Comparative proteomics of industrial lager yeast reveals differential expression of the cerevisiae and non-cerevisiae parts of their genomes

The proteomes of three industrial lager beer strains, CMBS33, OG2252 and A15, were analysed under standardised laboratory growth conditions. Protein spots in the 2-DE pattern of the lager strains were subjected to MS/MS to identify protein variants. We found the protein composition of the three lager strains to be qualitatively rather similar, while being substantially different from the Saccharomyces cerevisiae strain BY4742. Database searches using several fully sequenced genomes from the Saccharomyces genera indicated that the non-cerevisiae proteins in the 2-D pattern of lager strains were most closely related to S. bayanus. For many proteins the regulation of the bayanus-like protein and its cerevisiae counterpart varied in a strain-dependent manner, e.g. the bayanus-like form of Tdh3p was roughly eight-fold more abundant than the cerevisiae form in the OG2252 strain. We also found differential regulation of cerevisiae- and bayanus-like proteins during various stress conditions like low temperature growth, and adaptation to high temperatures or high salinity, e.g. for Arg1p, Sti1p and Pdc1p. Our data on the differential regulation of the two genomes in these hybrid strains may have important industrial implications for strain improvement and strain protection.     

Influence of dimethyl formamide pulping of bagasse on pulp properties

Organosolv pulping of bagasse was conducted following a central composite design using a two-level factorial plan involving three pulping variables (temperature: 190-210 degrees C, time: 120-180 min, organic solvent charge: 40-60% dimethyl formamide). Responses of pulp properties (yield and holocellulose, alpha-cellulose, kappa number, ash and ethanol-dichloromethane extractives contents) and the pH of the resulting wastewater to the process variables were analyzed using statistical software (MINITAB). Main factor analysis revealed that optimum pulp has the following characteristics: 82.7% (yield), 92.9 (kappa number), 95.84% (holocellulose), 83.53% (alpha-cellulose), 1.403% (ash), 2.562% (ethanol-dichloromethane extractives contents) and 6.39 (pH). These results showed that acceptable properties of pulps could be gained at 200-210 degrees C for 150 min and 40-60% DMF. Based on these results, this method could be used for pulping of bagasse equivalent NSSC concerning high yield at a fixed kappa number. In addition, bagasse could be pulped with ease to approximately 55% yield with a kappa number approximately 31. Numerical analyses showed that cooking temperature had the greatest influence on properties of obtained pulps within the DMF concentrations and cooking time as cooking variables.     

Non-random X chromosome inactivation in Aicardi syndrome

Most females have random X-chromosome inactivation (XCI), defined as an equal likelihood for inactivation of the maternally- or paternally-derived X chromosome in each cell. Several X-linked disorders have been associated with a higher prevalence of non-random XCI patterns, but previous studies on XCI patterns in Aicardi syndrome were limited by small numbers and older methodologies, and have yielded conflicting results. We studied XCI patterns in DNA extracted from peripheral blood leukocytes of 35 girls with typical Aicardi syndrome (AIC) from 0.25 to 16.42 years of age, using the human androgen receptor assay. Data on 33 informative samples showed non-random XCI in 11 (33%), defined as a >80:20% skewed ratio of one versus the other X chromosome being active. In six (18%) of these, there was a >95:5% extremely skewed ratio of one versus the other X chromosome being active. XCI patterns on maternal samples were not excessively skewed. The prevalence of non-random XCI in Aicardi syndrome is significantly different from that in the general population (p < 0.0001) and provides additional support for the hypothesis that Aicardi syndrome is an X-linked disorder. We also investigated the correlation between X-inactivation patterns and clinical severity and found that non-random XCI is associated with a high neurological composite severity score. Conversely, a statistically significant association was found between random XCI and the skeletal composite score. Correlations between X-inactivation patterns and individual features were made and we found a significant association between vertebral anomalies and random XCI.     

