In Silico Taste – Toxicological Study of Chlorfenvinphos, Dichlofluanid, Fonofos, or Methacrifos Partial Degradation Products

Toxicity is important factor to human and environment and can be tested in lab and by computerized models. ProTox-II is in Silico method to assess safety of chemicals to minimize risk health threating to human and other living organisms in nature. Taste of material is another character can be calculated in Silico model like virtualtaste. Here, first attempt of using two computerized methods and hypothetical partial degradation products of four toxics materials used to control agricultural productivity was carried out to predicate taste and toxicity characters. LD50, Toxicity Class, organ and end point toxicities, Tox21-Nuclear receptor signaling and stress response pathways of Chlorfenvinphos, Dichlofluanid, Fonofos, and Methacrifos with their hypothetical degradation products were calculated. Hypothetical degradation products were a results of (C-C, C-O, C-N, C-S, C-P, P-O, P-S, or N-S) bond breakage. The hypothesized degradation chemicals showed that most of them were with sour taste and their toxicity were less class compared to the parent compound but not to non-toxic material (Class 6, LD50 more than 5000 mg/kg). Also, they were structurally toxics and could be interact with molecular cellular target resulting than parent compound if they presented in required concentration.

Analysis of Genetic Diversity of Myrtle (Myrtus Communis L.) by Using SSR Technique

This research carried out to compare some of the individuals of Myrtle from bushes in different environmental sites (Lattakia, Safita, Qusul Maaf, northern Aleppo and at different altitudes from the sea surface). The genetic diversity of 19 genotypes was tested using simple sequence repeats (SSRs) technique with 10 primers. The results of DNA extraction showed a high molecular size fragment as a band at the top of each lane, additionally to a partial degradation. At the end DNA concentration, integrity and purity were enough for SSR marker. Genetic variations were detected by SSR marker with similarity coefficient ranged between 0.08 – 0.89 based on Dice coefficient. Total of 27 alleles were scored from 19 genotypes, and the number of alleles was ranged between 2 (myrcom8 and 9) and 4 (myrcom2 and 6). The calculated value of polymorphism information content (PIC) was ≤ 0.5. Nineteen genotypes were distributed on three main clusters, two of them II and III included minimum number of genotypes from humid climate sites, while the majority of genotypes was distributed on cluster I in mixed manner.

The formation of a hatching line in the serosal cuticle confers multifaceted adaptive functions on the eggshell of a cicada

Insect eggshells must meet various demands of developing embryos. These demands sometimes conflict with each other; therefore, there are tradeoffs between eggshell properties, such as robustness and permeability. To meet these conflicting demands, particular eggshell structures have evolved in diverse insect species. Here, we report a rare eggshell structure found in the eggshell of a cicada, Cryptotympana facialis. This species has a prolonged egg period with embryonic diapause and a trait of humidity-inducible hatching, which would impose severe demands on the eggshell. We found that in eggs of this species, unlike many other insect eggs, a dedicated cleavage site, known as a hatching line, was formed not in the chorion but in the serosal cuticle. The hatching line was composed of a fine furrow accompanied by ridges on both sides. This furrow-ridge structure formed in the terminal phase of embryogenesis through the partial degradation of an initially thick and nearly flat cuticle layer. We showed that the permeability of the eggshell was low in the diapause stage, when the cuticle was thick, and increased with degradation of the serosal cuticle. We also demonstrated that the force required to cleave the eggshell was reduced after the formation of the hatching line. These results suggest that the establishment of the hatching line on the serosal cuticle enables flexible modification of eggshell properties during embryogenesis, and we predict that it is an adaptation to maximize the protective role of the shell during the long egg period while reducing the barrier to emerging nymphs at the time of hatching.

Degraded Arabinogalactans and Their Binding Properties to Cancer-Associated Human Galectins

Galectins represent β-galactoside-binding proteins with numerous functions. Due to their role in tumor progression, human galectins-1, -3 and -7 (Gal-1, -3 and -7) are potential targets for cancer therapy. As plant derived glycans might act as galectin inhibitors, we prepared galactans by partial degradation of plant arabinogalactan-proteins. Besides commercially purchased galectins, we produced Gal-1 and -7 in a cell free system and tested binding capacities of the galectins to the galactans by biolayer-interferometry. Results for commercial and cell-free expressed galectins were comparable confirming functionality of the cell-free produced galectins. Our results revealed that galactans from Echinacea purpurea bind to Gal-1 and -7 with KD values of 1–2 µM and to Gal-3 slightly stronger with KD values between 0.36 and 0.70 µM depending on the sensor type. Galactans from the seagrass Zostera marina with higher branching of the galactan and higher content of uronic acids showed stronger binding to Gal-3 (0.08–0.28 µM) compared to galactan from Echinacea. The results contribute to knowledge on interactions between plant polysaccharides and galectins. Arabinogalactan-proteins have been identified as a new source for production of galactans with possible capability to act as galectin inhibitors.

