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Pineapple leaf fibers (PALF) were biopulped using Trametes versicolor, and the resulting biopulp was bleached with xylanase-enzymatic treatments. The biopulping was extensively described using determinations of fiber morphology, color, chemical composition, extractive content, and thermal stability using the structural characteristics determined by XRD and paper properties. The results showed that the chemical and enzymatic treatments shortened the fiber, almost to 50%, and the Kappa index decreased from 27 to 13. Cellulose and holocellulose contents increased from 65% to 74% and from 86% to 91%, respectively, but extractives, lignin (from 12% to 4%), pentosans (from 25% to 14%) and the crystallinity decreased from 58% to 67% in both chemical bleaching and further xylanase-enzymatic processing. Xylanase)enzymatic processing allowed us to obtain whiter (increased lightness color and decreased redness and yellowness tonality) and heavier paper, even though it presented decreased mechanical properties (decreased stress resistance, rupture length, tear resistance and index longitudinal tearing). The xylanase-enzymatic treatment with the best pulping and paper proper)ties is when the biopulp is treated with a xylanase enzyme concentration of 0.04% (w/w). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper we highlight how the apparent double coverage of toxins and bioregulators by both the Biological and Toxin Weapons Convention (BTWC) and the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) in fact masks a regulatory gap that has left such potentially dangerous agents neglected by both the control regimes during a period of rapid advances in relevant chemical, life and associated sciences and technologies. We first review what toxins, bioregulators and other mid-spectrum agents are and why they are of such concern and then examine how they are regulated under the BTWC and CWC. This paper then examines an illustrative range of contemporary chemical and life science research and associated activities of concern drawn from case study research on China, India, Iran, Russia, Syria and the United States, and assesses how the CWC and BTWC States Parties have inadequately addressed these threats. We then examine how both the CWC and BTWC Review Conferences failed to address these long-term challenges, and we end by providing a series of recommendations for how both regimes can be strengthened in this area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

One of the processes most used in biotechnology today for handling industrial liquid wastes is biological wastewater treatment. The efficiency and quality of its operation depends on the composition and activity of the microbial community that is present. The application of traditional and molecular techniques has provided a glimpse into the "black box" and has given information to improve the wastewater treatment process. However, bleach pulp and paper mill effluents require a better understanding of the active bacterial population. For the study of these microorganisms, molecular techniques have been used for more than 15 years. However, there has been a lack of knowledge of the physiological requirements and relations with the environment, which seems to be very difficult to obtain involving profile on the diversity. Nowadays, highthroughput sequencing technology is a promising method that makes it possible to identify the entire profile of microbial communities. In combination with fingerprint methods, this approach allows the identification and analysis of the whole biodiversity of microbial communities. In this review, several identification techniques will be discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Here we describe an ultra-low-cost origami-based approach for large-scale manufacturing of microscopes, specifically demonstrating brightfield, darkfield, and fluorescence microscopes. Merging principles of optical design with origami enables high-volume fabrication of microscopes from 2D media. Flexure mechanisms created via folding enable a flat compact design. Structural loops in folded paper provide kinematic constraints as a means for passive self-alignment. This light, rugged instrument can survive harsh field conditions while providing a diversity of imaging capabilities, thus serving wide-ranging applications for cost-effective, portable microscopes in science and education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper mulberry is one of the multifunctional tree species in agroforestry systems and is also commonly utilized in traditional medicine in China and other Asian countries. However, little is known about its molecular genetics, which hinders research on and exploitation of this valuable resource. To discern the correlation between gene expression and the essential properties of the paper mulberry, we performed a transcriptomics analysis, assembling a total of 37,725 unigenes from 54,638,676 reads generated by RNA-seq. Among these, 22,692 unigenes showed greater than 60% similarity with genes from other species. The lengths of 13,566 annotated unigenes were longer than 1,000 bp. Functional clustering analysis with COG (Cluster of Orthologous Groups) revealed that 17,184 unigenes are primarily involved in transcription, translation, signal transduction, carbohydrate metabolism, secondary metabolism, and energy metabolism. GO (Gene Ontology) annotation suggests enrichment of genes encoding antioxidant activity, transporter activity, biosynthesis, metabolism and stress response, with a total of 30,659 unigenes falling in these categories. KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) metabolic pathway analysis showed that 7,199 unigenes are associated with 119 metabolic pathways. In addition to the basic metabolism, these genes are enriched for plant pathogen interaction, flavonoid metabolism and other secondary metabolic processes. Furthermore, differences in the transcriptomes of leaf, stem and root tissues were analyzed and 7,233 specifically expressed unigenes were identified. This global expression analysis provided novel insights about the molecular mechanisms of the biosynthesis of flavonoid, lignin and cellulose, as well as on the response to biotic and abiotic stresses including the remediation of contaminated soil by the paper mulberry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recycling of office waste paper (photocopy, inkjet, and laser prints) is a major problem due to difficulty in removal of nonimpact ink. Biological deinking of office waste paper is reported using several microorganisms and their enzymes. We report here deinking and decolorization of the dislodged ink particles from inkjet printed paper pulp by a marine bacterium. Vibrio alginolyticus isolate no. NIO/DI/32, obtained from marine sediments. Decolorization of this pulp was achieved within 72 h by growing the bacterium in the pulp of 3-6% consistency suspended in seawater. Immobilized bacterial cells in sodium alginate beads were also able to decolorize this pulp within 72 h. The cell-free culture supernatant of the bacterium grown in nutrient broth was not effective in deinking. However, when the culture was grown in nutrient broth supplemented with starch or Tween 80. the cell-free culture supernatant could effectively deink and decolorize inkjet-printed paper pulp within 72 h at 30°C. The culture supernatant of V. alginolyticus grown in the presence of starch or Tween 80 showed 49 U ml-1 and 33 U ml-1 amylase and lipase activities, respectively. Dialysis of these culture supernatants through 10 kDa cut-off membrane resulted in a 35-40% reduction in their efficiency in decolorizing the pulp. It appears that amylase and lipase effectively help in dislodging the ink particles from the inkjet printed-paper pulp. We hypothesize that the bacterium might be inducing the formation of low molecular weight free radicals in the culture medium, which might be responsible for decolorization of the pulp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global diffusion of biotechnology has played a pivotal role in restructuring the global order in the post-Cold War era. Institution of a strong domestic base in biotech has arguably allowed emerging economies in the Global South to negotiate with developed countries from a position of strength. This paper critically examines the rise of Brazil as a case in point to examine the role of biotechnology as a great equaliser of power in North-South relations. It identifies the institution of a strong domestic biotechnology base as a primary facilitator of Brazil's emergence as a globally influential player. The paper does so