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Iodine is an essential trace element in the human diet because it is involved in the synthesis of thyroid hormones. Iodine deficiency affects over 2.2 billion people worldwide, making it a significant challenge to find plant-based sources of iodine that meet the recommended daily intake of this trace element. In this study, cabbage plants were cultivated in a hydroponic system containing iodine at concentrations ranging from 0.01 to 1.0 mg/L in the form of potassium iodide or potassium iodate. During the experiments, plant physiological parameters, biomass production, and concentration changes of iodine and selected microelements in different plant parts were investigated. In addition, the oxidation state of the accumulated iodine in root samples was determined. Results showed that iodine addition had no effect on photosynthetic efficiency and chlorophyll content. Iodide treatment did not considerably stimulate biomass production but iodate treatment increased it at concentrations less than 0.5 mg/L. Increasing iodine concentrations in the nutrient solutions increased iodine content in all plant parts; however, the iodide treatment was 2-7 times more efficient than the iodate treatment. It was concluded, that iodide addition was more favourable on the target element accumulation, however, it should be highlighted that application of this chemical form in nutrient solution decreased the concetrations of selected micoelement concentration comparing with the control plants. It was established that iodate was reduced to iodide during its uptake in cabbage roots, which means that independently from the oxidation number of iodine (+ 5, - 1) applied in the nutrient solutions, the reduced form of target element was transported to the aerial and edible tissues., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Phosphate solubilizing microorganisms widely exist in plant rhizosphere soil, but report about the P solubilization and multiple growth-promoting properties of rare actinomycetes are scarce. In this paper, a phosphate solubilizing Tsukamurella tyrosinosolvens P9 strain was isolated from the rhizosphere soil of tea plants. Phosphorus-dissolving abilities of this strain were different under different carbon and nitrogen sources, the soluble phosphorus content was 442.41 mg/L with glucose and potassium nitrate as nutrient sources. The secretion of various organic acids, such as lactic acid, maleic acid, oxalic acid, etc., was the main mechanism for P solubilization and pH value in culture was very significant negative correlation with soluble P content. In addition, this strain had multiple growth-promoting characteristics with 37.26 μg/mL of IAA and 72.01% of siderophore relative content. Under pot experiments, P9 strain improved obviously the growth of peanut seedlings. The bacterial communities of peanut rhizoshpere soil were assessed after inoculated with P9 strain. It showed that there was no significant difference in alpha-diversity indices between the inoculation and control groups, but the P9 treatment group changed the composition of bacterial communities, which increased the relative abundance of beneficial and functional microbes, which relative abundances of Chitinophagaceae at the family level, and of Flavihumibacter, Ramlibacter and Microvirga at the genus level, were all siginificant increased. Specially, Tsukamurella tyrosinosolvens were only detected in the rhizosphere of the inoculated group. This study not only founded growth-promoting properties of T. tyrosinosolvens P9 strain and its possible phosphate solublizing mechanism, but also expected to afford an excellent strain resource in biological fertilizers.

Pigment production from filamentous fungi is gaining interest due to the diversity of fungal species, the variety of compounds synthesized, and the possibility of controlled massive productions. The Talaromyces species produce a large panel of metabolites, including Monascus-like azaphilone pigments, with potential use as natural colorants in industrial applications. Optimizing pigment production from fungal strains grown on different carbon and nitrogen sources, using statistical methods, is widespread nowadays. The present work is the first in an attempt to optimize pigments production in a culture of the marine-derived T. albobiverticillius 30548, under the influence of several nutrients sources. Nutrient combinations were screened through the one-variable-at-a-time (OVAT) analysis. Sucrose combined with yeast extract provided a maximum yield of orange pigments (OPY) and red pigments (RPY) (respectively, 1.39 g/L quinizarin equivalent and 2.44 g/L Red Yeast pigment equivalent), as well as higher dry biomass (DBW) (6.60 g/L). Significant medium components (yeast extract, K 2 HPO 4 and MgSO 4 ·7H 2 O) were also identified from one-variable-at-a-time (OVAT) analysis for pigment and biomass production. A five-level central composite design (CCD) and a response surface methodology (RSM) were applied to evaluate the optimal concentrations and interactive effects between selected nutrients. The experimental results were well fitted with the chosen statistical model. The predicted maximum response for OPY (1.43 g/L), RPY (2.59 g/L), and DBW (15.98 g/L) were obtained at 3 g/L yeast extract, 1 g/L K 2 HPO 4 , and 0.2 g/L MgSO 4 ·7H 2 O. Such optimization is of great significance for the selection of key nutrients and their concentrations in order to increase the pigment production at a pilot or industrial scale.

