Metabolic engineering of the L-phenylalanine pathway in Escherichia coli for the production of S- or R-mandelic acid.

Background: Mandelic acid (MA), an important component in pharmaceutical syntheses, is currently produced exclusively via petrochemical processes. Growing concerns over the environment and fossil energy costs have inspired a quest to develop alternative routes to MA using renewable resources. Herein we report the first direct route to optically pure MA from glucose via genetic modification of the L-phenylalanine pathway in E.

[Main interspecific competition and land productivity of fruit-crop intercropping in Loess Region of West Shauxi].

Taking the four typical fruit-crop intercropping models, i.e., walnut-peanut, walnut-soybean, apple-peanut, and apple-soybean, in the Loess Region of western Shanxi Province as the objects, this paper analyzed the crop (peanut and soybean) photosynthetic active radiation (PAR), net photosynthetic rate (P(n)), yield, and soil moisture content.

Maize ZmMEK1 is a single-copy gene.

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascade constitutes a conserved signaling module in eukaryotes. MAPK kinase (MAPKK) plays a crucial role in a MAPK cascade. ZmMEK1 is the first characterized MAPKK gene in maize.

Kinetics study of crystallization with the disorder-bcc-fcc phase transition of charged colloidal dispersions.

Structure transformation (disorder-bcc-fcc) in charged colloidal dispersions, as a manifestation of the Ostwald's step rule, was confirmed by means of reflection spectrum (RS) measurements in our previous study. By taking advantage of a reflection spectrum containing plenty of information about the crystallization behaviors, time-dependent changes of parameters associated with the crystal structure and composition during the disorder-bcc-fcc transition are reported by treating the data from RS in this article. In addition, Avrami's model is adopted to analyze the transition process and investigate the transition rate.

Bacillus sp. CDB3 isolated from cattle dip-sites possesses two ars gene clusters.

Contamination of soil and water by arsenic is a global problem. In Australia, the dipping of cattle in arsenic-containing solution to control cattle ticks in last centenary has left many sites heavily contaminated with arsenic and other toxicants. We had previously isolated five soil bacterial strains (CDB1-5) highly resistant to arsenic.

Effect of diclofenac sodium combined with nuclear rotation on the prevention of posterior capsule opacification: two-year follow-up.

Purpose: To evaluate the effect of combined diclofenac sodium and nuclear rotation on the prevention of posterior capsule opacification (PCO).

Setting: Wuxi People's Hospital, Jiangsu, China.

Design: Comparative case series.

Oncometabolite 2-hydroxyglutarate is a competitive inhibitor of α-ketoglutarate-dependent dioxygenases.

IDH1 and IDH2 mutations occur frequently in gliomas and acute myeloid leukemia, leading to simultaneous loss and gain of activities in the production of α-ketoglutarate (α-KG) and 2-hydroxyglutarate (2-HG), respectively. Here we demonstrate that 2-HG is a competitive inhibitor of multiple α-KG-dependent dioxygenases, including histone demethylases and the TET family of 5-methlycytosine (5mC) hydroxylases. 2-HG occupies the same space as α-KG does in the active site of histone demethylases.

Protective effect of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide on retinal ganglion cells in vitro.

Aim: To observe the effect of Lycium barbarum polysaccharide (LBP) on rat retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) in vitro.

Methods: Retinal cells of neonatal Sprague-Dawley rats were collected 1 to 3 days after birth, and co-cultured with different concentrations of LBP for 24 hours. Absorbance values (OD) were recorded using MTT assay for calculating survival rates.

[The effect of caspase-3 inhibitor on the concentrations of serum inflammatory cytokines in sepsis related acute kidney injury induced by peritoneal cavity infection in mice].

Objective: To observe the effects of caspase-3 inhibitor Ac-DEVD-CHO on the concentrations of serum inflammatory cytokines in sepsis related acute kidney injury induced by peritoneal cavity infection in mice.

Methods: One hundred and two male C57BL/6 mice were subjected to cecal ligation and puncture (CLP, a model of polymicrobial sepsis) or sham operation. The animals were assigned into three equal groups (n=34) according to random number table: sham group, model group, and caspase-3 inhibitor (CI) group.

[Research on target identification by multi-spectrum separation algorithm].

