bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Xanthium spinosum L. Extracts Inhibit Breast Cancer in Mice by Apoptosis Induction and Immune System Modulation
Authors: Al Kury Lina T. , Taha Zainab , Mahmod Asma Ismail , Talib Wamidh H.
Published: December 2022

Plants have been considered for many years as an important source of medicine to treat different diseases. Xanthium spinosum L. (Asteraceae, Compositae) is known for its diuretic, anti-inflammatory, and sedative effects. It is also used in the treatment of several ailments, such as cancer. In order to evaluate the anticancer and immunomodulatory activities, crude ethanol extract was prepared from the aerial part of X. spinosum and then fractionated using solvents with different polarities. As well, the chemical composition of X. spinosum extract and fractions were identified using LC-MS analysis. The antitumor effect of X. spinosum was assessed in both in vitro and in vivo models. Apoptosis induction was measured in vitro using a caspase-3 activity kit. Lymphocyte proliferation and phagocytosis and pinocytosis induction were used to quantify the effect of the plant extract and fractions on acquired and innate immunity, respectively. The effect of X. spinosum extract, and fractions on the levels of cytokines (IFN-γ, IL-2, IL-4, and IL-10) in murine lymphocytes was determined using a mouse-uncoated TH1/TH2 ELISA kit. Results showed that ethanol extract had the highest antiproliferative activity (IC₅₀ = 2.5 mg mL−1) against EMT6/P cell lines, while the aqueous and chloroform fractions had the highest apoptotic activity with 2.2 and 1.7 folds, respectively. On the other hand, the n-hexane fraction was the most effective in stimulating lymphocyte proliferation, whereas ethanol extract, aq. Methanol and aqueous fractions exhibited the highest phagocytic activity. As well, X. spinosum extract and fractions were able to modulate the expression of IL-2, IL-4, and IFN-γ. A remarkable decrease in tumor size was accomplished following the treatment of tumor-bearing mice with X. spinosum extract and fractions. Both aq. Methanol and chloroform fractions showed the highest percentage change in tumor size with -58 and -55%, respectively. As well, tumor-bearing mice treated with chloroform fraction demonstrated a high curable percentage with a value of 57.1%. Anyway, X. spinosum extract and fractions exhibited no toxic impact on the liver or kidney functions of the mice-treated groups. These findings may confirm that X. spinosum has favorable anticancer and immunomodulatory effects. However, additional studies are required to fully understand the mechanisms of action of this plant and the signaling pathways involved in its effects. Moreover, more testing is needed to have better insight into the apoptotic pathway and to know the exact concentration of active compounds.
Toosendanin Induces Hepatocyte Damage by Inhibiting Autophagic Flux via TFEB-Mediated Lysosomal Dysfunction
Authors: Luo Li , Liang Yonghong , Fu Yuanyuan , Liang Zhiyuan , Zheng Jinfen , Lan Jie , Shen Feihai , Huang Zhiying
Published: December 2022

Toosendanin (TSN) is a triterpenoid from the fruit or bark of Melia toosendan Sieb et Zucc, which has clear antitumor and insecticidal activities, but it possesses limiting hepatotoxicity in clinical application. Autophagy is a degradation and recycling mechanism to maintain cellular homeostasis, and it also plays an essential role in TSN-induced hepatotoxicity. Nevertheless, the specific mechanism of TSN on autophagy-related hepatotoxicity is still unknown. The hepatotoxicity of TSN in vivo and in vitro was explored in this study. It was found that TSN induced the upregulation of the autophagy-marker microtubule-associated proteins 1A/1B light chain 3B (LC3B) and P62, the accumulation of autolysosomes, and the inhibition of autophagic flux. The middle and late stages of autophagy were mainly studied. The data showed that TSN did not affect the fusion of autophagosomes and lysosomes but significantly inhibited the acidity, the degradation capacity of lysosomes, and the expression of hydrolase cathepsin B (CTSB). The activation of autophagy could alleviate TSN-induced hepatocyte damage. TSN inhibited the expression of transcription factor EB (TFEB), which is a key transcription factor for many genes of autophagy and lysosomes, such as CTSB, and overexpression of TFEB alleviated the autophagic flux blockade caused by TSN. In summary, TSN caused hepatotoxicity by inhibiting TFEB-lysosome-mediated autophagic flux and activating autophagy by rapamycin (Rapa), which could effectively alleviate TSN-induced hepatotoxicity, indicating that targeting autophagy is a new strategy to intervene in the hepatotoxicity of TSN.
3-(1,2,3-Triazol-4-yl)-β-Carbolines and 3-(1H-Tetrazol-5-yl)-β-Carbolines: Synthesis and Evaluation as Anticancer Agents
Authors: Ribeiro João L. P. , Loureiro Joana B. , Lopes Susana M. M. , Saraiva Lucília , Pinho e Melo Teresa M. V. D.
Published: December 2022

