"Cold training" affects rat liver responses to continuous cold exposure.

Continuous exposure of homeothermic animals to low environmental temperatures elicits physiological adaptations necessary for animal survival, which are associated to higher generation of pro-oxidants in thermogenic tissues. It is not known whether intermittent cold exposure (cold training) is able to affect tissue responses to continuous cold exposure. Therefore, we investigated whether rat liver responses to continuous cold exposure of 2 days are modified by cold training (1h daily for 5 days per week for 3 consecutive weeks). Continuous cold increased liver oxidative metabolism by increasing tissue content of mitochondrial proteins and mitochondrial aerobic capacity. Cold training did not affect such parameters, but attenuated or prevented the changes elicited by continuous cold exposure. Two-day cold exposure increased lipid hydroperoxide and protein-bound carbonyl levels in homogenates and mitochondria, whereas cold training decreased such effects although it decreased only homogenate protein damage in control rats. The activities of the antioxidant enzymes GPX and GR and H2O2 production were increased by continuous cold exposure. Despite the increase in GPX and GR activities, livers from cold-exposed rats showed increased susceptibility to in vitro oxidative challenge. Such cold effects were decreased by cold training, which in control rats reduced only H2O2 production and susceptibility to stress. The changes of PGC-1, NRF-1, and NRF-2 expression levels were consistent with those induced by cold exposure and cold training in mitochondrial protein content and antioxidant enzyme activities. However, the mechanisms by which cold training attenuates the effects of the continuous cold exposure remain to be elucidated

Dietary supplementation with the microalga Galdieria sulphuraria (Rhodophyta) reduces prolonged exercise-induced oxidative stress in rat tissues

We studied the effects of ten-day 1% Galdieria sulphuraria dietary supplementation on oxidative damage and metabolic changes elicited by acute exercise (6-hour swimming) determining oxygen consumption, lipid hydroperoxides, protein bound carbonyls in rat tissue (liver, heart, and muscle) homogenates and mitochondria, tissue glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase activities, glutathione content, and rates of H2O2 mitochondrial release. Exercise increased oxidative damage in tissues and mitochondria and decreased tissue content of reduced glutathione. Moreover, it increased State 4 and decreased State 3 respiration in tissues and mitochondria. G. sulphuraria supplementation reduced the above exercise-induced variations. Conversely, alga supplementation was not able to modify the exercise-induced increase in mitochondrial release rate of hydrogen peroxide and in liver and heart antioxidant enzyme activities. The alga capacity to reduce lipid oxidative damage without reducing mitochondrial H2O2 release can be due to its high content of C-phycocyanin and glutathione, which are able to scavenge peroxyl radicals and contribute to phospholipid hydroperoxide metabolism, respectively. In conclusion, G. sulphuraria ability to reduce exercise-linked oxidative damage and mitochondrial dysfunction makes it potentially useful even in other conditions leading to oxidative stress, including hyperthyroidism, chronic inflammation, and ischemia/reperfusion

Pedicularis L. Genus. Systematics, botany, phytochemistry, chemotaxonomy, ethnopharmacology, and other

In this review, the relevance of the plant species belonging to the Pedicularis L. genus has been considered from different points of view. Particular emphasis was given to phytochemistry and ethnopharmacology, since several classes of natural compounds have been reported within this genus and many of its species are well known to be employed in the traditional medicines of many Asian countries. Some important conclusions on the chemotaxonomic and chemosystematic aspects of the genus have also been provided for the first time. Actually, this work represents the first total comprehensive review on this genus

Assessing eligibility for treatment in acute myeloid leukemia in 2023

Introduction: Age has historically been considered the main criterion to determine eligibility for intensive chemotherapy in patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), but age alone can no longer be considered an absolute indicator in determining which patients should be defined as unfit. Assessment of fitness for a given treatment today serves an important role in tailoring therapeutic options. Areas covered: This review examines the main options used in real-life to define eligibility for intensive and non-intensive chemotherapy in patients with AML, with a main focus on the Italian SIE/SIES/GITMO Consensus Criteria. Other published real-life experiences are also reviewed, analyzing the correlation between these criteria and short-term mortality, and thus expected outcomes. Expert opinion: Assessment of fitness is mandatory at diagnosis to tailor treatment to the greatest degree possible, evaluating the patient's individual profile. This is especially relevant when considering the availability of newer, less toxic therapeutic regimens, which have shown promising results in patients with AML who are older or considered unfit for intensive treatment. Fitness assessment is now a fundamental part of AML management and a critical step that can potentially influence outcomes and not just predict them

Leucosceptosides A and B. Two phenyl-ethanoid glycosides with important occurrence and biological activities

