Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alireza Mousavi, Parham Foroumadi, Zahra Emamgholipour, Pascal Maser, Marcel Kaiser, Alireza Foroumadi
Summary: The nitro-containing compounds discovered in this study showed high activity against Trypanosoma brucei, making them potential candidates for treating sleeping sickness.
Article
Parasitology
Zuleima Blanco, Michael R. Mijares, Hegira Ramirez, Esteban Fernandez-Moreira, Henry J. Oviedo, Noris M. Rodriguez, Jaime E. Charris
Summary: This study synthesized novel small molecules and evaluated their biological properties against the main Leishmania species causing cutaneous leishmaniasis in Venezuela. Compounds 7 and 8 exhibited high activity against both species, showing potential as alternative treatment options.
PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Latifeh Navidpour, Kelly Chibale, Somayeh Esmaeili, Azadeh Ghiaee, Narges Hadj-Esfandiari, Mahboubeh Irani, Sheyda Ahmadi Koulaei, Narguess Yassa
Summary: The (Z)-2-(nitroheteroarylmethylene)-3(2H)-benzofuranone compounds showed promising antiplasmodium activity, with nitroimidazole and nitrofuran analogs being highly selective and active against drug-resistant strains, and nitrothiophene analogs being more potent against drug-sensitive strains. Additionally, cytotoxicity studies revealed that nitroimidazole, nitrofuran, and nitrothiophene analogs exhibited varying levels of toxicity in KB cells. The most active compounds, with IC(50)s lower than 5 μg/ml, were further evaluated for their in vivo activities in a Plasmodium berghei/albino mouse model, showing significant reductions in parasitized erythrocytes.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Gwendolyn E. Wood, Caroline M. Kim, Laarni Kendra T. Aguila, Robert H. Cichewicz
Summary: Mycoplasma genitalium is a sexually transmitted pathogen that infects the reproductive tract in men and women. It is becoming increasingly difficult to treat due to poor efficacy of commonly used antibiotics and acquired resistance to other drugs. A recent clinical trial showed that adding metronidazole to standard treatment may improve cure rates for women with pelvic inflammatory disease caused by M. genitalium. However, there is limited information on the susceptibility of M. genitalium to nitroimidazole drugs. In this study, the in vitro susceptibility of 10 M. genitalium strains to metronidazole, secnidazole, and tinidazole was determined, with tinidazole showing the highest efficacy. Mutations associated with nitroimidazole resistance were also identified, suggesting a potential mechanism for drug resistance. Further clinical studies are needed to confirm the effectiveness of nitroimidazoles, especially tinidazole, in treating M. genitalium infections in both men and women.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Abdelhalim B. Mahmoud, Shereen Abd Algaffar, Wendy van de Sande, Sami Khalid, Marcel Kaiser, Pascal Maeser
Summary: Redox-active drugs are key in parasite chemotherapy, and the study found that niclosamide showed significant activity against Madurella mycetomatis and Actinomadura spp. Further evaluation of salicylanilides, particularly niclosamide, is proposed as drug repurposing candidates for mycetoma treatment.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Anas J. Rasras, Rawhi H. Al -Far, Eyad A. Younes, Mohamad M. Shakdofa, Nafisah M. Al-Rifai
Summary: In this study, a novel compound consisting of 1,3,4-oxadiazole and imidazole heterocyclic moieties linked with a piperazine ring was synthesized. The product was characterized using NMR, HRMS, and XRD, which revealed a triclinic crystal system and a well-matched structure between experimental and calculated results. The frontier molecular orbital (MO) of the product was calculated and analyzed.
JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR STRUCTURE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Alina Pyka-Pajak
Summary: A new economical TLC-densitometric method was proposed to evaluate the chemical stability of metronidazole, secnidazole, ornidazole, and tinidazole. The method effectively separates the drugs and their degradation products, making it an important tool for routine quality control and stability testing of these formulations.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Cordelia A. Weiss, Tanner M. Myers, Chih Hao Wu, Conor Jenkins, Holger Sondermann, Vincent T. Lee, Wade C. Winkler
Summary: Bacterial RNases process RNAs until only short oligomers remain. Oligoribonuclease (Orn) is a key enzyme involved in this process, but some bacteria encode NanoRNase A (NrnA) instead of Orn. This study compared the substrate preferences of NrnA-like proteins from different bacteria and found that Firmicutes NrnA-like proteins likely resemble B. subtilis NrnA and preferentially process short RNAs between 2-4 nucleotides in length.
