The ability of hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) inflorescence extract to counteract lipid oxidation was studied in stripped linseed oil. The ethanolic extract was characterized in terms of terpenes (6.00 mg/mL), cannabidiol (4.99% w/w), phenolic compounds (1.80 mg gallic acid equivalents (GAE)/mL), antiradical, and metal ion-chelating activities (50% effective concentration (EC50) of 2.47 mg/mL and 0.39 mg/mL, respectively). The stripped linseed oil, used as control (CO), was mixed with hemp extract (HO) or α-tocopherol (EO) at a ratio of 0.6% (w/w) and stored for 7 days in darkness at 40 °C. Hemp extract reduced the oxidation and lipolysis processes. At the end of the storage, HO showed a significantly higher level of α-linolenic acid (ALA; 26.64 g/100 g), lower peroxide value (PV) (21.19 meq O2/kg oil), and lower hexanal content (7.67 mmol/kg oil) than those found in the control. In contrast, EO showed a marked lipolysis (the free fatty acids increased by 42.57%) and a noticeable oxidation, since the ALA content decreased by 2.10% and a PV of 50 meq O2/kg oil was observed. This study demonstrates that hemp inflorescences can be used as a source of natural antioxidants in vegetable oils and lipid products to retard their oxidation, especially those characterized by a high degree of unsaturation.

Maize (Zea mays L.) shows a high accumulation of silicon (Si), but transporters involved in the uptake and distribution have not been identified. In the present study, we isolated two genes (ZmLsi1 and ZmLsi6), which are homologous to rice influx Si transporter OsLsi1. Heterologous expression in Xenopus laevis oocytes showed that both ZmLsi1 and ZmLsi6 are permeable to silicic acid. ZmLsi1 was mainly expressed in the roots. By contrast, ZmLsi6 was expressed more in the leaf sheaths and blades. Different from OsLsi1, the expression level of both ZmLsi1 and ZmLsi6 was unaffected by Si supply. Immunostaining showed that ZmLsi1 was localized on the plasma membrane of the distal side of root epidermal and hypodermal cells in the seminal and crown roots, and also in cortex cells in lateral roots. In the shoots, ZmLsi6 was found in the xylem parenchyma cells that are adjacent to the vessels in both leaf sheaths and leaf blades. ZmLsi6 in the leaf sheaths and blades also exhibited polar localization on the side facing towards the vessel. Taken together, it can be concluded that ZmLsi1 is an influx transporter of Si, which is responsible for the transport of Si from the external solution to the root cells and that ZmLsi6 mainly functions as a Si transporter for xylem unloading.

Glaciated environments have been highlighted as important sources of bioavailable nutrients, with inputs of glacial meltwater potentially influencing productivity in downstream ecosystems. However, it is currently unclear how riverine nutrient concentrations vary across a spectrum of glacial cover, making it challenging to accurately predict how terrestrial fluxes will change with continued glacial retreat. Using 40 rivers in Chilean Patagonia as a unique natural laboratory, we investigate how glacial cover affects riverine Si and Fe concentrations, and infer how exports of these bioessential nutrients may change in the future. Dissolved Si (as silicic acid) and soluble Fe (<0.02 μm) concentrations were relatively low in glacier-fed rivers, whereas concentrations of colloidal-nanoparticulate (0.02-0.45 μm) Si and Fe increased significantly as a function of glacial cover. These colloidal-nanoparticulate phases were predominately composed of aluminosilicates and Fe-oxyhydroxides, highlighting the need for size-fractionated analyses and further research to quantify the lability of colloidal-nanoparticulate species. We also demonstrate the importance of reactive particulate (>0.45 μm) phases of both Si and Fe, which are not typically accounted for in terrestrial nutrient budgets but can dominate riverine exports. Dissolved Si and soluble Fe yield estimates showed no trend with glacial cover, suggesting no significant change in total exports with continued glacial retreat. However, yields of colloidal-nanoparticulate and reactive sediment-bound Si and Fe were an order of magnitude greater in highly glaciated catchments and showed significant positive correlations with glacial cover. As such, regional-scale exports of these phases are likely to decrease as glacial cover disappears across Chilean Patagonia, with potential implications for downstream ecosystems.