through delineating the various means through which Brazil has drawn from biotechnology to boost its international image and influence. Firstly, it analyses the nuances within Brazil's domestic biotechnology strategy while underlining their catalytic effect in driving fast-paced advances in the field. Brazil's policy successes with respect to genomics and biofuels are highlighted. The paper discusses Brazil's employment of biotechnology as an effective foreign policy tool in niche diplomacy ventures of health, agriculture, and biofuels to grow its clout in the Global South. Brazil's tactful ability to combine its biotechnology expertise with skilful diplomatic manoeuvring to pioneer novel normative paradigms that favour the Global South has been studied. The paper concludes that Brazil's biotechnology strategy presents a good model for emerging economies in Asia and Africa to emulate to improve their relative standing in the multipolar world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emergence of advanced biotechnologies has intensified in recent years. The rapid development of these biotechnologies has had a wide and profound impact globally, with the majority on the frontier of biosecurity technologies. The global biosecurity situation is currently highly challenging, with the characteristics of internationalization, extremely serious harm, and complex development. The misuse and abuse of biotechnologies are common, which thereby endanger biosecurity. The international community and governments have attached great importance to cutting-edge biotechnologies and are implementing laws and regulations to control and prevent biosecurity-related influences. By tracking the frontier progress of the new technologies generated from gene editing, gene drives, synthetic biology, and related cross-disciplines as applied in the biosecurity field, we analyzed the development trends in biotechnologies and their potential influence. On the one hand, this paper proposes that there is an urgent need for global cooperation to formulate management, control strategies, and measures for cutting-edge technologies in biosecurity to jointly promote their sound development. On the other hand, the international community should jointly shoulder the responsibility for safeguarding biosecurity and restrict the biotechnologies to rational applications within legal and ethical frameworks. This paper aims to provide a reference for the prevention of misuse and abuse of biotechnologies and support global cooperation in biosecurity governance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Motivation: To analyze the relative proportion of bioinformatics papers and their nonbioinformatics counterparts in the top 20 most cited papers annually for the past two decades. Results: When defining bioinformatics papers as encompassing both those that provide software for data analysis or methods underlying data analysis software, we find that over the past two decades, more than a third (34%) of the most cited papers in science were bioinformatics papers, which is approximately a 31-fold enrichment relative to the total number of bioinformatics papers published. More than half of the most cited papers during this span were bioinformatics papers. Yet, the average 5-year JIF of top 20 bioinformatics papers was 7.7, whereas the average JIF for top 20 non-bioinformatics papers was 25.8, significantly higher (P<4.5 x 10-29). The 20-year trend in the average JIF between the two groups suggests the gap does not appear to be significantly narrowing. For a sampling of the journals producing top papers, bioinformatics journals tended to have higher Gini coefficients, suggesting that development of novel bioinformatics resources may be somewhat 'hit or miss'. That is, relative to other fields, bioinformatics produces some programs that are extremely widely adopted and cited, yet there are fewer of intermediate success. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors report Myxobacteria virescens (M. virescens) mediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) and its efficacy against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC‐33591), Salmonella typhi (ATCC‐51812), Escherichia coli (E. coli) (ATCC‐14948), Klebsiella pneumoniae (MTCC‐4030) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MTCC‐4673). The organism exhibiting resistance to various antibiotics showed remarkable sensitivity, when used in combination of antibiotics and AgNPs. Antimicrobial property of AgNPs is playing a significant role in medicine and food storage. In this study, they have used M. virescens for the synthesis of AgNPs, which were characterised by using UV‐Vis spectrophotometer, nano‐particles tracking and analysis, zeta potential, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X‐ray diffraction and transmission electron microscopy. Synthesised AgNPs were impregnated into paper by three different methods, i.e. glass rod method (without binder), glass rod method (with binder) and direct synthesis of AgNPs on paper. Nanoparticles synthesis on paper showed the significant antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC‐33591), Salmonella typhi (ATCC‐51812), E. coli (ATCC‐14948), Klebsiella pneumoniae (MTCC‐4030) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (MTCC‐4673). Paper impregnated with AgNPs was used for wrapping of fruits (apples) which increases their shelf life up to 15 days. This study demonstrates a new method for wrapping of fruits, which increases the shelf life of apples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Response surface methodology (RSM) based on the 2³ factorial central composite design (CCD) was used to optimize the biotechnological conditions for growth and protein production by a selected fungal strain Geotrichum candidum MIUG 2.15, by solid-state cultivation on a semisolid medium based on a mixture of paper residues, i.e. office paper, newspaper, and cardboard, mixed in a ratio of 1:1:1(w/w), supplemented with cheese whey waste and complex manure. Three independent variables, the solid:liquid ratio, the concentration of complex manure, and cultivation time, were evaluated to determine their correlative effect on biomass production and protein biosynthesis. The optimal conditions for obtaining a maximum protein yield of 9.53% w/w dry mass were the following: the complex manure concentration of 0.5%, the solid:liquid ratio of 1:5, and the growth time of 10 days. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a typical bulb flower, lily is widely cultivated worldwide because of its high ornamental, medicinal and edible value. Although breeding efforts evolved over the last 10000 years, there are still many problems in the face of increasing consumer demand. The approach of biotechnological methods would help to solve this problem and incorporate traits impossible by conventional breeding. Target traits are dormancy, development, color, floral fragrance and resistances against various biotic and abiotic stresses, so as to improve the quality of bulbs and cut flowers in planting, cultivation, postharvest, plant protection and marketing. Genetic transformation technology is an important method for varietal improvement and has become the foundation and core of plant functional genomics research, greatly assisting various plant improvement programs. However, achieving stable and efficient genetic transformation of lily has been difficult worldwide. Many gene function verification studies depend on the use of model plants, which greatly limits the pace of directed breeding and germplasm improvement in lily. Although significant progress has been made in the development and optimization of genetic transformation systems, shortcomings remain. Agrobacterium-mediated genetic transformation has been widely used in lily. However, severe genotypic dependence is the main bottleneck limiting the genetic transformation of lily. This review will summarizes the research progress in the genetic transformation of lily over the past 30 years to generate the material including a section how genome engineering using stable genetic transformation system, and give an overview about recent and future applications of lily transformation. The information provided in this paper includes ideas for optimizing and improving the efficiency of existing genetic transformation methods and for innovation, provides technical support for mining and identifying regulatory genes for key traits, and lays a foundation for genetic improvement and innovative germplasm development in lily. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Swallows (Hirundo spp.) inhabit a variety of habitats in both tropical and temperate zones. Barn Swallows (Hirundo rustica), in particular, frequently roost in large numbers and construct mud nests on buildings, causing nuisance to humans. At the Glami Lemi Biotechnology Research Centre (GLBRC), which is located in Peninsular Malaysia, there are certain structures that are frequently utilised by a large number of swallows for perching and resting. This results in the defacement of the exterior walls caused by their droppings. Hence, the analysis presented in this paper delves into the factors influencing their presence and numbers. The objective of this study was to examine the fluctuations in the number of perched Barn Swallows and their relationship with three environmental parameters: temperature, relative humidity, and light intensity. Three hours of observation were conducted in two different sessions (i.e., morning and afternoon) three times per week for one year. The results showed that the number of Barn Swallows perched appeared to be stable throughout the year, except for November and December, when it increased tremendously and reached its peak. A Spearman rank analysis was conducted to investigate the correlation between the number of swallows perched and the environmental parameters. The analysis was restricted to only periods when the birds were present. A significant effect of relative humidity and temperature was observed for the morning session, promoting the relationship between the environmental parameters and the perching/resting behaviour of this species. This situation is parallel with the afternoon session, where all three environmental parameters showed a significant effect on swallows’ numbers. This study not only provides valuable information to the GLBRC’s management to effectively anticipate appropriate steps to mitigate the influx of Barn Swallows but also enhances our knowledge of the perching/ resting behaviour of this species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Authorship of peer-reviewed journal articles and abstracts has become the primary currency and reward unit in academia. Such a reward is crucial for students and postdocs who are often under-compensated and thus highly value authorship as an incentive. While numerous scientific and publishing organizations have written guidelines for determining author qualifications and author order, there remains much ambiguity when it comes to how these criteria are weighed by research faculty. Here, we sought to provide some initial insight on how faculty view the relative importance of 11 criteria for scientific authorship. We distributed an online survey to 564 biomedical engineering, biology, and bioengineering faculty members at 10 research institutions across the United States. The response rate was approximately 18%, resulting in a final sample of 102 respondents. Results revealed an agreement on some criteria, such as time spent conducting experiments, but there was a lack of agreement regarding the role of funding procurement. This study provides quantitative assessments of how faculty members in the biosciences evaluate authorship criteria. We discuss the implications of these findings for researchers, especially new graduate students, to help navigate the discrepancy between official policies for authorship and the contributions that faculty truly value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbial cellulases are an important industrial enzyme having diverse applications in biotechnology, environmental challenges, industrial products and processes. Extremophiles like thermophillic bacteria are a good source of industrially important cellulases as these can withstand industrially rigorous procedures like paper deinking, fabric material softening, bio stoning, paper and pulp, biopolishing cloth material, animal feed and juice. Identification of novel cellulases or improving them through biotechnological interventions has remained a challenge for researchers. Genetic manipulation of thermophilic bacteria for increased cellulase production or synthetic biology approaches for cellulase gene/gene cluster extraction from thermophilic bacteria and expression in appropriate hosts for improved cellulase synthesis. The classic and high -throughput technologies like genomics, metagenomics and bioinformatics could be exploited to isolate cellulase genes from a variety of thermophilic bacteria and further processing. Keeping in view the ultimate requirement of extremophilic cellulases in industries, present study is a compilation of various aspects related to extremophilic cellulases their sources, production, biotechnological interventions and challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is addressed to recent theoretical discussions of the Anthropocene, in particular Bernard Stiegler's Neganthropocene (Open Universities Press, 2018), which argues: "As we drift past tipping points that put future biota at risk, while a post-truth regime institutes the denial of 'climate change' (as fake news), and as Silicon Valley assistants snatch decision and memory, and as gene-editing and a financially-engineered bifurcation advances over the rising hum of extinction events and the innumerable toxins and conceptual opiates that Anthropocene Talk fascinated itself with—in short, as 'the Anthropocene' discloses itself as a dead-end trap...". The objective of this paper is therefore twofold: (1) to discuss how the Anthropocene is appropriated to certain ideological discourses (paradoxically) to maintain the hegemony of precisely those systems of production that have most accelerated climate change etc.; (2) to consider how the factography of the Anthropocene is exploited in this process to mask the ideological character of industry-aligned "technocratic" environmental management. The paper is not concerned with specific case studies in terms of government and industry policy, or climate science, but rather with the ways in which the discourse of the Anthropocene has been inflected within the humanities and the broader cultural field—that is to say, ideologically, as a system or logic of meaning. How the Anthropocene "means" is, in this respect, a question of some importance. This paper does not attempt to address all the facets of this question, but focuses upon a central "apocalyptic" strain in the discourse of the Anthropocene drawn particularly from Francis Fukuyama's millennial posthumanism and centred in the question of "sustainability" as catastrophe management—with the risk that real environmental degradation will become an alibi for a revived neoliberalism. In other words, that the critical Earth system transformations that characterise the Anthropocene are themselves commodities, and that the project of their amelioration is in process of defining a future (opportunistic) "crisis" rhetoric with a global political franchise. The ideological import of the Anthropocene stems precisely from the fact that it is planetary and, while catalysed by human agency, independent in its specific behaviour from it. The Anthropocene objectively presents as the contemporary counterpart of the Cold War doctrine of Mutually Assured Destruction and the most compelling argument for a new kind of technological "arms race." But it also presents as the condition of an emerging ideological discourse which will determine how this race is run. From the discourse on "energy security" to the widespread "security crackdown" on environmental activists across the so-called developed & developing world, the Anthropocene has come to represent the co-option of a scientific factography for the thinly disguised resurgence of "ideological science" of the Fukuyamaesque variety (post-history, post-human). For Fukuyama, the true meaning of "posthuman" is thus the accomplishment of humanity's historical mission. As the "End of History" designates an end of ideological struggle, so too the dénouement of the Anthropocene and the "ends of man" represent the accomplished purpose of species warfare: dominion, not simply over the world, but over all possible worlds. According to this narrative, science—like technology—must be uniquely at the service of the maintenance of the global order, organised around a universal appeal to "crisis management." It is precisely for this reason that what calls itself post-human masks the return of an ever-more-apocalyptic Humanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Presents an overview of the state of research and trends in biotechnology used by the pulp and paper industry of South Africa. Isolation and characterization of white-rot fungi; Biobleaching with white-rot fungi; Evaluation of xylanases; Effluent biotechnology. INSET: Lignocellulose Symposium at Biotech SA '97..

