Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Yumin Kim, Sangyoon Kang, Byung Hun Lee, Youngjun Song, Sunah Kang, Hye Yoon Park, Yan Lee
Summary: A new bright blue fluorophore was discovered from a specific type of amine and 2-oxoglutarate under mild conditions without any chemical additives, showing high quantum yield and photostability. The generation of this fluorophore has great potential in quantitative analysis of 2-OG in biosamples.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tiffany R. Sanchez, Xin Hu, Jinying Zhao, ViLinh Tran, Nancy Loiacono, Young-Mi Go, Walter Goessler, Shelley Cole, Jason Umans, Dean P. Jones, Ana Navas-Acien, Karan Uppal
Summary: Integrative analysis of metabolomics and metallomics data identified associations between metals and metabolic networks, showing effects on amino acid metabolism, fatty acid and lipid metabolism, as well as energy metabolism pathways. These findings suggest potential biomarkers and disease pathways related to environmental metal exposure.
ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Katie E. Hillyer, Eric Raes, Andrew Bissett, David J. Beale
Summary: The study characterized bacterial communities in a metal-contaminated estuary sediment using multiple methods, and found additional contamination in areas with high metal concentrations. The dominant bacterial phyla included Proteobacteria and Desulfobacteria, and high concentration areas were enriched with metabolically versatile and biofilm forming phyla. The results can be used to inform management decisions and predictive models.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marta Galvez-Fernandez, Francisco Sanchez-Saez, Arce Domingo-Relloso, Zulema Rodriguez-Hernandez, Sonia Tarazona, Vannina Gonzalez-Marrachelli, Maria Grau-Perez, Jose M. Morales-Tatay, Nuria Amigo, Tamara Garcia-Barrera, Jose L. Gomez-Ariza, F. Javier Chaves, Ana Barbara Garcia-Garcia, Rebeca Melero, Maria Tellez-Plaza, Juan C. Martin-Escudero, Josep Redon, Daniel Monleon
Summary: This study evaluated the joint influence of redox-related metals and genetic variation on metabolic pathways. The results showed that exposures to Co, Cu, Se, Zn, As, Cd and Sb were associated with several metabolic patterns involved in chronic disease. Carriers of redox-related variants may have differential susceptibility to metabolic alterations associated with excessive exposure to metals.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Rossin Erbe, Jessica Gore, Kelly Gemmill, Daria A. Gaykalova, Elana J. Fertig
Summary: Biological systems are complex networks of interacting molecules at different scales. High throughput technologies and computational methods enable the study of these interactions. Graphical network modeling is a computational framework that explicitly models molecular interactions within and between cells in biological systems. It allows for the identification of key molecules, generation of hypotheses, and simulation of experimental outcomes.
Article
Polymer Science
Marcela Tavares Luiz, Leonardo Delello Di Filippo, Renata Carolina Alves, Victor Hugo Sousa Araujo, Jonatas Lobato Duarte, Juliana Maldonado Marchetti, Marlus Chorilli
Summary: Nanotechnology has been utilized in medicine to improve disease treatment, but overcoming biological barriers is essential for enhancing the permeation of nanomedicines. Surface modifications, such as using permeation enhancers and specific ligands, have been widely investigated to improve the penetration of nanomedicines through barriers.
EUROPEAN POLYMER JOURNAL
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Marta Galvez-Fernandez, Zulema Rodriguez-Hernandez, Maria Grau-Perez, F. Javier Chaves, Ana Barbara Garcia-Garcia, Nuria Amigo, Daniel Monleon, Tamara Garcia-Barrera, Jose L. Gomez-Ariza, Laisa S. Briongos-Figuero, Jose L. Perez-Castrillon, Josep Redon, Maria Tellez-Plaza, Juan C. Martin-Escudero
Summary: This study evaluated the association between plasma metabolic patterns and bone fragility, taking into account redox balance and genetic variants. The results showed that metabolic patterns were related to bone fractures and bone mineral density. Participants with exposure to certain metal elements had increased risk of fractures. Genetic variants may also influence the relationship between metabolism and bone fragility.
