A uracil nitroso amine based colorimetric sensor for the detection of Cu²⁺ ions from aqueous environment and its practical applications

A simple uracil nitroso amine based colorimetric chemosensor (UNA-1) has been synthesized and screened for its cation recognition ability. Sensor UNA-1 exhibited a high sensitivity and selectivity towards Cu²⁺ ions in aqueous medium in the presence of a wide range of other competing cations (Ag⁺, Al³⁺, Ba²⁺+, Ca²⁺, Cd²⁺, Co²⁺, Cr³⁺, Cs⁺, Fe²⁺, Fe³⁺, Li⁺, Mg²⁺, Mn²⁺, Na⁺, Ni²⁺, Pb²⁺, Zn²⁺, Hg²⁺ and Sr²⁺). With Cu²⁺, the sensor UNA-1 gave a distinct color change from colorless to dark yellow by forming a complex of 1:1 stoichiometry. Furthermore, sensor UNA-1 was successfully utilized in the preparation of test strips and supported silica for the detection of Cu²⁺ ions from aqueous environment

Calidad de atención obstétrica en los servicios de salud reproductiva en las provincias de Cabo Delgado, Inhambane y Zambezia. Mozambique: 2006

Objetivo: determinar la calidad de atención obstétrica de los servicios de salud reproductiva, en relación a la estructura, proceso y resultados en las provincias de Cabo Delgado, Inhambane y Zambezia de la república de Mozambique en el año 2006.Material y método: Una muestra de 49 supervisoras, 32 enfermeras y 32 puérperas hospitalizadas fueron entrevistadas. El muestreo fue no probabilístico. Para esto se siguió una investigación. El diseño fue descriptivo-correlacional y transversal.Resultados: se halló que hay normas de atención obstétrica en todas las maternidades del estudio; sin embargo, la calidad de atención obstétrica que se brinda es de baja calidad o deficiente. Se encontró también que la supervisión influye en la calidad de atención y la comunicación influye en la satisfacción de la usuaria.Conclusión: existe una correlación directa entre algunas dimensiones del proceso de supervisión y de satisfacción de la usuaria. Existen diferencias significativa

Effectiveness of agricultural micro-credit projects for poverty reduction : a case study of the Marrambajane In-kind Project in Chokwe District, Mozambique.

Thesis (M.A.)-University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, 2008.This study addressed a gap in knowledge about the outcomes of in-kind agricultural microcredit projects on the welfare of the poor and ultra-poor smallholders. This research focused on an in-kind agricultural micro-credit project in Marrambajane village (Ch6kwe district, in southern Mozambique). Within the framework of the project, beneficiaries were given in-kind credit (seeds, fertilizer) to grow cash crops (tomatoes, onion, cabbage). To participate in the project farmers joined an Association which was part of a larger Union of Associations. The study measured the changes in material wellbeing of beneficiaries and development of social capital as a result of participation in the project. Material wellbeing was measured through income gene~ation and acquisition of assets through participation in the project. In addition, the sustainability of the intervention was also assessed. The study made use of a case study design adopting both quantitative and qualitative methods. Multiple data collection tools were used to collect data. Participatory methods were used to develop a wellbeing ranking of beneficiary households. A questionnaire was administered with beneficiaries (farmers) as the primary unit of analysis; this was used primarily to measure acquisition of assets and levels of trust in Association and Union. Data on amount of income generated and credit owed was compiled from the project archives. Observation was used to assess condition ofinfrastructure and equipment. The microfinance triangle model was used to evaluate whether the project had achieved poverty outreach, improved the welfare of participants and was financially sustainable. Findings showed that the project led to slight increase of income and household asset value. This increase of income and growth of household asset value was exclusively observed during the period of project implementation (2001-2004), and one year after the end of sponsorship (2005). While participating in the project, households ranked as 'rich' and 'middle' received 1.2 times more credit and 1.6 times more income was generated compared with 'poor' and 'poorest' households. While there is no evidence of a difference in average median number of items bought in each of the wellbeing categories, the monetary value of the items acquired appeared to correlate with household wellbeing categories. The project was successful in building social capital through formation and legalisation of Associations integrated into one fanners Union, the Union of Association Uamechinga. However, high levels of trust between the beneficiaries and project technicians and between the beneficiaries and the Union management team were not achieved. The project collapsed in late 2005. Based on my analysis I argue this occurred because of multiple factors. Firstly, the emphasis on farming tomatoes, a high return but unpredictable cash crop, was problematic. A more effective project design would include production of tomatoes in combination with more reliable crops such as rice and beans. Secondly, the project enforcement of loan repayments was very weak and there was extensive subsidisation of operational and administrative costs. Analysis suggested that the project was distributing income above the real profit generated by the fanners. It is recommended that future projects implement direct or indirect methods to achieve stronger levels of repayment. Thirdly, the project's irrigation system was inadequate. In spite of the fanners recommending a furrow system an unsustainable piped system was implemented. This reflects lack of communication between project technicians and the community during the project design, and partly explains the poor level oftrust between the project staff and fanners. I argue that to ensure sustainability of in-kind micro-credit projects like the Marrambajane case, stronger capacity and infrastructure must be in place before state and donor assistance is withdrawn