Paper-based artworks are among the most valuable assets for transmission of knowledge. Historical paper is composed of different polysaccharides (e.g. cellulose), binders, and glues. During aging all of these components undergo several degradation processes, as a result of external and intrinsic causes, and these can compromise the state of conservation of the document. In this work, application of a new biotechnological strategy for paper artefact preservation is reported. By making use of innovative and non-invasive materials, for example appropriate hydrogels, in combination with selective electrochemical biosensors, it is possible to simultaneously verify the degradation condition of the paper artwork and then to efficiently clean it, while monitoring the process of removal of both pollution and degradation products. In this paper, we focus on specific examples in which such techniques have been applied to paper artworks and that illustrate the advantages and potential of this biotechnology compared with the traditional paper-cleaning methods currently in use. [Figure not available: see fulltext.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Societal Impact Statement: The societal debate on the use of genome‐edited crops has been polarised from the start. While policymakers struggle to democratically resolve this dilemma, plant scientists have been criticised for taking up advocative roles and thereby risking further polarisation. This study demonstrates how plant scientists themselves perceive their roles and responsibilities. Indeed, those scientists active in the debate were found to fulfil advocative roles, and there seems to be an underlying, persistent—and very traditional—view on roles and responsibilities of scientists within the community. Critical reflection on this view is required for better democratic dialogue and decision‐making. More interdisciplinary interaction could facilitate this reflection. Summary: In this paper, we examine how plant scientists from Wageningen University and Research (WUR) demarcate their roles and responsibilities in relation to the societal impact of their research, in response to calls for public legitimacy of their research, and within the societal debate on the governance of genome‐edited crops (GE crops) in Europe.We analysed 16 semi‐structured interviews, 5‐day journals, and (social) media contributions of plant scientists at WUR.Our study demonstrates that the perceived roles and responsibilities of the interviewees were aligned with the ideal of the scientist as value‐free, as separate from society, and as producing knowledge that leads to unproblematic societal benefits through industry. When confronted with the polarised debate on the governance of genome editing (GE) technology, the reflexivity that our respondents had demonstrated in general, tended to be dispersed. Respondents rarely considered the GE crop debate, or their own position, to be value‐based. Those respondents active in the debate were found to fulfil advocative roles, and they struggled to recognise the validity of viewpoints other than their own.We hypothesise that this decreased reflexive capacity is a product of the long‐term polarisation of the GM/GE debate, mediated by both their conceptual alignment with the linear model of innovation and their limited interactions outside of their field. In order to better align the perspectives of social and natural scientists on the topic of science‐responsibility, and to constructively contribute to the debate on GE crops, we argue for more interaction between the these two communities. The societal debate on the use of genome‐edited crops has been polarised from the start. While policymakers struggle to democratically resolve this dilemma, plant scientists have been criticised for taking up advocative roles and thereby risking further polarisation. This study demonstrates how plant scientists themselves perceive their roles and responsibilities. Indeed, those scientists active in the debate were found to fulfil advocative roles, and there seems to be an underlying, persistent—and very traditional—view on roles and responsibilities of scientists within the community. Critical reflection on this view is required for better democratic dialogue and decision‐making. More interdisciplinary interaction could facilitate this reflection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Municipal biowastes are conventionally treated by assessed anaerobic and aerobic fermentation to produce biogas, anaerobic digestate, and compost. Low-temperature hydrolysis and the oxidation of the digestate and compost, which are still at the experimental stage, are known to yield water-soluble value-added chemical specialities for use in different sectors of the chemical industry and in agriculture. The present paper reports the application of the two chemical reactions to the biowastes before fermentation. The products obtained in this manner are compared with those obtained from the chemical reactions applied to the fermented biowastes. Based on the experimental results, the paper discusses the expected environmental and economic benefits of the above chemical processes and products in comparison with the products obtained by other known biotechnologies for the valorisation of biomass as a feedstock for the biobased chemical industry. The results point out that a sustainable biowaste-based refinery that produces biofuel and biobased chemicals may be developed by integrating chemical and fermentation technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Methods for combining cloning techniques with genetic engineering techniques (gene manipulation) are currently being developed in order to enhance predetermined biological or mental characteristics. Admissibility of conducting research on human embryos is justified by the fact that it will help to improve the human species and free it from serious diseases. However, two competing rights stand in the way of legality of this practice. On the one hand, the right of a human embryo to development and life. On the other hand, the right of mankind to use all scientific means to fight more effectively against diseases and to receive organs and tissues for transplantation to improve the quality of life. Some researchers believe that human life, if regarded as a moral value, cannot be absolute. Aims and Objectives: This paper examines the relevant legislation on both international and national levels and the Spanish doctrine in terms of defining acts against genetics and evaluating effectiveness to criminalize them in order to ensure the balance between medical ethics and community best interests. Materials and Methods: This study is a description paper on gene-manipulation regulation in Spain, the EU and worldwide. It is based primarily on genetic, systematic-functional and systematization methods with regard to special legal ones. Results and Conclusion: There is a wide of international, supranational and national acts that governs gene manipulation and secures society from illegal actions. Still, there are vague issues to revise either by enacting amendments or referencing to doctrine. The perfect way to ensure community interests is to elaborate both. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The development in the deinking process has made recycled fiber a major part of the raw material for pulp and paper industry. Enzymes have revolutionized the deinking process obtaining brightness levels surpassing conventional deinking processes. This study explores the deinking efficiencies of bacterial alkalophilic laccase (L) and xylanase (X) enzymes along with physical deinking methods of microwaving (MW) and sonication (S) for recycling of old newsprint (ONP). Methods and Results: The operational parameters viz. enzyme dose, pH and treatment time for X and L deinking were optimized statistically using Response Surface Methodology. Laccase did not require any mediator supplementation for deinking. Deinking of ONP pulp with a combination of xylanase and laccase enzymes was investigated, and fiber surface composition and morphological changes were studied using X-ray diffraction, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Compared to the pulp deinked with xylanase (47.9%) or laccase (62.2%) individually, the percentage reduction of effective residual ink concentration (ERIC) was higher for the combined xylanase/laccase-deinked pulp (65.8%). An increase in brightness (21.6%), breaking length (16.5%), burst factor (4.2%) tear factor (6.9%), viscosity (13%) and cellulose crystallinity (10.3%) along with decrease in kappa number (22%) and chemical consumption (50%) were also observed. Surface appeared more fibrillar along with changes in surface functional groups. A combination of physical and enzymatic processes (S-MW-XL) for deinking further improved brightness (28.8%) and decreased ERIC (73.9%) substantially. Conclusion: This is the first report on deinking of ONP with laccase without any mediator supplementation. XL pretreatment resulted in marked improvement in paper quality and a new sequence being reported for deinking (S-MW-XL) will contribute further in decreasing chemical consumption and making the process commercially feasible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study concerned the anaerobic treatment of five different industrial wastewaters with a