Phytochemical profile of Juniperus oxycedrus ssp. oxycedrus berries: A new monoterpene glucoside and evaluation of the effects on cancer cell lines

Phytochemical investigation of polar extract from Juniperus oxycedrus spp. oxycedrus berries leds to the isolation of one new monoterpene glucoside (3R,6E)-3,7 dimethyl 8-hydroxy-6-octenoic acid 8-O-β-d-glucopyranoside along with seven known components, some of them were initially isolated from Juniperus communis L. berries. Their structures were established on the basis of extensive 1D and 2D NMR (¹H, ¹³C, COSY, HMBC, HSQC, ROESY) and ESI-MS studies. The n-butanol fraction and isolated components, shikimic acid (2), compound 3, 4 and 5 were evaluated, in vitro, for their effect on cell viability against human malignant melanoma (A375), breast (MCF-7) and lung (H460) cancer cell lines. Shikimic acid exhibited selective effect on cell viability only against breast MCF-7 cell lines reaching IC₅₀ value at dose of 30 μM and also induced the level decrease of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and five pro-inflammatory cytokines suggesting its potential anti-inflammatory effect.     

Leukapheresis cell concentration adjustment required for a successful recovery of HSC after cryopreservation

The recovering of an adequate number of hematopoietic stem cells after cryopreservation is considered pivotal for successful transplantation. Various factors could influence the recovery of HSC following processing and cryopreservation. Therefore, leukapheresis product from thirty patients was cryopreserved in 10% DMSO in cryopreservation bags for their autologous bone marrow transplantation, and 2 ml were cryopreserved in cryovials for post-thaw viability assessment by flow cytometry. The percentage of viable HSCs recovered post-cryopreservation in leukapheresis product was significantly influenced by the concentration of the total nucleated cells cryopreserved per volume. Patients receiving a higher rate of viable HSCs resulted in earlier engraftment of both neutrophils and platelets, so they have been discharged earlier from the hospital. Furthermore, Storage temperature and duration played a role in the recovery of these cells and for the support of the findings, age of the patient at the time of collection did not show any impact on the recovery of this HSC post-cryopreservation. In conclusion, various influencing factors must be taken into consideration during the cryopreservation of HSCs, especially for poor mobilizing patients with a low number of collected hematopoietic stem cells.     

Influence of encapsulation on the survival of probiotics in food matrix under simulated stress conditions

The main objective of the present study was to evaluate the influence of encapsulation by extrusion technique using two hydrogels, namely; sodium alginate (Na-ALG) and whey protein isolate (WPI) on Bifidobacterium bifidium viability and stability of yoghurt under simulated gastrointestinal conditions. Probiotic bacteria (free or encapsulated) were added to yogurt for four weeks to test their viability and stability. Physicochemical and sensory analysis of yoghurt were conducted. Viability of B. bifidium in the simulated gastrointestinal conditions pH 2 and pH 7.5 was determined. Also, the efficiency of encapsulated final yield of the microcapsules was determined. With storage time, the pH of yoghurt containing encapsulated bacteria increased more than that of yoghurt containing free probiotic bacteria, resulting in a decrease in acidity. When compared to yoghurt containing encapsulated bacteria, the lactose level of yoghurt containing free probiotic bacteria decreased over time. The viscosity of yoghurt containing encapsulated WPI remained stable over the storage period, with syneresis remaining stable. The sensory properties of yoghurt containing free probiotics deteriorated over time. Cell viability was significantly reduced in yoghurt-containing free probiotics compared to other treated yoghurts. Cell viability in free probiotics yoghurt was lower than in encapsulated ones when exposed to simulated gastric and intestinal juice. In conclusion, WPI- encapsulated probiotics showed better stability over 28 days of storage in both yoghurt and gastrointestinal conditions, followed by sodium alginate.     

