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BMC Plant Biology Jun 2024Salinity is a major abiotic stress, and the use of saline water in the agricultural sector will incur greater demand under the current and future climate changing...
BACKGROUND
Salinity is a major abiotic stress, and the use of saline water in the agricultural sector will incur greater demand under the current and future climate changing scenarios. The objective of this study was to develop a dual-functional nanofertilizer capable of releasing a micronutrient that nourishes plant growth while enhancing salt stress resilience in faba bean (Vicia faba L.).
RESULTS
Moringa oleifera leaf extract was used to synthesize sulfur nanoparticles (SNPs), which were applied as a foliar spray at different concentrations (0, 25, 50, and 100 mg/l) to mitigate the negative effects of salt stress (150 mM NaCl) on faba bean plants. The SNPs were characterized and found to be spherical in shape with an average size of 10.98 ± 2.91 nm. The results showed that salt stress had detrimental effects on the growth and photosynthetic performance (Fv/Fm) of faba bean compared with control, while foliar spraying with SNPs improved these parameters under salinity stress. SNPs application also increased the levels of osmolytes (soluble sugars, amino acids, proline, and glycine betaine) and nonenzymatic antioxidants, while reducing the levels of oxidative stress biomarkers (MDA and HO). Moreover, SNPs treatment under salinity stress stimulated the activity of antioxidant enzymes (ascorbate peroxidase (APX), and peroxidase (POD), polyphenol oxidase (PPO)) and upregulated the expression of stress-responsive genes: chlorophyll a-b binding protein of LHCII type 1-like (Lhcb1), ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase large chain-like (RbcL), cell wall invertase I (CWINV1), ornithine aminotransferase (OAT), and ethylene-responsive transcription factor 1 (ERF1), with the greatest upregulation observed at 50 mg/l SNPs.
CONCLUSION
Overall, foliar application of sulfur nanofertilizers in agriculture could improve productivity while minimizing the deleterious effects of salt stress on plants. Therefore, this study provides a strong foundation for future research focused on evaluating the replacement of conventional sulfur-containing fertilizers with their nanoforms to reduce the harmful effects of salinity stress and enhance the productivity of faba beans.
Topics: Vicia faba; Salt Stress; Sulfur; Nanoparticles; Fertilizers; Antioxidants; Plant Leaves; Photosynthesis
PubMed: 38926889
DOI: 10.1186/s12870-024-05270-7 -
International Journal of Biological... Jun 2024Soluble dietary fibre (SDF) has gained growing interest because of its multiple functional and nutritional benefits. In the current study, the effect of SDF extracted...
Soluble dietary fibre (SDF) has gained growing interest because of its multiple functional and nutritional benefits. In the current study, the effect of SDF extracted from eucheuma seaweed on both the physicochemical properties and the released metabolites of yellow cakes was evaluated systematically. The results revealed that the addition of SDF induced increases in specific gravity, specific volume and water content of yellow cakes, and caused a decrease in weight loss and changes in texture and colour. In addition, sensory evaluation showed that up to 10 % substitution of flour with SDF was acceptable. In vitro digestion of cakes demonstrated that flour substitution with SDF at different levels (8 %-14 %) significantly reduced the release of glucose, ranging from 11.24 % to 29.12 %. In addition to the increased apparent viscosity of the cake digesta, the metabolite analysis based on nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy identified a total of 29 metabolites, including amino acids, fatty acids and sugars. Notably, the addition of SDF reduced the release of amino acids and fatty acids after digestion. These findings suggested that seaweed SDF was a potential substitute for some food components, which would provide functional benefits to the digestive characteristics.
PubMed: 38925174
DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2024.133348 -
Journal of Chromatography. B,... Jun 2024The Fufang Xueshuantong capsule (FXT) has significant preventive and therapeutic effects on diabetic retinopathy(DR), but the compatibility of its active components...
