Desulfurization of model and diesel oils by resting cells of Gordona sp.

The desulfurization activity of the resting cells of Gordona sp. CYKS1 was strongly depended on harvest time and the highest value when the cells had been harvested in the early growth phase (0.12 mg sulfur g^–1 cell^–1 h^–1). For the model oil, hexadecane containing dibenzothiophene, the specific desulfurization rate decreased as the reaction proceeded. Both the specific and the volumetric desulfurization rates were not significantly affected by the aqueous-to-oil phase ratio. The diesel oils, light gas oil and a middle distillate unit feed were desulfurized at higher rates (ca. 0.34 mg sulfur g^–1 cell^–1 h^–1) than the model oil (0.12 mg sulfur g^–1 cell^–1 h^–1).     

A Yersinia pseudotuberculosis protein which cross-reacts with HLA-B27

The most-debated question in the investigation of the spondyloarthropathies has been whether there is molecular mimicry between host HLA-B27 antigens and the arthritis-causing pathogens. We have generated a monoclonal anti-HLA-B27 antibody in our laboratory and have used a radioimmunoassay to screen a panel of bacterial species. Two strains of Yersinia pseudotuberculosis were found to be highly reactive. The cross-reactive Yersinia component was identified by Western blot to be a 19,000 component. A preparative sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis chromatography apparatus was constructed to isolate milligram quantities of this component. To verify that the component carried the HLA-B27-specific epitope, rabbits were hyperimmunized with the purified materials. Affinity-purified antibodies from one of the immunized rabbits indeed carried anti-HLA-B27 activity. Last, antibodies generated against synthetic peptides derived from the HLA-B27.1 amino acid sequence were tested against the Yersinia component. Positive reactivity was found with antibodies generated against a peptide spanning residues 69-83 of the HLA-B27.1 protein. Since this resides in the segment responsible for the allotypic specificity of the antigen, these experiments establish the presence of molecular mimicry to a high degree of confidence.     

Towards an integrated system for bio-energy: hydrogen production by <Emphasis Type="Italic">Escherichia coli</Emphasis> and use of palladium-coated waste cells for electricity generation in a fuel cell

Escherichia coli strains MC4100 (parent) and a mutant strain derived from this (IC007) were evaluated for their ability to produce H₂ and organic acids (OAs) via fermentation. Following growth, each strain was coated with Pd(0) via bioreduction of Pd(II). Dried, sintered Pd-biomaterials (‘Bio-Pd’) were tested as anodes in a proton exchange membrane (PEM) fuel cell for their ability to generate electricity from H₂. Both strains produced hydrogen and OAs but ‘palladised’ cells of strain IC007 (Bio-Pd_IC007) produced ~threefold more power as compared to Bio-Pd_MC4100 (56 and 18 mW respectively). The power output used, for comparison, commercial Pd(0) powder and Bio-Pd made from Desulfovibrio desulfuricans, was ~100 mW. The implications of these findings for an integrated energy generating process are discussed.     

The Cold Box stem-loop proximal to the 5'-end of the Escherichia coli cspA gene stabilizes its mRNA at low temperature.

The 5'-end region of cspA mRNA contains a Cold Box sequence conserved among several cold-shock mRNAs. This region forms a stable stem-loop structure followed by an AU-rich sequence. Here we show that the Cold Box region is essential for the normal scale of cspA mRNA induction after cold shock because a deletion of the stem-loop significantly destabilizes the mRNA and reduces the cold shock-induced cspA mRNA amount by approximately 50%. The AU-rich track, however, slightly destabilizes the mRNA. The integrity of the stem is essential for the stabilizing function, whereas that of the loop sequence is less important. Overexpression of a mutant cspA mRNA devoid of both the AUG initiation codon and the coding sequence results in a severe growth inhibition at low temperature along with a derepression of the chromosomal cspA expression. Furthermore, the overexpressed RNA is stably associated with the 30 S and 70 S ribosomes. Our results demonstrate that the AUG initiation codon and the coding region containing the downstream box are not required for cspA mRNA to bind ribosomes and that the 5'-untranslated region by itself has a remarkable affinity to ribosomes at low temperature.     

Inhibitory Effect of Glycerin on Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Salmonella

In a study of the effect of glycerin in transport media on Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Salmonella, it was found that a concentration of 30% glycerin was highly inhibitory for V. parahaemolyticus and to a lesser degree for Salmonella. The incorporation of peptone or human feces in media did not reduce the inhibitory effect of glycerin. In media with 15% glycerin, viable counts of V. parahaemolyticus and Salmonella increased after 24 hr of incubation both in the presence and absence of feces. Due to the concurrent increase in the total bacterial count in the media containing feces, no enrichment effect was noted.     

Single-cell landscape of the ecosystem in early-relapse hepatocellular carcinoma

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Isoliquiritigenin prevents hyperglycemia-induced renal injuries by inhibiting inflammation and oxidative stress via SIRT1-dependent mechanism

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) as a global health concern is closely related to inflammation and oxidation. Isoliquiritigenin (ISL), a natural flavonoid compound, has been demonstrated to inhibit inflammation in macrophages. Herein, we investigated the effect of ISL in protecting against the injury in STZ-induced type 1 DN and in high glucose-induced NRK-52E cells. In this study, it was revealed that the administration of ISL not only ameliorated renal fibrosis and apoptosis, but also induced the deterioration of renal function in diabetic mice. Mediated by MAPKs and Nrf-2 signaling pathways, respectively, upstream inflammatory response and oxidative stress were neutralized by ISL in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, as further revealed by the results of molecular docking, sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) binds to ISL directly, and the involvement of SIRT1 in ISL-mediated renoprotective effects was confirmed by studies using in vitro models of SIRT1 overexpression and knockdown. In summary, by reducing inflammation and oxidative stress, ISL has a significant pharmacological effect on the deterioration of DN. The benefits of ISL are associated with the direct binding to SIRT1, the inhibition of MAPK activation, and the induction of Nrf-2 signaling, suggesting the potential of ISL for DN treatment.Subject terms: Pharmacology, Molecular biology     

The regeneration and maturation of mast cells following peritoneal lavage in the rat

Adult rats subjected to repeated peritoneal saline lavage show a rapid depletion of mast cells in the peritoneal fluid, but the mast cells in mesentery and omentum are not significantly reduced. The residual mast cells are predominantly young elements, histochemically belonging to stages 1 and 2 of maturation. Regeneration of mast cells is rapid with return to the normal density and distribution accomplished within 3 -- 4 weeks after cessation of lavage. The origin, nature and factors influencing the regeneration of mast cells is to be further investigated.