Assessing Acetyl-Coenzyme A Carboxylase Activity and Inhibition in Using a Partially Purified Protein Extract.

Acetyl-coenzyme A carboxylase (ACC) catalyzes the ATP-dependent carboxylation of acetyl-CoA into malonyl-CoA, the first step in fatty acid biosynthesis. ACC is increasingly recognized as being crucial for energy metabolism, leading to its emergence as a potential therapeutic target mainly for obesity and cancer. All previous ACC kinetics studies were conducted with pure enzyme preparations and measurements at several substrate concentrations using methods such as radioactivity counting of labeled substrate(s) and/or product(s) or UV estimation of chromatographically resolved components.

Synergistic effects of oncogene inhibition and pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase blockade in resistant NSCLC cells.

The metabolic reprogramming of tumor cells plays a critical role in cancer progression, contributing to drug resistance and tumor survival. Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) have shown promising clinical results by targeting specific signaling pathways in cancer cell proliferation, survival, and metastasis and are now standard of care for NSCLC with actionable mutations. However, secondary resistance to TKIs remains a significant challenge.

Bio-based adhesives from spent coffee grounds: A sustainable pathway using medium chain length polyhydroxyalkanoates.

This study explores the synthesis of medium chain length polyhydroxyalkanoates (mcl-PHA) from Spent Coffee Grounds (SCGs) oil, and its application as a bio-based Pressure Sensitive Adhesive (PSA) for food packaging materials. The mcl-PHA was produced through the bioreactor fermentation of Pseudomonas resinovorans, yielding 40 % (g/g) under single pulse modality. The polymer showed heterogenous monomer composition from C6 to C18, endowed with 20 % unsaturation.

Harnessing Light Wavelengths to Enrich Health-Promoting Molecules in Tomato Fruits.

The tomato ( L.) is one of the most consumed crops worldwide and a source of antioxidants. Given the role the latter play against oxidative stress and free radical-related diseases, enhancing tomato bioactive compound production would be appealing for a wide range of applications in the fields of nutrition, pharmacy, and biotechnology.

A multiplexed LC-MS/MS method to reveal changes in inflammatory and coagulation cascades induced by host infection.

Inflammation has been considered a pivotal player in the most severe forms of respiratory infections like COVID-19, which induces a significant alteration of inflammatory cytokines called cytokine storm. Above the immune system, abnormalities in coagulation parameters have been observed in COVID-19-affected subjects displaying an increased risk of a blood clot causing thromboembolic events. Currently, clinical methods for monitoring infections rely on serological tests that detect the antibody response using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA).

The impact of glyphosate at regulatory "safe" levels on reproductive health: cellular and molecular disruptions on male germ line.

Glyphosate, a widely used herbicide in both agricultural and non-agricultural practices, has become pervasive in the environment, leading to significant human and animal exposure. Despite growing evidence of its potential endocrine-disrupting and reproductive toxicity, European regulatory agencies continue to affirm its safety. This study examines the effects of glyphosate on male reproductive health by exposing adult zebrafish to dietary glyphosate at doses within European safety thresholds.

Unveiling the biological effects of DNA G-quadruplex ligands through multi-omics data integration.

G-quadruplexes (G4s) are non-canonical DNA structures that have proved to play a pivotal role in various biological processes, including telomere maintenance and gene expression regulation. Owing to their prevalence in tumor cells, G4s have emerged as promising targets for cancer therapy, with a substantial body of research demonstrating the potential of G4 ligands as anti-cancer tools. Nonetheless, a comprehensive multi-omics study to fully elucidate the mode of action of G-quadruplex ligands is still lacking.

On-body electrochemical measurement of sweat lactate with the use of paper-based fluidics and 3D-printed flexible wearable biosensor.

Real-time monitoring of sweat lactate provides valuable physiological insights for assessing exercise outcomes and athletic performance. Conventional lactate detection methods, while sensitive, often lack portability and real-time capability for use in wearable or in-body applications. To address these limitations, electrochemical biosensing has emerged as a leading approach, enabling non-invasive and real-time analysis.

