Analysis of the Physiological Response and Reactive Oxygen Species in Castor Oil Plant (Ricinus Communis) in the Phytoremediation Processes with Plant Growth Promoter Bacteria (PGPB).

In the phytoremediation processes of mine tailings with Ricinus communis inoculated with PGPB, it was found that the Serratia K120 bacterium favors the translocation of Al, As, Cu, Pb, Cr, Cd, and Mn to the aerial part of the plant, with a significant difference (p < 0.05) concerning for the control. The bioaccumulation factor (BF) was > 1 in Al with all the bacteria, Pb, Serratia K120, Fe, Pantoea 113, Cu, Pb, Cd, Mn in Serratia MC119 and Serratia K120, Fe and As in Serratia K120 and Pantoea 134, indicating that Ricinus communis inoculated with PGPB functions as a hyper accumulating plant. The PGPB help to reduce the stress in the plants generated by the heavy metals, decreasing the H2O2, and increasing the activity of the enzymes SOD, CAT, APX, POX, and GR, for which the bacteria Serratia K120 and Pantoea 113 can be used as bioinoculants to favor phytoremediation processes.

Proteometabolomic Analysis Reveals Molecular Features Associated with Grain Size and Antioxidant Properties amongst Chickpea (Cicer arietinum L.) Seeds Genotypes.

Legumes are an essential source of nutrients that complement energy and protein requirements in the human diet. They also contribute to the intake of bioactive compounds such as polyphenols, whose content can vary depending on cultivars and genotypes. We conducted a comparative proteomics and metabolomics study to determine if there were significant variations in relevant nutraceutical compounds in the five genotypes of Kabuli-type chickpea grains. We performed an isobaric tandem mass tag (TMT) couple to synchronous precursor selection (SPS)-MS3 method along with a targeted and untargeted metabolomics approach based on accurate mass spectrometry. We observed an association between the overproduction of proteins involved in starch, lipid, and amino acid metabolism with gibberellin accumulation in large grains. In contrast, we visualized the over-accumulation of proteins associated with water deprivation in small grains. It was possible to visualize in small grains the over-accumulation of some phenolics such as vanillin, salicylic acid, protocatechuic acid, 4-coumaric acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, vanillic acid, ferulic acid, and kaempferol 3-O-glucoside as well as the amino acid l-phenylalanine. The activated phenolic pathway was associated with the higher antioxidant capacity of small grains. Small grains consumption could be advantageous due to their nutraceutical properties.

Tocopherol Accumulation and Temporal Expression Analysis of VTE1 and VTE5 Gene Family in Fruit of Two Contrasting Avocado Genotypes.

α-tocopherol is found in high concentrations in avocado fruit mesocarp, however, its accumulation and genetic control during maturation and ripening has not been elucidated. Based in the relevance of VTE1 and VTE5 genes in tocopherol biosynthesis and aiming to determine the association between tocopherol accumulation and expression of tocopherol biosynthetic genes, gene expression of VTE1 and VTE5 were evaluated through the time during three developmental stages: before harvest at 100, 160 and 220 days after flowering (DAF) and after harvest (220 DAF + 5) in two contrasting avocado genotypes (San Miguel and AVO40). San Miguel reached the highest levels at 220 DAF, whereas AVO40 increased α-tocopherol only after ripening (220 DAF + 5). A genome-wide search for VTE1 and VTE5 allowed to identify one and three genes, respectively. Both genotypes showed contrasting patterns of gene expression. Interestingly, AVO40 showed a highly positive correlation between α-tocopherol levels and gene expression of VTE1 and all VTE5 variants. On the other hand, San Miguel showed only a positive correlation between α-tocopherol level and VTE1gene expression.

Antioxidant and anti-proliferative activity of free, conjugates and bound phenolic compounds from tomato and industrial tomato by-product.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant and anti-proliferative activity of different fractions of phenolic compounds from tomato and tomato by-product. Soluble free phenolics and bound phenolics (BP) fractions from saladette tomato and industrial tomato by-product as well as, conjugated acid-hydrolysable phenolics (AHP) and alkaline-hydrolysable phenolics (AKHP) from saladette tomato, grape tomato and industrial tomato by-product, were tested. The scavenging effects of phenolic fractions on superoxide anion were determined using the PMS-NADH-NBT system. The myoglobin protection ratios of samples against hydroxyl radical were evaluated and the anti-proliferative effects in the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line were determined. AHP fraction from tomato by-product and AKHP fraction from grape and saladette tomato showed the highest inhibitory capacity of the superoxide anion (p ≤ 0.05). All samples had a myoglobin protection ratio from 30 to 50%. Regarding to cytotoxicity assays, all phenolic fractions from tomato by-product, as well as, BP, AHP, AKHP from saladette tomato and AHP from grape tomato showed important anti-proliferative activity against MCF-7 breast cancer cell line (IC50 < 20 µg/mL). From the results, we can conclude that tomato and tomato by-product are a good source of natural compound with important antioxidant and anti-proliferative activity.

