bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A Deep Mining Strategy for Peptide Rapid Identification in Lactobacillus reuteri Based on LC–MS/MS Integrated with FBMN and De Novo Sequencing
Authors: Zuo Yilang , Gong Shilin , Zhang Li , Zhou Jie , Wu Jian-Lin , Li Na
Published: August 2024

Lactobacillus reuteri (L. reuteri) is widely recognized as a probiotic that produces prebiotics. However, studies on bioactive peptides or amino acid (AA) derivatives produced by L. reuteri are still lacking, whereas many bioactive peptides and AA derivatives have been found in other Lactobacillus species. In addition, rapid identification of peptides is challenged by the large amount of data and is limited by the coverage of protein databases. In this study, we performed a rapid and thorough profile of peptides in L. reuteri incorporating Global Natural Products Social Molecular Networking (GNPS) platform database searching, de novo sequencing, and deep mining, based on feature-based molecular networking (FBMN). According to FBMN, it was found that peptides containing identical or similar AA compositions were grouped into the same clusters, especially cyclic dipeptides (CDPs). Therefore, the grouping characteristics of clusters, differences in precursor ions, and characteristic fragment ions were utilized for the mining of deeply unknown compounds. Through this strategy, a total of 192 compounds, including 184 peptides, were rapidly identified. Among them, 53 CDPs, including four novel ones, were found for the first time in L. reuteri. Then, one of the novel CDPs, cyclo(5-OMe-Glu-4-OH-Pro), was isolated and characterized, which was consistent with the identification results. Moreover, some of the identified peptides exhibited considerable interactions with seven anti-inflammatory-related target proteins through molecular docking. According to the binding energies of peptides with different AA consistencies, it was considered that the existence of unnatural AAs in CDPs might contribute to their anti-inflammatory activity. These results provide a valuable strategy for the rapid identification of peptides, including CDPs. This study also reveals the substance basis for the potential anti-inflammatory effects exerted by L. reuteri.
Impact of Program–Erase Operation Intervals at Different Temperatures on 3D Charge-Trapping Triple-Level-Cell NAND Flash Memory Reliability
Authors: Zheng Xuesong , Wu Yifan , Dong Haitao , Liu Yizhi , Sang Pengpeng , Xiao Liyi , Zhan Xuepeng
Published: August 2024

Three-dimensional charge-trapping (CT) NAND flash memory has attracted extensive attention owing to its unique merits, including huge storage capacities, large memory densities, and low bit cost. The reliability property is becoming an important factor for NAND flash memory with multi-level-cell (MLC) modes like triple-level-cell (TLC) or quad-level-cell (QLC), which is seriously affected by the intervals between program (P) and erase (E) operations during P/E cycles. In this work, the impacts of the intervals between P&E cycling under different temperatures and P/E cycles were systematically characterized. The results are further analyzed in terms of program disturb (PD), read disturb (RD), and data retention (DR). It was found that fail bit counts (FBCs) during the high temperature (HT) PD process are much smaller than those of the room temperature (RT) PD process. Moreover, upshift error and downshift error dominate the HT PD and RT PD processes, respectively. To improve the memory reliability of 3D CT TLC NAND, different intervals between P&E operations should be adopted considering the operating temperatures. These results could provide potential insights to optimize the lifetime of NAND flash-based memory systems.
Democratizing Microreactor Technology for Accelerated Discoveries in Chemistry and Materials Research
Authors: Sato Tomomi , Masuda Koji , Sano Chikako , Matsumoto Keiji , Numata Hidetoshi , Munetoh Seiji , Kasama Toshihiro , Miyake Ryo
Published: August 2024

Microreactor technologies have emerged as versatile platforms with the potential to revolutionize chemistry and materials research, offering sustainable solutions to global challenges in environmental and health domains. This survey paper provides an in-depth review of recent advancements in microreactor technologies, focusing on their role in facilitating accelerated discoveries in chemistry and materials. Specifically, we examine the convergence of microfluidics with machine intelligence and automation, enabling the exploitation of the cyber-physical environment as a highly integrated experimentation platform for rapid scientific discovery and process development. We investigate the applicability and limitations of microreactor-enabled discovery accelerators in various chemistry and materials contexts. Despite their tremendous potential, the integration of machine intelligence and automation into microreactor-based experiments presents challenges in establishing fully integrated, automated, and intelligent systems. These challenges can hinder the broader adoption of microreactor technologies within the research community. To address this, we review emerging technologies that can help lower barriers and facilitate the implementation of microreactor-enabled discovery accelerators. Lastly, we provide our perspective on future research directions for democratizing microreactor technologies, with the aim of accelerating scientific discoveries and promoting widespread adoption of these transformative platforms.
A Low-Power Optoelectronic Receiver IC for Short-Range LiDAR Sensors in 180 nm CMOS
Authors: Choi Shinhae , Chon Yeojin , Park Sung Min
Published: August 2024