FREE RADICAL BIOLOGY AND MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Immunology
Shangzhi Gao, Corbin Quick, Marta Guasch-Ferre, Zhu Zhuo, John M. Hutchinson, Li Su, Frank Hu, Xihong Lin, David Christiani
Summary: By investigating the associations between plasma metabolites and inflammatory biomarkers among healthy adult male welders, it was found that metabolites in the phospholipid group had strong correlations with multiple inflammatory biomarkers, especially C-reactive protein, serum amyloid A, and interleukin-8. Further investigation is required to understand the mechanisms of these associations.
JOURNAL OF INFLAMMATION RESEARCH
(2021)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sophie R. Beeren, Charlie T. McTernan, Fredrik Schaufelberger
Summary: The field of mechanically interlocked molecules (MIMs) has seen rapid advancement in recent years, particularly in materials, sensing, and catalysis. However, their potential in biology and biomedicine has been limited due to synthesis difficulties, poor solubility, and stability in biological media. Recent advances have enabled a broader integration of MIMs in biology, allowing for unique functional advantages. This article summarizes recent advancements in the application of small-molecule, biologically derived, and polymeric MIMs in biology, highlighting potential synergies for future exploration.
Review
Food Science & Technology
Payal Mandal, Olga Lanaridi, Benedikt Warth, Kausar M. Ansari
Summary: Exposure to mycotoxins through the dietary route on a daily basis can lead to various ailments, including inflammation, cancer, and hormonal imbalance. Mycotoxins interact with biomolecules and interfere with metabolic pathways, which disrupts the activity of enzymes/receptors involved in endogenous metabolism and leads to adverse health effects. Metabolomics, a useful analytical approach, can provide insights into the effects of mycotoxin exposure by analyzing a large number of endogenous and exogenous molecules in biofluids.
CRITICAL REVIEWS IN FOOD SCIENCE AND NUTRITION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Guanghui Xu, Xiaolong Lin, Yong Yu
Summary: Heavy metals in soil ecosystems pose a potential threat to soil biota. Micro-and nano-plastics (MNPs) can impact the accumulation of heavy metals in plants by altering soil microbial community and causing injury to plants. This study investigated the effects and mechanisms of MNPs on the uptake of Cu, Zn, Pb, and Cd in lettuce. The results showed that MNPs increased the uptake of heavy metals in lettuce by altering the relative abundance of key metal-activation bacteria in rhizospheric soil. The concentrations of heavy metals in nanoparticle treatments were significantly higher than that of microparticle treatments, particularly at higher nanoparticle concentration. Biomarkers and gene expression showed that high concentrations of nanoparticles caused more severe injuries to lettuce plants. Metabolomic analysis revealed that nanoparticles disturbed the metabolism of ATP-binding cassette transporter and plant hormone signal transduction in lettuce roots, leading to increased uptake of heavy metals by lettuce.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ekrem Sulukan, Onur Senol, Alper Baran, Meryem Kankaynar, Serkan Yildirim, Tuba Kiziltan, Ismail Bolat, Saltuk Bugrahan Ceyhun
Summary: Exposure to PS during the embryonic period may affect many cancer-related biological processes in the next generation, including morphological, physiological and molecular damages.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Editorial Material
Plant Sciences
Samuel M. D. Seaver
Summary: Studying the nitrogen-use efficiency of plants is crucial for engineering crops to use less fertilizer while maintaining yields. In this study, the authors analyze the behavior of the metabolic network in maize roots under nitrogen-poor conditions, providing insights into how plants utilize nitrogen in such conditions.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL BOTANY
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Renu Yadav, Gagandeep Singh, Anita Rani Santal, Nater Pal Singh
Summary: Soil and water pollution, rapid industrialization, contaminated irrigation-water, increased waste-production and surge in agricultural land leads to the accumulation of Heavy Metals (HM) with time. HM contamination has raised concern over the past years and new remediation strategies are required to deal with it. Phytoremediation is of great significance in the removal, decomposition and detoxification of hazardous metals from HM-contaminated sites. There is a need for further research and biotechnological efforts to enhance the effectiveness of phytoremediation.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Aurang Zeb, Weitao Liu, Nouman Ali, Ruiying Shi, Yuhang Lian, Qi Wang, Jianling Wang, Jiantao Li, Zeqi Zheng, Jinzheng Liu, Miao Yu, Jianv Liu
Summary: This study investigated the effects of tire wear particles (TWPs) on the growth and metabolism of mung bean plants and soil. Despite the accumulation of heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in TWPs-treated soils, there was no significant impact on plant growth, indicating a degree of tolerance. However, TWPs exposure had significant effects on soil enzyme activities, plant metabolite profiles, and microbiota.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Georgia M. Sinclair, Michela Di Giannantonio, Oliver A. H. Jones, Sara M. Long
Summary: Understanding the effects of experimental parameters on ecotoxicology experiments is crucial, especially temperature, light, and food type. However, the influence of substrate type is often assumed to be negligible. This study investigated the metabolic changes in freshwater crustaceans exposed to copper using different substrates and found that substrate alone can elicit different metabolic responses and affect substrate preferences of different life stages. These findings challenge the current paradigm and emphasize the importance of considering substrate as a significant experimental factor.
ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Katie E. Hillyer, Utpal Bose, James A. Broadbent, Andrew Bissett, David J. Beale
Summary: Legacy contamination from human use is a major concern for estuaries worldwide. This study utilizes multi-omics techniques and traditional sediment quality analysis to investigate the molecular and cellular responses of invertebrate communities in estuaries exposed to complex contaminants. The research provides insights into the different modes of toxicity and local adaptation to multiple pollutants in a complex estuarine environment.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Omar Mendoza-Porras, Thao V. Nguyen, Rohan M. Shah, Peter Thomas -Hall, Lee Bastin, Dione J. Deaker, Cherie A. Motti, Maria Byrne, David J. Beale
Summary: This study investigated the metabolite and lipid profiles of Crown-of-Thorns Starfish (COTS) tissues, including eggs. A total of 410 metabolites and 367 lipids were identified, with amino acids and peptides being the most abundant. COTS eggs had more diverse asterosaponins compared to other tissues. Metabolite and lipid profiles provided insights into tissue-specific processes and potential control strategies of COTS populations. Additionally, COTS was found to be a novel source of molecules with therapeutic and cosmetic properties.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Agronomy
Maria Hasnain, Neelma Munir, Zainul Abideen, Daniel Anthony Dias, Farheen Aslam, Roberto Mancinelli
Summary: The use of nanotechnology can increase biofuel generation from algae. This study focuses on the effects of silver nanoparticles on biomass, metabolites, and lipid profile of algae for algal fuel production. The results show that silver nanoparticles enhance the uptake of silver ions and improve phytoremediation in algae. Furthermore, the application of nanoparticles significantly increases protein and lipid production, with a 60% increase in lipid yield using 0.08 mg/L silver nanoparticles. The fatty acid composition of algae with silver nanoparticle addition meets biodiesel standards. Overall, this study suggests that the uptake of silver nanoparticles can enhance fatty acid production in algae and has potential for sustainable biodiesel production, with Ulothrix sp. algae identified as the most promising feedstock.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rohan Shah, Thao V. Nguyen, Anna Marcora, Angela Ruffell, Andrew Hulthen, Khoa Pham, Gene Wijffels, Cate Paull, David J. Beale
Summary: Insect biodegradation of plastics has shown significant progress, providing new possibilities for plastic waste treatment. This study focused on the metabolism of greater wax moth larvae fed on polylactic acid plastic (PLA) blocks. The results revealed metabolic disturbances and oxidative stress in the larvae due to PLA ingestion.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Stacey M. Trevathan-Tackett, Damien L. Callahan, Rod M. Connolly, Peter I. Macreadie
Summary: Biomarkers and indicators have been used to assess soil biogeochemical processes and history in blue carbon ecosystems. This study found that geochemical characteristics can predict soil microbial characteristics and reveal novel information about soil formation and alteration.
ESTUARINE COASTAL AND SHELF SCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Stefan Sanow, Weiqi Kuang, Gabriel Schaaf, Pitter Huesgen, Ulrich Schurr, Ute Roessner, Michelle Watt, Borjana Arsova
Summary: This review summarizes the molecular mechanisms behind Pseudomonas-driven plant growth promotion, focusing on improving plant performance and nitrogen content under limited nitrogen conditions. However, there are still many aspects of the Pseudomonas-plant interaction mechanisms that need further exploration.
