226Ra, 238U and Cd adsorption kinetics and binding capacity of two cyanobacterial strains isolated from highly radioactive springs and optimal conditions for maximal removal effects in contaminated water

Biomass-based decontamination methods are among the most interesting water treatment techniques. In this study, 2 cyanobacterial strains, Nostoc punctiforme A.S/S4 and Chroococcidiopsis thermalis S.M/S9, isolated from hot springs containing high concentrations of radium (²²⁶Ra), were studied to be associated with removal of radionuclides (²³⁸U and ²²⁶Ra) and heavy metal cadmium (Cd) from aqueous solutions. The adsorption equilibrium data was described by Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. Kinetic studies indicated that the sorption of 3 metals followed pseudo-second-order kinetics. Effects of biomass concentration, pH, contact time, and initial metal concentration on adsorption were also investigated. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy revealed active binding sites on the cyanobacterial biomass. The obtained maximum biosorption capacities were 630 mg g^?1 and 37 kBq g^?1 for ²³⁸U and ²²⁶Ra for N. punctiforme and 730 mg g^?1 and 55 kBq g^?1 for C. thermalis. These 2 strains showed maximum binding capacity 160 and 225 mg g^?1, respectively for Cd adsorption. These results suggest that radioactivity resistant cyanobacteria could be employed as an efficient adsorbent for decontamination of multi-component, radioactive and industrial wastewater.     

Insertion and deletion polymorphism in the alpha-2B adrenoceptor gene in pregnant women ripens gestational diabetes mellitus

There are no earlier studies that reported the association of the 12Glu9 polymorphism in the alpha-2B adrenoceptor (ADRA2B) gene with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). We examined the potential association between the ADRA2B gene insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism in the Saudi population with GDM. Pregnant women with GDM have been reported to exhibit the same susceptibility as that observed in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). We have selected I/D polymorphism of the ADRA2B gene located in chromosome 2q11.1 that has been extensively related to T2DM and cardiovascular diseases. This case–control study was conducted with 200 GDM and 300 non-GDM pregnant women. Genotyping of I/D polymorphism was performed by conventional PCR method. Biochemical analyses were found to be significantly different between GDM and non-GDM subjects (p < 0.05). Genotype (ID + DD vs II, p = 0.0002) and allele (D vs I, p = 0.0002) frequencies of the 12Glu9 polymorphism were found to be statistically significant. However, a significant difference was found between allele and genotypes of I/D polymorphism of the ADRA2B gene or the clinical characteristics of the subjects. Our results obtained in this study indicate the ADRA2B gene in the Saudi women was associated with the development of GDM.     

Different applications of virus‐like particles in biology and medicine: Vaccination and delivery systems

Virus‐like particles (VLPs) mimic the whole construct of virus particles devoid of viral genome as used in subunit vaccine design. VLPs can elicit efficient protective immunity as direct immunogens compared to soluble antigens co‐administered with adjuvants in several booster injections. Up to now, several prokaryotic and eukaryotic systems such as insect, yeast, plant, and E. coli were used to express recombinant proteins, especially for VLP production. Recent studies are also generating VLPs in plants using different transient expression vectors for edible vaccines. VLPs and viral particles have been applied for different functions such as gene therapy, vaccination, nanotechnology, and diagnostics. Herein, we describe VLP production in different systems as well as its applications in biology and medicine. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers 105: 113–132, 2016.     

Embryonic Lethality of Mitochondrial Pyruvate Carrier 1 Deficient Mouse Can Be Rescued by a Ketogenic Diet

Mitochondrial import of pyruvate by the mitochondrial pyruvate carrier (MPC) is a central step which links cytosolic and mitochondrial intermediary metabolism. To investigate the role of the MPC in mammalian physiology and development, we generated a mouse strain with complete loss of MPC1 expression. This resulted in embryonic lethality at around E13.5. Mouse embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) derived from mutant mice displayed defective pyruvate-driven respiration as well as perturbed metabolic profiles, and both defects could be restored by reexpression of MPC1. Labeling experiments using ¹³C-labeled glucose and glutamine demonstrated that MPC deficiency causes increased glutaminolysis and reduced contribution of glucose-derived pyruvate to the TCA cycle. Morphological defects were observed in mutant embryonic brains, together with major alterations of their metabolome including lactic acidosis, diminished TCA cycle intermediates, energy deficit and a perturbed balance of neurotransmitters. Strikingly, these changes were reversed when the pregnant dams were fed a ketogenic diet, which provides acetyl-CoA directly to the TCA cycle and bypasses the need for a functional MPC. This allowed the normal gestation and development of MPC deficient pups, even though they all died within a few minutes post-delivery. This study establishes the MPC as a key player in regulating the metabolic state necessary for embryonic development, neurotransmitter balance and post-natal survival.     

Circadian Rhythms and time Measurement in Locomotor Activity of the Scorpion Leiurus Quinquestriatus (Buthidae)

The circadian rhythms of locomotor activity of the scorpion Leiurus quinqueslriatus were examined under different light-dark cycles and in free-running conditions. The circadian rhythm is bimodal in LD 12:12 with alternating cycles of temperature (35°-25°C) with high intensity (1300 lux) or in LD 12: 12 with constant temperature 35° C with 300 lux. In LD 12:12 (1300 lux), in long or in short light spans with constant temperature, the bimodal pattern is slightly changed with the appearance of a third minor peak of activity. In free-running conditions, the bimodal rhythm of locomotor activity persists in DD with T about 24 hr, but in LL the rhythm becomes unimodal with T about 24 hr. Cosinor and power spectrum analysis showed the presence of more than one periodic component. It seems that there is a correlation between the range of light regimens, temperature, light intensity and the coincidence of these components. These components are independently entrained by the environmental light cycle. The mechanism of entrainment of components is discussed.     

Immunoinformatics Approach to Engineer a Potent Poly-epitope Fusion Protein Vaccine Against Coxiella burnetii

International Journal of Peptide Research and Therapeutics - Coxiella burnetii pathogen, which causes Q fever, is one of the most dangerous pathogens transmitted from the livestock to humans. The...