Sustainable Production of Biosurfactant from Agro-Industrial Oil Wastes by Bacillus subtilis and Its Potential Application as Antioxidant and ACE Inhibitor

The microbial conversion of agro-industrial oil wastes into biosurfactants shows promise as a biomass refinery approach. In this study, Bacillus subtilis #309 was applied to produce surfactin using rapeseed and sunflower cakes, the most common oil processing side products in Europe. Studies of the chemical composition of the substrates were performed, to determine the feasibility of oil cakes for surfactin production. Initially, screening of proteolytic and lipolytic activity was performed to establish the capability of B. subtilis #309 for substrate utilization and hence effective surfactin production. B. subtilis #309 showed both proteolytic and lipolytic activity. The process of surfactin production was carefully analyzed by measurement of the surfactin concentration, pH, surface tension (ST) and emulsification index (E₂₄). The maximal surfactin concentration in the sunflower and rapeseed cake medium reached 1.19 ± 0.03 and 1.45 ± 0.09 g/L, respectively. At the same time, a progressive decrease in the surface tension and increase in emulsification activity were observed. The results confirmed the occurrence of various surfactin homologues, while the surfactin C₁₅ was the dominant one. Finally, the analysis of surfactin biological function exhibited antioxidant activity and significant angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)-inhibitory activity. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) value for ACE inhibition was found to be 0.62 mg/mL for surfactin. Molecular docking of the surfactin molecule to the ACE domains confirmed its inhibitory activity against ACE. Several interactions, such as hydrophobic terms, hydrogen bonds and van der Waals interactions, were involved in the complex stabilization. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report describing the effect of a lipopeptide biosurfactant, surfactin, produced by B. subtilis for multifunctional properties in vitro, namely the ACE-inhibitory activity and the antioxidant properties, using different assays, such as 2,2-azinobis (3-ethyl-benzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid (ABTS), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP). Thus, the ACE-inhibitory lipopeptide biosurfactant shows promise to be used as a natural antihypertensive agent.     

Impaired Innate Immunity in Pediatric Patients Type 1 Diabetes—Focus on Toll-like Receptors Expression

Type 1 diabetes (DM1) is classified as an autoimmune disease. An uncontrolled response of B and T lymphocytes to the body’s own tissues develops in the absence of immune tolerance. The main aim of the study was to evaluate the effect of the duration of type 1 diabetes in children on the expression of TLR receptors and the relationship with the parameters of glycemic control in patients. As a result, we showed significant differences in the level of TLR2, TLR4 and TLR9 expression in patients with DM1 in the early stage of the disease and treated chronically compared to the healthy group. Additionally, in this study, we found that the numbers of CD19+ B cells, CD3+ CD4+, CD3+ CD8+ T cells and NK cells are different for newly diagnosed DM1 individuals, patients receiving chronic treatment and for healthy controls, indicating an important role of these cells in killing pancreatic beta cells. Moreover, higher levels of IL-10 in patients with newly diagnosed DM1 have also been found, confirming the reports found in the literature.     

The Influence of Angiotensin Peptides on Survival and Motility of Human High-Grade Serous Ovarian Cancer Cells in Serum Starvation Conditions

High-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSOC) is the most frequent and malignant form of ovarian cancer. A local renin–angiotensin system (RAS) has been found in the ovary, and changes in selected components of this system were observed in pathological states and also in ovarian cancer. In the present study, we examined the effect of three peptides, Ang-(1-7), Ang-(1-9) and Ang-(3-7), on proliferation and motility of the OVPA8 cell line, a new well-defined and preclinical model of HGSOC. We confirmed the presence of mRNA for all angiotensin receptors in the tested cells. Furthermore, our findings indicate that all tested angiotensin peptides increased the metabolic serum in the medium by activation of cell defense mechanisms such as nuclear factor kappaB signaling pathway andapoptosis. Moreover, tested angiotensin peptides intensified serum starvation-induced cell cycle arrest at the G0/G1 phase. In the case of Ang-(3-7), a significant decrease in the number of Ki67 positive cells (Ki67+) and reduced percentage of activated ERK1/2 levels in ovarian cancer cells were additionally reported. The angiotensin-induced effect of the accumulation of cells in the G0/G1 phase was not observed in OVPA8 cells growing on the medium with 10% FBS. Moreover, in the case of Ang-(3-7), the tendency was quite the opposite. Ang-(1-7) but not Ang-(1-9) or Ang-(3-7) increased the mobility of reluctant-to-migrate OVAP8 cells cultured in the serum-free medium. In any cases, the changes in the expression of VIM and HIF1A gene, associated with epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT), were not observed. In conclusion, we speculate that the adaptation to starvation in nutrient-deprived tumors can be modulated by peptides from the renin–angiotensin system. The influence of angiotensin peptides on cancer cells is highly dependent on the availability of growth factors and nutrients.     

