Influence of selenium supplementation on carbohydrate metabolism and oxidative stress in pregnant women with gestational diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: In the presence of conflicting advice about the relationship between selenium-type II diabetes-oxidative stress trio, this study aimed to assess the consequences of selenium supplementation on fasting plasma glucose (FPG) level, antioxidant activities of selenodependent and non-selenodependent enzymes, and other markers of oxidative stress studied for the first time during gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). METHODS: This research was carried out among 180 pregnant Algerian women, 60 of whom were in good health, 60 women with GDM did not take supplements, and 60 women with GDM took selenium orally (50 mg/d) for 12 weeks starting from their second trimester of pregnancy. Blood samples were taken in order to assay FPG level and oxidative stress markers. RESULTS: Selenium supplementation during GDM has demonstrated its hypoglycemic power in the significant decline of FPG level, and its antioxidant properties in the significant reinforcement of antioxidant activities of erythrocyte selenodependent enzymes (glutathione peroxidase and glutathione reductase), the significant increase in erythrocyte catalase and superoxide dismutase activities simultaneously with the highest decrease in erythrocyte and plasma malondialdehyde levels. This decrease was only significant for plasma carbonyl proteins, which was not the case for erythrocyte carbonyl proteins. CONCLUSIONS: The recourse to selenium supplementation by seleno-deficient pregnant women with GDM is beneficial for maternal health. This micronutrient exploits its antioxidant and insulin-mimetic properties in the maintenance of blood glucose homeostasis and the fight against oxidative stress, and consequently, its supplementation delays the occurrence of GDM complications.

Metataxonomics of Tunisian phosphogypsum based on five bioinformatics pipelines: Insights for bioremediation.

Phosphogypsum (PG) is an acidic by-product from the phosphate fertilizer industry and it is characterized by a low nutrient availability and the presence of radionuclides and heavy metals which pose a serious problem in its management. Here, we have applied Illumina MiSeq sequencing technology and five bioinformatics pipelines to explore the phylogenetic communities in Tunisian PG. Taking One Codex as a reference method, we present the results of 16S-rDNA-gene-based metataxonomics abundances with four other alternative bioinformatics pipelines (MetaGenome Rapid Annotation using Subsystem Technology (MG-RAST), mothur, MICrobial Community Analysis (MICCA) and Quantitative Insights into Microbial Ecology (QIIME)), when analyzing the Tunisian PG. Importantly, based on 16S rDNA datasets, the functional capabilities of microbial communities of PG were deciphered. They suggested the presence of PG autochthonous bacteria valorizable into (1) removal of radioactive elements and toxic heavy metals, (2) promotion of plant growth, (3) oxidation and (4) reduction of sulfate. These bacteria can be explored further for applications in the bioremediation of by-products, like PG, by different processes.

Dittrichia viscosa L. Ethanolic Extract Based Ointment with Antiradical, Antioxidant, and Healing Wound Activities.

Dittrichia viscosa which belongs to the Asteraceae family is frequently used to treat hematomas and skin disorders in Mediterranean herbal medicine. This study aims to validate its antioxidant effects and its potential on healing wounds. The ethanolic extract of D. viscosa leaves was formulated as 2.5% and 5% (w/w) in ointment bases on the beeswax and sesame oil. During this study, the ethanolic D. viscosa extract, ointments containing 2.5% and 5% of D. viscosa extract, and the vehiculum were assessed for their total phenol content (TPC), caffeoylquinic acid content (CQC), and antioxidant activities using complementary methods (TAC, the DPPH, ABTS, FRAP, and the BCB). The effects on wound healing of obtained ointments were evaluated by excision of the wound in a mice model for 12 days. Subsequently, the excised wound areas were measured at the 3rd, 9th, and 12th days. The skin tissues were isolated for histological studies. The ointments containing D. viscosa extract (2.5%, 5%) possessed a considerable TPC, CQC, radical scavenging potential, and antioxidant activities compared to the vehiculum. Treated animals with ointments containing D. viscosa extract at 2.5% and 5% showed almost and totally healed wounds compared to the vehiculum and control groups, evidenced by good skin regeneration and reepithelialization. The present work showed the role of D. viscosa antioxidants exerted by its polyphenolic compounds, in particular, caffeoylquinic acids, in enhancing wound healing.