diverse and complex chemical composition. The kinetics of biotransformation of this wastewater at different chemical oxygen demand (COD) were studied in a batch reactor. Wastewater from an amino acid producing industry (Fermex) and from a tank that received several types of wastewaters (collector) contained 0.83 g l−1 and 0.085 g l−1 sulfate, respectively. During the study period of 20 days, methane formation was observed in all types of wastewaters. Studies on COD biodegradation showed the reaction velocity was higher for Fermex wastewater and lower for collector wastewater, with values of 0.0022 h−1 and 0.0011 h−1, respectively. A lower methanogenic activity of 0.163 g CH4 day−1 g−1 volatile suspended solids (VSS) and 0.20 g CH4 day−1 g−1 VSS, respectively, was observed for paper producing and brewery wastewater. Adapted granular sludge showed the best biodegradation of COD during the 20-day period. The sulfate-reducing activity in pharmaceutical and collector wastewater was studied. A positive effect of sulfate-reducing activity on methanogenic activity was noted for both types of wastewaters, both of which contained sulfate ions. All reactions of methane generation for the tested industrial wastewaters were first-order. The results of this study suggest that the tested wastewaters are amenable to anaerobic treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a longitudinal case study in UK biotechnology covering some 30 years during which genomic technologies were introduced into pig breeding. This case study demonstrates how co-innovation involving existing small and medium sized enterprises, together with contributions from academics, has enabled companies to obtain the resources needed for value creation. Important contributions at critical junctures from public funding, pivotal contributions of individuals, and entry of new enterprises supplying essential resources, have enabled the fruitful realisation of new value creation. This paper contributes to the literature by taking a historical perspective, demonstrating how enabling long-term networking relationships including relevant academics, research institutions, funders and knowledge brokers has the potential to generate an innovation ecosystem that can respond effectively to a range of external challenges and take advantage of new techno-scientific opportunities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ever-increasing demand for employees with cybersecurity and artificial intelligence expertise in healthcare technology roles has resulted in an unprecedented skills shortage. Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Historically Women's Colleges (HWCs) can significantly develop under-represented and diverse talent in this field. As bio-cybersecurity concerns widen, there is an urgent need for individuals with skillsets related to the security of biological payloads and systems. In addition, the inclusion of traditionally underrepresented groups into the cybersecurity workforce is necessary to ensure the diversity of skills and security knowledge needed to combat cyberattacks. This paper will discuss how HBCUs and HWCs can contribute to diversifying the cybersecurity workforce, their role in developing artificial intelligence (AI) and bio-cybersecurity talent, and how they can provide an educational platform for new and underrepresented talent in the field. It will also address the need for experienced artificial intelligence experts, bio-cybersecurity professionals, educators, and policymakers to facilitate the integration of cybersecurity experts into the traditional biological workforce. Ultimately, this paper will demonstrate how the inclusion of diverse and traditionally under-represented individuals in bio-cybersecurity and artificial intelligence (AI) will benefit the security infrastructure of biological systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Surfactants, both chemical and biological, are amphiphilic compounds which can reduce surface and interfacial tensions by accumulating at the interface of immiscible fluids and increase the solubility, mobility, bioavailability and subsequent biodegradation of hydrophobic or insoluble organic compounds. Investigations on their impacts on microbial activity have generally been limited in scope to the most common and best characterized surfactants. Recently a number of new biosurfactants have been described and accelerated advances in molecular and cellular biology are expected to expand our insights into the diversity of structures and applications of biosurfactants. Biosurfactants play an essential natural role in the swarming motility of microorganisms and participate in cellular physiological processes of signaling and differentiation as well as in biofilm formation. Biosurfactants also exhibit natural physiological roles in increasing bioavailability of hydrophobic molecules and can complex with heavy metals, and some also possess antimicrobial activity. Chemical- and indeed bio-surfactants may also be added exogenously to microbial systems to influence behaviour and/or activity, mimicking the latter effects of biosurfactants. They have been exploited in this way, for example as antimicrobial agents in disease control and to improve degradation of chemical contaminants. Chemical surfactants can interact with microbial proteins and can be manipulated to modify enzyme conformation in a manner that alters enzyme activity, stability and/or specificity. Both chemical- and bio-surfactants are potentially toxic to specific microbes and may be exploited as antimicrobial agents against plant, animal and human microbial pathogens. Because of the widespread use of chemical surfactants, their potential impacts on microbial communities in the environment are receiving considerable attention. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Objectives Bioinformatics has evolved into an indispensable tool across various realms of biology, pivotal in advancing scientific pursuits. Despite its ubiquitous presence in traditional life science courses, integrating hands-on training with wet lab investigations becomes imperative to foster student engagement and comprehension. This holistic approach not only bridges theoretical knowledge with practical applications but also cultivates a deeper appreciation for the interdisciplinary nature of bioinformatics. The ever-accelerating progress in omics studies has unveiled unprecedented avenues for comprehending biological structures. This surge has sparked a revolutionary transformation in the field, propelling marine studies beyond the realms of hypothetical organisms to encompass an expanding array of marine life. At the forefront of this marine exploration is the research's central focus on the practical task of unearthing novel enzymes in marine environments. The inquiry delves into the cutting-edge concept of metagenomics, a contemporary methodology that broadens the horizons of biotechnology by incorporating non-culturable microorganisms into its purview. A crucial facet of the research involves the introduction of a viral cosmid library screening probe, responding to the challenges posed by the study of marine microbiology and bioengineering. This model is used to decipher marine microorganisms' genetic patterns, further enriching the understanding of their biochemical processes. The paper meticulously delineates the objectives of marine microbiology and bioengineering projects, underscoring the need for a collaborative effort to achieve them successfully. The research outlines the goals and provides a strategic roadmap for their implementation through a synergistic collaborative approach. Materials and Methods This approach harnesses the collective expertise of scientists and researchers, fostering an environment conducive to breakthrough discoveries. The fusion of experimental research techniques enhances students' proficiency in fundamental bioinformatics, instilling in them a problem-solving mindset crucial for navigating the complexities of contemporary biological research. Conclusions The integration of hands-on training, coupled with the exploration of cutting-edge methodologies like metagenomics, marks a paradigm shift in the study of marine microbiology and bioengineering. This research contributes to the growing body of knowledge in these domains and underscores the significance of collaborative efforts in pushing the boundaries of scientific exploration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives Nanotechnology, the manipulation of matter at the anatomical and molecular levels, has paved the way for the creation of materials with unique and enhanced properties. One of its significant applications is in the realm of nano-biotechnology, where various subfields, such as nanostructures, play a crucial role in fields like biotechnology and structural and cellular genomics. Nano-biotechnology offers a groundbreaking approach to research by allowing scientists to introduce chemicals and components into cells and fabricate novel materials through innovative techniques like assembling. Particularly noteworthy is its contribution to the in vivo administration of Nucleic Acid (NA) therapeutics. Advanced nanoscale biotechnology strategies have played a pivotal role in this domain by providing precise control over crucial parameters such as dimension, charge, drug loading, and response