bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Candida albicans Promotes the Antimicrobial Tolerance of Escherichia coli in a Cross-Kingdom Dual-Species Biofilm
Authors: Eshima Shintaro , Kurakado Sanae , Matsumoto Yasuhiko , Kudo Takayuki , Sugita Takashi
Published: November 2022

Cross-kingdom multi-species biofilms consisting of fungi and bacteria are often resistant to antimicrobial treatment, leading to persistent infections. We evaluated whether the presence of Candida albicans affects the antibacterial tolerance of Escherichia coli in dual-species biofilms and explored the underlying mechanism. We found that the survival of E. coli in the presence of antibacterial drugs was higher in dual-species biofilms compared to single-species biofilms. This tolerance-inducing effect was observed in E. coli biofilms that were treated with a C. albicans culture supernatant. To explore the antibacterial tolerance-inducing factor contained in the culture supernatant and identify the tolerance mechanism, a heated supernatant, a supernatant treated with lyticase, DNase, and proteinase K, or a supernatant added to a drug efflux pump inhibitor were used. However, the tolerance-inducing activity was not lost, indicating the existence of some other mechanisms. Ultrafiltration revealed that the material responsible for tolerance-inducing activity was <10 kDa in size. This factor has not yet been identified and needs further studies to understand the mechanisms of action of this small molecule precisely. Nevertheless, we provide experimental evidence that Candida culture supernatant induces E. coli antibacterial tolerance in biofilms. These findings will guide the development of new treatments for dual-species biofilm infections.
Isolation and Characterization of Basidiomycetous Yeasts Capable of Producing Phytase under Oligotrophic Conditions
Authors: Kurosawa Akino , Nishioka Ryo , Aburai Nobuhiro , Fujii Katsuhiko
Published: November 2022

Phytic acid is an organic phosphorus source naturally produced by plants as phosphorus stock and can be an alternative to rock phosphate, which is a dwindling resource globally. However, phytic acid is insoluble, owing to its binding to divalent metals and is, thus, not readily bioavailable for plants and monogastric livestock. Therefore, the enzyme phytase is indispensable for hydrolyzing phytic acid to liberate free phosphates for nutritional availability, making the screening of novel phytase-producing microbes an attractive research focus to agriculture and animal feed industries. In the present study, a soil-extract-based culture medium was supplemented with phytic acid as the sole phosphorus source and oligotrophic phytase-producing strains, which had not been previously studied, were isolated. Four fungal strains with phytic acid, assimilation activities were isolated. They were found to produce phytase in the culture supernatants and phylogenetic analysis identified three strains as basidiomycetous yeasts (Saitozyma, Leucosporidium, and Malassezia) and one strain as an ascomycetous fungus (Chaetocapnodium). The optimal pH for phytase activity of the strains was 6.0–7.0, suggesting that they are suitable for industrial applications as feed supplements or fertilizer additives for farmland.
Metagenomic Insights into Microbial Community Structure, Function, and Salt Adaptation in Saline Soils of Arid Land, China
Authors: Yang Jianjun , Li Wenjing , Teng Dexiong , Yang Xiaodong , Zhang Yijun , Li Yan
Published: November 2022

Soil salinization is spread in the dryland of NW China due to the dry or extreme dry climate. Increased salinization damages the health and function of soil systems and influences the microbial community structure and function. Some studies have been conducted to reveal the microbial community structure and isolate the microorganisms of saline soil or salt-lake sediments in this region. However, the functions of microorganisms and their response to salinization, i.e., their adaptation strategy to a wide salinization range in arid environments, are less understood. Here, we applied metagenomics technology to investigate the microbial community structure, function, and their relationship with salinization, and discussed the adaptative strategy of microorganisms to different saline environments. A total of 42 samples were sequenced on the Illumina PE500 platform. The archaea and bacteria constituted the dominant kingdoms; Actinobacteria, Proteobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Firmicutes were the dominant bacterial phyla; and Euryarchaeota were the dominant archaeal phylum. The microbial communities showed significant structure divergence according to the salt concentration (saline (mean EC 22 mS/cm) and hypersaline (mean EC 70 mS/cm)), wherein the communities were dominated by bacteria in saline soils and archaea in hypersaline soils. Most of the dominant bacterial representation decreased with salinity, while the archaea increased with salinity. KEGG functional annotation showed that at level 2, the cell motility, environmental adaptation, signal transduction, signaling molecules and interaction, glycan biosynthesis and metabolism, and metabolism of other amino acids were reduced from saline to hypersaline, whereas the metabolism of cofactors and vitamins, folding sorting and degradation, replication and repair, transcription and translation, amino acid biosynthesis, glycolysis/gluconeogenesis, and carbon fixation increased with salinity. The increased salt content decreased the carbohydrate activities of microorganisms. The osmolyte regulation substance synthesis and absorption-related genes were more abundant in saline soils than in hypersaline soils, whereas the Na+/H+ antiporter genes (mnhB-E) and H+/Na+-transporting ATPase genes (atpA-F, I, K) were significantly higher in hypersaline soils. This indicated that in saline soils, microorganisms primarily synthesize and/or uptake compatible solutes to cope with osmotic stress, whereas in the hypersaline habitat, the high-salt-in strategy was predicated to be adopted by the halophilic/extremely halophilic microorganisms, coupled with a high abundance of replication and repair, cofactors and vitamin metabolism, nucleotide metabolism, and carbon fixation to provide energy and ensure cell regeneration. In conclusion, increases in salinity influence the microbial communities’ structure and function, as well as the adaptation of microorganisms.
The Ability of Postimmunobiotics from L. rhamnosus CRL1505 to Protect against Respiratory Syncytial Virus and Pneumococcal Super-Infection Is a Strain-Dependent Characteristic
Authors: Raya Tonetti Fernanda , Clua Patricia , Fukuyama Kohtaro , Marcial Guillermo , Sacur Jacinto , Marranzino Gabriela , Tomokiyo Mikado , Vizoso-Pinto Guadalupe , Garcia-Cancino Apolinaria , Kurata Shoichiro , Kitazawa Haruki , Villena Julio
Published: November 2022

