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Efficient drug delivery methods are crucial in modern pharmacotherapy to enhance treatment efficacy, minimize adverse effects, and improve patient compliance. Particularly in the context of glioblastoma treatment, there has been a recent surge in interest in using natural dietary components as innovative carriers for drug delivery. These food-derived carriers, known for their safety, biocompatibility, and multifunctional properties, offer significant potential in overcoming the limitations of conventional drug delivery systems. This article thoroughly overviews numerous natural dietary components, such as polysaccharides, proteins, and lipids, used as drug carriers. Their mechanisms of action, applications in different drug delivery systems, and specific benefits in targeting glioblastoma are examined. Additionally, the safety, biocompatibility, and regulatory considerations of employing food components in drug formulations are discussed, highlighting their viability and future prospects in the pharmaceutical field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this study was to identify the most effective method for enhancing the quality of beef gel during refrigeration. To achieve this objective, the effects of various types of starch on the physicochemical properties and microstructure of beef gel during refrigeration were investigated. In this study, ground beef gel was chosen as the research subject, and six different types of starch were added: 6% tapioca starch, cassava-modified starch (acetylated distarch phosphate, ADSP), potato starch (PSP), modified potato starch (acetate starch, SA), corn starch (CSP), and modified corn starch (hydroxypropyl distarch phosphate, HPDSP). The quality indicators of ground beef were measured and analyzed throughout the cold storage at 4 °C on days 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9. The results demonstrated that the water capacity of beef mince supplemented with PSP and HPDSP was significantly greater (p < 0.05). Additionally, the gel strength was found to be the highest, while the mesh structure formed in the ADSP group was the greatest. Furthermore, HPDSP, PSP, and SA effectively inhibited the oxidation of meat fat, with SA showing a relatively good effect on delaying the oxidation of meat mince protein. The addition of starch can, to a certain extent, inhibit lipid and protein oxidation in meat mince. In conclusion, starch significantly enhances the quality of beef mince by improving water retention, gel strength, and microstructure during refrigeration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Cell–cell communication mechanisms are gathering growing scientific interest, particularly in the context of cancer cells and the tumor microenvironment. Extracellular vesicles are gaining increased interest due to their relevance in tumor molecular characterization, classification, diagnosis, prognosis evaluation, and response to treatment. Many advances have been made in the clinical and therapeutic fields, exploiting increasingly precise biomolecular engineering strategies. This review aims to focus on the role of extracellular vesicles (EVs) as diagnostic and therapeutic tools in lung cancer. Lung cancer represents the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, with around 1.8 million deaths in 2020. For this reason, there is an enormous interest in finding early diagnostic tools and novel therapeutic approaches, one of which is extracellular vesicles (EVs). EVs are nanoscale membranous particles that can carry proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids (DNA and RNA), mediating various biological processes, especially in cell–cell communication. As such, they represent an interesting biomarker for diagnostic analysis that can be performed easily by liquid biopsy. Moreover, their growing dataset shows promising results as drug delivery cargo. The aim of our work is to summarize the recent advances in and possible implications of EVs for early diagnosis and innovative therapies for lung cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lipid droplet (LD) accumulation in hepatocytes is one of the major symptoms associated with fatty liver disease. Mitochondria play a key role in catabolizing fatty acids for energy production through β-oxidation. The interplay between mitochondria and LD assumes a crucial role in lipid metabolism, while it is obscure how mitochondrial morphology affects systemic lipid metabolism in the liver. We previously reported that cilnidipine, an already existing anti-hypertensive drug, can prevent pathological mitochondrial fission by inhibiting protein–protein interaction between dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) and filamin, an actin-binding protein. Here, we found that cilnidipine and its new dihydropyridine (DHP) derivative, 1,4-DHP, which lacks Ca2+ channel-blocking action of cilnidipine, prevent the palmitic acid-induced Drp1–filamin interaction, LD accumulation and cytotoxicity of human hepatic HepG2 cells. Cilnidipine and 1,4-DHP also suppressed the LD accumulation accompanied by reducing mitochondrial contact with LD in obese model and high-fat diet-fed mouse livers. These results propose that targeting the Drp1–filamin interaction become a new strategy for the prevention or treatment of fatty liver disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One way to approach the nutritional requirements of native shrimp, necessary to consolidate their culture, is to know their biochemical composition. The effect of feeding two levels of lipids (4 and 12% L) and four levels of proteins (30, 35, 40 and 45% P) in M. tenellum females was evaluated with respect to the biochemical composition of their eggs (EG), larvae (LR), gonad (GO) and hepatopancreas (HP). Total protein (TP), total carbohydrate (TC) and total lipid (TL) were estimated. In EG, L and P levels influence TP and TL; TP increases in diets higher than P35. In LR, there are no differences (p > 0.05) in TP and in TL, only diets L4P40 and L12P30 were different (p < 0.05). In GO, there is no trend in TP differences; in TC there was variation in the range of the data and TL was higher in L4P30 and L4P35. In HP, the diets with L4 obtained the highest TP values (p < 0.05); the L12 diets were higher in TL (p < 0.05). In general, diets with an inclusion of L12 showed the highest TP, TC and TL means, within this lipid level the P30 diet stood out; therefore, it is recommended to use a diet with L12P30 in the formulation of balanced feed for the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lipid-based nanocarriers have emerged as helpful tools to deliver sensible biomolecules such as proteins and oligonucleotides. To have a fast and robust microfluidic-based nanoparticle synthesis method, the setup of versatile equipment should allow for the rapid transfer to scale cost-effectively while ensuring tunable, precise and reproducible nanoparticle attributes. The present work aims to assess the effect of different micromixer geometries on the manufacturing of lipid nanocarriers taking into account the influence on the mixing efficiency by changing the fluid–fluid interface and indeed the mass transfer. Since the geometry of the adopted micromixer varies from those already published, a Design of Experiment (DoE) was necessary to identify the operating (total flow, flow rate ratio) and formulation (lipid concentration, lipid molar ratios) parameters affecting the nanocarrier quality. The suitable application of the platform was investigated by producing neutral, stealth and cationic liposomes, using DaunoXome®, Myocet®, Onivyde® and Onpattro® as the benchmark. The effect of condensing lipid (DOTAP, 3–10–20 mol%), coating lipids (DSPE-PEG550 and DSPE-PEG2000), as well as structural lipids (DSPC, eggPC) was pointed out. A very satisfactory encapsulation efficiency, always higher than 70%, was successfully obtained for model biomolecules (myoglobin, short and long nucleic acids). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The homeostasis of the intestinal microbiota of fish is beneficial to fish health, while food can affect the intestinal microbiota. Tilapia (Oreochromis spp.) has great economic value and is a good model to use in studying the digestion and absorption of nutrients. Furthermore, at present, due to a high demand and high price of high-quality feed raw materials, the nutritional composition of aquafeeds has been changing dynamically. There has yet to be a comprehensive review of research conducted on the influences of dietary macronutrients (proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates) on the tilapia intestinal microbiota. Therefore, this review focuses on the effects of dietary macronutrients on the gut microbiota of tilapia. Interestingly, we found that the best growth performance might not represent the best composition or functions of the gut microbiota. Overall, the unscientific addition of macronutrients to feed is harmful to the intestinal microbiota. Therefore, both growth performance and gut microbiota should be considered when evaluating certain macronutrients. It is our hope that this review will aid in regulating the intestinal microbiota of fish through nutritional means, thereby promoting tilapia farming. