Succinic Acid Research Articles

The effect of urinary diversion on kidney function in posterior urethral valves and ureterovesical obstruction.

Posterior urethral valves (PUV) and ureterovesical junction obstruction (UVJO) are common etiologies of lower urinary tract obstruction. The primary objective of therapy is to alleviate the obstruction in the urinary system. Temporary urinary diversion may be necessary in certain situations, such as Urinary tract infection (UTI), sepsis, and unchanging hydronephrosis. This study, aims to assess kidney parameters after urinary diversion (either pyelostomy or ureterostomy) in patients with PUV and UVJO. We conducted a retrospective analysis of all patients diagnosed with PUV or UVJO and treated with urinary diversion following urinary undiversion at our facility between 2015 and 2020. The following variables were collected: demographic details, surgical interventions (type of diversion), serum creatinine throughout follow-up, anterior-posterior diameter of the pelvis (APP), anterior-posterior diameter of the ureter (APU), and sonographic findings of renal parenchymal thickness (PT) as documented by a pediatric radiologist. Additionally, before and after urinary diversion, a Dimercapto succinic acid (DMSA) nuclear renal scan was conducted to assess renal function. We analyzed 67 patients, with a mean follow-up of 38.3months, undergoing either ureterostomy (42 patients) or pyelostomy (25 patients). This included 38 patients with PUV and 29 with UVJO. In PUV patients, significant improvements were observed in APP (MD = 5.56 ± 11.6, p = 0.0194), APU (MD = 5.57 ± 7.28, p < 0.001), and PT (MD = 3.66 ± 2.75, p < 0.001). Similarly, UVJO patients experienced significant improvements in APP (MD = 12.18 ± 18.63, p = 0.005), APU (MD = 7.82 ± 8.98, p = 0.001), and PT (MD = 2.79 ± 3.33, p = 0.001). DMSA scores did not significantly change in either group (p > 0.05). Notably, APP improved more in UVJO patients compared to PUV patients (p = 0.047). Our study suggests that urinary diversion could improve APP, APU, and renal parenchymal thickness in PUV and UVJO patients. The improvement of APP in UVJO patients was greater than in the PUV group. We propose further multi-center studies with longer durations of follow-up and more detailed additional data to support and confirm our results.

A microenvironment-modulating dressing with proliferative degradants for the healing of diabetic wounds.

Diabetic wounds are usually entangled in a disorganized and self-perpetuating microenvironment and accompanied by a prolonged delay in tissue repair. Sustained and coordinated microenvironment regulation and tissue regeneration are key to the healing process of diabetic wounds, yet they continue to pose a formidable challenge. Here we report a rational double-layered dressing design based on chitosan and a degradable conjugated polymer polydiacetylene, poly(deca-4,6-diynedioic acid) (PDDA), that can meet this intricate requirement. With an alternating ene-yne backbone, PDDA degrades when reacting with various types of reactive oxygen species (ROS), and more importantly, generates proliferative succinic acid as a major degradant. Inheriting from PDDA, the developed PDDA-chitosan double layer dressing (PCD) can eliminate ROS in the microenvironment of diabetic wounds, alleviate inflammation, and downregulate gene expression of innate immune receptors. PCD degradation also triggers simultaneous release of succinic acid in a sustainable manner, enabling long-term promotion on tissue regeneration. We have validated the biocompatibility and excellent performance of PCD in expediting the wound healing on both diabetic mouse and porcine models, which underscores the significant translational potential of this microenvironment-modulating, growth-promoting wound dressing in diabetic wounds care.

Chemical Composition of Ripen Fruits of Solanum kieseritzkii C. A. Mey., Distributed in Azerbaijan

The article presents the results of the study of the chemical composition of ripe fruits of Solanum kieseritzkii C. A. Mey. growing in Azerbaijan. As a result of the research, the content of dry substances (18.4-21.3%), total sugars (3.8-4.5%), organic acids (0.91-1.19%), pectin substances (0.61-0.78%), fatty oil (2.8-3.6%), ascorbic acid (312.1 mg%), carotenoids (38.7-43.6 mg%), flavonoids (504.3-596.3 mg%), catechins (202-212 mg%) were determined. Using the paper chromatography method, the fruits of Solanum kieseritzkiiwere found to contain glucose, fructose, sucrose, citric, succinic and malic acids, α-, β-, γ-carotenes, zeaxanthin, xanthin, lycopene, ritin, quercetin, catechin and epicatechin. From the dry pulp after obtaining the juice, 23% of fatty oil was isolated, containing 217 mg/100 g of carotenoids and 185 mg/100 g of tocopherols. The results of the study allow us to recommend fatty oil from the waste of fruits of Solanum kieseritzkiifor obtaining functional products.

