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Frontiers in Plant Science 2023This study aimed to determine whether leaf extracts from seven subsp. cultivars and their biochemically active compounds (glucosinolates and downstream-derived...
This study aimed to determine whether leaf extracts from seven subsp. cultivars and their biochemically active compounds (glucosinolates and downstream-derived products) inhibit mycelia growth of three well-known pathogenic oomycetes, , and ; being the most significant in the development of Kiwifruit Vine Decline Syndrome (KVDS). Leaf extract quantity of 10, 20 and 30 mg were inoculated in Petri dish (90 mm Ø, each 22 mL of liquid medium - Potato Dextrose Agar), for bioassays. A pathogen plug was placed in the centre of each plate and the colony perimeter was marked 5 days after inoculation. Radial colony growth was measured from 4 marks per plate 5, 10, and 15 days after inoculation, further elaborated with Image J software image analysis. Growth rates for all strains were inhibited by around 67% after 15 days. This was most pronounced when applying the highest concentration of leaf extract. By using Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (LC-MS) and Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS), fifteen glucosinolate compounds, of which glucosativin was found in the highest quantity, were identified. Concentrations of hydrolysis products produced by leaves (erucin and sativin) were also investigated, and were significantly associated with colony radial growth, especially towards and . . Three downstream products of glucosinolates (two pure isothiocyanates, AITC and PEITC; and one indole I3C; all commonly present in Brassicaceae) were also tested, and a statistically significant inhibition of growth was observed at the highest concentration (0.6 µL).
PubMed: 38164251
DOI: 10.3389/fpls.2023.1292290 -
Frontiers in Chemistry 2023Dairy products are loved by people because of their high nutritional value, but they have also become the most ideal breeding places for microorganisms. Some dairy...
Dairy products are loved by people because of their high nutritional value, but they have also become the most ideal breeding places for microorganisms. Some dairy packaging has the problem of lax sealing, resulting in products susceptible to contamination and deterioration. The harmful microorganisms and bacteria contained in them will pose a serious threat to people's health. Therefore, a good antibacterial protection is very important for dairy products. The purpose of this paper is to study the preparation and reverse recycling logistics of a new type of nano-filled antibacterial layer packaging film for dairy products. A new type of nano-filled antibacterial layer packaging film is prepared by extrusion casting method, and its mechanical properties and antibacterial properties are analyzed. The experimental results in this article show that the prepared new nano-filled antibacterial layer packaging film has lower light transmittance and water vapor transmission rate, and has obvious antibacterial properties against and , and has good barrier properties. The antibacterial rate of the bacteria in the petri dish is as high as 99.97% after being placed for 120 days, and the antibacterial performance can be enhanced by the ratio of glycerol and starch content, and the new nano-filled antibacterial film prepared is degradable Sex, can be better recycled.
PubMed: 38156023
DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2023.1302198 -
Cancers Dec 2023: Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a genetic disorder characterized by heterozygous germline gene mutations that predispose patients to developing plexiform...
: Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a genetic disorder characterized by heterozygous germline gene mutations that predispose patients to developing plexiform neurofibromas, which are benign but often disfiguring tumors of the peripheral nerve sheath induced by loss of heterozygosity at the locus. These can progress to malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs). There are no approved drug treatments for adults with NF1-related inoperable plexiform neurofibromas, and only one drug (selumetinib), which is an FDA-approved targeted therapy for the treatment of symptomatic pediatric plexiform neurofibromas, highlighting the need for additional drug screening and development. In high-throughput screening, the effectiveness of drugs against cell lines is often assessed by measuring in vitro potency (AC50) or the area under the curve (AUC). However, the variability of dose-response curves across drugs and cell lines and the frequency of partial effectiveness suggest that these measures alone fail to provide a full picture of overall efficacy. : Using concentration-response data, we combined response effectiveness (EFF) and potency (AC50) into (a) a score characterizing the effect of a compound on a single cell line, = log[EFF/AC50], and (b) a relative score, , characterizing the relative difference between a reference (e.g., non-tumor) and test (tumor) cell line. was applied to data from high-throughput screening (HTS) of a drug panel tested on tumor cells, using immortalized non-tumor cells as a reference. : We identified drugs with sensitivity, targeting expected pathways, such as MAPK-ERK and PI3K-AKT, as well as serotonin-related targets, among others. The technique used here, in tandem with a supplemental web tool, simplifies HTS analysis and may provide a springboard for further investigations into drug response in NF1-related cancers. The tool may also prove useful for drug development in a variety of other cancers.
PubMed: 38136356
DOI: 10.3390/cancers15245811 -
MicroLife 2023On 9-13 July 2023, the 10th FEMS Congress took place in Hamburg, Germany. As part of this major event in European microbiology, the European Academy of Microbiology...
