The multifaceted role of vitamin b6 in cancer: drosophila as a model system to investigate dna damage

A perturbed uptake of micronutrients, such as minerals and vitamins, impacts on different human diseases, including cancer and neurological disorders. Several data converge towards a crucial role played by many micronutrients in genome integrity maintenance and in the establishment of a correct DNA methylation pattern. Failure in the proper accomplishment of these processes accelerates senescence and increases the risk of developing cancer, by promoting the formation of chromosome aberrations and deregulating the expression of oncogenes. Here, the main recent evidence regarding the impact of some B vitamins on DNA damage and cancer is summarized, providing an integrated and updated analysis, mainly centred on vitamin B6. In many cases, it is difficult to finely predict the optimal vitamin rate that is able to protect against DNA damage, as this can be influenced by a given individual's genotype. For this purpose, a precious resort is represented by model organisms which allow limitations imposed by more complex systems to be overcome. In this review, we show that Drosophila can be a useful model to deeply understand mechanisms underlying the relationship between vitamin B6 and genome integrity

Biosynthesis of γ-aminobutyric acid by lactic acid bacteria in surplus bread and its use in bread making

Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of bread as substrate for γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) biosynthesis, establishing a valorization strategy for surplus bread, repurposing it within the food chain. Methods and results: Surplus bread was fermented by lactic acid bacteria (LAB) to produce GABA. Pediococcus pentosaceus F01, Levilactobacillus brevis MRS4, Lactiplantibacillus plantarum H64 and C48 were selected among 33 LAB strains for the ability to synthesize GABA. Four fermentation experiments were set up using surplus bread as such, added of amylolytic and proteolytic enzymes, modifying the pH or mixed with wheat bran. Enzyme-treated slurries led to the release of glucose (up to 20 mg g-1 ) and free amino acid, whereas the addition of wheat bran (30% of bread weight) yielded the highest GABA content (circa 800 mg kg-1 of dry weight) and was the most suitable substrate for LAB growth. The selected slurry was ultimately used as an ingredient in bread making causing an increase in free amino acids. Conclusions: Besides the high GABA concentration (148 mg kg-1 dough), the experimental bread developed in this study was characterized by good nutritional properties, highlighting the efficacy of tailored bioprocessing technologies as means to mitigate food wastage. Significance and impact of study: Our results represent a proof of concept of effective strategies to repurpose food industry side streams

Nutritional and functional advantages of the use of fermented black chickpea flour for semolina-pasta fortification

Pasta represents a dominant portion of the diet worldwide and its functionalization with high nutritional value ingredients, such as legumes, is the most ideal solution to shape consumers behavior towards healthier food choices. Aiming at improving the nutritional quality of semolina pasta, semi-liquid dough of a Mediterranean black chickpea flour, fermented with Lactiplantibacillus plantarum T0A10, was used at a substitution level of 15% to manufacture fortified pasta. Fermentation with the selected starter enabled the release of 20% of bound phenolic compounds, and the conversion of free compounds into more active forms (dihydrocaffeic and phloretic acid) in the dough. Fermented dough also had higher resistant starch (up to 60% compared to the control) and total free amino acids (almost 3 g/kg) contents, whereas antinutritional factors (raffinose, condensed tannins, trypsin inhibitors and saponins) significantly decreased. The impact of black chickpea addition on pasta nutritional, technological and sensory features, was also assessed. Compared to traditional (semolina) pasta, fortified pasta had lower starch hydrolysis rate (ca. 18%) and higher in vitro protein digestibility (up to 38%). Moreover, fortified cooked pasta, showing scavenging activity against DPPH and ABTS radicals and intense inhibition of linoleic acid peroxidation, was appreciated for its peculiar organoleptic profile. Therefore, fermentation technology appears to be a promising tool to enhance the quality of pasta and promote the use of local chickpea cultivars while preventing their genetic erosion

Molecular layer doping: non-destructive doping of silicon and germanium

This work describes a non-destructive method to introduce impurity atoms into silicon (Si) and germanium (Ge) using Molecular Layer Doping (MLD). Molecules containing dopant atoms (arsenic) were designed, synthesized and chemically bound in self-limiting monolayers to the semiconductor surface. Subsequent annealing enabled diffusion of the dopant atom into the substrate. Material characterization included assessment of surface analysis (AFM) and impurity and carrier concentrations (ECV). Record carrier concentration levels of arsenic (As) in Si (~5Ã 10^20 atoms/cm3) by diffusion doping have been achieved, and to the best of our knowledge this work is the first demonstration of doping Ge by MLD. Furthermore due to the ever increasing surface to bulk ratio of future devices (FinFets, MugFETs, nanowire-FETS) surface packing spacing requirements of MLD dopant molecules is becoming more relaxed. It is estimated that a molecular spacing of 2 nm and 3 nm is required to achieve doping concentration of 10^20 atoms/cm3 in a 5 nm wide fin and 5 nm diameter nanowire respectively. From a molecular perspective this is readily achievable

Lipophilic 9,10-Dehydrofukinone Action on Pathogenic and Non-Pathogenic Bacterial Biofilms. Why Is This Main Volatile Metabolite in Senecio?

