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New cellulases from the fungi Acrophialophora nainiana and Penicillium echinulatum were used in the finishing of knitted cotton fabrics (biopolishing) and compared with the well established enzymes from Trichoderma reesei. Both cellulases reduced the pilling tendency with a lower weight loss than T. reesei cellulases. Cellulases from P. echinulatum were also studied in stonewashing of denim fabrics to obtain the fashionable aged look in indigo dyed jeans ware and were found to remove more colour from denim fabrics and produce less indigo dye redeposition (back-staining) than commercial acid or neutral cellulases under the test conditions. Efficiency was found to be influenced by pH during textile processing and the substrate used for the production of cellulases. Cellulases produced by P. echinulatum grown on cellulose showed better stonewashing results (higher colour removal and less back-staining) than cellulases produced on sugar cane bagasse. The substrate used during enzyme production of P. echinulatum cellulases seems to have a significant influence on cellulose composition, which affects textile processing results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This research propounds an innovative technology focused on sustainability to increase the biomass yield of Akkermansia muciniphila, the next-generation probiotic, using prebiotic sources to replace or reduce animal mucin levels. A series of experimental design approaches were developed aiming to optimize the growth of Akkermansiamuciniphila by incorporating extracts of green leafy vegetables and edible mushroom into the cultivation media. Experiments using kale extract (KE), Brassica oleracea L., associated with lyophilized mushroom extract (LME) of Pleurotus ostreatus were the most promising, highlighting the assays with 0.376% KE and 0.423% LME or 1.05% KE and 0.5% LME, in which 3.5 × 10 10 CFU (Colony Forming Units) mL - 1 was achieved - higher than in experiments in optimized synthetic media. Such results enhance the potential of using KE and LME not only as mucin substitutes, but also as a source to increase Akkermansia muciniphila biomass yields and release short-chain fatty acids. The work is relevant to the food and pharmaceutical industries in the preparation of the probiotic ingredient., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

A co-metabolization of xylose and glucose by Schizophyllum commune 227E.32 wild mushroom for exopolysaccharide (EPS) production is presented. Cultivations performed with S. commune 227E.32 at different xylose concentrations demonstrated that the concentration of 50 g·L -1 of xylose achieved the highest EPS production, around 4.46 g·L -1 . Scale-up in a stirred tank reactor (STR) was performed. 10 % inoculum showed the highest cost/benefit ratio regarding sugar conversion and EPS production (Y P/S  = 0.90 g·g -1 ), achieving 1.82 g·L -1 of EPS. Isolation, purification, and characterization were conducted with EPS produced in flasks and STR. GC-MS analysis showed glucose as main monosaccharide constituents for both isolates. 13 C NMR and HSQC-edited showed that both EPS isolated consisted of a β-D-Glcp (1 → 3) main chain, partially substituted at O-6 with nonreducing β-D-Glcp ends on every third residue, similar to β-D-glucan isolated from S. commune basidiomes known as schizophyllan (SPG). The M w was determined by GPC to 1.5 × 10 6  Da (flasks) and 1.1 × 10 6  Da (STR). AFM topographs revealed a semi-flexible appearance of the β-D-glucan, consistent with the triple helical structures adopted by SPG and overall contour length consistent with a high molar mass., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Intestinal glucose absorption plays a central role in the regulation of glucose plasmatic; however, current clinical management does not target the gut for treating diabetes. This study evaluated the effects of peel and pulp aqueous extract from Hylocereus lemairei on human enterocytes under high glucose concentration. Anti-hyperglycemic and antiobesity activities in vitro were also evaluated. Extracts did not cause cytotoxicity at 1 to 500 μg/mL. Moreover, they were effective in attenuating oxidative stress (DCFH-DA assay) and inflammation ( • ON production) caused by high glucose. Intestinal enzymes (α- glucosidase and pancreatic lipase) were inhibited by pulp and peel extracts (>60% and >95%, respectively). Extracts exhibited a redox capacity superior to ascorbic and chlorogenic acids, presenting high phenolic content, mainly anthocyanins. The main compounds for both extracts were chlorogenic acid and naringin, and peel stood both qualitatively and quantitatively. Data suggest red Pitaya has potential as a new medicine for diabetes.

