Metabolic design of Escherichia coli for muconic acid production

Adipic acid(AA) is a versatile bulk chemical to be used for raw materials such as nylon 6,6. Currently, AA biosynthesis from bio-resources have received a lot of attention in recent years as environment-friendly and renewable AA production process. Muconic acid(MA), also known as 2,4-hexadienedioic acid, is expected as a biosynthesis precursor of AA. There are Several studies on MA biosynthesis using Escherichia coli introduced foreign genes. In those studies, MA is synthesized from intermediate products of shikimate pathway. However, the production volume is not sufficient and it is a hindrance to industrialization. In this study, we aimed to the high efficiency biosynthesis of MA using metabolic designed Escherichia coli. First, we designed the metabolism to increase the accumulation of phosphoenolpyruvic acid (PEP), which is one of the starting materials of the shikimate pathway. Next, we determined the optimal MA synthetic pathway branched from the shikimate pathway. Specifically, we examined three types of MA production pathway with PEP accumulation strain as parent and selected the pathway with the highest MA production. Finally, we examined efficient production of MA using fusion proteins. Shikimate pathway protein and MA production pathway protein were combined to direct carbon flux into MA production

Laser-based geometric modeling using cooperative multiple mobile robots

Abstract—In order to construct three-dimensional shape models of large-scale architectural structures using a laser range finder, a number of range images are taken from various viewpoints. These images are aligned using post-processing procedures such as the ICP algorithm. However, in general, before applying the ICP algorithm, these range images must be aligned roughly by a human operator in order to converge to precise positions. The present paper proposes a new modeling system using a group of multiple robots and an on-board laser range finder. Each measurement position is identified by a highly precise positioning technique called Cooperative Positioning System (CPS), which utilizes the characteristics of the multiple-robot system. Thus, the proposed system can construct 3D shapes of large-scale architectural structures without any post-processing procedure or manual registration. ICP is applied optionally for a subsequent refinement of the model. Measurement experiments in unknown and large indoor/outdoor environments are carried out successfully using the newly developed measurement system consisting of three mobile robots named CPS-V. Generating a model of Dazaifu Tenmangu, a famous cultural heritage, for its digital archive completes the paper. I

Ectopic Cilia: A Histopathological Study

Cilia are normally found at the eyelid margin, while ectopic cilia are one or more lash follicles appearing in an abnormal position within the eyelid. We herein report two cases of cilia located in the palpebral conjunctiva. A 31-year-old female and a 46-year-old male presented with ectopic cilia in the superior palpebral conjunctiva. Histopathological study of the excised ectopic cilia and related lesions showed the cilia-related lesion to be located in the epithelial pit that contains goblet cells, which is consistent with the crypts of Henle. The hair follicle was surrounded by granulation tissue, while a dermal papilla and a hair matrix, which are known to produce hair follicles, did not exist in the excised tissue. While anterior ectopic cilia are congenital, ectopic cilia in the palpebral conjunctiva may be acquired, and these aberrant cilia are associated with crypts of Henle and chronic inflammation

Cav2.3 (α1E) Ca2+ channel participates in the control of sperm function

AbstractTo know the function of the Ca2+ channel containing α12.3 (α1E) subunit (Cav2.3 channel) in spermatozoa, we analyzed Ca2+ transients and sperm motility using a mouse strain lacking Cav2.3 channel. The averaged rising rates of Ca2+ transients induced by α-D-mannose–bovine serum albumin in the head region of Cav2.3−/− sperm were significantly lower than those of Cav2.3+/+ sperm. A computer-assisted sperm motility assay revealed that straight-line velocity and linearity were greater in Cav2.3−/− sperm than those in Cav2.3+/+ sperm. These results suggest that the Cav2.3 channel plays some roles in Ca2+ transients and the control of flagellar movement