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Familial hypercholesterolemia is a genetically determined disease characterized by elevated plasma total and LDL cholesterol levels from the very first years of life, leading to early atherosclerosis. Nutritional intervention is the first-line treatment, complemented with nutraceuticals and drug therapy when necessary. Nutraceuticals with a lipid-lowering effect have been extensively studied in the past few decades, and have been recently included in international guidelines as a complement to nutritional and pharmacological treatment in subjects with dyslipidemia. In this review, we explore current nutritional interventions for dyslipidemia in childhood, with a specific focus on the main nutraceuticals studied for treating severe dyslipidemia in pediatric patients. Additionally, we briefly describe their primary mechanisms of action and highlight the advantages and risks associated with the use of lipid-lowering nutraceuticals in childhood. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies on bionanocomposite drug carriers are a key area in the field of active substance delivery, introducing innovative approaches to improve drug therapy. Such drug carriers play a crucial role in enhancing the bioavailability of active substances, affecting therapy efficiency and precision. The targeted delivery of drugs to the targeted sites of action and minimization of toxicity to the body is becoming possible through the use of these advanced carriers. Recent research has focused on bionanocomposite structures based on biopolymers, including lipids, polysaccharides, and proteins. This review paper is focused on the description of lipid-containing nanocomposite carriers (including liposomes, lipid emulsions, lipid nanoparticles, solid lipid nanoparticles, and nanostructured lipid carriers), polysaccharide-containing nanocomposite carriers (including alginate and cellulose), and protein-containing nanocomposite carriers (e.g., gelatin and albumin). It was demonstrated in many investigations that such carriers show the ability to load therapeutic substances efficiently and precisely control drug release. They also demonstrated desirable biocompatibility, which is a promising sign for their potential application in drug therapy. The development of bionanocomposite drug carriers indicates a novel approach to improving drug delivery processes, which has the potential to contribute to significant advances in the field of pharmacology, improving therapeutic efficacy while minimizing side effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obesity induces inflammation in the hypothalamus and adipose tissue, resulting in metabolic disorders. A novel hypothalamic neuropeptide, neurosecretory protein GM (NPGM), was previously identified in the hypothalamus of vertebrates. While NPGM plays an important role in lipid metabolism in chicks, its metabolic regulatory effects in mammals remain unclear. In this study, a novel Cre driver line, NPGM-Cre, was generated for cell-specific manipulation. Cre-dependent overexpression of Npgm led to fat accumulation without increased food consumption in male NPGM-Cre mice. Chemogenetic activation of NPGM neurons in the hypothalamus acutely promoted feeding behavior and chronically resulted in a transient increase in body mass gain. Furthermore, the ablated NPGM neurons exhibited a tendency to be glucose intolerant, with infiltration of proinflammatory macrophages into the adipose tissue. These results suggest that NPGM neurons may regulate lipid storage and inflammatory responses, thereby maintaining glucose homeostasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is meaningful to understand the conversion pathways of nitrogen during the hydrothermal liquefaction process of microalgae to reveal the related reaction mechanisms and develop effective methods to prevent N from ending in biocrude, which eventually increases the quality of biocrude. Extending from our previous works that mainly focused on two high-protein (>50 wt%) microalgae (Chlorella sp. and Spirulina sp.), Nannochloropsis sp., which has a high lipid content (>70 wt%), was used as the feedstock for this project using the same methodology. The high lipid content in Na. induced less nitrogen during the oil phase and as a result, reduced the heteroatom content while also improving the quality of biocrude. It is worth noting that another investigation was conducted on the model compounds with different types of amino acids to specify the effects of the types of amino acids in the proteins in microalgae on the N pathway and their distribution in the products (aqueous phase, oil, solid, and gas). It was found that the basic amino acid in microalgae caused the formation of more N-heterocyclic compounds in the biocrude. The mass flow based on the mass balance was demonstrated to further refine the map showing the predicted reaction pathway of nitrogen from the previous version. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PIEZO channels PIEZO1 and PIEZO2 are the newly identified mechanosensitive, non-selective cation channels permeable to Ca2+. In higher vertebrates, PIEZO1 is expressed ubiquitously in most tissues and cells while PIEZO2 is expressed more specifically in the peripheral sensory neurons. PIEZO channels contribute to a wide range of biological behaviors and developmental processes, therefore driving significant attention in the effort to understand their molecular properties. One prominent property of PIEZO channels is their rapid inactivation, which manifests itself as a decrease in channel open probability in the presence of a sustained mechanical stimulus. The lack of the PIEZO channel inactivation is linked to various mechanopathologies emphasizing the significance of studying this PIEZO channel property and the factors affecting it. In the present review, we discuss the mechanisms underlying the PIEZO channel inactivation, its modulation by the interaction of the channels with lipids and/or proteins, and how the changes in PIEZO inactivation by the channel mutations can cause a variety of diseases in animals and humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This comprehensive review aims to provide a deep insight into the fascinating field of biophysics in living organisms through the study of model fluid interfaces that mimic specific lipid-based structures with biophysical relevance. By delving into the study of these physiological fluid interfaces, we can unravel crucial aspects of their behavior, lateral organization, and functions. Through specific examples, we will uncover the intricate dynamics at play and shed light on potential pathogenic conditions that may result from alterations in these interfaces. A deeper understanding of these aspects can lead to the emergence of novel technologies and medical advances, potentially leading to the development of innovative treatments and diagnostic tools. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to examine the impact of crude glycerol as the main carbon source on the growth, cell morphology, and production of high-value-added metabolites of two microalgal species, namely Chlorella vulgaris and Scenedesmus quadricauda, under heterotrophic and mixotrophic conditions, using monochromatic illumination from light-emitting diodes (LEDs) emitting blue, red, yellow, and white (control) light. The findings indicated that both microalgae strains exhibited higher biomass yield on the mixotrophic growth system when compared to the heterotrophic one, while S. quadricauda generally performed better than C. vulgaris. In mixotrophic mode, the use of different monochromatic illumination affected biomass production differently on both strains. In S. quadricauda, growth rate was higher under red light (μmax = 0.89 d−1), while the highest biomass concentration and yield per gram of consumed glycerol were achieved under yellow light, reaching 1.86 g/L and Yx/s = 0.18, respectively. On the other hand, C. vulgaris demonstrated a higher growth rate on blue light (μmax = 0.45 d−1) and a higher biomass production on white (control) lighting (1.34 g/L). Regarding the production of metabolites, higher yields were achieved during mixotrophic mode in both strains. In C. vulgaris, the highest lipid (26.5% of dry cell weight), protein (63%), and carbohydrate (20.3%) contents were obtained under blue, red, and yellow light, respectively, thus indicating that different light wavelengths probably activate different metabolic pathways. Similar results were obtained for S. quadricauda with red light leading to higher lipid content, while white lighting caused higher production of proteins and carbohydrates. Overall, the study demonstrated the potential of utilizing crude glycerol as a