Chemical characterization and acaricidal activity of Drimia maritima (L) bulbs and Dittrichia viscosa leaves against Dermanyssus gallinae.

The emergence of resistance to chemical acaricides in Dermanyssus gallinae, together with their toxicity and high costs, has prompted investigations into the use of plant extracts as alternatives to chemical acaricidal treatments. Drimia maritima bulbs and Dittrichia viscosa (D. viscosa) leaf extracts were here characterized by HPLC-PDA-ESI-MS/MS, and their toxicity against D. gallinae was evaluated using contact methods. Twenty-nine compounds were identified in D. maritima extracts, with glucoscilliphaeoside derivatives (i.e., quercetin, kaempferol and bufadienolides) as the major components. Twenty-four phenolic compounds, mainly caffeic acid derivatives, were detected in D. viscosa extracts. D. maritima extracts displayed a significantly higher (p < 0.05) acaricidal activity than D. viscosa extracts, with 100% of D. gallinae mortality at a concentration of 100 mg/mL following 24 h exposure. The mortality rate of D. gallinae induced by D. viscosa extracts ranged from 25 to 45% following 48 h exposure at a concentration of 200 mg/mL. The acetonic extract of D. viscosa and D. maritima displayed the highest efficacy against D. gallinae. This study provides evidence of the diversity of bioactive compounds present in D. maritima bulbs and D. viscosa leaf extracts, which are both efficacious against D. gallinae. The higher efficacy of D. maritima bulb extracts might be linked to the presence of bufadienolides in its extracts.

Orobanche foetida resistance in two new faba bean genotypes produced by radiation mutagenesis.

PURPOSE: Broomrape produces serious damage to many legume crops and, particularly, becomes a limiting factor for faba bean (Vicia faba L.) production in the Mediterranean basin. Currently, several traditional methods of control have been developed, but none has proved to be effective for this parasite. However, breeding for resistance to this pest remains as one of the most feasible and environment-friendly methods for managing broomrape, but the mechanisms governing the interaction between the parasite and the host are not yet well understood. Therefore, we studied the behavior and molecular and enzymatic changes associated with the resistance to Orobanche foetida in faba bean mutants, which were obtained through radiation mutagenesis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three faba bean genotypes were used in this study, the variety 'Badï', characterized by high productivity in Orobanche-free soils and susceptibility to O. foetida, and two mutant lines P2M3 and P7M3 (derived from radio mutagenesis program), selected for their higher resistance to O. foetida in a field evaluation. The infection progress and the relative changes in the co-culture response, the enzymatic activities changes and the efficiency of the root extract stimulants from the host plant were followed and evaluated in all the genotypes. RESULTS: Experiments showed that low induction of seed germination is a major component of resistance in these lines against O. foetida. This is confirmed by the in vitro experiments with root exudates. The parallel reduction in infection was accompanied by the continuous enhancement of the peroxidase activity, the polyphenol oxidase activity and the phenylalanine ammonia lyase activity in faba bean roots. CONCLUSION: These data suggest the contribution of these enzymes in faba bean resistance to O. foetida broomrape induced by the use of gamma rays. Management of Orobanche by way of crop selection, based on these enzyme systems is a possible option.

Chemical Composition, Antibacterial and Antifungal Activities of Crude Dittrichia viscosa (L.) Greuter Leaf Extracts.

