Search Results (286)

The premature senescence of red raspberry leaves severely affects plant growth. In this study, the double-season red raspberry cultivar ‘Polka’ was used, with N₁₅₀ (0.10 g N·kg⁻¹) selected as the treatment group (T150) and N₀ (0 g N·kg⁻¹) set as the control (CK). This study systematically investigated the mechanism of premature senescence in red raspberry leaves under different nitrogen application levels by measuring physiological parameters and conducting a combined multi-omics analysis of transcriptomics and metabolomics. Results showed that T150 plants had 8.34 cm greater height and 1.45 cm greater ground diameter than CK. The chlorophyll, carotenoid, soluble protein, and sugar contents in all leaf parts of T150 were significantly higher than those in CK, whereas soluble starch contents were lower. Malondialdehyde (MDA) content and superoxide anion (O₂⁻) generation rate in the lower leaves of T150 were significantly lower than those in CK. Superoxide sismutase (SOD) and peroxidase (POD) activities in the middle and lower functional leaves of T150 were higher than in CK, while catalase (CAT) activity was lower. Transcriptomic analysis identified 4350 significantly differentially expressed genes, including 2062 upregulated and 2288 downregulated genes. Metabolomic analysis identified 135 differential metabolites, out of which 60 were upregulated and 75 were downregulated. Integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis showed enrichment in the phenylpropanoid biosynthesis (ko00940) and flavonoid biosynthesis (ko00941) pathways, with the former acting as an upstream pathway of the latter. A premature senescence pathway was established, and two key metabolites were identified: chlorogenic acid content decreased, and naringenin chalcone content increased in early senescent leaves, suggesting their pivotal roles in the early senescence of red raspberry leaves. Modulating chlorogenic acid and naringenin chalcone levels could delay premature senescence. Optimizing fertilization strategies may thus reduce senescence risk and enhance the productivity, profitability, and sustainability of the red raspberry industry. Full article

The venom of Bothrops jararaca (BjV) induces intense and prolonged pain, which is not alleviated by antivenom, along with hemorrhage and inflammation. In this study, we investigated the effects of the specialized pro-resolving lipid mediator (SPM) maresin 2 (MaR2) in a murine model of BjV-evoked pain and inflammation. Mice received a single intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of MaR2 30 min before the intraplantar BjV injection. MaR2 treatment significantly attenuated mechanical (electronic aesthesiometer) and thermal (hot plate) hyperalgesia in a dose-dependent manner. Additionally, MaR2 restored the balance for the hind-paw static weight distribution. When BjV (0.01, 0.1, and 1 μg) stimulus was administered intraperitoneally, pre-treatment with MaR2 (0.3, 1, or 3 ng) ameliorated mechanical and thermal hyperalgesia in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, MaR2 (3 ng) effectively reduced the levels of myeloperoxidase activity and cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) and superoxide anion (O₂^•−) production induced by intraplantar injection of BjV while enhancing total antioxidant levels (ABTS scavenging). For the peritonitis model induced by BjV, MaR2 pretreatment decreased leukocyte recruitment, hemorrhage, nitric oxide (NO), and O₂^•− generation and gp91phox and inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) mRNA expression. In conclusion, this study presents the first evidence that MaR2 effectively mitigated BjV-induced pain, hemorrhage, and inflammation. Full article

The health-promoting activity of radish microgreens after consumption depends on their bioaccessibility and bioavailability. In this study, we compared the composition of phenolic compounds, their cytoprotective and anti-inflammatory activities in cell lines, and antioxidant properties of the undigested radish microgreens with their fractions obtained after simulated in vitro digestion in the stomach, as well as in the small and large intestine. The results have demonstrated higher levels of total phenolics (by 70.35%) and total hydroxycinnamic acids (3.5 times increase), an increase in scavenging efficiency toward ABTS^•+ and superoxide anion radicals, and an increase in the reduction potential (FRAP method) in the gastric bioaccessible fraction. In contrast, small intestinal digestion negatively affected phenolic content (a reduction of 53.30–75.63%), except for total hydroxycinnamic acids (3-fold increase). Incubation of the non-bioavailable fraction with bacterial enzymes led to further degradation. Undigested microgreens had no negative impact on Caco-2, HT-29, and SH-SY5Y cells’ metabolism at 0.05–2 mg/mL, while all digested samples at 1 mg/mL revealed their cytotoxic potential. All samples used at a non-cytotoxic concentration showed protective activity against H₂O₂ and corticosterone-induced oxidative stress generation as well as reduced proinflammatory cytokines production. Overall, radish microgreens may exhibit a broad spectrum of biological activities when consumed. Full article

