Significant Activity Research Articles

Surface ligand-regulated nanointerfaces: Enhancing the catalytic activity and selectivity of platinum nanozymes for biomedical applications

Platinum nanoparticles (Pt NPs) have aroused tremendous attention due to the significant enzyme-like activity, controllable synthesis and biosafety. However, it remains a challenge to properly design the morphology and surface properties of Pt NPs to obtain the desired enzyme-like activity and substrate selectivity. Herein, a surface engineering strategy is employed to adjust the catalytic performance of Pt NPs by modifying different functional groups, thereby promoting its oxidase-like activity and catalytic specificity to substrate. The catalytic performance of Pt NPs with various thiolate ligands was evaluated using TMB, ABTS and OPD as substrates. The kcat/Km values revealed that Pt NPs modified by 6-mercapto-6-deoxybeta-cyclodextrin (Pt@CD) had a strong substrate selectivity for TMB, but a weak selectivity for ABTS and OPD, with a catalytic specificity to TMB nearly 3.4 times that of bare Pt NPs. When uric acid was used as substrate, PtNP_32 showed better environmental stability and uric acid degradation efficiency than uricase. More importantly, the PtNP_32 did not cause hemolysis and had good biocompatibility, making it a promising candidate for the treatment of hyperuricemia-related diseases. This work provides a new strategy to improve the catalytic performance of platinum nanozymes for efficient and selective degradation of uric acid.

Totally-ordered Sequential Rules for Utility Maximization

High-utility sequential pattern mining (HUSPM) is a significant and valuable activity in knowledge discovery and data analytics with many real-world applications. In some cases, HUSPM can not provide an excellent measure to predict what will happen. High-utility sequential rule mining (HUSRM) discovers high utility and high confidence sequential rules, so it can solve the issue in HUSPM. However, all existing HUSRM algorithms aim to find high-utility partially-ordered sequential rules (HUSRs), which are not consistent with reality and may generate fake HUSRs. Therefore, in this article, we formulate the problem of high-utility totally-ordered sequential rule mining and propose a novel algorithm, called TotalSR, which aims to identify all high-utility totally-ordered sequential rules (HTSRs). TotalSR introduces a left-first expansion strategy that can utilize the anti-monotonic property to use a confidence pruning strategy. TotalSR also designs a new utility upper bound: RSPEU , which is tighter than the existing upper bounds. TotalSR can drastically reduce the search space with the help of utility upper bounds pruning strategies, avoiding much more meaningless computation. To effectively compute the information, TotalSR proposes an auxiliary antecedent record table that can efficiently calculate the antecedent’s support and a utility prefix sum list that can compute the upper bound in O (1) time for a sequence. Finally, there are numerous experimental results on both real and synthetic datasets demonstrating that TotalSR is more efficient than the existing algorithms.

Design and Evaluation of Hair Growth - Hair Fall Oil Formulation from Botanicals

Hair loss in adult men albeit common, can cause emotional distress. Many people with hair fall issues try chemical-based treatments that may lead to health complications and allergic reactions. Cosmetics using natural ingredients derived from plants have fewer side effects compared to synthetic alternatives. The study aimed to formulate herbal hair oil using various ingredients like castor oil, sunflower oil, jojoba oil, olive oil, pumpkin oil, etc. and evaluate its effectiveness in promoting hair growth and prevention of hair fall (HG-HF). Besides, the oil was supposed to provide a range of benefits for hair health, including preventing dandruff, improving scalp health, providing antioxidant properties, and thereby protecting against oxidative damage. The DPPH radical scavenging test was done to evaluate the antioxidant activity of the oils. Varying IC50 values were found such as olive oil and sunflower oil showed IC50 values of 3.79 μg/ml and 4.44 μg/ml respectively. Hence, these oils have significant antioxidant activity with a strong ability to scavenge or neutralize free radicals. A study was conducted on sixteen volunteers with hair loss, dandruff, and other hair problems to check the performance of the oil. 56.25% of the participants experienced increased hair growth and 50% reported a decrease in hair fall after using the oil for 3 months, with no remarkable side effects. Data demonstrated effectiveness and overall acceptable perception of the HG-HF oil by the participants. Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Journal 27(1): 9-18, 2024 (January)

Exploring the antifilarial potential of an important medicinal plant Typhonium trilobatum (L. Schoot): Isolation, characterization, and structural elucidation of bioactive compounds against Brugia malayi

