The protective effect of arbutin against potassium bromate-induced oxidative damage in the rat brain

This study aimed to investigate the protective effects of arbutin (ARB) against brain injury induced in rats with potassium bromate (KBrO₃). The rats were divided into four groups as Group 1: Control (0.9% NaCl ml/kg/day p.), Group 2: KBrO₃ (100 mg/kg (gavage), Group 3: ARB (50 mg/kg/day p.), and Group 4: KBrO₃ + ARB (100 mg/kg (gavage) + 50 mg/kg/day p.). At the end of the fifth day of the study, the rats in all groups were killed, and their brain tissues were collected. In the collected brain tissues, malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT) levels were measured, and routine histopathological examinations were made. The MDA levels in the group that was exposed to KBrO₃ were significantly higher than those in the control group (p ˂ 0.001). In comparison to the KBrO₃ group, the MDA levels in the KBrO₃ + ARB group were significantly lower (p ˂ 0.001). It was observed that SOD and CAT enzyme activity levels were significantly lower in the KBrO₃ group compared to the control group (p ˂ 0.001), while these levels were significantly higher in the KBrO₃ + ARB group than in the KBrO₃ group (p ˂ 0.001). Additionally, the group that was subjected to KBrO₃ toxicity, as well as ARB administration, had much lower levels of histopathologic signs than the group that was subjected to KBrO₃ toxicity only. Consequently, it was found that KBrO₃ exposure led to injury in the brain tissues of the rats, and using ARB was effective in preventing this injury.     

Photoluminescence and thermoluminescence properties of pure and rare-earth-doped ZrO2 prepared by Pechini-type sol–gel

In this article, photoluminescence (PL) and thermoluminescence (TL) properties of ZrO₂, ZrO₂:Dy³⁺, ZrO₂:Dy³⁺–Gd³⁺, ZrO₂:Dy³⁺–Yb³⁺, ZrO₂:Dy³⁺–Er³⁺, and ZrO₂:Dy³⁺–Sm³⁺ phosphors synthesized by the Pechini method were investigated. The crystal structure, thermal properties, morphology, PL and TL properties were investigated using X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), differential thermal analysis/thermogravimetric analysis (DTA/TGA), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), PL and TL, respectively. The room temperature emission bands corresponding to ⁴F_9/2 → ⁶H_J (J = 9/2, 11/2, 13/2 and 15/2) transitions of Dy³⁺ ions were measured. The phosphors were analysed using T_m–T_STOP, variable dose, and computerized glow curve fitting methods. Reusability, dose–response, and fading characteristics were investigated. The phosphors have a natural TL emission that vanished by heating treatment. Moreover, new peaks with similar properties to the natural emissions were observed after high-dose irradiation and long-term fading experiments. The glow curves of the phosphors have 13 individual peaks and many low- and high-temperature satellite peaks. The origin of the peaks is ZrO₂ host material and doping with rare-earth ions (Gd³⁺, Dy³⁺, Yb³⁺, Er³⁺ and Sm³⁺) does not lead to a new glow peak. The dopants cause drastic changes in individual peak intensities of ZrO₂.The initial fading rates of all the phosphors are relatively fast, but they slow down as time goes on.     

Comparative bioinformatics analysis and abiotic stress responses of expansin proteins in Cucurbitaceae members: watermelon and melon

Protoplasma - Watermelon and melon are members of the Cucurbitaceae family including economically significant crops in the world. The expansin protein family, which is one of the members of the...     

Effect of Axial Ligand Length on Biological and Anticancer Properties of Axially Disubstituted Silicon Phthalocyanines

In this study, three new axially disubstituted silicon phthalocyanines ( SiPc1–3 ) and their quaternized phthalocyanine derivatives ( QSiPc1–3 ) were prepared and characterized. The biological properties (antioxidant, antimicrobial, antibiofilm, and microbial cell viability activities) of the water-soluble silicon phthalocyanines were examined, as well. A 1 % DMSO diluted with pure water was used as a solvent in biological activity studies. All the compounds exhibited high antioxidant activity. They displayed efficient antimicrobial and antimicrobial photodynamic therapeutic properties against various microorganisms, especially Gram (+) bacteria. Additionally, they demonstrated high antibiofilm activities against S. aureus and P. aeruginosa. In addition, 100 % bacterial reduction was obtained for all the studied phthalocyanines against E. coli viable cells. Besides, the DNA cleavage and binding features of compounds ( QSiPc1–3 ) were studied using pBR322 DNA and CT-DNA, respectively. Furthermore, the human topoisomerase I enzyme inhibition activities of compounds QSiPc1 – 3 were studied. Anticancer properties of the water-soluble compounds were investigated using cell proliferation MTT assay. They exhibited anticarcinogenic activity against the human colon cancer cell line (DLD-1). Compounds QSiPc1 and QSiPc3 displayed a high anticarcinogenic effect on the DLD-1 cell line. The obtained results indicated that all the studied compounds may be effective biological agents and anticancer drugs after further investigations.     

