A model of blood flow in the mesenteric arterial system

Background  

There are some early clinical indicators of cardiac ischemia, most notably a change in a person's electrocardiogram. Less well understood, but potentially just as dangerous, is ischemia that develops in the gastrointestinal system. Such ischemia is difficult to diagnose without angiography (an invasive and time-consuming procedure) mainly due to the highly unspecific nature of the disease.     

Pterocarpanquinones, aza-pterocarpanquinone and derivatives: synthesis, antineoplasic activity on human malignant cell lines and antileishmanial activity on Leishmania amazonensis

Pterocarpanquinones (1a-e) and the aza-pterocarpanquinone (2) were synthesized through palladium catalyzed oxyarylation and azaarylation of conjugate olefins, and showed antineoplasic effect on leukemic cell lines (K562 and HL-60) as well as colon cancer (HCT-8), gliobastoma (SF-295) and melanoma (MDA-MB435) cell lines. Some derivatives were prepared (3-8) and evaluated, allowing establishing the structural requirements for the antineoplasic activity in each series. Compound 1a showed the best selectivity index in special for leukemic cells while 2 showed to be more bioselective for HCT-8, SF-295 and MDA-MB435 cells. Pterocarpanquinones 1a and 1c-e, as well as 8 were the most active on amastigote form of Leishmania amazonensis in culture. Compounds 1a, 1c and 8 showed the best selectivity index.     

Morphometric and phytochemical characterization of chaura fruits (Gaultheria pumila): a native Chilean berry with commercial potential

Background

For the first time, a morphometric characterization of chaura (Gaultheria pumila) fruits has been conducted between natural populations growing in the Villarrica National Park, Araucania Region, Chile. Chaura is a native Ericaceae from Chile that produces aromatic and tasty fruits which could be of agricultural interest.

Results

To influence the decision for a further domestication of G. pumila, both the fruit sizes (indicator of productivity) and the nutritional properties of the fruits have been determined from different subpopulations. Samples were a total of 74 plants and 15 fruits per plant which were randomly harvested following its natural distribution around the Villarrica volcano. Altogether, fresh weight, shape, color, diameter in the pole and the equatorial dimensions were determined as phenotypic traits of the G. pumila fruits. Meanwhile the total soluble solids, anthocyanin and pectin contents were calculated as nutritional traits of the Chaura fruits. Results showed a high phenotypic diversity between the sampled population with three main fruit shapes and three predominant colors. The round shapes were the most abundant, whereas a significant correlation was found among fruit size with weight and color. The highest fresh weight (597.3 mg), pole diameter (7.1 mm) and equatorial diameter (6.5 mm) were estimated in the pink color fruits.

Conclusions

The total amount of anthocyanin was higher in red fruits, while the maximum pectin content was obtained in the round white fruits. Overall results must pave the way for a further domestication and introduction of the Chaura species in the agro-productive system in Chile.     

The forest people: landscape and firewood use in the Araruama region,southeastern Brazil,during the late Holocene

The site of Morro Grande, situated in the Araruama region, southeastern Brazil (22º47′07″S, 42º21′49″W), is in the Atlantic rainforest phytogeographical domain. It is attributed to proto-Tupinambá agriculturalist and ceramicist populations, recognized by their typical polychrome ceramics. Four periods of occupation were identified at this site: (1) 3,220–2,840 cal b.p.; (2) 3,000–2,150 cal b.p.; (3) 1,820–1,390 cal b.p.; and (4) c. 750 cal. b.p. Analysis of 3,908 charcoal fragments from the three earlier periods has allowed the identification of 78 taxa and 29 plant families. This work demonstrates the permanence of the Atlantic rainforest in the region between 3,220 and 1,390 cal b.p., confirming previous palaeoenvironmental studies in southeastern and southern Brazil. The existence of mature forests is demonstrated; however, firewood was collected mainly from secondary vegetation, probably in the area surrounding the settlement or from cultivated land. These results provide further evidence of human influence on Neotropical rainforests. Creation of secondary environments, however, did not result in irreversible damage to local biodiversity, since the forest tended to regenerate after the clearings were abandoned. Analysis of charcoal concentrated in features allowed the identification of ritual funerary hearths, as well as of a probable specialized feature for firing ceramics. This evidence affords new perspectives for the archaeological interpretation of the funerary ritual and way of life of proto-Tupinambá people.     

Extracellular polymeric substances of the marine fouling diatom amphora rostrata Wm.Sm

Amphora rostrata was grown under continuous illumination at 27°C in batch cultures using f/2 medium. Cell biomass (measured as chllorophyll a and cell counts) reached a maximum on day 7. Thereafter, cell biomass as chl a showed a small decrease. Planktonic('free') and biofilm extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) from the adherent cells of A. rostrata were studied. Both types of EPS were produced during the logarithmic phase of growth. However, production was higher during the stationary growth phase. Enhanced EPS production was associated with nutrient deficient conditions. Planktonic and biofilm EPS were purified by gel filtration using Sephadex G‐200 and ion exchange chromatography using DEAE‐cellulose. Both polymers showed the presence of a single peak. Capillary gas Chromatographie analysis of both planktonic and biofilm EPS showed that fucose (36.7%) and galactose (27.6%) were the most abundant monosaccharides, with small quantities of rhamnose, xylose, arabinose, mannose and glucose. Other chemical analysis showed the presence of sulphate, uronic acids, hexoamines, pyruvate and proteins in both the planktonic and bio‐film EPS. Uronic acid, pyruvate and sulphate together were found to contribute ～50 to 60% (W/W) to the EPS of A. rostrata. Such a high content of non‐sugar components indicates their importance to the diatom in metal binding, desiccation prevention and flexibility.     

Transcriptomic response to differentiation induction

Background  

Microarrays used for gene expression studies yield large amounts of data. The processing of such data typically leads to lists of differentially-regulated genes. A common terminal data analysis step is to map pathways of potentially interrelated genes.     

Molluscicidal activity of Physalis angulata L. extracts and fractions on Biomphalaria tenagophila (d'Orbigny, 1835) under laboratory conditions

The main objective of this research is to evaluate the molluscicide activity of Physalis angulata L. Biomphalaria tenagophila specimens under laboratory conditions. Extracts and fractions were supplied by the Laborat rio de Qu mica de Produtos Naturais, Farmanguinhos-Fiocruz. Experiments were performed according to the methodology described by the World Health Organization for molluscicide tests using the concentrations from 0.1 to 500 mg/l of the extracts, fractions and of a pool of physalins modified steroids present in this species. The results show that ethyl acetate and acetone extracts from the whole plant, the ethanolic extracts of the roots and the physalins pool from stems and leaves were active. Only the whole plant extracts were available in sufficient quantity for the determination of LD50 and LD90 values.     

Synthesis and preliminary pharmacological evaluation of new (+/-) 1,4-naphthoquinones structurally related to lapachol

Seven new 1,4-naphthoquinones structurally related to lapachol were synthesized from lawsone and oxygenated arylmercurials. These compounds can also be seen as pterocarpan derivatives where the A-ring was substituted by the 1,4-naphthoquinone nucleus. Pharmacological screening provided evidence of significant biological activities, including effects against proliferation of the MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line, against Herpes Simplex Virus type 2 infection, and against snake poison-induced myotoxicity. One derivative displaced flunitrazepam binding and showed benzodiazepine-like activity, suggesting novel neuroactive structural motifs.