Fatty Acids Profile and Cholesterol Contents of Three Brazilian Brycon Freshwater Fishes

This study was carried out to determine the cholesterol and fatty acids in muscle tissue (filet) of three in natura species of Brazilian fishes Brycon cephalus (matrinxã), B. microlepis (piraputanga) and B. orbignyanus (piracanjuba). The non-native fishes were collected in farms (cultured in pond and cages) near Maringá. The native species were collected in Cuiabá–Manso rivers (B. microlepis), and Paraná river (B. orbignyanus) that belong to the Platina hydrographic basin. Differences were observed (P<0.05) for moisture (70.48–74.06%), ashes (1.05–1.32) and crude protein (18.84–20.03%). The total lipids and cholesterol contents were found in the range of 2.49–7.94% and 40.99–52.79 mg/100 g, respectively. The native species presented the smallest values when compared to the non-native. All species presented oleic acid, C18:1 n -9, as predominant, (38.34–48.77%), followed by palmitic acid, C16:0, (21.90–26.57%) and stearic acid, C18:0, (8.32–15.66%). The largest amount of total n -3 polyunsaturated fatty acids was observed in the wild B. microlepis (3.61%) and B. orbignyanus (3.06%).     

Changes in aromatic characteristics of Loureiro and Alvarinho wines during maturation

Changes in volatiles during maturation in bottles of monovarietal Vinhos Verdes wines from Loureiro and Alvarinho grape varieties, were followed by chemical and sensory analyses. Young wines and wines matured for 8 and 20 months were studied. The volatiles were determined by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) after extraction on XAD-2 resin. Straight chain fatty acid ethyl esters and acetates of fusel alcohols decreased quicker for Loureiro wine, while the increase in ethyl esters of branched fatty acids was similar for both varieties. Linalool, Ho-trienol, α-terpineol and β-damascenone could be used to differentiate between each variety. However, linalool decreased to negligible values after 20 months of maturation. β-Damascenone decreased but remained high enough to be useful for differentiating each variety. Sensory analysis indicated a decrease of tropical fruit and tree fruit characters with conservation time for Alvarinho wine, and the opposite for Loureiro; moreover, citrus fruit character decreased in both varieties.     

Catechin, epicatechin, quercetin, rutin and resveratrol in red grape: Content, in vitro antioxidant activity and interactions

The extracts obtained from skin and seeds of 10 native Tuscan and international Vitis vinifera varieties were evaluated for their antioxidant activity, total phenolic and anthocyanin content and subjected to HPLC–UV analysis to quantify the content of five phenolic constituents of biological interest: catechin and epicatechin in seeds and quercetin, rutin and resveratrol in skin extracts. The antioxidant activity of the extracts and pure compounds was assessed by means of two different in vitro tests: scavenging of the stable DPPH radical and of authentic peroxynitrite (ONOO⁻). All the extracts showed significant antiradical capacity: Merlot skin was most active towards both radicals. All the five phenols investigated possessed strong antiradical activity. Quercetin, catechin and epicatechin showed maximum activity (respectively, IC_50(DPPH) 5.5, 6.7 and 6.8 μM, IC_50(ONOO^-) 48.8, 55.7 and 56.7 μM). Potential antiradical interactive effects among the five compounds were also investigated and results indicated possible synergy between quercetin, rutin and resveratrol towards ONOO⁻. The effect was additive for catechin and epicatechin.     

Toxicity and removal of heavy metals (cadmium, copper, and zinc) by Lemna gibba

Effects of cadmium, copper, and zinc on the aquatic plant Lemna gibba were determined under controlled conditions; in parallel their removal from the growth medium was followed. The results showed that the three heavy metals affected growth, a physiological stress index defined as the ratio of Chlorophyll to phaeophytin (D665/D665a), and the contents of proline. After 4 days, 10⁻³–10⁻¹ mg/L Cd inhibited growth by 25–100%, reduced D665/D665a by 35–89%, and increased proline content by 44–567%. Under the same conditions, 10⁻⁴–10⁻¹ μg/L Cu inhibited growth by 36–75%, reduced D665/D665a by 19–81%, and increased proline content by 67–288%. Comparable concentrations of Zn had little effect. However, higher concentrations (4, 30, and 50 mg/L) inhibited growth by 50–79%. Also, 0.1 and 30 mg/L induced a small reduction of D665/D665a (−3.8% and −22%) and an increase in proline contents (+144% and +177%). When it was observed, proline accumulation was always transient and the maximum was reached after 4 days. Monitoring metal concentration in the medium showed that L. gibba was able to remove metals from the medium. Zn and Cu removal was biphasic, it was rapid during the first 2 days (> 60% reduction) and slow (10–20%) during the following 8 days. For Cd, removal was linear and depended on the initial concentration. It reached approximately 90% after 6 or 8 days for initial concentrations of 10⁻¹ and 10⁻³ mg/L, respectively.     

