Miracle-dz/UniFAR-FTUs huggingface dataset:
Screening of Isolated Marine Bacteria for Multiple Biotechnological Applications

Marine biotechnology is the science in which marine organisms are used in full or partially to make or modify products, to improve plants or animals or to develop microorganisms for specific uses. With the help of different molecular and biotechnological techniques, human has been able to elucidate many biological methods applicable to both aquatic and terrestrial organisms (Jha and Zi-rong, 2004). Marine microbes offer great opportunities for biodiscovery (Bull et al., 2000), as they are not yet fully characterized or evaluated for their potential biotechnological application. Despite of a huge microbial diversity of marine ecosystem, there is a lack of laboratory cultures of the microbes that are most abundant in the marine environment that severely limits development of biodiscovery research. Research into natural products from the marine environment, including microorganisms, has rapidly increased over the past few years. They are considered highly valuable as they produce various antibiotics and other therapeutically useful compounds with diverse biological activities (Ramesh and Mathivanan, 2009). Marine microorganisms were proven already International Journal of Current Microbiology and Applied Sciences ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 5 Number 7 (2016) pp. 424-430 Journal homepage: http://www.ijcmas. com
Silicon and nitrogen cycling in the upwelling area off Peru: A dual isotope approach

We present a comparison of the dissolved stable isotope composition of silicate (δ30Si(OH)4) and nitrate (δ15 NO3− ) to investigate the biogeochemical processes controlling nutrient cycling in the upwelling area off Peru, where one of the globally largest Oxygen Minimum Zones (OMZs) is located. Besides strong upwelling of nutrient rich waters mainly favoring diatom growth, an anticyclonic eddy influenced the study area. We observe a tight coupling between the silicon (Si) and nitrogen (N) cycles in the study area. Waters on the shelf showed high Si(OH)4 concentrations accompanied by diminished NO3− concentration as a consequence of intense remineralization, high Si fluxes from the shelf sediments, and N‐loss processes such as anammox/denitrification within the OMZ. Correspondingly, the surface waters show low δ30Si(OH)4 values (+2‰) due to low Si utilization but relatively high δ15 NO3− (+13‰) values due to upwelling of waters influenced by N‐loss processes. In contrast, as a consequence of the deepening of the thermocline in the eddy center, a pronounced Si(OH)4 depletion led to the highest δ30Si(OH)4 values (+3.7‰) accompanied by high δ15 NO3− values (+16‰). In the eddy center, high NO3− : Si(OH)4 ratios favored the growth of non‐siliceous organisms (Synechococcus). Our data show that upwelling processes and the presence of eddies play important roles controlling the nutrient cycles and therefore also exert a major influence on the phytoplankton communities in the Peruvian Upwelling. Our findings also show that the combined approach of δ30Si(OH)4 and δ15 NO3− can improve our understanding of paleo records as it can help to disentangle utilization and N‐loss processes.
Mechanism, risk, and solution of cultivated land reversion to mountains and abandonment in China

The cultivated land requisition-compensation balance (CLRB) system in China has been designed to defend cultivated land resources and grain production functions. Nevertheless, since the addition of a new policy, namely the linkage of increase and decrease (LID) of urban and rural construction land in 2008, a mass of cultivated land has been returning to mountains, sometimes resulting in abandonment. The county of Wannian was investigated from the microcosmic perspective, and we attempted to analyze the causes and risks employing the boosted regression trees (BRT) model and the grain productive capacity assessment model. The results indicate that (1) The compensatory cultivated land (CCL) has shifted uphill, with considerable fragmentation, from 2010 to 2020, and the abandonment rate reached 14.77%. (2) The factors of site condition, including elevation, patch area, and continuity of cultivated land, as well as a series of combinations, can explain the causes of abandonment. (3) The abandonment of these cultivated land areas eventually resulted in the risk of 297.48 t grain production capacity loss. The reason for the return of cultivated land to the mountains and its subsequent abandonment is the lack of consideration for the coupling relationship among site condition, use state, and function requirement, resulting in a spatial mismatch. Based on the findings, we propose a solution of the natural resources requisition-compensation balance (NRRB). To make up for the loss and reduce the risk, a spatial replacement was taken between the abandoned CCL in uphill and cultivable and available forest land (CAFL) in submontane areas CCL, optimizing the spatial pattern of land use toward Von Thunen’s agricultural circle.
Unravelling the role of obesity and lipids during tumor progression

