Dereplication of Bioactive Agave Saponin Fractions: The Hidden Saponins.

The good phytotoxicity and selectivity against weeds versus tomato or cress make saponin-rich fractions from Agave macroacantha, A. colorata, A. parryi, and A. parrasana attractive candidates as bioherbicides. The saponin contents have only previously been reported for A. macroacantha, and as a consequence, simultaneous dereplication has been performed on saponin-rich fractions from the other plants by mass spectrometry (MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. This strategy enables the identification of a total of 26 saponins, 14 of which have been described previously and 12 of which are proposed as new saponins. They include isomers and a new sugar chain with a ß-d-apiofuranose unit. The method is corroborated by the isolation of eight dereplicated saponins from A. colorata.

Perceived Detention Environment and Mental Health of Detainees in Immigration Detention Centers in Spain.

The increase in migratory flows worldwide has led to the creation of detention centers as a form of control of irregular migration. Recipient countries are responsible for protecting detainees' right to mental health, but the literature suggests that immigration detention centers are environments associated with complex mental health needs among the detainees. This study aims to approach the mental health of people detained in the immigration detention centers in Spain, a southern border of Europe. Eighty-seven migrants coming from different Latin American and African countries were interviewed using an adaptation of the Measure of Quality of Life in Detention (MQLD; Bosworth & Gerlach, 2020) to measure the perceived detention environment and The Hopkins Symptom Checklist-25 (HSCL-25; Derogatis et al., 1974) to assess mental health. The results show a high prevalence of detainees with significant levels of anxiety and depression (69%) and attempts at self-harm within the detention centers (19.5%). A more positive perception of the detention environment-especially concerning institutional decency and the relationship with officers-is related to a lower degree of negative mental health symptoms. Finally, people detained for more than 2 weeks assess the detention environment more negatively than those detained for less time. Scientific contributions and social implications to ensure the mental health of detainees from a human rights-based approach are discussed.

Bioprospection of Phytotoxic Plant-Derived Eudesmanolides and Guaianolides for the Control of Amaranthus viridis, Echinochloa crus-galli, and Lolium perenne Weeds.

The phytotoxicities of a selection of eudesmanolides and guaianolides, including natural products and new derivatives obtained by semisynthesis from plant-isolated sesquiterpene lactones, were evaluated in bioassays against three weeds of concern in agriculture (Amaranthus viridis L., Echinochloa crus-galli L., and Lolium perenne L.). Both eudesmanolides and guaianolides were active against the root and shoot growth of all the species, with the eudesmanolides generally showing improved activities. The IC50 values obtained for the herbicide employed as positive control (on root and shoot growth, respectively, A. viridis: 27.8 and 85.7 µM; E. crus-galli: 167.5 and 288.2 µM; L. perenne: 99.1 and 571.4 µM) were improved in most of the cases. Structure-activity relationships were discussed, finding that hydroxylation of the A-ring and C-13 as well as the position, number, and orientation of the hydroxyl groups and the presence of an unsaturated carbonyl group can significantly influence the level of phytotoxicity. γ-Cyclocostunolide was the most active compound in the series, followed by others such as dehydrozaluzanin C and α-cyclocostunolide (outstanding their IC50 values on A. viridis)─natural products that can therefore be suggested as models for herbicide development if further research indicates effectiveness on a larger scale and environmental safety in ecotoxicological assessments.

Estigma público en niños hacia personas con enfermedad mental / Public Stigma in Children Towards People With Mental Illness

Se analizó cómo la familiaridad que los adultos tenían con la enfermedad mental y la valoración más o menos positiva de sus experiencias al respecto influían en el estigma de los menores a su cargo. El estigma fue medido en términos de negación de ayuda por parte de los niños hacia un igual con enfermedad mental. La muestra fue de 56 niños de sexto de primaria y un tutor legal de cada uno. Se empleó el Attribution Questionnaire–8 for Children, la escala Level Of Familiarity y una escala de Likert para la valoración. Se halló una correlación positiva y estadísticamente significativa entre la familiaridad de los adultos y el estigma de los menores. A mayor familiaridad, menor estigma. Se debatió si las actitudes estigmatizantes medidas lo serían realmente o no en la infancia, siendo recomendable seguir profundizando al respecto y validar el Attribution Questionnaire–8 for Children en España. (AU)