Synthesis, photochemical E (trans) → Z (cis) isomerization and antimicrobial activity of 2-chloro-5-methylpyridine-3-olefin derivatives

2-Chloro-5-methylpyridine-3-olefin derivatives (3a-e) have been synthesized from 2-chloro-5-methylnicotinaldehyde (1) and studied their photochemical E (trans) → Z (cis) isomerization upon direct irradiation and triplet sensitized excitation for the first time. The triplet sensitized excitations of the compounds yielded high Z (4a–e) isomer composition, whereas the direct excitation results in less Z (4a–e) isomer composition, indicating triplet pathway is very efficient in converting the E (trans) → Z (cis) isomer. Thus synthesized E (3a–c and 3e) and generated Z (4a–c and 4e) isomers were tested for antimicrobial activity. Antifungal activity of these pyridine derivatives are closely comparable to the standard used.     

The composition of Hirsutella sinensis, anamorph of Cordyceps sinensis

The compositions of natural fruiting bodies of Cordyceps sinensis (NFCS), mycelia from submerged culture (MSMC) and shake culture (MSKC) of RCEF0273, a strain of Hirsutella sinensis, anamorph of C. sinensis, were compared to evaluate the potentiality of MSMC. The contents of crude fat, crude protein, total and essential amino acids were in the following descending order: MSKC>MSMC>NFCS, respectively. Unsaturated fatty acids of MSMC accounted for 65.9% of total fatty acids, obviously lower than those of NFCS (86.9%) and MSKC (76.5%). Both As and Hg were lower than 0.20 μg/g in all samples tested. The contents of Ca, Se and Cu were higher in MSMC than in NFCS, while the contents of Fe, Zn and Sn, were lower in MSMC than in NFCS. Vitamin B₆ was not detected in MSMC but in NFCS, while vitamin B₁ was not found in NFCS but in freeze-dried MSMC. Niacin content of NFCS was 1.6 times more than that of MSMC. The total content of four nucleosides (adenosine, guanosine, uridnine and inosine) in MSMC (6.20 mg/g) was significantly higher than those of NFCS (1.80 mg/g) and MSKC (1.60 mg/g). The above results suggest that MSMC can probably be used as a substitute for NFCS.     

In vitro and in vivo anticancer activity of 2-deacetoxytaxinine J and synthesis of novel taxoids and their in vitro anticancer activity

The taxane diterpneoid 2-deacetoxytaxinine J (2-DAT-J) 1 has been isolated from the bark of Himalayan yew, Taxus baccata L. spp. wallichiana in a reasonably good yield (0.1%) and its anticancer activity against breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231) and normal human kidney epithelial cell line (HEK-293) has been studied. 2-DAT-J (1) showed significant in vitro activity against breast cancer cell line at a concentration of 20 μM and 10 μM in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 respectively. Few novel taxoids were derived (7, 8 and 10–13) from the naturally occurring 2-DAT-J (1) and screened for their anticancer activity. The structure–activity relationship studies indicated that the cinnamoyl group on C-5 and acetyl group on C-10 are essential for the anticancer activity. 2-DAT-J (1) was also tested for its in vivo activity on DMBA-induced mammary tumors in virgin female Sprague Dawley rats at a dose of 10 mg/kg body weight orally for 30 days and showed significant regression in mammary tumors as compared to vehicle treated group (p < 0.05).     

