TY  - JOUR
A1  - Turlybekuly, Amanzhol
A1  - Pogrebnjak, Alexander
A1  - Sukhodub, L. F.
A1  - Sukhodub, Liudmyla B.
A1  - Kistaubayeva, A. S.
A1  - Savitskaya, Irina
A1  - Shokatayeva, D. H.
A1  - Bondar, Oleksandr V.
A1  - Shaimardanov, Z. K.
A1  - Plotnikov, Sergey V.
A1  - Shaimardanova, B. H.
A1  - Digel, Ilya
T1  - Synthesis, characterization, in vitro biocompatibility and antibacterial properties study of nanocomposite materials based on hydroxyapatite-biphasic ZnO micro- and nanoparticles embedded in Alginate matrix
JF  - Materials Science and Engineering C
Y1  - 2019
U6  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.msec.2019.109965
VL  - 104
IS  - Article number 109965
PB  - Elsevier
CY  - Amsterdam
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Akimbekov, Nuraly S.
A1  - Digel, Ilya
A1  - Sherelkhan, Dinara K.
A1  - Lutfor, Afzalunnessa B.
A1  - Razzaque, Mohammed S.
T1  - Vitamin D and the Host-Gut Microbiome: A Brief Overview
JF  - Acta Histochemica et Cytochemica
N2  - There is a growing body of evidence for the effects of vitamin D on intestinal host-microbiome interactions related to gut dysbiosis and bowel inflammation. This brief review highlights the potential links between vitamin D and gut health, emphasizing the role of vitamin D in microbiological and immunological mechanisms of inflammatory bowel diseases. A comprehensive literature search was carried out in PubMed and Google Scholar using combinations of keywords “vitamin D,” “intestines,” “gut microflora,” “bowel inflammation”. Only articles published in English and related to the study topic are included in the review. We discuss how vitamin D (a) modulates intestinal microbiome function, (b) controls antimicrobial peptide expression, and (c) has a protective effect on epithelial barriers in the gut mucosa. Vitamin D and its nuclear receptor (VDR) regulate intestinal barrier integrity, and control innate and adaptive immunity in the gut. Metabolites from the gut microbiota may also regulate expression of VDR, while vitamin D may influence the gut microbiota and exert anti-inflammatory and immune-modulating effects. The underlying mechanism of vitamin D in the pathogenesis of bowel diseases is not fully understood, but maintaining an optimal vitamin D status appears to be beneficial for gut health. Future studies will shed light on the molecular mechanisms through which vitamin D and VDR interactions affect intestinal mucosal immunity, pathogen invasion, symbiont colonization, and antimicrobial peptide expression.
Y1  - 2020
U6  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1267/ahc.20011
SN  - 1347-5800
VL  - 53
IS  - 3
SP  - 33
EP  - 42
PB  - Japan Society of Histochemistry and Cytochemistry
CY  - Osaka
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Akimbekov, Nuraly
A1  - Qiao, Xiaohui
A1  - Digel, Ilya
A1  - Abdieva, Gulzhamal
A1  - Ualieva, Perizat
A1  - Zhubanova, Azhar
T1  - The effect of leonardite-derived amendments on soil microbiome structure and potato yield
JF  - Agriculture
N2  - Humic substances originating from various organic matters can ameliorate soil properties, stimulate plant growth, and improve nutrient uptake. Due to the low calorific heating value, leonardite is rather unsuitable as fuel. However, it may serve as a potential source of humic substances. This study was aimed at characterizing the leonardite-based soil amendments and examining the effect of their application on the soil microbial community, as well as on potato growth and tuber yield. A high yield (71.1%) of humic acid (LHA) from leonardite has been demonstrated. Parental leonardite (PL) and LHA were applied to soil prior to potato cultivation. The 16S rRNA sequencing of soil samples revealed distinct relationships between microbial community composition and the application of leonardite-based soil amendments. Potato tubers were planted in pots in greenhouse conditions. The tubers were harvested at the mature stage for the determination of growth and yield parameters. The results demonstrated that the LHA treatments had a significant effect on increasing potato growth (54.9%) and tuber yield (66.4%) when compared to the control. The findings highlight the importance of amending leonardite-based humic products for maintaining the biogeochemical stability of soils, for keeping their healthy microbial community structure, and for increasing the agronomic productivity of potato plants.