Biochar enhances soil interactions and the initial development of sugarcane.

The present study evaluated the effects of biochar derived from sugarcane straw on the physicochemical and biological properties of soil and the initial development of sugarcane. Microcosm and pot experiments were conducted over 60 days to monitor variables such as pH, water retention capacity, microbial activity, initial growth, and the metabolomic profile of the plant leaves. The results indicated that biochar increased the soil water retention capacity without significantly affecting the pH. The biochar significantly promoted root length and mass and favored the growth of the soil microbiota, as reflected by an increase in the amount of microbial biomass carbon. Metabolomic analysis of sugarcane leaves revealed that soil conditioning with biochar at application rates of 3 and 5% w/w led to increased concentrations of the amino acids isoleucine and valine, accompanied by a reduction in galactose, maltose, and glucose levels. Furthermore, biochar treatment resulted in a decrease in aconitic acid and an increase in acetic and succinic acid concentrations. These findings suggest that biochar may be a promising strategy for enhancing the productivity and sustainability of sugarcane cultivation.

Crystallization, thermal, and compatibility performances of poly (butylene succinate) (PBS)/poly((R)‐3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐(R) 3‐hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBHHx) blends

AbstractBiodegradable materials provide protective properties comparable to conventional plastics while diminishing reliance on nonrenewable resources. Environmentally friendly polymer blends were prepared by melting poly(R)‐3‐hydroxybutyrate‐co‐(R)‐3‐hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBHHx) with poly (butylene succinate) (PBS). PBS was synthesized through esterification and polycondensation using 1,4‐butanediol and succinic acid, with tetrabutyltitanate as the catalyst. The PHBHHx is supplied by Bulepha®PHA Company of China, model number BP330. The effects of PHBHHx content on thermal behavior, compatibility, and thermal stability of PBS/PHBHHx blends were systematically investigated. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) results indicated that the addition of PHBHHx influenced the crystallization behavior, the crystallization temperature (Tc) of PBS decreased meanwhile, the crystallization half‐time of PBS is reduced to 1.5 min compared with neat PBS (5 min) after isothermal is crystallized at 95°C. Polarized Optical Microscopy (POM) images also revealed that crystallization rate accelerated in the blend with increasing PHBHHx content. Rheological and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) analysis demonstrated that incorporating a significant content of PHBHHx reduced compatibility between PBS and PHBHHx. Mechanical property testing indicates that the addition of PHBHHx reduced the toughness of blends. Additionally, the addition of a small amount of PHBHHx imparts a higher crystallinity (56%) and heat resistance of the PBS/PHBHHx blends (78°C) was higher than neat PBS (74°C).Highlights Laboratory synthesis of high molecular weight PBS. Optimal ratios improved crystallinity and thermal stability of blends. A systematic study of the crystallization properties of blends.

Succinic Acid Improves the Metabolism of High-Fat Diet-Induced Mice and Promotes White Adipose Browning

Succinic acid plays a crucial role as an essential intermediate in the mitochondrial tricarboxylic acid cycle in mitochondria. In recent years, growing evidence has supported the the important role of succinic acid in fat metabolism. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effects of succinic acid on adipose tissue metabolism and insulin sensitivity in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice and try to explore its potential mechanism. We found that the addition of succinic acid (40 mM) to drinking water inhibited the hypertrophy of inguinal white adipose tissue (iWAT) in HFD-induced mice. Furthermore, succinic acid supplementation enhanced insulin sensitivity and improved their glucose tolerance in obese mice. Interestingly, succinic acid supplementation improved lipid metabolism in HFD-fed mice, as shown by decreased serum levels of TG, TC, LDL-C, and increased HDL-C. In addition, succinic acid supplementation increased the expression of browning markers and mitochondria-related genes in iWAT. Further studies showed that the addition of succinic acid to drinking water promotes the browning of iWAT by activating the PI3K-AKT/MAPK signaling pathway. These results suggest that succinic acid has the potential to be used as an effective component for dietary intervention and may, therefore, play an important role in ameliorating and preventing obesity and associated metabolic diseases caused by HFD.

