International Journal of Molecular Sciences最新文献

The electro-oxidation of eugenol (EUG) natural antioxidant was studied by cyclic voltammetry in phosphate buffer solutions (PBS) of different pH at electrochemically partially reduced graphene oxide (GCE/ePRGO). The voltammetric responses were mainly controlled by adsorption at this modified electrode. Current values were higher at pH 2.0 PBS, therefore, this pH was chosen to perform all experiments. DFT calculations of pKa's and standard potentials defined the possible pathways of eugenol and its oxidation products. These pathways were evaluated through the comparison of voltammetric simulations of adsorbed species with experiments at pH 2.0, which also allowed for the estimation of the values of the kinetic parameters involved in electrochemistry. Our findings suggest a multi-step redox process in which Eugenol is first oxidized to the radical species and then to a cationic product. At this stage, the pathways branch into to methylenquinone and a 4-allyl-1,2-diquinone molecules. 4-allyl-1,2-diquinone is finally reduced in single or double reversible electrochemical step to the hydroquinone species. The present physicochemical work allows for a deeper understanding of the eugenol oxidation mechanism, which was only partially proposed in previous studies.

From lipids to carbohydrates, from pigments to complex polyketides, microalgae have been shown to be possible producers of key high-value molecules with possible applications in various industrial sectors [...].

Ischemic stroke remains a major cause of mortality and long-term disability worldwide, and improved strategies for identifying individuals at elevated vascular risk are needed. Serum autoantibodies have emerged as potential biomarkers reflecting vascular injury and immune activation; however, their integrative biological significance and incremental predictive value beyond established clinical risk factors remain unclear. We analyzed 833 participants, including patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) or transient ischemic attack (TIA) and healthy controls. Serum levels of anti-PDCD11 antibody (Ab), anti-DNAJC2 antibody, and anti-PAI-1 (SERPINE1) antibody were quantified, and multivariable logistic regression and machine-learning (ML) models (logistic regression and random forest) were constructed using clinical variables with and without antibody markers. Model performance was evaluated using cross-validation, bootstrap-derived confidence intervals, calibration metrics, and reclassification indices. Model interpretability analyses, principal component analysis (PCA), unsupervised clustering, and propensity score matching were performed to explore latent biological structures. Clinical-only models demonstrated excellent discrimination (bootstrap Area Under the Curve (AUC) 0.917 for random forest and 0.919 for logistic regression). The addition of antibody markers yielded similar performance (AUC 0.913 and 0.923, respectively) without evidence of meaningful improvement in reclassification. However, SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) analysis identified antibody markers as influential contributors following major clinical risk factors. PCA revealed a dominant antibody component explaining approximately 79% of the variance, which remained independently associated with stroke after age adjustment. Unsupervised clustering further identified a high-risk subgroup characterized by consistently elevated antibody levels. These findings support the presence of a latent antibody axis associated with vascular vulnerability. Although antibody markers did not substantially enhance global predictive performance, they captured integrated biological signals reflecting cumulative vascular and immunological stress. Autoantibody profiling may complement conventional risk assessment by improving biological characterization of stroke susceptibility. Prospective validation in independent cohorts is required prior to clinical implementation.

In October 2020, the International Coalition to Eliminate Hepatitis B Virus (ICE-HBV) updated the biomarker framework; they underscored major advances in the understanding of viral and immunologic markers, yet highlighted persistent gaps in their clinical integration. This is particularly the case in low- and middle-income regions, where HBV remains a substantial public health problem, including in the pediatric population. To synthesize contemporary evidence, a structured literature search was performed across PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science. Classical biomarkers-including HBeAg, HBV DNA, and quantitative HBsAg-remain central for disease staging and therapeutic monitoring, while emerging markers enhance precision in risk stratification: HBcrAg, which correlates strongly with intrahepatic cccDNA activity and virological rebound after NA discontinuation; serum HBV RNA, which offers additional insight into transcriptional activity, which is particularly relevant for RNA-targeted therapies; and quantitative anti-HBc (qAnti-HBc), which reflects stronger humoral imprinting and more competent HBV-specific immune memory, and is consistently associated with fewer ALT flares and reduced virological rebound at end of treatment. Despite these advances, assay standardization, genotype-related variability, and limited pediatric data constrain broad clinical application. Integrating classical and emerging biomarkers into personalized therapeutic algorithms offers substantial potential for refining treatment decisions, predicting post-treatment outcomes, and advancing HBV elimination strategies in diverse clinical settings.