The dysregulation of the biochemical pathways in cancer promotes oncogenic transformations and metastatic potential. Recent studies have shed light on how obesity and altered lipid metabolism could be the driving force for tumor progression. Here, in this review, we focus on liver cancer and discuss how obesity and lipid-driven metabolic reprogramming affect tumor, immune, and stroma cells in the tumor microenvironment and, in turn, how alterations in these cells synergize to influence and contribute to tumor growth and dissemination. With increasing evidence on how obesity exacerbates inflammation and immune tolerance, we also touch upon the impact of obesity and altered lipid metabolism on tumor immune escape.
N-acetylcysteine-loaded PLGA nanoparticles outperform conventional N-acetylcysteine in acute lung injuries in vivo

ABSTRACT Antioxidants potentially play an important role in the control and treatment of acute lung injury. In this study, for the first time, antioxidant effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) was evaluated in vivo when loaded in a polymeric nanoparticle. NAC-loaded poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) nanoparticles (NAC-PLGA NPs) were prepared by electrospray method (electrohydrodynamic atomization) and assessed in animals with direct exposure to lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Size, polydispersity index, and zeta potential of NAC-PLGA NPs were 197.5 nm, 0.21, and −10.4, respectively. Fine particle fraction and emitted dose were 13.71% and 47.75%, respectively. Compared to the control group, pretreatment of LPS-challenged rats with NAC-PLGA NPs led to a significant increase in concentration of NAC in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and pulmonary non-protein thiol levels as well as decrease in lung wet/dry weight ratio, protein concentrations, inflammatory cell counts, and levels of pulmonary myeloperoxidase and malondialdehyde. Additionally, the group showed that pulmonary architecture was preserved and infiltration of inflammatory cells and edema decreased, with lesser degree of alveolar congestion and hemorrhage. Pretreatment of animals with conventional NAC or empty PLGA NPs did not show a significant change in the above-mentioned injury indicators. In conclusion, NAC, when delivered in a polymeric nanoparticle formulation, shows improved efficacy in preventing LPS-induced lung injury by reducing the effects of reactive oxygen species and inflammation. Effectiveness of NAC-PLGA NPs can be attributed to the ability of nanoparticles to deliver NAC directly to the lung with increased retention and higher pulmonary concentrations of NAC in the lung. GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT
Cloning and Characterization of a Gene Cluster for Cyclohexanone Oxidation in Rhodococcus sp. TK6

A gene cluster for cyclohexanone oxidation was cloned from Rhodococcus sp. TK6, which is capable of growth on cyclohexanone as the sole carbon source. The 9,185-bp DNA sequence analysis revealed seven potential open reading frames (ORFs), designated as ssd-chnR-chnD-chnC-chnB-chnE-partial pcd. The chnBCDE genes encode enzymes for the four-step conversion of cyclohexanone to adipic acid, catalyzed by cyclohexanone monooxygenase (ChnB), e-caprolactone hydrolase (ChnC), 6-hydroxyhexanoate dehydrogenase (ChnD), and 6-oxohexanoate dehydrogenase (ChnE). Furthermore, the presence of a regulatory element in the downstream region of the chnD gene supports the notion that chnR is a putative regulatory gene. Among them, the activity of ChnB was confirmed and characterized, following their expression and purification in Escherichia coli harboring the modified chnB gene (chnB gene with 6 successive codons for His at the 3' terminus).
Effect of the JAK2/STAT3 inhibitor TG101209 on the proliferation of tumor neurosphere cells derived from glioblastoma patients /

Janus kinase 2 (JAK2) is a signal transducer and activator of transcription (STAT3) pathway is known to be involved in the development and progression of different types of cancers, including gliomas. STAT3 is activated by the phosphorylation of tyrosine 705, after which it is dimerizes and translocates in to the nucleus of cancer cells. The STAT3 signaling cascade promotes several oncogenic signaling pathways, and recent studies reveal a correlation between STAT3 signaling and glioblastoma multiforme stem-like cell (GBM-SC) expansion. In the present study, we focused on a novel small molecule inhibitor TG101209, and examined its capacity to suppress STAT3 phosphorylation and the growth of human GBM neurospheres in vitro and in vivo. TG101209 potently inhibited STAT3 phosphorylation and inhibited cell proliferation (IC50 1-10 [mu]M), down regulated Bcl-Xl and induced PARP cleavage to induce apoptosis in GBM neurospheres. We conclude that TG101209 potently inhibits STAT3, and may have therapeutic potential for GBM expressing JAK2
Concordance in phylogeography and ecological niche modelling identify dispersal corridors for reptiles in arid Australia

