Expression of the mucus adhesion gene Mub, surface layer protein Slp and adhesion-like factor EF-TU of Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 4356 under digestive stress conditions, as monitored with real-time PCR

Expression of the mucus adhesion gene Mub, surface layer protein Slp and adhesion-like factor EF-Tu by Lactobacillus acidophilus ATCC 4356 grown in the presence of mucin, bile and pancreatin and at low pH was studied using real-time PCR. None of the genes were up-regulated under increasing concentrations of mucin, while Slp and EF-Tu were up-regulated in the presence of bile and pancreatin at normal concentrations (0.3%, w/v) and under stress conditions (1.0%, w/v)

Experimental and modelling evidence for structural crossover in supercritical CO₂

Physics of supercritical state is understood to a much lesser degree compared to subcritical liquids. Carbon dioxide in particular has been intensely studied, yet little is known about the supercritical part of its phase diagram. Here, we combine neutron scattering experiments and molecular dynamics simulations and demonstrate the structural crossover at the Frenkel line. The crossover is seen at pressures as high as 14 times the critical pressure and is evidenced by changes of the main features of the structure factor and pair distribution functions

`In pursuit of the Nazi mind?' the deployment of psychoanalysis in the allied struggle against Germany

This paper discusses how psychoanalytic ideas were brought to bear in the Allied struggle against the Third Reich and explores some of the claims that were made about this endeavour. It shows how a variety of studies of Fascist psychopathology, centred on the concept of superego, were mobilized in military intelligence, post-war planning and policy recommendations for ‘denazification’. Freud's ideas were sometimes championed by particular army doctors and government planners; at other times they were combined with, or displaced by, competing, psychiatric and psychological forms of treatment and diverse studies of the Fascist ‘personality’. This is illustrated through a discussion of the treatment and interpretation of the deputy leader of the Nazi Party, Rudolf Hess, after his arrival in Britain in 1941

Editorial: summary for policymakers of the thematic assessment on pollinators, pollination and food production

Values of pollinators and pollination 1. Animal pollination plays a vital role as a regulating ecosystem service in nature. Globally, nearly 90 per cent of wild flowering plant species depend, at least in part, on the transfer of pollen by animals. These plants are critical for the continued functioning of ecosystems as they provide food, form habitats, and provide other resources for a wide range of other species. 2. More than three quarters of the leading types of global food crops rely to some extent on animal pollination for yield and/or quality. Pollinator-dependent crops contribute to 35 per cent of global crop production volume. 3. Given that pollinator-dependent crops rely on animal pollination to varying degrees, it is estimated that 5–8 per cent of current global crop production is directly attributed to animal pollination with an annual market value of $235 billion–$577 billion (in 2015, United States dollars1) worldwide

Ten policies for pollinators

Earlier this year, the first global thematic assessment from the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) evaluated the state of knowledge about pollinators and pollination (1, 2). It confirmed evidence of large-scale wild pollinator declines in northwest Europe and North America and identified data shortfalls and an urgent need for monitoring elsewhere in the world. With high-level political commitments to support pollinators in the United States (3), the United Kingdom (4), and France (5); encouragement from the Convention on Biological Diversity's (CBD's) scientific advice body (6); and the issue on the agenda for next month's Conference of the Parties to the CBD, we see a chance for global-scale policy change. We extend beyond the IPBES report, which we helped to write, and suggest 10 policies that governments should seriously consider to protect pollinators and secure pollination services. Our suggestions are not the only available responses but are those we consider most likely to succeed, because of synergy with international policy objectives and strategies or formulation of international policy creating opportunities for change. We make these suggestions as independent scientists and not on behalf of IPBES

Optimized production of bacteriocin ST11BR, generated by Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei ST11BR isolated from traditional South African beer

CITATION: Todorov, S. D., Van Reenen, C. A. & Dicks, L. M. T. 2005. Optimized production of bacteriocin ST11BR, generated by Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei ST11BR isolated from traditional South African beer. South African Journal of Science, 101(3-4):182-186 .The original publication is available at https://journals.co.zaLittle is known about the production of antimicrobial peptides (bacteriocins) by lactic acid bacteria in traditional South African beer and their inhibition of food spoilage or pathogenic bacteria. In this paper, we report on bacteriocin ST11BR, produced by Lactobacillus paracasei subsp. paracasei ST11BR isolated from beer made with maize, barley, soy flour and sugar (sucrose). Bacteriocin ST11BR is a 3.2-kDa peptide with activity against Lactobacillus casei, L. sakei, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli. The peptide is sensitive to proteinase K and pronase, but not to α-amylase. Glycerol in the growth medium repressed bacteriocin production. Tween 80 suppressed production by more than 50%, irrespective of the initial pH of the medium. MRS broth adjusted to pH 4.50 yielded 3200 AU/ml bacteriocin. The corresponding value at pH 5.0, 5.5, 6.0 and 6.5 was 12 800 AU/ml. The highest yield (25 600 AU/ml) was recorded in MRS broth without Tween 80, and with meat extract as the only nitrogen source, or a combination of meat extract and tryptone, or yeast extract and tryptone. Growth in the presence of tryptone as sole nitrogen source achieved only 12 800 AU/ml bacteriocin. Yeast extract, or a combination of yeast extract and meat extract, yielded 6400 AU/ml. A growth medium comprising 20.0 g/l maltose, sucrose or mannose yielded bacteriocin levels of 25 600 AU/ml, whereas the corresponding values for the same concentration of glucose or fructose were 12 800 AU/ml and 1 600 AU/ml, respectively. Lactose did not stimulate bacteriocin production - the highest yield (6 400 AU/ml) was generated in the presence of 10.0 g/l. No difference in bacteriocin activity was recorded when strain ST11BR was grown in the presence of 2.0 g/l KH2PO4 and 2.0-10.0 g/l K2HPO 4. However, cyanocobalamin, thiamine and DL-6,8-thioctic acid (1.0 ppm), but not L-ascorbic acid, stimulated peptide production. This study provided valuable information on the optimal production of bacteriocin by a strain of L. paracasei naturally present in a traditional beer.https://journals.co.za/content/sajsci/101/3-4/EJC96371Publisher's versio