Short Communication: Caseins and alfa-lactalbumin content of camel milk (Camelus dromedarius) determined by capillary electrophoresis

Camel milk has unique physical, nutritional, and technological properties when compared with other milks, especially bovine. Because proteins confer many of the properties of milk and its products, this study aimed to determine the proteins of camel milk, their correlations, and relative distribution. Raw milk samples were collected from 103 dromedary camels in the morning and evening. Capillary electrophoresis results showed wide variation in the concentrations (g/L) of proteins between samples as follows: α-lactalbumin, 0.3 to 2.9; αS1-casein, 2.4 to 10.3; αS2-casein, 0.3 to 3.9; β-casein, 5.5 to 29.0; κ-casein, 0.1 to 2.4; unknown casein protein 1, 0.0 to 3.4; and unknown casein protein 2, 0.0 to 4.6. The range in percent composition of the 4 caseins were as follows: αS1, 12.7 to 35.3; αS2, 1.8 to 20.8; β, 42.3 to 77.4; and κ, 0.6 to 17.4. The relative proportion of αS1-, αS2-, β-, and κ-caseins in camel milk (26:4:67:3, wt/wt) differed from that of bovine milk (38:10:36:12, wt/wt). This difference might explain the dissimilarity between the 2 milks with respect to technical and nutritional properties

Ungarische Migraten in Ungarn: Deserteure, Studierende und Berufstätige aus der Woiwodina zwischen transnationaler und ethnischer Migration

This paper deals with the short- and long-term consequences of the Yugoslav Wars on the emigration of Hungarians from Vojvodina to Hungary. We will show how the motives for emigration have changed over the last 20 years, from escape from the wars to labour migration during the economic crisis to a consciously chosen strategy of educational migration in the past decade. We analyse how the migrants reconstruct their migration stories and how they perceive them, how they deal with migration and what effect it has had on their identity construction. Finally, we put special emphasis on the question, whether these forms of migration can be understood as transnational migration with its respective transnational lifestyles or whether it is ethnic migration, in the framework of which Hungarians from the neighbouring states ‚return’ to their motherland, as it is often described

Ungarische Migraten in Ungarn: Deserteure, Studierende und Berufstätige aus der Woiwodina zwischen transnationaler und ethnischer Migration

This paper deals with the short- and long-term consequences of the Yugoslav Wars on the emigration of Hungarians from Vojvodina to Hungary. We will show how the motives for emigration have changed over the last 20 years, from escape from the wars to labour migration during the economic crisis to a consciously chosen strategy of educational migration in the past decade. We analyse how the migrants reconstruct their migration stories and how they perceive them, how they deal with migration and what effect it has had on their identity construction. Finally, we put special emphasis on the question, whether these forms of migration can be understood as transnational migration with its respective transnational lifestyles or whether it is ethnic migration, in the framework of which Hungarians from the neighbouring states ‚return’ to their motherland, as it is often described

Transcriptome profiling and environmental linkage to salinity across Salicornia europaea vegetation

Background: Salicornia europaea, a succulent obligatory halophyte is the most salt-tolerant plant species in the world. It survives salt concentrations of more than 1 M. Therefore, it is a suitable model plant to identify genes involved in salt tolerance mechanisms that can be used for the improvement of crops. The changes in a plant’s gene expression in response to abiotic stresses may depend on factors like soil conditions at the site, seasonality, etc. To date, experiments were performed to study the gene expression of S. europaea only under controlled conditions. Conversely, the present study investigates the transcriptome and physicochemical parameters of S. europaea shoots and roots from two different types of saline ecosystems growing under natural conditions. Results: The level of soil salinity was higher at the naturally saline site than at the anthropogenic saline site. The parameters such as ECe, Na+, Cl−, Ca+, SO4 2− and HCO3− of the soils and plant organs significantly varied according to sites and seasons. We found that Na+ mainly accumulated in shoots, whereas K+ and Ca2+ levels were higher in roots throughout the growing period. Moreover, changes in S. europaea gene expression were more prominent in seasons, than sites and plant organs. The 30 differentially expressed genes included enzymes for synthesis of Sadenosyl methionine, CP47 of light-harvesting complex II, photosystem I proteins, Hsp70 gene, ATP-dependent Clp proteases, ribulose bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco), phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), cytochrome c oxidase (COX) and ATP synthase. Conclusion: The comparisons made based on two seasons, plant organs and two different sites suggest the importance of seasonal variations in gene expression of S. europaea. We identify the genes that may play an important role in acclimation to season-dependent changes of salinity. The genes were involved in processes such as osmotic adjustment, energy metabolism and photosynthesis

