Frontiers in Life SciencePub Date : 2017-01-01Epub Date: 2017-02-13DOI: 10.1080/21553769.2017.1287777
Kahye Song, Shyr-Shea Chang, Sang Joon Lee
{"title":"How the pine seeds attach to/detach from the pine cone scale?","authors":"Kahye Song, Shyr-Shea Chang, Sang Joon Lee","doi":"10.1080/21553769.2017.1287777","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/21553769.2017.1287777","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>One of the primary purposes of pine cones is the protection and distant dispersal of pine seeds. Pine cones open and release their embedded seeds on dry and windy days for long-distance dispersal. In this study, how the pine seed attach to/ detach from the pine cone scale for efficient seed dispersal were experimentally investigated by using X-ray micro-imaging technique. The cone and seeds adhere to one another in the presence of water, which could be explained by the surface tension and the contact angle hysteresis. Otherwise, without water, the waterproof seed wing surface permits rapid drying for detach and dispersion. On the other hand, during wildfires, pine cones open their seed racks and detach the pine seeds from pine cones for rapid seed dispersal. Due to these structural advantages, pine seeds are released safely and efficiently on adjust condition. These advantageous structure could be mimicked in practical applications.</p>","PeriodicalId":12756,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Life Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/21553769.2017.1287777","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"36074057","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Shiwei Zhang, Xi Chen, Qiding Zhong, Zhanbin Huang, Z. Bai
{"title":"Relations among epiphytic microbial communities from soil, leaves and grapes of the grapevine","authors":"Shiwei Zhang, Xi Chen, Qiding Zhong, Zhanbin Huang, Z. Bai","doi":"10.1080/21553769.2017.1365776","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/21553769.2017.1365776","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT The dependence of plant health and crop quality on epiphytic microbial community has been universally addressed; however, little is known about the relations between the microbial communities from grapes and other plant tissues, such as leaves and roots. In this study, the bacterial and fungal communities on grape berries and leaves, as well as in vineyard soils were analyzed by 16S rRNA gene and fungal internal transcribed spacer high-throughput sequencing analysis. The results showed both the similarities and the differences in the diversity and structure of the microbial communities among tested samples. The highest richness and diversity of the microbial communities were found on grape berries, followed by that in soils and on leaves. The main bacterial genera, Blastococcus, Bacillus, and Arthrobacter, and the main fungal genera, Alternaria, Guehomyces, and Cladosporium, were present in all samples, but in different amounts, whereas some other genera were sample-specific. Cluster analysis defined generally two major groups: (1) the microbial communities on grapes and leaves, and (2) those originating from the soil. The results suggested that there was a correlation between the microbial communities on the below- and aboveground grape tissues.","PeriodicalId":12756,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Life Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/21553769.2017.1365776","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"47589164","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Cosmic origin of the chemical elements rarety in nuclear astrophysics","authors":"E. Vangioni, M. Cassé","doi":"10.1080/21553769.2017.1411838","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/21553769.2017.1411838","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT We perceive a world of great diversity but numerous things are composed of about a hundred different chemical elements, among them are hydrogen, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen, iron, and uranium. These elements are combined with one another in a multitude of ways to produce complexity of all objects. However, there are only three nucleosynthetic astrophysical sites: (i) big bang nucleosynthesis, where hydrogen and helium are produced; (ii) stars, where all elements from carbon to uranium are synthesized and (iii) interstellar medium in galaxies where lithium (a part of), beryllium and boron are made by non-thermal collisions between cosmic rays and interstellar matter. The origin of the atoms is now well understood. It is one of the greatest astrophysical discovery in the twentieth century. All the elements in the Mendeleev table, and specifically the atoms of life: carbon, nitrogen and oxygen, come from the work of all generations of stars in galaxies. Presently, after 13.8 Gyr, atomic matter in the universe is composed of 70% hydrogen, 28% helium and only about 2% by mass, of all the other elements. Complex (and also some specific light) atoms are rare in the