Palmitic Acid and Ergosta-7,22-dien-3-ol Contribute to the Apoptotic Effect and Cell Cycle Arrest of an Extract from Marthasterias glacialis L. in Neuroblastoma Cells

We describe the effect of a chemically characterized lipophilic extract obtained from Marthasterias glacialis L. against human breast cancer (MCF-7) and human neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) cell lines. Evaluation of DNA synthesis revealed that both cell lines were markedly affected in a concentration-dependent way, the SH-SY5Y cell line being more susceptible. Cell cycle arrest was observed, an effect induced by the sterol, ergosta-7,22-dien-3-ol, present in the extract. Morphological evaluation of treated cells showed the advent of lipid droplets and chromatin condensation compatible with apoptosis, which was confirmed by the evaluation of caspase-3 and -9 activities. Palmitic acid was the main compound responsible for this apoptotic effect by a ceramide-independent mechanism that involved endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-stress with upregulation of CCAAT/-enhancer-binding protein homologous protein (CHOP).     

Antiplatelet and Anticoagulant Effects of Diterpenes Isolated from the Marine Alga,Dictyota menstrualis

Cardiovascular diseases represent a major cause of disability and death worldwide. Therapeutics are available, but they often have unsatisfactory results and may produce side effects. Alternative treatments based on the use of natural products have been extensively investigated, because of their low toxicity and side effects. Marine organisms are prime candidates for such products, as they are sources of numerous and complex substances with ecological and pharmacological effects. In this work, we investigated, through in vitro experiments, the effects of three diterpenes (pachydictyol A, isopachydictyol A and dichotomanol) from the Brazilian marine alga, Dictyota menstrualis, on platelet aggregation and plasma coagulation. Results showed that dichotomanol inhibited ADP- or collagen-induced aggregation of platelet-rich plasma (PRP), but failed to inhibit washed platelets (WP). In contrast, pachydictyol A and isopachydictyol A failed to inhibit the aggregation of PRP, but inhibited WP aggregation induced by collagen or thrombin. These diterpenes also inhibited coagulation analyzed by the prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time and on commercial fibrinogen. Moreover, diterpenes inhibited the catalytic activity of thrombin. Theoretical studies using the Osiris Property Explorer software showed that diterpenes have low theoretical toxicity profiles and a drug-score similar to commercial anticoagulant drugs. In conclusion, these diterpenes are promising candidates for use in anticoagulant therapy, and this study also highlights the biotechnological potential of oceans and the importance of bioprospecting to develop medicines.     

Deposition of gold mining tailings in tropical soils: metal pollution and toxicity to earthworms

Journal of Soils and Sediments - This study consists of the evaluation of metals acute toxicity levels taking into consideration a hypothetic scenario of dam breaking and land deposition of two...     

Reservoir sediment characterisation by diffuse reflectance spectroscopy in a semiarid region to support sediment reuse for soil fertilization

Journal of Soils and Sediments - Soil erosion by water yields sediment to surface reservoirs, reducing their storage capacities, changing their geometry, and degrading water quality. Sediment...     

两种土壤碱解氮测定方法的比较

测量土壤碱解氮含量过去一般使用碱解扩散吸收法,试验研究旨在使用德国GERHARD凯氏定氮蒸馏法测定土壤碱解氮,对凯氏定氮蒸馏法进行了改进,确定了合适的蒸馏时间和蒸馏效率,与传统碱解扩散法相比,测量结果更准确,紧密度更高,操作简便,节省时间,为土壤碱解氮含量测定提供了一种准确、快速、高效的测定方法。     

兰州市园林绿化用土及绿地土壤质量管理现状与对策

通过研究分析表明：兰州市园林绿化用土紧缺，绿地土壤存在密实度高、有机质含量低、污染严重、土源短缺、养护管理缺乏科学性等问题，必须提高土壤改良的科学性和管理的有效性，确保兰州市园林绿化事业的可持续发展。     

The role of TF-1 cell apoptosis-related gene 19 in systemic lupus erythematosus

AIM:To clarify the role of new apoptosis-related gene, TF-1 cell apoptosis-related gene 19(TFAR19), in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosis (SLE) and the relationship between TFAR19 and SLE.METHODS:DNA Ladder detection, Western blotting, immunological fluorescence method, ELISA and so on were used to test if ultraviolet B(UVB) could induce HaCaT cell apoptosis and TFAR19 expression.RESULTS:HaCaT cell apoptosis could be detected after 24 hours of 30 mj/cm² UVB irradiation. Also, we found that in active SLE patients, the TFAR19 antibody was increased, but not significant compared to the normal control.CONCLUSION:TFAR 19 is involved in the process of UVB induced ketatinocyte line HaCaT apoptosis and SLE pathogenesis.     