Y1  - 2020
U6  - http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/agriculture10050147
VL  - 10
IS  - Art. 147
SP  - 1
EP  - 17
PB  - MDPI
CY  - Basel
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Bayer, Robin
A1  - Temiz Artmann, Aysegül
A1  - Digel, Ilya
A1  - Falkenstein, Julia
A1  - Artmann, Gerhard
A1  - Creutz, Till
A1  - Hescheler, Jürgen
T1  - Mechano-pharmacological testing of L-Type Ca²⁺ channel modulators via human vascular celldrum model
JF  - Cellular Physiology and Biochemistry
N2  - Background/Aims: This study aimed to establish a precise and well-defined working model, assessing pharmaceutical effects on vascular smooth muscle cell monolayer in-vitro. It describes various analysis techniques to determine the most suitable to measure the biomechanical impact of vasoactive agents by using CellDrum technology. Methods: The so-called CellDrum technology was applied to analyse the biomechanical properties of confluent human aorta muscle cells (haSMC) in monolayer. The cell generated tensions deviations in the range of a few N/m² are evaluated by the CellDrum technology. This study focuses on the dilative and contractive effects of L-type Ca²⁺ channel agonists and antagonists, respectively. We analyzed the effects of Bay K8644, nifedipine and verapamil. Three different measurement modes were developed and applied to determine the most appropriate analysis technique for the study purpose. These three operation modes are called, particular time mode" (PTM), "long term mode" (LTM) and "real-time mode" (RTM). Results: It was possible to quantify the biomechanical response of haSMCs to the addition of vasoactive agents using CellDrum technology. Due to the supplementation of 100nM Bay K8644, the tension increased approximately 10.6% from initial tension maximum, whereas, the treatment with nifedipine and verapamil caused a significant decrease in cellular tension: 10nM nifedipine decreased the biomechanical stress around 6,5% and 50nM verapamil by 2,8%, compared to the initial tension maximum. Additionally, all tested measurement modes provide similar results while focusing on different analysis parameters. Conclusion: The CellDrum technology allows highly sensitive biomechanical stress measurements of cultured haSMC monolayers. The mechanical stress responses evoked by the application of vasoactive calcium channel modulators were quantified functionally (N/m²). All tested operation modes resulted in equal findings, whereas each mode features operation-related data analysis.
Y1  - 2020
U6  - http://dx.doi.org/10.33594/000000225
SN  - 1421-9778
VL  - 54
SP  - 371
EP  - 383
PB  - Cell Physiol Biochem Press
CY  - Düsseldorf
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Digel, Ilya
A1  - Kern, Inna
A1  - Geenen, Eva-Maria
A1  - Akimbekov, Nuraly
T1  - Dental plaque removal by ultrasonic toothbrushes
JF  - dentistry journal
N2  - With the variety of toothbrushes on the market, the question arises, which toothbrush is best suited to maintain oral health? This thematic review focuses first on plaque formation mechanisms and then on the plaque removal effectiveness of ultrasonic toothbrushes and their potential in preventing oral diseases like periodontitis, gingivitis, and caries. We overviewed the physical effects that occurred during brushing and tried to address the question of whether ultrasonic toothbrushes effectively reduced the microbial burden by increasing the hydrodynamic forces. The results of published studies show that electric toothbrushes, which combine ultrasonic and sonic (or acoustic and mechanic) actions, may have the most promising effect on good oral health. Existing ultrasonic/sonic toothbrush models do not significantly differ regarding the removal of dental biofilm and the reduction of gingival inflammation compared with other electrically powered toothbrushes, whereas the manual toothbrushes show a lower effectiveness.
