High-quality genome of a novel Thermosynechococcaceae species from Namibia and characterization of its protein expression patterns at elevated temperatures.

Thermophilic cyanobacteria thrive in extreme environments, making their thermoresistant enzymes valuable for industrial applications. Common habitats include hot springs, which act as evolutionary accelerators for speciation due to geographical isolation. The family Thermosynechococcaceae comprises thermophilic cyanobacteria known for their ability to thrive in high-temperature environments.

Photoelectrochemical detection of microRNAs based on target-triggered self-assembly of energy band position-matched CdS QDs and CN nanosheets.

An ultrasensitive photochemical biosensor based on the target miRNA-triggered catalytic hairpin assembly (CHA) reaction between Au nanoparticles (AuNPs)/CN nanosheets and CdS quantum dots (QDs) was developed for the determination of miRNAs. Firstly, AuNPs/CN nanosheets were immobilized onto a working glassy carbon electrode. Then, the hairpin probe 1 (H1) was loaded through Au-S bonding.

p-Co-BDC/AuNPs-based multiple signal amplification for ultra-sensitive electrochemical determination of miRNAs.

In this work, we report AuNPs-decorated pyrolyzed Co-BDC nanosheets (p-Co-BDC/AuNPs) as high-performance electrocatalyst for developing an electrochemical platform. p-Co-BDC/AuNPs as a new electrocatalyst showed superior electrocatalytic activity towards the electrochemical oxidation of methylene blue (MB). Besides, magnetic p-Co-BDC/AuNPs can be well immobilized on the magnetic glassy carbon electrode without further assistance.

A label-free electrochemical platform based on a thionine functionalized magnetic Fe-N-C electrocatalyst for the detection of microRNA-21.

Taking a composite of a nanomaterial and a signal molecule as a substrate material can provide a label-free electrochemical platform. Besides, the nanomaterial with a high catalytic activity towards the signal molecule can improve the sensitivity of the platform. Herein, a thionine functionalized Fe-N-C nanocomposite was employed as the substrate.

Tuning the near infrared II emitting wavelength of small molecule dyes by single atom alteration.

A series of small molecule dyes demonstrate the feasibility of manipulating Near Infrared II emission by simply altering the donors' heteroatoms, which involved both electronegativity and intramolecular steric effects. Furthermore, these dyes show high resolution and stability for in vivo imaging after being complexed with human serum albumin.

Electrochemical detection of microRNAs based on AuNPs/CNNS nanocomposite with Duplex-specific nuclease assisted target recycling to improve the sensitivity.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are important biomarkers in early diagnosis of disease. In this work, we developed a simple and effective electrochemical biosensor based on Au nanoparticles (AuNPs)/Carbon nitride nanosheet (CNNS) nanocomposite for the miRNAs detection. Duplex-specific nuclease (DSN) and hairpin structure probe were utilized to improve the sensitivity and selectivity respectively.

Mitochondria-targeted delocalized lipophilic cation complexed with human serum albumin for tumor cell imaging and treatment.

Small molecule 5BMF is a novel mitochondria-targeted delocalized lipophilic cation (DLC) with good anti-tumor activity and fluorescence emission suitable for bioimaging. In this study, human serum albumin (HSA) complexed with 5BMF (5BMF@HSA) has been developed to further improve its solubility (from 1.61 to 5.

Anti-HIV Activity of Ocimum labiatum Extract and Isolated Pheophytin-a.

plants are traditionally used to manage HIV/AIDS in various African countries. The effects of extract on HIV-1 protease (PR) and reverse transcriptase (RT) is presented here along with characterization of an identified bioactive compound, achieved through ¹H- and C-NMR. The extract's effect on HIV-1 replication was assessed by HIV-1 p24 antigen capture.

Triterpenoids from Ocimum labiatum Activates Latent HIV-1 Expression In Vitro: Potential for Use in Adjuvant Therapy.

Latent HIV reservoirs in infected individuals prevent current treatment from eradicating infection. Treatment strategies against latency involve adjuvants for viral reactivation which exposes viral particles to antiretroviral drugs. In this study, the effect of novel triterpenoids isolated from on HIV-1 expression was measured through HIV-1 p24 antigen capture in the U1 latency model of HIV-1 infection and in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of infected patients on combination antiretroviral therapy (cART).

Characterization of and seed oils: two melon seed oils from Namibia used in food and cosmetics applications.

The physicochemical characteristics, fatty acid, tocopherol, stigmasterol, β-sitosterol, and H NMR profiles of and melon seed oils were determined and compared among different extraction methods (cold pressing, traditional, and Soxhlet). The oil content was 40.2 ± 3.

In vitro anti-HIV and antioxidant activity of Hoodia gordonii (Apocynaceae), a commercial plant product.

Background: Hoodia gordonii products are widely commercialized for anti-obesity purposes; however, minimal research is available on the other health properties demonstrated by this popular herbal plant.

Methods: H. gordonii crude extracts (ethanol and ethyl acetate) were assayed for in vitro anti-HIV-1 protease (PR), reverse transcriptase (RT) and integrase activity.

Tylosema esculentum (Marama) Tuber and Bean Extracts Are Strong Antiviral Agents against Rotavirus Infection.

Tylosema esculentum (marama) beans and tubers are used as food, and traditional medicine against diarrhoea in Southern Africa. Rotaviruses (RVs) are a major cause of diarrhoea among infants, young children, immunocompromised people, and domesticated animals. Our work is first to determine anti-RV activity of marama bean and tuber ethanol and water extracts; in this case on intestinal enterocyte cells of human infant (H4), adult pig (CLAB) and adult bovine (CIEB) origin.