Treatment of a reactive dye, a disperse dye, and their mixtures using h2o2/pyridine/cu (II) system [T1-995].

Sistem H2O2/pyridine/Cu(II), merupakan satu siri proses pengoksidaan lanjutan (AOP) yang melibatkan gabungan penggunaan pengelat ligan dengan logam bagi membentuk kompleks logam peralihan yang menghasilkan radikal reaktif. The H2O2/pyridine/Cu(II) system is a series of advanced oxidation processes involving the use of a chelating ligand, combined with a transition metal, forming the transition metal complexes to produce reactive radicals

Antioxidant and anti-proliferative activities of Roselle juice on Caov-3, MCF-7, MDA-MB-231 and HeLa cancer cell lines.

Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa Linn) extract has been scientifically proven to possess high antioxidant activity, anti-proliferation and anti-carcinogenic properties. This study was conducted to evaluate the antioxidative capacity of commercialized Roselle juice (RJ) at three storage periods and its anti-proliferative effect on breast (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231), ovarian (Caov-3) and cervical (HeLa) cancer cell lines. The antioxidant activity of 1 week (WRJ), 1 month (MRJ) and 1 year (YRJ) juice samples each at 0.001 to 10% concentration range were determined through 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging assay with L-ascorbic acid as positive control. EC50 values of WRJ, MRJ, and YRJ were found to be 3.733±0.247, 3.717±0.637 and 3.383±0.711%, respectively. These values were compared to 0.217±0.616% for positive control. The difference in antioxidant activity between different storage periods of RJ was not significant (p>0.05) but all samples exhibited increasing activity with increasing concentrations. RJ at the same concentrations were tested using the MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay on the four cell lines to obtain the percentage viability of the cells. The cells were incubated for 72 h after inoculation with RJ and the control group was without treatment. The IC50 was found to be highest for Caov-3 cells (2.267±1.193%) whereas MCF-7 cells exhibited the lowest (0.432±0.278%) IC50 value after treatment with MRJ. All determinations were analyzed using ANOVA through SPSS with p0.05). The study showed that commercialized Roselle juice has strong antioxidant capacity and anti-proliferative activity on the four cancer cell lines despite different storage periods. However, further study should be conducted to establish its anti-cancer mechanisms

Curcumin effect on Acanthamoeba triangularis encystation under nutrient starvation

Curcumin is an active compound derived from turmeric, Curcuma longa, and is known for its benefits to human health. The amoebicidal activity of curcumin against Acanthamoeba triangularis was recently discovered. However, a physiological change of intracellular pathways related to A. triangularis encystation mechanism, including autophagy in the surviving amoeba after curcumin treatment, has never been reported. This study aims to investigate the effect of curcumin on the survival of A. triangularis under nutrient starvation and nutrient-rich condition, as well as to evaluate the A. triangularis encystation and a physiological change of Acanthamoeba autophagy at the mRNA level. In this study, A. triangularis amoebas were treated with a sublethal dose of curcumin under nutrient starvation and nutrient-rich condition and the surviving amoebas was investigated. Cysts formation and vacuolization were examined by microscopy and transcriptional expression of autophagy-related genes and other encystation-related genes were evaluated by real-time PCR. A. triangularis cysts were formed under nutrient starvation. However, in the presence of the autophagy inhibitor, 3-methyladenine (3-MA), the percentage of cysts was significantly reduced. Interestingly, in the presence of curcumin, most of the parasites remained in the trophozoite stage in both the starvation and nutrient-rich condition. In vacuolization analysis, the percentage of amoebas with enlarged vacuole was increased upon starvation. However, the percentage was significantly declined in the presence of curcumin and 3-MA. Molecular analysis of A. triangularis autophagy-related (ATG) genes showed that the mRNA expression of the ATG genes, ATG3, ATG8b, ATG12, ATG16, under the starvation with curcumin was at a basal level along the treatment. The results were similar to those of the curcumin-treated amoebas under a nutrient-rich condition, except AcATG16 which increased later. On the other hand, mRNA expression of encystation-related genes, cellulose synthase and serine proteinase, remained unchanged during the first 18 h, but significantly increased at 24 h post treatment. Curcumin inhibits cyst formation in surviving trophozoites, which may result from its effect on mRNA expression of key Acanthamoeba ATG-related genes. However, further investigation into the mechanism of curcumin in A. triangularis trophozoites arrest and its association with autophagy or other encystation-related pathways is needed to support the future use of curcumin

