The physical state of water and ions in living cells and a new theory of the energization of biological work performance by ATP

Summary In this article, the key concepts of the association-induction hypothesis and their experimental verifications were reviewed: According to this hypothesis, the bulk of cell water exists in the state of multilayers polarized and oriented by the backbones of certain proteins existing in an extended state. The major intracellular cation, K⁺, is also adsorbed but singly and on different protein sites (i.e., &-carboxyl groups). The living protoplasm of protein, ion and water represents a three-dimensional cooperative assembly under the control of certain cardinal adsorbents, of which ATP is a prime example. Association of ATP with the cardinal site of a key protein may produce a cooperative change in the electron distribution of the protein with consequent change of the state of ion and water adsorption. Such an alteration in the physical state of water leads to a change in the solubility of various solutes in this water as well as permeability of various solutes (e.g., Na) through this water. In contrast to the conventional concept, the role of ATP is not to provide a package of energy held in a special chemical bond. Rather, as a cardinal adsorbent, ATP acts by means of its specific electronic interaction with the protein molecules, maintaining the protein—ion—water system at a higher energy state. Dephosphorylation of ATP leads to a cooperative shift of the electron state of the whole assembly to a lower energy state. Restoration to the original resting state follows the resynthesis of ATP (where energy is injected into the system) and its readsorption on the cardinal site.Living cells typically reside in a liquid environment. The discontinuity of the cell interior from the external milieu, essential for the normal functioning of the living cell, has long been a subject of central interest in mechanistic biology. Prominent in this discontinuity is the much higher concentration of K⁺ and much lower concentration of Na⁺ in the cell interior than in the cell environment, seen in virtually all living cells. We shall begin the present article with a discussion of the subject.An invited article.     

Column study on the adsorption of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) using Pumice, Yarikkaya brown coal, Chelex-100 and Lewatit MP 62

In the present study, adsorption of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) on Pumice (Pmc), Yarikkaya (YK) brown coal, Chelex-100, and Lewatit MP 62 is examined at room temperature and at initial chromium concentration of 1.0 x 10(-3) mol/L. Column method was carried out as a function of pH, concentration of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) ions, volume of samples and flow rate. The experimental data were evaluated by Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm models. The dynamic breakthrough capacities of the adsorbents for Cr(III) and Cr(VI) were calculated. The maximum chromium sorption occurred at 5 mL/min flow rate and 25 mL volume for all adsorbents. The results showed that the two readily available adsorbents namely Pmc and YK, were suitable for removing chromium from aqueous solution.     

Observations on the venous system of three species of Polypterus (Pisces)

The venous system of Polypterus exhibits general asymmetry. The features that characterize the venous system of this peculiarly African fish are the possession of many blood sinuses, the segmental drainage of blood, the continuation of the posterior cardinal veins as separated vessels and the occurrence of several anastomozes between the latter.
In the absence of any recent comprehensive work on the blood system of this fish, it was thought that investigation of the circulatory system of Polypterus would be valuable. In this paper attention is drawn to Budgettapos;s (1902) original work on a larva of Polypterus senegalus. Contrary to Budgettapos;s findings it is concluded that what he called the "interrenal" vein is in fact the right posterior cardinal vein. It is also found that paired posterior cardinal veins exist in all adults.     

Compliance and smooth muscle reactivity of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) vessels in vitro

