Biorefining of wood: combined production of ethanol and xylanase from waste fiber sludge

The possibility to utilize fiber sludge, waste fibers from pulp mills and lignocellulose-based biorefineries, for combined production of liquid biofuel and biocatalysts was investigated. Without pretreatment, fiber sludge was hydrolyzed enzymatically to monosaccharides, mainly glucose and xylose. In the first of two sequential fermentation steps, the fiber sludge hydrolysate was fermented to cellulosic ethanol with the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Although the final ethanol yields were similar, the ethanol productivity after 9.5?h was 3.3?g/l/h for the fiber sludge hydrolysate compared with only 2.2?g/l/h for a reference fermentation with similar sugar content. In the second fermentation step, the spent fiber sludge hydrolysate (the stillage obtained after distillation) was used as growth medium for recombinant Aspergillus niger expressing the xylanase-encoding Trichoderma reesei (Hypocrea jecorina) xyn2 gene. The xylanase activity obtained with the spent fiber sludge hydrolysate (8,500?nkat/ml) was higher than that obtained in a standard medium with similar monosaccharide content (1,400?nkat/ml). Analyses based on deglycosylation with N-glycosidase?F suggest that the main part of the recombinant xylanase was unglycosylated and had molecular mass of 20.7?kDa, while a minor part had N-linked glycosylation and molecular mass of 23.6?kDa. Chemical analyses of the growth medium showed that important carbon sources in the spent fiber sludge hydrolysate included xylose, small aliphatic acids, and oligosaccharides. The results show the potential of converting waste fiber sludge to liquid biofuel and enzymes as coproducts in lignocellulose-based biorefineries.     

Localization of the feline sarcoma virus fgr gene product (P70gag-actin-fgr): association with the plasma membrane and detergent-insoluble matrix.

The v-fgr oncogene codes for a unique transforming protein (P70gag-actin-fgr) that contains virus-specific determinants and cell-derived sequences for both a tyrosine-specific kinase domain and an actin domain. We examined the subcellular distribution of the v-fgr protein by immunofluorescence microscopy and various cell fractionation techniques. By immunofluorescence, the v-fgr protein was localized in a diffuse cytoplasmic pattern within transformed cells. The v-fgr protein was not detectable at substratum adhesion sites. Crude membrane preparations (P100) obtained from fgr-transformed cells contained elevated levels of P70gag-actin-fgr. Further analysis of membranes on discontinous sucrose gradients revealed that P70gag-actin-fgr cofractionated with plasma membranes. Using an alternate method of fractionation, we found that the majority of the v-fgr protein remained with the insoluble matrix obtained by treating cells with a buffer containing Triton X-100. When membranes were similarly treated with detergent, nearly all of v-fgr protein remained with the residual insoluble matrix. These results suggest that the transforming activity of P70gag-actin-fgr may be directed to subcellular cytoskeletal targets at or near the cytoplasmic face of the plasma membrane.     

Decreased Cerebrospinal Fluid Glutamine Levels in Patients with Benign Brain Tumors

Abstract: CSF glutamine concentrations were studied in 12 patients with benign brain tumors (meningioma, craniopharyngioma, or osteofibroma), 12 patients with malignant brain tumors (astrocytoma, medulloblastoma, pinealoblastoma, or chondrosarcoma), 9 patients with non-cerebral tumors, and a reference group of 24 patients. The mean ± SD levels in the benign tumor group (424 ± 124 μ M ) were significantly lower (p < 0.0004) than those in the reference group (642 ± 195 μ M ). There was no significant difference between the CSF glutamine concentrations in the malignant cerebral tumor group (643 ± 210 μ M ) or noncerebral tumor group (599 ± 127 μ M ) and those in the reference group. In patients with benign brain tumors there was indication of an inverse linear relationship between the logarithm of CSF glutamine concentration and tumor diameter.     

Phenylalkyl ketones as potent reversible inhibitors of interleukin-1β converting enzyme

Phenylalkyl ketones are potent reversible inhibitors of interleukin-1β converting enzyme (ICE). The extended alkyl chain ketones AcTyrValAlaAspCO(CH₂)_nPh display increased potency over the simple aryl ketone. In particular, the tetrapeptide AcTyrValAlaAspCOPh has a K_i of 10μM while AcTyrValAlaAspCO(CH₂)₅Ph has a K_i of 18.5nM.     

