Microbial decolourisation and degradation of textile dyes

Dyes and dyestuffs find use in a wide range of industries but are of primary importance to textile manufacturing. Wastewater from the textile industry can contain a variety of polluting substances including dyes. Increasingly, environmental legislation is being imposed to control the release of dyes, in particular azo-based compounds, into the environment. The ability of microorganisms to decolourise and metabolise dyes has long been known, and the use of bioremediation based technologies for treating textile wastewater has attracted interest. Within this review, we investigate the mechanisms by which diverse categories of microorganisms, such as the white-rot fungi and anaerobic bacterial consortia, bring about the degradation of dyestuffs.     

Multicomponent phenol hydroxylase-catalysed formation of hydroxyindoles and dyestuffs from indole and its derivatives

AIMS: To establish multicomponent phenol hydroxylases (mPHs) as novel biocatalysts for producing dyestuffs and hydroxyindoles such as 7-hydroxyindole (7-HI) from indole and its derivatives. METHODS AND RESULTS: We have isolated Pseudomonas sp. KL33, which possesses a phenol degradation pathway similar to that found in Pseudomonas sp. CF600. Pseudomonas sp. KL28 is a strain that can grow on n-alkylphenols as a carbon and energy source. Escherichia coli strains expressing mPH from strain KL28 (mPH(KL28)) and strain KL33 (mPH(KL33)) catalysed the formation of indigo and 7-HI, respectively, from indole. In addition, both mPHs catalysed the production of dyestuffs and hydroxyindoles from indole derivatives. The mPH(KL28) has proved to be one of the most versatile biocatalysts that can accommodate a wide range of indole derivatives for catalysing the formation of dyestuffs. CONCLUSIONS: The present work provides a new approach in producing various dyestuffs and hydroxyindoles from indole and its derivatives by mPHs. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: These results indicate that mPHs may serve as potential agents for organic syntheses as well as bioremediation.     

STUDIES ON THE ELIMINATION OF DYES IN THE GASTRIC AND PANCREATIC SECRETIONS,AND INFERENCES THEREFROM CONCERNING THE MECHANISMS OF SECRETION OF ACID AND BASE

1. All dyes appearing in gastric juice after intravenous injection in the dog are characterized by having their chromogen in the electropositive ion under suitable conditions. 2. All dyes eliminated in pancreatic juice ionize with the chromogen electronegative under proper circumstances. 3. The amphoteric characteristics of certain dyestuffs, as well as the changes in charge associated with reversible reduction in others, have been taken into consideration, and the lack of success of previous investigators in finding a common characteristic of dyes secreted by the gastric glands differentiating them from those secreted by the pancreas, has been shown to have been due to failure to take these potentialities of the dyestuffs into account. 4. Several possible hypotheses concerning the mechanism of selectivity to dyestuffs have been considered. Differences in distribution in acid, neutral, and alkaline phases will not account for selective secretion without postulating also specific membrane permeability. It is pointed out that the theory most thoroughly in accord with all the facts observed is based upon the pore concept. To restrain electronegative dyes by polar adsorption, the pores of the membranes of the gastric glands would have to be positively charged. Such pores would constitute an electrostatic filter, restraining from passage all mobile ions of the same charge. The anions, which in plasma are mostly chloride, could pass this barrier into the secretion. In order to have hydrochloric acid formation, anion exchange would have to occur, bicarbonate, lactate, or some other anion from the gland lumen returning to balance chloride entering, leaving the hydrogen ion from the weaker acid in the secretion. This tentative theory can also be seen to fit many of the facts of pancreatic secretion, where electropositive dyes are restrained, and alkali is secreted.     

Upper boundary of the biosphere.

By using meterological rockets fitted with specially designed analyzers, samples for microbiological investigation have been taken. The analyzer design prevented extraneous microorganisms from penetrating into the analyzer. Before being used, the analyzers were sterilized with high gamma-ray doses. For the first time microorganisms have been detected in the mesosphere at an altitude of 48 to 77 km. The microorganisms are microscopic fungi having black conidia or spores (Circinella muscae, Aspergillus niger, Papulaspora anomala) and one species forming green conidia (Penicillium notatum). Colonies of Mycobacterium luteum and Micrococcus albus have also grown. Five of the six species have synthesized pigments. The presence of pigmented microbial forms leads us to believe that natural selection is occurring in the mesosphere because cells possessing chromogenous pigments (carotenoids, melanins) are more resistant to ultraviolet-ray action. A greater number of microorganisms have been registered in the mesosphere during dust storms than in the absence of strong winds.     

