In Vitro Protective Effect of Pea-Derived Peptides (PPs) via the Keap1/Nrf2 Signaling Pathway on Alpha-Gliadin-Sensitizing Peptide Induced Cacao-2 Cells.

SCOPE: Celiac disease (CD) is an allergic intestinal disease caused mainly by gliadin in wheat, which is widespread in the population and currently lacks effective treatment. α-Gliadin peptides cause cellular damage by substantially increasing cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. METHODS AND RESULTS: This study investigates the protective effect of 11 pea-derived peptides (PPs) on ɑ-gliadin peptide (P31-43) treated Caco-2 cells. Results show that cells treated with PP2, PP5, and PP6 peptides significantly reduce the cell mortality caused by P31-43. Three PPs significantly reduce the P31-43-induced decrease in ROS levels to control levels, and there is no difference between them and the vitamin C (Vc) group. The results in terms of antioxidant-related enzymes show that PPs significantly decrease superoxide dismutase activity (SOD), glutathione reductases (GR), and glutathione (GSH)/oxidized glutathione (GSSG) levels, thus significantly enhancing the antioxidant level of cells. By studying the key proteins of the Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1)/NF-E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway, it is found that PPs activate the Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathway. CONCLUSION: The study finds that peptides from peas can effectively alleviate ɑ-gliadin peptide-induced cell damage. The discovery of these food-derived peptides provides novel potential solutions for the prevention and treatment of CD.

Evaluation of elevated serum liver enzymes and metabolic syndrome in the PERSIAN Guilan cohort study population.

Objective: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the association between elevated serum liver enzymes and Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) in Prospective Epidemiological Research Studies of the Iranian Adults (PERSIAN) Guilan Cohort Study (PGCS) population. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 10,519 individuals between the ages of 35 and 70 enrolled in the PGCS. The gathered data encompassed demographic information, anthropometric measurements, blood pressure, and biochemical indicators. MetS was defined by the National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel III criteria (NCEP-ATP III). The associations between elevated liver enzymes and MetS were examined using logistic regression analysis. Odds ratio (OR) and 95 % confidence interval (CI) were calculated. Results: The prevalence of MetS was 41.8 %, and the prevalence of elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were 19.4, 4.6, 11.6, and 5.1 %, respectively. In the unadjusted model, elevated ALT, AST, and GGT were associated with increased odds of MetS (OR = 1.55, 95 % CI: 1.41-1.71; OR = 1.29, 95 % CI: 1.07-1.55, and OR = 1.90, 95 % CI: 1.69-2.14, respectively). These associations remained significant for ALT and GGT after adjustment for some demographic and clinical characteristics (aOR = 1.31, 95 % CI: 1.17-1.46 and aOR = 1.30, 95 % CI: 1.14-1.49, respectively). In addition, the odds of MetS increased with the number of elevated liver enzymes, up to almost 1.32-fold among subjects with three/four elevated liver enzymes. Conclusion: The higher incidence of elevated liver enzymes was associated with an increased likelihood of MetS. Including liver markers in diagnosing and predicting MetS holds promise and is considered a possible approach.

Recent advances in virulence of a broad host range plant pathogen Sclerotinia sclerotiorum: a mini-review.

Sclerotinia sclerotiorum is a typical necrotrophic plant pathogenic fungus, which has a wide host range and can cause a variety of diseases, leading to serious loss of agricultural production around the world. It is difficult to control and completely eliminate the characteristics, chemical control methods is not ideal. Therefore, it is very important to know the pathogenic mechanism of S. sclerotiorum for improving host living environment, relieving agricultural pressure and promoting economic development. In this paper, the life cycle of S. sclerotiorum is introduced to understand the whole process of S. sclerotiorum infection. Through the analysis of the pathogenic mechanism, this paper summarized the reported content, mainly focused on the oxalic acid, cell wall degrading enzyme and effector protein in the process of infection and its mechanism. Besides, recent studies reported virulence-related genes in S. sclerotiorum have been summarized in the paper. According to analysis, those genes were related to the growth and development of the hypha and appressorium, the signaling and regulatory factors of S. sclerotiorum and so on, to further influence the ability to infect the host critically. The application of host-induced gene silencing (HIGS)is considered as a potential effective tool to control various fungi in crops, which provides an important reference for the study of pathogenesis and green control of S. sclerotiorum.

