Effect of Supplemental UV-A Intensity on Growth and Quality of Kale under Red and Blue Light

Different intensities of UV-A (6, 12, 18 μmol·m⁻²s⁻¹) were applied in a plant factory to evaluate the combined influences of supplemental UV-A and red and blue light (Red:Blue = 1:1 at PPFD of 250 μmol·m⁻² s⁻¹) on the biomass, antioxidant activity and phytochemical accumulation of kale. Supplemental UV-A treatments (T1: 6 μmol·m⁻² s⁻¹, T2: 12 μmol·m⁻² s⁻¹ and T3: 18 μmol·m⁻² s⁻¹) resulted in higher moisture content, higher pigment content, and greater leaf area of kale while T2 reached its highest point. T2 treatment positively enhanced the antioxidant capacity, increased the contents of soluble protein, soluble sugar and reduced the nitrate content. T1 treatment markedly increased the content of aliphatic glucosinolate (GSL), whereas T2 treatment highly increased the contents of indolic GSL and total GSL. Genes related to GSL biosynthesis were down-regulated in CK and T3 treatments, while a majority of them were greatly up-regulated by T1 and T2. Hence, supplemental 12 μmol·m⁻² s⁻¹ UV-A might be a promising strategy to enhance the growth and quality of kale in a plant factory.     

Involvement of the PI3K/AKT Intracellular Signaling Pathway in the AntiCancer Activity of Hydroxytyrosol,a Polyphenol from Olea europaea,in Hematological Cells and Implication of HSP60 Levels in Its Anti-Inflammatory Activity

Hydroxytyrosol (HT), the main representative of polyphenols of olive oil, has been described as one of the most powerful natural antioxidants, also showing anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, cardioprotective and anticancer activity in different type of cancers, but has been little studied in hematological neoplasms. The objective of this work was to evaluate the anticancer potential of HT in acute human leukemia T cells (Jurkat and HL60) and the anti-inflammatory potential in murine macrophages (Raw264.7). For this, cytotoxicity tests were performed for HT, showing IC₅₀ values, at 24 h, for Jurkat, HL60 and Raw264.7 cells, of 27.3 µg·mL⁻¹, 109.8 µg·mL⁻¹ and 45.7 µg·mL⁻¹, respectively. At the same time, HT caused cell arrest in G₀/G₁ phase in both Jurkat and HL60 cells by increasing G₀/G₁ phase and significantly decreasing S phase. Apoptosis and cell cycle assays revealed an antiproliferative effect of HT, decreasing the percentage of dividing cells and increasing apoptosis. Furthermore, HT inhibited the PI3K signaling pathway and, consequently, the MAPK pathway was activated. Inflammation tests revealed that HT acts as an anti-inflammatory agent, reducing NO levels in Raw264.7 cells previously stimulated by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). These processes were confirmed by the changes in the expression of the main markers of inflammation and cancer. In conclusion, HT has an anticancer and anti-inflammatory effect in the cell lines studied, which were Raw264.7, Jurkat, and HL60, and could be used as a natural drug in the treatment of liquid cancers, leukemias, myelomas and lymphomas.     

Secondary Metabolic Profile as a Tool for Distinction and Characterization of Cultivars of Black Pepper (Piper nigrum L.) Cultivated in Pará State,Brazil

This study evaluated the chemical compositions of the leaves and fruits of eight black pepper cultivars cultivated in Pará State (Amazon, Brazil). Hydrodistillation and gas chromatography–mass spectrometry were employed to extract and analyze the volatile compounds, respectively. Sesquiterpene hydrocarbons were predominant (58.5–90.9%) in the cultivars “Cingapura”, “Equador”, “Guajarina”, “Iaçará”, and “Kottanadan”, and “Bragantina”, “Clonada”, and “Uthirankota” displayed oxygenated sesquiterpenoids (50.6–75.0%). The multivariate statistical analysis applied using volatile composition grouped the samples into four groups: γ-Elemene, curzerene, and δ-elemene (“Equador”/“Guajarina”, I); δ-elemene (“Iaçará”/“Kottanadan”/“Cingapura”, II); elemol (“Clonada”/“Uthirankota”, III) and α-muurolol, bicyclogermacrene, and cubebol (“Bragantina”, IV). The major compounds in all fruit samples were monoterpene hydrocarbons such as α-pinene, β-pinene, and limonene. Among the cultivar leaves, phenolics content (44.75–140.53 mg GAE·g⁻¹ FW), the enzymatic activity of phenylalanine-ammonia lyase (20.19–57.22 µU·mL⁻¹), and carotenoids (0.21–2.31 µg·mL⁻¹) displayed significant variations. Due to black pepper’s susceptibility to Fusarium infection, a molecular docking analysis was carried out on Fusarium protein targets using each cultivar’s volatile components. F. oxysporum endoglucanase was identified as the preferential protein target of the compounds. These results can be used to identify chemical markers related to the susceptibility degree of black pepper cultivars to plant diseases prevalent in Pará State.     

