Effect of photoperiod and cold acclimation on survival of mice in cold

Male albino mice (Swiss-Webster) were raised at 5 °C under short (8L:16D) and long (16L:8D) light periods. All mice were housed in groups of three to five individuals in plastic mouse cages (16 × 12 × 28 cm) until 42 days of age with food and water ad libitum and cold exposed to ?40 °C between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm to determine survival time or time until loss of righting response occurred (CT min). Under short photo-periods, survival time was 49.3 ± 4.4 min and under long photoperiods it was 38.7 ± 1.9 min (P < 0.05). A second group of mice was maintained from birth at thermoneutral temperature (22 °C) under constant darkness, short day lengths (4L:20D), or constant light in the same fashion as mentioned above. When exposed to ?20 °C survival time was found to be 80.0 ± 5.0 min for the animals kept in constant darkness, 61.1 ± 2.3 min for animals raised in short photo-periods (4L:20D) (P < 0.01), and 52.4 ± 2.3 min for mice raised in constant light (P < 0.05). After 30 min mean rectal temperature was 32.1 ± 0.47 °C for constant-darkness animals, 30.5 ± 0.43 °C for short-day animals (P < 0.02), and 28.5 ± 0.74 °C for animals raised in constant light (P < 0.05). After 60 min mean rectal temperatures for constant-dark, 4L:20D, and constant-light animals were compared and body temperature was found to be 23.7 ± 1.6, 17.3 ± 1.5 (P < 0.01), and 12.8 ± 0.87 °C (P < 0.05), respectively. From these data, it is obvious that photoperiod influences cold resistance at both cold and thermoneutral acclimation temperatures although when considered individually, cold acclimation enhances cold survival to a greater degree than does reduced light exposure.     

Temperatures in Pigs During 3 T MRI Temperatures,Heart Rates,and Breathing Rates of Pigs During RF Power Deposition in a 3 T (128 MHz) Body Coil

Exposure to radiofrequency (RF) power deposition during magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) induces elevated body‐tissue temperatures and may cause changes in heart and breathing rates, disturbing thermoregulation. Eleven temperature sensors were placed in muscle tissue and one sensor in the rectum (measured in 10 cm depth) of 20 free‐breathing anesthetized pigs to verify temperature curves during RF exposure. Tissue temperatures and heart and breathing rates were measured before, during, and after RF exposure. Pigs were placed into a 60‐cm diameter whole‐body resonator of a 3 T MRI system. Nineteen anesthetized pigs were divided into four RF exposure groups: sham (0 W/kg), low‐exposure (2.7 W/kg, mean exposure time 56 min), moderate‐exposure (4.8 W/kg, mean exposure time 31 min), and high‐exposure (4.4 W/kg, mean exposure time 61 min). One pig was exposed to a whole‐body specific absorption rate (wbSAR) of 11.4 W/kg (extreme‐exposure). Hotspot temperatures, measured by sensor 2, increased by mean 5.0 ± 0.9°C, min 3.9; max 6.3 (low), 7.0 ± 2.3°C, min 4.6; max 9.9 (moderate), and 9.2 ± 4.4°C, min 6.1, max 17.9 (high) compared with 0.3 ± 0.3°C in the sham‐exposure group (min 0.1, max 0.6). Four time‐temperature curves were identified: sinusoidal, parabolic, plateau, and linear. These curve shapes did not correlate with RF intensity, rectal temperature, breathing rate, or heart rate. In all pigs, rectal temperatures increased (2.1 ± 0.9°C) during and even after RF exposure, while hotspot temperatures decreased after exposure. When rectal temperature increased by 1°C, hotspot temperature increased up to 42.8°C within 37 min (low‐exposure) or up to 43.8°C within 24 min (high‐exposure). Global wbSAR did not correlate with maximum hotspot. Bioelectromagnetics. 2021;42:37–50. © 2020 The Authors. Bioelectromagnetics published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Bioelectromagnetics Society     

Effects in mice of high and low environmental temperature on the maternal and fetal toxicity of 2-sec-butyl-4,6-dinitrophenol (dinoseb) and on disposition of [14C]-dinoseb(12).

