Search Results (6,162)

Salmon, rich in protein and omega-3 fatty acids, has a short shelf life of 1 to 3 days when stored at 2 to 8 °C. Freezing, used for long-term preservation, often results in ice crystal formation. Ice crystals can cause structural damage, leading to cell wall rupture, which can affect the texture and cause nutrient loss. Ultimately, this process reduces the overall quality of the salmon. Supercooling, which cools food below its freezing temperature without forming ice crystals, offers an alternative. This study investigated the effects of oscillating magnetic fields (OMFs) and pulsed electric fields (PEFs) on ice crystal formation during salmon supercooling. The results showed that using OMFs and PEFs in supercooling reduced the storage temperature of salmon, maintaining a similar thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) value to that of frozen and refrigerated samples. There was no significant difference in meat color between the fresh and frozen samples, and drip loss weight was comparable between the fresh and supercooled samples. The microbiological counts were the lowest in the supercooled samples compared to the frozen and refrigerated ones. These findings suggest that supercooling storage with OMFs and PEFs can mitigate quality degradation in salmon typically associated with freezing. Full article

Sugarcane holds global promise as a biofuel feedstock, necessitating a deep understanding of factors that influence biomass yield. This study unravels the intricate dynamics of plant hormones that govern growth and development in sugarcane. Transcriptome analysis of F2 introgression hybrids, derived from the cross of Saccharum officinarum “LA Purple” and wild Saccharum robustum “MOL5829”, was conducted, utilizing the recently sequenced allele-specific genome of “LA Purple” as a reference. A total of 8059 differentially expressed genes were categorized into gene models (21.5%), alleles (68%), paralogs (10%), and tandemly duplicated genes (0.14%). KEGG analysis highlighted enrichment in auxin (IAA), jasmonic acid (JA), and abscisic acid (ABA) pathways, revealing regulatory roles of hormone repressor gene families (Aux/IAA, PP2C, and JAZ). Signaling pathways indicated that downregulation of AUX/IAA and PP2C and upregulation of JAZ repressor genes in high biomass segregants act as key players in influencing downstream growth regulatory genes. Endogenous hormone levels revealed higher concentrations of IAA and ABA in high biomass, which contrasted with lower levels of JA. Weighted co-expression network analysis demonstrated strong connectivity between hormone-related key genes and cell wall structural genes in high biomass genotypes. Expression analysis confirmed the upregulation of genes involved in the synthesis of structural carbohydrates and the downregulation of inflorescence and senescence-related genes in high biomass, which suggested an extended vegetative growth phase. The study underscores the importance of cumulative gene expression, including gene models, dominant alleles, paralogs, and tandemly duplicated genes and activators and repressors of disparate hormone (IAA, JA, and ABA) signaling pathways are the points of hormone crosstalk in contrasting biomass F2 segregants and could be applied for engineering high biomass acquiring varieties. Full article

Callose, found in the cell walls of higher plants such as β-1,3-glucan with β-1,6 branches, is pivotal for both plant development and responses to biotic and abiotic stressors. Plasmodesmata (PD), membranous channels linking the cytoplasm, plasma membrane, and endoplasmic reticulum of adjacent cells, facilitate molecular transport, crucial for developmental and physiological processes. The regulation of both the structural and transport functions of PD is intricate. The accumulation of callose in the PD neck is particularly significant for the regulation of PD permeability. This callose deposition, occurring at a specific site of pathogenic incursion, decelerates the invasion and proliferation of pathogens by reducing the PD pore size. Scholarly investigations over the past two decades have illuminated pathogen-induced callose deposition and the ensuing PD regulation. This gradual understanding reveals the complex regulatory interactions governing defense-related callose accumulation and protein-mediated PD regulation, underscoring its role in plant defense. This review systematically outlines callose accumulation mechanisms and enzymatic regulation in plant defense and discusses PD’s varied participation against viral, fungal, and bacterial infestations. It scrutinizes callose-induced structural changes in PD, highlighting their implications for plant immunity. This review emphasizes dynamic callose calibration in PD constrictions and elucidates the implications and potential challenges of this intricate defense mechanism, integral to the plant’s immune system. Full article