Mediator is a central transcriptional coactivator that connects sequence-specific transcription factors with RNA polymerase II to control inducible gene expression in plants. MED16 is a Mediator tail module subunit that functions as a context-dependent integrator, helping coordinate developmental programs with environmental adaptation. This review summarizes current evidence for MED16 function from structural and evolutionary perspectives to physiological outputs, with emphasis on how MED16 interacts with transcription factors and other Mediator subunits to shape RNA polymerase II engagement at target loci. In terms of development, MED16 contributes to organ growth and root system architecture, and comparative studies have revealed that it plays conserved roles in lineage-specific wiring. Under abiotic stress, MED16 supports the efficient activation of stress-inducible transcription, including cold acclimation and nutrient stress responses such as phosphate starvation-dependent root remodeling. In immunity, MED16 modulates salicylic acid- and jasmonate/ethylene-associated defence outputs and can be targeted by plant viruses, which is consistent with its role in antiviral transcriptional responses. Mechanistically, MED16 participates in cooperative and competitive interactions within the Mediator complex that tune hormone-responsive outputs, exemplified by MED25-related competition in abscisic acid signalling. We highlight key limitations and future directions, including the need for mechanistic validation beyond Arabidopsis, clearer models of dosage control in crops, improved understanding of context-dependent tail configurations, and high-resolution mapping of MED16 interaction interfaces.

The replacement of petroleum-based plastics with sustainable and biodegradable materials remains a critical challenge for food packaging and biomedical applications. Gelatin is an attractive natural biopolymer for film fabrication; however, its inherent brittleness, moisture sensitivity, and limited structural stability restrict practical use. In this work, for the first time, low-power direct-probe ultrasonication is introduced as a green and additive-free strategy to regulate molecular organization and enhance the performance of gelatin-glycerol composite films. Systematic variation in ultrasonic power and treatment duration revealed a strong dependence of film structure and properties on processing conditions. Low-power ultrasonication (20 W) promoted gelatin-glycerol interactions, induced a transition from loosely organized molecular arrangements to helix-like molecular packing at the nanometer scale, and produced smooth, compact microscale surface morphologies. As a result, these films exhibited enhanced hydrophilicity, reduced surface defects, and improved thermal stability. In contrast, high-power ultrasonication generated excessive cavitation, leading to large-scale porous structures and diminished thermal and surface performance. Therefore, this work identifies a distinct low-power ultrasonic window that enables controlled molecular reorganization and hierarchical structure formation in gelatin-glycerol systems. Structural and physicochemical analyses using SEM, FTIR, XRD, water contact angle measurements, and thermogravimetric analysis collectively elucidate the ultrasound-driven structure-property relationships within the gelatin-glycerol matrix. Overall, this study demonstrates that controlled ultrasonication enables precise tuning of gelatin-based film architecture and properties, offering a scalable and environmentally friendly route to high-performance biodegradable materials for sustainable packaging and biomedical applications.