On 9-13 July 2023, the 10th FEMS Congress took place in Hamburg, Germany. As part of this major event in European microbiology, the European Academy of Microbiology (EAM) organized two full sessions. One of these sessions aimed to highlight the research of four recently elected EAM fellows and saw presentations on bacterial group behaviours and development of resistance to antibiotics, as well as on new RNA viruses including bacteriophages and giant viruses of amoebae. The other session included five frontline environmental microbiologists who showcased real-world examples of how human activities have disrupted the balance in microbial ecosystems, not just to assess the current situation but also to explore fresh approaches for coping with external disturbances. Both sessions were very well attended, and no doubt helped to gain the EAM and its fellows more visibility.
PubMed: 38107236
DOI: 10.1093/femsml/uqad045 -
Development (Cambridge, England) Dec 2023In recent years, there have been notable advancements in the ability to programme human cell identity, enabling us to design and manipulate cell function in a Petri...
In recent years, there have been notable advancements in the ability to programme human cell identity, enabling us to design and manipulate cell function in a Petri dish. However, current protocols for generating target cell types often lack efficiency and precision, resulting in engineered cells that do not fully replicate the desired identity or functional output. This applies to different methods of cell programming, which face similar challenges that hinder progress and delay the achievement of a more favourable outcome. However, recent technological and analytical breakthroughs have provided us with unprecedented opportunities to advance the way we programme cell fate. The Company of Biologists' 2023 workshop on 'Novel Technologies for Programming Human Cell Fate' brought together experts in human cell fate engineering and experts in single-cell genomics, manipulation and characterisation of cells on a single (sub)cellular level. Here, we summarise the main points that emerged during the workshop's themed discussions. Furthermore, we provide specific examples highlighting the current state of the field as well as its trajectory, offering insights into the potential outcomes resulting from the application of these breakthrough technologies in precisely engineering the identity and function of clinically valuable human cells.
Topics: Humans; Cellular Reprogramming; Cell Differentiation
PubMed: 38078653
DOI: 10.1242/dev.202300 -
Plants (Basel, Switzerland) Nov 2023Oats () hold immense economic and nutritional value as a versatile crop. They have long been recognized as an exceptional choice for human consumption and animal feed.... (Review)
Review
Oats () hold immense economic and nutritional value as a versatile crop. They have long been recognized as an exceptional choice for human consumption and animal feed. Oats' unique components, including proteins, starches, and β-glucans, have led to its widespread use in various food products such as bread, noodles, flakes, and milk. The popularity of oat milk as a vegan alternative to dairy milk has soared due to the increasing number of vegetarians/vegans and growing environmental awareness. Oat milk offers a sustainable option with reduced greenhouse gas emissions during its production, rendering it an appropriate choice for individuals who are lactose-intolerant or have dairy allergies. To ensure improved adaptability and enhanced nutrition, the development of new oat varieties is crucial, considering factors like cultivation, climate, and growing conditions. Plant cell culture plays a crucial role in both traditional and contemporary breeding methods. In classical breeding, plant cell culture facilitates the rapid production of double haploid plants, which can be employed to accelerate the breeding process. In modern breeding methods, it enables genetic manipulation and precise genome editing at the cellular level. This review delves into the importance of oats and their diverse applications, highlighting the advantages of plant cell culture in both classical and modern breeding methods. Specifically, it provides an overview of plant tissue culture, encompassing genetic transformation, haploid technology, protoplast technology, and genome editing.
PubMed: 37960138
DOI: 10.3390/plants12213782 -
Stem Cell Research & Therapy Oct 2023Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) are responsible for shaping the repertoires of T cells, where their postnatal regeneration depends on a subset of clonogenic TECs. Despite...
BACKGROUND
Thymic epithelial cells (TECs) are responsible for shaping the repertoires of T cells, where their postnatal regeneration depends on a subset of clonogenic TECs. Despite the implications for regenerative medicine, their cultivation and expansion remain challenging. Primary explant cell culture is a technique that allows the seeding and expansion of difficult-to-culture cells. Here, we report a reliable and simple culture system to obtain functional TECs and thymic interstitial cells (TICs).
METHODS
To establish primary thymic explants, we harvested 1 mm cleaned fragments of thymus from 5-week-old C57/BL6 mice. Tissue fragments of a complete thymic lobe were placed in the center of a Petri dish with 1 mL of DMEM/F-12 medium supplemented with 20% fetal bovine serum (FBS) and 1% penicillin‒streptomycin. To compare, thymic explants were also cultivated by using serum-free DMEM/F-12 medium supplemented with 10% KnockOut™.
