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Although the inclusion of patients' preferences and needs is essential for therapy adherence, the assessment of patient-reported outcome measures in clinical trials is often neglected. Therefore, the aim of this study was to quantify several patient-reported outcome measures in psoriasis patients undergoing systemic therapy in a real-life clinical setting. This clinical trial has been designed as a prospective, multiarm study to investigate the treatment satisfaction, adherence to therapy, quality of life (QoL), and clinical response in a real-life clinical setting during the initial 6 months of treatment with apremilast, methotrexate, and fumaric acids in 80 patients suffering from plaque psoriasis. The treatment satisfaction for the three systemic therapies was rated 'sufficient' with a mean (±SD) Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medication (TSQM) score of 275.0 (±62.7). Most potential for improvement was seen in the 'effectiveness' domain (54.3 ± 21.5). The highest treatment satisfaction level in all four domains (convenience, effectiveness, global satisfaction, and side-effects) was seen in the methotrexate group with a mean TSQM score of 306.3 ± 50.9, followed by apremilast (267.1 ± 61.6) and fumaric acids (254.9 ± 65.0; p = 0.005). Analysis of the TSQM revealed a considerable discrepancy between patient-reported clinical response and the actual Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) reduction. This applies equally to the patient- vs. physician-reported side-effects. This real-life study demonstrates that an adequate assessment of antipsoriatic drugs by PASI-reduction alone is not sufficient and underlines the importance of patient-reported outcome measures not only in clinical trials, but also for improved patient care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have developed a simple and convenient method for the synthesis of 3-aryl- and 3-hetaryl-1,2,4-oxadiazin-5-ones bearing an easily functionalizable (methoxycarbonyl)methyl group at position 6 via the reaction of aryl or hetaryl amidoximes with maleates or fumarates. The conditions for this reaction were optimized. Different products can be synthesized selectively in good yields depending on the base used and the ratio of reactants: substituted (1,2,4-oxadiazin-6-yl)acetic acids, corresponding methyl esters, or hybrid 3-(aryl)-6-((3-(aryl)-1,2,4-oxadiazol-5-yl)methyl)-4H-1,2,4-oxadiazin-5(6H)-ones. The reaction is tolerant to substituents' electronic and steric effects in amidoximes. As a result, a series of 2-(5-oxo-3-(p-tolyl)-5,6-dihydro-4H-1,2,4-oxadiazin-6-yl)acetic acids, their methyl esters, and 1,2,4-oxadiazoles based on them were prepared and characterized by HRMS, 1H, and 13C NMR spectroscopy. The structures of three of them were elucidated with X-ray diffraction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The catalytic properties of a simple iron-containing MOF based on fumaric acid, MIL-88A, were investigated in the ketalization of ethyl levulinate with glycerol. The corresponding product is a component of current interest as a renewable building block for many uses. Under the following conditions (solventless, 120 °C, stoichiometric ratio, 1% cat.), the reaction proceeds with good yields (85%), and the catalyst can be recovered and recycled without loss of activity, despite some changes in the crystalline lattice and morphology. Moreover, the residual iron content in the product is in the order of units of ppm (≤2), which demonstrates the robustness of the MOF under the reaction conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Species in the fungal genus Rhizopus are able to convert simple sugars into primary metabolites such as fumaric acid, lactic acid, citric acid, and, to a lesser extent, malic acid in the presence of specific carbon and nitrogen sources. This ability has been linked to plant pathogenicity. Rhizopus stolonifer causes hull rot disease in almonds, symptoms of which have been previously associated with the fungus's production of fumaric acid. Six isolates of R. stolonifer taken from infected almond hulls were grown in artificial media amended with one of four carbon sources (glucose, fructose, sucrose, and xylose) and two nitrogen sources (asparagine and ammonium sulphate) chosen based on almond hull composition and used in industry. Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR)–based metabolomics identified that R. stolonifer could metabolise glucose, fructose, sucrose, and to a lesser extent xylose, and both nitrogen sources, to produce three metabolites, i.e., fumaric acid, lactic acid, and ethanol, under in vitro conditions. Sugar metabolisation and acid production were significantly influenced by sugar source and isolates, with five isolates depleting glucose most rapidly, followed by fructose, sucrose, and then xylose. The maximum amounts of metabolites were produced when glucose was the carbon source, with fumaric acid produced in higher amounts than lactic acid. Isolate 19A–0069, however, preferred sucrose as the carbon source, and Isolate 19A–0030 produced higher amounts of lactic acid than fumaric acid. This is the first report, to our knowledge, of R. stolonifer producing lactic acid in preference to fumaric acid. Additionally, R. stolonifer isolate 19–0030 was inoculated into Nonpareil almond fruit on trees grown under high– and low–nitrogen and water treatments, and hull compositions of infected and uninfected fruit were analysed using 1H NMR–based metabolomics. Glucose and asparagine content of uninfected hulls was influenced by the nitrogen and water treatments provided to the trees, being higher in the high–nitrogen and water treatments. In infected hulls, glucose and fructose were significantly reduced but not sucrose or xylose. Large amounts of both fumaric and lactic acid were produced, particularly under high–nitrogen treatments. Moreover, almond shoots placed in dilute solutions of fumaric acid or lactic acid developed leaf symptoms very similar to the 'strike' symptoms seen in hull rot disease in the field, suggesting both acids are involved in causing disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of non‐steroidal anti‐inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for treatment of musculoskeletal injuries is commonplace in the general, athletic, and military populations. While NSAIDs have been studied in a variety of tissues, the effects of NSAIDs on skeletal muscle have not been fully defined. To address this, we investigated the degree to which the cyclooxygenase (COX)‐2‐selective NSAID celecoxib affects muscle cell proliferation, differentiation, anabolic signaling, and mitochondrial function in primary human skeletal myoblasts and myotubes. Primary muscle cells were treated with celecoxib or NS‐398 (a pharmacological inhibitor of COX‐2) as a control. Celecoxib administration significantly reduced myoblast proliferation, viability, fusion, and myotube area in a dose‐dependent manner, whereas NS‐398 had no effect on any of these outcomes. Celecoxib treatment was also associated with reduced phosphorylation of ribosomal protein S6 in myoblasts, and reduced phosphorylation of AKT, p70S6K, S6, and ERK in myotubes. In contrast, NS‐398 did not alter phosphorylation of these molecules in myoblasts or myotubes. In myoblasts, celecoxib significantly reduced mitochondrial membrane potential and respiration, as evidenced by the decreased citric acid cycle (CAC) intermediates cis‐aconitic acid, alpha‐keto‐glutarate acid, succinate acid, and malic acid. Similar results were observed in myotubes, although celecoxib also reduced pyruvic acid, citric acid, and fumaric acid. NS‐398 did not affect CAC intermediates in myoblasts or myotubes. Together, these data reveal that celecoxib inhibits proliferation, differentiation, intracellular signaling, and mitochondrial function in primary human myoblasts and myotubes independent of its function as a COX‐2 