Antioxidant activity of predigested protein obtained from a range of farmed edible insects

This study investigated the antioxidant activities of peptides obtained by in vitro gastrointestinal digestion of edible insects. The antioxidant potential of edible insects' hydrolysates was determined as the free radical‐scavenging activity, ion chelating activity and reducing power. The highest antiradical activity against DPPH^˙, whose IC₅₀ value is the lowest, was noted for Amphiacusta annulipes (19.1 μg/mL) and that against ABTS^˙+ was the highest for Zophobas morio (4.6 μg/mL). The peptides obtained from A. annulipes also showed the highest Fe²⁺ chelation ability (58.82%) and reducing power (0.652). The highest ability to chelate Cu²⁺ was noted for Locusta migratoria (86.05%). The locust was characterised by the highest concentration of peptides before digestion and after digestion (3.13 and 5.88 mg/mL, respectively), and the DH was 36.29%.     

Development and validation of multi-residue and multi-class method for antibacterial substances analysis in non-target feed by liquid chromatography – tandem mass spectrometry

A confirmatory HPLC-MS/MS method for the determination of residues of 11 antibacterial substances from different therapeutic class (β-lactams, lincosamides, fluoroquinolones, macrolides, pleuromutilins and sulfonamides) in animal feeds has been developed. The sample preparation is based on extraction with 0.1% formic acid in acetonitrile. Separation of the analytes was performed on biphenyl column with a gradient of 0.1% formic acid in acetonitrile and 0.1% formic acid in Milli-Q water. The developed method was validated following the guidelines included in the European Union Commission Decision 2002/657/EC. Limits of detection ranging from 79.22 to 193.60 µg/kg; instrumental and analytical linearity coefficients were above 0.99 for matrix-match calibration; and relative recoveries ranging from 76.04% to 117.39%. Repeatability of the method was in the range of 2.41–19.76% (CV, %), whereas reproducibility ranged from 6.52 to 28.40% (CV %). The method shown to be efficient and precise for quantification of the 11 antibacterial substances in animal feed. The results demonstrate the feasibility of the method for routine use to monitor these substances in feed. The validated method was successfully applied to eight suspect feed samples collected from the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AFFCO) and feed manufactures from Galicia (Spain) in June and July 2017. Of these 8 non-target feeds, 5 were positive for the presence of tiamulin, tylosin and sulfadiazine.     

Can Forest Trees Cope with Climate Change?—Effects of DNA Methylation on Gene Expression and Adaptation to Environmental Change

Epigenetic modifications, including chromatin modifications and DNA methylation, play key roles in regulating gene expression in both plants and animals. Transmission of epigenetic markers is important for some genes to maintain specific expression patterns and preserve the status quo of the cell. This article provides a review of existing research and the current state of knowledge about DNA methylation in trees in the context of global climate change, along with references to the potential of epigenome editing tools and the possibility of their use for forest tree research. Epigenetic modifications, including DNA methylation, are involved in evolutionary processes, developmental processes, and environmental interactions. Thus, the implications of epigenetics are important for adaptation and phenotypic plasticity because they provide the potential for tree conservation in forest ecosystems exposed to adverse conditions resulting from global warming and regional climate fluctuations.     

Cytoskeleton Reorganization in EndMT—The Role in Cancer and Fibrotic Diseases

Chronic inflammation promotes endothelial plasticity, leading to the development of several diseases, including fibrosis and cancer in numerous organs. The basis of those processes is a phenomenon called the endothelial–mesenchymal transition (EndMT), which results in the delamination of tightly connected endothelial cells that acquire a mesenchymal phenotype. EndMT-derived cells, known as the myofibroblasts or cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), are characterized by the loss of cell–cell junctions, loss of endothelial markers, and gain in mesenchymal ones. As a result, the endothelium ceases its primary ability to maintain patent and functional capillaries and induce new blood vessels. At the same time, it acquires the migration and invasion potential typical of mesenchymal cells. The observed modulation of cell shape, increasedcell movement, and invasion abilities are connected with cytoskeleton reorganization. This paper focuses on the review of current knowledge about the molecular pathways involved in the modulation of each cytoskeleton element (microfilaments, microtubule, and intermediate filaments) during EndMT and their role as the potential targets for cancer and fibrosis treatment.     

Cyclic swelling of clays

Changes in free swelling and swelling pressure of different types of clays in response to varying cycles of wetting and drying have been studied. It can be shown that cyclic tests lead to a gradual destruction of the durable contacts in the clay structure and their transformation into less durable ones. At the same time, a reconstruction of the structure of the clays takes place, manifested by the destruction of large micro-aggregates and by disorientation of structural elements. All these phenomena result in great swelling with increase in the number of wetting cycles. Between cycles 3 and 20 the expansibility is at its maximum and may be 1.3–10 times as much as that after one wetting cycle. Cyclic swelling leads to an overall equilibrium in the system, when the internal energy of the clay is minimal and the bound water content is at its maximum. Clay in this state exhibits its maximum moisture uptake (W′_s), the meaning of which is of thermodynamic character and depends neither on the initial soil density and moisture, nor on the scheme of cyclic tests adopted.     