Antimicrobial activity of compounds isolated from Lippia javanica (Burm.f.) Spreng and Hoslundia opposita against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and HIV-1 reverse transcriptase

For centuries medicinal plants have been used all over the world for the treatment and prevention of various ailments, particularly in developing countries where infectious diseases are endemic and modern health facilities and services are inadequate. In recent years the use of and search for drugs derived from plants have been accelerated. Ethnopharmacologists, botanists, microbiologists, and natural-product chemists are trying to discover phytochemicals and “leads” which could be developed for the treatment of infectious diseases. Plants are rich in a wide variety of secondary metabolites, such as tannins, terpenoids, alkaloids, and flavonoids, which have been found in vitro to have antimicrobial properties. The evaluation of these plants for biological activity is necessary, both to substantiate their use by communities, and also to discover possible new drug or herbal preparations. Twenty five plants selected through ethno-botanical surveys in Mozambique which are used to treat respiratory diseases, wounds, viruses, stomach ailments and etc., were collected and investigated for antimicrobial activity. Acetone extracts of selected plants were tested for antibacterial, antimycobacterial and anti-HIV-1 activity. Antibacterial activity was evaluated using the agar diffusion method. Five Gram positive (Bacillus cereus, Bacillus pumilus, Bacillus subtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis) and five Gram negative (Enterobacter cloacae, Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Serratia marcescens) bacterial species were used in this study. The extracts of each plant were tested at concentrations ranging from 0.125 to 5.0 mg/ ml. Most of the plant extracts inhibited the growth of the Gram-positive microorganisms. The minimum inhibitory concentration of eight plants (Cassia abbreviata, Elephanthorrhiza elephantina, Hemizygia bracteosa, Hoslundia opposita, Momordica balsamina, Rhoicissus tomentosa and Salvadora australis) against Gram-positive bacteria was found to be 0.5 mg/ml. Gram-positive bacteria were found to be susceptible to extracts of Lippia javanica at concentration of 0.125 mg/ml. Among the 22 acetone extracts tested, two were found to have activity against Gram-negative bacteria at a concentration of 5.0 mg/ml (Adenia gummifera and Momordica balsamina). Rhoicissus revoilli inhibited E. cloacae, a Gram-negative strain, at a concentration of 2.5 mg/ml. To evaluate antimycobacterium activity ten plants species were tested against H37Rv, a drug-sensitive strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis at concentrations ranging from 0.5 to 5.0 mg/ml using BACTEC radiometric method. Four of the plant species tested (Cassia abbreviata, Hemizigya bracteosa, Lippia javanica and Melia azedarach) were observed to be active against the H37Rv. (ATCC 27294) strain of TB at a concentration of 0.5 mg/ml which was the lowest concentration used in this study. Seventeen plant species, were screened for anti-HIV bioactivity in order to identify their ability to inhibit the enzymes glycohydrolase (á -glucosidase and â- glucuronidase) and eleven species were further tested against Reverse transcriptase. It was found that 8 plant species (Cassia abbreviata, Elephantorrhiza elephantina, Rhoicissus tomentosa, Pseudolachnostylis maprouneifolia, Lippia javanica, Litogyne gariepina, Maerua junceae and Momordica balsamina) showed inhibitory effects against á-glucosidase and â-glucuronidase