Label-free shotgun proteomics and metabolite analysis reveal a significant metabolic shift during citrus fruit development.

Label-free LC-MS/MS-based shot-gun proteomics was used to quantify the differential protein synthesis and metabolite profiling in order to assess metabolic changes during the development of citrus fruits. Our results suggested the occurrence of a metabolic change during citrus fruit maturation, where the organic acid and amino acid accumulation seen during the early stages of development shifted into sugar synthesis during the later stage of citrus fruit development. The expression of invertases remained unchanged, while an invertase inhibitor was up-regulated towards maturation. The increased expression of sucrose-phosphate synthase and sucrose-6-phosphate phosphatase and the rapid sugar accumulation suggest that sucrose is also being synthesized in citrus juice sac cells during the later stage of fruit development

Transcriptomic footprints disclose specificity of reactive oxygen species signaling in Arabidopsis

Reactive oxygen species ( ROS) are key players in the regulation of plant development, stress responses, and programmed cell death. Previous studies indicated that depending on the type of ROS ( hydrogen peroxide, superoxide, or singlet oxygen) or its subcellular production site ( plastidic, cytosolic, peroxisomal, or apoplastic), a different physiological, biochemical, and molecular response is provoked. We used transcriptome data generated from ROS-related microarray experiments to assess the specificity of ROS-driven transcript expression. Data sets obtained by exogenous application of oxidative stress-causing agents ( methyl viologen, Alternaria alternata toxin, 3-aminotriazole, and ozone) and from a mutant ( fluorescent) and transgenic plants, in which the activity of an individual antioxidant enzyme was perturbed ( catalase, cytosolic ascorbate peroxidase, and copper/zinc superoxide dismutase), were compared. In total, the abundance of nearly 26,000 transcripts of Arabidopsis ( Arabidopsis thaliana) was monitored in response to different ROS. Overall, 8,056, 5,312, and 3,925 transcripts showed at least a 3-, 4-, or 5- fold change in expression, respectively. In addition to marker transcripts that were specifically regulated by hydrogen peroxide, superoxide, or singlet oxygen, several transcripts were identified as general oxidative stress response markers because their steady-state levels were at least 5- fold elevated in most experiments. We also assessed the expression characteristics of all annotated transcription factors and inferred new candidate regulatory transcripts that could be responsible for orchestrating the specific transcriptomic signatures triggered by different ROS. Our analysis provides a framework that will assist future efforts to address the impact of ROS signals within environmental stress conditions and elucidate the molecular mechanisms of the oxidative stress response in plants

Ecological and faunistic review of orthoptera in the central part of the Volga-Kama region (Republic of Tatarstan)

© 2015, Pleiades Publishing, Inc. In the central part of the Volga-Kama region (Republic of Tatarstan) 72 species from 6 families of Orthoptera have been found, 32 of them being recorded for the first time for the Tatarstan fauna. Xya variegata L. and Gampsocleis shelkovnicovae Ad. have never been previously reliably recorded for the Middle Volga area. The highest species diversity (80.5% of the total fauna of Tatarstan) was observed in the Eastern Trans-Kama region. The distribution of the orthopteran faunas in different phyto-ecological regions is consistent with natural zonation of the Republic of Tatarstan. The northern distribution boundaries of 31 species (43%) and the southern boundaries of a few species run within the Tatarstan territory or close to it. Eight rare species have been found, including Saga pedo (Pall.). Zoogeographic analysis of the Tatarstan fauna has shown that orthopterans belong to 9 arealogical complexes, with prevalence of trans-Palaearctic species (45%). The European–Central Asian, Central Asian, Mediterranean, and Euro-Caucasian complexes are also present. The landscape and biotopic distribution of Orthoptera in the region is discussed

The Genome-Wide Early Temporal Response of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to Oxidative Stress Induced by Cumene Hydroperoxide

