Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of red, white and pink globe amaranth hydromethanolic extracts

Medicinal plants have been playing a vital role on human health and healing, representing one of the major sources of drugs in modem and traditional medicine [1]. Plants synthesize and preserve a variety of biochemical products that can be used as pharmaceutical compounds [2], and recently there has been an increasing interest in the therapeutic potential of plants as antioxidants and anti-inflammatories [3]. Oxidative stress and inflammation play critical roles in the pathogenesis of many diseases, such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, arthritis and obesity [4], among others. Thus, the aim of this study was to explore the bioactivity of red, white and pink globe amaranth (different cultivars of Gomphrena globosa L.) hydromethanolic extracts, namely the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities. The antioxidant activity was tested through radicals scavenging capacity, reducing power, and lipid peroxidation inhibition, whereas the anti-inflammatory activity was assessed by monitoring the inhibition of nitric oxide (NO) release in the mouse macrophage-like cell line RAW 264.7. The absence of toxicity of the extracts was also confirmed by the sulphorodamine B (SRB) assay applied to a porcine liver primary culture (PLP2) established by the authors. Among the three studied samples, pink globe amaranth showed the highest antioxidant activity, with the lowest ECso values (0.25 to 1.02 mg/mL), followed by red (0.41 to 1.30 mg/mL) and white (0.57 to 1.47 mg/mL) globe amaranth. Regarding the anti-inflammatory activity, pink and red globe amaranth also revealed the lowest ECso values (133 and 136 pg/mL, respectively), with white globe amaranth revealing an ECso value of 198pg/mL. None of the extracts presented cytotoxicity in PLP2 cells up to 400 pg/mL. From the results obtained, we can conclude that the extracts of these plants can be considered good sources of antioxidants and can also be used for anti-inflammatory purposes

Relationship Between Legal Blindness and Depression

The higher prevalence rates of depression in visually-impaired individuals than the general population indicates that the condition per se increases the risk of depression. A person that is aware of the progressive loss of visual acuteness may have feelings of insecurity, anxiety, loss of independence and changes in social functioning, leading to depression. Several studies assessing the association between depressive symptoms and severity of vision loss have yielded inconsistent results. Some do not show any association, whereas others reported that depression severity is higher in those with substantial vision loss. The general aim of this manuscript was to determine the prevalence of depression in patients diagnosed with legal blindness in the Eye Care Service at the Hospital Córdoba between June 2016 and June 2017. The study sample consisted of 41 patients. The level of depression was assessed using the Zung scale and the degree of dependence in daily life activities was defined using the Barthel index. Data was anonymized for inclusion in a computer database and statistical confidentiality was protected. Data was analyzed using InfoStat statistical software. The results revealed a relation between legal blindness, degrees of dependency and depressive symptoms in patients of the Eye Care Service of the Hospital Córdoba. It is very important for health professionals to be trained to detect early signs and symptoms of depression and have the necessary tools for such an approach. Epub: October 1, 2019

Is Cytisus multiflorus an antiinflamatory plant?

Cytisus multiflorus is a leguminous shrub native from Iberian Peninsula that is distributed in the south-west Mediterranean region. This plant is used in folk medicine and it is claimed to have various health benefits, including anti-inflammatory properties[1]. Yet, the anti-inflammatory usage of C. multiflorus is totally based on the available ethnopharmacological information while no scientific data on this capacity and on molecular targets has been reported for the plant. Hence, the present work aims to clarify the possible anti-inflammatory mechanisms of C. multiflorus. A purified ethanolic extract was prepared and its high antioxidant capacity was confirmed though the DPPH radical scavenging [2] and reducing power [3] assays (EC50 values 13.4±1.0 and 11.4±2.1 μg/mL, respectively). Moreover, anti-inflammatory properties of the C. multiflorus extract were tested on a lipopolysaccharide-stimulated Raw 264.7 macrophages model. In order to accomplish that, nitric oxide (NO) production, scavenging activity and cytotoxicity of the extract were assessed. Furthermore, the effects on two proteins that are potential targets to prevent or treat chronic inflammation, namely cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inducible NO synthase (iNOS), were estimated by Western Blot analysis. The obtained results showed that C. multiflorus extract was able to significantly inhibit the production of NO for non-toxic concentrations. The treatment of this cell line with 161 µg/mL and 325 µg/mL of the purified extract induced a decrease in the levels of NO of 24% and 32%, respectively. Furthermore, despite no changes on COX-2 levels were observed, iNOS expression was significantly diminished by the treatment with the highest concentration of the extract. Overall, the present results suggest that C. multiflorus actually exerts an anti-inflammatory action which is, at least partially, mediated through the inhibition of iNOS expression

Efeito de sais no solo provenientes de rejeitos da dessalinizacao por osmose inversa no semi-arido pernambucano.