Microalgae are a substantial group of unicellular prokaryotic and eukaryotic marine organisms. Due to their high protein content of 50–70%, microalgae have the potential to become a sustainable alternative protein source, as well as aiding in the development of bioactive peptide-based nutraceuticals. A series of major steps are involved in the production of peptides from microalgae, which include the disruption of the microalgal cell wall, the hydrolysis of proteins, and the extraction or isolation of peptides derived from hydrolysis. Physical methods of cell wall disruptions are favored due to the ability to obtain high-quality protein fractions for peptide production. Bioactive peptides are protein fragments of two to twenty amino acid residues that have a beneficial impact on the physiological functions or conditions of human health. Strong scientific evidence exists for the in vitro antioxidant, antihypertensive, and anti-atherosclerotic properties of microalgal peptides. This review is aimed at summarizing the methods of producing microalgal peptides, and their role and mechanisms in improving cardiovascular health. The review reveals that the validation of the physiological benefits of the microalgal peptides in relation to cardiovascular disease, using human clinical trials, is required. Full article

Vegetative desiccation tolerance has evolved within the genera Craterostigma and Lindernia. A centre of endemism and diversification for these plants appears to occur in ancient tropical montane rainforests of east Africa in Kenya and Tanzania. Lindernia subracemosa, a desiccation-sensitive relative of Craterostigma plantagineum, occurs in these rainforests and experiences adequate rainfall and thus does not require desiccation tolerance. However, sharing this inselberg habitat, another species, Lindernia brevidens, does retain vegetative desiccation tolerance and is also related to the resurrection plant C. plantagineum found in South Africa. Leaf material was collected from all three species at different stages of hydration: fully hydrated (ca. 90% relative water content), half-dry (ca. 45% relative water content) and fully desiccated (ca. 5% relative water content). Cell wall monosaccharide datasets were collected from all three species. Comprehensive microarray polymer profiling (CoMPP) was performed using ca. 27 plant cell-wall-specific antibodies and carbohydrate-binding module probes. Some differences in pectin, xyloglucan and extension epitopes were observed between the selected species. Overall, cell wall compositions were similar, suggesting that wall modifications in response to vegetative desiccation involve subtle cell wall remodelling that is not reflected by the compositional analysis and that the plants and their walls are constitutively protected against desiccation. Full article

Conifer forests in Michoacán are facing climate change. Pinus devoniana Lindley, with natural distribution in the state, has shown certain adaptability, and knowing the influence of anatomy in the flow system is essential to delimit how it contributes to safety margins and water efficiency. For this, the pressure gradients in the cell lumens and their ramifications were analyzed by numerical simulations of flow throughout the real microstructure. Xylem were evaluated in radial, tangential and longitudinal directions. With the skeletonization of lumens and their constrictions, a branching system of interconnection between tracheids, ray cells, intercellular chambers, extensions, and blind pits were identified. In the simulation, the branched system bypasses the longitudinal fluid passage through the pores in membranes of pairs of pits to redirect it through the direct path branching, contributing to safety margins and water efficiency. Thus, resilience at low pressures because of the lower pressure drop in the extensions. The interface between the branching system and the cell lumens are sites of higher pressure gradient, more conducive to water-vapor formation or air leakage in the face of the lowest pressure system. The flow lines move along easy paths, regardless of the simulated flow direction. Deposits in the cell extensions were shown to be attached to the S3 layer of the cell wall, leaving the center of the duct free to flow. It is concluded that the spatial architecture of the xylem anatomy of Pinus dvoniana is a factor in the resilience at low pressures due to high water stress of the species. Full article