CD95 expression in triple negative breast cancer blocks induction of an inflammatory state through differential regulation of NF-kB Signaling

CD95L is expressed by tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes to eliminate CD95-expressing tumor cells and thereby CD95 loss by tumor cells is often considered as a consequence of an immunoediting process. Nonetheless CD95 expression is maintained in most triple negative breast cancers (TNBCs), and we recently reported that CD95 loss in TNBC cells triggers the induction of a pro-inflammatory program promoting the recruitment of cytotoxic NK and CD8+ T-cells and impairing tumor growth. Using a comprehensive proteomic approach, we have identified two yet unknown CD95 interaction partners, Kip1 ubiquitination-promoting complex protein 2 (KPC2) and p65. KPC2 contributes to the partial degradation of p105 (NFκB1) and the subsequent generation of p50 homodimers, which transcriptionally represses pro-inflammatory NF-κB-driven gene expression. Mechanistically, KPC2 directly interacts with the C-terminal region of CD95 and links the receptor to RelA (p65) and KPC1, the catalytic subunit of the KPC complex that acts as E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase promoting the partial degradation of p105 into p50. Loss of CD95 in TNBC cells releases KPC2, limiting the formation of the NF-κB inhibitory homodimer complex (p50/p50), promoting NF-κB activation and the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines including CSF1, CSF2, CXCL1 and IL1 members, known to promote recruitment and differentiation of certain adaptive and innate immune effector cells.

Kinetic Modelling of Biodegradability Data of Commercial Polymers Obtained under Aerobic Composting Conditions

Methods to treat kinetic data for the biodegradation of different plastic materials are comparatively discussed. Different samples of commercial formulates were tested for aerobic biodegradation in compost, following the standard ISO14855. Starting from the raw data, the conversion vs. time entries were elaborated using relatively simple kinetic models, such as integrated kinetic equations of zero, first and second order, through the Wilkinson model, or using a Michaelis Menten approach, which was previously reported in the literature. The results were validated against the experimental data and allowed for computation of the time for half degradation of the substrate and, by extrapolation, estimation of the final biodegradation time for all the materials tested. In particular, the Michaelis Menten approach fails in describing all the reported kinetics as well the zeroth- and second-order kinetics. The biodegradation pattern of one sample was described in detail through a simple first-order kinetics. By contrast, other substrates followed a more complex pathway, with rapid partial degradation, subsequently slowing. Therefore, a more conservative kinetic interpolation was needed. The different possible patterns are discussed, with a guide to the application of the most suitable kinetic model.

Single and Multiple Inoculum of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum Strains in Table Olive Lab-Scale Fermentations

In order to improve the olives’ quality, and to reduce the de-bittering time during the table olive fermentation process, it is necessary to pilot the fermentation by inoculating the brine with selected cultures of microorganisms. Some probiotic tests, such as resistance/sensitivity to antibiotics, bile salt hydrolase (BSH) activity, growth at acidic pH, an auto-aggregation assay, and a test of the production of exopolysaccharides, were carried out in order to screen 35 oleuropeinolytic Lactiplantibacillus plantarum subsp. plantarum strains to be used in guided fermentations of table olives. On the basis of the technological and probiotic screening, we analyzed the progress of three different lab-scale fermentations of Olea europaea L. Itrana cv. olives inoculated with spontaneous, single, and multiple starters: jar A was left to ferment spontaneously; jar B was inoculated with a strongly oleuropeinolytic strain (L. plantarum B1); jar C was inoculated with a multiple inoculum (L. plantarum B1 + L. plantarum B51 + L. plantarum B124). The following parameters were monitored during the fermentation: pH, titratable acidity, NaCl concentration, the degradation of bio-phenols, and the enrichment rate of hydroxytyrosol and tyrosol in the olive’s flesh, oil and brine. The degradation of secoiridoid glucosides appeared to be faster in the inoculated jars than in the spontaneously-fermented jar. The production of hydroxytyrosol and ligstroside aglycons was high. This indicated a complete degradation of the oleuropein and a partial degradation of the ligstroside. The multiple inoculum ensured a complete debittering, and could give probiotic traits. The presence of L. plantarum B1 and B124 as a fermentation starter guarantees an optimal trend of de-bittering and fermentation variables, thus ensuring the production of a better final product. L. plantarum B51 could be considered to be a promising probiotic candidate for obtaining probiotic food of completely vegetable origin.