Previously, we demonstrated that the non-viable strain Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus CRL1505 (NV1505) or its purified peptidoglycan (PG1505) differentially modulated the respiratory innate antiviral immune response triggered by Toll-like receptor (TLR)-3 activation in infant mice, improving the resistance to primary respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection and secondary pneumococcal pneumonia. In this work, we evaluated the effect of other non-viable L. rhamnosus strains and their peptidoglycans on the respiratory immune response and their impact on primary and secondary respiratory infections. In addition, the duration of the protective effect induced by NV1505 and PG1505 as well as their ability to protect against different Streptococcus pneumoniae serotypes were evaluated. Our results showed that among the five selected L. rhamnosus strains (CRL1505, CRL498, CRL576, UCO25A and IBL027), NV1505 and NVIBL027 improved the protection against viral and pneumococcal infections by modulating the respiratory immune response. Of note, only the PG1505 presented immunomodulatory activities when compared with the other purified peptidoglycans. Studies on alveolar macrophages showed that NV1505 and PG1505 differentially modulated the expression of IL-6, IFN-γ, IFN-β, TNF-α, OAS1, RNAseL and IL-27 genes in response to RSV infection, and IL-6, IFN-γ, IL-1β, TNF-α, CCL2, CXCL2, CXCL10 and IL-27 in response to pneumococcal challenge. Furthermore, we demonstrated that NV1505 and PG1505 treatments protected mice against secondary pneumococcal pneumonia produced by different serotypes of S. pneumoniae until 30 days after stimulation with poly(I:C). This work advances the characterization of the protective effect of NV1505 and PG1505 by demonstrating that they increase resistance against the pneumococcal serotypes 3, 6B, 14 and 19F, with an effect that lasts up to 30 days after the primary viral inflammation. The results also confirm that the immunomodulatory properties of NV1505 and PG1505 are unique and are not shared by other members of this species, and suggest the existence of a capacity to stimulate trained immunity in alveolar macrophages.
Detection and Quantification of the Oomycete Saprolegnia parasitica in Aquaculture Environments
Authors: Korkea-aho Tiina , Wiklund Tom , Engblom Christine , Vainikka Anssi , Viljamaa-Dirks Satu
Published: November 2022

Saprolegnia parasitica induces heavy mortality in aquaculture. The detection of S. parasitica is often time consuming and uncertain, making it difficult to manage the disease. We validated a previously published real-time quantitative PCR (qPCR) assay to confirm the presence of S. parasitica in fish and in water using environmental DNA (eDNA) quantification. Analytical sensitivity and specificity of the assay was assessed in silico, in vitro and the qPCR assay was compared with microbiological cultivation methods to detect and quantify S. parasitica in water samples from a controlled fish exposure experiment and from fish farms. Furthermore, we compared the use of an agar cultivation method and the qPCR assay to detect S. parasitica directly from mucus samples taken from the fish surface. The analytical sensitivity and specificity of the qPCR assay were high. The qPCR assay detected 100% of S. parasitica-positive water samples. In a field study, the qPCR assay and a microwell plate (MWP) enumeration method correlated significantly. Furthermore, the qPCR assay could be used to confirm the presence of S. parasitica in skin mucus. Thus, the qPCR assay could complement diagnostic methods in specifically detecting saprolegniosis in fish and used as a surveillance method for S. parasitica pathogen in aquaculture environments.
Comprehensive Phenotyping in Inflammatory Bowel Disease: Search for Biomarker Algorithms in the Transkingdom Interactions Context
Authors: Rosso Ayelén D. , Aguilera Pablo , Quesada Sofía , Mascardi Florencia , Mascuka Sebastian N. , Cimolai María C. , Cerezo Jimena , Spiazzi Renata , Conlon Carolina , Milano Claudia , Iraola Gregorio M. , Penas-Steinhardt Alberto , Belforte Fiorella S.
Published: November 2022

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is the most common form of intestinal inflammation associated with a dysregulated immune system response to the commensal microbiota in a genetically susceptible host. IBD includes ulcerative colitis (UC) and Crohn’s disease (CD), both of which are remarkably heterogeneous in their clinical presentation and response to treatment. This translates into a notable diagnostic challenge, especially in underdeveloped countries where IBD is on the rise and access to diagnosis or treatment is not always accessible for chronic diseases. The present work characterized, for the first time in our region, epigenetic biomarkers and gut microbial profiles associated with UC and CD patients in the Buenos Aires Metropolitan area and revealed differences between non-IBD controls and IBD patients. General metabolic functions associated with the gut microbiota, as well as core microorganisms within groups, were also analyzed. Additionally, the gut microbiota analysis was integrated with relevant clinical, biochemical and epigenetic markers considered in the follow-up of patients with IBD, with the aim of generating more powerful diagnostic tools to discriminate phenotypes. Overall, our study provides new insights into data analysis algorithms to promote comprehensive phenotyping tools using quantitative and qualitative analysis in a transkingdom interactions network context.
Insight into the Taxonomic and Functional Diversity of Bacterial Communities Inhabiting Blueberries in Portugal
Authors: Gonçalves Ana C. , Sánchez-Juanes Fernando , Meirinho Sara , Silva Luís R. , Alves Gilberto , Flores-Félix José David
Published: November 2022