Este trabalho foi um levantamento dos efeitos da dejecao de dois sistemas de dessalinizacao por osmose inversa (RO) de agua de pocos, sobre o solo, localizados nas comunidades de Rajada e Uruas, no municipio de Petrolina-PE. Nessas comunidades estudadas, bem como em todas as comunidades do semi-arido brasileiro, os rejeitos da dessalinizacao sao despejados em sistemas de drenagem natural, sem nenhum tratamento, podendo causar danos ao solo e meio ambiente devido aos seus elevados teores de sais

Palliative treatment of metastatic bone pain with radiopharmaceuticals: a perspective beyond Strontium-89 and Samarium-153

PurposeThe present review article aims to provide an overview of the available radionuclides for palliative treatment of bone metastases beyond 89Sr and 153Sm. In addition, it aims to review and summarize the clinical outcomes associated with the palliative treatment of bone metastases using different radiopharmaceuticals.Materials and methodsA literature search was conducted on Science Direct and PubMed databases (1990 - 2015). The following search terms were combined in order to obtain relevant results: bone, metastases, palliative, care, therapy, treatment, radiotherapy, review, radiopharmaceutical, phosphorus-32, strontium-89, yttrium-90, tin-117m, samarium-153, holmium-166, thulium-170, lutetium-177, rhenium-186, rhenium-188 and radium-223. Studies were included if they provided information regarding the clinical outcomes.Results and conclusionsA comparative analysis of the measured therapeutic response of different radiopharmaceuticals, based on previously published data, suggests that there is a lack of substantial differences in palliative efficacy among radiopharmaceuticals. However, when the comparative analysis adds factors such as patients life expectancy, radionuclides physical characteristics (e.g. tissue penetration range and half-life) and health economics to guide the rational selection of a radiopharmaceutical for palliative treatment of bone metastases, 177Lu and 188Re-labeled radiopharmaceuticals appear to be the most suitable radiopharmaceuticals for treatment of small and medium/large size bone lesions, respectively

Antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of cytisus multiflorus

Cytisus multiflorus(white spanish broom) is a plant used in folk medicine in the Iberian Peninsula, where it is claimed to have various health benefits. However, the usage is totally based on the available ethnopharmacological information, as no scientific data regarding its biological effects has been delivered. In this sense, is the aim of this work to contribute to the scientific knowledge of the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties of C. multiflorus. The extract was rich in phenolic compounds mainly chrysin-7-O-glycopyranoside and a dihydroxyflavone isomer of chrysin which accounted for 49.4±7.3 mg/g and 21.8±3.8 mg/g, respectively. The low EC50 values, determined by DPPH and reducing power assays, indicated that the C. multiflorus purified ethanolic extract has a high antioxidant capacity. Moreover, the extract did not cause cytotoxicity against RAW 264.7 macrophages for high concentrations and the treatment of this cell line with purified extract induced a significant decrease in the levels of NO. Overall, the gathered data suggests that C. multiflorus is in fact a good antioxidant and anti-inflammatory plant, as believed by the folk knowledge

Un índice de sustentabilidad para la evaluación integral de los sistemas de gestión del agua y el saneamiento

