SYBR Green Research Articles

Investigation of the anti-salmonellal and antiplasmodial properties of leaf extracts of Rourea coccinea Beninese medicinal plant

Rourea coccinea, also called Byrsocarpus coccineus is a medicinal plant widely used in primary health care in West Africa and in this case in Benin. In the present study, the hydroethanolic extract of these leaves was investigated for its anti-salmonella and antiplasmodial properties. The evaluation of anti-salmonella activity was carried out by the micro dilution method associated with resazurine while that of antiplasmodial activity by method described by Syber Green. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of the hydroethanolic extract against Salmonella strains were higher than 2000 μg/mL. This extract was active against multidrug-resistant Plasmodium falciparum strains (PfDd2) with an inhibitory concentration (IC50) of 32.26 μg/mL. These works on Rourea coccinea justify that the plant has a clearly remarkable antiplasmodial activity rather than anti-salmonella one and its use in traditional medicine to treat malaria in Benin.

A label-free fluorescent magnetic dual-aptasensor based on aptamer allosteric regulation of β-lactoglobulin

We presented a label-free fluorescent biosensor based on magnetic dual-aptamer allosteric regulation of β-lactoglobulin (β-LG) detection. The bovine serum albumin (BSA) acted as the bridge to connect amino-modified magnetic beads and aptamer, which synthesized pyramid-type probes (MBAP) with high capture and reduced nonspecific adsorption. Moreover, the original aptamer was tailored and then designed as a bivalent aptamer to fabricate allosteric signal probes (ASP). The ASP can both specifically capture β-LG and output the fluorescence signal. The detection mechanism is as follows. The combination of the dual-aptamer and β-LG triggered the allosteric change, resulting in the release of SYBR Green (SG I) from the allosteric signal probe and change signals. This method exhibits a broad linear detection range from 10 ng/mL to 1 mg/mL and the limit of detection reaches as low as 8.06 ng/mL. This study provides a highly generalizable strategy for protein biomolecular detection via replacing different target aptamers.

A one-step low-cost molecular test for SARS-CoV-2 detection suitable for community testing using minimally processed saliva.

The gold standard for coronavirus disease 2019 diagnostic testing relies on RNA extraction from naso/oropharyngeal swab followed by amplification through reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with fluorogenic probes. While the test is extremely sensitive and specific, its high cost and the potential discomfort associated with specimen collection made it suboptimal for public health screening purposes. In this study, we developed an equally reliable, but cheaper and less invasive alternative test based on a one-step RT-PCR with the DNA-intercalating dye SYBR Green, which enables the detection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) directly from saliva samples or RNA isolated from nasopharyngeal (NP) swabs. Importantly, we found that this type of testing can be fine-tuned to discriminate SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern. The saliva RT-PCR SYBR Green test was successfully used in a mass-screening initiative targeting nearly 4500 asymptomatic children under the age of 12. Testing was performed at a reasonable cost, and in some cases, the saliva test outperformed NP rapid antigen tests in identifying infected children. Whole genome sequencing revealed that the antigen testing failure could not be attributed to a specific lineage of SARS-CoV-2. Overall, this work strongly supports the view that RT-PCR saliva tests based on DNA-intercalating dyes represent a powerful strategy for community screening of SARS-CoV-2. The tests can be easily applied to other infectious agents and, therefore, constitute a powerful resource for an effective response to future pandemics.

Alkaloidal Extracts from Avicennia africana P. Beauv. (Avicenniaceae) Leaf: An Antiplasmodial, Antioxidant, and Erythrocyte Viable.