Oxidative stress is a well-known biological process that occurs in all respiring cells and is involved in pathophysiological processes such as aging and apoptosis. Oxidative stress agents include peroxides such as hydrogen peroxide, cumene hydroperoxide, and linoleic acid hydroperoxide, the thiol oxidant diamide, and menadione, a generator of superoxide, amongst others. The present study analyzed the early temporal genome-wide transcriptional response of Saccharomyces cerevisiae to oxidative stress induced by the aromatic peroxide cumene hydroperoxide. The accurate dataset obtained, supported by the use of temporal controls, biological replicates and well controlled growth conditions, provided a detailed picture of the early dynamics of the process. We identified a set of genes previously not implicated in the oxidative stress response, including several transcriptional regulators showing a fast transient response, suggesting a coordinated process in the transcriptional reprogramming. We discuss the role of the glutathione, thioredoxin and reactive oxygen species-removing systems, the proteasome and the pentose phosphate pathway. A data-driven clustering of the expression patterns identified one specific cluster that mostly consisted of genes known to be regulated by the Yap1p and Skn7p transcription factors, emphasizing their mediator role in the transcriptional response to oxidants. Comparison of our results with data reported for hydrogen peroxide identified 664 genes that specifically respond to cumene hydroperoxide, suggesting distinct transcriptional responses to these two peroxides. Genes up-regulated only by cumene hydroperoxide are mainly related to the cell membrane and cell wall, and proteolysis process, while those down-regulated only by this aromatic peroxide are involved in mitochondrial function

Theoretical Bases of Electrochemical Cleaning of Oil-contaminated Soil

This study developstheoretical bases for the electrochemical process of cleaning soils from oil, oil products and highly mineralized reservoir water. The article experimentally and theoretically reveals patterns of reducing the content of polluting oil products in soils of various types during the small voltage passing. The optimal amount of electricity for the effective removal of various types of pollution was required. For the implementation of a electrochemical soil cleaning process a scheme of an original installation with placement of electrodes in the soil was studied. It reduces the resistance between the electrodes. The technical and economical calculations to determine energy costs of the electrochemical installation for cleaning oil-contaminated soils included: the number of electrodes; the voltage depending on the properties of the soil; the area; the depth of contamination of the soil to be treated;azndthe parameters of the electrodes. This allowed us to determine and develop the required degree of cleaning. Keywords: electrochemical process, charge, soil, oil products, voltage, cleanin

Applications of Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance (FT-ICR) and Orbitrap Based High Resolution Mass Spectrometry in Metabolomics and Lipidomics

This review explores the latest developments in Fourier transform mass spectrometry and Orbitrap based metabolomics technology, its advantages and drawbacks for using in metabolomics and lipidomics studies, and development of novel approaches for processing high resolution mass spectrometry data

Functional Assessment of the Medicago truncatula

The Medicago truncatula NIP/LATD (for Numerous Infections and Polyphenolics/Lateral root-organ Defective) gene encodes a protein found in a clade of nitrate transporters within the large NRT1(PTR) family that also encodes transporters of dipeptides and tripeptides, dicarboxylates, auxin, and abscisic acid. Of the NRT1(PTR) members known to transport nitrate, most are low-affinity transporters. Here, we show that M. truncatula nip/latd mutants are more defective in their lateral root responses to nitrate provided at low (250 μm) concentrations than at higher (5 mm) concentrations; however, nitrate uptake experiments showed no discernible differences in uptake in the mutants. Heterologous expression experiments showed that MtNIP/LATD encodes a nitrate transporter: expression in Xenopus laevis oocytes conferred upon the oocytes the ability to take up nitrate from the medium with high affinity, and expression of MtNIP/LATD in an Arabidopsis chl1(nrt1.1) mutant rescued the chlorate susceptibility phenotype. X. laevis oocytes expressing mutant Mtnip-1 and Mtlatd were unable to take up nitrate from the medium, but oocytes expressing the less severe Mtnip-3 allele were proficient in nitrate transport. M. truncatula nip/latd mutants have pleiotropic defects in nodulation and root architecture. Expression of the Arabidopsis NRT1.1 gene in mutant Mtnip-1 roots partially rescued Mtnip-1 for root architecture defects but not for nodulation defects. This suggests that the spectrum of activities inherent in AtNRT1.1 is different from that possessed by MtNIP/LATD, but it could also reflect stability differences of each protein in M. truncatula. Collectively, the data show that MtNIP/LATD is a high-affinity nitrate transporter and suggest that it could have another function

High voltage beam discharge in nitrogen with fast neutral atom reflection from tantalum cathode

