Antioxidant Activity of Thyme Waste Extract in O/W Emulsions.

(thyme) is an aromatic plant and its essential oil has been applied as antimicrobial and antioxidant due to the presence of phenolic compounds. However, after steam distillation, the deodorized plant material is rejected, despite the possible presence of bioactive compounds. Ethanolic thyme waste extract revealed the presence of benzoic acid, 4-hydroxybenzoic acid, ferulic acid, caffeic acid, and sinapic acid.

Comparative genomics reveals complex natural product biosynthesis capacities and carbon metabolism across host-associated and free-living Aquimarina (Bacteroidetes, Flavobacteriaceae) species.

This study determines the natural product biosynthesis and full coding potential within the bacterial genus Aquimarina. Using comprehensive phylogenomics and functional genomics, we reveal that phylogeny instead of isolation source [host-associated (HA) vs. free-living (FL) habitats] primarily shape the inferred metabolism of Aquimarina species.

Periderm invasion contributes to epithelial formation in the teleost pharynx.

The gnathostome pharyngeal cavity functions in food transport and respiration. In amniotes the mouth and nares are the only channels allowing direct contact between internal and external epithelia. In teleost fish, gill slits arise through opening of endodermal pouches and connect the pharynx to the exterior.

The interplay between mineral metabolism, vascular calcification and inflammation in Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD): challenging old concepts with new facts.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is one of the most powerful predictors of premature cardiovascular disease (CVD), with heightened susceptibility to vascular intimal and medial calcification associated with a high cardiovascular mortality. Abnormal mineral metabolism of calcium (Ca) and phosphate (P) and underlying (dys)regulated hormonal control in CKD-mineral and bone disorder (MBD) is often accompanied by bone loss and increased vascular calcification (VC). While VC is known to be a multifactorial process and a major risk factor for CVD, the view of primary triggers and molecular mechanisms complexity has been shifting with novel scientific knowledge over the last years.

Increased intestinal carbonate precipitate abundance in the sea bream (Sparus aurata L.) in response to ocean acidification.

Marine fish contribute to the carbon cycle by producing mineralized intestinal precipitates generated as by-products of their osmoregulation. Here we aimed at characterizing the control of epithelial bicarbonate secretion and intestinal precipitate presence in the gilthead sea bream in response to predicted near future increases of environmental CO2. Our results demonstrate that hypercapnia (950 and 1800 μatm CO2) elicits higher intestine epithelial HCO3- secretion ex vivo and a subsequent parallel increase of intestinal precipitate presence in vivo when compared to present values (440 μatm CO2).

Understanding the margin squeeze: Differentiation in fitness-related traits between central and trailing edge populations of .

Abstract: Assessing population responses to climate-related environmental change is key to understanding the adaptive potential of the species as a whole. Coralline algae are critical components of marine shallow water ecosystems where they function as important ecosystem engineers. Populations of the calcifying algae C from the center (southern UK) and periphery (northern Spain) of the North Atlantic species natural distribution were selected to test for functional differentiation in thermal stress response.

Intracellular iron uptake is favored in Hfe-KO mouse primary chondrocytes mimicking an osteoarthritis-related phenotype.

HFE-hemochromatosis is a disease characterized by a systemic iron overload phenotype mainly associated with mutations in the HFE protein (HFE) gene. Osteoarthritis (OA) has been reported as one of the most prevalent complications in HFE-hemochromatosis patients, but the mechanisms associated with its onset and progression remain incompletely understood. In this study, we have characterized the response to high iron concentrations of a primary culture of articular chondrocytes isolated from newborn Hfe-KO mice and compared the results with that of a similar experiment developed in cells from C57BL/6 wild-type (wt) mice.

Yeast β-glucans and microalgal extracts modulate the immune response and gut microbiome in Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis).

One bottleneck to sustainability of fish aquaculture is the control of infectious diseases. Current trends include the preventive application of immunostimulants and prebiotics such as polysaccharides. The present study investigated how yeast β-glucan (Y), microalgal polysaccharide-enriched extracts (MAe) and whole Phaeodactylum tricornutum cells (MA) modulated the gut microbiome and stimulated the immune system in Senegalese sole (Solea senegalensis) when administered by oral intubation.

