Electro-stimulation of tofu wastewater for the production of single cell protein from various microorganisms.

Tofu wastewater can be utilized as a substrate for microorganisms that produce single-cell proteins (SCPs). Because different microorganisms have different cellular components, the composition of SCPs varies. Electro-stimulation has the potential to speed up fermentation and increase product yield. The goal of this study was to find the best way to produce SCPs from Aspergillus awamori, Rhizopus oryzae, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae in the tofu wastewater substrate using electro-stimulation. The experimental method was used in the study, the data were analyzed using independent t-test statistical analysis, and the best treatment was identified using the effective index method. This treatment consisted of producing SCP with electro-stimulation of -1.5 V and without electro-stimulation for 72 h for the yeast and 96 h for the mold at 25 °C in tofu wastewater that had already been conditioned to a pH of 5. The parameters measured included measurement of population of microorganism, change in pH, dry biomass weight, carbohydrate content, and protein content. Electro-stimulation reduced the optimum fermentation time of A. awamori SCP from 56 to 32 h, resulting in 0.0406 g/50 mL of dry biomass, 30.09% carbohydrate content, and 6.86% protein content. Meanwhile, the optimal fermentation time on R. oryzae and S. cerevisiae were not accelerated by electro-stimulation. The best treatment was A. awamori without electro-stimulation, which produced 0.0931 g/50 mL of dry biomass, 20.29% carbohydrate, and 7.55% protein.

Virtual mindfulness interventions to promote well-being in adults: A mixed-methods systematic review.

BACKGROUND: With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, many have experienced drastic changes in their academic and social lives with ensuing consequences towards their physical and mental well-being. The purpose of this systematic review is to identify virtual mindfulness-based interventions for the well-being of adults aged 19 to 40 years in developed countries and examine the efficacy of these techniques/exercises. METHODS: This mixed-methods systematic review follows the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines with a registered PROSPERO protocol. With a convergent integrated synthesis approach, IEEE Xplore, PsychInfo, Web of Science and OVID were searched with a predetermined criteria and search strategy employing booleans and filters for peer-reviewed and gray literature. Data screening and extraction were independently performed by two authors, with a third author settling disagreements after reconciliation. Study quality of selected articles was assessed with two independent authors using the Mixed Methods Appraisal Tool (MMAT). Studies were analyzed qualitatively (precluding meta and statistical analysis) due to the heterogeneous study results from diverse study designs in present literature. RESULTS: Common mindfulness-based interventions used in the appraised studies included practicing basic mindfulness, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) programs, Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy programs (MBCT) and the Learning 2 BREATHE (L2B) program. CONCLUSION: Studies implementing mindfulness interventions demonstrated an overall improvement in well-being. Modified versions of these interventions can be implemented in a virtual context, so adults can improve their well-being through an accessible format.

Supercritical fluid extraction (SCFE) as green extraction technology for high-value metabolites of algae, its potential trends in food and human health.

Application of high-value algal metabolites (HVAMs) in cosmetics, additives, pigments, foods and medicines are very important. These HVAMs can be obtained from the cultivation of micro- and macro-algae. These metabolites can benefit human and animal health in a physiological and nutritional manner. However, because of conventional extraction methods and their energy and the use of pollutant solvents, the availability of HVAMs from algae remains insufficient. Receiving their sustainability and environmental benefits have recently made green extraction technologies for HVAM extractions more desirable. But very little information is available about the technology of green extraction of algae from these HVAM. This review, therefore, highlights the supercritical fluid extraction (SCFE) as principal green extraction technologyand theirideal parameters for extracting HVAMs. In first, general information is provided concerning the HVAMs and their components of macro and micro origin. The review also includes a description of SCFE technology's properties, instrumentation operation, solvents used, and the merits and demerits. Moreover, there are several HVAMs associated with their numerous high-level biological activities which include high-level antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer and antimicrobial activity and have potential health-beneficial effects in humans since they are all HVAMs, such as foods and nutraceuticals. Finally, it provides future insights, obstacles, and suggestions for selecting the right technologies for extraction.

Tackling Antimicrobial Resistance in the Shadow of COVID-19.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic is a challenge for ongoing efforts to combat antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) bacterial infections. As we learn more about COVID-19 disease and drug stewardship evolves, there is likely to be a lasting impact of increased use of antimicrobial agents and antibiotics, as well as a lack of consistent access to health care across many populations. Sexually transmitted infections have been underreported during the pandemic and are often caused by some of the most drug-resistant pathogens. In their recent article in mBio, Parzych et al. (E. M. Parzych, S. Gulati, B. Zheng, M. A. Bah, et al., mBio 12:e00242-21, 2021, https://doi.org/10.1128/mBio.00242-21) focus on protection against Neisseria gonorrhoeae infection via in vivo delivery of an antigonococcal DNA-encoded antibody that has been modified for increased complement activation. Nucleic acid approaches are highly adaptable and could be tremendously beneficial for personalized strategies to combat AMR pathogens.

