Strong Action Research Articles

Identification and biological characterization of pathogen causing sooty blotch of Ardisia crispa (Thunb.) A.DC.

Sooty blotch, a primary leaf disease affecting Ardisia crispa (Thunb.) A.DC. (A. crispa, AC), significantly impacts both the yield and quality of this medicinal plant. However, the specific species of pathogenic fungi responsible for this disease and their mechanisms of pathogenesis remain unclear. To elucidate the etiology of sooty blotch, it is essential to investigate effective prevention and treatment methods, and provide a theoretical basis for the effective protection of AC. Initially, the alterations in internal organelles that result in sooty blotch were examined using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Additionally, differential genes were analyzed using differential display reverse transcriptase-PCR (DDRT-PCR) in both healthy and diseased leaves of AC. Moreover, the pathogenic fungi were separated, purified and identified from leaves infected with sooty blotch of AC, and subsequently, their pathogenicity and biological characteristics were tested. Furthermore, the inhibitory effect of pathogens was measured using the water extract of traditional Chinese medicine, based on the growth rate of the mycelium. The findings indicated that the photosynthesis rate of diseased leaves was slower than that of healthy leaves, as revealed by TEM and SEM analyses. Additionally, DDRT-PCR results demonstrated that the differentially expressed genes primarily included those related to zinc finger proteins, acyl-CoA-transferases, and chloroplasts. The phylogenetic tree and pathogenicity test results showed that the pathogens causing sooty blotch of AC were Annulohypoxylon stygium and Diaporthe angelicae. Microscopic observation revealed that Annulohypoxylon stygium and Diaporthe angelicae exhibited distinct microscopic characteristics, and a pH range of 7–10 along with a subdued light environment were more conducive to the growth of pathogens. Additionally, the water extract of Lonicera fulvotomentosa Hsu et S. C. Cheng and A. crispa (Thunb.) A.DC. had a strong antifungal action on the two pathogens of sooty blotch, and the water extract of Ardisia crenate Sims had a better antifungal action on the Diaporthe angelicae. In this study, Annulohypoxylon stygium and Diaporthe angelicae were reported as pathogenic fungi causing sooty blotch for the first time, and affected the photosynthesis of AC leaf, and these study provides a theoretical basis for the diagnosis and prevention of A. crispa (Thunb.) A.DC. sooty blotch.

Synthesis, in vitro, and in silico studies of 7-fluorochromone based thiosemicarbazones as α-glucosidase inhibitors

Increased blood sugar is a typical manifestation of Type-2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), a metabolic disorder that can be effectively managed with the help of α-glucosidase inhibitors. A range of new chromone based thiosemicarbazone derivatives (3a-t) was synthesized and assessed due to their ability to suppress α-glucosidase in this research. Having IC50 values spanning from 6.40 ± 0.15 to 62.81 ± 0.79 μM, the compounds demonstrated strong inhibitory actions. The compound 3 k showed the most inhibitory effect among all of them, by an IC50 measurement of 6.40 ± 0.15 µM. It was concluded through a structure–activity relationship (SAR) assessment that various substituents on thiosemicarbazone moieties had a significant impact on the differences in α-glucosidase inhibition. Molecular docking experiments provide light on important interactions, including π-π interactions and hydrogen bridges, between compounds and role of the carbothioamide and chromenyl groups in ligand attachment to the critical residues of α-glucosidase. The binding interactions, alignment, stability, and structural arrangement of the prepared molecules in the catalytic pocket of α-glucosidase were explored using in silico strategies such as docking studies, pharmacokinetic analysis, and molecular dynamics simulations. This investigation directed to find compounds with favorable profiles for future progress as potential therapeutic agents for type 2 diabetes. Importantly, when benchmarking against acarbose, the lead candidate showed substantially greater efficacy.

Antifungal Evaluation of Benzoxazole and Benzothiazole Derivatives: An In Vitro and In Silico Study.