We analyzed how the familiarity that adults had with mental illness and the more or less positive appraisal of their experiences in this regard influenced the stigma of their children. Stigma was measured in terms of children’s absence of pity or compassion, denial of help, and discrimination or segregation toward a peer with mental illness. The sample consisted of 56 sixth grade children and a responsible adult for each of them. The Attribution Questionnaire-8 for Children, the Level Of Familiarity Scale and a Likert scale were used for assessment. A positive and statistically significant correlation was found between adult familiarity and child denial of help. The higher the familiarity, the lower the stigma. It was recommended that further research be carried out, that the Attribution Questionnaire-8 for Childrenbe validated in Spain and to carry out interventions to prevent stigma in schools. (AU)

Estigma público en niños hacia personas con enfermedad mental / Public Stigma in Children Towards People With Mental Illness

Se analizó cómo la familiaridad que los adultos tenían con la enfermedad mental y la valoración más o menos positiva de sus experiencias al respecto influían en el estigma de los menores a su cargo. El estigma fue medido en términos de negación de ayuda por parte de los niños hacia un igual con enfermedad mental. La muestra fue de 56 niños de sexto de primaria y un tutor legal de cada uno. Se empleó el Attribution Questionnaire–8 for Children, la escala Level Of Familiarity y una escala de Likert para la valoración. Se halló una correlación positiva y estadísticamente significativa entre la familiaridad de los adultos y el estigma de los menores. A mayor familiaridad, menor estigma. Se debatió si las actitudes estigmatizantes medidas lo serían realmente o no en la infancia, siendo recomendable seguir profundizando al respecto y validar el Attribution Questionnaire–8 for Children en España. (AU)

We analyzed how the familiarity that adults had with mental illness and the more or less positive appraisal of their experiences in this regard influenced the stigma of their children. Stigma was measured in terms of children’s absence of pity or compassion, denial of help, and discrimination or segregation toward a peer with mental illness. The sample consisted of 56 sixth grade children and a responsible adult for each of them. The Attribution Questionnaire-8 for Children, the Level Of Familiarity Scale and a Likert scale were used for assessment. A positive and statistically significant correlation was found between adult familiarity and child denial of help. The higher the familiarity, the lower the stigma. It was recommended that further research be carried out, that the Attribution Questionnaire-8 for Childrenbe validated in Spain and to carry out interventions to prevent stigma in schools. (AU)

A Systematic Review of Public Stigmatization Toward Women Victims of Intimate Partner Violence in Low- and Middle-Income Countries.

Public stigmatization of women victims of intimate partner violence (IPV) has begun to be studied because of its negative impact on recovery from violence. This systematic review aimed to analyze such stigmatization in low- and middle-income countries (LAMIC) by identifying social norms and perceptions linked to public stigmatizing responses, such responses, negative consequences of those responses on victims, and other factors associated with public stigma. Following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines, five databases were searched using "stigma" and multiple synonyms of IPV as keywords. Selected articles were empirical, written in English, published in peer-reviewed journals, and reported findings on public stigma toward women victims of IPV that had occurred in LAMIC. Nineteen articles met the inclusion criteria. Patriarchal gender roles, normalization of IPV and the consideration of violence as a private matter were the most prevalent social norms among the studies. These led to blaming, isolating, and discriminating against the victim, making her feel ashamed, considering her less valuable than before suffering IPV, and dismissing or denying the abuse. Many negative consequences were identified. Anticipated public stigma, associated with not disclosing the abuse and not seeking help, was the most popular. Public stigmatization was stronger when other public stigmas intersected and in the case of disadvantaged social circumstances. Consequences were diminished by protective factors such as informal support and gender-based violence support services. This review provides a global vision for future research in each specific sociocultural context and is a first step in the design of anti-stigma programs in LAMIC.

Effects of Sesquiterpene Lactones on Primary Cilia Formation (Ciliogenesis).

