Abstract The Guanine-nucleotide binding protein 2 (GNB2) encodes for β2 subunit (Gβ2) of the G-protein complex. Keeping in view the increased demand of reliable biomarkers in cancer, the current ...study was planned to extensively explored GNB2 expression variation and its roles in different cancers using online available databases and diverse methodology. In view of our results, the GNB2 was notably up-regulated relative to corresponding controls in twenty three cancer types. As well, the elevated expression of GNB2 was found to be associated with the reduced overall survival (OS) of the Liver Hepatocellular Carcinoma (LIHC) and Rectum Adenocarcinoma (READ) only out of all analyzed cancer types. This implies GNB2 plays vital role in the tumorigenesis of LIHC and READ. Several additional analysis also explored six critical pathways and few important correlations related to GNB2 expression and different other parameters such as promoter methylation, tumor purity, CD8+ T immune cells infiltration, and genetic alteration, and chemotherapeutic drugs. In conclusion, GNB2 gene has been identified in this study as a shared potential biomarker (diagnostic and prognostic) of LIHC and READ.
Resumo A proteína 2 de ligação de nucleotídeos de guanina (GNB2) codifica a subunidade β2 (Gβ2) do complexo da proteína G. Tendo em vista o aumento da demanda de biomarcadores em câncer, o presente estudo foi planejado para explorar extensivamente a variação da expressão de GNB2 e seus papéis em diferentes cânceres usando bancos de dados on-line disponíveis e metodologia diversificada. Em vista de nossos resultados, o GNB2 foi notavelmente regulado para cima em relação aos controles correspondentes em 23 tipos de câncer. Além disso, a expressão elevada de GNB2 foi associada à redução da sobrevida global (OS) do carcinoma hepatocelular do fígado (LIHC) e do adenocarcinoma do reto (READ) apenas em todos os tipos de câncer analisados. Isso implica que GNB2 desempenha um papel vital na tumorigênese de LIHC e READ. Várias análises adicionais também exploraram seis vias críticas e poucas correlações relacionadas à expressão de GNB2 e diferentes outros parâmetros, como metilação do promotor, pureza do tumor, infiltração de células T CD8+, alteração genética e drogas quimioterápicas. Em conclusão, o gene GNB2 foi identificado neste estudo como um potencial biomarcador compartilhado (diagnóstico e prognóstico) de LIHC e READ.
Sedimentary mercury (Hg) has become a widely used proxy for paleo‐volcanic activity. However, scavenging and drawdown of Hg by organic‐matter (OM) and sulfides are important non‐volcanic factors ...determining variability in such records. Most studies, therefore, normalize total Hg (HgT) to a Hg “host‐phase” proxy (e.g., HgT/TOC for OM, HgT/TS for sulfides), with the dominant host‐phase determined based on the strongest observed (linear) correlations. This approach suffers from various non‐linearities in Hg‐host‐phase behavior and does not account for succession‐level, let alone sample‐level, Hg speciation changes. Thermal desorption characteristics or “profiles” (TDPs) for many Hg species during pyrolysis analysis are well‐established with applications including distinguishing between OM‐bound Hg and different Hg sulfides and oxides in (sub‐)recent sediments. We explore the use of TDPs for geological sediment (rock) samples and illustrate the presence of multiple release phases (Hg species)—correlated to geochemical host‐phase—in (almost) all the 65 analyzed Tithonian (146–145 Ma) silt and mudrock samples. By quantifying the Hg in each release phase for every sample, we find TOC concentration may determine ∼60% of the variability in the first (lower temperature) Hg TDP release phase: a stark difference with the total Hg released from these samples, where ∼20% of variation is explained by TOC variability. TDPs provide insight on sample‐level Hg speciation and demonstrate that, while the common assumption of single‐phase Hg speciation in sedimentary rocks is problematic, differences in Hg speciation can be detected, quantified, and accounted for using commonly applied techniques—opening potential for routine assessment.
Plain Language Summary
Sedimentary mercury (Hg) has become a widely used proxy for paleo‐volcanic activity. The concentration of Hg in sediments is however also impacted by a combination of non‐volcanic processes and most notably the abundance of Hg‐scavenging phases such as organic‐matter or sulfides. The Hg host phase, closely linked to Hg speciation, has been almost exclusively defined based on the strongest linear correlations, without independent control or validation of the key assumptions that Hg is hosted in a single phase (i.e., is present in a single chemical species) and that this phase can be determined via correlation. Here, we test whether ramping desorption temperatures of sedimentary Hg species can provide a feasible path to Hg speciation constraints for each individual sediment rock sample. With limited additional effort, we obtained these thermal desorption data simultaneously with total Hg concentration values. Virtually all upper Jurassic sediment samples in our test set show the presence of multiple Hg phases, in conflict with the common assumption of single‐phase Hg speciation. The thermal desorption approach presented here provides a simple independent method to gain a new perspective on some of the key assumptions that underlie the use of Hg as a proxy for paleo‐volcanic activity.