This paper presents a novel power-efficient topology for receivers in short-range LiDAR sensors. Conventionally, LiDAR sensors exploit complex time-to-digital converters (TDCs) for time-of-flight (ToF) distance measurements, thereby frequently leading to intricate circuit designs and persistent walk error issues. However, this work features a fully differential trans-impedance amplifier with on-chip avalanche photodiodes as optical detectors so that the need of the following post-amplifiers and output buffers can be eliminated, thus considerably reducing power consumption. Also, the combination of amplitude-to-voltage (A2V) and time-to-voltage (T2V) converters are exploited to replace the complicated TDC circuit. The A2V converter efficiently processes weak input photocurrents ranging from 1 to 50 μApp which corresponds to a maximum distance of 22.8 m, while the T2V converter handles relatively larger photocurrents from 40 μApp to 5.8 mApp for distances as short as 30 cm. The post-layout simulations confirm that the proposed LiDAR receiver can detect optical pulses over the range of 0.3 to 22.8 m with a low power dissipation of 10 mW from a single 1.8 V supply. This topology offers significant improvements in simplifying the receiver design and reducing the power consumption, providing a more efficient and accurate solution that is highly suitable for short-range LiDAR sensor applications.
Influence of Copper on Oleidesulfovibrio alaskensis G20 Biofilm Formation
Authors: Thakur Payal , Gopalakrishnan Vinoj , Saxena Priya , Subramaniam Mahadevan , Goh Kian Mau , Peyton Brent , Fields Matthew , Sani Rajesh Kumar
Published: August 2024

Copper is known to have toxic effects on bacterial growth. This study aimed to determine the influence of copper ions on Oleidesulfovibrio alaskensis G20 biofilm formation in a lactate-C medium supplemented with variable copper ion concentrations. OA G20, when grown in media supplemented with high copper ion concentrations of 5, 15, and 30 µM, exhibited inhibited growth in its planktonic state. Conversely, under similar copper concentrations, OA G20 demonstrated enhanced biofilm formation on glass coupons. Microscopic studies revealed that biofilms exposed to copper stress demonstrated a change in cellular morphology and more accumulation of carbohydrates and proteins than controls. Consistent with these findings, sulfur (dsrA, dsrB, sat, aprA) and electron transport (NiFeSe, NiFe, ldh, cyt3) genes, polysaccharide synthesis (poI), and genes involved in stress response (sodB) were significantly upregulated in copper-induced biofilms, while genes (ftsZ, ftsA, ftsQ) related to cellular division were negatively regulated compared to controls. These results indicate that the presence of copper ions triggers alterations in cellular morphology and gene expression levels in OA G20, impacting cell attachment and EPS production. This adaptation, characterized by increased biofilm formation, represents a crucial strategy employed by OA G20 to resist metal ion stress.
Genomic Functional Analysis of Novel Radiation-Resistant Species of Knollia sp. nov. S7-12T from the North Slope of Mount Everest
Authors: Wang Xinyue , Liu Yang , Chen Zhiyuan , Wang Kexin , Liu Guangxiu , Chen Tuo , Zhang Binglin
Published: August 2024

Radiation protection is an important field of study, as it relates to human health and environmental safety. Radiation-resistance mechanisms in extremophiles are a research hotspot, as this knowledge has great application value in bioremediation and development of anti-radiation drugs. Mount Everest, an extreme environment of high radiation exposure, harbors many bacterial strains resistant to radiation. However, owing to the difficulties in studying them because of the extreme terrain, many remain unexplored. In this study, a novel species (herein, S7-12T) was isolated from the moraine of Mount Everest, and its morphology and functional and genomic characteristics were analyzed. The strain S7-12T is white in color, smooth and rounded, non-spore-forming, and non-motile and can survive at a UV intensity of 1000 J/m2, showing that it is twice as resistant to radiation as Deinococcus radiodurans. Radiation-resistance genes, including IbpA and those from the rec and CspA gene families, were identified. The polyphasic taxonomic approach revealed that the strain S7-12T (=KCTC 59114T =GDMCC 1.3458T) is a new species of the genus Knoellia and is thus proposed to be named glaciei. The in-depth study of the genome of strain S7-12T will enable us to gain further insights into its potential use in radiation resistance. Understanding how microorganisms resist radiation damage could reveal potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets, leading to the discovery of potent anti-radiation compounds, thereby improving human resistance to the threat of radiation.
The Response of Rhizosphere Microbial C and N-Cycling Gene Abundance of Sand-Fixing Shrub to Stand Age Following Desert Restoration
Authors: Li Yunfei , Wang Bingyao , Wang Zhanjun , He Wenqiang , Wang Yanli , Liu Lichao , Yang Haotian
Published: August 2024

Rhizosphere microorganisms play a pivotal role in biogeochemical cycles, particularly in relation to carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycles. However, the impact of stand age on the composition of rhizosphere microbial communities and the abundance involved in C and N cycling remains largely unexplored in restoration ecosystems dominated by shrubs of temperate deserts. This study focuses on revealing changes in microbial composition and functional genes in the rhizosphere soil of Caragana korshinskii after revegetation, as well as their response mechanisms to changes in environmental factors. The alpha diversity of bacteria tended to increase with stand age, whereas that of fungi decreased. The abundance of denitrification; dissimilatory nitrate reduction to ammonium, nitrification, and ammonium assimilation; and C fixation-related gene levels increased with stand age, whereas those related to the degradation of starch, pectin, hemicellulose, cellulose, and aromatics decreased. The parameters MBC, MBN, and TC were the key factors affecting the bacterial community, whereas the fungal community was regulated by TN, EC, pH, and MBC. Stand age indirectly regulated C and N cycling functions of genes through altered soil properties and microbial community structures. This study presents a novel approach to accurately evaluate the C and N cycling dynamics within ecosystems at various stages of restoration.
Anti-Aflatoxigenic Burkholderia contaminans BC11-1 Exhibits Mycotoxin Detoxification, Phosphate Solubilization, and Cytokinin Production
Authors: Hua Lixia , Ye Pengsheng , Li Xue , Xu Hanhong , Lin Fei
Published: August 2024

