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.     

Adenosine and 2′‐Deoxyadenosine Modified with Boron Cluster Pharmacophores as New Classes of Human Blood Platelet Function Modulators

Novel types of adenosine and 2′‐deoxyadenosine derivatives containing boron clusters at positions C2′, N6, or C8 were synthesized. The effect of these modified compounds on platelet function was studied. Modification of adenosine at the C2′ position with a para‐carborane cluster (C₂B₁₀H₁₁) results in efficient inhibition of platelet function, including aggregation, protein secretion, and P‐selectin expression induced by thrombin or ADP. These preliminary findings and the new chemistry proposed form the basis for the development of a new class of adenosine analogues that modulate human blood platelet activities.     

Phenol and Polyaromatic Hydrocarbons Are Stronger Drivers Than Host Plant Species in Shaping the Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungal Component of the Mycorrhizosphere

Changes in soil microbial communities in response to hydrocarbon pollution are critical indicators of disturbed ecosystem conditions. A core component of these communities that is functionally adjusted to the life-history traits of the host and environmental factors consists of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF). AMF communities associated with Poa trivialis and Phragmites australis growing at a phenol and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH)-contaminated site and at an uncontaminated site were compared based on LSU rDNA sequencing. Dissimilarities in species composition and community structures indicated soil pollution as the main factor negatively affecting the AMF diversity. The AMF communities at the contaminated site were dominated by fungal generalists (Rhizophagus, Funneliformis, Claroideoglomus, Paraglomus) with wide ecological tolerance. At the control site, the AMF communities were characterized by higher taxonomic and functional diversity than those exposed to the contamination. The host plant identity was the main driver distinguishing the two AMF metacommunities. The AMF communities at the uncontaminated site were represented by Polonospora, Paraglomus, Oehlia, Nanoglomus, Rhizoglomus, Dominikia, and Microdominikia. Polonosporaceae and Paraglomeraceae were particularly dominant in the Ph. australis mycorrhizosphere. The high abundance of early diverging AMF could be due to the use of primers able to detect lineages such as Paraglomeracae that have not been recognized by previously used 18S rDNA primers.     

Discolouration of raw and cooked coloured fleshed potatoes differing in anthocyanins and polyphenols content

Despite variations in the content of polyphenols, the tested potato varieties with red and purple flesh contained similar amounts of anthocyanins. Potatoes of the red-fleshed HBr variety were distinguished by a significant content of pelargonidin-3-feruloylrutinoside-5-glucoside, and those of the purple-fleshed Vitelotte variety were characterised by a significant cyanidin-3-rutinoside content. Immediately after cutting, raw potatoes with red flesh showed a small share of yellow (b* parameter) and double the share of red (a*) as compared to purple-fleshed tubers. A reduction in the share of red dye was observed in purple- and red-fleshed potatoes except Vitelotte and Rosalinde tubers, at both 1 and 4 h after being cut. The flesh colour of cooked potatoes was characterised by low susceptibility to darkening, and purple-fleshed tubers were more saturated by chroma than tubers of red-fleshed varieties.     

Antifungal Activity and Biosynthetic Potential of New Streptomyces sp. MW-W600-10 Strain Isolated from Coal Mine Water

Crop infections by fungi lead to severe losses in food production and pose risks for human health. The increasing resistance of pathogens to fungicides has led to the higher usage of these chemicals, which burdens the environment and highlights the need to find novel natural biocontrol agents. Members of the genus Streptomyces are known to produce a plethora of bioactive compounds. Recently, researchers have turned to extreme and previously unexplored niches in the search for new strains with antimicrobial activities. One such niche are underground coal mine environments. We isolated the new Streptomyces sp. MW-W600-10 strain from coal mine water samples collected at 665 m below ground level. We examined the antifungal activity of the strain against plant pathogens Fusarium culmorum DSM62188 and Nigrospora oryzae roseF7. Furthermore, we analyzed the strain’s biosynthetic potential with the antiSMASH tool. The strain showed inhibitory activity against both fungi strains. Genome mining revealed that it has 39 BGCs, among which 13 did not show similarity to those in databases. Additionally, we examined the activity of the Streptomyces sp. S-2 strain isolated from black soot against F. culmorum DSM62188. These results show that coal-related strains could be a source of novel bioactive compounds. Future studies will elucidate their full biotechnological potential.     

Content of amino acids in fresh and preserved physiologically immature grass pea (<Emphasis Type="Italic">Lathyrus sativus</Emphasis> L.) seeds

The aim of the work was to determine the level of amino acids in fresh and preserved physiologically immature grass pea seeds. Seeds of the grass pea cv. Krab at five stages of maturity, corresponding to dry matter content from 26 to 50%, were evaluated. The estimation was conducted at the stages of the raw material, the frozen product after 6 months storage cooked to consumption consistency, and the canned product within 6 months of production. In the later stages of seed maturity the content of total amino acids and of total non-essential, essential, and sulphuric amino acids computed per 100 g fresh matter increased. The computation per 16 g N showed increasing amounts of sulphuric amino acids and variation depending on the degree of maturity in the content of the remaining amino acids. Cystine with methionine were amino acids limiting the biological value of the first order, irrespective of the degree of maturity, leucine playing the same role with regard to the second order. For these amino acids the index of the limiting amino acid was 64–82 and 83–95 for the raw material, 72–77 and 91–99 for frozen seeds after cooking, and 70–75 and 86–99 for canned seeds. The integrated index of essential amino acids, depending on the degree of maturity, for the raw material was 120–126, for frozen seeds cooked 123–126, and for canned seeds 120–123.     

Lanthanide(III) 1,4-Phenylenediacetate Complexes: The Relation Between the Structure and Thermal Properties

The series of isostructural lanthanide coordination polymers with the empirical formula [Ln₂(PDA)₃(H₂O)]·2H₂O, where PDA = 1,4-phenylenediacetate anion = [C₈H₈(COO)₂]^2?; Ln = La-Lu(III), and Y(III) were produced in the reaction of LnCl₃·nH₂O with ammonium salt of 1,4-phenylenediacetic acid in water solution. The compounds were characterised structurally using powder X-ray diffraction, elemental and thermogravimetric analyses as well as FT-IR spectroscopy. Thermogravimetric analyses show that in the range 60–170 °C the dehydration process occurs. The thermal stability of dehydrated compounds, Ln₂(PDA)₃ increased from about 200–350 °C in the whole series of complexes. Single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis for the Gd(III) complex revealed that the compound crystallizes in the monoclinic P2₁/c space group with a = 21.863(2) Å, b = 10.035(1) Å, c = 13.854(1) Å, β = 91.53(1)° and V = 3,038.5(4) ų. The complex contains one-dimensional gadolinium-carboxylato chains, which are connected with the –CH₂–C₆H₄–CH₂– spacers of PDA ligand to the three-dimensional metal–organic framework.     

Rinsing Efficiency

An experimental and calculative method of determining rinsing efficiency in multistage rinsing systems is presented. This method is based on a mathematical model describing the rinsing process. It has been assumed that mixing is not complete (imperfect mixing). The measure of rinsing imperfections is the set of experimental coefficients which characterise the efficiency of rinsing in each stage. Experimental results for racks and barrels rinsed in series of four static tanks are presented and discussed. Calculated results of concentration rinsing ratio are compared with the results obtained from perfect mixing model.