Abstract In this study, response surface methodology (RSM) was used to study the effects of proportions of raw materials on the antioxidant activities of juices comprising mixtures of apples and berries (mixed juice; MJ). Among the four juices added, Acanthopanax sessiliflorus juice (ASJ) and its interaction with other juices had the most influence on the antioxidant activities. The MJ was optimized by blending 30% apple juice (AJ), 5% raspberry juice (RJ), 20% BJ, and 20% ASJ with 25% water. Sensory evaluation (SE) scores, scavenging rates of 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) in MJ were 89.67%, 64.80%, and 73.30%, respectively. The results of electronic tongue (e-Tongue) analysis show that the MJ reduced sourness, astringency and bitterness and improved sensory acceptance. Total phenolic content (TPC) and free radical scavenging activities in MJ was also increased compared with individual component juices. These findings should provide guidance for formulating new apple/berry compound juices.

Abstract Enterococcus faecalis (E. faecalis), one of the main pathogens responsible for refractory periapical periodontitis and nosocomial infections, exhibits markedly higher pathogenicity in biofilms. Objectives Studies have shown that caseinolytic protease P (ClpP) is involved in biofilm formation. However, to date, few studies have investigated the role of ClpP in the survival of E. faecalis, and in enhancing biofilm formation. Therefore, we investigated the role of ClpP in the formation of E. faecalis biofilms. Methodology In our study, we used homologous recombination to construct clpP deleted and clpP complement strains of E. faecalis ATCC 29212. A viable colony counting method was used to analyze the growth patterns of E. faecalis. Crystal violet staining (CV) and confocal scanning laser microscopy (CLSM) were used to characterize biofilm mass formation and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to observe the biofilm microstructure. Data was statistically analyzed via Student’s t-test or one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). Results The results exhibited altered growth patterns for the clpP deletion strains and depleted polysaccharide matrix, resulting in reduced biofilm formation capacity compared to the standard strains. Moreover, ClpP was observed to increase biofilm formation in E. faecalis. Conclusion Our study shows that ClpP can increase biofilm formation in E. faecalis and emphasizes the importance of ClpP as a potential target against E. faecalis.

Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is a life-threatening illness characterized by a complex pathophysiology, involving not only the respiratory system but also nonpulmonary distal organs. Although advances in the management of ARDS have led to a distinct improvement in ARDS-related mortality, ARDS is still a life-threatening respiratory condition with long-term consequences. A better understanding of the pathophysiology of this condition will allow us to create a personalized treatment strategy for improving clinical outcomes. In this article, we present a general overview p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38MAPK) and recent advances in understanding its functions. We consider the potential of the pharmacological targeting of p38MAPK pathways to treat ARDS.

Um complexo misto de manganês(II), [Mn(sal)(phen)2]ClO4 (1) (sal = salicilaldeído, phen = 1,10-fenantrolina), foi sintetizado e caracterizado por análise elementar e difração de raio-X de monocristais. A análise dos difratogramas revelou que o complexo 1 cristaliza no grupo espacial monoclínico P2(1)/n. A unidade assimétrica do complexo é composta do cátion complexo [Mn(sal)(phen)2]+ e do ânion perclorato não coordenado. O manganês(II) está num ambiente de coordenação MnN4O2 de geometria octaédrica bem distorcida. Quatro tipos de empilhamento π-π envolvendo ligantes fenantrolina e salicilaldeído estão envolvidos na auto-montagem supramolecular. Estas interações de empilhamento aromático cooperam com ligações de hidrogênio para a montagem de uma fascinante arquitetura supramolecular 3D com o complexo. Estudos de espectroscopia de absorção eletrônica e de titulação monitorando-se a fluorescência de 1 com DNA de timo de bezerro sugerem a ligação do complexo por intercalação com uma constante de formação igual a 7,97×10³ L mol-1 e uma constante de supressão de Stern-Volmer de 1,34×10(4) L mol-1

A mixed ligand manganese(II) complex, [Mn(sal)(phen)2]ClO4 (1) (sal = salicylaldehyde, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline), has been synthesized and characterized by elemental analysis and single crystal X-ray diffractometry. The structural analysis revealed that complex 1 crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/n. The asymmetric unit of the complex is comprised of [Mn(sal)(phen)2]+ complex cation and uncoordinated perchlorate anion. The manganese(II) is located in a seriously distorted octahedral MnN4O2 coordination environment. Four types of π-π stacking modes involving phenanthroline and salicylaldehyde ligands are involved in the supramolecular self-assembly. These aromatic stacking interactions cooperate with hydrogen bonding to assemble the complex into a fascinating 3D supramolecular architecture. Electronic absorption spectroscopy and fluorescence titration studies of the interaction between complex 1 and calf thymus DNA suggest an intercalative binding mode with a constant of 7.97×10³ L mol-1 and a Stern-Volmer quenching constant of 1.34×10(4) L mol-1.