Ligninases production and partial purification of mnp from brazilian fungal isolate in submerged fermentation.

ABSTRACT: The potential of ligninases as a green tool for effective valorization of lignin can be shown through enzymatic cocktails containing different lignin degrading enzymes. The present study deals with the screening of potential fungal strains useful for the liquefaction of bark containing lignin. Three different local isolates (Pleurotus ostreatus POS97/14, Pycnoporus sanguineus and the local isolated fungal strain) were selected out of ten different strains for ligninases production. Maximum production of enzymes was observed in the local isolated fungal strain after ten days in submerged fermentation. The isolated fungal strain produces ligninases mainly for manganese peroxidase (MnP). The enzyme oxidized a variety of the usual MnP substrates, including lignin related phenols. Furthermore, the partial purification for MnP was determined by FPLC and the molecular weight was evaluated by SDS-PAGE

Use of Comparative Genomics-Based Markers for Discrimination of Host Specificity in <i>Fusarium oxysporum</i>

The polyphyletic nature of many formae speciales of Fusarium oxysporum prevents molecular identification of newly encountered strains based on conserved, vertically inherited genes. Alternative molecular detection methods that could replace labor- and time-intensive disease assays are therefore highly desired. Effectors are functional elements in the pathogen-host interaction and have been found to show very limited sequence diversity between strains of the same forma specialis, which makes them potential markers for host-specific pathogenicity. We therefore compared candidate effector genes extracted from 60 existing and 22 newly generated genome assemblies, specifically targeting strains affecting cucurbit plant species. Based on these candidate effector genes, a total of 18 PCR primer pairs were designed to discriminate between each of the seven Cucurbitaceae-affecting formae speciales. When tested on a collection of strains encompassing different clonal lineages of these formae speciales, nonpathogenic strains, and strains of other formae speciales, they allowed clear recognition of the host range of each evaluated strain. Within Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. melonis more genetic variability exists than anticipated, resulting in three F. oxysporum f. sp. melonis marker patterns that partially overlapped with the cucurbit-infecting Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cucumerinum, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. niveum, Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. momordicae, and/or Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. lagenariae For F. oxysporum f. sp. niveum, a multiplex TaqMan assay was evaluated and was shown to allow quantitative and specific detection of template DNA quantities as low as 2.5 pg. These results provide ready-to-use marker sequences for the mentioned F. oxysporum pathogens. Additionally, the method can be applied to find markers distinguishing other host-specific forms of F. oxysporum IMPORTANCE Pathogenic strains of Fusarium oxysporum are differentiated into formae speciales based on their host range, which is normally restricted to only one or a few plant species. However, horizontal gene transfer between strains in the species complex has resulted in a polyphyletic origin of host specificity in many of these formae speciales. This hinders accurate and rapid pathogen detection through molecular methods. In our research, we compared the genomes of 88 strains of F. oxysporum with each other, specifically targeting virulence-related genes that are typically highly similar within each forma specialis. Using this approach, we identified marker sequences that allow the discrimination of F. oxysporum strains affecting various cucurbit plant species through different PCR-based methods

Proline and COMT Status Affect Visual Connectivity in Children with 22q11.2 Deletion Syndrome

Background Individuals with the 22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11DS) are at increased risk for schizophrenia and Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs). Given the prevalence of visual processing deficits in these three disorders, a causal relationship between genes in the deleted region of chromosome 22 and visual processing is likely. Therefore, 22q11DS may represent a unique model to understand the neurobiology of visual processing deficits related with ASD and psychosis. Methodology We measured Event-Related Potentials (ERPs) during a texture segregation task in 58 children with 22q11DS and 100 age-matched controls. The C1 component was used to index afferent activity of visual cortex area V1; the texture negativity wave provided a measure for the integrity of recurrent connections in the visual cortical system. COMT genotype and plasma proline levels were assessed in 22q11DS individuals. Principal Findings Children with 22q11DS showed enhanced feedforward activity starting from 70 ms after visual presentation. ERP activity related to visual feedback activity was reduced in the 22q11DS group, which was seen as less texture negativity around 150 ms post presentation. Within the 22q11DS group we further demonstrated an association between high plasma proline levels and aberrant feedback/feedforward ratios, which was moderated by the COMT158 genotype. Conclusions These findings confirm the presence of early visual processing deficits in 22q11DS. We discuss these in terms of dysfunctional synaptic plasticity in early visual processing areas, possibly associated with deviant dopaminergic and glutamatergic transmission. As such, our findings may serve as a promising biomarker related to the development of schizophrenia among 22q11DS individuals

Complexity of equational theory of relational algebras with standard projection elements

The class $\mathsf{TPA}$ of t rue p airing a lgebras is defined to be the class of relation algebras expanded with concrete set theoretical projection functions. The main results of the present paper is that neither the equational theory of $\mathsf{TPA}$ nor the first order theory of $\mathsf{TPA}$ are decidable. Moreover, we show that the set of all equations valid in $\mathsf{TPA}$ is exactly on the $\Pi ^1_1$ level. We consider the class $\mathsf{TPA}^-$ of the relation algebra reducts of $\mathsf{TPA}$’s, as well. We prove that the equational theory of $\mathsf{TPA}^-$ is much simpler, namely, it is recursively enumerable. We also give motivation for our results and some connections to related work

Расчёт напряженно-деформированного состояния виброизоляторов сложной формы

Розглянуто пружно-деформований стан гумових віброізоляторів з урахуванням контактної взаємодії з деталями конструкції.Stress-strain state of rubber vibroinsulators is considered, taking into account contact interaction with construction parts

Accelerated in vivo proliferation of memory phenotype CD4+ T-cells in human HIV-1 infection irrespective of viral chemokine co-receptor tropism.

