Synthesis of Novel Hydrazide-Hydrazone Compounds and In Vitro and In Silico Investigation of Their Biological Activities against AChE, BChE, and hCA I and II

The abnormal levels of the human carbonic anhydrase isoenzymes I and II (hCA I and II) and cholinesterase enzymes, namely, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), are linked with various disorders including Alzheimer's disease. In this study, six new nicotinic hydrazide derivatives (7-12) were designed and synthesized for the first time, and their inhibitory profiles against hCA I, hCA II, AChE, and BChE were investigated by in vitro assays and in silico studies. The structures of novel molecules were elucidated by using spectroscopic techniques and elemental analysis. These molecules showed inhibitory activities against hCA I and II with IC50 values ranging from 7.12 to 45.12 nM. Compared to reference drug acetazolamide (AZA), compound 8 was the most active inhibitor against hCA I and II. On the other hand, it was determined that IC50 values of the tested molecules ranged between 21.45 and 61.37 nM for AChE and between 18.42 and 54.74 nM for BChE. Among them, compound 12 was the most potent inhibitor of AChE and BChE, with IC50 values of 21.45 and 18.42 nM, respectively. In order to better understand the mode of action of these new compounds, state-of-the-art molecular modeling techniques were also conducted.

Impact of the arginine silicate inositol complex on bone metabolism in broiler chickens with tibial dyschondroplasia caused by manganese deficiency

1. Tibial dyschondroplasia (TD) is a skeletal disorder in broilers that has financial implications, necessitating dietary modifications to reduce the prevalence of this disease. This study explored how arginine silicate inositol complex (ASI) supplementation affected tibial growth plate (TGP) and overall bone health in broilers with manganese (Mn) deficiency-induced TD.2. A total of 240 broiler chicks were divided into four groups, each consisting of 60 birds (15 replicates of four broilers each) as follows: i) Control, with 60 mg Mn per kg of diet; ii) ASI, with 60 mg Mn and 1 g ASI per kg of diet; iii) TD, with 22 mg Mn per kg of diet, and iv) TD+ASI, with 22 mg Mn and 1 g ASI per kg of diet.3. It was found that ASI supplementation increased tibial bone length in Mn-deficient TD broilers (p = 0.007). There was no Mn x ASI interaction for other bone morphometry variables (p > 0.05). However, both tibial bone mineral content and density were affected by Mn and ASI (p < 0.05). With ASI supplementation, serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase and osteocalcin levels were elevated in the TD+ASI group compared to the TD group (p < 0.001). In the TD group, osteoprotegerin (OPG) levels in the TGP decreased compared to the control groups (p < 0.001).4. In contrast, ASI supplementation in the TD broilers counteracted the decrease in OPG compared to TD broilers without ASI supplementation (p < 0.001). The Mn level and ASI supplementation significantly influenced the OPG/receptor activator of the nuclear factor-κB ligand ratio (p < 0.001).5. In conclusion, the results demonstrated that inclusion of ASI in broiler diets could enhance bone formation variables by controlling OPG levels in the TGP, potentially serving as an effective method to decrease the occurrence of TD.

Reliability of Bigliani's Classification using Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Determination of Acromial Morphology

Introduction

Bigliani classification is used for determination of acromial morphology, but poor inter-observer reliability has been reported on conventional radiographs. This study aims to assess inter- and intra-observer reliability using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Materials and methods

Forty consecutive patients diagnosed with subacromial impingement syndrome were included to study. All subjects underwent standard shoulder MRI scan and acromial shape was evaluated by nine observers of different level of expertise (three attending surgeons, three senior orthopaedic residents and three radiologists). A second set of evaluation was performed in order to assess intra-observer reproducibility. Kappa (κ) coefficient analyses both for interobserver reliability and intra-observer reproducibility were then performed.

Results

Overall inter-observer agreement among nine observers was fair (κ=0.323). κ values for all 4 individual types ranged from 0.234 to 0.720 with highest agreement for type 4 and lowest agreement for type 3. Second evaluation did not result with an increase of inter-observer agreement (κ=0.338, fair). The κ coefficients for intra-observer reproducibility of nine observers ranged from 0.496 to 0.867. Overall intra-observer reproducibility was substantial. Comparison of inter- and intra-observer reliability among three groups showed no significant difference (p=0.92 and 0.22, respectively).

Conclusion

Results showed that MRI did not show superior reliability compared to conventional radiographs. Moreover, inter- and intra-observer agreement did not differ between observers of different level of expertise. Findings of present study suggest that despite a sophisticated imaging modality like MRI, Bigliani's classification apparently lacks accuracy and additional criteria, or different assessment methods are required to assess acromial morphology for clinical guidance.

Screening of Clinically Approved and Investigation Drugs as Potential Inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2: A Combined in silico and in vitro Study

In the current study, we used 7922 FDA approved small molecule drugs as well as compounds in clinical investigation from NIH's NPC database in our drug repurposing study. SARS-CoV-2 main protease as well as Spike protein/ACE2 targets were used in virtual screening and top-100 compounds from each docking simulations were considered initially in short molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and their average binding energies were calculated by MM/GBSA method. Promising hit compounds selected based on average MM/GBSA scores were then used in long MD simulations. Based on these numerical calculations following compounds were found as hit inhibitors for the SARS-CoV-2 main protease: Pinokalant, terlakiren, ritonavir, cefotiam, telinavir, rotigaptide, and cefpiramide. In addition, following 3 compounds were identified as inhibitors for Spike/ACE2: Denopamine, bometolol, and rotigaptide. In order to verify the predictions of in silico analyses, 4 compounds (ritonavir, rotigaptide, cefotiam, and cefpiramide) for the main protease and 2 compounds (rotigaptide and denopamine) for the Spike/ACE2 interactions were tested by in vitro experiments. While the concentration-dependent inhibition of the ritonavir, rotigaptide, and cefotiam was observed for the main protease; denopamine was effective at the inhibition of Spike/ACE2 binding.

