A 31P nuclear magnetic resonance study of phosphate levels in roots of ectomycorrhizal and nonmycorrhizal plants of Castanea sativa Mill.

31P-Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) was used to assess phosphate distribution in ectomycorrhizal and nonmycorrhizal roots of Castanea sativa Mill. as well as in the mycorrhizal fungus Pisolithus tinctorius in order to gain insight into phosphate trafficking in these systems. The fungus P. tinctorius accumulated high levels of polyphosphates during the rapid phase of growth. Mycorrhizal and nonmycorrhizal roots accumulate orthophosphate. Only mycorrhizal roots presented polyphosphates. The content in polyphosphates increased along the 3 months of mycorrhiza formation. In mycorrhizal roots of plants cultured under axenic conditions, the orthophosphate pool decreased along the culture time. In nonmycorrhizal roots the decrease in the orthophosphate content was less pronounced. The level of orthophosphate in mycorrhizal roots was significantly lower than in nonmycorrhizal ones, which indicates that this system relies upon the fungal polyphosphates as a major source of phosphate

2-Styrylchromones as novel inhibitors of xanthine oxidase. A structure-activity study

The purpose of this study was the evaluation of the xanthine oxidase (XO) inhibition produced by some synthetic 2-styrylchromones. Ten polyhydroxylated derivatives with several substitution patterns were synthesised, and these and a positive control, allopurinol, were tested for their effects on XO activity by measuring the formation of uric acid from xanthine. The synthesised 2-styrylchromones inhibited xanthine oxidase in a concentration-dependent and non-competitive manner. Some IC50 values found were as low as 0.55mM, which, by comparison with the IC50 found for allopurinol (5.43 mM), indicates promising new inhibitors. Those 2-styrylchromones found to be potent XO inhibitors should be further evaluated as potential agents for the treatment of pathologies related to the enzyme’s activity, as is the case of gout, ischaemia/ reperfusion damage, hypertension, hepatitis and cancer

Reactivation of wild-type and mutant p53 by tryptophanolderived oxazoloisoindolinone SLMP53-1:a novel anticancer small-molecule

Restoration of the p53 pathway, namely by reactivation of mutant (mut) p53, represents a valuable anticancer strategy. Herein, we report the identification of the enantiopure tryptophanol-derived oxazoloisoindolinone SLMP53-1 as a novel reactivator of wild-type (wt) and mut p53, using a yeast-based screening strategy. SLMP53-1 has a p53-dependent anti-proliferative activity in human wt and mut p53R280K-expressing tumor cells. Additionally, SLMP53-1 enhances p53 transcriptional activity and restores wt-like DNA binding ability to mut p53R280K. In wt/mut p53-expressing tumor cells, SLMP53-1 triggers p53 transcription-dependent and mitochondrial apoptotic pathways involving BAX, and wt/mut p53 mitochondrial translocation. SLMP53-1 inhibits the migration of wt/mut p53-expressing tumor cells, and it shows promising p53-dependent synergistic effects with conventional chemotherapeutics. In xenograft mice models, SLMP53-1 inhibits the growth of wt/mut p53-expressing tumors, but not of p53-null tumors, without apparent toxicity. Collectively, besides the potential use of SLMP53-1 as anticancer drug, the tryptophanol-derived oxazoloisoindolinone scaffold represents a promissing starting point for the development of effective p53-reactivating drugs

Accumulation and translocation of trace elements in Cistus ladanifer L. from IPB portuguese mining areas

The accumulation and translocation of As, Cu, Pb and Zn in different Cistus ladanifer L. populations colonizing mine areas of Brancanes, Sao Domingos, Chanca and Caveira (Portuguese Iberian Pyrite Belt) and two control areas (Caldeirao and Pomarao) was evaluated. Soils from Sao Domingos and Caveira presented the greatest total concentrations of As, Cu and Pb. Brancanes and Chanca mine areas might be considered in natural attenuation processes relatively to the past mining activity that cessed about one century ago. Plants are, except those from Caveira mine area, Zn accumulators. The concentration of Pb in plants (aerial part) from the control and Sao Domingos areas are within the range considered phytotoxic. Trace elements concentrations in plants are below the domestic animal toxicity limits. Cistus ladanifer might be used in phytostabilization programs of other mine areas as trace elements concentrations in soils did not influence the behaviour of the different plant population

PESCA SUSTENTÁVEL – A IMPORTÂNCIA DE DIVERSIFICAR O CONSUMO DE PESCADO

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Phenolic composition and cell-based biological activities of ten coloured potato peels (Solanum tuberosum L.)

The present study provides an in-depth characterisation of the non-anthocyanin and anthocyanin phenolic compounds of potato peels from ten coloured potato varieties. Furthermore, the underexplored bioactive potential (antioxidant, cytotoxic and anti-inflammatory capacities) of the studied peels is comprehensively analysed. Among non-anthocyanin phenolics, caffeic and a caffeoylquinic acid were found in the highest concentrations in all samples, which also showed the presence of O-glycosylated flavonol derivatives and polyamine derivatives. Acylated anthocyanins were identified in red and purple varieties, being pelargonidin, peonidin, and malvidin the most prominent aglycones. All samples revealed antioxidant and antitumor activities, and no toxic effect. The extract of the Rosemary variety presented the best antioxidant and antitumor outcomes and was the only sample to reveal anti-inflammatory activity. These results are valuable for the food-industry by adding value to an important bio-residue, particularly concerning its potential as natural ingredients in novel food and pharmaceutical formulations.The authors are grateful to the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) for financial support by national funds FCT/ MCTES to CIMO (UIDB/00690/2020); the national funding by FCT, P.I., through the institutional scientific employment program-contract for L. Barros, Maria Inês Dias and C. Pereira contracts; to FEDER-Interreg España-Portugal programme through the project TRANSCoLAB 0612_TRANS_CO_LAB_2_P; to the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Regional Operational Program North 2020, within the scope of Project Mobilizador Norte-01-0247-FEDER-024479: ValorNatural ®; and also to the Ministry of Education, Science and Technological Development of Republic of Serbia (451-03-68/2020-14/200007). GIP-USAL is financially supported by the Spanish Government through the project AGL2015-64522-C2-2-R. S. Sampaio acknowledges CAPES Foundation (Ministry of Education, Brazil) for her PhD grant no. 99999.001423/2015-00.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

