New Facts on the Antimicrobial Essential Oil of Satureja kitaibelii

The objective of the present study was to assess the difference in antimicrobial activity of Satureja kitaibelii Wierzb. ex Heuff. essential oil at three growth stages. In addition, using statistical and chemometric tools, we tried to explain why the essential oil from a certain vegetation stage shows the highest antimicrobial activity. S. kitaibelii essential oils demonstrated minimum inhibitory concentration values from 160 to 10000 μg mL-1 , and minimum microbicidal concentration values from 630 to 20000 μg mL-1 . Geraniol, borneol, limonene and p-cymene are the dominant compounds of S. kitaibelii essential oil. The most abundant compound, geraniol, possesses antimicrobial activity in a range of MIC values from 40 to 5000 μg mL-1 and MMC values from 80 to 10000 μg mL-1 . The highest activity of essential oil for all tested strains of microorganisms was recorded in November. Results of statistical analysis indicate that the percentage of dominant compounds of essential oils does not affect the antibacterial activity of essential oils. Chemometric analyses leads to the conclusion that borneol, spathulenol, caryophyllene oxide and limonene can be the main contributors to the antibacterial activity of essential oil from November and that their mutual ratio is important. These results may represent a new methodological approach for future research on essential oils.

Molecular Docking Assessment of Cathinones as 5-HT2AR Ligands: Developing of Predictive Structure-Based Bioactive Conformations and Three-Dimensional Structure-Activity Relationships Models for Future Recognition of Abuse Drugs

Commercially available cathinones are drugs of long-term abuse drugs whose pharmacology is fairly well understood. While their psychedelic effects are associated with 5-HT2AR, the enclosed study summarizes efforts to shed light on the pharmacodynamic profiles, not yet known at the receptor level, using molecular docking and three-dimensional quantitative structure-activity relationship (3-D QSAR) studies. The bioactive conformations of cathinones were modeled by AutoDock Vina and were used to build structure-based (SB) 3-D QSAR models using the Open3DQSAR engine. Graphical inspection of the results led to the depiction of a 3-D structure analysis-activity relationship (SAR) scheme that could be used as a guideline for molecular determinants by which any untested cathinone molecule can be predicted as a potential 5-HT2AR binder prior to experimental evaluation. The obtained models, which showed a good agreement with the chemical properties of co-crystallized 5-HT2AR ligands, proved to be valuable for future virtual screening campaigns to recognize unused cathinones and similar compounds, such as 5-HT2AR ligands, minimizing both time and financial resources for the characterization of their psychedelic effects.

In Silico Investigation of Selected Pesticides and Their Determination in Agricultural Products Using QuEChERS Methodology and HPLC-DAD

In this study, we considered some pesticides as active substances within formulations for the protection of plant-based food in the Republic of Serbia in silico, because these pesticides have not often been investigated in this way previously, and in an analytical way, because there are not very many available fast, cheap, and easy methods for their determination in real agricultural samples. Seven pesticides were detected in selected agricultural products (tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and grapes) using the QuEChERS methodology and HPLC-DAD. Standard curves for the investigated pesticides (chlorantraniliprole, methomyl, metalaxyl, thiacloprid, acetamiprid, emamectin benzoate, and cymoxanil) show good linearity, with R² values from 0.9785 to 0.9996. The HPLC-DAD method is fast, and these pesticides can be determined in real spiked samples in less than 15 min. We further characterized the pesticides we found in food based on physicochemical properties and molecular descriptors to predict the absorption, distribution, metabolism, elimination, and toxicity (ADMET) of the compounds. We summarized the data supporting their effects on humans using various computational tools to determine their potential adverse effects. The results of our prediction study show that all of the selected pesticides considered in this study have good oral bioavailability, and those with high toxicity, therefore, could be harmful to human health. Chlorantraniliprole was shown in a molecular docking study as a good starting point for a new Alzheimer's disease drug candidate.