En este trabajo se presenta un índice para la evaluación de la sustentabilidad de los sistemas de gestión del agua y el saneamiento. El índice, denominado ISAS (Índice de Sustentabilidad del Agua y el Saneamiento) se basa en un marco conceptual que considera que la sustentabilidad se debería ver como una combinación de aspectos territoriales, temporales y personales. Para la construcción del ISAS se seleccionaron un conjunto de indicadores de sustentabilidad que fueron definidos en función del marco conceptual adoptado. El ISAS se utilizó para evaluar la sustentabilidad del sistema de gestión del agua y el saneamiento de la ciudad de Salta, Argentina. Los indicadores fueron calculados con información de revisiones bibliográficas, cuestionarios, visitas, talleres, datos estadísticos, y análisis de muestras de agua y aguas residuales. El método fue lo suficientemente sensible como para detectar variaciones entre diferentes aspectos del sistema estudiado. Fue también relativamente independiente de la cantidad y la calidad de la información disponible. En el caso de Salta, el valor obtenido para el ISAS fue de 51 puntos en una escala de 0 a 100 cuyo umbral de aceptabilidad se estableció en 50 puntos. El cálculo del ISAS permitió identificar una serie de aspectos del sistema que requieren mejoras y optimización. Este índice puede ser una herramienta útil para evaluar y mejorar la sustentabilidad de los sistemas de gestión del agua y el saneamiento en la región.A comprehensive sustainability index for the assessment of water and sanitation management systems (WSMS) is presented. The index was based on a conceptual framework that perceives sustainability as a combination of territorial, temporal, and personal aspects. A set of sustainability indicators was selected in agreement with this framework, and the “Water and Sanitation Sustainability Index” (WASSI) was built. The WASSI was then used to assess the sustainability of the WSMS of the city of Salta, Argentina. Indicators were calculated with information gathered by several means including literature reviews, questionnaires, visits, sampling, and participatory workshops. The index was sensitive to detect variations between different aspects of the local WSMS. It was also relatively independent of the quantity and quality of the information available. In the case of Salta, the value obtained for the index was 51 points in a scale going from 0 to 100 in which the acceptability threshold was set at 50 points. The WASSI could be a useful tool to assess and improve the sustainability of regional water and sanitation management systems.Fil: Seghezzo, Lucas. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Salta. Instituto de Investigaciones en Energía no Convencional; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Salta; ArgentinaFil: Iribarnegaray, Martín Alejandro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Salta. Instituto de Investigaciones en Energía no Convencional; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Salta; ArgentinaFil: Liberal, V. I.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Salta. Instituto de Investigaciones en Energía no Convencional; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Salta; ArgentinaFil: Copa, F. R.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Salta. Instituto de Investigaciones en Energía no Convencional; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Salta; ArgentinaFil: Guerra Munizaga, M. S.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Salta. Instituto de Investigaciones en Energía no Convencional; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Salta; ArgentinaFil: León, H. E.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Salta. Instituto de Investigaciones en Energía no Convencional; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Salta; ArgentinaFil: Ruíz, C. Y.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Salta. Instituto de Investigaciones en Energía no Convencional; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Salta; Argentin

Suppressed-scattering spectral windows for radiative cooling applications

The scattering of light by resonant nanoparticles is a key process for enhancing the solar reflectance in daylight radiative cooling. Here, we investigate the impact of material dispersion on the scattering performance of popular nanoparticles for radiative cooling applications. We show that, due to material dispersion, nanoparticles with a qualitatively similar response at visible frequencies exhibit fundamentally different scattering properties at infrared frequencies. It is found that dispersive nanoparticles exhibit suppressed-scattering windows, allowing for selective thermal emission within a highly reflective sample. The existence of suppressed-scattering windows solely depends on material dispersion, and they appear pinned to the same wavelength even in random composite materials and periodic metasurfaces. Finally, we investigate calcium-silicate-hydrate (CSH), the main phase of concrete, as an example of a dispersive host, illustrating that the co-design of nanoparticles and host allows for tuning of the suppressed-scattering windows. Our results indicate that controlled nanoporosities would enable concrete with daylight passive radiative cooling capabilities

A comparison of the bioactivity and phytochemical profile of three different cultivars of globe amaranth: red, white, and pink

The phytochemical profiles and bioactivities of red, white and pink globe amaranth (Gomphrena haageana K., Gomphrena globosa var. albiflora and Gomphrena sp., respectively), much less studied than the purple species (G. globosa L.), were compared. The chemical characterization of the samples included the analysis of macronutrients and individual profiles of sugars, organic acids, fatty acids, tocopherols, and phenolic compounds. Their bioactivity was evaluated by determining the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities; the absence of cytotoxicity was also determined. Red and pink samples showed the highest sugar content. Otherwise, the white sample gave the highest level of organic acids, and together with the pink one showed the highest tocopherol and PUFA levels. Quercetin-3-O-rutinoside was the major flavonol in white and pink samples, whereas a tetrahydroxy-methylenedioxyflavone was the major compound in the red variety, which revealed a different phenolic profile. The pink globe amaranth hydromethanolic extract revealed the highest antioxidant activity, followed by those of red and white samples. The anti-inflammatory activity was more relevant in red and pink varieties. None of the samples presented toxicity in liver cells. Overall, these samples can be used in bioactive formulations against inflammatory processes and in free radical production.The authors are grateful to Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) for financial support to the research center CIMO (strategic project PEst-OE/AGR/UI0690/2014), R. Calhelha grant (SFRH/BPD/68344/2010) and L. Barros researcher contract under “Programa Compromisso com Ciência – 2008”