Herein, the synthesis and anticancer activity evaluation of a series of novel β-carbolines is reported. The reactivity of nitrosoalkenes towards indole was explored for the synthesis of novel tryptophan analogs where the carboxylic acid was replaced by a triazole moiety. This tryptamine was used in the synthesis of 3-(1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)-β-carbolines via Pictet–Spengler condensation followed by an oxidative step. A library of compounds, including the novel 3-(1,2,3-triazol-4-yl)-β-carbolines as well as methyl β-carboline-3-carboxylate and 3-tetrazolyl-β-carboline derivatives, was evaluated for their antiproliferative activity against colorectal cancer cell lines. The 3-(1H-tetrazol-5-yl)-β-carbolines stood out as the most active compounds, with values of half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) ranging from 3.3 µM to 9.6 µM against colorectal adenocarcinoma HCT116 and HT29 cell lines. The results also revealed a mechanism of action independent of the p53 pathway. Further studies with the 3-tetrazolyl-β-carboline derivative, which showed high selectivity for cancer cells, revealed IC50 values below 8 μM against pancreatic adenocarcinoma PANC-1, melanoma A375, hepatocarcinoma HEPG2, and breast adenocarcinoma MCF-7 cell lines. Collectively, this work discloses the 3-tetrazolyl-β-carboline derivative as a promising anticancer agent worthy of being further explored in future works.
In Vitro Anti-Influenza Virus Activity of Non-Polar Primula veris subsp. veris Extract
Authors: Eliopoulos Aristides G. , Angelis Apostolis , Liakakou Anastasia , Skaltsounis Leandros A.
Published: December 2022

Medicinal plants have long been recognized as a tremendous source of candidate compounds for the development of pharmaceuticals, including anti-viral agents. Herein, we report the identification of anti-influenza virus activity in non-polar Primula veris L. subsp. veris extracts. We show that P. veris subsp. veris flower extracts, obtained using supercritical fluid or ultrasound-based extraction, possess virucidal/virus inactivation properties and confer prophylactic and therapeutic effects against influenza virus-induced cytolysis in vitro. By GC-MS and UPLC-HRMS analysis of non-polar P. veris subsp. veris extracts we identified terpenes, flavones, tocopherols, and other classes of phytochemicals with known or putative anti-influenza properties. In silico prediction of cellular functions and molecular pathways affected by these phytochemicals suggests putative effects on signal transduction, inflammasome, and cell death pathways that are relevant to influenza virus pathogenesis. Combining P. veris subsp. veris with extracts of medicinal plants with proven anti-influenza activity such as Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench and Cistus creticus L. subsp. creticus achieves an impressive protective effect against infection by influenza virus H1N1 in vitro and reduced progeny virus production by infected cells. Collectively, these findings uncover a previously uncharted biological property of non-polar P. veris flower extracts that warrants further studies to assess clinical efficacy.
Effect of Experimental Electrical and Biological Parameters on Gene Transfer by Electroporation: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Authors: Potočnik Tjaša , Maček Lebar Alenka , Kos Špela , Reberšek Matej , Pirc Eva , Serša Gregor , Miklavčič Damijan
Published: December 2022

The exact mechanisms of nucleic acid (NA) delivery with gene electrotransfer (GET) are still unknown, which represents a limitation for its broader use. Further, not knowing the effects that different experimental electrical and biological parameters have on GET additionally hinders GET optimization, resulting in the majority of research being performed using a trial-and-error approach. To explore the current state of knowledge, we conducted a systematic literature review of GET papers in in vitro conditions and performed meta-analyses of the reported GET efficiency. For now, there is no universal GET strategy that would be appropriate for all experimental aims. Apart from the availability of the required electroporation device and electrodes, the choice of an optimal GET approach depends on parameters such as the electroporation medium; type and origin of cells; and the size, concentration, promoter, and type of the NA to be transfected. Equally important are appropriate controls and the measurement or evaluation of the output pulses to allow a fair and unbiased evaluation of the experimental results. Since many experimental electrical and biological parameters can affect GET, it is important that all used parameters are adequately reported to enable the comparison of results, as well as potentially faster and more efficient experiment planning and optimization.
Lactiplantibacillus plantarum KAU007 Extract Modulates Critical Virulence Attributes and Biofilm Formation in Sinusitis Causing Streptococcus pyogenes
Authors: Rather Irfan A. , Wani Mohammad Younus , Kamli Majid Rasool , Sabir Jamal S. M. , Hakeem Khalid Rehman , Firoz Ahmad , Park Yong-Ha , Hor Yan-Yan
Published: December 2022

