Fabrication of vascularized tissue-engineered bone models using triaxial bioprinting

Bone tissue is a highly vascularized tissue. When constructing tissue-engineered bone models, both the osteogenic and angiogenic capabilities of the construct should be carefully considered. However, fabricating a vascularized tissue-engineered bone to promote vascular formation and bone generation, while simultaneously establishing nutrition channels to facilitate nutrient exchange within the constructs, remains a significant challenge. Triaxial bioprinting, which not only allows the independent encapsulation of different cell types while simultaneously forming nutrient channels, could potentially emerge as a strategy for fabricating vascularized tissue-engineered bone. Moreover, bioinks should also be applied in combination to promote both osteogenesis and angiogenesis. In this study, employing triaxial bioprinting, we used a blend bioink of gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA), sodium alginate (Alg), and different concentrations of nano beta-tricalcium phosphate (nano β-TCP) encapsulated MC3T3-E1 preosteoblasts as the outer layer, a mixed bioink of GelMA and Alg loaded with human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) as the middle layer, and gelatin as a sacrificial material to form nutrient channels in the inner layer to fabricate vascularized bone constructs simulating the microenvironment for bone and vascular tissues. The results showed that the addition of nano β-TCP could adjust the mechanical, swelling, and degradation properties of the constructs. Biological assessments revealed the cell viability of constructs containing different concentrations of nano β-TCP was higher than 90% on day 7, The cell-laden constructs containing 3% (w/v) nano β-TCP exhibited better osteogenic (higher Alkaline phosphatase activity and larger Osteocalcin positive area) and angiogenic (the gradual increased CD31 positive area) potential. Therefore, using triaxial bioprinting technology and employing GelMA, Alg, and nano β-TCP as bioink components could fabricate vascularized bone tissue constructs, offering a novel strategy for vascularized bone tissue engineering.

Influence of Gelatin and Propolis Extract on Honey Gummy Jelly Properties: Optimization Using D-Optimal Mixture Design

Gelatin is commonly used as a gelling agent in gummy candy. Honey and bee products are valuable and rich sources of biologically active substances. In this study, the influence of gelatin and propolis extract on honey gummy jelly (HGJ) properties was investigated. Honey (28-32%), xylitol (13-17%), and gelatin (6-10%) were utilized to develop HGJ products by mixture design methodology. Subsequently, the optimized formulation of HGJ was fortified with 1% and 2% propolis extract to enhance its phytochemicals and antimicrobial activities. The variation in the ingredients significantly affected the physicochemical, textural, and sensory properties of the HGJ. The optimized HGJ formulation consisted of honey (32%), xylitol (14%), and gelatin (7%) and exhibited 13.35 × 103 g.force of hardness, -0.56 × 103 g.sec of adhesiveness, 11.96 × 103 N.mm of gumminess, 0.58 of resilience, and a moderate acceptance score (6.7-7.5). The fortification of HGJ with propolis extract significantly increased its phytochemical properties. Furthermore, the incorporation of propolis extract (2%) into the HGJ was able to significantly inhibit the growth of Gram-positive (Streptococcus mutans and Staphylococcus aureus) and Gram-negative (Escherichia coli) bacteria. The mixture of gelatin, xylitol, honey, and propolis extract can be utilized to develop a healthy gummy product with acceptable physicochemical, textural, and sensory qualities.

Effects of Different Phenolic Compounds on the Redox State of Myoglobin and Prevention of Discoloration, Lipid and Protein Oxidation of Refrigerated Longtail Tuna (Thunnus tonggol) Slices

Effects of different phenolic compounds on the redox state of myoglobin and their potential for preserving the color and chemical quality of refrigerated longtail tuna (Thunnus tonggol) slices were studied. Purified myoglobin from dark muscle (15.83 kDa) was prepared. Catechin, EGCG, quercetin, and hyperoside affected the absorption spectra and redox state of metmyoglobin (metMb) at 4 °C for up to 72 h differently. Reduction of metMb to oxymyoglobin (oxyMb) was notably observed for two flavonols (EGCG and quercetin) at 50 and 100 ppm. Based on the reducing ability of metMb, EGCG and quercetin were selected for further study. Longtail tuna slices were treated with EGCG and quercetin at 200 and 400 mg/kg. Color (a* and a*/b*), proportion of myoglobin content, and quality changes were monitored over 72 h at 4 °C. Tuna slices treated with 200 mg/kg EGCG showed better maintenance of oxyMb and color as well as lower lipid oxidation (PV and TBARS) and protein oxidation (carbonyl content) than the remaining samples. Nevertheless, EGCG at 400 mg/kg exhibited lower efficacy in retaining the quality of tuna slices. Thus, EGCG at 200 mg/kg could be used to maintain the color and prolong the shelf life of refrigerated longtail tuna slices.

Blood Eosinophil Count Stability and Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease in a High Endemic Area of Parasitic Infection: A Prospective Study

Background

The blood eosinophil count (BEC) is an effective biomarker for predicting inhaled corticosteroid responsiveness in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Methods

A 12-month prospective observational study was conducted in patients with COPD. BEC was measured at enrolment, and after 6 and 12 months. Patients were classified into three groups according to their baseline BEC: <100, 100 - 299, and ≥300 cells/µL. We aimed to describe the patterns of blood eosinophil stability in patients with stable COPD and compare the exacerbation rates and other clinical outcomes at 6 and 12 months.

Results

A total of 252 patients with COPD were included. The <100, 100 - 299, and ≥ 300 cells/μL groups consisted of 14.7, 38.9, and 46.4% of patients, respectively. BEC stability was highest (85%) in the ≥300 cells/μL group for both durations. The lowest stability was observed in the <100 cells/μL group at 57 and 46% after 6 and 12 months, respectively. The persistent ≥ 300 cells/μL group had a higher incidence of moderate-to-severe exacerbation (IRR 2.44, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.13-5.27, p value 0.023, as well as severe exacerbation (IRR 2.19, 95%CI: 1.39-3.45, p value 0.001). Other patient-reported outcomes did not differ significantly between groups.

Conclusion

Blood eosinophil levels had good stability in patients with COPD with BEC ≥300 cells/µL and was associated with a high risk of exacerbation in the persistent ≥300 cells/μL group. The variability of BEC was higher in patients with COPD with BEC <300 cells/µL.

Callistemon viminalis leaf extract phytochemicals modified silver-ruthenium bimetallic zinc oxide nanocomposite biosynthesis: application on nanocoating photocatalytic Escherichia coli disinfection

Antibiotics are of great interest due to antibiotic-resistant problems around the globe due to bacterial resistance to conventional antibiotics. In this study, a novel green biosynthesis of silver-ruthenium bimetallic zinc oxide nanocomposite using Callistemon viminalis leaf extract as a reducing agent using zinc nitrate hexahydrate, silver nitrate, and ruthenium(iii) chloride as capping agents was reported. The results demonstrated that the surface morphology of the prepared bimetallic nanocomposite by scanning electron microscopy was hexagonal in shape for zinc nanoparticle, rectangular in shape for silver nanoparticle, and tetragonal in shape for ruthenium nanoparticle, having an average surface size 25, 35, and 55 nm, respectively. Fourier transform infrared analysis confirmed the presence of compounds containing alkene, halo-, sulfoxide, phenol, nitro-, phenyl-ester, carboxylic acid, amines, and alcohols which act as functional groups attached to the surface of nanocomposites. Results from X-ray diffraction analysis found 81.12% crystallinity and hexagonal structure of zinc nanoparticles, rectangular structure of silver nanoparticles, and tetragonal structure of ruthenium nanoparticles, which are also similar to the results from transmission electron microscopy analysis. The average size distribution by dynamic light scattering of silver-ruthenium bimetallic zinc oxide nanocomposite was 255 nm, which confirms the biosynthesis of non-uniform size. Photo-disinfection activity of a silver-ruthenium bimetallic zinc oxide nanocomposite against Escherichia coli bacteria isolated from hospital wastewater under dark and ultraviolet-A irradiation conditions was observed. The antibacterial activity was calculated at 2.42704239, ensuring the silver-ruthenium bimetallic zinc oxide nanomaterials have photo-disinfection properties. The results from this study revealed that the developed novel antibacterial nanocomposite of silver-ruthenium bimetallic zinc oxide is useful in nanocoating photocatalytic Escherichia coli disinfection and can be applied to disinfect surfaces.

SARS-CoV-2 variant with the spike protein mutation F306L in the southern border provinces of Thailand

The southernmost part of Thailand is a unique and culturally diverse region that has been greatly affected by the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) outbreak during the coronavirus disease-2019 pandemic. To gain insights into this situation, we analyzed 1942 whole-genome sequences of SARS-CoV-2 obtained from the five southernmost provinces of Thailand between April 2021 and March 2022, together with those publicly available in the Global Initiative on Sharing All Influenza Data database. Our analysis revealed evidence for transboundary transmissions of the virus in and out of the five southernmost provinces during the study period, from both domestic and international sources. The most prevalent viral variant in our sequence dataset was the Delta B.1.617.2.85 variant, also known as the Delta AY.85 variant, with many samples carrying a non-synonymous mutation F306L in their spike protein. Protein-protein docking and binding interface analyses suggested that the mutation may enhance the binding between the spike protein and host cell receptor protein angiotensin-converting enzyme 2, and we found that the mutation was significantly associated with an increased fatality rate. This mutation has also been observed in other SARS-CoV-2 variants, suggesting that it is of particular interest and should be monitored.