The Fufang Xueshuantong capsule (FXT) has significant preventive and therapeutic effects on diabetic retinopathy(DR), but the compatibility of its active components remains to be thoroughly explored. In this study, a zebrafish diabetic retinopathy model was established using high-mixed sugars, and the optimal ratios of notoginseng total saponins, total salvianolic acid, astragaloside, and harpagide were selected through orthogonal experiments. Furthermore, we used UPLC-QqQ/MS to detect the changes in amino acid content of DR zebrafish tissues after administration of FXT and its compatible formula to analyze the effects of FXT and its compatible formula on amino acid metabolites. The results showed that the final compatibility ratios of the components were 8: 5: 1: 6.6 by comprehensive evaluation of the indicators. FXT and its compatibility formula had beneficial effects on retinal vasodilatation, lipid accumulation in the liver, total glucose, and VEGF levels in DR zebrafish, and all of them could call back some amino acid levels in DR zebrafish. In this research, we determined the compatible formulation of the active ingredients in the FXT and investigated their efficacy in DR zebrafish for further clinical applications.
PubMed: 38924945
DOI: 10.1016/j.jchromb.2024.124194 -
Chembiochem : a European Journal of... Jun 2024Supramolecular hydrogels can be obtained via self-assembly of small molecules in aqueous environments. In this study, we describe the development of oxidation-responsive...
Supramolecular hydrogels can be obtained via self-assembly of small molecules in aqueous environments. In this study, we describe the development of oxidation-responsive supramolecular hydrogels comprising glucosamine derivatives with an aryl sulfide group. We demonstrate that hydrogen peroxide can induce a gel-sol transition through the oxidation of the sulfide group to the corresponding sulfoxide. Furthermore, we show that this oxidation responsiveness can be extended to photo-responsiveness with the aid of a photosensitizer.
PubMed: 38924281
DOI: 10.1002/cbic.202400459 -
Microbial Biotechnology Jun 2024Pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) catalyses the irreversible decarboxylation of pyruvate to acetyl-CoA, which feeds the tricarboxylic acid cycle. We investigated how the loss...
Inactivation of Pseudomonas putida KT2440 pyruvate dehydrogenase relieves catabolite repression and improves the usefulness of this strain for degrading aromatic compounds.
Pyruvate dehydrogenase (PDH) catalyses the irreversible decarboxylation of pyruvate to acetyl-CoA, which feeds the tricarboxylic acid cycle. We investigated how the loss of PDH affects metabolism in Pseudomonas putida. PDH inactivation resulted in a strain unable to utilize compounds whose assimilation converges at pyruvate, including sugars and several amino acids, whereas compounds that generate acetyl-CoA supported growth. PDH inactivation also resulted in the loss of carbon catabolite repression (CCR), which inhibits the assimilation of non-preferred compounds in the presence of other preferred compounds. Pseudomonas putida can degrade many aromatic compounds, most of which produce acetyl-CoA, making it useful for biotransformation and bioremediation. However, the genes involved in these metabolic pathways are often inhibited by CCR when glucose or amino acids are also present. Our results demonstrate that the PDH-null strain can efficiently degrade aromatic compounds even in the presence of other preferred substrates, which the wild-type strain does inefficiently, or not at all. As the loss of PDH limits the assimilation of many sugars and amino acids and relieves the CCR, the PDH-null strain could be useful in biotransformation or bioremediation processes that require growth with mixtures of preferred substrates and aromatic compounds.
Topics: Pseudomonas putida; Catabolite Repression; Pyruvate Dehydrogenase Complex; Hydrocarbons, Aromatic; Biodegradation, Environmental; Acetyl Coenzyme A; Pyruvic Acid; Gene Deletion; Metabolic Networks and Pathways
PubMed: 38923400
DOI: 10.1111/1751-7915.14514 -
Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry Jun 2024Glycation is a non-enzymatic posttranslational modification coming from the reaction between reducing sugars and free amino groups in proteins, where early glycation...
Glycation is a non-enzymatic posttranslational modification coming from the reaction between reducing sugars and free amino groups in proteins, where early glycation products (fructosyl-lysine, FL) and advanced glycation end products (AGEs) are formed. The occurrence of glycation and accumulation of AGEs have been closely associated with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Here, we reported the characterization of differential glycation in HCC using tissue proteomics with stable isotopic labeling; early glycation-modified peptides were enriched with boronate affinity chromatography (BAC), and AGEs-modified peptides were fractionated with basic reversed-phase separation. By this integrated approach, 3717 and 1137 early and advanced glycated peptides corresponding to 4007 sites on 1484 proteins were identified with a false discovery rate (FDR) of no more than 1%. One hundred fifty-five sites were modified with both early and advanced end glycation products. Five early and 7 advanced glycated peptides were quantified to be differentially expressed in HCC tissues relative to paired adjacent tissues. Most (8 out of 10) of the proteins corresponding to the differential glycated peptides have previously been reported with dysregulation in HCC. The results together may deepen our knowledge of glycation as well as provide insights for therapeutics.
