Elevation of C-reactive protein in serum of Channa punctatus as an indicator of water pollution.

Effect of some pollutants like heavy metals, non-metals and pesticides on the circulating level of C-reactive protein (CRP) which is an acute phase plasma protein was studied in a freshwater murrel C. punctatus. Fish was exposed to nonlethal doses of these xenobiotics which were apparently safe. But the level of CRP detected by sensitive single radial immunodiffusion (SRID) technique showed that within 12 hr of exposure the nonlethal doses of xenobiotics could initiate the acute phase response in terms of elevated CRP titre. Heavy metals caused the acute phase within 24 hr, nonmetals and Metacid-50 within 48 hr exposure. The carbamate compound, carbaryl demonstrated a biphasic response to CRP level which may be correlated with the reversible type of anticholinesterase property of this compound while Metacid-50 is an irreversible type of anticholinesterase agent. The assessment of the CRP level in the serum of fish may be utilized as a primary bioindicator of a contaminated environment toxic enough to mount an acute phase response.     

Cloning, expression, and nucleotide sequence of a mutant glgC gene from Escherichia coli B.

A mutant glgC gene contained in a 10.9-kb PstI fragment was cloned from the Escherichia coli B strain SG5 via colony hybridization by using a wild-type glgC probe. The altered allosteric properties of the expressed ADPglucose synthetase were found to result from the conversion of proline to serine at amino acid residue 295.     

Starch digestion and adsorption by β-amylase of Emericella nidulans (Aspergillus nidulans)

B. CHATTERJEE, A. GHOSH AND A. DAS. 1992. A mutant strain of Emericella nidulans MNU 82 was isolated by multistep mutation. The β-amylase produced by the mutant was able to digest raw starch. It was readily and strongly adsorbed onto raw starch at pH 5.0. The enzyme to starch ratio was 1950 U/g starch. The enzyme showed no correlation between the capacity of raw starch digestion and adsorption of the enzyme.     

Zirconium

Summary The action of Zirconium (Zr) on biological systems presents an enigma. It is ubiquitous, being present in nature in amounts higher than most trace elements. It is taken up by plants from soil and water and accumulated in certain tissues. The entry into animal systems in vivo is related to the mode of exposure and the concentration in the surrounding environment. Retention is initially in soft tissues and then slowly in the bone. The metal is able to cross the blood brain-barrier and is deposited in the brain and the placental barrier to enter milk. The daily human uptake has been known to be as high as 125 mg. The level of toxicity has been found to be moderately low, both in histological and cytological studies. The toxic effects induced by very high concentrations are nonspecific in nature. Despite the presence and retention in relatively high quantities in biological systems, Zr has not yet been associated with any specific metabolic function. Very little information is available about its interaction with the compounds of the genetical systems, such as nucleic acids. Apparently, the metal is neither an essential nor toxic element in the conventional sense. However, the increasing exposure to this element through its increasing use in new materials and following radioactive fallout, has increased the importance of the study of its effects on living organisms. The tetravalent nature of the ionic state and the high stability of the compounds formed are important factors that need to be considered, as also the accumulation of this element in the brain, reminiscent of the relationship between Al³⁺ and Alzheimer's disease.     

A comparative study of the low-molecular mass serine proteinase inhibitors of human connective tissues.

Low molecular mass serine proteinase inhibitors isolated from human articular cartilage, intervertebral disc, meniscus, and costal cartilage were compared chromatographically. Similar charge and size properties were exhibited when these inhibitors were examined by gel permeation and cation exchange chromatography. The individual proteinase inhibitory species separated by these procedures all cross-reacted with a polyclonal antibody raised against the mucous proteinase inhibitors (MPIs) obtained from human bronchial secretions, however the distribution of these MPI-like species varied with the origin of the connective tissue. The major inhibitory species present in human articular cartilage and intervertebral disc were purified to homogeneity using gel filtration, cation exchange, trypsin affinity and high performance reverse phase chromatography. The amino-terminal sequences of the purified cartilage intervertebral disc inhibitors was found to be identical to the published sequence of MPIs isolated from parotid and seminal secretions. These findings indicate that the endogenous small molecular mass cationic serine proteinase inhibitory proteins present in human cartilaginous connective tissues are members of the MPI family of proteinase inhibitors.     

Effects of dietary saturated, n-6 and n-3 polyunsaturated fats on blood pressure and prostaglandins outflow from perfused mesenteric vascular bed in rats

Effects of the dietary administration of saturated fat and of n-6 and n-3 polyunsaturates on blood pressure, prostaglandin metabolism in small vessels, tissue fatty acid distribution and urinary PGE₂ excretion were compared. Rats were divided into three groups. Diets contained 10% hydrogenated cocunut oil (HCO), 10% safflower oil (SFO) or 10% cod liver oil (CLO) added to a basic fat free diet for 10 weeks. Systolic blood pressure was increased in the CLO group animals. Urinary PGE₂ excretion was decreased in the HCO and CLO groups as compared to that in the SFO group animals. PGE₂, 6-keto-PGF₁ and thromboxane (Tx) B₂ outflow from isolated perfused mesenteric arterial beds were extremely decreased in the CLO group animals, and to a lesser extent in the HCO group as compared to the SFO animals. In the tissue phospholipid, 20:3n−9/20:4n−6 ratios were increased in the HCO group indicating essential fatty acid deficiency, and n-6 and n-3 polyunsaturates were elevated in the SFO and the CLO group animals respectively. Arachidonic acid concentration was highest in the SFO group, while there was no significant differences between the HCO and the CLO group. These results suggest that dietary fatty acid manipulation effects urinary PGE₂ excretion and PGI₂, PGE₂ and TxA₂ synthesis in mesenteric arterial beds and also changes the tissue fatty acid distribution. Furthermore, n-3 polyunsaturates caused an extreme reduction of 2-series PGs synthesis in small resistance vessels.     

Contribution of insect pollination to nutritional security of minerals and vitamins in Korea

Crop production for human food and nutritional security is largely dependent on pollination process especially by insects. We assessed the role of pollination in connection with micronutrient supply from edible crops to the Korean population. The study included 42 predominant crop types of varying pollinator dependence. A higher pollinator dependency than present global average was noted in connection with all minerals deemed nutritionally important and vitamins. Pollinator-dependent (PD) crops provide a substantial share of micronutrients to the population, especially with regard to vitamins C and E and elements iron. A positive trend was found in the PD supply of all micronutrients over the last 30?years in Korea, but the rate of increment was somewhat lower for vitamins C and K as well as folate. The results demonstrated the importance of pollination for human nutritional security and conservation of insect pollination system for the sustained ecosystem service.     

Boosted UV Sensitivity of Er-Doped In2O3 Thin Films Using Plasmonic Ag Nanoparticle-Based Surface Texturing

Plasmonics - Ag nanoparticles (NPs) were deposited on the sol-gel-processed Erbium-doped Indium Oxide (In2O3:Er) thin films (TFs) using thermal evaporation cum glancing angle deposition technique...     

Oxygen uptake rate as a tool for on-line estimation of cell biomass and bed temperature in a novel solid-state fermentation bioreactor

Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering - Direct measurement of cell biomass is difficult in a solid-state fermentation (SSF) process involving filamentous fungi since the mycelium and the solid...