Infinitus (China) Co., Ltd.

A novel curcumin-mediated PDI coupled with Cu²⁺-catalyzed Fenton-like reaction was developed to explore its antifungal ability and mechanisms against Fusarium graminearum by analyzing ROS generation, cell membrane integrity, mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm), spore germination and mycotoxin production. Results showed that this PDI could completely inactivate F. graminearum with 50 μM curcumin, 10.8 J/cm² irradiation and 250 μg/mL CuCl₂. The potent mechanisms were attributed to the cytotoxic actions of Cu⁺ and •OH from Fenton-like reactions and cascaded redox reactions between Cu²⁺ and ROS generated by the PDI, which collectively damaged the cell membrane, degraded intracellular DNA and total proteins, disrupted ΔΨm and energy metabolism. Furthermore, this PDI significantly inhibited the spore germination of F. graminearum, suppressed the production of DON, reducing its contents to below the detection limit in maize and 0.17 μg/g in wheat. This study provides an efficient method to control fungal contaminations and their mycotoxins in food.

The degumming process is vital for eco-friendly textile production, with β-1,4-endo-xylanase serving as the key hydrolase responsible for xylan degradation during this procedure. However, its limited resistance to alkali hampers the application due to reduced activity in alkaline environments. Herein, we employed the strategies for computer-aid high surface charged, to enhance resistance and activity of xylanase, generating the optimal mutant (Q130K/E195K) of 79 mutants, with improved 9.40 -fold (310.06 min) pH half-life and increased 2.55 -fold activity (714.54 U. mg^-1) by WT (wild type). Moreover, molecular dynamics analysisy that positive changes in intermolecular interactions and surface charge for the improved catalytic activity of the best variant. Furthermore, treated with the optimal mutant for degumming, the fibers have less stickiness, better dispersion, and improved properties like strength, whiteness, and hydrophilicity. These finding expected provide theoretical guidance for the potential application of high-performance xylanase in green industry.

With accelerated urbanization, air pollution has become an environmental problem that requires urgent resolution. Intensified inflammation, atopic dermatitis, and itchy skin have been reported in humans exposed to increasing PM_2.5 concentrations. PM_2.5 is the particulate matter whose aerodynamic equivalent diameter is less than or equal to 2.5 μm in ambient air. Madecassoside, a pentacyclic triterpenoid active component, which is found in and extracted from the plant Centella Asiatica, possesses unique pharmacological properties, such as anti-inflammatory activity, which are used to treat skin wounds. This study investigated the effects of madecassoside in terms of pyroptosis antagonism, cell membrane repair promotion, and skin barrier repair using THP-1 and HaCaT cells stimulated with PM_2.5. We measured IL-1β and LDH contents in culture supernatants of THP-1 cells. The expressions of the proteins related to cell membrane repair and skin barrier repair were detected by western blotting, quantitative reverse transcription PCR and immunofluorescence. We found that madecassoside reduced the release of the inflammatory factor IL-1β and the lytic cell death marker lactate dehydrogenase and repaired PM_2.5-induced gasdermin D-mediated cell membrane damage. Further, madecassoside may have the potential to promote skin barrier repair by alleviating skin barrier-related protein damage and nuclear transfer. Therefore, madecassoside possesses anti-PM_2.5 stimulating activity through repairing gasdermin D-mediated cell membrane damage and possibly protecting the skin barrier, indicating that madecassoside has good anti-inflammatory repair efficacy.