Anti-proliferative Activities of Some Bivalent Symmetrical 5-Substituted Hydantoin Derivatives towards Human Brain Glioma U251 Cells (U251) and Human Carcinoma Cells (KB3-1).

Novel bivalent twin-drug type hydantoin derivatives were evaluated in vitro using a human brain glioma cell line (U251) and a human carcinoma cell line (KB3-1). Among the 5-substituted hydantoin derivatives (1a-b and 2a-d) examined in this study, bivalent symmetrical 5-substituted hydantoin derivative 1b showed the highest anti-proliferative activity towards both U251 and KB3-1 cells. The values of anti-proliferative activity (IC) of this hydantoin derivative against the two cell lines (U251 and KB3-1) were 0.

Anti-proliferative Activities towards Human Brain Glioma U251 Cells and Human Carcinoma Cells (KB3-1) of Some Twin-Drug Type Bivalent C-Symmetrical Phenylboronic Acid Derivatives.

Derivatives of C-symmetrical bivalent phenylboronic acid exhibit several remarkable biological activities such as anti-herpes simplex virus (HSV)-1 and cytotoxic activities against Vero cells and they can reverse the effect of anticancer drugs. Novel symmetrical bivalent molecules were synthesized and their biological activities were evaluated in vitro using a human brain glioma cell line (U251) and a human carcinoma cell line (KB3-1). Among the tested compounds (1a-i), bivalent C-symmetrical phenylboronic acid derivative 1g showed the highest anti-proliferative activity towards both U251 and KB3-1 cells.

The electronic song "Scary Monsters and Nice Sprites" reduces host attack and mating success in the dengue vector Aedes aegypti.

Sound and its reception are crucial for reproduction, survival, and population maintenance of many animals. In insects, low-frequency vibrations facilitate sexual interactions, whereas noise disrupts the perception of signals from conspecifics and hosts. Despite evidence that mosquitoes respond to sound frequencies beyond fundamental ranges, including songs, and that males and females need to struggle to harmonize their flight tones, the behavioral impacts of music as control targets remain unexplored.

Courtship activity, copulation & insemination success in a mosquito vector fed a herbal aphrodisiac: Implications for sterile insect technology.

Background & Objectives: In sterile insect technology (SIT), mating competitiveness is a pre-condition for the reduction of target pest populations and a crucial parameter for judging efficacy. Still, current SIT trials are being hindered by decreased effectiveness due to reduced sexual performance of released males. Here, we explored the possible role of a herbal aphrodisiac in boosting the mating activity of Aedes aegypti.

Lactobacillus plantarum induces genomic DNA-dependent and TLR9-mediated elafin secretion from Caco-2 cells.

Background: Lactobacilli show anti-inflammatory effects in the human intestine, and their genomic DNA was identified as one of the anti-inflammatory components. Increased levels of the natural protease inhibitor elafin in the intestine plays an important role in protection against intestinal inflammation. However, there have been no previous reports regarding whether lactobacilli increase elafin levels.

Exposure of a diurnal mosquito vector to floral mimics: Foraging responses, feeding patterns, and significance for sugar bait technology.

Food location by mosquitoes is mediated by resource-derived olfactory and visual signals. Smell sensation is intermittent and dependent on the environment, whereas visual signals are continual and precede olfactory cues. Success of mosquito bait technology, where olfactory cues are used for attraction, is being impeded by reduced attractiveness.

Occurrence of sweet refuse at disposal sites: rainwater retention capacity and potential breeding opportunities for Aedes aegypti.

Nectar is the staple diet of adult mosquitoes in the wild, but its availability is inconsistent and can be affected by rainfall. In urban centers, Aedes vectors commonly use man-made containers as their major habitat; however, they can colonize any items replenished by rainfall. Garbage output has increased significantly in recent years, at a time when collection frequency is reducing.

Presence of a predator image in potential breeding sites and oviposition responses of a dengue vector.

