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Low-energy (0–14 eV) resonance electron interaction and fragment species produced by dissociative electron attachment (DEA) for enantiomeric forms of glutamic acid (Glu) are studied under gas-phase conditions by means of DEA spectroscopy and density functional theory calculations. Contrary to a series of amino acids studied earlier employing the DEA technique, the most abundant species are not associated with the elimination of a hydrogen atom from the parent molecular negative ion. Besides this less intense closed-shell [Glu – H]– fragment, only two mass-selected negative ions, [Glu – 19]– and [Glu – 76]–, are detected within the same electron energy region, with the yield maximum observed at around 0.9 eV. This value matches well the energy of vertical electron attachment into the lowest normally empty π* COOH molecular orbital of Glu located at 0.88 eV according to the present B3LYP/6-31G(d) calculations. Although the detection of asymmetric DEA properties a priori is not accessible under the present experimental conditions, "chirality non-conservation" can be associated with some decay channels. Evidently, the measured spectra for the L- and D-forms are found to be identical, the results, nevertheless, being of interest for the forthcoming experiments utilizing spin-polarized electron beam as a chiral factor in the framework of conventional DEA technique. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: In this study, a new process was proposed to make the yellow tomato puree more sustainable, avoiding any waste during production and including peels and seeds in it. In addition, as raw material tomatoes grown without irrigation and fertilisation procedures were used to increase the sustainability. With respect to a traditional puree, the whole‐fruit yellow tomato puree contained more β‐carotene and polyphenols, exhibiting greater antioxidant capacity, and showed greater consistency due to the high content of pectin in peels. Moreover, a higher content of glutamic acid, responsible for the umami taste, was detected particularly in products from GiaGiù ecotype. Sensory analysis assessed that whole‐fruit yellow tomato puree has good acceptability and consumers preferred it for the texture. In conclusion, the whole‐fruit yellow tomato puree is not only a sustainable product but can be also used as an excellent ingredient in food formulation with antioxidant properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Fibrotic interstitial lung disease is often identified late due to non-specific symptoms, inadequate access to specialist care, and clinical unawareness precluding proper and timely treatment. Biopsy histological analysis is definitive but rarely performed due to its invasiveness. Diagnosis typically relies on high-resolution computed tomography, while disease progression is evaluated via frequent pulmonary function testing. This study tested the hypothesis that pulmonary fibrosis diagnosis and progression could be non-invasively and accurately evaluated from the hair metabolome, with the longer-term goal to minimize patient discomfort. Methods: Hair specimens collected from pulmonary fibrosis patients (n = 56) and healthy subjects (n = 14) were processed for metabolite extraction using 2DLC/MS–MS, and data were analyzed via machine learning. Metabolomic data were used to train machine learning classification models tuned via a rigorous combination of cross validation, feature selection, and testing with a hold-out dataset to evaluate classifications of diseased vs. healthy subjects and stable vs. progressed disease. Results: Prediction of pulmonary fibrosis vs. healthy achieved AUROCTRAIN = 0.888 (0.794—0.982) and AUROCTEST = 0.908, while prediction of stable vs. progressed disease achieved AUROCTRAIN = 0.833 (0.784 – 0.882) and AUROCTEST = 0. 799. Top metabolites for diagnosis included ornithine, 4-(methylnitrosamino)-1–3-pyridyl-N-oxide-1-butanol, Thr-Phe, desthiobiotin, and proline. Top metabolites for progression included azelaic acid, Thr-Phe, Ala-Tyr, indoleacetyl glutamic acid, and cytidine. Conclusion: This study provides novel evidence that pulmonary fibrosis diagnosis and progression may in principle be evaluated from the hair metabolome. Longer term, this approach may facilitate non-invasive and accurate detection and monitoring of fibrotic lung diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The caseinolytic protease (ClpP)-producing strain CHFM, isolated from Algerian goat milk, was identified as Lactiplantibacillus pentosus through 16 S rRNA sequence analysis. The optimal conditions for ClpP expression by Lpb. pentosus CHFM were determined in a modified MRS medium, where peptone was replaced with casein. The most favourable conditions were a pH of 8.0, a temperature between 25°C and 55°C, and an incubation period of 48 h. PCR screening and subsequent cloning and sequencing of the ClpP-encoding gene from the Lpb. pentosus CHFM genome revealed two conservative substitutions: threonine to serine at position 161, and aspartic acid to glutamic acid at position 182. Bioinformatic analysis indicated an instability index value of 40.51 for ClpP CHFM, suggesting stability, with an alpha-helix being the predominant secondary structure element, followed by a random coil. The aliphatic index was 97.60, indicating thermal stability. The GRAVY index was −0.23, suggesting enhanced interaction with water. The molecular weight was found to be 25.5 kDa with an isoelectric point (pI) of 4.78. The structural and docking analysis demonstrated that ClpP CHFM possesses the ability to hydrolyze αS1-casein. [Display omitted] • The growth of Lpb.pentosus CHFM at high temperatures above 50°C. • New strategy for the production of caseinolytic endopeptidase from Lpb.pentosus CHFM. • Sequencing of the ClpP CHFM-encoding gene revealed two conservative substitutions. • Docking analysis demonstrated that ClpP CHFM are capable of hydrolysing αS1-casein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The objective of this experiment was to determine the standard ileal digestibility (SID) of amino acid (AA) in 10 different sources of wheat bran fed to broilers and establish the SID AA prediction based on the chemical composition. Methods: A total of 660 1-day-old broilers were randomly divided into 11 treatments with 6 replicates of 10 chickens each. Diets included 10 semi-purified mash diets and 1 nitrogenfree diet. Titanium dioxide (TiO2) 0.50% was used as an indigestible index. On day 13, 6 chickens from each replicate were selected for slaughter to collect ileal contents. On day 28, 4 chickens from each replicate were selected for slaughter to collect ileal contents. Results: Results showed that the coefficient of variation of the conventional nutrients (except for gross energy, and dry matter) and all AAs was greater than 8.00%. The average SID of essential AA in wheat bran for 13-day-old broilers was 37.24% and the average SID of nonessential AA was 42.02%; the average SID of essential AA for 28-day-old broilers was 67.13% and the average SID of nonessential AA was 69.51%. A correlation was observed (p<0.05) between most SID AA and crude protein (CP), crude fiber (CF), acid detergent fiber (ADF), and ash at day 13. A correlation was observed (p<0.05) between most SID AA and CF, and ADF at day 28. The R² value of stepwise regression equations for predicting the SID AA at day 13 and day 28 was best for glutamic acid (R² = 0.97 using CP, ash, CF, ether extract (EE), and neutral detergent fiber [NDF]) and lysine (R² = 0.74 using ash, ADF, EE, and NDF), respectively. Conclusion: In conclusion, broiler age had a significant effect on the SID AA values of wheat bran. The chemical composition of wheat bran varied widely between sources, and CP, CF, ADF, NDF, and ash were reasonable predictors of the SID AA of wheat bran. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coral skeletons are composites of aragonite and biomolecules. We report the concentrations of 11 amino acids in massive Porites spp. coral skeletons cultured at two temperatures (25 °C and 28 °C) and 3 seawater pCO2 (180, 400 and 750 µatm). Coral skeletal aspartic acid/asparagine (Asx), glutamic acid/glutamine (Glx), glycine, serine and total amino acid concentrations are significantly higher at 28 °C than at 25 °C. Skeletal Asx, Glx, Gly, Ser, Ala, L-Thr and total amino acid are significantly lower at 180 µatm seawater pCO2 compared to 400 µatm, and Ser is reduced at 180 µatm compared to 750 µatm. Concentrations of all skeletal amino acids are significantly inversely related to coral calcification rate but not to calcification media pH. Raman spectroscopy of these and additional specimens indicates that CO3 disorder in the skeletal aragonite lattice is not affected by seawater pCO2 but decreases at the higher temperature. This is contrary to observations in synthetic aragonite where disorder is positively related to the aragonite precipitation rate mediated by either increasing temperature (this study) or increasing Ω (this study and a previous report) and to the concentration of amino acid in the precipitation media (a previous report). We observe no significant relationship between structural disorder and coral calcification rate or skeletal [amino acid]. Both temperature and seawater pCO2 can significantly affect skeletal amino acid composition, and further work is required to clarify how environmental change mediates disorder. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cytotoxic neuronal swelling and glutamate excitotoxicity are two hallmarks of ischemic stroke. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms are not well understood. Here, it is reported that SWELL1, the essential subunit of the volume‐regulated anion channel (VRAC), plays a dual role in ischemic injury by promoting neuronal swelling and glutamate excitotoxicity. SWELL1 expression is upregulated in neurons and astrocytes after experimental stroke in mice. The neuronal SWELL1 channel is activated by intracellular hypertonicity, leading to Cl− influx‐dependent cytotoxic neuronal swelling and subsequent cell death. Additionally, the SWELL1 channel in astrocytes mediates pathological glutamate release, indicated by increases in neuronal slow inward current frequency and tonic NMDAR current. Pharmacologically, targeting VRAC with a new inhibitor, an FDA‐approved drug Dicumarol, attenuated cytotoxic neuronal swelling and cell death, reduced astrocytic glutamate release, and provided significant neuroprotection in mice when administered either before or after ischemia. Therefore, these findings uncover the pleiotropic effects of the SWELL1 channel in neurons and astrocytes in the pathogenesis of ischemic stroke and provide proof of concept for therapeutically targeting it in this disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

