Biochemistry Research International最新文献

Parkinson's disease (PD) is regarded as a severe neurodegenerative disorder. Baicalein is involved in the treatment of PD. This study explored the mechanism of baicalein in PD. The PD rat model was established using 6-hydroxydopamine. The neurologic score, dopamine (DA) content, apoptotic cells, and neuronal damage were evaluated after rats were treated with baicalein. Autophagy in PD rats was inhibited using 3-methyladenine (3-MA). The mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and autophagy-related proteins (LC3, P62) were detected. Next, agomiR-30b was transfected into PD rats. The targeting relation between miR-30b and NIX was predicted and verified. Then, sh-NIX was transfected into PD rats, and the effects of miR-30b and NIX on MMP, LC3, and P62 were assessed. When miR-30b was overexpressed using agomiR-30b, the NIX and BNIP3 levels were detected. Baicalein increased the neurological score and restored DA content, neurons, MMP, and mitochondrial autophagy protein levels. Baicalein inhibited miR-30b expression and miR-30b targeted NIX. miR-30b upregulation or NIX silencing reversed the effect of baicalein on MMP and mitochondrial autophagy. Baicalein upregulated NIX and BNIP3 expressions, while miR-30b overexpression inhibited NIX and BNIP3 expressions. In summary, baicalein mediated mitochondrial autophagy and restored neuronal activity by downregulating miR-30b and activating the NIX/BNIP3 pathway, thus protecting against PD.

Background: Neuroblastoma is a malignant neuroendocrine tumor from the sympathetic nervous system, the most common extracranial tumor in children. Identifying potential prognostic markers of neuroblastoma can provide clues for early diagnosis, recurrence, and treatment.

Methods: RNA sequence data and clinical features of 147 neuroblastomas were obtained from the TARGET (Therapeutically Applicable Research to Generate Effective Treatments project) database. Application weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA) was used to construct a free-scale gene coexpression network, to study the interrelationship between its potential modules and clinical features, and to identify hub genes in the module. We performed Lasso regression and Cox regression analyses to identify the three most important genes and develop a new prognostic model. Data from the GSE85047 cohort verified the predictive accuracy of the prognostic model.

Results: 14 coexpression modules were constructed using WGCNA. Brown coexpression modules were found to be significantly associated with disease survival status. Multivariate Cox analysis was performed on genes from univariate Cox regression and Lasso regression analyses using the Cox proportional hazards regression model. Finally, we constructed a three-gene prognostic model: risk score = (0.003812659∗CKB) + (-0.152376975∗expDST) + (0.032032815∗expDUT). The prognosis of samples in the high-risk group was significantly poorer than that of samples in the low-risk group (P=1.225e - 06). The risk model was also regarded as an independent predictor of prognosis (HR = 1.632; 95% CI = 1.391-1.934; P < 0.001).

Conclusion: Our study constructed a neuroblastoma coexpressing gene module and identified a prognostic potential risk model for prognosis in neuroblastoma.

The aims of this study are to investigate the effect of acrylamide on the level of proinflammatory cytokines in the blood of acrylamide-treated rats and to find the modulatory impact of probiotics on those cytokines. Thirty-two rats were divided into four groups: rats which received 20 mg acrylamide, acrylamide with 20 mg probiotics, acrylamide with 200 mg probiotics, and standard water and food (groups 1-4, respectively). The serum levels of cytokines were measured on days 0, 15, and 30. Group 1 showed an increased serum level of IL-1β, IL-6, and TNF-α after 15 days, and they decreased in day 30. Serum IL-6 level was significantly decreased on days 15 and 30 in rats in group 2 compared to the controls. TNF-α and IL-1β levels were not statistically different after treated with probiotics. The exposure of rats to acrylamide led to increased systemic inflammation as evidenced by higher levels of proinflammatory cytokines, and probiotics can modulate this inflammation.

Background: This study aimed to describe the clinical symptoms, laboratory findings, treatment, and outcomes of coronavirus disease 2019-related multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children to provide a reference for clinical practice.

