bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Deciphering Conformational Changes of the GDP-Bound NRAS Induced by Mutations G13D, Q61R, and C118S through Gaussian Accelerated Molecular Dynamic Simulations
Authors: Yu Zhiping , Su Hongyi , Chen Jianzhong , Hu Guodong
Published: August 2022

The conformational changes in switch domains significantly affect the activity of NRAS. Gaussian-accelerated molecular dynamics (GaMD) simulations of three separate replicas were performed to decipher the effects of G13D, Q16R, and C118S on the conformational transformation of the GDP-bound NRAS. The analyses of root-mean-square fluctuations and dynamics cross-correlation maps indicated that the structural flexibility and motion modes of the switch domains involved in the binding of NRAS to effectors are highly altered by the G13D, Q61R, and C118Smutations. The free energy landscapes (FELs) suggested that mutations induce more energetic states in NRAS than the GDP-bound WT NRAS and lead to high disorder in the switch domains. The FELs also indicated that the different numbers of sodium ions entering the GDP binding regions compensate for the changes in electrostatic environments caused by mutations, especially for G13D. The GDP–residue interactions revealed that the disorder in the switch domains was attributable to the unstable hydrogen bonds between GDP and two residues, V29 and D30. This work is expected to provide information on the energetic basis and dynamics of conformational changes in switch domains that can aid in deeply understanding the target roles of NRAS in anticancer treatment.
Combination of Sea Sand Disruption Method and Ion-Pair Solid-Phase Extraction for Effective Isolation and Purification of Chlorogenic Acid from Plants Prior to the HPLC Determination
Authors: Wianowska Dorota
Published: August 2022

Chlorogenic acid (CQA) is one of phenolics commonly found in higher plants, possessing numerous health-promoting effects on humans. Unfortunately, it is easily degraded/transformed into other substances during extraction. Therefore, its reliable analysis requires a special approach that does not involve high temperatures. This paper presents a very simple method of CQA isolation using the sea sand disruption method with subsequent purification of the extract using the ion-pair solid-phase extraction process, followed by HPLC–DAD detection. It was found that control of the ion pairing reagent concentration and sample pH is crucial to improve purification, and that the best results, with recovery exceeding 98%, were obtained for 0.05 M tetrabutylammonium bisulfate at pH 7 when the ion pairs were formed directly in the extract and eluted from the C18 sorbent using an acidified methanol–water mixture. The practical potential of the developed procedure was verified by using it for CQA isolation from different plants. The approach represents one of the contemporary analytical trends and current advances in the solid phase extraction, in which several sorption extraction techniques are combined to ensure high-quality analytical results.
Photo-Regeneration of Zeolite-Based Volatile Organic Compound Filters Enabled by TiO2 Photocatalyst
Authors: Kim Taegyu , Yoo Kunsang , Kim Myung-Gil , Kim Yong-Hoon
Published: August 2022

Indoor air filtration received significant attention owing to the growing threat to the environment and human health caused by air pollutants such as volatile organic compound (VOC) gases. However, owing to the limited adsorption capacity of VOC adsorbents, such as activated carbon, a rapid breakthrough can occur, reducing the service life of the filter. Therefore, TiO2-coated zeolite (TiO2/zeolite) was utilized as a photo-regenerative VOC adsorbent to increase the service life of VOC filters. In particular, with photoactive TiO2 forms on zeolite, efficient and repetitive photo-regeneration is attainable through the dissociation of VOC molecules by the photocatalytic reaction. We optimized the TiO2 coating amount to obtain TiO2/zeolite particles with a high surface area (BET surface area > 500 m2/g) and high adsorption capacity. A VOC filter with an adsorption efficiency of 72.1% for formaldehyde was realized using TiO2/zeolite as the adsorbent. Furthermore, the TiO2/zeolite filter exhibits a photo-regeneration efficiency of >90% for the initial two regeneration cycles using ultraviolet illumination, and >60% up to five cycles. Based on these observations, we consider that TiO2/zeolite is a potential adsorbent candidate for photo-regenerative VOC filters.
Assembly of Hydrophobic ZIF-8 on CeO2 Nanorods as High-Efficiency Catalyst for Electrocatalytic Nitrogen Reduction Reaction
Authors: Liu Yiwen , Meng Xianbin , Zhao Zhiqiang , Li Kai , Lin Yuqing
Published: August 2022

The electrocatalytic nitrogen reduction reaction (NRR) can use renewable electricity to convert water and N2 into NH3 under normal temperature and pressure conditions. However, due to the competitiveness of the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), the ammonia production rate (RNH3) and Faraday efficiency (FE) of NRR catalysts cannot meet the needs of large-scale industrialization. Herein, by assembling hydrophobic ZIF-8 on a cerium oxide (CeO2) nanorod, we designed an excellent electrocatalyst CeO2-ZIF-8 with intrinsic NRR activity. The hydrophobic ZIF-8 surface was conducive to the efficient three-phase contact point of N2 (gas), CeO2 (solid) and electrolyte (liquid). Therefore, N2 is concentrated and H+ is deconcentrated on the CeO2-ZIF-8 electrocatalyst surface, which improves NRR and suppresses HER and finally CeO2-ZIF-8 exhibits excellent NRR performance with an RNH3 of 2.12 μg h−1 cm−2 and FE of 8.41% at −0.50 V (vs. RHE). It is worth noting that CeO2-ZIF-8 showed excellent stability in the six-cycle test, and the RNH3 and FE variation were negligible. This study paves a route for inhibiting the competitive reaction to improve the NRR catalyst activity and may provide a new strategy for NRR catalyst design.
Scanning Tunneling Microscopy of Biological Structures: An Elusive Goal for Many Years
Authors: Rodríguez-Galván Andrés , Contreras-Torres Flavio F.
Published: August 2022

Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) is a technique that can be used to directly observe individual biomolecules at near-molecular scale. Within this framework, STM is of crucial significance because of its role in the structural analysis, the understanding the imaging formation, and the development of relative techniques. Four decades after its invention, it is pertinent to ask how much of the early dream has come true. In this study, we aim to overview different analyses for DNA, lipids, proteins, and carbohydrates. The relevance of STM imaging is exhibited as an opportunity to assist measurements and biomolecular identification in nanobiotechnology, nanomedicine, biosensing, and other cutting-edge applications. We believe STM research is still an entire science research ecosystem for joining several areas of expertise towards a goal settlement that has been elusive for many years.
COVID-19 and Gestational Diabetes: The Role of Nutrition and Pharmacological Intervention in Preventing Adverse Outcomes
Authors: Ramirez Zegarra Ruben , Dall’Asta Andrea , Revelli Alberto , Ghi Tullio
Published: August 2022

Pregnant women with GDM affected by COVID-19 seem to be at higher risk of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes, especially those with overweight or obesity. Good glycemic control seems to be the most effective measure in reducing the risk of GDM and severe COVID-19. For such purposes, the Mediterranean diet, micronutrient supplementation, and physical activity are considered the first line of treatment. Failure to achieve glycemic control leads to the use of insulin, and this clinical scenario has been shown to be associated with an increased risk of adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes. In this review, we explore the current evidence pertaining to the pathogenesis of SARS-CoV-2 leading to the main complications caused by COVID-19 in patients with GDM. We also discuss the incidence of complications caused by COVID-19 in pregnant women with GDM according to their treatment.
Effects of Carbohydrate and Protein Administration by Food Items on Strength Response after Training in Stable COPD
Authors: Huhn Andrea , Flenker Ulrich , Diel Patrick
Published: August 2022

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is one of the world’s most common diseases and reasons for death. Systemic consequences, especially reduced muscle strength, muscle mass and muscle function, are common and contribute to worsening prognosis and increasing morbidity and mortality. There is strong evidence that physical activity and strength training are effective in prolonging life and lead to better quality of life. Numerous studies have shown that ingestion of protein and carbohydrates after strength training can increase regeneration of strength in young athletes. Recently, we demonstrated that the same effect can be achieved with these macronutrients administered in a meal. Until now, it is not clear if patients with COPD, integrated in regular physical training, respond similarly. Methods: Prescribed strength training, consisting of two sets circular training with machines for big muscle groups was supplemented with a meal rich in protein and carbohydrates. Changes in maximum strength after 24 h were investigated to find out about the impact of this meal on physical capacity. A pilot study was conducted with pragmatic cross-over design. Results: With nutritive intervention, strength in both knee extensor and chest press were significantly higher than in control training. Conclusion: The study showed beneficial effects for the intake of protein and carbohydrates in changes in maximum strength. For now, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. Clinical relevance needs further research. The study design and study protocol can be used for further studies with only small adaptions.
Ketogenic Diet: A Dietary Intervention via Gut Microbiome Modulation for the Treatment of Neurological and Nutritional Disorders (a Narrative Review)
Authors: Lim Jun-Ming , Letchumanan Vengadesh , Tan Loh Teng-Hern , Hong Kar-Wai , Wong Sunny-Hei , Ab Mutalib Nurul-Syakima , Lee Learn-Han , Law Jodi Woan-Fei
Published: August 2022

The ketogenic diet (KD) has been important in treating epilepsy since the 1920s. The benefits of KD further expanded to other neurological diseases, including Alzheimer’s diseases, autism spectrum disorder, and nutritional disorder (obesity). Although the therapeutic efficacy of KD has been generally accepted, there is limited knowledge about its underlying mechanism of action, particularly its effect on our gut microbiome. Gut dysbiosis has been proposed to be involved in those diseases, and KD can promote gut microbiota remodeling that may assist in recovery. This review explores the therapeutic applications of KD, the roles of the gut microbiome in neurological diseases and obesity, as well as the effect of KD on the gut microbiome. The present information suggests that KD has significant roles in altering the gut microbiome to improve disease symptoms, mainly by incrementing Bacteroidetes to Firmicutes (B/F) ratio and reducing Proteobacteria in certain cases. However, current gaps call for continued research to understand better the gut microbiota profile altered by KD.
The Gut Microbiome among Postmenopausal Latvian Women in Relation to Dietary Habits
Authors: Aumeistere Līva , Ķibilds Juris , Siksna Inese , Neimane Lolita Vija , Kampara Māra , Ļubina Olga , Ciproviča Inga
Published: August 2022

