Salvia officinalis L. essential oils: effect of hydrodistillation time on the chemical composition, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities

Salvia officinalis L. oils were isolated from the plant's commercial dried aerial parts, by hydrodistillation, with different distillation times. The essential oils were analysed by gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The antioxidant ability was measured using a free radical scavenging activity assay using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), a thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) assay, a deoxyribose assay for the scavenging of hydroxyl radical, an assay for site-specific actions and a 5-lipoxygenase assay. Antibacterial activity was determined by the agar diffusion method. 1,8-Cineole, α-pinene and camphor were the dominant components of all the essential oils. The different hydrodistillation times did not affect the oil yield nor the relative amount of the oil components. The time of hydrodistillation influenced the antioxidant activity. With the DPPH method, the oils isolated for 2 and 3 h were stronger free radical scavengers, while with the TBARS method, the highest antioxidant values were obtained in the oils isolated for 30 min, 2 and 3 h. Hydroxyl radical scavenging and lipoxygenase activity assays showed the best results with oils isolated for 1 and 3 h. With the deoxyribose method, sage oils at concentrations <1000 mg L(-1) showed better activity than mannitol. The essential oil of S. officinalis showed very weak antimicrobial activity.

Human scalp permeability to the chemical warfare agent VX

The use of chemical warfare agents such as VX in terrorism act might lead to contamination of the civilian population. Human scalp decontamination may require appropriate products and procedures. Due to ethical reasons, skin decontamination studies usually involve in vitro skin models, but human scalp skin samples are uncommon and expensive. The purpose of this study was to characterize the in vitro permeability to VX of human scalp, and to compare it with (a) human abdominal skin, and (b) pig skin from two different anatomic sites: ear and skull roof, in order to design a relevant model. Based on the VX skin permeation kinetics and distribution, we demonstrated that (a) human scalp was significantly more permeable to VX than abdominal skin and (b) pig-ear skin was the most relevant model to predict the in vitro human scalp permeability. Our results indicated that the follicular pathway significantly contributed to the skin absorption of VX through human scalp. In addition, the hair follicles and the stratum corneum significantly contributed to the formation of a skin reservoir for VX.

Eficácia do florfenicol e da oxitetraciclina no controle de Aeromonas hydrophila em pacu (Piaractus mesopotamicus)

Determinou-se a concentração eficaz de oxitetraciclina (OTC) e florfenicol (FFC) no tratamento de Aeromonas hydrophila em pacu (Piaractus. mesopotamicus). Os pacus foram submetidos à captura duas vezes ao dia por quatro dias e em seguida foram infectados com A. hydrophila (2,4x10(7) bactéria mL-1). Os tratamentos utilizados foram: controle sem infecção (CSI), controle com infecção (CCI) e tratados com 110,0; 140,0 e 170,0mgOTC.kg-1, e 5,0; 10,0 e 15,0mgFFC.kg-1. As variáveis de qualidade da água foram monitoradas diariamente. Após o tratamento, no CSI dos dois testes, ocorreu 100% de sobrevivência. Nos testes com OTC, no CCI, a sobrevivência foi de 29,2%; em 110,0mg.kg-1, 37,5%; em 140,0mg.kg-1, 29,2%; e em 170,0mg.kg-1, 50,0%. Nos testes com FFC, foi eficaz com 10,0mg.kg-1, e no CCI a sobrevivência foi de 76,9%; em 5,0mg.kg-1, 81,81%; em 10,0mg/L.kg-1, 100% e em 15,0mg.kg-1, 87,5%. A OTC, em concentrações de até 170,0mg.kg-1 de ração, não é eficaz para o controle de A. hydrophila em pacu, e o FFC é eficaz na concentração de 10,0mg.kg-1 e ambos não alteram as variáveis de qualidade de água.

