The Cytotoxic Effects of Betulin-Conjugated Gold Nanoparticles as Stable Formulations in Normal and Melanoma Cells

Gold nanoparticles are currently investigated as theranostics tools in cancer therapy due to their proper biocompatibility and increased efficacy related to the ease to customize the surface properties and to conjugate other molecules. Betulin, [lup-20(29)-ene-3β, 28-diol], is a pentacyclic triterpene that has raised scientific interest due to its antiproliferative effect on several cancer types. Herein we described the synthesis of surface modified betulin-conjugated gold nanoparticles using a slightly modified Turkevich method. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) imaging, dynamic light scattering (DLS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) were used for the characterization of obtained gold nanoparticles. Cytotoxic activity and apoptosis assessment were carried out using the MTT and Annexin V/PI apoptosis assays. The results showed that betulin coated gold nanoparticles presented a dose-dependent cytotoxic effect and induced apoptosis in all tested cell lines

Body composition differences by age and playing standard in male rugby union and rugby league : A systematic review and meta-analysis

Objective This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine differences in body composition between playing standard and age in male rugby union and rugby league athletes. Eligibility criteria The MOOSE (Meta-analysis of Observational Studies in Epidemiology) guidelines for design, implementation, and reporting were followed. Studies were required to be in male rugby union or league and have body composition as the primary or secondary outcome. Data was required to be presented separately for positional groups and body composition presented as whole-body. Data sources PubMed, Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, SPORTDiscus, and CINHAHL via EBSCOhost. Risk of bias The methodological quality of the included studies was evaluated using a modified assessment scale Results 58 studies were included for meta-analysis. Results highlighted significantly higher fat-free mass in senior elite than senior sub-elite or junior elite athletes for all RU and RL forwards. Small and non-significant differences were found in fat mass between rugby union playing standards and age categories. Rugby league senior elite forwards had less fat mass than junior elite forwards. Conclusions Practitioners should prioritise training and nutritional strategies that maximise fat-free mass development, especially in junior elite cohorts

Selectivity evaluation of phenyl based stationary phases for the analysis of amino acid diastereomers by liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry

peer reviewedD-amino acids (AA) analysis is becoming more and more relevant for metabolomics, therefore new analytical tools need to be developed. A common approach to achieve AA enantioseparation is chiral derivatization. Among the chiral derivatization reagents, (+) or (-)-1-(9-fluorenyl) ethyl chloroformate ((+) or (-)-FLEC) has proved to be one of the most versatile. Suitable chiral selectivity for FLEC derivatives of amino acids could be obtained in reversed-phase HPLC using nonpolar stationary phases (C4, C8 and C18) and tetrahydrofuran (THF) based mobile phases. This study is meant to provide alternatives to the use of THF as organic modifier by evaluating the selectivity obtained on two phenyl based stationary phases for 19 FLEC-DL-AA pairs of diastereomers using UHPLC-MS. Several mobile phases consisting of ammonium acetate and different common organic solvents (acetonitrile (ACN), methanol (MeOH), 2-propanol (IPA)) were tested using gradient elution. Experimental design was employed for the optimization of the separation conditions. In the optimized conditions, complete chiral separation can be achieved for 18 out of 19 FLEC-DL-AAs in less than 30 min. © 2019 Elsevier B.V

Red mouth disease in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) – a case report on lake trout farm from Bicaz, Romania.

Yersiniosis or red mouth disease is a contagious infectious disease of salmonids caused by the bacterium Yersinia ruckeri, which lead to significant economic losses in trout aquaculture worldwide. Sources of infection are the sick fish and asymptomatic carriers, which eliminates yersiniosis faeces, causing contamination of water and feed. Triggers the disease was in March, the surge in water temperature values of 15-170 C. The fish affected were the younger with low immune system, the sudden departure of the winter period. Histological examinations, immunohistochemical and bacteriological made from liver, spleen, kidney and blood of the trout heart yersiniosis suspects resulted in the identification of the species bacterium Yersinia ruckeri strain, confirming the suspected diagnosis based on clinical investigations (pronounced anemia of mouth and gills mucosa, dark color of skin, bleeding on the lingual mucosa, protruding eye bleeding). Bacteriological confirmation was done by identifying the causative agent, based on morphological characters (gram negative bacilli, mobile) and the distinctive biochemical characters tested using the API rapid tests. Histological examinations revealed colonies of bacteria in liver, spleen and kidneys were confirmed to be colonies of Yersinia ruckeri by immunohistochemistry with anti-Yersinia ruckeri. Antibiogram revealed sensitivity of Yersinia ruckeri at: Oxytetracycline, Flumequin, Trimethoprim and Ceftiofur, and moderate susceptibility to Amoxicillin and Enrofloxacin

