Flavonoids protect against T-2 mycotoxins both in vitro and in vivo

Quercetin was able to reduce the cytotoxic effect of T-2 mycotoxin on cultured murine thymocytes. When given to mice immediately before challenge with T-2 mycotoxins, quercetin significantly reduced mortality.     

Cryothalamectomy for Parkinson's Disease

In a review of 61 patients with Parkinson''s disease who were treated by cryothalamectomy, the technique of freezing a surgical target as compared with destroying it by alcohol or thermal heat was found effective and to a degree safer than other techniques. One patient died of unexpected cerebral hemorrhage. Of patients considered excellent candidates for the operation, 80 per cent had excellent and good results, while those considered good candidates showed 85 per cent excellent and good results. The results are more dependent on the selection of the patient as a candidate and the diffuseness of the pathophysiological circuits involved than on the technical factors of the cryogenic procedure.     

Melanocortins regulate the electric waveforms of gymnotiform electric fish

The hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal/interrenal axis couples serotonergic activity in the brain to the peripheral regulators of energy balance and response to stress. The regulation of peripheral systems occurs largely through the release of peptide hormones, especially the melanocortins (adrenocorticotropic hormone [ACTH] and alpha melanocyte stimulating hormone [α-MSH]), and beta-endorphin. Once in circulation, these peptides regulate a wide range of processes; α-MSH in particular regulates behaviors and physiologies with sexual and social functions. We investigated the role of the HPI and melanocortin peptides in regulation of electric social signals in the gymnotiform electric fish, Brachyhypopomus pinnicaudatus. We found that corticotropin releasing factor, thyrotropin-releasing hormone, and α-MSH, three peptide hormones of the HPI/HPA, increased electric signal waveform amplitude and duration when injected into free-swimming fish. A fourth peptide, a synthetic cyclic-α-MSH analog attenuated the normal circadian and socially-induced EOD enhancements in vivo. When applied to the electrogenic cells (electrocytes) in vitro, only α-MSH increased the amplitude and duration of the electrocyte discharge similar to the waveform enhancements seen in vivo. The cyclic-α-MSH analog had no effect on its own, but blocked or attenuated α-MSH-induced enhancements in the single-cell discharge parameters, demonstrating that this compound functions as a silent antagonist at the electrocyte. Overall, these results strongly suggest that the HPI regulates the EOD communication signal, and demonstrate that circulating melanocortin peptides enhance the electrocyte discharge waveform.     

Suppressor T cells regulating the cell-mediated immune response to Pseudomonas aeruginosa can be generated by immunization with anti-bacterial T cells

We previously demonstrated that immunization with low (10 micrograms) doses of high m.w. polysaccharide from the gram-negative bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa generates T cells that suppress the ability of antibacterial T cells (Tab) to protect against bacterial infection. The current studies indicate that Ts cells with properties identical to those elicited by low dose polysaccharide immunization can be generated by immunization with Tab. Tab-elicited Ts cells can abrogate in vivo induction and in vitro and in vivo expression of antibacterial T cell activity. Tab-elicited Ts are Ag-specific and H-2 restricted in their suppressor activity. Non-immune T cells fail to elicit suppressor activity. These studies provide additional evidence that the protective T cell response to P. aeruginosa is controlled by a network of T cells that are probably recognizing idiotypic determinants on P. aeruginosa-immune T and B cells.     

Evidence of biosynthetic simplicity in the flavonoid chemistry of the ricciaceae

The major flavonoids in Riccia crystallina are naringenin and its 7-O-glucoside, apigenin 7-O-glucoside and apigenin 7-O-glucuronide and derivatives. Ricciocarpus natans is a rich source of luteolin 7,3′-di-O-glucuronide and also contains the 7-O-glucuronides of apigenin and luteolin and the 3′-O-glucuronide of luteolin. A parallel between the production of biosynthetically simple flavonoids and reduced morphology is evident among these liverworts.     

The flavonoids of ferns in the isolated genera Loxsoma and Loxsomopsis

Kaempferol and quercetin 3-O-glucosides and 3-O-rhamnoglucosides are common to both Loxsoma cunninghamii and Loxsomopsis costaricensis, but in the former the new flavonoid glycosides, kaempferol and quercetin 3-O-glucoside-7-O-arabinoside have also been identified. The data are consistent with the proposed taxonomic relationship between these geographically isolated genera. Comparative flavonoid chemistry indicates that the Loxsomaceae may be a primitive family, not closely related to the Hymenophyllaceae or the Cyatheaceae.     

Screening and selection of fungi for bioremediation of olive mill wastewater

Olive mill wastewater (OMWW) is a significant pollutant and its phytotoxicity is attributed mostly to the phenols present. 220 fungi were screened for their ability to produce detoxifying enzymes and/or grow in OMWW. Four isolates, species of Cerrena, Byssochlamys, Lasiodiplodia and Bionectria were selected and compared against Phanerochaete chrysosporium for their ability to bioremediate OMWW in the presence of a competing indigenous microflora. For the first time we report that a Cerrena sp. achieved a 75% reduction of phenolics in OMWW and that, unusually, the reduction occurred within 2 h of the addition to the OMWW.