Biological Properties Research Articles

A new enrichment strategy of dissimilatory iron-reducing bacteria for remediation of organic-contaminated river sediments: Process, performance, and mechanism

Dissimilatory iron-reducing bacteria (DIRB) have been widely applied to organic matter metabolism in sediments due to their specific biological properties, which are significantly affected by environmental factors. Until now, there has been no systematic study on applying these effects of environmental factors to DIRB enrichment. In this study, we identified the critical environmental factors through RDA, PLS-PM, and correlation analysis and then adjusted the proportion of these factors (C/Fe, C/N, and Fe/S) through single-factor and response surface experiments to enrich DIRB. The performance of the enriched DIRB in carbon metabolism of organic-rich sediments was analyzed by remediation experiment, and the metabolic mechanism was revealed through iron-reducing performance, community structure, and functional genes. The results showed that the carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sulfur were crucial factors influencing the activity of DIRB in river sediments, and the enriched mud-bacteria mixture containing a large amount of DIRB (referred to as “DMB”) obtained by domestication under C/Fe = 0.492 and C/N = 13.659 showed the highest iron reduction rate of 55.51% ± 2.53%. The DMB exhibited better-sustained removal of total organic matter (TOM), which was higher than the control (MB) by 8.81%. Moreover, we discovered that the enriched DIRB: (1) had a better reduction effect on different Fe(III) forms, especially in carbon-limited and iron-limited conditions. (2) increased in abundance and established a beneficial symbiotic relationship with hydrolytic acidifying bacteria. (3) showed an increased abundance of functional pathways associated with organismal systems and signal processing (such as ABC transporters and Translation). These findings revealed the reasons for the improved efficiency of organic matter metabolism.

Temperate Soils Exposed to Drought—Key Processes, Impacts, Indicators, and Unknowns

The summer drought in the United Kingdom (UK) in 2022 produced significant speculation concerning how its termination may impact and interact with the soil resource. Whilst knowledge regarding soils and droughts exists in the scientific literature, a coherent understanding of the wider range of impacts on soil properties and functions has not been compiled for temperate soils. Here, we draw together knowledge from studies in the UK and other temperate countries to understand how soils respond to drought, and importantly what and where our knowledge gaps are. First, we define the different types of droughts and their frequency in the UK and provide a brief overview on the likely societal impacts that droughts place on the soil and related ecosystems. Our focus is on ‘agricultural and ecosystem drought’, as this is when soils experience dry periods affecting crops and ecosystem function, followed by rewetting. The behaviour of moisture in soils and the key processes that contribute to its storage and transport are examined. The principal changes in the physical, chemical, and biological properties of soils resulting from drought, and rewetting (i.e., drought termination) are discussed and their extensive interactions are demonstrated. Processes that are involved in the rewetting of soils are explored for soil and catchment-scale soil responses. Lastly, soils’ recovery after drought is considered, knowledge gaps are identified, and areas to improve understanding are highlighted.

A Comprehensive Review of Plant-Based Cosmetic Oils (Virgin Coconut Oil, Olive Oil, Argan Oil, and Jojoba Oil): Chemical and Biological Properties and Their Cosmeceutical Applications.

Plant-based oils, such as coconut, olive, argan, and jojoba, are abundant in natural emollients and vital fatty acids that hydrate and moisturize the skin. They shield the surface, stop moisture loss, and maintain suppleness of, the skin. They are rich in vitamins, nutrients, and antioxidants that nourish the skin. Virgin coconut oil (VCO) is used as a functional food due to its tremendous health benefits, and olive oil is well-known for its cosmetic and culinary applications. Argan oil contains many antioxidants, vital fatty acids, and vitamin E, while jojoba oil is an excellent moisturizer and conditioner. Plant-based oils can be extracted using various techniques including conventional and chemical extraction methods, and each will affect the yield and quality. Traditional methods like mechanical pressing are less efficient, whereas extraction methods such as pressurized liquid and supercritical fluid extraction may give higher yields and better quality. The chemical composition of olive oil primarily consists of saturated fatty acids (SFAs), polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), and monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFAs). Argan oil is rich in tocopherols, containing between 60 and 90 mg per 100 g, with only 19 g/100 g of argan oil's fatty acids saturated. Jojoba oil is liquid wax comprising over 98% triglyceride esters, pure waxes, vitamins, and sterols. This review focuses on the chemical and biological properties, production processes, and applications of natural cosmetic oils (virgin coconut oil, olive oil, argan oil, and jojoba oil), emphasizing their usage in skin care and cosmeceutical products.