A comparison of the toxicity of certain dyestuffs to the conidia of Fusarium culmorum

The toxicity of a number of dyestuffs to the spores of Fusarium culmorum and Cercosporella herpotrichoides was determined by the slide-germination technique. No attempt was made to distinguish between fungistatic and fungicidal activity.
The toxicity of basic dyestuffs was unaffected by the acid radicle associated with the dye base.
The high toxicity to Fusarium culmorum of malachite green dye base was reduced weight for weight and mole for mole by substitution of ethyl, propyl or butyl groups for methyl groups.
The reduction of malachite green to malachite green leuco base removed toxicity.
The substitution of amino groups and alkylated amino groups in benzene nuclei of triphenyl methane increased toxicity, whereas acid groups reduced toxicity. Sulphonation and carboxylation reduced toxicity to vanishing point.
Alkylation of amino groups increased, but alkylation of benzene nuclei did not affect toxicity appreciably.
When the central carbon atom of the triphenyl methane dyestuffs was replaced by nitrogen (e.g. Bindschedler's green) the diphenyl ammonium compounds were less toxic than the corresponding triphenyl-methane compounds.
The prevention of rotation of the aminated benzene rings by bridging, in the o -position to central atom, with O or N, and so obtaining a planar molecule only slightly affected toxicity.
Certain acid dyes stimulated fungal growth.
The toxicity of the basic dyestuffs seems to depend not on one specific part but on the molecule as a whole, and within certain limits the structure may be varied without pronounced changes in toxicity.     

STUDIES CONCERNING THE NATURE OF THE SECRETORY ACTIVITY OF THE ISOLATED RINGER-PERFUSED FROG LIVER : I. THE DIFFERENTIAL SECRETION OF PAIRS OF DYESTUFFS

The isolated Ringer-perfused frog liver is able to concentrate in its secretion several hundred or even thousand times a great number of dyestuffs. When two dyestuffs are perfused simultaneously, the liver separates them to a lower or higher degree, some times to such an extent that the secretion of one of them is entirely suppressed by the other. Which one of the two dyestuffs appears prevailingly in the secretion, does not depend upon its diffusibility or lipoid solubility, but perhaps upon its adsorbability. This is concluded from the fact that dyestuffs provided with several (4 to 5) strongly hydrophilic sulfonate groups in their molecule, are not permitted to pass the gland.     

Assessment of the potential bactericide effect of self‐cleaning floors: a proposed protocol

The antibacterial properties of self‐cleaning coatings are based on bactericide nanoparticles (NPs). Ecotoxicity of these NPs have been assessed mostly in suspension, using standard bioassays. Here a protocol is proposed to test actual coating samples, using the Vibrio fischeri bioluminescence inhibition bioassay. The protocol was designed to test bactericide properties of specially coated PVC floors being used in hospital environments under quasinatural conditions, such as prolonged exposure or room temperature. To take into consideration that the light output of the bacteria under prolonged exposure naturally changes, a correction factor is proposed.     

The chaperone DnaK controls the fractioning of functional protein between soluble and insoluble cell fractions in inclusion body-forming cells

Background  

The molecular mechanics of inclusion body formation is still far from being completely understood, specially regarding the occurrence of properly folded, protein species that exhibit natural biological activities. We have here comparatively explored thermally promoted, in vivo protein aggregation and the formation of bacterial inclusion bodies, from both structural and functional sides. Also, the status of the soluble and insoluble protein versions in both aggregation systems have been examined as well as the role of the main molecular chaperones GroEL and DnaK in the conformational quality of the target polypeptide.     

Isolation of primary osteoblast cell lines from adult rat and rat embryos and their use as models for in vitro biocompatibility tests of nanostructured titanium-based implants

Methods for obtaining osteoblast cultures from the calvaria of adult Wistar rats and 12-day-old embryos of these rats have been adapted for studying the biocompatibility and ossointegration of titanium-based implants. The osteoblast morphology and their differentiation into osteocytes on a titanium matrix with specially treated surface have been studied. It has been confirmed that two cultures of diploid rat cells obtained in the study can serve as efficient models for preclinical in vitro testing of nanostructured titanium implants for biocompatibility and osseointegration.     

The role of special devices in the management of the handicapped child

With continued improvements in neonatal care many infants with severe neuromuscular disease are now being salvaged. To achieve independence in ambulation as well as in activities of daily living, such children often require considerable assistance from many allied disciplines. Because each handicapped child is unique in his particular requirements, specially designed and manufactured aids are often indicated. A multidiscipline Special Devices Clinic has been established to fulfil this need.     

An investigation of the chlorotriazine derivatives as fixatives for tissues

Synopsis The fixative properties of a number of mono- and dichlorotriazine dyestuffs were studied. These substances were, it was found, not pure and penetrated tissues poorly. The dichlorotriazines fixed and stained cells and their glycogen content moderately, well, but the monochloro derivatives produced poor fixation. Both groups of chlorotriazine derivatives reacted with proteins and glycogen but did not cross-link. In contrast, nucleic acids apparently did not react with these dyestuffs and were poorly stained.     

Comparison of white-rot fungi cultures for decolorization of textile dyestuffs

Four different white rot fungi cultures were used for decolorization of five different textile dyestuffs. Phanerochaeta chrysosporium 671.71, P. chrysosporium MUCL, Coriolus versicolor and C. versicolor MUCL cultures effectively decolorized Everzol Yellow 4GL, Everzol Red RBN, D. Orange K-GL, Everdirect Supra yellow PG and Everzol Turquoise Blue G textile dyestuffs in shake flasks within 9 days of incubation period. Decolorization efficiencies obtained with P. chrysosporium were above 90% for all dyestuffs tested. C. versicolor cultures resulted in varying degree of decolorization efficiencies between 34% and 100%.     