Systemic veins have a profound influence on cardiac output in mammals. Venoregulatory mechanisms have not been adequately studied in fish and their existence has been questioned. In the present study, two characteristics of vascular mechanics, compliance and agonist-induced tension development, were investigated in rainbow trout vessels in vitro. Rapid compliance in the anterior cardinal vein and efferent branchial artery was calculated from step-wise changes in the volume-pressure curve of isolated vessel segments. Agonist-induced tension development was examined in four veins; anterior and posterior cardinals, intestinal and duct of Cuvier. Venous compliance was not altered in response to epinephrine, norepinephrine or angiotensin II, while efferent branchial artery compliance was decreased by 10^-6 mol·l^-1 epinephrine and norepinephrine but not angiotensin II. The ratios of venous to arterial compliance in vessels from two rainbow trout strains were similar (21:1 and 32:1) and consistent with the ratio reported for mammalian viens (24:1). Trout veins contracted in response to agonists in both an, agonist- and vesselspecific manner. The greatest tension per vessel wet weight was produced in anterior cardinal vein. The response pattern of anterior cardinal vein and duct of Cuvier were similar; acetylcholine, arginine vasotocin, epinephrine and norepinephrine, and the thromboxane A₂ agonist, U-44,069, produced approximately identical contractions, whereas angiotensin II was virtually ineffective. Conversely, angiotensin II was more potent than epinephrine in posterior cardinal vein. In cumulative dose-response experiments, epinephrine was equipotent in anterior cardinal vein and duct of Cuvier, whereas the latter was less sensitive to acetylcholine. Both atrial natriuretic peptide and sodium nitroprusside relaxed precontracted veins. This is the first study to determine compliance in fish vessels and the contractile nature of different rainbow trout veins. These findings suggest that venous tone and therefore cardiac output in fish may be regulated by neural or humoral mechanisms.Abbreviations ACH acetylcholine - ACV anterior cardinal vein - ANG II salmon asn¹-val⁵ angiotensin II - ANP rat atrial natriuretic peptide - AVT arginine vasotocin - DNR Department of Natural Resources - DOC duct of Cuvier - EBA efferent branchial artery - EC₅ threshold dose producing 5% maximal contraction - EC₅₀ dose producing 50% maximal contraction - EPI epinephrine - HI K⁺ 80 mmol·l^-1 - KCl IV, intestinal vein - NEPI norepinephrine - PBS phosphate buffered saline - PCV posterior cardinal vein - SNP sodium nitroprusside - U-44,069 thromboxane A₂ agonist     

On the development of the venous system in Polyptems senegalus (Pisces)

In Polyptems senegalus a peculiar venous system exists. The pattern is symmetrical in embryos and in early-larval stages, but soon the asymmetrical development of the Cuvierian ducts, originating from vitelline veins, causes a predominance of the system to the right side. The two posterior cardinal veins coalesce except in the anterior region, where the right vein becomes the direct continuation of the single vein; in later stages the single posterior cardinal vein acquires a peculiar disposition, partially in the left and partially in the right kidney. The inferior jugular veins become asymmetrical as well. The anterior cardinal veins are replaced by lateral cephalic veins. A special vein in the abdomen may be considered as being a vena cava. Other peculiar items are the pulmonary veins. Other veins are more or less similar to those of other fishes.     

Adsorption of Cr(VI) on activated rice husk carbon and activated alumina

The possible use of activated rice husk and activated alumina as the adsorbents of Cr(VI) from synthetic solutions and the effect of operating parameters were investigated. The activated rice husk carbon was prepared thermally in two sizes 0.3 and 1.0 mm. The maximum removal of Cr(VI) occurred at pH 2 by activated rice husk and at pH 4 by activated alumina. The amounts of Cr(VI) adsorbed increased with increase in dose of both adsorbents and their contact time. The Freundlich isotherm was applied.     

Cementing strophomenide brachiopods from the Silurian of Gotland (Sweden): Morphology and life habits