Swiss-Webster female mice were treated with 2-sec-butyl-4,6-dinitrophenol (dinoseb) and maintained in an increased environmental temperature (32 degrees C) for 24 h or a decreased temperature (0-6 degrees C) for 1.5-4 h. In two experiemtns animals maintained at low temperature were kept wet during the cold exposure, to enhance the reduction in body temperature, by rinsing them with water at approximately 30 min intervals. Results from nonpregnant females indicated that increased temperature lowered the LD50 for single injections of dinoseb from 20.2 to 14.1 mg/kg and that reduced temperature for 4 h had no effect on the LD50. A 24 h exposure to 32 degrees C enhanced the effect of 3 daily dinoseb treatments of pregnant mice; it increased maternal mortality, decreased fetal body weight, and increased frequency of fetal anomalies. Fetal body weight and the frequency of malformations were the same in groups exposed to low temperature and maintained at room temperature. Disposition of [14 C] dinoseb was also determined in nonpregnant mice exposed to temperatures of 0, 24, and 32 degrees C. The periods of environmental temperature studied (3-24 h) had no effect on the rate of disappearance of dinoseb from plasma or other tissues examined.     

Thermoregulatory responses of lower limb amputees during exercise in a hot environment

Lower limb amputees (LLAs) have less skin surface required for sweating; thus, the ability to dissipate heat from the body may decrease and the risk of heat illness may increase during exercise in a hot environment. However, no study has compared the thermoregulatory responses during exercise between LLAs and able-body (AB) individuals with different body surface areas. This study aimed to compare the thermoregulatory responses of LLAs with those of AB individuals during exercise in a hot environment. Seven LLAs (LLA group) and 7 able-body individuals (AB group) participated in the study. A 60% peak power output of arm crank upper-body exercise was performed for 60 min in a hot environment (32 °C, 50% relative humidity). There was no difference in the increase in rectal temperature (LLA: 0.8 ± 0.2 °C, AB: 0.8  ± 0.2 °C) and mean skin temperature between the groups during the 60-min exercise. In the LLA group, the accumulated local sweat rate of the thigh during exercise was significantly higher on the non-cut side than on the cut side (64.6 ± 43.0 mg/h vs. 37.0 ± 27.2 mg/h, p < 0.05). The total sweat rate was significantly higher in the LLA group than in the AB group (1.18 ± 0.37 kg/h vs. 0.84 ± 0.10 kg/h, p < 0.05). Thermal sensation and comfort were lower in the LLA group than in the AB group. Different heat loss responses were observed in the AB and LLA groups during exercise in the heat. The LLA group compensates for sweating on the cut side due to an increase in sweat loss on the intact limb, thereby preserving appropriate thermoregulation during exercise.     

Effects of temperature and photoperiod on ovarian recrudescence in the cyprinid fish Mirogrex terrae-sanctae

Mirogrex terrae-sanctae is a commercial, sardine-like cyprinid fish in the Sea of Galilee. The fish spawns from December to the end of March. Females collected at the quiescent phase of the cycle (June) were exposed to four combinations of photoperiod and temperature for 3 months. The highest GSI (2.44 ± 0.22) was found in females exposed to simulated winter conditions (16°C, 9L) while the lowest GSI (0.65 ± 0.04) was found in fish exposed to simulated summer conditions (27°C, 14L). The GSI of fish maintained at the unnatural combination of 16°C, 14L (1.30 ± 0.09) did not differ from that of fish maintained at the other unnatural combination of 27°C, 9L (1.07 ± 0.11). However, histological examinations revealed that vitellogenic oocytes were present only in fish maintained at low temperature regimes, which implies that the growth of the ovarian mass in the 27°C, 9L group was due mainly to oogonial proliferation and that vitellogenesis was inhibited in Mirogrex at a high temperature. Both protein and calcium concentrations increased in the serum of fish following injections of oestradiol-17β. The increase of calcium was evident only in the non-filtrable (bound) fraction, suggesting that the total serum calcium above 13 mg% could be used as an indirect parameter for circulating vitelloprotein. Fish collected at the quiescent phase were injected with oestradiol (50 μg/fish c. 15 g body weight) and subsequently transferred to tanks maintained at either 12°, 20° or 27°C. The total serum calcium increased to 23.0 ± 1.75 mg% in the fish maintained for 8 days at 20°C. This was significantly higher than the concentration of calcium in the serum of fish maintained at either 12°C (7.8 ± 0.52) or 27°C(l1.8 ± 0.77). This implies that the temperature may affect ovarian recrudescence by modulating the response of the liver to oestrogen, allowing the oestrogen-induced vitellogenesis to be relatively high in the cool environment during winter.     

