Separation of flavanone-7-O-glycoside diastereomers and analysis in citrus juices by multidimensional liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry

The major flavanone-7-O-glycoside constituents in citrus fruit juices (naringin, hesperidin, neohesperidin, narirutin, and eriocitrin) were separated as diastereomers by multidimensional liquid chromatography. The method consisted of coupling two HPLC columns: a reversed-phase (RP(18)) column was used for the separation of flavanone glycosides, which were, then, individually switched into a carboxymethylated beta-cyclodextrin (beta-CD)-based column and resolved as the corresponding stereoisomers. The method was used for the full analysis of flavanone glycosides in fresh hand-squeezed and commercial fruit juices by combining the quantitative estimation with the diastereomeric analysis. Quantitative data were in general consistent with previously reported data in this field. CC-LC isomer analysis was carried out by coupling the beta-CD column with a mass spectrometer operated with negative ion electrospray ionization (ESI-MS). The results showed that hesperidin was present in orange juices almost exclusively as the 2S isomer, whereas narirutin had mainly the 2R configuration. In grapefruit juices (2S)-naringin prevailed with the respect to the 2R isomer, whereas the opposite was true for narirutin. Lemon juices contained eriocitrin stereoisomers in equal amount (50% each), but hesperidin was almost exclusively found as the 2S isomer. Significant differences of the diastereomeric ratios were observed between freshly squeezed juices and juices from commercial sources.     

The extensive mercury contamination in soil and legacy sediments of the Paglia River basin (Tuscany,Italy): interplay between Hg-mining waste discharge along rivers, 1960s economic boom,and ongoing climate change

Journal of Soils and Sediments - The extensive Hg contamination in soil and sediments occurring along the Paglia River (Central Italy) is the result of the interplay between the geomorphological...     

High Temperature and Humidity Effect on Biochemical Characteristics of Organically-Grown Parsnip Roots Compared to Garlic Bulbs

Plant Foods for Human Nutrition - Functional food with high concentrations of monosaccharides and antioxidants is important for quick replenishment of energy reserves and rehabilitation after...     

Antimicrobial activity of Tunisian quince (Cydonia oblonga Miller) pulp and peel polyphenolic extracts

Quince (Cydonia oblonga Miller) fruit aqueous acetone extracts were evaluated. High-performance liquid chromatography-diode array detection and electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry were used for the identification and quantification of the phenolic compounds. The total phenolic content of the pulp and peel parts ranged from 37 to 47 and 105 to 157 mg/100 g of fresh weight, respectively. Chlorogenic acid (5-O-caffeoylquinic acid) was the most abundant phenolic compound in the pulp (37%), whereas rutin (quercetin 3-O-rutinoside) was the main one in the peel (36%). The radical scavenging potential of the extracts was determined and compared with that of synthetic antioxidants. The stronger properties corresponded to those obtained from peel material with a 70-80% inhibitory effect on DPPH radicals. The antimicrobial activity of the extracts against different microorganism strains was also investigated. Quince peel extract was the most active for inhibiting bacteria growth with minimum inhibitory and bactericide concentrations in the range of 102-5 x 103 microg polyphenol/mL. It seems that chlorogenic acid acts in synergism with other components of the extracts to exhibit their total antimicrobial activities.     

Impacts of climate change for coastal fishers and implications for fisheries

Coastal Social–Ecological Systems (SESs) are subject to several stresses, including climate change, that challenge fisheries and natural resource management. Fishers are front‐line observers of changes occurring both on the coast and in the sea and are among the first people to be affected by these changes. In this study, we perform a meta‐analysis of observations and adaptations to climate change by subsistence‐oriented coastal fishers extracted from a global review of peer‐reviewed and grey literature. Fishers' observations compiled from across the globe indicate increased temperatures and changes in weather patterns, as well as coastal erosion, sea level rise and shifts in species range and behaviours. Coastal areas offer a wide array of resources for diversifying livelihoods, but climate change is reducing these options. Specifically, climate change could reduce the resilience of fishers' communities, limiting options for diversification or forcing fishers to abandon their houses or villages.     