As bases farmacológicas dos cuidados farmacêuticos: o caso dos AINEs

Polypharmacy – a frequent situation found among the elderly, related to their physiological changes and multiple morbidities – increases the risk of adverse reactions, interactions, drugs misuse and drug-related problems. Knowing that non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are widely used among the elderly, the aims of the present study were to assess the potential interactions that may occur between prescribed NSAIDs and other drugs and to create a list of recommendations for monitoring elderly patients taking NSAIDs, in order to prevent or minimize those negative outcomes. With this purpose, a retrospective study was performed at Centro de Saúde de Eiras (Coimbra, Portugal). The study involved the systematic analyses of the medication regimens of a sample of elderly patients selected from the elderly population of this primary health care unit. Eligible subjects were patients aging 65 or more years and at least with one NSAID included in their therapeutic schemes in the last three months. A total of 37 prescribed NSAIDs were found in the 29 patients of the sample. 125 potential NSAID-drug interactions were found: 2 minor and 123 moderate. Most interactions occurred between NSAIDs and anti- hypertensive drugs, such as diuretics (17.6%), angiotensin receptor blockers (14.4%), calcium channel block- ers (12.0%) and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (8.8%). The prevalence of interactions between NSAIDs was 12.8%. These interactions can cause adverse effects with particular manifestations in the elderly, such as renal impairment and increased blood pressure. The pharmacist can develop a relevant role in services such as medication review, to identify these potential interactions, or pharmacotherapy follow-up, in the management of these situations when properly identified. Stresses the importance of positive interaction with General and Family Practice for the safe and efficiency of therapies. A polimedicação aumenta o risco de reações adversas, interações e uso incorreto dos medicamentos. Nos idosos é bastante prevalente, potenciando ainda mais os problemas relacionados com os medicamentos, uma vez que estes também resultam das alterações fisiológicas e multimorbilidades do envelhecimento. Sabendo que os anti-inflamatórios não esteroides (AINEs) são fármacos muito usados pelos idosos, foram objetivos deste trabalho caracterizar potenciais interações entre AINEs prescritos e a restante medicação em idosos e criar uma lista de recomendações relacionadas com a monitorização destes doentes, de modo a evitar ou detetar precocemente tais interações. Análise retrospetiva dos dados referentes à medicação prescrita de uma amostra de idosos de uma Unidade de Cuidados de Saúde Primários (Centro de Saúde de Eiras, Coimbra, Portugal) presentes numa consulta médica entre 2 e 16 de janeiro de 2012. Foram revistos os regimes farmacoterapêuticos de 29 doentes a tomar pelo menos 1 AINE, cerca de 3 meses antes da recolha de dados, num total de 37 AINEs prescritos. Foram encontradas 123 interações moderadas e 2 minor. As principais interações ocorreram entre AINEs e diuréticos (17,6%), antagonistas dos recetores da angiotensina (14,4%), bloqueadores da entrada do cálcio (12,0%) e inibidores da enzima de conversão da angiotensina (8,8%). A prevalência de interações entre AINEs foi de 12,8%. Elaborou-se uma lista de recomendações para monitorização dos doentes quando não se podem evitar as ditas interações. Estas interações devem ser tidas em conta no momento da prescrição e cedência de AINEs, pois podem desencadear efeitos negativos tais como alterações renais e aumento da pressão arterial. O farmacêutico pode desenvolver um papel relevante em serviços como a revisão da medicação, para identificar estas interações potenciais, ou no acompanhamento farmacoterapêutico, na gestão destas situações quando devidamente identificadas. Salienta-se a importância da interação positiva com a Medicina Geral e Familiar para a segurança e a eficiência das terapêuticas.

Green manure in coffee systems in the region of Zona da Mata, Minas Gerais: characteristics and kinetics of carbon and nitrogen mineralization.

The use of green manure may contribute to reduce soil erosion and increase the soil organic matter content and N availability in coffee plantations in the Zona da Mata, State of Minas Gerais, in Southeastern Brazil. The potential of four legumes (A. pintoi, C. mucunoides, S. aterrimum and S. guianensis)to produce above-ground biomass, accumulate nutrients and mineralize N was studied in two coffee plantations of subsistence farmers under different climate conditions. The biomass production of C. mucunoides was influenced by the shade of the coffee plantation.C. mucunoides tended to mineralize more N than the other legumes due to the low polyphenol content and polyphenol/N ratio. In the first year, the crop establishment of A. pintoi in the area took longer than of the other legumes, resulting in lower biomass production and N2 fixation. In the long term, cellulose was the main factor controlling N mineralization. The biochemical characteristics, nutrient accumulation and biomass production of the legumes were greatly influenced by the altitude and position of the area relative to the sun