New amphiphilic copolymers for PDMS-based nanocomposite films with long-term marine antifouling performance.

Amphiphilic methacrylate copolymers (Si-co-EF) containing polysiloxane (Si) and mixed poly(oxyethylene)-perfluorohexyl (EF) side chains were synthesized with different compositions and used together with polysiloxane-functionalized nanoparticles as additives of condensation cured nanocomposite poly(siloxane) films. The mechanical properties of the nanocomposite films were consistent with the elastomeric behavior of the poly(siloxane) matrix without significant detriment from either the copolymer or the nanoparticles. Films were found to be markedly hydrophobic and liphophobic, with both properties being maximized at an intermediate content of EF units.

Sperm quality assessment in Ficopomatus enigmaticus (Fauvel, 1923): Effects of selected organic and inorganic chemicals across salinity levels.

Contamination by organic and inorganic compounds remains one of the most complex problems in both brackish and marine environments, causing potential implications for the reproductive success and survival of several broadcast spawners. Ficopomatus enigmaticus is a tubeworm polychaete that has previously been used as a model organism for ecotoxicological analysis, due to its sensitivity and ecological relevance. In the present study, the effects of five trace elements (zinc, copper, cadmium, arsenic and lead), one surfactant (sodium dodecyl sulfate, SDS) and one polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (benzo(a)pyrene, B(a)P) on the sperm quality of F.

Soluble esterases as biomarkers of neurotoxic compounds in the widespread serpulid (Fauvel, 1923).

The characterization of soluble cholinesterases (ChEs) together with carboxylesterases (CEs) in as suitable biomarkers of neurotoxicity was the main aim of this study. ChEs of were characterized considering enzymatic activity, substrate affinity (acetyl-, butyryl-, propionylthiocholine), kinetic parameters ( and ) and response to model inhibitors (eserine hemisulfate, iso-OMPA, BW284C51), and carbamates (carbofuran, methomyl, aldicarb, and carbaryl). CEs were characterized based on enzymatic activity, kinetic parameters and response to carbamates (carbofuran, methomyl, aldicarb, and carbaryl).

Effects of copper on larvae of the marbled crab Pachygrapsus marmoratus (Decapoda, Grapsidae): Toxicity test and biochemical marker responses.

The importance of trace elements in ecotoxicological investigations is a well-known issue when monitoring polluted areas such as commercial harbors. Copper represents one of the most common metal contaminants, often detected in these areas as it is widely employed in various fields and has many sources of inflow in the marine environment. Pachygrapsus marmoratus is a widespread intertidal crab species that has been extensively studied in ecology, ethology and population genetics.

Suitability of cholinesterase of polychaete Diopatra neapolitana as biomarker of exposure to pesticides: In vitro characterization.

Cholinesterases of Diopatra neapolitana were characterized for their activity in whole body and different body segments (apical, intermediate, posterior), substrate affinity (acetyl-, butyryl-, propionylthiocholine), kinetic parameters (K and V) and in vitro response to model inhibitors (eserine hemisulfate, isoOMPA, BW284C51) and carbamates (carbofuran, methomyl, aldicarb and carbaryl). Results showed that the rate of hydrolysis for acetyl- and propionylthiocholine was higher in the posterior segment than the apical/intermediate segments and whole body. Cholinesterases of D.

The serpulid Ficopomatus enigmaticus () as candidate organisms for ecotoxicological assays in brackish and marine waters.

Ficopomatus enigmaticus is an ubiquitous fouling reef-forming species, easy to sample and recognize, diecious with gamete spawning along different seasons in different salinity conditions. Due to its characteristics it could become a good candidate for the monitoring of both marine and brackish waters. The suitability of F.

Dichotomous metabolism of Enterococcus faecalis induced by haematin starvation modulates colonic gene expression.

Enterococcus faecalis is an intestinal commensal that cannot synthesize porphyrins and only expresses a functional respiratory chain when provided with exogenous haematin. In the absence of haematin, E. faecalis reverts to fermentative metabolism and produces extracellular superoxide that can damage epithelial-cell DNA.

L-ergothioneine modulates oxidative damage in the kidney and liver of rats in vivo: studies upon the profile of polyunsaturated fatty acids.

Background & Aims: L-ergothioneine is a fungal metabolite exhibiting antioxidant functions in cells. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of oral administration of L-ergothioneine on the oxidative damage in vivo caused by the Fenton reagent ferric-nitrilotriacetate.

