A vacuolar invertase gene modulates sugar metabolism and postharvest fruit quality and stress resistance in tomato.

Sugars act as signaling molecules to modulate various growth processes and enhance plant tolerance to various abiotic and biotic stresses. Moreover, sugars contribute to the postharvest flavor in fleshy fruit crops. To date, the regulation of sugar metabolism and its effect in plant growth, fruit ripening, postharvest quality, and stress resistance remains not fully understood.

Optimization of the Antibacterial Activity of a Three-Component Essential Oil Mixture from Moroccan , , and Using a Simplex-Centroid Design.

Background/objectives: The rise of antibiotic-resistant pathogens has become a global health crisis, necessitating the development of alternative antimicrobial strategies. This study aimed to optimize the antibacterial effects of essential oils (EOs) from , , and , enhancing their efficacy through optimized mixtures.

Methods: This study utilized a simplex-centroid design to optimize the mixture ratios of EOs for maximal antibacterial and antioxidant effectiveness.

Structural model of a bacterial focal adhesion complex.

Cell movement on surfaces relies on focal adhesion complexes (FAs), which connect cytoskeletal motors to the extracellular matrix to produce traction forces. The soil bacterium Myxococcus xanthus uses a bacterial FA (bFA), for surface movement and predation. The bFA system, known as Agl-Glt, is a complex network of at least 17 proteins spanning the cell envelope.

Biochemical Composition and Seasonal Variations of the Madagascar Algae (, Rhodophyta).

Although the density and diversity of seaweeds in Madagascar is particularly high, these resources are underexploited and they are not part of the local population's eating habits. No study has been carried out on the nutritional properties and seasonal variation of species harvested in Madagascar. In this study, was harvested monthly over two years (2021 and 2022) on the northeast coast of Madagascar (Sainte Marie Island).

Enhancing Biocide Safety of Milk Using Biosensors Based on Cholinesterase Inhibition.

A sensitive and reliable electrochemical biosensor for the detection of benzalkonium chloride (BAC) and didecyldimethylammonium chloride (DDAC), the most commonly used disinfectant biocides in the agri-food industry, is described. Acetylcholinesterase from (DM AChE) and butyrylcholinesterase from horse serum (BChE) were immobilized by entrapment in a photocrosslinkable polymer on the surface of carbon screen-printed electrodes. Preliminary tests conducted in phosphate buffer showed limits of detection (LODs) of 0.

Short-term modification of breathprint by Elexacaftor/Tezacaftor/Ivacaftor in a paediatric cohort.

Background: The triple combination Elexacaftor/Tezacaftor/Ivacaftor (ETI) translates into major respiratory improvements in adults; yet current clinical endpoints may prove insufficiently sensitive in young children. We hypothesised that ETI rapidly modifies the lungs' metabolism, resulting in changes in breath composition.

Methods: Eleven children with CF were enrolled in a longitudinal pilot study at the paediatric Necker hospital.

Isolation of phages infecting the zoonotic pathogen reveals novel structural and genomic characteristics.

Bacteriophage research has experienced a renaissance in recent years, owing to their therapeutic potential and versatility in biotechnology, particularly in combating antibiotic resistant-bacteria along the farm-to-fork continuum. However, certain pathogens remain underexplored as targets for phage therapy, including the zoonotic pathogen which causes infections in pigs and humans. Despite global efforts, the genome of only one infective phage has been described.

Targeted and untargeted discovery of UV filters and emerging contaminants with environmental risk assessment on the Northwestern Mediterranean coast.

Marine ecosystems, particularly coastal areas, are becoming increasingly vulnerable to pollution from human activities. Persistent organic pollutants and contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) are recognized as significant threats to both human and environmental health. Our study aimed to identify the molecules present in the seawater of two bathing areas in the Western Mediterranean Sea.

sp. nov., a novel endophytic bacterium with plant growth-promoting potential, isolated from root nodules of in Northwestern Algeria.

