Sugar Alcohols Research Articles

Metabolomic Comparison of Guava (Psidium guajava L.) Leaf Extracts Fermented by Limosilactobacillus fermentum and Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Their Antioxidant and Antiglycation Activities.

Probiotic fermentation of plant-based materials can lead to the generation of various bioactive substances via bacterial metabolites and the biotransformation of phenolic compounds. We compared the metabolic differences between fermentation by Limosilactobacillus fermentum KCTC15072BP (LFG) and fermentation by Lactiplantibacillus plantarum KGMB00831 (LPG) in guava leaf extract (0%, 0.5%, and 2% (w/v))-supplemented medium via non-targeted metabolite profiling. By performing multivariate statistical analysis and comparing the different guava leaf extract groups, 21 guava-derived and 30 bacterial metabolites were identified. The contents of guava-derived glucogallin, gallic acid, and sugar alcohols were significantly higher in LFG than they were in LPG. Similarly, significantly higher contents of guava-derived pyrogallol, vanillic acid, naringenin, phloretin, and aromatic amino acid catabolites were obtained with LPG than with LFG. LFG led to significantly higher antioxidant activities than LPG, while LPG led to significantly higher antiglycation activity than LFG. Interestingly, the fermentation-induced increase in the guava-leaf-extract-supplemented group was significantly higher than that in the control group. Thus, the increased bioactivity induced by guava fermentation with the Lactobacillaceae strain may be influenced by the synergistic effects between microbial metabolites and plant-derived compounds. Overall, examining the metabolic changes in plant-based food fermentation by differentiating the origin of metabolites provides a better understanding of food fermentation.

Bioassay-Guided Fractionation of Pittosporum angustifolium and Terminalia ferdinandiana with Liquid Chromatography Mass Spectroscopy and Gas Chromatography Mass Spectroscopy Exploratory Study

Bioprospecting native Australian plants offers the potential discovery of latent and novel bioactive compounds. The promising cytotoxic and antibacterial activity of methanolic extracts of Pittosporum angustifolium and Terminalia ferdinandiana led to further fractionation and isolation using our laboratory’s bioassay-guided fractionation protocol. Hence, the aim of this study was to further evaluate the bioactivity of the fractions and subfractions and characterize bioactive compounds using liquid chromatography mass spectroscopy (LC-MS/MS) and gas chromatography MS (GC-MS). Compounds tentatively identified in P. angustifolium Fraction 1 using LC-ESI-QTOF-MS/MS were chlorogenic acid and/or neochlorogenic acid, bergapten, berberine, 8′-epitanegool and rosmarinic acid. GC-MS analysis data showed the presence of around 100 compounds, mainly comprising carboxylic acids, sugars, sugar alcohols, amino acids and monoalkylglycerols. Furthermore, the fractions obtained from T. ferdinandiana flesh extracts showed no cytotoxicity, except against HT29 cell lines, and only Fraction 2 exhibited some antibacterial activity. The reduced bioactivity observed in the T. ferdinandiana fractions could be attributed to the potential loss of synergy as compounds become separated within the fractions. As a result, the further fractionation and separation of compounds in these samples was not pursued. However, additional dose-dependent studies are warranted to validate the bioactivity of T. ferdinandiana flesh fractions, particularly since this is an understudied species. Moreover, LC-MS/GC-MS studies confirm the presence of bioactive compounds in P. angustifolium Fraction 1/subfractions, which helps to explain the significant acute anticancer activity of this plant. The screening process designed in this study has the potential to pave the way for developing scientifically validated phytochemical/bioactivity information on ethnomedicinal plants, thereby facilitating further bioprospecting efforts and supporting the discovery of novel drugs in modern medicine.