carbon source for the growth and metabolite production of microalgae and, furthermore, revealed that the strains' behavior varied depending on lighting conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The nutritional components of cantaloupe, including vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and dietary fiber, contribute to overall health, improved immunity, hydration, and protection against chronic diseases. This study was conducted to investigate the influence of different concentrations (0 (control), 100, 150, and 200 ppm) of 1-naphthalene acetic acid (1-NAA) on the nutritional components of the cantaloupe (Cucumis melo L. Var. Super White Honey). All the studied treatments were applied twice at the 2nd and 4th leaf stages. The applied concentrations of 1-NAA significantly improved the sex expression and fruit yield attributes. Different nutritional components like proximate contents, minerals, vitamins, selected fatty acids, and amino acids were analyzed. The results showed that the maximum moisture content, proteins, carbohydrates, ash, and energy were recorded with 100 ppm. The higher lipids were recorded during the supplementation of 150 ppm. Significantly greater fibers were recorded using 200 ppm. Regarding minerals, 100 ppm was found to be the best as it increased calcium (Ca), magnesium (Mg), potassium (K), sodium (Na), phosphorous (P), manganese (Mn), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), and zinc (Zn). Vitamins were also found to be the maximum with 100 ppm, including vitamin A, vitamin B, vitamin C, vitamin D, vitamin E, and vitamin K. Total selected fatty acids and amino acids were also found significantly greater in the fruits administered 100 ppm. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Potato (Solanum tuberosum) is a valuable staple crop that provides nutrition for a large part of the human population around the world. However, the domestication process reduced its resistance to pests and pathogens. Phytophthora infestans, the causal agent of late blight disease, is the most destructive pathogen of potato plants. Considerable efforts have been made to develop late blight-resistant potato cultivars, but the success has been limited and present-day potato production requires the extensive use of fungicides. In this review, we summarize known sources of late blight resistance and obstacles in P. infestans control. We outline the problematic aspects of chemical treatment, the possible use of biological control, and available resources of natural resistance in wild Solanum accessions. We focus on prospective putative markers of resistance that are often overlooked in genome-centered studies, including secondary metabolites from alkaloid, phenylpropanoid, and terpenoid classes, lipids, proteins, and peptides. We discuss the suitability of these molecules for marker-assisted selection and the possibility of increasing the speed of conventional breeding of more resilient cultivars. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, much attention has been paid to the use of biopolymers as food packaging materials due to their important characteristics and properties. These include non-toxicity, ease of availability, biocompatibility, and biodegradability, indicating their potential as an alternative to conventional plastic packaging that has long been under environmental scrutiny. Given the current focus on sustainable development, it is imperative to develop studies on biopolymers as eco-friendly and sustainable food packaging materials. Therefore, the aim of this review is to explore trends and characteristics of biopolymer-based biodegradable films for food packaging, analyze the contribution of various journals and cooperation between countries, highlight the most influential authors and articles, and provide an overview of the social, environmental, and economic aspects of biodegradable films for food packaging. To achieve this goal, a bibliometric analysis and systematic review based on the PRISMA method were conducted. Relevant articles were carefully selected from the Scopus database. A bibliometric analysis was also conducted to discuss holistically, comprehensively, and objectively biodegradable films for food packaging. An increasing interest was found in this study, especially in the last 3 years with Brazil and China leading the number of papers on biodegradable films for food packaging, which were responsible for 20.4% and 12.5% of the published papers, respectively. The results of the keyword analysis based on the period revealed that the addition of bioactive compounds into packaging films is very promising because it can increase the quality and safety of packaged food. These results reveal that biodegradable films demonstrate a positive and promising trend as food packaging materials that are environmentally friendly and promote sustainability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated the spatio-temporal variations in three key biomolecular compounds (carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids) in particulate organic matter (POM) in the Yellow Sea (YS), South Sea of Korea (SS), East China Sea (ECS), and East Sea (Sea of Japan; ES) in order to estimate the regional annual calorie production rates based on the seasonal data obtained in each region. Carbohydrates were found to be most dominant, followed by lipids across all seas. The euphotic-integral calorie contents of POM during the study period were determined as 53.5 ± 12.6 Kcal m−2 in the YS; 54.2 ± 7.5 Kcal m−2 in the SS; 35.7 ± 9.2 Kcal m−2 in the ECS; and 58.7 ± 6.2 Kcal m−2 in the ES. Utilizing seasonal carbon conversion factors and primary production rates, we estimated the annual calorie productions, which were highest in the ES (1705 Kcal m−2 y−1) and lowest in the ECS (403 Kcal m−2 y−1). This can be attributed to the significantly higher energy efficiency of phytoplankton and faster turnover rate of calorie content. However, caution must be taken when comparing these estimates regionally, considering potential variations in developmental phases among the four regions during the sampling period in 2018. The calorie production rates in this study provide valuable insights into the physiological condition of phytoplankton within specific regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spray-drying is a continuous encapsulation method that effectively preserves, stabilizes, and retards the degradation of bioactive compounds by encapsulating them within a wall material. The resulting capsules exhibit diverse characteristics influenced by factors such as operating conditions (e.g., air temperature and feed rate) and the interactions between the bioactive compounds and the wall material. This review aims to compile recent research (within the past 5 years) on spray-drying for bioactive compound encapsulation, emphasizing the significance of wall materials in spray-drying and their impact on encapsulation yield, efficiency, and capsule morphology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to extract the rapeseed protein from by-products and further examine the effect of lab-made rapeseed protein on the droplet size, microstructure, colour, encapsulation and apparent viscosity of emulsions. Rapeseed protein-stabilised emulsions with an increasing gradient of milk fat or rapeseed oil (10, 20, 30, 40 and 50%, v/v) were fabricated using a high shear rate homogenisation. All emulsions showed 100% oil encapsulation for 30 days of storage, irrespective of lipid type and the concentration used. Rapeseed oil emulsions were stable against coalescence, whereas the milk fat emulsion showed a partial micro-coalescence. The apparent viscosity of emulsions raised with increased lipid concentrations. Each of the emulsions showed a shear thinning behaviour, a typical behaviour of non-Newtonian fluids. The average droplet size was raised in milk fat and rapeseed oil emulsions when the concentration of lipids increased. A simple approach to manufacturing stable emulsions offers a feasible hint to convert protein-rich by-products into a valuable carrier of saturated or unsaturated lipids for the design of foods with a targeted lipid profile. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the context of the archaeometrical study of Saturnino Gatti's wall paintings, a significant aspect concerned the study of the organic component to understand both the original binders used in the original areas and the products used for pictorial reintegration and restoration of the painted surfaces. Thanks to the results obtained from various non-invasive and multi-band imaging techniques, it was possible to define Gatti's original painting technique and identify the materials subsequently applied in significant samples. To this end, molecular analyses based on mass spectrometry were carried out. Different procedures in gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and in pyrolysis coupled with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS) were adopted. The analyses revealed a variety of organic materials on the mural paintings, most of which are from past restoration interventions and have synthetic origin. The overspread presence of paraffin is likely due to the application of a mineral wax-based coating/consolidant. In particular, the execution technique encompassed the use of tempera-based paints, while retouched areas were characterised by the presence of oil-based resins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this review article, we focus on the effects of insect pests on the quality of stored cereals and legume grains. The changes in the amino-acid content, the quality of proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids, and the technological characteristics of the raw materials when infested by specific insects are presented. The differences reported concerning the rate and kind of infestation effects are related to the trophic habits of the infesting insect species, the variation of the component distribution in the different species of grains, and the length of the storage period. For example, wheat germ and brans feeders such as Trogoderma granarium may cause a higher reduction in proteins than endosperm feeders such as Rhyzopertha dominica, since the germ and brans contain higher concentrations of proteins. Trogoderma granarium may also cause higher reduction in lipids than R. dominica in wheat, maize and sorghum, in which most of the lipids exist in the germ. Furthermore, infestation with insects such as Tribolium castaneum may downgrade the overall quality of wheat flour, by increasing the moisture content, the number of insect fragments, the color change, the concentration of uric acid, the microbial growth, and the prevalence of aflatoxins. Whenever possible, the significance of the insect infestation and the concomitant compositional alterations on human health are presented. It should be highlighted that understanding the impact of insect infestation on stored agricultural products and the quality of food will be crucial for the required food security in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: As one of the most malignant cancers, the mechanisms underlying the occurrence and development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are complex, and the development of effective treatment strategies has been difficult. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) participate in HCC development in various ways. This review summarizes the latest research on EVs related to Wnt signaling in HCC and expounds on the underlying mechanisms, providing a reference for novel HCC treatment strategies. As the primary type of liver cancer, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) causes a large number of deaths every year. Despite extensive research conducted on this disease, the prognosis of HCC remains unclear. Recently, research has largely focused on extracellular vesicles (EVs), and they have been found to participate in various ways in the development of various diseases, including HCC, such as by regulating cell signaling pathways. However, recent studies have reported the mechanisms underlying the regulation of Wnt signaling by EVs in HCC, primarily focusing on the regulation of the canonical pathways. This review summarizes the current literature on the regulation of Wnt signaling by EVs in HCC and their underlying mechanisms. In addition, we also present future research directions in this field. This will deepen the understanding of HCC and provide new ideas for its treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the optimal stewing time (0, 30, 60, 90, 120, and 150 min) for industrialized preparation of Sichuan-style braised beef with different demands. With prolonged stewing time, the hardness and chewiness of the braised beef initially increased and then decreased (p < 0.05), whereas springiness and cohesiveness gradually decreased. The moisture content of braised beef and the endogenous fluorescence intensity of braised beef protein significantly decreased (p < 0.05). However, the thiobarbituric acid reaction substances (TBARS) value and protein carbonyl content of braised beef greatly increased (p < 0.05). During the stewing process, the texture properties of Sichuan-style braised beef were affected by the moisture content, oxidation of proteins and lipids, and integrity of the muscle fibers. Considering texture traits, when Sichuan-style pre-braised beef bought by consumers is stewed with other ingredients for about 30 min, its corresponding stewing time is 60 min in industrialized production processes. This process parameter can not only save energy consumption for practical production, but also improve the hardness value of the as-obtained Sichuan-style pre-braised beef, which is conducive to transportation through refraining from cracking of pre-braised beef pieces. When consumers only use simple heating to eat the Sichuan-style pre-braised beef product, stewing times of 120 or 150 min can be considered in industrialized production processes. This work provided a theoretical reference for the industrialized and standardized production of different types of prepared Sichuan-style braised beef. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To date, the positive environmental impact of microalgae-based technologies has been demonstrated in numerous studies. However, there is still a number of major technical and economic obstacles to overcome. Therefore, further research and innovation are needed for the development and commercial exploitation of large-scale integrated and sustainable processes, based on robust 'industrial' microalgal strains and novel photobioreactors (PBRs). Note that the advancement of intensified microalgal cultivation processes can facilitate the economically feasible co-production of microalgal biomass and value-added biochemicals. In this context, the goal of the present investigation was to compare several microalgal strains based on a set of productivity criteria, including the maximum biomass growth and the maximum concentration of total biochemicals (i.e., carbohydrates, proteins, and lipids) under CO2 excess conditions (10% v/v). It was found that the wild type strain of Stichococcus sp. fully meets the above productivity criteria. In particular, a biomass concentration of 1.68 g·L−1 and a concentration of total biochemical products of 1.4 g·L−1 were measured in batch cultivation experiments in flasks using the selected strain. Further studies were performed in two different PBRs. Cultivation in a conventional stirred tank PBR showed successful scaling of the bioprocess, whereas cultivation in an innovative tubular recirculating PBR resulted in maximization of both biomass concentration (3.66 g·L−1) and total biochemical products concentration (3.33 g·L−1). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Defects in how excess nutrients are stored as triglycerides can result in several diseases including obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. Understanding the genes responsible for normal lipid homeostasis will help understand the pathogenesis of these diseases. RNAi screens performed in Drosophila cells identified genes involved in vesicle formation and protein sorting as important for the formation of lipid droplets; however, all of the vesicular trafficking proteins that regulate lipid storage are unknown. Here, we characterize the function of the Drosophila Charged multivesicular protein 1 (Chmp1) gene in regulating fat storage. Chmp1 is a member of the ESCRT-III complex that targets membrane localized signaling receptors to intralumenal vesicles in the multivesicular body of the endosome and then ultimately to the lysosome for degradation. When Chmp1 levels are decreased specifically in the fly fat body, triglyceride accumulates while fat-body-specific Chmp1 overexpression decreases triglycerides. Chmp1 controls triglyceride storage by regulating the number and size of fat body cells produced and not by altering food consumption or lipid metabolic enzyme gene expression. Together, these data uncover a novel function for Chmp1 in controlling lipid storage in Drosophila and supports the role of the endomembrane system in regulating metabolic homeostasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the fact that skin has a stronger potential to regenerate than other tissues, wounds have become a serious healthcare issue. Much effort has been focused on developing efficient therapeutical approaches, especially biological ones. This paper presents a comprehensive review on the wound healing process, the classification of wounds, and the particular characteristics of each phase of the repair process. We also highlight characteristics of the normal process and those involved in impaired wound healing, specifically in the case of infected wounds. The treatments discussed here include proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates. Proteins are important actors mediating interactions between cells and between them and the extracellular matrix, which