In view of problems such as field poor shock resistance, low target identification rate, low real-time and so on in mechanical scanning optical system, a non-scanning target identification remote sensing system was designed using the multi-spectrum separation algorithm. Using the non-scanning M-Z interferometer to provide a space optical path difference, interference fringes were collected by infrared CCD detector. After CUP processing the system obtains the mix spectrum information, achieves target identification by the coordinate system combined with visible light video image, and the coordinate system, which the union visible light video image provides, achieves the target discrimination The genetic algorithm was used to optimize characteristic wavelengths, and then by the rough collection classification the unknown target spectrum's attribute was extracted.

13C-tracer and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses reveal metabolic flux distribution in the oleaginous microalga Chlorella protothecoides.

The green alga Chlorella protothecoides has received considerable attention because it accumulates neutral triacylglycerols, commonly regarded as an ideal feedstock for biodiesel production. In order to gain a better understanding of its metabolism, tracer experiments with [U-(13)C]/[1-(13)C]glucose were performed with heterotrophic growth of C. protothecoides for identifying the metabolic network topology and estimating intracellular fluxes.

Self-assembly and host-guest interaction of metallomacrocycles using fluorescent dipyrazole linker with dimetallic clips.

By employing diimine ligands coordinated dimetallic clips ([(bpy)2Pd2(NO3)2](NO3)2 or [(phen)2Pd2(NO3)2](NO3)2, where bpy = 2,2′-bipyridine, phen = 1,10-phenanthroline) as the corner and anthracene-, naphthalene-, and benzene-based dipyrazolate dianions as the linker, a series of positively charged metallomacrocycles ([M4L2]4+ or [M8L4]8+) have been synthesized through a directed self-assembly method in aqueous solution. Every macrocycle has a cavity to bind solvent molecules or anions. The structures were characterized by elemental analysis, 1H and 13C NMR, electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, and single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis for compound 1 x 4 PF6(-) (1 = {[(bpy)Pd]4L(1)2}4+), 3 x 4 PF6(-) x 8 CH3CN x H2O (3 = {[(bpy)Pd]4L(2)2}4+), and 7 x 4 PF6(-) x 6 H2O (7 = {[(bpy)Pd]4L(5)2}4+).

Enhanced tolerance to low temperature in tobacco by over-expression of a new maize protein phosphatase 2C, ZmPP2C2.

Low temperature is one of the most common environmental stresses affecting plant growth and agricultural production. Serine/threonine protein phosphatases 2C (PP2Cs) have been suggested to play an important role in stress signaling. To identify potential new member of the PP2C proteins in maize and investigate its functions for stress responses, the ZmPP2C2 gene, encoding a new PP2C protein from maize roots, was cloned by RT-PCR and RACE-PCR.

Overexpression of maize mitogen-activated protein kinase gene, ZmSIMK1 in Arabidopsis increases tolerance to salt stress.

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades play a remarkably crucial role in plants. It has been studied intensively in model plants Arabidopsis, tobacco and rice. However, the function of MAPKs in maize (Zea mays L.

A novel real-time PCR assay for determination of viral loads in person infected with hepatitis B virus.

A novel LUX (Light Upon eXtension) primer-based real-time PCR assay was developed and evaluated in this study, which was designed to provide a cost-effective, specific and highly sensitive method for viral load determination of hepatitis B virus (HBV). The assay employed an effective and rapid nucleic acid extraction system based on magnetic beads. To evaluate its efficacy, this new viral DNA preparation method was compared with QIAamp Blood Mini Kit and the results showed a good correlation (r=0.

[Relationship between tumor necrosis factor beta gene polymorphism and acute respiratory distress syndrome after operation for esophageal carcinoma].

Background And Objective: A single nucleotide polymorphism of the tumor necrosis factor beta (TNF-beta) gene affected the level of tumor necrosis factor beta and was associated with prognosis of acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). This study was to investigate the association between the TNF-beta and ARDS after operation for esophageal carcinoma.

Methods: Thirty-four patients with and 116 patients without ARDS after radical resection for thoracotomic esophageal carcinoma were recruited in the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University from January 2005 to June 2007.

Identification of a bacteriocin and its cognate immunity factor expressed by Moraxella catarrhalis.

Background: Bacteriocins are antimicrobial proteins and peptides ribosomally synthesized by some bacteria which can effect both intraspecies and interspecies killing.

Results: Moraxella catarrhalis strain E22 containing plasmid pLQ510 was shown to inhibit the growth of M. catarrhalis strain O35E.

Abscisic acid and hydrogen peroxide induce a novel maize group C MAP kinase gene, ZmMPK7, which is responsible for the removal of reactive oxygen species.

