Scholarworks
ScholarWorks is an open access repository for the capture of the intellectual work of Montana State University (MSU) in support of its teaching, research and service missions. MSU ScholarWorks is a central point of discovery for accessing, collecting, sharing, preserving, and distributing knowledge to the Montana State University community and the world.
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Development of small-molecule fluorescent probes targeting neutrophils via N-formyl peptide receptors
(Royal Society of Chemistry, 2025-01) Xu, Qi; Authi, Kalwant S.; Kirpotina, Liliya N.; Schepetkin, Igor A.; Quinn, Mark T.; Cilibrizzi, Agostino
N-Formyl peptide receptors (FPRs) are membrane receptors that are abundantly expressed in innate immune cells, including neutrophils and platelets, demonstrating potential new targets for immune system regulation and the treatment of inflammatory conditions. We report here the development and bio-physical validation of new FPR imaging agents as effective tools to track FPR distribution, localisation and functions, ultimately helping to establish FPR exact roles and functions in pathological and physiological conditions. The new series of probes feature a small molecule-based FPR address system conjugated to suitable fluorophores, resulting in highly specific FPR agents, including a partial agonist endowed with high affinity (i.e. low/sub-nanomolar potency) on FPR-transfected cells and human neutrophils. Preliminary imaging studies via multiphoton microscopy demonstrate that the probes enable the visualisation of FPRs in live cells, thus representing valid bio-imaging tools for the analysis of FPR-mediated signalling, such as the activation of neutrophils in inflammatory events.
Simultaneous aerobic and anaerobic respiration in hot spring chemolithotrophic bacteria
(Springer Science and Business Media LLC, 2025-01) Keller, Lisa M.; Colman, Daniel R.; Boyd, Eric S.
Aerobic and anaerobic organisms and their functions are spatially or temporally decoupled at scales ranging from individual cells to ecosystems and from minutes to hours. This is due to competition for energy substrates and/or biochemical incompatibility with oxygen (O2). Here we report a chemolithotrophic Aquificales bacterium, Hydrogenobacter, isolated from a circumneutral hot spring in Yellowstone National Park (YNP) capable of simultaneous aerobic and anaerobic respiration when provided with hydrogen (H2), elemental sulfur (S0), and O2. Cultivation experiments demonstrated that simultaneous aerobic and anaerobic respiration enhanced growth rates and final cell concentrations when compared to those grown aerobically or anaerobically. Consumption of O2 measured via gas chromatography and detection of transcripts for proteins involved in S0 and O2 reduction in H2/S0/O2-grown cultures confirmed co-occurring aerobic and anaerobic metabolism. This aerobic, S0-reducing metabolism is suggested to provide a competitive advantage in environments where O2 availability is low and variable. Genomic data indicating the prevalence of proteins allowing for this hybrid form of energy metabolism among bacteria and archaea suggest it to be widespread but previously overlooked due to rapid, O2-dependent abiotic oxidation of produced sulfide. These observations challenge existing paradigms of strict delineations between aerobic and anaerobic metabolism.
Stability and performance of Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranea (L.) Verdc.) genotypes in different South African environments
(Informa UK Limited, 2025-01) Kunene, Sithembile; Gerrano, Abe Shegro; Odindo, Alfred Oduor
Global food security faces challenges arising from population growth, climate change, and the prevalence of monoculture agriculture. In addressing these concerns, Bambara groundnut (Vigna subterranean (L.) Verdc.) emerges as a promising crop due to its nutritional richness and resilience in marginal environments. Despite its potential, research gaps persist, particularly in the context of South Africa. The study aimed to evaluate the performance and stability of Bambara groundnut genotypes in two South African agroecological environments. Field trials were conducted at Brits and Ukulinga, with data collected on grain yield, hundred-seed weight, and other agronomic traits. Genotypes Acc 179, 184, and 82 demonstrated significant stability and high yields across both locations, showing promise for future breeding programs. The results suggest that these genotypes can adapt to diverse agroecological areas, enhancing Bambara groundnut production in South Africa. Future research should focus on breeding efforts to further improve crop resilience.
Influences of Processing Methods on Elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.) Wine Quality
(Informa UK Limited, 2024-12) Wang, Zhuoyu; Svyantek, Andrej; Miller, Zachariah; Watrelot, Aude A.
Elderberry fruit is available in the market and is becoming more popular. However, winemaking techniques are under-studied with this fruit. This study aimed to determine the impact of three processing methods on elderberry wine quality. The methods were: No extended maceration followed by hot water treatment (EC0); 2 days of cold soak maceration followed by hot water (EC2) and boiled elderberry (EB) fruits before alcoholic fermentation. The results indicated that although the treatments did not cause significant differences in ethanol, glycerol, total acidity, volatile acidity and tannins, wine pHs were influenced by the treatments. Besides influencing the pH, EB treatment produced darker elderberry wine, whereas, EC2 wine had the lightest color. Treatments also influenced the final wine monophenol profiles and antioxidant capabilities. EB wine had the highest total anthocyanin content and antioxidant activities. EC2 wine had a significantly higher amount of total hydroxycinnamates compared to EC0 but was not different from EB-treated wine. The wine antioxidant capacities were significantly lower than in musts but were not different between treatments. Cold maceration in EC2 did not help the extraction of antioxidants in elderberry wine. The results indicated that heating through boiling might help disrupt fruit cells and assist in the extraction of anthocyanins. Cold soak enhanced certain compounds in elderberry wines. This research provided information for elderberry fruit wine fermentation with general processing methods.
Interpersonal, Community, and Societal Stressors Mediate Black–White Memory Disparities
(Oxford University Press, 2024-09) Morris, Emily P.; Palms, Jordan D.; Scambray, Kiana; Lee, Ji Hyun; Sol, Ketlyne; Jones, Lenette; Smith, Jacqui; Kobayashi, Lindsay C.; Zahodne, Laura B.
Objectives. Structural racism creates contextual stressors that disproportionately affect Black, relative to White, older adults in the United States and may contribute to worse cognitive health. We examined the extent to which interpersonal, community, and societal stressors uniquely explain Black–White disparities in initial memory and memory change. Methods. The sample included 14,199 non-Latino Black and White older adults (Mage = 68.32, 19.8% Black) from the U.S. Health and Retirement Study who completed psychosocial questionnaires at baseline and a word list memory task every 2 years over an 8-year period. Interpersonal, community, and societal stressors were operationalized as self-reported everyday discrimination, neighborhood physical disorder, and subjective societal status, respectively. Latent growth curves modeled longitudinal memory performance. Stressors were modeled simultaneously and allowed to correlate. Covariates included age, sex, education, wealth, parental education, and Southern residence. Results. Compared to White participants, Black participants experienced more discrimination (β = −0.004, standard error [SE] = 0.001, p < .001), more neighborhood physical disorder (β = −0.009, SE = 0.002, p < .001), and lower perceived societal status (β = −0.002, SE = 0.001, p = .001), each of which uniquely mediated the racial disparity in initial memory. Sensitivity analyses utilizing proxy-imputed memory scores revealed an additional racial disparity in memory change, wherein Black participants evidenced a faster decline than White participants. This disparity in memory change was only uniquely mediated by more everyday discrimination among Black participants. Discussion. Elements of structural racism may contribute to cognitive disparities via disproportionate stress experiences at multiple contextual levels among Black older adults. Future research should consider multilevel protective factors that buffer against negative impacts of racism on health.