水分胁迫下华山松抗腐烂病的研究

用不同浓度的聚乙二醇（PEG6000）对华山松幼苗进行诱导水分胁迫，树皮的相对膨胀度（RT值）随PEG浓度的增大而下降；且树皮内的酚类物质含量、多酚氧酶（PPO）活性和苯丙氨酸解氨酶（PAL）活性均有所降低，过氧化物酶（POD）活性升高。说明水分状况直接影响着华山松的抗病性。4种酚类物质抑菌试验表明，一定浓度下酚类物质对腐烂病病原菌松黑腐皮壳（Valsa pirni Fr.)菌丝体生长有抑制作用，以香草醛和邻苯二酚抑菌能力最强。     

Nasopharyngeal cryptococcosis

Naturally occurring cryptococcosis in five cats, a dog and a koala is described. Involvement of the nasopharynx was documented in all patients, and nasopharyngeal mass lesions accounted for the major presenting complaints in four. Signs referable to nasopharyngeal disease included snoring, stertor, inspiratory dyspnoea and aerophagia. Diagnoses were made by caudal rhinoscopy using a retroverted flexible endoscope, vigorous orthograde flushing with saline, or at necropsy. Concurrent cryptococcal rhinitis was present in all cases, although involvement appeared limited to the caudal nasal cavity in most cases. Typical signs of nasal cavity disease, such as sneezing and nasal discharge, were often absent. Treatment of nasopharyngeal cryptococcosis should include physical dislodgement or debulking of lesion(s) to provide immediate alleviation of upper airway obstruction, followed by systemic antifungal therapy to eliminate residual infection from the nasal cavity. Infections caused by Cryptococcus neoformans var gattii accounted for a disproportionately large number of these cases.     

Effects of remifentanil infusion regimens on cardiovascular function and responses to noxious stimulation in propofol-anesthetized cats

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of 2 remifentanil infusion regimens on cardiovascular function and responses to nociceptive stimulation in propofol-anesthetized cats. ANIMALS: 8 adult cats. PROCEDURES: On 2 occasions, cats received acepromazine followed by propofol (6 mg/kg then 0.3 mg/kg/min, i.v.) and a constant rate infusion (CRI) of remifentanil (0.2 or 0.3 microg/kg/ min, i.v.) for 90 minutes and underwent mechanical ventilation (phase I). After recording physiologic variables, an electrical stimulus (50 V; 50 Hz; 10 milliseconds) was applied to a forelimb to assess motor responses to nociceptive stimulation. After an interval (> or = 10 days), the same cats were anesthetized via administration of acepromazine and a similar infusion regimen of propofol; the remifentanil infusion rate adjustments that were required to inhibit cardiovascular responses to ovariohysterectomy were recorded (phase II). RESULTS: In phase I, heart rate and arterial pressure did not differ between remifentanil-treated groups. From 30 to 90 minutes, cats receiving 0.3 microg of remifentanil/kg/min had no response to noxious stimulation. Purposeful movement was detected more frequently in cats receiving 0.2 microg of remifentanil/kg/min. In phase II, the highest dosage (mean +/- SEM) of remifentanil that prevented cardiovascular responses was 0.23 +/- 0.01 microg/kg/min. For all experiments, mean time from infusion cessation until standing ranged from 115 to 140 minutes. CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Although the lower infusion rate of remifentanil allowed ovariohysterectomy to be performed, a CRI of 0.3 microg/kg/min was necessary to prevent motor response to electrical stimulation in propofol-anesthetized cats. Recovery from anesthesia was prolonged with this technique.