Influence of enzymatic treatments on white wine composition

Most biochemical reactions involved in the wine-making process are catalyzed by enzymes. The use of enzymes of exogenous origin in wine production is due to the numerous technological and economical advantages demonstrated over time in the winemaking process. Understanding the important role played by enzymes in wine making technology contributes to the development of optimization strategies for the production process to improve the final quality of the wine. In order to accomplish this study, the influence of five oenological preparations with pectolytic and β-glucosidases enzymes types on the volatile compounds of white wines obtained from Fetească regală variety was analyzed by monitoring their evolution during the alcoholic fermentation to the final product. Wine samples have been physically and chemically analysed (pH, acidity, alcoholic strength, density, malic acid, lactic acid, sugar content, SO2, total dry extract and non-reducing extract) according to OIV Standards. Separation and identification of flavor compounds was performed using an Agilent 7890 gas chromatograph coupled to a 5975 C inert XL EI/CI MSD spectrophotometer. The organoleptic evaluation of wines was made according to a wide range of sensory descriptors. An important evolution of volatile compounds during fermentation was observed, depending on the type of enzyme administered, compared to the control sample. Enzymatic treatments did not significantly affect the physico-chemical composition of the wines obtained. The chromatic parameters of the wine samples varied according to the type of enzyme applied. The results of the study showed a significant influence of the enzymes on the organoleptic characteristics of the wines. Therefore, the aromatic quality of a wine is directly proportional to the chemical composition of the grapes and to the technology

Antimicrobial activity and thiosulfinates profile of a formulation based on Allium cepa L. extract

Allium species extracts including Allium cepa L. contain sulfur compounds, known for their antiplatelet, antimicrobial, antineoplasic activities

Securidaca–saponins are natural inhibitors of AKT, MCL-1, and BCL2L1 in cervical cancer cells

Titus Chukwuemeka Obasi,1 Cornelia Braicu,2 Bogdan Cezar Iacob,1 Ede Bodoki,1 Ancuta Jurj,2 Lajos Raduly,2 Ilioara Oniga,3 Ioana Berindan-Neagoe,2,4,5 Radu Oprean1 1Department of Analytical Chemistry and Instrumental Analysis, Faculty of Pharmacy, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania; 2Research Center for Functional Genomics, Biomedicine and Translational Medicine, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania; 3Department of Pharmacognosy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Cluj-Napoca, Romania; 4MEDFUTURE – Research Center for Advanced Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Iuliu-Hatieganu, Cluj-Napoca, Romania; 5Department of Functional Genomics and Experimental Pathology, The Oncology Institute “Prof. Dr. Ion Chiricuta”, Cluj-Napoca, Romania Introduction: Scientific research is beginning to prove the connection between claims by African traditional medicine and the natural chemical specifics contained in medicinal plant Securidaca longipedunculata. Our previous studies showed that two natural saponin fractions (4A3 and 4A4) identified in the plant as triterpenoid glycosides are capable of activating apoptosis on cervical tumor cell lines. Considering this and some critical roles of human papillomavirus (HPV) E6 oncogene on cervical cells, by promoting carcinogenesis and cell survival, it became necessary to investigate the possible pathways for apoptosis transmission.Methods: Tests conducted on relevant cervical tumor cell lines such as Caski and Bu25TK included the following: MTT assay; scratch assay (to determine cell migration/invasion); fluorescence microscopy with Annexin V–fluorescein isothiocyanate, muscle progenitor cell) and propidium iodide staining; and finally reverse transcriptase quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) for gene analysis.Results: Reduced cell proliferation was observed due to activities of 4A3 and 4A4 fractions, with half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 7.03 and 16.39 μg/mL, respectively, on Caski cell line. A significant reduction in cell migration occurred within 48 and 72 hours, respectively, for Caski and Bu25TK cell lines. Late apoptosis was activated by 4A3, staining both Annexin V and PI, in contrast to 4A4’s early apoptosis. RT-qPCR data revealed a fold change (FC) inhibition of antiapoptotic proteins such as MCL-1 and BCL2L1, with diminished level of AKT-3, VEGFA, MALAT1, etc. The expression of p53, proapoptotic BAD, and caspase-8 was nonsignificant.Conclusion: The low expression of AKT-3 and antiapoptotic proteins (MCL-1 and BCL2L1), as well as VEGFA, could simply be an indication for possible suppression of cell survival mechanisms via multiple channels. We therefore conclude that 4A3 and 4A4 fractions mediate activity via the inhibition of phosphatidylinositol-3-OH kinase (PI3K)-AKT/mTOR/NF-kB-dependent antiapoptotic stimuli. Further studies are ongoing to reveal the chemical structures and compositions of these two fractions. Keywords: early apoptosis, RT-qPCR gene analysis, AKT-3, MCL-1 and BCL2L1 inhibition, triterpenoid saponin