Impact of fluorination on membrane-protein stabilization and extraction by lactobionamide detergents.

We report the synthesis of a series of detergents with a lactobionamide polar head group and a tail containing four to seven perfluorinated carbon atoms. Critical micellar concentrations (CMCs) were determined using isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC) and surface tension (SFT) measurements, showing a progressive decrease from 27 mM to about 0.2 mM across the series.

Citrus bliss: potassium, sodium, and calcium silicates secrets for post-harvest diseases of fruit defense.

Biotic stress significantly challenges the global citrus industry. Major post-harvest issues include diseases caused by , and . The negative impact of chemical fungicides on the environment and health necessitates eco-friendly alternatives.

Bees of the Mediterranean basin: biodiversity insights from specimens in the IMBE collection (Marseille, France).

Background: The spectacular decline in pollinators and their prominent role in pollination of natural and cultivated plants has stimulated research on pollinating insects. Over the last ten years, much ecological research has been carried out on bees, often generating a large volume of specimens and increasing the importance of entomological collections. Here, we present the bee collection of the IMBE laboratory (Marseille, France) after ten years of study of plant-pollinator networks.

Chemical Diversity of Mediterranean Seagrasses Volatilome.

Background/objectives: Biogenic volatile organic compounds (BVOCs), extensively studied in terrestrial plants with global emissions around 1 PgC yr, are also produced by marine organisms. However, benthic species, especially seagrasses, are understudied despite their global distribution (177,000-600,000 km). This study aims to examine BVOC emissions from key Mediterranean seagrass species (, , , and ) in marine and coastal lagoon environments.

A new dataset on milling time and public perception of Cell Broadcast tsunami alerts tested along the French Mediterranean coast on 19 January 2024.

Within the study of public perception and intended declarations in case of alert, an original dataset has been completed by using an online questionnaire, with a short URL link included in mobile alert messages, tested and displayed on 19 January 2024 along the French Mediterranean coast (engaging 189 municipalities and 9 departments). The aim is to further know and understand what people do and think upon receiving Cell Broadcast alerts, that deliver an attention-grabbing message directly on the screen of mobile phones of people located in the at-risk zones. A first notification was sent in the Tsunami Evacuation Zones from 09:30 to 10:30, and a second from 10:35 to 10:50 to close the test.

Archaeocytes in sponges: simple cells of complicated fate.

Archaeocytes are considered a key cell type in sponges (Porifera). They are believed to be multifunctional cells performing various functions, from nutrient digestion to acting as adult stem cells (ASCs). Thus, archaeocytes are mentioned in discussions on various aspects of sponge biology.

Therapeutic Contribution of Tau-Binding Thiazoloflavonoid Hybrid Derivatives Against Glioblastoma Using Pharmacological Approach in 3D Spheroids.

Growing evidence has unveiled the pathological significance of Tau in many cancers, including the most aggressive and lethal brain tumor glioblastoma multiform (GBM). In this regard, we have recently examined the structure-activity relationship of a new series of seventeen 2-aminothiazole-fused to flavonoid hybrid compounds (TZF) on Tau-overexpressing GBM cells. Here, we evaluated the anticancer activities of the two lead compounds and using multi-cellular spheroids (MCSs) which represent an easy 3D human cell model to mimic GBM organization, physical constraints and drug penetration.

Influence of Acylation by Hydroxycinnamic Acids on the Reversible and Irreversible Processes of Anthocyanins in Acidic to Basic Aqueous Solution.

In this work, the thermodynamics and kinetics of the reversible and irreversible processes of cyanidin 3,5--diglucoside and cyanidin 3--(2--glucosyl, 6--sinapoyl)glucoside-2--glucoside, 5--glucoside were studied by covering all pH range (holistic approach). The acylation (i) decreases the mole fraction of the colorless hemiketal in acidic medium and increases that of the colored quinoidal base, (ii) expands the pH domain of the flavylium cation, and (iii) moderately decreases the rate of tautomerization and isomerization of the neutral and monoanionic species. Degradation of cyanidin-3,5--diglucoside in a basic medium occurs in two distinct stages.

Impact of non-ionising radiation of male fertility: a systematic review.

Exposure to non-ionizing radiation has become inevitable because people cannot escape sources of electromagnetic fields, such as Wi-Fi or cell phones. Among the mechanisms mentioned, the energy emitted by this non-ionizing radiation could cause heating which would have harmful effects on semen quality. The objective of our study was to carry out a systematic review of the literature concerning the impact of exposure to non-ionizing radiation from mobile phones (or other sources) on sperm parameters.

Antiproliferative Effects of and Venom Peptides on Glioblastoma Cell Lines.

This study explores the potential of natural bioactive peptides from animal venoms as targeted anti-cancer agents with reduced toxicity. Initially, we screened a broad collection of animal venoms for their antiproliferative activity against cancer cell lines. From this collection, we selected venoms from and due to their promising activity.

Risk factors and influence of surgical technique on the risk of caesarean scar defect formation: A systematic review of the literature.

Objective: To determine the factors associated with an increased risk of cesarean scar defect formation.

Methods: A systematic literature search was performed up to July 2022 in PubMed databases following the PRISMA recommendations. All available English-language clinical studies presenting one or more factors that may affect the risk of cesarean scar defect were included.