Air-Stable and Highly Active Transition Metal Phosphide Catalysts for Reductive Molecular Transformations

This review introduces transition metal phosphide nanoparticle catalysts as highly efficient and reusable heterogeneous catalysts for various reductive molecular transformations. These transformations include the hydrogenation of nitriles to primary amines, reductive amination of carbonyl compounds, and biomass conversion, specifically, the aqueous hydrogenation reaction of mono- and disaccharides to sugar alcohols. Unlike traditional air-unstable non-precious metal catalysts, these are stable in air, eliminating the need for strict anaerobic conditions or pre-reduction. Moreover, when combined with supports, metal phosphides exhibit significantly enhanced activity, demonstrating high activity, selectivity, and durability in these hydrogenation reactions.

Organic tracers in fine and coarse aerosols at an urban Mediterranean site: contribution of biomass burning and biogenic emissions.

The concentrations of anhydrosugars (levoglucosan, mannosan, and galactosan), polyols (inositol, xylitol, sorbitol, and mannitol), and glucose were measured in PM1 and PM10 samples collected during 1 year at a traffic site in the city of Elche (southeastern Spain). Levoglucosan, mannosan, and galactosan were mainly found in the PM1 fraction since they are mainly emitted from biomass burning (BB). Likewise, inositol, xylitol, and sorbitol were primarily distributed in the fine mode, suggesting a non-negligible contribution from anthropogenic sources (specifically BB) to the levels of these compounds. This was supported by their seasonal variations, with higher concentrations during winter, and their correlations with levoglucosan concentrations. The average contributions of biomass burning and biogenic sources to OC and PM levels were calculated using levoglucosan and mannitol, respectively, as tracers. On average, BB accounted for 12% and 16% of the OC in PM1 and PM10, while the estimated contribution of fungal spores to OC and PM10 levels was 1.2 and 0.8%, respectively. The results of the present study suggest that, at least in the study area, most sugar alcohols are not appropriate tracers of biogenic emissions.

Biostimulatory effects of boar seminal gel, saliva and semen on sexual behavior of young boars, gilts and sows

The present study aimed to identify novel biostimulatory compounds in boar seminal gel (SG), saliva and semen using Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The bio-stimulatory effect of SG, SG + saliva and SG + semen on young boar for semen collection as well were employed to study bio-stimulatory effects on gilts and sows. Distilled water (DW) exposure was kept as control. SG, saliva and semen were screened for total 105, 96 and 89 compounds. The highest concentration was of alkanes followed by sugar alcohols, then hydrocarbons, amino acids and fatty acids. Elaidic acid was the novel compound identified in pigs. Significantly higher (p < 0.05) number of males got trained in exposure to SG (80%), SG + saliva (75%) and SG + semen (75%) than control (0%). The time (hrs) taken by young boars to get trained on exposure to combination of SG + saliva (244 ± 22.19) and SG + semen (216 ± 13.14) was lesser (p < 0.05) than SG (356 ± 61.85) alone. Interval (hrs) from initiation of exposure for exhibition of different sexual behaviour by males on exposure to SG, saliva and semen was lesser (p < 0.05) than control. Significantly (p < 0.05) higher number of females showed estrus response to exposure of SG (72.72%), SG + saliva (69.23%) and SG + semen (76.92%) than control (0). Interval (hrs) taken to exhibit estrus was shorter (p < 0.05) in females exposed to SG + saliva (201.88 ± 12.66), SG + semen (198.20 ± 9.42) than SG (262.14 ± 20.06) alone. Interval (hrs) for exhibition of different sexual behaviour by females on exposure to SG + saliva and SG + semen was lesser (p < 0.05) than control. In conclusion, novel compounds were identified in boar seminal gel, saliva and semen with biostimulatory properties have been identified in boar SG, saliva and semen. The combined exposure of SG with saliva and semen has more intense biostimulation effect than SG alone for training of young boars and estrus induction in gilts and sows. Such compounds biostimulatory effects can be exploited for augmenting reproductive efficiency in pigs.