The emergence of drug-resistant parasites impedes disease management and eradication efforts. Hence, a reinvigorated attempt to search for potent lead compounds in the mangroves is imperative. This study evaluates in vitro antiplasmodial activity, antioxidant properties, and cytotoxicity of A. africana leaf alkaloidal extracts. The A. africana leaves were macerated with 70% ethanol to obtain a total crude extract. Dichloromethane and chloroform-isopropanol (3 : 1, v/v) were used to extract the crude alkaloids and quaternary alkaloids from the total crude. The antiplasmodial activities of the alkaloidal extracts were performed against 3D7 P. falciparum chloroquine-sensitive clone via the SYBR Green I fluorescence assay with artesunate serving as the reference drug. The alkaloidal extracts were further evaluated for antioxidant properties via the total antioxidant capacity (TAC), the total glutathione concentration (GSH), the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) assay, and the ferric-reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) methods. The cytotoxic activity of the alkaloidal extracts was tested on erythrocytes using a 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide-MTT assay with little modification. The phytocompounds in the alkaloidal extracts were identified via gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) techniques. The total crude extract showed good antiplasmodial activity (IC50 = 11.890 µg/mL). The crude and quaternary alkaloidal extracts demonstrated promising antiplasmodial effects with IC50 values of 6.217 and 6.285 µg/mL, respectively. The total crude and alkaloidal extracts showed good antioxidant properties with negligible cytotoxicity on erythrocytes with good selectivity indices. The GC-MS spectral analysis of crude alkaloidal extracts gave indole and isoquinoline alkaloids and several other compounds. Dexrazoxane was found to be the main compound predicted, with an 86% peak area in the quaternary alkaloidal extract. The crude and quaternary alkaloidal extracts exhibited antiplasmodial activities and ability to inhibit oxidative stress with negligible toxicity on erythrocytes. This may be good characteristics to avoid oxidative stress related to Plasmodium infection in the treatment of malaria.

An ATMND/SGI based three-way junction ratiometric fluorescent probe for rapid and sensitive detection of bleomycin.

In this work, we developed a rapid and sensitive label-free ratiometric fluorescent (FL) probe for the detection of bleomycin (BLM). The probe consists of a DNA sequence (D6) and two fluorophore groups, 2-amino-5,6,7-trimethyl-1,8-naphthalene (ATMND) and SYBR Green I (SGI). The D6 sequence could be folded into a three-way junction structure containing a C-C mismatch position in the junction pocket. The unique "Y" structure not only could entrap ATMND in the mismatch pocket with high affinity, leading to FL quenching at 408 nm, but also embed SGI in the grooves of the double-stranded portion, resulting in FL enhancement at 530 nm. In the presence of BLM-Fe(II), the "Y" structure of D6 was destroyed due to the specific cleavage of the BLM recognition site, the 5'-GT-3' site in D6. This caused the release of ATMND and SGI and thus the ratiometric signal change of FL enhancement by ATMND and FL quenching by SGI. Under optimal conditions, the ratiometric probe exhibited a linear correlation between the intensity ratio of F408/F530 and the concentration of BLM in the range of 0.5-1000 nM, with a detection limit of 0.2 nM. In addition, the probe was applied to detect BLM in human serum samples with satisfactory results, indicating its good clinical application potential.

A label free fluorescent aptamer sensor based on the combined action of Graphene oxide and SYBR Green I for the detection of Aflatoxin B1.

Here, based on the characteristics of Graphene oxide(GO) and SYBR Green I(SGI) dye, an enzyme-free and label-free fluorescent biosensor with signal amplification through DNA strand reaction is proposed for the detection of Aflatoxin B1(AFB1) in food safety. Firstly, without the addition of AFB1, the substrate in the system includes a double stranded Apt-S with a long sticky end and two hairpins H1 and H2. Although the complementary pairing of bases may exhibit fluorescence due to the insertion of SGI dyes, the use of GO, which is highly capable of adsorbing single stranded parts and quenching fluorescence, cleverly reduces the background fluorescence. Adding the target AFB1 triggers DNA inter chain reactions, generating a large amount of long double stranded DNA H1-H2, thereby generating strong fluorescence signals under the action of SGI. More importantly, logical theory verification and computer simulation were conducted before biological experiments, providing a theoretical basis for the implementation of the biosensor. After analysis, the fluorescence biosensor exhibits a good linear relationship with AFB1 concentration in the range of 5-50nM, with a detection limit of 0.76nM. It also has good specificity, anti-interference ability, and practical application ability, and has broad application prospects in the field of food safety.