Using the rock‐specialist agamid Ctenophorus caudicinctus as a model, we test hypothesized biogeographical dispersal corridors for lizards in the Australian arid zone (across the western sand deserts), and assess how these dispersal routes have shaped phylogeographical structuring.
Automatic layer segmentation of H&E microscopic images of mice skin

Mammalian skin is a complex organ composed of a variety of cells and tissue types. The automatic detection and quantification of changes in skin structures has a wide range of applications for biological research. To accurately segment and quantify nuclei, sebaceous gland, hair follicles, and other skin structures, there is a need for a reliable segmentation of different skin layers. This paper presents an efficient segmentation algorithm to segment the three main layers of mice skin, namely epidermis, dermis, and subcutaneous layers. It also segments the epidermis layer into two sub layers, basal and cornified layers. The proposed algorithm uses adaptive colour deconvolution technique on H&E stain images to separate different tissue structures, inter-modes and Otsu thresholding techniques were effectively combined to segment the layers. It then uses a set of morphological and logical operations on each layer to removing unwanted objects. A dataset of 7000 H&E microscopic images of mutant and wild type mice were used to evaluate the effectiveness of the algorithm. Experimental results examined by domain experts have confirmed the viability of the proposed algorithms.
The effect of lovastatin on sterol synthesis and yeast resistance to polyene antibiotics

: Lovastatin (monocolin K) is a competitive inhibitor of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA-reductase. Its influence on the growth of a lovastatin sensitive strain of Rhodotorula rubra, the biosynthesis of ergosterol and the resistance to polyenic antibiotics was studied. It was shown that the lovastatin action on the strain depended on the inhibitor dose. In a concentration of 0.1 to 0.5 micrograms/ml lovastatin inhibited the yeast growth and ergosterol biosynthesis. Higher concentrations of the inhibitor in the medium led to the recovery of the sterol biosynthesis. It was also demonstrated that a decrease of the ergosterol level in the cells under the influence of lovastatin resulted in the development of resistance in the yeast to polyenic antibiotics such as nistatin and amphotericin B. Correlation between the ergosterol level in the yeast cells and their susceptibility to the polyenic antibiotics was observed.
Induction of lesions of selenium-vitamin E deficiency in weanling swine fed silver, cobalt, tellurium, zinc, cadmium, and vanadium.

: Forty-two weanling pigs were allotted to 7 groups and fed (for 10 weeks) a commercial ration that was adequate in selenium and vitamin E (Se-E) content, either alone or with supplements of Ag (3,000 mg/kg of feed, as acetate), Co (500 mg/kg, as chloride), Te (500 mg/kg, as tetrachloride), Zn (3,000 mg/kg, as sulfate), Cd (500 mg/kg, as sulfate), or V (200 mg/kg, as vanadate). The pigs fed the Ag supplement died after 25 to 39 days and had lesions characteristic of Se-E deficiency with accumulations of serous transudates in body cavities and hepatic and cardiac necrosis. In the pigs fed the Ag supplement, there was high hepatic Se content terminally; blood glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activity decreased to low levels several weeks before the pigs died with lesions of Se-E deficiency. Macroscopic lesions of Se-E deficiency were not found in pigs fed Co, Te, Zn, Cd, or V. However, evidence of Se-E deficiency, as indicated by microscopically detected necrosis of cardiac and skeletal muscle, was present in 50% to 65% of the pigs fed Co or Te and occasionally in pigs fed Zn, Cd, and V supplements. The pigs fed Te had marked decrease of blood GSH-Px activity over the last 6 weeks of the feeding period. No consistently abnormal values for blood GSH-Px activity or terminal hepatic Se content were observed in pigs fed Co, Zn, Cd, or V. The pigs fed the Zn supplement grew as rapidly as the control pigs. Evidence of V toxicosis was observed as severe growth suppression, mortality, and marked enteritis and cystitis (with accompanying hydroureter in 1 pig).
Plasmodium DEH is ER-localized and crucial for oocyst mitotic division during malaria transmission