Alteration of the acute toxicity and various pharmacologic effects of streptomycin sulfate by calcium 4'-phosphopantothenate

The effect of calcium 4'-phosphopantothenate (CPP) on acute toxicity of streptomycin and the decrease by the antibiotic of the muscle working capacity, "holes" reflex, body temperature and oxygen intake was studied on 258 albino mice weighing 22-26 g. Medical calcium pantothenate (CPA) was used for control purposes. CPP is an antagonist of streptomycin sulfate. In a dose of 1/10 or 1/5 of the LD50 injected intraperitoneally CPP lowered acute toxicity of streptomycin and prevented its effect in a dose of 0.11--1.1 g/kg injected subcutaneously on the muscle working capacity, "holes" reflex and body temperature. The spectrum index of the CPP antitoxic effect was equal to 22.5. By its acute toxicity CPP (LD50 1.18 +/- 0.07 g/kg) did not differ from CPA (LD50 1.25 +/- 0.08 g/kg). The efficacy of CPP, by its antitoxic spectrum, was 1.8 times higher than that of CPA. CPA lowered the streptomycin effect on the "holes" reflex and body temperature, while CPP prevented it. Both the drugs did not influence the decrease in the oxygen consumption induced by streptomycin.     

The importance of experience in the development of tolerance to ethanol hypothermia

Studies were conducted to determine if an animal has to experience a reduction in body temperature during the acquisition period in order to develop tolerance to the hypothermic effect of ethanol. Adult, drug-naive C57BL/6J mice were injected with 2.6 or 3.6 g/kg ethanol or normal saline once daily for 6 days. During the tolerance acquisition period, days 1–5, mice were placed into warmed chambers (36 ± 2°C) which offset ethanol hypothermia or into chambers at room temperature (24 ± 1°C). On day 6, all mice were injected with ethanol and placed into chambers at room temperature. Tolerance to ethanol's hypothermic effect did not develop in the ethanol-warm acquisition group. These mice had a significantly greater degree of hypothermia on test day than the ethanol-room temperature acquisition group, which showed tolerance, and their degree of hypothermic response was similar to that of mice injected with saline during acquisition. The differences between groups cannot be attributed to pharmacokinetic alterations or to conditioned responses since there were no differences between groups in blood or brain ethanol concentrations on test day and all groups were exposed to the same acquisition and test situations. These results extend previous work to suggest that the development of tolerance to the physiological, as well as behavioral, aspects of ethanol intoxication requires more than simple exposure to ethanol.     

Effect of polyphenols extracted from tamarind (Tamarindus indica L.) seed coat on pathophysiological changes and red blood cell glutathione peroxidase activity in heat-stressed broilers

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of polyphenols extracted from the tamarind seed coat (PETSC) on glutathione peroxidase (GPx) activity, red blood cell parameters and bilirubin in heat-stressed broilers. One hundred forty-seven broilers, 18-days old were divided into two groups. In group 1, broilers were maintained at an environmental temperature of 26?±?2 °C throughout the experimental period. In group 2, the broilers were maintained at 38?±?2 °C (cyclic temperature: 26?±?2 °C; ?38?±?2 °C; and ?26?±?2 °C, and broilers were maintained at 38?±?2 °C for 6 h/ day) and received PETSC at a concentration of 0, 100, 200, 300, 400 or 500 mg/kg in their diet ad libitum. Parameters were investigated on days 1, 7, 14 and 21 of the experimental period. Results showed that GPx activity of heat-stressed broilers that received 100 mg/kg of PETSC in their diet was lower (P?<?0.05) than that in broilers fed the other concentrations. The mean total red blood cell count and hemoglobin concentration of heat-stressed broilers that received 100 mg/kg PETSC was higher (P?<?0.05) than those in broilers in group 1 and those fed the other concentrations. The mean bilirubin level in the excreta of heat-stressed broilers that received 100 mg/kg of PETSC was lower (P?<?0.05) than that in broilers that received 0, 300, 400 and 500 mg/kg of PETSC. This showed that PETSC could reduce GPx activity and bilirubin in feces, and increase red blood cell parameters in heat-stressed broilers.     

