Growth Medium Research Articles

Метафорические образы перемещения в жидкой среде в диалекте английского языка Scots

The paper attempts to study the semantics of verbs denoting movement in a liquid medium in the Scots dialect. The aim of the study is to determine the ways of figurative interpretation of the semantics of movement in a liquid medium in Scottish lexical metaphor. The scientific novelty lies in the fact that for the first time in the Scots dialect, the semantics of verbs of movement in a liquid medium have been studied and described as a basis for creating a system of metaphorical images. The results showed that such a class of verbs is small and poorly differentiated. In the original meaning of the verbal lexemes of this class, such semantic components as “medium”, “speed” and “sound” turned out to be important. These components of the semantics in dialectal verbs served as the basis for a figurative assimilation of processes and phenomena of various spheres of human activity. The metaphorical evaluation of verbs in which the main semantic component of the original (nominative) meaning is movement in a “liquid dirty medium” is most often negative. Movement in such a medium served as a source sphere for the figurative comprehension of a number of deviant social actions, deeds, and human behavior.

Hypoxia‑regulated exosomal miR‑185 inhibits esophageal squamous cell carcinoma progression and predicts prognosis.

Despite advances in treatment and diagnosis, the prognosis of patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains poor. MicroRNAs (miRNAs/miRs) are associated with prognosis in esophageal cancer, indicating that they may help guide treatment decisions. The aim of the present study was to explore exosomal miR-185 as a candidate prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target in ESCC, to investigate its biological function and clinical significance, and to ascertain the applicability of circulating exosomal miR-185 for the development of targeted drugs for ESCC treatment. A GeneChip miRNA array was used to compare exosomal miRNA expression in ESCC cell lines under hypoxia with those under normoxia. Exosomal miR-185 expression was then confirmed by reverse transcription-quantitative PCR. Patient background and prognosis were compared between high and low miR-185 expression groups. Functional analyses were performed to evaluate the antitumor effects of miR-185 in ESCC cells. Global Gene Set Enrichment Analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas data was also performed, and differentially expressed exosomal miRNAs under hypoxia were identified compared to those under normoxia. Hypoxia markedly decreased the expression of exosomal miR-185 in KYSE-960 and T.Tn cell culture media. Overexpression of miR-185 suppressed the migration, invasion and colony-forming abilities of ESCC lines, and also suppressed cell cycle progression and promoted apoptosis after cisplatin treatment. Notably, high miR-185 expression was associated with signaling pathways related to cell death, DNA damage and p53. Furthermore, circulating exosomal miR-185 levels were associated with cN and cStage, and could predict progression-free survival and disease-specific survival of patients with ESCC after initial treatment. In conclusion, miR-185 holds potential as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target in ESCC.

Extractive Mass Transfer of Zr(IV) into a Hydrophobic Ionic Liquid Medium Containing Diglycolamide Extractant: Solvent Extraction and Spectroscopic Analysis.

Solvent extraction of Zr(IV) in ionic liquid (IL) medium is less known and Zr(IV) - IL chemistry indeed needs exploration to realize the coordination approach of Zr(IV) in IL phase. In view of this, in the present work, a strongly hydrophobic imidazolium based IL: 1-methyl-3-octylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([C8mim][NTf2]) as the medium containing a diglycolamide (DGA) extractant: N,N,N',N'-tetra-n-octyldiglycolamide (TODGA) was opted to understand the extraction behavior of Zr(IV) from nitric acid medium. Different experimental parameters such as the concentration of initial nitric acid, initial feed metal concentration, equilibration time and ligand concentration were tuned to unravel the extraction efficiency of the proposed IL phase towards Zr(IV). The extraction scenario was completely dependent on the hydrophobicity of IL diluent and increasing extraction trend with an increase in feed acidity along with the coordination of two TODGA molecules ensured Zr(IV) - complex formation in a neutral solvation mechanistic pathway. The extraction trend of Zr(IV) was compared with molecular diluent (n-dodecane (n-DD)) containing TODGA and a phase modifier: N,N-dihexyloctanamide (DHOA). The coordination aspect of Zr(IV) with ligand in IL phase was ascertained spectroscopically to validate Zr(IV) loading in IL phase. Thermodynamics of Zr(IV) extraction revealed the nature of the extraction process and the complex formation.

