Volatile Molecule Profiles and Anti-Listeria monocytogenes Activity of Nisin Producers Lactococcus lactis Strains in Vegetable Drinks

This work aimed to evaluate the potential of 15 nisin producing Lactococcus lactis strains, isolated from dairy products, for the fermentation of soymilk and carrot juice. In particular, the acidification and the production of nisin in the food matrices were recorded. Moreover, three strains (LBG2, FBG1P, and 3LC39), that showed the most promising results were further scrutinized for their anti-Listeria monocytogenes activity and volatile molecules profile during fermentation of soymilk and carrot juice. Lactococcus lactis strains LBG2, FBG1P, and 3LC39 resulted the most interesting ones, showing rapid growth and acidification on both food matrices. The higher amounts of nisin were detected in soymilk samples fermented by the strain LBG2 after 24 and 48 h (26.4 mg/L). Furthermore, the rapid acidification combined with the production of nisin resulted in a strong anti-Listeria activity, reducing the pathogen loads below the detection limit, in carrot juice samples fermented by the strains LBG2 and FBG1P and in soymilk by the strain LBG2. The fermentation increased the presence of volatile molecules such as aldehydes and ketones with a positive impact on the organoleptic profile of both the fermented products. These results highlighted the interesting potential of three nisin producing L. lactis strains for the production of fermented carrot juice and soymilk. In fact, the fermentation by lactic acid bacteria, combined or not with other mild technologies, represents a good strategy for the microbiological stabilization of these products. Furthermore, the increase of molecules with a positive sensory impact, such as aldehydes and ketones, in the fermented products suggests a possible improvement of their organoleptic characteristic

Volatile Molecule Profiles and Anti-Listeria monocytogenes Activity of Nisin Producers Lactococcus lactis Strains in Vegetable Drinks

This work aimed to evaluate the potential of 15 nisin producing Lactococcus lactis strains, isolated from dairy products, for the fermentation of soymilk and carrot juice. In particular, the acidification and the production of nisin in the food matrices were recorded. Moreover, three strains (LBG2, FBG1P, and 3LC39), that showed the most promising results were further scrutinized for their anti-Listeria monocytogenes activity and volatile molecules profile during fermentation of soymilk and carrot juice. Lactococcus lactis strains LBG2, FBG1P, and 3LC39 resulted the most interesting ones, showing rapid growth and acidification on both food matrices. The higher amounts of nisin were detected in soymilk samples fermented by the strain LBG2 after 24 and 48 h (26.4 mg/L). Furthermore, the rapid acidification combined with the production of nisin resulted in a strong anti-Listeria activity, reducing the pathogen loads below the detection limit, in carrot juice samples fermented by the strains LBG2 and FBG1P and in soymilk by the strain LBG2. The fermentation increased the presence of volatile molecules such as aldehydes and ketones with a positive impact on the organoleptic profile of both the fermented products. These results highlighted the interesting potential of three nisin producing L. lactis strains for the production of fermented carrot juice and soymilk. In fact, the fermentation by lactic acid bacteria, combined or not with other mild technologies, represents a good strategy for the microbiological stabilization of these products. Furthermore, the increase of molecules with a positive sensory impact, such as aldehydes and ketones, in the fermented products suggests a possible improvement of their organoleptic characteristics

Natural iminosugar (+)-lentiginosine inhibits ATPase and chaperone activity of Hsp90

Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) is a significant target in the development of rational cancer therapy due to its role at the crossroads of multiple signaling pathways associated with cell proliferation and cell viability. The relevance of Hsp90 as a therapeutic target for numerous diseases states has prompted the identification and optimization of novel Hsp90 inhibitors as an emerging therapeutic strategy. We performed a screening aimed to identify novel Hsp90 inhibitors among several natural compounds and we focused on the iminosugar (+)-lentiginosine, a natural amyloglucosidases inhibitor, for its peculiar bioactivity profile. Characterization of Hsp90 inhibition was performed using a panel of chemical and biological approaches, including limited proteolysis, biochemical and cellular assays. Our result suggested that the middle domain of Hsp90, as opposed to its ATP-binding pocket, is a promising binding site for new classes of Hsp90 inhibitors with multitarget anti-cancer potentia

Natural iminosugar (+)-lentiginosine inhibits ATPase and chaperone activity of Hsp90

Heat shock protein 90 (Hsp90) is a significant target in the development of rational cancer therapy due to its role at the crossroads of multiple signaling pathways associated with cell proliferation and cell viability. The relevance of Hsp90 as a therapeutic target for numerous diseases states has prompted the identification and optimization of novel Hsp90 inhibitors as an emerging therapeutic strategy. We performed a screening aimed to identify novel Hsp90 inhibitors among several natural compounds and we focused on the iminosugar (+)-lentiginosine, a natural amyloglucosidases inhibitor, for its peculiar bioactivity profile. Characterization of Hsp90 inhibition was performed using a panel of chemical and biological approaches, including limited proteolysis, biochemical and cellular assays. Our result suggested that the middle domain of Hsp90, as opposed to its ATP-binding pocket, is a promising binding site for new classes of Hsp90 inhibitors with multi-target anti-cancer potential

