Susceptibilities of Yeasts to Yeast Cell Wall Lytic Enzyme of Arthrobacter luteus

The susceptibilities of various strains of yeast to a yeast cell wall lytic enzyme produced by Arthrobacter lutens were examined. Twenty six strains of yeasts, mainly in the genera Saccharomyces and Candida were tested. They were tested after growth attained to the logarithmic or to the resting stage in different media (malt extract medium or n-paraffin medium) and various culture conditions (shaking or stationary liquid cultures or agar slopes).

The effects of various treatments, such as heating, or treatment with 2-mercaptoethanol or sodium dodecylsulfate on their susceptibility were also examined.

These various conditions and treatments greatly influenced the susceptibilities of the yeast cells, suggesting that they affected the composition and/or structure of the yeast cell walls.     

Priming: getting ready for battle

Infection of plants by necrotizing pathogens or colonization of plant roots with certain beneficial microbes causes the induction of a unique physiological state called "priming." The primed state can also be induced by treatment of plants with various natural and synthetic compounds. Primed plants display either faster, stronger, or both activation of the various cellular defense responses that are induced following attack by either pathogens or insects or in response to abiotic stress. Although the phenomenon has been known for decades, most progress in our understanding of priming has been made over the past few years. Here, we summarize the current knowledge of priming in various induced-resistance phenomena in plants.     

The transsynaptic regulation of the septal-hippocampal cholinergic neurons

There is not yet a complete understanding of the functional interactions among various septal nuclei which regulate hippocampal function. Nevertheless, much has been learned histologically and biochemically about the major connections of the distinct areas of the septal complex and the chemical character of some of these pathways. The cholinergic septal-hippocampal pathway serves as a well defined link between these two important structures of the limbic system. Acetylcholine turnover rates in the hippocampus have been shown to increase or decrease proportionally to the activity of the cholinergic neurons originating in the septum. Moreover, these turnover rates have been shown to be modulated by intraseptal injections of agonists or antagonists of various neurotransmitters or neuromodulators which are stored in various cell groups located in the septum. By coupling this biochemical approach with techniques to study the receptor organization, greater detail concerning the transmitter and cotransmitter interactions among the various neuromodulators can be obtained.     

Platelet rich plasma in xeno-free stem cell culture: the impact of platelet count and processing method

Background: Stem cell culture for regenerative medicine needs platelet rich plasma (PRP) as fetal bovine/calf serum (FBS/FCS) substitute. However, the various studies used various protocols in preparing and processing the PRP. This study aimed to compare and conclude the most effective and efficient protocol. Methods: we searched in vitro studies that used human PRP as FBS/FCS substitute to culture human cells, and compared the various available protocols to identify the easiest and effective protocols for the preparation of PRP and the release of the growth factors (GFs) to support the highest cell growth in stem cell culture. Results: ten studies fulfilled the selection criteria and were included in the analysis. Discussion: Almost all studies on bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell (BM-MSC) and adipose stem cell (AT-SC) showed that platelet lysate and/or activated platelet releasate were superior or at least the same as either FBS or FCS, except for one study that got different results on human AT-SC. Several studies showed that either 5% activated PRP (aPRP) or platelet lysate (PL) was sufficient to support cell growth, or even better when they were compared to 10% FBS, while higher concentrations were counterproductive. However, some studies showed that 10% aPRP or PL was needed. The difference between studies was due to the difference in either the PRP preparation from blood and in the PRP processing to release the GFs, which yield various GF concentrations. Conclusion: In conclusion, studies are needed to reveal the optimal final platelet counts for the various PRP processing methods for various kinds of cells. The easiest PRP processing is freezing to -20?C followed by thawing, or thrombin activation using a final concentration of 100U/mL.     

蛋白质印渍术的广泛应用

结合自身研究工作,综述了近5a（年）来蛋白质印渍术广泛应用于蛋白质和肽序列自动分析、临床诊断药盒、超微量分离分析、抗体生产等方面的进展．     

棉花耐害补偿临界指标及其应用的探讨

棉花耐害补偿反应可归纳为三种动态类型：1)不足补偿动态反应型;2)完全——不足补偿动态反应型;3)超越——完全——不足补偿动态反应型。其临界指标的建立及其应用可优化棉花病虫害综防决策．以研究害虫防治决策为例,剖析了利用害虫自然种群,人为改变害虫自然种群、人为地接放一定虫量与人工损害模拟等不同测定棉花耐害补偿能力方法的利弊。并探讨改进措施．分析论述了不同量化棉花耐害补偿能力的方法,并就棉花耐害补偿临界指标的建立及其意义作了探讨．棉花耐害补偿临界描标在棉田生态系统有害生物综合治理中可用于指导防治决策或直接用于防治决策,有着十分广阔的应用前景．最后就棉花耐害补偿临界指标及其应用的研究方向及有关问题作了讨论。     

Structure and function at the root apex - phylogenetic and ontogenetic perspectives on apical cells and quiescent centres

The summit of roots of various plant species may be occupied by a single, rapidly proliferating tetrahedral apical cell (as in ferns), or by a multicellular and slowly proliferating quiescent centre (as in angiosperms), or by intermediate types of cellular organizations. The present paper attempts to deduce the phylogeny of these various types of cellular patterning at the root apex.     