Sesquiterpene lactones (SLs), plant-derived metabolites with broad spectra of biological effects, including anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory, hold promise for drug development. Primary cilia, organelles extending from cell surfaces, are crucial for sensing and transducing extracellular signals essential for cell differentiation and proliferation. Their life cycle is linked to the cell cycle, as cilia assemble in non-dividing cells of G0/G1 phases and disassemble before entering mitosis. Abnormalities in both primary cilia (non-motile cilia) and motile cilia structure or function are associated with developmental disorders (ciliopathies), heart disease, and cancer. However, the impact of SLs on primary cilia remains unknown. This study evaluated the effects of selected SLs (grosheimin, costunolide, and three cyclocostunolides) on primary cilia biogenesis and stability in human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. Confocal fluorescence microscopy was employed to analyze the effects on primary cilia formation (ciliogenesis), primary cilia length, and stability. The effects on cell proliferation were evaluated by flow cytometry. All SLs disrupted primary cilia formation in the early stages of ciliogenesis, irrespective of starvation conditions or cytochalasin-D treatment, with no effect on cilia length or cell cycle progression. Interestingly, grosheimin stabilized and promoted primary cilia formation under cilia homeostasis and elongation treatment conditions. Thus, SLs have potential as novel drugs for ciliopathies and tumor treatment.

Allelopathic studies with furanocoumarins isolated from Ducrosia anethifolia. In vitro and in silico investigations to protect legumes, rice and grain crops.

Six different furanocoumarins were isolated from the aerial parts of Ducrosia anethifolia and tested in vitro for plant cell elongation in etiolated wheat coleoptile. They were also tested for their ability to control three different weeds: ribwort plantain, annual ryegrass, and common purslane. These compounds exhibited strong inhibition of plant cell elongation. In the case of (+)-heraclenin, the IC50 was lower than 20 µM, indicating a better inhibition than the positive control Logran®. Computational experiments for docking and molecular dynamics revealed for the investigated furanocoumarins bearing an epoxide moiety an improved fitting and stronger interaction with the auxin-like TIR1 ubiquitin ligase. Furthermore, the formed inhibition complex remained also stable during dynamic evaluation. Bidental interaction at the active site, along with an extended hydrogen-bond lifetime, explained the enhanced activity of the epoxides. The in vitro weed bioassay results showed that Plantago lanceolata was the most affected weed for germination, root, and shoot development. In addition, (+)-heraclenin displayed better inhibition values than positive control even at 300 µM concentration.

Metal bioaccumulation in spontaneously grown aquatic macrophytes in Fe-rich substrates of a passive treatment plant for acid mine drainage.

Some plants may thrive in polluted environments, accumulating high concentrations of metal/loids in their organs. This study investigates for the first time the bioaccumulation and translocation of metal/loids in Typha domingensis spontaneously grown in extremely Fe-rich substrates (38-44% of Fe2O3) from different components of an acid mine drainage disperse alkaline substrate passive treatment. Most metal/loids were predominantly accumulated in the roots over the aerial parts of the plant, with concentrations of 0.66-9.5% of Fe, 0.02%-0.18% of Al, 55-2589 mg kg-1 of Mg, 51-116 mg kg-1 of Zn, 17-173 mg kg-1 of Cu, and 5.2-50 mg kg-1 of Pb. Bioconcentration factors were mostly below 1 for metal/loids in the studied aneas (e.g. 0.03-0.47 for Cu, 0.10-0.73 for Zn, 0.04-0.28 for As, 0.07-0.55 for Pb, 0.27-055 for Cd, 0.24-0.80 for Ni), which evidences that T. domingensis behaves as an excluder species in these substrates. Translocation factors were below 1 for most elements (e.g. 0.01-0.42 for As, 0.06-0.50 for Pb, 0.24-0.65 for Cd, and 0.10-0.56 for Sb), except for Mn, Ni and in some cases for Tl, Cu and Zn, which indicates limited transfer of metals between plant tissues. Mineralogical and geochemical substrate properties are pointed out as the main factors responsible for the lower bioconcentration and translocation of potentially toxic elements. In addition, the oxidizing conditions existent in the pore water-root system may also limit the mobility of metals from Fe oxides and hydroxysulfates, the main component of the substrate. The formation of a Fe plaque inside the roots may also limit the transfer of metals to the aerial parts. The spontaneous occurrence of T. domingensis in the substrates of the acid mine drainage passive treatments is an environmental indicator of the efficiency of the system and could be used as a complementary polishing step, given the strong tolerance of this plants to high concentrations of metal/loids.