Mesenchymal stem cells present clinical potential to recover and regenerate injured tissues in diverse pathologies. The in vitro expansion and characterization of these cells contribute to elucidation of the mechanisms of senescence and strategies involving cell therapies. This study aimed to compare specific characteristics between initial and advanced passages of mesenchymal stem cells derived from adipose tissue and bone marrow. Both cell types were characterized according to immunophenotype, osteogenic differentiation, genomic instability, migration assay, doubling population time and colony forming ability. Our results demonstrated that both cell types were able to maintain an immunophenotypic profile typical of mesenchymal stem cells during increasing passages. Adipose stem cells at initial passage presented greater migration capacity compared to advanced passage cells, and advanced passage cells proliferated faster than initial passage cells. Bone marrow stem cells at early passages presented higher osteogenic potential than advanced. At advanced passages they presented higher colony forming capacity and genetic damage than those at initial passage. These results suggest that mesenchymal stem cells maintained in culture presented characteristics of senescence that should be monitored prior the use in regenerative medicine and cells derived from bone marrow at initial passage have better potential for therapeutic use in bone tissue engineering.

Metals are considered one of the biggest environmental problems, due to their toxicity and the complexity of removal. This study evaluated the bioaccumulation capacity of water contaminating metals by fungal isolates of Lentinus and Panus species, to elucidate the bioremediation processes of metal contaminated effluents. Initially, tests were performed with fungal isolates using a mixture of metals, aluminum, iron, copper, lead, chromium, nickel and zinc. Lentinus crinitus 154L.21 was the most promising fungus for the removal of metals in the mixture. Based on these data, the potential application of this fungus for the treatment of galvanic and tannery effluents was evaluated. For galvanic effluent, no detectable copper, chromium, and nickel was removed; however, for tannery effluents, reductions in aluminum concentrations from 204.1 to 3.7 mg L -1 (≅98% removal), chromium from 1199.6 to 20.4 mg L -1 (≅98% removal) and iron from 22.6 mg L -1 (100% removal) to an amount lower than the detection limit were observed. These data indicated that L. crinitus 154L.21 removes metals from industrial effluents, being an important route for bioremediation processes., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Mushrooms are a group of fungi with great diversity and ultra-accelerated metabolism. As a consequence, mushrooms have developed a protective mechanism consisting of high concentrations of antioxidants such as selenium, polyphenols, β-glucans, ergothioneine, various vitamins and other bioactive metabolites. The mushrooms of the Pleurotus genus have generated scientific interest due to their therapeutic properties, especially related to risk factors connected to the severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). In this report, we highlight the therapeutic properties of Pleurotus mushrooms that may be associated with a reduction in the severity of COVID-19: antihypertensive, antihyperlipidemic, antiatherogenic, anticholesterolemic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antihyperglycemic properties. These properties may interact significantly with risk factors for COVID-19 severity, and the therapeutic potential of these mushrooms for the treatment or prevention of this disease is evident. Besides this, studies show that regular consumption of Pleurotus species mushrooms or components isolated from their tissues is beneficial for immune health. Pleurotus species mushrooms may have a role in the prevention or treatment of infectious diseases either as food supplements or as sources for pharmacological agents., (Copyright © 2022 Shanghai Changhai Hospital. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The genomes of two Penicillium strains were sequenced and studied in this study: strain 2HH was isolated from the digestive tract of Anobium punctatum beetle larva in 1979 and the cellulase hypersecretory strain S1M29, derived from strain 2HH by a long-term mutagenesis process. With these data, the strains were reclassified and insight is obtained on molecular features related to cellulase hyperproduction and the albino phenotype of the mutant. Both strains were previously identified as Penicillium echinulatum and this investigation indicated that these should be reclassified. Phylogenetic and phenotype data showed that these strains represent a new Penicillium species in series Oxalica, for which the name Penicillium ucsense is proposed here. Six additional strains (SFC101850, SFCP10873, SFCP10886, SFCP10931, SFCP10932 and SFCP10933) collected from the marine environment in the Republic of Korea were also classified as this species, indicating a worldwide distribution of this new taxon. Compared to the closely related strain Penicillium oxalicum 114-2, the composition of cell wall-associated proteins of P. ucsense 2HH shows five fewer chitinases, considerable differences in the number of proteins related to β-D-glucan metabolism. The genomic comparison of 2HH and S1M29 highlighted single amino-acid substitutions in two major proteins (BGL2 and FlbA) that can be associated with the hyperproduction of cellulases. The study of melanin pathways shows that the S1M29 albino phenotype resulted from a single amino-acid substitution in the enzyme ALB1, a precursor of the 1,8-dihydroxynaphthalene (DHN)-melanin biosynthesis. Our study provides important knowledge towards understanding species distribution, molecular mechanisms, melanin production and cell wall biosynthesis of this new Penicillium species., (© 2022. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.)