Phenolic content and antioxidant capacity of Philippine potato (Solanum tuberosum) tubers

Four potato (Solanum tuberosum) varieties – Bengueta, Ganza, Igorota and 125411.22 – were analyzed for total phenolic content and antioxidant activities to provide baseline data for Philippine potato varieties. Bengueta had the highest phenolic content with 50.0 ± 1.5 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE)/100 g (dry basis, DB). It also had the highest DPPH radical scavenging activity with an EC₅₀ value of 30.6 ± 3.6 mg/mL (DB). The potato variety125411.22 had the highest reducing power with EC₅₀ equal to 66.2 ± 1.6 mg/mL (DB), while Igorota had the highest iron-chelating capacity with an EC₅₀ of 11.0 ± 3.2 mg/mL (DB) and the best inhibitory action against linoleic acid oxidation at 95.4 ± 2.2% at 50 mg/mL sample concentration. Methanolic potato extracts had better antioxidant activity than α-tocopherol and better iron chelating capacity than ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA). Significant (^*P < 0.05) negative correlation (R = −0.542) was observed between total phenolic content and the EC₅₀ values for DPPH radical scavenging activity, but none between total phenolic content and reducing power, iron-chelating capacity and total antioxidant activity.     

Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in asymptomatic subjects—A nested PCR based study

The aim of the study was to see the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori in asymptomatic children and adults by using nested PCR which is considered to be more specific than serological methods. Saliva and stool samples of 137 healthy children (aged 8 months to 16 y) and 108 asymptomatic adults (aged 17–60 y) were collected. PCR with primers targeting Hsp60 gene sequence of H. pylori was used. H. pylori positivity with nested PCR was observed in 45.7% (112/245) of the saliva and 42.8% (105/245) of the stool specimens. Prevalence of H. pylori in saliva was found to be 2.1%, 22.7%, 55.9%, 56.0%, 68.9% and 62.9% in the age groups of <5 y, 6–10 y, 11–16 y, 17–30 y, 31–45 y and 45–60 y, respectively. The detection rates in stool were 4.25% in <5 y, 13.64% in 6–10 y, 50% in 11–16 y, 64% in 17–30 y, 58.62% in 31–45 y and 61.1% in 45–60 y of age groups. The most favourable age group for acquiring the infection was 11–16 y. H. pylori positivity increased with lowering of socioeconomic status. There was no gender bias in prevalence of the bacterium.     

Synthesis and evaluation of A-seco type triterpenoids for anti-HIV-1protease activity

2,3-Seco-dioic acids derived from four different triterpene skeletons were prepared and evaluated for their anti-HIV-1 protease activity. Two A-seco derivatives showed potent inhibitory activity against HIV-1 protease (3c and 3e, IC₅₀ 5.7 and 3.9 μM, respectively), while four other derivatives showed moderate to weak inhibition (3a, 3b, 3d and 3f, IC₅₀ 15.7–88.1 μM). The combination of a 2,3-seco-2,3-dioic acid functional group in ring A and a free acid group at C-28 or C-30 significantly enhanced HIV-1 protease inhibitory activity (3a, 3c–3e, IC₅₀ 3.9–17.6 μM). On the other hand, all A-seco derivatives were found to be very weak inhibitors of HCV, renin and trypsin proteases (IC₅₀ > 80 μM). These findings indicate that A-seco triterpenes with a carboxyl group at C-28 or C-30 are novel and highly selective HIV-1 protease inhibitors.     

Coding and non-coding polymorphisms in VDR gene and susceptibility to pulmonary tuberculosis in tribes, castes and Muslims of Central India

Vitamin D receptor (VDR) plays an important role in activating immune response against various infectious agents. This study was aimed to investigate the association between VDR gene polymorphisms and different clinical forms of pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) in different population groups. Four common polymorphisms (TaqI, ApaI, BsmI and FokI) of VDR gene were studied in clinically diagnosed TB patients and healthy controls from Sahariya tribe (n = 377), Bhil tribe (n = 95), Chhattisgarh tribe (n = 33), general population from North-Central (NC) (n = 1021) and South-Eastern (SE) region (n = 646) and Muslims (n = 217). Genotyping was carried out using PCR-RFLP method and re-confirmed by direct sequencing. The haplotype analysis was performed on Haploview 4.1 and statistical analysis was done using SPSS 13.0 software. We found that bb genotype of BsmI polymorphism conferred significant risk to smear positive and multiple drug resistant (MDR) TB in tribes [OR (CI) = 3.7 (1.5–9.2), p = 0.002], SE population [OR (CI) = 2.1 (1.4–3.3), p = 0.0004] and Muslims [OR (CI) = 6.7 (1.1–39), p = 0.01]. The subjects with FF genotype of FokI polymorphism appeared less likely (p = 0.004) to develop MDR TB in NC population, whereas, those with Ff [OR (CI) = 2.5 (1.3–5.0), p = 0.004] and ff [OR (CI) = 3.4 (1.2–9.3), p = 0.01] genotypes were at high risk of MDR and smear positive disease, respectively. Similarly, tt genotype of TaqI polymorphism was found associated with high risk of smear positive TB in NC [OR (CI) = 3.6 (0.9–14.2), p = 0.05] as well as in SE [OR (CI) = 4.7 (1.8–12.3), p = 0.00003] population. Interestingly, tt genotype appeared strongly associated [OR (CI) = 8.9 (2.7–29), p = 0.00001] with high bacillary load outcome. In conclusion, genetic polymorphisms in VDR gene, alone or in combination (haplotypes) are associated with different clinical outcomes in pulmonary TB.     

