The CRISPR-Cas9 system, which uses sgRNA for targeting and the nuclease Cas9 for cleavage, has emerged as a versatile and efficient tool for genome engineering; the system has overcome the limitations of previous technologies and implements various gene editing strategies. The large-scale loss-of-function (LOF) gene scanning technology based on the CRISPR-Cas9 system can be utilized to reveal associations between the genotype and phenotype by inducing efficient and scalable gene perturbations throughout the whole genome. This technology is playing a breakthrough role in the exploration of genes associated with tumors and viruses and its expansion together with RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) can be used to assess multiplexed gene interactions as well as more complicated phenotypes. Here, we introduce LOF genetic screens based on CRISPR knockout (CRISPR ko) and its applications in synthetic lethality and virus-host interactions. We highlight the recent progress on combining this technique with single cell RNA-seq. We also compare the advantages and pitfalls of CRISPR variants, discuss the future perspectives of gene therapy and raise important considerations regarding off-target effects.
Background: The effects of gender and age on the growth of hepatic hemangioma remain inconclusive. This study aims to further explore the natural growth of hepatic hemangioma and its influencing factors. Methods: From June 2014 to April 2019, 534 untreated patients who were diagnosed with hepatic hemangioma in our hospital were enrolled. The growth changes of hepatic hemangioma were observed at follow-up by ultrasound. Results: During the median 18 (14,22) (months of follow-up, 215 (40.3%) patients showed an increase in tumor diameter, 217 (40.6%) tumor diameters decreased, and102 (19.1%) tumor diameters did not change. Before the age of 40, the diameter of hemangiomas in each group of men and women increased with age. After 40 years old, those in men continued to grow slowly, while those in women had a relatively downward trend. Therefore, by investigating annual changes in tumor, it was found that the diameter of female tumors showed a significant downward trend after the age of 40, the difference is most pronounced between 50?60 years old (the annual change is ?0.39 (?0.87,0.40) cm). Conclusion: In the natural growth process of hepatic hemangioma, male and female patients present different trends, which may be related to sex.
In the field of life sciences, systems biology has encountered insurmountable obstacles caused by the complexity and adaptability of organisms. In the near future, precision medicine is expected to establish a personalized state-description system and a corresponding targeted-treatment system, but the comprehensive treatment of disease will remain a significant and difficult problem that needs to be resolved. As the holistic modeling method in complexity science matures and its concordance with traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) methods is increasingly revealed, the introduction of this method into the life sciences will become a necessity for scientific development. The incorporation of this method in the fields of biology and medicine will lead to the emergence of ?holistic biology? and ?holistic medicine?. Holistic medicine is a personalized medicine system that incorporates TCM?s holistic concept and treatment approaches based on syndrome differentiation. Holistic medicine fundamentally solves the problem of complex life system integration and transforms adaptability from an obstacle for understanding organisms into an indispensable tool for more effective regulation and control of organisms. As a result, systems biology and precision medicine will be followed by an era of holistic medicine and holistic biology.
Salmonella is the leading cause of typhoidal and non-typhoidal infections in the world. The entry of Salmonella into the bloodstream causes an invasive disease state, resulting to high morbidity and mortality rates, especially in children. Owing to the misuse of antibiotics, certain Salmonella serovars are multi-drug resistant and do not respond to traditional antibiotics, such as ampicillin and trimethoprim-sulphamethoxazole, presenting a significant challenge for healthcare practitioners in treating and controlling the spread of this disease. Therefore, expensive third-generation cephalosporins, such as ceftriaxone, are currently used to treat Salmonella infection. However, a novel serovar of Salmonella that resists ceftriaxone was recently identified in Saudi Arabia, indicating wide spread Salmonella resistance. A comprehensive literature review on ceftriaxone resistance in Salmonella is therefore necessary to reflect upon current challenges. In this report, we provide a summary of Salmonella incidence, mechanisms of ceftriaxone resistance in Salmonella, and current treatment options.
