Heterologous expression of lcc1 gene from Trametes trogii in Pichia pastoris and characterization of the recombinant enzyme

BACKGROUND: Fungal laccases are useful enzymes for industrial applications; they exhibit broad substrate specificity and thus are able to oxidize a variety of xenobiotic compounds including chlorinated phenolics, synthetic dyes, pesticides and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. Unfortunately, the biotechnological exploitation of laccases can be hampered by the difficulties concerning the enzyme production by the native hosts. RESULTS: In order to obtain a simple and efficient source of laccase, the lcc1 cDNA isolated from the white-rot fungus Trametes trogii has been successfully expressed in the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris under the control of the methanol induced alcohol oxidase promoter P(AOX1). The recombinant Lcc1 was produced as a secreted protein with the native N-terminal prepropeptide for signal trafficking, and thus easily recovered from the culture medium. At the 1-liter scale, as calculated on the basis of the specific activity, the recombinant protein was produced at a yield of 17 mg/l. The highest production level obtained in fed-batch culture was 2520 U/l, corresponding to a specific productivity of 31.5 U/g biomass. The purified recombinant laccase exhibited a behaviour similar to the main laccase produced by T. trogii. Lcc1 showed high activity in the presence of organic solvents and a high decolourization capacity towards azo, triarylmethane, indigo carmine and anthraquinonic dyes, that could be significantly enhanced in the presence of the redox mediators 1-hydroxybenzotriazole and violuric acid. CONCLUSION: Heterologous expression of T. trogii laccase lcc1 in the methylotrophic yeast P. pastoris was successfully achieved. The biochemical and kinetic characterization of the recombinant protein suggests potential technological applications for this enzyme

Control of Nonprehensile Planar Rolling Manipulation: A Passivity-Based Approach

This paper presents a new procedure to design a control law using the classical interconnection and damping assignment technique within the passivity-based port-Hamiltonian framework. The sought goal is to reduce the complexity of solving the so-called matching equations. The proposed approach is applied to two case studies of planar rolling nonprehensile manipulation, namely, the ball-and-beam and the eccentric disk-on-disk. The performance of the resulting controllers is illustrated through both simulations and experimental results, showing the applicability of the design in a real setup

Melatonin secretion is increased in children with severe traumatic brain injury

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of death and disability in children. Oxidative stress plays a significant role in brain damage and melatonin exhibits both direct and indirect antioxidant effects. The primary aim of the present study was to evaluate serum melatonin levels in children with severe TBI in comparison to critically ill children admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit for conditions other than TBI. Methods: Twenty-four children were evaluated, equally divided into severe TBI and no-TBI. Blood samples for serum melatonin analysis were collected at 22:00, 01:00, 03:00, 05:00, 08:00, and 12:00. Results: Mean serum melatonin peaks in children of the TBI group were higher compared to the values of no-TBI critically ill children (495 ± 102 vs. 294 ± 119 pg/mL, p = 0.0002). Furthermore, the difference was even more significant in comparison to values reported in literature for healthy age-matched children (495 ± 102 vs. 197 ± 71 pg/mL, p < 0.0001). Conclusion: This study has shown that endogenous serum melatonin levels dramatically increase in children after severe TBI. This elevation is likely to represent a response to oxidative stress and/or inflammation due to severe head injury

I.S.Mu.L.T. Achilles Tendon Ruptures Guidelines

This work provides easily accessible guidelines for the diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of Achilles tendon ruptures. These guidelines could be considered as recommendations for good clinical practice developed through a process of systematic review of the literature and expert opinion, to improve the quality of care for the individual patient and rationalize the use of resources. This work is divided into two sessions: 1) questions about hot topics; 2) answers to the questions following Evidence Based Medicine principles. Despite the frequency of the pathology andthe high level of satisfaction achieved in treatment of Achilles tendon ruptures, a global consensus is lacking. In fact, there is not a uniform treatment and rehabilitation protocol used for Achilles tendon ruptures

Nonprehensile Manipulation of Deformable Objects: Achievements and Perspectives from the RobDyMan Project

International audienceThe goal of this work is to disseminate the results achieved so far within the RODYMAN project related to planning and control strategies for robotic nonprehensile manipulation. The project aims at advancing the state of the art of nonprehensile dynamic manipulation of rigid and deformable objects to future enhance the possibility of employing robots in anthropic environments. The final demonstrator of the RODYMAN project will be an autonomous pizza maker. This article is a milestone to highlight the lessons learned so far and pave the way towards future research directions and critical discussions

Clinical Efficacy of a Cosmetic Treatment by Crescina® Human Follicle Stem Cell on Healthy Males with Androgenetic Alopecia

NTRODUCTION: Androgenetic alopecia (AGA) is the most common cause of hair loss among males, characterized by progressive thinning of the scalp hairs and defined by various patterns. The main factors underling hair loss in AGA are genetic predisposition and increased sensitivity of the hair follicles to androgens, leading to a shortening of the anagen phase. In the present study, the authors investigated the efficacy of a commercially available cosmetic lotion, Crescina() HFSC (human follicle stem cell; Labo Cosprophar AG, Basel, Switzerland), in promoting hair growth and in decreasing hair loss. METHODS: A placebo-controlled, randomized trial was carried out on healthy males suffering from alopecia grade II to IV. Anagen rate and hair resistance to traction (pull test) were assessed after 2 and 4 months of treatment using phototricogram and pull test technique. RESULTS: Crescina() HFSC applied for 4 months was effective in promoting hair growth and in decreasing hair loss. After 2 and 4 months of treatment, the anagen rate was increased by 29.6% and 46.8%, respectively [corrected]. Hair resistance to traction was decreased by 29.6% and 46.8%, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The present study demonstrated the positive effect of Crescina() HFSC in modulating the activity of the hair follicle and promoting hair growth