The novel and efficient method for isolating potassium solubilizing bacteria from rhizosphere soil

Potassium (K) is the third major essential macronutrient for plant growth and more than 90% of potassium in the soil exists in the form of insoluble rocks and silicate minerals. 150 potassium solubilizing bacterial (KSB) strains were isolated from rhizosphere soil using Aleksandrov medium containing insoluble mica powder. Ten efficient KSB strains were selected and quantification studies showed that higher K solubilization (50.6?mg L^?1) was observed in the strain HMP27 followed by strain WHP47 (46.4?mg L^?1) in liquid medium. Potassium solubilization by the bacterial strains is determined by measuring zone of clearance around the bacterial colony. This procedure requires 10–15?days incubation. Therefore, a simple, rapid, and user-friendly method has been developed for screening of potassium solubilizing bacteria using the bromothymol blue dye in modified Aleksandrov medium. Microorganisms possessing potassium solubilization property developed a clear zone around bacterial colony and changed the colour of dye from greenish blue to yellow after two days incubation. High-performance liquid chromatography analysis of the filtrates showed the presence of oxalic, tartaric, citric, and succinic acid, which could be responsible for solubilization of potassium. This method will allow researchers to readily isolate new potassium solubilizing strains adapted to specific environments.     

Synergistic interactions between temporal coupling of complex light and magnetic pulses upon melanoma cell proliferation and planarian regeneration

Synergisms between a physiologically patterned magnetic field that is known to enhance planarian growth and suppress proliferation of malignant cells in culture and three light emitting diode (LED) generated visible wavelengths (blue, green, red) upon planarian regeneration and melanoma cell numbers were discerned. Five days of hourly exposures to either a physiologically patterned (2.5–5.0 μT) magnetic field, one of three wavelengths (3 kLux) or both treatments simultaneously indicated that red light (680 nm), blue light (470 nm) or the magnetic field significantly facilitated regeneration of planarian compared to sham field exposed planarian. Presentation of both light and magnetic field conditions enhanced the effect. Whereas the blue and red light diminished the growth of malignant (melanoma) cells, the effect was not as large as that produced by the magnetic field. Only the paired presentation of the blue light and magnetic field enhanced the suppression. On the other hand, the changes following green light (540 nm) exposure did not differ from the control condition and green light presented with the magnetic field eliminated its effects for both the planarian and melanoma cells. These results indicate specific colors affect positive adaptation that is similar to weak, physiologically patterned frequency modulated (8–24 Hz) magnetic fields and that the two forms of energy can synergistically summate or cancel.     

Blue penguin (Eudyptula minor) nest distribution and breeding success on Otago Peninsula, 1992 to 1998

Abstract

Annual counts of nests with eggs or chicks (known nests) were made at blue penguin (Eudyptula minor) breeding sites on the Otago Peninsula in each November from 1994 to 1997. Although the population has doubled to an estimated 600 known nests over this period, the number of breeding sites on the Otago Peninsula has reduced since the 1970s. Breeding success at three areas at Taiaroa Head were monitored by regular nest checks in the breeding season from 1992 to 1998. At Taiaroa Head reproductive success ranged from 41 to 78% at the three sites during the seven‐year study and was generally higher for pairs nesting in nest boxes than for those in burrows. The percentage of breeding pairs that laid a second clutch after fledging at least one chick from their first clutch (double brooded) varied between seasons (0–48%) and was correlated with the date of the onset of breeding. Egg loss, possibly through predation by Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus), influenced the significantly lower reproductive success at one area (Area A) at Taiaroa Head during the 1996 season.     

Selective gray matter staining of human brain slices: optimized use of cadaver materials

We report a novel staining technique for human brain slices that distinguishes clearly gray from white matter. Previously described techniques using either Prussian blue (Berlin blue) or phthalocyanine dyes usually have included a hot phenol pretreatment to prevent white matter staining. The technique we describe here does not require hot phenol pretreatment and allows the use of brains stored for postmortem periods of one to two years prior to staining. Our technique involves staining with copper(II) phthalocyanine-tetrasulfonic acid tetrasodium salt 1% in water for 2 h followed by acetic acid treatment; this produces excellent blue staining of gray matter with little white matter staining. The stained brain slices are excellent for teaching human brain anatomy and/or pathology, or for research purposes.     

Blue light emission spectra of popular mobile devices: The extent of user protection against melatonin suppression by built-in screen technology and light filtering software systems

ABSTRACT

Blue light, with wavelengths shorter than 440–450 nm, is the most energetic radiation of the visible spectrum for the human eye, and its possible multiple effects on the human nervous and other systems have become a line of research by many investigators. The use of mobile devices whose screens emit various amounts of blue light is common nowadays. This study evaluated the efficiency of the blue light screen and control software technologies of eight different mobile devices. Emitted screen spectra of the different mobile devices according to different conditions of blue light emission software control were obtained using a spectrograph, and the derived spectra were compared with the melatonin suppression action spectrum. The amount of blue light emission and predicted melatonin suppression varied according to the unique software control and screen technology of each device. AMOLED screen technology, compared with other screen technologies, achieved better control of blue light emission. The effect of blue light filters depends on the screen technology; however, the melatonin suppression index of mobile devices is not reduced sufficiently by the use of blue light-attenuating software.     