Vaccinium myrtillus is a dwarf shrub of the Ericaceae family with a Palearctic distribution, associated with temperate and cold humid climates. It is widespread on the European continent; on the Iberian Peninsula it is located on Atlantic climate mountains and glacial relicts. In Portugal, we find scattered and interesting populations; however, the majority of them are threatened by climate change and wildfires. Given that, the objective of this study is to determine the rhizospheric and root bacterial communities of this plant in the southernmost regions, and, consequently, its potential range and ability to be used as a biofertilizer. In this work, metabarcoding of 16S rRNA gene showed that the endophytic bacterial diversity is dependent on the plant and selected by it according to the observed alpha and beta diversity. Moreover, a culturomic approach allowed 142 different strains to be isolated, some of them being putative new species. Additionally, some strains belonging to the genera Bacillus, Paenibacillus, Pseudomonas, Paraburkholderia, and Caballeronia showed significant potential to be applied as multifunctional biofertilizers since they present good plant growth-promoting (PGP) mechanisms, high colonization capacities, and an increase in vegetative parameters in blueberry and tomato plants.
Multivariate Analysis Revealed Ultrasonic-Assisted Extraction Improves Anti-Melanoma Activity of Non-Flavonoid Compounds in Indonesian Brown Algae Ethanol Extract
Authors: Sunarwidhi Anggit Listyacahyani , Hernawan Ari , Frediansyah Andri , Widyastuti Sri , Martyasari Ni Wayan Riyani , Abidin Angga Susmana , Padmi Hasriaton , Handayani Ervina , Utami Ni Wayan Putri , Maulana Farreh Alan , Ichfa Muhammad Syach Maulad , Prasedya Eka Sunarwidhi
Published: November 2022

Indonesia has high biodiversity of algae that are under-utilised due to limitations in the processing techniques. Here, we observed the effect of two different extraction methods (cold maceration and ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE)) on multiple variables of Indonesian brown algae ethanol extracts (Sargassum polycystum, Sargassum cristaefolium, Sargassum aquifolium and Turbinaria ornata). The variables observed included metabolites screening by untargeted metabolomics liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS), observation of total phenolic content (TPC), total flavonoid content (TFC), anti-oxidant and B16-F10 melanoma cells cytotoxicity. UAE extracts had higher extraction yield and TPC, but no TFC difference was observed. UAE extract had more lipophilic compounds, such as fatty acids (Palmitic acid, Oleamide, Palmitoleic acid, Eicosapentaenoic acid, α-Linolenic acid, Arachidonic acid), lipid-derived mediators (11,12-Epoxyeicosatrienoic acid ((±)11(12)-EET)), steroid derivatives (Ergosterol peroxide), lipophilic metabolite (Fucoxanthin), and lipid-soluble vitamins (all-trans-retinol). Principle component analysis (PCA) revealed that TPC, not TFC, in the UAE extracts was correlated with the anti-oxidant activities and cytotoxicity of the extracts towards B16-F10 melanoma cells. This means other non-flavonoid phenolic and lipophilic compounds may have contributed to its bioactivity. These results suggest that out of the two methods investigated, UAE could be a chosen method to extract natural anti-melanogenic agents from brown algae.
Entropy-Driven Inclusion of Natural Protoberberine Alkaloids in Sulfobutylether-β-Cyclodextrin
Authors: Miskolczy Zsombor , Megyesi Mónika , Biczók László
Published: November 2022

The understanding of the relationship between molecular structure and the thermodynamics of host-guest binding is essential for the rational design of the applications of inclusion complexes. To obtain insight into the factors governing the driving force of complex formation in aqueous solutions, the encapsulation of five pharmaceutically important protoberberine alkaloids was studied in sulfobutylether-β-cyclodextrin having on average 6.4 degrees of substitution (SBE6.4βCD). Spectrophotometric, fluorescence spectroscopic, and isothermal calorimetric measurements showed 1:1 complexation in dilute solutions. From 1.92 × 104 M−1, about an eight-fold decrease of the association constant was observed in the series of berberine ≈ coptisine >> palmatine > epiberberine > dehydrocorydaline. The embedment of these alkaloids in the SBE6.4βCD cavity was entropy-controlled with mildly negative enthalpy contributions. These findings suggest that the stabilization of the examined complexes arises primarily from the hydrophobic interaction between the constituents. The more than three orders of magnitude smaller association constants of protoberberine alkaloids with SBE6.4βCD than with cucurbit[7]uril, a host having similar cavity size, originates from the much smaller exothermicity of the confinement in the former macrocycle.
Potential of Low Cost Agro-Industrial Wastes as a Natural Antioxidant on Carcinogenic Acrylamide Formation in Potato Fried Chips
Authors: Mohdaly Adel Abdelrazek Abdelazim , Roby Mohamed H. H. , Sultan Seham Ahmed Rabea , Groß Eberhard , Smetanska Iryna
Published: November 2022

