Phytochemical, antimicrobial, antioxidant and antigenotoxic potentials of Cyperus rotundus extracts

AbstractThe aqueous, ethyl acetate, methanolic and Total Oligomer Flavonoids (TOF) enriched extracts, obtained from the aerial parts of Cyperus rotundus, were investigated for their contents in phenolic compounds. Antioxidative activity using the NBT/riboflavin assay system, antimicrobial activity against Gram positive and Gram negative bacterial reference strains as well as antigenotoxic activity tested with the SOS chromotest assay were also studied. Significant antibacterial activity against reference strains; Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis, Salmonella enteritidis and Salmonella typhimurium, was detected in the presence of ethyl acetate and TOF enriched extracts. In addition to their antimicrobial activity, the same extracts showed a significant ability to inhibit nitroblue tetrazolium reduction by the superoxide radical in a non enzymatic O2.− generating system, and were also able to reduce significantly the genotoxicity induced by nifuroxazide and Aflatoxin B1. The antioxidant, antimicrobial and antigenotoxic activities exhibited by C. rotundus depend on the chemical composition of the tested extracts

Vibrational Enhancement of the Effective Donor - Acceptor Coupling

The paper deals with a simple three sites model for charge transfer phenomena in an one-dimensional donor (D) - bridge (B) - acceptor (A) system coupled with vibrational dynamics of the B site. It is found that in a certain range of parameters the vibrational coupling leads to an enhancement of the effective donor - acceptor electronic coupling as a result of the formation of the polaron on the B site. This enhancement of the charge transfer efficiency is maximum at the resonance, where the effective energy of the fluctuating B site coincides with the donor (acceptor) energy.Comment: 5 pages, 3 figure

Physical and functional properties of fish gelatin-based film incorporated with mangrove extracts

Background. The fishery processing industry produces a remarkable number of by-products daily. Fish skin accounts for one of the significant wastes produced. Fish skin, however, can be subjected to extraction to yield gelatine and used as the primary raw material for edible film production. To increase the functionality of edible films, bioactive compounds can be incorporated into packaging. Mangroves produce potential bioactive compounds that are suitable as additional agents for active packaging. This study aimed to create a fish gelatine-based edible film enriched with mangrove extracts and to observe its mechanical and biological properties. Methods. Two mangrove species (Bruguiera gymnorhiza and Sonneratia alba) with four extract concentrations (control, 0.05%, 0.15%, 0.25%, and 0.35%) were used to enrich edible films. The elongation, water vapour transmission, thickness, tensile strength, moisture content, antioxidant and antibacterial properties of the resulting packaging were analysed. Results. The results showed that the mangrove species and extract concentration significantly affected (p < 0.05) the physical properties of the treated films such as elongation (16.89–19.38%), water vapour transmission (13.31–13.59 g/m2 ), and active packaging-antioxidant activities (12.36%–60.98%). The thickness, tensile strength, and water content were not significantly affected. Potent antioxidant activity and relatively weak antimicrobial activity of this active gelatine packaging were observed

Evidence for rangewide panmixia despite multiple barriers to dispersal in a marine mussel

Oceanographic features shape the distributional and genetic patterns of marine species by interrupting or promoting connections among populations. Although general patterns commonly arise, distributional ranges and genetic structure are species-specific and do not always comply with the expected trends. By applying a multimarker genetic approach combined with Lagrangian particle simulations (LPS) we tested the hypothesis that oceanographic features along northeastern Atlantic and Mediterranean shores influence dispersal potential and genetic structure of the intertidal mussel Perna perna. Additionally, by performing environmental niche modelling we assessed the potential and realized niche of P. perna along its entire native distributional range and the environmental factors that best explain its realized distribution. Perna perna showed evidence of panmixia across > 4,000 km despite several oceanographic breaking points detected by LPS. This is probably the result of a combination of life history traits, continuous habitat availability and stepping-stone dynamics. Moreover, the niche modelling framework depicted minimum sea surface temperatures (SST) as the major factor shaping P. perna distributional range limits along its native areas. Forthcoming warming SST is expected to further change these limits and allow the species to expand its range polewards though this may be accompanied by retreat from warmer areas.Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia (FCT-MEC, Portugal) [UID/Multi/04326/2013, IF/01413/2014/CP1217/CT0004]; South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI) of the Department of Science and Technology; National Research Foundation; South African National Research Foundation (NRF); Portuguese Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia (FCT) [SFRH/BPD/85040/2012, SFRH/BPD/111003/2015]info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