Blue LED light exposure develops intracellular reactive oxygen species,lipid peroxidation,and subsequent cellular injuries in cultured bovine retinal pigment epithelial cells

Abstract

The effects of blue light emitter diode (LED) light exposure on retinal pigment epithelial cells (RPE cells) were examined to detect cellular damage or change and to clarify its mechanisms. The RPE cells were cultured and exposed by blue (470 nm) LED at 4.8 mW/cm². The cellular viability was determined by XTT assay and cellular injury was determined by the lactate dehydrogenase activity in medium. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation was determined by confocal laser microscope image analysis using dihydrorhodamine 123 and lipid peroxidation was determined by 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal protein-adducts immunofluorescent staining (HNE). At 24 h after 50 J/cm² exposures, cellular viability was significantly decreased to 74% and cellular injury was significantly increased to 365% of control. Immediately after the light exposure, ROS generation was significantly increased to 154%, 177%, and 395% of control and HNE intensity was increased to 211%, 359%, and 746% of control by 1, 10, and 50 J/cm², respectively. These results suggest, at least in part, that oxidative stress is an early step leading to cellular damage by blue LED exposure and cellular oxidative damage would be caused by the blue light exposure at even lower dose (1, 10 J/cm²).     

Carbon Coated Bimetallic Sulfide Hollow Nanocubes as Advanced Sodium Ion Battery Anode

Sodium ion battery (SIB) as a next‐generation battery has been drawing much attention due to the abundance and even distribution of sodium source. Metal sulfides with high theoretical capacity and good electrical conductivity are promising anode candidates for SIB, however, the structural collapse caused by severe volume change during the de/sodiation process typically results in a fast capacity decay, limited rate capability, and cycling stability. In this work, by careful composition and structure design, polydopamine coated Prussian blue analogs derived carbon coated bimetallic sulfide hollow nanocubes (PBCS) are prepared with distinguished morphology, higher surface area, smaller charge transfer resistance, and higher sodium diffusion coefficient than the uncoated bimetallic sulfides. An optimum carbon coated bimetallic sulfide hollow nanocube anode delivers a specific capacity of ≈500 mA h g^?1 at 50 mA g^?1 with ethylene carbonate/dimethyl carbonate (1:1, vol%) electrolyte in the presence of fluoroethylene carbonate additives. A capacity of 122.3 mA h g^?1 can be realized at 5000 mA g^?1, showing good rate performance. In addition the carbon coated bimetallic sulfide hollow nanocubes can maintain capacity of 87 mA h g^?1 after being cycled at 500 mA g^?1 for 150 times, indicating its good cycling stability. The structure integrity, high specific capacity, good rate performance, and cycling stability of PBCS render it a promising anode material for advanced SIB.     

Blistering1 Modulates Penicillium expansum Virulence Via Vesicle-mediated Protein Secretion

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Highlights

• •The Blistering1 locus in Penicillium expansum encodes a novel protein with a DnaJ domain.
• •A single T-DNA insertion was generated in the blistering1 gene which manifested in reduced decay in apple and nearly undetectable levels of the mycotoxin patulin in the T625 mutant.
• •T625 failed to secrete a set of enzymes that degrade plant cell walls and the three final biosynthetic enzymes of patulin synthesis.
• •Quantitative mass spectrometry of mycelial proteins revealed that the mutant had altered cellular networks controlling protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum, protein export, vesicle-mediated transport, and endocytosis.
• •Transmission electron microscopy of hyphal cross sections confirmed that the mutant formed abnormally enlarged endosomes or vacuoles.
• •These data reveal that Blistering1 affects internal and external protein processing involving vesicle-mediated transport in a family of fungi with medical, commercial, and agricultural importance.

     

Pseudo-Second-Order Kinetic Model for Biosorption of Methylene Blue onto Tamarind Fruit Shell: Comparison of Linear and Nonlinear Methods

In this study, the sorption of methylene blue, a basic dye, onto tamarind fruit shell was studied by performing batch kinetic sorption experiments. The equilibrium kinetic data were analyzed using the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. A comparison between linear least squares method and nonlinear regression method of estimating the kinetic parameters was examined. Four pseudo-second-order kinetic linear equations were discussed. The coefficient of determination (r ²), and the chi-square (χ²) test were employed as error analysis methods to determine the best-fitting equation. Kinetic parameters obtained from four kinetic linear equations using the linear method differed but they were the same when nonlinear method was used. Present investigation showed that by linear method a Type 1 expression very well represent the kinetic uptake of methylene blue onto tamarind fruit shell. Linear method was found to check only the hypothesis instead of verifying the kinetic model. Nonlinear regression method was found to be the more appropriate method to determine the rate kinetic parameters.