Dysregulation of hepatic one-carbon metabolism in classical homocystinuria: Implications of redox-sensitive DHFR repression and tetrahydrofolate depletion for pathogenesis and treatment.

Cystathionine beta-synthase-deficient homocystinuria (HCU) is a life-threatening disorder of sulfur metabolism. HCU can be treated by using betaine to lower tissue and plasma levels of homocysteine (Hcy). Here, we show that mice with severely elevated Hcy and potentially deficient in the folate species tetrahydrofolate (THF) exhibit a very limited response to betaine indicating that THF plays a critical role in treatment efficacy. Analysis of a mouse model of HCU revealed a 10-fold increase in hepatic levels of 5-methyl -THF and a 30-fold accumulation of formiminoglutamic acid, consistent with a paucity of THF. Neither of these metabolite accumulations were reversed or ameliorated by betaine treatment. Hepatic expression of the THF-generating enzyme dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) was significantly repressed in HCU mice and expression was not increased by betaine treatment but appears to be sensitive to cellular redox status. Expression of the DHFR reaction partner thymidylate synthase was also repressed and metabolomic analysis detected widespread alteration of hepatic histidine and glutamine metabolism. Many individuals with HCU exhibit endothelial dysfunction. DHFR plays a key role in nitric oxide (NO) generation due to its role in regenerating oxidized tetrahydrobiopterin, and we observed a significant decrease in plasma NOx (NO2 + NO3) levels in HCU mice. Additional impairment of NO generation may also come from the HCU-mediated induction of the 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid generating cytochrome CYP4A. Collectively, our data shows that HCU induces dysfunctional one-carbon metabolism with the potential to both impair betaine treatment and contribute to multiple aspects of pathogenesis in this disease.

Betaine and I-LG may have a predictive value for ATB: A causal study in a large European population.

PURPOSE: To analyze the causal relationship between 486 human serum metabolites and the active tuberculosis (ATB) in European population. METHODS: In this study, the causal relationship between human serum metabolites and the ATB was analyzed by integrating the genome-wide association study (GWAS). The 486 human serum metabolites were used as the exposure variable, three different ATB GWAS databases in the European population were set as outcome variables, and single nucleotide polymorphisms were used as instrumental variables for Mendelian Randomization. The inverse variance weighting was estimated causality, the MR-Egger intercept to estimate horizontal pleiotropy, and the combined effects of metabolites were also considered in the meta-analysis. Furthermore, the web-based MetaboAnalyst 6.0 was engaged for enrichment pathway analysis, while R (version 4.3.2) software and Review Manager 5.3 were employed for statistical analysis. RESULTS: A total of 21, 17, and 19 metabolites strongly associated with ATB were found in the three databases after preliminary screening (P < 0.05). The intersecting metabolites across these databases included tryptophan, betaine, 1-linoleoylglycerol (1-monolinolein) (1-LG), 1-eicosatrienoylglycerophosphocholine, and oleoylcarnitine. Among them, betaine (I2 = 24%, P = 0.27) and 1-LG (I2 = 0%, P = 0.62) showed the lowest heterogeneity among the different ATB databases. In addition, the metabolic pathways of phosphatidylethanolamine biosynthesis (P = 0.0068), methionine metabolism (P = 0.0089), betaine metabolism (P = 0.0205) and oxidation of branched-chain fatty acids (P = 0.0309) were also associated with ATB. CONCLUSION: Betaine and 1-LG may be biomarkers or auxiliary diagnostic tools for ATB. They may provide new guidance for medical practice in the early diagnosis and surveillance of ATB. In addition, by interfering with phosphatidylethanolamine biosynthesis, methionine metabolism, betaine metabolism, oxidation of branched-chain fatty acids, and other pathways, it is helpful to develop new anti-tuberculosis drugs and explore the virulence or pathogenesis of ATB at a deeper level, providing an effective reference for future studies.

Effect of dietary treatments on performance, oocysts shedding and lesion scores in broiler chickens experimentally challenged with Eimeria infection.