Streptococcus pyogenes is one of the most common bacteria causing sinusitis in children and adult patients. Probiotics are known to cause antagonistic effects on S. pyogenes growth and biofilm formation. In the present study, we demonstrated the anti-biofilm and anti-virulence properties of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum KAU007 against S. pyogenes ATCC 8668. The antibacterial potential of L. plantarum KAU007 metabolite extract (LME) purified from the cell-free supernatant of L. plantarum KAU007 was evaluated in terms of minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentrations (MBC). LME was further analyzed for its anti-biofilm potential using crystal violet assay and microscopic examination. Furthermore, the effect of LME was tested on the important virulence attributes of S. pyogenes, such as secreted protease production, hemolysis, extracellular polymeric substance production, and cell surface hydrophobicity. Additionally, the impact of LME on the expression of genes associated with biofilm formation and virulence attributes was analyzed using qPCR. The results revealed that LME significantly inhibited the growth and survival of S. pyogenes at a low concentration (MIC, 9.76 µg/mL; MBC, 39.06 µg/mL). Furthermore, LME inhibited biofilm formation and mitigated the production of extracellular polymeric substance at a concentration of 4.88 μg/mL in S. pyogenes. The results obtained from qPCR and biochemical assays advocated that LME suppresses the expression of various critical virulence-associated genes, which correspondingly affect various pathogenicity markers and were responsible for the impairment of virulence and biofilm formation in S. pyogenes. The non-hemolytic nature of LME and its anti-biofilm and anti-virulence properties against S. pyogenes invoke further investigation to study the role of LME as an antibacterial agent to combat streptococcal infections.
Exploiting the DNA Damaging Activity of Liposomal Low Dose Cytarabine for Cancer Immunotherapy
Authors: Lewicky Jordan D. , Martel Alexandrine L. , Fraleigh Nya L. , Picard Emilie , Mousavifar Leila , Nakamura Arnaldo , Diaz-Mitoma Francisco , Roy René , Le Hoang-Thanh
Published: December 2022

Perhaps the greatest limitation for the continually advancing developments in cancer immunotherapy remains the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME). The cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)-stimulator of interferon genes (STING) axis is an emerging immunotherapy target, with the resulting type I interferons and transcription factors acting at several levels in both tumor and immune cells for the generation of adaptive T cell responses. The cGAS-STING axis activation by therapeutic agents that induce DNA damage, such as certain chemotherapies, continues to be reported, highlighting the importance of the interplay of this signaling pathway and the DNA damage response in cancer immunity/immunotherapy. We have developed a multi-targeted mannosylated cationic liposomal immunomodulatory system (DS) which contains low doses of the chemotherapeutic cytarabine (Ara-C). In this work, we show that entrapment of non-cytotoxic doses of Ara-C within the DS improves its ability to induce DNA double strand breaks in human ovarian and colorectal cancer cell lines, as well as in various immune cells. Importantly, for the first time we demonstrate that the DNA damage induced by Ara-C/DS translates into cGAS-STING axis activation. We further demonstrate that Ara-C/DS-mediated DNA damage leads to upregulation of surface expression of immune ligands on cancer cells, coinciding with priming of cytotoxic lymphocytes as assessed using an ex vivo model of peripheral blood mononuclear cells from colorectal cancer patients, as well as an in vitro NK cell model. Overall, the results highlight a broad immunotherapeutic potential for Ara-C/DS by enhancing tumor-directed inflammatory responses.
Pharmacy Student Perceptions of the Roles and Attributes of Pharmacist Preceptors in Australia
Authors: Knott Gillian J. , Mylrea Martina F. , Glass Beverley D.
Published: December 2022

The pharmacist preceptor is key to the success of pharmacy student experiential placements with a recent focus being placed on the quality of preceptors. This study sought to investigate student perceptions of the ideal roles and attributes of pharmacist preceptors to inform the development of a preceptor training program. This was a mixed methods study using an online survey of pharmacy students from levels two to four of an undergraduate pharmacy honours program at a regional Australian university followed by qualitative, semi-structured focus group interviews. Surveys were analysed using descriptive statistics and content analysis while interviews were thematically analysed. Thirty-seven complete survey responses were received, and three student focus groups were conducted. Students identified the key role of preceptors in linking theory to practice and felt that the role of the preceptor in student assessment should focus on practical skills, such as communication and professionalism. There was overall strong agreement between the quantitative and qualitative findings on the ideal preceptor attributes with good communication, enthusiasm for the profession and the provision of clear and honest student feedback thought to be most important. Students regarded these attributes as essential for a good preceptor–student relationship to promote learning in the practice environment.
Clinical Pharmacy Services Enhanced by Electronic Health Record (EHR) Access: An Innovation Narrative
Authors: Krauss Zach J. , Abraham Martha , Coby Justin
Published: December 2022

Background: Patient care in the community pharmacy setting is often hindered due to limited access to adequate patient health information (PHI). Various studies suggest that lack of access to PHI is a main reason for delay in pharmaceutical care, medication dispensing errors, and lacking interprofessional relationships between prescribers and pharmacists. Literature has shown that interprofessional collaboration and improved access to PHI can improve transitions of care and communication for pharmacists, but literature is sparse on implementation of electronic health record (HER) access within independent community pharmacies. Methods: This observational study follows implementation of HER access into a rural community pharmacy to enhance common clinical services carried out by pharmacy staff. Metrics include number of enhanced consultations by pharmacy staff, type of consultations provided, potential reimbursement, decreased need to follow up with other providers, potential for decreased time to treatment or refills, and aspects of EHR most utilized during search. Results: Two-hundred sixty three patients’ profiles were assessed, with 164 (62.4%) deemed appropriate for EHR access and searching. Most interventions made were related to cardiovascular, endocrinologic, neuropsychiatric, and COVID-19 therapy medications. Conclusion: EHR access in community pharmacy has the potential to improve both the quality and availability of clinical patient interventions through enhanced knowledge of PHI.
Tracing the Influence of Simone de Beauvoir in Judith Butler’s Work
Authors: Durmuş Deniz
Published: December 2022