Acrylamide is classified as a toxic and a prospective carcinogen to humans, and it is formed during thermal process via Maillard reaction. In order to find innovative ways to diminish acrylamide formation in potato chips, several extracts of agricultural wastes including potato peels, olive leaves, lemon peels and pomegranate peels extracts were examined as a soaking pre-treatment before frying step. Total phenolic, total flavonoids, antioxidant activity, and the reduction in sugar and asparagine contents were additionally performed. Proximate composition of these wastes was found to be markedly higher in fat, carbohydrate and ash contents. Lemon peels and potato peels showed almost similar phenolic content (162 ± 0.93 and 157 ± 0.88 mg GAE /g, respectively) and exhibited strong ABTS and DPPH radical scavenging activities than the other wastes. The reduction percentage of reducing sugars and asparagine after soaking treatment ranged from 28.70 to 39.57% and from 22.71 to 29.55%, respectively. HPLC results showed higher level of acrylamide formation in control sample (104.94 mg/kg) and by using the wastes extracts of lemon peels, potato peels, olive leaves, and pomegranate peels succeeded to mitigate acrylamide level by 86.11%, 69.66%, 34.03%, and 11.08%, respectively. Thus, it can be concluded that the soaking of potato slices in the tested wastes extracts as antioxidant as pre-treatment before frying reduces the formation of acrylamide and in this way, the risks connected to acrylamide consumption could be regulated and managed.
Erythrosin B as a New Photoswitchable Spin Label for Light-Induced Pulsed EPR Dipolar Spectroscopy
Authors: Bertran Arnau , Morbiato Laura , Aquilia Sara , Gabbatore Laura , De Zotti Marta , Timmel Christiane R. , Di Valentin Marilena , Bowen Alice M.
Published: November 2022

We present a new photoswitchable spin label for light-induced pulsed electron paramagnetic resonance dipolar spectroscopy (LiPDS), the photoexcited triplet state of erythrosin B (EB), which is ideal for biological applications. With this label, we perform an in-depth study of the orientational effects in dipolar traces acquired using the refocused laser-induced magnetic dipole technique to obtain information on the distance and relative orientation between the EB and nitroxide labels in a rigid model peptide, in good agreement with density functional theory predictions. Additionally, we show that these orientational effects can be averaged to enable an orientation-independent analysis to determine the distance distribution. Furthermore, we demonstrate the feasibility of these experiments above liquid nitrogen temperatures, removing the need for expensive liquid helium or cryogen-free cryostats. The variety of choices in photoswitchable spin labels and the affordability of the experiments are critical for LiPDS to become a widespread methodology in structural biology.
Phytochemistry and Pharmacology of Medicinal Plants Used by the Tenggerese Society in Java Island of Indonesia
Authors: Nugraha Ari , Agustina Riza , Mirza Syafi , Rani Dinar , Winarto Naura , Triatmoko Bawon , Pratama Antonius , Keller Paul , Wangchuk Phurpa
Published: November 2022

The archipelagic country of Indonesia is inhabited by 300 ethnic groups, including the indigenous people of Tengger. Based on the reported list of medicinal plants used by the Tengger community, we have reviewed each of them for their phytochemical constituents and pharmacological activities. Out of a total of 41 medicinal plants used by the Tengerrese people, 33 species were studied for their phytochemical and pharmacological properties. More than 554 phytochemicals with diverse molecular structures belonging to different chemical classes including flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins and volatiles were identified from these studied 34 medicinal plants. Many of these medicinal plants and their compounds have been tested for various pharmacological activities including anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, wound healing, headache, antimalarial and hypertension. Five popularly used medicinal plants by the healers were Garcinia mangostana, Apium graveolens, Cayratia clematidea, Drymocallis arguta and Elaeocarpus longifolius. Only A. graviolens were previously studied, with the outcomes supporting the pharmacological claims to treat hypertension. Few unexplored medicinal plants are Physalis lagascae, Piper amplum, Rosa tomentosa and Tagetes tenuifolia, and they present great potential for biodiscovery and drug lead identification.
Synthetic Optimizations for Gram-Scale Preparation of 1-O-Methyl d-Glycero-α-d-gluco-heptoside 7-Phosphate from d-Glucose
Authors: Potapov Konstantin V. , Novikov Roman A. , Solyev Pavel N. , Kochetkov Sergey N. , Makarov Alexander A. , Mitkevich Vladimir A.
Published: November 2022

Heptose phosphates—unique linkers between endotoxic lipid A and O-antigen in the bacterial membrane—are pathogen-associated molecular patterns recognized by the receptors of the innate immune system. Understanding the mechanisms of immune system activation is important for the development of therapeutic agents to combat infectious diseases and overcome antibiotic resistance. However, in practice, it is difficult to obtain a substantial amount of heptose phosphates for biological studies due to the narrow scope of the reported synthetic procedures. We have optimized and developed an inexpensive and convenient synthesis for the first performed gram-scale production of 1-O-methyl d-glycero-α-d-gluco-heptoside 7-phosphate from readily available d-glucose. Scaling up to such amounts of the product, we have increased the efficiency of the synthesis and reduced the number of steps of the classical route through the direct phosphorylation of the O6,O7-unprotected heptose. The refined method could be of practical value for further biological screening of heptose phosphate derivatives.
Near-Threshold and Resonance Effects in Rotationally Inelastic Scattering of D2O with Normal-H2
Authors: Bergeat Astrid , Faure Alexandre , Wiesenfeld Laurent , Miossec Chloé , Morales Sébastien B. , Naulin Christian
Published: November 2022

