Phytochemical and antioxidant characterization of Hypericum perforatum alcoholic extracts

The antioxidant potentials of a total ethanolic extract of Hypericum perforatum (TE) and fractions were evaluated and correlated with their phenolic contents. The extracts were fully characterised by HPLC-DAD-MS-MS. Kaempferol 3-rutinoside and rutin-acetyl were identified for the first time in TE extracts. The free radical-scavenging properties of TE (EC50=21 [mu]g dwb/ml) and fractions were studied using DPPH. Fractions containing flavonoids and/or caffeoylquinic acids were found to be the main contributors to the free radical-scavenging activity of the TE. Lipid peroxidation, induced with ascorbate/Fe2+, was significantly reduced in the presence of the TE (EC50=26 [mu]g dwb/ml) and fractions containing flavonoids and/or caffeoylquinic acids. The fraction containing flavonoid aglycones was found to be responsible for a major part of the TE protection against lipid peroxidation. Hypericins and hyperforins made no significant contributions to the antioxidant properties of TE. Human consumption of H. perforatum extract or fractions could be beneficial.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6T6R-4CG2JK5-3/1/ae503f0537dcaaab2ede0770605a66c

Changes in phenolic production of Vitis vinifera cell cultures induced by Phaeomoniella chlamydospora elicitation

A esca é uma doença que afecta plantas da espécie Vitis vinifera levando a importantes perdas na produção de vinho. O fungo Phaeomoniella chlamydospora (PC) é frequentemente associado a plantas de videira com esca e declínio das vinhas. Informação sobre a interacção deste fungo com a esca e declínio das vinhas ainda é escassa. Para estudar mecanismos de defesa da videira ao fungo PC utilizamos culturas in vitro de Vitis vinifera cv. Vinhão (Vv) eliciadas com biomasa autoclavada do fungo PC ou metiljasmonato (MeJ). Várias amostras foram tiradas durante o período experimental e a produção de compostos fenólicos por culturas de Vv foi analisada por HPLC-DAD e HPLC-MS/MS. A produção de compostos fenólicos das células de Vv alterou-se significativamente após exposição a PC e MeJ. As culturas de células de Vv eliciadas por PC e MeJ aumentam a produção total de stilbenos, quando comparadas com o controlo, nomeadamente em compostos do tipo viniferinas. Estes compostos são substâncias de conhecida acção antifúngica podendo ser importantes na defesa da planta contra infecção por PC. Assim, as culturas in vitro de Vv podem ser uma ferramenta importante, uma vez que oferecem um meio simples, rápido e selectivo para estudar as interacções planta/esca.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT

Induction of phenolic compounds in Hypericum perforatum L. cells by colletotrichum gloeosporioides elicitation

Changes in phenolic metabolism after elicitation with Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (CG) has been studied in Hypericum perforatum L. (HP) cell suspension cultures. Soluble phenolics were analysed by HPLC–DAD and HPLC–DAD–MS/MS. HP cultures elicited with the CG elicitor showed a significant increase in xanthone accumulation. Xanthone accumulation increased twelve fold when the cells were primed with methyl-jasmonate (MeJ) or salicylic acid (SA), before elicitation. HP cultures exposed only to MeJ produced a set of flavonoids, the flavones which represent a substantial part (approx. 40%) of the total flavonoids accumulated in these cells. The possible importance of xanthones as a component of defence mechanism of HP against biotic stress is discussed.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT

Xanthone biosynthesis and accumulation in calli and suspended cells of Hypericum androsaemum

Calli and suspended cells of Hypericum androsaemum accumulated high levels of 1,3,5,6 and 1,3,6,7 oxygenated xanthones. The major compounds include simple oxygenated xanthones or derivatives with prenyl, pyran or methoxyl groups, four of them being new natural compounds. A hypothetical biosynthetic scheme is proposed based on the isolated compounds and statistical analysis. Xanthone accumulation was influenced greatly by medium factors, namely hormone supplementation. Calli grown with 4.5 mM a-naphtaleneacetic acid (NAA) 2.3 mM kinetin (KIN) had the highest specific xanthone production (1.3% biomass dry weight (DW)), whereas suspended cells grown in similar medium accumulated a lower amount (0.87% DW). Calli displayed a negative linear relationship between total xanthone accumulation and NAA concentration, in the range of 4.5–22.5 mM. However, in this range the xanthone 1,3,6,7:1,3,5,6 ratio and the biomass production showed a positive linear relationship with NAA concentration. Substitution of 4.5 mM of NAA by the same molar amount of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D), in the presence of 2.3 mM of KIN, caused a decrease in xanthone accumulation in calli. The use of N6-benzyladenine (BA) instead of KIN reduced xanthone production, independently of the auxin used. This effect was attenuated when both hormones were present.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT

Plant feeding by Nesidiocoris tenuis: Quantifying its behavioral and mechanical components