Pnictogen-Bonding Enzymes.

The objective of this study was to create artificial enzymes that capitalize on pnictogen bonding, a s-hole interaction that is essentially absent in biocatalysis.  For this purpose, stibine catalysts were equipped with a biotin derivative and combined with streptavidin mutants to identify an efficient transfer hydrogenation catalyst for the reduction of a fluorogenic quinoline substrate.  Increased catalytic activity from wild-type streptavidin to the best mutants coincides with the depth of the s hole on the Sb(V) center, and the emergence of saturation kinetic behavior.  Michaelis-Menten analysis reveals transition-state recognition in the low micromolar range, more than three orders of magnitude stronger than the millimolar substrate recognition.  Carboxylates preferred by the best mutants contribute to transition-state recognition by hydrogen-bonded ion pairing and anion-π interactions with the emerging pyridinium product.  The emergence of challenging stereoselectivity in aqueous systems further emphasizes compatibility of pnictogen bonding with higher order systems catalysis.

Impact of Fruit and Vegetable Enzyme Supplementation on Aerobic Performance and Lactate Response in Older Adults Following High-Intensity Interval Exercise Through Exergaming: Randomized Experimental Matched-Pair Study.

Background: Exercise offers substantial health benefits but can induce oxidative stress and inflammation, especially in high-intensity formats such as high-intensity interval exercise (HIIE). Exergaming has become an effective, enjoyable fitness tool for all ages, particularly older adults. Enzyme supplements may enhance exercise performance by improving lactate metabolism and reducing oxidative stress. Objective: This study investigates the efficacy of fruit and vegetable enzyme supplementation in modulating fatigue and enhancing aerobic capacity in older adults following HIIE through exergaming. Methods: The study recruited 16 older adult female participants and allocated them into 2 distinct groups (enzyme and placebo) based on their pretest lactate levels. This division used pairwise grouping to guarantee comparability between the groups, ensuring the integrity of the results. They engaged in HIIE using Nintendo Switch Ring Fit Adventure, performing 8 sets of 20 seconds of maximum effort exercise interspersed with 30 seconds of rest, totaling 370 seconds of exercise. Key metrics assessed included blood lactate levels, heart rate, rating of perceived exertion, and training impulse. Participants in the enzyme group were administered a fruit and vegetable enzyme supplement at a dosage of 30 mL twice daily over a period of 14 days. Results: The enzyme group showed significantly lower blood lactate levels compared to the placebo group, notably after the fourth (mean 4.29, SD 0.67 vs mean 6.34, SD 1.17 mmol/L; P=.001) and eighth (mean 5.84, SD 0.63 vs mean 8.20, SD 1.15 mmol/L; P<.001) exercise sessions. This trend continued at 5 minutes (mean 6.85, SD 0.82 vs mean 8.60, SD 1.13 mmol/L; P=.003) and 10 minutes (mean 5.91, SD 1.16 vs mean 8.21, SD 1.27 mmol/L; P=.002) after exercise. Although both groups exceeded 85% of their estimated maximum heart rate during the exercise, enzyme supplementation did not markedly affect the perceived intensity or effort. Conclusions: The study indicates that fruit and vegetable enzyme supplementation can significantly reduce blood lactate levels in older adults following HIIE through exergaming. This suggests a potential role for these enzymes in modulating lactate production or clearance during and after high-intensity exercise. These findings have implications for developing targeted interventions to enhance exercise tolerance and recovery in older adults.

CRISPR-based electrochemical biosensors: an alternative for point-of-care diagnostics?

The combination of CRISPR technology and electrochemical sensors has sparked a paradigm shift in the landscape of point-of-care (POC) diagnostics. This review explores the dynamic convergence between CRISPR and electrochemical sensing, elucidating their roles in rapid and precise biosensing platforms. CRISPR, renowned for its remarkable precision in genome editing and programmability capability, has found a novel application in conjunction with electrochemical sensors, promising highly sensitive and specific detection of nucleic acids and biomarkers associated with diverse diseases. This article navigates through fundamental principles, research developments, and applications of CRISPR-based electrochemical sensors, highlighting their potential to revolutionize healthcare accessibility and patient outcomes. In addition, some key points and challenges regarding applying CRISPR-powered electrochemical sensors in real POC settings are presented. By discussing recent advancements and challenges in this interdisciplinary field, this review evaluates the potential of these innovative sensors as an alternative for decentralized, rapid, and accurate POC testing, offering some insights into their applications across clinical scenarios and their impact on the future of diagnostics.

