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A simple, affordable and green method for synthesis gold (Au) and sliver (Ag) nanoparticles (NPs) has been adopted using Thyme plant (Thymus kotschyanus) extract. The plant extract, being rich in polyphenolic compounds, act as natural green reducing agent to generate noble metal NPs in situ from their corresponding ions. The structural and physical characteristics of the synthesized nanoparticles were ascertained over Ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy (UV–Vis), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis. Both of the NPs displayed Surface Resonance Plasmon (SPR) excitation. The Synthesized Ag/Thyme NPs and Au/Thyme NPs catalytically explored in the reduction of 4-nitrophenol in presence of sodium borohydride as hydrogen donor. While used in different concentrations (100 µg/mL, 200 µg/mL and 300 µg/mL) as catalyst, it was seen that the activity gradually increased with higher catalyst load. The kinetic study of the reactions was also performed using the UV–Vis analysis data. All the reactions were of pseudo first order kinetics. The catalysts were isolated by centrifuge and recycled 6 successive times without any significant loss of its catalytic activity. As a result, at the same conditions, the reaction in the presence of Au NPs is faster than the reaction in the presence of Ag NPs. In summary, the noble gold and silver nanoparticles were synthesized over Thyme plant extract in a bio-inspired pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This study aimed to evaluate the supplementation (of drinking water) effects of L-Carnitine (LC) and/or calf thymus extract (TE) on immunity, antioxidant, duodenal histomorphometric, growth, and economic performance of Japanese quail. Six hundred, one day old unsexed quail were divided into four groups, the control group (G1) received plain drinking water, while G2, G3, and G4 were supplemented with LC and/or TE, respectively. The treated groups recorded a significant (p < 0.05) improvement in the final body weight, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, phagocytic activity %, phagocytic index, lymphocytes %, and plasma glutathione level compared to the G1. On the other hand, these supplementations significantly lower the mortality rate %, heterophil %, H/L ratio and plasma malondialdehyde level of the supplemented groups relative to G1. The supplemented groups recorded a non-significant increase in duodenal histomorphometric parameters (villous height, villous width, surface area, and crypt depth) relative to G1. Generally, LC and/or TE improve the values of economic profile (total returns, net profit, total return/total costs %, etc.) in treated groups compared to the control one. In conclusion, L-carnitine supplementation was more effective than TE or their combination with TE in the immunological, anti-oxidative, growth, and economic performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate the supplementation (of drinking water) effects of L-Carnitine (LC) and/or calf thymus extract (TE) on immunity, antioxidant, duodenal histomorphometric, growth, and economic performance of Japanese quail. Six hundred, one day old unsexed quail were divided into four groups, the control group (G1) received plain drinking water, while G2, G3, and G4 were supplemented with LC and/or TE, respectively. The treated groups recorded a significant (p < 0.05) improvement in the final body weight, weight gain, feed conversion ratio, phagocytic activity %, phagocytic index, lymphocytes %, and plasma glutathione level compared to the G1. On the other hand, these supplementations significantly lower the mortality rate %, heterophil %, H/L ratio and plasma malondialdehyde level of the supplemented groups relative to G1. The supplemented groups recorded a non-significant increase in duodenal histomorphometric parameters (villous height, villous width, surface area, and crypt depth) relative to G1. Generally, LC and/or TE improve the values of economic profile (total returns, net profit, total return/total costs %, etc.) in treated groups compared to the control one. In conclusion, L-carnitine supplementation was more effective than TE or their combination with TE in the immunological, anti-oxidative, growth, and economic performance.

BACKGROUND: Recently, the researches about herbal medicines as substitutes for chemical drugs have risen in number. OBJECTIVES: To add more aspects to this research area, this study evaluated the changes in biochemical factors of the blood serum due to the consumption of Thymus daenensis extract and the effect of the period of its consumption into the diet of herd dogs. METHODS: Eight adult male dogs were chosen and fed with a fixed diet for 1 month. Then they were randomly assigned to two groups of four. The members of first (control) group were fed only with the fixed diet and the second group received 200mg/ml, administered as 1ml/kg of Thymus daenensis extract into their fixed diet. Finally, the dogs were bloodlet at 3 different times, namely before intervention, 7 and 14 days after the intervention to measure the factors of glucose, cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL and HDL, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferases. RESULTS: