Scientifica最新文献

Globally, cardiovascular diseases are still the leading cause of death. Numerous methods are used to diagnose cardiovascular pathologies; there is still a place for straightforward and noninvasive techniques, such as electrocardiogram (ECG). Depolarization and repolarization parameters, including QT interval and its derivatives, are well studied. However, the Tpeak-Tend interval is a novel and promising ECG marker with growing evidence for its potential role in predicting malignant arrhythmias. In this review, we discuss the association between the Tpeak-Tend interval and several cardiovascular diseases, including long QT syndrome, cardiomyopathies, heart failure, myocardial infarction, and obesity, which constitutes one of the risk factors for cardiovascular diseases.

Momordica charantia is well known for its medicinal properties. It has exhibited various pharmacological activities, such as antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities. Although this plant is used worldwide as a vegetable and medicinal ingredient in herbal medicines, its toxicity studies have not been conducted to date. This study attempts to understand its toxicity. The present study examined the activity of two enzymes, acetylcholinesterase and succinate dehydrogenase, as well as histopathological variations in the liver, intestine, and gills of zebrafish. The results of the acetylcholinesterase assay showed that the concentrations of 40 mg/L and 60 mg/L of the four extracts (leaf and fruit extracts of both varieties) exhibited increased enzyme activity. Interestingly, the leaves of the green fruit variety at a concentration of 60 mg/L showed the highest activity, with a value of 2.824 ± 0.0682 micromoles/min compared to the control value of 1.8347 ± 0.0046 micromoles/min. On the other hand, the succinate dehydrogenase assay revealed that the concentrations of 40 mg/L and 60 mg/L of the extracts decreased the enzyme activity. The highest inhibition was observed in the concentration of 60 mg/L of the leaves of the white-fruited variety and the green-fruited variety, with values of 1.884 ± 0.0482 micromoles/min compared to the control value of 2.747 ± 0.0046 micromoles/min. The studies on histopathological changes also demonstrated abnormalities in the brain, liver, intestine, and gills of zebrafish after the exposure to the extracts of M. charantia. The severity of the damage varied from low to high concentraions. In general, this study sheds light on the safety profile of Momordica charantia and highlights its potential toxicity in animal models. The findings suggest that more research is needed to fully understand the toxicity of this plant and its implications for human use.

This study provides the design of a microencapsulation formula, physicochemical characterization, and antioxidant, antibacterial, and antiplasmodial activities of Holothuria atra microcapsules. The ethanolic extract of H. atra was microencapsulated with chitosan (CHI) and sodium tripolyphosphate (Na-TPP) with various stirring times: 60 minutes (CHI60), 90 minutes (CHI90), and 120 minutes (CHI120). The microcapsules were then observed for physicochemical properties using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The microcapsules were tested for antioxidant activity and antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus aureus and Escherichia coli using the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) method. Antiplasmodial bioactivity was assessed through in silico molecular docking. The CHI60 and CHI120 microcapsules exhibited a smaller size and an irregular spherical shape, while the same FTIR profile was observed in CHI90 and CHI120. The bioactivity tests demonstrated that CHI90 exhibited high antibacterial activity against E. coli and S. aureus, while CHI120 exhibited high antioxidant performance. Calcigeroside B and Echinoside B exhibited antiplasmodial activity against the Plasmodium falciparum dihydroorotate dehydrogenase (PfDHODH) protein, along with an artemisinin inhibition mechanism. In conclusion, the microcapsules with the CHI90 formula demonstrated the best antibacterial activity, while the CHI120 formula exhibited high antioxidant activity. Two terpenoids, Calcigeroside B and Echinoside B, exhibited the best antiplasmodial activity.

Diarrhea caused by gut motility involves 5-HT₃ serotonin receptor (5-HT₃R) antagonist, M3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor (M₃-AchR), and H₁ histamine receptor (H₁R) via their respective agonist. Papaya (Carica papaya L.) leaf is an herbal medicine to treat diarrhea in Indonesia, though this has not yet been proven scientifically. This study aimed to determine the antidiarrheal properties of papaya leaf through in vivo and in silico studies. In the mice model, papaya leaves were infused with distilled water and subjected to in vivo antidiarrheal study using castor oil-induced diarrhea. In silico molecular docking study of nineteen secondary metabolites was carried out on the M₃-AchR (PDB ID: 5ZHP) using AutoDock Tools 1.5.6, while ADMET was predicted by pre-ADMET. The results showed that papaya leaf infusion caused a decrease in the total number of feces, an increase in the onset time of diarrhea, a reduction in the frequency of diarrhea, and an increase in the percentage of inhibition of diarrhea. Quercetin 3-rutinoside, a flavonoid glycoside, is potentially an antidiarrheal remedy at M₃-AchR. ADMET prediction showed good distribution on the target and was not toxic, but absorption needed to be considered. We concluded that the antidiarrheal activity of papaya leaf infusion was dose-dependent. Based on a molecular docking study, the flavonoid glycoside was very effective as an antidiarrheal remedy. ADMET prediction showed a specific distribution to the target and was not toxic.

