Mass Spectrometry Analysis of Exhaled Breath Metabolites in Patients With Pseudomonas aeruginosa Infection/Colonization After Artificial Airway Surgery.

Lectin pull-down assay utilizing biotin-labeled sugar chain-immobilized gold nanoparticles and streptavidin-functionalized magnetic beads.

Carbohydrates: How structural features influence digestion-fermentation kinetic parameters.

Emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases, including viral hemorrhagic fevers, pose a major global health threat due to their potential for widespread outbreaks. Currently, treatment options for such diseases are limited and often ineffective against newly emerging viruses. Here, we demonstrate that Griffithsin (GRFT), a naturally derived lectin from red algae, inhibits the entry of multiple hemorrhagic fever viruses into host cells. By blocking key processes of the viral entry mediated by envelope glycoproteins, lectins such as GRFT can exhibit broad antiviral activity that could potentially overcome the limitations of existing treatments against emerging viruses. Our findings emphasize that targeting sugar chains and adjacent structures on viral glycoproteins with GRFT could provide a therapeutic strategy against diverse viral species. Such an approach is particularly valuable for newly emerging viruses for which specific countermeasures have not yet been established.

The strawberry consists of two main parts: the dry achenes (the true fruit) and an enlarged receptacle (the fleshy part). These parts exhibit high metabolic synchrony during the development and ripening stages. Due to the low rates of ethylene production and respiration during ripening, strawberries are currently classified as non-climacteric fruits. However, studies suggest that ethylene, along with its interactions with other plant growth regulators like abscisic acid and auxin influences the ripening process in strawberries. Auxins are crucial for the initial development of fruits, promoting cell expansion and modulating non-climacteric ripening. Recent research indicates that cytokinins and gibberellins might play a role in enhancing fruit development and ripening by promoting cell expansion. Additionally, the literature suggests that increased sugar concentration, accompanied by cell wall degradation and changes in pulp osmotic pressure, is linked to hormonal crosstalk between growth promoters, abscisic acid and ethylene. Although traditionally classified as non-climacteric, recent evidence may suggest that strawberries operate under a model similar to 'suppressed climacteric'. In this system, ethylene does not act as the primary trigger, but rather as an essential modulator of late ripening. Thus, strawberry ripening reflects a sophisticated hormonal interaction essential to the strawberry ripening cascade.

Αlpha-Glucosidase Inhibitors (AGIs) are a class of oral antidiabetic agents that effectively control postprandial hyperglycemia by delaying carbohydrate digestion and absorption in the small intestine through the inhibition of the α-glucosidase enzyme, representing a therapeutic strategy to manage postprandial hyperglycemia in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). Although synthetic AGIs such as acarbose are clinically effective, their use is often limited by gastrointestinal side effects. A systematic literature search was performed across PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar for studies published between 2000 and 2025. Keywords included "α-glucosidase inhibitors," "natural compounds," "flavonoids," "tannins," "xanthones," "coumarins," "sugar mimics," and "marine-derived compounds." Peer-reviewed original research and review articles in English were included, while conference abstracts, unpublished data, and non-peer-reviewed literature were excluded. Natural AGIs, including flavonoids, xanthones, tannins, coumarins, sugar mimics, and marine bromophenols, provide structurally diverse scaffolds with significant α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. These compounds exhibit competitive, non-competitive, or mixed-type inhibition depending on their structure and experimental conditions. Despite promising in vitro results, most natural AGIs face challenges such as poor bioavailability, metabolic instability, and limited clinical validation. Natural AGIs derived from diverse natural compounds demonstrate promising potential for managing postprandial hyperglycemia in T2DM, although their clinical application remains limited due to challenges related to bioavailability and insufficient clinical validation. Natural α-glucosidase inhibitors represent a potentially safer alternative to synthetic drugs for postprandial hyperglycemia management. Comprehensive in vivo pharmacokinetic and toxicity studies, along with mechanistic investigations and clinical trials, are necessary to evaluate their therapeutic potential in T2DM.