Cloning, expression, and functional identification of aquaporin genes from Eimeria tenella

Avian coccidiosis, caused by Eimeria spp., is one of the major parasitic diseases in chicken. Aquaporins (AQP) are essential mediators of water regulation and nutritional intake in parasites, and it may be a suitable molecule for chemotherapeutic target and vaccine candidate. We identified two aquaporin genes in Eimeria tenella (EtAQP1 and EtAQP2) with their full sequence, and the expression profiles were analyzed across different stages of E. tenella life cycle. The expression of EtAQP1 and EtAQP2 in Xenopus oocytes renders them highly permeable for both water and glycerol. Sugar alcohols up to five carbons and urea pass the pore. The immunohistochemical analysis confirms the restriction of antiserum staining to the surface of transfected Xenopus oocytes. Like other AQP family, EtAQPs are transmembrane proteins that are likely important molecules that facilitate solute uptake for parasite intracellular growth and therapeutic targets.

Abstract B035: Evidence for CD73 loss promoting cancer cell stemness via metabolic reprogramming in endometrial cancer

Abstract Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are a subpopulation of cancer cells that are responsible for disease recurrence and chemoresistance. The mechanisms by which CSCs arise in endometrial cancer are not fully understood and elucidating key molecular events may provide insight into therapeutic targets. CD73, a cell surface 5’nucleotidase that generates adenosine, is frequently downregulated in endometrial tumorigenesis, and CD73 loss is associated with aggressive disease and poor patient outcomes. In developing and characterizing CRISPR/Cas-9 models for CD73, we discovered CD73 deletion (CD73−/−) in HEC-1-A cells causes growth arrest and prolonged survival which are features suggestive of a stemness phenotype. Thus, we hypothesized that loss of CD73 is critical for promoting CSCs in endometrial cancer. To evaluate CSC characteristics, we performed MTT and spheroid assays and interrogated CSC marker protein expression (e.g., CD44 and NOTCH3). CD73−/− HEC-1-A cells formed larger spheroids and expressed high levels of CD44 and NOTCH3 compared to wild-type (CD73+/+) cells. To assess whether loss of CD73 enzymatic activity is responsible for the enrichment of CSCs, CD73+/+ HEC-1-B and HEC-50 cells were treated with AoPCP, a catalytic inhibitor of CD73. Similar to genetic deletion of CD73 in HEC-1-A cells, AoPCP treatment resulted in HEC-1-B and HEC-50 cells forming larger spheroids and expressing high CD44 and NOTCH3. These data indicate that loss of CD73 enzyme activity is important to the enrichment of CSCs. In contrast, HEYA8 ovarian cancer cells showed the opposite effects, wherein treatment with AoPCP decreased spheroid size. These differences support the emerging paradigm that CD73 has tissue- and cancer-specific roles. As CD73 is a major node in purine metabolic signaling, we further hypothesized that loss of CD73 activity may be promoting CSC enrichment via changes to metabolic pathways. Mass spectrometry metabolomics revealed significantly different profiles of CD73+/+ and CD73−/− HEC-1-A cells. Conditioned media experiments showed CD73−/−-conditioned media induces growth arrest in HEC-1-A wild-type cells, whereas the growth arrest and CSC marker expression enrichment of CD73−/− cells was abrogated by CD73+/+-conditioned media or daily media replenishment. Metabolomic profiling of CD73+/+ and CD73−/− HEC-1-A cells with/without daily media replenishment revealed metabolic pathways, such as NAD+ biosynthesis, lipid metabolism, and sugar alcohol synthesis, are up-regulated by CD73 deficiency and parallels the enrichment of CSCs. Current studies are dissecting these metabolic dependencies in supporting endometrial cancer cell stemness. Altogether, these studies provide novel insight into how CSCs arise in endometrial cancer and why CD73 loss is detrimental in this disease. Citation Format: Emily M. Rabjohns, Blake R. Rushing, Sayali Joseph, Cyrus Vaziri, Jessica L. Bowser. Evidence for CD73 loss promoting cancer cell stemness via metabolic reprogramming in endometrial cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Endometrial Cancer: Transforming Care through Science; 2023 Nov 16-18; Boston, Massachusetts. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2024;30(5_Suppl):Abstract nr B035.