The small amount of data regarding the antifungal activity of Dittrichia viscosa (L.) Greuter against dermatophytes, Malassezia spp. and Aspergillus spp., associated with the few comparative studies on the antimicrobial activity of methanolic, ethanolic, and butanolic extracts underpins the study herein presented. The total condensed tannin (TCT), phenol (TPC), flavonoid (TFC), and caffeoylquinic acid (CQC) content of methanol, butanol, and ethanol (80% and 100%) extracts of D. viscosa were assessed and their bactericidal and fungicidal activities were evaluated. The antibacterial, anti-Candida and anti-Malassezia activities were evaluated by using the disk diffusion method, whereas the anti-Microsporum canis and anti-Aspergillus fumigatus activities were assessed by studying the toxicity effect of the extracts on vegetative growth, sporulation and germination. The methanolic extract contained the highest TPC and CQC content. It contains several phytochemicals mainly caffeoylquinic acid derivatives as determined by liquid chromatography with photodiode array and electrospray ionisation mass spectrometric detection (LC/PDA/ESI-MS) analysis. All extracts showed an excellent inhibitory effect against bacteria and Candida spp., whereas methanolic extract exhibited the highest antifungal activities against Malassezia spp., M. canis and A. fumigatus strains. The results clearly showed that all extracts, in particular the methanolic extract, might be excellent antimicrobial drugs for treating infections that are life threatening (i.e., Malassezia) or infections that require mandatory treatments (i.e., M. canis or A. fumigatus).

Impairment of Macrophage Presenting Ability and Viability by Echinococcus granulosus Antigens.

BACKGROUND: Despite advances toward an improved understanding of the evasive mechanisms leading to the establishment of cystic echinococcosis, the discovery of specific immunosuppressive mechanisms and related factors are of great interest in the development of an immunotherapeutic approach. OBJECTIVE: To elucidate immunosuppressive effects of bioactive factors contained in chromatographic fractions from hydatid cystic fluid (HCF) of Echinococcus granulosus. METHODS: Hydatid cystic fluid was fractionated by reverse phase chromatography. Non-specific Concanavalin A-driven proliferation of spleen cells was used to determine specific inhibitory fractions. Trypan blue exclusion test and flowcytometry analysis were performed to check whether highly inhibitory fractions of HCF have apoptotic effect on peritoneal macrophages. Western blot analysis was used to determine proteolytic effects of parasitic antigens on major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II (I-a) contained in membrane proteins extract from macrophages. RESULTS: High concentrations of HCF and few of chromatographic fractions suppressed spleen cells proliferation. Fractions 7 and 35 were the highest inhibitory fractions. Specifically fraction 35 and to a lesser extent HCF induced apoptosis in peritoneal naive macrophages. However, HCF and the fraction 7 proteolytically altered the expression of MHC class II molecules on peritoneal macrophages. The proteolytic molecule was identified to be a serine protease. Macrophages taken at the chronic and end phase from cystic echinococcosis-infected mice were able to uptake and process C-Ovalbumine-FITC. These cells expressed a drastically reduced level of (I-a) molecules. CONCLUSION: Our study present new aspects of immune suppression function of E. granulosus. Further molecular characterization of apoptotic and proteolytic factors might be useful to develop immunotherapeutic procedure to break down their inhibitory effects.

Removal of Penicillin G and Erythromycin with Ionizing Radiation Followed by Biological Treatment.

The decomposition of penicillin G and erythromycin antibiotics at concentration of 0.2 mg ml(-1) by gamma irradiation at 50 kGy followed by biological treatment with Cupriavidus metallidurans CH34 was evaluated. Degradation of penicillin G and erythromycin was analyzed using nuclear magnetic resonance analysis (NMR), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and chemical oxygen demand (COD). The exposure to the absorbed dose of 50 kGy caused degradation of penicillin G and erythromycin in the aqueous solution. The complete disappearance of NMR and FTIR peaks following irradiation confirmed the breakage of the ß-lactam ring in penicillin G, and the decarboxylation and cleavage of the thiazolidine ring and for erythromycin, the complete destruction of the three aromatic rings. Irradiation alone removed 52.8 and 65.5 % of penicillin G and erythromycin, respectively. Further reduction to 12.6 and 14 % of the original penicillin G and erythromycin COD, respectively, was achieved using treatment of the irradiation products with C. metallidurans.