Plants have evolved diverse chemical strategies to defend against herbivores and pathogens, yet the mechanisms underlying their origin and diversification remain unclear. Here, we identify a sugar chain-dependent triterpenoid saponin defense system in Hedera helix that exemplifies adaptive innovation in plant chemical defenses. Three glycosyltransferases sequentially assemble a glucose-glucose-rhamnose chain at the C-28 position of α-hederin to form the detoxified precursor hederacoside C. Upon tissue disruption, the β-glucosidase HhGH1 hydrolyzes the entire sugar chain, regenerating α-hederin, a potent hemolytic saponin. Reconstitution of this system in Nicotiana benthamiana conferred strong herbivore resistance, demonstrating its ecological functionality and portability. Intriguingly, comparative genomics and biochemical analysis revealed that β-glucosidases across Apiales diversified in response to triterpenoid glycosylation, illustrating how substrate-driven enzyme evolution and metabolic innovation together generate new adaptive defense strategies in plants.

Optimization of a novel fermented kefir beverage fortified with Opuntia, Roselle, Chamomile, Marjoram, Honey and plant sugar using mixture and Box-Behnken design.

The repertoire of disease-associated, formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples collected and archived over decades is vast. When combined with frequently available and detailed clinical information on patients, disease progression, and outcomes, these samples represent aunique resource for investigating disease mechanisms at the molecular level. However, due to the specific sample preparation process, which involves chemical modifications of the tissue, the direct use of FFPE material in many analytical procedures has been limited.This review article reports on advances in analytical methods from the fields of proteomics and glycomics for the use of FFPE samples. Aparticular focus is placed on the analytical approach we developed for glycan headgroups of glycosphingolipids. Glycosphingolipids are components of the outer plasma membrane whose sugar chains extend into the extracellular space and are highly diverse and complexly regulated. Their glycosylation reflects the cellular state and mirrors pathological changes.The analytical characterization of glycosphingolipid glycans is challenging and has not yet been part of routine diagnostics. In this article, we describe asample preparation strategy for FFPE tissue that preserves the characteristic glycosphingolipid repertoire and enables analysis by capillary gel electrophoresis coupled to laser-induced fluorescence detection (CGE-LIF). Using this approach, we identified anovel glycosphingolipid-based biomarker for bladder cancer in patient urine, which is also enriched in corresponding tumor FFPE samples.The goal of this article is to demonstrate the potential of FFPE and autopsy samples for systematic molecular analyses. This methodological combination opens access to extensive FFPE archives and enables the study of glycosphingolipid glycosylation in various tissues and diseases, facilitating the identification of new biomarkers and providing deeper insights into disease mechanisms.

Structural validation and immunogenic characterization of Streptococcus pneumoniae serotype 22A capsular polysaccharide relative to serotype 22F.

Wheat-spike-shaped arabinans from Lycium barbarum by alkaline scission-Cascade refinement and its dual-immunomodulatory activity.

Artificial liposomes tend to aggregate in the presenceof certainchemicals, such as divalent cations. In contrast, membrane vesiclesderived from biological membranes, such as the inner and outer membranevesicles of the diderm Gram-negative bacterium Escherichiacoli (E. coli),are highly resistant to these chemicals. We hypothesized that a protectivefactor, referred to as Biomembrane-Protecting Factor (BPF) based onits function, was present in biomembranes. In this study, we purifiedthe factor from both the inner and outer membranes of E. coli and revealed that BPF is identical withthe glycolipid known to drive membrane protein integration (MPIase;Membrane Protein Integrase). Immunoelectron microscopy analysis revealedthat BPF (MPIase) is asymmetrically distributed across the membranes,i.e., predominantly localizing on the periplasmic leaflet of bothmembranes, with a smaller amount also detected on the cytoplasmicside of the inner membrane. Using chemically synthesized BPF (MPIase)derivatives, we demonstrated that the length of the sugar chain andthe pyrophosphate linker are important for membrane protection, whilethe 6-O-acetyl substitution on GlcNAc, which enhancesthe membrane protein integration activity of MPIase, negatively affectedBPF activity. Since BPF’s ability to protect membranes fromchemical-induced aggregation is comparable to that of polyethyleneglycol (PEG)-modified lipids, BPF is expected to be adopted in drugdelivery systems and nucleic acid vaccines.