Comparing to the control group and the starting point of this experiment, levels of FBS, LDL, TGL, CHOL, AST factors significantly decreased 14 days after intervention, but the HDL factor increased after 7 and 14 days of intervention (P<0.05). The level of ALT factor did not change during period of the study (P> 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Consequently, oral consumption of Thymus daenensis extract led to decrease in the amounts of glucose and lipids of blood and this herb can be recommended for treating diabetics and persons suffering from high cholesterol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A greenhouse experiment was conducted to study the effects of irrigation interval (4, 8, 12 and 16 days) and harvest (2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 months after transplanting) on biomass, essential oil (EO) content and composition of Thymus vulgaris. As irrigation interval increased, herb fresh and EO yield decreased, but EO content increased, suggesting water stress stimulates EO content. While fresh weight peaked at 4 months, EO content and yield peaked at 6 months; then they declined and reached the bottom at 12 months. Thymol, p-cymene and γ-terpinene were the major compounds in T. vulgaris. The highest γ-terpinene and p-cymene were obtained when harvested at 12 months. The highest thymol was obtained when harvested at 2 months and irrigated every 4 days. This study showed biomass, EO content, yield and the accumulation of EO constituents of T. vulgaris are influenced by irrigation interval and harvest in different ways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During two seasons of observations, 244 specimens of hoverflies belonging to 16 species and four trophic groups were collected from herb flowers. Predatory species constituted about 50% of all the registered species and from 55% (2010) to 64% (2011) of all the specimens found. The most numerous flower-visiting species within this group were small, poor flyers, typical of communities with low plants-Sphaerophoria scripta (Linnaeus 1758) (19.6% in 2010 and 23.5% in 2011) and Eupeodes corollae (Fabricius 1794) (13.4% and 12.1%, respectively). Both species were classified to the eudominant group. Syrphus vitripennis (Meigen 1822) and Melanostoma mellinum (Linnaeus 1758) were classed as dominants. Non-predatory saprophagous species from the subfamily Eristalinae constituted about 25% of all collected species; the phytophagous group was scarce represented by Eumerus funeralis (Meigen 1822), E. strigatus (Fallen 1817) and Merodon rufus (Meigen 1838). Of the coprophagous species, only Syritta pipiens (Linnaeus 1758) was collected (6.8-8.0%). There were clear differences between flowers in terms of feeding visits by adult hoverflies. Matricaria chamomilla L. and Thymus vulgaris L. were the most attractive flowers, whereas Origanum vulgare L., Carum carvi L., Lavandula angustifolia L. and Hyssopus officinalis L. were of an intermediate visit status and Ocimum basilicum L. was relatively under-visited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thymus herba-barona, Thymus pseudolanuginosus, and Thymus caespititius decoctions were screened for their phenolic constituents, along with their potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial activities. The total phenolic compounds in the extracts of the three plants ranged from 236.0 ± 26.6 mgGAE/g (T. caespititus) to 293.0 ± 30.5 mgGAE/g of extract (T. pseudolanuginosus), being particularly rich in caffeic acid derivatives, namely rosmarinic acid and its structural isomers, as well as flavones, such as luteolin-O-glucuronide. The T. pseudolanuginosus extract presented the best DPPH radical scavenging ability (EC50 = 10.9 ± 0.7 μg/mL), a high reducing power (EC50 = 32.2 ± 8.2 μg/mL), and effectively inhibited the oxidation of β-carotene (EC50 = 2.4 ± 0.2 μg/mL). The extracts also showed NO• scavenging activity close to that of ascorbic acid, and thus might be useful as anti-inflammatory agents. In addition, they exhibited antibacterial activity against gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. Staphylococcus aureus strains were the most sensitive bacteria to thyme extracts, with minimum inhibitory concentration and minimum bactericidal concentration values in the range of 0.6-3.5 mg/mL. Overall, this work is an important contribution for the phytochemical characterization and the potential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial activities of these three Thymus species, which have been poorly explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The dot-blot bioautography was used to evaluate the antibacterial properties of Thymus vulgaris L. and Salvia officinalis L. essential oils (EOs) produced by three different manufacturers. The whole samples were applied at three concentrations on thin-layer chromatography (TLC) plates which were then subjected to bioautography against Bacillus subtilis. The samples of the highest activity were found. Then, they were separated using TLC and once again subjected to bioautography against B. subtilis. As was proved, only the essential oils of T. vulgaris L. possessed strong antibacterial properties for which mostly thymol and carvacrol were responsible. Their contents were calculated using TLC–UV densitometry. The highest contents were found in the essential oils of the highest antibacterial activity revealed in the dot-blot test. It means that a dot-blot test can be used for simple and fast evaluation of antibacterial properties of essential oils. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The RNA-binding proteins Zfp36l1 and Zfp36l2 act redundantly to enforce the β-selection checkpoint during thymopoiesis, yet their molecular targets remain largely unknown. In this study, we identify these targets on a genome-wide scale in primary mouse thymocytes and show that Zfp36l1/l2 regulate DNA damage response and cell cycle transcripts to ensure proper β-selection. Double-negative 3 thymocytes lacking Zfp36l1/l2 share a gene expression profile with postselected double-negative 3b cells despite the absence of intracellular TCRβ and reduced IL-7 signaling. Our findings show that in addition to controlling the timing of proliferation at β-selection, posttranscriptional control by Zfp36l1/l2 limits DNA damage responses, which are known to promote thymocyte differentiation. Zfp36l1/l2 therefore act as posttranscriptional safeguards against chromosomal instability and replication stress by integrating pre-TCR and IL-7 signaling with DNA damage and cell cycle control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nature is an attractive source of therapeutic compounds. In comparison to the artificial drugs, natural compounds cause less adverse side effects and are suitable for current molecularly oriented approaches to drug development and their mutual combining. Medicinal plants represent one of the most available remedy against various diseases. Proper examples are Salvia officinalis L. and Thymus vulgaris L. which are known aromatic medicinal plants. They are very popular and frequently used in many countries. The molecular mechanism of their biological activity has not yet been fully understood. The aim of this study was to ascertain if liver cells of experimental animals drinking extracts of sage or thyme will manifest increased resistance against oxidative stress. Adult Sprague- Dawley rats were divided into seven groups. They drank sage or thyme extracts for 2 weeks. At the end of the drinking period, blood samples were collected for determination of liver biochemical parameters and hepatocytes were isolated to analyze (i) oxidatively generated DNA damage (conventional and modified comet assay), (ii) activities of antioxidant enzymes [superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GPx)] and (iii) content of glutathione. Intake of sage and thyme had no effect either on the basal level of DNA damage or on the activity of SOD in rat hepatocytes and did not change the biochemical parameters of blood plasma. Simultaneously, the activity of GPx was significantly increased and the level of DNA damage induced by oxidants was decreased. Moreover, sage extract was able to start up the antioxidant protection expressed by increased content of glutathione. Our results indicate that the consumption of S.officinalis and T.vulgaris extracts positively affects resistency of rat liver cells against oxidative stress and may have hepatoprotective potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To determine the role of regulatory T lymphocytes (Tregs) in the pathogenesis of human chronic graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) and its clinical resolution, we evaluated long-term recipients of pediatric allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Seventy-one recipients were evaluated, 30 of whom had a history of chronic GVHD, including 16 with active chronic GVHD and 14 with resolved chronic GVHD. There were no significant clinical differences and no differences in the frequency of Tregs (CD4 + , CD127 − , CD25 + ) between the recipients with active chronic GVHD and those with resolved chronic GVHD. Using the Miyara/Sakaguchi classification scheme to identify functional Tregs, a decreased frequency of functional resting Tregs (rTregs) was identified in recipients with active chronic GVHD ( P = .009 compared with normal donors; P = .001 compared with HSCT recipients without history of chronic GVHD; P = .005 compared with recipients with resolved chronic GVHD). The frequency and number of recent thymic emigrants in rTregs were normal in recipients with resolved chronic GVHD, but persistently decreased in recipients with active chronic GVHD. These results support the hypothesis that the reestablishment of normal numbers of functional rTregs is required for the clinical resolution of chronic GVHD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT The present study was conducted to evaluate the phenolic contents, antioxidant and antimicrobial activities of methanol extract (ME), ethanol extract, water extract (WE) and essential oil of Thymus cappadocicus Boiss. The essential oil composition of a hydrodistilled essential oil of T. cappadocicus was analyzed by a gas chromatography/mass spectrometry system. Thymol (70.82%), p-cymene (9.52%), γ-terpinene (9.27%) and carvacrol (4.65%) were found to be the main constituents. Several potential antioxidant activities, including phosphomolybdenum, 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging and β-carotene bleaching activity, were evaluated. ME was found to be the most active free radical scavenger. In the β-carotene-linoleic acid system, the extracts and essential oil exhibited strong inhibition against linoleic acid oxidation. The essential oil and extracts were also screened for their antimicrobial activity against 15 microorganisms. The results showed that the essential oil of T. cappadocicus had great antimicrobial activity potential against microorganisms tested. In contrast, the WE showed no antimicrobial activity. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS Thymus species are widely consumed as a spice and tea in Turkish traditional medicine. Recently, there has been considerable interest in the extracts and essential oils of aromatic plants with antimicrobial activities for controlling pathogens and/or toxin producing microorganisms in foods. Antioxidants are compounds that, when added to food products, act as radical scavengers, prevent the radical chain reactions of oxidation, delay or inhibit the oxidation process and increase shelf life by retarding the process of lipid peroxidation. In addition, oxidized polyunsaturated fatty acids may induce the progression of a great number of pathological disturbances. Owing to the strong antimicrobial and excellent protective features that they exhibited in antioxidant activity tests, the extracts and essential oil of T. cappadocicus may be considered as a natural source suitable for use in the food and pharmaceutical industries, in addition to its use in alternative medicine and as a natural therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The essential oils of the aerial parts of Thymus kotschyanus Boiss. obtained by hydrodistillation (HD) and microwave oven distillation (MD) were analyzed by GC and GC-MS. 39 components were identified in the essential oil of this plant (95.0% in HD and 94.8% in MD). The components of the essential oil extracted by MD were similar to those obtained by HD. T. kotschyanus essential oil was characterized by a high amount of carvacrol (64.6% in HD and 44.7% in MD). Other major compounds were identified as p-cymene, γ-terpinene and L-Borneol. Thymoquinone was absent in HD method. Although the time of MD was 12 times less than HD, but the percentage of essential oil was only 15% less (1.2% in MD and 1.4% in HD). Moreover, the amount of carvacrol as the main component of the plant essential oil, in MD was 20% less than HD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Homoisoflavonoids (3-benzylidenechroman-4-ones) are related to flavonoids and occur as natural products and exhibit biological activity. These compounds have been reported to possess antioxidant, antifungal, hypocholesterolemic, antimutagenic and antiviral activities. This study was designed to examine the interactions of four synthetic homoisoflavonoids (BMC, BPC, HBC and HBMC) with calf-thymus DNA in aqueous solution at physiological conditions, using constant DNA concentration (6.25mM) and various homoisoflavonoids/polynucleotide (phosphate) ratios of 1/120, 1/80, 1/40, 1/20, 1/10 and 1/5. Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) and UV–Visible spectroscopic methods were used to determine the ligand binding modes, the binding constants and the stability of homoisoflavonoids–DNA complexes in aqueous solution. Spectroscopic evidence showed major binding of homoisoflavonoids to DNA with overall binding constants of K BMC–DNA =9.37(±0.34)×103 M−1, K BPC–DNA =1.8(±0.09)×104 M−1, K HBC–DNA =1.3(±0.19)×103 M−1 and K HBMC–DNA =4.7(±0.41)×103 M−1. The affinity of homoisoflavonoids–DNA binding is in the order of BPC>BMC>HBMC>HBC. No biopolymer secondary structural changes were observed upon homoisoflavonoids interaction and DNA remains in the B-family structure in these complexes. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Because of greater consumer awareness and concern regarding synthetic chemical additives, foods preserved with natural additives have become popular. Medicinal plants have been used by human being since ages in traditional medicine due to their therapeutic potential and the search on medicinal plants have led the discovery of novel drug candidates used against diverse diseases. Therefore Thymus vulgaris essential oil was applied in 'Bidaneh Qermez' grape cultivar at six concentrations (0, 100, 200, 300, 400 and 500 μl/l) in water. Quality characteristics (pH, decay, vitamin C, reducing sugars, weight loss, berry abscission, dehydration of rachis, berry cracking and sensory analyses) were evaluated. The results showed that treated fruits with essential oil had lower decay percentage, dehydration of rachis, berry abscission, berry cracking and higher pH, reducing sugars and storage quality compared to control. As a general result, essential oil treatment caused lower decay incident and longer storability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diosmetin (DGVL) extracted from the traditional Chinese herb L. has been found to have anticancer activity. In this study, the effects of DGVL on the thymus of U14-bearing mice were investigated. Using flow cytometry, peripheral blood lymphocytes were characterized based on the expression of surface markers for T helper cells (CD4+) and T suppressor cells (CD8+). Serum levels