<b>Background and Objective:</b> Protocols commonly used in plant DNA extraction were known to be highly time-consuming and harmful due to the application of some hazardous reagents. Therefore, it was not applicable for such laboratories with limited resources as well as for high-throughput analysis. This study was aimed to develop a rapid yet less hazardous DNA extraction protocol for a plant using potassium phosphate buffer. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> Genomic DNA of chili pepper (<i>Capsicum annuum</i>) was extracted using potassium phosphate buffer and its efficacy was compared to three widely known protocols (CTAB-based, mini preparation and commercial kit). The extracted DNA from those four methods was evaluated based on its quality, quantity, practicality and cost per reaction. <b>Results:</b> Genomic DNA resulted from potassium phosphate buffer-based protocol exhibited comparable quality with adequate concentration for further downstream analysis. Results of PCR and sequencing were also emphasized the amplifiable DNA quality from this developed protocol. Compared to those commonly used protocols, potassium phosphate buffer consisted of 5 main working steps only, thus providing a simple yet rapid plant DNA extraction protocol. Since this protocol used ethanol only, it also offered a less hazardous and low-cost protocol that applicable for those resource-limited laboratories. <b>Conclusion:</b> This developed protocol provided a promising alternative of plant DNA extraction that might be applicable for both large scale analysis and any laboratory type. Further investigation was needed to evaluate its efficacy in extracting genomic DNA from various plants with different morphological characteristic.

The expression of Kv1.3 and K Ca channels in human T cells is essential for maintaining cell activation, proliferation and migration during an inflammatory response. Recently, an additional residual current, sensitive to anandamide and A293, compounds specifically inhibiting currents mediated by TASK channels, was observed after complete pharmacological blockade of Kv1.3 and K Ca channels. This finding was not consistently observed throughout different studies and, an in-depth review of the different recording conditions used for the electrophysiological analysis of K + currents in T cells revealed fluoride as major anionic component of the pipette intracellular solutions in the initial studies. While fluoride is frequently used to stabilize electrophysiological recordings, it is known as G-protein activator and to influence the intracellular Ca 2+ concentration, which are mechanisms known to modulate TASK channel functioning. Therefore, we systemically addressed different fluoride- and chloride-based pipette solutions in whole-cell patch-clamp experiments in human T cells and used specific blockers to identify membrane currents carried by TASK and Kv1.3 channels. We found that fluoride increased the decay time constant of K + outward currents, reduced the degree of the sustained current component and diminished the effect of the specific TASK channels blocker A293. These findings indicate that the use of fluoride-based pipette solutions may hinder the identification of a functional TASK channel component in electrophysiological experiments., (Copyright © 2020 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of three oral potassium supplements (potassium gluconate tablets [PGT], potassium gluconate granules [PGG] and potassium citrate granules [PCG]) on hypokalemia and serum bicarbonate in cats with chronic kidney disease (CKD)., Methods: Medical records (2006-2016) were retrospectively searched for cats that had been prescribed an oral potassium supplement for management of their CKD-associated hypokalemia. For inclusion, laboratory work had to be available at the time of hypokalemia diagnosis, and at recheck within 1-6 weeks. Treatment response was defined in three ways: any increase in potassium, an increase in potassium to within the normal reference interval, and an increase to >4 mEq/l., Results: Thirty-seven cats met inclusion criteria (16 PGT, 11 PGG, 10 PCG). Dosing ranged from 0.21 to 1.6 mEq/kg/day for PGT, from 0.25 to 1.48 mEq/kg/day for PGG and from 0.04 to 1.34 mEq/kg/day for PCG. After supplementation, 36/37 cats had an increase in potassium, 34/37 increased to within the reference interval and 24/37 had an increase in potassium to >4 mEq/l. There was a statistically significant difference in serum potassium post-supplementation for all three treatments: PGT ( P = 0.0001), PGG ( P = 0.001) and PCG ( P = 0.002). There was a positive correlation between PGT dose and change in potassium concentration ( P = 0.04), but there was no significant correlation for PGG or PCG. In cats that had data available, serum bicarbonate increased >2 mEq/l in 1/6 PGT, 1/6 PGG and 3/4 PCG cats., Conclusions and Relevance: All three potassium supplements were effective in treating hypokalemia secondary to CKD in the majority of cats despite variable dosing. Data were limited to assess the alkalinizing effect and prospective studies are needed.