The benzoxazoles and benzothiazoles derivatives have a variety of pharmacological activities, such as antimicrobial activity. Thus, in the present study, the antifungal activity of thirteen benzoxazole and benzothiazole derivatives against Candida spp. strains were evaluated. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and the minimum fungicidal concentration (MFC) were established. Compound 1 presented strong antimicrobial action for C. krusei with MIC of 15.6 μg/mL, moderate activity against strains of C. albicans (62.5 μg/mL), and weak activity against C. tropicalis with a MIC value of 125.0 μg/mL. In addition, it was evidenced that biological activity occurs in the plasma membrane in C. albicans. The results of the in silico study showed that the predicted inhibition of HSP90 and aldehyde dehydrogenase could explain the antifungal activity of compound 1. Therefore, the data highlight the potential of these compounds as prototypes in the search for new drugs against Candida species.

Metabolite profiling and bioactivity assessment of diverse endophytic fungi from the endangered plant, Nilgirianthus ciliatus

Endophytic fungi are potential sources of bioactive compounds with therapeutic properties. This study investigated the fungal endophytes associated with Nilgirianthus ciliatus, an endangered medicinal plant, to discover its secondary metabolites and bioactivities. Molecular analysis revealed the prominent species to be Aspergillus niger, Didymella sp., Trichoderma viride, Bipolaris zeicola and Nigrospora sphaerica. Alkaloids, flavonoids, phenolics, terpenes and saponins were detected in ethyl acetate extracts employing phytochemical screening. Didymella sp. has showed the highest level of antioxidant activity, demonstrating strong DPPH radical scavenging and reduction capability. T. viride had strong antibacterial action against Klebsiella pneumoniae and Escherichia coli, meanwhile Didymella sp. and N. sphaerica were most effective against E. coli. GC-MS analysis uncovered many bioactive chemicals, including trans-farnesol and pentadecanoic acid, which are renowned for their antibacterial and antioxidant properties. These findings highlight the presence of the rich variety of diverse endophytic fungi harboring such medicinal plants, which offer promising applications in medicine, biotechnology and agriculture as sources of novel bioactive compounds. Further exploration and characterization of these strains could unlock valuable sustainable resources for various industries.

A Comprehensive Assessment of the Antioxidant Capacity of Varied Bacopa Monnieri Extracts and Its Toxicity on Early Life Stages of Zebrafish Embryos

Background: Bacopa monnieri is an herbal plant used predominantly in Ayurvedic medicine. Though this plant has pharmacological properties, it is pivotal to acknowledge its antioxidant capacity and toxicological properties which are not well established. Objectives: The principal aim of this study is to elucidate the antioxidant capacity and toxicological properties of B. monnieri leaf extracts in the early life stages of Danio rerio (zebrafish) embryos. Methods: This was a comparative identification of the antioxidant capacities of five different extracts of aqueous, ethanol, acetone, chloroform, and petroleum ether of B. monnieri leaf by investigating through in vitro antioxidant assays such as Diphenyl-1-Picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), azinobis[3-Ethylbenzothiazoline-6-Sulfonate] (ABTS), ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP), and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and enzymatic assays such as SOD, CAT, Px, AO, and PPO. Additionally tested for the qualitative and quantitative estimation of phytochemicals. Furthermore, the Fish Embryo Toxicity (FET) assay has been performed to analyze the developmental deformities, lethal and sublethal toxic effects, hatch rate, heart rate, and survival of zebrafish embryos upon treatment with the aqueous plant extract. Result: The results showed the availability of polyphenols and non-phenolic macromolecules. Total phenol and flavonoid content were greater in the aqueous extract and tannin content was higher in ethanol extract. Among the five extracts, the aqueous extract showed greater antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities. Furthermore, the investigation addressed the toxicological effects of aqueous extract on zebrafish embryos that resulted in the least developmental abnormalities and delayed hatching rate at greater concentrations along with 100% mortality at 96 h Post Fertilization (hpf) of higher concentrations. Conclusion: The results indicate that B. monnieri may serve a strong prophylactic action against reactive oxygen species-related diseases with the least sublethal effects.

