Metabolomics reveals ionones upregulation in MeJA elicited Cinnamomum camphora (camphor tree) cell culture

Plant Cell, Tissue and Organ Culture (PCTOC) - Cell suspension culture offers an approach for elucidating secondary metabolites biosynthetic pathways and its regulatory mechanism. In this work,...     

A DSS for job scheduling under process interruptions

The primary objective of this research is to solve the job-shop scheduling problems (JSSPs), by minimizing the makespan, with and without process interruptions. In this paper, we first developed a genetic algorithm for solving JSSPs, and then improved the algorithm by integrating it with two simple priority rules and a hybrid rule. The performance of the developed algorithm was tested by solving 40 benchmark problems and comparing their results with that of a number of well-known algorithms. In addition, we have studied the job-shop scheduling under process interruptions such as machine unavailability and breakdown. For convenience of implementation, we have developed a decision support system (DSS). In the DSS, we built a graphical user interface for user friendly data inputs, model choices, and output generation. An overview of the DSS and an analysis of the experimental results are provided. The incorporation of priority rules, and a hybrid rule, not only improves the solutions but also reduces the overall computational time. The experimental results show that when the machine unavailability information is known in advance, the effect on the schedule is very little compared to the sudden machine breakdown scenario.     

Purification, assay, and kinetic properties of sheep liver pyridoxal kinase

Pyridoxal kinase from sheep liver has been purified 1100-fold by ammonium sulfate precipitation and chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, Sephadex G-150, and ADP-Sepharose. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis indicated the enzyme to be nearly homogeneous. Initial velocity studies were consistent with a sequential mechanism. The Michaelis constants for pyridoxal and ZnATP²⁻ complex are 160 and 31 μ , respectively. A new assay was developed in which [³H]pyridoxine was used as substrate. The product, [³H]pyridoxine 5′-P, was separated from the substrate with DEAE-cellulose disks. Determination of the Michaelis constants for pyridoxine and the ZnATP²⁻ complex by this new method gave values of 110 and 32 μ , respectively.     

Applicability of Low-Cost Binders for the Quantitative Elemental Analysis of Urinary Stones Using EDXRF Based on Fundamental Parameter Approach

Biological Trace Element Research - The pressed powder sample is a common method for elemental analysis using X-ray fluorescence analysis whereas suitable light hydrocarbon materials should be...     

Protective effect of Echinops galalensis against CCl4-induced injury on the human hepatoma cell line (Huh7)

Phytochemical investigation of the flowering aerial parts of Echinops galalensis (Asteraceae) led to the isolation of a new taraxasteryl triterpene, 3β-acetoxy-taraxast-12, 20(30)-diene-11α-21α-diol (1), together with nine known metabolites, α-amyrin (2), β-sitosterol (3), erythrodiol (4), lup-20(29)-ene-1,3-diol (5), 1,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid (6), 3,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid (7), 3,4-dicaffeoylquinic acid (8), 4,5-dicaffeoylquinic acid (9) and apigenin-7-O-β-d-glucoside (10). The structure of the new compound was determined by comprehensive analyses of their 1D and 2D NMR, mass spectral (HR-EI) data and comparison with previously known analogs. The effect of the methanol extract of E. galalensis, its fractions as well as compounds (1–10) on human hepatoma cell line (Huh7) was evaluated according to aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) activities and malondialdehyde (MDA) level before and after exposure of the cells to carbon tetrachloride (CCl₄). It was found that pre-treatment of human hepatoma cell line (Huh7) with the tested samples (100 μg/ml) prior to CCl₄ challenge protected against cell injury. The protective effect of E. galalensis was suggested to be mediated, at least partly, by its antioxidant activity.