NUCLEIC ACIDS RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Kamal Hussein, Abdelbaset Eweda Abdelbaset, Ahmed Abdelrahiem Sadek, Ahmed Noreldin
Summary: The study found that 5% bupivacaine did not significantly affect the viability of donkey chondrocytes at various time points, and there were no significant differences in biochemical analytes of serum and synovial fluid following IA bupivacaine injection compared with saline injection. Additionally, in vivo IA injection of bupivacaine showed no significant differences in radiography, CT scan, gene expression of cartilage catabolic biomarkers, and histopathological examination, providing evidence for the safety of bupivacaine on donkey cartilage.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Xuelei Wang, Apeng Wang, Wenkai Feng, Dan Wang, Xiaoru Guo, Xiaowei Wang, Qingfang Miao, Mingliang Liu, Guimin Xia
Summary: A novel liposomal formulation of the chemotherapeutic drug 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) was designed and evaluated. The liposomal formulation showed improved cellular uptake, induction of cell apoptosis, and inhibition of cell migration compared to free 5-FU. Furthermore, the liposomal formulation exhibited a slow drug release profile, long plasma half-life, and high tumor accumulation. The formulation also demonstrated negligible systemic toxicity in animal studies.
MOLECULAR PHARMACEUTICS
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Helen Jakel, Kathi Scheinpflug, Kristin Muhldorfer, Rafael Gianluppi, Matheus Schardong Lucca, Ana Paula Goncalves Mellagi, Fernando Pandolfo Bortolozzo, Dagmar Waberski
Summary: The study shows that storing boar semen without antibiotics at 5 degrees Celsius can effectively reduce bacterial numbers, maintain fertility, and does not affect reproductive outcomes.
JOURNAL OF ANIMAL SCIENCE AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Austen B. Casey, Munmun Mukherjee, Ryan P. McGlynn, Meng Cui, Stephen J. Kohut, Raymond G. Booth
Summary: This study elucidates the selective binding of novel 4-PATs compounds to 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C receptors. Ligand-receptor interactions in transmembrane domain 5 can be optimized to achieve selectivity for these compounds in antipsychotic drug development. Chirality can be exploited to attain selectivity over H-1 receptors, thereby circumventing sedative effects.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Mingrong Cheng, Dejian Dai
Summary: By grafting folate onto biotin-modified chitosan, the targeting ability for liver cancer was optimized, leading to increased drug concentration in liver cancer tissue, inhibition of proliferation and migration of liver cancer cells, and alleviation of toxic side effects caused by 5-FU.
FRONTIERS IN ONCOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Cell Biology
Yanni Li, Xiao Li, Chong Geng, Yaoyu Guo, Chunhui Wang
Summary: The activation of SSTR5 protects intestinal barrier function by upregulating the expression of claudin-4 and ZO-1, which is mediated by NF-kappa B-MLCK-MLC signaling. These findings suggest that SSTR5 may be a promising target for colitis therapy.
MOLECULAR AND CELLULAR ENDOCRINOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anabela S. Ramalho, Mieke Boon, Marijke Proesmans, Francois Vermeulen, Marianne S. Carlon, Kris De Boeck
Summary: Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease characterized by abnormal CFTR protein function. Reliable tests are needed to measure CFTR function for diagnosis and treatment evaluation. In vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo assays are available to measure ion flux, current, and membrane potential.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mateusz Konczal, Karolina J. Przesmycka, Ryan S. Mohammed, Karl P. Phillips, Francisco Camara, Sebastian Chmielewski, Christoph Hahn, Roderic Guigo, Jo Cable, Jacek Radwan
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Mateusz Konczal, Karolina J. Przesmycka, Ryan S. Mohammed, Christoph Hahn, Jo Cable, Jacek Radwan
Summary: Hybridization plays a significant role in the success of parasites, with hybrid vigor potentially diluted by subsequent generations. A 'frozen hybrid' genotype has invaded natural populations of Gyrodactylus turnbulli, with surprisingly high nucleotide diversity discrepancies between Trinidad and Tobago. The presence of highly heterozygous hybrids on Tobago is maintained by clonal reproduction, suggesting a selective advantage compared to native genotypes.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Willow Smallbone, Amy Ellison, Simon Poulton, Cock van Oosterhout, Joanne Cable
Summary: The major histocompatibility complex (MHC) plays a crucial role in infectious disease resistance, with certain MHC alleles and supertypes associated with resistance to specific parasite species. Depletion of MHC diversity in farmed and domesticated fish leads to increased susceptibility to infections, where supertype delineation captures some, but not all, of the immune function variation among alleles.
Article
Parasitology
Mohamed Mohamed El-Naggar, Richard C. Tinsley, Jo Cable
Summary: Parasites undergo significant morphological, physiological, and behavioral changes in different life stages to adapt to changing habitats. This also applies to ectoparasites like monogeneans, with distinct variations in the timing of the switch from larvae to adult tegument. These findings demonstrate the complexity of morphological transitions in parasites within the Monogenea group.
