Article
Materials Science, Characterization & Testing
Sangram Shamrao Patil, Hara Mohan Jena
Summary: This study demonstrates that the biobased plasticizer ECLO can be a substitute for PVC, with superior plasticizing effect and thermal stability, and will not migrate in water.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Andre Alisson Rodrigues da Silva, Pedro Francisco do Nascimento Sousa, Geovani Soares de Lima, Lauriane Almeida dos Anjos Soares, Hans Raj Gheyi, Carlos Alberto Vieira de Azevedo
Summary: This study evaluated the effects of salinity levels and hydrogen peroxide on the growth and postharvest quality of mini watermelon in a hydroponic system, finding that a hydrogen peroxide concentration of 20 mu M improved the postharvest quality of the fruits.
WATER AIR AND SOIL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Yanjun He, Yixiu Yao, Lili Li, Yulin Li, Jie Gao, Min Fan
Summary: The study identified ClHSP22.8 as a negative regulator in response to salt stress in watermelon, influencing plant sensitivity to ABA and tolerance to salt stress. The over-expression of ClHSP22.8 in transgenic Arabidopsis lines led to repression of key regulators associated with ABA-dependent and independent pathways, as well as other stress-responsive signaling pathways. ClHSP22.8 is suggested to play a critical role in mediating plant responses to salt stress through ABA-dependent and independent pathways.
Article
Horticulture
Lais Monique Gomes do O, Alide Mitsue Watanabe Cova, Andre Dias de Azevedo Neto, Neilon Duarte da Silva, Andressa Leite Santos, Petterson Costa Conceiao Silva, Hans Raj Gheyi, Lucas Lesqueves da Silva
Summary: The mini watermelon is a promising crop in the Brazilian semiarid region, but high salinity of irrigation water can affect its yield and quality. This study investigated the effects of nutrient solution salinity on two mini watermelon genotypes and found that increasing salinity reduced yield, but the fruits still met commercial standards. The FY genotype was more suitable for hydroponic cultivation up to an electrical conductivity of 4.5 dS m-1.
SCIENTIA HORTICULTURAE
(2022)
Article
Horticulture
Manwen Yan, Mingyan Li, Zhuoying Ding, Fei Qiao, Xuefei Jiang
Summary: Melatonin, a multifunctional signaling molecule, plays a significant role in plant response to abiotic stress. This study found that exogenous application of melatonin can improve cell growth in watermelon under osmotic stress by regulating antioxidant machinery. ABA signaling pathway was shown to play a dominant role in melatonin synthesis under osmotic stress.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Nikolaos A. Gkavogiannakis, James N. Tsoporis, Ioannis-Alexandros Drosatos, George Tsirebolos, Shehla Izhar, Eleftherios Sakadakis, Andreas S. Triantafyllis, Thomas G. Parker, Lampros A. Kalogiros, Howard Leong-Poi, Loukianos S. Rallidis, Ioannis Rizos
Summary: The aim of this study was to investigate plasma levels of RAGE, its ligands, and DJ-1 in asthmatic patients pre- and post-treatment along with echocardiographic indices of cardiovascular function. The study found that asthmatic patients had increased levels of IL-6, AGEs, and AGE/RAGE ratio, and decreased levels of S100A12 and DJ-1. Pharmacotherapy with corticosteroids/β2-agonists decreased IL-6 and AGEs, and increased DJ-1.
