Evaluation of antiparasitic,anticancer,antimicrobial and hypoglycemic properties of organic extracts from Panamanian mangrove plants

Objective: To investigate 33 organic extracts of mangrove plants for: antiparasitic, anticancer, and antibacterial activities, as well as their ability to inhibit the activity of the α-glucosidase enzyme. Methods: Leaves from all different plant mangrove species located in five mangrove zones of the Pacific coast of Panama were collected according to standard procedures. Qualitative phytochemical analysis of the organic extracts was performed by thin layer chromatography. The antiparasitic activity against Plasmodium falciparum, Trypanosoma cruzi and Leishmania donovani, toxicity against Artemia salina, anticancer activity in MCF-7 cell line, and antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa of all organic extract were investigated according protocols stablished in our institution. Finally, the ability to inhibit the enzymatic activity of α-glucosidase was evaluated by monitoring the hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl α-Dglucopyranoside. Results: Thirty-three different samples belonging to nine different species of vascular plants with seeds of true mangroves were collected. Triterpenoids, phenolics, and tannins were the main groups of compounds found in the sampled mangroves. Saponins, quinones, and coumarins were found in less than 50%of the samples. Laguncularia racemosa showed moderate activity against Plasmodium falciparum. None of the extracts presented anticancer activity. Rhizophora mangle exhibited potent activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Bacillus subtilis [(90.41 ±7.33)% and(96.02±6.14)% of inhibition]; Avicennia germinans and Conocarpus erectus had activity against Escherichia coli[(71.17±6.15)% and(60.60±5. 13)% of inhibition,respectively]. About 60% of the mangroves showed α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. In particular, extracts from Laguncularia racemosa, Pelliciera rhizophorae, Conocarpus erectus, Mora oleifera, and Tabebuia palustris species showed α-glucosidase inhibitory potential, with IC_(50) values of(29.45±0.29),(20.60±0.70),(730.06±3.74),(25.59±0.37), and(853.39±5.30) μg/mL, respectively. Conclusions: Panamanian mangroves are mainly a promising potential source of hypoglycemic compounds, specifically α-glucosidase inhibitors.These results highlight the therapeutic virtues of extracts from American mangrove plants.

A preliminary study of freshwater meiofaunal communities at Greenwich Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica

Meiofaunal communities of three small, shallow freshwater habitats sampled during the austral summer of 2013 in Greenwich Island, South Shetland Islands, Antarctica, are reported. Communities are dominated by tardigrades （85%）, nematodes （11%）, and rotifers （3%）. Collembola, Oligochaeta, crustacean larvae （nauplii） and unidentified organisms account for 0.3%. Total meiofaunal densities reach 11 770 ind.cm^-2, with mean densities （ind.cm-2） of 1 365.83 ± 2 716.65 （Zone A）, 523.67 ± 1 166.48 （Zone B） and 72.17 ± 110.78 （Zone C）. Given the age of freshwater habitats, and the general lack of higher-tropbic level predatory taxa, those species we report are likely early stage colonizers, and these communities are at an early stage of ecological succession. Non-parametrical analysis revealed the main variables influencing meiofaunal density and distribution are related to granulometric characteristics of sediments and microphytobenthic biomass. There were close relationships between meiofaunal abundance and microphytobenthic biomass, which indicates that benthic microalgae significantly influence meiofaunal distribution. A strong correlation between nematode abundance and the percentage of silt, clay and carbon in the sediment was also shown by canonical correspondence analysis and Spearman rank correlation.

Liver Lead Levels in Snow Goose (Chen caerulescens) in a Wetland near the City of Durango, Mexico

The use of lead in ammunition for hunting exposes waterfowl to lead poisoning (plumbism) by accidental consumption of shotgun pellets. To test this hypothesis we sampled 18 liver tissue samples of Snow Goose (Chen caerulescens) collected during the 2012-2013 hunting season in a wetland near the city of Durango, Mexico. We quantified liver lead levels using an atomic absorption spectrophotometer and portions of liver were fixed and stained for their histological study. Average lead concentration (in dry weight) were under the normal range (mean = 0.73 ± 0.2, standard error) which do not represent any risk of poisoning. Liver tissue injuries were not observed in the histopathological analysis, suggesting no reaction to a xenobiotic agent such as lead. Gastrointestinal content analysis showed lead pellet in the gizzard of one individual, but we could not find a relationship between pellet ingestion and lead concentration in the liver. Although the results did not provide evidences of lethal or sublethal effects caused by lead poisoning, they show a possible risk due to the presence of lead pellets in the digestive tract.