L -Glutamic acid (L -Glu) is a basic unit of proteins and also serves as an important neurotransmitter in the central nervous system. Its structural properties are critical for biological functions and selective receptor recognition. Although this molecule has been extensively studied, the low frequency vibrational behavior that is closely related to conformational changes and the intermolecular interactions between L -Glu and its receptors are still unclear. In this study, we acquired the fingerprint spectrum of L -Glu by using air plasma terahertz (THz) time-domain spectroscopy in the 0.5–18 THz range. The low frequency vibrational characteristics of L -Glu were investigated through density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The THz responses of the ligand binding domain of the NMDAR– L -Glu complex were studied by the ONIOM method, with a focus on discussing the normal modes and interactions of ligand L -Glu and water molecules. The results illustrate that THz spectroscopy exhibits a sensitive response to the influence of L -Glu on the structure of the NMDAR. The water molecules in proteins have various strong vibration modes in the THz band, showing specificity, diversity and complexity of vibrational behavior. There is potential for influencing and regulating the structural stability of the NMDAR– L -Glu complex through water molecules. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study was to develop a material capable of rapidly absorbing bodily fluids and forming a resilient, adhesive, viscoelastic hydrogel in situ to prevent post-surgical adhesions. This material was formulated using O-carboxymethyl chitosan (O-CMCS), oxidized hyaluronic acid (OHA), and a crosslinking pigment derived from genipin and glutamic acid (G/GluP). Both crosslinked (O-CMCS/OHA-G/GluP) and non-crosslinked hydrogels (O-CMCS/OHA) were evaluated using a HAAKE™ MARS™ rheometer for their potential as post-surgical barriers. A rheological analysis, including dynamic oscillatory measurements, revealed that the crosslinked hydrogels exhibited significantly higher elastic moduli (G′), indicating superior gel formation and mechanical stability compared to non-crosslinked hydrogels. The G/GluP crosslinker enhanced gel stability by increasing the separation between G′ and G″ and achieving a lower loss tangent (tan δ < 1.0), indicating robustness under dynamic physiological conditions. The rapid hydration and gelation properties of the hydrogels underscore their effectiveness as physical barriers. Furthermore, the O-CMCS/OHA-G/GluP hydrogel demonstrated rapid self-healing and efficient application via spraying or spreading, with tissue adherence and viscoelasticity to facilitate movement between tissues and organs, effectively preventing adhesions. Additionally, the hydrogel proved to be both cost effective and scalable, highlighting its potential for clinical applications aimed at preventing post-surgical adhesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ischemia leads to a severe dysregulation of glutamate homeostasis and excitotoxic cell damage in the brain. Shorter episodes of energy depletion, for instance during peri-infarct depolarizations, can also acutely perturb glutamate signaling. It is less clear if such episodes of metabolic failure also have persistent effects on glutamate signaling and how the relevant mechanisms such as glutamate release and uptake are differentially affected. We modeled acute and transient metabolic failure by using a chemical ischemia protocol and analyzed its effect on glutamatergic synaptic transmission and extracellular glutamate signals by electrophysiology and multiphoton imaging, respectively, in the mouse hippocampus. Our experiments uncover a duration-dependent bidirectional dysregulation of glutamate signaling. Whereas short chemical ischemia induces a lasting potentiation of presynaptic glutamate release and synaptic transmission, longer episodes result in a persistent postsynaptic failure of synaptic transmission. We also observed unexpected differences in the vulnerability of the investigated cellular mechanisms. Axonal action potential firing and glutamate uptake were surprisingly resilient compared to postsynaptic cells, which overall were most vulnerable to acute and transient metabolic stress. We conclude that short perturbations of energy supply lead to a lasting potentiation of synaptic glutamate release, which may increase glutamate excitotoxicity well beyond the metabolic incident. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the present work, N-substituted glutamic acid, polyethylene and polypropylene glycols have been used to design biocompatible copolyesters via Steglich reactions. Due to the presence of alternating hydrophilic and hydrophobic blocks in their structures, these copolyesters are able to form self-stabilized nanoparticle dispersions in aqueous media. The lipophilic core of these nanoparticles can solubilize poorly water-soluble compounds and release them into a model of lipids in a human body. Moreover, the obtained copolyesters possess no cytotoxic effects over a wide concentration range. Thus, we conclude that obtained copolyesters show significant promise for further development as drug delivery systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • An injectable hydrogel to reduce the postoperative abdominal adhesion is designed. • A third-generation polyamide-amine dendrimer loads the Meloxicam for slow release. • The hydrogel has good in vitro and in vivo biosafety and biodegradability. • MX inhibits inflammatory responses and balances the fibrinolytic system. • The adhesion prevention is proved in a rat abdominal adhesion model. Establishing a physical barrier between the peritoneum and the cecum is an effective method to reduce the risk of postoperative abdominal adhesions. Meloxicam (MX), a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug has also been applied to prevent postoperative adhesions. However, its poor water solubility has led to low bioavailability. Herein, we developed an injectable hydrogel as a barrier and drug carrier for simultaneous postoperative adhesion prevention and treatment. A third-generation polyamide-amine dendrimer (G3) was exploited to dynamically combine with MX to increase the solubility and the bioavailability. The formed G3@MX was further used to crosslink with poly-γ-glutamic acid (γ-PGA) to prepare a hydrogel (GP@MX hydrogel) through the amide bonding. In vitro and in vivo experiments evidenced that the hydrogel had good biosafety and biodegradability. More importantly, the prepared hydrogel could control the release of MX, and the released MX is able to inhibit inflammatory responses and balance the fibrinolytic system in the injury tissues in vivo. The tunable rheological and mechanical properties (compressive moduli: from ∼ 57.31 kPa to ∼ 98.68 kPa;) and high anti-oxidant capacity (total free radical scavenging rate of ∼ 94.56 %), in conjunction with their syringeability and biocompatibility, indicate possible opportunities for the development of advanced hydrogels for postoperative tissue adhesions management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investgate the effects of potassium (K) application on the agronomic traits and fruit quality of Lycium barbarum L. (Goji), three levels of K fertilizer, namely LK (25 g/plant), CK (50 g/plant), and HK (75 g/plant), were applied to plants in phytotron for observing and measuring relevant indicators. The investigation involved seven agronomic traits: plant height, plant stem diameter, new branch increment, yield of fresh fruits per plant, dry fruit quantity within 50 g, ratio of different grade fruits, and ratio of longitudinal diameter to transverse diameter of Goji fruits. The results showed that K application level had significant effect on ratio of the longitudinal diameter to the transverse diameter of fresh Goji fruits, and that the influence on other agronomic traits was slight. In the meanwhile, the concentrations of amino acids, betaine, polysaccharides and flavonoids of Goji fruits in different levels of K fertilizer were tested. The K treatment increased the content of glutamic acid, and decreased that of flavonoids (P < 0.05), whereas the content of other amino acids, polysaccharides and betaine were unaffected. A total of 132 flavonoid metabolites was identified. Among them, K treatment up-regulated 36 metabolites and down-regulated 30 metabolites (P < 0.05). The results provided a basis for balanced K supply to regulate the agronomic traits and nutrients of Goji fruits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oral delivery of proteins faces challenges due to the