The Langmuir Monolayer as a Model Membrane System for Studying the Interactions of Poly(Butyl Cyanoacrylate) Nanoparticles with Phospholipids at the Air/Water Interface.

Poly(butyl cyanoacrylate) (PBCA) nanoparticles have numerous applications, including drug and gene delivery, molecular imaging, and cancer therapy. To uncover the molecular mechanisms underlying their interactions with cell membranes, we utilized a Langmuir monolayer as a model membrane system. This approach enabled us to investigate the processes of penetration and reorganization of PBCA nanoparticles when deposited in a phospholipid monolayer subphase.

Measuring the Equilibrium Spreading Pressure-A Tale of Three Amphiphiles.

A surfactant's equilibrium spreading pressure (ESP) is the maximum decrease in surface tension achievable at equilibrium below the Krafft point. Difficulties in measuring the ESP have been noted previously but no well-established experimental protocols to overcome them exist. We present a case study of three solid amphiphiles with different propensities to spread on the air-water interface.

Electrolytes at Uncharged Liquid Interfaces: Adsorption, Potentials, Surface Tension, and the Role of the Surfactant Monolayer.

The article summarizes the results of our research on the behavior of ions at uncharged fluid interfaces, with a focus on moderately to highly concentrated aqueous electrolytes. The ion-specific properties of such interfaces have been analyzed. The ion-specificity series are different for water|air and water|oil; different for surface tension , surface Δ potential and electrolyte adsorption, and they change with concentration.

Sensing and Microbiological Activity of a New Blue Fluorescence Polyamidoamine Dendrimer Modified with 1,8-Naphthalimide Units.

A novel second-generation blue fluorescent polyamidoamine dendrimer peripherally modified with sixteen 4--dimethylaninoethyloxy-1,8-naphthalimide units was synthesized. Its basic photophysical characteristics were investigated in organic solvents of different polarity. It was found that in these solvents, the dendrimer is colorless and emitted blue fluorescence with different intensities depending on their polarity.

Quantifying the Hydrophobic Effect per CF Moiety from Adsorption of Fluorinated Alcohols at the Water/Oil Interface.

Amphiphilic fluorocarbon substances are a trending topic of research due to their wide range of applications accompanied by an alarming environmental and health impact. In order to predict their fate in the environment, use them more economically, develop new water treatment methods, etc., a better understanding of their physicochemical behavior is required.

Green Biologics: Harnessing the Power of Plants to Produce Pharmaceuticals.

Plants are increasingly used for the production of high-quality biological molecules for use as pharmaceuticals and biomaterials in industry. Plants have proved that they can produce life-saving therapeutic proteins (Elelyso™-Gaucher's disease treatment, ZMapp™-anti-Ebola monoclonal antibodies, seasonal flu vaccine, Covifenz™-SARS-CoV-2 virus-like particle vaccine); however, some of these therapeutic proteins are difficult to bring to market, which leads to serious difficulties for the manufacturing companies. The closure of one of the leading companies in the sector (the Canadian biotech company Medicago Inc.

The Re-Emergence of Hepatitis E Virus in Europe and Vaccine Development.

Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is one of the leading causes of acute viral hepatitis. Transmission of HEV mainly occurs via the fecal-oral route (ingesting contaminated water or food) or by contact with infected animals and their raw meat products. Some animals, such as pigs, wild boars, sheep, goats, rabbits, camels, rats, etc.

The Fascinating World of Plant Non-Coding RNAs.

Non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), such as microRNAs (miRNAs), short interfering RNAs (siRNAs), and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), have emerged as pivotal regulators within the plant kingdom [...

Measuring the Adsorption of Electrolytes on Lipid Monolayers.

The interactions between ions and lipid monolayers have captivated the attention of biologists and chemists alike for almost a century. In the absence of experimentally accessible concentration profiles, the electrolyte adsorption remains the most informative quantitative characteristic of the ion-lipid interactions. However, there is no established procedure to obtain the electrolyte adsorption on spread lipid monolayers.

The Plant Viruses and Molecular Farming: How Beneficial They Might Be for Human and Animal Health?

Plant viruses have traditionally been studied as pathogens in the context of understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms of a particular disease affecting crops. In recent years, viruses have emerged as a new alternative for producing biological nanomaterials and chimeric vaccines. Plant viruses were also used to generate highly efficient expression vectors, revolutionizing plant molecular farming (PMF).

The Multiverse of Plant Small RNAs: How Can We Explore It?

Plant small RNAs (sRNAs) are a heterogeneous group of noncoding RNAs with a length of 20-24 nucleotides that are widely studied due to their importance as major regulators in various biological processes. sRNAs are divided into two main classes-microRNAs (miRNAs) and small interfering RNAs (siRNAs)-which differ in their biogenesis and functional pathways. Their identification and enrichment with new structural variants would not be possible without the use of various high-throughput sequencing (NGS) techniques, allowing for the detection of the total population of sRNAs in plants.

Plant-based expression and characterization of SARS-CoV-2 virus-like particles presenting a native spike protein.

We have investigated the use of transient expression to produce virus-like particles (VLPs) of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2, the causative agent of COVID-19, in Nicotiana benthamiana. Expression of a native form of the spike (S) protein, either alone or in combination with the envelope (E) and membrane (M) proteins, all of which were directed to the plant membranes via their native sequences, was assessed. The full-length S protein, together with degradation products, could be detected in total protein extracts from infiltrated leaves in both cases.

Plant-Derived Recombinant Vaccines against Zoonotic Viruses.

Emerging and re-emerging zoonotic diseases cause serious illness with billions of cases, and millions of deaths. The most effective way to restrict the spread of zoonotic viruses among humans and animals and prevent disease is vaccination. Recombinant proteins produced in plants offer an alternative approach for the development of safe, effective, inexpensive candidate vaccines.