Dorsal valves of the cementing strophomenide brachiopods Leptaenoidea silurica Hedström and Liljevallia gotlandica Hedström are described for the first time, and it is shown that both these species could also live ambitopically. The lower Wenlock Scamnomena rugata (Lindström) represents young individuals of the ambitopic variant of Leptaenoidea silurica, and is placed in synonymy, resulting in the valid name for the taxon being Leptaenoidea rugata. The range of this species now spans the whole Wenlock, from the upper Visby Formation to the Klinteberg Formation, and possibly even into the Ludlow. Ambitopic gerontic specimens of L. rugata develop very thick shells, in which the ventral valves have strong curvature, and become deeper not by geniculation but by successive mantle retractions and subsequent re-growth, in a way similar to that of atrypides. This shape was probably an adaptation to “floating” on softer substrates. The thickened gerontic dorsal valves have well-developed lophophoral support, showing the shape of the lophophore, which comprises two branches that curve inwards and then backwards; the lophophore was probably ptycholophous and similar to that in living members of the Thecideidina. Ambitopic specimens of Liljevallia could grow to a much larger size than cementing forms, where the dorsal valves have very large, posterior-facing cardinal process lobes and deeply impressed muscle fields and anterior scars. The presence of a ventral process and long, posteroventrally elongated cardinal process lobes, and the absence of dental plates reveals that Liljevallia was probably an early member of the Douvillinidae and is thus removed from the Leptaenoideidae.     

The influence of trace TiO2 on adsorption of Ag+-imprinted adsorbents made from chitosan and mycelium

The complex technology of molecular imprinting with a photocatalytic reaction introduces novel ways of treating industrial and living sewage. This paper deals with the effects of trace TiO₂ on Ag⁺-imprinted or non-imprinted adsorbents. NanoTiO₂ was added during the preparation of the adsorbents. The performance of these adsorbents was compared with other common adsorbents, such as activated carbon and chitosan. TiO₂ loading improved the adsorption ability for Ag⁺ of adsorbents. Adsorption equilibrium could be rapidly achieved at an initial Ag⁺ concentration of 200 mg/L under different light conditions (UV, visible light, and dark). After TiO₂ loading, the maximal adsorption capacity of Ag⁺-imprinted and non-imprinted adsorbents was 25.0% higher, at 155.0 and 134.3 mg/g, respectively, at the initial Ag⁺ concentration of 1,000 mg/L. In order to understand the binding state of Ag, Ti on the adsorbents surface, FTIR, XPS were measured. The FTIR analysis, before and after adding TiO₂, indicated that TiO₂ bound with adsorbents through hydrogen bonding. XPS analysis, before and after adsorption, indicated Ag⁺ was reduced to Ag⁰ on the adsorbent surface, leading to an increased adsorption of Ag⁺.     

Nasal mites (Gamasida: Rhinonyssidae) of Paroaria coronata (Miller) (Passeriformes: Emberezidae)

With the aim of identifying the species of nasal mites of Paroaria coronata (red-crested cardinal), the nasal cavity of 40 birds were examined. The nasal mites were identified as Ptilonyssus sairae de Castro and Sternostoma pirangae Pence, with 50% and 7.5% of prevalence, respectively. This is the first record of these mite species parasitizing P. coronata. This report also amplifies the area of occurrence of S. pirangae for Brazil and that of P. sairae for Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil.     

Modeling egg distribution of Tinocallis kahawaluokalani (Kirkaldy) (Hemiptera: Aphididae) on Lagerstroemia indica L. (Lythraceae)

This is the first record of winter eggs of the holocyclic monoeceous crapemyrtle aphid Tinocallis kahawaluokalani (Kirkaldy) on Lagerstroemia indica L., in Brazil. The shiny black eggs were observed since early autumn, laid on small folds and crevices of the branches. In order to evaluate and model the egg abundance and distribution, four branches from the cardinal points of 10 plants of two age groups, 5-10 and 20-30 years-old, were collected randomly and cut in eight segments of 10 cm and the number of eggs was registered, in the winter 2001. The eggs were laid mainly on the middle portion of the branch, from 40 cm to 60 cm from the apex on the older trees (54%) and on 30 cm to 60 cm on younger ones (58%). The data fit in a longitudinal regression model that expresses the tendency of the egg distribution on the branches. The number of eggs was greater on the 20-30 year-old plants (61%) than on younger ones (39%). The average number (+/- CI 95%) of eggs was 70.5 +/- 9.3 and 47.4 +/- 12.5, respectively, for the older and younger tree groups. There was no correlation between egg distribution and the cardinal positions of the branches.     

