Search

Mycobacterium leprae is the causative agent responsible for the chronic disease known as leprosy. This condition is characterized by dermal involvement, often leading to peripheral nerve damage, sensory-motor loss, and related abnormalities. Both innate and acquired immunological responses play a role in the disease, and even in individuals with lepromatous leprosy, there can be a transient increase in T cell immunity during lepromatous reactions. Diagnosing of early-stage leprosy poses significant challenges. In this context, nanoparticles have emerged as a promising avenue for addressing various crucial issues related to leprosy. These include combatting drug resistance, mitigating adverse effects of conventional medications, and enhancing targeted drug delivery. This review serves as a comprehensive compilation, encompassing aspects of pathology, immunology, and adverse effects of multidrug delivery systems in the context of leprosy treatment. Furthermore, the review underscores the significance of ethnomedicinal plants, bioactive secondary metabolites, and nanotherapeutics in the management of leprosy. It emphasizes the potential to bridge the gap between existing literature and ongoing research efforts, with a profound scope for validating traditional claims, developing herbal medicines, and formulating nanoscale drug delivery systems that are safe, effective, and widely accepted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mycobacterium leprae is the causative agent responsible for the chronic disease known as leprosy. This condition is characterized by dermal involvement, often leading to peripheral nerve damage, sensory-motor loss, and related abnormalities. Both innate and acquired immunological responses play a role in the disease, and even in individuals with lepromatous leprosy, there can be a transient increase in T cell immunity during lepromatous reactions. Diagnosing of early-stage leprosy poses significant challenges. In this context, nanoparticles have emerged as a promising avenue for addressing various crucial issues related to leprosy. These include combatting drug resistance, mitigating adverse effects of conventional medications, and enhancing targeted drug delivery. This review serves as a comprehensive compilation, encompassing aspects of pathology, immunology, and adverse effects of multidrug delivery systems in the context of leprosy treatment. Furthermore, the review underscores the significance of ethnomedicinal plants, bioactive secondary metabolites, and nanotherapeutics in the management of leprosy. It emphasizes the potential to bridge the gap between existing literature and ongoing research efforts, with a profound scope for validating traditional claims, developing herbal medicines, and formulating nanoscale drug delivery systems that are safe, effective, and widely accepted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dietary exposure to aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is harmful to the health and performance of domestic animals. The hepatic cytochrome P450s (CYPs), CYP1A1 and CYP2A6, are the primary enzymes responsible for the bioactivation of AFB1 to the highly toxic exo-AFB1-8,9-epoxide (AFBO) in chicks. However, the transcriptional regulation mechanism of these CYP genes in the liver of chicks in AFB1 metabolism remains unknown. Dual-luciferase reporter assay, bioinformatics and site-directed mutation results indicated that specificity protein 1 (SP1) and activator protein-1 (AP-1) motifs were located in the core region −1,063/−948, −606/−541 of the CYP1A1 promoter as well as −636/−595, −503/−462, −147/−1 of the CYP2A6 promoter. Furthermore, overexpression and decoy oligodeoxynucleotide technologies demonstrated that SP1 and AP-1 were pivotal transcriptional activators regulating the promoter activity of CYP1A1 and CYP2A6. Moreover, bioactivation of AFB1 to AFBO could be increased by upregulation of CYP1A1 and CYP2A6 expression, which was trans-activated owing to the upregulalion of AP-1, rather than SP1, stimulated by AFB1-induced reactive oxygen species. Additionally, nano-selenium could reduce ROS, downregulate AP-1 expression and then decrease the expression of CYP1A1 and CYP2A6, thus alleviating the toxicity of AFB1. In conclusion, AP-1 and SP1 played important roles in the transactivation of CYP1A1 and CYP2A6 expression and further bioactivated AFB1 to AFBO in chicken liver, which could provide novel targets for the remediation of aflatoxicosis in chicks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increasing pollution of ecosystems by both biological and non-biological contaminants has recently fostered the rapid development of biosensors, thus opening a new investigation area in analytical sciences. Here, we review the applications of immunosensors in food safety, human health, environmental sciences, water pollution, and agriculture. We present the analysis of cancer markers, pathogens, antigens, antibiotics, pesticides, toxins, allergens, hormones, and phytohormones. Immunosensors comprise electrochemical, microgravimetric, optical, and thermometric immunosensors. Immunosensors have advantages such as enhanced sensitivity, selectivity, speed, and cost-effectiveness. In particular, antibody-based biosensors have outperformed traditional methods in identifying and analysing various compounds. Immunosensors are able to detect compounds at nanomolar to picomolar levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key message: CitCAT1 and CitCAT2 were cloned and highly expressed in mature leaves. High temperatures up-regulated CitCAT1 expression, while low temperatures and Diversispora versiformis up-regulated CitCAT2 expression, maintaining a low oxidative damage. Catalase (CAT), a tetrameric heme-containing enzyme, removes hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) to maintain low oxidative damage in plants exposed to environmental stress. This study aimed to clone CAT genes from Citrus sinensis cv. “Oita 4” and analyze their expression patterns in response to environmental stress, exogenous abscisic acid (ABA), and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal inoculation. Two CAT genes, CitCAT1 (NCBI accession: PP067858) and CitCAT2 (NCBI accession: PP061394) were cloned, and the open reading frames of their proteins were 1479 bp and 1539 bp, respectively, each encoding 492 and 512 amino acids predicted to be localized in the peroxisome, with CitCAT1 being a stable hydrophilic protein and CitCAT2 being an unstable hydrophilic protein. The similarity of their amino acid sequences reached 83.24%, and the two genes were distantly related. Both genes were expressed in stems, leaves, flowers, and fruits, accompanied by the highest expression in mature leaves. In addition, CitCAT1 expression was mainly up-regulated by high temperatures (37 °C), exogenous ABA, and PEG stress within a short period of time, whereas CitCAT2 expression was up-regulated by exogenous ABA and low-temperature (4 °C) stress. Low temperatures (0 °C) for 12 h just up-regulated CitCAT2 expression in Diversispora versiformis-inoculated plants, and D. versiformis inoculation up-regulated CitCAT2 expression, along with lower hydrogen peroxide and malondialdehyde levels in mycorrhizal plants at low temperatures. It is concluded that CitCAT2 has an important role in resistance to low temperatures as well as mycorrhizal enhancement of host resistance to low temperatures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Probiotics consumption has been associated with various health promoting benefits, including disease prevention and even treatment by modulating gut microbiota. Contrary to this, probiotics may also overstimulate the immune system, trigger systemic infections, harmful metabolic activities, and promote gene transfer. in children, the fragile immune system and impaired intestinal barrier may boost the occurrence of adverse effects following probiotics' consumption. To overcome these health challenges, the key focus has been shifted toward non-viable probiotics, also called paraprobiotics. Cell wall polysaccharides, peptidoglycans, surface proteins and teichoic acid present on cell's surface are involved in the interaction of paraprobiotics with the host, ultimately providing health benefits. Among other benefits, paraprobiotics possess the ability to regulate innate and adaptive immunity, exert anti-adhesion, anti-biofilm, anti-hypertensive, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-proliferative, and antagonistic effects against pathogens, while also enhance clinical impact and general safety when administered in children in comparison to probiotics. Clinical evidence have underlined the paraprobiotics impact in children and young infants against atopic dermatitis, respiratory and gastrointestinal infections, in addition to be useful for immunocompromised individuals. Therefore, this review focuses on probiotics-related issues in