Nitrate accumulation,productivity and photosynthesis of Brassica alboglabra grown under low light with supplemental LED lighting in the tropical greenhouse

Abstract

Vegetables are a large source of nitrate (NO₃^?) in our diet. As NO₂^? is toxic to humans, it is undesirable to consume vegetables with high NO₃^? content. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effect of supplementing of red- and blue-LED lighting to B. alboglabra grown in the tropical greenhouse in terms of moderating NO₃^? accumulation, improving photosynthesis, and enhancing productivity. All plants were grown hydroponically in full nutrients under prevailing greenhouse conditions for 20?days (full sunlight). Thereafter, plants were subjected to three different light treatments for 12?days: full sunlight, shade, and shade supplemented with LEDs. The average midday photosynthetic photon flux density (PPFD) during the light treatment periods were 220?μmol m^?2 s^?1 (full sunlight), 55?μmol m^?2 s^?1 (shade), and 220?μmol m^?2 s^?1 (shade supplemented with LEDs). Shoot nitrate (NO₃^?) concentration increased significantly in plants grown in the shade. However, shoot NO₃^? concentration was reduced when plants were supplemented with red- and blue-LED lighting. Photosynthetic CO₂ assimilation, stomatal conductance, and productivity also improved in these plants. Our results suggest that supplemental red- and blue-LED lighting in a tropical greenhouse during periods of cloudy and hazy weather could improve productivity and nutrient quality of Chinese broccoli.     

Bioactive Bis(indole) Alkaloids from a Spongosorites sp. Sponge

Six new bis(indole) alkaloids (1–6) along with eight known ones of the topsentin class were isolated from a Spongosorites sp. sponge of Korea. Based on the results of combined spectroscopic analyses, the structures of spongosoritins A–D (1–4) were determined to possess a 2-methoxy-1-imidazole-5-one core connecting the indole moieties, and these were linked by a linear urea bridge for spongocarbamides A (5) and B (6). The absolute configurations of spongosoritins were assigned by electronic circular dichroism (ECD) computation. The new compounds exhibited moderate inhibition against transpeptidase sortase A and weak inhibition against human pathogenic bacteria and A549 and K562 cancer cell lines.     

Fucoxanthin Suppresses Osteoclastogenesis via Modulation of MAP Kinase and Nrf2 Signaling

Fucoxanthin (FX), a natural carotenoid present in edible brown seaweed, is known for its therapeutic potential in various diseases, including bone disease. However, its underlying regulatory mechanisms in osteoclastogenesis remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the effect of FX on osteoclast differentiation and its regulatory signaling pathway. In vitro studies were performed using osteoclast-like RAW264.7 cells stimulated with the soluble receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand or tumor necrosis factor-alpha/interleukin-6. FX treatment significantly inhibited osteoclast differentiation and bone resorption ability, and downregulated the expression of osteoclast-specific markers such as nuclear factor of activated T cells 1, dendritic cell-specific seven transmembrane protein, and matrix metallopeptidase 9. Intracellular signaling pathway analysis revealed that FX specifically decreased the activation of the extracellular signal-regulated kinase and p38 kinase, and increased the nuclear translocation of phosphonuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2). Our results suggest that FX regulates the expression of mitogen-activated protein kinases and Nrf2. Therefore, FX is a potential therapeutic agent for osteoclast-related skeletal disorders including osteoporosis and rheumatoid arthritis.     

Applications of Marine Organism-Derived Polydeoxyribonucleotide: Its Potential in Biomedical Engineering

Polydeoxyribonucleotides (PDRNs) are a family of DNA-derived drugs with a molecular weight ranging from 50 to 1500 kDa, which are mainly extracted from the sperm cells of salmon trout or chum salmon. Many pre-clinical and clinical studies have demonstrated the wound healing and anti-inflammatory properties of PDRN, which are mediated by the activation of adenosine A_2A receptor and salvage pathways, in addition to promoting osteoblast activity, collagen synthesis, and angiogenesis. In fact, PDRN is already marketed due to its therapeutic properties against various wound healing- and inflammation-related diseases. Therefore, this review assessed the most recent trends in marine organism-derived PDRN using the Google Scholar search engine. Further, we summarized the current applications and pharmacological properties of PDRN to serve as a reference for the development of novel PDRN-based technologies.     

Induction of protective immune responses against challenge of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae by oral administration with Saccharomyces cerevisiae expressing Apx toxins in pigs

Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae is a causative agent of porcine pleuropneumonia, a highly contagious endemic disease of pigs worldwide, inducing significant economic losses worldwide. Apx toxins, which are correlated with the virulence of A. pleuropneumoniae, were expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and its possible use as an oral vaccine has been confirmed in our previous studies using a murine model. The present study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that oral immunization using S. cerevisiae expressing either ApxI or ApxII could protect pigs against A. pleuropneumoniae as an effective way of inducing both mucosal and systemic immune responses. The surface-displayed ApxIIA#5 expressing S. cerevisiae was selected as an oral vaccine candidate by finding on induction of higher immune responses in mice after oral vaccination. The surface-displayed ApxIIA#5 expressing S. cerevisiae and the ApxIA expressing S. cerevisiae were developed to serve as an oral vaccine in pigs. The vaccinated pigs showed higher specific IgG- and IgA-related antibody activities than the non-treated control and vector control pigs. Additionally, the induced immune responses were found to protect pigs infected with A. pleuropneumoniae according to the analysis of clinical signs and the gross and microscopic pulmonary lesions. These results suggested that the surface-displayed ApxIIA#5 and ApxIA in S. cerevisiae might be a potential oral vaccine to protect pigs against porcine pleuropneumonia. Thus the present study is expected to contribute to the development of a live oral vaccine against porcine pleuropneumonia as an alternative to current conventional vaccines.     