We present a combined experimental and theoretical study on the rotationally inelastic scattering of heavy water, D2O, with normal-H2. Crossed-molecular beam measurements are performed in the collision energy range between 10 and 100 cm−1, corresponding to the near-threshold regime in which scattering resonances are most pronounced. State-to-state excitation cross-sections are obtained by probing three low-lying rotational levels of D2O using the REMPI technique. These measurements are complemented by quantum close-coupling scattering calculations based on a high-accuracy D2O–H2 interaction potential. The agreement between experiment and theory is within the experimental error bars at 95% confidence intervals, leading to a relative difference of less than 7%: the near-threshold rise and the overall shape of the cross-sections, including small undulations due to resonances, are nicely reproduced by the calculations. Isotopic effects (D2O versus H2O) are also discussed by comparing the shape and magnitude of the respective cross-sections.
Candida Genus Maximum Incidence in Boar Semen Even after Preservation, Is It Not a Risk for AI though?
Authors: Ciornei Ștefan G. , Drugociu Dan , Roşca Petru
Published: November 2022

There is little information in the literature about the fungal contamination of boar semen and its persistence during storage. The challenge of this study was to perform a mycological screening to identify the yeast in the raw semen at 12/24 h after dilution. The research was done in pig farms in the N-E area of Romania, with maximum biosecurity and state-of-the-art technology. All the examined ejaculates (101) were considered to be normal for each spermogram parameter, with microbiological determinations in T0 at the time of ejaculate collection, T1 at the time of dilution, and T2 at 24 h of storage. Microbiological determinations (mycological spermogram) were performed for quantitative (LogCFU/mL) and qualitative (typification of fungal genera) identification. Bacterial burden (×103 LogCFU/mL) after dilution (T1) decreased drastically (p < 0.0001) compared to the one in the raw semen (T0). After 24 h of storage at 17 °C, the mean value of the bacteriospermia remained constant at an average value of 0.44. Mycospermia had a constant trend at T0 (raw) and T1 (0.149 vs. 0.140) and was slightly higher at T2 (0.236). The difference between T1 vs. T2 (p = 0.0419) was close to the statistical reference value (p = 0.05). Of the total genera identified (24), the fungi had a proportion of 37.4% (9/15) and a ratio of 1:1.6. Regarding the total species (34), the fungi had a frequency of 29.42% (10/24) with a ratio between the fungi and bacteria of 1:2.4. A fertility rate of 86% was observed in the L1 group (50 AI sows with doses and mycospermia from T1), and an 82% rate was observed in the L2 group (50 AI sows with doses and mycospermia from T2). The litter size of L1 was 9.63 piglets and 9.56 for L2. Regarding the total number of piglets obtained between the two groups, there was a slight decrease of 22 piglets in group L2, without statistical differences (p > 0.05). The predominant genera persisted after dilution during a 12 h storage at 17 °C, where yeasts, such as Candida parapsilosis and C. sake were identified in more than 92% of AI doses.
Extraction with Acidified Methanol—An Easy and Effective Method of Methyl Chlorogenate Formation, as Studied by ESI-MS
Authors: Szymborska Karolina , Frański Rafał , Beszterda-Buszczak Monika
Published: November 2022

Among the different Hawthorn species, Crataegus monogyna seems to be one of the most often used in herbal medicine, and is commercially available. The methanolic extract and the acidified methanol extract of an herbal medicinal product based on Crataegus monogyna inflorescences were analyzed by using high-pressure liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (HPLC/ESI-MS). On the basis of m/z of [M-H]− ions and characteristic fragmentation patterns, a number of polyphenolic compounds, namely flavonoids and chlorogenic acids, were identified. It was found that the contents of the acid extract were enriched with methyl chlorogenates showing attractive biochemical properties. Analogous results were obtained for other plant materials, e.g., nectarine kernels. Apart from that, acid extraction had a minor influence on the polyphenolic compounds present in the plants, and thus it did not affect the natural antioxidant values of the plant extracts.
Process and Anti-Mildew Properties of Tea Polyphenol-Modified Citral-Treated Bamboo
Authors: Chen Shiqin , Li Qi , Liu Chunlin , Du Chungui , Shan Yingying , Yin Wenxiu , Yang Fei , Shao Yuran , Wang Yuting
Published: November 2022

In order to reduce the oxidative degradation of citral, our research group modified citral with the natural antioxidant from tea polyphenols and applied it to bamboo processing to enhance the anti-mold effect of bamboo, but its application to the bamboo treatment process and the anti-mold effect is still not clear. For this reason, in this paper, the tea polyphenol-modified citral anti-mildew treatment of bamboo as well as the anti-mildew properties of bamboo were explored using the orthogonal testing method and a UV-vis spectrophotometer. The results showed that when the concentration of tea polyphenol-modified citral reached 175 mg mL−1 and above, the efficacy of the anti-mildew treated bamboo against common molds reached 100%; the improved anti-mildew treatment process parameters for bamboo were as follows: impregnation pressure 0.6 MPa, impregnation time 150 min, and tea polyphenol-modified citral concentration 200 mg mL−1. Following the tea polyphenol-modified citral anti-mildew treatment of bamboo, not only did it improve the anti-mildew properties of the bamboo materials, but it also added a fresh lemon fragrance without altering the original colour, microstructure, and chemical properties of the bamboo materials.
Pillar-Layered Metal-Organic Frameworks for Sensing Specific Amino Acid and Photocatalyzing Rhodamine B Degradation
Authors: Huang Zi-Qing , Zhao Shu-Man , Chen Jia-Qi , Zhao Yue , Sun Wei-Yin
Published: November 2022