Conjugated microporous polymers (CMP) are advanced photocatalytic systems for degrading organic dyes. However, their potential and efficiency are often limited by rapid electron–hole pair (e⁻/h⁺) recombination. To overcome this limitation, this study proposes a strategy that involves designing a Mott–Schottky heterojunction and integrating graphene sheets with a near-zero bandgap into the CMP-1 framework, resulting in a non-covalent graphene/CMP (GCMP) heterojunction composite. GCMP serves two main functions: physical adsorption and photocatalytic absorption that uses visible light energy to trigger and degrade the organic dye. GCMP effectively degraded four dyes with both anionic and cationic properties (Rhodamine B; Nile Blue; Congo Red; and Orange II), demonstrating stable recyclability without losing its effectiveness. When exposed to visible light, GCMP generates reactive oxygen species (ROS), primarily singlet oxygen (¹O₂), and superoxide radicals (^•O₂), degrading the dye molecules. These findings highlight GCMP’s potential for real-world applications, offering a metal-free, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly solution for wastewater treatment. Full article

To comprehensively explore the impact of oxidative stress, induced by menadione and light at various wavelengths, on the metabolism and selected biochemical markers of the white rot fungus Abortiporus biennis, a phenotypic approach based on FF Panels and biochemical analysis was applied. It was possible to determine the metabolic profile of this basidiomycete, which varied greatly during fungal growth. A noticeable effect of green and red light and menadione on the overall metabolic activity and the theoretical metabolic efficiency was observed. The fungus exhibited preferences for the utilisation of polymers. The analysis of biochemical parameters revealed the highest levels of the superoxide anion radical in cultures grown in darkness and red light. The concentration of phenolic compounds in the presence of menadione slightly increased, reaching its highest level on day 10 after stress stimulation. The most substantial antioxidative effect was observed on the fifth day in cultures incubated in green light. The addition of menadione significantly stimulated laccase activity but had a negative effect on superoxide dismutase and catalase activities. In general, higher enzymatic activities were observed in white light conditions; additionally, in the case of dismutase activity, higher activities were determined in the blue and dark light variants. The findings presented in this study indicate that the biochemical changes are a resultant phenomenon of the action of the two stressors, and the response of this fungus to light- and menadione-induced oxidative stress is complex and multidirectional. These data may provide a basis for efficient and simple improvements of the industrial and medicinal potential of A. biennis. Full article

Utilizing isomeric monomers to construct covalent organic frameworks (COFs) could easily and precisely regulate their structure in order to raise the photocatalytic performance towards two-step single-electron oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) to hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂). Herein, isomeric anthraquinone (AQ)-based COFs (designated as 1,4-DQTP and 2,6-DQTP) were successfully fabricated through a simple yet effective one-step solvothermal synthesis approach, only utilizing isomeric monomers with alterations in the catalysts. Specifically, the black 1,4-DQTP displayed a high photocatalytic H₂O₂ production rate of 865.4 µmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹, with 2.44-fold enhancement compared to 2,6-DQTP (354.7 µmol g⁻¹ h⁻¹). Through a series of experiments such as electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy and the free radical quenching experiments, as well as density functional theory (DFT) calculations, the photocatalytic mechanism revealed that compared with 2,6-DQTP, 1,4-DQTP possessed a stronger and broader visible light absorption capacity, and thus generated more photogenerated e⁻-h⁺ pairs. Ultimately, more photogenerated electrons were enriched on the AQ motif via a more apparent electron push–pull effect, which provided a stable transfer channel for e⁻ and thus facilitated the generation of superoxide anion radical intermediates (•O₂⁻). On the other hand, the negative charge region of AQ’s carbonyl group evidently overlapped with that of TP, indicating that 1,4-DQTP had a higher chemical affinity for the uptake of protons, and thus afforded a more favorable hydrogen donation for H⁺. As a consequence, the rational design of COFs utilizing isomeric monomers could synergistically raise the proton-coupled electron transfer (PCET) kinetics for two-step single-electron ORR to H₂O₂ under visible light illumination. This work provides some insights for the design and fabrication of COFs through rational isomer engineering to modulate their photocatalytic activities. Full article