A few diatom species produce toxins that affect human and animal health. Among these, members of the Pseudo-nitzschia genus were the first diatoms unambiguously identified as producer of domoic acid, a neurotoxin affecting molluscan shell-fish, birds, marine mammals, and humans. Evidence exists indicating the involvement of another diatom genus, Amphora, as a potential producer of domoic acid. We present a strategy for the detection of the diatom species Amphora coffeaeformis based on the development of species-specific oligonucleotide probes and their application in microarray hybridization experiments. This approach is based on the use of two marker genes highly conserved in all diatoms, but endowed with sufficient genetic divergence to discriminate diatoms at the species level. A region of approximately 450 bp of these previously unexplored marker genes, coding for elongation factor 1-a (eEF1-a) and silicic acid transporter (SIT), was used to design oligonucleotide probes that were tested for specificity in combination with the corresponding fluorescently labeled DNA targets. The results presented in this work suggest a possible use of this DNA chip technology for the selective detection of A. coffeaeformis in environmental settings where the presence of this potential toxin producer may represent a threat to human and animal health. In addition, the same basic approach can be adapted to a wider range of diatoms for the simultaneous detection of microorganisms used as biomarkers of different water quality levels.

In December 2017, one of the largest wildfires in California history, the Thomas Fire, created a large smoke and ash plume that extended over the northeastern Pacific Ocean. Here, we explore the impact of Thomas Fire ash deposition on seawater chemistry and the growth and composition of natural microbial communities. Experiments conducted in coastal California waters during the Thomas Fire revealed that leaching of ash in seawater resulted in significant additions of dissolved nutrients including inorganic nitrogen (nitrate, nitrite and ammonium), silicic acid, metals (iron, nickel, cobalt and copper), organic nitrogen and organic carbon. After exposure to ash leachate at high (0.25 g ash l-1) and low (0.08 g ash l-1) concentrations for 4 days, natural microbial communities had 59-154% higher particulate organic carbon concentrations than communities without ash leachate additions. Additionally, a diverse assemblage of eukaryotic microbes (protists) responded to the ash leachate with taxa from 11 different taxonomic divisions increasing in relative abundance compared with control treatments. Our results suggest that large fire events can be important atmospheric sources of nutrients (particularly nitrogen) to coastal marine systems, where, through leaching of various nutrients, ash may act as a 'food for all' in protist communities.

The Equisetum genus, Equisetaceae family, is widely distributed worldwide and may be the oldest nonextinct genus on Earth. There are about 30 known species, which are very often used in traditional medicine with diverse applications. This review aimed to compile scientific reports about Equisetum species with relevant pharmacological properties and/or therapeutic potential for kidney diseases. Our bibliographic survey demonstrates that the most widespread traditional use of Equisetum is as a diuretic, followed by the treatment of genitourinary diseases (kidney diseases, urethritis, kidney stones, and others), inflammation, wound healing, rheumatic diseases, prostatitis, and hypertension. The most popular species from the Equisetum genus with medicinal use is E. arvense L., whose diuretic effect was confirmed in animal models and clinical trials. The species E. bogotense Kunth also demonstrated the beneficial effect of inducing diuresis in both experimental and clinical assays. Several other species have also been studied regarding their therapeutic potential, showing different biological actions. Regarding the chemical composition, it contains many active constituents, such as alkaloids, flavonoids, phenol, phytosterols, saponins, sterols, silicic acid, tannin, triterpenoids, and volatile oils. However, despite the widespread traditional use, many species need to be explored in detail for scientific validation of popular use. Indeed, the species of the Equisetum genus have great potential in the management of kidney disorders.