Biological Activity of Naphthoquinones Derivatives in the Search of Anticancer Lead Compounds.

Naphthoquinones are a valuable source of secondary metabolites that are well known for their dye properties since ancient times. A wide range of biological activities have been described highlighting their cytotoxic activity, gaining the attention of researchers in recent years. In addition, it is also worth mentioning that many anticancer drugs possess a naphthoquinone backbone in their structure. Considering this background, the work described herein reports the evaluation of the cytotoxicity of different acyl and alkyl derivatives from juglone and lawsone that showed the best activity results from a etiolated wheat coleoptile bioassay. This bioassay is rapid, highly sensitive to a wide spectrum of activities, and is a powerful tool for detecting biologically active natural products. A preliminary cell viability bioassay was performed on cervix carcinoma (HeLa) cells for 24 h. The most promising compounds were further tested for apoptosis on different tumoral (IGROV-1 and SK-MEL-28) and non-tumoral (HEK-293) cell lines by flow cytometry. Results reveal that derivatives from lawsone (particularly derivative 4) were more cytotoxic on tumoral than in non-tumoral cells, showing similar results to those obtained with of etoposide, which is used as a positive control for apoptotic cell death. These findings encourage further studies on the development of new anticancer drugs for more directed therapies and reduced side effects with naphthoquinone skeleton.

Public Stigmatization of Women Victims of Intimate Partner Violence by Professionals Working in the Judicial System and Law Enforcement Agencies in Spain.

Recent international literature has demonstrated that the public stigma suffered by women victims of intimate partner violence (IPV) makes them less likely to disclose the abuse and to seek help and has a negative influence on third-party responses, with professionals working in the judicial system and law enforcement agencies being particularly susceptible to its impact. The absence of theories explaining how this stigma works and the legal and cultural differences that exist between countries prompted us to explore the process by which professionals working in law enforcement and the judicial system in Spain stigmatize this specific group of victims. Constructivist grounded theory was used to establish meanings and relationships between the components and processes involved in stigmatization, based on the data collected from individual, semi-structured, in-depth interviews with 11 professionals working in the aforementioned fields. In addition to the stigmatization that the interviewees claimed to have observed in coworkers, we also analyzed the conscious and/or unconscious stigmatization that they themselves exercised, which became evident during the course of the interview. The results confirmed the existence of stigma among professionals, with the said stigma often being unintentional and implicit in nature. The theoretical model that emerged from the data comprised four broad categories linked to the origin of the stigma, stigmatizing myths about victims and IPV, stigmatizing responses to victims who are seeking help, and the consequences of the stigma for the victims. In the study, we outline the associations observed between these factors and the subcategories included in each, and highlight the need to design training programs for professionals who are designed to fight against the stigma and which include self-analysis exercises as well as theoretical contents. We also discuss other implications of the results for both research and practice.

Metal mobility and bioaccessibility from cyanide leaching heaps in a historical mine site.

Unlike acidic sulfide mine wastes, where metal/loid mobility and bioaccessibility has been widely studied, less attention has been paid to alkaline cyanide heap leaching wastes. Thus, the main goal of this study is to evaluate the mobility and bioaccessibility of metal/loids in Fe-rich (up to 55%) mine wastes resulting from historical cyanide leaching activities. Wastes are mainly composed of oxides/oxyhydroxides (i.e. goethite and hematite), oxyhydroxisulfates (i.e. jarosite), sulfates (i.e., gypsum, evaporitic sulfate salts), carbonates (i.e., calcite, siderite) and quartz, with noticeable concentrations of metal/loids (e.g., 1453-6943 mg/kg of As, 5216-15,672 mg/kg; of Pb, 308-1094 mg/kg of Sb, 181-1174 mg/kg of Cu, or 97-1517 mg/kg of Zn). The wastes displayed a high reactivity upon rainfall contact associated to the dissolution of secondary minerals such as carbonates, gypsum, and other sulfates, exceeding the threshold values for hazardous wastes in some heap levels for Se, Cu, Zn, As, and sulfate leading to potential significant risks for aquatic life. High concentrations of Fe, Pb, and Al were released during the simulation of digestive ingestion of waste particles, with average values of 4825 mg/kg of Fe, 1672 mg/kg of Pb, and 807 mg/kg of Al. Mineralogy may control the mobility and bioaccessibility of metal/loids under rainfall events. However, in the case of the bioaccessible fractions different associations may be observed: i) the dissolution of gypsum, jarosite and hematite would mainly release Fe, As, Pb, Cu, Se, Sb and Tl; ii) the dissolution of an un-identified mineral (e.g., aluminosilicate or Mn oxide) would lead to the release of Ni, Co, Al and Mn and iii) the acid attack of silicate materials and goethite would enhance the bioaccessibility of V and Cr. This study highlights the hazardousness of wastes from cyanide heap leaching, and the need to adopt restoration measures in historical mine sites.