In recent years, an increasing number of studies have shown that novel metal complexes with bio-imaging capabilities could enhance precision oncology, particularly through optimized photosensitizer (PS) design for subcellular organelle targeting photodynamic therapy (PDT). Based on this, we successfully developed a two-photon (TP) fluorescent Zn(II) complex, LIFM–ZY–3, characterized by the specifical targeting capability of lysosome. This complex was capable of monitoring dual changes in pH and viscosity. Additionally, our findings indicated that the complex could generate multiple reactive oxygen species (ROS), including singlet oxygen (¹O₂), hydroxyl radicals (•OH), and superoxide anion radicals (O₂⁻) under white light irradiation in vivo and in vitro. These findings underscored the remarkable versatility of LIFM–ZY–3 as an advanced multifunctional PS for both microenvironment monitoring and tumor therapy. Full article

Background: Several mitochondrial abnormalities such as defective energy production, depletion of energy stores, Ca²⁺ accumulation, generation of reactive oxygen species, and impaired intracellular signaling are associated with cardiac dysfunction during the development of different heart diseases. Methods: A narrative review was compiled by a search for applicable literature in MEDLINE via PubMed. Results: Mitochondria generate ATP through the processes of electron transport and oxidative phosphorylation, which is used as energy for cardiac contractile function. Mitochondria, in fact, are the key subcellular organelle for the regulation of intracellular Ca²⁺ concentration and are considered to serve as a buffer to maintain Ca²⁺ homeostasis in cardiomyocytes. However, during the development of heart disease, the excessive accumulation of intracellular Ca²⁺ results in mitochondria Ca²⁺-overload, which, in turn, impairs mitochondrial energy production and induces cardiac dysfunction. Mitochondria also generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), including superoxide anion radicals and hydroxyl radicals as well as non-radical oxidants such as hydrogen peroxide, which promote lipid peroxidation and the subsequent disturbance of Ca²⁺ homeostasis, cellular damage, and death. Conclusion: These observations support the view that both oxidative stress and intracellular Ca²⁺-overload play a critical role in mitochondrial disruption during the pathogenesis of different cardiac pathologies. Full article

Proteolytic enzymes, which play a crucial role in peptide bond cleavage, are widely applied in various industries. In this study, protease-producing bacteria were isolated and characterized from marine sediments collected from the Yellow Sea, China. Comprehensive screening and 16S rDNA sequencing identified a promising G4 strain as Bacillus atrophaeus. Following meticulous optimization of fermentation conditions and medium composition via response surface methodology, protease production using strain G4 was significantly enhanced by 64%, achieving a yield of 3258 U/mL. The G4 protease exhibited optimal activity at 50 °C and pH 7.5, demonstrating moderate thermal stability with 52% residual activity after 30-min incubation at 50 °C—characteristics typical of an alkaline protease. Notably, the enzyme retained over 79% activity across a broad pH range (6–11) and exhibited excellent salt tolerance, maintaining over 50% activity in a saturated NaCl solution. Inhibition by phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride, a serine protease inhibitor, confirmed its classification as a serine protease. The enzyme’s potential in generating bioactive peptides was further demonstrated through hydrolysis of sheep (Ovis aries) placenta, resulting in a hydrolysate with notable antioxidant properties. The hydrolysate exhibited a 64% superoxide anion scavenging activity, surpassing that of reduced glutathione. These findings expand the current understanding of Bacillus atrophaeus G4 proteases and provide a foundation for innovative sheep placenta utilization with potential industrial applications. Full article

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are toxic by-products of aerobic cellular metabolism. However, ROS conduct multiple functions, and specific ROS sources can have beneficial or detrimental effects on plant health. This review explores the complex dynamics of ROS in plant defense mechanisms, focusing on their involvement in basal resistance, hypersensitive response (HR), and systemic acquired resistance (SAR). ROS, including superoxide anion (O²⁻), singlet oxygen (¹O₂), hydroxyl radicals (OH), and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), are generated through various enzymatic pathways. They may serve to inhibit pathogen growth while also activating defense-related gene expression as signaling molecules. Oxidative damage in cells is mainly attributed to excess ROS production. ROS produce metabolic intermediates that are involved in various signaling pathways. The oxidative burst triggered by pathogen recognition initiates hyper-resistance (HR), a localized programmed cell death restricting pathogen spread. Additionally, ROS facilitate the establishment of SAR by inducing systemic signaling networks that enhance resistance across the plant. The interplay between ROS and phytohormones such as jasmonic acid (JA), salicylic acid (SA), and ethylene (ET) further complicates this regulatory framework, underscoring the importance of ROS in orchestrating both local and systemic defense responses. Grasping these mechanisms is essential for creating strategies that enhance plant resilience to biotic stresses. Full article