Antibacterial activity and molecular docking studies of a selected series of Hydroxy-3-arylcoumarins

Antibiotic resistance is one of the main public health concerns of this century. This resistance is also associated with oxidative stress, which could contribute to the selection of resistant bacterial strains. Bearing this in mind, and considering that flavonoid compounds are well known for displaying both activities, we investigated a series of hydroxy-3-arylcoumarins with structural features of flavonoids for their antibacterial activity against different bacterial strains. Active compounds showed selectivity against the studied Gram-positive bacteria compared to Gram-negative bacteria. 5,7-Dihydroxy-3-phenylcoumarin (compound 8) displayed the best antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus cereus with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 11 µg/mL, followed by Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA strain) and Listeria monocytogenes with MICs of 22 and 44 µg/mL, respectively. Moreover, molecular docking studies performed on the most active compounds against Staphylococcus aureus tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase and topoisomerase II DNA gyrase revealed the potential binding mode of the ligands to the site of the appropriate targets. Preliminary structure–activity relationship studies showed that the antibacterial activity can be modulated by the presence of the 3-phenyl ring and by the position of the hydroxyl groups at the coumarin scaffoldThis work was partially supported by a grant from the University of Cagliari (FIR) and by Galician Plan of Research, Innovation and Growth 2011–2015 (Xunta da Galicia Plan I2C, ED481B 2014/086–0 and ED481B 2018/007S

Detection of high mobility group A2 specific mRNA in the plasma of patients affected by epithelial ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer is the most lethal gynecological malignancy and the high mortality rate is associated with advanced-stage disease at the time of the diagnosis. In order to find new tools to make diagnosis of Epithelial Ovarian Cancer (EOC) at early stages we have analyzed the presence of specific HMGA2 mRNA in the plasma of patients affected by this neoplasm. HMGA2 overexpression represents a feature of several malignances including ovarian carcinomas. Notably, we detected HMGA2 specific mRNA in the plasma of 40 out 47 patients with EOC, but not in the plasma of healthy donors. All cases found positive for HMGA2 mRNA in the plasma showed HMGA2 protein expression in EOC tissues. Therefore, on the basis of these results, the analysis of circulating HMGA2 specific mRNA might be considered a very promising tool for the early diagnosis of EOC

Performing oncological procedures during COVID-19 outbreak: a picture from an Italian cancer center

Aim: Since SARS-CoV-2 infection rapidly spread around the world, Italy has quickly become one of the most affected countries. Healthcare systems introduced strict infection control measures to ensure optimal care, especially in frail groups such as cancer patients (pts). This study investigated the efficacy of SARS-CoV-2 pre-procedure screening and whether COVID-19 influenced timely diagnosis and therapy. Methods: Data of oncological procedures of pts with confirmed or suspected cancer diagnosis, treated at Oncology Department or coming from Emergency Department of San Luigi Gonzaga Hospital between June 2020 and March 2021 were retrospectively collected. A nasopharyngeal swab (NPS) was performed in outpatients 24/48 h before procedures. Inpatients were tested by NPS before and after hospitalization. Results: Two hundred and twenty-one pts were included in this analysis. Median age was 73 years, males were 58%. Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) Performance Status was 0 or 1 in 88% of pts. The most frequent cancer type was lung cancer (57%). Stages IV were 77%. Two hundred and forty-three scheduled procedures were performed with diagnostic (n: 142; 58%), therapeutic (n: 55; 23%), and palliative (n: 46; 19%) intent. One hundred and four and 139 procedures were performed in out- and in-pts, respectively. Of the 234 NPS performed, 10 (4%) were positive. Two pts were infected during hospitalization, 8 in community. Most of them were asymptomatic, while only 2 had mild symptoms. Eight procedures (3%) were postponed, 1 cancelled, while 2 were performed in positive pts. Median time to resolution of the infection was 17 days (11–36). Median delay in the procedures was 25 days (14–55). Five pts started systemic treatment, after a median time of 37.5 days (13–57). Conclusions: SARS-CoV-2 infection led to the postponement of a small, but not negligible percentage of oncological procedures. However, the low infection rate observed suggests that structured screening for COVID-19 is critical for the best management of scheduled procedures during pandemic

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of a γ-Cyclodextrin-based Formulation of the Anticancer Agent 5,6,11,12,17,18,23,24-Octahydrocyclododeca[1,2-b:4,5-b’:7,8-b’’:10,11-b’’’]tetraindole (CTet)

none10sìopenLucarini, Simone; DE SANTI, Mauro; Antonietti, Francesca; Brandi, Giorgio; Diamantini, Giuseppe; Fraternale, Alessandra; Paoletti, MARIA FILOMENA; Tontini, Andrea; Magnani, Mauro; Duranti, AndreaLucarini, Simone; DE SANTI, Mauro; Antonietti, Francesca; Brandi, Giorgio; Diamantini, Giuseppe; Fraternale, Alessandra; Paoletti, MARIA FILOMENA; Tontini, Andrea; Magnani, Mauro; Duranti, Andre