to external signals of delivery transporters. The integration of cutting-edge nanoscale biotechnology in the field of cancer immunotherapy holds significant promise for overcoming obstacles in NA treatment. This involves addressing challenges related to the clinical and preclinical research of different nanocarriers. This article serves as a concise overview, delving into the characteristics and encountered difficulties associated with various nanocarriers during clinical and preclinical investigations. Materials and methods This paper discusses a range of NA methods and elucidates how state-of-the-art nanoscale biotechnology actively supports and enhances NA treatment. By manipulating the physical and chemical attributes of delivery transporters, nanotechnology allows for the optimization of therapeutic outcomes, making it an invaluable tool in the advancement of medical research. Conclusions In conclusion, the merger of nanotechnology and biotechnology, specifically in the field of nano)biotechnology, opens up new avenues for scientific exploration and medical advancements. The precision and versatility offered by nanoscale techniques hold immense potential in revolutionizing the landscape of NA therapeutics, paving the way for more effective and targeted treatments. The ongoing progress in cutting-edge Nanobiotechnology (N-Bio-Tech) exemplifies the relentless pursuit of solutions to some of the most significant challenges in medical science, particularly in the realm of cancer immunotherapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biotechnology has become one of the most powerful forces on the planet, since it is capable of altering life processes at a molecular level. Since human bodies are dynamic biological systems, medicine requires to understand the evolutionary antecedents of Homo, especially in relation to neurohormonal regulation. Furthermore, increasing human dependence on biotechnology has led to relaxed natural selection in Homo, with subsequent increase of genetic load. In this paper, we speculate on the possible consequences of the application of parsimoniously derived biotechnologies onto the biological system of humans, with special attention to three areas: 1. human brain augmentation; 2. biotechnology and public health; 3. relaxed natural selection and genetic load. Human ability to manipulate and alter the structure and function of the body may not only make natural selection redundant but will be guided by a teleology whose purpose will seek to improve upon nature’s design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pseudomonas otitidis is a species of Pseudomonas bacteria discovered in the early 2000s and has been studied systematically by many researchers. P. otitidis has been isolated from various infected parts of diseases, such as otitis, recurrent pneumonia, necrotizing fasciitis, peritonitis, foot cleft, or burns. It has been found to produce a variety of enzymes to decompose pollutants in the environment such as petroleum, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, dyes, sodium dodecyl sulfate, zearalenone, etc. Furthermore, it can produce some ingredients for application in agriculture and health industries such as digestive enzymes, melanin, and L-asparaginase. Some scholars used P. otitidis as a model organism to investigate environmental degradation, biobattery, plant growth promotion, and biodegradable plastic polyhydroxyalkanoate production. The biofilm of P. otitidis consists of rhamnolipid. The research has provided the basis to produce rhamnolipid and the effective removal methods of P. otitidis. P. otitidis is prone to resistance to lactam antibiotics, and its resistance is caused by its unique metallo-𝛽-lactamase, a polyoxometalate enzyme. In other words, P. otitidis is a very interesting bacterium candidate to be used in different research fields. Hence, in this paper, the discovery, mechanisms, and potential biotechnological applications of P. otitidis are described. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to popular successes (e.g., ChatGPT) Artificial Intelligence (AI) is on everyone's lips today. When advances in biotechnology are combined with advances in AI unprecedented new potential solutions become available. This can help with many global problems and contribute to important Sustainability Development Goals. Current examples include Food Security, Health and Well-being, Clean Water, Clean Energy, Responsible Consumption and Production, Climate Action, Life below Water, or protect, restore and promote sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems, sustainably manage forests, combat desertification, and halt and reverse land degradation and halt biodiversity loss. AI is ubiquitous in the life sciences today. Topics include a wide range from machine learning and Big Data analytics, knowledge discovery and data mining, biomedical ontologies, knowledge-based reasoning, natural language processing, decision support and reasoning under uncertainty, temporal and spatial representation and inference, and methodological aspects of explainable AI (XAI) with applications of biotechnology. In this pre-Editorial paper, we provide an overview of open research issues and challenges for each of the topics addressed in this special issue. Potential authors can directly use this as a guideline for developing their paper. • This pre-Editorial provides an overview of some hot topics in AI for life. • The benefit for the reader is to get a short, crisp, concise intro into AI. • Authors interested in this Special Issue will get a scope of topics. • The take away message is that in the future no biotechnology can do without AI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Colorants have many applications in food, cosmetics, pharmaceutics, textile, paints, plastics, paper, ink and photographic industries. Colorants are classified according to their solubility into dyes and pigments. Those of natural origin have many advantages over synthetic ones, as natural colorants usually do not induce allergies or other health problems. In addition, their consumption in the food and drug industries is fortified with nutritional and health benefits as the majority of them possess antioxidant activity or can be used to produce some vitamins. Plants, animals, insects and microorganisms are rich sources of colorants. However, microbial pigments are favored over other natural pigments due to their higher yield, stability, economical production. Therefore, we focus in this review on fungal pigments, the history of their use, their chemistry and their applications in food and non-food fields. Additionally, the ability of the fungal genus, Epicoccum, to produce pigments is discussed. Moreover, the challenges and future prospects concerning fungal pigment production are highlighted in detail. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Obtaining genetically modified (GM) organisms, with superior biological and productive performances, represents the priority objective of modern applied genetics research, oriented towards the development of effective procedures for increasing genetic variability, according to the requirements of breeding programs of economically interesting species. GM crops can contribute essentially to the millennium development goal, that of reducing poverty and increasing food security, by optimizing agricultural productivity. GM plants have improved traits that include herbicide tolerance, disease and pest resistance, drought tolerance, health or nutritional benefits, a longer shelf life, or a more efficient industrial use. Also, the GM crops contribute to sustainable environmental protection by reduction of the pesticides application amount and reduction of CO2 emissions. In this context, the aim of the present paper is the worldwide brief radiography of transgenesis, in terms of surfaces, the main producing countries, but also of the main GM crops and their market. The research method consisted in selecting of several scientific results from the WOS, Clarivate Analytics, Scopus and Springer databases. Also, were accessed several statistical data of the ISAAA, USDA, Research and Market, MADR, etc. The main producing countries of GM crops are USA, Brazil, Argentina, Canada, India, Paraguay and China. The largest GM areas are occupied by soybean, maize, cotton, canola and alfalfa. The global agricultural biotechnology market for transgenic crops is expected to reach 12.07 billion USD in 2026, growing by 18.2% compared with 2021. Genetic transformation and GM agricultural crops represent an effective strategy and real chance to counteract climate change and food insecurity, and recently developed genetic engineering techniques will play an important role in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microbial expansin-related proteins are ubiquitous across bacterial and fungal organisms and reportedly play a role in the modification and deconstruction of cell wall polysaccharides, including lignocellulose. So far, very few microbial expansin-related proteins, including loosenins and loosenin-like (LOOL) proteins, have been functionally characterized. Herein, four LOOLs encoded by Phanerochaete carnosa and belonging to different subfamilies (i.e., PcaLOOL7 and PcaLOOL9 from subfamily A and PcaLOOL2 and PcaLOOL12 from subfamily B) were recombinantly produced and the purified