An Efficient Propagation Approach to Forcing Softwood Shoots from Epicormic Buds and Subsequent Rooting of Paulownia elongata S. Y. Hu.

The current research describes the multiplication of Paulownia elongata S. Y. Hu, a timber plant, through the forcing of softwood shoots from epicormic buds under glasshouse conditions in spring and fall seasons. Different growth media were used to compare their effect on the forcing potential of epicormic buds. For this, 25-30-cm-long and 1.2-2-cm-diameter stem segments taken from the lower juvenile portion of a mother plant were placed horizontally in flat trays containing media, i.e., sterilized well-moistened sand, peat moss, perlite, and vermiculite individually. Furthermore, 4-6-cm-long forced softwood shoots were detached and treated with various concentrations of IBA (indole-3-butyric acid) and NAA (α-naphthyl acetic acid) either individually or in combinations for subsequent rooting. The response of shoot forcing was better in spring as compared to fall in terms of shoot length (cm), and number of shoots or leaves; however, an earlier bud break was observed during fall after 30 days of the initial experiment. The use of peat moss and vermiculite proved to be equally suitable for early bud break in both seasons, whereas in terms of shoot and leaf number as well as the shoot length (cm), the best outcome was observed in sand. Best rooting was observed at 3 gL-1 IBA + 3 gL-1 NAA in terms of root number per shoot, root length (cm), and days to root initiation while using sand as the growth medium after 50 days of the rooting experiment. The successfully established plantlets were further shifted to soil at Botanical Garden, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan, exhibiting an 87.5% survival rate. On the basis of the results obtained, it may be concluded that reasonable softwood shoot forcing in P. elongata may further be exploited for its mass scale nursery propagation as well as use in future in vitro studies.

Glyphosate resistance and biodegradation by Burkholderia cenocepacia CEIB S5-2.

Glyphosate is a broad spectrum and non-selective herbicide employed to control different weeds in agricultural and urban zones and to facilitate the harvest of various crops. Currently, glyphosate-based formulations are the most employed herbicides in agriculture worldwide. Extensive use of glyphosate has been related to environmental pollution events and adverse effects on non-target organisms, including humans. Reducing the presence of glyphosate in the environment and its potential adverse effects requires the development of remediation and treatment alternatives. Bioremediation with microorganisms has been proposed as a feasible alternative for treating glyphosate pollution. The present study reports the glyphosate resistance profile and degradation capacity of the bacterial strain Burkholderia cenocepacia CEIB S5-2, isolated from an agricultural field in Morelos-México. According to the agar plates and the liquid media inhibition assays, the bacterial strain can resist glyphosate exposure at high concentrations, 2000mg·L-1. In the degradation assays, the bacterial strain was capable of fast degrading glyphosate (50mg·L-1) and the primary degradation metabolite aminomethylphosphonic acid (AMPA) in just eight hours. The analysis of the genomic data of B. cenocepacia CEIB S5-2 revealed the presence of genes that encode enzymes implicated in glyphosate biodegradation through the two metabolic pathways reported, sarcosine and AMPA. This investigation provides novel information about the potential of species of the genus Burkholderia in the degradation of the herbicide glyphosate and its main degradation metabolite (AMPA). Furthermore, the analysis of genomic information allowed us to propose for the first time a metabolic route related to the degradation of glyphosate in this bacterial group. According to the findings of this study, B. cenocepacia CEIB S5-2 displays a great glyphosate biodegradation capability and has the potential to be implemented in glyphosate bioremediation approaches.

Sodium Metabisulfite Inhibits Acanthamoeba Trophozoite Growth through Thiamine Depletion.

Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) is a severe infection of the cornea. Prevention and treatment are difficult due to the inefficacy of currently available compounds. The impact of many commonly used compounds for routine examinations of Acanthamoeba is unexplored but might offer insight useful in combatting AK. In this study, we demonstrate that sodium metabisulfite, a common preservation constituent of eye care solutions, was found to be active against Acanthamoeba trophozoites at concentrations lower than that commonly found in eye drops (IC50 0.03 mg/mL). We demonstrate that sodium metabisulfite depletes thiamine from growth medium and that Acanthamoeba is a thiamine auxotroph, requiring thiamine salvage for growth. The inhibitory effects of sodium metabisulfite can be overcome by thiamine supplementation. These results are consistent with the lack of key enzymes for thiamine biosynthesis in the genome of Acanthamoeba, an area which might prove exploitable using new or existing compounds. Indeed, this study highlights sodium metabisulfite as a useful inhibitor of Acanthamoeba castellanii trophozoites in vitro and that it acts, at least in part, by limiting available thiamine.

Ethnomedicine, antibacterial activity, antioxidant potential and phytochemical screening of selected medicinal plants in Dibatie district, Metekel zone, western Ethiopia.

Medicinal plants play a major role in the delivery of healthcare, particularly among the rural population of Ethiopia. Plant extracts and their bioactive compounds have been utilized for the treatment of several diseases. This study was aimed at evaluating the antibacterial activity, antioxidant capacity, and phytochemical content of selected medicinal plants used in Dibatie district, western Ethiopia. Study plants were collected, shade dried, pulverized, extracted by maceration in 80% ethanol, and subjected to antibacterial, antioxidant, and phytochemical tests. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined using 96-well microplates and nutrient broth microdilution. Antioxidant activity was evaluated using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging assay. Phytochemical screening was conducted using standard test methods. The ethanolic extract of Polystachya steudneri Rchb.f. pseudobulbs was the most active against gram-negative Proteus mirabilis, Salmonella typhimurium, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Escherichia coli, and Shigella flexneri, with MIC values of 8 ± 0, 11 ± 5, 3 ± 1, 3 ± 1, and 2 ± 0mg/mL, respectively. The ethanolic extract of P. steudneri was also the most effective against gram-positive Staphylococcus aureus, Staphylococcus epidermidis, Streptococcus agalactiae, and Enterococcus faecalis, with MIC values of 8 ± 0, 8 ± 0, 3 ± 1, and 16 ± 0mg/mL, respectively. Ethanolic extracts of Gnidia involucrata Steud. ex A.Rich. stems and roots were effective antioxidants, with respective 50% DPPH free radical inhibitory concentrations (IC50) of 168.68 and 181.79µg/mL, followed by that of P. steudneri (IC50 = 203.11µg/mL). The study plants contained alkaloids, anthocyanins, anthraquinones, cardiac glycosides, coumarins, flavonoids, phenols, saponins, steroids, tannins, and terpenoids. This study confirmed the antibiotic, antioxidant, and phytochemical constituents of the investigated plants and suggested further investigations that may lead to bioactive lead compounds.

Modulation of Canine Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem/Medicinal Signalling Cells with Ascorbic Acid: Effect on Proliferation and Chondrogenic Differentiation on Standard Plastic and Silk Fibroin Surfaces.

Ascorbic acid (AA) plays a crucial role in both the proliferation and chondrogenic differentiation potential of mesenchymal stem/medicinal signalling cells (MSCs); these are both key aspects of their general therapeutic use and their increasing use in veterinary medicine. Current immunomodulatory therapies require efficient expansion of MSCs in the laboratory, while emerging tissue regeneration strategies, such as cartilage or bone repair, aim to use differentiated MSCs and modulate the expression of chondrogenic and hypertrophic markers. Our aim was to investigate whether the addition of AA to the growth medium enhances the proliferation of canine adipose-derived MSCs (cAMSCs) grown on standard plastic surfaces and whether it affects chondrogenic differentiation potential on silk fibroin (SF) films. We assessed cell viability with trypan blue and proliferation potential by calculating population doubling. Chondrogenic induction on SF films was assessed by Alcian blue staining and gene expression analysis of chondrogenic and hypertrophic genes. The results showed that growth medium with AA significantly enhanced the proliferation of cAMSCs without affecting cell viability and modulated the expression of chondrogenic and hypertrophic genes of cAMSCs grown on SF films. Our results suggest that AA may be used in growth medium for expansion of cAMSCs and, at the same time, provide the basis for future studies to investigate the role of AA and SF in chondrogenic differentiation of MSCs.