Penicillium echinulatum 2HH is an ascomycete well known for its production of cellulolytic enzymes. Understanding lignocellulolytic and sugar uptake systems is essential to obtain efficient fungi strains for the production of bioethanol. In this study we performed a genome-wide functional annotation of carbohydrate-active enzymes and sugar transporters involved in the lignocellulolytic system of P. echinulatum 2HH and S1M29 strains (wildtype and mutant, respectively) and eleven related fungi. Additionally, signal peptide and orthology prediction were carried out. We encountered a diverse assortment of cellulolytic enzymes in P. echinulatum, especially in terms of β-glucosidases and endoglucanases. Other enzymes required for the breakdown of cellulosic biomass were also found, including cellobiohydrolases, lytic cellulose monooxygenases and cellobiose dehydrogenases. The S1M29 mutant, which is known to produce an increased cellulase activity, and the 2HH wild type strain of P. echinulatum did not show significant differences between their enzymatic repertoire. Nevertheless, we unveiled an amino acid substitution for a predicted intracellular β-glucosidase of the mutant, which might contribute to hyperexpression of cellulases through a cellodextrin induction pathway. Most of the P. echinulatum enzymes presented orthologs in P. oxalicum 114-2, supporting the presence of highly similar cellulolytic mechanisms and a close phylogenetic relationship between these fungi. A phylogenetic analysis of intracellular β-glucosidases and sugar transporters allowed us to identify several proteins potentially involved in the accumulation of intracellular cellodextrins. These may prove valuable targets in the genetic engineering of P. echinulatum focused on industrial cellulases production. Our study marks an important step in characterizing and understanding the molecular mechanisms employed by P. echinulatum in the enzymatic hydrolysis of lignocellulosic biomass., (Copyright © 2022 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The main objective of this work was to evaluate whether Pleurotus albidus extract exerts influences on aorta artery tone by its antioxidant properties. The hearts and aortic arteries of male Wistar rats were removed for use in biochemical analysis and vascular reactivity. Both tissues were exposed to P. albidus extract at different concentrations for 30 min and were then exposed to a free radical generation system for 30 min. The extract reduced lipid peroxidation levels and increased catalase and glutathione peroxidase activity in cardiac tissue. In the aorta, P. albidus extract demonstrated a direct vasodilatory effect, which was associated with a reduction in nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase (NOX) activity and an increase in sulfhydryl levels and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity. Our findings suggest that P. albidus extract has regulatory potential on aorta arteries, regulating the balance of NOX/NOS enzymes and then influencing vessel tone. Further studies are needed to determine the protective mechanisms of the extract.

The antimicrobial activity of the metabolites produced by Fusarium oxysporum PR-33 in submerged culture was evaluated against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria and yeasts. Metabolites were determined by HPLC-DAD-MS/MS. An extract was obtained following the removal of mycelium by centrifugation and lyophilisation of the supernatant. The compounds in this extract demonstrated broad-spectrum antimicrobial action, with rates of inhibition between 60 and 80%, depending on the species and extract tested. The major compounds of the extracts were identified as fusarinolic acid and its isomer [56.9% flask extract (FE)] and 59.2% bioreactor extract (BE), dehydrofusaric acid (35.7% FE and 31.6% BE), and fusaric acid (6.5% FE and 1.1% BE). Fusaric acid has been shown to be responsible for antimicrobial activity. The cytotoxicity of the extracts was evaluated in culture of HEK-293 and SH-SY5Y animal cells and toxicity of these extracts was verified even in the lowest tested concentrations. Therefore, our results indicate that the compounds identified exhibit potential as antimicrobial agents.