of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-10, and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-β1) and a cell proliferation assay were determined with an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The expression of Fas and Fas ligand (FasL) on the thymus was determined by Western blotting. Our results showed that DGVL inhibited tumor growth and significantly increased the thymus weight compared with the control. Also, DGVL elevated serum levels of IL-2 and significantly reduced levels of TNF-α, TGF-β1, and IL-10 in a dose-dependent manner. Histological study and terminal dUTP nick end labeling staining results showed that DGVL protected thymus tissue against the onslaught of tumor growth by inhibiting thymus lymphocyte apoptosis. The cell proliferation assay revealed that DGVL might promote more thymus lymphocytes towards proliferation. Furthermore, the ratio of CD4+/CD8+ T lymphocytes was significantly increased from 0.69 to 2.29 by treatment with DGVL. Immunoblotting analyses revealed that the expression of Fas and FasL on the thymus was lower in mice in the DGVL treatment group than in the control mice. In conclusion, DGVL can inhibit tumor growth and protect tumor-induced apoptosis of the thymus, and the mechanism is closely associated with reduced cell death in the thymus and a Fas-FasL-dependent pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The volatile metabolites of Greek wild growing Thymus leucospermus and Thymus teucrioides subsp. candilicus were determined by gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The monoterpene hydrocarbon p-cymene (64.2%) dominated T. leucospermus oil, followed by γ-terpinene (7.9%), thymol (4.8%), and borneol (4.7%), whereas the most abundant constituents in T. teucrioides subsp. candilicus oil were p-cymene (25.5%), γ-terpinene (19.0%), thymol (18.8%), borneol (5.7%), and α-pinene (5.7%). The larvicidal and repellent activities of the analyzed essential oils were tested on Culex pipiens larvae and adults, respectively. Additionally, the main metabolite of the essential oils, p-cymene was tested against C. pipiens adults in order to define the affiliation between p-cymene and the repellent properties of the oil. The essential oils of T. leucospermus and T. teucrioides subsp. candilicus provided repellency 78.1% and 72.9%, respectively, statistically equal to the reference product icaridin. The compound p-cymene showed almost no repellent activity. The essential oil of T. leucospermus presented lower larvicidal activity (LC = 34.26 mgl) against C. pipiens third-fourth instar larvae while T. teucrioides subsp. candilicus was the most active with an estimated LC value of 23.17 mgl. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The interaction of native calf thymus DNA with 2-tert-butylhydroquinone (TBHQ) in 10mM Tris–HCl aqueous solutions at neutral pH 7.4, has been investigated by spectrophotometric, spectrofluorometric, voltammetric and viscosimetric techniques. It is found that TBHQ molecules could intercalate between base pairs of DNA as are evidenced by: hyperchromism in UV absorption band of DNA, sharp increase in specific viscosity of DNA and decrease in the fluorescence of TBHQ solutions in the presence of increasing amounts of DNA. Also peak current decrease, positive shift in the cyclic voltammetry (CV) and differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) are other evidences to indicate that, TBHQ is able to be intercalated in the DNA base pairs. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The environmental genotoxic behavior of silver nanoparticles (nanoAg) combined with the detergent cetylpyridine bromide (CPB) was examined in vitro. The experimental results showed that the genotoxicity of nanoAg itself is weak, but nanoAg shows obvious genotoxicity after combined with CPB. The combined materials have a strong coeffect on calf thymus DNA (ctDNA) at a concentration of 3.3×10−6 gmL−1 nanoAg and 6.0×10−6 molL−1 CPB. After the addition of ctDNA to the nanoAg–CPB system, the particles are scattered and the diameter decreases, which indirectly reveal that nanoAg–CPB has genotoxicity. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: N,N′,N′′-tris(3-pyridinyl)-1,3,5-benzenetricarboxamide monohydrate 3-TPB·H2O and an unprecedented cyclic dimeric oligoamide zinc complex [Zn2(3-TPB)2Cl4]·2H2O (1) have been synthesized and their crystal structure were reported. Different from anhydrous 3-TPB, which is s-conformation, 3-TPB·H2O adopts aas-conformation. All amide hydrogen form H-bonds. Zn ion in dimeric [Zn2(3-TPB)2Cl4]·2H2O located in a tetrahedron coordination environment. Two 3-TPB ligands and two Zn(II) ions link alternatively to form a 28-membered ring. The Zn⋯Zn distance in the ring is 11.162(5)Å. One pyridine nitrogen atom is free. The nano-size macrocyclic framework of 1 is stable up to 390°C. 3-TPB·H2O and complex 1 have similar fluorescence emission ∼450nm. Fluorescence titration shows that calf thymus DNA can quench the fluorescence 3-TPB in aqueous solution. However, calf thymus DNA has no interaction with complex 1. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In the context of the cross-talk between the neuroendocrine and immune systems, it is well known that growth hormone (GH) exerts physiological effects in central as well as peripheral compartments of the immune system. GH modulates a variety of thymic functions. For example, GH upregulates proliferation of thymocytes and thymic epithelial cells. Accordingly, GH-transgenic mice, as well as animals and humans treated with exogenous GH, exhibit an enhanced cellularity in the thymus organ. GH also stimulates the secretion of thymic hormones, cytokines, and chemokines by the thymic microenvironment as well as the production of extracellular matrix proteins. These effects lead to an increase in thymocyte migratory responses and intrathymic traffic of developing T cells, including the export of thymocytes from the thymus organ, as ascertained by experimental studies with intrathymic injection of GH in normal mice and with GH-transgenic animals. Because GH promotes a replenishment of the thymus and an increase of thymocyte export, it has been applied as a potential adjuvant therapeutic agent in the treatment of immunodeficiencies associated with thymic atrophy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present paper represents the continuation of our research of free (essential oil) and glycosidically bound volatile compounds from Croatian wild-growing aromatic plants. The essential oil and glycosidically bound volatile compounds were isolated from the fresh and dried plant material of Thymus pulegioides L. at three stages of plant development and analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The most abundant constituents in essential oils were geraniol and linalool followed by thymol, γ-terpinene, thymol methyl ether, borneol and geranyl acetate, all of which showed quantitative variations during the plant development stages and whether fresh or dried plants were used for essential oil isolation. After enzymatic hydrolysis of glycosidic fractions, the GC-MS analysis of volatile aglycones revealed eugenol, geraniol and 1-octen-3-ol as the main aglycones in all samples. Other important aglycones were thymoquinone, 2-phenylethanol, 3-hexenol, 3-octanol, benzyl alcohol and linalool. Quantitative variations were observed when the aglycones were analysed at three different stages of plant development. Because of the high geraniol content in the essential oils and in the aglycone fractions this Thymus pulegioides L. could be interesting as a fragrant material for perfume industry or for food flavouring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Our ability to survive infectious agents depends on making adequate immune responses, but as we get older our thymus atrophies. Production and export of T cells bearing new antigen receptor specificities to the peripheral T cell pool declines and results in shrinkage of the repertoire. Other changes in the peripheral T cell pool include an increase in cells moving closer to their replicative limit. Age related immune dysfunction, evident through the increased susceptibility to infection, follows these changes. Improvement in immune function in the elderly may require us to rejuvenate the immune system starting first with reversing the atrophy seen in the thymus. This has been achieved experimentally with interleukin 7, growth hormone, growth hormone secretagogues, keratinocyte growth factor or through chemical or surgical castration. The widespread use of one or more of these treatments will depend upon their effectiveness, their ease of delivery and the extent of any side effects. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Thymic expression of insulin has been suggested to play a major role in negative selection of autoreactive T cells and tolerance induction against pancreatic β cells. Furthermore, the expression of insulin in peripheral antigen-presenting cells (APC) has been clearly demonstrated but whether thymic negative selection and tolerance induction also depends on peripheral influx of self-antigens (Ag) remains to be conclusively demonstrated. In this study, we wanted to test whether peripheral influx of insulin expressing cells might contribute to negative selection. In order to address this question, we used mice deficient in the Ins1 and Ins2 genes. Embryonic thymi either deficient in both insulin genes or expressing Ins2 were dissected and transplanted under the kidney capsule of athymic nude mice recipients. After indicated time points, grafted thymi were removed and analysed for insulin re-expression and for the emergence of autoreactive T cells. The analysis revealed a re-expression of Ins2 in grafted insulin deficient thymi suggesting that self-Ag expression in the thymus is not only intrinsically regulated but peripheral influx of APC capable of expressing insulin might contribute to thymic selection and tolerance induction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The essential oil from fresh leaves of Thymus vulgaris L. from Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil, was isolated by hydrodistillation and analyzed through a combination of GC and GC/MS. Compounds representing 95.1 % of the oil were identified. Thirty-nine constituents were detected, of which twenty-eight were identified according to their chromatographic retention indices and mass spectra. The major constituents of the oil were thymol (44.7 %), p-cymene (18.6 %) and γ-terpinene (16.5 %). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The reciprocal influences of thymic lymphocyte and nonlymphocyte populations, i.e. thymic cross-talk, are necessary for the proper maturation of thymocytes and the development/maintenance of thymic stromal microenvironments. Although the molecular influences exerted by thymic stromal cells on maturing thymocytes have been extensively studied, the identity of signalling molecules used by thymocytes to influence the thymic stromal cells is still largely unknown. Our study provides the first ultrastructural evidence that the functional lymphotoxin-beta receptor (LTβR) signalling pathway is engaged in the cross-talk between thymocytes and the thymic stromal cell population. We show that LTβR signalling is of the utmost significance for the preservation of the subcellular integrity of all thymic epithelial cells. In the absence of LTβR there is (1) hypertrophy and activation of cortical thymic epithelial cells, (2) the complete loss of fully differentiated medullary thymic epithelial cells, and (3) the inhibited differentiation of remaining medullary thymic epithelial cells with the appearance of prominent intercellular cysts in the thymic medulla. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The thymus is essential for a functional immune system, because the thymic stroma uniquely supports T lymphocyte development. We have previously identified the epithelial progenitor population from which the thymus arises and demonstrated its ability to generate an organized functional thymus upon transplantation. These thymic epithelial progenitor cells (TEPC) are defined by surface determinants recognized by the mAbs MTS20 and MTS24, which were also recently shown to identify keratinocyte progenitor cells in the skin. However, the biochemical nature of the MTS20 and MTS24 determinants has remained unknown. Here we show, via expression profiling of fetal mouse TEPC and their differentiated progeny and subsequent analyses, that both MTS20 and MTS24 specifically bind an orphan protein of unknown function, Placenta-expressed transcript (Plet)-1. In the postgastrulation embryo, Plet-1 expression is highly restricted to the developing pharyngeal endoderm and mesonephros until day 11.5 of embryogenesis, consistent with the MTS20 and MTS24 staining pattern; both MTS20 and MTS24 specifically bind cell lines transfected with PIet-1; and antibodies to Plet-1 recapitulate MTS20/24 staining. In adult tissues, we demonstrate expression in a number of sites, including mammary and prostate epithelia and in the pancreas, where PIet-1 is specifically expressed by the major duct epithelium, providing a specific cell surface marker for this putative reservoir of pancreatic progenitor/stem cells. PIet-1 will thus provide an invaluable tool for genetic analysis of the lineage relationships and molecular mechanisms operating in the development, homeostasis, and injury in several organ/tissue systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of four Thymus species (boissieri, Iongicaulis, leucosperinus, and ocheus) extracts were determined. Two methods (Rancimat and malondialdehyde by high-performance liquid chromatography) were used to measure the antioxidant action in comparison with common commercial antioxidants, including butylated hydroxy-toluene and α-tocopherol. The extracts that presented high antioxidant activity were encapsulated in liposomes and their antioxidant action was again estimated. Thermal-oxidative decomposition of the samples (pure liposomes and encapsulating extracts) was studied using the differential scanning calorimetry method. The modification of the main transition temperature for the lipid mixture and the splitting of the calorimetric peak in the presence of the antioxidants were also demonstrated by differential scanning calorimetry. All extracts showed antioxidant and antimicrobial activities. Some extracts showed superior or equal antioxidant activity to α-tocopherol. When the extracts were encapsulated in liposomes, their antioxidant as well as antimicrobial activities proved to be superior from the same extracts in pure form. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Following the crude extraction of aerial parts of Thymus fallax with methanol, the soluble fraction was tested for antibacterial activity using the disk diffusion assay. Four antibiotics, ofloxacin, sulbactam, cafoperazona, and netilmicin, were used as controls. The extract was shown to have pronounced antibacterial effects against 27 of 52 bacteria species. The results showed that the methanol extract of Thymus fallax had great potential for antibacterial activity, in particular against Arthrobacter atrocyaneus , Bacillus sphaericus , Enterobacter hormaechei , Staphylococcus cohni cohni , Pseudomonas syringae , and Kocuria rosea , and the extract inhibited growth of these bacteria at concentrations of 31.25–500 µg/ml. Broad-spectrum antibacterial activity of the methanol extracts against known etiologic agents of diseases traditionally treated with Thymus fallax of similar preparations provides scientific justification for the use of the herb in ethnomedical practice in Turkey. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neonatal thymus graft and thymus calf extract (TME) in vivo treatment exert similar corrective actions on different mouse age-related alterations. The aim of the present paper is to investigate whether a vegetal extract, wheat sprout extract (WESPRE), could mimic the thymus action on recovering age-related alterations and if this extract can cure an age-associated pathology, the cataract in dogs. Present experiments were carried out by using WESPRE and TME in vivo in old mice to check their ability to recover the altered DNA synthesis in hepatocyte primary cultures. Old mice treated with WESPRE and TME showed a recovery of hepatocyte DNA synthesis levels when compared with the old untreated ones. The increase of DNA and protein contents observed in aged animals is reduced by WESPRE treatments to levels observed in young mice hepatocytes. We measured also WESPRE phosphorylation activity by endogenous kinase: it was from 10 to 40 times higher with respect to wheat seeds. Old dogs were orally treated for a month and the lens opacity analysed before and after the treatment. Results showed a reduction from 25 to 40% of lens opacity. The efficacy of wheat sprouts in the recovery of age-related alterations and in treating age-associated pathologies could be due to the contemporary presence of small regulatory acid peptides, a remarkable level of highly energetic phosphoric radicals and antioxidant molecules, peculiarities that may be, to some extent, related to the aging process regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of thyroid status on serum level and thymic content of thymulin, a thymic hormone, has been studied in young rats and mice treated by tri-iodothyronine (T3) or 6N-propyl-2-thiouracil (PTU). We showed that in vitro T3 administration induces in young animals an increase of their thymulin scrum levels and of the number of thymulin containing cells in their thymuses. Conversely, a treatment with PTU decreases the thymulin serum levels and the number of cells containing the hormone. These findings suggest that thyroid hormones stimulate the synthesis and secretion of thymulin and represent further evidence for the hormonal influence on the regulation of thymic endocrine secretion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To further characterize the immunological abnormalities in patients with chronic mucocutaneous candidiasis, the thymic hormone activity in their plasma was measured. Of the sixteen patients in the study, seven had chronic diffuse candidiasis, five had candidiasis with endocrinopathies and four had candidiasis with thymoma. Only one patient, an anergic child with chronic diffuse candidiasis had severe deficiency of plasma thymic hormone activity. Two patients, a woman with candidiasis and multiple endocrinopathies and an elderly man with metastatic epithelial thymoma had supranomal values. These studies indicate that the immunological deficit in most patients with these forms of chronic mucucutaneous candidiasis is not due to deficiency of a thymic inductive activity and suggest that an intrinsic defect exists in the maturation of antigen-responsive lymphoid cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immunological and pathological studies in a case of partial D1 George syndrome revealed an absence of parathyroids. a major hypoplasia of thymus hut a relatively moderate decrease in peripheral 1-lymphocyte numbers and functions. After in vitro incubation with normal thymus extracts, a normal proportion of bone marrow cells was induced to differentiate into cells with characteristics of T lymphocytes. thus establishing the presence of T-cell precursors in the patient's bone marrow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cell-free medium in which thymocytes have been cultured (filtrate) as well as sonic lysates of thymocytes (extract) enhance immunoglobulin production when added to spleen cells during tissue culture. In spite of the requirement for foetal calf serum in the culture medium, production of the enhancing factor in thymocyte culture filtrates occurred even in the presence of a variety of metabolic inhibitors including NaN3, puromycin and hydroxyurea. Although DNA synthesis is required as a prelude to the induction of immunoglobulin production, two lines of evidence indicate that the enhancement produced in response to filtrate and extract occurs via a non-mitogenic process. First, neither cell-free agent was mitogenic toward spleen cells. Secondly, the enhancement of immunoglobulin production due to filtrate or extract was observed even in the presence of inhibitors of DNA synthesis. Multiple functions for thymocytes in the induction of immunoglobulin production are indicated by the findings that thymocytes restore immunoglobulin production of anti-thymocyte serum-treated spleen cells, whereas filtrate and extract, alone or in combination, do not have this capability. Furthermore, filtrate and extract failed to enhance the induction of DNP-group-specific antibody production by cells incubated with DNP-protein, but filtrate and extract could partially restore anti-DNP antibody pro- diction of such anti-thymocyte serum-treated cells. The role of thymocytes, filtrate and extract in the antigen-independent and the antigen-dependent induction of immunoglobulin production is discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]