Copper uptake by Pteris melanocaulon Fée from a Copper-Gold mine in Surigao del Norte,Philippines

The ability of some plants to take up metal contaminants in the soil has been of increasing interest as an environmental approach to pollution clean-up. This study aimed to assess the ability of Pteris melanocaulon for copper(Cu) uptake by determining the Cu levels in the fern vis-à-vis surrounding soil and the location of Cu accumulation within its biomass. It also aimed to add information to existing literature as P. melanocaulon are found to be less documented compared to other fern metal accumulators, such as P. vittata. The P. melanocaulon found in the Suyoc Pit of a Copper-Gold mine in Placer, Surigao del Norte, Philippines exhibited a high Bioaccumulation Factor(BF) of 4.04 and a low Translocation Factor(TF) of 0.01, suggesting more Cu accumulation in the roots (4590.22 ± 385.66µg g^?1 Cu). Noteworthy was the Cu concentration in the rhizome which was also high (3539.44 ± 1696.35µg g^?1 Cu). SEM/EDX analyses of the Cu content in the roots indicated high elemental %Cu in the xylem (6.95%) than in the cortex (2.68%). The high Cu content in the roots and rhizomes and the localization of Cu in the xylem manifested a potential utilization of the fern as a metallophyte for rhizofiltration and phytostabilization.     

Production of recombinant mink growth hormone in <Emphasis Type="Italic">E. coli</Emphasis>

Escherichia coli cells expressing mink (Mustela vison) growth hormone were grown in a batch fermentation process. The expression level was estimated to be 27% of the total cellular protein after 3 h of induction with 1 mM isopropyl β-d-thiogalactoside (IPTG). If the expression of mink growth hormone (mGH) was induced with 0.2 mM IPTG, the concentration of target protein was slightly lower and was found to be 23% at the same time after induction. mGH expressed as inclusion bodies was solubilized in 8 M urea and renatured by dilution protocol at a protein concentration of 1.4–2.1 mg/ml in the presence of glutathione pair in a final concentration of 11.3 mM. [GSH]/[GSSG] ratio equal to 2/1 was used. Two-step purification process comprising of ion-exchange chromatography on Q-Sepharose and hydrophobic chromatography on Phenyl-Sepharose was developed. Some 25–30 mg of highly purified and biologically active mGH was obtained from 4 g of biomass. The method presented in this study allows producing large quantities of mGH and considering initiation of scientific investigation on mGH effect on mink in vivo and availability in fur industry.     

Selecting optimal second-generation antihistamines for allergic rhinitis and urticaria in Asia

Background

Allergic diseases are on the rise in many parts of the world, including the Asia–Pacific (APAC) region. Second-generation antihistamines are the first-line treatment option in the management of allergic rhinitis and urticaria. International guidelines describe the management of these conditions; however, clinicians perceive the additional need to tailor treatment according to patient profiles. This study serves as a consensus of experts from several countries in APAC (Hong Kong, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Vietnam), which aims to describe the unmet needs, practical considerations, challenges, and key decision factors when determining optimal second-generation antihistamines for patients with allergic rhinitis and/or urticaria.

Methods

Specialists from allergology, dermatology, and otorhinolaryngology were surveyed on practical considerations and key decision points when treating patients with allergic rhinitis and/or urticaria.

Results

Clinicians felt the need for additional tools for diagnosis of these diseases and a single drug with all preferred features of an antihistamine. Challenges in treatment include lack of clinician and patient awareness and compliance, financial constraints, and treatment for special patient populations such as those with concomitant disease. Selection of optimal second-generation antihistamines depends on many factors, particularly drug safety and efficacy, impact on psychomotor abilities, and sedation. Country-specific considerations include drug availability and cost-effectiveness. Survey results reveal bilastine as a preferred choice due to its high efficacy and safety, suitability for special patient populations, and the lack of sedative effects.

Conclusions

Compliance to the international guidelines is present among allergists, dermatologists and otorhinolaryngologists; however, this is lower amongst general practitioners (GPs). To increase awareness, allergy education programs targeted at GPs and patients may be beneficial. Updates to the existing international guidelines are suggested in APAC to reflect appropriate management for different patient profiles and varying symptoms of allergic rhinitis and urticaria.

     

In vitro screening of rice germplasm for resistance to brown spot disease using phytotoxin

Summary Two R₁ IR₈ plants derived from somatic cells cultured in 25% Helminthosporium oryzae toxin-medium, and one IR₅₄ plant derived from a control (toxin free medium) were found to have mutated resistance to brown spot disease of rice. In the second generation (R₂, the offspring of the R₁ generation) of the three resistant populations, the segregation of resistance and susceptibility to the disease was observed. This is the first report about a disease resistant mutation obtained successfully in rice by tissue culture and in vitro screening with phytotoxin.This research was conducted at the IRRI, Manila     

Antennal pathways in the central nervous system of a blood-sucking bug, Rhodnius prolixus

The haematophagous bug Rhodnius prolixus has been a model system in insect physiology for a long time. Recently, several studies have been devoted to its sensory systems, including olfaction. However, few data are available on the basic organisation of the nervous system in this species. By means of neuronal backfills, histology, confocal microscopy and three-dimensional reconstruction methods, we have characterized the projection patterns of antennal sensory neurons within the central nervous system of this disease-vector insect. We established the first partial three-dimensional map of the antennal lobe (AL) of a hemipteran insect. The ALs of this species are relatively diffuse structures, which nevertheless show a glomerular organisation. Based on computer reconstruction of the AL, 22 glomeruli with a radius of 8-25 microm could be identified. No obvious sexual dimorphism of the glomerular architecture was observed. Antennal afferents project not only into the deutocerebrum, but also some fibres descend through the ventral nerve cord to ganglia belonging to the abdominal segments.     

Cholinesterase,acid phosphatase,and phospholipase C ofPseudomonas aeruginosa under hyperosmotic conditions in a high-phosphate medium

The presence of low choline or betaine concentrations in a culture medium containing succinate, NH₄Cl, and inorganic phosphate (Pi) as the carbon, nitrogen, and phosphate sources, respectively, permits the growth ofPseudomonas aeruginosa in a hyperosmolar medium. Dimethylglycine, acetylcholine, and phosphorylcholine were less effective as osmoprotectants than choline or betaine. Other alkylammonium compounds tested were virtually ineffective in this capacity. Bacterial growth was also observed in a hyperosmolar medium when choline was the sole carbon and nitrogen source. Choline could act as an osmoprotectant under all the conditions tested. However, the production of cholinesterase (ChE), acid phosphatase (Ac. Pase) and phospholipase C (PLC) took place only when choline was the carbon and nitrogen source. This fact confirms that the synthesis of PLC may occur even in the presence of a high Pi concentration in the medium. Inasmuch as in a high-P_i medium the synthesis of PLC and Ac. Pase (phosphorylcholine phosphatase) is dependent only on choline metabolism, it is postulated that both enzymes are involved in a set of reactions coordinated to produce the breakdown of the membrane phospholipids of the host cell in a hyperosmotic medium.