are essential interactions for the healing process. Different strategies involving biopolymers, blends, nanotools, and immobilizing systems have been studied against infected wounds. Lipids of animal, mineral, and mainly vegetable origin have been used in the development of topical biocompatible formulations, since their healing, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties are interesting for wound healing. Vegetable oils, polymeric films, lipid nanoparticles, and lipid-based drug delivery systems have been reported as promising approaches in managing skin wounds. Carbohydrate-based formulations as blends, hydrogels, and nanocomposites, have also been reported as promising healing, antimicrobial, and modulatory agents for wound management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water availability, light, management practices, and harvest time impacts on Coffea arabica L. yield and bean quality remain uncertain. It was hypothesized that the soil water and light availability could impact berry distribution, yield, and bean chemical attributes within the plant canopy. Therefore, it was aimed to study berry yield, berry distribution, and bean chemical traits along the canopy strata of four coffee genotypes (Iapar 59, Catuaí 99 and two Ethiopian wild accessions, 'E083' and 'E027'), cultivated with (IRR) and without irrigation (NI) in the two initial harvest years. The maximum height of berry occurrence was lower in NI than in IRR plants in both harvest years. In the 2nd harvest year, higher leaf-to-fruit ratio was found under NI than under IRR for all genotypes, except for Catuaí 99, while the most regular berry distribution among canopy strata was obtained in IRR 'E083', the highest bean yield in IRR 'E083' and Iapar 59, and the highest percent of useful bean biomass in NI Catuaí 99. The reduced lipid content under IRR was more important in the 1st (all genotypes) than in the 2nd harvest year (Iapar 59 and 'E027'). As a novelty, chemical bean composition was additionally impacted by light availability along the canopy strata. Proteins declined from bottom (shaded) to upper (highly light exposed) strata, regardless of genotype and harvest year. Similar stratification was observed in caffeine in the 2nd year. Although some traits were somewhat changed among strata, no substantial quality changes occurred, thus allowing that harvest might include the entire plant and not only some specific strata. Iapar 59 and 'E083' showed chemical composition usually associated with high bean quality, with the highest lipid, sucrose, and soluble sugar contents, and the lowest caffeine, chlorogenic acids, and phenolic components among four genotypes, but Iapar 59 plants were less affected in their yield under NI. Based on additional responses from space occupation and yield only under IRR, the wild accession 'E083' must be considered in future breeding programs as promising material for intensive input conditions. High bean quality and the less variated yield under lower soil water availability qualified the Iapar 59 as the most prominent among the four genotypes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biofuel generation from algae can be increased by using nanotechnology. The present study emphasizes the use of silver nanoparticles on algae for algal fuel generation along with the impact of nanoparticles on biomass, metabolites and lipid profile. Silver ion amassing was enhanced in each algal species, but maximum phytoremediation was found in Ulothrix sp. Carbohydrates increased 3.2 times in Oedogonium sp., 3.3 times in Ulothrix sp., 3 times in Cladophora sp. and 2.7 times in Spirogyra sp. Additionally, the application of nanoparticles enhanced by 2 times the production of proteins in Oedogonium sp., 1.9 times in Ulothrix sp., 1.9 times in Cladophora sp. and 2.1 times in Spirogyra sp. Finally, the total lipid yield increased 60% DCW in Oedogonium sp., 56% DCW in Ulothrix sp., 58% DCW in Cladophora sp. and 63% DCW in Spirogyra sp. using 0.08 mg/L silver nanoparticle application. The lipids and fatty acid fractions from algae containing high concentrations of C16:0, C18:0 and C18:1 enhanced with silver nanoparticle addition were comparable with EN 14214 and ASTM 6751 biodiesel standards. This study indicates that the uptake of AgNPs can enhance the production of fatty acids and be commercialized as sustainable biodiesel. The algae Ulothrix sp. is evidenced as the best competent feedstock for biofuel production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The transfer of acyl chains to proteins and lipids from acyl-CoA donor molecules is achieved by the actions of diverse enzymes and proteins, including the acyl-CoA binding domain-containing protein ACBD6. N-myristoyl-transferase (NMT) enzymes catalyze the covalent attachment of a 14-carbon acyl chain from the relatively rare myristoyl-CoA to the N-terminal glycine residue of myr-proteins. The interaction of the ankyrin-repeat domain of ACBD6 with NMT produces an active enzymatic complex for the use of myristoyl-CoA protected from competitive inhibition by acyl donor competitors. The absence of the ACBD6/NMT complex in ACBD6.KO cells increased the sensitivity of the cells to competitors and significantly reduced myristoylation of proteins. Protein palmitoylation was not altered in those cells. The specific defect in myristoyl-transferase activity of the ACBD6.KO cells provided further evidence of the essential functional role of the interaction of ACBD6 with the NMT enzymes. Acyl-CoAs bound to the acyl-CoA binding domain of ACBD6 are acyl donors for the lysophospholipid acyl-transferase enzymes (LPLAT), which acylate single acyl-chain lipids, such as the bioactive molecules LPA and LPC. Whereas the formation of acyl-CoAs was not altered in ACBD6.KO cells, lipid acylation processes were significantly reduced. The defect in PC formation from LPC by the LPCAT enzymes resulted in reduced lipid droplets content. The diversity of the processes affected by ACBD6 highlight its dual function as a carrier and a regulator of acyl-CoA dependent reactions. The unique role of ACBD6 represents an essential common feature of (acyl-CoA)-dependent modification pathways controlling the lipid and protein composition of human cell membranes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Glioblastoma (GB) is an aggressive form of brain cancer with no effective cure. The current treatment for GB involves surgical removal of the tumor followed by chemotherapy and radiation therapy. However, GB develops chemo and radiation therapy resistance, leading to tumor recurrence. GB cells, in comparison to normal cells, have high metabolic rates and adapt several cell signaling pathways to promote their survival. Hence, identifying and inhibiting these tumor-protecting pathways can be helpful in managing GB therapy better. In this study, Spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase 1 (SAT1), an enzyme known to cause resistance in GB cells, was targeted and inhibited. Lipid nanoparticles were designed and formulated to target and silence the SAT1 gene specifically. Inhibiting SAT1 in GB cells was toxic to the GB cells and further sensitized them towards radiation and chemotherapy. Spermidine/spermine N1-acetyltransferase 1 (SAT1) responsible for cell polyamine catabolism is overexpressed in glioblastoma multiforme (GB). Its role in tumor survival and promoting resistance towards radiation therapy has made it an interesting target for therapy. In this study, we prepared a lipid nanoparticle-based siRNA delivery system (LNP-siSAT1) to selectively knockdown (KD) SAT1 enzyme in a human glioblastoma cell line. The LNP-siSAT1 containing ionizable DODAP lipid was prepared following a microfluidics mixing method and the resulting nanoparticles had a hydrodynamic size of around 80 nm and a neutral surface charge. The LNP-siSAT1 effectively knocked down the SAT1 expression in U251, LN229, and 42MGBA GB cells, and other brain-relevant endothelial (hCMEC/D3), astrocyte (HA) and macrophage (ANA-1) cells at the mRNA and protein levels. SAT1 KD in U251 cells resulted in a 40% loss in cell viability. Furthermore, SAT1 KD in U251, LN229 and 42MGBA cells sensitized them towards radiation and chemotherapy treatments. In contrast, despite similar SAT1 KD in other brain-relevant cells no significant effect on cytotoxic response, either alone or in combination, was observed. A major roadblock for brain therapeutics is their ability to cross the highly restrictive blood–brain barrier (BBB) presented by the brain microcapillary endothelial cells. Here, we used the BBB circumventing approach to enhance the delivery of LNP-siSAT1 across a BBB cell culture model. A cadherin binding peptide (ADTC5) was used to transiently open the BBB tight junctions to promote paracellular diffusion of LNP-siSAT1. These results suggest LNP-siSAT1 may provide a safe and effective method for reducing SAT1 and sensitizing GB cells to radiation and chemotherapeutic agents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we studied