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Currently, there is a great interest in the search for new natural bioactive compounds against bacterial biofilms, ubiquitous in natural, clinical and industrial environments, and responsible for the high resistance of bacteria to antimicrobial agents. Several species of Capsicum red peppers are used worldwide in a number of preparations to treat a variety of illnesses, including infections. The aim of this study was to investigate the antiadhesive and antibiofilm activity of Capsicum baccatum, after sequential extraction, against important bacteria. Antimicrobial and antibiofilm activities against Staphylococcus epidermidis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa were performed by the OD600 absorbance and crystal violet method, respectively, and using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The most active extract of C. baccatum was incorporated in Permanox™ slides by spin-coated technique in order to produce an anti-infective surface. In addition, an in vivo toxicological evaluation was performed using the alternative host model of Galleria mellonella larvae. The residual aqueous extract from C. baccatum seeds (RAqS) was the most active extract, able to inhibit up to 80% and 60% of the S. epidermidis and P. aeruginosa biofilm, respectively, without inhibiting the planktonic bacterial growth, neither promoting acute toxicity in G. mellonella. The surface coating with the RAqS modified the highly hydrophobic feature of Permanox™ slides and prevented the bacterial adhesion and biofilm development. SEM analysis showed the presence of only small clusters or individual cells without the presence of matrix on the RAqS treated samples, even when RAqS was in solution or as coating. The phytochemical evaluation of RAqS indicated the main presence of tannins and amino acids/proteins. The study presented herein demonstrated, for the first time, the ability of C. baccatum to prevent bacterial adhesion and biofilm formation of two significant pathogens. This property of C. baccatum evidences its potential as a promising source of natural compounds for the development of novel strategies, targeting anti-virulence factors, for combating antibiotic-resistant bacteria, and controlling clinical and industrial problems related to biofilms.

A series of hydrophilic alkanethiols, HS(CH2)(n)OH with n = 3, 4, 6, 8, 9 and 11, have been self-assembled on gold electrodes of pentacene-based thin-film transistors. The multiparametric and ultra-sensitive response of these devices allows us to characterize both charge-injection and electrical stability moving from vacuum to air. The decay exponent beta of charge injection is found to be 0.7-1.1 angstrom(-1) in agreement with earlier measurements of charge tunneling done by electrochemistry and large-area molecular junctions. We find that the intermediate chain lengths (n = 4 and 6) yield an optimum response as they represent the best compromise in terms of decrease of the contact-resistance and bias stress.

Capsicum baccatum is the most consumed red pepper species in Brazil. Our previous studies demonstrated the anti-inflammatory properties of its crude extract, whose activity is yet to be fully characterized. Herein, we examined the anti-inflammatory in vivo effects of enriched extracts obtained through bioguided fractionation as dichloromethane (DCM), butanol (BUT), and residual aqueous (RAq) extracts and its influence on inflammatory mediators produced by macrophages in vitro. We demonstrated that all C. baccatum extracts presented anti-inflammatory activity in vivo. In addition, we showed that BUT and RAq were more effective in inhibiting the neutrophil migration induced by carrageenan (Cg) to peritoneal cavity and both extracts inhibited paw edema induced by Cg, prostaglandin E2, and histamine in mice. Furthermore, the pretreatment with C. baccatum extracts significantly reduced the levels of myeloperoxidase (MPO) in the paw tissues of mice compared with the carrageenan group. Once again, RAq and BUT caused the greatest reduction in MPO levels. Moreover, it was demonstrated for the first time that C. baccatum inhibited the nitric oxide and tumor necrosis factor-alpha production by lipopolysaccharide/interferon gamma (IFN-γ)-stimulated macrophages. These anti-inflammatory effects seem to be at least, in part, independent of capsaicin. Hence, red pepper has bioactive compounds and might be used to develop food-derived extracts to treat related inflammatory diseases.

Our group showed that crude ethanol (CE) and butanol (BUT) extracts ofCapsicum baccatumpresented anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Furthermore, the flavonoid and total phenolic contents were positively correlated with both of these properties observed forC. baccatumextracts. The present study demonstrated that 60 days of oral administration of CE and BUT (200 mg/kg) in mice did not cause significant differences in the following parameters evaluated: hematological profile, body weight and relative weight of visceral organs, systemic lipid profile, glucose homeostasis (GTT), kidney and hepatic biochemical markers, and spontaneous locomotion and anxiety-like behavior. Altogether, these results indicate for the first time that the long-term oral administration ofC. baccatumextracts does not affect specific aspects of CF1 mice physiology, suggesting their safety, building up the venue to test their efficacy in animal models underlying persistent activation of oxidative and inflammatory pathways.