Plasmodium DEH localizes to the ER, with gene deletion resulting in degeneration of developing oocysts and complete ablation of sporogony in the mosquito midgut, blocking transmission. Cells use fatty acids (FAs) for membrane biosynthesis, energy storage, and the generation of signaling molecules. 3-hydroxyacyl-CoA dehydratase—DEH—is a key component of very long chain fatty acid synthesis. Here, we further characterized in-depth the location and function of DEH, applying in silico analysis, live cell imaging, reverse genetics, and ultrastructure analysis using the mouse malaria model Plasmodium berghei. DEH is evolutionarily conserved across eukaryotes, with a single DEH in Plasmodium spp. and up to three orthologs in the other eukaryotes studied. DEH-GFP live-cell imaging showed strong GFP fluorescence throughout the life-cycle, with areas of localized expression in the cytoplasm and a circular ring pattern around the nucleus that colocalized with ER markers. Δdeh mutants showed a small but significant reduction in oocyst size compared with WT controls from day 10 postinfection onwards, and endomitotic cell division and sporogony were completely ablated, blocking parasite transmission from mosquito to vertebrate host. Ultrastructure analysis confirmed degeneration of Δdeh oocysts, and a complete lack of sporozoite budding. Overall, DEH is evolutionarily conserved, localizes to the ER, and plays a crucial role in sporogony.
Responses of Castanopsis hystrix seedlings to macronutrient imbalances: Growth, photosynthetic pigments and foliar nutrient interactions

ABSTRACT Imbalanced fertilization of nursery stock can lead to nutrient disorders which affect plant quality and productivity. Castanopsis hystrix Miq. is a plantation hardwood species that is being widely established in south China. Nutrient disorders are common in planting stock and difficult to manage, as the causes are unknown. Therefore, macronutrient deletion fertilizer treatments were applied to C. hystrix seedlings and foliar symptoms, growth performance, leaf area, photosynthetic pigments and foliar nutrient interactions were determined. The appearance of foliar symptoms including chlorosis, marginal scorching, necrotic spotting and leaf malformation will be useful for the initial diagnosis of fertilizer imbalances in this species in forest nurseries. Vector analysis revealed that foliar nutrient interactions tended to be enhanced under nutrient imbalance, and these findings may provide a preliminary guideline for confirming macronutrient disorders of this species in nursery production.
How much selenium do medicinal plants contain? Results of a research on wild-growing species from Western Romania.

The ultratrace element selenium is essential for higher animals and man. It is an active constituent of over twenty different selenoproteins from human tissues. As well, this rare nonmetal element is a potent anticarcinogen, inhibiting both chemically and virally induced tumors. The ever-increasing biological importance of Se determined us to perform the first largescale investigation of Romanian medicinal plants in what their Se content is concerned, and to evaluate the extraction ratio of this element during decoction. ICP-MS (Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry) analysis revealed average Se contents of 43 μg/kg dry matter. The highest Se content was found in aerial parts (average of 60 μg/kg), followed by leaves (58), roots (54), flowers (35) and fruits (12). Species grown on limestone weathering soils are significantly richer in Se than the ones grown on granite or phyllite. Outstanding Se contents were measured for samples of Betula pendula leaves – 381, 131 and 113 μg Se/kg, Agrimonia eupatoria herb 332 μg/kg, and Galium verum herb – 287 μg/kg. The extraction ratio of Se through decoction ranges from 4% (valerian roots) to 83% (chicory roots). The Se content and the high amounts of flavonoids in birch, agrimony and yellow bedstraw underline the value of these plants in the auxiliary treatment of various free-radical mediated diseases.
Carryover effects of acid rain and ozone on the physiology of multiple flushes of loblolly pine seedlings