Antifibrotic Effect of Transforming Growth Factor Beta 1 Inhibitor Extract from Streptomyces SP.Strain H6552 on Human Hepatic Stellate Cells

Liver fibrosis is a result of the body’s natural wound healing response, but excessive scarring leads to significant morbidity and mortality. Transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-β1) inhibitors that hinder the fibrotic mechanism are currently being developed. However, an effective anti-fibrotic drug remains elusive and in vitro anti-fibrotic studies using hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are often complicated by the dynamic plasticity of these cells which become spontaneously activated in culture. In this study, we aimed to assess the quiescing effect of seeding LX-2 human HSC line on Matrigel-coated culture plates, and evaluate the anti-fibrotic activity of soil-derived Streptomyces (S.) sp. H6552 extract and/or active fraction and SB431542 (a commercial TGF-β receptor inhibitor) on LX-2 cells. In HSC culture studies, LX-2 cells were seeded either on non-coated or Matrigel-coated culture plates and subjected to fibrotic marker analyses, Oil Red O staining, and phase contrast microscopy. In the next chapter, S.sp. H6552 was cultured in mannitol-peptone medium and its metabolites were isolated via a ‘shake-flask’ method followed by acetone extraction, HPLC analysis and fractionation of crude H6552 extract. A bioassay-guided screening selection yielded the potential bioactive fraction (F3). Viability tests (MTT assay) were performed to evaluate the cytotoxicity of the crude extract. LX-2 cells were then treated with either the extract, F3 or SB431542 with or without 8 to 10 ng/mL TGF- β1 induction, followed by assays for anti- fibrotic activity. Proliferation of cells were assessed via ³H-thymidineincorporation, mitochondrial stress was evaluated by Mito Tracker Red®fluorescence staining, and cytoplasmic lipid accumulation analyses for quiescence determination was performed via Oil Red O staining. TGF-β1 inhibitory activity was evaluated by Smad reporter and IgA promoter luciferase assays, while expression of fibrotic markers were analysed via Real-Time PCR, immunoblotting, and immunocytochemistry. Aprogressively activated morphology was observed in LX-2 cells with prolonged culture on plastic, but this phenomenon was inhited on Matrigel attachment substrate whereby an adipocytic, quiescent phenotype was conserved with concurrent reduction in TGF-β1-induced alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-sma) protein expression. S. sp. H6552 extra was found to be non-cytotoxic but exerted strong anti-profilerative activity from 1 mg/mL compared to untreared control (p<0.01), while the influence of F3 on profileration was insignificant. Mitochondrial staining showed a possible antioxidative effect of 2 mg/mL H6552 crude extract on LX-2 cells, while 100µg/mL F3 induced a quiescent, adipocytic phenotype in 73.85 ± 2.05% of treated cells (p<0.05). Smad3 reporter activity was inhibited by 50% after 2 mg/mL crude extract treatment to TGF-β1-induced cells (p<0.01). TGF-β1-stimulated α-sma mRNA expression was attenuated by crude extra (from 0.125 mg/mL and F3 (25µg/mL) treatment, and protein-level α-sma inhibition was alsoapparent (p0.05). SB 431542 (25 µM) inhibited profileration, TGF-β1 (8 ng/mL-induced Smad3 activition via abrogation f CAGA-luc Smad reporter activity, and α-sma protein and mRNA expression in LX-2 cells (p<0.01). In conclusion, we demonstrated that Matrigel may be a usedful culture substrate to maintain LX-2 quiescence in in vitro studies, and studies, and S. sp. H6552 extract, F3, and SB 431542 exert anti-fibrotic activity toward human HSCs