Background. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is a common reason for hepatological consultation and may herald severe hepatic and extra-hepatic disease. The aetiopathogenesis of this condition is an area of increasing interest. Aim. To evaluate anthropometric and biochemical factors associated to non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in a case-control study. Methods. Demographic and biochemical data of 60 consecutive patients with bright liver, absent-to-low alcohol consumption, no evidence of viral, genetic and autoimmune diseases, were compared to those of 60 age- and gender-matched historical controls without fatty liver by univariate and multiple logistic regression analysis. Results. Patients were more often hypertriglyceridaemic, obese and diabetic than controls (p

13049 Background: The irinotecan active metabolite, SN38, is inactivated through glucuronidation mainly by uridine diphosphate glucuronosyltransferase (UGT) 1A1. The (TA)7 allele of a polymorphism in UGT1A1 promoter has been associated with reduced SN38-glucuronidation rate and more severe toxicity. Since other UGT1A family isoforms, the extrahepatic UGT1A7 and the hepatic UGT1A9, are involved in SN38 glucuronidation, it has been suggested that also polymorphic variants of these genes may affect irinotecan toxicity. Methods: 84 patients with advanced colorectal cancer received an irinotecan-based (180 mg/m2 q.2wks) combination treatment. Polymorphisms of UGT1A1 [(TA)6>7], UGT1A7 [387T > G, 391–2CG > AA, 622T > C] and UGT1A9 [-118(T)9>10, -87G > A, 98T > C, I152G > A] were identified by sequencing on DNA from blood samples obtained under an IRB approved protocol. Toxicity has been graded according to NCI-CT criteria. Results: Patient median age was 64 y (range: 31–82); median PS was 0 (range: 0–2). Severe toxicity (diarrhea or/and neutropenia ≥G3) has been observed in 32 patients: diarrhea in 11, neutropenia in 25 (4 patients had both). The estimated allele frequencies were as follows: UGT1A1, (TA)7 (0.35); UGT1A7, 387T and the completely linked 391–2CG (0.39), 622C (0.39); UGT1A9, -118(T)10 (0.39), -87A (0.05), T98C (0.02), I152A (0.21). Severe toxicity was significantly associated only with: (a) the UGT1A1 (TA)7 allele [severe toxicity in 25% of (TA) 6/6, in 46% of (TA) 6/7, in 55% of (TA) 7/7 (Mantel-Haenszel trend test, P < 0.03)]; and (b) the low activity UGT1A7 622C allele [severe toxicity in 26% of 622 T/T, in 39% of 622 T/C, in 67% of 622 C/C (Mantel-Haenszel, P < 0.02)]. In addition, the analysis of the combined genotypes [(TA)6>7 and 622T > C] has shown severe toxicity in 21% of patients with none of (TA)7 and of 622C alleles, in 43% of patients in which the sum of the number of (TA)7 and of 622C alleles is 1 or 2, in 57% of patients in which this sum is ≥3 (the latter includes all patients with both toxicities) (Mantel-Haenszel, P < 0.02). Conclusions: These data show that both the low activity UGT1A1 (TA)7 and UGT1A7 622C alleles are significantly associated with irinotecan severe toxicity. It is to evaluate if their combined genotype may be a better predictor of toxicity. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

The aim of the study was to determine whether modulation of 5-fluorouracil (FU) by methotrexate (MTX) improves survival compared to FU+6-s-leucovorin (LV) following potentially curative resection of stage II and III colon cancer. Within 8 weeks from surgery, 1945 patients with stage III (44%) or high-risk stage II (55%) colon cancer were randomly assigned to receive either 6 monthly cycles of FU 370 mg m(-2) i.v. bolus preceded by LV 100 mg m(-2) i.v. bolus on days 1-5, or 6 monthly cycles of sequential MTX 200 mg m(-2) i.v. days 1 and 15 and FU 600 mg m(-2) i.v. on days 2 and 16 followed by LV rescue (15 mg given p.o. q 6 h x 6 doses). Levamisole 50 mg p.o. t.i.d. on days 1-3, every 14 days for 6 months, was planned to be given in both arms. After a median follow-up of 4.2 years, 568 patients have relapsed and 403 have died. Survival was similar with MTX --FU and FU+LV (77 vs 77% at 5 years; P = 0.90), as were 5-year disease-free survivals (67 vs 63%; P = 0.44). Efficacy results were similar for both stage III and II patients. There were two toxic deaths, two in the MTX --FU arm (0.2%) and zero in the control arm. We conclude that biochemical modulation of FU with LV or with MTX produces similar results in the adjuvant setting of colon cancer.

