This paper deals with two aspects tightly related to the enzymatic characteristics and expression of four β-galactosidases (BbgI, BbgII, BbgIII and BbgIV) from Bifidobacterium bifidum NCIMB41171. The ...growth patterns of this strain indicated a preference towards complex (i.e. lactose, galactooligosaccharides (GOSs)) rather than simple carbohydrates (i.e. glucose and galactose) and a collaborative action and synergistic relation of more than one β-galactosidase isoenzyme for either lactose or GOS hydrolysis and subsequent assimilation. Native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis of protein extracts from cells growing on different carbohydrates (i.e. glucose, lactose or GOS) indicated that two lactose hydrolysing enzymes (BbgI and BbgIII) and one GOS hydrolysing enzyme (BbgII) were constitutively expressed, whereas a fourth lactose hydrolysing enzyme (BbgIV) was induced in the presence of lactose or different GOS fractions. Furthermore, the β-galactosidase expression profiles of B. bifidum cells and the transgalactosylating properties of each individual isoenzyme, with lactose as substrate, clearly indicated that mainly three isoenzymes (BbgI, BbgIII and BbgIV) are implicated in GOS synthesis when whole B. bifidum cells are utilised. Two of the isoenzymes (BbgI and BbgIV) proved to have better transgalactosylating properties giving yields ranging from 42% to 47% whereas the rest (BbgI and BbgIII) showed lower yields (15% and 29%, respectively). PUBLICATION ABSTRACT
This paper deals with two aspects tightly related to the enzymatic characteristics and expression of four b-galactosidases (BbgI, BbgII, BbgIII and BbgIV) from Bifidobacterium bifidum NCIMB41171. The ...growth patterns of this strain indicated a preference towards complex (i.e. lactose, galactooligosaccharides (GOSs)) rather than simple carbohydrates (i.e. glucose and galactose) and a collaborative action and synergistic relation of more than one b-galactosidase isoenzyme for either lactose or GOS hydrolysis and subsequent assimilation. Native polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis of protein extracts from cells growing on different carbohydrates (i.e. glucose, lactose or GOS) indicated that two lactose hydrolysing enzymes (BbgI and BbgIII) and one GOS hydrolysing enzyme (BbgII) were constitutively expressed, whereas a fourth lactose hydrolysing enzyme (BbgIV) was induced in the presence of lactose or different GOS fractions. Furthermore, the b-galactosidase expression profiles of B. bifidum cells and the transgalactosylating properties of each individual isoenzyme, with lactose as substrate, clearly indicated that mainly three isoenzymes (BbgI, BbgIII and BbgIV) are implicated in GOS synthesis when whole B. bifidum cells are utilised. Two of the isoenzymes (BbgI and BbgIV) proved to have better transgalactosylating properties giving yields ranging from 42% to 47% whereas the rest (BbgI and BbgIII) showed lower yields (15% and 29%, respectively).
The aim of this study was to understand the antioxidant metabolic changes of peach (cvs. ‘Royal Glory’, ‘Red Haven’ and ‘Sun Cloud’) and nectarine fruits (cv. ‘Big Top’) exposed to different ...combinations of low-temperature storage (0, 2, 4 weeks storage at 0 °C, 90% R.H.) and additional ripening at room temperature (1, 3 and 5 d, shelf life, 20 °C) with an array of analytical, biochemical and molecular approaches. Initially, harvested fruit of the examined cultivars were segregated non-destructively at advanced and less pronounced maturity stages and qualitative traits, physiological parameters, phytochemical composition and antioxidant capacity were determined. ‘Big Top’ and ‘Royal Glory’ fruits were characterized by slower softening rate and less pronounced ripening-related alterations. The coupling of HPLC fingerprints, consisted of 7 phenolic compounds (chlorogenic, neochlorogenic acid, catechin, epicatechin, rutin, quecetin-3-O-glucoside, procyanidin B1) and spectrophotometric methods disclosed a great impact of genotype on peach bioactive composition, with ‘Sun Cloud’ generally displaying the highest contents. Maturity stage at harvest did not seem to affect fruit phenolic composition and no general guidelines for the impact of cold storage and shelf-life on individual phenolic compounds can be extrapolated. Subsequently, fruit of less pronounced maturity at harvest were used for further molecular analysis. ‘Sun Cloud’ was proven efficient in protecting plasmid pBR322 DNA against ROO attack throughout the experimental period and against HO attack after 2 and 4 weeks of cold storage. Interestingly, a general down-regulation of key genes implicated in the antioxidant apparatus with the prolongation of storage period was recorded; this was more evident for CAT, cAPX, Cu/ZnSOD2, perAPX3 and GPX8 genes. Higher antioxidant capacity of ‘Sun Cloud’ fruit could potentially be linked with compounds other than enzymatic antioxidants that further regulate peach fruit ripening.
