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Foods (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024λ-carrageenan oligosaccharides can be widely applied in the food, pharmaceutical, medicine and cosmetic industries due to their abundant bioactivities, and they are...
λ-carrageenan oligosaccharides can be widely applied in the food, pharmaceutical, medicine and cosmetic industries due to their abundant bioactivities, and they are important products for the high-value utilization of λ-carrageenan. However, oligosaccharides with different degrees of polymerization have different properties, and the final products of λ-carrageenase reported so far are mainly λ-neocarrabiose, λ-neocarratetraose and λ-neocarrahexaose without longer-chain oligosaccharides. Further research is consequently required. Herein, a mutant λ-carrageenase was constructed by deleting the pyrroloquinoline quinone-like domain of OUC-CglA derived from . Interestingly, it was discovered that the majority of final products of the mutant OUC-CglA-DPQQ were long-chain oligosaccharides with a polymerization degree of 10-20, which underwent significant changes compared to that of OUC-CglA. Additionally, without the pyrroloquinoline quinone-like domain, fewer inclusion bodies were produced throughout the expression process, and the yield of the λ-carrageenase increased about five-fold. However, compared to its parental enzyme, significant changes were made to its enzymatic properties. Its optimal temperature and pH were 15 °C and pH 7.0, and its specific activity was 51.59 U/mg. The stability of the enzyme decreased. Thus, it was found that the deleting domain was related to the formation of inclusion bodies, the stability of the enzyme, the activity of the enzyme and the composition of the products.
PubMed: 38928863
DOI: 10.3390/foods13121923 -
Journal of Oral Pathology & Medicine :... Jun 2024The challenges faced by the massive increase in scientific publications draw parallels to the Larsen effect, where an amplified sound loop leads to escalating noise....
The challenges faced by the massive increase in scientific publications draw parallels to the Larsen effect, where an amplified sound loop leads to escalating noise. This phenomenon has resulted in information overload, making it difficult for researchers to stay updated and identify significant findings. To address this, knowledge synthesis techniques are recommended. These methods help synthesize and visualize large bodies of literature, aiding researchers in navigating the expanding information landscape. Furthermore, artificial intelligence (AI) and natural language processing tools, such as text summarization, offer innovative solutions for managing information overload. However, the overuse of AI in producing scientific literature raises concerns about the quality and integrity of research. This manuscript highlights the need for balanced use of AI tools and collaborative efforts to maintain high-quality scientific output while leveraging the benefits of extensive research.
PubMed: 38923641
DOI: 10.1111/jop.13569 -
Journal of Fungi (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Although only a few species of account for the major truffle sales volume, many species that are not considered delicacies are finding their way to the market,...
Although only a few species of account for the major truffle sales volume, many species that are not considered delicacies are finding their way to the market, especially in regions where the traditionally appreciated ones do not occur. This is the case for whitish truffles. Specimens of whitish truffles were collected in pecan () orchards in Uruguay in October 2021. Morphological and molecular methods were used to characterize and assess their identity as Vittad. An SPME extraction of volatile compounds and GC-MS analyses were performed to characterize the aromatic profile of these specimens and evaluate their potential applications. Among the 60 VOCs detected, 3-octenone (mushroom odor), 3-octanol (moss, nut, mushroom odor), and 2H-pyran-2-one (no odor), followed by octen-1-ol-acetate (no odor) and 2-undecanone (orange, fresh, green odor) were the major compounds in fruiting bodies. The attributes of exotic edible mushrooms of commercial value in the region are highlighted. In particular, this work emphasizes the characteristics of truffles as a byproduct of pecan cultivation.
PubMed: 38921407
DOI: 10.3390/jof10060421 -
The Journal of Neuroscience : the... Jun 2024Metabotropic glutamate receptor 8 (mGlu8) is a heterogeneously expressed and poorly understood glutamate receptor with potential pharmacological significance. The...
