Normal pH Research Articles

Comparative Study of pH-Responsive and Aggregation Stability of Bosutinib-Loaded Nanogels Comprising Gelatin Methacryloyl, Carboxymethyl Dextran, and Hyaluronic Acid for Controlled Drug Delivery in Colorectal Cancer: An Extensive In Vitro Investigation.

This study investigates the use of pH-responsive nanogels for delivering Bosutinib (BOSU) in colon cancer treatment. Nanogels were formulated using three polymers: hyaluronic acid (HA), carboxymethyl dextran (CMD), and gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA). These nanogels achieved high drug entrapment efficiencies (80-90%) through polymer mixing with BOSU, followed by EDC/NHS cross-linking and sonication. The nanogels were stable, with negative zeta potentials (-20 to -30 mV) and particle sizes between 100 and 200 nm. Fourier-transform infrared analysis confirmed successful methacrylation in GelMA nanogels. Sustained BOSU release at pH 5.0 was observed, resembling tumor environments, compared to slower release at normal pH (7.4). Cytotoxicity tests showed 70-80% cell survival reduction in HCT116 colon cancer cells at higher doses, and GelMA-BOSU nanogels notably reduced cell migration. Antiangiogenic effects were confirmed in a chick chorioallantoic membrane model, highlighting the potential of these nanogels for targeted BOSU delivery in colon cancer therapy.

PREBIOTIC EFFICACY OF DEFATTED FENUGREEK SEED FLAKES (FENUFLAKESTM): A SHORT-TERM COLONIC SIMULATION STUDY

Objective: To investigate the prebiotic effects of defatted fenugreek seed flakes (Fenuflakes™) using a 48-hour colonic simulation model. Methods: Fecal samples from three healthy adult human donors were exposed to treatment conditions of blank (medium control), Fenuflakes, or inulin (fiber control). The effects on microbial fermentation (pH and gas production), metabolite production [Short Chain Fatty Acid (SCFAs), Branched-Chain Fatty Acid (BCFA), ammonium and lactate production], and microbial community composition were evaluated at 0, 6, 24, and 48 h. Results: In comparison to inulin, Fenuflakes demonstrated a significant reduction in gas production. Both inulin and Fenuflakes significantly increased beneficial SCFAs, but no significant change was observed in BCFA. Ammonium production increased upon Fenuflakes treatment due to a residual protein fraction reaching the colon, in contrast to inulin, which is in a protein-depleted state. The lactate levels significantly increased for Fenuflakes and inulin. The presence of Fenuflakes and inulin resulted in favorable fermentation by the colonic gut microbiota, indicating an increase in species enrichment and alpha diversity in the microbial community composition. Conclusion: Fenuflakes exhibit prebiotic potential by increasing SCFA and promoting the enrichment of several beneficial colonic bacteria while maintaining normal colonic pH and producing less gas than inulin.

Assessment of clinical and laboratory parameters of oral сavity in patients with orthodontic systems

equipment (braces) on the biochemical parameters of oral fluid. Materials and methods. The study involved patients aged 18 to 22 years who are undergoing orthodontic treatment with a bracket system. Thegroup of examined persons was 25 people. The control group included 15 practically healthy people without braces. All patients underwent dental status assessment (Green – Vermillion hygiene index – simplified IG-Y; PMA inflammation index), laboratory examination of oral fluid before and after controlled oral hygiene. The biochemical analysis included determination of the acid-base balance in the oral fluid using a pH meter, assessment of free radical oxidation by chemiluminogram parameters by biochemiluminescence and by levels of molecular products of lipid peroxidation (diene and triene conjugates, Schiff bases), activity of the enzyme alkaline phosphatase, concentrations of total protein and lactate. Results and discussions. In patients undergoing orthodontic treatment with a bracket system, an insufficient level of oral hygiene and inflammatory manifestations in the gums of moderate severity were revealed. The level of the acid-base balance of the oral fluid before controlled hygiene was equal to 6.8±0.19, that is, below the range of normal pH values in the oral cavity. After hygiene, the pH of the oral fluid returned to the norm of 7.1±0.2. In patients with braces, activation of free radical oxidation and an increase in lipoperoxidation parameters – triene conjugates and Schiff bases, increased activity of alkaline phosphatase, total protein and lactate levels took place.Cоnclusion. After hygienic treatment of the oral cavity, the biochemical parameters did not differ statistically significantly from the control data.