Creation of products made from honey based on the content of elements determined by ICP-OES

People of different age can consume honey, but the taste is often not accepted easily. Therefore, products made from honey with a pleasant taste and high nutritional and health benefits are highly demanded on the market. Honey is a bioindicator of environmental pollution. Certain plants are known as high accumulators of toxic elements. Here on the example of three honey-based prototypes, with sesame, shelled pumpkin, sunflower seeds, plums, walnut, almond, hazel, and cinnamon as minor ingredients, we demonstrated the creation of new products putting the accent on the content of toxic and potentially toxic elements, usually treated as irrelevant in making products. Nineteen elements (Al, B, Ba, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, P, Pb, Se, Si, and Zn) were determined by ICP-OES after oven-based and wet digestion methods in blossom honey and prototypes samples. Among the investigated elements, the most abundant element in blossom honey for the products and the investigated products was potassium in most cases. Investigated honey (used for the products) and two of the products contain small quantities of toxic and potentially toxic elements. However, the second product, containing besides honey two accumulators of toxic metals (sesame, sunflower seeds), shows higher values for toxic elements. Therefore, the ICP-OES analysis can be a good step in making new products with high nutritional and health values but almost free from toxic and potentially toxic elements.

Pregnancy outcomes and newborn characteristics in women with follicular fluid thyroid autoantibodies undergoing assisted reproduction

Background

Higher levels of thyroid autoantibodies in follicular fluid (FF) of thyroid autoimmunity (TAI) positive women are strongly correlated with serum levels and may have effect on the post-implantation embryo development. Literature highlights that levothyroxine (LT4) treatment may attenuate the risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes. The aim of the study was to estimate the pregnancy and newborn outcomes in women with FF thyroid autoantibodies undergoing assisted reproductive technology (ART).

Methods

The study population included 24 women with confirmed clinical pregnancy, 8 TAI positive and 16 TAI negative women. LT4 supplementation was applied in 20.8% patients, TAI positive.

Results

Pregnancy outcomes were: twin pregnancy rate 41.7%, early miscarriage rate 8.3%, late miscarriage rate 4.2%, preterm birth rate 16.7%, term birth rate 70.8%, live birth rate 96.0%. There was significant difference in serum and in FF TgAbs (p< 0.001)between the groups according to TAI, while serum fT₃ was lower in the group with TAI (p = 0.047). Serum P₄ was higher in LT4 treated group (p = 0.005), with TAI, and newborns in this group had higher birth weight (p = 0.001) and height (p = 0.008). Maternal complications occurred in 23.8% of patients. No congenital malformations in newborns were noted.

Conclusions

Thyroid autoantibodies present in FF may have an effect on the post-implantation embryo development, but have no effect on further course of pregnancy. The special benefit of LT4 treatment for successful ART outcome was demonstrated for newborn anthropometric parameters.

DFT calculations as an efficient tool for prediction of Raman and infra-red spectra and activities of newly synthesized cathinones

Initially made for medical treatment for Parkinsonism, obesity, and depression, cathinones have become illegal drugs for the “recreational use”. The mechanism of action of synthetic cathinones consists of the inhibition of monoamine transporters. DFT (Density Functional Theory) calculations on the selected cathinones (3-FMC, 4-FMC, 4-MMC, Buphedrone, Butylone, Ethylone, MDPV, Methcathinone, and Methylone) were performed using B3LYP level of the Gaussian 09 program suite. The unscaled B3LYP/6–31G vibrational wavenumbers are in general larger than the experimental values, so the use of selective scaling was necessary. The calculated spectra of selected cathinones are in good correlation with the experimental spectra which demonstrates that DFT is a good tool for the prediction of spectra of newly synthesized and insufficiently experimentally characterised cathinones. Also, HOMO-LUMO (Highest Occupied Molecular Orbital-Lowest Unoccupied Molecular Orbital) analysis shows that 3-FMC possesses the minimum energy gap of 3.386 eV, and the molecule 4-FMC possesses the maximum energy gap of 4.205 eV among the investigated cathinones. It indicates that 3-FMC would be highly reactive among all the cathinones under investigation.

Kinetic models of the extraction of vanillic acid from pumpkin seeds

Vanillic acid is used in the food industry and perfumery, and the optimization of its extraction process from the natural source is important for saving time and money. The presence of vanillic acid in pumpkin seeds was proven using HPLC analysis. Computational optimization of the extraction shows that for the concentration of ethanol 40% and solmodul: V/m=20, the optimum condition for the extraction of vanillic acid from pumpkin seeds was 100 min and 450C. The estimation of fitting for each kinetic model to the experimental kinetic data was performed using the root mean square, standard deviation, and the correlation coefficient. Ponomarev model was shown as the most suitable with the highest accuracy among the six considered kinetic models. The enthalpy and entropy changes were positive, while the Gibbs free energy was negative and decreased when temperature increased during the thermodynamic analysis. Therefore, the extraction of vanillic acid from pumpkin seeds was endothermic, spontaneous, and irreversible.

