Characterization of 2,3-diarylxanthones by electrospray mass spectrometry: gas-phase chemistry versus known antioxidant activity properties

Xanthones (XH) are a class of heterocyclic compounds widely distributed in nature that hold numerous noteworthy biological and antioxidant activities. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to achieve relevant detailed structural information to understand and assist prediction of their biological properties. The potential relationship between radical-mediated xanthone chemistry in the gas phase and their promising antioxidant activities has not been previously explored.Thanks are due to Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT, Portugal), European Union, QREN, FEDER and COMPETE, for funding the QOPNA research unit (project PEst-C/QUI/UI0062/2013; FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-037296), and the Portuguese National Mass Spectrometry Network, RNEM (REDE/1504/REM/2005). E. M. P. Silva is also grateful to FCT (ref SFRH/BPD/66961/2009) for a Post-Doc grant.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Response surface for biodiesel production from soybean oil by ethylic route

Petroleum has been the most consumed energy source in the world, but it tends to run out due its non-renewable character. Among biofuels, biodiesel has emerged as the main candidate to substitute petroleum diesel. The present study aimed to identify the maximum yield point of biodiesel production by generating a response surface using molar ratio, temperature and agitation time as independent variables, and yield as a dependent variable. From the response surface, it is observed that the increase in temperature and reaction time leads to reduced yield. The configuration that resulted in maximum yield of 93.30% was 12:1 molar ratio, 30 °C temperature and 30-minute reaction time. From the chromatographic analysis it was possible to identify five different fatty acids in the composition of the biodiesels. Total saturated fatty acids (palmitic and stearic acids) ranged from 41.53% to 42.09% and total unsaturated fatty acids including monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids (oleic, linoleic and linolenic acids) ranged from 57.92% to 58.48%. According to the results of the physicochemical analyses, the specific mass at 68°F is in agreement with Brazilian, American and European specifications, ranging from 877.46 kg m-3 to 879.64 kg m-3 . The kinematic viscosity at 104 °F ranged from 4.49 mm² s -1 to 4.82 mm² s -1 . The acid value obtained did not vary within the limits established by the norms, and values between 0.54 and 2.74 mg KOH g -1 were observed

Productive efficiency and density and viscosity studies of biodiesels from vegetable oil mixtures

Received: January 31st, 2021 ; Accepted: April 10th, 2021 ; Published: April 29th, 2021 ; Correspondence: [email protected] in Brazil the minimum content of biodiesel in mixtures is 11% and, according to Brazilian laws, the goal is to reach 15% in volume in diesel fuel available for final consumers by 2023. Therefore, studies about different matrices of biodiesel and distinct mixtures are essential. The present work had two goals, the first one was to analyse physico-chemical properties of 16 biofuels produced from soybean and cotton oils, using S10 diesel, in mixtures B8, B10, B20 and B30. The second goal was to verify the vantages and disadvantages of biodiesel production through prior mixing of the oils, before and after the transesterification process. All biofuels produced presented results of specific mass values at 20 °C and kinematic viscosity at 40 °C within the limits established by ANP Resolution no 30/2016 and International Resolutions. The soybean B20 biofuel showed the best overall results, with the second highest production yield of 65.36%, the fifth lowest kinematic viscosity with 3.48 mm s -1 . The mixture of soybean and cotton oils before the transesterification process presented the highest production yield when compared with the production from a single oil or biodiesel mixtures. The results found proved to be satisfactory and corroborate to continue with the increase of biodiesel in the mixture with diesel to B15 until 2023 and support the possibility of planning for a gradual increase of this mixture in the following years

Gene trio signatures as molecular markers to predict response to doxorubicin cyclophosphamide neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancerpatients

In breast cancer patients submitted to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (4 cycles of doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide, AC), expression of groups of three genes (gene trio signatures) could distinguish responsive from non-responsive tumors, as demonstrated by cDNA microarray profiling in a previous study by our group. In the current study, we determined if the expression of the same genes would retain the predictive strength, when analyzed by a more accessible technique (real-time RT-PCR). We evaluated 28 samples already analyzed by cDNA microarray, as a technical validation procedure, and 14 tumors, as an independent biological validation set. All patients received neoadjuvant chemotherapy (4 AC). Among five trio combinations previously identified, defined by nine genes individually investigated (BZRP, CLPTM1,MTSS1, NOTCH1, NUP210, PRSS11, RPL37A, SMYD2, and XLHSRF-1), the most accurate were established by RPL37A, XLHSRF-1based trios, with NOTCH1 or NUP210. Both trios correctly separated 86% of tumors (87% sensitivity and 80% specificity for predicting response), according to their response to chemotherapy (82% in a leave-one-out cross-validation method). Using the pre-established features obtained by linear discriminant analysis, 71% samples from the biological validation set were also correctly classified by both trios (72% sensitivity; 66% specificity). Furthermore, we explored other gene combinations to achieve a higher accuracy in the technical validation group (as a training set). A new trio, MTSS1, RPL37 and SMYD2, correctly classified 93% of samples from the technical validation group (95% sensitivity and 80% specificity; 86% accuracy by the cross-validation method) and 79% from the biological validation group (72% sensitivity and 100% specificity). Therefore, the combined expression of MTSS1, RPL37 and SMYD2, as evaluated by real-time RT-PCR, is a potential candidate to predict response to neoadjuvant doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide in breast cancer patients