inhibitor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A novel mixed imidazole ligand MIL-88A was proposed and prepared for the first time. • The photocatalyst revealed significantly smaller particle size and greatly improved photocatalytic capacity. • 100% decomposition of 100 ppm AR1 dye was achieved within 45 min of irradiation with the assistance of a trace amount of H 2 O 2. • A dye removal rate of 99.98% was maintained after five cycles. • Photo-generated h+ was the main oxidizing specie in the photocatalytic reaction. In this study, we fabricated MIL-88A metal–organic frameworks with excellent physicochemical properties using mixed organic ligands. In addition, we investigated the effects of different iron precursors on the physicochemical properties of the as-prepared MIL-88A samples. We determined that the difference between the dissociation rates of the metal ions of different iron precursors affected the crystallization rate of MIL-88A, which effectively decreased particle size, causing an increase in the adsorption capacity of MIL-88A and significantly improving its photocatalytic activity. Two organic ligands: 2-methylimidazole and fumaric acid, were mixed, and the formed dihydrate affected the crystallization rate of MIL-88A; moreover, the as-fabricated MIL-88A presented small particle size and high oxidation potential. The as-prepared mixed organic ligand MIL-88A removed 96.42% of AR1 dye from an AR1 dye solution with a concentration of 20 mg/L after 2 h of irradiation. Furthermore, an AR1 dye removal of 100% was achieved after only 45 min of irradiation using a 100 mg/L AR1 dye solution in the presence of trace H 2 O 2. The decomposition efficiency of MIL-88A did not decrease after five removal cycles, and this was attributed to the excellent decomposition efficiency of MIL-88A with mixed organic ligands, which was ascribed to its remarkable adsorption capacity and high oxidation potential. Strong oxidizing hydroxyl radicals were generated via a photo-Fenton reaction to improve the oxidative power of MIL-88A, and pollutants were decomposed without generating residues. We believe that these findings can be used to significantly expand the application of MIL-88A in photocatalysis research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polygonum cognatum Meissn., which is also known as "madımak, solucanotu" has been used in the Turkish folk medicine for the treatment of various diseases and has also been consumed in the dishes and salads by local people. It has even been the subject of a folk song, sung among the people in Sivas. In this study, it was aimed to examine the resveratrol and phenolic compounds that are valuable for health industry, in leaf and root extracts obtained from P. cognatum, which is widely distrubuted in Sivas. While resveratrol was investigated by using HPLCPDA, the phenolic compounds were determined by using LC-HRMS. Results of analyses showed that resveratrol could not be detected in both leaf and root extracts, but both root and leaf extracts were quite rich in following phenolic compounds. While chlorogenic acid, hyperoside, rutin, and fumaric acid were the most abundant phenolic compounds detected from the leaf extract, the (+)-catechin, fumaric acid, chlorogenic acid and p-coumaric acid were the most abundant phenolic compounds in the root extract. As a conclusion, P. cognatum with its rich phenolic compounds content of the root and leaf parts are good candidates in terms of using in dietary supplements, health care and cosmetic products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated preservatives to stabilize sodium chloride (NaCl)–free‐cucumber fermentations. The brining of air‐purged laboratory cucumber fermentations with 100.0 mM calcium chloride (CaCl2) and 25.0 mM acetic acid resulted in immediate rises in pH, the chemical reduction of the medium, and malodors. Supplementation with 3.0 mM sodium benzoate or 3.0 mM potassium sorbate enabled a decline in pH, a continuous oxidative state of the medium, and delayed rising pH spoilage. However, lactic and acetic acids eventually disappeared in fermentations supplemented with preservatives. The amount of preservatives needed to suppress growth of brined‐cucumber‐spoilage microbes was determined in Fermented Cucumber Juice Medium (FCJM). Supplementation of FCJM with 10.0 mM sodium benzoate was inhibitory for the spoilage yeasts, Issatchenkia occidentalis and Pichia manshurica, and the lactobacilli, Lentilactobacillus buchneri and Lentilactobacillus parafarraginis, but not of Zygosaccharomyces globiformis. Potassium sorbate inhibited the spoilage yeasts at 15.0 mM in FCJM but not the lactobacilli. Supplementation of FCJM with 20.0 mM fumaric acid had a bactericidal effect on the spoilage‐associated lactobacilli. As expected, NaCl‐free‐commercial cucumber fermentations brined with 100 mM CaCl2, no acetic acid, and 6 mM potassium sorbate resulted in complete fermentations, but supported rising pH, microbially induced spoilage during long‐term storage. Post‐fermentation supplementation with 12 mM sodium benzoate, 10 mM fumaric acid, a combination of the two, or 10 mM fumaric acid and 2 mM AITC prevented microbial activity during long‐term bulk storage. Practical Application: Several preservative‐based strategies for stabilizing NaCl‐free cucumber fermentation in a commercial production setting were developed, enabling the implementation of a processing technology that reduces wastewater volumes and environmental impact. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to the overuse of fossil energy, fossil energy is facing exhaustion. Agricultural biomass such as wheat straw waste is a kind of clean energy which can replace fossil energy and has important scientific research value and broad application prospect. In this paper, wheat straw was used as raw materials, and the straw was converted into lactic acid, oxalic acid and fumaric acid under alkaline hydrothermal conditions. Improve the yield of organic acid by optimizing the reaction conditions such as NaOH concentration, reaction time and reaction temperature. The optimum reaction conditions were as follows: NaOH concentration 1.5 mol/L, reaction temperature 250ºC, reaction time 3 hours, total organic acid yield 13.5%, lactic acid yield 12.1%. The results can provide a new way for the green production of organic acids, and realize the efficient utilization of agricultural waste, reduce environmental pollution. At the same time, can produce good economic benefits, ecological benefits and social benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fumarate‐co‐PEG‐co‐sebacates with different fumaric/sebacic acid ratios are prepared by a simple thermal polycondensation reaction using p‐toluensulfonic acid as catalyst. These polymeric precursors are purified by washing with an appropriate organic solvent and the dried materials were photocured to yield elastic films under mild conditions. The properties of polymeric precursors and elastic materials are studied in detail and correlated with fumaric acid/sebacic acid ratios used in the thermal esterification reactions. It is shown that a higher amount of sebacic in the starting polymer leads to softer final film materials, with lower Tg and G' values, which also show higher degradation rates in vitro. Finally, the films are also evaluated as drug release carriers for in vitro release of Cephalexin and Progesterone. The results obtained in these studies indicate that the careful tailoring of the fumaric acid/sebacic acid ratio in the esterification reaction allows to finely tune the thermal, mechanical a degradation properties of the final cross‐linked elastic films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The harvesting, processing, and sale of wild edible mushrooms (WEM) is a relevant economic activity in Angola and a good example of the use of non-wood forest products for food. Although there is deep traditional knowledge about the general properties of WEMs, a huge gap remains in detailed scientific knowledge. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the socio-economic importance of the species sold at local markets in Huila, Angola, from their molecular identification to the assessment of their nutritional, chemical, and bioactive profiles. From the eight WEM morphotypes studied, five were identified based on phenotypical and molecular approaches (four Russula spp., and Amanita loosei). The studied mushrooms proved to be a rich source of carbohydrates, proteins, and ashes, also presenting low amounts of fat. Chemical analyses further revealed mannitol as the main free sugar in all samples, and organic acids, namely, oxalic, quinic, malic, citric, and fumaric acids in low amounts. Additionally, the α-tocopherol isoform and monounsaturated fatty acids were predominant. Regarding phenolic acids, protocatechuic, p-hydroxybenzoic, p-coumaric, and cinnamic acids were detected in all mushroom hydroethanolic extracts, being responsible for their antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal activities. Our investigation contributes to the identification and knowledge of WEMs as important complementary food sources in Angola, some of which were reported for the first time, promoting their utilization as a basis of nutritional and functional ingredients, as being able to be part of a balanced diet and to be used in new bio-based formulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Renewal in the world production of plastics with growing amounts of building blocks from biomass is a pressing demand among society. Adipic acid is one of the monomers of nylon 6,6, and, traditionally, is obtained from fossil sources, but it is possible to reduce the muconic acids, deriving it from biomass, to obtain adipic acid. However, these catalyzed reactions use commonly hazardous conditions or reagents; in this study, a pathway to obtain a bio-adipic acid, following the Green Chemistry, is reported. Metal nanoparticles (M NPs; M = Pd, Pt, Ru, Rh) were synthesized in water at 80 °C using sodium lignosulphonate as a reducing and stabilizing agent. They were characterized by TEM and XRD techniques: Pd NPs were larger (21 nm) and spherical in shape; Pt NPs were irregular; Ru and Rh NPs were smallest (1.9 and 5.3 nm, respectively). M NPs were tested as catalyst in the hydrogenation reactions of dicarboxylic acids (fumaric, malonic, trans,trans- and cis,cis-muconic acids) in water at room pressure and temperature. The NPs transformed selectively fumaric and malonic acids to succinic acid, although with different yields. Ru and Pt NPs were moderately active while with Pd NPs, 80% of succinic acid was obtained and with Rh NPs, 100% was observed. Carrying out the hydrogenations on muconic acids at pH 5, the formation of adipic acid was observed with all NPs but selectivities in the presence of Ru, Pt and Pd NPs were not excellent. The selectivity with Rh NPs was remarkable (86% from cis,cis- and about 100% from trans,trans-muconic acid) considering the mild conditions; furthermore, it is attractive that the adipic acid was obtained also from the cis,cis isomer which can be produced from biomass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Truffles have become one of the world's most important mushrooms owing to their distinctive features. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study on Reddellomyces westraliensis in terms of isolation and identification of compounds and screening versatile bioactivities. Chromatographic studies on R. westraliensis enabled to isolate brassicasterol (1), ergosta-7,9,22-trien-3 β -ol (2), ergosterol peroxide (3), adenosine (4), D -ribitol (5), fumaric acid (6) and mannitol (7). The structures of the compounds were verified by IR, NMR, MS techniques. Antioxidant, cytotoxic and cholinesterase, tyrosinase, urease, α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activities were assessed. The methanol was the suitable extraction solvent high content of phenolic compound (18.94 ± 0.18 μg PEs/mg extract). Compound 4 showed higher DPPH• (IC 50 : 8.38 ± 0.40 µg/mL) and ABTS•+ (IC 50 : 6.74 ± 0.22 µg/mL) scavenging activity than α-tocopherol and BHA. Compound 3 was observed as a potent inhibitor against AChE (34.03 ± 0.13 %), α-amylase (34.28 ± 0.36 %) and BChE (66.31 ± 0.08 %). Compounds 1 (IC 50 : 5.85 ± 0.16 µg/mL) and 3 (IC 50 : 6.98 ± 0.24 µg/mL) indicated higher urease inhibitory activity than thiourea (IC 50 : 7.87 ± 0.18 µg/mL). Compounds 4 (9.61 ± 0.92 %) and 7 (21.56 ± 0.74 %) indicated higher α-glucosidase and tyrosinase inhibitory activity, respectively. Compound 2 exhibited the best cytotoxicity against H1299 (IC 50 : 38.62 ± 0.46 µg/mL) and MCF-7 (IC 50 : 24.93 ± 0.80 µg/mL). HPLC-DAD analysis exhibited the existence of fumaric acid (27.20 ± 0.06 µg/g) as the major compound. This study revealed that R. westraliensis can be approved as antioxidant, cytotoxic, and enzyme inhibitor sources in conjunction with its varied bioactive compounds. [Display omitted] • This is the first study on truffle Reddellomyces westraliensis. • Compound 2 exhibited superior cytotoxicity on MCF-7 and H1299. • Compound 4 showed higher DPPH• and ABTS•+ scavenging activity than standards. • Compound 3 was found as near-standard BChE inhibitor. • Compounds 1 and 3 showed higher urease inhibitory activities than standard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to determine the effect of fumaric and maleic acids on the ensiling process. The corn herbage was ensiled without additives (control silage) or with 0.25% fumaric acid (FA25), 0.50% fumaric acid (FA50), 0.25% maleic acid (MA25), 0.50% maleic acid (MA50), FA25 + MA25 (FA25MA25) and FA50 + MA50 (FA50MA50) (treatment silages) as wet basis. The starch contents of FA50 and MA50 silages were lower than the content of the control silage (p <.05). The lactic acid content of the FA50MA50 silage was lower than that of the control silage (p <.05). Percentages of linoleic acid of MA25 and MA50 silages were higher than that of the FA50 silage (p <.05). The in vitro methane production and metabolic energy (ME) value of FA50MA50 silage was lower than that of the control silage (p <.05). The in vitro organic matter digestion (OMD) values of FA25, MA25 and FA50MA50 silages were lower than that of control silage (p <.05). The molarities of acetic (AA), propionic (PA), butyric (BA), isovaleric (IVA), isobutyric (IBA) and total volatile fatty (TVFA) acids of the in vitro ruminal fermentation fluid for the FA50MA50 silage were lower than that of the control silage (p <.05). As a result, the addition of fumaric and maleic acids (0.25% alone and together, or 0.5% alone) in ensiling of corn herbage did not change the quality, acidity (except for propionic, butyric and isobutyric acids) and nutrient contents (except for non‐fiber carbohydrates and starch) and in vitro ruminal fermentation values (gas–methane production and organic acids). The combined use of 0.5% fumaric plus 0.5% maleic acid harmed silage quality and in vitro ruminal fermentation values. However, 0.5% maleic acid was partially more effective than those other organic acid additions in preserving linoleic and α‐linolenic acids in the silage material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Akebia trifoliata (A. trifoliata) is a widely distributed wild vine that has attracted much attention in recent years due to the edible fruit of food and medicinal value. In this paper, the fruits of A. trifoliata, which are derived from Qinling Mountains (12 genotypes) and Bashan Mountains (4 genotypes) and have been artificially domesticated and cultivated for many years, are taken as the research object to study the fruit characteristics and pulp components of 16 genotypes of A. trifoliata. The results show that the pulp of the 16 genotypes contain a variety of nutrients, among which the average contents of total sugar, total acid, vitamin C, soluble solids and starch are 14.68g/100g, 0.14g/100g, 26.40mg/100g, 17.95% and 5.29g/100g. The fruit contains 17 amino