Procjena utjecaja atmosferilija na drvene podove zaštićene furfuralom nakon tri godine izloženosti vanjskim uvjetima u Grčkoj

Furfurylation is a modification process carried out in order to improve the biological resistance and dimensional stability of wood. In this research work, a three-year outdoor weathering test of furfurylated wood was performed using the following wood materials: a deck of furfurylated radiata pine (Pinus radiata), a deck of furfurylated maple (Acer spp.), a deck of furfurylated southern yellow pine (Pinus spp.), and a control deck of Ipê wood (Handroanthus spp.) that was used for comparative reasons. The decks, without any protection or finishing, were exposed for 36 months in Karditsa, Greece in order to evaluate some physical and structural properties of wood such as colour, staining, distortion, surface cracking and end splitting. All tested decks exhibited colour changes that were perceptible by the naked eye and much higher during the first twelve months of weathering. The three furfurylated wood decks showed smaller total colour changes as compared to those of Ipê control deck. In respect to surface cracking, furfurylated radiata pine deck generally showed minor surface cracks, while furfurylated maple deck presented the lowest degree of surface and end splitting. In overall, the furfurylated wood decks tested performed very well and showed no signs of black staining (except for the southern yellow pine deck) and no fungal or mould decay after three years of outdoor exposure.Furfuralizacija je postupak modifikacije koji se provodi kako bi se poboljšala biološka otpornost i dimenzionalna stabilnost drva. U ovom je istraživačkom radu provedeno trogodišnje izlaganje drva modificiranog furfuralom atmosferilijama na otvorenom, pri čemu su upotrijebljeni ovi drvni proizvodi: pod od furfuralom obrađenog drva bora (Pinus radiata), pod od furfuralom obrađenog drva javora (Acer spp.), pod od furfuralom obrađenog drva južnoga žutog bora (Pinus spp.) te kontrolni uzorak poda od ipe drva (Handroanthus spp.), koji je služio za usporedbu. Drveni podovi, bez ikakve zaštite ili površinske obrade, izloženi su 36 mjeseci u gradu Karditsi u Grčkoj kako bi se procijenila neka fizikalna i strukturna svojstva drva kao što su boja, obojenost, deformacije, površinske pukotine i cijepanje na čelima. Na svim ispitanim uzorcima zamijećena je promjena boje koja se vidi golim okom i mnogo je jača tijekom prvih dvanaest mjeseci izlaganja. Tri uzorka poda od drva modificiranog furfuralom pokazala su manje ukupne promjene boje u usporedbi s promjenama boje kontrolnog uzorka od ipe drva. Vezano za površinske pukotine, rezultati su pokazali da su na modificiranom drvu bora nastale vrlo male površinske pukotine, dok je na uzorcima od modificiranog drva javora uočeno najmanje površinskih pukotina i cijepanja drva na čelima uzoraka. Općenito, uzorci podova od furfuralom modificiranog drva pokazala su dobru otpornost na atmosferilije i na njima nije bilo znakova crnjenja (osim uzoraka od žutoga bora) a na uzorcima ni nakon tri godine izloženosti na otvorenome nisu primijećene ni gljivice ili plijesni

Genomic Prospecting for Microbial Biodiesel Production

Biodiesel is defined as fatty acid mono-alkylesters and is produced from triacylglycerols. In the current article we provide an overview of the structure, diversity and regulation of the metabolic pathways leading to intracellular fatty acid and triacylglycerol accumulation in three types of organisms (bacteria, algae and fungi) of potential biotechnological interest and discuss possible intervention points to increase the cellular lipid content. The key steps that regulate carbon allocation and distribution in lipids include the formation of malonyl-CoA, the synthesis of fatty acids and their attachment onto the glycerol backbone, and the formation of triacylglycerols. The lipid biosynthetic genes and pathways are largely known for select model organisms. Comparative genomics allows the examination of these pathways in organisms of biotechnological interest and reveals the evolution of divergent and yet uncharacterized regulatory mechanisms. Utilization of microbial systems for triacylglycerol and fatty acid production is in its infancy; however, genomic information and technologies combined with synthetic biology concepts provide the opportunity to further exploit microbes for the competitive production of biodiesel

Draft Genome Sequence of the Lignocellulose Decomposer Thermobifida fusca Strain TM51.

