Biogas manufacture from co-digestion of untreated primary sludge with raw chicken manure under anaerobic mesophilic environmental conditions

This work aimed to co-digest various wastes to assess the best combination of all mixing ratio, also at choosing the best ratio between untreated primary sludge (UPS) singly from two sources, (South valley University (SUPS) and Abu tesht wastewater station (AUPS) and raw chicken manure (RCM) and comparing the results in either case. The co-digestions of untreated primary sludge from Abu tesht wastewater treatment stations with different levels of raw chicken manure (0:100, 10:90, 30:70, 50:50, 90:10, and 100:0) to obtain the best mixtures. Also, co-digestion of untreated primary sludge from south valley university with different levels of raw chicken manure at the same ratios, to obtain the best mixtures. Batch digestion tests were applied in 2.5 L digester with a working volume of 2.0 L. The samples in triplicates were separately loaded into the digesters locally fabricated and kept for 20 days as a retention period and diluted with the same amount of water. Mesophilic under 35 °C was adopted for untreated primary sludge as well as mixtures with raw chicken manure based on total solids (TS) and volatile solid (VS) proportions. The average biogas yields from AUPS/RCM mixture obtained ranged from 8570 to 5600 ml, by the following descending order, 10: 90 > 90:10 and so on >100:0, and the average biogas yields from SUPS/RCM obtained ranged from 6330 to 5635 ml, in the order of 90: 10 > 10:90 and so on >100:0. The results showed highest biogas yield from AUPS/RCM and SUPS/RCM mixtures with mixing ratio of 10:90 and 90:10, respectively, however, the lowest biogas production detected in separate digestion of AUPS and SUPS. The results indicated that co-digestion between the sludge and raw chicken manure could increase total biogas production volume, enhance sludge treatment process, and produce eco-friendly sludge because of co-digestion process than separate processing of each feedstock.     

Assessment of biological activity and UPLC–MS based chromatographic profiling of ethanolic extract of Ochradenus arabicus

Natural products from wild and medicinal plants, either in the form of crude extracts or pure compounds provide unlimited opportunities for new drug leads owing to the unmatched availability of chemical diversity. In the present study, the cytotoxic potential of crude ethanolic extract of Ochradenus arabicus was analyzed by MTT cell viability assay in MCF-7 adenocarcinoma breast cancer cells. We further investigated its effect against oxidative stress induced by anticancer drug doxorubicin. In addition, Ultra Performance Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (UPLC–MS) based chromatographic profiling of crude extract of O. arabicus was performed. The MTT assay data showed that the extract is moderately toxic to the MCF-7 cells. However, its treatment alone does not induce oxidative stress while doxorubicin increases the level of oxidative stress in MCF-7 cells. Whereas, simultaneous treatment of plant extract and doxorubicin significantly (p < 0.05) decreased the level of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) and lipid peroxidation while an increase in the reduced glutathione and superoxide dismutase activity was observed in time and dose dependent manner. Hence, our finding confirmed cytotoxic and antioxidant potential of crude extract of O. arabicus in MCF-7 cells. However, further investigations on O. arabicus as a potential chemotherapeutic agent are needed. The analysis of bioactive compounds present in the plant extracts involving the applications of common phytochemical screening assays such as chromatographic techniques is discussed.     

Oxidative stress implication in a new ex-vivo cardiac concordant xenotransplantation model

Xenotransplantation (XT) reveals a growing interest for the treatment of cardiomyopathy. The major barrier is an acute vascular rejection due to an acute humoral rejection. This pathogenesis is a difficult issue and in order to elaborate means for its prevention, we analysed the implication of oxidative stress (OS) on hearts from mini-pigs followed by reperfusion with either autologous or human blood in an attempt to simulate xenotransplantation. About 14 hearts were studied after a Langendorff blood reperfusion: allografts with autologous blood (n = 7) or xenografts with human blood (n = 7). Blood samples were drawn from the coronary sinus to assess ischemia and OS. In xenografts, arrhythmias occurred more frequently (p < 0.01, left ventricular systolic pressure decreased more significantly (p < 0.05), thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances concentrations increased at 30 min (0.7 +/- 0.1 vs. 2.4 +/- 0.3 mmol/l; p < 0.05) while vitamin A levels decreased (p < 0.05). XT was associated with a significant increase in ischemic injury and OS production. OS might play an eminent role in hyperacute humoral rejection.     