The effect of a natural sesquiterpene ketone, 9,10-dehydrofukinone (DHF), on pathogenic Staphylococcus aureus and Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains isolated from chronic infectious processes, was the focus of the present study. Lipophilic DHF produced important antibacterial synergistic effects in association with ciprofloxacin (CPX) against two biofilm-forming strains of S. aureus HT1 (FIC=0.21) and P. aeruginosa HT5 (FIC=0.05). Hence, this mixture constitutes an excellent strategy to combat these biofilm-producing bacteria that overexpress drug efflux pumps as a resistance mechanism. Additionally, a substantial rise in beneficial Lactobacillus biofilm biomass was determined as a very significant finding of this association. Particularly, a non-pathogenic biofilm increment of 119% was quantified when the mixture was added to a probiotic L. acidophilus ATCC SD-5212 culture. A surface activity enhanced in 71% with respect to untreated L. acidophilus culture was also generated by the DHF and CPX association, and therefore, a glycoprotein synthesis induction mediated by the mixture is discussed. The results obtained could help in the development of new selective antibiotics. From an ecological standpoint, the present study strongly suggests that DHF is a polyfunctional organic molecule produced with a high yield in Senecio punae that exerts a positive impact on a non-pathogenic plant bacterium L. plantarum CE105.Fil: Verni, Maria Cecilia. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto de Biotecnología Farmacéutica y Alimentaria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto de Biotecnología Farmacéutica y Alimentaria; ArgentinaFil: Garay, José A.. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia; ArgentinaFil: Mendoza, Lucía. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia; ArgentinaFil: Bardón, Alicia. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia; ArgentinaFil: Borkosky, Susana Alicia. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia; ArgentinaFil: Arena, Mario Eduardo. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto de Biotecnología Farmacéutica y Alimentaria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto de Biotecnología Farmacéutica y Alimentaria; ArgentinaFil: Cartagena, Elena. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Instituto de Biotecnología Farmacéutica y Alimentaria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucumán. Instituto de Biotecnología Farmacéutica y Alimentaria; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Tucumán. Facultad de Bioquímica, Química y Farmacia; Argentin

Electronic structure and magnetic properties of RMnX (R= Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Y; X= Si, Ge) studied by KKR method

Electronic structure calculations, using the charge and spin self-consistent Korringa- Kohn-Rostoker (KKR) method, have been performed for several $R$Mn$X$ compounds ($R$ = Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Y; $X$ = Si, Ge) of the CeFeSi-type structure. The origin of their magnetic properties has been investigated emphasizing the role of the Mn sublattice. The significant influence of the Mn-Mn and Mn-$X$ interatomic distances on the Mn magnetic moment value is delineated from our computations, supporting many neutron diffraction data. We show that the marked change of $\mu_{Mn}$ with the Mn-Mn and Mn-$X$ distances resulted from a redistribution between spin-up and spin-down $d$-Mn DOS rather than from different fillings of the Mn 3$d$-shell. Bearing in mind that the neutron diffraction data reported for the $R$Mn$X$ compounds are rather scattered, the KKR computations of $\mu_{Mn}$ are in fair agreement with the experimental values. Comparing density of states near $E_{F}$ obtained in different magnetic orderings, one can notice that the entitled $R$Mn$X$ systems seem to 'adapt' their magnetic structures to minimize the DOS in the vicinity of the Fermi level. Noteworthy, the SrMnGe antiferromagnet exhibits a pseudo-gap behaviour at $E_{F}$, suggesting anomalous electron transport properties. In addition, the F-AF transition occurring in the disordered La$_{1-x}$Y$_{x}$MnSi alloy for the $0.8<x<1$ range is well supported by the DOS features of La$_{0.2}$Y$_{0.8}$MnSi. In contrast to the investigated $R$Mn$X$ compounds, YFeSi was found to be non-magnetic, which is in excellent agreement with the experimental data.Comment: 10 pages + 14 figures, to appear in Eur. Phys. Jour.