MYCOLOGICAL ANALYSIS OF CYSTIC CONTENT IN PATIENTS WITH POLYMICROCYSTIC CHANGES OF THE MAXILLARY SINUS MUCOSA

The prevalence of mycotic infections of the paranasal sinuses is constantly increasing worldwide. Pathogens can enter the sinuses through the respiratory tract that leads to the colonization of microorganisms in both the lungs and paranasal sinuses as part of the normal microflora. The presence of filamentous fungi in the maxillary sinus may result from endodontic treatment of molars directly adjacent to the sinus, increasing the risk of fungal foci development. Fungal paranasal sinusitis manifests in invasive or non-invasive forms. While mycological culture remains the traditional gold standard for mycosis diagnosis, its sensitivity is reportedly low. Paranasal sinus cysts comprise 4-8% of general ENT pathologies and approximately 4-16% of chronic paranasal sinus diseases, with a predominant presence in the maxillary sinus. Factors that contribute to the development of sinusitis and create favorable conditions for fungal spore adhesion and growth include impaired ventilation and transport function of the sinus mucosa, inadequate use of broad-spectrum antibacterial drugs and steroid therapy, as well as household factors. Recently, there has been an increase in the number of cases of multiple small cysts in maxillary sinuses. Clinical manifestations range from asymptomatic incidental findings to varying degrees of discomfort and/or pain localized in the maxillary sinus area. The aim of this study is to identify the involvement of a fungal agent and to develop a set of therapeutic and prophylactic measures for polymicrocystic changes in the mucous membrane of the maxillary sinuses. The study enrolled 37 patients aged 18 to 65 years. Atypical cystic content was collected and cultured in Sabouraud's nutrient broth and Amies transport medium at 35-37°C for 5-7 days, with final measurements on day 21. Treatment involved a 14-day regimen of itraconazole (100 mg once daily) alongside topical miramistin (0.01% solution, 2 ml) sinus injections. The findings obtained demonstrate the following: positive fungal growth was observed in 26 cases (70.3%), predominantly Penicillium (48.6%) and Aspergillus (21.6%). Absence of growth was noted in 11 cases (29.7%). Follow-up examinations in 6 months and in a year revealed no crusts in the nasal cavity, moderate mucous discharge in the sinuses, and no polymicrocystic changes. Conclusion. The analysis has demonstrated the involvement of fungal flora in the development and recurrence of cystic changes in the maxillary sinus mucosa, advocating for mycological examination alongside bacteriological analysis. Itraconazole for systemic therapy and miramistin for topical therapy demonstrate efficacy in treatment and recurrence prevention.

Simultaneous Removal of Setazol Navy Blue and Cr(VI) By Mixed Microbial Culture Isolated from the Çubuk Stream

