Mineralization of 4-aminobenzenesulfonate (4-ABS) by Agrobacterium sp. strain PNS-1

A bacterial strain, PNS-1, isolated from activated sludge, could utilize sulphanilic acid (4-ABS) as the sole organic carbon and energy source under aerobic conditions. Determination and comparison of 16S r DNA sequences showed that the strain PNS-1 is closely related to the species of Agrobacterium genus. Growth on 4-ABS was accompanied with ammonia and sulfate release. TOC results showed complete mineralization of sulphanilic acid. This strain was highly specific for 4-ABS as none of the sulphonated aromatics used in the present study including other ABS isomers were utilized. Strain PNS-1 could, however, utilize all the tested monocyclic aromatic compounds devoid of a sulfonate group. No intermediates could be detected either in the growth phase or with dense cell suspensions. Presence of chloramphenicol completely inhibited 4-ABS degradation by cells pregrown on succinate, indicating that degradation enzymes are inducible. No plasmid could be detected in the Agrobacterium sp. Strain PNS-1 suggesting that 4-ABS degradative genes may be chromosomal encoded.     

Information-theoretic identification of predictive SNPs and supervised visualization of genome-wide association studies

The size, dimensionality and the limited range of the data values makes visualization of single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) datasets challenging. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of 3D VizStruct, a novel multi-dimensional data visualization technique for SNP datasets capable of identifying informative SNPs in genome-wide association studies. VizStruct is an interactive visualization technique that reduces multi-dimensional data to three dimensions using a combination of the discrete Fourier transform and the Kullback–Leibler divergence. The performance of 3D VizStruct was challenged with several diverse, biologically relevant published datasets including the human lipoprotein lipase (LPL) gene locus, the human Y-chromosome in several populations and a multi-locus genotype dataset of coral samples from four populations. In every case, the SNPs and or polymorphic markers identified by the 3D VizStruct mapping were predictive of the underlying biology.     

Elucidation of neuroprotective role of endogenous GABA and energy metabolites middle cerebral artery occluded model in rats

The excitatory amino acids (EAA) like glutamate, aspartate and inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA (gama amino butyric acid) play an important role in the pathophysiology of cerebral ischemia. The objective of the present study is to elucidate the role of endogenous GABA against EAA release in different regions during ischemia. The transient focal ischemia was induced in rats by using middle cerebral artery occlusion model (MCAo). The results indicate gradual elevation of brain glutamate, aspartate and GABA level at different brain regions and attained peak level at 72 h of ischemic reperfusion (IR). At 168 h of IR the EAA levels declined to base line but GABA level was found to be still elevated. The biochemical analysis shows the depleted brain ATP, Na+K+ATPase content and triphasic response of glutathione activity. It can be concluded that time dependent variation in the EAA and GABA release, endogenous GABA can be neuroprotective and earlier restoration of energy deprivation is essential to prevent further neurodegeneration. To have efficient treatment in ischemic condition, multiple approaches like energy supply, antagonism of EAA, controlling calcium function are essential.     

Effect of tocopherol supplementation during last trimester of pregnancy on mRNA abundances of interleukins and angiogenesis in ovine placenta and uterus

Background  

Interleukins (IL) play an important role in angiogenesis. Tocopherol possesses immunomodulating effect in addition to antioxidant property. The objective of this study was to determine whether gamma tocopherol's (gT) angiogenic activity in placental network is enhanced via promoting interleukins.     

Chloride channel expression and functional diversity in the immune cells of allergic diseases

Chloride channels are involved in many different physiological processes such as cell migration, proliferation and apoptosis. The importance of the CLC family of chloride channels in these cellular functions has been recognized only recently. Infiltration of inflammatory cells, such as eosinophils, T cells, mast cells and neutrophils, is a hallmark of allergy and asthma. Indeed, chronic asthma is associated with widespread damage to the bronchial epithelium, due to excessive apoptosis, and with defective epithelial repair. However, the relationship between the immune cells of allergic airway diseases and chloride channels has not been clearly elucidated. In this review, characteristics of CLC channels are mainly discussed based on their function and presence in different immune cells in airway diseases. Not only are chloride channels involved in the recruitment of immune cells, they also play a role in the activation of these cells. Thus, understanding the role of CLC channels in the immune cells would provide unique insights to the pathophysiologic process of chronic asthma and the means to prevent or reverse the disease.     

Orthostatic hypotension,catecholamines, and alpha-adrenergic receptors in mitral valve prolapse.

The reported association of mitral valve prolapse with autonomic dysfunction and neuroendocrine abnormalities is derived from studies of patients selected because of symptoms or specifically referred for investigation. To determine whether such associations occur in nonreferred and unselected women with mitral valve prolapse, we measured blood pressure, heart rate, and norepinephrine response to standing in 13 volunteers with mitral valve prolapse and in 11 control subjects. Platelet alpha-adrenergic receptor quantity and affinity on standing also were determined in all persons. No significant differences were found between the groups in any of these measurements. Although small subsets of women with mitral valve prolapse may indeed have associated neuroendocrine epiphenomena and autonomic dysfunction, it is probably incorrect to generalize these findings to the vast spectrum of those with mitral valve prolapse.     

Variability in cell yield for heterogeneous microbial populations of sewage origin grown on glucose

Values of cell yield collected over a period of eight years for heterogeneous populations of sewage origin acclimated to glucose in both batch and continuous culture were subjected to statistical analysis. The cell yield for this sole source of carbon (glucose) ranged from 36 to 88 per cent in batch culture, and 32 to 69 per cent in continuous culture. Because experimental conditions were known and well defined, the variability in cell yield is attributable to the ecological variation inherent in a heterogeneous population. The data presented demonstrate the futility of attempts to define Y for such populations as a precise theoretical constant dependent upon thermodynamic properties of the substrate.