Strategies to take advantage of residual lignin from industrial processes are well regarded in the field of green chemistry and biotechnology. Quite recently, researchers transformed lignin into nanomaterials, such as nanoparticles, nanofibers, nanofilms, nanocapsules and nanotubes, attracting increasing attention from the scientific community. Lignin nanoparticles are seen as green way to use high-value renewable resources for application in different fields because recent studies have shown they are non-toxic in reasonable concentrations (both in vitro and in vivo assays), inexpensive (a waste generated in the biorefinery, for example, from the bioethanol platform) and potentially biodegradable (by fungi and bacteria in nature). Promising studies have tested lignin nanoparticles for antioxidants, UV-protectants, heavy metal absorption, antimicrobials, drugs carriers, gene delivery systems, encapsulation of molecules, biocatalysts, supercapacitors, tissue engineering, hybrid nanocomposites, wound dressing, and others. These nanoparticles can be produced from distinct lignin types and by different chemical/physical/biological methods, which will result in varied characteristics for their morphology, shape, size, yield and stability. Therefore, taking into account that the theme "lignin nanoparticles" is a trending topic, this present review is emerging and has the discuss the current status, covering from concepts, the formation mechanism, synthesis methods and applications, to the future perspectives and challenges linked to lignin-based nanomaterials, aiming at the viability and commercialization of this biotechnological product., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Excess fluoride in water can produce changes in tooth enamel mineralization and lead to diseases such as dental or skeletal fluorosis. The present study aimed to assess the genotoxic effects, oxidative stress, and osteoblastic mineralization induced by fluorosilicic acid (FA) in murine bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs). BM-MSCs were isolated from the femurs and tibias of rats and cultured under standard conditions. Cells exposure occurred for 3, 7, 14, and 21 days to different concentrations of FA (0.6-9.6 mg/L). Cytotoxicity was observed in 14 and 21 days of exposure for all concentrations of FA (cell proliferation below 60%), and for 3 and 7 days, in which the proliferation was above 80%. Alkaline comet assay results demonstrated significant increased damage at concentrations of 0.3-2.4 mg/L, and the micronucleus test showed increased rates for micronucleus (1.2-2.4 mg/L) and nuclear buds (NBUDs) (0.3-2.4 mg/L) (P < 0.05/Dunnett's test). An alkaline comet assay modified by repair endonuclease (FPG) was used to detect oxidized nucleobases, which occurred at 0.6 mg/L. The oxidative stress was evaluated by lipid peroxidation (TBARS) and antioxidant activity (TAC). Only lipid peroxidation was increased at concentrations of 0.6 mg/L and 1.2 mg/L (P < 0.001/Tukey's test). The osteogenesis process determined the level of extracellular matrix mineralization. The mean concentration of Alizarin red increased significantly in 14 days at the 0.6 mg/L concentration group (P < 0.05/Tukey's test) compared to the control group, and a significant difference between the groups regarding the activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was observed. Unlike other studies, our results indicated that FA in BM-MSCs at concentrations used in drinking water induced genotoxicity, oxidative stress, and acceleration of bone mineralization., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

This study aimed to examine the antioxidant activity, total phenolic content, and phenolic profile of nine strains of Pleurotus spp. isolated in southern Brazil. Basidiomes were obtained from a solid-state culture in medium containing Pinus sp. sawdust (SCM-PSW), coffee grounds (CG), or organic grape waste (OGW). Mycelia were obtained from submerged culture-potato dextrose broth (MSC-PDB). Basidiomes had the highest total phenolic content (between 31.30 ± 0.26 and 47.00 ± 0.12 mg gallic acid equivalents [GAE]/g) compared with mycelia (between 8.15 ± 0.26 and 15.96 ± 0.82 mg GAE/g). Antioxidant activity of the basidiomes showed an IC50 value between 5.36 ± 0.27 (88F.13) and 10.68 ± 0.22 mg/mL (189H.3). Mushrooms produced in the OGW and CG media had higher total phenolic content than those from MSC, indicating that they can serve as sources of bioactive compounds on culture media. These findings show the potential of natural wastes to be used as a strategy for increasing secondary metabolites in edible mushrooms, proposing an interesting approach for the nutraceutical and pharmaceutical industries.

