Applying digital technology to promote active and healthy confinement lifestyle during pandemics in the elderly

Although recognized as effective measures to curb the spread of the COVID19 outbreak, social distancing and home confinement have generated a mental health burden with older adults who are considered to be more vulnerable to psychosocial strains. To date, the application of digital technologies in response to COVID-19 pandemic has been narrowed to public-health needs related to containment and mitigation. However, information and communications technology (ICT)-based initiatives directed toward prediction and prevention of psychosocial support are still limited. Given the power of digital health solutions to allow easy and accurate characterization and intervention for health and disease, as well as to flatten the COVID19 incidence curves in many countries, our ECLB-COVID19 consortium is highlighting the importance of providing innovative ICT-based solutions (ICT-COVID-Companion) to improve elderly physical and mental health, thereby preventing/dampening psychosocial strain during pandemics. Based on innovative approaches (e.g., emotional/social computing, open social platform, interactive coaching, gamification, fitness-tracker, internet of things) and smart digital solutions (smartwatch/smartphone), smart companions must provide safe personalised physical, mental and psychosocial health surveillance. Additionally, by delivering personalised multi-dimension crisis-oriented health recommendations, such innovative crisis-oriented solutions would help (i) facilitate a user’s adherence to active and healthy confinement lifestyle (AHCL), (ii) achieve a rapid psychosocial recovery in case of depression issues and (iii) enhance preparedness for eventual future pandemics.     

白色生物技术在可持续大规模化学生产中的应用

目前几乎所有有机化学品和塑料是从原油和天然气中生产的, 而生物技术的应用使得利用可再生资源进行大规模化工生产成为可能。以下主要综述了白色生物技术, 即利用细菌、酵母或酶将可发酵糖转化为特定的化学产品的技术。白色生物技术极大节省了不可再生能源的消耗, 减少了温室气体的排放。在有利条件下, 如果化工生产中相关技术有了发展并且可以成功以木质纤维素为原料, 那么到2050年不可再生能源的消耗将减少将近2/3 (67%)。欧洲（EU-25）地区的分析表明, 白色生物技术相关的用地在未来几年的欧洲不会受到制约, 尤其是有大量闲置资源的东欧。另外, 虽然原则上可以在白色生物技术中使用自然的细菌和酶, 但是很多专家认为, 利用经遗传改造生物体(GMO)可以达到高产量、高浓度、高效率, 这对实现经济活力是必要的。值得注意的是, 目前并不是所有的重组基因和其他物种间的相互作用所带来的后果都可预见, 因此化工生产释放的GMOs的安全失活和处理非常重要, 但是如果采取足够的预防措施, 在白色生物技术中应用GMOs的风险是可以控制的。我们认为, 生物生产过程的技术突破、下游生产过程的控制、化石燃料的高价格、可发酵糖的低价获得是生物质化学产业发展中的关键因素, 这4个因素及其他伴随策略是发展整体白色生物技术的要求。     

Enzyme Inhibition and Antioxidant Activities of Asparagus officinalis L. and Analysis of Its Phytochemical Content by LC/MS/MS

In the study, water, ethanol, methanol, dichloromethane, and acetone extracts of Asparagus officinalis L. were obtained by maceration. DPPH⋅, ABTS⋅⁺, FRAP, and CUPRAC methods determined the antioxidant capacities of all extracts. Moreover, the in vitro effects of extracts on acetylcholinesterase (AChE), butyrylcholinesterase (BChE), carbonic anhydrase (CA)-I, CA-II and α-Glycosidase were investigated. At a 10 μg/ml concentration, the extract with the highest Fe³⁺ reduction capacity was ethanol (AE), and the extract with the highest Cu²⁺ reduction capacity was acetone (AA). AE for AChE (IC₅₀=21.19 μg/ml) and α-Glycosidase (IC₅₀: 70.00 μg/ml), methanol (AM) for BChE (IC₅₀=17.33 μg/ml), CA−I and II (IC₅₀=79.65 and 36.09 μg/ml, respectively) showed the most potent inhibition effect. The content analysis of acetone extract was performed with LC/MS-MS, the first three phytochemicals found most were p-Coumaric acid, rutin, and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid (284.29±3.97, 135.39±8.19, and 102.06±5.51 μg analyte/g extract, respectively).     