Article
Plant Sciences
Sikandar Amanullah, Benjamin Agyei Osae, Tiantian Yang, Shenglong Li, Farhat Abbas, Shi Liu, Shusen Liu, Zhengfeng Song, Xuezheng Wang, Peng Gao, Feishi Luan
Summary: In this study, QTL mapping strategy was used to identify potential genetic regions controlling fruit pedicel traits in watermelon. Six significant QTLs were mapped on different chromosomes and their associations with fruit pedicel traits were determined.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jose Sireleudo da Silva, Nildo da Silva Dias, Gleydson Dantas Jales, Layla Bruna Lopes Rges, Jayny Myrelle Chagas de Freitas, Bianca Fernandes Umbelino, Tatianne Raianne Costa Alves, Alex Alvares da Silva, Cleyton dos Santos Fernandes, Emanoela Pereira de Paiva, Patricia Ligia Dantas de Morais, Alberto Soares de Melo, Marcos Eric Barbosa Brito, Miguel Ferreira Neto, Pedro Dantas Fernandes, Francisco Vanies da Silva Sa
Summary: The study investigated the use of reject brine for hydroponic cultivation of mini-watermelon in semi-arid regions. Among different substrates, coconut fiber substrate showed the best growth and production, while washed sand posed the greatest hindrance to plant development. The use of reject brine in preparing the nutrient solution reduced the growth and production of mini-watermelon, especially in mixtures with salinity exceeding 4.00 dS/m.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Fangming Zhu, Mingyan Li, Manwen Yan, Fei Qiao, Xuefei Jiang
Summary: DNA methylation plays a crucial role in plants' response to osmotic stress, with genes related to plant hormone synthesis, signal transduction, osmoregulatory substance, and antioxidant enzymes rapidly responding. Additionally, demethylation of key enzyme genes can alleviate the inhibition of cell growth caused by osmotic stress.
FRONTIERS IN PLANT SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Rita Ifeoma Odo, Chukwuka Nwocha Uchendu, Somtoo Ethelbert Okeke
Summary: The study demonstrated that ethanol seed extract of Citrullus lanatus has protective potentials against aluminum-induced reproductive and hematological toxicities in male rats, leading to improvements in testicular function and hematological parameters.
VETERINARY RESEARCH FORUM
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Reham Z. Hamza, Njood A. Al-Malki, Sarah Alharthi, Saif A. Alharthy, Bander Albogami, Samy M. El-Megharbel
Summary: This study investigated the effect of Rosa damascena extract on oxidative stress and inflammation in rats exposed to CdCl2. The results showed that Rosa damascena extract can alleviate liver and heart tissue damage caused by CdCl2 and enhance the activity of antioxidant enzymes.
Article
Fisheries
Sunil P. Trivedi, Shefalee Singh, Abha Trivedi, Manoj Kumar
Summary: This study investigated the adverse effects of mercuric chloride overload in Channa punctatus fish. The results showed significant changes in antioxidant enzyme activity, genotoxicity, haematological parameters, and histopathology. The study provides extensive insights into the toxicological potential of HgCl2 stress in C. punctatus.
JOURNAL OF FISH BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Fangming Zhu, Mingyan Li, Mengli Sun, Xuefei Jiang, Fei Qiao
Summary: Trehalose, a chemically stable sugar, can improve plant tolerance against abiotic stress by protecting proteins and cell membranes. The signaling pathway for trehalose biosynthesis triggered by stress is still unclear. This study shows that osmotic stress and exogenous plant hormones can induce trehalose accumulation, and inhibition of trehalose hydrolysis can increase osmotic stress tolerance.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Richard Harry Asmah, Pomah Sackey, Patrick Adjei, Timothy N. Archampong, Seth Attoh, Derek Doku, Marjorie Quarchie, Felix Botchway, David Adedia, Eric Sampene Donkor
Summary: This study investigated the haematological indices and superoxide dismutase enzyme activity in Ghanaian patients with stroke. The results showed significant differences in blood parameters and increased oxidative stress in stroke patients compared to the control group. Lymphocyte and plateletcrit levels were also found to be good predictors of stroke occurrence.
BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Agronomy
Saulo Soares Da Silva, Geovani Soares De Lima, Vera Lucia Antunes De Lima, Lauriane Almeida Dos Anjos Soares, Hans Raj Gheyi, Pedro Dantas Fernandes
Summary: Under strategies of irrigation with saline water and potassium fertilization, irrigation with 4.0 dS m(-1) water in the vegetative and flowering stages increased initial fluorescence but decreased the photosystem II quantum efficiency of mini watermelon. Fertilization with 50% potassium recommendation did not affect fluorescence parameters. Salt stress inhibited chlorophyll synthesis, except during the flowering stage. Application of 4.0 dS m(-1) water during flowering, fruiting/maturation, and maturation stages promoted greater biomass accumulation in mini watermelon.
