Identification Of Elements Research Articles

Preparation of Nanosize Bone Powder from Waste and Development of Al Composite through Squeeze Casting Process

Al6061 alloy is most commonly used in automotive, marine, and aerospace applications to lighten the composite and increase its strength. Al6061 alloy is a precipitation-hardened aluminum alloy used as a matrix material. Beef bone is a biowaste that has polluted the environment and the people who live in the vicinity of its manufacturing and disposal sites. Biowaste has been used in a variety of ways by researchers in recent years, including activated carbon, water purification, reinforcement in composites, fillers, additives, etc. Beef bones that had been abandoned as waste were collected, cleaned, and grounded into a fine powder with a particle size of 50–100 nm and used as reinforcement. Squeeze casting process is used to create the newly created aluminum composite (Al6061 + 0%, 5%, 10% of bone powder). The aluminum composite was fabricated and three samples were successfully obtained for further testing and analysis. The prepared Al composites with nanopowder reinforcement are analyzed for surface morphology, elemental identification, hardness, porosity, tensile strength, and compression strength. The percentage of porosity in the composite is improved by 36.7% when compared to the Al6061 alloy. Similarly, the tensile strength of the produced composite is increased to 5.59%. A significant improvement is observed in the wear resistance and hardness of the composite as 54.55% and 48.65%, respectively.

Aberrant splicing in human cancer: An RNA structural code point of view.

Alternative splicing represents an essential process that occurs widely in eukaryotes. In humans, most genes undergo alternative splicing to ensure transcriptome and proteome diversity reflecting their functional complexity. Over the last decade, aberrantly spliced transcripts due to mutations in cis- or trans-acting splicing regulators have been tightly associated with cancer development, largely drawing scientific attention. Although a plethora of single proteins, ribonucleoproteins, complexed RNAs, and short RNA sequences have emerged as nodal contributors to the splicing cascade, the role of RNA secondary structures in warranting splicing fidelity has been underestimated. Recent studies have leveraged the establishment of novel high-throughput methodologies and bioinformatic tools to shed light on an additional layer of splicing regulation in the context of RNA structural elements. This short review focuses on the most recent available data on splicing mechanism regulation on the basis of RNA secondary structure, emphasizing the importance of the complex RNA G-quadruplex structures (rG4s), and other specific RNA motifs identified as splicing silencers or enhancers. Moreover, it intends to provide knowledge on newly established techniques that allow the identification of RNA structural elements and highlight the potential to develop new RNA-oriented therapeutic strategies against cancer.

Impact of seismic data conditioning on the identification of structural elements: A case of study from the pre-salt reservoir, Santos Basin, Brazil

Three-dimensional seismic data provides valuable insights into structural interpretation when dealing with naturally fractured reservoirs. The faults or fractures may control the direction of fluid flow in the reservoirs, especially during the sensitive analysis in projects of carbon sequestration and reservoir development, since these features may impact the rock-fluid interaction and oil field production. However, characterizing faults and fractures in pre-salt reservoirs using conventional approaches is challenging due to a complex and heterogeneous overlying evaporitic unit which reduces the seismic-to-noise ratio. Therefore, seismic data conditioning targeted at improving the seismic image is necessary for quality subsurface investigations. This work provides a systematic series of filters to enhance and detect discontinuities in post-stack seismic volume, primarily by reducing migration artifacts and salt multiples, thereby maintaining the true geological characteristics of the data. We emphasize the delineation of the fault and potential fracture zones by computing seismic attributes in a post-stack time-migrated 3D seismic in the Santos Basin's deep waters. Initially, the seismic signal-to-noise ratio was analyzed, and a sequence of structural-oriented filters and spectral balancing was applied to generate vertically refined images with enhanced seismic amplitudes. To assess the quality of the conditioned data, we employed the Similarity and Curvature attributes to identify the distribution of discontinuities and compare the before-and-after denoising approach. The data conditioning and analysis of seismic attributes improved our understanding of the distribution and compartmentalization of the reservoirs, highlighting predominantly NE-trending discontinuities. The systematic processing significantly improved the signal-to-noise ratio, allowing us to identify the relative direction of structural elements and insights into potential fractured zones over the reservoir.

