Microwave-And Ultrasound-Assisted Synthesis of Some Acyclonucleobases Based on a Uracil Moiety Using Dmap as Base

In this study, 1-(bromoalkanoyl)-1H-pyrimidine-2,4-diones, (2,4-dioxo-pyrimidin-1-yl)-oxo-alkanoic acids, and bis(2,4-dioxo-3,4-dihydro-2H-pyrimidin-1-yl)-alkanones were successfully prepared via electrophilic substitution of uracil and its derivatives. High yields and pure products were obtained when microwave and ultrasound methodologies were used for undertaking the reactions. Importantly, the use of 4-dimethylaminopyridine in the present investigation gave rise to higher conversions of the starting material and afforded facile access to regioselective N-1 products.     

Targeted Lipidomics in Drosophila melanogaster Identifies Novel 2-Monoacylglycerols and N-acyl Amides

Lipid metabolism is critical to coordinate organ development and physiology in response to tissue-autonomous signals and environmental cues. Changes to the availability and signaling of lipid mediators can limit competitiveness, adaptation to environmental stressors, and augment pathological processes. Two classes of lipids, the N-acyl amides and the 2-acyl glycerols, have emerged as important signaling molecules in a wide range of species with important signaling properties, though most of what is known about their cellular functions is from mammalian models. Therefore, expanding available knowledge on the repertoire of these lipids in invertebrates will provide additional avenues of research aimed at elucidating biosynthetic, metabolic, and signaling properties of these molecules. Drosophila melanogaster is a commonly used organism to study intercellular communication, including the functions of bioactive lipids. However, limited information is available on the molecular identity of lipids with putative biological activities in Drosophila. Here, we used a targeted lipidomics approach to identify putative signaling lipids in third instar Drosophila larvae, possessing particularly large lipid mass in their fat body. We identified 2-linoleoyl glycerol, 2-oleoyl glycerol, and 45 N-acyl amides in larval tissues, and validated our findings by the comparative analysis of Oregon-RS, Canton-S and w1118 strains. Data here suggest that Drosophila represent another model system to use for the study of 2-acyl glycerol and N-acyl amide signaling.     

Electricity generation from young landfill leachate in a microbial fuel cell with a new electrode material

This study aims at evaluating the performance of a two-chambered continuously fed microbial fuel cell with new Ti–TiO₂ electrodes for bioelectricity generation from young landfill leachate at varying strength of wastewater (1–50 COD g/L) and hydraulic retention time (HRT, 0.25–2 days). The COD removal efficiency in the MFC increased with time and reached 45 % at full-strength leachate (50 g/L COD) feeding. The current generation increased with increasing leachate strength and decreasing HRT up to organic loading rate of 100 g COD/L/day. The maximum current density throughout the study was 11 A/m² at HRT of 0.5 day and organic loading rate of 67 g COD/L/day. Coulombic efficiency (CE) decreased from 57 % at feed COD concentration of 1 g/L to less than 1 % when feed COD concentration was 50 g/L. Increase in OLR resulted in increase in power output but decrease in CE.     

The effectiveness of the peer-delivered Thinking Healthy PLUS (THPP+) Program for maternal depression and child socioemotional development in Pakistan: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

BackgroundThe negative effects of perinatal depression on the mother and child start early and persist throughout the lifecourse (Lancet 369(9556):145–57, 2007; Am J Psychiatry 159(1):43-7, 2002; Arch Dis Child 77(2):99–101, 1997; J Pak Med Assoc 60(4):329; J Psychosoma Res 49(3):207–16, 2000; Clin Child Fam Psychol Rev 14(1):1–27, 2011). Given that 10–35 % of children worldwide are exposed to perinatal depression in their first year of life (Int Rev Psychiatry 8(1):37–54, 1996), mitigating this intergenerational risk is a global public health priority (Perspect Public Health 129(5):221–7, 2009; Trop Med Int Health 13(4):579–83, 2008; Br Med Bull 101(1):57–79, 2012). However, it is not clear whether intervention with depressed women can have long-term benefits for the mother and/or her child. We describe a study of the effectiveness of a peer-delivered depression intervention delivered through 36 postnatal months, the Thinking Healthy Program Peer-delivered PLUS (THPP+) for women and their children in rural Pakistan.Methods/designThe THPP+ study aims are: (1) to evaluate the effects of an extended 36-month perinatal depression intervention on maternal and index child outcomes using a cluster randomized controlled trial (c-RCT) and (2) to determine whether outcomes among index children of perinatally depressed women in the intervention arm converge with those of index children born to perinatally nondepressed women. The trial is designed to recruit 560 pregnant women who screened positive for perinatal depression (PHQ-9 score ≥10) from 40 village clusters, of which 20 receive the THPP+ intervention. An additional reference group consists of 560 perinatally nondepressed women from the same 40 clusters as the THPP+ trial. The women in the nondepressed group are not targeted to receive the THPP+ intervention; but, by recruiting pregnant women from both intervention and control clusters, we are able to evaluate any carryover effects of the THPP+ intervention on the women and their children. Perinatally depressed women in the THPP+ intervention arm receive bimonthly group-based sessions. Primary outcomes are 3-year maternal depression and 3-year child development indicators. Analyses are intention-to-treat and account for the clustered design.DiscussionThis trial, together with the reference group, has the potential to further our understanding of the early developmental lifecourse of children of both perinatally depressed and perinatally nondepressed women in rural Pakistan and to determine whether intervening with women’s depression in the perinatal period can mitigate the negative effects of maternal depression on 36-month child development.

