Evaluation of the potential of a bead mill for the release of intracellular bacterial enzymes

The suitability of bead mills for the release of intracellular bacterial enzymes has been studied using the Dyno-Mill Model KDL. The effect of cell concentration, bead size and agitation speed on the release of beta-lactamase from Enterobacter cloacae P99 was examined. Scale-up considerations included, the best operational values for these parameters were 1 g cell paste suspended in 2.5 ml buffer, 0.25 mm diameter glass beads and 15 ms ⁻¹ agitation speed. These conditions proved suitable for the release of enzymes from other Gram-negative bacteria in both batch and continuous processes.     

Action of Thiobacillus thiooxidans on Sulphur in the Presence of a Surfactant Agent and its Application in the Indirect Dissolution of Phosphorus

The addition of a surfactant agent (Tween 80) to a medium containing sulphur and a culture of Thiobacillus thiooxidans increased the attachment of bacteria to sulphur, the rate of sulphur oxidation and sulphuric acid production. This acid was used to dissolve phosphorus from calcium phosphate. The yield was higher than reported for other microorganisms although dissolution was not increased significantly by Tween addition.     

药用真菌桑黄的种类解析

桑黄的药用记载源自两千多年前的《神农本草经》中的「桑耳」,桑黄名称最早出自唐初甄权所著《药性论》。桑黄异于其他药用真菌之处是外观相似的种类多。两千年来多本古籍所记载之桑黄,乃不同人对于不同真菌种类的阐述,因为古代无能力研究显微特征以区分种类,亦无分子手段进行种类鉴定。现代桑黄的研究起于1968年日本学者发现桑黄的卓越抗癌能力。日、韩过去普遍以Phellinus linteus当作桑黄的拉丁学名。然而,中国学者在1998年发现P. linteus是中美洲的种类,亚洲并无分布。2012年发表真正的桑黄为新种Inonotus sanghuang,只长在桑树上。2016年发表桑黄及其相近种类属于新属：桑黄孔菌属Sanghuangporus,桑黄的拉丁学名因此改为Sanghuangporus sanghuang。桑黄孔菌属目前所知有14种,与生长的树种常具有专一性,只有桑树桑黄这一种长在桑树上。桑树桑黄的药理活性优于市售常见的杨树桑黄S. vaninii及暴马桑黄S. baumii。在中、日、韩广泛栽培的所谓桑黄子实体并非桑树桑黄,而是杨树桑黄（简称杨黄）。有鉴于桑树桑黄及杨树桑黄的优良保健功效及安全性,建议政府部门应尽早研究将这两种药用真菌收录于中国药典,纳入食品原料以及中药品,以促进民众健康和桑黄产业发展;并且应该明确规范这两种药用真菌产品的正确拉丁学名及中文名称。     

Dibenzothiophene Biodegradation by a Pseudomonas sp. in Model Solutions

The presence of a fatty acid and an n-alkane may affect the biodegradation rate of aromatic sulphur compounds such as dibenzothiophene (DBT). A fatty acid (hexadecanoic acid) may form micellar structures favouring DBT bioavailability. n-Alkanes, such as n-dodecane or n-hexadecane, form a film around the aromatic sulphur molecule as a consequence of solvation, thus increasing DBT bioavailability. The mass-transfer rate from the solid to the aqueous phase controls the DBT biodegradation rate when DBT is the only carbon source. Diffusional coassimilation and microbial hydrophobic effects are rate-limiting steps in DBT biodegradation in the presence of aliphatic compounds. Diffusion depends on the DBT concentration in n-alkane, while cometabolism is associated with different n-alkane biodegradation rates. Through the definition of biodesulphurization selectivity and biodesulphurization efficiency, our investigations have shown that a selective aerobic biodesulphurization process is possible by using an unselective biocatalyst, such as a Pseudomonas sp.     

Synthesis of Acid Protease from Mucor miehei: Integration of Production and Recovery

The production of acid protease from Mucor Miehei was repressed by amino acid additions (3·5-5·0 g/litre) from hydrolysed casein. The integration of the batch bioprocess with an ultrafiltration unit proved effective in depressing enzyme production. A hollow fibre ultrafilter with a 5000 MW cutoff was used to reduce the concentration of amino acids present in the medium after enzyme concentration began to decline. Volume concentrating ratio (VCR) values of 2 and 3 were used for the experiments. Increases as high as 25% in enzyme concentration were achieved.     