In dengue vector control, attempts to minimize or replace the use of pesticides have mostly involved use of predators, but success has been severely impeded by difficulties associated with financial and environmental costs, predator mass production, and persistence in target habitats. Visual deterrents have been used successfully to control animal pests, in some cases in an effort to replace pesticide use. Despite evidence that visual signals are crucial in site choice for egg deposition by dengue vectors, and that female mosquitoes respond to artificial predation, the role of predator intimidation as it affects the oviposition behavior of dengue vectors remains largely unexplored.

Anti-oviposition activities of used sock media against a dengue vector: prospects of eco-friendly control and solutions to pollution.

Yearly, huge amounts of sock refuse are discarded into the environment. Socks contain many molecules, and worn ones, which are rich in smell-causing bacteria, have a strong influence on animals' behaviors. But the impacts of sock odor on the oviposition behavior of dengue vectors are unknown.

Sweet waste extract uptake by a mosquito vector: Survival, biting, fecundity responses, and potential epidemiological significance.

In nature, adult mosquitoes typically utilize nectar as their main energy source, but they can switch to other as yet unidentified sugary fluids. Contemporary lifestyles, with their associated unwillingness to consume leftovers and improper disposal of waste, have resulted in the disposal of huge amounts of waste into the environment. Such refuse often contains unfinished food items, many of which contain sugar and some of which can collect water from rain and generate juices.

Enhancement and regulation effect of myrcene on antibody response in immunization with ovalbumin and Ag85B in mice.

Background: MF59, which is an adjuvant belonging to C₃₀ member of the terpene family, is a T helper type-2 (Th2)-biased immune enhancer. Our previous studies showed that pyriproxyfen, a member of the terpene family with fewer carbon atoms (C₂₀) than MF59, enhanced active T helper type-1 (Th1)-biased immune responses.

Objective: This study was performed to investigate the enhancement of antigen-specific immune responses by myrcene, a member of the terpene family with fewer carbon atoms (C₁₀) than pyriproxyfen.

Coffee and its waste repel gravid Aedes albopictus females and inhibit the development of their embryos.

Background: Dengue is a prevalent arboviral disease and the development of insecticide resistance among its vectors impedes endeavors to control it. Coffee is drunk by millions of people daily worldwide, which is associated with the discarding of large amounts of waste. Coffee and its waste contain large amounts of chemicals many of which are highly toxic and none of which have a history of resistance in mosquitoes.

Occurrence of a mosquito vector in bird houses: Developmental consequences and potential epidemiological implications.

Even with continuous vector control, dengue is still a growing threat to public health in Southeast Asia. Main causes comprise difficulties in identifying productive breeding sites and inappropriate targeted chemical interventions. In this region, rural families keep live birds in backyards and dengue mosquitoes have been reported in containers in the cages.

The anti-inflammatory effects of a high-frequency oligodeoxynucleotide from the genomic DNA of Lactobacillus casei.

Genomic DNA has been identified as an anti-inflammatory component of Lactobacillus species, the effects of which are mediated through toll-like receptor (TLR) 9. In this study, we identified 14 novel anti-inflammatory oligodeoxynucleotide (ODN) from the genomic DNA of Lactobacillus casei by measuring their effects on the secretion of interleukin (IL)-8 (CXCL8) in the human epithelial colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line Caco-2 cells. The ODN TTTTGCCG strongly decreased IL-8 secretion.

Recombinant fusion protein of cholera toxin B subunit with YVAD secreted by Lactobacillus casei inhibits lipopolysaccharide-induced caspase-1 activation and subsequent IL-1 beta secretion in Caco-2 cells.

Background: Lactobacillus species are used as bacterial vectors to deliver functional peptides to the intestine because they are delivered live to the intestine, colonize the mucosal surface, and continue to produce the desired protein. Previously, we generated a recombinant Lactobacillus casei secreting the cholera toxin B subunit (CTB), which can translocate into intestinal epithelial cells (IECs) through GM1 ganglioside. Recombinant fusion proteins of CTB with functional peptides have been used as carriers for the delivery of these peptides to IECs because of the high cell permeation capacity of recombinant CTB (rCTB).

