Strength exercise suppresses STZ-induced spatial memory impairment and modulates BDNF/ERK-CAMKII/CREB signalling pathway in the hippocampus of mice

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that has generated scientific interest because of its prevalence in the population. Studies indicate that physical exercise promotes neuroplasticity and improves cognitive function in animal models and in human beings. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of strength exercise on the hippocampal protein contents and memory performance in mice subjected to a model of sporadic AD induced by streptozotocin (STZ). Swiss mice received two injections of STZ (3 mg/kg, intracerebroventricular). After 21 days, they began physical training using a ladde. Mice performed this protocol for 4 weeks. After the last exercise training session, mice performed the Morris Water Maze test. The samples of hippocampus were excised and used to determine protein contents of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), extracellular signal-regulated kinase-Ca²⁺ (ERK), calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (CAMKII) and cAMP-response element-binding protein (CREB) signalling pathway. Strength exercise was effective against the decrease in the time spent and distance travelled in the target quadrant by STZ-injected mice. Strength exercise was also effective against the reduction of mature BDNF, tropomyosin receptor kinase B and neuronal nuclear antigen (NeuN) hippocampal protein levels in STZ mice. The decrease in the hippocampal ratio of pERK/ERK, pCAMKII/CAMKII and pCREB/CREB induced by STZ was reversed by strength exercise. Strength exercise decreased Bax/Bcl2 ratio in the hippocampus of STZ-injected mice. The present study demonstrates that strength exercise modulated the hippocampal BDNF/ERK-CAMKII/CREB signalling pathway and suppressed STZ-induced spatial memory impairment in mice.     

Synthesis and in vitro anti Mycobacterium tuberculosis activity of a series of phthalimide derivatives

New phthalimide derivatives were easily prepared through condensation of phthalic anhydride and selected amines with variable yields (70–90%). All compounds (3a–l) were evaluated against Mycobacterium tuberculosis H₃₇Rv using Alamar Blue susceptibility. The compounds 3c, 3i, and 3l have the minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of 3.9, 7.8, and 5.0 μg/mL, respectively, and could be considered new lead compounds in the treatment of tuberculosis and multi-drug resistant tuberculosis.     

Biosorption of Cd, Zn and Cu by Sargassum sp. waste biomass

Biosorption is becoming an important component in the integrated approach to the treatment of aqueous effluents. The economics of biomass technical applications are improved by using waste biomass instead of purposely-produced biomass. Biomass derived from an alginate extraction industry - Sargassum sp. - was examined for its ability to function as a biosorbent for metals such as cadmium, zinc and copper. For use in column applications, biomass should be immobilized. To the algae reinforcement, the biomass was embedded in polyethleneimine (PEI), followed by glutaraldehyde crosslinking. Equilibrium Zn and Cu isotherms were analysed using the immobilization ratio that showed the best Cd performance. Either Freundlich or Langmuir models can describe the passive biosorption equilibrium of cadmium, zinc and cooper. The preference for this series of metals by the biomass was found to be Cd > Zn > Cu, with maximum uptake values of 157.8, 118.5 and 77.4 mg/g dry weight biomass for Cd, Zn and Cu. respectively. The metal binding capacity by non-living biomass is an important quality for industrial use.     

Morphological assessment of the Octopus vulgaris species complex evaluated in light of molecular‐based phylogenetic inferences

Cryptic species are common in the ocean, particularly among marine invertebrates such as octopuses. Delineating cryptic species is particularly problematic in octopus taxonomy where the plasticity recorded among taxonomic characters often results in low resolution at the species level. This study investigated the morphological relationships among seven phylogenetic clades (identified using cytochrome c oxidase subunit I) of the broadly distributed Octopus vulgaris species complex and close relatives. Morphological analyses in this study were successful in delimiting O. sinensis, Brazilian O. vulgaris and O. vulgaris sensu stricto, which was congruent with the molecular findings of this study. Analyses based on male morphology were successful in distinguishing 14 of 15 total pairwise comparisons and proved to be a more reliable indicator of species‐level relationships in comparison with female morphology. The majority of characters with the greatest discriminatory power were male sexual traits. Significant morphological differences were also recorded among sampling localities of conspecifics, with phenotype showing correlation with local environmental data. The findings of this study support the hypothesis that multiple O. vulgaris‐like species are currently being incorrectly treated under a single species name, O. vulgaris. Octopuses being exported globally under the name O. vulgaris are of extremely high fisheries market value and profile. Our findings have potentially significant implications for the naming and conservation of commercially harvested members of this species complex throughout their ranges.     