In the present study, we studied the distribution of silicate mineral weathering bacteria (SWB) in stressed environments that release potassium from insoluble source of mineral. Out of 972 isolates, 340 isolates were positive and mineral weathering potential ranged from 5.55 to 180.05%. Maximum abundance of SWB occurred 44.71% in saline environment followed by 23.53% in low temperature and 12.35% each in high temperature and moisture deficit. Among isolates, silicate mineral weathering efficiency ranged from 1.9 to 72.8 μg mL -1 available K in liquid medium. The phylogenetic tree of SWB discriminated in three clusters viz. Firmicutes, Proteobacteria and Actinobacteria. This is the first report on SWB in stressed environments and identified 27 genera and 67 species which is not reported earlier. Among them Bacillus was the predominant genera (58.60%) distantly followed by Pseudomonas (6.37%), Staphylococcus (5.10%) and Paenibacillus (4.46%). These bacterial strains could be developed as inoculants for biological replenishment of K in stressed soils. Graphical abstract.

Chitin is the second most abundant and renewable polysaccharide, next to cellulose. Hydrolysis of abundant and highly crystalline α-chitin, pretreated with KOH and KOH-urea aqueous solutions, by a single modular endo-chitinase from Enterobacter cloacae subsp. cloacae (EcChi1) was investigated. The hydrolysis of untreated α-chitin and colloidal chitin by EcChi1 produced N-acetylglucosamine and N, N'-diacetylchitobiose, whereas, hydrolysis of treated substrates generated N, N', N''-triacetylchitotriose, in addition to N-acetylglucosamine and N, N'-diacetylchitobiose. The total amount of chitooligosaccharides (COS) generated by EcChi1 from pretreated substrates was 10 to 25-fold higher compared to untreated α-chitin at 24 h (depending on the solvent type and state of substrate). EcChi1 released higher amount of DP1 and DP2 products on treated α-chitin, with a fold change of 45 and 18, respectively. Treatment of α-chitin with KOH/KOH-urea is, therefore, a promising approach for an efficient conversion of rich source of chitin to soluble COS by chitinases like EcChi1., (Copyright © 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Here, we report the striking properties such as high stretchability, self-healing, and adhesiveness of an amphiphilic copolymeric hydrogel (poly(acrylic acid)-poly(methyl methacrylate) (PAA-PMMA) gel) synthesized from two immiscible monomers-acrylic acid (AA) and methyl methacrylate (MMA)-through a simple free radical polymerization in an aqueous medium. The developed hydrogel, with a specific molar ratio of MMA and AA, is self-healable, which is attributed to the hydrophobic interaction arising from methyl groups of PMMA, as well as the breakdown and reformation of sacrificial noncovalent cross-linking through the weak hydrogen bonds between the carboxylic acid groups of PAA and methoxy groups of PMMA. The energy dissipation values in the hysteresis test signify the excellent self-recoverability of the hydrogel. The developed hydrogel showed adhesive behavior to the surfaces of polystyrene, glass, wood, metal, stone, ceramics, pork skin, and human skin. The physical and mechanical properties of the PAA-PMMA gel were fine-tuned through changes in the MMA/AA ratio and pH. Moreover, the PAA-PMMA hydrogel can serve as a template for calcium phosphate mineralization to yield a hydrogel composite, which improved MC3T3 cell adhesion and proliferation. Overall, we propose that depending on synthesis parameters and other scenarios, the synthesized PAA-PMMA hydrogel could potentially be employed in varying biomedical and industrial applications.

