Unraveling the importance of forest structure and composition driving soil microbial and enzymatic responses in the subtropical forest soils

As the responsive soil properties, soil microbial fractions and enzymatic activities are often recommended for assessing soil environment. Different flora, silvicultural practices, and anthropogenic activities regulate essential ecosystem processes. They could substantially affect biological properties, nutrient budgets, and biogeochemical cycles at local and regional scales. This study examined how different forest compositions influenced by various anthropogenic activities (land use change, over-exploitation, species translocation) affect soil microbial properties and enzymatic activities, as well as the effects of soil chemical properties on these patterns in important sub-tropical forest ecosystems in Southern China. The research was conducted at Lutou forest research station, located in Yueyang, Hunan Province, China. Soil samples were collected at 0–10, 10–20, and 20–40 cm depths from natural broadleaved forest (NBF), coniferous monoculture plantations (CPF), and mixed forest stand. CPF stands are directly affected by human interference and frequent harvesting practices, whereas mixed forest and NBF stands are naturally grown forests with minimal human interference. Enzymes continually play a positive role in preserving soil health. The results showed that the interaction effect of forest type and soil depth significantly influenced urease, sucrase, and protease activity (all p < 0.001); however, no clear patterns were observed. Soil microbial carbon (MBC) and soil microbial nitrogen (MBN) were remarkably higher in 0–10 cm in mixed forest and NBF stand compared to CPF stand. For the upper soil layer, soil organic carbon (SOC) was higher in mixed forest, whereas, for the remaining two layers, it was observed to be highest in NBF. Moreover, the microbial quotient (MBC/SOC) was considerably higher in NBF forest in all soil layers than in mixed forest and CPF stand. Soil organic carbon (SOC) and soil total nitrogen (TN) had a strong positive relationship with MBC compared to MBN. Our study contributes toward an enhanced understanding of soil enzymatic responses and microbial soil dynamics’ biological patterns, controls, and activities in different rural forest ecosystems

New Mononuclear and Binuclear Cu(II), Co(II), Ni(II), and Zn(II) Thiosemicarbazone Complexes with Potential Biological Activity: Antimicrobial and Molecular Docking Study

Herein, we report the synthesis of eight new mononuclear and binuclear Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, and Zn2+ methoxy thiosemicarbazone (MTSC) complexes aiming at obtaining thiosemicarbazone complex with potent biological activity. The structure of the MTSC ligand and its metal complexes was fully characterized by elemental analysis, spectroscopic techniques (NMR, FTIR, UV-Vis), molar conductivity, thermogravimetric analysis (TG), and thermal differential analysis (DrTGA). The spectral and analytical data revealed that the obtained thiosemicarbazone-metal complexes have octahedral geometry around the metal center, except for the Zn2+-thiosemicarbazone complexes, which showed a tetrahedral geometry. The antibacterial and antifungal activities of the MTSC ligand and its (Co2+, Ni2+, Cu2+, and Zn2+) metal complexes were also investigated. Interestingly, the antibacterial activity of MTSC- metal complexes against examined bacteria was higher than that of the MTSC alone, which indicates that metal complexation improved the antibacterial activity of the parent ligand. Among different metal complexes, the MTSC- mono- and binuclear Cu2+ complexes showed significant antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis and Proteus vulgaris, better than that of the standard gentamycin drug. The in silico molecular docking study has revealed that the MTSC ligand could be a potential inhibitor for the oxidoreductase protein.Taif UniversityPeer Reviewe

Matrine Protects Against MCD-Induced Development of NASH via Upregulating HSP72 and Downregulating mTOR in a Manner Distinctive From Metformin