Chemometrics and Spectroscopic Analyses of Peganum harmala Plant’s Seeds by Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

In the present work, the rapid identification of elements and their relative chemical composition in various Peganum harmala seed samples were investigated using a calibration-free laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy technique (CF-LIBS). A pulsed Nd:YAG laser-source with a 5 ns pulse-duration, and 10 Hz pulse repetition rates providing 400 and 200 mJ energy at 1064 and 532 nm wavelength, respectively, was focused on the Peganum harmala seed samples for ablation. A LIBS 2000+ spectrometer within the wavelength range (200 to 720 nm), emission-spectra were recorded. The measured spectra of the Peganum harmala sample gives spectral lines of Carbon (C), Magnesium (Mg), Lithium (Li), Sodium (Na), Calcium (Ca), Silicon (Si), Iron (Fe), Strontium (Sr), Copper (Cu), Potassium (K), and Lead (Pb). A CF-LIBS technique has been employed for the compositional study of the elements exist in the Peganum harmala seed samples. The measured results demonstrate that C, Mg, and Ca are found to be major elements in the Peganum harmala seed samples with compositions of ~36.64%, ~24.09%, and ~19.03%, respectively. Along with the major elements, the elements including Li, Na, Si, K, Fe, and Sr were identified as minor elements with compositions of ~2.87%, ~2.33%, ~3.72%, ~7.17%, ~2.83%, and ~1.14%, respectively. Besides Cu (~8.07 μg/g), and Pb (~1.10 μg/g) elements were observed as trace elements exist in the Peganum harmala seed samples. Furthermore, the electron number density including the plasma excitation-temperature were calculated using the stark-broadening line profile method and the Saha–Boltzmann plot method, respectively. The plasma parameters versus laser-irradiance and the distance from the sample were further investigated. Moreover, a principal component analysis (PCA) method was also utilized to the spectral data obtained by using LIBS to discriminate various seed samples with four classes, namely, α, β, γ, and Δ. Three principal-components (PCs) calculated from eigenvalues of score matrix described 87.6%, 4.6%, and 2.5% of total variance for PC1, PC2, and PC3, respectively. The LIBS spectral data variance covered by the initial 3 PCS was found as ~94.7% of total variance. The PCA results have successfully demonstrated the different classes of the Peganum harmala seed samples based on the different doping compositional ratios of the Zn element. This study confirmed the feasibility and ability of LIBS and PCA for the rapid analysis of Peganum harmala seed samples. Finally, the results achieved using CF-LIBS were incorporated with those obtained from the XRF and EDX analytical techniques.

Cloning of the promoter of rice brown planthopper feeding-inducible gene OsTPS31 and identification of related cis-regulatory elements.

Brown planthopper (BPH; Nilaparvata lugens) is one of the most serious pests of rice in the world. Insect-resistant genetic engineering is a very effective technology to control BPH. The promoters and cis-regulatory elements inducible by plant-feeding insects are critical for genetic engineering of insect-resistant crops. In this study, we cloned a promoter Ptps31 and a 7bp cis-regulatory sequence that up-regulated downstream genes induced by BPH feeding. The promoter of OsTPS31 (Ptps31) unresponsive to physical damage but responsive to BPH feeding was cloned and functionally verified. The results showed that expression of the OsBPH14 gene driven by the promoter region from -510 to -246 bp in rice could significantly improve the resistance to BPH. The promoter region from -376 to -370 bp (TAGTGTC) was identified as a cis-regulatory sequence related to BPH feeding induction of downstream gene expression. The findings provide a new promoter and a new cis-regulatory sequence tool for the research on and application of rice BPH resistance genes, as well as a new perspective for functional analysis of the OsTPS31 gene. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry.