贵州省翼手类名录修订

参考翼手目动物分类学和分子系统学的最新研究成果, 在《贵州兽类志》的基础上, 结合近年来有关翼手类研究的资料, 对贵州省翼手类名录进行整理, 并列出了贵州省翼手类的分布地点。截止到2015年10月31日, 贵州省共有蝙蝠7科17属51种, 占中国现有蝙蝠种类(134种)的38.1%。其中, 我国特有种8种(贵州特有种2种)。与《贵州兽类志》中记载的翼手类相比, 增加了14种, 3个物种未被列入, 更改了10个物种的名称。按照中国动物地理区划, 贵州省蝙蝠以东洋界种类占绝对优势, 共有42种, 古北界种类仅2种, 广布种7种。列入IUCN红色名录各濒危等级的有44种, 列入《中国脊椎动物红色名录》的有48种。     

Optimization of solid-state fermentation for selective delignification of aspen wood with Phlebia tremellosa

The white-rot fungus Phlebia tremellosa can delignify aspen wood and increase the accessibility of its polysaccharides to enzymatic hydrolysis, under solid-state fermentation conditions. Fermentations at the 50 g scale were conducted to provide information for the design of larger fermentations. Agitation was not required. Forced aeration was needed for delignification of wood layers more than a few millimeters thick, but air circulation between the particles was not blocked by mycelium. Shavings were the best particles size. Sterilization of the wood was essential, but preadaptation of the inoculum to growth in wood was not. Inoculum levels as low as 2% were adequate.     

Extracellular protease and amylase activities in ligninase-producing liquid culture of Phanerochaete chrysosporium

The production of extracellular proteases and -amylase by ligninase-producing liquid culture of the white-rot fungus Phanerochaete chrysosporium NCIM 1197 has been investigated in stationary culture conditions. Acid, neutral, and alkaline proteases were all identified with maximum activities on the 9th day of incubation. Peak production of ligninase and -amylase occured on day 6 and day 3 respectively. The time courses of the production of proteases and those of ligninase and amylase were negatively correlated.

Protease inhibition by the addition of phenylmethyl sulphonyl flouride (days 1 and 4) resulted in enhanced activities of ligninase and amylase beyond the 9th day, suggesting an effect of protease on ligninase and amylase activity.     

An update of the vegetation classification in China

The vegetation classification in China was updated by referring to recent advances for vegetation classification worldwide and on the basis of our former paper Recognition and Proposal on the Vegetation Classification System of China (hereafter, “Recognition and Proposal”). In this revision, the criteria for vegetation classification were discussed and unified, and a quantified standard for high, medium, and low level units in a new hierarchical classification scheme was supplemented. Compared with the old classification scheme in “Recognition and Proposal”, the units at the level of vegetation type were substantially changed. Finally, in order to improve mutual communication among international peers, a comparison was carried out between the new revised scheme and each of International Classification and Mapping of Vegetation of UNESCO, The National Vegetation Classification Standard of United States, and The Braun-Blanquet Classification Scheme.     

Deep-water Ophiuroidea of the northern Atlantic with descriptions of three new species and taxonomic remarks on certain genera and species

Based on material from the fourth cruise of the RV Akademik Mstislav Keldysh and the MAR-ECO cruise of the RV G.O. Sars, 31 species of Ophiuroidea were identified from the section of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge between the Reykjanes Ridge and the Azores. The taxonomy of the group of genera with reduced arm comb and tentacle pores restricted only to the proximal arm segments is reviewed. It is suggested that the genera Homalophiura H.L. Clark, 1915, Ophiurolepis Matsumoto, 1915, Theodoria Fell, 1961 and Homophiura Paterson, 1985 should be regarded as synonyms of the genus Ophioplinthus Lyman, 1878. From examination of the type specimens, it is demonstrated that the six-armed species Ophiacantha anomala G.O. Sars, 1871 also includes five-armed specimens previously identified as the separate species Ophiacantha cuspidata Lyman, 1878. The latter taxon is considered here as the junior synonym of O. anomala. Previously mentioned 'deep-water populations of the common shallow water species Ophiacantha bidentata (Retzius, 1805)' represent a separate species, Ophiacantha fraterna Verrill, 1885, which is well distinguished by the shape of the spicules of the disk, narrow outer oral papilla and narrower tentacle scale as well as a hermaphroditic nature. Three new species, i.e. Ophioplinthus pseudotessellata sp. nov., Ophiocamax patersoni sp. nov. and Ophiophyllum nesisi sp. nov., are described.     