Metabotropic glutamate receptor 8 (mGlu8) is a heterogeneously expressed and poorly understood glutamate receptor with potential pharmacological significance. The thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN) is a critical inhibitory modulator of the thalamocortical-corticothalamic (TC-CT) network and plays a crucial role in information processing throughout the brain, is implicated in a variety of psychiatric conditions, and is also a site of significant mGlu8 expression. Using both male and female mice, we determined via fluorescent hybridization that parvalbumin-expressing cells in the TRN core and shell matrices (identified by and expression, respectively) as well as the cortical layers involved in corticothalamic signaling, express mRNA. We then assayed the physiological and behavioral impacts of perturbing signaling in the TC circuit through conditional (AAV-CRE mediated) and cell type-specific constitutive deletion strategies. We show that constitutive parvalbumin knockout (PV KO) mice exhibited 1) increased spontaneous excitatory drive onto dorsal thalamus relay cells and 2) impaired sensorimotor gating, measured via paired-pulse inhibition, but observed no differences in locomotion and thigmotaxis in repeated bouts of open field testing. Conversely, we observed hyperlocomotive phenotypes and anxiolytic effects of AAV-mediated conditional knockdown of in the TRN (TRN KD) in repeated open field testing. Our findings underscore a role for mGlu8 in regulating excitatory neurotransmission as well as anxiety-related locomotor behavior and sensorimotor gating, revealing potential therapeutic applications for various neuropsychiatric disorders and guiding future research endeavors into mGlu8 signaling and TRN function. Group III mGlu receptors and the Thalamic Reticular Nucleus (TRN) are critical modulators of reciprocal cortico-thalamic neurotransmission and are implicated in anxiety and locomotor behaviors. The present study demonstrates a specific enrichment of mRNA within the TRN and thalamus-projecting cortical layers and characterizes the role of mGlu8 receptors in controlling spontaneous excitatory neurotransmission onto cells located within the dorsal thalamus and regulating sensorimotor behaviors from open field and PPI testing. These findings add to growing bodies of literature regarding both TRN and regulation of thalamocortical activity and related behaviors implicated in neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders.
PubMed: 38918065
DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0119-24.2024 -
Acta Pharmacologica Sinica Jun 2024Adjuvants for vaccines with characteristics of improving adaptive immunity particularly via leverage of antigen presenting cells (APCs) are currently lacking. In a...
Adjuvants for vaccines with characteristics of improving adaptive immunity particularly via leverage of antigen presenting cells (APCs) are currently lacking. In a previous work we obtained a new soluble 300 kDa homogeneous β-glucan named GFPBW1 from the fruit bodies of Granola frondosa. GFPBW1 could activate macrophages by targeting dendritic cell associated C-type lectin 1 (Dectin-1)/Syk/NF-κB signaling to achieve antitumour effects. In this study the adjuvant effects of GFPBW1 were explored with OVA-antigen and B16-OVA tumor model. We showed that GFPBW1 (5, 50, 500 μg/mL) dose-dependently promoted activation and maturation of APCs in vitro by increasing CD80, CD86 and MHC II expression. We immunized female mice with OVA in combination with GFPBW1 (50 or 300 μg) twice with an interval of two weeks. GFPBW1 markedly and dose-dependently increased OVA-specific antibody titers of different subtypes including IgG1, IgG2a, IgG2b and IgG3, suggesting that it could serve as an adjuvant for both Th1 and Th2 type immune responses. Furthermore, GFPBW1 in combination with aluminum significantly increased the titers of OVA-specific IgG2a and IgG2b, but not those of IgG1, suggesting that GFPBW1 could be used as a co-adjuvant of aluminum to compensate for Th1 deficiency. For mice immunized with OVA plus GFPBW1, no obvious pathological injury was observed in either major organs or injection sites, and no abnormalities were noted for any of the hematological parameters. When GFPBW1 served as an adjuvant in the B16-OVA cancer vaccine models, it could accomplish entire tumor suppression with preventive vaccines, and enhance antitumour efficacy with therapeutic vaccines. Differentially expressed genes were found to be enriched in antigen processing process, specifically increased tumor infiltration of DCs, B1 cells and plasma cells in the OVA plus GFPBW1 group, in accordance with its activation and maturation function of APCs. Collectively, this study systematically describes the properties of GFPBW1 as a novel potent and safe adjuvant and highlights its great potential in vaccine development.