Y1  - 2020
U6  - http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/dj8010028
SN  - 2304-6767
VL  - 8
IS  - 28
SP  - 1
EP  - 13
PB  - MDPI
CY  - Basel
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Pogorelova, Natalia
A1  - Rogachev, Evgeniy
A1  - Digel, Ilya
A1  - Chernigova, Svetlana
A1  - Nardin, Dmitry
T1  - Bacterial Cellulose Nanocomposites: Morphology and Mechanical Properties
JF  - Materials
N2  - Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a promising material for biomedical applications due to its unique properties such as high mechanical strength and biocompatibility. This article describes the microbiological synthesis, modification, and characterization of the obtained BC-nanocomposites originating from symbiotic consortium Medusomyces gisevii. Two BC-modifications have been obtained: BC-Ag and BC-calcium phosphate (BC-Ca3(PO4)2). Structure and physicochemical properties of the BC and its modifications were investigated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), atomic force microscopy (AFM), and infrared Fourier spectroscopy as well as by measurements of mechanical and water holding/absorbing capacities. Topographic analysis of the surface revealed multicomponent thick fibrils (150–160 nm in diameter and about 15 µm in length) constituted by 50–60 nm nanofibrils weaved into a left-hand helix. Distinctive features of Ca-phosphate-modified BC samples were (a) the presence of 500–700 nm entanglements and (b) inclusions of Ca3(PO4)2 crystals. The samples impregnated with Ag nanoparticles exhibited numerous roundish inclusions, about 110 nm in diameter. The boundaries between the organic and inorganic phases were very distinct in both cases. The Ag-modified samples also showed a prominent waving pattern in the packing of nanofibrils. The obtained BC gel films possessed water-holding capacity of about 62.35 g/g. However, the dried (to a constant mass) BC-films later exhibited a low water absorption capacity (3.82 g/g). It was found that decellularized BC samples had 2.4 times larger Young’s modulus and 2.2 times greater tensile strength as compared to dehydrated native BC films. We presume that this was caused by molecular compaction of the BC structure.
Y1  - 2020
SN  - 1996-1944
U6  - http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ma13122849
VL  - 13
IS  - 12
SP  - 1
EP  - 16
PB  - MDPI
CY  - Basel
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Alexyuk, Madina
A1  - Bogoyavlenskiy, Andrey
A1  - Alexyuk, Pavel
A1  - Moldakhanov, Yergali
A1  - Berezin, Vladimir
A1  - Digel, Ilya
T1  - Epipelagic microbiome of the Small Aral Sea: Metagenomic structure and ecological diversity
JF  - MicrobiologyOpen
N2  - Microbial diversity studies regarding the aquatic communities that experienced or are experiencing environmental problems are essential for the comprehension of the remediation dynamics. In this pilot study, we present data on the phylogenetic and ecological structure of microorganisms from epipelagic water samples collected in the Small Aral Sea (SAS). The raw data were generated by massive parallel sequencing using the shotgun approach. As expected, most of the identified DNA sequences belonged to Terrabacteria and Actinobacteria (40% and 37% of the total reads, respectively). The occurrence of Deinococcus-Thermus, Armatimonadetes, Chloroflexi in the epipelagic SAS waters was less anticipated. Surprising was also the detection of sequences, which are characteristic for strict anaerobes—Ignavibacteria, hydrogen-oxidizing bacteria, and archaeal methanogenic species. We suppose that the observed very broad range of phylogenetic and ecological features displayed by the SAS reads demonstrates a more intensive mixing of water masses originating from diverse ecological niches of the Aral-Syr Darya River basin than presumed before.
KW  - ecological structure
KW  - metagenomics
KW  - microbial diversity
KW  - shotgun sequencing
KW  - Small Aral Sea
Y1  - 2021
U6  - http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/mbo3.1142
SN  - 2045-8827
VL  - 10
IS  - 1
SP  - 1
EP  - 10
PB  - Wiley
CY  - Weinheim
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Akimbekov, Nuraly
A1  - Digel, Ilya
A1  - Abdieva, Gulzhamal
A1  - Ualieva, Perizat
A1  - Tastambek, Kuanysh
T1  - Lignite biosolubilization and bioconversion by Bacillus sp.: the collation of analytical data
JF  - Biofuels
N2  - The vast metabolic potential of microbes in brown coal (lignite) processing and utilization can greatly contribute to innovative approaches to sustainable production of high-value products from coal. In this study, the multi-faceted and complex coal biosolubilization process by Bacillus sp. RKB 7 isolate from the Kazakhstan coal-mining soil is reported, and the derived products are characterized. Lignite solubilization tests performed for surface and suspension cultures testify to the formation of numerous soluble lignite-derived substances. Almost 24% of crude lignite (5% w/v) was solubilized within 14 days under slightly alkaline conditions (pH 8.2). FTIR analysis revealed various functional groups in the obtained biosolubilization products. Analyses of the lignite-derived humic products by UV-Vis and fluorescence spectrometry as well as elemental analysis yielded compatible results indicating the emerging products had a lower molecular weight and degree of aromaticity. Furthermore, XRD and SEM analyses were used to evaluate the biosolubilization processes from mineralogical and microscopic points of view. The findings not only contribute to a deeper understanding of microbe–mineral interactions in coal environments, but also contribute to knowledge of coal biosolubilization and bioconversion with regard to sustainable production of humic substances. The detailed and comprehensive analyses demonstrate the huge biotechnological potential of Bacillus sp. for agricultural productivity and environmental health.
