Family 3 CBM improves the biochemical properties, substrate hydrolysis and coconut oil extraction by hemicellulolytic and holocellulolytic chimeras

To understand the influence of family 3 Carbohydrate Binding Module (hereafter CBM3), single (GH5 cellulase; CelB, CelBΔCBM), bi-chimeric [GH26 endo-mannanase (ManB-1601) and GH11 endo-xylanase (XynB); ManB-XynB [1], ManB-XynB-CBM] and tri-chimeric [ManB-XynB-CelB [1], ManB-XynB-CelBΔCBM] enzyme variants (fused or deleted of CBM) were produced and purified to homogeneity. CBM3 did not alter the pH and temperature optima of bi- and tri-chimeric enzymes but improved the pH and temperature stability of ManB in CBM variants of bi-/tri-chimeric enzymes. Truncation of CBM in CelB shifted the pH optimum and increased the melting temperature (Tm 65 ℃). CBM3 improved both substrate affinity (Km) and catalytic efficiency (kcat/Km) of fused enzymes in tri-chimera and CelB but only Km for bi-chimera. Far-UV CD of CelB and bi- and tri-chimeric enzymes suggested that CBM3 improved the α-helical content and compactness in the native state but did not prevent disintegration of secondary structural contents at acidic pH. Steady-state fluorescence studies suggested that under acidic conditions CBM3 prevented the exposure of hydrophobic patches in bi-chimeric protein but could not avert the opening up of chimeric enzyme structure. Aqueous enzyme assisted treatment of mature coconut kernel using single, bi- and tri-chimeric enzymes led to cracks, peeling and fracturing of the matrix and improved the oil yield by up to 22%.

Exploring the Potential of Energy-Based Therapeutics (Photobiomodulation/Low-Level Laser Light Therapy) in Cardiovascular Disorders: A Review and Perspective

Based on the review of the literature, this article examines the potential therapeutic benefits of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) or low-level laser therapy (LLLT) for the treatment of cardiovascular disorders. The methodology involved searching PubMed, Google Scholar, and Central databases for relevant articles published from inception till date. The articles included in this review were preclinical and clinical studies investigating the effects of PBMT and LLLT on the heart. The article summarizes the findings of nineteen studies investigating the effects of PBMT and LLLT on various parameters related to heart failure (HF) and myocardial infarction (MI), including inflammation, oxidative stress, angiogenesis, cardiac function, and remodeling. The studies suggest that PBMT and LLLT have potential therapeutic benefits for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases and could be used in combination with traditional pharmacological therapies to enhance their effects or as a stand-alone treatment for patients who are not responsive to or cannot tolerate traditional therapies. In conclusion, this review article highlights the promising potential of PBMT for the treatment of HF and MI and the need for further research to fully understand its mechanisms of action and optimize treatment protocols.

Short-chain β-manno-oligosaccharides from copra meal: structural characterization, prebiotic potential and anti-glycation activity

Size-exclusion chromatography, HR-ESI-MS and FT-IR of copra meal hydrolyzed by ManB-1601 showed the presence of oligosaccharides (CM-β-MOS) having a degree of polymerisation (DP) between 2 and 4. Thermal decomposition studies of the purified CM-β-MOS (DP 2, 3 and 4) showed mass loss at high temperatures (135.8 °C to 600 °C). DP2, DP3 and DP4 CM-β-MOS were adjudged as un-substituted Manβ-4Man, Manβ-4Manβ-4Man and Manβ-4Manβ-4Manβ-4Man, respectively, using NMR (¹H and ¹³C) studies. During fermentation, purified CM-β-MOS supported the growth of Lactobacillus sp. and inhibited enteropathogens (Escherichia coli, Listeria monocytogenes and Salmonella typhi). Acetate was the predominant short-chain fatty acid produced by Lactobacillus sp. RT-PCR studies of L. plantarum WCFS1 fed with CM-β-MOS showed up-regulation (up to 6.7-fold) of the cellobiose utilization operon (pts23C and pbg6) and oligo-sucrose utilization loci (pts1BCA and agl2). Biochemical (free amino groups, carbonyl and fructosamine content), fluorescence (AGEs-specific and intrinsic) and molecular docking studies suggested the anti-glycation potential of CM-β-MOS.

Alkali-stable GH11 endo-β-1,4 xylanase (XynB) from Bacillus subtilis strain CAM 21: application in hydrolysis of agro-industrial wastes, fruit/vegetable peels and weeds

GH11 endo-xylanases, due to their inherent structural and biochemical properties, are the key to efficient bioconversion of lignocellulosic biomass into value-added products. A GH11 endo-xylanase (XynB) from Bacillus subtilis strain CAM 21 was cloned, over-expressed and purified (Mw∼24 kDa) using Ni-NTA affinity chromatography. XynB showed optimum activity at pH 7.0 and 50°C and was stable (>88%) in a broad range of pH (4-11). The apparent Km_, K_cat and K_cat/Km of XynB were 2.9 mg/ml, 1961.2/sec, and 675.62 ml/mg/sec, respectively using birchwood xylan as substrate. XynB was a classical endo-xylanase as it hydrolyzed birchwood xylan to xylo-oligosaccharides and not xylose. Kinetic stability of XynB at 45-53°C was between 43-182 min. Secondary structure analysis of XynB using far-UV CD spectroscopy revealed presence of 51.85% β strands and 2.64% α helix and was consistent with the homology modeling studies. XynB hydrolyzed the xylan extracted from agro-industrial wastes and fruit/vegetable peels by releasing up to 670 mg/g of reducing sugars. The xylan extracted from weeds (Ageratum conyzoides, Achyranthes aspera and Tridax procumbens) had characteristic signatures of hemicelluloses and after XynB hydrolysis showed cracks, peeling and release of up to 135.2 mg/g reducing sugars.

Pharmacokinetic interaction of some antitubercular drugs with caraway: implications in the enhancement of drug bioavailability

This study deals with the pharmacokinetic interaction of selected anti-TB drugs with a natural product (CC-1a) derived from caraway (Carum carvi, L.) seed. CC-1a, chemically standardized butanolic fraction, enhanced the plasma levels of rifampicin, pyrazinamide, and isoniazid in Wistar rat, resulting in increased bioavailability indices (C(max) and AUC) of the drugs. Moreover, a 40% reduced dose regimen of these drugs, which additionally contained CC-1a, was equivalent in terms of C(max) and AUC to a normal dose regimen. A permeation-enhancing property of CC-1a across small intestinal absorptive surface was found to be a contributing factor in its bioavailability enhancing profile.

Adrenocorticotropic hormone may be transported directly from the pituitary to the brain

Experiments were designed to test the hypothesis that pituitary hormones may be delivered directly to the brain. Concentrations of adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) in the plasma were determined in blood samles obtained simultaneously from the carotid artery, the sagittal sinus, and the jugular vein of three awake sheep. Seizures were induced electrically to stimulate ACTH secretion, and at precise intervals thereafter several simultaneous comparisons were made in each animal. In many of the post-seizure comparisons, the ACTH plasma concentrations within the sagital sinus exceeded those within the carotid artery as well as those within the jugular vein, indicating that this hormone was released from the pituitary and carried directly through capillary beds of brain to the venous blood within the sagittal sinus. The experiment was repeated in one hypophysectomized sheep and, in this animal, ACTH concentration in the plasma was reduced, but that in the sagittal sinus still was elevated after the seizure, an indication that some ACTH (or ACTH-like material) was released from the brain itself.