Novel BOD (biological oxygen demand) sensor using mediator-less microbial fuel cell

A microbial fuel cell type of biosensor was used to determine the biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) of wastewater. The biosensor gave a good correlation between the BOD value and the coulomb produced. The BOD sensor has been operated for over 5 years in a stable manner without any servicing. This is much longer that that of previously reported BOD biosensors.     

The dynamin-like protein ADL1C is essential for plasma membrane maintenance during pollen maturation

Dynamin-related GTPases regulate a wide variety of dynamic membrane processes in eukaryotes. Here, we investigated the function of ADL1C, a member of the Arabidopsis 68 kDa dynamin-like protein family. Analysis of heterozygous adl1C-1 indicates that the mutation specifically affects post-meiotic male gametogenesis. Fifty percent of the mature pollen from heterozygous adl1C-1 androecia are shriveled and fail to germinate in vitro. During microspore maturation, adl1C-1 pollen grains display defects in the plasma membrane and intine morphology, suggesting that ADL1C is essential for the formation and maintenance of the pollen cell surface and viability during desiccation. Consistent with a role in cell-surface dynamics, immunofluorescence microscopy indicates that ADL1C is localized to the cell plate of dividing somatic cells and to the tip of expanding root hairs. We propose that ADL1C functions in plasma membrane dynamics, and we discuss the role of the ADL1 family in plant growth and development.     

CRIM1, a novel gene encoding a cysteine-rich repeat protein, is developmentally regulated and implicated in vertebrate CNS development and organogenesis

Development of the vertebrate central nervous system is thought to be controlled by intricate cell-cell interactions and spatio-temporally regulated gene expressions. The details of these processes are still not fully understood. We have isolated a novel vertebrate gene, CRIM1/Crim1, in human and mouse. Human CRIM1 maps to chromosome 2p21 close to the Spastic Paraplegia 4 locus. Crim1 is expressed in the notochord, somites, floor plate, early motor neurons and interneuron subpopulations within the developing spinal cord. CRIM1 appears to be evolutionarily conserved and encodes a putative transmembrane protein containing an IGF-binding protein motif and multiple cysteine-rich repeats similar to those in the BMP-associating chordin and sog proteins. Our results suggest a role for CRIM1/Crim1 in CNS development possibly via growth factor binding.     

Chronic toxicity of rare-earth elements on human beings

Blood analyses for rare-earth element (REE)-high background regions in South Jiangxi show that the population averages of many of the biochemical indices deviate markedly from normal values in the normal region. These deviations are thought to be caused by prolonged intake of REE through food chains in view of that the toxicity of other harmful metals such as Pb and Cd can be neglected because of their insignificant amounts in the environment. In comparison with the normal region, blood biochemical indices abnormal in the REE-high regions are manifested as low total serum protein (TSP), albumin, β-globulin, glutamic pyruvic transitanase, serium triglycerides, and immunoglobulin, but high cholesterol. These deviations may be related to the REE concentration and composition of food chains, and are sex dependent. Certain blood indices (such as TSP) of different age groups in the LREE-high region indicate that the influence of REE on males is a one-way irreversible process, whereas females show a strong ability of restoration.     

Cytokinesis and nodal anatomy in the charophycean green algaChara zeylanica

Summary Cell plate formation inChara zeylanica was compared with recent models of cytokinesis in higher plants in order to gain insight into the evolutionary origin of plant cytokinetic processes. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) reveals that while cytokinesis inC. zeylanica bears many features in common with that in higher plants, there are significant differences. Unlike that in higher plants, cytokinesis inC. zeylanica begins with a congregation of smooth membrane tubules that are closely associated with endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and Golgi membranes. Mitochondria and other organelles excluded by the phragmoplast in higher plants are present as well. Unlike in higher plants, phragmoplast microtubules persist throughout cytokinesis inC. zeylanica, and the cell plate generally forms across the whole cell at once, though development is patchy, due to small regions developing at different rates; the ends of the plate form last. By identifying aspects of cytokinesis that are different inC. zeylanica and plants, our study indicates which cytokinetic features are more likely to be derived, and which are more likely to be ancestral. In addition, we demonstrated that all nodal cells ofC. zeylanica are interconnected via plasmodesmata, lending support to the idea that, whileChara spp. are generally considered to be filamentous organisms, nodal regions may be thought of as meristemlike tissues.Abbreviations HPF high-pressure freezing - KFe potassium ferricyanide - SCF stepwise chemical fixation - TEM transmission electron microscopy     

Comparison of plate count agar and R2A medium for enumeration of heterotrophic bacteria in natural mineral water

In order to recover as many viable bacteria as possible from natural mineral water, in this study we have compared the counts obtained with the standard method (pour plate procedure with Plate Count Agar (PCA)) and counts with alternative test methods (PCA/spread plates, R2A medium/pour plates and R2A medium/spread plates). The results showed that counts with R2A medium/spread plates at 22°C and after a 7-day incubation period were more than 343% higher than those obtained with PCA/pour plate method. At 37°C and after a 3-day incubation period, the R2A pour plate technique gave counts about 368% greater than for the standard method. Moreover, while Pseudomonas, Comamonas and Acinetobacter species were isolated both from PCA and R2A medium, Flavobacterium spp. and Arthrobacter spp. were isolated only from R2A medium. For its higher productivity, R2A medium should be recommended for heterotrophic plate counts in natural mineral water.