In vitro fertilisation (IVF) has significant hurdles due to individual differences in ovarian response during controlled ovarian stimulation. The Asn680Ser polymorphism of the follicle-stimulating hormone receptor (FSHR) is linked to varying ovarian sensitivity to FSH. However, its relationship with intrafollicular redox signalling remains unclear. Nitric oxide (NO) is a crucial compound that functions inside follicles and participates in angiogenesis, steroidogenesis, and oocyte competence. This prospective observational research classified women undergoing IVF into Asn allele carriers (Asn/Asn and Asn/Ser) and Ser/Ser homozygotes, according to the FSHR Asn680Ser polymorphism. The groups were assessed according to follicular fluid nitric oxide metabolites (NO₂-NO₃), fertilisation results, ovarian response indicators, and hormonal profiles. No substantial variation was seen between baseline and trigger-day hormone levels. In contrast, Ser/Ser individuals had a significantly higher total count of recovered oocytes, an elevated number of metaphase II oocytes, and enhanced fertilisation outcomes relative to carriers. The Ser/Ser group demonstrated increased intrafollicular NO₂-NO₃ concentrations. This difference was not statistically significant. These results link FSH receptor genetics to functional follicular competence, indicating that the FSHR Asn680Ser polymorphism is associated with differing ovarian responsiveness during IVF and may affect intrafollicular nitric oxide bioavailability.

Plants respond to ultraviolet B radiation (280-320 nm) with an integrated reaction that includes the reception of the acting stress factor, followed by the generation of reactive oxygen species and damage to macromolecules and membrane structures, as well as changes in cellular metabolism and the formation of protective systems. However, the involvement of key UV-B-related signalling components such as HY5, SPA1 and BIC1 or BIC2 proteins in physiological, biochemical and molecular responses remains insufficiently understood. The effects of 8, 16 and 24 h of UV-B exposure (within an 8 h photoperiod over three days) on the net photosynthetic rate (Pn), chlorophyll fluorescence parameters Y(II) and F_v/F_m, reflecting the functional state of PSII, nonphotochemical quenching (NPQ), pigment contents (Chl(a+b), carotenoids, anthocyanins and UV-absorbing pigments (UAPs) and the expression of key light-induced genes in wild-type Arabidopsis thaliana and spa1, bic1,2 and hy5 mutants were studied. UV-B irradiation resulted in a gradual reduction in the Pn, Y(II), F_v/F_m values and Chl(a+b) but caused a marked increase in the anthocyanin and UAP contents and only minor changes in the carotenoid content. The hy5 mutant presented the lowest net photosynthetic rate (Pn), chlorophyll fluorescence parameters, and chlorophyll and carotenoid contents under all the UV-B exposures. In addition, the accumulation of anthocyanins and UAPs during UV-B treatment was consistently the lowest in hy5. After any UV-B exposure, the highest accumulation of UAPs and anthocyanins was observed in the spa1 mutant, whereas the highest Pn values were detected after 24 h in bic1,2. One of the reasons for the reduced photosynthetic activity and antioxidant capacity in hy5 may be the lower expression levels of CHS and PAL in this variety than in the other genotypes. Our results indicate that HY5 is required to maintain antioxidant responses and photosynthetic performance under repeated daytime UV-B exposure (16.8 kJ m^-2 per day). In contrast, BIC1, BIC2, and SPA1 also contribute to UV-B tolerance, but through distinct regulatory mechanisms and to a lesser extent.

In the original publication [...].

The increasing global burden of chronic kidney disease (CKD) magnifies an urgent need to find treatable targets. Monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1/CCL2) is a chemokine secreted by kidney tubular epithelia in response to a variety of stimuli. To better understand the effects of tubular MCP-1 in response to kidney injury, we generated tubular epithelia-specific MCP-1 knockout mice (KO; Pax8-Mcp-1^fl/fl). We then exposed these mice and their control littermates to Adriamycin (Adr; 18 mg/kg, IV bolus). Thirty-two days after Adr injection, Mcp-1 transcript and protein levels were suppressed in the KO mice compared to their wild-type (WT) littermates. The KO mice exhibited no effect on survival, change in body weight, albuminuria, kidney function, glomerular or tubular injury, or tubulointerstitial fibrosis compared to WT. Overall, the results suggest that tubule-secreted MCP-1 is not necessary for progression of Adr-induced injury. These findings contribute to our understanding of the role of MCP-1 in kidney injury.