Type VI Secretion Effectors: Methodologies and Biology

The type VI secretion system (T6SS) is a nanomachine deployed by many Gram-negative bacteria as a weapon against eukaryotic hosts or prokaryotic competitors. It assembles into a bacteriophage tail-like structure that can transport effector proteins into the environment or target cells for competitive survival or pathogenesis. T6SS effectors have been identified by a variety of approaches, including knowledge/hypothesis-dependent and discovery-driven approaches. Here, we review and discuss the methods that have been used to identify T6SS effectors and the biological and biochemical functions of known effectors. On the basis of the nature and transport mechanisms of T6SS effectors, we further propose potential strategies that may be applicable to identify new T6SS effectors

Antioxidant capacity, nutritional and phytochemical content of peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) shells and roots

This study evaluated antioxidant capacity, nutritional and phytochemical content of shells and roots of peanut (Arachis Hypogaea L.) for potential utilizations. Total dietary fiber, protein, ash and alkaloid per 100 g dry weight samples ranged from 58.8 to 78.2 g, 5.8 to 6.1 g, 6.6 to 21.7 g and 5 to 23.8 g, respectively. While total phenolic, total saponins and phytic acid per 100 g dry weight samples ranged from 175 to 431 mg tannic acid equivalent, 10.8 to 23.4 mg and 108 to 159 mg, respectively. Peanut roots exhibited the highest total dietary fiber, phytochemical content and the highest α,α-diphenyl-β-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity.Keywords: Arachis hypogaea L, peanut shell, peanut root, total dietary fiber, phytochemical, antioxidan

Formation mechanism of SiGe nanorod arrays by combining nanosphere lithography and Au-assisted chemical etching

The formation mechanism of SiGe nanorod (NR) arrays fabricated by combining nanosphere lithography and Au-assisted chemical etching has been investigated. By precisely controlling the etching rate and time, the lengths of SiGe NRs can be tuned from 300 nm to 1 μm. The morphologies of SiGe NRs were found to change dramatically by varying the etching temperatures. We propose a mechanism involving a locally temperature-sensitive redox reaction to explain this strong temperature dependence of the morphologies of SiGe NRs. At a lower etching temperature, both corrosion reaction and Au-assisted etching process were kinetically impeded, whereas at a higher temperature, Au-assisted anisotropic etching dominated the formation of SiGe NRs. With transmission electron microscopy and scanning electron microscopy analyses, this study provides a beneficial scheme to design and fabricate low-dimensional SiGe-based nanostructures for possible applications

trans-Diaqua­bis[5-carb­oxy-4-carboxyl­ato-2-(4-pyridinio)-1H-imidazol-1-ido-κ2 N 3,O 4]iron(II)

In the title complex, [Fe(C10H6N3O4)2(H2O)2], the FeII atom is located on a twofold rotation axis and is coordinated by two trans-positioned N,O-bidentate and zwitterionic 5-carboxy-2-(pyridinium-4-yl)-1H-imidazol-1-ide-4-carboxylate H2PIDC− ligands and two water mol­ecules in a distorted environment. In the crystal packing, a three-dimensional network is constructed via hydrogen-bonding involving the water mol­ecules, uncoordinated imidazole N atom, protonated pyridine N and carboxyl­ate O atoms

Fabrication of multianalyte CeO2 nanograin electrolyte–insulator–semiconductor biosensors by using CF4 plasma treatment

Multianalyte CeO2 biosensors have been demonstrated to detect pH, glucose, and urine concentrations. To enhance the multianalyte sensing capability of these biosensors, CF4 plasma treatment was applied to create nanograin structures on the CeO2 membrane surface and thereby increase the contact surface area. Multiple material analyses indicated that crystallization or grainization caused by the incorporation of flourine atoms during plasma treatment might be related to the formation of the nanograins. Because of the changes in surface morphology and crystalline structures, the multianalyte sensing performance was considerably enhanced. Multianalyte CeO2 nanograin electrolyte–insulator–semiconductor biosensors exhibit potential for use in future biomedical sensing device applications

trans-Diaqua­bis[5-carb­oxy-2-(3-pyrid­yl)-1H-imidazole-4-carboxyl­ato-κ2 N 3,O 4]iron(II)

In the title complex, [Fe(C10H6N3O4)2(H2O)2], the FeII atom is located on an inversion centre and is trans-coordinated by two N,O-bidentate 5-carb­oxy-2-(3-pyrid­yl)-1H-imidazole-4-carb­oxy­l­ate ligands and two water mol­ecules, defining a distorted octa­hedral environment. A two-dimensional network of N—H⋯O and O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds extending parallel to (110) helps to stabilize the crystal packing