PubMed: 38922433
DOI: 10.1007/s00216-024-05392-9 -
Cells Jun 2024Aberrant sialylation with overexpression of the homopolymeric glycan polysialic acid (polySia) was recently reported in fibroblasts from fibrotic skin lesions. Yet,...
Aberrant sialylation with overexpression of the homopolymeric glycan polysialic acid (polySia) was recently reported in fibroblasts from fibrotic skin lesions. Yet, whether such a rise in polySia levels or sialylation in general may be functionally implicated in profibrotic activation of fibroblasts and their transition to myofibroblasts remains unknown. Therefore, we herein explored whether inhibition of sialylation could interfere with the process of skin fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition induced by the master profibrotic mediator transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβ1). Adult human skin fibroblasts were pretreated with the competitive pan-sialyltransferase inhibitor 3-Fax-peracetyl-Neu5Ac (3-Fax) before stimulation with recombinant human TGFβ1, and then analyzed for polySia expression, cell viability, proliferation, migratory ability, and acquisition of myofibroblast-like morphofunctional features. Skin fibroblast stimulation with TGFβ1 resulted in overexpression of polySia, which was effectively blunted by 3-Fax pre-administration. Pretreatment with 3-Fax efficiently lessened TGFβ1-induced skin fibroblast proliferation, migration, changes in cell morphology, and phenotypic and functional differentiation into myofibroblasts, as testified by a significant reduction in , , , , and gene expression, and α-smooth muscle actin, N-cadherin, COL1A1, and FN-EDA protein levels, as well as a reduced contractile capability. Moreover, skin fibroblasts pre-administered with 3-Fax displayed a significant decrease in Smad3-dependent canonical TGFβ1 signaling. Collectively, our in vitro findings demonstrate for the first time that aberrant sialylation with increased polySia levels has a functional role in skin fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition and suggest that competitive sialyltransferase inhibition might offer new therapeutic opportunities against skin fibrosis.
Topics: Humans; Transforming Growth Factor beta1; Skin; Sialic Acids; Myofibroblasts; Fibroblasts; Cell Proliferation; Cell Differentiation; Cell Movement; Sialyltransferases; Signal Transduction; Cells, Cultured
PubMed: 38920695
DOI: 10.3390/cells13121067 -
Biosensors May 2024Glucosamine-chitosan synthesized by the Maillard reaction was combined with montmorillonite to obtain a nanohybrid composite to immobilize horseradish peroxidase. The...
Glucosamine-chitosan synthesized by the Maillard reaction was combined with montmorillonite to obtain a nanohybrid composite to immobilize horseradish peroxidase. The material combines the advantageous properties of clay with those of the chitosan derivative; has improved water solubility and reduced molecular weight and viscosity; involves an eco-friendly synthesis; and exhibits ion exchange capacity, good adhesiveness, and a large specific surface area for enzyme adsorption. The physicochemical characteristics of the composite were analyzed by infrared spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction to determine clay-polycation interactions. The electrochemical response of the different polyphenols to glassy carbon electrodes modified with the composite was evaluated by cyclic voltammetry. The sensitivity and detection limit values obtained with the biosensor toward hydroquinone, chlorogenic acid, catechol, and resorcinol are (1.6 ± 0.2) × 10 µA mM and (74 ± 8) nM; (1.2 ± 0.1) × 10 µA mM and (26 ± 3) nM; (16 ± 2) µA mM and (0.74 ± 0.09) μM; and (3.7± 0.3) µA mM and (3.3 ± 0.2) μM, respectively. The biosensor was applied to quantify polyphenols in pennyroyal and lemon verbena extracts.
Topics: Bentonite; Biosensing Techniques; Polyphenols; Chitosan; Horseradish Peroxidase; Enzymes, Immobilized; Electrochemical Techniques; Glucosamine; Electrodes
PubMed: 38920582
DOI: 10.3390/bios14060278 -
Applied and Environmental Microbiology Jun 2024Heterotrophic marine bacteria utilize and recycle dissolved organic matter (DOM), impacting biogeochemical cycles. It is currently unclear to what extent distinct DOM...
