Search Results (478)

Plant-derived extracellular vesicles (PDEVs) are nanoscale, phospholipid bilayer-enclosed vesicles secreted by living cells through cytokinesis under physiological and pathological conditions. Owing to their high biocompatibility and stability, PDEVs have attracted considerable interest in regenerative medicine applications. They can exhibit the capacity to enhance cellular proliferation, migration, and multi-lineage differentiation through immunomodulation, anti-inflammation effects, antioxidative protection, and tissue regeneration mechanisms. Given their abundant availability, favorable safety profile, and low immunogenicity risks, PDEVs have been successfully employed in therapeutic interventions for skeletal muscle disorders, cardiovascular diseases, neurodegenerative conditions, and tissue regeneration applications. This review mainly provides a comprehensive overview of PDEVs, systematically examining their biological properties, standardized isolation and characterization methodologies, preservation techniques, and current applications in regenerative medicine. Furthermore, we critically discuss future research directions and clinical translation potential, aiming to facilitate the advancement of PDEV-based therapeutic strategies. Full article

Cell membranes are vital for living organisms and serve as a dynamic barrier between the internal and external environments. They are composed of a complex lipid bilayer embedded with proteins, allowing them to perform multiple functions like maintaining the cell structure, regulating which substances enter or leave the cell, and intercellular communication. Cellular functions are inherently linked to their membrane properties, and the heterogeneous nature of cell membranes makes the study of their physico-chemical properties extremely challenging. This review is intended to provide a comprehensive overview of the composition and physical features of the cell membrane, by focusing on the lipid and protein composition, and on the physical properties (like membrane stiffness or fluidity), highlighting how these characteristics influence cell functions. An insight into the similarities and differences from the membranes of extracellular vesicles (naturally secreted by almost all cell types) is also provided. The understanding of the physico-chemical properties of cell membranes might find application in different therapeutic fields, like disease diagnosis and development of novel drug delivery systems. Therefore, an overview of the literature works describing the rational design of biomimetic drug delivery systems is presented, focusing on the choice of lipid components, frequently inspired by the study of the composition of naturally secreted exosomes, and on the physical characterization of the systems. In the future, in-depth study of biologic vesicles might lead to the development of promising formulation for drug delivery, possibly enhancing the therapeutic outcomes of many pathologies, like cancer. Full article

The aim of the work is to analyze the survival strategy of Taxus baccata L., one of the promising plants for landscaping and the creation of woodlands, in the changing ecological conditions of the steppe zone of the Donetsk ridge. In order to achieve this goal, we used biomechanics methods, which help to understand the relationship between the physical and mechanical properties of living tissues and the overall stability of trees during interactions with environmental factors such as temperature, snow and ice storms, cyclic freeze–thaw processes, wind loads, and others. The work was based both on experimental studies on the estimation of the tissue elasticity modulus in response to temperature changes, the mechanical stability of plants, the field collection of materials, and studies on the modeling of forest stand conditions of English yew. As a result of the conducted experiments, it was established for the first time that at the absolute wood moisture content of 77 ± 5.1%, the density of wood tissues in the conditions of Donetsk is 907 ± 43 kg m⁻³. The modulus of elasticity of living tissues depending on the temperature factor varied in the following range: 8.8 ± 0.31 GN m⁻² (T = 288 K), 11.5 ± 0.55 GN m⁻² (T = 255 K) and 6.9 ± 0.47 GN m⁻² (t = 308 K). It was revealed that during the local thawing of skeletal branches and tables, the mechanical resistance of T. baccata is reduced by 20–22% and this critically affects the overall plant resistance. It was established for the first time that T. baccata in the conditions of the steppe zone has an adaptive strategy of preserving the integrity of the organism under the action of environmental factors with limited loads. The secret lies in the formation of the shape memory effect, under the influence of critical loads. The plant, thus, chooses not migration, not death, but adaptation to changes in environmental conditions, which can become a serious factor in the use of T. baccata in the landscaping of urban areas and the creation of artificial forests. Full article

