Trigonella, commonly known as Fenugreek, is among the most promising medicinal herbs consumed worldwide due its protein rich dietary contributions. This study involved induced mutagenesis on two Trigonella species (Trigonella foenum-graecum var. PEB and Trigonella corniculata var. Pusa kasuri) using caffeine and sodium azide as mutagens, resulting in the identification of nine high-yielding mutant lines in the M3 generation. Molecular characterization using SCoT markers revealed a high polymorphism of 28.3% and 46.7% in PEB and Pusa kasuri, respectively, facilitating the investigation of genetic divergence among the control and mutant lines. Similarity correlation analysis indicated a high similarity between mutant A and mutant C (0.97) and between mutant J and mutant O (0.88), while the lowest similarity was observed between mutant B and mutant F (0.74) and between control and mutant L (0.58). Mutant F and Mutant J displayed the highest seed yield and its attributing traits, and seed protein content in PEB and Pusa kasuri, respectively. Physiological parameters, including chlorophyll content (Mutants A and N) and carotenoids (mutant A and J), exhibited improvements. Assessment of stomatal and seed characteristics using scanning electron microscopy may lead to improved physiological processes and distinction at the interspecific level, respectively. Methanolic extracts of the control and the mutant lines of both species were subjected to GC-MS analysis, revealing 24 major phytocompounds known for their pharmacological activities (antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, etc.). Statistical methods such as Pearson correlation heatmap and pairwise scatter plot matrix provided insights into the correlations and linear associations among parameters for both PEB and Pusa kasuri. The strong correlation between iron content and seeds per pod in the mutant lines suggests a promising avenue for further research. Continued research and breeding efforts using these mutants can lead to significant advancements in agriculture and medicine, benefiting farmers, consumers, and industries alike.

Cryptococcus neoformans is an opportunistic pathogenic fungus that produces melanin during infection, an important virulence factor in Cryptococcal infections that enhances the ability of the fungus to resist immune defense. This fungus can synthesize melanin from a variety of substrates, including L-DOPA (L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine). Since melanin protects the fungus from various stress factors such as oxidative, nitrosative, extreme heat and cold stress; we investigated the effects of environmental conditions on melanin production and survival. In this study, we investigated the effects of different pH values (5.6, 7.0 and 8.5) and temperatures (30 °C and 37 °C) on melanization and cell survival using a microtiter plate-based melanin production assay and an oxidative stress assay, respectively. In addition, the efficacy of compounds known to inhibit laccase involved in melanin synthesis, i.e., tunicamycin, β-mercaptoethanol, dithiothreitol, sodium azide and caspofungin on melanization was evaluated and their sensitivity to temperature and pH changes was measured. The results showed that melanin content correlated with pH and temperature changes and that pH 8.5 and 30 °C, were best for melanin production. Besides that, melanin production protects the fungal cells from oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide. Thus, changes in pH and temperature drastically alter melanin production in C. neoformans and it correlates with the fungal survival. Due to the limited antifungal repertoire and the development of resistance in cryptococcal infections, the investigation of environmental conditions in the regulation of melanization and survival of C. neoformans could be useful for future research and clinical phasing.