Label-free ratiometric fluorescence detection of Pb2+via structure-specific fluorescent dyes and dual signal amplification.

Lead ions (Pb2+) are a widely distributed and highly toxic heavy metal pollutant, which seriously threatens the environment, economy and human safety. Here, a label-free ratiometric fluorescent biosensor was constructed for Pb2+ detection using DNAzyme-driven target cycling and exonuclease III (Exo III)-mediated DNA cycling as a dual signal amplification strategy. The SYBR Green I (SGI) and N-methyl mesoporphyrin IX (NMM) used in this study are characterized by low cost, storage resistance, and short preparation time compared with conventional signaling probes labeled with fluorescent groups. Unlike the single-emission fluorescence strategy, monitoring the fluorescence intensity ratio of SGI and NMM can effectively reduce external interference to achieve accurate detection of Pb2+. DNAzyme structures on the surface of magnetic beads (MBs) can recognize Pb2+ and activate the target circulatory system to cleave single-stranded DNA (ssDNA). The ssDNA further initiated the Exo III-assisted DNA circulatory system to digest double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) and release guanine-rich G1. Finally, the fluorescence signals of SGI and NMM were weakened and enhanced, respectively. The sensing strategy achieved a wide linear range from 0.5 to 500 nM and a low limit of detection (LOD) of 26.4 pM. Furthermore, its anti-interference ability and potential applicability for Pb2+ detection in actual samples were verified. This work ingeniously combines the dual signal amplification strategy with the ratiometric sensing strategy constructed by structure-specific fluorescent dyes, which provides a promising method for constructing sensitive and accurate fluorescent biosensors.

Conformational change-based fluorometric aptasensor for sensitive cadmium(II) detection in fruits and vegetables.

Cadmium (Cd2+) is a highly toxic heavy metal that can accumulate in the human body through contaminated food and water, posing great health risks. In this study, a label-free fluorescent aptasensor based on SYBR Green I (SGI) for the rapid and sensitive detection of Cd2+ in food samples was designed. The aptasensor utilizes a Cd2+-specific aptamer (Cd-(21)) and its complementary strand (CSCd-(21)) to form a double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) structure in the absence of Cd2+. SGI intercalates into the dsDNA, resulting in a strong fluorescence signal. In the presence of Cd2+, the aptamer undergoes a conformational change, preventing the formation of dsDNA and leading to a decrease in fluorescence intensity. Under optimized conditions, the aptasensor exhibited a linear response to Cd2+ concentrations ranging from 0.11 to 157.37 ng mL-1, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 0.07 ng mL-1. The aptasensor demonstrated high specificity and was successfully applied to detect Cd2+ in fruits and vegetables, with satisfactory recovery rates (95-111%). The proposed aptasensor provides a promising tool for the rapid and sensitive detection of Cd2+ in food.

Selection, characterization, and biosensing applications of DNA aptamers targeting cyanotoxin BMAA.

Scientists have established a connection between environmental exposure to toxins like β-N-methylamino-l-alanine (BMAA) and a heightened risk of neurodegenerative disorders. BMAA is a byproduct from certain strains of cyanobacteria that are present in ecosystems worldwide and is renowned for its bioaccumulation and biomagnification in seafood. The sensitivity, selectivity, and reproducibility of the current analytical techniques are insufficient to support efforts regarding food safety and environment monitoring adequately. This work outlines the in vitro selection of BMAA-specific DNA aptamers via the systematic evolution of ligands through exponential enrichment (SELEX). Screening and characterization of the full-length aptamers was achieved using the SYBR Green (SG) fluorescence displacement assay. Aptamers BMAA_159 and BMAA_165 showed the highest binding affinities, with dissociation constants (Kd) of 2.2 ± 0.1 μM and 0.32 ± 0.02 μM, respectively. After truncation, the binding affinity was confirmed using a BMAA-conjugated fluorescence assay. The Kd values for BMAA_159_min and BMAA_165_min were 6 ± 1 μM and 0.63 ± 0.02 μM, respectively. Alterations in the amino proton region studied using solution nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) provided further evidence of aptamer-target binding. Additionally, circular dichroism (CD) spectroscopy revealed that BMAA_165_min forms hybrid G-quadruplex (G4) structures. Finally, BMAA_165_min was used in the development of an electrochemical aptamer-based (EAB) sensor that accomplished sensitive and selective detection of BMAA with a limit of detection (LOD) of 1.13 ± 0.02 pM.

