The ethanol tolerance in Saccharomyces cerevisiae under a phenomics perspective

Ethanol (EtOH) is a substantial stressor for Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Data integration from strains with different phenotypes, including EtOH stress-responsive lncRNAs, are still not available. We covered these issues seeking systems modifications that drive the divergences between higher (HT) and lower (LT) EtOH tolerant strains under their highest stress conditions. We showed that these phenotypes are neither related to high viability nor faster population rebound after stress relief. LncRNAs work on many stress-responsive systems in a strain-specific manner promoting the EtOH tolerance. Cells use membraneless RNA/protein storage and degradation systems to endure the stress harming, and lncRNAs jointly promote EtOH tolerance. CTA1 and longevity are primer systems promoting phenotype-specific gene expression. The lower cell viability and growth under stress is a by-product of sphingolipids and inositol phosphorylceramide dampening, acerbated in HTs by sphinganine, ERG9, and squalene overloads; LTs diminish this harm by accumulating inositol 1-phosphate. The diauxic shift drives an EtOH buffering by promoting an energy burst under stress, mainly in HTs. Analysis of mutants showed genes and lncRNAs in three strains critical for their EtOH tolerance. Finally, longevity, peroxisome, energy and lipid metabolisms, RNA/protein degradation and storage systems are the main pathways driving the EtOH tolerance phenotypes.

Nanopesticides in Agriculture: Benefits and Challenge in Agricultural Productivity, Toxicological Risks to Human Health and Environment

Nanopesticides are nanostructures with two to three dimensions between 1 to 200 nm, used to carry agrochemical ingredients (AcI). Because of their unique properties, the loading of AcI into nanoparticles offers benefits when compared to free pesticides. However, with the fast development of new engineered nanoparticles for pests’ control, a new type of environmental waste is being produced. This paper describes the nanopesticides sources, the harmful environmental and health effects arising from pesticide exposure. The potential ameliorative impact of nanoparticles on agricultural productivity and ecosystem challenges are extensively discussed. Strategies for controlled release and stimuli-responsive systems for slow, sustained, and targeted AcI and genetic material delivery are reported. Special attention to different nanoparticles source, the environmental behavior of nanopesticides in the crop setting, and the most recent advancements and nanopesticides representative research from experimental results are revised. This review also addresses some issues and concerns in developing, formulating and toxicity pesticide products for environmentally friendly and sustainable agriculture.

Arylazo-1,2,3-Triazoles: “Clicked” Photoswitches for Versatile Functionalization and Electronic Decoupling

The development of light-responsive chemical systems often relies on the rational design and suitable incorporation of molecular photoswitches such as azobenzenes. Linking a photoswitch core with another π-conjugated molecular entity may give rise to intramolecular electronic coupling, which can dramatically impair the photoswitch function. Decoupling strategies have been developed based on additionally inserting a linker that can disrupt the through-bond electronic communication. Here we show that 1,2,3-triazole—a commonly used decoupling spacer—can be directly merged into the azoswitch core to construct a class of “self-decoupling” azoswitches arylazo-1,2,3-triazoles. These heteroaryl azoswitches are easily accessed and readily functionalized using click chemistry. Their photoswitch property can be regulated by structural modification, enabling (near-)quantitative <i>E</i>-<i>Z</i> photoconversion and widely tunable <i>Z</i>-isomer thermal half-lives from days to years. Combined experimental and theoretical results demonstrate that the electronic structure of the photoswitch core is not substantially affected by various substituents attached to the 1,2,3-triazole unit, benefitting from its cross-conjugated nature. The combination of clickable synthesis, tunable photoswitch property and self-decoupling ability, makes arylazo-1,2,3-triazoles intriguing molecular tools in designing photo-responsive systems with desired performance.

Arylazo-1,2,3-Triazoles: “Clicked” Photoswitches for Versatile Functionalization and Electronic Decoupling

The development of light-responsive chemical systems often relies on the rational design and suitable incorporation of molecular photoswitches such as azobenzenes. Linking a photoswitch core with another π-conjugated molecular entity may give rise to intramolecular electronic coupling, which can dramatically impair the photoswitch function. Decoupling strategies have been developed based on additionally inserting a linker that can disrupt the through-bond electronic communication. Here we show that 1,2,3-triazole—a commonly used decoupling spacer—can be directly merged into the azoswitch core to construct a class of “self-decoupling” azoswitches arylazo-1,2,3-triazoles. These heteroaryl azoswitches are easily accessed and readily functionalized using click chemistry. Their photoswitch property can be regulated by structural modification, enabling (near-)quantitative <i>E</i>-<i>Z</i> photoconversion and widely tunable <i>Z</i>-isomer thermal half-lives from days to years. Combined experimental and theoretical results demonstrate that the electronic structure of the photoswitch core is not substantially affected by various substituents attached to the 1,2,3-triazole unit, benefitting from its cross-conjugated nature. The combination of clickable synthesis, tunable photoswitch property and self-decoupling ability, makes arylazo-1,2,3-triazoles intriguing molecular tools in designing photo-responsive systems with desired performance.

Recent Progress in Stimuli Responsive Intelligent Nano Scale Drug Delivery Systems: A special focus towards pH sensitive systems

Stimuli responsive nanocarriers are gaining much attention due to its versatile multifunctional activities including disease diagnosis and treatment. Recently, clinical applications of nano drug delivery systems for cancer treatment make a considerable challenge due to its limited cellular uptake, low bioavailability, poor targetability, stability issues, and unfavourable pharmacokinetics. To overcome these issues researchers are focussing on stimuli responsive systems. Nano carriers elicit its role through endogenous (pH, temperature, enzyme and redox) or exogenous (temperature, light, magnetic field, ultrasound) stimulus. These systems were designed to overcome the shortcomings such as non-specificity and toxicity associated with the conventional drug delivery systems. The pH variation between healthy cells and tumor microenvironment creates a platform towards the generation of pH sensitive nano delivery systems. Herein, we propose to present an overview of various internal and external stimuli responsive behavior based drug delivery systems. Herein the present review will focus specifically on the significance of various pH- responsive nanomaterials such as polymeric nanoparticles, nano micelles, inorganic based pH sensitive drug delivery carriers such as calcium phosphate nanoparticles, and carbon dots in cancer treatment. Moreover, this review elaborates the recent findings on pH based stimuli responsive drug delivery system with special emphasis towards our reported stimuli responsive systems for cancer treatment.

Investigation on [OH−]-responsive systems for construction of one-dimensional hydroxyapatite via a solvothermal method

The concentration of OH− can directly influence the crystal growth of flexible hydroxyapatite nanofibers in oleic acid-assisted solvothermal reaction systems.