at a concentration of 200 ìg/ml. The results of the tests revealed that the plant extracts of Melia azedarach and Rhoicissus tomentosa appeared to be active, showing 49 and 40% inhibition of the enzyme activity respectively. Lippia javanica was found to have the best activity exhibiting a minimum inhibitory concentration of 0.125 mg/ml. The extracts also showed positive activity against Mycobacterium tuberculosis at concentration of 0.5 mg/ml and HIV-enzyme glycohydrolase was (á-glucosidase and â-glucuronidase) inhibited by 62 % and 73 % respectively. Considering its medicinal use local for HIV and various infections, it was therefore, selected for identifying its bioactive constituents. In the initial screening of plants used in Mozambique Hoslundia oppositademonstrated good antitubercular activity. It was therefore, selected to identify its bioactive constituents. A Phytochemical investigation of L. javanica led to the isolation of eight compounds, 4-ethyl-nonacosane (1), (E)-2(3)-tagetenone epoxide (2), myrcenone (3), piperitenone (4), apigenin (5), cirsimaritin (6), 6-methoxyluteolin 4'-methyl ether (7), 6-methoxyluteolin and 3',4',7-trimethyl ether (8). Three known compounds, 5,7-dimethoxy-6-methylflavone (9), hoslunddiol (10) and euscaphic acid (11) were isolated from H. opposita. This is the first report of compounds (1), (2), (5-8) from L. javanica and of compound (9) from H. opposita. The compounds were tested against Mycobacterium tuberculosis and HIV-1 reverse transcriptase for bioactivity. It was found that compounds (2), (4) and (9) inhibited the HIV-1 Reverse transcriptase enzyme by 91%, 53% and 52% respectively at 100 ìg/ml. Of all the compounds tested against a drug-sensitive strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, euscaphic acid (11) was found to exhibit a minimum inhibitory concentration of 50 ìg/ml against this strain. The present study has validated scientifically the traditional use of L. javanica and H. opposita and a few other Mozambican medicinal plants to some extent.Thesis (PhD)--University of Pretoria, 2010.Plant Scienceunrestricte

Analysis of extracellular vesicles as emerging theranostic nanoplatforms

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nanoscale lipid membrane–bound vesicles that are secreted by cells of both prokaryotes and eukaryotes and carry bioactive cargos including proteins, nucleic acid and lipids from source cells. Given their prominent ability in transporting bioactive components, EVs are regarded as promising biomarkers for disease diagnosis and emerging therapeutic nanoparticles. However, to exert their effect in clinical applications, effective isolation and sensitive analysis of EVs from complex biofluids is required. Recent advances in EV-related research has provided feasible approaches for developing emerging therapeutic nanoplatforms using EVs. With this review, we aim to provide a comprehensive and in-depth summary of recent advances in diverse assay methods for EVs including fluorescence, Raman/Surface-enhanced Raman Spectroscopy (SERS) analysis and other methods, as well as their clinical potential in constructing EV-based theranostic nanoplatforms towards various diseases. In particular, microfluidic-assisted analysis sytems, single EV detection and the main approaches of utilizing EVs for therapeutic purposes are highlighted. We anticipate this review will be inspirational for researchers in related fields and will provide a general introduction to scientists with various research backgrounds.</p

Water Saving in the Yellow River Basin, China. 2. Assessing the Potential for Improving Basin Irrigation