Pleurochrysis genus algae are widely distributed in ocean waters. Pleurochrysis sp. algae are popularly known for its coccolithophores. Calcium carbonate (CaCO 3 ) shells are major components of the coccolithophore, and they are key absorbers of carbondioxide. In this study, we have reported the effects of potassium nitrate (KNO 3 ) concentration on calcium accumulation and total lipid, carbohydrate and protein contents of Pleurochrysis dentata. Results obtained from complexometric titration and scanning electron microscopy analysis showed higher rates of CaCO 3 accumulation on Pleurochrysis dentata cell surface . We have also observed that overall cell size of Pleurochrysis dentata reached maximum when it was cultured at 0.75 mmol L -1 of KNO 3 . During 10 days of Pleurochrysis dentata culture total lipids and carbohydrate contents decreased, with slightly increased protein content. Results obtained from Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) also reported an increase in protein and decrease in lipids and carbohydrate contents, respectively. Similarly, Pleurochrysis dentata cultured at 1 mmol L -1 concentration of KNO 3 exhibited the lowest carbohydrate (21.08%) and highest protein (32.87%) contents. Interestingly, Pleurochrysis dentata cultured without KNO 3 exhibited 33.61% of total lipid content which reduced to a total lipid content of 13.67% when cultured at 1 mmol L -1 concentration of KNO 3 . Thus, culture medium containing higher than 1 mmol L -1 of KNO 3 could inhibit the cell size of Pleurochrysis dentata and CaCO 3 accumulation in shells but it could promote its cell growth. For the first time we have reported a relatively complete coccolith structure devoid of its protoplast. In this study, we have also described about the special planar structure of Pleurochrysis dentata CaCO 3 shells present on its inner tube of the R unit and parallel to the outer tube of the V unit which we named it as "doornail structure". We believe that this doornail structure provides structural stability and support to the developing coccoliths in Pleurochrysis dentata . Also, we have discussed about the "double-disc" structure of coccoliths which are closely arranged and interlocked with each other. The double-disc structure ensures fixation of each coccolith and objecting its free horizontal movement and helps in attaining a complementary coccolith structure., Competing Interests: Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interest exists., (© The author(s).)

Micro RNAs (miRNAs) are small single strand non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level, either by translational inhibition or mRNA degradation based on the extent of complementarity between the miRNA and its target mRNAs. Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.) is the most important horticultural crop in Argentina. Achieving an integrated control of diseases is crucial for this crop, where frequent agrochemical applications, particularly fungicides, are carried out. A promising strategy is based on promoting induced resistance through the application of environmentally friendly compounds such as phosphites, inorganic salts of phosphorous acid. The use of phosphites in disease control management has proven to be effective. Although the mechanisms underlying their effect remain unclear, we postulated that miRNAs could be involved. Therefore we performed next generation sequencing (NGS) in potato leaves treated and non treated with potassium phosphite (KPhi). We identified 25 miRNAs that were expressed differentially, 14 already annotated in miRBase and 11 mapped to the potato genome as potential new miRNAs. A prediction of miRNA targets showed genes related to pathogen resistance, transcription factors, and oxidative stress. We also analyzed in silico stress and phytohormone responsive cis-acting elements on differentially expressed pre miRNAs. Despite the fact that some of the differentially expressed miRNAs have been already identified, this is to our knowledge the first report identifying miRNAs responsive to a biocompatible stress resistance inducer such as potassium phosphite, in plants. Further characterization of these miRNAs and their target genes might help to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying KPhi-induced resistance., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi, symbiotically associated with woody plants, markedly improve the uptake of mineral nutrients such as potassium (K) and phosphorus (P) by their host trees. Although it is well known that ECM fungi can obtain K and P from soil minerals through biological weathering, the mechanisms regulating this process are still poorly understood at the molecular level. Here, we investigated the transcriptional regulation of the ECM fungus Amanita pantherina in weathering K-containing feldspar and apatite using transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) and validated these results for differentially expressed genes using real-time quantitative PCR. The results showed that A. pantherina was able to improve relevant metabolic processes, such as promoting the biosynthesis of unsaturated fatty acids and steroids in the weathering of K-containing feldspar and apatite. The expression of genes encoding ion transporters was markedly enhanced during exposure to solid K-containing feldspar and apatite, and transcripts of the high-affinity K transporter ApHAK1, belonging to the HAK family, were significantly upregulated. The results also demonstrated that there was no upregulation of organic acid biosynthesis, reflecting the weak weathering capacity of the A. pantherina isolate used in this study, especially its inability to utilize P in apatite. Our findings suggest that under natural conditions in forests, some ECM fungi with low weathering potential of their own may instead enhance the uptake of mineral nutrients using their high-affinity ion transporter systems. IMPORTANCE In this study, we revealed the molecular mechanism and possible strategies of A. pantherina with weak weathering potential in the uptake of insoluble mineral nutrients by using transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) technology and found that ApHAK1 , a K transporter gene of this fungus, plays a very important role in the acquisition of K and P. Ectomycorrhizal (ECM) fungi play critical roles in the uptake of woody plant nutrients in forests that are usually characterized by nutrient limitation and in maintaining the stability of forest ecosystems. However, the regulatory mechanisms of ECM fungi in acquiring nutrients from minerals/rocks are poorly understood. This study investigated the transcriptional regulation of A. pantherina weathering K-containing feldspar and apatite and improves the understanding of fungal-plant interactions in promoting plant nutrition enabling increased productivity in sustainable forestry., (Copyright © 2019 American Society for Microbiology.)

