Effects of mixed nitrogen sources on biodegradation of phenol by immobilized Acinetobacter sp. strain W-17

Using Ca-alginate immobilized cells of Acinetobacter sp. strain W-17, the effects of ammonium-N and nitrate-N on the biodegradation of phenol were investigated. Degradation experiments in three different culture media; minimal salts medium (MSM), simulated (SW) and modified simulated wastewater (MSW) were performed. With the freely suspended cells (cell dry weight 0.2 g/l), complete phenol (500 mg/l) degradation was achieved after incubation for 120 h. Using the immobilized cells, the time was reduced to 24 h in MSM medium, and 15 h in the MSW. The results also indicate that strain W-17 can tolerate to high concentrations of NH4+-N (63 mg/l) and NO3--N (1000 mg/l) without a significant loss in the phenol biodegradation rate. Moreover, the presence of 500 mg/l phenol in the MSW had no considerable effect on the removal of both ammonium-N and nitrate-N. Repeated use of immobilized cells revealed that they could be used as much as five times without loss of activity. Our findings could be extended to enhance biotreatment of phenol contamination in a variety of biological treatment processes. (African Journal of Biotechnology: 2003 2(1): 8-12

Dynamic behavior of ribbon floating bridges

Floating bridges are economical means for crossing water bodies, especially in times of emergency or war. A special type of floating bridge, a ribbon pontoon floating bridge, is designed, built, and stocked by the military and emergency management organizations to be deployed in times of need. Lightweight and quickly erected, such bridges use the buoyancy of water to support their weight and imposed traffic loads. With increasing vehicular weights and the need for fast traversing times, analytical tools capable of designing and analyzing floating bridges are necessary. This development is ideal for optimizing vehicle weights and spacing to achieve greater economic efficiency. An analytical and experimental research program designed to study the dynamic behavior of ribbon pontoon floating bridges under two-axle vehicular loading is presented. This analytical method yielded maximum bridge displacements comparable to the experimental results. In most cases, analytical results were higher than experimental results; this difference provided a level of conservatism for design. Midspan displacements were accurately predicted as the vehicle traversed the floating bridge. However, at heavier vehicle weights, the analytical model failed to predict midspan displacement accurately at axle locations beyond midspan

Glimepiride mitigates tauopathy and neuroinflammation in P301S transgenic mice: role of AKT/GSK3β signaling

Background and objective: Tauopathy is a group of neurodegenerative diseases in which the pathogenesis processes are related to tau protein. The imbalances between the activities of kinases and phosphatases of tau protein lead to tau hyperphosphorylation and subsequent neurodegeneration. Numerous studies suggest a strong linkage between type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D) and neurodegenerative diseases. Therefore, finding a drug with a dual therapeutic activity against T2D and neuroprotective will be a promising idea. Hence, the potential neuroprotective effect of Glimepiride (GPD) against tauopathy was evaluated in the current study. Methods: P301S mice model was employed for tauopathy and C57BL/6 wild type mice (WT) was used as control. Phosphorylated and acetylated tau protein levels was assessed in cortex and hippocampus by western blot. Effect of GPD on tauopathy related enzymes, neuroinflammation, apoptotic markers were evaluated. Furthermore, the neuroprotective effects against anxiety like behavior and motor impairment was analyzed using Parallel rod floor and Open field tests. Results: GPD significantly ameliorates motor impairment, anxiety like behavior and neurodegeneration in P301S mice. Phosphorylated tau and acetylated tau were significantly decreased in both cortex and hippocampus of P301S mice via decreasing GSK3β, increasing ratio of phosphorylated-AKT to total-AKT, increasing PP2A and normalization of CDK5 levels. Furthermore, GPD treatment also decreased neuroinflammation and apoptosis by reducing NF-kB, TNF-α and caspase 3 levels

Effect of Dry Gases Injection into Egyptian Gas/Condensate Reservoirs on Condensate Recovery

Depletion of gas/condensate reservoirs initiates a decline in reservoir pressure below the dew point pressure of the retrograde gas. This leaves valuable amount of condensate in the reservoirs which is not only lost but results in a condensate blockage near the wellbore region and decrease in the productivity. Thus, it is of very essential and economical purposes to find applicable ways to increase the recovery of this lost condensate from the reservoirs. In this study, dry gases are injected into reservoir at initial conditions to delay the dew point pressure that in return enhanced the condensate recovery. This is relying on the fact that the production from gas condensate reservoirs is accompanied by declining in the reservoir pressure. The injection schemes that have been considered are: different injection rates and different reservoir conditions. The study investigated the effect of dry gases injection on 63 samples covers wide ranges of the main parameters of Egyptian gas/condensate reservoirs. Phase behavior, dew point pressure and maximum recovery are studied after and before injection. The study revealed that the dry gas injection into gas/condensate reservoirs minimized the dew point pressure by 18.4% to 23.55% and enhanced condensate recovery by 29.2% to 34.6%

Cyathea lepifera Copel.

原著和名: モリヘゴ ヒカゲヘゴ科名: ヘゴ科 = Cyatheaceae採集地: 沖縄県 沖縄本島 名護岳 (琉球 沖縄本島 名護岳)採集日: 1991/10/2採集者: 萩庭丈壽整理番号: JH032620国立科学博物館整理番号: TNS-VS-98262

Evaluation of the Anticancer Potential of Crude, Irradiated Cerastes cerastes Snake Venom and Propolis Ethanolic Extract & Related Biological Alterations

We aimed to evaluate the anticancer potential of crude venom (CV), γ irradiated Certastes cerastes venom (IRRV), and propolis ethanolic extract (PEE). IRRV showed a higher toxicity than CV, while CV-PEE showed higher toxicity than IRRV and CV against lung [A549] and prostate [PC3] cancer cells. Toxicity to [A549] and [PC3] cells was concentration and cell type dependent. In comparison to controls, apoptotic genes showed a significant upregulation of P53 and Casp-3 and a downregulation of Bcl-2. Also, induced elevated DNA accumulation in the [S] phase post PC3 cell treatment with IRRV and CV, as well as a significant DNA accumulation at G2/M phase after IRRV treatment of A549 cells. In contrast, PC3 cells showed a negligible cellular DNA accumulation after PEE treatment. Glutathione reductase [GR] was reduced in case of PC3 and A549 cell treated with IRRV, CV, and PEE compared with its values in untreated cell control. The Malondialdehyde [MDA] values in both cells recorded a significant elevation post IRRV treatment compared to the rest of the treatment regimen and untreated cell control. Similarly, IRRV and CV-PEE mix showed obviously higher reactive oxygen species [ROS] values than PC3 and A549 cell treatments with CV and PEE

ANOVA on the effects of acquisition access period (AAP), days post-first access to diseased plants (padp), and their interaction on Las titer (relative to RPS20 psyllid gene) following Las acquisition from infected citrus by <i>D</i>. <i>citri</i> nymphs or adults.

<p>ANOVA on the effects of acquisition access period (AAP), days post-first access to diseased plants (padp), and their interaction on Las titer (relative to RPS20 psyllid gene) following Las acquisition from infected citrus by <i>D</i>. <i>citri</i> nymphs or adults.</p