Evaluation of growth and nutritional value of Brassica microgreens grown under red,blue and green LEDs combinations

Microgreens are rich functional crops with valuable nutritional elements that have health benefits when used as food supplements. Growth characterization, nutritional composition profile of 21 varieties representing five species of the Brassica genus as microgreens were assessed under light-emitting diodes (LEDs) conditions. Microgreens were grown under four different LEDs ratios (%); red:blue 80:20 and 20:80 (R₈₀:B₂₀ and R₂₀:B₈₀), or red:green:blue 70:10:20 and 20:10:70 (R₇₀:G₁₀:B₂₀ and R₂₀:G₁₀:B₇₀). Results indicated that supplemental lighting with green LEDs (R₇₀:G₁₀:B₂₀) enhanced vegetative growth and morphology, while blue LEDs (R₂₀:B₈₀) increased the mineral and vitamin contents. Interestingly, by linking the nutritional content with the growth yield to define the optimal LEDs setup, we found that the best lighting to promote the microgreen growth was the green LEDs combination (R₇₀:G₁₀:B₂₀). Remarkably, under the green LEDs combination (R₇₀:G₁₀:B₂₀) conditions, the microgreens of Kohlrabi purple, Cabbage red, Broccoli, Kale Tucsan, Komatsuna red, Tatsoi and Cabbage green, which can benefit human health in conditions with limited food, had the highest growth and nutritional content.     

Vascular bundle sheath and mesophyll cells modulate leaf water balance in response to chitin

Plants can detect pathogen invasion by sensing microbe‐associated molecular patterns (MAMPs). This sensing process leads to the induction of defense responses. Numerous MAMP mechanisms of action have been described in and outside the guard cells. Here, we describe the effects of chitin, a MAMP found in fungal cell walls and insects, on the cellular osmotic water permeability (P_f) of the leaf vascular bundle‐sheath (BS) and mesophyll cells (MCs), and its subsequent effect on leaf hydraulic conductance (K_leaf). BS is a parenchymatic tissue that tightly encases the vascular system. BS cells (BSCs) have been shown to influence K_leaf through changes in their P_f, for example, after sensing the abiotic stress response‐regulating hormone abscisic acid. It was recently reported that, in Arabidopsis, the chitin receptors‐like kinases, chitin elicitor receptor kinase 1 (CERK1) and LYSINE MOTIF RECEPTOR KINASE 5 (LYK5) are highly expressed in the BS as well as the neighboring mesophyll. Therefore, we studied the possible impact of chitin on these cells. Our results revealed that BSCs and MCs exhibit a sharp decrease in P_f in response to chitin treatment. In addition, xylem‐fed chitin decreased K_leaf and led to stomatal closure. However, Atlyk5 mutant showed none of these responses. Complementing AtLYK5 in the BSCs (using the SCARECROW promoter) resulted in the response to chitin that was similar to that observed in the wild‐type. These results suggest that BS play a role in the perception of apoplastic chitin and in initiating chitin‐triggered immunity.     

Identified taste bud cell proliferation in the perihatching chick [published erratum appears in Chem Senses 1998 Aug;23(4):459]

Developing taste buds in the anterior mandibular floor of perihatching chicks were studied by high voltage electron microscopic autoradiography in order to identify proliferating gemmal cell types. Montaged profiles of 29 taste buds in five cases euthanized between embryonic day 21 and posthatching day 2 were analyzed after a single [3H]thymidine injection administered on embryonic day 16, 17 or 18. Results showed that dark cells comprised 55% of identified (n = 900 cells) and 62% of labeled (n = 568 cells) gemmal cells as compared with light, intermediate, basal or perigemmal bud cells. Dark cells had both a greater (P < 0.05) number of labeled cells and a greater amount of label (grains/nucleus) than the other four bud cell types, irrespective of injection day. The nuclear area (micron 2) of dark cells was not significantly larger (P > 0.05) than that of the other gemmal cell types and therefore cannot account for the greater amount for label in the dark cells. Interestingly, only dark cells showed a positive correlation (P < 0.003) between amount of label and nuclear area. Results suggest that, during the perihatching period of robust cell proliferation, dividing dark cells may give rise primarily, but not exclusively, to dark cell progeny.      

The ecological integrity of the Lower Olifants River,Limpopo province,South Africa: 2009–2015 – Part A: Olifants River main stem

The major rivers of the South African ‘Lowveld’ (low-latitude savanna) suffer numerous impacts from upstream economic activities. Whereas monitoring these rivers is required to detect biodiversity losses, record pollution events and devise mitigation strategies, current monitoring programmes are inadequate. In 2009, the South African Earth Observation Network initiated an intensive long-term research programme on the Lowveld reaches of the Olifants River. Physico-chemical parameters, aquatic macroinvertebrates and fish abundances were recorded at four Lowveld sites in the Olifants River. We review six years of this programme. The results suggest deterioration in the ecological condition of the Olifants River with no discernible improvement through protected areas. Trends could not be detected. The parameters measured, sampling methods and/or sampling frequency might be responsible for the limited trends observed, or alternatively the results simply reflect stable conditions despite on-going pollution. Real time monitoring and an expansion in the parameters monitored would add value to the monitoring programme.     