The aim of this study is to explore how porcine epidemic diarrhea virus (PEDV) infection induces reprogramming of glucose metabolism in host cells and its impact on viral replication. We designed a control group and an infection group [infection of porcine intestinal epithelial cells (IPEC-J2) with PEDV]. First, we determined the infection time and dose of the virus by observing the PEDV titer and the expression of the N protein. Then, through proteomic comparative analysis, we studied the enriched differentially expressed proteins, key proteins, and key metabolic pathways in PEDV-infected cells. RT-qPCR and Western blotting were employed to verify the protein or gene expression of key enzymes in the glycolysis and tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle pathways in PEDV-infected cells. Finally, we clarified the impact of PEDV-induced glycolytic changes on viral replication by measuring the content of glucose, ATP, and lactic acid, as well as the expression of glucose transporters (SGLT-1 and GLUT-2) and PEDV N protein in cells. The results indicated that the optimal infection time of PEDV in IPEC-J2 was 48 h and the optimal multiplicity of infection was 1. Proteomics results showed that 342 differentially expressed proteins were screened out and mainly enriched in pathways such as glycolysis, digestion and absorption of carbohydrates, and lipid metabolism. PEDV infection upregulated the protein levels of key glycolysis enzymes HKII (P<0.05), LDHA, and PKM (P<0.01) in IPEC-J2 and the gene transcription level of PFK (P<0.01), while downregulating the gene transcription levels of key enzymes CS, OGDH, and IDH in the TCA cycle pathway (P<0.01). In addition, PEDV infection increased intracellular lactate content (P<0.01), decreased the ATP content (P<0.01), upregulated the expression levels of SGLT-1 and GLUT-2 (P<0.05, P<0.01). Pre-treatment of IPEC-J2 with the glycolysis inhibitor 2-deoxy- d-glucose (2-DG) reduced the intracellular expression of PEDV N protein (P<0.05). In conclusion, PEDV infection can induce reprogramming of glucose metabolism in host cells and enhance the replication of the virus. This is manifested as the activation of the glycolysis pathway and the obstruction of the TCA cycle and oxidative phosphorylation. PEDV promotes glucose uptake and up-regulate the expression of key enzymes in the glycolysis pathway to induce reprogramming of glucose metabolism, thus promote its efficient replication in host cells. This study confirms that PEDV infection can induce reprogramming of host cell glucose metabolism and promote viral replication by activating aerobic glycolysis, providing new insights and approaches for the targeted treatment and prevention of PEDV infection.

Sugars serve both as nutritional sources and signaling entities in plant root systems, engaging in crosstalk with phytohormones to modulate root morphogenesis and growth. Previous investigations demonstrated that heterologous expression of the Mirabilis jalapa mannanase gene (MirMAN) in Arabidopsis thaliana significantly promotes root development. Nevertheless, the mechanistic basis and associated signaling networks underpinning this phenomenon remain poorly elucidated. In this study, we found that MirMAN-mediated mannose could significantly promote plant root development, participate in root morphogenesis by promoting lateral root emergence and root elongation. Moreover, MirMAN-mediated mannose could increase the content of endogenous auxin, elevated the expression of auxin transport genes (AtLAX3/AtPIN2) and the response factor (AtARF7/19), lateral root development-related genes (AtLBD16/29), cell cycle-related gene (AtGATA23), sugar signaling-related genes (AtSnRK1) to promote lateral root development. Furthermore, the expression of AtMYB41 was significantly increased by MirMAN-mediated mannose. We further found that MYB41 directly bound to the promoter of AtDWF4 (a BR biosynthetic gene) and positively regulate the transcription of AtDWF4. Consistent with these findings, the myb41 mutants exhibited fewer lateral roots, reduced AtDWF4 expression, and lower BR content. Collectively, These results provide new perspectives for understanding the mechanisms of endogenous plant sugar signaling, and provide new ideas for exploiting the plastic developmental capacity of plant roots.