PTP1B Inhibitory and Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Secondary Metabolites Isolated from the Marine-Derived Fungus Penicillium sp. JF-55

Protein tyrosine phosphatase 1B (PTP1B) plays a major role in the negative regulation of insulin signaling, and is thus considered as an attractive therapeutic target for the treatment of diabetes. Bioassay-guided investigation of the methylethylketone extract of marine-derived fungus Penicillium sp. JF-55 cultures afforded a new PTP1B inhibitory styrylpyrone-type metabolite named penstyrylpyrone (1), and two known metabolites, anhydrofulvic acid (2) and citromycetin (3). Compounds 1 and 2 inhibited PTP1B activity in a dose-dependent manner, and kinetic analyses of PTP1B inhibition suggested that these compounds inhibited PTP1B activity in a competitive manner. In an effort to gain more biological potential of the isolated compounds, the anti-inflammatory effects of compounds 1–3 were also evaluated. Among the tested compounds, only compound 1 inhibited the production of NO and PGE₂, due to the inhibition of the expression of iNOS and COX-2. Penstyrylpyrone (1) also reduced TNF-α and IL-1β production, and these anti-inflammatory effects were shown to be correlated with the suppression of the phosphorylation and degradation of IκB-α, NF-κB nuclear translocation, and NF-κB DNA binding activity. In addition, using inhibitor tin protoporphyrin (SnPP), an inhibitor of HO-1, it was verified that the inhibitory effects of penstyrylpyrone (1) on the pro-inflammatory mediators and NF-κB DNA binding activity were associated with the HO-1 expression. Therefore, these results suggest that penstyrylpyrone (1) suppresses PTP1B activity, as well as the production of pro-inflammatory mediators via NF-κB pathway, through expression of anti-inflammatory HO-1.     

The mechanical properties of polyurethane foam wound dressing hybridized with alginate hydrogel and jute fiber

The purpose of this study is to fabricate a smart wound dressing by hybridizing hydrophilic polyurethane foam (PUF) and alginate hydrogel. Hydrophilic PUF is used to maintain damaged tissue in a moist environment. Despite its many strong points as a wound dressing, hydrophilic PUF cannot be loaded with ingredients such as growth factors and cytokines that would enhance wound healing. Therefore, we introduce a pH-sensitive alginate hydrogel with the ability to selectively release drugs within the pH range of wounded skin. Due to the small pore size of PUF and the high viscosity of the alginate solution, the two are not easily penetrable. As such, a vacuum method is used to insert alginate hydrogel into the PUF. The optimum conditions for the vacuum method chosen are to be proposed. However, the mechanical strength of PUF decreased after containing alginate hydrogel. Therefore, Na-alginate powder for PUF, various types of crosslinking agents and jute fiber for alginate hydrogel were introduced to improve the mechanical properties of hydrogel/PUF hybrid wound dressing. Three different types of crosslinking agents are used for the gel formation. The most suitable crosslinking agent and its concentration for alginate hydrogel is also determined by the experiments. The experimental results are discussed with proper schemes and reasonable explanations.     

Preparation of monodisperse poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) nanoparticles by dispersion polymerization and heterogeneous surface saponification

Monodisperse poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA)/poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) nanoparticles with a skin-core structure were prepared through heterogeneous surface saponification of PVAc nanoparticles. For the preparation of PVAc nanoparticles with a uniform particle size distribution, vinyl acetate (VAc) was dispersion polymerized in a mixed solvent of ethanol and water using PVA with a low degree of saponification as a stabilizer. Increase of the amount of ethanol in media, the resulting PVAc nanoparticle size increases due to increasing solubility of VAc and oligomer PVAc. To preserve the sphericity and size uniformity of PVAc nanoparticles, we restricted saponification to the surface of the nanoparticles by using a small amount of aqueous sodium hydroxide solution. To determine the proper concentration of alkali solution for heterogeneous saponification, monodisperse PVAc nanoparticles were saponified with different concentrations of alkali solution at 25 °C for 0.5–3.0 h. The PVA/PVAc nanoparticles obtained by the heterogeneous saponification with 4 % (relative to the amount of the VAc) alkali solution for 2.0 h were uniformly shaped and monodispersed with diameter ranging from 428 to 615 nm. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) confirmed the spherical nature and regular skin-core structure of the PVA/PVAc nanoparticles.