Formation of ethyl β-xylopyranoside during simultaneous saccharification and co-fermentation of paper sludge

An unexpected product was detected during simultaneous saccharification and co-fermentation (SSCF) of paper sludge using added commercial cellulase (Spezyme CP) by Saccharomyces cerevisiae RWB222, S. cerevisiae D5A, and Zymomonas mobilis 8b. Based on glycosyl composition analysis, linkage analysis and NMR analysis, the compound was identified as ethyl β-xylopyranoside (EXP). The carbon mass balance analysis showed up to 25% of xylan originally present in paper sludge was converted to EXP. EXP formation was found in simultaneous saccharification of beech wood xylan as well, and later proved to be produced by the Trichoderma reesei derived cellulase and hemicellulase mixture (Spezyme CP) during the course of xylan hydrolysis in the presence of ethanol, and its production increased with an increased concentration of ethanol, xylan, and T. reesei enzyme. Similar condensation reactions were also observed with other alcohols. These alcoholysis reactions were found to be reversible. Thermoanaerobacterium saccharolyticum was found to be able to degrade EXP.     

Paying attention with the latest technology

In this issue of Neuron, Parikh et al. utilize biosensors to probe the cholinergic system in freely moving rats performing cue-detection/reward delivery tasks. They show that cue-evoked cholinergic activity in the medial prefrontal cortex is associated with cue detection and not reward delivery. We discuss the implications of their research in behavioral neuroscience.     

The effect of methyl jasmonate on enzyme activities in wheat genotypes infected by the crown and root rot pathogen <Emphasis Type="Italic">Fusarium culmorum</Emphasis>

The hemibiotrophic pathogen Fusarium culmorum (Fc) causes crown and root rot (CRR) in wheat. In this study, MeJA treatment was done 6 h after pathogen inoculation (hai) to focus the physiological and biochemical responses in root tissue of the susceptible wheat cv Falat, partially resistant cv Pishtaz and the tolerant cv Sumai3 at the beginning of the necrotrophic stage. The results indicate that treatment with MeJA at 6 hai significantly delayed the necrotic progress in cv Falat, whereas no significant difference was seen in other cultivars. The activities of pathogen responsive defense-related enzymes (SOD, CAT, POX, PPO, LOX and PAL), total phenols and callose contents were higher in Sumai3, while treatment with MeJA significantly increased these enzymes activities and total phenols content in Falat, signifying the most sensitive cultivar which had a weak reaction to the pathogen but a strong response to MeJA treatment. Additionally, MeJA treatment decreased the level of H₂O₂ and MDA contents particularly in cv Falat. This is the first work reporting the regulation of defense-related enzymes by MeJA treatment at particular time point of 6 hai suggests the possible role of JA in regulating basal resistance in CRR pathogen–wheat interaction. Taken together, our data add new insights into the mechanism of wheat defense including enzymatic events controlling wheat protection against Fc infection.     

Circulating NOD1 Activators and Hematopoietic NOD1 Contribute to Metabolic Inflammation and Insulin Resistance

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A mathematical model for histamine synthesis,release, and control in varicosities

Background

Histamine (HA), a small molecule that is synthesized from the amino acid histidine, plays an important role in the immune system where it is associated with allergies, inflammation, and T-cell regulation. In the brain, histamine is stored in mast cells and other non-neuronal cells and also acts as a neurotransmitter. The histamine neuron cell bodies are in the tuberomammillary (TM) nucleus of the hypothalamus and these neurons send projections throughout the central nervous system (CNS), in particular to the cerebral cortex, amygdala, basal ganglia, hippocampus, thalamus, retina, and spinal cord. HA neurons make few synapses, but release HA from the cell bodies and from varicosities when the neurons fire. Thus the HA neural system seems to modulate and control the HA concentration in projection regions. It is known that high HA levels in the extracellular space inhibit serotonin release, so HA may play a role in the etiology of depression.

Results

We compare model predictions to classical physiological experiments on HA half-life, the concentration of brain HA after histidine loading, and brain HA after histidine is dramatically increased or decreased in the diet. The model predictions are also consistent with in vivo experiments in which extracellular HA is measured, using Fast Scan Cyclic Voltammetry, in the premammillary nucleus (PM) after a 2 s antidromic stimulation of the TM, both without and in the presence of the H ₃ autoreceptor antagonist thioperamide. We show that the model predicts well the temporal behavior of HA in the extracellular space over 30 s in both experiments.

Conclusions

Our ability to measure in vivo histamine dynamics in the extracellular space after stimulation presents a real opportunity to understand brain function and control. The observed extracellular dynamics depends on synthesis, storage, neuronal firing, release, reuptake, glial cells, and control by autoreceptors, as well as the behavioral state of the animal (for example, depression) or the presence of neuroinflammation. In this complicated situation, the mathematical model will be useful for interpreting data and conducting in silico experiments to understand causal mechanisms. And, better understanding can suggest new therapeutic drug targets.

