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Josep Rizo is a Professor of Biophysics, Biochemistry and Pharmacology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, where he is Virginia Lazenby O'Hara Chair in Biochemistry. He is particularly interested in the study of the mechanisms of neurotransmitter release and intracellular membrane fusion using structural biology, a variety of biophysical techniques and reconstitution approaches. Jose has been a part of the FEBS Open Bio Editorial Board since 2021. In this interview, he shares his insights into developments in the field of neurotransmitter release, describes his move from Spain to the United States, and discusses how sometimes you need to use both logic and scientific hunches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The combination of chemotherapy and photothermal therapy shows great potential in cancer treatment, and the carbon nanomaterials have been attracted great attention in biomedical technology. However, it is still a great challenge to design stimuli‐responsive nano‐carbon‐based drug release systems with integrated functions. In this paper, rod‐like carbon nanomaterials (RCNs) were prepared by the soft template hydrothermal method with glucose as raw materials, which were proved to have high photothermal efficiency (∼23.7%), as well as good biocompatibility and excellent drug‐loading capacity. After that, RCNs were used to load doxorubicin (DOX) as DOX@RCNs for integrated photothermal/chemotherapy towards cancer, which demonstrated 52.2% higher cancer cell killing efficiency than that of RCNs under near infrared (NIR) irradiation in vitro. The authors' approach provided a novel NIR‐responsive nano platform for combined photothermal/chemotherapy towards cancer, which was considered to be of great potential in anticancer applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To explore the citation evolution of papers published in the same year but different month, we selected papers from a discipline (physical geography), a subject (diabetes: endocrine and metabolism) and a journal (Journal of Biological Chemistry) published in 2005 as research objects. These papers were divided into six groups according to the difference in publication month, and we analyzed citations to these papers for the 9 years after publication. The results showed that within 5 years after papers from physical geography were published, the overall differences in citations of papers in different groups were statistically significant (P < 0.05); after that, the differences were not statistically significant. Within 5 years after papers from diabetes (endocrine and metabolism) were published, the overall differences in citations of papers in different groups were statistically significant (P < 0.05); thereafter, the differences were not statistically significant. Within 7 years after papers from the Journal of Biological Chemistry were published, the overall differences in citations of papers in different groups were statistically significant (P < 0.05); thereafter, the differences were not statistically significant. Citations of papers followed the same pattern irrespective of discipline, subject or journal: citations of papers published in the same year but different month were obviously different in the first few publishing years, but as time went on, only the difference in publication month in a calendar year did not affect the papers' longer-term citation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During polar spring, periods of elevated tropospheric bromine drive near complete removal of surface ozone. These events impact the tropospheric oxidative capacity and are an area of active research with multiple approaches for representing the underlying processes in global models. We present a method for parameterizing emissions of molecular bromine (Br2) over the Arctic using satellite retrievals of bromine monoxide (BrO) from the Ozone Monitoring Instrument (OMI). OMI retrieves column BrO with daily near global coverage, and we use the GEOS‐Chem chemical mechanism, run online within the Goddard Earth Observing System Earth System Model to identify hotspots of BrO likely associated with polar processes. To account for uncertainties in modeling background BrO, hotspots are only identified where the difference between OMI and modeled columns exceeds a statistical threshold. The resulting hotspot columns are a lower‐limit for the portion of OMI BrO attributable to bromine explosion events. While these hotspots are correlated with BrO measured in the lower troposphere over the Arctic Ocean, a case study of missing detections of near‐surface BrO is identified. Daily flux of Br2 is estimated from hotspot columns of BrO using internal model parameters. When the emissions are applied, BrO hotspots are modeled with a 5% low bias. The sensitivity of the resulting ozone simulations to the treatment of background uncertainties in the BrO column is demonstrated. While periods of isolated, large (>50%) decreases in surface ozone are modeled, this technique does not simulate the low ozone observed at coastal stations and consistently underestimates ozone loss during March. Plain Language Summary: During polar spring, high levels of bromine‐containing molecules drive near complete removal of surface ozone (O3), impacting the chemistry of the troposphere and the biological uptake of mercury. Global models currently have multiple mechanisms for representing the underlying processes that produce brominated molecules in polar regions. We estimate molecular bromine (Br2) emissions from measurements of bromine monoxide (BrO) collected over the Arctic by a satellite instrument. An atmospheric model, run without polar emissions of Br2, is used to estimate how much of the satellite BrO signal is due to background processes in the stratosphere and troposphere and isolate the portion of the signal likely associated with Arctic emissions. We account for uncertainties in the model representation of background BrO using a statistical threshold. Because of the catalytic nature of bromine‐mediated ozone depletion, we focus our initial efforts on developing a lower‐limit estimate of Arctic emissions. The amount of BrO attributed to polar processes and the resulting impact on O3 are sensitive to the magnitude of the statistical threshold, with a better representation of surface O3 achieved with a lower threshold. While the satellite‐based emissions result in periodic decreases in surface O3 in late spring, modeled O3 is consistently high with respect to observations, particularly during early spring. Key Points: BrO hotspots are isolated from satellite signals using modeled columns of BrO and a bias threshold to account for model uncertaintiesWe estimate Arctic Br2 emissions from BrO signals and demonstrate the sensitivity of modeled O3 to the BrO hotspot detection thresholdSimulations with satellite‐based Br2 emissions overestimate springtime Arctic surface O3 with few ozone depleting events modeled in March [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ellagic acid (EA), which is widely distributed in many foods, has been found to possess inhibitory activity against xanthine oxidase (XO). However, there is ongoing debate about the difference in XO inhibitory activity between EA and allopurinol. Additionally, the inhibitory kinetics and mechanism of EA on XO are still unclear. Herein, the authors systematically studied the inhibitory effects of EA on XO. The authors' findings showed that EA is a reversible inhibitor with mixed‐type inhibition, and its inhibitory activity is weaker than allopurinol. Fluorescence quenching experiments suggested that the generation of EA‐XO complex was exothermic and spontaneous. In silico analysis further confirmed that EA entered the XO catalytic centre. Furthermore, the authors verified the anti‐hyperuricemia effect of EA in vivo. This study elucidates the inhibition kinetics and mechanism of EA on XO, and lays a theoretical foundation for the further development of drugs and functional foods containing EA for the treatment of hyperuricemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study is an attempt to evaluate the in vitro anti‐inflammatory and in silico anticancer