Proliferation of Antibiotic-Producing Bacteria and Concomitant Antibiotic Production as the Basis for the Antibiotic Activity of Jordan's Red Soils

Anecdotes, both historical and recent, recount the curing of skin infections, including diaper rash, by using red soils from the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan. Following inoculation of red soils isolated from geographically separate areas of Jordan, Micrococcus luteus and Staphylococcus aureus were rapidly killed. Over the 3-week incubation period, the number of specific types of antibiotic-producing bacteria increased, and high antimicrobial activity (MIC, ∼10 μg/ml) was observed in methanol extracts of the inoculated red soils. Antibiotic-producing microorganisms whose numbers increased during incubation included actinomycetes, Lysobacter spp., and Bacillus spp. The actinomycetes produced actinomycin C₂ and actinomycin C₃. No myxobacteria or lytic bacteriophages with activity against either M. luteus or S. aureus were detected in either soil before or after inoculation and incubation. Although protozoa and amoebae were detected in the soils, the numbers were low and did not increase over the incubation period. These results suggest that the antibiotic activity of Jordan''s red soils is due to the proliferation of antibiotic-producing bacteria.There is a growing recognition of the pressing need for new antimicrobial agents for the treatment of infectious diseases (11, 38). As just one cogent example, new antibiotics are in high demand for the treatment of Staphylococcus aureus infections (25), particularly due to the emergence of methicillin-resistant S. aureus in communities and hospitals (25, 41). In addition, providing effective and affordable antibiotics to people in epidemic-prone developing countries remains a major challenge (37).Historically, natural products have played a key role in the discovery and development of many antibiotics (34). In particular, soil-based actinomycetes have been the source of countless drugs, such as streptomycin, actinomycin, erythromycin, and vancomycin, to name only a few (18). One approach to the discovery of new antimicrobial agents from natural sources has been to use folklore or historical records to guide the collection of samples (20).Through our ongoing studies of the biodiversity of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan (Jordan) (2-7, 35, 36), we were intrigued by anecdotes of the antibiotic-like properties of red soil, used historically for treating skin infections and diaper rash and still in use in some communities as an inexpensive alternative to pharmaceutical products. Within Jordan, there are four major biogeographic regions (8, 21), and red soils are most commonly found in the Mediterranean region of the northwestern portion of Jordan, near cities such as Irbid, Ramtha, and Ajloun. An area away from housing, preferably not touched by feet and thus considered clean, is chosen, and soil below the surface is collected, as the surface is considered contaminated or not clean. After the infected area of skin is washed and dried, the sieved soil is applied daily as either a powder or paste until the infection subsides. The basis for the antimicrobial activity of red soils is not known.Antimicrobial activity of soils against inoculated microorganisms has been attributed to abiotic or biotic factors. Abiotic activity has been shown to be responsible for the antimicrobial activities of clay minerals used in the treatment of a mycobacterial skin infection known as Buruli ulcer (28). Soil texture was found to influence the survival of Pseudomonas fluorescens and Bacillus subtilis in soil (40), while soil temperature and pH and the presence of roots affected the leaching of a genetically modified strain of P. fluorescens in soil (29). Biotic factors, including predation and antimicrobial-producing or lytic microorganisms, were suggested as mechanisms for killing microorganisms introduced into soils (1, 14, 31, 32). Prior inoculation of soil with one strain of P. fluorescens reduced the ability of a second P. fluorescens strain to colonize (19). A phenazine pigment produced by a P. fluorescens strain was shown to be responsible for biological control of a root disease of wheat caused by Gaeumannomyces graminis var. tritici (39), and it has been shown that filaments of the biocontrol fungus Trichoderma grow toward fungal pathogens and release antibiotics and lytic enzymes (9). With that background as a guide, we undertook an investigation to identify the basis for the antimicrobial activity of Jordan''s red soils.     

Flow-induced expression of endothelial Na-K-Cl cotransport: dependence on K(+) and Cl(-) channels

Steady laminarshear stress has been shown previously to markedly increase Na-K-Clcotransporter mRNA and protein in human umbilical vein endothelialcells and also to rapidly increase endothelial K⁺ andCl channel conductances. The present study was done toevaluate the effects of shear stress on Na-K-Cl cotransporter activity and protein expression in bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC) and todetermine whether changes in cotransporter expression may be dependenton early changes in K⁺ and Cl channelconductances. Confluent BAEC monolayers were exposed in aparallel-plate flow chamber to either steady shear stress (19 dyn/cm²) or purely oscillatory shear stress (0 ± 19 dyn/cm²) for 6-48 h. After shearing, BAEC monolayerswere assessed for Na-K-Cl cotransporter activity or were subjected toWestern blot analysis of cotransporter protein. Steady shear stress ledto a 2- to 4-fold increase in BAEC cotransporter protein levels and a1.5- to 1.8-fold increase in cotransporter activity, increases thatwere sustained over the longest time periods studied. Oscillatory flow,in contrast, had no effect on cotransporter protein levels. In thepresence of flow-sensitive K⁺ and Cl channelpharmacological blockers, the steady shear stress-induced increase incotransporter protein was virtually abolished. These results suggestthat shear stress modulates the expression of the BAEC Na-K-Clcotransporter by mechanisms that are dependent on flow-activated ion channels.

