表面展示表达果胶酯酶的重组酿酒酵母构建及乙醇发酵

【目的】以淀粉为原料的乙醇发酵工艺仍然是当前燃料乙醇的主要生产方式。然而,一些原料中含有的果胶物质不仅降低了乙醇产率,而且会导致醪液粘度增大,从而会进一步影响传质和传热、增加设备负担等。构建能够自主降解果胶质的重组酿酒酵母并应用于燃料乙醇生产是值得探索的领域。【方法】论文将来源于黑曲霉的果胶酯酶基因克隆于α因子信号肽下游并通过酵母α-凝集素C-端蛋白的介导构建了在细胞表面锚定表达果胶酯酶的重组酿酒酵母PE。【结果】重组酵母的果胶酯酶表达水平达到2.6 U/g(菌体湿重),并进一步鉴定了重组果胶酯酶性质。以甘薯粉为原料的同步糖化发酵实验中,重组酵母PE的乙醇浓度和乙醇转化率分别达到95 g/L和88.1%,与出发菌株相比提高了2.2%。更重要的是,表面展示果胶酯酶能够显著降低发酵过程中的发酵液粘度。【结论】通过在工业酿酒酵母表面展示表达果胶酯酶不仅能够提高糖化酶等的作用效果和酿酒酵母的代谢能力,而且能够显著降低乙醇生产过程中发酵液的粘度,将对工业规模乙醇生产在降低设备负担、节约能耗方面具有一定的潜在价值。     

Nano-transfersomal formulations for transdermal delivery of asenapine maleate: in vitro and in vivo performance evaluations

Context: Asenapine maleate (ASPM) is an antipsychotic drug for the treatment of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. Extensive metabolism makes the oral route inconvenient for ASPM.

Objective: The objective of this study is to increase ASPM bioavailability via transdermal route by improving the skin permeation using combined strategy of chemical and nano-carrier (transfersomal) based approaches.

Materials and methods: Transfersomes were prepared by the thin film hydration method using soy-phosphatidylcholine (SPC) and sodium deoxycholate (SDC). Transfersomes were characterized for particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential (ZP), entrapment efficiency, surface morphology, and in vitro skin permeation studies. Various chemical enhancers were screened for skin permeation enhancement of ASPM. Optimized transfersomes were incorporated into a gel base containing suitable chemical enhancer for efficient transdermal delivery. In vivo pharmacokinetic study was performed in rats to assess bioavailability by transdermal route against oral administration.

Results and discussion: Optimized transfersomes with drug:SPC:SDC weight ratio of 5:75:10 were spherical with an average size of 126.0?nm, PDI of 0.232, ZP of??43.7?mV, and entrapment efficiency of 54.96%. Ethanol (20% v/v) showed greater skin permeation enhancement. The cumulative amount of ASPM permeated after 24?h (Q₂₄) by individual effect of ethanol and transfersome, and in combination was found to be 160.0, 132.9, and 309.3?μg, respectively, indicating beneficial synergistic effect of combined approach. In vivo pharmacokinetic study revealed significant (p?Conclusion: Dual strategy of permeation enhancement was successful in increasing the transdermal permeation and bioavailability of ASPM.     

芦苇叶水提物的化感活性分析及潜在化感成分的筛选

采用不同溶剂对芦苇﹝Phragmites australis ( Cav.) Trin. ex Steud.﹞叶片水提物进行萃取,并以小麦( Triticum aestivum Linn.)和萝卜( Raphanus sativus Linn.)种子为实验材料对不同萃取物的化感效应进行检测;采用薄层层析和柱层析对抑制作用最强的正丁醇萃取物进行进一步分离,并采用GC-MS法对生物活性较高的组分进行组成成分分析;在此基础上,选择相对含量高并具有代表性的潜在化感成分进行生物活性检测,以期筛选出芦苇叶中的潜在化感成分。结果显示：随质量浓度(20、100和500 mg·L-1)提高,芦苇叶水提物的石油醚、二氯甲烷、乙酸乙酯、正丁醇和水萃取物对小麦和萝卜种子萌发的抑制作用均逐渐增强,其中正丁醇萃取物的抑制作用最强。在正丁醇萃取物的11个组分中,Fr.5、Fr.6、Fr.7、Fr.9和Fr.10组分均能显著抑制萝卜或小麦幼苗的生长,经质量浓度500 mg·L-1各组分处理液处理后萝卜或小麦幼苗的株高、根长及单株鲜质量均显著低于对照(P<0.05)。采用GC-MS法从Fr.5、Fr.6、Fr.7、Fr.9和Fr.10组分中分别鉴定出11、15、15、12和22种成分,分别占各组分总相对含量的83.02%、91.31%、87.36%、97.92%和94.34%,主要成分包括糖类、醇类、有机酸类、酮类、酰胺类和酯类。对14种潜在化感成分生物活性的检测结果显示这些成分对小麦幼苗生长有明显的抑制作用,其中,经质量浓度20 mg·L-1油酸酰胺、棕榈酸甲酯、亚油酸、2-苯乙胺、2-甲基烯丙醇和4-羟基-3-甲氧基苦杏仁酸处理后,小麦幼苗的株高、根长及单株鲜质量显著低于对照。综合分析结果显示：芦苇叶水提物具有较强的化感活性,其潜在的化感成分为油酸酰胺、棕榈酸甲酯、亚油酸、2-苯乙胺、2-甲基烯丙醇和4-羟基-3-甲氧基苦杏仁酸。     