Agro-industrial residues represent more than 60% of organic wastes worldwide, which could be used to generate other by-products or to be incorporated into other production chains. For example, bagasse is a waste from the tequila industry in Mexico that could be implemented for mushroom cultivation. Additionally, the substrate influences the growth, development, and production of secondary metabolites of fungi. This work presents a comparative experiment that studies the metabolite production in Pleurotus djamor mushrooms on agave bagasse and barley straw (traditional substrate). The biological efficiency (BE), yield, phenolics and flavonoids, antioxidant capacity, tannins, and the identification of low molecular weight metabolites were evaluated. Five treatments were proposed according to the following mixtures of agave bagasse: barley straw: T1 (1:0), T2 (3:1), T3 (1:1), T4 (1:3), and T5 (0:1). T2 had the highest yield (13.39 ± 3.23%), BE (56.7 ± 13.71%), and flavonoids (44.25 mg rutin equivalent (RE)/g); T3 obtained the highest phenol content (230.27 mg GAE/g); and T1 the highest tannins content (0.23 mg (+) catechin equivalent (CE)/g). Finally, T1 and T5 are the ones that present the greatest number of primary metabolites, including hydroxycitric acid, 2-deoxy-D-galactose, D-mannose, paromomycin, palmitic acid, pyrrole, mannitol, and DL arabinose, while in T2, T3, and T4 only two chemical compounds were found present (palmitic acid and pyrrole in T2, silicic acid and pyrrole in T3 and 2-deoxy-D-galactose and quinoline in T4). The cultivation substrate influences the concentration of bioactive molecules in the fruiting bodies of P. djamor. Additionally, P. djamor's degradation of agave bagasse residue generates a potential application for agro-industrial residue management at a low cost.

Antimony (Sb) is a non-essential metalloid that can be taken up by plants from contaminated soils and thus enter the food chain and threaten human health. Boehmeria nivea L. (ramie) is a promising phytoremediation plant for Sb-polluted soils. However, the mechanisms of antimonite (SbIII) and antimonate (SbV) uptake by ramie remain unclear. In this study, a hydroponic system was established to investigate how different substances affect the uptake of SbIII or SbV by ramie, including an energy inhibitor (malonic acid), an aquaglyceroporin inhibitor (silver nitrate), an SbV analog (phosphate-PV), and SbIII analogs (arsenite-AsIII, glycerol, silicic acid-Si, and glucose). The results indicated that ramie primarily transported Sb by increasing the Sb concentration in the bleeding sap, rather than increasing the weight of the bleeding sap. After 16 h of Sb exposure, the absolute amount of transported Sb from the roots to the aboveground parts was 1.90 times higher under SbIII than under SbV. The addition of malonic acid significantly inhibited the uptake of SbV but had limited effects on SbIII, indicating that SbV uptake was energy dependent. PV addition significantly reduced SbV uptake, while the addition of AsIII, glycerol, and Si obviously inhibited SbIII uptake. This suggested that the uptake of SbV might be via low-affinity P transporters and SbIII might use aquaglyceroporins. These findings deepen the understanding of Sb uptake pathways in ramie, contribute to a better comprehension of Sb toxicity mechanisms in ramie, and establish a foundation for identifying the most effective Sb uptake pathways, which could further improve the efficiency of phytoremediation of Sb-polluted soils.

In this study, we assessed uptake and potential efficacy of a novel, pH neutral form of silicon supplement in vitro and using broiler chickens as a model species. In vitro bioavailability of this supplement was significantly higher than other commercial supplements tested, all of which claim available silica content. To confirm bioavailability of the new supplement in vivo, a broiler chick feeding trial reported blood uptake that was significantly higher than a Bamboo-derived silicon supplement. We assessed dose response of the novel supplement in a further study with increased dose related levels of silicon being detected in the blood and tibia. We found tibia and foot ash residue as a percentage of dry mass was higher with inclusion of the novel supplement in the diet, particularly in young birds and that this was followed by significant increase in tibia breaking strength. This novel supplement may therefore have applications in the improvement of bone integrity, with implications for the reduction of lameness in broilers. These results indicate the novel silica supplement is readily absorbed in chicks, and transported in the blood supply to sites such as the skeleton due to it being present in a non-condensed, monomeric form. There is potential for wider application of this silica supplement in other species where bone breakages are a problem, including high performance sport.

