Enzyme Activity Profiles Produced on Wood and Straw by Four Fungi of Different Decay Strategies

Four well-studied saprotrophic Basidiomycota Agaricomycetes species with different decay strategies were cultivated on solid lignocellulose substrates to compare their extracellular decomposing carbohydrate-active and lignin-attacking enzyme production profiles. Two Polyporales species, the white rot fungus Phlebia radiata and brown rot fungus Fomitopsis pinicola, as well as one Agaricales species, the intermediate “grey” rot fungus Schizophyllum commune, were cultivated on birch wood pieces for 12 weeks, whereas the second Agaricales species, the litter-decomposing fungus Coprinopsis cinerea was cultivated on barley straw for 6 weeks under laboratory conditions. During 3 months of growth on birch wood, only the white rot fungus P. radiata produced high laccase and MnP activities. The brown rot fungus F. pinicola demonstrated notable production of xylanase activity up to 43 nkat/mL on birch wood, together with moderate β-glucosidase and endoglucanase cellulolytic activities. The intermediate rot fungus S. commune was the strongest producer of β-glucosidase with activities up to 54 nkat/mL, and a notable producer of xylanase activity, even up to 620 nkat/mL, on birch wood. Low lignin-attacking but moderate activities against cellulose and hemicellulose were observed with the litter-decomposer C. cinerea on barley straw. Overall, our results imply that plant cell wall decomposition ability of taxonomically and ecologically divergent fungi is in line with their enzymatic decay strategy, which is fundamental in understanding their physiology and potential for biotechnological applications

Enzyme Activity Profiles Produced on Wood and Straw by Four Fungi of Different Decay Strategies

Four well-studied saprotrophic Basidiomycota Agaricomycetes species with different decay strategies were cultivated on solid lignocellulose substrates to compare their extracellular decomposing carbohydrate-active and lignin-attacking enzyme production profiles. Two Polyporales species, the white rot fungus Phlebia radiata and brown rot fungus Fomitopsis pinicola, as well as one Agaricales species, the intermediate “grey” rot fungus Schizophyllum commune, were cultivated on birch wood pieces for 12 weeks, whereas the second Agaricales species, the litter-decomposing fungus Coprinopsis cinerea was cultivated on barley straw for 6 weeks under laboratory conditions. During 3 months of growth on birch wood, only the white rot fungus P. radiata produced high laccase and MnP activities. The brown rot fungus F. pinicola demonstrated notable production of xylanase activity up to 43 nkat/mL on birch wood, together with moderate β-glucosidase and endoglucanase cellulolytic activities. The intermediate rot fungus S. commune was the strongest producer of β-glucosidase with activities up to 54 nkat/mL, and a notable producer of xylanase activity, even up to 620 nkat/mL, on birch wood. Low lignin-attacking but moderate activities against cellulose and hemicellulose were observed with the litter-decomposer C. cinerea on barley straw. Overall, our results imply that plant cell wall decomposition ability of taxonomically and ecologically divergent fungi is in line with their enzymatic decay strategy, which is fundamental in understanding their physiology and potential for biotechnological applications

Vibrational spectroscopy of trans and cis deuterated formic acid (HCOOD): Anharmonic calculations and experiments in argon and neon matrices

Non Peer reviewe

Diving in the Arctic: Cold Water Immersion’s Effects on Heart Rate Variability in Navy Divers

Introduction Diving close to the Arctic circle means diving in cold water regardless of the time of year. The human body reacts to cold through autonomous nervous system (ANS)-mediated thermoregulatory mechanisms. Diving also induces ANS responses as a result of the diving reflex. Materials and Methods In order to study ANS responses during diving in Arctic water temperatures, we retrospectively analyzed repeated 5-min heart rate variability (HRV) measures and the mean body temperature from dives at regular intervals using naval diving equipment measurement tests in 0 degrees C water. Three divers performed seven dives without physical activity (81-91 min), and two divers performed four dives with physical activity after 10 min of diving (0-10 min HRV recordings were included in the study). Results Our study showed a significant increase in parasympathetic activity (PNS) at the beginning of the dives, after which PNS activity decreased significantly (measure 5-10 min). Subsequent measurements (15-20 min and onward) showed a significant increase in PNS activity over time. Conclusion Our results suggest that the first PNS responses of the human diving reflex decrease quickly. Adverse effects of PNS activity should be considered on long and cold dives. To avoid concurrent sympathetic (SNS) and PNS activity at the beginning of dives, which in turn may increase the risk of arrhythmia in cold water, we suggest a short adaptation phase before physical activity. Moreover, we suggest it is prudent to give special attention to cardiovascular risk factors during pre-dive examinations for cold water divers.Peer reviewe

Diving in the Arctic : Cold Water Immersion’s Effects on Heart Rate Variability in Navy Divers

