-
Plants (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Sprouts' consumption has become popular due to their wide availability, easy cultivation process, and proven biological activity. Moreover, stress factors, such as...
Sprouts' consumption has become popular due to their wide availability, easy cultivation process, and proven biological activity. Moreover, stress factors, such as limited access to light or disturbed gravity during growth, may contribute to the increased activity and the synthesis of bioactive compounds. In this study, for the first time, the examination of the impact of darkness and simulated microgravity conditions on the white clover sprouts from the family was conducted. Among several species, used in the preliminary attempts, only white clover was satisfactory sprouting in the disturbed gravity conditions, and thus was chosen for further examination. A random positioning machine setup was used during the cultivation process to simulate microgravity conditions. Additionally, the sprouts were cultivated in total darkness. Simulated microgravity and/or darkness during the first few days of the sprouts' growth caused biomass reduction, the increased synthesis of bioactive compounds (isoflavones and phenolics), and changes in the level of abscisic acid and phenylalanine ammonia-lyase. Moreover, it increased the antioxidant properties of the sprouts, while the enhancement of their cytotoxic impact was observed only for androgen-dependent prostate cancer LNCaP cells. To conclude, the presented results are promising in searching for novel functional food candidates and further studies are necessary, directed at other plant families.
PubMed: 38891323
DOI: 10.3390/plants13111515 -
Plants (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024This study aimed to reveal the impact of MeJA and ZnSO treatments on the physiological metabolism of barley seedlings and the content of phenolic acid. The results...
This study aimed to reveal the impact of MeJA and ZnSO treatments on the physiological metabolism of barley seedlings and the content of phenolic acid. The results showed that MeJA (100 μM) and ZnSO (4 mM) treatments effectively increased the phenolic acid content by increasing the activities of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase and cinnamate-4-hydroxylase (PAL) and cinnamic acid 4-hydroxylase (C4H) and by up-regulating the expression of genes involved in phenolic acid synthesis. As a result of the MeJA or ZnSO treatment, the phenolic acid content increased by 35.3% and 30.9% at four days and by 33.8% and 34.5% at six days, respectively, compared to the control. Furthermore, MeJA and ZnSO treatments significantly increased the malondialdehyde content, causing cell membrane damage and decreasing the fresh weight and seedling length. Barley seedlings responded to MeJA- and ZnSO-induced stress by increasing the activities of antioxidant enzymes and controlling their gene expression levels. Meanwhile, MeJA and ZnSO treatments significantly upregulated , , and genes in barley seedlings. This suggested that Ca may be the signaling molecule that promotes phenolic acid synthesis under MeJA and ZnSO treatment. This study deepens the understanding of the phenolic acid enrichment process in barley seedlings under MeJA and ZnSO treatments.
PubMed: 38891320
DOI: 10.3390/plants13111512 -
Plants (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Sweet basil ( L.) is an important aromatic plant with high edibility and economic value, widely distributed in many regions of the tropics including the south of China....
Comparative Transcriptome Analysis Revealed Candidate Gene Modules Involved in Salt Stress Response in Sweet Basil and Overexpression of and Enhanced Salt Tolerance of Transgenic .
Sweet basil ( L.) is an important aromatic plant with high edibility and economic value, widely distributed in many regions of the tropics including the south of China. In recent years, environmental problems, especially soil salinization, have seriously restricted the planting and spread of sweet basil. However, the molecular mechanism of the salt stress response in sweet basil is still largely unknown. In this study, seed germination, seedling growth, and chlorophyll synthesis in sweet basil were inhibited under salt stress conditions. Through comparative transcriptome analysis, the gene modules involved in the metabolic processes, oxidative response, phytohormone signaling, cytoskeleton, and photosynthesis were screened out. In addition, the landscape of transcription factors during salt treatment in sweet basil was displayed as well. Moreover, the overexpression of the WRKY transcription factor-encoding gene, , and the phenylalanine ammonia-lyase-encoding gene, , enhanced the seed germination, seedling growth, and survival rate, respectively, of transgenic , suggesting that they might be important candidates for the creation of salt-tolerant sweet basil cultivars. Our data enrich the study on salt responses in sweet basil and provide essential gene resources for genetic improvements in sweet basil in the future.