The brain‐derived neurotrophic factor VAL68MET polymorphism modulates how developmental ethanol exposure impacts the hippocampus

Prenatal exposure to alcohol causes a wide range of deficits known as fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASDs). Many factors determine vulnerability to developmental alcohol exposure including timing and pattern of exposure, nutrition and genetics. Here, we characterized how a prevalent single nucleotide polymorphism in the human brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene (val66met) modulates FASDs severity. This polymorphism disrupts BDNF's intracellular trafficking and activity‐dependent secretion, and has been linked to increased incidence of neuropsychiatric disorders such as depression and anxiety. We hypothesized that developmental ethanol (EtOH) exposure more severely affects mice carrying this polymorphism. We used transgenic mice homozygous for either valine (BDNF^val/val) or methionine (BDNF^met/met) in residue 68, equivalent to residue 66 in humans. To model EtOH exposure during the second and third trimesters of human pregnancy, we exposed mice to EtOH in vapor chambers during gestational days 12 to 19 and postnatal days 2 to 9. We found that EtOH exposure reduces cell layer volume in the dentate gyrus and the CA1 hippocampal regions of BDNF^met/met but not BDNF^val/val mice during the juvenile period (postnatal day 15). During adulthood, EtOH exposure reduced anxiety‐like behavior and disrupted trace fear conditioning in BDNF^met/met mice, with most effects observed in males. EtOH exposure reduced adult neurogenesis only in the ventral hippocampus of BDNF^val/val male mice. These studies show that the BDNF val66met polymorphism modulates, in a complex manner, the effects of developmental EtOH exposure, and identify a novel genetic risk factor that may regulate FASDs severity in humans.     

Cyanobacterial bioactive metabolites—A review of their chemistry and biology

Cyanobacterial blooms occur when algal densities exceed baseline population concentrations. Cyanobacteria can produce a large number of secondary metabolites. Odorous metabolites affect the smell and flavor of aquatic animals, whereas bioactive metabolites cause a range of lethal and sub-lethal effects in plants, invertebrates, and vertebrates, including humans. Herein, the bioactivity, chemistry, origin, and biosynthesis of these cyanobacterial secondary metabolites were reviewed. With recent revision of cyanobacterial taxonomy by Anagnostidis and Komárek as part of the Süβwasserflora von Mitteleuropa volumes 19(1–3), names of many cyanobacteria that produce bioactive compounds have changed, thereby confusing readers. The original and new nomenclature are included in this review to clarify the origins of cyanobacterial bioactive compounds.Due to structural similarity, the 157 known bioactive classes produced by cyanobacteria have been condensed to 55 classes. This review will provide a basis for more formal procedures to adopt a logical naming system. This review is needed for efficient management of water resources to understand, identify, and manage cyanobacterial harmful algal bloom impacts.     

Have the cake and eat it: Optimizing nondestructive DNA metabarcoding of macroinvertebrate samples for freshwater biomonitoring

DNA metabarcoding can contribute to improving cost‐effectiveness and accuracy of biological assessments of aquatic ecosystems, but significant optimization and standardization efforts are still required to mainstream its application into biomonitoring programmes. In assessments based on freshwater macroinvertebrates, a key challenge is that DNA is often extracted from cleaned, sorted and homogenized bulk samples, which is time‐consuming and may be incompatible with sample preservation requirements of regulatory agencies. Here, we optimize and evaluate metabarcoding procedures based on DNA recovered from 96% ethanol used to preserve field samples and thus including potential PCR inhibitors and nontarget organisms. We sampled macroinvertebrates at five sites and subsampled the preservative ethanol at 1 to 14 days thereafter. DNA was extracted using column‐based enzymatic (TISSUE) or mechanic (SOIL) protocols, or with a new magnetic‐based enzymatic protocol (BEAD), and a 313‐bp COI fragment was amplified. Metabarcoding detected at least 200 macroinvertebrate taxa, including most taxa detected through morphology and for which there was a reference barcode. Better results were obtained with BEAD than SOIL or TISSUE, and with subsamples taken 7–14 than 1–7 days after sampling, in terms of DNA concentration and integrity, taxa diversity and matching between metabarcoding and morphology. Most variation in community composition was explained by differences among sites, with small but significant contributions of subsampling day and extraction method, and negligible contributions of extraction and PCR replication. Our methods enhance reliability of preservative ethanol as a potential source of DNA for macroinvertebrate metabarcoding, with a strong potential application in freshwater biomonitoring.     

