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Efforts are intensifying to identify new biofuel sources in response to the pressing need to mitigate environmental pollutants, such as greenhouse gases, which are key contributors to global warming and various worldwide calamities. Algae and microalgae present themselves as excellent alternatives for solid-gaseous fuel production, given their renewable nature and non-polluting characteristics. However, making biomass production from these organisms economically feasible remains a challenge. This article collates various studies on the use of lignocellulosic waste, transforming it from environmental waste to valuable organic supplements for algae and microalgae cultivation. The focus is on enhancing biomass production and the metabolites derived from these biomasses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The conservation of endangered wild species such as the Amazon manatee (Trichechus inunguis) requires important attention, as the species plays a crucial role in the maintenance and stability of the Amazon ecosystem. Among several areas of scientific research that help in the conservation of species, cryopreservation is a technique that guarantees storing cells at extremely low temperatures for long-term preservation. In this work, we established the first Amazonian manatee cell line (TINsf) from a skin biopsy. We observe its shape and growth rate over time. Furthermore, we also evaluated how Amazonian manatee cells reacted to andiroba seed oil (ASO) and found that low concentrations of ASO do not affect the growth of TINsf cells, but high concentrations cause a reduction in cell proliferation and cell death. Here, we promisingly show that, in addition to establishing Amazonian manatee cell lines, it was possible to guarantee their applicability for future research. The vulnerable status of the Amazon manatee, Trichechus inunguis, indicates the need to seek measures to guarantee its conservation. In this context, the cultivation of cells in vitro is a strategy that should at least guarantee the preservation of their genetic material. Thus, we established for the first time a primary culture of Amazonian manatee fibroblasts (TINsf) from a skin biopsy of a young male. Karyotypic analysis of the 3rd, 7th, and 12th passages confirmed the taxonomic identity of the species T. inunguis (2n = 56/NF = 92) and indicated that this culture presents genomic stability. Gene and protein expression of vimentin at the 13th passage show the predominant presence of fibroblasts in TINsf. To test the cell line's responsiveness to materials and demonstrate a possible application of this culture, it was exposed to andiroba seed oil (ASO), and its viability and proliferative capacity were evaluated. ASO demonstrated toxic effects at the highest concentrations and longest exposure times tested, reproducing results observed in human cultures, indicating the applicability of TINsf in toxicological and biotechnological studies. After cryopreservation, the TINsf line maintained its proliferative potential, indicating the establishment of a new culture available for future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alternanthera littoralis P. Beauv is a plant native to Brazil that exhibits various beneficial activities including antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, antiprotozoal, anti-hyperalgesic, and anti-inflammatory properties. The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the ethanol extract of Alternanthera littoralis (EEAl) on reproductive outcomes, embryofetal development, and DNA integrity of pregnant female mice. Pregnant Swiss female mice were randomly assigned to three experimental groups (n = 10): controls were administered either 1% Tween 80 (vehicle), EEAl 100 mg/kg or EEAl 1000 mg/kg. Treatment was administered through gavage during the gestational period until day 18. On gestational days 16, 17, and 18, a peripheral blood sample from the tail vein was obtained for DNA integrity analysis (micronucleus test). After the last collection, animals were euthanized by cervical dislocation. Maternal organs and fetuses were collected, weighed, and subsequently analyzed. Reproductive outcome parameters were assessed by measurement of number of implants, live fetuses, and resorptions. Embryonic development was determined by adequacy of weight for gestational age as well as determination of external, visceral, and skeletal malformations. Data demonstrated that EEAl did not produce maternal toxicity at either dose associated with no marked alterations in any of the reproductive outcome parameters including implantation sites, live/dead fetuses ratio, fetal viability, post-implantation losses, resorptions, and resorption rate. However, EEAl 1000 group reduced embryofetal development by lowering placental weight. In addition, there was an increase in the frequency of external and skeletal malformations in the EEAl 1000 group, which could not be attributed to extract exposure as these values were within control levels. Based upon our findings, evidence indicates that the EEAl at the concentrations employed in our study may be considered safe for use during pregnancy and extracts of this plant show potential for development of phytomedicines to be used in pregnancy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The growing global demand for renewable energy sources can be reached using biofuels such as biodiesel, for example. The most used route to produce biodiesel is the transesterification reaction of oils or fats with short-chain alcohols, generating fatty acid esters (biodiesel) and a very important by-product, glycerol (Gly). Gly is widely used in different sectors of the industry, and in order to add value to this by-product, heterogeneous catalysis becomes a relevant tool, whether to transform glycerol into other chemical products of interest or even use it in the production of catalysts. Among the several studies found in the literature, the use of low-cost materials and/or wastes from the most diverse activities to prepare active catalytic materials for the transformation of Gly has been increasingly reported due to its valuable advantages, especially related to the cost of raw materials and environmental aspects. Thus, this brief review article presents the relationship between catalysis, low-cost materials, waste, and glycerol, through different studies that show glycerol being transformed through reactions catalyzed by materials produced from low-cost sources/waste or with the glycerol itself used as a catalyst. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A heterogeneous acid catalyst was synthesized by anchoring 12–tungstophosphoric acid (HPW) onto biochar derived from Brazil nut shells (Bertholletia excelsa). This catalyst was used for the synthesis of vanillin from isoeugenol, employing hydrogen peroxide in acetonitrile solvent. The HPW-functionalized biocatalyst was prepared using a sonication method, which avoids the need for toxic and corrosive solvents, effectively incorporating tungsten at a mass proportion of 25%. Characterization of the catalysts utilized various techniques, including X-ray diffraction, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, and ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy. 30HPW/CC(200–2) exhibited high selectivity for vanillin (55%) with a significant conversion rate (69%). Over four cycles, selectivity and conversion remained consistently above 56% and 45%, respectively. The results presented in this study have the potential to promote a more sustainable vanillin production process, a valuable additive in the food and perfume industries, renowned for its high economic value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Holocentric chromosomes occur in approximately 750 species of eukaryotes. Among them, the genus Tityus (Scorpiones, Buthidae) has a labile karyotype that shows complex multivalent associations during male meiosis. Thus, taking advantage of the excellent model provided by the Buthidae scorpions, here we analyzed the chromosomal distribution of several repetitive DNA classes on the holocentric chromosomes of different populations of the species Tityus obscurus Gervais, 1843, highlighting their involvement in the karyotypic differences found among them. Results: This species shows inter-and intrapopulational karyotype variation, with seven distinct cytotypes: A (2n = 16), B (2n = 14), C (2n = 13), D (2n = 13), E (2n = 12), F (2n = 12) and G (2n = 11). Furthermore, exhibits achiasmatic male meiosis and lacks heteromorphic sex chromosomes. Trivalent and quadrivalent meiotic associations were found in some cytotypes. In them, 45S rDNAs were found in the terminal portions of two pairs, while TTAGG repeats were found only at the end of the chromosomes. In the cytotype A (2n = 16), the U2 snRNA gene mapped to pair 1, while the H3 histone cluster and C0t-1 DNA fraction was terminally distributed on all pairs. Mariner transposons were found throughout the chromosomes, with the exception of one individual of cytotype A (2n = 16), in which it was concentrated in heterochromatic regions. Conclusions: Chromosomal variability found in T. obscurus are due to rearrangements of the type fusion/fission and reciprocal translocations in heterozygous. These karyotype differences follow a geographical pattern and may be contributing to reproductive isolation between populations analyzed. Our results also demonstrate high mobility of histone H3 genes. In contrast, other multigene families (45S rDNA and U2 snRNA) have conserved distribution among individuals. The accumulation of repetitive sequences in distal regions of T. obscurus chromosomes, suggests that end of chromosome are not covered by the kinetochore. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In the Amazon, some species of Loricariidae are at risk of extinction due to habitat loss and overexploitation by the ornamental fish market. Cytogenetic data related to the karyotype and meiotic cycle can contribute to understanding the reproductive biology and help management and conservation programs of these fish. Additionally, chromosomal mapping of repetitive DNA in Loricariidae may aid comparative genomic studies in this family. However, cytogenetics analysis is limited in Amazonian locariids. In this study, chromosomal mapping of multigenic families was performed in Scobinancistrus aureatus, Scobinancistrus pariolispos and Spatuloricaria sp. Meiotic analyzes were performed in Hypancistrus zebra and Hypancistrus sp. "pão". Results showed new karyotype for Spatuloricaria sp. (2n=66, NF=82, 50m-10sm-6m). Distinct patterns of chromosomal organization of histone H1, histone H3 and snDNA U2 genes were registered in the karyotypes of the studied species, proving to be an excellent cytotaxonomic tool. Hypotheses to explain the evolutionary dynamics of these sequences in studied Loricariidae were proposed. Regarding H. zebra and H. sp. "pão", we describe the events related to synapse and transcriptional activity during the meiotic cycle, which in both species showed 26 fully synapsed bivalents, with high gene expression only during zygotene and pachytene. Both Hypancistrus species could be used may be models for evaluating changes in spermatogenesis of Loricariidae., Competing Interests: Competing interests The authors declare no competing or financial interests., (© 2023. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.)