Role of hydrogen sulfide donors in cancer development and progression

In recent years, a vast number of potential cancer therapeutic targets have emerged. However, developing efficient and effective drugs for the targets is of major concern. Hydrogen sulfide (H₂S), one of the three known gasotransmitters, is involved in the regulation of various cellular activities such as autophagy, apoptosis, migration, and proliferation. Low production of H₂S has been identified in numerous cancer types. Treating cancer cells with H₂S donors is the common experimental technique used to improve H₂S levels; however, the outcome depends on the concentration/dose, time, cell type, and sometimes the drug used. Both natural and synthesized donors are available for this purpose, although their effects vary independently ranging from strong cancer suppressors to promoters. Nonetheless, numerous signaling pathways have been reported to be altered following the treatments with H₂S donors which suggest their potential in cancer treatment. This review will analyze the potential of H₂S donors in cancer therapy by summarizing key cellular processes and mechanisms involved.     

Exploring optical spectroscopic techniques and nanomaterials for virus detection

Viral infections pose significant health challenges globally by affecting millions of people worldwide and consequently resulting in a negative impact on both socioeconomic development and health. Corona virus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a clear example of how a virus can have a global impact in the society and has demonstrated the limitations of detection and diagnostic capabilities globally. Another virus which has posed serious threats to world health is the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) which is a lentivirus of the retroviridae family responsible for causing acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Even though there has been a significant progress in the HIV biosensing over the past years, there is still a great need for the development of point of care (POC) biosensors that are affordable, robust, portable, easy to use and sensitive enough to provide accurate results to enable clinical decision making. The aim of this study was to present a proof of concept for detecting HIV-1 pseudoviruses by using anti-HIV1 gp41 antibodies as capturing antibodies. In our study, glass substrates were treated with a uniform layer of silane in order to immobilize HIV gp41 antibodies on their surfaces. Thereafter, the HIV pseudovirus was added to the treated substrates followed by addition of anti-HIV gp41 antibodies conjugated to selenium nanoparticle (SeNPs) and gold nanoclusters (AuNCs). The conjugation of SeNPs and AuNCs to anti-HIV gp41 antibodies was characterized using UV–vis spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and zeta potential while the surface morphology was characterized by fluorescence microscopy, atomic force microscopy (AFM) and Raman spectroscopy. The UV–vis and zeta potential results showed that there was successful conjugation of SeNPs and AuNCs to anti-HIV gp41 antibodies and fluorescence microscopy showed that antibodies immobilized on glass substrates were able to capture intact HIV pseudoviruses. Furthermore, AFM also confirmed the capturing HIV pseudoviruses and we were able to differentiate between substrates with and without the HIV pseudoviruses. Raman spectroscopy confirmed the presence of biomolecules related to HIV and therefore this system has potential in HIV biosensing applications.     

Expression of Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Using Platelet Rich Fibrin (PRF) and Nanohydroxyapatite (nano-HA) in Treatment of Periodontal Intra-Bony Defects - A Randomized Controlled Trial

The study aims to assess the concentration of vascular endothelial growth factors (VEGF) with platelet rich fibrin (PRF) biomaterial, while using it separately or in combination with nanohydroxyapatite (nano-HA) for treating intra-bony defects (IBDs) using radiographic evaluation (DBS-Win software). Sixty patients with IBD (one site/patient) and chronic periodontitis were recruited randomly to test either autologous PRF platelet concentrate, nano-HA bone graft, a combination of PRF platelet concentrate and nano-HA, or alone conventional open flap debridement (OFD). Recordings of clinical parameters including probing depth (PD), gingival index (GI), and clinical attachment level (CAL) were obtained at baseline and 6 months, post-operatively. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to compare four groups; whereas, multiple comparisons were done through Tukey’s post hoc test. The results showed that CAL at baseline changed from 6.67 ± 1.23 to 4.5 ± 1.42 in group I, 6.6 ± 2.51 to 4.9 ± 1.48 in group II, 5.2 ± 2.17 to 3.1 ± 1.27 in group III, and 4.7 ± 2.22 to 3.7 ± 2.35 in group IV after 6 months. The most significant increase in bone density and fill was observed for IBD depth in group III that was recorded as 62.82 ± 24.6 and 2.31 ± 0.75 mm, respectively. VEGF concentrations were significantly increased at 3, 7, and 14 days in all groups. The use of PRF with nano-HA was successful regenerative periodontal therapy to manage periodontal IBDs, unlike using PRF alone. Increase in VEGF concentrations in all group confirmed its role in angiogenesis and osteogenesis in the early stages of bone defect healing.