potentials of the plant Cassia auriculata (CA). The aerial parts of CA were subjected to solvent extraction, and the extracts were fractionised by gas chromatography and mass spectrometry analysis for its phytochemical content. The antiinflammatory activity of the extracts were confirmed by the IC50 value of 125.02 µg/ml for red blood cell membrane stabilisation and 195.7 µg/ml for inhibition of protein denaturation activity. The interaction of bioactive compounds of CA ethanol extract with target protein was predicted through molecular docking studies, serine/threonine–protein kinase B (AKT1), responsible for development and progression of lung cancer using AutoDock tools. Extensive studies have been carried out on a range of kinase inhibitors targeting Akt, but obtaining promising results is a challenge yet due to its toxicity and resistance issues. Yohimbine, undecanoic acid 10‐methyl‐ethyl ester and chrysin significantly bind to the target protein with least binding energy. Hence, the present paper establishes the anti‐inflammatory and anticancer capacities of CA ethanol extract as an alternative to the existing therapeutic approach to inflammation and cancer through a systematic in vitro and in silico approaches supplementing the findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Laszlo Nagy has been on the Editorial Board of FEBS Open Bio since the journal's inception and is a passionate supporter of FEBS Press and other society journals. Currently, he is also an editor of FEBS Letters and The Journal of Clinical Investigation (JCI). He studied medicine at the University Medical School of Debrecen in Hungary, where he graduated with an M.D. and later Ph.D., and then moved to the United States to conduct postdoctoral research at the University of Texas–Houston and subsequently the Salk Institute in San Diego. Laszlo is a Professor of Medicine and Biological Chemistry at John Hopkins School of Medicine, where he is Co‐Director of the Institute for Fundamental Biomedical Research and Associate Director of the Center for Metabolic Origins of Disease, and Adjunct Professor at the University of Debrecen. Formerly, he was a Professor and Founding Director of the Genomic Control of Metabolism Program at the Sanford Burnham Prebys Medical Discovery Institute. He is also a member of the European Molecular Biology Organisation (EMBO), Academia Europaea, the Hungarian Academy of Sciences and The Henry Kunkel Society, and recipient of several awards, including the Boehringer Ingelheim Research Award, Cheryl Whitlock/Pathology Prize, a Wellcome Trust Senior Research Fellowship in Biomedical Sciences, and three Howard Hughes Medical Institute International Research Scholar Awards. In this fascinating interview, Laszlo Nagy shares the advice that changed his career trajectory, relates his views on scientific publishing, discusses new developments at The Johns Hopkins Center for Metabolic Origins of Disease, and outlines the prospects for future development of research and technology infrastructures in eastern Europe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peter Macheroux is Professor of Biochemistry and Head of the Institute of Biochemistry at Graz University of Technology in Austria. Peter's research spans a diverse selection of topics, and his work has contributed significantly towards advancing our understanding of bacterial enzymology, plant physiology and the molecular pathways that underlie human pathophysiology. Among Peter's many scientific achievements, he has led the team that recognised DPP3 as a biomarker for cardiovascular diseases, with the subsequent therapeutic implications of the development of DPP3 inhibitors. In this interview‐based article, Peter provides an overview of his research focus and goals, recalls some of his great scientific breakthroughs and describes what the key current challenges in his research field are. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: The enzyme glutamine synthetase (EC 6.3.1.2) is mainly responsible for the incorporation of inorganic nitrogen into organic molecules in plants. In the present work, a pine (Pinus pinaster) GS1 (PpGS1b.2) gene was identified, showing a high sequence identity with the GS1b.1 gene previously characterized in conifers. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the presence of PpGS1b.2 is restricted to the genera Pinus and Picea and is not found in other conifers. Gene expression data suggest a putative role of PpGS1b.2 in plant development, similar to other GS1b genes from angiosperms, suggesting evolutionary convergence. The characterization of GS1b.1 and GS1b.2 at the structural, physicochemical, and kinetic levels has shown differences even though they have high sequence homology. GS1b.2 had a lower optimum pH (6 vs. 6.5) and was less thermally stable than GS1b.1. GS1b.2 exhibited positive cooperativity for glutamate and substrate inhibition for ammonium. However, GS1b.1 exhibited substrate inhibition behavior for glutamate and ATP. Alterations in the kinetic characteristics produced by site‐directed mutagenesis carried out in this work strongly suggest an implication of amino acids at positions 264 and 267 in the active center of pine GS1b.1 and GS1b.2 being involved in affinity toward ammonium. Therefore, the amino acid differences between GS1b.1 and GS1b.2 would support the functioning of both enzymes to meet distinct plant needs. Significance Statement: A GS1b paralog (GS1b.2) expressed in developing tissues has been identified in pine (Pinus pinaster). The kinetic properties of the enzyme differ from those of the previously studied GS1b.1, despite their high sequence identity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the photoreceptor protein phytochrome B (phyB) play a key role in plant acclimation to stress. However, how phyB that primarily functions in the nuclei impacts ROS signaling mediated by respiratory burst oxidase homolog (RBOH) proteins that reside on the plasma membrane, during stress, is unknown.Arabidopsis thaliana and Oryza sativa mutants, RNA‐Seq, bioinformatics, biochemistry, molecular biology, and whole‐plant ROS imaging were used to address this question.Here, we reveal that phyB and RBOHs function as part of a key regulatory module that controls apoplastic ROS production, stress‐response transcript expression, and plant acclimation in response to excess light stress. We further show that phyB can regulate ROS production during stress even if it is restricted to the cytosol and that phyB, respiratory burst oxidase protein D (RBOHD), and respiratory burst oxidase protein F (RBOHF) coregulate thousands of transcripts in response to light stress. Surprisingly, we found that phyB is also required for ROS accumulation in response to heat, wounding, cold, and bacterial infection.Our findings reveal that phyB plays a canonical role in plant responses to biotic and abiotic stresses, regulating apoplastic ROS production, possibly while at the cytosol, and that phyB and RBOHD/RBOHF function in the same regulatory pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The photorespiratory pathway, in short photorespiration, is a metabolic repair system that enables the CO2 fixation enzyme Rubisco to sustainably operate in the presence of oxygen, that is, during oxygenic photosynthesis of plants and cyanobacteria. Photorespiration is necessary because an auto‐inhibitory metabolite, 2‐phosphoglycolate (2PG), is produced when Rubisco binds oxygen instead of CO2 as a substrate and must be removed, to avoid collapse of metabolism, and recycled as efficiently as possible. The basic principle of recycling 2PG very likely evolved several billion years ago in connection with the evolution of oxyphotobacteria. It comprises the multi‐step combination of two molecules of 2PG to form 3‐phosphoglycerate. The biochemistry of this process dictates that one out of four 2PG carbons is lost as CO2, which is a long‐standing plant breeders' concern because it represents by far the largest fraction of respiratory processes that reduce gross‐photosynthesis of major crops down to about 50% and less, lowering potential yields. In addition to the ATP needed for recycling of the 2PG carbon, extra energy is needed for the refixation of liberated equal amounts of ammonia. It is thought that the energy costs of photorespiration have an additional negative impact on crop yields in at least some environments. This paper discusses recent advances concerning the origin and evolution of photorespiration, and gives an overview of contemporary and envisioned strategies to engineer the biochemistry of, or even avoid, photorespiration. Significance Statement: This paper discusses recent advances concerning the function, origin and evolution of photorespiration, and gives a critical overview of contemporary and envisioned strategies to engineer the biochemistry of, or even avoid, photorespiration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper assesses the impact of the various topic‐based categories covered by the megajournal PLOS ONE. We analyse the articles published in PLOS ONE in 2016 and 2017 by classifying them according to the Web of Science Journal Citation Report categories. We have identified 101 substantial categories, 86 of which belong to the Science Citation Index Expanded and 15 to the Social Science Citation Index Expanded. 