Seed-competent tau monomer initiates pathology in PS19 tauopathy mice

Tau aggregation into ordered assemblies causes myriad neurodegenerative tauopathies. We previously reported that tau monomer exists in either inert (Mi) or seed-competent (Ms) conformational ensembles, and that Ms encodes strains, which are biologically active, self-propagating assemblies. We have previously isolated Ms from tauopathy brains, but it is unknown if disease begins with Ms formation followed by fibril assembly, or if Ms derives from fibrils and is an epiphenomenon. Consequently, we studied a tauopathy mouse model (PS19) that expresses full-length human (1N4R) tau containing a disease-associated mutation (P301S). Using tau repeat domain biosensor cells, we detected insoluble tau seeding activity at 2 months. We found insoluble tau protein assemblies by immunoblot at 3 months. We next immunopurified monomer from mice aged 1-6 weeks using size exclusion chromatography. We detected soluble seeding activity at 4 weeks, before insoluble material or larger assemblies, with assemblies ranging from n=1-3 tau units. By 5 and 6 weeks, large soluble assemblies had formed. This indicated the first detectable pathological forms of tau were Ms. We next tested for post-translational modifications of tau monomer from 1-6 weeks. We detected no phosphorylation unique to Ms in PS19 or Alzheimer disease brain. We conclude that tauopathy begins with formation of Ms monomer, whose activity is phosphorylation-independent. Ms self-assembles to form oligomers before it forms insoluble fibrils. The conversion of tau monomer from Mi to Ms thus constitutes the first detectable step in the initiation of tauopathy in this mouse model, with obvious implications for origins of disease in humans.

Evaluation of the Cultivation of Aspergillus oryzae on Organic Waste-Derived VFA Effluents and Its Potential Application as Alternative Sustainable Nutrient Source for Animal Feed

Considering the projected demand for protein supplementation in animal feed, as well as prioritizing plant-based protein provision for the growing human population, great stress is imposed on conventional protein sources, calling for new sustainable alternatives. In this regard, the production and application of single-cell proteins (SCPs) has proven to be a promising alternative. Therefore, in this study, volatile fatty acids (VFAs) effluents recovered from anaerobically digested FW, CKM, CM, and their combinations were applied for the cultivation of edible filamentous fungi Aspergillus oryzae. The biomass was further evaluated considering its protein, fat and alkali insoluble material contents. The maximum fungal biomass yielded of 0.47 ± 0.00 and 0.37 ± 0.00 g dry biomass/g tVFAsCODeq.consumed, with up to 47% protein and 5% fat content successfully cultivated in shake flasks and bench scale reactors, respectively. In addition to the production of protein-rich biomass, significant reductions in medium COD (25–58%) and ammonium (33–48%) were achieved. The results presented in this research work imply that using waste-derived VFAs for the production of animal feed grade SCP is an innovative approach that can contribute to the economy and sustainability of animal feed production process.

Mg, K-containing microparticle: A possible active principle of a culture extract produced by a microbial consortium

A synthetic microbial consortium called Effective Microorganisms (EM) consists mainly of photosynthetic bacteria, lactic acid bacteria and yeast. Various effects of EM∙XGOLD, a health drink produced by EM, on life cycle of Dictyostelium discoideum were described previously. Here, we report our attempt to identify the active principle, termed EMF, that brought about the observed effects. Throughout the purification processes, the presence of the active principle was monitored by promoted fruiting body formation. By liquid-liquid separation the activity was recovered in aqueous phase, which, after concentration, was further subjected to reverse-phase column chromatography. No activity was detected in any eluant, while almost all the activity was recovered in residual insoluble material. The application of conventional organic chemistry procedures to the residual fraction did not lead to any informative results. Acid treatment of the insoluble material produced air bubbles, suggesting it to be composed of some inorganic carbonate. Viewed under scanning electronmicroscope, the residue revealed spherical particles of μm size range. Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) Spectroscopy pointed to the existence, on the surface of the particles, of magnesium and, to a certain extent, of potassium. In separate experiments, acid treatment and alkali neutralization of EM∙XGOLD completely wiped out the stimulatory activity of fruiting body formation. These lines of evidence indicate these Mg, K-containing microparticles to be an active principle of EM culture extract. How these particles exert their effect is currently under intensive investigation.