Schizophyllum commune VE&#95;07 was produced in different culture media containing pine sawdust (PS), grape residue (GR), cotton cake (CC) and jatropha seed cake (JC). The content of phenolics and antioxidant activity were determined for the substrates and mushrooms produced. The content of ß-glucans and the composition of S. commune were also evaluated. The medium formulated with 94% grape residue enabled the highest values of yield, biological efficiency, and productivity. Mushrooms grown in this condition showed the highest value (13.14%) of ß-glucans. The contents of proteins and dietary fibre were 16.59% and 59.61%, respectively. Mushrooms grown in cotton cake showed the highest phenolic content (291.51 ± 1.83 mg GAE/ 100 g mushroom) and antioxidant activity (58.15 ± 0.86 DPPH % scavenging). The results obtained indicate that substrate composition affected the production of S. commune and its chemical composition., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Penicillium echinulatum 2HH and Penicillium oxalicum 114-2 are well-known cellulase fungal producers. However, few studies addressing global mechanisms for gene regulation of these two important organisms are available so far. A recent finding that the 2HH wild-type is closely related to P. oxalicum leads to a combined study of these two species. Firstly, we provide a global gene regulatory network for P. echinulatum 2HH and P. oxalicum 114-2, based on TF-TG orthology relationships, considering three related species with well-known regulatory interactions combined with TFBSs prediction. The network was then analyzed in terms of topology, identifying TFs as hubs, and modules. Based on this approach, we explore numerous identified modules, such as the expression of cellulolytic and xylanolytic systems, where XlnR plays a key role in positive regulation of the xylanolytic system. It also regulates positively the cellulolytic system by acting indirectly through the cellodextrin induction system. This remarkable finding suggests that the XlnR-dependent cellulolytic and xylanolytic regulatory systems are probably conserved in both P. echinulatum and P. oxalicum . Finally, we explore the functional congruency on the genes clustered in terms of communities, where the genes related to cellular nitrogen, compound metabolic process and macromolecule metabolic process were the most abundant. Therefore, our approach allows us to confer a degree of accuracy regarding the existence of each inferred interaction., (Copyright © 2020 Lenz, Galán-Vásquez, Balbinot, de Abreu, Souza de Oliveira, da Rosa, de Avila e Silva, Camassola, Dillon and Perez-Rueda.)

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of diet supplementations on biochemical, hematological, and redox metabolism parameters in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats. Healthy male Wistar rats and streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats were provided diets supplemented with 20% of Pinus sp. sawdust or Pycnoporus sanguineus mycelium for 4 weeks. Diabetic rats treated with both Pinus sp. sawdust- and P. sanguineus mycelium-supplemented diets presented a significant decrease in non-HDL cholesterol of 38.43% and 33.53% and triglycerides of 70.03% and 69.81%, respectively, compared to diabetic control. As far as we know, this is the first report of a significant decrease in serum lipids attributed to these supplementations. Even though with the alterations in hematological and redox metabolism parameters related to these diet treatments, our data suggest that Pinus sp. sawdust and Pycnoporus sanguineus mycelium could be a useful a diet supplement to control diabetic dyslipidemia in animals. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Pinus sp. sawdust is a residue from the wood industry that can be reused as a substrate to cultivate Pycnoporus sanguineus mycelium. Both species have specific and rich natural compounds. The results of the present study surprisingly showed that diets supplemented with the isolated substrate (Pinus sp. sawdust) and Pycnoporus sanguineus mycelium significantly decrease non-HDL cholesterol and triglycerides in induced diabetic animal model. These new natural approaches can be interesting to develop a nutraceutical to treat dyslipidemia., (© 2020 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

The aim of this study was to investigate whether co-culture of human islets with adipose-derived stem cells (ASCs) can improve islet quality and to evaluate which factors play a role in the protective effect of ASCs against islet dysfunction. Islets and ASCs were cultured in three experimental groups for 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h: 1) indirect co-culture of islets with ASC monolayer (Islets/ASCs); 2) islets alone; and 3) ASCs alone. Co-culture with ASCs improved islet viability and function in all culture time-points analyzed. VEGFA, HGF, IL6, IL8, IL10, CCL2, IL1B, and TNF protein levels were increased in supernatants of islet/ASC group compared to islets alone, mainly after 24 h. Moreover, VEGFA, IL6, CCL2, HIF1A, XIAP, CHOP, and NFKBIA genes were differentially expressed in islets from the co-culture condition compared to islets alone. In conclusion, co-culture of islets with ASCs promotes improvements in islet quality., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare no competing interests., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Cell therapy and tissue engineering have been intensively researched for repair of articular cartilage. In this study, we investigated the chondrogenic potential of canine adipose-derived mesenchymal stromal cells (ASCs) combined to high molecular weight hyaluronic acid (HA) in vitro, and their therapeutic effect in dogs with chronic osteoarthritis (OA) associated with bilateral hip dysplasia. Canine ASCs were characterized after conventional 2D culture or 3D culture in HA, showing adequate immunophenotype, proliferation and trilineage differentiation, as well as chondrogenesis after cultivation in HA. ASC/HA constructs were used to treat 12 dogs with OA, sequentially assigned to control, ASC and ASC/HA groups. Animals were examined for clinical, orthopedic and radiological parameters. Lameness at walk and pain on manipulation were reduced in the ASC group and mainly in the ASC/HA group. Range of motion and detection of crepitus on hip rotation and abduction improved similarly in all groups. For articular edema, muscle atrophy, Norberg angle values and radiographic analyses, there were no variations throughout the period. These results indicate that ASC/HA constructs are safe and may be an effective therapeutic tool in treating canine chronic osteoarthritis, which should be confirmed with larger studies and additional clinical parameters.