Water samples taken from the Çubuk Stream (Ankara, Turkey) were inoculated into nutrient broth media containing Setazol Navy Blue SBG (SNB), an organic pollutant, and heavy metal Cr(VI), an inorganic pollutant, to obtain a pollutant-resistant mixed microbial culture. Experiments were conducted with this culture to remove SNB and heavy metal. The optimum conditions, where the mixed bacterial culture removed the pollutants most effectively, were determined, showing that the highest capacity for removal took place at pH 8 with removal percentages 96.3% for Cr(VI) and 78.5% for SNB. In media with 50.4 mg/L SNB and 9.7 mg/L Cr(VI), the SNB removal was 87.3%, and the Cr(VI) removal was 96.6% at the end of the 7-day incubation period. The highest removal was observed with a biomass concentration of 8% (v/v) of mixed culture [50 mg/L SNB dye+25 mg/L Cr(VI)]. The removal was 100% for both Cr(VI) and the SNB dye. The bacteria with the highest removal were isolated and identified using 16S rDNA gene sequence analysis as Microbacterium oxydans and Leucobacter aridicollis. The role of various functional groups and the structures of the microorganisms that might be involved in the removal mechanisms were discussed using their FTIR spectra. This report is the first study that investigates a mixed bacterial culture and pure cultures (M. oxydans and L. aridicollis) isolated from that mixed culture, removing both SNB and Cr(VI) simultaneously.

Automating data classification for label-free point-of-care biosensing in real complex samples

Surface-based affinity biosensors present a promising avenue for point-of-care (POC) pathogen detection in real-world samples. While laboratory-based devices commonly employ various techniques to mitigate noise, signal drifts, fluidic artifacts, and other system imperfections, their simple cost-effective POC counterparts designed for field use frequently lack such capabilities. This paper addresses this gap by introducing a procedure for automatically classifying pathogen presence in unprocessed liquids from direct detection data measured by a simple POC quartz crystal microbalance sensor device. The procedure integrates classical analytical tools such as filtering, data selection, baseline de-drifting, and result calculation in tailored successive steps, considering the nature of the sensor signal and the challenges posed by real-world media. We show that the developed procedure exhibits exceptional robustness across different biosensing assays and complex real-world media. Through optimizing parameters using diverse datasets encompassing Escherichia coli O157:H7 (E. coli) and SARS-CoV-2 detection in various media including food-derived matrices and cell culture media, we achieved rates of successful detection as high as 80.8 % and 90.9 % for E. coli and SARS-CoV-2, respectively, without extensive machine learning. Furthermore, we analyse the sensitivity of the procedure to variations of input parameters and with examples discuss key factors influencing overall procedure accuracy. Our results suggest that this exceptionally robust method holds potential as a straightforward tool for automating sample classification in point-of-care diagnostics, underpinning its promising broader applicability.

Получение и обработка акустических откликов волн Лэмба в датчиках водных растворов базовых вкусов

In this work, the total acoustic wave losses in 128°Y-LiNbO3 wafers during liquid application due to radiation emission of waves into the liquid medium, as well as its viscosity, conductivity, density and dielectric constant of the liquid analyte are measured. Solutions with 5 basic flavors, widely used for calibration and reference creation in liquid media testing, were selected as test liquids. The measurements were performed in the range of 30...60 MHz. After the measurements, the experimental data were presented in the form of polar histograms, from the comparison of areas and shapes of which the flavor of a particular liquid was determined. Then, a principal component analysis (PCA) method was applied to the same experimental results to describe linear elastic wave deformation processes based on experimental data containing known values of physical wave measurements for different types of liquid media, which was previously used to identify gases and predict the properties of various substances from the linear response of a normal acoustic-electronic wave. In this paper, a comparative analysis of the results obtained using polar histograms and the standard PCA classification method is performed. The advantages of the latter are demonstrated. The results of this study are useful both for the development of acoustic sensors without sensor layers and for the application of machine learning methods to data in other types of sensors.

Chitosan-copper microparticles as doxorubicin microcarriers for bone tumor therapy