'Biochemistry & Molecular Biology' stands out as the most prolific category, accounting for 9% of the manuscripts. On calculating the impact factor of each topic‐based category as if it were an independent journal, we found that 28.7% of them would be placed in the first quartile of their corresponding field. Among the highest‐ranked journals, 'Palaeontology' and 'Nursing' stand out as they would be ranked in the first decile of their respective categories. About 69% of the categories would be in the second and third JCR quartiles, and only two would be in the fourth. This study indicates the need to assess the impact of papers published in megajournals by topic‐based category in order to accurately quantify the impact they have on their specific fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Werner Syndrome helicase, WRN, is a promising therapeutic target in cancers with microsatellite instability (MSI). Long‐term MSI leads to the expansion of TA nucleotide repeats proposed to form cruciform DNA structures, which in turn cause DNA breaks and cell lethality upon WRN downregulation. Here we employed biochemical assays to show that WRN helicase can efficiently and directly unfold cruciform structures, thereby preventing their cleavage by the SLX1‐SLX4 structure‐specific endonuclease. TA repeats are particularly prone to form cruciform structures, explaining why these DNA sequences are preferentially broken in MSI cells upon WRN downregulation. We further demonstrate that the activity of the DNA mismatch repair (MMR) complexes MutSα (MSH2‐MSH6), MutSβ (MSH2‐MSH3), and MutLα (MLH1‐PMS2) similarly decreases the level of DNA cruciforms, although the mechanism is different from that employed by WRN. When combined, WRN and MutLα exhibited higher than additive effects in in vitro cruciform processing, suggesting that WRN and the MMR proteins may cooperate. Our data explain how WRN and MMR defects cause genome instability in MSI cells with expanded TA repeats, and provide a mechanistic basis for their recently discovered synthetic‐lethal interaction with promising applications in precision cancer therapy. Synopsis: The WRN helicase is essential for the survival of tumors deficient in DNA mismatch repair, which contain extended (TA)n repeats forming cruciform DNA. This study employs biochemical assays to define mechanisms underlying this synthetic lethality. WRN can disrupt cruciform structures dependent on its helicase activity and is stimulated by RPA.WRN activity prevents DNA breakage caused by structure‐selective nucleases.Mismatch repair complexes MutSα and MutSβ can also suppress cruciform structures through a mechanism distinct from WRN.WRN and MutLα can cooperate in removal of cruciform DNA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Materials and Methods CRISPR/Cas9 allele generation The CRISPR/Cas9 alleles of At I EXT3 i ( I AT1G21310 i ) were generated through the method described by Wang I et al i . Supporting this hypothesis, phenotypeless I atext3 i mutants were shown to have extensive changes in the expression of other AtEXT-encoding genes, or the accumulation of AtEXT proteins (Saha I et al i ., 2013; Chen I et al i ., 2015). Keywords: cell wall; cytokinesis; development; embryogenesis; EXTENSIN EN cell wall cytokinesis development embryogenesis EXTENSIN 1629 1633 5 11/07/22 20221201 NES 221201 EXTENSINs (EXTs) are a subclass of the very diverse family of cell wall proteins known as hydroxyproline-rich glycoproteins. [Extracted from the article]

Coenzyme Q (CoQ, ubiquinone) is the electron‐carrying lipid in the mitochondrial electron transport system (ETS). In mammals, it serves as the electron acceptor for nine mitochondrial inner membrane dehydrogenases. These include the NADH dehydrogenase (complex I, CI) and succinate dehydrogenase (complex II, CII) but also several others that are often omitted in the context of respiratory enzymes: dihydroorotate dehydrogenase, choline dehydrogenase, electron‐transferring flavoprotein dehydrogenase, mitochondrial glycerol‐3‐phosphate dehydrogenase, proline dehydrogenases 1 and 2, and sulfide:quinone oxidoreductase. The metabolic pathways these enzymes are involved in range from amino acid and fatty acid oxidation to nucleotide biosynthesis, methylation, and hydrogen sulfide detoxification, among many others. The CoQ‐linked metabolism depends on CoQ reoxidation by the mitochondrial complex III (cytochrome bc1 complex, CIII). However, the literature is surprisingly limited as for the role of the CoQ‐linked metabolism in the pathogenesis of human diseases of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS), in which the CoQ homeostasis is directly or indirectly affected. In this review, we give an introduction to CIII function, and an overview of the pathological consequences of CIII dysfunction in humans and mice and of the CoQ‐dependent metabolic processes potentially affected in these pathological states. Finally, we discuss some experimental tools to dissect the various aspects of compromised CoQ oxidation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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One of the most important challenges in treating cancer is the invasion and the angiogenesis of cancer cells. The synthesis of green nanoparticles (NPs) and their use in therapeutic fields is one of the most effective methods with minimal side effects in cancer treatment. In this study, cytotoxic and anti‐angiogenic effects of silver NPs (AgNPs) coated with palm pollen extract [Ag–PP(NPs)] were evaluated. For this purpose, the cells were treated with NPs and then were subjected to trypan blue testing (48 h). Then, the cancer invasion was evaluated by the scratch procedure and the expressions of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and its receptor (VEGF‐R) genes were estimated using real‐time PCR assay. Also, the angiogenesis effect of the NPs was investigated with chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) assay. The Ag–PP(NPs) induced cytotoxicity on MCF7 cells. The findings also showed that Ag–PP(NPs) inhibit invasive cancer cells and reduce the expression of VEGF and VEGF‐R and significantly reduced the number and vessels lengths and the lengths and weights of the embryos in CAM assay. Ag–PP(NPs) with the induction of cytotoxic effects, metastatic inhibition and anti‐angiogenesis properties should be considered as an appropriate option for treatment of cancer [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article studies the incidence and relationship of three important relevant editorial notices: errata, expressions of concern, and retractions. The journal club PubPeer was used to extract 39,449 research articles and the 2,308 errata, 189 expressions of concern, and 1,531 retractions associated with these publications. The relationship, time delay, and evolution of these publications were then compared, as was their incidence in journals and disciplines. The results show that the relationship between them is scant, the increase in these notices is in proportion to the scientific literature, and the time delay between publication and editorial notice is