Improving accuracy of vascular access quality classification in hemodialysis patients using deep learning with K highest score feature selection

OBJECTIVE

To develop and evaluate a novel feature selection technique, using photoplethysmography (PPG) sensors, for enhancing the performance of deep learning models in classifying vascular access quality in hemodialysis patients.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study involved creating a novel feature selection method based on SelectKBest principles, specifically designed to optimize deep learning models for PPG sensor data, in hemodialysis patients. The method effectiveness was assessed by comparing the performance of multiple deep learning models using the feature selection approach versus complete feature set. The model with the highest accuracy was then trained and tested using a 70:30 approach, respectively, with the full dataset and the SelectKBest dataset. Performance results were compared using Student's paired t-test.

RESULTS

Data from 398 hemodialysis patients were included. The 1-dimensional convolutional neural network (CNN1D) displayed the highest accuracy among different models. Implementation of the SelectKBest-based feature selection technique resulted in a statistically significant improvement in the CNN1D model's performance, achieving an accuracy of 92.05% (with feature selection) versus 90.79% (with full feature set).

CONCLUSION

These findings suggest that the newly developed feature selection approach might aid in accurately predicting vascular access quality in hemodialysis patients. This advancement may contribute to the development of reliable diagnostic tools for identifying vascular complications, such as stenosis, potentially improving patient outcomes and their quality of life.

Surface-modified deproteinized human demineralized tooth matrix for bone regeneration: physicochemical characterization and osteoblast cell biocompatibility

Tooth presents an intriguing option as a bone graft due to its compositional similarity to bone. However, the deproteinized human demineralized tooth matrix (dpDTM), developed to overcome the limited availability of autologous tooth grafts, has suboptimal pore size and surface roughness. This study aimed to fabricate a surface-modified dpDTM using acid etching and collagen coating, followed by in vitro evaluation of physicochemical and biological properties. The dpDTM was modified into two protocols: Acid-modified dpDTM (A-dpDTM) and collagen-modified dpDTM (C-dpDTM). Results demonstrated that A-dpDTM and C-dpDTM had increased pore sizes and rougher surfaces compared to dpDTM. Collagen immobilization was evidenced by nitrogen presence exclusively in C-dpDTM. All groups had a Ca/P molar ratio of 1.67 and hydroxyapatite as the sole constituent, with 65-67% crystallinity. Degradation rates significantly increased to 30% and 20% for C-dpDTM and A-dpDTM, respectively, compared to 10% for dpDTM after 120 days. Cumulative collagen release of C-dpDTM on Day 30 was 45.16 µg/ml. Osteoblasts attachment and proliferation were enhanced on all scaffolds, especially C-dpDTM, which displayed the highest proliferation and differentiation rates. In conclusion, surface modified of dpDTM, including A-dpDTM and C-dpDTM, significantly enhances bioactivity by altering surface properties and promoting osteoblast activity, thereby demonstrating promise for bone regeneration applications.

Characteristics and molecular properties of crude hemeproteins extracted from Asian seabass gills using an ultrasound-assisted process

BACKGROUND

The development of a safe and effective iron supplement is important for the treatment of iron-deficient anemia. Therefore, the crude hemeprotein extract (CHPE) from Asian seabass gills was extracted without (CON) and with ultrasound (US)-assisted process, followed by freeze-drying. The resulting freeze-dried crude hemeprotein extract (FDCHPE) powders were determined for trace mineral content, color, secondary structure, protein pattern, size distribution, volatile compounds, and amino acid composition.

RESULTS

The extraction yields of CON-FDCHPE and US-FDCHPE were 6.76% and 13.65%, respectively. Highest heme iron (0.485 mg/mL) and non-heme iron (0.023 mg/mL) contents were found when US at 70% amplitude for 10 min (US 70/10) was applied. Both CON-FDCHPE and US-FDCHPE had no heavy metals, but higher iron content (432.8 mg/kg) was found in US-FDCHPE (P < 0.05). Typical red color was observed in CON-FDCHPE and US-FDCHPE with a*-values of 9.72 and 10.60, respectively. Ultrasonication affected protein structure, in which β-sheet upsurged, whereas random coil, α-helix, and β-turn were reduced. Protein pattern confirmed that both samples had myoglobin as the major protein. US-FDCHPE also showed a higher abundance of volatile compounds, especially propanal, hexanal, heptanal, and so forth, compared to CON-FDCHPE. Amino acid composition of US-FDCHPE was comparable to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) values.

CONCLUSION

Overall, FDCHPE extracted using ultrasonication could be safe and effective for fortification in food products as an iron supplement to alleviate iron-deficient anemia. Additionally, gills as leftovers could be better exploited rather than being disposed. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Highly specific colorimetric detection based on aggregation of l-cysteine functionalized gold nanoparticles for cypermethrin in water samples

A fast, simple, and selective colorimetric assay for quantifying cypermethrin in water samples is proposed using l-cysteine functionalized gold nanoparticles (AuNPs@Cyst). Cypermethrin is hydrolyzed by potassium hydroxide to obtain hydrolyzed cypermethrin in the form of 3-phenoxybenzaldehyde by-product (HCy). The detection strategy is based on the aggregation of AuNPs@Cyst caused by hydrogen-bonding recognition between the aldehyde group of HCy and the amine group of l-cysteine on the surface of AuNPs@Cyst. As a result, in the presence of HCy under optimal pH 7, AuNPs@Cyst aggregates within 7 min, exhibiting a distinct color change from red to blue-gray, which can be evaluated with the naked eye and UV-visible spectrophotometry. From FE-TEM image, the stable and spherical AuNPs@Cyst had an average size of 13.8 ± 1.6 nm, and from zeta potential analysis, the charge of AuNPs@Cyst was -25.04 ± 1.66 mV. The surface plasmon resonance band of dispersed AuNPs@Cyst was red shifted from 525 nm to 634 nm when AuNPs@Cyst was aggregated. The absorbance ratio (A634/A525) was linearly related to cypermethrin concentrations from 0.5 to 13.0 mg L-1. The limit of detection was 0.2 mg L-1 and precision, expressed as relative standard deviations (RSDs), ranged from 1.9 to 7.3%. In the presence of interfering pesticides (carbaryl, ethion, profenofos and abamectin), only cypermethrin produced a significantly different response, confirming the selectivity of AuNPs@Cyst. Finally, AuNPs@Cyst was applied to determine cypermethrin in water samples, achieving very satisfied recoveries (>98.6%) and RSDs lower than 6.1%.

Synthesis and evaluation of coumarin derivatives on antioxidative, tyrosinase inhibitory activities, melanogenesis, and in silico investigations

New coumarin derivatives were designed using a 2-(2-oxo-2H-chromen-4-yl)acetic acid scaffold conjugated with amino acid esters or tyramine. The anti-tyrosinase and anti-lipid peroxidation activities of the synthesized compounds were investigated. Coumarin derivatives 7,9, 11-13, 15-18 showed strong anti-lipid peroxidation activity. Compound 13 exhibited uncompetitive tyrosinase inhibitory activity with an IC50 value of 68.86 µM. Compound 14 (% activity = 123.41) showed stronger tyrosinase activating activity than 8-methoxypsolaren (8-MOP, % activity = 109.46). In silico studies revealed different poses between the inhibitors and activators near the tyrosinase catalytic site. Compounds 13 (25-50 μM) and 14 (25-100 μM) did not show cytotoxicity against B16F10 cells. In contrast to the tyrosinase inhibition assay, compound 13 (50 μM) suppressed melanogenesis in B16F10 cells with two times higher potency than KA (100 μM). Compound 14 at 100 μM showed melanogenesis enhancement in B16F10 cells in a dose-dependent manner, however, inferior to the 8-MOP. Based on the findings, compound 13 and 14 offer potential for development as skin-lightening agents and vitiligo therapy agents, respectively.

Shrimp oil nanoemulsions prepared by microfluidization and ultrasonication: characteristics and stability

Shrimp oil (SO) nanoemulsions stabilized by fish myofibrillar protein, considered as functional foods, were prepared via microfluidization and ultrasonication. The study explored varying microfluidization (pressure and cycles) and ultrasonication (amplitude and sonication time) conditions that influenced emulsion properties and stability. Ultrasonicated emulsions exhibited superior emulsifying properties, adsorbed protein content, thermal stability, and centrifugal stability than microfluidized emulsions (p < 0.05). Microfluidization at 6.89 and 13.79 MPa with 2 or 4 cycles yielded larger droplets (536 to 638 nm) (p < 0.05), while ultrasonication at 40% and 50% amplitude for 5, 10 and 15 min produced smaller droplets (426 to 494 nm) (p < 0.05). Optimal conditions were obtained for microfluidization (13.79 MPa, 2 cycles) and ultrasonication (50% amplitude, 10 min). Ultrasonicated emulsions had generally smaller d32 and d43, lower polydispersity and higher ζ-potential than their microfluidized counterparts. Microstructural analysis and CLSM images confirmed their superior stability during storage. SO nanoemulsions could be applied as functional food.