Incidencia de factores que influyen en complicaciones de diabetes mellitus / Incidence of factors influencing diabetes mellitus complications

Analizar la incidencia de factores que influyen en complicaciones de diabetes mellitus tipo II del Hospital IESS Latacunga. Método: Descriptiva observacional. Resultados: El 44% de las personas que padecen diabetes también presentan hipertensión, el 18% menciona que presenta colesterol alto, el 8 % colesterol bajo, el 28% triglicéridos altos y el 2% restante afirma tener los triglicéridos bajos. Conclusión: El género con mayor incidencia de la enfermedad es el femenino a una edad superior a los 50 años; en su mayoría los parecientes se aplican regularmente la insulina y los olvidos son considerados como frecuentes; además, las personas que presentan diabetes tienden a padecer adicionalmente hipertensión y triglicéridos altos, y el consumo excesivo de azúcar puede llegar a ocasionarles frecuentes visitas al hospital.

Objective: To analyze the incidence of factors influencing complications of type II diabetes mellitus in the Hospital IESS Latacunga. Methods: Descriptive observational study. Results: 44% of people with diabetes also have hypertension, 18% mentioned high cholesterol, 8% low cholesterol, 28% high triglycerides and the remaining 2% said they had low triglycerides. Conclusion: The gender with the highest incidence of the disease is female at an age above 50 years; the majority of the parecientes apply insulin regularly and forgetfulness is considered frequent; in addition, people with diabetes tend to additionally suffer from hypertension and high triglycerides, and the excessive consumption of sugar can cause them to have frequent hospital visits.

Blue dye degradation in an aqueous medium by a combined photocatalytic and bacterial biodegradation process.

This paper aimed at implementing a treatment system for polluted water with textile dyes, starting with a photocatalytic decomposition process using sunlight as a source of energy and continuing with a bacterial biodegradation process, in order to reach degradation percentages higher than those obtained using only one of the processes mentioned above. When water treatment with the dye in the combined system was over, an acute ecotoxicity test was performed to make sure that toxic metabolites were not produced due to biodegradation. Solophenyl Blue azoic dye, and Erionyl Blue and Terasil Blue anthraquinone dye-colored solutions were treated with the Pd/Al 80 Ce 10 Zr 10 catalyst in a solar collector for the photocatalytic process. On the other hand, the waste dye, which was obtained from photocatalysis with a bacterial consortium from polluted areas by metals and hydrocarbons in aerobic conditions, was inoculated for biodegradation. Biodegradation was obtained for the dyes after both processes as 90.91% for the Solophenyl Blue azoic dye, and 87.80% and 87.94%, respectively, for the Erionyl Blue and Terasil Blue anthraquinone dyes. After the degradation processes, it was proven, via an ecotoxicity test with Daphnia magna , that toxic metabolites had not been produced.

Phytoremediation of mine tailings by Brassica juncea inoculated with plant growth-promoting bacteria.

Mine tailings represent a serious environmental pollution problem and techniques such as phytoremediation using plant growth-promoting bacteria become an important solution due to their environmentally friendly nature. The study performed using Brassica juncea L. (Indian mustard) and plant growth-promoting bacteria such as Serratia K120, Enterobacter K125, Serratia MC107, Serratia MC119 and Enterobacter MC156 showed that plant roots colonization favored the transfer of metals to the plant, mainly Al and Pb from the 8 analyzed metals with bioaccumulation factors >1 for Al, Pb, Cd and Fe obtained with Serratia K120, Enterobacter K125, Serratia MC107, Serratia MC119 and Enterobacter MC156. Based on these results, this system could be used in phytoextraction processes whereas Enterobacter MC156 reduced the bioaccumulation of metals, indicating the possible phytostabilization of metals present in mine tailings.