Impact of non-thermal techniques on enzyme modifications for their applications in food.

The present review elaborates on the details of the enzyme, its structure, specificity, and the mechanism of action of selected enzymes as well as structural changes and loss or gain of activity after non-thermal treatments for food-based applications. Enzymes are biological catalysts found in various systems such as plants, animals, and microorganisms. Most of the enzymes have their optimum pH, temperature, and substrate or group of substrates. The conformational modification of enzymes either increases or decreases the rate of reaction at different pH, and temperature conditions. Enzymes are modified by different techniques to enhance the activity of enzymes for their commercial applications mainly due to the high cost of enzymes, stability, and difficulties that occur during the use of enzymes in different conditions. On the opposite, enzyme inactivation provides its application to extend the shelf life of fruits and vegetables by denaturation and partial inactivation of enzymes. Hence, the activation and inactivation of enzymes are studied by non-thermal techniques in both the model and the food system. The highly reactive species generated during non-thermal techniques cause chemical and structural modification. The enzyme modifications depend on the type and source of the enzyme, type of technique, and the parameters used.

Materials Containing Single-, Di-, Tri-, and Multi-Metal Atoms Bonded to C, N, S, P, B, and O Species as Advanced Catalysts for Energy, Sensor, and Biomedical Applications.

Modifying the coordination or local environments of single-, di-, tri-, and multi-metal atom (SMA/DMA/TMA/MMA)-based materials is one of the best strategies for increasing the catalytic activities, selectivity, and long-term durability of these materials. Advanced sheet materials supported by metal atom-based materials have become a critical topic in the fields of renewable energy conversion systems, storage devices, sensors, and biomedicine owing to the maximum atom utilization efficiency, precisely located metal centers, specific electron configurations, unique reactivity, and precise chemical tunability. Several sheet materials offer excellent support for metal atom-based materials and are attractive for applications in energy, sensors, and medical research, such as in oxygen reduction, oxygen production, hydrogen generation, fuel production, selective chemical detection, and enzymatic reactions. The strong metal-metal and metal-carbon with metal-heteroatom (i.e., N, S, P, B, and O) bonds stabilize and optimize the electronic structures of the metal atoms due to strong interfacial interactions, yielding excellent catalytic activities. These materials provide excellent models for understanding the fundamental problems with multistep chemical reactions. This review summarizes the substrate structure-activity relationship of metal atom-based materials with different active sites based on experimental and theoretical data. Additionally, the new synthesis procedures, physicochemical characterizations, and energy and biomedical applications are discussed. Finally, the remaining challenges in developing efficient SMA/DMA/TMA/MMA-based materials are presented.

Photoelectrochemical Solution Gated Graphene Field-Effect Transistor Functionalized by Enzymatic Cascade Reaction for Organophosphate Detection.

Solution Gated Graphene Field-Effect Transistors (SGGT) are eagerly anticipated as an amplification platform for fabricating advanced ultra-sensitive sensors, allowing significant modulation of the drain current with minimal gate voltage. However, few studies have focused on light-matter interplay gating control for SGGT. Herein, this challenge is addressed by creating an innovative photoelectrochemical solution-gated graphene field-effect transistor (PEC-SGGT) functionalized with enzyme cascade reactions (ECR) for Organophosphorus (OPs) detection. The ECR system, consisting of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) and CuBTC nanomimetic enzymes, selectively recognizes OPs and forms o-phenylenediamine (oPD) oligomers sediment on the PEC electrode, with layer thickness related to the OPs concentration, demonstrating time-integrated amplification. Under light stimulation, the additional photovoltage generated on the PEC gate electrode is influenced by the oPD oligomers sediment layer, creating a differentiated voltage distribution along the gate path. PEC-SGGT, inherently equipped with built-in amplification circuits, sensitively captures gate voltage changes and delivers output with an impressive thousandfold current gain. The seamless integration of these three amplification modes in this advanced sensor allows a good linear range and highly sensitive detection of OPs, with a detection limit as low as 0.05 pm. This work provides a proof-of-concept for the feasibility of light-assisted functionalized gate-controlled PEC-SGGT for small molecule detection.