Ethnopharmacology relevanceThe plant Typhonium trilobatum has been utilized in traditional medicine for the treatment of many ailments, including parasitic infections. Recent examinations indicate that the bioactive substances from this plant may have antiparasitic activities against Brugia malayi, which have not been determined. PurposeThe parasitic nematodes Brugia malayi, Brugia timori, and Wuchereria bancrofti causing lymphatic filariasis, remain a significant challenge to global public health. Given the ongoing nature of this enduring menace, the current research endeavours to examine the efficacy of an important medicinal plant, Typhonium trilobatum. MethodsDifferent extracts of the T. trilobatum tubers were evaluated for their antiparasitic activity. The most prominent extract was subjected to Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) and High Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) followed by Column Chromatography for isolating bioactive molecules. The major compounds were isolated and characterized based on different spectroscopic techniques (FTIR, NMR and HRMS). Further, the antiparasitic activity of the isolated compounds was evaluated against B. malayi and compared with clinically used antifilarial drugs like Diethylcarbamazine and Ivermectin. ResultsThe methanolic extract of the tuber exhibited significant antiparasitic activity compared to the other extracts. The bioactive molecules isolated from the crude extract were identified as Linoleic acid and Palmitic acid. Antiparasitic activity of both the compounds has been performed against B. malayi and compared with clinically used antifilarial drugs, Ivermectin and DEC. The IC50 value of Linoleic acid was found to be 6.09 ± 0.78 μg/ml after 24 h and 4.27 ± 0.63 μg/ml after 48 h, whereas for Palmitic acid the value was 12.35 ± 1.09 μg/ml after 24 h and 8.79 ± 0.94 μg/ml after 48 h. The IC50 values of both the molecules were found to be similar to the standard drug Ivermectin (IC50 value of 11.88 ± 1.07 μg/ml in 24 h and 2.74 ± 0.43 μg/ml in 48 h), and much better compared to the DEC (IC50 values of 194.2 ± 2.28 μg/ml in 24 h and 101.8 ± 2.06 μg/ml in 48 h). Furthermore, it has been observed that both the crude extracts and the isolated compounds do not exhibit any detrimental effects on the J774.A.1 macrophage cell line. ConclusionThe isolation and characterization of bioactive compounds present in the methanolic tuber extract of Typhonium trilobatum were explored. Moreover, the antimicrofilarial activity of the crude extracts and its two major compounds were determined using Brugia malayi microfilarial parasites without any significant side effects.

Guaianolide sesquiterpenes and their activity from Artemisia mongolica

Seven undescribed sesquiterpenes, including three dimeric guaianolide sesquiterpenes artemongolides G-I (1–3) and four sesquiterpene lactones artemanomalide D-G (16–19), along with seventeen known compounds isoabsinthin (4), absinthin (5), 11-eptabsinthin (6), 11, 11′-bis-epiabsinthin (7), 10′, 11′- epiabsinthin (8), anabsinthin (9), isoanabsinthin (10), absinthin D (11), anabsin (12), caruifolin D (13), gnapholide (14), caruifolin C (15), 1β(R),10β(S)-dihydroxy-3-oxo-11β (S)H-4,11(13)-guaien-6α(S),12-olide (20), 1α,6α,8α-trihydroxy-5α,7βH-guaia-3,10(14),11(13)-trien-12-oic acid (21), 1α,6α,8α-trihydroxy-5α,7βH-guaia-3,9,11(13)-trien-12-oic acid (22), argyinolide J (23), artabsinolide A (24) were isolated from the plant Artemisia mongolica. The structures were determined by interpreting NMR, HRESIMS and ECD data. The X-ray crystal structure of 4, 7 and 8 were reported for the first time. In the anti-vitiligo activity test, compounds 2, 7, 12, 23 and 24 demonstrated activity in promoting melanogenesis at a concentration of 50 μM in B16 cells, with 8-methoxypsoralan (8-MOP) as a positive control. Further research on the mechanism revealed that artemongolides H (2) enhance the expression of MITF and TRPs by upregulating p-Akt and p-GSK-3β, leading to an increase in β-catenin content in the cell cytoplasm. Subsequently, β-catenin translocates into the nucleus, resulting in melanogenesis. The results supported the regulation of melanogenesis by artemongolide H (2) through the Akt/GSK3β/β-catenin signaling pathway. The anti-inflammatory results demonstrated that compounds 4, 5, 6, 9 and 14 can inhibit the upregulation of IL-6 mRNA and CCL2 mRNA expression. Compound 12 specifically inhibited the upregulation of IL-6 mRNA expression. These compounds exhibited significant anti-inflammatory activities. The activity results revealed that these sesquiterpene compounds have the potential to become lead compounds for the treatment of vitiligo and inflammatory diseases.