Synthesis,Biological Evaluation,and Molecular Modeling Studies of New 1,3,4-Thiadiazole Derivatives as Potent Antimicrobial Agents

In this work, the synthesis, characterization, and biological activities of a new series of 1,3,4-thiadiazole derivatives were investigated. The structures of final compounds were identified using ¹H-NMR, ¹³C-NMR, elemental analysis, and HRMS. All the new synthesized compounds were then screened for their antimicrobial activity against four types of pathogenic bacteria and one fungal strain, by application of the MIC assays, using Ampicilin, Gentamycin, Vancomycin, and Fluconazole as standards. Among the compounds, the MIC values of 4 and 8 μg/mL of the compounds 3f and 3g , respectively, are remarkable and indicate that these compounds are good candidates for antifungal activity. The docking experiments were used to identify the binding forms of produced ligands with sterol 14-demethylase to acquire insight into relevant proteins. The MD performed about 100 ns simulations to validate selected compounds’ theoretical studies. Finally, using density functional theory (DFT) to predict reactivity, the chemical characteristics and quantum factors of synthesized compounds were computed. These results were then correlated with the experimental data. Furthermore, computational estimation was performed to predict the ADME properties of the most active compound 3f .     

Radionuclides content in grape molasses soil samples from Central Black Sea region of Turkey

The activity concentrations of radionuclides in grape molasses soil samples collected from Zile (Tokat) plain in the Central Black Sea region of Turkey were measured by using gamma spectrometer with a NaI(Tl) detector. Also, the concentrations of ²²²Rn in soil samples and air were estimated essentially taking the activity concentrations of ²²⁶Ra measured in soil samples. Grape molasses soil samples with calcium carbonate content are used for sedimentation for making molasses in this region. The average activity concentrations of ²³²Th, ²²⁶Ra, ⁴⁰K, and ¹³⁷Cs were found as 62 ± 2, 68 ± 3, 479 ± 35, and 8.0 ± 0.3 Bq kg^?1, respectively. The average concentrations of ²²²Rn in soil samples and air were estimated to be 50 kBq m^?3 and 144 Bq m^?3. From the activity concentrations, absorbed gamma dose rate in outdoor air (D), annual effective dose from external exposure (E_E), annual effective dose from inhalation of radon (E_I), and excess lifetime cancer risk (ELCR) were estimated in order to assess radiological risks. The average values of D, E_E, E_I, and ELCR were found to be 90 nGy h^?1, 110 μSv y^?1, 1360 μSv y^?1, and 4 × 10^?4, respectively.     

Effect of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase gene polymorphisms and oxidative stress in silent brain infarction

Ischemic infarctions occur under the influence of genetic and environmental factors. In our study, the role of ischemia-modified albumin and thiol balance, which are new markers in determining oxidative damage together with MTHFR gene polymorphisms and homocysteine levels, in the development of SBI was investigated. White matter lesions in the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) results of the patients were evaluated according to the Fazekas scale and divided into groups (Grade 0, 1, 2, and 3). Homocysteine, folate, B12, IMA, total thiol, and native thiol were measured by biochemical methods. The polymorphisms in MTHFR genes were investigated by the RT-PCR method. According to our results, a significant difference was found between the groups in age, homocysteine, folate, IMA, total thiol, and native thiol parameters (p?<?0.05). When we compared the groups in terms of genotypes of the C677T gene, we found a significant difference in TT genotype between grades 0/3 and 1/3 (p?<?0.05). We determined that homocysteine and IMA levels increased and folate levels decreased in CC/TT and CT/TT genotypes in the C677T gene (p?<?0.05). Considering our results, the observation of homocysteine and IMA changes at the genotype level of the MTHFR C677T gene and between the groups, and the deterioration of thiol balance between the groups suggested that these markers can be used in the diagnosis of silent brain infarction.