children's health and also discusses the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium spp. qualities for qualifying as paraprobiotics and their role in promoting the children's health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in the soil have many positive effects on growth, nutrient acquisition, and stress tolerance of host plants, as well as soil fertility, soil structure, and soil ecology. Glomalin-related soil proteins (GRSP) are a mixture of humic substances and heat-stable glycoproteins, primarily of AMF origin. GRSP are as an important component of soil organic carbon (C) pools, which can stabilize and sequestrate C, thus reducing soil C emissions for slowing down global warming. Based on the CiteSpace software and the core collection of Web of Science as the database, this study made a visual analysis of GRSP's literature in the C field published from 1999 to 2022, including the number of publications, countries, institutions, co-cited literature, keywords, top cited papers, etc. The study regarding the GRSP in the C field could be divided into the initial stage (1999–2009), the steady stage (2010–2018), and the explosive stage (2019–2022). The Chinese Academy of Sciences is the organization with the most publications, and the United States, China, and India are the three leading nations in the C field of GRSP. However, there was little collaboration among the participating countries and the study's institutions. The focus of the research has shifted from the composition and content of GRSP in C to the question of whether C in GRSP affects soil properties. Future research was also prospected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

T-2 toxin is a worldwide problem for feed and food safety, leading to livestock and human health risks. The objective of this study was to explore the mechanism of T-2 toxin-induced small intestine injury in broilers by integrating the advanced microbiomic, metabolomic and transcriptomic technologies. Four groups of 1-day-old male broilers (n = 4 cages/group, 6 birds/cage) were fed a control diet and control diet supplemented with T-2 toxin at 1.0, 3.0, and 6.0 mg/kg, respectively, for 2 weeks. Compared with the control, dietary T-2 toxin reduced feed intake, body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, and the apparent metabolic rates and induced histopathological lesions in the small intestine to varying degrees by different doses. Furthermore, the T-2 toxin decreased the activities of glutathione peroxidase, thioredoxin reductase and total antioxidant capacity but increased the concentrations of protein carbonyl and malondialdehyde in the duodenum in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, the integrated microbiomic, metabolomic and transcriptomic analysis results revealed that the microbes, metabolites, and transcripts were primarily involved in the regulation of nucleotide and glycerophospholipid metabolism, redox homeostasis, inflammation, and apoptosis were related to the T-2 toxin-induced intestinal damage. In summary, the present study systematically elucidated the intestinal toxic mechanisms of T-2 toxin, which provides novel ideas to develop a detoxification strategy for T-2 toxin in animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) have a positive effect on drought tolerance of plants after establishing reciprocal resymbiosis with roots, while the underlying mechanism is not deciphered. Metabolomics can explain the mechanism of plant response to environmental stress by analyzing the changes of all small molecular weight metabolites. The purpose of this study was to use Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatography Q Exactive Mass Spectrometer to analyze changes in root metabolites of walnut (Juglans regia) after inoculation with an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Diversispora spurca under well-watered (WW) and drought stress (DS). Results: Sixty days of soil drought significantly inhibited root mycorrhizal colonization rate, shoot and root biomass production, and leaf water potential in walnut, while AMF inoculation significantly increased biomass production and leaf water potential, accompanied by a higher increase magnitude under DS versus under WW. A total of 3278 metabolites were identified. Under WW, AMF inoculation up-regulated 172 metabolites and down-regulated 61 metabolites, along with no changes in 1104 metabolites. However, under DS, AMF inoculation up-regulated 49 metabolites and down-regulated 116 metabolites, coupled with no changes in 1172 metabolites. Among them, juglone (a quinone found in walnuts) as the first ranked differential metabolite was up-regulated by AMF under WW but not under DS; 2,3,5-trihydroxy-5–7-dimethoxyflavanone as the first ranked differential metabolite was increased by AMF under DS but not under WW. The KEGG annotation showed a large number of metabolic pathways triggered by AMF, accompanied by different metabolic pathways under WW and DS. Among them, oxidative phosphorylation and phenylalanine metabolism and biosynthesis were triggered by AMF in response to WW and DS, where N-acetyl-L-phenylalanine was induced by AMF to increase under DS, while decreasing under WW. Conclusion: This study provides new insights into the metabolic mechanisms of mycorrhiza-enhanced drought tolerance in walnuts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) have a positive effect on drought tolerance of plants after establishing reciprocal resymbiosis with roots, while the underlying mechanism is not deciphered. Metabolomics can explain the mechanism of plant response to environmental stress by analyzing the changes of all small molecular weight metabolites. The purpose of this study was to use Ultra High Performance Liquid Chromatography Q Exactive Mass Spectrometer to analyze changes in root metabolites of walnut (Juglans regia) after inoculation with an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Diversispora spurca under well-watered (WW) and drought stress (DS). Results: Sixty days of soil drought significantly inhibited root mycorrhizal colonization rate, shoot and root biomass production, and leaf water potential in walnut, while AMF inoculation significantly increased biomass production and leaf water potential, accompanied by a higher increase magnitude under DS versus under WW. A total of 3278 metabolites were identified. Under WW, AMF inoculation up-regulated 172 metabolites and down-regulated 61 metabolites, along with no changes in 1104 metabolites. However, under DS, AMF inoculation up-regulated 49 metabolites and down-regulated 116 metabolites, coupled with no changes in 1172 metabolites. Among them, juglone (a quinone found in walnuts) as the first ranked differential metabolite was up-regulated by AMF under WW but not under DS; 2,3,5-trihydroxy-5–7-dimethoxyflavanone as the first ranked differential metabolite was increased by AMF under DS but not under WW. The KEGG annotation showed a large number of metabolic pathways triggered by AMF, accompanied by different metabolic pathways under WW and DS. Among them, oxidative phosphorylation and phenylalanine metabolism and biosynthesis were triggered by AMF in response to WW and DS, where N-acetyl-L-phenylalanine was induced by AMF to increase under DS, while decreasing under WW. Conclusion: This study provides new insights into the metabolic mechanisms of mycorrhiza-enhanced drought tolerance in walnuts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Flavonoids are secondary metabolites widely found in plants with antioxidants, of which chalcone synthase (CHS) is a key enzyme required in flavonoid synthesis pathways. The objective of this study was to clone a CHS gene from trifoliate orange (Poncirus trifoliata) and analyze its biological information and partial functions. A PtCHS gene (NCBI accession: MZ350874) was cloned from the genome-wide of trifoliate orange, which has 1156 bp in length, encoding 391 amino acids, with a predicted protein relative molecular mass of 42640.19, a theoretical isoelectric point of 6.28, and a lipid coefficient of 89.82. The protein is stable, hydrophilic, and high sequence conservation (92.49% sequence homology with CHS gene of other species). PtCHS was highly expressed in stems, leaves and flowers, but very low expression in roots and seeds. Soil water deficit could up-regulate expressions of PtCHS in leaves. An arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus, Funneliformis mosseae, significantly increased plant biomass production, CHS activity, expressions of PtCHS, and total flavonoid content in leaves and roots, independent of soil water status. Total flavonoids were significantly positively correlated with PtCHS expression in leaves only and also positively with root mycorrhizal colonization. Such results provide insight into the important functions of PtCHS in trifoliate orange. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) have important roles in enhancing drought tolerance of host plants, but it is not clear whether and how AMF increase drought tolerance in walnut (Juglans regia). We hypothesized that AMF could activate antioxidant defense systems and heat shock transcription factors (Hsfs) transcription levels to alleviate oxidative damage caused by drought. The walnut variety ‘Liaohe No. 1’ was inoculated with Diversispora spurca and exposed to well-watered (WW, 75% of the maximum soil water capacity) and drought stress (DS, 50% of the maximum soil water capacity) for 6 weeks. Plant growth, antioxidant defense systems, and expressions of five JrHsfs in leaves were studied. Such drought treatment inhibited root mycorrhizal colonization, while plant growth performance was still improved by AMF inoculation. Mycorrhizal fungal inoculation triggered the increase in soluble protein, glutathione (GSH), ascorbic acid (ASC), and total ASC contents and ascorbic peroxidase and glutathione reductase activities, along with lower hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), superoxide anion radical (O2 •− ), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels, compared with non-inoculation under drought. Mycorrhizal plants also recorded higher peroxidase, catalase, and superoxide dismutase activities than non-mycorrhizal plants under drought. The expression of JrHsf03, JrHsf05, JrHsf20, JrHsf22, and JrHsf24 was up-regulated under WW by AMF, while the expression of JrHsf03, JrHsf22, and JrHsf24 were up-regulated only under drought by AMF. It is concluded that D. spurca induced low oxidative burst in drought-stressed walnut through activating antioxidant defense systems and part Hsfs expressions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal nanoparticles (MNPs) are popular in different research fields due to their unique physical and chemical properties and superior antimicrobial, anticancer, antioxidant, larvicidal, and catalytic potentials. Although conventional wet methods like colloidal synthesis, calcination, and spark ablation for synthesizing MNPs are effective, their synthesis uses an array of reducing and stabilizing agents and gases, making the process tedious. Additionally, metal nanoparticles induce oxidative stress through reactive oxygen species (ROS), showing high toxicity. Research and development in green chemistry have gained momentum and massive attention because of being efficient, clean, economical, environment-friendly, and free of hazardous byproducts. Recently, seed extracts in-lieu of chemical stabilizers and reducing agents have become popular because of the single-step green synthesis of MNPs. Seeds provide the researchers with a cost-effective alternate to other biological methods due to low maintenance costs, culture/growth independence for biomass, and diversity of phytochemicals as reducing and capping agents. Thus, effective green synthesis approaches are considered sustainable for MNP synthesis. This review depicts the literature on the challenges associated with metal and metal oxide nanoparticles and discusses their synthesis using seed extracts. The application section of the review discusses the antimicrobial, anticancer, and larvicidal activities of seed extracted-synthesized metallic nanoparticles. Furthermore, insights into the different biological potentials of the synthesized green MNPs have also been discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The misuse of novichok agents in assassination attempts has been reported in the international media since 2018. These relatively new class of neurotoxic agents is claimed to be more toxic than the agents of the G and V series and so far, there is no report yet in literature about potential antidotes against them. To shed some light into this issue, we report here the design and synthesis of NTMGMP, a surrogate of A-242 and also the first surrogate of a novichok agent useful for experimental evaluation of antidotes. Furthermore, the efficiency of the current commercial oximes to reactivate NTMGMP-inhibited acetylcholinesterase (AChE) was evaluated. The Ellman test was used to confirm the complete inhibition of AChE, and to compare the subsequent rates of reactivation in vitro as well as to evaluate aging. In parallel, molecular docking, molecular dynamics and MM-PBSA studies were performed on a computational model of the human AChE (HssAChE)/NTMGMP complex to assess the reactivation performances of the commercial oximes in silico. Experimental and theoretical studies matched the exact hierarchy of efficiency and pointed to trimedoxime as the most promising commercial oxime for reactivation of AChE inhibited by A-242. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aging is a progressive, unalterable physiological degradation process of living organisms, which leads to deterioration of biological function and eventually to senescence. The most prevalent factor responsible for aging is the accumulation of damages resulting from oxidative stress and dysbiosis. D-galactose-induced aging has become a hot topic, and extensive research is being conducted in this area. Published literature has reported that the continuous administration of D-galactose leads to the deterioration of motor and cognitive skills, resembling symptoms of aging. Hence, this procedure is employed as a model for accelerated aging. This review aims to emphasize the effect of D-galactose on various bodily organs and underline the role of the Lactobacillus sp. in the aging process, along with its anti-oxidative potential. A critical consideration to the literature describing animal models that have used the Lactobacillus sp. in amending D-galactose-induced aging is also given. Key points: • D-Galactose induces the aging process via decreasing the respiratory chain enzyme activity as well as ATP synthesis, mitochondrial dysfunction, and increased ROS production. • D-Galactose induced aging primarily affects the brain, heart, lung, liver, kidney, and skin. • The anti-oxidative potential of Lactobacillus sp. in improving D-galactose-induced aging in animal models via direct feeding and feeding of Lactobacillus-fermented food. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An innovative amperometric immunosensor has been developed to detect antibiotic colistin from the chicken liver. Colistin is a antibacterial peptide that has been barred for human consumption, but it is being commonly used as a veterinary drug, and as a feed additive for livestock. In the present work, an immunosensor was developed by immobilizing an anti-colistin Ab onto the CNF/AuNPs surface of the screen-printed electrode. The sensor records electrochemical response in the chicken liver spiked with colistin with CV. Additionally, the characterization of electrode surface was done with FE-SEM, FTIR, and EIS at each step of fabrication. The lower LOD was 0.89 μgKg−1, with a R2 of 0.901 using CV. Further validation of the immunosensor was conducted using commercial chicken liver samples, by comparing the results to those obtained using traditional methods. The fabricated immunosensor showed high specificity towards colistin, which remained stable for 6 months but with a 13% loss in the initial CV current. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to evaluate effects of Funneliformis mosseae on plant growth and root exudate compositions and contents, soil and root phosphatase activity, soil glomalin concentrations, and thus soil aggregate stability and distribution in trifoliate orange under well-watered (75% of maximum water holding capacity) and drought stress (55% of maximum water holding capacity) conditions. After eight weeks of drought treatment, mycorrhizal fungal inoculation improved plant growth and exhibited altered composition of root exudates than non-inoculated treatment. Mycorrhizal fungal inoculation dramatically increased the relative abundance of phenolics (e.g., 2 H,8 H-Benzo[1,2-b:3,4-b'] dipyran-2-one,8,8-dimethyl), terpenoids (e.g., geijerene), and acids (n-hexadecanoic acid), while notably reduced the relative abundance of alkanes (e.g., tridecane, 2-methyl-), esters (e.g., hexanedioic acid and dimethyl ester), and amides (e.g.,13-docosenamide) in root exudates. Mycorrhizal fungal colonization profoundly increased easily extractable and total glomalin-related soil protein levels under two soil water regimes, which cemented soil macroaggregate (2–4 mm size) formation, thereby, improving soil aggregate stability. Mycorrhizal fungal-inoculated plants represented higher soil acid, alkaline and total phosphatase activities, irrespective of well-watered and drought treatment. The results suggest that mycorrhizal plants had improved root microenvironment to mitigate drought damage through changes in root exudate components along with glomalin, phosphatase, and soil aggregate stability in the mycorrhizosphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fresh fruit and vegetables are highly utilized commodities