Phytoliths are composed of 66 to 91% SiO2 and 1 to 6% organic carbon (C) known as phytolith occluded carbon (PhytOC). PhytOC is critical for long-term C storage in the agroecosystem. A field experiment was carried out to investigate the effect of three different sources of exogenous Si, i.e., diatomaceous earth (DE), silicic acid (SA) and rice husk biochar (RHB) on 1) plant phytolith, C content in phytolith and PhytOC content in different rice organs; 2) relationship between plant phytolith, C content in phytolith, PhytOC content, and soil properties (soil physicochemical properties and readily soluble silicon pools). Different Si sources produced significantly higher phytolith, PhytOC content, and readily soluble Si pools (CCSi, AASi, and ASi) than the control (RDF), with treatment receiving 4 t RHB ha-1 outperforming the other treatments. Phytolith and PhytOC production were found to be significantly correlated to soil organic carbon (OC), available nitrogen (N) and potassium (K), 0.01 M CaCl2 extractable Si (CCSi) and amorphous Si (ASi) content in the soil. Redundancy analysis showed that treatments receiving 4 t RHB ha-1 have a stronger relationship with the CCSi and ASi which majorly contributed to the higher phytolith and PhytOC production. Thus, practices such as Si fertilizers and RHB application have a high potential for phytolith production and PhytOC sequestration, a critical mechanism of the global biogeochemical C sink.

Integral membrane proteins (IMPs) comprise highly important classes of proteins such as transporters, sensors, and channels, but their investigation and biotechnological application are complicated by the difficulty to stabilize them in solution. We set out to develop a biomimetic procedure to encapsulate functional integral membrane proteins in silica to facilitate their handling under otherwise detrimental conditions and thereby extend their applicability. To this end, we designed and expressed new fusion constructs of the membrane scaffold protein MSP with silica-precipitating peptides based on the R5 sequence from the diatom Cylindrotheca fusiformis. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM) revealed that membrane lipid nanodiscs surrounded by our MSP variants fused to an R5 peptide, so-called nanodiscs, were formed. Exposing them to silicic acid led to silica-encapsulated nanodiscs, a new material for stabilizing membrane structures and a first step toward incorporating membrane proteins in such structures. In an alternative approach, four fusion constructs based on the amphiphilic β-sheet peptide BP-1 and the R5 peptide were generated and successfully employed toward silica encapsulation of functional diacylglycerol kinase (DGK). Silica-encapsulated DGK was significantly more stable against protease exposure and incubation with simulated gastric fluid (SGF) and intestinal fluid (SIF).

The West Antarctic Peninsula shelf is a region of high seasonal primary production which supports a large and productive food web, where macronutrients and inorganic carbon are sourced primarily from intrusions of warm saline Circumpolar Deep Water. We examined the cross-shelf modification of this water mass during mid-summer 2015 to understand the supply of nutrients and carbon to the productive surface ocean, and their subsequent uptake and cycling. We show that nitrate, phosphate, silicic acid and inorganic carbon are progressively enriched in subsurface waters across the shelf, contrary to cross-shelf reductions in heat, salinity and density. We use nutrient stoichiometric and isotopic approaches to invoke remineralization of organic matter, including nitrification below the euphotic surface layer, and dissolution of biogenic silica in deeper waters and potentially shelf sediment porewaters, as the primary drivers of cross-shelf enrichments. Regenerated nitrate and phosphate account for a significant proportion of the total pools of these nutrients in the upper ocean, with implications for the seasonal carbon sink. Understanding nutrient and carbon dynamics in this region now will inform predictions of future biogeochemical changes in the context of substantial variability and ongoing changes in the physical environment.This article is part of the theme issue 'The marine system of the West Antarctic Peninsula: status and strategy for progress in a region of rapid change'.

Lead-212 (212Pb, t1/2 = 10.6 h) and lead-203 (203Pb, t1/2 = 51.9 h) are an element-equivalent, or a matched theranostic radioisotope pair that show great potential for application in targeted radionuclide therapy (TRT) and single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT), respectively. At TRIUMF we have produced both 203Pb and 212Pb using TRIUMF's TR13 (13 MeV) and 500 MeV cyclotrons, and subsequently purified and evaluated both radioisotopes using a series of pyridine-modified DOTA analogues in comparison to the commercially available chelates DOTA (1,4,7,10-tetraazacyclododecane-1,4,7,10-tetraacetic acid) and TCMC (1,4,7,10-tetraaza-1,4,7,10-tetra(2-carbamoylmethyl)cyclododecane).