Two specific characteristics of stem cells, self-renewal and their differentiation capacity have made them important for vast scientific areas, particularly in the molecular and cell biology of stem cells, as well as regenerative medicine. Gene targeting plays a pivotal role in creating modified stem cells, which are considered the mainstay in regenerative medicine. The phiC31 integrase system, as a site-specific recombinase, could be a straightforward and efficient approach for this aim. According to the high potential of the application of phiC31 integrase system in stem cells, the present paper reviews previous studies, placing the focus on stem cell types and their application.
The aerial surface of the plant (phyllosphere) is the habitat of complex microbial communities and the structure of this microbiome may be dependent on plant genetic factors, local environment or interactions between them. In this study, we explored the microbial diversity present in the phyllosphere of a very diverse set of grapevine cultivars representing the three genetic pools of the species, grown on an experimental plot at Montpellier (French Mediterranean region). We assessed microbiome variation in the phyllosphere using amplicon sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene and of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS), according to the grapevine genetic pools or cultivars, and organs (i.e. leaves and grape berries). The observed microbiome was complex; out of 542 bacterial genera; Pseudomonas, Pantoea, Sphingomonas, and Acinetobacter were the most abundant and almost ubiquitously present across the samples, and out of 267 fungal genera; Aureobasidium, Alternaria, Mycosphaerella and Aspergillus were most represented. Our results illustrated that the microbial taxa were almost uniformly distributed among the genetic pools and only a few cultivar or genetic pool level differences were found, but a very clear differential taxa abundance was found between the leaf and berry samples. Some genus level associations were also observed with certain genetic pools.
The neurophysiological basis of social ranking perception underlying the execution of cooperative joint-actions was explored in the present study. Self-perception of social ranking, personality trait (Behavioral Activation System (BAS) and locus of control (LoC)) and alpha brain oscillations were considered. Subjects were required to match their cognitive performance in terms of accuracy (error rate) and response time. A positive feedback condition of a better joint-performance was provided and compared to absence of feedback. It was found that higher BAS participants and higher internal LoC responded in greater measure to post-feedback condition with better real performance probably based on their sensitivity to rewarding for high-BAS and the increased sense of self-efficacy. Moreover, higher-BAS showed an increased frontal left activity when they perceived increased cooperative efficacy. The present results confirmed the tendency to modulate both self-perceived social position and real performance based on the personal attitudes and the frontal.
Background: Low-fat and low-sugar foods, marketed as health promoters, offer an interesting avenue for consumers to pursue a healthier life. Despite the relevance of educating adolescents about the importance of a healthier lifestyle, even today little attention is paid to this issue, The aim of this paper is to analyse adolescent consumers with varying degrees of a healthy lifestyle and different healthy eating perceptions and the relationship with their body mass index (BMI) and their low-fat and low-sugar food consumption. Methods: With a sample of 590 (353 from public schools and 237 from private schools) young consumers (13-17 years old) and 555 statistical tools, some interesting results are obtained. Results: Data obtained confirm the relationships among healthy life style activities and BMI and low food consumption. Also, data show interesting relationships among healthy eating perceptions and BMI and low food intake. Conclusions: The empirical results and findings from this study would be valuable for marketers and administration in the food industry to formulate marketing communication strategies and to promote a healthier lifestyle and eating perceptions among adolescents
The dependence of plant health and crop quality on epiphytic microbial community has been universally addressed; however, little is known about the relations between the microbial communities from grapes and other plant tissues, such as leaves and roots. In this study, the bacterial and fungal communities on grape berries and leaves, as well as in vineyard soils were analyzed by 16S rRNA gene and fungal internal transcribed spacer high-throughput sequencing analysis. The results showed both the similarities and the differences in the diversity and structure of the microbial communities among tested samples. The highest richness and diversity of the microbial communities were found on grape berries, followed by that in soils and on leaves. The main bacterial genera, Blastococcus, Bacillus, and Arthrobacter, and the main fungal genera, Alternaria, Guehomyces, and Cladosporium, were present in all samples, but in different amounts, whereas some other genera were sample-specific. Cluster analysis defined generally two major groups: (1) the microbial communities on grapes and leaves, and (2) those originating from the soil. The results suggested that there was a correlation between the microbial communities on the below- and aboveground grape tissues.