Importance of habitat patch size for occupancy and density of aspen-associated saproxylic beetles

In Fennoscandian boreal forests, aspen (Populus tremula) is one of the most important tree species for biodiversity. In this study we explore how occupancy and density of beetles associated with dead aspen are related to habitat patch size and connectedness in a 45,000 ha boreal managed forest landscape in central Sweden. Patch size was estimated as amount of breeding substrate and connectedness as crown cover of living aspen in the surrounding landscape. The beetles were sampled by sieving of bark or by inspection of species-characteristic galleries in 56 patches with dead aspen. Six of nine aspen-associated species (Xylotrechus rusticus, Ptilinus fuscus, Mycetophagus fulvicollis, Cyphaea curtula, Homalota plana and Endomychus coccineus) showed a positive significant relationship between habitat patch size and occupancy. For all these species, except C. curtula, there was also a significant positive relationship between patch size and density. Connectedness was not retained as a significant variable in the analyses. Species not defined as aspen-associated constituted a significantly larger proportion of the total density of individuals of saproxylic beetles in smaller habitat patches than in larger patches. Richness of aspen-associated species was positively related to habitat patch size. Efforts in the managed forest should be directed towards preserving and creating larger patches of living and dead aspen trees and increasing the amount of aspen at the landscape level.     

Enzyme purification by hydrophobic chromatography: an alternative approach illustrated in the purification of aspartate transcarbamoylase from wheat germ (Short Communication)

Two adsorbents containing similar numbers of hydrocarbon (C(10)) chains but different numbers of carboxyl groups were made by chemical modification of Sepharose. The use of these adsorbents to purify proteins, under conditions where hydrophobic adsorption is partly resisted by electrostatic repulsion, is illustrated in the purification of aspartate transcarbamoylase (EC 2.1.3.2) from wheat germ.     

Micro-habitat niche differentiation contributing to coexistence of Eucryptorrhynchus scrobiculatus Motschulsky and Eucryptorrhynchus brandti (Harold)*

Temporal, spatial, and trophic niche differentiation usually occurs among species living in similar habitats which can reduce interspecific competition under limited resources. Eucryptorrhynchus scrobiculatus and Eucryptorrhynchus brandti are sympatric and closely related species and are host-specific to Ailanthus altissima (Mill.) Swingle in China. However, the possibility of niche differentiation between the two species is not clear. Therefore, we investigated the density of the two weevils temporally, spatially, and trophically (plant parts of A. altissima) at Lingwu farm and Haojiaqiao town, Lingwu city, Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region. No differences were found in temporal Levin’s niche breath index values ranging from 3.74 to 3.95 and temporal Pianka’s niche overlap values (0.98–0.99). There was little differentiation in the vertical spatial niche. The vertical distribution of E. scrobiculatus was mainly located from 0?cm (ground) to over 250?cm on tree-of-heaven. Eucryptorrhynchus brandti was found predominantly from 0.1 to 50?cm to over 250?cm on tree-of-heaven. The overlap of the cardinal direction spatial niche was 0.90–0.98, indicating no significant overlap in the cardinal direction at Lingwu farm and Haojiaqiao town. Significant differentiation of trophic niche occurred with E. scrobiculatus feeding on 1-year-old branches, perennial branches, and petioles, while E. brandti feed on the stem.     