acids, including 7 essential amino acids and 4 organic acids. The latter refers to malic acid, lactic acid, citric acid and fumaric acid, the average contents of which are 1.03g/kg, 3.38g/kg, 0.33g/kg and 0.0149g/kg. Besides, 8 mineral elements in the fruit include 4 macro elements and 4 micro elements. The average contents of the former are potassium (1.83g/kg), calcium (0.23g/kg), phosphorus (0.28g/kg) and magnesium (0.21g/kg), and the average contents of the latter are iron (2.29mg/kg), zinc (2.23mg/kg), copper (1.37mg/kg) and manganese (5.52mg/kg). During the ripening process of A. trifoliata fruit (using HY-9 as the material), the main nutrients in the pulp such as total sugar, soluble solids, starch, amino acids and various mineral elements reach the maximum in stage 3, indicating that stage 3 is the best edible period of A. trifoliata fruit. Through the assignment analysis and comprehensive evaluation of 9 quality indicators (3 apparent characters and 6 main chemical components) of the fruits of the 16 A. trifoliata genotypes from Qinba Mountains, HY-1, HY-2 and HY-9 were finally screened out as the three superior genotypes. This study aims to provide reference for the development and utilization of A. trifoliata wild germplasm resources and the selection of new varieties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While of lesser prevalence than boron (B) deficient soils, B-rich soils are important to study as they can cause B toxicity in the field and subsequently decrease crop yields in different regions of the world. We have conducted the present study to examine the role of the individual or combined application of silicon (Si) and NPK fertilizer in B-stressed spinach plants (Spinacia oleracea L.). S. oleracea seedlings were subjected to different NPK fertilizers, namely, low NPK (30 kg ha-2) and normal NPK (60 kg ha-2)], which were also supplemented by Si (3 mmol L-1), for varying levels of B in the soil i.e., 0, 250, and 500 mg kg-1. Our results illustrated that the increasing levels of B in the soil caused a substantial decrease in the plant height, number of leaves, number of stems, leaf area, plant fresh weight, plant dry weight, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, carotenoid content, net photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, transpiration rate, magnesium content in the roots, magnesium contents in the shoots, phosphorus content in the roots, phosphorus content in the leaves in the shoots, iron content in the roots, iron content in the shoots, calcium content in the roots, and calcium content in the shoots. However, B toxicity in the soil increased the concentration of malondialdehyde, hydrogen peroxide, and electrolyte leakage which were also manifested by the increasing activities of enzymatic [superoxidase dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX)], and non-enzymatic antioxidants (phenolic, flavonoid, ascorbic acid, and anthocyanin content). B toxicity in the soil further increased the concentration of organic acids in the roots such as oxalic acid, malic acid, formic acid, citric acid, acetic acid, and fumaric acid. The addition of Si and fertilizer levels in the soil significantly alleviated B toxicity effects on S. oleracea by improving photosynthetic capacity and ultimately plant growth. The increased activity of antioxidant enzymes in Si and NPK-treated plants seems to play a role in capturing stress-induced reactive oxygen species, as was evident from the lower levels of oxidative stress indicators, organic acid exudation, and B concentration in the roots and shoots of Si and NPK-treated plants. Research findings, therefore, suggested that the Si and NPK application can ameliorate B toxicity in S. oleracea seedlings and result in improved plant growth and composition under metal stress as depicted by the balanced exudation of organic acids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The valorization of alkenoic acids possibly deriving from biomass (fumaric and citraconic acids) was carried out through conversion in important building blocks, such as γ‐keto acids and succinic acid derivatives. The functionalization was carried out by addition onto the C=C double bond of radicals generated under photocatalyzed conditions from suitable hydrogen donors (mainly aldehydes) and by adopting a decatungstate salt as the photocatalyst. Syntheses were performed under batch (in a glass vessel) and flow (by using 3D‐printed reactors) conditions. The design of the latter reactors allowed for an improved yield and productivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The conversion of fumaric acid into L-malate by fumarase immobilized on silanized nanostructures was analyzed experimentally. The enzyme was bound to the silanized nanostructures. We carried out scanning electron microscopy (SEM), fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis, zeta size analysis and surface area calculation for the characterization of the nanostructures. The effect of initial enzyme concentration and pH on immobilization procedure were investigated and the change of Michaelis-Menten constants (Km and Vmax) with immobilization was examined. The change in the storage stability of the enzyme by immobilization was also investigated. The stability of the immobilized enzyme was very good. We observed that the fumarase was bound to silanized nanostructures [p(HEMA)-3-MTES] in much greater amounts. We have compared the activities of free fumarase and immobilized fumarase and we have observed a significant increase in the activity of the fumarase after immobilization for L-malate production. Moreover, we came to the conclusion that this activity can be better preserved for 30 days compared to free fumarase. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two co-crystals possessing fumaric acid and 2-amino-4,6-dimethoxypyrimidine (1) and fumaric acid and ethyl 2-picolinate (2) were prepared. The structure of both compounds was determined using single-crystal X-ray crystallography. The asymmetric unit of cocrystal 1 formed in a triclinic system with space group P-1 consists of one 2-amino-4,6-dimethoxypyrimidine and one half of fumarate, whereas cocrystal of 2 formed in a monoclinic system with space group P21/c consists of an ethyl-2-picolinate and a half of fumarate. Co-crystal 1 exhibits intramolecular O–H···N and N–H···O hydrogen bonds as well as intermolecular N–H···O hydrogen bonds, whereas co-crystal 2 exhibits intermolecular C–H···O and O–H···N hydrogen bonds as well as weak π‒π stacking interactions. Intermolecular interactions were investigated using Hirshfeld surface analyses. H···H (40.9%), O···H (32.9%), and C···H (8.2%) are the major interactions in 1 and H···H (41.6%), O···H (34.8%), and C···H (8.5%) are the most common in 2. Furthermore, density functional theory (DFT) was used to investigate the structural features of the molecules using the B3LYP-D3/6-311G(d,p) basis set. Molecular electrostatic potential (MEP) surface and global reactivity descriptors for molecules were determined to explain the reactivity of molecular behavior, structural activity, and hydrogen bonds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fumaric acid esters (FAEs) such as monomethyl fumarate (MMF) and dimethyl fumarate (DMF) are active pharmaceutical ingredients (API) used in the treatment of psoriasis and multiple sclerosis. The present work investigates the use of biobased fumaric acid obtained via submerged fermentation under fixed conditions for the production of FAEs. The effect of time, temperature, and sulphuric acid as a catalyzer on the conversion of fumaric acid to FAEs was elucidated. The optimal conditions for DMF synthesis were identified, using response surface methodology, to be 111 min incubation using 9.7% (v/v) sulphuric acid concentration at 98 °C. The use of biobased fumaric acid allows the use of renewable resources as the primary feedstock for the synthesis of FAEs in place of depleting petroleum resources. This