     

A comparison of absolute performance of different correlative and mechanistic species distribution models in an independent area

To investigate the comparative abilities of six different bioclimatic models in an independent area, utilizing the distribution of eight different species available at a global scale and in Australia. Global scale and Australia. We tested a variety of bioclimatic models for eight different plant species employing five discriminatory correlative species distribution models (SDMs) including Generalized Linear Model (GLM), MaxEnt, Random Forest (RF), Boosted Regression Tree (BRT), Bioclim, together with CLIMEX (CL) as a mechanistic niche model. These models were fitted using a training dataset of available global data, but with the exclusion of Australian locations. The capabilities of these techniques in projecting suitable climate, based on independent records for these species in Australia, were compared. Thus, Australia is not used to calibrate the models and therefore it is as an independent area regarding geographic locations. To assess and compare performance, we utilized the area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves (AUC), true skill statistic (TSS), and fractional predicted areas for all SDMs. In addition, we assessed satisfactory agreements between the outputs of the six different bioclimatic models, for all eight species in Australia. The modeling method impacted on potential distribution predictions under current climate. However, the utilization of sensitivity and the fractional predicted areas showed that GLM, MaxEnt, Bioclim, and CL had the highest sensitivity for Australian climate conditions. Bioclim calculated the highest fractional predicted area of an independent area, while RF and BRT were poor. For many applications, it is difficult to decide which bioclimatic model to use. This research shows that variable results are obtained using different SDMs in an independent area. This research also shows that the SDMs produce different results for different species; for example, Bioclim may not be good for one species but works better for other species. Also, when projecting a “large” number of species into novel environments or in an independent area, the selection of the “best” model/technique is often less reliable than an ensemble modeling approach. In addition, it is vital to understand the accuracy of SDMs' predictions. Further, while TSS, together with fractional predicted areas, are appropriate tools for the measurement of accuracy between model results, particularly when undertaking projections on an independent area, AUC has been proved not to be. Our study highlights that each one of these models (CL, Bioclim, GLM, MaxEnt, BRT, and RF) provides slightly different results on projections and that it may be safer to use an ensemble of models.     

Numerical Study of Plasmonic Effects of Ag Nanoparticles Embedded in the Active Layer on Performance Polymer Organic Solar Cells

In this paper, the light absorption in the active layer of polymer solar cells (OPV) by using plasmonic nanocrystals with a hexagonal lattice structure is investigated. To study the relationship between the performance of the OPV solar cell and its active layer, a three-dimensional model of its morphology is utilized. Therefore, the three-dimensional (3D) finite-difference time-domain method and Lumerical software were used to measure the field distribution and light absorption in the active layer in terms of wavelength. OPV solar cells with bilayer and bulk heterojunction structured cells were designed using hexagonal lattice crystals with plasmonic nanoparticles, as well as core–shell geometry to govern a design to optimize light trapping in the active layer. The parameters of shape, material, periodicity, size, and the thickness of the active layer as a function of wavelength in OPV solar cells have been investigated. A very thin active layer and an ultra-thin shell were used to achieve the highest increase in optical absorption. The strong alternating electromagnetic field around the core–shell plasmonic nanoparticles resulting from the localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) suggested by the Ag plasmonic nanocrystals increased the intrinsic optical absorption in the active layer poly(3-hexylthiophene):phenyl-C61-butyric acid methyl ester (P3HT:PCBM). Based on the photovoltaic results, the short circuit current ranged from 19.7 to 26.7 mA/cm².

     

Depression‐like symptoms of withdrawal in a genetic mouse model of binge methamphetamine intake

Binge methamphetamine (MA) users have higher MA consumption, relapse rates and depression‐like symptoms during early periods of withdrawal, compared with non‐binge users. The impact of varying durations of MA abstinence on depression‐like symptoms and on subsequent MA intake was examined in mice genetically prone to binge‐level MA consumption. Binge‐level MA intake was induced using a multiple‐bottle choice procedure in which mice were offered one water drinking tube and three tubes containing increasing concentrations of MA in water, or four water tubes (control group). In two studies, depression‐like symptoms were measured using a tail‐suspension test and a subsequent forced‐swim test, after forced abstinence of 6 and 30 hours from a 28‐day course of chronic MA intake. An additional study measured the same depression‐like symptoms, as well as MA intake, after prolonged abstinence of 1 and 2 weeks. MA high drinking mice and one of their progenitor strains DBA/2J escalated their MA intake with increasing MA concentration; however, MA high drinking mice consumed almost twice as much MA as DBA/2J mice. Depression‐like symptoms were significantly higher early after MA access was withdrawn, compared to levels in drug‐naïve controls, with more robust effects of MA withdrawal observed in MA high drinking than DBA/2J mice. When depression‐like symptoms were examined after 1 or 2 weeks of forced abstinence in MA high drinking mice, depression‐like symptoms dissipated, and subsequent MA intake was high. The MA high drinking genetic mouse model has strong face validity for human binge MA use and behavioral sequelae associated with abstinence.