Background/Objectives: Obesity is a chronic and multifactorial disease that affects billions of people, and among the factors responsible for obesity are a sedentary lifestyle, a high-calorie diet, and genetic factors. Excessive caloric intake causes adipocyte hypertrophy and hyperplasia, contributing to the secretion of metabolically active molecules, known as adipokines, by adipose tissue. Individuals living with obesity have increased pro-inflammatory adipokines and a reduction in anti-inflammatory adipokines. Nuts contain bioactive compounds associated with potential health benefits, although these effects may vary depending on individual and dietary factors. Thus, this work aimed to critically review the impact of consuming almonds, walnuts, and mixed nuts on the production of adipokines associated with obesity and overweight. Methods: A comprehensive search was carried out using the terms associated with the theme of the work. The inclusion criteria for manuscripts used were the following: (1) in vivo studies; (2) intervention with oilseeds (nuts); (3) results related to adipokines and/or obesity; and (4) publications in English. Results: Studies show that regular intake of nuts reduces total cholesterol levels, LDL-c, and triglycerides and increases HDL-c in individuals with obesity. However, few studies demonstrate changes in adipokine levels related to the intake of nuts. A larger amount of 30 g of mixed nuts appears to be more beneficial for regulating adipokines in overweight or obese individuals than using nuts in larger amounts or isolated form. Of all the adipokines reported, only the results for IL-6 appear consistent, while the others remain unclear. Conclusions: Furthermore, more studies focusing specifically on this topic and humans are needed to draw greater conclusions, including the amount that results in a beneficial effect on health. Full article

Acanthamoeba is a free-living amoeba widely distributed in nature, responsible for clinical cases of encephalitis and keratitis in humans. Due to the increase in the number of cases in recent years, understanding the damage mechanisms employed by the amoeba is very important for the clinical management of the disease, development of diagnostic tools and identification of therapeutic targets. To date, most experimental studies to determine the virulence factors and pathogenesis of Acanthamoeba have employed genotype T4 as an infection model, resulting in minimal information regarding other genotypes. In this work, we explored the direct and indirect effect of A. lenticulata genotype T5 trophozoites and their excretion/secretion products over a Vero cell monolayer. Using confocal and real-time microscopy, we witnessed a significant direct mechanical action of the trophozoites on the cells during the adhesion stage. Additionally, we observed the formation of digitiform phagocytic structures through which the nuclear material of the target cell appears to be specifically sucked by the amoeba without the involvement of any lytic mechanism. Moreover, an increase in lysosomal activity in the cytoplasm of trophozoites of Acanthamoeba, and the effect of the excretion/secretion products on the actin filaments of the target cells were observed during the first 2–3 h post-infection. Full article

Osteogenesis imperfecta (OI) is a rare bone dysplasia that occurs with a frequency of 1/15,000–20,000 live births. It is characterized by increased susceptibility of bone fractures, skeletal deformities, low stature, and low bone mass. It results in impaired production of type I collagen. About 90% of people with OI have heterozygous mutations in the COL1A1 and COL1A2 genes. Fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23) is a protein involved in the regulation of phosphate and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D₃ metabolism on a negative feedback basis. FGF23 is secreted by osteocytes in response to increased serum calcitriol and phosphorus. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the concentration of FGF23 among children with osteogenesis imperfecta and the differences in reference values in a healthy population of children and adolescents. Then, this study sought to evaluate how the course of osteogenesis imperfecta, including type of disease, number of bone fractures, and bone mineral density, are related to FGF23 concentration. The study included 47 children aged 3 to 17 years with a diagnosis of osteogenesis imperfecta, confirmed by genetic tests. The patients were hospitalized at the Department from August 2019 to September 2020 and were treated with intravenous infusions of sodium pamidronate. The course of the disease was analyzed, including the number of bone fractures, clinical symptoms, and anthropometric parameters, and bone densitometry was performed by dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in Total Body Less Head (TBLH) and Spine options with Z-score evaluation. FGF23 concentration was determined by the ELISA method. The study was prospective in nature. Results: The mean level of FGF23 in the study group of patients was 645.09 pg/mL and was within the reference values for the developmental age population. There was no significant correlation between FGF23 concentration and anthropometric measurements: body weight (p = 0.267), height (p = 0.429), gender (p = 0.291), or pubertal stage (p = 0.223) in the study group of patients. FGF23 levels were not related to the number of fractures (p = 0.749), the number of sodium pamidronate cycles administered (p = 0.580), bone mineral density parameters (Z-score), the form of osteogenesis imperfecta (p = 0.156), or the genetic test result (p = 0.573). FGF23 levels decrease with age (r = −0.32, p = 0.030) and BMI (r = −0.34, p = 0.020). The level of FGF23 in patients with osteogenesis imperfecta is lower among older children and those having a higher BMI. This index cannot be a diagnostic tool in this group of patients, for no differences were found between the concentrations in patients with osteogenesis imperfecta and the developmental age population. Full article