Glycerol carbonate synthesis via transesterification of enriched glycerol and dimethyl carbonate using a Li-incorporated MCM-41 framework

Waste crude glycerol was successfully enriched and utilized as an inexpensive source for producing value-added chemicals, such as glycerol carbonate (GC) - a valuable compound with extensive industrial applications. The Li/MCM-41 heterogeneous catalyst was synthesized and used for the transesterification of enriched glycerol and dimethyl carbonate (DMC) to produce GC. The catalyst's physicochemical properties were characterized using thermogravimetric, Hammett indicator, inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectroscopy, nitrogen adsorption-desorption, X-ray diffractometry, scanning electron microscopy, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analyses. Reaction conditions were optimized using response surface methodology and analysis of variance, yielding an accurate quadratic model to predict the GC yield under different transesterification variables. The results revealed that 5%Li/MCM-41 served as the optimal catalyst, achieving the highest TOF of 4.72 h-1. The DMC: enriched glycerol molar ratio had the greatest impact on the GC yield, with an R2 = 0.9743 and adjusted R2 = 0.9502. The optimal GC yield (58.77%) with a final purity of 78% was attained at a 5.15 wt% catalyst loading relative to the initial amount of enriched glycerol, DMC: enriched glycerol molar ratio of 4.24 : 1, and a reaction temperature of 86 °C for 165 min. The 5%Li/MCM-41 heterogeneous catalyst could be reused for four cycles with a decreased GC yield from 58.77% to 45.72%. Thus, the Li/MCM-41 catalyst demonstrated a remarkable efficiency and potential as a heterogeneous catalyst for synthesizing GC. This method not only contributes to environmental sustainability by making use of a byproduct from biodiesel production but also aligns with the principles of a circular economy.

Allosteric Signal within the Receptor-Binding Domain of the SARS-CoV-2 Spike Protein Mediated by a Class 3 Monoclonal Antibody Revealed through Molecular Dynamics Simulations and Protein Residue Networks

This study investigated the allosteric action within the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein caused by class 3 monoclonal antibody (mAb) binding. As the emergence of SARS-CoV-2 variants has raised concerns about the effectiveness of treatments by antibodies, targeting the highly conserved class 3 epitopes has become an alternative strategy of antibody design. Simulations of explicitly solvated RBD of the BA.2.75 omicron subvariants were carried out both in the presence and in the absence of bebtelovimab, as a model example of class 3 monoclonal antibodies against the RBD of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein. The comparative analysis showed that bebtelovimab's binding on two α helices at the epitope region disrupted the nearby interaction network, which triggered a denser interaction network formation on the opposite side of the receptor-binding motif (RBM) region and resulted in a "close" conformation that could prevent the ACE2 binding. A better understanding of this allosteric action could lead to the development of alternative mAbs for further variants of concern. In terms of computational techniques, the communicability matrix could serve as a tool to visualize the effects of allostery, as the pairs of amino acids or secondary structures with high communicability could pinpoint the possible sites to transfer the allosteric signal. Additionally, the communicability gain/loss matrix could help elucidate the consequences of allosteric actions, which could be employed along with other allostery quantification techniques in some previous studies.

Prognostic Markers in Tyrosine Kinases Specific to Basal-like 2 Subtype of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), a heterogeneous and therapeutically challenging subtype, comprises over 50% of patients categorized into basal-like 1 (BL1) and basal-like 2 (BL2) intrinsic molecular subtypes. Despite their shared basal-like classification, BL2 is associated with a poor response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy and reduced relapse-free survival compared to BL1. Here, the study focused on identifying subtype-specific markers for BL2 through transcriptomic analysis of TNBC patients using RNA-seq and clinical integration. Six receptor tyrosine kinase (TK) genes, including EGFR, EPHA4, EPHB2, PDGFRA, PDGFRB, and ROR1, were identified as potential differentiators for BL2. Correlations between TK mRNA expression and TNBC prognosis, particularly EGFR, PDGFRA, and PDGFRB, revealed potential synergistic interactions in pathways related to cell survival and proliferation. Our findings also suggest promising dual markers for predicting disease prognosis. Furthermore, RT-qPCR validation demonstrated that identified BL2-specific TKs were expressed at a higher level in BL2 than in BL1 cell lines, providing insights into unique characteristics. This study advances the understanding of TNBC heterogeneity within the basal-like subtypes, which could lead to novel clinical treatment approaches and the development of targeted therapies.

Lipase-Catalyzed Synthesis of Structured Fatty Acids Enriched with Medium and Long-Chain n-3 Fatty Acids via Solvent-Free Transesterification of Skipjack Tuna Eyeball Oil and Commercial Butterfat

Human milk lipids generally have the maximum long-chain fatty acids at the sn-2 position of the glycerol backbone. This positioning makes them more digestible than long-chain fatty acids located at the sn-1, 3 positions. These unique fatty acid distributions are not found elsewhere in nature. When lactation is insufficient, infant formula milk has been used as a substitute. However, the distribution of most fatty acids ininfant formula milk is still different from human milk. Therefore, structured lipids were produced by the redistribution of medium-chain fatty acids from commercial butterfat (CBF) and n-3 and n-6 long-chain fatty acids from skipjack tuna eyeball oil (STEO). Redistribution was carried out via transesterification facilitated by Asian seabass liver lipase (ASL-L). Under the optimum conditions including a CBF/STEO ratio (3:1), transesterification time (60 h), and ASL-L unit (250 U), the newly formed modified-STEO (M-STEO) contained 93.56% triacylglycerol (TAG), 0.31% diacylglycerol (DAG), and 0.02% monoacylglycerol (MAG). The incorporated medium-chain fatty acids accounted for 18.2% of M-STEO, whereas ASL-L could incorporate 40% of n-3 fatty acids and 25-30% palmitic acid in M-STEO. The 1H NMRA and 13CNMR results revealed that the major saturated fatty acid (palmitic acid) and unsaturated fatty acids (DHA and EPA) were distributed at the sn-2 position of the TAGs in M-STEO. Thus, M-STEO enriched with medium-chain fatty acids and n-3 fatty acids positioned at the sn-2 position of TAGs can be a potential substitute for human milk fatty acids in infant formula milk (IFM).

Biological Control Activities of Rhizosphere Fungus Trichoderma virens T1-02 in Suppressing Flower Blight of Flamingo Flower (Anthurium andraeanum Lind.)

Flower blight caused by Neopestalotiopsis clavispora is an emerging disease of flamingo flower (Anthurium andraeanum Lind.) that negatively impacts flower production. The use of rhizosphere fungi as biocontrol agents is an alternative way to control this disease instead of using synthetic fungicides. This research aimed to screen the potential of rhizosphere fungi, Trichoderma spp., with diverse antifungal abilities to control N. clavispora and to reduce flower blight in flamingo flowers. A total of ten isolates were tested against N. clavispora by dual culture assay, and T1-02 was found to be the most effective isolate against N. clavispora, with inhibition of 78.21%. Morphology and molecular phylogeny of multiple DNA sequences of the genes, the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), translation elongation factor 1-α (tef1-α), and RNA polymerase 2 (rpb2) identified isolate T1-02 as Trichoderma virens. Sealed plate method revealed T. virens T1-02 produced volatile antifungal compounds (VOCs) against N. clavispora, with inhibition of 51.28%. Solid-phase microextraction (SPME) was applied to trap volatiles, and GC/MS profiling showed VOCs emitted from T. virens T1-02 contained a sesquiterpene antifungal compound-germacrene D. The pre-colonized plate method showed that T. virens T1-02 aggressively colonized in tested plates with inhibition of 100% against N. clavispora, and microscopy revealed direct parasitism onto fungal hyphae. Furthermore, the application of T. virens T1-02 spore suspension reduced the disease severity index (DSI) of flower blight in flamingo flowers. Based on the results from this study, T. virens T1-02 displays multiple antagonistic mechanisms and has the potential ability to control flower blight of flamingo flowers caused by N. clavispora.

Recovering Phosphate from Complex Wastewater Using Macroporous Cryogel Composited Calcium Silicate Hydrate Nanoparticles

Since currently used natural, nonrenewable phosphorus resources are estimated to be depleted in the next 30-200 years, phosphorus recovery from any phosphorus-rich residues has attracted great interest. In this study, phosphorus recovery from complex wastewater samples was investigated using continuous adsorption on cryogel column composited calcium silicate hydrate nanoparticles (CSH columns). The results showed that 99.99% of phosphate was recovered from a synthetic water sample (50 mg L-1) using a 5 cm CSH column with a 5 mL min-1 influent flow rate for 6 h while 82.82% and 97.58% of phosphate were recovered from household laundry wastewater (1.84 mg L-1) and reverse osmosis concentrate (26.46 mg L-1), respectively. The adsorption capacity decreased with an increasing flow rate but increased with increasing initial concentration and column height, and the obtained experimental data were better fitted to the Yoon-Nelson model (R2 = 0.7723-0.9643) than to the Adams-Bohart model (R2 = 0.6320-0.8899). The adsorption performance of phosphate was decreased 3.65 times in the presence of carbonate ions at a similar concentration, whereas no effect was obtained from nitrate and sulfate. The results demonstrate the potential of continuous-flow phosphate adsorption on the CSH column for the recovery of phosphate from complex wastewater samples.