Sustainable production with obtaining glucosamine from crab exoskeletons / Produção sustentável para obtenção de glucosamina a partir de exoesqueletos de caranguejo

ABSTRACT: Two chemical treatments, five enzymatic (pectinase, lipase, hemicellulase, hemicellulose-cellulase or lipase-pectinase) and one microbiological (Bacillus subtilis) treatment were evaluated to obtain glucosamine hydrochloride (Gluc-HCl) from the chitin obtained from crab (Callinectes bellicosus) exoskeletons. Chemical treatments were referred as Method A (HCl hydrolysis during 75 min at 90°C) and Method B (HCl hydrolysis during 20 min and 14 h of rest). Glucosamine and, in some cases, N-acetyl-D-glucosamine were identified and quantified by HPLC. Treatments with the greater concentrations of Gluc-HCl in descending order were: lipase (94.4 mg/g), microbiological (45.7 mg/g), lipase-pectinase (22.9 mg/g), hemicellulase-cellulase (20.9 mg/g), hemicellulase (15.3 mg/g), pectinase (10.7 mg/g), Chemical A (7.3mg/g) and Chemical B (7.3mg/g). In terms of yield, the best treatments in descending order were: pectinase (94%), microbiological (94%), hemicellulase (92%), lipase (91%), Chemical B (88%), lipase-pectinase (88%), hemicellulase-cellulase (86%) and Chemical A (28.5%). The two most profound treatments were lipase and microbiological, so they are proposed as part of a viable method to produce Gluc-HCl from crab exoskeletons; they are ecofriendly procedures and could add value to the crab´s productive chain.

RESUMO: Dois tratamentos químicos, cinco enzimáticos (pectinase, lipase, hemicelulase, hemicelulose-celulase ou lipase-pectinase) e um microbiológico (Bacillus subtilis) foram avaliados para obter o cloridrato de glucosamina (Gluc-HCl) da quitina obtida a partir de exoesqueletos de caranguejo (Callinectes. Bellicosus). Os dois tratamentos químicos foram nomeados como método A (hidrólise de HCl para 75 min a 90 °C) e método B (hidrólise de HCl para 20 min e 14 h de repouso). A Glucosamina e, em alguns casos, N-acetil-D-glucosamina foram identificados e quantificados por HPLC. Os tratamentos em que as melhores concentrações de Glucosamina-HCl foram obtidas, em ordem decrescente: lipase (94,4 mg/g), microbiológica (45,7 mg/g), lipase-pectinase (22,9 mg/g), hemicelulase-celulase (20,9 mg/g), hemicelulase (15,3 mg/g), pectinase (10,7mg/g), Quïmica A (7,3 mg/g) e Quïmica B (7,3 mg/g). Em termos de produtividade, os melhores tratamentos em ordem decrescente foram: pectinase (94%), microbiológica (94%), hemicelulase (92%), lipase (91%), química B (88%), lipase-pectinase (88%), hemicelulase- celulase (86%) e produto químico A (28,5%). Os dois melhores tratamentos foram lipase e microbiológicos, propostos como método viável para obtenção de Gluc-HCl a partir de exoesqueletos de caranguejo; cumprem procedimentos ecologicamente corretos e podem agregar valor à cadeia produtiva do caranguejo.

Phenolic composition of tomato varieties and an industrial tomato by-product: free, conjugated and bound phenolics and antioxidant activity.

The aim of this study was to isolate, identify and quantify soluble free phenolics, conjugated acid-hydrolysable phenolics (AHP) and alkaline-hydrolysable phenolics, and bound phenolics (BP) fractions from two tomato varieties (saladette and grape) and an industrial tomato by-product, as well as, to determine their antioxidant capacity. Phenolic composition was determined using Folin-Ciocalteu's method and HPLC-DAD. AHP were predominant in grape and saladette tomato extracts (91.47 ± 17.28 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE) per g dry extract (DE) and 57.41 ± 8.80 mg GAE per g DE, respectively), while BP form was predominant in tomato by-product (51.30 ± 10.91 GAE per g DE). AHP extract of grape tomato presented the highest antioxidant capacity by DPPH assay (252.35 ± 42.55 µmol trolox equiv (TE) per g DE). In the case of ORAC assay, AHP fractions from both grape (1005.19 ± 138.52 µmol TE per g DE) and saladette tomatoes (804.16 ± 131.45 µmol TE per g DE), and BP fraction from by-product (852.40 ± 71.46 µmol TE per g DE) showed the highest ORAC values. Caffeic acid was the most abundant phenolic acid and it was found mainly in its conjugated forms. Naringenin was the most abundant flavonoid and it was mainly detected in bound form. Our analysis allowed a better characterization of phenolic compounds in whole tomato and by-product, remarking the importance of the fractionation. The valorization of the industrial tomato by-product, through the use of its different fractions of phenolic antioxidant compounds, could generate additional income to the tomato industry and reduce the waste disposal problem.

Emerging clinical issues and multivariate analyses in PET investigations.