Natural diversity screening, assay development, and characterization of nylon-6 enzymatic depolymerization

Successes in biocatalytic polyester recycling have raised the possibility of deconstructing alternative polymers enzymatically, with polyamide (PA) being a logical target due to the array of amide-cleaving enzymes present in nature. Here, we screen 40 potential natural and engineered nylon-hydrolyzing enzymes (nylonases), using mass spectrometry to quantify eight compounds resulting from enzymatic nylon-6 (PA6) hydrolysis. Comparative time-course reactions incubated at 40-70 °C showcase enzyme-dependent variations in product distributions and extent of PA6 film depolymerization, with significant nylon deconstruction activity appearing rare. The most active nylonase, a NylCK variant we rationally thermostabilized (an N-terminal nucleophile (Ntn) hydrolase, NylCK-TS, Tm = 87.4 °C, 16.4 °C higher than the wild-type), hydrolyzes 0.67 wt% of a PA6 film. Reactions fail to restart after fresh enzyme addition, indicating that substrate-based limitations, such as restricted enzyme access to hydrolysable bonds, prohibit more extensive deconstruction. Overall, this study expands our understanding of nylonase activity distribution, indicates that Ntn hydrolases may have the greatest potential for further development, and identifies key targets for progressing PA6 enzymatic depolymerization, including improving enzyme activity, product selectivity, and enhancing polymer accessibility.

Green Synthesis of Euphorbia tirucalli-Mediated Titanium Dioxide Nanoparticles Against Wound Pathogens.

Background Wound infections caused by pathogens present a considerable global health challenge, resulting in extended healing durations, elevated healthcare expenses, and potential fatalities. Conventional approaches to managing wound pathogens have limitations such as antibiotic resistance, toxicity and allergic reactions. Consequently, there is a rising interest in exploring alternative strategies for preventing and treating wound infections. Titanium dioxide nanoparticles (TiO2NPs) have gained attention for their potential in wound healing, attributed to their distinctive properties, including antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory capabilities. Methods TiO2NPssynthesized through Euphorbia tirucalli were examined for their antibacterial potential against wound pathogens, using the Kirby-Bauer agar-well diffusion method and time-kill curve assay. Furthermore, the cytotoxic effect of the synthesized nanoparticles was evaluated through a brine shrimp lethality assay. Results Green-synthesized TiO2NPs demonstrated potent antimicrobial activity against tested wound pathogens, displaying a zone of inhibition against Pseudomonas aeruginosa (11 mm) and Escherichia coli (10 mm) at the highest concentration of 100 μg/mL. In the time-kill curve assay, the prepared TiO2NPs showed significant bactericidal activity against Pseudomonas aeruginosa followed by Escherichia coli.In the brine shrimp lethality assay, at the lowest concentration of 5 μg/mL of the prepared nanoparticles, 100% of the nauplii remained alive after 48 hours. Conclusion The results indicate that TiO2NPs synthesized using Euphorbia tirucalli extract exhibit potent antimicrobial activity against the tested wound pathogens. Moreover, the prepared nanoparticles exhibit lower toxicity, suggesting their potential use as an alternative to commercially available synthetic drugs.

Antimicrobial potential of Streptomyces coeruleofuscus SCJ isolated from microbiologically unexplored garden soil in Northwest Morocco