In recent years, many studies have been initiated to characterise the human gut microbiome in relation to different factors like age, lifestyle, and dietary habits. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of yoghurt intake on the gut microbiome among postmenopausal women and how overall dietary habits modulate the gut microbiome. In total, 52 participants were included in the study and two groups—a control (n = 26) and experimental group (n = 26)—were established. The study was eight weeks long. Both study groups were allowed to consume a self-selected diet, but the experimental group had to additionally consume 175 g of plain organic milk yoghurt on a daily basis for eight weeks. In addition, a series of questionnaires were completed, including a questionnaire on the subject’s sociodemographic background, health status, and lifestyle factors, as well as a food frequency questionnaire. Stool samples were collected for the analysis of the gut microbiome (both prior to and after the eight weeks of the study). Sequencing of V4-V5 regions of the 16S rRNA gene was used to determine the bacterial composition of stool samples. The dominant phylum from the gut microbiome was Firmicutes (~70% to 73%), followed by Bacteroidota (~20% to 23%). Although no significant changes in the gut microbiome were related to daily consumption of yoghurt, we report that consumption of food products like grains, grain-based products, milk and milk products, and beverages (tea, coffee) is associated with differences in the composition of the gut microbiome. Establishing nutritional strategies to shape the gut microbiome could contribute to improved health status in postmenopausal women, but further research is needed.
Associations of Dietary Macroelements with Knee Joint Structures, Symptoms, Quality of Life, and Comorbid Conditions in People with Symptomatic Knee Osteoarthritis
Authors: Zhang Yan , Chen Tianyu , Luo Ping , Li Shengfa , Zhu Jianwei , Xue Song , Cao Peihua , Zhu Zhaohua , Li Jia , Wang Xiaoshuai , Wluka Anita E. , Cicuttini Flavia , Ruan Guangfeng , Ding Changhai
Published: August 2022

Background: Osteoarthritis (OA), the most common joint disease in the elderly, has no cure. Macroelements are vital in human health and their relationships with OA are not clear. Clarifying the relationships between macroelements and OA may assist knee OA management. Methods: This study was a post-hoc analysis using data from a two-year randomized controlled trial among 392 participants with knee OA. Dietary macroelements, including calcium, magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus were computed-based on a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire at baseline. Knee joint structures (including cartilage volume, cartilage defect, bone marrow lesions, and effusion-synovitis volume), OA symptoms, quality of life, and OA comorbid conditions (including lower limb muscle strength and depressive symptoms) were assessed at baseline and month 24. Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) Index and depressive symptoms were assessed at baseline and months 3, 6, 12, and 24. Quality of life and lower limb muscle strength were assessed at baseline and months 6, 12, and 24. All analyses were conducted using mixed-effects models. Results: Higher dietary magnesium and potassium were associated with fewer OA symptoms, higher quality of life, greater lower limb muscle strength, and fewer depressive symptoms, but not with knee joint structures. Higher dietary calcium and phosphorus was not associated with any of the OA-related outcomes, except that dietary phosphorus was associated with greater lower limb muscle strength. Conclusions: In the longitudinal analyses, higher dietary magnesium and potassium intake are associated with fewer OA symptoms, higher quality of life, and milder comorbid conditions in patients with knee OA, suggesting dietary magnesium and potassium may have beneficial effects on OA and could be used for knee OA management.
The Association between Sugar-Sweetened Beverages and High-Energy Diets and Academic Performance in Junior School Students
Authors: Ren Yan , Peng Chan , Li Yanming , Zhou Feng , Yang Mei , Xiang Bing , Hao Liping , Yang Xuefeng , Zeng Jing
Published: August 2022

This study aimed to understand the consumption frequency of sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs) and high-energy diets in junior school students in China and to explore the relationship between SSBs and high-energy diets and academic performance. Information about 9251 junior school students was retrieved from the China Education Panel Survey (CEPS) database. The Mann–Whitney U test and the Kruskal–Wallis test were used to compare differences in academic performance based on the variables of interest. Generalized linear mixed models were used to analyze the association between the consumption frequency of SSBs and high-energy diet and student academic performance, fixed and random effects were included to control for confounding factors. The proportions of the “often” consumption group of SSBs and high-energy diets were 21.5% and 14.6%, respectively. For SSBs, the total score of the “often” consume group was 4.902 (95%CI: −7.660~−2.144, p < 0.001) points lower than that of the “seldom” consume group. Scores of Chinese math, and English were 0.864 (95%CI: −1.551~−0.177, p = 0.014), 2.164 (95%CI: −3.498~−0.831, p = 0.001), and 1.836 (95%CI: −2.961~−0.710, p = 0.001) points lower, respectively. For high-energy diets, the scores of total, Chinese and English in the “sometimes” consume group were 2.519 (95%CI: 0.452~4.585, p = 0.017), 1.025 (95%CI: 0.510~1.540, p < 0.001) and 1.010 (95%CI: 0.167~1.853, p = 0.019) points higher than that of the “seldom” consume group, respectively. Our findings suggested that consumption of SSBs was often negatively associated with academic performance in junior school students, while medium consumption of high-energy diets had a positive correlation. The positive association between high-energy diets and academic performance may be related to the food items included in the high-energy diets consumed by Chinese students. Schools and families should pay more effort to reduce the consumption of SSBs, and for high-energy diets, the focus should be on food selection and avoiding excessive intake. Longitudinal studies are needed to further test these findings among adolescents.
General Nutritional Profile of Bee Products and Their Potential Antiviral Properties against Mammalian Viruses
Authors: Asma Syeda Tasmia , Bobiş Otilia , Bonta Victoriţa , Acaroz Ulas , Shah Syed Rizwan Ali , Istanbullugil Fatih Ramazan , Arslan-Acaroz Damla
Published: August 2022