Sources and control of impurity during one-pot enzymatic production of dehydroepiandrosterone.

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) has a promising market due to its capacity to regulate human hormone levels as well as preventing and treating various diseases. We have established a chemical esterification coupled biocatalytic-based scheme by lipase-catalyzed 4-androstene-3,17-dione (4-AD) hydrolysis to obtain the intermediate product 5-androstene-3,17-dione (5-AD), which was then asymmetrically reduced by a ketoreductase from Sphingomonas wittichii (SwiKR). Co-enzyme required for KR is regenerated by a glucose dehydrogenase (GDH) from Bacillus subtilis. This scheme is more environmentally friendly and more efficient than the current DHEA synthesis pathway. However, a significant amount of 4-AD as by-product was detected during the catalytic process. Focused on the control of by-products, we investigated the source of 4-AD and identified that it is mainly derived from the isomerization activity of SwiKR and GDH. Increasing the proportion of glucose in the catalytic system as well as optimizing the catalytic conditions drastically reduced 4-AD from 24.7 to 6.5% of total substrate amount, and the final yield of DHEA achieved 40.1 g/L. Furthermore, this is the first time that both SwiKR and GDH have been proved to be promiscuous enzymes with dehydrogenase and ketosteroid isomerase (KSI) activities, expanding knowledge of the substrate diversity of the short-chain dehydrogenase family enzymes. KEY POINTS: • A strategy of coupling lipase, ketoreductase, and glucose dehydrogenase in producing DHEA from 4-AD • Both SwiKR and GDH are identified with ketosteroid isomerase activity. • Development of catalytic strategy to control by-product and achieve highly selective DHEA production.

Potential of Liver Serum Enzymes and SUVmax in Primary Tumors as Predictive Biomarkers With Correlational Evidence.

Introduction Cancer exerts a substantial influence on the body's metabolism through varied mechanisms, instigating a metabolic reprogramming that maintains the unchecked growth and survival of cancer cells, consequently perturbing diverse metabolic parameters. The introduction of positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET/CT), delivering detailed insights into both metabolic and morphological aspects, has brought about a revolutionary shift in modern cancer detection. Exploring the potential connection between PET-CT metabolic features and the metabolic parameters of liver enzymes in an individual can unveil novel avenues for cancer diagnosis and prognosis. Materials and methods This study conducted a retrospective analysis of patient records from our institution, covering the period from January 2021 to September 2023, focusing on individuals with various malignancies. The data included information on gender, age, clinical history, and liver serum parameters, which were compiled into tables. Additionally, inflammatory indicators such as ALT (alanine transaminase), ALP (alkaline phosphatase), total protein (TP), ALT/AST ratio, and SUVmax were collected and plotted. The study used Pearson correlation analysis to assess the relationship between each inflammatory variable and SUV (max) as determined by PET-CT. Results In breast cancer, there was a statistically significant positive correlation (R2=0.0651) between serum ALP levels and SUVmax as determined by regression analysis. Hodgkin lymphoma, on the other hand, showed a statistically significant negative correlation between the ALT-to-AST ratio (ALT/AST) and SUVmax (r = -0.45, R2 = 0.204). In non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients, total protein (TP) was negatively correlated with SUVmax (R2=-0.081, r= -0.28), while in lung cancer patients, there was a significant positive correlation with regression correlation coefficients (R2 = 0.026, 0.024, 0.024, and 0.018 for ALT/AST, TP, ALP, albumin, and ALT, respectively). Conclusion Aligning with these results, it can be a recent addition to acknowledge that both the tumor metabolic parameter (SUVmax) and the levels of liver serum enzymes exhibit a potential for predicting patient prognosis in various cancers.

Sex-specific modulation of renal epigenetic and injury markers in aging kidney.