Research on microorganisms in various biotopes is required to identify new, natural potent molecules. These molecules are essential to control the development of multi-drug resistance (MDR). In the present study, a Streptomyces sp., namely SCJ, was isolated from a soil sample collected from a Moroccan garden. SCJ isolate was identified on the basis of a polyphasic approach, which included cultural, micro-morphological, biochemical, and physiological characteristics. The sequence of the 16S rRNA gene of the SCJ strain showed 99.78% similarity to strains of Streptomyces coeruleofuscus YR-T (KY753282.1). The preliminary screening indicated that the SCJ isolate exhibited activity against Candida albicans ATCC 60,193, Escherichia coli ATCC 25,922, Staphylococcus aureus CECT 976, Staphylococcus aureus ATCC 25,923, Bacillus cereus ATCC 14,579, Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC 27,853, as well as various other clinical MDR bacteria and five phytopathogenic fungi. The ethyl acetate extract of the isolated strain demonstrated highly significant (p < 0.05) antimicrobial activity against multi-resistant bacteria and phytopathogenic fungi. The absorption spectral analysis of the ethyl acetate extract of the SCJ isolate obtained showed no absorption peaks characteristic of polyene molecules. Moreover, no hemolytic activity against erythrocytes was observed in this extract. GC–MS analysis of the ethyl acetate extract of the SCJ isolate revealed the presence of 9 volatile compounds including 3,5-Dimethylpyrazole, and pyrrolizidine derivatives (Pyrrolo[1,2-a]pyrazine 1,4-dione, hexahydro-3-(2-methylpropyl)), which could potentially explain the antimicrobial activity demonstrated in this study.

PHYTOCHEMICAL PROFILING, ANTIOXIDANT, ANTIDIABETIC, AND ADMET STUDY OF DIOSPYROS MESPILIFORMIS HOCHST. EX A. DC. (EBENACEAE) LEAF

Objective: This study aimed to carry out phytochemical profiling, antioxidant, antidiabetic, and ADMET study on the crude ethanol extract (CR) of Diospyros mespiliformis (DM) and its ethyl acetate (EEF) and aqueous fractions (AQF). Material and Method: The phytochemicals were identified by GC-MS. The antioxidant activity was determined in vitro and silico while the antidiabetic and ADMET were in silico. Result and Discussion: Exactly 54 and 44 compounds were respectively identified in the EEF and AQF. At 300 µg/ml, the CR demonstrated a significantly (p &amp;lt; 0.05) higher ascorbic acid equivalent (AAE) total antioxidant capacity (TAC) (73.59 ± 0.011 µg/ml) than the EEF (41.28 ± 0.003 µg/ml AAE) and AQF (31.28 ± 0.005 µg/ml AAE). The total reducing power (TRP) of the AQF (106.84 ± 3.46 µg/ml) was significantly (p &amp;lt;0.05) higher than the CR (93.23 ± 5.63 µg/ml AAE) and EEF (92.35 ± 6.96 µg/ml AAE) at 100 µg/ml. A significantly (p &amp;lt; 0.05) higher percentage inhibition (48.38% ± 4.61) was demonstrated by the EEF at 1 mg/ml in the ferric thiocyanate and a lower malonaldehyde concentration (0.75 ± 0.01 nmol/ml) in the thiobarbituric acid methods. The AQF demonstrated a significantly (p &amp;lt; 0.05) higher (82.72% ± 1.88) peroxide scavenging activity at 100 µg/ml than the CR (33.33% ± 2.16) and EEF (63.64% ± 2.66). Compound VII exhibited the lowest binding affinity (BA) and inhibition constant (Ki) of -8.8 kcal/mol and 0.35 µM, respectively with xanthine oxidase and -8.0 kcal/mol and 1.35 µM, respectively with NADH oxidase. X exhibited the lowest BA (-8.5 kcal/mol) and Ki (0.58 µM) interacting with CytP450 21A2. Compound III exhibited the lowest BA (-7.5 kcal/mol) and Ki (3.14 µM) with PTP1B while compound X had BA and Ki values of -8.5 kcal/mol and 0.58 µM, respectively with PPARγ. The result of ADMET showed some of the compounds might be strong candidates for antioxidant and antidiabetic drugs. All the extracts possess significant antioxidant activity and some of the identified compounds might be candidates for novel antioxidants and antidiabetic drugs.

Fulvic acid modulates mucosal immunity in fish skin: Sustainable aquaculture solution or environmental risk factor?