Bee products have been extensively employed in traditional therapeutic practices to treat several diseases and microbial infections. Numerous bioactive components of bee products have exhibited several antibacterial, antifungal, antiviral, anticancer, antiprotozoal, hepatoprotective, and immunomodulatory properties. Apitherapy is a form of alternative medicine that uses the bioactive properties of bee products to prevent and/or treat different diseases. This review aims to provide an elaborated vision of the antiviral activities of bee products with recent advances in research. Since ancient times, bee products have been well known for their several medicinal properties. The antiviral and immunomodulatory effects of bee products and their bioactive components are emerging as a promising alternative therapy against several viral infections. Numerous studies have been performed, but many clinical trials should be conducted to evaluate the potential of apitherapy against pathogenic viruses. In that direction, here, we review and highlight the potential roles of bee products as apitherapeutics in combating numerous viral infections. Available studies validate the effectiveness of bee products in virus inhibition. With such significant antiviral potential, bee products and their bioactive components/extracts can be effectively employed as an alternative strategy to improve human health from individual to communal levels as well.
Vitamin D Status in Critically Ill Patients with SIRS and Its Relationship with Circulating Zn and Related Parameters during ICU Stay
Authors: Herrera-Quintana Lourdes , Vázquez-Lorente Héctor , Molina-López Jorge , Gamarra-Morales Yenifer , Martín-López Javier Ignacio , Planells Elena
Published: August 2022

Critically ill patients are exposed to different stressors which may generate Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome (SIRS). This situation hinders the assessment of micronutrients status, such as vitamin D or Zinc (Zn), potentially affecting patients’ treatment and recovery. The aim of the present study was to assess the evolution of circulating 25–Hydroxyvitamin D (25–OH–D) levels after seven days of Intensive Care Unit (ICU) stay and the influence on changes in plasma and erythrocyte Zn levels, as well as other parameters related to phosphorus–calcium metabolism. A prospective analytical study was conducted on 65 critically ill patients (42% women) aged 31–77 years with SIRS. Total 25–OH–D levels were measured in plasma samples by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry, and Zn content was analyzed by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. Both 25–OH–D and 25–OH–D3 levels were directly associated with erythrocyte Zn concentration at follow-up (p = 0.046 and p = 0.011, respectively). A relationship between erythrocyte and plasma Zn was also found at this follow-up point. No such clear associations were found when considering 25–OH–D2. Different disturbances in levels of phosphorus–calcium metabolism parameters were found, suggesting a relationship between the changes of 25–OH–D3 levels and parathormone (p = 0.019) and phosphorus (p = 0.005). The findings of the present study suggest an interaction between vitamin D and Zn, in which the correct status of these micronutrients could be a potentially modifiable factor and a beneficial approach in the recovery of critically ill patients.
Mycotoxin Exposure and Renal Cell Carcinoma Risk: An Association Study in the EPIC European Cohort
Authors: Claeys Liesel , De Saeger Sarah , Scelo Ghislaine , Biessy Carine , Casagrande Corinne , Nicolas Genevieve , Korenjak Michael , Fervers Beatrice , Heath Alicia K. , Krogh Vittorio , Luján-Barroso Leila , Castilla Jesús , Ljungberg Börje , Rodriguez-Barranco Miguel , Ericson Ulrika , Santiuste Carmen , Catalano Alberto , Overvad Kim , Brustad Magritt , Gunter Marc J. , Zavadil Jiri , De Boevre Marthe , Huybrechts Inge
Published: August 2022

Background: Mycotoxins have been suggested to contribute to a spectrum of adverse health effects in humans, including at low concentrations. The recognition of these food contaminants being carcinogenic, as co-occurring rather than as singularly present, has emerged from recent research. The aim of this study was to assess the potential associations of single and multiple mycotoxin exposures with renal cell carcinoma risk in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) cohort. Methods: Food questionnaire data from the EPIC cohort were matched to mycotoxin food occurrence data compiled by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) from European Member States to assess long-term dietary mycotoxin exposures, and to associate these with the risk of renal cell carcinoma (RCC, n = 911 cases) in 450,112 EPIC participants. Potential confounding factors were taken into account. Analyses were conducted using Cox’s proportional hazards regression models to compute hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) with mycotoxin exposures expressed as µg/kg body weight/day. Results: Demographic characteristics differed between the RCC cases and non-cases for body mass index, age, alcohol intake at recruitment, and other dietary factors. In addition, the mycotoxin exposure distributions showed that a large proportion of the EPIC population was exposed to some of the main mycotoxins present in European foods such as deoxynivalenol (DON) and derivatives, fumonisins, Fusarium toxins, Alternaria toxins, and total mycotoxins. Nevertheless, no statistically significant associations were observed between the studied mycotoxins and mycotoxin groups, and the risk of RCC development. Conclusions: These results show an absence of statistically significant associations between long-term dietary mycotoxin exposures and RCC risk. However, these results need to be validated in other cohorts and preferably using repeated dietary exposure measurements. In addition, more occurrence data of, e.g., citrinin and fumonisins in different food commodities and countries in the EFSA database are a prerequisite to establish a greater degree of certainty.
Vitamin D Supplementation and COVID-19 Outcomes: Mounting Evidence and Fewer Doubts
Authors: Cicero Arrigo F. G. , Fogacci Federica , Borghi Claudio
Published: August 2022