The productivity and quality of agricultural crops worldwide are adversely affected by disease outbreaks and inadequate nutrient availability. Of particular concern is the potential increase in mycotoxin prevalence due to crop diseases, which poses a threat to food security. Microorganisms with multiple functions have been favored in sustainable agriculture to address such challenges. Aspergillus flavus is a prevalent aflatoxin B1 (AFB1)-producing fungus in China. Therefore, we wanted to obtain an anti-aflatoxigenic bacterium with potent mycotoxin detoxification ability and other beneficial properties. In the present study, we have isolated an anti-aflatoxigenic strain, BC11-1, of Burkholderia contaminans, from a forest rhizosphere soil sample obtained in Luzhou, Sichuan Province, China. We found that it possesses several beneficial properties, as follows: (1) a broad spectrum of antifungal activity but compatibility with Trichoderma species, which are themselves used as biocontrol agents, making it possible to use in a biocontrol mixture or individually with other biocontrol agents in an integrated management approach; (2) an exhibited mycotoxin detoxification capacity with a degradation ratio of 90% for aflatoxin B1 and 78% for zearalenone, suggesting its potential for remedial application; and (3) a high ability to solubilize phosphorus and produce cytokinin production, highlighting its potential as a biofertilizer. Overall, the diverse properties of BC11-1 render it a beneficial bacterium with excellent potential for use in plant disease protection and mycotoxin prevention and as a biofertilizer. Lastly, a pan-genomic analysis suggests that BC11-1 may possess other undiscovered biological properties, prompting further exploration of the properties of this unique strain of B. contaminans. These findings highlight the potential of using the anti-aflatoxigenic strain BC11-1 to enhance disease protection and improve soil fertility, thus contributing to food security. Given its multiple beneficial properties, BC11-1 represents a valuable microbial resource as a biocontrol agent and biofertilizer.
Widely Targeted Metabolomics Analysis to Reveal Metabolite of Morus alba L. in Different Medicinal Parts
Authors: Wang Xinwei , Qian Yiyun , Wei Min
Published: August 2024

Morus alba L. is a tradition medical and edible plant. It is rich in many important bioactive components. However, there is a dearth of systematic information about the components. Here, the Mori Cortex, Mori Folium, Mori Fructus, and Mori Ramulus were studied. Ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UHPLC–MS) is used to study primary and secondary metabolites. Eight hundred two metabolites were identified and classified into 10 different categories in total. Correlation analysis, hierarchical clustering analysis, and principal component analysis of metabolites showed that different parts of the sample could be significantly different. In different medicinal parts, alkaloids accounted for 4.0%, 3.6%, 5.1%, and 4.5%; flavonoids accounted for 0.7%, 27.2%, 5.6%, 1.2%; terpenes accounted for 20.1%, 2.1%, 2.6%, 2.5%. Furthermore, the abundance of phenols, phenylpropanoids, and lipids metabolites sequentially accounted for 2.3–4.4%, 0.5–1.8%, and 2.4–5.3%. These results have improved our understanding of metabolites and provided a reference for research on the medicinal and edible value of Morus alba L. In addition, the study reveals the correlation between the components of Traditional Chinese medicine and the basic theory of TCM properties and reinterprets the ancient wisdom in the world’s traditional herbs through the perspective of modern science.
Evaluation of Saffron Quality Using Rapid Quantitative Inspection Technology with Near-Infrared Spectroscopy
Authors: Zhou Ying , Zhang Han , Sheng Xiaohui , Wang Rong , Yao Yao , Zhu Qinglan , Yi Ze , Xu Zhe , Wang Yi , Zheng Cheng , Tang Yu
Published: August 2024

A predictive model utilizing near-infrared spectroscopy was developed to estimate the loss on drying, total contents of crocin I and crocin II, and picrocrocin content of saffron. Initially, the LD values were determined using a moisture-ash analyzer, while HPLC was employed for measuring the total contents of crocin I, crocin II, and picrocrocin. The near-infrared spectra of 928 saffron samples were collected and preprocessed using first derivative, standard normal variable transformation, detrended correction, multivariate scattering correction, Savitzky–Golay smoothing, and mean centering methods. Leveraging the partial least squares method, regression models were constructed, with parameters optimized through a selective combination of the above six preprocessing methods. Subsequently, prediction models for loss on drying, total contents of crocin I and crocin II, and picrocrocin content were established, and the prediction accuracy of the models was verified. The correlation coefficients and root mean square error of loss on drying, total contents of crocin I and crocin II, and picrocrocin content demonstrated high accuracy, with R2 values of 0.8627, 0.8851, and 0.8592 and root mean square error values of 0.0260, 0.0682, and 0.0465. This near-infrared prediction model established in the present study offers a precise and efficient means of assessing loss on drying, total contents of crocin I and crocin II, and picrocrocin content in saffron and is useful for the development of a rapid quality evaluation system.
Changes of Potent Odorants in Salted Duck Egg Yolk before and after Roasting
Authors: Hao Xiaofan , Liang Miao , Xin Runhu , Liu Yuping
Published: August 2024