Influence of Doppler ultrasound on fetal activity.

A randomised and double blind study of 100 subjects and 50 controls was performed to confirm or refute a report from Cardiff in 1975 that continuous Doppler ultrasound, as used in fetal heart rate monitoring, increases fetal movement by over 90%. The results showed such an effect to be most unlikely (power greater than 0.99). A total of 150 pregnant mothers recorded fetal movements for 30 minutes while connected to a specially modified cardiotocograph, the ultrasound being switched on at random for either the first or second 15 minutes in 100 of the patients. The mean difference in 15 minute movement count, with and without ultrasound, among the 100 patients was 0.2 of a movement (SD 12.7; p greater than 0.6 by two tailed Wilcoxon matched pairs signed ranks test). The control group showed a mean difference of 2.6 movements (SD 12.1; p greater than 0.2). Results of a pilot study suggested that the observations in the earlier report may have been influenced by mechanisms unrelated to ultrasound.     

细胞分裂素合成基因ipt研究进展(综述)

异戊烯基转移酶是细胞分裂素生物合成第一步的催化酶,也是限速酶。其编码基因ipt已被克隆,运用生物信息学方法,在拟南芥中鉴定出与微生物同源的编码异戊烯基转移酶的基因家族,推测这些基因可能存在特殊时空表达来调控细胞分裂素的合成途径。本文着重介绍ipt在细胞分裂素合成中的作用和研究进展。     

测量误差模型中变差系数的性质研究

本文对测量误差模型参数估计的变差系数的性质进行了初步研究.本文结果对参数估计分布性质,特别是分布的离散程度的研究有重要应用价值.     

DNA sequencing: an overview of solid-state and biological nanopore-based methods

The field of sequencing is a topic of significant interest since its emergence and has become increasingly important over time. Impressive achievements have been obtained in this field, especially in relations to DNA and RNA sequencing. Since the first achievements by Sanger and colleagues in the 1950s, many sequencing techniques have been developed, while others have disappeared. DNA sequencing has undergone three generations of major evolution. Each generation has its own specifications that are mentioned briefly. Among these generations, nanopore sequencing has its own exciting characteristics that have been given more attention here. Among pioneer technologies being used by the third-generation techniques, nanopores, either biological or solid-state, have been experimentally or theoretically extensively studied. All sequencing technologies have their own advantages and disadvantages, so nanopores are not free from this general rule. It is also generally pointed out what research has been done to overcome the obstacles. In this review, biological and solid-state nanopores are elaborated on, and applications of them are also discussed briefly.     

Complementary DNA cloning of a protein highly homologous to mammalian sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca-ATPase from the crustacean Artemia

Complementary DNA clones coding for an Artemia ATPase have been isolated using an oligonucleotide probe for a region highly conserved between P-type ATPases. The nucleotide sequence of three overlapping clones, 3309 base-pairs, has been established. This sequence includes 78 nucleotides of 5' untranslated sequence, an open reading frame of 3009 nucleotides and 222 nucleotides of 3' untranslated sequences. The amino acid sequence predicted for the coding region is 71% similar to that of slow and fast twitch rabbit muscle sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca-ATPases. The homology is specially high in some regions of the protein that include the previously described regions that are similar between all known P-type ATPases, as well as transmembrane domains and intra- and extracellular domains adjacent to the membrane that are not conserved in P-type ATPases but have been proposed to be involved in calcium binding and transport in rabbit sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca-ATPases. Probes of this likely sarcoplasmic reticulum Ca-ATPase hybridize to two mRNAs of 5200 and 4500 bases. Although both mRNAs are already present in cryptobiotic embryos, the levels of the 5200 base mRNA decrease after development is reassumed, being undetectable after hatching of the nauplii. The levels of the 4500 base mRNA increase during development; maximal levels are reached by ten hours and are maintained at later stages of development.     

An examination of eggs challenged with cryopreserved spermatozoa of the American oyster, Crassostrea virginica

Reliable procedures for cryopreservation of the gametes of marine fish and invertebrates are urgently needed for developing aquaculture of specially bred strains. Availability of the eggs by the millions and external fertilization offer special methodologic advantages. The seawater medium and the acrosome reaction of the invertebrates pose new problems. A cytogenetic study was made of the eggs of the commercial American oyster, Crassostrea virginica, after being challenged with its cryopreserved sperm.     

The status of the morbidity and the main trends in the improvement of the epidemiological surveillance of sexually transmitted infections in the city of Moscow

The present situation in sexually transmitted diseases (STD) is regarded as unfavorable. Differing tendencies in morbidity levels for various nosological forms have been established. The continuing growth of syphilis morbidity among children is considered to be specially alarming, and an increase in the number of cases of congenital syphilis is noted. The reasons of the growth of STD morbidity have not only medical, but mainly socio-economical, psychological, ethical and moral character. The main trends in the improvement of epidemiological surveillance on STD have been determined.