Preparation and biodistribution of 1-((2-methoxyphenyl) piperazine)ferrocenecarboxamide labeled with technetium-99m as a potential brain receptor imaging agent.

The goal of this study is to develop a novel brain receptor imaging agent. This study reports the synthesis, characterization and the biological evaluation of 1-((2-methoxyphenyl) piperazine)ferrocenecarboxamide labeled with technetium-99 m ((99m)Tc-MP). The (99m)Tc-MP was obtained quickly (radiolabelling time < 5 min), in 90% yield. The (99m)Tc-complex, characterized by HPLC (20-50% ACN of 0 at 5 min then 50% ACN of 5 at 17 min to finally with 50 at 20% ACN of 17 at 20 min), is stable, neutral and lipophilic enough to cross the blood-brain barrier which was confirmed by octanol/water partition coefficient (LogP = 1.82). In vivo biodistribution indicated that this complex had exceptional brain uptake (2.47% ID/g at 5 min and 0.75% ID/g at 60 min). The distribution of the activity at 15 min post-injection in various rat brain regions showed a higher accumulation in the hippocampus area. After blocking with 8-hydroxy-2-(dipropylamino) tetralin, the uptake of hippocampus was decreased significantly from 0.87% ID/g to 0.21% ID/g at 15 min p.i., while the cerebellum had no significant decrease. The new (99m)Tc-cyclopentadienyltricarbonyl technetium complex reported here showed promising biological results, making it an interesting starting point for the development of a new (99m)Tc-complex as brain receptor imaging agent.

Members of the uncultured bacterial candidate division WWE1 are implicated in anaerobic digestion of cellulose.

Clones of the WWE1 (Waste Water of Evry 1) candidate division were retrieved during the exploration of the bacterial diversity of an anaerobic mesophilic (35 ± 0.5°C) digester. In order to investigate the metabolic function of WWE1 members, a 16S rRNA gene -based stable isotope probing (SIP) method was used. Eighty-seven percent of 16S r rRNA gene sequences affiliated to WWE1 candidate division were retrieved in a clone library obtained after polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification of enriched DNA fraction from anaerobic municipal solid waste samples incubated with (13) C-cellulose, at the end of the incubation (day 63) using a Pla46F-1390R primer pair. The design of a specific WWE1 probe associated with the fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technique corroborated the abundant representation of WWE1 members in our (13) C-cellulose incubations. Secondary ion mass spectrometry-in situ hybridization (SIMSISH) using an iodine-labeled oligonucleotide probe combined with high-resolution nanometer-scale SIMS (NanoSIMS) observation confirmed the isotopic enrichment of members of WWE1 candidate division. The (13) C apparent isotopic composition of hybridized WWE1 cells reached the value of about 40% early during the cellulose degradation process, suggesting that these bacteria play a role either in an extracellular cellulose hydrolysis process and/or in the uptake fermentation products.

Synthesis and preliminary biological evaluation of the first (99m)Tc(I)-specific semi-rigid tridentate ligand based on a click chemistry strategy.

A novel bifunctional chelating agent based on a click chemistry strategy has been synthesized and characterized on the basis of spectroscopic techniques. The metal chelating part of this new class of tridentate N2O ligand combined a triazole unit and an aromatic ring. This latter semi-rigid framework induced a pre-organization of the chelating cavity, improving the stability of the corresponding metallic complexes (M = (99m) Tc, Re). Thus, the (99m) Tc(CO)3 complex, obtained with good yield and excellent radiochemical purity (>90%), exhibited a high in vitro serum stability. Tissue biodistribution in normal mice showed a rapid clearance, no long-term retention in organs and no in vivo reoxidation of technetium-99m, making this compound a promising (99m)Tc-chelating system.

Fitness improvement of mass-reared sterile males of Ceratitis capitata (Vienna 8 strain) (Diptera: Tephritidae) after gut enrichment with probiotics.