Cellulose-based liquid crystalline photoresponsive films with tunable surface wettability

We report on a new type of liquid crystalline cellulosic films with light controllable reversible wettability. The films are prepared from a thermotropic cellulose derivative functionalized with azo-containing groups. These groups exhibit dynamic changes in interfacial properties in response to UV irradiation. The UV irradiation induces trans-to-cis isomerization in the azobenzene moiety, which causes a conformational change in the upper molecular layers of the thin films. These changes originate a hydrophobic to comparatively hydrophilic transformation of the surface. The reversible wettability of the surface results from the cis/trans photo and thermal isomerization. The UV-vis absorption spectra, as well as contact angle measurements with UV irradiation, clearly support the understanding of the phenomenon. This type of surface design enables the amplification of molecular level conformational transitions to macroscopic changes in interface properties using the means of isomerism. This opens new opportunities in surface engineering using eco-friendly cellulose manipulation.

Depletion of the heaviest stable N isotope is associated with NH4+/NH3 toxicity in NH4+-fed plants

BACKGROUND

In plants, nitrate (NO3-) nutrition gives rise to a natural N isotopic signature (δ15N), which correlates with the δ15N of the N source. However, little is known about the relationship between the δ15N of the N source and the 14N/15N fractionation in plants under ammonium (NH4+) nutrition. When NH4+ is the major N source, the two forms, NH4+ and NH3, are present in the nutrient solution. There is a 1.025 thermodynamic isotope effect between NH3 (g) and NH4+ (aq) which drives to a different δ15N. Nine plant species with different NH4+-sensitivities were cultured hydroponically with NO3- or NH4+ as the sole N sources, and plant growth and δ15N were determined. Short-term NH4+/NH3 uptake experiments at pH 6.0 and 9.0 (which favours NH3 form) were carried out in order to support and substantiate our hypothesis. N source fractionation throughout the whole plant was interpreted on the basis of the relative transport of NH4+ and NH3.

RESULTS

Several NO3--fed plants were consistently enriched in 15N, whereas plants under NH4+ nutrition were depleted of 15N. It was shown that more sensitive plants to NH4+ toxicity were the most depleted in 15N. In parallel, N-deficient pea and spinach plants fed with 15NH4+ showed an increased level of NH3 uptake at alkaline pH that was related to the 15N depletion of the plant. Tolerant to NH4+ pea plants or sensitive spinach plants showed similar trend on 15N depletion while slight differences in the time kinetics were observed during the initial stages. The use of RbNO3 as control discarded that the differences observed arise from pH detrimental effects.

CONCLUSIONS

This article proposes that the negative values of δ15N in NH4+-fed plants are originated from NH3 uptake by plants. Moreover, this depletion of the heavier N isotope is proportional to the NH4+/NH3 toxicity in plants species. Therefore, we hypothesise that the low affinity transport system for NH4+ may have two components: one that transports N in the molecular form and is associated with fractionation and another that transports N in the ionic form and is not associated with fractionation.

Amino acids-nucleotides biomolecular recognition: from biological occurrence to affinity chromatography

In this review, the protein-DNA interactions are discussed considering different perspectives, and the biological occurrence of this interaction is explained at atomic level. The evaluation of the amino acid-nucleotide recognition has been investigated analysing datasets for predicting the association preferences and the geometry that favours the interaction. Based on this knowledge, an affinity chromatographic method was developed also exploiting this biological favoured contact. In fact, the implementation of this technique brings the possibility to apply the concept of molecular interactions to the development of new purification methodologies. In addition, the integration of the information recovered by all the different perspectives can bring new insights about some biological mechanisms, though not totally clarified.

Do lichens have "memory" of their native nitrogen environment?

This study aimed to deepen the knowledge about intraspecific mechanisms regulating nitrogen tolerance in lichens to wet nitrogen deposition. Thalli of the nitrophilous lichen Xanthoria parietina were collected from environments with different nitrogen availabilities and immersed in 80 mL of ammonium sulphate (NH₄)₂SO₄ solutions with distinct concentrations (0, 0.025, 0.05 and 0.25 M) for 5 h per day during 3 days in a week. After each soaking event, lichens were air dried. After each treatment, maximal PSII efficiency, localization of ammonium ions, concentrations of K+ and Mg²+ and thalli buffer capacity were determined. Our results show that lichens are marked by their native nitrogen environment, since there were important differences between the physiological responses of X. parietina thalli previously grown in an area with high nitrogen deposition (nitrogen emissions of ca. 13,000 t/year) and those previously grown in an unpolluted area (nitrogen emissions of ca. 500 t/year). Greater N availability seems to enable X. parietina to cope better with the effects of nitrogen pollution.

