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Selected AbstractsIsolation of highly copper-tolerant fungi from the smelter of the Naganobori copper mine, an historic mine in JapanJOURNAL OF APPLIED MICROBIOLOGY, Issue 6 2008K. Fujii Abstract Aims:, Copper is a critical metal of modern industry, and is the most widespread heavy metal contaminant in wastewater. Therefore, isolation of copper-tolerant microbes having the potential as biosorbent is fascinating not only from an environmental microbiology, but also from a biotechnology view point. In this study, we attempted to isolate highly copper-tolerant microbes from soil samples of the Nabanobori copper mine, the oldest mine in Japan. Methods and Results:, As a result of an enrichment culture, two fungal strains were isolated from soil of the smelter remains. The isolates could grow in a maximum of 200 mmol l,l Cu2+, and grew under a wide pH range. The Cu2+ -binding capacity of nontreated biomass of the isolates was around 35 mg Cu2+ g,1 -biomass. Analysis of 18S rDNA suggested that the isolates belong to the Aspergillus/Penicillium clade, but they represented a distinct lineage against known neighbours. Conclusion:, The isolates were highly copper-tolerant, and their Cu2+ -binding capacity was comparable to well-studied fungal sorbents. The isolates were implied as novel species. Soil of the historic old mine under weather-beaten conditions might be a suitable source for metal-tolerant microbes. Significance and Impact of the Study:, The present results advance our understanding of metal-tolerant microbes, and offer a new tool for both environmental control and metal recovery operations. [source] In vitro reactivation potency of some acetylcholinesterase reactivators against sarin- and cyclosarin-induced inhibitionsJOURNAL OF APPLIED TOXICOLOGY, Issue 4 2005Kamil Kuca Abstract In our study, we have tested six acetylcholinesterase (AChE) reactivators (pralidoxime, obidoxime, HI-6, trimedoxime, BI-6 and Hlö-7) for reactivation of sarin- and cyclosarin-inhibited AChE using an in vitro reactivation test. We have used rat brain homogenate as the suitable source of enzyme. All oximes are able to reactivate sarin-inhibited AChE. On the other hand, only HI-6 is able to reactivate satisfactorily cyclosarin-inhibited AChE. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Therapeutic Strategies for Xenograft RejectionJOURNAL OF CARDIAC SURGERY, Issue 5 2001Ph.D., Shu S. Lin M.D. ABSTRACT The increasing demand for transplantable organs over the past several decades has stimulated the idea of using animal organs in lieu of cadaveric organs in clinical transplantation. Pigs are now considered to be the most suitable source of organs for transplantation because of their abundant availability, their appropriate size, their relatively short gestation period, and the recent development in the technology to genetically manipulate them. In the past few years, some of the seemingly complex immunologic responses in pig-to-primate transplantation have been elucidated. This progress has allowed us to focus our efforts on devising specific therapeutic strategies to overcome or prevent some of the responses that contribute to rejection of the xenograft. In this article, we review the various approaches that might allow clinical xenotransplantation to come to fruition. [source] Comparison of various kinds of bone marrow stem cells for the repair of infarcted myocardium: Single clonally purified non-hematopoietic mesenchymal stem cells serve as a superior source,JOURNAL OF CELLULAR BIOCHEMISTRY, Issue 4 2006Shaoheng Zhang Abstract A variety of adult stem cells have been used to transplant into the infarcted (MI) heart, however, comparative studies are lacking to show more suitable source of cells for transplantation. We have identified a single non-hematopoietic mesenchymal stem cell subpopulation (snMSCs) isolated from human bone marrow and clonally purified, that over 99% of them expressed MSC marker proteins and cardiomyocyte marker proteins when induction in vitro. We also compared the effects of the snMSCs with unpurified MSC (uMSCs), mononuclear cells (BMMNCs), or peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMNCs) on myocardial repair after induction of MI in rats. Ninety days later, we observed a better cardiac function assessed by ejection fraction, fraction of shortening and lung wet/dry weight ratios, less remodeling of left ventricle (LV), lower collagen density in the LV, and more vessels in the ischemic wall in the snMSCs transplantation group than in other cell-transplanted groups. Furthermore, the transplanted cells expressing cardiomyocyte specific proteins or vascular endothelial cell marker proteins were more in the snMSCs group than in other ones. We conclude that transplantation with single clonally purified MSCs seems to be more beneficial to the cardiac repair than with other stem cells after MI. J. Cell. Biochem. 