Universe.","PeriodicalId":12756,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Life Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2017-01-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/21553769.2017.1411838","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"45765518","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Phylloplane associated plant bacteria of commercially superior wheat varieties exhibit superior plant growth promoting abilities","authors":"Fatima Batool, Y. Rehman, S. Hasnain","doi":"10.1080/21553769.2016.1256842","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/21553769.2016.1256842","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Phylloplane of a plant constitutes an important habitat for a variety of microbes many of which play important roles in plant growth. The objective of this study was to compare plant growth promoting (PGP) phylloplane bacteria of three commercially popular wheat varieties, namely Sehar, Faisalabad and Lasani, in order to assess whether better wheat variety harbours better PGP bacteria that play part in its superior yield. Phylloplane bacteria were isolated from the three wheat varieties thrice during the plant growth. The bacterial load increased with the growing season and Sehar variety carried maximum bacterial load (CFUg−1 1.1 × 109). Succession of bacterial community was also observed during the plant growth. Isolates belonging to Sehar phylloplane produced auxin in highest amounts (52.95 µg ml−1) during second sampling when plant was showing rapid growth. Many isolates from all three varieties fixed nitrogen, solubilized phosphates and some isolates also produced hydrogen cyanide. The results clearly indicated that the beneficial bacteria associated with phylloplane of better yielding variety were showing better PGP abilities when compared to their counterparts on low yielding varieties. Isolates exhibiting best PGP profiles were identified as Bacillus, Microbacterium, Acinetobacter, Proteus, Psychrobacter, Pseudomonas, Streptomyces and Kineococcus species through 16S rRNA gene sequencing.","PeriodicalId":12756,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Life Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/21553769.2016.1256842","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"60091311","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Gitishree Das, J. Patra, Sameer K. Singdevsachan, S. Gouda, Han-Seung Shin
{"title":"Diversity of traditional and fermented foods of the Seven Sister states of India and their nutritional and nutraceutical potential: a review","authors":"Gitishree Das, J. Patra, Sameer K. Singdevsachan, S. Gouda, Han-Seung Shin","doi":"10.1080/21553769.2016.1249032","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/21553769.2016.1249032","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT The Seven Sister states of northeast India are characterized by diverse population with different ethnic backgrounds. Indigenous and fermented foods are an intrinsic part of diet of these ethnic tribes. It is the oldest and most economical methods for development of a diversity of aromas, flavors, and textures as well as for food preservation and biological enrichment by manipulation of different microbial populations. Wild fruits and vegetables have more nutritional value than cultivated fruits and contribute to sustainable food production and security. Fermented products are region-specific and have their own unique substrates and preparation methods. Soybeans, bamboo shoots, and locally available vegetables are commonly fermented by most tribes. Fermented alcoholic beverages prepared in this region are unique and bear deep attachment with socio-cultural lives of local people. These products serve as a source of income to many rural people, who prepare them at home and market them locally. Detailed studies on nutritive and medicinal value of these products can provide valuable information and would prove beneficial in guiding the use of these products on a wider scale. Furthermore, the ethnobotanical field exploration, conservation of indigenous knowledge, and proper documentation of wild edible bio-resources are suggested for sustaining the livelihood of local communities.","PeriodicalId":12756,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Life Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/21553769.2016.1249032","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"60091358","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Nubia Andrea Villota-Salazar, A. Mendoza-Mendoza, J. M. González-Prieto