Morpholine-Substituted Tetrahydroquinoline Derivatives as Potential mTOR Inhibitors: Synthesis, Computational Insights, and Cellular Analysis.

Backgrounds: This study explores the design of substituted tetrahydroquinoline (THQ) derivatives and their synthesis as possible inhibitors of mTOR inhibitors for targeted cancer therapy. Methods: Inspired by the structural characteristics of known mTOR inhibitors, eight novel derivatives were synthesized, characterized using mass spectroscopy, 1H, and 13C NMR, and evaluated for anticancer activity. Results: Computational studies, including molecular docking and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, highlighted the derivative's strong binding interaction and stability within the mTOR active site. Assays for in vitro cytotoxicity showed strong and specific anticancer action against cell lines of triple-negative breast cancer, lung cancer, and breast cancer while causing negligible impact on healthy cells. Conclusions: Compound 10e emerged as the most promising candidate, displaying exceptional activity against A549 cells (IC50 = 0.033 µM) and inducing apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner, surpassing standard agents, like Everolimus and 5-flurouracil. Structure-activity relationship analysis revealed that incorporating trifluoromethyl and morpholine moieties significantly enhanced selectivity and potency. MD simulations further validated these findings, confirming stable protein-ligand interactions and favorable dynamics over a 100-ns simulation period. Collectively, this study underscores the therapeutic potential of THQ derivatives, particularly compound 10e, as promising mTOR inhibitors with potential applications in lung cancer treatment.

Assessment of anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antimicrobial activities of Cichorium intybus different extracts with identification of anti-inflammatory compound using computational and network pharmacological analysis

Medicinal herbs exhibit a variety of pharmacological activities. Due to the presence of active chemical ingredients, they are crucial for both illness prevention and treatment. The active chemical component of plant parts like leaves, stem, flowers, and roots exhibits strong pharmacological activity. In this work, we assessed the pharmacological activity and secondary metabolite composition of different extracts of Cichorium intybus root. The root extracts were tested as anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant activity before being submitted to gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy (GC–MS) and revealed the key chemical ingredients which are responsible for these activities. Finally, network pharmacology and molecular docking are used to identify the active compound. Total seven compounds have been identified through GC–MS analysis. The disc diffusion technique reveals that the root extract possesses remarkable antibacterial potency against both gram negative and gram positive bacteria. The ethyl acetate and methanol extracts have significant antioxidant effectiveness through different assay like DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) free radical scavenging assay and reducing power assay. The carrageenan induced rat paw edema method has been performed to evaluate the anti-inflammatory efficacy. These studies revealed that the ethyl acetate & methanol extracts of the roots possess strong anti-inflammatory action.

Immuno-oncological Challenges and Chemoresistance in Veterinary Medicine: Probiotics as a New Strategic Tool.

Cancer has the highest death rates due to increased immuno-oncological (IO) challenges and chemoresistance caused by gut dysbiosis, whereas administration of probiotics may reverse these responses against anticancer therapies. Recently, immunotherapeutics have extensively been focused for significant advancements in pharmacological drug discovery and clinical outcomes. Mammals have intestinal epithelial cells, mucosal immune cells, and indigenous gut microbiota which may reshape immunotherapeutics efficacy. These include use of T-cell immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICPI), genetically engineered T-cells, tumor vaccines, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), and anti-B- and T-cell antibodies. Immunotherapeutics for cancer treatment became popular in both veterinary and human health care systems due to their strong inhibitory actions against PD-1 and CTLA-4 to check tumorigenesis. IO issues in animals also need special attention, where caninized mAbs targeting CD-20 and CD-52 have been clinically used in treating canine B-cell and T-cell lymphomas, respectively. Probiotics appeared as strong immunotherapeutics that might be shaping the epigenetics of the organisms specifically in animal breeding practices for desired features, but limited literature regarding the immunomodulatory effects in humans and animals is available. In addition, considering the important role of probiotics in humans and veterinary medicine, a new perspective on the probiotic-mediated modulation of ncRNAs (miRNAs, lncRNAs, circRNAs) is also highlighted and would be a new therapeutic tool. This review provides insight into the cellular processes and pharmacological activities for treating veterinary infectious diseases and covers small drug molecules as ncRNA-modulators in veterinary medicine.