As the second most widely consumed eggs, duck eggs are made into preserved eggs, salted duck eggs, and roasted duck eggs to extend their shelf-life. To investigate the differences in potent odorants (POs) between salted duck egg yolk (SDEY) and roasted duck egg yolk (RDEY), the volatiles in SDEY and RDEY were extracted through solvent extraction coupled with solvent-assisted flavor evaporation and were assayed with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry-olfactometry. A total of 45 volatiles were identified in two samples, 24 odor-active compounds (OACs) were screened, and more OACs were in RDEY. The flavor-dilution (FD) factors of OACs were obtained by aroma extract dilution analysis and ranged from 3 to 6561. Twenty-two OACs with FD factors ≥ 9 were quantitated, and the results indicated the concentrations of OACs in yolk increased greatly after salted duck eggs were roasted. Based on the concentrations and thresholds, odor activity values (OAVs) were determined; 17 odorants with OAVs ≥ 1 were determined as POs. Acetoin was the most PO in SDEY; there were more POs in RDEY, including 2-ethyl-3,6-dimethylpyrazine, acetoin, 2-acetyl-3-methylthiophene, dihydro-4-hydroxy-2(3H)-furanone, etc. The outcomes obtained have reference values for making better use of duck eggs in the food industry.
Synthesis and Biological Activity of Homohypotaurine Obtained by the Enzyme-Based Conversion of Homocysteine Sulfinic Acid Using Recombinant Escherichia Coli Glutamate Decarboxylase
Authors: Fontana Mario , Gunaydin Akyildiz Aysenur , D’Alonzo Chiara , Giovannercole Fabio , Zicchi Arianna , Francioso Antonio , Capuozzo Elisabetta , De Biase Daniela
Published: August 2024

l-Homocysteine, formed from S-adenosyl methionine following demethylation and adenosine release, accumulates when the methionine recycling pathway and other pathways become impaired, thus leading to hyperhomocysteinemia, a biomarker in cardiovascular diseases, neurological/psychiatric disorders, and cancer. The partial oxidation of the l-homocysteine thiol group and its decarboxylation on C-alpha lead to the formation of l-homocysteinesulfinic acid (l-HCSA) and homohypotaurine (HHT), respectively. Both compounds are not readily available from commercial suppliers, which hinders the investigation of their biological activities. Herein, the chemical synthesis of l-HCSA, from l-homocystine, was the starting point for establishing the bio-based synthesis of HHT using recombinant Escherichia coli glutamate decarboxylase (EcGadB), an enzyme already successfully employed for the bio-based synthesis of GABA and its phosphinic analog. Prior to HHT synthesis, kcat (33.92 ± 1.07) and KM (38.24 ± 3.45 mM) kinetic constants were determined for l-HCSA on EcGadB. The results of our study show that the EcGadB-mediated synthesis of HHT can be achieved with good yields (i.e., 40% following enzymatic synthesis and column chromatography). Purified HHT was tested in vitro on primary human umbilical vein endothelial cells and rat cardiomyoblasts and compared to the fully oxidized analog, homotaurine (OT, also known as tramiprosate), in widespread pharmaceutical use. The results show that both cell lines display statistically significant recovery from the cytotoxic effects induced by H2O2 in the presence of HHT.
Phytochemical Characterization of Two New Olive Oil Genotypes Growing in Southern Tunisia
Authors: Ben Mohamed Mbarka , Ben Ali Sihem , Rocchetti Gabriele , Tlahig Samir , Bennani Leila , Guasmi Ferdaous
Published: August 2024

This research can be considered as the first complete survey for the valorization of new olive genotypes cultivated in the South-East of Tunisia as well as their oils. The study aimed to characterize the phytochemical composition of virgin olive oil produced from two olive cultivars, namely Nourgou and Gousalani. The pomological characterization of fruits, the quality criteria and the phytochemical profile were quantified. Additionally, antioxidant activity was evaluated using Ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and Oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) tests to also obtain a bioactive characterization of these monovarietal olive oils. The obtained results revealed that the analyzed olive oils samples can be classified into Extra Virgin category (EVOO) according to the regulated physicochemical characteristics. Our findings showed a significant variability in the chemical parameters of the analyzed EVOO likely associated with the genetic potential, mainly for chlorophylls contents (1.37–1.64 mg/kg), in carotenoids pigments (3.97–10.86 mg/kg), in α-tocopherol (175.59–186.87 mg/kg), in sterols (1036.4–1931.4 mg/kg) in oleic acid (65.33–68.73%), in palmitic acid (C16:0) (13.32–17.48%), in linoleic acid (C18:2) (11.06–13.47%). Additionally, the HPLC-MS/MS analysis showed that the two EVOOs analyzed contained appreciable amounts of total polyphenols, ranging from 348.03 up to 516.16 mg/kg, in Nourgou and Gousalani oils, respectively. Regarding the individual phenolic compounds, the EVOO samples were mainly characterized by phenolic alcohols, phenolic acids, secoiridoids, verbascoside, flavonoids and phenolic aldehydes. The prevalent simple phenolics detected were secoiridoids with the dominance of the oleuropein aglycone in Gousalani oil. In addition, findings from in vitro antioxidant assays (FRAP and ORAC) revealed that the two studied oils possessed a powerful antiradical activity and a good reducing power capacity. In conclusion, these new EVOOs exhibited a superior quality compared to other Tunisian varieties, considering their antiradical activity and reducing power capacity.
Combined Liposome–Gold Nanoparticles from Honey: The Catalytic Effect of Cassyopea® Gold on the Thermal Isomerization of a Resonance-Activated Azobenzene
Authors: Angelini Guido , Gasbarri Carla
Published: August 2024

Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) have been synthesized directly inside liposomes using honey as a reducing agent. The obtained aggregates, named Cassyopea® Gold due to the method used for their preparation, show remarkable properties as reactors and carriers of the investigated AuNPs. A mean size of about 150 nm and negative surface charge of -46 mV were measured for Cassyopea® Gold through dynamic light scattering and zeta potential measurements, respectively. The formation of the investigated gold nanoparticles into Cassyopea® liposomes was spectroscopically confirmed by the presence of their typical absorption band at 516 nm. The catalytic activity of the combined liposome–AuNP nanocomposites was tested via the thermal cis–trans isomerization of resonance-activated 4-methoxyazobenzene (MeO-AB). The kinetic rate constants (kobs) determined at 25 °C in the AuNP aqueous solution and in the Cassyopea® Gold samples were one thousand times higher than the values obtained when performing MeO-AB cis–trans conversion in the presence of pure Cassyopea®. The results reported herein are unprecedented and point to the high versatility of Cassyopea® as a reactor and carrier of metal nanoparticles in chemical, biological, and technological applications.
Effects of Ketogenic Diet on Increased Ethanol Consumption Induced by Social Stress in Female Mice
Authors: Torres-Rubio Laura , Reguilón Marina D. , Mellado Susana , Pascual María , Rodríguez-Arias Marta
Published: August 2024

Stress is a critical factor in the development of mental disorders such as addiction, underscoring the importance of stress resilience strategies. While the ketogenic diet (KD) has shown efficacy in reducing alcohol consumption in male mice without cognitive impairment, its impact on the stress response and addiction development, especially in females, remains unclear. This study examined the KD’s effect on increasing ethanol intake due to vicarious social defeat (VSD) in female mice. Sixty-four female OF1 mice were divided into two dietary groups: standard diet (n = 32) and KD (n = 32). These were further split based on exposure to four VSD or exploration sessions, creating four groups: EXP-STD (n = 16), VSD-STD (n = 16), EXP-KD (n = 16), and VSD-KD (n = 16). KD-fed mice maintained ketosis from adolescence until the fourth VSD/EXP session, after which they switched to a standard diet. The Social Interaction Test was performed 24 h after the last VSD session. Three weeks post-VSD, the Drinking in the Dark test and Oral Ethanol Self-Administration assessed ethanol consumption. The results showed that the KD blocked the increase in ethanol consumption induced by VSD in females. Moreover, among other changes, the KD increased the expression of the ADORA1 and CNR1 genes, which are associated with mechanisms modulating neurotransmission. Our results point to the KD as a useful tool to increase resilience to social stress in female mice.
Causal Effect of Macronutrient and Micronutrient Intake on Stroke: A Two-Sample Mendelian Randomization Study
Authors: Dong Guozhang , Xu Wanqian , Xu Lin
Published: August 2024

(1) Background: Estimating the causal association between nutrient intake, as a modifiable risk factor, and stroke risk is beneficial for the prevention and management of stroke. However, observational studies are unavoidably influenced by confounding factors and reverse causation. (2) Methods: We performed a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) to estimate the effects of nutrient intake on stroke risk. Summary statistics for nutrients, including 4 macronutrients and 14 micronutrients, were derived from 15 genome-wide association studies (GWAS). Data on stroke and its subtypes were sourced from the MEGASTROKE consortium. (3) Results: Genetically predicted magnesium levels, as the protective factors, were significantly associated with a lower risk of cardioembolic stroke (OR: 0.011, 95% CI: 0–0.25, p-value: 0.005) in the IVW method. Additionally, vitamin C reduced the risk of cardioembolic stroke (OR: 0.759, 95% CI: 0.609–0.946, p-value: 0.014) and vitamin B9 reduced the risk of small vessel stroke (OR: 0.574, 95% CI: 0.393–0.839, p-value: 0.004) with the IVW method. However, the association of vitamin B6 with an increased risk of large-artery stroke (OR: 1.546, 95% CI: 1.009–2.37, p-value: 0.046) in the Wald ratio method should be interpreted cautiously due to the limited number of SNPs. There was also suggestive evidence that magnesium might decrease the risk of both any stroke and ischemic stroke. (4) Conclusions: Our MR analysis highlights the protective roles of magnesium, vitamin C, and vitamin B9 in stroke prevention, making them key targets for public health strategies. However, the findings related to vitamin B6 are less certain and require further validation.
Oral Supplementation of L-Carnosine Attenuates Acute-Stress-Induced Corticosterone Release and Mitigates Anxiety in CD157 Knockout Mice
Authors: Tsuji Takahiro , Furuhara Kazumi , Guo Erchu , Wu Yijing , Zhong Jing , Higashida Haruhiro , Yamamoto Yasuhiko , Tsuji Chiharu
Published: August 2024