Beauvoir’s existentialist ethics relates to and informs eminently contemporary accounts of feminist ethics in the Western continental feminist canon. To date only a few scholars have emphasized this connection. In this work, I show the centrality of Beauvoirian philosophy to contemporary philosophical discussions by elucidating the influence of Beauvoir’s existentialist ethics on Judith Butler’s feminist philosophy. While I acknowledge other possible influences, especially by French philosophers, on Butler’s work, I find it important to emphasize Beauvoir’s contributions as they have not received the attention they deserve. My paper shows how Beauvoir’s account of agency as an ambiguous becoming reverberates in Butler’s theory of gender performativity developed in her early writings. I consider Butler’s theory of gender performativity to have existentialist roots based on the existentialist perception of the subject as a becoming that never coincides with itself. I also discuss how Butler takes on some basic ethical questions which Beauvoir already accentuates in her writings. I focus on three main points of intersection between the two philosophers, which are vulnerability and interconnectedness, violence and inevitability of ethical failure, and finally the ambiguity and opaqueness that come with situated ethics.
Numerical Simulations of the Influence on the Temperature Fields of Large-Sized Nd-Glass Slab with Designed Edge-Cladding Materials, Methods, and Structures
Authors: Xu Jixi , Li Weichang , Wang Xin , Tang Jingping , Chen Wei , Chen Shubin , Hu Lili
Published: December 2022

The good cladding of a large-sized Nd-doped phosphate glass slab as a laser amplifier requires not only the amplified spontaneous emission and parasitic oscillation to be fully absorbed, to hold up the small signal gain coefficient of the Nd ions, but also the absorbed heat energy to be appropriately dissipated to extend a uniform temperature field for the larger laser beam aperture of the edge-cladded Nd–glass slab. In the present work, numerical simulations were performed based on the developed feasible edge-cladding designs for a 786 × 436 × 40 mm3 Nd–glass slab, including the following alterations: optical absorptivity, quantum-dot absorption centers, ceramics with higher thermal diffusivity, glasses with lower and higher specific heat values, 3D printing edge-cladding methods, double-deck edge-cladding structure with transparent strips as a buffer layer, and thickening of the edge-cladding. All of these designed edge-cladding materials, methods, and structures satisfy both requirements of sufficiently absorbing and precisely matching with the refractive index, as emphasized by the edge-cladding for the Nd–glass. Some of the designed edge-claddings resulted in a much more uniform temperature field than the composite polymer–glass edge-cladding as the standard for comparison, which could be utilized to extend the effective laser aperture of the Nd–glass slab, thus being beneficial to the laser beam size and laser energy in the optics recycle loop strategy.
Narrow-Linewidth Diffraction-Limited Tapered Er-Doped Fiber Amplifier with 2 mJ Pulse Energy
Authors: Khudyakov Maksim M. , Levchenko Andrey E. , Velmiskin Vladimir V. , Bobkov Konstantin K. , Aleshkina Svetlana S. , Zaushitsyna Tatyana S. , Bubnov Mikhail M. , Yashkov Mikhail V. , Guryanov Aleksey N. , Kotov Leonid V. , Likhachev Mikhail E.
Published: December 2022

The possibility to scale-up output pulse energy in diffraction-limited Er-doped fiber amplifier has been studied. It is shown that the utilization of tapered fiber design allows one to increase the pulse energy up to 2 mJ, while keeping the diffraction-limited beam quality (M2~1.4). Factors limiting the further increase in pulse energy are revealed.
Generation of Uniform X-ray Illumination and Its Application to X-ray Diffraction Microscopy
Authors: Kunio Katarzyna , Espinoza Shirly , Khakurel Krishna P.
Published: December 2022

X-ray diffraction microscopy (XDM) is an established lens-less imaging method extensively practiced at synchrotrons and X-ray free-electron lasers (XFELs). XDM is broadly operated in two different modes: scanning and non-scanning. The non-scanning mode of operation in XDM is commonly called coherent diffraction imaging (CDI) and has been the key research direction of many XFEL facilities. This method typically images objects smaller than the size of the illumination, which precludes the imaging of a large group of samples physically larger than the illumination. Furthermore, satisfying this requirement at X-ray free-electron lasers tremendously reduces the volume of practically useful data, leading the experimental scheme to be less efficient. Such a limitation can be circumvented by using a uniform illumination probe rather than the traditional Gaussian-focused probe from the X-ray focusing optics. Here in this article, we report a numerical study on the design of an optical element to generate uniform X-ray illumination and its application to the CDI. We demonstrate the benefits of such illumination in imaging objects that are larger than the illumination size and in improving the efficiency of the experimental scheme overall.
Investigation of InGaN-Based Green Micro-Photonic-Crystal- Light-Emitting-Diodes with Bottom, Nanoporous, Distributed Bragg Reflectors
Authors: Hong Kuo-Bin , Huang Wei-Ta , Hsu Wen-Cheng , Tu Chang-Ching , Kuo Hao-Chung
Published: December 2022