Enhancement of Tomato Fruit Quality Through Moderate Water Deficit

In arid areas, water shortage has become a major bottleneck limiting the sustainable development of agriculture, necessitating improved water use efficiency and the full development of innovative water-saving irrigation management technologies to improve quality. In the present study, tomato (Solanum lycopersicum cv. Micro Tom) fruits were used as materials, and different irrigation frequencies were set during the fruit expansion stage. The normal treatment (CK) was irrigated every three days, while the water deficit treatments were irrigated at varying frequencies: once every 4 days (T1), 5 days (T2), 6 days (T3), 7 days (T4), and 8 days (T5). These corresponded to 80%, 70%, 60%, 50%, and 40% of the maximum field moisture capacity (FMC), respectively, with CK maintaining full irrigation at 90% of the maximum FMC. The water deficit treatment T3, with less stress damage to plants and the most significant effect on fruit quality improvement, was selected based on plant growth indices, photosynthetic characteristics, chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, and fruit quality indices, and its effects on carotenoids, glycolic acid fractions, and volatile compounds during tomato fruit ripening were further investigated. The outcome indicated that moderate water deficit significantly increased the carotenoid components of the tomato fruits, and their lycopene, lutein, α-carotene, and β-carotene contents increased by 11.85%, 12.28%, 20.87%, and 63.89%, respectively, compared with the control fruits at the ripening stage. The contents of glucose and fructose increased with the development and ripening of the tomato fruits, and reached their maximum at the ripening stage. Compared to the control treatment, the moderate water deficit treatment significantly increased the glucose and fructose levels during ripening by 86.70% and 19.83%, respectively. Compared to the control conditions, water deficit conditions reduced the sucrose content in the tomato fruits by 27.14%, 18.03%, and 18.42% at the mature green, turning, and ripening stages, respectively. The moderate water deficit treatment significantly increased the contents of tartaric acid, malic acid, shikimic acid, alpha ketoglutaric acid, succinic acid, and ascorbic acid, and decreased the contents of oxalic acid and citric acid compared to the control. The contents of total soluble sugar and total organic acid and the sugar–acid ratio were significantly increased by 48.69%, 3.71%, and 43.09%, respectively, compared with the control at the ripening stage. The moderate water deficit treatment increased the fruit response values to each sensor of the electronic nose, especially W5S, which was increased by 28.40% compared to the control at the ripening stage. In conclusion, during the ripening process of tomato fruit, its nutritional quality and flavor quality contents can be significantly improved under moderate (MD) deficit irrigation treatment. The results of this experiment can lay the foundation for the research on the mechanism of water deficit aiming to promote the quality of tomato fruit, and, at the same time, provide a theoretical basis and reference for tomato water conservation and high-quality cultivation.

Improvement of succinate production from methane by combining rational engineering and laboratory evolution in Methylomonas sp. DH-1

Recently, methane has been considered a next-generation carbon feedstock due to its abundance and it is main component of shale gas and biogas. Methylomonas sp. DH-1 has been evaluated as a promising industrial bio-catalyst candidate. Succinate is considered one of the top building block chemicals in the agricultural, food, and pharmaceutical industries. In this study, succinate production by Methylomonas sp. DH-1 was improved by combining adaptive laboratory evolution (ALE) technology with genetic engineering in the chromosome of Methylomonas sp. DH-1, such as deletion of bypass pathway genes (succinate dehydrogenase and succinate semialdehyde dehydrogenase) or overexpression of genes related with succinate production (citrate synthase, pyruvate carboxylase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase). Through ALE, the maximum consumption rate of substrate gases (methane and oxygen) and the duration maintaining high substrate gas consumption rates was enhanced compared to those of the parental strain. Based on the improved methane consumption, cell growth (OD600) increased more than twice, and the succinate titer increased by ~ 48% from 218 to 323 mg/L. To prevent unwanted succinate consumption, the succinate semialdehyde dehydrogenase gene was deleted from the genome. The first enzyme of TCA cycle (citrate synthase) was overexpressed. Pyruvate carboxylase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylase, which produce oxaloacetate, a substrate for citrate synthase, were also overproduced by a newly identified strong promoter. The new strong promoter was screened from RNA sequencing data. When these modifications were combined in one strain, the maximum titer (702 mg/L) was successfully improved by more than three times. This study demonstrates that successful enhancement of succinic acid production can be achieved in methanotrophs through additional genetic engineering following adaptive laboratory evolution.