The scope of the antibacterial effects of plasma-activated water (PAW) is not yet fully comprehended. We investigated the activity of PAW produced by the in-house 3-pin atmospheric pressure plasma jet against carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae and vancomycin-resistant Enterococcus faecalis, with a focus on PAW’s potential to promote susceptibility to conventional antibiotics in these bacteria. Bacterial inactivation was determined by the colony count after 15 and 60 min PAW treatments. Minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) measured following repeated exposures to PAW across multiple generations of bacteria enabled the assessment of changes in susceptibility to antibiotics. The PAW’s efficacy was also analyzed through the detection of intracellular reactive oxygen and nitrogen species in treated bacteria. Time-dependent significant inactivation efficiency against K. pneumoniae was observed (log reduction 6.92 ± 0.24 after 60 min exposure), while effects on E. faecalis were limited. PAW demonstrated potential to decrease the MICs of crucial antibiotics. Namely, a 50 to 62.5% decrease in the MICs of colistin against K. pneumoniae and a 25% reduction in the MICs of vancomycin against enterococci were recorded. We found a significant increase in the superoxide anion concentration in K. pneumoniae and E. faecalis cells after PAW treatments. This study indicates that PAW’s inactivating efficacy coupled with the capacity for the potentiation of antibiotic effects is a promising combination against multidrug-resistant bacteria. Full article

Background/Objectives: Parietin (PTN), a blue-light absorbing pigment from Teloschistes spp. lichens, exhibit photosensitizing properties via Type I (superoxide anion, O₂^•−) and Type II (singlet oxygen, ¹O₂) mechanisms, inactivating bacteria in vitro after photoexcitation. We evaluate the in vitro antifungal activity of PTN against Candida tropicalis biofilms under actinic irradiation, its role in O₂^•− and ¹O₂ production, and the cellular stress response. Methods: Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of PTN was determined in C. tropicalis NCPF 3111 under dark and actinic light conditions. Biofilm susceptibility was assessed at MIC/2, MIC, MICx2, MICx4, and MICx6 in the same conditions, and viability was measured by colony-forming units. Photodynamic mechanisms were examined using Tiron (O₂^•− scavenger) or sodium azide (¹O₂ quencher). O₂^•− production was measured by the nitro-blue tetrazolium (NBT) reduction and nitric oxide (NO) generation by Griess assay. Total antioxidant capacity was studied by FRAP (Ferrous Reduction Antioxidant Potency) assay and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity by NBT assay. Results: Photoexcitation of PTN reduced C. tropicalis biofilm viability by four logs at MICx2. Sodium azide partially reversed the effect, whereas Tiron fully inhibited it, indicating the critical role of O₂^•−. PTN also increased O₂^•− and NO levels, enhancing SOD activity and FRAP. However, this antioxidant response was insufficient to prevent biofilm photoinactivation. Conclusions: Photoinactivation of C. tropicalis biofilms by PTN is primarily mediated by O₂^•−, with a minor contribution from ¹O₂ and an imbalance in NO levels. These findings suggest PTN is a promising photosensitizer for antifungal photodynamic therapy. Full article

Chronic venous disease (CVD) is among the most common diseases in industrialized countries and has a significant socioeconomic impact. The diversity of clinical symptoms and manifestations of CVD pose major challenges in routine diagnosis and treatment. Despite the high prevalence and the huge number of venous surgical interventions performed every day, a substantial proportion of the etiopathogenesis remains unclear. There are several widely advocated and generally valid theories of “peri-capillary fibrin cuffs” and “white cell trapping hypothesis”, which consider the role of venous reflux/obstruction, inflammation, vascular remodeling, hemodynamic changes, genetic and social risk factors. There are several specific provoking factors for the development of venous reflux: incompetence of the valve system, inflammation of the vascular wall, and venous hypertension. Over the past few years, increasing scientific data has demonstrated the link between oxidative stress, endothelial dysfunction, and vascular inflammation. High levels of oxidants and persistent inflammation can cause cumulative changes in hemodynamics, resulting in permanent and irreversible damage to the microcirculation and endothelial cells. Production of reactive oxygen species and expression of inflammatory cytokines and adhesion molecules are involved in a vicious cycle of venous wall remodeling. The interaction of ROS, and in particular, the superoxide anion radical, with nitric oxide leads to a decrease in NO bioavailability, followed by the initiation of prolonged vasoconstriction and hypoxia and impairment of vascular tone. This review addresses the role of ED, oxidative, and hemodynamic stress in the CVD mediation. Based on predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria, we conducted a systematic review of published scientific articles using PubMed, PMC Europe, Scopus, WoS, MEDLINE, and Google Scholar databases in the interval from 24 April 2002 to 1 April 2025. The current review included studies (n = 197) scientific articles, including new reviews, updates, and grey literature, which were evaluated according to eligibility criteria. The selection process was performed using a standardized form according to PRISMA rules, the manual search of the databases, and a double-check to ensure transparent and complete reporting of reviews. Studies had to report quantitative assessments of the relationship between vascular endothelial dysfunction, inflammation, oxidative stress, and shear stress in a chronic venous disease. Full article