value addition can have a positive impact on the techno-economic feasibility of a process towards bioproduction of fumaric acid, as well as contribute to rendering the synthesis of an API sustainable. [Display omitted] • Biobased active pharmaceutical ingredient synthesis. • One pot conversion of fumaric acid to fumarate esters. • Identification of optimal conditions for fumarate ester synthesis. • 99.2% conversion of biobased fumaric acid to methyl esters achieved. • FT-IR spectrum showed high similarity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As the national flower of Korea, the Hibiscus syriacus L. (Rose of Sharon) is symbolic in its abundance and is a prominent feature of Korean culture. H. syriacus has played an important role in Korea, not only as an ornamental plant but also as an essential ingredient in folk remedies through its various parts. This study aimed to characterize the nutritional and biochemical composition of each plant unit of H. syriacus "Wonhwa." The units are namely: the petals, leaves, roots, and sprouts from its seeds. According to the results each unit produced, the sprouts had the highest content of amino acids and fatty acids which adhere to the requirements of nutritionally excellent food ingredients. The petals produced high quantities of glucose, sucrose, and fumaric acid, with the highest antioxidant activity among the four units. The main bioactive compounds detected in H. syriacus extracts in the four units were o‐coumaric acid, p‐coumaric acid, schaftoside, isoschaftoside, apigenin‐6‐C‐glucoside‐7‐o‐glucoside, and kaempferol‐3‐O‐galactoside‐7‐O‐rhamnoside. Overall, the highest number of bioactive compounds, 2 phenolic acids and 22 flavonoids, were identified in the petals. These results suggest the possibility of excellent pharmacological activity in the petals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The widespread production and release of ZnO nanoparticles (NPs) in the environment may have affected on living and nonliving ecosystem components. In this study, the effects of ZnO NPs on the growth, photosynthetic pigments, oxidative damage and organic acid in the root exudates of 7 days hydroponically grown maize seedlings were examined. The results showed that ZnO NPs treatment significantly reduced the growth of seedlings compared to the control (CK). No substantial differences were found among the content of chlorophyll, while the carotenoid was 34% lower and chlorophyll/carotenoid ratio was 63% higher in ZnO NPs treated seedlings in comparison to the CK. The content of malondialdehyde (MDA) both in the roots and leaves have no significant changes between the ZnO NPs treatment and the CK. However, the content of H2O2 in the roots was diminished by 68.6% under ZnO NPs treatment compared to the CK, while there was no significant change in the leaves between two treatments. Besides, O2˙ˉ production in the roots and leaves increased under ZnO NPs treatment by 50.5% and 48.6%, respectively, compared with the CK. The pH of root exudates decreased by 6.1 % suggesting that the rhizosphere was acidified under the treatment of ZnO NPs. The amount of organic acids decreased significantly in the root exudates under ZnO NPs treatment by 25.5%, 34.4%, 58.8%, 64.8%, 91.2%, and 93.5% for citric, lactic, formic, tartaric, oxalic and malic acid, respectively, compared with the CK. In addition, fumaric acid augmented by 2.03 folds under ZnO NPs treatment compared with the CK. Taken together, ZnO NPs treatment decreased maize seedlings growth, content of carotenoid except the ratio of chlorophyll to carotenoid, increased O2˙ˉproduction in both roots and leaves. Except fumaric acid, all other organic acids in the root exudates decreased under ZnO NPs treatment compare to the CK. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The structure of ebastinium hydrogen fumarate {systematic name: 1-[4-(4-tertbutylphenyl)-4-oxobutyl]-4-(diphenylmethoxy)piperidin-1-ium (E)-3-carboxy-1-hydroxyprop-2-en-1-olate}, C32H40NO2 +⋅C4H3O4, a 1:1 salt formed in the reaction between ebastine and fumaric acid is presented. All examined crystals were found to be twinned by pseudo-merohedry. The structure is extensively disordered, with over half (20 out of 35) its non-hydrogen atoms modelled as lying over two sets of sites. In the crystal, cation-anion pairs are linked by a strong N--H⋅ ⋅ ⋅O hydrogen bond [N⋅ ⋅ ⋅O = 2.697 (11) A ° ]. These units interact via weaker C--H⋅ ⋅ ⋅O and C--H⋅ ⋅ ⋅⋅ contacts to form layers lying parallel to the bc plane. The hydrogen fumarate anions are linked by a very short O--H⋅ ⋅ ⋅O hydrogen bond [O⋅ ⋅ ⋅O = 2.5402 (17) A ° ], augmented by weak C--H⋅ ⋅ ⋅O contacts into pairs of R2 2(6) ring motifs to form chains that extend parallel to the b-axis direction. Comparisons to similar crystal structures are presented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-propelled droplets are of considerable interest as an appropriate model for understanding the self-propulsion of objects in the fields of nonequilibrium physics and nonlinear science. Several research groups have reported the monodirectional motion of droplets, that is, chemotaxis, using stimuli-responsive materials. However, the precise control of chemotaxis remains challenging from the perspective of synthetic chemistry because chemotactic motion is primarily induced by the consumption of reactive oil or surfactants. Herein, we report a chemical system containing pH-responsive fumaric acid derivatives, in which the oil droplet exhibited positive chemotaxis over a wide pH range-from basic to acidic conditions. From the measurements of the interfacial tension between the oil and aqueous phases, it was deduced that the positive chemotaxis was due to heterogeneity in the interfacial tension of the droplet surface, which was accompanied by the production of surface-active compounds in the pH gradient in a linear-type channel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The interest of the food packaging industry in biodegradable, recyclable, and functional materials has steadily increased in recent years. The use of hydrogels in the food sector holds great potential for use in packaging systems or as carriers for bioactive substances. The synthesis of an oxygen barrier coating of prolaminic silica material and antimicrobial functionalization with fumaric acid for packaging materials described here is an elegant way to meet these requirements. The developed material achieved a significant antimicrobial activity against Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, two common clinical pathogens. Another pre-requisite of such materials is a high biocompatibility, which can be assessed using human cell models, to help ensure consumer safety. The biocompatibility was determined by luminescence adenosine triphosphate and photometric lactate dehydrogenase assays. No cytotoxic effects on human keratinocytes in vitro were found for the test materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To evaluate the potential health-promoting benefits of Berberis nummularia and B. atrocarpa fruits, the biochemical properties (nutrition component, mineral substance, organic acids), total phenolic and flavonoid content and antioxidant (DPPH, FRAP, ABTS and ORAC) capacity of ethanol extracts of B. nummularia and B. atrocarpa fruits wild-grown in Xinjiang were analyzed. The results indicated that there were no meaningful differences (p > 0.05) between the ash (1 ± 0.1 and 1 ± 0.0 g/100 g), fiber (16 ± 1.0 and 18 ± 1.4) and carbohydrate (57 ± 1.8 and 56 ± 1.8 g/100 g) content, respectively, in the dry fruits of B. nummularia and B. atrocarpa. The total fat (7 ± 0.4 and 5 ± 0.1 mg/100 g), soluble sugar (23 ± 0.6 and 12 ± 1.4 g/100 g), titratable acidity (18 ± 2.5% and 14 ± 1.3%) content, and energy value (330.86 and 314.41 kcal/100 g) of B. nummularia was significantly higher than that of B. atrocarpa fruits. Both species contain malic acid, acetic acid, tartaric acid, citric acid and fumaric acid, in which, malic acid is the dominant organic acid. The organic acid and mineral components of B. nummularia fruits were significantly higher than that of B. atrocarpa (p < 0.05). The total phenolic and flavonoid content of B. nummularia were 2 ± 0.0 mg GA/g DW and 2 ± 0.0 mg RE/g DW, respectively, which were significantly lower than the total phenolic and flavonoid content of B. atrocarpa (12 ± 0.1 mg GA/g DW and 9 ± 0.0 mg RE/g DW). The antioxidant capacity of B. nummularia (4 ± 0.1 mg Ascorbic acid/g DW for DPPH, 32 ± 0.1 mg Trolox/g DW for FRAP, 80 ± 3.0 mg Trolox/g DW for ABTS and 60 ± 3.6 mg Trolox/g for ORAC was significantly lower than that of B. atrocarpa (12 ± 0.0 mg Ascorbic acid/g DW for DPPH, 645 ± 1.1 mg Trolox/g DW for FRAP, 304 ± 3.0 mg Trolox/g DW for ABTS and 155 ± 2.8 mg Trolox/g for ORAC). B. atrocarpa fruits showed significantly higher antioxidant capacity than that of B. nummularia. The fruits of the two species can be used in food coloring and nutritional supplements, and consumption of the fruits can aid in weight control and reduce blood glucose or cholesterol. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This open-label multicentre trial evaluated the efficacy and safety of oral dimethyl fumarate (DMF) in patients with moderate-to-severe plaque psoriasis in real-life clinical practice over 52 weeks. Disease severity and improvement were assessed using the psoriasis area severity index (PASI), body surface area (BSA) affected, and Physician Global Assessment (PGA). Quality of life (QoL) was assessed using the Dermatology Life Quality Index (DLQI) questionnaire. The visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to quantify pruritus and measure treatment satisfaction. A total of 141 patients were included, being 66.7% male, aged 49.1 ± 14.7 years and with disease duration of 16 ± 12.1 years. After 52 weeks, mean PASI decreased from 15.9 ± 6.8 to 1.5 ± 2 and 87.7%, 56.9% and 24.6% of patients achieved PASI 75/90/100 response, respectively. BSA decreased from 26.5 ± 14.8% to 2.7 ± 3.5% at 52 weeks, and 81.5% of patients had a PGA 0-1. DLQI scores decreased from 9.4 ± 6.4 to 2.1 ± 3.3, and VAS of pruritus decreased from 53 ± 28.4 to 19.1 ± 26.2 at Week 52. VAS for treatment satisfaction was 79.4 ± 29.4 at Week 52. A total of 34.2% of patients had an AE leading to permanent discontinuation. These findings show that DMF can significantly improve indices of disease severity, pruritus and QoL, with high levels of patient satisfaction and similar safety profile to other fumarates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the study is to assess the yield, fruit quality, phenolic compounds, and organic acids of the Granny Smith Challenger apple (Malus × domestica Borkh.) grown under protective shade nets. In the study, control (unnetted, T1), shade nets with 15% weave (T2), 20% weave (T3), 35% weave (T4), and 55% weave (T5) were selected as treatments. In both years of the study, yield and % marketable fruit increased significantly as overall % weave resulted in shading increases. The effect of 35% weave on yield and % marketable fruit was more distinct. The highest leaf area was recorded with T5 while the highest trunk cross‐section area (6.16 and 6.64 cm2 plant−1 in 2015 and 2016, respectively) and canopy volume (2.70 and 2.92 m3 plant−1) were obtained in T3 treatment. Mass and diameter of fruit harvested from the T4 treatment (259.8 and 253.8 g, 76.3 and 74.4 mm, 92.5 and 90.3 mm in 2015 and 2016, respectively) were significantly higher than fruit of the other treatments. Fruit firmness under the protective shade netting (70.5, 71.4, 69.4, 73.1 N and 72.9, 75.6, 69.7, 72.3 N from T2 to T5 in 2015 and 2016, respectively) was significantly lower than that of the control (76.0 and 81.5 N in 2015 and 2016 respectively). As the % weave increased, the soluble solids decreased. In both years of the experiment, ferulic acid, o‐coumaric and p‐coumaric acid, phlorodzin, rutin and vanilic acid were significantly higher in shade‐grown apples compared to control. Similarly, oxalic and fumaric acid concentrations of the apples grown in shade were significantly higher than the control fruit (3.43 and 6.34 mg kg−1, and 2.47 and 2.73 mg kg−1 in 2015 and 2016 respectively). Consequently, shade netting treatments had a positive effect on tree growth, yield, and fruit quality. Protective netting with 35% (T4) weave resulted in highest yield increase as well as % marketable fruit. Novelty impact statement: Protective shade cloth with different % weave was studied. All shading treatments had a positive effect on tree growth, yield, and fruit quality. We found that 35% (T4) weave produced significantly higher yields of better quality, more marketable fruit. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Corn tassel (CT) is a waste part of the corn plant. It is a good co-product and rich in terms of bioactive compounds and phytochemicals. This research tried to show the phenolic profile, antioxidants, anticholinergic activities, and antibacterial properties of CT ethanol extract. The phenolic content analysis of the CT was determined quantitatively by LC-MS/MS, and the antioxidant capacity was measured using ABTS, DPPH, Cu2+–Cu+, and Fe3+–Fe2+ reducing methods. The anticholinergic measurements of CT were detected by inhibition of acetylcholinesterase (AChE). The antibacterial activity was determined by MIC and disc diffusion methods. Many phenolic compounds such as vanillic acid, caffeic acid, fumaric acid, acetohydroxamic acid, butein, myricetin, resveratrol, catechin hydrate, and 4-hydroxybenzoic acid were detected in ethanol extract of CT. The obtained plant ethanol extract had a 7.04% DPPH value, while it showed ABTS activity at 9.45%. Moreover, it had a 0.10 mg/mL inhibition effect on the AChE in terms of IC50 values. The ethanol extract of the CT had an antibacterial property on the investigated bacteria at different ratios. In conclusion, this research aims to consider CT as a source of phenolic compounds and to reveal its bioactive properties and its effects on the treatment of some diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Skeletal disorders and related-welfare complications are an ongoing concern for rapid-growing broiler chickens. Phosphorus is a vital nutrient in the poultry diet, and it is related to bone growth and skeleton rigidity and strength. Poultry utilize approximately 60% of the dietary P, and the residual is excreted and may enter the environment leading to environmental pollution. Consequently, a better understanding of intestinal phosphorus absorption will enable augmenting phosphorus utilization and reducing phosphorus excretion and feed costs in the poultry industry. Therefore, the present trial was designed to assess various supplements on performance, nutrient digestibility, bone physical parameters and mineralization, blood constituents, bone and gut histomorphology, and duodenal phosphorus transporter genes of broiler chickens fed a decreased non-phytate phosphorus. The dietary addition of phytase or probiotic to a low phosphorus diet was beneficial with respect to growth performance and carcass traits. Regarding nutrient digestibility, tibia quality parameters, and gut and bone histomorphology, all three dietary supplements (probiotics, yeast, and fumaric acid) were advantageous, and these improvements were of comparable magnitude to those of the positive control and phytase groups. The up-regulation of duodenal NaP-IIb and PiT-2 genes in the supplemented groups may suggest greater phosphorus availability. It can be concluded that these supplements were beneficial in mitigating the negative effects of phosphorus reduction on the growth performance, health, and bone quality of broilers. The present trial was designed to assess the effect of phytase, multi-strain probiotic, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and fumaric acid on performance, nutrient digestibility, bone physical parameters and mineralization, blood constituents, bone