The amount of oxygen delivered to the oxygen-consuming mitochondria within a tissue is critically dependent on the oxygen tension gradient between the capillary lumen and the tissue. Leftward shift of oxygen binding curve decreases the magnitude of this gradient. In our patients total oxygen supply was not compromised sufficiently to enable us to demonstrate any actual disadvantage caused by the decreased p50act, however we found an unsafe drop in PvO2, below 32 mmHg, in 13 patients. p50act has a strong correlation with mixed venous pH and pCO2. The maintenance of a mild acidosis and hypercapnia could prevent unsafe drops in PvO2 values.

Ethnopharmacological relevance Peppers from Capsicum species (Solanaceae) are native to Central and South America, and are commonly used as food and also for a broad variety of medicinal applications. Aim of the study The red pepper Capsicum baccatum var. pendulum is widely consumed in Brazil, but there are few reports in the literature of studies on its chemical composition and biological properties. In this study the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities of Capsicum baccatum were evaluated and the total phenolic compounds and flavonoid contents were determined. Materials and methods The antioxidant property was assayed by scavenging abilities using DPPH and the anti-inflammatory activity was tested through the carrageenan-induced pleurisy model in mice. The total phenolic compounds and flavonoid contents were determined spectrophotometrically. Results The ethanolic and butanol extracts (200 mg/kg, p.o.) presented a significant anti-inflammatory activity toward carrageenan-induced pleurisy model in mice in comparison to dexamethasone (0.5 mg/kg, s.c.). Among the parameters evaluated, the treatment with these samples inhibited leukocyte migration and reduced the formation of exudate. The contents of flavonoids and total phenolic compounds could be correlated with the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities observed for Capsicum baccatum . Conclusions Our findings suggest that Capsicum baccatum contains potential antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds which could be tested as drug candidates against oxidative and inflammation-related pathological processes in medicinal chemistry studies.

A simple method of analysis of the 1,2 and 1,4 isomers of naphthoquinone in crude phthalic anhydride has been developed. The sample was first dissolved in water at 60°C to quantitatively hydrolyse the anhydride to phthalic acid. Analysis of the aqueous solution by reversed-phase HPLC using 75∶25 methanol:water mobile phase resulted in excellent resolution between the phthalic acid and the naphthoquinones and enabled quantitative measurement of each of the naphthoquinones to 0.1 % in crude phthalic anhydride.

There is a quest for electronic biosensors operated in water for biomedical applications and environmental monitoring. Water is an aggressive medium for standard electronics materials and devices due to its strong polarizability and electrochemical activity. Thick dielectric encapsulation provides necessary stability while it damps the sensitivity of the device to sensing events occurring in the aqueous environment. Organic electronics provides materials that exhibit stable electronic conduction in direct contact with water combined with other desirable properties like mechanical softness, biocompatibility and processability onto flexible substrates. In this review, we introduce an emerging class of organic transistors, in which the current across the organic film is gated by the electric field of the Debye-Helmholtz layer. We discuss the device physics, the sensing mechanism and the relevant electrochemical processes. Applications of water-gated transistors range from the sensing of biologically relevant molecules like DNA, proteins or hormones to non-invasive recording and stimulation of electrical activity of neurons. Materials chemistry is crucial to control properties of electrically active films and to allow the introduction of specific chemical functionalities and receptors at sensing interfaces of the device. © 2013 The Royal Society of Chemistry.

In the period 2005–2006 a survey on natural radioactivity in about 500 schools located in south-east Italy (the Salento peninsula, province of Lecce) was carried out. In particular average radon concentration and average absorbed dose rate in air due to gamma radiation have been assessed by using solid state nuclear track detectors (SSNTD) and electret ionization chambers (EIC), as well as thermoluminescence dosimeters (TLD), respectively. SSNTD dosimeters were placed in every school, while electrets and TLD have been employed in a pilot study performed in a selected sample of 56 schools in order to achieve preliminary information.Moreover the study foresaw a quality control on electret dosimeters' perfomances in terms of homogeneity and reliability. The results of this check have been taken into account in the data analysis. In this paper final results concerning the pilot study are reported.The indoor radon levels measured in the schools ranged from 65 Bq/m3 to 1808 Bq/m3, and only six schools (corresponding to 13% of the sample) showed radon annual average above 500 Bq/m3, Italian action level for workplaces. For the average absorbed dose rate in air due to gamma radiation, the recorded values ranged between 47 and 83 nGy/h with an average value of 61 nGy/h. Keywords: Radon, Electrets, School