In this work, an InGaN-based, green micro-photonic crystal-light-emitting-diode (µ-PCLED), which incorporates a nanoporous, GaN-distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) to form a Fabry–Perot (FP) cavity, was fabricated and characterized. Simulations for the µ-PCLED’s optical features were systematically performed and analyzed. Numerical results revealed that the p-GaN photonic crystal (PC) with a filling factor of 0.3 is beneficial for improving the coupling constants of the first- and second-order Bragg diffractions. In addition, based on the product of quantum well (QW) and PC confinement factors, four to six pairs of InGaN QWs should be the preferable design. In order to achieve single-wavelength emission and small full-width at half-maximum (FWHM), the thickness of the n-GaN layer was controlled to be thinner than 920 nm, leading to more than 20 nm wavelength separation between two adjacent FP modes. Experimentally, the fabricated InGaN-based µ-PCLED with a mesa diameter of 30 µm can emit 545 nm green light with FWHM of about 10 nm and negligible blue-shift of about 3 nm in spontaneous emission under the injection current of 1 to 10 mA. Our simulation and experimental results demonstrate that the p-GaN PC design can effectively resolve the wavelength instability issue.
Diversity and Ecology of Lobophora Species Associated with Coral Reef Systems in the Western Gulf of Thailand, including the Description of Two New Species
Authors: Klomjit Anirut , Vieira Christophe , Mattos Felipe M. G. , Sutthacheep Makamas , Sutti Suttikarn , Kim Myung-Sook , Yeemin Thamasak
Published: December 2022

The brown macroalgal genus Lobophora plays important ecological roles in many marine ecosystems. This group has received much attention over the past decade, and a considerable number of new species have been identified globally. However, our knowledge of the genus diversity and ecology along south-east Asian coasts are still limited. Given the growing body of research that uses a combination of molecular and morphological data to identify cryptic species, this study investigates the diversity of Lobophora in the western Gulf of Thailand using morphological and molecular data, as well as their interactions with scleractinian corals. A total of 36 Lobophora specimens were collected from 15 sites in the western Gulf of Thailand and used for molecular and morphological analyses. One mitochondrial (cox3) and two chloroplast (psbA and rbcL) genes were amplified and sequenced for molecular phylogenetic analyses. Based primarily on phylogenetic evidence, two new species were formally described, L. chumphonensis sp. nov. and L. thailandensis sp. nov. Additionally, L. lamourouxii was newly recorded from Thailand. Two new lineages of Lobophora obscura were identified, L. obscura12 and L. obscura13. Among the Lobophora species identified, three were found in interaction with corals, the most notable of which was the massive coral Porites. Lobophora chumphonensis sp. nov. only interacted with Porites by growing on bare coral skeleton between Porites colonies. Furthermore, L. obscura13 was observed under the branching coral Pocillopora. Our findings revealed that Lobophora presented both effects and absence of effects on coral. A thorough understanding of Lobophora diversity and ecology is essential for ongoing and future research on coral–macroalgal ecological relationships.
Biocontrol Potential of PeBL2, a Novel Entomopathogenic Bacterium from Brevibacillus laterosporus A60, Induces Systemic Resistance against Rice Leaf Folder Cnaphalocrocis exigua (Butler) in Rice (Oryza sativa L.)
Authors: Javed Khadija , Humayun Talha , Humayun Ayesha , Shaheen Shahida , Wang Yong , Javed Humayun
Published: December 2022

The dangerous insect pest known as rice leaf folder Cnaphalocrocis exigua (Butler), which reduces rice output globally, twists and feeds on the young rice plant’s leaves. Protein elicitors are hypothesized to be biological components that promote rice in becoming herbivore resistant. The evolving elicitor protein PeBL2, obtained from Brevibacillus laterosporus A60, was tested for biocontrol against C. exigua. Four distinct PeBL2 doses (74.23, 45.53, 22.26, and 11.13 μg mL−1) were assigned to evaluate the impact of PeBL2 on immature growth, survivability, and lifespan. Adult reproductive efficiency and the interaction between the pest and the disease were assessed against C. exigua. Further, the assessment of active compounds in PeBL2 with multi-acting entomopathogenic effects investigated the direct correlations of PeBL2 with temperature and climatic change in plants of rice (Oryza sativa L.). When compared to controls, PeBL2 treatments reduced the growing population of second- and third-generation C. exigua. Cnaphalocrocis exigua colonized control plants faster than PeBL2-treated O. sativa plants in a host selection test. PeBL2 doses delayed the development of the larval stage of C. exigua. PeBL2-treated seedlings generated less offspring than control seedlings, identical to fecundity. Trichomes and wax formation on PeBL2-treated leaves generated an adverse environment for C. exigua. PeBL2 altered the surface topography of the leaves, preventing colonization and reducing C. exigua reproduction. PeBL2-treated O. sativa seedlings exhibited somewhat increased amounts of jasmonic acid (JA), salicylic acid (SA), and ethylene (ET). Systemic defensive processes also included the activation of pathways (JA, SA, and ET). Following these results versus C. exigua, the use of PeBL2 in an agroecosystem with integrated pest management and biocontrol appears to be reasonable. These findings shed new light on a cutting-edge biocontrol technique based on B. laterosporus A60.
Proteomic and Transcriptomic Analysis for Identification of Endosymbiotic Bacteria Associated with BYDV Transmission Efficiency by Sitobion miscanthi
Authors: Yu Wenjuan , Bosquée Emilie , Fan Jia , Liu Yong , Bragard Claude , Francis Frédéric , Chen Julian
Published: December 2022

