Review
Ecology
Kohei Oguchi, Kiyoto Maekawa, Toru Miura
Summary: Eusocial insects, such as termite colonies, exhibit reproductive division of labor among different types of individuals, such as reproductives, workers, and soldiers. Caste differentiation occurs due to social interactions and developmental modifications during postembryonic development. Neotenics, immature individuals that molt into supplementary reproductives, play a key role in taking over reproductive tasks when current reproductives die or become senescent. These neotenics exhibit larval features and differentiate by a partial release from arrested development, helping us understand the evolutionary origin of novel castes in termites.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Kristine Korzow Richter, Maria C. Codlin, Melina Seabrook, Christina Warinner
Summary: Collagen peptide mass fingerprinting by MALDI-TOF-MS, also known as ZooMS, is a rapidly growing analytical technique in the fields of archaeology, ecology, and cultural heritage. It enables rapid taxonomic identification of large bone assemblages and cultural heritage objects. However, there are limitations that need to be addressed for future advancements.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Xiaohu Wang, Rui Wang, Shang He, Yuting Weng, Baofeng Lan, Liqin Zhou, Hui Yang
Summary: The aim of this study was to isolate and identify native Bacillus from citrus fruits with inhibition phenotypes to Penicillium sp. Results showed that Bacillus velezensis wr8 could produce antifungal compounds to inhibit the growth of Penicillium sp. and suppress disease development on citrus fruits. Additionally, antimicrobial compounds were also produced to inhibit the growth of Escherichia coli.
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Tao Lang, Ping Xiang, Mingdang Li, Zhiteng Chen, Fenglan Li, Mingguo Jiang, Haichao Zhou
Summary: This study analyzed the chemical structures of tannins from mangrove plants using various extraction and purification methods. The results showed the influence of different methods on the characteristics of the tannins. The study identified the best methods for extracting and purifying tannins, providing accurate structural information for future research on mangrove tannins.
Review
Biochemical Research Methods
Nimisha Gupta, Tahreem Sahar, Sapna Khowal, Ishfaq Ahmad Ganaie, Mohd Mughees, Dinesh Khullar, S. K. Jain, Saima Wajid
Summary: This study compared the proteomes of RA patients and healthy controls to identify potential diagnostic markers. Validation and protein-protein network analysis revealed pathways leading to amyloidosis. The identified serum proteomic signatures could enhance early diagnosis and offer therapeutic targets in RA.
EXPERT REVIEW OF PROTEOMICS
(2021)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Michaela Hovorkova, Jakub Cerveny, Ladislav Bumba, Helena Pelantova, Josef Cvacka, Vladimir Kren, Olivier Renaudet, David Goyard, Pavla Bojarova
Summary: A new type of glycoconjugate with low nanomolar affinity was developed to inhibit galectins of interest for biomedical research. The presentation of carbohydrate ligands on specific structural scaffolds was found to impact the affinity and selectivity to different galectins.
BIOORGANIC CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Organic
Dorota Konvalinkova, Frantisek Dolnicek, Michaela Hovorkova, Jakub Cerveny, Ondrej Kundrat, Helena Pelantova, Lucie Petraskova, Josef Cvacka, Margarita Faizulina, Beena Varghese, Petr Kovaricek, Vladimir Kren, Pavel Lhotak, Pavla Bojarova
Summary: This study reports the synthesis of potential galectin ligands based on the calix[4]arene core and investigates the influence of linkers and core structure on their affinity. Competitive assays using ELISA and biolayer interferometry demonstrate significant differences in affinity based on linker length and the position of the triazole unit. Atomic force microscopy detects the formation of supramolecular clusters.
