Single-cell oil production by Mortierella isabellina DSM 1414 using different sugars as carbon source

Pure carbon sources, especially carbohydrates which are raw materials deriving from agro-industrial processes, are often used for small-scale single-cell oil production by fermentation. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of different pure carbon sources on cell growth, lipid accumulation, and γ-linolenic acid (GLA) production by the filamentous fungus Mortierella isabellina DSM 1414 (Deutsche Sammlung von Mikroorganismen). The sugars utilized in this study are found extensively and abundantly in nature, especially in food raw materials and, in consequence, in agro-food industry wastes or surpluses. Thus, the potential of many waste materials containing these sugars to be used in the production of single-cell oil by fermentation could also be evaluated. The effects of the sugars utilized on cell growth, biomass production, and lipid production were investigated. Fatty acids were also analysed in the lipids produced at the end of the fermentations. Results showed that the maximum biomass production was 10.80 g/L in lactose-based media, while the maximum oil production was 5.44 g/L in maltose-based media. Oleic (20.42%–42.94%), palmitic (14.96%–22.19%), and stearic (9.00%–26.92%) acids were the major fatty acids along with linoleic acid (11.35%–18.67%) and GLA (3.56%–8.04%). The production of GLA as the target fatty acid was remarkable. This study indicates that agro-industrial waste including most of the sugars utilized (except for arabinose and sucrose with lipid production of 0.81 and 0.28 g/L, respectively) can be employed for production of single-cell oil by M. isabellina DSM 1414 which contains a high amount of GLA.     

Oxidants and antioxidants in myocardial infarction (MI): Investigation of ischemia modified albumin,malondialdehyde, superoxide dismutase and catalase in individuals diagnosed with ST elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non-STEMI (NSTEMI)

BackgroundCoronary ischemia can lead to myocardial damage and necrosis. The pathogenesis of cardiovascular diseases often includes increased oxidative stress and decreased antioxidant defense. The study aimed to assess levels of ischemia modified albumin (IMA), malondialdehyde acid (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase in individuals diagnosed with ST elevated myocardial infarction (STEMI) and non-STEMI.MethodsThe present study prospectively included 50 STEMI patients, 55 NSTEMI patients, and 55 healthy subjects. Only patients who were recently diagnosed with STEMI or NSTEMI were included in this study. IMA, MDA, SOD, and catalase activities were measured spectrophotometrically. Significant coronary artery lesions were determined by angiography.ResultsPatients with ACS had significantly greater IMA and MDA values than the healthy controls (p<0.001). Besides, patients with STEMI had IMA levels that were significantly greater than those of the patients with NSTEMI (p<0.001), while the reverse was true for MDA levels (p<0.001). The healthy controls had the highest levels of SOD and catalase levels, followed by patients with STEMI and patients with NSTEMI, respectively (p<0.001). There was a significant negative correlation among MDA and SOD with catalase levels (r = -0.771 p<0.001 MDA vs catalase; r = -0.821 p<0.001 SOD vs catalase).ConclusionsData obtained in this study reveals that compared to healthy controls, STEMI and NSTEMI patients had increased levels of MDA and IMA and decreased levels of SOD and catalase.     

Wnk kinases are positive regulators of canonical Wnt/β-catenin signalling

Wnt/β-catenin signalling is central to development and its regulation is essential in preventing cancer. Using phosphorylation of Dishevelled as readout of pathway activation, we identified Drosophila Wnk kinase as a new regulator of canonical Wnt/β-catenin signalling. WNK kinases are known for regulating ion co-transporters associated with hypertension disorders. We demonstrate that wnk loss-of-function phenotypes resemble canonical Wnt pathway mutants, while Wnk overexpression causes gain-of-function canonical Wnt-signalling phenotypes. Importantly, knockdown of human WNK1 and WNK2 also results in decreased Wnt signalling in mammalian cell culture, suggesting that Wnk kinases have a conserved function in ensuring peak levels of canonical Wnt signalling.     

