A streamlined, automated protocol for the production of milligram quantities of untagged recombinant rat lactate dehydrogenase A using ÄKTAxpress™

We developed an efficient, automated 2-step purification protocol for the production of milligram quantities of untagged recombinant rat lactate dehydrogenase A (rLDHA) from E. coli, using the ÄKTAxpress™ chromatography system. Cation exchange followed by size exclusion results in average final purity in excess of 93% and yields ~ 14 milligrams per 50 ml of original cell culture in EnPresso B media, in under 8 hrs, including all primary sample processing and column equilibration steps. The protein is highly active and coherent biophysically and a viable alternative to the more problematic human homolog for structural and ligand-binding studies; an apo structure of untagged rLDHA was solved to a resolution 2.29 Å (PDB ID 5ES3). Our automated methodology uses generic commercially available pre-packed columns and simple buffers, and represents a robust standard method for the production of milligram amounts of untagged rLDHA, facilitating a novel fragment screening approach for new inhibitors

Sex- and age-related differences in the management and outcomes of chronic heart failure: an analysis of patients from the ESC HFA EORP Heart Failure Long-Term Registry

Aims: This study aimed to assess age- and sex-related differences in management and 1-year risk for all-cause mortality and hospitalization in chronic heart failure (HF) patients. Methods and results: Of 16 354 patients included in the European Society of Cardiology Heart Failure Long-Term Registry, 9428 chronic HF patients were analysed [median age: 66 years; 28.5% women; mean left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) 37%]. Rates of use of guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) were high (angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors/angiotensin receptor blockers, beta-blockers and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists: 85.7%, 88.7% and 58.8%, respectively). Crude GDMT utilization rates were lower in women than in men (all differences: P\ua0 64 0.001), and GDMT use became lower with ageing in both sexes, at baseline and at 1-year follow-up. Sex was not an independent predictor of GDMT prescription; however, age >75 years was a significant predictor of GDMT underutilization. Rates of all-cause mortality were lower in women than in men (7.1% vs. 8.7%; P\ua0=\ua00.015), as were rates of all-cause hospitalization (21.9% vs. 27.3%; P\ua075 years. Conclusions: There was a decline in GDMT use with advanced age in both sexes. Sex was not an independent predictor of GDMT or adverse outcomes. However, age >75 years independently predicted lower GDMT use and higher all-cause mortality in patients with LVEF 6445%

Effect of Urea on Synthesis of Ceramics Materials by the Modified Combustion Method

The proportion of urea in the modified combustion method to prepare lithium metasilicate (Li₂SiO₃) powders was investigated. Reactions were performed using LiOH:H₂SiO₃:CH₄N₂O in molar ratios of 1:1:1, 1:1:2, 1:1:3, 1:1:4 and 1:1:5 which were heated at 450°C during 5 min. It was found, by X-ray diffraction, that LiOH:H₂SiO₃:CH₄N₂O in the ratio of 1:1:3 was the more adequate molar ratio to produce mainly Li₂SiO₃. It was observed that excess of urea produced mainly silicium dioxide (SiO₂) in coesite phase instead Li₂SiO₃. Thermogravimetric analyses showed that decomposition products of urea, such as biuret, cyanic acid and cyanuric acid, were found in samples prepared with high proportions of urea (1:1:4 and 1:1:5). Carbonates identified by IR spectroscopy were found in samples prepared with LiOH:H₂SiO₃:CH₄N₂O in 1:1:1, 1:1:2, 1:1:3, 1:1:14 and 1:1:5 molar ratios

Source code and simulation data for the prediction of the electrodeposition mechanism of nanostructured metallic coatings

This data article presents a simulation model based on quantum mechanics and energy potentials for obtaining simulation data that allows, from the perspective of materials informatics, the prediction of the electrodeposition mechanism for forming nanostructured metallic coatings. The development of the research is divided into two parts i) the formulation (Quantum mechanical model and Corrected model for electron prediction; using a modified Schrödinger equation) and ii) the implementation of the theoretical prediction model (Discretization of the model). For the simulation process, the finite element method (FEM) was used considering the equation of electric potential and electroneutrality with and without the inclusion of quantum leap. We also provide the code to perform QM simulations in CUDA®, and COMSOL® software, the simulation parameters, and data for two metallic arrangements of chromium nanoparticles (CrNPs) electrodeposited on commercial steel substrate. (CrNPs-AISI 1020 steel and CrNPs-A618 steel). Data collection shows the direct relationship between applied potential (VDC), current (A), concentration (ppm), and time (s) for the homogeneous formation of the coating during the electrodeposition process, as estimated by the theoretical model developed. Their potential reuse data is done to establish the precision of the theoretical model in predicting the formation and growth of nanostructured surface coatings with metallic nanoparticles to give surface-mechanical properties