Non-isothermal in-situ (trans)esterification of lipids in pre-functionalized and lipid-dense post-hydrolysis spent coffee grounds with subcritical methanol at low subcritical condition

Pre-functionalized lipid-dense post-hydrolyzed spent coffee grounds (PHSCG) were used as feedstock for fatty acid methyl ester (FAME) production. The lipids in PHSCG were converted to FAME via non-isothermal in-situ (trans)esterification (ISTE). The conversion was achieved with methanol under subcritical conditions. This study investigates the influence of reactor loading (RL), solvent-to-solid ratio (SSR), temperature, and holding time. High FAME yield of ∼21 g/100g PHSCG can be achieved in about 1 h. Both extractable and bound fatty acids (FA) were converted to FAME. The apparent conversion (∼107%) or yield may exceed the expected extractable FA when using pre-functionalized and lipid-dense PHSCG without needing an additional catalyst. Under favorable conditions of 85% RL, 6 mL/g SSR, and reacted non-isothermally to 125 °C (∼0.8 MPa), a minimum conversion of ∼98% could be achieved depending on the PHSCG's characteristics. The residual acid sites in the post-ISTE residues recovered after ISTE still exhibited catalytic activity when used as a catalyst during the esterification of oleic acid with methanol. The catalytic activity of the residues was evaluated by reusing them for up to 7 cycles. Elemental analysis and FT-IR peak identification supported the presence of sulfonic acid sites providing the catalytic activity of PHSCG and its residues.

Sensitivity-dependent dynamic searching approach coupling multi-intelligent surrogates in homotopy mechanism for groundwater DNAPL-source inversion

Equifinality and premature convergence can result in considerable errors when simultaneously characterizing groundwater contamination sources and estimating contaminant transport parameters. To resolve this problem, we design a sensitivity-dependent progressive optimization system embedding ensemble-learning technique. To avoid repetitive CPU-demanding model evaluations in Sobol’ global sensitivity analysis and swarm intelligence optimization inverse modeling, Kriging, support vector regression (SVR), kernel extreme learning machine (KELM), and deep convolutional neural network (DCNN) are compared and ensembled to build an accurate surrogate of the numerical model. In addition, the sensitivities of different source characteristics and contaminant transport parameters are set as important indicators to adjust the displacement vectors of the swarm in each iteration during the optimization process to achieve a balanced identification of sensitivity-varied elements. Moreover, a homotopy-based progressive searching mechanism approach to the global optimum in large areas is developed, with the aim of preventing premature convergence for multimodal search problems. The results indicate that the ensemble learning model efficiently captures the complex input-output relationship of the numerical model with an increased determination coefficient (R2 = 0.9988), while the mean relative error is limited to 0.9314%. Although the contribution of source characteristics and contaminant transport parameters to the spatial-temporal distribution of contaminants vary dramatically, the combined application of sensitivity analysis, homotopy theory, and swarm intelligence optimization provides a more stable and accurate estimation of all the elements. The mean relative error of the identification results significantly reduced from 7.2184% to 3.2718%, whereas the maximum relative error is limited to 9.9501%.

Разработка интегрированной пространственно-временной базы данных, характеризующей последствия изменения климата

Currently, at the global and regional (national) levels, the expert community, as well as statesmen, have prioritized the task of practical implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals (characterizing the dynamics of a development of various parameters of socio-ecological and economic systems). Achieving these goals requires serious analytical work based on a deep and comprehensive analysis of a processes taking place in various spheres, as well as the formation of an appropriate information platform, including a set of databases that adequately describe changes taking place in various spheres of state activity. However, today, in Russian practice, this tool is practically absent, which significantly complicates the qualitative and quantitative analysis, assessment and forecasting of the processes of adaptation of Russian regions (including the population living in them) to consequences of global climate change. The purpose of this study is to form a database of indicators characterizing process of adaptation of socio-ecological and economic systems of a northern regions of Western Siberia (The Khanty-Mansiysk Autonomous Okrug and Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug) to global climate change. The projected database should become the basis for creating an open information resource for a wide range of users when they solve analytical and predictive tasks related to a socio-economic assessment of an impact of global climate warming on permafrost. To achieve the objectives of the study, a set of methods was used: theoretical generalization and comparison, formalization, algorithmization, structuring and grouping, economic and statistical methods (including correlation and regression analysis), cartographic method, graphical modeling method. As a result, we have formed a database representing a single, periodically updated repository containing spatio-temporal data sets characterizing processes and phenomena, on the one hand, socio-ecological and economic systems, on the other – climate change. Further work with the database assumes, on the basis of available quantitative data and methods of mathematical statistics, the identification of elements of the ecological, socio-economic systems of the KhMAO and YaNAO vulnerable to global climate change, as well as forecasting the dynamics of their (systems) transformation.

