Mitochondrial dysfunction in perinatal asphyxia: role in pathogenesis and potential therapeutic interventions

Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry - Perinatal asphyxia (PA)-induced brain injury may present as hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy in the neonatal period, and long-term sequelae such as spastic...     

Preface

Molecular and Cellular Biochemistry -     

Prioritizing Tiger Conservation through Landscape Genetics and Habitat Linkages

Even with global support for tiger (Panthera tigris) conservation their survival is threatened by poaching, habitat loss and isolation. Currently about 3,000 wild tigers persist in small fragmented populations within seven percent of their historic range. Identifying and securing habitat linkages that connect source populations for maintaining landscape-level gene flow is an important long-term conservation strategy for endangered carnivores. However, habitat corridors that link regional tiger populations are often lost to development projects due to lack of objective evidence on their importance. Here, we use individual based genetic analysis in combination with landscape permeability models to identify and prioritize movement corridors across seven tiger populations within the Central Indian Landscape. By using a panel of 11 microsatellites we identified 169 individual tigers from 587 scat and 17 tissue samples. We detected four genetic clusters within Central India with limited gene flow among three of them. Bayesian and likelihood analyses identified 17 tigers as having recent immigrant ancestry. Spatially explicit tiger occupancy obtained from extensive landscape-scale surveys across 76,913 km² of forest habitat was found to be only 21,290 km². After accounting for detection bias, the covariates that best explained tiger occupancy were large, remote, dense forest patches; large ungulate abundance, and low human footprint. We used tiger occupancy probability to parameterize habitat permeability for modeling habitat linkages using least-cost and circuit theory pathway analyses. Pairwise genetic differences (F _ST) between populations were better explained by modeled linkage costs (r>0.5, p<0.05) compared to Euclidean distances, which was in consonance with observed habitat fragmentation. The results of our study highlight that many corridors may still be functional as there is evidence of contemporary migration. Conservation efforts should provide legal status to corridors, use smart green infrastructure to mitigate development impacts, and restore habitats where connectivity has been lost.     

Simultaneous saccharification and protein enrichment fermentation of sugar beet pulp

Summary A product with 40 % protein content was obtained from sugar beet pulp (1.25–2.0 mm) in 48 h one stage (simultaneous) saccharification/fermentation process under optimized conditions using a specific enzyme mixture andCandida tropicalis strain, also saving about 40 % enzymes in comparison to a 2-stage process.     

Effect of pH on lipid accumulation by an oleaginous yeast:Rhodotorula glutinis IIP-30

Maximum lipid production (66% w/w dry wt) inRhodotorula glutinis IIP-30 utilizing glucose in a fed-batch fermentation under N-limiting conditions at 30°C, was at pH 4. At pH 3, 5 and 6, the lipid contents were 12%, 48% and 44%, respectively. There was only a small change in the fatty acid profile over the pH range examined, although the ergosterol content decreased by a third as the pH increased.     

Mechanism of action of aflatoxin B1 in Bacillus megaterium.

Bacillus megaterium cells from various growth phases were equally susceptible to the lethal effects of aflatoxin B1. Known surfactants (EDTA and Tween-80) accentuated the effects of aflatoxin B1. Viability and inulin uptake in aflatoxin B1-exposed cells decreased considerably. The effect was concentration dependent. A straight-line relationship observed in the death curve indicated a single target for aflatoxin B1 action in B. megaterium. Leakage of intracellular constituents in B. megaterium was also concentration dependent, and this can be related to the extent of cell membrane damage.     

Uptake hydrogenase in fast-growing strains of Rhizobium sp. (Sesbania) in relation to nitrogen fixation

Eight of 104 fast-growing strains of Rhizobium sp. ( Sesbania ) tested possessed a hydrogen recycling system. Depression of uptake hydrogenase occurred in poor as well as in rich carbon media. A statistically significant increase (> 22%) in total plant nitrogen content and dry matter yield was observed by the inoculation of hup + strains over hup ^- strains.