Sex differences in renal physiology and pathophysiology are well established in rodent models and humans. While renal epigenetics play a crucial role in injury, the impact of biological sex on aging kidney epigenome is less known, as most of the studies are from male rodents. We sought to determine the influence of sex and age on kidney epigenetic and injury markers, using male and female mice at 4-month (4M; young), 12-month (12M), and 24-month (24M; aged) of age. Females exhibited a significant increase in kidney and body weight and serum creatinine and decreased serum albumin levels from ages 4M to 24M, whereas minor changes were observed in male mice. Males exhibited higher levels of circulating histone 3 (H3; damage-associated molecular pattern molecules) compared with age-matched females. Kidney injury molecule-1 levels increased in serum and renal tissues from 12M to 24M in both sexes. Overall, females had markedly high histone acetyltransferase activity than age-matched males. Aged females had substantially decreased H3 methylation at lysine 9 and 27 and histone methyltransferase activity compared to aged males. Klotho levels were significantly higher in young males than females and decreased with age in males, whereas epigenetic repressor of Klotho, H3K27me3 and its enzyme, EZH2 augmented with age in both sexes. Proinflammatory NF-κB (p65) signaling increased with age in both sexes. Taken together, our data suggest that renal aging may lie in a range between normal and diseased kidneys, but differ between female and male mice, highlighting sex-specific regulation of renal epigenome in aging.

Effects of Thymbra spicata extract and Thymol on morphine withdrawal syndrome in mice (insights to the liver function, antioxidant, and behavioral responses).

Safe chemicals for drug withdrawal can be extracted from natural sources. This study investigates the effects of clonidine and Thymbra spicata extract (TSE) on mice suffering from morphine withdrawal syndrome. Thymol, which is the active constituent in TSE, was also tested. A total of 90 mice were divided into nine groups. Group 1 was the control group, while Group 2 was given only morphine, and Group 3 received morphine and 0.2 mg/kg of clonidine. Groups 4-6 were given morphine along with 100, 200, and 300 mg/kg of TSE, respectively. Groups 7-9 received morphine plus 30, 60, and 90 mg/kg of Thymol, respectively, for 7 days. An oral naloxone challenge of 3 mg/kg was used to induce withdrawal syndrome in all groups. Improvement of liver enzyme levels (aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and alanine transaminase) (p < .01) and behavioral responses (frequencies of jumping, frequencies of two-legged standing, Straub tail reaction) (p < .01) were significantly observed in the groups receiving TSE and Thymol (Groups 4-9) compared to Group 2. Additionally, antioxidant activity in these groups was improved compared to Group 2. Nitric oxide significantly decreased in Groups 4 and 6 compared to Groups 2 and 3 (p < .01). Superoxide dismutase increased dramatically in Groups 5, 8, and 9 compared to Groups 2 and 3 (p < .01). Groups 5-9 were significantly different from Group 2 in terms of malondialdehyde levels (p < .01). Certain doses of TSE and Thymol were found to alleviate the narcotics withdrawal symptoms. This similar effect to clonidine can pave the way for their administration in humans.

Lovastatin Combination Therapy Increases the Survival and Proliferation of Rat Bone Marrow-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Against the Inflammatory Activity of Lipopolysaccharide.

Oxidative stress hurts the survival of transplanted mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs). Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) preconditioning inhibits apoptotic death in MSCs. Also, Lovastatin's protective effect was reported on MSCs. Here, we investigated the potential of LPS and Lovastatin combination therapy on the survival and proliferation of MSCs. MSCs harvested from adult rats (240-260 g) femur and tibia bone marrow. Third passage MSCs were divided into 6 groups control group, LPS, LPS + Lovastatin (10 and 15 µM), and Lovastatin (10 and 15 µM). Cell survival and proliferation were assessed using an MTT assay 24 h after LPS, Lovastatin, or LPS + Lovastatin treatment. Also, Malondialdehyde (MDA) as a lipid peroxidation marker and antioxidant enzymes such as Glutathione peroxidase (GPX) and Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity levels evaluated. Finally, the expression level of tumor protein P53 (P53) and octamer-binding transcription factor 4 (OCT4) genes were measured by qRT-PCR test. Lovastatin 10 µM potentiated proliferation and survival of MSCs. It can increase the activity of GPX and SOD. 10 µM Lovastatin could not affect MDA amounts but decreased the expression levels of P53 and Oct4 significantly. Nevertheless, treatment with LPS reduced the survival and proliferation of MSCs, along with a significant reduction in GPX activity. LPS + Lovastatin could increase SOD activity, however, GPX enzyme activity and MSCs proliferation did not change so, and it was not effective. We propose Lovastatin at the dose of 10 µM as a suitable combination agent to increase the survival and proliferation of MSCs in oxidative stress conditions.