Development of an aptasensor for dibutyl phthalate detection and the elucidation of assay inhibition factors.

We developed a fluorescence aptasensor (hereafter 'SG-aptasensor') using SYBR Green I, a newly truncated 20-mer aptamer, and probe DNA to detect dibutyl phthalate (DBP). The detection range of DBP was 0.1-100 ng L-1 with 0.08 ng L-1 as the limit of detection. To adapt the assay to environmental samples in the near future, possible inhibition factors (experimental and environmental) have been tested and reported. The experimental inhibitors included the incubation time, temperature, pH, and ionic strength. Consequently, temperature (2-25 °C) and pH (7.0-9.0) ranges did not significantly inhibit the assay. The incubation time required for sufficient reaction was at least 4 h, and a relative humidity <20% may have induced fluorescence quenching. Tris-HCl-based incubation buffer with excess ionic strength (more than 0.2 M NaCl) demonstrated an abnormal increase in fluorescence. Environmental inhibitors including cations (Mg2+, Ca2+, and Cu2+) and humic acids were tested. The fluorescence signal was significantly reduced (∼99%) by 100 mM Cu2+ compared to that by 0 mM Cu2+. In contrast, the reduction in fluorescence signal was marginal (<15%) when Mg2+ or Ca2+ ions were present. Inhibition of the assay was observed (∼28%) in the presence of 100 mg L-1 humic acids.

Thermo-responsive cascade antimicrobial platform for precise biofilm removal and enhanced wound healing.

Bacterial infection, tissue hypoxia and inflammatory response can hinder infected wound repair. This study aimed to develop a multifunctional specific therapeutic photo-activated release nanosystem [HMPB@MB@AuNPs@PMB@HA (HMAPH)] by loading photosensitizer methylene blue (MB) into hollow mesoporous Prussian blue nanostructures and modifying the surface with gold particles, polymyxin B (PMB) and hydrophilic hyaluronic acid. The HMAPH was characterized using transmission electron microscopy, UV-vis, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and X-ray photon spectroscopy. The photothermal performance, iron ion release and free radical generation of the HMAPH were measured under different conditions to investigate its thermo-responsive cascade reaction. The antibacterial ability of HMAPH was investigated using live/dead fluorescence tests. The morphology and membrane integrity of Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) were investigated using transmission electron microscopy. The anti-biofilm activity of HMAPH was evaluated using crystal violet and SYBR Green I staining. Finally, we established a mouse model of a skin wound infected by P. aeruginosa to confirm the in vivo effectiveness of HMAPH. We used immunofluorescent staining, hematoxylin-eosin staining, Masson staining and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay to examine whether HMAPH promoted wound healing and reduced inflammatory damage. In this study, hyaluronic acid was decomposed under the action of hyaluronidase. Also, the exposed nanomaterials specifically bound to the outer membrane of P. aeruginosa through PMB to increase the membrane sensitivity to photodynamic treatment. Under dual-light irradiation, a large amount of iron ions released by HMAPH underwent a Fenton reaction with H2O2 in bacteria to generate hydroxyl radicals (•OH), enabling direct killing of cells by hyperthermia. Additionally, the photodynamic activity of MB released by photo-induced activation led to the generation of reactive oxygen species, achieving synergistic and effective inhibition of P. aeruginosa. HMAPH also inhibited biofilm formation and downregulated the expression of virulence factors. In vivo experiments revealed that HMAPH accelerated the healing of P. aeruginosa-infected wounds by promoting angiogenesis and skin regeneration, inhibiting the inflammatory response and promoting M1 to M2 polarization. Our study proposed a strategy against bacteria and biofilms through a synergistic photothermal-photodynamic-Fenton reaction, opening up new prospects for combating biofilm-associated infections.