Growing evidence of silicon (Si) playing an important role in plant health and the global carbon cycle triggered research on its biogeochemistry. In terrestrial soil ecosystems, sorption of silicic acid (H4SiO4) to mineral surfaces is a main control on Si mobility. We examined the competitive sorption of Si, dissolved organic matter, and phosphorus in forest floor leachates (pH 4.1-4.7) to goethite, in order to assess its effects on Si mobility at weathering fronts in acidic topsoil, a decisive zone of nutrient turnover in soil. In batch sorption experiments, we varied the extent of competition between solutes by varying the amount of added goethite (α-FeOOH) and the Si pre-loading of the goethite surfaces. Results suggest weaker competitive strength of Si than of dissolved organic matter and ortho-phosphate. Under highly competitive conditions, hardly any dissolved Si (< 2%) but much of the dissolved organic carbon (48-80%) was sorbed. Pre-loading the goethite surfaces with monomeric Si hardly decreased the sorption of organic carbon and phosphate, whereas up to about 50% of the Si was released from surfaces into solutions, indicating competitive displacement from sorption sites. We conclude sorption competition with dissolved organic matter and other strongly sorbing solutes can promote Si leaching in soil. Such effects should thus be considered in conceptual models on soil Si transport, distribution, and phytoavailability.

Alginite is a non-ore raw material arising by fossilization of accumulated organic (algae) and inorganic material, particularly clay, carbonates, quartz, and amorphous modification of silicic acid in the aqueous environment. Humic acids as a component of organic portion of alginite are known for very good buffering ability which allows them to stabilise pH throughout the digestion system of animals, stimulate receptors of the immune system in intestinal villi against pathogenic bacteria, and support proliferation and activity of beneficial bacteria (lactobacilli, bifidobacteria, and similar). Our investigations focused on the influence of a probiotic strain in combination with alginite on intestinal microenvironment of SPF mice infected with Salmonella Typhimurium. The 66 female mice (BALB/c) used in our study were divided to four experimental groups, control NC1, control NC2 (alginite), IC (alginite + Salmonella Typhimurium CCM 7205NAL), LAB (Lact. reuteri CCM 8617 + alginite + Salm. Typhimurium CCM 7205NAL). The group supplemented with Lact.reuteri CCM 8617 and alginite showed significant reduction in growth of Salm. Typhimurium in mice faeces at 24 and 72 h (P < 0.001) post infection. The supplementation of additives affected positively also nitrogen, enzymatic, hepatic and energy metabolism of mice. The demonstrable positive influence of additives alleviated the negative impact of Salm. Typhimurium infection on the morphology investigated in the jejunum and ileum of LAB group of mice. The livers of mice treated with both alginite and Lact.reuteri CCM 8617 showed marked reduction of overall inflammation, hepatocyte necrosis and size of typhoid nodules.

Our study addresses how environmental variables, such as macronutrients concentrations, snow cover, carbonate chemistry and salinity affect the photophysiology and biomass of Antarctic sea-ice algae. We have measured vertical profiles of inorganic macronutrients (phosphate, nitrite + nitrate and silicic acid) in summer sea ice and photophysiology of ice algal assemblages in the poorly studied Amundsen and Ross Seas sectors of the Southern Ocean. Brine-scaled bacterial abundance, chl a and macronutrient concentrations were often high in the ice and positively correlated with each other. Analysis of photosystem II rapid light curves showed that microalgal cells in samples with high phosphate and nitrite + nitrate concentrations had reduced maximum relative electron transport rate and photosynthetic efficiency. We also observed strong couplings of PSII parameters to snow depth, ice thickness and brine salinity, which highlights a wide range of photoacclimation in Antarctic pack-ice algae. It is likely that the pack ice was in a post-bloom situation during the late sea-ice season, with low photosynthetic efficiency and a high degree of nutrient accumulation occurring in the ice. In order to predict how key biogeochemical processes are affected by future changes in sea ice cover, such as in situ photosynthesis and nutrient cycling, we need to understand how physicochemical properties of sea ice affect the microbial community. Our results support existing hypothesis about sea-ice algal photophysiology, and provide additional observations on high nutrient concentrations in sea ice that could influence the planktonic communities as the ice is retreating.