Combined 4D-QSAR and target-based approaches for the determination of bioactive Isatin derivatives

The hybrid method of the Electron-Conformational Genetic Algorithm (EC-GA) was used to determine the pharmacophore groups and to estimate anticancer activity in isatin derivatives using a robust 4D-QSAR software (EMRE). To build the model, each compound is represented by a set of conformers rather than a single conformation. The Electron Conformational Matrix of Congruity (ECMC) is composed via EMRE software. Electron Conformational Submatrix of Activity (ECSA) was calculated by the comparison of these matrices. Genetic algorithm was used to select important variables to predict theoretical activity. The model with the best seven parameters produced satisfactory results. The E statistics technique was applied to the generated EC-GA model to evaluate the individual contribution of each of the descriptors on biological activity. The r² and q² values of the training set compounds were found to be 0.95 and 0.93, respectively. Because no previous 4D-QSAR studies on isatin derivatives have been conducted, this study is important in the development of new isatin derivatives. In this study, 27 isatin derivatives whose activities were estimated using the hybrid EC-GA method were also investigated through molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations for their BCL-2 inhibitory activity.

Near-physiological-temperature serial crystallography reveals conformations of SARS-CoV-2 main protease active site for improved drug repurposing

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in 198 million reported infections and more than 4 million deaths as of July 2021 (covid19.who.int). Research to identify effective therapies for COVID-19 includes: (1) designing a vaccine as future protection; (2) de novo drug discovery; and (3) identifying existing drugs to repurpose them as effective and immediate treatments. To assist in drug repurposing and design, we determine two apo structures of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) main protease at ambient temperature by serial femtosecond X-ray crystallography. We employ detailed molecular simulations of selected known main protease inhibitors with the structures and compare binding modes and energies. The combined structural and molecular modeling studies not only reveal the dynamics of small molecules targeting the main protease but also provide invaluable opportunities for drug repurposing and structure-based drug design strategies against SARS-CoV-2.

Hybrid In Silico and TR-FRET-Guided Discovery of Novel BCL-2 Inhibitors

B-Cell lymphoma 2 (BCL-2) regulates cell death in humans. In this study, combined multiscale in silico approaches and in vitro studies were employed. A small-molecule library that includes more than 210 000 compounds was used. The predicted therapeutic activity value (TAV) of the compounds in this library was computed with the binary cancer quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSAR) model. The molecules with a high calculated TAV were used in 26 individual toxicity QSAR models. As a result of this screening protocol, 288 nontoxic molecules with high predicted TAV were identified. These selected hits were then screened against the BCL-2 target protein using hybrid docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The interaction energies of identified compounds were compared with two known BCL-2 inhibitors. Then, the short MD simulations were carried out by initiating the best docking poses of 288 molecules. Average MM/GBSA energies were computed, and long MD simulations were employed to selected hits. The same calculations were also applied for two known BCL-2 inhibitors. Moreover, a five-site (AHRRR) structure-based pharmacophore model was constructed, and this model was used in the screening of the same database. On the basis of hybrid data-driven ligand identification study, final hits were selected and used in in vitro studies. Based on results of the time-resolved fluorescence resonance energy transfer (TR-FRET) analysis, further filtration was carried out for the U87-MG cell line tests. MTT cell proliferation assay analysis results showed that selected three potent compounds were significantly effective on glioma cells.

Lycopene supplementation does not change productive performance but lowers egg yolk cholesterol and gene expression of some cholesterol-related proteins in laying hens

1. This work examined the effects of purified lycopene (LYC) supplementation or a source of LYC as tomato powder (TP) on productive performance, egg yolk cholesterol levels as well as gene expression related to mechanism and regulation of cholesterol.2. One hundred and fifty laying hens (Lohman LSL, hybrid) were randomly divided into one of three treatments, with 10 replicates of five hens per cage, totalling 50 hens per treatment. The hens were fed either a standard diet (control) or a standard diet supplemented with 20 mg purified lycopene/kg diet (LYC) or an equal amount of lycopene-containing tomato powder (TP) for 12 weeks.3. Feed consumption, egg production, and feed efficiency remained similar among treatments (P ≥ 0.27). Supplementing lycopene, either as a purified form or in TP, increased the levels of serum and egg yolk lycopene and reduced serum and egg yolk cholesterol concentrations (P < 0.001). Supplementation in either form decreased gene expression for intestinal NPC1L1, MTP, ACAT2, hepatic SREBP1c, ACLY, and LXRα but increased hepatic ABCG5 and ABCG8 (P < 0.001).4. The results of the present work revealed that egg yolk cholesterol metabolism is regulated by the modulation of a group of genes, particularly with LYC supplementation.

In silico identification of angiotensin-1 converting enzyme inhibitors using text mining and virtual screening

Cardiovascular diseases are the world's leading cause of death. Hypertension is an important risk factor for cardiovascular and renal diseases. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) can be a possible therapeutic target for managing angiotensin I conversion to angiotensin II and ultimately controlling hypertension. Indole is an significant fragment used in many medicines approved by FDA. For this reason, the molecules in their fragments containing" indol" keywords were taken from the Specs-SC (small compound) database. The predicted therapeutc activity values (TAV) of these compounds against hypertension were evaluated using binary models of QSAR by MetaCore/MetaDrug. For the 26 separate QSAR models of toxicity, molecules with measured TAV greater than 0.5 were used. 3792 non-toxic compounds were investigated by molecular docking study and molecular dynamics simulations for their ACE inhibitory activity. Glide standard precision (SP) of Maestro Molecular Modeling pocket was used to perform molecular docking. Short molecular dynamics (MD) simulations (5-ns) were carried out by initiating the top docking poses of selected 40 molecules. To quantitatively evaluate the predicted binding affinity of a screened compound, average MM/GBSA scores of screened ligands were calculated and based on their binding free energy values, hit compounds were identified for the long (100-ns) MD simulations. Root mean square deviation and root mean square fluctuations were also calculated to assess the structural characteristics and observe fluctuations of the 100-ns time scale. Thus, with the application of text mining and integrated molecular modeling we reported novel indole-based hit inhibitors for ACE-1.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Investigation of novel indole-based HIV-1 protease inhibitors using virtual screening and text mining

Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 protease (HIV-1 PR) inhibitors have been used as possible therapeutic agents for HIV-1 infection in clinical study. Most of the HIV therapy-related problems usually stem from long-term opioid usage. The rapid development of drug-resistant variants limits the long-term effectiveness of current inhibitors as therapeutic agents. In addition, different side effects were reported. Further drug development is required to design new compounds which have similar efficacy as the drugs currently used in HIV infection but without having undesirable side effects. Indole derivatives were considered as one of the effective HIV inhibitors. Indole is an important fragment used in many FDAapproved medicines and used in various diseases. For this purpose, in this study the molecules containing" indole" keywords in their fragments are taken from the Specs-SC database which includes 212520 small molecules. 5194 molecules that include indole keywords are selected. These selected molecules are then screened against HIV-1 PR target protein using molecular docking simulations. Then the molecules are ranked according to the their docking scores. Top docking poses of ten ligands and FDA approved drug Amprenavir are subjected to 100 ns Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulations. Thus, by using combination of text mining and integrated molecular modeling approaches, we identified novel indole-based hits against HIV-1 PR.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Does high fat diet effect the bone-implant connection?

OBJECTIVE

Obesity induced by a high fat diet is associated with chronic up-regulation of inflammatory cytokines which stimulate osteoclast activity and bone resorption. However, the role of high-fat diet on bone-implant connectivity has not been studied in detail. In this study, we investigated whether a high-fat diet (HFD) affects bone implant connection (BIC) in periimplant bone.

METHODS

Twenty female Sprague Dawley rats were divided in two groups: 1) Control rats were fed with normal chow and titanium implants were integrated into tibial bones at the end of 3rd month and no treatment was applied 2) HFD group; rats were fed a high-fat diet (42 % of calories as fat), then the titanium implants were integrated into tibial bones at the end 3rd month. Following surgical integration of the implants, the rats were fed with control and HFD diets for 3 months. After the 6 months experimental period all rats were sacrificed and the implants and surrounded bone tissues were collected and the BIC was assessed histomorphometrically after the non-decalcifiing histological methods. Bone implant connection was detected with the ratio of the implant surface directly connected with the peri-implant bone tissues to the total implant surface length.

RESULTS

Histologic analysis showed that HFD was not impaired BIC (p>0.05).

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, within the limitation of this research, HFD did not effect the BIC rat tibias (Tab. 2, Fig. 2, Ref. 26). Text in PDF www.elis.sk.

Design, Synthesis, and Molecular Modeling Studies of Novel Coumarin Carboxamide Derivatives as eEF-2K Inhibitors

Eukaryotic elongation factor-2 kinase (eEF-2K) is an unusual alpha kinase commonly upregulated in various human cancers, including breast, pancreatic, lung, and brain tumors. We have demonstrated that eEF-2K is relevant to poor prognosis and shorter patient survival in breast and lung cancers and validated it as a molecular target using genetic methods in related in vivo tumor models. Although several eEF-2K inhibitors have been published, none of them have shown to be potent and specific enough for translation into clinical trials. Therefore, development of highly effective novel inhibitors targeting eEF-2K is needed for clinical applications. However, currently, the crystal structure of eEF-2K is not known, limiting the efforts for designing novel inhibitor compounds. Therefore, using homology modeling of eEF-2K, we designed and synthesized novel coumarin-3-carboxamides including compounds A1, A2, and B1-B4 and evaluated their activity by performing in silico analysis and in vitro biological assays in breast cancer cells. The Molecular Mechanics/Generalized Born Surface Area (MM/GBSA) area results showed that A1 and A2 have interaction energies with eEF-2K better than those of B1-B4 compounds. Our in vitro results indicated that compounds A1 and A2 were highly effective in inhibiting eEF-2K at 1.0 and 2.5 μM concentrations compared to compounds B1-B4, supporting the in silico findings. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that our homology modeling along with in silico analysis may be effectively used to design inhibitors for eEF-2K. Our newly synthesized compounds A1 and A2 may be used as novel eEF-2K inhibitors with potential therapeutic applications.

A novel hybrid method named electron conformational genetic algorithm as a 4D QSAR investigation to calculate the biological activity of the tetrahydrodibenzazosines

To understand the structure-activity correlation of a group of tetrahydrodibenzazocines as inhibitors of 17β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 3, we have performed a combined genetic algorithm (GA) and four-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship (4D-QSAR) modeling study. The computed electronic and geometry structure descriptors were regulated as a matrix and named as electron-conformational matrix of contiguity (ECMC). A chemical property-based pharmacophore model was developed for series of tetrahydrodibenzazocines by EMRE software package. GA was employed to choose an optimal combination of parameters. A model has been developed for estimating anticancer activity quantitatively. All QSAR models were established with 40 compounds (training set), then they were considered for selective capability with additional nine compounds (test set). A statistically valid 4D-QSAR ( R training 2 = 0.856 , R test 2 = 0.851 and q² = 0.650) with good external set prediction was obtained.