Phytochemical and volatile components evaluation of antimicrobial root extracts of <i>Dichrostachys cinerea</i> (sickle bush)(<i>Fabaceae</i>) (L) Wight & Arn

The crude ethanolic extract of the root of Dichrostachys cinerea (Fabaceae) was screened for phytochemicals and antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aureginosa, Salmonella typhi, and Candida albicans using agar-well diffusion method. The phytochemical screening of the root extract results showed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, essential oils, phenols, terpenes, tannins, unsaturated sterols, and saponins. However, coumarins, and anthocyanins were absent. The crude extract was subjected to column chromatographic fractionation to give nine fractions of which two, DCR1 and DCR2, were subjected to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis. The crude extract and column chromatographic fractions DCR1 and DCR2 gave MIC of 1 mg/mL against Staphylococcus aureus, but were not active against the other test organisms. The gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of the antibacterial fractions, DCR1 and DCR2, based on standard MS library data revealed the presence of caryophellene, phthalates, a phenol and fatty acids and their ester derivatives. These phytoconstituents could account for the biological properties of the extracts of the plant. The results of this work therefore support its use in ethno-medicinal preparations, particularly against infections.

Method Validation for the Determination of Ciprofloxacin in Lucilia sericata Larvae via Capillary Electrophoresis Combined With Mass Spectrometry.

Substances derived from insects can serve therapeutic functions due to their diverse biological properties. This article focuses on the species Lucilia sericata and the benefits of larval therapy in patients who, due to hospitalization, have developed pressure ulcers and other difficult-to-heal wounds. Larval therapy, also known as maggot debridement therapy, employs sterile fly larvae to treat chronic, non-healing wounds by enzymatically degrading necrotic tissue and decreasing bacterial colonization. The larvae are applied to the wound for a period of 48-72h, during which they effectively clean the wound and stimulate tissue regeneration. This therapeutic approach is particularly efficacious for recalcitrant wounds, such as diabetic foot ulcers and pressure sores, which have not responded to conventional treatments. Larvae may also constitute an alternative material in entomotoxicological studies to detect substances ingested at not only toxic but also therapeutic doses. The present work describes a method for assaying ciprofloxacin in L. sericata larvae using capillary electrophoresis coupled to mass spectrometry. The developed method features high sensitivity with a limit of quantification of 100±0.018ng/mL, as well as accuracy and precision estimated within 87%-103% and 1%-4%, respectively. An application of a simple and fast precipitation of proteins procedure for sample cleaning resulted in a highly satisfactory recovery of the analyte (90%-104%). The method was linear in a range of 100-1000ng/mL with a determination coefficient higher than 0.9973. The method was used to determine ciprofloxacin in larval homogenate after antibiotic administration to the patient at a dose of 500mg twice daily per os during application of the larvae dressing. Ciprofloxacin was shown to distribute from the patient's circulation to the larvae at a concentration of 150ng/mL (750ng/g).

Coumarin Derivatives: Pioneering New Frontiers in Biological Applications

Abstract: Coumarins are a vital class of compounds recognized for their significant therapeutic potential, both in their natural forms and as synthetic derivatives. Characterized by a benzene ring fused to an α-pyranose ring, coumarins have garnered considerable attention from the scientific community due to their diverse pharmacological activities. This review article highlights the importance of coumarin hybrids, showcasing their enhanced biological properties and reactivity compared to traditional coumarin structures. We explore the pharmacological profiles of various coumarin derivatives, including their anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antioxidant, antibacterial, and anti-tuberculosis activities, among others. The review examines how the incorporation of different functional groups on the coumarin scaffold can modulate its effectiveness against various diseases, particularly cancer. Furthermore, we discuss promising results from coumarin-based hybrids, such as coumarinpyridine, coumarin-uracil, and coumarin-quinoline derivatives, demonstrating their efficacy against a range of pathogens. This comprehensive overview serves as a valuable resource for researchers interested in the potential of coumarin derivatives in therapeutic applications.