Synthesis and Optimization of Glycerol Carbonate from Crude Glycerol Using Sodium Carbonate (Na2CO3) as a Heterogeneous Catalyst

The essential need for sustainable energy sources to replace fossil fuels has fueled interest in renewable energy and biorefinery processes. Biodiesel production generates a considerable amount of crude glycerol (CG), which poses a challenge for the industry. This study aims to address this challenge by purifying CG through acidification. The acidification process successfully purified crude glycerol (PCG), resulting in a purity of 98.4 wt %. Subsequently, synthesizing glycerol carbonate (GC) from PCG and dimethyl carbonate (DMC) was undertaken by using heterogeneous catalysts. Sodium carbonate (Na2CO3) emerges as the most promising catalyst, considering its suitability in the presence of impurities such as 0.72 wt % of water and 0.57 wt % of matter organic nonglycerol (MONG) in PCG. The optimum catalyst dosage of Na2CO3 was determined as 2.1% mol of PCG. The experiments were carried out using a central composite design (CCD) methodology. By employing the response surface method (RSM), the optimal reaction conditions were determined to be a PCG/DMC molar ratio of 1:2.37 and a reaction time of 1.83 h. Under these conditions, an observed GC yield of 72.13% and PCG conversion of 78.39% were achieved. Despite the purification process, PCG still contains residual water, making Na2CO3 a suitable catalyst capable of tolerating a water content up to 3 wt %. This study not only enhances the effective utilization of CG within the biodiesel industry but also offers valuable insights for further exploration of sustainable chemical processes in future research.

Upgrading Pyrolysis Bio-Oil through Esterification Process and Assessing the Performance and Emissions of Diesel-Biodiesel-Esterified Pyrolysis Bio-Oil Blends in Direct Injection Diesel Engines

This research aimed to evaluate the performance and emissions of direct injection diesel engines using blends of diesel-biodiesel-esterified pyrolysis bio-oil (D-B-EPB). The pyrolysis process was employed to produce pyrolysis bio-oil (PBO) from solid biomass obtained from fresh palm fruits. Furthermore, a simple and effective esterification process was used to upgrade the PBO. The methyl ester (ME) purity of EPB production was studied to optimize three independent variables: methanol (14.8-65.2 wt %), sulfuric acid (1.6-18.4 wt %), and reaction time (16-84 min) using the response surface methodology. The actual experiment yielded a ME purity of 72.73 wt % under the recommended conditions of 40.3 wt % methanol, 13.0 wt % sulfuric acid, 50 min reaction time, 60 °C reaction temperature, and 300 rpm stirrer speed. Additionally, the stability and phase behaviors of D-B-EPB blends were analyzed by using a ternary phase diagram to determine the potential blending proportion. The results revealed that a fuel blend consisting of 30 wt % diesel, 60 wt % biodiesel, and 10 wt % EPB (D30B60EPB10) met the density and viscosity requirements of diesel standards. This D30B60EPB10 blend was subjected to performance and emission tests in diesel engines at various speeds ranging from 1100 to 2300 rpm and different engine loads of 25, 50, and 75%. In terms of performance analysis, the brake thermal efficiencies of biodiesel and D30B60EPB10 were 7.19 and 3.88% higher than that of diesel, respectively. However, the brake-specific fuel consumption of the D30B60EPB10 blend was 6.60% higher than that of diesel due to its higher density and viscosity and lower heating value compared with that of diesel. In the emission analysis, the D30B60EPB10 blend exhibited performance comparable to diesel while being more environmentally friendly, reducing carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, nitrogen oxide, and smoke opacity by 8.73, 30.13, 37.55, and 59.75%, respectively. The results of this study suggest that the D-B-EPB blend has the potential to serve as a viable biofuel option, reducing the proportion of diesel in blended fuel and benefiting farmers and rural communities..

Solubility and Physical Stability Enhancement of Loratadine by Preparation of Co-Amorphous Solid Dispersion with Chlorpheniramine and Polyvinylpyrrolidone

Loratadine (LRD), a non-sedating and slow-acting antihistamine, is often given in combination with short-onset chlorpheniramine maleate (CPM) to increase efficacy. However, LRD has poor water solubility resulting in low bioavailability. The aim of this study was to improve LRD solubility by preparing co-amorphous LRD-CPM. However, the obtained co-amorphous LRD-CPM recrystallized rapidly, and the solubility of LRD returned to a poor state again. Therefore, co-amorphous LRD-CPM solid dispersions using polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) as a carrier were prepared. The obtained solid dispersions were characterized using X-ray powder diffraction (XRPD), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The solubility, dissolution, and mechanism of drug release from the LRD-CPM/PVP co-amorphous solid dispersions were studied and compared with those of intact LRD, LRD/PVP solid dispersions, and co-amorphous LRD-CPM mixtures. The results from XRPD and DSC confirmed the amorphous form of LRD in the co-amorphous solid dispersions. The FTIR results indicated that there was no intermolecular interaction between LRD, CPM, and PVP. In conclusion, the obtained LRD-CPM/PVP co-amorphous solid dispersions can successfully increase the water solubility and dissolution of LRD and extend the amorphous state of LRD without recrystallization.

Optimizing Nitrogen Fertilization to Enhance Productivity and Profitability of Upland Rice Using CSM-CERES-Rice

Nitrogen (N) deficiency can limit rice productivity, whereas the over- and underapplication of N results in agronomic and economic losses. Process-based crop models are useful tools and could assist in optimizing N management, enhancing the production efficiency and profitability of upland rice production systems. The study evaluated the ability of CSM-CERES-Rice to determine optimal N fertilization rate for different sowing dates of upland rice. Field experimental data from two growing seasons (2018-2019 and 2019-2020) were used to simulate rice responses to four N fertilization rates (N30, N60, N90 and a control-N0) applied under three different sowing windows (SD1, SD2 and SD3). Cultivar coefficients were calibrated with data from N90 under all sowing windows in both seasons and the remaining treatments were used for model validation. Following model validation, simulations were extended up to N240 to identify the sowing date's specific economic optimum N fertilization rate (EONFR). Results indicated that CSM-CERES-Rice performed well both in calibration and validation, in simulating rice performance under different N fertilization rates. The d-index and nRMSE values for grain yield (0.90 and 16%), aboveground dry matter (0.93 and 13%), harvest index (0.86 and 7%), grain N contents (0.95 and 18%), total crop N uptake (0.97 and 15%) and N use efficiencies (0.94-0.97 and 11-15%) during model validation indicated good agreement between simulated and observed data. Extended simulations indicated that upland rice yield was responsive to N fertilization up to 180 kg N ha-1 (N180), where the yield plateau was observed. Fertilization rates of 140, 170 and 130 kg N ha-1 were identified as the EONFR for SD1, SD2 and SD3, respectively, based on the computed profitability, marginal net returns and N utilization. The model results suggested that N fertilization rate should be adjusted for different sowing windows rather than recommending a uniform N rate across sowing windows. In summary, CSM-CERES-Rice can be used as a decision support tool for determining EONFR for seasonal sowing windows to maximize the productivity and profitability of upland rice production.

Chitooligosaccharide and Its Derivatives: Potential Candidates as Food Additives and Bioactive Components

Chitooligosaccharide (CHOS), a depolymerized chitosan, can be prepared via physical, chemical, and enzymatic hydrolysis, or a combination of these techniques. The superior properties of CHOS have attracted attention as alternative additives or bioactive compounds for various food and biomedical applications. To increase the bioactivities of a CHOS, its derivatives have been prepared via different methods and were characterized using various analytical methods including FTIR and NMR spectroscopy. CHOS derivatives such as carboxylated CHOS, quaternized CHOS, and others showed their potential as potent anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity, neuroprotective, and anti-cancer agents, which could further be used for human health benefits. Moreover, enhanced antibacterial and antioxidant bioactivities, especially for a CHOS-polyphenol conjugate, could play a profound role in shelf-life extension and the safety assurance of perishable foods via the inhibition of spoilage microorganisms and pathogens and lipid oxidation. Also, the effectiveness of CHOS derivatives for shelf-life extension can be augmented when used in combination with other preservative technologies. Therefore, this review provides an overview of the production of a CHOS and its derivatives, as well as their potential applications in food as either additives or nutraceuticals. Furthermore, it revisits recent advancements in translational research and in vivo studies on CHOS and its derivatives in the medical-related field.

