The study aimed to compare the quality of perioperative analgesia, the motor block duration, and the effects on main cardiovascular parameters of dexmedetomidine (1 μg/kg/nerve block) or magnesium sulphate (2 mg/kg/nerve block) as adjuvants to 0.3% ropivacaine for sciatic and saphenous nerves block in dogs undergoing tibial plateau leveling osteotomy (TPLO). Dogs randomly received perineural dexmedetomidine-ropivacaine (D group), magnesium sulphate-ropivacaine (M group), or ropivacaine (C group).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMicroalgal biomass represents a very interesting biological feedstock to be converted into several high-value products in a biorefinery approach. In this study, the cyanobacterium sp. PCC6803 was used to obtain different classes of molecules: proteins, carotenoids and lipids by using a cascade approach.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMicroalgae can represent a reliable source of natural compounds with different activities. Here, we evaluated the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity of sulfated exopolysaccharides (s-EPSs) and phycoerythrin (PE), two molecules naturally produced by the red marine microalga (CCALA415). and cell-based assays were performed to assess the biological activities of these compounds.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe aim of this research was the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (SPA- and SPR-AgNPs) using the aqueous extracts of the aerial (SPA) and the root (SPR) parts of the plant L., their characterization, reaction condition optimization, and evaluation of their biological and catalytic activity. UV-Vis spectroscopy, X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), scanning electron microscopy with EDS analysis (SEM/EDS), and dynamic light scattering (DLS) analysis were utilized to characterize the nanoparticles, while Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy was used to detect some functional groups of compounds present in the plant extracts and nanoparticles.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFβ-lactoglobulin is the major component of whey. Here, the adduct formed upon the reaction of the protein with oxaliplatin (OXA) has been prepared, structurally characterized by X-ray crystallography and electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry, and evaluated as a cytotoxic agent. The data demonstrate that OXA rapidly binds β-lactoglobulin via coordination with a Met7 side chain upon release of the oxalate ligand.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWorld J Microbiol Biotechnol
November 2021
The demand for natural antioxidants to be used in food industry is increasing, as synthetic antioxidants are toxic and have high production costs. Specifically, food processing and preservation require antioxidants resistant to thermal sterilization processes. In this study, twenty-five strains among microalgae and cyanobacteria were screened as antioxidants producers.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWe have previously demonstrated that the Thymus algeriensis and Thymus fontanesii extracts have powerful anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, and analgesic effects against acute pain models. We profiled their chemical composition and found many phenolic acids, flavonoids, and phenolic diterpenes. In this work, we investigated their antioxidant properties on HaCaT cells exposed to UVA-induced oxidative stress and examined their effects against chronic neuropathic pain and the underlying mechanisms.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAppl Microbiol Biotechnol
November 2020
Microalgae started receiving attention as producers of third generation of biofuel, but they are rich in many bioactive compounds. Indeed, they produce many molecules endowed with benefic effects on human health which are highly requested in the market. Thus, it would be important to fractionate algal biomass into its several high-value compounds: this represents the basis of the microalgal biorefinery approach.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe design of novel metal complexes with -heterocyclic carbene (NHC) ligands that display biological activity is an active research field in organometallic chemistry. One of the possible approaches consists of the use of NHC ligands functionalized with a carbohydrate moiety. Two novel Au(I)-Au(I) dinuclear complexes were synthesized; they present a neutral structure with one bridging diNHC ligand, having one or both heterocyclic rings decorated with a carbohydrate functionality.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAlgae have multiple similarities with fungi, with both belonging to the Thallophyt, a polyphyletic group of non-mobile organisms grouped together on the basis of similar characteristics, but not sharing a common ancestor. The main difference between algae and fungi is noted in their metabolism. In fact, although algae have chlorophyll-bearing thalloids and are autotrophic organisms, fungi lack chlorophyll and are heterotrophic, not able to synthesize their own nutrients.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFA green cascade approach was used to recover phycocyanins, carotenoids and lipids from . Phycocyanin extraction was performed by high pressure homogenization and purified by ultrafiltration, whereas carotenoids were obtained by a pressurized liquid extraction and lipids by supercritical fluid extraction. The second step of this innovative, green, and cost-effective procedure is able to improve the recovery of zeaxanthin and β-carotene up to 40%, without affecting the quality of compounds and avoiding the use of organic solvents and the drying processes.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe effects of encapsulating the cytotoxic dinuclear trithiolato-bridged arene ruthenium complex [(η -p-MeC H iPr) Ru (μ -S-p-C H tBu) ]Cl (DiRu-1) within the apoferritin (AFt) nanocage were investigated. The DiRu-1-AFt nanocarrier was characterized by UV/Vis spectroscopy, ICP-MS, CD and X-ray crystallography. In contrast to previously reported Au- and Pt-based drug-loaded AFt carriers, we found no evidence of direct interactions between DiRu-1 and AFt.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Takotsubo syndrome is a stress cardiomyopathy, characterized by reversible left ventricle (LV) apical ballooning in the absence of significant angiographic coronary artery stenosis. The frequent association with emotional stress suggests in this disease an autonomic nervous system involvement. We could think that a therapeutic treatment targeting heart sympathetic dysfunction could be of crucial importance.
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