Key Points
Our ability to resolve the processes driving sedimentary Hg concentrations is affected by (changes in) Hg speciation in sedimentary rocks
Via the use of thermal desorption characteristics, we developed a method to simultaneously obtain total Hg and Hg speciation for each sample
Multiple phases of Hg release occur and the individual phases vary in importance between samples
Salinity stress is a limiting factor for the growth and yield quality of rapeseed. The potentiality of melatonin (MT; 0, 25, 50, and 100 µM) application as a seed priming agent in mediating K+/Na+ ...homeostasis and preventing the salinity stress mediated oxidative damage and photosynthetic inhibition was studied in two rapeseed cultivars. We found that 50 µM MT treatment imparted a very prominent impact on growth, metabolism of antioxidants, photosynthesis, osmolytes, secondary metabolites, yield, and fatty acids composition. Days required for appearance of first flower and 50% flowering were decreased by MT application. Exogenous MT treatment effectively decreased the oxidative damage by significantly declining the generation of superoxide and hydrogen peroxide under saline and non-saline conditions, as reflected in lowered lipid peroxidation, heightened membrane stability, and up-regulation of antioxidant enzymes (catalase, superoxide dismutase, and ascorbate peroxidase). Furthermore, MT application enhanced the chlorophyll content, photosynthetic rate, relative water content, K+/Na+ homeostasis, soluble sugars, and proline content. Moreover, MT application obviously improved the oil quality of rapeseed cultivars by reducing glucosinolates, saturated fatty acids (palmitic and arachidic acids), and enhancing unsaturated fatty acids (linolenic and oleic acids except erucic acid were reduced). Yield related-traits such as silique traits, seed yield per plant, 1000 seeds weight, seed oil content, and yield biomass traits were enhanced by MT application. The anatomical analysis of leaf and stem showed that stomatal and xylem vessels traits are associated with sodium chloride tolerance, yield, and seed fatty acid composition. These results suggest the supportive role of MT on the quality and quantity of rapeseed oil yield.
Domestic donkey plays a key role as a draft animal in rural economy of Pakistan where its population is increasing every year. The complete mtDNA control region of forty randomly sampled donkeys was ...PCR- amplified and sequenced bi-directionally using specific primers. Distinct mtDNA haplotypes obtained in the current study (KY446001-KY446011) were subjected to haplotype (h) and nucleotide diversity (π) measures using DnaS as well as to phylogenetic, Network, and AMOVA analyses. There were a total 27 polymorphic sites present within 11 unique mtDNA haplotypes from the studied 40 animals from different regions. Neighbor-joining network and median-joining network both illustrated the splitting of all these haplotypes into two well-defined Nubian and Somali lineages, confirming African maternal origin of Pakistani domestic donkey. Diversity parameters h (0.967± 0.037) and π (0.02917± 0.00307) were found to reveal high levels of genetic diversity in Pakistani donkeys. AMOVA demonstrated only 1% of genetic differences between two mtDNA maternal lineages, pointing to lack of population substructure in Pakistani donkeys as is the case with worldwide domestic donkey population. Pakistani donkeys have African maternal origin and high levels of mtDNA diversity. High genetic diversity may be due to non-selective breeding and heteroplasmy. We herein provide the first report on mtDNA diversity of control region in Pakistani domestic donkey.
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•Palm biodiesel production parameters optimized utilizing the Response Surface Methodology.•The maximum BTE recorded for B30 + Al2O3 compared to other tested blends at all the test ...conditions.•The minimum CO level observed for B30 + TiO2 as compared to other biodiesel blends at 2300 rpm.•B30 + CNT indicated a significant reduction in NOx intensity as compared to other blends.•Palm biodiesel blended with nanoparticle additives improved engine performance.