by health-conscious consumers and represent a prominent segment in the functional and nutritional food sector. However, food processing is causing significant loss of nutritional components, and the generation of waste is creating serious economic and environmental problems. Fruit and vegetables encompass husk, peels, pods, pomace, seeds, and stems, which are usually discarded, despite being known to contain potentially beneficial compounds, such as carotenoids, dietary fibers, enzymes, and polyphenols. The emerging interest in the food industry in the nutritional and biofunctional constituents of polyphenols has prompted the utilization of fruit and vegetable waste for developing enriched and functional foods, with applications in the pharmaceutical industry. Moreover, the utilization of waste for developing diverse and crucial bioactive commodities is a fundamental step in sustainable development. Furthermore, it provides evidence regarding the applicability of fruit and vegetable waste in different food formulations especially bakery, jam, and meat based products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pine seeds are considered as nonwood forest products (NWFP) with regularly increasing market's demand. They can be eaten in various ways such as roasted or raw. In addition, they are included in various traditional dishes like in cookies, sauces, candies, cakes, breads, and other bakery items and, moreover, for medicinal purposes. GC-MS study is performed to analyze the phytochemical compounds present in the seed extracts of Pinus roxburghii (Chir) and Pinus gerardiana (Chilgoza). In total, 25 compounds were identified each in Chir and Chilgoza. In Chir seeds, abundantly present compounds were 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol (16.6%), followed by ç-Terpinene (9.9%) and cyclohexanol, 4-ethenyl-4-methyl-3-(1-methylethenyl)-, (1à,3à,4á) (9.8%), whereas in Chilgoza seeds, the maximum amount of compound was 1-hexyl-1-nitrocyclohexane (17.3%), followed by phenol, 2,6-bis(1,1-dimethylethyl) (15.4%), and heptadecane, 2-methyl (8.4%). The total phenolic content of Chir seed sample was 1536 ± 4.35 (mg GAE/100 g), whereas in the Chilgoza seed extract was 642.66 ± 2.08 (mg GAE/100 g). The application of RP-HPLC-DAD system revealed that Chir and Chilgoza seeds have maximum quantity of catechin (15.77 ± 0.16 μg/mg and 17.49 ± 0.32 μg/mg, respectively). Both Chir and Chilgoza seed extracts exhibited significant antioxidant (radical scavenging) potential, through H2O2 (618.94 ± 21.45 μg/mL and 575.16 ± 19.88 μg/mL) and DPPH (552.60 ± 13.03 μg/mL and 429.15 ± 3.80 μg/mL) assays, respectively. Additionally, a well-known antibacterial potential was also found in both plants' dichloromethane extracts, with 64 to 256 μg/mL of minimum inhibitory concentrations. As a whole, result shows the importance of both plants as a naturally occurring phytochemical source with significant antibacterial and antioxidant activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Dietary fibres and high fibre‐containing foods have been a huge attraction among researchers and nutraceutical industries due to their health‐promoting benefits. From Greek and Roman times, edible mushrooms are considered the 'elixir of life' and are often stated as a new source of dietary fibre. Containing rich sources of essential amino acids and polysaccharides, mushrooms are viewed as an advantage over protein sources of both animal and plant origin. Additionally, the ability of mushrooms to grow under controlled conditions and attain high yield in a short span has made this added‐value food of extreme interest. Nowadays, mushrooms and their by‐products have been used to fortify various food products as well as for use in animal feed owing to their bioactive, therapeutic and nutritional value. Hence, this review intends to highlight the current knowledge on edible mushrooms and their waste for food and feed enrichment and nutritional purposes, along with their role in human and animal diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The circadian rhythm of plants is associated with stress responses; however, it is not clear whether increased host plant drought tolerance by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) is associated with changes in the circadian clock. The present study aimed to analyze the effect of Funneliformis mosseae (Nicol. & Gerd.) Schüßler & Walker on the circadian clock gene expression patterns in trifoliate orange (Poncirus trifoliata L. Raf.) along with gas exchange, abscisic acid (ABA) levels and antioxidant enzyme gene expression under well-watered (WW) and drought stress (DS) conditions. Plant growth, net photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance and ABA levels were significantly higher in AMF- than in non-AMF-inoculated plants regardless of soil water regimes. Six circadian clock genes, including PtPRR7 , PtLHY , PtCCA1 , PtGI , PtPIF3 and PtSRR1 , were identified and showed rhythmic expression patterns over the course of the day. The AMF inoculation reduced the expression of most circadian clock genes in different time periods. However, AMF treatment significantly increased PtPRR7 and PtGI expression at 5:00 p.m. under WW and DS conditions, PtLHY expression at 1:00 a.m. and PtSRR1 expression at 9:00 p.m. At 1:00 a.m. AMF inoculation up-regulated the expression of the circadian clock genes PtPRR7 , PtCCA1 , PtLHY and PtPIF3 and the antioxidant enzyme genes PtFe-SOD , PtMn-SOD , PtCu/Zn-SOD , PtPOD and PtCAT1. Correlation analysis revealed that these changes in circadian clock gene expression were associated with antioxidant enzyme gene expression, root ABA and gas exchange. We concluded that mycorrhizal fungi have the ability to regulate the daily rhythm of the circadian clock in trifoliate orange plants in response to drought. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants are often subjected to various environmental stresses during their life cycle, among which drought stress is perhaps the most significant abiotic stress limiting plant growth and development. Arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi, a group of beneficial soil fungi, can enhance the adaptability and tolerance of their host plants to drought stress after infecting plant roots and establishing a symbiotic association with their host plant. Therefore, AM fungi represent an eco-friendly strategy in sustainable agricultural systems. There is still a need, however, to better understand the complex mechanisms underlying AM fungi-mediated enhancement of plant drought tolerance to ensure their effective use. AM fungi establish well-developed, extraradical hyphae on root surfaces, and function in water absorption and the uptake and transfer of nutrients into host cells. Thus, they participate in the physiology of host plants through the function of specific genes encoded in their genome. AM fungi also modulate morphological adaptations and various physiological processes in host plants, that help to mitigate drought-induced injury and enhance drought tolerance. Several AM-specific host genes have been identified and reported to be responsible for conferring enhanced drought tolerance. This review provides an overview of the effect of drought stress on the diversity and activity of AM fungi, the symbiotic relationship that exists between AM fungi and host plants under drought stress conditions, elucidates the morphological, physiological, and molecular mechanisms underlying AM fungi-mediated enhanced drought tolerance in plants, and provides an outlook for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organophosphorus poisoning caused by some pesticides and nerve agents is a life-threating condition that must be swiftly addressed to avoid casualties. Despite the availability of medical countermeasures, the clinically available compounds lack a broad spectrum, are not effective towards all organophosphorus toxins, and have poor pharmacokinetics properties to allow them crossing the blood-brain barrier, hampering cholinesterase reactivation at the central nervous system. In this work, we designed and synthesised novel isatin derivatives, linked to a pyridinium 4-oxime moiety by an alkyl chain with improved calculated properties, and tested their reactivation potency against paraoxon- and NEMP-inhibited acetylcholinesterase in comparison to the standard antidote pralidoxime. Our results showed that these compounds displayed comparable in vitro reactivation also pointed by the in silico studies, suggesting that they are promising compounds to tackle organophosphorus poisoning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil water deficit seriously affects crop production, and soil arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) enhance drought tolerance in crops by unclear mechanisms. Our study aimed to analyze changes in non-targeted metabolomics in roots of trifoliate orange (Poncirus