Current hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogel systems often cause cytotoxicity to encapsulated cells and lack the adhesive property required for effective localization of transplanted cells in vivo. In ...addition, the injection of hydrogel into certain organs (e.g., liver, heart) induces tissue damage and hemorrhage. In this study, we describe a bioinspired, tissue‐adhesive hydrogel that overcomes the limitations of current HA hydrogels through its improved biocompatibility and potential for minimally invasive cell transplantation. HA functionalized with an adhesive catecholamine motif of mussel foot protein forms HA‐catechol (HA‐CA) hydrogel via oxidative crosslinking. HA‐CA hydrogel increases viability, reduces apoptosis, and enhances the function of two types of cells (human adipose‐derived stem cells and hepatocytes) compared with a typical HA hydrogel crosslinked by photopolymerization. Due to the strong tissue adhesiveness of the HA‐CA hydrogel, cells are easily and efficiently transplanted onto various tissues (e.g., liver and heart) without the need for injection. Stem cell therapy using the HA‐CA hydrogel increases angiogenesis in vivo, leading to improved treatment of ischemic diseases. HA‐CA hydrogel also improved hepatic functions of transplanted hepatocytes in vivo. Thus, this bioinspired, tissue‐adhesive HA hydrogel can enhance the efficacy of minimally invasive cell therapy.
Bioinspired, catechol‐modified hyaluronic acid (HA) hydrogel is highly biocompatible and exhibits improved tissue adhesiveness in comparison to HA hydrogel crosslinked via photopolymerization. Tissue adhesive catechol‐modified HA hydrogel can mediate highly effective, minimally invasive cell therapy in defected models such as liver resection and myocardial infarction.
Since both myocardium and vasculature in the heart are excessively damaged following myocardial infarction (MI), therapeutic strategies for treating MI hearts should concurrently target both so as to ...achieve true cardiac repair. Here we demonstrate a concomitant method that exploits the advantages of cardiomyocytes derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC-CMs) and human mesenchymal stem cell-loaded patch (hMSC-PA) to amplify cardiac repair in a rat MI model. Epicardially implanted hMSC-PA provide a complimentary microenvironment which enhances vascular regeneration through prolonged secretion of paracrine factors, but more importantly it significantly improves the retention and engraftment of intramyocardially injected hiPSC-CMs which ultimately restore the cardiac function. Notably, the majority of injected hiPSC-CMs display adult CMs like morphology suggesting that the secretomic milieu of hMSC-PA constitutes pleiotropic effects in vivo. We provide compelling evidence that this dual approach can be a promising means to enhance cardiac repair on MI hearts.
For catalysing dioxygen reduction, iron–nitrogen–carbon (Fe–N–C) materials are today the best candidates to replace platinum in proton-exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) cathodes. Despite tremendous ...progress in their activity and site-structure understanding, improved durability is critically needed but challenged by insufficient understanding of their degradation mechanisms during operation. Here, we show that FeN x C y moieties in a representative Fe–N–C catalyst are structurally stable but electrochemically unstable when exposed in an acidic medium to H 2 O 2 , the main oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) byproduct. We reveal that exposure to H 2 O 2 leaves iron-based catalytic sites untouched but decreases their turnover frequency (TOF) via oxidation of the carbon surface, leading to weakened O 2 -binding on iron-based sites. Their TOF is recovered upon electrochemical reduction of the carbon surface, demonstrating the proposed deactivation mechanism. Our results reveal for the first time a hitherto unsuspected key deactivation mechanism during the ORR in an acidic medium. This study identifies the N-doped carbon surface as the Achilles' heel during ORR catalysis in PEMFCs. Observed in acidic but not in alkaline electrolytes, these insights suggest that durable Fe–N–C catalysts are within reach for PEMFCs if rational strategies minimizing the amount of H 2 O 2 or reactive oxygen species (ROS) produced during the ORR are developed.