A New Approach to Differentiate the Causes of Excessive Cadmium in Rice: Soil Cadmium Extractability or Rice Variety

In order to effectively decrease cadmium (Cd) in rice grains in contaminated paddy soil and maintain the safe production of rice, identifying excessive Cd in rice caused by rice varieties or soil Cd is critical, but it is currently lacking. In the present study, the soil ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA)-extractable Cd (EDTA-Cd) and the bioaccumulation factors of rice based on EDTA-Cd (BCFEDTA-Cd) were used to develop an approach to identify excessive Cd in rice caused by rice varieties or soil Cd. Based on an empirical soil–plant transfer model and species sensitivity distribution (SSD), BCFEDTA-Cd and EDTA-Cd were divided into five grades. The results showed that the five grades of the EDTA-Cd (minimum value less than 0.11 mg/kg and maximum value greater than 2.93 mg/kg) and BCFEDTA-Cd (minimum value less than 0.09 and maximum value greater than 1.40) were classified in the normal soil pH range. Further, the conversion equation between EDTA-Cd and diethylene triamine pentaacetic acid (DTPA)-Cd was obtained through linear regression analysis using 67 sets of soil data from the literature. In addition, the four selected rounding thresholds for the percentage of EDTA-Cd to total soil Cd (EDTA-Cd) (%) were 52.5, 67.5, 82.5, and 97.5%. A selected soil EDTA-Cd (%) (about 75%) can be used to identify the status of soil bioavailability, especially in soil with high background Cd. Finally, a set of 1084 pairs of rice and soil data for Cd-contaminated soils was used to investigate the respective contributions of rice varieties and soil Cd when Cd in rice exceeds the limit (0.2 mg/kg). Based on field experiment data, a systematic identification approach for the causes of rice Cd exceeding the limit, soil Cd or rice variety, was established and applied. In conclusion, under Cd exposure conditions, the importance of the causes of Cd in soil and rice varieties can be identified, and their contributions can be distinguished, thus helping to identify the causes of Cd contamination in rice.

Hydrogel-Embedded Polydimethylsiloxane Contact Lens for Ocular Drug Delivery.

Topical administration is the commonly preferred method of administering ophthalmic formulations, with the majority of available medications in the form of eye drops or ointments. However, the topical application of ophthalmological medications has less bioavailability and a short residence time because of the physiological and anatomical constraints of the eye, making efficient ophthalmic drug delivery a challenging task. Microfluidic contact lenses have the advantage of delivering drugs into the eye in a controlled and on-demand manner. Here, we showcase the use of hydrogel-embedded microcavities on PDMS-based contact lenses for ocular drug delivery applications. The fabrication technique adopted here is the spontaneous formation of the spherical cavity by hydrogel monomer droplet, followed by the simultaneous thermal curing of hydrogel and PDMS, creating a spherical cavity as small as 150 μm. The spherical cavity is embedded with pH-responsive hydrogel for on-demand drug delivery. The drug loaded in the hydrogel matrix is released into the ocular environment by diffusion. The spherical cavity with a narrow opening restricts the diffusion to a minimum under normal ocular pH conditions(pH > 6). When the ocular pH reduces (pH < 6), the pH-responsive hydrogel inside the spherical cavity deswell and accelerates the drug release.

The Role of GERD Diagnosis and Treatment in Preventing Lung Function Decline After Pediatric Lung Transplantation.

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) after lung transplantation (LuTx) can lead to chronic lung allograft dysfunction. Our aim was to assess the prevalence of GERD in pediatric LuTx recipients and to investigate the impact of medical and surgical GERD treatment on lung function. Ethical approval was obtained. Data of all consecutive patients who underwent LuTx from 2013 to 2023 and aged < 18 years at the time of the study were prospectively collected. A GERD diagnostic algorithm was established, including assessment of symptoms (vomiting, heartburn, regurgitation, cough, recurrent airway infections), bronchoscopy, forced expiratory volume in 1 second, and pH impedance. Further investigations included upper gastrointestinal series and esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Patients with GERD underwent medical treatment or fundoplication. Lung function was monitored. Thirty-six patients (2 months-18 years, 50% male) were included. Twenty-nine (80%) underwent spirometry, 16 (45%) pH impedance study, and 14 (39%) esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Twenty-two (61%) had no GERD symptoms and 12 (33%) showed normal pH impedance study or esophagogastroduodenoscopy. Fourteen (39%) patients had GERD symptoms, all 9 tested symptomatic patients (25%) had pathological GERD-specific diagnostics. Three (8%) patients underwent fundoplication after a median of 1.6 years (range 1.1-5.7 years) post-LuTx without surgical complications. After a median follow-up of 2.3 years (range 1.3-2.8 years) post-fundoplication, all (n = 3) had complete remission of GERD symptoms and lung function improvement. Lung function decline was observed in 6 (67%) of the tested symptomatic patients on proton-pump inhibitors (PPIs) treatment. Over one-third of our patients presented with GERD symptoms after LuTx. Symptoms and lung function may be reliable GERD indicators. Given the high prevalence of GERD, we suggest a routine posttransplant diagnostic algorithm including pH impedance study. Eighty percent of all symptomatic patients had a lung function decline despite PPI. Fundoplication is safe and may improve long-term outcome in pediatric LuTx recipients.