Background: Identification of onychomycosis is mainly based on clinical diagnosis with auxiliary diagnostic methods such as potassium hydroxide (KOH) microscopy, periodic acid-Schiff staining or fungal culture. However, each method is limited by its sensitivity and specificity., Aim: To develop a new test method using the common fungal end product, ergosterol, and investigate if it can be used as a new diagnostic tool., Methods: We collected consecutive data from 20 participants with nail problems. Following clinical diagnosis, samples were taken for KOH microscopy and for mass spectrometry (MS) to check for the presence of ergosterol., Results: Of the 20 cases collected, 7 were positive for fungal infection by MS. Four of these were already suspected to have onychomycosis, whereas one of the remaining three subjects was presumed to have dry nail and the other two to have onycholysis. The MS test seemed to be better at detecting combinations of nail conditions. Conversely, of the five patients clinically diagnosed as having onychomycosis, four had a positive MS result, whereas the fifth had negative results on both KOH and MS. Two other participants had a positive KOH test and were also found to have positive MS results., Conclusion: Detection of the presence of ergosterol by MS seems to be a useful tool for confirming onychomycosis. However, further studies are needed to verify the sensitivity and specificity of this MS method., (© 2019 British Association of Dermatologists.)

Microbial enhanced oil recovery (MEOR) is a bio-based technology with economic and environmental benefits. The success of MEOR depends greatly on the types and characteristics of indigenous microbes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of applying MEOR at Mae Soon Reservoir, an onshore oil reservoir experiencing a decline in its production rate. We investigated the capability of the reservoir's bacteria to produce biosurfactants, and evaluated the potentials of uncultured indigenous bacteria to support MEOR by means of prediction of MEOR-related functional genes, based on a set of metagenomic 16s rRNA gene data. The biosurfactant-producing bacteria isolated from the oil-bearing sandstones from the reservoir belonged to one species: Bacillus licheniformis, with one having the ability to decrease surface tension from 72 to 32 mN/m. Gene sequences responsible for biosurfactant (licA3), lipase (lipP1) and catechol 2,3-dioxygenase (C23O) were detected in these isolates. The latter two, and other genes encoding MEOR-related functional proteins such as enoyl-CoA hydratase and alkane 1-monooxygenase, were predicted in the bacterial communities residing the reservoir's sandstones. Exposure of these sandstones to nutrients, consisting of KNO 3 and NaH 2 PO 4 , resulted in an increase in the proportions of some predicted functional genes. These results indicated the potentials of MEOR application at Mae Soon site. Using the approaches demonstrated in this study would also assist evaluation of the feasibility of applying MEOR in oil reservoirs, which may be enhanced by an appropriate nutrient treatment.

