Natural lignin modulators improve bagasse saccharification of sugarcane and energy cane in field trials

The burgeoning cellulosic ethanol industry necessitates advancements in enzymatic saccharification, effective pretreatments for lignin removal, and the cultivation of crops more amenable to saccharification. Studies have demonstrated that natural inhibitors of lignin biosynthesis can enhance the saccharification of lignocellulose, even in tissues generated several months post-treatment. In this study, we applied daidzin (a competitive inhibitor of coniferaldehyde dehydrogenase), piperonylic acid (a quasi-irreversible inhibitor of cinnamate 4-hydroxylase), and methylenedioxy cinnamic acid (a competitive inhibitor of 4-coenzyme A ligase) to 60-day-old crops of two conventional Brazilian sugarcane cultivars and two energy cane clones, bred specifically for enhanced biomass production. The resultant biomasses were evaluated for lignin content and enzymatic saccharification efficiency without additional lignin-removal pretreatments. The treatments amplified the production of fermentable sugars in both the sugarcane cultivars and energy cane clones. The most successful results softened the most recalcitrant lignocellulose to the level of the least recalcitrant of the biomasses tested. Interestingly, the softest material became even more susceptible to saccharification.     

Basolateral plasma membrane localization of ouabain-sensitive sodium transport sites in the secretory epithelium of the avian salt gland

The distribution of Na+ pump sites (Na+-K+-ATPase) in the secretory epithelium of the avian salt gland was demonstrated by freeze-dry autoradiographic analysis of [(3)H] ouabain binding sites. Kinetic studies indicated that near saturation of tissue binding sites occurred when slices of salt glands from salt-stressed ducks were exposed to 2.2 μM ouabain (containing 5 μCi/ml [(3)H]ouabain) for 90 min. Washing with label-free Ringer's solution for 90 min extracted only 10% of the inhibitor, an amount which corresponded to ouabain present in the tissue spaces labeled by [(14)C]insulin. Increasing the KCl concentration of the incubation medium reduced the rate of ouabain binding but not the maximal amount bound. In contrast to the low level of ouabain binding to salt glands of ducks maintained on a freshwater regimen, exposure to a salt water diet led to a more than threefold increase in binding within 9-11 days. This increase paralleled the similar increment in Na+-K+-ATPase activity described previously. [(3)H]ouabain binding sites were localized autoradiographically to the folded basolateral plasma membrane of the principal secretory cells. The luminal surfaces of these cells were unlabeled. Mitotically active peripheral cells were also unlabeled. The cell-specific pattern of [(3)H]ouabain binding to principal secretory cells and the membrane-specific localization of binding sites to the nonluminal surfaces of these cells were identical to the distribution of Na+-K+-ATPase as reflected by the cytochemical localization of ouabain-sensitive and K+-dependent nitrophenyl phosphatase activity. The relationship between the nonluminal localization of Na+-K+-ATPase and the possible role of the enzyme n NaCl secretion is considered in the light of physiological data on electrolyte transport in salt glands and other secretory epithelia.     

Hybrid Cluster Proteins and Flavodiiron Proteins Afford Protection to Desulfovibrio vulgaris upon Macrophage Infection

Desulfovibrio species are Gram-negative anaerobic sulfate-reducing bacteria that colonize the human gut. Recently, Desulfovibrio spp. have been implicated in gastrointestinal diseases and shown to stimulate the epithelial immune response, leading to increased production of inflammatory cytokines by macrophages. Activated macrophages are key cells of the immune system that impose nitrosative stress during phagocytosis. Hence, we have analyzed the in vitro and in vivo responses of Desulfovibrio vulgaris Hildenborough to nitric oxide (NO) and the role of the hybrid cluster proteins (HCP1 and HCP2) and rubredoxin oxygen oxidoreductases (ROO1 and ROO2) in NO protection. Among the four genes, hcp2 was the gene most highly induced by NO, and the hcp2 transposon mutant exhibited the lowest viability under conditions of NO stress. Studies in murine macrophages revealed that D. vulgaris survives incubation with these phagocytes and triggers NO production at levels similar to those stimulated by the cytokine gamma interferon (IFN-γ). Furthermore, D. vulgaris hcp and roo mutants exhibited reduced viability when incubated with macrophages, revealing that these gene products contribute to the survival of D. vulgaris during macrophage infection.     

E-cadherin deregulation in breast cancer

E-cadherin protein (CDH1 gene) integrity is fundamental to the process of epithelial polarization and differentiation. Deregulation of the E-cadherin function plays a crucial role in breast cancer metastases, with worse prognosis and shorter overall survival. In this narrative review, we describe the inactivating mechanisms underlying CDH1 gene activity and its possible translation to clinical practice as a prognostic biomarker and as a potential targeted therapy.     

