A new species of the genus Pergalumna Grandjean, 1936 from Iran (Acari: Oribatida: Galumnidae)

A new species of galumnid mite (Acari: Oribatida: Galumnidae), Pergalumna persica sp. n., is described from Fars province, southern Iran. The new species is characterised by a pointed rostrum, minute interlamellar setae, medium long, setiform sensilla, with finely barbed, slightly dilated head, complete dorsosejugal suture, large, nearly elongate-triangular areae porosae Aa, absence of median pore, and large body size.     

Mass production of bacterial communities adapted to the degradation of volatile organic compounds (TEX)

This study focuses on the mass cultivation of bacteria adapted to the degradation of a mixture composed of toluene, ethylbenzene, o-, m- and p-xylenes (TEX). For the cultivation process Substrate Pulse Batch (SPB) technique was adapted under well-automated conditions. The key parameters to be monitored were handled by LabVIEW software including, temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen and turbidity. Other parameters, such as biomass, ammonium or residual substrate concentrations needed offline measurements. SPB technique has been successfully tested experimentally on TEX. The overall behavior of the mixed bacterial population was observed and discussed along the cultivation process. Carbon and nitrogen limitations were shown to affect the integrity of the bacterial cells as well as their production of exopolymeric substances (EPS). Average productivity and yield values successfully reached the industrial specifications, which were 0.45 kg_DW m⁻³ d⁻¹ and 0.59 g_DW g_C⁻¹, respectively. Accuracy and reproducibility of the obtained results present the controlled SPB process as a feasible technique.     

Multivariate optimisation of microwave-assisted extraction of capsaicin from Capsicum frutescens L. and quantitative analysis by 1H-NMR

A simple and rapid microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) procedure combined with 1H-NMR spectrometry was developed and optimised for the extraction and quantitative determination of capsaicin in Capsicum frutescens. The influence of experimental variables, including irradiation power, extraction temperature and dynamic extraction time before reaching the selected extraction temperature, on the performance of the extraction procedure was systematically studied using a Box-Behnken experimental design followed by a conventional central composite design approach. Statistical treatment of the results together with results from some additional experiments suggested optimum extraction conditions as 120 degrees C and 150 W, for 15 min with acetone as extractant. The optimised MAE method provides extracts that can be analysed quantitatively using 1H-NMR without any preliminary clean-up or derivatisation steps. In the 1H-NMR spectrum of the crude extracts the doublet signal in the delta range 4.349-4.360 ppm was well separated from other resonances in deuterated chloroform. The quantity of the compound was calculated from the relative ratio of the integral value of the target peak to that of a known amount of dimethylformamide as internal standard. In comparison with traditional Soxhlet extraction, the proposed method is less labour-intensive and provides a drastic reduction of extraction time and solvent consumption. In addition, MAE showed higher extraction yield and selectivity, with comparable reproducibility and recovery, relative to both conventional Soxhlet and sonication methods.     

Circulating exosomal miRNAs in cardiovascular disease pathogenesis: New emerging hopes

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality. Standard therapies have failed to significantly increase patients’ survival. Moreover, the majority of conventional screening procedures are ineffective for the diagnosis of CVDs at early stages. Accumulating evidence suggests that numerous cell types release a class of nano-sized vesicles named exosomes into the extracellular space. Exosomes are widely distributed in various body fluids and contain a number of diverse biomolecules such as proteins, lipids, and both mRNA and noncoding RNAs which reflect host-cell molecular architecture. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), which can be found in exosomes, could be taken up by both neighboring and distal cells. Not only has recent evidence indicated the regulatory role of exosomal miRNAs in the pathogenesis of CVD, but it has also been shown that differential expression of exosomal miRNAs in CVDs has made them promising biomarkers for early detection of CVDs. Owing to these remarkable features, exosomal miRNAs have emerged as hot spots in research. This review summarizes the role of exosomal miRNAs in the pathogenesis of CVDs and discusses their potential application in the clinical setting as both therapeutic and diagnostic tools.     

Therapeutic potency of oncolytic virotherapy in breast cancer targeting,current status and perspective

Breast cancer is the most common cause of cancer death in women and presents a serious therapeutic challenge worldwide. Traditional treatments are less successful at targeting cancer tumors, leading to recurrent treatment-resistant secondary malignancies. Oncolytic virotherapy (OV) is a novel anticancer strategy with therapeutic implications at targeting cancer cells by using mechanisms that differ from conventional therapies. Administration of OVs either alone or in combination with standard therapies provide new insights regarding the effectiveness and improvement of treatment responses for breast cancer patients. This review summarizes cellular, animal and clinical studies investigating therapeutic potency of oncolytic virotherapy in breast cancer treatment for a better understanding and hence a better management of this disease.     

Design,Synthesis, Molecular Docking,and Cholinesterase Inhibitory Potential of Phthalimide‐Dithiocarbamate Hybrids as New Agents for Treatment of Alzheimer's Disease

A novel series of phthalimide‐dithiocarbamate hybrids was synthesized and evaluated for in vitro inhibitory potentials against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BuChE). The anti‐cholinesterase results indicated that among the synthesized compounds, the compounds 7g and 7h showed the most potent anti‐AChE and anti‐BuChE activities, respectively. Molecular docking and dynamic studies of the compounds 7g and 7h , respectively, in the active site of AChE and BuChE revealed that these compounds as well interacted with studied cholinesterases. These compounds also possessed drug‐like properties and were able to cross the BBB.     

3‐Aryl Coumarin Derivatives Bearing Aminoalkoxy Moiety as Multi‐Target‐Directed Ligands against Alzheimer's Disease

Two series of novel coumarin derivatives, substituted at 3 and 7 positions with aminoalkoxy groups, are synthesized, characterized, and screened. The effect of amine substituents and the length of cross‐linker are investigated in acetyl‐ and butyrylcholinesterase (AChE and BuChE) inhibition. Target compounds show moderate to potent inhibitory activities against AChE and BuChE. 3‐(3,4‐Dichlorophenyl)‐7‐[4‐(diethylamino)butoxy]‐2H‐chromen‐2‐one ( 4y ) is identified as the most potent compound against AChE (IC₅₀=0.27 μm ). Kinetic and molecular modeling studies affirmed that compound 4y works in a mixed‐type way and interacts simultaneously with the catalytic active site (CAS) and peripheral anionic site (PAS) of AChE. In addition, compound 4y blocks β‐amyloid (Aβ) self‐aggregation with a ratio of 44.11 % at 100 μm and significantly protects PC12 cells from H₂O₂‐damage in a dose‐dependent manner.     

A novel electrochemical biosensor for selective determination of mercury ions based on DNA hybridization

An electrochemical biosensor was developed for Hg²⁺ determination based on DNA hybridization. In the presence of Hg²⁺, the target and probe DNAs with thymine–thymine (T–T) mismatches could hybridize by forming T–Hg²⁺–T complex. This induced DNA hybridization led to the decrease in reduction peak currents of ethyl green (EG) as electroactive label, which could be used for determination of Hg²⁺. The difference in the value of the peak currents of EG before and after DNA hybridization (ΔI) was linear with the concentration of Hg²⁺ in the range of 9.0 × 10⁻¹¹–1.0 × 10⁻⁹ M. The detection limit was 3.08 × 10⁻¹¹ M.