•Interplay among peach genotype, maturity stage and storage potential was analyzed.•Bioactive composition and biomolecules that protect DNA were determined.•Differential accumulation of individual phenolic compounds was monitored.•Key antioxidant genes were down-regulated with the prolongation of storage period.•CAT and cAPX were significantly down-regulated after cold storage.
Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is highly prevalent in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). There is currently no approved treatment for NAFLD. The main aim was the evaluation of ...the effect of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA) vs. dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor (DPP-4i) treatment on noninvasive indices of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis in patients with T2DM.
In this retrospective study, three noninvasive indices of hepatic steatosis HSI, NAFLD ridge score, and triglycerides (TG) to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) ratio and five of fibrosis (APRI, FIB-4, NAFLD fibrosis score, BAAT and BARD) were calculated before and after (6–18 months) the addition of a DPP-4i (n = 152) or a GLP-1 RA (n = 37) in patients with T2DM.
Regarding steatosis indices, NAFLD ridge score was significantly decreased in the GLP-1 RA group (baseline: 0.90 ± 0.34, follow-up: 0.67 ± 0.24; p = 0.001), but not in the DPP-4i group (p = 0.25); the difference for group∗time interaction was significant (p = 0.02). HSI showed a trend between groups, being significantly different at baseline and follow-up (p < 0.001) with no significant difference in group∗time interaction. Indices of fibrosis were not essentially changed within or between groups.
NAFLD ridge score was significantly decreased after the addition of GLP-1 RA in patients with T2DM. This study warrants further prospective clinical trials.
•NAFLD ridge score was decreased only within the GLP-1 RA group.•GLP-1 RA or DPP-4 inhibitors had a similarly null effect on fibrosis indices.•Hepatic steatosis index showed a trend towards decrease in GLP-1 RA group.
The connections linking neurons within and between cerebral cortical areas form a multiscale network for communication. We review recent work relating essential features of cortico-cortical ...connections, such as their existence and laminar origins and terminations, to fundamental structural parameters of cortical areas, such as their distance, similarity in cytoarchitecture, defined by lamination or neuronal density, and other macroscopic and microscopic structural features. These analyses demonstrate the presence of an architectonic type principle. Across species and cortices, the essential features of cortico-cortical connections vary consistently and strongly with the cytoarchitectonic similarity of cortical areas. By contrast, in multivariate analyses such relations were not found consistently for distance, similarity of cortical thickness, or cellular morphology. Gradients of laminar cortical differentiation, as reflected in overall neuronal density, also correspond to regional variations of cellular features, forming a spatially ordered natural axis of concerted architectonic and connectional changes across the cortical sheet. The robustness of findings across mammalian brains allows cross-species predictions of the existence and laminar patterns of projections, including estimates for the human brain that are not yet available experimentally. The architectonic type principle integrates cortical connectivity and architecture across scales, with implications for computational explorations of cortical physiology and developmental mechanisms.
The mammalian cortex possesses multiple dimensions of organization, for instance, the connectional and the cytoarchitectonic dimension. Are there principles that link the different dimensions? Here we review an architectonic type principle that links cytoarchitectonic aspects of the cerebral cortex, such as neuron density or morphology across the cortical layers, to large-scale interregional cortical connection patterns. The reviewed findings highlight the existence of a natural axis of spatially ordered, concerted changes of multiple architectonic, connectional, and functional features stretching from less to more differentiated cortical areas. This framework comprises species-general, but also species-specific, principles of the organization of the mammalian, and particularly the primate, cerebral cortex and highlights potential developmental underpinnings as well as functional ramifications of such principles.