Trial registration

THPP-P ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: {"type":"clinical-trial","attrs":{"text":"NCT02111915","term_id":"NCT02111915"}}NCT02111915 (registered on 9 April 2014).THPP+ ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: {"type":"clinical-trial","attrs":{"text":"NCT02658994","term_id":"NCT02658994"}}NCT02658994 (registered on 21 January 2016).Sponsor: Human Development Research Foundation (HDRF).

Electronic supplementary material

The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13063-016-1530-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.     

Effects of curcumin on methyl methanesulfonate damage to mouse kidney

Methylmethane sulfonate (MMS) is an alkylating agent that may react with DNA and damage it. We investigated histological changes and apoptosis caused by MMS and the effects of curcumin on MMS treated mouse kidneys. Twenty-four mice were divided into four equal groups: controls injected with saline, a group injected with 40 mg/kg MMS, a group injected with 40 mg/kg MMS and given 100 mg/kg curcumin by gavage, and a group given 100 mg/kg curcumin by gavage. MMS caused congestion and vacuole formation, and elevated the apoptotic index significantly, but had no other effect on kidney tissue. Curcumin improved the congestion and vacuole formation caused by MMS and decreased the apoptotic index. Curcumin administered with MMS appears to decrease the deleterious effects of MMS on the kidney.     

Investigation of arcobacters in meat and faecal samples of clinically healthy cattle in Turkey

AIMS: To investigate the presence of Arcobacter spp. in minced beef meat (n = 97) and rectal faecal samples (n = 200) collected from cattle immediately after slaughter at a local abattoir in Turkey. METHODS AND RESULTS: Meat samples were examined using three different isolation procedures (CAT-supplemented media, de Boer arcobacter isolation method and membrane filtration method), but only one method (CAT-supplemented media) was employed for faecal samples. The isolated Arcobacter strains were identified by genus- and species-(multiplex) specific PCR assays. Arcobacter spp. were isolated from 5 and 9.5% of meat and faecal samples respectively. Although the only Arcobacter sp. found in meat samples was Arcobacter butzleri, all three pathogenic species--A. butzleri, A. cryaerophilus and A. skirrowii--were detected in the rectal swabs. No Arcobacter was isolated when the de Boer method was used for minced meat samples but the same five meat samples were found positive for arcobacters when CAT-supplemented media and membrane filtration method were used. CONCLUSIONS: The membrane filtration method was found to be superior to the CAT-supplemented media, because it led to a reduction in competing microflora. However, the necessity for one filter and medium for each sample makes this method somewhat expensive. The multiplex-PCR (m-PCR) assay shortened significantly the time required for the identification of Arcobacter spp. and also removed the possibility of false positive results due to other campylobacteria. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: This study reports the isolation of Arcobacter spp. in cattle for the first time in Turkey. The m-PCR assay enables the identification and differentiation of all arcobacters simultaneously in one-step PCR.     

Diverse Virulent Pneumophages Infect Streptococcus mitis

Streptococcus mitis has emerged as one of the leading causes of bacterial endocarditis and is related to Streptococcus pneumoniae. Antibiotic resistance has also increased among strains of S. mitis and S. pneumoniae. Phages are being reinvestigated as alternatives to antibiotics for managing infections. In this study, the two virulent phages Cp-1 (Podoviridae) and Dp-1 (Siphoviridae), previously isolated from S. pneumoniae, were found to also infect S. mitis. Microbiological assays showed that both pneumophages could not only replicate in S. mitis but also produced more visible plaques on this host. However, the burst size and phage adsorption data were lower in S. mitis as compared to S. pneumoniae. A comparison of the genomes of each phage grown on both hosts produced identical nucleotide sequences, confirming that the same phages infect both bacterial species. We also discovered that the genomic sequence of podophage Cp-1 of the Félix d’Hérelle collection is different than the previously reported sequence and thus renamed SOCP.     

Diagnostic value of salivary cortisol in children with abnormal adrenal cortex functions

AIMS: It has been shown that the free cortisol level in saliva may reflect plasma free cortisol. The measurement of cortisol in saliva is a simple method, and as such it is important in the pediatric age group. In this research, the diagnostic value of measurement of salivary cortisol (SC) measurement was examined in adrenal insufficiency (AI). METHODS: Fifty-one patients, mean age 10.8 +/- 4.29, who were investigated for possible AI, were included. Basal cortisol levels were below 18 microg/dl. Adrenal function was determined by low-dose ACTH test. During the test, samples for SC were obtained simultaneously with serum samples (at 0-10-20-30-40 min). RESULTS: Mean basal serum cortisol level was 8.21 +/- 4.10 microg/dl (mean +/- SD). Basal SC was correlated to basal serum cortisol (r = 0.64, p < 0.001). A cut-off of 0.94 microg/dl for SC differentiated adrenal insufficient subjects from normals with a sensitivity and specificity of 80 and 77%, respectively. A peak SC less than 0.62 microg/dl defined AI with a specificity of 100%; however, sensitivity was 44%. CONCLUSION: Measurement of SC may be used in the evaluation of AI. It is well-correlated to serum cortisol. Peak SC in low-dose ACTH test can be used to differentiate patients with AI in the initial evaluation of individuals with suspected AI.