The EuroBiotech Journal最新文献

{"title":"Development of a database of RNA helicase inhibitors (VHIMDB) of pathogenic viruses and in silico screening for the potential drug molecules","authors":"R. Satpathy, S. Acharya","doi":"10.2478/ebtj-2022-0012","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/ebtj-2022-0012","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The pathogenic RNA virus that infects human beings contains the RNA helicase enzyme, responsible for the replication of the viral genome. The enzyme is used as a suitable target against which the drug molecule acts. Therefore, the identification and proposal the novel compounds that can be targeted toward the helicase enzymes to stop the functioning of the enzyme is desirable. Although many viral helicase inhibitor molecules have been identified, still yet no unique database is available for these compounds. This research work envisages developing a curated database of RNA helicase inhibitors. The database contains in total of 353 entries that are computationally predicted and experimentally verified RNA helicase inhibitors. The database contains information like compound name, chemical properties, chemical format, and name of the target virus to which it acts against it with a user-friendly menu-driven search engine. Presently, the database is freely available at: https://vhimdb.rsatpathy.in/. Further, in silico screening of the whole database by drug-likeness and toxicity resulted in 14 potential drug molecules. The selected molecules were analyzed for their effectiveness in binding by using molecular docking score and interaction with the helicase enzymes of three categories of pathogenic viruses (SARS-CoV-2, SARS-CoV, and MERS-CoV).","PeriodicalId":22379,"journal":{"name":"The EuroBiotech Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2022-07-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48658439","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Cell contractile force measured using a deformable hollow capsule","authors":"J. Ting, Donald K. Martin","doi":"10.2478/ebtj-2022-0009","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/ebtj-2022-0009","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract There are several possible ways to measure the contraction of cells in vitro. Here, we report measurements of the contractile properties of 3T3-L1 cells grown to confluence on 3D hollow capsules. The capsules were fabricated using the layer-by-layer polyelectrolyte deposition technique on a polymer core. After the polyelectrolyte film was completed, the core was dissolved to leave the hollow capsule. The contractile force of the cells was determined from the deformation in the capsule size induced by interruption of the actin cytoskeleton of the cells that adhered to the outer surface of the hollow capsules, using prior measurements of the elastic modulus of the capsule. From the measurements of the compressive modulus for the capsules (of 6.52 μN), those capsule deformations indicate that the forskolin relaxed the layer of cells by 19.6 μN and the cytochalasin-D relaxed the layer of cells by 45.6 μN. The density of cells in the layer indicated that the force associated with the forskolin-induced relaxation of a single cell is 3.2 nN and the force associated with the cytochalasin-D-induced relaxation of a single cell is 7.5 nN. The mechanism of action of forskolin through second messenger pathways to disrupt the assembly of actin stress fibres also explains its reduced effect on cell contraction compared to that for cytochalasin-D, which is a compound that directly inhibits the polymerization of F-actin filaments.","PeriodicalId":22379,"journal":{"name":"The EuroBiotech Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2022-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41831438","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) Biopolyesters - Emerging and Major Products of Industrial Biotechnology","authors":"A. Mukherjee, M. Koller","doi":"10.2478/ebtj-2022-0007","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/ebtj-2022-0007","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Background: Industrial Biotechnology (“White Biotechnology”) is the large-scale production of materials and chemicals using renewable raw materials along with biocatalysts like enzymes derived from microorganisms or by using microorganisms themselves (“whole cell biocatalysis”). While the production of ethanol has existed for several millennia and can be considered a product of Industrial Biotechnology, the application of complex and engineered biocatalysts to produce industrial scale products with acceptable economics is only a few decades old. Bioethanol as fuel, lactic acid as food and PolyHydroxyAlkanoates (PHA) as a processible material are some examples of products derived from Industrial Biotechnology. Purpose and Scope: Industrial Biotechnology is the sector of biotechnology that holds the most promise in reducing our dependence on fossil fuels and mitigating environmental degradation caused by pollution, since all products that are made today from fossil carbon feedstocks could be manufactured using Industrial Biotechnology – renewable carbon feedstocks and biocatalysts. To match the