A global analysis of nearshore and submarine springs: spatial distribution, controlling factors, and probability of presence.

Coastal springs act as bi-directionally preferential flow paths between coastal aquifers and oceans. While these springs can supply coastal ecosystems with nutrients, they also present vulnerabilities such as contamination and seawater intrusion. Despite their significance, substantial knowledge gaps exist regarding coastal springs due to their complex hydrogeological nature.

A decade of rain exclusion in a Mediterranean forest reveals trade-offs of leaf chemical defenses and drought legacy effects.

Increasing aridity in the Mediterranean region will result in longer and recurrent drought. These changes could strongly modify plant defenses, endangering tree survival. We investigate the response of chemical defenses from central and specialized metabolism in Quercus pubescens Willd.

3,5-Dimethyl-2,4,6-trimethoxychalcone Lessens Obesity and MAFLD in Leptin-Deficient Mice.

Chalcones constitute an important group of natural compounds abundant in fruits and comestible plants. They are a subject of increasing interest because of their biological activities, including anti-diabetic and anti-obesity effects. The simple chalcone structural scaffold can be modified at multiple sites with different chemical moieties.

Comparing the impact of conventional and non-conventional processing technologies on water-soluble vitamins and color in strawberry nectar - a pilot scale study.

A comprehensive comparison was conducted on the effect of conventional thermal processing (TT), high-pressure processing (HP), pulse electric field (PF), and ohmic heating (OH) on water-soluble vitamins and color retention in strawberry nectar. The ascorbic acid (AA) content increased by 15- and 9-fold after TT and OH treatment, respectively, due to rupturing of cells under heat stress and release of intracellular AA. Dehydroascorbic acid (DHA) content did not change considerably after TT and PF treatment but significantly decreased after HP and OH treatment.

Reduction in Ochratoxin A Occurrence in Coffee: From Good Practices to Biocontrol Agents.

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin mainly produced by section and section across the coffee chain. OTA is nephrotoxic and is a threat to human health. This review summarizes current knowledge on how to reduce OTA concentration in coffee from farm to cup.

Use of optical absorption and scattering properties to monitor the change of chemical characteristics, particle structure and viscoelasticity during apple puree processing.

This work explored the optical absorption (μ) and reduced scattering (μ') properties at 400-1050 nm (Vis-NIR) and 900-1650 nm (SWIR) of apple puree at different heating times to evaluate their changes in composition and structure. The optical absorption and scattering coefficients of μ and μ' decreased with increasing heating time. The specific μ' coefficients at 432 nm, 455 nm, 1183 nm and 1304 nm were related to particle structural changes.

Visualizing the structural and chemical heterogeneity of fruit and vegetables using advanced imaging techniques: fundamentals, instrumental aspects, applications and future perspectives.

Fruit and vegetables (F&V) are vastly complicated products with highly diverse chemical and structural characteristics. Advanced imaging techniques either combine imaging with spectral information or can provide excellent tissue penetration, and enable the possibility to target, visualize and even qualify the chemical and physical (structural) heterogeneity within F&V. In this review, visible and/or near infrared hyperspectral imaging, Fourier transform infrared microspectroscopic imaging, Raman imaging, X-ray and magnetic resonance imaging to reveal chemical and structural information in a spatial context of F&V at the macro- (entire products), meso- (tissues), and micro- (individual cells) scales are comprehensively summarized.

Hydraulic plasticity and water use regulation act to maintain the hydraulic safety margins of Mediterranean trees in rainfall exclusion experiments.

Hydraulic failure due to xylem embolism has been identified as one of the main mechanisms involved in drought-induced forest decline. Trees vulnerability to hydraulic failure depends on their hydraulic safety margin (HSM). While it has been shown that HSM globally converges between tree species and biomes, there is still limited knowledge regarding how HSM can adjust locally to varying drought conditions within species.

Impact of a 16-week strength training program on physical performance, body composition and cardiac remodeling in previously untrained women and men.

Even if more and more women are involved in strength-training (ST) programs in fitness centers, studies on strength gain, body composition, and cardiac remodeling were mainly conducted in men and whether they are similar in women remains to be explored. In this context, the aim of our study was to assess the effect of a supervised ST program on strength gains, body composition, and cardiac remodeling in previously untrained women and men. 17 healthy and previously untrained young women and 17 young men participated in a supervised 16-week ST program built according to the recommendation of the American College of Sports Medicine in terms of intensity, and strictly using similar volume and intensity in both groups.

Anthocyanins as Natural Food Colorings: The Chemistry Behind and Challenges Still Ahead.

Anthocyanins are polyphenolic O-glycosides widely responsible for the bright red, purple, and blue colors in the plant kingdom, including a great variety of fruits and vegetables. Hence, they have attracted considerable scientific and industrial interest as potential natural food colorings. However, individual anthocyanins are intrinsically reactive molecules combining electrophilic, nucleophilic, and electron-donating properties.

A-type proanthocyanidins: Sources, structure, bioactivity, processing, nutrition, and potential applications.

A-type proanthocyanidins (PAs) are a subgroup of PAs that differ from B-type PAs by the presence of an ether bond between two consecutive constitutive units. This additional C-O-C bond gives them a more stable and hydrophobic character. They are of increasing interest due to their potential multiple nutritional effects with low toxicity in food processing and supplement development.