The present study investigated the effects of matrine on non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in mice induced by a methionine choline-deficient (MCD) diet and the mechanism involved. The study was performed in C57B/6J mice fed a MCD diet for 6 weeks to induce NASH with or without the treatment of matrine (100 mg/kg/day in diet). Metformin was used (250 mg/kg/day in diet) as a comparator for mechanistic investigation. Administration of matrine significantly reduced MCD-induced elevations in plasma ALT and AST but without changing body or liver fat content. Along with alleviating liver injury, matrine suppressed MCD-induced hepatic inflammation (indicated by TNFα, CD68, MCP-1, and NLRP3) and fibrosis (indicated by collagen 1, TGFβ, Smad3, and sirius-red staining). In comparison, metformin treatment did not show any clear sign of effects on these parameters indicative of NASH. Further examination of the liver showed that matrine treatment rescued the suppressed HSP72 (a chaperon protein against cytotoxicity) and blocked the induction of mTOR (a key protein in a stress pathway). In keeping with the lack of the improvement of the NASH features, metformin did not show any significant effect against MCD-induced changes in HSP72 and mTOR. Matrine protects against MCD-induced development of NASH which is refractory to metformin treatment. Its anti-NASH effects involve enhancing HSP72 and downregulating mTOR but do not rely on amelioration of hepatosteatosis

Human amnion epithelial cells, a potential therapy for chronic liver injury

The incidence of the population being affected by chronic liver disease is being increased disproportionately, with the expenses of treatment being enormous. With the only effective treatment for end-stage liver disease being liver transplantation, recent growing evidence indicates the potential of cell therapy as a treatment option for different diseases, including liver injury. Human Amniotic Epithelial Cells (hAECs) are isolated from the amnion of the placenta in sufficient numbers for clinical use and bear many characteristics of traditional stem cells. The work performed in the thesis adds to the evidence that hAECs may be used as a potential therapy for liver injury

The Human Amnion Epithelial Cell Secretome Decreases Hepatic Fibrosis in Mice with Chronic Liver Fibrosis

Background: Hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) are the primary collagen-secreting cells in the liver. While HSCs are the major cell type involved in the pathogenesis of liver fibrosis, hepatic macrophages also play an important role in mediating fibrogenesis and fibrosis resolution. Previously, we observed a reduction in HSC activation, proliferation, and collagen synthesis following exposure to human amnion epithelial cells (hAEC) and hAEC-conditioned media (hAEC-CM). This suggested that specific factors secreted by hAEC might be effective in ameliorating liver fibrosis. hAEC-derived extracellular vesicles (hAEC-EVs), which are nanosized (40–100 nm) membrane bound vesicles, may act as novel cell–cell communicators. Accordingly, we evaluated the efficacy of hAEC-EV in modulating liver fibrosis in a mouse model of chronic liver fibrosis and in human HSC.Methods: The hAEC-EVs were isolated and characterized. C57BL/6 mice with CCl4-induced liver fibrosis were administered hAEC-EV, hAEC-CM, or hAEC-EV depleted medium (hAEC-EVDM). LX2 cells, a human HSC line, and bone marrow-derived mouse macrophages were exposed to hAEC-EV, hAEC-CM, and hAEC-EVDM. Mass spectrometry was used to examine the proteome profile of each preparation.Results: The extent of liver fibrosis and number of activated HSCs were reduced significantly in CCl4-treated mice given hAEC-EVs, hAEC-CM, and hAEC EVDM compared to untreated controls. Hepatic macrophages were significantly decreased in all treatment groups, where a predominant M2 phenotype was observed. Human HSCs cultured with hAEC-EV and hAEC-CM displayed a significant reduction in collagen synthesis and hAEC-EV, hAEC-CM, and hAEC-EVDM altered macrophage polarization in bone marrow-derived mouse macrophages. Proteome analysis showed that 164 proteins were unique to hAEC-EV in comparison to hAEC-CM and hAEC-EVDM, and 51 proteins were co-identified components with the hAEC-EV fraction.Conclusion: This study provides novel data showing that hAEC-derived EVs significantly reduced liver fibrosis and macrophage infiltration to an extent similar to hAEC-EVDM and hAEC-CM. hAEC-EV-based therapy may be a potential therapeutic option for liver fibrosis

Cardioprotective Potential of Garlic Oil and Its Active Constituent, Diallyl Disulphide, in Presence of Carvedilol during Chronic Isoprenaline Injection-Mediated Myocardial Necrosis in Rats