The aim of this study is to explore the mechanism by which ARHGAP4 regulates the proliferation and growth of colon cancer cells, and it relates to the metastasis of colorectal cancer (CRC). Various techniques including western blot, CCK8, qRT-PCR, RNA seq assay, plate cloning, subcutaneous tumorigenesis assays, and bioinformatics tools were employed to identify genes that were upregulated or downregulated upon ARHGAP4 knockdown and their involvement in tumor cell proliferation and growth. The expression of ARHGAP4 in T and M stages of CRC uses immunohistochemistry. The expression levels of ARHGAP4 were found to be high in SW620, SW480, and HCT116 cell lines, while they were being low in HT29, LoVo, and NCM460 cell lines. Depletion of ARHGAP4 resulted in inhibited proliferation and growth in SW620 cells and inhibited subcutaneous tumorigenesis in nude mice, whereas overexpression of ARHGAP4 promoted proliferation and growth in HT29 cells and promoted subcutaneous tumorigenesis in nude mice. A total of 318 upregulated genes and 637 downregulated genes were identified in SW620 cells upon ARHGAP4 knockdown. The downregulated genes were primarily associated with cell cycle pathways, while the upregulated genes were enriched in differentiation-related pathways. Notable upregulated genes involved in cell differentiation included KRT10, KRT13, KRT16, IVL, and CD24, while significant downregulation was observed in genes related to the cell cycle such as CCNA2, CDKN2C, CDKN3, CENPA, and CENPF. ARHGAP4 expression is markedly elevated in the M1 stage of CRC compared to the M0 stage, suggesting ARHGAP4 linked to the metastatic in CRC. ARHGAP4 regulates the proliferation and growth of colon cancer cells by up- and downregulated cell cycle and differentiation-related molecules, which may be related to the metastasis of CRC.

Spondias tuberosa Arruda (Anacardiaceae), popularly known as umbuzeiro or imbuzeiro, is a fruit tree native to the semiarid region of Brazil. The extractive harvesting of its fruits contributes significantly to the economy, generating an annual revenue of approximately $4,2 million. The present study aimed to assess the spatial pattern, allometric variations, fruit measurements, and genetic diversity of trees within a remaining forest of the Caatinga biome, with a focus on intrapopulation analysis. We used intersimple repeated sequence markers and the second-order function density of neighbours to determine the genetic and spatial structure. The density of neighbours was highest within a 10-meter radius. Biometric analyses revealed average fruit lengths of 31.12 mm (±0.22), diameters of 28.68 mm (±0.25), and fresh masses of 15.56 g (±0.33). Diaspores exhibited an average length, diameter, and thickness of 19.27 mm, 13.95 mm, and 11.14 mm, respectively, with a fresh mass of 2.28 g. Notably, the fresh mass demonstrated the highest coefficient of variation. Ten molecular markers were selected, generating 103 highly polymorphic loci (99.03%) with an average informative content of 0.45. Nei's diversity index (0.37) and Shannon's index (0.55) indicated moderate genetic diversity. Furthermore, Bayesian analysis revealed a population structure with two distinct genetic groups. The Infinite Allele and Mutation Step Models suggested a significant historical decline in population size, indicative of a genetic bottleneck. As a result, proactive in situ conservation strategies, including establishing protected natural areas, become essential, considering the socioeconomic significance of the species. Additionally, it is recommended to establish germplasm banks for ex situ conservation and the development of managed cultivation initiatives to reduce the pressure on native populations of S. tuberosa caused by extraction.

Finding new catalysts and pyrolysis technologies for efficiently recycling wasted plastics into fuels and structured solid materials of high selectivity is the need of time. Catalytic pyrolysis is a thermochemical process that cracks the feedstock in an inert gas environment into gaseous and liquid fuels and a residue. This study is conducted on microwave-assisted catalytic recycling of wasted plastics into nanostructured carbon and hydrogen fuel using composite magnetic ferrite catalysts. The composite ferrite catalysts, namely, NiZnFe₂O₄, NiMgFe₂O₄, and MgZnFe₂O₄ were produced through the coprecipitation method and characterized for onward use in the microwave-assisted valorization of wasted plastics. The ferrite nanoparticles worked as a catalyst and heat susceptor for uniformly distributed energy transfer from microwaves to the feedstock at a moderate temperature of 450°C. The type of catalyst and the working parameters significantly impacted the process efficiency, gas yield, and structural properties of the carbonaceous residue. The tested process took 2-8 minutes to pulverize feedstock into gas and carbon nanotubes (CNTs), depending on the catalyst type. The NiZnFe₂O₄-catalyzed process produced CNTs with good structural properties and fewer impurities compared to other catalysts. The NiMgFe₂O₄ catalyst performed better in terms of hydrogen evolution by showing 87.5% hydrogen (H₂) composition in the evolved gases. Almost 90% of extractable hydrogen from the feedstock evolved during the first 2 minutes of the reaction.