Tandem and interspersed repeats contribute to the mosaic structure of segmented duplications in the human genome

Intrachromosomal and interchromosomal segmental duplications account for more than 5% of the human genome. To analyze the processes resulting in the complex mosaic structure of duplicons, a draft human genome sequence was searched for duplicated segments of a genomic fragment of the pericentric region of the chromosome 21 short arm. The duplicons found consist of modules having paralogs in various genome regions. Module ends are flanked with various tandem or interspersed repeats, which are more unstable as compared with unique sequences. In most cases, the boundaries of duplicated segments exactly coincide with or are in close proximity to hot spots of various rearrangements within repeats or boundaries between repeats and unique sequences or between two different repeats. Homologous recombination between repetitive elements was assumed to be the major mechanism contributing to the mosaic structure of duplicons.     

Tandem and Interspersed Repeats Contribute to the Mosaic Structure of Segmental Duplications in the Human Genome

Intrachromosomal and interchromosomal segmental duplications account for more than 5% of the human genome. To analyze the processes resulting in the complex mosaic structure of duplicons, a draft human genome sequence was searched for duplicated segments of a genomic fragment of the pericentric region of the chromosome 21 short arm. The duplicons found consist of modules having paralogs in various genome regions. Module ends are flanked with various tandem or interspersed repeats, which are more unstable as compared with unique sequences. In most cases, the boundaries of duplicated segments exactly coincide with or are in close proximity to hot spots of various rearrangements within repeats or boundaries between repeats and unique sequences or between two different repeats. Homologous recombination between repetitive elements was assumed to be the major mechanism contributing to the mosaic structure of duplicons.     

Differential activation of mitogen-activated protein kinases following high and low LET radiation in murine macrophage cell line

Mitogen-activated protein kinases have been shown to respond to various stimuli including cytokines, mitogens and gamma irradiation, leading to cell proliferation, differentiation, or death. The duration of their activation determines the specificity of response to each stimulus in various cells. In this study, the crucial intracellular kinases, ERK, JNK, and p38 kinase involved in cell survival, death, or damage and repair were examined for their activity in RAW 264.7 cells at various time points after irradiation with 2 Gy doses of proton ions or X-rays. This is the first report that shows that the MAPK signaling induced after heavy ion or X-ray exposure is not the same. Unlike gamma irradiation, there was prolonged but marginal activation of prosurvival ERK pathway and significant activation of proapoptotic p38 pathway in response to high LET radiation.     

Partly transparent young legume pods: Do they mimic caterpillars for defense and simultaneously enable better photosynthesis?

Being partly or fully transparent as a defense from predation is mostly known in various groups of aquatic animals and various terrestrial arthropods. Plants, being photosynthetic and having cell walls made of various polymers, cannot be wholly transparent. In spite of these inherent limitations, some succulent plant species of arid zones have partially transparent “windows” in order to perform photosynthesis in their below-ground leaves, as defense from herbivores as well as for protection from harsh environmental conditions. Similarly, transparent “windows” or even wholly transparent leaves are found in certain thick or thin, above-ground organs irrespective of aridity. The young pods of various wild annual Mediterranean legume species belonging to the genera Lathyrus, Pisum and Vicia are partly transparent and may therefore look like caterpillars when viewed with back illumination. I propose that this character serves 2 functions: (1) being a type of defensive caterpillar mimicry that may reduce their consumption by various herbivores in that very sensitive stage, and (2) simultaneously allowing better photosynthesis in the rapidly growing seeds and pods. Unlike animals that are transparent for either defensive or aggressive crypsis, in the case of young legume pods it allows them to visually mimic caterpillars for defense.     

Preparative thin-layer and column chromatography of prostaglandins

Chromatographic methods are used to identify various monounsaturated PGs (prostaglandins). TLC (thin-layer chromatography) and column chromatography are described in detail. These systems were developed specifically for separating epimers of PGE1 and PGF1, but they are useful in separating some of the known natural PGs as well. A table presents information on identification of the various PGs with neutral silica and acidic silica. The results of these laboratory experiments indicate that 1 ug-1g of PG can be purified by chromatographic methods with little or no loss due to irreversible adsorption or rearrangement if proper precautions and solvent systems are used. TLC seems to be useful in distinguishing diastereomers of PGs. Relative mobilities of the various hydroxy diastereomers are not changed by the solvent systems or by esterification.     