harsh conditions of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, including gastric acid and intestinal enzyme degradation. Permeation enhancers are limited in their ability to deliver proteins with high molecular weight and can potentially cause toxicity by opening tight junctions. To overcome these challenges, we propose the use of montmorillonite (MMT) as an adjuvant that possesses both inflammation-oriented abilities and the ability to regulate gut microbiota. This adjuvant can be used as a universal protein oral delivery technology by fusing with advantageous binding amino acid sequences. We demonstrated that anti-TNF-α nanobody (VII) can be intercalated into the MMT interlayer space. The carboxylate groups (-COOH) of aspartic acid (D) and glutamic acid (E) interact with the MMT surface through electrostatic interactions with sodium ions (Na+). The amino groups (NH2) of asparagine (N) and glutamine (Q) are primarily attracted to the MMT layers through hydrogen bonding with oxygen atoms on the surface. This binding mechanism protects VII from degradation and ensures its release in the intestinal tract, as well as retaining biological activity, leading to significantly enhanced therapeutic effects on colitis. Furthermore, VII@MMT increases the abundance of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs)-producing strains, including Clostridia, Prevotellaceae, Alloprevotella, Oscillospiraceae, Clostridia_vadinBB60_group, and Ruminococcaceae, therefore enhance the production of SCFAs and butyrate, inducing regulatory T cells (Tregs) production to modulate local and systemic immune homeostasis. Overall, the MMT adjuvant provides a promising universal strategy for protein oral delivery by rational designed protein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radical S‐adenosyl‐L‐methionine (SAM) enzymes couple the reductive cleavage of SAM to radical‐mediated transformations that have proven to be quite broad in scope. DesII is one such enzyme from the biosynthetic pathway of TDP‐desosamine where it catalyzes a radical‐mediated deamination. Previous studies have suggested that this reaction proceeds via direct elimination of ammonia from an α‐hydroxyalkyl radical or its conjugate base (i.e., a ketyl radical) rather than 1,2‐migration of the amino group to form a carbinolamine radical intermediate. However, without a crystal structure, the active site features responsible for this chemistry have remained largely unknown. The crystallographic studies described herein help to fill this gap by providing a structural description of the DesII active site. Computational analyses based on the solved crystal structure are consistent with direct elimination and indicate that an active site glutamate residue likely serves as a general base to promote deprotonation of the α‐hydroxyalkyl radical intermediate and elimination of the ammonia group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

3‐methyl‐4‐(hetero)arylmethylidene isoxazole‐5(4H)‐one derivatives (4a‐r) derivatives (4a‐r) were synthesized by the multi‐component reactions. The multi‐component reactions (MCRs) of hydroxylamine hydrochloride, ethyl acetoacetate and aromatic/ heteroaromatic aldehyde catalyzed by novel Glutamic acid (Glu) as a biodegradable and eco‐friendly organocatalyst in ethanol on oil bath stirring at 60 °C. The final product homogeneity was examined by various spectroscopic techniques. In this work prepared compounds 4 q and 4 r are novel derivatives. The molecular dynamics of total energy and energy gap was calculated using DFT/B3LYP/6–31G (dp) method. The selected derivatives (4 l–r) screened against in vitro MCF‐7 breast cancer cell line by MTT assay, derivatives 4 l and 4 o displayed very good activity with IC50 of 6.57±2.31, and 21.93±1.34 as compared to doxorubicin of IC50 (3.69±0.17). Molecular docking studies were performed to evaluate interaction of PDB id: 1 M17 with led molecules of MCF‐7. Later, 1 M17 and 4 l underwent 200 ns molecular dynamics and simulation within physiological conditions, the outcomes showed that during the simulation, the ligand stayed in the same form. Further, the selected derivatives drug like computed using swissADME, and derivatives 4 l–r obeyed rule of Lipinski's. Furthermore, selected derivatives tested for electrochemical behavior using cyclic voltammetry, and compound 4 l and 4 q showed strong oxidation and reduction potential, thus these derivatives can present better antioxidant properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractHb Youngstown [HBB:c.305A > C] is a rare unstable hemoglobin caused by the substitution of glutamic acid with alanine at codon 101 of the Beta globin chain. It causes hemolytic anemia in the heterozygous state. This is a case of a six-year-old Chinese-Javanese girl with heterozygous Hb Youngstown and clinical features of chronic hemolysis and iron overload. Hb Youngstown appears at the S window near to 4.6 minutes on high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and can form a hybrid tetramer on alkaline gel electrophoresis seen as two distinct bands cathodal to A and close to F. For the first time, Hb Youngstown is captured with capillary electrophoresis (CE) and shown to be eluted at zone 8. Clinical presentation and Hb analysis results of this heterozygous Hb Youngstown overlap with heterozygous Hb Rush. They can only be differentiated at molecular level by Beta globin gene sequencing or intact mass spectrometry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Folic acid (FA) is an essential vitamin involved in crucial metabolic processes, while copper(II) ions play significant roles in various biological functions. This study aims to investigate the interaction between FA and Cu2+ using 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy under different pH levels and concentrations. The research employed detailed NMR analysis to explore how Cu2+ binds to FA, focusing on changes in chemical shifts, diffusion coefficients, and copper-induced paramagnetic effects. The key findings reveal that Cu2+ predominantly coordinates with the pteridine ring (PTE) of FA, with minimal involvement from the glutamic acid (Glu) moiety. The interaction is strongly concentration-dependent: at lower FA concentrations, Cu2+ binds effectively to the PTE ring, while at higher concentrations, intermolecular interactions among FA molecules hinder copper binding. The study also observed pronounced paramagnetic effects on the PTE and p-aminobenzoic acid protons, with negligible effects on Glu signals. These results provide new insights into the structural characteristics of FA-Cu2+ complexes, contributing to a better understanding of their biochemical interactions and implications for folate metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacteriophages have been proposed as biological controllers to protect plants against different bacterial pathogens. In this scenario, one of the main challenges is the low viability of phages in plants and under adverse environmental conditions. This work explores the use of 12 compounds and 14 different formulations to increase the viability of a phage mixture that demonstrated biocontrol capacity against Pseudomonas syringae pv. actinidiae (Psa) in kiwi plants. The results showed that the viability of the phage mixture decreases at 44 °C, at a pH lower than 4, and under UV radiation. However, using excipients such as skim milk, casein, and glutamic acid can prevent the viability loss of the phages under these conditions. Likewise, it was demonstrated that the use of these compounds prolongs the presence of phages in kiwi plants from 48 h to at least 96 h. In addition, it was observed that phages remained stable for seven weeks when stored in powder with skim milk, casein, or sucrose after lyophilization and at 4 °C. Finally, the phages with glutamic acid, sucrose, or skim milk maintained their antimicrobial activity against Psa on kiwi leaves and persisted within kiwi plants when added through roots. This study contributes to overcoming the challenges associated with the use of phages as biological controllers in agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acidic amino acid peptides have a high affinity for bone. Previously, we demonstrated that radiogallium complex-conjugated oligo-acidic amino acids possess promising properties as bone-seeking radiopharmaceuticals. Here, to elucidate the effect of stereoisomers of Glu in Glu-containing peptides [(Glu)14] on their accumulation in the kidney, the biodistributions of [67Ga]Ga-N,N′-bis-[2-hydroxy-5-(carboxyethyl)benzyl]ethylenediamine-N,N′-diacetic acid-conjugated (l-Glu)14 ([67Ga]Ga-HBED-CC-(l-Glu)14), [67Ga]Ga-HBED-CC-(d-Glu)14, [67Ga]Ga-HBED-CC-(dl-Glu)14, and [67Ga]Ga-HBED-CC-(d-Glu-l-Glu)7 were compared. Although the accumulation of these compounds in the bone was comparable, their kidney accumulation and retention were strikingly different, with [67Ga]Ga-HBED-CC-(d-Glu-l-Glu)7 exhibiting the lowest level of kidney accumulation among these compounds. Repeated d- and l-peptides may be a useful method for reducing renal accumulation in some cases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ulva is an unutilized green seaweed that grows in the intertidal zone around the coast of Java Island, Indonesia. In this study, U. lactuca samples collected from three regions in south of Java Island (Cihara, Surade, and Tepus) were studied in terms of their chemical composition, physical properties and its bioactivity, to determine the best regions for establishing seaweed industries. The chemical characteristics differed significantly among different regions, where the seaweed from Tepus, Surade and Cihara had the highest content of protein (22.93%), carbohydrate (61.58%), and mineral (28.72%), respectively. The amino acids were dominated with L-aspartic acid and L-glutamic acid. All U. lactuca samples contained abundant pigments, such as chlorophylls and carotenoids, especially samples from Tepus. The highest content of crude ulvan was found in Surade seaweed (26.9%). Chemical and physical analyses showed the presence of S = O and C–O–S functional groups in ulvan, a sulfated polysaccharide unique to Ulva sp., with thermal degradation up to 220 °C. Crude ulvan from Surade and Tepus seaweed exhibited bioactivity to support proliferation of fibroblast cells at 100 and 1000 ppm, respectively. Based on the properties of U. lactuca, Tepus and Surade were identified as potential sites to establish aquaculture and/or processing industries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The list of standard abbreviations for JDS is available at adsa.org/jds-abbreviations-24. Nonstandard abbreviations are available in the Notes. Probiotics are increasingly used as starter cultures to produce fermented dairy products; however, few studies have investigated the role of probiotics in milk fermentation metabolism. The current study aimed to investigate whether adding Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis Probio-M8 (Probio-M8) as a starter culture strain could improve milk fermentation by comparing the physicochemical characteristics and metabolomes of fermented milks produced by a commercial starter culture with and without Probio-M8. Our results showed that adding Probio-M8 shortened the milk fermentation time and improved the fermented milk texture and stability. Metabolomics analyses revealed that adding Probio-M8 affected mostly organic acid, AA, and fatty acid metabolism in milk fermentation. Targeted quantitative analyses revealed significant increases in various metabolites related to the sensory quality, nutritive value, and health benefits of the probiotic fermented milk, including 5 organic acids (acetic acid, lactic acid, citric acid, succinic acid, and tartaric acid), 5 EAA (valine, arginine, leucine, isoleucine, and lysine), glutamic acid, and 2 essential fatty acids (α-linolenic acid and docosahexaenoic acid). Thus, applying probiotics in milk fermentation is desirable. This study has generated useful information for developing novel functional dairy products. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Acute worsening of glycemic control in diabetic patients and new–onset type I diabetes were reported after severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) vaccines. Latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA) is defined as a slowly evolving immune–mediated diabetes. A few cases of LADA diagnosed after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination have been reported in the literature. This study aims to report LADA after mRNA-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccinations in subjects with a history of well-controlled type 2 diabetes. Methods: We report four cases with LADA diagnosed after mRNA-based SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, BNT162b2 (Pfizer-BioNTech). In the medical history, all subjects had well-controlled type 2 diabetes with oral anti-diabetic medication. One case had autoimmune thyroid disease. One subject was presented with diabetic ketoacidosis. Results: Glycemic control of the presented cases had deteriorated 6–10 weeks after BNT162b2 vaccination. All patients were male and had high levels of glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 antibody (GAD65ab). An intensive insulin regimen was initiated at the time of diagnosis. The need for insulin therapy in two patients disappeared during follow-up. Two subjects were managed with basal insulin and oral antidiabetics. GAD65ab disappeared just 1 year after the diagnosis of LADA in a subject. Conclusion: In case of impaired glycemic control after SARS-CoV-2 vaccination in a well-controlled diabetic patient, LADA should be considered. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The research about sustainable and alternative plant protein sources has accelerated with the increasing need for protein. Safflower meal has a potential to be used in protein production due to its high protein content. This research aimed to produce an alternative plant‐based protein powder using safflower meal. Both extraction and spray‐drying parameters of safflower protein powder production were optimized using response surface methodology to achieve maximum yield. Moreover, the physicochemical and functional properties of safflower protein were determined and compared with those of commercial protein powders (soy, sunflower, pea, fava bean, and rice). RESULTS: The optimum extraction conditions were found to be 33.06:1 mL−1 g solvent‐to‐meal ratio, pH 11.00, 23.34 °C extraction temperature, and 30.86 min extraction time, which were achieved with a protein yield response of 75.21%. The highest powder yield (51.28%) was recorded for drying conditions of inlet air temperature of 160.11 °C, aspiration rate of 54.17 m3 h−1, and feed flow rate of 16.01 mL min−1. According to the amino acid profile of safflower protein, the glutamic acid content (14 475 mg (100 g)−1) was highest, while the methionine content (96 mg (100 g)−1) was lowest. Moreover, safflower protein can be regarded as a high‐quality protein due to its high essential amino acid ratio (41.55%). The experiments showed that safflower protein had high solubility and good foam and emulsifying properties. CONCLUSION: Safflower protein could be a nutritional and functional protein source for the food industry. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a major inhibitory neurotransmitter required for excitation/inhibition balance is synthesized by the glutamic acid decarboxylases (GADs) in GABAergic neurons. The levels and activity of GADs are strongly correlated with GABA and neural transmission. Dysregulation of GADs and GABA is associated with various neurological disorders. The study used psoralidin, found in the seeds of Psoralea corylifolia, to investigate its effect on GAD levels and regulatory mechanisms in primary cortical neurons. Psoralidin reduced GAD67 through transcriptional regulation. The reduction was not mediated by the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor. Additionally, psoralidin attenuated the formation of inhibitory synapses in primary hippocampal neurons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to prepare and characterize Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) waste meal. The experimental design consisted of three treatments (carcass meal, mechanically separated meat meal - MSM, and head meal) and five replications of each treatment. Yield, microbiological quality, pH, water activity, proximate composition, energy value, mineral composition, fatty acid profile, amino acid composition, color, and particle size fractions and the geometric mean particle diameter (GMD) analyses were performed. Data were subjected to ANOVA, and means were compared by Tukey's test at P < 0.05. Carcass, mechanically separated meat, and head meals had a protein content of 56.45%, 78.60%, and 50.33%, respectively, a lipid content of 7.16%, 13.15%, and 4.58%, respectively, and an ash content of 32.61%, 4.26%, and 38.41%, respectively. The mean yield of fish waste meals was 13%. Oleic, palmitic, and linoleic acids were the major fatty acids in the three fish waste meals, and glutamic acid, leucine, lysine, and glycine were the major amino acids. Color analysis showed that lightness (L*) ranged from 55.32 to 77.19, redness (a*) from 4.44 to 4.88, and yellowness (b*) from 4.13 to 9.51. The GMD ranged from 0.37 to 0.99 mm. The results indicate that Nile tilapia waste meals have high nutritional value and adequate pH, water activity, and microbiological quality for use in human nutrition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the physicochemical properties, functionalities, and antioxidant capacities of protein extracts from wild sea cucumber Australostichopus mollis collected from four distinct locations in New Zealand. Protein was extracted from sea cucumber body walls using trypsin enzymatic extraction, followed by cold acetone precipitation. The amino acid analysis revealed high glycine (189.08 mg/g), glutamic acid (119.45 mg/g), and aspartic acid (91.91 mg/g) concentrations in all samples. The essential amino acid indexes of the protein extracts (62.96, average) were higher than the WHO/FAO standard references, indicating the excellent protein quality of A. mollis. Furthermore, protein extracts from A. mollis demonstrated superior emulsifying activity (202.3–349.5 m2/g average) compared to commercial soy and whey protein isolates under all tested pH conditions, and enhanced foaming capacity (109.9–126.4%) and stability (52.7–72%) in neutral and acidic conditions. The extracts also exhibited good solubility, exceeding 70% across pH 3–11. Antioxidant capacities (ABTS and DPPH free radical scavenging activity and ferric reducing antioxidant power) were identified in A. mollis protein extracts for the first time, with clear variations observed among different locations. These findings elucidate the advantageous functional properties of protein extracts from wild New Zealand A. mollis and highlight their potential application as high-quality antioxidant food ingredients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Isoliensinine (ISO), a natural compound, is a bibenzyl isoquinoline alkaloid monomer in lotus seed, which has strong antioxidant and free radical scavenging activities. The oxidative toxicity caused by glutamic acid overdose is one of the important mechanisms of nerve cell injury, and the oxidative toxicity caused by glutamic acid is related to ferroptosis. This study aims to establish a glutamate‐induced injury model of mouse hippocampal neurons HT‐22 cells, and investigate the protective effect of ISO on the neurotoxicity of glutamate‐induced HT‐22 cells. The results showed that ISO inhibited glutamate‐induced ferroptosis of neuronal cells through nuclear factor E2‐related factor 2/glutathione peroxidase 4 (Nrf2/GPX4) signaling pathway. Pretreatment of HT‐22 cells with ISO significantly reduced glutamate‐induced cell death. Ferroptosis inhibitors have the same effect. ISO inhibited the decrease of mitochondrial membrane potential detection and the increase of iron content induced by glutamate, the increase of malondialdehyde and reactive oxygen species in cytoplasm and lipid, and protected the activities of GPx and superoxide dismutase enzymes. In addition, WB showed that glutamic acid could induce the upregulated expression of long‐chain esteryl coA synthase 4 (ACSL4) protein and the downregulated expression of SLC7A11 and GPX4 protein in HT‐22 cells, while ISO could prevent the abnormal expression of these proteins induced by glutamic acid. The nuclear translocation of Nrf2 in HT‐22 cells was increased, and the expression of downstream heme oxygenase‐1 protein was upregulated. In summary, ISO protects HT‐22 cells from glutamate‐induced ferroptosis through a novel mechanism of the Nrf2/GPX4 signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Energy‐saving and low‐carbon baking processes, as well as the need to determine the flavor‐forming mechanisms of baked dried tofu, are becoming increasingly necessary. The application of emerging catalytic infrared radiation (CIR) technology in baking of dried tofu is considered of high interest due to the low energy consumption and high baking efficiency compared to traditional baking methods. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the evolution of aroma compounds in baked dried tofu during the CIR baking process and reveal relevant relationships between physical qualities, potential flavor precursors and key volatile compounds. RESULTS: The results showed that the surface color of dried tofu gradually turned an appetizing golden yellow color during the rapid heating process, caused by the uniform infrared radiation from the radiant emitters. Meanwhile, the moisture of dried tofu experienced minimal reduction and the hardness of dried tofu gradually increased with the formation of crust on the surface. In addition, 49 volatile compounds were identified by headspace solid‐phase microextraction–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry and 13 substances – 1‐hexanol, 1‐octen‐3‐ol, 1‐pentanol, heptanal, nonanal, hexanal, (E,E)‐2,4‐decadienal, (E,Z)‐2,4‐decadienal, octanal, (E)‐2‐octenal, (E)‐2‐nonenal, 2‐heptanone and 2‐pentylfuran – were confirmed as key aroma compounds. Moreover, the amino acids aspartic acid, glutamic acid, isoleucine, lysine and arginine, and the fatty acids butyric, caprylic, capric, tridecanoic, stearic, oleic and linolenic were responsible for the unique flavor of CIR‐baked dried tofu. CONCLUSION: Consequently, the findings can provide a scientific basis for manufacturers to achieve precise quality control and large‐scale production of CIR‐baked dried tofu products. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) studies have indicated that the imbalance between gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and glutamate/glutamine (Glx) levels was the potential cause of migraine development. However, the changes in the GABA and Glx levels in patients with New daily persistent headache (NDPH) remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the changes in GABA and Glx levels in the periaqueductal gray (PAG) and dentate nucleus (DN) in patients with NDPH using the MEGA-PRESS sequence. Methods: Twenty-one NDPH patients and 22 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs) were included and underwent a 3.0T MRI examination, using the MEGA-PRESS sequence to analyze GABA and Glx levels of PAG and DN. The correlations between these neurotransmitter levels and clinical characteristics were also analyzed. Results: There were no significant differences in the GABA+/Water, GABA+/Cr, Glx/Water, and Glx/Cr levels in both PAG and DN between the two groups (all p > 0.05). Moderate-severe NDPH patients had lower levels of Glx/Water (p = 0.034) and Glx/Cr (p = 0.012) in DN than minimal-mild NDPH patients. In patients with NDPH, higher Glx/Water levels in the PAG (r=-0.471, p = 0.031, n = 21) and DN (r=-0.501, p = 0.021, n = 21) and higher Glx/Cr levels in DN (r=-0.483, p = 0.026, n = 21) were found to be correlated with lower Visual Analogue Scale scores. Additionally, a positive correlation was observed between the GABA+/Cr levels in the DN and the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 scores (r = 0.519, p = 0.039, n = 16). Conclusions: The results of this study indicated that the GABA and Glx levels in the PAG and DN may not be the primary contributor to the development of NDPH. The correlations between certain clinical scales and the neurotransmitter levels may be derived from the NDPH related symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) has been employed to investigate brain metabolite concentrations in vivo, and they vary during neuronal activation, across brain activity states, or upon disease with neurological impact. Whether resting brain metabolites correlate with functioning in behavioral tasks remains to be demonstrated in any of the widely used rodent models. This study tested the hypothesis that, in the absence of neurological disease or injury, the performance in a hippocampal-dependent memory task is correlated with the hippocampal levels of metabolites that are mainly synthesized in neurons, namely N-acetylaspartate (NAA), glutamate and GABA. Experimentally naïve rats were tested for hippocampal-dependent spatial memory performance by measuring spontaneous alternation in the Y-maze, followed by anatomical magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) in the hippocampus and cortex. Memory performance correlated with hippocampal concentrations of NAA (p = 0.024) and glutamate (p = 0.014) but not GABA. Concentrations of glutamate in the cortex also correlated with spatial memory (p = 0.035). In addition, memory performance was also correlated with the relative volume of the hippocampus (p = 0.041). Altogether, this exploratory study suggests that levels of the neuronal maker NAA and the main excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate are associated with physiological functional capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, increased attention has been paid to the raw materials of plants as a source of biologically active substances. Black rosehip (Rosa pimpinellifolia L.) fruits could be a good resource for potential functional components in the food, cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries. Also, drying can influence the composition of heat-sensitive phytochemicals. However, less attention is given to comparing black rosehip bioactive compounds particularly compositions of fatty acid, amino acids, and phenolic content in fresh and dried fruits. So in this study, the amino acid constituents (by amino acid analyzer), fatty acids (by GC–MS), mineral elements (by atomic absorption spectrometer), antioxidant (by DPPH) and phenolic compounds (by HPLC) present in fresh and dried fruits of black rosehip naturally grown in Iran were comprehensively investigated. The results showed that dried fruits had a lower level moisture by 51.55%, and a higher level of total phenolic compounds and total sugar by 786.20 mg GAE/100 g and 15.77 g/100 g, respectively. Chlorogenic acid and gallic acid were the major phenolic compounds (109.3 mg/g). Whilst, linoleic acid, oleic acid, and arachidic acid (85.34%) were the most dominant fatty acids. The most dominant amino acids were glutamic acid, phenylalanine, and arginine (29.41 g/100 g). Also, Fe and Mn as micro-elements were the most dominant elements. In general, the results illustrated the potentials and differences of black rosehip fruits grown in the Arasbaran region as promising resources for food sources, pharmaceutics, cosmetics, and breeding programs. Also, these findings confirm that black rosehip fruits contain significant amounts of secondary metabolites that may positively affect human health. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The formulation and delivery of macromolecules through the oral route pose considerable challenges due to factors such as large molecular weight, pH sensitivity, and limited formulation approaches. This challenge is compounded if the drug is poorly permeable, necessitating innovative drug delivery strategies. Vancomycin, a widely prescribed glycopeptide antibiotic, has an oral bioavailability of less than 10%, leading to predominantly intravenous administration and potential patient discomfort. This study explores the potential of the buccal route as a non-invasive, highly vascularised alternative route of administration, offering a rapid onset of action while bypassing the first-pass metabolism. In this study, vancomycin was coated with L-glutamic acid using an isothermal dry particle coater to modulate permeation through the buccal cell line, TR146. Results confirm significant impact of both amino acid concentration and dry particle coating on the rate and extent of drug permeability. With the introduction of L-glutamic acid and utilisation of the isothermal dry particle coater, vancomycin's permeation profile increased six-fold compared to the control due to the formation of drug ion-pair complex. Imaging studies showed the presence of layered micronized glutamic acid particles on the surface of dry coated vancomycin particles which confirms the role of dry coating and amino acid concentration in modulating drug permeation. Microbiology experiments in Staphylococcus aureus, minimum inhibitory concentration and biofilm disruption studies, provided confirmatory evidence of antimicrobial activity of dry coated glutamic acid-vancomycin ion pair particulate structure. This study demonstrates, for the first-time, buccal delivery of dry coated large molecule drug, vancomycin, through controlled deposition of amino acid using innovative particle coating strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glutamate is one of the most important excitatory neurotransmitters within the mammalian central nervous system. The role of glutamate in regulating neural network signaling transmission through both synaptic and extra‐synaptic paths highlights the importance of the real‐time and continuous monitoring of its concentration and dynamics in living organisms. Progresses in multidisciplinary research have promoted the development of electrochemical glutamate sensors through the co‐design of materials, interfaces, electronic devices, and integrated systems. This review summarizes recent works reporting various electrochemical sensor designs and their applicability as miniaturized neural probes to in vivo sensing within biological environments. We start with an overview of the role and physiological significance of glutamate, the metabolic routes, and its presence in various bodily fluids. Next, we discuss the design principles, commonly employed validation models/protocols, and successful demonstrations of multifunctional, compact, and bio‐integrated devices in animal models. The final section provides an outlook on the development of the next generation glutamate sensors for neuroscience and neuroengineering, with the aim of offering practical guidance for future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fluorescence indicators capable of binding to human immunodeficiency virus-1 (HIV-1) trans-activation responsive (TAR) RNA are powerful tools for the exploratory studies of the identification of anti-HIV drug candidates. This work presents a new design strategy for fluorogenic indicators with a transactivator of transcription (Tat)-derived peptide based on the forced intercalation of thiazole orange (TO) dyes (FIT). The developed 9-mer FIT peptide (RKKRR-TO-RRR: named FiLuP) features the TO unit integrated onto a Dap (2,3-diaminopropionic acid) residue in the middle of the Tat peptide sequence; the Q (glutamic acid) residue in the Tat peptide (RKKRR-Q-RRR) is replaced with TO as if it were an amino acid surrogate. This facilitates a significant light-up response (450-fold at λem = 541 nm, Φfree = 0.0057, and Φbound = 0.61) upon binding to TAR RNA. The response of FiLuP is highly selective to TAR RNA over other non-cognate RNAs, and FiLuP maintains strong binding affinity (Kd = 1.0 ± 0.6 nM). Significantly, in contrast to previously developed Tat peptide-based FRET probes, FiLuP is able to discriminate between "competitive" and "noncompetitive" inhibitors when used in the fluorescence indicator displacement (FID) assay. The FID assay under stringent screening conditions is also possible, enabling super-strong competitive binders toward TAR RNA to be sieved out. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current evaluation was conducted to investigate the chemical composition and functional properties of protein hydrolysates from different Satureja species. The major amino acids (mg/100 g protein) in the protein from different Satureja species were arginine (6.06–14.37), asparagine (1.39–17.06), glutamine (2.42–11.60), glutamic acid (6.34–9.32), beta‐aminoisobutyric acid (3.31–10.29), alanine (4.64–9.59), aspartic acid (5.73–9.54), proline (4.25–8.14), leucine (3.63–5.69), serine (2.64–4.83), lysine (1.89–4.56), glycine (0.96–5.27), valine (2.76–4.83), and phenylalanine (2.86–3.75). Protein hydrolysates from Satureja species exhibited comparable antioxidant activity (IC50 = 0.270–0.328 mg/mL), anti‐linoleic acid oxidation (IC50 = 0.231–0.301 mg/mL), anti‐lecithin oxidation (IC50 = 0.198–0.258 mg/mL), anti‐starch oxidation (IC50 = 0.201–0.277 mg/mL), anti‐amylase activity (IC50 = 0.314–0.337 mg/mL), and anti‐lipase activity (IC50 = 0.309–0.369 mg/mL). The physico‐chemical properties of gelatin dispersion were electrical conductivity (1197 microsiemens/cm), osmolarity (190 milliosmol/kg), surface tension (45 mN/m), particle size (179 nm), zeta potential (−48 mV), and viscosity (4.92 mPa.s). Techno‐functional characteristics of freeze‐dried gelatin particles were as follows: water content (7.68%), water solubility (84.57%), water swelling (151.33%), hygroscopicity (38.20%), hydrophobicity (6.50 μg/g), emulsification activity (68.54%), emulsification stability (57.86%), foam expansion activity (56.08%), foam stability (41.84%), oil‐holding capacity (1.96 g/g), and water‐holding capacity (4.45 g/g). Protein hydrolysate causes minor changes in the physico‐chemical and techno‐functional properties of gelatin. The current investigation introduces Satureja protein hydrolysate as a possible functional and techno‐functional ingredient for bioactive food products for treating diabetes and oxidative stress and as a natural preservative for the food industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to unfavourable market conditions, the sugar industry is looking to diversify its product portfolio by producing economically feasible and environmentally sustainable products in addition to crystalline sugar. The production of monosodium glutamate (MSG) from sugar is a well‐established commercial process, and a new local production facility could be a potential low‐risk diversification option for the South African sugar industry. While the consumption of MSG has been a controversial topic due to possible negative health effects, the global market, especially in developing and sugar‐producing countries such as China, Indonesia, and Vietnam is growing at a cumulative annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.2%. In this study, the economic feasibility and environmental sustainability performance of the production of monosodium glutamate (MSG) from A‐molasses in a biorefinery annexed to a typical sugar mill are assessed. Five different process scenarios were investigated, including three indirect (two‐pot) processing routes through glutamic acid fermentation and two one‐pot conversion scenarios. The indirect scenarios include the conventional route with fertiliser as a byproduct; second, the conventional route with fertiliser and animal feed as byproducts; and third, a state‐of‐the‐art membrane‐assisted nanofiltration method with animal feed and fertiliser as byproducts. The one‐pot scenarios include syrup being sold as a byproduct or syrup being recycled back to the fermenter. The three indirect process scenarios resulted in the highest minimum selling price (MSP) of approximately 1.8 US$/kg and the highest greenhouse gas (GHG) emission potential of around 0.64 kgCO2/kgMSG. Development of a more direct (one‐pot) conversion process can reduce the MSP to 1.6 US$/kg, which is close to the current market price and reduce the GHG emissions to 0.55 kgCO2/kgMSG, if the fermentation microbe can convert sugars to glutamate efficiently in the presence of high sodium ion concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coral skeletal B/Ca (effectively B/CO 3 2–), in combination with boron isotopic composition (δ11B), has been used to reconstruct the dissolved inorganic carbon chemistry of coral calcification media and to explore the biomineralisation process and its response to ocean acidification. This approach assumes that B(OH) 4 −, the B species incorporated into aragonite, competes with dissolved inorganic carbon species for inclusion in the mineral lattice. In this study we precipitated aragonite from seawater in vitro under conditions that simulate the compositions of the calcification media used to build tropical coral skeletons. To deconvolve the effects of pH and [CO 3 2–] on boron incorporation we conducted multiple experiments at constant [CO 3 2–] but variable pH and at constant pH but variable [CO 3 2–], both in the absence and presence of common coral skeletal amino acids. Large changes in solution [CO 3 2–], from < 400 to >1000 µmol kg−1, or in precipitation rate, have no significant effect on aragonite B/Ca at pH total of 8.20 and 8.41. A significant inverse relationship is observed between solution [CO 3 2–] and aragonite B/Ca at pH total = 8.59. Aragonite B/Ca is positively correlated with seawater pH across precipitations conducted at multiple pH but this relationship is driven by the effect of pH on the abundance of B(OH) 4 – in seawater. Glutamic acid and glycine enhance the incorporation of B in aragonite but aspartic acid has no measurable effect. Normalising aragonite B/Ca to solution [B(OH) 4 –] creates K D B(OH)4− which do not vary significantly between pH treatments. This implies that B(OH) 4 – and CO 3 2– do not compete with each other for inclusion in the aragonite lattice at pH total 8.20 and 8.41. Only at high pH (8.59), when [B(OH) 4 –] is high, do we observe evidence to suggest that the 2 anions compete to be incorporated into the lattice. These high pH conditions represent the uppermost limits reliably measured in the calcification media of tropical corals cultured under present day conditions, suggesting that skeletal B/Ca may not reflect the calcification media dissolved inorganic carbon chemistry in all modern day corals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Macroautophagy/autophagy plays a crucial role in inhibiting viral replication and regulating the host’s immune response. The autophagy receptor SQSTM1/p62 (sequestosome 1) restricts viral replication by directing specific viral proteins to phagophores for degradation. In this study, we investigate the reciprocal relationship between Zika virus (ZIKV) and selective autophagy mediated by SQSTM1/p62. We show that NS2B3 protease encoded by ZIKV cleaves human SQSTM1/p62 at arginine 265 (R265). This cleavage also occurs with endogenous SQSTM1 in ZIKV-infected cells. Furthermore, overexpression of SQSTM1 inhibits ZIKV replication in A549 cells, while its absence increases viral titer. We have also shown that SQSTM1 impedes ZIKV replication by interacting with NS3 and NS5 and directing them to autophagic degradation, and that NS2B3-mediated cleavage could potentially alter this antiviral function of SQSTM1. Taken together, our study highlights the role of SQSTM1-mediated selective autophagy in the host’s antiviral defense against ZIKV and uncovers potential viral evasion strategies that exploit the host’s autophagic machinery to ensure successful infection.Abbreviation: Cas9: CRISPR-associated protein 9; Co-IP: co-immunoprecipitation; CRISPR: clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats; DENV: dengue virus; GFP: green fluorescent protein; IFA: indirect immunofluorescence assay; KIR: KEAP1-interacting region; KO: knockout; LIR: MAP1LC3/LC3-interacting region; mAb: monoclonal antibody; NBR1: NBR1 autophagy cargo receptor; OPTN: optineurin; pAb: polyclonal antibody; PB1: Phox/BEM1 domain; R265A, a SQSTM1 construct with the arginine (R) residue at position 265 replaced with glutamic acid (A); SQSTM1: sequestosome 1; SQSTM1-C, C-terminal fragment of SQSTM1; SQSTM1-N, N-terminal fragment of SQSTM1; SVV: Seneca Valley virus; TAX1BP1: Tax1 binding protein 1; TBD: TRAF6-binding domain; TCID50: 50% tissue culture infective dose; UBA: ubiquitin-associated domain; Ub: ubiquitin; WT: wild type; ZIKV: Zika virus; ZZ: ZZ-type zinc finger domain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a critical condition with a wide range of triggers that cause heavy burden on public health. Despite its high incidence and mortality, the treatment of AKI still highly relies on hemodialysis, which is costly and usually accompanied by severe complications. Therefore, development of new therapeutic targets and methods for AKI is urgently needed. Herein, a ferroptosis‐targeting strategy for AKI treatment by rationally designed ferroptosis‐inhibitive polypeptide‐based polymersomes (polypeptosomes, FIPs) is proposed. Such FIPs are self‐assembled from poly(glutamic acid)‐block‐poly(methionine‐stat‐tyrosine) [PGA9‐b‐P(Met8‐stat‐PTyr13)]. The ferroptosis‐inhibition function of the FIPs arises from the rationally‐selected amino acid composition: P(Met‐stat‐Tyr) endows the FIPs with a high scavenging efficiency of over 90% toward different reactive oxygen species (ROS); while the glutamate and tyrosine residues, as well as the amide groups, can bind iron ions, thus blocking iron overload and lipid peroxide in cells. In vivo experiments confirm that the FIPs can effectively alleviate oxidative stress, inhibit ferroptosis, and restore kidney functions. Transcriptome sequencing further reveals the therapeutic mechanisms of FIPs. Overall, such polypeptosomes capable of blocking multiple pathways of ferroptosis open a new avenue for AKI treatment and provide fresh insights into the development of generalized therapies for inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pseudomonas fragi (P. fragi) is usually detected in low-temperature meat products, and seriously threatens food safety and human health. Therefore, the study investigated the antibacterial mechanism of linalool against P. fragi from membrane damage and metabolic disruption. Results from field-emission transmission electron microscopy (FETEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) showed that linalool damage membrane integrity increases surface shrinkage and roughness. According to Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectra results, the components in the membrane underwent significant changes, including nucleic acid leakage, carbohydrate production, protein denaturation and modification, and fatty acid content reduction. The data obtained from amino acid metabolomics indicated that linalool caused excessive synthesis and metabolism of specific amino acids, particularly tryptophan metabolism and arginine biosynthesis. The reduced activities of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PDH), malate dehydrogenase (MDH), and phosphofructokinase (PFK) suggested that linalool impair the respiratory chain and energy metabolism. Meanwhile, genes encoding the above enzymes were differentially expressed, with pfkB overexpression and zwf and mqo downregulation. Furthermore, molecular docking revealed that linalool can interact with the amino acid residues of G6DPH, MDH and PFK through hydrogen bonds. Therefore, it is hypothesized that the mechanism of linalool against P. fragi may involve cell membrane damage (structure and morphology), disturbance of energy metabolism (TCA cycle, EMP and HMP pathway) and amino acid metabolism (cysteine, glutamic acid and citrulline). These findings contribute to the development of linalool as a promising antibacterial agent in response to the food security challenge. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Upon degranulation, basophils and mast cells secrete an array of inflammatory mediators, including histamine, which leads to not only allergic inflammation but also other inflammatory diseases. We previously reported that an aqueous extract from enzyme-treated, dried sardine inhibits the degranulation of RBL-2H3 cells and attenuates the symptoms of Japanese cedar pollinosis in mice. This study evaluated an antiallergic effect of dipeptides containing acidic amino acid residue in an antigen-induced degranulation assay using RBL-2H3 cells. The result showed that acidic amino acid residue-containing dipeptides inhibit the degranulation of RBL-2H3 cells without cytotoxicity. Additionally, L-histidyl-L-glutamic acid (His-Glu), one of the acidic amino acid residue-containing dipeptides tested in this study, inhibited calcium ionophore-induced degranulation. We also found that His-Glu suppressed microtubule reorganization in RBL-2H3 cells after antigen stimulation. His-Glu slightly, but not significantly, suppressed the elevation of cytosolic calcium ion concentration leading to degranulation. Immunoblot analysis revealed that His-Glu significantly suppressed the phosphorylation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase and Akt, but not that of Syk or phospholipase Cγ. Overall results suggest that acidic amino acid residue-containing dipeptides can be used as food ingredients with an antiallergic effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Practical Application In this research, a novel kind of walnut (Juglans regia L.) peptides‐zinc (Zn‐WPs) chelate was obtained using the mass ratio of the walnut peptides (WPs) to ZnSO4.7H2O of 3.5:1 at pH 8.5 and 50°C for 84 min, with the chelation rate of 84.5%. In comparison to walnut peptides (WPs), the contents of aspartic acid and glutamic acid in Zn‐WPs chelate are approximately 27%, indicating that hydrophilic amino acids predominantly bind with walnut peptides. Following chelation with zinc ions, the ultraviolet‐visible (UV) characteristic absorption peak shifted from 213 nm to 210 nm, while the average particle size of the chelate increased to 8.0 ± 0.14 µm, presenting a loose spherical structure under scanning electron microscopy. These findings suggest the formation of new substances. Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) revealed carboxyl, amino, and peptide bonds as the chelation sites of WPs and zinc. The IC50 of walnut peptides‐zinc (Zn‐WPs) chelate is 2.91 mg/mL, indicative of a favorable DPPH radical scavenging rate. Furthermore, Zn‐WPs chelate microcapsules were produced via the spray drying method, achieving an encapsulation rate of 75.67 ± 0.83% under optimal conditions. These microcapsules demonstrate robust stability across diverse environmental conditions. This study underscores the potential of Zn‐WPs and its chelate microcapsules to enhance stability and bioactivity under varying circumstances.In this study, a new walnut peptide‐zinc (Zn‐WPs) chelate was prepared. The presence of zinc ions changes the structure and properties of walnut peptides and improves its stability. The production of Zn‐WPs chelate microcapsules enables Zn‐WPs to have strong in vitro stability under different pH and simulated gastrointestinal digestion conditions. These results provide novel insights for developing the walnut peptides as bioactive ingredients in functional foods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lacking strategies to simultaneously address the narrow interlayer spacing, irreversible phase transitions, dissolution and electrical transport issues of vanadium oxides is restricting their application in aqueous zinc‐ion batteries. Herein, to address these challenges concurrently, an organic‐inorganic hybrid cathode is explored, HNaV6O16·4H2O‐Glu (HNVO‐Glu), through a guest material‐mediated NVO synthesis strategy utilizing glutamic acid (Glu) to induce Na substituted by proton and enable crystal transformation of Na2V6O16·3H2O (NVO). Specially, Glu insertion kills three birds with one arrow: i) induces the formation of a structurally stable monoclinic HNaV6O16·4H2O phase by introducing H into the NVO framework, preventing structural phase change and collapse of NVO material; ii) acts as a pillar to expand the interlayer spacing, which improves the Zn2+ diffusion kinetics; moreover, the polar groups on the Glu surface weaken the electrostatic interaction between Zn2+ and the host materials, further enhancing the zinc‐ionic transport rate; iii) enhances the electrical conductivity of HNVO by converting the p‐type semiconductor into the n‐type semiconductor structure. Consequently, the HNVO‐Glu exhibits a high specific capacity (354.6 mAh g−1 at 1 A g−1), excellent Zn2+ diffusion capability (10−9 to 10−7 cm2 s−1) and outstanding cycling stability with a capacity retention of 87.2% after 12 000 cycles at 10 A g−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • SB623 cells promote an increase of spike activity and number of network bursts. • SB623 cells in coculture with neurons are superior to astrocytes in promoting neuronal activity. • SB623 cells release higher levels of glutamate when compared to human astrocytes. • Tonic glutamate released by SB623 cells promotes an increase of neuronal activity. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) hold therapeutic potential for neurological disorders, but their impact on neuronal activity remains unclear. We investigated the effects of SB623 cells (Notch-1 intracellular domain-transfected MSCs) and parental MSCs on human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived neurons using multi-electrode arrays. SB623 cells significantly increased neuronal activity and oscillation in a dose-dependent manner, surpassing astrocytes in promoting network bursts. Strikingly, glutamatergic neurons showed a rapid increase in activity and bursts compared to GABAergic neurons, suggesting glutamate release from SB623 cells. We confirmed this by finding high glutamate levels in SB623 cell conditioned medium, which were reduced by glutaminase inhibition. Glutamate release was further implicated by the reduced excitability in co-cultures with astrocytes, known glutamate scavengers. Our findings reveal a novel mechanism for MSCs: promoting neuronal activity and network formation through tonic glutamate release, with potential implications for MSC-based therapies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chemically cross‐linked hydrogels are synthesized from a set of protected L‐lysine and L‐glutamic acid containing homo and copolypetides. Cross‐linking of the linear copolypeptides is achieved through the incorporation of L‐tryptophan and its reaction with hexamethylene bis(triazolinodione). Upon deprotection, hydrogels with oppositely charged polypeptides of different L‐lysine and L‐glutamic acid composition form pH‐dependent polyion complexes through electrostatic interaction. The obtained networks show distinct pH‐dependent differences in their water swelling and rheological properties. Hydrogels at pH 4 display higher strengths compared to pH 8 and their rheological properties scale with L‐lysine/L‐glutamic acid ratio. At pH 8 results suggests that ionic interactions and presumably secondary structure effects have a significant impact on the hydrogel properties. This is further evident from the influence of the copolypetide structures, random versus block copolypeptides, used in the cross‐linked hydrogel. None of the hydrogel shows any significant cytotoxicity against skin cell lines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The issue of heavy metal pollution such as nickel poses a significant environmental concern, exerting detrimental effects on the growth and viability of plant life. Plants have various mechanisms to effectively manage heavy metal stress, including the ability to modify their amino acid type and content. This adaptive response allows plants to mitigate the detrimental effects caused by excessive heavy metal accumulation. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of biofertilizers on nickel accumulation, nitrogen metabolism and amino acid profile of corn (Zea mays L.) cv. 'PL438' exposed to Ni stress. After disinfecting and soaking in water for 24 h, corn seeds were primed with bacterial biofertilizers (T2: NPK + FZ), fungal biofertilizers (T3: Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) + Trichoderma (T)), or a combination of them (T4: NPK + FZ + AMF + T) and were cultured by the hydroponic method in completely controlled conditions. Then, they were simultaneously exposed to nickel chloride at various rates (0, 75, or 150 µM) at the three-leaf stage. They were harvested two weeks later and were subjected to the measurement of Ni content, nitrate and nitrite content, nitrate reductase activity, and amino acid profile by high-performance liquid chromatography. The results showed that the application of Ni at higher rates increased Ni, nitrate, and nitrite contents and nitrate reductase activity. The study of Ni accumulation and TF revealed that Ni accumulated in the roots to a greater extent than in the shoots and TF was < 1 in all treatments. The shoot amino acid profile showed that the treatment of Ni+2 increased som amino acids such as aspartic acid, asparagine, serine, histidine, and glycine versus the control, whereas T4 Ni+2 increased aspartic acid, glutamic acid, threonine and arginine. The change in amino acids in Ni-treated plants may play a key role in their adaptation to Ni stress. The findings indicate that biofertilizers played a crucial role in mitigating the negative impacts of Ni on corn plants through alterations in amino acid composition and decreased absorption and translocation of Ni. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ASCT2 is an obligate exchanger of neutral amino acids, contributing to cellular amino acid homeostasis. ASCT2 belongs to the same family (SLC1) as Excitatory Amino Acid Transporters (EAATs) that concentrate glutamate in the cytosol. The mechanism that makes ASCT2 an exchanger rather than a concentrator remains enigmatic. Here, we employ cryo-electron microscopy and molecular dynamics simulations to elucidate the structural basis of the exchange mechanism of ASCT2. We establish that ASCT2 binds three Na+ ions per transported substrate and visits a state that likely acts as checkpoint in preventing Na+ ion leakage, both features shared with EAATs. However, in contrast to EAATs, ASCT2 retains one Na+ ion even under Na+-depleted conditions. We demonstrate that ASCT2 cannot undergo the structural transition in TM7 that is essential for the concentrative transport cycle of EAATs. This structural rigidity and the high-affinity Na+ binding site effectively confine ASCT2 to an exchange mode. ASCT2 is a Na+-dependent obligatory amino acid exchanger. Here, the authors untangle the structural basis of the exchange mechanism in ASCT2, revealing that structural rigidity and a high-affinity Na+ binding site effectively confine ASCT2 to an exchange mode. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vinegar is commonly utilized in cooking and food preparation as a flavoring, preservative, and condiment. It can be made from various sources, including fruits, grains, and vegetables. This study produced vinegar from a wild edible mushroom, Russula delica Fr., using microwave-assisted enzymatic hydrolysis extraction. The nutritional composition, bioactivities, microbial quality, and volatile compounds were analyzed in the production process and final vinegar product. Sugar syrup as total soluble solids (TSS) and total phenolic content (TPC) were extracted from mushroom powder using commercial enzymes and yielded 5.60 ± 0.10°Brix and 7.01 ± 0.06 mg GAE/g substrate, respectively. The extracted syrup was rich in amino acids such as aspartic and glutamic acid, with glucose as the main type of sugar. Maximum alcohol content at 10.95 ± 0.21% (w/v) with 1.28 ± 0.23 mg GAE/mL TPC was obtained from Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation after 21 days, while highest acetic acid was obtained at 5.60 ± 0.42% w/v with 1.87 ± 0.14 mg GAE/mL of TPC content and 74.85 ± 1.24% of DPPH radical scavenging activity after surface fermentation using Acetobacter aceti TISTR 354. Thirteen volatile compounds, including acids, alcohols, and aldehydes, were found in the wild edible mushroom vinegar, contributing to the unique aroma of the product. This study presented the first report on the analysis of vinegar from a wild edible mushroom, R. delica Fr. which showed high nutritional value, antioxidant activity and volatile compounds, with the potential for future commercial production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present research examined the impact of L-glutamic acid (Glu) supplementation on the growth performance, muscle composition, gene expression correlated with muscle growth, and intestinal health of largemouth bass. There were 525 fish in total, which were distributed randomly into five groups. Each group had three replicates, and each replicate consisted of 35 fish. Groups with control and experimental diets were assigned glutamic acid amounts of 0.2%, 0.4%, 0.6%, and 0.8%. The findings demonstrated that glutamic acid supplementation enhanced growth performance, feed intake (FI), and condition factor (CF), with the best value being attained at 0.4% Glu. The mean muscle fiber area was increased and the muscle fiber density was decreased in the 0.6% Glu group. The levels of total amino acids and specific amino acids, such as glutamic acid, aspartic acid, leucine, valine, alanine, and glycine, were shown to be higher in the 0.6% Glu group. In the 0.6% Glu group, the mRNA expression levels of atrogin-1, murf-1, foxo3a, and 4e-bp1 were decreased compared to the control group. Conversely, the mRNA expression levels of myf5, myog, myod, s6k1, tor, akt, and pi3k were increased in the 0.6% Glu group compared to the control group. The 0.4% Glu group had higher intestinal amylase, lipase, and protease activities and greater villus height, villus width, and muscle thickness. In summary, Glu can support largemouth bass growth, muscular development, intestinal digestion, and absorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]