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Koch TJ, Saurel M, Bocquillon H, Pisani DF, Bonnabel L, Little A, Stacey R, Rageot M, Regert M. Differences in birch tar composition are explained by adhesive function in the central European Iron Age. PLoS One 2024; 19:e0301103. [PMID: 38568980 PMCID: PMC10990240 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0301103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Birch bark tar is the most widely documented adhesive in prehistoric Europe. More recent periods attest to a diversification in terms of the materials used as adhesives and their application. Some studies have shown that conifer resins and beeswax were added to produce compound adhesives. For the Iron Age, no comparative large-scale studies have been conducted to provide a wider perspective on adhesive technologies. To address this issue, we identify adhesive substances from the Iron Age in north-eastern France. We applied organic residue analysis to 65 samples from 16 archaeological sites. This included residues adhering to ceramics, from vessel surface coatings, repaired ceramics, vessel contents, and adhesive lumps. Our findings show that, even during the Iron Age in north-eastern France, birch bark tar is one of the best-preserved adhesive substances, used for at least 400 years. To a lesser extent, Pinaceae resin and beeswax were also identified. Through statistical analyses, we show that molecular composition differs in samples, correlating with adhesive function. This has implications for our understanding of birch bark tar production, processing and mode of use during the Iron Age in France and beyond.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tabea J. Koch
- Université Côte d’Azur, CEPAM, CNRS, Nice, France
- YEAR Centre, PalaeoHub, Department of Archaeology, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Marion Saurel
- Inrap, Grand Est Nord, UMR 8546 AOROC, Châlons-en-Champagne, France
| | - Hervé Bocquillon
- Inrap, Grand Est Nord, UMR 8546 AOROC, Châlons-en-Champagne, France
| | | | - Lola Bonnabel
- Inrap, Midi-Méditerranée, UMR 8215 Trajectoires, Nîmes, France
| | - Aimée Little
- YEAR Centre, PalaeoHub, Department of Archaeology, University of York, York, United Kingdom
| | - Rebecca Stacey
- Department of Scientific Research, British Museum, London, United Kingdom
| | - Maxime Rageot
- Department of Pre- and Protohistory, Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
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Qasim U, Suopajärvi T, Sirviö JA, Backman O, Xu C, Liimatainen H. Pickering Emulsions and Hydrophobized Films of Amphiphilic Cellulose Nanofibers Synthesized in Deep Eutectic Solvent. Biomacromolecules 2023; 24:4113-4122. [PMID: 37611236 PMCID: PMC10498439 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.3c00472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 08/25/2023]
Abstract
Herein, a dual-functioning deep eutectic solvent system based on triethylmethylammonium chloride and imidazole was harnessed as a swelling agent and a reaction medium for the esterification of cellulose with n-octyl succinic anhydride (OSA). The modified or amphiphilic cellulose nanofibers (ACNFs), synthesized using three different OSA-to-anhydroglucose unit molar ratios (0.5:1, ACNF-1; 1:1, ACNF-2; and 1.5:1, ACNF-3), were further converted into nanofibers with degree of substitution (DS) values of 0.24-0.66. The ACNFs possessed a lateral dimension of 4.24-9.22 nm and displayed surface activity due to the balance of hydrophobic and hydrophilic characteristics. The ACNFs made stable aqueous dispersions; however, the instability index of ACNF-3 (0.51) was higher than those of ACNF-1 (0.29) and ACNF-2 (0.33), which was attributed to the high DS-induced hydrophobicity, causing the instability in water. The amphiphilic nature of ACNFs promoted their performance as stabilizers in oil-in-water Pickering emulsions with average droplet sizes of 4.85 μm (ACNF-1) and 5.48 μm (ACNF-2). Self-standing films of ACNFs showed high contact angles for all the tested DS variants (97.48-114.12°), while their tensile strength was inversely related to DS values (ACNF-1: 115 MPa and ACNF-3: 49.5 MPa). Aqueous dispersions of ACNFs were also tested for coating fruits to increase their shelf life. Coatings improved their shelf life by decreasing oxygen contact and moisture loss.
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Affiliation(s)
- Umair Qasim
- Fibre
and Particle Engineering Research Unit, University of Oulu, Oulu 90570, Finland
| | - Terhi Suopajärvi
- Fibre
and Particle Engineering Research Unit, University of Oulu, Oulu 90570, Finland
| | - Juho Antti Sirviö
- Fibre
and Particle Engineering Research Unit, University of Oulu, Oulu 90570, Finland
| | - Oskar Backman
- Laboratory
of Natural Materials Technology, Åbo
Akademi University, Turku 20500, Finland
| | - Chunlin Xu
- Laboratory
of Natural Materials Technology, Åbo
Akademi University, Turku 20500, Finland
| | - Henrikki Liimatainen
- Fibre
and Particle Engineering Research Unit, University of Oulu, Oulu 90570, Finland
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Ou-Yang T, Zhang Y, Luo HZ, Liu Y, Ma SC. Novel compounds discovery approach based on UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS chemical profile reveals birch bark extract anti-inflammatory, -oxidative, and -proliferative effects. J Ethnopharmacol 2023; 306:116148. [PMID: 36634723 DOI: 10.1016/j.jep.2023.116148] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 12/24/2022] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE Betula pendula subsp. Mandshurica (Regel) Ashburner & McAll. Cortex (birch bark) is a globally traditional medicine for treating multiple inflammatory diseases. Its records are included in the Compendium of Materia Medica and other ancient medical literatures. However, uncovering its chemical profile and exploring novel biologically active compounds from birch bark remains a significant challenge. AIM OF THE STUDY To uncover the anti-inflammatory, -oxidative, and -proliferative mechanisms and potentially effective compounds of birch bark extract by combing chemical profiling, isolation, identification, together with in vivo, in vitro, and silico evaluation. MATERIALS AND METHODS Ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS) was used to obtain the chemical profile of birch bark extract. The new compounds were obtained via column chromatography and analyzed using X-ray diffraction and electronic circular dichroism for absolute configuration confirmation. The zebrafish caudal fin inflammation-induced model, qPCR, and Western blot analysis were used to explore the effects and underlying mechanisms of birch bark extract. In vitro cytotoxicity assays and kinases screening conducted to gain preliminary insight into the anti-proliferative effects of birch bark extract and its isolated compounds. In addition, in-silico molecular docking was performed to investigate the putative mechanism. RESULTS UPLC-QTOF-MS/MS chemical profiles revealed 105 compounds in birch bark extract, with 80 of these were first reported in B. pendula subsp. Mandshurica cortex. We selected five compounds speculated as novel and isolated three ones (one triterpenoid derivative and two lupine series triterpenoids) for further analysis. Birch bark extract exerted antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects on zebrafish, as shown by the downregulated reactive oxygen species levels and COX-2α, IL-1β, and TNF-α expression, which occurred through NF-ĸB signaling pathway activation. The in vitro anti-proliferative effects of birch bark extract and compound 44 were also unveiled. Moreover, the putative anti-tumor mechanism of compound 44 was revealed using kinase screening and in-silico molecular docking. CONCLUSIONS This study provided a predictable chemical profile and demonstrated the pharmacological effects of birch bark extract, elucidated the mechanism of this traditional Chinese medicine and suggested it as a novel anti-cancer candidate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Ou-Yang
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 102488, PR China
| | - Yi Zhang
- Jiangxi Qingfeng Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, 341000, PR China
| | - Heng-Zhen Luo
- Jiangxi Qingfeng Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, Ganzhou, Jiangxi, 341000, PR China
| | - Yue Liu
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 102488, PR China.
| | - Shuang-Cheng Ma
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine, Beijing, 102488, PR China; Institute for Control of Chinese Traditional Medicine and Ethnic Medicine, National Institutes for Food and Drug Control, Beijing, 100050, PR China.
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Godina D, Makars R, Paze A, Rizhikovs J. Analytical Method Cluster Development for Comprehensive Characterisation of Suberinic Acids Derived from Birch Outer Bark. Molecules 2023; 28:molecules28052227. [PMID: 36903473 PMCID: PMC10005158 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28052227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Suberin is a complex polyester biopolymer, and it is practically impossible to estimate the real content of suberin in suberised plant tissues. This indicates the importance of the development of instrumental analytical methods for the comprehensive characterisation of suberin derived from plant biomass for the successful integration of suberinic products into biorefinery production chains. In this study, we optimised two GC-MS methods-one with direct sylilation, and the second with additional depolymerisation, using GPC methods with RI detector and polystyrene calibration and with a three-angle light scattering detector and an eighteen-angle light scattering detector. We also performed MALDI-Tof analysis for non-degraded suberin structure determination. We characterised suberinic acid (SA) samples obtained from birch outer bark after alkaline depolymerisation. The samples were particularly rich in diols, fatty acids and their esters, hydroxyacids and their corresponding esters, diacids and their corresponding esters, as well as extracts (mainly betulin and lupeol) and carbohydrates. To remove phenolic-type admixtures, treatment with ferric chloride (FeCl3) was used. The SA treatment with FeCl3 allows the possibility to obtain a sample that has a lower content of phenolic-type compounds and a lower molecular weight than an untreated sample. It was possible to identify the main free monomeric units of SA samples by GC-MS system using direct silylation. By performing an additional depolymerisation step before silylation, it was possible to characterise the complete potential monomeric unit composition in the suberin sample. For the molar mass distribution determination, it is important to perform GPC analysis. Even though chromatographic results can be obtained using a three- laser MALS detector, they are not fully correct because of the fluorescence of the SA samples. Therefore an 18-angle MALS detector with filters was more suitable for SA analysis. MALDI-Tof analysis is a great tool for the polymeric compound structural identification, which cannot be done using GC-MS. Using the MALDI data, we discovered that the main monomeric units that makes up the SA macromolecular structure are octadecanedioic acid and 2-(1,3-dihydroxyprop-2-oxy)decanedioic acid. This corresponds with GC-MS results, showing that after depolymerisation hydroxyacids and diacids were the dominant type of compounds found in the sample.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Godina
- Biorefinery Laboratory, Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry, LV-1006 Riga, Latvia
- Correspondence:
| | - Raimonds Makars
- Biorefinery Laboratory, Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry, LV-1006 Riga, Latvia
- PolyLabs SIA, Mukusalas iela 46, LV-1004 Riga, Latvia
| | - Aigars Paze
- Biorefinery Laboratory, Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry, LV-1006 Riga, Latvia
| | - Janis Rizhikovs
- Biorefinery Laboratory, Latvian State Institute of Wood Chemistry, LV-1006 Riga, Latvia
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Drenkhan R, Kaldmäe H, Silm M, Adamson K, Bleive U, Aluvee A, Erik M, Raal A. Comparative Analyses of Bioactive Compounds in Inonotus obliquus Conks Growing on Alnus and Betula. Biomolecules 2022; 12:biom12091178. [PMID: 36139017 PMCID: PMC9496626 DOI: 10.3390/biom12091178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Inonotus obliquus grows in the Northern Hemisphere on some living broadleaved tree species as a pathogen, causing stem rot. In Estonia, the fungus is well known in the Betula species but can also be found on Alnus. Sterile conks of I. obliquus contain different bioactive compounds, but the quantitative and comparative research of these compounds in conks on different host species is limited. In the current work, I. obliquus was isolated and, evidently, determined from Alnus incana (L.) Moench., Alnus glutinosa (L.) Gaertn., and Betula pendula Roth, and the content of bioactive compounds in conks on these hosts were analysed. All the analysed conks sampled from A. incana and B. pendula contained betulin that varied from 111 to 159 µg/g. A significantly (p < 0.05) higher betulinic acid content was found in conks sampled from A. incana when compared with B. pendula: 474−635 and 20−132 µg/g, respectively. However, the conks from Betula were richer in total polyphenols, flavonols, and glucans. The content of inotodiol was quite similar in the conks from A. incana (7455−8961 µg/g) and B. pendula (7881−9057 µg/g). Also, no significant differences in the lanosterol content were found between the samples from these two tree species. To the best of our knowledge, this study is the first investigation of the chemical composition of I. obliquus parasitizing on Alnus. The results demonstrate that the bioactive compounds are promising in conks of I. obliquus growing not only on Betula but also on the Alnus species. It supports the opportunity to cultivate I. obliquus, also on the Alnus species, thus increasing the economic value of growing this tree species in forestry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rein Drenkhan
- Chair of Silviculture and Forest Ecology, Institute of Forestry and Engineering, Estonian University of Life Sciences, 51006 Tartu, Estonia
- Correspondence:
| | - Hedi Kaldmäe
- Polli Horticultural Research Centre, Chair of Horticulture, Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, 69108 Polli, Estonia
| | - Maidu Silm
- Chair of Hydrobiology and Fisheries, Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, 51006 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Kalev Adamson
- Chair of Silviculture and Forest Ecology, Institute of Forestry and Engineering, Estonian University of Life Sciences, 51006 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Uko Bleive
- Polli Horticultural Research Centre, Chair of Horticulture, Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, 69108 Polli, Estonia
| | - Alar Aluvee
- Polli Horticultural Research Centre, Chair of Horticulture, Institute of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Estonian University of Life Sciences, 69108 Polli, Estonia
| | | | - Ain Raal
- Faculty of Medicine, Institute of Pharmacy, University of Tartu, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
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Richert A, Olewnik-Kruszkowska E, Dąbrowska GB, Dąbrowski HP. The Role of Birch Tar in Changing the Physicochemical and Biocidal Properties of Polylactide-Based Films. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 23:ijms23010268. [PMID: 35008694 PMCID: PMC8745625 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23010268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/24/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The objective of this study was to produce bactericidal polymer films containing birch tar (BT). The produced polymer films contain PLA, plasticiser PEG (5% wt.) and birch tar (1, 5 and 10% wt.). Compared to plasticised PLA, films with BT were characterised by reduced elongation at break and reduced water vapour permeability, which was the lowest in the case of film with 10% wt. BT content. Changes in the morphology of the produced materials were observed by performing scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) analysis; the addition of BT caused the surface of the film to be non-uniform and to contain recesses. FTIR analysis of plasticised PLA/BT films showed that the addition of birch tar did not change the crystallinity of the obtained materials. According to ISO 22196: 2011, the PLA film with 10% wt. BT content showed the highest antibacterial effect against the plant pathogens A. tumefaciens, X. campestris, P. brassicacearum, P. corrugata, P. syringae. It was found that the introduction of birch tar to plasticised PLA leads to a material with biocidal effect and favourable physicochemical and structural properties, which classifies this material for agricultural and horticultural applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Richert
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Biology and Veterinary Science, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, 87-100 Torun, Poland;
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +48-566114576
| | - Ewa Olewnik-Kruszkowska
- Department of Physical Chemistry and Physicochemistry of Polymers, Faculty of Chemistry, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, 87-100 Torun, Poland;
| | - Grażyna B. Dąbrowska
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Biology and Veterinary Science, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, 87-100 Torun, Poland;
| | - Henryk P. Dąbrowski
- Laboratory of Dendrochronology, Archaeological Museum in Biskupin, 88-410 Gasawa, Poland;
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Candeias J, Schmidt-Weber CB, Buters J. Dosing intact birch pollen grains at the air-liquid interface (ALI) to the immortalized human bronchial epithelial cell line BEAS-2B. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0259914. [PMID: 34784380 PMCID: PMC8594808 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0259914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
In real life, humans are exposed to whole pollen grains at the air epithelial barrier. We developed a system for in vitro dosing of whole pollen grains at the Air-Liquid Interface (ALI) and studied their effect on the immortalized human bronchial epithelial cell line BEAS-2B. Pollen are sticky and large particles. Dosing pollen needs resuspension of single particles rather than clusters, and subsequent transportation to the cells with little loss to the walls of the instrumentation i.e. in a straight line. To avoid high speed impacting insults to cells we chose sedimentation by gravity as a delivery step. Pollen was resuspended into single particles by pressured air. A pollen dispersion unit including PTFE coating of the walls and reduced air pressure limited impaction loss to the walls. The loss of pollen to the system was still about 40%. A linear dose effect curve resulted in 327-2834 pollen/cm2 (± 6.1%), the latter concentration being calculated as the amount deposited on epithelial cells on high pollen days. After whole pollen exposure, the largest differential gene expression at the transcriptomic level was late, about 7 hours after exposure. Inflammatory and response to stimulus related genes were up-regulated. We developed a whole pollen exposure air-liquid interface system (Pollen-ALI), in which cells can be gently and reliably dosed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Candeias