The occurrence and concentration of potentially toxic elements (PTE) in fertilizers are a concern in tropical regions, and soil properties affect their bioavailability for crops. Cadmium is the most easily bioavailable for plants and so the food chain, and it represents a stepping-stone toward safe food production. So, this study aimed to evaluate the ionomics, metabolism, and growth of potato, tobacco, and rice in response to liming and to monoammonium phosphates (MAP) from different geographic origins and PTE contents (MAP 1, MAP 2, MAP 3). For this, independent experiments were conducted with each crop using MAP fertilizers as a phosphorus source applied to a Red-Yellow Latosol, with and without liming. Our findings indicated that physiological changes were primarily influenced by liming rather than PTE. Most acidic soils negatively impacted plant growth and sugar content and induced metabolic adjustments related to proline. The higher level of Cd in MAP 3 reduced manganese and zinc and increased sugar in plant shoots. Rice also had a lower Cd bioaccumulation than potato and tobacco, followed by a higher tolerance to acidic soil. The concentrations of As, Cd, and Cr present in fertilizers did not impair the growth and life cycle of the evaluated plants; however, metabolic adjustments were observed.

This study investigated whether these contrasting environments are associated with the development of coherent, organism-wide phenotypic-physiological syndromes reflecting a fundamental life-history trade-off. A controlled 60-day trial was conducted comparing crayfish from a high-input pond system (fed to satiation) and a low-input rice paddy system (primarily natural diet). Pond crayfish were fed a commercial formulated feed twice daily to satiation (approximately 3% of biomass per day). Rice paddy crayfish primarily consumed natural food webs and received a once-daily supplement of 30% of the pond feed amount (approximately 0.9% of biomass per day). Results revealed two distinct syndromes. Pond-cultured crayfish exhibited a growth-oriented syndrome: they were 33% heavier with a compact, volumetrically enhanced body shape, coupled with elevated lipid-anabolic enzyme activities (lipase and ACC), higher hemolymph protein and cholesterol concentrations, but also significantly increased levels of a stress-related endocrine factor (cortisol-like immunoreactivity) and oxidative damage (MDA). Conversely, rice paddy-cultured crayfish displayed a stress-resistance-oriented syndrome: a streamlined, deeper-abdomen morphology, fortified antioxidant (SOD, CAT, and GST) and immune (lysozyme and phenoloxidase) capacities, enhanced carbohydrate digestion (amylase), and lower systemic stress. Transcriptomic analysis showed that the hepatopancreas of paddy-cultured crayfish was enriched in pathways related to lipid metabolism, detoxification, and endocrine regulation, notably with upregulation of the SULT1E1 gene. Our findings demonstrate that the distinct environmental and nutritional conditions of each aquaculture system are linked to specific multi-level adaptation syndromes, presenting a clear trade-off between rapid biomass production and systemic stress resistance (within the 60-day trial period), providing a mechanistic basis for optimizing sustainable practices: integrated systems enhance stock robustness, while intensive systems require strategies to mitigate physiological load.

In recent decades, the spectrum of pathogens has shifted, with an increasing proportion of opportunistic and rare fungi involved in the development of skin infections in animals. The aim of this study was to investigate the biological properties of rare opportunistic mold fungi isolated from the skin of farm animals in Kazakhstan. 760 biomaterial samples collected from cattle, sheep, and horses in six regions of Northern and Central Kazakhstan were analyzed. Mycological analysis yielded 281 fungal isolates, including rare representatives of the genera Chaetomium, Trichoderma, and Trichothecium. Isolates were identified using culture-morphological and molecular genetic methods. The enzymatic (proteolytic, urease, saccharolytic), keratinophilic, and keratinolytic activities of the strains were studied. It was established that the rare isolates possess pronounced enzymatic potential associated with pathogenic factors. Chaetomium globosum exhibited high keratinophilic and keratinolytic activity. Trichoderma citrinoviride exhibited high carbohydrate digestion activity and moderate keratinolytic activity. Trichothecium roseum exhibited high overall enzymatic activity and the ability to actively destroy hair.

Boronic acid affinity media conjugating with PEG enable precise pH-responsive HPLC separation of glycoproteins depending on differences of sugar chains.

Glycation at the Crossroads of Disease Pathogenesis: Mechanistic Insights and Therapeutic Frontiers.

Combined effects of triclosan and nanoplastics on reproduction performance, population dynamics, and transcriptome regulation of rotifer (Brachionus plicatilis).