Proteins and protein complexes involved in the biochemical reactions of anaerobic ammonium-oxidizing bacteria

It has been less than two decades since anammox (anaerobic ammonium oxidation) coupled to nitrite reduction has been discovered. Already, this process has been recognized as an important sink for fixed nitrogen in the natural environment and has been implemented as a cost-effective ammonium removal technology. Still, little is known about the molecular mechanism of this remarkable reaction. In this mini review, we present an insight into how ammonium and nitrite are combined to form dinitrogen gas.     

Surgical management of lymphedema of the extremity.

Lymphedema of the extremity has been managed in 14 patients by staged excisions of the edematous subcutaneous tissue beneath skin flaps. Six patients have been followed for 4 to 6 years. This method has been successful in dealing with the symptoms of this condition. No episodes of postoperative celluitis have occurred in these patients. Normal function of the extremity has been achieved, and the contour has been preserved. It appears at this time that excision of the subcutaneous tissue is the most important aspect of the surgical management of lymphedema.     

Polyclonal antibody based immunopurification of an acid stable alpha-amylase produced byTalaromyces emersonii

Summary A polyclonal antibody preparation specific for an alpha-amylase produced by the thermophilci fungusTalaromyces emersonii has been raised in rabbits. Using an enzyme linked immunoadsorbant assay (ELISA) it has been demonstrated that this antibody preparation is highly titred and has the ability to detect less than 20ng of purified alpha-amylase. Specificity of the antibody has been demonstrated using Western immunoblotting analysis following resolution of crude preparations on polyacrylamide gradient gels. A purified IgG fraction of this serum has been used to construct an immunoaffinity column and this was used to develop a rapid and simple purification procedure for this potentially biomedically important acid stable alpha-amylase.     

A theoretical study of receptor site models for trimethylammonium group interaction

A model system, depicting the interactions of the trimethylammonium and ammonium groups with possible receptor features has been constructed. The interaction energies of these two onium groups with seven receptor models have been calculated, using the interaction energy procedure of Claverie &; Rein (1969). The change of the energy of binding due to the structural change has been predicted for each receptor model. A ranking of receptor models has been constructed on this basis. The relationship of this change of binding energy to loss of potency of drug molecules containing these two structural features has been examined.     

STICTOCYCLUS STICTODISCUS (BACILLARIOPHYTA): COMMENTS ON ITS ECOLOGY,STRUCTURE AND CLASSIFICATION1,2

The rarely studied large diatom Stictocyclus stictodiscus (Grun.) R. Ross has been investigated by light and electron microscopy. Confusion over the classification of this diatom has been reduced, and it has been assigned to a new family, Stictocyclaceae, though the relationship of this to the overall classification of centric diatoms is still not clear.     

Productivity improvement in xanthan gum fermentation using multiple substrate optimization

A novel and more comprehensive formulation of the optimal control problem that reflects the operational requirements of a typical industrial fermentation has been proposed in this work. This formulation has been applied to a fed-batch bioreactor with three control variables, i.e., feed rates of carbon source, nitrogen source, and an oxygen source, to result in a 148.7% increase in product formation. Xanthan gum production using Xanthomonas campestris has been used as the model system for this optimization study, and the liquid-phase oxygen supply strategy has been used to supply oxygen to the fermentation. The formulated optimization problem has several constraints associated with it due to the nature of the system. A robust stochastic technique, differential evolution, has been used to solve this challenging optimization problem. The infinite dimensional optimization problem has been approximated to a finite dimensional one by control vector parametrization. The state constraints that are path constraints have been addressed by using penalty functions and by integrating them over the total duration to ensure a feasible solution. End point constraints on final working volume of the reactor and on the final residual concentrations of carbon and nitrogen sources have been included in the problem formulation. Further, the toxicity of the oxygen source, H(2)O(2), has been addressed by imposing a constraint on its maximum usable concentration. In addition, the initial volume of the bioreactor contents and feed concentrations have been handled as decision variables, which has enabled a well-grounded choice for their values from the optimization procedure; adhoc values are normally used in the industry. All results obtained by simulation have been validated experimentally with good agreements between experimental and simulated values.     

Antilysozyme activity of anaerobic bacteria from fecal microflora in man

For the first time anaerobic bacteria of the fecal microflora in man have been found be capable of inactivating lysozyme. The presence of this antilysozyme sign has been noted in both Gram-positive anaerobes (Bifidobacterium, Propionibacterium, Eubacterium, Actinomyces israelii) and in Gram-negative anaerobes (Bacteroids, Prevotella melaninogenica). The expression of antilysozyme activity in the anaerobes under study has been determined. The possible biological role of this sign of the indigenous intestinal microflora has been discussed.     