- Center Allergy & Environment (ZAUM), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Technical University Munich, Helmholtz Center Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Carsten B. Schmidt-Weber
- Center Allergy & Environment (ZAUM), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Technical University Munich, Helmholtz Center Munich, Munich, Germany
| | - Jeroen Buters
- Center Allergy & Environment (ZAUM), Member of the German Center for Lung Research (DZL), Technical University Munich, Helmholtz Center Munich, Munich, Germany
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Król SK, Bębenek E, Dmoszyńska-Graniczka M, Sławińska-Brych A, Boryczka S, Stepulak A. Acetylenic Synthetic Betulin Derivatives Inhibit Akt and Erk Kinases Activity, Trigger Apoptosis and Suppress Proliferation of Neuroblastoma and Rhabdomyosarcoma Cell Lines. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:12299. [PMID: 34830180 PMCID: PMC8624615 DOI: 10.3390/ijms222212299] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroblastoma (NB) and rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS), the most common pediatric extracranial solid tumors, still represent an important clinical challenge since no effective treatment is available for metastatic and recurrent disease. Hence, there is an urgent need for the development of new chemotherapeutics to improve the outcome of patients. Betulin (Bet), a triterpenoid from the bark of birches, demonstrated interesting anti-cancer potential. The modification of natural phytochemicals with evidenced anti-tumor activity, including Bet, is one of the methods of receiving new compounds for potential implementation in oncological treatment. Here, we showed that two acetylenic synthetic Bet derivatives (ASBDs), EB5 and EB25/1, reduced the viability and proliferation of SK-N-AS and TE671 cells, as measured by MTT and BrdU tests, respectively. Moreover, ASBDs were also more cytotoxic than temozolomide (TMZ) and cisplatin (cis-diaminedichloroplatinum [II], CDDP) in vitro, and the combination of EB5 with CDDP enhanced anti-cancer effects. We also showed the slowdown of cell cycle progression at S/G2 phases mediated by EB5 using FACS flow cytometry. The decreased viability and proliferation of pediatric cancers cells after treatment with ASBDs was linked to the reduced activity of kinases Akt, Erk1/2 and p38 and the induction of apoptosis, as investigated using Western blotting and FACS. In addition, in silico analyses of the ADMET profile found EB5 to be a promising anti-cancer drug candidate that would benefit from further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylwia K. Król
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 1, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (M.D.-G.); (A.S.)
| | - Ewa Bębenek
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, Jagiellońska 4, 41-200 Sosnowiec, Poland; (E.B.); (S.B.)
| | - Magdalena Dmoszyńska-Graniczka
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 1, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (M.D.-G.); (A.S.)
| | - Adrianna Sławińska-Brych
- Department of Cell Biology, Faculty of Biology and Biotechnology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Maria Curie-Sklodowska University, Akademicka 19, 20-033 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Stanisław Boryczka
- Department of Organic Chemistry, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Sosnowiec, Medical University of Silesia, Jagiellońska 4, 41-200 Sosnowiec, Poland; (E.B.); (S.B.)
| | - Andrzej Stepulak
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, Chodźki 1, 20-093 Lublin, Poland; (M.D.-G.); (A.S.)
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9
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Richert A, Kalwasińska A, Brzezinska MS, Dąbrowska GB. Biodegradability of Novel Polylactide and Polycaprolactone Materials with Bacteriostatic Properties Due to Embedded Birch Tar in Different Environments. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:10228. [PMID: 34638570 PMCID: PMC8508706 DOI: 10.3390/ijms221910228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 09/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/19/2021] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
The microbial biodegradation of new PLA and PCL materials containing birch tar (1-10% v/v) was investigated. Product of dry distillation of birch bark (Betula pendula Roth) was added to polymeric materials to obtain films with antimicrobial properties. The subject of the study was the course of enzymatic degradation of a biodegradable polymer with antibacterial properties. The results show that the type of the material, tar concentration, and the environment influenced the hydrolytic activity of potential biofilm degraders. In the presence of PCL films, the enzyme activities were higher (except for α-D-glucosidase) compared to PLA films. The highest concentration of birch tar (10% v/v) decreased the activity of hydrolases produced by microorganisms to the most significant extent; however, SEM analysis showed the presence of a biofilm even on plastics with the highest tar content. Based on the results of the biological oxygen demand (BOD), the new materials can be classified as biodegradable but, the biodegradation process was less efficient when compared to plastics without the addition of birch tar.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Richert
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Biology and Veterinary Science, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Lwowska 1, 87-100 Toruń, Poland;
| | - Agnieszka Kalwasińska
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Faculty of Biology and Veterinary Science, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Lwowska 1, 87-100 Toruń, Poland; (A.K.); (M.S.B.)
| | - Maria Swiontek Brzezinska
- Department of Environmental Microbiology, Faculty of Biology and Veterinary Science, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Lwowska 1, 87-100 Toruń, Poland; (A.K.); (M.S.B.)
| | - Grażyna B. Dąbrowska
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Biology and Veterinary Science, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, Lwowska 1, 87-100 Toruń, Poland;
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10
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Krupnova TG, Rakova OV, Gavrilkina SV, Antoshkina EG, Baranov EO, Dmitrieva AP, Somova AV. Extremely high concentrations of zinc in birch tree leaves collected in Chelyabinsk, Russia. Environ Geochem Health 2021; 43:2551-2570. [PMID: 32488796 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-020-00605-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2019] [Accepted: 05/24/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Zinc is an essential trace element and a vital microelement for human health. Zinc can be toxic when exposures exceed physiological needs. Toxic effects in humans are most evident from inhalation exposure to high concentrations of Zn compounds. Urban air pollution can be especially dangerous due to the Zn content in airborne dust. Tree leaves can absorb significant levels of zinc. In this study, leaf deposition of Zn was investigated in Chelyabinsk, Russia. Russian zinc production plant and metallurgical plant are located in Chelyabinsk. Extremely high concentrations of Zn (316-4000 mg kg-1) were found in the leaves of birch trees. It is well known that traffic also is Zn source in an urban environment. Trees, growing at the different distances from zinc production and metallurgical plants and road to identify the contribution of each source (road or industry), were studied. Through SEM analysis, the prevalence of small particulates (PM10 and less), containing Zn, illustrated leaf Zn deposition from the air by passing root accumulation. It was shown that emission of zinc production plant and the metallurgical plant is the main source of leaf Zn deposition in Chelyabinsk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatyana G Krupnova
- Chemistry Department, South Ural State University, 76 Lenin Prospect, Chelyabinsk, Russia, 454080.
| | - Olga V Rakova
- Chemistry Department, South Ural State University, 76 Lenin Prospect, Chelyabinsk, Russia, 454080
| | - Svetlana V Gavrilkina
- South Urals Federal Research Center of Mineralogy and Geoecology of the Urals Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Miass, Russia, 456317
| | - Elizaveta G Antoshkina
- Chemistry Department, South Ural State University, 76 Lenin Prospect, Chelyabinsk, Russia, 454080
| | - Evgeny O Baranov
- Chemistry Department, South Ural State University, 76 Lenin Prospect, Chelyabinsk, Russia, 454080
| | - Anastasia P Dmitrieva
- Chemistry Department, South Ural State University, 76 Lenin Prospect, Chelyabinsk, Russia, 454080
| | - Anna V Somova
- Chemistry Department, South Ural State University, 76 Lenin Prospect, Chelyabinsk, Russia, 454080
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11
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Omar AM, Sun S, Kim MJ, Phan ND, Tawila AM, Awale S. Benzophenones from Betula alnoides with Antiausterity Activities against the PANC-1 Human Pancreatic Cancer Cell Line. J Nat Prod 2021; 84:1607-1616. [PMID: 34008971 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.1c00150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The antiausterity strategy is a promising approach for the discovery of lead compounds with unprecedented anticancer activities by targeting the tolerance of cancer cells to nutrition starvation. These agents are selectively cytotoxic under the tumor microenvironment-mimicking condition of nutrition starvation, without apparent toxicity in the normal nutrient-rich condition. In this study, an ethanol extract of Betula alnoides showed antiausterity activity against PANC-1 human pancreatic cancer cells under nutrient-deprived conditions, with a PC50 value of 13.2 μg/mL. Phytochemical investigation of this active extract led to the isolation of eight benzophenones (1-8), including six new compounds, named betuphenones A-F (2-7), and three known xanthones (9-11). The structure elucidation of the new compounds was achieved by HRFABMS, NMR, and ECD spectroscopic analyses. A plausible biogenetic pathway of the new compounds was proposed. Compounds 1-7 displayed antiausterity activity with PC50 values of 4.9-8.4 μM. Moreover, compounds 2 and 7 induced alterations in PANC-1 cell morphology under nutrient-deprived conditions and also inhibited PANC-1 colony formation under nutrient-rich conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashraf M Omar
- Natural Drug Discovery Laboratory, Institute of Natural Medicine, University of Toyama, 2630 Sugitani, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Sijia Sun
- Natural Drug Discovery Laboratory, Institute of Natural Medicine, University of Toyama, 2630 Sugitani, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Min Jo Kim
- Natural Drug Discovery Laboratory, Institute of Natural Medicine, University of Toyama, 2630 Sugitani, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Nguyen Duy Phan
- Natural Drug Discovery Laboratory, Institute of Natural Medicine, University of Toyama, 2630 Sugitani, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Ahmed M Tawila
- Natural Drug Discovery Laboratory, Institute of Natural Medicine, University of Toyama, 2630 Sugitani, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
| | - Suresh Awale
- Natural Drug Discovery Laboratory, Institute of Natural Medicine, University of Toyama, 2630 Sugitani, Toyama 930-0194, Japan
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12
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Mwiiri FK, Daniels R. Influence of PVA Molecular Weight and Concentration on Electrospinnability of Birch Bark Extract-Loaded Nanofibrous Scaffolds Intended for Enhanced Wound Healing. Molecules 2020; 25:molecules25204799. [PMID: 33086645 PMCID: PMC7587550 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25204799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2020] [Revised: 10/05/2020] [Accepted: 10/16/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Triterpenes from the outer bark of birch (TE) are known for various pharmacological effects including enhanced wound healing. Apart from an already authorized oleogel, electrospun nanofiber mats containing these triterpenes in a polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) matrix appear to be an advantageous application form. The effects of PVA molecular weight and concentration on the fiber morphology have been investigated. Three different molecular weights of PVA ranging from 67 to 186 kDa were used. The concentration of PVA was varied from 5 to 20 wt%. Polymer solutions were blended with colloidal dispersions of birch bark extract at a weight ratio of 60:40 (wt.%). The estimated viscosity of polymer solutions was directly linked to their concentration and molecular weight. In addition, both pure and blended solutions showed viscoelastic properties with a dominant viscous response in the bulk. Fiber morphology was confirmed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Both polymer concentration and molecular weight were found to be significant factors affecting the diameter of the fibers. Fiber diameter increased with a higher molecular weight and polymer concentration as more uniform fibers were obtained using PVA of higher molecular weight (146-186 kDa). In vitro drug release and ex vivo permeation studies indicated a faster drug release of betulin from electrospun scaffolds with lower PVA molecular weight. Our research suggests that the fabricated TE-loaded PVA electrospun dressings represent potential delivery systems of TE for wound care applications.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rolf Daniels
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +49-7071-297-2462; Fax: +49-7071-295-531
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13
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Volova T, Baranovsky S, Petrovskaya O, Shumilova A, Sukovatyi A. Biological effects of the free and embedded metribuzin and tribenuron-methyl herbicides on various cultivated weed species. J Environ Sci Health B 2020; 55:1009-1019. [PMID: 32816605 DOI: 10.1080/03601234.2020.1807835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The present study addresses the herbicidal activity and biological effects of the metribuzin (MET) and tribenuron-methyl (TBM) herbicides used to control various weed species (Amaranthus retroflexus, Sinapis arvensis, and Leucanthemum maximum). The effects of the free herbicides and the herbicides embedded in granules of degradable polymer poly-3-hydroxybutyrate [P(3HB)] blended with birch wood flour were compared. Metribuzin, regardless of the form, caused 100% mortality of the three weeds by day 21. The herbicidal activity of tribenuron-methyl was lower than that of metribuzin, but the embedded TBM was superior to the free herbicide in the length and strength of its action on the weeds. Both metribuzin forms dramatically decreased the main parameters of fluorescence: maximum quantum yield of photosystem-II [Y(II)max], maximum quantum yield of non-photochemical quenching [Y(NPQ)max], and maximum rate of non-cyclic electron transport [ETRmax] and concentrations of chlorophyll a and b. The effect of the embedded TBM on the photosynthetic activity of the weeds was lower in the first two weeks of the growth of herbicide-treated plants but lasted longer than the effect of the free TBM and increased over time. Embedding of metribuzin in the matrix of degradable blend did not decrease its herbicidal activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatiana Volova
- Siberian Federal University, Krasnoyarsk, Russia
- Institute of Biophysics SB RAS, Federal Research Center "Krasnoyarsk Science Center SB RAS," Krasnoyarsk, Russia
| | | | | | | | - Alexey Sukovatyi
- Siberian Federal University, Krasnoyarsk, Russia
- Institute of Biophysics SB RAS, Federal Research Center "Krasnoyarsk Science Center SB RAS," Krasnoyarsk, Russia
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14
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Köhler VK, Crescioli S, Fazekas-Singer J, Bax HJ, Hofer G, Pranger CL, Hufnagl K, Bianchini R, Flicker S, Keller W, Karagiannis SN, Jensen-Jarolim E. Filling the Antibody Pipeline in Allergy: PIPE Cloning of IgE, IgG 1 and IgG 4 against the Major Birch Pollen Allergen Bet v 1. Int J Mol Sci 2020; 21:E5693. [PMID: 32784509 PMCID: PMC7460837 DOI: 10.3390/ijms21165693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2020] [Revised: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 08/06/2020] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Birch pollen allergy is among the most prevalent pollen allergies in Northern and Central Europe. This IgE-mediated disease can be treated with allergen immunotherapy (AIT), which typically gives rise to IgG antibodies inducing tolerance. Although the main mechanisms of allergen immunotherapy (AIT) are known, questions regarding possible Fc-mediated effects of IgG antibodies remain unanswered. This can mainly be attributed to the unavailability of appropriate tools, i.e., well-characterised recombinant antibodies (rAbs). We hereby aimed at providing human rAbs of several classes for mechanistic studies and as possible candidates for passive immunotherapy. We engineered IgE, IgG1, and IgG4 sharing the same variable region against the major birch pollen allergen Bet v 1 using Polymerase Incomplete Primer Extension (PIPE) cloning. We tested IgE functionality and IgG blocking capabilities using appropriate model cell lines. In vitro studies showed IgE engagement with FcεRI and CD23 and Bet v 1-dependent degranulation. Overall, we hereby present fully functional, human IgE, IgG1, and IgG4 sharing the same variable region against Bet v 1 and showcase possible applications in first mechanistic studies. Furthermore, our IgG antibodies might be useful candidates for passive immunotherapy of birch pollen allergy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Verena K. Köhler
- Comparative Medicine, The Interuniversity Messerli Research Institute of the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Medical University Vienna and University Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (V.K.K.); (J.F.-S.); (C.L.P.); (K.H.); (R.B.)