trifoliata) seedlings under well-watered and soil drought after inoculation with Rhizophagus intraradices , with a focus on terpenoid profile. Root mycorrhizal fungal colonization varied from 70% under soil drought to 85% under soil well-watered, and shoot and root biomass was increased by AMF inoculation, independent of soil water regimes. A total of 643 secondary metabolites in roots were examined, and 210 and 105 differential metabolites were regulated by mycorrhizal fungi under normal water and drought stress, along with 88 and 17 metabolites being up-and down-regulated under drought conditions, respectively. KEGG annotation analysis of differential metabolites showed 38 and 36 metabolic pathways by mycorrhizal inoculation under normal water and drought stress conditions, respectively. Among them, 33 metabolic pathways for mycorrhization under drought stress included purine metabolism, pyrimidine metabolism, alanine, aspartate and glutamate metabolism, etc. We also identified 10 terpenoid substances, namely albiflorin, artemisinin (−)-camphor, capsanthin, β-caryophyllene, limonin, phytol, roseoside, sweroside, and α-terpineol. AMF colonization triggered the decline of almost all differential terpenoids, except for β-caryophyllene, which was up-regulated by mycorrhizas under drought, suggesting potential increase in volatile organic compounds to initiate plant defense responses. This study provided an overview of AMF-induced metabolites and metabolic pathways in plants under drought, focusing on the terpenoid profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has become a global health crisis. Flavon baicalein, a major bioactive molecule of Scutellaria baicalensis, inhibits the replication of SARS-CoV-2 which causes severe acute respiratory syndrome in humans. Animal experiments show that baicalein has the character of a broad-spectrum coronavirus drug. It is non-toxic and can inhibit SARS-CoV-2-induced damage. Baicalein may therefore be a promising therapeutic drug for the treatment of COVID-19. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multiple functions of glomalin released by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi are well-recognized, whereas the role of exogenous glomalins including easily extractable glomalin-related soil protein (EE-GRSP) and difficultly extractable glomalin-related soil protein (DE-GRSP) is unexplored for plant responses. Our study was carried out to assess the effects of exogenous EE-GRSP and DE-GRSP at varying strengths on plant growth and chlorophyll concentration of trifoliate orange (Poncirus trifoliata) seedlings, along with changes in root nutrient acquisition, auxin content, auxin-related enzyme and transporter protein gene expression, and element contents of purified GRSP. Sixteen weeks later, exogenous GRSP displayed differential effects on plant growth (height, stem diameter, leaf number, and biomass production): the increase by EE-GRSP and the decrease by DE-GRSP. The best positive effect on plant growth occurred at exogenous EE-GRSP at ½ strength. Similarly, the GRSP application also differently affected total chlorophyll content, root morphology (total length, surface area, and volume), and root N, P, and K content: positive effect by EE-GRSP and negative effect by DE-GRSP. Exogenous EE-GRSP accumulated more indoleacetic acid (IAA) in roots, which was associated with the upregulated expression of root auxin synthetic enzyme genes (PtTAA1, PtYUC3 , and PtYUC4) and auxin influx transporter protein genes (PtLAX1, PtLAX2 , and PtLAX3). On the other hand, exogenous DE-GRSP inhibited root IAA and indolebutyric acid (IBA) content, associated with the downregulated expression of root PtTAA1, PtLAX1 , and PtLAX3. Root IAA positively correlated with root PtTAA1, PtYUC3, PtYUC4, PtLAX1 , and PtLAX3 expression. Purified EE-GRSP and DE-GRSP showed similar element composition but varied in part element (C, O, P, Ca, Cu, Mn, Zn, Fe, and Mo) concentration. It concluded that exogenous GRSP triggered differential effects on growth response, and the effect was associated with the element content of pure GRSP and the change in auxins and root morphology. EE-GRSP displays a promise as a plant growth biostimulant in citriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endophytes have the ability to improve plant nutrition alongside their agronomic performance, among which arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi provide the most benefits to their host. Previously, we reported for the first time that an arbuscular mycorrhizal-like fungus Piriformospora indica had the ability to colonize roots of trifoliate orange (Poncirus trifoliata) and conferred positive effects on nutrient acquisition. Present study showed the changes in fatty acids and sugars to unravel the physiological and symbiotic association of trifoliate orange with P. indica and an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus, Funneliformis mosseae singly or in combination. All the endophytic fungi collectively increased fructose, glucose, and sucrose content in leaves and roots, along with a relatively higher increase with P. indica inoculation than with F. mosseae alone or dual inoculation. Treatment with P. indica increased the concentration of part unsaturated fatty acids such as C18:3N6, C20:2, C20:3N6, C20:4N6, C20:3N3, C20:5N3, C22:1N9, and C24:1. Additionally, P. indica induced the increase in the concentration of part saturated fatty acids such as C6:0, C8:0, C13:0, C14:0, and C24:0. F. mosseae hardly changed the content of fatty acids, except for increase in C14:0 and C20:5N3. Double inoculation only reduced the C21:0, C10:0, C12:0, C18:3N3, and C18:1 content and increased the C20:5N3 content. These endophytic fungi up-regulated the root PtFAD2, PtFAD6, PtD9, and PtD15 gene expression level, coupled with a higher expression of PtFAD2 and PtD9 by P. indica than by F. mosseae. It was concluded that P. indica exhibited a stronger response, for sugars and fatty acids, than F. mosseae on trifoliate orange. Such results also reveal the Pi (an in vitro culturable fungus) as a bio-stimulator applying to citriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi in sweet oranges is well known, but the function of their secondary metabolite, especially the easily extractable glomalin-related soil protein (EE-GRSP), an active fraction of glomalin, is still unclear. The proposed study aimed to analyze the field response of foliar application of exogenous EE-GRSP on treemycorrhizal development and fruit quality of two sweet orange (Citrus sinensis L. Osbeck) varieties viz., Lane Late Navel (LLN) and Rohde Red Valencia (RRV). Application of EE-GRSP significantly increased the root mycorrhizal colonization and soil mycorrhizal hyphal length in both the sweet orange varieties. The external quality of fruits (fruit weight, polar diameter, and equatorial diameter) also improved in response to foliar application of EE-GRSP in both sweet orange varieties. However, EE-GRSP treatment showed no change in fruit soluble solid content, while it increased the Vc content, solids-acid ratio, fructose, glucose, and sucrose content of sarcocarp in the two sweet oranges varieties. The LLN variety treated with EE-GRSP recorded significantly higher N, P, K, Fe, and Si content of sarcocarp as a mark of nutritional quality, while the RRV variety treated with EE-GRSP displayed a higher concentration of nutrients like Cu, Fe, Si, and Zn in the sarcocarp as compared with the corresponding non-treated control. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report regarding the improvement in fruit quality of late-ripening sweet oranges (especially LLN) in response to foliar application of EE-GRSP as another potential biostimulant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presence and functional roles of arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungi in wetland environment have gained a global importance in recent past. Wetlands build a low-oxygen atmosphere, forming a completely different ecological environment for AM fungi, known more to occur in terrestrial environment. Nevertheless, as many 101 of AM fungi species, belonging to 19 genera and 9 families have been observed in the rhizosphere of wetland plants. In order to obtain oxygen, AM fungi expand the aeration system of wetland plants, store oxygen through their own vesicles, or change the structure of AM to survive. Human activities negatively affect the wetland environment, thus, reducing the population of AM fungi, while certain AM fungi species still improved the survival and development of wetland plants. AM fungi regulate different physiological activities of wetland plants in response to waterlogging stress, including an enhancement of antioxidant defense system, increased proline accumulation, improved plant growth and root morphology, responses of nutrients and aquaporins, and suppression in ethanol accumulation. The current review briefly summarized