Successful mass rearing is crucial for sterile insect technique programs. It has been shown that the sterilizing process using gammaradiation results in damage to midgut tissue, cellular organelles, and gut microbiota of flies. This can be responsible for the inferiority of sterile males compared with wild males. A bacteria-enhanced diet could contribute to the improvement of the fly's fitness. We investigated ways of increasing the competitiveness of mass-reared Mediterranean fruit fly, Ceratitis capitata (Wiedemann) sterile males. We tested the hypothesis that the addition of beneficial bacteria to the larvae's diet would lead to a significant increase in their levels in the gut of the sterile adults and consequently improve their size and fitness. As expected, enriching the diet of mass-rearing Vienna-8 strain larvae with beneficial bacteria (Klebsiella pneumonia, Enterobacter spp., and Citrobacter freundii) resulted in increase in the number of Enterobacteriacae communities inhabiting the male's gut and a subsequent significant increase in the size of males and other morphometric traits and enhanced sexual performance of males at emergence.

Effect of ionising radiation on polyphenolic content and antioxidant potential of parathion-treated sage (Salvia officinalis) leaves.

The γ-irradiation effects on polyphenolic content and antioxidant capacity of parathion-pretreated leaves of Salvia officinalis plant were investigated. The analysis of phenolic extracts of sage without parathion showed that irradiation decreased polyphenolic content significantly (p<0.05) by 30% and 45% at 2 and 4kGy, respectively, compared to non-irradiated samples. The same trend was observed for the Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (TEAC), as assessed by the anionic DPPH and cationic ABTS radical-scavenging assays. The antioxidant potential decreased significantly (p<0.01) at 2 and 4kGy, by 11-20% and 40-44%, respectively. The results obtained with a pure chlorogenic acid solution confirmed the degradation of phenols; however, its TEAC was significantly (p<0.01) increased following irradiation. Degradation products of parathion formed by irradiation seem to protect against a decline of antioxidant capacity and reduce polyphenolic loss. Ionising radiation was found to be useful in breaking down pesticide residues without inducing significant losses in polyphenols.

Preliminary studies of acetylcholinesterase activity in the rat brain using N-phenylferrocenecarboxamide labelled by the technetium-99m.

There is currently great interest in developing radiolabeled substrates for acetylcholinesterase that would be useful in the in vivo imaging of patients with Alzheimer's disease. The reduction of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in the brain has been measured in dementia disorders such as Alzheimer's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies using (11)C and (18)F-labeled acetylcholine analogues. Our aim was to develop a new 99mTc-labeled acetylcholine analogue: N-phenylferrocenecarboxamide labelled with technetium-99m (99mTc-TPCC) to study acetylcholinesterase activity. In vivo and in vitro studies demonstrated that the labelled compound was a substrate for acetylcholinesterase. The hydrolytic rate of this substrate was measured and the specificity was evaluated using the inhibitor BW 284 C51. In rat experiments, the 99mTc-TPCC showed desirable properties for studying the acetylcholinesterase in the rat brain: high hydrolytic rate and a moderate specificity of the substrate for acetylcholinesterase.

Presence and fate of coliphages and enteric viruses in three wastewater treatment plants effluents and activated sludge from Tunisia.

PURPOSE: The role of water in the transmission of infectious diseases is well defined; it may act as a reservoir of different types of pathogens. Enteric viruses can survive and persist for a long time in water, maintaining infectivity in many instances. This suggests the need to include virus detection in the evaluation of the microbiological quality of waters. METHODS: In this study, enteric viruses (enteroviruses and hepatitis A virus (HAV)) were investigated by RT-PCR and coliphages (known as indicators of viral contamination) were enumerated with the double-layer technique agar in effluents and sewage sludge from three Tunisian wastewater treatment plants. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: The molecular detection of enteric viruses revealed 7.7% of positive activated sludge samples for enteroviruses. None of the samples was positive for HAV. Molecular virus detection threshold was estimated to be 10(3) PFU/100 ml. All samples contained high concentrations of coliphages except those of dry sludge. Reductions in the concentrations of bacteriophages attained by the wastewater treatment plants are of the order of magnitude as reductions described elsewhere. Peak concentrations in raw wastewater were associated with winter rains and suspended materials rate in analysed samples. Our data which is the first in North Africa showed that similar trends of coliphages distribution to other studies in other countries. CONCLUSION: No clear correlation between studied enteric viruses and coliphages concentration was proved. Coliphages abundance in collected samples should raise concerns about human enteric viruses transmission as these residues are reused in agricultural fields.