Dietary β-hydroxybutyrate sodium alters rumen microbiome and nutrient metabolism in the rumen epithelium of young goats

The role of β-hydroxybutyric acid (BHBA) includes providing energy, regulating signaling pathways, and ameliorating the gut microbiota in the host, while its nutrient mechanism to improve rumen epithelium development in young ruminants is still unclear. In this study, a total of 12 female Haimen goats with 30 days of age were chosen and divided into two groups. One group was fed with basic diet (CON), and the other group was fed a basal diet supplemented with 6 g d-1 dietary β-hydroxybutyrate sodium (BHBA-Na). The experimental period was 30 days, and all goats were slaughtered at 60 days of age. The joint analysis of multi-omics, including rumen microbiota, rumen epithelial transcriptome and rumen epithelial metabolomics in young goat model, was performed to systematically investigate the effect of dietary BHBA-Na on rumen development in young goats. As the results, we found that dietary BHBA-Na improved the growth performance of young goat including body weight, average daily gain (ADG) and dry matter intake (DMI) (P<0.05). Dietary BHBA-Na also increased the weight of rumen, and promoted the growth of rumen epithelium development (P < 0.05). The abundance of several beneficial bacteria was increased (Fibrobacter, Succinivibrio, Clostridiales, etc.,). The rumen epithelium transcriptome and metabolomics indicated that BHBA-Na supplementation showed a remarkable effect on the nutrient metabolism of the rumen epithelium. Specifically, the pathways of “fatty acid metabolism”, “cholesterol homeostasis”, “reactive oxygen species (ROS) pathway” and “peroxisome” were activated in response to BHBA-Na addition (P < 0.05). Moreover, the genes (HMGCS2, ECSH1, ACAA2, ECH1, ACADS etc.) and metabolites (succinic acid, alpha-ketoisovaleric acid, etc.) involved in these pathways were also regulated positively (P < 0.05). The rumen epithelium obtained the energy for its development from the process of volatile fatty acids (VFAs) decomposition. Finally, we observed the close correlations among the phenotypes, ruminal microbiota, host genes and epithelial metabolites. Overall, our results revealed that the BHBA-Na promoted the growth and rumen development of young goats possibly by enhancing DMI and regulating the rumen microbiota and the metabolisms of VFA and amino acid in the rumen epithelium.

Key non-volatile taste components and characteristics in abdominal muscle of Eriocheir sinensis under various thermal processing methods

This study identified the key non-volatile taste components and characteristics in the abdominal muscle (AM) of Eriocheir sinensis under various thermal processing methods: boiling at rising temperature (BO-R), boiling at constant temperature (BO-C), steaming with water vapor (ST) and salt-baked (BK). The results showed that arginine (Arg), alanine (Ala), glycine (Gly), glutamate (Glu), 5’-AMP, histidine (His), lysine (Lys), proline (Pro), K+, PO43−, betaine, succinic acid, and lactic acid were the key taste contributors, exhibiting taste activity values (TAV) higher than 1.0. Compared to BO groups, ST and BK group showed higher expression in SFAAs. BK exhibited the highest Arg, 5’-AMP contents, EUC (4.49 g MSG/100 g), and reduced BFAAs. The cluster and correlation analysis demonstrated that Arg, Ala, and His were identified as the primary differential components under various thermal degradation. These findings could deepen the understanding of taste for subsequent studies.