Agaricus blazei, Auricularia fuscosuccinea and Pleurotus albidus mycelia were obtained in solid-state cultivation (SSC), using grains (brown rice, canjica corn and wheat) as raw material. Colonized grain flours were analysed for their nutritional, physical and physico-chemical characteristics and biological activity in vitro. Wheat flour with P. albidus showed higher values for protein (18.34 g/100 g), ergosterol (0.60 mg/g), mycelial biomass (183 mg/g) and total amino acids (58.34 mg/g). Corn flour with A. fuscosuccinea showed the highest total phenolic content (2.38 mg GAE/g), antioxidant activity in the 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) (8.90 μmol TEAC/g) and 2,2'-Azino-bis (3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) (16.52 μmol TEAC/g) assay. Wheat flour with P. albidus were more effective at inhibiting of pancreatic lipase (74.5%) and of α-glucosidase (98.2%). In conclusion, grains colonized by macrofungi mycelia through SSC can enrich the nutritional value and the biological activity of the flours, which presents a potential for functional foods., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Currently, titanium and its alloys are the most used materials for biomedical applications. However, because of the high costs of these metals, new materials, such as niobium, have been researched. Niobium appears as a promising material due to its biocompatibility, and excellent corrosion resistance. In this work, anodized niobium samples were produced and characterized. Their capacity to support the osteogenic differentiation of bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) was also tested. The anodized niobium samples were characterized by SEM, profilometry, XPS, and wettability. BM-MSCs were cultured on the samples during 14 days, and tested for cell adhesion, metabolic activity, alkaline phosphatase activity, and mineralization. Results demonstrated that anodization promotes the formation of a hydrophilic nanoporous oxide layer on the Nb surface, which can contribute to the increase in the metabolic activity, and in osteogenic differentiation of BM-MSCs, as well as to the extracellular matrix mineralization.

Aim: The aim of this study was to develop an experimental adhesive resin with nanoneedle-like zinc oxide (N-ZnO), an inorganic filler, that could avoid particle agglomeration and lead to a homogeneous stress distribution within the material and characterize it., Materials and Methods: N-ZnO particles obtained by a thermal evaporation technique were characterized regarding size and surface area and added at 0 (control), 1, 2, 5, and 10 wt%, to an experimental adhesive resin. The following experimental adhesive resins' properties were assessed: radiopacity, contact angle to conditioned enamel and dentin, color, degree of conversion, flexural strength, resistance to degradation, and cytotoxicity. Statistical analysis was performed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey's post hoc test and paired Student's t-test., Results: Particles presented a mean particle size of 40 nm and a specific surface area of 16 m 2 /g. N-ZnO 10% showed an increased radiopacity when compared to N-ZnO 0% . Contact angles were significantly higher for N-ZnO 10% at enamel and N-ZnO 2% , N-ZnO 5% , and N-ZnO 10% at dentin. All groups showed color change when compared to N-ZnO 0% . Higher the N-ZnO concentration, lower the degree of conversion. There were no significant differences between the groups for flexural strength and resistance to degradation. The addition of N-ZnO showed no difference in cytotoxicity when compared to positive control, N-ZnO 0% , and all groups showed higher values than negative control., Conclusions: N-ZnO possibly exceeded potential limitations due to particles' agglomeration and improved the transference and distribution of stress within the material. It could be effectively used as a filler for adhesive resins., Competing Interests: None