Comparative Conformational Analysis of Acyclic Sugar Alcohols Ribitol, Xylitol and d-Arabitol by Solution NMR and Molecular Dynamics Simulations.

Ribitol (C5H12O5) is an acyclic sugar alcohol that was recently identified in O-mannose glycan on mammalian α-dystroglycan. The conformation and dynamics of acyclic sugar alcohols such as ribitol are dependent on the stereochemistry of the hydroxyl groups; however, the dynamics are not fully understood. To gain insights into the conformation and dynamics of sugar alcohols, we carried out comparative analyses of ribitol, d-arabitol and xylitol by a crystal structure database search, solution NMR analysis and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The crystal structures of the sugar alcohols showed a limited number of conformations, suggesting that only certain stable conformations are prevalent among all possible conformations. The three-bond scholar coupling constants and exchange rates of hydroxyl protons were measured to obtain information on the backbone torsion angle and possible hydrogen bonding of each hydroxyl group. The 100 ns MD simulations indicate that the ribitol backbone has frequent conformational transitions with torsion angles between 180∘ and ±60∘, while d-arabitol and xylitol showed fewer conformational transitions. Taking our experimental and computational data together, it can be concluded that ribitol is more flexible than d-arabitol or xylitol, and the flexibility is at least in part defined by the configuration of the OH groups, which may form intramolecular hydrogen bonds.

Composition and sources of carbonaceous aerosol in the European Arctic at Zeppelin Observatory, Svalbard (2017 to 2020)

Abstract. We analyzed long-term measurements of organic carbon, elemental carbon, and source-specific organic tracers from 2017 to 2020 to constrain carbonaceous aerosol sources in the rapidly changing Arctic. Additionally, we used absorption photometer (Aethalometer) measurements to constrain equivalent black carbon (eBC) from biomass burning and fossil fuel combustion, using positive matrix factorization (PMF). Our analysis shows that organic tracers are essential for understanding Arctic carbonaceous aerosol sources. Throughout 2017 to 2020, levoglucosan exhibited bimodal seasonality, reflecting emissions from residential wood combustion (RWC) in the heating season (November to May) and from wildfires (WFs) in the non-heating season (June to October), demonstrating a pronounced interannual variability in the influence of WF. Biogenic secondary organic aerosol (BSOA) species (2-methyltetrols) from isoprene oxidation was only present in the non-heating season, peaking in July to August. Warm air masses from Siberia led to a substantial increase in 2-methyltetrols in 2019 and 2020 compared to 2017 to 2018. This highlights the need to investigate the contribution of local sources vs. long-range atmospheric transport (LRT), considering the temperature sensitivity of biogenic volatile organic compound emissions from Arctic vegetation. Tracers of primary biological aerosol particles (PBAPs), including various sugars and sugar alcohols, showed elevated levels in the non-heating season, although with different seasonal trends, whereas cellulose had no apparent seasonality. Most PBAP tracers and 2-methyltetrols peaked during influence of WF emissions, highlighting the importance of measuring a range of source-specific tracers to understand sources and dynamics of carbonaceous aerosol. The seasonality of carbonaceous aerosol was strongly influenced by LRT episodes, as background levels are extremely low. In the non-heating season, the organic aerosol peak was as influenced by LRT, as was elemental carbon during the Arctic haze period. Source apportionment of carbonaceous aerosol by Latin hypercube sampling showed mixed contributions from RWC (46 %), fossil fuel (FF) sources (27 %), and BSOA (25 %) in the heating season. In contrast, the non-heating season was dominated by BSOA (56 %), with lower contributions from WF (26 %) and FF sources (15 %). Source apportionment of eBC by PMF showed that FF combustion dominated eBC (70±2.7 %), whereas RWC (22±2.7 %) was more abundant than WF (8.0±2.9 %). Modeled BC concentrations from FLEXPART (FLEXible PARTicle dispersion model) attributed an almost equal share to FF sources (51±3.1 %) and to biomass burning. Both FLEXPART and the PMF analysis concluded that RWC is a more important source of (e)BC than WF. However, with a modeled RWC contribution of 30±4.1 % and WF of 19±2.8 %, FLEXPART suggests relatively higher contributions to eBC from these sources. Notably, the BB fraction of EC was twice as high as that of eBC, reflecting methodological differences between source apportionment by LHS and PMF. However, important conclusions drawn are unaffected, as both methods indicate the presence of RWC- and WF-sourced BC at Zeppelin, with a higher relative BB contribution during the non-heating season. In summary, organic aerosol (281±106 ng m−3) constitutes a significant fraction of Arctic PM10, although surpassed by sea salt aerosol (682±46.9 ng m−3), mineral dust (613±368 ng m−3), and typically non-sea-salt sulfate SO42- (314±62.6 ng m−3), originating mainly from anthropogenic sources in winter and from natural sources in summer.