Achiasmatic male meiosis in scorpions is characterized by a high frequency of gaps, asynaptic regions and multivalent associations. Here, we performed an immunocytogenetic analysis to investigate recombination, and synapsis and chromatin-remodeling events during meiosis of the scorpion Tityus silvestris Our results demonstrate that the synaptonemal complex (SC) begins its organization in the zygotene stage and persists until metaphase I. The advancement of the synaptic process is related to the epigenetic modification histone H3 lysine 27 trimethylation (H3K27m3). The distribution and dynamics patterns of variant γH2AX and recombinase Rad51 during achiasmatic meiosis suggests formation and repair of DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) during early stages of prophase I. The epigenetic modifications, histone H3 lysine 4 trimethylation (H3K4m3) and histone H3 lysine 9 acetylation (H3K9ac), showed a dispersed distribution along the bivalents, suggesting that transcriptional activity is maintained constitutively during prophase I. However, H3K9ac modifications are absent in constitutive heterochromatin carrying the 45S rDNA in pachytene and post-pachytene stages. Collectively, our data demonstrate that T. silvestris exhibits adaptations to the achiasmatic mode, and suggest that epigenetic modifications may act in the regulation of these mechanisms to favor the normal continuation of meiosis in this scorpion., Competing Interests: Competing interestsThe authors declare no competing or financial interests., (© 2019. Published by The Company of Biologists Ltd.)

The diversity of Hypancistrus species in the Xingu River is remarkable and the variation in color morphs represents a real challenge to taxonomists to delimit species boundaries. One of the most recognizable Hypancistrus complexes is the worm-lined species, known in the aquarium trade as King Tiger Plec in English, Hypancistrus "pão" in Portuguese or under the L-numbers L066 and L333 that represent two melanic pigment pattern phenotypes. To assess the identity of these two phenotypes, we described their karyotypes and sequenced part of the mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase I gene (DNA barcode). These fishes have 52 chromosomes (40 meta-submetacentric and 12 subtelo-acrocentric) and a strong heteromorphism in chromosome pair 21 was observed, which does not correlate with the two phenotypes or sex. DNA barcodes separated the samples analyzed from Hypancistrus zebra and other publicly available sequences of Loricariidae showing no divergence between the two phenotypes. The data set indicates that worm-lined Hypancistrus from the Xingu form a single species with clear chromosomal and melanic pigment pattern polymorphisms.

The family Loricariidae encompasses approximately 800 species distributed in six subfamilies. The subfamily Hypostominae consists of five tribes; of them, the tribe Ancistrini is relatively diverse, but it is not well known from the cytogenetic point of view. Genus Scobinancistrus Isbrücker et Nijssen, 1989, which is part of the tribe Ancistrini, has two species that occur in sympatry in the Xingu River, Brazil. In this work, we performed the first karyotypic characterizations of these two species and sought to identify the processes involved in their karyotypic evolution. Chromosomal preparations were subjected to Giemsa staining, silver nitrate impregnation, C-banding, CMA3 staining, DAPI staining, and FISH (fluorescence in situ hybridization) with 18S rDNA and telomeric probes. We found that Scobinancistrus aureatus Burgess, 1994 and Scobinancistrus pariolispos Isbrücker et Nijssen, 1989 shared the diploid number, 2n=52, but differed in their karyotypic formulae (KFs), distribution of constitutive heterochromatin (CH), and the localizations of their nucleolus organizer regions (NORs), which were found on the interstitial and distal regions of the long arm of chromosome pair 3 in Scobinancistrus aureatus and Scobinancistrus pariolispos respectively. We suggest that these interspecific variations may have arisen via paracentric inversion or transposition of the NOR. The karyotypic differences found between these two Scobinancistrus species can be used to identify them taxonomically, and may have functioned as a mechanism of post-zygotic reproductive isolation during the speciation process.