PET using 18F-2-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (FDG-PET) has been gradually introduced in the diagnostic clinical criteria of the most prevalent neurodegenerative diseases. Moreover, an increasing amount of literature has shown that the information provided by FDG-PET enhances the sensitivity of standard imaging biomarkers in less frequent disorders in which an early differential diagnosis can be of paramount relevance for patient management and outcome. Therefore emerging uses of FDG-PET may be important in prion diseases, autoimmune encephalitis (AE) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Interestingly, FDG-PET findings can also be observed in the early phases of these conditions, even in the presence of normal magnetic resonance imaging scans. Thalamic hypometabolism is a common finding in sporadic Creutzfeldt-Jacob disease and fatal familiar insomnia patients, with further cortical synaptic dysfunction in the former. Limbic and extra-limbic metabolic abnormalities (more often hypermetabolism) can be observed in AE, although specific patterns may be seen within different syndromes associated with antibodies that target neuronal surface or synaptic antigens. FDG-PET shows its usefulness by discriminating patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis associated to upper motor neuron onset that evolve to frontotemporal dementia. Besides visual and voxel based image analysis, multivariate analysis as interregional correlation analysis and independent/principal component analysis have been successfully implemented to PET images increasing the accuracy of the discrimination of neurodegenerative diseases. The clinical presentation and current diagnostic criteria of these neurologic disorders as well as the emerging usefulness of FDG-PET in the diagnostic workup are presented and discussed in this review.

Bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity in scalded Jalapeño pepper industrial byproduct (Capsicum annuum).

Bioactive compounds and antioxidant activity were evaluated from industrial Jalapeño pepper byproducts and simulated non processed byproducts from two Mexican states (Chihuahua and Sinaloa) to determine their value added potential as commercial food ingredients. Aqueous 80% ethanol produced about 13% of dry extract of polar compounds. Total phenolic content increased and capsaicin and dihydrocapsaicin decreased on scalding samples (80 °C, 2 min) without affecting ascorbic acid. The major phenolic compounds, rutin, epicatechin and catechin comprised 90% of the total compounds detected by HPLC of each Jalapeño pepper byproducts. ORAC analysis showed that the origin and scalding process affected the antioxidant activity which correlated strongly with capsaicin content. Although scalding decreased capsaicinoids (up to 42%), phenolic content by (up to 16%), and the antioxidant activity (variable). Jalapeño pepper byproduct is a good source of compounds with antioxidant activity, and still an attractive ingredient to develop useful innovative products with potential food/non-food applications simultaneously reducing food loss and waste.

Conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas sobre depresión mayor en médicos residentes de un hospital de tercer nivel de atención en Lima, Perú / Knowledge, attitudes and practices about major depression in medical residents of a reference hospital in Lima, Peru

La depresión es el trastorno mental más frecuente a nivel mundial y nacional. Sin embargo, en servicios de atención primaria, solo 50 a 70% de pacientes con este cuadro son apropiadamente diagnosticados. Objetivos: Identificar el nivel de conocimientos, actitudes y prácticas sobre depresión mayor en médicos residentes de un hospital general en Lima, Perú, evaluados durante un periodo de 30 días. Material y métodos: Estudio descriptivo, correlacional, de corte transversal. Se encuestó a médicos residentes de todos los años y de diferentes especialidades. Resultados: De un total de 113 residentes (56,64% varones), solo el 5,31% había recibido durante el residentado un curso de psiquiatría y salud mental. El 15,93% demostró conocimiento insuficiente, 73,45% conocimiento moderado, y 10,62% conocimiento suficiente sobre depresión. No hubo asociación estadísticamente significativa entre el puntaje total de conocimiento y confianza en su capacidad para diagnosticar depresión. Aunque el 88,5% consideró que la depresión es una enfermedad, solo el 55,75% del grupo encuestado opinó que todos los médicos deben ser capaces de detectar e iniciar tratamiento de un caso de depresión. Conclusiones: El conocimiento sobre depresión, entre los médicos residentes evaluados en este estudio dista de ser óptimo. Un porcentaje pequeño pero significativo de los participantes mostró persistentes actitudes negativas hacia la valoración de la depresión como enfermedad mental y menos de la mitad están correctamente informados acerca de aspectos relevantes del tratamiento. La necesidad de corregir estas deficiencias es perentoria.