Moving towards on-site detection of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli in ready-to-eat leafy greens

Rapid identification of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli, or STEC, is of utmost importance to assure the innocuousness of the foodstuffs. STEC have been implicated in outbreaks associated with different types of foods however, among them, ready-to-eat (RTE) vegetables are particularly problematic as they are consumed raw, and are rich in compounds that inhibit DNA-based detection methods such as qPCR. In the present study a novel method based on Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) to overcome the limitations associated with current molecular methods for the detection of STEC in RTE vegetables targeting stx1 and stx2 genes. In this sense, LAMP demonstrated to be more robust against inhibitory substances in food. In this study, a comprehensive enrichment protocol was combined with four inexpensive DNA extraction protocols. The one based on silica purification enhanced the performance of the method, therefore it was selected for its implementation in the final method. Additionally, three different detection chemistries were compared, namely real-time fluorescence detection, and two end-point colorimetric strategies, one based on the addition of SYBR Green, and the other based on a commercial colorimetric master mix. After optimization, all three chemistries demonstrated suitable for the detection of STEC in spiked RTE salad samples, as it was possible to reach a LOD50 of 0.9, 1.4, and 7.0 CFU/25 g for the real-time, SYBR and CC LAMP assays respectively. All the performance parameters reached values higher than 90 %, when compared to a reference method based on multiplex qPCR. More specifically, the analytical sensitivity was 100, 90.0 and 100 % for real-time, SYBR and CC LAMP respectively, the specificity 100 % for all three assays, and accuracy 100, 96 and 100 %. Finally, a high degree of concordance was also obtained (1, 0.92 and 1 respectively). Considering the current technological advances, the method reported, using any of the three detection strategies, demonstrated suitable for their implementation in decentralized settings, with low equipment resources.

An ultrasensitive terminal protection-based real-time fluorescence approach for protein detection via an isothermal exponential amplification reaction.

In this assay, based on the terminal protection of small-molecule-linked DNA, a new ultrasensitive real-time fluorescence strategy combined with an isothermal exponential amplification reaction (IEXPAR) has been established for protein assay. By the clever design of DNA, terminal protection is combined with efficient IEXPAR. The target protein explicitly binds to small molecules attached to the template DNA, protecting the template DNA from exonuclease I (Exo I) degradation. The added DNA primer hybridizes with the protected template DNA and triggers the following IEXPAR. IEXPAR has a super amplification efficiency of 106-109 times. The IEXPAR yields numerous double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) molecules. The fluorescence dye SYBR Green I (SG), which is sensitive to dsDNA, is used to determine the real-time fluorescence of the IEXPAR. Conversely, without the target protein, the template DNA is hydrolyzed by Exo I, failing to trigger the IEXPAR. The intriguing combination of IEXPAR and terminal protection realizes the ultrasensitive detection of protein. As low as 100 fmol L-1 SA and 200 pg mL-1 folic acid (FR) are accurately detected.