Help-seeking behaviors among survivors of intimate partner violence during pregnancy in 54 low- and middle-income countries: evidence from Demographic and Health Survey data

BackgroundIntimate partner violence (IPV) during pregnancy is a global issue of public health importance. Due to the low rates of help-seeking in response to IPV, research on survivors’ help-seeking behaviors is scarce, particularly within low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). The present study provides a cross-national evidence of informal and formal help-seeking patterns among pregnant women experiencing IPV.MethodsThis study made use of population-based data from the Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) Program from 54 LMICs, collected between 2005 and 2020 (N = 359,027). Applying bivariate and multivariable analyses, the present study examined IPV survivors’ help-seeking distributions and associations with individual, partner, family, and community factors.ResultsOnly half of survivors sought help in response to IPV during pregnancy with wide regional and national variations, mainly from informal support networks (including family, neighbors, and friends), and rarely from formal institutions (including legal, socio-cultural, and medical services). Evidence shows that help-seeking behaviors were associated with IPV survivors’ age and educational attainment, survivors’ employment status and earnings compared to their partners, survivors’ consumption of mass media, intimate partner’s age and education, spouse’s alcohol consumption and controlling behaviors, survivors’ wealth index, place of residence, and health-seeking barriers, among others.ConclusionPractitioners are encouraged to consider the study’s outcomes when designing interventions and support for survivors seeking help in response to IPV during pregnancy. Strong advocacy and action are needed, including fostering survivors’ educational attainment, diminishing pregnant women’s social and financial dependencies on their intimate partners, promoting pre- and peri-natal health care, informing survivors about help, and increasing gender equality by engaging women and men equally within the whole community.

Laser-capture microdissection for spatial transcriptomics of immunohistochemically detected neurons.

We developed a versatile 'IHC/LCM-Seq' method for spatial transcriptomics of immunohistochemically detected neurons collected with laser-capture microdissection (LCM). IHC/LCM-Seq uses aluminon and polyvinyl sulfonic acid for inventive RNA-preserving strategies to maintain RNA integrity in free-floating sections of 4% formaldehyde-fixed brains. To validate IHC/LCM-Seq, we first immunostained and harvested striatal cholinergic interneurons with LCM. RNA preparations were subjected to random primer-based cDNA library preparation and bulk sequencing on the NextSeq Illumina platform. IHC/LCM-Seq detected ∼16,000 transcripts, reaching the sensitivity of a reference 'LCM-Seq method' developed for fluorescently tagged neurons microdissected from lightly formaldehyde-fixed and slide-mounted brain sections of transgenic mice. We successfully used the new IHC/LCM-Seq approach to provide unprecedented insight into the transcriptome of immunohistochemically detected gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons regulating reproduction. The ∼13,000 to 14,000 transcripts identified in GnRH neurons of adult male rats and mice encoded 28 proteins implicated previously in human infertility, 35 neuropeptides, 34 nuclear receptors, and 164G protein-coupled receptors. Functional experiments using slice electrophysiology established that the heavy Ntsr2 expression conveys a strong excitatory action of neurotensin on GnRH neurons. As an unexpected species difference, we found that GnRH neurons exclusively expressed estrogen receptor-β in rats and against the current consensus, the alpha estrogen receptor isoform in mice. The IHC/LCM-Seq technique we are reporting is a highly sensitive and accurate bulk sequencing approach to characterize the transcriptome landscape of immunohistochemically labeled neurons, including neuroendocrine GnRH cells. This method is readily applicable to any species, opening new perspectives also for future studies of the post mortem human brain.

Evaluation of the antibacterial properties of four bioactive biomaterials for chronic wound management.