一类含间隙分布时滞的种群增长模型的稳定性

本文首先利用间隙分布时滞函数来建立更为符合实际的种群增长模型,然后运用两种不同的方法,对其平衡位置的局部稳定性进行了全面的讨论,得出了局部渐近稳定的充分必要条件,在参数平面上划分出了稳定和不稳地的区域。     

Vasopressin: its possible role in circadian time keeping.

In this review article an insight has been made into the strong possibility of the role of vasopressin (VP) in the control of circadian rhythms which has emerged from the results of the recent experiments in this field. A role for VP, which is identified in the suprachiasmatic nuclei (SCN) of mammals, as a neurotransmitter/neuromodulator in the central nervous system has been postulated for some time now. The presence of certain abnormalities in the circadian rhythms in VP deficient Brattleboro rats has suggested that this neuropeptide is a likely candidate in controlling circadian rhythms. The coexistence of VP and corticotropin releasing factor (CRF), their interrelation with reference to their role in the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenocortical glucocorticoid axis not only in states of stress but also in day-to-day life has also been discussed. The possible role of dynorphin, which is co-synthesized with VP in the hypothalamic neurons, and other opioids in the control of circadian rhythms has been highlighted. The pineal, SCN relation in the process of development of circadian rhythms has also been reviewed briefly.     

Tau Mediated Neurodegeneration: An Insight into Alzheimer’s Disease Pathology

Extracellular accumulations of Aβ, hyperphosphorylation of tau and intracellular neurofibrillary tangle formation have been the hallmarks of Alzheimer’s Disease (AD). Although tau and its phosphorylation play a pivotal role in the normal physiology yet its hyperphosphorylation has been a pathological manifestation in neurodegenerative disorders like AD. In this review physiology of tau, its phosphorylation, hyperphosphorylation with the intervention of various kinases, aggregation and formation of paired helical filaments has been discussed. A brief account of various animal models employed to study the pathological manifestation of tau in AD and therapeutic strategies streamlined to counter the tau induced pathology has been given. The reasons for the failure to have suitable animal model to study AD pathology and recent success in achieving this has been included. The role of caspase cascade in tau cleavage has been emphasized. The summary of current studies on tau and the need for future studies has been accentuated.     

Ferrocene substituted thiacyclophanes: Synthesis, electrochemistry and structure of 6-ethynylferrocene-2,11-dithia[3.3]orthocyclophane

6-Ethynylferrocene-2,11-dithia[3.3]orthocyclophane has been prepared by cross-coupling 6-bromo-2,11-dithia[3.3]orthocyclophane to ethynylferrocene under Sonogashira conditions. The dynamic structure in solution of this potential ligand has been examined by variable temperature NMR whereas its solid state structure has been determined by X-ray diffraction studies. The electrochemical parameters of this cyclophane have also been examined.     

Detection of a mammalian histone H4 kinase that has yeast histidine kinase-like enzymic activity

A well characterized histidine kinase purified from yeast has been shown to phosphorylate histone H4 on a histidine residue. This enzyme is unlike the two-component histidine kinases predominantly found in prokaryotes. Until now, a histidine kinase similar to this yeast enzyme has not been purified from a mammalian source. By using a purification scheme similar to that used to purify the yeast histidine kinase, a protein fraction with histone H4 kinase activity has been isolated from porcine thymus. The yeast histidine kinase was shown to be detectable using an in-gel kinase assay system and using this system, four major bands of histone H4 kinase activity were apparent in the porcine thymus preparation. Through the use of immunoprecipitation, alkaline hydrolysis and subsequent phosphoamino acid analysis it has been demonstrated that this partially purified kinase fraction is capable of phosphorylating histone H4 on histidine. In conclusion, an preparation has been made from porcine thymus that contains histone H4 kinase activity and at least one of the kinases present in this preparation is a histidine kinase.     

Conserving the African rhinoceros

The Southern African rhinoceros population has been dwindling through the years. A lot of effort has been put toward coming up with the most effective way of protecting the black and white rhinoceros population in the world yet still the animals remain endangered despite the enormous global efforts to protect the species. Such conservation efforts include; establishment of sanctuaries, wildlife farming, dehorning, trade and market controls, listing of species as endangered, use of biotechnology and biotelemetry. However useful, each of these methods has its own strengths and weaknesses relative to the success of rhinoceros conservation. It however has been noted in this review that dehorning is the most effective method as it involves removal of the horn hence extinguishing the need for poaching. Despite the high success rate it has also been noted that this requires a great deal of skill and finance hence limiting the application of this technique in developing nations. Sanctuaries provide an ideal breeding environment that is better than the wild and enhanced breeding accounted for a significant increase in rhinoceros population where it has been applied. It was however been conclude that a holistic conservation approach is required to conserve the African rhinoceros.     