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has already killed more than 6 million people around the world. A growing body of epidemiological evidence suggests that low 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25-OH-vitamin D) plasma levels are associated with an increased risk of developing COVID-19 and —most importantly—with a higher risk of developing more severe COVID-19 and dying. On the other hand, vitamin D supplementation during the early phases of COVID-19 has been related to a decreased length of hospital stay, less frequent need for oxygen, and a reduced mortality rate in inpatients. This seems to be particularly true when high dosages are used. In light of this evidence, further studies are needed to define the best timing for vitamin D supplementation and the most effective dosage schedule.
Public Health Awareness on Bat Rabies among Bat Handlers and Persons Residing near Bat Roosts in Makurdi, Nigeria
Authors: Ameh Veronica Odinya , Chirima George J. , Quan Melvyn , Sabeta Claude
Published: August 2022

Rabies is a neglected disease endemic in Asia and Africa but is still a significant public and veterinary health threat. Whilst a key delicacy for the local diet, bats are a natural reservoir host for many viral zoonotic agents including lyssaviruses, the causative agent of rabies. Studies on knowledge and practices linked to the disease will help to identify gaps and define preventive strategies that may subsequently result in a reduction and the potential elimination of human rabies. In order to assess the public health awareness of bat rabies among specific population groups in Makurdi (Nigeria), structured questionnaires (n = 154) were administered by face-to-face interviews to bat handlers and persons residing near bat roost sites. A total of 59.7% of the respondents were persons residing near bat roost sites, 13% were bat hunters, 25.3% were bat meat consumers and 1.9% were university researchers. Only 6.5% of respondents reported using some form of personal protective equipment (PPE) ranging from hand gloves, face/nose masks and protective boots to lab coats/coveralls while handling bats, whilst the majority (93.5%) did not use any form of PPE. With a mean knowledge score of 8.34 out of a possible 12 points, 50.6% of respondents had good knowledge of bats and their disease-carrying potential, 39.6% had fair knowledge, while 9.7% had poor knowledge. Log linear models showed significant associations between knowledge score and level of education, as well as knowledge score and occupation. The latter highlights the requirement to enhance public education among bat handlers and persons residing near bat roosts on the need to protect themselves better, while handling bats particularly during processing of bats for food and on steps to take when exposed to bites from bats.
Cortisol Promotes Surface Translocation of Porphyromonas gingivalis
Authors: Kim Hey-Min , Rothenberger Christina Magda , Davey Mary Ellen
Published: August 2022

Studies are showing that the stress hormone cortisol can reach high levels in the gingival sulcus and induce shifts in the metatranscriptome of the oral microbiome. Interestingly, it has also been shown that cortisol can influence expression levels of Type IX Secretion System (T9SS) genes involved in gliding motility in bacteria belonging to the phylum Bacteroidota. The objective of this study was to determine if cortisol impacts gene expression and surface translocation of Porphyromonas gingivalis strain W50. To conduct these experiments, P. gingivalis was stabbed to the bottom of soft agar plates containing varying cortisol concentrations (0 μM, 0.13 μM, 1.3 μM, and 13 μM), and surface translocation on the subsurface was observed after 48 h of incubation. The results show that when grown with certain nutrients, i.e., in rich medium with the addition of sheep blood, lactate, or pyruvate, cortisol promotes migration of P. gingivalis in a concentration-dependent manner. To begin to examine the underlying mechanisms, quantitative PCR was used to evaluate differential expression of genes when P. gingivalis was exposed to cortisol. In particular, we focused on differential expression of T9SS-associated genes, including mfa5, since it was previously shown that Mfa5 is required for cell movement and cell-to-cell interactions. The data show that mfa5 is significantly up-regulated in the presence of cortisol. Moreover, an mfa5 deletion mutant showed less surface translocation compared to the wild-type P. gingivalis in the presence of cortisol, and the defects of the mfa5 deletion mutant were restored by complementation. Overall, cortisol can stimulate P. gingivalis surface translocation and this coincides with higher expression levels of T9SS-associated genes, which are known to be essential to gliding motility. Our findings support a high possibility that the stress hormone cortisol from the host can promote surface translocation and potentially virulence of P. gingivalis.
Effect of Probiotics on Host-Microbiota in Bacterial Infections
Authors: Rueda-Robles Ascensión , Rodríguez-Lara Avilene , Meyers Matthew S. , Sáez-Lara María José , Álvarez-Mercado Ana I.
Published: August 2022

Diseases caused by bacteria cause millions of deaths every year. In addition, the problem of resistance to antibiotics is so serious that it threatens the achievements of modern medicine. This is a very important global problem as some bacteria can also develop persistence. Indeed, the persistence of pathogenic bacteria has evolved as a potent survival strategy to overcome host organisms’ defense mechanisms. Additionally, chronic or persistent infections may be caused by persisters which could facilitate antibiotic resistance. Probiotics are considered good bacteria. It has been described that the modulation of gut microbiota by probiotics could have a great potential to counteract the deleterious impact and/or regulate gut microbiota after bacterial infection. Probiotics might provide health benefits through the inhibition of pathogen growth or the replacement of pathogenic bacteria. Bearing in mind that current strategies to avoid bacterial persistence and prevent antibiotic resistance are not effective, other strategies need to be assessed. We have carried out a comprehensive review, which included the reported literature between 2016 and 2021, highlighting the clinical trials that reported the probiotics’ potential to regulate gut microbiota after bacterial infection and focusing in particular on the context of antibiotic resistance and persister cells.
The History of the ABC Proteins in Human Trypanosomiasis Pathogens
Authors: da Costa Kelli Monteiro , Valente Raphael do Carmo , Fonseca Leonardo Marques da , Freire-de-Lima Leonardo , Previato Jose Osvaldo , Mendonça-Previato Lucia
Published: August 2022