Selective Oxidation of Vitamin D3 Enhanced by Long-Range Effects of a Substrate Channel Mutation in Cytochrome P450BM3 (CYP102A1).

Vitamin D deficiency affects nearly half the population, with many requiring or opting for supplements with vitamin D3(VD3), the precursor of vitamin D (1α,25-dihydroxyVD3). 25-HydroxyVD3, the circulating form of vitamin D, is a more effective supplement than VD3 but its synthesis is complex. We report here the engineering of cytochrome P450BM3(CYP102A1) for the selective oxidation of VD3 to 25-hydroxyVD3. Long-range effects of the substrate-channel mutation Glu435Ile promoted binding of the VD3 side chain close to the heme, enhancing VD3 oxidation activity that reached 6.62 g of 25-hydroxyVD3 isolated from a 1-litre scale reaction (69.1% yield; space-time-yield 331 mg/L/h).

Translational impacts of enzymes that modify ribosomal RNA around the peptidyl transferase centre.

Large ribosomal RNAs (rRNAs) are modified heavily post-transcriptionally in functionally important regions but, paradoxically, individual knockouts (KOs) of the modification enzymes have minimal impact on Escherichia coli growth. Furthermore, we recently constructed a strain with combined KOs of five modification enzymes (RluC, RlmKL, RlmN, RlmM and RluE) of the 'critical region' of the peptidyl transferase centre (PTC) in 23S rRNA that exhibited only a minor growth defect at 37°C (although major at 20°C). However, our combined KO of modification enzymes RluC and RlmE (not RluE) resulted in conditional lethality (at 20°C). Although the growth rates for both multiple-KO strains were characterized, the molecular explanations for such deficits remain unclear. Here, we pinpoint biochemical defects in these strains. In vitro fast kinetics at 20°C and 37°C with ribosomes purified from both strains revealed, counterintuitively, the slowing of translocation, not peptide bond formation or peptidyl release. Elongation rates of protein synthesis in vivo, as judged by the kinetics of ß-galactosidase induction, were also slowed. For the five-KO strain, the biggest deficit at 37°C was in 70S ribosome assembly, as judged by a dominant 50S peak in ribosome sucrose gradient profiles at 5 mM Mg2+. Reconstitution of this 50S subunit from purified five-KO rRNA and ribosomal proteins supported a direct role in ribosome biogenesis of the PTC region modifications per se, rather than of the modification enzymes. These results clarify the importance and roles of the enigmatic rRNA modifications.

Salt stress amelioration and nutrient strengthening in spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) via biochar amendment and zinc fortification: seed priming versus foliar application.

Soil salinity is a major nutritional challenge with poor agriculture production characterized by high sodium (Na+) ions in the soil. Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) and biochar have received attention as a sustainable strategy to reduce biotic and abiotic stress. However, there is a lack of information regarding the incorporation of ZnO NPs with biochar to ameliorate the salinity stress (0, 50,100 mM). Therefore, the current study aimed to investigate the potentials of ZnO NPs application (priming and foliar) alone and with a combination of biochar on the growth and nutrient availability of spinach plants under salinity stress. Results demonstrated that salinity stress at a higher rate (100 mM) showed maximum growth retardation by inducing oxidative stress, resulted in reduced photosynthetic rate and nutrient availability. ZnO NPs (priming and foliar) alone enhanced growth, chlorophyll contents and gas exchange parameters by improving the antioxidant enzymes activity of spinach under salinity stress. While, a significant and more pronounced effect was observed at combined treatments of ZnO NPs with biochar amendment. More importantly, ZnO NPs foliar application with biochar significantly reduced the Na+ contents in root 57.69%, and leaves 61.27% of spinach as compared to the respective control. Furthermore, higher nutrient contents were also found at the combined treatment of ZnO NPs foliar application with biochar. Overall, ZnO NPs combined application with biochar proved to be an efficient and sustainable strategy to alleviate salinity stress and improve crop nutritional quality under salinity stress. We inferred that ZnO NPs foliar application with a combination of biochar is more effectual in improving crop nutritional status and salinity mitigation than priming treatments with a combination of biochar.