different species of wetland plants forming AM structures, the population of AM fungi inhabiting the rhizosphere of wetland plant, AM fungi-colonization of wetland plants, and the effect of AM fungi on physiological functions of wetland plants to neutralize the negative impact of waterlogging in addition to outlook of researchable issues. This review also highlighted human impacts on AM fungi of wetland plants and the impact of AM fungi on wetland environments and wetland plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, the food and agricultural sectors are concerned about environmental problems caused by raw material waste, and they are looking for strategies to reduce the growing amount of waste disposal. Now, approaches are being explored that could increment and provide valueadded products from agricultural waste to contribute to the circular economy and environmental protection. Edible mushrooms have been globally appreciated for their medicinal properties and nutritional value, but during the mushroom production process nearly one-fifth of the mushroom gets wasted. Therefore, improper disposal of mushrooms and untreated residues can cause fungal disease. The residues of edible mushrooms, being rich in sterols, vitamin D2, amino acids, and polysaccharides, among others, makes it underutilized waste. Most of the published literature has primarily focused on the isolation of bioactive components of these edible mushrooms; however, utilization of waste or edible mushrooms themselves, for the production of value-added products, has remained an overlooked area. Waste of edible mushrooms also represents a disposal problem, but they are a rich source of important compounds, owing to their nutritional and functional properties. Researchers have started exploiting edible mushroom by-products/waste for value-added goods with applications in diverse fields. Bioactive compounds obtained from edible mushrooms are being used in media production and skincare formulations. Furthermore, diverse applications from edible mushrooms are also being explored, including the synthesis of biosorbent, biochar, edible films/coating, probiotics, nanoparticles and cosmetic products. The primary intent of this review is to summarize the information related to edible mushrooms and their valorization in developing value-added products with industrial applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mono- and bis-pyridinium quaternary aldoximes (K-oximes) have long been employed as cholinesterase reactivator components of antidotes against lethal cholinesterase-inhibiting organophosphorous chemicals. Their positive charge poses difficulties in their chromatographic analysis, resulting in the publication of different approaches for each K-oxime. A multiplexed method is presented for the rapid quantitation of 10 K-oximes in blood with its utility demonstrated in vivo. Liquid chromatography with absorbance detection was employed. Reversed-phase separation was achieved on a highly nonpolar stationary phase. Method validation was based on the respective guideline of the European Medicines Agency. Times to peak concentrations and 120-min areas under the time–concentration curves were determined in rats following intraperitoneal administration. Adequate retention and separation of K-oximes with acceptable peak shapes in short isocratic runs was achieved by adjusting ionic strength, organic content and the concentration of the ion-pairing agent of the mobile phase. Chromatographic properties were governed by optimizing the concentration of dissolved ions. Accurate adjustment of the organic content was indispensable for avoiding peak drifting and splitting. Dose-adjusted exposure to K-347 and K-868 was exceptionally low, while exposure to K-48 was the highest. The method is suitable for screening systemic exposure to various K-oximes and can be extended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A feature of arbuscular mycorrhiza is enhanced drought tolerance of host plants, although it is unclear whether host H+-ATPase activity and gene expression are involved in the physiological process. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF), Funneliformis mosseae , on H+-ATPase activity, and gene expression of trifoliate orange (Poncirus trifoliata) seedlings subjected to well-watered (WW) and drought stress (DS), together with the changes in leaf gas exchange, root morphology, soil pH value, and ammonium content. Soil drought treatment dramatically increased H+-ATPase activity of leaf and root, and AMF inoculation further strengthened the increased effect. A plasma membrane (PM) H+-ATPase gene of trifoliate orange, PtAHA2 (MW239123), was cloned. The PtAHA2 expression was induced by mycorrhization in leaves and roots and also up-regulated by drought treatment in leaves of AMF-inoculated seedlings and in roots of AMF- and non-AMF-inoculated seedlings. And, the induced expression of PtAHA2 under mycorrhization was more prominent under DS than under WW. Mycorrhizal plants also showed greater photosynthetic rate, stomatal conductance, intercellular CO2 concentration, and transpiration rate and better root volume and diameter than non-mycorrhizal plants under DS. AMF inoculation significantly increased leaf and root ammonium content, especially under DS, whereas it dramatically reduced soil pH value. In addition, H+-ATPase activity was significantly positively correlated with ammonium contents in leaves and roots, and root H+-ATPase activity was significantly negatively correlated with soil pH value. Our results concluded that AMF stimulated H+-ATPase activity and PtAHA2 gene expression in response to DS, which resulted in great nutrient (e.g., ammonium) uptake and root growth, as well as low soil pH microenvironment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) reduce disease incidence of host plants through the competition of carbon sources and direct inhibition of pathogens, as well as through induction of biochemical and molecular responses. However, it is not known whether AMF enhance the resistance to Phytophthora parasitica-induced root rot in citrus and what the underlying mechanisms are. This study was carried out to analyze roles of Funneliformis mosseae (a mycorrhizal fungus) in plant defence responses of Poncirus trifoliata infected by P. parasitica. A week after the pathogen infection, mycorrhizal seedlings possessed higher expression of root mitogen-activated protein kinase 3 (PtMAPK3) regardless of P. parasitica infection. F. mosseae induced higher root salicylic acid (SA) concentrations, accompanied with up-regulation of SA synthesis genes (PtPAL1 and PtEPS1), regardless of being infected with P. parasitica or not. Jasmonic acid (JA) synthesis genes were down-regulated by mycorrhization in the absence of P. parasitica and up-regulated (except for PtAOC) by mycorrhization under P. parasitica infection. Moreover, F. mosseae stimulated higher expression of pathogenesis-related protein gene 1 (PtPR1), PtPR4, and PtPR5, especially under P. parasitica infection. F. mosseae inoculation increased levels of root lignin, calmodulin, and total soluble phenol and activities of root chitinase, phenylalanine ammonialyase, and β-1,3-glucanase, and decreased concentrations of root nitric oxide with or without P. parasitica infection. These results implied that F. mosseae elicited MAPKs cascades as well as SA- and calmodulin-mediated signal pathways to activate disease-defence genes, proteins, and compounds to early-warn P. parasitica infection for enhancing tolerance of root rot in trifoliate orange. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) enhance the tolerance of plants against soil moisture deficit stress (SMDS), but the underlying mechanisms are still not fully understood. Polyamines (PAs) as low-molecular-weight, aliphatic polycations have strong roles in abiotic stress tolerance of plants. We aimed to investigate the effect of AMF (Funneliformis mosseae) inoculation on PAs, PA precursors, activities of PA synthases and degrading enzymes, and concentration of reactive oxygen species in the roots of trifoliate orange (Poncirus trifoliata) subjected to 15 days of SMDS. Leaf water potential and total chlorophyll levels were comparatively higher in AMF-inoculated than in non-AMF-treated plants exposed to SMDS. Mycorrhizal plants recorded a significantly higher concentration of precursors of PA synthesis such as L-ornithine, agmatine, and S -adenosyl methionine, besides higher putrescine and cadaverine and lower spermidine during the 15 days of SMDS. AMF colonization raised the PA synthase (arginine decarboxylase, ornithine decarboxylase, spermidine synthase, and spermine synthase) activities and PA-degrading enzymes (copper-containing diamine oxidase and FAD-containing polyamine oxidase) in response to SMDS. However, mycorrhizal plants showed a relatively lower degree of membrane lipid peroxidation, superoxide anion free radical, and