Bacterial Diversity in Old Hydrocarbon Polluted Sediments of Ecuadorian Amazon River Basins.

The Ecuadorian Amazon rainforest stands out as one of the world's most biodiverse regions, yet faces significant threats due to oil extraction activities dating back to the 1970s in the northeastern provinces. This research investigates the environmental and societal consequences of prolonged petroleum exploitation and oil spills in Ecuador's Amazon. Conducted in June 2015, the study involved a comprehensive analysis of freshwater sediment samples from 24 locations in the Rio Aguarico and Napo basins.

Impact of MICA 3'UTR allelic variability on miRNA binding prediction, a bioinformatic approach.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that participate as powerful genetic regulators. MiRNAs can interfere with cellular processes by interacting with a broad spectrum of target genes under physiological and pathological states, including cancer development and progression. Major histocompatibility complex major histocompatibility complex class I-related chain A (MICA) belongs to a family of proteins that bind the natural-killer group 2, member D (NKG2D) receptor on Natural Killer cells and other cytotoxic lymphocytes.

A serralysin-like protein of Liberibacter asiaticus modulates components of the bacterial extracellular matrix.

Huanglongbing (HLB), the current major threat for species, is caused by intracellular alphaproteobacteria of the genus Liberibacter (L), with L asiaticus (Las) being the most prevalent species. This bacterium inhabits phloem cells and is transmitted by the psyllid . A gene encoding a putative serralysin-like metalloprotease (CLIBASIA_01345) was identified in the Las genome.

Biodiversity Patterns and Ecological Preferences of the Photobionts Associated With the Lichen-Forming Genus .

The worldwide, ecologically relevant lichen-forming genus currently includes 41 accepted species, of which the group (PSULgp) and the group (PSAXgp) have received considerable attention over recent decades; however, phycobiont diversity is poorly known in s. lat. Here, we studied the diversity of microalgae associated with 159 thalli collected from 30 locations, including nine spp.

Heat-killed Helicobacter pylori upregulates NKG2D ligands expression on gastric adenocarcinoma cells via Toll-like receptor 4.

Background: Natural killer (NK) cells are paramount for immunity against infectious agents and tumors. Their cytokine and cytolytic responses can be mediated by natural killer group 2, member D (NKG2D), an activating receptor whose ligands (NKG2DL) expression is induced in conditions of cell stress and malignant transformation. Since sustained expression of NKG2DL MICA is related to lower survival rates in gastric adenocarcinoma patients, and Helicobacter pylori infection contributes to tumorigenesis; we asked whether H.

Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I-Related Chain A (MICA) Allelic Variants Associate With Susceptibility and Prognosis of Gastric Cancer.

Gastric cancer (GC) is the fifth most prevalent type of cancer worldwide. Gastric tumor cells express MICA protein, a ligand to NKG2D receptor that triggers natural killer (NK) cells effector functions for early tumor elimination. gene is highly polymorphic, thus originating alleles that encode protein variants with a controversial role in cancer.

Bacterial diversity in aqueous/sludge phases within diesel fuel storage tanks.

Diesel fuel storage tanks are not hostile environments for microorganisms and tend to form sludges in the water deposited at the bottom of the tanks. The lack of nutrient, carbon and energy limitations within these habitats boost the abundance and the metabolic activity of microorganisms providing microbial hotspots with high growing rates of diesel degradation (0.10 ± 0.

Different Responses in Mandarin Cultivars Uncover a Role of Cuticular Waxes in the Resistance to Citrus Canker.

'Okitsu' is a mandarin cultivar showing substantial resistance to subsp. (). We have previously shown that this cultivar has significantly lower canker incidence and severity than 'Clemenules', particularly during early stages of leaf development in the field.

Stability of Selected Hydrogen Bonded Semiconductors in Organic Electronic Devices.

The electronics era is flourishing and morphing itself into Internet of Everything, IoE. At the same time, questions arise on the issue of electronic materials employed: especially their natural availability and low-cost fabrication, their functional stability in devices, and finally their desired biodegradation at the end of their life cycle. Hydrogen bonded pigments and natural dyes like indigo, anthraquinone and acridone are not only biodegradable and of bio-origin but also have functionality robustness and offer versatility in designing electronics and sensors components.

Decreased invariant natural killer T-cell-mediated antitumor immune response in patients with gastric cancer.

Gastric cancer (GC) is the third most common cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Invariant natural killer T (iNKT) cells are innate-like cytotoxic T lymphocytes involved in tumor immune surveillance. They can be activated either through CD1d-presented glycolipid antigens recognized by their invariant T-cell receptor, cytokines or by sensing tumor-associated stress-induced ligands through the natural killer group 2, member D (NKG2D) receptor.

Physiological and Proteomic Changes in the Apoplast Accompany Leaf Senescence in .

The apoplast, i.e. the cellular compartment external to the plasma membrane, undergoes important changes during senescence.

Optimization of culture conditions for the expression of three different insoluble proteins in Escherichia coli.

Recombinant protein expression for structural and therapeutic applications requires the use of systems with high expression yields. Escherichia coli is considered the workhorse for this purpose, given its fast growth rate and feasible manipulation. However, bacterial inclusion body formation remains a challenge for further protein purification.

Development of a new promoter to avoid the silencing of genes in the production of recombinant antibodies in chinese hamster ovary cells.