The kinetic simulation of high-voltage beam discharge at low pressure of nitrogen is fulfilled. The characteristics of particle flows to the tantalum cathode and back reflection of fast nitrogen atoms are calculated. The reflection coefficient equals tens of percents at voltages up to 100 kV. The generation of fast nitrogen atoms may be used for metals and dielectrics nitriding with implantation effect.Виконано кінетичне моделювання високовольтного променевого розряду при низькому тиску азоту. Розраховані характеристики потоків частинок до танталового катода і зворотне відбиття швидких атомів азоту. Коефіцієнт відбиття дорівнює десяткам відсотків при напрузі до 100 кВ. Генерація швидких атомів азоту може бути використана для азотування металів і діелектриків з імплантаційним ефектом.Выполнено кинетическое моделирование высоковольтного лучевого разряда при низком давлении азота. Рассчитаны характеристики потоков частиц к танталовому катоду и обратного отражения быстрых атомов азота. Коэффициент отражения составляет десятки процентов при напряжении до 100 кВ. Генерация быстрых атомов азота может быть использована для азотирования металлов и диэлектриков с имплантационным эффектом

Redistribution of sputtered material in a plane ion-plasma system with an abnormal glow discharge

The redistribution of the flow of sputtered material of a target (cathode) between the collector and the target in a plane–parallel electrode system with an anomalous glow discharge is analyzed in the kinetic approximation. Sputtering is the result of bombardment of the target by gas ions accelerated in the near–cathode space charge layer and by fast neutral atoms formed as a result of resonant ion charge exchange. Sputtered atoms partially return to the target due to collisions with gas molecules. The formulas were obtained, which were confirmed in the experiment that makes it possible to correctly estimate the ratio of the sputtered material flows deposited on the collector and the target. The results of the work are used to calculate the parameters of the processes of coating deposition and ion cleaning of the target under conditions of the anomalous glow discharge.Аналізується в кінетичному наближенні перерозподіл потоку розпиленого матеріалу мішені (катода) між колектором і мішенню в плоскопаралельній електродній системі з аномальним тліючим розрядом. Розпилення є результатом бомбардування мішені газовими іонами, прискореними в катодному шарі просторового заряду, і швидкими нейтральними атомами, що утворюються в результаті резонансного перезарядження іонів. Розпилені атоми частково повертаються на мішень через зіткнення з газовими молекулами. Отримано формули, підтверджені в експерименті, які дозволяють коректно оцінити співвідношення потоків розпиленого матеріалу, що осідають на колекторі і мішені. Результати роботи використовуються для розрахунку параметрів процесів нанесення покриттів і іонної очистки мішені в умовах аномального тліючого розряду.Анализируется в кинетическом приближении перераспределение потока распылeнного материала мишени (катода) между коллектором и мишенью в плоскопараллельной электродной системе с аномальным тлеющим разрядом. Распыление является результатом бомбардировки катода–мишени газовыми ионами, ускоренными в прикатодном слое пространственного заряда, и быстрыми нейтральными атомами, образующимися в результате резонансной перезарядки ионов. Распылeнные атомы частично возвращаются на мишень из-за столкновений с газовыми молекулами. Получены формулы, подтвержденные в эксперименте, что позволяет корректно оценить соотношение потоков распыленного материала, осаждающихся на коллекторе и мишени. Результаты работы используются для расчета параметров процессов нанесения покрытий и ионной очистки мишени в условиях аномального тлеющего разряда

1-Benzyl-3,5-bis­(4-chloro­benzyl­idene)piperidin-4-one

The title compound, C26H21Cl2NO, crystallizes with two symmetry-independent mol­ecules (A and B) in the asymmetric unit. In both mol­ecules, the central heterocyclic ring adopts a sofa conformation. The dihedral angles between the planar part of this central heterocyclic ring [maximum deviations of 0.011 (1) and 0.036 (1) Å in mol­ecules A and B, respectively] and the two almost planar [maximum deviations of 0.020 (1) and 0.008 (1) Å in A and 0.007 (1) and 0.011 (1) in B] side-chain fragments that include the aromatic ring and bridging atoms are 20.1 (1) and 31.2 (1)° in mol­ecule A, and 26.4 (1) and 19.6 (1)° in mol­ecule B. The dihedral angles between the planar part of the heterocyclic ring and the benzyl substituent are 79.7 (1) and 53.2 (1)° in mol­ecules A and B, respectively. In the crystal, weak inter­molecular C—H⋯O hydrogen bonds link the two independent mol­ecules into dimers