Human trypanosomiasis affects nearly eight million people worldwide, causing great economic and social impact, mainly in endemic areas. T. cruzi and T. brucei are protozoan parasites that present efficient mechanisms of immune system evasion, leading to disease chronification. Currently, there is no vaccine, and chemotherapy is effective only in the absence of severe clinical manifestations. Nevertheless, resistant phenotypes to chemotherapy have been described in protozoan parasites, associated with cross-resistance to other chemically unrelated drugs. Multidrug resistance is multifactorial, involving: (i) drug entry, (ii) activation, (iii) metabolism and (iv) efflux pathways. In this context, ABC transporters, initially discovered in resistant tumor cells, have drawn attention in protozoan parasites, owing to their ability to decrease drug accumulation, thus mitigating their toxic effects. The discovery of these transporters in the Trypanosomatidae family started in the 1990s; however, few members were described and functionally characterized. This review contains a brief history of the main ABC transporters involved in resistance that propelled their investigation in Trypanosoma species, the main efflux modulators, as well as ABC genes described in T. cruzi and T. brucei according to the nomenclature HUGO. We hope to convey the importance that ABC transporters play in parasite physiology and chemotherapy resistance.
Modified Stability of microRNA-Loaded Nanoparticles
Authors: Fresacher-Scheiber Katja , Ruseska Ivana , Siboni Henrik , Reiser Martin , Falsone Fabio , Grill Leonhard , Zimmer Andreas
Published: August 2022

microRNAs represent promising drugs to treat and prevent several diseases, such as diabetes mellitus. microRNA delivery brings many obstacles to overcome, and one strategy to bypass them is the manufacturing of self-assembled microRNA protein nanoparticles. In this work, a microRNA was combined with the cell-penetrating peptide protamine, forming so-called proticles. Previous studies demonstrated a lack of microRNA dissociation from proticles. Therefore, the goal of this study was to show the success of functionalizing binary proticles with citric acid in order to reduce the binding strength between the microRNA and protamine and further enable sufficient dissociation. Thus, we outline the importance of the present protons provided by the acid in influencing colloidal stability, achieving a constant particle size, and monodispersing the particle size distribution. The use of citric acid also provoked an increase in drug loading. Against all expectations, the AFM investigations demonstrated that our nanoparticles were loose complexes mainly consisting of water, and the addition of citric acid led to a change in shape. Moreover, a successful reduction in binding affinity and nanoparticulate stability are highlighted. Low cellular toxicity and a constant cellular uptake are demonstrated, and as uptake routes, active and passive pathways are discussed.
Situated Affectivity, Enactivism, and the Weapons Effect
Authors: Maiese Michelle
Published: August 2022

Existing research on the “weapons effect” indicates that simply seeing a weapon can prime aggressive thoughts and appraisals and increase aggressive behavior. But how and why does this happen? I begin by discussing prevailing explanations of the weapons effect and propose that these accounts tend to be over-intellectualistic insofar as they downplay or overlook the important role played by affectivity. In my view, insights from the fields of situated affectivity and enactivism help us to understand how cognitive and affective processes jointly contribute to the weapons effect. Insofar as the presence of weapons alters subject’s bodily-affective orientation and thereby brings about embodied mindshaping, it changes the way they engage with and understand their surroundings. To understand the weapons effect, we will need to examine the constitutive interdependency of appraisal and affectivity and the way in which they jointly motivate action. My proposed account emphasizes the role of affectivity in affordance perception and the way in which subjects gauge the meaning of an object according to its action-possibilities.
Speckle Noise Suppression Based on Empirical Mode Decomposition and Improved Anisotropic Diffusion Equation
Authors: Zhan Xiaojiang , Gan Chuli , Ding Yi , Hu Yi , Xu Bin , Deng Dingnan , Liao Shengbin , Xi Jiangtao
Published: August 2022

Existing methods to eliminate the laser speckle noise in quantitative phase imaging always suffer from the loss of detailed phase information and the resolution reduction in the reproduced image. To overcome these problems, this paper proposes a speckle noise suppression method based on empirical mode decomposition. Our proposed method requires only one image without additional equipment and avoids the complicated process of searching the optimal processing parameters. In this method, we use empirical mode decomposition to highlight the high frequency information of the interference image and use the Canny operator to perform edge detection, so the diffusion denoising process is guided by high-precision detection results to achieve better results. To validate the performance of our proposed method, the phase maps processed by our proposed method are compared with the phase maps processed by the improved anisotropic diffusion equation method with edge detection, the mean filter method and the median filter method. The experimental results show that the method proposed in this paper not only has a better denoising effect but also preserves more details and achieves higher phase reconstruction accuracy.
Pre- and Post-Harvest Conditions Affect Polyphenol Content in Strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa)
Authors: Koyama Ryohei , Ishibashi Misaki , Fukuda Itsuko , Okino Akitoshi , Osawa Ro , Uno Yuichi
Published: August 2022