Shifting microbial communities in acidified seawaters: insights from polychaetes living in the CO2 vent of Ischia, Italy.

Oceans' absorption of human-related CO2 emissions leads to a process called ocean acidification (OA), consisting of the decrease of the seawater pH with negative consequences for many marine organisms. In this study, we investigate the microbial community of two species of polychaetes found in naturally acidified CO2 vents: the nereid Platynereis massiliensis complex and the syllid Syllis prolifera. Animals were collected in the CO2 vents of Castello Aragonese (Gulf of Naples, Ischia, Italy) in three zones at decreasing pH. For the analysis of the microbiome, the V3-V4 hypervariable region of the 16S ribosomal RNA gene of 40 worm samples was sequenced on an Illumina MiSeq platform. No difference in the microbial alpha diversity of both species was highlighted. On the contrary, the microbial composition of worms collected in the site at normal pH was different from that of the individuals obtained from the sites at lower pH. This effect was evident also in samples from the site with a slight, but relevant, degree of acidification. Amplicon sequence variants showing a significant variation among the groups of samples collected from different pH zones were reported for both polychaetes, but no common trend of variation was observed. The present study deepens our knowledge about the composition of polychaete microbiome in marine naturally acidified sites. Our results stress the importance of future investigations about the connection between the variation of environmental and polychaete microbial communities induced by OA and about the effect of these variations on polychaete key biological and ecological traits.

Electrical and fluorescence in situ monitoring of tumor microenvironment-based pH-responsive polymer dot coated surface

A boronate-ester structure forming a pH-responsive polymer dot (Plu-PD) coated biosensor between carbonized-sp2 rich dopamine-alginate [PD(Alg)] and boronic acid-grafted Pluronic (BA-Pluronic) was developed for the electrochemical and fluorescence detection of cancer cells. The reduced fluorescence (FL) resulting from fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) mediated by π-π interactions within Plu-PD was successfully reinvigorated through the specific cleavage of the boronate-ester bond, triggered by the acidic conditions prevailing in the cancer microenvironment. The anomalous variations in extracellular pH levels observed in cancer (pH ∼6.8), as opposed to the normal cellular pH range of approximately 7.4, serve as robust indicators for discerning cancer cells from their healthy counterparts. Moreover, the Plu-PD coated surface demonstrated remarkable adaptability in modulating its surface structure, concurrently exhibiting tunable electroconductivity under reduced pH conditions, thereby imparting selective responsiveness to cancer cells. The pH-modulated conductivity change was validated by a reduction in resistance from 211 ± 9.7 kΩ at pH 7.4 to 73.9 ± 9.4 kΩ and 61.5 ± 11.5 kΩ at pH 6.8 and 6.0, respectively. The controllable electrochemical characteristics were corroborated through in vitro treatment of cancer cells (HeLa, B16F10, and SNU-C2A) via LED experiments and wireless output analysis. In contrast, identical treatments yielded a limited response in normal cell line (CHO–K1). Notably, the Plu-PD coated surface can be seamlessly integrated with a wireless system to facilitate real-time monitoring of the sensing performance in the presence of cancer and normal cells, enabling rapid and accurate cancer diagnosis using a smartphone.