Improving agricultural products by the stimulation of plant growth and defense mechanisms by priming with plant extracts is needed to attain sustainability in agriculture. This study focused to consider the possible improvement in Vigna radiata L. seed germination rate, plant growth, and protection against the natural stress by increasing the defense mechanisms through the incorporation of Sesamum indicum phytochemical compounds with pre-sowing seed treatment technologies. The gas chromatography coupled with mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) analysis revealed that the methanol extract of S. indicum leaf extract contained eight major bioactive compounds, namely, 2-ethylacridine (8.24%), tert-butyl (5-isopropyl-2-methylphenoxy) dimethylsilane (13.25%), tris(tert-butyldimethylsilyloxy) arsane (10.66%), 1,1,1,3,5,5,5-heptamethyltrisiloxane (18.50%), acetamide, N-[4-(trimethylsilyl) phenyl (19.97%), 3,3-diisopropoxy-1,1,1,5,5,5-hexamethyltrisiloxane (6.78%), silicic acid, diethyl bis(trimethylsilyl) ester (17.71%) and cylotrisiloxane, hexamethyl-(4.89%). The V. radiata seeds were treated with sesame leaf extract seeds at concentrations 0, 10, 25, 50, and 100 mg/L. Sesame leaf extract at 50 and 100 mg/L concentrations was effective in increasing the germination percentage and the fresh and dry weights of roots and shoots. The increased peroxidase activity was noticed after treatment with S. indicum extract. In addition, disease percentage (< 60%) of both fungal pathogens (Rhizoctonia and Macrophomina) was significantly reduced in V. radiata plants treated with 100 mg/L of sesame leaf extract. These results revealed that physiochemical components present in S. indicum mature leaf extract significantly enhanced growth and defense mechanism in green gram plants.

Cydonia oblonga is a medicinal plant that is used to treat a number of health complications in traditional medication systems. The objective of this study was to evaluate the phytochemical composition, and antibacterial, antioxidant, and ant-diabetic potentials of methanolic extracts of Cydonia oblonga bark. The Cydonia oblonga bark extraction was fractionated through HPLC and seven purified fractions labeled as F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6, and F7 were obtained. The HPLC-UV analysis of methanolic extract showed the presence of a number of possible compounds. The GC-MS and HPLC analysis confirmed the presence of the following bioactive compounds in the crude extract and purified fractions: malic acid, mandelic acid, quercetin, caffeic acid, catechin hydrate, as morin (HPLC analysis), BIS-(2-ethylhexyl)phthalate and diisooctyl phthalate (F1), carbamide (F2, used as fertilizer), octasiloxane and dimethylsiloxanecyclictrimer (F3), silicic acid and cyclotrisiloxane (F4), 6-AH-cAMP, 4H-cyclopropa[5',6']benz[1',2',7,8]azule, and 4-(4-chlorophenyl)-3-morpholinepyrol-2-yl)-butenedioic acid (F5), isopropyamine (F6), and 1-propylhydrazine (F7). The extract and purified fractions were then tested for biological activities. All the purified fractions and methanolic extract showed effective antibacterial activity; however, the highest activity was recorded for methanolic extract against Staphylococcus aureus and Streptococcus pneumonia. Antioxidant evaluation of methanolic extract and purified fractions against DPPH showed strong % inhibition of the synthetic free radical. The methanolic extract exhibited 87.41 ± 0.54% inhibition whereas fractions showed: F1, 85.45 ± 0.85; F2, 65.78 ± 0.68; F3, 58.61 ± 0.58; F4, 80.76 ± 0.59; F5, 571.29 ± 0.49; F6, 85.28 ± 0.94; and F7, 48.45 ± 0.62% inhibition. Ascorbic acid (standard) was used as a control with 94.88 ± 0.56% inhibition at a maximum concentration of 1000 µg/mL. The α-glucosidase inhibition assay of methanolic extract and purified fractions at a maximum concentration of 1000 µg/mL showed activities as: methanolic extract, 78.21 ± 0.67; F1, 55.01 ± 0.29; F2, 56.10 ± 0.24; F3, 62.44 ± 1.03; F4, 70.52 ± 0.15; F5, 62.18 ± 0.92; F6, 72.68 ± 0.2; and F7, 57.33 ± 0.05% inhibition. α-Amylase % inhibition of methanolic extract and purified fractions were noted as: methanolic extract, 77.98 ± 0.57; F1, 79.72 ± 0.02; F2, 79.72 ± 0.02; F3, 82.16 ± 0.48; F4, 77.37 ± 0.28; F5, 72.14 ± 0.30; F6, 74.24 ± 0.29; and F7, 56.58 ± 0.10 at the highest concentration of 1000 µg/mL. Acarbose (standard) showed 87.65 ± 0.71% inhibition of α-glucosidase and 85.99 ± 0.44% inhibition of α-amylase at the highest concentration of 1000 µg/mL. It was found that all biological activities of methanolic extract and purified fractions might be attributed to the fact that they are rich sources of phenolic and flavonoids along with other bioactive compounds. The total phenolic and flavonoid contents of methanolic extract were recorded higher as compared to purified fractions (TPC = 70% and TFC = 69%). Amongst the purified fractions, fraction 6 exhibited the highest TPC value (64%), and purified fraction 1 exhibited the highest value of TFC (58%). Recent research demonstrated that Cydonia oblonga may be considered an antibacterial medicinal plant. The result of the present study revealed that it might be utilized for the isolation of bioactive phytochemicals that can lead to new opportunities in the discovery of new antibiotics.

