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The current state of evidence and recommendations for cannabidiol (CBD) and its health effects change the legal landscape and aim to destigmatize its phytotherapeutic research. Recently, some countries have included CBD as an antiepileptic product for compassionate use in children with refractory epilepsy. The growing demand for CBD has led to the need for high‐purity cannabinoids on the emerging market. The discovery and development of approaches toward CBD synthesis have arisen from the successful extraction of Cannabis plants for cannabinoid fermentation in brewer's yeast. To understand different contributions to the design and enhancement of the synthesis of CBD and its key intermediates, a detailed analysis of the history behind cannabinoid compounds and their optimization is provided herein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

β-glucans are complex polysaccharides that are found in several plants and foods, including mushrooms. β-glucans display an array of potentially therapeutic properties. β-glucans have metabolic and gastro-intestinal effects, modulating the gut microbiome, altering lipid and glucose metabolism, reducing cholesterol, leading to their investigation as potential therapies for metabolic syndrome, obesity and diet regulation, gastrointestinal conditions such as irritable bowel, and to reduce cardiovascular and diabetes risk. β-glucans also have immune-modulating effects, leading to their investigation as adjuvant agents for cancers (solid and haematological malignancies), for immune-mediated conditions (e.g., allergic rhinitis, respiratory infections), and to enhance wound healing. The therapeutic potential of β-glucans is evidenced by the fact that two glucan isolates were licensed as drugs in Japan as immune-adjuvant therapy for cancer in 1980. Significant challenges exist to further clinical testing and translation of β-glucans. The diverse range of conditions for which β-glucans are in clinical testing underlines the incomplete understanding of the diverse mechanisms of action of β-glucans, a key knowledge gap. Furthermore, important differences appear to exist in the effects of apparently similar β_-glucan preparations, which may be due to differences in sources and extraction procedures, another poorly understood issue. This review will describe the biology, potential mechanisms of action and key therapeutic targets being investigated in clinical trials of β-glucans and identify and discuss the key challenges to successful translation of this intriguing potential therapeutic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) exhibits remarkable metabolic flexibility that enables it to survive a plethora of host environments during its life cycle. With the advent of bedaquiline for treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis, oxidative phosphorylation has been validated as an important target and a vulnerable component of mycobacterial metabolism. Exploiting the dependence of Mtb on oxidative phosphorylation for energy production, several components of this pathway have been targeted for the development of new antimycobacterial agents. This includes targeting NADH dehydrogenase by phenothiazine derivatives, menaquinone biosynthesis by DG70 and other compounds, terminal oxidase by imidazopyridine amides and ATP synthase by diarylquinolines. Importantly, oxidative phosphorylation also plays a critical role in the survival of persisters. Thus, inhibitors of oxidative phosphorylation can synergize with frontline TB drugs to shorten the course of treatment. In this review, we discuss the oxidative phosphorylation pathway and development of its inhibitors in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Harvest of low value trees and logging residues for bioenergy reduces downed wood post-harvest with potential indirect negative effects on ground-dwelling wildlife such as rodents. We assessed the influence of woody biomass harvests on rodent abundances using an operational-scale, randomized complete block experimental design study in North Carolina (4 blocks) and Georgia, USA (4 blocks). Each block contained 6 treatments randomly applied to a clearcut harvest, that varied by volume of woody biomass retained, and that represented existing woody biomass harvest recommendations. We livetrapped rodents in 2011-2013, calculated the minimum number known alive for each captured species, and used the value as an index of abundance. We compared abundance of the 3 most commonly captured species (deer mice [ Peromyscus spp.], house mouse [ Mus musculus], and hispid cotton rat [ Sigmodon hispidus]) among treatments with generalized linear mixed effects models. We assessed relationships among species' abundance and measurements of downed woody debris and vegetation in