Mytilaria laosensis, a common fast-growing tree species in southern China, boasts excellent growth speed and attractive color and texture. However, due to its short growth cycle and high proportion of juvenile wood, it typically exhibits poor dimensional stability and low strength, which significantly limits its practical applications. This study uses vacuum impregnation to modify M. laosensis wood with polyethylene glycol (PEG), focusing on the effects and mechanisms of PEG with different molecular weights on wood properties. The results indicate that PEG enters the wood cell walls through capillary action and diffusion, forming hydrogen bonds with the free hydroxyl groups on cellulose and hemicellulose, which keeps the cell walls swollen and enhances dimensional stability. Post modification, the dimensional stability of M. laosensis wood improved, with an anti-swelling efficiency ranging from 61.43% to 71.22%, showing an initial increase followed by a decrease with increasing PEG molecular weight. The optimal PEG molecular weight for anti-swelling efficiency was 1500 Da, achieving 71.22%. The flexural modulus of elasticity and flexural strength of the treated wood also first decreased and then increased with increasing PEG molecular weight. Among them, the PEG1000-treated material showed the best performance, with the flexural modulus of elasticity increased by about 29% and the flexural strength increased by about 5% compared to untreated wood. Additionally, PEG, having a higher pyrolysis temperature than wood, raised the initial pyrolysis temperature and maximum pyrolysis rate temperature of M. laosensis wood, thus improving its thermal stability. These findings provide scientific evidence and technical support for the efficient utilization and industrialization of M. laosensis wood, promoting its widespread application and industrial development. Full article

Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) is a major bacterial infection in humans, leading to severe disease and causing death. The stagnation of antibiotic development in recent decades has made it difficult to combat drug-resistant infections. In this study, we performed an in silico structure-based drug screening (SBDS) targeting the S. aureus MurE (saMurE) enzyme involved in cell wall synthesis of S. aureus. saMurE is an enzyme that is essential for the survival of S. aureus but not present in humans. SBDS identified nine saMurE inhibitor candidates, Compounds 1–9, from a structural library of 154,118 compounds. Among them, Compound 2 showed strong antibacterial activity against Staphylococcus epidermidis (S. epidermidis) used as a model bacterium. Amino acid sequence homology between saMurE and S. epidermidis MurE is 87.4%, suggesting that Compound 2 has a similar inhibitory effect on S. aureus. Compound 2 showed an IC₅₀ value of 301 nM for S. epidermidis in the dose-dependent growth inhibition assay. Molecular dynamics simulation showed that Compound 2 binds stably to both S. aureus MurD and S. aureus MurF, suggesting that it is a potential multi-pharmacological pharmacological inhibitor. The structural and bioactivity information of Compound 2, as well as its potential multiple-target activity, could contribute to developing new antimicrobial agents based on MurE inhibition. Full article

Bacteria are capable of remarkable adaptations to their environment, including undesirable bacterial resistance to antibacterial agents. One of the most serious cases is an infection caused by multidrug-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, which has unfortunately also spread outside hospitals. Therefore, the development of new effective antibacterial agents is extremely important to solve the increasing problem of bacterial resistance. The bacteriolytic enzyme autolysin E (AtlE) is a promising new drug target as it plays a key role in the degradation of peptidoglycan in the bacterial cell wall. Consequently, disruption of function can have an immense impact on bacterial growth and survival. An in silico and in vitro evaluation of iminosugar derivatives as potent inhibitors of S. aureus (AtlE) was performed. Three promising hit compounds (1, 3 and 8) were identified as AtlE binders in the micromolar range as measured by surface plasmon resonance. The most potent compound among the SPR response curve hits was 1, with a K_D of 19 μM. The K_D value for compound 8 was 88 μM, while compound 3 had a K_D value of 410 μM. Full article