Influence of the magnetic field on bandgap and chemical composition of zinc thin films prepared by sparking discharge process

We examine the influence of the magnetic field on the chemical reaction of nitrogen and carbon dioxide in sparking electric discharge of zinc wires. Samples are prepared on Indium Tin Oxide (ITO) and quartz substrates in the form of thin films at 0 T, 0.2 T and 0.4 T. Different chemical composition of thin-films prepared by sparking discharge was obtained and verified by XPS, Raman and Cyclic voltammetry. Carbon dioxide conversion to carbonates was observed for zinc sparked in CO₂ and nitrogen affecting crystallization of thin films was confirmed by XRD. Synthesis route for thin-film preparation used in this study is electric sparking discharge, convenient for fast ionization of metal and gasses. Band gap energy of thin films prepared by this method was starting from 2.81 eV and 4.24 eV, with the lowest band gaps prepared on ITO in 0.4 T. Dynamic mobility analysis (DMA) indicates smaller particles are fabricated by discharging zinc wires in a higher magnetic field. Nitridification of zinc nanoparticles occurred on 0.2 Tesla magnetic field strength and it was detectable even after XPS ion gun etching. Carbonation and nitridification of zinc thin films by sparking wires inside the magnetic field to observe the effect of the magnetic field on bandgap and chemical composition are confirmed by XPS.

[Diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis]

Bacterial vaginosis is a common, complex clinical syndrome characterized by alterations in the normal vaginal flora. When symptomatic, it is associated with a malodorous vaginal discharge and on occasion vaginal burning or itching. Under normal conditions, lactobacilli constitute 95% of the bacteria in the vagina. Bacterial vaginosis is associated with severe reduction or absence of the normal H2O2-producing lactobacilli and overgrowth of anaerobic bacteria and Gardnerella vaginalis, Atopobium vaginae, Mycoplasma hominis and Mobiluncus species. Most types of infectious disease are diagnosed by culture, by isolating an antigen or RNA/DNA from the microbe, or by serodiagnosis to determine the presence of antibodies to the microbe. Therefore, demonstration of the presence of an infectious agent is often a necessary criterion for the diagnosis of the disease. This is not the case for bacterial vaginosis, since the ultimate cause of the disease is not yet known. There are a variety of methods for the diagnosis of bacterial vaginosis but no method can at present be regarded as the best. Diagnosing bacterial vaginosis has long been based on the clinical criteria of Amsel, whereby three of four defined criteria must be satisfied. Nugent's scoring system has been further developed and includes validation of the categories of observable bacteria structures. Up-to-date molecular tests are introduced, and better understanding of vaginal microbiome, a clear definition for bacterial vaginosis, and short-term and long-term fluctuations in vaginal microflora will help to better define molecular tests within the broader clinical context.

Sensitivity and specificity of ultrasonography as a screening tool for gestational diabetes mellitus

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate diagnostic accuracy and efficiency of ultrasound markers of gestational diabetes (GDM) and propose an ultrasound based scoring system suitable for screening (UGDS).

METHODS

110 women with singleton pregnancies and established maternal and/or pregnancy related risk factors for GDM were scanned at/or after 24 weeks gestation followed by administration of a 3 hour 100-gram oral glucose tolerance test (oGTT). A number of ultrasound markers were determined/measured, including fetal adipose subcutaneous tissue, asymmetrical macrosomy, cardiac circumference, cardiac width, and interventricular septum thickness, immature appearance of placenta, intensified breathing movements, polyhydramnios and placental thickness. Each ultrasound GDM marker was assigned one point to create the ultrasound gestational diabetes screening score (UGDS).

RESULTS

All ultrasound GDM markers were positively correlated to the disease P < 0.0001. The strongest independent predictor of GDM was an immature appearance of placenta (RR 40.1 95% CI 5.9-271.0, P < 0.0001). Receiver operator characteristics (ROC) showed an area under the curve of 95.7% confirming good ability of UGDS to discriminate between positive and negative oGTT. We propose a UGDS score of 4 providing sensitivity of 90.9%, and specificity 89.6%.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that UGDS is a good predictor of GDM.