Introduction: Diving close to the Arctic circle means diving in cold water regardless of the time of year. The human body reacts to cold through autonomous nervous system (ANS)-mediated thermoregulatory mechanisms. Diving also induces ANS responses as a result of the diving reflex. Materials and Methods: In order to study ANS responses during diving in Arctic water temperatures, we retrospectively analyzed repeated 5-min heart rate variability (HRV) measures and the mean body temperature from dives at regular intervals using naval diving equipment measurement tests in 0◦C water. Three divers performed seven dives without physical activity (81–91 min), and two divers performed four dives with physical activity after 10 min of diving (0–10 min HRV recordings were included in the study). Results: Our study showed a significant increase in parasympathetic activity (PNS) at the beginning of the dives, after which PNS activity decreased significantly (measure 5–10 min). Subsequent measurements (15–20 min and onward) showed a significant increase in PNS activity over time. Conclusion: Our results suggest that the first PNS responses of the human diving reflex decrease quickly. Adverse effects of PNS activity should be considered on long and cold dives. To avoid concurrent sympathetic (SNS) and PNS activity at the beginning of dives, which in turn may increase the risk of arrhythmia in cold water, we suggest a short adaptation phase before physical activity. Moreover, we suggest it is prudent to give special attention to cardiovascular risk factors during pre-dive examinations for cold water divers. Keywords: diving reflex, diving response, sympathetic response, parasympathetic response, Arctic diving, cold water immersio

Assessment of Alertness and Cognitive Performance of Closed Circuit Rebreather Divers With the Critical Flicker Fusion Frequency Test in Arctic Diving Conditions

Introduction: Cold water imposes many risks to the diver. These risks include decompression illness, physical and cognitive impairment, and hypothermia. Cognitive impairment can be estimated using a critical flicker fusion frequency (CFFF) test, but this method has only been used in a few studies conducted in an open water environment. We studied the effect of the cold and a helium-containing mixed breathing gas on the cognition of closed circuit rebreather (CCR) divers. Materials and Methods: Twenty-three divers performed an identical dive with controlled trimix gas with a CCR device in an ice-covered quarry. They assessed their thermal comfort at four time points during the dive. In addition, their skin temperature was measured at 5-min intervals throughout the dive. The divers performed the CFFF test before the dive, at target depth, and after the dive. Results: A statistically significant increase of 111.7% in CFFF values was recorded during the dive compared to the pre-dive values (p < 0.0001). The values returned to the baseline after surfacing. There was a significant drop in the divers' skin temperature of 0.48 degrees C every 10 min during the dive (p < 0.001). The divers' subjectively assessed thermal comfort also decreased during the dive (p = 0.01). Conclusion: Our findings showed that neither extreme cold water nor helium-containing mixed breathing gas had any influence on the general CFFF profile described in the previous studies from warmer water and where divers used other breathing gases. We hypothesize that cold-water diving and helium-containing breathing gases do not in these diving conditions cause clinically relevant cerebral impairment. Therefore, we conclude that CCR diving in these conditions is safe from the perspective of alertness and cognitive performance.Peer reviewe

FÖRSTER TRANSFER CALCULATIONS BASED ON CRYSTAL STRUCTURE DATA FROM Agmenellum quadruplicatum C-PHYCOCYANIN

Excitation energy transfer in C-phycocyanin is modeled using the Forster inductive resonance mechanism. Detailed calculations are carried out using coordinates and orientations of the chromophores derived from X-ray crystallographic studies of C-phycocyanin from two different species (Schirmer et al, J. Mol. Biol. 184, 257–277 (1985) and ibid., 188, 651-677 (1986)). Spectral overlap integrals are estimated from absorption and fluorescence spectra of C-phycocyanin of Mastigocladus laminosus and its separated subunits. Calculations are carried out for the β-subunit, αβ-monomer, (αβ)3-trimer and (αβ)0-hexamer species with the following chromophore assignments: β155 = 's’(sensitizer), β84 =‘f (fluorescer) and α84 =‘m’(intermediate):]:. The calculations show that excitation transfer relaxation occurs to 3=98% within 200 ps in nearly every case; however, the rates increase as much as 10-fold for the higher aggregates. Comparison with experimental data on fluorescence decay and depolarization kinetics from the literature shows qualitative agreement with these calculations. We conclude that Forster transfer is sufficient to account for all of the observed fluorescence properties of C-phycocyanin in aggregation states up to the hexamer and in the absence of linker polypeptides

An interactive web-based educational tool improves detection and delineation of Barrett’s esophagus related neoplasia