Identification of serum microRNA signatures associated with autism spectrum disorder as promising candidate biomarkers.

Background: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short non-coding RNA molecules with a well-recognized role in gene expression mostly at the post-transcriptional level. Recently, dysregulation of miRNAs and miRNA-mRNA interactions has been associated with CNS diseases, including numerous psychiatric disorders. Dynamic changes in the expression profiles of circulating miRNA are nowadays regarded as promising non-invasive biomarkers that may facilitate the accurate and timely diagnosis of complex conditions.

Analysis of the complete mitochondrial genome sequence of the resurrection plant Haberlea rhodopensis.

Haberlea rhodopensis is a paleolithic tertiary relict species that belongs to the unique group of resurrection plants sharing remarkable tolerance to desiccation. When exposed to severe drought stress, this species shows an ability to maintain structural integrity of its deactivated photosynthetic apparatus, which easily reactivates upon rehydration. In addition to its homoiochlorophyllous nature, the resurrection capability of H.

Efficient Production of Chimeric Hepatitis B Virus-Like Particles Bearing an Epitope of Hepatitis E Virus Capsid by Transient Expression in .

The core antigen of hepatitis B virus (HBcAg) is capable of self-assembly into virus-like particles (VLPs) when expressed in a number of heterologous systems. Such VLPs are potential carriers of foreign antigenic sequences for vaccine design. In this study, we evaluated the production of chimeric HBcAg VLPs presenting a foreign epitope on their surface, the 551-607 amino acids (aa) immunological epitope of the ORF2 capsid protein of hepatitis E virus.

Increasing Hepatitis E Virus Seroprevalence in Domestic Pigs and Wild Boar in Bulgaria.

(1) Background: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a causative agent of acute viral hepatitis, predominantly transmitted by the fecal-oral route. In developed countries, HEV is considered to be an emerging pathogen since the number of autochthonous cases is rising. Hepatitis E is a viral disease with a proven zoonotic potential for some of its genotypes.

Rapid High-Yield Transient Expression of Swine Hepatitis E ORF2 Capsid Proteins in Plants and Production of Chimeric Hepatitis E Virus-Like Particles Bearing the M2e Influenza Epitope.

The Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a causative agent of acute hepatitis, mainly transmitted by the fecal-oral route or zoonotic. Open reading frame (ORF) 2 encodes the viral capsid protein, which is essential for virion assembly, host interaction, and inducing neutralizing antibodies. In this study, we investigated whether full-length and N- and C-terminally modified versions of the capsid protein transiently expressed in plants could assemble into highly-immunogenic, virus-like particles (VLPs).

Correction: Barrier kinetics of adsorption-desorption of alcohol monolayers on water under constant surface tension.

Correction for 'Barrier kinetics of adsorption-desorption of alcohol monolayers on water under constant surface tension' by Ivan L. Minkov et al., Soft Matter, 2019, DOI: 10.

Barrier kinetics of adsorption-desorption of alcohol monolayers on water under constant surface tension.

The desorption of spread decanol and dodecanol monolayers at controlled constant surface tension is shown to proceed under mixed barrier-diffusion control; the role of the convective diffusion is also discussed. The desorption rate is measured as a function of the density of the monolayer and the temperature. The rate of barrier desorption increases as the monolayer approaches the collapse point, reaching an infinite value.

Transposon-associated polymorphisms of stress-responsive gene promoters in selected accessions of Arabidopsis thaliana.

Genetic diversity caused by transposable element movement can play an important role in plant adaptation to local environments. Regarding genes, transposon-induced alleles were mostly related to gene bodies and a few of them to promoter regions. In this study, promoter regions of 9 stress-related genes were searched for transposable element insertions in 12 natural accessions of Arabidopsis thaliana.

Detection of Serum Antibodies to Hepatitis E Virus Based on HEV Genotype 3 ORF2 Capsid Protein Expressed in Nicotiana benthamiana.

Background: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) causes epidemics in developing countries and is primarily transmitted through the fecal-oral route. There have been recent reports on the zoonotic spread of the virus, and several animal species, primarily pigs, have been recognized as reservoirs of HEV. Because of its possible spread, there is an urgent need of a method for the cost-effective production of HEV proteins that can be used as diagnostic antigens for the serological detection of anti-HEV antibodies.

Adsorption of Ions at Uncharged Insoluble Monolayers.

A method is proposed for the experimental determination of the adsorption of inorganic electrolytes at a surface covered with insoluble surfactant monolayer. This task is complicated by the fact that the change of the salt concentration alters both chemical potentials of the electrolyte and the surfactant. Our method resolves the question by combining data for the surface pressure versus area of the monolayer at several salt concentrations with data for the equilibrium spreading pressure of crystals of the surfactant (used to fix a standard state).

Detection of Potato spindle tuber viroid sequence variants derived from PSTVd-infected in flower organs of tomato plants.

Potato spindle tuber viroid (PSTVd) is an infectious small, circular, non-coding single-stranded RNA that induces disease on many crop species, ornamental plants, weeds and parasitic plants. PSTVd propagate in their host as a population of closely related but non-identical RNA variants referred to as quasispecies. Recently, we have described three arising PSTVd variants in the parasitic plant after mechanical inoculation with the PSTVd KF440-2 isolate.

Equilibrium and dynamic osmotic behaviour of aqueous solutions with varied concentration at constant and variable volume.

Osmosis is essential for the living organisms. In biological systems the process usually occurs in confined volumes and may express specific features. The osmotic pressure in aqueous solutions was studied here experimentally as a function of solute concentration (0.