PARASITOLOGY RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Joanna James, John R. Thomas, Alberto Maceda-Veiga, Robbie Mitchell, Ian P. Vaughan, Jo Cable
Summary: Invasive species' interactions can be affected by environmental factors such as nitrate levels, which may influence their foraging efficiency and competitive behaviors. In this study, elevated nitrate levels had varying impacts on two invasive crayfish species, suggesting potential changes in interactions and dynamics in sympatric regions.
Article
Parasitology
Rhi Hunt, Jo Cable, Amy Ellison
Summary: Understanding and utilizing the behaviors of parasites, such as fish lice, could improve control strategies. The off-host behavior of Argulus foliaceus shows a diurnal pattern and a strong attraction to light, which could potentially be used to trap the parasites and reduce their activity in aquaculture settings.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
V. Muhawenimana, J. R. Thomas, C. A. M. E. Wilson, J. Nefjodova, A. C. Chapman, F. C. Williams, D. G. Davies, S. W. Griffiths, J. Cable
Summary: This study found that the invasive species Lepomis gibbosus and Pseudorasbora parva occupy near-bed regions of flowing water to conserve energy and seek refuge, with their swimming performance improving as temperature increases. The behavior of these non-native fish is influenced by water temperature, flow velocity, and turbulence, suggesting that they may benefit from the warming temperatures predicted under global climate change.
ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Mycology
Emily Matthews, Amy Ellison, Joanne Cable
Summary: The study found differences in host preference among different isolates of the freshwater pathogen Saprolegnia parasitica, with some displaying 'specialist' responses and others being more of 'generalists'. However, in vivo challenge infection results did not align with in vitro findings, suggesting that host preference may not directly correlate with infection outcomes.
Article
Chemistry, Inorganic & Nuclear
Barbora Mala, Laura E. Murtagh, Charlotte M. A. Farrow, Geoffrey R. Akien, Nathan R. Halcovich, Sarah L. Allinson, James A. Platts, Michael P. Coogan
Summary: This study reports the formation of dinuclear complexes from thiophenolate ligands, as well as the photochemical oxidation to sulfinates, leading to the discovery of tunable photophysics depending on the 1,2-diimine ligands. Different ligand conditions result in various types of complexes, with photooxidation yielding previously unreported Pt(IV)-SO2R complexes exhibiting multiple absorption characteristics.
INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Civil
Valentine Muhawenimana, Catherine A. M. E. Wilson, Jelena Nefjodova, Jo Cable
Summary: This study investigated the backwater effects of different leaky barrier designs in a laboratory flume, finding that the cross-sectional blockage ratio is the primary factor affecting area afflux. Non-porous leaky barriers exhibited higher head loss and drag coefficients compared to porous barriers, resulting in at least twice the area afflux.
JOURNAL OF HYDROLOGY
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Medicinal
Marta Redrado, Miriam Minana, Michael P. Coogan, M. Concepcion Gimeno, Vanesa Fernandez-Moreira
Summary: This study synthesized bioactive and luminescent cyclometallated iridium complexes with benzimidazole derivatives as auxiliary mimics of nucleotides. The complexes exhibited orange and green emission, with increased quantum yield under anaerobic conditions. The complexes also showed enhanced antiproliferative activity against lung cancer cells upon irradiation, making them potential candidates for photodynamic therapy.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Catrin F. Williams, Catherine Hather, Jainaba Sallah Conteh, Jingjing Zhang, Raluca G. Popa, Anthony W. Owen, Cara L. Jonas, Heungjae Choi, Rhian M. Daniel, David Lloyd, Adrian Porch, Christopher H. George
Summary: The ubiquity of wireless electronic-device connectivity has led to microwaves becoming one of the fastest growing forms of electromagnetic exposure. Growing evidence refutes the claim that wireless technologies pose no risk to human health at current safety levels. The potential non-thermal effects of microwave exposure on electrically-excitable tissues, especially the heart, remain controversial.
BIOCHEMICAL AND BIOPHYSICAL RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
J. M. Kembro, A. G. Flesia, P. S. Nieto, J. M. Caliva, D. Lloyd, S. Cortassa, M. A. Aon
Summary: This study investigates the temporal organization of circadian and ultradian rhythms in various species. They found a dynamically coherent pattern of rhythms across a wide range of temporal scales, with branching patterns and scale-free fluctuations. Synthetic time series modeling supports the coexistence of circadian and ultradian rhythms as the core of the observed pattern.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Evans Ahortor, Les Baillie, David Lloyd, James Blaxland
Summary: Viruses pose a significant threat to human health and can spread through direct exposure or contamination of surfaces. This study investigated the effect of gaseous ozone on the inactivation of Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV-1) on polystyrene and stainless-steel surfaces. The results showed that ozone concentration and exposure duration influenced the inactivation of HSV-1, with higher concentrations and longer exposure times leading to greater reduction in viral infectivity. This research highlights the potential of ozone in mitigating viral transmission on commonly found surfaces in various settings.
OZONE-SCIENCE & ENGINEERING
(2023)