Identifying new piperazine-based PARP1 inhibitors using text mining and integrated molecular modeling approaches

One of the important molecular targets for antitumor drug discovery is the polyadenosine diphosphate-ribose polymerase-1 (PARP1) enzyme. It is linked with various biological functions including DNA repair and apoptosis. It is primarily a nuclear enzyme linked to chromatin, which is activated by DNA damage. Improved expression of PARP1 in melanomas, breast cancer, lung cancer and other neoplastic diseases is often observed. A tremendous PARP research concerning cancer and ischemia is progressing very rapidly. There are currently four PARP1 inhibitors approved by the FDA on the market, namely Olaparib, Rucaparib, Niraparib and Talazoparib. All of these molecules are non-selective inhibitors of PARP1. Currently there is an urgent need for novel and selective PARP1 inhibitors. In this work, asmall molecule database (Specs SC) were used to identify the new selective lead inhibitors of PARP1. Piperazine scaffold is an important fragment that is used in many currently used FDA approved drugs in different diseases including PARP1 inhibitor Olaparib. Thus, based on text mining studies, 4674 compounds thatinclude piperazine fragments were identified and virtually screened at the binding pocket of target protein PARP1. Compounds that have high docking scores were used in molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Free energy calculations were also performed to compare the predicted binding energies with known PARP1 inhibitors. The critical amino acid interactions of these newly identified hits in the binding pocket were also investigated in detail for better understanding of the structural features required for next generation PARP1 inhibitors. Thus, here together with combination of text-mining and integrated molecular modeling approaches, we identified novel piperazine-based hits against PARP1 enzyme.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Novel AChE and BChE inhibitors using combined virtual screening, text mining and in vitro binding assays

In the current work, we developed a computational pipeline method for predicting the binding affinities of studied compounds at the specific target sites. Since many approved therapeutic compounds involve indole or indole-derivative rings, in the current study we focused compounds including these fingerprints. Initially, 212520 compounds were retrieved from Specs-SC library and after the conversion of IUPAC text file format, compounds that include 'indol' keyword (5194 compounds) were used in binary QSAR-based models to screen against a defined therapeutic activity "Alzheimer's disease" (AD). The molecules that have higher AD therapeutic activity values (>0.5) were then used in the 26 different toxicity-QSAR models. Binary QSAR models resulted 89 hits that have high AD therapeutic activity and no toxicity. Selected 89 molecules were then screened against acetylcholinesterase (AChE) targets using molecular docking and top-docking poses of compounds were used in initially short (10 ns) molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Molecular Mechanics/Generalized Born Surface Area (MM/GBSA) binding free energy calculations were performed for 89 ligands and tightly bound 17 ligands based on average MM/GBSA scores were selected for long (100 ns) MD simulations. The same protocol was also applied for the known 4 AChE inhibitors. Selected hits were also docked to the binding pocket of butyrylcholinesterase (BChE). Finally, based on MM/GBSA scores, as well as their corresponding docking scores and metabolite production profiles, 7 compounds were selected and their in vitro tests were performed. Out of 7 compounds, 6 of them showed μM-level inhibition for both AChE and BChE targets.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Aneurysmal Bone Cyst after Femoral Derotational Osteotomy: A Case Report

Aneurysmal bone cysts rather than local aggressive lesions of the bone which may arise in any part of the axial or appendicular skeleton. Although several theories are available in the literature, the pathogenesis is still conflicting. We report an exceptional case of an aneurysmal bone cyst in the distal femur of a female cerebral palsy patient who underwent bilateral distal femoral derotational osteotomy and plate-screw fixation operations when she was 11 years old. Twenty-four months after the operation, radiographs showed a cystic lesion in the distal portion of the right femur around the osteotomy site. The diagnosis of Aneurysmal Bone Cyst (ABC) was made and the lesion was treated by curettage with cement application. After 36 months of follow-up, there was no recurrence. This is the first case reported in literature which raises the possibility that an osteotomy could be a cause in the development of an aneurysmal bone cyst.

Effects of the supplemental chromium form on performance and metabolic profile in laying hens exposed to heat stress

This experiment was conducted to compare the effect of the supplemental chromium (Cr) form on performance, egg quality, and metabolic profile in laying hens exposed to heat stress (HS). Laying hens (n = 1800; 16-wk-old; Lohmann LSL-Lite) were kept in cages in temperature-controlled rooms at either 22 ± 2°C for 24 h/d (thermoneutral, TN) or 34 ± 2°C for 8 h/d, from 08:00 to 17:00 h, followed by 22°C for 16 h (HS) for 12 wks. Hens reared under both environmental conditions were fed 1 of 3 diets: a basal diet and the basal diet supplemented with either 1.600 mg of chromium-picolinate (CrPic, 12.43% Cr) or 0.788 mg of chromium-histidinate (CrHis, 25.22% Cr) per kg of diet, delivering 200 μg elemental Cr per kg diet. Data were analyzed by 2-way ANOVA. Exposure to HS caused decreases in feed intake (P < 0.0001), egg production (P < 0.0001), egg weight (P < 0.0001), eggshell weight (P < 0.0009), eggshell thickness (P < 0.0001), eggshell strength (P < 0.0001), and Haugh unit (P < 0.0001), deterioration in feed conversion ratio (P < 0.0001), increases in serum glucose and cholesterol concentrations (P < 0.0001 for both), decreases in serum and egg yolk Cr concentrations (P < 0.0001 for both), and decreases in serum Na (P < 0.002) and K (P < 0.01) concentrations. Both Cr sources were equally effective in alleviating performance variables under the HS condition. However, neither Cr sources alleviated deteriorations in egg quality parameters and serum electrolytes. Both Cr sources decreased serum glucose and cholesterol concentrations and increased serum and egg yolk Cr concentrations under the HS condition. In conclusion, HS adversely affected laying performance, egg quality, and metabolic profile. Both CrPic and CrHis partially alleviated the adverse effect of HS on these parameters. Inclusion of either Cr source could be a part of nutritional management strategies to overcome the adverse effects of HS performance and metabolic profile in laying hens.