Assessment of Biological Activities and Genomic Changes on Microorganisms,Wheat, and Wilding Arise from Poly(pyrazole)

The rapidly growing human population has led to duplicate food production and also reduced product loss. Although the negative effects of synthetic chemicals were recorded, they are still used as agrochemical. The production of non-toxic synthetics makes their use particularly safe. The goal of our research is to evaluate antimicrobial activity of previously synthesized Poly(p-phenylene-1-(2,5-dimethylphenyl)-5-phenyl-1H-pyrazole-3,4-dicarboxy amide) (poly(PDPPD)) against selected Gram-negative, Gram-positive bacteria, and fungus. In addition, the possible genotoxic effects of the poly(PDPPD) were searched on Triticum vulgare and Amaranthus retroflexus seedlings using Random Amplified Polymorphic DNA (RAPD) marker. The binding affinity and binding energies of the synthesized chemical to B-DNA were simulated with AutoDock Vina. It was observed that the poly(PDPPD) affected most of the organisms in a dose-dependent manner. Pseudomonas aeruginosa was the most affected species in tested bacteria at 500 ppm with 21.5 mm diameters. Similarly, a prominent activity was observed for tested fungi. The poly(PDPPD) decreased root and stem length of the Triticum vulgare and Amaranthus retroflexus seedlings and also reduced the genomic template stability (GTS) value of Triticum vulgare more than Amaranthus retroflexus. The binding energy of poly(PDPPD) was found in range of −9.1 and −8.3 kcal/mol for nine residues of B-DNA.     

Iron supplementation moderates but does not cure the Belgrade anemia

Belgrade rats inherit microcytic, hypochromic anemia as an autosomalrecessive trait (gene symbol b). Erythrocytes and tissue are iron deficientin the face of elevated TIBC (total iron binding capacity) and percent ironsaturation; iron injections increased the number of erythrocytes but theirappearance remained abnormal. We have investigated iron supplements toimprove husbandry of b/b rats and to learn more about the underlying defectand its tissue distribution. Weekly IM (intramuscular) injections ofiron–dextran (Imferon at 30 mg kg) improved the anemia but did not alter thered cell morphology. Certain diets also improved the health of b/b rats whencompared to standard rat chows by the criteria of weight, survival toadulthood, hematology and reproduction. The critical nutritional factorturned out to be iron bioavailability, with ferrous iron added to the dietimproving the health of Belgrade rats without affecting the underlyingerythroid defect. Tissue iron measurements after dietary or parenteralsupplementation confirmed the iron deficient status of untreated b/b rats andestablished that dietary ferrous iron partially relieved this deficiency,with injections leading to greater amounts of tissue iron. Serum iron andTIBC were also found to be elevated in untreated b/b rats, with dietarysupplementation decreasing but not eliminating the elevation in TIBC. Thesestudies indicate that iron supplements can improve the health of b/b ratswithout altering the underlying defect and also suggest that the mutationcould alter iron uptake in the GI (gastrointestinal) tract.     

Effect of supplementall-tyrosine on pigment production in cultures of the Legionnaires' disease bacterium

The etiologic agent of Legionnaires' disease grows on certain agar media. Cultures of this organism on supplemented Mueller-Hinton agar are characterized by the appearance of brown pigment in and around areas of bacterial growth. The major peptone source in Mueller-Hinton agar is an acid hydrolysate of casein. Legionnaires' disease bacterium also grows on a medium in which the peptone source is 0.25% yeast extract, but no pigment is produced. If the yeast extract agar is enriched withl-tyrosine, pigment formation can occur. Pigmentation of cultures of Legionnaires' disease bacterium may be mediated by a phenolo-monooxygenase, or tyrosinase.     

Biopharmaceutical studies of spirobishexahydropyrimidine.

Oral administration of spirobishexahydropyrimidine showed an increase in the activity of serum transaminases, lactate dehydrogenase and alkaline phosphatase. Biological half life and other pharmacokinetic parameters showed rapid absorption and slow elimination of the drug.     

Biopharmaceutical studies of 3-substituted isatin derivatives

The metabolic fate of isatin hydrazone (Ia), isatin-3-thiosemicarbazone (Ib), isatin-3-semicarbazone (Ic), isatin-3-phenylhydrazone (Id), isatin oxime (Ie) and 3-hydroxy-3-acetonyl oxindole (II) was studied in rabbits. The compounds were administered orally in the dose of 300 mg/kg body wt. Isatin anthranilic acid, tryptophan and nicotinic acid were identified as the major metabolites excreted in urine. The 3-hydroxy-3-acetonyl oxindole (II) gave on additional metabolite, oxindole. The major metabolites were separated and identified unambiguously on thin layer silica gel plate. Metabolic pathways have been proposed to explain the biotransformation of the compounds investigated.