The objective of this study is to evaluate of rice bran mineral extract (RBM) increases the expression of anagen-related molecules in human dermal papilla (DOCs). Four treatment groups were established to evaluate the efficacy of RBM, including a negative control, positive control (ascorbic acid), RBM and ortho-silicic acid (Si(OH)4) (OSA) group. Three days after the DPCs were administered the various treatments, western blot analysis showed that type I collagen expression was increased 2.5-fold in the OSA group and 4-fold in the RBM group, and ALP expression was increased 1.5-fold in the OSA and RBM group while the expression of fibronectin was increased ~3-fold in the OSA group and 2.5-fold in the RBM group. Also, the expression of Wnt-3α and β-catenin protein was increased in OSA and RBM group compared to control group. Furthermore, the expression of IL-1a was decreased by more than 50% in the OSA and RBM groups compared to the negative control. Analysis of mRNA expression by RT-qPCR showed that type I collagen increased 1.2-fold in the OSA- and RBM-treated DPCs, whereas type IV collagen increased 2.7-fold in the OSA group and 3.5-fold in the RBM group. However, TGF-β2 mRNA decreased about 80% in the OSA and RBM groups, respectively. Immunohistochemical staining of the DPCs for versican protein showed a significant increase in the OSA- and RBM-treated groups compared to the negative control. Thus, RBM have a potential to recover of DPCs activity and decreased inflammatory-related markers. It can be expected that hair loss prevention and hair growth enhancement can be expected when RBM is applied as a cosmetic product.

Together with longer production periods, the commercial transition to day-neutral strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa) varieties has favored the development of diseases such as powdery mildew (Podosphaera aphanis) that thrives in late summer-early fall. In an attempt to find alternative solutions to fungicides currently employed to curb the disease, we wanted to investigate the potential of silicon (Si) amendments that have been associated with prophylactic properties against powdery mildews. To this end, our first objective was to determine if strawberry was a Si-competent species following the recent characterization of the properties of Si transporters that plants must carry to uptake silicic acid. Based on genomic data, we were able to conclude that strawberry contained both functional influx (Lsi1) and efflux (Lsi2) transporters for Si uptake. Subsequently commercial experiments under high tunnel and field conditions were conducted with different Si fertilization regimes: constant soluble Si feeding in high tunnel, and bi-weekly soluble Si feeding or three concentrations of calcium silicate fertilization in the field. Results from high tunnel experiments showed that strawberry could accumulate as much as 3% Si on a dry-weight basis, the highest concentration ever reported for this species. All six tested cultivars contained roughly the same concentration, thereby confirming the limited genetic variability, also observed in other species, associated with the trait. Silicon fertilization under high tunnel led to a significant reduction of powdery mildew severity in both years and on all cultivars, and a significant increase in yield of marketable fruits reaching as much as 300% with cv. Monterey. By contrast, Si fertilization under field conditions in soils deficient in plant available Si, either in soluble or solid form, did not result in significant accumulation of Si in plants, regardless of the cultivars, year or concentrations. Our results have thus provided both genotypic and phenotypic proof that strawberry can greatly benefit from Si fertilization, but have also highlighted the importance of validating the fertilization regime to ensure that Si is properly absorbed and/or available to the plant.