CD4(+) T-cell loss is the hallmark of HIV-1 infection. CD4 counts fall more rapidly in advanced disease when CCR5-tropic viral strains tend to be replaced by X4-tropic viruses. We hypothesized: (i) that the early dominance of CCR5-tropic viruses results from faster turnover rates of CCR5(+) cells, and (ii) that X4-tropic strains exert greater pathogenicity by preferentially increasing turnover rates within the CXCR4(+) compartment. To test these hypotheses we measured in vivo turnover rates of CD4(+) T-cell subpopulations sorted by chemokine receptor expression, using in vivo deuterium-glucose labeling. Deuterium enrichment was modeled to derive in vivo proliferation (p) and disappearance (d*) rates which were related to viral tropism data. 13 healthy controls and 13 treatment-naive HIV-1-infected subjects (CD4 143-569 cells/ul) participated. CCR5-expression defined a CD4(+) subpopulation of predominantly CD45R0(+) memory cells with accelerated in vivo proliferation (p = 2.50 vs 1.60%/d, CCR5(+) vs CCR5(-); healthy controls; P<0.01). Conversely, CXCR4 expression defined CD4(+) T-cells (predominantly CD45RA(+) naive cells) with low turnover rates. The dominant effect of HIV infection was accelerated turnover of CCR5(+)CD45R0(+)CD4(+) memory T-cells (p = 5.16 vs 2.50%/d, HIV vs controls; P<0.05), naïve cells being relatively unaffected. Similar patterns were observed whether the dominant circulating HIV-1 strain was R5-tropic (n = 9) or X4-tropic (n = 4). Although numbers were small, X4-tropic viruses did not appear to specifically drive turnover of CXCR4-expressing cells (p = 0.54 vs 0.72 vs 0.44%/d in control, R5-tropic, and X4-tropic groups respectively). Our data are most consistent with models in which CD4(+) T-cell loss is primarily driven by non-specific immune activation

A timeline of cognitive functioning in glioma patients who undergo awake brain tumor surgery

BACKGROUND: The purpose of awake brain tumor surgery is to maximize the resection of the tumor and to minimize the risk of neurological and cognitive impairments. The aim of this study is to gain understanding of the development of possible postoperative cognitive deficits after awake brain tumor surgery in patients with suspected gliomas, by comparing preoperative, early postoperative, and late postoperative functioning. A more detailed timeline will be helpful in informing candidates for surgery about what to expect regarding their cognitive functioning. METHODS: Thirty-seven patients were included in this study. Cognitive functioning was measured by means of a broad cognitive screener preoperatively, days after surgery and months after surgery in patients who underwent awake brain tumor surgery with cognitive monitoring. The cognitive screener included tests for object naming, reading, attention span, working memory, inhibition, inhibition/switching, and visuoperception. We performed a Friedman ANOVA to analyze on group level. RESULTS: Overall, no significant differences were found between preoperative cognitive functioning, early postoperative cognitive functioning, and late postoperative cognitive functioning, except for performances on the inhibition task. Directly after surgery, patients were significantly slower on this task. However, in the following months after surgery, they returned to their preoperative level. CONCLUSION: The timeline of cognitive functioning after awake tumor surgery appeared overall stable in the early and late postoperative phase, except for inhibition, which is more difficult in the first days after awake brain tumor surgery. This more detailed timeline of cognitive functioning, in combination with future research, can possibly be contributing in informing patients and caregivers what to expect after awake brain tumor surgery

A timeline of cognitive functioning in glioma patients who undergo awake brain tumor surgery

BACKGROUND: The purpose of awake brain tumor surgery is to maximize the resection of the tumor and to minimize the risk of neurological and cognitive impairments. The aim of this study is to gain understanding of the development of possible postoperative cognitive deficits after awake brain tumor surgery in patients with suspected gliomas, by comparing preoperative, early postoperative, and late postoperative functioning. A more detailed timeline will be helpful in informing candidates for surgery about what to expect regarding their cognitive functioning. METHODS: Thirty-seven patients were included in this study. Cognitive functioning was measured by means of a broad cognitive screener preoperatively, days after surgery and months after surgery in patients who underwent awake brain tumor surgery with cognitive monitoring. The cognitive screener included tests for object naming, reading, attention span, working memory, inhibition, inhibition/switching, and visuoperception. We performed a Friedman ANOVA to analyze on group level. RESULTS: Overall, no significant differences were found between preoperative cognitive functioning, early postoperative cognitive functioning, and late postoperative cognitive functioning, except for performances on the inhibition task. Directly after surgery, patients were significantly slower on this task. However, in the following months after surgery, they returned to their preoperative level. CONCLUSION: The timeline of cognitive functioning after awake tumor surgery appeared overall stable in the early and late postoperative phase, except for inhibition, which is more difficult in the first days after awake brain tumor surgery. This more detailed timeline of cognitive functioning, in combination with future research, can possibly be contributing in informing patients and caregivers what to expect after awake brain tumor surgery