Molecular and functional regionalization of bicarbonate secretion cascade in the intestine of the European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax).

In marine fish the intestinal HCO secretion is the key mechanism to enable luminal aggregate formation and water absorption. Using the sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax), the present study aimed at establishing the functional and molecular organization of different sections of the intestine concerning bicarbonate secretion and Cl movements. The proximal intestinal regions presented similar HCO secretion rates, while differences were detected in the molecular expression of the transporters involved and on regional HCO concentrations.

Radiocarbon Age Offsets Between Two Surface Dwelling Planktonic Foraminifera Species During Abrupt Climate Events in the SW Iberian Margin.

This study identifies temporal biases in the radiocarbon ages of the planktonic foraminifera species Globigerina bulloides and Globigerinoides ruber (white) in a sediment core from the SW Iberian margin (so-called ). Leaching of the outer shell and measurement of the radiocarbon content of both the leachate and leached sample enabled us to identify surface contamination of the tests and its impact on their C ages. Incorporation of younger radiocarbon on the outer shell affected both species and had a larger impact downcore.

Biogenic habitat shifts under long-term ocean acidification show nonlinear community responses and unbalanced functions of associated invertebrates.

Experiments have shown that increasing dissolved CO concentrations (i.e. Ocean Acidification, OA) in marine ecosystems may act as nutrient for primary producers (e.

Endogenous Calcification Inhibitors in the Prevention of Vascular Calcification: A Consensus Statement From the COST Action EuroSoftCalcNet.

The physicochemical deposition of calcium-phosphate in the arterial wall is prevented by calcification inhibitors. Studies in cohorts of patients with rare genetic diseases have shed light on the consequences of loss-of-function mutations for different calcification inhibitors, and genetic targeting of these pathways in mice have generated a clearer picture on the mechanisms involved. For example, generalized arterial calcification of infancy (GACI) is caused by mutations in the enzyme ecto-nucleotide pyrophosphatase/phosphodiesterase-1 (eNPP1), preventing the hydrolysis of ATP into pyrophosphate (PP).

Similarity analysis between species of the genus L. (Fagaceae) in southern Italy based on the fractal dimension.

The fractal dimension (FD) is calculated for seven species of the genus L. in Calabria region (southern Italy), five of which have a marcescent-deciduous and two a sclerophyllous character. The fractal analysis applied to the leaves reveals different FD values for the two groups.

Early Transition to Microdiets Improves Growth, Reproductive Performance and Reduces Skeletal Anomalies in Zebrafish ().

Zebrafish is a model species with a high variability of feeding regimes among fish facilities. The use of live feeds for early life stages is a common practice, and few studies have focused early weaning into microdiets. The lack of standardized feeding protocols among research facilities promotes discrepancies in biological performances, and few studies relate dietary regimes to zebrafish development.

Screening for osteogenic activity in extracts from Irish marine organisms: The potential of Ceramium pallidum.

Extracts and compounds derived from marine organisms have reportedly shown some osteogenic potential. As such, these bioactives may aid in the treatment of musculoskeletal conditions such as osteoporosis; helping to address inefficacies with current treatment options. In this study, 72 fractions were tested for their in vitro osteogenic activity using a human foetal osteoblast (hFOB) cell line and bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), focusing on their cytotoxic, proliferative and differentiation effects.

Iron-enriched diet contributes to early onset of osteoporotic phenotype in a mouse model of hereditary hemochromatosis.

Osteoporosis is associated with chronic iron overload secondary to hereditary hemochromatosis (HH), but the causative mechanisms are incompletely understood. The main objective of this study was to investigate the role of dietary iron on osteoporosis, using as biological model the Hfe-KO mice, which have a systemic iron overload. We showed that these mice show an increased susceptibility for developing a bone loss phenotype compared to WT mice, which can be exacerbated by an iron rich diet.