Effects of the supplemental chromium form on performance and oxidative stress in broilers exposed to heat stress

This experiment was conducted to investigate effects of the organic complex form of supplemental chromium (Cr) on performance, oxidative stress markers, and serum profile in broilers exposed to heat stress (HS). A total of 1,200 10-day-old boilers (Ross-308) was divided into one of the 6 treatments (2 environmental temperatures x 3 diets with different Cr forms). The birds were kept in temperature-controlled rooms at either 22 ± 2°C 24 h/d (thermoneutral, TN group) or 34 ± 2°C for 8 h/d, 08:00 to 17:00 h, followed by 22°C for 16 h (HS group) and fed either a basal diet (C) or the basal diet supplemented with Cr (200 μg/kg) through 1.600 mg of CrPic (12.43% Cr) and 0.788 mg of CrHis (25.22% Cr). Feed intake and body weight were recorded weekly. After cervical dislocation, liver samples were harvested to analyze Cr concentration and glucose transporter-2,4 (GLUT-2,4) expression. The breast meat also was sampled for the concentration of Cr and expressions of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB). Data were analyzed by 2-way ANOVA. Heat stress caused depressions in feed intake (12.1%) and weight gain (21.1%) as well as elevations in feed conversion (11.2%) and abdominal fat (32.8%). It was also associated with depletion of Cr reserves and increases in serum concentrations of glucose, cholesterol, creatine, and enzymes. Exposure to HS was accompanied by suppression of the expressions of Nrf2 and GLUT-2 in muscle and GLUT-4 in the liver and amplification of the expression of NF-κB in muscle. Both Cr sources partially alleviated detrimental effects of HS on performance and metabolic profile. The efficacy of Cr as CrHis was more notable than Cr as CrPic, which could be attributed to higher bioavailability. In conclusion, CrHis can be added into the diet of broilers during hot seasons to overcome deteriorations in performance and wellbeing related to oxidative stress.

Assessment of serum endothelin-1 levels in rat appendicitis model and the effects of bosentan

OBJECTIVE

In this study, the diagnostic value of serum endothelin-1 (ET-1) levels and the therapeutic effects of bosentan have been investigated in an experimental appendicitis rat model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Twenty-one male Sprague-Dawley rats were chosen for the study. The rats were allocated into three groups as follows: Group 1 (control, n = 7), Group 2 (appendicitis, n = 7), and Group 3 (bosentan treatment, n = 7). At the 6th hour of the experiment, Groups 1 and 2 received 2 ml saline, and group 3 received 30 mg/kg bosentan intraperitoneally. At the 24th postoperative hour, all rats were sacrificed and evaluated histopathologically to score the severity of appendicitis. The plasma malondialdehyde, reduced and total glutathione levels, serum, and appendiceal tissue ET-1 levels were evaluated.

RESULTS

In this study, we found that the ET-1 levels were significantly increased with appendicitis (p = 0.018). The administration of bosentan can statistically significantly both decrease the histopathologic injury in the inflamed appendix and increase the serum total glutathione levels (p = 0.002).

CONCLUSIONS

The increase in plasma ET-1 levels may have a diagnostic value of acute appendicitis. We believe that manifestations that occur during the acute phase of appendicitis may be reduced with the administration of bosentan, which may also help prevent complications.

Capsaicinoids improve egg production by regulating ovary nuclear transcription factors against heat stress in quail

1. To examine the molecular mechanism of capsaicinoid supplementation from capsicum extract, laying Japanese quail (n = 180, 5 weeks old) were reared either at 22°C for 24 h/d (thermoneutral, TN) or at 34°C for 8 h/d (heat stress, HS) and fed on one of three diets containing 0, 25 or 50 mg of capsaicinoids per kilogram for 12 weeks (2 × 3 factorial arrangement). 2. The results revealed that exposure to HS decreased feed consumption by 10.7% and egg production by 13.6%, increased serum and ovary malondialdehyde (MDA) levels by 66.9% and 88.1%, respectively, and reduced ovary superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities by 28.3%, 48.7% and 43.8%, respectively. 3. There were magnifications in the ovary nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cell (NF-κB) levels by 42.4% and suppressions in nuclear factor (erythroid-derived 2)-like 2 (Nrf2), protein kinase B (Akt) and haem-oxygenase 1 (HO-1) levels by 29.2%, 38.2% and 30.7%, respectively, in heat-stressed quail. 4. With increasing supplemental capsaicinoids, there were linear increases in egg production, antioxidant enzyme activity, linear decreases in ovary MDA and NF-κB levels and linear increases in ovary Nrf2, Akt and HO-1 levels at a greater extent in quail reared under TN condition than those reared under HS condition. Two-way treatment interactions showed that the degree of restorations in all response variables was more notable under the HS environment than under the TN environment as supplemental capsaicinoid level was increased. 5. In conclusion, capsaicinoid supplementation alleviates oxidative stress through regulating the ovary nuclear transcription factors in heat-stressed quail.

Elevated nucleosome level and oxidative stress in schizophrenia patients

AIM

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of oxidative stress on nucleosome levels and its relation with the clinical features in schizophrenia patients.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

Thirty schizophrenia patients and 30 healthy controls were enrolled in this study. Patients were diagnosed with schizophrenia according to the 4th edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual for Mental Disorders (DSM-IV). The control group consisted of 30 healthy subjects matched to the patients with regard to age and gender and who had no history of any psychiatric disorder. The severity of schizophrenia symptoms in the patients was evaluated using the Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale (PANSS) and the Clinical Global Impression Severity Scale (CGI-S). Physical and neurological examinations were performed in each of the patients and controls.

RESULTS

Nucleosome, total oxidant levels and OSI values were higher in schizophrenia patients than in controls (p<0.05). There was no significant difference in the total antioxidant levels. There was a positive correlation between the nucleosome level and PANSS positive subscale (p=0.028, r=0.402). There was a positive correlation between TAS and age (p=0.025, r=0.289), PANSS total (p<0.001, r=0.604). There was a negative correlation between OSI and PANSS total (p=0.019, r=-0.427), PANSS positive subscale (p=0.043, r=-0.372). There was a negative correlation between TOS and PANS total (p=0.028, r=-0.402).

CONCLUSION

In this study we found a correlation between nucleosome level and PANSS positive subscale. To our knowledge, this is the first study that evaluates oxidative stress and nucleosomes released from apoptotic cells together (Tab. 2, Ref. 50).

Clinical and neuroradiological differences of paediatric acute disseminating encephalomyelitis with and without antibodies to the myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein

BACKGROUND

Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) antibodies have been recently described in children with acute disseminating encephalomyelitis (ADEM), but the clinical and neuroradiological characterisation of this subgroup is lacking.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the clinical and neuroradiological features of paediatric ADEM with and without MOG antibodies.