each treatment unit using linear regression. Although abundance varied among treatments in some cases, we did not detect consistent relationships between woody biomass retention treatments and abundance. Volume of downed woody debris in the treatment unit negatively influenced house mice but had varying influences on deer mice across years. Downed woody debris groundcover negatively affected deer mice in North Carolina in 2012. Litter groundcover negatively influenced deer mice and hispid cotton rats, whereas grass groundcover positively influenced the hispid cotton rat. The lack of consistent relationships between rodent abundance and volume of retained woody debris suggests that the rodent species captured in this study were not affected by current efficiencies of operational woody biomass harvests in southeastern United States loblolly pine ( Pinus taeda) plantations. However, focal species were habitat generalists and less common species may have greater sensitivity to biomass harvests. © 2017 The Wildlife Society. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Over the past few decades, the usage of antibiotics is growing on a rapid phase. The continuous use in the treatment against several bacterial infections paves a way to increased resistant strains. Environmental pollution created by antibiotics is considered as a serious problem though no toxic reports were known until now. The pharmaceutical compounds present in the environment are known as "Emerging Pollutants." Among antibiotics, tetracycline (TET) class of drugs were known to exist for several years. Within 3-4 years of the discovery of the first class of TET, the resistant strains were also identified. TET usage is not only limited for human therapy but also greatly used in veterinary and agricultural purposes. These compounds have been detected in the environment, especially in aquatic farms, groundwater, surface water, etc., thus, it becomes vital to take some measures in removing these compounds from the ecosystem to some extent. Many degradation methodologies and mechanisms were applied to remove TET but were highly limited to synthetic effluents. Adsorption is a common practice at the industrial level, especially in effluent treatment processes. In this study, removal of TET through adsorption using various adsorbents was reviewed extensively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current state of evidence and recommendations for cannabidiol (CBD) and its health effects change the legal landscape and aim to destigmatize its phytotherapeutic research. Recently, some countries have included CBD as an antiepileptic product for compassionate use in children with refractory epilepsy. The growing demand for CBD has led to the need for high-purity cannabinoids on the emerging market. The discovery and development of approaches toward CBD synthesis have arisen from the successful extraction of Cannabis plants for cannabinoid fermentation in brewer's yeast. To understand different contributions to the design and enhancement of the synthesis of CBD and its key intermediates, a detailed analysis of the history behind cannabinoid compounds and their optimization is provided herein., (© 2020 Wiley-VCH GmbH.)

Molluscs are highly delicious seafood and they are also very good source for biomedically imported products. Gastropod crude extract was tested for inhibition of bacterial growth against human pathogenic bacteria. Pila virens was screened against five human pathogenic bacteria strains for antibacterial activities. Five species of pathogenic bacteria namely Klepsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi, Staphylococcus aureus , Enterococcus faecalis. Control discs were with water and solvents to assess the effect of water and solvents on pathogens. The plates were incubated at 37 °C for 24 h the antimicrobial activity was measured accordingly based on the inhibition zone around the disc impregnated with gastropod extract. Ethanol extract of Pila virens was found active against five species of pathogens. The inhibition zone ranged from 9 mm to 11 mm. The maximum inhibition zone was 11 mm against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis. The minimum zone was 9mm in Salmonella typhi and 10mm in Klepsiella pneumoniae. Water extract of Pila virens zone ranged from 9mm to 10mm. The maximum inhibition zone was 10mm in Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecalis and the minimum inhibition zone was 9mm in Klepsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Salmonella typhi. Commercial antibiotics are highly effective to kill the bacterial and fungal pathogens involved in common infection. Water, ethanol extracts of gastropods used in the present study showed significant antibacterial activity compare with other solvents extraction. FTIR analysis revealed