Cellulase production during growth of Talaromyces emersonii CBS 814.70 on lactose containing media

The thermophilic fungus Talaromyces emersonii CBS 814.70 is capable of growth on lactose containing media. The cell protein produced towards the end of growth on that substrate is similar to those levels produced during growth of the organism on cellulose. During growth of the organism on lactose, cellulase is secreted into the medium. Analysis of the components of the cellulase system shows that both β-glucosidase and endoglucanase enzymes are produced. Levels of β-glucosidase produced during growth of the organism on lactose are well in excess of levels of that enzyme produced at any time during growth of the organism on cellulose, and we have shown that the form of that enzyme produced during growth on lactose is β-glucosidase III (BG-III). Analysis of the forms of endoglucanase indicates that not all forms of enzyme produced during growth on cellulose are produced during growth on lactose. β-Galactosidase activity was found to be present in the mycelial associated fraction, though our evidence suggests that this may simply be an incidental activity of the cell associated form of β-glucosidase IV (BG-IV).     

Improved fermentative production of Monascus pigments in roller bottle culture

The quantities and qualities of Monascus pigments produced by the filamentous fungus Monascus anka in batch submerged, agar surface, and roller bottle cultures were compared. In roller bottles, the fungus became attached to the wall of the culture vessels and produced a larger quantity of both intracellular (1508 absorbance units g⁻¹ cell mass) and extracellular (27 absorbance units g⁻¹ cell mass) Monascus red pigments, a yield that was about 10-fold greater than that of batch submerged and agar surface cultures. The optimum time required for maximum pigment production was reduced from 7 days in batch submerged or agar surface cultures to 4 days in roller bottle culture. In the roller bottle culture, the ratio of red to yellow pigments was also greatly increased. The advantage of the rotating vessel might be due to a combination of factors, including better gas exchange, higher medium pH, efficient pigment secretion, solid support for mycelium, and retarded conidiation.     

Horseradish peroxidase-catalyzed oxidative coupling of 3-methyl 2-benzothiazolinone hydrazone and methoxyphenols

The reaction between o-, m-, and p-methoxyphenols and 3-methyl-2-benzothiazolinone hydrazone (MBTH) is studied in the presence of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) and H₂O₂ as oxidative agent. The findings indicate that enzyme (H₂O₂ oxidoreductase; EC 1.11.1.7) catalyzes an oxidative coupling reaction between MBTH and phenols which produces azo dye compounds. On the basis of kinetic parameters and optimum pH values, a mechanism in which both MBTH and phenols seem to be activated by the HRP for achieving the oxidative coupling is proposed. Furthermore, in the current study, we have evaluated the possibility that these azo dyes may be useful in the measurement of peroxidase activity. The method is based on the observed increase in the absorbance at 502 nm (8,355 cm^{−1 −1} of extinction molar coefficient) due to the formation of a red azo dye compound resulting from the peroxidase-catalyzed oxidative coupling of MBTH and o-methoxyphenol (guaiacol). Using this assay system, HRP can be determined in picomolar levels by a fixed time method.     

Properties and action pattern of the recombinant mannuronan C-5-epimerase AlgE2

The mannuronan C-5-epimerase AlgE2 is one of a family of Ca²⁺-dependent epimerases secreted by Azotobacter vinelandii. These enzymes catalyze the conversion of β- -mannuronic acid residues (M) to - -guluronic acid residues (G) in alginate. AlgE2 has been produced by fermentation with a recombinant strain of Escherichia coli, isolated and partially purified. Epimerization with AlgE2 increased the content of G-residues in different alginates from starting values of 0–45% up to approximately 70%. The new G-residues were mainly present in short blocks. Although G-residues may be introduced next to pre-existing G-residues, AlgE2 was not able to epimerize strictly alternating MG-structures. The epimerization with AlgE2 was greatly affected by the concentration of Ca²⁺. The type of alginate used as substrate affected the reaction rate and the reaction pattern especially at low Ca²⁺ concentration. AlgE2 appears to act by a preferred attack mechanism where the enzyme associates with different sequences in the alginate depending on the concentration of Ca²⁺. During epimerization, AlgE2 occasionally causes cleavage of the alginate chain. The observed frequency corresponds to 1–3 breaks per 1,000 M-units epimerized.     