ORGANIC & BIOMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Jibin Johny, Souleymane Diallo, Ondrej Luksan, Mayuri Shewale, Blanka Kalinova, Robert Hanus, Ewald Grosse-Wilde
Summary: This study identified chemosensory genes in three termite species and revealed a large repertoire of odorant receptors, gustatory receptors, ionotropic receptors, odorant binding proteins, chemosensory proteins, and sensory neuron membrane proteins. The evolutionary analysis showed expansions of termite chemosensory genes with conserved olfactory functions. These findings contribute to our understanding of eusocial behavior and the evolution of olfactory communication in termites.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Renate Radek, Katja Platt, Deniz Oztas, Jan Sobotnik, David Sillam-Dusses, Robert Hanus, Andreas Brune
Summary: Lower termites carry diverse symbiotic gut flagellates, and this study identified a new lineage called Retractinymphidae. The new genus Retractinympha glossotermitis is closely related to Teranymphidae, but its rostrum is longer than the body, and its anterior end is retractable. In addition, the presence of Heliconympha and Retractinympha and the absence of Pseudotrichonympha in Serritermitidae support the hypothesis of horizontal transmission.
FRONTIERS IN ECOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Barbora Kloudova, Timotej Strmen, Vladimir Vrkoslav, Zdenek Chara, Ondrej Paces, Josef Cvacka
Summary: Electrospray may not have efficient ionization in some applications, but alternative methods such as atmospheric-pressure chemical ionization (APCI) and photoionization (APPI) can be used. However, there is a lack of APCI and APPI sources specifically designed for very low sample flow rates. In this study, we developed a nebulizer with a gas dynamic virtual nozzle (GDVN) and demonstrated its suitability for APCI at microliter-per-minute flow rates. The GDVN nebulizer showed improved detection sensitivity and stability compared to traditional APCI sources, making it a promising option for low-polar analytes.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Amrita Chakraborty, Jan Sobotnik, Katerina Votypkova, Jaromir Hradecky, Petr Stiblik, Jiri Synek, Thomas Bourguignon, Petr Baldrian, Michael S. Engel, Vojtech Novotny, Inaki Odriozola, Tomas Vetrovsky
Summary: This study evaluated the influence of wood age on the gut microbial communities associated with termites. The concentration of secondary metabolites decreased with wood age but had no effect on the termite gut microbiome. Termite feeding activities and wood age influenced the wood microbiome.
APPLIED AND ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Cedric Aumont, Tereza Berankova, Dino P. McMahon, Renate Radek, Pierre D. Akama, David Sillam-Dusses, Jan Sobotnik
Summary: This study investigated a new genus of termites called Verruco-sitermes, characterized by unique outgrowths on their head capsule, antennae, and maxillary palps, which are not found in other termites. The ultrastructure of the rostral gland in Verru-cositermes tuberosus soldiers was examined, revealing that it consists of class 3 secretory cells producing peptide-derived components with unclear function. The potential role of the rostral gland as an adaptation to soil pathogens encountered during foraging for new food resources is also discussed.
ARTHROPOD STRUCTURE & DEVELOPMENT
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Katerina Kucnirova, Jaroslav Kvicala, Martin Svoboda, Josef Cvacka, Jan Cejka, Marketa Rybackova
Summary: The ring-opening cross metathesis (ROCM) of 3,3,4,4-tetrafluorocyclobutene with electronically rich alkenes, catalyzed by Grubbs or Hoveyda-Grubbs 2nd generation precatalysts, produced non-symmetrical isolated dienes with a tetrafluoroethylene spacer between the double bonds. These dienes underwent subsequent regioselective cross metathesis (CM) with styrenes, catalyzed by Hoveyda-Grubbs 2nd generation precatalyst, leading to non-symmetrically substituted dienes. The dihydroxylation and cyclization of 6,6-dibutoxy-3,3,4,4-tetrafluorohex-1-ene resulted in the formation of 3,3,4,4-tetrafluorohexopyranose.