The effects of acid rain and ozone exposure on loblolly pine (Pinus taeda L.) seedlings in the Piedmont of North Carolina were assessed over two exposure seasons (1987-1988). Direct effects and carryover effects of long-term exposure on the photosynthetic potential and photopigment concentrations of different needle age-classes were studied. Three half-sib families were grown in open-top field chambers and exposed two acid rain treatments and five ozone exposures delivered in proportion to ambient concentrations in a complete factorial design. Ozone significantly affected photosynthesis but there were no statistically significant effects of acid rain nor any ozone {times} acid rain interactions. In 1987, photosynthesis of the 1987 first-flush progressively diverged among the ozone treatments except between charcoal-filtered and nonfiltered air (NF). At the end of the first season, photosynthesis was reduced 24% at 1.5{times} compared to CF and more than 80% at 2.25{times} and 3.0{times}. Chlorophyll and carotenoid concentrations were similarly reduced at elevated ozone exposures. In 1988, photosynthesis of the 1987 first-flush in the elevated ozone treatments remained lower. Early in the second season, the 1988 first-flush had a 25% to 50% lower photosynthetic potential at 2.25{times} and 3.0{times} compared to CF. This carryover effect on the photosynthetic potential beforemore » significant cumulative exposure was progressively smaller in the later 1988 flushes. In the late season flushes in the highest ozone treatments, photosynthesis was significantly higher than in the lower ozone treatments. « less
Evaluation of Isolated Yeasts from Grapes of Pinto Bandeira Region, Bento Gonçalves (RS) in relation to Production of H 2 S and Fermentation Rate

The H 2 S production by yeasts is a frequent problem during the winemaking process. Hydrogen sulfide is a gas that produces the characteristic smell of rotten eggs. Therefore, it is important to select Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains that do not liberate H S during wine fermentation resulting in off-flavor in wine. The goal of this work was to evaluate the yeasts isolated from the cultivars Cabernet Franc, Tannat and Ancellotta from the Pinto Bandeira Region, Bento Goncalves (RS) in relation to the evolution of H 2 S and their fermentation skill. Lead (II) acetate paper was used to detect the production of hydrogen sulfide by 120 yeast strains. The fermentation ability of these strains was measured by gravimetry. All yeast strains with strong fermentation capacity did not produce H 2 S, representing 13.3%. Only one of these strains produced H 2 S in relatively small quantities in two of the three test tubes. High H 2 S formation was found in 35.8% of strains. These strains were also characterized by low fermentation capacity. Only 16 strains have showed potential to elaborate wines without off-flavour provoked by H 2 S.
Ultrastructural and ultracytochemical cyclic changes in the bovine uterine tube (oviduct) epithelium.

: Ultrastructural and ultracytochemical features of the uterine tube (oviduct) infundibulum were studied in 8 Hereford cows, which were slaughtered in pairs on days 1 (estrus), 3, 9 or 10, and 18 of the estrous cycle. Fibrous granules (60 to 80 nm), which are supposedly related to basal body replication, were observed in the apical cytoplasm of ciliated cells. Close association between basal bodies and fibrous granules was apparent, especially during the follicular phase. Cilia were observed throughout of estrous cycle, although degeneration of cilia was not observed at any phase of the cycle. Prominent, striated rootlets were observed during both the follicular and luteal phases of the cycle. Maximum secretory cell differentiation was apparent during the follicular phase, at which time these cells were characterized by having a well-developed, rough endoplasmic reticulum with dilated cisternae, numerous ribosomes, and secretory granules of varied size and density. A prominent feature of the secretory granules was their membranous structure, consisting of concentric lamellae of equal dimensions. During the luteal phase, cytoplasmic protrusions were prominent, and extruded nuclei along with other cytoplasmic organelles were present in the tubal lumen. The presence of a well-developed, rough endoplasmic reticulum and numerous secretory granules during the follicular phase indicates that secretory activity of the uterine tube infundibulum may be stimulated by estrogen. During estrus, the cytoplasm of the stromal cells displayed abundant, rough endoplasmic reticulum with dilated cisternae. The increased and extensively dilated rough endoplasmic reticulum at the time of estrus probably indicates increased protein synthesis by the stromal cells. The presence of adenosine triphosphatase activity on the membrane of cilia suggests that this enzyme is involved in energy-forming reactions related to the vigorous action of cilia. The presence of acid phosphatase activity on the cell membrane of the epithelium, microvilli, and secretory granules may indicate involvement in the secretory mechanism of the cell.