SYSTEM INTEGRATION IN THE MANAGEMENT OF ENTERPRISES: CONCEPTUAL AND THEORETICAL FOUNDATIONS

Abstract. The article is devoted to the development of system integration in the management of enterprises. A qualitative analysis of the development directions of system integration was carried out. Research methods were used: analogies and synthesis to highlight and combine signs of integration and self-organization of management; induction and deduction in the study of the processes of integration and disintegration; an abstract logical generalization of the experience of creating integrated management systems and qualitatively meaningful identification of the basic system elements to ensure the systems acquire an integrative status. The results of research work are summarized and a conceptual approach to system integration is developed. The essence of the approach is to achieve integrated status by the management system of the enterprise based on its acquisition of integration signs. The substantive essence of the approach is based on the symbiosis of cybernetic and synergistic approaches to management. This determines the combination of integration and self-organization of management. Such a conceptual synthesis has an applied application, which consists in using the integration basis of the management system. The basis will produce system integration signs during the integration process. Integrative signs will be connected with self-organizing signs in the management process. The implementation of the integration basis will involve the use of unified management elements in the integration process. Such elements are justified as common for the introduction of management systems (subsystems) that will be integrated, and reporting of an integrative nature. Integration signs will be practically embodied in integrated management solutions, combined with self-organizing signs, thanks to this approach. The basic theoretical provisions for the implementation of the conceptual approach to system integration will be based on the study of: integration and economic states, using complementary indicators of activity and integration signs, effect and degree of integration; informational and economic images of reflective business entities for the acquisition of integration signs in business processes; sufficiency of integrative quality in the informational presentability of integration signs in the interrelationships of economic, social, and environmental activities of enterprises. Keywords: integration sign, integration basis, reflection, self-organization, management system, state of the business entity, unified management elements

The last glaciers in Africa and their environmental implications

Climate models and ongoing monitoring studies predict the remaining glaciers in Africa are predicted to disappear by the middle of the 21st Century. These will likely be the only glaciers present on the continent for some tens of thousands of years, until the next global ice age. This paper considers the implications of the shrinking cryosphere in Africa for the surrounding environment and local communities. Glacier retreat will give rise to significant and irreversible downstream effects on East African mountain landscapes in future decades, including impacts on water resources; slope stability and geohazards; ecosystems and ecosystem services; and human socioeconomic and cultural activities and heritage. This foresight study is the first to discuss future environmental impacts of deglacierization in East Africa, and this is framed around understanding the interconnections that exist between physical and human landscape elements in mountainous regions. A key outcome is the identification of elements of mountain systems that are most sensitive to environmental disturbance as a result of global warming, such as long-term water availability and processes that give rise to geohazards, and highlighting the need for management and mitigation of these varied impacts.

Identification of Novel Mobile Genetic Elements Associated with Resistance to Macrolide and Lincosamide in Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis

Background: Streptococcus dysgalactiae subsp. equisimilis (SDSE) is an important human pathogen. Recently, several studies have described the incidence of antibiotic resistance for SDSE worldwide, however, the data on the presence of corresponding genes and their possible association with mobile genetic elements are still limited. Objective: The objective of this research was to analyze the macrolide resistance in SDSE and to identify genetic determinants, mechanisms of resistance, and association with mobile genetic elements. Methods: A total of 9 SDSE strains from the collection of Joint Russian-Vietnamese Tropical Research and Technological Center (Hanoi, Vietnam) were used. These strains were previously isolated from throat swabs of children with pharyngotonsillitis in 6 provinces in Vietnam from 2012 to 2015. Antimicrobial resistance was tested by disk diffusion method. The presence of antibiotic resistance genes (ARG) was analyzed by PCR. The strains were characterized by emm typing and multilocus sequence typing (MLST). Illumina sequencing was employed for genome analysis of 4 representative SDSE isolates. Analysis of genetic elements with antibiotic resistance determinants was done using PubMed database and BLAST-searches. Artemis was used for comparative analysis of genetic elements. Results: In our study, we identified emm types that were similar to those reported in other studies. All SDSE isolates remained susceptible to penicillin, but presented alarming level of resistance to macrolides, tetracyclines, and fluoroquinolones. Most of the erythromycin-resistant strains were also characterized by clindamycin-resistance (MLSB phenotype). Both erm and different alleles of mef genes widely distributed among streptococcus pyogenes and Streptococcus pneumoniae were detected, except erm (TR) gene. The genetic elements carrying resistance determinants showed significant interspecies similarities, indicating conjugative transfer of antibiotic resistance genes between streptococcal species. Conclusion: Identification of the novel antibiotic resistance genes in SDSE indicates the necessity of monitoring of antibiotic resistance spreading and gene transfer in this bacterium.