Wildfire effects on the hydrogeochemistry of a river severely polluted by acid mine drainage.

This study evaluates for the first time the impact of a large wildfire on the hydrogeochemistry of a deeply AMD-affected river at the beginning of the wet season. To accomplish this, a high-resolution water monitoring campaign was performed within the basin coinciding with the first rainfalls after summer. Unlike similar events recorded in AMD-affected areas, where dramatic increases in most dissolved element concentrations, and decreases in pH values are observed as a result of evaporitic salts flushing and the transport of sulfide oxidation products from mine sites, a slight increase in pH values (from 2.32 to 2.88) and decrease in element concentrations (e.g.; Fe: 443 to 205 mg/L; Al: 1805 to 1059 mg/L; sulfate: 22.8 to 13.3 g/L) was observed with the first rainfalls after the fire. The washout of wildfire-ash deposited in the riverbanks and the drainage area, constituted by alkaline mineral phases, seems to have counterbalanced the usual behavior and patterns of the river hydrogeochemistry during autumn. Geochemical results indicate that a preferential dissolution occurs during ash washout (K > Ca > Na), with a quick release of K followed by an intense dissolution of Ca and Na. On the other hand, in unburnt zones parameters and concentrations vary to a lesser extent than burnt areas, being the washout of evaporitic salts the dominant process. With subsequent rainfalls ash plays a minor role on the river hydrochemistry. Elemental ratios (Fe/SO4 and Ca/Mg) and geochemical tracers in both ash (K, Ca and Na) and AMD (S) were used to prove the importance of ash washout as the dominant geochemical process during the study period. Geochemical and mineralogical evidences point to intense schwertmannite precipitation as the main driver of reduction in metal pollution. The results of this study shed light on the response of AMD-polluted rivers to certain climate change effects, since climate models predict an increase in the number and intensity of wildfires and torrential rain events, especially in Mediterranean climates.

Host-guest complexation of phthalimide-derived strigolactone mimics with cyclodextrins. Application in agriculture against parasitic weeds.

Parasitic weeds are noxious plants that damage crops of economic relevance, especially in Mediterranean and African countries. The strategy of suicidal germination was proposed to deal with this plague by using seed germination inducers that work as a pre-emergence herbicide and reduce the parasitic seed load before sowing. N-Substituted phthalimides with a furanone ring were found to be efficient in inducing the germination of Phelipanche ramosa and Orobanche cumana, two of the most problematic parasitic weeds of crops. However, the solubility of these compounds in water is low. A strategy for enhancing their aqueous solubility is the synthesis of host-guest complexes with cyclodextrins. Three bioactive phthalimide-lactones (PL01, PL04, and PL07) were selected and studied to form complexes of increased water solubility with α-, ß-, HP-ß-, and γ-cyclodextrin. The complexes obtained by the coprecipitation method, with increased aqueous solubility (up to 3.8 times), were studied for their bioactivity and they showed similar or slightly higher bioactivity than free phthalimide-lactones, even without the addition of organic solvents. A theoretical study using semiempirical calculations of molecular models including a solvation system confirmed the physicochemical empirical results. These results demonstrated that cyclodextrins can be used to improve the physicochemical and biological properties of parasitic seed germination inducers.

On the formulation of disulfide herbicides based on aminophenoxazinones: polymeric nanoparticle formulation and cyclodextrin complexation to combat crop yield losses.