Although anticoccidials effectively control coccidiosis, a needed reduction in the reliance on antimicrobials in animal production leads to the exploration of alternative compounds. The present study aimed to test five different dietary treatments to counteract the negative impact of coccidiosis on broiler chickens' health and performance. 1-day-old male Ross 308 broilers (n = 960) were randomly assigned to one of eight treatments, with six cages per treatment (20 birds/cage). To the diet of the broiler chickens of treatments (Trt) 1-5, a synbiotic was added from d0-10. From d10-28, birds of Trt1 and Trt2 were fed synbiotics, whereas birds of Trt3 were fed diets with glutamine, and birds of Trt4 and Trt5 were fed diets with a combination of ß-glucans and betaine. From d28-35 onwards, birds of Trt1 were fed a diet with a synbiotic, whereas birds of Trt2-4 received diets with glutamine, and birds of Trt5 were fed a non-supplemented diet. Birds of the positive control group (PC; Trt6) were fed a standard diet supplemented with an anticoccidial (Decoquinate). The challenged negative control (NCchall; Trt7) and non-challenged negative control (NC) Trt8 were fed a standard diet without anticoccidial or other dietary treatment. At 7 days (d) of age, all birds were inoculated with 1 023, 115, and 512 sporulated oocysts of E. acervulina, E. maxima, and E. tenella, respectively, except for Trt8. Body weight gain (BWG), feed intake, and feed conversion ratio were assessed for each feeding phase (d0-10, d10-28 and d28-35) and overall experimental period (d0-35). Oocyst shedding, Eimeria lesion scores, cecal length, and relative weight were assessed at d13, d22, d28 and d35. Additionally, oocyst shedding was determined at d9 and d17. Litter quality was evaluated at d27 and d34, and footpad lesions at d34. During the starter (d0-10) and finisher (d28-35) periods, performance did not differ between the treatments. During the grower period (d10-28), Trt6 (PC) and Trt8 (NC) chickens had the highest BWG of all treatments (P < 0.001). Dietary treatment had no effect on litter quality and severity of footpad lesions. In the PC group (Trt6), low oocyst excretion and lesion scores were found. When comparing Trt1-5 with NCchall (Trt7), none of the treatments significantly reduced oocyst output or lesion scores. In conclusion, in this experiment, none of the dietary treatments performed similar or better compared to the PC group (Trt6) regarding performance or reducing Eimeria oocyst shedding or lesion scores.

Longitudinal Analysis of One-Carbon Metabolism-Related Metabolites in Maternal and Cord Blood of Japanese Pregnant Women.

One-carbon metabolism (OCM) is a complex and interconnected network that undergoes drastic changes during pregnancy. In this study, we investigated the longitudinal distribution of OCM-related metabolites in maternal and cord blood and explored their relationships. Additionally, we conducted cross-sectional analyses to examine the interrelationships among these metabolites. This study included 146 healthy pregnant women who participated in the Chiba Study of Mother and Child Health. Maternal blood samples were collected during early pregnancy, late pregnancy, and delivery, along with cord blood samples. We analyzed 18 OCM-related metabolites in serum using stable isotope dilution liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry. We found that serum S-adenosylmethionine (SAM) concentrations in maternal blood remained stable throughout pregnancy. Conversely, S-adenosylhomocysteine (SAH) concentrations increased, and the total homocysteine/total cysteine ratio significantly increased with advancing gestational age. The betaine/dimethylglycine ratio was negatively correlated with total homocysteine in maternal blood for all sampling periods, and this correlation strengthened with advances in gestational age. Most OCM-related metabolites measured in this study showed significant positive correlations between maternal blood at delivery and cord blood. These findings suggest that maternal OCM status may impact fetal development and indicate the need for comprehensive and longitudinal evaluations of OCM during pregnancy.

Osmotic regulators in cowpea beans plants under water deficiency.

Cowpea is a leguminous plant belonging to the fabaceae family cultivated in the North and Northeast regions of Brazil, with productive potential. Among the abiotic factors, water deficiency is one of the main environmental limitations that influence agricultural production in the world. The objective of this work was to study the relative water content and osmoregulators of cowpea plants subjected to water stress. The experiment was carried out in a greenhouse at the Universidade Federal Rural da Amazônia (UFRA, Belém, PA), cowpea plants BR-17 Gurguéia Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp were used. The experimental design was completely randomized (DIC) in a 2 × 2 factorial scheme, two water conditions (control and water deficit) and two times of stress (four and six days of water suspension), with 7 replications, totaling 28 experimental units. The water deficit affected plants, causing a reduction in relative water content (69.98%), starch (12.84% in leaves and 23.48% in roots) and carbohydrates (84.34%), and an increase in glycine-betaine, sucrose (114.11% in leaves and 18.71% in roots) and proline (358.86%) at time 2. The relative water content was negatively affected by water conditions, with a decrease in relation to the interaction of the aerial part and the root system. Therefore, greater metabolic responses were noted in plants that were subjected to stress treatment at time 2 (6 days).