Upgrading biogas produced at dairy farms into renewable natural gas by methanation

Renewable natural gas can be produced from raw biogas, a product of the anaerobic decomposition of organic material, by upgrading its CO₂ content (25‐50%) via thermocatalytic hydrogenation (CO₂ methanation). The H₂ needed for this reaction can be generated by water electrolysis powered by carbon emission‐free energy sources such as renewable or nuclear power, or using surplus electricity. Herein, after briefly outlining some aspects of biogas production at dairy farms and highlighting recent developments in the design of methanation systems, a case study on the renewable natural gas generation is presented. The performance of a system for renewable natural gas generation from a 2000‐head dairy farm livestock manure is evaluated and assessed for its economic potential. The project is predicted to generate revenue through the sale of energy and carbon credits with the payback period of 5 years, with a subsidized energy price.     

Division of labour in the yeast: Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Division of labour between different specialized cell types is a central part of how we describe complexity in multicellular organisms. However, it is increasingly being recognized that division of labour also plays an important role in the lives of predominantly unicellular organisms. Saccharomyces cerevisiae displays several phenotypes that could be considered a division of labour, including quiescence, apoptosis and biofilm formation, but they have not been explicitly treated as such. We discuss each of these examples, using a definition of division of labour that involves phenotypic variation between cells within a population, cooperation between cells performing different tasks and maximization of the inclusive fitness of all cells involved. We then propose future research directions and possible experimental tests using S. cerevisiae as a model organism for understanding the genetic mechanisms and selective pressures that can lead to the evolution of the very first stages of a division of labour. Copyright © 2017 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Fatty acid profile of meat (Longissimus lumborum) from female roe deer (Capreolus capreolus L.) and red deer (Cervus elaphus L.)

The aim of this study was to compare the fatty acid profile of intramuscular fat (IMF) in female roe deer (Capreolus capreolus L.) and red deer (Cervus elaphus L.) living in the wild. The experimental materials comprised samples of the Longissimus lumborum (LL) muscle collected from 20 carcasses of does aged 3–5 years and 15 carcasses of hinds aged 4–6 years. All animals were hunter-harvested in the forests of North-Eastern Poland. The IMF of does had considerably higher concentrations of monounsaturated and polyunsaturated fatty acids. Therefore, it was characterized by more desirable values of quality parameters, and provided more health benefits. The observed differences in the fatty acid composition of IMF between does and hinds are important in view of both the nutritional value of meat and its susceptibility to lipid oxidation and rancidification.     

The Multifaceted Nature of Nucleobindin-2 in Carcinogenesis

Nucb2 is a multifunctional protein associated with a variety of biological processes. Multiple studies have revealed that Nucb2, and its derivative nesfatin-1, are involved in carcinogenesis. Interestingly, the role of Nucb2/nesfatin-1 in tumorigenesis seems to be dual—both pro-metastatic and anti-metastatic. The implication of Nucb2/nesfatin-1 in carcinogenesis seems to be tissue dependent. Herein, we review the role of Nucb2/nesfatin-1 in both carcinogenesis and the apoptosis process, and we also highlight the multifaceted nature of Nucb2/nesfatin-1.     

The effects of high altitude on choice reaction time mean and intra-individual variability: Results of the Edinburgh Altitude Research Expedition of 2008.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effects of high altitude on reaction time (RT) mean and intra-individual variability. Method: Ten students (6 men, 4 women) took a 4-choice RT test and had their vital signs and Lake Louise (LL) score measured on 21 occasions during the Edinburgh Altitude Research Expedition of 2008 to the Western Himalayas (max. altitude 5,565 m). Results: Linear mixed modeling revealed that mean RT was significantly impaired at altitudes above 4,000 m (p B = 1.97, 95% CI [0.70, 3.23], p B = ?1.50, 95% CI [?2.60, ?0.39], p B = ?2.16, 95% CI [?2.49, ?1.83], p B = 0.01801, 95% CI [0.0049, 0.0311], p B = ?0.00754, 95% CI [?0.0119, ?0.0032], p