KW  - humic acid
KW  - Bacillus sp
KW  - lignite
KW  - Biosolubilization
Y1  - 2021
SN  - 1759-7277
VL  - 12
IS  - 3
SP  - 247
EP  - 258
PB  - Taylor & Francis
CY  - London
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Akimbekov, Nuraly S.
A1  - Digel, Ilya
A1  - Tastambek, Kuanysh T.
A1  - Sherelkhan, Dinara K.
A1  - Jussupova, Dariya B.
A1  - Altynbay, Nazym P.
T1  - Low-rank coal as a source of humic substances for soil amendment and fertility management
JF  - Agriculture
N2  - Humic substances (HS), as important environmental components, are essential to soil health and agricultural sustainability. The usage of low-rank coal (LRC) for energy generation has declined considerably due to the growing popularity of renewable energy sources and gas. However, their potential as soil amendment aimed to maintain soil quality and productivity deserves more recognition. LRC, a highly heterogeneous material in nature, contains large quantities of HS and may effectively help to restore the physicochemical, biological, and ecological functionality of soil. Multiple emerging studies support the view that LRC and its derivatives can positively impact the soil microclimate, nutrient status, and organic matter turnover. Moreover, the phytotoxic effects of some pollutants can be reduced by subsequent LRC application. Broad geographical availability, relatively low cost, and good technical applicability of LRC offer the advantage of easy fulfilling soil amendment and conditioner requirements worldwide. This review analyzes and emphasizes the potential of LRC and its numerous forms/combinations for soil amelioration and crop production. A great benefit would be a systematic investment strategy implicating safe utilization and long-term application of LRC for sustainable agricultural production.
KW  - soil remediation
KW  - crop yield
KW  - soil health
KW  - soil amendment
KW  - low-rank coal
Y1  - 2021
U6  - http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/agriculture11121261
SN  - 2077-0472
N1  - This article belongs to the Special Issue "From Waste to Fertilizer in Sustainable Agriculture"
VL  - 11
IS  - 12
PB  - MDPI
CY  - Basel
ER  - 
TY  - JOUR
A1  - Zhantlessova, Sirina
A1  - Savitskaya, Irina
A1  - Kistaubayeva, Aida
A1  - Ignatova, Ludmila
A1  - Talipova, Aizhan
A1  - Pogrebnjak, Alexander
A1  - Digel, Ilya
T1  - Advanced “Green” prebiotic composite of bacterial cellulose/pullulan based on synthetic biology-powered microbial coculture strategy
JF  - Polymers
N2  - Bacterial cellulose (BC) is a biopolymer produced by different microorganisms, but in biotechnological practice, Komagataeibacter xylinus is used. The micro- and nanofibrillar structure of BC, which forms many different-sized pores, creates prerequisites for the introduction of other polymers into it, including those synthesized by other microorganisms. The study aims to develop a cocultivation system of BC and prebiotic producers to obtain BC-based composite material with prebiotic activity. In this study, pullulan (PUL) was found to stimulate the growth of the probiotic strain Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG better than the other microbial polysaccharides gellan and xanthan. BC/PUL biocomposite with prebiotic properties was obtained by cocultivation of Komagataeibacter xylinus and Aureobasidium pullulans, BC and PUL producers respectively, on molasses medium. The inclusion of PUL in BC is proved gravimetrically by scanning electron microscopy and by Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy. Cocultivation demonstrated a composite effect on the aggregation and binding of BC fibers, which led to a significant improvement in mechanical properties. The developed approach for “grafting” of prebiotic activity on BC allows preparation of environmentally friendly composites of better quality.
KW  - coculture
KW  - pullulan
KW  - exopolysaccharides
KW  - prebiotic
KW  - bacterial cellulose
Y1  - 2022
U6  - http://dx.doi.org/10.3390/polym14153224
SN  - 2073-4360
N1  - This article belongs to the Special Issue "Cellulose Based Composites"
VL  - 14
IS  - 15
PB  - MDPI
CY  - Basel
ER  -