Evaluation of Bacillus subtilis SPB1 Lipopeptide Biosurfactant Toxicity Towards Mice

The in vivo potential toxicity of SPB1 lipopeptide biosurfactant towards male mice was evaluated. An LD50 value (defined as the dose required to kill half the members of a tested population) was determined to be about 475 mg/kg. Results show that daily administration of SPB1 biosurfactant did not show any death cases at any dose. Also, no unusual changes in behavior and no intoxication were observed during the 28 days period of treatment. Analysis proved that there were no significant differences in the serum glucose concentration levels, plasma total cholesterol, aspartate aminotransferase activity and bilirubin concentration among the control and experimental groups. In contrast, a little enhancement of alanine aminotransferase activities was observed for mice treated by the highest dose of the biosurfactant corresponding to 47.5 mg/kg of body weight which indicated the necrosis of hepatocyte. A daily intake of doses lower than 47.5 mg/kg of body weight had no significant adverse effect on hematological parameters and serum biochemical data. These results proved that SPB1 biosurfactant could be of a great interest as an additive in food, cosmetic and pharmaceuticals fields.     

Molecular phylogeny and evogenomics of heterocystous cyanobacteria using rbcl gene sequence data

Taxonomic affiliations and molecular diversity of 41 heterocystous cyanobacteria representing 12 genera have been assessed on an evolutionary landscape using rbcl gene sequence data-based phylogenomics and evogenomics approaches. Phylogenetic affiliations have clearly demonstrated the polyphyly of the true branching cyanobacteria, along with a frequent intermixing amongst the heterocystous cyanobacteria. The monophyletic origin of the heterocystous cyanobacteria was also quite evident from maximum parsimony and neighbor joining analyses. Incongruency with the traditional scheme of cyanobacterial taxonomy was frequently observed, thus advocating towards some re-amendments in the cyanobacterial classificatory schemes. Evogenomics analyses of gene sequence data gave a clear indication about the greater evolutionary pace of the unbranched cyanobacteria as compared to the branched forms. It was evident that the order Nostocales would be controlling the future pace of evolution of heterocystous cyanobacteria. The cyanobacteria Nostoc was found to have the greatest genetic heterogeneity amongst the studied genera, along with some evidence towards events of lateral gene transfer amongst the heterocystous cyanobacteria in case of the rbcl gene. Thus, heterocystous cyanobacteria were found to be a fast evolving group, with estimates of gene conversion tracts pointing towards the unbranched heterocystous cyanobacteria being at the base of evolutionary diversifications of the complete heterocystous lineage.     

Evaluation of the stability of standard reference genes of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells during in vitro proliferation and differentiation

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) from a variety of sources are being used in pre-clinical and clinical studies. The choice of optimal source for treatment of diseases requires quantitative evaluation of self-renewal, proliferation and differentiation potencies of MSCs. For this purpose, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) technique is used to determine the expression of genes. qRT-PCR requires the normalization of the gene expression levels by the use of reference genes in order to obtain accurate and reliable results. There is a limited number of studies focused on the selection of reference genes that are appropriate and reliable for MSCs. Thus, no single reference gene has yet been found for use in the in vitro proliferation and differentiation of MSCs. The aim of this study is to investigate the stability of the expression of widely used reference genes during the in vitro proliferation and differentiation of human adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hASCs). For this purpose, 13 reference genes commonly used in MSC studies were selected. As a result, the expression stabilities of EF1α, RPLP0 and RPL13A genes were found to be high and were predicted to be suitable for use as reference genes for normalization in hASC studies. The GAPDH was identified as the gene with the lowest expression stability and evaluated to be an unsuitable reference gene for hASC differentiation studies. This piece of information could be crucial for the selection of appropriate reference genes and accurate measurement of gene expression in hASC studies.

     

Trace Element Levels and Oxidant/Antioxidant Status in Patients with Alcohol Abuse

Biological Trace Element Research - Alcohol abuse is a well-known cause of imbalance in trace element levels and oxidant/antioxidant status of individuals with long time consumption. However, the...     

Effect of Aspergillus oryzae CBS 819.72 α-amylase on rheological dough properties and bread quality

An optimum Aspergillus oryzae CBS 819.72 α-amylase production in a laboratory-scale fermentor using a wheat grinding by-product as a sole carbon source (340 U/mL) was obtained after 48 h of batch fermentation under an agitation rate of 900 rpm and a pH maintained constant for 24 h. The application of this α-amylase preparation at an adequate concentration showed positive effects on dough properties and bread quality. Extensographic analysis revealed that while this addition induced a significant increase in maximal dough resistance to extension and area below the curve (energy), it brought a substantial decrease in extensibility. Farinographic results revealed small decreases in terms of time development, water absorption, and dough stability. Bread volume was also observed to undergo a significant increase.     

Erratum to: Quantum Chemical Calculations on Two Compounds of Proquazone and Proquazone Type Calcites as a Calcium Sensing Receptor (CaSR) Inhibitory Profiles

Russian Journal of Bioorganic Chemistry - An Erratum to this paper has been published: https://doi.org/10.1134/S106816202134001X     

Production of Synthetic Methionine-Free and Synthetic Methionine-Limited Alpha Casein: Protein Foodstuff for Patients with Homocystinuria due to Cystathionine Beta-Synthase Deficiency

The aim of this study was to evaluate the possibility that synthetic forms of methionine-free alpha-casein and methionine-limited alpha casein could be produced by recombinant means to form the basis for developing an industrial-scale process for the provision of a foodstuff suitable for patients with homocystinuria due to cystathionine beta-synthase (CBS) deficiency. As a first step, two forms of alpha casein gene, encoding methionine-free alpha casein (Fcas) or a methionine-limited alpha casein (Mcas), were synthesised and expressed in Escherichia coli. Using the overexpression vector pET28a, both genes were highly expressed in E. coli in soluble form as well as in inclusion bodies. The two recombinant proteins were purified by the one step methods using the fused His-tag and the Ni²⁺column and validated by Western blot analysis. This work paves the way for industrial-scale production of proteins suitable for patients with homocystinuria due to CBS deficiency.