The Seventh Data Release of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey

This paper describes the Seventh Data Release of the Sloan Digital Sky Survey (SDSS), marking the completion of the original goals of the SDSS and the end of the phase known as SDSS-II. It includes 11663 deg^2 of imaging data, with most of the roughly 2000 deg^2 increment over the previous data release lying in regions of low Galactic latitude. The catalog contains five-band photometry for 357 million distinct objects. The survey also includes repeat photometry over 250 deg^2 along the Celestial Equator in the Southern Galactic Cap. A coaddition of these data goes roughly two magnitudes fainter than the main survey. The spectroscopy is now complete over a contiguous area of 7500 deg^2 in the Northern Galactic Cap, closing the gap that was present in previous data releases. There are over 1.6 million spectra in total, including 930,000 galaxies, 120,000 quasars, and 460,000 stars. The data release includes improved stellar photometry at low Galactic latitude. The astrometry has all been recalibrated with the second version of the USNO CCD Astrograph Catalog (UCAC-2), reducing the rms statistical errors at the bright end to 45 milli-arcseconds per coordinate. A systematic error in bright galaxy photometr is less severe than previously reported for the majority of galaxies. Finally, we describe a series of improvements to the spectroscopic reductions, including better flat-fielding and improved wavelength calibration at the blue end, better processing of objects with extremely strong narrow emission lines, and an improved determination of stellar metallicities. (Abridged)Comment: 20 pages, 10 embedded figures. Accepted to ApJS after minor correction

Analysis of the Fuel Properties of the Seed Shell of the Neem Plant (<i>Azadirachta indica</i>)

The energetic potential of the seed shell of the Neem plant (Azadirachta indica) was investigated using proximate analysis, Higher Heating Value (HHV), thermal analysis (TG-DTG and DSC) in inert and oxidative atmospheres, and X-ray fluorescence (XRF). The results of ash (3.80% ± 0.44), volatile matter (81.76% ± 1.30), fixed carbon (14.44% ± 1.74), and estimated HHV (18.791 MJ/kg: average value) are compatible with other biomasses already used as fuels in the bioenergy industry. Thermograms showed three main degradation events in synthetic air and two in nitrogen, attributed to the moisture, release of volatile materials, and decomposition of hemicellulose, cellulose, and lignin. The elements positively detected by the XRF were Ca, K, S, P, Fe, Ti, Zn, Rb, and Sr

The Therapeutic Potential of AN-7, a Novel Histone Deacetylase Inhibitor, for Treatment of Mycosis Fungoides/Sezary Syndrome Alone or with Doxorubicin.

The 2 histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACIs) approved for the treatment of cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) including mycosis fungoides/sezary syndrome (MF/SS), suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA) and romidepsin, are associated with low rates of overall response and high rates of adverse effects. Data regarding combination treatments with HDACIs is sparse. Butyroyloxymethyl diethylphosphate (AN-7) is a novel HDACI, which was found to have selective anticancer activity in several cell lines and animal models. The aim of this study was to compare the anticancer effects of AN-7 and SAHA, either alone or combined with doxorubicin, on MF/SS cell lines and peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from patients with Sezary syndrome (SPBL). MyLa cells, Hut78 cells, SPBL, and PBL from healthy normal individuals (NPBL) were exposed to the test drugs, and the findings were analyzed by a viability assay, an apoptosis assay, and Western blot. AN-7 was more selectively toxic to MyLa cells, Hut78 cells, and SPBL (relative to NPBL) than SAHA and also acted more rapidly. Both drugs induced apoptosis in MF/SS cell lines, SAHA had a greater effect on MyLa cell line, while AN-7 induced greater apoptosis in SPBL; both caused an accumulation of acetylated histone H3, but AN-7 was associated with earlier kinetics; and both caused a downregulation of the HDAC1 protein in MF/SS cell lines. AN-7 acted synergistically with doxorubicin in both MF/SS cell lines and SPBL, and antagonistically with doxorubicin in NPBL. By contrast, SAHA acted antagonistically with doxorubicin on MF/SS cell lines, SPBL, and NPBL, leaving <50% viable cells. In conclusion, AN-7 holds promise as a therapeutic agent in MF/SS and has several advantages over SAHA. Our data provide a rationale for combining AN-7, but not SAHA, with doxorubicin to induce the cell death in MF/SS

Research Progress and Trends on Utilization of Lignocellulosic Residues as Supports for Enzyme Immobilization via Advanced Bibliometric Analysis

Lignocellulosic biomasses are used in several applications, such as energy production, materials, and biofuels. These applications result in increased consumption and waste generation of these materials. However, alternative uses are being developed to solve the problem of waste generated in the industry. Thus, research is carried out to ensure the use of these biomasses as enzymatic support. These surveys can be accompanied using the advanced bibliometric analysis tool that can help determine the biomasses used and other perspectives on the subject. With this, the present work aims to carry out an advanced bibliometric analysis approaching the main studies related to the use of lignocellulosic biomass as an enzymatic support. This study will be carried out by highlighting the main countries/regions that carry out productions, research areas that involve the theme, and future trends in these areas. It was observed that there is a cooperation between China, USA, and India, where China holds 28.07% of publications in this area, being the country with the greatest impact in the area. Finally, it is possible to define that the use of these new supports is a trend in the field of biotechnology

Effect of SAHA and AN-7 on the viability of MF/SS cell lines, SPBL and NPBL.

<p>Viability curves based on the MTT assay of MyLa cells, Hut78 cells, (a,b), and SPBL (n = 3) (c,d) compared to NPBL (n = 8) following treatment with SAHA (a,c) and AN-7 (b,d) for 72 h. Also shown are the IC₅₀ and SI values of SAHA and AN-7 in MF/SS cell lines and SPBL and NPBL based on viability curves a-d, and their p values (e).</p

Apoptosis induction of AN-7 and SAHA in SPBL.

<p>PBL from 2 SS patients were plated at a concentration of 0.5x10⁶ cells/mL, and were then treated with SAHA 4 μM or AN-7 200 μM for 48 h. The cells were then stained with annexin V and PI. FACS plots are shown with percent of cells in each quadruplet, and the percent of cells in apoptotic cells (early + late apoptosis) are shown also in column.</p

Toxic and apoptotic effect of SAHA and AN-7 on MF/SS cell lines as a function of exposure time.

<p>Viability curves based on trypan blue staining of MyLa and Hut78 cells following short or long exposure to SAHA (a, c) or AN-7 (b, d). IC₅₀ values of short and long exposure to SAHA and AN-7 in MF/SS cell lines based on viability curves a-d (e). Apoptosis curves based on FACS analysis of annexin V and PI staining (f-i). Percent of apoptotic MyLa cells (early + late apoptosis) after short or long exposure to SAHA (f) or AN-7 (g), and apoptotic Hut78 cells after short or continuous exposure to SAHA (h) or AN-7 (i).</p

Effect of SAHA and AN-7 on specific protein expression and modification in MF/SS cell lines.

<p>Immunoblot of apoptotic and proapoptotic proteins in MyLa and Hut78 cells treated with SAHA 10 μM or AN-7 300 μM for the indicated periods (a). Basal HDAC1 protein expression in NPBL and MF/SS cell lines (b) and in MF/SS cell lines treated with SAHA 10 μM or AN-7 300 μM (c). Acetylated H3 in the nuclear lysate of MF/SS cell lines treated with and the same concentrations of SAHA and AN-7 for the indicated periods (d).</p