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have presented potential for detection of specific species and catalytic application due to their diverse framework structures and functionalities. In this work, two novel pillar-layered MOFs [Cd6(DPA)2(NTB)4(H2O)4]n·n(DPA·5DMA·H2O) (1) and [Cu2(DPA)(OBA)2]n·n(2.5DMF·H2O) (2) [DPA = 2,5-di(pyridin-4-yl)aniline, H3NTB = 4,4′,4′′-nitrilotribenzoic acid, H2OBA = 4,4′-oxydibenzoic acid, DMA = N,N-dimethylacetamide, DMF = N,N-dimethylformamide] were successfully synthesized and structurally characterized. Both 1 and 2 have three-dimensional framework structures. The fluorescent property of 1 makes it possible for sensing specific amino acid such as L-glutamic acid (Glu) and L-aspartic acid (Asp). While MOF 2 was found to be suitable for photocatalytic degradation of Rhodamine B (RhB) in the presence of H2O2. The results imply that MOFs are versatile and metal centers are important in determining their properties.
A Novel Fluorescent Probe for Determination of pH and Viscosity Based on a Highly Water-Soluble 1,8-Naphthalimide Rotor
Authors: Bakov Ventsislav V. , Georgiev Nikolai I. , Bojinov Vladimir B.
Published: November 2022

A novel highly water-soluble 1,8-naphthalimide with pH and viscosity-sensing fluorescence was synthesized and investigated. The synthesized compound was designed as a molecular device in which a molecular rotor and molecular “off-on” switcher were integrated. In order to obtain a TICT driven molecular motion at C-4 position of the 1,8-naphthalimide fluorophore, a 4-methylpiperazinyl fragment was introduced. The molecular motion was confirmed after photophysical investigation in solvents with different viscosity; furthermore, the fluorescence-sensing properties of the examined compound were investigated in 100% aqueous medium and it was found that it could be used as an efficient fluorescent probe for pH. Due to the non-emissive deexcitation nature of the TICT fluorophore, the novel system showed low yellow–green emission, which represented “power-on”/“rotor-on” state. The protonation of the methylpiperazine amine destabilized the TICT process, which was accompanied by fluorescence enhancement indicating a “power-on”/“rotor-off” state of the system. The results obtained clearly illustrated the great potential of the synthesized compound to serve as pH- and viscosity-sensing material in aqueous solution.
Identification of Bcl2 as a Stably Expressed qPCR Reference Gene for Human Colon Cancer Cells Treated with Cottonseed-Derived Gossypol and Bioactive Extracts and Bacteria-Derived Lipopolysaccharides
Authors: Cao Heping , Sethumadhavan Kandan
Published: November 2022

Cottonseed contains many bioactive molecules including plant polyphenols. Cottonseed value might be increased by providing high-value bioactive polyphenols for improving nutrition and health. However, there was a lack of molecular evidence for cottonseed bioactivity in mammalian cells. One widely used method for evaluating the bioactivity of natural products is quantitative real-time-PCR (qPCR). The selection of stably expressed internal reference genes is a crucial task of qPCR assay for data analysis. The rationale for reference gene selection is that a lower standard deviation of the cycle of threshold (Cq) among the treatments indicates a more stable expression of the gene. The objective of this study was to select reference genes in human colon cancer cells (COLO 205) treated with cottonseed-derived gossypol and bioactive extracts along with bacterial endotoxin lipopolysaccharides (LPS). SYBR Green qPCR was used to analyze the mRNA levels of a wide range of biomarkers involved in glucose transport, lipid biosynthesis, inflammatory response, and cancer development. qPCR data (10,560 Cq values) were generated from 55 genes analyzed from 64 treatments with triplicate per treatment for each gene. The data showed that B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl2) mRNA was the most stable among the 55 mRNAs analyzed in the human colon cancer cells. Glyceraldehyde 3 phosphate dehydrogenase (Gapdh) and ribosome protein L32 (Rpl32) mRNAs were not good qPCR references for the colon cancer cells. These observations were consistent regardless of the treatment comparison between gossypol and LPS, glanded and glandless seed extracts, seed coat and kernel extracts, or treatment for 8 and 24 h. These results suggest that Bcl2 is a preferable reference gene for qPCR assays in human colon cancer cells treated with cottonseed-derived gossypol and bioactive extracts as well as LPS. The extensive qPCR results firmly support the conclusion that the Bcl2 gene is stably expressed at the mRNA level in the human colon cancer cells regardless of the treatment, suggesting that Bcl2 gene expression is not regulated at the mRNA level but at the post-transcriptional level. These results should facilitate studies designated to evaluate bioactivity on gene expression regulation by cottonseed molecules and other natural and synthetic molecules for nutrition and health uses.
Improved Adsorption of the Toxic Herbicide Diuron Using Activated Carbon Obtained from Residual Cassava Biomass (Manihot esculenta)
Authors: Georgin Jordana , Pinto Diana , Franco Dison S. P. , Schadeck Netto Matias , Lazarotto Joseane S. , Allasia Daniel G. , Tassi Rutineia , Silva Luis F. O. , Dotto Guilherme L.
Published: November 2022