PIN-FORMED (PIN) genes play a crucial role in regulating polar auxin distribution in diverse developmental processes, including tropic responses, embryogenesis, tissue differentiation, and ...organogenesis. However, the role of PIN-mediated auxin transport in various plant species is poorly understood. Currently, no information is available about this gene family in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). In the present investigation, we identified the PIN gene family in wheat to understand the evolution of PIN-mediated auxin transport and its role in various developmental processes and under different biotic and abiotic stress conditions. In this study, we performed genome-wide analysis of the PIN gene family in common wheat and identified 44 TaPIN genes through a homology search, further characterizing them to understand their structure, function, and distribution across various tissues. Phylogenetic analyses led to the classification of TaPIN genes into seven different groups, providing evidence of an evolutionary relationship with Arabidopsis thaliana and Oryza sativa. A gene exon/intron structure analysis showed a distinct evolutionary path and predicted the possible gene duplication events. Further, the physical and biochemical properties, conserved motifs, chromosomal, subcellular localization, transmembrane domains, and three-dimensional (3D) structure were also examined using various computational approaches. Cis-elements analysis of TaPIN genes showed that TaPIN promoters consist of phytohormone, plant growth and development, and stress-related cis-elements. In addition, expression profile analysis also revealed that the expression patterns of the TaPIN genes were different in different tissues and developmental stages. Several members of the TaPIN family were induced during biotic and abiotic stress. Moreover, the expression patterns of TaPIN genes were verified by qRT-PCR. The qRT-PCR results also show a similar expression with slight variation. Therefore, the outcome of this study provides basic genomic information on the expression of the TaPIN gene family and will pave the way for dissecting the precise role of TaPINs in plant developmental processes and different stress conditions.
Salt stress is a severe type of environmental stress. It adversely affects agricultural production worldwide. The overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) is the most frequent phenomenon ...during salt stress. ROS are extremely reactive and, in high amounts, noxious, leading to destructive processes and causing cellular damage. However, at lower concentrations, ROS function as secondary messengers, playing a critical role as signaling molecules, ensuring regulation of growth and adjustment to multifactorial stresses. Plants contain several enzymatic and non-enzymatic antioxidants that can detoxify ROS. The production of ROS and their scavenging are important aspects of the plant's normal response to adverse conditions. Recently, this field has attracted immense attention from plant scientists; however, ROS-induced signaling pathways during salt stress remain largely unknown. In this review, we will discuss the critical role of different antioxidants in salt stress tolerance. We also summarize the recent advances on the detrimental effects of ROS, on the antioxidant machinery scavenging ROS under salt stress, and on the crosstalk between ROS and other various signaling molecules, including nitric oxide, hydrogen sulfide, calcium, and phytohormones. Moreover, the utilization of "-omic" approaches to improve the ROS-regulating antioxidant system during the adaptation process to salt stress is also described.
Brassinosteroids (BRs) play crucial roles in various biological processes, including plant developmental processes and response to diverse biotic and abiotic stresses. However, no information is ...currently available about this gene family in wheat (
L.). In the present investigation, we identified the
gene family in wheat to understand the evolution and their role in diverse developmental processes and under different stress conditions. In this study, we performed the genome-wide analysis of the
gene family in the bread wheat and identified 20
genes through a homology search and further characterized them to understand their structure, function, and distribution across various tissues. Phylogenetic analyses lead to the classification of
genes into five different groups or subfamilies, providing evidence of evolutionary relationship with
,
,
, and
. A gene exon/intron structure analysis showed a distinct evolutionary path and predicted the possible gene duplication events. Further, the physical and biochemical properties, conserved motifs, chromosomal, subcellular localization, and cis-acting regulatory elements were also examined using various computational approaches. In addition, an analysis of public RNA-seq data also shows that
genes may be involved in diverse developmental processes and stress tolerance mechanisms. Moreover, qRT-PCR results also showed similar expression with slight variation. Collectively, these results suggest that
genes might play an important role in plant developmental processes and various stress conditions. Therefore, this work provides valuable information for further elucidate the precise role of BZR family members in wheat.
Sorghum is a major cereal food worldwide, and is considered a potential source of minerals and bioactive compounds. Its wide adaptive range may cause variations in its agronomic traits, antioxidant ...properties, and phytochemical content. This extensive study investigated variations in seed characteristics, antioxidant properties, and total phenolic (TPC) and flavonoid contents (TFC) of sorghum collected from different ecological regions of 15 countries. The antioxidant potential of the seed extracts of various sorghum accessions was determined using 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) and 2,2′-azinobis 3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonate (ABTS) radical scavenging assays. Significant variations in TPC were observed among the sorghum accessions. All 78 sorghum accessions used in this study exhibited significant variations in TFC, with the lowest and highest amount observed in accessions C465 and J542, respectively. DPPH scavenging potential of the seed extracts for all the accessions ranged from 11.91 ± 4.83 to 1343.90 ± 81.02 µg mL−1. The ABTS assay results were similar to those of DPPH but showed some differences in the accessions. Pearson’s correlation analysis revealed a wide variation range in the correlation between antioxidant activity and TPC, as well as TFC, among the sorghum accessions. A wide diversity range was also recorded for the seed characteristics (1000-seed weight and seed germination rate). A dendrogram generated from UPGMA clustering, based on seed traits, antioxidant activity, TPC, and TFC was highly dispersed for these accessions. Variations among the accessions may provide useful information regarding the phytoconstituents, antioxidant properties, and phytochemical contents of sorghum and aid in designing breeding programs to obtain sorghum with improved agronomic traits and bioactive properties.