Unveiling the crucial role of betaine: modulation of GABA homeostasis via SLC6A1 transporter (GAT1).

Betaine is an endogenous osmolyte that exhibits therapeutic potential by mitigating various neurological disorders. However, the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms responsible for its neuroprotective effects remain puzzling.In this study, we describe a possible mechanism behind the positive impact of betaine in preserving neurons from excitotoxicity. Here we demonstrate that betaine at low concentration modulates the GABA uptake by GAT1 (slc6a1), the predominant GABA transporter in the central nervous system. This modulation occurs through the temporal inhibition of the transporter, wherein prolonged occupancy by betaine impedes the swift transition of the transporter to the inward conformation. Importantly, the modulatory effect of betaine on GAT1 is reversible, as the blocking of GAT1 disappears with increased extracellular GABA. Using electrophysiology, mass spectroscopy, radiolabelled cellular assay, and molecular dynamics simulation we demonstrate that betaine has a dual role in GAT1: at mM concentration acts as a slow substrate, and at µM as a temporal blocker of GABA, when it is below its K0.5. Given this unique modulatory characteristic and lack of any harmful side effects, betaine emerges as a promising neuromodulator of the inhibitory pathways improving GABA homeostasis via GAT1, thereby conferring neuroprotection against excitotoxicity.

CuSO4/H2O2induced polydopamine/polysulfobetaine methacrylate co-deposition on poly(amino acid) membranes for improved anti-protein adsorption and antibacterial activity.

Stopping postoperative soft tissue adhesions is one of the most challenging clinical problems that needs to be addressed urgently to avoid secondary injury and pain to patients. Currently, membrane materials with anti-protein adsorption and antibacterial activity are recognized as an effective and promising anti-adhesion barrier to prevent postoperative adhesion and the recurrent adhesion after adhesiolysis. Herein, poly(amino acid) (PAA), which is structurally similar to collagen, is selected as the membrane base material to successfully synthesize PAA-5 membranes with excellent mechanical and degradation properties by in-situ melt polymerization and hot-melt film-forming technology. Subsequently, the co-deposition of polydopamine/polysulfobetaine methacrylate (PDA/PSBMA) coatings induced by CuSO4/H2O2on PAA-5 membranes results in the formation of PDC-5S and PDC-10S, which exhibit excellent hemocompatibility, protein antifouling properties, and cytocompatibility. Additionally, PDC-5S and PDC-10S demonstrated significant antibacterial activity againstEscherichia coliandStaphylococcus aureus, with an inhibition rate of more than 90%. As a result, this study sheds light on newly discovered PAA membranes with anti-protein adsorption and antibacterial activity can sever as one of the promising candidates for the prevention of postoperative peritoneum adhesions.

Essential dynamics of ubiquitin in water and in a natural deep eutectic solvent.

Natural deep eutectic solvents (NADESs) comprised of osmolytes are of interest as potential biomolecular (cryo)protectants. However, the way these solvents influence the structure and dynamics of biomolecules as well as the role of water remains poorly understood. We carried out principal component analysis of various secondary structure elements of ubiquitin in water and a betaine : glycerol : water (1 : 2 : ζ; ζ = 0, 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 45) NADES, from molecular dynamics trajectories, to gain insight into the protein dynamics as it undergoes a transition from a highly viscous anhydrous to an aqueous environment. A crossover of the protein's essential dynamics at ζ ∼ 5, induced by solvent-shell coupled fluctuations, is observed, indicating that ubiquitin might (re)fold in the NADES upon water addition at ζ > ∼5. Further, in contrast to water, the anhydrous NADES preserves ubiquitin's essential modes at high temperatures explaining the protein's seemingly enhanced thermal stability.

Plunge-Freezing Cryopreservation of Tendons.