and gut histomorphology, and duodenal phosphorus transporter genes of broiler chickens fed a decreased non-phytate phosphorus (nPP) diet for 5 weeks. A total of 480 broiler chickens were allotted to six dietary groups and eight replicates each: (1) positive control diet with recommended levels of nPP (PC; 0.48, 0.44, and 0.41% in the three feeding phases); (2) negative control diet with a decreased dietary nPP (NC; 0.28, 0.24, and 0.21% in the three feeding phases); (3) NC + 600 FTU/kg phytase (PHY); (4) NC + 0.05% multi-strain probiotic (PRO); (5) NC + 0.2% Saccharomyces cerevisiae (SC); and (6) NC + 0.2% fumaric acid. Growth performance data were recorded weekly, and blood sampling was performed at days 21 and 35 of age. Bone quality traits, gut and tibia histology, nutrient digestibility, and intestinal gene expression analyses were conducted at the end of the trial (35 days of age). Final body weight and total gain at day 35 of age of the broiler chickens fed with the PHY, PRO, and SC diets were greater (p < 0.01) than in NC, where broilers fed with the PRO and PHY diets had higher values and were similar to that of PC. There was a non-significant variation in the cumulative feed intake among the treatment groups. The PHY and PRO groups had better FCR than the PC group (p < 0.05), and FA and SC had an FCR equivalent to that of PC. The PHY and PRO broilers had greater dressing % than the NC group (p < 0.05) and even better than PC. The PHY, PRO, SC, and FA broilers had higher relative weights of spleen and bursa of Fabricius (p < 0.01) than NC. In comparison to NC, the PHY, PRO, and SC groups improved (p < 0.05) CP, CF, Ca, and P digestibility. Greater tibia breaking strength of the low nPP-supplemented groups was shown to be associated with higher tibia ash, Ca, and P concentrations (p < 0.01) and increased (p < 0.001) tibia cortical area thickness. At days 21 and 35 of age, the dietary supplements to low nPP diets reduced (p < 0.05) serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, triiodothyronine, thyroxine, glucose, and alkaline phosphatase levels, while serum Ca and P concentrations were improved (p < 0.05) compared to NC. All supplements led to enhancement (p < 0.01) in villi height and width and villi absorptive surface area when compared with NC and were even comparable to that of PC. The mRNA expression of NaP-IIb was up-regulated (p < 0.001) in the duodenum of PRO and FA broilers at day 35 of age compared with NC, and their expression levels were similar to that of PC, indicating greater P availability. It is concluded that dietary supplementation of PHY, PRO, SC, and FA to a low nPP diet was advantageous and mitigated the negative impacts of P reduction on the growth performance, health, nutrient digestibility, and bone quality of broilers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peaches contain high amounts of polyphenol compounds. The consumption of peaches gives protection against various conditions such as obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular and bacterial diseases, and inflammation. The present study aimed to examine the phytochemical compounds and the antioxidant, antibacterial, anti-α-glucosidase, and anti-α-amylase activities of the different extracts (methanol, ethanol, and hexane) of fresh red peach collected from the Mersin province in Turkey. In this study, chemical compositions of methanol and ethanol extracts prepared from peach pulp were studied by using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). Thirteen metabolites: quinic acid, fumaric acid, aconitic acid, protocatechuic acid, salicylic acid, chlorogenic acid, rutin, isoquercitrin, hesperidin, astragalin, nicotiflorin, quercetin, and amentoflavone, were identified in ethanol extracts and also these phenolic compounds, excluding salicylic acid, were identified in the methanol extract. The ethanol extract showed the most activity in all enzyme inhibition and in antibacterial and antioxidative activity assays, which is mainly due to its rich phenolic content. The most dominant compounds determined in ethanol extract were quinic acid, chlorogenic acid, fumaric acid, and isoquercitrin respectively. According to the results of this study, ethanol extract in particular is a potential ingredient to be used in food-derived antidiabetic and antibacterial formulations. [Display omitted] • The first report about bioactive properties of fresh red peach extracts. • Quinic, chlorogenic and fumaric acid and isoquercitrin were dominant in peach. • Phenolic rich ethanol extract demonstrated strong antidiabetic properties. • Total phenolic and antioxidant values were detected ethanol>methanol>hexane. • Ethanol and methanol extracts exhibited strong antibacterial activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cell-based therapies for multiple sclerosis (MS), including those employing autologous bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) are being examined in clinical trials. However, recent studies have identified abnormalities in the MS bone marrow microenvironment. Objective: We aimed to compare the secretome of MSC isolated from control subjects (C-MSC) and people with MS (MS-MSC) and explore the functional relevance of findings. Methods: We employed high throughput proteomic analysis, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays and immunoblotting, as well as in vitro assays of enzyme activity and neuroprotection. Results: We demonstrated that, in progressive MS, the MSC secretome has lower levels of mitochondrial fumarate hydratase (mFH). Exogenous mFH restores the in vitro neuroprotective potential of MS-MSC. Furthermore, MS-MSC expresses reduced levels of fumarate hydratase (FH) with downstream reduction in expression of master regulators of oxidative stress. Conclusions: Our findings are further evidence of dysregulation of the bone marrow microenvironment in progressive MS with respect to anti-oxidative capacity and immunoregulatory potential. Given the clinical utility of the fumaric acid ester dimethyl fumarate in relapsing–remitting MS, our findings have potential implication for understanding MS pathophysiology and personalised therapeutic intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rice cultivation is one of the most significant human-created sources of methane gas. How to accurately measure the methane concentration produced by rice cultivation has become a major problem. The price of the automatic gas sampler used as a national standard for methane detection (HJ 38-2017) is higher than that of gas chromatography, which greatly increases the difficulty of methane detection in the laboratory. This study established a novel methane detection method based on manual injection and split pattern by changing the parameters of the national standard method without adding any additional automatic gas samplers. The standard curve and correlation coefficient obtained from the parallel determination of methane standard gas were y = 2.4192x + 0.1294 and 0.9998, respectively. Relative standard deviation (RSD, <2.82%), recycle rate (99.67–102.02%), limit of detection (LOD, 0.0567 ppm) and limit of quantification (LOQ, 0.189 ppm) of this manual injection method are satisfying, demonstrating that a gas chromatography-flame ionization detector (GC-FID), based on manual injection at a split ratio (SR) of 5:1, could be an effective and accurate method for methane detection. Methane gases produced by three kinds of low-methane rice treated with oxantel pamoate acid, fumaric acid and alcohol, were also collected and detected using the proposed manual injection approach Good peak shapes were obtained, indicating that this approach could also be used for quantification of methane concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present research evaluated some chemical composition in tissues from the leaves, seed, and fruits P. amygdaliformis. In leaf samples, phenolics compounds are predominated, whereas, in fruit samples, sugars, organic