hydrogen peroxide than non-mycorrhizal plants, whereas the difference between them increased linearly up to 15 days of SMDS. Our study concluded that AMF regulated PA homeostasis in roots of trifoliate orange to tolerate SMDS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In plants, there is a complex and multilevel network of the antioxidative system (AOS) operating to counteract harmful reactive species (RS), the foremost important of which are reactive oxygen species (ROS), and maintain homeostasis within the cell. Specific AOSs for plant cells are, first and foremost, enzymes of the glutathione-ascorbate cycle (Asc-GSH), followed by phenolic compounds and lipophilic antioxidants like carotenoids and tocopherols. Evidence that plant cells have excellent antioxidative defense systems is their ability to survive at H2O2 concentrations incompatible with animal cell life. For the survival of stressed plants, it is of particular importance that AOS cooperate and participate in redox reactions, therefore, providing better protection and regeneration of the active reduced forms. Considering that plants abound in antioxidant compounds, and humans are not predisposed to synthesize the majority of them, new fields of research have emerged. Antioxidant potential of plant compounds has been exploited for anti-aging formulations preparation, food fortification and preservation but also in designing new therapies for diseases with oxidative stress implicated in etiology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Essential oils (EOs) are regarded as alternative therapeutic agents for many diseases. In phytotherapy research areas, it is now well reported that conifers are the rich source of EOs. This review aims to update information on the biological sources and the best extraction processes of the significant constituents along with the traditional and therapeutic properties of the EOs from selected conifers of Himachal Pradesh, Northwestern Himalaya. In the present review, ten conifer species of high values have been selected. Results from several studies suggest that the conifers contain monoterpenes, sesquiterpenes, diterpenes, ketones, alcohols, and esters, which are used in medicines, food products, and cosmetics as well as other commercial and industrial products. Traditionally, the EOs from the conifers have been reported to be used against fever, cough, bronchitis, skin diseases, gastrointestinal disorders, and asthma. The pharmacological studies suggest that these EOs can be used as antirheumatic, antiseptic, antispasmodic, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antitoxic, aphrodisiac, and astringent agents. It is, therefore, concluded that the EOs from the conifers might be one of the promising tools for the treatment of various diseases. Extensive research is required to ascertain the efficacy of the EOs from unstudied conifers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of the immune system as an integral component of the inflammatory response in the pathophysiology of migraine remains unclear. The aim of this study was to evaluate the differences in immune system parameters (acquired immunity parameters) in patients with episodic migraine (EM) and in healthy controls. In EM patients, we aimed to determine whether the changes found in peripheral blood parameters were related to migraine severity according to the standardised MIDAS and HIT-6 tests. Forty-nine patients with EM and 50 healthy controls were included in this study. The authors compared different lymphocyte parameters obtained by multicolor flow cytometry in the EM and control groups by performing statistical tests. The relationship between the changes in peripheral blood parameters and migraine severity in EM patients was investigated using correlation and regression analysis. EM patients showed higher values than healthy controls, especially in nine parameters: relative count of lymphocytes, relative and absolute counts of CD3 T cells, relative and absolute counts of CD8 suppressor cytotoxic T cells, relative and absolute counts of CD4 + TEMRA (terminally differentiated helper T lymphocytes), absolute count of CD8 naïve T cells, and absolute count of CD19 switched memory B cells. Among the lymphocyte parameters, CD4 + TEM (effector memory helper T lymphocytes) and CD8 + TEMRA (terminally differentiated cytotoxic T lymphocytes) were statistically significantly associated with HIT-6. Patients with a CD4 + TEM value below 15 had a high probability (90%) that the HIT-6 value would be higher than 60. The results of this study show that EM patients have changes in immune system parameters measured in the peripheral blood. Changes in the abundance of CD4 + TEM could be used as a biomarker for disease severity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Walnut, an important oil fruit tree, is dependent on arbuscular mycorrhizas, while mycorrhizal roles and efficient mycorrhizal fungus in walnuts are unknown. This study was conducted to evaluate the effect of five arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) species, including Acaulospora scrobiculata, Diversispora spurca, Glomus etunicatum, G. mosseae, and G. versiforme on plant growth, leaf gas exchange, root morphology, and root nutrient contents of walnut (Juglans regia L. Liaohe 1) seedlings. Three months of AMF inoculations later, root mycorrhizal colonisation achieved 47.0% to 76.4%. AMF treatments increased plant growth performance, dependent on AMF species. AMF- -inoculated plants with D. spurca, G. etunicatum, and G. mosseae showed higher root length, projected area, surface area, and volume than non-AMF plants. Except for G. versiforme, the other four AMF treatments almost significantly increased leaf photosynthesis rate, transpiration rate, and stomatal conductivity, while reduced intercellular CO2 concentrations and leaf temperature. AMF affected root nutrient contents, dependent on AMF and mineral nutrient species. These results, thereby, concluded that AMF had a positive role in walnuts, dependent on AMF species, and D. spurca was the best mycorrhizal fungus for walnut. Such results provide the potential possibility of a developing consortium of AMF in walnut cultivation management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) enhance salt tolerance of host plants, while it is unclear whether aquaporins are involved in the AMF event. This study analyzed the effects of inoculation with an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus Paraglomus occultum on plant physiological performance and relative expression of root tonoplast intrinsic proteins (TIPs, a kind of aquaporins) genes in potted trifoliate orange (Poncirus trifoliata) seedlings subjected to 0 and 100 mM NaCl concentrations. AMF inoculation significantly increased plant growth performance, leaf water status (relative water content and water potential) and gas exchange (photosynthetic rate, transpiration rate and stomatal conductance), irrespective of non-salt and salt stress. Mycorrhizal seedlings exhibited significantly higher root salicylic acid concentrations and lower leaf and root jasmonic acid concentrations than non-mycorrhizal seedlings under non-salt and salt stress. Transcript levels of PtTIP1;1, PtTIP1;2 and PtTIP1;3 were down-regulated by AMF inoculation under non-salt and salt stress. PtTIP2;1 and PtTIP2;2 expression was unchanged under non-salt stress whereas was down-regulated by AMF colonization under salt stress. AMF inoculation considerably enhanced PtTIP4;1 transcript levels under non-salt and salt stress and PtTIP5;1 expression under non-salt stress. It is concluded that mycorrhizas mitigated salt stress of trifoliate orange through improving physiological performance and regulating root PtTIPs expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organophosphates, useful agents as pesticides, also represent a serious danger due to their high acute toxicity. There is indication that oximes, when administered before organophosphate exposure, can protect from these toxic effects. We have tested at equitoxic dosage (25% of LD01) the prophylactic efficacy of five experimental (K‐48, K‐53, K‐74, K‐75, K‐203) and two established oximes (pralidoxime and obidoxime) to protect from mortality induced by the organophosphate paraoxon. Mortalities were quantified by Cox analysis and compared with those observed after pretreatment with a strong acetylcholinesterase inhibitor (10‐methylacridine) and after the FDA‐approved pretreatment compound pyridostigmine. All nine tested substances statistically significantly reduced paraoxon‐induced mortality. Best protection was conferred by the experimental oxime K‐48, reducing the relative risk of death (RR) to 0.10, which was statistically significantly superior to pyridostigmine (RR = 0.31). The other oximes reduced the RR to 0.13 (obidoxime), 0.20 (K‐203), 0.21 (K‐74), 0.24 (K‐75) and 0.26 (pralidoxime), which were significantly more