Problems in interpretation of Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck´s keyboard music

This Dissertation is devoted to the keyboard music of Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck. The focus is made on the most important problems, which can be useful for the interpretation of this works. At the beginning the period in which J. P. Sweelinck lived and instruments of this period are characterised. In the following chapter a formal analyse of Sweelinck´s keyboard output is made. The last chapters are dedicated to several problems of interpretation of this works - instrumental designation, ornaments and fingerings

Turkish Scorzonera Species Extracts Attenuate Cytokine Secretion via Inhibition of NF-κB Activation, Showing Anti-Inflammatory Effect in Vitro

Scorzonera species are used in different folk medicines to combat many diseases, including the illnesses connected with inflammation. Previous experiments showed anti-inflammatory activity of Scorzonera extracts in vivo. S. latifolia, S. cana var. jacquiniana, S. tomentosa, S. mollis ssp. szowitsii, S. eriophora, S. incisa, S. cinerea, and S. parviflora extracts were, therefore, evaluated for their inhibitory activities of TNF-α and IL-1β production, and NF-κB nuclear translocation in THP-1 macrophages. The HPLC analysis was carried out to elucidate and to compare the composition of these extracts. Major compounds of the tested extracts have been isolated using different chromatographic techniques and further tested for their inhibitory activities on TNF-α and IL-1β production. Several extracts showed promising anti-inflammatory activity in these in vitro tests. Results of HPLC analysis revealed chlorogenic acid as a compound present in all tested extracts. Hyperoside, quercetin-3-O-β-d-glucoside and rutin were also present in varying amount in some Scorzonera species analyzed. Furthermore, eight phenolics which were identified as quercetin-3-O-β-d-glucoside (1), hyperoside (2), hydrangenol-8-O-glucoside (3), swertisin (4), 7-methylisoorientin (5), 4,5-O-dicaffeoyl-quinic acid (6), 3,5-di-O-caffeoyl-quinic acid (7), and chlorogenic acid (8) have been isolated as major phenolic compounds of the tested extracts and, together with eight terpenoids (9–16) previously obtained from different Scorzonera species, have been tested for the inhibition of TNF-α production, unfortunately with no activity comparable with standard

C-Geranylated flavonoids from Paulownia tomentosa fruits with antimicrobial potential and synergistic activity with antibiotics

[Context]: C-6-Geranylated flavonoids possess promising biological activities. These substances could be a source of lead compounds for the development of therapeutics. [Objective]: The study was designed to evaluate their antibacterial and antileishmanial activity. [Materials and methods]: C-6-Geranylated flavanones were tested in micromolar concentrations against promastigote forms of Leishmaniabrazilensis, L. donovani, L. infantum, and L. panamensis against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA); and synergistic potential with antibiotics was analyzed. IC values (after 72 h) were calculated and compared with that of miltefosine. Flow cytometry and DNA fragmentation analysis were used the mechanism of the effect. Geranylated flavanones or epigallocatechin gallate were combined with oxacillin, tetracycline, and ciprofloxacin, and the effects of these two-component combinations were evaluated. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MICs) and minimal bactericidal concentrations (MBCs) were established (after 24 h), the synergy was measured by the checkerboard titration technique, and the sums of the fractional inhibitory concentrations (∑FICs) were computed. [Results]: 3′-O-Methyl-5′-O-methyldiplacone and 3′-O-methyldiplacone showed good antileishmanial activities (IC 8–42 μM). 3′-O-Methyl-5′-hydroxydiplacone activates the apoptotic death at leishmanias, the effect of 3′-O-methyl-5′-O-methyldiplacone has another mechanism. The test of the antibacterial activity showed good effects of 3′-O-methyldiplacol and mimulone against MRSA (MIC 2–16 μg/mL), and in six cases, the results showed synergistic effects when combined with oxacillin. Synergistic effects were also found for the combination of epigallocatechin gallate with tetracycline or oxacillin. [Conclusion]: This work demonstrates anti-MRSA and antileishmanial potential of geranylated flavanones and uncovers their promising synergistic activities with antibiotics. In addition, the mechanism of antileishmanial effect is proposed.The work was supported by 93/2012/FaF, 63/2014/FaF, and 94/2013/FaF of UVPS Brno. Authors also thank the Project CIETUS 2010 for support.Peer Reviewe