Corticosterone, an end product of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal (HPA) axis, is a crucial stress hormone. A dysregulated HPA axis and corticosterone release play pivotal roles in the onset and persistence of symptoms of stress-related psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety. The intake of nutrients, probiotics, and prebiotic supplements decreases blood corticosterone levels. The dipeptide L-carnosine is composed of beta-alanine and L-histidine and is commercially available as a nutritional supplement for recovery from fatigue. L-carnosine is involved in stress-induced corticosterone responses and anxiety behaviors in rodents. Here, we assessed the effect of L-carnosine in CD157 knockout (KO) mice, a murine model of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The uptake of L-carnosine suppressed the increase in plasma corticosterone levels in response to acute stress and attenuated anxiety-like behaviors in CD157 KO mice. These results suggest that L-carnosine supplementation may relieve anxiety by suppressing excessive stress responses in individuals with ASD.
The Role of Inflammatory Mediators in the Pathogenesis of Obesity
Authors: Bakinowska Estera , Krompiewski Mariusz , Boboryko Dominika , Kiełbowski Kajetan , Pawlik Andrzej
Published: August 2024

Obesity is a pandemic of the 21st century, and the prevalence of this metabolic condition has enormously increased over the past few decades. Obesity is associated with a number of comorbidities and complications, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disorders, which can be associated with severe and fatal outcomes. Adipose tissue is an endocrine organ that secretes numerous molecules and proteins that are capable of modifying immune responses. The progression of obesity is associated with adipose tissue dysfunction, which is characterised by enhanced inflammation and apoptosis. Increased fat-tissue mass is associated with the dysregulated secretion of substances by adipocytes, which leads to metabolic alterations. Importantly, the adipose tissue contains immune cells, the profile of which changes with the progression of obesity. For instance, increasing fat mass enhances the presence of the pro-inflammatory variants of macrophages, major sources of tumour necrosis factor α and other inflammatory mediators that promote insulin resistance. The pathogenesis of obesity is complex, and understanding the pathophysiological mechanisms that are involved may provide novel treatment methods that could prevent the development of serious complications. The aim of this review is to discuss current evidence describing the involvement of various inflammatory mediators in the pathogenesis of obesity.
Cyclic Oligosaccharide-Induced Modulation of Immunoglobulin A Reactivity to Gut Bacteria Contributes to Alterations in the Bacterial Community Structure
Authors: Miyamoto Taisei , Tsuruta Takeshi , Teraoka Mao , Wang Tianyang , Nishino Naoki
Published: August 2024

Immunoglobulin A (IgA) is a major gut antibody that coats commensal gut bacteria and contributes to shaping a stable gut bacterial composition. Although previous studies have shown that cyclic oligosaccharides, including cyclic nigerosyl-1,6-nigerose (CNN) and cyclodextrins (CDs, including αCD, βCD, and γCD), alter the gut bacterial composition, it remains unclear whether cyclic oligosaccharides modify the IgA coating of gut bacteria, which relates to cyclic oligosaccharide-induced alteration of the gut bacterial composition. To address this issue, mice were maintained for 12 weeks on diets containing CNN, αCD, βCD, or γCD; the animals’ feces were evaluated for their bacterial composition and the IgA coating index (ICI), a measure of the degree of IgA coating of bacteria. We observed that the intake of each cyclic oligosaccharide altered the gut bacterial composition, with changes in the ICI found at both the phylum and genus levels. The ICI for Bacillota, Lachnospiraceae NK4A136 group, UC Lachnospiraceae, and Tuzzerella were significantly and positively correlated with the relative abundance (RA) in total bacteria for these bacteria; in contrast, significant correlations were not seen for other phyla and genera. Our observations suggest that cyclic oligosaccharide-induced modulation of the IgA coating of gut bacteria may partly relate to changes in the community structure of the gut bacteria.
Effect of Arthrospira platensis (Spirulina) Fortification on Physicochemical, Nutritional, Bioactive, Textural, and Sensory Properties of Vegan Basil Pesto
Authors: Podgórska-Kryszczuk Izabela
Published: August 2024

The high protein content of several microalgae species makes them an excellent addition to various food products, increasing their nutritional value. In this study, vegan basil pesto was designed and enriched with 1% and 2% Arthrospira platensis (spirulina). The pesto obtained was characterized by increased protein content (up to 40% more) and had a rich mineral composition, including up to three times more iron and 25% more calcium, among others. The increase of spirulina addition in the pesto also increased the content of polyphenols (up to 50% more) and flavonoids (up to 39% more). The fortified products had higher antioxidant activity against ABTS (up to 484.56 ± 2.16 μM Trolox/g) and DPPH (up to 392.41 ± 13.58 μM Trolox/g). The addition of spirulina will affect the hardness of the sauce, while in the other texture parameters (adhesiveness, springiness, and cohesion), there were no significant differences between the control and spirulina-fortified pesto. Although the pesto with spirulina was significantly darker in color (ΔE 8.83 and 12.05), consumers still rated it highly. All quality parameters of pesto with a 1% spirulina addition were rated the highest, contributing to the highest overall rating of the product (4.56). An increase in spirulina addition to 2% resulted in a decrease in the overall pesto rating (4.01), but still remains a good result compared to the control (4.22).
An Overview of Wound Dressing Materials
Authors: Lagoa Tânia , Queiroga Maria Cristina , Martins Luís
Published: August 2024