Evolving efforts to maintain and improve XPS analysis quality in an era of increasingly diverse uses and users

Based on literature analysis, X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) use continues to increase exponentially. This increased use is accompanied by anecdotal reports and systematic analyses indicating a growing presence of significantly flawed data analyses. Recognition of this problem within the surface analysis community has increased with an understanding that both inexperienced users and increased use of XPS outside the surface analysis community contribute to the problem. The XPS community has initiated several efforts to help address the problem, which is not unique to XPS. This paper describes some of the specific problems identified and some of the community efforts intended to address them. Here, we describe activities focused on three specific issues: (i) requests for detailed guides and protocols and bite‐sized versions of information for non‐experts, (ii) incomplete data and analysis reporting, and (iii) the high rate of peak fitting problems. A 2019 survey identified the need for guides, protocols, and standards to assist XPS users. One set of such guides has been published, and another is being assembled. Providing incremental bites of useful information is the goal of a series of papers on specific challenges to surface analysis with example solutions has been initiated as Notes and Insights papers in Surface and Interface Analysis. Examination of XPS‐containing papers finds that information to establish the credibility and reproducibility of XPS results is often very incomplete. Unfortunately, ISO and ASTM standards require an amount of parameter reporting that seems excessive and unrealistic for many research publications. Initial approaches to develop and distribute a graded approach to parameter reporting are briefly described. Multiple efforts are underway to address the high rate of problems associated with photoelectron peak fitting. These include guides to peak fitting, guides to peak identification and fitting for specific elements, and the development of a peak fitting social network. The fitting social network is designed to facilitate interactions between new and experienced XPS users; analysts trying to fit XPS data (for publication or other reasons) can ask questions and establish dynamic conversations. Encouraging and enabling high‐quality XPS analysis and reporting requires several different types of effort from all members of the surface and interface analysis community.

Nutritional diagnosis in a Conilon coffee plantation in the northern region of the Espírito Santo state

The soils of Coastal Tablelands are characterized by low natural fertility, which reinforces the importance of assessing soil fertility and leaf nutrition of crops. The objective of this study is to present a diagnosis of soil fertility and leaf nutrition of coffee plantations with Conilon from Coastal Tablelands in the northern area of the Espírito Santo state. A total of 49 soil samples were collected at a depth of 0-0.20 m and 49 leaf samples. In the soil, we can find Al3+, Ca2+, Mg2+, K+, (H+Al), SB, V, CTC, pH (water), P Mehlich-1, carbon (C), organic matter (MO), nitrogen (N), Cu2+, Fe2+, Mn2+, Zn2+, and in the leaves N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn contents. Soil fertility and leaf nutrition were diagnosed, followed by the identification of deficit elements after comparison with reference coffee crops. In the soil, most coffee plantations have low levels of MO, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Al and (H+Al), P in excess, and the other attributes at medium levels. As for the leaves, most coffee plantations have low levels of N, P, K, Mg, Cu, Fe, and Zn, Mn at an adequate level and Ca at a high level. The soil and leaf elements evaluated are mostly at lower levels than the reference crops.

Improving off-structure carbonate reservoir characterization using integrated Shared Earth Approach and Forward Stratigraphic Modelling: The Marrat Fm of southern Kuwait