Sitobion miscanthi, an important viral vector of barley yellow dwarf virus (BYDV), is also symbiotically associated with endosymbionts, but little is known about the interactions between endosymbionts, aphid and BYDV. Therefore, two aphids’ geographic populations, differing in their BYDV transmission efficiency, after characterizing their endosymbionts, were treated with antibiotics to investigate how changes in the composition of their endosymbiont population affected BYDV transmission efficiency. After antibiotic treatment, Rickettsia was eliminated from two geographic populations. BYDV transmission efficiency by STY geographic population dropped significantly, by −44.2% with ampicillin and −25.01% with rifampicin, but HDZ geographic population decreased by only 14.19% with ampicillin and 23.88% with rifampicin. Transcriptomic analysis showed that the number of DEGs related to the immune system, carbohydrate metabolism and lipid metabolism did increase in the STY rifampicin treatment, while replication and repair, glycan biosynthesis and metabolism increased in the STY ampicillin treatment. Proteomic analysis showed that the abundance of symbionin symL, nascent polypeptide−associated complex subunit alpha and proteasome differed significantly between the two geographic populations. We found that the endosymbionts can mediate vector viral transmission. They should therefore be included in investigations into aphid–virus interactions and plant disease epidemiology. Our findings should also help with the development of strategies to prevent virus transmission.
Rumors of Psychedelics, Psychotropics and Related Derivatives in Vachellia and Senegalia in Contrast with Verified Records in Australian Acacia
Authors: Sadgrove Nicholas J.
Published: December 2022

There are almost 1000 species of Acacia sensu stricto in Australia, while the 44 species and 4 subspecies in southern Africa were taxonomically revised in the year 2011 to Senegalia and Vachellia. There are rumors of a chemical similarity between the Australian Acacia and their southern African sister genera. Chemical analysis has unequivocally demonstrated the presence of tryptamines (i.e., DMT), β-carbolines, histamines, and phenethylamines in Australian species. However, reliable published data were not found in support of similar alkaloids in southern African (or even African) species, indicating the need for exploratory phytochemical analysis. Interestingly, the Australian species are more like the Vachellia and Senegalia from the Americas. While many reliable chemical studies have been found, there are several more that report only tentative results. Tentative data and anecdotal accounts are included in the current review to guide researchers to areas where further work can be done. For example, the current review encourages further phytochemical work to confirm if the two metabolite families, tryptamine and β-carboline alkaloids, occur together in a single specimen. Tryptamines and β-carbolines are the prerequisite ingredients of the South American psychotropic drink ayahuasca, which utilizes two different species to create this synergistic combination. These observations and others are discussed in light of geochemical variability, the potential ethnobotanical implications, and the need for further research to confirm or nullify anecdotal reports and tentative chromatographic/spectroscopic data in southern African species.
Availability of Metribuzin-Loaded Polymeric Nanoparticles in Different Soil Systems: An Important Study on the Development of Safe Nanoherbicides
Authors: Takeshita Vanessa , Munhoz-Garcia Gustavo Vinicios , Werk Pinácio Camila , Cardoso Brian Cintra , Nalin Daniel , Tornisielo Valdemar Luiz , Fraceto Leonardo Fernandes
Published: December 2022

Nanoformulations have been used to improve the delivery of fertilizers, pesticides, and growth regulators, with a focus on more sustainable agriculture. Nanoherbicide research has focused on efficiency gains through targeted delivery and environmental risk reduction. However, research on the behavior and safety of the application of these formulations in cropping systems is still limited. Organic matter contained in cropping systems can change the dynamics of herbicide–soil interactions in the presence of nanoformulations. The aim of this study was to use classical protocols from regulatory studies to understand the retention and mobility dynamics of a metribuzin nanoformulation, compared to a conventional formulation. We used different soil systems and soil with added fresh organic material. The batch method was used for sorption–desorption studies and soil thin layer chromatography for mobility studies, both by radiometric techniques. Sorption parameters for both formulations showed that retention is a reversible process in all soil systems (H~1.0). In deep soil with added fresh organic material, nanoformulation was more sorbed (14.61 ± 1.41%) than commercial formulation (9.72 ± 1.81%) (p < 0.05). However, even with the presence of straw as a physical barrier, metribuzin in nano and conventional formulations was mobile in the soil, indicating that the straw can act as a barrier to reduce herbicide mobility but is not impeditive to herbicide availability in the soil. Our results suggest that environmental safety depends on organic material maintenance in the soil system. The availability can be essential for weed control, associated with nanoformulation efficiency, in relation to the conventional formulation.
Differentiated Weed-Suppressive Ability of Modern and Old Durum Wheat Cultivars after Long-Term Cultivation under Semi-Arid Climate
Authors: Scavo Aurelio , Restuccia Alessia , Bannò Mario , Mauromicale Giovanni
Published: December 2022