The present study aims to evaluate the emission and performance characteristics of a CI engine using biodiesel blends with three different nanoparticles. Biodiesel was prepared from palm oil using transesterification process. Biodiesel yield has been optimized using response surface methodology, which develops an interaction among the independent operating parameters reaction temperature methanol to oil ratio, and catalyst concentration, where they are changed as follows: 50–65 °C, 5:1–12:1, and 0.25–1.75, respectively. Nano fuel blends were prepared by dispersing CNT, TiO2 and Al2O3 nanoparticles into the B30 blend. The stability of these nanoparticles was improved by adding sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) as a surfactant, and the stability was characterized by ultraviolet–visible spectrometry. These nanoparticles were mingled with palm methyl ester at a proportion of 100 ppm using an ultrasonication water bath. The engine performance and emission characteristics were determined at varying engine speed and a full load condition. At all engine speeds, B30 with Al2O3 ternary fuel blend exhibits a promising reduction in brake specific fuel consumption (BSFC) of 5.98%. A significant improvement of 9.83%, 3.91% and 1.37% in brake thermal efficiency (BTE) has been observed for Al2O3, CNT, and TiO2 additives as compared to B10 blend, respectively. B30 with TiO2 ternary blend shows a sharp reduction of 27.89% and 30.68% in the CO and HC emissions respectively, and 10.37% decrease in NOx level with the addition of CNT as a fuel additive in the ternary fuel blend. Palm biodiesel blended with nanoparticle additives enhanced both engine performance and emission characteristics.
Background
This study assessed the feasibility of a preoperative high‐intensity interval training (HIT) programme in patients awaiting elective abdominal aortic aneurysm repair.
Methods
In this ...feasibility trial, participants were allocated by minimization to preoperative HIT or usual care. Patients in the HIT group were offered three exercise sessions per week for 4 weeks, and weekly maintenance sessions if surgery was delayed. Feasibility and acceptability outcomes were: rates of screening, eligibility, recruitment, retention, outcome completion, adverse events and adherence to exercise. Data on exercise enjoyment (Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale, PACES), cardiorespiratory fitness (anaerobic threshold and peak oxygen uptake), quality of life, postoperative morbidity and mortality, duration of hospital stay and healthcare utilization were also collected.
Results
Twenty‐seven patients were allocated to HIT and 26 to usual care (controls). Screening, eligibility, recruitment, retention and outcome completion rates were 100 per cent (556 of 556), 43·2 per cent (240 of 556), 22·1 per cent (53 of 240), 91 per cent (48 of 53) and 79–92 per cent respectively. The overall exercise session attendance rate was 75·8 per cent (276 of 364), and the mean(s.d.) PACES score after the programme was 98(19) (‘enjoyable’); however, the intensity of exercise was generally lower than intended. The mean anaerobic threshold after exercise training (adjusted for baseline score and minimization variables) was 11·7 ml per kg per min in the exercise group and 11·4 ml per kg per min in controls (difference 0·3 (95 per cent c.i. –0·4 to 1·1) ml per kg per min). There were trivial‐to‐small differences in postoperative clinical and patient‐reported outcomes between the exercise and control groups.
Conclusion
Despite the intensity of exercise being generally lower than intended, the findings support the feasibility and acceptability of both preoperative HIT and the trial procedures. A definitive trial is warranted. Registration number: ISRCTN09433624 (
https://www.isrctn.com/).
Precursor to a bigger trial
Scarcity of water is a severe constraint, which hinders the wheat productivity worldwide. However, foliage application of osmoprotectants may be useful in reducing the drought‐induced yield losses in ...wheat (Triticum aestivum L.). In this study, potential of foliage applied osmoprotectants (proline, gamma‐aminobutyric acid) in improving the performance of bread wheat against terminal drought was evaluated. Both proline and gamma‐aminobutyric acid (GABA) were foliage applied at 50, 100 and 150 mg/L at anthesis stage (BBCH‐identification code‐ 61), in two bread wheat cultivars viz. Mairaj‐2008 and BARS‐2009. After 1 week of foliage application of these osmoprotectants, drought was imposed by maintaining the pots at 35% water holding capacity. Imposition of drought caused significant reduction in the grain yield of both tested bread wheat cultivars; nonetheless, foliage applied osmoprotectants at either concentration improved the chlorophyll contents, accumulation of proline, glycinebetaine and total soluble phenolics and reduced the malondialdehyde contents, which resulted in better stay green, maintenance of grain weight and grain number under drought stress, thus resulting in better grain yield, water‐use efficiency and transpiration efficiency in both wheat cultivars. However, foliage applied proline at 150 mg/L, and GABA at 100 mg/L was most effective than other concentrations of these osmoprotectants. Performance of cultivar Mairaj‐2008 was quite better than cultivar BARS‐2009. In crux, foliar application of proline and GABA at pre‐optimized rate can be opted as a shotgun approach to improve the performance of wheat under terminal drought.