A high-resolution reservoir characterization workflow is applied to assess the off-structure prospectivity of Lower Jurassic complex carbonate reservoirs of the Marrat Formation in the southern part of The State of Kuwait along the Dharif-Abduliyah fields. A detailed sedimentological and petrophysical assessment was integrated with 3D seismic interpretation and delineated vertical and lateral facies changes within the fields, which are affected by sets of complex fault patterns. Carbonate geo-bodies have been mapped using seismic stratigraphy, and 3D multi-seismic attribute and seismic acoustic inversion workflows. The Middle Marrat has been subdivided into 5 units (Middle Marrat 1-MM1 to Middle Marrat 5-MM5) that show vertical and lateral lithological and facies variability. The developed integrated sequence stratigraphic framework permitted to better assess the influence of accommodation variations as well as carbonate ecological settings on sedimentary facies development. This framework pointed to the influence of marine incursions and subsequent flooding surfaces, on the development of wackestone to mudstone textures interbedded within porous grainier inner ramp/shoal reservoir intervals. This integrated Shared Earth Approach that combined the various multi-disciplinary and multi-scale results was supported for the first-time by high resolution Forward Stratigraphic Modelling to provide a mapping and identification of petroleum systems elements including potential reservoir locations and baffles as well as stratigraphic trapping mechanisms. This workflow opens a new perspective to increasing hydrocarbon reserves along the Dharif and Abduliyah Fields as well as many other fields along the State of Kuwait.

Identification of sources and their potential health risk of potential toxic elements in soils from a mercury‑thallium polymetallic mining area in Southwest China: Insight from mercury isotopes and PMF model

Identification of potential toxic element (PTE) sources and their specific human health risk is critical to the management of PTEs in soils. In this study, multi-medium were collected from a mercury‑thallium polymetallic mining area in Southwestern China. Hg isotope technique together with positive matrix factorization (PMF) model was used to identify PTE sources and assess their source-oriented health risk. Results showed that among the studied PTEs, this study area presented high pollution of Hg, Tl and As, with higher concentrations than their corresponding background values of Guizhou province, yet their average concentrations in covering soils were significantly lower than those in the natural soils. The Tl in coix grains should also be paid more attention due to its high concentration. Both natural and covering soils had different Hg isotope composition with tailings, while sediments have similar Hg isotope fractionation with covering soils. According to the PMF model, three sources in both natural and covering soils were apportioned and Hg, Tl and As were mainly influenced by the historical mining activities, which also confirmed by their Hg isotope signatures. The contributions of historical mining activities accounted for 40 % and 20 % of the PTEs in natural and covering soils, respectively. The assessment of source-specific health risks suggested that the non-carcinogenic risk of Hg, Tl and As was much higher than other elements. Historical mining activities were regarded as the major contributor to health risks (79 % and 76 % for natural soils and 50 % and 59 % for covering soils, respectively). This indicated that the restoration of coveing soils indeed decreased the health risk in this study area. These findings thus highlight the importance of ongoing monitoring of covering soils in the polymetallic mining area, which is imperative for preferably assessing the health risk of PTEs in similar mining area worldwide.

Practical application of massively parallel reporter assay in biotechnology and medicine

The development and viability of an organism relies on tissue-specific gene programs. The genome regulatory elements play a key role in the regulation of such programs, whereas its disfunction can lead to the establishment of various pathologies, including cancer, congenital disorders, and autoimmune diseases. The development of high-throughput approaches in genomics has led to the emergence of massively parallel reporter assays (MPRA), which enable genome-wide screening and functional verification of regulatory elements. Although MPRA was originally used for investigation of fundamental aspects of epigenetics, it also has a great potential for clinical and practical biotechnology. Currently, MPRA is used for validation of clinically significant mutations, identification of tissue-specific regulatory elements, identification of the favorable loci for transgene integration, as well as represents an essential tool for creating highly efficient expression systems, with a wide range of applications from protein production and design of novel therapeutic antibody super-producers to gene therapy. In this review, the basic principles and areas of practical application of high-throughput reporter assays will be discussed.

PROFILE OF CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS WITH DISEASES IN BRAZIL

Oral pathologies, such as primary or secondary glomerulars, congenital abnormalities, urinary infection, tubular diseases, are among the most common in children. In children, the progression of the disease can affect the growth of bones, resulting in fragile and anomalous bones, compromising their development. Despite this, it is perceived that the care of children with oral diseases requires professionals, skills and competencies in the identification of priority needs for the planning of care, optimization of conducts and achievement of goals that will promote the restoration of health. In view of the above, the problem of the physical, mental and social domains arises and negatively impacted by the emergence of pathologies, thus, in view of the repercussions caused from the moment children and adolescents receive the diagnosis, the stigma suffered and the interruptions of daily life activities until its outcome, leading to the following questioning : What is the current profile of Brazilian children and adolescents with some nephropathy? The study aims (general): To conduct a survey on the profile of children and adolescents with nephropathies; the study justified by the identification of new contextual elements, which may have been subsidized for the construction of nephrology nursing care in the pediatric s item. This is an integrative review of the literature in which there was analysis and interpretation of articles that met the study proposal.