A thorough polyphasic taxonomic study, integrating genome-based taxonomic approaches, was carried out to characterize the RB5 strain isolated from root nodules of growing on the coastal dunes of Bousfer Beach (Oran, Algeria). The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain RB5 had the highest similarity to LMG27940 (98.94%) and IzPS32d (98.

Synthesis, Antibacterial, and Antibiofilm Activities of Imidazo[2,1-b]Thiazole Chalcone Derivatives: In Vitro and In Silico Studies.

In recent years, imidazothiazole-chalcone conjugates have emerged as notable pharmacophores with potential applications in discovering biologically active compounds. This study focuses on synthesizing novel imidazo[2,1-b]thiazole chalcone derivatives through a facile and conventional process adhering to several principles of green chemistry, facilitating scalable production. The synthesized compounds underwent comprehensive spectroscopic analysis, including H NMR, C NMR, LC-MS, and FT-infrared (IR) techniques.

Antioxidant, antiproliferative and anti-inflammatory activities of squirting cucumber (Ecballium elaterium L).

Plants constitute a source of natural phytochemical components which are widely known for their potential biological activities. This work concerned a study of the antioxidant, anticancer and anti-inflammatory activities of squirting cucumber (Ecballium elaterium L.) parts (flowers, fruits, leaves and stems) using different solvent extracts (cyclohexane, dichloromethane, ethyl acetate, methanol and water).

Improved Functionality, Quality, and Shelf Life of -Type Camel Sausage Fortified with Spirulina as a Natural Ingredient.

The objective of the present work was to examine the effect of incorporating spirulina powder (SP) in -type sausages made exclusively with camel meat, as well as to evaluate its physicochemical, microbiological, and sensory quality attributes and its prebiotic potential. The final purpose was to offer an innovative meat product to increase camel meat consumption. Several innovative fresh sausage formulations were developed using SP (00, 100, 250, and 500 mg/kg) and stored under vacuum conditions with refrigeration at 1 ± 1 °C for 35 days.

Genetic Diversity and Relationships Among Tunisian Wild and Cultivated L. Species.

Assessing and determining genetic diversity in rose species is a crucial step for conservation efforts, the establishment of a core collection, and the development of new varieties. This study represents the first investigation of genetic diversity among various rose species at different ploidy levels in Tunisia, with the aim of elucidating the genetic structure of the genus. It encompasses both spontaneous and cultivated accessions, featuring local and introduced species recognized for their adaptability, ornamental value, and fragrance.

Chemical Composition and Assessment of the Anti-Inflammatory, Antioxidant, Cytotoxic and Skin Enzyme Inhibitory Activities of (L.) Osbeck Essential Oil and Its Major Compound Limonene.

Essential oils (EOs) from species have attracted attention for their diverse properties, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and cytotoxic effects, which address critical health challenges such as chronic diseases and skin disorders. (L.) Osbeck, which is a widely cultivated citrus fruit, is attracting increasing attention in the field of medicinal research due to its richness of limonene (comprising approximately 85-90% of the oil).

Dung Beetles, Dung Burial, and Plant Growth: Four Scarabaeoid Species and Sorghum.

This study examined the impact of dung beetles on both sorghum growth and the physico-chemical properties of the soil over a two-month period. Four dung beetle species (, subsp. , , and ) were introduced into experimental setups, consisting of containers filled with sterilised clay-loam soil, with three treatment groups: [cow dung + beetles], [cow dung only], and a control group (no dung nor beetles), in order to evaluate their effects on various growth parameters, including the plant height, biomass, leaf area, and chlorophyll concentration.

Multifactored accelerated marine corrosion of immersed steels influenced by washed ashore Sargassum rafts.