Background: Renal angiomyolipoma (AML) without local invasion is generally considered benign. However, it may extend to the renal sinus, even the renal vein, or the inferior vena cava (IVC). In patients with non-tuberous sclerosis complex, coexistence of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and renal AML is uncommon. Case presentation: A 72-year-old woman was incidentally found to have a solitary right renal mass with an IVC thrombus extending into the right atrium during a routine health checkup. Robot-assisted laparoscopic radical nephrectomy and thrombectomy were successfully performed through adequate preoperative examination and preparation. Two tumor lesions were found and pathologically confirmed as renal AML and RCC, and the tumor thrombus was derived from the renal AML. During the one-year follow-up period, no signs of recurrence or metastatic disease were observed. Conclusions: Renal AML with a tumor thrombus in the IVC and right atrium accompanied by RCC may occur, although rarely. In clinical practice, if preoperative manifestations differ from those of common diseases, rare diseases must be considered to avoid missed diagnoses. In addition, adequate examination and multidisciplinary discussions before making a diagnosis are necessary. For a level 4 tumor thrombus with no infringement of the venous wall, adoption of robot-assisted minimally invasive surgery, without extracorporeal circulation technology, is feasible. Full article

Cold stress affects the seed germination and early growth of winter rapeseed, leading to yield losses. We employed transmission electron microscopy, physiological analyses, metabolome profiling, and transcriptome sequencing to understand the effect of cold stress (0 °C, LW) on the cotyledons of cold-tolerant (GX74) and -sensitive (XY15) rapeseeds. The mesophyll cells in cold-treated XY15 were severely damaged compared to slightly damaged cells in GX74. The fructose, glucose, malondialdehyde, and proline contents increased after cold stress in both genotypes; however, GX74 had significantly higher content than XY15. The pyruvic acid content increased after cold stress in GX74, but decreased in XY15. Metabolome analysis detected 590 compounds, of which 32 and 74 were differentially accumulated in GX74 (CK vs. cold stress) and XY15 (CK vs. cold stressed). Arachidonic acid and magnoflorine were the most up-accumulated metabolites in GX74 subjected to cold stress compared to CK. There were 461 and 1481 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) specific to XY15 and GX74 rapeseeds, respectively. Generally, the commonly expressed genes had higher expressions in GX74 compared to XY15 in CK and cold stress conditions. The expression changes in DEGs related to photosynthesis-antenna proteins, chlorophyll biosynthesis, and sugar biosynthesis-related pathways were consistent with the fructose and glucose levels in cotyledons. Compared to XY15, GX74 showed upregulation of a higher number of genes/transcripts related to arachidonic acid, pyruvic acid, arginine and proline biosynthesis, cell wall changes, reactive oxygen species scavenging, cold-responsive pathways, and phytohormone-related pathways. Taken together, our results provide a detailed overview of the cold stress responses in rapeseed cotyledons. Full article

The environmental impacts of the postindustrial era, which rely on fossil fuels, have compelled a reconsideration of the future of energy and chemical industries. Fungi are a valuable resource for improving a circular economy through the enhanced valorization of biomass and plant waste. They harbor a great diversity of oxidative enzymes, especially in their secretome. Enzymatic breakdown of the plant cell wall complex and lignocellulosic biomass yields sugars for fermentation and biofuel production, as well as aromatic compounds from lignin that can serve as raw materials for the chemical industry. To harness the biocatalytic potential, it is essential to identify and explore wild-type fungi and their secretomes. This study successfully combined genome mining and activity screening to uncover the oxidative potential of a collection of underexploited ascomycetes and basidiomycetes. The heme peroxidase and laccase activities of four promising candidates, Bipolaris victoriae, Colletotrichum sublineola, Neofusicoccum parvum and Moesziomyces antarcticus, were investigated to gain a deeper insight into their enzyme secretion. Furthermore, a plant-based medium screening with the phytopathogen C. sublineola revealed that soybean meal is a beneficial component to trigger the production and secretion of enzymes that catalyze H₂O₂-dependent oxidations. These results demonstrate that understanding fungal secretomes and their enzymatic potential opens exciting avenues for sustainable biotechnological applications across various industries. Full article

