The GAUGAA Motif Is Responsible for the Binding between circSMARCA5 and SRSF1 and Related Downstream Effects on Glioblastoma Multiforme Cell Migration and Angiogenic Potential

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a large class of RNAs with regulatory functions within cells. We recently showed that circSMARCA5 is a tumor suppressor in glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) and acts as a decoy for Serine and Arginine Rich Splicing Factor 1 (SRSF1) through six predicted binding sites (BSs). Here we characterized RNA motifs functionally involved in the interaction between circSMARCA5 and SRSF1. Three different circSMARCA5 molecules (Mut1, Mut2, Mut3), each mutated in two predicted SRSF1 BSs at once, were obtained through PCR-based replacement of wild-type (WT) BS sequences and cloned in three independent pcDNA3 vectors. Mut1 significantly decreased its capability to interact with SRSF1 as compared to WT, based on the RNA immunoprecipitation assay. In silico analysis through the “Find Individual Motif Occurrences” (FIMO) algorithm showed GAUGAA as an experimentally validated SRSF1 binding motif significantly overrepresented within both predicted SRSF1 BSs mutated in Mut1 (q-value = 0.0011). U87MG and CAS-1, transfected with Mut1, significantly increased their migration with respect to controls transfected with WT, as revealed by the cell exclusion zone assay. Immortalized human brain microvascular endothelial cells (IM-HBMEC) exposed to conditioned medium (CM) harvested from U87MG and CAS-1 transfected with Mut1 significantly sprouted more than those treated with CM harvested from U87MG and CAS-1 transfected with WT, as shown by the tube formation assay. qRT-PCR showed that the intracellular pro- to anti-angiogenic Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A (VEGFA) mRNA isoform ratio and the amount of total VEGFA mRNA secreted in CM significantly increased in Mut1-transfected CAS-1 as compared to controls transfected with WT. Our data suggest that GAUGAA is the RNA motif responsible for the interaction between circSMARCA5 and SRSF1 as well as for the circSMARCA5-mediated control of GBM cell migration and angiogenic potential.     

Characterization of microorganisms in Argentinean honeys from different sources

Seventy polyfloral honeys including commercial samples obtained from supermarkets, harvested from apiaries and purchased in bulk were initially examined for total antibacterial activity. From each sample, numbers of aerobic mesophilic bacteria, total coliforms, moulds and yeasts were determined and the presence of Salmonella spp., Shigella spp., Clostridium sulfite-reducers, Paenibacillus larvae and Bacillus spp. was investigated. Moisture content, pH and total acidity were also determined for all samples. Any honey diluted to concentrations from 75% to 1% (w/v) of full-strength honey showed total antibacterial activity. The numbers of aerobic mesophilic bacteria, moulds and yeasts were less than 10(3) cfu/g for all 70 samples. Faecal coliforms, Escherichia coli, Salmonella spp., Shigella spp. and Clostridium sulfite-reducers were not detected but P. larvae subspp. larvae, Bacillus cereus, Bacillus pumilus and Bacillus laterosporus were found among samples. For commercial, apiary and bulk honey the mean values for moisture content, pH and acidity, respectively, were 17.50%, 17.40% and 17.50%; 4.60, 4.10 and 4.20; and 18.30, 20.60 and 21 meq NaOH/kg. P. larvae was recovered from 35% of apiaries including hives in which the bees did not display symptoms of American foulbrood disease.     

Isolation of transport mechanisms in PEFCs using high resolution neutron imaging

Liquid water saturation profiles were determined using high resolution neutron radiography for commercially available fuel cell materials and hardware. Temperature, pressure, and relative humidity (concentration) gradients were imposed on the cell to determine individual influences on water content for each gradient. The asymmetric anode/cathode channel/land architecture used in this work results in significant water accumulation in the anode diffusion media with saturation values of up to ∼50%. Anode water content was found to change substantially with imposed pressure or concentration gradient, whereas the cathode saturation profile remained relatively consistent, indicating the channel/land ratio and thickness have a determinant role in diffusion media retention. The data generated in this work has been made publicly available through www.pemfcdata.org, and should be useful for computational modelers seeking validation data.     

