthyidae, alone accounts for >200 valid species, with new species being described frequently. This subfamily holds significant popularity among catfish enthusiasts worldwide, mainly because Corydoras are small, peaceful, and colourful fishes. Recognizing the existence of polyphyletic groups within Corydoradinae, the aim of this study was to construct a new phylogenetic hypothesis using genomic data (ultraconserved elements) and to re-evaluate the synonymized genera using the most recent morphological data. Our results supported the monophyly of Corydoradinae and identified seven distinct groups of species, each one with an associated pre-available generic name. These genera, namely Corydoras, Aspidoras, Scleromystax, Gastrodermus (resurrected), Osteogaster (resurrected), Brochis (resurrected), and Hoplisoma (resurrected), were all validated based on evidence derived from molecular and morphological analyses. A taxonomic key for the Corydoradinae genera is provided.
To prospectively evaluate demographic, anthropometric and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in pediatric patients with laboratory-confirmed coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)
This was a ...longitudinal observational study of surviving pediatric post-COVID-19 patients (n=53) and pediatric subjects without laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 included as controls (n=52) was performed.
The median duration between COVID-19 diagnosis (n=53) and follow-up was 4.4 months (0.8-10.7). Twenty-three of 53 (43%) patients reported at least one persistent symptom at the longitudinal follow-up visit and 12/53 (23%) had long COVID-19, with at least one symptom lasting for >12 weeks. The most frequently reported symptoms at the longitudinal follow-up visit were headache (19%), severe recurrent headache (9%), tiredness (9%), dyspnea (8%), and concentration difficulty (4%). At the longitudinal follow-up visit, the frequencies of anemia (11% versus 0%, p=0.030), lymphopenia (42% versus 18%, p=0.020), C-reactive protein level of >30 mg/L (35% versus 0%, p=0.0001), and D-dimer level of >1000 ng/mL (43% versus 6%, p=0.0004) significantly reduced compared with baseline values. Chest X-ray abnormalities (11% versus 2%, p=0.178) and cardiac alterations on echocardiogram (33% versus 22%, p=0.462) were similar at both visits. Comparison of characteristic data between patients with COVID-19 at the longitudinal follow-up visit and controls showed similar age (p=0.962), proportion of male sex (p=0.907), ethnicity (p=0.566), family minimum monthly wage (p=0.664), body mass index (p=0.601), and pediatric pre-existing chronic conditions (p=1.000). The Pediatric Quality of Live Inventory 4.0 scores, median physical score (69 0-100 versus 81 34-100, p=0.012), and school score (60 15-100 versus 70 15-95, p=0.028) were significantly lower in pediatric patients with COVID-19 at the longitudinal follow-up visit than in controls.
Pediatric patients with COVID-19 showed a longitudinal impact on HRQoL parameters, particularly in physical/school domains, reinforcing the need for a prospective multidisciplinary approach for these patients. These data highlight the importance of closer monitoring of children and adolescents by the clinical team after COVID-19.
Abstract
SARS-CoV-2 papain-like protease (PLpro) covers multiple functions. Beside the cysteine-protease activity, facilitating cleavage of the viral polypeptide chain, PLpro has the additional and ...vital function of removing ubiquitin and ISG15 (Interferon-stimulated gene 15) from host-cell proteins to support coronaviruses in evading the host’s innate immune responses. We identified three phenolic compounds bound to PLpro, preventing essential molecular interactions to ISG15 by screening a natural compound library. The compounds identified by X-ray screening and complexed to PLpro demonstrate clear inhibition of PLpro in a deISGylation activity assay. Two compounds exhibit distinct antiviral activity in Vero cell line assays and one inhibited a cytopathic effect in non-cytotoxic concentration ranges. In the context of increasing PLpro mutations in the evolving new variants of SARS-CoV-2, the natural compounds we identified may also reinstate the antiviral immune response processes of the host that are down-regulated in COVID-19 infections.
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