- Institute of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Centre of Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18–20, 1090 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Silvia Crescioli
- St. John’s Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences, King’s College London, 9th Floor, Tower Wing, Guy’s Hospital, London SE1 9RT, UK; (S.C.); (H.J.B.); (S.N.K.)
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Guy’s and St Thomas’s Hospitals and King’s College London, Guy’s Hospital, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Judit Fazekas-Singer
- Comparative Medicine, The Interuniversity Messerli Research Institute of the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Medical University Vienna and University Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (V.K.K.); (J.F.-S.); (C.L.P.); (K.H.); (R.B.)
- Institute of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Centre of Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18–20, 1090 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Heather J. Bax
- St. John’s Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences, King’s College London, 9th Floor, Tower Wing, Guy’s Hospital, London SE1 9RT, UK; (S.C.); (H.J.B.); (S.N.K.)
- School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King’s College London, 9th Floor, Tower Wing, Guy’s Hospital, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Gerhard Hofer
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, BioTechMed Graz, University of Graz, Humboldtstraße 50, 8010 Graz, Austria; (G.H.); (W.K.)
| | - Christina L. Pranger
- Comparative Medicine, The Interuniversity Messerli Research Institute of the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Medical University Vienna and University Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (V.K.K.); (J.F.-S.); (C.L.P.); (K.H.); (R.B.)
- Institute of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Centre of Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18–20, 1090 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Karin Hufnagl
- Comparative Medicine, The Interuniversity Messerli Research Institute of the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Medical University Vienna and University Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (V.K.K.); (J.F.-S.); (C.L.P.); (K.H.); (R.B.)
- Institute of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Centre of Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18–20, 1090 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Rodolfo Bianchini
- Comparative Medicine, The Interuniversity Messerli Research Institute of the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Medical University Vienna and University Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (V.K.K.); (J.F.-S.); (C.L.P.); (K.H.); (R.B.)
- Institute of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Centre of Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18–20, 1090 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Sabine Flicker
- Institute of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Centre of Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18–20, 1090 Vienna, Austria;
| | - Walter Keller
- Institute of Molecular Biosciences, BioTechMed Graz, University of Graz, Humboldtstraße 50, 8010 Graz, Austria; (G.H.); (W.K.)
| | - Sophia N. Karagiannis
- St. John’s Institute of Dermatology, School of Basic & Medical Biosciences, King’s College London, 9th Floor, Tower Wing, Guy’s Hospital, London SE1 9RT, UK; (S.C.); (H.J.B.); (S.N.K.)
- NIHR Biomedical Research Centre at Guy’s and St Thomas’s Hospitals and King’s College London, Guy’s Hospital, London SE1 9RT, UK
- Breast Cancer Now Research Unit, School of Cancer & Pharmaceutical Sciences, King’s College London, Guy’s Cancer Centre, London SE1 9RT, UK
| | - Erika Jensen-Jarolim
- Comparative Medicine, The Interuniversity Messerli Research Institute of the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Medical University Vienna and University Vienna, Veterinärplatz 1, 1210 Vienna, Austria; (V.K.K.); (J.F.-S.); (C.L.P.); (K.H.); (R.B.)
- Institute of Pathophysiology and Allergy Research, Centre of Pathophysiology, Infectiology and Immunology, Medical University of Vienna, Währinger Gürtel 18–20, 1090 Vienna, Austria;
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15
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Khakalo A, Tanaka A, Korpela A, Orelma H. Delignification and Ionic Liquid Treatment of Wood toward Multifunctional High-Performance Structural Materials. ACS Appl Mater Interfaces 2020; 12:23532-23542. [PMID: 32337962 PMCID: PMC7660570 DOI: 10.1021/acsami.0c02221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 04/27/2020] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Wood-based multifunctional materials with excellent mechanical performance are increasingly considered for sustainable advanced applications due to their unique hierarchical structure and inherent reinforcing cellulose phase orientation. Nonetheless, a wider multipurpose utilization of wood materials is so far hampered because of constraints arising from scalable functionalization, efficient processing, facile shaping as well asnatural heterogeneity and durability. This study introduces a multifunctional all-wood material fabrication method relying on delignification, ionic liquid (IL) treatment, and pressure-assisted consolidation of wood. Structure-retaining controlled delignification of wood was performed to enable direct access to the hierarchical cellulose assembly, while preserving the highly aligned and thus beneficial wood structural directionality. As a following step, the obtained biobased scaffold with an increased porosity was infiltrated with an IL and heat-activated to partially dissolve and soften the cellulose fiber surface. Samples washed with water to remove IL exhibited pronounced isotropic flexibility, which upon combined compression and lateral shear allowed the fabrication of various 3D shapes with adjustable fiber architecture. The obtained very compact and totally additive-free all-wood materials were extensively characterized, revealing superior mechanical performance, and gained multifunctionality compared to native wood.
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16
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Pandey S, Phulara SC, Mishra SK, Bajpai R, Kumar A, Niranjan A, Lehri A, Upreti DK, Chauhan PS. Betula utilis extract prolongs life expectancy, protects against amyloid-β toxicity and reduces Alpha Synuclien in Caenorhabditis elegans via DAF-16 and SKN-1. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2020; 228:108647. [PMID: 31669661 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2019.108647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2019] [Revised: 10/17/2019] [Accepted: 10/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
Betula utilis (BU), an important medicinal plant that grows in high altitudes of the Himalayan region, has been utilized traditionally due to it's antibacterial, hepatoprotective, and anti-tumor properties. Here, we demonstrated the longevity and amyloid-β toxicity attenuating activity of B. utilis ethanolic extract (BUE) in Caenorhabditis elegans. Lifespan of the worms was observed under both the standard laboratory and stress (oxidative and thermal) conditions. Effect of BUE was also observed on the attenuation of age-dependent physiological parameters. Further, gene-specific mutants and green fluorescent protein (GFP)-tagged strains were used to investigate the molecular mechanism underlying the beneficial effects mediated by BUE supplementation. Our results showed that BUE (50 μg/ml) extended the mean lifespan of C. elegans by 35.99% and increased its survival under stress conditions. The BUE also reduced the levels of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) by 22.47%. A delayed amyloid-β induced paralyses was observed in CL4176 transgenic worms. Interestingly, the BUE supplementation was also able to reduce the α-synuclein aggregation in NL5901 transgenic strain. Gene-specific mutant studies suggested that the BUE-mediated lifespan extension was dependent on daf-16, hsf-1, and skn-1 but not on sir-2.1 gene. Furthermore, transgenic reporter gene expression assay showed that BUE treatment enhanced the expression of stress-protective genes such as sod-3 and gst-4. Present findings suggested that ROS scavenging activity, together with multiple longevity mechanisms, were involved in BUE-mediated lifespan extension. Thus, BUE might have potential to increase the lifespan and to attenuate neuro-related disease progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swapnil Pandey
- Microbial Technology Division, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow 226001, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Suresh Chandra Phulara
- Department of Biotechnology, Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation, Guntur 522502, Andhra Pradesh, India
| | - Shashank Kumar Mishra
- Microbial Technology Division, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow 226001, India
| | - Rajesh Bajpai
- Plant Diversity, Systematics and Herbarium, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow 226001, India
| | - Anil Kumar
- Central Instrumentation Facility, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow 226001, India
| | - Abhishek Niranjan
- Central Instrumentation Facility, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow 226001, India
| | - Alok Lehri
- Central Instrumentation Facility, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow 226001, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Dalip Kumar Upreti
- Plant Diversity, Systematics and Herbarium, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow 226001, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Puneet Singh Chauhan
- Microbial Technology Division, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow 226001, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India.
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17
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Dysvik A, La Rosa SL, Buffetto F, Liland KH, Myhrer KS, Rukke EO, Wicklund T, Westereng B. Secondary Lactic Acid Bacteria Fermentation with Wood-Derived Xylooligosaccharides as a Tool To Expedite Sour Beer Production. J Agric Food Chem 2020; 68:301-314. [PMID: 31820631 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.9b05459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Xylooligosaccharides (XOS) from woody biomass were evaluated as a substrate for secondary lactic acid bacteria (LAB) fermentation in sour beer production. XOS were extracted from birch (Betula pubescens) and added to beer to promote the growth of Lactobacillus brevis BSO 464. Growth, pH, XOS degradation, and metabolic products were monitored throughout fermentations, and the final beer was evaluated sensorically. XOS were utilized, metabolic compounds were produced (1800 mg/L lactic acid), and pH was reduced from 4.1 to 3.6. Secondary fermentation changed sensory properties significantly, and the resulting sour beer was assessed as similar to a commercial reference in multiple attributes, including acidic taste. Overall, secondary LAB fermentation induced by wood-derived XOS provided a new approach to successfully produce sour beer with reduced fermentation time (from 1-3 years to 4 weeks). The presented results demonstrate how hemicellulosic biomass can be valorized for beverage production and to obtain sour beer with improved process control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Dysvik
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science , Norwegian University of Life Sciences , P.O. Box 5003, N-1432 Aas , Norway
| | - Sabina Leanti La Rosa
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science , Norwegian University of Life Sciences , P.O. Box 5003, N-1432 Aas , Norway
| | - Fanny Buffetto
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science , Norwegian University of Life Sciences , P.O. Box 5003, N-1432 Aas , Norway
| | - Kristian Hovde Liland
- Faculty of Science and Technology , Norwegian University of Life Sciences , P.O. Box 5003, N-1433 Ås , Norway
| | - Kristine S Myhrer
- NOFIMA - Norwegian Institute of Food, Fisheries and Aquaculture Research , PB 210, N-1431 Ås , Norway
| | - Elling-Olav Rukke
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science , Norwegian University of Life Sciences , P.O. Box 5003, N-1432 Aas , Norway
| | - Trude Wicklund
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science , Norwegian University of Life Sciences , P.O. Box 5003, N-1432 Aas , Norway
| | - Bjørge Westereng
- Faculty of Chemistry, Biotechnology and Food Science , Norwegian University of Life Sciences , P.O. Box 5003, N-1432 Aas , Norway
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18
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Blondeau D, St‐Pierre A, Bourdeau N, Bley J, Lajeunesse A, Desgagné‐Penix I. Antimicrobial activity and chemical composition of white birch (Betula papyrifera Marshall) bark extracts. Microbiologyopen 2020; 9:e00944. [PMID: 31580010 PMCID: PMC6957409 DOI: 10.1002/mbo3.944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2019] [Revised: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Extracts from white birch have been reported to possess antimicrobial properties, but no study has linked the chemical composition of bark extract with antimicrobial activity. This study aimed to identify white birch (Betula papyrifera Marshall) bark extracts with antimicrobial activity and elucidate its composition. In order to obtain the highest extraction yield, bark residues >3 mm were retained for extraction. A total of 10 extraction solvents were used to determine the extraction yield of each of them. Methanol and ethanol solvents extracted a greater proportion of molecules. When tested on eight microorganism species, the water extract proved to have the best antimicrobial potential followed by the methanol extract. The water extract inhibited all microorganisms at low concentration with minimal inhibitory concentration between 0.83 and 1.67 mg/ml. Using ultraperformance liquid chromatography coupled to a time-of-flight quadrupole mass spectrometer, several molecules that have already been studied for their antimicrobial properties were identified in water and methanol extracts. Catechol was identified as one of the dominant components in white birch bark water extract, and its antimicrobial activity has already been demonstrated, suggesting that catechol could be one of the main components contributing to the antimicrobial activity of this extract. Thus, extractives from forestry wastes have potential for new applications to valorize these residues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dorian Blondeau
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and PhysicsUniversity of Québec at Trois‐RivièresTrois‐RivièresQCCanada
| | - Annabelle St‐Pierre
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and PhysicsUniversity of Québec at Trois‐RivièresTrois‐RivièresQCCanada
| | | | - Julien Bley
- InnofibreCégep of Trois‐RivièresTrois‐RivièresQCCanada
| | - André Lajeunesse
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and PhysicsUniversity of Québec at Trois‐RivièresTrois‐RivièresQCCanada
| | - Isabel Desgagné‐Penix
- Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and PhysicsUniversity of Québec at Trois‐RivièresTrois‐RivièresQCCanada
- Groupe de Recherche en Biologie VégétaleUniversity of Québec at Trois‐RivièresTrois‐RivièresQCCanada
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19
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Korpinen RI, Kilpeläinen P, Sarjala T, Nurmi M, Saloranta P, Holmbom T, Koivula H, Mikkonen KS, Willför S, Saranpää PT. The Hydrophobicity of Lignocellulosic Fiber Network Can Be Enhanced with Suberin Fatty Acids. Molecules 2019; 24:molecules24234391. [PMID: 31805659 PMCID: PMC6930657 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24234391] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2019] [Revised: 11/27/2019] [Accepted: 11/29/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Suberin fatty acids were extracted from outer bark of Silver birch (Betula pendula Roth.) using an isopropanolic sodium hydroxide solution. Laboratory sheets composed of lignocellulosic fiber networks were prepared from unbleached and unrefined softwood kraft pulp and further impregnated with suberin fatty acid monomers and cured with maleic anhydride in ethanol solution. The treatment resulted in hydrophobic surfaces, in which the contact angles remained over 120 degrees during the entire measurement. The fiber network also retained its water vapor permeability and enhanced fiber–fiber bonding resulted in improved tensile strength of the sheets. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images revealed that the curing agent, together with suberin fatty acids, was evenly distributed on the fiber surfaces and smoothing occurred over the wrinkled microfibrillar structure. High concentrations of the curing agent resulted in globular structures containing betulinol derivates as revealed with time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS). Also, the larger amount of suberin fatty acid monomers slightly impaired the optical properties of sheets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Risto I. Korpinen
- Production Systems, Natural Resources Institute Finland, Latokartanonkaari 9, FI-00790 Helsinki, Finland; (P.K.); (T.S.); (P.T.S.)