Methods: Rats were supplemented with L-ergo prior to the administration of acute dose of ferric-nitrilotriacetate.

Antioxidant activity of oligomeric acylphloroglucinols from Myrtus communis L.

The use of myrtle (Myrtus communis L.) as a culinary spice and as a flavoring agent for alcoholic beverages is widespread in the Mediterranean area, and especially in Sardinia. Myrtle contains unique oligomeric non-prenylated acylphloroglucinols, whose antioxidant activity was investigated in various systems.

Antioxidant activity of capsinoids.

Hot peppers are a good source of dietary antioxidants, encompassing, apart from widespread compounds (flavonoids, phenolic acids, carotenoids, vitamin A, ascorbic acid, tocopherols), also specific constituents such as the pungent capsaicinoids (capsaicin, dihydrocapsaicin, and related analogues). We have shown that capsinoids also show remarkable antioxidant activity. These benign analogues of capsaicin could protect linoleic acid against free radical attack in simple in vitro systems, inhibiting both its autoxidation and its iron- or EDTA-mediated oxidation.

Assessment of the ability of the antioxidant cocktail-derived from fermentation of plants with effective microorganisms (EM-X) to modulate oxidative damage in the kidney and liver of rats in vivo: studies upon the profile of poly- and mono-unsaturated fatty acids.

The antioxidant cocktail EM-X derived from ferment of unpolished rice, papaya and sea weeds with effective microorganisms (EM) of lactic acid bacteria, yeast, and photosynthetic bacteria is widely available in South-East Asia. Oral administration of a EM-X to rats for 7 days inhibited the ferric-nitrilotriacetic acid (Fe-NTA)-dependent oxidation of fatty acids with protections directed towards docosahexanoic, arachidonic, docosapentanenoic acids, oleic, linoleic and eicosadieonoic acids in the liver and kidney. But only the protections of oxidation to docosahexanoic, arachidonic acid in the kidney were statistically significant.

The effect of ferric-nitrilotriacetic acid on the profile of polyunsaturated fatty acids in the kidney and liver of rats.

Intraperitoneal injection of the iron-complex, ferric-nitrilotriacetate (Fe-NTA), induces renal proximal tubular damage associated with oxidative damage in vivo. Fe-NTA induced a time-dependent decrease of several polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), together with increased conjugated diene values and decreased cellular levels of alpha-tocopherol and glutathione. At the time of maximum detectable oxidation (3 h), after the injection of a sublethal dose of Fe-NTA there were clear reductions in the peak values over the controls for several fatty acids notably, 20:5 (eicosapentaenoic acid) (36%), 22:6 (docosahexanoic acid) (30%), 20:3 n6 (eicosatrienoic acid) (30%) and 20:4 (arachidonic acid) (28%) in the kidney.

Changes in conjugated linoleic acid and its metabolites in patients with chronic renal failure.

Background: Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a mixture of isomers of linoleic acid with conjugated double bonds that constitutes the most abundant fatty acid with conjugated dienes (CDs) in humans. CLA, erroneously considered in the past as a product of lipoperoxidation, has a dietary origin and has shown to possess anticarcinogenic and anti-atherogenic activity, mainly in animal studies. CLA can be metabolized to conjugated linolenic acid (CD18:3) and to conjugated eicosatrienoic acid (CD20:3) and these metabolites may be implicated in CLA activity.

Decrease in linoleic acid metabolites as a potential mechanism in cancer risk reduction by conjugated linoleic acid.

Previous research suggested that conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) feeding during the period of pubescent mammary gland development in the rat resulted in diminished mammary epithelial branching which might account for the reduction in mammary cancer risk. Terminal end buds (TEB) are the primary sites for the chemical induction of mammary carcinomas in rodents. One of the objectives of the present study was to investigate the modulation of TEB density by increasing levels of dietary CLA and to determine how this might affect the risk of methylnitrosourea-induced mammary carcinogenesis.

An increase in vitamin A status by the feeding of conjugated linoleic acid.

Previous research indicated that conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a potent inhibitor of mammary carcinogenesis. The present study showed a progressive increase in retinol (vitamin A alcohol) in the liver in proportion to CLA intake in rats that were fed different levels of CLA (in increments of 0.5%) for 1 month.