A Systematic Review of the Contribution of Additive Manufacturing toward Orthopedic Applications.

Human bone holds an inherent capacity for repairing itself from trauma and damage, but concerning the severity of the defect, the choice of implant placement is a must. Additive manufacturing has become an elite option due to its various specifications such as patient-specific custom development of implants and its easy fabrication rather than the conventional methods used over the years. Additive manufacturing allows customization of the pore size, porosity, various mechanical properties, and complex structure design and formulation. Selective laser melting, powder bed fusion, electron beam melting, and fused deposition modeling are the various AM methods used extensively for implant fabrication. Metals, polymers, biocrystals, composites, and bio-HEA materials are used for implant fabrication for various applications. A wide variety of polymer implants are fabricated using additive manufacturing for nonload-bearing applications, and β-tricalcium phosphate, hydroxyapatite, bioactive glass, etc. are mainly used as ceramic materials in additive manufacturing due to the biological properties that could be imparted by the latter. For decades metals have played a major role in implant fabrication, and additive manufacturing of metals provides an easy approach to implant fabrication with augmented qualities. Various challenges and setbacks faced in the fabrication need postprocessing such as sintering, coating, surface polishing, etc. The emergence of bio-HEA materials, printing of shape memory implants, and five-dimensional printing are the trends of the era in additive manufacturing.

Ganoderma lucidum triterpenoids investigating their role in medicinal applications and genomic protection.

Ganoderma lucidum (GL) is a white rot fungus widely used for its pharmacological properties and health benefits. GL consists of several biological components, including polysaccharides, sterols, and triterpenoids. Triterpenoids are often found in GL in the form of lanostane-type triterpenoids with quadrilateral carbon structures. The study revealed that triterpenoids have diverse biological properties and can be categorized based on their functional groups. Triterpenoids derived from GL have shown potential medicinal applications. They can disrupt the cell cycle by inhibiting β-catenin or protein kinase C activity, leading to anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and anti-diabetic effects. They can also reduce the production of inflammatory cytokines, thus mitigating inflammation. Additionally, triterpenoids have been found to enhance the immune system's defenses against various health conditions. They possess antioxidant, antiparasitic, anti-hyperlipidemic, and antimicrobial activities, making them suitable for pharmaceutical applications. Furthermore, triterpenoids are believed to afford radioprotection to DNA, protecting it from radiation damage. This review focuses on the types of triterpenoids isolated from GL, their synthesis pathways, and their chemical structures. Additionally, it highlights the pharmacological characteristics of triterpenoids derived from GL, emphasizing their significant role in various therapeutic applications and health benefits for both humans and animals.

Soil quality assessment and its response to water flow connectivity in different vegetation restoration types, eastern China

Vegetation restoration is the most widely used forest management practice for degraded soils, but the responses of soil quality in different vegetation restoration types may vary. In addition, the relationship between water flow paths connection and soil quality needs to be further explored. In this study, the soil quality index (SQI) and the index of water flow connectivity (IWFC) in the six water flow patterns (PFP, SSB, WSB, CPS, CPW, and CSW) were explored at three forest stands (oak, pine, and bamboo forests) with 50 years for enclosure. The results showed that the bamboo forest stand had the best soil quality as a whole (0.534 ± 0.135), followed by pine (0.530 ± 0.180) and oak forest stands (0.435 ± 0.205). The IWFC in PFP, CPS and CPW water flow patterns decreased gradually with increasing soil depth, while in SSB, WSB and CSB water flow patterns, the IWFC increased at first and then decreased. Finally, the IWFC in the CPW water flow pattern showed the largest positive correlation with the SQI (P < 0.05). The IWFC in the CPW water flow pattern driven by soil physical properties could mainly control the changes in the SQI indirectly (average IE = 0.825) by influencing soil nutrient (average IE = 0.447) and biological (average IE = 0.485) properties, while its direct effects could be ignored (average DE = −0.074), which demonstrated that the joint effects of preferential flow paths and weak stream buffer zones can dramatically reflect the changes in soil quality. The better soil improvement effect of bamboo and pine forest stands compared to the oak forest stand should be given more consideration. This study provided new insights for the assessment of the relationship between soil hydrology and soil quality.

