Higginsianins A and B, two fungal diterpenoid α-pyrones with cytotoxic activity against human cancer cells

Two new diterpenoid α-pyrones, named higginsianins A and B, were isolated from the mycelium of the microbial fungus Colletotrichum higginsianum grown in liquid culture. In previous studies, we have shown that both compounds reduce viability of different types of cancer cells in culture. Here, we extend our previous observations and explore, at a deeper level, the cellular effects of higginsianins treatment. Higginisianins A and B reduce viability of A431, HeLa and H1299 cancer cells. Both compounds increase the level of the cell cycle inhibitor p21WAF and reduce the rate of cell proliferation. Cell cycle analyses reveal that higginsianins arrest cancer cells in S-phase. Furthermore, cells incubated with higginsianins reveal discrete γ-H2AX positive nuclear foci indicating the occurrence of DNA lesions. At longer incubation times, higginsianins induce massive cell detachment and non-apoptotic cell death. Human primary keratinocytes and spontaneously immortalized Hacat cells, a preneoplastic cell line model, are less sensitive to higginsianins effects. These findings suggest that higginsianins exhibit considerable cytotoxicity against a wide spectrum of malignant cells and may be considered as promising anticancer agents

In Vitro and In Vivo Toxicity Evaluation of Natural Products with Potential Applications as Biopesticides

The use of natural products in agriculture as pesticides has been strongly advocated. However, it is necessary to assess their toxicity to ensure their safe use. In the present study, mammalian cell lines and fish models of the zebrafish (Danio rerio) and medaka (Oryzias latipes) have been used to investigate the toxic effects of ten natural products which have potential applications as biopesticides. The fungal metabolites cavoxin, epi-epoformin, papyracillic acid, seiridin and sphaeropsidone, together with the plant compounds inuloxins A and C and ungeremine, showed no toxic effects in mammalian cells and zebrafish embryos. Conversely, cyclopaldic and α-costic acids, produced by Seiridium cupressi and Dittrichia viscosa, respectively, caused significant mortality in zebrafish and medaka embryos as a result of yolk coagulation. However, both compounds showed little effect in zebrafish or mammalian cell lines in culture, thus highlighting the importance of the fish embryotoxicity test in the assessment of environmental impact. Given the embryotoxicity of α-costic acid and cyclopaldic acid, their use as biopesticides is not recommended. Further ecotoxicological studies are needed to evaluate the potential applications of the other compounds

SimSat Educational Program Development

The Simulated Satellite (SimSat) Project is a NASA educational outreach program. The main goal of this project was to design, build, test, document, and fly a SimSat payload for high school students to replicate. We defined design requirements and divided the project into subsystems. Each subsystem was then developed and tested independently, followed by integration and testing of the entire system prototype. Once the prototype was finished we conducted two successful test flights at NASA Wallops Flight Facility. Finally we analyzed the results and concluded that our design met all of the system requirements

The socioeconomic impact of the Swiss Federal Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research

Research centers across the world spur scientific discovery and technological innovation. However, research institutes require financial support to conduct and expand their research. As an internationally recognized institution, the SLF has profound effects on the local economy, provides a range of educational benefits, and positively affects the people of Davos and Graubunden. We assessed its contributions in these areas by examining SLF records, surveys of Institute employees and conference participants, the SLF's educational programs, and the Avalanche Bulletin, and trends in avalanche damages

Radicinin, a fungal phytotoxin as a target-specific bioherbicide for invasive buffelgrass (cenchrus ciliaris) control

The fungal pathogens Cochliobolus australiensis and Pyricularia grisea have recently been isolated from diseased leaves of buffelgrass (Cenchrus ciliaris) in its North American range, and their ability to produce phytotoxic metabolites that could potentially be used as natural herbicides against this invasive weed was investigated. Fourteen secondary metabolites obtained from in vitro cultures of these two pathogens were tested by leaf puncture assay on the host plant at different concentrations. Radicinin and (10S, 11S)-epi-pyriculol proved to be the most promising compounds. Thus, their phytotoxic activity was also evaluated on non-host indigenous plants. Radicinin demonstrated high target-specific toxicity on buffelgrass, low toxicity to native plants, and no teratogenic, sub-lethal, or lethal effects on zebrafish (Brachydanio rerio) embryos. It is now under consideration for the development of a target-specific bioherbicide to be used against buffelgrass in natural systems where synthetic herbicides cause excessive damage to native plants