frequently over 3 years. According to incidence, editorial notices are more frequent in journals specializing in biochemistry, medicine, and multidisciplinarity, and cancer journals release more errata. Research areas with more editorial notices are the life and health sciences. The research fields with the highest percentages of errata and retractions are Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology, and Immunology and Microbiology. It is recognized that the use of PubPeer as a data source may have influenced the results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Five major sialyloligosaccharides and a sialylglycopeptide have been isolated from normal human urine by charcoal adsorption, gel filtration, ion-exchange chromatography, and paper chromatography. Structural studies including gas-liquid chromatography of monosaccharide and disaccharide derivatives, methylation analysis, glycosidase treatments, and CrO3 oxidation indicated the Following structures for the compounds: 1, NcuAc(α2- 6)Gal(β1–4)GIe: 2. NeuAc(α2–6)Gal(β1–4)GIcNAc; 3. NeuAc(α2–3)Gal(β1–4)GIc; 4. NeuAc(α2–3)Gal(β1–4) GIcNAc: 5. NeuAc(α2–3)Gal(β1–3) [NeuAc(α2–6)]GalNAc; and 6. NeuAc(α2–3)Gal(β1–3) [NeuAc(α2–6)]GallNAc (α1-O)Ser. Compounds 4, 5, and 6 have not been described in a free form before. The presence of compound 5 in urine may suggest that it derives from glycoproteins through a catabolic pathway involving cleavage of the carbohydrate-peptide linkage by an endo-N-acetylgalactosaminidase. The predominating sialyloligosaccharides in urine were compounds 3 and 4. The predominance of the compounds with the sialyl(α2–3) linkage is of interest in view of the recent discovery of uropathogenic Escherchia coli strains with binding specificity for sialyl(α2–3)galactosides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The assessment in real‐life conditions of the safety and efficacy of new antimalarial drugs is of greatest interest. This study aimed to monitor and evaluate both clinical and biological safety of pyronaridine‐artesunate (PA) in real‐life conditions in Burkina Faso's health system. This was a single‐arm, open‐label study, where patients attending Nanoro health facilities with uncomplicated malaria were consented to be part of a cohort event monitoring (CEM). At inclusion (day‐0), PA was administered orally once a day for 3 days. Patients spontaneous reported any clinical adverse events (AEs) occurring within 28 days following the treatment. Additionally, the study focused on AEs of special interest (AESI), namely clinical signs related to hepatotoxicity and increased alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). A nested subset of patients with blood sample collection at day‐0 and day‐7 were monitored to investigate the effect of PA on biochemistry parameters. From September 2017 to October 2018, 2786 patients were treated with PA. About 97.8% (2720/2786) of patients did not report any AE. The most commonly reported events were respiratory, thoracic, and mediastinal disorders (8.3 per 1000), infections and infestations (7.9 per 1000), and gastrointestinal disorders (7.2 per 1000). No clinical or biological hepatotoxicity event related to PA was reported during the follow‐up. Changes in biochemistry parameters remained within laboratory reference ranges. The study showed that PA is a well‐tolerated drug and should be considered as a good option by malaria control programs in countries where existing first‐line antimalarial drugs are continuously threatened by the emergence of drug resistance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent advances in bioimaging, biochemistry, and bioinformatics have facilitated the development of personalized and precision medicine. Theranostics, combining imaging modalities and therapeutic agents, have garnered a lot of attention in this context, owing to their potential to monitor and control treatment for individual patients. A promising strategy to achieve this goal involves the development of therapy guided by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). MRI has a high degree of soft tissue contrast, low invasiveness, high depth of penetration and good spatial resolution. MRI‐guided therapy could thus allow precise and time‐resolved assessment of disease conditions and therapeutic progression. This article will give a brief introduction to the principles of MRI, and describe recently developed strategies to produce MRI‐guided therapies. A number of theranostics based on T1, T2, or chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST) MRI have been explored to track the route of drug carriers in vivo and image diseased tissue so as to enhance bioavailability, overcome complex delivery barriers, and assess therapeutic responses. In addition, the integration of thermal therapy and MRI imaging offers a strategy to noninvasively identify target areas, plan treatment, and provide real‐time assessment of the efficacy of tumor ablation. We also discuss advances in intelligent nanoparticles combining small molecule drugs, thermal treatment and multimodal imaging, arguing that these multifunctional agents can further improve therapeutic outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a highly prevalent type of esophageal cancer (EC), usually found at an advanced stage with a high mortality rate, and it is now crucial to find new ways to diagnose and treat ESCC. This study analyzed the function of circular RNA_0003340 (circ_0003340)/microRNA‐940 (miR‐940)/protein kinase AMP‐activated alpha 1 catalytic subunit (PRKAA1) axis in ESCC. Methods: Circ_0003340, miR‐940 and PRKAA1 contents were measured with the application of real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR) and western blot. Cell proliferation, cell cycle, apoptosis, migration, invasion and angiogenesis were assessed with a cell counting kit‐8 (CCK8), 5‐ethynyl‐2′‐deoxyuridine (EdU), flow cytometry, wound healing, transwell and tube formation assays. We used both the luciferase reporter system and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) to analyze the relationship between miR‐940 and circ_0003340 or PRKAA1. Finally, xenograft models were applied to analyze the effect of circ_0003340 on tumor growth in vivo. Results: Upregulated circ_0003340 and PRKAA1, and downregulated miR‐940 levels were detected in ESCC. Meanwhile, ESCC progression was apparently restrained by circ_0003340 knockdown in vitro. Circ_0003340 acted as a ceRNA for miR‐940 in regulating ESCC progression and miR‐940 was proved to target PRKAA1 to arrest ESCC progression in vitro. Finally, in vivo experiments established that silencing of circ_0003340 slowed tumor growth in vivo. Conclusion: Circ_0003340 downregulation mitigated esophageal squamous cell carcinoma progression by targeting miR‐940/PRKAA1 axis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deregulation of microRNAs expression is symptomatic of cancer disease and occurs before the awareness of cancer signs. Early detection of cancer disease can improve or drop the disease entirely. DNA computing is an emerging field of detecting microRNAs based on toehold‐mediated strand displacement reactions, which is a more efficient method than the commonly used method like real‐time PCR. Accuracy and cost of diagnostic applications are essential criteria that are achieved by using the DNA logic gates based on the DNA computing method. In this study, the authors proposed the multi‐input liver cancer biosensor with the RNA secondary structure motifs as the computational module and two approaches are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Engineering disciplines (electrical, civil, mechanical, and chemical engineering), concerned with physical phenomena, are founded on math–physics theoretical models from related sciences. It is sometimes asserted that systems engineering lacks, and is seeking equivalent foundations grounded in modelled physical phenomena, on an impactful par with other engineering disciplines. We instead argue (a) there is an already well‐known system phenomenon; (b) its model‐based theory has long been known in the form of Hamilton's principle, Noether's theorem, and similar established theories; (c) this phenomena and theory are general parent cases of the more familiar phenomena and model‐based theories of the other engineering disciplines and sciences; and (d) for emerging larger scale systems important to society, new larger scale phenomena, model‐based theories, and engineering disciplines may be developed using this general parent. Contemporary examples include ground vehicles, aircraft, marine vessels, and biochemical networks; ahead are healthcare, distribution networks, market systems, ecologies, and the Internet of Things. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tim was well-known for going to bed early, leaving the students and Carol to continue the party on their own - until Tim appeared later in the evening wearing a long house coat, a sleeping cap, and carrying a candle straight out of Charles Dickens! Oceanography lost one of its leading lights in April 2022, with the passing of Professor Timothy (Tim) R. Parsons (OC, FRSC), in the company of his family. Tim and his wife and colleague Dr. Carol Lalli (also a noted oceanographer) wrote I Biological Oceanography: An Introduction i (Lalli and Parsons 1993). Timothy R. Parsons (1932-2022): Building a Holistic Vision of the Marine Sciences. [Extracted from the article]