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +358-29-532-3571
| | - Petri Kilpeläinen
- Production Systems, Natural Resources Institute Finland, Latokartanonkaari 9, FI-00790 Helsinki, Finland; (P.K.); (T.S.); (P.T.S.)
| | - Tytti Sarjala
- Production Systems, Natural Resources Institute Finland, Latokartanonkaari 9, FI-00790 Helsinki, Finland; (P.K.); (T.S.); (P.T.S.)
| | - Maristiina Nurmi
- Laboratory of Paper Coating and Converting, Center for Functional Materials, Åbo Akademi University, Porthaninkatu 3, FI-20500 Turku, Finland; (M.N.); (P.S.)
| | - Pauliina Saloranta
- Laboratory of Paper Coating and Converting, Center for Functional Materials, Åbo Akademi University, Porthaninkatu 3, FI-20500 Turku, Finland; (M.N.); (P.S.)
| | - Thomas Holmbom
- Oy Separation Research Ab, Porthaninkatu 3, FI-20500 Turku, Finland;
| | - Hanna Koivula
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Helsinki, Agnes Sjöbergin katu 2, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland; (H.K.); (K.S.M.)
| | - Kirsi S. Mikkonen
- Department of Food and Nutrition, Faculty of Agriculture and Forestry, University of Helsinki, Agnes Sjöbergin katu 2, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland; (H.K.); (K.S.M.)
| | - Stefan Willför
- Laboratory of Wood and Paper Chemistry, Johan Gadolin Process Chemistry Centre, Åbo Akademi University, Porthaninkatu 3, FI-20500 Turku, Finland;
| | - Pekka T. Saranpää
- Production Systems, Natural Resources Institute Finland, Latokartanonkaari 9, FI-00790 Helsinki, Finland; (P.K.); (T.S.); (P.T.S.)
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Han R, Gu C, Li R, Xu W, Wang S, Liu C, Qu C, Chen S, Liu G, Yu Q, Jiang J, Li H. Characterization and T-DNA insertion sites identification of a multiple-branches mutant br in Betula platyphylla × Betula pendula. BMC Plant Biol 2019; 19:491. [PMID: 31718548 PMCID: PMC6852751 DOI: 10.1186/s12870-019-2098-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2019] [Accepted: 10/23/2019] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Plant architecture, which is mostly determined by shoot branching, plays an important role in plant growth and development. Thus, it is essential to explore the regulatory molecular mechanism of branching patterns based on the economic and ecological importance. In our previous work, a multiple-branches birch mutant br was identified from 19 CINNAMOYL-COENZYME A REDUCTASE 1 (CCR1)-overexpressed transgenic lines, and the expression patterns of differentially expressed genes in br were analyzed. In this study, we further explored some other characteristics of br, including plant architecture, wood properties, photosynthetic characteristics, and IAA and Zeatin contents. Meanwhile, the T-DNA insertion sites caused by the insertion of exogenous BpCCR1 in br were identified to explain the causes of the mutation phenotypes. RESULTS The mutant br exhibited slower growth, more abundant and weaker branches, and lower wood basic density and lignin content than BpCCR1 transgenic line (OE2) and wild type (WT). Compared to WT and OE2, br had high stomatal conductance (Gs), transpiration rate (Tr), but a low non-photochemical quenching coefficient (NPQ) and chlorophyll content. In addition, br displayed an equal IAA and Zeatin content ratio of main branches' apical buds to lateral branches' apical buds and high ratio of Zeatin to IAA content. Two T-DNA insertion sites caused by the insertion of exogenous BpCCR1 in br genome were found. On one site, chromosome 2 (Chr2), no known gene was detected on the flanking sequence. The other site was on Chr5, with an insertion of 388 bp T-DNA sequence, resulting in deletion of 107 bp 5' untranslated region (UTR) and 264 bp coding sequence (CDS) on CORONATINE INSENSITIVE 1 (BpCOII). In comparison with OE2 and WT, BpCOI1 was down-regulated in br, and the sensitivity of br to Methyl Jasmonate (MeJA) was abnormal. CONCLUSIONS Plant architecture, wood properties, photosynthetic characteristics, and IAA and Zeatin contents in main and lateral branches' apical buds changed in br over the study's time period. One T-DNA insertion was identified on the first exon of BpCOI1, which resulted in the reduction of BpCOI1 expression and abnormal perception to MeJA in br. These mutation phenotypes might be associated with a partial loss of BpCOI1 in birch.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Han
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, 26 Hexing Road, Harbin, 150040 China
| | - Chenrui Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, 26 Hexing Road, Harbin, 150040 China
| | - Ranhong Li
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, 26 Hexing Road, Harbin, 150040 China
| | - Wendi Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, 26 Hexing Road, Harbin, 150040 China
| | - Shuo Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, 26 Hexing Road, Harbin, 150040 China
| | - Chaoyi Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, 26 Hexing Road, Harbin, 150040 China
| | - Chang Qu
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, 26 Hexing Road, Harbin, 150040 China
| | - Su Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, 26 Hexing Road, Harbin, 150040 China
| | - Guifeng Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, 26 Hexing Road, Harbin, 150040 China
| | - Qibin Yu
- Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences, Citrus Research and Education Center, University of Florida, Lake Alfred, FL 33850 USA
| | - Jing Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, 26 Hexing Road, Harbin, 150040 China
| | - Huiyu Li
- State Key Laboratory of Tree Genetics and Breeding, Northeast Forestry University, 26 Hexing Road, Harbin, 150040 China
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21
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Park KJ, Cha JM, Subedi L, Kim SY, Lee KR. Phenolic constituents from the twigs of Betula schmidtii collected in Goesan, Korea. Phytochemistry 2019; 167:112085. [PMID: 31437665 DOI: 10.1016/j.phytochem.2019.112085] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2019] [Revised: 08/06/2019] [Accepted: 08/06/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Six undescribed phenolic derivatives along with thirty two known compounds were isolated from the twigs of Betula schmidtii. The chemical structures were characterized through extensive spectroscopic analysis and chemical methods. All known compounds were first isolated in this plant. The anti-inflammatory effect of the isolates was tested by measuring nitric oxide production in lipopolysaccharide-activated BV-2 cells. Isotachioside, 4-allyl-2-hydrophenyl 1-O-β-D-apiosyl-(1 → 6)-β-D-glucopyranoside, genistein 5-O-β-D-glucoside, and prunetinoside showed a slight potency to lower the NO production against LPS-activated microglia with IC50 values of 23.9, 25.3, 28.8, and 34.0 μM, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyoung Jin Park
- Natural Products Laboratory, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Joon Min Cha
- Natural Products Laboratory, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea
| | - Lalita Subedi
- Gachon Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Gachon University, Incheon, 21936, Republic of Korea; College of Pharmacy, Gachon University, 191 Hambakmoero, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, 21936, Republic of Korea
| | - Sun Yeou Kim
- Gachon Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Gachon University, Incheon, 21936, Republic of Korea; College of Pharmacy, Gachon University, 191 Hambakmoero, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, 21936, Republic of Korea
| | - Kang Ro Lee
- Natural Products Laboratory, School of Pharmacy, Sungkyunkwan University, Suwon, 16419, Republic of Korea.
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22
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Lee JE, Thuy NTT, Lee J, Cho N, Yoo HM. Platyphylloside Isolated from Betula platyphylla is Antiproliferative and Induces Apoptosis in Colon Cancer and Leukemic Cells. Molecules 2019; 24:molecules24162960. [PMID: 31443270 PMCID: PMC6720625 DOI: 10.3390/molecules24162960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2019] [Revised: 08/14/2019] [Accepted: 08/15/2019] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Betula platyphylla bark has been evaluated for the treatment of dermatitis, inflammatory conditions, and cancer. Diarylheptanoids are the major constituents of the B. platyphylla bark and possess various pharmacological effects. Our previous study confirmed the selective antiproliferative effect of platyphylloside (BPP) isolated from B. platyphylla on colon cancer and leukemic cells using 60 different cancer cell lines from thr National Cancer Institution (NCI). In line with previous reports, this study focuses on the apoptotic pathway of BPP, a phenolic glycoside composed of two aromatic rings joined by a seven-carbon chain. Cytotoxicity assays in solid tumor and blood cancer cell models demonstrated that BPP possesses potent antiproliferative activity. The level of apoptosis increased with BPP treatment, causing cell cycle arrest at the G1 phase along with the downregulation of IκBα phosphorylation and BCL-2, as well as upregulation of cleaved caspase 3 and BAX proteins. In addition, BPP displayed potent mitochondrial depolarization effects in Jurkat cells. The combined findings revealed that the cytotoxic effects of BPP were mediated by intracellular signaling, possibly through a mechanism involving the upregulation of mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS). Thus, BPP could be a potential multitarget therapeutic agent in leukemia and colon cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joo-Eun Lee
- Stem Cell Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | | | - Jina Lee
- Center for Bioanalysis, Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS), Daejeon 34113, Korea
| | - Namki Cho
- College of Pharmacy, Chonnam National University, Gwangju 61186, Korea.
| | - Hee Min Yoo
- Center for Bioanalysis, Korea Research Institute of Standards and Science (KRISS), Daejeon 34113, Korea.
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23
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Abstract
The possibility of two-jet plasma atomic emission spectrometry for analysis of different plants using solid sample preparation and unified calibration samples was investigated. The certified reference materials of wheat, maize, rice, potato, grass mix, birch leaves, and Elodea canadensis were used for analysis. On the basis of the behavior of these plants in the plasma, they were divided into two groups: starch-containing materials (cereal and root crops) and leaves/grass. It was found that the previous sample carbonization should be used for analysis of starch-containing plants while leaves and grass could be analyzed by the direct technique. Carbonization was only applied for determining low concentrations of trace elements in leaves and grass. The calibration samples based on graphite powder and simple sample preparation, dilution of powdered sample with a spectroscopic buffer, were used for both direct analysis and analysis after carbonization. Such an approach allowed estimation of B, Ba, Be, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ga, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Si, Sr, V, and Zn in different plants. The limits of detection (LODs) provided by the direct technique were at the level of (µg·g-1): n × 0.1 for Cd, Cu, and Mn; n for B, Ba, Co, Cr, Fe, Ga, Ni, Pb, Sr, V, and Zn; n × 10 for Si. Carbonization allowed improving LODs of elements several times depending on the thermal stability and mineral composition of plants. The LODs of elements in plants obtained after carbonization are the following (µg·g-1): n × 0.01 for Be, Cd, Cu, and Mn; n × 0.1 for Co, Cr, Fe, Ga, Ni, Pb, Sr, V, Zn; and n for Si. The techniques suggested are fast, easily workable, and do not require harmful chemical reagents. In some cases, the influence of variable matrices and different element species on analytical signal of elements was not completely suppressed; the deviation of element concentrations from the true values was discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalia P Zaksas
- Nikolaev Institute of Inorganic Chemistry, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, Russia
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24
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Kashuba N, Kırdök E, Damlien H, Manninen MA, Nordqvist B, Persson P, Götherström A. Ancient DNA from mastics solidifies connection between material culture and genetics of mesolithic hunter-gatherers in Scandinavia. Commun Biol 2019; 2:185. [PMID: 31123709 PMCID: PMC6520363 DOI: 10.1038/s42003-019-0399-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2018] [Accepted: 03/21/2019] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Human demography research in grounded on the information derived from ancient DNA and archaeology. For example, the study on the early postglacial dual-route colonisation of the Scandinavian Peninsula is largely based on associating genomic data with the early dispersal of lithic technology from the East European Plain. However, a clear connection between material culture and genetics has been lacking. Here, we demonstrate that direct connection by analysing human DNA from chewed birch bark pitch mastics. These samples were discovered at Huseby Klev in western Sweden, a Mesolithic site with eastern lithic technology. We generated genome-wide data for three individuals, and show their affinity to the Scandinavian hunter-gatherers. Our samples date to 9880-9540 calBP, expanding the temporal range and distribution of the early Scandinavian genetic group. We propose that DNA from ancient mastics can be used to study environment and ecology of prehistoric populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalija Kashuba
- Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 6762. St. Olavs Plass, NO-0130 Oslo, Norway
- Department of Archaeology and Ancient History, Uppsala University, P.O. Box 626, SE-751 26 Uppsala, Sweden
| | - Emrah Kırdök
- Archaeological Research Laboratory, Department of Archaeology and Classical Studies, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Hege Damlien
- Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 6762. St. Olavs Plass, NO-0130 Oslo, Norway
| | - Mikael A. Manninen
- Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 6762. St. Olavs Plass, NO-0130 Oslo, Norway
| | - Bengt Nordqvist
- Foundation War-Booty Site Finnestorp, Klarinettvägen 75, SE-434 75 Kungsbacka, Sweden
| | - Per Persson
- Museum of Cultural History, University of Oslo, P.O. Box 6762. St. Olavs Plass, NO-0130 Oslo, Norway
| | - Anders Götherström
- Archaeological Research Laboratory, Department of Archaeology and Classical Studies, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
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Matsakas L, Karnaouri A, Cwirzen A, Rova U, Christakopoulos P. Formation of Lignin Nanoparticles by Combining Organosolv Pretreatment of Birch Biomass and Homogenization Processes. Molecules 2018; 23:E1822. [PMID: 30041408 PMCID: PMC6100471 DOI: 10.3390/molecules23071822] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2018] [Revised: 07/18/2018] [Accepted: 07/20/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Valorization of lignocellulosic biomass into a biorefinery scheme requires the use of all biomass components; in this, the lignin fraction is often underutilized. Conversion of lignin to nanoparticles is an attractive solution. Here, we investigated the effect of different lignin isolation processes and a post-treatment homogenization step on particle formation. Lignin was isolated from birch chips by using two organosolv processes, traditional organosolv (OS) and hybrid organosolv-steam explosion (HOS-SE) at various ethanol contents. For post-treatment, lignin was homogenized at 500 bar using different ethanol:water ratios. Isolation of lignin with OS resulted in unshaped lignin particles, whereas after HOS-SE, lignin micro-particles were formed directly. Addition of an acidic catalyst during HOS-SE had a negative impact on the particle formation, and the optimal ethanol content was 50⁻60% v/v. Homogenization had a positive effect as it transformed initially unshaped lignin into spherical nanoparticles and reduced the size of the micro-particles isolated by HOS-SE. Ethanol content during homogenization affected the size of the particles, with the optimal results obtained at 75% v/v. We demonstrate that organosolv lignin can be used as an excellent starting material for nanoparticle preparation, with a simple method without the need for extensive chemical modification. It was also demonstrated that tuning of the operational parameters results in nanoparticles of smaller size and with better size homogeneity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leonidas Matsakas
- Biochemical Process Engineering, Division of Chemical Engineering, Department of Civil, Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, 971-87 Luleå, Sweden.
