Rock phosphate solubilization with gluconic acid produced by immobilized Penicillium variabile P16

Summary Penicillium variabile P16 immobilized on polyurethane sponge produced gluconic acid in presence of rock phosphate, the latter being simultaneously solubilized during five repeated batches. A total production of 42, 60, and 90 g gluconic acid/l was obtained for 3, 7, and 14 g rock phosphate/l, respectively. Accordingly, soluble phosphorus concentration increased with gluconic acid production, reaching a maximum of 350 mg/l at the 3d batch in medium supplemented with 14 g rock phosphate/l.     

Anti-idiotypic antibody response to monoclonal anti-CD4 preparations in nonhuman primate species.

A series of mouse monoclonal anti-CD4 preparations was characterized for the ability to recognize overlapping epitopes on CD4 and to inhibit HIV/simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) syncytium formation. Based on this characterization, mAb able to recognize CD4 epitopes overlapping the HIV binding site were selected and used to immunize nonhuman primates to elicit the production of specific anti-Id antibodies. Five baboons and five rhesus monkeys were immunized with either individual or a cocktail consisting of several monoclonal anti-CD4 preparations. All the nonhuman primates produced specific anti-Id that recognized either private or cross-reactive Id depending on the monoclonal anti-CD4 used to generate the anti-Id response. Inhibition assays were performed to ascertain the ability of: 1) soluble CD4 to inhibit the Id-anti-Id reaction and 2) the various anti-Id to inhibit the CD4-monoclonal anti-CD4 reaction. These studies demonstrated that some of the anti-Id recognized a cross-reactive Id that was associated with the Ag-combining site. In addition, some of the anti-Id weakly recognized SIV gp120 by Western blot analysis. These studies may be useful in designing experiments that may lead to a better understanding of the CD4-HIV gp120 interaction and to the production of Id and/or anti-Id reagents that might be used to manipulate this virus-receptor interaction.     

Characteristics of murine monoclonal anti-CD4. Epitope recognition, idiotype expression, and variable region gene sequence.

We have characterized a series of mouse monoclonal anti-CD4 and describe both their CD4 epitope recognition and Id expression. We also determined the V region gene sequences of these antibodies in an attempt to correlate epitope recognition and Id expression with V region sequence. All of these preparations recognize epitopes that cluster around the HIV gp120 binding site on the human CD4 molecule. However, we observed differences in epitope recognition among the anti-CD4 preparations, based on either competitive inhibition assays or functional assays, such as syncytium inhibition. Analysis of Id specificities using a polyclonal anti-Id generated against anti-Leu 3a indicated that five of the seven monoclonal anti-CD4 expressed a shared Id. Based on V region gene sequences, the V region kappa-chain (V[kappa]) from each of the seven antibodies was encoded by the V[kappa]21 gene family and expressed the J[kappa]4 gene segment. Those preparations that expressed the shared Id with anti-Leu 3a have virtually identical V[kappa] sequences, with a high degree of homology in the CDR. The VH region gene sequences of six of the seven antibodies also shared overall homology and appeared to be encoded by the J558 VH gene family. The seventh anti-CD4 VH region is encoded for by the VHGAM gene family. The majority of these antibodies used JH3 gene segment, although the JH2 and JH4 gene segments were also represented. In addition, several of these antibodies share a common sequence organization within their V-D-J joining regions that appears to involve N and P sequences to generate unique D segments. Together, these data suggest that differences in epitope recognition among the monoclonal anti-CD4 may reflect sequence variability primarily within the CDR3 region of both V[kappa] and VH. The basis for the detection of a shared Id most likely reflects the high degree of homology within the V[kappa] region sequences. In addition, these data, which are based on a limited analysis, suggest the possible restricted use of V region germ-line gene families in the secondary antibody response of BALB/c mice to specific epitopes on the human CD4 molecule.     

Vibrio communities along a salinity gradient within a marine saltern hypersaline environment (Saline di Tarquinia,Italy)

Vibrio species are ubiquitous in a number of different aquatic environments and promptly adapting to environmental changes due to high genome plasticity. The presence of these bacteria in marine salterns, in relation to a salinity gradient has been not investigated yet. Moreover, it is not clear if these hypersaline environments could represent a reservoir for Vibrio spp. This work investigated, through a metagenetic approach, the distribution of Vibrio (over 2 years) in different ponds along the salinity gradient within the ‘Saline di Tarquinia’ salterns, considering also the adjacent coastal waters and an isolated brine storage basin (BSB). Vibrio occurrence was higher in the sea than in the ponds and BSB, where it usually represented a rare taxon (abundance <1%). In the sea, it showed abundances in-between 1%–2.6% in 8 months out of 24. Four OTUs were assigned to the Vibrio genus; except for one that was more abundant in BSB, the others were much higher in the sea. Redundancy analysis (RDA) suggested a different distribution of the OTUs in relation to water temperature and salinity. Vibrio was found, even with low abundances, at the highest salinities also, suggesting the salterns as a possible reservoir for the bacterium.     