Potassium and nitrogen are essential nutrients for plant growth and development. Plants can sense potassium nitrate (K + /NO 3 - ) levels in soils, and accordingly they adjust root-to-shoot K + /NO 3 - transport to balance the distribution of these ions between roots and shoots. In this study, we show that the transcription factorMYB59 maintains this balance by regulating the transcription of the Arabidopsis ( Arabidopsis thaliana ) Nitrate Transporter1.5 ( NRT1.5 )/ Nitrate Transporter/Peptide Transporter Family7.3 ( NPF7.3 ) in response to low K + (LK) stress. The myb59 mutant showed a yellow-shoot sensitive phenotype when grown on LK medium. Both the transcript and protein levels of NPF7.3 were remarkably reduced in the myb59 mutant. LK stress repressed transcript levels of both MYB59 and NPF7.3 The npf7.3 and myb59 mutants, as well as the npf7.3 myb59 double mutant, showed similar LK-sensitive phenotypes. Ion content analyses indicated that root-to-shoot K + /NO 3 - transport was significantly reduced in these mutants under LK conditions. Moreover, chromatin immunoprecipitation and electrophoresis mobility shift assay assays confirmed that MYB59 bound directly to the NPF7.3 promoter. Expression of NPF7.3 in root vasculature driven by the PHOSPHATE 1 promoter rescued the sensitive phenotype of both npf7.3 and myb59 mutants. Together, these data demonstrate that MYB59 responds to LK stress and directs root-to-shoot K + /NO 3 - transport by regulating the expression of NPF7.3 in Arabidopsis roots., (© 2019 American Society of Plant Biologists. All rights reserved.)

The use of iodine-biofortified vegetables may be a health alternative instead of iodine-biofortified salt for preventing iodine (I) deficiency and related human disorders. In this study, four Brassica genotypes (broccoli raab, curly kale, mizuna, red mustard) were hydroponically grown with three I-IO₃ - rates (0, 0.75 and 1.5 mg/L) to produce iodine-biofortified vegetables. Crop performances and quality traits were analyzed; iodine content was measured on raw, boiled, and steamed vegetables. The highest I rate generally increased I content in all Brassica genotypes, without plants toxicity effects in terms of reduced growth or morphological symptoms. After 21 day-iodine biofortification, the highest I content (49.5 µg/100 g Fresh Weight (FW)) was reached in broccoli raab shoots, while after 43 day-iodine biofortification, genotype differences were flattened and the highest I content (66 µg/100 g FW, on average) was obtained using 1.5 mg I-IO₃/L. Nitrate content (ranging from 1800 to 4575 mg/kg FW) was generally higher with 0.75 mg I-IO₃/L, although it depended on genotypes. Generally, boiling reduced iodine content, while steaming increased or left it unchanged, depending on genotypes. Applying low levels of I proved to be suitable, since it could contribute to the partial intake of the recommended dose of 150 µg/day: A serving size of 100 g may supply on average 24% of the recommended dose. Cooking method should be chosen in order to preserve and/or enhance the final I amount.

Cobamides are coenzymes used by cells from all domains of life but made de novo by only some bacteria and archaea. The last steps of the cobamide biosynthetic pathway activate the corrin ring and the lower ligand base, condense the activated intermediates, and dephosphorylate the product prior to the release of the biologically active coenzyme. In bacteria, a phosphoribosyltransferase (PRTase) enyzme activates the base into its α-mononucleotide. The enzyme from Salmonella enterica ( SeCobT) has been extensively biochemically and structurally characterized. The crystal structure of the putative PRTase from the archaeum Methanocaldococcus jannaschii ( MjCobT) is known, but its function has not been validated. Here we report the in vivo and in vitro characterization of MjCobT. In vivo, in vitro, and phylogenetic data reported here show that MjCobT belongs to a new class of NaMN-dependent PRTases. We also show that the Synechococcus sp. WH7803 CobT protein has PRTase activity in vivo. Lastly, results of isothermal titration calorimetry and analytical ultracentrifugation analysis show that the biologically active form of MjCobT is a dimer, not a trimer, as suggested by its crystal structure.

Phosphoenolpyruvate (PEP) carboxylase (PEPc) catalyzes the first committed step of C4 photosynthesis generating oxaloacetate from bicarbonate (HCO3-) and PEP. It is hypothesized that PEPc affinity for HCO3- has undergone selective pressure for a lower KHCO3 (Km for HCO3-) to increase the carbon flux entering the C4 cycle, particularly during conditions that limit CO2 availability. However, the decrease in KHCO3 has been hypothesized to cause an unavoidable increase in KPEP (Km for PEP). Therefore, the amino acid residue S774 in the C4 enzyme, which has been shown to increase KPEP, should lead to a decrease in KHCO3. Several studies reported the effect S774 has on KPEP; however, the influence of this amino acid substitution on KHCO3 has not been tested. To test these hypotheses, membrane-inlet mass spectrometry (MIMS) was used to measure the KHCO3 of the photosynthetic PEPc from the C4Flaveria trinervia and the non-photosynthetic PEPc from the C3F. pringlei. The cDNAs for these enzymes were overexpressed and purified from the PEPc-less PCR1 Escherichia coli strain. Our work in comparison with previous reports suggests that KHCO3 and KPEP are linked by specific amino acids, such as S774; however, these kinetic parameters respond differently to the tested allosteric regulators, malate and glucose-6-phosphate.