99: 1132,1147, 2006. © 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc. [source] Production of cyanophycin, a suitable source for the biodegradable polymer polyaspartate, in transgenic plantsPLANT BIOTECHNOLOGY JOURNAL, Issue 2 2005Katrin Neumann Summary The production of biodegradable polymers in transgenic plants in order to replace petrochemical compounds is an important challenge for plant biotechnology. Polyaspartate, a biodegradable substitute for polycarboxylates, is the backbone of the cyanobacterial storage material cyanophycin. Cyanophycin, a copolymer of l -aspartic acid and l -arginine, is produced via non-ribosomal polypeptide biosynthesis by the enzyme cyanophycin synthetase. A gene from Thermosynechococcus elongatus BP-1 encoding cyanophycin synthetase has been expressed constitutively in tobacco and potato. The presence of the transgene-encoded messenger RNA (mRNA) correlated with changes in leaf morphology and decelerated growth. Such transgenic plants were found to produce up to 1.1% dry weight of a polymer with cyanophycin-like properties. Aggregated material, able to bind a specific cyanophycin antibody, was detected in the cytoplasm and the nucleus of the transgenic plants. [source] Liquid chromatography/triple quadrupole tandem mass spectrometry with multiple reaction monitoring for optimal selection of transitions to evaluate nutraceuticals from olive-tree materialsRAPID COMMUNICATIONS IN MASS SPECTROMETRY, Issue 6 2008Rafael Japón Luján Optimal transitions have been selected for the identification and quantitation of the most interesting hydrophilic biophenols in extracts from olive-tree materials, which are of interest because of their nutraceutical properties. The tested materials were extra virgin olive oil, waste from oil production (known as alperujo), and olive-tree materials such as leaves, small branches and fruit stones. The identification and determination steps of the target biophenols are based on liquid chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (LC/MS/MS) with a triple quadrupole (QQQ) mass detector. The interface between the chromatograph and the QQQ was an electrospray ionization source operated in the negative ion mode. Highly selective identification of the biophenols was confirmed by multiple reaction monitoring (MRM) using the most representative transitions from the precursor ion to the different product ions. Quantitative MS/MS analysis was carried out by optimization and selection of the most sensitive transition for each analyte, which resulted in estimated detection limits of 5.10 to 11.65,ng/mL for the extracts. The biophenols were extracted from the tested samples by different methods: liquid-liquid extraction for virgin olive oil, microwave-assisted leaching for olive leaves, branches and stones, and pressurized liquid leaching for alperujo. This study provides valuable information about the most suitable source for the isolation of each nutraceutical biophenol and enables us to obtain a complete profile of them in Olea Europaea. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Spatial and temporal patterns in the diet of the Andean condor: ecological replacement of native fauna by exotic speciesANIMAL CONSERVATION, Issue 4 2009S. A. Lambertucci Abstract The development of conservation strategies to protect viable populations of scavenging birds requires the existence of adequate and safe food supplies in the wild. Early reports on Andean condors Vultur gryphus diet recorded guanacos and rheas, the dominant herbivores since the Pleistocene, as their main food in Patagonia. However, in the past century, guanaco and rhea populations have notably decreased as a consequence of introduced livestock, and other exotic mammals have colonized the region. We study the spatial and temporal variation of the condors' diet to determine which species are being consumed by condors, and to test whether native herbivores still have a role as a food source. We analysed 371 pellets (517 prey items), collected along 500 km in northwestern Patagonia, Argentina. Our study shows that the Andean condor depends heavily (98.5%) on exotic herbivores. Their diet was made up of c. 51% sheep/goat, 24% hare/rabbit, 17% red deer and 6% cow/horse, with only 2% other mammal species. Samples from locations surveyed after 12,15 years showed a diet shift coincident with the local tendencies in the food source. The diet composition of condors using roosts within the same zone was very similar, which suggests that they may be feeding from the same area. Thus, unhealthy carcasses could impact the entire local populations. Our results show the abundance of the invasive species in northwestern Patagonia and support the idea that native mega-herbivores are ecologically extinct in this area. Exotic species management can have a decisive impact on scavenger's survival. It is necessary to apply a strategy that includes public environmental