Differentially expressed genes in the testes from early to mature development of banana shrimp (Fenneropenaeus merguiensis)

Banana shrimp (Fenneropenaeus merguiensis) is an economically important species in Thailand owing to the high value of globally exported frozen brine shrimps. However, the regulatory mechanisms governing spermatogenesis and testicular development in this species are poorly understood. High-throughput RNA sequencing was used to investigate the mechanisms and regulated genes involved in testis development using transcriptome profiling of juvenile and adult banana shrimp testes. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in these two libraries were identified and quantified to confirm gene expression. DEGs were found in 7,347 genes, with 4,465 upregulated and 2,882 downregulated. Some of these genes were designated as candidate genes, and six specific DEGs, including PRM1, SPATA20, Sry, SSRF, Sxl, and Tra-2c, were selected to confirm the reliability of the RNA-seq data using qPCR. Moreover, six non-DEGs were chosen based on testis-specific and regulatory genes that support a specific function in spermatogenesis and testis development in this species, including Dsx, Gfra2, IAG, Sox9, Sox13, and Sox14A. Furthermore, Sry, Sox14A, Sox14B and SPATA20 were identified in early stages (nauplius-postlarvae) of shrimp development to provide more information involving testes formation and development. The transcript data from this study could differentiate a group of genes required at the early and late stages of testis development and both sets of testis development. Therefore, this information would help in manipulating each stage of testicular development.

Gelation characteristics of partially purified myofibrillar proteins extracted from commercially harvested Indian mackerel and threadfin bream

Gelling behaviors of partially purified myofibrillar proteins (PPMP) extracted from Indian mackerel (IM) and threadfin bream (TB) as a function of heating temperatures (20-75°C) were comparatively studied. PPMP obtained from IM (IM-MP) showed lower turbidity and surface hydrophobicity as compared to those extracted from TB (TB-MP). Moreover, lower disulfide bond content was noticed in IM-MP (7.7-9.46 mol/106  g protein) as compared to TB-MP (10.99-13.95 mol/106  g protein) during the heating process. There was no major difference in the amino acid profile noticed between PPMP from both the species, except lysine and glutamine contents, which were higher in TB-MP. Structural analysis, FTIR spectra, amide I band, and fluorescence intensity substantiated those changes. The protein pattern also revealed autolysis of IM-MP. The transmission analysis also showed lower aggregation and crosslinking ability of IM-MP than TB-MP. Therefore, poorer gelling behavior of IM-MP reconfirmed the inferior gel property of surimi gel from IM to gel from TB. Potential development is still required for the improvement of the gel properties of dark-fleshed fish surimi such as IM. PRACTICAL APPLICATION: Indian mackerel (IM) is an abundant and widely captured fish species. Due to overexploitation of lean fish, pelagic fish could be explored as a potential raw material for surimi production. However, poor gelling properties of IM limit its use in the surimi industry. This study provides an insight into the gelling behavior of myofibrillar proteins from IM during the gelation process in comparison with the lean fish (threadfin bream). Overall, structural and rheological changes of myofibrillar proteins play a role in gelation, thus affecting gel properties between two species. Further improvement of the gel of IM is still required.

Potential of butanol production from Thailand marine macroalgae using Clostridium beijerinckii ATCC 10132-based ABE fermentation

The economical bio-butanol-based fermentation process is mainly limited by the high price of first-generation biomass, which is an intensive cost for the pretreatment of second-generation biomass. As third-generation biomass, marine macroalgae could be potentially advantageous for conversion to clean and renewable bio-butanol through acetone-butanol-ethanol (ABE) fermentation. In this study, butanol production from three macroalgae species (Gracilaria tenuistipitata, Ulva intestinalis, and Rhizoclonium sp.) by Clostridium beijerinckii ATCC 10132 was assessed comparatively. The enriched C beijerinckii ATCC 10132 inoculum produced a high butanol concentration of 14.07 g L-1 using 60 g L-1 of glucose. Among the three marine seaweed species, G. tenuistipitata exhibited the highest potential for butanol production (1.38 g L-1 ). Under the 16 conditions designed using the Taguchi method for low-temperature hydrothermal pretreatment (HTP) of G. tenuistipitata, the maximum reducing sugar yield rate of 57.6% and ABE yield of 19.87% were achieved at a solid to liquid (S/L) ratio of 120, temperature of 110°C, and holding time of 10 min (Severity factor, R0 1.29). In addition, pretreated G. tenuistipitata could be converted to 3.1 g L-1 of butanol using low-HTP at an S/L ratio of 50 g L-1 , temperature of 80°C (R0 0.11), and holding time of 5 min.

Novel Lawsone-Quinoxaline Hybrids as New Dual Binding Site Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors

A new family of lawsone-quinoxaline hybrids was designed, synthesized, and evaluated as dual binding site cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs). In vitro tests revealed that compound 6d was the most potent AChEI (IC50 = 20 nM) and BChEI (IC50 = 220 nM). The compound 6d did not show cytotoxicity against the SH-SY5Y neuronal cells (GI50 > 100 μM). In silico and enzyme kinetic experiments demonstrated that compound 6d bound to both the catalytic anionic site and the peripheral anionic site of HuAChE. The lawsone-quinoxaline hybrids exhibited potential for further development of potent acetylcholinesterase inhibitors for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

An irreversible paper-based profluorescent nitroxide probe for the selective detection of ascorbic acid

Ascorbic acid (AA) or vitamin C plays multiple crucial roles, particularly as an antioxidant. This essentially biologically active molecule was selectively detected over other reductants by the synthesized profluorescent nitroxide probe ProN6via a switch-on method. After either a hydrogen atom or single electron transfer from AA to nitroxide, the resulting diamagnetic hydroxylamine was rapidly cyclized to form a fluorescent O-acylalkoxyamine. This cyclization prevented the reoxidation of the corresponding hydroxylamine to the nitroxide, leading to a high precision of detection. A kinetic fluorescence study indicated that ProN6 exhibited higher reactivity than ProN7. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations indicated that the Gibbs free energy of the AA-induced cascade reductive lactonization of ProN6 was lower than that of ProN5 and ProN7. The designed probe achieved the sensitive and specific detection of AA with detection limits of 77.9 nM and 195.9 μM in solution and on paper, respectively. The utilization of the probe as a paper-based fluorescent sensor demonstrated the good accuracy of the quantitative analysis of AA in commercial supplements.

Fluconazole and echinocandin resistance of Candida species in invasive candidiasis at a university hospital during pre-COVID-19 and the COVID-19 outbreak

Antifungal susceptibility of Candida species is decreasing. Successful treatment for antifungal-resistant candida infection is challenging and associated with significant mortality. We performed a prospective observational study to identify the species and antifungal susceptibilities of invasive isolates of Candida species over a 5-year period at a university hospital in southern Thailand. Between 2017 and 2021, the species distribution was 39.1% Candida tropicalis, 24.8% Candida albicans, 20.3% Candida parapsilosis complex, 10.5% Candida glabrata, and 5.2% miscellaneous Candida spp. Notable observations include elevated minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and decrease susceptibility of C. tropicalis and C. glabrata to echinocandin and all tested triazoles. A shift of MIC90 value in the COVID-19 era was seen in C. albicans and C. tropicalis with azoles and echinocandins. Azole resistance increased among C. tropicalis isolates, and echinocandin resistance also increased among C. parapsilosis and C. glabrata isolates. Novel alterations in FKS1 HS1 and HS2 were detected in both isolates of anidulafungin-resistant C. parapsilosis. As Candida species have become more resistant to azoles and less susceptible to echinocandin development, the need arose to observe the emergence of resistance to both antifungal classes in candida clinical isolates, for a more effective infection control in the hospital.

Trypsin from Pyloric Caeca of Asian Seabass: Purification, Characterization, and Its Use in the Hydrolysis of Acid-Soluble Collagen

The study aimed to purify trypsin from the pyloric caeca of Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer), and investigate its proteolytic capability toward acid-soluble collagen (ASC) in comparison with commercial porcine trypsin (CPT). Trypsin was purified from pyloric caeca, a leftover from the evisceration process, via ammonium sulphate (40-60% saturation) precipitation, and a soybean trypsin inhibitor (SBTI)-Sepharose 4B column. A 18.5-fold purification and a yield of 15.2% were obtained. SDS-PAGE analysis confirmed a single band of trypsin with a molecular weight of 23.5 kDa. Purified trypsin also showed the single band in native-PAGE. The optimal pH and temperature of trypsin for BAPNA (the specific substrate for amidase) hydrolysis were 8.5 and 60 °C, respectively. The trypsin was stable within the pH range of 7.0-9.5 and temperature range of 25-55 °C. Protease inhibition study confirmed that the purified enzyme was trypsin. The purified trypsin had a Michaelis-Menten constant (Km) and catalytic constant (kcat) of 0.078 mM and 5.4 s-1, respectively, when BAPNA was used. For the hydrolysis of TAME (the specific substrate for esterase), the Km and Kcat were 0.09 mM and 4.8 s-1, respectively. Partially purified seabass trypsin (PPST) had a slightly lower hydrolysis capacity toward ASC than CPT, as evidenced by the lower degree of hydrolysis and protein degradation when the former was used. Both the α-chain and β-chain became more degraded as the hydrolysis time increased. Based on MALDI-TOP, peptides with MW of 2992-2970 Da were dominant in the hydrolysates. Therefore, seabass trypsin could be used in the production of hydrolyzed collagen. It could have economic importance to the market, by replacing some commercial proteases, which have religious constraints.