Zoophytophagous predators play an important, though sometimes controversial, role in pest management programs in different crops. In tomato crops, damage caused by phytophagy of the mirid Nesidiocoris tenuis has mainly been reported at high predator population levels or when prey is scarce. Previous research has focused on predator/prey ratios, stylet morphology and saliva composition to explain plant damage by N. tenuis. In this study, we investigated the behavioral and mechanical components of the damage. For this, we compared the feeding behaviors of males, females and fifth-instar nymphs of N. tenuis. Additionally, we investigated the type of stylet activities performed by each stage while probing in plant tissue, using the electrical penetration graph technique (EPG). Furthermore, stylectomy was performed and plant histology studied with the aim to correlate the feeding activities observed in the EPG recordings with stylet tip positions in specific tissues of the leaf petioles. Behavioral observations during a 30-min period showed that nymphs probed more frequently (38.6 ± 1.5 probes) than males and females (25.3 ± 1.1 and 24.3 ± 1.1 probes, respectively). Similarly, nymphs spent a higher proportion of time (656.0 ± 67.6 s) feeding on tomato apical sections compared to males and females (403.0 ± 48.8 s and 356.0 ± 43.7 s, respectively). The EPG recordings during 5 h indicated that cell-rupturing was the main stylet activity for all insect stages, and that fifth-instar nymphs spent a higher proportion of time on cell-rupturing events compared to adults. The histological studies revealed a trend of N. tenuis for the tissues within the vascular semi-ring. The stylet tips were found both in the vascular bundles and in the parenchyma of the interfascicular region. The findings of this study confirm an important role of fifth-instar nymphs feeding behavior in the damage potential of N. tenuis. Moreover, the increased time spent on cell rupturing behaviour suggests that stylet laceration and enzymatic maceration of the saliva occurring during this event might greatly contribute to the inflicted damage. A comprehensive understanding of the interactions of N. tenuis with the plant, at both the behavioral and mechanical levels, might shed light on new approaches to minimize its damage potential to tomato while maintaining its benefits as biocontrol agent

Clinical experience with a multifunctional, flexible surgery system for endolumenal, single-port, and NOTES procedures

Single-port and incisionless surgical approaches hold the promise of fewer complications, reduced pain, faster recovery, and improved cosmesis compared with traditional open or laparoscopic approaches. The ability to select an access approach (i.e., endolumenal, single-port, transvaginal, or transgastric) with one platform may be important to optimization of individual patient results. The authors report their results using these four separate surgical approaches tailored to three different therapeutic procedures, all with the use of a single flexible platform, the Incisionless Operating Platform (IOP). After institutional review board approval, the IOP was used to perform nine cholecystectomies via transvaginal (TV) (n = 4), transgastric (TG) (n = 4), and single-port transumbilical (TU) (n = 1) access. Two appendectomies were performed via TG access. Endolumenal access was used for 18 gastric pouch and stoma reductions after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass. The TG and TV procedures involved the use of one to three trocars. The recorded data included safety, procedural success, operative time, patient pain assessment (on a 0–10 scale) at discharge, and length of hospital stay. Procedural success was achieved for 16 of 18 endolumenal procedures, 1 of 1 single-port procedure, and 10 of 10 NOTES procedures. For 5 of 10 NOTES procedures, only one small trocar was required. The mean operative times were 79 min for pouch with stoma reduction, 171 min for cholecystectomy, and 274 min for appendectomy. Of 29 patients, 27 were discharged in 24 h or less. The average pain scores were 0.44 for pouch with stoma reduction, 1.3 for cholecystectomy, and 2.5 for appendectomy. No significant complications occurred. The ergonomics of IOP allowed the surgeon to interface with the system using an endoscopic or laparoscopic orientation. Availability of a multifunctional, flexible surgery platform provides a choice of a single-port or incisionless surgical approach with the potential to reduce complications, pain, and recovery time while improving cosmesis

Analysis of phenolic compounds from hazelnut (Corylus avellana L.) leaves

Hazelnut leaf has been used in folk medicine in varicose veins and haemorrhoidal symptomatology for its vasoconstrictor and antihaemorrhagic properties. Slight antidysenteric, antifungal and healing properties have also been describe

Sustained high serum malondialdehyde levels are associated with severity and mortality in septic patients

This book digs into an area of international migration studies that has gained prominence in the past couple of decades: migrant smuggling. The regional focus is southern Europe, which receives immigrants from many African and Asian countries. Migrant smuggling is discussed in relation to EU and national policies, aimed at combating irregular migration, including increased surveillance and border controls.The authors are no newcomers to the field. Anna Triandafyllidou is a leading scholar in migration studies, having published extensively on various topics dealing with migration in Europe, and with a special interest in Greece and southern Europe. Thanos Maroukis, on the other hand, is an early career academic whose publications have focused specifically on migration in Greece. It is, therefore, not surprising that the authors approached this topic of migrant smuggling from Africa and Asia to Europe by focusing mainly on the situation in Greece and the Turkish-Greek route. The book is based on fieldwork, participant observation and interviews conducted in Athens. The empirical material is extensive, covering a broad range of actors.peer-reviewe