A novel CD44-targeting aptamer recognizes chemoresistant mesenchymal stem-like TNBC cells and inhibits tumor growth.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) represents a significant therapeutic challenge owing to the scarcity of targeted medicines and elevated recurrence rates. We previously reported the development of the nuclease-resistant RNA sTN58 aptamer, which selectively targets TNBC cells. Here, sTN58 aptamer was employed to capture and purify its binding target from the membrane protein fraction of cisplatin-resistant mesenchymal stem-like TNBC cells.

KNR50: a moonlighting bioactive peptide hidden in the C-terminus of bovine casein αS2 with powerful antimicrobial, antibiofilm, antiviral and immunomodulatory activities.

Milk is a primary nutrition source for newborns and adults and, in addition, is also a valuable reservoir of bioactive peptides. Many of these peptides are hidden as "cryptic" sequences in milk proteins and released in the bioactive form through protease digestions. Caseins, the most abundant proteins in bovine milk, host several cryptic bioactive peptides including those antimicrobials.

Fixed combination of palmitoylethanolamide and melatonin in preventive therapy of migraine: results from a randomized clinical trial.

Introduction: Migraines are neurological disorders which significantly impact quality of life. Current pharmacological treatments often have adverse effects, prompting the search for alternatives with fewer side effects. Several studies have described the antimigraine properties of palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) and melatonin.

Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the Environment: Occupational Exposure, Health Risks and Fertility Implications.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a group of organic compounds with fused aromatic rings, primarily derived from combustion processes and environmental pollutants. This narrative review discusses the most relevant studies on PAHs, focusing on their sources, environmental and occupational exposure, and effects on human health, emphasizing their roles as carcinogenic, mutagenic, and teratogenic agents. The primary pathways for human exposure to PAHs are through the ingestion of contaminated food (mainly due to some food processing methods, such as smoking and high-temperature cooking techniques), the inhalation of ambient air, and the smoking of cigarettes.

Evaluating Cryopreservation Methods in Biobanking: Impacts on Biomarker Integrity and Omics Data Reliability.

Personalized medicine emphasizes prevention and early diagnosis by developing genetic screening and biomarker assessment tools. Biobanks, including University of Piemonte Orientale (UPO) Biobank, support this effort by providing high-quality biological samples collected, processed, and stored using optimized standardized protocols. To determine the optimal long-term storage conditions for biospecimens used in biomedical research, we evaluated plasma and serum samples cryopreserved using two storage methods, cryovials and straws, across various analytical methodologies with differing sensitivity and robustness.

Identifying G-quadruplex-interacting proteins in cancer-related gene promoters.

G-quadruplexes (G4s) are noncanonical DNA or RNA secondary structures involved in numerous biological processes. Their recognition by G4-related proteins (G4RPs) is essential for modulating biological pathways, particularly those associated with transcription and cancer progression. Identifying G4RPs is crucial for understanding their role in diseases like cancer, as these proteins may represent promising therapeutic targets.

Comparative analysis of PFASs concentrations in fur, muscle, and liver of wild roe deer as biomonitoring matrices.

Background: Recently, environmental pollution has become a significant concern for human, animal, and environmental health, fitting within the "One Health" framework. Among the various environmental contaminants, per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) have gathered substantial attention due to their persistence, bioaccumulation, and adverse health effects. This study aimed to compare the levels of 12 PFASs in the fur, liver, and muscle of wild roe deer to evaluate the feasibility of using fur as a non-invasive biomonitoring matrix.

Rapid modulation of interscapular brown adipose tissue mitochondrial activity by ketosis induced by 1,3-butanediol administration to rats.

Some studies indicate that brown adipose tissue (BAT) represents a promising target in the fight against dysmetabolic diseases, with indications suggesting it as a potential target for the effects of ketone bodies. We investigate whether the elevation of plasma levels of the ketone body β-hydroxybutyrate, achieved through the in vivo administration of its precursor 1,3-butanediol (BD) to rats, could impact interscapular BAT (iBAT) mitochondrial biochemistry and functionality. We examined the effects induced by BD within 3 h and after 2 weeks of treatment.

