THE BIOTRANSFORMATION,BIODEGRADATION, AND BIOREMEDIATION OF ORGANIC COMPOUNDS BY MICROALGAE1

Rapid growth in the biotechnological industry and production has put tremendous pressure on the biological methods that may be used according to the guidelines of green chemistry. However, despite continuing dramatic increases in published research on organic biotransformation by microorganisms, more research exists with microalgae. Our efforts in transforming chemicals such as organic compounds for the production of functionalized products help to lessen the environmental effects of organic synthesis. These biotransformations convert organic contaminants to obtain carbon or energy for growth or as cosubstrates. This review aims to focus on the potential of microalgae in transformation, conversion, remediation, accumulation, degradation, and synthesis of various organic compounds. However, these technologies have the ability to provide the most efficient and environmentally safe approach for inexpensive biotransforming of a variety of organic contaminants, which are most industrial residues. In addition, the recent advances in microalgal bioactivity were discussed.     

A human protein atlas for normal and cancer tissues based on antibody proteomics

Antibody-based proteomics provides a powerful approach for the functional study of the human proteome involving the systematic generation of protein-specific affinity reagents. We used this strategy to construct a comprehensive, antibody-based protein atlas for expression and localization profiles in 48 normal human tissues and 20 different cancers. Here we report a new publicly available database containing, in the first version, approximately 400,000 high resolution images corresponding to more than 700 antibodies toward human proteins. Each image has been annotated by a certified pathologist to provide a knowledge base for functional studies and to allow queries about protein profiles in normal and disease tissues. Our results suggest it should be possible to extend this analysis to the majority of all human proteins thus providing a valuable tool for medical and biological research.     

Integrated Multidimensional Analysis Is Required for Accurate Prognostic Biomarkers in Colorectal Cancer

CRC cancer is one of the deadliest diseases in Western countries. In order to develop prognostic biomarkers for CRC (colorectal cancer) aggressiveness, we analyzed retrospectively 267 CRC patients via a novel, multidimensional biomarker platform. Using nanofluidic technology for qPCR analysis and quantitative fluorescent immunohistochemistry for protein analysis, we assessed 33 microRNAs, 124 mRNAs and 9 protein antigens. Analysis was conducted in each single dimension (microRNA, gene or protein) using both the multivariate Cox model and Kaplan-Meier method. Thereafter, we simplified the censored survival data into binary response data (aggressive vs. non aggressive cancer). Subsequently, we integrated the data into a diagnostic score using sliced inverse regression for sufficient dimension reduction. Accuracy was assessed using area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Single dimension analysis led to the discovery of individual factors that were significant predictors of outcome. These included seven specific microRNAs, four genes, and one protein. When these factors were quantified individually as predictors of aggressive disease, the highest demonstrable area under the curve (AUC) was 0.68. By contrast, when all results from single dimensions were combined into integrated biomarkers, AUCs were dramatically increased with values approaching and even exceeding 0.9. Single dimension analysis generates statistically significant predictors, but their predictive strengths are suboptimal for clinical utility. A novel, multidimensional integrated approach overcomes these deficiencies. Newly derived integrated biomarkers have the potential to meaningfully guide the selection of therapeutic strategies for individual patients while elucidating molecular mechanisms driving disease progression.     

The investigation of the combined effects of gamma irradiation and environmental manipulation on mortality and sterility of Rhyzopertha dominica (Fabricius) (Coleoptera: Bostrichidae)

With respect to the limitations use of methyl bromide and phosphine, employing ionizing radiation to control stored product pests has attracted great attention. The aim of this study is the investigation of the combined effects of gamma irradiation as viable alternatives to synthetic insecticides and environmental management on mortality and sterility of Rhyzopertha dominica (Fabricius) in a wheat cultivar (Gascogen). The effect of doses range from 30 to 2000?Gy gamma irradiation in combination with manipulation of temperature (15, 21, 27 and 32?°C) and relative humidity (20%, 50%, 65% and 85%) on 5–10?days old adults of R. dominica in Gascogen cultivar of wheat were explored. The experiments were repeated three times and conducted in The Nuclear Agriculture Research School in Karaj and laboratory of shahid steki silo in shahre-kord. Probit analysis revealed that both temperature and relative humidity had combined effects when used with gamma irradiation. The lowest doses of gamma ray required to kill 25% (14.2?Gy) and 50% (610.8?Gy) of the population (LD₂₅ and LD₅₀) were recorded at 21?°C and 85% relative humidity respectively. The low dose for 99% mortality (LD₉₉; 2386.7?Gy) was recorded for beetles maintained at 21?°C and 50% relative humidity. The effect of temperature (15, 21, 27 and 32?°C) on sterility caused by gamma irradiation was also investigated. The results showed that the F₁ generation emerged only when the beetles were treated with doses of 0–100?Gy at 32?°C and 0–70?Gy at 27?°C. These results indicate that temperature and relative humidity play an important role in the susceptibility of the lesser grain beetle to gamma irradiation. The results suggest that controlling the efficiency of gamma radiation through environmental control allows the use of low doses of gamma radiation that have a less harmful effect on human health, non-target organisms and seed agronomic features.     