Chromaffin cells and interrenal tissue in the head kidney of the grouper,Epinephilus tauvina (Teleostei,Serranidae): a morphological (optical and ultrastructural) study

This work analyses the distribution, histology and ultrastructure of chromaffin cells (CCs) and interrenal tissue (It) in the head kidney of Epinephilus tauvina. Histological examination revealed that chromaffin cells are found in small groups under the endothelium of the posterior cardinal vein (PCV) and are mostly closely associated with the interrenal tissue. Ultrastructure examination confirmed the existence of two main chromaffin cell types, distinguished by different types of secretory granules. The first type was characterized by the presence of vesicles with round, strongly electron dense core granules, which were eccentrically located. Such cells were interpreted as being noradrenaline cells. Meanwhile, cells with vesicles that were completely electron lucent or that contained small less dense eccentric granules were identified as adrenaline cells. Nerve endings were invaginated into the chromaffin cells through synaptic junctions. Interrenal tissue consisted of nests, cords, or strands of cells in contact with the posterior cardinal vein (PCV) and interposed with haematopoietic tissue. Ultrastructure analysis revealed only one interrenal cell type, which contained abundant smooth endoplasmic reticulum (sER) and numerous mitochondria with tubulo‐vesicular cristae, characteristics of steroid‐producing cells. The interrenal tissue cells have different cytological aspects that can be linked to a steroidogenic cell cycle allowing a periodical renewal of organelles.     

Purification of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) using magnetic ion exchange adsorbents in combination with high‐gradient magnetic separation

Current purification of the glycoprotein equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) from horse serum includes consecutive precipitation steps beginning with metaphosphoric acid pH fractionation, two ethanol precipitation steps, and dialysis followed by a numerous of fixed‐bed chromatography steps up to the specific activity required. A promising procedure for a more economic purification procedure represents a simplified precipitation process requiring only onethird of the solvent, followed by the usage of magnetic ion exchange adsorbents employed together with a newly designed ‘rotor‐stator’ type High Gradient Magnetic Fishing (HGMF) system for large‐scale application, currently up to 100 g of magnetic adsorbents. Initially, the separation process design was optimized for binding and elution conditions for the target protein in mL scale. Subsequently, the magnetic filter for particle separation was characterized. Based on these results, a purification process for eCG was designed consisting of (i) pretreatment of the horse serum; (ii) binding of the target protein to magnetic ion exchange adsorbents in a batch reactor; (iii) recovery of loaded functionalized adsorbents from the pretreated solution using HGMF; (iv) washing of loaded adsorbents to remove unbound proteins; (v) elution of the target protein. Finally, the complete HGMF process was automated and conducted with either multiple single‐cycles or multicycle operation of four sequential cycles, using batches of pretreated serum of up to 20 L. eCG purification with yields of approximately 53% from single HGMF cycles and up to 80% from multicycle experiments were reached, with purification and concentration factors of around 2,500 and 6.7, respectively. © 2014 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Biotechnol. Prog., 31:78–89, 2015     

Connecting the Dots: How Connectedness to Multiple Contexts Influences the Psychological and Academic Adjustment of Urban Youth

Cluster analyses and hierarchical linear modeling were used to investigate the impact of perceptions of connectedness to family, school, and neighborhood contexts on academic and psycho-social outcomes for 437 urban ethnically diverse adolescents. Five profiles of connectedness to family, school, and neighborhood were identified. Two profiles were characterized by reports of either strong or weak connectedness to all contexts. The other three profiles were anchored by reports of low family connectedness, low neighborhood connectedness, or average connectedness. Race/ethnic differences were found in profiles and outcomes. Hierarchical linear models showed that each profile of connectedness was significantly associated with adolescents' self-report of grades, self-esteem, and depressive symptoms after adjusting for correlates, suggesting that the domain and number of contexts matter for positive youth development. These analyses underscore the importance of considering the independent and joint effects of family, schools, and neighborhoods on adolescent well-being. Implications for research and intervention are discussed.     

