Comparative Metabolomic Analysis of Moromi Fermented Using Different Aspergillus oryzae Strains

Aspergillus oryzae (A. oryzae) is an important starter in the fermentation of koji and moromi. However, the effect of different A. oryzae strains on the quality of moromi has rarely been studied. For this reason, this study analyzed the physicochemical properties, enzyme activity, sensory quality, and metabolite profiles of moromi samples fermented using two strains (A. oryzae KCCM12012P (moromi-1) and KCCM12804P (moromi-2)), which were newly isolated from fermented soy foods, and compared them to those of a commercialized A. oryzae strain (control). Amino-type nitrogen contents of moromi-1 and moromi-2 samples were higher than that of control moromi, and their amylase and protease activities were also higher. Moreover, metabolite profiles of moromi were significantly altered according to strains. In particular, the levels of many amino acids, peptides, nucleotides, and acidic compounds were altered, which resulted in changes in the sensory quality of moromi. Although volatile compounds were not investigated, the results suggested that the quality of moromi was significantly different for newly isolated strains, especially A. oryzae KCCM12804P, and they were superior to the commercial strain in terms of taste-related substances. Therefore, these strains could be used as good starters to produce moromi and soy sauce with good sensory quality.     

Antimicrobial Activity of Smilax china L. Root Extracts against the Acne-Causing Bacterium,Cutibacterium acnes,and Its Active Compounds

The root of Smilax china L. is used in traditional Korean medicine. We found that the Smilax china L. root extract has strong antimicrobial activity against two Cutibacterium acnes strains (KCTC 3314 and KCTC 3320). The aim of this study was to identify the beneficial properties of Smilax china L. extracts for their potential use as active ingredients in cosmetics for the treatment of human skin acne. The high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and liquid chromatography-hybrid quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (LC/QTOF/MS) methods were used to obtain the profile of secondary metabolites from the ethyl acetate-soluble fraction of the crude extract. Agar diffusion and resazurin-based broth microdilution assays were used to evaluate antimicrobial activity and minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC), respectively. Among the 24 metabolites, quercetin, resveratrol, and oxyresveratrol were the most potent compounds against Cutibacterium acnes. Minimum inhibitory concentrations of quercetin, resveratrol, and oxyresveratrol were 31.25, 125, and 250 μg/mL, respectively.     

KLHL3 deficiency in mice ameliorates obesity,insulin resistance,and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease by regulating energy expenditure

Obesity is a growing global epidemic that can cause serious adverse health consequences, including insulin resistance (IR) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Obesity development can be attributed to energy imbalance and metabolic inflexibility. Here, we demonstrated that lack of Kelch-like protein 3 (KLHL3) mitigated the development of obesity, IR, and NAFLD by increasing energy expenditure. KLHL3 mutations in humans cause Gordon’s hypertension syndrome; however, the role of KLHL3 in obesity was previously unknown. We examined differences in obesity-related parameters between control and Klhl3^−/− mice. A significant decrease in body weight concomitant with fat mass loss and improved IR and NAFLD were observed in Klhl3^−/− mice fed a high-fat (HF) diet and aged. KLHL3 deficiency inhibited obesity, IR, and NAFLD by increasing energy expenditure with augmentation of O₂ consumption and CO₂ production. Delivering dominant-negative (DN) Klhl3 using adeno-associated virus into mice, thereby dominantly expressing DN-KLHL3 in the liver, ameliorated diet-induced obesity, IR, and NAFLD. Finally, adenoviral overexpression of DN-KLHL3, but not wild-type KLHL3, in hepatocytes revealed an energetic phenotype with an increase in the oxygen consumption rate. The present findings demonstrate a novel function of KLHL3 mutation in extrarenal tissues, such as the liver, and may provide a therapeutic target against obesity and obesity-related diseases.Subject terms: Obesity, Homeostasis     

Identification of Cyclic Dipeptides and a New Compound (6-(5-Hydroxy-6-methylheptyl)-5,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-2-one) Produced by Streptomyces fungicidicus against Alternaria solani