The Role of Thyroid Hormone Signaling in the Prevention of Digestive System Cancers

Thyroid hormones play a critical role in the growth and development of the alimentary tract in vertebrates. Their effects are mediated by nuclear receptors as well as the cell surface receptor integrin α_Vβ₃. Systemic thyroid hormone levels are controlled via activation and deactivation by iodothyronine deiodinases in the liver and other tissues. Given that thyroid hormone signaling has been characterized as a major effector of digestive system growth and homeostasis, numerous investigations have examined its role in the occurrence and progression of cancers in various tissues of this organ system. The present review summarizes current findings regarding the effects of thyroid hormone signaling on cancers of the esophagus, stomach, liver, pancreas, and colon. Particular attention is given to the roles of different thyroid hormone receptor isoforms, the novel integrin α_Vβ₃ receptor, and thyroid hormone-related nutrients as possible protective agents and therapeutic targets. Future investigations geared towards a better understanding of thyroid hormone signaling in digestive system cancers may provide preventive or therapeutic strategies to diminish risk, improve outcome and avert recurrence in afflicted individuals.     

Soil transformation of 2(3H)-benzoxazolone of rye into phytotoxic 2-amino-3H-phenoxazin-3-one

Nonsterile soil transforms the rye metabolite 2(3H)-benzoxazolone (BOA) into 2-amino-3H-phenoxazin-3-one, which is an order of magnitude more toxic to barnyard grass than benzoxazolone. Benzoxazolone was recovered unchanged from sterile soil. However,o-aminophenol is converted to aminophenoxazinone by both sterile and nonsterile soil in the presence of air. Aminophenoxazinone is probably produced by microbial hydrolysis of benzoxazolone intoo-aminophenol, which is oxidized to aminophenoxazinone in both sterile and nonsterile soil. No 2,2′-oxo-1,1′-azobenzene was found in any incubations of soil with benzoxazolone,o-aminophenol, oro-azophenol.     

Calcolo di deformazione per la lettura automatica di manoscritti

Some ideas for two-dimensional pattern recognition are discussed. A «measure of deformation» leading to easily programmed algorithms is defined, and some results are presented.     

Silver nanoparticles enhance Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAO1 biofilm detachment

Objectives: Silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) with a size ranging from 7 to 70?nm were synthesized using the ascorbic acid-citrate seed-mediated growth approach at room temperature.

Methods: The 8?nm silver particles were prepared using gallic acid in alkaline conditions and used as seed to prepare AgNPs.

Results: The presence of ascorbic acid and citrate allows the regulation of size and size distribution of the nanoparticles. The increase in free silver ion-to-seed ratio (Ag⁺/Ag⁰) resulted in changes of particle shape from spherical to pseudo-spherical and minor cylindrical shape. Further, a repetitive seeding approach resulted in the formation of pseudo-spherical particles with higher polydispersity index and minor distributions of tetrahedral particles. Citrate-capped AgNPs were stable and did not agglomerate upon centrifugation. The effect of AgNPs on biofilm reduction was evaluated using static culture on 96-well microtiter plates. Results showed that AgNPs with the smallest average diameter were most effective in the reduction of Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm colonies, which accounted for 90% of removal.

Conclusion: The biofilm removal activities of the nanoparticles were found to be concentration-independent particularly for the concentration within the range of 80–200?µg/mL.     

Soil transformation of wheat and corn metabolites mboa and DIM2BOA into aminophenoxazinones

The defensive cyclic hydroxamates 7-methoxy-2,4-dihydroxy-1,4(2H)-benzoxazin-3-one (DIMBOA) and 7,8-dimethoxy-2,4-dihydroxy-1,4(2H)-benzoxazin-3-one (DIM₂BOA) of wheat and corn are transformed in nonsterile soil, via 6-methoxy-2(3H)-benzoxazolone (MBOA) and 6,7-dimethoxy-2(3H)-benzoxazolone (M₂BOA) respectively, into 2-amino-7-methoxy-3H-phenoxazin-3-one and 2-amino-4,6,7-trimethoxy-3H-phenoxazin-3-one. The soil transformation is similar of that undergone by the rye metabolite 2(3H)-benzoxazolone (BOA) into 2-amino-3H-phenoxazin-3-one. The transformations to phenoxazinones are not observed in sterile soil. The 2-amino-3H-phenoxazin-3-one inhibits barnyard grass radicle elongation, but the methoxylated aminophenoxazinones are not significantly inhibitory.     

Discharges in very-short air gaps in plane-parallel electrodes andunder AC voltage

This paper presents a study of the conditions leading to discharges under AC voltage. Starting from a simple test configuration, Maxwell's equation (∇·D=ρ) has been integrated numerically, using the laws of ionization for collision and taking into account that Townsend's coefficient α, generally, is a local function of the electric field between a two set of electrodes. The values of inception voltages measured at the terminals of a cell which was the site of the discharges, have been utilized in integrating Maxwell's equation. In this way the electric field configuration between the electrodes immediately before the discharge has been obtained. That allowed us to make some comments on the working conditions, nature of discharges, effects of space charge on mutual interferences, and discharge behavior under AC voltage