Regulation of an RNA toxin-antitoxin system, SdsR-RyeA, by a small RNA GcvB

The toxin-antitoxin (TA) system regulates many physiological processes in free-living bacteria. One such TA system in Escherichia coli comprises an RNA toxin SdsR and an antitoxin RyeA. An overabundance of SdsR is toxic to the cells. RyeA normalizes SdsR abundance and helps the cells to adapt to altered conditions. The current study showed that a novel small RNA (sRNA) regulator GcvB directly interacts with RyeA to maintain its abundance in the cells under normal or low pH conditions. The deletion of the gcvB allele in the E. coli chromosome resulted in a ∼3-fold decrease in intrabacterial RyeA accumulation. An ectopic expression of GcvB in ΔgcvB strain reinstated RyeA abundance to its normal level. Induction of GcvB in the cells upon exposure to low pH resulted in a simultaneous increase in intracellular RyeA. While GcvB increases RyeA abundance in the cells, SdsR accumulation is divergently regulated by GcvB. The absence of the gcvB gene in E. coli leads to upregulation of SdsR and vice versa. The GcvB-mediated decrease of SdsR accumulation stems from the increased RyeA-driven normalization of SdsR. This study delineates a novel mechanism for the regulation of the expression of an RNA toxin SdsR by another sRNA regulator GcvB through a feed-forward control.

Flexible plasmonic microneedle array-based SERS sensor for pH monitoring of skin interstitial fluid

Interstitial fluid (ISF) is a prevalent accessible and information-rich biofluid, and monitoring pH level of interstitial fluid plays a crucial role in the physiological health assessment. However, facile extraction of ISF and sensitive detection of pH is still a great challenge. Herein, a flexible plasmonic microneedle array (PMNA)-based SERS sensor was developed for facile and sensitive pH monitoring of skin ISF. The flexible microneedle arrays were fabricated by norland optical adhesive 65 (NOA65), and coated with pH-sensitive 4-Mercaptobenzoic acid (4-MBA)-labeled silver nanoparticles (Ag NPs) by electrostatic assembly. The proposed flexible PMNA-based SERS sensor has a good linear response in the pH range of 5 to 9 which covers the normal pH level in skin interstitial fluid. The ISF extracted from porcine skin was chosen as the test model, and the pH levels detected by the PMNA-based SERS sensors were well consistent with the theoretical results. Besides, the proposed flexible SERS sensors show good mechanical robustness, sensing stability, and biocompatibility before and after skin insertion, which can be a potential analytical tool for practical detection of pH levels in ISF and provide technical support for SERS-based wearable biosensing.

Ruminal CO2 Holdup Monitoring, Acidosis Might Be Caused by CO2 Poisoning

The ruminal buffering system is composed of bicarbonate (HCO3-) and dissolved CO2 (dCO2). While low pH indicates high dCO2 formation, the pH scale is a ratio between acids and bases in a solution, i.e. HCO3- and dCO2, and fail to provide individual component concentrations. For instance, modern feeding practices can reduce CO2 gas fugacity from the ruminal fluid or "CO2 holdup". Under those conditions, not only dCO2 can reach critical concentrations, but the buffering system might favour HCO3- formation resulting in normal ruminal pH values, the quotient, regardless of the harmful dCO2 accumulation. Consequently, subacute ruminal acidosis (SARA), traditionally associated with low or variable pH, might be triggered by CO2 holdup. This observational study aimed to continuously monitor ruminal dCO2 and characterised CO2 holdup within the ruminal fluid targeting the specific infrared signal of dCO2 with an attenuated total reflectance infrared (ATR-IR) spectrometer. Three lactating dairy cattle were longitudinally exposed to diets designed to elevate both ruminal dCO2 and SARA risk. Indwelling pH sensors and ruminal fluid samples served as references for dCO2 analysis, while a categorical analysis detected CO2 holdup from the output of the ATR-IR sensor. Milk yield, milk components, and feed intake supported the known positive role for high dCO2 in rumen function. However, SARA was associated with ruminal CO2 holdup, suggesting that prolonged exposure to critical dCO2 concentrations during extended postprandial periods might trigger SARA. Continuous dCO2 monitoring with the proposed methodology and analysis may offer a valuable tool for optimising rumen function and prevent SARA risk.