| | - Anthi Karnaouri
- Biochemical Process Engineering, Division of Chemical Engineering, Department of Civil, Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, 971-87 Luleå, Sweden.
| | - Andrzej Cwirzen
- Structural Engineering, Division of Structural and Fire Engineering, Department of Civil, Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, 971-87 Luleå, Sweden.
| | - Ulrika Rova
- Biochemical Process Engineering, Division of Chemical Engineering, Department of Civil, Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, 971-87 Luleå, Sweden.
| | - Paul Christakopoulos
- Biochemical Process Engineering, Division of Chemical Engineering, Department of Civil, Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, 971-87 Luleå, Sweden.
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26
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Abu ElEla SA, Agathokleous E, Koike T. Growth and nutrition of Agelastica coerulea (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) larvae changed when fed with leaves obtained from an O 3-enriched atmosphere. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2018. [PMID: 29525869 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-018-1683-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
A series of laboratory no-choice assays were performed to test changes in the feeding, growth, and nutrition of leaf beetle (Agelastica coerulea) larval instars on O3-treated leaves of Japanese white birch (Betula platyphylla var. japonica). Larvae fed with O3-treated leaves grew and developed significantly faster throughout their developmental cycle than the corresponding controls. The growth rate (GR) and consumption index (CI) were mostly decreased with age for both control and O3-treated leaves. Efficiency of conversion of both ingested and digested food (ECI, ECD) showed an increase from the 2nd to the 4th instar, after which they decreased significantly and reached the lowest value in the last larval instars (7th). GR, CI, ECI, and ECD were greater and approximate digestibility (AD) was lower in larvae fed with O3-treated leaves than those fed with control leaves. This indicated that the greater rate of growth on fumigated leaves was due primarily to a greater rate of consumption (i.e., O3 increased the "acceptability" of the host more than "suitability") and efficiency in converting food into body mass. Overall, larval performance seemed to have improved when fed with O3-treated leaves in these assays. This study suggests that insects may be more injurious to O3-treated plants and warrants further investigations on birch-beetle interactions under field conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Evgenios Agathokleous
- Hokkaido Research Center, Forestry and Forest Products Research Institute (FFPRI), Forest Research and Management Organization, 7 Hitsujigaoka, Sapporo, Hokkaido, 062-8516, Japan.
- Research Faculty of Agriculture, School of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Kita 9 Nishi 9, Sapporo, 060-85889, Japan.
| | - Takayoshi Koike
- Research Faculty of Agriculture, School of Agriculture, Hokkaido University, Kita 9 Nishi 9, Sapporo, 060-85889, Japan.
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27
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Zioła-Frankowska A, Frankowski M. Speciation analysis of aluminium in plant parts of Betula pendula and in soil. J Environ Sci (China) 2018; 65:153-161. [PMID: 29548386 DOI: 10.1016/j.jes.2017.03.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2016] [Revised: 01/05/2017] [Accepted: 03/16/2017] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The research presents the first results of aluminium speciation analysis in aqueous extracts of individual plant parts of Betula pendula and soil samples, using High Performance Ion Chromatography with Diode Array Detection (HPIC-DAD). The applied method allowed us to carry out a full speciation analysis of aluminium in the form of predominant aluminium-fluoride complexes: AlF(x=2,3,4)(3-x) (first analytical signal), AlF2+ (second analytical signal) and Al3+ (third analytical signal) in samples of lateral roots, tap roots, twigs, stem, leaf and soil collected under roots of B. pendula. Concentrations of aluminium and its complexes were determined for two types of environment characterised by different degree of human impact: contaminated site of the Chemical Plant in Luboń and protected area of the Wielkopolski National Park. For all the analysed samples of B. pendula and soil, AlF(x=2,3,4)(3-x) had the largest contribution, followed by Al3+ and AlF2+. Significant differences in concentration and contribution of Al-F complexes and Al3+ form, depending on the place of sampling (different anthropogenic pressure) and plant part of B. pendula were observed. Based on the obtained results, it was found that transport of aluminium is "blocked" by lateral roots, and is closely related to Al content of soil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anetta Zioła-Frankowska
- Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Analytical Chemistry, 61-614 Poznan, Poland.
| | - Marcin Frankowski
- Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Faculty of Chemistry, Department of Water and Soil Analysis, 61-614 Poznan, Poland.
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28
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Köster D, Wolbert JB, Schulte MS, Jochmann MA, Schmidt TC. Origin of Xylitol in Chewing Gum: A Compound-Specific Isotope Technique for the Differentiation of Corn- and Wood-Based Xylitol by LC-IRMS. J Agric Food Chem 2018; 66:2015-2020. [PMID: 29419293 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.7b05212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
The sugar replacement compound xylitol has gained increasing attention because of its use in many commercial food products, dental-hygiene articles, and pharmaceuticals. It can be classified by the origin of the raw material used for its production. The traditional "birch xylitol" is considered a premium product, in contrast to xylitol produced from agriculture byproducts such as corn husks or sugar-cane straw. Bulk stable-isotope analysis (BSIA) and compound-specific stable-isotope analysis (CSIA) by liquid-chromatography isotope-ratio mass spectrometry (LC-IRMS) of chewing-gum extracts were used to determine the δ13C isotope signatures for xylitol. These were applied to elucidate the original plant type the xylitol was produced from on the basis of differences in isotope-fractionation processes of photosynthetic CO2 fixation. For the LC-IRMS analysis, an organic-solvent-free extraction protocol and HPLC method for the separation of xylitol from different artificial sweeteners and sugar-replacement compounds was successfully developed and applied to the analysis of 21 samples of chewing gum, from which 18 could be clearly related to the raw-material plant class.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Köster
- Instrumental Analytical Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen , Universitätsstrasse 5, 45141 Essen, Germany
| | - Jens-Benjamin Wolbert
- Instrumental Analytical Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen , Universitätsstrasse 5, 45141 Essen, Germany
| | - Marcel S Schulte
- Biofilm Centre, University of Duisburg-Essen , Universitätsstrasse 5, 45141 Essen, Germany
| | - Maik A Jochmann
- Instrumental Analytical Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen , Universitätsstrasse 5, 45141 Essen, Germany
| | - Torsten C Schmidt
- Instrumental Analytical Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen , Universitätsstrasse 5, 45141 Essen, Germany
- Centre for Water and Environmental Research (ZWU), University of Duisburg-Essen , Universitätsstrasse 5, 45141 Essen, Germany
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29
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Liu X, Liu T, Zhang Y, Xin F, Mi S, Wen B, Gu T, Shi X, Wang F, Sun L. Structural Insights into the Thermophilic Adaption Mechanism of Endo-1,4-β-Xylanase from Caldicellulosiruptor owensensis. J Agric Food Chem 2018; 66:187-193. [PMID: 29236500 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.7b03607] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Xylanases (EC 3.2.1.8) are a kind of enzymes degrading xylan to xylooligosaccharides (XOS) and have been widely used in a variety of industrial applications. Among them, xylanases from thermophilic microorganisms have distinct advantages in industries that require high temperature conditions. The CoXynA gene, encoding a glycoside hydrolase (GH) family 10 xylanase, was identified from thermophilic Caldicellulosiruptor owensensis and was overexpressed in Escherichia coli. Recombinant CoXynA showed optimal activity at 90 °C with a half-life of about 1 h at 80 °C and exhibited highest activity at pH 7.0. The activity of CoXynA activity was affected by a variety of cations. CoXynA showed distinct substrate specificities for beechwood xylan and birchwood xylan. The crystal structure of CoXynA was solved and a molecular dynamics simulation of CoXynA was performed. The relatively high thermostability of CoXynA was proposed to be due to the increased overall protein rigidity resulting from the reduced length and fluctuation of Loop 7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Liu
- Laboratory of Biomanufacturing and Food Engineering, Institute of Food Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences , Beijing 100193, P.R. China
| | - Tengfei Liu
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine , Beijing 100102, P.R. China
| | - Yuebin Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Reaction Dynamics, Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences , 457 Zhongshan Rd, Dalian 116023, P.R. China
| | - Fengjiao Xin
- Laboratory of Biomanufacturing and Food Engineering, Institute of Food Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences , Beijing 100193, P.R. China
| | - Shuofu Mi
- National Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, Institute of Process Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences , Beijing 100190, P.R. China
| | - Boting Wen
- Laboratory of Biomanufacturing and Food Engineering, Institute of Food Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences , Beijing 100193, P.R. China
| | - Tianyi Gu
- Laboratory of Biomanufacturing and Food Engineering, Institute of Food Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences , Beijing 100193, P.R. China
| | - Xinyuan Shi
- School of Chinese Materia Medica, Beijing University of Chinese Medicine , Beijing 100102, P.R. China
| | - Fengzhong Wang
- Laboratory of Biomanufacturing and Food Engineering, Institute of Food Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences , Beijing 100193, P.R. China
| | - Lichao Sun
- Laboratory of Biomanufacturing and Food Engineering, Institute of Food Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences , Beijing 100193, P.R. China
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30
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Azman NAM, Skowyra M, Muhammad K, Gallego MG, Almajano MP. Evaluation of the antioxidant activity of Betula pendula leaves extract and its effects on model foods. Pharm Biol 2017; 55:912-919. [PMID: 28152668 PMCID: PMC6130539 DOI: 10.1080/13880209.2017.1282528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/12/2016] [Revised: 09/03/2016] [Accepted: 12/03/2016] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
CONTEXT Betula pendula Roth (Betulaceae) exhibits many pharmacological activities in humans including anticancer, antibacterial, and antiviral effects. However, the antioxidant activity of BP towards lipid degradation has not been fully determined. OBJECTIVE The BP ethanol and methanol extracts were evaluated to determine antioxidant activity by an in vitro method and lyophilized extract of BP was added to beef patties to study oxidative stability. MATERIALS AND METHODS Antioxidant activities of extracts of BP were determined by measuring scavenging radical activity against methoxy radical generated by Fenton reaction 2,2'-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (TEAC) radical cation, the oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC) and the ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. The lipid deterioration in beef patties containing 0.1% and 0.3% (w/w) of lyophilized extract of BP stored in 80:20 (v/v) O2:CO2 modified atmosphere (MAP) at 4 °C for 10 days was determined using thiobarbituric acid reacting substances (TBARS), % metmyoglobin and colour value. RESULTS The BP methanol extract revealed the presence of catechin, myricetin, quercetin, naringenin, and p-coumaric acid. The BP ethanol (50% w/w) extract showed scavenging activity in TEAC, ORAC and FRAP assays with values of 1.45, 2.81, 1.52 mmol Trolox equivalents (TE)/g DW, respectively. Reductions in lipid oxidation were found in samples treated with lyophilized BP extract (0.1% and 0.3% w/w) as manifested by the changes of colour and metmyoglobin concentration. A preliminary study film with BP showed retard degradation of lipid in muscle food. CONCLUSION The present results indicated that the BP extracts can be used as natural food antioxidants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nurul Aini Mohd Azman
- Chemical Engineering Department, Technical University of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain
- Chemical and Natural Resources Engineering Department, University Malaysia Pahang, Pahang, Malaysia
| | - Monika Skowyra
- Chemical Engineering Department, Technical University of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Kwestan Muhammad
- Chemical Engineering Department, Technical University of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Maria Pilar Almajano
- Chemical Engineering Department, Technical University of Catalonia, Barcelona, Spain
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Nadgórska-Socha A, Kandziora-Ciupa M, Trzęsicki M, Barczyk G. Air pollution tolerance index and heavy metal bioaccumulation in selected plant species from urban biotopes. Chemosphere 2017; 183:471-482. [PMID: 28570890 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2017.05.128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2017] [Revised: 04/24/2017] [Accepted: 05/21/2017] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
This research was carried out on plants Taraxacum officinale, Plantago lanceolata, Betula pendula and Robinia pseudoacacia growing in urban biotopes with different levels of heavy metal contamination in the city of Dąbrowa Górnicza (southern Poland). Based on the pollution index, the highest heavy metal contamination was determined in the site 4 (connected with industry emitters) and 6 (high traffic). The metal accumulation index (MAI) values ranged within the biotopes in Dąbrowa Górnicza between 7.3 and 20.6 for R. pseudoacacia, 4.71-23.1 for P. lanceolata, 4.68-28.1 for T. officinale and 10.5-27.2 for B. pendula. Increasing tendency in proline content in biotopes connected with high traffic was found in the leaves of investigated plants (except R. pseudoacacia). Similar tendency was observed for ascorbic acid content in the foliage of the plants as well as in T. officinalle in stands connected industrial emission. Non-protein thiols content increased especially in the leaves of R. pseudoacacia in biotopes with high traffic emissions as well as in T. officinale in stands connected with industry. The mean values of APTI (Air Pollution Tolerance Index) within the city of Dąbrowa Górnicza for investigated plants were found in the following ascending order P. lanceolata < R. pseudoacacia < B. pendula < T. officinale. Among the investigated plants B. pendula and T. officinale may be postulated as appropriate plants in urban areas with considerable soil and air contamination, especially with heavy metals. The results indicate that species deemed tolerant according to APTI are suitable plants in barriers areas to combat atmospheric pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marta Kandziora-Ciupa
- University of Silesia, Department of Ecology, Bankowa 9, PL 40-007, Katowice, Poland
| | - Michał Trzęsicki
- Medical University of Silesia, School of Health Sciences in Katowice, Department of Sports, Medicine and Physiology of Physical Effort, Medyków 12, 40-752 Katowice, Poland
| | - Gabriela Barczyk
- University of Silesia, Department of Ecology, Bankowa 9, PL 40-007, Katowice, Poland
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Wam HK, Stolter C, Nybakken L. Compositional Changes in Foliage Phenolics with Plant Age, a Natural Experiment in Boreal Forests. J Chem Ecol 2017; 43:920-928. [PMID: 28852911 PMCID: PMC5636854 DOI: 10.1007/s10886-017-0881-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2017] [Revised: 08/04/2017] [Accepted: 08/14/2017] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The composition of plant secondary metabolites (PSMs) extensively impacts ecosystem functioning. It is vital that we understand temporal patterns in the plants' allocation of resources to PSMs, particularly those influenced by human activity. Existing data are insufficient in the long-term perspective of perennial plants (age or ontogeny). We analysed phenolic concentrations in foliage from birch (Betula pubescens Ehr.) considered to be undamaged and growing on 5, 10 and 15 years old clear-cuts in two boreal forest landscapes in Norway, sampled at the peak of the growing season. In sum, low molecular weight phenolic concentrations decreased with age. Apart from one apigenin glycoside, the low molecular weight phenolics co-varied similarly at all ages, suggesting a lack of temporal compound-specific prioritisation of this group. In contrast, the concentration of MeOH-soluble condensed tannins increased with age. The compositional shift fits well with several hypotheses that may provide proximate explanations for age patterns in PSM allocations, including both resource constraints and external pressures. Regardless of these explanations, our study adds an important perennial perspective (plant age) to temporal PSM patterns already well-known in boreal plant phenology (foliage age).