proteins were characterized using diverse cellulose and chitin substrates. The purified PcaLOOLs weakened cellulose filter paper and cellulose nanofibril networks (CNF); however, none significantly boosted cellulase activity on the selected cellulose substrates (Avicel and Whatman paper). Although fusing the family 63 carbohydratebinding module (CBM63) of BsEXLX1 encoded by Bacillus subtilis to PcaLOOLs increased their binding to cellulose, the CBM63 fusion appeared to reduce the cellulose filter paper weakening observed using wild-type proteins. Binding of PcaLOOLs to alpha-chitin was considerably higher than that to cellulose (Avicel) and was pH dependent, with the highest binding at pH 5.0. Amendment of certain PcaLOOLs in fungal liquid cultivations also impacted the density of the cultivated mycelia. The present study reveals the potential of fungal expansin-related proteins to impact both cellulose and chitin networks and points to a possible biological role in fungal cell wall processing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) is the main leguminous forage crop with great ecologic and economic value. The research of alfalfa in various fields has exploded, but has not been included in a systematic framework. This paper summarizes the status of global alfalfa research over the past 10 years, raise the subject concept of alfalfa biology, and review the recent advances from the perspective of discipline system as germplasm resources, multiomics and biotechnology, environmental biology, symbiotic nitrogen fixation, biological breeding and cultivation. This paper proposes the key unsolved scientific and technical issues in alfalfa biology, and hope to appeal the research interest of more plant scientists and to promote the development of alfalfa industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: This review outlines the current and emerging applications of biotechnology, particularly in the production and processing of chemicals, for sustainable development. Biotechnology is “the application of scientific and engineering principles to the processing of materials by biological agents”. Some of the defining technologies of modern biotechnology include genetic engineering; culture of recombinant microorganisms, cells of animals and plants; metabolic engineering; hybridoma technology; bioelectronics; nanobiotechnology; protein engineering; transgenic animals and plants; tissue and organ engineering; immunological assays; genomics and proteomics; bioseparations and bioreactor technologies. Environmental and economic benefits that biotechnology can offer in manufacturing, monitoring and waste management are highlighted. These benefits include the following: greatly reduced dependence on nonrenewable fuels and other resources; reduced potential for pollution of industrial processes and products; ability to safely destroy accumulated pollutants for remediation of the environment; improved economics of production; and sustainable production of existing and novel products. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

These papers use flow cytometry in a very wide field, from very small cell-derived particles to huge cells, such as myocytes, and different detection technologies from the conventional fluorescence to mass spectrometry. It is good to see that the I Journal of Clinical Medicine i has recently published several good papers, highlighting the special input of cell analysis using flow cytometry. FCM sensitivity can detect as low as 1 tumor cell out of 10 SP 6 sp leukocytes, as compared to 1 out of 20 by standard morphology, assuming the tumor cell has a Leukemia-associated immunophenotype (LAIP) that can be identified by immunodetection. In conclusion, flow cytometry has exceptional performances to analyze cells or cell satellites with exceptionally high precision, in their phenotypes diversity not excluding rare outliers, as well as in their functional status. [Extracted from the article]

Biotechnological and industrial processes involve applications of various microorganisms and enzymes, and laccase, as a multifunctional enzyme, is admired for its role in degrading a variety of substances. Laccase is a copper-containing oxidase enzyme that is usually found in insects, plants, and microorganisms including fungi and archaea. Several phenolic substrates are oxidized by laccases, which results in crosslinking. Various research work and industrial solutions have identified the true potential of laccases to degrade various aromatic polymers, and their plausible application in bioremediation and other industries is entirely conceivable. This review focuses on laccases as a multifunctional enzyme and provides an overview of its natural origin, catalytic mechanism, and various methods of production. Further, we discuss the various applications of laccase in the biotechnological arena. We observed that laccase can degrade and detoxify various synthetic compounds. The broad substrate specificity of the same makes it worthy for different fields of industrial applications such as food and bioremediation technology, textile and paper technology, biosensors and nanobiotechnology, biofuel, and various other applications, which are described in this paper. These recent developments in the application of laccase show the multifunctional role of laccase in industrial biotechnology and provide an outlook of laccase as a multifunctional enzyme at the forefront of biotechnology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The control of the pH neutralization process has a decisive role in many industrial branches, as: wastewater treatment, biotechnology, pharmaceutical industry, chemical processing, etc. However, the pH neutralization process is a difficult one to control, due to time-varying process parameters, its high non-linearity and to the sudden variation of the pH around the equivalence point. The paper presents a device and an integrated application that uses artificial intelligence (IA) developed for dosage of the necessary reactants in wastewater pH control. The AI techniques were integrated into the application by developing an expert system (ES). For this purpose, were used the necessary if-then rules (rules that make up the inference engine (IE) of the ES) related to the flowrates of the reactants necessary for wastewater pH neutralization. The ES knowledge base (KB) was built based on the recorded pH values. The hardware component (the device) was created using the Arduino equipment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioeconomy, as an evolving concept, gained serious interest in the past two decades. It is considered a key driver in resolving a number of global challenges and is integrated into a broader framework with circularity, green transition and sustainable development. At this point, many international, national and regional strategic documents are linked to bioeconomy and directed to its strategic objectives. The aim of the paper is to present comparative analysis of bioeconomy strategies at global and national levels in order to observe the main concepts, vision and priorities and highlighted future agenda, prospects and recommendations for better integration and coordination. The analysis of the published strategic documents shows that there are no global framework and internationally accepted definition of bioeconomy. There are diverse understandings and differences in key priorities and goals between Europe, Asia, and South and North America. The bioeconomy remains a political concept, with a significant number of countries engaged in implementing its guiding principles. Until 2030, the ambitions in bioeconomy strategies and policies will be tested. In this regard, significant support is needed in the form of specific measures and financial instruments to realize investments in this field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Valley of Death confronts industrial biotechnology with a significant challenge to the commercialization of products. Fortunately, with the integration of computation, automation and artificial intelligence (AI) technology, the industrial biotechnology accelerates to cross the Valley of Death. The Fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0) has spurred advanced development of intelligent biomanufacturing, which has evolved the industrial structures in line with the worldwide trend. To achieve this, intelligent biomanufacturing can be structured into three main parts that comprise digitalization, modeling and intellectualization, with modeling forming a crucial link between the other two components. This paper provides an overview of mechanistic models, data-driven models and their applications in bioprocess development. We provide a detailed elaboration of the hybrid model and its applications in bioprocess engineering, including strain design, process control and optimization, as well as bioreactor scale-up. Finally, the challenges and opportunities of biomanufacturing towards Industry 4.0 are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses the history of dry chemistry in analytics. Topics mentioned include the use of strips containing a reagent pad which dipped in urine to determine protein and glucose, the development of spectrometric instrumentation in clinical chemistry and the integration of immunochromatographic technique in point-of-care diagnostics.

