Gold(III)-pyrrolidinedithiocarbamato Derivatives as Antineoplastic Agents

Transition metals offer many possibilities in developing potent chemotherapeutic agents. They are endowed with a variety of oxidation states, allowing for the selection of their coordination numbers and geometries via the choice of proper ligands, leading to the tuning of their final biological properties. We report here on the synthesis, physico-chemical characterization, and solution behavior of two gold(III) pyrrolidinedithiocarbamates (PDT), namely [AuIIIBr2(PDT)] and [AuIIICl2(PDT)]. We found that the bromide derivative was more effective than the chloride one in inducing cell death for several cancer cell lines. [AuIIIBr2(PDT)] elicited oxidative stress with effects on the permeability transition pore, a mitochondrial channel whose opening leads to cell death. More efficient antineoplastic strategies are required for the widespread burden that is cancer. In line with this, our results indicate that [AuIIIBr2(PDT)] is a promising antineoplastic agent that targets cellular components with crucial functions for the survival of tumor cells

Are we ready for Taenia solium cysticercosis elimination in sub-Saharan Africa?

The World Health Organization announced in November 2014 at the fourth international meeting on 'the control of neglected zoonotic diseases - from advocacy to action', that intervention tools for eliminating Taenia solium taeniosis/cysticercosis (TSTC) are in place. The aim of this work was to elucidate theoretical outcomes of various control options suggested for TSTC elimination in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) over a 4-year period. Our current knowledge regarding T. solium epidemiology and control primarily builds on studies from Latin America. A simple transmission model - built on data from Latin America - has been used to predict the effect of various interventions such as mass treatment of humans, vaccination and treatment of pigs, and health education of communities, potentially leading to change in bad practices and reducing transmission risks. Based on simulations of the transmission model, even a 4-year integrated One Health approach fails to eliminate TSTC from a small community and in all simulations, the prevalence of human taeniosis and porcine cysticercosis start to rise as soon as the programmes end. Our current knowledge regarding transmission and burden of TSTC in SSA is scarce and while claiming to be tool ready, the selection of diagnostic and surveillance tools, as well as the algorithms and stepwise approaches for control and elimination of TSTC remain major challenges

Disease behaviours of sows naturally infected with <i>Taenia solium</i> in Tanzania

Neurocysticercosis (NCC) is a disease caused by the zoonotic parasite Taenia solium lodging in the central nervous system. Both humans and pigs can get NCC. The impact of the disease in pigs has so far been little explored. The aim of this study was to describe the effect of NCC on social and feeding behaviours as well as the pattern of activity as indicators of reduced welfare in naturally infected sows. In total 13 T. solium naturally infected and 15 non-infected control sows were videotaped for 2 consecutive weeks using close circuit television cameras at research facilities at Sokoine University of Agriculture, Morogoro, Tanzania. Videos were analysed at the beginning, in the middle and at the end of the 2 week recording period. For each time point, videos were analysed during feeding, while the enrichment was provided, and by recording every half an hour the sows’ behaviours performed over the course of a whole day. Sows with NCC spent significantly less time at the feeding trough, especially during the second half of the feeding period. Infected sows were also more passive e.g. lying and standing still significantly more during a whole day period and showed social isolation compared to non-infected control sows by performing behaviours more distant to their nearest neighbour. Results of this study indicated that NCC changed the behaviour of infected sows. The behavioural changes are indicative of decreased welfare. Efforts to reinforce the animal welfare aspect are needed as this has so far been neglected

Test on the effects of reconstituted soil on emergency speed and root growth in maize

Summary Reconstitution is a pedotechnique to counter land degradation and desertification. The reconstitution, patented by the research laboratory m.c.m. Ecosistemi, applies chemical-mechanical actions to a mixture of degraded soil and matrices (such as waste sludge) in order to produce reconstituted soil, a very high fertility soil. This paper is about a pot study in a greenhouse to investigate how reconstituted soil affects emergence speed and seminal roots development of Zea mays L. seedlings, in comparison with a Technosol. 200 seedlings are monitored up to the 16th day after the seeding. The emergence percentage is 98% on reconstituted soil and 91% on Technosol. Average length and weight of fresh seminal roots are higher on reconstituted soil

Ocorrência de Utricularia olivacea C. Wright ex Griseb. (Lentibulariaceae) no Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil

This paper reports the first record of Utricularia olivacea in Southern of Brazil. The species is easily differentiated from others of the genus by white flowers of 2-3 mm long and corolla with the lower lip emarginated. However, in the natural environment, it is difficult to identify because the species is annual, with submerged vegetative body, inconspicuous emergent flowers, and it is restricted to shallow water bodies with few centimeters deep.O presente trabalho relata o primeiro registro de Utricularia olivacea na região Sul do Brasil. A espécie é facilmente diferenciada das demais do gênero pelas flores alvas de 2-3 mm de comprimento e corola com lábio inferior emarginado. No entanto, no ambiente natural, é difícil a identificação, pois a espécie é anual, com o corpo vegetativo submerso, flores emersas incospícuas, e é restrita a corpos d’água rasos, com poucos centímetros de profundidade

The reconstitution: environmental restoration assessment by means of LCC and FCC

The reconstitution is a pedotecnique producing environmental proper and fertile Technosols, applying chemical-mechanical treatment to alluvial sediments, degraded soils and pedomaterials included waste by different productive processes. By means of reconstitution, the environmental restoration of the covering degraded soil of a closed landfill near Piacenza is made (LIFE10 ENV/IT/000400 NEW LIFE). In order to assess this environmental restoration, LCC and FCC are calculated on 5 soil samples before and after reconstitution. The results, which highlight the transition from worst to best LCC and FCC classes show how reconstitution was able to convert the environmental and agronomic conditions from soil have very severe limitations that restrict the choice of plants or require very careful management, and that limit or restrict its use mainly to pasture, range, forestland, or wildlife food and cover, to soil have moderate limitations that restrict the choice of plants or that require moderate conservation practices or have optimum fertility