Genome-wide identification and characterization of exapted transposable elements in the large genome of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.).

Transposable elements (TEs) are an important source of genome variability, playing many roles in the evolution of eukaryotic species. Besides well-known phenomena, TEs may undergo the exaptation process and generate the so-called exapted transposable element genes (ETEs). Here we present a genome-wide survey of ETEs in the large genome of sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.), in which the massive amount of TEs, provides a significant source for exaptation. A library of sunflower TEs was used to build TE-specific Hidden Markov Model profiles, to search for all available sunflower gene products. In doing so, 20 016 putative ETEs were identified and further investigated for the characteristics that distinguish TEs from genes, leading to the validation of 3530 ETEs. The analysis of ETEs transcription patterns under different stress conditions showed a differential regulation triggered by treatments mimicking biotic and abiotic stress; furthermore, the distribution of functional domains of differentially regulated ETEs revealed a relevant presence of domains involved in many aspects of cellular functions. A comparative genomic investigation was performed including species representative of Asterids and appropriate outgroups: the bulk of ETEs that resulted were specific to the sunflower, while few ETEs presented orthologues in the genome of all analyzed species, making the hypothesis of a conserved function. This study highlights the crucial role played by exaptation, actively contributing to species evolution.

Genome-wide identification, evolutionary and expression analysis of the cyclin-dependent kinase gene family in peanut

BackgroundCyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) are a predominant group of serine/threonine protein kinases that have multi-faceted functions in eukaryotes. The plant CDK members have well-known roles in cell cycle progression, transcriptional regulation, DNA repair, abiotic stress and defense responses, making them promising targets for developing stress adaptable high-yielding crops. There is relatively sparse information available on the CDK family genes of cultivated oilseed crop peanut and its diploid progenitors.ResultsWe have identified 52 putative cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) and CDK-like (CDKLs) genes in Arachis hypogaea (cultivated peanut) and total 26 genes in each diploid parent of cultivated peanut (Arachis duranensis and Arachis ipaensis). Both CDK and CDKL genes were classified into eight groups based on their cyclin binding motifs and their phylogenetic relationship with Arabidopsis counterparts. Genes in the same subgroup displayed similar exon–intron structure and conserved motifs. Further, gene duplication analysis suggested that segmental duplication events played major roles in the expansion and evolution of CDK and CDKL genes in cultivated peanuts. Identification of diverse cis-acting response elements in CDK and CDKL genes promoter indicated their potential fundamental roles in multiple biological processes. Various gene expression patterns of CDKs and CDKLs in different peanut tissues suggested their involvement during growth and development. In addition, qRT-PCR analysis demonstrated that most representing CDK and CDKL gene family members were significantly down-regulated under ABA, PEG and mannitol treatments.ConclusionsGenome-wide analysis offers a comprehensive understanding of the classification, evolution, gene structure, and gene expression profiles of CDK and CDKL genes in cultivated peanut and their diploid progenitors. Additionally, it also provides cell cycle regulatory gene resources for further functional characterization to enhance growth, development and abiotic stress tolerance.

Massively parallel identification of mRNA localization elements in primary cortical neurons

Cells adopt highly polarized shapes and form distinct subcellular compartments in many cases due to the localization of many mRNAs to specific areas, where they are translated into proteins with local functions. This mRNA localization is mediated by specific cis-regulatory elements in mRNAs, commonly called ‘zipcodes’. Although there are hundreds of localized mRNAs, only a few zipcodes have been characterized. Here we describe a novel neuronal zipcode identification protocol (N-zip) that can identify zipcodes across hundreds of 3′ untranslated regions. This approach combines a method of separating the principal subcellular compartments of neurons—cell bodies and neurites—with a massively parallel reporter assay. N-zip identifies the let-7 binding site and (AU)n motif as de novo zipcodes in mouse primary cortical neurons. Our analysis also provides, to our knowledge, the first demonstration of an miRNA affecting mRNA localization and suggests a strategy for detecting many more zipcodes.