Wounds are an increasing global concern, mainly due to a sedentary lifestyle, frequently associated with the occidental way of life. The current prevalence of obesity in Western societies, leading to an increase in type II diabetes, and an elderly population, is also a key factor associated with the problem of wound healing. Therefore, it stands essential to find wound dressing systems that allow for reestablishing the skin integrity in the shortest possible time and with the lowest cost, avoiding further damage and promoting patients’ well-being. Wounds can be classified into acute or chronic, depending essentially on the duration of the healing process, which is associated withextent and depth of the wound, localization, the level of infection, and the patient’s health status. For each kind of wound and respective healing stage, there is a more suitable dressing. The aim of this review was to focus on the possible wound dressing management, aiming for a more adequate healing approach for each kind of wound.
Hair Growth Promoting Effects of Solubilized Sturgeon Oil and Its Correlation with the Gut Microbiome
Authors: Kim Jihee , An Jinho , Lee Yong-kwang , Ha Gwangsu , Ban Hamin , Kong Hyunseok , Lee Heetae , Song Youngcheon , Lee Chong-kil , Kim Sang Bum , Kim Kyungjae
Published: August 2024

Androgenetic alopecia is a common disease that occurs in both men and women. Several approved medications have been used to treat this condition, but they are associated with certain side effects. Therefore, use of extracts derived from natural products, such as Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii), and the regulation of the gut microbiota have become important topics of research. Sturgeon is known for its high nutritional value and anti-inflammatory properties; however, its effects on androgenetic alopecia and gut microbiota remain uncharacterized. Here, we aimed to investigate whether solubilized sturgeon oil (SSO) promotes hair growth and regulates the gut microbiome. C57BL/6 mice were divided into four groups. Three groups received topical applications of distilled water, SSO, or minoxidil, and one group was orally administered SSO. Each treatment was administered over 4 weeks. Histopathological analysis revealed a significant increase in follicle number (p < 0.001) and follicle diameter (p < 0.05). Immunohistochemical analysis revealed upregulation of β-catenin and ERK-1, markers involved in hair growth-promoting pathways. Furthermore, microbiome analysis revealed that the reduced gut microbiota was negatively correlated with these markers. Our findings indicate that oral administration of SSO promotes hair growth and regulates the abundance of hair growth-promoting gut microbiota.
Botany, Traditional Use, Phytochemistry, Pharmacology and Quality Control of Taraxaci herba: Comprehensive Review
Authors: Wu Jianhao , Sun Jialin , Liu Meiqi , Zhang Xiaozhuang , Kong Lingyang , Ma Lengleng , Jiang Shan , Liu Xiubo , Ma Wei
Published: August 2024

Taraxaci herba, as a traditional Chinese medicine, is the name of the Taraxacum genus in the Asteraceae family. Documented in the Tang Herbal Medicine (Tang Dynasty, AD 657–659), its medicinal properties cover a wide range of applications such as acute mastitis, lung abscess, conjunctival congestion, sore throat, damp-heat jaundice, and vision improvement. In the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (Edition 2020), more than 40 kinds of China-patented drugs containing Taraxaci herba were recorded. This review explores the evolving scientific understanding of Taraxaci herba, covering facets of ethnopharmacology, botany, phytochemistry, pharmacology, artificial cultivation, and quality control. In particular, the chemical constituents and pharmacological research are reviewed. Taraxaci herba has been certified as a traditional medicine plant, and its flavonoids, phenolic acids, and terpenoids have been identified and separated, which include Chicoric acid, taraxasterol, Taraxasteryl acetate, Chlorogenic acid, isorhamnetin, and luteolin; they are responsible for anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-tumor, and anti-cancer activities. These findings validate the traditional uses of Taraxaci herba and lay the groundwork for further scientific exploration. The sources used in this study include Web of Science, Pubmed, the CNKI site, classic monographs, the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, the Chinese Medicine Dictionary, and doctoral and master’s theses.
Physicochemical Characterization of the Oral Biotherapeutic Drug IMUNOR®
Authors: Mucksová Jitka , Borošová Gabriela , Blazsek Miloš , Kalina Jiří , Minaříková Lucie , Svobodová Zdeňka
Published: August 2024

IMUNOR is an oral biotherapeutic drug that had been developed, registered, and approved in 1997 in the Czech Republic and Slovakia. IMUNOR is a dialyzable leukocyte extract (DLE) prepared from swine leukocytes. It is characterized as a mixture of small peptides with molecular weights smaller than 12 kDa and a specific portion of nucleotides. The medical uses of IMUNOR include therapeutic applications within its registered range of indications, primarily for the treatment of immunodeficiencies, allergies, and certain acute or relapsing bacterial infections in adults and children. Despite the long-term clinical application of DLE, with strong evidence of positive therapeutic effects and no serious side effects, a detailed physicochemical specification of this mixture was lacking. We developed several methods for more in-depth physicochemical characterization of IMUNOR, including a spectrophotometric method for quantification of the total protein concentration and total DNA concentration in a mixture, several chromatographic methods for identification of individual components present in significant concentrations in IMUNOR, such as HPLC methods and the Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis method, and characterization of amino acid composition of this mixture. For the investigation of the variability among different batches of IMUNOR, five to nine representative batches from a standard manufacturing process on an industrial scale were utilized. Using the analytical methods, we verified and confirmed the batch-to-batch reproducibility of the biological product IMUNOR.
Derivatives of Pyrimidine Nucleosides Affect Artificial Membranes Enriched with Mycobacterial Lipids
Authors: Ostroumova Olga S. , Efimova Svetlana S. , Zlodeeva Polina D. , Alexandrova Liudmila A. , Makarov Dmitry A. , Matyugina Elena S. , Sokhraneva Vera A. , Khandazhinskaya Anastasia L. , Kochetkov Sergey N.
Published: August 2024