Cyanide Biodegradation by a Native Bacterial Consortium and Its Potential for Goldmine Tailing Biotreatment

A native cyanide-degrading bacterial consortium was isolated from goldmine tailing sediments. Mine tailings are toxic effluents due to their metal–cyanide complexes. The bacterial consortium was able to degrade an initial sodium cyanide concentration ranging from 5 to 120 mg L−1 in alkaline synthetic wastewater (pH > 9.2), for a maximum of 15 days. The free cyanide biodegradation efficiency was 98% for the highest initial free cyanide concentration tested and followed a first-order kinetic profile, with an estimated kinetic rate constant of 0.12 ± 0.011 d−1. The cyanide-degrading consortium was streaked with serial dilutions on a specific medium (R2A). 16S rRNA gene sequencing and mass spectrometry proteomic fingerprinting of the isolates showed that the bacterial strains belonged to Microbacterium paraoxydans, Brevibacterium casei, Brevundimonas vesicularis, Bacillus cereus and Cellulosimicrobium sp. The first four genera had previously been identified as cyanide-degrading bacteria. Microbacterium and Brevibacterium had previously been found in alkaline conditions, showing resistance to heavy metals. As for Cellulosimicrobium, to our knowledge, this is the first study to implicate it directly or indirectly in cyanide biodegradation. In this research, these genera were identified as functional bacteria for cyanide degradation, and they might be suitable for mine tailing biotechnological tertiary treatment

Sustentabilidad y evaluación del impacto del relleno sanitario del Municipio de Carmen en Campeche, México

The sustainability indicators allow the evaluation of the environmental impacts related to the sustainable development strategy. In this study conducted in city the Carmen, Campeche considered a barrier island that is located southeast of Mexico. The municipality channels the final disposal of solid urban waste (MSW) through a sanitary landfill which is located in a mangrove area, having a negative impact on the environment, which negatively effects sustainable development. This research, by means of subsoil sediment analysis, identified a sequence of carbonated sands, this allowed to define a porosity of 20.2 to 40.1% and a permeability of ±10-2-10-4 m/s, that is, the sediments have good porous and high permeability. On the other hand, and with respect to water quality, concentrations of BOD5 and COD in the mangrove were found to be 63.06 mg/L and 1,338.13 mg/L, respectively, as well as the presence of trace concentrations of some heavy metals. These values allowed to classify it as a strongly contaminated body of water.Os indicadores de sustentabilidade permitem a avaliação dos impactos ambientais relacionados com a estratégia de desenvolvimento sustentável. Neste estudo realizado em Ciudad del Carmen, Campeche considerou uma ilha barreira localizada no sudeste do México. O município canaliza a eliminação final dos resíduos sólidos urbanos (RSU) através de um aterro sanitário localizado numa zona de mangue, tendo um impacto negativo no ambiente que afecta negativamente o desenvolvimento sustentável. Através da análise sedimentológica do subsolo, foram obtidos resultados que identificaram a dominância das areias carbonatadas, o que permitiu definir uma gama de porosidade de 20,2 a 40,1%, e uma permeabilidade de ±10-2-10-4 m/s, ou seja, os sedimentos apresentam uma boa porosidade e uma elevada permeabilidade. Por outro lado, através de uma análise da qualidade da água, foram detectadas concentrações de Carência Bioquímica de Oxigénio (CBO5) e Carência Química de Oxigénio (CQO) de 63,06 e 1.338,13 mg/L, respectivamente, bem como a presença de concentrações vestigiais de alguns metais pesados. Estes valores permitiram classificá-lo como um corpo de água fortemente poluído.Los indicadores de sustentabilidad permiten evaluar los impactos ambientales relacionados con la estrategia del desarrollo sustentable. En este estudio realizado en Ciudad del Carmen, Campeche considerada una isla de barrera que se localiza al sureste de México. El municipio canaliza la disposición final de los residuos sólidos urbanos (RSU) a través de un relleno sanitario el cual se encuentra ubicado en una zona de manglar, teniendo un impacto negativo en el medio ambiente lo que incide negativamente en el desarrollo sustentable. Mediante el análisis sedimentológico del subsuelo, se obtuvieron resultados que identificaron la dominancia de arenas carbonatadas, lo que permitió definir un rango de porosidad del 20,2 al 40,1%, y permeabilidad de ±10-2-10-4 m/s darcys, es decir, los sedimentos presentan una buena porosidad y una permeabilidad alta. Por su parte, mediante un análisis de la calidad del agua, se detectaron concentraciones de Demanda Bioquímica de Oxígeno (DBO5) y Demanda Química de Oxígeno (DQO) de 63,06 y 1,338.13 mg/L, respectivamente, así como la presencia de concentraciones traza de algunos metales pesados. Estos valores permitieron clasificarlo como un cuerpo de agua fuertemente contaminado