Model organisms for investigating the functional involvement of NRF2 in non-communicable diseases.

Non-communicable chronic diseases (NCDs) are most commonly characterized by age-related loss of homeostasis and/or by cumulative exposures to environmental factors, which lead to low-grade sustained generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), chronic inflammation and metabolic imbalance. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-like 2 (NRF2) is a basic leucine-zipper transcription factor that regulates the cellular redox homeostasis. NRF2 controls the expression of more than 250 human genes that share in their regulatory regions a cis-acting enhancer termed the antioxidant response element (ARE).

Punica granatum L. leaf extract enhances stress tolerance and promotes healthy longevity through HLH-30/TFEB, DAF16/FOXO, and SKN1/NRF2 crosstalk in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Background: Punica granatum L., commonly known as pomegranate, is renowned for its health benefits, primarily associated with the consumption of its fruit and seeds. However, its non-edible parts, including leaves, have been used in traditional medicine as a remedy with anti-inflammatory and anti-diabetic properties.

Rare host variants in ciliary expressed genes contribute to COVID-19 severity in Bulgarian patients.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), a pneumonia with extremely heterogeneous clinical presentation, ranging from asymptomatic to severely ill patients. Previous studies have reported links between the presence of host genetic variants and the outcome of the COVID-19 infection. In our study, we used whole exome sequencing in a cohort of 444 SARS-CoV-2 patients, admitted to hospital in the period October-2020-April-2022, to search for associations between rare pathogenic/potentially pathogenic variants and COVID-19 progression.

Colloid, interface, and foam properties of water-soluble polyglycerol esters solutions.

Hypothesis: Polyglycerol esters of fatty acids are generated via the esterification of a polydisperse mixture of polyglycerol with naturally derived fatty acids. The polymerization process of polyglycerol results in the production of various oligomers, ranging from di-, tri-, and higher-order forms, which contribute to the complexity of final products. The combination of complementary experimental techniques and adequate theoretical interpretations can reveal the wide variety of their physicochemical properties.

Clinical and genetic variability among Bulgarian patients with autosomal recessive spastic ataxia of Charlevoix-Saguenay.

Background: Autosomal recessive spastic ataxia ofCharlevoix-Saguenay (ARSACS) is a rare neurodegenerative disorder characterizedby early-onset cerebellar ataxia, peripheral sensorimotor neuropathy, and lowerlimb spasticity. We present clinical andgenetic data of the first Bulgarian patients diagnosed with ARSACS by wholeexome sequencing (WES).

Methods: Variant filtering was performed usinglocally established pipeline and the selected variants were analysed by Sangersequencing.

Large-Scale Production of Specialized Metabolites In Vitro Cultures.

For centuries plants have been intensively utilized as reliable sources of food, flavoring, and pharmaceutical ingredients. However, plant natural habitats are being rapidly lost due to the climate change and agriculture. Plant biotechnology offers a sustainable approach for the bioproduction of specialized plant metabolites.

Evaluation of Polyphenols Synthesized in Mature Seeds of Common Bean ( L.) Advanced Mutant Lines.

This study aimed to investigate the availability of flavonoids, anthocyanins, and phenolic acids in mutant bean seeds, focusing on M mutant lines, and their corresponding initial and local cultivars. HPLC-DAD-MS/MS and HPLC-MS/MS were used to analyze twenty-eight genotypes of common bean. The obtained results suggest that the mutations resulted in four newly synthesized anthocyanins in the mutant bean seeds, namely, delphinidin 3--glucoside, cyanidin 3--glucoside, pelargonidin 3--glucoside, and petunidin 3--glucoside, in 20 accessions with colored seed shapes out of the total of 28.

Introducing Exome Sequencing as Part of the Diagnostic Algorithm for Pediatric Nephrology Patients in Bulgaria: A Single-Center Experience.

Introduction: In pediatric kidney patients, where clinical presentation is often not fully developed, and renal biopsy is too risky or inconclusive, it may be difficult to establish the underlying pathology. In cases such as these, genetic diagnosis may be used to guide treatment, prognosis, and counseling. Given the large number of genes involved in kidney disease, introducing next-generation sequencing with extended gene panels as part of the diagnostic algorithm presents a viable solution.

Myconoside and Calceolarioside E Restrain UV-Induced Skin Photoaging by Activating NRF2-Mediated Defense Mechanisms.

Chronic and excessive ultraviolet (UVA/UVB) irradiation exposure is known as a major contributor to premature skin aging, which leads to excessive reactive oxygen species generation, disturbed extracellular matrix homeostasis, DNA damage, and chronic inflammation. Sunscreen products are the major preventive option against UVR-induced photodamage, mostly counteracting the acute skin effects and only mildly counteracting accelerated aging. Therefore, novel anti-photoaging and photopreventive compounds are a subject of increased scientific interest.

Icariin Improves Stress Resistance and Extends Lifespan in through and -Driven Hormesis.

Aging presents an increasingly significant challenge globally, driven by the growing proportion of individuals aged 60 and older. Currently, there is substantial research interest in pro-longevity interventions that target pivotal signaling pathways, aiming not only to extend lifespan but also to enhance healthspan. One particularly promising approach involves inducing a hormetic response through the utilization of natural compounds defined as hormetins.

Maackiain Mimics Caloric Restriction through -Mediated Lipid Reduction in .