This article presents a list of several research papers to be published in the European Journal of Biochemistry. Some of listed papers are "Changes in the Insulin-Sensitive Glycosyl-Phosphatidyl-Inositol Signalling System With Aging in Rat Hepatocytes," "Localization of the Tightly Bound Divalent-Cation-Dependcnt and Nucleotidc-Dependent Conformation Changes m G-Actin Using Limited Proteolytic Digestion" and "Structure of the Promoter Region of the Gene Encoding Cytochrome c Oxidase Subunit V in Dictyostelium."

Objectives: Placental expression of neuropilin-1 (NRP1), a proangiogenic member of the vascular endothelial growth factor receptor family involved in sprouting angiogenesis, was recently discovered to be downregulated in pregnancies with fetal growth restriction (FGR) and abnormal umbilical artery (UA) Doppler. Soluble NRP1 (sNRP1) is an antagonist to NRP1; however, little is known about its role in normal and FGR pregnancies. This study tested the hypotheses that, first, sNRP1 would be detectable in maternal circulation and, second, its concentration would be upregulated in FGR pregnancies compared to those with normal fetal growth and this would correlate with the severity of the disease as assessed by UA Doppler.Methods: This was a prospective case-control pilot study of 40 singleton pregnancies (20 FGR cases and 20 uncomplicated controls) between 24 + 0 and 40 + 0 weeks' gestation followed in an academic perinatal center from January 2015 to May 2017. FGR was defined as an ultrasound-estimated fetal weight < 10th percentile for gestational age. The control group was matched to the FGR group for maternal age and gestational age at assessment. Fetal ultrasound biometry and UA Doppler were performed using standard protocols. Maternal plasma sNRP1 measurements were performed using a commercially available ELISA.Results: Contrary to the study hypothesis, maternal plasma sNRP1 levels were significantly decreased in FGR pregnancies as compared to those with normal fetal growth (137.4 ± 44.8 pg/mL vs 166.7 ± 36.9 pg/mL; P = 0.03). However, there was no significant difference in sNRP1 concentration between the control group and FGR pregnancies that had normal UA Doppler. Plasma sNRP1 was downregulated in FGR pregnancies with elevated UA systolic/diastolic ratio (P = 0.023) and those with UA absent or reversed end-diastolic flow (P = 0.005) in comparison to FGR pregnancies with normal UA Doppler. This suggests that biometrically small fetuses without hemodynamic compromise are small-for-gestational age rather than FGR.Conclusions: This study demonstrated a significant decrease in maternal plasma sNRP1 concentration in growth-restricted pregnancies with fetoplacental circulatory compromise. These findings suggest a possible role of sNRP1 in modulating fetal growth and its potential as a biomarker for FGR. © 2021 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: At the morphological and anatomical levels, the ionome, or the elemental composition of an organism, is an understudied area of plant biology. In particular, the ionomic responses of plant–pathogen interactions are scarcely described, and there are no studies on immune reactions. In this study we explored two X‐ray fluorescence (XRF)‐based ionome visualisation methods (benchtop‐ and synchrotron‐based micro‐XRF [µXRF]), as well as the quantitative inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP‐OES) method, to investigate the changes that occur in the ionome of compatible and incompatible plant–pathogen interactions. We utilised the agronomically important and comprehensively studied interaction between potato (Solanum tuberosum) and the late blight oomycete pathogen Phytophthora infestans as an example. We used one late blight‐susceptible potato cultivar and two resistant transgenic plant lines (only differing from the susceptible cultivar in one or three resistance genes) both in control and P.infestans‐inoculated conditions. In the lesions from the compatible interaction, we observed rearrangements of several elements, including a decrease of the mobile macronutrient potassium (K) and an increase in iron (Fe) and manganese (Mn), compared with the tissue outside the lesion. Interestingly, we observed distinctly different distribution patterns of accumulation at the site of inoculation in the resistant lines for calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), Mn and silicon (Si) compared to the susceptible cultivar. The results reveal different ionomes in diseased plants compared to resistant plants. Our results demonstrate a technical advance and pave the way for deeper studies of the plant–pathogen ionome in the future. Significance Statement: Using benchtop and synchrotron µXRF imaging and ICP‐OES quantification, we analysed the ionomic changes in potato (Solanum tuberosum) plants upon inoculation with the late blight pathogen Phytophthora infestans. Inoculation with the pathogen leads to shifts in the distribution patterns of several elements in either susceptible or resistant potato leaflets, including a particular redistribution of manganese (Mn) and silicon (Si) in R‐gene‐containing lines. These techniques open up new possibilities for plant–microbe interactions research at the ionome level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Alternative-level metrics (Altmetrics) are a new method to assess the sharing and spread of scientific knowledge. The primary objective of this study was to describe the traditional metrics and Altmetric scores of the 50 most frequently cited articles published in emergency medicine ( EM) journals. Since many articles related to EM are published in other journals, the secondary aim of this study was to describe the Altmetric scores of the most frequently cited articles relevant to EM in other biomedical journals. Methods A structured search of the Institute for Scientific Information Web of Science version of the Science Citation Index Expanded was conducted. The 200 most frequently cited articles in the top 10 EM journals (2011 Journal Citation Report) were identified. The 200 most frequently cited articles from the rest of the medical literature, matching a predefined list of keywords relevant to the specialty of EM, were identified. Two authors reviewed the lists of citations for relevance to EM and a consensus approach was used to arrive at the final lists of the top 50 cited articles. The Altmetric scores for the top 50 cited articles in EM and other journals were determined. Descriptive statistics and Spearman correlation were performed. Results The highest Altmetric score for EM articles was 25.0; the mean (± SD) was 1.9 (±5.0). The EM journal with the highest mean article Altmetric score was Resuscitation. The main clinical areas shared for articles from EM articles were trauma (mean ± SD = 11.0 ± 15.6, median = 11.0) and cardiac arrest (mean ± SD = 2.7 ± 5.8, median = 0). The highest Altmetric score for other journals was 176.0 (mean ± SD = 23.3 ± 40.8). The other journal with the highest mean article Altmetric score was the New England Journal of Medicine. The main clinical areas shared for articles were critical care (mean ± SD score = 36.5 ± 47.4, median = 36.5), sepsis (mean ± SD = 24.6 ± 48.8, median = 12.0), cardiology (mean ± SD = 19.2 ± 35.6, median = 7.0), and infectious diseases (mean ± SD = 17.0 ± 12.7, median = 17.0). Spearman correlation demonstrated weakly positive correlation between citation counts and Altmetric scores for EM articles and other journals. Conclusions This study is the first analysis of Altmetric scores for the top cited articles in EM. We demonstrated that there is a mild correlation between citation counts and Altmetric scores for the top papers in EM and other biomedical journals. We also demonstrated that there is a gap between the sharing of the top articles in EM journals and those related to EM in other biomedical journals. Future research to explore this relationship and its temporal trends will benefit the understanding of the reach and dissemination of EM research within the scientific community and society in general. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A neurodepressing hormone has been isolated and purified to homogeneity from aqueous extracts of 2000 eyestalks of the Mexican crayfish Procambarus bouvieri (Ortmann). Purification was achieved by gel filtration on Sephadex G-25 and G-15, and preparative paper electrophoresis at four pH values (1.8, 3.6, 6.0 and 10.0). The recovery of hormone activity was 85% and the specific activity was 4.0 × 104 limes that of the starting material. The hormone is a thermostable peptide of approximately 1200 molecular weight and composed of neutral amino acids. No N-terminal group could be found. From its electrophoretic behavior it is concluded that the C-terminal group is also blocked. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2000 ml of pooled human male plasma unconjugated 3β, 17β-dihydroxyandrost-5-ene as diacetate was identified. The identification was based on paper chromatography, acetylation followed by thin-layer chromatography and final mass spectrometry, Furthermore aliquot parts of the extract after paper-chromatography were subjected to a protein-binding assay to assure the 17β-hydroxyl configuration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Climate and plant invasion can shape biotic communities at large spatial scales. Yet, how diverse groups of organisms associated with an invasive plant change simultaneously with latitude and the roles of climate and plant invasion remains unclear.We conducted a field survey of plants (native vs exotic), soil fungi (pathogenic, saprotrophic, arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi (AMF) and ectomycorrhizal (EcM) fungi) and arthropods (herbivores, predators and detritivores) associated with the invasive plant Alternanthera philoxeroides at 49 sites spanning 14 latitudinal degrees in China.Results showed that diversity and composition of these functional groups changed differently with latitude, partially due to their specific responses to climate, invasion of A. philoxeroides and other biotic environments. Moreover, A. philoxeroides invasion and/or composition of other plants, rather than climate, predicted the diversity and richness of major functional groups and partly explained variance in composition of putative fungal pathogens.Our results suggest that climate and plant invasion could affect the diversity and composition of diverse groups of organisms simultaneously and their relative importance might vary among functional groups. Thus, it is necessary to explore latitudinal patterns and underlying drivers of diverse groups of organisms simultaneously to improve our ability to predict and mitigate threats posed by plant invasion and climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent reports express concern about the sustainability of the biomedical research enterprise in its current form. Recurring concerns include the predictability and sustainability of funding for research, regulatory burden and training the next generation in the biomedical workforce. One specific concern is the duration of training periods during pre‐doctoral and post‐doctoral studies. This article addresses the issue of time‐to‐degree (TTD) for doctorates. Many reports stress the importance of shortening the TTD, but provide no recommendations to achieve this goal. Herein, factors potentially affecting TTD are discussed and one mechanism that harmonizes undergraduate and graduate programs is proposed as a strategy to reduce the TTD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The scientific literature contains a tremendous amount of kinetic data describing the dynamic behaviour of biochemical reactions over time. These data are needed for computational modelling to create models of biochemical reaction networks and to obtain a better understanding of the processes in living cells. To extract the knowledge from the literature, biocurators are required to understand a paper and interpret the data. For modellers, as well as experimentalists, this process is very time consuming because the information is distributed across the publication and, in most cases, is insufficiently structured and often described without standard terminology. In recent years, biological databases for different data types have been developed. The advantages of these databases lie in their unified structure, searchability and the potential for augmented analysis by software, which supports the modelling process. We have developed the SABIO- RK database for biochemical reaction kinetics. In the present review, we describe the challenges for database developers and curators, beginning with an analysis of relevant publications up to the export of database information in a standardized format. The aim of the present review is to draw the experimentalist's attention to the problem (from a data integration point of view) of incompletely and imprecisely written publications. We describe how to lower the barrier to curators and improve this situation. At the same time, we are aware that curating experimental data takes time. There is a community concerned with making the task of publishing data with the proper structure and annotation to ontologies much easier. In this respect, we highlight some useful initiatives and tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Atherosclerosis is a complex process of gathering sub‐endothelial plaques decreasing lumen of the blood vessels. This disorder affects people of all ages, but its progression is asymptomatic for many years. It is regulated by many typical and atypical factors including the immune system response, a chronic kidney disease, a diet rich in lipids, a local inflammatory process and a local oxidative stress that is here one of the key factors. In this study, a Petri net model of atherosclerosis regulation is presented. This model includes also some information about stoichiometric relationships between its components and covers all mentioned factors. For the model, a structural analysis based on invariants was made and biological conclusions are presented. Since the model contains inhibitor arcs, a heuristic method for analysis of such cases is presented. This method can be used to extend the concept of feasible t‐invariants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Turnip isoperoxidase TP 7 had its hemin group removed and was cleaved by trypsin. The digest was fractionated by gel filtration and high-voltage paper electrophoresis and yielded 24 peptides, which counted for all 296 amino acid residues of the enzyme. Sequence analyses on the tryptic peptides and, when necessary, on their thermolytic derivatives were carried out by manual Edman degradation followed by dansylation or by quantitative amino acid analysis of thiazolinones convened by HI. The four disulfide bridges and the only site of carbohydrate attachment of turnip peroxidase 7 are located. The present analysis of tryptic peptides has been complemented by cyanogen bromide fragments cleaved by chymotrypsin as described in the accompanying paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents the titles and authors of articles to be published in 1994 issues of the "European Journal of Biochemistry."