Exploring the Zein/58S Bioactive Glass Nanocomposite for Enhanced Bone Tissue Engineering: A Comprehensive Investigation of Structural, Chemical, Biological, and Osteogenic Properties through in Vitro and in Vivo Studies

Exploring the Zein/58S Bioactive Glass Nanocomposite for Enhanced Bone Tissue Engineering: A Comprehensive Investigation of Structural, Chemical, Biological, and Osteogenic Properties through in Vitro and in Vivo Studies

Synthesis and characterization of two asymmetrical 2-cyclohexylsulfenyl-5-alkylsulfenyl[1,3,4]thiadiazoles and study the impact of substituents on the structural features, thermal behavior, and anti-bacterial activity

Regarding the importance of 1,3,4-thiadiazoles due to versatile biological activity and for investigation of the symmetry impact on thermal behavior and antibacterial activity of 2,5-bisalkylsulfenyl[1,3,4]thiadiazole, two new derivatives viz. 2-cyclohexylsulfenyl-5-cyclopentylsulfenyl[1,3,4]thiadiazole and 2-cyclohexylsulfenyl-5-dodecylsulfenyl[1,3,4]thiadiazole, were synthesized through the nucleophilic substitution reaction appropriate alkyl halide with 5-cyclohexyl-3H-[1,3,4]thiadiazole-2-thione in ethanol under reflux conditions. The chemical structure of the products was elucidated by the physical and spectroscopic techniques. After tedious work, the suitable snow-like crystals of 2-cyclohexylsulfenyl-5-dodecylsulfenyl[1,3,4]thiadiazole for single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis could be isolated from a mixed solvent, namely ethanol and water in volume ratio of 9:1. Then, the influence of symmetry and cyclic or non-cyclic aliphatic substituents on the important structure parameters of the 2,5-bisalkylsulfenyl[1,3,4]thiadiazole derivatives were negligible, however, those structure characteristics were different for 5–cyclohexylsulfenyl–3H–[1,3,4]thiadiazole–2–thione, due to its thione structure. TGA/DTA study demonstrated the effect of the symmetry and van der Waals interaction on thermal stability, and the robust influence of the pseudo hydrogen bonding NH with C = S on the melting and crystallization phase transitions was revealed by DSC analysis. The pharmacokinetics, drug-likeness, medicinal chemistry friendliness, and toxicology of three derivatives of bis-alkylsulfenyl[1,3,4]thiadiazole were evaluated by two prediction tools of SwissADME and T.E.S.T tools predicted good pharmacokinetics, drug-likeness, and anti-toxicant properties in developmental toxicity for the bis-alkylsulfenyl[1,3,4]thiadiazoles and 5–cyclohexylsulfenyl–3H–[1,3,4]thiadiazole–2–thione. Finally, the in vitro antibacterial activity of two new 2-cyclohexylsulfenyl-5-cyclopentylsulfenyl[1,3,4]thiadiazole and 2-cyclohexylsulfenyl-5-dodecylsulfenyl[1,3,4]thiadiazole against S. aureus and E. coli, confirmed them as promising anti-bacterial agent. All obtained results proved that the physicochemical, thermal, pharmacokinetic, and biological properties of 2,5-bisalkylsulfenyl[1,3,4]thiadiazoles can be tuned by selecting appropriate substituents.