The genus Spiraea is well represented in the Russian flora. Several phytochemical and bioactivity studies, completed so far with several individual species of this genus, indicate young Spiraea shoots as a promising source of pharmaceutically and nutraceutically active natural products. Therefore, a broad-scale phytochemical analysis of shoot extracts from multiple Russian Spiraea species (i.e., profiling of secondary metabolites and assignment of their structures), complemented with comprehensive activity screening, might give access to valuable information on the structure–activity relationship (SAR) of their constituents. However, despite a lot of phytochemical and bioactivity information on individual species being available, these data are mostly fragmentary and do not allow for building a general picture, and in-depth comprehensive studies are still missing. Therefore, to fill this gap, here, we present a comprehensive metabolite profiling study accomplished with 15 of the most widely spread Russian Spiraea species, which was complemented with appropriate bioactivity screening of their first-year shoot alcoholic extracts. A chromatography–mass spectrometric (LC-MS) analysis revealed 33 major constituents of the shoot isolates, which were dominated by flavonoids (quercetin and kaempferol derivatives) and hydroxycinnamic acids (caffeic, ferulic, and coumaric acid derivatives). Their relative quantification indicated that most of the identified major components were distributed among all of the studied extracts with minimal overlap in their composition and relative abundance. The antioxidant activity screening revealed the high efficiency of all of the extracts as potential redox protectors, acting at the levels of radical scavenging (DPPH assay) and quenching cation radicals (TEAC assay) and superoxide anion radicals (NBT assay). Screening the antiviral and antimicrobial activity of the same extracts revealed significant antiviral activity at a concentration of 2 µg/mL, and high (MIC < 1 mg/mL) or moderate (1 mg/mL ≤ MIC ≤ 4 mg/mL) antibacterial activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative strains. The structures responsible for the manifestation of the studied types of activity were tentatively assigned using a bioinformatics-based strategy. This analysis revealed the most bioactive Spiraea species that might be promising for further in-depth phytochemical analysis and evaluations of their structure–activity relationships (SARs). In this context, we consider S. humilis, which simultaneously showed antioxidant, antimicrobial, and antiviral activity; S. media, with marked antioxidant, antimicrobial, and cytotoxic properties; S. ussuriensis, a strong antioxidant and cytotoxic species; and S. trilobata, with a combination of antioxidant and antiviral properties. Full article

Ammonia is the main harmful environmental substance affecting fish culture. The liver is the immune and metabolic organ of fish, and its physiological homeostasis will affect the health of the organism. In this study, healthy golden pompano Trachinotus ovatus juveniles were exposed to 5 mg/L (A5) and 10 mg/L (A10) ammonia-N stress for 7 days and then the variation characteristics of the physiological homeostasis of the liver were analyzed at multiple biological levels. After ammonia stress, the liver showed obvious morphological changes and stress responses. Specifically, the oxidative stress indexes, such as the activities of the anti-superoxide anion generation capacity (ASC) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), were elevated in the A5 and A10 groups, while the glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity and glutathione (GSH) content were disturbed; the relative expression levels of the Nrf2 and NQO1 genes were increased in the A10 group, while the expressions of the Keap1 and HO1 were decreased in the A5 and A10 groups. Ferroptosis related genes, such as the relative expressions of NOX1, NCOA4, and FPN1 were increased in the A5 and A10 groups, PTGS2 and FTH1 were decreased in the A5 group but elevated in the A10 group, and p53, GPx4, SLC7A11, and NFS1 were only increased in the A10 group. Inflammation related genes, such as TNFα, IL1β, and IL8 relative expression levels, were increased in the A10 group, IL10 was increased in the A5 and A10 groups, while TGFβ was decreased in the A5 group but increased in the A10 group. Immune related genes, such as the expression levels of IgM and IgT, were increased in the A5 group but decreased in the A10 group. The integrated biomarker responses revealed that the hepatotoxicity of ammonia was concentration-dependent, and there was a high correlation between oxidative stress, ferroptosis, inflammation, and immune function changes. These results reveal the hepatotoxicity of ammonia stress on T. ovatus. Full article