the presence of bioactive compounds signals at different ranges. It is worthy to note that the product from natural source is good for health and to avoid side effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extraction and analysis methods have been developed for the detection of the following four antibacterial agents and two natural estrogens in treated municipal wastewater sludge and commercial compost: sulfamethoxazole (SMX), sulfadimethoxine (SDM), tetracycline (TET), oxytetracycline (OXY), estrone (E1), and 17 β-estradiol (E2). The antibiotics and estrogens were extracted from secondary sludge and mixed compost using ultrasonic solvent extraction. Citric acid (pH 4.7) and methanol were used as extraction buffer, followed by tandem-solid-phase extraction cleanup, strong anion exchange + hydrophilic-lipophilic balance for antibiotics and CarboPrep/NAX for estrogens. For quantification, two different methods were employed, using HPLC-MS/MS, with an electrospray ionization source for antibiotics and an atmospheric-pressure chemical ionization source for estrogens. Recoveries were 11-31% for the sulfonamides (SMX and SDM) and tetracyclines (TET and OXY) and 30-59% for the estrogens (E1 and E2) over the entire method. Limits of detection for the extraction method were in the nanogram per gram range for dry weight sludge and compost samples. Neither of the two sulfonamide antibiotics was detected in secondary sludge or mixed compost samples. Estrogens were found in compost in amounts of 160 ± 65 ng/g (E1) and 21 ± 3 ng/g (E2), but not in sludge. The tetracyclines, as well as what is believed to be the 4-epimer of OXY, were found in both sludge and compost in amounts of 1.57 ± 0.67 and 2.95 ± 0.42 μg/g (TET), 0.56 ± 0.12 and 6.51 ± 0.52 μg/g (OXY), and 7.60 ± 1.68 and 1.35 ± 0.24 μg/g (4-epi-OXY), respectively. These results indicate that sorption-prone compounds are not removed during the wastewater treatment process and can persist through sludge digestion and that the composting process does not sufficiently eliminate these particular contaminants. Thus, biosolids (even composted) are an additional source of drug residues leaching into the environment, and it must be considered while using biosolids as fertilizer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A number of polysaccharides with β -glycosidic linkage are widespread in nature in a variety of sources. All have a common structure and the (1→3)-β-D-glucan backbone is essential. They have attracted attention over the years because of their bioactive and medicinal properties. In many cases their functional role is a mystery, in others it is well established. Because of their insoluble chemical nature, particulate (1→3)-β-D-glucans are not suitable for many medical applications. Various methods of changing or modifying the β-D-glucan chemical structure and transforming it to a soluble form have been published. The β-D-glucan bioactive properties can be affected positively or negatively by such modifications. This review examines β-glucan sources in nature, health effects and structure-activity relationships. It presents the current state of β-D-glucan solubilization methods and discusses their effectiveness and application possibilities for the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thirty-six Holstein bull calves were fed experimental milk replacers (454 g/day–1) containing 20% crude protein and 20% fat. Milk replacers contained no additives, antibiotics (800 mg neomycin (as neomycin sulfate) and 400 mg oxytetracycline daily replacing dried whey, or 3.3% spray dried bovine plasma replacing whey protein concentrate. Calves were orally challenged with approximately 108 colony forming units (CFU) of enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli on day 3. No veterinary treatments or supportive therapy were provided during the study. Calf body weight (BW) was determined weekly and average daily BW gain was calculated. Clinical scores were determined daily for fecal consistency, attitude and hydration. All clinical scores responded to oral E. coli challenge. Provision of antibiotics and animal plasma had no effect on fecal consistency but improved attitude and hydration scores, body weight gain and tended to reduce overall mortality. Spray dried animal plasma appears to be a viable alternative to antibiotics in calf milk replacer applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Focuses on the sampling of 10 swine pigs in determining patterns of resistance of fecal Escherichia coli to antibiotics commonly used. Information on the use of antibiotics; Why bacterial resistance to antibiotics has caused concerned among health specialists and consumer groups; Selection of two commercial swine farms from various regions of Tennessee; Outline of the methodology of the study.

