The growth conditions of cephalosporium eichhorniae for the conversion of starch substrates to protein

The protein synthesis by Cephalosporium eichhorniae on substrates containing starch was evaluated at different pH, moisture content, ammonium sulphate and potassium dihydrogen phosphate supplementation. The optimum pH level was about 4.2 and the moisture content 65%. The optimum level of supplementation of medium containing sweet potato substrate with (NH₄)₂SO₄ was smaller than that for cassava substrate (5.2 g/l < 6.7 g/l in submerged culture, and 4.0% < 5.2% in solid state fermentation). The total crude protein yields were about 7.6 g/l for submerged cultures and 12% DM for solid state fermentations.     

Molecular cloning of cDNAs encoding a putative cell wall protein from Zea mays and immunological identification of related polypeptides

Copy DNAs corresponding to a highly repetitive, proline-rich protein from maize have been cloned by differential screening of a coleoptile cDNA library. The deduced amino acid sequence contains a single repetitive element of carrot extensin (Ser-Pro-Pro-Pro-Pro). The related mRNAs have a defined distribution in tissues of the plant and are accumulated mainly in the coleoptile node and root tip. A peptide that corresponds to one of the repetitive elements of the protein has been synthesized and antisera have been obtained in rabbits. These antibodies react against crude preparations of coleoptile cell wall and against polypeptides extracted following the protocols described for the extraction of extensin. From these data it is concluded that the cDNAs correspond to a family of cell wall glycoproteins from maize.     

Plasma microRNA profiling of children with idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy

Context: Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is the most common cardiomyopathy in children. MicroRNAs (miRNA) are small RNAs which have regulatory functions in many biological processes.

Objective: We aimed to determine miRNA expression levels in plasma of children with DCM.

Materials and methods: Plasma expression levels of 379 miRNAs were compared between 23 DCM and 26 healthy children.

Results: The expression levels of miR-618, miR-875-3p, miR-205, miR-194, miR-302a, miR-147, and miR-544 were found decreased. The expression levels of miR-518f and miR-454 were found increased in DCM patients.

Discussion: miRNA level differences may provide the chance of using these miRNAs as new biomarkers.     

Addressing a critique of the TEASI framework for invasive species risk assessment

We address criticism that the Transport, Establishment, Abundance, Spread, Impact (TEASI) framework does not facilitate objective mapping of risk assessment methods nor defines best practice. We explain why TEASI is appropriate for mapping, despite inherent challenges, and how TEASI offers considerations for best practices, rather than suggesting one best practice.     

The Temporal and Spatial Invasion Genetics of the Western Corn Rootworm (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae) in Southern Europe

This study describes the genetics of the western corn rootworm (WCR), Diabrotica virgifera virgifera LeConte in southern Europe during the introduction (1996–2001) and establishment/spread (2002–2011) phases of its invasion. The Diabrotica microsatellite core-set was used to perform traditional population genetics analyses. Our results indicated that during the introduction phase genetic diversity and population genetic structure were lower overall as compared to the establishment/spread phase. Unusually high genetic differentiation was found between the Italy and southern Europe comparisons, including high differentiation between Italian populations separated by a short distance during the establishment/spread phase. STRUCTURE analysis revealed two genetic clusters during the introduction phase and two genetic clusters during the establishment/spread phase. However, bottlenecked populations were only detected during the invasion phase. A small but significant isolation by distance effect was noted in both phases. Serbia was the geographic source of WCR to Croatia and Hungary in the introduction phase, while the United States of America was the possible source of WCR to Italy in 2001. These introductory populations were the subsequent source of individuals sampled during the establishment/spread phase. Repeated introductions and admixture events in southern Europe may have resulted in genetically diverse WCR populations that have attained 83% of all known alleles worldwide.     

Collagenolytic activity of methylcholanthrene-induced rat fibrosarcoma.

It has been found that the methylcholanthrene-induced rat fibrosarcoma contains an enzyme (probably a cathepsin) which digests type I and type III collagens in acid pH. At physiological pH no proteolytic activity against collagen was found. It may be concluded that the tumour collagen is degraded mainly by the action of cathepsin(s).