The production and consumption of cassava (Manihot esculenta) occur in several places worldwide, producing large volumes of waste, mostly in the form of bark. This study sought to bring a new purpose to this biomass through producing activated carbon to use as an adsorbent to remove the herbicide Diuron from water. It was observed that the carbon contains the functional groups of methyl, carbonyl, and hydroxyl in a strongly amorphous structure. The activated carbon had a surface area of 613.7 m2 g−1, a pore volume of 0.337 cm3 g−1, and a pore diameter of 1.18 nm. The Freundlich model was found to best describe the experimental data. It was observed that an increase in temperature favored adsorption, reaching a maximum experimental capacity of 222 mg g−1 at 328 K. The thermodynamic parameters showed that the adsorption was spontaneous, favorable, and endothermic. The enthalpy of adsorption magnitude was consistent with physical adsorption. Equilibrium was attained within 120 min. The linear driving force (LDF) model provided a strong statistical match to the kinetic curves. Diffusivity (Ds) and the model coefficient (KLDF) both increased with a rise in herbicide concentration. The adsorbent removed up to 68% of pollutants in a simulated effluent containing different herbicides. Activated carbon with zinc chloride (ZnCl2), produced from leftover cassava husks, was shown to be a viable alternative as an adsorbent for the treatment of effluents containing not only the herbicide Diuron but also a mixture of other herbicides.
LSPR Tunable Ag@PDMS SERS Substrate for High Sensitivity and Uniformity Detection of Dye Molecules
Authors: Yan Xiaoya , Shi Hongyan , Jia Pengxue , Sun Xiudong
Published: November 2022

At present, the use of efficient and cost-effective methods to construct plasmonic surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates of high sensitivity, uniformity and reproducibility is still crucial to satisfy the practical application of SERS technology. In this paper, a localized surface plasmonic resonance (LSPR) tunable flexible Ag@PDMS substrate was successfully constructed by the low-cost bio-template-stripping method and magnetron sputtering technology. The theory proves that the local electromagnetic field enhancement and “hot spot” distribution is adjustable by modifying the size of the optical cavity unit in the periodicity nanocavity array structure. Experimentally, using rhodamine 6G (R6G) as the target analyte, the SERS performance of optimal Ag@PDMS substrate (Ag film thickness for 315 nm) was researched in detail, which the minimum detection limit was 10−11 M and the enhancement factor was calculated as 8.03 × 108, indicating its high sensitivity. The relative standard deviation (RSD) was calculated as 10.38%, showing that the prepared substrate had excellent electromagnetic field enhancement uniformity. At last, the trace detection of Crystal violet (CV, LOD = 10−9 M) and the simultaneous detection of three common dyes (R6G, CV and Methylene blue (MB) mixture) were also realized. This result suggests that the SERS substrate has a good application prospect in the quantitative and qualitative detection of dye molecules.
Olfactory Ensheathing Cells for Spinal Cord Injury: The Cellular Superpowers for Nerve Repair
Authors: Oieni Francesca , Reshamwala Ronak , St John James
Published: November 2022

Neurotrauma injuries are notoriously difficult to deal with both clinically as well as experimentally, as the cellular and molecular events ensuing after injury complicate the neuroinflammatory processes. Spinal cord injuries are further complicated by the formation of scars at the injury sites, which can provide a physical barrier to repair. The lack of effective clinical therapy for spinal cord injury underscores the need for experimental approaches to generate effective therapies. To repair the injury, cell transplantation offers the potential to replace lost cells and create a permissive bridge to promote neural regeneration across the injury site. Olfactory ensheathing cells (OECs), which are the glia of the olfactory nerve, stand apart from other candidate cell types due to their innate natural abilities to manage nerve injury and promote repair and regeneration. This is evidenced by their physiological role in the daily repair and maintenance of the olfactory nerve. Here, we explain their properties in relation to their physiological role and their most relevant cellular attributes, including cellular interactions, phagocytosis, migration, axonal guidance and support, and modulation of neuroinflammation. We highlight some critical drawbacks in the current approaches and identify some ways to address them.
Thienothiophene Scaffolds as Building Blocks for (Opto)Electronics
Authors: Podlesný Jan , Bureš Filip
Published: November 2022

Thieno[3,2-b]thiophene and isomeric thieno[2,3-b]thiophene represent fused, bicyclic and electron rich heterocycles. These small planar organic compounds belong to the remarkable family of annulated building blocks for various organic materials. The first part of this review focuses on the synthesis of the primary unsubstituted thienothiophene scaffolds. All synthetic pathways available in the literature, dating from the 19th century, are summarized. The second part is devoted to the applications of the thienothiophene-derived materials across (opto)electronics. Organic light emitting diodes, organic solar cells, organic field-effect transistors and nonlinear optics were identified as the most successful application areas of both thienothiophenes. The fundamental structure-property relationships were evaluated for each particular group of derivatives.
The Role of ERG11 Point Mutations in the Resistance of Candida albicans to Fluconazole in the Presence of Lactate
Authors: Urbanek Aneta K. , Łapińska Zofia , Derkacz Daria , Krasowska Anna
Published: November 2022

Candidiasis refers to both superficial and deep-tissue fungal infections often caused by Candida albicans. The treatment of choice for these infections is the use of azoles, such as fluconazole (FLC). However, the increased use of antifungal agents has led to the emergence of azole-resistant isolates of C. albicans. Thus, the development of alternative drugs that are more efficient and with a better toxicological profile is necessary. This study aimed to determine the susceptibility profile of C. albicans CAF2-1 strain to FLC in the presence of glucose or lactate. The research was also focused on single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and the determination of the effect of the identified point mutations on the amino acid sequence of the Erg11 protein. The results show the growth of C. albicans CAF2-1 in the presence of FLC was significantly lower in the presence of lactate than in glucose. As a result, among recorded 45 amino acid mutations, the following mutations may be associated with the reduced susceptibility of C. albicans to FLC: G10D, G10V, I11M, I11R, Y13N, F31V, L35F, A249D, Q250H, E266G, R267G, N273K, D275C, D275G, D275R. Moreover, a twice higher number of hot-spot mutations was found in the presence of glucose as a sole carbon source compared to cells grown on lactate.
Depletion of Na+/H+ Exchanger Isoform 1 Increases the Host Cell Resistance to Trypanosoma cruzi Invasion
Authors: Rodrigues João Paulo Ferreira , Loch Leonardo , Onofre Thiago Souza , Yoshida Nobuko
Published: November 2022