MTT方法评价微生物细胞活性的探讨

对MTT比色法用于评价微生物细胞活性进行了探讨。本文以大肠杆菌为模式菌株,研究了不同浓度MTT、不同用量、在不同时间对试验结果OD570值的影响,结果表明细菌数在4.9×107－4.9×108个/mL范围内测出的OD570值与细菌浓度呈良好的正相关,0.5 mg/mL MTT用量20 L,反应时间20 min时效果最佳,其相关回归方程为y = 0.1769x + 0.03,R2 = 0.9983。     

An Apgar scoring system for routine assessment of newborn puppy viability and short-term survival prognosis

The Apgar scoring system is an easy and reliable method for evaluating both human and animal neonates. However, its use is not widespread in veterinary medicine. The current study assessed a modified Apgar scoring system for routine evaluation of newborn puppies. Heart rate, respiratory effort, reflex irritability, motility, and mucus color have been evaluated in the score. Specifically, we used 5 min after birth Apgar score to assess newborn viability and short-term survival prognosis, as well as related characteristics, in 193 puppies from 42 litters, 65 born by spontaneous delivery, 66 by assisted delivery, and 62 by cesarean section. The percentage of puppies that were dead 2 h after birth was higher in the 4 to 6 Apgar score group versus that in the 7 to 10 score group (P < 0.01) and in the 0 to 3 score group versus that in the 7 to 10 score group (P < 0.0001). Delivery method did not affect survival. There was a marked reduction in the number of puppies searching for the mammary gland in the 0 to 3 and 4 to 6 Apgar score groups compared with that in the 7 to 10 score group (P < 0.0001); there was a difference between the 0 to 3 and the 4 to 6 score groups as well (P < 0.05). Suckling/swallowing reflexes were present in fewer puppies in the 0 to 3 and 4 to 6 score groups compared with that in the 7 to 10 group (P < 0.0001), with no significant differences between the 0 to 3 and the 4 to 6 score groups.     

Inhibition of Chara vulgaris oospore germination by sulfidic sediments

The germinability of Chara vulgaris oospores collected from the sediments of four Ontario lakes varies considerably, ranging in germination percentage from 7% to 54%. Chemical analysis of the interstitial water of the sediments indicated that oospores with low germination occurred in lakes which have high acid volatile sulfides (H₂S, FeS, HS⁻) and high soluble Fe²⁺. The inhibitory effects of sediment on oospore germination were demonstrated by transplant experiments, and suggested that sulfide was the toxic agent. Exposure of high-germinating sedimentary oospores to free sulfide concentrations greater than 2.0 mM caused a greater than 30% reduction in oospore germination. The presence of sulfide in sediments was shown to result from sulfate reduction by bacteria in sediment pore water of those lakes where oospore viability was lowest. Differences in oospore germination percentage appear, therefore, to be due to the toxicity of H₂S produced in the sediment, either by a direct effect on the oospore, or on the parent plants.     

Demography and population viability of polar bears in the Gulf of Boothia, Nunavut

We estimated demographic parameters and harvest risks for polar bears ( Ursus maritimus ) inhabiting the Gulf of Boothia, Nunavut, from 1976 to 2000. We computed survival and abundance from capture–recapture and recovery data (630 marks) using a Burnham joint live–dead model implemented in program MARK. Annual mean total survival (including harvest) was 0.889 ± 0.179 (± 1 SE) for cubs, 0.883 ± 0.087 for subadults (ages 1–4), 0.919 ± 0.044 for adult females, and 0.917 ± 0.041 for adult males. Abundance in the last 3 yr of study was 1,592 ± 361 bears. Mean size of newborn litters was 1.648 ± 0.098 cubs. By age 7, 0.97 ± 0.30 of available females were producing litters. Harvest averaged 38.4 ± 4.2 bears/year in the last 5 yr of study; however, the 2002–2007 kill averaged 56.4 bears/yr. We used a harvested Population Viability Analysis (PVA) to examine impacts of increasing rates of harvest. We estimated the current population growth rate, λ _H , to be 1.025 ± 0.032. Although this suggests the population is growing, progressive environmental changes may require more frequent population inventory studies to maintain the same levels of harvest risk.     

Two-dimensional amine-functionality gradient by plasma polymerization

A two-dimensional (2D) gradient was created by employing two-step diffusion-controlled plasma polymerization of allylamine on polypropylene membrane, with varied deposition durations composed of two stages. The wettability gradient was examined by water contact angle measurements which clearly demonstrated that the gradient was well manipulated by varying the treatment duration, thus controlled the surface coverage and resulted in the average water contact angle ranged from 110° to 25°. On the created 2D gradients, the cell responses toward the distribution of nitrogen content were imaged by confocal laser microscopy. Moreover, a correlation based on experimental data revealed a linear relationship between the nitrogen content and water contact angle. The addition of serum proteins assisted also the adhesion and growth of L-929 cells. The methodology in fabricating the 2D gradient demonstrated the flexibility of the plasma technique which can be further used to create different types of well-defined gradients for applications in surface functionalization, biomedical devices, and material screening.