Isolation, spectroscopic characterization, X-ray, theoretical studies as well as in vitro cytotoxicity of Samarcandin

Samarcandin 1, a natural sesquiterpene-coumarin, was isolated as well as elucidated from F. assa-foetida which has significant effect in Iranian traditional medicine because of its medicinal attitudes. The crystal structure of samarcandin was determined by single-crystal X-ray structure analysis. It is orthorhombic, with unit cell parameters a = 10.8204 (5) Å, b = 12.9894 (7) Å, c = 15.2467 (9) Å, V = 2142.9 (2) Å3, space group P212121 and four symmetry equivalent molecules in the unit cell. Samarcandin was isolated in order to study for its theoretical studies as well as its cellular toxicity as anti-cancer drug against two cancerous cells. In comparison with controls, our microscopic and MTT assay data showed that samarcandin suppresses cancer cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner with IC50 = 11 μM and 13 for AGS and WEHI-164 cell lines, respectively. Density functional theory (DFT) and time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT) of the structure was computed by three functional methods and 6-311++G∗∗ standard basis set. The optimized molecular geometry and theoretical analysis agree closely to that obtained from the single crystal X-ray crystallography. To sum up, the good correlations between experimental and theoretical studies by UV, NMR, and IR spectra were found. © 2016 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

Histopathological effects of cadmium chloride on liver and gill of Chondrostoma regium

Aquatic environments received huge amount of pollutants such as heavy metals, hydrocarbons, pesticides and organic materials every day. In this study, the effect of dissolved cadmium chloride on liver and gill in Chondrostoma regium was investigated. For this purpose, one hundred fishes were caught by sein net from one of the branches of Zayandeh Roud and transferred to the laboratory. The experiments consist of four treatments including: control group (without cadmium), 0.5, 2.5 and 7.5 µg/l cadmium concentrations. For histopathological studies liver and gill were performed at the end of experiment the samples were fixed in 10% formalin.The highest rate of cadmium concentration was observed in gill at 7.5 µg/l of cadmium equivalent. Hyperplasia, clubbing and fusion were the main gill histopathological changes. Congestion, nuclear psychosis and necrosis were the main liver histopathological signs. Intensity of gill and liver damages showed increased trend in a dose dependent manner

Water quality assessment of the Zayandehroud Lake using WQI index

Biological and ecological studies of water resources play an important role in both researches and scientific studies. The most important step for this study is identifying the characteristics of the ecosystem, living organisms and environmental factors. In recent years, Water quality evaluation, especially drinkable water, became both important and essential for reduction in quality and quantity of them. Lakes and ponds always being under attention as the most important resources for drinking and agricultural purposes. To improve efficiency of uses of the water resources, we need appropriate methods to determine quality of them. Investigate the quality of the Zayandeh roud lake water as an important resource to supplying drinking and agricultural water, in its basin and other province is necessary. In this study after determining 5 stations in different parts of the lake, sampling was done one time per every 45 days. WQI index calculated with use of 6 parameters: No2, No3, DO, EC, Hardness and, pH. However, despite of decreasing of the water quality of zayandeh roud lake, but according to WQI index, water of the lake was in the good category (50-100). This study was also showed that the water quality of zayandeh roud lake need a comprehensive management

The relation between size and parasite load in the Molly fish (Poecilia latipinna) of Jarghoyeh qanat, Isfahan Iran

A total of 30 Molly fish with an average weight and length of 1.5, and 5.5 cm were collected from Jarghoyeh qanat of Isfahan province 2013. Different organs of the fish including eyes, skin, gills and intestines were examined. The results showed that 36.6% and 100% were infected by Costia and while all were infected by Ich parasite. The results did not show any correlation between fish weight and Costia load However there was positive correlation between fish weight and Ich parasite loadin thegills

4-Chloro-N-[(E)-(3,4-dimeth­oxy­phen­yl)methyl­idene]aniline

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, C15H14ClNO2, contains two mol­ecules with significantly different conformations: the dihedral angles between the 4-chloro­aniline and 3,4-dimeth­oxy­phenyl (excluding C atoms) moieties are 19.68 (7) and 45.54 (4)°. In the crystal, the mol­ecules are linked by C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds and weak C—H⋯π inter­actions

Assessment of a probiotic Containing Bacillus Subtilis on the Performance and Gut Health of Laying Japanese Quails (Coturnix Coturnix Japonica)