One of the primary purposes of pine cones is the protection and distant dispersal of pine seeds. Pine cones open and release their embedded seeds on dry and windy days for long-distance dispersal. In this study, how the pine seeds attach to/detach from the pine cone scale for efficient seed dispersal was experimentally investigated by using an X-ray micro-imaging technique. The cone and seeds adhere to each other in the presence of water, which could be explained by the surface tension and the contact angle hysteresis. Otherwise, without water, the waterproof seed wing surface permits rapid drying for detach and dispersion. On the other hand, during wildfires, pine cones open their seed racks and detach the pine seeds from pine cones for rapid seed dispersal. Due to these structural advantages, pine seeds are released safely and efficiently in normal conditions. These advantageous structures could be mimicked in practical applications.
ABSTRACT In recent years, medicinal plants have gained much attention as potential source of bioactives for the development of novel herbal drugs for primary healthcare. However, phytotherapeutic mechanisms of action of phytomedicines need to be explored comprehensively. Out of the available strategies for the said purpose, metabolomics is one, which results in the production of inclusive metabolite profiles providing a clear understanding of diagnostic changes in the levels of metabolites, leading to therapeutic monitoring of drug targets through the elucidation of metabolomic pathways. On the other hand, proteomics is also a powerful strategy to deal with systematic protein expression analysis and analyze different biomarkers compared to metabolomics during drug treatment. Currently, 1H nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, mass spectrometry (MS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, gas chromatography equipped with mass spectrometry, liquid chromatography coupled with MS and ultra-performance liquid chromatography-MS coupled with multivariate statistical techniques, such as principle component analysis, partial least square and orthogonal-partial least square are among the widely applicable analytical tools for metabolite profiling, whereas two-dimensional electrophoresis and matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight -MS are the most accepted analytical methods for proteomic biomarker investigation. The present review summarizes the recent developments and perspectives of the biomarker investigation strategies so as to elaborate their imperative role for sustainable herbal drug developments.
We perceive a world of great diversity but numerous things are composed of about a hundred different chemical elements, among them are hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, iron, and uranium. These elements are combined with one another in a multitude of ways to produce complexity of all objects. However, there are only three nucleosynthetic astrophysical sites: (i) big bang nucleosynthesis, where hydrogen and helium are produced; (ii) stars, where all elements from carbon to uranium are synthesized and (iii) interstellar medium in galaxies where lithium (a part of), beryllium and boron are made by non-thermal collisions between cosmic rays and interstellar matter. The origin of the atoms is now well understood. It is one of the greatest astrophysical discovery in the twentieth century. All the elements in the Mendeleev table, and specifically the atoms of life: carbon, nitrogen and oxygen, come from the work of all generations of stars in galaxies. Presently, after 13.8 Gyr, atomic matter in the universe is composed of 70% hydrogen, 28% helium and only about 2% by mass, of all the other elements. Complex (and also some specific light) atoms are rare in the Universe.
Ficus is one of the largest genera in plant kingdom reaching to about 1000 species worldwide. While taxonomic keys are available for identifying most species of Ficus, it is very difficult and time consuming for interpretation by a nonprofessional thus requires highly trained taxonomists. The purpose of the current study is to develop an efficient baseline automated system, using image processing with pattern recognition approach, to identify three species of Ficus, which have similar leaf morphology. Leaf images from three different Ficus species namely F. benjamina, F. pellucidopunctata and F. sumatrana were selected. A total of 54 leaf image samples were used in this study. Three main steps that are image pre-processing, feature extraction and recognition were carried out to develop the proposed system. Artificial neural network (ANN) and support vector machine (SVM) were the implemented recognition models. Evaluation results showed the ability of the proposed system to recognize leaf images with an accuracy of 83.3%. However, the ANN model performed slightly better using the AUC evaluation criteria. The system developed in the current study is able to classify the selected Ficus species with acceptable accuracy.