Artificial Triterpenoid Fatty Acid Ester Isolated From the Leaves of Phytolacca icosandra L

The methanol extract form the leaves of Phytolacca icosandra L.,afforded the unprecedented artificial triterpenoid fatty acid ester 1 derived from the new natural triterpenoid phytolaccagenic acid 3-O-myristate(1a),along with the three known triterpenoids serjanic,acinosolic and phytolaccagenic acid(2-4).Their structures were stablished by HR-EI-MS,1D and 2D NMR techniques.The possible mechanistic formation of 1 is proposed,and the in vitro toxicity of all compounds was assessed using the brine shrimp lethality assay(BSLA).

Binding of rhodopsin and rhodopsin analogues to transducin, rhodopsin kinase and arrestin-1

AIM: To investigate the interaction of reconstituted rhodopsin, 9-cis-retinal-rhodopsin and 13-cis-retinal-rhodopsin with transducin, rhodopsin kinase and arrestin-1. METHODS: Rod outer segments(ROS) were isolated from bovine retinas. Following bleaching of ROS membranes with hydroxylamine, rhodopsin and rhodopsin analogues were generated with the different retinal isomers and the concentration of the reconstituted pigments was calculated from their UV/visible absorption spectra. Transducin and arrestin-1 were purified to homogeneity by column chromatography, and an enriched-fraction of rhodopsin kinase was obtainedby extracting freshly prepared ROS in the dark. The guanine nucleotide binding activity of transducin was determined by Millipore filtration using β,γ-imido-(3H)-guanosine 5'-triphosphate. Recognition of the reconstituted pigments by rhodopsin kinase was determined by autoradiography following incubation of ROS membranes containing the various regenerated pigments with partially purified rhodopsin kinase in the presence of(γ-32P) ATP. Binding of arrestin-1 to the various pigments in ROS membranes was determined by a sedimentation assay analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulphatepolyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. RESULTS: Reconstituted rhodopsin and rhodopsin analogues containing 9-cis-retinal and 13-cis-retinal rendered an absorption spectrum showing a maximum peak at 498 nm, 486 nm and about 467 nm, respectively, in the dark; which was shifted to 380 nm, 404 nm and about 425 nm, respectively, after illumination. The percentage of reconstitution of rhodopsin and the rhodopsin analogues containing 9-cis-retinal and 13-cis-retinal was estimated to be 88%, 81% and 24%, respectively. Although only residual activation of transducin was observed in the dark when reconstituted rhodopsin and 9-cis-retinal-rhodopsin was used, the rhodopsin analogue containing the 13-cis isomer of retinal was capable of activating transducin independently of light. Moreover, only a basal amount of the reconstituted rhodopsin and 9-cis-retinal-rhodopsin was phosphorylated by rhodopsin kinase in the dark, whereas the pigment containing the 13-cis-retinal was highly phosphorylated by rhodopsin kinase even in the dark. In addition, arrestin-1 was incubated with rhodopsin, 9-cis-retinal-rhodopsin or 13-cis-retinal-rhodopsin. Experiments were performed using both phosphorylated and non-phosphorylated regenerated pigments. Basal amounts of arrestin-1 interacted with rhodopsin, 9-cis-retinal-rhodopsin and 13-cis-retinal-rhodopsin under dark and light conditions. Residual arrestin-1 was also recognized by the phosphorylated rhodopsin and phosphorylated 9-cis-retinal-rhodopsin in the dark. However, arrestin-1 was recognized by phosphorylated 13-cis-retinal-rhodopsin in the dark. As expected, all reformed pigments were capable of activating transducin and being phosphorylated by rhodopsin kinase in a lightdependent manner. Additionally, all reconstituted photolyzed and phosphorylated pigments were capable of interacting with arrestin-1. CONCLUSION: In the dark, the rhodopsin analogue containing the 13-cis isomer of retinal appears to fold in a pseudo-active conformation that mimics the active photointermediate of rhodopsin.

Granular Activated Carbon from Wood Originated from Tropical Virgin Forest

This research investigates several woods originated from trees of tropical virgin forest as raw material for the production of granular activated carbon. Mechanical strength of the activated carbons produced was related to wood hardness and lignin content but not to cellulose-lignin ratio. One of the eight woods studied (Dividivi) produced an activated carbon with a high mechanical strength similar to that produced from coconut shell, taken as a standard. Dividivi is also suggested as promissory for desert greening.