Peripheral administration of monosodium- L-glutamate (MSG) has been found to be neurotoxic in neonatal rats. When administered in an acute, subconvulsive dose (500 mg/kg i.p.), MSG altered neurotrnnsmitter content in discrete brain regions of adult (6 month old) and aged (24 month old) male Fischer-344 rats. Norepinephrine (NE) content was reduced in both the hypothalamus (16%) and cerebellum (11%) of adult rats, but was increased in both the hypothalamus (7%) and cerebellum (14%) of aged rats after MSG treatment. MSG also altered the dopamine content in adult rats in both the posterior cortex and the striatum, causing a reduction (23%) and an increase (12%), respectively. Glycine content in the midbrain of aged rats increased (21%) after MSG injection. Of particular interest is the widespread monoamine and amino acid deficits found in the aged rats in many of the brain regions examined. NE content was decreased (11%) in the cerebellum of aged rats. Dopamine content was reduced in both the posterior cortex (35%) and striatum (10%) of aged rats compared to adult animals. Cortical serotonergic deficits were present in aged rats with reductions in both the frontal (13%) and posterior cortex (21%). Aged rats also displayed deficits in amino acids, particularly the excitatory amino acids. There were glutamate deficits (9-18% reductions) in the cortical regions (posterior and frontal) as well as midbrain and brain stem. Aspartate, the other excitatory amino acid transmitter, was reduced 10% in the brainstem of aged rats. These data indicate that an acute, subconvulsive, dose of MSG may elicit neurochemical changes in both adult and aged male Fisher-344 rats, and that there are inherent age-related deficits in particular neurotransmitters in aged male Fisher-344 rats as indicated by the reductions in both monoamines and amino acids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The resistance rates of , spp., and spp. for four antibiotics were established yearly for a period of 7 years. Strains were grouped according to their origin. An attempt was made to correlate the resistance rates of hospital isolates with data on antibiotic consumption. A rising benzylpenicillin resistance rate of staphylococci did not correlate with penicillin consumption, but could be explained by an increase in the consumption of penicillin and ampicillin together. The kanamycin resistance rates of enterobacteria rose along with an increase in kanamycin usage. For spp. and , the reverse was found with regard to tetracycline. In spite of an increasing ampicillin consumption the ampicillin resistance rates of and spp. decreased. Some possible explanations for the results are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

The article discusses how the possible relationship of extended supplementation of animal diets with antimicrobial agents and health problems in animals and humans. It notes that animals used in antibiotic evaluation studies should contain baseline levels of resistant organisms below 20% to give meaningful results. It adds that animals from the AB and NAB herds have been used to determine the effects of subtherapeutic and therapeutic levels of various antibiotics.

A series of hydrazones and semicarbazones of glyoxylic acid were shown to have a potent inhibitory effect on the enzyme-catalysed conversion of D-Tyr-Val-Gly to D-Tyr-Val-NH2. Among the derivatives tested, the inhibitory activity was increased by the presence of hydrophobic substituents and decreased by polar substituents. The inhibition produced by glyoxylic acid phenylhydrazone was shown to be competitive. No inhibition was obtained with pyruvic acid phenylhydrazone, which possesses a methyl group in place of the α-H of glyoxylic acid phenylhydrazone. The inhibitory potencies of these non-peptide substances are in accord with the specificity exhibited by the amidating enzyme in its reaction with peptide substrates. The inhibition produced by the glyoxylic acid derivatives was shown to be due to their ability to act as substrates for the peptide-amidating enzyme. The product formed from [14C]glyoxylic acid phenylhydrazone was identified as oxalic acid phenylhydrazide by co-chromatography in three chromatographic systems. The results demonstrate that the enzyme-catalysed oxidation of glyoxylic acid phenylhydrazone takes place by a mechanism involving hydroxylation. It is implicit that peptide amidation catalysed by the same enzyme proceeds by a similar mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of the intraperitoneal administration of oxytetracycline and chlortetracycline on mice of strain CBA each inoculated by the same route with 6 million cells of Candida albicans were assessed primarily on the basis of histological examination. An injection of oxytetracycline given at a dosage of 2.5 mg two hours after fungal inoculation, and repeated 24 hours later, resulted in the appearance of enhanced forms of systemic infection as indicated by early mortality. Enhancement of infection was referred to two forms:-1. Degenerative enhancement determined the deaths of some animals following the appearance of cloudy swelling in the cellular elements of the heart and kidneys, and was not related to the degree of fungal colonisation, which was frequently meagre or occasionally absent. 2. Colonial enhancement was regarded as involving a rapid colonisation of the tissues of the heart and kidneys by a pseudomycelial growth form of the fungus. In this type of infection, histological evidence of an impairment of leucocytic function in the host was obtained. Inoculated mice, previously treated with oxytetracycline or chlortetracycline (both at dosages of 2.5 mg) and variously treated 2 to 72 hours later with these antibiotics, gave no evidence of enhancement of infection. Both antibiotics, however, contributed to an increase in regional infection within the peritoneal cavity. Multiple regional infection was increased by 60% by the use of oxytetracycline, and by 50% by the use of chlortetracycline. The percentage of systemic disease reactions rose in inoculated animals receiving oxytetracycline: it fell significantly where chlortetracycline had been employed, denoting the existence of protection from systemic infection. Both enhancement of and protection from infection were viewed as manifestations of the modification of a basic, systemic mechanism of host defence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]