Attracting magnetic BDD particles onto Ti/RuO2-IrO2 by using a magnet: A novel 2.5-dimensional electrode for electrochemical oxidation wastewater treatment

Boron-doped diamond (BDD) is a well-known anode material with a high pollutant degradation ability for electrochemical oxidation wastewater treatment. Nevertheless, the cost of production and mechanical strength of BDD membranes remain unsatisfactory. Magnetic BDD particles derived from industrial waste may represent a promising alternative to BDD membranes, although the challenge remains in assembling these particles into a usable electrode. In this study, magnetic BDD particles were attracted to a Ti/RuO2-IrO2 electrode using a magnet, thus constituting a novel 2.5-dimensional (2.5D) electrode. To ascertain the structure-activity relationship of the novel electrode, essential characterizations, multi-physics simulations, pollutant degradation and electrosynthesis experiments were conducted. The results indicate that an appropriate quantity of BDD particles (0.1 g/cm2) can enhance the number of active sites by approximately 20%. A strong synergistic effect was observed between the Ti/RuO2-IrO2 and BDD particles in the degradation of various pollutants, including azo dye, p-benzoquinone, succinic acid and four kinds of real wastewaters, as well as glycerol conversion. The joint active sites on the interface between Ti/RuO2-IrO2 and BDD particles, as well as the inner active sites on BDD particles, have been identified as crucial in the mineralization of pollutants and the generation of value-added products. The optimal amount of BDD particles (0.1 g/cm2) is sufficient to preserve the joint active sites and to maintain an adequate polarization on the BDD particles. Nevertheless, the hybrid feature of the 2.5D electrode is diminished when a greater quantity of BDD particles (0.3 g/cm2) is loaded.

A Study of the Bioactive Compounds, Antioxidant Capabilities, Antibacterial Effectiveness, and Cytotoxic Effects on Breast Cancer Cell Lines Using an Ethanolic Extract from the Aerial Parts of the Indigenous Plant Anabasis aretioïdes Coss. &amp; Moq.

Anabasis aretioïdes contain numerous bioactive compounds that provide several advantages, including antioxidant, antibacterial, anticancer, neuroprotective, anti-inflammatory, and antidiabetic characteristics. This study aimed to make a hydroethanolic extract from the aerial part of the plant, analyze its biochemical compounds, and test its biological activities. From HPLC-DAD analysis, cinnamic acid, sinapic acid, and vanillin bioactives were found to be the main compounds in the extract. The spectrometric tests revealed that the extract was rich in flavonoids (8.52 ± 0.32 mg RE/100 g DW), polyphenols (159.32 ± 0.63 mg GAE/100 g DW), and condensed tannins (8.73 ± 0.23 mg CE/100 g DW). The extract showed significant antioxidant activity. There were strong correlations between the amount of flavonoid or polyphenol and the antioxidant assays, including ABTS, DPPH, β-carotene, and TAC. The extract also showed highly effective results against Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus and Enterococcus faecalis as well as against Gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and showed promising cytotoxicity against breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231. The in silico modeling of the bioactive compounds contained in the extract illustrated their interaction mode with the active sites of particular target proteins, and it showed that rutin had the strongest effect on stopping NADPH oxidase enzyme, with a glide score of −6.889 Kcal/mol. Sinapic acid inhibited E. coli beta-ketoacyl-[acyl carrier protein] synthase (−7.517 kcal/mol), and apigenin showed high binding affinity to S. aureus nucleoside di-phosphate kinase, with −8.656 kcal/mol. Succinic acid has the strongest anticancer effect for caspase-3, with a glide score of −8.102 kcal/mol. These bioactive components may be beneficial as antioxidant and antibacterial applications in medicine, foods, natural cosmetics, and breast cancer prevention in the future. As a result, the use of this indigenous plant must be considered to maximize its value and preservation.

Outside-in enhancement of phosphate solubilizing bacteria by sludge biochar for phenol remediation in soil: Pollution stress reduction, electron transfer gain and secretion regulation

