Sequential aqueous two-phase system for simultaneous purification of cyanobacterial phycobiliproteins.

A logical framework was used for designing a top-down strategy for cyanobacterial phycobiliprotein purification. The purification scheme is based on the non-chromatographic technique, known as aqueous two-phase system. The scheme was optimized at every stage to enhance the recovery yield with the highest purity.

Liposomal simvastatin sensitizes C26 murine colon carcinoma to the antitumor effects of liposomal 5-fluorouracil in vivo.

5-Fluorouracil-based therapy remains the main approach in colorectal cancer, even though there are still some drawbacks, such as chemoresistance. In this study we combined 5-fluorouracil encapsulated in long-circulating liposomes with simvastatin, also encapsulated in long-circulating liposomes, that was previously proved to exert antitumor actions on the same tumor model. The production of angiogenic/inflammatory proteins was assessed by protein array and the production of markers for tumor aggressiveness (Bcl-2, Bax, and nuclear factor [NF]-κB) were determined by western blot analysis.

Investigating antibiotics, antibiotic resistance genes, and microbial contaminants in groundwater in relation to the proximity of urban areas.

Groundwater is an essential public and drinking water supply and its protection is a goal for global policies. Here, we investigated the presence and prevalence of antibiotic residues, antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), mobile genetic elements (MGEs), and microbial contamination in groundwater environments at various distances from urban areas. Antibiotic concentrations ranged from below detection limit to 917 ng/L, being trimethoprim, macrolide, and sulfonamide the most abundant antibiotic classes.

Double Targeting of C26 Colon Carcinoma Cells and Microenvironmental Protumor Processes Using Liposomal Simvastatin.

Besides cholesterol lowering effects, simvastatin (SIM) at very high doses possesses antitumor actions. Moreover our previous studies demonstrated that tumor-targeted delivery of SIM by using long-circulating liposomes (LCL) improved the therapeutic index of this drug in murine melanoma-bearing mice. To evaluate whether this finding can be exploited for future therapy of colorectal cancer the antitumor activity and the underlying mechanisms of long-circulating liposomal simvastatin (LCL-SIM) efficacy for inhibition of C26 murine colon carcinoma growth were investigated.

Differences in Temperature and Water Chemistry Shape Distinct Diversity Patterns in Thermophilic Microbial Communities.

This report describes the biodiversity and ecology of microbial mats developed in thermal gradients (20 to 65°C) in the surroundings of three drillings (Chiraleu [CH], Ciocaia [CI], and Mihai Bravu [MB]) tapping a hyperthermal aquifer in Romania. Using a metabarcoding approach, 16S rRNA genes were sequenced from both DNA and RNA transcripts (cDNA) and compared. The relationships between the microbial diversity and the physicochemical factors were explored.

Microbial Composition and Diversity Patterns in Deep Hyperthermal Aquifers from the Western Plain of Romania.

A limited number of studies have investigated the biodiversity in deep continental hyperthermal aquifers and its influencing factors. Here, we present the first description of microbial communities inhabiting the Pannonian and Triassic hyperthermal aquifers from the Western Plain of Romania, the first one being considered a deposit of "fossilized waters," while the latter is embedded in the hydrological cycle due to natural refilling. The 11 investigated drillings have an open interval between 952 and 3432 m below the surface, with collected water temperatures ranging between 47 and 104 °C, these being the first microbial communities characterized in deep continental water deposits with outflow temperatures exceeding 80 °C.

Abundance of antibiotics, antibiotic resistance genes and bacterial community composition in wastewater effluents from different Romanian hospitals.

Antimicrobial resistance represents a growing and significant public health threat, which requires a global response to develop effective strategies and mitigate the emergence and spread of this phenomenon in clinical and environmental settings. We investigated, therefore, the occurrence and abundance of several antibiotics and antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), as well as bacterial community composition in wastewater effluents from different hospitals located in the Cluj County, Romania. Antibiotic concentrations ranged between 3.

Next generation sequencing applications for breast cancer research.

For some time, cancer has not been thought of as a disease, but as a multifaceted, heterogeneous complex of genotypic and phenotypic manifestations leading to tumorigenesis. Due to recent technological progress, the outcome of cancer patients can be greatly improved by introducing in clinical practice the advantages brought about by the development of next generation sequencing techniques. Biomedical suppliers have come up with various applications which medical researchers can use to characterize a patient's disease from molecular and genetic point of view in order to provide caregivers with rapid and relevant information to guide them in choosing the most appropriate course of treatment, with maximum efficiency and minimal side effects.

Interspecies Gene Name Extrapolation--A New Approach.