Na+/H+ exchanger isoform 1 (NHE1), a member of a large family of integral membrane proteins, plays a role in regulating the cortical actin cytoskeleton. Trypanosoma cruzi, the agent of Chagas disease, depends on F-actin rearrangement and lysosome mobilization to invade host cells. To determine the involvement of NHE1 in T. cruzi metacyclic trypomastigote (MT) internalization, the effect of treatment in cells with NHE1 inhibitor amiloride or of NHE1 depletion was examined in human epithelial cells. MT invasion decreased in amiloride-treated and NHE1-depleted cells. The phosphorylation profile of diverse protein kinases, whose activation is associated with remodeling of actin fibers, was analyzed in amiloride-treated and NHE1-depleted cells. In amiloride-treated cells, the phosphorylation levels of protein kinase C (PKC), focal adhesion kinase (FAK) and Akt were similar to those of untreated cells, whereas those of extracellular signal-regulated protein kinases (ERK1/2) increased. In NHE1-deficient cells, with marked alteration in the actin cytoskeleton architecture and in lysosome distribution, the levels of phospho-PKC and phospho-FAK decreased, whereas those of phospho-Akt and phospho-ERK1/2 increased. These data indicate that NHE1 plays a role in MT invasion, by maintaining the activation status of diverse protein kinases in check and preventing the inappropriate F-actin arrangement that affects lysosome distribution.
An Analysis of Turing’s Criterion for ‘Thinking’
Authors: Proudfoot Diane
Published: November 2022

In this paper I argue that Turing proposed a new approach to the concept of thinking, based on his claim that intelligence is an ‘emotional concept’; and that the response-dependence interpretation of Turing’s ‘criterion for “thinking”’ is a better fit with his writings than orthodox interpretations. The aim of this paper is to clarify the response-dependence interpretation, by addressing such questions as: What did Turing mean by the expression ‘emotional’? Is Turing’s criterion subjective? Are ‘emotional’ judgements decided by social consensus? Turing’s take on these issues impacts current philosophical debates on response-dependent concepts and on the nature of artificial intelligence.
Comprehensive Genomic Survey, Structural Classification, and Expression Analysis of WRKY Transcription Factor Family in Rhododendron simsii
Authors: Wan Ziyun , Li Xueqin , Cheng Hefeng , Zhang Jing , Chen Yujia , Xu Yanxia , Jin Songheng
Published: November 2022

(1) Rhododendron is one of the top ten traditional flowers in China, with both high ornamental and economic values. However, with the change of the environment, Rhododendron suffers from various biological stresses. The WRKY transcription factor is a member of the most crucial transcription factor families, which plays an essential regulatory role in a variety of physiological processes and developmental stresses. (2) In this study, 57 RsWRKYs were identified using genome data and found to be randomly distributed on 13 chromosomes. Based on gene structure and phylogenetic relationships, 57 proteins were divided into three groups: I, II, and III. Multiple alignments of RsWRKYs with Arabidopsis thaliana homologous genes revealed that WRKY domains in different groups had different conserved sites. RsWRKYs have a highly conserved domain, WRKYGQK, with three variants, WRKYGKK, WRKYGEK, and WRKYGRK. Furthermore, cis-acting elements analysis revealed that all of the RsWRKYs had stress and plant hormone cis-elements, with figures varying by group. Finally, the expression patterns of nine WRKY genes treated with gibberellin acid (GA), methyl jasmonate (MeJA), heat, and drought in Rhododendron were also measured using quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). The results showed that the expression levels of the majority of RsWRKY genes changed in response to multiple phytohormones and abiotic stressors. (3) This current study establishes a theoretical basis for future studies on the response of RsWRKY transcription factors to various hormone and abiotic stresses as well as a significant foundation for the breeding of new stress-tolerant Rhododendron varieties.
Liposomal Formulation of Botanical Extracts may Enhance Yield Triggering PR Genes and Phenylpropanoid Pathway in Barley (Hordeum vulgare)
Authors: Hegedűs Géza , Kutasy Barbara , Kiniczky Márta , Decsi Kincső , Juhász Ákos , Nagy Ágnes , Pallos József Péter , Virág Eszter
Published: November 2022

This work aimed to study the plant conditioning effect and mode of action of a plant-based biostimulant used in organic farming. This new generation plant biostimulant, named ELICE16INDURES®, is rich in plant bio-active ingredients containing eleven supercritical botanical extracts encapsulated in nano-scale liposomes. The dose–response (10 to 240 g ha−1) relationship was tested in a field population of autumn barley (Hordeum vulgare) test crop, and underlying molecular mechanisms were studied. Applying nanotechnology, cell-identical nanoparticles may help the better uptake and delivery of active ingredients increasing resilience, vitality, and crop yield. The amount of harvested crops showed a significant increase of 27.5% and 39.9% interconnected to higher normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) of 20% and 25% after the treatment of low and high dosages (20 and 240 g ha−1), respectively. Illumina NextSeq 550 sequencing, gene expression profiling, and KEGG-pathway analysis of outstanding dosages indicated the upregulation of pathogenesis-related (PR) and other genes—associated with induced resistance—which showed dose dependency as well.