Fungal and bacterial proteases: Characteristics, and opportunities for the processing of plant proteins

The enzymatic hydrolysis of proteins has been successful in improving their functional and bioactive properties. Extensive work has been conducted in applying plant, fungal, and bacterial proteases to animal protein sources (Ryder et al., 2015; Ha et al., 2012). Less work has been conducted examining the effects of fungal and bacterial proteases on plant proteins. This study characterised a range of bacterial and fungal proteases and evaluated the effects of selected bacterial and fungal proteases on a plant protein substrate assay. Commercially available proprietary fungal (FPII, F31K, and F60K), bacterial (HT, 4000 P, BS Conc), and plant (papain) proteases were screened for activity using the BODIPY-FL-Casein substrate. The soluble protein concentration of the protease powders was also assessed using the Bradford method. Based on the results of the screening, one fungal protease (F31K) and one bacterial protease (HT) were selected for further experiments. The selected proteases were then used to hydrolyse brown rice protein powder. The hydrolysis was conducted for up to 120 min at optimal conditions for each respective protease (pH 8.5 at 45 ⁰C, and pH 6 at 65 °C for F31K and HT, respectively). The resulting hydrolsates were evaluated for their soluble protein content using the Bradford method. The breakdown of protein was also visualised using SDS-PAGE. The mean enzyme activities ranged from 3.55×104 to 39.5×104 Δfluo.min-1.mg soluble protein-1 (for FPII and 4000 P, respectively). Both HT and F31K significantly increased (p < 0.05) the soluble protein concentration of the brown rice protein powder (from 0.586 to 2.21 and 3.12 mg/mL for HT and F31K, respectively). SDS-PAGE showed substantially different hydrolysis patterns for each protease over time. This study provides insights into how proteases from non-gut origin may overcome some of the challenges currently faced in the production of alternative proteins

Pricing discretely-monitored double barrier options with small probabilities of execution

In this paper, we propose a new stochastic simulation-based methodology for pricing discretely-monitored double barrier options and estimating the corresponding probabilities of execution. We develop our framework by employing a versatile tool for the estimation of rare event probabilities known as subset simulation algorithm. In this regard, considering plausible dynamics for the price evolution of the underlying asset, we are able to compare and demonstrate clearly that our treatment always outperforms the standard Monte Carlo approach and becomes substantially more efficient (measured in terms of the sample coefficient of variation) when the underlying asset has high volatility and the barriers are set close to the spot price of the underlying asset. In addition, we test and report that our approach performs better when it is compared to the multilevel Monte Carlo method for special cases of barrier options and underlying assets that make the pricing problem a rare event estimation. These theoretical findings are confirmed by numerous simulation results

Pricing discretely-monitored double barrier options with small probabilities of execution

In this paper, we propose a new stochastic simulation-based methodology for pricing discretely-monitored double barrier options and estimating the corresponding probabilities of execution. We develop our framework by employing a versatile tool for the estimation of rare event probabilities known as subset simulation algorithm. In this regard, considering plausible dynamics for the price evolution of the underlying asset, we are able to compare and demonstrate clearly that our treatment always outperforms the standard Monte Carlo approach and becomes substantially more efficient (measured in terms of the sample coefficient of variation) when the underlying asset has high volatility and the barriers are set close to the spot price of the underlying asset. In addition, we test and report that our approach performs better when it is compared to the multilevel Monte Carlo method for special cases of barrier options and underlying assets that make the pricing problem a rare event estimation. These theoretical findings are confirmed by numerous simulation results

The Cost of Blindness in the Republic of Ireland 2010-2020

Aims. To estimate the prevalence of blindness in the Republic of Ireland and the associated financial and total economic cost between 2010 and 2020. Methods. Estimates for the prevalence of blindness in the Republic of Ireland were based on blindness registration data from the National Council for the Blind of Ireland. Estimates for the financial and total economic cost of blindness were based on the sum of direct and indirect healthcare and nonhealthcare costs. Results. We estimate that there were 12,995 blind individuals in Ireland in 2010 and in 2020 there will be 17,997. We estimate that the financial and total economic costs of blindness in the Republic of Ireland in 2010 were €276.6 million and €809 million, respectively, and will increase in 2020 to €367 million and €1.1 billion, respectively. Conclusions. Here, ninety-eight percent of the cost of blindness is borne by the Departments of Social Protection and Finance and not by the Department of Health as might initially be expected. Cost of illness studies should play a role in public policy making as they help to quantify the indirect or “hidden” costs of disability and so help to reveal the true cost of illness

Common Elements in Interleukin 4 and Insulin Signaling Pathways in Factor-Dependent Hematopoietic Cells.

Interleukin 4 (IL-4), insulin, and insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) efficiently induced DNA synthesis in the IL-3-dependent murine myeloid cell lines FDC-P1 and FDC-P2. Although these factors could not individually sustain long-term growth of these lines, a combination of IL-4 with either insulin or IGF-I did support continuous growth. The principal tyrosine-phosphorylated substrate observed in FDC cells stimulated with IL-4, previously designated 4PS, was of the same size (170 kDa) as the major substrate phosphorylated in response to insulin or IGF-I. These substrates had phosphopeptides of the same size when analyzed by digestion with Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease, and each tightly associated with the 85-kDa component of phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase after factor stimulation. IRS-1, the principal substrate phosphorylated in response to insulin or IGF-I stimulation in nonhematopoietic cells, is similar in size to 4PS. However, anti-IRS-1 antibodies failed to efficiently precipitate 4PS, and some phosphopeptides generated by V8 protease digestion of IRS-1 were distinct in size from the phosphopeptides of 4PS. Nevertheless, IL-4, insulin, and IGF-I were capable of stimulating tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-1 in FDC cells that expressed this substrate as a result of transfection. These findings indicate that (i) IL-4, insulin, and IGF-I use signal transduction pathways in FDC lines that have at least one major feature in common, the rapid tyrosine phosphorylation of 4PS, and (ii) insulin and IGF-I stimulation of hematopoietic cell lines leads to the phosphorylation of a substrate that may be related to but is not identical to IRS-1

High LET, passive space radiation dosimetry and spectrometry

The development of high linear energy transfer (LET), passive radiation dosimetry and spectrometry is needed for the purpose of accurate determination of equivalent doses and assessment of health risks to astronauts on long duration missions. Progress in the following research areas is summerized: intercomparisons of cosmic ray equivalent dose and LET spectra measurements between STS missions and between astronauts; increases LET spectra measurement accuracy with ATAS; space radiation measurements for intercomparisons of passive (PNTD, TLD, TRND, Emulsion) and active (TEPC, RME-111) dosimeters; interaction of cosmic ray particles with nuclei in matter; radiation measurements after long duration space exposures; ground based dosimeter calibrations; neutron detector calibrations; radiation measurements on Soviet/Russian spacecraft; space radiation measurements under thin shielding; and space radiation