Rosana G. Moreira, Editor-in-Chief; Texas A&M UniversityThis is a Technical Paper from International Commission of Agricultural Engineering (CIGR, Commission Internationale du Genie Rural) E-Journal Volume 5 (2003): M. Fabiao, J. Gonclaves, L. Pereira, A. Campos, Y. Liu, Y. Li, Z. Mao, and B. Dong. Water Saving in the Yellow River Basin, China. 2. Assessing the Potential for Improving Basin Irrigation. Vol. V. July 2003

Water Saving in the Yellow River Basin, China. 1. Irrigation Demand Scheduling

Rosana G. Moreira, Editor-in-Chief; Texas A&M UniversityThis is a Technical Paper from International Commission of Agricultural Engineering (CIGR, Commission Internationale du Genie Rural) E-Journal Volume 5 (2003): A. Campos, L. Pereira, J. Gonclaves, M. Fabiao, Y. Liu, Y. Li, Z. Mao, and B. Dong. Water Saving in the Yellow River Basin, China. 1. Irrigation Demand Scheduling. Vol. V. July 2003

A novel fluorescent "turn-on" chemosensor for nanomolar detection of Fe(III) from aqueous solution and its application in living cells imaging

An electronically active and spectral sensitive fluorescent “turn-on” chemosensor (BTP-1) based on the benzo-thiazolo-pyrimidine unit was designed and synthesized for the highly selective and sensitive detection of Fe³⁺ from aqueous medium. With Fe³⁺, the sensor BTP-1 showed a remarkable fluorescence enhancement at 554 nm (λex=314 nm) due to the inhibition of photo-induced electron transfer. The sensor formed a host-guest complex in 1:1 stoichiometry with the detection limit down to 0.74 nM. Further, the sensor was successfully utilized for the qualitative and quantitative intracellular detection of Fe³⁺ in two liver cell lines i.e., HepG2 cells (human hepatocellular liver carcinoma cell line) and HL-7701 cells (human normal liver cell line) by a confocal imaging technique

Three-dimensional cell culture of chimeric antigen receptor T cells originated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells towards cellular therapies

3D cell culture; CAR T cells; Adoptive cell therapyCultiu cel·lular 3D; Cèl·lules T CAR; Teràpia cel·lular adoptivaCultivo celular 3D; Células T CAR; Terapia celular adoptivaBackground aims With the objective of improving the ex vivo production of therapeutic chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells, we explored the addition of three-dimensional (3D) polystyrene scaffolds to standard suspension cell cultures. Methods We aimed to mimic the structural support given by the lymph nodes during in vivo lymphocyte expansion. Results We observed an increase in cell proliferation compared with standard suspension systems as well as an enhanced cytotoxicity toward cancer cells. Moreover, we directly obtained the CAR T cells from peripheral blood mononuclear cells, thus minimizing the ex vivo manipulation of the therapeutic cells and opening the way to synergies among different cell populations. Conclusions We propose the use of commercially available 3D polystyrene systems to improve the current immune cell cultures and resulting cell products for emerging cellular (immuno)therapies.This research was funded by Instituto de Salud Carlos III through Consorcio Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red (CIBER) with the projects “Alycia” (Nr. BBN18PI01) and “Gels4ACT” (Nr. BBN20PIV02). The authors are also grateful for the financial support received from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (PID2020-115296RA-I00, PID2019-105622RBI00 and the “Ramón y Cajal” program [RYC-2017-22614]). The work was supported as well by the Max Planck Society through the Max Planck Partner Group “Dynamic Biomimetics for Cancer Immunotherapy” in collaboration with the Max Planck for Medical Research (Heidelberg, Germany). This research was also supported by the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme H2020-MSCA-COFUND-2016 (DOC-FAM, grant agreement Nr. 754397). The authors acknowledge financial support from the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation through the “Severo Ochoa” Programme for Centres of Excellence in R&D (CEX2019-000917-S)