The strawberry fruit contains abundant polyphenols, such as anthocyanins, flavan-3-ol, and ellagitannin. Polyphenol enrichment improves the quality of strawberries and leads to a better understanding of the polyphenol induction process. We measured the total polyphenol content of strawberry fruits under different growth conditions, developmental stages, and treatment conditions during pre-harvest and post-harvest periods. High fruit polyphenol content was observed in cold treatment, which was selected for further analysis and optimization. A transcriptome analysis of cold-treated fruits suggested that the candidate components of polyphenols may exist in the phenylpropanoid pathway. Coverage with a porous film bag excluded the effects of drought stress and produced polyphenol-rich strawberry fruits without affecting quality or quantity. The degree of stress was assessed using known stress indicators. A rapid accumulation of abscisic acid was followed by an increase in superoxide dismutase and DPPH (2,2-Diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) activity, suggesting that the strawberry fruits responded to cold stress immediately, reaching the climax at around 6 days, a trend consistent with that of polyphenol content. These findings enhance our understanding of the mechanism of post-harvest polyphenol accumulation and the value of strawberries as a functional food.
Prevention of Aflatoxin Occurrence Using Nuts-Edible Coating of Ginger Oil Nanoemulsions and Investigate the Molecular Docking Strategy
Authors: Farouk Amr , Abdel-Razek Adel , Gromadzka Karolina , Badr Ahmed
Published: August 2022

The modern utilization of essential oils such as ginger oil (GO) as an anti-aflatoxin represents a potential target for food preservation and safety; however, the mechanism of action is still unclear. Nanoemulsions, through an edible coating, can enhance the oil’s bioactivity, increase its hydrophilicity, and extend the final product’s shelf-life. In the present study, two edible films for the GO nanoemulsion were prepared by ultrasonication using carboxymethyl cellulose (FB1-GO) and sodium alginate (FB2-GO). The droplet size of FB2-GO was finer (126.54 nm) compared to FB1-GO (289.77 nm). Meanwhile, both had high stability proved by z-potential; +31.54 mV (FB1-GO) and +46.25 mV (FB2-GO) with low PDI values (<0.4). Using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, the hydrodistilled GO showed 25 compounds, representing 99.17% of the total oil, with α-zingiberene (29.8%), geranial (10.87%), β-bisabolene (8.19%), and ar-curcumene (5.96%) as the predominant. A dramatic increase in α-zingiberene, α-bisabolene and ar-curcumene was due to the homogenization conditions in both FB1-GO and FB2-GO compared to the GO. The FB1-GO exhibited superior antibacterial activity against the examined strains of bacterial pathogens, while FB2-GO was more effective as an antifungal agent on the tested Aspergillus fungi strains. In a simulated liquid media, FB2-GO inhibited the total growth of fungi by 84.87–92.51% and showed the highest reduction in the aflatoxin amount produced. The in silico study presented that, among the GO volatile constituents, sesquiterpenes had the highest binding free energies against the enzymes responsible for aflatoxin production compared to monoterpenes. α-Bisabolene showed the highest affinity toward polyketide synthase (−7.5 Kcal/mol), while ar-curcumene was the most potent against cytochrome P450 monooxygenase (−8.3 Kcal/mol). The above findings clarify the reasons for aflatoxin reduction in simulated media during incubation with FB1-GO and FB2-GO.
Extraction Kinetics and Reaction Rates of Sacred Lotus Stamen Tea Infusion-Derived Flavonoids in Relation with Its Antioxidant Capacity
Authors: Tungmunnithum Duangjai , Garros Laurine , Drouet Samantha , Cruz-Martins Natália , Hano Christophe
Published: August 2022

Stamen tea from Nelumbo nucifera Gaertn. (or the so-called sacred lotus) is widely consumed, and its flavonoids provide various human health benefits. The method used for tea preparation for consumption, namely the infusion time, may affect the levels of extractable flavonoids, ultimately affecting their biological effects. To date, there is no report on this critical information. Thus, this study aims to determine the kinetics of solid liquid extraction of flavonoid from sacred lotus stamen using the traditional method of preparing sacred lotus stamen tea. Phytochemical composition was also analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The antioxidant potential of stamen tea was also determined. The results indicated that the infusion time critically affects the concentrations of flavonoids and the antioxidant capacity of sacred lotus stamen tea, with a minimum infusion time of 5–12 min being required to release the different flavonoids from the tea. The extraction was modeled using second order kinetics. The rate of release was investigated by the glycosylation pattern, with flavonoid diglycosides, e.g., rutin and Kae-3-Rob, being released faster than flavonoid monoglycosides. The antioxidant activity was also highly correlated with flavonoid levels during infusion. Taken together, data obtained here underline that, among others, the infusion time should be considered for the experimental design of future epidemiological studies and/or clinical trials to reach the highest health benefits.
In Vitro and In Silico Screening of Anti-Vibrio spp., Antibiofilm, Antioxidant and Anti-Quorum Sensing Activities of Cuminum cyminum L. Volatile Oil
Authors: Ghannay Siwar , Aouadi Kaïss , Kadri Adel , Snoussi Mejdi
Published: August 2022