PubMed: 38907048
DOI: 10.1038/s41401-024-01330-8 -
Science and Technology of Advanced... 2024In this work, various methods were used to improve the printability of a photocurable polyvinylsilazane resin filled with silicon nitride particles for digital light...
In this work, various methods were used to improve the printability of a photocurable polyvinylsilazane resin filled with silicon nitride particles for digital light processing. The developed resin was used as a preceramic polymer for polymer-to-ceramic conversion. The pyrolysis-induced structural changes of the additively manufactured objects were evaluated by comparing samples with different thicknesses, filler amounts and heating profiles. The printed green body retained its original geometry better and showed fewer cracks due to the addition of silicon nitride particles to the resin. Based on the thermally induced changes in a polyvinylsilazane resin system, a customized heating profile for the pyrolysis process was developed, which contributed to the reduction of pores and cracks while the average pyrolysis heating rate remained relatively high. This work provides insight into the pyrolysis of additively manufactured preceramic polymer green bodies and highlights various strategies for additive manufacturing of polymer-derived ceramics.
PubMed: 38903412
DOI: 10.1080/14686996.2024.2363170 -
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024Minor bodies exhibit considerable variability in shape and surface morphology, posing challenges for spacecraft operations, which are further compounded by highly...
Minor bodies exhibit considerable variability in shape and surface morphology, posing challenges for spacecraft operations, which are further compounded by highly non-linear dynamics and limited communication windows with Earth. Additionally, uncertainties persist in the shape and surface morphology of minor bodies due to errors in ground-based estimation techniques. The growing need for autonomy underscores the importance of robust image processing and visual-based navigation methods. To address this demand, it is essential to conduct tests on a variety of body shapes and with different surface morphological features. This work introduces the procedural Minor bOdy geNErator Tool (MONET), implemented using an open-source 3D computer graphics software. The starting point of MONET is the three-dimensional mesh of a generic minor body, which is procedurally modified by introducing craters, boulders, and surface roughness, resulting in a photorealistic model. MONET offers the flexibility to generate a diverse range of shapes and surface morphological features, aiding in the recreation of various minor bodies. Users can fine-tune relevant parameters to create the desired conditions based on the specific application requirements. The tool offers the capability to generate two default families of models: rubble-pile, characterized by numerous different-sized boulders, and comet-like, reflecting the typical morphology of comets. MONET serves as a valuable resource for researchers and engineers involved in minor body exploration missions and related projects, providing insights into the adaptability and effectiveness of guidance and navigation techniques across a wide range of morphological scenarios.
PubMed: 38894448
DOI: 10.3390/s24113658 -
Nutrients May 2024The rhizomes of Schott and Solander are widely used for treating amnesia in traditional Chinese medicine. In contrast, their leaves are usually discarded without their...
The rhizomes of Schott and Solander are widely used for treating amnesia in traditional Chinese medicine. In contrast, their leaves are usually discarded without their medicinal properties being known. Here, we found that the hot water extract of leaves improved cognition and tau pathology in model mice of frontotemporal dementia, similar to or even better than that of rhizomes. To explore the optimal method of processing, we made three preparations from dried leaves: hot water extract, extraction residue, and non-extracted simple crush powder. Among them, the simple crush powder had the strongest effect on tauopathy in mice. The crush powder also ameliorated Aβ and α-synuclein pathologies and restored cognition in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease and dementia with Lewy bodies. These findings suggest the potential of / leaves as a dietary source for dementia prevention and reveal that simple crushing is a better way to maximize their efficacy.
Topics: Animals; Plant Leaves; Acorus; Mice; Plant Extracts; Dementia; Disease Models, Animal; Cognition; Amyloid beta-Peptides; Male; Alzheimer Disease; tau Proteins
PubMed: 38892521
DOI: 10.3390/nu16111589 -
Neural Development Jun 2024The thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN) serves as an important node between the thalamus and neocortex, regulating thalamocortical rhythms and sensory processing in a state...
