Screening Actinomycetes for Extracellular Peroxidase Activity

A diverse collection of actinomycete strains were screened for production of extracellular peroxidase activity by adapting a chemiluminescence analysis system developed for horseradish peroxidase-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Extracellular peroxidase activity was found to be common but quantitatively variable, and this rapid and sensitive screening system permitted identification of a small group of high-producing strains. A range of spectrophotometric assays were compared for the measurement of peroxidase activity in concentrated culture supernatants of two selected thermophilic streptomycetes. Of these, the peroxide-dependent oxidation of 2,4-dichlorophenol was identified as the most robust and reproducible assay for quantitative studies.     

Petiolar felt-sheath of palm: A new matrix for fungal immobilization

Summary Petiolar felt-sheath of palm (Livistona chinensis) has been successfully used as a new biostructural matrix for the immobilization of fungal hyphae. The reticulated felt-sheath is made up of fibrous bundles having irregularly scattered membranous-foliose and fibrous outgrowths woven into a cohesive multi-layered mesh. Immobilization of Aspergillus niger was achieved with both spore and hyphal suspensions as the inoculum. Growth in immobilized cultures was 19% greater than in free cultures.     

Regulation of calmodulin content in synaptic plasma membranes by glucocorticoids

Synaptic plasma membranes (SPM) from the brain are known to have specific binding sites for several steroid hormones, but the mechanisms of membrane transduction of steroid signals is not understood. In this study, corticosterone was found to prevent temperature-dependent dissociation of endogenous calmodlin (CaM) from highly purified SPM from rat cerebral cortex. The steroid stabilizes Ca²⁺-dependent membrane binding of endogenous CaM (78% of total CaM), whereas Ca²⁺-independent binding of CaM (the other 22%) is not affected. The stabilization of membrane binding of endogenous CaM by corticosterone is concentration-dependent, with the maximal effect occurring at steroid concentration of 1 M. The EC₅₀ is estimated as 130 nM, which is almost identical to the K_d of specific binding of the steroid to SPM (120 nM) reported previously. The effect in stabilizing membrane binding of CaM is specific to corticosterone and other glucocorticoids (cortisol, dexamethasone and triamcinolone); gonadal steroids (17-estradiol, progesterone and testosterone) are ineffective. Furthermore, corticosterone administration in vivo (2 mg/kg, i.p.) produced a rapid increase of CaM content in SPM, occurring within 5 min after steroid injection and persisting for at least 20 min. Since CaM mediates a variety of biochemical processes in synaptic membranes, we hypothesize that the effect of glucocorticoids in promoting membrane binding of CaM may lead to a cascade of consequences in synaptic membrane function.Special issue dedicated to Dr. Sidney Ochs.     

Regulation of N-Methyl-d-aspartate receptor-mediated calcium transport and norepinephrine release in rat hippocampus synaptosomes by polyamines

The role of polyamines (PA) synthesis in NMDA receptor-mediated⁴⁵Ca²⁺ fluxes and norepinephrine release was studied in rat hippocampal synaptosomes. NMDA (50M) caused a sharp (>2-fold) transient increase in PA synthesis regulating enzyme, ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) activity with concomitant elevation in PA levels in the order putrescine>spermidine>spermine. ODC inhibitor, -difluoromethylornithine (DFMO), and NMDA antagonist, 2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid (D-AP5), both blocked increases in ODC activity and PA levels. Activation of NMDA receptors induced a sharp (3 to 4-fold) and quick (15 seconds) increase in⁴⁵Ca²⁺ uptake by synaptosomes within 15 seconds of exposure at 37°C. The efflux of⁴⁵Ca²⁺ and³H-norepinephrine (NE) release at 22°C from pre-loaded synaptosomes was also significantly (2 to 4-fold) enhanced by NMDA within 15 seconds. These NMDA receptor-mediated effects on calcium fluxes and NE release were blocked by NMDA receptor-antagonists (DAP-5 and MK-801) and PA synthesis inhibitor, DFMO and the DFMO inhibition nullified by exogenous putrescine. These observations establish that ODC/PA cascade play an important role in transduction of excitatory amino acid mediated signals at NMDA receptors.Special issue dedicated to Dr. Sidney Ochs.     

A simple and efficient method for DNA extraction from grapevine cultivars andVitis species

A quick, simple, and reliable method for the extraction of DNA from grapevine species, hybrids, andAmpelopsis brevipedunculata (Vitaceae) has been developed. This method, based on that of Doyle and Doyle (1990), is a CTBA-based extraction procedure modified by the use of NaCl to remove polysaccharides and PVP to eliminate polyphenols during DNA purification. The method has also been used successfully for extraction of total DNA from other fruit species such as apple (Malus domestica), apricot (Prunus armeniaca), cherry (Prunus avium), peach (Prunus persica), plum (Prunus domestica), and raspberry (Rubus idaeus). DNA yield from this procedure is high (up to 1 mg/g of leaf tissue). DNA is completely digestible with restriction endonucleases and amplifiable in the polymerase chain reaction (PCR), indicating freedom from common contaminating compounds.     

Effects of photon flux density,CO2, aeration rate,and inoculum density on growth and extracellular polysaccharide production byPorphyridium cruentum

Growth and extracellular polysaccharide production byPorphyridium cruentum were measured as a function of several culture parameters. Photon flux density of 75 μmol m⁻² s⁻¹ and CO₂ concentration of 2.5% were found to be optimum for both growth and extracellular polysaccharide production. Interactive studies on these two parameters further confirmed that at these levels of photon flux density and CO₂, when applied together, both growth (5.9·10⁷ cells per mL) and extracellular polysaccharide production (1.9 g/L) were at the maximum. Maximum growth and extracellular polysaccharide production were observed at inoculum density of 10⁶ cells per mL and aeration rate of 500 mL air per min per liter.     

Three research priorities for just and sustainable urban systems: Now is the time to refocus

Now is the time to refocus efforts in urban research and design. A changing climate and extreme weather events are presenting unique challenges to urban systems around the world. These challenges illuminate the social barriers that accompany disruptive events such as resource inequities and injustices. In this perspective, we provide three research priorities for just and sustainable urban systems that help to address these matters. The three research priorities are: (1) social equity and justice, (2) circularity, and (3) digital twins. Conceptual context and future research directions are provided for each. For social equity and justice, the future directions are mandatory equity analysis and inclusionary practices, understanding and reconciling historical injustices, and intentional integration with diverse community stakeholders. For circularity applications, they are better metrics for integration, more robust evaluation frameworks, and dynamic modeling at multiple spatial and temporal scales. Future directions for digital twins include developing principles to reduce complexity, integrating model and system components, and reducing barriers to data access. These research priorities are core to meeting several of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (i.e., 1—No Poverty, 8—Decent Work and Economic Growth, 10—Reduced Inequalities, and 11—Sustainable Cities and Communities). Useful social and technical matters are discussed throughout, where we highlight the importance of prioritizing localized research efforts, provide guidance for community-engaged research and co-development practices, and explain how these priorities interact to align with the evolving field of industrial ecology.     

Intestinal cancer development in response to oral infection with high-fat diet-induced Type 2 diabetes (T2D) in collaborative cross mice under different host genetic background effects

Mammalian Genome - Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a metabolic disease with an imbalance in blood glucose concentration. There are significant studies currently showing association between T2D and...