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) in hospitalised Arab infants from Judea area-West Bank, Israel

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli and other related enterotoxigenic species were isolated from 176 (44%) of 399 infants hospitalised in ‘Caritas Baby Hospital’ in Bethlehem, during April–December 1993. Ninety four of the patients infected by ETEC, were clinically evaluated. Most of them suffered from diarrhoea, quite often with fever and vomiting. Dehydration occurred in 58.3% of the patients and failure to thrive (FTT) in 28.5% of them. Severe illness resulted in marasmus in five patients and in the death of two others. Most of the ETEC strains (84%) were of ST toxin type. Correlation was found between the degree of toxigenity and the severity of the gastroenteritis. The most prevalent ETEC ‘O’ serogroups were 0–6, 0–20, 0–8, 0–86, 0–126, 0–128 and 0167. Colonization Factors Antigens (CFAs) were identified in 36% of the isolates, CFAI was characteristic of group 0–126 and 0–128. In the principal O-groups there were high percentages of sensitivity to the antibiotics ceftriaxone, nalidixic-acid, gentamicin and norfloxacin, with resistance to anoxycillin, tetracycline and cotrimoxazole.     

Differentiation of Trypanosoma cruzi I subgroups through characterization of cytochrome b gene sequences

To identify and characterize chilean samples of Trypanosoma cruzi and their association with hosts, the first 516 bp of the mitochondrial cytochrome b gene were sequenced from eight biological samples, and phylogenetically compared with other known 20 American sequences. The molecular characterization of these 28 sequences in a maximum likelihood phylogram (−ln L = 1255.12, tree length = 180, consistency index = 0.79) allowed the robust identification (bootstrap % >99) of three previously known discrete typing units (DTU): DTU IIb, IIa, and I. An apparently undescribed new sequence found in four new chilean samples was detected and designated as DTU Ib; they were separated by 24.7 differences, but robustly related (bootstrap % = 97 in 500 replicates) to those of DTU I by sharing 12 substitutions, among which four were nonsynonymous ones. Such new DTU Ib was also robust (bootstrap % = 100), and characterized by 10 unambiguous substitutions, with a single nonsynonymous G to T change at site 409. The fact that two of such new sequences were found in parasites from a chilean endemic caviomorph rodent, Octodon degus, and that they were closely related to the ancient DTU I suggested old origins and a long association to caviomorph hosts.     

Synthesis, structure and structure–activity relationship analysis of 3-tert-butoxycarbonyl-2-arylthiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid derivatives as potential antibacterial agents

Nine 2-arylthiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid derivatives and nine 3-tert-butoxycarbonyl-2-arylthiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid derivatives were synthesized to screen for their antibacterial activities. Compounds 5, 14–18 were first reported. Their chemical structures were clearly determined by ¹H NMR, ¹³C NMR, ESI mass spectra and elemental analyses, coupled with one selected single-crystal structure. All the compounds were assayed for antibacterial activities against two Gram-positive bacterial strains (Bacillus subtilis ATCC 6633 and Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 6538) and two Gram-negative bacterial strains (Escherichia coli ATCC 35218 and Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 13525) by MTT method. Most of the 3-tert-butoxycarbonyl-2-arylthiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid derivatives exhibited better antibacterial activities against the four bacterial strains than relative 2-arylthiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid derivatives. Compound (2RS,4R)-3-(tert-butoxycarbonyl)-2-(5-fluoro-2-hydroxyphenyl)thiazolidine-4-carboxylic acid (14) showed powerful antibacterial activities against P. aeruginosa with IC₅₀ value of 0.195 μg/mL, which was superior to the positive controls Penicillin G and Kanamycin B, respectively. On the basis of the biological results, structure–activity relationships were discussed.     