This is the first study determining the effects of bath exposure to fulvic acid, a humic substance, on the skin mucosal immunity of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss). Humic substances have recently been gaining attention for their increasing concentrations in aquatic ecosystems and their use as supplements in sustainable aquaculture. This study demonstrated that water exposure to fulvic acid at concentrations of 5 mg C/L and 50 mg C/L increased lysozyme and alkaline phosphatase activities in the mucus by approximately 2-fold and 2.5 to 3.2-fold, respectively. Furthermore, exposure to 50 mg C/L resulted in a 77.0% increase in mucosal immunoglobulin concentrations compared to the other groups. Importantly, all mucus samples demonstrated significant antibacterial activity against Yersinia ruckeri, with control mucus reducing bacterial growth by 44.5% and exposure to fulvic acid increasing this effect to 26.3%. Although these modulations show promise for application in aquaculture, alterations of the beneficial microbiota from long-term exposure in natural waters can be expected. Monitoring the rising concentrations of humic substances in natural water bodies is therefore urgently needed. Overall, this study represents the first investigation revealing the ability of humic substances to modulate skin mucosal immunity and the capacity to combat microorganisms.

Histopathological findings from the investigation of paediatric acute hepatitis of unknown aetiology, United Kingdom 2022.

In 2022, there were global reports of increased numbers of acute hepatitis not explained by hepatitis A-E virus infection in children. This manuscript summarises histopathology results from 20 patients in the United Kingdom who underwent liver transplantor had a liver biopsy as part of aetiological investigations. All available histopathological samples were reviewed centrally as part of the outbreak investigation. A working group comprised of infection specialists, hepatologists and histopathologists met virtually to review the cases, presentation, investigations and histopathology. All 20 liver samples had evidence of inflammation without significant interface activity, and submassive confluent pan-lobular or multilobular hepatocellular necrosis. Overall, the predominant histopathological findings were of acute nonspecific hepatitis with submassive hepatic necrosis and central vein perivenulitis and endothelitis. Histopathological findings were a poor indicator of aetiology.

Insights into the Adsorption Mechanisms of the Antimicrobial Peptide CIDEM-501 on Membrane Models.

CIDEM-501 is a hybrid antimicrobial peptide rationally designed based on the structure of panusin and panulirin template peptides. The new peptide exhibits significant antibacterial activity against multidrug-resistant pathogens (MIC = 2-4 μM) while conserving no toxicity in human cell lines. We conducted molecular dynamics (MD) simulations using the CHARMM-36 force field to explore the CIDEM-501 adsorption mechanism with different membrane compositions. Several parameters that characterize these interactions were analyzed to elucidate individual residues' structural and thermodynamic contributions. The membrane models were constructed using CHARMM-GUI, mimicking the bacterial and eukaryotic phospholipid compositions. Molecular dynamics simulations were conducted over 500 ns, showing rapid and highly stable peptide adsorption to bacterial lipids components rather than the zwitterionic eucaryotic model membrane. A predominant peptide orientation was observed in all models dominated by an electric dipole. The peptide remained parallel to the membrane surface with the center loop oriented to the lipids. Our findings shed light on the antibacterial activity of CIDEM-501 on bacterial membranes and yield insights valuable for designing potent antimicrobial peptides targeting multi- and extreme drug-resistant bacteria.

Biosynthesis of Silver Nanoparticles From Marine Actinobacterium Micromonospora sp. and Their Bioactive Potential.

Background The biosynthesis of nanoparticles represents a rapid, environmentally friendly, cost-effective, and straightforward technology. This approach allows for the production of nanoparticles with a wide range of chemical compositions, sizes, shapes, high uniformity, and scalability. One of the principal advantages of biogenic nanoparticles is their water solubility and compatibility with biological systems. Biologically synthesized nanoparticles have demonstrated superior efficiency compared to conventionally synthesized particles. Among biosynthesis, microbial-mediated biosynthesis is a promising one that has a selectively reducing ability on specific metal ions through electron transfer. Objectives Evaluation of antimicrobial and antioxidant activity of silver nanoparticle synthesized by actinobacteria Micromonospora sp. which is isolated from marine environment. Materials and methods In this study, actinobacteria were isolated from the marine sediment using the spread plate method. The isolates were identified based on morphological observation, cell wall amino acids, sugar analysis, and micromorphological analysis. The silver nanoparticle synthesis from microbes and their inhibition against clinical pathogens have been evaluated by the disc diffusion method.Antioxidant efficiency was evaluated in termsof total antioxidant activity through ammonium molybdenum assay. Results A total of five isolates were isolated from the sediment sample. The cell-free extract of MBIT-MSA4 can synthesize silver nanoparticles that have potential antimicrobial activity against the clinical pathogens Streptococcus mutans at a zone of inhibition 6 mm, 10 mm inhibition zone of Klebsiella pneumonia,and 8 mm zone of inhibition of Staphylococcus aureus. Also, it has significant antioxidant activity up to 73% of free radical inhibition. Conclusion Marine microbial-mediated biosynthesized silver nanoparticles have potential antimicrobial activity against S.mutansand methicillin-resistantStaphylococcus aureus(MRSA) and inhibit the oxidation process through antioxidant activity. Thisenhanced efficient biosynthesisednanoparticle has significantly reduced the concentration of free radicals caused by pathogens.

