Chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of the essential oil of Teucrium ramosissimum (Lamiaceae)

The phytochemical composition of the essential oil of Teucrium ramosissimum (aerial parts), harvested in a mountainous region of Tunisia, was analyzed. A total of 68 compounds, accounting for 99.44% of the essential oil, were identified by GC and GC/MS. The major compounds were beta-eudesmol (61; 44.52%), caryophyllene oxide (56; 9.35%), alpha-thujene (1; 5.51%), sabinene (4; 4.71%), and T-cadinol (59; 3.9%). The essential oil, which is being used in Tunisian folk medicine against infectious diseases, was tested for its antimicrobial properties against five different bacteria, and found to have weak to moderate activity, with minimal-inhibitory-concentration (MIC) and minimal-bactericidal-concentration (MBC) values in the range 0.24-0.36 and 1.3-2.9 mg/ml, resp.     

PPARgamma activation primes human monocytes into alternative M2 macrophages with anti-inflammatory properties

Th1 cytokines promote monocyte differentiation into proatherogenic M1 macrophages, while Th2 cytokines lead to an "alternative" anti-inflammatory M2 macrophage phenotype. Here we show that in human atherosclerotic lesions, the expression of M2 markers and PPARgamma, a nuclear receptor controlling macrophage inflammation, correlate positively. Moreover, PPARgamma activation primes primary human monocytes into M2 differentiation, resulting in a more pronounced anti-inflammatory activity in M1 macrophages. However, PPARgamma activation does not influence M2 marker expression in resting or M1 macrophages, nor does PPARgamma agonist treatment influence the expression of M2 markers in atherosclerotic lesions, indicating that only native monocytes can be primed by PPARgamma activation to an enhanced M2 phenotype. Furthermore, PPARgamma activation significantly increases expression of the M2 marker MR in circulating peripheral blood mononuclear cells. These data demonstrate that PPARgamma activation skews human monocytes toward an anti-inflammatory M2 phenotype.     

Antimutagenic and Antioxidant Potentials of Teucrium ramosissimum Essential Oil

The mutagenic and antimutagenic effects of the essential oil extracted from the aerial parts of Teucrium ramosissimum were evaluated by the bacterial reverse mutation assay in Salmonella typhimurium TA98, TA100, and TA1535, with and without exogenous metabolic activation (S9 fraction). The T. ramosissimum essential oil showed no mutagenic effect. In contrast, our results established that it possessed antimutagenic effects against sodium azide (SA), aflatoxin B1 (AFB1), benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P), and 4‐nitro‐o‐phenylenediamine (NOPD). The antioxidant capacity of the tested essential oil was evaluated using enzymatic, i.e., the xanthine/xanthine oxidase (X/XOD) assay, and nonenzymatic systems, i.e., the nitro‐blue tetrazolium (NBT)/riboflavin and the DPPH assays. A moderate free radical‐scavenging activity was observed towards DPPH^. and O$\rm{{_{2}^{{^\cdot} -}}}$ . In contrast, T. ramosissimum essential oil showed no effect for all the tested concentrations in the X/XOD assay.     

A Nup133-dependent NPC-anchored network tethers centrosomes to the nuclear envelope in prophase

Maintenance of stable E-cadherin-dependent adhesion is essential for epithelial function. The small GTPase Rac is activated by initial cadherin clustering, but the precise mechanisms underlying Rac-dependent junction stabilization are not well understood. Ajuba, a LIM domain protein, colocalizes with cadherins, yet Ajuba function at junctions is unknown. We show that, in Ajuba-depleted cells, Rac activation and actin accumulation at cadherin receptors was impaired, and junctions did not sustain mechanical stress. The Rac effector PAK1 was also transiently activated upon cell-cell adhesion and directly phosphorylated Ajuba (Thr172). Interestingly, similar to Ajuba depletion, blocking PAK1 activation perturbed junction maintenance and actin recruitment. Expression of phosphomimetic Ajuba rescued the effects of PAK1 inhibition. Ajuba bound directly to Rac·GDP or Rac·GTP, but phosphorylated Ajuba interacted preferentially with active Rac. Rather than facilitating Rac recruitment to junctions, Ajuba modulated Rac dynamics at contacts depending on its phosphorylation status. Thus, a Rac-PAK1-Ajuba feedback loop integrates spatiotemporal signaling with actin remodeling at cell-cell contacts and stabilizes preassembled cadherin complexes.     