De Novo ACTG1 Variant Expands the Phenotype and Genotype of Partial Deafness and Baraitser–Winter Syndrome

Actin molecules are fundamental for embryonic structural and functional differentiation; γ-actin is specifically required for the maintenance and function of cytoskeletal structures in the ear, resulting in hearing. Baraitser–Winter Syndrome (B-WS, OMIM #243310, #614583) is a rare, multiple-anomaly genetic disorder caused by mutations in either cytoplasmically expressed actin gene, ACTB (β-actin) or ACTG1 (γ-actin). The resulting actinopathies cause characteristic cerebrofrontofacial and developmental traits, including progressive sensorineural deafness. Both ACTG1-related non-syndromic A20/A26 deafness and B-WS diagnoses are characterized by hypervariable penetrance in phenotype. Here, we identify a 28th patient worldwide carrying a mutated γ-actin ACTG1 allele, with mildly manifested cerebrofrontofacial B-WS traits, hypervariable penetrance of developmental traits and sensorineural hearing loss. This patient also displays brachycephaly and a complete absence of speech faculty, previously unreported for ACTG1-related B-WS or DFNA20/26 deafness, representing phenotypic expansion. The patient’s exome sequence analyses (ES) confirms a de novo ACTG1 variant previously unlinked to the pathology. Additional microarray analysis uncover no further mutational basis for dual molecular diagnosis in our patient. We conclude that γ-actin c.542C > T, p.Ala181Val is a dominant pathogenic variant, associated with mildly manifested facial and cerebral traits typical of B-WS, hypervariable penetrance of developmental traits and sensorineural deafness. We further posit and present argument and evidence suggesting ACTG1-related non-syndromic DFNA20/A26 deafness is a manifestation of undiagnosed ACTG1-related B-WS.     

Innate Immune System Response to Burn Damage—Focus on Cytokine Alteration

In the literature, burns are understood as traumatic events accompanied by increased morbidity and mortality among affected patients. Their characteristic feature is the formation of swelling and redness at the site of the burn, which indicates the development of inflammation. This reaction is not only important in the healing process of wounds but is also responsible for stimulating the patient’s innate immune system. As a result of the loss of the protective ability of the epidermis, microbes which include bacteria, fungi, and viruses have easier access to the system, which can result in infections. However, the patient is still able to overcome the infections that occur through a cascade of cytokines and growth factors stimulated by inflammation. Long-term inflammation also has negative consequences for the body, which may result in multi-organ failure or lead to fibrosis and scarring of the skin. The innate immune response to burns is not only immediate, but also severe and prolonged, and some people with burn shock may also experience immunosuppression accompanied by an increased susceptibility to fatal infections. This immunosuppression includes apoptosis-induced lymphopenia, decreased interleukin 2 (IL-2) secretion, neutrophil storm, impaired phagocytosis, and decreased monocyte human leukocyte antigen-DR. This is why it is important to understand how the immune system works in people with burns and during infections of wounds by microorganisms. The aim of this study was to characterize the molecular pathways of cell signaling of the immune system of people affected by burns, taking into account the role of microbial infections.     

Caffeic Acid/Eu(III) Complexes: Solution Equilibrium Studies,Structure Characterization and Biological Activity

Caffeic acid (CFA) is one of the various natural antioxidants and chemoprotective agents occurring in the human diet. In addition, its metal complexes play fundamental roles in biological systems. Nevertheless, research on the properties of CFA with lanthanide metals is very scarce, and little to no chemical or biological information is known about these particular systems. Most of their properties, including their biological activity and environmental impact, strictly depend on their structure, stability, and solution behaviour. In this work, a multi-analytical-technique approach was used to study these relationships for the Eu(III)/CFA complex. The synthesized metal complex was studied by FT-IR, FT-Raman, elemental, and thermal (TGA) analysis. In order to examine the chemical speciation of the Eu(III)/CFA system in an aqueous solution, several independent potentiometric and spectrophotometric UV-Vis titrations were performed at different M:L (metal:ligand) and pH ratios. The general molecular formula of the synthesized metal complex in the solid state was [Eu(CFA)₃(H₂O)₃]∙2H₂O (M:L ratio 1:3), while in aqueous solution the 1:1 species were observed at the optimum pH of 6 ≤ pH ≤ 10, ([Eu(CFA)] and [Eu(CFA)(OH)]⁻). These results were confirmed by ¹H-NMR experiments and electrospray-ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). To evaluate the interaction of Eu(III)/CFA and CFA alone with cell membranes, electrophoretic mobility assays were used. Various antioxidant tests have shown that Eu(III)/CFA exhibits lower antioxidant activity than the free CFA ligand. In addition, the antimicrobial properties of Eu(III)/CFA and CFA against Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis and Candida albicans were investigated by evaluation of the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). Eu(III)/CFA shows higher antibacterial activity against bacteria compared to CFA, which can be explained by the highly probable increased lipophilicity of the Eu(III) complex.