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This analysis focuses on a young female portrait enclosed within an eight-pointed frame, located in the upper zone of a wall fragment discovered among a substantial assemblage of painted plaster within the fill of the torcularium of the Domus del Larario in the Municipium Augusta Bilbilis. The wall to which this fragment originally belonged likely formed part of a cubiculum within the same domus. The portrait is dated to the last quarter of the 1st c. BCE, making it the earliest known example of its kind to date. This study examines the potential significance of the portrait within one of the most prominent domus of the site, as well as its role in the broader figurative program of the wall it once adorned. In the middle zone of the composition, a couple is portrayed in a highly schematic manner. Together with the young female – likely their daughter – this may represent one of the earliest Roman depictions of a family group in a non-funerary context.

In this study, we investigated whether the corm tunic structure, which is the underground part of the Crocus (Iridaceae) plant, can be used for adsorption and recovery/removal of uranium from an aqueous solution. The characterization of this structure, which has not been studied for its interaction with metals before, has been elucidated by point zero charge (PZC), FTIR, and SEM analyses. Extensive investigations were conducted on the adsorption properties of the biomass used and the pH, temperature, time, adsorbent dosage, and uranyl ion concentration variables were optimized. The experimental data were interpreted using theoretical adsorption models. The Langmuir model revealed a maximum adsorption capacity of the material to be 0.286 mol kg −1 . Adsorption kinetics were also described using pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order, Elovich, and intra-particular diffusion models. It is shown that the adsorption pH reaches the highest adsorption at the natural pH of the uranium solution. Experimental studies showed that the adsorption was endothermic and spontaneous. It has been shown that this biomaterial can be used as an adsorbent for the removal of uranium as well as a biomarker for determining the environmental uranium concentration.

Background The tunicates form a group of filter-feeding marine animals closely related to vertebrates. They share with them a number of features such as a notochord and a dorsal neural tube in the tadpole larvae of ascidians, one of the three groups that make tunicates. However, a number of typical chordate characters have been lost in different branches of tunicates, a diverse and fast-evolving phylum. Consequently, the tunic, a sort of exoskeleton made of extracellular material including cellulose secreted by the epidermis, is the unifying character defining the tunicate phylum. In the larva of ascidians, the tunic differentiates in the tail into a median fin (with dorsal and ventral extended blades) and a caudal fin. Results Here we have performed experiments in the ascidian Phallusia mammillata to address the molecular control of tunic 3D morphogenesis. We have demonstrated that the tail epidermis medio-lateral patterning essential for peripheral nervous system specification also controls tunic elongation into fins. More specifically, when tail epidermis midline identity was abolished by BMP signaling inhibition, or CRISPR/Cas9 inactivation of the transcription factor coding genes Msx or Klf1/2/4/17 , median fin did not form. We postulated that this genetic program should regulate effectors of tunic secretion. We thus analyzed the expression and regulation in different ascidian species of two genes acquired by horizontal gene transfer (HGT) from bacteria, CesA coding for a cellulose synthase and Gh6 coding for a cellulase. We have uncovered an unexpected dynamic history of these genes in tunicates and high levels of variability in gene expression and regulation among ascidians. Although, in Phallusia , Gh6 has a regionalized expression in the epidermis compatible with an involvement in fin elongation, our functional studies indicate a minor function during caudal fin formation only. Conclusions Our study constitutes an important step in the study of the integration of HGT-acquired genes into developmental networks and a cellulose-based morphogenesis of extracellular material in animals.

Throughout the ages, hair has had psychological and sociological importance in framing the personality and general appearance of an individual. Despite efforts to solve this problem, no groundbreaking measures have been proposed. Glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) and associated proteoglycans have important functions in homeostatic maintenance and regenerative processes of the skin. However, little is known about the role of these molecules in the regulation of the hair follicle cycle. Three fractions (F1, F2 and F3) were obtained after separation and purification of GAGs from ascidian tunics. F1 was observed to contain a small amount of amino sugar while high contents of galactose and N-acetylglucosamine were noted in F2 and F3. 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-3-O-(β-D-gluco-4-enepyranosyluronic acid)-6-O-sulfo-D-galactose (∆Di-6S) and 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-3-O-(β-D-gluco-4-enepyranosyluronic acid)-4-O-sulfo-D-galactose (∆Di-4S) were the main disaccharide components. F3 exhibited the highest proliferation activity on human follicle dermal papilla (HFDP) cells. In addition, mixed samples (FFM) of F2 and F3 at different concentrations showed peak activities for five days. After cell culture at a concentration of 10 mg/mL and dihydrotestosterone (DHT), the inhibition effect was higher than that for Minoxidil. Application of 10 mg of FFM to the hair of mice for 28 days resulted in a hair growth effect similar to that of Minoxidil, a positive control.

Halocynthia roretzi, a member of Ascidiacea, is covered with its own tunic, which is composed of polysaccharides, such as cellulose Iβ and sulfated chitin. H. roretzi has an open-vessel system, whose blood vessels and hemocytes are found in the tunic, so that the mechanical environment of the tunic could be carefully controlled because of its influence on hemocyte behaviors. While active deformation of the tunic and related phenomena have been previously reported, the mechanical environment in the tunic, which directly influences its deformation, has been rarely investigated. Meanwhile, the developments of actuators based on cellulose and chitin have been frequently reported. However, a cellulose–sulfated chitin actuator has not been proposed. In this study, the mechanical environment of the tunic, which has been rarely investigated despite its importance in the active deformation of the tunic, was evaluated using finite element analysis. A finite element model of the tunic, based on its histological characteristics as well as deformation patterns, was developed. The results showed that the shape of the tunic, the pattern of fiber distribution, and control of the water content influenced the mechanical environment.