Environmental Impact Assessment of the Application of Pyrogenic Carbon in Soil

World increasing population and use of energy for transportation and electricity are demanding more extensive and more efficient use of land for agriculture;aiming to both food and biofuel supplies. This communication assesses the possible improvements in soil fertility, capture of greenhouse gas, and rainfall, as a result of the large scale terrestrial application of pyrogenic carbon aiming for desert greening. Fossil hydrocarbon coke is taken into account for this proposal because of the exhaustion of light petroleum proven reserves that is leading to a scenario of abundant coke production from the processing of non-conventional reserves.

Application of 3A Zeolite Prepared from Venezuelan Kaolin for Removal of Pb (II) from Wastewater and Its Determination by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

This work consists in the use of a 3A zeolite (K-LTA) obtained by a process of exchange of sodium for potassium (4A zeolite), synthesized from Venezuelan kaolin for the removal of Pb (II) ions from aqueous solutions by batch process mode in order to consider its application in treating industrial wastewaters. The 3A zeolite was characterized for X-ray powder diffraction (XRD), Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis (SEM-EDX). The metal concentration in the equilibrium Ce (mg·L-1) after adsorption with 3A zeolite was analyzed using flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The influences of the solution pH, contact time, metal initial concentration and adsorbent dosage have been studied. The retention of metal occurring at pH values around 6.5 and the adsorption equilibrium was obtained at 60 min. The equilibrium process was well described by Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) isotherm models. The Langmuir parameters qm (mg·g-1) and b (L·mg-1) (which are related to the sorption capacity and constant of sorption energy) obtained were 14.64 and 5.42 respectively. The Pb (II) experimental uptake was about 14.56 mg·g-1, a little smaller than the theoretical one given by Langmuir isotherm model. The regression parameters and correlation coefficients (R) indicate that the adsorption data for Pb (II) removal fit better the Langmuir isotherm model. Moreover, 0 1/n 1 (1/n is 0.13), indicating that adsorption of metal ions on the zeolite, is a favorable physical process. The application of removing of the metal lead from real samples was examined by industrial wastewater samples. For all samples, the percentage of recovery was found with accuracy of more than 98%. The present work suggests 3A zeolite used as a sorbent material with relatively low cost, obtained from Venezuelan raw material;it is a candidate for removal lead ion and probably other cationic heavy metal species from wastewater.

Measurable Dielectric Permittivity Range for TE and TM Modes in a Shielded Dielectric Resonator

Dielectric resonator methods constitute one of the most useful techniques for the measurement of electromagnetic material properties in the microwave frequency range. Several geometric configurations are used for this purpose and, in the present paper, we consider the case of a dielectric rod enclosed in a cylindrical metallic enclosure. To carry out dielectric measurements in this system it is necessary to know the highest permittivity constant value for which the resonance condition still can be attained into the cavity. Using an approach based on magnetic and electric Hertzian potentials we have derived the set of TE and TM modes for the relevant geometry described and, then we have calculated the valid dielectric permittivity constant range of measurements for low-loss materials in a cylindrical cavity using a simple resonance frequency condition. Finally, we present a simple application of this method in order to determine the dielectric permittivity constant of heavy oil with 11 API.

Graphite Nanoplatelets Composite Materials: Role of the Epoxy-System in the Thermal Conductivity

Polymers typically have intrinsic thermal conductivity much lower than other materials. Enhancement of this property may be obtained by the addition of conductive fillers. In this research, epoxy nanocomposites with exfoliated graphite nanoplatelets are prepared and characterized. The chosen approach requires no surface treatment and no sophisticated equipments allowing one to produce composites on a pilot scale. A significant increase of the thermal conductivity with the increasing of the graphite fillers content is nevertheless observed on 4 mm thick specimens. Our results viewed in the latest scientific findings suggest that the choice of resin is an important parameter to move towards composite materials with high thermal conductivity.

Towards a Mathematical Model for Elastic Wave Propagation in Granular Materials

A theoretical model for the propagation of acoustic waves in dry granular media is presented within the framework of the nonlinear granular elasticity. An essential ingredient is the dependence of the elastic moduli on compression. For the purpose of illustration, we analyze the case of a time-harmonic plane wave propagation under isotropic compression. We derive explicit relations for the wave speed dependence with the confining pressure. The present approach provides an accurate description of acoustic wave propagation in granular packings and represents a powerful tool to interpret the results of current experiments.