PubMed: 38891295
DOI: 10.3390/plants13111487 -
Plants (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Submerged macrophytes in eutrophic aquatic environments adapt to changes in ammonia nitrogen (NH-N) levels by modifying their levels of free amino acids (FAAs) and...
Interspecific Differences in Carbon and Nitrogen Metabolism and Leaf Epiphytic Bacteria among Three Submerged Macrophytes in Response to Elevated Ammonia Nitrogen Concentrations.
Submerged macrophytes in eutrophic aquatic environments adapt to changes in ammonia nitrogen (NH-N) levels by modifying their levels of free amino acids (FAAs) and soluble carbohydrates (SCs). As symbionts of submerged macrophytes, epiphytic bacteria have obvious host specificity. In the present study, the interspecific differences in the FAA and SC contents of (Linn. f.) Roylep, Hara and Gmelin and their leaf epiphytic bacterial communities were assessed in response to increased NH-N concentrations. The results revealed that the response of the three submerged macrophytes to NH-N stress involved the consumption of SCs and the production of FAAs. The NH-N concentration had a greater impact on the variation in the FAA content, whereas the variation in the SC content was primarily influenced by the species. At the phylum level, the relative abundance of Nitrospirota on the leaves exhibited specific differences, with the order > > The dominant genera of epiphytic bacteria with denitrification effects on and leaves were and , respectively. When faced with NH-N stress, the variation in epiphytic bacterial populations associated with ammonia oxidation and denitrification among submerged macrophytes could contribute to their divergent responses to heightened nitrogen levels.
PubMed: 38891236
DOI: 10.3390/plants13111427 -
Plants (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Nitrogen (N) and silicon (Si) are mineral elements that have shown a reduction in the damage caused by tan spot ( ()) in wheat. However, the effects of these elements...
Nitrogen (N) and silicon (Si) are mineral elements that have shown a reduction in the damage caused by tan spot ( ()) in wheat. However, the effects of these elements were studied separately, and the N and Si interaction effect on wheat resistance to tan spot remains elusive. Histocytological and biochemical defense responses against in wheat leaves treated with Si (+Si) at low (LN) and high N (HN) inputs were investigated. Soil amendment with Si reduced the tan spot severity in 18% due to the increase in the leaf Si concentration (around 30%), but it was affected by the N level used. The superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was higher in +Si plants and inoculated with , leading to early and higher HO and callose accumulation in wheat leaf. Interestedly, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL) activity was induced by the Si supplying, being negatively affected by the HN rate. Meanwhile, catalase (CAT), and peroxidase (POX) activities showed differential response patterns according to the Si and N rates used. Tan spot severity was reduced by both elements, but their interaction does not evidence synergic effects in this disease's control. Wheat plants from -Si and HN and +Si and LN treatments recorded lower tan spot severity.
PubMed: 38891235
DOI: 10.3390/plants13111426 -
Cells May 2024has been implicated in various gastrointestinal disorders, including functional dyspepsia. This study aimed to compare the anti- activity and gastroprotective effects... (Comparative Study)
Comparative Study
has been implicated in various gastrointestinal disorders, including functional dyspepsia. This study aimed to compare the anti- activity and gastroprotective effects of three typical herbal formulas used for gastrointestinal disorders in Korea: Shihosogan-tang (ST), Yijung-tang (YT), and Pyeongwi-san (PS). Firstly, we assessed the total phenolic and flavonoid contents, as well as the antioxidative capacity. Additionally, we evaluated the antibacterial effect on using an ammonia assay, minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) test, and the disk agar diffusion method. Furthermore, we examined alterations in the gene expression of tight junction proteins, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and cellular vacuolation using an AGS cell model infected with . While ST exhibited a higher total phenolic content, superior free radical scavenging, and inhibition of compared to YT and PS, YT more evidently inhibited gastric cellular morphological changes such as vacuolation. All formulations significantly ameliorated changes in inflammatory and gastric inflammation-related genes and cellular morphological alterations induced by infection. Overall, the present in vitro study suggests that all three herbal formulas possess potential for ameliorating gastrointestinal disorders, with ST relatively excelling in inhibiting infection and inflammation, while YT potentially shows greater efficacy in directly protecting the gastric mucosa.