The thalamic reticular nucleus (TRN) serves as an important node between the thalamus and neocortex, regulating thalamocortical rhythms and sensory processing in a state dependent manner. Disruptions in TRN circuitry also figures prominently in several neurodevelopmental disorders including epilepsy, autism, and attentional defects. An understanding of how and when connections between TRN and 1st order thalamic nuclei, such as the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN), develop is lacking. We used the mouse visual thalamus as a model system to study the organization, pattern of innervation and functional responses between TRN and the dLGN. Genetically modified mouse lines were used to visualize and target the feedforward and feedback components of these intra-thalamic circuits and to understand how peripheral input from the retina impacts their development.Retrograde tracing of thalamocortical (TC) afferents through TRN revealed that the modality-specific organization seen in the adult, is present at perinatal ages and seems impervious to the loss of peripheral input. To examine the formation and functional maturation of intrathalamic circuits between the visual sector of TRN and dLGN, we examined when projections from each nuclei arrive, and used an acute thalamic slice preparation along with optogenetic stimulation to assess the maturation of functional synaptic responses. Although thalamocortical projections passed through TRN at birth, feedforward axon collaterals determined by vGluT2 labeling, emerged during the second postnatal week, increasing in density through the third week. Optogenetic stimulation of TC axon collaterals in TRN showed infrequent, weak excitatory responses near the end of week 1. During weeks 2-4, responses became more prevalent, grew larger in amplitude and exhibited synaptic depression during repetitive stimulation. Feedback projections from visual TRN to dLGN began to innervate dLGN as early as postnatal day 2 with weak inhibitory responses emerging during week 1. During week 2-4, inhibitory responses continued to grow larger, showing synaptic depression during repetitive stimulation. During this time TRN inhibition started to suppress TC spiking, having its greatest impact by week 4-6. Using a mutant mouse that lacks retinofugal projections revealed that the absence of retinal input led to an acceleration of TRN innervation of dLGN but had little impact on the development of feedforward projections from dLGN to TRN. Together, these experiments reveal how and when intrathalamic connections emerge during early postnatal ages and provide foundational knowledge to understand the development of thalamocortical network dynamics as well as neurodevelopmental diseases that involve TRN circuitry.
Topics: Animals; Geniculate Bodies; Mice; Thalamic Nuclei; Visual Pathways; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Transgenic; Neural Pathways
PubMed: 38890758
DOI: 10.1186/s13064-024-00183-5 -
ACS Omega Jun 2024A novel thermosetting preceramic resin called acrylate-grafted liquid polysilazane (ALSZ) was readily synthesized. The curing behaviors of ALSZ were investigated by the...
A novel thermosetting preceramic resin called acrylate-grafted liquid polysilazane (ALSZ) was readily synthesized. The curing behaviors of ALSZ were investigated by the techniques of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and rheological tests. The catalytic thermocuring process was controlled by the addition of a polymerization accelerator composed of a radical initiator (cumene hydroperoxide) and a transition metal catalyst (nickel naphthenate or cobalt naphthenate). Photocuring at room temperature can proceed readily by the addition of photosensitizer 819 (phenylbis(2,4,6-trimethylbenzoyl) phosphine oxide). By combining a radical initiator, a transition metal catalyst, and a photosensitizer, synergistic photothermocuring was achieved, demonstrating advantages such as material shaping at room temperature and low weight loss during curing. The ceramization of the solidified ceramic precursors in an Ar atmosphere was studied using TGA and tube furnace pyrolysis. ALSZs exhibited comparatively high ceramic transformation yields (71-75% at 800 °C). The resulting pyrolytic ceramics maintained their original shape without deformation or foaming expansion. Polysilazanes containing acrylate groups can directly form casting bodies, showing a high static glass transition temperature (>380 °C) by thermomechanical analysis (TMA). FT-IR analyses revealed that multiple reactions are involved in the curing of ALSZ. The results in this paper showed that ALSZ might find prospective applications in material processing, such as additive manufacturing and ceramic-matrix composites.
PubMed: 38882088
DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.4c02018