Structural analysis of the stable form of fibroblast growth factor 2 – FGF2-STAB

Fibroblast growth factor 2 (FGF2) is a signaling protein that plays a significant role in tissue development and repair. FGF2 binds to fibroblast growth factor receptors (FGFRs) alongside its co-factor heparin, which protects FGF2 from degradation. The binding between FGF2 and FGFRs induces intracellular signaling pathways such as RAS-MAPK, PI3K-AKT, and STAT. FGF2 has strong potential for application in cell culturing, wound healing, and cosmetics but the potential is severely limited by its low protein stability. The thermostable variant FGF2-STAB was constructed by computer-assisted protein engineering to overcome the natural limitation of FGF2. Previously reported characterization of FGF2-STAB revealed an enhanced ability to induce MAP/ERK signaling while having a lower dependence on heparin when compared with FGF2-wt. Here we report the crystal structure of FGF2-STAB solved at 1.3 Å resolution. Protein stabilization is achieved by newly formed hydrophobic interactions, polar contacts, and one additional hydrogen bond. The overall structure of FGF2-STAB is similar to FGF2-wt and does not reveal information on the experimentally observed lower dependence on heparin. A noticeable difference in flexibility in the receptor binding region can explain the differences in signaling between FGF2-STAB and its wild-type counterpart. Our structural analysis provided molecular insights into the stabilization and unique biological properties of FGF2-STAB.

Evaluation of the Physico-chemical and Biological Properties of Fermented Nipa (Nypa fruticans) Sap Under Closed and Open Vessel Fermentation System for Bioethanol Production

Background The potential of Nipa (Nypa fruticans) sap in the Cagayan Region, Philippines, for bioethanol production remains largely underexplored despite its vast expanse. Methods This study investigates the key physico-chemical properties of Nipa sap from Aparri, Cagayan, with a focus on fermentation dynamics and storage conditions to optimize ethanol production. Two fermentation treatments closed and open vessel conditions, were compared to determine the optimal conditions for maximum ethanol yield. Over a 7-day fermentation period, the acetic acid production, yeast activity, sugar content, and ethanol concentration of closed vessel fermented sap (CVFS) and open vessel fermented sap (OVFS) were monitored. Results CVFS demonstrated a higher ethanol yield (7.56%v/v at peak day), characterized by minimized acetic acid accumulation and stable yeast activity. In contrast, OVFS exhibited significant fluctuations in acetic acid and ethanol levels, indicating a lower fermentation efficiency. Conclusion The presence of methanol and high acetic acid content in open-vessel fermentation systems highlights the importance of fermentation conditions to prevent impurities. This study provides valuable insights into optimizing ethanol production from fermenting Nipa sap by employing closed vessel fermentation, which is crucial for sustainable bioethanol production in the Cagayan region.

The Effects of Multiple Acute Turkesterone Doses on Indirect Measures of Hypertrophy and Metabolic Measures: A Preliminary Investigation

Turkesterone is a naturally occurring plant steroid touted for its medicinal, pharmacological, and biological properties with no reported adverse side effects compared with traditional anabolic androgenic steroids (AAS). However, this ostensible enhancement to increase muscle protein synthesis and facilitate augmented thermogenesis remains undescribed despite uninformed and potentially haphazard consumption. To investigate whether turkesterone enhances insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and resting metabolic rate (RMR), eleven apparently healthy males (23.3 ± 2.2) volunteered to participate in the present study with samples collected pre-, 3H post-, and 24H post-ingestion. Subsequent analyses failed to reveal any significant main condition, time, or interaction main effects for serum IGF-1, RMR, lipid, and carbohydrate metabolism (p &gt; 0.05). However, non-significant serum IGF-1 concentrations increased with both turkesterone conditions and remained elevated when compared with placebo. Similarly, RMR remained elevated above baseline across the 3 h assessed. Although these data fail to fully support turkesterone as a potent anabolic supplement, nevertheless, our findings are foundational to persistently tease apart this supplement’s purported ergogenic effects and underscore its favorable hemodynamic and gastrointestinal tolerability profile. Future investigations should, therein, aim to assess turkesterone-mediated IGF-1 increases on long-term whole-muscle growth across several training sessions to further substantiate its efficacy on anabolism.

Effect of Particle Size on Physical Properties, Dissolution, In Vitro Antioxidant Activity, and In Vivo Hepatoprotective Properties of Tetrastigma hemsleyanum Diels et Gilg Powders

