Biomining — biotechnologies for extracting and recovering metals from ores and waste materials

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Heavy enzymes — experimental and computational insights in enzyme dynamics

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Mechanisms of mechanosensing — mechanosensitive channels,function and re-engineering

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Rapid Kill—Novel Endodontic Sealer and Enterococcus faecalis

With growing concern over bacterial resistance, the identification of new antimicrobial means is paramount. In the oral cavity microorganisms are essential to the development of periradicular diseases and are the major causative factors associated with endodontic treatment failure. As quaternary ammonium compounds have the ability to kill a wide array of bacteria through electrostatic interactions with multiple anionic targets on the bacterial surface, it is likely that they can overcome bacterial resistance. Melding these ideas, we investigated the potency of a novel endodontic sealer in limiting Enterococcus faecalis growth. We used a polyethyleneimine scaffold to synthesize nano-sized particles, optimized for incorporation into an epoxy-based endodontic sealer. The novel endodontic sealer was tested for its antimicrobial efficacy and evaluated for biocompatibility and physical eligibility. Our results show that the novel sealer foundation affixes the nanoparticles, achieving surface bactericidal properties, but at the same time impeding nanoparticle penetration into eukaryotic cells and thereby mitigating a possible toxic effect. Moreover, adequate physical properties are maintained. The nanosized quaternary amine particles interact within minutes with bacteria, triggering cell death across wide pH values. Throughout this study we demonstrate a new antibacterial perspective for endodontic sealers; a novel antibacterial, effective and safe antimicrobial means.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Eleocharis mamillata</Emphasis> — Distribution and infraspecific differentiation

Eleocharis mamillata is a widespread species in the temperate zone of Eurasia and North America. Populations in mountainous areas of Europe and Asia (the Pyrenees, Alps, Carpathians, Balkans, Ural, Caucasus, Altai) can be separated as subspeciesaustriaca differing mainly by the stylopodium shape from the nominate subspecies. Clear morphological criteria to create a separate infraspecific taxon in East Asia could not be found.     

An Empirical Potential Study of the Interaction of L—;Lysine—;L—;Alanine—;L—;Alanine Tripeptide with Four models of B—;DNA with different Compositions

Abstract

The empirical potential including the intra- and intermolecular energy terms was used to study the interaction of L-Lysine-L-Alanine-L-Alanine Tripeptide with four models of B-DNA with different compositions. On the basis of a detailed search of the respective potential energy surface, it was found that the peptide is preferentially bounded to the AT-rich sequences. Analysis of the different energy contributions indicated that the electrostatic term is responsible for this preference. The results agree with the experimental data on the selectivity of some DNA—binding proteins and polypeptides to AT—;rich DNA.     

Current developments in groundwater ecology — from biodiversity to ecosystem function and services

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Anaerobic microbial dehalogenation of organohalides — state of the art and remediation strategies

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Nitrogen-Vacancy color center in diamond — emerging nanoscale applications in bioimaging and biosensing

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