Influence of Potassium Bromate on Some Malting Properties of Nigerian Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor)

The effect of various concentrations of potassium bromate (a malting additive) was studied on malting sorghum. Potassium bromate at concentrations of 50-125 mg/litre sprinkled on germinating sorghum (28°C ± 1°C) at steep out increased the filtration rate and cold and hot extract values after four days of germination. There was no significant decrease in malting loss at the low concentrations (50-125 mg/litre) of the additive. A higher dose, of 150 mg/litre, decreased the malting loss, while at a concentration of 125 mg/litre a significant increase was observed for the diastatic power after four days of germination.     

Experimental investigation of the scaphoid strain during wrist motion

The scaphoid is the most frequently fractured of the carpal bones [Taleisnik, J., The Wrist, Churchill Livingstone, New York (1985)]. This project was undertaken to qualitatively evaluate the strain in the scaphoid during wrist motion using a newly developed strain gage method. Strain gage resettes were mounted within the scaphoid and the range of motion of the hand was monitored using a custom designed electrogoniometer and data acquisition system. Ten specimens were utilized for this study. Results indicated that supination/pronation (S/P) of the forearm did not affect the strain in the scaphoid. A map of the strain in the waist of the scaphoid, as a function of flexion/extension (F/E) and radial/ulnar deviation (R/U), was generated. The contour plot of scaphoid strain vs range of motion (ROM) shows a valley where strains are low. Minimum scaphoid strain was found near neutral F/E and 15° of ulnar deviation.     

基于SVR算法的林地土壤氮含量高光谱测定

提出了一种利用高光谱技术进行杉木林土壤全氮测定的新方法。以FieldSpec®3地物光谱仪采集杉木林土壤148份, 随机分成校正集(100份)和检验集(48份)。以不同方法实现了土壤光谱的预处理, 并采用偏最小二乘回归算法(PLS)建立土壤氮含量估测模型对其进行比较分析, 发现小波除噪结合多元散射校正能最有效地消除原始光谱的噪声与背景信息, 此时PLS模型校正集与预测集R²分别为0.891与0.885。为进一步优化模型, 对经小波除噪结合多元散射校正处理后的光谱采用主成分分析法(PCA)降维, 以前4个主成份为输入变量, 采用小二乘支持向量机回归算法(LS-SVR)建立了土壤氮含量估测模型, 其校正集与预测集R²分别提高至0.921与0.917, 具有比PLS算法更高的精度。结果表明:以高光谱技术进行林地土壤氮含量快速监测是可行的, 其中小波去噪结合多元散射校正系光谱预处理的优选方法, 而LS-SVR则是建模的优选方法。     

Microbial degradation of recalcitrant compounds and synthetic aromatic polymers

The evolution of microbial catabolic enzymes cannot keep pace with the rapid introduction of novel compounds into the environment. These new synthetic compounds that are slowly biodegradable or non-biodegradable are known as recalcitrant compounds, and range from simple halogenated hydrocarbons to complex polymers. Recalcitrant compounds can be made biodegradable by developing microorganisms capable of degrading the compound and by treating the compound to make it more conducive to mirobial attack. Many factors contribute to recalcitrance. The organism may lack the necessary genetic information. The organism can acquire this information by plasmid transfer or de novo enzyme synthesis. Plasmids have been characterized that degrade or transform antibiotics, pesticides, and hydrocarbons. By the use of chemostat techniques or chemical mutagens, organisms have been shown to synthesize de novo enzymes. The compound may be too large to enter the cell, or a transport system may not exist to transport it across the membrane. The compound may be insoluble, either as a solid or a liquid, and the microorganism may lack the proper nutrients. Recalcitrant compounds can be oxygenated prior to degradation, in the presence of a readily assimilable carbon source. In the absence of the assimilable carbon source, the recalcitrant compound is not degraded, or only very slowly. Examples of such co-oxidative metabolism are alkane and lignin degradation. Polymers, particularly synthetic ones, are prime examples of difficult-to-degrade compounds. The initial rate of polymer degradation follows a Freundlich or modified Langmuir isotherm rather than Michaelis-Menten kinetics. Microorganisms can irreversibly bind to solid surfaces by various methods. Soil microorganisms have been found to degrade styrene monomers and dimers. Polystyrene has been shown to be biodegradable by ¹⁴CO₂ evolution but at a very slow rate. In car tyres, styrene as a copolymer of butadiene is co-metabolized in the presence of other assimilable carbon sources.     