the impact of encapsulated elderberry extracts as natural meat extenders to preserve both the quality and the oxidative stability of beef burgers. In particular, the comprehensive chemical changes of beef burgers treated with different antioxidants, namely, (a) a control without antioxidants, (b) 0.5 g/kg sodium erythorbate (ERY), (c) 2.5 g/kg encapsulated elderberry extract (EE 2.5), and (d) 5 g/kg encapsulated elderberry extract (EE 5), each one packaged under modified atmosphere (80% O2 and 20% CO2) for 13 days storage at 2 ± 1 °C, were deeply evaluated. Overall, EEs showed a wide array of antioxidant compounds, namely polyphenols like anthocyanins, flavonols, and phenolic acids. Multivariate statistics provided marked chemical differences between burgers manufactured with EEs and synthetic antioxidants (ERY) during 13-days storage in terms of both metabolomic profiles and typical lipid/protein oxidation markers (such as malondialdehyde and total carbonyls). Most of the differences could be attributed to some discriminant compounds, namely glutathione, 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal, hydroxy/peroxy-derivatives of fatty acids, carbonyl compounds (such as 5-nonen-2-one and 1,5-octadien-3-one), and cholesterol. Interestingly, significant correlations (p < 0.01) were observed between malondialdehyde, total carbonyls, and these discriminant metabolites. The combination of spectrophotometric approaches and a high-throughput untargeted metabolomics analysis outlined a strong modulation of both lipid and protein oxidations, likely promoted by the encapsulated meat extender (elderberry), thus confirming its ability to delay oxidative phenomena during the shelf-life of beef burgers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mainstream adoption of chickpea proteins and lipids requires a thorough understanding of the impact of critical extraction parameters (enzyme use, reaction time, and solids-to-liquid ratio—SLR) and modes of extraction (single-stage extraction—SSE and countercurrent extraction—CCE) on the simultaneous extraction of lipids and proteins from full-fat chickpea flour and economic process feasibility. A kinetics study revealed that 68.5% oil and 87% protein extraction yields can be achieved using 0.5% protease at pH 9.0, 50 °C, 60 min, and 1:10 SLR, highlighting the role of proteolysis and an adequate incubation time on overall extractability. An increased gradient concentration between the matrix and aqueous media solutes at a lower SLR (1:15), and reduced slurry viscosity increased oil and protein extractability to 80 and 91%, respectively. The high-water usage in the SSE was addressed by the development of a two-stage CCE that reduced water usage by 47% while increasing oil and protein extractability to ~96%. Higher extractability and reduced water usage in the two-stage CCE resulted in a higher net gross profit, thus outweighing its higher operating costs. The results presented herein further widen the scope of bioprocessing standards for full-fat chickpea flour and add to the elucidation of the impact of key processing conditions on the extractability and economic feasibility of the production of chickpea ingredients for subsequent food/nutraceutical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Eggs are a common food of animal origin, inexpensive, and rich in bioactive substances with high biological value. Eggs enriched in polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) are extremely desired by the progressive consumer. However, during storage, eggs undergo some physiochemical changes, which decrease their value. In this regard, the effect of dietary rosehip meal and flaxseed meal on hens' egg quality characteristics, amino acids, fatty acids, health-related indices, antioxidant capacity, total polyphenols content, and shelf life was examined. For this study 120 Tetra SL laying hens, 29 weeks of age, were fed, for 4 weeks, three diets that included control (basal diet—RF0), basal diet + 1.5% rosehip and 7% flaxseed meal (RF1), and basal diet + 3% rosehip and 7% flaxseed meal (RF2). Productive performance of hens were recorded. The content of essential amino acids (EAA), antioxidant amino acids (AAA), and sulfur amino acids (SAA) was higher in RF1 and RF2, compared with RF0. Eggs belonging to the RF1 and RF2 groups had significantly (p < 0.05) higher content of n-3 PUFAs, especially linolenic and docosahexaenoic acids. Total antioxidant capacity and polyphenol content increased in both rosehip supplemented groups, but especially in RF2. Moreover, eggs from RF1 and RF2 groups maintained significantly higher egg quality parameters after storage for 14 and 28 days in the refrigerator (5 °C) and ambient temperature (21 °C), compared with those from the RF0 group. In the Haugh unit, yolk and albumen pH presented better values in RF1 and RF2 eggs compared to the RF0 eggs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) is a technique that can be used to directly observe individual biomolecules at near-molecular scale. Within this framework, STM is of crucial significance because of its role in the structural analysis, the understanding the imaging formation, and the development of relative techniques. Four decades after its invention, it is pertinent to ask how much of the early dream has come true. In this study, we aim to overview different analyses for DNA, lipids, proteins, and carbohydrates. The relevance of STM imaging is exhibited as an opportunity to assist measurements and biomolecular identification in nanobiotechnology, nanomedicine, biosensing, and other cutting-edge applications. We believe STM research is still an entire science research ecosystem for joining several areas of expertise towards a goal settlement that has been elusive for many years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microalgae biomass is considered a promising alternative feedstock for biodiesel production due to its high productivity of neutral lipids, especially under abiotic stress conditions. Among the unicellular microalgae that show this characteristic, Chlamydomonas reinhardtii appears as one of the most important model species with increased lipid production under abiotic stress conditions. In this study, we show that C. reinhardtii cells cultivated under mixotrophic condition supplemented with 0.1 M of NaCl rapidly raise their intracellular amount of neutral lipids without a reduction in their cellular growth rate, representing a promising condition for biomass production toward bioenergy applications. The nuclear proteome of these cells was investigated, and we identified 323 proteins with an enrichment of almost 60% of nuclear proteins in the total dataset. We found 61 proteins differentially regulated upon salt treatment, including proteins annotated in functional categories related to translation and nucleosome assembly functions. Additionally, we identified transcription factor proteins (TFs) and analyzed their likely transcription factor-binding regulatory elements, identifying target genes related to lipid metabolism and kinase functions, indicating possible regulatory pathways of lipid biosynthesis. Together, these data can help understand regulatory nuclear mechanisms, leading to an increase in lipids in the first 24 h of salt stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microalgae are rich in proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, polyunsaturated fatty acids, vitamins, pigments, enzymes, and other biologically active substances. This research aimed to study the composition and antioxidant and antimicrobial activity of proteins, lipids, and carbohydrates of microalgae found in the Filinskaya Bay of the Kaliningrad region. The chemical composition of Scenedesmus intermedius and Scenedesmus obliquus microalgae biomass was studied. Ultrasound was used to isolate valuable components of microalgae. It was found that microalgae are rich in protein and contain lipids and reducing sugars. To confirm the accuracy of the determination, the protein content was measured using two methods (Kjeldahl and Bradford). Protein content in S. intermedius and S. obliquus microalgae samples did not differ significantly when measured using different methods. Protein extraction by the Kjeldahl method was found to be 63.27% for S. intermedius microalgae samples and 60.11% for S. obliquus microalgae samples. Protein content in S. intermedius samples was 63.46%, compared to 60.07% in S. obliquus samples, as determined by the Bradford method. Lipids were 8.0–8.2 times less abundant than protein in both types of microalgae samples. It was determined that the content of reducing sugars in the samples of the studied microalgae was 5.9 times less than the protein content. The presence of biological activity (antioxidant) in proteins and lipids obtained from biomass samples of the studied microscopic algae was established, which opens up some possibilities for their application in the food, chemical, and pharmaceutical industries (as enzymes, hormones, vitamins, growth substances, antibiotics, and other biologically active compounds). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Because the consequences of the lifestyle changes in older adults associated with the social isolation imposed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic are not fully understood, here, we investigated the effects of one year of social isolation imposed by COVID-19 on the metabolic parameters and functional physical capacity of older women who regularly practiced physical exercises before the pandemic. Methods: Systemic lipid and protein profiles, estimated creatinine clearance (ECC), and functional physical capacity (FPC) were assessed before (January-February 2020) and 12 months after social isolation in 30 older women (mean age 73.77 ± 6.22) who were engaged in a combined-exercise training program for at least 3 years before the COVID-19 pandemic. Results: In this group, we observed increased plasma levels of triglycerides and creatinine, an increase in the time necessary to perform gait speed and time-up-and-go tests, and reduced muscle strength assessed by the handgrip test and ECC post-COVID-19 pandemic relative to values recorded pre-pandemic. In addition, we observed significant correlations (both negative and positive) between anthropometric, some metabolic parameters, and physical tests. Conclusion: One year of interruption of physical exercise practice imposed in response to the COVID-19 pandemic significantly altered some systemic metabolic parameters and worsened ECC and FPC in older women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Whey-based beverages could be an effective way of reusing a by-product of th cheese industry, mitigating environmental hazards and, at the same time, profiting a useful food with high nutritional and antioxidant properties. In this study, a traditional Ecuadorian beverage (Colada) was prepared combining sweet whey, Maracuyá and barley. Antioxidant properties before and after an in vitro digestion using the INFOGEST method were determined, and relationships with intestinal transformations of the lipid and protein fractions were analyzed. The digestive process had a positive effect on antioxidant properties based on increased values of ABTS and FRAP located in the bioaccessible fraction (BF), together with strong increments of total polyphenols. Moreover, pretreatment of Caco-2 cells with the BF of Colada significantly reduced ROS generation (p < 0.001) measured by the dichlorofluorescein assay. Substantial changes of the fatty acid profile occurred during digestion, such as a fall of saturated fatty acids and a rise of polyunsaturated. The protein profile, examined by SDS-PAGE and exclusion molecular chromatography in the BF, showed that the major part of the proteins were digested in the intestinal phase. Analysis of NanoLC-MS/MS revealed 18 antioxidant peptides originated from whey proteins, but also 16 peptides from barley with potential antioxidant properties. In conclusion, combining sweet whey with Maracuyá and barley constitutes an excellent nutritional beverage with a strong antioxidant potential. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sulfur mustard (HD) poses a serious threat due to its relatively simple production process. Exposure to HD in the short-term causes an inflammatory response, while long-term exposure results in DNA and RNA damage. Respiratory tract tissue models were exposed to relatively low concentrations of HD and collected at 3 and 24 h post exposure. Histology, cytokine ELISAs, and mass spectrometric-based analyses were performed. Histology and ELISA data confirmed previously seen lung damage and inflammatory markers from HD exposure. The multi-omic mass spectrometry data showed variation in proteins and metabolites associated with increased inflammation, as well as DNA and RNA damage. HD exposure causes DNA and RNA damage that results in variation of proteins and metabolites that are associated with transcription, translation and cellular energy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methods for purifying, detecting, and characterizing protein concentrate, carbohydrates, lipids, and neutral fats from the microalgae were developed as a result of research. Microalgae were collected from natural sources (water, sand, soil of the Kaliningrad region, Russia). Microalgae were identified based on morphology and polymerase chain reaction as Chlorella vulgaris Beijer, Arthrospira platensis Gomont, Arthrospira platensis (Nordst.) Geitl., and Dunaliella salina Teod. The protein content in all microalgae samples was determined using a spectrophotometer. The extracts were dried by spray freeze drying. Pressure acid hydrolysis with 1% sulfuric acid was determined to be the most effective method for extracting carbohydrates from microalgae biomass samples. The highest yield of carbohydrates (more than 56%) was obtained from A. platensis samples. The addition of carbohydrates to the cultivation medium increased the accumulation of fatty acids in microalgae, especially in Chlorella. When carbohydrates were introduced to nutrient media, neutral lipids increased by 10.9%, triacylglycerides by 10.9%, fatty acids by 13.9%, polar lipids by 3.1%, unsaponifiable substances by 13.1%, chlorophyllides by 12.1%, other impurities by 8.9% on average for all microalgae. It was demonstrated that on average the content of myristic acid increased by 10.8%, palmitic acid by 10.4%, oleic acid by 10.0%, stearic acid by 10.1%, and linoleic acid by 5.7% in all microalgae samples with the addition of carbohydrates to nutrient media. It was established that microalgae samples contained valuable components (proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, fatty acids, minerals). Thereby the study of the composition of lipids and fatty acids in microalgae, as well as the influence of carbohydrates in the nutrient medium on lipid accumulation, is a promising direction for scientific research in the fields of physiology, biochemistry, biophysics, genetics, space biology and feed additive production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are heterogamous lipid bilayer-enclosed membranous structures secreted by cells. They are comprised of apoptotic bodies, microvesicles, and exosomes, and carry a range of nucleic acids and proteins that are necessary for cell-to-cell communication via interaction on the cells surface. They initiate intracellular signaling pathways or the transference of cargo molecules, which elicit pleiotropic responses in recipient cells in physiological processes, as well as pathological processes, such as cancer. It is therefore important to understand the molecular means by which EVs are taken up into cells. Accordingly, this review summarizes the underlying mechanisms involved in EV targeting and uptake. The primary method of entry by EVs appears to be endocytosis, where clathrin-mediated, caveolae-dependent, macropinocytotic, phagocytotic, and lipid raft-mediated uptake have been variously described as being prevalent. EV uptake mechanisms may depend on proteins and lipids found on the surfaces of both vesicles and target cells. As EVs have been shown to contribute to cancer growth and progression, further exploration and targeting of the gateways utilized by EVs to internalize into tumor cells may assist in the prevention or deceleration of cancer pathogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lipid modification of viral proteins with fatty acids of different lengths (S-acylation) is crucial for virus pathogenesis. The reaction is catalyzed by members of the DHHC family and proceeds in two steps: the autoacylation is followed by the acyl chain transfer onto protein substrates. The crystal structure of human DHHC20 (hDHHC20), an enzyme involved in the acylation of S-protein of SARS-CoV-2, revealed that the acyl chain may be inserted into a hydrophobic cavity formed by four transmembrane (TM) α-helices. To test this model, we used molecular dynamics of membrane-embedded hDHHC20 and its mutants either in the absence or presence of various acyl-CoAs. We found that among a range of acyl chain lengths probed only C16 adopts a conformation suitable for hDHHC20 autoacylation. This specificity is altered if the small or bulky residues at the cavity's ceiling are exchanged, e.g., the V185G mutant obtains strong preferences for binding C18. Surprisingly, an unusual hydrophilic ridge was found in TM helix 4 of hDHHC20, and the responsive hydrophilic patch supposedly involved in association was found in the 3D model of the S-protein TM-domain trimer. Finally, the exchange of critical Thr and Ser residues in the spike led to a significant decrease in its S-acylation. Our data allow further development of peptide/lipid-based inhibitors of hDHHC20 that might impede replication of Corona- and other enveloped viruses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Featured Application: This review paper details current production of microalgae globally and isolated microalgal proteins and peptides and their