Treating acid reflux without compressing the food passageway: 4-year safety and clinical outcomes with the RefluxStop device in a prospective multicenter study

IntroductionRefluxStop is an implantable device for laparoscopic surgical treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) to restore and maintain lower esophageal sphincter and angle of His anatomy without encircling and putting pressure on the food passageway, thereby avoiding side effects such as dysphagia and bloating seen with traditional fundoplication. This study reports the clinical outcomes with RefluxStop at 4 years following implantation of the device.MethodsA prospective, single arm, multicenter clinical investigation analyzing safety and effectiveness of the RefluxStop device in 50 patients with chronic GERD.ResultsAvailable data are presented for 44 patients at 4 years with the addition of three patients at 3 years carried forward. At 4 years, median GERD-HRQL score was 90% reduced compared to baseline. Two patients (2/44) used regular daily proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) despite subsequent 24-h pH monitoring off PPI therapy yielding normal results. There were no device-related adverse events (AEs), esophageal dilations, migrations, or explants during the entire study period. AEs reported between 1 and 4 years were as follows: one subject with heartburn and a pathologic pH result with device positioned too low at surgery; one subject with dysphagia, thus, 46/47 patients reported no dysphagia-related AEs between years 1 and 4. Two patients (2/47) were dissatisfied with treatment despite normal 24-h pH monitoring, of whom one had manometry-verified dysmotility at 6 months, indicating dissatisfaction for reasons other than acid reflux.ConclusionThese results confirm the excellent and already published 1-year results as stable in the long-term, supporting the safety and effectiveness of the RefluxStop device in treating GERD for over 4 years. GERD-HRQL score, pH testing, and PPI usage indicate treatment success without dysphagia or gas-bloating and only minimal incidence of other AEs. This favorably low rate of AEs is likely attributable to RefluxStop’s dynamic physiologic interaction and non-encircling nature.

FORMULATION OF PROPOLIS-BASED RECURRENT APHTHOUS STOMATITIS (RAS) PROTECTIVE PATCH WITH COMBINATION OF PVP AND CELLULOSE MATERIALS

Objective: The objective of this study was to obtain a mucoadhesive patch for recurrent aphthous stomatitis (RAS) with propolis, proven propolis’ antibacterial ability against bacteria in the oral cavity, and to obtain the physical characteristics of the produced patch. Methods: The patch was produced using a solvent-casting method. The antibacterial properties were determined by the disc diffusion method against S. mutans, S. oralis, S. sanguinis, and S. gingivalis. The physical characteristics of the patch was determined by examining weight and thickness dimension, swelling, surface pH, and structure observation. Results: The patch was made from 8 formulations with different propolis concentrations, Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), and the use of cellulose materials (Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose and Carboxymethylcellulose). The concentrations of propolis used were 3%, 5%, 7%, and 10%. While the ratio of PVP and cellulose material in the formulation is 2:1. Results showed that propolis had a zone of inhibition greater than 2 mm against S. oralis, S. sanguinis, S. mutans, and P. gingivalis bacteria. Patches produced were clear to brown-colored films with high swelling percentage due to hydrophilic polymers used. The patch thickness that is closest to the requirements of the buccal patch was F8 with 0.36+0.04 mm. The mean values of the patches have matched normal salivary pH of 5.5–7. Physically, PVP/CMC formulations were more sticky, and the PVP/HPMC patches were more solid and stronger. Conclusion: A mucoadhesive patch was obtained with a combination of PVP/CMC and PVP/HPMC, tween 80 as a surfactant, glycerin as a plasticizer, peppermint oil as a flavor enhancer and preservative, with the active ingredient propolis.

Arterial Blood Gas Parameters to Evaluate Oxygenation and Acid-Base Disorders in Corticosteroid-Receiving Severe and Critical COVID-19 Patients

Highlights: Hypoxemia was prevalent in both severe and critical COVID-19 patients. Severe and critical COVID-19 patients might have tendencies towards respiratory alkalosis/metabolic acidosis and respiratory acidosis, respectively. Abstract Introduction: Increased inflammation and immune dysregulation in severe and critical COVID-19 trigger oxygen and acid-base disorders, possibly mitigated by corticosteroids. Variations in arterial blood gas (ABG) parameters and the influence of corticosteroid administration have become a concern for clinicians. This study aimed to uncover significant differences in temporal ABG parameters between severe and critical COVID-19 cases undergoing corticosteroid treatment. Methods: This case-control study, which adhered to the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines, analyzed severe (n = 27) and critical (n = 41) COVID-19 patients treated in the high care unit (HCU) and the intensive care unit (ICU) of Universitas Airlangga Hospital, Surabaya, from May to July 2021. ABG results were categorized into three evaluations (E1-E3) based on collection days. The International Business Machines Corporation (IBM) Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) for Macintosh version 27.0 was used for statistical analysis. Results: Hypoxemia through PaO2 and P/F ratios was prominent in both groups throughout E1-E3, with differences only in E1 P/F ratios (p = 0.003). While SaO2 stayed normal in severe cases, critical cases were low, with differences in E1 (p = 0.012) and E3 (p = 0.004). Severe cases maintained normal pH, while critical cases tended towards acidemia, notably differing in E1-E3. Both groups had low HCO3 levels, differing only in E2 (p &lt; 0.001). Severe and critical groups exhibited low and high PaCO2 trends, respectively, with distinctions in E2 (p &lt; 0.001) and E3 (p = 0.003). Conclusion: Hypoxemia was prevalent in both groups. Compensated respiratory alkalosis or metabolic acidosis was common in the severe group, while the critical presented with respiratory acidosis.