Nanotechnology is an exciting and rapidly emerging field in agriculture and food science. The usage of nanoscale materials in sensing and detection applications is growing quickly, providing alternative methods to conventional techniques for detecting chemical and biological contaminants in foods, beverages, and other products. Nanotechnology has the potential to innovate the agricultural, feed, and food sectors (further stated as agri/feed/food). Applications that are marketed already feature original product packaging with antimicrobial nanoparticles, and agrochemicals and nutrients that have been nano-encapsulated. Many nano-enabled products are presently under research and development, and may be introduced into the industry in the future. As with any other structured product, for market sanctions, applications need to prove the safe use of such new products without posing unwarranted safety risks to the consumer or the environment. In this review, we summarize the uses of nanotechnology related to food and nutraceuticals, while also identifying the outstanding challenges.
ABSTRACT This review argues that nutrition is an integral component of food security, and should be embedded within all four of its dimensions – availability, access, utilization, and stability. The review highlights current food insecurity in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, as exacerbated by the triple burden of malnutrition, where undernutrition, micronutrient deficiencies, and overweight/obesity coexist. Previous efforts to address food security in MENA have focused on food availability, overlooking the other three dimensions and leaving nutrition considerations aside. Meanwhile, the literature has recognized the need to highlight nutrition as fundamental, and opted for the term ‘food and nutrition security’. To achieve food and nutrition security in MENA, a nutrition lens must be applied across all four dimensions – from assessment, to policy and programming, to capacity building. For example, MENA countries can adopt policies and programs including well-structured food subsidies, dietary guidelines, public awareness, and education campaigns to increase availability and accessibility of nutritious and safe foods, and stimulate consumer demand for those. To accomplish this, MENA needs to build stakeholders' capacity and equip them to address the challenges that are hindering the achievement of food and nutrition security now and into the future.
Turkey has a wide range of flora and fauna due to its climatic diversity. Medicinal plants from Turkey have been used since ancient times for their primary health care. In this study, we examined antiproliferative activities of the extracts from Crataegus monogyna, Vitis vinifera, Glycrrhiza glabra, Alnus glutinosa L. gaertn, and Alcea rosea against rat brain tumor (C6) and human cervical cancer (HeLa) cell lines. The results were compared with the standard anticancer drugs 5-Flurouracil (5-FU) and Cisplatin. C. monogyna, V. vinifera and A. rosea exhibited better antiproliferative activity than 5-FU and cisplatin at 100-75 mu g/mL concentrations, against C6 cell lines. On the other hand, C. monogyna and V. vinifera extracts showed considerable antiproliferative activity against HeLa cells compared with 5-FU and cisplatin at 100-75 mu g/mL. It can be suggested that, C. monogyna, A. glutinosa L. gaertn, V. vinifera and A. rosea extracts could be developed as an anticancer drug.
Phylloplane of a plant constitutes an important habitat for a variety of microbes many of which play important roles in plant growth. The objective of this study was to compare plant growth promoting (PGP) phylloplane bacteria of three commercially popular wheat varieties, namely Sehar, Faisalabad and Lasani, in order to assess whether better wheat variety harbours better PGP bacteria that play part in its superior yield. Phylloplane bacteria were isolated from the three wheat varieties thrice during the plant growth. The bacterial load increased with the growing season and Sehar variety carried maximum bacterial load (CFUg(-1) 1.1x10(9)). Succession of bacterial community was also observed during the plant growth. Isolates belonging to Sehar phylloplane produced auxin in highest amounts (52.95 mu gml(-1)) during second sampling when plant was showing rapid growth. Many isolates from all three varieties fixed nitrogen, solubilized phosphates and some isolates also produced hydrogen cyanide. The results clearly indicated that the beneficial bacteria associated with phylloplane of better yielding variety were showing better PGP abilities when compared to their counterparts on low yielding varieties. Isolates exhibiting best PGP profiles were identified as Bacillus, Microbacterium, Acinetobacter, Proteus, Psychrobacter, Pseudomonas, Streptomyces and Kineococcus species through 16S rRNA gene sequencing.