Analysis of HLA DR2&;DQ6 (DRB1*1501, DQA1*0102, DQB1*0602) Haplotypes in Iranian Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is prototype of inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system .The etiology of MS remains unclear, but according to current data the disease develops in genetically susceptible individuals and may require additional environmental triggers. The human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class II alleles (DRB1*1501, DQA1*0102, DQB1*0602) may have the strongest genetic effect in MS. In this study, the role of these alleles were investigated in 183 Iranian patients with multiple sclerosis and compared with 100 healthy individuals. HLA typing for DRB1*1501, DQA1*0102, DQB1*0602 was performed by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification with sequence-specific primers (PCR-SSP) method. The results show that, HLA DR B1*1501 was significantly more frequent among MS patients (46% vs. 20%, PV = 0.0006) but DQA1*0102 haplotype was negatively associated with MS (30% vs. 50%, PV = 0.0049) and no significant association was found with DQB1*0602 and MS patients in comparison with control group (24% and 30%, PV = 0.43). No significant correlation was observed among these alleles with sex, type of disease; initial symptoms, expanded disability status scale (EDSS), as well as age at onset and familial MS. This study therefore indicates that there is no association of above HLA haplotypes with clinical presentation, disease duration, and disability in Iranian patients with MS which is in line with other previous studies in different ethnic groups.     

Copper resistance in Anabaena variabilis: Effects of phosphate nutrition and polyphosphate bodies

A copper-resistant Anabaena variabilis strain was obtained after repeated culturing in progressively higher concentrations of Cu(NO₃)₂. This strain maintained its resistance even after a year of repeated subculturing in copper-free medium. The resistant strain differed from the sensitive parent strain with respect to filament length, cell shape and size, and control of heterocyst formation. The resistant strain was also more resistant to cadmium, zinc, and nickel. Copper distribution studies conducted with atomic absorption spectroscopy revealed that at low copper levels the sensitive strain bound significantly more metal than the resistant strain. At higher copper levels, however, the resistant strain bound large amounts of the metal. Phosphate-loaded resistant cells could grow in higher copper concentrations than phosphate-starved resistant cells. Toluidine blue staining showed that the resistant strain contained more polyphosphate bodies than the sensitive strain; the resistant cells also had higher internal phosphate levels. X-ray microanalysis, however, did not show a direct localization of copper on polyphosphate bodies. More than one mechanism of resistance may exist in this A. variabilis strain.Correspondence to: D. J. Kushner.     

Use FMEA method for environmental risk assessment in ore complex on wildlife habitats

Human activities are the most effective cause of wildlife habitat destruction and loss of quality. Some of these activities are the construction, operation, and utilization of mines. The present study investigates factory activity in the GolGoharSirjanOre Complex (Kerman province) and environmental risk assessment of the activities done by this complex on wildlife habitat. In order to identify the significant aspects of the complex, the Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA) method is used. To determine the risk priority number, the significant aspects resulted from the multiplication of the criteria including probability of occurrence, the probability of detection, and severity of the effect. Based on the results of the current study, most of the activities of GolGoharSirjan Complex can have a significant adverse impact on the habitat of birds such as bustard Chlamydotisundulata (Vulnerable [VU]) and Podocespleskei, and mammals such as Striped Hyaena (Hyaenahyaena) (Near Threatened [NT]) and Capra aegagrus (Wild Goat) (VU). Some of the most important activities related to the activity include: Crusher (Risk Priority Number [RPN] = 720), the concentration of iron ore (RPN = 640), mining (RPN = 486), Stalker and Reclaiming (RPN = 504), and the transport of heavy machinery (RPN = 432). Significant aspects such as the emission of dust into the air; Nitrogen Oxide (NOX), Sulphur Oxide (SOX), and Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) gas emissions to air; vibration; noise; and industrial waste discharges significantly influence the environment. The results of measurements of environmental pollutants that are carried out by reliable environmental laboratories have shown that the amount of pollutants mentioned are above the standard limit determined by the Iranian Department of Environment.     