Chronic wound infections present a prevalent medical issue and a multifaceted problem that significantly impacts healthcare systems worldwide. Biofilms formed by pathogenic bacteria are fundamental virulence factors implicated in the complexity and persistence of bacterial-associated wound infections, leading to prolonged recovery times and increased risk of infection. This study aims to investigate the antibacterial effectiveness of commonly employed bioactive wound healing compositions with a particular emphasis on their effectiveness against common bacterial pathogens encountered in chronic wounds - Staphylococcus epidermidis, Escherichia coli, and Pseudomonas aeruginosa to identify optimal wound product composition for managing chronic wound infections. This study tested the antibacterial and antibiofilm effectiveness of four bioactive wound healing materials by performing in vitro antibacterial assays and measuring ion release profiles. The anti-biofilm effectiveness differed extensively among the biomaterials tested and slightly among the bacterial species. Particularly, copper and zinc-doped borate bioactive glass wound healing compositions inhibited the three clinically relevant bacteria in both planktonic and biofilm forms, which were found to be ascribed to the copper and zinc gradual release. The findings suggest that copper and zinc-doped bioactive glasses hold great promise for improving chronic wound management by providing strong antibacterial action and promoting faster healing.

Anticarcinogenic cationic peptides derived from tryptic hydrolysis of β-lactoglobulin.

This study investigated the tryptic hydrolysis of β-lactoglobulin (BLG) for 30, 60, 90, and 120 min at 1/200 E/S (enzyme/substrate ratio, w/w) to prepare potentially anticarcinogenic peptides. The properties of hydrolysates were characterized, including degree of hydrolysis, free amino acids, SDS-PAGE, FTIR, and antioxidant activity employing DPPH-assay, β-carotene/linoleic acid, and FRAP assay. BLG tryptic hydrolysate produced after 60 min hydrolysis recorded the highest antioxidant activity, and LCMS analysis revealed 162 peptides of molecular masses ranging from 800 to 5671Da, most of them are of hydrophobic nature. Within the low-MW peptide group (24 peptides), there were nine hydrophobic basic (HB) and seven hydrophobic acidic (HA), representing 38% and 29%, respectively. The HB peptides may be responsible for the considerable biological activity of the hydrolysate. With dominant basic character supporting the carcinogenic activity of this hydrolysate. The in vitro anticancer activity against Mcf-7, Caco-2, and A-549 human cancer cell lines proliferation by MTT assay recorded IC50% at 42.8, 76.92, and 45.93 μg/mL, respectively. Treating each cell line with IC50% of the hydrolysate for 24 h increased the apoptosis by enhancing the expression of caspase-9 by 5.66, 7.97, and 3.28 folds over the untreated control and inhibited angiogenesis by reducing VEGFR-2 expression by about 56, 76, and 70%, respectively, indicating strong anticancer and antiangiogenic actions on human cancer cells. BLG tryptic hydrolysate may serve as a natural anticarcinogenic agent. The results of this study demonstrated that BLG hydrolysates have direct anticancer and antiangiogenic effects on human cancer cells. The chemical composition and characteristics of the BLG tryptic hydrolysate influence these biological and anticancer activities. The tryptic hydrolysates were generally effective against the three cancer cell lines studied (Mcf-7, Caco-2, and A-549). This effectiveness was assessed by measuring cell proliferation using the MTT assay and by evaluating their impact on angiogenesis through inhibition of VEGFR-2 activity. Future studies may focus on enhancing the anticarcinogenic effectiveness of the peptides by isolating and evaluating the most prominent individual peptide and varying the treatment conditions.

Role of lignin removal on the properties of crude pulp fibers from corn stover via high-temperature formic acid pulping.

Role of lignin removal on the properties of crude pulp fibers from corn stover via high-temperature formic acid pulping.

Effects of Centella asiatica-isolated pectic polysaccharide on dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis

Effects of Centella asiatica-isolated pectic polysaccharide on dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis

Phytochemical Profiling and Biological Activities of Nigella sativa Vinegar Extract: An Insight Into Hypoglycemic Potential Using In Vivo and In Silico Studies.