BACKGROUND: This research explores the efficacy of mutagenesis, specifically using sodium azide (SA) and hydrazine hydrate (HZ) treatments, to introduce genetic diversity and enhance traits in three wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) genotypes. The experiment entails subjecting the seeds to different doses of SA and HZ and cultivating them in the field for two consecutive generations: M1 (first generation) and M2 (second generation). We then employed selective breeding techniques with Start Codon Targeted (SCoT) markers to select traits within the wheat gene pool. Also, the correlation between SCoT markers and specific agronomic traits provides insights into the genetic mechanisms underlying mutagenesis-induced changes in wheat.
RESULTS: In the study, eleven genotypes were derived from parent varieties Sids1, Sids12, and Giza 168, and eight mutant genotypes were selected from the M1 generation and further cultivated to establish the M2 generation. The results revealed that various morphological and agronomical characteristics, such as plant height, spikes per plant, spike length, spikelet per spike, grains per spikelet, and 100-grain weight, showed increases in different genotypes from M1 to M2. SCoT markers were employed to assess genetic diversity among the eleven genotypes. The bioinformatics analysis identified a correlation between SCoT markers and the transcription factors ABSCISIC ACID INSENSITIVE3 (ABI3) and VIVIPAROUS1 (VP1), crucial for plant development, growth, and stress adaptation. A comprehensive examination of genetic distance and the function identification of gene-associated SCoT markers may provide valuable insights into the mechanisms by which SA and HZ act as mutagens, enhancing wheat agronomic qualities.
CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrates the effective use of SA and HZ treatments to induce gene diversity through mutagenesis in the wheat gene pool, resulting in the enhancement of agronomic traits, as revealed by SCoT markers. The significant improvements in morphological and agronomical characteristics highlight the potential of mutagenesis techniques for crop improvement. These findings offer valuable information for breeders to develop effective breeding programs to enhance wheat quality and resilience through increased genetic diversity.

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Bacterial overgrowth is common for improperly stored urine. However, its effects on human urinary extracellular vesicles (uEVs) study had not been previously examined nor documented. This study investigated the presence of bacterial EVs (bEVs) contaminated in uEVs samples and their effects on uEVs study. Nanoscale uEVs were isolated from normal human urine immediately after collection (0-h) or after 25°C-storage with/without preservative (10 mM NaN3) for up to 24-h. Turbidity, bacterial count and total uEVs proteins abnormally increased in the 8-h and 24-h-stored urine without NaN3. NanoLC-ESI-LTQ-Orbitrap MS/MS identified 6-13 bacterial proteins in these contaminated uEVs samples. PCR also detected bacterial DNAs in these contaminated uEVs samples. Besides, uEVs derived from 8-h and 24-h urine without NaN3 induced macrophage activation (CD11b and phagocytosis) and secretion of cytokines (IFN-α, IL-8, and TGF-β) from macrophages and renal cells (HEK-293, HK-2, and MDCK). All of these effects induced by bacterial contamination were partially/completely prevented by NaN3. Interestingly, macrophage activation and cytokine secretion were also induced by bEVs purified from Escherichia coli. This study clearly shows evidence of bEVs contamination and their effects on human uEVs study when the urine samples were inappropriately stored, whereas NaN3 can partially/completely prevent such effects from the contaminated bEVs.

Linseed is a valuable oilseed crop with huge therapeutic importance due to its high content of omega-3 fatty acids in the form of Alpha-linolenic acid (ALA). It is a self-pollinated crop with a low-yielding potential that restricts its improvement endeavors. To overcome low-yielding potential, individual and combination treatments of gamma rays and sodium azide were employed in widely grown linseed varieties. The results revealed a dose-dependent decline in seed germination, seedling height, pollen fertility, chlorophyll, and carotenoid contents and a dose-independent decline in carbonic anhydrase activity. Bio-physiological parameters decreased substantially in combination treatments compared to individual treatments of gamma rays and sodium azide. In contrast, lower doses of gamma rays, sodium azide, and their combinations effectively increased mean values of yield and yield-attributing traits in a few putative mutants. Such putative mutants represent a valuable genetic resource that could be used in future breeding programs for the genetic improvement of linseed and related medicinal plants.

Vitamin K possesses efficacy as a topical dermatological agent. However, vitamin K is phototoxic and susceptible to photodegradation. Herein, we investigated the mechanisms underlying the phototoxicity of phylloquinone (PK, vitamin K1) and menaquinone-4 (MK-4, vitamin K2) under ultraviolet A (UVA) irradiation using various reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavengers. This resulted in the production of superoxide anion radicals via type I and singlet oxygen via type II photodynamic reactions, which were quenched by the ROS scavengers: superoxide dismutase and sodium azide (NaN3). In HaCaT cells, MK-4 and PK induced the production of intracellular ROS, particularly hydrogen peroxide, in response to UVA irradiation. Furthermore, the addition of catalase successfully decreased maximum ROS levels by approximately 30%. NaN3 and catalase decreased the maximum reduction in cell viability induced by UVA-irradiated PK and MK-4 in cell viability by approximately 2-7-fold. Additionally, ROS scavengers had no effect on the photodegradation of PK or MK-4 at 373 nm. Therefore, the phototoxicities of PK and MK-4 were attributed to the generation of singlet oxygen and hydrogen peroxide, underscoring the importance of photoshielding in circumventing phototoxicity.