METHODS

Clinical course, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF)-, MRI studies, outcome and MOG status of 33 paediatric ADEM prospectively studied were reviewed.

RESULTS

MOG antibodies (median 1:2560; range 1:160-1:20 480) were detected in 19 children with ADEM. The majority of children showed a decline of serum MOG-IgG titres over time. Children with MOG antibodies did not differ in their age at presentation, sex ratio, the presence of oligoclonal bands, clinical symptoms or initial severity, apart from a higher CSF cell count (p=0.038), compared with children without MOG antibodies. In addition, further relapsing demyelinating episodes associated with MOG antibodies were observed only in children with MOG antibodies. All 19 children with MOG antibodies had a uniform MRI pattern, characterised by large, hazy and bilateral lesions and the absence of atypical MRI features (eg, mainly small lesions, well-defined lesions), which was significantly different compared to that of children without MOG antibodies (p=0.003; and p=0.032, respectively). In addition, children with MOG antibodies had involvement of more anatomical areas (p=0.035) including the myelon characterised by a longitudinally extensive transverse myelitis (p=0.003), more often a complete resolution of lesions (p=0.036) and a better outcome (p=0.038).

CONCLUSIONS

Patients with ADEM with MOG antibodies in our cohort had a uniform MRI characterised by large, bilateral and widespread lesions with an increased frequency of longitudinal extensive transverse myelitis and a favourable clinical outcome in contrast to children lacking MOG antibodies.

Epigallocatechin-3-gallate exerts protective effects against heat stress through modulating stress-responsive transcription factors in poultry

1. The aim of the study was to describe the effect of Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), a polyphenol derived from green tea, on activator protein-1 (AP-1) components (phospho-c-Jun and c-Fos), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and heat shock proteins (HSPs) in the liver of heat-stressed quails. 2. A total of 180 5-week-old female Japanese quails were reared either at 22°C for 24 h/d (thermoneutral, TN) or 34°C for 8 h/d (heat stress, HS) for 12 weeks. Birds in both environments were randomly given 1 of 3 diets: basal diet and basal diet with 200 or 400 mg of EGCG added per kilogram of diet. 3. The hepatic c-Jun, c-Fos, COX-2 and HSPs gene expression for quails reared under the HS environment was greater than those reared under the TN environment. Supplemental EGCG decreased hepatic expression of these proteins at a greater extent under HS than TN. 4. In conclusion, suppression of AP-1 COX-2 and HSPs may partly account for the inhibitory effect of EGCG in heat-stressed quail.

Tomato powder in laying hen diets: effects on concentrations of yolk carotenoids and lipid peroxidation

1. The effects of tomato powder supplementation on performance, egg quality, serum and egg yolk carotenoids, vitamins and malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations in were investigated in laying hens in mid-lay. 2. A total of 90 laying hens, 49 weeks old, were divided into 3 groups consisting of 6 replicate cages, 5 birds per cage. Birds were randomly fed on one of three diets: basal diet and basal diet added with 5 or 10 g tomato powder per kg diet. 3. As tomato powder concentration increased, there were linear increases in feed intake, egg production, egg weight and yolk colour and a linear decrease in feed conversion. Shell weight, shell thickness and Haugh unit remained unchanged in response to dietary treatments. 4. Concentrations of serum and egg yolk lycopene, β-carotene, lutein and vitamin A increased for both diets including tomato powder, whereas MDA decreased linearly with increasing supplemental tomato powder concentration. 5. Tomato powder supplementation increased egg production persistency and increased carotenoids and vitamin A contents in egg yolk, accompanied by reduced yolk lipid peroxidation.

Enhanced mobilization of the bone marrow-derived circulating progenitor cells by intracoronary freshly isolated bone marrow cells transplantation in patients with acute myocardial infarction

Autologous bone marrow cell transplantation (BMCs-Tx) is a promising novel option for treatment of cardiovascular disease. We analysed in a randomized controlled study the influence of the intracoronary autologous freshly isolated BMCs-Tx on the mobilization of bone marrow–derived circulating progenitor cells (BM-CPCs) in patients with acute myocardial infarction (AMI). Sixty-two patients with AMI were randomized to either freshly isolated BMCs-Tx or to a control group without cell therapy. Peripheral blood (PB) concentrations of CD34/45⁺- and CD133/45⁺-circulating progenitor cells were measured by flow cytometry in 42 AMI patients with cell therapy as well as in 20 AMI patients without cell therapy as a control group on days 1, 3, 5, 7, 8 and 3, 6 as well as 12 months after AMI. Global ejection fraction (EF) and the size of infarct area were determined by left ventriculography. We observed in patients with freshly isolated BMCs-Tx at 3 and 12 months follow up a significant reduction of infarct size and increase of global EF as well as infarct wall movement velocity. The mobilization of CD34/45⁺ and CD133/45⁺ BM-CPCs significantly increased with a peak on day 7 as compared to baseline after AMI in both groups (CD34/45⁺: P < 0.001, CD133/45⁺: P < 0.001). Moreover, this significant mobilization of BM-CPCs existed 3, 6 and 12 months after cell therapy compared to day 1 after AMI. In control group, there were no significant differences of CD34/45⁺ and CD133/45⁺ BM-CPCs mobilization between day 1 and 3, 6 and 12 months after AMI. Intracoronary transplantation of autologous freshly isolated BMCs by use of point of care system in patients with AMI may enhance and prolong the mobilization of CD34/45⁺ and CD133/45⁺ BM-CPCs in PB and this might increase the regenerative potency after AMI.