The use of animal models has facilitated numerous scientific developments, especially when employing "omics" technologies to study the effects of various environmental factors on humans. Our study presents a new bioinformatics pipeline suitable when the generated microarray data from animal models does not contain the necessary human gene name annotation. We conducted single color gene expression microarray on duodenum and spleen tissue obtained from pigs which have been exposed to zearalenone and Escherichia coli contamination, either alone or combined.

Phytochemicals modulate carcinogenic signaling pathways in breast and hormone-related cancers.

Over the years, nutrition and environmental factors have been demonstrated to influence human health, specifically cancer. Owing to the fact that cancer is a leading cause of death worldwide, efforts are being made to elucidate molecular mechanisms that trigger or delay carcinogenesis. Phytochemicals, in particular, have been shown to modulate oncogenic processes through their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities and their ability to mimic the chemical structure and activity of hormones.

Structure, mineralogy, and microbial diversity of geothermal spring microbialites associated with a deep oil drilling in Romania.

Modern mineral deposits play an important role in evolutionary studies by providing clues to the formation of ancient lithified microbial communities. Here we report the presence of microbialite-forming microbial mats in different microenvironments at 32°C, 49°C, and 65°C around the geothermal spring from an abandoned oil drill in Ciocaia, Romania. The mineralogy and the macro- and microstructure of the microbialites were investigated, together with their microbial diversity based on a 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing approach.

Selection of proper reference genes for the cyanobacterium Synechococcus PCC 7002 using real-time quantitative PCR.

Synechococcus sp. PCC 7002 is known to be tolerant to most of the environmental factors in natural habitats of Cyanobacteria. Gene expression can be easily studied in this cyanobacterium, as its complete genome sequence is available.

Archaeal and bacterial diversity in two hot spring microbial mats from a geothermal region in Romania.

The diversity of archaea and bacteria was investigated in two slightly alkaline, mesophilic hot springs from the Western Plain of Romania. Phylogenetic analysis showed a low diversity of Archaea, only three Euryarchaeota taxa being detected: Methanomethylovorans thermophila, Methanomassiliicoccus luminyensis and Methanococcus aeolicus. Twelve major bacterial groups were identified, both springs being dominated by Cyanobacteria, Chloroflexi and Proteobacteria.

First record of picophytoplankton diversity in Central European hypersaline lakes.

Our survey has revealed that the phytoplankton in the anthropo-hypersaline lakes of the Transylvanian Basin (Romania) was often dominated by photoautotrophic picoplankton (PPP, cells with a diameter <2 μm). Therefore, the aim of this study was to identify PPP members both in the summer and the winter communities using molecular biological techniques, denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and sequence analysis. The applied PCR-DGGE methods were highly specific to cyanobacteria and green algae.

Methodological constraints in the molecular biodiversity study of a thermomineral spring cyanobacterial mat: a case study.

The biodiversity of a specific cyanobacterial mat associated to a thermomineral spring from the Western Plain of Romania was investigated. Light and electron microscopy, together with molecular tools (denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis-DGGE, automated ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis-ARISA and amplified ribosomal DNA restriction analysis-ARDRA), based on 16S rDNA and 16S-23S internal transcribed spacer markers were used. Based on the partial 16S rRNA fragments sequenced, eight cyanobacterial taxons were identified, all belonging to the Oscillatoriales order, Phormidium and Leptolyngbya being dominant.

Genetic contributions of the serotonin transporter to social learning of fear and economic decision making.

Serotonin (5-HT) modulates emotional and cognitive functions such as fear conditioning (FC) and decision making. This study investigated the effects of a functional polymorphism in the regulatory region (5-HTTLPR) of the human 5-HT transporter (5-HTT) gene on observational FC, risk taking and susceptibility to framing in decision making under uncertainty, as well as multidimensional anxiety and autonomic control of the heart in healthy volunteers. The present results indicate that in comparison to the homozygotes for the long (l) version of 5-HTTLPR, the carriers of the short (s) version display enhanced observational FC, reduced financial risk taking and increased susceptibility to framing in economic decision making.

Toxic potential of microcystin-containing cyanobacterial extracts from three Romanian freshwaters.

The aim of this study was to characterise for the first time the toxin profile and in vivo/in vitro toxicological effects of cyanobacteria obtained from three Romanian freshwater blooms. Two strains of Microcystis aeruginosa were isolated from blooms occurring in different fish ponds. As well, a complex bloom sample obtained from a recreational lake area and dominated by Microcystis aeruginosa and Microcystis viridis was explored.

Microcystin-LR induced cellular effects in mammalian and fish primary hepatocyte cultures and cell lines: a comparative study.

The impact of microcystin-LR, one of the most common cyanobacterial toxins, on liver and gut cells originating from mammals and fish was compared. Upon exposure of human and rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) cell lines up to 2.5 microM microcystin-LR, no alteration in cell viability was observed as assessed with three fluorescent indicators dyes, CFDA-AM, Alamar Blue and neutral red.