Comparative Antihyperglycemic and Antihyperlipidemic Effects of Lawsone Methyl Ether and Lawsone in Nicotinamide-Streptozotocin-Induced Diabetic Rats

Our previous study uncovered potent inhibitory effects of two naphthoquinones from Impatiens balsamina, namely lawsone methyl ether (2-methoxy-1,4-naphthoquinone, LME) and lawsone (2-hydroxy-1,4-naphthoquinone), against α-glucosidase. This gave us the insight to compare the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects of LME and lawsone in high-fat/high-fructose-diet- and nicotinamide-streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats for 28 days. LME and lawsone at the doses of 15, 30, and 45 mg/kg, respectively, produced a substantial and dose-dependent reduction in the levels of fasting blood glucose (FBG), HbA1c, and food/water intake while boosting the insulin levels and body weights of diabetic rats. Additionally, the levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TGs), high-density lipoproteins (HDLs), low-density lipoproteins (LDLs), aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), creatinine, and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) in diabetic rats were significantly normalized by LME and lawsone, without affecting the normal rats. LME at a dose of 45 mg/kg exhibited the most potent antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic effects, which were significantly comparable to glibenclamide but higher than those of lawsone. Furthermore, the toxicity evaluation indicated that both naphthoquinones were entirely safe for use in rodent models at doses ≤ 50 mg/kg. Therefore, the remarkable antihyperglycemic and antihyperlipidemic potentials of LME make it a promising option for future drug development.

Breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Variant in Individuals Primed with Heterologous Vaccines Enhances Inhibition Performance of Neutralizing Antibody to BA.2 Parental Lineage

This study aims to analyze the neutralization ability against Omicron parental variants in five clusters of individuals with different Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) immunity backgrounds, including individuals receiving a homologous or heterologous vaccine without prior infection, recovered patients with homologous or heterologous vaccination, and recovery patients without vaccination. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) surrogate virus neutralization assay was performed on serum samples. Spearman correlation analysis showed that the percent inhibition against Omicron B.1.1.529 and BA.2 was significantly related to the period of serum collection (r = 0.730 and 0.787, p < 0.001, respectively). Very strong correlation between percent inhibition of neutralizing antibody against Omicron B.1.1.529 and BA.2 variants (r_s = 0.973, p < 0.001) was also observed. The neutralizing activity of the sera from recovery patients receiving homologous and heterologous vaccine against the wild-type, B.1.1.529, and BA.2 Omicron variants was significantly higher (p < 0.001) than that of recovery patients without vaccination. This study robustly showed that the breakthrough SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant in individuals who received homologous and heterologous vaccines had a high level of neutralizing activity against B.1.1.529 and BA.2 parental lineage of XBB subvariants. Therefore, the next-generation COVID-19 vaccine against emerging variants is needed to improve resilience against ongoing variants, particularly for persons who have never been infected.

A wearable electrode based on copper nanoparticles for rapid determination of paraquat

The application of copper-based nanoparticles synthesized via green synthesis and their integration with a wearable electrode is reported for designing a flexible catalytic electrode on a glove for onsite electroanalysis of paraquat. A copper precursor and an orange extract from Citrus reticulata are used to synthesize an economical electrocatalytic material for supporting the selective and sensitive detection of paraquat. The electrode yields multidimensional fingerprints due to two redox couples in a square wave voltammogram, corresponding to the presence of paraquat. The developed lab-on-a-finger sensor provides the fast electroanalysis of paraquat within 10 s, covering a wide range from 0.50 to 1000 µM, with a low detection limit down to 0.31 µM and high selectivity. It is also possible to use this sensor at a fast scan rate as high as 6 V s-1 (< 0.5 s for a scan). This wearable glove sensor allows the user to directly touch and analyze samples, such as surfaces of vegetables and fruits, to screen the contamination. It is envisioned that these glove-embedded sensors can be applied to the on-site analysis of food contamination and environments.

The role of monsoon-driven oceanographic variability in recruitment patterns of key intertidal space occupiers on tropical rocky shores on the west coast of Thailand, Indian Ocean

We investigated the influences of oceanographic variables on recruitment patterns of the acorn barnacle Chthamalus malayensis and the rock oyster Saccostrea cuccullata, key space occupiers on tropical intertidal rocky shores. Recruitment data and nearshore environmental variables were obtained at spatial (regional and local) and temporal (monthly) scales on the west coast of Thailand. The relationship between the recruitment of each species and combinations of environmental variables was modeled. The climate of the study sites is influenced by the southwest and northeast monsoons of the Indochinese monsoon system. Observations showed that recruitment of both species and oceanographic variables exhibited differences at either local scale or monthly scale or both. Recruitment of both species was positively related to temperature, while barnacle recruitment was negatively related to salinity, but oyster recruitment was positively related to salinity. Barnacles showed a greater rate of recruitment when south-westerly onshore winds predominated during the southwest monsoon season, while the influence of wind patterns on rock oyster recruitment was not clear. Differential larval delivery regulated by monsoon-driven currents is, therefore, a potential determinant of barnacle recruitment. Our study highlights the roles of monsoon-influenced oceanographic processes as predictors of recruitment patterns of intertidal species in a tropical system.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10750-023-05256-w.

Piper nigrum Extract: Dietary Supplement for Reducing Mammary Tumor Incidence and Chemotherapy-Induced Toxicity

A low piperine fractional Piper nigrum extract (PFPE) was prepared by mixing cold-pressed coconut oil and honey in distilled water, namely, PFPE-CH. In this study, PFPE-CH was orally administered as a dietary supplement to decrease the risk of tumor formation and reduce the side effects of chemotherapeutic drugs during breast cancer treatment. The toxicity study demonstrated no mortality or adverse effects after administrating PFPE-CH at 5000 mg/kg during a 14-day observation period. Additionally, PFPE-CH at 86 mg/kg BW/day did not cause any harm to the kidney or liver function of the rats for six months. In a cancer prevention study, treatment with PFPE-CH at 100 mg/kg BW for 101 days induced oxidative stress and increased the immune response by altering the levels of cancer-associated cytokines (IL-4, IL-6, and IFN-g), leading to a reduction in the tumor incidence of up to 71.4% without any adverse effects. In combination with doxorubicin, PFPE-CH did not disrupt the anticancer effects of the drug in rats with mammary tumors. Surprisingly, PFPE-CH reduced chemotherapy-induced toxicity by improving some hematological and biochemical parameters. Therefore, our results suggest that PFPE-CH is safe and effective in reducing breast tumor incidence and toxicity of chemotherapeutic drugs during cancer treatment in mammary tumor rats.

Use of Mindex and Demiquet for assessing nutritional status in older adults

BACKGROUND

The Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) is a validated questionnaire that estimates nutritional status. Given that this questionnaire uses stature measurement, which are unreliable in older adults, Mindex and Demiquet are alternatives to BMI for assessing malnutrition risk. However, the correlation of Mindex and Demiquet values with MNA scores has not been investigated.

OBJECTIVES

This cross-sectional study examined the correlation of Mindex and Demiquet with nutritional status and blood parameters in older adults in Thailand.

METHODS

The correlation of Mindex and Demiquet with MNA scores and body mass index (BMI), as well as blood parameters, was evaluated. Sociodemographic characteristics, anthropometric measurements, and blood test results were collected from 347 participants aged 60 years and older (mean ± SD, 66.4 ± 5.3 years). Spearman's rank correlation coefficient and multiple logistic regression analyses were used in statistical analyses.

RESULTS

MNA scores were significantly correlated with Mindex (P < 0.001) and Demiquet (P = 0.001), and BMI was related to Mindex and Demiquet (P < 0.001). Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) predicted MNA scores (P = 0.048) in males but not females.

CONCLUSIONS

Mindex and Demiquet values were positively correlated with MNA scores and BMI. In addition, LDL-C predicted MNA scores in male older adults.

Correction to "Investigating the Effect of a Diesel-Refined Crude Palm Oil Methyl Ester-Hydrous Ethanol Blend on the Performance and Emissions of an Unmodified Direct Injection Diesel Engine"

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.2c07537.].

Pickering Emulsion Stabilized by Fish Myofibrillar Proteins Modified with Tannic Acid, as Influenced by Different Drying Methods

A novel food-grade, particles-based Pickering emulsion (PE) was prepared from a marine source. Yellow stripe trevally is an under-utilized species. The use of its muscle protein as solid food-grade particles for the preparation of a Pickering emulsion can be a potential means of obtaining the natural nutritive emulsifier/stabilizer. Fish myofibrillar proteins (FMP) were modified with tannic acid (TA) at varying concentrations (0.125, 0.25, and 0.5%) followed by freeze-drying (FD) or spray-drying (SD). Physicochemical characteristics and emulsifying properties of obtained FMP-TA complexed particles were assessed for structural changes and oil-in-water emulsion stabilization. The addition of TA caused a reduction in surface hydrophobicity and total sulfhydryl content values for either FD-FMP or SD-FMP. Conversely, disulfide bond content was significantly increased, particularly when TA at 0.5% was used (p < 0.05). FTIR, spectrofluorometer, and the protein pattern also confirmed the cross-linking between FMP and TA. SD-FMP modified with 0.5% TA (SD-FMP-0.5TA) rendered the highest emulsifying stability index but had a lowered emulsifying activity index (p < 0.05). Confocal microscopic images, droplet size, and rheological properties revealed that a SD-FMP-0.5TA-stabilized emulsion had higher stability after 45 days of storage than an FD-FMP-0.5TA-stabilized emulsion. Therefore, the SD-FMP-0.5TA complex could be used as a potential food-grade stabilizer/emulsifier for PE with enhanced emulsifying properties.