Separation of carbohydrates using dynamically adsorbed borate stationary phase for hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography

In this work, a chromatographic method for the separation of carbohydrates was proposed. Tris-(hydroxymethyl)-amine (TRIS) functionalized silica-based hydrophilic interaction liquid chromatography (HILIC) stationary was synthesized. The dynamically absorbed borate layer is generated by using borate buffer as a polar modifier due to the complexation of borate with TRIS ligand in the stationary phase. The chromatographic systems were analyzed by the linear solvation energy relationship model. The calculated system constants revealed the enhancement of anionic exchange by the addition of borate in the mobile phase system. In addition, ligand exchange is critical for the retention and elution order of sugars and sugar alcohols. Carbohydrates displayed prolonged retention with different selectivity profiles relating to their complexation coefficients with borate. Experiment results showed that the effect of borate in this chromatographic system was stable within the range of pH 3–7 and borate concentration of 5–15 mM. This work provides a complementary solution for the separation of carbohydrates. It can also be extended to the separation of glycosides.

Inhibitory effect of thiol compounds on browning precursors and intermediates in sorbitol/glycine system.

Sorbitol as a sweetener is often thought to be unable to participate in the Maillard reaction causing browning. However, browning of a system was found to be significant when sorbitol was mixed with glycine and heated. The thiol compounds glutathione and cysteine were added to the system, and the inhibition mechanism of the two on the browning of the system was studied by combining the changes of precursor substances, intermediate products and browning degree. When the concentration of thiol compounds reached 25 mg mL-1, both could make the browning inhibition of the system more than 80%, and the accumulated glucose concentration was reduced to <35% of the control. The production of 3-deoxyglucosone, a precursor of melanoidin, was significantly reduced. Glutathione and cysteine directly inhibited the production of substrates in the sorbitol/glycine system, reduced glucose accumulation through competitive consumption and captured highly active intermediates through sulfhydryl groups. This has implications for the browning control of food systems containing sugar alcohols. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Selenium Improves the Control Efficacy of Phytophthora nicotianae by Damaging the Cell Membrane System and Promoting Plant Energy Metabolism.

Tobacco black shank (TBS), caused by Phytophthora nicotianae, poses a significant threat to tobacco plants. Selenium (Se), recognized as a beneficial trace element for plant growth, exhibited inhibitory effects on P. nicotianae proliferation, disrupting the cell membrane integrity. This action reduced the energy supply and hindered hyphal transport through membrane proteins, ultimately inducing hyphal apoptosis. Application of 8 mg/L Se through leaf spraying resulted in a notable decrease in TBS incidence. Moreover, Se treatment preserved chloroplast structure, elevated chitinase activities, β-1,3-GA, polyphenol oxidase, phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, and increased hormonal content. Furthermore, Se enhanced flavonoid and sugar alcohol metabolite levels while diminishing amino acid and organic acid content. This shift promoted amino acid degradation and flavonoid synthesis. These findings underscore the potential efficacy of Se in safeguarding tobacco and potentially other plants against P. nicotianae.