Objective: The aim of this study was to analyze the effects of different particle sizes of Tetrastigma hemsleyanum Diels et Gilg (TDG) powders on physical properties, dissolution, in vitro antioxidant activity, and in vivo hepatoprotective properties. Methods: The particle size of TDG coarse powders (TDG-CP), TDG fine powders (TDG-FP), and TDG micro powders (TDG-MP) were measured by a laser particle size analyzer. The physical properties were measured according to the latest version of the Chinese Pharmacopoeia (Committee Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2020). The content of the total flavonoids, total polysaccharides, kaempferol-3-O-rutinoside, and rutin of TDG powders were determined using the NaNO2-Al (NO3)3 colorimetric method, the sulphate-phenol colorimetric method, and HPLC, respectively. In vitro dissolution and antioxidant activity were determined by the paddle method in phosphate buffer (pH 6.8) and the DPPH radical scavenging method, respectively. In addition, the liver tissue pathology was evaluated by hematoxylin and eosin staining (H&amp;E), and the AST and ALT activities were measured by automatic biochemical analyzer. The superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and glutathione (GSH) activities were measured by using commercial analysis kits. Results: As the particle size decreases, the fluidity of TDG powders decreased and the porosity increased. In addition, there were no significant differences in physical properties between low temperature pulverized powders and room temperature pulverized powders. The final dissolution rates of the four bioactive ingredients in TDG-MP were found to be 85.06%, 85.61%, 83.88%, and 83.26%, respectively, whereas in TDG-CP, the dissolution rates were significantly lower at 18.79%, 17.96%, 22.46%, and 24.35%. The EC50 values of TDG-CP, TDG-FP, and TDG-MP on DPPH scavenging activity were 0.82, 0.31, and 0.10 mg/mL, respectively. The AST and ALT activities of the TDG-FP group and the TDG-MP group were significantly decreased and the SOD, CAT, and GSH activities were significantly increased when compared with that of the model group. The inflammatory cell infiltration and vacuolar degeneration of liver cells in the TDG-FP group and the TDG-MP group were significantly improved. Conclusions: The particle size of TDG powders had a significant effect on the physical properties and in vivo bioactivity. TDG pulverized to a fine particle size or smaller is a promising approach for clinical applications with improved physicochemical and biological properties.

Improved Antioxidant, Antihypertensive, and Antidiabetic Activities and Tailored Emulsion Stability and Foaming Properties of Mixture of Corn Gluten and Soy Protein Hydrolysates Via Enzymatic Processing and Fractionation

ABSTRACTBioactive peptides and protein hydrolysates have gained considerable attention in the food industry and functional food markets due to their diverse health effects, including antioxidant, antihypertensive, and antidiabetic properties. This study aimed to produce combined soy and corn protein hydrolysates using Alcalase (Al), modification of Al‐hydrolysates through sequential hydrolysis using Flavourzyme (Al‐FL), cross‐linking of Al‐hydrolysates using microbial transglutaminase (MTGase) (Al‐TG), and fractionation of Al‐hydrolysates by ultrafiltration (UF) with molecular weight (MW) cut‐off of 100 (Al‐F4), 30 (Al‐F3), 10 (Al‐F2), and 2 kDa (Al‐F1). Notably, the &lt; 2 kDa fraction (Al‐F1) showcased exceptional biological activities, including antioxidant (81.54% DPPH, 98.02% ABTS), antihypertensive (95.45%), and antidiabetic effects (44.72% α‐glucosidase, 77.52% α‐amylase), linked to its high hydrophobic amino acid content and low molecular weights (111 and 263 Da). Conversely, the higher molecular weight fraction (Al‐TG) excelled in emulsion and foam stability, attributed to its balanced amino acid profile and larger peptides (1385–7057 Da). Our findings reveal that specific protein hydrolysate fractions, particularly Al‐F1 and Al‐TG, are promising for applications in food and pharmaceutical formulations due to their enhanced biological and functional properties.

RETRACTION: Tanshinone I attenuates the malignant biological properties of ovarian cancer by inducing apoptosis and autophagy via the inactivation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.