MOLECULAR PLANT-MICROBE INTERACTIONS
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Juliana Muller Bark, Avinash V. Karpe, James D. Doecke, Paul Leo, Rosalind L. Jeffree, Benjamin Chua, Bryan W. Day, David J. Beale, Chamindie Punyadeera
Summary: The study suggests that metabolomic and lipidomic profiles in saliva and blood can be used as complementary tools for assessing the response to therapy in GBM patients. Patients with unfavorable outcomes showed distinct changes in metabolites and lipids compared to patients with favorable outcomes. These findings indicate the potential of using these biomarkers as less invasive prognostic indicators, although further validation with larger cohorts is needed.
Review
Agronomy
Sneha Gupta, Sibel Yildirim, Benjamin Andrikopoulos, Uta Wille, Ute Roessner
Summary: Optimizing nitrogen availability to plants is crucial for maximizing crop yield and quality. However, ensuring the appropriate supply of nitrogen to crops is challenging due to various pathways of nitrogen loss. The use of urease and nitrification inhibitors has emerged as a strategy to synchronize nitrogen availability with plant uptake and mitigate nitrogen loss.
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
Sibel C. Yildirim, Robert M. Walker, Ute Roessner, Uta Wille
Summary: This article presents a simple and cost-efficient colorimetric assay developed for the rapid evaluation of the efficiency of new synthetic nitrification inhibitors (NIs) to identify the most promising compounds for subsequent soil studies. The assay allows for simultaneous screening of multiple compounds' inhibitory activity with high reproducibility and can be manipulated to determine pH and temperature-dependent effects on NIs.
ACS AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Vanessa M. Skrzypczyk, Damien L. Callahan, David S. Francis, Alecia Bellgrove
Summary: Research has found that Australian seaweeds are rich in essential dietary minerals, particularly those that are commonly deficient in human diets. There are significant differences in the mineral composition of different seaweed species, although individual element concentrations vary in complex ways. Optimal nutritional benefits can be achieved by regularly consuming a variety of seaweed species. However, further research is needed to reduce iodine content in some species to maximize the health benefits of regular consumption of these Australian seaweeds.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED PHYCOLOGY
(2023)
Letter
Plant Sciences
Michael Ogden, Sarah J. Whitcomb, Ghazanfar Abbas Khan, Ute Roessner, Rainer Hoefgen, Staffan Persson
Review
Microbiology
Avinash V. Karpe, David J. Beale, Cuong D. Tran
Summary: Enteric protozoan pathogenic infections contribute significantly to gastrointestinal illnesses globally, particularly in remote and indigenous communities with limited access to clean water and sanitation. Medicinal treatments for these robust pathogens often lead to dysbiosis and subsequent opportunistic pathogen invasion, antimicrobial resistance, and functional gastrointestinal disorders. Nutritional supplementation, including proteins, prebiotics, probiotics, synbiotics, and food formulations, can help recover from dysbiosis and build resilience against future infections. Systems biology techniques are effective in understanding the biochemistry of these processes and tracking the impact of gut microbiome remediation. This study discusses infection mechanisms, cross-organ impacts, and nutritional interventions, highlighting the importance of addressing anti-microbial resistance and the role of nutrition in resilience.
Article
Environmental Sciences
D. C. Lettoof, T. V. Nguyen, W. R. Richmond, H. E. Nice, M. M. Gagnon, D. J. Beale
Summary: This study investigates the potential impacts of PFAS on a top predator of wetlands, the tiger snake, using exposure and bioaccumulation patterns, whole organism responses, and omics-based ecosurveillance methods. The results demonstrate the bioavailability of urban wetland PFAS in higher-order reptilian predators and suggest a negative impact on snake health and metabolic processes.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Georgia M. Sinclair, Sophie M. Oakes, Andrew C. Warden, Amy M. Paten, Oliver A. H. Jones
Summary: This study evaluated the potential of alternative NMR-active nuclei, other than H-1, to generate useful metabolomic data. The results showed that carbon NMR provided useful information but required larger sample sizes. Phosphorus produced overlapping peaks in one-dimensional analysis but showed potential in two-dimensional experiments. N-15 NMR was found to not be sensitive enough for general metabolomic work.