Curcumin ameloriates heat stress via inhibition of oxidative stress and modulation of Nrf2/HO-1 pathway in quail

Curcumin, a natural polyphenol in the spice turmeric, exhibits antioxidant and antiinflammatory properties. This study was conducted to elucidate the action mode of curcumin alleviation of oxidative stress in heat-stressed quail. A total of 180 birds (10 d old) were assigned randomly to be reared at either 22°C (Thermoneutral) or 34°C (Heat stress) for 8 h/d (0900-1700) until the age of 42 d. Birds in both environments were randomly fed 1 of 3 diets: basal diet and basal diet added with 0, 200 or 400 mg of curcumin per kg of diet. Each of the 2×3 factorially arranged experimental groups was replicated in 10 cages, each containing three birds. In response to increasing supplemental curcumin level, there were linear increases in cumulative feed intake, final body weight, and weight gain, and nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor two level and heme oxygenase one level; linear decreases in feed efficiency, serum, muscle and liver malondialdehyde level, respectively and inflammatory transcription factor, nuclear factor-κB and heat shock proteins 70 level (P<0.0001 for all). The results indicated that curcumin alleviates oxidative stress through modulating the hepatic nuclear transcription factors and heat shock proteins 70 in heat-stressed quails.

Improved functional activity of bone marrow derived circulating progenitor cells after intra coronary freshly isolated bone marrow cells transplantation in patients with ischemic heart disease

Objectives

There is growing evidence that intracoronary autologous bone marrow cells transplantation (BMCs-Tx) in patients with chronic myocardial infarction beneficially affects postinfarction remodelling. In this randomized controlled study we analyzed the influence of intracoronary autologous freshly isolated bone marrow cells transplantation by use of point of care system on cardiac function and on the functional activity of bone marrow derived circulating progenitor cells (BM-CPCs) in patients with ischemic heart disease (IHD).

Methods

56 patients with IHD were randomized to either received freshly isolated BMC-Tx or a control group that did not receive cell therapy. The functional activity of BM-CPCs in peripheral blood (PB) was measured by migration assay and colony forming unit assay pre- and 3, 6 as well as 12 months after procedure. Global ejection fraction (EF) and infarct size area were determined by left ventriculography.

Results

Intracoronary transplantation of autologous freshly isolated BMCs led to a significant reduction of infarct size and an increase of global EF as well as infarct wall movement velocity after 3 and 12 months follow-up compared to control group. The colony-forming capacity of BM-CPCs significantly increased 3, 6 and 12 months after cell therapy compared to pre BMCs-Tx and control group (CFU-E: p < 0.001, CFU-GM: p < 0.001). Likewise, we found significant increase of migratory response to stromal cell-derived factor 1 (SDF-1) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) after cell therapy compared to pre BMCs-Tx (SDF-1: p < 0.001, VEGF: p < 0.001) and to control (SDF-1: p < 0.001, VEGF: p < 0.001). There was no significant difference of migratory- and colony forming capacity between pre- and 3, 6, 12 months after coronary angiography in control group without cell therapy.

Conclusions

Intracoronary transplantation of autologous freshly isolated BMCs by use of point of care system may lead to improvement of BM-CPCs functional activity in peripheral blood, which might increase the regenerative potency in patients with IHD.

Quantitative bioactivity prediction and pharmacophore identification for benzotriazine derivatives using the electron conformational-genetic algorithm in QSAR

The electron conformational-genetic algorithm (EC-GA), a sophisticated hybrid approach combining the GA and EC methods, has been employed for a 4D-QSAR procedure to identify the pharmacophore for benzotriazines as sarcoma inhibitors and for quantitative prediction of activity. The calculated geometry and electronic structure parameters of every atom and bond of each molecule are arranged in a matrix described as the electron-conformational matrix of contiguity (ECMC). By comparing the ECMC of one of the most active compounds with other ECMCs we were able to obtain the features of the pharmacophore responsible for the activity, as submatrices of the template known as electron conformational submatrices of activity. The GA was used to select the most important descriptors and to predict the theoretical activity of training and test sets. The predictivity of the model was internally validated. The best QSAR model was selected, having r² = 0.9008, standard error = 0.0510 and cross-validated squared correlation coefficient, q² = 0.8192.

Acute bacterial otitis externa: efficacy and safety of topical treatment with an antibiotic ear drop formulation in comparison to glycerol treatment

OBJECTIVES

To demonstrate the efficacy and safety of an antibiotic ear drop formulation combining polymyxin B sulfate, neomycin sulfate and gramicidin (PS) in patients with acute bacterial otitis externa (AOE). The combination was compared to glycerol ear drops, a non-pharmacologic treatment of AOE.

METHODS

An active controlled, double-blind, randomized, parallel group, multicenter clinical trial study design was performed in ear, nose and throat (ENT) practices with a planned interim analysis for sample size adaptation. In total, 244 patients aged 19-84 with no previous episode of otitis externa within the last year were randomized to receive either PS or glycerol ear drops thrice daily for 10 ± 2 days.

OUTCOME MEASURES

Absolute change in the clinical symptom score (CSS) (with subscores redness, swelling, pain, and secretion) from Day 1 to 4 was measured. As second endpoints, absolute change in CSS, individual subscores, pain perception measured on a visual analog scale (VAS) and intake of paracetamol 500 mg tablets were noted. Moreover, patient's assessment of efficacy at Day 10 and the frequency and type of adverse events were noted.

RESULTS

On Day 4, the CSS showed a clear advantage for the PS group over the glycerol group, being lower by 0.6 (p < 0.03); the clinical outcome was even more pronounced after 10 days (p = 0.006). The swelling subscore showed a statistically significant difference favoring the PS treatment group in Days 1-4 (p = 0.01) and Days 1-10 (p = 0.003). More PS- than glycerol-receiving patients rated the efficacy as good (glycerol: 32%; PS: 36%) or very good (glycerol: 38%; PS: 48%). Males, patients with AOE for >2 days and those with positive microbiologic findings profited most from PS therapy.

CONCLUSION

This study proves that PS is an effective and well-tolerated drug, showing results superior to glycerol, especially in patients with a longer pre-existing condition before therapy. The absence of a group treated with another established antibiotic is a limitation of this trial.