A High Redox Potential Laccase from Pycnoporus sanguineus RP15: Potential Application for Dye Decolorization

Laccase production by Pycnoporus sanguineus RP15 grown in wheat bran and corncob under solid-state fermentation was optimized by response surface methodology using a Central Composite Rotational Design. A laccase (Lacps1) was purified and characterized and the potential of the pure Lacps1 and the crude culture extract for synthetic dye decolorization was evaluated. At optimal conditions (eight days, 26 °C, 18% (w/w) milled corncob, 0.8% (w/w) NH₄Cl and 50 mmol·L⁻¹ CuSO₄, initial moisture 4.1 mL·g⁻¹), the laccase activity reached 138.6 ± 13.2 U·g⁻¹. Lacps1 was a monomeric glycoprotein (67 kDa, 24% carbohydrate). Optimum pH and temperature for the oxidation of 2,2’-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonate) (ABTS) were 4.4 and 74.4 °C, respectively. Lacps1 was stable at pH 3.0–8.0, and after two hours at 55–60 °C, presenting high redox potential (0.747 V vs. NHE). ABTS was oxidized with an apparent affinity constant of 147.0 ± 6.4 μmol·L⁻¹, maximum velocity of 413.4 ± 21.2 U·mg⁻¹ and catalytic efficiency of 3140.1 ± 149.6 L·mmol⁻¹·s⁻¹. The maximum decolorization percentages of bromophenol blue (BPB), remazol brilliant blue R and reactive blue 4 (RB4), at 25 or 40 °C without redox mediators, reached 90%, 80% and 60%, respectively, using either pure Lacps1 or the crude extract. This is the first study of the decolorization of BPB and RB4 by a P. sanguineus laccase. The data suggested good potential for treatment of industrial dye-containing effluents.     

Short-Term Pharmacological Induction of Arterial Stiffness and Hypertension with Angiotensin II Does Not Affect Learning and Memory and Cerebral Amyloid Load in Two Murine Models of Alzheimer’s Disease

Given the unprecedented rise in the world’s population, the prevalence of prominent age-related disorders, like cardiovascular disease and dementia, will further increase. Recent experimental and epidemiological evidence suggests a mechanistic overlap between cardiovascular disease and dementia with a specific focus on the linkage between arterial stiffness, a strong independent predictor of cardiovascular disease, and/or hypertension with Alzheimer’s disease. In the present study, we investigated whether pharmacological induction of arterial stiffness and hypertension with angiotensin II (1 µg·kg⁻¹·min⁻¹ for 28 days via an osmotic minipump) impairs the progression of Alzheimer’s disease in two mouse models (hAPP23^+/− and hAPPswe/PSEN1dE9 mice). Our results show increased arterial stiffness in vivo and hypertension in addition to cardiac hypertrophy after angiotensin II treatment. However, visuospatial learning and memory and pathological cerebral amyloid load in both Alzheimer’s disease mouse models were not further impaired. It is likely that the 28-day treatment period with angiotensin II was too short to observe additional effects on cognition and cerebral pathology.     

Ultrastable Covalent Triazine Organic Framework Based on Anthracene Moiety as Platform for High-Performance Carbon Dioxide Adsorption and Supercapacitors

Conductive and porous nitrogen-rich materials have great potential as supercapacitor electrode materials. The exceptional efficiency of such compounds, however, is dependent on their larger surface area and the level of nitrogen doping. To address these issues, we synthesized a porous covalent triazine framework (An-CTFs) based on 9,10-dicyanoanthracene (An-CN) units through an ionothermal reaction in the presence of different molar ratios of molten zinc chloride (ZnCl₂) at 400 and 500 °C, yielding An-CTF-10-400, An-CTF-20-400, An-CTF-10-500, and An-CTF-20-500 microporous materials. According to N₂ adsorption–desorption analyses (BET), these An-CTFs produced exceptionally high specific surface areas ranging from 406–751 m²·g⁻¹. Furthermore, An-CTF-10-500 had a capacitance of 589 F·g⁻¹, remarkable cycle stability up to 5000 cycles, up to 95% capacity retention, and strong CO₂ adsorption capacity up to 5.65 mmol·g⁻¹ at 273 K. As a result, our An-CTFs are a good alternative for both electrochemical energy storage and CO₂ uptake.     