Microbial enzymes for oxidation of organic molecules

Enzymatic systems employed by microorganisms for oxidative transformation of various organic molecules include laccases, ligninases, tyrosinases, monooxygenases, and dioxygenases. Reactions performed by these enzymes play a significant role in maintaining the global carbon cycle through either transformation or complete mineralization of organic molecules. Additionally, oxidative enzymes are instrumental in modification or degradation of the ever-increasing man-made chemicals constantly released into our environment. Due to their inherent stereo- and regioselectivity and high efficiency, oxidative enzymes have attracted attention as potential biocatalysts for various biotechnological processes. Successful commercial application of these enzymes will be possible through employing new methodologies, such as use of organic solvents in the reaction mixtures, immobilization of either the intact microorganisms or isolated enzyme preparations on various supports, and genetic engineering technology.     

Different strategies to overcome multidrug resistance in cancer

The risk of acquisition of resistance to chemotherapy remains a major hurdle in the management of various types of cancer patients. Several cellular and noncellular mechanisms are involved in developing both intrinsic and acquired resistance in cancer cells toward chemotherapy. This review covers the various multidrug resistance (MDR) mechanisms observed in cancer cells as well as the various strategies developed to overcome these MDR mechanisms. Extensive studies have been conducted during the last several decades to enhance the efficacy of chemotherapy by suppressing or evading these MDR mechanisms including the use of new anticancer drugs that could escape from the efflux reaction, MDR modulators or chemosensitizers, multifunctional nanocarriers, and RNA interference (RNAi) therapy.     

Division of temperature-sensitive Streptococcus faecium mutants after return to the permissive temperature

The regrowth of 27 temperature-sensitive division mutants of Streptococcus faecium ATCC 9790 was examined after various periods of incubation at the nonpermissive temperature. Several of the mutants blocked at various stages of septum formation or of daughter-cell separation divided in a partially or completely synchronous way after a short incubation at the nonpermissive temperature. All four lytic mutants blocked early in the cell division cycle divided at a normal rate after a brief lag.     

Ultrastructural study in the diagnosis of various neurolipidoses

We have studied the sphingolipidosis, principally, ceroid-lipofuscinosis and other complex lipid storage diseases. We examined biopsy tissue of fourteen patients with diseases of the various types given above. The biopsy tissue was usually skin, muscle or peripheral nerve, and occassionally brain or various visceral tissue.     

The thiamine pyrophosphatase technique as an indicator of the morphology of the Golgi apparatus in the neurons

Summary Detailed studies have been made on the morphology of the TPPase-positive material in various components of the cerebellum. The various types of nerve fibers in various layers of the cerebellum and the glomeruli are free of any TPPase-positive Golgi material. The stellate and basket cells have a thick plate-like Golgi complex. The Purkinje cells showed either a Golgi network or discrete masses of TPPase-positive material of various sizes and shapes. The Bergman glial cells showed a delicate Golgi network. The Golgi type II cells showed a thick or thin TPPase-positive network. The granule cells showed only discrete vesicles, granules, and comma-shaped masses found at any one pole of each cell. The cells of the deep cerebellar nuclei also showed a network. The results of this study are compared with similar studies made on the spinal cord, olfactory bulb, Ammon's horn, fascia dentata, cerebral cortex, and ganglion cells.     

Microbial Enzymes for Oxidation of Organic Molecules

Abstract

Enzymatic systems employed by microorganisms for oxidative transformation of various organic molecules include laccases, ligninases, tyrosinases, monooxygenases, and dioxygenases. Reactions performed by these enzymes play a significant role in maintaining the global carbon cycle through either transformation or complete mineralization of organic molecules. Additionally, oxidative enzymes are instrumental in modification or degradation of the ever-increasing man-made chemicals constantly released into our environment. Due to their inherent stereo- and regioselectivity and high efficiency, oxidative enzymes have attracted attention as potential biocatalysts for various biotechnological processes. Successful commercial application of these enzymes will be possible through employing new methodologies, such as use of organic solvents in the reaction mixtures, immobilization of either the intact microorganisms or isolated enzyme preparations on various supports, and genetic engineering technology.     

Mort programmée des cellules germinales testiculaires: causes et mécanismes mis en jeu

Spermatogenesis results from a balance between proliferation and apoptosis. An alteration in this balance could lead to testicular diseases such as testicular tumour or infertility. Apoptosis seem to be important in regulating the processes of spermatogenesis since 60 to 75% of germ cells do not reach the spermatozoa stage. The various molecules of the apoptotic cascade have been detected in rodent or human germ cells, such as effector caspases and upstream proteins from cell death receptor or mitochondrial pathways. One or several different pathways may be involved in the germ cell apoptotic process triggered physiologically, by hormonal deprivation, or by chemical or physical inducers. Finally, caspases appear to play a role in various testicular diseases (particularly infertility).