Aspergillus section fumigati pneumonia and oxalate nephrosis in a foal

Equine pulmonary aspergillosis is a rare deep mycosis often due to the hematogenous spread of hyphae after gastrointestinal tract disease. We describe herein the main clinic-pathological findings observed in a foal, which spontaneously died after showing diarrhea and respiratory distress. Necropsy and histopathological investigations allowed to diagnose pulmonary aspergillosis, which likely developed after necrotic typhlitis-colitis. Biomolecular studies identified Aspergillus section Fumigati strain as the causative agent. Notably, severe oxalate nephrosis was concurrently observed. Occasionally, oxalate nephropathy can be a sequela of pulmonary aspergillosis in humans. The present case report suggests that the renal precipitation of oxalates can occur also in horses affected by pulmonary aspergillosis and could likely contribute to the fatal outcome of the disease

Probiotic potential and safety assessment of type strains of Weissella and Periweissella species

Although numerous strains belonging to the Weissella genus have been described in the last decades for their probiotic and biotechnological potential, others are known to be opportunistic pathogens of humans and animals. Here, we investigated the probiotic potential of two Weissella and four Periweissella type strains belonging to the species Weissella diestrammenae, Weissella uvarum, Periweissella beninensis, Periweissella fabalis, Periweissella fabaria, and Periweissella ghanensis by genomic and phenotypic analyses, and performed a safety assessment of these strains. Based on the results of the survival to simulated gastrointestinal transit, autoaggregation and hydrophobicity characteristics, as well as adhesion to Caco-2 cells, we showed that the P. beninensis, P. fabalis, P. fabaria, P. ghanensis, and W. uvarum type strains exhibited a high probiotic potential. The safety assessment, based on the genomic analysis, performed by searching for virulence and antibiotic resistance genes, as well as on the phenotypic evaluation, by testing hemolytic activity and antibiotic susceptibility, allowed us to identify the P. beninensis type strain as a safe potential probiotic microorganism

Potential of native and bioprocessed brewers' spent grains as organic soil amendments

Introduction: The use of novel soil amendments and the exploitation of plant growth-promoting microorganisms are considered promising tools for developing a more sustainable agriculture in times when ensuring high-yield productions with limited resources is essential. Methods: In this study, the potential of brewers' spent grain (BSG), the major by-product of the brewing industry, as organic soil amendment, was investigated. Bioprocessed BSG, obtained by an enzymatic treatment coupled with fermentation, together with native BSG, were used as amendments in a pot-trial. An integrated analytical approach aimed at assessing the modification of the physicochemical properties of a typical Mediterranean alkaline agricultural soil, and the plant growth-promoting effect on escarole (Cichorium endivia var. Cuartana), was carried out. Results: The use of biomasses led to soil organic content and total nitrogen content up to 72 and 42% higher, compared to the unamended soils. Moreover, the lower pH and the higher organic acids content doubled phosphorus availability. Although the number of leaves per plant in escaroles from pots amended with native and bioprocessed BSG did not show any difference compared to plants cultivated on unamended pots, the average fresh weight per escarole head, was higher in pots amended with bioprocessed BSG. Discussion: Hence, the results collected so far encourage BSG application for agricultural purpose, while solving the problem of disposing of such abundant side stream

Fermented brewers’ spent grain containing dextran and oligosaccharides as ingredient for composite wheat bread and its impact on gut metabolome in vitro

Brewers’ spent grain or BSG is a fiber and protein rich food-grade side stream that has remained underutilized due to its poor technological and sensory characteristics. In this study, BSG was fermented with Weissella confusa A16 in presence of sucrose to induce the synthesis of dextran and maltosyl-isomaltooligosaccharides. Fermented BSG with or without the above polysaccharides was used as ingredient in wheat bread. Digestion of BSG breads was simulated in vitro with Simulator of Human Intestinal Microbial Ecosystem, and levels of fecal metabolites were analyzed. Enrichment of BSG breads with in situ dextran and maltosyl-isomaltooligosaccharides improved the baking quality compared to native BSG. Metabolism of free amino acids and synthesis of short chain fatty acids varied at different stages and parts of colon. The increase in butyric acid was similar in both the proximal and distal colon. In situ dextran and maltosyl-isomaltooligosaccharides, and higher content of proteins and fiber in BSG breads had a positive influence towards gut microbiota functionality. Along with several essential amino acids, an increase in amount of γ-aminobutyric acid was also observed after simulated digestion. BSG breads had a significant effect on the gut metabolome during in vitro digestion, showing increased production of microbial metabolites with potential health benefits