An efficient arabinoxylan-debranching α-L-arabinofuranosidase of family GH62 from Aspergillus nidulans contains a secondary carbohydrate binding site.

An α-L-arabinofuranosidase of GH62 from Aspergillus nidulans FGSC A4 (AnAbf62A-m2,3) has an unusually high activity towards wheat arabinoxylan (WAX) (67 U/mg; k cat = 178/s, K m = 4.90 mg/ml) and arabinoxylooligosaccharides (AXOS) with degrees of polymerisation (DP) 3-5 (37-80 U/mg), but about 50 times lower activity for sugar beet arabinan and 4-nitrophenyl-α-L-arabinofuranoside. α-1,2- and α-1,3-linked arabinofuranoses are released from monosubstituted, but not from disubstituted, xylose in WAX and different AXOS as demonstrated by NMR and polysaccharide analysis by carbohydrate gel electrophoresis (PACE). Mutants of the predicted general acid (Glu(188)) and base (Asp(28)) catalysts, and the general acid pK a modulator (Asp(136)) lost 1700-, 165- and 130-fold activities for WAX. WAX, oat spelt xylan, birchwood xylan and barley β-glucan retarded migration of AnAbf62A-m2,3 in affinity electrophoresis (AE) although the latter two are neither substrates nor inhibitors. Trp(23) and Tyr(44), situated about 30 Å from the catalytic site as seen in an AnAbf62A-m2,3 homology model generated using Streptomyces thermoviolaceus SthAbf62A as template, participate in carbohydrate binding. Compared to wild-type, W23A and W23A/Y44A mutants are less retarded in AE, maintain about 70 % activity towards WAX with K i of WAX substrate inhibition increasing 4-7-folds, but lost 77-96 % activity for the AXOS. The Y44A single mutant had less effect, suggesting Trp(23) is a key determinant. AnAbf62A-m2,3 seems to apply different polysaccharide-dependent binding modes, and Trp(23) and Tyr(44) belong to a putative surface binding site which is situated at a distance of the active site and has to be occupied to achieve full activity.This work is supported by the Danish Council for Independent Research|Natural Sciences (FNU) [grant number 09-072151], by 1/3 PhD fellowship from the Technical University of Denmark (to CW) and by a Hans Christian Ørsted postdoctoral fellowship from DTU (to DC).This is the author accepted manuscript. The final version is available from Springer via http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s00253-016-7417-

Using the nitrogen mineralization soil test to predict spring fertilizer N rate : soft white winter wheat grown in western Oregon

Soft white winter wheat grown in western Oregon requires a spring application of nitrogen (N) fertilizer for optimum production. Determining the amount of N to apply has been a challenge for growers because wheat is produced in numerous rotations that provide varying amounts of N to the wheat crop. Inadequate N results in reduced yield. However, excess N causes lodging, higher-than-desired grain protein, and added expense.Published January 2006. This publication was replaced by OSU Extension publication EM 9020. Facts and recommendations in this publication may no longer be valid. Please look for up-to-date information in the OSU Extension Catalog: http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalo

Using the nitrogen mineralization soil test to predict spring fertilizer N rate for soft white winter wheat grown in western Oregon

Soft white winter wheat is grown in western Oregon and requires a spring application of nitrogen (N) fertilizer for optimum production. Determining the amount of N to apply has been a challenge for growers. Wheat obtains N from two sources: soil and fertilizer. Both available and mineralizable N can be measured to predict the spring fertilizer N rate for winter wheat by using the “N-min” soil test developed at Oregon State University.Published November 2010. Facts and recommendations in this publication may no longer be valid. Please look for up-to-date information in the OSU Extension Catalog: http://extension.oregonstate.edu/catalogKeywords: soil test, nitrogen, soft white winter wheat, nitrogen mineralization soil test, western Oregon, N-min soil test, wheatKeywords: soil test, nitrogen, soft white winter wheat, nitrogen mineralization soil test, western Oregon, N-min soil test, whea

Magnetic Mini-Mover Procedure for pectus excavatum IV: FDA sponsored multicenter trial.