Peptide B, the N-terminal fragment of thioredoxin obtained by cyanogens bromide treatment was aminoethylated and digested with pepsin. Eight peptides were separated by high voltage paper electrophoresis and chromatography and characterized with respect to amino acid sequence. The results account for all 37 residues peptide B. The N-terminal sequence of peptide B was determined as: Ser-Asp-Lys-Ile-Ile-His-Leu-Thr-Asp-Asp-Ser-Phe. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keywords: acid-based balance; bicarbonate transport; NBCe1; sodium transport; stoichiometry EN acid-based balance bicarbonate transport NBCe1 sodium transport stoichiometry 3005 3006 2 07/04/22 20220701 NES 220701 In 1983 Boron and Boulpaep first described an electrogenic Na SP + sp and HCO SB 3 sb SP - sp cotransport activity in the kidney proximal tubule of the salamander I Ambystoma tigrinum i (Boron & Boulpaep, 1983). This "molecular sequence switch" seemed to conveniently segregate with transport direction and apparent ion coupling; that is Na SP + sp / I n i HCO SB 3 sb SP - sp I efflux i by the kidney as the role of NBCe1-A and the Na SP + sp / I n i HCO SB 3 sb SP - sp I influx i by other tissues as the role of NBCe1-B. Biology is rarely so simple. Acid-based balance, bicarbonate transport, NBCe1, sodium transport, stoichiometry. [Extracted from the article]

Understanding how community composition of service‐providing organisms affects ecosystem functioning is a key challenge in ecology. Although it has been proposed that taxonomic diversity and functional traits mediate this relationship, how several facets of community structure affect the delivery of key ecosystem services remains to be explored.In this study, we investigated how abundance, taxonomic richness as well as the shape of biomass distribution in predator communities affect biological pest control services in vineyard landscapes. Our analyses were based on a dataset combining samples of arthropod predators, measures of predation rates of grape pests and characterization of environmental covariables for 42 fields located in South‐Western France.We found that beside the abundance or the taxonomic richness of predators, the shape of biomass distribution (mean, variance, skewness and kurtosis of the distribution) influences the level of biological control. Predator communities largely dominated by low biomass species provided the bulk of biological control services. Lower levels of predation resulted from increased proportions of large biomass species and more evenly distributed biomass values in the communities.Our results indicate that the top‐down control provided by low biomass species decreases as the relative proportion of large biomass species increases in the predator community. This suggests that biological control may be affected by negative interactions (e.g. intraguild predation, behavioural interactions) between predators arising from the recruitment of large individuals in the community.Our study revealed that the shape of biomass distribution is a major aspect of functional diversity in predator communities providing insights into the mechanisms that link biodiversity and ecosystem services. While our study focuses on biomass, considering other traits involved in trophic interactions may increase our ability to predict the level of biological control in ecosystems. A free Plain Language Summary can be found within the Supporting Information of this article. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent genome-wide analyses of rare and common sequence variations have brought greater clarity to the genetic architecture of pulmonary arterial hypertension and implicated novel genes in disease development. Transcriptional signatures have been reported in whole lung tissue, pulmonary vascular cells and peripheral circulating cells. High-throughput platforms for plasma proteomics and metabolomics have identified novel biomarkers associated with clinical outcomes and provided molecular instruments for risk assessment. There are methodological challenges to integrating these datasets, coupled to statistical power limitations inherent to the study of a rare disease, but the expectation is that this approach will reveal novel druggable targets and biomarkers that will open the way to personalized medicine. Here, we review the current state-of-the-art and future promise of 'omics' in the field of translational medicine in pulmonary arterial hypertension. LINKED ARTICLES: This article is part of a themed issue on Risk factors, comorbidities, and comedications in cardioprotection. To view the other articles in this section visit http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/bph.v178.1/issuetoc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The therapeutics for type 2 diabetes mellitus has emerged in the current century towards nanomedicine incorporated with plant active compounds. In this study, Tinospora cordifolia loaded poly (D, L‐lactide) (PLA) nanoparticles (NPs) were evaluated in vivo for their anti‐hyperglycemic potency towards streptozotocin‐induced type 2 diabetic rats. T. cordifolia loaded PLA NPs were synthesised by the double solvent evaporation method using PLA polymer. The NPs were then characterised and administrated orally for 28 successive days to streptozotocin‐induced diabetic rats. The PLA NPs had significant anti‐diabetic effects which were equal to the existing anti‐diabetic drug glibenclamide. The antidiabetic activity is due to the synergism of compounds present in stem extract of the plant which reduced the side effects and anti‐diabetic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors report a novel, effective and enhanced method of conjugating anticancer drug, paclitaxel and gallic acid with magnetosomes. Here, anticancer drugs were functionalised with magnetosomes membrane by direct and indirect (via crosslinkers: glutaraldehyde and 3‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane) adsorption methods. The prepared magnetosome–drug conjugates were characterised by Fourier transform infrared, zeta potential, field‐emission scanning electron microscope and thermogravimetric analysis/differential scanning calorimetry. The drug‐loading efficiency and capacity were found to be 87.874% for paclitaxel (MP) and 71.3% for gallic acid (MG), respectively as calculated by ultraviolet spectroscopy and high‐performance liquid chromatography. The drug release demonstrated by the diffusion method in phosphate buffer (PBS), showing a prolonged drug release for MP and MG, respectively. The cytotoxicity effect of the MP and MG displayed cytotoxicity of 69.71%, 55.194% against HeLa and MCF‐7 cell lines, respectively. The reactive oxygen species, acridine orange and ethidium bromide