BACKGROUND: The resistance of weeds to herbicides is a significant issue in ensuring future food supply. Specific examples are Plantago lanceolata, Portulaca oleracea and Lolium rigidum, which mainly infect rice, wheat, barley and pastures, and cause high yield losses every year. In this regard, natural products and their mimics have provided new hope as a result of their different modes-of-action, activity at low concentrations and reduced pollution effects relative to conventional herbicides. However, the poor water solubility and physicochemical properties of these compounds limit their broad application. These problems can be addressed by formulation techniques, and encapsulation appears to be of great interest. RESULTS: Disulfide herbicides inspired by aminophenoxazinones have been formulated with 2-hydroxypropyl-ß-cyclodextrin (HP-ß-CD), γ-CD and polymeric nanoparticles (NPs). In silico studies were employed to identify which complexes would be generated and complex formation was confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Solubility diagrams were generated to assess any improvement in water solubility, which was enhanced 2-13-fold. Scanning electron microscopy and energy-dispersive X-ray spectra confirmed the success of the formulation process for the nanoparticles. Formulated compounds were evaluated in an in vitro wheat coleoptile bioassay, with almost 100% elongation inhibition achieved using only water for the bioassay. Specific in vitro testing on weed phytotoxicity showed that the application of core/shell NPs is highly effective in the fight against P. lanceolata seed germination. CONCLUSIONS: The formulation of disulfide herbicides with CD complexes and NPs led to an enhancement in water solubility and bioactivity. These systems can be applied in pre-emergent mode against P. lanceolata, using only water to prepare the sample, and they showed better activity than the positive controls. © 2022 The Authors. Pest Management Science published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of Society of Chemical Industry.

Stability and pKa Modulation of Aminophenoxazinones and Their Disulfide Mimics by Host-Guest Interaction with Cucurbit[7]uril. Direct Applications in Agrochemical Wheat Models.

Aqueous solubility and stability often limit the application of aminophenoxazinones and their sulfur mimics as promising agrochemicals in a sustainable agriculture inspired by allelopathy. This paper presents a solution to the problem using host-guest complexation with cucurbiturils (CBn). Computational studies show that CB7 is the most suitably sized homologue due to its strong affinity for guest molecules and its high water solubility. Complex formation has been studied by direct titrations monitored using UV-vis spectroscopy, finding a preferential interaction with protonated aminophenoxazinone species with high binding affinities (CB7·APOH+, Ka = (1.85 ± 0.37) × 106 M-1; CB7·DiS-NH3+, Ka = (3.91 ± 0.53) × 104 M-1; and DiS-(NH3+)2, Ka= (1.27 ± 0.42) × 105 M-1). NMR characterization and stability analysis were also performed and revealed an interesting pKa modulation and stabilization by cucurbiturils (2-amino-3H-phenoxazin-3-one (APO), pKa = 2.94 ± 0.30, and CB7·APO, pKa = 4.12 ± 0.15; 2,2'-disulfanediyldianiline (DiS-NH2), pKa = 2.14 ± 0.09, and CB7·DiS-NH2, pKa = 3.26 ± 0.09), thus favoring applications in different kinds of crop soils. Kinetic studies have demonstrated the stability of the CB7·APO complex at different pH media for more than 90 min. An in vitro bioassay with etiolated wheat coleoptiles showed that the bioactivity of APO and DiS-NH2 is enhanced upon complexation.

Effects of estuarine water mixing on the mobility of trace elements in acid mine drainage leachates.

This research reports the effects of pH increase on contaminant mobility in acid mine drainage from the Iberian Pyrite Belt by seawater mixing in the laboratory, simulating the processes occurring in the Estuary of Huelva (SW Iberian Peninsula). Concentrations of Al, Fe, As, Cu and REY in mixing solutions significantly decreased with increasing pH. Schwertmannite precipitation at pH 2.5-4.0 led to the total removal of Fe(III) and As. Subsequently, iron-depleted solutions began to be controlled by precipitation of basaluminite at pH 4.5-6.0, which acted as a sink for Al, Cu and REY. Nevertheless, as the pH rises, schwertmannite becomes unstable and releases back to solution the previously retained As. Moreover, other elements (S, Zn, Cd, Ni and Co) behaved conservatively in mixing solutions with no participation in precipitation processes. Some toxic elements finally end up to the Atlantic Ocean contributing to the total pollutant loads and environmentally threatening the coastal areas.

Potential release and bioaccessibility of metal/loids from mine wastes deposited in historical abandoned sulfide mines.