Three new nitrides La3MN5 (M=Cr, Mn, and Mo) have been synthesized using a high pressure azide route. These are the first examples of ternary Cs3CoCl5-type nitrides, and show that this (MN4)NLa3 antiperovskite structure type may be used to stabilise high oxidation-state transition metals in tetrahedral molecular [MN4]n- nitridometallate anions. Magnetic measurements confirm that Cr and Mo are in the M6+ state, but the M=Mn phase has an anomalously small paramagnetic moment and large cell volume. Neutron powder diffraction data are fitted using an anion-excess La3MnN5.30 model (space group I4/mcm, a=6.81587(9) Å and c=11.22664(18) Å at 200 K) in which Mn is close to the +7 state. Excess-anion incorporation into Cs3CoCl5-type materials has not been previously reported, and this or other substitution mechanisms may enable many other high oxidation state transition metal nitrides to be prepared.

UNASSIGNED: Sodium azide exposures are rare but can be lethal as the substance inhibits complex IV in the electron transport chain, blocking adenosine-triphosphate (ATP) synthesis. Sodium azide is mostly used as a propellant in vehicular airbags but is also used in laboratory, pharmacy, and industrial settings. No known antidote exists and its cardiotoxic effects are poorly described in the literature.
UNASSIGNED: We describe the case of a 31-year-old patient with major depressive disorder presenting with altered mental status after ingestion of an unknown amount of sodium azide. Although initially chest pain free, she developed pleuritic chest pain 48 h after ingestion. This was accompanied by new diffuse ST elevations on the electrocardiogram and serum troponin elevations concerning for myopericarditis. Treatment was pursued with a 14-day course of colchicine resulting in complete symptom resolution within 4 days of treatment initiation. The patient\'s transthoracic echocardiogram was only notable for a preserved left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).
UNASSIGNED: Cardiac toxicity after sodium azide ingestion usually occurs days after ingestion and has been previously described in the forms of heart failure with reduced ejection fraction complicated by cardiogenic shock. We describe the first case of sodium azide-induced myopericarditis with a preserved LVEF treated with colchicine. Colchicine is an established treatment for pericarditis, but its inhibition of endocytosis, an ATP-dependent cellular function, could be mechanistically relevant to this case.

Mushroom laccases play a crucial role in lignin depolymerization, one of the most critical challenges in lignin utilization. Importantly, laccases can utilize a wide range of substrates, such as toxicants and antibiotics. This study isolated a novel laccase, named HeLac4c, from endophytic white-rot fungi Hericium erinaceus mushrooms. The cDNAs for this enzyme were 1569 bp in length and encoded a protein of 523 amino acids, including a 20 amino-acid signal peptide. Active extracellular production of glycosylated laccases from Saccharomyces cerevisiae was successfully achieved by selecting an optimal translational fusion partner. We observed that 5 and 10 mM Ca2+, Zn2+, and K+ increased laccase activity, whereas 5 mM Fe2+ and Al3+ inhibited laccase activity. The laccase activity was inhibited by the addition of low concentrations of sodium azide and L-cysteine. The optimal pH for the 2,2\'-Azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt was 4.4. Guaiacylglycerol-β-guaiacyl ether, a lignin model compound, was polymerized by the HeLac4c enzyme. These results indicated that HeLac4c is a novel oxidase biocatalyst for the bioconversion of lignin into value-added products for environmental biotechnological applications.