Circadian Rhythms in Toxic Effects of the Serotonin Antagonist Ondansetron in Mice

The aim of the study was to learn whether the lethal and the motor incoordination (ataxia) side effect of ondansetron (Zophren®) administration is dosing‐time dependent. Ondansetron is a serotonin 5‐HT₃ receptor antagonist used primarily to control nausea and vomiting arising from cytotoxic chemo‐ and radiotherapy. A total of 210 male Swiss mice 10 to 12 weeks of age were synchronized for 3 weeks by 12h light (rest span)/12h dark (activity span). Different doses of ondansetron were injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) at fixed times during the day to determine both the sublethal (TD₅₀) and lethal (LD₅₀) doses, which were, respectively, 3.7 ± 0.6 mg/kg and 4.6 ± 0.5 mg/kg. In the chronotoxicologic study a single dose of ondansetron (3.5 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered to different and comparable groups of animals at four different circadian stages [1, 7, 13, and 19h after light onset (HALO)]. The lethal toxicity was statistically significantly dosing time‐dependent (χ² = 21.51, p < 0.0001). Drug dosing at 1 HALO resulted in 100% survival rate whereas drug dosing at 19 HALO was only one‐half that (52%). Similarly, lowest and highest ataxia occurred when ondansetron was injected at 1 and 19 HALO, respectively (χ² = 22.24, p < 0.0001). Effects on rectal temperature were also dosing‐time related (Cosinor analysis, p < 0.0001). The characteristics of the waveform describing the temporal patterns differed between the studied variables, e.g., lethal toxicity and survival rate showing two peaks and rectal temperature showing one peak in the 24h time series waveform pattern. Cosinor analysis also revealed a statistically significant ultradian (τ ≡ 8h) rhythmic component in the considered variables. Differences in curve patterns in toxicity elicited by ondansetron on a per end point basis are hypothesized to represent the phase relations between the identified 24h and 8h periodicities.     

Environmental modification of nest-building in the white-footed mouse, Peromyscus leucopus

Exposure of Peromyscus leucopus to low ambient temperature (5°C versus 26°C) during a 5-day test resulted in the building of larger nests. The weight of cotton used by the animal was employed as an index of nest size. Animals which had been acclimated to 5°C for 6 weeks prior to testing built larger nests at 5°C and smaller nests at 26°C than did warm-acclimated mice. In addition, warmacclimated P. leucopus maintained for 6 weeks under short photoperiod (LD9:15; L=light, D=dark) built larger nests at both 5°C and 26°C than did animals maintained under long photoperiod (LD 16:8). This pattern of response to environmental conditions approximating winter (low ambient temperature, short photoperiod) indicates that nesting is a component of the physiological-behavioural complex of cold adaptation.     

Developmental Regulation of Low-temperature Tolerance in Winter Wheat

Vernalization and photoperiod genes have wide-ranging effectson the timing of gene expression in plants. The objectives ofthis study were to (1) determine if expression of low-temperature(LT) tolerance genes is developmentally regulated and (2) establishthe interrelationships among the developmental stages and LTtolerance gene expression. LT response curves were determinedfor three photoperiod-sensitive LT tolerant winter wheat (Triticumaestivum L. em Thell) genotypes acclimated at 4 °C under8 h short-day (SD) and 20 h long-day (LD) photoperiods from0 to 112 d. Also, three de-acclimation and re-acclimation cycleswere used that bridged the vegetative/reproductive transitionpoint for each LD and SD photoperiod treatment. A vernalizationperiod of 49 d at 4 °C was sufficient for all genotypesto reach vernalization saturation as measured by minimum finalleaf number (FLN) and confirmed by examination of shoot apicesdissected from crowns that had been de-acclimated at 20 °CLD. Before the vegetative/reproductive transition, both theLD- and SD-treated plants were able to re-acclimate to similarLT₅₀(temperature at which 50% of the plants are killed by LTstress) levels following de-acclimation at 20 °C. De-acclimationof LD plants after vernalization saturation resulted in rapidprogression to the reproductive phase and limited ability tore-acclimate. The comparative development of the SD (non-flowering-inductivephotoperiod) de-acclimated plants was greatly delayed relativeto LD plants, and this delay in development was reflected inthe ability of SD plants to re-acclimate to a lower temperature.These observations confirm the hypothesis that the point oftransition to the reproductive stage is pivotal in the expressionof LT tolerance genes, and the level and duration of LT acclimationare related to the stage of phenological development as regulatedby vernalization and photoperiod requirements. Copyright 2001Annals of Botany Company Triticum aestivum L., wheat, low-temperature tolerance, vernalization, photoperiod, phenological development     