Basic Engineering of a Two-Stage Process for Co-Upgrading Natural Gas and Petroleum Coke

This communication highlights the possibility of using a novel two-stage process for the co-upgrading of natural gas and petroleum coke into liquid hydrocarbons. The first stage consists of the catalytic dehydroaromatization of methane characterized by producing hydrogen and aromatics: benzene, naphtalene, toluene, etc. The non-reacted methane plus hydrogen and aromatics produced in the first stage are directed to the second stage to react with the petroleum coke. Basic engineering analysis of proposed two-stage process suggests light petroleum production of 160,000 bbl/day from 20,000 ton/day of petroleum coke actually by-produced from Venezuelan Orinoco’s heavy oil belt. Residual coke should be volatiles free therefore useful as a calcined coke.

<i>Trypanosoma evansi</i>: A Qualitative and Quantitative Ultrastructural Analysis of the Spleen during Experimental Murine Infections

A murine model is used to study qualitatively and quantitatively the splenic ultrastructural changes induced by two Trypanosoma evansi strains derived from naturally infected local equine hosts (Equusasinus and E. caballus);T. evansi causes ultrastructural modifications in the spleen of the infected mice. The modifications include tissular disorganization, fibrosis, mitochondrial swelling, apoptosis and necrosis. The initial phases of the infection are quite similar, whereas the final phases differ qualitatively depending on the strain’s source. The ultrastructural quantitative changes were studied in the reticular splenocytes covering alterations in the area of the cytoplasm and nucleus. Analysis of the results shows the induction of various splenic alterations caused by local T. evansi strains. Also, it was documented that discriminative time modulation, as well as progressive tissular, cellular and subcellular changes, are more associated with derived infections from E. caballus strain.

Linde Type a Zeolite and Type Y Faujasite as a Solid-Phase for Lead, Cadmium, Nickel and Cobalt Preconcentration and Determination Using a Flow Injection System Coupled to Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

In this work, a flow injection analysis (FIA) method for the trace determination of lead, cadmium, nickel and cobalt in natural waters by formation of neutral chelates with ammonium pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate (APDC) was developed. The neutral chelates formed was retained in a mini-column packed with Linde type A zeolite (LTA) and type Y Faujasite zeolite (FAU) and then eluted with methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) to flame atomic absorption spectrometry (EAA) for its detection. Physicochemical characterization of this zeolite was carried out by Fourier Transform infrared spectroscopy and attenuated total reflectance (FTIR and IR-ATR), scanning electron microscopy and energy dispersive X-ray microanalysis (SEM-EDX) and X-ray power diffraction (XRD). Then, a FIA configuration was used with a column preconcentration system coupled to the detection system at room temperature (22?C). The detection limit and the relative standard deviation for 5 determinations of different solutions of Pb2+, Co2+, Ni2+ and Cd2+ for FAU and LTA zeolite were calculated. The sampling frequency ranged from 18-35 h-1 and preconcentration factors from 21-250 were achieved, for a sample volume of 6 mL using 20 mg of sorbents, indicating a high retention of the analytes on the zeolites material. The recoveries obtained in natural waters samples were close to 100% for all ions metal using synthetic zeolites, confirming the applicability of the method. The isotherm models of Langmuir, Scatchard, Freundlich and Dubinin-Radushkevich were used to study the equilibrium data, indicating that successfully followed the Freundlich and Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) isotherms at low metal ion concentration. The Freundlich parameter n varied between 0.35-1.01, whereas D-R isotherm yields the sorption free energy E 8 kJ.mol-1 indicating psysisorption.

Biological Template Based on ent-Kaurane Diterpenoid Glycosides for the Synthesis of Inorganic Porous Materials

Recent studies on the preparation of porous nano-materials revealed that the use of kaurane diterpenoids molecules from steviol as biological template favors the obtaining of metallic oxides with tubular morphology as nanorods or nanofibers. In this sense, the present contribution shows an analysis in order to understand how these glycosides of kaurane diterpenoids control the nucleation and growth of inorganic materials favoring the obtaining of these morphologies. For this purpose, it was necessary to carry out studies of the leaf aqueous extract of Stevia rebaudiana by HRTEM, FTIR and 1H-NMR.