Search Results (48,359)

Deep proteomic analyses identified, in total, 159 master proteins (with 1% FDR and 2 unique peptides) from 26 protein families in the venom of Vipera ammodytes ammodytes (Vaa). Data are available via ProteomeXchange with the identifier PXD056495. The relative abundance of PLA2s is 11.60% of the crude venom, of which 4.35% are neurotoxic Ammodytoxins (Atxs). The neurotoxicity of the venom of Vaa and the neutralizing effect of the antivenom were tested on the neuromuscular preparation of the diaphragm (NPD) of rats. The activity of PLA2 in the venom of Vaa and its neutralization by the antivenom were determined under in vitro conditions. The Vaa venom leads to a progressive decrease in NPD contractions. We administered pre-incubated venom/antivenom mixtures at various ratios of 1:2, 1:10 and 1:20 (w/w) and observed the effects of these mixtures on NPD contractions. The results show that the mean effective time (ET₅₀) for NPD contractions with the 1:20 mixture is highly significantly different (p < 0.001) from the ET₅₀ for the venom and the ET₅₀ for the 1:2 and 1:10 mixture ratios. We also found a highly significant (p < 0.001) reduction in Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase activity in the NPD under the influence of the venom. The reduction in the activity of this enzyme was reversible by the antivenom. Under in vitro conditions, we have achieved the complete neutralization of PLA2 by the antivenom. In conclusion, the antivenom abolished the venom-induced progressive decrease in NPD contractions in a concentration-dependent manner. Antivenom with approximately the same mass proportion almost completely restores Na⁺/K⁺-ATPase activity in the NPD and completely neutralizes the PLA2 activity of the venom in vitro. Full article

Food contamination with Listeria monocytogenes can cause health problems of increasing global concern. The resistance of L. monocytogenes to antibiotics requires finding alternative solutions to protect human health. This mini study was designed to evaluate the effects of antibiotics and some particular essential oils on L. monocytogenes isolates from food of animal origin and isolates from food-producing surfaces. This aim was to investigate the effects of seven antibiotics (amikacin, gentamicin, penicillin, cephalexin, ceftriaxone, tetracycline, and nalidixic acid) on L. monocytogenes isolated from food and surface samples. Also, the antibacterial activity of four essential oils (thyme, oregano, peppermint, and rosemary) against the growth of L. monocytogenes isolates was investigated. Listeria monocytogenes isolates were from food of an animal origin and food-producing surfaces. The isolation and determination of L. monocytogenes from food samples followed ISO 11290-1. Surface samplings were performed in compliance with ISO 18593, followed by the isolation and determination of L. monocytogenes. A disc diffusion method was used, and the tests were performed in triplicate. The results of this study confirmed the pronounced antibacterial activity of essential oils compared to antimicrobial drugs. The essential oil of Thymus vulgaris showed a bactericidal effect against all tested L. monocytogenes isolates. Full article

Hydrotalcite-derived mixed metal oxides (MgAlO)-based catalysts are used for the catalytic upgrade of ethanol to butanol which adjust the catalyst structure and number of relevant active sites through changes in the Mg/Al ratio. By performing a series of reaction activity tests, kinetic experiments, FTIR characterization, CO₂-TGA analysis, and in situ active center titration, qualitative and quantitative relationships between catalyst structure and catalytic performance are obtained. We found the MgAlO mixed metal oxide system can catalyze the ethanol-to-butanol process through a Guerbet reaction pathway, though the process is kinetically limited. The data suggest that strong basic centers hosted in Mg-O sites are the most catalytically relevant function in the MgAlO material, as they control enolate formation, which is likely the rate limiting step of the aldol condensation stage in the Guerbet reaction. Full article