Differential involvement of the three nuclear estrogen receptors during oogenesis in European sea bass (Dicentrarchus labrax)†.

Estrogens are involved in a wide range of processes in vertebrate reproduction through ligand activation of their specific cognate receptors. In most teleosts, three nuclear estrogen receptor subtypes have been identified (Esr1, Esr2a, and Esr2b). Differences in ligand binding affinity and seasonal expression patterns in reproductive tissues among these Esr subtypes suggest distinct roles during oogenesis, vitellogenesis, and spermatogenesis.

FoxN1-dependent thymic epithelial cells promote T-cell leukemia development.

T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) and T-lymphoblastic lymphomas (T-LBL) are aggressive malignancies of thymocytes. The role of thymic microenvironmental cells and stromal factors in thymocyte malignant transformation and T-ALL development remains little explored. Here, using the TEL-JAK2 transgenic (TJ2-Tg) mouse model of T-ALL/LBL, which is driven by constitutive JAK/STAT signaling and characterized by the acquisition of Notch1 mutations, we sought to identify stromal cell alterations associated with thymic leukemogenesis.

Parallel Genome-wide Profiling of Coding and Non-coding RNAs to Identify Novel Regulatory Elements in Embryonic and Maturated Heart.

Heart development is a complex process, tightly regulated by numerous molecular mechanisms. Key components of the regulatory network underlying heart development are transcription factors (TFs) and microRNAs (miRNAs), yet limited investigation of the role of miRNAs in heart development has taken place. Here, we report the first parallel genome-wide profiling of polyadenylated RNAs and miRNAs in a developing murine heart.

Conotoxin Diversity in Chelyconus ermineus (Born, 1778) and the Convergent Origin of Piscivory in the Atlantic and Indo-Pacific Cones.

The transcriptome of the venom duct of the Atlantic piscivorous cone species Chelyconus ermineus (Born, 1778) was determined. The venom repertoire of this species includes at least 378 conotoxin precursors, which could be ascribed to 33 known and 22 new (unassigned) protein superfamilies, respectively. Most abundant superfamilies were T, W, O1, M, O2, and Z, accounting for 57% of all detected diversity.

Light Is More Important Than Nutrient Ratios of Fertilization for Seedling Development.

Restoration of seagrass beds through seedlings is an alternative to the transplantation of adult plants that reduces the impact over donor areas and increases the genetic variability of restored meadows. To improve the use of seedlings, obtained from seeds germinated , in restoration programs, we investigated the ammonium and phosphate uptake rates of seedlings, and the synergistic effects of light levels (20 and 200 μmol quanta m s) and different nitrogen to phosphorus molar ratios (40 μM N:10 μM P, 25 μM N:25 μM P, and 10 μM N:40 μM P) on the photosynthetic activity and growth of seedlings. The nutrient content of seedlings was also compared to the seed nutrient reserves to assess the relative importance of external nutrient uptake for seedling development.

Osteotoxicity of 3-methylcholanthrene in fish.

Many chemicals produced by human activities end up in the aquatic ecosystem causing adverse developmental and reproductive effects in aquatic organisms. There is evidence that some anthropogenic chemicals disturb bone formation and skeletal development but the lack of suitable in vitro and in vivo systems for testing has hindered the identification of underlying mechanisms of osteotoxicity. Several fish systems - an in vitro cell system to study extracellular matrix mineralization and in vivo systems to evaluate bone formation and skeletogenesis - were combined to collect data on the osteotoxic activity of 3-methylcholanthrene (3-MC), a polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon.

ChIP-seq Experiment and Data Analysis in the Cyanobacterium sp. PCC 6803.

Nitrogen is an essential nutrient for all living organisms. In cyanobacteria, a group of oxygenic photosynthetic bacteria, nitrogen homeostasis is maintained by an intricate regulatory network around the transcription factor NtcA. Although mechanisms controlling NtcA activity appear to be well understood, the sets of genes under its control (, its regulon) remain poorly defined.