Pristine C60 Fullerene Nanoparticles Ameliorate Hyperglycemia-Induced Disturbances via Modulation of Apoptosis and Autophagy Flux

Neurochemical Research - Diabetes mellitus is a prevalent metabolic disorder associated with multiple complications including neuropathy, memory loss and cognitive decline. Despite a long history...     

Molecular Characterization of Chitinase Genes from a Local Isolate of Serratia marcescens and Their Contribution to the Insecticidal Activity of Bacillus thuringiensis Strains

The chitinase B (chiB) and C (chiC) genes and flanking regions from a local isolate of Serratia marcescens were cloned individually and sequenced. Results showed that these chiB and chiC genes have a 96 % maximum similarity with chiB and chiC from different S. marcescens species (GenBank numbers Z36295.1 and AJ630582.1, respectively). The amplified chiB fragment, including some upstream and downstream regions, is 1,689-bp long with an open reading frame of 1,500 bp. The amplified fragment of chiC is 1,844 bp with an open reading frame of 1,443 bp. These sequences were submitted to the GenBank with accession numbers JX847796 (chiB) and JX847797 (chiC). Putative promoter regions and Shine–Dalgarno sequences were identified in both genes. The genes were cloned into a shuttle vector and the constructs were designated as pHYSB and pHYSC, respectively. Both plasmids were introduced separately into kurstaki and israelensis strains of Bacillus thuringiensis and the insecticidal activities of the engineered B. thuringiensis strains were assayed in larvae of Galleria mellonella and adult of Drosophila melanogaster. Engineered B. thuringiensis strains showed higher insecticidal activity than parental strain and the parental S. marcescens. In addition, pHYSB and pHYSC were stable over 16 daily passages under non-selective conditions in transformed B. t. israelensis 5724 strain.     

Taxonomic study of spongy spumellarian Radiolaria with three and four coplanar spines or arms from the middle Carnian (Late Triassic) of the Köseyahya nappe (Elbistan, SE Turkey) and other Triassic localities

The present article is a taxonomic study of all spongy spumellarian radiolarian taxa with three and four coplanar spines or spongy arms occurring in the middle Carnian from the Köseyahya section, near the town of Elbistan, SE Turkey. This fauna is characteristic of the Tetraporobrachia haeckeli radiolarian Zone, and comes from an 8 m thick succession of clayey-cherty limestones occurring at the lower part of the section. In addition, a few species from the Middle and Upper Triassic from other areas have been also included in this study to improve some generic diagnoses, and to better comprehend the diversity and evolutionary trends of some genera, subfamilies and families. The taxonomy at the generic and suprageneric levels is based primarily on the types of microsphere. This new approach allowed new taxonomic arrangements of genera and suprageneric units, and suggested new phylogenetic relationships among these radiolarians and between them and younger radiolarians. The authors discuss and describe 69 species, of which 37 are new, and 14 genera, of which three are new (Paraparonaella, Pseudangulobracchia, and Ropanaella). The genus Triassoastrum and others are reinterpreted. All genera studied are assigned to five subfamilies, of which two are new (Tetrapaurinellinae and Triassocrucellinae), and two families (Tritrabidae and Veghicycliidae). Nine species in open nomenclature are also illustrated.     

First Record of Steinernema kraussei (Rhabditida: Steinernematidae) from Turkey and Its Virulence against Agrotis segetum (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae)

During a survey of entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) in the eastern Black Sea region of Turkey in 2009–2012, a steinernematid species was recorded and isolated using the Galleria-baiting method. The isolate was identified as Steinernema kraussei based on its morphological and molecular properties. The analysis of the ITS rDNA sequence placed the Turkish population of S. kraussei in the “feltiae-kraussei” group in the clade that contains different isolates of the species. This is the first record of S. kraussei from Turkey. The efficacy of S. kraussei was tested on Agrotis segetum (Lepidoptera: Noctuidea) larvae at different densities (100, 300, and 500 infective juveniles (IJs) g⁻¹ dry sand ) in laboratory conditions at 25 °C. The highest mortality (98%) was obtained with 500 IJs g⁻¹ dry sand within 7 d after inoculation. Our results indicate that the new isolate is a highly promising biological control agent against A. segetum, one of the most serious soil pests of agricultural area and fruits worldwide.