     

Simultaneous Determination of Cd, Pb, Cu, Zn, and Se in Human Blood of Jordanian Smokers by ICP-OES

A total of 73 blood samples (56 from smokers and 17 from nonsmokers) were collected to determine the concentrations of selected heavy metal in the whole blood of smokers and nonsmokers living in and around the city of Amman, Jordan. Analysis of heavy metals in the whole blood samples of various groups took in consideration the number of cigarettes smoked per day. The analysis of blood samples was carried out using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry. This study aimed to evaluate the blood metal levels in smokers and nonsmokers and to assess the influence of smoking cigarettes on blood metal levels. The results were compared with those from a control group. The results indicated that the average concentrations of cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), and selenium (Se) were 0.0313, 0.344, 2.328, 3.214, and 0.332 mg/L, respectively. Statistical analysis of results indicated that these average concentrations were significantly higher compared with the average concentrations in nonsmokers (P < 0.05). Moreover, the correlations between blood metal and other blood metal levels in smokers, the correlations between blood metal and other blood metal levels in nonsmokers, and the correlations between blood metal concentration in smokers and its concentration in nonsmokers were calculated. The standard reference material (blood serum National Institute of Standards and Technology 1598) and the quality control were used to validate the reliability of the method used for the estimation of heavy metals in blood samples. Results revealed that there was an agreement between the certified values and the measured values.     

New antibiotic with typical plant anthraquinone structure obtained studying terrestrial and marine Streptomycetes

In our screening for new antibiotics from bacteria, the streptomycete isolate M097 from Jiaozhou Bay in China was found to produce aloesaponarin II (1a) and 1,6-dihydroxy-8-hydroxymethyl-anthraquinone (2). Similarly, a terrestrial streptomycete GW24/1694 produced 1a and its methyl ether, the new compound 1-hydroxy-6-methoxy-8-methyl-anthraquinone (1b). All structures were derived by spectrochemical analysis and by comparison with reference data. The results showed that the marine streptomycete isolate M097 and the terrestrial streptomycete GW24/1694 could be a promising material for studying the biosynthetic pathway of polyketides.     

Molecular dynamics simulation studies for DNA sequence recognition by reactive metabolites of anticancer compounds

The discovery of novel anticancer molecules 5F‐203 (NSC703786) and 5‐aminoflavone (5‐AMF, NSC686288) has addressed the issues of toxicity and reduced efficacy by targeting over expressed Cytochrome P450 1A1 (CYP1A1) in cancer cells. CYP1A1 metabolizes these compounds into their reactive metabolites, which are proven to mediate their anticancer effect through DNA adduct formation. However, the drug metabolite–DNA binding has not been explored so far. Hence, understanding the binding characteristics and molecular recognition for drug metabolites with DNA is of practical and fundamental interest. The present study is aimed to model binding preference shown by reactive metabolites of 5F‐203 and 5‐AMF with DNA in forming DNA adducts. To perform this, three different DNA crystal structures covering sequence diversity were selected, and 12 DNA‐reactive metabolite complexes were generated. Molecular dynamics simulations for all complexes were performed using AMBER 11 software after development of protocol for DNA‐reactive metabolite system. Furthermore, the MM‐PBSA/GBSA energy calculation, per‐nucleotide energy decomposition, and Molecular Electrostatic Surface Potential analysis were performed. The results obtained from present study clearly indicate that minor groove in DNA is preferable for binding of reactive metabolites of anticancer compounds. The binding preferences shown by reactive metabolites were also governed by specific nucleotide sequence and distribution of electrostatic charges in major and minor groove of DNA structure. Overall, our study provides useful insights into the initial step of mechanism of reactive metabolite binding to the DNA and the guidelines for designing of sequence specific DNA interacting anticancer agents. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Molecular diversity in engineered protein libraries

Engineered protein libraries, defined here as a collection of different mutant variants of a single specific protein, are intentionally designed to be rich in molecular diversity and can span ranges from as little as 400 different variants to greater than 10(12) members per library. The goal of engineering libraries is to generate new protein variants, identified upon screening, that possess desired novel properties. Exploitation of the natural organization of the genetic code has led to 'focused' libraries that are lower in overall complexity yet biased towards variants with preferred biophysical properties. An emerging trend, in which computational algorithms are blended with in vivo screens, is also leading towards greater and more rapid success in the field of protein design.