RESULTS
We obtained high numbers of functional clonogenic TECs and TICs from primary thymic explants cultivated with DMEM/F-12 with 20% FBS. These cells exhibited a highly proliferative and migration profile and were able to constitute thymospheres. Furthermore, all the subtypes of medullary TECs were identified in this system. They express functional markers to shape T-cell and type 2 innate lymphoid cells repertoires, such as Aire, IL25, CCL21 and CD80. Finally, we also found that ≥ 70% of lineage negative TICs expressed high amounts of Aire and IL25.
CONCLUSION
Thymic explants are an efficient method to obtain functional clonogenic TECs, all mTEC subsets and different TICs AireIL25 with high regenerative capacity.
Topics: Mice; Animals; Immunity, Innate; Lymphocytes; Thymus Gland; Epithelial Cells; T-Lymphocytes; Cell Differentiation
PubMed: 37904232
DOI: 10.1186/s13287-023-03529-8 -
Journal of the American Chemical Society Nov 2023We report the use of acid-diffusion to assemble core-shell supramolecular gel beads with different low-molecular-weight gelators (LMWGs) in the core and shell. These gel...
We report the use of acid-diffusion to assemble core-shell supramolecular gel beads with different low-molecular-weight gelators (LMWGs) in the core and shell. These gel beads grow a shell of dibenzylidenesorbitol-based DBS-COOH onto a core comprising DBS-CONHNH and agarose that has been loaded with acetic acid. Diffusion of the acid from the core triggers shell assembly. The presence of DBS-CONHNH enables the gel core to be loaded with metal nanoparticles (NPs) as acyl hydrazide reduces metal salts . The pH-responsiveness of DBS-COOH allows responsive assembly of the shell with both temporal and spatial control. By fixing multiple gel beads in a Petri dish, the cores become linked to one another by the assembled DBS-COOH gel shell─a process we describe as diffusion-adhesion assembly. By controlling the geometry of the beads with respect to one another, it is possible to pattern the structures, and using a layer-by-layer approach, 3D objects can be fabricated. If some of the beads are loaded with basic DBS-carboxylate instead of CHCOOH, they act as a "sink" for diffusing protons, preventing DBS-COOH shell assembly in the close proximity. Those beads do not adhere to the remainder of the growing gel object and can be simply removed once diffusion-assembly is complete, acting as templates, and enabling the fabrication of 3D "imprinted" multigel architectures. Preloading the gel beads with AuNPs or AgNPs suspends these functional units within the cores at precisely defined locations within a wider gel object. In summary, this approach enables the dynamic fabrication of shaped and patterned gels with embedded metal NPs─such objects have potential next-generation applications in areas including soft nanoelectronics and regenerative medicine.
PubMed: 37885219
DOI: 10.1021/jacs.3c07376 -
Plant Disease Oct 2023The state of Puebla is the main producer of cabbage ( var. ) in Mexico, with an area of approximately 1,858 ha (SIAP 2023). In April 2023, a field sampling was conducted...
The state of Puebla is the main producer of cabbage ( var. ) in Mexico, with an area of approximately 1,858 ha (SIAP 2023). In April 2023, a field sampling was conducted in the San Luis Ajajalpan, Tecali de Herrera (18°55.57'N, 97°55.607'W), Puebla, Mexico. The average temperature was 24°C and the relative humidity was 95% for five consecutive days. Cabbage plants cv. 'American Taki San Juan' close to harvest, with head rot symptoms were found in a commercial area of approximately 3 ha, at an estimated incidence of 35 to 45%. More than 70% of the leaves were symptomatic on severely affected plants. Typical symptoms included chlorosis of older foliage, soft rot with abundant white to gray mycelium, and abundant production of large and irregularly-shaped sclerotia. The fungus was isolated from 30 symptomatic plants. Sclerotia were collected from symptomatic heads, surface sterilized in 3% NaOCl, rinsed twice with sterile distilled water, and plated on Potato Dextrose Agar (PDA) with sterile forceps. Subsequently, a dissecting needle was used to place fragments of mycelium directly on PDA. Plates were placed in an incubator at 25°C in the dark. A total of 30 representative isolates were obtained by the hyphal-tip method, one from each diseased plant (15 isolates from sclerotia and 15 from mycelial fragments). After 8 days, colonies had fast-growing, dense, cottony-white aerial mycelium forming irregular sclerotia of 3.75 ± 0.8 mm (mean ± standard deviation, n=100). Each Petri dish produced 14-25 sclerotia (mean = 18, n = 50), after 10 days. The sclerotia were initially white and gradually turned black. The isolates were identified as based on morphological characteristics (Saharan and Mehta 2008). Two representative isolates were chosen for molecular identification, and genomic DNA was extracted by a CTAB protocol. The ITS region and the glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (G3PDH) gene were sequenced for two isolates (White et al. 1990; Staats et al. 2005). The ITS and G3PDH sequences of a representative isolate (SsC.1) were deposited in the GenBank (ITS- OR286628; G3PDH- OR333495). BLAST analysis of the partial sequences ITS (509 bp) and G3PDH (915 bp) showed 100% similarity to S. sclerotiorum isolates (GenBank: MT436756.1 and OQ790148). Pathogenicity was confirmed by inoculating 10 detached cabbage heads of 'American Taki San Juan', using the SsC.1 isolate, according to Sanogo et al. (2015). Heads were placed on the rim of a plastic container and inserted in a moisture box with 2 cm of water on its bottom. The box was covered with a plastic sheet to maintain humidity. The control plants were inoculated with a plug of noncolonized PDA. The inoculated cabbages were covered with white to gray mycelia and abundant sclerotia within 10 days, whereas no symptoms were observed on non-inoculated controls. The fungus was re-isolated from the inoculated cabbages as described above, fulfilling Koch's postulates. The pathogenicity tests were repeated three times. White mold caused by on Brussels sprouts was recently reported in Mexico (Ayvar-Serna et al. 2023). In 2015, . was reported on cabbage in New Mexico, causing head rot (Sanogo et al. 2015). To our knowledge, this is the first report of . causing white mold on cabbage in Mexico. This research is essential for designing management strategies and preventing spread to other production areas.