One-step preparation of high-purity boehmite by the effect of sugar alcohol in the aluminum-water reaction

In this study, adding sugar alcohols to the aluminum-water reaction enables the one-step boehmite synthesis with energy savings and cost reduction. The obtained boehmite formed as stacked layers of embroidery, with particle size decreasing as the sugar alcohol concentration increased. The boehmite obtained in the sugar alcohol system possesses a substantial number of pores, a higher density of active sites, and a lower proportion of AlO6 coordination bonds, exhibiting a specific surface area beyond 100 m2 g−1, greater than the boehmite obtained through the hydrothermal method (3.46 m2 g−1). This study proposes that sugar alcohols undergo a complexation reaction on the aluminum surface, directly forming aluminum oxo complexes (boehmite) without generating an intermediate. Subsequently, boehmite crystal growth preferentially along the (120), (031), and (200) crystal faces. This low-energy and non-polluting method for preparing high-purity (>99.99 %) boehmite with high activity holds significant potential for applications in adsorbents, carriers, and high-performance alumina materials.

Melting and Solidification Characteristic of Mixture of Two Types of Latent Heat Storage Material in Direct Contact Heat Exchanger

ABSTRACT The aim of this study is to develop a latent heat storage system designed to utilize waste heat from industrial processes in the mid-temperature range of 100–200°C. Mannitol and a mixture of mannitol and erythritol, both classified as sugar alcohols, were utilized as phase change materials in this study. The present study investigated the melting and solidification characteristics of the mixture of C M = 70mass% (with a composition of 70% mannitol and 30% erythritol by mass) for latent heat storage at approximately 150°C. Additionally, the study aims to experimentally establish the thermal performance of the mixture of C M = 70mass% in a direct contact heat exchanger during melting and solidification. Comparative analysis with mannitol was conducted to determine the melting and solidification behavior of the mixture of C M = 70mass%. Moreover, the heat transfer characteristics, including heat storage and heat release speed, were investigated. Finally, the heat transfer mechanism of each phase change material (PCM) was considered through the overall heat transfer rate. keyword : Phase change material(PCM), Direct contact heat exchanger, Mixture of C M =70mass%, melting & soidification behaviors, Overall coefficient of heat transfer.

Tissue distribution of metabolites in Cordyceps cicadae determinedby DESI-MSI analysis.

In this paper, we establish an in situ visualization analysis method to image the spatial distribution of metabolites in different parts (sclerotium, coremium) and different microregions of Cordyceps cicadae (C. cicadae) to achieve the in situ visual characterization of tissues for a variety of metabolites such as nucleosides, amino acids, polysaccharides, organic acids, fatty acids, and so on. The study included LC-MS chemical composition identification, preparation of C. cicadae tissue sections, DEDI-MSI analysis, DESI combined with Q-TOF/MS to obtain high-resolution imaging of mass-to-charge ratio and space, imaging of C. cicadae in positive-negative ion mode with a spatial resolution of 100μm, and localizing and identifying its chemical compositions based on its precise mass. A total of 62 compounds were identified; nucleosides were mainly distributed in the coremium, L-threonine and DL-isoleucine, and other essential amino acids; peptides were mainly distributed in the sclerotium of C. cicadae; and the rest of the amino acids did not have a clear pattern; sugars and sugar alcohols were mainly distributed in the coremium of C. cicadae; organic acids and fatty acids were distributed in the nucleus of C. cicadae more than in the sclerotium, and the mass spectrometry imaging method is established in the research. The mass spectrometry imaging method established in this study is simple and fast and can visualize and analyse the spatial distribution of metabolites of C. cicadae, which is of great significance in characterizing the metabolic network of C. cicadae, and provides support for the quality evaluation of C. cicadae and the study of the temporal and spatial metabolic network of chemical compounds.

Phytocompounds and Regulation of Flavonoids in In Vitro-Grown Safflower Plant Tissue by Abiotic Elicitor CdCl2.