Synthesis of new 5-substituted hydantoins and symmetrical twin-drug type hydantoin derivatives.

In connection with our studies on hydantoin derivatives, a conventional regioselective chemical transformation of 5-methylene hydantoins 4a-c to 5-aminomethyl-substituted hydantoins 5-10 or to 5-amino-5-methyl-disubstituted hydantoins 11-14 is described. Synthesis of bivalent twin-drug type hydantoin derivatives 19-24 and the binding property of a bivalent symmetrical hydantoin derivative 24b to sulfated glycosaminoglycans are also described.

Indirect effects of cigarette butt waste on the dengue vector Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae).

Despite major insecticide-based vector control programs, dengue continues to be a major threat to public health in urban areas. The reasons for this failure include the emergence of insecticide resistance and the narrowing of the spectrum of efficient products. Cigarette butts (CBs), the most commonly discarded piece of waste, also represent a major health hazard to human and animal life.

Antibacterial activity of some 5-dialkylaminomethylhydantoins and related derivatives.

In connection with our studies on antibacterial compounds in the class of 5-dialkylaminomethylhydantoins against Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) and Gram-positive (Staphylococcus aureus) strains, some molecular modifications were attempted. The antibacterial activities of all of the synthesized hydantoin derivatives were evaluated. Among the hydantoin derivatives designed in this study, C₂-symmetrical twin-drug type compound (7) showed the highest level of antibacterial activity against S.

Turning cigarette butt waste into an alternative control tool against an insecticide-resistant mosquito vector.

Annually, 4.5 trillion cigarette butts (CBs) are flicked into our environment. Evidence exists that CB waste is deadly to aquatic life, but their lethality to the aquatic life of the main dengue vector is unknown.

Colonized Aedes albopictus and its sexual performance in the wild: implications for SIT technology and containment.

Background: Mating is a physiological process of crucial importance underlying the size and maintenance of mosquito populations. In sterile and incompatible insect technologies (SIT and IIT), mating is essential for mass production, persistence, and success of released individuals, and is a central parameter for judging the effectiveness of SIT/IIT programs. Some mosquitoes have an enormous reproductive potential for both themselves and pathogens and mating may contribute to persistence of infection in nature.

Expression and secretion of cholera toxin B subunit in lactobacilli.

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are used in various fields, including in food and medical supplies. There has been a great deal of research into vaccine development using LAB as carriers due to their "generally recognized as safe" status. Cholera is an infectious disease that causes diarrhea due to cholera toxin (CT) produced by Vibrio cholerae.

Pyriproxyfen enhances the immunoglobulin G immune response in mice.

Pyriproxyfen is a juvenile hormone mimic of vital importance for insect development with little risk to humans. This study was performed to investigate whether large doses of pyriproxyfen affect the immune response in mammals. Mice were immunized thrice with ovalbumin in 5% ethanol, with or without pyriproxyfen or alum.

Household survey of container-breeding mosquitoes and climatic factors influencing the prevalence of Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) in Makkah City, Saudi Arabia.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of container breeding mosquitoes with emphasis on the seasonality and larval habitats of Aedes aegypti (Ae. aegypti) in Makkah City, adjoining an environmental monitoring and dengue incidence.

Methods: Monthly visits were performed between April 2008 and March 2009 to randomly selected houses.

Differences in TLR9-dependent inhibitory effects of H(2)O(2)-induced IL-8 secretion and NF-kappa B/I kappa B-alpha system activation by genomic DNA from five Lactobacillus species.

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) show anti-inflammatory effects, and their genomic DNA was identified as one of the anti-inflammatory components. Despite the differences in anti-inflammatory effects between live LAB dependent not only on genus but also species, this effect has not been compared at the genomic DNA level. We compared the anti-inflammatory effects of the genomic DNA from five Lactobacillus species-Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus gasseri, Lactobacillus plantarum, and Lactobacillus reuteri-using Caco-2 cells.