economics of fossil-based bulk products, Industrial Biotechnology-based processes must be sufficiently robust. This aspect continues to evolve with increased technological capabilities to engineer biocatalysts (including microorganisms) and the decreasing relative price difference between renewable and fossil carbon feedstocks. While there have been major successes in manufacturing products from Industrial Biotechnology, challenges exist, although its promise is real. Here, PHA biopolymers are a class of product that is fulfilling this promise. Summary and Conclusion: The authors illustrate the benefits and challenges of Industrial Biotechnology, the circularity and sustainability of such processes, its role in reducing supply chain issues, and alleviating societal problems like poverty and hunger. With increasing awareness among the general public and policy makers of the dangers posed by climate change, pollution and persistent societal issues, Industrial Biotechnology holds the promise of solving these major problems and is poised for a transformative upswing in the manufacture of bulk chemicals and materials from renewable feedstocks and biocatalysts.","PeriodicalId":22379,"journal":{"name":"The EuroBiotech Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2022-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47945015","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The hydroperoxyl antiradical activity of Trolox in water: The effects of pH values on rate constants","authors":"Nguyen Thi Hoa","doi":"10.2478/ebtj-2022-0006","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/ebtj-2022-0006","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Trolox (6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchromane-2-carboxylic acid) is a highly hydrophilic α-tocopherol analog that is widely used as a standard against which the antioxidant ability of other chemicals is measured and represented in Trolox equivalents. However, the effect of pH values on the hydroxyl radical scavenging activity has not been fully studied yet. In this study, the HOO• antiradical activity of Trolox in water was studied. It was found that the H-abstraction of the O1-H bond determined the activity of the neutral and monoanion states, whereas the electron transfer reaction of the hydroxyl anion state determined the activity of the dianion state. Although the total rate constant increased following the increase in pH levels, the overall rate constant of the Trolox + HOO• reaction in water changed when pH levels rose due to the decrease in HOO• molar fraction. The results also revealed that at pH < 2, the O1-radical was the main intermediate of the Trolox + HOO• reaction in water, whereas, at pH ---gt--- 5, the anion-radical was the significant intermediate. Thus the rate constants and the reaction intermediates vary with the pH values.","PeriodicalId":22379,"journal":{"name":"The EuroBiotech Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2022-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"43101464","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Genetically modified mice for research on human diseases: A triumph for Biotechnology or a work in progress?","authors":"Richard E. Brown","doi":"10.2478/ebtj-2022-0008","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/ebtj-2022-0008","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Genetically modified mice are engineered as models for human diseases. These mouse models include inbred strains, mutants, gene knockouts, gene knockins, and ‘humanized’ mice. Each mouse model is engineered to mimic a specific disease based on a theory of the genetic basis of that disease. For example, to test the amyloid theory of Alzheimer’s disease, mice with amyloid precursor protein genes are engineered, and to test the tau theory, mice with tau genes are engineered. This paper discusses the importance of mouse models in basic research, drug discovery, and translational research, and examines the question of how to define the “best” mouse model of a disease. The critiques of animal models and the caveats in translating the results from animal models to the treatment of human disease are discussed. Since many diseases are heritable, multigenic, age-related and experience-dependent, resulting from multiple gene-gene and gene-environment interactions, it will be essential to develop mouse models that reflect these genetic, epigenetic and environmental factors from a developmental perspective. Such models would provide further insight into disease emergence, progression and the ability to model two-hit and multi-hit theories of disease. The summary examines the biotechnology for creating genetically modified mice which reflect these factors and how they might be used to discover new treatments for complex human diseases such as cancers, neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases.","PeriodicalId":22379,"journal":{"name":"The EuroBiotech Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2022-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45253501","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Serum collected from rats with myocardial infarction increases extracellular matrix accumulation by myofibroblasts isolated from myocardial infarction scar","authors":"L. Piera, J. Szymański, T. Kun, A. Krzymińska, M. Juszczak, J. Drobnik","doi":"10.2478/ebtj-2022-0001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/ebtj-2022-0001","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The effect on extracellular matrix content is believed to be an average of several serum derived compounds acting in opposition. The aim of the study is to determine whether whole serum of rats with myocardial infarction may modify the accumulation of extracellular matrix in cultures of myofibroblasts isolated from the myocardial infarction scar. A second aim is to determine whether the tested serum can also degranulate the mast cells. Serum was collected from rats with sham myocardial infarction, rats with myocardial infarction induced by coronary artery ligation and control animals. The experiments were carried out on myocardial infarction scar myofibroblasts or mast cells from the peritoneal cavity. The cultures were divided into three groups containing eight cultures each: one treated with serum from control rats, from animals after sham operation or from those after myocardial infarction. In all groups, the serum was used at concentrations of 10%, 20% or 30%. The total collagen content (Woesner method) glycosaminoglycan level (Farandale method), cell proliferation (BrdU), histamine secretion from mast cells (spectrofluorymetry), β1 integrin and α-smooth muscle actin expression (flow cytometry) were evaluated. Isolated cells were α-smooth muscle actin positive and identified as myofibroblasts. Serum derived from rats with myocardial infarction increased collagen and glycosaminoglycan content in the cultures and modified myofibroblast proliferation in a concentration-dependent manner. The serum also results in an imbalance between collagen and glycosaminoglycan levels. The content of β1 integrin was not influenced by myocardial infarction serum. The serum of rats with myocardial infarction is involved in regulation of collagen and glycosaminoglycan content in myofibroblast cultures, as well as the modification of their proliferation. These changes were not accompanied with integrin β1 density variations. The serum of the myocardial infarction rats did not influence the mast cell degranulation.","PeriodicalId":22379,"journal":{"name":"The EuroBiotech Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2022-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"42242456","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"SARS-CoV-2 Alpha Variant Infection of a Patient Immunized by Inactive Sinovac (CoronaVac) Vaccine","authors":"Cenk Serhan Ozverel, P. Tulay, M. C. Ergoren, Emrah Guler, B. Baddal, K. Suer, T. Şanlıdağ","doi":"10.2478/ebtj-2022-0003","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/ebtj-2022-0003","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was first detected in December 2019, and shortly after pandemic has been declared by the World Health Organization (WHO) due to its unstoppable global spread. Considerable amount of effort has beenput around the World in order to develop a safe and effective vaccine against SARS-CoV-2. Inactivated and RNA vaccines have already passed phase three studies showing sufficient efficacy and safety, respectively. Nowadays, there is a noticeable dominance of SARS-CoV-2 variants with various mutations over the wild type SARS-CoV-2. However, there is no report showing the efficacy of these vaccines on these variants. This case study describes a thirty-eight-year-old male reported to be infected with SARS-CoV-2 alpha variant following two doses of inactive CoronaVac administration with a protective level of SARS-CoV-2 specific antibodies. The variant analysis of the virus reported to be positive for N501Y mutation.This is the first case in the literature demonstrating that inactive SARS-CoV-2 vaccine might have a lower efficacy on alpha variant.","PeriodicalId":22379,"journal":{"name":"The EuroBiotech Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2022-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"41739994","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Chemical toxicity assessment and Physiological investigation in rats exposed to pyrethroid insecticide type 1 and possible mitigation of propolis","authors":"Amal I. Hassan, I. Bondouk, K. Omar, Heba A. Esawii, H. M. Saleh","doi":"10.2478/ebtj-2022-0002","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/ebtj-2022-0002","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract The current investigation aims to study the potential protective effects of propolis methanolic extract (100 mg/kg BW) on the systemic toxic effects after dietary exposure concentration (1/100 LD50 for 30 days) of permethrin (PM) administered in experimental rats. In this experiment, we added propolis four weeks after PM -administration to examining the medicinal effects. Therapeutic use of propolis mitigated PM -induced deterioration of liver and kidney functions and myocardial damage measured by cardiac enzymes lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase MB (CK-MB) in serum. In addition, propolis treatment (prophylactic and therapeutic) prevented PM-induced apoptosis index, including B-cell lymphoma protein 2 (BCL-2)-associated X (BAX) protein activates, and lipid peroxide (LP). The results showed propolis induced a significant decrease in serum levels of thyroid hormones (T3 and T4), proinflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interferon-gamma (INF-γ), interleukin one beta (IL-1β), interleukin 12 (IL-12), and interleukin 6 (IL-6). Besides, nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB), acetylcholine esterase (AChE), and hematological constituents. Cardiac biomarkers, liver, and kidney functions were substantially lower in propolis treatment. High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC- MS) of the propolis-MeOH extract showed valuable antioxidant phenolics and flavonoids capable of alleviating oxidative stress through the free-radical scavenging efficacy and regulating signaling pathways of proinflammatory cytokines.","PeriodicalId":22379,"journal":{"name":"The EuroBiotech Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2022-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"46029118","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Aerobic Composting of Sugar Pressmud with Stabilized Spentwash and selected Microbial Consortium","authors":"A. Byakodi, B. Babu","doi":"10.2478/ebtj-2022-0004","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/ebtj-2022-0004","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract India is the world’s largest producer of sugar, with an annual production capacity of 29 million tonnes. Each crushing season, this intern produces over 10 million tonnes of pressmud, which is difficult to dispose of due to its inherent properties. The present study is part of larger investigation for treatment and disposal of pressmud and spentwash. Further, scope of this research article is confined to utilization of pressmud for aerobic composting of pressmud along with selected microbial consortium and stabilized spentwash. Composting was carried out in an open area with 50 kg of pressmud and 1% (w/w) dosage of microbial consortium. Stabilized spentwash was used at concentrations of 25, 50, 100, 150 and 200% (v/w) and applied at predetermined time intervals. The entire study lasted for 50 days and the results were compared to those recommended by the Fertilizer Control Order (FCO), Ministry of Agriculture, Government of India (1). In an organic compost, the FCO recommends a minimum concentration of 12%, 0.80%, 0.40%, and 0.40% in TOC, TKN, phosphorous and potassium, with a maximum C/N ratio of 20. During composting, the addition of 150% (CH5) stabilized spentwash resulted in a maximum nutrient concentration in the majority of the parameters analysed. CH5 showed that the concentration of TOC, TKN, C/N, phosphorous and potassium were 25.92±2.19%, 2.16±0.29%, 12.28±0.66, 6.55±0.11% and 15.90±1.37% respectively. Hence, it can be concluded that selected microbial consortium is capable of decomposing the organic matter found in pressmud. Additionally, the application of stabilized spentwash enhanced the nutritional content of end product.","PeriodicalId":22379,"journal":{"name":"The EuroBiotech Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2022-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47869347","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Successful Mestrual Regularity and Spontaneous Pregnancies with a Resveratrol-Based Multivitamin Supplement in Women with Idiopathic Premature Ovarian Insufficiency","authors":"M. Vignali","doi":"10.2478/ebtj-2022-0005","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2478/ebtj-2022-0005","url":null,"abstract":"Abstract Premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a clinical syndrome defined by loss of ovarian activity before the age of 40 years and is characterized by menstrual disturbance, follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) concentration above 40 IU/l and infertility. In some patients the best option is to conceive spontaneously since many treatment strategies remain unsuccessful or involve eggs donation. In this case report series, we describe the effects of a resveratrol-based multivitamin supplement containing trans-resveratrol, folic acid, vitamin B6, B12 and D, in six women with poor prognosis of pregnancy due to POI and evaluate the achievement of desired conception. These women, aged less then 40 years, suffered from menstrual irregularities, anovulation and infertility. They all had normal karyotype, and no history of ovarian surgery, radiation exposure or chemotherapy. Blood test showed at least two values of FSH above 40 IU/l. Four out of six patients with POI conceived after 3-6 months of a resveratrol-based multivitamin supplement, ultimately giving birth to a full-term baby. Regular menstrual cycle was restored in all patients after two to four months the start of treatment. In conclusion the treatment with a resveratrol-based supplement improved menstrual regularity and suggest a useful potential of this supplementation in some cases of POI.","PeriodicalId":22379,"journal":{"name":"The EuroBiotech Journal","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2022-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"48126606","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}