An Overview of Herbal Medicines for Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive interstitial lung scarring condition with the histological characteristic of typical interstitial pneumonia. Injury to alveolar epithelial cells is a critical precursor in the pathogenesis of this disease. The prevalence of IPF is growing exponentially, with substantial morbidity and mortality rates increasing the burden on economic healthcare costs. A multidisciplinary approach for diagnosis is used to rule out the alternative causes of interstitial lung disease. Pirfenidone and nintedanib, two innovative antifibrotic medicines introduced in recent years, have provided therapeutic benefits to many IPF patients, and several IPF medications are in the early phases of clinical trials. However, available medications can cause unpleasant symptoms such as nausea and diarrhoea. More efforts have been made to uncover alternative treatments towards a more personalised patient-centred care and hence improve the outcomes in the IPF patients. Through a multi-level and multi-target treatment approach, herbal medicines, such as Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), have been identified as revolutionary medical treatment for IPF. Due to their natural properties, herbal medicines have shown to possess low adverse effects, stable therapeutic impact, and no obvious drug dependencies. Herbal medicines have also shown anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic effects, which make them a promising therapeutic target for IPF. A growing number of formulas, herbal components, and various forms of Chinese herbal medicine extracts are available for IPF patients in China. This review summarises the role of herbal medicines in the prevention and treatment of IPF

Inhibition of transforming growth factor-β via the activin receptor-like kinase-5 inhibitor attenuates pulmonary fibrosis

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis is a chronic pulmonary disease that is characterized by formation of scar tissue in lungs. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is considered an important cytokine in the pathogenesis of this disease. Hence, the antifibrotic effect of an inhibitor of the TGF-β type I receptor, namely, SB 431542, was investigated in our study. SB 431542 was used to treat TGF-β-treated IMR-90 cells; the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) was detected at the protein level by using an anti-α-SMA antibody, and at the gene level by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR. The effect of the inhibitor on cell proliferation was determined by a cell growth assay. The inhibitor was also administered into bleomycin-treated mice. Histopathological assessment and determination of total collagen levels were carried out to evaluate the severity of lung fibrosis in these mice. Our results demonstrated that treatment with SB 431542 inhi­bits TGF-β‑induced α-SMA expression in lung fibroblasts, at both the protein and the mRNA levels (P<0.05). However, the inhibitor did not significantly reduce lung fibroblast proliferation. In the bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis mouse model, bleomycin treatment caused important morphological changes, accompanied by an increase in the collagen level of the lungs. Early treatment with SB 431542 prevented the manifestation of histopathological alterations, whereas delayed treatment significantly decreased the collagen level (P<0.05). These results suggest that inhibition of TGF-β signaling, via inhibition of the activin receptor-like kinase-5 (ALK-5) by SB 431542, may attenuate pulmonary fibrosis

Are Fermented Foods Effective against Inflammatory Diseases?

Fermented foods have been used over the centuries in various parts of the world. These foods are rich in nutrients and are produced naturally using various biological tools like bacteria and fungi. Fermentation of edible foods has been rooted in ancient cultures to keep food for preservation and storage for a long period of time with desired or enhanced nutritional values. Inflammatory diseases like rheumatoid arthritis, osteoarthritis, and chronic inflammatory pain are chronic disorders that are difficult to treat, and current treatments for these disorders fail due to various adverse effects of prescribed medications over a long period of time. Fermented foods containing probiotic bacteria and fungi can enhance the immune system, improve gastrointestinal health, and lower the risk of developing various inflammatory diseases. Foods prepared from vegetables by fermentation, like kimchi, sauerkraut, soy-based foods, or turmeric, lack proper clinical and translational experimental studies. The current review has focused on the effectiveness of various fermented foods or drinks used over centuries against inflammation, arthritis, and oxidative stress. We also described potential limitations on the efficacies or usages of these fermented products to provide an overarching picture of the research field

A novel strategy for community screening of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19): Sample pooling method.