Unraveling Epigenetic Signatures for Early Detection of Diabetes Nephropathy in Type 2 Diabetes: A Case–Control Investigation

Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) leads to a substantial elevation in the occurrence of various micro- and macrovascular complications. Approximately one-third of patients of both type 1 diabetes and T2DM develop diabetes nephropathy (DN). Emerging findings in epigenetic modifications indicate that differences in DNA methylation patterns could have a more substantial impact when assessing the susceptibility to type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in contrast to genetic variations. Methods: The study involved 298 participants, encompassing 75 individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), 74 individuals with diabetes nephropathy (DN), and 149 healthy control subjects aged between 20 and 70 years. The concentrations of circulating adiponectin, insulin-like growth factor (IGF) 1, and IGF2 were quantified using enzyme-linked immunoassay. The amount of RNA in each sample (control, T2DM, and DN) was quantified, and its purity was checked using nanodrop. Real-time analysis of Adiponectin, IGF1, IGF2, and GAPDH genes was conducted using the SYBR Green polymerase chain reaction Master Mix assay. Results: Circulating levels of IGF1 level were significantly lower in both T2DM and DN, whereas it was slightly higher in T2DM than the DN. IGF2 circulating level was higher in both T2DM and DN as compared to control, whereas it was lower in T2DM when compared to DN. The gene expression level of adiponectin was reduced in both T2DM and DN when compared to the control group; however, it was higher in T2DM than in DN. The gene expression level of IGF1 was decreased in both T2DM and DN compared to the control group, with a more significant decrease in DN compared to T2DM. Conclusion: The measurement of circulatory levels of adiponectin, IGF1, and IGF2 in serum, along with gene expression analysis, provides valuable insights for predicting the progression from T2DM to DN. Consequently, these markers hold the potential to enhance early diagnosis, guide treatment strategies, and serve as innovative prognostic indicators for DN diagnosis.

Expression of CREBBP and EP300 Associated With Tumor Volume in Patients With Grade-3 Glioma: A Retrospective Analysis.

Reliable predictive data are crucial for making accurate treatment decisions in glioma patients, but it can be challenging to obtain due to limited information in many cases. Numerous research studies have indicated the involvement of cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)-response element binding protein (CREBBP) and E1A binding protein p300 (EP300) in tumorigenesis and tumor progression across various types. The messenger RNA (mRNA) expression levels of CREBBP and EP300 were retrospectively analyzed in 17 grade-3 glioma patients. The SYBR Green real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) technique was employed for mRNA expression analysis, with the glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase gene (GAPDH) used as a reference gene for data normalization. In addition, the relationship between CREBBP, EP300 expression and patients' clinical information, imaging features, histologic features, immune factors, and overall survival was assessed through univariate analyses. The analysis of the data unveiled a statistically significant upregulation of CREBBP and EP300 mRNA expression levels in large gliomas as compared with their smaller counterparts (P < .05). Histological examination using hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining exhibited marked cellular heterogeneity, with heightened cell density observed specifically within tumors displaying elevated CREBBP expression levels. In contrast, there was a substantial downregulation of complement 3 and complement 4 within larger tumor volumes when compared with smaller ones (P < .05). However, these findings do not serve as clinically relevant prognostic indicators for glioma. It is suggested that higher expression levels of CREBBP and EP300 are positively associated with increased tumor volume. Inhibition of CREBBP and EP300 enhances local immunogenicity, leading to the recruitment of immune cells and release of cytokines for effective tumor eradication, ultimately resulting in the inhibition of tumor growth.

Fluorescent Techniques for RNA Detection in Nanoparticles.

The utilization of drug delivery systems, such as lipid nanoparticles and polyplexes/micelleplexes, has shown promise in intracellularly delivering nucleic acids for addressing various diseases. Accurate quantification of the nucleic acid cargo within nanoparticles is essential for the development of safe and effective nanomedicines. Currently, the RiboGreen and SYBR Gold methods are regarded as standard techniques for the precise quantification of RNA in lipid nanoparticles and polyplexes/micelleplexes, respectively. In this chapter, we present a comprehensive protocol for the precise evaluation of the encapsulation efficiency in such formulations using these methods. Additionally, we offer detailed instructions for nanoparticle preparation, characterization, and a comparative analysis of the sensitivity of both methods in quantifying unencapsulated siRNA.

Study the mRNA level of IL-27/IL-27R pathway molecules in kidney transplant rejection.