The barrel jellyfish (Rhizostoma pulmo), like other cnidarians, shows cnidocytes containing cnidae, responsible for the jellyfish’s stinging properties. The sting of R. pulmo can cause contact dermatitis or urticaria and even systemic symptoms. Recent studies have identified stinging-cell structures in the mucous secretion released in the water column by Cassiopea xamachana, belonging to the same order as R. pulmo. The present paper verifies the release of stinging-cell structures in the water by R. pulmo and reports the case of two 17-year-old adolescents (one male and one female) who were affected by epidermal rashes consistent with the irritating sensations of stinging water. The reaction happened twice in the Ionian Sea; the patients were in proximity to R. pulmo but, on both occasions, there had been absolutely no direct contact with the jellyfish’s tentacles. To test the hypothesis of stinging water caused by R. pulmo, samples of sea water and mucous harvested in close proximity to a living jellyfish were taken and analyzed under a microscope at different magnifications. The microscopic analysis showed the presence of free and aggregated nematocysts in both the samples of water and mucous. It is likely that the free and aggregated nematocysts observed were discharged in the water by the jellyfish and were dispersed by water currents that led them to come into contact with the patients’ skin. At present, it is not known what predisposes humans to the perception of stinging water, and it is reasonable to affirm that caution should be advised for people with an allergic history when entering the water in the presence of jellyfish. Further investigations are required to better understand both the pathophysiological pathways underlying the stinging water phenomenon and the minimum concentration of urticating elements that is able to trigger the onset of stinging water. Full article

Interference competition, wherein bacteria actively antagonize and damage their microbial neighbors, is a key ecological strategy governing microbial community structure and composition. To gain a competitive edge, bacteria can deploy a diverse array of antimicrobial weapons—ranging from diffusible toxins to contact-mediated systems in order to eliminate their bacterial rivals. Among Gram-negative bacteria, the type VI secretion system (T6SS) has emerged as a potent and sophisticated contact-dependent mechanism that enables the delivery of toxic cargo into neighboring cells, thereby promoting the colonization and dominance of a bacterial taxon within an ecological niche. In this review, we examine the ecological significance of T6SS-mediated interference competition by members of the Vibrionaceae family across a range of marine habitats that include free-living microbial communities and host-associated niches such as coral and squid symbioses. Additionally, we explore the ecological impact of T6SS-mediated competition in modulating biofilm community structure and promoting horizontal gene transfer within those complex microbial populations. Together, these insights underscore the ecological versatility of the T6SS and emphasize its role in driving antagonistic bacterial interactions and shaping microbial community dynamics within marine ecosystems. Full article

Background/Objective: Virus-based vaccine vectors have been widely utilised in commercial vaccines, predominantly for virus infections. They also offer promise for bacterial diseases, for which many vaccines are sub-optimal or ineffective. It is well-established for chlamydial infections, including ovine enzootic abortion, that the major outer membrane protein (MOMP) antigen is protective. Immune responses strongly associated with controlling Chlamydiae include cellular interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) production. Methods: A study was conducted to compare the ability of a modified Orf virus vector directly with a modified sheep maedi visna virus vector to deliver the C. abortus antigen ompA and stimulate vaccine-induced responses in sheep. The Orf virus-based vaccine (mORFV-ompA) was found to be more effective in stimulating MOMP-specific antibodies and cellular antigen-driven IFN-γ in immunised sheep. This mORFV-ompA vaccine was assessed in a follow-up immunogenicity investigation in sheep, where the cellular and humoral immune responses elicited following immunisation with the live or inactivated vaccine were determined. Sheep were immunised intramuscularly with a live mORFV-ompA (n = 10) or an inactivated mORFV-ompA (n = 10). An additional group of 10 sheep served as unvaccinated controls. Results: Serological anti-MOMP antibodies and cellular recall responses of peripheral blood mononuclear cells to the native C. abortus antigen were assessed. Immunisation with either the live or inactivated mORFV-ompA-induced anti-MOMP immunoglobulin-G. Antigen-specific cellular responses, characterised by the secretion of IFN-γ and interleukin (IL)-17A, with negligible IL-10 and no IL-4, were detected in lymphocyte stimulation assays from both mORFV groups. No antibody responses to the mORFV platform were detected following immunisations. Conclusions: Both live and inactivated vaccines have the potential to be a platform technology for deployment in sheep. This addresses a notable gap in veterinary vaccine development where the induction of both humoral responses and cellular responses is required without using an adjuvant. The successful use of the MOMP candidate antigen suggests potential utility for bacterial disease deployment. Full article