A study of the auxins in cabbage using countercurrent distribution

The counter-current distribution technique has been applied to the study of the identity of the auxins present in fresh cabbage. The results indicate that the major fraction of the auxin activity is probably due to 3-indoleacetic acid, but this is not established conclusively. In addition to the material presumed to be 3-indoleacetic acid, two other biologically active fractions were obtained from cabbage. Whether these are other auxins or “precursors” of 3-indoleacetic acid has not been established. It has been demonstrated that the colorimetric test which has been used by other workers is not specific for 3-indoleacetic acid, and conclusions which have been based on the use of this test must be reconsidered.     

The pharmacology of anthelmintics in livestock

The recent development of ivermectin, netobimin, closantel, triclabendazole and clorsulon as well as new ways of using established anthelmintics has significantly improved the potential for parasite control in livestock. It is of interest to note that potential control of F. hepatica has been particularly improved with four of these new anthelmintic drugs being fasciolicidal. In addition to an appreciation of the spectrum of action of the new anthelmintics, a considerable amount of information on the pharmaco-kinetic behaviour, metabolism and mode of action of these drugs has been published. New information on pharmacology of established anthelmintics has provided new insights into the biology of parasites, drug resistance and the options for improved chemotherapy by manipulation of pharmacokinetics and metabolism. Much recent pharmacological research has been concentrated on the BZs and this has been considered here in an attempt to provide a better understanding of this significant group of anthelmintics. The development of new delivery systems, such as intraruminal slow release devices, is potentially useful with most anthelmintics. So far, this new approach to parasite control has been applied most successfully with morantel tartrate.     

Human placental receptors for luteinizing hormone releasing hormone

The GTPase activity of the tubulin-colchicine complex has been studied at different tubulin-colchicine concentrations. The specific activity was found to decrease at low concentrations. Several hypothesis accounting for this observation have been discarded, and the activation via collisions between two molecules of tubulin has been considered as a possible model explaining the origin and observed concentration dependence of the GTPase activity. The activation of tubulin-colchicine by unliganded tubulin or tubulin-podophyllotoxin has been investigated within this model which emphasizes the connection between some specific tubulin-tubulin interactions and the conformation of the exchangeable nucleotide site on tubulin.     

"Saline float" positioning of the polyurethane-covered breast prosthesis

The use of the "saline float" technique has enabled us to more easily position the foam-covered breast implants through a short aesthetic incision. Of 34 patients in whom this has been used, one breast has been complicated by wrinkling of the prosthesis noted early after surgery. At 6 months this is no longer evident. Retained saline has caused no problems, and no infections have been encountered. This technique offers a safe and simple solution to overcome the tissue friction associated with use of the polyurethane foam-covered prosthesis.     

Intake assessment of L-ergothioneine in some European countries and in the United States

L-ergothioneine is an amino acid synthetized by fungi and mycobacteria that cannot be synthesized by other species. It has been detected in plants, animals, and the human body. In the last few years, it has been recognized as a good antioxidant and, recently, it has also been related to other properties besides antioxidant properties. Even though few studies on the toxicity of L-ergothioneine have been carried out, evidence suggests that L-ergothioneine is not harmful to health. Considering that L-ergothioneine has increasingly been linked to positive effects on human health, coupled with the fact that it seems to be safe for human consumption, this molecule may be suitable for use as an ingredient in foods. On the other hand, despite the positive effects reported for this molecule, no estimate of L-ergothioneine intake has been carried out until now. Thus, the aim of this work is to estimate the intake of L-ergothioneine through food consumption of several European countries and the United States. Values were estimated by using the deterministic and probabilistic approach. Results show that the populations with the highest intake of L-ergothioneine correspond to Italian population, both for children and adults.     

UC blood-derived mesenchymal stromal cells: an overview

The UC is a readily available source of blood that may be used for analysis and treatment. Some authors suggest that within the UC blood (UCB) are cells with potential for differentiation down mesenchymal lineages. Isolation and characterization of these cells has been accomplished in some centers. Differentiation of these cells down multiple lineages has been documented. Surface marker expression and gene expression profiling has been performed, and mesenchymal stromal cells (MSC) from BM and adipose tissue have been compared with those derived from UCB. The use of UCB-derived stem cells has been investigated in pre-clinical studies. As this field is rapidly advancing, this review summarizes the current state of our knowledge of MSC derived from UCB.     

A method for the experimental determination of the intensity of immunity from a series of different antigen doses

A new immunological regularity has been discovered mathematically; proceeding from this regularity, a simple index characterizing the immune responsiveness of animals has been proposed and a new (universal) method for the determination of the intensity of immunity has been developed and checked according to experimental data.