associated health benefits, as well as details concerning microalgal lipids, vitamins and minerals. The use of microalgae in feed is discussed, along with potential uses in other applications such as cosmetics and functional foods. Microalgae are a known source of proteins, prebiotics, lipids, small molecules, anti-oxidants and bioactives with health benefits that can be harnessed for the development of functional foods, feeds, cosmeceuticals and pharmaceuticals. This review collates information on the supply, processing costs, target markets and value of microalgae, as well as microalgal proteins, lipids, vitamins and minerals. It discusses the potential impact that microalgae could have on global food and feed supply and highlights gaps that exist with regards to the use of microalgal proteins and ingredients as foods and supplements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The integration of insect-derived extracts in feed and food products has become a field of growing interest in recent years. In this review, we collect different studies carried out on edible insects' transformation processes and focus on the various treatment operations, extraction technologies, and solvents used in different processing steps. We include an overview of current insights into the different steps of the transformation process: insect reception, killing methods, pretreatments, storage, delipidation, protein extraction, as well as chitin and chitosan extraction. Finally, we reflect on the most important future challenges of this sector. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tuberculosis (TB), which is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), is still one of the deadliest infectious diseases. Understanding how the host and pathogen interact in active TB will have a significant impact on global TB control efforts. Exosomes are increasingly recognized as a means of cell-to-cell contact and exchange of soluble mediators. In the case of TB, exosomes are released from the bacillus and infected cells. In the present study, a comprehensive lipidomics and proteomics analysis of size exclusion chromatography-isolated plasma-derived exosomes from patients with TB lymphadenitis (TBL) and treated as well as untreated pulmonary TB (PTB) was performed to elucidate the possibility to utilize exosomes in diagnostics and knowledge building. According to our findings, exosome-derived lipids and proteins originate from both the host and Mtb in the plasma of active TB patients. Exosomes from all patients are mostly composed of sphingomyelins (SM), phosphatidylcholines, phosphatidylinositols, free fatty acids, triacylglycerols (TAG), and cholesterylesters. Relative proportions of, e.g., SMs and TAGs, vary depending on the disease or treatment state and could be linked to Mtb pathogenesis and dormancy. We identified three proteins of Mtb origin: DNA-directed RNA polymerase subunit beta (RpoC), Diacyglycerol O-acyltransferase (Rv2285), and Formate hydrogenase (HycE), the latter of which was discovered to be differently expressed in TBL patients. Furthermore, we discovered that Mtb infection alters the host protein composition of circulating exosomes, significantly affecting a total of 37 proteins. All TB patients had low levels of apolipoproteins, as well as the antibacterial proteins cathelicidin, Scavenger Receptor Cysteine Rich Family Member (SSC5D), and Ficolin 3 (FCN3). When compared to healthy controls, the protein profiles of PTB and TBL were substantially linked, with 14 proteins being co-regulated. However, adhesion proteins (integrins, Intercellular adhesion molecule 2 (ICAM2), CD151, Proteoglycan 4 (PRG4)) were shown to be more prevalent in PTB patients, while immunoglobulins, Complement component 1r (C1R), and Glutamate receptor-interacting protein 1 (GRIP1) were found to be more abundant in TBL patients, respectively. This study could confirm findings from previous reports and uncover novel molecular profiles not previously in focus of TB research. However, we applied a minimally invasive sampling and analysis of circulating exosomes in TB patients. Based on the findings given here, future studies into host–pathogen interactions could pave the way for the development of new vaccines and therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exosomes (30–100 nm in diameter) are a group of cell-derived membrane vesicles, packaged as valuable cargo with lipid, proteins, and genetic materials from their parent cells. With the increasing interest in exosomes for diagnostic and therapeutic applications, the rapid isolation of pure exosome populations has become a hot topic. In this paper, we propose modified microchannels with aptamer in a microfluidics system for rapid and efficient isolation of exosomes by targeting exosome-carrying CD63 and PTK 7. The capture efficiency in surface-modified channels reaches around 107–108 particles/mL in 20 min, and purified exosomes with reliable size can be achieved. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Greater awareness of environmental sustainability has driven many industries to transition from using synthetic organic solvents to greener solvents in their manufacturing. Deep eutectic solvents (DESs) have emerged as a highly promising category of green solvents with well-demonstrated and wide-ranging applications, including their use as a solvent in extraction of small-molecule bioactive compounds for food and pharmaceutical applications. The use of DES as an extraction solvent of biological macromolecules, on the other hand, has not been as extensively studied. Thereby, the feasibility of employing DES for biomacromolecule extraction has not been well elucidated. To bridge this gap, this review provides an overview of DES with an emphasis on its unique physicochemical properties that make it an attractive green solvent (e.g., non-toxicity, biodegradability, ease of preparation, renewable, tailorable properties). Recent advances in DES extraction of three classes of biomacromolecules—i.e., proteins, carbohydrates, and lipids—were discussed and future research needs were identified. The importance of DES's properties—particularly its viscosity, polarity, molar ratio of DES components, and water addition—on the DES extraction's performance were discussed. Not unlike the findings from DES extraction of bioactive small molecules, DES extraction of biomacromolecules was concluded to be generally superior to extraction using synthetic organic solvents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of different photo-cycles on the growth and biochemical profile of Scenedesmus obliquus CPCC05, focusing on food interest compounds. The photo-cycle conditions were separated into three groups: long-term photo-cycles (24:0, 22:2, 20:4, 18:6, 12:12, and 10:14 (h:h)), frequency photo-cycles (2, 4, 8, 12, 24, and 48 times per day (t/d)), and short photo-cycles (0.91:0.09, 0.83:0.17, 0.75:0.25, and 0.50:0.50 (s:s)) of light:dark, respectively. The results showed these microalgae can store enough energy to support cell growth for continuous periods of up to 2 h in the dark, without affecting the productivity of the process. This 2 h, when divided into 2 cycles per day (2 t/d), showed the best growth condition (3700 mg L−1), generation time (14.40 h), and maximum biomass productivity (21.43 mg L h−1). This photo-cycle of 2 t/d was also the best condition for the production of total sterols. However, the values of polyunsaturated fatty acids, lipid content, and amino acids obtained higher yields in the short photo-cycle of 0.75:0.25. Thus, the modulation of light cycles becomes an important tool for boosting and directing the production of target molecules in phototrophic cultures of microalgae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The microalga S. almeriensis was produced in spring and summer using 80 m2 raceway reactors located inside a greenhouse in Almería, Spain. This microalga was selected because it is a fast-growing and robust strain with potential applications in the production of functional foods and feeds or as a high-value agricultural biostimulant. Overall, the biomass productivity obtained in summer was 24.9 ± 0.9 mday1. This value was higher than that obtained in spring, with an average value of 21.4 ± 1.3 gday1 (p < 0.05). The Fv/Fm value of the cultures at the stationary phase was comparable and around 0.6, which is the optimum of this strain. No major differences in the macromolecular composition of the biomass were observed between seasons, with an average protein, lipid, ash, and carbohydrate content of 37.9, 4.6, 10.8, and 46.7%, respectively. The data reported herein were used to validate a previously described model. The differences between the experimental and the predicted biomass productivities were below 5% in spring and 8% in summer, although a larger dataset is needed to validate the model. Overall, results supported the robustness of the selected strain and its utilisation in different industrial sectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]