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Affiliation(s)
- Hilde Karine Wam
- Division of Forest and Forest Resources, Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (NIBIO), 1431, Ås, Norway.
| | - Caroline Stolter
- Department of Animal Ecology and Conservation, University of Hamburg, 20146, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Line Nybakken
- Faculty of Environmental Sciences and Natural Resource Management, Norwegian University of Life Sciences, 1432, Ås, Norway
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Goldmann WM, Ahola J, Mikola M, Tanskanen J. Formic acid aided hot water extraction of hemicellulose from European silver birch (Betula pendula) sawdust. Bioresour Technol 2017; 232:176-182. [PMID: 28231535 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2017.02.032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2016] [Revised: 02/06/2017] [Accepted: 02/08/2017] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
Hemicellulose has been extracted from birch (Betula pendula) sawdust by formic acid aided hot water extraction. The maximum amount of hemicellulose extracted was about 70mol% of the total hemicellulose content at 170°C, measured as the combined yield of xylose and furfural. Lower temperatures (130 and 140°C) favored hemicellulose hydrolysis rather than cellulose hydrolysis, even though the total hemicellulose yield was less than at 170°C. It was found that formic acid greatly increased the hydrolysis of hemicellulose to xylose and furfural at the experimental temperatures. The amount of lignin in the extract remained below the detection limit of the analysis (3g/L) in all cases. Formic acid aided hot water extraction is a promising technique for extracting hemicellulose from woody biomass, while leaving a solid residue with low hemicellulose content, which can be delignified to culminate in the three main isolated lignocellulosic fractions: cellulose, hemicellulose, and lignin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Werner Marcelo Goldmann
- Chemical Process Engineering, Faculty of Technology, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 4300, Oulu 90014, Finland.
| | - Juha Ahola
- Chemical Process Engineering, Faculty of Technology, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 4300, Oulu 90014, Finland
| | - Marja Mikola
- Chemical Process Engineering, Faculty of Technology, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 4300, Oulu 90014, Finland
| | - Juha Tanskanen
- Chemical Process Engineering, Faculty of Technology, University of Oulu, P.O. Box 4300, Oulu 90014, Finland
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Kasurinen S, Jalava PI, Happo MS, Sippula O, Uski O, Koponen H, Orasche J, Zimmermann R, Jokiniemi J, Hirvonen MR. Particulate emissions from the combustion of birch, beech, and spruce logs cause different cytotoxic responses in A549 cells. Environ Toxicol 2017; 32:1487-1499. [PMID: 27678477 DOI: 10.1002/tox.22369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2016] [Revised: 09/05/2016] [Accepted: 09/10/2016] [Indexed: 05/10/2023]
Abstract
According to the World Health Organization particulate emissions from the combustion of solid fuels caused more than 110,000 premature deaths worldwide in 2010. Log wood combustion is the most prevalent form of residential biomass heating in developed countries, but it is unknown how the type of wood logs used in furnaces influences the chemical composition of the particulate emissions and their toxicological potential. We burned logs of birch, beech and spruce, which are used commonly as firewood in Central and Northern Europe in a modern masonry heater, and compared them to the particulate emissions from an automated pellet boiler fired with softwood pellets. We determined the chemical composition (elements, ions, and carbonaceous compounds) of the particulate emissions with a diameter of less than 1 µm and tested their cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, inflammatory potential, and ability to induce oxidative stress in a human lung epithelial cell line. The chemical composition of the samples differed significantly, especially with regard to the carbonaceous and metal contents. Also the toxic effects in our tested endpoints varied considerably between each of the three log wood combustion samples, as well as between the log wood combustion samples and the pellet combustion sample. The difference in the toxicological potential of the samples in the various endpoints indicates the involvement of different pathways of toxicity depending on the chemical composition. All three emission samples from the log wood combustions were considerably more toxic in all endpoints than the emissions from the pellet combustion. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 32: 1487-1499, 2017.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Kasurinen
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Pasi I Jalava
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Mikko S Happo
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Olli Sippula
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
- HICE-Helmholtz Virtual Institute of Complex Molecular Systems in Environmental Health-Aerosols and Health, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Helmholtz Association, München, Germany
| | - Oskari Uski
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Hanna Koponen
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Jürgen Orasche
- HICE-Helmholtz Virtual Institute of Complex Molecular Systems in Environmental Health-Aerosols and Health, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Helmholtz Association, München, Germany
- Joint Mass Spectrometry Center, Cooperation Group Comprehensive Molecular Analytics, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Germany
| | - Ralf Zimmermann
- HICE-Helmholtz Virtual Institute of Complex Molecular Systems in Environmental Health-Aerosols and Health, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Helmholtz Association, München, Germany
- Joint Mass Spectrometry Center, Cooperation Group Comprehensive Molecular Analytics, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Germany
- Department of Analytical and Technical Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Jorma Jokiniemi
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Maija-Riitta Hirvonen
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
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Kasurinen S, Jalava PI, Happo MS, Sippula O, Uski O, Koponen H, Orasche J, Zimmermann R, Jokiniemi J, Hirvonen MR. Particulate emissions from the combustion of birch, beech, and spruce logs cause different cytotoxic responses in A549 cells. Environ Toxicol 2017; 32:1487-1499. [PMID: 27678477 DOI: 10.1002/tox.22369n/a-n/a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2016] [Revised: 09/05/2016] [Accepted: 09/10/2016] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
According to the World Health Organization particulate emissions from the combustion of solid fuels caused more than 110,000 premature deaths worldwide in 2010. Log wood combustion is the most prevalent form of residential biomass heating in developed countries, but it is unknown how the type of wood logs used in furnaces influences the chemical composition of the particulate emissions and their toxicological potential. We burned logs of birch, beech and spruce, which are used commonly as firewood in Central and Northern Europe in a modern masonry heater, and compared them to the particulate emissions from an automated pellet boiler fired with softwood pellets. We determined the chemical composition (elements, ions, and carbonaceous compounds) of the particulate emissions with a diameter of less than 1 µm and tested their cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, inflammatory potential, and ability to induce oxidative stress in a human lung epithelial cell line. The chemical composition of the samples differed significantly, especially with regard to the carbonaceous and metal contents. Also the toxic effects in our tested endpoints varied considerably between each of the three log wood combustion samples, as well as between the log wood combustion samples and the pellet combustion sample. The difference in the toxicological potential of the samples in the various endpoints indicates the involvement of different pathways of toxicity depending on the chemical composition. All three emission samples from the log wood combustions were considerably more toxic in all endpoints than the emissions from the pellet combustion. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Environ Toxicol 32: 1487-1499, 2017.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Kasurinen
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Pasi I Jalava
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Mikko S Happo
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Olli Sippula
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
- HICE-Helmholtz Virtual Institute of Complex Molecular Systems in Environmental Health-Aerosols and Health, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Helmholtz Association, München, Germany
| | - Oskari Uski
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Hanna Koponen
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Jürgen Orasche
- HICE-Helmholtz Virtual Institute of Complex Molecular Systems in Environmental Health-Aerosols and Health, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Helmholtz Association, München, Germany
- Joint Mass Spectrometry Center, Cooperation Group Comprehensive Molecular Analytics, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Germany
| | - Ralf Zimmermann
- HICE-Helmholtz Virtual Institute of Complex Molecular Systems in Environmental Health-Aerosols and Health, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Helmholtz Association, München, Germany
- Joint Mass Spectrometry Center, Cooperation Group Comprehensive Molecular Analytics, German Research Center for Environmental Health, Helmholtz Zentrum München, Germany
- Department of Analytical and Technical Chemistry, Institute of Chemistry, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Jorma Jokiniemi
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
| | - Maija-Riitta Hirvonen
- Department of Environmental and Biological Sciences, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, Finland
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Heinämäki J, Pirttimaa MM, Alakurtti S, Pitkänen HP, Kanerva H, Hulkko J, Paaver U, Aruväli J, Yliruusi J, Kogermann K. Suberin Fatty Acids from Outer Birch Bark: Isolation and Physical Material Characterization. J Nat Prod 2017; 80:916-924. [PMID: 28333461 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.6b00771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
The isolation and physical material properties of suberin fatty acids (SFAs) were investigated with special reference to their potential applications as novel pharmaceutical excipients. SFAs were isolated from outer birch bark (OBB) with a new extractive hydrolysis method. The present simplified isolation process resulted in a moderate batch yield and chemical purity of SFAs, but further development is needed for establishing batch-to-batch variation. Cryogenic milling was the method of choice for the particle size reduction of SFAs powder. The cryogenically milled SFAs powder exhibited a semicrystalline structure with apparent microcrystalline domains within an amorphous fatty acids matrix. The thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) of SFAs samples showed a good thermal stability up to 200 °C, followed by a progressive weight loss, reaching a plateau at about 95% volatilization at about 470 °C. The binary blends of SFAs and microcrystalline cellulose (MCC; Avicel PH 101) in a ratio of 25:75 (w/w) displayed good powder flow and tablet compression properties. The corresponding theophylline-containing tablets showed sustained or prolonged-release characteristics. The physicochemical and bulk powder properties of SFAs isolated from OBB are auspicious in terms of potential pharmaceutical excipient applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jyrki Heinämäki
- Institute of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tartu , Nooruse 1, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Minni M Pirttimaa
- VTT Technical Research Centre Finland Ltd , VTT Industrial Synthesis, Biologinkuja 7, Espoo, P.O. Box 1000, FI-02044 VTT, Finland
| | - Sami Alakurtti
- VTT Technical Research Centre Finland Ltd , VTT Industrial Synthesis, Biologinkuja 7, Espoo, P.O. Box 1000, FI-02044 VTT, Finland
| | - H Pauliina Pitkänen
- VTT Technical Research Centre Finland Ltd , VTT Industrial Synthesis, Biologinkuja 7, Espoo, P.O. Box 1000, FI-02044 VTT, Finland
| | - Heimo Kanerva
- VTT Technical Research Centre Finland Ltd , VTT Industrial Synthesis, Biologinkuja 7, Espoo, P.O. Box 1000, FI-02044 VTT, Finland
| | - Janne Hulkko
- VTT Technical Research Centre Finland Ltd , VTT Industrial Synthesis, Biologinkuja 7, Espoo, P.O. Box 1000, FI-02044 VTT, Finland
| | - Urve Paaver
- Institute of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tartu , Nooruse 1, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Jaan Aruväli
- Department of Geology, Institute of Ecology and Earth Sciences, University of Tartu , Ravila 14a, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
| | - Jouko Yliruusi
- Division of Pharmaceutical Chemistry and Technology , Faculty of Pharmacy, P.O. Box 56 (Viikinkaari 5E), FI-00014 University of Helsinki, Finland
| | - Karin Kogermann
- Institute of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Tartu , Nooruse 1, 50411 Tartu, Estonia
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Dreischmeier K, Budke C, Wiehemeier L, Kottke T, Koop T. Boreal pollen contain ice-nucleating as well as ice-binding 'antifreeze' polysaccharides. Sci Rep 2017; 7:41890. [PMID: 28157236 PMCID: PMC5291224 DOI: 10.1038/srep41890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2016] [Accepted: 12/28/2016] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Ice nucleation and growth is an important and widespread environmental process. Accordingly, nature has developed means to either promote or inhibit ice crystal formation, for example ice-nucleating proteins in bacteria or ice-binding antifreeze proteins in polar fish. Recently, it was found that birch pollen release ice-nucleating macromolecules when suspended in water. Here we show that birch pollen washing water exhibits also ice-binding properties such as ice shaping and ice recrystallization inhibition, similar to antifreeze proteins. We present spectroscopic evidence that both the ice-nucleating as well as the ice-binding molecules are polysaccharides bearing carboxylate groups. The spectra suggest that both polysaccharides consist of very similar chemical moieties, but centrifugal filtration indicates differences in molecular size: ice nucleation occurs only in the supernatant of a 100 kDa filter, while ice shaping is strongly enhanced in the filtrate. This finding may suggest that the larger ice-nucleating polysaccharides consist of clusters of the smaller ice-binding polysaccharides, or that the latter are fragments of the ice-nucleating polysaccharides. Finally, similar polysaccharides released from pine and alder pollen also display both ice-nucleating as well as ice-binding ability, suggesting a common mechanism of interaction with ice among several boreal pollen with implications for atmospheric processes and antifreeze protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Dreischmeier
- Bielefeld University, Faculty of Chemistry, Atmospheric and Physical Chemistry, D-33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Carsten Budke
- Bielefeld University, Faculty of Chemistry, Atmospheric and Physical Chemistry, D-33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Lars Wiehemeier
- Bielefeld University, Faculty of Chemistry, Atmospheric and Physical Chemistry, D-33615 Bielefeld, Germany
- Bielefeld University, Faculty of Chemistry, Physical and Biophysical Chemistry, D-33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Tilman Kottke
- Bielefeld University, Faculty of Chemistry, Physical and Biophysical Chemistry, D-33615 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Thomas Koop
- Bielefeld University, Faculty of Chemistry, Atmospheric and Physical Chemistry, D-33615 Bielefeld, Germany
- Bielefeld University, Center for Molecular Materials, D-33615 Bielefeld, Germany
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Cheng W, Ji S, Zhang H, Han Z, Liu Q, Wang J, Ping H. mTOR activation is critical for betulin treatment in renal cell carcinoma cells. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2017; 482:1030-1036. [PMID: 27908730 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2016.11.153] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2016] [Accepted: 11/27/2016] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
Betulin, a natural product isolated from the bark of the birch trees, exhibits multiple anticancer effects. Activation of mTOR signaling pathway has been found in numerous cancers, including renal cell carcinoma (RCC). Here, we attempted to study whether mTOR signaling was essential for betulin to treat RCC. Based on cell survival and colony formation assays, we found that mTOR hyperactive RCC cell line 786-O cells were more sensitive to betulin treatment compared with mTOR-inactive Caki-2 cells. Knockdown of TSC2 in Caki-2 cells had similar results to 786-O cells, and mTOR silencing in 786-O cells rescued the inhibitory effect of betulin, indicating that betulin inhibited RCC cell proliferation in an mTOR-dependent manner. Furthermore, betulin treatment decreases the levels of glucose consumption and lactate production in 786-O cells, while minimal effects were observed in Caki-2 cells. In addition, betulin significantly inhibited the expression of PKM2 and HK2 in 786-O cells. Finally, knockdown of PKM2 or HK2 in 786-O reversed the anti-proliferative effects of betulin, and overexpression of PKM2 or HK2 in Caki-2 cells enhanced the sensitivity to betulin treatment. Taken together, these findings demonstrated the critical role of mTOR activation in RCC cells to betulin treatment, suggesting that betulin might be valuable for targeted therapies in RCC patients with mTOR activation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenlong Cheng
- Department of Urology, Beijing DiTan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100015, China
| | - Shiqi Ji
- Department of Urology, Beijing DiTan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100015, China
| | - Haijian Zhang
- Department of Urology, Beijing DiTan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100015, China
| | - Zhixing Han
- Department of Urology, Beijing DiTan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100015, China
| | - Qingjun Liu
- Department of Urology, Beijing DiTan Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100015, China
| | - Jianwen Wang
- Department of Urology, Beijing ChaoYang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100020, China
| | - Hao Ping
- Department of Urology, Beijing ChaoYang Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 100020, China.