UNLABELLED
Heterotrophic marine bacteria utilize and recycle dissolved organic matter (DOM), impacting biogeochemical cycles. It is currently unclear to what extent distinct DOM components can be used by different heterotrophic clades. Here, we ask how a natural microbial community from the Eastern Mediterranean Sea (EMS) responds to different molecular classes of DOM (peptides, amino acids, amino sugars, disaccharides, monosaccharides, and organic acids) comprising much of the biomass of living organisms. Bulk bacterial activity increased after 24 h for all treatments relative to the control, while glucose and ATP uptake decreased or remained unchanged. Moreover, while the per-cell uptake rate of glucose and ATP decreased, that of Leucin significantly increased for amino acids, reflecting their importance as common metabolic currencies in the marine environment. dominated the peptides treatment, while different strains became dominant in response to amino acids and amino sugars. grew well on organic acids, and on disaccharides. A comparison with a recent laboratory-based study reveals similar peptide preferences for , while , for example, grew well in the lab on many substrates but dominated in seawater samples only when disaccharides were added. We further demonstrate a potential correlation between the genetic capacity for degrading amino sugars and the dominance of specific clades in these treatments. These results highlight the diversity in DOM utilization among heterotrophic bacteria and complexities in the response of natural communities.
IMPORTANCE
A major goal of microbial ecology is to predict the dynamics of natural communities based on the identity of the organisms, their physiological traits, and their genomes. Our results show that several clades of heterotrophic bacteria each grow in response to one or more specific classes of organic matter. For some clades, but not others, growth in a complex community is similar to that of isolated strains in laboratory monoculture. Additionally, by measuring how the entire community responds to various classes of organic matter, we show that these results are ecologically relevant, and propose that some of these resources are utilized through common uptake pathways. Tracing the path between different resources to the specific microbes that utilize them, and identifying commonalities and differences between different natural communities and between them and lab cultures, is an important step toward understanding microbial community dynamics and predicting how communities will respond to perturbations.
PubMed: 38920365
DOI: 10.1128/aem.00256-24 -
Frontiers in Immunology 2024Therapeutic antibodies have become a major strategy to treat oncologic diseases. For chronic lymphocytic leukemia, antibodies against CD20 are used to target and elicit...
INTRODUCTION
Therapeutic antibodies have become a major strategy to treat oncologic diseases. For chronic lymphocytic leukemia, antibodies against CD20 are used to target and elicit cytotoxic responses against malignant B cells. However, efficacy is often compromised due to a suppressive microenvironment that interferes with cellular immune responses. To overcome this suppression, agonists of pattern recognition receptors have been studied which promote direct cytotoxicity or elicit anti-tumoral immune responses. NOD2 is an intracellular pattern recognition receptor that participates in the detection of peptidoglycan, a key component of bacterial cell walls. This detection then mediates the activation of multiple signaling pathways in myeloid cells. Although several NOD2 agonists are being used worldwide, the potential benefit of these agents in the context of antibody therapy has not been explored.
METHODS
Primary cells from healthy-donor volunteers (PBMCs, monocytes) or CLL patients (monocytes) were treated with versus without the NOD2 agonist L18-MDP, then antibody-mediated responses were assessed. In vivo, the Eµ-TCL1 mouse model of CLL was used to test the effects of L18-MDP treatment alone and in combination with anti-CD20 antibody.
RESULTS
Treatment of peripheral blood mononuclear cells with L18-MDP led to activation of monocytes from both healthy donors and CLL patients. In addition, there was an upregulation of activating FcγR in monocytes and a subsequent increase in antibody-mediated phagocytosis. This effect required the NF-κB and p38 signaling pathways. Treatment with L18-MDP plus anti-CD20 antibody in the Eµ-TCL model of CLL led to a significant reduction of CLL load, as well as to phenotypic changes in splenic monocytes and macrophages.
CONCLUSIONS
Taken together, these results suggest that NOD2 agonists help overturn the suppression of myeloid cells, and may improve the efficacy of antibody therapy for CLL.
Topics: Nod2 Signaling Adaptor Protein; Animals; Humans; Receptors, IgG; Mice; Macrophages; Leukemia, Lymphocytic, Chronic, B-Cell; Acetylmuramyl-Alanyl-Isoglutamine; Female; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Signal Transduction; Phagocytosis; Rituximab
PubMed: 38919608
DOI: 10.3389/fimmu.2024.1409333