Synthesis and biodistribution of [99mTc]-N-[4-nitro-3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl] cyclopentadienyltricarbonyltechnetium carboxamide, a nonsteroidal antiandrogen flutamide derivative.

In our efforts to develop a novel class of SPECT imaging agents based on nonsteroidal androgen receptor (AR) antagonists, we have synthesized N-cyclopentadienyltricarbonyltechnetium-N-[4-nitro-3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl] carboxamide (NF(99m)Tc), an analog of the AR antagonist ligand flutamide. NF(99m)Tc was obtained in 82% yield from the reaction of N-[4-nitro-3-trifluoromethyl-phenyl]-ferrocenecarboxamide (NFFe) with fac-[(99m)Tc(H(2)O)(3)(CO)(3)](+) in DMF-water at pH 1 and at 150 °C for 1 h. The corresponding Re analog was also prepared. In vitro assays demonstrated high stability of NF(99m)Tc under physiological conditions, buffer and blood. The tissue biodistribution in mature male Wistar rats showed a significant selective uptake by prostate but this uptake was not blocked by an excess of testosterone acetate. A higher uptake by lung tissues was observed.

Synthesis and evaluation of 99mTc-N-sulfanilamide ferrocene carboxamide as bacterial infections detector.

A technetium-99m-labeled derivative from sulfanilamide, further referred to as (99m)Tc-N-SFC, targeting infections in experimental animals, has been synthesized. The biological features of this radioactive agent have also been studied. The N-sulfanilamide ferrocene carboxamide (N-SFC) was chemically synthesized and then labeled with technetium-99m. It has been confirmed through this work that it is stable and obtained with radiolabelling yield (>87%). Radiochemical analyses of (99m)Tc-N-SFC revealed that the molecule was labeled rapidly (within 2 min) and effectively with little free pertechnetate in the preparations containing purified compound. Furthermore, in vitro investigations were conducted and the label's stability in serum was observed up to 24 h of testing. Uptake of the tracer with live and heat/killed bacteria was compared in physiological conditions and was about 69% and 61.9% for the Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus strains, respectively. We concluded that synthesis and labeling of Sulfanilamide derivative with (99m-)Tc by this method is rapid, efficient and safe. Biodistribution studies demonstrated that our radiolabeled compound is accumulated rapidly and significantly (P<.05) at infection sites. The comparison of the (99m)Tc-N-SFC accumulation at sites of S. aureus-infected animals, which is expressed as target-to-non-target ratio, (2.88 ± 0.10) with other radiotracers was discussed.

A 1-methyl-4-piperidinyl cytectrene carboxylate labeled by the technetium 99m, a radiotracer for rat brain acetylcholinesterase activity.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a degenerative neurological disorder that causes progressive and irreversible loss of connections between brain cells and loss of mental functions. Clinical and postmortem studies show that the biochemical changes in brains of AD patients include decrease in acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity. Our aim was to study AChE activity using piperidinyl ester labelled with technetium-99m. In vivo and in vitro studies demonstrated that labelled piperidinyl ester was a substrate for AChE. The hydrolytic rate of this substrate was measured and the specificity was evaluated using the inhibitor BW284c51. The rhenium analogues of the technetium-labelled substrate were used to determine the affinity constant (K(m)) and the maximum reaction velocity (V(max)) because of the high specific activity of technetium. The high hydrolytic rate and high specificity of the substrate for AChE make it suitable as an in vivo radiotracer for studying AChE activity in the brain.