Topics: Helicobacter pylori; Dyspepsia; Humans; Anti-Bacterial Agents; Helicobacter Infections; Antioxidants; Flavonoids; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Gastric Mucosa; Plant Extracts; Protective Agents; Drugs, Chinese Herbal
PubMed: 38891033
DOI: 10.3390/cells13110901 -
Foods (Basel, Switzerland) Jun 2024A miniaturized solid-phase extraction of two tropane alkaloids (TAs) and twenty-one pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) from infusions of dry edible flowers using optimized...
Simultaneous Determination of 23 Pyrrolizidine and Tropane Alkaloids in Infusions from Dry Edible Flowers Using Optimized μSPEed Microextraction Prior to Their Analysis by UHPLC-IT-MS/MS.
A miniaturized solid-phase extraction of two tropane alkaloids (TAs) and twenty-one pyrrolizidine alkaloids (PAs) from infusions of dry edible flowers using optimized µSPEed technique was developed. The optimization of the µSPEed methodology involved testing different cartridges and comparing various volumes and numbers of loading cycles. The final conditions allowed for a rapid extraction, taking only 3.5 min. This was achieved using a C18-ODS cartridge, conditioning with 100 µL of methanol (two cycles), loading 100 µL of the infusion sample (seven cycles), and eluting the analytes with 100 µL of methanol (two cycles). Prior to their analysis by UHPLC-IT-MS/MS, the extracts were evaporated and reconstituted in 100 µL of water (0.2% formic acid)/methanol (0.2% ammonia) 95:5 (/), allowing for a preconcentration factor of seven times. The methodology was successfully validated obtaining recoveries ranging between 87 and 97%, RSD of less than 12%, and MQL between 0.09 and 0.2 µg/L. The validated methodology was applied to twenty samples of edible flower infusions to evaluate the safety of these products. Two infusion samples obtained from and were contaminated with 0.16 and 0.2 µg/L of scopolamine (TA), respectively, while the infusion of was contaminated with intermedine and lycopsamine (PAs) below the MQL.
PubMed: 38890967
DOI: 10.3390/foods13111740 -
Microbial Ecology Jun 2024Bacillus species appearas the most attractive plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and alternative to synthetic chemical pesticides. The present study examined...
Bacillus species appearas the most attractive plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria (PGPR) and alternative to synthetic chemical pesticides. The present study examined the antagonistic potential of spore forming-Bacilli isolated from organic farm soil samples of Allahabad, India. Eighty-seven Bacillus strains were isolated and characterized based on their morphological, plant growth promoting traits and molecular characteristics. The diversity analysis used 16S-rDNA, BOX-element, and enterobacterial repetitive intergenic consensus. Two strains, PR30 and PR32, later identified as Bacillus sp., exhibited potent in vitro antagonistic activity against Ralstonia solanaceorum. These isolates produced copious amounts of multiple PGP traits, such as indole-3-acetic acid (40.0 and 54.5 μg/mL), phosphate solubilization index (PSI) (4.4 and 5.3), ammonia, siderophore (3 and 4 cm), and 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase (8.1and 9.2 μM/mg//h) and hydrogen cyanide. These isolates were subjected to the antibiotic sensitivity test. The two potent isolates based on the higher antagonistic and the best plant growth-promoting ability were selected for plant growth-promoting response studies in tomatoe, broccoli, and chickpea. In the pot study, Bacillus subtilis (PR30 and PR31) showed significant improvement in seed germination (27-34%), root length (20-50%), shoot length (20-40%), vigor index (50-75%), carotenoid content (0.543-1.733), and lycopene content (2.333-2.646 mg/100 g) in tomato, broccoli, and chickpea. The present study demonstrated the production of multiple plant growth-promoting traits by the isolates and their potential as effective bioinoculants for plant growth promotion and biocontrol of phytopathogens.