As an important microbial resource, Actinomycetes, especially Streptomyces, have important application values in medicine and biotechnology. Streptomyces fungicidicus SYH3 was isolated from soil samples in tomato-growing areas and showed good inhibitory effects on Alternaria solani in tomato. To obtain pure active compounds, SYH3 fermentation broth was subjected to XAD-16 macroporous resin and silica gel column chromatography. Combined with the repeated preparation and separation of preparative high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), a total of four monomer compounds were obtained after activity tracking. Compound 4 was identified as a new six-membered lactone ring compound named 6-(5-hydroxy-6-methylheptyl)-5,6-dihydro-2H-pyran-2-one by 1D and 2D nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) data and mass spectrometry (MS). The other three active compounds belong to the cyclodipeptide, and their half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC₅₀) values against A. solani were 43.4, 42.9, and 30.6 μg/mL, respectively. Compound 4 significantly inhibited the spore germination and induced swollen and deformed local hyphae of A. solani with an IC₅₀ value of 24.9 μg/mL. Compound 4 also had broad-spectrum antifungal activity and had a good antifungal effect on the tested plant-pathogenic fungi. The modes of action of new compound (4) still require further investigation, representing a novel and effective anti-fungal agent for future application.     

Surface pseudocapacitance of mesoporous Mo3N2 nanowire anode toward reversible high-rate sodium-ion storage

Sodium-ion storage devices are highly desirable for large-scale energy storage applications owing to the wide availability of sodium resources and low cost.Transition metal nitrides(TMNs)are promising anode materials for sodium-ion storage,while their detailed reaction mechanism remains unexplored.Herein,we synthesize the mesoporous Mo3N2 nanowires(Meso-Mo₃N₂-NWs).The sodium-ion storage mechanism of Mo3N2 is systematically investigated through in-situ XRD,ex-situ experimental characterizations and detailed kinetics analysis.Briefly,the Mo₃N₂ undergoes a surface pseudocapacitive redox charge storage process.Benefiting from the rapid surface redox reaction,the Meso-Mo₃N₂-NWs anode delivers high specific capacity(282 m Ah g^-1 at 0.1 A g^-1),excellent rate capability(87 m Ah g^-1 at 16 A g^-1)and long cycling stability(a capacity retention of 78.6%after 800 cycles at 1 A g^-1).The present work highlights that the surface pseudocapacitive sodium-ion storage mechanism enables to overcome the sluggish sodium-ion diffusion process,which opens a new direction to design and synthesize high-rate sodiumion storage materials.     

Prospects of Producing Hydrogen-Ammonia Fuel Based on Lithium Aluminum Amide

Russian Physics Journal - The paper presents the development of the statistical theory of phase transformation of lithium aluminum amide with the formation of ammonia. Free energies of phases are...     

Access to pyridines via cascade nucleophilic addition reaction of 1,2,3-triazines with activated ketones or acetonitriles

We studied the cascade nucleophilic addition reactions of 1,2,3-triazines with activated acetonitriles or ketones,which were used to construct highly substituted pyridines that are not easily accessed by conventional methods.The strategy addressed some structural diversity issues currently facing medicinal chemistry,and the resulting pyridines could be used as convenient precursors for the synthesis of related pharmaceuticals.In particular,our method was applied to the syntheses of the marketed drug etoricoxib and several biologically important molecules in a few steps.     

缔造社会主义的中华民族大家庭—新中国民族区域自治制度的奠基历程

回溯《共同纲领》中所宣示的民族区域自治制度的制度要义以及这一制度的奠基历程,可以发现：社会主义,是民族区域自治制度的本质属性;巩固中华民族大家庭,是民族区域自治制度的制度依归。民族区域自治制度,强调的是广大少数民族群众当家作主、自主管理本民族内部事务的人民性;平等,作为社会主义的天然要求,是少数民族公民当家作主、行使自治权的前提;新中国在少数民族地区进行的宗教改革,实现了政教分离和社会主义政治法律体系的统一;民族区域自治制度,旨在建立亲密合作、团结互助的社会主义新型民族关系;因此,社会主义,是民族区域自治制度区别于中国古代羁縻制度的质的规定性所在;理解民族区域自治制度,必须把握好其社会主义的本质属性。民族区域自治制度,以缔造、巩固“中华民族大家庭”为制度依归,强调大家庭成员的团结统一、不可分离;在民族区域自治制度的奠基历程中,贯彻了社会主义大家庭的政治伦理,坚持深入基层、凝聚人心的群众路线,各族人民共同发展、共同建设社会主义现代化国家,在具体民族事务处理方面,则秉着商量办事、综合权衡的大家庭式处理方式。