Expansion and preservation of the functional activity of adult hematopoietic stem cells cultured ex vivo with a histone deacetylase inhibitor.

Attempts to expand ex vivo the numbers of human hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) without compromising their marrow repopulating capacity and their ability to establish multilineage hematopoiesis has been the subject of intense investigation. Although most such efforts have focused on cord blood HSCs, few have been applied to adult HSCs, a more clinically relevant HSC source for gene modification. To date, the strategies that have been used to expand adult HSCs have resulted in modest effects or HSCs with lineage bias and a limited ability to generate T cells in vivo. We previously reported that culturing umbilical cord blood CD34+ cells in serum-free media supplemented with valproic acid (VPA), a histone deacetylase inhibitor, and a combination of cytokines led to the expansion of the numbers of fully functional HSCs. In the present study, we used this same approach to expand the numbers of adult human CD34+ cells isolated from mobilized peripheral blood and bone marrow. This approach resulted in a significant increase in the numbers of phenotypically defined HSCs (CD34+CD45RA-CD90+D49f+). Cells incubated with VPA also exhibited increased aldehyde dehydrogenase activity and decreased mitochondrial membrane potential, each functional markers of HSCs. Grafts harvested from VPA-treated cultures were able to engraft in immune-deficient mice and, importantly, to generate cellular progeny belonging to each hematopoietic lineage in similar proportion to that observed with unmanipulated CD34+ cells. These data support the utility of VPA-mediated ex vivo HSC expansion for gene modification of adult HSCs.

Valorization of ash and spent mushroom substrate via solid-state solubilization by Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans.

This work describes the possibility of utilization of ash originated from the incineration of sewage sludge from the wastewater treatment plant with the 3rd stage of biological treatment, and spent mushrooms substrate (SMS) as a raw material for the production of the substrate for agriculture and horticulture with the property of slow-releasing of phosphorus via solubilization process. Ash was mixed with SMS in different ratios (1, 5 and 10%), where SMS was used as a substrate/medium - the source of nutrients necessary for the growth of bacteria Acidithiobacillus ferrooxidans (A. ferrooxidans), while the ash was used as a source of phosphorus. Solubilization of phosphorus from ash via solubilization process was conducted for 50 days. During this time pH, conductivity, as well as the concentration of available forms of phosphorus were monitored. Obtained results were compared with the control group deprive inoculation by A. ferrooxidans. The concentration of available to plants phosphorus (express as P2O5) was an average 1.5 times higher in the SMS inoculated with A. ferrooxidans in all considered groups. Observation confirms the possibility of utilization of treated SMS as a substrate in agriculture and horticulture as the utilitarian properties (weight and length of plant/root) of plants obtained in germination test were higher when compared with the control group where SMS without inoculation was used.

Calcium-alkali syndrome in the modern era.

The ingestion of calcium, along with alkali, results in a well-described triad of hypercalcemia, metabolic alkalosis, and renal insufficiency. Over time, the epidemiology and root cause of the syndrome have shifted, such that the disorder, originally called the milk-alkali syndrome, is now better described as the calcium-alkali syndrome. The calcium-alkali syndrome is an important cause of morbidity that may be on the rise, an unintended consequence of shifts in calcium and vitamin D intake in segments of the population. We review the pathophysiology of the calcium-alkali syndrome.

Got calcium? Welcome to the calcium-alkali syndrome.

We recommend changing the name of the milk-alkali syndrome to the calcium-alkali syndrome, because the new terminology better reflects the shifting epidemiology and understanding of this disorder. The calcium-alkali syndrome is now the third most common cause of hospital admission for hypercalcemia, and those at greatest risk are postmenopausal or pregnant women. The incidence of the calcium-alkali syndrome is growing in large part as a result of the widespread use of over-the-counter calcium and vitamin D supplements. Advertising for treatment or prevention of osteoporosis has long encouraged this use. Intricate mechanisms mediating the calcium-alkali syndrome depend on interplay among intestine, kidney, and bone. New insights regarding its pathogenesis focus on the key role of calcium-sensing receptors and TRPV5 channels in the modulation of renal calcium excretion. Restoring extracellular blood volume, increasing GFR and calcium excretion, and discontinuing calcium supplementation provide best treatment.

Functional characterization and metal ion specificity of the metal-citrate complex transporter from Streptomyces coelicolor.

