Expression of divergent methyl/alkyl coenzyme M reductases from uncultured archaea.

Methanogens and anaerobic methane-oxidizing archaea (ANME) are important players in the global carbon cycle. Methyl-coenzyme M reductase (MCR) is a key enzyme in methane metabolism, catalyzing the last step in methanogenesis and the first step in anaerobic methane oxidation. Divergent mcr and mcr-like genes have recently been identified in uncultured archaeal lineages.

Tuning Gene Expression by Phosphate in the Methanogenic Archaeon .

is a rapidly growing, hydrogenotrophic, and genetically tractable methanogen with unique capabilities to convert formate and CO to CH. The existence of genome-scale metabolic models and an established, robust system for both large-scale and continuous cultivation make it amenable for industrial applications. However, the lack of molecular tools for differential gene expression has hindered its application as a microbial cell factory to produce biocatalysts and biochemicals.

Study of Fe-S Cluster Proteins in Methanococcus maripaludis , a Model Archaeal Organism.

Iron-sulfur (Fe-S) clusters are among the oldest and most versatile cofactors present in all domains of life. Many bacterial and eukaryotic Fe-S proteins have been well-characterized, whereas the archaeal ones are less studied. Fe-S proteins are particularly abundant and play essential roles in methanogenic archaea.

Identification of the fungal endophyte of (American beachgrass) as .

The grass (American beachgrass) is known to host an endophyte of the genus . Based on morphological characteristics it was originally identified as var. and is currently designated as var.

Pickering-Emulsion-Templated Encapsulation of a Hydrophilic Amine and Its Enhanced Stability Using Poly(allyl amine).

Efficient encapsulation of tetraethylenepentamine (TEPA), as an example aliphatic amine, was achieved by an emulsion-templated, in situ polymerization. Hydrophobically modified clay nanoplatelets were employed as emulsifiers to obtain water-in-oil (W/O) dispersions followed by interfacial polymerization between a portion of the TEPA cargo and polymethylene polyphenylene isocyanate (PMPPI). The resultant capsules exhibit spherical shape, desirable thermal stability, modest barrier properties, and shear-induced release in an epoxide monomer mixture.

Wide variety of bioserotypes of enteropathogenic Yersinia in tonsils of English pigs at slaughter.

The tonsils of 630 pigs from 45 English farms using three different rearing methods (Assured British Pigs, Open Management and Organic) were examined between 2003 and 2005 in order to investigate if the low incidence of human yersiniosis could be attributed to a low prevalence of enteropathogenic Yersinia among English pigs. In addition, different isolation methods were compared, possible differences in prevalence among pigs were studied, as well as the prevalence of different bioserotypes of enteropathogenic Yersinia. A high prevalence and a wide diversity of bioserotypes of enteropathogenic Yersinia compared to other European countries were observed.

Modification of a French pressure cell to improve microbial cell disruption.

A procedure for modification of the valve stem of a 40 K French pressure cell is described. The modification should be done by a machinist and requires a metalworking lathe. After modification of the valve stem, a torlon 4203 plastic ball is used between the valve stem and valve seat to control the pressure within the cell.

An in situ Al K-edge XAS investigation of the local environment of H+- and Cu+-exchanged USY and ZSM-5 zeolites.

Aluminum coordination in the framework of USY and ZSM-5 zeolites containing charge-compensating cations (NH4+, H+, or Cu+) was investigated by Al K-edge EXAFS and XANES. This work was performed using a newly developed in-situ cell designed especially for acquiring soft X-ray absorption data. Both tetrahedrally and octahedrally coordinated Al were observed for hydrated H-USY and H-ZSM-5, in good agreement with 27Al NMR analyses.

Liquid-phase oxidation of alkylaromatics by a H-atom transfer mechanism with a new heterogeneous CoSBA-15 catalyst.

A new pseudo-tetrahedral Co(II) complex has been grafted onto the surface of SBA-15 and successfully utilized for the catalytic oxidization of alkylaromatic substrates with tert-butyl hydroperoxide (TBHP)via an H-atom transfer mechanism.

Atomic level control over surface species via a molecular precursor approach: isolated Cu(I) sites and Cu nanoparticles supported on mesoporous silica.

A nonaqueous molecular precursor grafting approach was employed for the generation of well-defined surface structures featuring Cu on a mesoporous silica support. X-ray absorption measurements (XANES and EXAFS) were used to determine that [CuOSi(OtBu)3]4 provided 100% isolated Cu(I) sites upon grafting (without thermal treatment), whereas [CuOtBu]4 gave isolated species with most of the original Cu-O-Cu linkages intact, but in a more relaxed straight chain form. Upon heating under inert conditions, the vast majority of Cu in the materials from [CuOSi(OtBu)3]4 remained as isolated Cu(I) sites (up to 88% isolation), with significant stabilization provided from the -OSi(OtBu)3 ligands.

A small bowel volvulus caused by a mesenteric lipoma: report of a case.

A 31-year-old man underwent a laparotomy for acute intestinal obstruction symptoms, which he had intermittently experienced for 14 years. The cause of the obstruction was due to a volvulus of the small bowel caused by a mesenteric lipoma. This is a rare finding, which is ideally diagnosed by computed tomography, with surgery the best and most highly recommended treatment.

Antioxidant vitamin supplements do not reduce reactive oxygen species activity in Helicobacter pylori gastritis in the short term.

Reactive oxygen species have been implicated in Helicobacter pylori-mediated gastric carcinogenesis, whereas diets high in antioxidant vitamins C and E are protective. We have examined the effect of vitamin C and E supplements in combination with H. pylori eradication on reactive oxygen species activity in H.