Topics: Bacillus; Soil Microbiology; Biodiversity; India; Plant Roots; Cicer; Solanum lycopersicum; RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Rhizosphere; Phylogeny; Antibiosis; Siderophores; Indoleacetic Acids
PubMed: 38888737
DOI: 10.1007/s00248-024-02397-w -
Neural Regeneration Research Mar 2025JOURNAL/nrgr/04.03/01300535-202503000-00033/figure1/v/2024-06-17T092413Z/r/image-tiff The organotypic retinal explant culture has been established for more than a decade...
JOURNAL/nrgr/04.03/01300535-202503000-00033/figure1/v/2024-06-17T092413Z/r/image-tiff The organotypic retinal explant culture has been established for more than a decade and offers a range of unique advantages compared with in vivo experiments and cell cultures. However, the lack of systematic and continuous comparison between in vivo retinal development and the organotypic retinal explant culture makes this model controversial in postnatal retinal development studies. Thus, we aimed to verify the feasibility of using this model for postnatal retinal development studies by comparing it with the in vivo retina. In this study, we showed that postnatal retinal explants undergo normal development, and exhibit a consistent structure and timeline with retinas in vivo. Initially, we used SOX2 and PAX6 immunostaining to identify retinal progenitor cells. We then examined cell proliferation and migration by immunostaining with Ki-67 and doublecortin, respectively. Ki-67- and doublecortin-positive cells decreased in both in vivo and explants during postnatal retinogenesis, and exhibited a high degree of similarity in abundance and distribution between groups. Additionally, we used Ceh-10 homeodomain-containing homolog, glutamate-ammonia ligase (glutamine synthetase), neuronal nuclei, and ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 immunostaining to examine the emergence of bipolar cells, Müller glia, mature neurons, and microglia, respectively. The timing and spatial patterns of the emergence of these cell types were remarkably consistent between in vivo and explant retinas. Our study showed that the organotypic retinal explant culture model had a high degree of consistency with the progression of in vivo early postnatal retina development. The findings confirm the accuracy and credibility of this model and support its use for long-term, systematic, and continuous observation.
PubMed: 38886961
DOI: 10.4103/NRR.NRR-D-23-01557 -
Human Genomics Jun 2024Sex-related differences in colorectal (CRC) incidence and mortality are well-documented. However, the impact of sex on metabolic pathways that drive cancer growth is not...
BACKGROUND
Sex-related differences in colorectal (CRC) incidence and mortality are well-documented. However, the impact of sex on metabolic pathways that drive cancer growth is not well understood. High expression of asparagine synthetase (ASNS) is associated with inferior survival for female CRC patients only. Here, we used a CRISPR/Cas9 technology to generate HCT116 ASNS and HCT 116 ASNS cancer cell lines. We examine the effects of ASNS deletion on tumor growth and the subsequent rewiring of metabolic pathways in male and female Rag2/IL2RG mice.
RESULTS
ASNS loss reduces cancer burden in male and female tumor-bearing mice (40% reduction, q < 0.05), triggers metabolic reprogramming including gluconeogenesis, but confers a survival improvement (30 days median survival, q < 0.05) in female tumor-bearing mice alone. Transcriptomic analyses revealed upregulation of G-protein coupled estrogen receptor (GPER1) in tumors from male and female mice with HCT116 ASNS xenograft. Estradiol activates GPER1 in vitro in the presence of ASNS and suppresses tumor growth.
CONCLUSIONS
Our study indicates that inferior survival for female CRC patients with high ASNS may be due to metabolic reprogramming that sustains tumor growth. These findings have translational relevance as ASNS/GPER1 signaling could be a future therapeutic target to improve the survival of female CRC patients.
Topics: Animals; Humans; Female; Male; Mice; Aspartate-Ammonia Ligase; HCT116 Cells; Colorectal Neoplasms; Receptors, Estrogen; Cell Proliferation; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays; Heterografts; Sex Factors; Carbon-Nitrogen Ligases with Glutamine as Amide-N-Donor
PubMed: 38886847
DOI: 10.1186/s40246-024-00635-3