PubMed: 37884482
DOI: 10.1094/PDIS-08-23-1534-PDN -
Plant Disease Oct 2023Pseudostellaria heterophylla is one of the traditional medicines in China. From 2020 to 2022, postharvest wet root rot disease was observed with an incidence of 2~5% on...
Pseudostellaria heterophylla is one of the traditional medicines in China. From 2020 to 2022, postharvest wet root rot disease was observed with an incidence of 2~5% on the tuberous roots of the harvested P. heterophylla in Zherong county, Fujian province, China, which usually occurs under damp and unventilated conditions. The symptoms of the disease were as follows: white mycelia grew on the surface of tuberous root initially and gradually wrapped around the roots, the internal root tissue turned yellow and became wet decay finally. To identify the causal agent, a total of 20 samples with symptomatic tuberous roots were collected. Small pieces (3 mm2) were treated by surface disinfection with 75% ethanol and 1% NaOCl, then rinsed 3 times with sterile water. These treated pieces were transferred onto potato dextrose agar (PDA) and incubated at 25°C in the dark for 7 d. Ten pure cultures were obtained using single-spore isolation method. The fungus colonies initially produced white aerial mycelium, subsequently exhibited yellow pigmentation. Mycelia were consisted of smooth, hyaline, branched, and septate hyphae. The conidia were solitary or clustered, brown or dark brown, smooth, ellipsoidal to spherical, 6.66 (5.50-7.81)×5.65 (4.17-7.22) µm (n=50) in size. The conidiophores were hyaline or pale brown and produced conidiogenous cells, which were pale brown, smooth, ampulliform, and 10.14 (8.82-15.30) um long (n=50). Based on these morphological characteristics, the fungus was identified as the genus Apiospora (Arthrinium). The rDNA-ITS region and partial β-tubulin gene (BenA) were amplified using the primers ITS1/ITS4 (White et al. 1990) and Bt2a/Bt2b (Glass and Donaldson 1995), respectively. The sequences of isolates FJAT-32563 and FJAT-32564 were deposited in GenBank (ITS, OM920984 and OM920985; BenA, OM953823 and OM953824). All sequences had more than 99% similarity with those of A. arundinis strain CBS:106.12 (ITS, KF144883; BenA, KF144973). In the multilocus phylogenetic analysis (ITS + BenA), the two isolates clustered together with other strains of A. arundinis with 100% bootstrap support. The isolates were therefore identified as A. arundinis based on both morphological and molecular characteristics. To confirm the pathogenicity, fresh tuberous roots were selected and surface disinfected, then the roots were immersed with a quarter length in the conidial suspension (106/mL) for 30 min, whereas the control roots were immersed with sterile water (n=30). They were placed in petri dish with wet filter paper at 25±2℃, maintaining 80% relative humidity in the dark. The white aerial mycelium appeared at 5 days after inoculation, and wet root rot decaying occurred after inoculation for 21 days. The symptoms were similar to those described above, whereas the control roots were asymptomatic. The same fungus was re-isolated from the infected roots, showing similar morphological characteristics and molecular traits. Koch's postulates were completed and the pathogenicity test for the isolates has been repeated thrice. Previously, A. arundinis was reported to infect peach and sugarcane (Ji et al. 2020; Liao et al. 2022). To our knowledge, this is the first report of A. arundinis causing wet root rot of P. heterophylla in China. The disease would be a potentially new threat to this medicinal plant.
PubMed: 37883638
DOI: 10.1094/PDIS-05-23-0911-PDN