Obesity prevalence is becoming a serious global health and economic issue and is a major risk factor for concomitant diseases that worsen the quality and duration of life. Therefore, the urgency of the development of novel therapies is of a particular importance. A previous study of ours revealed that the natural pterocarpan, maackiain (MACK), significantly inhibits adipogenic differentiation in human adipocytes through a peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ)-dependent mechanism.

Avian influenza overview September-December 2023.

Between 2 September and 1 December 2023, highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5) outbreaks were reported in domestic (88) and wild (175) birds across 23 countries in Europe. Compared to previous years, the increase in the number of HPAI virus detections in waterfowl has been delayed, possibly due to a later start of the autumn migration of several wild bird species. Common cranes were the most frequently affected species during this reporting period with mortality events being described in several European countries.

Multi-omics identification of a key glycosyl hydrolase gene FtGH1 involved in rutin hydrolysis in Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum).

Rutin, a flavonoid rich in buckwheat, is important for human health and plant resistance to external stresses. The hydrolysis of rutin to quercetin underlies the bitter taste of Tartary buckwheat. In order to identify rutin hydrolysis genes, a 200 genotypes mini-core Tartary buckwheat germplasm resource was re-sequenced with 30-fold coverage depth.

Fermentation characteristics and prebiotic potential of enzymatically synthesized butyryl-fructooligosaccharides.

Existing prebiotics, such as fructo-oligosaccharides (FOSs), can be modified to enhance their functionality or introduce additional functionalities. This study aimed to investigate the fermentation characteristics and prebiotic potential of enzymatically synthesized butyryl-FOSs. The esters were successfully synthesized through the reaction of butyric acid and FOSs using both chemical and enzymatic methods, denoted as A-FOSs and B-FOSs, respectively, for comparative analysis.

Comparative and population genomics of buckwheat species reveal key determinants of flavor and fertility.

Common buckwheat (Fagopyrum esculentum) is an ancient crop with a world-wide distribution. Due to its excellent nutritional quality and high economic and ecological value, common buckwheat is becoming increasingly important throughout the world. The availability of a high-quality reference genome sequence and population genomic data will accelerate the breeding of common buckwheat, but the high heterozygosity due to the outcrossing nature has greatly hindered the genome assembly.

Resequencing of global Lotus corniculatus accessions reveals population distribution and genetic loci, associated with cyanogenic glycosides accumulation and growth traits.

Background: Lotus corniculatus is a widely distributed perennial legume whose great adaptability to different environments and resistance to barrenness make it an excellent forage and ecological restoration plant. However, its molecular genetics and genomic relationships among populations are yet to be uncovered.

Result: Here we report on a genomic variation map from worldwide 272 L.

Magnetic Behavior of Trigonal (Bi-)pyramidal 3d Mononuclear Nanomagnets: The Case of [Ni(MDABCO)Cl]ClO.

This paper attempts to shed light on the origin of the magnetic behavior specific to trigonal bi- and pyramidal 3d mono- and polynuclear nanomagnets. The focus lies on entirely unraveling the system's intrinsic microscopic mechanisms and fundamental quantum mechanical relations governing the underlying electron dynamics. To this end, we develop a self-consistent approach to characterize, in great detail, all electron correlations and the ensuing fine structure of the energy spectra of a broad class of 3d systems.

Anti-Adipogenic Activity of and Its Secondary Metabolites.

Besides their common use as an adaptogen, (Willd.) Iljin. rhizome and its root extract (RCE) are also reported to beneficially affect lipid metabolism.

The Triterpenoid Nrf2 Activator, CDDO-Me, Decreases Neutrophil Senescence in a Murine Model of Joint Damage.

The synthetic 2-cyano-3,12-dioxo-oleana-1,9(11)-dien-28-oic acid methyl ester (CDDO-Me) is a potent activator of the erythroid 2-p45-derived factor 2, Nrf2, a leucine-zipper regulator of the antioxidant response. Herein, we investigated the effect of CDDO-Me on neutrophil function in a murine model of joint damage. Collagenase-induced osteoarthritis (CIOA) was initiated by the intra-articular injection of collagenase in the knee-joint cavity of Balb/c mice.

Multiomics analysis reveals the molecular mechanisms underlying virulence in Rhizoctonia and jasmonic acid-mediated resistance in Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum).

Rhizoctonia solani is a devastating soil-borne pathogen that seriously threatens the cultivation of economically important crops. Multiple strains with a very broad host range have been identified, but only 1 (AG1-IA, which causes rice sheath blight disease) has been examined in detail. Here, we analyzed AG4-HGI 3 originally isolated from Tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum), but with a host range comparable to AG1-IA.

Extract as a Biological Agent for Disease-Modifying Therapy of Collagenase-Induced Mouse Model of Osteoarthritis.

Objectives: Osteoarthritis (OA) is an age-related joint disease that involves the degeneration of cartilage and is the most prevalent form of arthritis, affecting a large part of the population. OA is a multifactorial disorder, and no single etiological mechanism has been found to be common to all forms of the disease. Currently used therapies for control of the disease are mainly nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and corticosteroid medications.

Design and Volatile Compound Profiling of Starter Cultures for Yogurt Preparation.

Stable symbiotic starter cultures were created using selected strains of subsp. and subsp. with antimicrobial activity against pathogens and necessary antibiotic sensitivity, growth kinetic parameters, and metabolic profiles.