In isoprenaline (ISO)-induced myocardial infarcted rats, garlic oil (GO) and its main ingredient, diallyl disulfide (DADS), were examined for cardioprotective effects when used with carvedilol (CAR). GO, DADS and CAR were given to rats in their respective groups, either alone or together, with the addition of isoprenaline (3 mg/kg/day, subcutaneously) during the last 10 days of treatment. At the end of 14 days of treatment, blood samples were collected, the hearts were excised under anesthesia and weighed. Heart tissue homogenate was used to measure superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS). Furthermore, the serum activities of cardiac markers, including lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase, and cardiac troponin, were checked. Moreover, inflammatory markers including tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin one beta, interleukin six, and kappa bp65 subunit were assessed. Rats that received GO, DADS, and CAR exhibited a significant increase in the cardiac antioxidant enzyme activities with a simultaneous decrease in serum cardiac markers enzymes and inflammatory markers. The TBARS were significantly reduced in rats that received treatment. The addition of carvedilol to GO or DADS significantly elevated antioxidant activities and decreased the release of cardiac enzymes into blood circulation. Both DADS and GOl were almost similar in efficacy, indicating the potential role of DADS in garlic oil-mediated cardioprotection. Combining GO or DADS with CAR increased CAR’s cardioprotective impact and protected rats from developing ISO-induced myocardial infarction

Antidepressant Effect of Crocin in Mice with Chronic Mild Stress

This study aimed to investigate the antidepressant property of crocin (Crocetin digentiobiose ester) using a chronic mild stress (CMS)-induced depression model in experimental mice. The tail suspension test (TST) and the sucrose preference test were used to evaluate the antidepressant effect on albino mice of either sex after three weeks of CMS. The period of immobility in the TST and percentage preference for sucrose solution were recorded. By monitoring brain malondialdehyde (MDA) level, catalase (CAT) activity, and reduced glutathione (GSH) level, the antioxidant potential was assessed. Three dosages of crocin (4.84, 9.69, and 19.38 mg/kg) were evaluated. When compared to controls, animals that received crocin administration during three periods of CMS had considerably shorter immobility times during the TST. Crocin treatment also raised the percentage preference for sucrose solution in a dose-dependent manner, bringing it to parity with the conventional antidepressant, imipramine. Animals that received a high dose of crocin had a much greater spontaneous locomotor activity. Furthermore, a high dose of crocin remarkably lowered plasma corticosterone and nitrite levels brought on by CMS. Additionally, high doses of crocin given during CMS greatly enhanced reduced glutathione levels while considerably reducing the brain’s MDA and catalase activities. In conclusion, high doses of crocin may have an antidepressant effect in an animal model through several mechanisms. However, further studies should be carried out to explore the role of neurotransmitters for their antidepressant property

The Antimicrobial Resistance and Prevalence of Enterococcus Species in Saudi Arabia

Monitoring the distribution and resistance of antibiotics to enterococcal species is critical aspect to controlling and preventing enterococcal infection. The aim of the present study is to screen the antimicrobial resistance genes within Enterococcus species isolates that collected from Taif governorate, Saudi Arabia. Out of 134 clinical samples, nineteen enterococcal isolates were identified using 16S rRNA sequence gene. Phylogenetic tree analysis using 16S rRNA gene sequence of the 19 strains divided them into 15 strains as E. faecalis and 4 strains as E. faecium. In addition, these the species of these isolates were recognized using VITEK-2 COMPACT system. The PCR technique was used to screen the multi-drug resistant genes within enterococcal isolates. The KpsII, tetL, aac(6)-Ie-aph(2)-Ia, vanA and Erm(B) genes were found in all strains. The distribute of resistance against antibiotic drugs were differs greatly between the two species, a considerably higher prevalence of resistance to penicillin, gentamicin, cefoxitin, cefotaxime, clindamycin, erthromycin and fusidic acid was identified in E. faecalis than in E. faecium, while greater spread was detected to resist to Trim/Sulf and tetracycline in E. faecalis. Finally, rep-PCR markers investigated genomic diversity of Enterococcus strains. Results of rep-PCR markers generated 142 distinct loci; 96 were polymorphic (67.6%) and 46 were monomorphic (32.4%). Number of loci for individual rep-PCR primers ranged from 9 for rep-08 to 18 for rep-02

Labile Soil Organic Matter Pools Are Influenced by 45 Years of Applied Farmyard Manure and Mineral Nitrogen in the Wheat—Pearl Millet Cropping System in the Sub-Tropical Condition