Magnetic Core–Shell Molecularly Imprinted Nano-Conjugates for Extraction of Antazoline and Hydroxyantazoline from Human Plasma—Material Characterization,Theoretical Analysis and Pharmacokinetics

The aim of this study was to develop magnetic molecularly imprinted nano-conjugate sorbent for effective dispersive solid phase extraction of antazoline (ANT) and its metabolite, hydroxyantazoline (ANT-OH) in analytical method employing liquid chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry method. The core–shell material was characterized in terms of adsorption properties, morphology and structure. The heterogeneous population of adsorption sites towards ANT-OH was characterized by two K_d and two B_max values: K_d (1) = 0.319 µg L⁻¹ and B_max (1) = 0.240 μg g⁻¹, and K_d (2) = 34.6 µg L⁻¹ and B_max (2) = 5.82 μg g⁻¹. The elemental composition of magnetic sorbent was as follows: 17.55, 37.33, 9.14, 34.94 wt% for Si, C, Fe and O, respectively. The extraction protocol was optimized, and the obtained results were explained using theoretical analysis. Finally, the analytical method was validated prior to application to pharmacokinetic study in which the ANT was administrated intravenously to three healthy volunteers. The results prove that the novel sorbent could be useful in extraction of ANT and ANT-OH from human plasma and that the analytical strategy could be a versatile tool to explain a potential and pharmacological activity of ANT and ANT-OH.     

Chitosan-Based Functional Films Integrated with Magnolol: Characterization,Antioxidant and Antimicrobial Activity and Pork Preservation

The aims of this study were to develop the magnolol–chitosan films and study the positive effect of the combination of magnolol and chitosan. The addition of magnolol made the magnolol–chitosan films exhibit higher density (1.06–1.87 g/cm³), but the relatively lower water vapor permeability (12.06–7.36 × 10⁻¹¹·g·m⁻¹·s⁻¹·Pa⁻¹) and water content (16.10–10.64%). The dense and smooth surface and cross-section of magnolol–chitosan films were observed by environmental scanning electron microscopy (ESEM) images. The interaction of magnolol and chitosan was observed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). After the addition of magnolol, the antioxidant capacity of magnolol–chitosan films was increased from 18.99 to 82.00%, the growth of P. aeruginosa was inhibited and the inhibition percentage of biofilm formation was increased from 30.89 to 86.04%. We further verified that the application of magnolol–chitosan films on chilled pork significantly reduced the increases in pH value, inhibited the growth of microorganisms and extended the shelf life. Results suggest that magnolol had a positive effect on magnolol–chitosan films and could be effectively applied to pork preservation.     

The Influence of UV Varnishes on the Content of Cysteine and Methionine in Women Nail Plates—Chromatographic Studies

The main purpose of this work was to determine if the use of hybrid nail polishes causes changes in concentration of the most important sulfur amino acids that build nail plate structures, cysteine and methionine. We found that the average contents of cysteine and methionine in studied samples before the use of hybrid manicure were 1275.3 ± 145.9 nmol mg⁻¹ and 111.7 ± 23.8 nmol mg⁻¹, respectively. After six months of hybrid manicure use, the average amount of these sulfur amino acids in studied samples were 22.1% and 36.5% lower in the case of cysteine and methionine, respectively. The average amounts of cysteine and methionine in nail plate samples after the use of hybrid manicures were 992.4 ± 96.2 nmol mg⁻¹ and 70.9 ± 14.8 nmol mg⁻¹, respectively. We also confirmed that in studied women the application of UV light varnishes reduced the thickness of the nail plate, from 0.50 ± 0.12 mm before to 0.46 ± 0.12 mm after the use of the hybrid manicure.     

Functional Properties of Gelatin/Polyvinyl Alcohol Films Containing Black Cumin Cake Extract and Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles Produced via Casting Technique