Secondary transporters of citrate in complex with metal ions belong to the bacterial CitMHS family, about which little is known. The transport of metal-citrate complexes in Streptomyces coelicolor has been investigated. The best cofactor for citrate uptake in Streptomyces coelicolor is Fe(3+), but uptake was also noted for Ca(2+), Pb(2+), Ba(2+), and Mn(2+). Uptake was not observed with the Mg(2+), Ni(2+), or Co(2+) cofactor. The transportation of iron- and calcium-citrate makes these systems unique among the CitMHS family members reported to date. No complementary uptake akin to that observed for the CitH (Ca(2+), Ba(2+), Sr(2+)) and CitM (Mg(2+), Ni(2+), Mn(2+), Co(2+), Zn(2+)) systems of Bacillus subtilis was noted. Competitive experiments using EGTA confirmed that metal-citrate complex formation promoted citrate uptake. Uptake of free citrate was not observed. The open reading frame postulated as being responsible for the metal-citrate transport observed in Streptomyces coelicolor was cloned and overexpressed in Escherichia coli strains with the primary Fe(3+)-citrate transport system (fecABCDE) removed. Functional expression was successful, with uptake of Ca(2+)-citrate, Fe(3+)-citrate, and Pb(2+)-citrate observed. No free-citrate transport was observed in IPTG (isopropyl-beta-d-thiogalactopyranoside)-induced or -uninduced E. coli. Metabolism of the Fe(3+)-citrate and Ca(2+)-citrate complexes, but not the Pb(2+)-citrate complex, was observed. Rationalization is based on the difference in metal-complex coordination upon binding of the metal by citrate.

A lectin receptor-like kinase is required for pollen development in Arabidopsis.

Lectin receptor-like kinases (Lectin RLKs) are a large family of receptor-like kinases with an extracellular legume lectin-like domain. There are approximately 45 such receptor kinases in Arabidopsis thaliana. Surprisingly, although receptor-like kinases in general are well investigated in Arabidopsis, relatively little is known about the functions of members of the Lectin RLK family. A number of studies implicated members of this family in various functions, such as disease resistance, stress responses, hormone signaling, and legume-rhizobium symbiosis. Our current work demonstrated that mutation in one Lectin RLK gene led to male sterility in Arabidopsis. The sterility was due to defects in pollen development. Pollen development proceeded normally in the mutant until anther stage 8. After that, all pollen grains deformed and collapsed. Mature pollen grains were much smaller than wild-type pollen grains, glued together, and totally collapsed. Therefore, the mutant was named sgc, standing for small, glued-together, and collapsed pollen mutant. The mutant phenotype appeared to be caused by an unidentified sporophytic defect due to the mutation. As revealed by analysis of the promoter-GUS transgenic plants and the gene expression analysis using RT-PCR, the gene showed an interesting temporal and spatial expression pattern: it had no or a low expression in young flowers (roughly before anther stage 6), reached a maximum level around stages 6-7, and then declined gradually to a very low level in young siliques. No expression was detected in microspores or pollen. Together, our data demonstrated that SGC Lectin RLK plays a critical role in pollen development.

Characterization of a trypsin-dependent avian influenza H5N1-pseudotyped HIV vector system for high throughput screening of inhibitory molecules.

In this study, we have generated and characterized an avian influenza H5N1 hemagglutinin (HA), neuraminidase (NA) and M2 ion channel pseudotyped HIV-based vector system (HaNaM-pseudotyped HIV vector). The cleavage site of the HA protein was modified to necessitate trypsin-dependent maturation of the glycoprotein. HA, NA and M2 were efficiently incorporated in HIV vector particles which could transduce different cell lines in a trypsin-dependent manner. Results also showed that the presence of avian influenza M2 and NA proteins maximized both vector production and transduction and that transduction was highly sensitive to the specific NA inhibitor oseltamivir (Tamiflu). H5N1 HaNaM-pseudotyped HIV vector system was also adapted for cell-based high throughput screening of drug candidates against influenza virus infection, and its high sensitivity to the specific oseltamivir validates its potential utility in the identification of new influenza inhibitors. Overall, the trypsin-dependent H5N1-pseudotyped HIV vector can mimic avian influenza virus infection processes with sufficient precision to allow for the identification of new antivirals and to study avian influenza virus biology in a lower biosafety level laboratory environment.

Expression analyses of Arabidopsis oligopeptide transporters during seed germination, vegetative growth and reproduction.

AtOPT promoter-GUS fusions were constructed for six of the nine known, putative oligopeptide transporters (OPTs) in Arabidopsis thaliana and used to examine AtOPT expression at various stages of plant development. AtOPT1, AtOPT3, AtOPT4, AtOPT6 and AtOPT7 were expressed in the embryonic cotyledons prior to root radicle emergence. Except for AtOPT8, which gave weak expression, all AtOPTs were strongly expressed in post-germinative seedlings with strongest expression in vascular tissues of cotyledons and hypocotyls. Preferential expression of AtOPTs in vascular tissues was also observed in cotyledons, leaves, hypocotyls, roots, flowers, siliques, and seed funiculi of seedlings and adult plants. Differential tissue-specific expression was observed for specific AtOPTs. For example, AtOPT1, AtOPT3 and AtOPT8 were uniquely expressed in pollen. Only AtOPT1 was expressed in growing pollen tubes, while only AtOPT6 was observed in ovules. AtOPT8 was transiently expressed in seeds during early stages of embryogenesis. Iron limitation was found to enhance expression of AtOPT3. These data suggest distinct cellular roles for specific AtOPTs including nitrogen mobilization during germination and senescence, pollen tube growth, pollen and ovule development, seed formation and metal transport.