Hamilton anxiety scale (HAMA) in infertile women with endometriosis and its correlation with magnesium levels in peritoneal fluid

BACKGROUND

Endometriosis is a complex disease that can result in substantial morbidity, including chronic pain, dysmenorrhea and dyspareunia. There are contradictory reports regarding the connection between acute and chronic stress and magnesium levels in body fluids.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

A prospective study included 87 patients undergoing laparoscopy. The study group included 40 women with endometriosis and the control group consisted of 47 women with other causes of infertility. The levels of fright were determined using HAMA scale. The measurements of Mg levels were performed using biochemical analyzer "Monarch Plus".

RESULTS

One day before the operation, HAMA score was 9.54+/-7.34 in the women with endometriosis, and 6.69+/-5.51 in the women without endometriosis. The morning before the operation, HAMA score was 8.64 +/- 8.10 in the women with endometriosis, and 4.29+/-2.29 in the women without endometriosis. The second postoperative day, HAMA score was 8.96+/-7.60 in the women with endometriosis and 6.92+/-5.16 in the women without endometriosis. Higher HAMA score in the women with endometriosis, in comparison with the control group, in all three time periods has been found, but the differences were not statistically significant (p>0.05). A negative correlation between the concentration of Mg in peritoneal fluid and HAMA score was found in the control group (p<0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

In infertile women without endometriosis a correlation between Mg concentration in peritoneal fluid and HAMA score was found. No such correlation was found in the women with endometriosis, possibly due to a systemic disorder in endometriosis that might affect Mg transport through the cell membrane.

Antimicrobial activity of human follicular fluids

The aim of this study was to explore the antimicrobial activity of human follicular fluid (HFF), to test the hypothesis that different strains of the same bacterial species could display different patterns of susceptibility to antimicrobial action of HFF, and to preliminarily investigate the possible mechanism of antimicrobial action of this fluid. Antimicrobial activity of 60 samples of HFF toward 30 Streptococcus agalactiae strains was determined by the agar diffusion method and broth dilution method. To explore the mechanism of antimicrobial activity, biochemical analyses were performed with selected fluid samples. The obtained results indicate that 38.3% fluid samples did not inhibit bacterial growth, 53.3% showed moderate and 8.3% high antimicrobial activity. The tested effect of HFF on S. agalactiae strains was bactericidal and was not strain dependent. Lysozyme activity was detected in HFF exhibiting antimicrobial activity. There were no statistically significant differences in concentrations of estradiol, progesterone, transferrin, iron, total protein and albumin levels among tested samples regardless of the different rate of antimicrobial activity. The obtained results indicate that lysozyme is most probably a crucial antibacterial agent in this fluid; however, some other still unidentified factors may contribute to it.

[Is extrauterine pregnancy a complication of chlamydial infection?]

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The association of enterotoxigenic and enteropathogenic Escherichia coli and other enteric pathogens with childhood diarrhoea in Yugoslavia

The presence of enterotoxigenic and enteropathogenic Escherichia coli (ETEC and EPEC, respectively) was investigated in stool specimens of 1082 preschool children with diarrhoea and in stools of 335 healthy controls in localities in southern Yugoslavia, as well as in 566 children with diarrhoea and in 231 controls living in northern part of the country, during the seasonal peak (August-November) of enteric diseases in 1986. ETEC were found in 114 (10.5%) children with diarrhoea and in 14 (4.2%) controls (P less than 0.001) in the southern part, and in 26 (4.6%) ill children and one (0.4%) well child (P less than 0.005) in the northern part of Yugoslavia. EPEC were isolated from stools of 85 (7.9%) children with diarrhoea and of 14 (4.2%) well children (P less than 0.05) in localities of southern Yugoslavia, and from 22 (3.9%) ill children and from 10 (4.3%) controls in northern Yugoslavia. Nineteen EPEC strains expressed localized adherence to HEp-2 tissue culture cells; all were isolated from stools of ill children. In southern Yugoslavia, where other enteropathogens were sought, the most commonly found agents in ill children were shigellae (17.5%), rotavirus (11.8%), ETEC, and EPEC. Potential pathogens were detected in 44.5% cases of sporadic diarrhoea and in 15.8% controls. This study revealed that ETEC were associated with acute diarrhoeal disease in Yugoslav preschool children. On the other hand, the diagnosis of EPEC-diarrhoea by routine determination of serogroup established the association of these agents with sporadic diarrhoea only in the 0-2 years age categories in all investigated localities. In the less developed southern part of Yugoslavia bacteria were the predominant causative agents of enteric illness during the seasonal peak of this disease.