Allograft transplantation is an important method for tendon reconstruction after injury, and its clinical success highly relies on the storage and transportation of the grafts. Cryopreservation is a promising strategy for tendon storage. In this study, we report a novel cryopreservation agent (CPA) formulation with a high biocompatibility for tendon cryopreservation. Mainly composed of natural zwitterionic betaine and the biocompatible polymer poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP), it exhibited ideal abilities to depress the freezing point and inhibit ice growth and recrystallization. Notably, after cryopreservation via plunge-freezing for 1 month, Young's modulus (144 MPa, 98% of fresh tendons) and ultimate stress (46.7 MPa, 99% of fresh tendons) remained stable, and the cross-linking of collagen microfibers, protein structures, and glycosaminoglycan (GAG) contents changed slightly. These results indicate that the formulation (5 wt % betaine and 5 wt % PVP in phosphate-buffered saline, PBS solution) effectively maintains the biomechanical properties and tissue structure. This work offers a novel cryopreservation method for tendons and may also provide insights into the long-term preservation of various other tissues.

Clinical use of 0.1% polyhexanide and propylbetaine on acute and hard-to-heal wounds: a literature review.

OBJECTIVE: To summarise the findings on the effect of the clinical use of 0.1% polyhexanide-propylbetaine (PHMB/betaine) solution/gel on acute and hard-to-heal (chronic) wound healing. METHOD: A literature search was conducted in MEDLINE, CINAHL, Embase, Scopus and the CENTRAL Trials Registry of the Cochrane Collaboration. Paired reviewers conducted title and abstract screening and full-text screening to identify experimental, quasi-experimental and observational studies. Study quality and risk of bias were not formally evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 17 studies met the eligibility criteria. The findings from 12 studies indicated that the use of 0.1% PHMB/betaine solution/gel had: a low risk of contact sensitivity; could help debridement during wound cleansing; aided effective wound bed preparation; reduced wound size, odour and exudate; improved pain control; reduced microbial load; and enhanced wound healing. The results of three studies indicated that both 0.1% PHMB and saline solution were effective in reducing bacterial load, while another showed that adding 0.1% PHMB to tie-over dressings had no effect on reducing bacterial loads in wounds. Another study concluded that disinfection and granulation of pressure ulcers with hydrobalance dressing with 0.3% PHMB was faster and more effective than using 0.1% PHMB/betaine. CONCLUSION: The findings of this literature review showed that 0.1% PHMB/betaine solution/gel appeared to be useful and safe for wound cleansing, was effective in removing soft debris and slough from the wound bed, and created a wound environment optimal for healing. Although these actions cannot be attributed solely to this treatment modality, these results do highlight the unique action of this combined product. However, more robust studies are needed to confirm these results.

Effects of guanidino acetic acid and betaine supplementation on growth, dietary nutrient digestion and intestinal creatine metabolism in sheep.

BACKGROUND: The intestine of young ruminants is in the developmental stage and has weaker resistance to the changes of external environment. Improving intestinal health is vital to promoting growth of young ruminants. This study investigated effects of guanidino acetic acid (GAA) and rumen-protected betaine (RPB) supplementation on growth, dietary nutrient digestion and GAA metabolism in the small intestine of sheep. METHODS: Eighteen healthy Kazakh rams (27.46 ± 0.10 kg of body weight and 3-month old) were categorized into control, test group I and test group II, which were fed a basal diet, 1500 mg/kg GAA and 1500 mg/kg GAA + 600 mg/kg RPB, respectively. RESULTS: Compared with control group, test group II had increased (p < 0.05) average daily gain, plasma creatine level, ether extract (EE) and phosphorus digestibility on day 30. On day 60, the EE apparent digestibility, jugular venous plasma GAA, GAA content in the duodenal mucosa and GAA content in the jejunal and ileal mucosa of test group II were higher (p < 0.05) than other groups. Transcriptome analysis revealed that the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved in the duodenal pathways of oxidative phosphorylation and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease were significantly altered in test group II versus test group I (p < 0.05). Moreover, in the jejunum, the MAPK signalling pathway, complement and coagulation cascade and B-cell receptor signalling pathway were significantly enriched, with ATPase, solute carrier transporter protein, DHFR, SI, GCK, ACACA and FASN being the significantly DEGs (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Dietary supplementation of RPB on top of GAA in sheep diets may promote sheep growth and development by improving the body's energy, amino acid, glucose and lipid metabolism capacity.