Durum wheat (Triticum turgidum spp. durum) is one of the most important grain crops cultivated across the Mediterranean Basin, where a strong return to local landraces cultivation is occurring to meet the market demand for high-quality food and low-input cropping systems. A characterisation of the long-term effect (10 years) of durum wheat landraces and modern cultivars on the potential and real weed flora is still lacking. Hence, a multilocation trial over 10 farms in Central-Eastern Sicily was carried out to investigate the repeated cultivation of several old landraces (OLD) and modern cultivars (MOD) on the abundance and diversity of weed flora. Overall, OLD was associated with a 47% reduction of the soil seedbank size and to −64% of the aboveground weed biomass compared to MOD. In addition, diversity indices pointed out a high similarity between MOD and OLD farm groups for the soil seedbank, while a lower diversity was found in OLD for aboveground weed communities. From the principal component analysis emerged that the species compositions of MOD and OLD were quite separated for both soil seedbank and real flora, with the latter showing few specific associations with major weeds. These findings demonstrated the indirect effect of durum wheat landraces in sustainably reducing weed pressure without the adoption of chemical weed control.
Molecular Fingerprinting and Microbiological Characterisation of Selected Vitis vinifera L. Varieties
Authors: Sabo Jozef , Farkasová Silvia , Droppa Michal , Žiarovská Jana , Kačániová Miroslava
Published: December 2022

The aim of the study was to analyse selected aspects of the natural variability of selected varieties of Vitis vinifera. Grapevine is one of the most popular and desirable crops in the world due to the great tradition of wine production, but grape extracts also have a wide range of pharmaceutical effects on the human body. It is important to identify different varieties for the conservation of genetic resources, but also for commercial and cultivation purposes. The variability of conserved DNA-derived polymorphism profiles, as well as microbial characteristics, were analysed in this study. Six different varieties of Vitis vinifera L. were used in the study: Cabernet Savignon, Chardonney, Welschriesling, Weisser Riesling, Gewurztramines and Gruner Veltliner. Genetic polymorphism was analysed by CDDP markers for WRKY genes. Polymorphic amplicon profiles were generated by all primer combinations used in the study. Gruner Veltliner and Welschriesling were the most similar, with a similarity value at 0.778. Microbiological quality of grape and antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and yeasts were analysed further. The plate diluting method for microbial quality and the disc diffusion method for antimicrobial activity were evaluated. The number of total count of bacteria ranged between 3.12 in Cabernet Sauvignon to 3.62 log cfu/g in Grűner Veltliner. The best antimicrobial activity showed Gewurztramines against Salmonella enterica, Yersinia enterocolitica, Pseudomonas aeroginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, Listeria monocytogenes, Candida albicans, Candida krusei, and Candida tropicalis. The best antimicrobial activity was found against Enterococcus faecalis in variety Weisser Riesling.
Stomata in Close Contact: The Case of Pancratium maritimum L. (Amaryllidaceae)
Authors: Saridis Pavlos , Georgiadou Xenia , Shtein Ilana , Pouris John , Panteris Emmanuel , Rhizopoulou Sophia , Constantinidis Theophanis , Giannoutsou Eleni , Adamakis Ioannis-Dimosthenis S.
Published: December 2022

A special feature found in Amaryllidaceae is that some guard cells of the neighboring stomata form a “connection strand” between their dorsal cell walls. In the present work, this strand was studied in terms of both its composition and its effect on the morphology and function of the stomata in Pancratium maritimum L. leaves. The structure of stomata and their connection strand were studied by light and transmission electron microscopy. FM 4–64 and aniline blue staining and application of tannic acid were performed to detect cell membranes, callose, and pectins, respectively. A plasmolysis experiment was also performed. The composition of the connection strand was analyzed by fluorescence microscopy after immunostaining with several cell-wall-related antibodies, while pectinase treatment was applied to confirm the presence of pectins in the connection strand. To examine the effect of this connection on stomatal function, several morphological characteristics (width, length, size, pore aperture, stomatal distance, and cell size of the intermediate pavement cell) were studied. It is suggested that the connecting strand consists of cell wall material laid through the middle of the intermediate pavement cell adjoining the two stomata. These cell wall strands are mainly comprised of pectins, and crystalline cellulose and extensins were also present. Connected stomata do not open like the single stomata do, indicating that the connection strand could also affect stomatal function. This trait is common to other Amaryllidaceae representatives.
Steroidal Saponins with Plant Growth Stimulation Effects; Yucca schidigera as a Commercial Source
Authors: Durán Alexandra G. , Calle Juan M. , Butrón Davinia , Pérez Andy J. , Macías Francisco A. , Simonet Ana M.
Published: December 2022

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.
Susceptibility of Novel Promising Citrus Rootstocks to White Root Rot
Authors: Arjona-López Juan M. , Gmitter Frederick G. , Romero-Rodríguez Estefanía , Grosser Jude W. , Hervalejo Aurea , López-Herrera Carlos J. , Arenas-Arenas Francisco J.
Published: December 2022