The high toxicity of phenol poses a significant barrier to bacterial bio-removal capacity. This study innovatively proposes the utilization of sludge biochar (SB) to embed phosphate-solubilizing bacteria (CZB1), creating a composite system (SB-CZB1) that enhances the bio-removal efficiency of phenol. The research findings indicate that after being embedded with biochar, Phosphorus solubilizing bacteria (PSB) achieved a significant enhancement (49.7 %-67.0 %) in phenol removal efficiency across different concentration gradients (1500, 2000, 2500 mg/L). SB component in the SB-CZB1 composite system provides a stable and favorable growth environment for CZB1, significantly enhancing microbial metabolic activity. Notably, it stimulates CZB1 to secrete succinic acid and malic acid (with increases of 3.8 % and 23.9 %, respectively), effectively mitigating the detrimental effects of phenol toxicity on microorganisms. Three-dimensional fluorescence and electrochemical analysis demonstrate that SB not only exhibits exceptional electrochemical performance but also stimulates CZB1 to generate redox-active substances (quinone components in humic acid). The electron transfer rates between microorganisms and phenol in the SB-CZB1 system are 9.75–21.71 times and 23.94–63.95 times higher than those in SB and CZB1 alone, respectively. Meanwhile, the abundant oxygen-containing functional groups (COH/COC, COOH, CO) on the surface of SB-CZB1 play a pivotal role in the adsorption and removal of phenol. Furthermore, pot experiments further reveal that the SB-CZB1 composite system significantly enhances the removal efficiency of phenol in soil (98.1 %). Additionally, the application of SB-CZB1 effectively modulated soil properties, notably increasing available potassium and available phosphorus content by 40.86 % and 136.69 %. This application not only enriched soil microbial diversity but also promoted the proliferation of native organic pollutant remediation bacteria in the soil. Notably, the proliferation of Bacillus species affiliated with CZB1 was the most significant, increasing by 82.1 %. This result confirms that biochar embedding technology effectively enhanced the colonization of CZB1 in the soil, thereby significantly accelerating the bio-removal process of phenol.

Reactive Extraction of Carboxylic Acids (Lactic, Propionic and Succinic Acids) using Tri-n-Butyl Amine Dissolved in Various Diluents

The current study intends to look into the extraction of lactic acid, propionic acid and succinic acids from aqueous solutions of these substances utilizing various solvent-extractant combinations to ascertain the most effective composition for the reactive extraction. The commercial value of succinic, propionic, and lactic acids in industrial processes led to their selection as the carboxylic acids. The process of recovering carboxylic acids from their aqueous solutions is accomplished by the Process Intensification method of reactive Tri-n-Butyl Amine was employed in the experiments because it has better stability, a lower water solubility, and is more eco-friendly than other extractants of the amine type. The extractants were dissolved in various diluents with various chemical structures, including 1-octanol, chloroform, and dimethylene chloride. Each experiment was conducted at 298.15 K. The distribution coefficient (KD), loading factor (Z), and extraction yield (%E) were used to compare the results in the range of 0.1 to 0.4 N acid concentration at various concentrations of Tri-n-Butyl Amine (10% to 40%). It was observed that at 0.1N and 40% amine concentration succinic acid attains a maximum distribution coefficient KD is 8.01 and equilibrium complexion KE1 is 7.5 for Tri-n-Butyl Amine, followed by propionic acid and lactic acid and a (1:1) type of acid amine complex was observed. The kinetic studies that were carried out using stirred cells to figure out the kinetic parameters such as order of the reaction with respect to acid and amine, mass transfer coefficient, and rate constant are also reported. The reaction with the highest Hatta number, MH=14, occurs in an instantaneous regime in 1-octanol when succinic acid and Tri-n-Butyl Amine interact.

Metabolomic biomarkers in amniotic fluid for early diagnosis of preterm birth and fetal growth restriction.

Preterm birth, affecting about 10% of pregnancies, significantly contributes to perinatal morbidity and mortality. Recent research indicates that metabolomics could enhance pregnancy outcomes and reduce costs by identifying biomarkers related to common pregnancy complications. Our team focused on analyzing amniotic fluid collected during the second trimester to identify potential biomarkers for preterm birth using 1H-NMR metabolomic analysis. We compared amniotic fluid samples from women who delivered prematurely with those who delivered at term. Multivariate principal component analysis revealed dimethylglycine, glucose, myo-inositol, and succinic acid as potential biomarkers for preterm birth prognosis and early diagnosis. Further analysis demonstrated distinct regulation patterns of these metabolites in relation to fetal growth centiles. For instance, dimethylglycine and glucose were upregulated in fetuses above the 20th centile, while citrate and succinate were upregulated in those below it. With Area Under the Curve (AUROC) values over 0.75 and p-values less than 0.05, these metabolites show promise as reliable biomarkers for predicting fetal growth restriction. This approach could significantly impact maternal-fetal medicine by facilitating early diagnosis and personalized interventions. Future research should focus on validating these findings in larger populations and exploring the underlying mechanisms of metabolite regulation.

