Alterations in biochemical parameters of the freshwater fish, Alburnus mossulensis, exposed to sub-lethal concentrations of Fenpropathrin

Fenpropathrin is a new pyrethroid insecticide used to control crop pests. The aim of this study was to evidence fenpropathrin-induced oxidative stress and alterations in biochemical parameters in the freshwater fish, Alburnus mossulensis. Total antioxidant capacity, malondialdehyde (MDA), catalase activity (CAT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatine phosphokinase (CK), acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in the whole body extract were measured in A. mossulensis after exposure to sub-lethal concentrations of fenpropatrin (approximately equal to 1, 2, 3, 5 and 10% of 96 h LC50) for 15 days. The 24, 48, 72 and 96 h LC50 of the fenpropathrin for A. mossulensis was 562.28±45.19, 218.18±18.75, 136.18±11.90 and 121.38±11.84 µg/L at 24±2 °C. Exposure to 2.75, 5.50 and 12.6 µg/L fenpropathrin significantly increased AST activity in fish. A significant increase in the ALP and LDH activities was observed in fish after a 15 day exposure to 1.25, 5.50 and 12.60 µg/L fenpropathrin. Fenpropatrin significantly induced lipid peroxidation and increased MDA levels in fish. Compared with the control group, total protein levels in fish decreased after exposure to 2.75, 5.50 and 12.60 µg/L fenpropathrin on day 15. Total antioxidant capacity, AChE and CPK activities in fish exposed to fenproparthin were significantly lower than control group.  There was a significant increase in the CAT and ALT activities in fish after exposure to 5.50 and 12.60 µg/L fenpropathrin. In conclusion, fenpropathrin has the potential to disrupt biochemical parameters in A. mossulensis and to induce oxidative stress

[Ag(PcL)]-Catalysed Domino Approach to 6-Substituted Benzoxazino Isoquinolines

In this paper, we describe a new silver catalysed domino approach to 6-substituted benzoxazino isoquinolines starting from 2-alkynylbenzaldehydes and 1-substituted-(2-aminophenyl)methanols. The strategy is characterized by good reaction yields, and can be performed at room temperature as well as under heating (conventional or dielectric) in different reaction times. Best results have been obtained by using silver complexes of macrocyclic pyridine-containing ligands (PcL) as catalysts. The stereoselectivity of the transformation has been investigated by using chiral reaction partners and chiral catalyst, but unfortunately, modest stereoselectivities has been achieved. On the other hand, this approach represents an alternative synthetic strategy for the preparation of 6-substituted benzoxazino isoquinolines, which are the key scaffold of some compounds endowed of biological activity

Pyrazolo-isothiazole dioxide: an interesting scaffold for the preparation of peptidomimetics

There are many examples in literature of peptidomimetics that incorporate a heterocycle scaffold into a peptide, or a peptide-like sequence. The pre-organization of peptide shape, via the introduction of a structural heterocyclic motif that imparts conformational restriction, can enhance binding and hence therapeutic potential.1 Hitherto the standard approach to combine heterocycles and peptides has been to functionalize the side chain or the N/C termini of an amino acid building block with the heterocyclic moiety.2 A few examples have been accomplished in which the heterocycles are part of the peptide backbone itself.3 By the way of a 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction between diazoacetates 2 and the high reactive double bond of the 3-amino isothiazole dioxide partner 1, the adducts 3 are obtained in high yield and complete regioselectivity. The presence in compounds 3 of the carboxylic substituent and the pyrazole NH group can be exploited for coupling reaction with amino acids. By this way a peptide sequence can be generated characterized by the rigid planar geometry of the heterocyclic system favoring a particular orientation of the growing peptide chain (Figure). Moreover the presence of the sulfonyl group as well as the NH group at C-3 is of interest. They can behave as hydrogen bond acceptor and donor, respectively, giving raise to interactions with proteins or other potential targets. The synthesis of model peptidomimetics containing the heterocyclic scaffold, NMR analyses and computational studies are reported

Imidacloprid modifies the mitotic kinetics and causes both aneugenic and clastogenic effects in the macrophyte Bidens laevis L.

Imidacloprid (IMI) is a neonicotinoid insecticide widely used in agricultural activities all around the world. This compound is transported from croplands to surrounding freshwater ecosystems, producing adverse effects on non-target organisms. Because of the relevance of aquatic macrophytes in the above-mentioned environments and the lack of studies of potential effects of IMI on them, this work aimed to assess the mitotic process and potential genotoxicity in the aquatic macrophyte Bidens laevis L. Although the analysis of the Mitotic Index (MI) showed that IMI was not cytotoxic, the Cell Proliferation Kinetics (CPK) frequencies evidenced modifications in the kinetics of the mitotic process. Indeed, the anaphases ratio decreased at 10 and 100 mu g/L IMI, while at 1000 mu g/L an increase of prophases ratio and a decrease of metaphases ratio were observed. Regarding genotoxicity, IMI produced an increase of the abnormal metaphases frequency from 10 mu g/L to 1000 mu g/L as well as an increase in clastogenic anaphases-telophases frequency at 100 and 1000 mu g/L. In addition, aneugenic anaphases-telophases and C-mitosis frequencies also increased at 1000 mu g/L, confirming the effects on the mitotic spindle. Considering the genotoxic effects on B. laevis through two different mechanisms (aneugenic and clastogenic) and the wide spread use of IMI in agriculture, these mechanisms of toxicity on macrophytes should be considered among other recognized effects of this insecticide on aquatic biota.Peer reviewe

Diagnostic by imaging: 3D GPR investigation of brick masonry and post-tensioned concrete

In this laboratory study, the comparison of 4 different antenna frequencies (from 1.0 to 2.6 GHz) and radar systems on the same masonry and post-tensioned concrete specimens has served to investigate the precision achievable in imaging cross sections of solid brick masonry walls with different brick layouts and of concrete slabs with post-tensioning ducts at varying depths. Through high-density 3D data collection and multi-phase post-processing, the work aimed at 2D and 3D data imaging for eased and enhanced diagnosis of masonry and concrete structural elements

Nanofibers from small molecules

Electrospinning is a simple and versatile technique used for the fabrication of continuous micro and nanofibers. This approach is inexpensive, scalable, reliable and mainly used from polymer solutions and polymer melts. Recent studies have demonstrated that high molar mass polymers are not essential for production of uniform electrospun fibers but that sufficient intermolecular interactions acting as chain entanglements is the primary criterion.[2] A study on the electrospinnability of non natural small molecules is here reported for the first time

Peptidomimetics based on electrospun nanofibers

Electrospinning is a simple and versatile technique used for the fabrication of continuous micro and nanofibers. This approach is inexpensive, scalable, reliable and mainly used from polymer solutions and polymer melts. Recent studies have demonstrated that high molar mass polymers are not essential for production of uniform electrospun fibers but that sufficient intermolecular interactions acting as chain entanglements is the primary criterion. A study on the electrospinnability of short peptide chains containing natural amino acids (Gly, Ala, Leu, Val) together with a heterocyclic scaffold properly functionalized, is here reported