Raman signatures of type A and B influenza viruses: molecular origin of the "" inactivation mechanism mediated by micrometric silicon nitride powder.

A multiomic study of the structural characteristics of type A and B influenza viruses by means of highly spectrally resolved Raman spectroscopy is presented. Three virus strains, A H1N1, A H3N2, and B98, were selected because of their known structural variety and because they have co-circulated with variable relative prevalence within the human population since the re-emergence of the H1N1 subtype in 1977. Raman signatures of protein side chains tyrosine, tryptophan, and histidine revealed unequivocal and consistent differences for pH characteristics at the virion surface, while different conformations of two C-S bond configurations in and methionine rotamers provided distinct low-wavenumber fingerprints for different virus lineages/subtypes.

Lignin Isolated by Microwave-Assisted Acid-Catalyzed Solvolysis Induced Cell Death in Mammalian Tumor Cells by Modulating Apoptotic Pathways.

Lignin, the most abundant renewable aromatic polymer, has been shown to suppress the growth of mammalian tumor cells. Despite extensive studies on lignin structure and its engineering, there is little information on the biological activity of lignin in relation to its molecular structure or the molecular mechanisms by which lignin suppresses tumor cells in mammalian species. Here, we prepared microwave-assisted acid-catalyzed solvolysis lignin (MASL) from Japanese cedar and and assessed its effects on human and mouse tumor cells.

Raman Spectroscopic Algorithms for Assessing Virulence in Oral Candidiasis: The Fight-or-Flight Response.

This study aimed to test the effectiveness of Raman spectroscopy in the characterization of the degrees of physiological stress and virulence in clinical swab samples collected from patients affected by oral candidiasis. Raman experiments were conducted on a series of eight isolates, both in an as-collected state and after biofilm purification followed by 3 days of culture. The outputs were matched to optical microscopy observations and the results of conventional chromogenic medium assays.

Micronized cellular adipose matrix purified with a bladed connector contains abundant functional adipose stem cells.

Introduction: A specialized device equipped with a sharp blade filter has been developed to enable more efficient purification of a micronized cellular adipose matrix (MCAM) containing stem cells. The aim of this study is to compare the characteristics and functions of the population of stromal cells (mSVF) and cultured cells (mASCs) purified using this device with those of cSVF and cASCs obtained through conventional enzymatic purification.

Methods: Cell viability, proliferation capacity and yield were assessed.

Anti-SARS-CoV-2 activity of microwave solvolysis lignin from woody biomass.

The global pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has had profoundly detrimental effects on our society. To combat this highly pathogenic virus, we turned our attention to an abundant renewable natural aromatic polymer found in wood. Through a chemical modification of Eucalyptus and Japanese cedar wood via acidic microwave solvolysis in equivolume mixture of 2 % (w/w) aqueous HSO, ethylene glycol, and toluene at 190 °C.

Exploring the cellular antioxidant mechanism against cytotoxic silver nanoparticles: a Raman spectroscopic analysis.

Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) hold great promise for several different applications, from colorimetric sensors to antimicrobial agents. Despite their widespread incorporation in consumer products, limited understanding of the detrimental effects and cellular antioxidant responses associated with AgNPs at sublethal concentrations persists, raising concerns for human and ecological well-being. To address this gap, we synthesized AgNPs of varying sizes and evaluated their cytotoxicity against human dermal fibroblasts (HDF).

Cholesterol-Bearing Polysaccharide-Based Nanogels for Development of Novel Immunotherapy and Regenerative Medicine.

Novel functional biomaterials are expected to bring about breakthroughs in developing immunotherapy and regenerative medicine through their application as drug delivery systems and scaffolds. Nanogels are defined as nanoparticles with a particle size of 100 nm or less and as having a gel structure. Nanogels have a three-dimensional network structure of cross-linked polymer chains, which have a high water content, a volume phase transition much faster than that of a macrogel, and a quick response to external stimuli.

Ammonia Toxicity and Associated Protein Oxidation: A Single-Cell Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy Study.

Ammonia (NH) is a commonly used industrial chemical to which exposure at high concentrations can result in severe skin damage. Moreover, high levels of ammonia in the human body can lead to hyperammonemia conditions and enhanced cancer metabolism. In this work, the toxicity mechanism of NH has been studied against human dermal fibroblast (HDF) cells using surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS).

A Natural Organic Compound "Decursin" Has Both Antitumor and Renal Protective Effects: Treatment for Osteosarcoma.

Osteosarcoma is a rare malignant tumor that commonly occurs in children. Anticancer drugs, for example, cisplatin, aid in postsurgery recovery but induce side effects such as renal damage, affecting the life prognosis of patients. Decursin which is one of the bioactive components has been reported for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antitumor effects, but the effect on osteosarcoma is unexplained.

Raman Multi-Omic Snapshot and Statistical Validation of Structural Differences between Herpes Simplex Type I and Epstein-Barr Viruses.

Raman spectroscopy was applied to study the structural differences between herpes simplex virus Type I (HSV-1) and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). Raman spectra were first collected with statistical validity on clusters of the respective virions and analyzed according to principal component analysis (PCA). Then, average spectra were computed and a machine-learning approach applied to deconvolute them into sub-band components in order to perform comparative analyses.