{"title":"Epigenetics: from the past to the present","authors":"Nubia Andrea Villota-Salazar, A. Mendoza-Mendoza, J. M. González-Prieto","doi":"10.1080/21553769.2016.1249033","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/21553769.2016.1249033","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT The definition of epigenetics is still under intense debate; however, its concept has evolved since it was originally introduced in 1939 by Conrad Hal Waddington as a way to reconcile antagonistic views between the school of preformationism and the school of epigenesis. The characterization of a large number of phenomena that diverge from the dogmas of classical genetics, and the discovery of the molecular mechanisms through which these phenomena occur, has given rise to a new area of study with important implications for biological sciences. Interactions between the environment and the DNA through modifications on the chromatin are not only responsible for the expression of a normal phenotype, these may be involved in the development of various pathologies. The epigenome, as the bridge between the genome and the phenotype, is no doubt one of the most interesting current ideas in genetics and is so revolutionary that it may change our present notions about inheritance and evolution. In this review, we made a compilation of the most important events in the history of epigenetics, its implications and some perspectives to the future. Abbreviations: DNA: deoxyribonucleic acid; RNA: ribonucleic acid; DNMT: DNA methyltransferase; MBP: methyl-CpG-binding proteins; HAT: histone acetyltransferase; HDAC: histone deacetylase; SAM: S-adenosyl methionine; ncRNA: non-coding RNA; rRNA: ribosomal RNA; miRNA: microRNA; siRNA: small interfering RNA; piRNA: Piwi-interacting RNA; XiRNA: X-inactivation RNA; lncRNA: long non-coding RNA; GR: glucocorticoid receptor; IGF2: insulin-like growth factor II; HPA: hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal; TSA: trichostatin A; LINE: long interspersed nuclear elements; LOI: loss of genomic imprinting; MAS: McCune–Albright syndrome; AS: Angelman syndrome; PWS: Prader–Willi syndrome; FDA: Food and Drug Administration; AHEAD: International Human Epigenome Project; HEP: Human Epigenome Project; TMG: thiomethyl-β-D-galactoside","PeriodicalId":12756,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Life Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/21553769.2016.1249033","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"60091376","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Microbial fuel cells in bioelectricity production","authors":"Akshay D. Tharali, N. Sain, W. Jabez Osborne","doi":"10.1080/21553769.2016.1230787","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/21553769.2016.1230787","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Bioelectricity production involves generation of electricity by anaerobic digestion of organic substrates by microbes. A microbial fuel cell (MFC) is a device that converts chemical energy released as a result of oxidation of complex organic carbon sources which are utilized as substrates by micro-organisms to produce electrical energy thereby proving to be an efficient means of sustainable energy production. The electrons released due to the microbial metabolism are captured to maintain a constant power density, without an effective carbon emission in the ecosystem. The various parameters involved in MFC technology toward power generation include maximum power density, coulombic efficiencies and sometimes chemical oxygen demand removal rate which evaluates the effectiveness of the device. Application of microbes toward bioremediation at the same time resulting in generation of electricity makes MFC technology a highly advantageous proposition which can be applied in various sectors of industrial, municipal and agricultural Waste Management. Although the efficiency of MFCs in power generation initially was low, recent modifications in the design, components and working have enhanced the power output to a significant level thereby enabling application of MFCs in various fields including wastewater treatment, biosensors and bioremediation. The following review provides an outline about the components involved, working, modifications and applications of MFC technology for various research and industrial objectives.","PeriodicalId":12756,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Life Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/21553769.2016.1230787","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"60090994","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Suggested mechanism for the effect of sweeteners on radical scavenging activity of phenolic compounds in black and green tea","authors":"E. Shalaby, G. Mahmoud, S. Shanab","doi":"10.1080/21553769.2016.1233909","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/21553769.2016.1233909","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT The present work aims to evaluate the relation between the antioxidant activities and phenolic compound contents of two tea samples (green and black) mixed with or without sweeteners (sucrose or aspartame). The aqueous extracts were screened for total polyphenol and flavonoids contents. Antioxidant activities of extracts were tested using 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical method and 2, 2′-azino-bis [ethylbenzthiazoline-6-sulfonic acid] (ABTS) methods using butylated hydroxyl anisole as standard compound. In addition, we identified polyphenols compounds using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results indicated that the antioxidant activity was higher against ABTS radical more than DPPH radical. Also, there is positive correlation between the antioxidant activity and phenolic compounds content presented in water extracts of tea samples. The results also indicated