Here, we present the complete genome sequence of Thermobifida fusca strain TM51, which was isolated from the hot upper layer of a compost pile in Hungary. T. fusca TM51 is a thermotolerant, aerobic actinomycete with outstanding lignocellulose-decomposing activity

Investigating power and leverage in long-term relationships between retail clients and contractors: The case of the Greek construction industry

The present thesis investigates the contractor's view on several attributes that govern the dyadic long-term relationships between retail clients and contractors at the first tier of the construction supply chain. Based on the suggestion that the commercial outcome of long-term relationships between client and contractors is most likely a basis of contention between the two parties the aim is at revealing the power and leverage perspectives of each participant and the overall efficiency of the dyadic relationship. The analysis is based on interviews conducted with participants from a specific contractor of the Greek construction industry regarding dyadic relationships developed with three major retail clients. Results show that the regularity and high volume of demand although widely considered as the prerequisite of the success is not a sufficient condition for successive collaboration. Other soft issues—for example trust, transparency and so on—may arise that, when combined with the different sourcing options and managerial styles, result in complex and dynamic power structures. Case studies also indicate some key drivers of repositioning in favour of the contractor, as the last becomes more "knowledgeable" with additive experience and when certain conditions—for example development of isolating mechanisms—foster competition elimination. This dynamically evolving power game between the contractor and the client is observed at all cases shaping the contractor's perception on the ideal and optimal power position and motivating a joint monopoly between inherently powerful repeat clients and strengthened—through expertise and other knowledge acquired by competing with the rest of the industry to bargain a better power position—contractors. Keywords: retail clients, power and leverage, long-term relationships, dynamic power structures

Novel zinc-based fixative for high quality DNA, RNA and protein analysis

We have developed a reliable, cost-effective and non-toxic fixative to meet the needs of contemporary molecular pathobiology research, particularly in respect of RNA and DNA integrity. The effects of 25 different fixative recipes on the fixed quality of tissues from C57BL/6 mice were investigated. Results from IHC, PCR, RT–PCR, RNA Agilent Bioanalyser and Real-Time PCR showed that a novel zinc-based fixative (Z7) containing zinc trifluoroacetate, zinc chloride and calcium acetate was significantly better than the standard zinc-based fixative (Z2) and neutral buffered formalin (NBF) for DNA, RNA and protein preservation. DNA sequences up to 2.4 kb in length and RNA fragments up to 361 bp in length were successfully amplified from Z7 fixed tissues, as demonstrated by PCR, RT–PCR and Real-Time PCR. Total protein analysis was achieved using 2-D gel electrophoresis. In addition, nucleic acids and proteins were very stable over a 6–14-month period. This improved, non-toxic and economical tissue fixative could be applied for routine use in pathology laboratories to permit subsequent genomic/proteomic studies

Complete genome sequence of Syntrophobacter fumaroxidans strain (MPOB(T)).

Syntrophobacter fumaroxidans strain MPOB(T) is the best-studied species of the genus Syntrophobacter. The species is of interest because of its anaerobic syntrophic lifestyle, its involvement in the conversion of propionate to acetate, H2 and CO2 during the overall degradation of organic matter, and its release of products that serve as substrates for other microorganisms. The strain is able to ferment fumarate in pure culture to CO2 and succinate, and is also able to grow as a sulfate reducer with propionate as an electron donor. This is the first complete genome sequence of a member of the genus Syntrophobacter and a member genus in the family Syntrophobacteraceae. Here we describe the features of this organism, together with the complete genome sequence and annotation. The 4,990,251 bp long genome with its 4,098 protein-coding and 81 RNA genes is a part of the Microbial Genome Program (MGP) and the Genomes to Life (GTL) Program project

Metabolically exaggerated cardiac reactions to acute psychological stress: The effects of resting blood pressure status and possible underlying mechanisms

The study aimed to: confirm that acute stress elicits metabolically exaggerated increases in cardiac activity; test whether individuals with elevated resting blood pressure show more exaggerated cardiac reactions to stress than those who are clearly normotensive; and explore the underlying mechanisms. Cardiovascular activity and oxygen consumption were measured pre-, during, and post- mental stress, and during graded submaximal cycling exercise in 11 young men with moderately elevated resting blood pressure and 11 normotensives. Stress provoked increases in cardiac output that were much greater than would be expected from contemporary levels of oxygen consumption. Exaggerated cardiac reactions were larger in the relatively elevated blood pressure group. They also had greater reductions in total peripheral resistance, but not heart rate variability, implying that their more exaggerated cardiac reactions reflected greater β-adrenergic activation