Subtelomeric I-scei-mediated Double-strand Breaks Are Repaired By Homologous Recombination In Trypanosoma Cruzi

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Trypanosoma cruzi chromosome ends are enriched in surface protein genes and pseudogenes (e.g., trans-sialidases) surrounded by repetitive sequences. It has been proposed that the extensive sequence variability among members of these protein families could play a role in parasite infectivity and evasion of host immune response. In previous reports we showed evidence suggesting that sequences located in these regions are subjected to recombination. To support this hypothesis we introduced a double-strand break (DSB) at a specific target site in a T. cruzi subtelomeric region cloned into an artificial chromosome (pTAC). This construct was used to transfect T. cruzi epimastigotes expressing the I-SceI meganuclease. Examination of the repaired sequences showed that DNA repair occurred only through homologous recombination (HR) with endogenous subtelomeric sequences. Our findings suggest that DSBs in subtelomeric repetitive sequences followed by HR between them may contribute to increased variability in T. cruzi multigene families. © 2016 Chiurillo, Moraes Barros, Souza, Marini, Antonio, Cortez, Curto, Lorenzi, Schijman, Ramirez and da Silveira.7DEC11/51475-3, FAPESP, Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo11/51693-0, FAPESP, Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo306591/2015-4, CNPq, Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e TecnológicoFundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq

Inclinação de Assentamento de Larvas e Adultos do Coral Recifal Favia Gravida em Recifes de Porto Seguro, Bahia, Brasil

A successful reproduction is the first step in coral larvae recruitment on the reefs. Substrate types, as well as its orientation may affect coral recruitment, growth and survival rates. The current study was made at Porto Seguro, BA, Brasil, and aimed to observe planulation pattern, verifying the settlement preference of larvae on three different substrate slopes - horizontal, vertical and inclinated (45o) and evaluate the slope preference of Favia gravida adult colonies in different reefs of Porto Seguro, BA. Adult colonies were taken to aquariums and observed until planulation. Recently released larvae were transferred for aquariums with recruitment plates. These plates were examined after the 21st day of planulation. Porto Seguro most common reef types were sampled regarding adults occurrence: “coastal reefs”, the top of a patch reef or a reef flat, and the internal wall of a large lagoon inside Recife de Fora. Colonies slope were measured using a graduated arc and a float or weight (for negative positioned colonies) placed at the base of each colony, comprising a total of 540 colonies, 180 in each reef sampled. The larvae did not present a preference for substrate slope. Since adult colonies were commonly found at slightly steep upper surfaces, it is suggested that differential mortality may have happened with larvae in other surfaces. As Favia gravida larvae did not present strict slope preferences, and based on the knowledge that adults tend to occur at moderate steep surfaces, the results suggest this is the most suitable orientation for recruit introduction in Porto Seguro reefs in rehabilitation activities of degraded environmental, to certify most recruits survivorship in long term.O sucesso na reprodução é o primeiro passo para o recrutamento de corais nos recifes. O tipo de substrato, bem como a sua orientação, pode afetar o recrutamento, crescimento, e taxas de sobrevivência de corais. O presente estudo teve como objetivos observar o padrão de planulação, verificar a preferência de assentamento de larvas em placas com diferentes inclinações - horizontal, vertical e inclinada (45o) e analisar a inclinação preferencial de colônias adultas do coral Favia gravida em diferentes recifes de Porto Seguro, BA. Colônias adultas foram mantidas em aquários e acompanhadas até a planulação. As larvas recém liberadas foram transferidas para aquários com placas de recrutamento. Estas foram triadas a partir do 21o dia após a última adição de larvas. Os principais tipos recifais encontrados em Porto Seguro foram amostrados: recifes costeiros, o topo de um “cabeço”, e a borda interna de uma das piscinas naturais do Recife de Fora. A inclinação das colônias foi determinada com a ajuda de um transferidor e uma bóia ou peso (para inclinações negativas) posicionando-o junto à base da colônia, totalizando na medição de 540 colônias, 180 por local amostrado. As larvas não apresentaram preferência por uma determinada inclinação durante o assentamento. Como as colônias adultas de Favia gravida foram encontradas com maior freqüência em superfícies superiores e ligeiramente inclinadas no substrato recifal, sugere-se que pode haver mortalidade diferencial das larvas assentadas em outras posições. Não havendo restrição de inclinações para assentamento das larvas de F. gravida e sabendo que adultos da mesma espécie tendem a ocorrer em superfícies inclinadas superiores, os resultados sugerem que esta seja a orientação mais adequada para implantação de recrutas nos recifes de Porto Seguro em atividades de recuperação de ambientes degradados, garantindo assim, uma maior sobrevivência dos recrutas a longo prazo

Phenolic composition and cell-based biological activities of ten coloured potato peels (Solanum tuberosum L.)

