Engineered Deinococcus radiodurans R1 with NiCoT genes for bioremoval of trace cobalt from spent decontamination solutions of nuclear power reactors.

The aim of the present work was to engineer bacteria for the removal of Co in contaminated effluents. Radioactive cobalt ((60)Co) is known as a major contributor for person-sievert budgetary because of its long half-life and high γ-energy values. Some bacterial Ni/Co transporter (NiCoT) genes were described to have preferential uptake for cobalt.

Production and characterization of a novel human recombinant alpha-1-antitrypsin in PER.C6 cells.

Alpha-1-antitrypsin (A1PI) is a proteinase inhibitor of the serpin superfamily and circulates in plasma at about 1-2 g/L. A1PI deficiency in humans often results in organ damage, particularly to the lungs and liver. Current augmentation therapies rely entirely on A1PI isolated from human plasma, thus prompting an evaluation of alternate sources.

Expression and functional characterisation of TNC, a high-affinity nickel transporter from Neurospora crassa.

Our previous in silico studies identified a high-affinity nickel transporter, TNC, from the metal transportome of Neurospora crassa. A knockout mutant of the tnc gene in N. crassa failed to transport nickel, showed phenotypic growth defects and diminished urease activity under physiological levels of nickel.

Normal perivascular sensory dilator nerve function in arteries of Zucker diabetic fatty rats.

Background: Type II diabetes in humans is associated with pathology of both the cardiovascular and peripheral sensory nervous systems. Because abnormal vasodilator responses have been reported in animals of type II diabetes and perivascular sensory nerves are a source of vasodilator substances, we tested the hypothesis that sensory nerve-dependent relaxation is abnormal in arteries of the Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rat model of type II diabetes.

Methods: The ZDF rats and genetic controls were studied at 26 weeks of age.

Inhibition of Ca2+-induced relaxation by oxidized tungsten wires and paratungstate.

Recent studies of rat mesenteric arteries using a wire myograph detected decreased Ca2+ and acetylcholine-induced relaxation responses. Preliminary experiments indicated the reduced responses were associated with the tungsten wire used in the myograph system. Compared with earlier observations, arteries mounted on aged 28-microm tungsten wire showed decreased maximal Ca2+-induced relaxation responses of arteries precontracted with phenylephrine (91.