Organic wastes of Citrus sinensis Peels- a source of eco-friendly and sustainable bioactive compounds for promoting health

To determine the phytochemicals, radical scavenging and antioxidant potential of orange peel extract. Citrus sinensis were subjected to extraction with ethanol. Gas chromatography (GC) was utilized to determine the phytochemical composition of orange peel extract. Hydrogen peroxide, superoxide, nitric oxide, and hydroxyl radical scavenging assays were conducted to assess radical scavenging potential of the extract. Antioxidant activities of the peel extracts were determined via the 2,2-diphenylpicrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radical scavenging activity, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assay, ABTS scavenging, and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) assay. The GC-FID analysis revealed the presence of alkaloids, flavonoids, polyphenols, tannins, sapogenin, and steroids in the orange peel extract. The results of radical scavenging assays demonstrated the extract’s ability to scavenge hydrogen peroxide, superoxide, nitric oxide and hydroxyl radicals. The scavenging capacity of the extract was observed to be concentration-dependent, with comparisons made to standard antioxidants ascorbic acid and BHT. Peels from citrus sinensis represent a valuable source of phytochemicals, demonstrating significant antioxidant and radical scavenging activities.

Characterization of Copper(II) and Zinc(II) Complexes of Peptides Mimicking the CuZnSOD Enzyme.

Antimicrobial peptides are short cationic peptides that are present on biological surfaces susceptible to infection, and they play an important role in innate immunity. These peptides, like other compounds with antimicrobial activity, often have significant superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity. One direction of our research is the characterization of peptides modeling the CuZnSOD enzyme and the determination of their biological activity, and these results may contribute to the development of novel antimicrobial peptides. In the framework of this research, we have synthesized 10, 15, and 16-membered model peptides containing the amino acid sequence corresponding to the Cu(II) and Zn(II) binding sites of the CuZnSOD enzyme, namely the Zn(II)-binding HVGD sequence (80-83. fragments), the Cu(II)-binding sequence HVH (fragments 46-48), and the histidine (His63), which links the two metal ions as an imidazolate bridge: Ac-FHVHEGPHFN-NH2 (L1(10)), Ac-FHVHAGPHFNGGHVG-NH2 (L2(15)), and Ac-FHVHEGPHFNGGHVGD-NH2 (L3(16)). pH-potentiometric, UV-Vis-, and CD-spectroscopy studies of the Cu(II), Zn(II), and Cu(II)-Zn(II) mixed complexes of these peptides were performed, and the SOD activity of the complexes was determined. The binding sites preferred by Cu(II) and Zn(II) were identified by means of CD-spectroscopy. From the results obtained for these systems, it can be concluded that in equimolar solution, the -(NGG)HVGD- sequence of the peptides is the preferred binding site for copper(II) ion. However, in the presence of both metal ions, according to the native enzyme, the -HVGD- sequence offers the main binding site for Zn(II), while the majority of Cu(II) binds to the -FHVH- sequence. Based on the SOD activity assays, complexes of the 15- and 16-membered peptide have a significant SOD activity. Although this activity is smaller than that of the native CuZnSOD enzyme, the complexes showed better performance in the degradation of superoxide anion than other SOD mimics. Thus, the incorporation of specific amino acid sequences mimicking the CuZnSOD enzyme increases the efficiency of model systems in the catalytic decomposition of superoxide anion.