Water quality issues and infant diarrhoea in a South American province

In the province of Salta, in the Northwest region of Argentina, almost two-thirds of the population live in absolute poverty, and diseases associated with poverty are rampant. Almost 12% of the total population of the province are children below 5 years of age; almost half of these infants are living in situations where the basic necessities are not available. Primitive sanitary conditions, including widespread contamination of available water supplies with pathogens, contribute to a major public health problem. Infant mortality was 17% higher for Salta than for Argentina as a whole in 2001. A major cause of death for these children is infectious disease, especially respiratory and intestinal diseases. In Salta, more than half of the total population of infants is affected by diarrhoea annually. The infectious pathogens are diverse: bacteria (predominantly in spring and summer), viruses (especially in the winter) and parasites (endemic in some situations). This paper evaluates current methods used to test for the presence of pathogens in drinking water; discusses why these methods are less than adequate; documents an episode of contamination in a local water supply source; and suggests appropriate methods that can be used to better address this major public health issue effectively.

An overview of the treatment of Tourette's disorder and tics

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to review the efficacy of various treatments for Tourette's disorder (TD) and tics.

METHOD

This study is a historical review of the treatment modalities prior to the advent of neuroleptics. A review of double-blind and placebo-controlled clinical trials and open studies on the use of neuroleptics and selected reports was also carried out.

RESULTS

The literature review reveals that the treatment of TD and tics has evolved from an early history of marginally effective approaches to the advent of neuroleptics, which started a new era in TD and tic treatment, with a significantly broader range of effectiveness.

CONCLUSIONS

Although progress has been made, the literature review nevertheless reveals a great deal of confusion as related to the clinical heterogeneity of TD and tics, differences in populations, medication-dose combinations, and outcomes. However, a role for a limited number of pharmacologic agents, combined with psychosocial approaches, has been identified. There is a need for studies in larger, diagnostically homogenous samples and for the use of more sophisticated methodology, to identify intelligible models that would allow the development of more effective treatment approaches.

Cutaneous challenge with chemical warfare agents in the SKH-1 hairless mouse. (I) Development of a model for screening studies in skin decontamination and protection

Exposure to lethal chemical warfare agents (CWAs) is no longer only a military issue due to the terrorist threat. Among the CWAs of concern are the organophosphorus nerve agent O-ethyl-S-(2[di-isopropylamino]ethyl)methyl-phosphonothioate (VX) and the vesicant sulfur mustard (SM). Although efficient means of decontamination are available, most of them lose their efficacy when decontamination is delayed after exposure of the bare skin. Alternatively, CWA skin penetration can be prevented by topical skin protectants. Active research in skin protection and decontamination is thus paramount. In vivo screening of decontaminants or skin protectants is usually time consuming and may be expensive depending on the animal species used. We were thus looking for a suitable, scientifically sound and cost-effective model, which is easy to handle. The euthymic hairless mouse Crl: SKH-1 (hr/hr) BR is widely used in some skin studies and has previously been described to be suitable for some experiments involving SM or SM analogs. To evaluate the response of this species, we studied the consequences of exposing male anaesthetized SKH-1 mice to either liquid VX or to SM, the latter being used in liquid form or as saturated vapours. Long-term effects of SM burn were also evaluated. The model was then used in the companion paper (Taysse et al.(1)).