The mechanisms of action of pyrimidine nucleoside derivatives on model lipid membranes of various compositions were studied. A systematic analysis of the tested agents’ effects on the membrane physicochemical properties was performed. Differential scanning microcalorimetry data indicated that the ability of nucleoside derivatives to disorder membrane lipids depended on the types of nucleoside bases and membrane-forming lipids. The 5′-norcarbocyclic uracil derivatives were found to be ineffective, while N4-alkylcytidines demonstrated the most pronounced effects, significantly decreasing the dipalmitoylphosphocholine melting temperature and cooperativity of phase transition. The elongation of hydrophobic acyl radicals potentiated the disordering action of N4-alkylcytidines, while an increase in hydrophilicity due to replacing deoxyribose with ribose inhibited this effect. The ability of compounds to form transmembrane pores was also tested. It was found that 5-alkyluridines produced single, ion-permeable pores in phosphatidylglycerol membranes, and that methoxy-mycolic acid and trehalose monooleate potentiated the pore-forming activity of alkyloxymethyldeoxyuridines. The results obtained open up perspectives for the development of innovative highly selective anti-tuberculosis agents, which may be characterized by a low risk of developing drug resistance due to the direct action on the membranes of the pathogen.
Increased Cellular Uptake of ApoE3- or c(RGD)-Modified Liposomes for Glioblastoma Therapy Depending on the Target Cells
Authors: Lubitz Larissa J. , Haffner Moritz P. , Rieger Harden , Leneweit Gero
Published: August 2024

As effective treatment of glioblastoma is still an unmet need, targeted delivery systems for efficient treatment are of utmost interest. Therefore, in this paper, surface modifications with a small peptide c(RGD) or physiological protein (ApoE3) were investigated. Cellular uptake in murine endothelial cells (bEnd.3) and different glioma cells (human U-87 MG, rat F98) was tested to elucidate possible differences and to correlate the uptake to the receptor expression. Different liposomal formulations were measured at 1 and 3 h for three lipid incubation concentrations. We calculated the liposomal uptake saturation S and the saturation half-time t1/2. An up to 9.6-fold increased uptake for ApoE3-modified liposomes, primarily in tumor cells, was found. Contrarily, c(RGD) liposomes showed a stronger increase in uptake in endothelial cells (up to 40.5-fold). The uptake of modified liposomes revealed enormous differences in S and t1/2 when comparing different tumor cell lines. However, for ApoE3-modified liposomes, we proved comparable saturation values (~25,000) for F98 cells and U-87 MG cells despite a 6-fold lower expression of LRP1 in F98 cells and a 5-fold slower uptake rate. Our findings suggest that cellular uptake of surface-modified liposomes depends more on the target structure than the ligand type, with significant differences between cell types of different origins.
Transforming Medicine with Nanobiotechnology: Nanocarriers and Their Biomedical Applications
Authors: Karnwal Arun , Sharma Vikas , Kumar Gaurav , Jassim Amar Yasser , Dohroo Aradhana , Sivanesan Iyyakkannu
Published: August 2024

Nanobiotechnology, at the intersection of nanotechnology and biology, represents a burgeoning field poised to revolutionize medicine through the use of advanced nanocarriers. These nanocarriers, endowed with distinctive physiobiological attributes, are instrumental in diverse therapeutic domains including drug delivery for microbial infections, cancer treatment, tissue engineering, immunotherapy, and gene therapy. Despite the transformative potential, several challenges hinder their efficacy, such as limited drug capacity, suboptimal targeting, and poor solubility. This review delves into the latest advancements in nanocarrier technologies, examining their properties, associated limitations, and the innovative solutions developed to address these issues. It highlights promising nanocarrier systems like nanocomposites, micelles, hydrogels, microneedles, and artificial cells that employ advanced conjugation techniques, sustained and stimulus-responsive release mechanisms, and enhanced solubility. By exploring these novel structures and their contributions to overcoming existing barriers, the article emphasizes the vital role of interdisciplinary research in advancing nanobiotechnology. This field offers unparalleled opportunities for precise and effective therapeutic delivery, underscoring its potential to reshape healthcare through personalized, targeted treatments and improved drug performance.
Enhancing Operational Efficiency and Service Delivery through a Robotic Dispensing System: A Case Study from a Retail Pharmacy in Brazil
Authors: Basile Karen , Martínez Monserrat , Lucaci Julia D. , Goldblatt Claudia , Beer Idal
Published: August 2024

Drug dispensing in retail pharmacies typically involves several manual tasks that often lead to inefficiencies and errors. This is the first published quality improvement study in Latin America, specifically in Brazil, investigating the operational impacts of implementing a robotic dispensing system in a retail pharmacy. Through observational techniques, we measured the time required for the following pharmacy workflows before and after implementing the robotic dispensing system: customer service, receiving stock, stocking inventory, separation, invoicing, and packaging of online orders for delivery. Time savings were observed across all workflows within the pharmacy, notably in receiving stock and online order separation, which experienced 70% and 75% reductions in total time, respectively. Furthermore, customer service, stocking, invoicing, and packaging of online orders, also saw total time reductions from 36% to 53% after implementation of the robotic dispensing system. This study demonstrates an improvement in the pharmacy’s operational efficiency post-implementation of the robotic dispensing system. These findings highlight the potential for such automated systems to streamline pharmacy operations, improve staff time efficiency, and enhance service delivery.