Does gut microbiota dysbiosis impact the metabolic alterations of hydrogen sulfide and lanthionine in patients with chronic kidney disease?

Background: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is characterized by a methionine-related metabolic disorder involving reduced plasma levels of hydrogen sulfide (HS) and increased lanthionine. The gut microbiota influences methionine metabolism, potentially impacting sulfur metabolite dysfunctions in CKD. We evaluated whether gut microbiota dysbiosis contributes to HS and lanthionine metabolic alterations in CKD.

Analytical Investigation of the Profile of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin in Highly Purified Human Menopausal Gonadotrophin Preparations.

Highly purified human menopausal gonadotropin (HP-hMG [Menopur, Ferring Pharmaceuticals, Saint-Prex, Switzerland]) contains a 1:1 ratio of follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). This analysis aimed to assess gonadotropin (FSH, LH and hCG) abundance in HP-hMG and clarify the source of hCG by assessing the presence of sulfated glycans, which are diagnostic for pituitary hCG forms due to their distinct glycosylation patterns. Additionally, the purity of each sample, their specific components, and their oxidation levels were assessed.

The antimicrobial peptide Temporin-L induces vesicle formation and reduces the virulence in .

The evolution of methicillin-resistant () has required the development of new antimicrobial agents and new approaches to prevent and overcome drug resistance. AntiMicrobial Peptides (AMPs) represent promising alternatives due to their rapid bactericidal activity and their broad-spectrum of action against a wide range of microorganisms. The amphibian Temporins constitute a well-known family of AMPs with high antibacterial properties against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria.

Determination of Fertility Hormones and Adipokines by LC-MRM/MS Analysis.

Due to the increase in the rate of male and female infertility, assisted fertilization practices are currently adopted as valid support for couples unable to get pregnant. Analytical approaches for fertility hormone dosages are constantly being developed, following the technological progress of fertilization methods that have evolved for more than a century. Indeed, the analysis of fertility hormones in serum samples is a common clinical practice to check the fertility state, but absolute quantification of these hormones is a great challenge due to biological variability and low serum concentrations.

Assessing the Potential of -Butyl-l-deoxynojirimycin (l-NBDNJ) in Models of Cystic Fibrosis as a Promising Antibacterial Agent.

Over the past few years, l-iminosugars have revealed attractive pharmacological properties for managing rare diseases including Cystic Fibrosis (CF). The iminosugar -butyl-l-deoxynojirimycin (l-NBDNJ, -), prepared by a carbohydrate-based route, was herein evaluated for its anti-inflammatory and anti-infective potential in models of CF lung disease infection. A significant decrease in the bacterial load in the airways was observed in the murine model of chronic infection in the presence of l-NBDNJ, also accompanied by a modest reduction of inflammatory cells.

The essential role of aggregation for the emulsifying ability of a fungal CYS-rich protein.

Biosurfactants are in demand by the global market as natural commodities suitable for incorporation into commercial products or utilization in environmental applications. Fungi are promising producers of these molecules and have garnered interest also for their metabolic capabilities in efficiently utilizing recalcitrant and complex substrates, like hydrocarbons, plastic, etc. Within this framework, biosurfactants produced by two Fusarium solani fungal strains, isolated from plastic waste-contaminated landfill soils, were analyzed.

Remediate and sense: alginate beads empowered by portable electrochemical strips for copper ion removal and detection at environmental sites.

The contamination of environmental sites due to the presence of persistent species represents an important issue to be tackled. In particular, the presence of high levels of metals in soil and surface water is more frequent. One of the metals that sometimes exceeds the permissible limit set by regulatory authorities is copper.

Nrf2 Plays a Key Role in Erythropoiesis during Aging.

Aging is characterized by increased oxidation and reduced efficiency of cytoprotective mechanisms. Nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor (Nrf2) is a key transcription factor, controlling the expression of multiple antioxidant proteins. Here, we show that Nrf2 mice displayed an age-dependent anemia, due to the combined contributions of reduced red cell lifespan and ineffective erythropoiesis, suggesting a role of Nrf2 in erythroid biology during aging.