Depression is the most common mental disorder worldwide and in our country. However, only 50 to 70% of patients with depression are diagnosed in primary care settings. Objectives: To identify levels of knowledge, attitudes and practices about major depression in medical residents of the Cayetano Heredia National Hospital in Lima, Peru during a 30-day period. Material and methods: Cross-sectional, descriptive, correlational study. Medical residents of all training years and of different specialties were surveyed. Results: From a total of 113 medical residents (56.64% males), 5.31% had received teaching about psychiatry and mental health during the residency training, 15.93% demonstrated insufficient knowledge, 73.45% moderate knowledge, and only 10.62% showed sufficient knowledge about depression. There was no statistically significant association between total knowledge score and confidence in their ability to diagnose depression. Although 88.5% consider that depression is a disease, only 55.75% opined that all physicians should be able to detect and start the treatment of a case of depression. Conclusions: The medical residents' knowledge of major depression is far from optimal. A small but significant percentage of the participants showed persistently negative attitudes toward the assessment of depression as a mental illness, and less than half appeared to be well informed about relevant treatment aspects. The need to correct these deficiencies is indeed perentory.

Phenolic profile and antioxidant activity from non-toxic Mexican Jatropha curcas L. shell methanolic extracts.

Jatropha curcas seed shells are the by-product obtained during oil extraction process. Recently, its chemical composition has gained attention since its potential applications. The aim of this study was to identify phenolic compounds profile from a non-toxic J. curcas shell from Mexico, besides, evaluate J. curcas shell methanolic extract (JcSME) antioxidant activity. Free, conjugate and bound phenolics were fractionated and quantified (606.7, 193.32 and 909.59 µg/g shell, respectively) and 13 individual phenolic compounds were detected by HPLC. The radical-scavenging activity of JcSME was similar to Trolox and ascorbic acid by DPPH assay while by ABTS assay it was similar to BHT. Effective antioxidant capacity by ORAC was found (426.44 ± 53.39 µmol Trolox equivalents/g shell). The Mexican non-toxic J. curcas shell is rich in phenolic compounds with high antioxidant activity; hence, it could be considerate as a good source of natural antioxidants.

Phenolic Compounds, Antioxidant Activity and Lipid Profile of Huitlacoche Mushroom (Ustilago maydis) Produced in Several Maize Genotypes at Different Stages of Development.

Huitlacoche mushroom (composed by the fruiting bodies growing on the maize ears from the basidiomycete Ustilago maydis) is a culinary delicacy with a great economic and nutraceutical value. In this work, phenolic content, antioxidant activity, ergosterol and fatty acids profile from huitlacoche produced in 15 creole and in one hybrid maize genotypes, and harvested at different stages of development were determined. The hybrid crop was studied in raw and cooked samples. Total phenolic content ranged from 415.6 to 921.8.0 mg gallic acid equivalents per 100 g of flour. Samples exhibited attractive antioxidant activities: 75 % of antiradical activity on average by DPPH methodology, and ORAC values up to 7661.3 µmol Trolox equivalents /100  g. Important quantities of ferulic acid, quercetin, ergosterol, linoleic and oleic acids were observed. Stage of development and cooking process had an effect on evaluated compounds, sometimes negative and sometimes positive. Results suggest that huitlacoche is an attractive food source of phenolics with excellent antioxidant potential and interesting lipidic compounds.

Phenolic content and antioxidant and antimutagenic activities in tomato peel, seeds, and byproducts.

The phenolic content and antioxidant and antimutagenic activities from the peel and seeds of different tomato types (grape, cherry, bola and saladette type), and simulated tomato industrial byproducts, were studied. Methanolic extracts were used to quantify total phenolic content, groups of phenolic compounds, antioxidant activities, and the profile of phenolic compounds (by HPLC-DAD). Antimutagenic activity was determined by Salmonella typhimurium assay. The total phenolic content and antioxidant activity of tomato and tomato byproducts were comparable or superior to those previously reported for whole fruit and tomato pomace. Phenolic compounds with important biological activities, such as caffeic acid, ferulic acid, chlorogenic acids, quercetin-3-ß-O-glycoside, and quercetin, were quantified. Differences in all phenolic determinations due to tomato type and part of the fruit analyzed were observed, peel from grape type showing the best results. Positive antimutagenic results were observed in all samples. All evaluated materials could be used as a source of potential nutraceutical compounds.

Antioxidant activity of an unusual 3-hydroxyindole derivative isolated from fruits of Aristotelia chilensis (Molina) Stuntz.

3-Hydroxyindole was isolated from the EtOH extract of fruits of Aristotelia chilensis during analyses by HPLC/MS and GC/MS and identified by its mass fragmentation pattern and spectrophotometric data. Additionally, this extract showed an interesting antioxidant activity in DPPH, crocin and TBARS assays. The presence of this type of compound in this fruit species permits us to explain its strong antioxidant activity and its important part in the biosynthetic pathway of phenolic and alkaloid compounds in this plant. Therefore this compound could be useful for the development of future nutraceutical and antioxidant protective agents.