The current study was conducted to characterize the vinegar extract of Nigella sativa and evaluate its biological activities using in vitro and in vivo studies. The N. sativa extract (NSE) was prepared by macerating seeds in a mixture of water and synthetic vinegar(1:10). The antioxidant potential of NSE was assessed, revealing high total phenolic contents (431.66mg/100g), total flavonoid contents (73.45mg/100g), total antioxidant capacity (118.55mg/100g), and strong radical scavenging potential (89.67%). The anticancer activity of NSE showed insignificant cytotoxic effects on HepG2 liver cell lines (96.61±3.00). An in vivo animal trial was performed, and NSE significantly (p<0.05) lowered the blood glucose (-47.71%), total cholesterol (-37.86%), total glycerides (39.42%), low-density lipoproteins (-29.36%), and very low-density lipoproteins (-30.60%), while increasing the high-density lipoproteins (26.92%) in alloxan-induced diabetic rats. GC-MS analysis of NSE revealed a diverse range of bioactive compounds, including alkaloids, phenolics, and flavonoids. In silico studies using molecular docking simulations showed that pyrrolo[1,2-a] pyrazine-1,4-dione, hexahydro-3-(2-methylpropyl) demonstrated a strong inhibitory action (6.6kcal/mol) against alpha-amylase enzyme. These findings suggest that NSE is a promising natural remedy for managing diabetes and related metabolic disorders, and its potential as a nutraceutical ingredient in functional food applications is significant.

Green synthesis of silver nanoparticles from endophytic fungus Colletotrichum sp. with special emphasis on antibacterial, antioxidant and plant growth promoting potential

The creation of "microbial nanotechnology" for quick and large-scale manufacturing of nanoparticles would be possible with an effective biosynthesis method. Plumbago zeylanica L. is a medicinal plant from which the endophytic fungus Colletotrichum sp. was isolated and identified by 18S rDNA sequencing and microscopic studies. Cell filtrate of Colletotrichum sp. was employed to produce biological silver nanoparticles which acted as a reducing and stabilising agent during this process. The brown colour proved that silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) are being produced. In characterization of AgNPs, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy revealed maximum absorption at 425 nm. From transmission electron microscopy and field emission scanning electron microscopic study the shape of the silver nanoparticle was found spherical with 10–30 nm diameters. The existence of elemental silver (peak) was verified by the silver signal in the energy-dispersive X?ray spectroscopy. Fourier-transform infrared analysis showed some major and minor shifts in the peaks of some chemical bonding. Synthesised AgNP had strong antibacterial action against pathogenic bacterial strains in 200 g/mL concentration and against Pseudomonas aeruginosa MTCC 741, it showed the highest inhibition. The AgNP concentration of 150 g/mL demonstrated the highest competency for antioxidant capabilities while ascorbic acid was used as the reference. Also, AgNP exhibited plant growth-promoting ability as in 40 mg/L concentration; it significantly enhanced the shoot and root growth, total soluble protein, sugar, and indole acetic acid content of P. zeylanica L. This AgNP can be useful in pharmaceutical industries and agriculture as nano fertilizers for all these purposes.

How Populism Replaced Elitism: The Institutional Logic in the Shift of U.S. Trade Policy Under Trump

Since the Ratification of RTAA in 1934, U.S. trade policy has trended toward trade liberalization. However, this trend experienced a significant shift following Donald Trump’s election as president in 2016. This paper analyzes the roles of Congress and the President in shaping trade policy, and by introducing Olson’s collective action theory, examines the logic behind U.S. trade policy formation before and after Trump’s election. The study finds that traditionally, pro-trade groups were able to effectively lobby Congress. In contrast, anti-trade groups struggled to organize effectively due to collective action problem. However, the trade policy formation mechanism underwent a fundamental shift during the Trump administration. By frequently invoking legal provisions such as Section 232, the Trump administration was able to bypass Congress and unilaterally implement protectionist policies, shifting the policymaking authority from Congress to the President, and the primary locus for policy formation from congressional lobbying to presidential elections. In presidential elections, anti-trade groups became highly politically active, forming strong collective action that drove the adoption of protectionist policies. This study provides insights into the institutional logic and political processes behind U.S. trade policy during the Trump era, offering insights into how group political participation influences policymaking.