Background/Objectives: The emergence of multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (MDR A. baumannii) as a leading cause of fatal hospital-acquired infections underscores the urgent need for effective vaccines. While oral vaccines using live Bacillus subtilis spores expressing A. baumannii TonB-dependent receptor (TBDR) show promise, biosafety concerns regarding recombinant spore persistence necessitate alternative strategies. Here, we evaluated chemically inactivated B. subtilis spores displaying TBDR as a safer yet immunogenic vaccine candidate. Methods: Recombinant spores were inactivated using iron-ethanol sporicidal solution and administered to BALB/c mice (8–12 weeks old) to assess safety and immunogenicity. Toxicity was evaluated through clinical monitoring, serum biochemistry, and histopathology. Immune responses were characterized by T/B cell activation, IgG/IgA titers, and mucosal sIgA levels. Protective efficacy was determined by challenging immunized mice with MDR A. baumannii Ab35 and quantifying bacterial loads and examining tissue pathology. Results: The inactivated spores exhibited an excellent safety profile, with no adverse effects on clinical parameters, organ function, or tissue integrity. Immunization induced robust systemic and mucosal immunity, evidenced by elevated CD4+/CD8+ T cells, B cells, and antigen-specific IgG/IgA in serum and mucosal secretions. Following the challenge, vaccinated mice showed significantly reduced pulmonary bacterial burdens (>90% reduction), and preserved lung and spleen architecture compared to controls, which developed severe inflammation and tissue damage. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate that inactivated B. subtilis spores expressing TBDR are a safe, orally administrable vaccine platform that elicits protective immunity against MDR A. baumannii. By addressing biosafety concerns associated with live spores while maintaining efficacy, this approach represents a critical advance toward preventing high-risk nosocomial infections. Full article

Upon engagement of one of the nineteen secreted Wnt signaling proteins with one of the ten Frizzled transmembrane Wnt receptors (FZD_1–10), a wide variety of cellular Wnt signaling responses can be elicited, the selectivity of which depends on the following: (1) the specific Wnt-FZD pairing, (2) the participation of Wnt co-receptors and (3) the cellular context. Co-receptors play a pivotal role in guiding the specificity of Wnt signaling, most notably between β-catenin-dependent and -independent pathways, where co-receptors such as LRP5/6 and ROR1/2/PTK7 play major roles, respectively. It remains less understood how specific Wnt/FZD combinations contribute to the selectivity of downstream Wnt signaling, and we lack accurate comparative data on their binding properties under physiological conditions. Here, using fluorescently tagged Wnt3a, Wnt5a and Wnt16 proteins and cell lines expressing HiBiT-tagged Frizzled, we build on our ongoing efforts to provide a complete overview of the biophysical properties of all Wnt/FZD interactions using full-length proteins. Our real-time NanoBRET analysis using living cells expressing low receptor levels provides more accurate quantification of binding and will help us understand how these binary engagements control Wnt signaling outputs. We also provide evidence that LRP6 regulates the binding affinity of Wnt/FZD interactions in the trimeric Wnt-FZD-LRP6 complex. Full article

Sleep is a fundamental part of life for all living beings. The propensity to fall asleep is regulated by a circadian rhythm, which controls the secretion of the hormone melatonin. Melatonin secretion is linked to the light and dark phases of the day/night cycle. Getting proper sleep is an essential part of a healthy lifestyle. Scientific evidence shows that sleeping less than 7 h per night, or as little as 2 h per night, is a cardiovascular, metabolic, and cerebral risk factor. In addition, the role of sleep is fundamental for the recovery phase for athletes. Nutrition, supplementation, and exercise can greatly support the quality and quantity of sleep. They can have positive effects on sleep through specific physiological and biochemical responses. The objective of this short review is to critically investigate the possible sleep benefits of nutrition, exercise, and supplementation and to discuss further directions for research in this area. Full article