Rethinking the Esterquats: Synthesis, Stability, Ecotoxicity and Applications of Esterquats Incorporating Analogs of Betaine or Choline as the Cation in Their Structure.

Esterquats constitute a unique group of quaternary ammonium salts (QASs) that contain an ester bond in the structure of the cation. Despite the numerous advantages of this class of compounds, only two mini-reviews discuss the subject of esterquats: the first one (2007) briefly summarizes their types, synthesis, and structural elements required for a beneficial environmental profile and only briefly covers their applications whereas the second one only reviews the stability of selected betaine-type esterquats in aqueous solutions. The rationale for writing this review is to critically reevaluate the relevant literature and provide others with a "state-of-the-art" snapshot of choline-type esterquats and betaine-type esterquats. Hence, the first part of this survey thoroughly summarizes the most important scientific reports demonstrating effective synthesis routes leading to the formation of both types of esterquats. In the second section, the susceptibility of esterquats to hydrolysis is explained, and the influence of various factors, such as the pH, the degree of salinity, or the temperature of the solution, was subjected to thorough analysis that includes quantitative components. The next two sections refer to various aspects associated with the ecotoxicity of esterquats. Consequently, their biodegradation and toxic effects on microorganisms are extensively analyzed as crucial factors that can affect their commercialization. Then, the reported applications of esterquats are briefly discussed, including the functionalization of macromolecules, such as cotton fabric as well as their successful utilization on a commercial scale. The last section demonstrates the most essential conclusions and reported drawbacks that allow us to elucidate future recommendations regarding the development of these promising chemicals.

Total replacement of soybean meal with alternative plant-based ingredients and a combination of feed additives in broiler diets from 1 day of age during the whole growing period.

The capacity of combinations of feed enzymes, natural betaine and a probiotic, combined with alternative plant-based ingredients, to totally replace soybean meal (SBM) in a broiler diet was evaluated. Day-old Ross 308 males (2,574) were assigned to 9 treatments (13 pens/treatment, 22 birds/pen) in a completely randomized design. All diets were pelleted and fed ad libitum in 4 phases: starter, grower, finisher 1, finisher 2 (0-10, 10-21, 21-35, and 35-42 d of age, respectively). Treatments included: 1) control diet containing SBM (SBM control), supplemented with phytase (PhyG), at 2,000, 1,500, 1000 and 1,000 FTU/kg in each phase and xylanase (X) at 750 U/kg, [crude protein (CP): 23.5%, 22.0%, 20.2% and 19.3% in each phase]; 2) to 5), alternative (ALT), SBM-free diets, containing the same CP level as the control ("CP high"), supplemented with PhyG as in the control, protease (P, 800 U/kg) and in 2) xylanase (750 U/kg) (ALT+PhyG+P+X), 3) xylanase-ß-glucanase (XB, 1,200 U/kg and 152 U/kg) (Alt+PhyG+P+XB), 4) XB plus betaine (800 g/ton) (ALT+PhyG+P+XB+Bet), and 5) XB plus a probiotic [150,000 colony forming units (CFU)/g] (ALT+PhyG+P+XB+Prob); 6) to 9) as treatments 2) to 5) but with CP reduced by -2.0 to -1.5% points vs. control ('CP low'). Final (d 42) BW and overall (d 0-42) feed conversion ratio (FCR) of birds fed the SBM control exceeded breeder objectives (+3.8% and -1.9%, respectively). Overall FCR was reduced and d 42 BW increased in birds fed "low" vs. "high" CP (P < 0.01). Overall FCR and feed intake were not different in ALT+PhyG+XB+P+Bet and ALT+PhyG+XB+P+Prob vs. the control, whereas final BW was reduced (P < 0.05) in all ALT treatments but close to breeder objectives (98.3%) in ALT+PhyG+XB+P+Prob. Feed costs of this treatment were similar to the control. Total replacement of SBM with alternative plant-based ingredients in a CP-low diet supplemented with hydrolytic enzymes and probiotics can achieve growth performance outcomes close to commercial breeder objectives.

Calibration of citrus intake assessed by food frequency questionnaires using urinary proline betaine in an observational study setting.