This study explores the biocontrol potential of Pediococcus sp. M21F004, a lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from marine environments, against several bacterial and fungal phytopathogens. Out of 50 marine bacterial isolates, Pediococcus sp. M21F004 was selected for its exceptional antimicrobial activity. The strain, isolated from the intestine of a starry flounder, was identified as Pediococcus sp. Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis revealed that oleic acid (OA) is a key antimicrobial compound produced by Pediococcus sp. M21F004. In vitro assays showed that the culture broth (CB) of Pediococcus sp. M21F004, as well as OA, exhibited significant inhibitory effects against pathogens such as Fusarium oxysporum, Clarireedia homoeocarpa, and Pectobacterium carotovorum subsp. carotovorum. In vivo tests on cucumber Fusarium wilt, creeping bentgrass dollar spot, tomato bacterial wilt, and kimchi cabbage soft rot further demonstrated the strain’s efficacy in reducing disease severity. Moreover, OA had the highest control value of 74% against tomato bacterial wilt, followed by 64.1% against cucumber fusarium wilt, 42.5% against kimchi cabbage soft rot, and 16.5% against creeping bentgrass dollar spot. These findings suggest that Pediococcus sp. M21F004 and its metabolite OA offer promising alternatives to chemical pesticides, contributing to sustainable plant disease management by promoting resistance induction and providing an eco-friendly approach to agriculture. Full article

The increase in food waste accumulation needs innovative valorization strategies that not only reduce environmental impacts but also provide functional applications. This study investigates the potential of almond hulls, an abundant agricultural by-product, as a source of bioactive compounds. For the first time, almond hull extract (AHE), was evaluated in terms of anti-adhesive and anti-biofilm activity against Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 29213 and Escherichia coli ATCC 9637. The extract was obtained by an optimized eco-friendly green technique using ultrasound-assisted extraction (UAE), and it was characterized for its main compounds by high-performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) analysis. Antimicrobial activity was evaluated on planktonic cells by minimum inhibitory/bactericidal concentration (MIC/MBC) and by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assays. Afterward, AHE activity was evaluated against the bacterial sessile phase, both against in-formation and mature biofilm. Finally, the toxicity of the extract was tested on normal human adult cells (HDFa) by an MTT test. The principal active compounds present in AHE belong to the polyphenol group, in particular, the phenolic acid (Hydroxycinnammic sub-class) and, more significantly, the flavonoid class. The results showed that the extract has a relevant antimicrobial activity against the planktonic cells of both tested strains. Moreover, it significantly inhibited bacterial adhesion and promoted biofilm removal, highlighting its potential as a sustainable antimicrobial agent. The MTT test on human fibroblasts showed that the extract is not toxic for normal human cells. This research highlights how food waste valorization could have a high potential in the antimicrobial field. Full article

Fungal endophytes colonizing plant tissues are considered a reservoir of secondary metabolites that exhibit diverse bioactivities applicable in biomedicine. This study aims to reveal for the first time endophytic fungi associated with Keteleeria evelyniana as a potential source of bioactive compounds. A total of 24 fungal endophytes were successfully isolated from K. evelyniana and classified into 10 genera: Aspergillus, Penicillium, Fusarium, Xylaria, Talaromyces, Nodulisporium, Apiospora, Neopestalotiopsis, Diaporthe, and Hypoxylon. Screening for antimicrobial activity revealed that 8 out of 24 ethyl acetate extracts inhibited antimicrobial activity against at least one tested pathogen. Among them, Xylaria sp. KET18 showed the most potent antimicrobial activity with inhibition diameters ranging from 16.5 to 21.5 mm. In addition, the KET18 extract showed the most significant cytotoxic effects against A549 (IC₅₀ = 18.8 ± 3.1 µg/mL) and MCF7 cell lines (IC₅₀ = 24.1 ± 2.5 µg/mL). The KET18 extract showed moderate antioxidant activity against hydroxyl and 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radicals. The chemical characterization and structural elucidation indicated the presence of four bioactive compounds that have not been found in fungi, including methyl pyroglutamate, prunetin, macrolactin A, and macrolactin F. These findings demonstrated that K. evelyniana is a host of endophytic fungi with antimicrobial, anticancer, and antioxidant potential. Full article