Serum metabolomics signature of maternally inherited diabetes and deafness by gas chromatography-time of flight mass spectrometry.

The aim of this study was to identify a metabolic signature of MIDD as compared to healthy controls and other types of diabetes. We performed a comprehensive serum metabolomic analysis using gas chromatography-time of flight mass spectrometry (GC-TOFMS) in participants diagnosed with MIDD (n = 14), latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) (n = 14), type 2 diabetes mellitus (n = 14), and healthy controls (n = 14). Each group was matched for gender and age. There were significant metabolic differences among MIDD and other diabetic and control groups. Compared with control, MIDD patients had high levels of carbohydrates (glucose, galactose, mannose, sorbose, and maltose), fatty acids (2-Hydroxybutyric acid, eicosapentaenoic acid, and octadecanoic acid), and other metabolites (alanine, threonic acid, cholesterol, lactic acid, and gluconic acid), but low level of threonine. Compared with LADA, MIDD patients had high levels of threonic acid and some amino acids (alanine, tryptophan, histidine, proline, glutamine, and creatine) but low levels of serine. Compared with type 2 diabetes mellitus, MIDD patients had high levels of citrulline, creatine, 3-Amino-2-piperidone, but low levels of ornithine, fatty acids (arachidonic acid and octadecanoic acid), and intermediates of the tricarboxylic acid cycle (malic acid and succinic acid). Our study identified a specific metabolic profile related to glycolysis and the tricarboxylic acid cycle in MIDD that differs from healthy controls and other types of diabetes. This unique metabolic signature provides new perspectives for understanding the pathophysiology and underlying mechanisms of MIDD.

Altering the Solid Electrolyte Interface Through Surface-Modification of Lithium Metal Anode for High-Voltage Lithium Battery

Abstract The physical structure and chemical composition of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI) affect the performance of the lithium metal anode. The tuning of the chemical composition and structure of the SEI through the surface modification of the lithium metal anode has been conducted. A series of dicarboxylic acids, oxalic acid, malonic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, and adipic acid have been utilized to modify the surface of the lithium anode. Physical characterization methods have been employed to study the surface morphology and chemical composition of the SEI. Symmetrical (Li/Li) and asymmetrical (NMC622/Li) cells with pristine lithium and surface modified lithium electrodes have been assembled and tested. NMC622/Li cell with surface modified lithium shows improved performance compared to that of pristine lithium. Malonic acid-treated lithium outperforms all the electrodes by retaining 141 mAh/g specific capacity even after 100 cycles of charge-discharge. XPS depth profiling analysis reveals that the SEI on the MA-Li contains evenly distributed organic and inorganic components which are responsible for the performance of MA-Li.

The tale of two Ions Na+ and Cl−: unraveling onion plant responses to varying salt treatments

BackgroundExploring the adaptive responses of onions (Allium cepa L.) to salinity reveals a critical challenge for this salt-sensitive crop. While previous studies have concentrated on the effects of sodium (Na+), this research highlights the substantial yet less-explored impact of chloride (Cl−) accumulation. Two onion varieties were subjected to treatments with different sodium and chloride containing salts to observe early metabolic responses without causing toxicity.ResultsThe initial effects of salinity on onions showed increased concentrations of both ions, with Cl− having a more pronounced impact on metabolic profiles than Na+. Onions initially adapt to salinity by first altering their organic acid concentrations, which are critical for essential functions such as energy production and stress response. The landrace Birnförmige exhibited more effective regulation of its Na+/K+ balance and a milder response to Cl− compared to the hybrid Hytech. Metabolic alterations were analyzed using advanced techniques, revealing specific responses in leaves and bulbs to Cl− accumulation, with significant changes observed in organic acids involved in the TCA cycle, such as fumaric acid, and succinic acid, in both varieties. Additionally, there was a variety-specific increase in ethanolamine in Birnförmige and lysine in Hytech in response to Cl− accumulation.ConclusionThis comprehensive study offers new insights into onion ion regulation and stress adaptation during the initial stages of salinity exposure, emphasizing the importance of considering both Na+ and Cl− when assessing plant responses to salinity.