Distribution and Structure of the Adrenocortical Homolog in the Reed-Fish (Calamoichthys calabaricus Smith)

The adrenocortical homolog (AH) was identified in the reed-fish ( Calamoichthys calabaricus Smith) using histochemistry for the enzyme δ⁵-3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) and its distribution and structure were examined with both light and electron microscopy. AH appears as yellow corpuscles which extend as isolated bodies throughout the length of both kidneys in close apposition to the posterior cardinal veins. The yellow corpuscles are composed of convoluted cords of epithelial cells and tortuous sinusoids which empty directly into the cardinal veins. Wide lateral intercellular spaces and accompanying microvilli give the impression of pseudotubules or pseudofollicles to the cords of epithelial cells. The extensive network of tubules of smooth endoplasmic reticulum, the many mitchondria with tubulo-vesicular cristae, the conspicuous Golgi apparatus, lipid droplets, many pleomorphic granules and the presence of 3β-HSD are indicative of the steroidogenic nature of the cells. Large, pleomorphic mitochondria and gap junctions are also typical of most cells. The fine structure of the cells in the AH of the reed-fish most closely resembles that of other Polypteriformes, but the tissue is more widely distributed in the kidneys than in any osteichthylian so far reported.     

Pseudoproteoglycan (pseudoPG) probes that simulate PG macromolecular structure for screening and isolation of PG-binding proteins

A proteoglycan (PG) monomer is a macromolecule consisting of one or more glycosaminoglycan (GAG) chains attached to a core protein. PGs have signaling roles and modulatory functions in the extracellular matrix and at the cell surface. To elucidate the functions of higher-order PG structures, pseudoPGs that imitate the PG structure were prepared to develop probes and affinity adsorbents. Poly-l-lysine (PLL) or polyacrylamide (PAA) was coupled with various GAGs, then biotinylated, and the remaining amino groups were blocked to obtain the pseudoPG probes, biotinyl PLL (BPL)- or PAA (BPA)-GAGs. Lactoferrin exhibited 30-times higher affinity toward BPL-heparin than the conventional single-strand probe, biotin-hydrazide-heparin. Heparin-PLL was immobilized on a formyl-Sepharose and compared with the Hep-Sepharose in which heparin was directly immobilized to amino-Sepharose. Screening for ligands in normal rat brain revealed several proteins that specifically bound to either of the two adsorbents, indicating that the heparin-binding proteins exhibit specific recognition depending on the higher-order structure of the PG.     

Characterization and isolation of DNA microsatellite primers in the cardinalfish (Apogon doederleini)

Proper management of reef areas depends greatly on understanding the degree of dispersal of each species involved. The larvae of most reef fishes disperse from the natal reef before or soon after hatching and return to the reef environment after a pre‐settlement stage of several days to weeks. We characterized eight polymorphic microsatellite loci for the cardinal fish Apogon doederleini to study the spatial scale of connectivity of populations of different reefs of the Great Barrier Reef, Australia.     

Ni (II) adsorption onto Chrysanthemum indicum: Influencing factors,isotherms, kinetics,and thermodynamics

The study explores the adsorption potential of Chrysanthemum indicum biomass for nickel ion removal from aqueous solution. C. indicum flowers in raw (CIF-I) and biochar (CIF-II) forms were used as adsorbents in this study. Batch experiments were conducted to ascertain the optimum conditions of solution pH, adsorbent dosage, contact time, and temperature for varying initial Ni(II) ion concentrations. Surface area, surface morphology, and functionality of the adsorbents were characterized by Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller (BET) surface analysis, scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Adsorption kinetics were modeled using pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order, Elovich, intraparticle diffusion, Bangham's, and Boyd's plot. The equilibrium data were modeled using Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin, and Dubinin–Radushkevich (D-R) isotherm models. Experimental data provided the best fit to pseudo-second-order kinetic model and Langmuir isotherm model for the adsorption of Ni(II) ion on both CIF-I and CIF-II with maximum adsorption capacities of 23.97 and 44.02 mg g^?1, respectively. Thermodynamic analysis of the data proved the process to be spontaneous and endothermic in nature. Desorption studies were conducted to evaluate the possibility of reusing the adsorbents. Findings of the present study provide substantial evidence for the use of C. indicum flower as an eco-friendly and potential adsorbent for the removal of Ni(II) ions from aqueous solution.