Innovation in cheese preservation: antimicrobial starch-based films produced by casting and thermo-compression techniques

PurposeThis is one of the innovative studies that performs a comparative study of active and biodegradable starch-based films containing natamycin, produced by casting and thermo-compression methods to improve the microbiological stability of Argentinian Port Salut cheese.Design/methodology/approachBarrier and diffusion tests were carried out in order to evaluate the effectiveness of the films as antifungal packaging.FindingsFilms exhibited strong barrier action, with cast films proving to be the most effective yeast inhibitors. In the diffusion test, both types of films loaded with natamycin demonstrated a decrease in Zygosaccharomyces bailii counts after 48 h. Casting films significantly reduced Zygosaccharomyces rouxii and Saccharomyces cerevisiae counts after 48 h, while thermo-compression films partially inhibited yeasts. Casting films presented the most effective antimicrobial action in protecting cheese against yeast contamination.Originality/valueThis study provides a comparative analysis of the impact of processing methods on the properties of starch-based films incorporating the natural antimicrobial, natamycin. This research studies edible films based on tapioca starch, with or without natamycin, produced by means of casting and thermo-compression techniques, and compares the films antimicrobial properties against Z. bailli, Z. rouxii and S. cerevisiae using model systems and Argentinian Port Salut cheese.

Synergistic Antioxidant Effects of Molecular Hydrogen and Cold Atmospheric Plasma in Enhancing Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy.

In regenerative medicine, mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have shown their importance and potential in tissue reconstruction and immune system modification. However, such cells' potential is often diminished by factors such as oxidative stress, immune rejection, and inadequate engraftment. This review highlights the role of molecular hydrogen (H2) and cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) as adjunct therapies to improve the effectiveness of MSC therapy. H2 has strong antioxidative and anti-inflammatory actions as it quenches reactive oxygen species and positively stimulates the Nrf2 pathway that promotes MSC survival and life. CAP, being a modulated source of ROS and RNS, also assists MSCs by altering the cellular redox balance, thus facilitating cellular adaptation, migration, and differentiation. H2 and CAP in conjunction with each other assist in establishing an ambience favorable for promoting MSCs' survival and growth abilities, and reduce the healing time in various pathways such as wound, neuroprotection, and ischemia. Besides these concerns, this review also covers the best administration routes and doses of H2 and CAP together with MSCs in therapy. This study informs on a novel dual method aimed at improving the outcome of MSC therapy while adding several molecular targets and relevant clinical uses concerning these therapies. Research of the future has to deal with bettering these protocols so that the therapeutic benefits can be maximized without long-term implications for clinical applications.

Surfactant-Free w/o Gelled Emulsions with Benzyl Alcohol: Analytical Study for Varnish Removal on Oil Paintings

In this study, the use of surfactant-free water-in-oil gelled emulsions containing benzyl alcohol (BAl/w) is proposed as an alternative to the more traditional use of organic solvents for removing varnishes. To mitigate the strong swelling and solvent action of benzyl alcohol and protect the paint and the underlying layers, temporary hydrophobization with cyclomethicone D5 has been proposed. The aim of this study was to evaluate the application of BAl/w surfactant-free, constructed with three different gelling agents of the aqueous dispersing phase (xanthan gum, agar-agar, and polyacrylate) on the surface of an oil painting varnished with and without preliminary saturation with D5. The role of pH, which can influence the ionization, and therefore the water solubility of terpene molecules and all other acid species present on the surface, was also studied. Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) and Raman spectroscopies were used to characterize the pigments and the surface before and after varnish removal. Elemental analysis and any morphological changes were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). The leaching efficiency of each surfactant-free emulsion applied on the paint surface was evaluated using a gas chromatography/mass spectroscopy (GC/MS) analysis: the fatty acid content was established in each sample before and after the treatments.