Examınatıon of famous use ın televısıon advertısements wıth electroencephalogram (EEG)

Objective: The research aims to analyze the changes in brain activity of emotions caused by the use of celebrities in television (TV) commercials using Electroencephalography (EEG). It tries to determine the positive (liking, having fun) and negative (disliking, bored) emotions of the audience with Electroencephalography (EEG). Method: We tried to determine the emotional states of the volunteers who watched the commercials by examining the theta activities in different parts of their brains. A questionnaire was applied to 36 volunteers in our research before and after watching the advertisements. EEG recordings were made while the volunteers were watching the commercials. Theta activities obtained as a result of EEG recording were tabulated as duration. The hypotheses were tested by using the responses of the volunteers to the questionnaires and the EEG results comparatively with frequency tables and the Independent-Samples T test. Originality/Relevance: Both the preparation and broadcasting of TV advertisements, which have a very important place in marketing communication, can be very costly for businesses. Neuromarketing, which encourages interdisciplinary work, allows the use of methods, designs, theories and technologies used in neuroscience in areas such as marketing and advertising. In this study, with the help of EEG, one of the techniques used in neuromarketing, it has been tried to determine the emotions that the advertisements will create in the audience. It is among the few experimental studies conducted in Turkey. Results: Although EEG results shows that the activity intensity in the left hemisphere and left frontal lobe was higher than the activity intensity observed in the right hemisphere and right frontal lobe in the volunteers watching TV commercials, and the activity intensity in the left hemisphere and left frontal lobe in the volunteers where the advertisements created positive emotions, and the activity intensity in the left hemisphere and left frontal lobe in the volunteers, where the advertisements created negative emotions, statistically, as our hypotheses suggest, no significant activity difference was observed. Theoretical/methodological contributions: The research contributes to the scientific community by deepening the knowledge on neuromarketing, which is under development in Turkey as in many countries. It also provides clues about the use of neuromarketing in advertising research. This study will contribute to the preparation of effective advertisements by understanding the emotions of the audience. Managerial implications: Research findings can help businesses and advertisers prepare more effective commercials, thereby saving businesses costs.

Functional characterisation of a new halotolerant seawater active glycoside hydrolase family 6 cellobiohydrolase from a salt marsh

Realising a fully circular bioeconomy requires the valorisation of lignocellulosic biomass. Cellulose is the most attractive component of lignocellulose but depolymerisation is inefficient, expensive and resource intensive requiring substantial volumes of potable water. Seawater is an attractive prospective replacement, however seawater tolerant enzymes are required for the development of seawater-based biorefineries. Here, we report a halophilic cellobiohydrolase SMECel6A, identified and isolated from a salt marsh meta-exo-proteome dataset with high sequence divergence to previously characterised cellobiohydrolases. SMECel6A contains a glycoside hydrolase family 6 (GH6) domain and a carbohydrate binding module family 2 (CBM2) domain. Characterisation of recombinant SMECel6A revealed SMECel6A to be active upon crystalline and amorphous cellulose. Mono- and oligosaccharide product profiles revealed cellobiose as the major hydrolysis product confirming SMECel6A as a cellobiohydrolase. We show SMECel6A to be halophilic with optimal activity achieved in 0.5X seawater displaying 80.6 ± 6.93% activity in 1 × seawater. Structural predictions revealed similarity to a characterised halophilic cellobiohydrolase despite sharing only 57% sequence identity. Sequential thermocycling revealed SMECel6A had the ability to partially reversibly denature exclusively in seawater retaining significant activity. Our study confirms that salt marsh ecosystems harbour enzymes with attractive traits with biotechnological potential for implementation in ionic solution based bioprocessing systems.

Process optimization and identification of antioxidant peptides from enzymatic hydrolysate of bovine bone extract, a potential source in cultured meat

Bone protein is a significant secondary product of the meat industry, comprising a substantial quantity of protein. These proteins could be broken down through enzymatic hydrolysis to generate antioxidant peptides. This study aimed to produce antioxidant peptides from bovine bone extract by enzymatic hydrolysis utilizing Flavourzyme and Protamex by optimizing enzyme amounts and time using the Box–Behnken design. The final optimized conditions obtained through the model were as follows: The amount of Flavourzyme was 1,100 U, the amount of Protamex was 2,814 U, and the time was 3.77 (h). Bovine bone extract hydrolysate (BBEH) was purified stepwise using ultrafiltration membranes with molecular cutoffs of 5, 3, and 1 kDa. To assess the antioxidant capacity of the fractions, several methods were used, including radical scavenging activity “1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH),” “2,2′-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS),” metal chelating activity (MCA), reducing power (RP), and thiobarbituric acid assay (TBA). The results indicated that the ultrafiltration fraction with a molecular weight of less than 1 kDa showed significant antioxidant activity, with 48, 42, and 50% inhibition rates for DPPH, ABTS, and metal chelating, respectively. Using size exclusion chromatography, the fraction with a molecular weight less than 1 kDa was further separated into five sub-fractions: Frac-I, Frac-II, Frac-III, Frac-IV, and Frac-V. Sub-Frac-III, which exhibits significant DPPH radical scavenging activity (55%) and a reducing power of 0.8 at 700 nm, was separated into six sub-sub-fractions using reversed-phase HPLC (RP-HPLC) based on molecular weight and hydrophobicity. The sub-sub-fraction with the highest value for DPPH radical scavenging activity was sub-Fra-III-6, which exhibited approximately 69.45% activity. The sub-Fra-III-6 was analyzed using LC–MS/MS, which identified two specific peptides: Ala-Pro-Phe with a mass of 333.12 Da and Asp-His-Val with a mass of 369.14 Da. These two peptides are likely the primary peptides that might have a crucial role in antioxidant capacity. It can be concluded that BBEH is a valuable source of natural antioxidants and has the potential to serve as a viable resource in the cultured meat industry.