Investigating the Effect of a Diesel-Refined Crude Palm Oil Methyl Ester-Hydrous Ethanol Blend on the Performance and Emissions of an Unmodified Direct Injection Diesel Engine

In this research, the optimum condition for the production of refined crude palm oil methyl ester from refined crude palm oil was investigated using the response surface method via the transesterification reaction in a batch process. The refined crude palm oil was obtained by vacuum distillation of crude palm oil to extract some of the free fatty acids from the oil, providing nutritional benefits and reducing the chemical consumption of the production process. The purity of methyl ester in the refined crude palm oil methyl ester was studied to adjust four independent variables: methanol content (11-23 vol %), concentration of potassium hydroxide (4-12 g/L), stirrer speed (100-500 rpm), and reaction time (9-45 min). The results showed that methyl ester had a purity of 96.91 wt % when synthesized under optimal conditions of 18.2 vol % methanol, a potassium hydroxide concentration of 10.0 g/L, a stirring speed of 380 rpm, and a reaction time of 36.4 min at 60 °C. Refined crude palm oil methyl ester was blended with diesel and ethanol to study the feasibility of using the diesel-refined crude palm oil methyl ester-hydrous ethanol blend in an unmodified diesel engine. A comparative study of fuel properties, emissions, and performance of the diesel-refined crude palm oil methyl ester-ethanol blend was used to assess the feasibility of fuel blends (D40RM50E10, D30RM60E10, D20RM70E10, and D10RM80E10) in diesel engines at various engine speeds and loads. The results showed that the D40RM50E10 blend provided the closest performance to diesel and was environmentally friendly, as it provided nitrogen oxide and carbon monoxide emissions 32 and 55% lower than those with diesel, respectively. The test results indicated that the diesel-refined crude palm oil methyl ester-hydrous ethanol blend is an attractive alternative fuel in agricultural engines that reduces diesel consumption and benefits farmers and rural communities.

Influence of Na+ disorder on cytoplasmic conductivity and cellular electromagnetic (EM) energy absorption of human erythrocytes (PONE-D-21-36089)

Cytoplasmic conductivity of human erythrocytes may be significantly disturbed by the composition of the external suspending media. Effects of external NaCl on cytoplasmic conductivity of human erythrocyte (Human Red Blood Cells, HRBC) were investigated in a simple NaCl system. Using thermodynamic theory cytoplasmic conductivities could be calculated from internal [K+], [Na+], [Cl-] and [HCO3-]. Effect of cell volume and cell water changes were introduced and allowed for using the Debye-Hückel-Onsager relation and Walden's rule of viscosity. Cell volume and cell water change of HRBCs were measured in suspending isotonic solutions with conductivities from 0.50 S m-1 up to hypertonic solutions of conductivity of 2.02 S m-1 at selected temperatures of 25°C (standard benchmark temperature) and 37°C (physiological temperature). In isotonic solutions, cytoplasmic conductivity of human erythrocyte decreases with rise in the external media ionic concentration and vice versa for hypertonic solutions. The HRBC is capable of rapidly regulating its volume (and shape) over quite a wide range of osmolality. Specific Absorption Rate (SAR, 900 MHz) values (W kg-1) of electromagnetic radiation are below safe limits at non-physiological 25°C but above legal limits at 37°C [National Council on Radiation Protection and Measurements, NCRP]. However, at 37°C under both hypertonic [Na+] and isotonic but low [Na+], SAR increases further beyond legal limits.

Diesel-Biodiesel-Water Fuel Nanoemulsions for Direct Injection and Indirect Injection Diesel Engines: Performance and Emission Characteristics

An experimental research is assessed to examine the engine performance and exhaust emissions of direct injection (DI) and indirect injection diesel (IDI) engines fueled with petroleum diesel, biodiesel, and nanoemulsion fuel. The nanoemulsion fuel was produced using a hydrodynamic cavitation reactor. These three fuels were used to study the exhaust emissions, brake power, brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC), brake thermal efficiency (BTE), and exhaust gas temperature at engine speeds ranging from 1100, 1400, 1700, 2000, and 2300 rpm with engine loads of 25, 50, and 75%. Furthermore, three fuels were burned in two types of combustion engines such as DI and IDI diesel engines under identical conditions. The finding showed that using DI and IDI engines influenced the magnitude of emissions as well as the performance with different speeds and loads. By comparing the performance of DI and IDI engines at a maximum engine load of 75%, the most concerning parameter among the efficiency of an engine of BTE of diesel, biodiesel, and nanoemulsion fuel from the DI engine was higher at 24.19, 24.83, and 20.76%, respectively, than that of the IDI engine at 2300 rpm engine speed. At the maximum load and speed of engines, the BSFC of diesel, biodiesel, and nanoemulsion fuel in the DI engine were 4.44, 23.73, and 20% lower than in the IDI engine, respectively. Emission results of the DI and IDI engines were analyzed at 75% load and 2300 rpm speed. The results demonstrated that emissions of NO _x from nanoemulsion fuel from the IDI engine was significantly reduced by 82.46% when the values were compared to the DI engine. In terms of CO emissions, the IDI engine emits significantly less than the DI diesel engine. The CO emissions of diesel, biodiesel, and nanoemulsion fuel in the IDI engine were 69.02, 28.95, and 48.75% lower than those in the DI engine, respectively. The studies conclude that the emissions from IDI engines clearly show that pollution from exhaust emissions can be reduced to a low level compared to the DI engine. However, when high-performance engines are considered, the DI engine is recommended rather than the IDI engine.

Characteristics and qualities of edible bird's nest beverage as affected by thermal pasteurization and sterilization

Edible bird's nest beverage (B-nest-Bev) was produced from edible bird's nest (B-nest) flakes using different thermal processes. Pasteurization of B-nest-Bev at a low temperature for a longer time (LTLT) or at a high temperature for a shorter time (HTST) resulted in lower CIE L * , CIE a * , CIE b * -values, and drained weight (p < 0.05) than sterilization (118 or 121 °C). Sterilized and pasteurized B-nest-Bev had similar soluble solid contents and pH (p < 0.05). Nevertheless, acidified beverages pasteurized via either LTLT or HTST process had a marked decrease in sialic acid content. In addition, drastic protein degradation occurred in pasteurized acidified beverages, regardless of the conditions used, ascertained by the disappearance of major protein bands. However, polymerization of proteins took place in sterilized samples, irrespective of the temperature used. After digestion in a gastrointestinal tract model system (GIMs), all samples had increased (p < 0.05) antioxidant activities including DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging activities, ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) and oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC). B-nest-Bev subjected to HTST pasteurization or sterilization at 121 °C had the best appearance and acceptability among all the treatments used. Therefore, thermal processes directly affected the properties and acceptability of B-nest-Bev.

Improved cholesterol depletion with enhanced astaxanthin and polyunsaturated fatty acids of lipid from Pacific white shrimp cephalothorax using prior ethanolic separation of polar lipid and β-Cyclodextrin

Shrimp lipid (SL) from Pacific white shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei) cephalothorax was subjected to ethanol separation with subsequent cholesterol removal. Around 98.4% of cholesterol was removed from cholesterol rich polar lipid fraction (PLF), in which PLF/β cyclodextrin (β-CD)/mixed solvents (ethyl acetate/water,1:1) at the ratio of 1:10:20 (w/w/v) were used. Thereafter, PLF with lowered cholesterol was combined with non-polar fraction rich in triglycerides to obtain lowered cholesterol shrimp lipid (LC-SL). Astaxanthin content in LC-SL was augmented by three-fold, compared to that found in SL. Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) contents of LC-SL were also significantly increased, contrasted with SL. Peroxide value and phospholipids were decreased in LC-SL (4.56 ± 0.15 meq/kg and 9.94 ± 1.9%) compared to those of SL (4.80 ± 0.25 meq/kg and 49.11 ± 2.1%), while TBARS and p-Anisidine values remained unchanged. However, conjugated dienes and free fatty acids were augmented, plausibly due to hydrolysis. FTIR spectra confirmed the increased degree of unsaturation of lipids. Thus, the lowered cholesterol shrimp lipid could be used as functional foods or nutraceutical for health promotion.