Methods: We employed a literature search of databases such as PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, and Johns Hopkins University for articles on COVID-19-related multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children published between April 1, 2020, and January 15, 2021. High-quality articles were selected for analysis on the basis of their quality standard scores. Using R3.6.3 software, meta-analyses of random- or fixed-effects models were used to determine the prevalence of comorbidities. Subgroup analysis was also performed to determine heterogeneity.

Results: A total of 57 articles (2,290 pediatric patients) were included in the study. Clinical Manifestations. :ncidences of fever, gastrointestinal symptoms, respiratory symptoms, and musculoskeletal symptoms (myalgias or arthralgias) were 99.91% (95% CI: 99.67-100%), 82.72% (95% CI: 78.19-86.81%), 53.02% (45.28-60.68%), and 14.16% (95% CI: 8.4-21.12%), respectively. The incidences of rash, conjunctival injection, lymphadenopathy, dry cracked lips, neurologic symptoms (headache, altered mental status, or confusion), swollen hands and feet, typical Kawasaki disease, and atypical Kawasaki disease were 59.34% (95% CI: 54.73-63.87%), 55.23% (95% CI: 50.22-60.19%), 27.07% (95% CI: 19.87-34.93%), 46.37% (95% CI: 39.97-52.83%), 28.87% (95% CI: 22.76-35.40%), 28.75% (95% CI: 21.46-36.64%), 17.32% (95% CI: 15.44-19.29%), and 36.19% (95% CI: 21.90-51.86%), respectively. The incidences of coronary artery dilation, aneurysm, pericardial effusion, myocarditis, myocardial dysfunction, high troponin, and N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide were 17.83%, 6.85%, 20.97%, 35.97%, 56.32%, 76.34%, and 86.65%, respectively. The incidences of reduced lymphocytes, thrombocytopenia, hypoalbuminemia, elevated C-reactive protein, ferritin, LDH, interleukin-6, PCT, and FIB were 61.51%, 26.42%, 77.92%, 98.5%, 86.79%, 80.59%, 89.30%, 85.10%, and 87.01%, respectively. PICU Hospitalization Rate and Mortality. The incidences of PICU hospitalization or with shock were 72.79% and 55.68%, respectively. The mortality rate was 1.00%. Conclusion and Relevance. PICU hospitalization and shock rates of multisystem inflammatory syndrome in children associated with COVID-19 were high, and its cumulative multiorgans and inflammatory indicators are increased, but if treated in time, the mortality rate was low.

The plant Rhodiola rosea L. of family Crassulaceae was extracted using the supercritical CO₂-extraction method. Several experimental conditions were investigated in the pressure range of 200-500 bar, with the used volume of cosolvent ethanol in the amount of 1% in the liquid phase at a temperature in the range of 31-70°C. The most effective extraction conditions are pressure 350 bar and temperature 60°C. The extracts were analyzed by HPLC with MS/MS identification. 78 target analytes were isolated from Rhodiola rosea (Russia) using a series of column chromatography and mass spectrometry experiments. The results of the analysis showed a spectrum of the main active ingredients Rh. rosea: salidroside, rhodiolosides (B and C), rhodiosin, luteolin, catechin, quercetin, quercitrin, herbacetin, sacranoside A, vimalin, and others. In addition to the reported metabolites, 29 metabolites were newly annotated in Rh. rosea. There were flavonols: dihydroquercetin, acacetin, mearnsetin, and taxifolin-O-pentoside; flavones: apigenin-O-hexoside derivative, tricetin trimethyl ether 7-O-hexosyl-hexoside, tricin 7-O-glucoronyl-O-hexoside, tricin O-pentoside, and tricin-O-dihexoside; flavanones: eriodictyol-7-O-glucoside; flavan-3-ols: gallocatechin, hydroxycinnamic acid caffeoylmalic acid, and di-O-caffeoylquinic acid; coumarins: esculetin; esculin: fraxin; and lignans: hinokinin, pinoresinol, L-ascorbic acid, glucaric acid, palmitic acid, and linolenic acid. The results of supercritical CO₂-extraction from roots and rhizomes of Rh. rosea, in particular, indicate that the extract contained all biologically active components of the plant, as well as inert mixtures of extracted compositions.