Effect of VCO and Castor Oil Concentrations on Physicochemical Properties of Patikan Kebo (Euphorbia hirta) Liquid Handsoap

This study aimed to investigate the impact of VCO and castor oil compositions on the physicochemical properties of liquid soap from patikan kebo (Euphorbia hirta) extract and compare it with the marketed liquid hand-soap. The liquid hand-soap was manufactured by adding patikan kebo extract with VCO and castor oil as fatty acid sources. The concentration of VCO and castor oil were varied in 5 formula with ratio 1 : 0, 3 : 1, 1 : 1, 1 : 3, and 0 : 1 of 200 mL of soap perspectively. Several tests such as organoleptic inspection, homogeneity, density, viscosity, foam volume and stability, pH, insoluble materials, free fatty acids, total active ingredients, and total plate number, were performed to determine the physicochemical properties of prepared handsoap. The results of the five formulas were known to the greater VCO the higher the viscosity and percent height of foam, the greater the castor oil the higher the value of specific gravity The five liquid soap formulas produced meet the requirements of SNI 2588-2017. The second liquid soap formula with a ratio of VCO and castor oil 3: 1 was declared to be the best product with free fatty acid 0.78%, pH 8.31, total active ingredient 24.3%, ethanol insoluble material 0.29%, specific gravity 1.09 g/mL, foam high stability 82.85%, and no colonies in testing the Total Plate Figures. It can be concluded that variations in the concentration of VCO and castor oil may affect the physicochemical properties of liquid soap for hand washing extracted from Patikan kebo.

Intestinal Absorption of β-Glucans and Their Effect on the Immune System

β-glucan is a generic term for insoluble dietary fibers exerting various effects on the immune system. As a group, β-glucans are non-cellulose polysaccharides composed of a glucopyranose as the main constituent sugar with β configuration, having a β- (1,3)-linked glucopyranose main chain as a common feature. β-glucans are absorbed through the intestine. Since the 1980s, there have been many studies reporting various effects of β-glucans on the immune system, including reports on receptors, that have slowly clarified their recognition system and action mechanisms. However, these studies focused mostly on treatments of infectious diseases and tumors; thus, the effects of β-glucans ingested in food as dietary fiber and their mechanisms of action remain largely unknown. The uptake of β-glucan into the body may be resemble that of proteins, which are soluble polymers, and insoluble material such as dietary fiber. Dietary fibers have varied structures, with wide-ranging solubility and physiological effects. Understanding whether these substances are actually taken up, how they exert their effects, and their metabolism after being taken up are important issues when considering the functionality and safety of dietary fibers.

CCN properties of pollen from selected wind pollinated plants

<p>Aerosol particles that act as cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) inuence cloud albedo and lifetime and thereby affect the planetary radiative balance. The indirect aerosol effect on climate is still one of the largest uncertainties and especially the role of biological particles is not yet well described. Pollen grains are primary biological particles that become airborne during the blooming season of plants. Pollen from wind pollinated plants represent a seasonally signifficant portion of the organic aerosol in the atmosphere. Intact pollen grains are rather large (10-100 µm) but under conditions of high humidity pollen grains have been shown to rupture and release cytoplasmic material including a large number of particles much smaller in size (0.5-5 µm).</p><p>In this study we extract soluble and insoluble material from several pollen samples (<em>Phleum,</em> <em>Betula</em>, <em>Artimesia</em>, <em>Poa</em>, <em>Corylus</em> and <em>Ambrosia</em>) and investigate the CCN activity of the extracts in a laboratory study. The main component of the experiment is the continuous-flow streamwise thermal-gradient cloud condensation nuclei counter (CCNC) from Droplet Measurement Technologies (DMT). The CCNC was calibrated with (NH<sub>4</sub>)2SO<sub>4</sub>. The activation behavior of (NH<sub>4</sub>)2SO<sub>4</sub> is theoretically well described by Kohler equation. For particles which consist of a multitude of organic components it is convenient to represent the chemical composition through the hygroscopicity parameter κ. In the first part of the experiment, we determine the activation diameter at 5 different supersaturations and calculate the kappa parameter for all pollen samples. We find that the values fall in the range from 0.1-0.2. which is typical for particles composed of organic substances. Extracts from <em>Betula</em> pollen show the highest hygroscopicity (κ = 0.18), while extracts from <em>Artimesia</em> exhibit the lowest hygroscopicity (κ = 0.13). In the second part of the experiment we will also investigate the CCN activity of the insoluble material.</p>