In this study, a Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) investigation of embryogenic callus and somatic embryo regenerated shoots of Carthamus tinctorius revealed the presence of a variety of sugars, sugar acids, sugar alcohols, fatty acids, organic acids, and amino acids of broad therapeutic value. The in vitro developed inflorescence contained a wide range of active compounds. In embryogenic calluses, important flavonoids like naringenin, myricetin, kaempferol, epicatechin gallate, rutin, pelargonidin, peonidin, and delphinidin were identified. To augment the synthesis of active compounds, the effect of cadmium chloride (CdCl2) elicitation was tested for various treatments (T1-T4) along with a control (T0). Varying concentrations of CdCl2 [0.05 mM (T1), 0.10 mM (T2), 0.15 mM (T3), and 0.20 mM (T4)] were added to the MS medium, and flavonoid accumulation was quantified through ultra-high-pressure liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectroscopy (UHPLC-MS/MS). The flavonoids naringenin, kaempferol, epicatechin gallate, pelargonidin, cyanidin, and delphinidin increased by 6.7-, 1.9-, 3.3-, 2.1-, 1.9-, and 4.4-fold, respectively, at T3, whereas quercetin, myricetin, rutin, and peonidin showed a linear increase with the increase in CdCl2 levels. The impacts of stress markers, i.e., ascorbate peroxidase (APX), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD), on defense responses in triggering synthesis were also evaluated. The maximum APX and SOD activity was observed at T3, while CAT activity was at its maximum at T2. The impact of elicitor on biochemical attributes like protein, proline, sugar, and malondialdehyde (MDA) content was investigated. The maximum protein, proline, and sugar accumulation was noted at high elicitor dose T4, while the maximum MDA content was noted at T3. These elevated levels of biochemical parameters indicated stress in culture, and the amendment of CdCl2 in media thus could be a realistic approach for enhancing secondary metabolite synthesis in safflower.

Candidate Gene Transcriptional Signature Unravels the Reprogramming Occurring in the Peel of Apple Fruit of ‘Granny Smith’ During Postharvest Storage

AbstractAfter harvest fruit are stored to preserve the quality features established during the on-tree development and maturation, ensuring thus a continuous availability of fresh fruit on the market. For certain fruit species like apple, storage can last for almost a year, especially when coupled with several strategies, such as the reduction of the oxygen concentration or the application of ethylene competitor molecules, like 1-methylcyclopropene (1-MCP). To guarantee the maintenance of the highest quality, the monitoring of the physiological processes ongoing during the postharvest ripening is compelling. For this purpose, 16 genes belonging to key fruit ripening pathways, such as the ethylene and the sugar/fermentation metabolism, have been chosen as potential markers for the molecular characterization of the major changes occurring in the fruit during storage. Among these genes, ACS, PPO, PG1, RAP2-like, and ADH exhibited the most significant differential expression across the various samples. Based on the transcriptional pattern, this set of genes constitutes a valuable molecular tool for a precise and reliable RNA-based monitoring of the postharvest ripening progression and fermentation process in apples. PPO, together with S6PDH, were furthermore employed to inspect the onset of the superficial scald in apple and resulted to correlate with the evaluation of the incidence of this disorder and the accumulation of the sugar alcohol sorbitol, known to play important protecting roles to chilling injuries. The assessment of the transcriptional signature of these elements can facilitate the development of gene expression markers suitable for a more informed investigation of the physiological progression of the postharvest ripening in apples, ultimately leading to the promotion of high-quality stored apples, extending storage time while minimizing postharvest disorders and fruit loss.

Study of Synthesis of Dual-Curing Thermoplastic Polyurethane Hot-Melt Adhesive and Optimization by Using Gray Relational Analysis to Apply in Fabric Industry to Solve Seamless Bonding Issues.