Simultaneous quantification of TB-500 and its metabolites in in-vitro experiments and rats by UHPLC-Q-Exactive orbitrap MS/MS and their screening by wound healing activities in-vitro

BackgroundTB-500 (Ac-LKKTETQ), derived from the active site of thymosin β4 (Tβ4), has various biological functions in its unacetylated form, LKKTETQ. These functions include actin binding, dermal wound healing, angiogenesis, and skin repair. The biological effects of TB-500, however, have not been documented. And the analysis of TB-500 and its metabolites have been neither simultaneously quantified nor structurally identified using synthesized authentic standards. MethodsThis study was aimed to investigating simultaneous analytical methods of TB-500 and its metabolites in in-vitro and urine samples by using UHPLC-Q-Exactive orbitrap MS, and to comparing the biological activity of its metabolites with the parent TB-500. The metabolism of TB-500 was investigated in human serum, various in-vitro enzyme systems, and urine samples from rats treated with TB-500, and their biological activities measured by cytotoxicity and wound healing experiments were also evaluated in fibroblasts. ResultsThe simultaneous analytical method for TB-500 and its metabolites was developed and validated. The study found that Ac-LK was the primary metabolite with the highest concentration in rats at 0–6 h intervals. Also, the metabolite Ac-LKK was a long-term metabolite of TB-500 detected up to 72 hr. No cytotoxicity of the parent and its metabolites was found. Ac-LKKTE only showed a significant wound healing activity compared to the control. ConclusionThe study provides a valuable tool for quantifying TB-500 and its metabolites, contributing to the understanding of metabolism and potential therapeutic applications. Our results also suggest that the previously reported wound-healing activity of TB-500 in literature may be due to its metabolite Ac-LKKTE rather than the parent form.

Insight into the Catalytic Performance of a Zinc-Pillared Curcumin/Bentonite Composite for Enhanced Oxidation of Ibuprofen Residuals into Environmental Products: The Pathway and Toxicity

Environmental organo bentonite synthesis using curcumin-derived chemicals is used as catalyst support for zinc with a Zn-pillaring structure (Zn@CU/BEN). The obtained composite was assessed as an affordable, highly effective, and multifunctional photocatalyst for enhanced oxidation of ibuprofen (IBU) residuals in water supplies. The Zn@CU/BEN composite (0.4 g/L) displayed significant catalytic activities, resulting in the complete oxidation of IBU (25 mg/L) after 80 min. Then, the complete mineralization based on the full elimination of TOC content was recognized after 160 min, with significant indications about the formed intermediates. The identified intermediates, together with the identification of hydroxyl radicals as the essential oxidizing agent, declared an oxidation pathway of IBU over Zn@CU/BEN that involved three steps: hydroxylation, decarboxylation/demethylation, and ring-opening processes. The toxic properties of raw pollutants as well as the oxidizing product at different durations were assessed based on the cell viability results of kidney (HEK293T) and liver (HepG2) cell lines. The partially oxidized sample in the initial duration displayed a higher toxicity impact than the raw IBU. However, the treated sample after 160 min reflected high biosafety and non-toxic properties (cell viability &gt; 97%). The synergetic impact of bentonite and bentonite organo-modified by curcumin extract reflects enhancements in the adsorption as well as the oxidation performance of pillared zinc as a catalyst.