TRAPPIST Habitable Atmosphere Intercomparison (THAI) workshop report

This is the final version. Available on open access from IOP Publishing via the DOI in this recordThe era of atmospheric characterization of terrestrial exoplanets is just around the corner. Modeling prior to observations is crucial in order to predict the observational challenges and to prepare for the data interpretation. This paper presents the report of the TRAPPIST Habitable Atmosphere Intercomparison (THAI) workshop (14-16 September 2020). A review of the climate models and parameterizations of the atmospheric processes on terrestrial exoplanets, model advancements and limitations, as well as direction for future model development was discussed. We hope that this report will be used as a roadmap for future numerical simulations of exoplanet atmospheres and maintaining strong connections to the astronomical community

D 3. 3 Final performance results and consolidated view on the most promising multi -node/multi -antenna transmission technologies

This document provides the most recent updates on the technical contributions and research challenges focused in WP3. Each Technology Component (TeC) has been evaluated under possible uniform assessment framework of WP3 which is based on the simulation guidelines of WP6. The performance assessment is supported by the simulation results which are in their mature and stable state. An update on the Most Promising Technology Approaches (MPTAs) and their associated TeCs is the main focus of this document. Based on the input of all the TeCs in WP3, a consolidated view of WP3 on the role of multinode/multi-antenna transmission technologies in 5G systems has also been provided. This consolidated view is further supported in this document by the presentation of the impact of MPTAs on METIS scenarios and the addressed METIS goals.Aziz, D.; Baracca, P.; De Carvalho, E.; Fantini, R.; Rajatheva, N.; Popovski, P.; Sørensen, JH.... (2015). D 3. 3 Final performance results and consolidated view on the most promising multi -node/multi -antenna transmission technologies. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/7675

D3.2 First performance results for multi -node/multi -antenna transmission technologies

This deliverable describes the current results of the multi-node/multi-antenna technologies investigated within METIS and analyses the interactions within and outside Work Package 3. Furthermore, it identifies the most promising technologies based on the current state of obtained results. This document provides a brief overview of the results in its first part. The second part, namely the Appendix, further details the results, describes the simulation alignment efforts conducted in the Work Package and the interaction of the Test Cases. The results described here show that the investigations conducted in Work Package 3 are maturing resulting in valuable innovative solutions for future 5G systems.Fantini. R.; Santos, A.; De Carvalho, E.; Rajatheva, N.; Popovski, P.; Baracca, P.; Aziz, D.... (2014). D3.2 First performance results for multi -node/multi -antenna transmission technologies. http://hdl.handle.net/10251/7675

- Establishment of normal and transformed root cultures of Artemisia annua L. for artemisinin production.

Transformed cultures of Artemisia annua L. (Asteraceae) were established by the co-culture method using leaf segments of A. annua and Agrobacterium rhizogenes NCIB 8196 or MAFF 03-01724. The hairy root clones thus obtained grew vigorously on hormone-free medium, showing the typical transformed morphology. The genetic transformation of the root was proved by the opine assay. Normal root and shoot cultures were also established. A highly specific and sensitive enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay (ELISA) method was used for the detection and semi-quantitative determination of artemisinin and structurally related compounds in these cultures. The presence of artemisinin was confirmed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. The hairy roots cultured in the dark produced no detectable level of artemisinin as shown by the adventitious shoots cultured under light conditions. The ELISA analysis of the green hairy roots cultured in liquid medium under a 16 h light/day photoperiod showed the existence of compound(s) structurally related to artemisinin, though normal and hairy roots cultured in the dark give no detectable levels of immuno-signal