A New Method for the Authentication of Australian Honey

The honey bee industry in Australia is small but has a big impact on both producers and consumers. Alarmingly, it has been recently reported that an international laboratory, specializing in honey authentication, found that almost half of the 28 blended and imported honey samples selected from Australian supermarket shelves were “adulterated”. The Official method of honey analysis (AOAC 998.12) is based on the stable-isotope ratio mass spectrometry analysis of δ13C value of honey versus δ13C of honey protein to detect the addition of C4 plant derived sugars, such as cane sugar or high fructose corn syrup. This method is used as the primary C4 sugar adulteration test around the world, but honey derived from some Australian plants, particularly Manuka (Leptospermum species), fails this process. Our research aims to examine the characteristics of Australian honey and develop a test that is fit for purpose, particularly where honeys derived from Leptospermum species are concerned. We have focused on the isotopic values of “proteins” precipitated using the standard AOAC method and “proteins” precipitated after incorporation of a further modification step which removes insoluble material (including pollen) from the honey before precipitation. Our modified method includes the analysis of different isotopes of the precipitated protein, sugar profiles and Manuka markers. A key advantage of the proposed modification is that it does not preclude the detection of residual sugar feeding of bees or extension of honey with C4 sugar. The proposed modification to the AOAC test will reduce false identification of C4 sugars and improve the overall reliability of Australian honey authentication.

Redox mediators accelerate electrochemically-driven solubility cycling of molecular transition metal complexes

We present an example of electrochemically-driven solubility cycling of a molecular transition metal complex and report a novel strategy for catalytically enhancing the oxidation of an insoluble material using homogeneous redox mediators.

Activity of photosynthetic Reaction Centers coated with polydopamine

Dilute aqueous solutions of dopamine buffered to an alkaline pH and in the presence of dissolved oxygen undergo to a series of autoxidation and rearrangement reactions that lead to the formation of a dark insoluble material called polydopamine (PDA) with melanin reminiscent properties. In this work we carried out this reaction in the presence of the photosynthetic reaction center (RC), a transmembrane pigment-protein complex responsible for the first light-induced reactions in the photosynthetic process. We have found that PDA grows in colloidal form around the RC and in the appropriate conditions the protein is entrapped in the PDA matrix without loss of functionality. The protein is still capable to perform its natural photocycle leading to the generation of photocurrents and the ubiquinone acceptor complex function is modulated by the PDA/RC ratio.

Transparent Soap from Virgin Coconut Oil with Addition of Papaya Fruit Flesh Extract

This research was aimed to get the best transparent soap from virgin coconut oil with addition of papaya fruit flesh extract. Research method used completely randomized design (CRD) which consisted of five treatments and repeated three times. Addition of papaya fruit extract were 10 g, 20 g, 30 g, and 40 g into 200 g soap stock. Data were analyzed by using analysis of variance and continued with duncan’s new multiple range test at 5%. Parameters of the transparent soap observed were chemical properties and organoleptic test. Result of ANOVA showed that free fatty acid, free alkali, and insoluble material in ethanol had met the standard of solid soap SNI 3532-2016 except for water content and total fatty acid. Based on this research, the best formula of transparent soap was with addition of papaya fruit flesh extract 40 g which had 29.87% moisture content, 30.46% total fatty acid, 1.06%, insoluble material in ethanol, 0.15% free fatty acid, 0% free alkali, 9.03 pH, 89.43% foam stability, and 349.55µg/ml antioxidant activity. Sensory assessment of soap by panelist showed that the soap had an orange color, papaya scented, soft texture, and overall hedonic was a little bit liked by panelist.