5-hydroxymethylcytosine is dynamically regulated during forebrain organoid development and aberrantly altered in Alzheimer’s disease

5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) undergoes dynamic changes during mammalian brain development, and its dysregulation is associated with Alzheimer's disease (AD). The dynamics of 5hmC during early human brain development and how they contribute to AD pathologies remain largely unexplored. We generate 5hmC and transcriptome profiles encompassing several developmental time points of healthy forebrain organoids and organoids derived from several familial AD patients. Stage-specific differentially hydroxymethylated regions demonstrate an acquisition or depletion of 5hmC modifications across developmental stages. Additionally, genes concomitantly increasing or decreasing in 5hmC and gene expression are enriched in neurobiological or early developmental processes, respectively. Importantly, our AD organoids corroborate cellular and molecular phenotypes previously observed in human AD brains. 5hmC is significantly altered in developmentally programmed 5hmC intragenic regions in defined fetal histone marks and enhancers in AD organoids. These data suggest a highly coordinated molecular system that may be dysregulated in these early developing AD organoids

A Fast Strategy for Determination of Vitamin B9 in Food and Pharmaceutical Samples Using an Ionic Liquid-Modified Nanostructure Voltammetric Sensor

Vitamin B9 or folic acid is an important food supplement with wide clinical applications. Due to its importance and its side effects in pregnant women, fast determination of this vitamin is very important. In this study we present a new fast and sensitive voltammetric sensor for the analysis of trace levels of vitamin B9 using a carbon paste electrode (CPE) modified with 1,3-dipropylimidazolium bromide (1,3-DIBr) as a binder and ZnO/CNTs nanocomposite as a mediator. The electro-oxidation signal of vitamin B9 at the surface of the 1,3-DIBr/ZnO/CNTs/CPE electrode appeared at 800 mV, which was about 95 mV less positive compared to the corresponding unmodified CPE. The oxidation current of vitamin B9 by square wave voltammetry (SWV) increased linearly with its concentration in the range of 0.08–650 μM. The detection limit for vitamin B9 was 0.05 μM. Finally, the utility of the new 1,3-DIBr/ZnO/CNTs/CPE electrode was tested in the determination of vitamin B9 in food and pharmaceutical samples

The Effects of Reaction Parameters on the Corrosion Resistance of an Mg-Al Hydroxide Coating via in Situ Growth on a Biomedical Magnesium Alloy

An in situ Mg-Al hydrotalcite (LDH) film was prepared using a one-step hydrothermal method on the surface of a medical magnesium alloy. The importance and influence of the reaction parameters on the corrosion resistance of the LDH coatings were optimized and investigated through an orthogonal array and range analysis. The reaction parameters included the temperature, reaction time, pH, and concentration of the aluminum source. The relationship between the parameters and corrosion resistance performance of each coating was compared with the chemical composition, electrochemical corrosion current, and hydrogen evolution rate. Suitable reaction parameters were obtained. The morphology, element distribution, adhesion strength, and electrochemical properties of the preferred coatings were further analyzed and evaluated to optimize the treatment process. The results showed that temperature had the most significant impact on the quality of the LDH coating; a suitably high temperature, a longer reaction time, a higher aluminum source concentration, and a high pH were conducive to forming high-quality LDH coatings. There was an inverse relationship between the corrosion resistance and the LDH-to-Mg(OH)2 content ratio of the coatings. The optimal reaction parameters for this Mg-Al LDH coating on the substrate were 130 °C for 8 h at a pH of 13 using a 10 mM Al3+ solution

Gibberellin induced transcription factor bZIP53 regulates CesA1 expression in maize kernels.

Proper development of the maize kernel is of great significance for high and stable maize yield to ensure national food security. Gibberellin (GA), one of the hormones regulating plant growth, is involved in modulating the development of maize kernels. Cellulose, one of the main components of plant cells, is also regulated by gibberellin. The mechanism of hormone regulation during maize grain development is highly complicated, and reports on GA-mediated modulation of cellulose synthesis during maize grain development are rare. Our study revealed that during grain growth and development, the grain length and bulk density of GA-treated corn kernels improved significantly, and the cellulose content of grains increased, while seed coat thickness decreased. The transcription factor basic region/leucine zipper motif 53 (bZIP53), which is strongly correlated with cellulose synthase gene 1 (CesA1) expression, was screened by transcriptome sequencing and the expression of the cellulose synthase gene in maize grain development after GA treatment was determined. It was found that bZIP53 expression significantly promoted the expression of CesA1. Further, analysis of the transcription factor bZIP53 determined that the gene-encoded protein was localized in the cell and nuclear membranes, but the transcription factor bZIP53 itself showed no transcriptional activation. Further studies are required to explore the interaction of bZIP53 with CesA1

Conductive Biofilm Propolis-Based: Electrochemical Determination of Hydroxymethylfurfural in Honey

Honey samples have been widely evaluated regarding the presence of degradation products as an index quality control, for example, hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) in the presence of carbohydrates. The monitoring of HMF strategy can be a challenge; however, catalyst-based electroanalytical approaches can overcome it. This work aims the use of propolis to promote the anchoring of carbon nanotubes and Ni2+ onto the electrode surface, as well as the synthesis of nickel oxyhydroxide. The modified electrode was applied as an electrochemical sensor in the determination of HMF and total carbohydrates, and the quantification of HMF in honey samples. The sensor has shown high sensitivity to successive additions of the evaluated species, presenting LOD of 0.18 and 0.051 mmol L−1 for HMF and total carbohydrates, respectively. In the analyses of honey samples, recovery values between 91.8 and 107% of HMF were achieved. Therefore, the proposed modified sensor showed potential for use as a greener alternative for honey quality control