Kinematic and electromyographic analysis of the Nordic Hamstring Exercise

The Nordic Hamstring Exercise (NHE) has been introduced as a training tool to improve the efficiency of eccentric hamstring muscle contraction. The aim of this study was to perform a biomechanical analysis of the NHE. Eighteen participants (20.4 ± 1.9 years) performed two sets of five repetitions each of the NHE and maximal eccentric voluntary contraction (MEVC) of the knee flexors on an isokinetic dynamometer whilst knee angular displacement and electrical activity (EMG) of biceps femoris were measured. EMG was on average higher during the NHE (134.3% of the MEVC). During the forward fall of the NHE, the angle at which a sharp increase in downward velocity occurred varied between 47.9 and 80.5 deg, while the peak knee angular velocity (pVelocity) varied between 47.7 and 132.8 deg s^?1. A significant negative correlation was found between pVelocity and peak EMG (r = ?0.62, p < 0.01) and EMG at 45 deg (r = ?0.75, p < 0.01) expressed as a percentage of peak MEVC EMG. Some of the variables analyzed exhibited good to excellent levels of intra- and inter-session reliability. This type of analysis could be used to indirectly monitor the level of eccentric strength of the hamstring muscles while performing the NHE and potentially any training- or injury-related changes.     

The WD40-Repeat Proteins NFC101 and NFC102 Regulate Different Aspects of Maize Development through Chromatin Modification

The maize (Zea mays) nucleosome remodeling factor complex component101 (nfc101) and nfc102 are putative paralogs encoding WD-repeat proteins with homology to plant and mammalian components of various chromatin modifying complexes. In this study, we generated transgenic lines with simultaneous nfc101 and nfc102 downregulation and analyzed phenotypic alterations, along with effects on RNA levels, the binding of NFC101/NFC102, and Rpd3-type histone deacetylases (HDACs), and histone modifications at selected targets. Direct NFC101/NFC102 binding and negative correlation with mRNA levels were observed for indeterminate1 (id1) and the florigen Zea mays CENTRORADIALIS8 (ZCN8), key activators of the floral transition. In addition, the abolition of NFC101/NFC102 association with repetitive sequences of different transposable elements (TEs) resulted in tissue-specific upregulation of nonpolyadenylated RNAs produced by these regions. All direct nfc101/nfc102 targets showed histone modification patterns linked to active chromatin in nfc101/nfc102 downregulation lines. However, different mechanisms may be involved because NFC101/NFC102 proteins mediate HDAC recruitment at id1 and TE repeats but not at ZCN8. These results, along with the pleiotropic effects observed in nfc101/nfc102 downregulation lines, suggest that NFC101 and NFC102 are components of distinct chromatin modifying complexes, which operate in different pathways and influence diverse aspects of maize development.     

Peptide inhibitors against herpes simplex virus infections

Herpes simplex virus (HSV) is a significant human pathogen causing mucocutaneous lesions primarily in the oral or genital mucosa. Although acyclovir (ACV) and related nucleoside analogs provide successful treatment, HSV remains highly prevalent worldwide and is a major cofactor for the spread of human immunodeficiency virus. Encephalitis, meningitis, and blinding keratitis are among the most severe diseases caused by HSV. ACV resistance poses an important problem for immunocompromised patients and highlights the need for new safe and effective agents; therefore, the development of novel strategies to eradicate HSV is a global public health priority. Despite the continued global epidemic of HSV and extensive research, there have been few major breakthroughs in the treatment or prevention of the virus since the introduction of ACV in the 1980s. A therapeutic strategy at the moment not fully addressed is the use of small peptide molecules. These can be either modeled on viral proteins or derived from antimicrobial peptides. Any peptide that interrupts protein–protein or viral protein–host cell membrane interactions is potentially a novel antiviral drug and may be a useful tool for elucidating the mechanisms of viral entry. This review summarizes current knowledge and strategies in the development of synthetic and natural peptides to inhibit HSV infectivity. Copyright © 2013 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.