BACKGROUND: Whether observational study can be employed to establish calibration equations for self-reported dietary intake using food biomarkers is unknown. OBJECTIVES: This study aims to demonstrate the feasibility of obtaining calibration equations based on food biomarkers and 7-d diet records (7DDRs) to correct measurement errors of food frequency questionnaires (FFQs) in an observational study setting. METHODS: The study population consisted of 669 males and 749 females from the Women's and Men's Lifestyle Validation Studies. In the training set, the biomarker-predicted intake derived by regressing 7DDR-assessed intake on urinary proline betaine concentration was regressed on the FFQ-assessed intake to obtain the calibration equations. The regression coefficients were applied to the test set to calculate the calibrated FFQ intake. We examined total citrus as well as individual citrus fruits/beverages. RESULTS: Urinary proline betaine was moderately correlated with orange juice intake (Pearson correlation [r] = 0.53 for 7DDR and 0.48 for FFQ) but only weakly correlated with intakes of orange (r = 0.12 for 7DDR and 0.15 for FFQ) and grapefruit (r = 0.14 for 7DDR and 0.09 for FFQ). The FFQ-assessed citrus intake was systematically higher than the 7DDR-assessed intake, and after calibrations, the mean calibrated FFQ measurements were almost identical to 7DDR assessments. In the test set, the mean intake levels from 7DDRs, FFQs, and calibrated FFQs were 62.5, 75.3, and 63.2 g/d for total citrus; 41.6, 42.5, and 41.9 g/d for orange juice; 11.8, 24.3, and 12.3 g/d for oranges; and 8.3, 9.3, and 8.6 g/d for grapefruit, respectively. We observed larger differences between calibrated FFQ and 7DDR assessments at the extreme ends of intake, although, on average, good agreements were observed for all citrus except grapefruit. CONCLUSIONS: Our 2-step calibration approach has the potential to be adapted to correct systematic measurement error for other foods/nutrients with established food biomarkers in a cost effective way.

The origin of betaine in mouse oocytes and preimplantation embryos†.

Betaine has important roles in preimplantation mouse embryos, including as an organic osmolyte that functions in cell volume regulation in the early preimplantation stages and as a donor to the methyl pool in blastocysts. The origin of betaine in oocytes and embryos was largely unknown. Here, we found that betaine was present from the earliest stage of growing oocytes. Neither growing oocytes nor early preantral follicles could take up betaine, but antral follicles were able to transport betaine and supply the enclosed oocyte. Betaine is synthesized by choline dehydrogenase, and female mice lacking Chdh did not have detectable betaine in their oocytes or early embryos. Supplementing betaine in their drinking water restored betaine in the oocyte only when supplied during the final stages of antral follicle development but not earlier in folliculogenesis. Together with the transport results, this implies that betaine can only be exogenously supplied during the final stages of oocyte growth. Previous work showed that the amount of betaine in the oocyte increases sharply during meiotic maturation due to upregulated activity of choline dehydrogenase within the oocyte. This betaine present in mature eggs was retained after fertilization until the morula stage. There was no apparent role for betaine uptake via the SIT1 (SLC6A20) betaine transporter that is active at the 1- and 2-cell stages. Instead, betaine was apparently retained because its major route of efflux, the volume-sensitive organic osmolyte - anion channel, remained inactive, even though it is expressed and capable of being activated by a cell volume increase.

Allergen content of popular chemical hair relaxers: A product analysis.

BACKGROUND: Chemical hair relaxers are widely utilized by black women, yet little research exists on the allergens present in these products. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate allergen prevalence in the most popular chemical hair relaxers. METHODS: We analysed 41 products from five major retailers, identifying allergens through ingredient lists and comparing them to the 2020 American Contact Dermatitis Group Core allergen series. RESULTS: The most common contact allergens in chemical relaxers include propylene glycol, cetyl steryl alcohol, fragrance, D/L-a-tocopherol, tea tree oil and cocamidopropyl betaine. CONCLUSION: Understanding allergen exposure in products used by individuals with textured hair is needed for managing contact dermatitis in diverse populations. This analysis underscores the presence of potential allergens in hair relaxers, emphasizing the importance of dermatologists' awareness and patient scrutiny of ingredient lists.

Poly(sulfobetaine) versus poly(ethylene glycol) based copolymer modified polyurethane catheters for antifouling.