This study deals with the potential release of metal/loids from sulfide mine wastes upon weathering and the health risks associated with their accidental ingestion. To address this, a complete chemical and mineralogical characterization of a variety of sulfide mine wastes was performed alongside a determination of metal/loid bioaccessibility through leaching tests simulating human digestive and lung fluids. The mine wastes consisted predominantly of Fe (35-55% of Fe2O3) and exhibited high concentrations of trace metalloids such as As (382-4310 mg/kg), Pb (205-15,974 mg/kg), Cu (78-1083 mg/kg), Zn (274-1863 mg/kg), or Sb (520-1816 mg/kg). Most wastes with high concentrations of soluble compounds are considered hazardous according to the European regulations due to the exceedance of threshold values for As, Pb, Cr, Cu, Sb, sulfates, and Zn determined by standardized tests. In general terms, the absorption of waste-hosted metals through both digestive and respiratory routes was low compared to the total metal contents of the wastes, with values below 8% of the total concentration in wastes for most metal/loids including Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Tl, or U. However, some metals exhibited a significantly higher absorption potential, especially through the respiratory route, reaching values of up to 17% for Cr and 75% for Pb, highlighting the strong bioaccessibility of Pb in certain sulfide wastes. Despite the high metal/loid concentrations observed in the studied wastes, a health risk assessment indicated that some non-carcinogenic effects could be observed in children only following the accidental digestion of Pb.

Steroidal Saponins with Plant Growth Stimulation Effects; Yucca schidigera as a Commercial Source.

Plant growth-stimulation bioactivity of triterpenoid saponins is well known, especially for oleanane-type compounds. Nevertheless, a few phytotoxicity bioassays performed on some steroidal saponins have shown hormesis profiles and growth stimulation on Lactuca sativa roots. The focus of the work described here was on the use of the wheat coleoptile bioassay to evaluate plant growth stimulation, and on the search for a commercially available source of active saponins by bio-guided fractionation strategy. Selected saponins were tested and a cluster analysis showed that those saponins with a sugar chain of more than five units had a hormesis profile, while saponins with growth enhancement had fewer sugar residues. Two saponins showed similar activity to the positive control, namely the phytohormone indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). As a potential source of these metabolites, a commercial extract of Yucca schidigera used as a fertilizer was selected. Bio-guided fractionation led to the identification of two fractions of defined composition and these showed stimulation values similar to the positive control. It was observed that the presence of a carbonyl group at C-12 on the aglycone skeleton led to improved activity. A saponin-rich fraction from Y. schidigera could be proposed to enhance crop quality and production.

In Silico Evaluation of Sesquiterpenes and Benzoxazinoids Phytotoxins against Mpro, RNA Replicase and Spike Protein of SARS-CoV-2 by Molecular Dynamics. Inspired by Nature.

In the work described here, a number of sesquiterpenes and benzoxazinoids from natural sources, along with their easily accessible derivatives, were evaluated against the main protease, RNA replicase and spike glycoprotein of SARS-CoV-2 by molecular docking. These natural products and their derivatives have previously shown remarkable antiviral activities. The most relevant compounds were the 4-fluoro derivatives of santamarine, reynosin and 2-amino-3H-phenoxazin-3-one in terms of the docking score. Those compounds fulfill the Lipinski's rule, so they were selected for the analysis by molecular dynamics, and the kinetic stabilities of the complexes were assessed. The addition of the 4-fluorobenzoate fragment to the natural products enhances their potential against all of the proteins tested, and the complex stability after 50 ns validates the inhibition calculated. The derivatives prepared from reynosin and 2-amino-3H-phenoxazin-3-one are able to generate more hydrogen bonds with the Mpro, thus enhancing the stability of the protein-ligand and generating a long-term complex for inhibition. The 4-fluoro derivate of santamarine and reynosin shows to be really active against the spike protein, with the RMSD site fluctuation lower than 1.5 Å. Stabilization is mainly achieved by the hydrogen-bond interactions, and the stabilization is improved by the 4-fluorobenzoate fragment being added. Those compounds tested in silico reach as candidates from natural sources to fight this virus, and the results concluded that the addition of the 4-fluorobenzoate fragment to the natural products enhances their inhibition potential against the main protease, RNA replicase and spike protein of SARS-CoV-2.