Doxorubicin (DOX) is a chemotherapeutic drug used in osteosarcoma treatments, usually administrated in very high dosages. This study proposes novel DOX microcarriers based on chitosan (CHT) physically crosslinked with copper(II) ions that will act synergically to inhibit tumor growth at lower drug dosage without affecting the healthy cells. Spherical CHT-Cu microparticles with a smooth surface and an average size of 30.1 ± 9.1 µm were obtained by emulsion. The release of Cu2+ ions from the CHT-Cu microparticles showed that 99.4 % of added cupric ions were released in 72 h of incubation in a complete cell culture medium (CCM). DOX entrapment in microparticles was conducted in a phosphate buffer solution (pH 6), utilizing the pH sensitivity of the polymer. The successful drug-loading process was confirmed by DOX emitting red fluorescence from drug-loaded microcarriers (DOX@CHT-Cu). The drug release in CCM showed an initial burst release, followed by sustained release. Biological assays indicated mild toxicity of CHT-Cu microparticles on the MG-63 osteosarcoma cell line, without affecting the viability of human mesenchymal stem cells (hMSCs). The DOX@CHT-Cu microparticles at concentration of 0.5 mg mL‒1 showed selective toxicity toward MG-63 cells.

The potential of Serratia marcescens in Bioremediation of Crude-oil Polluted Soil

Bioremediation, which involves the use of microorganisms, is an environmentally friendly approach in restoring crude-oil polluted environments. The use of Serratia marcescens (SM) in bioremediation of crude-oil polluted soil was investigated in this study. Soil from a farm was inoculated in nutrient broth for bacterial enrichment. The broth culture was inoculated on nutrient agar and incubated at ambient temperatures (27 – 32 °C). Bacterial isolates with red colonies were selected and identified. Identified SM was used in preparing bacterial-mineral-salts suspension. The bioremediation experiment consisted of two setups: Control (CT) and setup treated with SM (TSM). Both setups contained crude-oil polluted soil. Mineral-salt solution and the bacterial-mineral-salt suspension were added to setup CT and TSM, respectively. Total hydrocarbon concentration (THC), total heterotrophic bacteria (THB), hydrocarbon utilizing bacteria (HUB), total fungi (TF), and hydrocarbon utilizing fungi (HUF) in the setups were determined at various times. About 38.3 % and 46.5 % THC reduction were achieved in setup CT and TSM, respectively. The percentage of THB that are HUB was higher in setup TSM on day 7 (8.8 %) and day 28 (4.4 %) but higher in setup CT on day 14 (1.7 %) and day 21 (6.6 %). The percentage of TF that are HUF was higher in setup TSM on day 14 (98.0 %) and on day 28 (41.6 %) but higher in setup CT on day 21 (85.3 %). It is concluded that SM has a potential for use in bioremediation of crude-oil polluted soil

CORTICOSTEROID-INDUCED EXPRESSION OF MICROBIAL VIRULENCE CAN ENHANCE THE DEVELOPMENT OF HOST INFECTIOUS DISEASE

Corticosteroids regulate a number of physiological processes and are synthetic analogs of the natural steroid hormones produced by the adrenal cortex. As drugs, corticosteroids are non-inflammatory and are used for the treatment of plethora of conditions which include arthritis, kidney, skin, lungs or thyroid disorders, for the treatment and relief of symptoms of allergies and symptoms of some gastrointestinal disorders. In addition, glucocorticoids can regulate the effects of inflammatory disorders, including sepsis, autoimmune diseases, and allergies. These conditions are potentially fatal. Consequently, this drug class is among the most commonly prescribed globally. One representative of corticosteroid class of drugs is dexamethasone which is used to treat allergies, adrenal problems, arthritis, asthma, diseases of blood or bone marrow, inflammation, kidney diseases, different types of skin conditions, and episodes of multiple sclerosis. Virulence factors help bacteria colonize the host at the level of the cell. In their nature, these factors are secretory, associated with the membrane or present in the cytosol. Secretory factors allow bacterium to circumvent the host immune response, while membrane factors aid bacterium in adhesion to the host cell. Finally, cytosol factors help bacteria adapt metabolically, physiologically, and morphologically to their changing environment. One such factor is aspartyl proteinase, a protein that degrades other proteins and is a virulence factor in many pathogens playing a role in the host invasion process. Another important virulence factor is the ability to form biofilms, which can render bacteria resistant to antimicrobials. Despite the widespread use of corticosteroids, including dexamethasone, little is known about their possible influence on the expression of virulence factors such as aspartyl proteinase. If such a connection is to exist the use of corticosteroids could elicit pathogenesis in certain microbes. In the here-presented study we wanted to investigate the effects of dexamethasone on the growth, expression of aspartyl proteinase and biofilm formation in three E. coli strains that were previously isolated from patients suffering from urinary tract infection. To this aim, we amended the growth media with 0.5 mg/mL dexamethasone. Bacterial growth was measured over the period of 24 hours and the effect of dexamethasone was established at different time points. Administration of 0.5 mg/mL glucocorticoid drug dexamethasone did not significantly affect bacterial growth. However, it resulted in an increase in concentration of secreted E. coli virulence factor aspartyl proteinase, which increased up to 2.6-fold for some E. coli strains. In addition, we noted the increased biofilm formation in to three out of four studied strains. This study indicates dexamethasone as a possible trigger molecule for the expression of virulence factor aspartyl proteinase in E. coli.