Article
Chemistry, Applied
Zhijun Song, Yu Liu, Jieyu Gao, Jiansen Hu, Hongtao He, Shengwang Dai, Luoqiang Wang, Huanqin Dai, Lixin Zhang, Fuhang Song
Summary: During the systematic screening of bioactive compounds, a marine-derived fungus strain exhibited moderate bioactivities against several bacteria. Further chemical investigation led to the discovery of new compounds along with known compounds, one of which displayed potential antitubercular activity.
NATURAL PRODUCT RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Peipei Zhao, Meng Yang, Guoliang Zhu, Bo Zhao, Hong Wang, Hairong Liu, Xinzhu Wang, Jun Qi, Xin Yin, Lumin Yu, Yiwei Meng, Zhipu Li, Lixin Zhang, Xuekui Xia
Summary: Fungi-derived depsidone analogs show significant inhibition against Staphylococcus aureus and MRSA, providing potential for drug development.
JOURNAL OF ANTIBIOTICS
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Qian Zhang, Guoping Liu, Jibin Liu, Mu Yang, Juan Fu, Guodi Liu, Dehua Li, Zhangjie Gu, Linsong Zhang, Yingjiao Pan, Xingbing Cui, Lu Wang, Lixin Zhang, Xiaoli Tian
Summary: The study demonstrates that modified MSLN-CAR-T cells have good efficacy against solid tumors by specifically killing MSLN-positive cells and inhibiting tumor growth in vivo.
MOLECULAR THERAPY-ONCOLYTICS
(2021)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Jianying Han, Lan Jiang, Lixin Zhang, Ronald J. Quinn, Xueting Liu, Yunjiang Feng
Summary: Meroterpenoids are a class of terpenoid-containing hybrid natural products with impressive structural architectures and remarkable pharmacological activities. Recent advances in enzymology and synthetic biology have greatly contributed to understanding the molecular basis for their biosynthesis. Research focuses on novel enzymes catalyzing structurally unique meroterpenoids, biomimetic synthesis of chrome meroterpenoids, and biomanufacturing of various meroterpenoid compounds.
APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Retraction
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Wupeng Yan, Heng Song, Fuhang Song, Yisong Guo, Cheng-Hsuan Wu, Ampon Sae Her, Yi Pu, Shu Wang, Nathchar Naowarojna, Andrew Weitz, Michael P. Hendrich, Catherine E. Costello, Lixin Zhang, Pinghua Liu, Yan Jessie Zhang
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Lan Jiang, Guoliang Zhu, Jianying Han, Chengjian Hou, Xue Zhang, Zhixin Wang, Weize Yuan, Kangjie Lv, Zhanren Cong, Xinye Wang, Xiangyin Chen, Loganathan Karthik, Huanting Yang, Xuyuan Wang, Gaoyi Tan, Guang Liu, Liya Zhao, Xuekui Xia, Xiangyang Liu, Shushan Gao, Lei Ma, Mei Liu, Biao Ren, Huanqin Dai, Ronald J. Quinn, Tom Hsiang, Jingyu Zhang, Lixin Zhang, Xueting Liu
Summary: The study identified a unique BFTS sub-clade critical to the formation of a 5-15 trans-fused bicyclic sesterterpene and revealed that phytopathogenic fungi can serve as important sources of active terpenoids through systematic analysis of BFTS biosynthetic gene clusters.
APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Lan Jiang, Pei Huang, Biao Ren, Zhijun Song, Guoliang Zhu, Wenni He, Jingyu Zhang, Ayokunmi Oyeleye, Huanqin Dai, Lixin Zhang, Xueting Liu
Summary: Marine microbes provide a valuable resource for discovering new bioactive compounds, including polyene macrolides and cyclic peptides. These compounds showed significant activities against various bacteria and fungi, indicating their potential as drug candidates.
APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biochemical Research Methods
Shanshan Li, Bowen Yang, Gao-Yi Tan, Li-Ming Ouyang, Shiwen Qiu, Weishan Wang, Wensheng Xiang, Lixin Zhang
Summary: Natural product derived polyketide pesticides have gained popularity worldwide due to their high efficacy, eco-friendly nature, and safety profile, with advancements in the development of such pesticides from actinomycetes in recent decades. These pesticides, such as avermectins, spinosyns, polynactins, tetramycin, and their analogues, have shown successful applications in crop protection, with continuous improvement driven by biotechnological advances.