蜡蚧轮枝菌和球孢白僵菌的共发酵

【目的】球孢白僵菌(Beauveria bassiana)和蜡蚧轮枝菌(Verticillium lecanii)是国内外目前研究应用最广泛的杀虫生防真菌,欲扩大其防治范围、增强防治效果、降低生防成本。【方法】采用共发酵技术,通过组合菌株产孢能力和杀虫毒力比较试验,确定蜡蚧轮枝菌和球孢白僵菌共发酵的可行性。【结果】蜡蚧轮枝菌L-31和球孢白僵菌Q-55共发酵的最佳配比为1:1时,按10%总量接种于发酵培养液中(培养液按酵母膏5.0 g/L、葡萄糖20.0 g/L、麦芽糖提取物5.0 g/L、KH2PO43.0 g/L、黄小米200.0 g/L,pH 6.5配制),23.0°C±0.1°C恒温静置发酵12 d,共发酵液的含孢量可达1×109CFU/mL以上,杀虫毒力比较强,其对温室白粉虱和菜青虫可同时显效,处理9 d后的致死中浓度LC50分别为2.09×104±0.12 CFU/mL和3.17×105±0.11 CFU/mL,发酵液浓度为1×108CFU/mL时的致死中时间LT50分别为2.11±0.14 d和4.27±0.43 d,温室小区试验校正防效在80%以上,与其各单一菌株发酵液的防效之间存在显著性差异。【结论】通过两株生防真菌的共发酵研究,为杀虫真菌的扩谱增效以及植物害虫的有效防治提供科学依据和有效途径。     

Circadian rhythms in toxic effects of the serotonin antagonist ondansetron in mice

The aim of the study was to learn whether the lethal and the motor incoordination (ataxia) side effect of ondansetron (Zophren) administration is dosing-time dependent. Ondansetron is a serotonin 5-HT3 receptor antagonist used primarily to control nausea and vomiting arising from cytotoxic chemo- and radiotherapy. A total of 210 male Swiss mice 10 to 12 weeks of age were synchronized for 3 weeks by 12 h light (rest span)/12 h dark (activity span). Different doses of ondansetron were injected intraperitoneally (i.p.) at fixed times during the day to determine both the sublethal (TD50) and lethal (LD50) doses, which were, respectively, 3.7 +/- 0.6 mg/kg and 4.6 +/- 0.5 mg/kg. In the chronotoxicologic study a single dose of ondansetron (3.5 mg/kg, i.p.) was administered to different and comparable groups of animals at four different circadian stages [1, 7, 13, and 19 h after light onset (HALO)]. The lethal toxicity was statistically significantly dosing time-dependent (chi2 = 21.51, p < 0.0001). Drug dosing at 1 HALO resulted in 100% survival rate whereas drug dosing at 19 HALO was only one-half that (52%). Similarly, lowest and highest ataxia occurred when ondansetron was injected at 1 and 19 HALO, respectively (chi2 = 22.24, p < 0.0001). Effects on rectal temperature were also dosing-time related (Cosinor analysis, p < 0.0001). The characteristics of the waveform describing the temporal patterns differed between the studied variables, e.g., lethal toxicity and survival rate showing two peaks and rectal temperature showing one peak in the 24 h time series waveform pattern. Cosinor analysis also revealed a statistically significant ultradian (tau = 8 h) rhythmic component in the considered variables. Differences in curve patterns in toxicity elicited by ondansetron on a per end point basis are hypothesized to represent the phase relations between the identified 24 h and 8 h periodicities.     

Effects of photoperiod and temperature on diapause induction and termination in the swallowtail,Sericinus montelus