TGF-β inhibitor treatment of H₂O₂-induced cystitis models provides biochemical mechanism for elucidating interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome patients.

Interstitial cystitis/painful bladder syndrome (IC/PBS) is a chronic disease for which no effective treatment is available. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) is thought to be involved in the pathogenesis of IC/PBS, and previous studies have suggested that administrations of a TGF-β inhibitor significantly ameliorated IC/PBS in a mouse model. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the therapeutic effect of a TGF-b inhibitor on IC/PBS has not been comprehensively analyzed.

Raman Fingerprints of SARS-CoV-2 Omicron Subvariants: Molecular Roots of Virological Characteristics and Evolutionary Directions.

The latest RNA genomic mutation of SARS-CoV-2 virus, termed the Omicron variant, has generated a stream of highly contagious and antibody-resistant strains, which in turn led to classifying Omicron as a variant of concern. We systematically collected Raman spectra from six Omicron subvariants available in Japan (i.e.

Milk Casein Inhibits Effect of Black Tea Galloylated Theaflavins to Inactivate SARS-CoV-2 In Vitro.

Continuing caution is required against the potential emergence of SARS-CoV-2 novel mutants that could pose the next global health and socioeconomical threats. If virus in saliva can be inactivated by a beverage, such a beverage may be useful because the saliva of infected persons is the major origin of droplets and aerosols that mediate human-to-human viral transmission. We previously reported that SARS-CoV-2 was significantly inactivated by treatment in vitro with tea including green tea and black tea.

Size control of induced pluripotent stem cells colonies in two-dimensional culture for differentiation into functional monocyte-like cells.

Background Aims: Monocytes, derived from hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), play a pivotal role in the immune response to cancer. Although they are an attractive source of cell therapy for cancer, a method for ex vivo expansion has not yet been established. Monocytes differentiated from pluripotent stem cells (PSCs), including induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), can be an alternative source of HSC-derived monocytes because of their self-renewal and pluripotency.

Instantaneous Inactivation of Herpes Simplex Virus by Silicon Nitride Bioceramics.

Hydrolytic reactions taking place at the surface of a silicon nitride (SiN) bioceramic were found to induce instantaneous inactivation of Human herpesvirus 1 (HHV-1, also known as Herpes simplex virus 1 or HSV-1). SiN is a non-oxide ceramic compound with strong antibacterial and antiviral properties that has been proven safe for human cells. HSV-1 is a double-stranded DNA virus that infects a variety of host tissues through a lytic and latent cycle.

Hypoxia with or without Treadmill Exercises Affects Slow-Twitch Muscle Atrophy and Joint Destruction in a Rat Model of Rheumatoid Arthritis.

The effects of treadmill running under hypoxic conditions on joints and muscles of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rats were investigated. CIA rats were divided into normoxia no-exercise, hypoxia no-exercise (Hypo-no), and hypoxia exercise (Hypo-ex) groups. Changes were examined on days 2 and 44 of hypoxia with or without treadmill exercises.

Anti-Inflammatory Effects of β-Cryptoxanthin on 5-Fluorouracil-Induced Cytokine Expression in Human Oral Mucosal Keratinocytes.

Oral mucositis is a typical adverse effect of chemotherapy, causing oral pain that significantly reduces the patient's quality of life. β-cryptoxanthin (β-cry) is a carotenoid abundant in citrus fruits with antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. However, the β-cry effect on oral mucositis remains unclear.

In Situ Raman Analysis of Biofilm Exopolysaccharides Formed in and Commensal Cultures.

This study probed in vitro the mechanisms of competition/coexistence between (known for being correlated with health in the oral cavity) and (responsible for aciduric oral environment and formation of caries) by means of quantitative Raman spectroscopy and imaging. In situ Raman assessments of live bacterial culture/coculture focusing on biofilm exopolysaccharides supported the hypothesis that both species engaged in antagonistic interactions. Experiments of simultaneous colonization always resulted in coexistence, but they also revealed fundamental alterations of the biofilm with respect to their water-insoluble glucan structure.

Micronized Cellular Adipose Matrix Promotes the Therapeutic Effect of an Artificial Nerve Conduit in Peripheral Nerve Gap Injury.

Background: Stromal vascular fraction (SVF) isolated from adipose tissue has been shown to be beneficial for treating peripheral nerve injuries. Micronized cellular adipose matrix (MCAM) is an SVF-rich micronized fat tissue obtained by a series of simple mechanical processes. This study assessed the therapeutic effect of MCAM for peripheral nerve injury.

Prophylactic Application of Human Adipose Tissue-Derived Products to Prevent Radiation Disorders.

Background: Radiation therapy is a mainstay treatment for malignancies, but it can induce deterministic adverse effects in surrounding healthy tissues, including atrophy, fibrosis, ischemia, and impaired wound healing. This exploratory study investigated whether prophylactic administration of products containing adipose tissue-derived stem cells immediately after radiotherapy could prevent the development of long-term functional disorders in irradiated tissues.

Methods: A total irradiation dose of 40 Gy (10 Gy, four times weekly) was delivered to the dorsal skin of nude mice.