To evaluate the biological effects of Porphyra tenera (P. tenera), we tried to confirm the possibility that the intake of P. tenera could modulate cognitive and intestinal functions in PM2.5-induced ...cognitive decline mice. P. tenera attenuated PM2.5-induced learning and memory impairment through antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects by regulating the mitochondrial function and TLR-initiated NF-κB signaling. In addition, P. tenera effectively alleviated Aβ production/tau phosphorylation by inhibiting the JNK phosphorylation. Also, the bioactive constituents of P. tenera determined the sulfated galactan, mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs), and chlorophyll derivatives. Moreover, the bioactive compounds of P. tenera by gut fermentation protected against gut dysbiosis and intestinal tight junction damage with a decrease in inflammatory response and short-chain fatty acid production. Based on these results, our findings suggest that P. tenera with sulfated galactan and MAAs is a potential material for cognitive function improvement.
Soybeans are low in saturated fat and a rich source of protein, dietary fiber, and isoflavone; however, their nutritional shelf life is yet to be established. This study evaluated the change in the ...stability and quality of fatty acids in raw and roasted soybean flour under different storage temperatures and durations. In both types of soybean flour, the fatty-acid content was the highest in the order of linoleic acid (18-carbon chain with two double bonds; C18:2), oleic acid (C18:1), palmitic acid (C16:0), linolenic acid (18:3), and stearic acid (C18:0), which represented 47%, 26%, 12%, 9%, and 4% of the total fatty-acid content, respectively. The major unsaturated fatty acids of raw soybean flour-oleic acid, linoleic acid, and linolenic acid-decreased by 30.0%, 94.4%, and 97.7%, and 38.0%, 94.8%, and 98.0% when stored in polyethylene and polypropylene film, respectively, after 48 weeks of storage under high-temperature conditions. These values were later increased due to hydrolysis. This study presents the changes in composition and content of two soybean flour types and the changes in quality and stability of fatty acids in response to storage temperature and duration. This study shows the influence of storage conditions and temperature on the nutritional quality which is least affected by packing material.
This research work aims to identify a non-toxic, cheap, and effective greener inhibitor from Hemerocallis fulva (H. fulva) for corrosion of aluminum in a 1 M H
2
SO
4
medium at different ...concentrations and temperatures. We investigated the inhibitive effect of H. fulva extract in a 1 M H
2
SO
4
solution on aluminum using weight loss measurements with various concentrations and temperatures. Evaluations of the mechanism of corrosion inhibition by potentiodynamic polarization and AC-impedance analysis were also performed. The nature of the adsorption and morphology on the surface of aluminum were performed by atomic force microscopy (AFM) and scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) studies. The results suggested that the H. fulva extract can be used on aluminum as an efficient eco-friendly corrosion inhibitor in 1 M H
2
SO
4
solution as identified using weight loss because the maximum corrosion inhibition efficiency η (%) was found to be 89% at 600 ppm at 303 ± 1 K. It was found that maximum η (%) was obtained at 303 ± 1 K compared to other temperatures (313, 323, and 333). The activation energy (E
a
) was higher in the presence of inhibitor than in the absence of inhibitor, showing the temperature dependency of inhibition. The positive values of enthalpy of activation ΔH° and entropy of activation ΔS° reflect the endothermic and disordered nature of the reaction. Physical adsorption was proposed for the inhibition and the process followed the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. The negative value of ΔG
o
ads
indicates spontaneous adsorption. Polarization measurements clearly indicated that the H. fulva acts as a mixed inhibitor and the η (%) increases with inhibitor concentration. SEM-EDX, AFM, and XPS studies confirmed the formation of a protective layer over the surface of the aluminum specimen.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
BFBNIB, DOBA, GIS, IJS, IZUM, KILJ, KISLJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
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