Labile soil organic matter pools (LSOMp) are believed to be the most sensitive indicator of soil quality when it is changed rapidly with varied management practices. In sub-tropical climates, the turnover period of labile pools is quicker than in temperate climates. Organic amendments are of importance in improve the LSOMp for a temperate climate and may be helpful in sub-tropical climates as well. Hence, the status of LSOMp was studied in long term farmyard manure (FYM) amended soils under wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) and pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum L.) cropping systems in sub-tropical arid conditions. At the same time, we also attempt to determine the impact of mineral nitrogen (N) application in these pools. In this study, dissolved organic matter (DOM), microbial biomass (MB), and light fraction (LF) were isolated in the management practices involving different modes and rates of FYM applications along with the application of nitrogenous fertilizer. C and N contents of the labile pools were analyzed in the soil samples at different periods after FYM applications. Among the different pools, microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and dissolved organic carbon (DOC) were changed significantly with different rates and modes of FYM application and mineral N application. Application of FYM at 15 Mg ha−1 in both the seasons + 120 kg ha−1 mineral N resulted in significantly higher MBC and DOC as compared to all of the other treatments. This treatment also resulted in 13.75% and 5.8% more MBC and DOC, respectively, as compared to the amount of MBC and DOC content in the control plot where FYM and mineral N were not applied. Comparing the labile organic matter pools of 45 years of FYM amendment with initial values, it was found that the dissolved organic carbon, microbial biomass carbon, and light fraction carbon were increased up to the maximum extent of about 600, 1200, and 700 times, respectively. The maximum amount of DOM (562 mg kg−1 of DOC and 70.1 mg kg−1 of DON), MB (999 mg kg−1 of MBC and 158.4 mg kg−1 of MBN), LF (2.61 g kg−1 of LFC and 154.6 g kg−1 of LFN) were found in case of both season applied FYM as compared to either summer or winter applied FYM. Concerning the different rates of FYM application, 15 Mg ha−1 FYM also resulted in a significantly higher amount of DOM, MB, and LF as compared to other FYM rates (i.e., 5 Mg ha−1 and 10 Mg ha−1). Amongst different pools, MB was found to be the most sensitive to management practices in this study. From this study, it was found that the long-term FYM amendment in sub-tropical soil along with mineral N application can improve the LSOMp of the soil. Thus, it can be recommended that the application of FYM at 15 Mg ha−1 in summer and winter with +120 kg ha−1 mineral N can improve SOC and its labile pools in subtropical arid soils. Future studies on LSOMp can be carried out by considering different cropping systems of subtropical climate

Synthesis and Characterization of Some New Coumarin Derivatives as Probable Breast Anticancer MCF-7 Drugs

This study aimed to synthesize quinolinone derivatives and investigate their cytotoxic activity. The compound 1-azacoumarin-3-carboxylic acid (2-oxo-1H-quinoline-3-carboxylic acid) was obtained via the cyclocondensation of 2-hydroxybenzaldehyde with diethyl malonate in base catalyst to give ethyl coumarin-3-carboxylate, followed by the ammonolysis of ester (ethyl coumarin-3-carboxylate) with ammonia in the presence of anhydrous potassium carbonate. Treatment of 2-oxo-1H-quinoline-3-carboxylic acid with acetic anhydride, cinnamaldehyde, cinnamic acid and methyl 5-phenyl-2-cyano-2,4-pentadienoate under different conditions led to the formation of 1 (substituted) aza coumarin-3-carboxylic acids (1-N-(acetyl)-azacoumarin-3-carboxylic acid, 1-N-(2-Formyl-1-phenyl) vinyl-azacoumarin-3-carboxylic acids, 1-N-[2-(Hydroxy) carbonyl-1-(Phenyl) vinyl]-azacoumarin-3-carboxylic acid and 1-N-(4-Cyano-5-methoxy-5-oxo-1-Phenylpenta-1,3-diene-1-y)-azacoumarin-3-carboxylic 284 acid), respectively. The structures of synthesized 1-(substituted) azacoumarin-3-carboxylic acids were confirmed based on spectroscopic methods (IR and NMR), along with elemental analyses. Interestingly compound 6 demonstrated probable impacts as an anti-cancer drug against the MCF-7 cell line. The mechanism of action was assessed using a flow cytometric assay. The outcomes revealed that compound 6 could arrest the cell cycle at G2/M phase and pre-G1 apoptosis