Study on Meat Discoloration Based on Storage Effect and pH Factor Using Square Wave Voltammetry

The overarching objective of this project is to discover the electrochemical features of meat discoloration under various point-of-sale meat conditions. The bright red color of meat plays a key role in influencing consumers to purchase meat. The discoloration of meat is causing high economic loss around the globe. Here, we used a square wave technique to observe redox peaks in beef sarcoplasm with the incubation time to diagnose discoloration focusing on the point of sale. The first investigation was centered on the storage effect on discoloration where normal pH beef sarcoplasm (post mortem) showed a rising trend of peaks that correspond with a growing accumulation of metmyoglobin and decumulation of oxymyoglobin intensifying the rate of discoloration. The second study was done by comparing discoloration of beef meat at two pH conditions, pH 7.4 (physiological state) and pH 6.4 (stressed animal muscle). Notably, a substantial elevation in the oxidation peak signal was observed from the pH 6.4 sample compared to the pH 7.4 counterpart, with discoloration. Furthermore, the UV spectral absorbance of meat samples was used to calculate the percentage of oxy- and metmyoglobin contents to gain independent insights. From these studies, we can gain a fundamental understanding of the redox processes of beef upon discoloration and thus develop novel tools to detect meat spoilage and discoloration rates. Keywords: Beef sarcoplasm, square wave voltammetry, metmyoglobin, oxymyoglobin

Immunogenic Proteins Characterization in the Larvae of Oestrus ovis by Western Blot Analysis

The present study was undertaken to characterize and identify immunogenic proteins of Oestrus ovis in Telangana. Oestrus ovis is the most predominant nasal bot fly causing nasal myiasis in India. The collected larvae from Jiyaguda slaughter house, Hyderabad are seperated into L2 and L3 larvae were washed with normal saline and PBS pH 7.4 and preserved at -70°C for antigen preparation and some were preserved in 70 % ethanol for identification. The larvae were speciated by light microscopic examination based on morphological features such as ventral spines, anterior hooks and “D” shaped posterior spiracles. In this study, an antigen was prepared from second and third instar larvae of Oestrus ovis using a soluble buffer solution. The resulting Crude Somatic Larval (CSL) antigen had a protein concentration of 27.4 mg per ml. The CSL antigen was resolved in 8% SDS-PAGE, Immunoblotting was performed by electro transferring the separated polypeptides onto a nitrocellulose (NC) membrane. Treatment with specific reagents and antibodies resulted in the identification of 19 immunoreactive polypeptides, with molecular weights matching those observed in SDS-PAGE. Four polypeptides with molecular weights of 58.56, 20.74, 19.09, and 28.91 kDa exhibited the strongest reaction towards the antibodies raised against CSL antigen. These four polypeptides are considered promising candidates for future immunizations and testing their protective efficacy through in vivo assays. These findings have implications for advancing strategies to combat myiasis, a parasitic disease caused by Oestrus ovis larvae.