Cuminum cyminum L. essential oil (cumin EO) was studied for its chemical composition, antioxidant and vibriocidal activities. Inhibition of biofilm formation and secretion of some virulence properties controlled by the quorum sensing system in Chromobacterium violaceum and Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains were also reported. The obtained results showed that cuminaldehyde (44.2%) was the dominant compound followed by β-pinene (15.1%), γ-terpinene (14.4%), and p-cymene (14.2%). Using the disc diffusion assay, cumin EO (10 mg/disc) was particularly active against all fifteen Vibrio species, and the highest diameter of growth inhibition zone was recorded against Vibrio fluvialis (41.33 ± 1.15 mm), Vibrio parahaemolyticus (39.67 ± 0.58 mm), and Vibrio natrigens (36.67 ± 0.58 mm). At low concentration (MICs value from 0.023–0.046 mg/mL), cumin EO inhibited the growth of all Vibrio strains, and concentrations as low as 1.5 mg/mL were necessary to kill them (MBCs values from 1.5–12 mg/mL). Using four antioxidant assays, cumin EO exhibited a good result as compared to standard molecules (DPPH = 8 ± 0.54 mg/mL; reducing power = 3.5 ± 0.38 mg/mL; β-carotene = 3.8 ± 0.34 mg/mL; chelating power = 8.4 ± 0.14 mg/mL). More interestingly, at 2x MIC value, cumin EO inhibited the formation of biofilm by Vibrio alginolyticus (9.96 ± 1%), V. parahaemolyticus (15.45 ± 0.7%), Vibrio cholerae (14.9 ± 0.4%), and Vibrio vulnificus (18.14 ± 0.3%). In addition, cumin EO and cuminaldehyde inhibited the production of violacein on Lauria Bertani medium (19 mm and 35 mm, respectively). Meanwhile, 50% of violacein inhibition concentration (VIC50%) was about 2.746 mg/mL for cumin EO and 1.676 mg/mL for cuminaldehyde. Moreover, elastase and protease production and flagellar motility in P. aeruginosa were inhibited at low concentrations of cumin EO and cuminaldehyde. The adopted in-silico approach revealed good ADMET properties as well as a high binding score of the main compounds with target proteins (1JIJ, 2UV0, 1HD2, and 3QP1). Overall, the obtained results highlighted the effectiveness of cumin EO to prevent spoilage with Vibrio species and to interfere with the quorum sensing system in Gram-negative bacteria by inhibiting the flagellar motility, formation of biofilm, and the secretion of some virulence enzymes.
Achievements, Developments and Future Challenges in the Field of Bioherbicides for Weed Control: A Global Review
Authors: Roberts Jason , Florentine Singarayer , Fernando W. G. Dilantha , Tennakoon Kushan U.
Published: August 2022

The intrusion of weeds into fertile areas has resulted in significant global economic and environmental impacts on agricultural production systems and native ecosystems, hence without ongoing and repeated management actions, the maintenance or restoration of these systems will become increasingly challenging. The establishment of herbicide resistance in many species and unwanted pollution caused by synthetic herbicides has ushered in the need for alternative, eco-friendly sustainable management strategies, such as the use of bioherbicides. Of the array of bioherbicides currently available, the most successful products appear to be sourced from fungi (mycoherbicides), with at least 16 products being developed for commercial use globally. Over the last few decades, bioherbicides sourced from bacteria and plant extracts (such as allelochemicals and essential oils), together with viruses, have also shown marked success in controlling various weeds. Despite this encouraging trend, ongoing research is still required for these compounds to be economically viable and successful in the long term. It is apparent that more focused research is required for (i) the improvement of the commercialisation processes, including the cost-effectiveness and scale of production of these materials; (ii) the discovery of new production sources, such as bacteria, fungi, plants or viruses and (iii) the understanding of the environmental influence on the efficacy of these compounds, such as atmospheric CO2, humidity, soil water stress, temperature and UV radiation.
Pseudomonas and Curtobacterium Strains from Olive Rhizosphere Characterized and Evaluated for Plant Growth Promoting Traits
Authors: Schillaci Martino , Raio Aida , Sillo Fabiano , Zampieri Elisa , Mahmood Shahid , Anjum Muzammil , Khalid Azeem , Centritto Mauro
Published: August 2022

Plant growth promoting (PGP) bacteria are known to enhance plant growth and protect them from environmental stresses through different pathways. The rhizosphere of perennial plants, including olive, may represent a relevant reservoir of PGP bacteria. Here, seven bacterial strains isolated from olive rhizosphere have been characterized taxonomically by 16S sequencing and biochemically, to evaluate their PGP potential. Most strains were identified as Pseudomonas or Bacillus spp., while the most promising ones belonged to genera Pseudomonas and Curtobacterium. Those strains have been tested for their capacity to grow under osmotic or salinity stress and to improve the germination and early development of Triticum durum subjected or not to those stresses. The selected strains had the ability to grow under severe stress, and a positive effect has been observed in non-stressed seedlings inoculated with one of the Pseudomonas strains, which showed promising characteristics that should be further evaluated. The biochemical and taxonomical characterization of bacterial strains isolated from different niches and the evaluation of their interaction with plants under varying conditions will help to increase our knowledge on PGP microorganisms and their use in agriculture.