Resveratrol protects quail hepatocytes against heat stress: modulation of the Nrf2 transcription factor and heat shock proteins

In the present study, the effects of dietary resveratrol on the induction of heat shock proteins, transcription factors and antioxidative enzyme system in liver of quails under heat stress were investigated. A total of 180 (55-day-old) female Japanese quails (Coturnix coturnix japonica) were reared either at 22 °C for 24 h/day (thermoneutral, TN) or 34 °C for 8 h/day (heat stress, HS; 09:00-17:00 hours) for 12 weeks. Birds in both environments were randomly fed one of three diets: basal diet and basal diet added with either 200 or 400 mg of resveratrol per kg of diet. The results showed that exposure to high ambient temperature induced decreases in feed intake, egg production, and hepatic superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities but increases in hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations (p < 0.001). Liver Hsp70, Hsp90 and NF-κB expression was greater while Nrf2 expression was lower for quails reared under the heat stress than for those reared under the TN environment (p < 0.0001). There were linear increases in feed intake, egg production, hepatic SOD, CAT, and GSH-Px activities as well as Nrf2 expression, but linear decreases in hepatic MDA concentrations and Hsp70, Hsp90, and NF-κB expressions with increasing supplemental resveratrol level (p < 0.0001). Two-way treatment interactions revealed that the degree of restorations in all response variables was more notable under the high ambient temperature than that of the TN environment as dietary resveratrol concentration was increased. The results of the present study suggest that supplemental resveratrol reduces oxidative stress in heat-stressed quails through modulating the hepatic heat shock proteins and nuclear transcription factors.

Chromium picolinate, rather than biotin, alleviates performance and metabolic parameters in heat-stressed quail

1. The effects of chromium picolinate and biotin supplementation alone and in combination on performance, carcase characteristics, malondialdehyde (MDA), vitamin C, vitamin E, glucose and cholesterol levels were evaluated in Japanese quail exposed to high ambient temperature. 2. Two hundred and forty quails (10d old) were assigned randomly to 4 dietary treatments at room temperature (22 degrees C; thermoneutral, TN) or ambient (34 degrees C for 8 h/d; heat stress, HS). Both TN and HS were fed either on a basal (control) diet or the basal diet supplemented with 400 microg of Cr/kg (Cr group), 0.5 mg of biotin/kg of diet (biotin group) or both (Cr + Biotin group). 3. Supplementing the diet of heat-stressed quails with chromium picolinate improved live weight gain, feed intake, feed efficiency and carcase traits. Biotin supplementation during TN and HS conditions did not have any beneficial effects on body weight gain, feed intake, feed efficiency or carcase traits. 4. Either in combination or alone, chromium picolinate increased serum concentrations of vitamins C and E, but decreased MDA, glucose and cholesterol concentrations in birds kept at high ambient temperature. There was no difference in vitamins C and E and MDA concentrations between birds given chromium picolinate and birds receiving chromium picolinate plus biotin, while glucose and cholesterol levels were significantly lower in all groups. The lowest concentrations of cholesterol and glucose were found in the combination group under both TN and HS conditions. An interaction between diet and temperature was detected for glucose and cholesterol concentrations. 5. Excretion rates for zinc, iron and chromium were lower in TN groups than in the corresponding HS groups. Supplementing diet with chromium picolinate and chromium picolinate plus biotin decreased excretion of minerals while biotin alone did not effect excretion of minerals. 6. Chromium supplementation, but not biotin supplementation, attenuated the decline in performance and antioxidant status resulting from heat stress.

Effects of dietary resveratrol supplementation on egg production and antioxidant status

Resveratrol, a polyphenol derived from red grapes, berries, and peanuts, exerts antiinflammatory, antioxidant, and immunomodulatory effects. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of dietary resveratrol supplementation on performance and serum and egg yolk antioxidant status in quail (Coturnix coturnix japonica). A total of 150 five-week-old quails were allocated randomly to 1 of 3 dietary treatments: basal diet and basal diet supplemented with 200 or 400 mg of resveratrol/kg of diet. Each diet was offered to 10 cages of 5 birds in each from 4 to 16 wk of age. Serum and egg samples were collected at the beginning and end the experimental period to be evaluated for malondialdehyde (MDA), vitamin A, and vitamin E. Data were subjected to analysis of covariance using the MIXED procedure. There was no treatment effect on feed intake, egg production, or egg quality parameters related to shell, yolk, and albumen. There were no effects of resveratrol supplementation on serum and egg yolk vitamin A concentrations. The quails supplemented with resveratrol had a lower serum MDA concentration (0.56 vs. 0.88 mg/L, P<0.03) and a higher serum vitamin E concentration (5.72 vs. 3.56 mg/L, P<0.008) than those not supplemented with resveratrol. Moreover, there was a linear decrease in serum MDA concentration (P<0.02) and a linear increase in serum vitamin E concentration (P<0.01) as supplemental resveratrol level increased. The treatment groups had less egg yolk MDA concentration than the control group (0.21 vs. 0.15 microg/g, P<0.002). Egg yolk MDA concentration decreased linearly in response to increasing dietary resveratrol level (P<0.0003). In conclusion, inclusion of resveratrol up to 400 mg/kg into quail diets enhanced antioxidant status of birds and eggs. Further studies should investigate the carryover effects of dietary resveratrol supplementation on product quality with respect to shelf life, antioxidant stability, and its nutritive value for human consumption.

Pharmacophore identification and bioactivity prediction for triaminotriazine derivatives by electron conformational-genetic algorithm QSAR method

The electron conformational-genetic algorithm (EC-GA) method has been employed as a 4D-QSAR approach to reveal the pharmacophore (Pha) and to predict anticancer activity in the N-morpholino triaminotriazine derivatives. The electron conformational matrices of congruity (ECMCs) identified by electronic and structural parameters are constructed from data of conformational analysis and electronic structure calculation of molecules. Comparing the matrices, electron conformational submatrix of activity (ECSA, Pha) are revealed that are common for these compounds within a minimum tolerance. To predict the theoretical activity of training and test set and to select important variables for describing the activities, genetic algorithm and non-linear least square regression methods were applied. Regression coefficients were found 0.9708 for training and 0.9520 for test set.