Background: The production of recombinant proteins in mammalian cell lines is one of the most important areas in biopharmaceutical industry. Viral transcriptional promoters are widely used to express recombinant proteins in mammalian cell lines. However, these promoters are susceptible to silencing, thus limiting protein productivity.

PthA4 , a 7.5-repeats transcription activator-like (TAL) effector from Xanthomonas citri ssp. citri, triggers citrus canker resistance.

Transcription activator-like effectors (TALEs) are important effectors of Xanthomonas spp. that manipulate the transcriptome of the host plant, conferring susceptibility or resistance to bacterial infection. Xanthomonas citri ssp.

Regulation of Tolerogenic Features on Dexamethasone-Modulated MPLA-Activated Dendritic Cells by MYC.

The potential of tolerogenic dendritic cells (tolDCs) to shape immune responses and restore tolerance has turn them into a promising therapeutic tool for cellular therapies directed toward immune regulation in autoimmunity. Although the cellular mechanisms by which these cells can exert their regulatory function are well-known, the mechanisms driving their differentiation and function are still poorly known, and the variety of stimuli and protocols applied to differentiate DCs toward a tolerogenic phenotype makes it even more complex to underpin the molecular features involved in their function. Through transcriptional profiling analysis of monocyte-derived tolDCs modulated with dexamethasone (Dex) and activated with monophosphoryl lipid A (MPLA), known as DM-DCs, we were able to identify MYC as one of the transcriptional regulators of several genes differentially expressed on DM-DCs compared to MPLA-matured DCs (M-DCs) and untreated/immature DCs (DCs) as revealed by Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) upstream regulators evaluation.

Transcription factor engineering in CHO cells for recombinant protein production.

The continuous increase of approved biopharmaceutical products drives the development of more efficient recombinant protein expression systems. Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells are the mainstay for this purpose but have some drawbacks, such as low levels of expression. Several strategies have been applied to increase the productivity of CHO cells with different outcomes.

Insights Into Non-coding RNAs as Novel Antimicrobial Drugs.

Multidrug resistant bacteria are a serious worldwide problem, especially carbapenem-resistant (such as and ), and . Since the emergence of extensive and pan-drug resistant bacteria there are few antibiotics left to treat patients, thus novel RNA-based strategies are being considered. Here, we examine the current situation of different non-coding RNAs found in bacteria as well as their function and potential application as antimicrobial agents.

Mild hypothermia upregulates myc and xbp1s expression and improves anti-TNFα production in CHO cells.

Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells are the most frequently used host for commercial production of therapeutic proteins. However, their low protein productivity in culture is the main hurdle to overcome. Mild hypothermia has been established as an effective strategy to enhance protein specific productivity, although the causes of such improvement still remain unclear.

Dexamethasone and Monophosphoryl Lipid A Induce a Distinctive Profile on Monocyte-Derived Dendritic Cells through Transcriptional Modulation of Genes Associated With Essential Processes of the Immune Response.

There is growing interest in the use of tolerogenic dendritic cells (tolDCs) as a potential target for immunotherapy. However, the molecular bases that drive the differentiation of monocyte-derived DCs (moDCs) toward a tolerogenic state are still poorly understood. Here, we studied the transcriptional profile of moDCs from healthy subjects, modulated with dexamethasone (Dex) and activated with monophosphoryl lipid A (MPLA), referred to as Dex-modulated and MPLA-activated DCs (DM-DCs), as an approach to identify molecular regulators and pathways associated with the induction of tolerogenic properties in tolDCs.

Calreticulin: Gene Cloning and Expression of a Main Domain That Interacts with the Host Complement System.

is an important hematophagous vector of Chagas disease, a neglected chronic illness affecting approximately 6 million people in Latin America. Hematophagous insects possess several molecules in their saliva that counteract host defensive responses. Calreticulin (CRT), a multifunctional protein secreted in saliva, contributes to the feeding process in some insects.

Treatment with Dexamethasone and Monophosphoryl Lipid A Removes Disease-Associated Transcriptional Signatures in Monocyte-Derived Dendritic Cells from Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients and Confers Tolerogenic Features.

Tolerogenic dendritic cells (TolDCs) are promising tools for therapy of autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Here, we characterize monocyte-derived TolDCs from RA patients modulated with dexamethasone and activated with monophosphoryl lipid A (MPLA), referred to as MPLA-tDCs, in terms of gene expression, phenotype, cytokine profile, migratory properties, and T cell-stimulatory capacity in order to explore their suitability for cellular therapy. MPLA-tDCs derived from RA patients displayed an anti-inflammatory profile with reduced expression of co-stimulatory molecules and high IL-10/IL-12 ratio, but were capable of migrating toward the lymphoid chemokines CXCL12 and CCL19.

Sterol metabolism in the filasterean Capsaspora owczarzaki has features that resemble both fungi and animals.

Sterols are essential for several physiological processes in most eukaryotes. Sterols regulate membrane homeostasis and participate in different signalling pathways not only as precursors of steroid hormones and vitamins, but also through its role in the formation of lipid rafts. Two major types of sterols, cholesterol and ergosterol, have been described so far in the opisthokonts, the clade that comprise animals, fungi and their unicellular relatives.

Clinical significance of tumor expression of major histocompatibility complex class I-related chains A and B (MICA/B) in gastric cancer patients.

Gastric cancer (GC) is the third most common cause of cancer death worldwide. Natural killer cells play an important role in the immune defense against transformed cells. They express the activating receptor NKG2D, whose ligands belong to the MIC and ULBP/RAET family.