Since 2011, massive strandings of Sargassum (brown alga) have significantly affected Caribbean islands causing major health, environmental and economic problems. Amongst them, the degradation of algae releases corrosive gases, hydrogen sulphide (HS) and ammonia (NH) which causes an accelerated corrosion of the metallic structures of these coastal areas. The aim of this study was to quantify the impact of Sargassum strandings on the corrosion of three types of steels (DC01 carbon steel, 304L and 316L stainless steels) immersed for up to 120 days at various sites in Martinique which were gradually impacted by Sargassum.

Thymoquinone loaded lipid nanocapsule dispersion: two methods of preparation, characterization and evaluations for oral administration.

This work explores two methods to encapsulate Thymoquinone (TQ) into lipid nanocapsules (LNCs) for oral administration. TQ was added during the phase inversion temperature method (TQ-LNCs-1) or to unload LNCs dispersion (TQ-LNCs-2). LNCs were evaluated for mean diameter, polydispersity index (PDI), ζ-potential, drug loading (DL), drop tensiometer, storage stability, stability in simulated gastrointestinal fluids (SGIF), and intestinal permeability across Caco-2 cells.

Conservation of symbiotic signaling since the most recent common ancestor of land plants.

Plants have colonized lands 450 million years ago. This terrestrialization was facilitated by developmental and functional innovations. Recent evo-devo approaches have demonstrated that one of these innovations was the mutualistic arbuscular mycorrhizal symbiosis (AMS).

Vibrio harveyi uses both type III secretion system and quorum sensing for the colonization of the European abalone.

The vibriosis of the European abalone, Haliotis tuberculata, is characterized by the rapidity of the infection by the pathogen Vibrio harveyi ORM4, leading to death of animals only after two days. The lethality of the pathogen is linked to the production of the type III secretion system (T3SS) and to genes regulated by quorum sensing (QS). The aim of this study was to investigate the colonization of the European abalone by both virulent and avirulent V.

A stable combination of non-stable genes outperforms standard reference genes for RT-qPCR data normalization.

Gene expression profiling is of key importance in all domains of life sciences, as medicine, environment, and plants, for both basic and applied research. Despite the emergence of microarrays and high-throughput sequencing, qPCR remains a standard method for gene expression analyses, with its data normalization step being crucial for ensuring accuracy. Currently, the most widely used normalization method is based on the use of reference genes, assumed to be stably expressed across all experimental conditions.

Nutritional value, HPLC-DAD analysis and biological activities of Ceratonia siliqua L. pulp based on in vitro and in silico studies.

The phytochemical, nutritional, and biological features of wild carob pulp from Tanzight (TN), Ait-Waada (AW), and Tizi-ghnayn (TG) in Azilal were studied. The results of the study reveal that the carob pulp examined has a low-fat level. AW had the most total sugar (78.

Fungi and Fungal Metabolites for the Improvement of Human and Animal Life, Nutrition and Health.

Fungi: 1, 2, 3, [...

Biotransformation of the Fluoroquinolone Antibiotic, Levofloxacin, by the Free and Immobilized Secretome of .

Antibiotics play a crucial role in human and animal medical healthcare, but widespread use and overuse of antibiotics poses alarming health and environmental issues. Fluoroquinolones constitute a class of antibiotics that has already become ubiquitous in the environment, and their increasing use and high persistence prompt growing concern. Here we investigated a fungal secretome prepared from the white-rot fungus , which is able to effectively degrade the environmentally persistent fluoroquinolone, levofloxacin.

Epidemiological and genetic characteristics of clinical carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales isolates from Batna hospitals in Algeria.

Background: Carbapenemase-producing Enterobacterales isolates are associated with significant mortality and have emerged as a major problem in healthcare settings worldwide.

Objective: Our aim was to investigate the epidemiological and genotypic characteristics of carbapenemase-positive Enterobacterales isolates from patients hospitalised in three hospitals in the city of Batna, Algeria.

Methods: Between 2016 and 2019, a total of 5,316 clinical isolates were obtained.