Abstract Sericinus montelus overwinters as diapausing pupae. In the present study, the effects of photoperiod and temperature on diapause induction and termination of diapause are investigated. The results obtained demonstrate that high temperature can reverse the effect of short day‐lengths on diapause induction. Under an LD 12 : 12 h photoperiod, all pupae enter diapause at 15, 20 and 25 °C, whereas all pupae develop without diapause at 35 °C. No pupae enter diapause under an LD 14 : 10 h photoperiod when the temperature is above 20 °C. Photoperiodic response curves obtained at 25 and 30 °C indicate that S. montelus is a long‐day species and the critical day‐length is approximately 13 h at 25 °C. At 25 °C, the duration of diapause is shortest when the diapausing pupae are maintained under an LD 16 : 8 h photoperiod and increases under LD 14 : 10 h and LD 12 : 12 h photoperiods. Under an LD 16 : 8 h photoperiod, the duration of diapause is shortest when the diapausing pupae are maintained at 25 °C, followed by 20 and 30 °C, and then at 15 °C. These results suggest that a moderate temperature favours diapause development under a diapause‐averting photoperiod in this species. The duration of diapause induced by an LD 12 : 12 h photoperiod is significantly longer at 25 °C than those at 15, 20 and 30 °C, and is shortest at 15 °C. At 25 °C, the duration of diapause induced by LD 6 : 18, LD 12 : 12 and LD 13 : 11 h photoperiods is similar and longer than 90 days. Thus, the diapause‐inducing conditions may affect diapause intensity and a photoperiod close to the critical day‐length has significant influence on diapause intensity in S. montelus.     

Fan-precooling effect on heat strain while wearing protective clothing

This study compared heat strain during walking while wearing impermeable protective suits between fan-precooling and nonprecooling conditions. Six males engaged in 60 min of walking at a moderate speed (～2.5 km/h) in a hot environment (37 °C, 40 % relative humidity). Fanning using a fan (4.5 m/s) and spraying water over the body before wearing the suits produced significantly lower rectal temperature before the walking (37.3?±?0.1 °C vs. 37.0?±?0.1 °C, P?P?相似文献   

Comparison of separate hydrolysis and fermentation and simultaneous saccharification and fermentation processes for ethanol production from wheat straw by recombinant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Escherichia coli</Emphasis> strain FBR5

Ethanol production by recombinant Escherichia coli strain FBR5 from dilute acid pretreated wheat straw (WS) by separate hydrolysis and fermentation (SHF) and simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) was studied. The yield of total sugars from dilute acid (0.5% H₂SO₄) pretreated (160 °C, 10 min) and enzymatically saccharified (pH 5.0, 45 °C, 72 h) WS (86 g/l) was 50.0 ± 1.4 g/l. The hydrolyzate contained 1,184 ± 19 mg furfural and 161 ± 1 mg hydroxymethyl furfural per liter. The recombinant E. coli FBR5 could not grow at all at pH controlled at 4.5 to 6.5 in the non-abated wheat straw hydrolyzate (WSH) at 35 °C. However, it produced 21.9 ± 0.3 g ethanol from non-abated WSH (total sugars, 44.1 ± 0.4 g/l) in 90 h including the lag time of 24 h at controlled pH 7.0 and 35 °C. The bioabatement of WS was performed by growing Coniochaeta ligniaria NRRL 30616 in the liquid portion of the pretreated WS aerobically at pH 6.5 and 30 °C for 15 h. The bacterium produced 21.6 ± 0.5 g ethanol per liter in 40 h from the bioabated enzymatically saccharified WSH (total sugars, 44.1 ± 0.4 g) at pH 6.0. It produced 24.9 ± 0.3 g ethanol in 96 h and 26.7 ± 0.0 g ethanol in 72 h per liter from bioabated WSH by batch SSF and fed-batch SSF, respectively. SSF offered a distinct advantage over SHF with respect to reducing total time required to produce ethanol from the bioabated WS. Also, fed-batch SSF performed better than the batch SSF with respect to shortening the time requirement and increase in ethanol yield.     

Screening and Mutation of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Saccharomyces cerevisiae</Emphasis> UV-20 with a High Yield of Second Generation Bioethanol and High Tolerance of Temperature,Glucose and Ethanol

A wild-type strain was isolated from slightly rotted pears after three rounds of enrichment culture, identified as Saccharomyces cerevisiae 3308, and evaluated for its fermentation capability of second generation bioethanol and tolerance of temperature, glucose and ethanol. S. cerevisiae 3308 was mutated by using the physical and chemical mutagenesis methods, ultraviolet (UV) and diethyl sulfate (DES), respectively. Positive mutated strains were mainly generated by the treatment of UV, but numerous negative mutations emerged under the treatment of DES. A positive mutated strain, UV-20, produced ethanol from 62.33?±?1.34 to 122.22?±?2.80 g/L at 30–45 °C, and had a maximum yield of ethanol at 37 °C. Furthermore, UV-20 produced 121.18?±?2.51 g/L of second generation bioethanol at 37 °C. Simultaneously, UV-20 exhibited superior tolerance to 50% of glucose and 21% of ethanol. In a conclusion, all of these results indicated that UV-20 has a potential industrial application value.     