CURRENT OPINION IN BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Tong Shi, Lu Zhang, Mindong Liang, Weishan Wang, Kefeng Wang, Yue Jiang, Jing Liu, Xinwei He, Zhiheng Yang, Haihong Chen, Chuan Li, Dongyuan Lv, Liming Zhou, Biqin Chen, Dan Li, Li-Xin Zhang, Gao-Yi Tan
Summary: In this study, several native promoters from Rhodobacter sphaeroides JDW-710 were characterized, with two showing significantly higher activity than the commonly used tac promoter. A synthetic promoter library was also created, leading to successful modulation of the Q10 synthetic pathway in JDW-710 and increased production yields.
SYNTHETIC AND SYSTEMS BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Xiangxiang Zhao, Zhengduo Wang, Bowen Yang, Zilong Li, Yaojun Tong, Yuhai Bi, Zhenghong Li, Xuekui Xia, Xiangyin Chen, Lixin Zhang, Weishan Wang, Gao-Yi Tan
Summary: The study introduces a new antigen detection method that combines CRISPR/Cas12a and aptamers, providing ultra-sensitive, fast, and stable detection capabilities. The method was able to detect the SARS-CoV-2 antigen nucleocapsid protein at the single virus level in saliva or serum samples within 20 minutes, showing promise for general applications in CRISPR/Cas12a-aptamer-based detection.
SYNTHETIC AND SYSTEMS BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Insung Na, Huanqin Dai, Hantian Li, Anvita Gupta, David Kreda, Powell Zhang, Xiangyin Chen, Lixin Zhang, Gil Alterovitz
Summary: The study revealed that phosphorylated PknH 273-280 forms a beta strand with EmbR, demonstrating reliable binding affinity. This discovery has significant implications for computer-aided drug discovery in identifying protein-protein interaction sites.
SYNTHETIC AND SYSTEMS BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Mostafa Basiony, Liming Ouyang, Danni Wang, Jiaming Yu, Liming Zhou, Mohan Zhu, Xuyuan Wang, Jie Feng, Jing Dai, Yijie Shen, Chengguo Zhang, Qiang Hua, Xiuliang Yang, Lixin Zhang
Summary: The demand for natural astaxanthin in the global market is increasing rapidly, and producing it through native producers is facing challenges of limited yield and high cost. Using nonnative microbial cell factories is a promising strategy to overcome these limitations.
SYNTHETIC AND SYSTEMS BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Editorial Material
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Zhenghong Li, Chengyu Zhang, Zhengduo Wang, Hao Yan, Chuan Li, Zhiheng Yang, Zilong Li, Lixin Zhang, Weishan Wang
Summary: With the development of synthetic biology, mathematical information can provide accurate understanding of cell metabolism and growth, and guide precision metabolic engineering. Enzyme kinetic parameters are important for describing enzyme activity and quantitatively understanding biological systems.
SYNTHETIC AND SYSTEMS BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Letter
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Lixin Zhang, Xueting Liu, Xinye Wang, Guoliang Zhu, Heng Song, Ronghai Cheng, Nathchar Naowarojna, Catherine E. E. Costello, Pinghua Liu
Summary: In their recent publication, Cen, Wang, Zhou et al. reported the crystal structure of a ternary complex of the non-heme iron endoperoxidase FtmOx1 and concluded that it supports the CarC-like mechanistic model for catalysis. However, they failed to accurately describe the CarC-like and COX-like models and address their differences, and their data is consistent with the COX-like model after careful analysis.
ANGEWANDTE CHEMIE-INTERNATIONAL EDITION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Ronghai Cheng, Andrew C. Weitz, Jared Paris, Yijie Tang, Jingyu Zhang, Heng Song, Nathchar Naowarojna, Kelin Li, Lu Qiao, Juan Lopez, Mark W. Grinstaff, Lixin Zhang, Yisong Guo, Sean Elliott, Pinghua Liu
Summary: This work reports the dual activities of a non-heme iron enzyme OvoA(Mtht) in Methyloversatilis thermotolerans, acting as a thiol oxygenase and a sulfoxide synthase. The control of the enzyme's dual activities by the substrates and the active site iron's secondary coordination shell residues is demonstrated. This finding provides an excellent system for future mechanistic investigation on the modulation of iron-centers' electronic properties for different reactivities.