     

Feeding biology and resource partitioning of the Mullidae family members off the northeastern Levantine coast of Turkey

The introduction of invasive exotic species can have strong ecological impacts on the native biota, with direct consequences for commercial fisheries. Feeding ecology studies are among the primary sources for improving predictions related to community structures, for example, by revealing potential competitive interactions between native and invasive species. We compared the stomach contents and studied diet overlaps among a native (Mullus barbatus) and two invasive (Upeneus moluccensis and U. pori) mullid species, collected off the coasts of the northeastern Levantine where invasive mullids have been part of the ecosystem for more than half a century. We also assessed the effect of sex, sampling period, depth and size on stomach contents. Schoener’s index indicated significant diet overlaps between U. moluccensis–U. pori and U. moluccensis–M. barbatus. Diets of U. pori and M. barbatus did not significantly overlap, which was explained by their differing depth preferences. Assessment of stomach contents showed that Crustacea, specifically Decapoda, was the main prey group across the studied mullid species. Polychaeta was also of high importance in the diet of the native M. barbatus, but not for the two invasive Upeneus species. A trophic level analysis revealed the two invasive mullids to have a higher trophic level than the native species (U. moluccensis: 3.58, U. pori: 3.55 versus M. barbatus: 3.38). The lack of a clear separation in habitat and diet preferences documented here between native and invasive mullids may pose a risk for the persistence of the economically valuable native M. barbatus in the Mediterranean Sea.

     

Chemical Composition and Pharmacological Evaluation and of Toddalia asiatica (Rutaceae) Extracts and Essential Oil by in Vitro and in Silico Approaches.

Toddalia asiatica (L.) Lam. is extensively used in traditional medicinal systems by various cultures. Despite its frequent use in traditional medicine, there is still a paucity of scientific information on T. asiatica growing on the tropical island of Mauritius. Therefore, the present study was designed to appraise the pharmacological and phytochemical profile of extracts (methanol, ethyl acetate and water) and essential oil obtained from aerial parts of T. asiatica. Biological investigation involved the evaluation of in vitro antioxidant and enzyme inhibitory potentials. The chemical profile of the EO was determined using gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC/MS) analysis, while for the extracts, the total phenolic (TPC) and flavonoid content were quantified as well as their individual phenolic compounds by LC/MS/MS. Quinic acid, fumaric acid, chlorogenic acid, quercitrin and isoquercitrin were the main compounds in the extracts. Highest total phenolic (82.5±0.94 mg gallic acid equivalent (GAE/g)) and flavonoid (43.8±0.31 mg rutin equivalent (RE/g)) content were observed for the methanol extract. The GC/MS analysis has shown the presence of 26 compounds with linalool (30.9 %), linalyl acetate (20.9 %) and β-phellandrene (7.9 %) being most abundant components in the EO. The extracts and EO showed notable antioxidant properties, with the methanol extract proved to be superior source of antioxidant compounds. Noteworthy anti-acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and anti-butyrylcholinesterase (BChE) effects were recorded for the tested samples, while only the methanol and ethyl acetate extracts were active against tyrosinase. With respect to antidiabetic effects, the extracts and EO were potent inhibitors of α-glucosidase, while modest activity was recorded against α-amylase. Docking results showed that linalyl acetate has the highest affinity to interact with the active site of BChE with docking score of −6.25 kcal/mol. The findings amassed herein act as a stimulus for further investigations of this plant as a potential source of bioactive compounds which can be exploited as phyto-therapeutics.     

Protective Effect of Nigella sativa and Nigella damascena Fixed Oils Against Aflatoxin Induced Mutagenicity in the Classical and Modified Ames Test

The antioxidant and mutagenic/antimutagenic activities of the fixed oils from Nigella sativa (NSO) and Nigella damascena (NDO) seeds, obtained by cold press-extraction from the cultivar samples, were comparatively investigated for the first time. The antimutagenicity test was carried out using classical and modified Ames tests. The fatty acid composition of the fixed oils was characterized by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) while the quantification of thymoquinone in the fixed oils was determined by UPC². The main components of the NSO and NDO were found to be linoleic acid, oleic acid, and palmitic acid. The results of the Ames test confirmed the safety of NSO and NDO from the viewpoint of mutagenicity. The results of the three antioxidant test methods were correlated with each other, indicating NDO as having a superior antioxidant activity, when compared to the NSO. Both NSO and NDO exhibited a significant protective effect against the mutagenicity induced by aflatoxin B1 in Salmonella typhimurium TA98 and TA100 strains. When microsomal metabolism was terminated after metabolic activation of the mycotoxin, a significant increase in antimutagenic activity was observed, suggesting that the degradation of aflatoxin B1 epoxides by these oils may be a possible antimutagenic mechanism. It is worthy to note that this is the first study to assess the mutagenicity of NSO and NDO according to the OECD 471 guideline and to investigate antimutagenicity of NDO in comparison to NSO against aflatoxin.