that addition of table sugar to green tea significantly decreased the antioxidant activity (from 95.8% to 90.6% with 4.0% sucrose). However, the same table sugar in black tea increased the antioxidant activity (from 87.0% to 91.9% with 4.0% sucrose). The analysis using HPLC showed that caffeine was the most predominant individual compounds in green and black tea without and with 1.0% sucrose (6081.8, 8772.1, 6474 and 3755 µg/100g, respectively). However, cinnamic acid showed the lowest content in the same tea samples (0.21, 0.25, 0.19 and 0.18 µg/100g respectively). Pyrogallol, catechol, epicatechin, ellagic, protocatchuic were significantly higher in green tea than in black tea.","PeriodicalId":12756,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Life Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/21553769.2016.1233909","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"60091082","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"The genus Avicennia, a pioneer group of dominant mangrove plant species with potential medicinal values: a review","authors":"H. Thatoi, Dibyajyoti Samantaray, S. Das","doi":"10.1080/21553769.2016.1235619","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/21553769.2016.1235619","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT The genus Avicennia comprises eight species of mangrove trees that occur in intertidal zones of estuaries and seabeds found in tropical and temperate regions spanning throughout the world. The plants belonging to the genus have both ecological and economic benefits. Different parts of the plants have ethnomedicinal applications for treatment of various diseases such as cancer, diabetes, malaria, rheumatism, asthma, small pox and ulcer. Pharmacological investigations have revealed antimicrobial, antioxidant, anticancer, antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory activities and so on in these plants. The genus possesses some unique metabolites of varied chemicals classes, which are responsible for their wide range of pharmacological activities. The presence of different bioactive compounds such as alkaloids, flavonoids, phenols, saponins, tannins, glycosides and terpenoids has been detected. Hence, there is a great scope to discover new biological active phytochemicals from different mangrove species of genus Avicennia. Although many research articles have been published on various pharmacological aspects of different plants of the genus, no comprehensive review is yet available pertaining to their ethnomedicinal uses, chemical constituents and pharmacological activities. The present article discusses the diversity as well as distribution of different species of genus Avicennia along with an in-depth coverage of their ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemical and pharmacological profiles.","PeriodicalId":12756,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Life Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/21553769.2016.1235619","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"60091139","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Crosstalk of proteins, miRNAs involved in metastatic and epithelial–mesenchymal transition pathways","authors":"S. Mishra, R. Tripathi, Sangeeta Singh","doi":"10.1080/21553769.2016.1256843","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1080/21553769.2016.1256843","url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Metastasis is an intricate process which involves the proliferation of a tumour to distant parts of the body from its original site. To successfully colonize a distant area in the body, a cancer cell must complete a series before it becomes clinically detectable. These steps involve a large number of proteins indulging in various pathways. Proteins such as matriptase require serine protease for activation, processing and degradation of any signal. Stim1/Orai1 controls the Ca2+ channel which is important for cell migration. Sox protein plays a vital role in various cellular activities and the disruption of its gene plays a role in instigating invasion. Unlike the above three, Metadherin has an inhibitory role to play. Protein inhibits the epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT); thus the loss of metadherin evokes metastasis. These proteins play a role in amalgamation with various pathways such as the AKT E-cadherin and EMT pathway, PI3K/AKT pathway, integrin-linked kinase (ILK) – integrin signalling pathway, PI3K/AKT and notch signalling pathway. In this article, we have combined various proteins and pathways that work in coordination to result in a metastatic colony. There are two major events that occur during metastasis, that is epithelial–mesenchymal transition and mesenchymal–epithelial transition. Both these events are an indispensable part for metastasis.","PeriodicalId":12756,"journal":{"name":"Frontiers in Life Science","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2016-10-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://sci-hub-pdf.com/10.1080/21553769.2016.1256843","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"60091905","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}