Directed evolution of cellobiose utilization in Escherichia coli K12

The cellobiose catabolic system of Escherichia coli K12 is being used to study the role of cryptic genes in evolution of new functions. Escherichia coli does not use beta-glucoside sugars; however, mutations in several loci can activate the cryptic bgl operon and permit growth on the beta-glucoside sugars arbutin and salicin. Such Bgl+ mutants do not use cellobiose, which is the most common beta-glucoside in nature. We have isolated a Cel+ (cellobiose-utilizing) mutant from a Bgl+ mutant of E. coli K12. The Cel+ mutant grows well on cellobiose, arbutin, and salicin. Genes for utilization of these beta-glucosides are located at 37.8 min on the E. coli map. The genes of the bgl operon are not involved in cellobiose utilization. Introduction of a deletion covering bgl does not affect the ability to utilize cellobiose, arbutin, or salicin, indicating that the new Cel+ genes provide all three functions. Spontaneous cellobiose negative mutants also become arbutin and salicin negative. Analysis of beta-glucoside positive revertants of these mutants indicates that there are separate loci for utilization of each of the beta-glucoside sugars. The genes are closely linked and may be activated from a single locus. A fourth gene at an unknown location increases the growth rate on cellobiose. The cel genes constitute a second cryptic system for beta-glucoside utilization in E. coli K12.      

Molecular dynamics,thermodynamic, and mutational binding studies for tumor-specific LyP-1 in complex with p32

Recent studies in tumor homing peptides have shown the specificity of LyP-1 (CGNKRTRGC) to tumor lymphatics. In this present work, we evaluated the possible interactions between cyclic LyP-1 and its receptor, p32, with molecular dynamics and docking studies in order to lead the design of novel LyP-1 derivatives, which could bind to p32 more effectively and perform enhanced antitumor effect. The total binding enthalpy energies have been obtained by MM-PBSA thermodynamic computations and the favorability of p32.LyP-1 complex in water has been shown by explicit water MD computations. The last 30 ns of molecular dynamics trajectory have shown the strong interaction of LyP-1 with the inner surface chains of p32, especially with chains B and C. ALA-SCAN mutagenesis studies have indicated the considerable influence of Asn3, Lys4, Arg5, and Arg7 amino acid residues on the specific binding of LyP-1. Within the knowledge of the critical role of p32 receptor in cancer cell metabolism, this study can lead to further developments in anticancer therapy by targeting p32 with LyP-1 derivatives as active targeting moiety. This data can also be applied for the development of new drug delivery systems in which LyP-1 can be used for its targeting and anticancer properties.     

Studies on Mefenamic Acid Microparticles: Formulation, In Vitro Release, and In Situ Studies in Rats

In this study, we investigated the in vitro characteristics of mefenamic acid (MA) microparticles as well as their effects on DNA damage. MA-loaded chitosan and alginate beads were prepared by the ionotropic gelation process. Microsponges containing MA and Eudragit RS 100 were prepared by quasi-emulsion solvent diffusion method. The microparticles were characterized in terms of particle size, surface morphology, encapsulation efficiency, and in vitro release profiles. Most of the formulation variables manifested an influence on the physical characteristics of the microparticles at varying degrees. We also studied the effects of MA, MA-loaded microparticles, and three different polymers on rat brain cortex DNA damage. Our results showed that DNA damage was higher in MA-loaded Eudragit microsponges than MA-loaded biodegradable chitosan or alginate microparticles.     

Virulence genes,antibiotic resistance and plasmid profiles of Enterococcus faecalis and Enterococcus faecium from naturally fermented Turkish foods

Aim: To determine the virulence genes, antibiotic resistance and plasmid profiles of 16 Enterococcus faecium and 68 Enterococcus faecalis strains isolated from various naturally fermented foods. Methods and Results: The presence of virulence genes (agg₂, gelE, cylM, cylB, cylA, espfs, espfm, efaAfs, efaAfm, cpd, cop, ccf, cad) and also the genes vanA and vanB were investigated by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Antibiotic resistance of the isolates was determined by disc diffusion method. Most of the tested isolates were positive for virulence genes and resistant to some antibiotics. One of the Ent. faecalis strains isolated from a cheese sample carried the vanA gene and was intermediately resistant to vancomycin. The strains usually contained large plasmids, which might harbour acquired antibiotic resistance. Conclusion: The study showed that Ent. faecium and Ent. faecalis strains isolated from naturally fermented Turkish foods may be potential risk factors for consumer health in terms of virulence genes and acquired antibiotic resistance. Significance and Impact of the Study: The results indicate the importance of enterococcal contamination in terms of the safety of some fermented Turkish foods.