Effect of caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK on bovine sperm cryotolerance

The aim of this study was to evaluate the treatment of bovine semen with the pan-caspase inhibitor benzyloxycarbonyl-Val-Ala-Asp-fluoromethyl ketone (Z-VAD-FMK), before or after freezing on semen quality. After the initial assessment, sperm from 4 bulls were pooled (Experiment 1) and cryopreserved in BioXcell containing 0, 20 and 100 μM Z-VAD-FMK. After thawing semen viability, motility, membrane integrity, as well as DNA fragmentation and ΔΨm were evaluated. In Experiment 2, bovine frozen/thawed sperm were incubated for 1 hr with 0, 20 and 100 µM Z-VAD-FMK before assessing the semen quality. The treatment with Z -VAD-FMK before cryopreservation improved post-thawing sperm motility compared to the control group (p < .05), while no differences were recorded in sperm viability and membrane integrity among groups (on average 86.8 ± 1.5 and 69.1 ± 1.4, respectively). Interestingly, at the highest concentration, DNA fragmentation decreased (p < .05), while the percentage of spermatozoa with high ΔΨm increased (p < .05). The results of Experiment 2 showed that 1-hr treatment with Z-VAD-FMK did not affect sperm motility and viability (on average 63.4 ± 5.8 and 83.7.1 ± 1.2, respectively). However, Z-VAD-FMK improved sperm membrane integrity (p < .05) and at the highest concentration tested decreased the proportion of sperm showing DNA fragmentation (p < .05). No differences were recorded in the percentage of spermatozoa with high ΔΨm (on average 57.0 ± 11.4). In conclusion, the treatment with 100 µM of the caspase inhibitor Z-VAD-FMK before freezing increased bovine sperm mass motility and ΔΨm, while decreasing sperm DNA fragmentation. Treatment of semen after thawing with 100 µM Z-VAD-FMK improved sperm membrane integrity and reduced DNA fragmentation.     

Marine-Derived Compounds Targeting Topoisomerase II in Cancer Cells: A Review

Cancer affects more than 19 million people and is the second leading cause of death in the world. One of the principal strategies used in cancer therapy is the inhibition of topoisomerase II, involved in the survival of cells. Side effects and adverse reactions limit the use of topoisomerase II inhibitors; hence, research is focused on discovering novel compounds that can inhibit topoisomerase II and have a safer toxicological profile. Marine organisms are a source of secondary metabolites with different pharmacological properties including anticancer activity. The objective of this review is to present and discuss the pharmacological potential of marine-derived compounds whose antitumor activity is mediated by topoisomerase II inhibition. Several compounds derived from sponges, fungi, bacteria, ascidians, and other marine sources have been demonstrated to inhibit topoisomerase II. However, some studies only report docking interactions, whereas others do not fully explain the mechanisms of topoisomerase II inhibition. Further in vitro and in vivo studies are needed, as well as a careful toxicological profile evaluation with a focus on cancer cell selectivity.     

A huge ovarian cyst in a hysterectomized bitch

A 11-year-old, spayed, female mixed breed-dog was presented with an abdominal mass that was detected 1 month ago. Upon abdominal palpation a large, firm, oval shaped, movable mass was found in the mid-abdominal region. Survey radiograph of the abdomen demonstrated an oval soft tissue dense mass located on the right side of the abdominal cavity. A large, heteregenous and cystic mass with solid components occupying the majority of the abdomen and a small, cystic mass with solid components caudal to the left kidney were identified by transabdominal ultrasonography. Computed tomography scans revealed bilateral ovarian masses, and a small volume of retroperitoneal fluid on the right side. A cystic, but otherwise solid mass located in the right ovary and small retained left ovary encapsulated in the ovarian bursa were excised surgically by midline laparotomy. Histopathological examination of the excised mass from the right side revealed a large cystic structure consistent with an ovarian cyst and multiple corpora lutea and follicles at different maturational stages were detected in the left ovary. The precise origin of the ovarian cyst could not be determined by morphological appearance. Immunohistochemical staining suggested a cyst of surface epithelial origin. At re-examination 6 months after the surgery, the bitch appeared healthy and the clinical findings were all normal. To our knowledge, the cyst described here is the largest reported in an incompletely ovariohysterectomized bitch.     

Effect of rapid temperature change on resting routine metabolic rates of two benthic elasmobranchs

In this study, flow-through respirometry was used to test the effect of acute temperature change on resting routine metabolic rates of two benthic elasmobranchs, Atlantic stingrays, Dasyatis sabina (n = 7) and whitespotted bamboo sharks, Chiloscyllium plagiosum (n = 7) kept under fluctuating temperature regime of 24–27 and 23–25°C, respectively. Atlantic stingrays and whitespotted bamboo sharks showed a temperature sensitivity (Q₁₀) of 2.10 (21–31°C) and 2.08 (20–28°C), respectively. Not surprisingly, oxygen consumption (MO₂) increased in both species as temperature was raised. Acute increases in oxygen uptake may be useful during activities such as foraging, and some elasmobranchs may alter physiological processes by taking advantage of thermal variability in the environment. However, further investigation of different physiological processes is needed to better understand how temperature variation may affect behavioural choices of fishes.