CRISPR is currently viewed as the central tool for future gene therapy. Yet, many prominent scientists and bioethicists have expressed ethical concerns around CRISPR gene therapy. This paper provides a critical review of concerns about CRISPR gene therapy as expressed in the mainstream academic literature, paired with replies also generally found in that literature. The expressed concerns can be categorised into three types depending on whether they stress risk/benefit ratio, autonomy and informed consent, or concerns related to various aspects of justice. In the reviewed literature, we found no intrinsic objections to CRISPR gene therapy, even though many such objections were present in discussions of gene editing in the 1990s. The paper then proposes a brief outline for a practically applicable moral framework for public decision-making about CRISPR gene therapy and suggests how such a framework might be supported. We also suggest that this framework should govern public engagement about CRISPR gene therapy in order to reduce the risk that we make decisions about CRISPR gene therapy based on misperceptions, inflated views of risk, or unreasonable moral or religious views. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A selection of interesting papers that were published in the two months before our press date in major journals most likely to report significant results in biotechnology. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The biodegradation path and mechanism of wood varies depending on diverse fungi and tree species, as fungi possess selectivity in degradation of versatile wood components. This paper aims to clarify the actual and precise selectivity of white and brown rot fungi and the biodegradation effects on different tree species. Softwood (Pinus yunnanensis and Cunninghamia lanceolata) and hardwood (Populus yunnanensis and Hevea brasiliensis) were subjected to a biopretreating process by white rot fungus Trametes versicolor, and brown rot fungi Gloeophyllum trabeum and Rhodonia placenta with various conversion periods. The results showed that the white rot fungus Trametes versicolor had a selective biodegradation in softwood, which preferentially convert wood hemicellulose and lignin, but cellulose was retained selectively. Conversely, Trametes versicolor achieved simultaneous conversion of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin in hardwood. Both brown rot fungi species preferentially converted carbohydrates, but R. placenta had a selectivity for the conversion of cellulose. In addition, morphological observation showed that the microstructures within wood changed significantly, and the enlarged pores and the improved accessibility could be beneficial for the penetration and accessibility of treating substrates. The research outcomes could serve as fundamental knowhows and offer potentials for effective bioenergy production and bioengineering of bioresources, and provide a reference for further application of fungal biotechnology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Producers of Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) are reported to stay at different ecological niches that are exposed naturally or accidentally to high organic matter or growth-limiting conditions like wastes from pulp and paper mills, wastes from dairy, wastes from agriculture, sites contaminated by hydrocarbons, treatment plants releasing activated sludges, rhizosphere, and effluents from industries. Extracellular secondary products such as rhamnolipids, polymeric substances as well as biohydrogen gas are also produced by a few among them. These microbes can produce valuable bioproducts like PHA with the simultaneous usage of waste materials having various origins as substrate and for this reason, these types of microbes are industrially important candidates in regard to production. An economical method could be the separation of the secondary products (intracellular and extracellular) by the implementation of an integrated system. Different microorganisms living under various environmental conditions that stimulate the microorganisms to store carbon as polyhydroxyalkanoates granules have been discussed in this review. We have also discussed various metabolites that are produced concurrently with PHA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: With the development of biotechnology and the accumulation of theories, many studies have found that microRNAs (miRNAs) play an important role in various diseases. Uncovering the potential associations between miRNAs and diseases is helpful to better understand the pathogenesis of complex diseases. However, traditional biological experiments are expensive and time-consuming. Therefore, it is necessary to develop more efficient computational methods for exploring underlying disease-related miRNAs. Results: In this paper, we present a new computational method based on positive point-wise mutual information (PPMI) and attention network to predict miRNA-disease associations (MDAs), called PATMDA. Firstly, we construct the heterogeneous MDA network and multiple similarity networks of miRNAs and diseases. Secondly, we respectively perform random walk with restart and PPMI on different similarity network views to get multi-order proximity features and then obtain high-order proximity representations of miRNAs and diseases by applying the convolutional neural network to fuse the learned proximity features. Then, we design an attention network with neural aggregation to integrate the representations of a node and its heterogeneous neighbor nodes according to the MDA network. Finally, an inner product decoder is adopted to calculate the relationship scores between miRNAs and diseases. Conclusions: PATMDA achieves superior performance over the six state-of-the-art methods with the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.933 and 0.946 on the HMDD v2.0 and HMDD v3.2 datasets, respectively. The case studies further demonstrate the validity of PATMDA for discovering novel disease-associated miRNAs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This short commentary discusses the continuing role of war and militarism in the development of biotechnologies. I follow current and past events in the US related to the establishment of a formal structure - an intelligence community-led advanced research projects agency - where the military can interact with the market and act as an incubator and a consumer of new (bio)technologies. I contrast this traditional united-statian approach with the current way the Brazilian Science, Technology and Innovation System is organized. The paper discusses the implications of these fundamentally different ways of producing (bio)technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]