Localization of Endo-Oligopeptidase (EC 3.4.22.19) in the Rat Nervous Tissue

The subcellular and regional distribution of endo-oligopeptidase (EC 3.4.22.19), an enzyme capable of generating enkephalin by single cleavage from enkephalin-containing peptides, was determined by an enzymatic assay using metorphamide and by immunochemical techniques in the CNS of the rat. The rat CNS contains a membrane-associated form of endo-oligopeptidase, an enzyme predominantly associated with the soluble fraction of brain homogenates. Subcellular fractionation showed that approximately 17% of the total activity of the enzyme is associated with membrane fractions including synaptosomes. Synaptosomal membranes were prepared from neocortex, striatum, hypothalamus, medulla, spinal cord, and cerebellum. The amount of EC 3.4.22.19 activity solubilized by 3-[( 3-cholamidopropyl]dimethylammonio)-1-propanesulfonate from synaptosomal membranes was similar in neocortex, striatum, and hypothalamus, being three- to 10-fold greater than in spinal cord, cerebellum, and medulla. A polyclonal antibody exhibiting high affinity for endo-oligopeptidase was raised in rabbits against the purified rat brain enzyme and used to localize endo-oligopeptidase by Western blotting and by immunoperoxidase techniques. A strong band corresponding to the Mr of EC 3.4.22.19 was found in solubilized proteins obtained from synaptosomal membranes prepared from hypothalamus, neocortex, and striatum when subjected to Western blotting. The immunohistochemical localization of endo-oligopeptidase indicated that the immunoreactivity was confined to gray matter in regions known to be rich in peptide-containing neurons such as the striatum. In the cerebellum, a region poor in peptides, no staining could be detected. The nonuniform distribution of endo-oligopeptidase in rat brain suggests a role in neurotransmitter processing in the CNS.     

Assessment of microsatellite instability in colorectal cancer patients from Brazil

The replication error status analysis of DNA, through microsatellite instability detection, has become an indispensable tool for hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer screening. This study investigated the microsatellite instability in Brazilian individuals presenting colorectal cancer. In this study, 66 patients were clinically analyzed according to Amsterdam II and Bethesda guidelines. Normal and tumour tissues were collected and analyzed for MSI degree according to molecular markers BAT25, BAT26, BAT40, APC–D5S346, D2S123, and D17S250. Eight patients (12.1%) fulfilled the Amsterdam II guidelines, and 15 (22.7%) met the Bethesda guidelines. BAT25 was the most sensitive marker (86.7%), while BAT26 was the least sensitive (66.7%). The specificity of both markers was 100%, but all of the markers must be used since the contribution of each marker to the sensitivity and specificity of the test is complementary. Proximal tumours were significantly predominant among RER⁺ patients. Conclusions: Patients with a family history of colorectal cancer with the tumour in the proximal colon must be screened to replication error status as early as possible in order to avoid the progression of the disease.     

Submerged fermentation of cellolignin materials (compared with solid-state fermentation and other alternatives)

The review characterizes the submerged and solid state fermentation processes (SF and SSF) for obtaining of microbial biomass protein (MBP) on cellulose- and lignin-containing (CL) agricultural wastes (straw, wine, branches of fruit trees). There are discussed other alternatives as well. The main technological parametres are presented (protein (biomass) yield, degree of available substrate utilization, process efficiency, etc.). The use of a special stirring system of the authors' design for mycelial cultures results in an increase of CL substrate concentration in the initial nutrient medium from 2% to 8%of dry matter (DM) and in a threefold increase of the specific productivity (from 0.07 g biomass/l · h to 0.21 g biomass/l · h). The technological parametres can be increased also in the processes with substrate addition. The obtained preparations are analyzed as to their usefulness for the feeds of ruminants.