Polyurethane (PU) catheters are commonly used in clinical treatment. However, the hydrophobic nature of the PU catheter surface leads to adhesion or adsorption to platelets, proteins, bacteria, and other molecules when used in human treatment. To achieve a surface with strong hydrophilicity, high stability and excellent biocompatibility, it is necessary to functionalize the PU catheters. In this paper, a coating with antifouling function was constructed on the surface of PU catheters using plasma technology and an amide coupling reaction. A series of characterization methods, including X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), water contact angles (WCA), and atomic force microscopy (AFM), were used to prove the successful modification of the polymer coatings. The coatings showed good stability under conditions such as PBS (pH 7.4, 720 h), 75% ethanol (6 h) and 1 wt% SDS (10 min). Additionally, the coatings exhibit excellent hemocompatibility and antibacterial properties. The PU/PEI/PCSB coating has the best anti-fouling performance among them, which means that using the PCSB copolymer has the potential to modify different clinical catheters into highly effective antifouling coatings.

Exploring Seaweed and Glycine Betaine Biostimulants for Enhanced Phenolic Content, Antioxidant Properties, and Gene Expression of Vitis vinifera cv. "Touriga Franca" Berries.

Climate change will pose a challenge for the winemaking sector worldwide, bringing progressively drier and warmer conditions and increasing the frequency and intensity of weather extremes. The short-term adaptation strategy of applying biostimulants through foliar application serves as a crucial measure in mitigating the detrimental effects of environmental stresses on grapevine yield and berry quality. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of foliar application of a seaweed-based biostimulant (A. nodosum-ANE) and glycine betaine (GB) on berry quality, phenolic compounds, and antioxidant activity and to elucidate their action on the secondary metabolism. A trial was installed in a commercial vineyard (cv. "Touriga Franca") in the Cima Corgo (Upper Corgo) sub-region of the Douro Demarcated Region, Portugal. A total of four foliar sprayings were performed during the growing season: at flowering, pea size, bunch closer, and veraison. There was a positive effect of GB in the berry quality traits. Both ANE and GB increased the synthesis of anthocyanins and other phenolics in berries and influenced the expression of genes related to the synthesis and transport of anthocyanins (CHS, F3H, UFGT, and GST). So, they have the potential to act as elicitors of the secondary metabolism, leading to improved grape quality, and also to set the foundation for sustainable agricultural practices in the long run.

Green Extraction of Depsidones and Depsides from Hypogymnia physodes (L.) Nyl. Using Natural Deep Eutectic Solvents.

Various studies have shown that Hypogymnia physodes are a source of many biologically active compounds, including lichen acids. These lichen-specific compounds are characterized by antioxidant, antiproliferative, and antimicrobial properties, and they can be used in the cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. The main aim of this study was to optimize the composition of natural deep eutectic solvents based on proline or betaine and lactic acid for the extraction of metabolites from H. physodes. The design of the experimental method and the response surface approach allowed the optimization of the extraction process of specific lichen metabolites. Based on preliminary research, a multivariate model of the experiment was developed. For optimization, the following parameters were employed in the experiment to confirm the model: a proline/lactic acid/water molar ratio of 1:2:2. Such a mixture allowed the efficient extraction of three depsidones (i.e., physodic acid, physodalic acid, 3-hydroyphysodic acid) and one depside (i.e., atranorin). The developed composition of the solvent mixtures ensured good efficiency when extracting the metabolites from the thallus of H. physodes with high antioxidant properties.

Quality of life case series review: wound bed preparation from a UK perspective.

Previous studies have reported that polyhexamethylene biguanide (PHMB) and betaine solution and gels remove biofilm, improve wound healing and reduce infection rates. Quality of life (QoL) outcomes are not commonly reported on when it comes to wound care. This review aims to summarise QoL data from a cohort of case studies previously published on chronic lower limb ulcers using PHMB products (Prontosan® Solution, Prontosan® Wound Gel X and Prontosan® Debridement Pad). Here, we report on and review a total of 38 case studies describing 56 wounds. From these 38 case studies, 36 reported that all the wounds involved had either healed or improved by the end of their respective study period. QoL themes explore malodour, slough, and exudate, pain, mobility, hair growth, antibiotic intake, return to work, social life and mood. This case series demonstrates that treatment with Prontosan® products improves many QoL outcomes for patients with non-healing wounds.