The Complete Multipartite Genome Sequence of Cupriavidus necator JMP134, a Versatile Pollutant Degrader

BACKGROUND: Cupriavidus necator JMP134 is a Gram-negative beta-proteobacterium able to grow on a variety of aromatic and chloroaromatic compounds as its sole carbon and energy source. METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: Its genome consists of four replicons (two chromosomes and two plasmids) containing a total of 6631 protein coding genes. Comparative analysis identified 1910 core genes common to the four genomes compared (C. necator JMP134, C. necator H16, C. metallidurans CH34, R. solanacearum GMI1000). Although secondary chromosomes found in the Cupriavidus, Ralstonia, and Burkholderia lineages are all derived from plasmids, analyses of the plasmid partition proteins located on those chromosomes indicate that different plasmids gave rise to the secondary chromosomes in each lineage. The C. necator JMP134 genome contains 300 genes putatively involved in the catabolism of aromatic compounds and encodes most of the central ring-cleavage pathways. This strain also shows additional metabolic capabilities towards alicyclic compounds and the potential for catabolism of almost all proteinogenic amino acids. This remarkable catabolic potential seems to be sustained by a high degree of genetic redundancy, most probably enabling this catabolically versatile bacterium with different levels of metabolic responses and alternative regulation necessary to cope with a challenging environment. From the comparison of Cupriavidus genomes, it is possible to state that a broad metabolic capability is a general trait for Cupriavidus genus, however certain specialization towards a nutritional niche (xenobiotics degradation, chemolithoautotrophy or symbiotic nitrogen fixation) seems to be shaped mostly by the acquisition of "specialized" plasmids. CONCLUSIONS/SIGNIFICANCE: The availability of the complete genome sequence for C. necator JMP134 provides the groundwork for further elucidation of the mechanisms and regulation of chloroaromatic compound biodegradation

The integrated microbial genomes (IMG) system

The integrated microbial genomes (IMG) system is a new data management and analysis platform for microbial genomes provided by the Joint Genome Institute (JGI). IMG contains both draft and complete JGI genomes integrated with other publicly available microbial genomes of all three domains of life. IMG provides tools and viewers for analyzing genomes, genes and functions, individually or in a comparative context. IMG allows users to focus their analysis on subsets of genes and genomes of interest and to save the results of their analysis. IMG is available at

Cleavable Crosslinkers as Tissue Fixation Reagents for Proteomic Analysis

Formaldehyde fixation is widely used for long-term maintenance of tissue. However, due to formaldehyde-induced crosslinks, fixed tissue proteins are difficult to extract, which hampers mass spectrometry (MS) proteomic analyses. Recent years have seen the use of different combinations of high temperature and solubilizing agents (usually derived from antigen retrieval techniques) to unravel formaldehyde-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue proteomes. However, to achieve protein extraction yields similar to those of fresh-frozen tissue, high-temperature heating is necessary. Such harsh extraction conditions can affect sensitive amino acids and post-translational modifications, resulting in the loss of important information, while still not resulting in protein yields comparable to those of fresh-frozen tissue. Herein, the objective is to evaluate cleavable protein crosslinkers as fixatives that allow tissue preservation and efficient protein extraction from fixed tissue for MS proteomics under mild conditions. With this goal in mind, disuccinimidyl tartrate (DST) and dithiobis(succinimidylpropionate) (DSP) are investigated as cleavable fixating reagents. These compounds crosslink proteins by reacting with amino groups, leading to amide bond formation, and can be cleaved with sodium metaperiodate (cis-diols, DST) or reducing agents (disulfide bonds, DSP), respectively. Results show that cleavable protein crosslinking with DST and DSP allows tissue fixation with morphology preservation comparable to that of formaldehyde. In addition, cleavage of DSP improves protein recovery from fixed tissue by a factor of 18 and increases the number of identified proteins by approximately 20 % under mild extraction conditions compared with those of formaldehyde-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue. A major advantage of DSP is the introduction of well-defined protein modifications that can be taken into account during database searching. In contrast to DSP fixation, DST fixation followed by cleavage with sodium metaperiodate, although effective, results in side reactions that prevent effective protein extraction and interfere with protein identification. Protein crosslinkers that can be cleaved under mild conditions and result in defined modifications, such as DSP, are thus viable alternatives to formaldehyde as tissue fixatives to facilitate protein analysis from paraffin-embedded, fixed tissue