Mammalian Diaphanous-related formin 1 (mDia1) inducing diabetic cardiomyopathy by regulating metabolic reprogramming

Abstract Background Mammalian Diaphanous-related formin 1 (mDia1) is one of the formin family proteins and acts as a rho-effector molecule which is involved in actin organization. Previous studies showed that mDia1 aggravated compensatory cardiac hypertrophy in response to pressure overload. However, the role of mDia1 in diabetic cardiomyopathy and its mechanisms remain elusive. Objective To clarify the mechanisms of mDia1 in DCM through mediating metabolic reprogramming. Methods 5-week-old of mDia1 ko mice were used to induce DCM by feeding high-fat diet (HFD) for 16 weeks. The blood glucose and body weight of the mice were measured regularly. Echocardiography was used to evaluate cardiac function. HE and WGA staining were used to evaluate hypertrophy of cardiomyocytes. Transmission electron microscopy and mitotracker staining were used to observe the morphology of mitochondrial in heart. Proteomics and metabolomics were used to explore the metabolites in hearts of mice. Primary neonatal cardiomyocytes were isolated and stimulated with 35 mM glucose and 250 μM palmitate in vitro. Adenovirus expressing shRNA of mDia1 was used to knockdown mDia1 in cardiomyocytes. Mitochondria were isolated from primary cardiomyocytes to verify the translocation of mDia1. Co-Immunoprecipitation was used to confirm the interaction between mDia1 with succinate dehydrogenase subunits A (SDHA). Results mDia1 had no effects to blood glucose and body weight after 16-week HFD feeding. Loss of mDia1 ameliorated diastolic dysfunction in DCM mice with shorter isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT) and increased E/A ratio in left ventricular. In addition, cardiac hypertrophy was significantly improved in mDia1 ko mice. mDia1 deficiency tended to maintain the normal mitochondrial structure. Results of proteomics showed that mDia1 was involved in mitochondrial function, ATP synthesis and metabolic pathways. Metabolomics showed that HFD induced accumulation of α-ketoglutaric acid in wild type mice compared with mDia1 ko mice. However, mDia1 ko significantly increased fumaric acid but did not affect succinyl-CoA and succinic acid compared with wild type mice. Furthermore，we found that mDia1 translocated into mitochondrial with high glucose and palmitate stimuli. Results of CoIP showed mDia1 interacted with SDHA both in cardiomyocytes and HEK293 cells. Conclusions mDia1 deteriorated DCM through translocating into mitochondrial and interacting with SDHA, a process dependent on metabolic pathways.Figure of Mechanism

Boosting succinic acid production of Yarrowia lipolytica at low pH through enhancing product tolerance and glucose metabolism

BackgroundSuccinic acid (SA) is an important bio-based C4 platform chemical with versatile applications, including the production of 1,4-butanediol, tetrahydrofuran, and γ-butyrolactone. The non-conventional yeast Yarrowia lipolytica has garnered substantial interest as a robust cell factory for SA production at low pH. However, the high concentrations of SA, especially under acidic conditions, can impose significant stress on microbial cells, leading to reduced glucose metabolism viability and compromised production performance. Therefore, it is important to develop Y. lipolytica strains with enhanced SA tolerance for industrial-scale SA production.ResultsAn SA-tolerant Y. lipolytica strain E501 with improved SA production was obtained through adaptive laboratory evolution (ALE). In a 5-L bioreactor, the evolved strain E501 produced 89.62 g/L SA, representing a 7.2% increase over the starting strain Hi-SA2. Genome resequencing and transcriptome analysis identified a mutation in the 26S proteasome regulatory subunit Rpn1, as well as genes involved in transmembrane transport, which may be associated with enhanced SA tolerance. By further fine-tuning the glycolytic pathway flux, the highest SA titer of 112.54 g/L to date at low pH was achieved, with a yield of 0.67 g/g glucose and a productivity of 2.08 g/L/h.ConclusionThis study provided a robust engineered Y. lipolytica strain capable of efficiently producing SA at low pH, thereby reducing the cost of industrial SA fermentation.Graphical abstract