efficacious than 10‐methylacridine (RR = 0.65). These data support the hypothesis that protective efficacy is not primarily due to cholinesterase inhibition and indicate that the tested experimental oximes may be considered promising alternatives to the established pretreatment compound pyridostigmine. The prophylactic efficacy of five experimental (K‐48, K‐53, K‐74, K‐75, K‐203) and two established oximes (pralidoxime and obidoxime) to protect from mortality induced by the organophosphate paraoxon was evaluated. Best protection was conferred by the experimental oxime K‐48, reducing the relative risk of death to 0.10, which was significantly superior to the FDA‐approved substance pyridostigmine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypericin is one of the most important bioactive substances present in Hypericum perforatum (Saint John's Wort), which exhibits various biological activities such as inhibition of neuronal processes coupled with transmission of serotonin, dopamine, gamma-amino butyric acid and L-glutamine. This red-colored derivative of anthraquinone contains six benzene cycles and four hydroxy groups that polarize electron density in the conjugated double bond system and enable the molecule to act as a Lewis base in charge-transfer complexes. In this study, four stationary phases modified by the pentafluorophenyl group were selected to investigate the contribution of π-π interactions to the improvement of hypericin separation in comparison to the separation provided with a classical C18 based chromatographic column. In order to develop a suitable gradient chromatographic method for the quantification of hypericin, normal, polar organic and reverse elution modes were evaluated using high-performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet-visible and mass spectrometry detection. It was disclosed in the analyses that the pentafluorophenyl stationary phase can separate hypericin from hyperforin, which was not possible to achieve with the C18 based stationary phase. The best analytical method found, employing the pentafluorophenyl stationary phase, showed sufficient linearity, accuracy and precision and was used for the determination of hypericin in Saint John's Wort. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A pot experiment was used to evaluate the effects of an arbuscular mycorrhizal fungus (AMF) Funneliformis mosseae on plant growth performance, root-hair growth, and root hormone levels in trifoliate orange (Poncirus trifoliata) seedlings under well-watered (WW) and drought stress (DS). A 9-week mild DS treatment significantly reduced mycorrhizal colonization of 2nd- and 3rd-order lateral roots. Root mycorrhizal colonization was relatively higher in the 2nd- and 3rd-order lateral roots than in the taproot and the 1st-order lateral root under WW and DS. AMF seedlings exhibited significantly higher root-hair density, length (except for the taproot) and diameter in taproot and 1st-, 2nd-, and 3rd-order lateral roots under WW, and considerably higher root-hair density (except for 1st-order lateral root), length (except for 2nd-order lateral root) and diameter under DS. Mycorrhizal inoculation remarkably increased root abscisic acid (ABA), indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), methyl jasmonate, and brassinosteroids (BRs) concentrations under DS, in company with the decrease in root zeatin riboside and gibberellins levels and root IAA effluxes. Root-hair traits were significantly positively correlated with root colonization and root ABA and BRs levels. It is concluded that mycorrhizal plants possessed better root-hair growth to adapt mild DS, which is associated with mycorrhizal colonization and endogenous hormone changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arbuscular mycorrhizas (AMs) have the ability to enhance drought tolerance of citrus, but the underlying mechanisms have not been clearly elucidated. Considering the strong association of cell membrane fatty acid (FA) unsaturation with plant drought tolerance, the present study hypothesized that AM fungi (AMF) modulated the composition and unsaturation of FAs to enhance drought tolerance of host plants. Drought-sensitive citrus rootstocks, trifoliate orange (Poncirus trifoliata) seedlings, were inoculated with AMF (Funneliformis mosseae) for 3 months and were subsequently exposed to drought stress (DS) for 8 weeks. Mycorrhizal seedlings exhibited better plant growth performance, higher leaf water potential and lower root abscisic acid concentrations under both well-watered (WW) and DS conditions. Arbuscular mycorrhiza fungus inoculation considerably increased root methyl oleate (C18:1), methyl linoleate (C18:2) and methyl linolenate (C18:3N3) concentrations under both WW and DS conditions, and root methyl palmitoleate (C16:1) concentrations under WW, while it decreased root methyl stearate (C18:0) levels under both WW and DS. These changes in the composition of FAs of mycorrhized roots resulted in higher unsaturation index of root FAs, which later aided in reducing the oxidative damage on account of lower concentration of malondialdehyde and superoxide radicals. The changes of these FAs were a result of AMF-up-regulating root FA desaturase 2 (PtFAD2), FA desaturase 6 (PtFAD6) and Δ9 FA desaturase (PtΔ9) genes under WW and PtFAD2 , PtFAD6 and Δ15 FA desaturase (PtΔ15) genes under DS conditions. Our results confirmed that mycorrhization brought significant changes in root FA compositions, in addition to regulation of gene expression responsible for increasing the unsaturation level of FAs, a predisposing physiological event for better drought tolerance of citrus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current demographic trends indicate that there is a growing number of older population groups worldwide, which is associated with an increase of chronic neurological disorders such as Parkinson's disease that burdens the country's healthcare system. Therefore there is an urgent call for developing efficient strategies which could reduce the healthcare costs and meet the demand of older people affected by these chronic neurological diseases at affordable cost. One of such approaches is the exploitation of a new emerging platform in the form of Internet of Things (IoT), which takes advantage of the connection of any physical object, for example a smartphone, to the Internet. The purpose of this study is to explore the use of IoT in the management of Parkinson's disease (PD), specifically in its assessment, diagnostics, and treatment. The methods used in this study include a literature review of available sources found in the world's acknowledged databases Web of Science, Scopus, PubMed, and ScienceDirect, as well as the methods of comparison and evaluation of the findings from the selected studies. The findings show that IoT may serve as an appropriate healthcare platform. IoT seems to be efficient, cost-effective and affordable approach in the management of chronic neurological disorders such as PD. However, more research has to be done by conducting more randomized controlled trials with larger samples of subjects in the area of the use of IoT in PD, as well as in other chronic neurological diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The biological activity of drugs on organisms is associated with the pharmacokinetic properties, such as the ability to penetrate through environments of varying polarity such as cellular organelles. In this area, particular attention is turned to the physicochemical properties that determine the potential of drugs to pass across the blood-brain barrier and thus to act on the central nervous system. In this study, special effort has been devoted to the simulation of passive diffusion of seven drugs (propranolol, ibuprofen, atenolol, promazine, chlorpromazine, imipramine, and desipramine) through the blood-brain barrier by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) using a column with an immobilized artificial membrane. Gradient reverse elution was used to develop a linear correlation model for the capacity factors kIAM and the in vivo logarithmic values of brain-to-blood drug concentration ratios (log BB) with R of 0.9851. Eleven additional pharmaceuticals were determined by the same method to predict their potential to penetrate the blood-brain barrier. The reported analytical method represents an alternative tool for rapid and noninvasive assessment of the absorption properties of chemicals, especially for the development of novel drugs. The retention of the studied compounds on the immobilized artificial membrane column was also compared with three other C18-based stationary phases. Herein, the results of the HPLC determination of drugs using an immobilized artificial membrane are briefly discussed with respect to a general application of the method for evaluating a broader spectrum of pharmaceutical compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]