Decline in the rates of meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus acquisition and bacteraemia in a general intensive care unit between 1996 and 2008

Analysis of admission and weekly screening and other cultures for meticillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) taken in the intensive care unit (ICU) demonstrated a 75% reduction in the estimated rate of acquisition of MRSA between 1996 and June 2008. Four periods were defined by three events: a new ICU (December 1997); addition of a two-bed bay (January 2001); and extra infection control measures in ICU and the hospital generally, including screening of all admissions (December 2006). In ICU, acquisition/1000 bed-days decreased promptly in each successive period, 49.0 (34.4–63.6), 28.3 (21.7–34.9), 19.3 (16.3–22.3) and 11.8 (7.3–16.3) respectively, and MRSA bacteraemias/1000 bed-days decreased between the last three periods, 7.6 (4.7–10.5), 3.7 (2.6–4.8) and 0.4 (0–2.9) with no change in the proportion colonised progressing to bacteraemia and a small increase in the rate of other bacteraemias. From December 2006 prevalence of MRSA in admissions to ICU from general wards decreased from 13.5% (11.6–15.4) to 6.4% (4.0–8.8) consequent upon a reduction in estimated pre-ICU acquisition rate from 26.0 (22.7–29.3) to 9.4 (6.0–12.8)/1000 bed-days. These results suggest that the improved environment of the new ICU and its extension and the recent changes in infection control each contributed to the observed reductions in MRSA acquisition and subsequent bacteraemia within ICU. Improved infection control in the hospital was associated with decreased acquisition of MRSA on the general wards.     

Experimental studies on the protective efficacy of a Pseudomonas aeruginosa vaccine

Pseudomonas aeruginosa vaccine (PV) containing cell proteins with molecular weight (M_r) 20 000–100 000 and up to 0.08% ( ) admixture of lipopolysaccharide was obtained by water—salt extraction and subsequent ultrafiltration. PV protects mice against experimental P. aeruginosa infection, stimulates production of specific protective antibodies in rabbit and does not provoke obvious toxicity in laboratory animals.     

Heat-stable antigen serotyping of Campylobacter jejuni strains isolated from hospitalized children in Athens, Greece

A hundred and twentynine Campylobacter jejuni strains isolated from hospitalized children with gastroenteritis were serotyped by the heat-stable antigen scheme (HS, Penner's method). Isolates belonged to two different periods. Group A contained strains isolated in 1987–1988 and group B contained strains which were isolated in 1998–2000. A variety of serotypes was found. Serotype HS:2 was predominant, followed by the HS:4 complex and HS:1,44. Many clinically important Guillain-Barré Syndrome associated serotypes – like HS:19 – were identified. There were no significant differences in the distribution of serotypes between the two periods. The present report provides reference data, as this is the first C. jejuni serotyping study ever made in Greece.     

Relationships between the occurrence of Giardia and Cryptosporidium and physicochemical properties of marine waters of the Pacific Coast of Mexico

Untreated sewage has adversely affected the quality of marine recreational waters worldwide. Exposure to marine recreational water with poor microbial quality may pose a threat to bathers. The objectives of this study were to assess the effect of physicochemical parameters on Cryptosporidium and Giardia presence in marine recreational water of Sinaloa, Mexico, by Logistic Regression Analyses. Thirty-two 10-litre water samples were collected from two tourist beaches, Altata and Mazatlan, between November 2006 and May 2007. Water samples were processed by the EPA 1623 method and pH, temperature, salinity and turbidity were also determined. Cryptosporidium and Giardia were present in 71 and 57% of the samples collected from Altata, respectively. In Mazatlan, Cryptosporidium and Giardia were found in 83 and 72% of the samples, respectively. The overall concentration of Cryptosporidium ranged from 150 to 2,050 oocysts/10 L with an average of 581 oocysts/10 L and Giardia ranged from 10 to 300 cysts/10 L with an average of 73 cysts/10 L. The occurrence of both parasites increased in water with decreasing temperatures and increasing turbidity of the water.