Draft genome of the lowland anoa (Bubalus depressicornis) and comparison with buffalo genome assemblies (Bovidae, Bubalina)

Genomic data for wild species of the genus Bubalus (Asian buffaloes) are still lacking while several whole genomes are currently available for domestic water buffaloes. To address this, we sequenced the genome of a wild endangered dwarf buffalo, the lowland anoa (Bubalus depressicornis), produced a draft genome assembly, and made comparison to published buffalo genomes. The lowland anoa genome assembly was 2.56 Gbp long and contained 103,135 contigs, the longest contig being 337.39 kbp long. N50 and L50 values were 38.73 kbp and 19.83 kbp, respectively, mean coverage was 44x and GC content was 41.74%. Two strategies were adopted to evaluate genome completeness: (i) determination of genomic features with de novo and homology-based predictions using annotations of chromosome-level genome assembly of the river buffalo, and (ii) employment of benchmarking against universal single-copy orthologs (BUSCO). Homology-based predictions identified 94.51% complete and 3.65% partial genomic features. De novo gene predictions identified 32,393 genes, representing 97.14% of the reference's annotated genes, whilst BUSCO search against the mammalian orthologues database identified 71.1% complete, 11.7% fragmented and 17.2% missing orthologues, indicating a good level of completeness for downstream analyses. Repeat analyses indicated that the lowland anoa genome contains 42.12% of repetitive regions. The genome assembly of the lowland anoa is expected to contribute to comparative genome analyses among bovid species. [Abstract copyright: © The Author(s) 2022. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of Genetics Society of America.

Complex Coacervates between a Lactose-Modified Chitosan and Hyaluronic Acid as Radical-Scavenging Drug Carriers

Complex coacervation of two oppositely charged polysaccharides, namely a lactose-modified chitosan (CTL) and hyaluronan (HA), was investigated in this study. Coacervates of the two polysaccharides were prepared by drop-by-drop injection of HA into CTL. Transmittance and dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements in combination with TEM analyses demonstrated the formation of spheroidal colloids in the nano-/microsize range showing good homogeneity. Strikingly, the presence of 150 mM supporting NaCl did not hamper the colloid formation. Stability studies on selected formulations demonstrated that HA/CTL coacervates were stable up to 3 weeks at 37 \ub0C and behaved as pH-responsive colloids since transition from entangled to disentangled chains was attained for a proper pH range. The possibility of freeze-drying the coacervates for storage purposes and the ability of encapsulating selected payloads were investigated as well, for two values of the fraction of the lactitol side-chain substitution (FL). Finally, biological tests using human neutrophils were undertaken at acidic pH value (pH = 6.0): under such experimental conditions, akin to those frequently occurring in the inflammatory microenvironment, coacervates scavenged reactive oxygen species (ROS) generated by these cells in basal conditions. Given the well documented bioactivity of CTL with respect to chitosan toward cartilage regeneration, these findings point to a possible application of HA/CTL-based colloids as scavenging and bioactive carriers for the delivery of therapeutic molecules at confined inflamed sites such as knee joints

Toward a new generation of nanoparticles for therapy and diagnosis

Progress in utilizing inorganic nanoparticles for biomedical applications has advanced rapidly due to the extensive amount of work done in the synthesis and modification of the materials.1 These nanosized materials provide a robust framework in which two or more components can be incorporated to give multifunctional capabilities. An example can be seen in gold nanomaterials.2 Gold nanoparticles are bioinert, nontoxic, and readily synthesized and functionalized.3 They also provide a multifunctional platform for both therapeutic and diagnostic purposes. Indeed, through proper functionalization, these particles can be engineered to accumulate at illness cells using targeting ligands providing a powerful tool, for example, for gene therapy.4 The biophysico-chemical properties of the vehicle, such as size, charge, surface hydrophilicity, and the nature and density of the ligands on their surface, can all impact the circulating half-life of the particles as well as their biodistribution. Innovation may be introduced by controlling the surface properties of the monolayer protecting the gold core. Indeed, recently it has been demonstrated that particles coated with a molecularly ordered ligand shell were able to enter cells directly through the membrane without perforating it basing on a novel physical chemistry phenomenon.6 This property is ideal as it provides the particles with minimal if none genotoxicity. Mixed monolayers composed of mixtures of hydrogenated/fluorurated ligands favor the phase segregation and consequently the ordered morphology of the NP surface. 7 In addition, the introduction in the monolayer of perfluorocarbon ligands might enable, for example, the imaging by 19F MRI techniques of the nanoparticles and, consequently, the tracking in vivo of cell fate. In this communication we will discuss the approaches for the realization of such innovative nanoparticles easy to make, because obtained by self-assembly strategies, but with an unprecedented degree of complexity, with respect to nanotechnology platforms for drug delivery applications know to date, as far as their features is concerned

Response of laying hens fed diet supplemented with a mixture of olive, laurel, and rosemary leaf powders: Metabolic profile, oxidative status, intestinal histomorphology, and egg quality

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of a mixture of olive, laurel, and rosemary leaf powders, on the oxidative state, biochemical, immune, intestinal morphophysiological parameters, and egg quality of laying hens. One hundred Lohmann Brown hens (28 weeks old) were equally assigned to two groups (n. 50) corresponding to a basal control diet (CON) or the diet supplemented with 6 g/kg feed of leaf powder mixture (LPM) containing olive, laurel, and rosemary leaves (1:1:1), for 60 days. Oxidative status, biochemical indices, immune response, cecal short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), intestinal morphological characteristics, and some egg traits were evaluated at the end of the experiment. The results indicated that LPM improved (P < 0.05) the oxidative status (TOS, ROMs), the immune system (IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α), the total protein and HDL cholesterol content, whereas it decreased (P < 0.05) total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol. Aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and alanine aminotransferase were significantly (P < 0.05) lower in the LPM than in the CON group. A significant increase (P < 0.05) in SCFA content in the caecum, as well as in villi height and crypt depth in both duodenum and ileum of LPM-treated hens, was observed. Egg quality parameters were not influenced (P > 0.05) by LPM. These findings indicate that LPM can be considered a candidate as an antioxidant ingredient for functional food in laying hens

Blue laser light inhibits biofilm formation in vitro and in vivo by inducing oxidative stress

Resolution of bacterial infections is often hampered by both resistance to conventional antibiotic therapy and hiding of bacterial cells inside biofilms, warranting the development of innovative therapeutic strategies. Here, we report the efficacy of blue laser light in eradicating Pseudomonas aeruginosa cells, grown in planktonic state, agar plates and mature biofilms, both in vitro and in vivo, with minimal toxicity to mammalian cells and tissues. Results obtained using knock-out mutants point to oxidative stress as a relevant mechanism by which blue laser light exerts its anti-microbial effect. Finally, the therapeutic potential is confirmed in a mouse model of skin wound infection. Collectively, these data set blue laser phototherapy as an innovative approach to inhibit bacterial growth and biofilm formation, and thus as a realistic treatment option for superinfected wounds