Myco-generated and analysis of magnetite (Fe3O4) nanoparticles using Aspergillus elegans extract: A comparative evaluation with a traditional chemical approach

In the past few years, nanotechnology has emerged as one of the most interesting and cutting-edge research areas across all disciplines. Nanotechnology allows progress in all science fields to make novel materials and industry-different devices. Generally, nanoparticle synthesis methods are chemical, physical, and biological. The chemical and physical techniques use potentially harmful compounds, and the expense of these processes renders them unsuitable for nanoparticle synthesis. In light of this, it needs development strategies that are sustainable, economical, and eco-friendly viable. Through, biosynthesis, nanoparticles can overcome these disadvantages. One of the biological strategies is the myco-synthesis method, which connects the fields of mycology and nanotechnology. In this study, magnetite (Fe3O4) NPs have been synthesized using a myco-synthesis method by selecting Aspergillus elegans as a fungal species. Two extracts were used, growth medium and an aqueous extract. A comparative analysis between nanoparticles synthesized through myco-synthesis and those produced using conventional chemical methods has been conducted to substantiate the significance of the biological approach. The results of this study unequivocally establish that myco-synthesized nanoparticles exhibit superior and enhanced characteristics compared to those synthesized through chemical means, as ascertained through a comprehensive array of characterization techniques employed throughout the investigation. This contrast is observable in terms of the aggregation state, the existence of capping and stabilizing agents enveloping the nanoparticles, their magnetic and thermal attributes, and the enduring stability of these nanoparticles. These results highlight the significant promise of employing phytochemicals extracted from Aspergillus elegans as a highly suitable option for the biofabrication of Fe3O4 nanoparticles.

Unlocking New Avenues: Solid-State Synthesis of Molecularly Imprinted Polymers.

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) are established artificial molecular recognition platforms with tailored selectivity towards a target molecule, whose synthesis and functionality are highly influenced by the nature of the solvent employed in their synthesis. Steps towards the "greenification" of molecular imprinting technology (MIT) has already been initiated by the elaboration of green MIT principles; developing MIPs in a solvent-free environment may not only offer an eco-friendly alternative, but could also significantly influence the affinity and expected selectivity of the resulting binding sites. In the current study the first solvent-free mechanochemical synthesis of MIPs via liquid-assisted grinding (LAG) is reported. The successful synthesis of the imprinted polymer was functionally demonstrated by measuring its template rebinding capacity and the selectivity of the molecular recognition process in comparison with the ones obtained by the conventional, non-covalent molecular imprinting process in liquid media. The results demonstrated similar binding capacities towards the template molecule and superior chemoselectivity compared to the solution-based MIP synthesis method. The adoption of green chemistry principles with all their inherent advantages in the synthesis of MIPs may not only be able to alleviate the potential environmental and health concerns associated with their analytical (e.g., selective adsorbents) and biomedical (e.g., drug carriers or reservoirs) applications, but might also offer a conceptual change in molecular imprinting technology.