In this review paper, the occurrence in the plant kingdom, the chemophenetic value and the biological activities associated with two specific phenyl-ethanoid glycosides, i.e., leucosceptoside A and leucosceptoside B, were reported. This is the first work ever conducted on such a subject. Analysis of the literature data clearly led to three important conclusions: leucosceptoside A is much more common in plants than leucosceptoside B; leucosceptoside A exerts more biological activities than leucosceptoside B even if nothing can be generally concluded about which one is actually the most potent; neither of these compounds can be used as a chemophenetic marker. These three aspects and more are discussed in more depth in this work

Aortic Aneurysm: A Surgical Point of View

Aortic aneurysms are of different types as different ones are the types of treatment available to us. Following the advent of endovascular surgery, perioperative mortality has been significantly reduced, but open surgery remains the first choice under some occurrences. The purpose of this chapter is to try to clarify the dichotomy between open and endovascular aortic aneurysms in the several types of aortic aneurysms, highlighting the indications and complications to guide to the best therapeutic choice

Estudio de la toxicidad de nanopartículas metálicas biosintetizadas sobre el trofoblasto

Las nanopartículas metálicas –NPs– (10-100 nm) tienen una importante actividad biocida lo cual sugiere posibles aplicaciones biomédicas. La biosíntesis de NPs es una novedosa herramienta que utiliza microorganismos debido asu capacidad de producir materiales inorgánicos en el medio intra y extracelular. A pesar de sus prometedoras capacidades biocidas, aún son necesarios estudios de toxicidad que demuestren la inocuidad para el ser humano. El objetivo del presente trabajo fue investigar la toxicidad de NPs biosintetizadas por microorganismos, en una línea celular humana. Se biosintetizaron NPs de cobre (CuNPs), hierro (FeNPs) y zinc (ZnNPs) utilizando cepas ATCC de Escherichia coli y Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Las NPs fueron caracterizadas por espectroscopía UV-Vis y por microscopia electrónica de transmisión (TEM). La línea celular humana HTR8/SVneo se incubó por 4 y 24 h a distintas diluciones de NPs ([NP]/10, [NP]/5, [NP]/2). Controles: medio de cultivo RPMI 1640 5 % SBF, solución de la sal del metal precursor a 0,1 y 0,25 mM (CuSO4, FeSO4 y ZnSO4 respectivamente), y control de crecimiento bacteriano de biosíntesis(CCB). Se evaluó la viabilidad celular mediante ensayo de MTT y la producción de especies reactivas de oxigeno (EROs) mediante ensayo con NBT. Resultados: 1) Viabilidad celular: a) CuNPs: A 4 h de exposición se observa una reducción significativa de 21 y 43 % a [CuNP]/5 y [CuNP]/2 respectivamente,33 % con CuSO4 0,25 mM, y 29 % con CCB. A 24 h la disminución es de 81 % a [CuNP]/2, 57 y 92 % con CuSO40,1 y 0,25 mM respectivamente; y 44 % con CCB; b) FeNPs: A 4 y 24 h no se observaron cambios significativos en ninguno de los niveles testeados, sin embargo CB presentó una disminución de 29 % a 4 h y 31 % a 24 h;c) ZnNPs: tanto a 4 h como 24 h disminuyó significativamente [ZnNP]/2 (46 y 61 % respectivamente) y con CCB (20 y 24 % respectivamente). 2) Producción de EROs a 24 h de exposición: a) CuNPs: se evidenció un incremento significativo a [CuNP]/2 y con CuSO4 0,25 mM; b) FeNPs: se observa aumento significativo para el control CCB; c) ZnNPs: los niveles de EROs incrementaron con CCB y a [ZnNP]/2.Estos resultados sugieren que CuNPs y ZnNPs son citotóxicas para las células trofoblásticas humanas y que la producción de EROs es el mecanismo implicado en la muerte celular. Por otro lado, FeNPs no muestran toxicidad lo cual representaría una ventaja en su uso.Fil: Lopez Venditti, Eliana Daniela. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Confluencia. Centro de Investigaciones en Toxicología Ambiental y Agrobiotecnología del Comahue. Instituto de Biotecnología Agropecuaria del Comahue | Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Centro de Investigaciones en Toxicología Ambiental y Agrobiotecnología del Comahue. Instituto de Biotecnología Agropecuaria del Comahue; ArgentinaFil: Bustos, Pamela Soledad. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Confluencia. Centro de Investigaciones en Toxicología Ambiental y Agrobiotecnología del Comahue. Instituto de Biotecnología Agropecuaria del Comahue | Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Centro de Investigaciones en Toxicología Ambiental y Agrobiotecnología del Comahue. Instituto de Biotecnología Agropecuaria del Comahue; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Departamento de Farmacia; ArgentinaFil: Páez, Paulina Laura. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Córdoba. Unidad de Investigación y Desarrollo en Tecnología Farmacéutica. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Unidad de Investigación y Desarrollo en Tecnología Farmacéutica; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Córdoba. Facultad de Ciencias Químicas. Departamento de Farmacia; ArgentinaFil: Guiñazú, Natalia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Patagonia Confluencia. Centro de Investigaciones en Toxicología Ambiental y Agrobiotecnología del Comahue. Instituto de Biotecnología Agropecuaria del Comahue | Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Facultad de Ciencias Agrarias. Centro de Investigaciones en Toxicología Ambiental y Agrobiotecnología del Comahue. Instituto de Biotecnología Agropecuaria del Comahue; Argentina. Universidad Nacional del Comahue. Facultad de Ciencias del Ambiente y la Salud. Departamento de Ciencias del Ambiente; ArgentinaIII Jornadas Patagónicas de BioquímicaNeuquénArgentinaFederación Bioquímica de la PatagoniaColegio de Bioquímicos de Neuqué