The hydrological processes in karst watersheds are influenced by various factors, including climate characteristics, underlying surface properties, and human activities. Existing watershed hydrological models primarily rely on theoretical concepts or empirical function relationships for simulation, resulting in insufficient accuracy in hydrological process analysis for study areas with limited data. The structure of artificial neural networks is similar to the hydrological process structure in karst watersheds. Based on the hydrological characteristics of the Lijiang River, a BP neural network model is configured with structural parameters set to 13-9-1. Using hydrological data from the Lijiang River from 1995 to 2020 as the foundational dataset, the network is trained and tested for prediction accuracy. The results show that the coefficient of determination for the monthly runoff model in the Lijiang River basin, based on the BP neural network, is 0.942. This suggests that it is feasible to use historical data to predict future flow changes in the Lijiang River basin, assuming that the changes are due exclusively to precipitation and evapotranspiration, but no significant changes occur in the land uses. The findings hold significant importance for water resource management in typical karst watersheds. Full article

Adenine nucleotides (ANs)—adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP), adenosine 5′-diphosphate (ADP), and adenosine 5′-monophosphate (AMP)—are essential for energy transfer and the supply of countless processes within cellular metabolism. Their concentrations can be expressed as adenylate energy charge (AEC), a measure of cellular metabolic energy that directly correlates with the homeostasis of the organism. AEC index has broad diagnostic potential, as reduced ATP levels are associated to various conditions, such as inflammatory diseases, metabolic disorders, and cancer. We introduce a novel methodology for rapid isolation, purification, and quantification of ANs from a single drop of capillary blood. Of all the stationary phases tested, activated carbon proved to be the most efficient for the purification of adenine nucleotides, using an automated micro-solid phase extraction (µ-SPE) platform. An optimized µ-SPE method, coupled with RP-HPLC and a run time of 30 min, provides a reliable analytical framework for adenine nucleotide analysis of diverse biological samples. AN concentrations measured in capillary blood samples were 1393.1 µM, 254.8 µM, and 76.9 µM for ATP, ADP, and AMP molecules aligning with values reported in the literature. Overall, this study presents a streamlined and precise approach for analyzing ANs from microliters of blood, offering promising applications in clinical diagnostics. Full article

It has been demonstrated that cancer cells that have survived cancer treatment may be more malignant than the original cancer cells. These cells are considered the main cause of metastasis in prognosis. A Nanog-overexpressing colon-26 (Nanog⁺colon26) was generated to obtain such a malignant cancer cell model, which was confirmed by enhancement of metastatic potential by in vivo tests using mice. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) secreted from Nanog⁺colon26 cells (Nanog⁺colon26EVs) were administered to mice three times per week for three weeks. Subsequently, Nanog⁺colon26 cells were administered, and metastatic colonies were analyzed two weeks later. The results demonstrated that the administration of EVs suppressed metastasis. Nanog⁺colon26EVs enhanced phagocytic activity and M1 marker CD80 of a macrophage cell line J774.1. These suggested the enforcement of tumor-suppressive properties of macrophages and their contribution to the in vivo suppression of metastasis. Small RNA sequencing was conducted to identify Nanog-dependent miRNAs that exhibited significant changes (Fc ≥ 1.5 or Fc ≤ 1/1.5; p < 0.05) in Nanog⁺colon26EVs relative to colon26EVs. Nine miRNAs (up-regulated: four, down-regulated: five) were identified, and 623 genes were predicted to be their target genes. Of the 623 genes identified, nine genes were predicted to be highly relevant to macrophage functions such as phagocytosis. Full article

The respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) matrix protein plays key roles in the virus life cycle and is essential for budding, as it stimulates the optimal membrane curvature necessary for the emergence of viral particles. Resveratrol, a polyphenol (3,4′,5-trihydroxy-trans-stilbene) produced by plants, exhibits pharmacological effects, including anti-inflammatory and antiviral activities. In this study, resveratrol was tested in HEp-2 (Epidermoid carcinoma of the larynx cell) cells for its post-infection effects, and recombinant M protein was produced to characterize the biophysical mechanisms underlying this interaction. The CC50 (Cytotoxic concentration 50%) value for resveratrol was determined to be 297 μM over 48 h, and the results from the HEp-2 cell cultures demonstrated a viral inhibition of 42.7% in the presence of resveratrol, with an EC50 (Half maximal effective concentration) of 44.26 μM. This mechanism may occur through interaction with the M protein responsible for the budding of mature viral particles. Biophysical assays enabled us to characterize the interaction of the M/resveratrol complex as an entropically driven bond, guided by hydrophobic interactions at the dimerization interface of the M protein, which is essential for the stabilization and formation of the oligomers necessary for viral budding. These findings suggest that one of the targets for resveratrol binding is the M protein, indicating a potential site for blocking the progression of the infection. Full article

Background/Objectives: Chronic low back pain (CLBP) is highly prevalent and relevant in all medical fields. This study evaluated the safety and effectiveness of interdisciplinary fascia therapy (IFT) for CLBP, focusing on its potential to reduce pain intensity, disability, and regulate autonomic nervous system (ANS) activity. Methods: Nine participants with CLBP each underwent nine sessions of IFT, twice weekly. The intervention involved a 12-grip manual sequence targeting deep paravertebral myofascial structures, complemented by heart rate variability (HRV) biofeedback training twice daily for 15 min. Pain and quality-of-life measures were assessed using the Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) questionnaire at baseline, mid-treatment (4th session), and post-treatment (9th session). HRV metrics were monitored with a 24 h ECG Holter device before and after the treatment period. Statistical analyses included paired t-tests, Wilcoxon signed-rank tests, and Cohen’s d for effect size. Results: Significant reductions in pain levels were observed across all subjective BPI measures, including momentary, strongest, minimal, and average pain scores (p < 0.001), with 83% and 87% reductions in pain intensity and disability, respectively. Quality-of-life indicators such as mood, sleep, and enjoyment of life showed significant improvements (p < 0.001). While only one HRV metric (rMSSD) achieved statistical significance, other HRV measures indicated medium to large effect sizes, suggesting favorable trends in ANS regulation. Conclusions: IFT demonstrated significant effects on subjective BPI pain reduction and quality of life, alongside potential regulatory impacts on ANS activity in individuals with CLBP. These results support the use of IFT as an effective intervention for pain management in CLBP and ANS regulation, meriting further exploration. Full article

Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive brain cancer with a highly immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), invariably infiltrated by tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). These TAMs resemble M2 macrophages, which promote tumor growth and suppress immune responses. GBM cells secrete extracellular vesicles (EVs) containing microRNA-25, which inhibits the cGAS-STING pathway and prevents TAMs from adopting a pro-inflammatory M1 phenotype. This study characterizes antimiR-25/cGAMP nanocomplexes (NCs) for potential therapeutic applications. A particle size analysis revealed a significant reduction upon complexation with antimiR-25, resulting in smaller, more stable nanoparticles. Stability tests across pH levels (4–6) and temperatures (25–37 °C) demonstrated their resilience in various biological environments. Biological assays showed that antimiR-25 NCs interacted strongly with transferrin (Tf), suggesting potential for blood–brain barrier passage. The use of cGAMP NCs activated the cGAS-STING pathway in macrophages, leading to increased type I IFN (IFN-β) production and promoting a shift from the M2 to M1 phenotype. The combined use of cGAMP and antimiR-25 NCs also increased the expression of markers involved in M1 polarization. These findings offer insights into optimizing antimiR-25/cGAMP NCs for enhancing immune responses in GBM. Full article