Bacteriophages (phages/viruses) need host bacteria to replicate and propagate. Primarily, a bacteriophage contains a head/capsid to encapsidate the genetic material. Some phages contain tails. Phages ...encode endolysins to hydrolyze bacterial cell wall. The two main classes of phages are lytic or virulent and lysogenic or temperate. In comparison with antibiotics, to deal with bacterial infections, phage therapy is thought to be more effective. In 1921, the use of phages against bacterial infections was first demonstrated. Later on, in humans, phage therapy was used to treat skin infections caused by Pseudomonas species. Furthermore, phages were successfully employed against infections in animals – calves, lambs, and pigs infected with Escherichia coli. In agriculture, for instance, phages have successfully been used e.g., Apple blossom infection, caused by Erwinia amylovora, was effectively catered with the use of bacteriophages. Bacteriophages were also used to control E. coli, Salmonella, Listeria, and Campylobacter contamination in food. Comparatively, phage display is a recently discovered technology, whereby, bacteriophages play a significant role. This review is an effort to collect almost recent and relevant information regarding applications and complications associated with the use of bacteriophages.
•Single-phase Ni0.3Cu0.3Zn0.4TmxFe2−xO4 (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.10) nanospinel ferrites were synthesized via sonochemcial approach.•The optical band gap energy Eg increased with the increase in Tm3+ ...content.•Magnetic properties revealed superparamagnetic property at room temperature and soft ferromagnetic nature at 10 K.•Tm3+ substitutions significantly affect the magnetizations data of NiCuZn nanoferrite.•A decreasing trend in the Ms, Hc, Mr, and nB values was detected with Tm3+ substitution.
In this study, Tm3+ ion substituted NiCuZn nanospinel ferrites, Ni0.3Cu0.3Zn0.4TmxFe2−xO4 (0.0 ≤ x ≤ 0.10), have been synthesized sonochemically. The structural, spectroscopic, morphological, optic and magnetic investigation of the samples were done by X-ray powder diffractometry (XRD), Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry (FT-IR), UV–Vis diffused reflectance (%DR) spectrophotometry, transmission and scanning electron microscopies (TEM and SEM) along with EDX, Vibrating sample magnetometry (VSM), respectively. The purity of prepared products were confirmed via XRD, FT-IR, EDX and elemental mapping analyses. The analyses of magnetization versus M(H) (applied magnetic field) were performed at 300 and 10 K. The following magnetic parameters like Ms (saturation magnetization), SQR = Mr/Ms (squareness ratio), nB(magnetic moment), Hc (coercivity) and Mr (remanence) have been discussed. M(H) loops revealed superparamagnetic property at RT and soft ferromagnetic nature at 10 K. It is showed that the Tm3+ substitutions significantly affect the magnetizations data. A decreasing trend in the Ms, Hc, Mr, and nB values was detected with Tm3+ substitution.
Milk and milk products are considered to have tremendous nutritional values as they contain a good proportion of protein, fats, and important minerals. However, the nutritional value of the milk ...produced in Pakistan is not up to the mark as extensive use of pesticides on crops resulted in contamination of milk. Consumption of contaminated food such as milk, meat, fish, eggs can induce increased proportion of organochlorine pesticides in the body. The purpose of this study is to determine organochlorine pesticide residues in milk and their toxicity level by Maximum Residues Level (MRL) values. In the current study, organochlorines such as Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), Dichlorodiphenyldichloroethane (DDE), Dieldrin, Gamma-hexachlorocyclohexane (Ɣ-HCH) also known as Lindane, α-Endosulphan, β-Endosulphan and Endosulphan sulphate were detected with the help of gas chromatograph equipped with electron detector. These pesticides were confirmed by using gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Analysis of variance is applied (ANOVA) to determine variations of pesticides in all milk samples. Analysis showed non-significant results (p > 0.05) with large variation among all milk samples regarding pesticide residues. The mean values of DDT, DDE were found to be below the MRL value. The mean values of Dieldrin, Ɣ-HCH were also below MRL value. On the other hand mean values of α-Endosulphan, β-Endosulphan, and Endosulphan sulphate were slightly higher than MRL in few milk points. The present study showed large variations of pesticides residues present in milk samples.
Celotno besedilo
Dostopno za:
DOBA, IZUM, KILJ, NUK, PILJ, PNG, SAZU, UILJ, UKNU, UL, UM, UPUK
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