Adipose triglyceride lipase activity is inhibited by long-chain acyl-coenzyme A

AbstractAdipose triglyceride lipase (ATGL) is required for efficient mobilization of triglyceride (TG) stores in adipose tissue and non-adipose tissues. Therefore, ATGL strongly determines the availability of fatty acids for metabolic reactions. ATGL activity is regulated by a complex network of lipolytic and anti-lipolytic hormones. These signals control enzyme expression and the interaction of ATGL with the regulatory proteins CGI-58 and G0S2. Up to date, it was unknown whether ATGL activity is also controlled by lipid intermediates generated during lipolysis. Here we show that ATGL activity is inhibited by long-chain acyl-CoAs in a non-competitive manner, similar as previously shown for hormone-sensitive lipase (HSL), the rate-limiting enzyme for diglyceride breakdown in adipose tissue. ATGL activity is only marginally inhibited by medium-chain acyl-CoAs, diglycerides, monoglycerides, and free fatty acids. Immunoprecipitation assays revealed that acyl-CoAs do not disrupt the protein–protein interaction of ATGL and its co-activator CGI-58. Furthermore, inhibition of ATGL is independent of the presence of CGI-58 and occurs directly at the N-terminal patatin-like phospholipase domain of the enzyme. In conclusion, our results suggest that inhibition of the major lipolytic enzymes ATGL and HSL by long-chain acyl-CoAs could represent an effective feedback mechanism controlling lipolysis and protecting cells from lipotoxic concentrations of fatty acids and fatty acid-derived lipid metabolites

Adatszerkezet a kognitív szemantikai elméletekben = Data structure in cognitive semantic theories

A kutatás metaelméleti célkitűzésének megfelelően sikeresen továbbfejlesztettük és a kognitív szemantikára alkalmaztuk a plauzibilis érvelés p-modelljét, mely új megvilágításba helyezte a kognitív szemantika adatfogalmát. Ily módon teljesült az a célkitűzés, hogy eredeti megoldást nyújtsunk a kutatási tervben felvetett problémákra. Ezen célkitűzés elérésében – a kutatási tervnek megfelelően – jelentős szerep jutott az elvégzett nagy számú esettanulmánynak. Az esettanulmányok kétfajta eredménnyel jártak. Egyrészt alátámasztották a p-modell működőképességét és a kognitív szemantika adatkezelésére való alkalmazhatóságát. Többek között tisztázták a fogalmi metaforaelmélet cirkularitásának kérdését, kimutatták, hogy a kognitív metaforakutatásban alkalmazott kísérletek plauzibilis érvelési folyamatokként rekonstruálhatók, és feltárták a kognitív szemantikában gyakran alkalmazott gondolatkísérletek szerkezetét. Másfelől az esettanulmányok eredményei olyan kérdéseket is felvetettek, amelyek kijelölik a kutatások folytatásának irányát. | In accordance with the aim of the project, we applied the p-model of plausible argumentation to cognitive semantics which shed new light on the nature of data in cognitive linguistics. Therefore, the project suggested novel solutions to the problems raised in the proposal. In meeting this requirement – in accordance with the proposal – a great number of case studies played a significant role. The case studies yielded two kinds of results. First, they supported the workability of the p-model and its applicability to data processing in cognitive semantics. Among others, they clarified the issue of the circularity of the conceptual metaphor theory; they showed that experiments in cognitive metaphor research can be reconstructed as processes of plausible argumentation; and they revealed the structure of thought experiments frequently applied in cognitive semantics. Second, the results of the case studies also raised questions which pave the way for the continuation of the research