Stevia rebaudiana Bert. is commonly known as candy leaf, sugar leaf, or sweet leaf. It is a natural sweetener that has low calories and is used as a substitute for sucrose. The objective of this research is to evaluate the effects of graphene oxide (GO) on the growth, biochemical activities, and stevioside and rebaudioside A production of Stevia in in vitro-raised plantlets. For this, green nanomaterials of GO (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 mgL^-1) were applied to the in vitro plants to enhance its sweetness by triggering the production of stevioside and rebaudioside A and other growth and biochemical parameters. It was observed that all the growth parameters of Stevia plants significantly increased with all GO treatments tested. Total chlorophyll and protein contents were increased (1.85- and 2.65-fold increase from the control) by applying 8 mgL^-1 of GO to the MS medium. The maximum value (4 mg·g^-1 of protein) of peroxidase activity (POD) was observed by applying 4 mgL^-1 of GO, 28.92-fold increase from the control. In comparison, superoxide dismutase activity (SOD) (0.4 mg·g^-1 protein) was observed with 10 mgL^-1 of GO (1.56-fold increase from the control). Stevioside (12.9 and 8.9 mg·g^-1 DW) and rebaudioside A (3.2 and 0.81 mg·g^-1 DW) were observed only at 6 and 8 mg·L^-1 treatment of graphene oxide. According to the findings, using graphene oxide (GO) had a significant impact on the growth, biochemical activities, and steviol glycoside production in Stevia. This shows that GO has the potential to be a valuable enhancer of sweetness and overall Stevia leaf quality, providing great prospects for the development of low-calorie natural sweeteners.

Fresh ginger can spoil quickly owing to a variety of factors, including inappropriate postharvest handling, microbial and enzymatic activities, and chemical reactions during storage. This study evaluated the physicochemical properties of ginger coated with chitosan and beeswax during storage for 6 months at different temperatures (18°C and 25°C). Fresh ginger was treated with chitosan coating (1.5 and 3.5%), followed by beeswax coating (3 and 6%). The coated ginger was wrapped in a plastic net and stored at ambient (25°C) and low temperatures (18°C) for six months. The results confirmed that coating treatment slowed down the changes in physicochemical properties (moisture, phenolic content, and so on) of ginger during storage. Ginger stored at 25°C showed shorter shelf lives than those stored at 18°C. Coating ginger with 3% chitosan followed by 6% beeswax exhibited the best results in maintaining the moisture and phenolic content, reducing weight loss, and increasing total soluble solid (TSS) and cell compartment size for six months of storage. This study provides a promising approach to delaying the spoilage of fresh ginger by applying coating treatments useful for developing handling protocols for fresh ginger during storage and distribution.

This study used a combination of leaves extracts from Ruellia tuberosa L. and Tithonia diversifolia plants encapsulated using gum Arabic. The selection of leaves in medicinal plants because they are rich in bioactive compounds that provide health benefits. The encapsulation technique was microencapsulation through freeze-drying, since the nanoencapsulation for the plant extracts is unlikely to be conducted due to their large particle sizes. The resulting microcapsules were then tested their biological activities in vitro. Several conditions affect microcapsules' production, including pH, gum Arabic concentration, and stirring time were assessed. The optimum conditions were chosen based on the highest encapsulation efficiency. The results showed that the optimum microcapsules preparation was achived at pH 5, gum Arabic concentration of 4% (w/v), and stirring time of 60 min with an encapsulation efficiency of 84.29%. The in vitro assays include inhibition of alpha-amylase and antioxidant activities, resulted in the respective IC₅₀ values of 54.74 μg/mL and 152.74 μg/mL. Releases of bioactive compounds from the microcapsules were investigated under pH 2.2 and pH 7.4 from 30 to 120 min. Results indicated a release of 43.10% at pH 2.2 and 42.26% at pH 7.4 during 120 min, demonstrating the controlled release behavior of the encapsulated bioactive compounds; nonetheless, their release behavior was not pH-dependent. This study confirms that microencapsulation has an important role in the development of plant extracts with maintained biological functions as well as maintaining their stability.