Toxic effects of combined treatment of 1,2‐dichloroethane and ethanol on mouse brain and the related mechanisms

The aim of this study was to explore the mechanisms of brain damage induced by the combined treatment of mice with 1,2‐dichloroethane (1,2‐DCE) and ethanol. Mice were divided into control group; 1,2‐DCE‐intoxicated group; ethanol‐treated group; and low‐, medium‐, and high‐dose combined treatment groups. Histological observations along with brain organ coefficients and water content were used to measure the brain damage directly and indirectly. The levels of nonprotein sulfhydryls, malondialdehyde (MDA), and superoxide dismutase activity were used as parameters to evaluate oxidative stress in the brain. Protein and messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of cytochrome P450 2E1 (CYP2E1), zonula occludens‐1 (occludin and zo‐1), aquaporin‐4 (AQP4), nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2), heme oxygenase (HO)‐1, and the γ‐glutamyl cysteine synthetase catalytic and modulatory subunits (γ‐GCSc, GR, and γ‐GCSm) in the brain were examined by Western blot analysis and quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis, respectively. Effects of the combined treatment of 1,2‐DCE and ethanol were evaluated by analysis of variance with a factorial design. The results suggested that combined exposure to ethanol and 1,2‐DCE synergistically increased CYP2E1 protein and mRNA levels, accelerated the metabolism of ethanol and 1,2‐DCE in the brain tissue, induced high production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and increased MDA levels, thereby damaging the blood‐brain barrier and causing obvious pathological changes in brain tissue. However, the increased level of ROS activated the Nrf2 signal transduction pathway, promoting the expression of HO‐1 and glutathione‐related antioxidant enzymes in the brain to protect the cells from oxidative damage.     

回收乙醇微生物限度检查方法的建立

目的 建立回收乙醇微生物限度检查方法,并对该法的适用性进行确认。方法 探索合适的稀释度来消除乙醇对微生物的抑菌性,寻找合适的过滤量,确定操作步骤。通过多次试验结果确定质量标准。另取3批回收乙醇,进行微生物限度方法适用性试验,分别计算金黄色葡萄球菌( Staphylococcus aureus )、铜绿假单胞菌( Pseudomonas aeruginosa )、枯草芽孢杆菌( Bacillus subtilis )、白色念珠菌( Candida albicans )、黑曲霉( Aspergillus niger )回收率。结果 回收乙醇至少稀释10倍时,可消除其抑菌性。最终确定试验时先用pH 7.0无菌氯化钠-蛋白胨缓冲液将供试品稀释10倍,薄膜过滤法过滤量为每张滤膜100 mL。根据多次微生物限度检查结果,最终确定回收乙醇微生物限度质量标准为不高于10 cfu/mL。方法适用性试验中,3批回收乙醇,5种菌的回收率均在50%~200%范围内,表明该方法适用于回收乙醇的微生物限度检查。结论 回收乙醇经10倍稀释后,可以消除其抑菌性,可以采用薄膜过滤法进行微生物限度检查。     

Long‐term ethanol consumption promotes changes in β‐defensin isoform gene expression and induces structural changes and oxidative DNA damage to the epididymis of rats

Chronic alcohol ingestion causes sexual dysfunction, impairs sperm motility and fertility, and changes semen quality. Considering the key role of epididymis in sperm development, the aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of long‐term ethanol consumption on epididymis changes, including alterations in β‐defensin isoform gene expression, oxidative stress, and pathological changes, such as cell proliferation and fibrosis in the epididymis of rats. In this study, male Wistar rats were equally divided into control and ethanol (4.5 g/kg BW) groups. After six weeks of treatment, the results revealed the proliferation of epididymis cells, fibrosis in the epididymis tissue, and a significant rise in the level of 8‐OHdG and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase in the ethanol group, compared with the control group. Moreover, the ethanol group showed an increase in the gene expression of epididymal β‐defensin isoforms 15 and 21 and a reduction in the gene expression of β‐defensin isoforms 27 and 30, compared with the controls. These findings indicate that ethanol‐induced epididymal damage and sperm abnormalities might be partly associated with changes in β‐defensin isoforms and epididymal structure, mediated by the increased activities of 8‐OHdG and NADPH oxidase.