Background: Human activities such as agriculture are known to markedly affect natural ecosystems, including plant communities and soil properties. Biological activities are reduced in hot, hyper-arid ecosystems compared to temperate and tropical climatic conditions. Anthropogenic disturbances therefore have greater impacts on the ecosystem’s recovery potential. This study aimed to assess the diversity and recovery of post-agriculture plant communities in the Sharaan Nature Reserve (SNR), located in northern Saudi Arabia. Methods: Three types of habitats representative of different disturbance situations were identified in the reserve and sampled through 103 floristic and pedological surveys. The floristic composition was recognized and relative quantification of soil atomic elements was performed. The obtained data were processed using different statistical treatments such as the Shannon index and Bray–Curtis dissimilarities, non-metric multidimensional scaling (NMDS), Kruskal–Wallis tests and Redundant analysis (RDA). Results: Investigations led to the identification of 48 plant species belonging to 24 genera and 22 botanical families. Specific plant community structures were correlated with each habitat, and bioindicator plant species were identified. Polycarpaea repens and Stipagrostis plumosa were linked with natural habitats, while Atriplex leucoclada was specific to disturbed habitats. In contrast, Asteriscus graveolens and Haloxylon salicornicum were found to be ubiquitous species. Conclusions: The presence of bioindicator species was closely associated with the different soil properties measured in each habitat. Restoration strategies related to the overall dynamic plant community succession pattern observed in the Sharaan Nature Reserve are discussed. Active ecological restoration strategies based on targeted active ecological restoration interventions should facilitate the recovery and restoration of disturbed plant communities in hyper-arid areas. Full article

Numerous experimental studies suggest the potential for resveratrol (RVT) to be useful in the Alzheimer’s disease treatment, but its low bioavailability limits its application. This study aimed to assess the potential of resveratrol-loaded micelles as a neuronal delivery platform to protect rats from scopolamine-induced memory impairment. Resveratrol was incorporated into Pluronic micelles, and the effects of micellar (mRVT) and pure resveratrol (RVT) were compared in the model of scopolamine-induced dementia in male Wistar rats. Memory performance was assessed by a T maze test. The effect of the treatment on specific neurotransmitter levels and protein expression in the cortex and the hippocampus were evaluated biochemically. Our results revealed that the polymeric micelles were in nanoscale (approximately 33 nm) and reached 79% encapsulation efficiency. The treatment with mRVT demonstrated better spatial memory protective effect. The biochemical assays showed that mRVT in a dose of 10 mg/kg enhanced the effects of the pure drug in regard to noradrenalin neurotransmission and acetylcholinesterase inhibitory activity in the hippocampus. Furthermore, micellar resveratrol increased the cAMP-response element-binding protein expression in the cortex and hippocampus of rats as well as the Bcl2/BAX ratio, which indicated an anti-apoptotic effect in the experimental dementia model. In conclusion, our results indicated the potential of a micellar system loaded with resveratrol for neurodegenerative diseases treatment. Full article

The interest for in ovo feeding has grown in the last decades mainly concerning probiotics, live microorganisms that can actively interact with the embryo. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of a multi-strain probiotic diluted in Marek’s disease vaccine (MDV) on zootechnical performances, intestinal morphology and Eimeria spp. infection. One hundred and twenty eggs of Ross 308 broiler chickens were incubated until 18 d, when 105 fertilised and vital eggs were randomly allocated into three groups. A control group (C) was inoculated with MDV; two treated groups (P1 and P2) were inoculated with MDV and different concentrations of probiotics: 1 × 10⁵ CFU/100 μL in P1 and 1 × 10⁶ CFU/100 μL in P2. After hatching, chickens were separated into three replicates (10/replicate). Zootechnical parameters were determined. At the end of the cycle (35 d), chickens were slaughtered, and the intestine was collected for morphological analysis from nine chickens per group (three/replicate). Eimeria spp. oocyst shedding was determined weekly, and parasitic lesions were analysed on the histological sample. In ovo treatment with probiotic did not influence hatching rate but significantly improved body weight and positively influenced intestinal morphometric data compared to C. Oocyst shedding in faeces resulted in an increase in C, with significant differences at sampling performed at 14, 21 and 28 d of age. These results suggest that the tested probiotic compound is safe for in ovo supplementation and effectively improves zootechnical performances and coccidian resistance. Full article