Nowadays, pollution of the environment is a huge problem for humans and other organisms' health. Conventional methods of pollutant removal like membrane filtration or ion exchange are not efficient enough to lower the number of pollutants to standard levels. Biological methods, because of their higher efficiency and biocompatibility, are preferred for the remediation of pollutants. These cost-effective and environment-friendly methods of reducing pollutants are called bioremediation. In bioremediation methods, enzymes play the most crucial role. Enzymes can remedy different types of organic and inorganic pollutants, including PAHs, azo dyes, polymers, organocyanides, lead, chromium, and mercury. Different enzymes isolated from various species have been used for the bioremediation of pollutants. Discovering new enzymes and new subtypes with specific physicochemical characteristics would be a promising way to find more efficient and cost-effective tools for the remediation of pollutants.

In many parts of the world, malaria undoubtedly poses a serious threat to health care systems. Malaria treatment has increasingly become complicated, primarily due to the emergence of widespread resistance of the malaria parasites to cheap and affordable malaria therapeutics. The use of herbal remedies to treat various ailments, including malaria and malaria-like ailments in Ghana is common. We herein report on the antiplasmodial and antioxidant activities as well as toxicological evaluation of four medicinal plants (Celtis africana, Grosseria vignei, Physalis micrantha, and Stachytarpheta angustifolia) commonly used to treat malaria in Ghana. Following Soxhlet extraction of plant samples in ethanol, extracts were screened against Plasmodium falciparum (3D7 strain) in an in vitro antiplasmodial assay. The phosphomolybdenum and DPPH (1, 1-diphenyl-2 picrylhydrazyl) assays were used to evaluate antioxidant activities while toxicity assessment was carried out in mice using the acute toxicity test and kidney and liver function tests. Extracts from Celtis africana and Physalis micrantha were very active towards the parasites with half-maximal inhibitory concentrations (IC₅₀'s) of 29.1 and 3.5 µg/mL, respectively. Extracts of Grosseria vignei and Stachytarpheta angustifolia were inactive, having IC₅₀ values greater than 50 µg/mL. All extracts exhibited excellent total antioxidant capacities (>800 mg/g AAE) and good DPPH radical scavenging potential (IC₅₀ range of 300-900 µg/mL). The median lethal dose (LD₅₀) of all extracts in the toxicological evaluation was greater than 2000 mg/kg and there was no effect of extracts on the levels and activities of key biomarkers of liver and kidney function. The activities of these plants obtained in this study partly give credence to their folkloric use in herbal medicines and suggest that they could provide promising lead compounds for malaria drug discovery programs.

Triumfetta welwitschii has been used as a traditional medicine in Africa. It is documented as a rich source of phytochemicals with antibacterial activities. To further explore the antibacterial potential of these phytochemical components, the phytochemical profile of the dichloromethane: methanol leaf extract from T. welwitschii was investigated using ultra-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS). Compounds were isolated from the extract using column chromatography and thin-layer chromatography. Compound B1 was isolated from the fraction eluted by 90 hexane:10 ethyl acetate using column chromatography. The antibacterial activity of B1 against Pseudomonas aeruginosa was evaluated in vitro using the broth microdilution method and the iodonitrotetrazolium (INT) colorimetric assay. The antibiofilm activities of the extract and B1 against P. aeruginosa were determined by quantifying the biofilms using crystal violet. The effect of the extract and B1 on capsular polysaccharide and extracellular DNA content of biofilm formed by P. aeruginosa was determined using phenol-sulphuric acid and propidium iodide, respectively. A total of 28 peaks were detected and identified using UPLC-MS/MS. The three most abundant phytochemicals identified were catechin, umbelliferone, and a luteolin derivative. B1 showed antibacterial activity against P. aeruginosa with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) value of 25 μg/ml. Only 38% and 6% of the biofilms were formed in the presence of the extract and B1, respectively. The extract and B1 reduced the capsular polysaccharide content in biofilms formed in P. aeruginosa by 40% and 65%, respectively. The extract and B1 significantly reduced the extracellular DNA content of biofilms by 29% and 72%, respectively. The results of this study provide evidence of the antibacterial and antibiofilm activities of B1 and leaf extracts from T. welwitschii. Future work should identify the chemical structure of B1 using nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry.