acid predominated. Among phenolic compounds, chlorogenic acid and fumaric acid were found in the highest amount in leaf tissue. In addition, the amounts of minerals in the fruit tissue had high values. In the P. Amigdaliformis seed oil, oleic and linoleic acid were the primary fatty acids. This study shows that these wild pears have beneficial natural compounds and can also be used as a new source of natural oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.) are the fourth most economically important crop in the world. They have a short period of vegetation and are an excellent source of carbohydrates, amino acids, vitamins, organic acids, minerals and phenolics as antioxidant substances. Potato can be a major dietary source of various bioactive compounds. In this study, we applied gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS) metabolite profiling to classify eight Bulgarian potato cultivars bred in the Maritsa Vegetable Crops Research Institute (VCRI), Plovdiv, according to their metabolite contents. Altogether, we determine their flavonoids/phenolics to evaluate their nutritive quality for the breeding program with the target of determining strong health-promoting compounds. The "Kalina" cultivar is highlighted as the best one with the highest number of metabolites, containing 14 out of the 26 evaluated; it was selected as the highest-quality cultivar, compared with the other seven cultivars studied. According to the grouping of the cultivars in principal component analysis PCA, their positive distribution is explained mainly by them having the highest contents of aminobutyric and isocitric acids, methionine and alanine and lower levels of fumaric acid, pyroglutamic acid and glycine, in contrast to the cultivars distributed negatively, which had high contents of carbohydrates and relatively low contents of most of the amino acids. The highest number of amino acids was found in the cultivar "Kalina", followed by "Perun" and "Bor". The highest number of carbohydrates was found in "Pavelsko" and "Iverce", while the prominent accumulation of organic acids was found in "Kalina", "Bor" and "Rozhen". The highest number of flavonoids in the flesh of the tubers was found in the cultivars "Nadezhda" and "Pavelsko", followed by "Bor". The highest ratio of flavonoids/phenolics in the flesh was found in "Pavelsko" and in "Nadezhda", followed by "Iverce". [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The application of biostimulants appears to be an environmentally friendly, innovative, and sustainable agronomical tool to mitigate the negative effects induced by adverse climatology in traditional grape-growing regions such as La Rioja (Spain). However, their mechanism of action in grapevines is still unclear. We evaluated how commercial substances (two from Ascophyllum nodosum extraction and one amino acids-based biostimulant) and the non-proteinogenic amino acid β-aminobutyric acid (BABA) affect the quality and quantity of musts and grapes in Vitis vinifera L. cv. Tempranillo from a semi-arid region of La Rioja during two seasons. We hypothesized an enhancement in organic metabolites in berries and leaves in response to these treatments, changing the organoleptic characteristics of the final products. The treatments altered the primary metabolites such as carbohydrates, organic acids (AcOrg), and free amino acids, first in the leaves as the effect of the foliar application and second in grapes and musts. As the main result, the biostimulant efficiency depended on the climatology and vineyard location to improve the final yield. Whereas biostimulant application enhanced the yield in 2018 (less dry year), it did not help production in 2019 (dry year). BABA was the most efficient biostimulant, enhancing plant production. Regarding yield quality, the biostimulant application improved the musts mainly by enhancing the fumaric acid content and by reducing carbohydrates, except in BABA-treated plants, where they were accumulated. These results corroborate biostimulants as an exciting approach in wine production, especially for improving wine quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thyme has been used for various therapeutic purposes in many different cultures, which makes it one of the most riveting medicinal plants throughout history. From its beneficial effects on the respiratory tract or the gastrointestinal system, to its unique skin-related activities, the investigation of the medicinal properties of thyme has always been an alluring topic for researchers aiming to develop conventional medications from this traditional herb. With an incentive to contribute to the extensive thyme research, three Thymus L. species namely Thymus cariensis Hub-Mor. & Jalas (endemic), Thymus praceox subsp. grossheimii (Ronniger) Jalas, and Thymus pubescens Boiss. et Kotschy ex Celak from Turkey were deeply investigated within this study. The analysis of the phytochemical constituents of the extracts was conducted by LC-MS/MS. 12 biologically important secondary metabolites (p -coumaric acid, caffeic acid, salicylic acid, quinic acid, fumaric acid, vanillin, malic acid, rutin, apigenin, naringenin, and nicotiflorin) were detected in all extracts. Their total phenolic and flavonoid contents were calculated (11.15 ± 0.17—61.12 ± 2.59 μg PEs/mg extract, 2.53 ± 0.04—40.28 ± 0.92 μg QEs/mg extract, respectively), and the antioxidant potential of the extracts was evaluated by DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging and CUPRAC activity methods, accordingly, the extracts were shown to possess significant antioxidant activity. Among them, Thymus cariensis Hub-Mor. & Jalas was the most active with IC50 values of 34.97 ± 1.00 μg/ml and 9.98 ± 0.04 μg/ml regarding the DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging assays, respectively, and an A0.5 value of 5.80 ± 0.02 μg/ml according to CUPRAC activity method. Their anticholinesterase, antityrosinase, and antiurease activities were also tested, Thymus cariensis Hub-Mor. & Jalas (35.61 ± 1.20%) and Thymus pubescens Boiss. et Kotschy ex Celak aerial part extract (33.49 ± 1.39%) exhibited moderate antibutyrylcholinesterase activity at 200 μg/ml concentration. The results of the cell viability assay indicated that the extracts demonstrated moderate-to-low cytotoxicity on A498 human renal cell lines. Furthermore, all studied extracts exerted noteworthy antimicrobial activity, especially against Candida tropicalis (MIC values: 19.53—78.12 μg/ml). The presented data substantiates the use of thyme extracts as therapeutic agents in both ethnomedicine and conventional therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Aeolian Islands (Italy) are a volcanic archipelago in the Tyrrhenian Sea comprising seven main islands, among which are two active volcanoes. The peculiar geological features and the wide variety of environments and soils have an important impact on native plants, and in particular, the Aeolian populations of Dactylis glomerata (a perennial cool-season bunchgrass) exhibit remarkable phenotypic variability. Considering that environmental drivers also strongly affect the production of plant metabolites, this work aimed at comparing the metabolomic profiles of D. glomerata (leaves) harvested at different altitudes on four islands of the Aeolian archipelago, namely: Lipari, Vulcano, Stromboli and Panarea. Samples were analyzed by 1H NMR profiling, and data were treated by PCA. Samples collected on Stromboli were very different from each other and from the samples collected in the other islands. Through an Orthogonal Partial Least Squares (OPLS) model, using altitude as the y variable, it emerged that the concentration of proline, glycine betaine, sucrose, glucose and chlorogenic acid of D. glomerata growing on Stromboli decreased at increasing altitude. Conversely, increasing altitude was associated with an increment in valine, asparagine, fumaric acid and phenylalanine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]