J. Zhou , Y.-y. Jiang , H. Chen , Y.-c. Wu , and L. Zhang , "Tanshinone I Attenuates the Malignant Biological Properties of Ovarian Cancer by Inducing Apoptosis and Autophagy via the Inactivation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR Pathway," Cell Proliferation 53, no. 2 (2020): e12739. https://doi.org/10.1111/cpr.12739. The above article, published online on 09 December 2019, in Wiley Online Library (wileyonlinelibrary.com), and has been retracted by agreement between the journal Deputy Editor, Yunfeng Lin; and John Wiley & Sons Ltd. A third party contacted the publisher to report that duplicated images had been detected in multiple different articles by different author groups, each of which described different experimental conditions. The image duplications are listed as follows: Images in Figure 1C were duplicated in Wang et al. 2019 (https://doi.org/10.2147/OTT.S221161), which was submitted and published prior to the publication of this article in Cell Proliferation. In addition, duplicate images from Figures 1C, 1D, 2C, 3B, 3D, 4C, 4D, and 5D were detected in many other articles by different author groups that had been published subsequent to this article. The authors responded to an inquiry by the publisher regarding these concerns and shared what were labeled as original images for Figures 1-6 but did not share the original images for the cell proliferation assays that had been used in Figure 1. The editors reviewed this evidence and found that it did not properly explain the duplications across different articles. The retraction has been agreed to because the duplications of images across different articles fundamentally compromises the conclusions and results presented in the article. The authors disagree with the retraction.

Turn-Adopting Peptidomimetic as a Formyl Peptide Receptor-1 Antagonist.

The design, synthesis, and characterization of a new peptidomimetic acting as a formyl peptide receptor (FPR1) antagonist (N-19004) are herein reported. The molecule has been identified with docking studies of the highly potent FPR1 antagonist UPARANT on human receptor. N-19004 recapitulates all pharmacophoric groups necessary for recognition into a minimal structure, with a crucial role of the 2,6-diamino-thiophenyl scaffold mimicking the positions of Cα atoms of Arg residues in the turned Arg-Aib-Arg segment of UPARANT. N-19004 demonstrated to interfere with the biological properties of FPR1 both in vitro and in vivo. In a mouse model of choroidal neovascularization, N-19004 markedly reduced the size of laser-induced choroidal lesions, with reabsorption of the edema regions by a systemic administration route.

Biofertilizers: A sustainable strategy for enhancing physical, chemical, and biological properties of soil

A biofertilizer is a biologically derived substance that can enhance soil fertility. It is beneficial for enhancing soil fertility by introducing microorganisms that produce organic nutrients and perhaps decreasing plant illnesses. An extensive review was done to examine the efficacy of several biofertilizers in improving soil properties, including their physical, chemical, and biological characteristics. The secondary data and material for the article were gathered from a variety of sources, including government reports, published research papers, reports from various organizations, and pertinent websites that were examined and their conclusions presented. Although biofertilizers have proven to be a very sustainable method for improving soil quality and increasing crop output, there is a lack of extensive research on their effects on soil’s physical, chemical, and biological aspects. This study aims to offer a comprehensive understanding of various biofertilizers and their effects. This investigation indicated that biofertilizers such as Nitrogen-fixing bacteria, phosphate solubilizers, and potassium solubilizers help to increase NPK content in the soil leading to an increase in the productivity of soil. Moreover, biofertilizers help to enhance soil physical properties (soil bulk density, soil moisture, soil temperature, and soil color), chemical properties (soil pH, soil nitrogen content, soil phosphorus content, soil potassium content, and soil organic carbon content), and chemical properties (population of bacteria, fungi, and actinomycetes). Overall, by overcoming the challenges with biofertilizers in agriculture, we can attain agricultural sustainability.

Cirurgia de remoção de terceiro molar inferior associado ao L-PRF – relato de caso

Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF) is an autologous process, which consists of removing a blood sample taken from the patient, where it is placed in a test tube, subsequently centrifuged, and deposited in the alveolus after the extraction of the third molar. This therapy is still in progress, often used more and more in third molar extractions, where it helps in bone and tissue regeneration. The objective of this work was to perform an extraction of the lower third molar (48) and insert the PRF in the alveolus after the extraction procedure. Blood collection and centrifugation, antisepsis of the patient and assembly of the surgical table were carried out, anesthesia of the Inferior Alveolar, Buccal and Ligual Nerve, intrasucular insertion, detachment, odontosection and osteotomy under continuous irrigation and elevation of the dental element, insertion of Rich Fibrin in Collagen and socket closure with Nyolon thread. Therefore, it is concluded that PRF is a process that is still in progress, however, it is a great alternative for regeneration of alveoli after third molar extractions, due to its unique biological properties.