The rapid global spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has inflicted significant health and socioeconomic burden on affected countries. As positive cases continued to rise in Malaysia, public health laboratories experienced an overwhelming demand for COVID-19 screening. The confirmation of positive cases of COVID-19 has solely been based on the detection of the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) using real-time reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). In efforts to increase the cost-effectiveness and efficiency of COVID-19 screening, we evaluated the feasibility of pooling clinical Nasopharyngeal/Oropharyngeal (NP/OP) swab specimens during nucleic acid extraction without a reduction in sensitivity of qRT-PCR. Pools of 10 specimens were extracted and subsequently tested by qRT-PCR according to the WHO-Charité protocol. We demonstrated that the sample pooling method showed no loss of sensitivity. The effectiveness of the pooled testing strategy was evaluated on both retrospective and prospective samples, and the results showed a similar detection sensitivity compared to testing individual sample alone. This study demonstrates the feasibility of using a pooled testing strategy to increase testing capacity and conserve resources, especially when there is a high demand for disease testing

A holistic lifestyle mobile health intervention for the prevention of type 2 diabetes and common mental disorders in Asian women with a history of gestational diabetes: a randomised control trial with 3-year follow-up protocol

Abstract Background Women with a history of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) are 12-fold more likely to develop type 2 diabetes (T2D) 4–6 years after delivery than women without GDM. Similarly, GDM is associated with the development of common mental disorders (CMDs) (e.g. anxiety and depression). Evidence shows that holistic lifestyle interventions focusing on physical activity (PA), dietary intake, sleep, and mental well-being strategies can prevent T2D and CMDs. This study aims to assess the effectiveness of a holistic lifestyle mobile health intervention (mHealth) with post-GDM women in preventing T2D and CMDs in a community setting in Singapore. Methods The study consists of a 1-year randomised controlled trial (RCT) with a 3-year follow-up period. Post-GDM women with no current diabetes diagnosis and not planning to become pregnant will be eligible for the study. In addition, participants will complete mental well-being questionnaires (e.g. depression, anxiety, sleep) and their child’s socio-emotional and cognitive development. The participants will be randomised to either Group 1 (Intervention) or Group 2 (comparison). The intervention group will receive the “LVL UP App”, a smartphone-based, conversational agent-delivered holistic lifestyle intervention focused on three pillars: Move More (PA), Eat Well (Diet), and Stress Less (mental wellbeing). The intervention consists of health literacy and psychoeducational coaching sessions, daily “Life Hacks” (healthy activity suggestions), slow-paced breathing exercises, a step tracker (including brisk steps), a low-burden food diary, and a journaling tool. Women from both groups will be provided with an Oura ring for tracking physical activity, sleep, and heart rate variability (a proxy for stress), and the “HAPPY App”, a mHealth app which provides health promotion information about PA, diet, sleep, and mental wellbeing, as well as display body mass index, blood pressure, and results from the oral glucose tolerance tests. Short-term aggregate effects will be assessed at 26/27 weeks (midpoint) and a 1-year visit, followed by a 2, 3, and 4-year follow-up period. Discussion High rates of progression of T2D and CMDs in women with post-GDM suggest an urgent need to promote a healthy lifestyle, including diet, PA, sleep, and mental well-being. Preventive interventions through a holistic, healthy lifestyle may be the solution, considering the inextricable relationship between physical and psychological health. We expect that holistic lifestyle mHealth may effectively support behavioural changes among women with a history of GDM to prevent T2D and CMDs. Trial status The protocol study was approved by the National Healthcare Group in Singapore, Domain Specific Review Board (DSRB) [2023/00178]; June 2023. Recruitment began on October 18, 2023. Trial registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05949957. The first submission date is June 08, 2023