Application of induced pluripotent stem cell and embryonic stem cell technology to the study of male infertility

Stem cells (SCs) are classes of undifferentiated biological cells existing only at the embryonic, fetal, and adult stages that can divide to produce specialized cell types during fetal development and remain in our bodies throughout life. The progression of regenerative and reproductive medicine owes the advancement of respective in vitro and in vivo biological science on the stem cell nature under appropriate conditions. The SCs are promising therapeutic tools to treat currently of infertility because of wide sources and high potency to differentiate. Nevertheless, no effective remedies are available to deal with severe infertility due to congenital or gonadotoxic stem cell deficiency in prepubertal childhood. Some recent solutions have been developed to address the severe fertility problems, including in vitro formation of germ cells from stem cells, induction of pluripotency from somatic cells, and production of patient‐specific pluripotent stem cells. There is a possibility of fertility restoration using the in vitro formation of germ cells from somatic cells. Accordingly, the present review aimed at studying the literature published on the medical application of stem cells in reproductive concerns.     

TB trifusion antigen adsorbed on calcium phosphate nanoparticles stimulates strong cellular immunity in mice

Among various vaccine candidates, subunit vaccines play an important role in immune protection against tuberculosis (TB). Calcium phosphate (CP) is considered as a strong inorganic adjuvant due to its great potential in increasing immune responses. The purpose of this study was to evaluate specific immune responses following the administration of trifusion-CP nanoparticles. The physiochemical properties of these nanoparticles, including morphology, particle size, zeta potential and adsorption rate, were measured in vitro. Subcutaneous immunization was performed three times on days 0, 14, and 28. Two weeks after the last administration, IFN-gamma, IL-4, and TGF-beta levels were measured by indirect enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The trifusion protein was successfully adsorbed onto calcium phosphate nanoparticles. The mean sizes of the resultant trifusion- CPN and CPN were 97.84 ± 12.08 and 67 ± 11.85 nm, respectively. CPN containing trifusion had stronger ability to induce IFN-gamma than the control groups. IL-4 and TGF-beta secretions in trifusion and trifusion-CPN groups were higher than those in the PBS group. However, there was no significant (p > 0.05) difference in IL-4 and TGFbeta concentrations between trifusion group and trifusion- CPN group. Therefore, calcium phosphate nanoparticles are good candidates for immunization against TB because antigen can be easily adsorbed onto CPN and strong cellular immune responses against CPN-antigen can be stimulated.     

Effect of environmental factors on seed germination and emergence of Lepidium vesicarium

Lepidium vesicarium is a weed species with a wide distribution in the rangelands and dry‐land farming in East Azarbaijan, Iran. The experiments were undertaken to assay the effects of light, temperature, pH, osmotic potential, NaCl concentration and burial depth on seed germination and emergence of L. vesicarium. Germination was maintained at high levels (> 80%) over a wide day/night temperature range (10/5 to 30/20°C), but a severe reduction in the germination rate of L. vesicarium was found below 20/10°C. Germination of L. vesicarium was influenced by different light/dark regimes, as the germination rate was highest at 16 h light for the all treatments (0, 8, 12, 16 and 24 h light). Germination was 92–95% over a wide range of pH (2‐10). Germination was >50% at a water potential of ?0.7 MPa and salinity of 21 dS/m, indicating that drought and salt conditions have a minimal impact on seed germination. With increasing burial depth from 0 to 2 cm, the number of days required for 50% emergence increased and no germination was observed at burial depths deeper than 3 cm. This suggests that L. vesicarium would become troublesome in the rangelands and for growers in reduced‐tillage cropping systems. The ability to emerge from shallow depths, coupled with tolerance of a wide pH range, drought and salinity at germination, should be taken into account when managing this weed species.