Nor-lignans. Occurrence in plants and biological activities. A review

In this review article, the occurrence of nor-lignans and their biological activities are explored and described. Nor-lignans have proven to be present in several different families also belonging to chemosystematically distant orders as well as to have many different beneficial pharmacological activities. This review article represents the first one on this argument and is thought to give a first overview on these compounds with the hope that their study may continue and increase, after this

Phytochemical analysis and biological activities of the ethanolic extract of Daphne sericea Vahl flowering aerial parts collected in Central Italy

In this paper, the first phytochemical analysis of the ethanolic extract of Daphne sericea Vahl flowering aerial parts collected in Italy and its biological activities were reported. Eleven compounds were identified i.e., -linolenic acid (1), tri-linoleoyl-sn-glycerol (2), pheophorbide a ethyl ester (3), pilloin (4), sinensetin (5), yuanhuanin (6), rutamontine (7), syringin (8), p-coumaric acid (9), p-anisic acid (10) and caffeic acid (11). To the best of our knowledge, compounds (1-4, 7-8 and 10) were isolated from D. sericea for the first time during this work, whereas sinensetin (5) represents a newly identified component of the entire Thymelaeaceae family. The extract was found to possess radical scavenging against both DPPH and 2,20-azino-bis(3-thylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS.+) radicals, with at least a 40-fold higher potency against the latter. Moreover, chelating abilities against both ferrous and ferric ions have been highlighted, thus suggesting a possible indirect antioxidant power of the extract. Although the precise bioactive compounds remain to be discovered, the polyphenolic constituents, including phenolic acids, tannins and flavonoids, seem to contribute to the antioxidant power of the phytocomplex. In addition, the extract produced cytotoxic effects in MDA-MB-231 and U87-MG cancer cell lines, especially at the concentration of 625 g/mL and after 48–72 h. Further studies are required to clarify the contribution of the identified compounds in the bioactivities of the extract and to support possible future applications

Clinical relevance of an objective - limit of detection - limit of quantification - based flow cytometry approach for measurable residual disease assessment in acute myeloid leukemia. A post-hoc analysis of the GIMEMA AML1310 trial

Using a multiparametric flow cytometry (MFC) assay, we assessed the predictive power of a threshold calculated applying the criteria of limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantitation (LOQ) in adult patients affected with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). This was a post-hoc analysis of 261 patients enrolled in the GIMEMA AML1310 prospective trial. According to the protocol design, using the predefined MRD threshold of 0.035% bone marrow residual leukemic cell (RLC) calculated on mononuclear cells, 154 (59%) were negative (MRD<0.035%) and 107 (41%) were positive (MRD≥0.035%). Using LOD and LOQ, we selected the following categories of patients: 1) LODneg if RLC were below LOD (74; 28.4%); 2) LODpos-LOQneg if RLC were between LOD and LOQ (43; 16.5%); and 3) LOQpos if RLC were above LOQ (144; 54.4%). Two-year overall survival (OS) of these 3 categories was 75.4% vs. 79.8% vs. 66.4%, respectively (p=0.1197). Due to superimposable outcome, LODneg and LODpos-LOQneg categories were combined. Two-year OS of LODneg/LODpos- LOQneg patients was 77.0% versus 66.4% of LOQpos individuals (P=0.043). Such a figure was challenged in multivariate analysis (p=0.048, HR 0.628, 95% CI 0.396-0.997) that confirmed the independent role of LOD-LOQ approach in influencing OS. In the AML1310 protocol, using the threshold of 0.035%, 2-year OS of MRD<0.035% and MRD≥0.035% patients was 74.5% vs. 66.4%, respectively (p=0.3521). In conclusion, the use of LOD-LOQ method results in a more sensitive detection of MRD that, in turn, translates in a more accurate recognition of patients with different outcome