Marfan syndrome: clinical manifestations, pathophysiology and new outlook on drug therapy

Marfan Syndrome (MFS) is a genetic disorder of the connective tissue with multisystemic manifestations, which typically involves the skeletal, cardiovascular and ocular systems. It is usually associated with fibrillin-1 (FBN1) gene mutations, an extracellular matrix protein, and its diagnosi requires the presence of several clinical criteria, called the Ghent criteria. Studies with animal models have helped understand some of the pathophysiologic mechanisms of the syndrome, and the core role of transforming growth factor, (TGF-beta) signalling pathways in these mutations. These findings created new therapeutic opportunities, like the use of losartan, known to have an antagonistic effect on TGF-beta. With the aging of this population, new clinical manifestations are expected, requiring close and continued MFS patient monitoring.

Body fat and poor diet in breast cancer women

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide. Differences in breast cancer incidence suggest a significant role of environmental factors in the aetiology: obesity, central adiposity, excess body fat and some dietary factors have been suggested as risk factors. This pilot study aimed to analyse the pattern of nutritional status, body fat, and the usual dietary intake among women diagnosed with breast cancer, consecutively referred to the Radiotherapy Department of the University Hospital Santa Maria.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Throughout 2006, 71 consecutive women with breast cancer were included.

EVALUATIONS

weight (kg) & height (m), determined with a SECA(R) floor scale+stadiometer to calculate body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, percentage body fat with bipolar hand-held bio-impedance analysis (BF-306), Food Frequency Questionnaire validated for the Portuguese population to assess the usual dietary intake. Frequency analysis and Mann-Whitney U test were used to evaluate prevalence and associations.

RESULTS

Mean age was 60+/-12 (36-90) years. Invasive ductal carcinoma was the most frequent histology (68%), p<0.05. Most patients were in stage I (30%) or stage IIA (25%) of disease vs IIB (10%), IIIB (4%), IV (4%) or others (21%), p<0.05. Regarding nutritional status, 82% were overweight/obese; 89% of patients had a %body fat mass above the maximum limit of 30% vs only 8 (11%) with %body fat within normal range (p<0.002); 62% pts had a waist circumference>88 cm (prevalence analysis: p<0.04), and 61% of pts had gained weight after diagnosis. Univariate analysis did not show any association between histology, BMI, %body fat and waist circumference; by multivariate analysis there was an association between higher BMI, %body fat & aggressive histologies (p<0.005). Food frequency analysis showed a low intake of vegetables and whole grain cereals rich in complex carbohydrates (sources of fibre and phytochemicals), of fatty fish & nuts, primary sources of n-3 PUFA's and a high intake of saturated fat; more aggressive histologies were correlated with low intake of green leafy vegetables (p=0.05) and n-3 fatty acids food sources (p=0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings show a vast prevalence & homogeneous pattern of overweight/obesity, excessive body and abdominal fat, as well as weight gain after diagnosis, combined with diets deficient in protective nutrients. Further investigation is warranted as cancer rates in Portugal continue to increase.

Phase structure and molecular dynamics of liquid-crystalline side-on organosiloxane tetrapodes

X-ray diffraction and proton NMR relaxation measurements were carried out on two liquid-crystalline organosiloxane tetrapodes with side-on mesogenic groups, exhibiting nematic and smectic- C phases, and on a monomeric analog. Packing models for the mesophases exhibited by these systems are proposed on the basis of x-ray diffraction data. As a consequence of microsegregation, the aromatic cores are packed in between two sublayers formed by a mixture of interdigitated aliphatic and siloxane chains. The mixed sublayers are characteristic for the tetrapodes with side-on mesogenic groups presented in this work and have not been observed in tetrapodes with terminally attached mesogens. The tilt angle in the smectic- C phase is found very large, i.e., approximately 61 degrees -62 degrees . Notably, smectic- C clusters are present also in the whole temperature range of the nematic phase. NMR relaxometry yields T(1)-1 dispersions clearly different from those of conventional calamitics. The influence of molecular tendency to form interdigitated structures is evidenced by frequency-dependent relaxation rate in the isotropic phase-indicating the presence of ordered clusters far above the phase transition-and by the diminished role of molecular self-diffusion in ordered phases. Nematiclike director fluctuations are the dominating relaxation mechanism whereas the translational displacements are strongly hindered by the interdigitation of dendrimer arms.