The Back Cover shows a depiction of the carbon cycle for a tunable set of chemistry that can be used to synthesize exceptional jet fuel via n-alkyl methyl ketones. Here, methyl ketones, which can be ...derived from biomass in either chemical or hybrid biological-chemical pathways, are selectively transformed to cyclic trimers by aldol condensation and Michael addition. By altering the ratio of starting methyl ketones, an alkane blend can be generated after hydrodeoxygenation that not only satisfies the low freezing point necessary for jet fuel, but also the broad volatility distribution typical of petroleum-derived fuels. The carbon generated by combustion of these fuels then produces further biomass, completing the carbon cycle. More details can be found in the Full Paper by Sacia etal. (DOI: 10.1002/cssc.201500002).
Collateral circulation is an alternative path occurring in case of venous or artery obstruction. This path may usually develop after primary recanalization. In our case, a 62-year-old woman presented ...to our Emergency Department complaining about a suprapubic swelling with a cyanotic discoloration of the overlying skin for the past 10 days for which she had been previously prescribed antibiotics. Investigation with ultrasound and contrast-enhanced computed tomography was performed. An imaging study revealed thrombosed pubic varicose collateral veins due to deep vein obstruction and occlusion of the left external iliac vein. The patient was treated with low-molecular-weight heparin, and swelling subsided gradually. Collateral veins of the abdominal wall and over the pubic tubercle are highly predictive of deep venous obstructive disease proximal to the groin level. These collaterals should never be removed, and the patient should be subjected to a diligent laboratory and imaging investigation.
Life‐cycle analysis (LCA) allows the scientific community to identify the sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of novel routes to produce renewable fuels. Herein, we integrate LCA into our ...investigations of a new route to produce drop‐in diesel/jet fuel by combining furfural, obtained from the catalytic dehydration of lignocellulosic pentose sugars, with alcohols that can be derived from a variety of bio‐ or petroleum‐based feedstocks. As a key innovation, we developed recyclable transition‐metal‐free hydrotalcite catalysts to promote the dehydrogenative cross‐coupling reaction of furfural and alcohols to give high molecular weight adducts via a transfer hydrogenation–aldol condensation pathway. Subsequent hydrodeoxygenation of adducts over Pt/NbOPO4 yields alkanes. Implemented in a Brazilian sugarcane biorefinery such a process could result in a 53–79 % reduction in life‐cycle GHG emissions relative to conventional petroleum fuels and provide a sustainable source of low carbon diesel/jet fuel.
Drop into renewable diesel: Dehydrogenative cross‐condensation of lignocellulosic furfural with a variety of alcohols derived from biological and petrochemical sources provides aldol adducts that are further subjected to hydrodeoxygenation. The alkanes furnished from this process are drop‐in components for jet and diesel fuels. The life cycle assessment of this technology shows net reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of 57–68 % relative to petroleum‐derived fuels.
In the framework of the European research project LEMCOTEC, a section was devoted to the further optimization of the recuperation system of the Intercooled Recuperated Aero engine (IRA engine) ...concept, of MTU Aero Engines AG. This concept is based on an advanced thermodynamic cycle combining both intercooling and recuperation. The present work is focused only on the recuperation process. This is carried out through a system of heat exchangers mounted inside the hot-gas exhaust nozzle, providing fuel economy and reduced pollutant emissions. The optimization of the recuperation system was performed using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) computations, experimental measurements and thermodynamic cycle analysis for a wide range of engine operating conditions. A customized numerical tool was developed based on an advanced porosity model approach. The heat exchangers were modeled as porous media of predefined heat transfer and pressure loss behaviour and could also incorporate major and critical heat exchanger design decisions in the CFD computations. The optimization resulted in two completely new innovative heat exchanger concepts, named as CORN (COnical Recuperative Nozzle) and STARTREC (STraight AnnulaR Thermal RECuperator), which provided significant benefits in terms of fuel consumption, pollutants emission and weight reduction compared to more conventional heat exchanger designs, thus proving that further optimization potential for this technology exists.
![Expression of four [beta]-g...](http://api.summon.serialssolutions.com/2.0.0/image/issn/XR4PS5YY4K/0175-7598/small "Expression of four [beta]-galactosidases from Bifidobacterium bifidum NCIMB41171 and their contribution on the hydrolysis and synthesis of galactooligosaccharides")
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