Quercus ilex L., an evergreen oak species typical of the western and central Mediterranean basin, is facing decline and dieback episodes due to the increase in the severity and frequency of heat waves and drought events. Studying xylogenesis (the wood formation process) is crucial for understanding how trees respond with their secondary growth to environmental conditions and stress events. This study aimed to characterize the wood formation dynamics of Quercus ilex and their relationship with the meteorological conditions in an area experiencing prolonged drought periods. Cambial activity and xylem cell production were monitored during the 2019 and 2020 growing seasons in a Q. ilex forest located at the Vesuvius National Park (southern Italy). The results highlighted the significant roles of temperature and solar radiation in stimulating xylogenesis. Indeed, the correlation tests revealed that temperature and solar radiation positively influenced growth and cell development, while precipitation had an inhibitory effect on secondary wall formation. The earlier cell maturation in 2020 compared to 2019 underscored the impact of global warming trends. Overall, the trees studied demonstrated good health, growth and adaptability to local environmental fluctuations. This research provides novel insights into the intra-annual growth dynamics of this key Mediterranean species and its adaptation strategies to climatic variability, which will be crucial for forest management in the context of climate change. Full article

Antifungal drug resistance in filamentous fungi, particularly Aspergillus species, is increasing worldwide. Therefore, new antifungal drugs or combinations of drugs are urgently required to overcome this public health situation. In the present study, we examined the antifungal activity of vancomycin-functionalized AuNPs. These functionalized AuNPs were characterized, and their antifungal activity and associated killing mechanism were investigated using conventional methodologies against the conidia of A. fumigatus and A. flavus. The differential antifungal activity of vancomycin-functionalized Au-NPs against the conidia of Aspergillus species is dependent on structural differences in the conidial cell wall. The results demonstrated potent fungicidal activity against A. fumigatus, with a MIC value of 4.68 µg/mL, 93% germination inhibition, and 38.4% killing rate within 8 h of exposure. However, the activity against A. flavus was fungistatic; a MIC value of 18.7 µg/mL and 35% conidial germination inhibition, followed by 28.4% killing rate, were noted under similar conditions. Furthermore, endogenous reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation was 37.4 and 23.1% in conidial populations of A. fumigatus and A. flavus, respectively. Raman spectroscopy analysis confirmed the possible (but not confirmed) binding of functionalized AuNPs with the chitin and galactomannan components of the cell wall. A potential strategy that involves the exploration of antibacterial drugs using AuNPs as efficient drug carriers may also be appropriate for countering emerging drug resistance in filamentous fungi. Full article

Agriculture faces the dual challenge of increasing food production and safeguarding the environment. Climate change exacerbates this challenge, reducing crop yield and biomass due to drought stress, especially in semi-arid regions where Citrus plants are cultivated. Understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying drought tolerance in Citrus is crucial for developing adaptive strategies. Plants of two citrus rootstocks, Carrizo Citrange and Bitters (C22), were grown in aerated half-strength Hoagland’s nutrient solution. Post-acclimation, the plants were exposed to a solution containing 0% (control) or 15% PEG-8000 for 10 days. Leaf malonyl dialdehyde (MDA) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) content were measured to assess the reached oxidative stress level. Total RNA was extracted, sequenced, and de novo-assembled. Weighted Gene Correlation Network Analysis (WGCNA) was conducted to examine the relationship between gene expression patterns and the levels of MDA and H₂O₂ used as oxidative stress indicators. Plant visual inspection and MDA and H₂O₂ contents clearly indicate that Bitters is more tolerant than Carrizo towards PEG-induced drought stress. RNA-Seq analysis revealed a significantly higher number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in Carrizo (6092) than in Bitters (320), with most being associated with drought sensing, ROS scavenging, osmolyte biosynthesis, and cell wall metabolism. Moreover, the WGCNA identified transcription factors significantly correlated with MDA and H₂O₂ levels, thus providing insights into drought-coping strategies and offering candidate genes for enhancing citrus drought tolerance. Full article