Impact of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA) on oxidative stress and metabolic biomarkers in human neuronal cells (SH-SY5Y).

Perfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS) are pervasive environmental contaminants that have attracted considerable attention due to their widespread utilization, resilient characteristics, adverse health implications, and regulatory scrutiny. Despite documented toxicity in living organisms, the precise molecular mechanisms governing the induced adverse effects remain unclear. This study aims to elucidate mechanisms of toxic action by collecting empirical data sets along oxidative stress and metabolic disruption pathways. We investigated the impact of long-chain PFAS (perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA)) and its short-chain analog (perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA)) on human neuronal cells (SH-SY5Y). The functionalities of enzymes associated with oxidative stress (catalase and glutathione reductase) and cellular metabolism (lactate dehydrogenase and pyruvate dehydrogenase) were also characterized. Our results reveal that a 24-hour exposure to PFOA and PFBA generated significant levels of reactive oxygen species. Correspondingly, there was a notable decline in catalase and glutathione reductase activities, with PFBA demonstrating a more pronounced effect. High concentrations of PFOA and PFBA reduced metabolic activity. Lactate dehydrogenase activity was only impacted by a high concentration of PFBA, while pyruvate dehydrogenase activity was decreased with PFBA exposure and increased with PFOA exposure. The findings from this study contribute to the knowledge of PFAS and cell interactions and reveal the potential underlying mechanisms of PFAS-induced toxicity.

Revealing critical functional enzymes in anammox nitrogen removal and rate-limiting step in catalytic pathways: Insight into metaproteomics and density functional theory.

To reveal the key enzymes in the nitrogen removal pathway and to further elucidate the mechanism of the catalytic reaction, this study utilized metaproteomics combined with molecular dynamics and density functional theory calculation. K. stuttgartiensis provided the proteins up to 88.37 % in the anammox-based system. Hydrazine synthase (HZS) and hydrazine dehydrogenase (HDH) accounted for 15.94 % and 3.45 % of the total proteins expressed by K. stuttgartiensis, thus were considered as critical enzymes in the nitrogen removal pathway. The process of HZSγ binding to NO with lowest binding free energy of -4.91 ±â€¯1.33 kJ/mol. The reaction catalyzed by HZSα was calculated to be the rate-limiting catalyzing step, because it transferred the proton from NH3 to ·OH by crossing an energy barrier of up to 190.29 kJ/mol. This study provided molecular level insights to enhance the performance of nitrogen removal in anammox-based system.

Mitigating Ni and Cu ecotoxicity in the ecological restoration material and ornamental Primula forbesii Franch. with exogenous 24-epibrassinolide and melatonin.

Nickel (Ni) and copper (Cu) contamination have become major threats to plant survival worldwide. 24-epibrassinolide (24-EBR) and melatonin (MT) have emerged as valuable treatments to alleviate heavy metal-induced phytotoxicity. However, plants have not fully demonstrated the potential mechanisms by which these two hormones act under Ni and Cu stress. Herein, this study investigated the impact of individual and combined application of 24-EBR and MT on the growth and physiological traits of Primula forbesii Franch. subjected to stress (200 µmol L-1 Ni and Cu). The experiments compared the effects of different mitigation treatments on heavy metal (HM) stress and the scientific basis and practical reference for using these exogenous substances to improve HM resistance of P. forbesii in polluted environments. Nickel and Cu stress significantly hindered leaf photosynthesis and nutrient uptake, reducing plant growth and gas exchange. However, 24-EBR, MT, and 24-EBR + MT treatments alleviated the growth inhibition caused by Ni and Cu stress, improved the growth indexes of P. forbesii, and increased the gas exchange parameters. Exogenous MT effectively alleviated Ni stress, and 24-EBR + MT significantly alleviated the toxic effects of Cu stress. Unlike HM stress, MT and 24-EBR + MT activated the antioxidant enzyme activity (by increasing superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and catalase (CAT)), significantly reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, and regulated ascorbate and glutathione cycle (AsA-GSH) efficiency. Besides, the treatments enhanced the ability of P. forbesii to accumulate HMs, shielding plants from harm. These findings conclusively illustrate the capability of 24-EBR and MT to significantly bolster the tolerance of P. forbesii to Ni and Cu stress.