The combination of hydrothermal pretreatment followed by delignification with imidazole was evaluated for the first time as a potential selective two-stage fractionation for elephant grass, aiming at obtaining pure fractions susceptible to conversion to high value-added products. In addition, the recovery of cellulose and hemicelluloses and enzymatic hydrolysis yield of pretreated elephant grass were evaluated. Hydrothermal pretreatment at 180 °C under non-isothermal conditions allowed obtaining a liquor rich mainly in xylo- and glucooligosaccharides, as well as pentoses. Subsequent treatment of the recovered solid fraction with imidazole at 140 °C for 182.5 min resulted in 83.8 wt% delignification and cellulose enrichment of 97.7 wt%. The solids obtained from the two-stage pretreatment process also permitted high glucan to glucose conversion through enzymatic hydrolysis using Cellic CTec2 (99.0 mol%) or an enzymatic complex of Penicillium echinulatum (96.3 mol%)., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Testing different pHs, dissolved oxygen concentrations and temperatures, plus the addition of inducers, to optimize ligninolytic enzyme activity, resulted in increased production of laccases, total peroxidases and manganese peroxidases on the order of 2.1-fold, 4.6-fold and 10-fold, respectively; laccases reached 6588 U/mL, total peroxidases reached 3533 U/mL and manganese peroxidase achieved 60 U/mL. Furthermore, an increase in laccase volumetric productivity and in its specific activity was verified. The addition of inducers, such as copper sulphate and manganese sulphate, improved enzymatic activity. In addition, a new previously unidentified laccase isoform was documented by zymography. The present work successfully increased the production of ligninolytic enzymes., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

The present study evaluated 13 strains of yeast for ethanol and xylitol production from xylose. Among them, Spathaspora hagerdaliae UFMG-CM-Y303 produced ethanol yields (Y P/S ) of 0.25 g g - 1 and 0.39 g g - 1 under aerobic and microaerophilic conditions, respectively, from a mixture of glucose and xylose in flasks. A pH of 5.0 and an inoculum of 3.0 × 10 8 cells mL - 1 r resulted in the highest ethanol yields. These conditions were tested in a bioreactor for fermenting a medium containing an enzymatic hydrolysate of sugarcane bagasse with 15.5 g L - 1 of glucose and 3 g L - 1 of xylose, and achieved a Y P/S of 0.47 g g - 1 , in relation to total available sugar. These results suggest that S. hagerdaliae UFMG-CM-Y303 has potential for use in second-generation ethanol studies.

Calcitriol, the bioactive hormone of vitamin D, is currently linked to several diseases, such as obesity and gain of adipose mass, due to its liposolubility and, consequently, its sequestration by adipocytes. As rates of obesity continue to increase, research on the biology of weight gain should be encouraged. This study evaluated the effects of calcitriol combined with CaCl 2 on adipose tissue-derived human mesenchymal stem cells. We evaluated the cytotoxicity of the combination by MTT assays, in which undifferentiated cells and cells undergoing adipogenic differentiation were tested for 7 and 14 days. The results demonstrated that the combination of calcitriol at the IC 50 and CaCl 2 at the IC 20 was effective at reducing the viability of mesenchymal stem cells, but with the progression of cell differentiation towards adipocytes, cell resistance to the cytotoxic effects increased. The percentages of dead cells were 88.29, 57.45 and 28.81% for undifferentiated cells and cells exposed to differentiation medium for 7 and 14 days, respectively. Undifferentiated cells were evaluated for apoptosis in response to the same combination using Annexin V assays, and a possible onset of programmed cell death in undifferentiated cells was detected. Additionally, the combination of the compounds altered the membrane permeability of undifferentiated cells by 16 percentage points and induced cell cycle arrest in S phase due to the accumulation of damage. An evaluation of gene expression revealed the overexpression of the GADD45 and ATM genes and the underexpression of the P21, P53, ATR, BCL-2, EIF2 AK3, IGF1R, DNAse-2, ATF, MAP3K4, ENGO-G, CASP3, CASP7 and CASP8 genes. Our results provide valuable insights into the biology of obesity and may contribute to the development of new anti-obesity therapies focusing on the inhibition of adipose tissue mesenchymal stem cell hyperplasia and adipogenic differentiation., (Copyright © 2018 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Pretreatment of lignocellulosic biomass with ionic liquids (ILs) has been extensively studied, being regarded as one of the most promising methods for obtaining fermentable sugars. In this research, it was investigated the production of ethanol from sugars released from sugarcane bagasse pretreated with the ionic liquids [C 4 mim][OAc] and [C 2 mim][OAc], hydrolysed with Penicillium echinulatum enzymes and using Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schizosaccharomyces pombe. Yields of about 43 and 56% of ethanol were observed for S. cerevisiae and biomass pretreated with [C 2 mim][OAc] and [C 4 mim][OAc], respectively. S. pombe yielded 52 and 78% ethanol for [C 2 mim][OAc] and [C 4 mim][OAc], respectively. These results indicate that S. pombe showed best performance for alcoholic fermentation from sugars released from pretreated biomass by ILs.

Mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (MSCs) are multipotent cells distributed in all tissues and characterized by adherence, morphology, immunophenotype and trilineage differentiation potential. The present study aimed to isolate and characterize adherent MSC-like populations from different tissues of Ctenomys minutus, a threatened wildlife rodent popularly known as tuco-tuco. Adherent cells were isolated from bone marrow, brain, liver, pancreas and adipose tissue of three adult animals collect in southern Brazil. Cultures showed typical morphology and proliferation potential. Adipose-derived MSCs showed trilineage potential. Cultures derived from adipose tissue, bone marrow and brain were immunophenotyped with negative results for CD31, CD44, CD45, CD106, and MHC class II, as well as strong positive results for CD29. Low fluorescence levels were seen for CD49d, CD90.2 and CD117. Cultures were negative for CD49e, except for brain-derived cultures that were weakly positive. CD11b was negative in adipose-derived MSCs, but positive in brain and bone marrow-derived cultures. The scratch assay showed high migration potential for pancreas and adipose tissue-derived cells. This study represents the first report of isolation and characterization of cultures having characteristics of MSCs from Ctenomys minutus. The collection of biological information for biobanks represents an important contribution to the creation of strategies for prevention of loss of genetic diversity.

The potential to produce ethanol and xylitol from xylose by the macro basidiomycete Trametes membranacea was evaluated. All strains studied showed ethanol and xylitol production. The highest ethanol production of xylose was obtained by T. membranacea strain TM158/10 with 5.65 ± 0.21 g/L at pH 4 and 28 °C with 288 h of fermentation and 5.59 ± 0.05 g/L ethanol concentration at pH 5 and 24 °C with 360 h of fermentation. When the conversion was carried out using sugars generated from enzymatic hydrolysis of sugarcane bagasse, there were higher yields from 74 to 15% for ethanol and xylitol, respectively. Although the ethanol and xylitol production need to be optimized, this study showed for the first time the possibility of using T. membranacea for the simultaneous xylitol and ethanol production from pentose sugars, allowing for the possibility of using all released sugars during the hydrolysis of lignocelluloses.

Hyperglycaemia exacerbates the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), contributing to the multiple complications associated with diabetes. Mitochondrial dysfunction is also known to be associated with diabetes. Therefore, the aim of this work was to study the effect of Pleurotus albidus extract on the mitochondrial dysfunction induced by hyperglycaemia in EA.hy926 endothelial cells. The results showed that P. albidus treatment prevented the increase in the activity of complex I of the electron transport chain and minimized the ROS production induced by hyperglycaemia. In addition, the extract minimized oxidative damage to lipids and proteins, caused an imbalance in the antioxidant enzyme activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase, and decreased the nitric oxide levels induced by hyperglycaemia. These data contribute to our understanding of the mitochondrial disorder induced by hyperglycaemia as well as establishing the conditions required to minimize these alterations.

In this work, copolymers based on cashew gum (CG) grafted with polyacrylamide (PAM) were synthesized by microwave- and ultrasound-assisted methods, using potassium persulfate as an initiator in aqueous medium. The graft copolymers were characterized by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analysis. The efficiency of the graft copolymers (CG-g-PAM) in flocculation of a kaolin suspension was studied. Results indicated that the graft copolymers synthesized by ultrasound energy had better flocculation properties than the ones synthesized by the microwave-assisted method. The biodegradability of the graft copolymers was tested by inoculation with the basidiomycete Trametes villosa in liquid medium. The higher formation of biomass than that observed with the commercial flocculant Flonex-9045 indicated that the graft copolymer was accessible to enzymatic attack., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Elephant grass was subjected to steam explosion to enhance cellulose accessibility and convert it into ethanol. After catalyzed pretreatment at 190 °C for 5 min, enzymatic hydrolysis was carried out using high rate of solid loading combined with different enzyme dosages. Assays employing 20% (w/v) solids loading and an enzyme dosage of 20 FPU g -1 substrate led to a yield of 86.02 g glucose released per 100 g potential glucose in the water insoluble solids. This condition was selected to carry out the simultaneous saccharification and fermentation procedure through S. cerevisiae CAT-1, producing 42.25 g L -1 ethanol with a yield of 74.57% regard to the maximum theoretical. The liquor containing C5 and C6-sugars was successfully converted into lactic acid using L. buchneri NRRL B-30929, resulting in 13.35 g L -1 with a yield of 68.21% in relation to the maximum theoretical., (Copyright © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)