Rapid Detection of Isoniazid Resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis Isolates by Multiplex Allelic Specific PCR

Mycobacterium tuberculosis is a type of bacteria causing infectious desease called tuberculosis. According to the Makassar City Health Office, total tuberculosis (TB) patients in 2019 were 5,412 with 83% cure rate. The number of TB cases had dropped to 3,250 in 2020 with 85% cure rate before it increased again to 3,911 in 2021. This study aimed at identifying Mycobacterium TB resistance to INH (isonicotinyl hydrazide) specifically in probable tuberculosis case in Makassar. Patients with suspected tuberculosis who have not taken medication were selected as study subject. They were examined through several stages including sample decontamination, microscopic examination (ZN Method), isolation on LJ media, culture on liquid medium MGIT (Mycobacteria Growth Indicator Tube), test on.DST (Drug Susceptible Test) MGIT, and DNA extraction using specific multiple allelic (MAS) techniques. According to the results of the culture, every sample (100%) was positive. With the use of the MGIT approach, we followed up on the encouraging culture results. In this instance, we used two MGIT tubes for each sample, one for the isoniazid antibiotic control and one for the subsequent sample. From the third day following vaccination through the twelfth, observations were made. On the third day, if the control tube is positive, then the second tube is observed until the fifth day (observation of the tube containing antibiotics is carried out two days after the control tube is positive. We also use isolates from positive culture results for Multiplex Allelic Specific PCR (MAS-PCR) ).

A new methodology for a rapid and high-throughput comparison of molecular profiles and biological activity of phytoextracts.

To robustly discover and explore phytocompounds, it is necessary to evaluate the interrelationships between the plant species, plant tissue, and the extraction process on the extract composition and to predict its cytotoxicity. The present work evaluated how Fourier Transform InfraRed spectroscopy can acquire the molecular profile of aqueous and ethanol-based extracts obtained from leaves, seeds, and flowers of Cynara Cardunculus, and ethanol-based extracts from Matricaria chamomilla flowers, as well the impact of these extracts on the viability of mammalian cells. The extract molecular profile enabled to predict the extraction yield, and how the plant species, plant tissue, and extraction process affected the extract's relative composition. The molecular profile obtained from the culture media of cells exposed to extracts enabled to capture its impact on cells metabolism, at a higher sensitivity than the conventional assay used to determine the cell viability. Furthermore, it was possible to detect specific impacts on the cell's metabolism according to plant species, plant tissue, and extraction process. Since spectra were acquired on small volumes of samples (25 µL), after a simple dehydration step, and based on a plate with 96 wells, the method can be applied in a rapid, simple, high-throughput, and economic mode, consequently promoting the discovery of phytocompounds.

Nardosinone relieves metabolic-associated fatty liver disease and promotes energy metabolism through targeting CYP2D6

BackgroundNardosinone, a major extract of Rhizoma nardostachyos, plays a vital role in sedation, neural stem cell proliferation, and protection of the heart muscle. However, the huge potential of nardosinone in regulating lipid metabolism and gut microbiota has not been reported, and its potential mechanism has not been studied. PurposeTo explore the regulation of nardosinone on liver lipid metabolism and gut microbiota. MethodsIn this study, the role of nardosinone in lipid metabolism was investigated in vitro and in vivo by adding it to mouse feed and HepG2 cell culture medium. And 16S rRNA gene sequencing was used to explore its regulatory effect on gut microbiota. ResultsResults showed that nardosinone could improve HFD-induced liver injury and abnormal lipid metabolism by promoting mitochondrial energy metabolism in hepatocytes, alleviating oxidative stress damage, and regulating the composition of the gut microbiota. Mechanistically, combined with network pharmacology and reverse docking analysis, it was predicted that CYP2D6 was the target of nardosinone, and the binding was verified by cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA). ConclusionsThis study highlights a novel mechanism function of nardosinone in regulating lipid metabolism and gut microbiota. It also predicts and validates CYP2D6 as a previously unknown regulatory target, which provides new possibilities for the application of nardosinone and the treatment of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease.