Spinel ferrite nanoparticles and nanocomposites for biomedical applications and their toxicity.

Faro Lake is a coastal meromictic lagoon with singular characteristics in the Mediterranean (Messina, Sicily - Italy). It is part of the Natural Oriented Reserve of Capo Peloro (38° 15' 57″ N; 15° 37' 50″ E). In this area, traditional mollusc farming activity persists, producing 'autochthonous' mussels. This study reports of the Mytilus galloprovincialis haemolymph chemical profile and water variables determination of 1 year-lasted survey (April 2016 - March 2017). The determinations of electrolytes (Na+ , Cl- , K+ , Ca2+ , Mg2+ , P inorganic) and heavy metals in both Faro lake water and haemolymph have been carried out. Heavy metals are elements with high density and are quite toxic in low concentrations, such as Aluminum (Al), Arsenic (As), Cobalt (Co), Chrome (Cr), Copper (Cu), Iron (Fe), Magnesium (Mg), Manganese (Mn), Lead (Pb), Tin (Sn), Zinc (Zn). Heavy metals toxicity depends, principally, on bioaccumulation processes. M. galloprovincialis is a good bio-indicator, ideal for assess levels of environmental pollution thanks to its biological, ecological and physiological characteristics. The results of this study showed a typical fluctuation range in haemolymph and water parameters, related to the water ones; chemical-physical parameters affected the ions (electrolytes and metals) levels in some period of the year. The study reports the interactions between biotic (Mytilus galloprovincialis) and abiotic (water parameters) components of Faro Lake, and creates reference data for further future study on the same area or on similar ones.

Assessment of Electrolytes and Metals Profile of the Faro Lake (Capo Peloro Lagoon, Sicily, Italy) and Its Impact on Mytilus galloprovincialis.

https://backend.orbit.dtu.dk/ws/files/217833343/1_s2.0_S0734975020301099_main.pdf

Microbial enzymes catalyzing keratin degradation: Classification, structure, function.

Chicken feather, a byproduct of poultry-processing industries, are considered a potential high-quality protein supplement owing to their crude protein content of more than 85%. Nonetheless, chicken feathers have been classified as waste because of the lack of effective recycling methods. In our previous studies, Bacillus licheniformis BBE11-1 and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia BBE11-1 have been shown to have feather-degrading capabilities in the qualitative phase. To efficiently recycle chicken feather waste, in this study, we investigated the characteristics of feather degradation by B. licheniformis BBE11-1 and S. maltophilia BBE11-1. In addition, in an analysis of the respective advantages of the two degradation systems, cocultivation was found to improve the efficiency of chicken feather waste degradation. B. licheniformis BBE11-1 and S. maltophilia BBE11-1 were used to degrade 50 g/L chicken feather waste in batches, and the degradation rates were 35.4% and 22.8% in 96 h, respectively. The degradation rate of the coculture system reached 55.2% because of higher keratinase and protease activities. Furthermore, cocultivation was conducted in a 3 L fermenter by integrating dissolved oxygen control and a two-stage temperature control strategy. Thus, the degradation rate was greatly increased to 81.8%, and the conversion rate was 70.0% in 48 h. The hydrolysates exhibited antioxidant activity and contained large quantities of amino acids (895.89 mg/L) and soluble peptides. Cocultivation of B. licheniformis BBE11-1 and S. maltophilia BBE11-1 can efficiently degrade 50 g/L chicken feather waste and produce large amounts of amino acids and antioxidant substances at a conversion rate of 70.0%.

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Effective biodegradation of chicken feather waste by co-cultivation of keratinase producing strains.

Silver nanoparticles were synthesized by bio-inspired route, a cost effective and fast synthesis method. Structural and morphological characterization of nanoparticles was performed by UV–visible absorption spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. The cytotoxic activity of both nanoparticles and Plantago major extract containing nanoparticles against a human breast cancer cell (MCF-7) was studied in vitro. MTT (3-4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assays were performed using various concentrations of P. major extract (alone) and extract containing AgNPs ranging from 0.5 to 2.5 µg/ml. Data analysis showed significant level of cytotoxic activity. The potential cytotoxicity of silver nanoparticles in the treatment of breast cancer is discussed.

Cytotoxic activity of biosynthesized Ag Nanoparticles by Plantago major towards a human breast cancer cell line

Housefly, Musca domestica, has a complicated immune system. However, its underlying operating mechanism remains elusive. Candida albicans is a major pathogen affecting humans by causing deep infection fungous disease, but it is non-symbiotic in houseflies. To investigate the C. albicans infection process in housefly, the changes in morphological and histological and expression patterns of antimicrobial peptide were monitored to indicate the insect's response to fungal infection. The results showed that scattered brown spots were comprising melanized encapsulation and encapsulated fungal cells were initially observed at the inner side of larvae's body wall 3 h post-infection (PI). Between 6 and 36 h PI, the whole body of larvae was densely covered with the brown spots, which then gradually disappeared. The majority had disappeared at 48 h PI. Some fungi colonized in the gaps between the body wall and the muscle layer, as well as among muscle fibers of the muscle layer at 12 h PI and hyphal was observed at 18 h PI. These fungi colonized distribution changed from a continuous line to scattered spots at 24 h PI and virtually disappeared at 48 h. The results of quantitative PCR analysis revealed that in coordination with the variation during the infection, the expression levels of four antimicrobial peptides were up-regulated. In conclusion, C. albicans infection in M. domestica larvae involved the following stages: injection, infection, immune response and elimination of the pathogen. The rapid response of antimicrobial peptides, melanized encapsulation and agglutination played a vital role against the pathogenic invasion.

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Xiu Jiangfan

Papers

Histological Observation and Expression Patterns of antimicrobial peptides during Fungal Infection in Musca domestica (Diptera: Muscidae) Larvae