This study aimed to develop and characterize gelatin/polyvinyl alcohol (G/PVA) films loaded with black cumin cake extract (BCCE) and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnONPs). The BCCE was also applied for the green synthesis of ZnONPs with an average size of less than 100 nm. The active films were produced by a solvent-casting technique, and their physicochemical and antibacterial properties were investigated. Supplementation of G/PVA film in ZnONPs decreased the tensile strength (TS) from 2.97 MPa to 1.69 MPa. The addition of BCCE and ZnONPs increased the elongation at the break (EAB) of the enriched film by about 3%. The G/PVA/BCCE/ZnONPs film revealed the lowest water vapor permeability (WVP = 1.14 × 10⁻⁹ g·mm·Pa⁻¹·h⁻¹·mm⁻²) and the highest opacity (3.41 mm⁻¹). The QUick, Easy, New, CHEap and Reproducible (QUENCHER) methodologies using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), 2,2′-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6- sulfonic acid) (ABTS) and cupric ion reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) were applied to measure antioxidant capacity (AC) of the prepared films. The incorporation of BCCE and ZnONPs into G/PVA films enhanced the AC by 8–144%. The films containing ZnONPs and a mixture of BCCE and ZnONPs inhibited the growth of three Gram-positive bacterial strains. These nanocomposite films with desired functional properties can be recommended to inhibit microbial spoilage and oxidative rancidity of packaged food.     

Melatonin as a Signaling Molecule for Metabolism Regulation in Response to Hypoxia in the Crab Neohelice granulata

Melatonin has been identified in a variety of crustacean species, but its function is not as well understood as in vertebrates. The present study investigates whether melatonin has an effect on crustacean hyperglycemic hormone (CHH) gene expression, oxygen consumption (VO₂) and circulating glucose and lactate levels, in response to different dissolved-oxygen concentrations, in the crab Neohelice granulata, as well as whether these possible effects are eyestalk- or receptor-dependent. Melatonin decreased CHH expression in crabs exposed for 45 min to 6 (2, 200 or 20,000 pmol·crab⁻¹) or 2 mgO₂·L⁻¹ (200 pmol·crab⁻¹). Since luzindole (200 nmol·crab⁻¹) did not significantly (p > 0.05) alter the melatonin effect, its action does not seem to be mediated by vertebrate-typical MT1 and MT2 receptors. Melatonin (200 pmol·crab⁻¹) increased the levels of glucose and lactate in crabs exposed to 6 mgO₂·L⁻¹, and luzindole (200 nmol·crab⁻¹) decreased this effect, indicating that melatonin receptors are involved in hyperglycemia and lactemia. Melatonin showed no effect on VO₂. Interestingly, in vitro incubation of eyestalk ganglia for 45 min at 0.7 mgO₂·L⁻¹ significantly (p < 0.05) increased melatonin production in this organ. In addition, injections of melatonin significantly increased the levels of circulating melatonin in crabs exposed for 45 min to 6 (200 or 20,000 pmol·crab⁻¹), 2 (200 and 20,000 pmol·crab⁻¹) and 0.7 (200 or 20,000 pmol·crab⁻¹) mgO₂·L⁻¹. Therefore, melatonin seems to have an effect on the metabolism of N. granulata. This molecule inhibited the gene expression of CHH and caused an eyestalk- and receptor-dependent hyperglycemia, which suggests that melatonin may have a signaling role in metabolic regulation in this crab.     

The Systems of Naringenin with Solubilizers Expand Its Capability to Prevent Neurodegenerative Diseases

Background: Naringenin (NAR) is a flavonoid with excellent antioxidant and neuroprotective potential that is limited by its low solubility. Thus, solid dispersions with β-cyclodextrin (β-CD), hydroxypropyl-β-cyclodextrin (HP-β-CD), hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC), and microenvironmental pH modifiers were prepared. Methods: The systems formation analysis was performed by X-Ray Powder Diffraction (XRPD) and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). Water solubility and dissolution rates were studied with a pH of 1.2 and 6.8. In vitro permeability through the gastrointestinal tract (GIT) and the blood-brain barrier (BBB) was assessed with the parallel artificial membrane permeability assay (PAMPA) assay. The antioxidant activity was studied with the 2,2′-azinobis-(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS) and cupric ion reducing antioxidant capacity (CUPRAC) assays, while in vitro enzymes studies involved the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase, butyrylcholinesterase, and tyrosinase. For the most promising system, in silico studies were conducted. Results: NAR solubility was increased 458-fold by the solid dispersion NAR:HP-β-CD:NaHCO₃ in a mass ratio of 1:3:1. The dissolution rate was elevated from 8.216% to 88.712% in a pH of 1.2 and from 11.644% to 88.843% in a pH of 6.8 (within 3 h). NAR GIT permeability, described as the apparent permeability coefficient, was increased from 2.789 × 10⁻⁶ cm s⁻¹ to 2.909 × 10⁻⁵ cm s⁻¹ in an acidic pH and from 1.197 × 10⁻⁶ cm s⁻¹ to 2.145 × 10⁻⁵ cm s⁻¹ in a basic pH. NAR BBB permeability was established as 4.275 × 10⁻⁶ cm s⁻¹. The antioxidant activity and enzyme inhibition were also increased. Computational studies confirmed NAR:HP-β-CD inclusion complex formation. Conclusions: A significant improvement in NAR solubility was associated with an increase in its biological activity.     