Microplastic pollution in urban Lake Phewa, Nepal: the first report on abundance and composition in surface water of lake in different seasons

Microplastics are man-made pollutants which have been detected in surface water and groundwater. Research on microplastic concentration in aquatic environment is attracting scientists from developing countries, but in Nepal no information regarding microplastic in freshwater system is available. Therefore, this study investigates the presence and abundance of microplastic in lake surface water of Phewa Lake, the second largest lake in Nepal. The average concentration of microplastic for surface water was 2.96 ± 1.83 particles/L in winter (dry) season and 1.51 ± 0.62 particles/L in rainy (wet) season. Significant difference with t = 4.687 (p < 0.01) in microplastic concentration was observed in two different seasons. Fibers (93.04% for winter and 96.69% for rainy season) were the commonly found microplastic type in lake water and transparent as the dominant color for the two seasons. Almost all the detected microplastic were found to be < 1 mm in size. Due to the small size of microplastic and unavailability of micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (μ-FTIR) and Raman spectroscopy in Nepal, polymer identification was not done. The findings from this study can provide a valuable baseline data on microplastics for the first time in Nepal's freshwater lake environment.

Flow Injection Amperometric Measurement of Formalin in Seafood

Formalin is illegally used as an antibacterial and a preservative in seafood products. It is extremely important for public health reasons to be able to simply, rapidly, and accurately detect formalin in fresh seafood. In this work, we developed a flow injection amperometric (FI-Amp) formalin sensor based on a glassy carbon electrode modified with a composite of palladium particles and carbon microspheres (PdPs-CMs/GCE). The CMs were decorated with PdPs via an electroless deposition method. The surface morphology of the CMs and the PdPs-CMs composite was characterized by scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM/EDX). The electrochemical behavior and measurement of formalin at the PdPs-CMs/GCE was evaluated by cyclic voltammetry and amperometry. The modified electrode demonstrated good electrocatalytic performance for the oxidation of formalin. The synthesis method and FI-Amp operating conditions were optimized. Under the optimal conditions, the developed sensor showed a linear range of 0.025 to 15.00 mmol L^-1 and a detection limit of 8 μmol L^-1. Repeatability (RSD < 4.1%, n = 30), reproducibility (RSD = 0.25%, n = 5), stability (RSD = 3.2%, n = 80), and selectivity were good. The fabricated sensor achieved recoveries of formalin in seafood between 96 ± 1 to 105 ± 3 (n = 3).

Complete Genome Sequence of Weissella cibaria NH9449 and Comprehensive Comparative-Genomic Analysis: Genomic Diversity and Versatility Trait Revealed

Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in the genus Weissella spp. contain traits in their genome that confer versatility. In particular, Weissella cibaria encodes several beneficial genes that are useful in biotechnological applications. The complete genome of W. cibaria NH9449 was sequenced and an in silico comparative analysis was performed to gain insight into the genomic diversity among members of the genus Weissella. A total of 219 Weissella genomes were used in a bioinformatics analysis of pan-genomes, phylogenetics, self-defense mechanisms, virulence factors, antimicrobial resistance, and carbohydrate-active enzymes. These investigations showed that the strain NH9449 encodes several restriction-modification-related genes and a CRISPR-Cas region in its genome. The identification of carbohydrate-active enzyme-encoding genes indicated that this strain could be beneficial in biotechnological applications. The comparative genomic analysis reveals the very high genomic diversity in this genus, and some marked differences in genetic variation and genes among Weissella species. The calculated average amino acid identity (AAI) and phylogenetic analysis of core and accessory genes shows the possible existence of three new species in this genus. These new genomic insights into Weissella species and their biological functions could be useful in the food industry and other applications.

Synchronizing Nitrogen Fertilization and Planting Date to Improve Resource Use Efficiency, Productivity, and Profitability of Upland Rice

Synchronizing nitrogen (N) fertilization with planting date (PD) could enhance resource use efficiency and profitability of upland rice (Oryza sativa L.) production in Thailand. The objective of the study was to assess upland rice responses to four N fertilization rates (NFRs) and three planting dates. Field experiments were conducted during two growing seasons under four NFRs, no N applied (N₀), 30 (N₃₀), 60 (N₆₀), and 90 kg N ha^-1 (N₉₀), and NFR were applied at the initiation of tillering and panicle emergence stages. The planting dates selected were early (PD1), intermedium (PD2), and late planting (PD3) between September and December of each season. The NFRs and planting dates had a significant influence on N uptake, N use efficiency (NUE), crop water productivity, yield and yield attributes, and profitability of upland rice production. A linear relationship among NFRs, agronomic traits of upland rice, N uptake, and crop water productivity was observed, and a significant seasonal effect was indicated. Fertilization at N₉₀ under PD2 enhanced yields, yield attributes, and grain yields, as well as crop water productivity by 56 and 105% during the second and first seasons, respectively. Grain N, total N, and straw N were increased by 159, 159, and 160%, and by 90, 114, and 153%, during the first and second seasons, respectively. Enhanced N efficiencies, including agronomic efficiency, recovery efficiency, partial factor productivity, and N harvest index, at varying NFRs were observed under PD2 during both seasons. Highly significant (p < 0.001) and positive associations were observed among agronomic attributes, N uptake, NUE, and crop water productivity of upland rice in correlation assessment. Profitability from grain yields was observed with N fertilization and N₉₀ resulted in maximum profit under all the PDs. However, the highest marginal benefit-cost ratio was observed at N₆₀ under PD2 during both seasons. The results suggest that the NFR of 90 kg N ha^-1 and planting at the end of September or start of October would enhance resource use efficiency and productivity, and maximize profitability. Furthermore, long-term field investigations with a range of NFRs and adopting forecasting measures to adjust the planting date for upland rice are recommended.

Continuous Double-Step Esterification Production of Palm Fatty Acid Distillate Methyl Ester Using Ultrasonic Tubular Reactor

Double-step esterification to produce biodiesel from palm fatty acid distillate (PFAD) was performed by utilizing an ultrasound clamp reactor. Six pairs of ultrasonic clamps were attached to the left and right sides of the stainless-steel tube, and each pair was separated 100 mm apart from each other. Therefore, a total of 12 units of ultrasound clamps distributed 4800 W maximum power (12 × 400 W) throughout the continuous reactor by an ultrasonic generator. To optimize each step of the continuous esterification process for producing methyl ester from PFAD, a response surface methodology was used. The final 93.32 wt % methyl ester purity was attained under a double-step esterification process. For the first step, a 3.75:1 molar ratio of methanol to PFAD (46.4 vol % methanol), 6.6 vol % sulfuric acid, and 400 mm length of ultrasound clamp at 25 L/h PFAD flow rate for converting the PFAD to 60.24 wt % methyl ester were recommended. For the second step, the esterification was repeated under a molar ratio of methanol to the first esterified oil of 2.87:1 (61.6 vol % methanol), 5.6 vol % of sulfuric acid, and 400 mm length of ultrasound clamp at 25 L/h esterified oil flow rate. The ultrasonic clamp reactor achieved high yields of esterified oil and the crude biodiesel in a relatively short residence period of 32 s. To determine the product yields of a double-step esterification process, the maximum yields were 103.9 wt % first esterified oil, 107.6% crude biodiesel, and 98 wt % purified biodiesel when calculated on the basis of 100 vol % initial PFAD. The average energy consumed in the production of double-step esterification biodiesel was 0.05796 kWh/L. Therefore, this current approach has a high potential for producing biodiesel with less energy and requires less time to convert the PFAD to a high purity of methyl ester.

Sesquiterpenes from the soil-derived fungus Trichoderma citrinoviride PSU-SPSF346

Two new sesquiterpenes, trichocitrinovirenes A (1) and B (2), and five known compounds including four structurally related sesquiterpenes and one γ-lactone were isolated from the soil-derived fungus Trichoderma citrinoviride PSU-SPSF346. The structures were identified by analysis of their spectroscopic data. The relative configuration was assigned based on NOEDIFF data. The absolute configuration of compound 1 was established according to specific rotations and ECD data while that of compound 2 was proposed based on biosynthetic considerations. Compound 2 possesses a rare bicyclic sesquiterpene skeleton. The antimicrobial and cytotoxic activities of the isolated compounds were evaluated.

Nanocoral-like Polyaniline-Modified Graphene-Based Electrochemical Paper-Based Analytical Device for a Portable Electrochemical Sensor for Xylazine Detection

A portable electrochemical device for xylazine detection is presented for the first time. An electrochemical paper-based analytical device (ePAD) was integrated with a smartphone. The fabrication of the ePAD involved wax printing, low-tack transfer tape, and cutting and screen-printing techniques. Graphene ink was coated on the substrate and modified with nanocoral-like polyaniline, providing an electron transfer medium with a larger effective surface area that promoted charge transfer. The conductive ink on the ePAD presented a thickness of 25.0 ± 0.9 μm for an effective surface area of 0.374 cm². This sensor was then tested directly on xylazine using differential pulse voltammetry. Two linear responses were obtained: from 0.2 to 5 μg mL^-1 and from 5 to 100 μg mL^-1. The detection limit was 0.06 μg mL^-1. Reproducibility was tested on 10 preparations. The relative standard deviation was less than 5%. The applicability of the sensor was evaluated with beverage samples spiked with trace xylazine. Recoveries ranged from 84 ± 4 to 105 ± 2%. The developed sensor demonstrated excellent accuracy in the detection of trace xylazine. It would be possible to develop the portable system to detect various illicit drugs to aid forensic investigations.