El desarrollo del liderazgo a través de un congreso organizado por estudiantes. Estudio pre-post intervención

[EN] A Student led Conference, planned and organized by nursing students enrolled in two elective modules (Interdisciplinary Care of Older Adults and Old Age and Dependency) across two academic years (2018-19 and 2019-20). Students participate actively in the conference, with oral communications (as part of their course assignment), or moderating a rounded table. The results shown a significative increase of the level of leadership in the students that led the conference, and a high level of satisfaction in the participants in the conference. This innovative teaching method, may be of intereset and applied in different ambits, as it is necessary to implement methodologies that help to develop competences as leadership and communication.[ES] Presentamos una Student Led Conference planificada y organizada por estudiantes de enfermería matriculados en dos asignaturas optativas (Abordaje Interdisciplinar al Anciano y Ancianidad y Dependencia). Los estudiantes también participaron activamente en el congreso, presentando comunicaciones orales (como parte de la evaluación de la asignatura), o moderando una mesa redonda. Los resultados muestran un incremento significativo del nivel de liderazgo en los estudiantes que organizaron el congreso, así como un alto nivel de satisfacción en los participantes en el mismo. Este método docente innovador, puede ser de interés y aplicado en numerosos ámbitos, ya que es necesario implementar metodologías que ayuden a desarrollar competencias como liderazgo y comunicación.De Juan Pardo, M.; Fuster-Linares, P.; Gallart Fernández-Puebla, A.; Rodriguez, E.; Wennberg, L.; Martín-Ferreres, M. (2021). El desarrollo del liderazgo a través de un congreso organizado por estudiantes. Estudio pre-post intervención. En IN-RED 2021: VII Congreso de Innovación Edicativa y Docencia en Red. Editorial Universitat Politècnica de València. 1533-1539. https://doi.org/10.4995/INRED2021.2021.13780OCS1533153

Polyphenolic compounds and anthocyanin content of Prosopis nigra and Prosopis alba pods flour and their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory capacities

The aim of this study was to determine the content of total free and bound phenolic, free and bound flavonoid, anthocyanin, alkaloid and the profiles of polyphenols of the edible ripe pods of Prosopis alba and Prosopis nigra. P. alba flour showed significantly higher total (sum of Free- and Bound) phenolic content and total flavonoid compounds than P. nigra (P < 0.05) while P. nigra had higher concentrations of anthocyanins than P. alba (P < 0.05). The P. nigra flour shows a pattern characterized by the occurrence of anthocyanins (principally cyanidin-3-glucoside) as well as 14 flavonoid glycosides, with higher chemical diversity than P. alba, who shows 8 flavonoid glycosides as relevant constituents. The main compounds were quercetin O-glycosides and apigenin-based C-glycosides. The phenolic composition of two South American algarrobo pod flour is presented for the first time. The colour of the algarrobo pods is related to the content of anthocyanins. P. nigra pods having higher content of anthocyanins are darker (purple) than those of P. alba (light brown). Furthermore, the free sugar polyphenolic extracts of P. nigra and P. alba (phenolic-enriched Amberlite-retained fraction) as well as anthocyanins enriched extracts from P. nigra showed free radical scavenging activity. The P. nigra polyphenolic extracts showed activity against a pro-inflammatory enzyme (cyclooxygenase). In conclusion, algarrobo pods meal differing in colour contained biologicall active polyphenols, with possible positive impact in human health.Fil: Perez, Maria Jorgelina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Tucumán. Instituto de Quimica del Noroeste; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán; ArgentinaFil: Cuello, Ana Soledad. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Tucumán. Instituto de Quimica del Noroeste; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán; ArgentinaFil: Zampini, Iris Catiana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Tucumán. Instituto de Quimica del Noroeste; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán; ArgentinaFil: Ordóñez, Roxana Mabel. Universidad Nacional de Tucuman. Facultad de Cs.naturales E Instituto Miguel Lillo. Catedra de Quimica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Tucumán. Instituto de Quimica del Noroeste; ArgentinaFil: Alberto, Maria Rosa. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Tucumán. Instituto de Quimica del Noroeste; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán; ArgentinaFil: Quispe, Cristina. Universidad de Talca; ChileFil: Schmeda Hirschmann, Guillermo. Universidad de Talca; ChileFil: Isla, Maria Ines. Universidad Nacional de Tucuman. Facultad de Cs.naturales E Instituto Miguel Lillo. Catedra de Quimica; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Tucumán. Instituto de Quimica del Noroeste; Argentin