Reduction of cell size induced by enod40 in Arabidopsis thaliana

An extensive analysis of organ and cell size was performed in three different Arabidopsis lines transformed with the early nodulin gene enod40 under control of the CaMV35S promoter. All three transgenic lines presented a significant decrease in the mean size of both epidermal internode and leaf mesophyll cells. Flow cytometric and image analysis of enod40-transfected protoplasts prepared from wild-type Arabidopsis cell suspensions showed that transient expression of the gene resulted in reduced forward light scattering (a factor correlated with particle size) and cell size. The direct administration of ENOD40 peptide to fresh protoplasts also resulted in reduced forward scattering with respect to the control and to the administration of unrelated peptides. As far as is known this is the first report documenting a biological effect of enod40 at the cellular level in non-legume plants.     

Antimycobacterial activity of new 3-substituted 5-(pyridin-4-yl)-3H-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-one and 2-thione derivatives. Preliminary molecular modeling investigations

3H-1,3,4-Oxadiazole-2-thione and 3H-1,3,4-oxadiazol-2-one derivatives were synthesized and tested for their in vitro antimycobacterial activity. Oxadiazolone derivatives showed an interesting antimycobacterial activity against the tested strain of Mycobacterium tuberculosis H(37)Rv, whereas the corresponding thione derivatives were devoid of activity. Molecular modeling investigations showed that the active compounds may interact at the active site of the mycobacterial cytochrome P450-dependent sterol 14alpha-demethylase in the sterol biosynthesis pathway and that their binding free energy values are in agreement with their MIC values.     

Syntheses,characterization and X-ray structures of the fac-[RuCl3(NO)(dppe)] and the trans-[RuCl(NO)(dppe)2]2+ species

Trans-[RuCl(NO)(dppe)2]2+ species were prepared. The complexes have been characterized by microanalysis, IR and 31P[1H] NMR spectroscopy and cyclic voltammetry. The trans-[RuCl(NO)(dppe)2](ClO4)2 complex shows a reversible one-electron-reduction process at E(1/2) = 0.200 V and another one-electron-reduction irreversible process at -0.620 V, both centered at the NO+ group. The dissociation of the NO group from the trans-[RuCl(NO)(dppe)2]2+ after two one-electron reductions results in the formation of the trans- and cis-[RuCl2(dppe)2] isomers. The product of an electrolyzed solution of the same complex at -0.300 V shows an EPR signal consistent with the presence of the [RuCl(NO(0))(dppe)2]+ complex. Crystal data for trans-[RuCl(NO)(dppe)2]2+*[RuCl4(NO)(H2O)]*1/2[RuCl6]4-*2[H2O] (I) and trans-[RuCl(NO)(dppe)(2)]2+*2[RuCl4(NO)(CH3O)]-*3[CH3OH] (II) are as follow: (I) Space group P-1, a=10.4040(3) A, b=12.3470(4) A, c=23.5620(8) A, alpha=95.885(2) degrees, beta=99.608(2) degrees, gamma=104.378(2) degrees, R=0.0521; (II) space group P-1, a=10.9769(2) A, b=13.2753(3) A, c=24.0287(4) A, alpha=99.743(1) degrees, beta=95.847(1) degrees, gamma=97.549(1) degrees; R=0.0496. The fac-[RuCl3(NO)(dppe)] (III) complex has been also prepared; its crystal data are: space group P2(1)/n (No. 14), a=11.841(2) A, b=13.775(2) A, c=16.295(4) A, beta=92.81(2) degrees; R1=0.0395.     

Cyclic lipopeptide signature as fingerprinting for the screening of halotolerant Bacillus strains towards microbial enhanced oil recovery

Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology - Cyclic lipopeptides (CLPs) are non-ribosomal biosurfactants produced by Bacillus species that exhibit outstanding interfacial activity. The synthesis of...     

C-Reactive Protein/Albumin Ratio Predicts 90-Day Mortality of Septic Patients

Introduction

Residual inflammation at ICU discharge may have impact upon long-term mortality. However, the significance of ongoing inflammation on mortality after ICU discharge is poorly described. C-reactive protein (CRP) and albumin are measured frequently in the ICU and exhibit opposing patterns during inflammation. Since infection is a potent trigger of inflammation, we hypothesized that CRP levels at discharge would correlate with long-term mortality in septic patients and that the CRP/albumin ratio would be a better marker of prognosis than CRP alone.

Methods

We evaluated 334 patients admitted to the ICU as a result of severe sepsis or septic shock who were discharged alive after a minimum of 72 hours in the ICU. We evaluated the performance of both CRP and CRP/albumin to predict mortality at 90 days after ICU discharge. Two multivariate logistic models were generated based on measurements at discharge: one model included CRP (Model-CRP), and the other included the CRP/albumin ratio (Model-CRP/albumin).

Results

There were 229 (67%) and 111 (33%) patients with severe sepsis and septic shock, respectively. During the 90 days of follow-up, 73 (22%) patients died. CRP/albumin ratios at admission and at discharge were associated with a poor outcome and showed greater accuracy than CRP alone at these time points (p = 0.0455 and p = 0.0438, respectively). CRP levels and the CRP/albumin ratio were independent predictors of mortality at 90 days (Model-CRP: adjusted OR 2.34, 95% CI 1.14–4.83, p = 0.021; Model-CRP/albumin: adjusted OR 2.18, 95% CI 1.10–4.67, p = 0.035). Both models showed similar accuracy (p = 0.2483). However, Model-CRP was not calibrated.

Conclusions

Residual inflammation at ICU discharge assessed using the CRP/albumin ratio is an independent risk factor for mortality at 90 days in septic patients. The use of the CRP/albumin ratio as a long-term marker of prognosis provides more consistent results than standard CRP values alone.