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Kosiorek M, Modrzewska B, Wyszkowski M. Levels of selected trace elements in Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), silver birch (Betula pendula L.), and Norway maple (Acer platanoides L.) in an urbanized environment. Environ Monit Assess 2016; 188:598. [PMID: 27696092 PMCID: PMC5045475 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-016-5600-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2016] [Accepted: 09/14/2016] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The aim of the study was to determine the concentrations of selected trace elements in needles and bark of Scots pine (Pinus sylvestris L.), leaves and bark of silver birch (Betula pendula L.), and Norway maple (Acer platanoides L.), as well as in the soil in which the trees grew, depending on their localization and hence the distribution of local pollution sources. The content of trace elements in needles of Scots pine, leaves of silver birch, and Norway maple and in bark of these trees depended on the location, tree species, and analyzed organ. The content of Fe, Mn, and Zn in needles, leaves, and bark of the examined tree species was significantly higher than that of the other elements. The highest average content of Fe and Mn was detected in leaves of Norway maple whereas the highest average content of Zn was found in silver birch leaves. The impact of such locations as the center of Olsztyn or roadside along Road 51 on the content of individual elements tended to be more pronounced than the influence of the other locations. The influence of the sampling sites on the content of trace elements in tree bark was less regular than the analogous effect in needles and leaves. Moreover, the relevant dependences were slightly different for Scots pine than for the other two tree species. The concentrations of heavy metals determined in the soil samples did not exceed the threshold values set in the Regulation of the Minister for the Environment, although the soil along Road 51 and in the center of Olsztyn typically had the highest content of these elements. There were also significant correlations between the content of some trace elements in soil and their accumulation in needles, leaves, and bark of trees.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milena Kosiorek
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Plac Łódzki 4, 10-727, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Beata Modrzewska
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Plac Łódzki 4, 10-727, Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Mirosław Wyszkowski
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, Plac Łódzki 4, 10-727, Olsztyn, Poland.
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Bach QV, Chen WH, Chu YS, Skreiberg Ø. Predictions of biochar yield and elemental composition during torrefaction of forest residues. Bioresour Technol 2016; 215:239-246. [PMID: 27072788 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2016.04.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2016] [Revised: 04/01/2016] [Accepted: 04/02/2016] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
In this work, a direct prediction method coupled with a consecutive reaction model is developed to estimate the biochar yield and elemental composition in a biomass torrefaction process. Norway forest residues were chosen as feedstock and torrefied at different temperatures under nitrogen atmosphere in a thermogravimetric analyzer. Obtained data were modeled to predict the mass loss during torrefaction. Distributions of initial, intermediate and final solid products as well as torrefaction kinetic parameters are reported. Thereafter, a direct method to predict the elemental composition of biochar is introduced. The results show that the decomposition of initial biomass to form an intermediate solid has higher conversion rate than the degradation of the intermediate. Moreover, the predictions reproduce well the experimental thermogravimetric curves and show composition trends similar to the literature data. This method is useful for the design and optimization of industrial torrefaction processes with predictable biochar yield and elemental composition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Quang-Vu Bach
- Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Hsin Chen
- Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan.
| | - Yen-Shih Chu
- Department of Aeronautics and Astronautics, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan 701, Taiwan
| | - Øyvind Skreiberg
- Department of Thermal Energy, SINTEF Energy Research, NO-7465 Trondheim, Norway
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Mishra T, Arya RK, Meena S, Joshi P, Pal M, Meena B, Upreti DK, Rana TS, Datta D. Isolation, Characterization and Anticancer Potential of Cytotoxic Triterpenes from Betula utilis Bark. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0159430. [PMID: 27453990 PMCID: PMC4959718 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0159430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2016] [Accepted: 07/01/2016] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Betula utilis, also known as Himalayan silver birch has been used as a traditional medicine for many health ailments like inflammatation, HIV, renal and bladder disorders as well as many cancers from ages. Here, we performed bio-guided fractionation of Betula utilis Bark (BUB), in which it was extracted in methanol and fractionated with hexane, ethyl acetate, chloroform, n-butanol and water. All six fractions were evaluated for their in-vitro anticancer activity in nine different cancer cell lines and ethyl acetate fraction was found to be one of the most potent fractions in terms of inducing cytotoxic activity against various cancer cell lines. By utilizing column chromatography, six triterpenes namely betulin, betulinic acid, lupeol, ursolic acid (UA), oleanolic acid and β-amyrin have been isolated from the ethyl acetate extract of BUB and structures of these compounds were unraveled by spectroscopic methods. β-amyrin and UA were isolated for the first time from Betula utilis. Isolated triterpenes were tested for in-vitro cytotoxic activity against six different cancer cell lines where UA was found to be selective for breast cancer cells over non-tumorigenic breast epithelial cells (MCF 10A). Tumor cell selective apoptotic action of UA was mainly attributed due to the activation of extrinsic apoptosis pathway via up regulation of DR4, DR5 and PARP cleavage in MCF-7 cells over non-tumorigenic MCF-10A cells. Moreover, UA mediated intracellular ROS generation and mitochondrial membrane potential disruption also play a key role for its anti cancer effect. UA also inhibits breast cancer migration. Altogether, we discovered novel source of UA having potent tumor cell specific cytotoxic property, indicating its therapeutic potential against breast cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tripti Mishra
- Phytochemistry Division, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, 226 001, India
| | - Rakesh Kumar Arya
- Biochemistry Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI), Lucknow, 226031, India
| | - Sanjeev Meena
- Biochemistry Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI), Lucknow, 226031, India
| | - Pushpa Joshi
- Department of chemistry, D.S.B. Campus Kumaun University, Nainital, 263002, India
| | - Mahesh Pal
- Phytochemistry Division, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, 226 001, India
| | - Baleshwar Meena
- Plant Diversity, Systematics and Herbarium Division, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, 226001, India
| | - D. K. Upreti
- Plant Diversity, Systematics and Herbarium Division, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, 226001, India
| | - T. S. Rana
- Plant Diversity, Systematics and Herbarium Division, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, 226001, India
| | - Dipak Datta
- Biochemistry Division, CSIR-Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI), Lucknow, 226031, India
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Frankowski M. Simultaneous determination of inorganic and organic ions in plant parts of Betula pendula from two different types of ecosystems (Wielkopolski National Park and Chemical Plant in Luboń, Poland). Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2016; 23:11046-11057. [PMID: 26903135 PMCID: PMC4884567 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-016-6274-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2016] [Accepted: 02/11/2016] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
The results of inorganic and organic anion concentrations in samples of soils and plant parts of Betula pendula (tap roots, lateral roots, stem, twigs, leaves), in the bioavailable fraction, are presented in this study. An ion chromatography method was applied for the first time in the simultaneous determination of inorganic and organic anions, as an effective tool for qualitative and quantitative analysis of samples with different matrix. A linear gradient elution with potassium hydroxide allowed for the separation of both inorganic and organic ions such as: F(-), CH3COO(-), HCOO(-), Cl(-), NO2 (-), Br(-) and NO3 (-), SO4 (2-), CH2(COO)2 (2-), C2O4 (2-), PO4 (3-) and C3H5O(COO)3 (3-). The samples of soils and plant parts of B. pendula from the area of the Wielkopolski National Park (WNP) and the Chemical Plant in Luboń (LU; protected vs. contaminated area) were selected for the study. The obtained results indicated that such inorganic ions as: F(-), Cl(-), NO3 (-) and PO4 (3-) are quite easily transported from soil to leaves. In contrast, the mechanism of migration could not be clearly defined for SO4 (2-) because the ion was retained in roots of many of the analysed samples. Significantly higher bioavailability of inorganic ions was observed for samples collected from the area of the WNP. Phosphates were the only ions which showed no variation in their concentrations between the two sampling sites, both for soils and plant parts of B. pendula. None of the organic anions was detected in soil samples. The acetate, formate, malonate, oxalate and citrate ions were detected in all leaf samples. The statistical analysis allowed the author to determine the mechanism of ion migration and accumulation in leaves and, additionally, determine the variation in the occurrence of inorganic and organic ions depending on the sampling site (WNP vs. LU). The results of the statistical analysis were confirmed by the bioacumulation (BF) and translocation (TF) factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcin Frankowski
- Department of Water and Soil Analysis, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Umultowska 89b, 61-614, Poznań, Poland.
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Cho N, Kim HW, Kim TB, Ransom TT, Beutler JA, Sung SH. Preparative Purification of Anti-Proliferative Diarylheptanoids from Betula platyphylla by High-Speed Counter-Current Chromatography. Molecules 2016; 21:E700. [PMID: 27240338 PMCID: PMC6273792 DOI: 10.3390/molecules21060700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2016] [Revised: 05/20/2016] [Accepted: 05/24/2016] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
A simple and rapid method using high-speed counter-current chromatography (HSCCC), along with bioassay-guided fractionation based on the anti-proliferative activity against renal and colon cancer cells, has been developed for the preparative separation of aceroside VIII (1) and platyphylloside (2) from Betula platyphylla. A solvent system composed of ethyl acetate/acetonitrile/water (1:0.1:1, v/v/v) was optimized for the separation. The upper phase was used as the stationary phase, and the lower phase was used as the mobile phase. Among these isolated diarylheptanoids, platyphylloside (2) showed anti-proliferative activity in the COLO205 and KM12 colon cells and renal cancer cell lines A498, U031, as well as in MG63 and MG 63.3 osteosarcoma cells. In addition, it showed dose dependent inhibitory effects in the NCI 60 cell line assay. These results suggest that the diarylheptanoids isolated from B. platyphylla with an efficient HSCCC method could be potential multi-targeted therapeutic agents for cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Namki Cho
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea.
- Molecular Targets Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702-1202, USA.
| | - Hyun Woo Kim
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea.
| | - Tae Bum Kim
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea.
| | - Tanya T Ransom
- Molecular Targets Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702-1202, USA.
| | - John A Beutler
- Molecular Targets Laboratory, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, Frederick, MD 21702-1202, USA.
| | - Sang Hyun Sung
- College of Pharmacy and Research Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 08826, Korea.