Synthesis and Characterization of Novel Quaternary Ammonium Urethane-Dimethacrylate Monomers—A Pilot Study

Six novel urethane-dimethacrylate analogues (QAUDMAs) were synthesized and characterized. They consisted of the 2,4,4,-trimethylhexamethylene diisocyanate (TMDI) core and two methacrylate-terminated wings containing quaternary ammonium groups substituted with alkyl chains of 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, or 18 carbon atoms. QAUDMAs, due to the presence of quaternary ammonium groups, may have possible antibacterial effects. Since they showed satisfactory physicochemical properties, they will be subjected to further research towards the development of dental composites with a capacity to reduce secondary caries. The synthesis of QAUDMAs included three stages: (i) transesterification of methyl methacrylate (MMA) with N-methyldiethanolamine (MDEA), (ii) N-alkylation of the tertiary amino group with alkyl bromide, and (iii) addition of TMDI to the intermediate achieved in the second stage. The formation of QAUDMAs was confirmed by ¹H and ¹³C NMR. They were characterized for density (d_m), viscosity (η), refractive index (RI), glass transition temperature (T_g), polymerization shrinkage (S), and degree of conversion (DC). QAUDMAs were yellow, viscous resins (the η values ranged from 1.28 × 10³ to 1.39 × 10⁴ Pa·s, at 50 °C). Their RI ranged from 1.50 to 1.52, T_g from −31 to −15 °C, DC from 53 to 78%, and S from 1.24 to 2.99%, which is appropriate for dental applications.     

Enhanced Magnetic Hyperthermia of Magnetoferritin through Synthesis at Elevated Temperature

Iron oxide nanoparticles have attracted a great deal of research interest in recent years for magnetic hyperthermia therapy owing to their biocompatibility and superior thermal conversion efficiency. Magnetoferritin is a type of biomimetic superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticle in a ferritin cage with good monodispersity, biocompatibility, and natural hydrophilicity. However, the magnetic hyperthermic efficiency of this kind of nanoparticle is limited by the small size of the mineral core as well as its low synthesis temperature. Here, we synthesized a novel magnetoferritin particle by using a recombinant ferritin from the hyperthermophilic archaeon Pyrococcus furiosus as a template with high iron atom loading of 9517 under a designated temperature of 90 °C. Compared with the magnetoferritins synthesized at 45 and 65 °C, the one synthesized at 90 °C displays a larger average magnetite and/or maghemite core size of 10.3 nm. This yields an increased saturation magnetization of up to 49.6 emu g⁻¹ and an enhanced specific absorption rate (SAR) of 805.3 W g⁻¹ in an alternating magnetic field of 485.7 kHz and 49 kA m⁻¹. The maximum intrinsic loss power (ILP) value is 1.36 nHm² kg⁻¹. These results provide new insights into the biomimetic synthesis of magnetoferritins with enhanced hyperthermic efficiency and demonstrate the potential application of magnetoferritin in the magnetic hyperthermia of tumors.     

Chemical Elicitor-Induced Modulation of Antioxidant Metabolism and Enhancement of Secondary Metabolite Accumulation in Cell Suspension Cultures of Scrophularia kakudensis Franch

Scrophularia kakudensis is an important medicinal plant with pharmaceutically valuable secondary metabolites. To develop a sustainable source of naturaceuticals with vital therapeutic importance, a cell suspension culture was established in S. kakudensis for the first time. Friable calli were induced from the leaf explants cultured on a Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium containing 3.0 mg·L⁻¹ 6-benzyladenine (BA) in a combination with 2 mg·L⁻¹ 2,4-dichlorophenoxy acetic acid (2,4-D). From the callus cultures, a cell suspension culture was initiated and the cellular differentiation was investigated. In addition, the effect of biotic elicitors such as methyl jasmonate (MeJa), salicylic acid (SA), and sodium nitroprusside (SNP) on the accumulation of secondary metabolites and antioxidant properties was demonstrated. Among the elicitors, the MeJa elicited the accumulation of total phenols, flavonoids, and acacetin, a flavonoid compound with multiple pharmaceutical values. Similarly, the higher concentrations of the MeJa significantly modulated the activities of antioxidant enzymes and enhanced the scavenging potentials of free radicals of cell suspension extracts. Overall, the outcomes of this study can be utilized for the large scale production of pharmaceutically important secondary metabolites from S. kakudensis through cell suspension cultures.