Comparison of Chimerism and Minimal Residual Disease Monitoring for Relapse Prediction after Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplantation for Adult Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

AbstractLittle data are available on the relative merits of chimerism and minimal residual disease (MRD) monitoring for relapse prediction after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT). We performed a retrospective analysis of serial chimerism assessments in 101 adult HCT recipients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) and of serial MRD assessments in a subgroup of 22 patients. All patients had received myeloablative conditioning. The cumulative incidence of relapse was significantly higher in the patients with increasing mixed chimerism (in-MC) compared with those with complete chimerism, low-level MC, and decreasing MC, but the sensitivity of in-MC detection with regard to relapse prediction was only modest. In contrast, MRD assessment was highly sensitive and specific. Patients with MRD positivity after HCT had the highest incidence of relapse among all prognostic groups analyzed. The median time from MRD positivity to relapse was longer than the median time from detection of in-MC, but in some cases in-MC preceded MRD positivity. We conclude that MRD assessment is a powerful prognostic tool that should be included in the routine post-transplantation monitoring of patients with ALL, but chimerism analysis may provide additional information in some cases. Integration of these tools and clinical judgment should allow optimal decision making with regard to post-transplantation therapeutic interventions

Essential Oils as Alternatives for Root-Canal Treatment and Infection Control Against Enterococcus faecalis—A Preliminary Study

Since natural alternatives are needed in dentistry for the treatment of root canal, where the standard irrigant is NaOCl with significant toxicity, the aim of the study was to assess the antibacterial properties of non-chemical root-canal irrigants (aqueous extracts of oregano, thyme, lemongrass, melaleuca and clove essential oils) against Enterococcus faecalis. For this, aqueous extracts of each essential oil (AqEO) were prepared. A solution of sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) was used as a positive standard against which the antimicrobial effects of AqEO could be reported. The root canals of seven teeth were inoculated with 20 µL of Enterococcus faecalis ATCC29212 inoculum and incubated overnight at 37 °C. All the teeth canals were instrumented and were irrigated with the corresponding AqEO, NaOCl and saline solution, then rinsed with saline. Bacteriological samples for each canal post-instrumentation were collected with sterile paper points which were inoculated on culture media. A second processing followed the same methodology but involved only irrigation and no instrumentation. Using instrumentation, thyme and clove completely inhibited Enterococcus faecalis growth. Without instrumentation, clove and oregano AqEOs completely reduced the bacterial load as seen in direct inoculation, but bacterial growth was observed in all the samples after enrichment, except for NaOCl. Nevertheless, the turbidity of the enrichment media was lower for the samples irrigated with AqEOs than for control. In conclusion, AqEOs of thyme, oregano and clove showed a promising antibacterial effect, especially when teeth instrumentation was performed

Alternatively spliced exon regulates context-dependent MEF2D higher-order assembly during myogenesis

: During muscle cell differentiation, the alternatively spliced, acidic β-domain potentiates transcription of Myocyte-specific Enhancer Factor 2 (Mef2D). Sequence analysis by the FuzDrop method indicates that the β-domain can serve as an interaction element for Mef2D higher-order assembly. In accord, we observed Mef2D mobile nuclear condensates in C2C12 cells, similar to those formed through liquid-liquid phase separation. In addition, we found Mef2D solid-like aggregates in the cytosol, the presence of which correlated with higher transcriptional activity. In parallel, we observed a progress in the early phase of myotube development, and higher MyoD and desmin expression. In accord with our predictions, the formation of aggregates was promoted by rigid β-domain variants, as well as by a disordered β-domain variant, capable of switching between liquid-like and solid-like higher-order states. Along these lines, NMR and molecular dynamics simulations corroborated that the β-domain can sample both ordered and disordered interactions leading to compact and extended conformations. These results suggest that β-domain fine-tunes Mef2D higher-order assembly to the cellular context, which provides a platform for myogenic regulatory factors and the transcriptional apparatus during the developmental process