Parameters for the recovery of proteases from surimi wash water.

Proteases are important bioactive compounds that have many applications in food processing. In this study, laboratory scale experiments were performed to establish conditions for recovery of a heat stable, acid protease from Pacific whiting (Merluccius productus) surimi process water. Reduction of proteinaceous solids and recovery of protease activity was maximized when process water was pre-treated with acid (pH 4) followed by heat (60 degrees C). In addition, acid plus heat treatment of process water appeared to improve membrane flux and concentration of protease activity (10-fold) was achieved in half as much time as treatments using acidification but not heat. Neither purification nor concentration of protease was effective using either 300 and 1000 kDa ultrafiltration or 0.3 microm microfiltration membranes. However, concentration of protease using 50 kDa ultrafiltration membranes was successful in recovering about 80% of original protease activity. Results provide conditions for further investigations into pilot plant recovery of protease from surimi process water.     

Protective effects of agomelatine on testicular damage caused by bortezomib

Bortezomib is a chemotherapeutic agent used to treat several cancers; however, it exhibits severe side effects in testicular tissue. We investigated the use of agomelatine to prevent testicular tissue damage caused by bortezomib. We used 36 male Sprague-Dawley rats divided randomly into six equal groups: group 1, no treatment control; group 2, agomelatine treatment only; group 3, bortezomib treatment only for 48 h; group 4, bortezomib + agomelatine treatment for 48 h; group 5, bortezomib treatment only for 72 h; and group 6, bortezomib + agomelatine treatment for 72 h. After treatments, the rats were sacrificed and testicular tissue was harvested. Lipid oxidation (LPO) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels in the tissues were determined using biochemical methods. Tissue samples also were examined using histopathological and immunohistochemical techniques. The LPO level was increased, while the SOD level was decreased in the bortezomib treated groups. We found that agomelatine treatment normalized LPO and SOD activities in the bortezomib treated groups. In the spermatogonia and Sertoli cells, the staining density of nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells (NF-kB) and caspase 3 were decreased in the bortezomib + agomelatine groups at both 48 and 72 h compared to bortezomib only treated groups. We observed maturation arrest, basal membrane thickening, increase in inflammatory cells and connective tissue, and edema between germ cells in the bortezomib only treated groups. By contrast, normal basal membrane, less edema and more normal maturation were observed in the bortezomib + agomelatine groups at 48 and 72 h. We found that agomelatine reduced the damaging effects of bortezomib. The use of agomelatine to prevent bortezomib induced testicular tissue damage in human patients should be investigated further.     

Parallel reverse genetic screening in mutant human cells using transcriptomics

Reverse genetic screens have driven gene annotation and target discovery in model organisms. However, many disease‐relevant genotypes and phenotypes cannot be studied in lower organisms. It is therefore essential to overcome technical hurdles associated with large‐scale reverse genetics in human cells. Here, we establish a reverse genetic approach based on highly robust and sensitive multiplexed RNA sequencing of mutant human cells. We conduct 10 parallel screens using a collection of engineered haploid isogenic cell lines with knockouts covering tyrosine kinases and identify known and unexpected effects on signaling pathways. Our study provides proof of concept for a scalable approach to link genotype to phenotype in human cells, which has broad applications. In particular, it clears the way for systematic phenotyping of still poorly characterized human genes and for systematic study of uncharacterized genomic features associated with human disease.     

Acetolactate synthase inhibiting herbicides bind to the regulatory site

Acetolactate synthase from spontaneous mutants of tobacco (Nicotiana tabacum; KS-43 and SK-53) and cotton (Gossypium hirsutum; PS-3, PSH-91, and DO-2) selected in tissue culture for resistance to a triazolopyrimidine sulfonanilide showed varying degrees of insensitivity to feedback inhibitor(s) valine and/or leucine. A similar feature was evident in the enzyme isolated from chlorsulfuron-resistant weed biotypes, Kochia scoparia and Stellaria media. Dual inhibition analyses of triazolopyrimidine sulfonanilide, thifensulfuron, and imazethapyr versus feedback inhibitor leucine revealed that the three herbicides were competitive with the amino acid for binding to acetolactate synthase from wild-type cotton cultures. Acetolactate synthase inhibiting herbicides may bind to the regulatory site on the enzyme.     

Ovarian follicular activity and hormonal profile during estrous cycle in cows: the development of 2 versus 3 waves

Most estrous cycles in cows consist of 2 or 3 waves of follicular activity. Waves of ovarian follicular development comprise the growth of dominant follicles some of which become ovulatory and the others are anovulatory. Ovarian follicular activity in cows during estrous cycle was studied with a special reference to follicular waves and the circulating concentrations of estradiol and progesterone. Transrectal ultrasound examination was carried out during 14 interovulatory intervals in 7 cows. Ovarian follicular activity was recorded together with assessment of serum estradiol and progesterone concentrations. Three-wave versus two-wave interovulatory intervals was observed in 71.4% of cows. The 3-wave interovulatory intervals differed from 2-wave intervals in: 1) earlier emergence of the dominant follicles, 2) longer in length, and 3) shorter interval from emergence to ovulation. There was a progressive increase in follicular size and estradiol production during growth phase of each wave. A drop in estradiol concentration was observed during the static phase of dominant anovulatory follicles. The size of the ovulatory follicle was always greater and produced higher estradiol compared with the anovulatory follicle. In conclusion, there was a predominance of 3-wave follicular activity that was associated with an increase in length of interovulatory intervals. A dominant anovulatory follicle during its static phase may initiate the emergence of a subsequent wave. Follicular size and estradiol concentration may have an important role in controlling follicular development and in determining whether an estrous cycle will have 2 or 3-waves.