Renal transplantation stands as the sole remedy for individuals afflicted with end-stage renal diseases, and safeguarding them from transplant rejection represents a vital, life-preserving endeavor posttransplantation. In this context, the impact of cytokines, notably IL-27, assumes a critical role in managing immune responses aimed at countering rejection. Consequently, this investigation endeavors to explore the precise function of IL-27 and its associated cytokines in the context of kidney transplant rejection. The study involved the acquisition of blood samples from a cohort of participants, consisting of 61 individuals who had undergone kidney transplantation (comprising 32 nonrejected patients and 29 rejected patients), and 33 healthy controls. The expression levels of specific genes were examined using SYBR Green Real-time PCR. Additionally, the evaluation encompassed the estimation of the ROC curve, the assessment of the relationship between certain blood factors, and the construction of protein-protein interaction networks for the genes under investigation. Significant statistical differences in gene expression levels were observed between the rejected group and healthy controls, encompassing all the genes examined, except for TLR3 and TLR4 genes. Moreover, the analysis of the Area Under the Curve (AUC) revealed that IL-27, IL-27R, TNF-α, and TLR4 exhibited greater significance in discriminating between the two patient groups. These findings highlight the potential importance of IL-27, IL-27R, TNF-α, and TLR4 as key factors for distinguishing between individuals in the rejected group and those in the healthy control group. In the context of kidney rejections occurring within the specific timeframe of 2 weeks to 2 months post-transplantation, it is crucial to emphasize the significance of cytokines mRNA level, including IL-27, IL-27R, TNF-α, and TLR4, in elucidating and discerning the diverse immune system responses. The comprehensive examination of these cytokines' mRNA level assumes considerable importance in understanding the intricate mechanisms underlying kidney rejection processes during this critical period.

In silico prediction and in vitro assessment of novel heterocyclics with antimalarial activity

The development of new antimalarials is paramount to keep the goals on reduction of malaria cases in endemic regions. The search for quality hits has been challenging as many inhibitory molecules may not progress to the next development stage. The aim of this work was to screen an in-house library of heterocyclic compounds (HCUV) for antimalarial activity combining computational predictions and phenotypic techniques to find quality hits. The physicochemical determinants, pharmacokinetic properties (ADME), and drug-likeness of HCUV were evaluated in silico, and compounds were selected for structure-based virtual screening and in vitro analysis. Seven Plasmodium target proteins were selected from the DrugBank Database, and ligands and receptors were processed using UCSF Chimera and Open Babel before being subjected to docking using Autodock Vina and Autodock 4. Growth inhibition of P. falciparum (3D7) cultures was tested by SYBR Green assays, and toxicity was assessed using hemolytic activity tests and the Galleria mellonella in vivo model. From a total of 792 compounds, 341 with good ADME properties, drug-likeness, and no interference structures were subjected to in vitro analysis. Eight compounds showed IC50 ranging from 0.175 to 0.990 µM, and active compounds included pyridyl-diaminopyrimido-diazepines, pyridyl-N-acetyl- and pyridyl-N-phenyl-pyrazoline derivatives. The most potent compound (UV802, IC50 0.178 µM) showed no toxicophoric and was predicted to interact with P. falciparum 1-cysperoxidredoxin (PfPrx1). For the remaining 7 hits (IC50 < 1 μM), 3 showed in silico binding to PfPrx1, one was predicted to bind the haloacid dehalogenase-like hydrolase and plasmepsin II, and one interacted with the plasmodial heat shock protein 90.