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades are involved in biotic and abiotic stress responses. In plants, MAPKs are classified into four groups, designated A-D. Information about group C MAPKs is limited, and, in particular, no data from maize are available.

Over-expression of a Zea mays L. protein phosphatase 2C gene (ZmPP2C) in Arabidopsis thaliana decreases tolerance to salt and drought.

ZmPP2C (AY621066) is a protein phosphatase type-2c previously isolated from roots of Zea mays (LD9002). In this study, constitutive expression of ZmPP2C in Arabidopsis thaliana under the control of the Cauliflower Mosaic Virus (CaMV) 35S promoter decreased plant tolerance to salt and drought during seed germination and vegetative growth. When growing on media with NaCl or mannitol, the ZmPP2C-overexpressed plants displayed more severe damages, with weaker growth phenotypes corresponding to a series of physiological changes: lower net photosynthesis rate (Pn) and free proline content, higher malondialdehyde (MDA) level, higher relative membrane permeability (RMP), and water loss.

Coordination molecular hats binding acetonitrile via C-H...pi interactions.

The [M(3)L(3)](3+) metallo-macrocycles with syn, syn, syn conformation, self-assembled from crown ether functionalized 1,10-phenanthroline Pd(II) nitrates with naphthanoimidazole, bind a solvent CH(3)CN within the naphthanoimidazolate-built cavity through C-H...

Self-assembly, structures, and photophysical properties of 4,4'-bipyrazolate-linked metallo-macrocycles with dimetal clips.

By employing functional diimine ligands coordinated dipalladium(II,II) or diplatinum(II,II) clips as corners and the coplanar 4,4'-bipyrazolate dianion (L(2-)) ligand as linker, a series of bipyrazolate-bridged metallo-macrocycles, namely, [M8L4](NO3)8 (M = Pd(dmbpy), 1; Pd(bpy), 2; Pt(bpy), 3a; Pd(phen), 4; Pt(phen), 5; Pd(15-crown-5-phen), 6; Pd(18-crown-6-phen), 8; Pd(benzo-24-crown-8-phen), 10a; Pt(15-crown-5-phen), 7a, Pt(18-crown-6-phen), 9a; Pt(benzo-24-crown-8-phen), 11a) and [M6L3](NO3)6 (M = Pt(bpy), 3b; Pt(15-crown-5-phen), 7b; Pt(18-crown-6-phen), 9b; Pd(benzo-24-crown-8-phen), 10b; Pt(benzo-24-crown-8-phen), 11b), have been synthesized through a directed self-assembly approach that involves spontaneous deprotonation of the 1H-bipyrazolyl ligands in aqueous solution. All these compounds have a crown-shaped cavity that can serve as host to solvent molecules and anions. The structures are characterized by elemental analysis, (1)H and (13)C NMR, ESI-MS, and in the cases of 1a (the BF4(-) salt of 1), 2a (the BF4(-) salt of 2), and 3b by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.

Activation of adenosine 2A receptors preserves structure and function of podocytes.

Adenosine 2A receptor (A(2A)R) activation was recently shown to be renoprotective in diabetic nephropathy. A(2A)R are found in glomeruli and have been shown to associate with the podocyte cytoskeletal protein alpha-actinin-4, but the effect of their activation on podocyte structure and function is unknown. Podocyte injury was induced in C57BL/6 mice with puromycin aminonucleoside, and the selective A(2A)R agonist ATL313 was found to attenuate the resulting albuminuria and foot process fusion.

Secretory carrier membrane protein SCAMP2 and phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate interactions in the regulation of dense core vesicle exocytosis.

Secretory carrier membrane protein 2 (SCAMP2) functions in late steps of membrane fusion in calcium-dependent granule exocytosis. A basic/hydrophobic peptide segment within SCAMP2 (SCAMP2 E: CWYRPIYKAFR) has been implicated in this function and shown to bind and sequester phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate [PI(4,5)P2 or PIP2] within membranes through an electrostatic mechanism. We now show that alanine substitution of tryptophan W2 within SCAMP2 E substantially weakens peptide binding to negatively charged liposomes; other substitutions for arginine R4 and lysine K8 have only limited effects on binding.

[Clinical application of IPS-empress 2 pressable all-ceramic crowns].

Objective: To evaluate the clinical prosthetic effect of IPS-Empress 2 pressahie ceramic crowns.

Methods: 198 teeth of 70 patients were restored with IPS-Empress 2 pressahie ceramic crowns. The patients were asked to return in one week and every half year.