Bioelectricity production involves generation of electricity by anaerobic digestion of organic substrates by microbes. A microbial fuel cell (MFC) is a device that converts chemical energy released as a result of oxidation of complex organic carbon sources which are utilized as substrates by micro-organisms to produce electrical energy thereby proving to be an efficient means of sustainable energy production. The electrons released due to the microbial metabolism are captured to maintain a constant power density, without an effective carbon emission in the ecosystem. The various parameters involved in MFC technology toward power generation include maximum power density, coulombic efficiencies and sometimes chemical oxygen demand removal rate which evaluates the effectiveness of the device. Application of microbes toward bioremediation at the same time resulting in generation of electricity makes MFC technology a highly advantageous proposition which can be applied in various sectors of industrial, municipal and agricultural Waste Management. Although the efficiency of MFCs in power generation initially was low, recent modifications in the design, components and working have enhanced the power output to a significant level thereby enabling application of MFCs in various fields including wastewater treatment, biosensors and bioremediation. The following review provides an outline about the components involved, working, modifications and applications of MFC technology for various research and industrial objectives.
ABSTRACT The present study was focussed on selection of fast-growing microalgae with higher lipid content using cheaper growth media, aimed to reduce the cost of algal biomass production. Samples were collected from 40 different sites from fresh and wastewater bodies. Based on morphological differences, two microalgae (SSG and SA) from wastewater and three (OP, DFM and JRC) from fresh water habitat were selected for further characterization. The specific growth rates (g Day −1 L−1) of the OP, DFM, JRC, SA and SSG were found to be 0.614, 0.638, 0.734, 1.06 and 1.02, respectively, whereas the doubling time (Td) was shown to be as 39.30, 36.48, 22.08, 12.24 and 12.98 h, respectively, when cultured without controlled temperature and CO2 supply, in a locally designed photobioreactor. All five microalgae shown considerable growth at a range of pH 6.0–9.0 with a peak activity within pH range 7.5–8.5. The OP, DFM and JRC contained 27%, whereas SSG and SA shown 39% lipid content. The phylogenetic analyses based on the 18S rRNA gene sequence have shown that studied microalgal strains may be novel species.
In this work, the time-dependent effect of exogenous salicylic acid (SA) applied before cold stress was investigated on the regulation of antioxidative respond mechanisms in two barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) cultivars (Akhisar and Tokak) differed in cold tolerance. SA (0.1 mM) was applied to 7-days old barley seedlings growing under control conditions (20/18 degrees C). After this application, the seedlings were transferred to cold conditions (7/5 degrees C) at different times (7, 14, 21 and 28 days) for 3 days. Then, the contents of malondialdehyde (MDA), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and the activities of antioxidant enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and peroxidase (POX) were determined in the leaves (control, cold and SA + cold) from the seedlings harvested at 10, 17, 24 and 31 days. Moreover, the effect of cold stress was evaluated on the endogenous SA level at the both cultivars by comparing to control plants. The MDA content increased in the cold treatment while it decreased in the SA treatment at all the days studied at the both cultivars. The SA + cold treatment could have a variable effect on H2O2 content at the tolerant barley (Tokak) while decreased its content at the sensitive cultivar (Akhisar). The SA + cold treatment could increase the activities of POX and SOD at both cultivars, but it increased the CAT activity at the tolerant cultivar while decreased at the sensitive cultivar. In addition, the content of endogenous SA was decreased by cold stress at all the days studied at the barley cultivars as compared to control plants. The results show that the SA treatment could be effective on the regulation of the parameters studied at cold conditions until 31 days after SA application, and the importance of exogenous SA treatment before cold stress. It was concluded that exogenous and endogenous SA could play an ameliorating role on cold tolerance by regulating reactive oxygen species and the activities of antioxidative enzymes in both cold-sensitive and cold-tolerant cultivars of barley.