The volatile compounds of the fruit and leaf essential oils of the African star fruit, Chrysophyllum albidum G. Don, were characterized by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in this study. The antimicrobial, antibiofilm, and antioxidant activities of the essential oils were also investigated. Thirty-five and thirty-four compounds, representing 97.84% and 97.87%, were identified in the leaf and fruit essential oils, respectively. The antimicrobial activity of the oils was evaluated in vitro against eight pathogens using the broth microdilution method. The fruit essential oil exhibited broad-spectrum antimicrobial activity in the antimicrobial susceptibility test, with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) ranging from 0.195 to 6.250 mg/mL, while the leaf essential oils showed antimicrobial activity with MICs in the range of 6.875-13.750 mg/mL. The antibiofilm activity was assessed via the crystal violet staining assay, with Pseudomonas aeruginosa as the model organism. The concentrations of the leaf and fruit essential oil required for half-maximal inhibition of biofilm formation (BIC₅₀) were 6.97 ± 0.56 and 4.78 ± 0.21 mg/mL, respectively. In evaluating antioxidant activity, the total antioxidant capacity obtained from the phosphomolybdenum assay was 104.8 ± 2.4 and 101.6 ± 0.8 μg/g AAE for leaf and fruit essential oils, respectively. The IC₅₀ values obtained from the hydrogen peroxide scavenging, 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging, and inhibition of lipid peroxidation assays were 301.8 ± 0.7 and 669.2 ± 2.1 μg/mL, 1048.0 ± 0.3 and 1454.0 ± 0.3 μg/mL, and 460.1 ± 2.7 and 457.4 ± 0.3 μg/mL for both leaf and fruit essential oils, respectively. The results obtained in this study suggest that the leaf and fruit essential oil of Chrysophyllum albidum G. Don could find potential use in the food, cosmetic, and pharmaceutical industries as preservative and pharmaceutical agents.

Background: Salt iodisation is considered the most effective long-term public health intervention for achieving optimal iodine nutrition. Effective salt iodisation is a prerequisite for the sustainable elimination of iodine deficiency disorders. The aim of this study was to determine iodine concentration of salt used for the National School Nutrition Program (NSNP).

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 359 food handlers from Vhembe and Mopani districts of Limpopo Province, South Africa. The questionnaire was administered to solicit data on demographic information, general questions on salt fortification, and iodine nutrition knowledge. After the interviews, two tablespoons of salt used for the NSNP food preparation was collected from 318 schools in small zip-lock plastic bags. The salt samples were coded and stored at room temperature and protected from light and moisture until the time of analysis. Salt iodine concentrations were determined at the North-West University (NWU) in Potchefstroom by means of the iCheck test method.

Results: The median iodine concentration of both Mopani (31.65 ppm) and Vhembe (32.56 ppm) districts signified adequate iodine levels. Of 318 salt samples, 113 (71%) samples in Mopani and 104 (65%) in Vhembe had an iodine concentration of 15-64 ppm. A few (6%) food handlers in Mopani and almost half (45.9%) in Vhembe could correctly identify iodated salt as the main source of iodine. Almost half of the food handlers (%) in Mopani and 36.5% in Vhembe did not know which part of body needs iodine for functioning.

Conclusion: More than 20 years after the implementation of the USI program, the result of the study shows that the international goal of 90% coverage is still far from being realised.