CHEMISTRY-A EUROPEAN JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Stanislav Machacek, Michal Tupec, Natan Horacek, Martina Halmova, Amit Roy, Ales Machara, Pavlina Kyjakova, Ondrej Luksan, Iva Pichova, Robert Hanus
Summary: Through studying the FAD homologs from 57 species of termites and their close relatives, researchers have identified the evolutionary origin of termites' ability to reproduce and digest, which is crucial for their ecological success.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY AND EVOLUTION
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Simona Sedlackova, Martin Hubalek, Vladimir Vrkoslav, Miroslava Blechova, Petr Kozlik, Josef Cvacka
Summary: A typical bottom-up proteomic workflow often fails to fully describe certain domains or parts of proteins. This study introduces an alternative approach using acetylation and atmospheric pressure chemical ionization (APCI) and atmospheric pressure photoionization (APPI) mass spectrometry. By acetylating peptides obtained through chymotrypsin or Glu-C digestion, APCI and APPI ionizations significantly improved the detection and sequence coverage of peptides compared to electrospray ionization (ESI). This method provides complementary data to classical bottom-up proteomics analysis.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Vladimir Vrkoslav, Petra Horka, Jindrich Jindrich, Milos Budesinsky, Josef Cvacka
Summary: In this study, an alternative approach based on Ag-HPLC/APCI-MS was used to separate and detect cuticular hydrocarbons (HCs) from the flesh fly and cockroach. The method achieved a significantly higher number of HCs detected compared to GC or MALDI-MS. The separation and quantitative detection of HCs were based on the number of double bonds, cis/trans isomerism, and position of double bonds.
Article
Chemistry, Physical
Vaclav Zima, Mikulas Vlk, Jiahao Wan, Josef Cvacka, Frantisek Turecek
Summary: In this study, experimental and computational studies were conducted to investigate protonated adenine C-8 sigma-radicals, which are presumed but elusive reactive intermediates of oxidative damage to nucleic acids. The radicals were generated in the gas phase and characterized by various techniques. The formation and properties of these radicals were studied using UV-vis photodissociation action spectroscopy and mass spectrometry.
JOURNAL OF PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY A
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jan Philipp Menzel, Reuben S. E. Young, Aurelie H. Benfield, Julia S. Scott, Puttandon Wongsomboon, Lukas Cudlman, Josef Cvacka, Lisa M. Butler, Sonia T. Henriques, Berwyck L. J. Poad, Stephen J. Blanksby
Summary: This study introduces a workflow for discovering new fatty acids, which adds more than 100 fatty acids to the human lipidome. The traditional methods often fail to detect the isomers of unsaturated fatty acids. By coupling liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry with gas-phase ozonolysis of double bonds, this workflow enables the rapid identification of fatty acids in complex media and even in instances of incomplete chromatographic separation. The application of this method can reveal changes in lipid metabolism.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Doroteja Loncaric, Fahimeh Movahedifar, Jakub Radek Stocek, Martin Dracinsky, Josef Cvacka, Shanshan Guan, Benjamin J. Bythell, Ivana Cisarova, Eric Masson, Jiri Kaleta
Summary: Cucurbit[7]uril (CB[7]) can encapsulate positively charged guests in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). The addition of certain alkali and alkaline earth cations to the CB[7]/guest complexes can trigger their cation-mediated trimerization, which is favored in DMSO due to the reduced penalty for desolvation.
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Miluse Vlachova, Van Nguyen Tran, Jakub Cerveny, Frantisek Dolnicek, Lucie Petraskova, Helena Pelantova, Ondrej Kundrat, Josef Cvacka, Zuzana Bosakova, Vladimir Kren, Pavel Lhotak, Jitka Viktorova, Pavla Bojarova
Summary: Elevated levels of galectin-3 are associated with tumorigenesis. Inhibition of galectin-3 with high-affinity carbohydrate ligands offers new therapeutic possibilities. Intracellular targeting of galectin-3 is challenging, but novel biomedical research tools, glycocalix[4]arenes, show potential for entering epithelial cells to interact with galectin-3.
CHEMICAL COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