The growing applications of tissue engineering technologies warrant the search and development of biocompatible materials with an appropriate strength and elastic moduli. Here, we have extensively studied a collagenous membrane (GSCM) separated from the mantle of the Giant squid Dosidicus Gigas in order to test its potential applicability in regenerative medicine. To establish the composition and structure of the studied material, we analyzed the GSCM by a variety of techniques, including amino acid analysis, SDS-PAGE, and FTIR. It has been shown that collagen is a main component of the GSCM. The morphology study by different microscopic techniques from nano- to microscale revealed a peculiar packing of collagen fibers forming laminae oriented at 60–90 degrees in respect to each other, which, in turn, formed layers with the thickness of several microns (a basketweave motif). The macro- and micromechanical studies showed high values of the Young’s modulus and tensile strength. No significant cytotoxicity of the studied material was found by the cytotoxicity assay. Thus, the GSCM consists of a reinforced collagen network, has high mechanical characteristics, and is non-toxic, which makes it a good candidate for the creation of a scaffold material for tissue engineering.

Halocynthia aurantium, an edible ascidian species, has not been studied scientifically, even though tunicates and ascidians are well-known to contain several unique and biologically active materials. The current study investigated the fatty acid profiles of the H. aurantium tunic and its immune-regulatory effects on RAW264.7 macrophage cells. Results of the fatty acid profile analysis showed a difference in ratios, depending on the fatty acids being analysed, including those of saturated fatty acids (SFA), monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA), and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). In particular, omega-3 fatty acids, such as eicosatrienoic acid n-3 (ETA n-3), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), were much higher than omega-6 fatty acids. Moreover, the H. aurantium tunic fatty acids, significantly and dose-dependently, increased the NO and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production in RAW264.7 cells, for immune-enhancement without cytotoxicity. In addition, these fatty acids regulated the transcription of immune-associated genes, including iNOS, IL-1β, IL-6, COX-2, and TNF-α. These actions were activated and deactivated via Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK)and NF-κB signaling, to regulate the immune responses. Conversely, the H. aurantium tunic fatty acids effectively suppressed the inflammatory cytokine expressions, including iNOS, IL-1β, IL-6, COX-2, and TNF-α, in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells. Productions of COX-2 and PGE2, which are key biomarkers for inflammation, were also significantly reduced. These results elucidated the immune-enhancement and anti-inflammatory mechanisms of the H. aurantium tunic fatty acids in macrophage cells. Moreover, the H. aurantium tunic might be a potential fatty acid source for immune-modulation.

AimThe present study was carried out to investigate the morphological and histomorphometric characters of choroid in donkeys, buffalos, camels and dogs.Results The findings of the study revealed that, macroscopically, the choroid was consisted of two areas in all studied animals, except in camel which consists of one area. Histologically, the choroid consists of five layers. Interestingly, the anterior borders of all investigated animals were free of pigments except in camel. Morphometric analysis revealed significant species differences in the mean total thickness of the choroid and its different layers. In addition, significant differences were also found between the ratios of the means of different layers to the total thickness of the choroid.Conclusion In conclusion, these variations might be related to the different lifestyles and visual behavior of the investigated animals.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is one of the global health concerns afflicting the human population and urolithiasis (kidney stone), especially the calcium oxalate stone is the most prominent amongst the stone formers with a huge recurrence rate. This study elucidates the ameliorative potential of the tunic of onions against Wistar kidney rats toxified with sodium oxalate.Ethylacetate extract of the tunic of onions otherwise regarded as Onions peel extract (OPE) in this study was prepared to get the flavonol-rich extracts. Adult male Wistar rats received 70 mg/kg body weight sodium oxalate with or without co-treatment with OPE, quercetin or cystone. Biochemical analyses were carried out on the plasma and urine, followed by a histopathological assessment of the kidney. Intoxication with sodium oxalate brought about electrolyte imbalance, nephrotic syndrome (high concentrations of total protein and albumin in the urine and low concentrations in the plasma) reduced renal function (low renal clearance of creatinine and urea) and damage to the kidney as well as fluid accumulation. Treatment with flavonol extract from onion tunic mitigated these deleterious changes as a result of sodium oxalate intoxication. The finding suggests that onion peel has the potential to prevent damage arising from oxalate toxicity in the kidney.

Evidence has previously shown that outer tunics (turnout coats) worn by firefighters at structural fires are contaminated with harmful chemicals which subsequently off-gas from the material. However, there is limited research on whether this phenomenon extends to wildland firefighter uniforms. This pilot study aimed to explore if the tunics of volunteer bushfire and forestry firefighters in Western Australia off-gas any contaminants after exposure to prescribed burns or bushfires, and whether there is a need to explore this further. Nine tunics were collected from firefighters following nine bushfire and prescribed burn events, with a set of unused tunics serving as a control. Chemical analysis was performed on these tunics to assess levels of acrolein, benzene, formaldehyde, and sulphur dioxide contamination. The assessment involved measuring chemical off-gassing over a 12 h period using infrared spectrometry. Tunics worn by firefighters appear to adsorb acrolein, benzene, formaldehyde, and sulphur dioxide from bushfire smoke and these contaminants are emitted from firefighting tunics following contamination at elevated concentrations. Further investigation of this research with a larger study sample will be beneficial to understand this phenomenon better and to determine the full extent and range of chemical contaminants absorbed by all firefighter clothing.