People wear clothes for warmth, survival and necessity in modern life, but in the modern era, eco-friendliness, shortened production times, design and intelligence also matter. To determine the relationship between data series and verify the proximity of each data series, a gray relational analysis, or GRA, is applied to textiles, where seamless bonding technology enhances the bond between components. In this study, a polyurethane prepolymer, 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate (2-HEA) as an end-capping agent and n-octyl acrylate (ODA) as a photoinitiator were used to synthesize a dual-curing polyurethane hot-melt adhesive. Taguchi quality engineering and a gray relational analysis were used to discuss the influence of different mole ratios of NCO:OH and the effect of the molar ratio of the addition of octyl decyl acrylate on the mechanical strength. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) results showed the termination of the prepolymer's polymerization reaction and the C=O peak intensity at 1730 cm-1, indicating efficient bonding to the main chain. Advanced Polymer Chromatography (APC) was used to investigate the high-molecular-weight (20,000-30,000) polyurethane polymer bonded with octyl decyl acrylate to achieve a photothermosetting effect. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) results showed that the thermal decomposition temperature of the polyurethane hot-melt adhesive also increased, and they showed the highest pyrolysis temperature (349.89 °C) for the polyhydric alcohols. Furthermore, high peel strength (1.68 kg/cm) and shear strength (34.94 kg/cm2) values were detected with the dual-cure photothermosetting polyurethane hot-melt adhesive. The signal-to-noise ratio was also used to generate the gray relational degree. It was observed that the best parameter ratio of NCO:OH was 4:1 with five moles of monomer. The Taguchi quality engineering method was used to find the parameters of single-quality optimization, and then the gray relation calculation was used to obtain the parameter combination of multi-quality optimization for thermosetting the polyurethane hot-melt adhesive. The study aims to meet the requirements of seamless bonding in textile factories and optimize experimental parameter design by setting target values that can effectively increase production speed and reduce processing time and costs as well.

Insights into synergic antioxidant effects for vitamin E and sugar alcohol stabilized ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene composites for artificial joints

Oxidation resistance is strongly necessary for the use of crosslinked ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) in artificial joints. The hybrid antioxidant strategy emerged as a promising alternative to the single rival that relies on vitamin E (VE). The goal of this study was to investigate the universality of the antioxidant synergy between VE and sugar alcohol (SA). Three types of SA, including D-sorbitol, maltitol and erythritol, were employed to cooperate with VE. Compared to the use of VE alone, these hybrid antioxidants generally enabled the corresponding UHMWPE composites with prolonged oxidation induction time (OIT) and increased crosslink density. The correlation between OIT and crosslink density of VE/SA-stabilized UHMWPE composites showed low attenuation. The applicability of the hybrid antioxidants to protect UHMWPE against oxidation was further demonstrated using the in vitro clinically relevant accelerated aging. Among the used SA, D-sorbitol exhibited the strongest ability to enhance the synergetic efficiency. The possible mechanism was revealed from the following aspects: the number of secondary hydroxyls per molecular mass and the molecular polarity determined via polarity parameter calculation. These findings provide significant insights for fabricating UHMWPE bearing materials with superior comprehensive performance and extended service longevity.

Ninjurin 2 Modulates Tumorigenesis, Inflammation, and Metabolism via Pyroptosis

The nerve injury-induced protein 2 (NINJ2) belongs to a family of homophilic adhesion molecules and was initially found to be involved in nerve regeneration. However, the role of NINJ2 in other cellular processes is not well studied. The Ninj2-deficient mice generated in the current study had a short lifespan and were prone to spontaneous tumors, systemic inflammation, and metabolic defects. Comprehensive carbohydrate and lipid metabolic analyses were performed to better understand the metabolic traits that contribute to these phenotypes. Carbohydrate metabolic analyses showed that NINJ2 deficiency led to defects in monosaccharide metabolism along with accumulation of multiple disaccharides and sugar alcohols. Lipidomic analyses showed that Ninj2 deficiency altered patterns of several lipids, including triglycerides, phospholipids, and ceramides. To identify a cellular process that associated with these metabolic defects, the role of NINJ2 in pyroptosis, a programmed cell death that links cancer, inflammation, and metabolic disorders, was examined. Loss of NINJ2 promoted pyroptosis by activating the NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome. Taken together, these data reveal a critical role of NINJ2 in tumorigenesis, inflammatory response, and metabolism via pyroptosis.