Insulin-like growth factor-1 expression levels in pro-inflammatory response in calves with neonatal systemic inflammatory response syndrome

The objective of this study was to investigate the mRNA expression of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18, and TNF-α), serum immunoglobulin profiles (IgG and IgM), and lipid peroxidation status (MDA) in relation to pro-inflammatory cytokines. A case-controlled, prospective, and observational investigation was completed on 85 calves. Total RNA was isolated from whole blood samples of both the SIRS and healthy calves, followed by reverse transcription into cDNA. The resulting cDNAs were mixed with iTaq Universal SYBR Green Supermix and primers specific to the relevant genes using the Rotor-Gene Q instrument. After the reaction was completed, gene expressions were normalised against β-actin using the 2-ΔΔCT method. The mRNA levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines namely (IL-1β [SIRS: 2.15 ± 0.55, Control: 1.13 ± 0.62; P = 0.001], IL-6 [SIRS: 2.82 ± 0.52, Control: 0.91 ± 0.11; P < 0.001], IL-18 [SIRS: 1.92 ± 0.41, Control: 0.99 ± 0.13; P < 0.001], and TNF-α [SIRS: 2.59 ± 0.28, Control: 0.93 ± 0.09; P < 0.001]) and IGF-1 (SIRS: 3.55 ± 0.55, Control: 0.91 ± 0.15; P < 0.001) were up-regulated in calves with SIRS, while serum IgG (SIRS: 4.16 ± 0.26, Control: 1.73 ± 0.17; P < 0.001), IgM (SIRS: 1.55 ± 0.11, Control: 1.09 ± 0.13; P < 0.001), and MDA levels (SIRS: 41.12 ± 3.48, Control: 3.76 ± 0.81; P < 0.001) increased significantly in these calves. Furthermore, significant (P < 0.01) positive correlations were found in calves with SIRS in relation to the expression levels of IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18, TNF-α, IGF-1, serum immunoglobulins, and MDA levels. These results suggest that IGF-1 could be a valuable pro-inflammatory marker, considering its high positive correlation with the expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1β, IL-6, IL-18, and TNF-α) and markers (MDA, IgG, and IgM) in calves with SIRS.

Potential effects of parietin on apoptosis and cell cycle related genes in SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells

Background: Ingredients obtained from natural products have been used in cancer treatments for years. High diversity and non-toxicity compared to chemotherapeutic agents are the main reasons for their preference. Lichens having potential for treatment of cancer consist of fungus and 1-2 species of algae. Under the name of lichen substances, many of them have also been synthesized as specific substances. The secondary metabolites in lichens are generally insoluble in water, and have many biological activities such as antiviral, antitumor, antibacterial, and antioxidant; they store in the fungal cell or on the surface of the hyphae and can only be extracted with organic solvents.&#x0D; Parietin extracted from lichen species such as xanthoria parietina is an anthraquinone pigment and a secondary metabolite. &#x0D; In our study, the effects of parietin on cytotoxicity, gene expression, migration, invasion, and colony formation in neuroblastoma cells treated with parietin were investigated. The SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma (NB), which is not treated with parietin, was administered as a control group.&#x0D; Methods: The IC50 value of the parietin was determined using XTT assay. The total RNA extractions were performed from the cells using the Tri-Reagent kit. The expressions of BCL-XL, BCL-2, MMP2, MMP9, P21, CYCLIN D1, CASAPASE-3, CASAPASE-9, BAX, P53, PUMA, and NOXA genes were investigated by Lightcycler 480 (Roche) using SYBR Green dye. Migration analysis of the control and the dose group cells were performed in accordance with the Wound-healing assay protocol. Invasion activities were determined using the “Invasion Chamber” (BD Biosciences) protocol. The colony assay was treated with crystal violet and the cells were observed under the light microscope.&#x0D; Results: The IC50 value of the parietin used for 48-hour treatment on the cells was determined as 35 µM. It was found that the expression levels of BCL-XL, BCL-2, MMP2, MMP9, P21, and CYCLIN D1 mRNA were downregulated, and it was also shown the expression levels of CASAPASE-3, CASAPASE-9, BAX, P53, PUMA, and NOXA to be upregulated. It was determined that parietin suppressed both cell invasion and migration, and colony formation in the neuroblastoma cells. &#x0D; Conclusions: Thus, it can be possible parietin to be used as an alternative, complementary, and supportive agent together with the other drugs in the treatment of neuroblastoma. However, more comprehensive studies supporting these significant effects of parietin will increase its potential in the application.