Book Review

Salmon, M. V. Practical phase-contrast microscopy. The Microscope, 6, 177-88. 1947.

Evans, Titus C. Radioautographs in which the tissue is mounted directly on the photographic plate. Proc. Soc. Exp. Biol, and Med, 64, 813-15. 1947.

Tolbert, B. M., and Branch, G. E. K. The spectra of the doubly charged positive ions of some p,p'-diaminotriphenylmethane dyes. J. Amer. Chem. Soc, 69, 1083-81. 1947.

Van Wyk, J. J., and Clark, W. M. The luminosity and chromaticity of indicators as a function of pH. J. Amer. Chern. Soc, 69, 1296-1301. 1947.

Hamre, Christopher J. Hematopoiesis in the bone marrow of rats recovering from nutritional anemia. J. Lab. & Clin. Med, 32, 756-76. 1947.

Limarzi, Louis R. Evaluation of bone marrow concentration techniques. A modified method for the simultaneous preparation and staining of blood and bone marrow films. J. lab. & Clin. Med, 32, 782-40. 1947.

Heath, O. V. S. Role of starch in light-induced stomatal movement, and a new reagent for staining stomatal starch. Nature, 159, 647-8. 1947.

Cohen, H. A. A new quick method for staining Treponema pallidum. Acta Med. Orientalia, 6, 99-100. 1947.

Henry, H., and Stacey, M. Histochemistry of the Gram-staining reaction for micro-organisms. Proc. Roy. Soc, Ser. B. Biol. Sci, 133, 891-406. 1946.

Para, M. Silver impregnation of spirochetes in tissue sections. Arch. Path, 42, 649. 1946.

Ruiz, Merino, J. A method of staining capsules. Rev. Sanidad e Hig. Publ (Madrid), 20, 1112. 1946.     

Pmr1基因缺失对粟酒裂殖酵母细胞有性生殖和有丝分裂的影响及其分子机制研究*

目的:pmr1基因编码P型钙转运ATP酶Pmr1,参与维持细胞壁完整性和调控胞质分裂。以粟酒裂殖酵母为模式细胞,探究pmr1缺失后对细胞有性生殖及细胞分裂中肌动蛋白环精细动力学的影响,揭示pmr1缺失后细胞异常生长过程中的关键基因和代谢通路。方法:通过细胞生长速率测定、产孢统计、绿色荧光蛋白标记肌动蛋白和活细胞成像的方法,检测pmr1缺失对细胞有丝分裂和有性生殖的影响;采用RNA-Seq对野生型菌株和pmr1Δ菌株测序和生物信息学分析,并进行qRT-PCR验证。结果:pmr1缺失后细胞生长减慢,分裂期细胞长度减小,子囊孢子长度增加,且肌动蛋白环的形成时间增加。RNA测序结果显示,mfm1、mfm2和mat1-Mc下调,错配修复通路cdc1和exo1上调以及糖酵解/糖异生途径pgi1、pfk1和dld1下调是引起pmr1Δ孢子长度增加的主要因素;糖酵解/糖异生途径tdh1、pgk1下调,以及脂肪酸合成代谢途径fas1、fas2、cut6和lcf1下调导致了pmr1Δ分裂期细胞长度减小;hsp9上调是影响pmr1Δ收缩环形成时间增加的关键基因。qRT-PCR实验证实,pmr1缺失后关键基因的表达趋势与RNA-Seq结果一致。结论:pmr1缺失后,粟酒裂殖酵母细胞中错配修复通路、糖酵解/糖异生途径及脂肪酸合成代谢途径发生障碍,导致细胞及孢子形态均异常,且肌动蛋白环形成受阻,细胞增殖减缓。