and 4, 6‐diamidino‐2‐phenylindole staining of the drug conjugates revealed the apoptotic effect of MP and MG. Further, the regulation of tumour suppressor protein, p53 was determined by western blotting which showed an upregulation of p53. Comparatively, the magnetosome–drug conjugates prepared by direct adsorption achieved the best effects on the drug‐loading efficiency and the increased percentage of cancer cell mortality and the upregulation of P53. The proposed research ascertains that magnetosomes could be used as effective nanocarriers in cancer therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Candida albicans (C. albicans) infection shows a growing burden on human health, and it has become challenging to search for treatment. Therefore, this work focused on the antifungal activity, and cytotoxic effect of biosynthesised nanostructures on human ovarian tetracarcinoma cells PA1 and their corresponding mechanism of cell death. Herein, the authors fabricated advanced biosynthesis of uncoated α‐Fe2 O3 and coated α‐Fe2 O3 nanostructures by using the carbohydrate of Spirulina platensis. The physicochemical features of nanostructures were characterised by UV–visible, high resolution transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and X‐ray diffraction. The antifungal activity of these nanostructures against C. albicans was studied by the broth dilution method, and examined by 2′, 7′‐dichlorofluorescein diacetate staining. However, their cytotoxic effects against PA1 cell lines were evaluated by MTT and comet assays. Results indicated characteristic rod‐shaped nanostructures, and increasing the average size of α‐Fe2 O3 @ZnO nanocomposite (105.2 nm × 29.1 nm) to five times as compared to α‐Fe2 O3 nanoparticles (20.73nm × 5.25 nm). The surface coating of α‐Fe2 O3 by ZnO has increased its antifungal efficiency against C. albicans. Moreover, the MTT results revealed that α‐Fe2 O3 @ZnO nanocomposite reduces PA1 cell proliferation due to DNA fragmentation (IC50 18.5 μg/ml). Continual advances of green nanotechnology and promising findings of this study are in favour of using the construction of rod‐shaped nanostructures for therapeutic applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sulphonylureas are extensively used in the treatment of type II diabetes; however, these drugs have complications of hypoglycaemia and weight gain. The current study aims at developing a potent antidiabetic drug that has lesser side effects and better management of its associated conditions. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) were synthesised using Syzygium cumini seed extract with an average size of 18.92 nm. In vitro studies on rat insulinoma (RIN‐5F) cells revealed that cells treated with synthesised ZnO NPs showed a dose‐dependent increase in insulin secretion. Streptozotocin‐fructose‐induced type II diabetic rats treated with ZnO NPS exhibited a significant reduction (p < 0.01) in the blood glucose levels, total cholesterol, triglycerides, and low‐density lipoprotein levels and increase (p < 0.01) in serum insulin and liver antioxidant enzyme levels proclaiming its role as a hypoglycaemic and hypolipidaemic drug. Treatment of ZnO NPs in diabetic rats exhibited an increased number of beta cells which was responsible for its increased insulin levels and reduced glucose levels. From the overall observations, biosynthesised ZnO NPs exhibited an efficacious hypoglycaemic effect in diabetic rats, so it can be suggested as a potent antidiabetic drug. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with aluminium hydroxide/iron hydroxide/multi‐walled carbon nanotubes (AH/IH/MWCNTs) composites has been prepared by a simple method and applied for dihydro‐nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NADH) detection. AH/IH can not only accelerate electron transfer but also electrostatically interact with the phosphate groups of NADH through iron hydroxide to improve the sensitivity of the sensor. Meanwhile, MWCNTs served as a bonding agent to provide a built‐in conductor, which resulted in boosted electron transfer at the interface. Compared with the GCE, MWCNTs–GCE, and AH/MWCNTs–GCE, the AH/IH/MWCNTs–GCE exhibited an extraordinary electrocatalytic response towards NADH, with a wide linear concentration range from 0.5 to 220 μM with a low‐detection limit of 0.30 μM, at a comparatively low potential (+0.15 V versus Ag/AgCl). Moreover, alcohol dehydrogenase was used as a model system for the design of a sensitive ethanol biosensor. The resulting biosensor exhibited an ethanol sensitivity of 9 μA/mM, a concentration range of 20–400 μM, and a detection limit of 5 μM. These results demonstrate the potential of the AH/IH/MWCNTs nanocomposite film for biosensors in combination with NADH‐producing enzymes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper highlights the importance of advanced microscopy and microanalysis in the pursuit of quality research in the biological and life sciences. With the growing complexity of modern microscopes, there is substantial risk of incorrect use or misinterpretation of data by the inexperienced researcher. This paper emphasizes the need for collaboration between biological microscopists and molecular biologists, within the context of centralized facilities and supported by first-class training, to fully realize the power of these unique instruments in modern biology and to create the next generation of molecular microscopists. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 28‐kDa endoglucanase was isolated from the culture filtrate of Phanerochaete chrysosporium strain K3 and named EG 28. It degrades carboxymethylated cellulose and amorphous cellulose, and to a lesser degree xylan and mannan but not microcrystalline cellulose (Avicel). EG 28 is unusual among cellulases from aerobic fungi, in that it appears to lack a cellulose‐binding domain and does not bind to crystalline cellulose. The enzyme is efficient at releasing short fibres from filter paper and mechanical pulp, and acts synergistically with cellobiohydrolases. Its mode of degrading filter paper appears to be different to that of endoglucanase I from Trichoderma reesei. Furthermore, EG 28 releases colour from stained cellulose beads faster than any other enzyme tested. Peptide mapping suggests that it is not a fragment of another known endoglucanases from P. chrysosporium and peptide sequences indicate that it belongs to family 12 of the glycosyl hydrolases. EG 28 is glycosylated. The biological function of the enzyme is discussed, and it is hypothesized that it is homologous to EG III in Trichoderma reesei and the role of the enzyme is to make the cellulose in wood more accessible to other cellulases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]