Muscle mass as a factor limiting physical work

Maximal exercise has been performed by eight men and eight women, using four types of ergometer (2-leg, 1-leg, arm + shoulder, and arm) while breathing room air and while breathing 12% O2. Results have been related to anthropometric estimates of muscle mass in the active limbs. Although significant sex differences of O2 transfer and power output are shown, the sex-specific aerobic performance was roughly proportional to active muscle volume (both when comparing individuals on a given type of ergometer and when comparing average scores of the several types of ergometer). However, the relationship was closer for steady power output than for peak O2 intake (where the scores for arm work were boosted by the use of accessory muscles and by hyperventilation). When breathing 12% O2, the 2-leg performance was substantially reduced (an average of 28.7% for O2 transport and 19.2% for power output). This effect dropped to 9.1% for O2 transport and 12% for power output in one-leg ergometry and was negligible for arm or arm plus shoulder work. It is argued that because of difficulty in perfusing small muscles, arm work is limited largely by the intrinsic power of the active muscles, that single-leg ergometry is limited rather equally by central circulatory and muscular factors, and that two-leg ergometry is almost entirely dependent on the central circulatory transport of O2.     

Synthesis and evaluation of original amidoximes as antileishmanial agents

An original series of amidoxime derivatives was synthesized using manganese(III) acetate, Buchwald–Hartwig and Heck reactions. Two amidoximes (39 and 52) showed interesting in vitro activities toward Leishmania donovani promastigotes, exhibiting 8.3 and 8.8 μM IC₅₀ values. Moreover, the cytotoxicity of these compounds was evaluated on human THP1 cells, giving access to the corresponding selectivity index. Among the 25 tested compounds, amidoximes 38 and 39 and diamidoximes 50 and 52 exhibited a better selectivity index than pentamidine used as a drug compound reference.     

Les lésions de l’urètre associées à une fracture des corps caverneux. A propos d’une série de 4 cas et revue de la littérature

Introduction

Urethral injury associated with corpora cavernosa fracture is a relatively uncommon form of urological trauma. Early diagnosis and immediate surgical repair are essential.

Patients and methods

Between January 1990 and December 2004, a total of 4 male patients with urethral injury associated with fracture of the corpora cavernosa were retrospectively studied from a series of 96 cases of penile fracture.

Results

The mean age of the patients was 36.5 years (range: 27–45 years). Urethral bleeding was noted in all patients. Immediate surgical repair via a penile circular subcoronal incision was performed in all cases. Two partial urethral injuries associated with a unilateral corpus cavernosum lesion were identified. In the other cases, total urethral injury was associated with bilateral rupture of the corpora cavernosa. The tunica albuginea defect was closed and the urethral laceration repaired over a urethral catheter. With a mean follow-up of 2.5 years, 2 short urethral strictures were observed and were managed non-operatively with good outcome.

Comments

Secondary urethral lesions associated with corpora cavernosa fracture most frequently affect young adults. In North African countries, forced self-manipulation of an erect penis is the most frequent cause, but the associated urethral lesion is usually related to vaginal intercourse. The diagnosis can generally be made on the basis of history and physical examination alone. Blood at the meatus or haematuria or voiding difficulties suggest associated trauma to the urethra [4]. Additional imaging examinations are rarely required. The standard treatment is prompt surgical exploration, evacuation of haematoma, and primary repair of the urethral and corpora cavernosa defects. Late complications after surgical repair are penile curvature and pain during coitus. They are usually attributable to a residual fibrotic area.

Conclusion

Urethral injury associated with corpora cavernosa fracture usually has typical signs. The mechanism of trauma is very suggestive. Early surgical treatment is the only guarantee of a satisfactory functional result.     

Investigating the action of the microalgal pigment marennine on Vibrio splendidus by in vivo 2H and 31P solid-state NMR

This work investigates the potential probiotic effect of marennine - a natural pigment produced by the diatom Haslea ostrearia - on Vibrio splendidus. These marine bacteria are often considered a threat for aquaculture; therefore, chemical antibiotics can be required to reduce bacterial outbreaks. In vivo ²H solid-state NMR was used to probe the effects of marennine on the bacterial membrane in the exponential and stationary phases. Comparisons were made with polymyxin B (PxB) - an antibiotic used in aquaculture and known to interact with Gram(?) bacteria membranes. We also investigated the effect of marennine using ³¹P solid-state NMR on model membranes. Our results show that marennine has little effect on phospholipid headgroups dynamics, but reduces the acyl chain fluidity. Our data suggest that the two antimicrobial agents perturb V. splendidus membranes through different mechanisms. While PxB would alter the bacterial outer and inner membranes, marennine would act through a membrane stiffening mechanism, without affecting the bilayer integrity. Our study proposes this microalgal pigment, which is harmless for humans, as a potential treatment against vibriosis.     

Le lymphangiome kystique scrotal. A propos d’un cas

Lymphangioma is a benign tumor of the lymphatic system classified as simple, cavernous, or cystic depending on the size of the dilated lymphatic spaces within the tumor. Most cases present as a soft, cystic, slowly enlarging swelling in the neck and axilla in children, while the scrotum is a rare site. We report the case of a 39-year-old man who presented with a painless left hemiscrotal mass. On examination, the testes and spermatic cords were normal bilaterally. There was a firm, polycystic mass in the inferior portion of the left hemiscrotum. Scrotal ultrasound revealed normal testes, with a large complex cystic loculated mass. Histology demonstrated a cystic lymphangioma. The mass was completely excised. The patient remained well without recurrence with a follow-up of 6 months.