Using Beta-Glucan Isolated from Helianthus annuus Infected by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in Bakery

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is a phytopathogenicfungus that attacks more than 400 plant species of them medicinal plant. In this study the extract obtained from basal stalk rot of Helianthus annuus L., attacked by S. sclerotiorum, was subjected to the analysis of FTIR to identify the presence of beta-glucan. FT-IR spectrum showed four ranges of bands in 890 cm-1, two overlap band in 1047 and 1078 cm-1 and the last one near 1160 cm-1 referring to different functional groups or characteristics; beta-glycosidic linkage and pyranosyl ring. The existence of beta-glucan in the filtrate liquid culture of S. sclerotiorum suggests the potential of the secreted liquid drops of fungal infection in plant as a new secretory source of beta-glucan useful in food and pharmaceutical sectors. In this regard, the extracted beta-glucan was added as an additive to bread dough to elucidate its effect on the baked-bread texture as monitored by SEM micrographs. Results from the electron microscopy images of experimental bread confirmed that beta-glucan enhances the porosity of bread in the presence of normal yeast and increases fermentation period (1% dry yeast, 4.5% scleroglucan, 4 h). The solubilization of polysaccharides, primarily beta-glucan, seems to be the main strategy to improve the bread texture

Growth Inhibitory Effect of Anthemis haussknechtii Root Extract, as a Source of Parthenolide, on Breast Cancer Cell Line

Parthenolide is major Sesquiterpene lactones present in Anthemis haussknechtii Boiss. & Reut. (feverfew). This compound has many effects on different disease such as migrain and cancer. Parthenolide was reported from Tanacetum parthenium (L.) Sch.Bip. but other plants of Asteraceae family could contain parthenolide. In this study parthenolide was extracted and identified with two methods, Fourier Transform Infra-Red Spectroscopy (FTIR) and High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC). Breast cancer cell line, MDA-MB-231, was exposed to different concentrations of parthenolide for 24 hours.  Half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) was evaluated using Methylthiazol Tetrazolium (MTT) test. Based on results, 1000 µg/ml concentration is the minimum lethal dose that kills approximately 50% of cells after 24 hours. The results revealed that the A. haussknechtii parthenolide dramatically decreased survival of cancer cell line by inducing apoptosis. This is the first report of cytotoxicity effect of A. haussknechtii extract on breast cancer cell line

Vitamin D Binding Protein as screening biomarker candidate for late-onset preeclampsia without intrauterine growth restriction during 16 week of gestation.

The aim of this investigation was conducted to proteomic analysis of plasma obtained from pregnant women who destined to develop late-onset preeclampsia without intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) during 16th week of gestation. Plasma was obtained from primiparous women during 16th week of gestation. 2-DE proteomic analysis was done for plasma from 11 healthy pregnant women and 11 women who developed preeclampsia later. Using bioinformatic analysis with Progenesis SameSpots ver4.0 software and ANOVA test, expression of 2 spots were statistically different between two groups. In preeclamptic state, expression of both were decreased, one of these spots was vitamin D binding protein (p-value: 0.047), the other one will be discussed in another paper. According to results, we concluded that during 16th week of gestation, occurance of late-onset preeclampsia without IUGR is predictable. During this week, pathology of disease is present and may be the process of placental degeneration and impaired placentation are include in disease pathology.

Mapping 123 million neonatal, infant and child deaths between 2000 and 2017

Since 2000, many countries have achieved considerable success in improving child survival, but localized progress remains unclear. To inform efforts towards United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3.2—to end preventable child deaths by 2030—we need consistently estimated data at the subnational level regarding child mortality rates and trends. Here we quantified, for the period 2000–2017, the subnational variation in mortality rates and number of deaths of neonates, infants and children under 5 years of age within 99 low- and middle-income countries using a geostatistical survival model. We estimated that 32% of children under 5 in these countries lived in districts that had attained rates of 25 or fewer child deaths per 1,000 live births by 2017, and that 58% of child deaths between 2000 and 2017 in these countries could have been averted in the absence of geographical inequality. This study enables the identification of high-mortality clusters, patterns of progress and geographical inequalities to inform appropriate investments and implementations that will help to improve the health of all populations

Determination of LMF binding site on a HSA-PPIX complex in the presence of human holo transferrin from the viewpoint of drug loading on proteins.

Holo transferrin (TF) and the natural complex of human serum albumin and protoporphyrin IX (HSA-PPIX) are two serum carrier proteins that can interact with each other. Such an interaction may alter their binding sites. In this study, fluorescence spectroscopy, as well as zeta potential and molecular modeling techniques, have been used to compare the complexes (HSA-PPIX)-LMF and [(HSA-PPIX)-TF]-LMF. The Ka1, Ka2, values of (HSA-PPIX)-LMF and [(HSA-PPIX)-TF]-LMF were 1.1×10(5) M(-1), 9.7×10(6) M(-1), and 2.0×10(4) M(-1), 1.8×10(5) M(-1), respectively, and the n1, n2 values were respectively 1.19, 1.53 and 1.17, 1.65. The second derivative of the Trp emission scan of (HSA-PPIX)-LMF exhibited one negative band at 310 nm, whereas for the [(HSA-PPIX)-TF]-LMF system, we observed one negative band at 316 nm indicating an increase in polarity around Trp. The effect of TF on the conformation of (HSA-PPIX)-TF was analyzed using three-dimensional fluorescence spectroscopy. The phase diagram indicated that the presence of a second binding site on HSA and TF was due to the existence of intermediate structures. Zeta potential analysis showed that the presence of TF increased the positive charges of the HSA-PPIX system. Site marker experiments revealed that the binding site of LMF to HSA-PPIX changed from Sudlow's site IIA to Sudlow's site IIIB in the presence of TF. Moreover, molecular modeling studies suggested the sub-domain IIIB in HSA as the candidate place for the formation of the binding site of LMF on the (HSA-PPIX)-TF complex

USO DI MATERIA NON SAPONIFICABILE DI OLIO DI SEMI DI VINACCIOLO COME ADDITIVO ANTIOSSIDANTE PER BIODIESEL

The patent uses certain substances of grape seed oil, extracted with hexane, as antioxidants, etc., to increase stability and shelf life of biodiesel yielding a value added to the grape seed oil, remaining after cold pressing. This natural antioxidant used to preserve the biodiesel up to 2 years without problems of oxidation, it is inexpensive, has positive effects on the environment and does not give rise to phenomena of antagonism with biodiesel