Association between CASP3 polymorphisms and overall cancer risk: A meta-analysis of case-control studies

Several studies inspected the relationship between caspase-3 (CASP3) polymorphisms and the risk of several human cancers, but the findings remain controversial. We conducted a meta-analysis aiming to inspect the association between CASP3 rs1049216 T>C, rs12108497 C>T, rs4647603 G>A, rs4647602 C>A, rs6948 T>G, rs2705897 A>C, and rs113420705 G>A polymorphisms and cancer risk. Eligible studies were recognized by searching the Web of Science, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated to quantitatively evaluate the association between each polymorphism of CASP3 and cancer risk. The rs4647603 variant significantly increased the risk of cancer in an overdominant (OR, 1.44; 95% CI, 1.03-2.01; P = 0.03; AG vs AA+GG) inheritance model. Regarding the rs4647602 variant, the findings revealed that this variant was associated with protection against cancer in homozygous codominant (OR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.56-0.80; P < 0.00001; AA vs CC), dominant (OR, 0.84; 95% CI, 0.73-0.96; P = 0.009; AC+AA vs CC), recessive (OR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.61-0.79; P < 0.00001; AA vs AC+CC), and allele (OR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.75-0.88; P = 0.00001; A vs C) models. The findings suggested that the rs2705897 variant significantly decreased the risk of cancer in heterozygous codominant (OR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.67-0.94; P = 0.009; AC vs AA), dominant (OR, 0.81; 95% CI, 0.69-0.95; P = 0.009; AC+CC vs AA), overdominant (OR, 0.80; 95% CI, 0.68-0.95; P = 0.01; AC vs CC+AA), and allele (OR, 0.85; 95% CI, 0.74-0.97; P = 0.02; C vs A) models. The results did not support an association between CASP3 rs1049216 and rs6948 polymorphisms and cancer risk. In summary, the findings of this meta-analysis support an association between CASP3 polymorphisms and cancer risk. Larger and well-designed studies are desired to evaluate these associations in detail.     

Association of caspase 8 promoter variants and haplotypes with the risk of breast cancer and its molecular profile in an Iranian population: A case-control study

Caspase 8 (CASP8) gene plays a key role in the regulation of apoptotic cell death. Expression variation in this gene has been associated with the risk of breast cancer. The aim of this study was to investigate the association of rs3834129 and rs3769821, as functional variants, and their haplotypes with molecular profile as well as the risk of breast cancer in an Iranian population. A case-control study was conducted on 812 participants including 293 breast cancer patients and 519 healthy controls. Genotyping was performed by polymerase chain reaction–based methods. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS Ver16. The association between polymorphisms and haplotypes with the risk of breast cancer was estimated by calculating odds ratios (OR) and chi-square (χ²) tests. In comparison with ins allele (I) of rs3834129, carriers of del allele (D) showed a lower risk of breast cancer (OR, 0.65; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.49-0.87; P = 0.004). The multivariate logistic regression model indicated DD genotype as an independent factor for a decreased risk of breast cancer in our population (OR, 0.18; 95% CI, 0.06-0.58; P = 0.004). Also, the C allele of rs3769821 was associated with a 43% increased risk of breast cancer (P = 0.005); however, after adjustment for confounding factors, no association with rs3769821 and breast cancer was observed. In addition, D-T haplotype and diplotype presented protective effects (P < 0.05). Our results indicate that genetic variations in the promoter region of CASP8 gene, especially rs3834129, may serve as a genetic risk factor for breast cancer in an Iranian population.     

Age,gender and slavery in and out of the Persian harem: a different story

Despite the ever-growing literature on slavery and that of oppression of women in the harem and the expanding material on memories and autobiographies, it is difficult to find room to valorize experiences of those women who do not use writing as a medium of communication. Recollected memories of life histories of women are still hard to contextualize within mainstream feminist epistemology. It is the contention of this article that academic universal categories, formulated by Anglophone Western theorists, do not help to explain the lived experiences of most women the world over. Drawing on subjective experiences of one woman and autobiographical memories of the author, this article will argue that well-known categories such as “black” and “slave girl” fail to explain the remembered life of one “black” “harem slave girl”, who felt empowered by her harem years.