Immune cytopenias, such as autoimmune hemolytic anemia, immune thrombocytopenia, and Evans syndrome, are characterized by autoantibodies targeting various blood cells, initiating their destruction. Interactions between T cells, B cells, their ultimate maturational plasma cell descendants, dendritic cells, and macrophages result in antibody production, including the autoreactive ones. Autoimmune phenomena can be idiopathic or associated with various immune dysregulation conditions or malignancies. Interventions disrupting this complex network at different levels have been used to treat immune cytopenias with certain levels of success. Some cases are known to be refractory to many different therapeutic approaches, including the ones eliminating B cells. In some such cases, targeting plasma cells resulted in disease control. Among plasma cell compartments, unique long-lived plasma cells (LLPCs) residing primarily in the bone marrow, are specialized antibody-producing cells with an extended lifespan, capable of persistently secreting antibodies. LLPCs can evade conventional therapeutic strategies designed to target often-proliferating cells. Research focusing on the role of LLPCs in autoimmune phenomena including immune cytopenias has provided evidence for their role, characterized by the sustained production of autoantibodies. Frequent genetic mutations and progression to other immune dysregulation entities have been reported in a group of children with immune cytopenias. This might provide new insights focusing on the potential underlying genetic and epigenetic mechanisms leading to generation and maintenance of LLPCs in autoimmune disorders. We provide a brief review of LLPC biology and evidence for their role in immune cytopenias with potential future implications in this article. Full article

This paper re-examines the Inner Alchemy methods found in The Secret of Golden Flower, or Taiyi Jinhua Zongzhi (太乙金華宗旨, abbreviated as JZ), a text created through fuji (spirit-writing) attributed to Lüzu (呂祖) in Changzhou 常州 during the late 17th century. Recent research has shown that Pan Yi’an (潘易庵), one of the primary editors of JZ, was, in fact, the same person as Pan Jingguan (潘靜觀), who assisted in the editing of Illuminating the Mystery of Concordance of the Three According to the Book of Changes (Cangtongqi chanyou, 参同契闡幽) and Illuminating the Mystery of Awakening the Perfection (Wuzhen pian chanyou, 悟真篇闡幽) as a disciple of Zhu Yuanyu (朱元育), the editor of these works. Meanwhile, in my recent research, I have reconstructed the Inner Alchemy methods described in these two works. (For the sake of convenience, in this discussion, I will refer to this system as the “Chanyou neidan method”, as both works include the term “Chanyou” in their titles.) Upon re-examining JZ with this framework in mind, I began to suspect that its content might be based on the Chanyou neidan method. This hypothesis is rendered highly plausible by the fact that Pan Yi’an, a key editor of JZ, was the same individual as Pan Jingguan, who assisted in the editing of the two Chanyou works. The aim of this paper is to analyze the similarities and differences between the content of JZ and the Chanyou neidan method, demonstrating that the former is indeed based on the latter. Furthermore, I intend to show that while JZ incorporates the Chanyou neidan method, it also simplifies its content significantly, making it a practical manual designed for literati (士大夫 shidafu) of the Qing dynasty to integrate Inner Alchemy into their daily lives. Additionally, although JZ was created through fuji (spirit-writing), I propose that fuji also functioned as a means for Qing-era literati to adapt Daoist cultivation practices to their own lifestyles. Full article

Plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) are free-living microorganisms that actively reside in the rhizosphere and affect plant growth and development. These bacteria employ their own metabolic system to fix nitrogen, solubilize phosphate, and secrete hormones to directly impact the metabolism of plants. Generating sustainable agricultural production under various environmental stresses requires a detailed understanding of mechanisms that bacteria use to promote plant growth. In the present study, Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MW843625), a PGP soil bacterium with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 150 mM against fluoride (F), was isolated from agricultural fields of Chhattisgarh, India, and was assessed for remedial and PGP potential. This study concentrated on biomass accumulation, nutrient absorption, and oxidative stress tolerance in plants involving antioxidative enzymes. By determining MDA accumulation and ROS (O₂•⁻ and H₂O₂) in Oryza sativa L. under F (50 ppm) stress, oxidative stress tolerance was assessed. The results showed that inoculation with P. aeruginosa enhanced the ability of O. sativa L. seedlings to absorb nutrients and increased the amounts of total chlorophyll (Chl), total soluble protein, and biomass. In contrast to plants cultivated under F-stress alone, those inoculated with P. aeruginosa along with F showed considerably reduced concentrations of F in their roots, shoots, and grains. The alleviation of deleterious effects of F-stress on plants owing to P. aeruginosa inoculation has been associated with improved activity/upregulation of antioxidative genes (SOD, CAT, and APX) in comparison to only F-subjected plants, which resulted in lower O₂•⁻, H₂O₂, and MDA content. Additionally, it has also been reflected from our study that P. aeruginosa has the potential to increase the activities of soil enzymes such as urease, phosphatase, dehydrogenase, nitrate reductase, and cellulase. Accordingly, the findings of the conducted study suggest that P. aeruginosa can be exploited not only as an ideal candidate for bioremediation but also for enhancing soil fertility and the promotion of growth and development of O. sativa L. under F contamination. Full article