Increased Retinal Ganglion Cell Survival by Exogenous IL-2 Depends on IL-10, Dopamine D1 Receptors,and Classical IL-2/IL-2R Signaling Pathways

Neurochemical Research - Interleukin-2 (IL-2) is a classical pro-inflammatory cytokine known to display neuroprotective roles in the central nervous system including the retina. In the present...     

Aerobic training prevents cardiometabolic changes triggered by myocardial infarction in ovariectomized rats

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of aerobic training (AT) on autonomic, cardiometabolic, ubiquitin‐proteasome activity, and inflammatory changes evoked by myocardial infarction (MI) in ovariectomized rats. Female Wistar rats were ovariectomized and divided into four groups: sedentary + sham (SS), sedentary + MI (SI), AT + sham surgery (TS), AT + MI (TI). AT was performed on a treadmill for 8 weeks before MI. Infarcted rats previously subjected to AT presented improved physical capacity, increased interleukin‐10, and decreased pro‐inflammatory cytokines. Metabolomic analysis identified and quantified 62 metabolites, 9 were considered significant by the Vip Score. SS, SI, and TS groups presented distinct metabolic profiles; however, TI could not be distinguished from the SS group. MI dramatically increased levels of dimethylamine, and AT prevented this response. Our findings suggest that AT may be useful in preventing the negative changes in functional, inflammatory, and metabolic parameters related to MI in ovariectomized rats.     

Evaluation of Antioxidant,Antibacterial and Enhancement of Antibiotic Action by Punica granatum Leaves Crude Extract and Enriched Fraction against Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria

The aim of this study was to evaluate the phytochemical composition, antioxidant, and antimicrobial potential of crude extract and fractions of Punica granatum leaves. The extract was produced by turbo extraction, after which hexanic, ethyl acetate, and aqueous fractions were obtained by partitioning. The chemical analyses were performed by thin layer chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography, and the antioxidant activities were assayed by DPPH^. and ABTS^.+. Minimal inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations (MIC/MBC) were applied to twenty-two bacteria. Most strains susceptible to extract/fractions and resistant to antibiotics were selected, and ampicillin, azithromycin, ciprofloxacin, and gentamicin were associated with the ethyl acetate fraction (EAF) against multidrug-resistant strains in modulatory and checkboard models. The data from chromatographic analyses showed flavonoids and tannins in the extract, as well as the enrichment of EAF in phenols, mainly flavonoids. The flavonoids were connected to the electron transfer activity demonstrated in the DPPH^. and ABTS^.+ assays. Gram-positive strains are more susceptible to EAF. The subinhibitory concentrations of P. granatum enhanced the antimicrobial activity of the agents and reduced the EAF individual MIC, and the combination of EAF and antibiotics demonstrated a synergistic effect. These results present a promising approach for developing a therapy in which antioxidant extracts and fractions can be used in combination with antibiotics.     

Synthesis of imidazole-containing analogues of farnesyl pyrophosphate and evaluation of their biological activity on protein farnesyltransferase

With the aim of creating new bisubstrate inhibitors of protein farnesyltransferase (FTase), new carboxylic farnesyl pyrophosphate analogues have been designed and synthesized. The original structures are built around three elements: a prenyl moiety, a 1,4-diacid motif and an imidazole ring. All the compounds were evaluated for their ability to inhibit FTase and compared with the corresponding derivatives lacking the imidazole ring, synthesized for that purpose. These new compounds are not bisubstrate inhibitors probably because the imidazole ring is not in the right position to interact with the zinc atom. However these derivatives display FPP competitive inhibition with a good activity in the carboxylic farnesyl pyrophosphate analogues series.     

Protective effect of mannan oligosaccharides against early colonization by Salmonella Enteritidis in chicks is improved by higher dietary threonine levels

Aims

To evaluate mannan oligosaccharide (MOS) and threonine effects on performance, small intestine morphology and Salmonella spp. counts in Salmonella Enteritidis‐challenged birds.

Methods and Results

One‐day‐old chicks (1d) were distributed into five treatments: nonchallenged animals fed basal diet (RB‐0), animals fed basal diet and infected with Salmonella Enteritidis (RB‐I), animals fed high level of threonine and infected (HT‐I), birds fed basal diet with MOS and infected (MOS‐I), birds fed high level of threonine and MOS and infected (HT+MOS‐I). Birds were inoculated at 2d with Salmonella Enteritidis, except RB‐0 birds. Chicks fed higher dietary threonine and MOS showed performance similar to RB‐0 and intestinal morphology recovery at 8 dpi. Salmonella counts and the number of Salmonella‐positive animals were lower in HT+MOS‐I compared with other challenged groups.

Conclusion

Mannan oligosaccharides and threonine act synergistically, resulting in improved intestinal environment and recovery after Salmonella inoculation.

Significance and Impact of the Study

Nutritional approaches may be useful to prevent Salmonella infection in the first week and putative carcass contamination at slaughter. This is the first report on the possible synergistic effect of mannan oligosaccharides and threonine, and further studies should be performed including performance, microbiota evaluation, composition of intestinal mucins and immune assessment.