The present study provides an in-depth characterisation of the non-anthocyanin and anthocyanin phenolic compounds of potato peels from ten coloured potato varieties. Furthermore, the underexplored bioactive potential (antioxidant, cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory capacities) of the studied peels is comprehensively analysed. Among non-anthocyanin phenolics, caffeic and a caffeoylquinic acid were found in the highest concentrations in all samples, which also showed the presence of O-glycosylated flavonol derivatives and polyamine derivatives. Acylated anthocyanins were identified in red and purple varieties, being pelargonidin, peonidin, and malvidin the most prominent aglycones. All samples revealed antioxidant and antitumor activities, and no toxic effect. The extract of the Rosemary variety presented the best antioxidant and antitumor outcomes and was the only sample to reveal anti-inflammatory activity. These results are valuable for the food-industry by adding value to an important bio-residue, particularly concerning its potential as natural ingredients in novel food and pharmaceutical formulations.The authors are grateful to the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) for financial support by national funds FCT/ MCTES to CIMO (UIDB/00690/2020); the national funding by FCT, P.I., through the institutional scientific employment program-contract for L. Barros, Maria Inês Dias and C. Pereira contracts; to FEDER-Interreg España-Portugal programme through the project TRANSCoLAB 0612_TRANS_CO_LAB_2_P; to the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Regional Operational Program North 2020, within the scope of Project Mobilizador Norte-01-0247-FEDER-024479: ValorNatural ®; and also to the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of Republic of Serbia (451-03-68/2020-14/200007). GIP-USAL is financially supported by the Spanish Government through the project AGL2015-64522-C2-2-R. S. Sampaio acknowledges CAPES Foundation (Ministry of Education, Brazil) for her PhD grant no. 99999.001423/2015-00.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Dopamine up-regulates Th17 phenotype from individuals with generalized anxiety disorder

AbstractOur objective was to evaluate the effect of stress-related dose of dopamine (DA) on the in vitro proliferation and cytokine production in polyclonally-activated T cells from healthy individuals or individuals with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Our results demonstrated that cell cultures from GAD group proliferated less following T cell activation, as compared with control group. The addition of DA reduced the proliferative response in cell cultures from healthy but not from GAD individuals. The cytokine profile in GAD individuals revealed Th1 and Th2 deficiencies associated with a dominant Th17 phenotype, which was enhanced by DA. A similar DA-induced immunomodulation was also observed in PPD-activated cell cultures from GAD individuals. Unlike the control, DA-enhanced Th17 cytokine production in GAD individuals was not affected by glucocorticoid. In conclusion, our results show that the T cell functional dysregulation in GAD individuals is significantly amplified by DA. These immune abnormalities can have impact in increasing the susceptibility of individuals with anxiety disorders to infectious diseases and inflammatory/autoimmune disorders

Quadro hematologico e peso do baço de camundongos com tumor de Ehrlich na forma sólida tratados com Agaricus blazei

Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a utilização do Agaricus blazei nas formas de filtrado e suspensão total aquosa (10mg/animal) na terapêutica de camundongos portadores de tumor de Ehrlich sólido, testando sua atividade anti-neoplásica. Os animais tratados diariamente com A. blazei apresentaram valores maiores dos parâmetros hematológicos (eritrograma e leucograma), e peso relativo final do baço quando comparados com o grupo controle (água destilada), porém sem diferença significativa (P>0,05)

Suppressing cyanobacterial dominance by UV-LED TiO2-photocatalysis in a drinking water reservoir: a mesocosm study.

Cyanobacteria and their toxic secondary metabolites present challenges for water treatment globally. In this study we have assessed TiO2 immobilized onto recycled foamed glass beads by a facile calcination method, combined in treatment units with 365 nm UV-LEDs. The treatment system was deployed in mesocosms within a eutrophic Brazilian drinking water reservoir. The treatment units were deployed for 7 days and suppressed cyanobacterial abundance by 85%, while at the same time enhancing other water quality parameters; turbidity and transparency improved by 40 and 81% respectively. Genomic analysis of the microbiota in the treated mesocosms revealed that the composition of the cyanobacterial community was affected and the abundance of Bacteroidetes and Proteobacteria increased during cyanobacterial suppression. The effect of the treatment on zooplankton and other eukaryotes was also monitored. The abundance of zooplankton decreased while Chrysophyte and Alveolata loadings increased. The results of this proof-of-concept study demonstrate the potential for full-scale, in-reservoir application of advanced oxidation processes as complementary water treatment processes