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Steinbrenner I, Houdek P, Pollok S, Brandner JM, Daniels R. Influence of the Oil Phase and Topical Formulation on the Wound Healing Ability of a Birch Bark Dry Extract. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0155582. [PMID: 27219110 PMCID: PMC4878794 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0155582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2015] [Accepted: 05/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Triterpenes from the outer bark of birch are known for various pharmacological effects including enhanced wound healing (WH). A birch bark dry extract (TE) obtained by accelerated solvent extraction showed the ability to form oleogels when it is suspended in oils. Consistency of the oleogels and the dissolved amount of triterpenes varies largely with the used oil. Here we wanted to know to what extent different oils and formulations (oleogel versus o/w emulsion) influence WH. Looking at the plain oils, medium-chain triglycerides (MCT) enhanced WH (ca. 1.4-fold), while e.g. castor oil (ca.0.3-fold) or light liquid paraffin (LLP; ca. 0.5-fold) significantly decreased WH. Concerning the respective oleogels, TE-MCT showed no improvement although the solubility of the TE was high. In contrast, the oleogel of sunflower oil which alone showed a slight tendency to impair WH, enhanced WH significantly (ca. 1.6-fold). These results can be explained by release experiments where the release rate of betulin, the main component of TE, from MCT oleogels was significantly lower than from sunflower oil oleogels. LLP impaired WH as plain oil and even though it released betulin comparable to sunflower oil it still results in an overall negative effect of the oleogel on WH. As a further formulation option also surfactant free o/w emulsions were prepared using MCT, sunflower oil and LLP as a nonpolar oil phase. Depending on the preparation method (suspension or oleogel method) the distribution of the TE varied markedly and affected also release kinetics. However, the released betulin was clearly below the values measured with the respective oleogels. Consequently, none of the emulsions showed a significantly positive effect on WH. In conclusion, our data show that the oil used as a vehicle influences wound healing not only by affecting the release of the extract, but also by having its own vehicle effect on wound healing. This is also of importance for other applications where drugs have to be applied in non-polar vehicles because these solvents likely influence the outcome of the experiment substantially.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Steinbrenner
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Eberhard Karls University Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
| | - Pia Houdek
- University Hospital Hamburg Eppendorf, Department of Dermatology & Venerology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Simone Pollok
- University Hospital Hamburg Eppendorf, Department of Dermatology & Venerology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Johanna M. Brandner
- University Hospital Hamburg Eppendorf, Department of Dermatology & Venerology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Rolf Daniels
- Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Eberhard Karls University Tuebingen, Tuebingen, Germany
- * E-mail:
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Wardecki T, Werner P, Thomas M, Templin MF, Schmidt G, Brandner JM, Merfort I. Influence of Birch Bark Triterpenes on Keratinocytes and Fibroblasts from Diabetic and Nondiabetic Donors. J Nat Prod 2016; 79:1112-1123. [PMID: 27002382 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jnatprod.6b00027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Impaired wound healing is one of the main risk factors associated with diabetes mellitus. Few options are available to treat diabetic wounds, and therefore efficient remedies are urgently needed. An interesting option might be an extract of birch bark (TE) that has been clinically proven to accelerate acute wound healing. We investigated the effects of TE and its main components betulin and lupeol in cultured normal keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts from diabetic and nondiabetic donors. These in vitro models can provide insights into possible beneficial effects in wound healing. TE and betulin treatment led to increased mRNA levels of chemokines, pro-inflammatory cytokines, and mediators important in wound healing, e.g., IL-6, TNFα, IL-8, and RANTES. We observed a pronounced upregulation of MIF, IL-8, and RANTES on the protein level. Furthermore, a shape change of the actin cytoskeleton was seen in keratinocytes and fibroblasts, and the Rho-GTPases and p38-MAPK were found to be activated in keratinocytes. On the basis of our results, TE is worthy of further study as a potential option to influence wound-healing processes under diabetic conditions. These first insights need to be confirmed by clinical studies with diabetic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Maria Thomas
- Dr. Margarete Fischer-Bosch Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, Stuttgart, and University of Tübingen , Tübingen, Germany
| | - Markus F Templin
- Institute of Natural and Medical Sciences at the University of Tübingen , Reutlingen, Germany
| | | | - Johanna M Brandner
- Department of Dermatology and Venerology, University Hospital Hamburg-Eppendorf , Hamburg, Germany
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Koptsik GN, Koptsik SV, Smirnova IE, Kudryavtseva AD, Turbabina KA. [The response of forest ecosystems to reduction in industrial atmospheric emission in the Kola Subarctic]. Zh Obshch Biol 2016; 77:145-163. [PMID: 27266019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/06/2023]
Abstract
In spite of reduction in atmospheric emission, current state of forest ecosystems within the impact zone of Severonickel enterprise still reflects the entire spectrum of anthropogenic digression stages. As the distance to the enterprise grows shorter, structural-functional changes in forest communities are manifested in dropping out of mosses and lichens, replacement of undershrub by Poaceae, worsening of timber stand and undergrowth conditions and their progressive dying-off, and, as a result, in forming of anthropogenic wastelands. Alterations of elemental composition of fir bark and needles due to exposure to pollutants consist in accumulation of nickel, copper, cobalt, arsenic, and sulfur along with depletion of calcium, magnesium, manganese, and zinc. According to the data obtained by correlation and multiparameter analyses, the accumulation of heavy metals in fir organs is closely related to the increasing of their concentration in root-inhabited soil layers as the distance to the pollution source is getting shorter. By comparison with the background fir grove, concentration of available compounds of nickel and copper in the ground litter of open fir-birch woodland near the enterprise increases by the factor of 30-60, reaching up 280 and 130 mg/kg respectively. With the increasing of anthropogenic stress, the ground litter becomes depleted of available calcium, magnesium, potassium, manganese, and zinc. For the first time, the coupled dynamics of vegetation and soil state in fir forests as a response to reduction in atmospheric emission is tracked back. The most distinguishable response to the reduction appears to be the development of small-leaved plants' young growth within the impact zone. For the last decade, concentration of nickel in fir needles and in ground litter has reduced by the factor of 1.2-2. As for copper, its concentration in needles has reduced by the factor of 2-4, though in ground litter remains the same. By comparison with the period of maximum emission at the edge of 1980-90s, in open fir-birch woodland near the enterprise the concentration of nickel and copper in needles has reduced by the factors of 2.5-6 and 7-12 respectively. This reduction of heavy metals concentration in fir needles is related mainly to diminishing of their emission from the atmosphere, although their stores, accumulated in soil during previous decades, still remain quite plentiful.
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Koppram R, Mapelli V, Albers E, Olsson L. The Presence of Pretreated Lignocellulosic Solids from Birch during Saccharomyces cerevisiae Fermentations Leads to Increased Tolerance to Inhibitors--A Proteomic Study of the Effects. PLoS One 2016; 11:e0148635. [PMID: 26849651 PMCID: PMC4743953 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0148635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2015] [Accepted: 01/21/2016] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The fermentation performance of Saccharomyces cerevisiae in the cellulose to ethanol conversion process is largely influenced by the components of pretreated biomass. The insoluble solids in pretreated biomass predominantly constitute cellulose, lignin, and -to a lesser extent- hemicellulose. It is important to understand the effects of water-insoluble solids (WIS) on yeast cell physiology and metabolism for the overall process optimization. In the presence of synthetic lignocellulosic inhibitors, we observed a reduced lag phase and enhanced volumetric ethanol productivity by S. cerevisiae CEN.PK 113-7D when the minimal medium was supplemented with WIS of pretreated birch or spruce and glucose as the carbon source. To investigate the underlying molecular reasons for the effects of WIS, we studied the response of WIS at the proteome level in yeast cells in the presence of acetic acid as an inhibitor. Comparisons were made with cells grown in the presence of acetic acid but without WIS in the medium. Altogether, 729 proteins were detected and quantified, of which 246 proteins were significantly up-regulated and 274 proteins were significantly down-regulated with a fold change≥1.2 in the presence of WIS compared to absence of WIS. The cells in the presence of WIS up-regulated several proteins related to cell wall, glycolysis, electron transport chain, oxidative stress response, oxygen and radical detoxification and unfolded protein response; and down-regulated most proteins related to biosynthetic pathways including amino acid, purine, isoprenoid biosynthesis, aminoacyl-tRNA synthetases and pentose phosphate pathway. Overall, the identified differentially regulated proteins may indicate that the likelihood of increased ATP generation in the presence of WIS was used to defend against acetic acid stress at the expense of reduced biomass formation. Although, comparative proteomics of cells with and without WIS in the acetic acid containing medium revealed numerous changes, a direct effect of WIS on cellular physiology remains to be investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rakesh Koppram
- Industrial Biotechnology, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Valeria Mapelli
- Industrial Biotechnology, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Eva Albers
- Industrial Biotechnology, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Lisbeth Olsson
- Industrial Biotechnology, Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Gothenburg, Sweden
- * E-mail:
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Frankowski M. Aluminum uptake and migration from the soil compartment into Betula pendula for two different environments: a polluted and environmentally protected area of Poland. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2016; 23:1398-1407. [PMID: 26370811 PMCID: PMC4713463 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-015-5367-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2015] [Accepted: 09/03/2015] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
This paper presents the impact of soil contamination on aluminum (Al) concentrations in plant parts of Betula pendula and a possible way of migration and transformation of Al in the soil-root-stem-twig-leaf system. A new procedure of Al fractionation based on extraction in water phase was applied to obtain and measure the most available forms of Al in soils and B. pendula samples. In addition, total Al content was determined in biological samples and pseudo total Al content in soil samples collected under plant saplings, using atomic absorption spectrometry with flame atomization. A number of relations concerning the occurrence of Al and Ca in soils and plant parts of B. pendula (tap roots, lateral roots, stem, twigs, and leaves) were observed. Based on the research findings, the mechanism of Al migration from soil to the leaves of B. pendula can be presented. It was found that aluminum uptake may be limited in roots by high calcium concentration. The application of a new procedure based on the simple sequential extraction of water-soluble fractions (the most available and exchangeable fractions of Al) can be used as an effective tool for the estimation of aluminum toxicity in soils and plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcin Frankowski
- Depatment of Water and Soil Analysis, Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań, Umultowska 89b, 61-614, Poznań, Poland.
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Schollert M, Kivimäenpää M, Valolahti HM, Rinnan R. Climate change alters leaf anatomy, but has no effects on volatile emissions from Arctic plants. Plant Cell Environ 2015; 38:2048-60. [PMID: 25737381 DOI: 10.1111/pce.12530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2015] [Revised: 02/20/2015] [Accepted: 02/23/2015] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Biogenic volatile organic compound (BVOC) emissions are expected to change substantially because of the rapid advancement of climate change in the Arctic. BVOC emission changes can feed back both positively and negatively on climate warming. We investigated the effects of elevated temperature and shading on BVOC emissions from arctic plant species Empetrum hermaphroditum, Cassiope tetragona, Betula nana and Salix arctica. Measurements were performed in situ in long-term field experiments in subarctic and high Arctic using a dynamic enclosure system and collection of BVOCs into adsorbent cartridges analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. In order to assess whether the treatments had resulted in anatomical adaptations, we additionally examined leaf anatomy using light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Against expectations based on the known temperature and light-dependency of BVOC emissions, the emissions were barely affected by the treatments. In contrast, leaf anatomy of the studied plants was significantly altered in response to the treatments, and these responses appear to differ from species found at lower latitudes. We suggest that leaf anatomical acclimation may partially explain the lacking treatment effects on BVOC emissions at plant shoot-level. However, more studies are needed to unravel why BVOC emission responses in arctic plants differ from temperate species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michelle Schollert
- Terrestrial Ecology Section, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen Ø, 2100, Denmark
- Center for Permafrost (CENPERM), Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen K, 1350, Denmark
| | - Minna Kivimäenpää
- Department of Environmental Science, University of Eastern Finland, Kuopio, 70211, Finland
| | - Hanna M Valolahti
- Terrestrial Ecology Section, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen Ø, 2100, Denmark
- Center for Permafrost (CENPERM), Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen K, 1350, Denmark
| | - Riikka Rinnan
- Terrestrial Ecology Section, Department of Biology, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen Ø, 2100, Denmark
- Center for Permafrost (CENPERM), Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen, Copenhagen K, 1350, Denmark
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50
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Jewell MD, Shipley B, Paquette A, Messier C, Reich PB. A traits-based test of the home-field advantage in mixed-species tree litter decomposition. Ann Bot 2015; 116:781-788. [PMID: 26162398 PMCID: PMC4590322 DOI: 10.1093/aob/mcv105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2015] [Revised: 04/28/2015] [Accepted: 05/29/2015] [Indexed: 06/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS Litter often decomposes faster in its environment of origin (at 'home') than in a foreign environment ('away'), which has become known as the home-field advantage (HFA). However, many studies have highlighted the conditional nature of the HFA, suggesting that current understanding of this phenomenon is not yet sufficient to generalize across systems. METHODS The HFA hypothesis was tested for mono-specific and mixed-species litter using a tree-based experiment that manipulated the functional identity and diversity of the host tree community. Litter types of varying quality were transplanted between several host tree communities and decomposition rates were measured using litterbags. Since the decomposer community should respond to traits of the litter input and not their taxonomic identity, a traits-based index of litter-tree similarity was developed. KEY RESULTS Mono-specific litter exhibited HFA, but when the same litter was decomposed in mixture, this trend was not observed. Mixed-species litter decomposed on average no faster or slower than monoculture litter and exhibited both positive and negative species interactions. These non-additive interactions of decomposition rates in mixture were influenced by the degree of similarity between litter and tree traits. Both synergistic and antagonistic interactions decreased in magnitude with increasing litter-tree similarity such that mixture rates were predictable from monocultures. CONCLUSIONS The HFA occurred more strongly for mono-specific litter than for the litter types mixed together because interactions between species may have masked this effect. However, when expressed as a function of trait similarity between litters and tree communities, the HFA was not detected.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark Davidson Jewell
- Département de Biologie, Université de Sherbrooke, 2500 boul. de l'Université, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1K 2R1, Canada
| | - Bill Shipley
- Département de Biologie, Université de Sherbrooke, 2500 boul. de l'Université, Sherbrooke, Quebec J1K 2R1, Canada,
| | - Alain Paquette
- Center for Forest Research, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), PO Box 8888, Centre-ville station, Montreal, Quebec H3C 3P8, Canada
| | - Christian Messier
- Center for Forest Research, Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM), PO Box 8888, Centre-ville station, Montreal, Quebec H3C 3P8, Canada, Instituit des sciences de la Foret Feuillue Tempérée (ISFORT), Université du Québec en Outaouais (UQO), 58 rue Principale, Ripon, Quebec J0V 1V0, Canada
| | - Peter B Reich
- Department of Forest Resources, University of Minnesota Twin Cities, St Paul, MN 55108, USA and Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, University of Western Sydney, Richmond 2753, Australia
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