Background & Aims: Endoscopic detection of early Barrett’s esophagus-related neoplasia (BORN) is a challenge. We aimed to develop a web-based teaching tool for improving detection and delineation of BORN. Methods: We made high-definition digital videos during endoscopies of patients with BORN and non-dysplastic Barrett’s esophagus (NDBE). Three experts superimposed their delineations of BORN lesions on the videos using special tools. In phase 1, 68 general endoscopists from 4 countries assessed 4 batches of 20 videos. After each batch, mandatory feedback compared assessors interpretations with those from experts . These data informed selection of 25 videos for the phase 2 module, which was completed by 121 new assessors from 5 countries. A 5-video test batch was completed before and after scoring of the four 5-video training batches. Mandatory feedback was as in phase 1. Outcome measures were scores for detection, delineation, agreement delineation, and relative delineation of BORN. Results: A linear mixed-effect model showed significant sequential improvement for all 4 outcomes over successive training batches in both phases. In phase 2, median detection rates of BORN in the test batch increased by 30% (P [less than].001) after training. From baseline to the end of the study, there were relative increases in scores of 46% for detection, 129% for delineation, 105% for agreement delineation, and 106% for relative delineation (all P [less than].001). Scores improved independent of assessors’ country of origin or level of endoscopic experience

Who knows best? A Q methodology study to explore perspectives of professional stakeholders and community participants on health in low-income communities

Abstract Background Health inequalities in the UK have proved to be stubborn, and health gaps between best and worst-off are widening. While there is growing understanding of how the main causes of poor health are perceived among different stakeholders, similar insight is lacking regarding what solutions should be prioritised. Furthermore, we do not know the relationship between perceived causes and solutions to health inequalities, whether there is agreement between professional stakeholders and people living in low-income communities or agreement within these groups. Methods Q methodology was used to identify and describe the shared perspectives (‘subjectivities’) that exist on i) why health is worse in low-income communities (‘Causes’) and ii) the ways that health could be improved in these same communities (‘Solutions’). Purposively selected individuals (n = 53) from low-income communities (n = 25) and professional stakeholder groups (n = 28) ranked ordered sets of statements – 34 ‘Causes’ and 39 ‘Solutions’ – onto quasi-normal shaped grids according to their point of view. Factor analysis was used to identify shared points of view. ‘Causes’ and ‘Solutions’ were analysed independently, before examining correlations between perspectives on causes and perspectives on solutions. Results Analysis produced three factor solutions for both the ‘Causes’ and ‘Solutions’. Broadly summarised these accounts for ‘Causes’ are: i) ‘Unfair Society’, ii) ‘Dependent, workless and lazy’, iii) ‘Intergenerational hardships’ and for ‘Solutions’: i) ‘Empower communities’, ii) ‘Paternalism’, iii) ‘Redistribution’. No professionals defined (i.e. had a significant association with one factor only) the ‘Causes’ factor ‘Dependent, workless and lazy’ and the ‘Solutions’ factor ‘Paternalism’. No community participants defined the ‘Solutions’ factor ‘Redistribution’. The direction of correlations between the two sets of factor solutions – ‘Causes’ and ‘Solutions’ – appear to be intuitive, given the accounts identified. Conclusions Despite the plurality of views there was broad agreement across accounts about issues relating to money. This is important as it points a way forward for tackling health inequalities, highlighting areas for policy and future research to focus on

THERMAL DENATURATION OF MONOMERIC AND TRIMERIC PHYCOCYANINS STUDIED BY STATIC AND SPECTROSCOPY POLARIZED TIME-RESOLVED FLUORESCENCE

C-Phycocyanin (PC) and allophycocyanin (APC). as well as the a-subunit of PC. have been isolated from the blue-green alga (cyanobacterium). Spirulina platensis. The effects of partial thermal denaturation of PC and of its state of aggregation have been studied by ps time-resolved, polarized fluorescence spectroscopy. All measurements have been performed under low photon fluxes (< 10’ ’ photonsipulse x cm’) to minimize singlet-singlet annihilation processes. A complex decay is obtained under most conditions, which can be fitted satisfactorily with a bi-exponential (7’ = 70400 ps. T? = 1000-3000 ps) for both the isotropic and the polarized part, but with different intensities and time constants for the two decay curves. The data are interpreted in the frameworkof the model first developed by Teak and Dale (Biochern. J. 116, 161 (1970)], which divides the spectroscopically different chromophores in (predominantly) sensitizing (s) and fluorescing U, ones. If one assumes temperature dependent losses in the energy transfer from the s to the f and between f chromophores. both the biexponential nature of the isotropic fluorescence decay and the polarization data can be rationalized. In the isotropic emission (corresponding to the population of excited states) the short lifetime is related to the s-,f transfer. the longer one to the “free“ decay of the final acceptor(s) (= f). The polarized part is dominated by an extremely short decay time. which is related to s+f transfer, as well as to resonance transfer between the f-chromophores