PurposeThe Magnetic Mini-Mover Procedure (3MP) is a minimally invasive treatment for prepubertal patients with pectus excavatum. This multicenter trial sought to supplement safety and efficacy data from an earlier pilot trial.MethodsFifteen patients with pectus excavatum had a titanium-enclosed magnet implanted on the sternum. Externally, patients wore a custom-fitted magnetic brace. Patients were monitored closely for safety. Efficacy was determined by the Haller Index (HI) and satisfaction surveys. After 2 years, the implant was removed.ResultsMean patient age was 12 years (range 8-14), and mean pretreatment HI was 4.7 (range 3.6-7.4). The device was successfully implanted in all patients. Mean treatment duration was 25 months (range 18-33). Posttreatment chest imaging in 13 patients indicated that HI decreased in 5, remained stable in 2, and increased in 6. Seven out of 15 patients had breakage of the implant's titanium cables because of fatigue fracture. Eight out of 13 patients were satisfied with their chest after treatment.ConclusionThe 3MP is a safe, minimally invasive, outpatient treatment for prepubertal patients with pectus excavatum. However, the magnetic implant design led to frequent device breakage, confounding analysis. The HI indicated mixed efficacy, although surveys indicated most patients perceived a benefit.Study type/level of evidenceCase series, treatment study. Level IV

Magnetic Mini-Mover Procedure for pectus excavatum IV: FDA sponsored multicenter trial.

PurposeThe Magnetic Mini-Mover Procedure (3MP) is a minimally invasive treatment for prepubertal patients with pectus excavatum. This multicenter trial sought to supplement safety and efficacy data from an earlier pilot trial.MethodsFifteen patients with pectus excavatum had a titanium-enclosed magnet implanted on the sternum. Externally, patients wore a custom-fitted magnetic brace. Patients were monitored closely for safety. Efficacy was determined by the Haller Index (HI) and satisfaction surveys. After 2 years, the implant was removed.ResultsMean patient age was 12 years (range 8-14), and mean pretreatment HI was 4.7 (range 3.6-7.4). The device was successfully implanted in all patients. Mean treatment duration was 25 months (range 18-33). Posttreatment chest imaging in 13 patients indicated that HI decreased in 5, remained stable in 2, and increased in 6. Seven out of 15 patients had breakage of the implant's titanium cables because of fatigue fracture. Eight out of 13 patients were satisfied with their chest after treatment.ConclusionThe 3MP is a safe, minimally invasive, outpatient treatment for prepubertal patients with pectus excavatum. However, the magnetic implant design led to frequent device breakage, confounding analysis. The HI indicated mixed efficacy, although surveys indicated most patients perceived a benefit.Study type/level of evidenceCase series, treatment study. Level IV

Surface and subsurface composition of the life in the Atacama field sites from rover data and orbital image analysis

The Life in the Atacama project examined six different sites in the Atacama Desert (Chile) over 3 years in an attempt to remotely detect the presence of life with a rover. The remote science team, using only orbital and rover data sets, identified areas with a high potential for life as targets for further inspection by the rover. Orbital data in the visible/near infrared (VNIR) and in the thermal infrared (TIR) were used to examine the mineralogy, geomorphology, and chlorophyll potential of the field sites. Field instruments included two spectrometers (VNIR reflectance and TIR emission) and a neutron detector: this project represents the first time a neutron detector has been used as part of a “science-blind” rover field test. Rover-based spectroscopy was used to identify the composition of small scale features not visible in the orbital images and to improve interpretations of those data sets. The orbital and ground-based data sets produced consistent results, suggesting that much of the field sites consist of altered volcanic terrains with later deposits of sulfates, quartz, and iron oxides. At one location (Site A), the ground-based spectral data revealed considerably greater compositional diversity than was seen from the orbital view. One neutron detector transect provided insight into subsurface hydrogen concentrations, which correlated with life and surface features. The results presented here have implications for targeting strategies, especially for future Mars rover missions looking for potential habitats/paleohabitats