education about the problems of scavengers (e.g. use of poison, veterinary medicines and lead bullets), and a serious productive plan, including native species as a suitable source of economic development. [source] Brain,computer interfacing based on cognitive controlANNALS OF NEUROLOGY, Issue 6 2010Mariska J. Vansteensel PhD Objective Brain,computer interfaces (BCIs) translate deliberate intentions and associated changes in brain activity into action, thereby offering patients with severe paralysis an alternative means of communication with and control over their environment. Such systems are not available yet, partly due to the high performance standard that is required. A major challenge in the development of implantable BCIs is to identify cortical regions and related functions that an individual can reliably and consciously manipulate. Research predominantly focuses on the sensorimotor cortex, which can be activated by imagining motor actions. However, because this region may not provide an optimal solution to all patients, other neuronal networks need to be examined. Therefore, we investigated whether the cognitive control network can be used for BCI purposes. We also determined the feasibility of using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) for noninvasive localization of the cognitive control network. Methods Three patients with intractable epilepsy, who were temporarily implanted with subdural grid electrodes for diagnostic purposes, attempted to gain BCI control using the electrocorticographic (ECoG) signal of the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). Results All subjects quickly gained accurate BCI control by modulation of gamma-power of the left DLPFC. Prelocalization of the relevant region was performed with fMRI and was confirmed using the ECoG signals obtained during mental calculation localizer tasks. Interpretation The results indicate that the cognitive control network is a suitable source of signals for BCI applications. They also demonstrate the feasibility of translating understanding about cognitive networks derived from functional neuroimaging into clinical applications. ANN NEUROL 2010 [source] Seed compositional studies of some species of Papilionoideae (Leguminosae) native to ArgentinaJOURNAL OF THE SCIENCE OF FOOD AND AGRICULTURE, Issue 3 2002Damián M Maestri Abstract Seeds of 17 wild leguminous species belonging to the Papilionoideae subfamily were analysed for their proximate, fatty acid and sterol compositions. Centrosema virginianum, Tipuana tipu, Adesmia volckmanni and some species of Desmodium contained high amounts (>300,g,kg,1) of protein. Geoffroea decorticans and Clitoria cordobensis were noteworthy for their high oil content (>350,g,kg,1). The seed lipids had a high proportion of unsaturated (oleic and linoleic mainly) fatty acids. Linolenic acid had the highest value in Adesmia volckmanni (25.4% of total fatty acids). ,-Sitosterol was the major component of the sterol fraction. Chemical analyses indicated that all species studied are suitable sources of animal feed. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry [source] Towards an inert diet for first-feeding gilthead seabream Sparus aurata L. larvaeAQUACULTURE NUTRITION, Issue 3 2000Yúfera The development of an inert food to replace live prey during the early stages of marine fish larvae requires research in different fields and therefore a precise work strategy. Our research on this subject has been carried out in successive steps using the gilthead seabream Sparus aurata. The first step was the design of a food particle that would be well accepted and ingested by free-swimming marine larval fish during the first developmental stages. We chose microencapsulation by polymerization of the dietary protein as the most appropriate method for making the particles; different types of microcapsules were made using a basic diet containing only the major dietary components. In the second step, our aim was to keep the larvae alive in a routine rearing system in 300-L tanks, using exclusively this kind of food, long enough to detect any changes in growth, survival, or anatomical and histological status of the larvae, in order to verify whether the technological changes were positive. The third step focused on diet formulation and searching for clues to inefficient assimilation and growth. The use of ,in vitro' digestibility techniques allowed us to detect the inhibitory effect of some diet ingredients on larval proteases and to determine more suitable sources of protein. We now have a microcapsule able to efficiently support growth and development of S. aurata larvae, at least during the first 2 weeks of life, although the larvae still need to feed on rotifers during the first 2,4 days of exogenous feeding. This microcapsule will make it possible to make advances in determining the specific nutritional requirements of larval fish. [source] | ||||||||||||||||