Hypothermia after acute ethanol and benzyl alcohol administration

The acute administration of ethanol like other CNS depressing drugs, lowers body temperatures in mice. Therefore many of the biological effects attributed to ethanol itself may be secondary to hypothermia. The degree of hypothermia was dose dependent and ranged from 1.5 C after 1.9 g/kg to 4.5°C after 5.7 g/kg body weight. This effect was independent of the route of administration (oral, intraperitoneal), the temperature of the administered solutions and the tonicity (0.9% sodium chloride). Hypothermia was prevented by elevating environmental temperatures. Benzyl alcohol which is widely used as preservative in parenteral solutions also has a behaviorally sedating and hypothermic effect.     

Selection and characterization of a newly isolated thermotolerant Pichia kudriavzevii strain for ethanol production at high temperature from cassava starch hydrolysate

Pichia kudriavzevii DMKU 3-ET15 was isolated from traditional fermented pork sausage by an enrichment technique in a yeast extract peptone dextrose (YPD) broth, supplemented with 4 % (v/v) ethanol at 40 °C and selected based on its ethanol fermentation ability at 40 °C in YPD broth composed of 16 % glucose, and in a cassava starch hydrolysate medium composed of cassava starch hydrolysate adjusted to 16 % glucose. The strain produced ethanol from cassava starch hydrolysate at a high temperature up to 45 °C, but the optimal temperature for ethanol production was at 40 °C. Ethanol production by this strain using shaking flask cultivation was the highest in a medium containing cassava starch hydrolysate adjusted to 18 % glucose, 0.05 % (NH₄)₂SO₄, 0.09 % yeast extract, 0.05 % KH₂PO₄, and 0.05 % MgSO₄·7H₂O, with a pH of 5.0 at 40 °C. The highest ethanol concentration reached 7.86 % (w/v) after 24 h, with productivity of 3.28 g/l/h and yield of 85.4 % of the theoretical yield. At 42 °C, ethanol production by this strain became slightly lower, while at 45 °C only 3.82 % (w/v) of ethanol, 1.27 g/l/h productivity and 41.5 % of the theoretical yield were attained. In a study on ethanol production in a 2.5-l jar fermenter with an agitation speed of 300 rpm and an aeration rate of 0.1 vvm throughout the fermentation, P. kudriavzevii DMKU 3-ET15 yielded a final ethanol concentration of 7.35 % (w/v) after 33 h, a productivity of 2.23 g/l/h and a yield of 79.9 % of the theoretical yield.     

Improvement of robustness and ethanol production of ethanologenic Saccharomyces cerevisiae under co-stress of heat and inhibitors

Bioethanol is an attractive alternative to fossil fuels. Saccharomyces cerevisiae is the most important ethanol producer. However, yeast cells are challenged by various environmental stresses during the industrial process of ethanol production. The robustness under heat, acetic acid, and furfural stresses was improved for ethanologenic S. cerevisiae in this work using genome shuffling. Recombinant yeast strain R32 could grow at 45°C, and resist 0.55% (v/v) acetic acid and 0.3% (v/v) furfural at 40°C. When ethanol fermentation was conducted at temperatures ranging from 30 to 42°C, recombinant strain R32 always gave high ethanol production. After 42 h of fermentation at 42°C, 187.6 ± 1.4 g/l glucose was utilized by recombinant strain R32 to produce 81.4 ± 2.7 g/l ethanol, which were respectively 3.4 and 4.1 times those of CE25. After 36 h of fermentation at 40°C with 0.5% (v/v) acetic acid, 194.4 ± 1.2 g/l glucose in the medium was utilized by recombinant strain R32 to produce 84.2 ± 4.6 g/l of ethanol. The extent of glucose utilization and ethanol concentration of recombinant strain R32 were 6.3 and 7.9 times those of strain CE25. The ethanol concentration produced by recombinant strain R32 was 8.9 times that of strain CE25 after fermentation for 48 h under 0.2% (v/v) furfural stress at 40°C. The strong physiological robustness and fitness of yeast strain R32 support its potential application for industrial production of bioethanol from renewable resources such as lignocelluloses.