Citrus is one of the most important fruit crops in Mediterranean countries such as Spain, which is one of the main citrus-producing countries worldwide. Soil-borne pathogens, such as Rosellinia necatrix, are relevant limiting biotic factors in fruit trees, due to their tricky management. This fungus is a polyphagous plant pathogen with worldwide distribution, causing white root rot in woody crops, including citrus trees in Spain. The objective of this study was to evaluate the tolerance of new plant material against R. necatrix infection. Therefore, plants of 12 different citrus rootstocks were inoculated with one R. necatrix isolate. During the assay, and periodically, above-ground symptoms and chlorophyll content were evaluated. At the end of the experiment, leaf area and plant biomass measures were obtained. Rootstocks B11R5T64 and B11R5T60 achieved the lowest disease incidence of symptoms and reduction of biomass, and were similar to their respective controls in chlorophyll content and leaf area. Carrizo citrange, CL-5146 and UFR-5 were the most affected rootstocks in symptoms and biomass reduction. This work provides information about R. necatrix-tolerant citrus rootstocks, which can constitute a new integrated, sustainable and effective long-term strategy to avoid white root rot.
On the Properties of Nafion Membranes Recast from Dispersion in N-Methyl-2-Pyrrolidone
Authors: Safronova Ekaterina Yu. , Voropaeva Daria Yu. , Lysova Anna A. , Korchagin Oleg V. , Bogdanovskaya Vera A. , Yaroslavtsev Andrey B.
Published: December 2022

Perfluorosulfonic acid Nafion membranes are widely used as an electrolyte in electrolysis processes and in fuel cells. Changing the preparation and pretreatment conditions of Nafion membranes allows for the optimization of their properties. In this work, a Nafion-NMP membrane with a higher conductivity than the commercial Nafion® 212 membrane (11.5 and 8.7 mS∙cm−1 in contact with water at t = 30 °C) and a comparable hydrogen permeability was obtained by casting from a Nafion dispersion in N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone. Since the ion-exchange capacity and the water uptake of these membranes are similar, it can be assumed that the increase in conductivity is the result of optimizing the Nafion-NMP microstructure by improving the connectivity of the pores and channels system. This leads to a 27% increase in the capacity of the membrane electrode assembly with the Nafion-NMP membrane compared to the Nafion® 212 membrane. Thus, the method of obtaining a Nafion membrane has a great influence on its properties and performance of fuel cells based on them.
A Comprehensive Review of Electrospun Fibers, 3D-Printed Scaffolds, and Hydrogels for Cancer Therapies
Authors: Zaszczyńska Angelika , Niemczyk-Soczynska Beata , Sajkiewicz Paweł
Published: December 2022

Anticancer therapies and regenerative medicine are being developed to destroy tumor cells, as well as remodel, replace, and support injured organs and tissues. Nowadays, a suitable three-dimensional structure of the scaffold and the type of cells used are crucial for creating bio-inspired organs and tissues. The materials used in medicine are made of non-degradable and degradable biomaterials and can serve as drug carriers. Developing flexible and properly targeted drug carrier systems is crucial for tissue engineering, regenerative medicine, and novel cancer treatment strategies. This review is focused on presenting innovative biomaterials, i.e., electrospun nanofibers, 3D-printed scaffolds, and hydrogels as a novel approach for anticancer treatments which are still under development and awaiting thorough optimization.
Dope Dyeing of Regenerated Cellulose Fibres with Leucoindigo as Base for Circularity of Denim
Authors: Manian Avinash P. , Müller Sophia , Braun Doris E. , Pham Tung , Bechtold Thomas
Published: December 2022

Circularity of cellulose-based pre- and post-consumer wastes requires an integrated approach which has to consider the characteristics of the fibre polymer and the presence of dyes and additives from textile chemical processing as well. Fibre-to-fibre recycling is a condition to avoid downcycling of recycled material. For cellulose fibres regeneration via production of regenerated cellulose fibres is the most promising approach. Textile wastes contain dyes and additives, thus a recycling technique has to be robust enough to process such material. In an ideal case the reuse of colorants can be achieved as well. At present nearly 80% of the regenerated cellulose fibre production utilises the viscose process, therefore this technique was chosen to investigate the recycling of dyed material including the reuse of the colorant. In this work, for the first time, a compilation of all required process steps to a complete circular concept is presented and discussed as a model. Indigo-dyed viscose fibres were used as a model to study cellulose recycling via production of regenerated cellulose fibres to avoid downcycling. Indigo was found compatible to the alkalisation and xanthogenation steps in the viscose process and blue coloured cellulose regenerates were recovered from indigo-dyed cellulose. A supplemental addition of reduced indigo to the cellulose solution was also found feasible to adjust colour depth in the regenerated cellulose to the level required for use as warp material in denim production. By combination of fibre recycling and indigo dyeing the conventional yarn dyeing in denim production can be omitted. Model calculations for the savings in water and chemical consumption demonstrate the potential of the process. The proportion of the substitution will depend on the collection rate of denim wastes and on the efficiency of the fibre regeneration process. Estimates indicate that a substitution of more than 70% of the cotton fibres by regenerated cellulose fibres could be achieved when 80% of the pre- and post-consumer denim wastes are collected. Therefore, the introduction of fibre recycling via regenerated cellulose fibres will also make a substantial impact on the cotton consumption for jeans production.