Keywords Japanese quails, egg production, gut health, immune response. ABStRACt The present study was carried out to determine the effects of the inclusion of a spore-forming probiotic (Bacillus subtilis) in laying Japanese quail diets as an alternative to growth-promoting antibiotics to help produce healthy eggs and meat. This experiment was conducted as a completely randomized design with three treatments (control, 0.05% bacitracin methylene disalicylate (BMD), or 0.1% Bacillus subtilis) of five replicates of 11 quails each. Feed intake and egg production were recorded daily on cage basis. Body weight was determined at the beginning and end of the trial (36 and 42 weeks). At the end of the experiment (42 weeks), antibodies against Newcastle disease and avian influenza, egg components, Haugh units, eggshell quality and breaking strength, blood parameters, cecal microbial population, villus length, and crypt depth were measured. The dietary inclusion of Bacillus subtilis and BMD significantly (p≤0.05) increased egg production and egg weight; however, eggshell thickness and breaking strength, Haugh units, and eggshell percentages were not affected. The dietary addition of both products significantly (p≤0.05) decreased plasma cholesterol levels and increased LDL levels, as well as antibody levels against Newcastle disease and avian influenza (p≤0.01). In birds fed Bacillus subtilis and BMD, crypt depth was reduced, but villus height and villus to crypt ratio were significantly increased (p≤0.001) compared with those fed the basal diet. Cecal coliforms, E. coli, and Salmonella counts were reduced (p≤0.01) in quails fed the diets containing Bacillus subtilis and BMD compared those quails fed the non-supplemented diet. The results of this study demonstrated that in absence of AGPs, the inclusion of a spore-forming probiotic partially improves the performance of laying quails

Candidalysin is required for neutrophil recruitment and virulence during systemic Candida albicans infection

Background Candidalysin is a cytolytic peptide toxin secreted by Candida albicans hyphae and has significantly advanced our understanding of fungal pathogenesis. Candidalysin is critical for mucosal C albicans infections and is known to activate epithelial cells to induce downstream innate immune responses that are associated with protection or immunopathology during oral or vaginal infections. Furthermore, candidalysin activates the NLRP3 inflammasome and causes cytolysis in mononuclear phagocytes. However, the role of candidalysin in driving systemic infections is unknown. Methods In this study, using candidalysin-producing and candidalysin-deficient C albicans strains, we show that candidalysin activates mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling and chemokine secretion in endothelial cells in vitro. Results Candidalysin induces immune activation and neutrophil recruitment in vivo, and it promotes mortality in zebrafish and murine models of systemic fungal infection. Conclusions The data demonstrate a key role for candidalysin in neutrophil recruitment and fungal virulence during disseminated systemic C albicans infections

Global burden of peripheral artery disease and its risk factors, 1990–2019: a systematic analysis for the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019

Background: Peripheral artery disease is a growing public health problem. We aimed to estimate the global disease burden of peripheral artery disease, its risk factors, and temporospatial trends to inform policy and public measures. Methods: Data on peripheral artery disease were modelled using the Global Burden of Disease, Injuries, and Risk Factors Study (GBD) 2019 database. Prevalence, disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), and mortality estimates of peripheral artery disease were extracted from GBD 2019. Total DALYs and age-standardised DALY rate of peripheral artery disease attributed to modifiable risk factors were also assessed. Findings: In 2019, the number of people aged 40 years and older with peripheral artery disease was 113 million (95% uncertainty interval [UI] 99·2–128·4), with a global prevalence of 1·52% (95% UI 1·33–1·72), of which 42·6% was in countries with low to middle Socio-demographic Index (SDI). The global prevalence of peripheral artery disease was higher in older people, (14·91% [12·41–17·87] in those aged 80–84 years), and was generally higher in females than in males. Globally, the total number of DALYs attributable to modifiable risk factors in 2019 accounted for 69·4% (64·2–74·3) of total peripheral artery disease DALYs. The prevalence of peripheral artery disease was highest in countries with high SDI and lowest in countries with low SDI, whereas DALY and mortality rates showed U-shaped curves, with the highest burden in the high and low SDI quintiles. Interpretation: The total number of people with peripheral artery disease has increased globally from 1990 to 2019. Despite the lower prevalence of peripheral artery disease in males and low-income countries, these groups showed similar DALY rates to females and higher-income countries, highlighting disproportionate burden in these groups. Modifiable risk factors were responsible for around 70% of the global peripheral artery disease burden. Public measures could mitigate the burden of peripheral artery disease by modifying risk factors. Funding: Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Cryptic species in a well-known habitat: applying taxonomics to the amphipod genus Epimeria (Crustacea, Peracarida)

Taxonomy plays a central role in biological sciences. It provides a communication system for scientists as it aims to enable correct identification of the studied organisms. As a consequence, species descriptions should seek to include as much available information as possible at species level to follow an integrative concept of ‘taxonomics’. Here, we describe the cryptic species Epimeria frankei sp. nov. from the North Sea, and also redescribe its sister species, Epimeria cornigera. The morphological information obtained is substantiated by DNA barcodes and complete nuclear 18S rRNA gene sequences. In addition, we provide, for the first time, full mitochondrial genome data as part of a metazoan species description for a holotype, as well as the neotype. This study represents the first successful implementation of the recently proposed concept of taxonomics, using data from highthroughput technologies for integrative taxonomic studies, allowing the highest level of confidence for both biodiversity and ecological research