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ABSTRACT BackgroundUltrasound is a key diagnostic tool for evaluating reproductive anatomy and monitoring reproductive health in nonhuman primates. This study describes the reproductive system of femaleAlouatta carayausing ultrasonography. MethodsEleven females underwent transabdominal ultrasound using a 3–13 MHzlinear array probe in B‐mode. Uterine volume (UV) and left and right ovarian volumes (LtOVandRtOV) were measured and correlated with age. ResultsThe uterus and ovaries exhibited normal morphology, echotexture, and echogenicity. Follicles and/or corpus luteum were observed in all adults (n = 3) and in 50% of juveniles (n = 3/6). No difference was found betweenLtOVandRtOV, so their mean was used for analysis.UVand ovarian volume showed a positive correlation with age. ConclusionAge is a strong predictor of reproductive organ volume. These findings support reproductive monitoring and assisted reproduction inA. caraya.
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This content will become publicly available on March 1, 2027
New Insights Into Curcumin Behavior After Its Biosynthesis in Engineered Escherichia coli Through Spectroscopic and Spatial Analysis
ABSTRACT IntroductionCurcumin is a naturally occurring compound with anti‐inflammatory, cholesterol‐lowering, antidiabetic, and antioxidant properties. Curcumin can be biosynthesized in microbial hosts despite being found natively inCurcuma longaroots. ObjectivesIt is unclear whether curcumin is transported out of microbial cells, binds to the inner or outer cell membrane, or accumulates inside. This study aims to gain a better understanding of curcumin's behavior after its formation in the host, which could lead to the development of new approaches to improve curcumin production. Material and MethodsAdvanced imaging techniques, including SEM, TEM, SHS, and TPF, were utilized to understand the behavior of curcumin within and outside of engineeredEscherichia colicells. ResultsCurcumin was biosynthesized from ferulic acid in engineeredE. coliBL21(DE3) by coexpressing 4‐coumarate: CoA ligase and curcuminoid synthase. Second harmonic scattering (SHS) spectroscopy experiments utilized curcumin as a probe to investigate the surface binding of curcumin onto livingE. colicells with experimentally determined adsorption free energy,ΔG, values of −14.0 kcal/mol. By employing second harmonic and two‐photon fluorescence imaging methods, the spatial distribution of curcumin aggregates was determined. Electron microscopy images revealed the presence of curcumin aggregates within the cells, at the surface, and in the media. ConclusionThese experiments demonstrate that curcumin biosynthesis from ferulic acid leads to significant product aggregation within the cells, which could ultimately halt production by inducing cell death. Understanding the localization, transport, and removal of curcumin is crucial in developing more efficient biosynthetic pathways to enhance its production in microbial systems.
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- Award ID(s):
- 2427209
- PAR ID:
- 10685144
- Publisher / Repository:
- Wiley
- Date Published:
- Journal Name:
- Phytochemical Analysis
- Volume:
- 37
- Issue:
- 2
- ISSN:
- 0958-0344
- Page Range / eLocation ID:
- 321 to 329
- Format(s):
- Medium: X
- Sponsoring Org:
- National Science Foundation
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