Engineering extracellular vesicles derived from lemons for delivering chemotherapeutic drug employing periostin targeting

Drug administration methods aim to reduce adverse effects and enhance the effectiveness of chemotherapy medications. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have shown outstanding ability in drug delivery for a wide range of drugs, including chemotherapy drugs. One of the main objectives of this study was to enhance the selective delivery of doxorubicin (DOX) by utilizing modified lemon extracellular vesicles (LEV) for targeted delivery, in order to overcome breast cancer. Additionally, it aimed to further hinder both cancer cell growth and movement by disrupting periostin peptide (PN) via interaction between anti-periostin peptide (APN) and PN. The LEV was extracted from lemon juice, modified with APN onto its surface, and then DOX was loaded into the LEV-APN. The particle size and zeta potential were measured. The release study of DOX from the LEV-APN-DOX nanodrug was higher at an acidic pH 5.4 than the normal pH 7.4. The cellular uptake and cytotoxicity of the LEV-APN-DOX nanodrug were evaluated using flow cytometry analysis and the MTT method, respectively. In vivo therapeutic efficiency of the prepared nanoformulation was assessed using 4T1 tumor-bearing female BALB/c mice. Ex vivo fluorescent imaging revealed increased tumor accumulation and decreased heart clearance in LEV-APN-DOX compared to DOX. The histopathological evaluation also confirmed this result. Our findings highlight the potential of utilizing APN-modified liposomal doxorubicin to specifically target and efficiently treat breast adenocarcinoma.

Photosynthetic performance of the red algae Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis under high seawater pH: Excess reactive oxygen production due to carbon limitation.

The red algae Gracilariopsis lemaneiformis is extensively cultivated at high densities, leading to significant increases in regional seawater pH due to its photosynthetic removal of inorganic carbon. We conducted a study on G. lemaneiformis cultured under various pH conditions (normal pH, pH 9.3, and pH 9.6) and light levels (dark and 100 μmol photons m-2 s-1) to investigate how high pH seawater environments affect the metabolic processes of G. lemaneiformis. The high pH did not directly damage the photosynthetic light reactions or the Calvin cycle. Instead, the observed reduction in photosynthetic rates was primarily due to CO2 limitation. However, under illuminated conditions, a high pH environment leads to a decrease in electron transport efficiency (ETo/RC) and reaction center density (RC/CSo), while simultaneously increasing the levels of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), malondialdehyde (MDA), and the activity of antioxidant enzymes. Under illuminated conditions, the limitation of inhibit the photosynthetic electron transport process, leading to energy imbalance and excessive production of reactive oxygen species, which in turn resulted in lipid peroxidation of the cell membrane. This might be one of the inducing factors responsible for the bleaching in sea-farmed G. lemaneiformis plants.

Cell-Death Metabolites from Cocconeis scutellum var. parva Identified by Integrating Bioactivity-Based Fractionation and Non-Targeted Metabolomic Approaches.

Epiphytic diatoms growing in Mediterranean seagrass meadows, particularly those of the genus Cocconeis, are abundant and ecologically significant, even in naturally acidified environments. One intriguing aspect of some benthic diatoms is their production of an unidentified cell-death-promoting compound, which induces destruction of the androgenic gland in Hippolyte inermis Leach, 1816, a shrimp exhibiting protandric hermaphroditism, principally under normal environmental pH levels. The consumption of Cocconeis spp. by this shrimp is vital for maintaining the stability of its natural populations. Although many attempts have been made to reveal the identity of the apoptotic compound, it is still unknown. In this study, we strategically integrated a bioactivity-based fractionation, a metabolomic approach, and two different experimental avenues to identify potential apoptotic metabolites from Cocconeis scutellum var. parva responsible for the sex reversal in H. inermis. Our integrated analysis uncovered two potential candidate metabolites, one putatively identified as a lysophosphatidylglycerol (LPG) (16:1) and the other classified as a fatty acid ester. This is the first time LPG (16:1) has been reported in C. scutellum var. parva and associated with cell-death processes. These candidate metabolites mark substantial progress in elucidating the factors responsible for triggering the removal of the androgenic gland in the early post-larval phases of H. inermis.

Ischemic stroke: focus on hyperuricemia

Uric acid is a weak organic acid with a molecular weight of 168.112 g/mol. Most uric acid at normal blood pH circulates as urates, negatively charged weak salts derived from uric acid. Being the end product of the process of purine catabolism, uric acid is excreted from the human body in urine until kidney function is impaired. Hyperuricemia may occur due to decreased excretion, increased production, or a combination of both mechanisms. Over the past decades, several studies in the adult population have attempted to establish the correlation between the risk of stroke and serum uric acid concentrations, and how these levels influence the patient's neurological outcome after stroke. Our review is devoted to the study of the mechanisms of normal purine metabolism, disorders of purine metabolism and pathogenetic mechanisms of the development of ischemic stroke in hyperuricemia.