In order to enhance the efficiency and benefits of the sludge anaerobic digestion process, K 2 FeO 4 was added to a sludge anaerobic digestion system, and its effects on the system were comprehensively investigated. Results showed that sludge anaerobic digestion was greatly improved by adding 500 mg/L K 2 FeO 4 . Biogas and methane productions were increased by 26.6 and 28.4%, respectively. Sludge reduction, protein removal, and the conversion efficiency of dissolved organics were all improved. The mechanism revealed that the disintegration of sludge flocs, enhancement of protease activity, and decrease of soluble sulfide toxicity on microorganisms contributed to biogas production and sludge reduction. Biogas quality was improved, benefitting from the decreasing H 2 S content in biogas; as additionally, the cost of biogas desulfuration was reduced. In the biogas slurry treatment, the PO 4 3- -P concentrations were decreased by 39%, which also reduced the cost of the dephosphorization processes at certain extent.

Polysiloxanes have shown exquisite properties for fabrication of microstructures for various biomedical and biotechnological applications. Nevertheless, their biocompatibility in terms of cell adhesion and survival ability is controversial. A simple polysiloxane modifying procedure that reproducibly enhances cell adhesion was proposed. Sonication of the hybrid organic-inorganic polymer of polysiloxane type, Ormocomp, in potassium hydroxide (KOH)/ethanol solution enhanced adhesion and subsequent survival of a panel of four cell lines. Characterization of surface properties of untreated and KOH-treated Ormocomp coatings has revealed considerable negative charge of Ormocomp substrates based on measurements of zeta potentials. KOH treatment did not modify surface morphology as visualized by scanning electron microscopy, but it resulted in alteration in both chemical composition according to SIMS analysis and hydrophilicity evaluated by static water contact angles. The results suggest that the failure of the adherent cells to survive on Ormocomp coatings is related to cell adhesion. The negative surface charge of Ormocomp substrates may be one of the influencing factors; however, the modification of surface chemistry mediated by KOH and the resulting increase in hydrophilicity accompanied by modification of protein adsorption are more likely responsible for enhanced cell adhesion and survival on Ormocomp coatings. KOH treatment thus may serve as a simple, cost-effective procedure modifying polysiloxane-type polymers that leads to reproducible enhancement of cell adhesion.

The current study was conducted to investigate the effect of a humic acid and enzymes on growth performance, protein utilization, and blood parameters in broilers fed canola-based diets. Canola meal (CM) is characterized as low protein compared to soybean meal. Two-hundred-twenty broiler chickens were randomly allotted to the following 5 dietary treatments: 1. Control (commercial broiler diet); 2. CM (17.5% canola meal inclusion); 3. CMEnz (CM + 0.3 g/kg enzymes [Axtra XAP]); 4. CMPh (CM + 1.5% potassium humate, PH) and 5. CMEnzPh (CM + 1.5% PH + 0.3 g/kg Axtra XAP). Each treatment was replicated 4 times with each pen holding 11 birds as the experimental unit. The feeding trial was conducted over a grower (15 to 28 d) and a finisher phase (29 to 42 d). Diet did not affect (P > 0.05) feed intake across either grower or finisher phase but affected average daily gain (ADG) in the grower phase. In the grower phase, broilers fed CM had the highest ADG (71± 1.08 g/d), while the control (63.75 ± 1.08 g/d) had the lowest. However, control chickens had the highest feed conversion ratio (FCR) (1.65), while those fed CM (1.47) had the lowest. Diet significantly affected total white blood cell and white blood cell differential, which were consistently high in broilers fed CMEnzPh. With regard to serum metabolites, CM had the highest levels (P < 0.05) of aspartate aminotransferase (AST) (406.86 ± 38.07 IU/L), while CMEnzPh (254.17 ± 41.11 IU/L) had the lowest levels. Additionally, broilers fed CMPh had the highest (P < 0.05) serum sodium content (150.57 ± 0.69 mmol/l). Overall, canola meal, in the presence of enzymes and humic acid, was shown to have great potential as an alternative replacement of soybean meal in broiler diets. The findings from the study can, therefore, contribute to the design of low-cost canola-based feed formulations that will improve growth performance and health status in poultry farming systems in the future.

The goal of this study was to evaluate the use of stable isotope labeled compounds to better understand factors influencing energy turnover in larval Culex quinquefasciatus (Say; Diptera: Culicidae). Three isotope labeled compounds were evaluated in this study, including 15N-labeled potassium nitrate, 13C-labeled glucose, and 13C-labeled leucine. Conditions were first optimized in the laboratory to determine the most appropriate concentration of isotope, as well as the half-life of enrichment. Once optimum conditions were established we used standard equations to predict and determine temperature and density-dependent energy turnover rates. Our results showed that higher concentrations of isotope had an impact on mosquito survivability, overall enrichment, and adult wing length. We predicted the half-life of to be around 0.614 to 0.971 d, and our observed half-lives were determined to be 0.72 to 1.44 d depending on temperature, larval density, and isotope compound. Both density and temperature had a strong influence on isotopic turnover rates in all isotopes evaluated. Our results suggest that stable isotopes can provide a useful tool in understanding how different stress factors influence energy turnover in larval Cx. quinquefasciatus. These data can also help lay a foundation on ways to improve larvicide efficacy under different biotic and abiotic conditions.

Background: Turmeric is a rich source of bioactive compounds useful in both medicine and cuisine. Mineral concentrations effects (PO 4 3- , Ca 2+ , Mg 2+ , and KNO 3 ) were tested during in vitro rhizome development on the ex vitro content of volatile constituents in rhizomes after 6 months in the greenhouse. A response surface method (D-optimal criteria) was repeated in both high and low-input fertilizer treatments. Control plants were grown on Murashige and Skoog (MS) medium, acclimatized in the greenhouse and grown in the field. The volatile constituents were investigated by GC-MS., Results: The total content of volatiles was affected by fertilizer treatments, and in vitro treatment with Ca 2+ and KNO 3 ; but PO 4 3- and Mg 2+ had no significant effect. The content was higher in the high-input fertilizer treatments (49.7 ± 9 mg/g DM) with 4 mM Ca 2+ , 60 mM KNO 3 and 5 mM NH 4 + , than the low-input fertilizer (26.6 ± 9 mg/g DM), and the MS control (15.28 ± 2.7 mg/g DM; 3 mM Ca 2+ , 20 mM K + , 39 mM NO 3 - , 20 mM NH 4 + , 1.25 mM PO 4 3- , and 1.5 mM Mg 2+ ). The interaction of Ca 2+ with KNO 3 affected curcumenol isomer I and II, germacrone, isocurcumenol, and β-elemenone content. Increasing in vitro phosphate concentration to 6.25 mM increased ex vitro neocurdione and methenolone contents., Conclusion: These results show that minerals in the in vitro bioreactor medium during rhizome development affected biosynthesis of turmeric volatile components after transfer to the greenhouse six months later. The multi-factor design identified 1) nutrient regulation of specific components within unique phytochemical profile for Curcuma longa L. clone 35-1 and 2) the varied phytochemical profiles were maintained with integrity during the greenhouse growth in high fertility conditions.

Onychomycosis is a common fungal infection in dermatology clinics. The commonly used diagnostic method, potassium hydroxide (KOH) direct microscopy, does not have a high-positive detection rate. Therefore, a new diagnostic method is needed to confirm onychomycosis. The objective of this research was to use fluorescent brightener 85 (FB 85), a new fluorescent reagent for fungi detection, and to evaluate this new method based on the diagnostic positive rate, accuracy and efficiency in suspected onychomycosis compared with the KOH method. Subungual debris was collected from clinically suspected onychomycosis cases and divided into two parts. The parts were examined by FB 85 and 10% KOH solution, respectively. In total, 108 patients with suspected onychomycosis were recruited. The positive rates of FB 85 and KOH were 88.9% and 55.6%, respectively. The patients showed significant statistical differences (P < .001). Compared with the KOH method, the FB 85 fluorescent method was an accurate and efficient method with a higher positive rate. This method could increase the diagnostic accuracy and efficiency of onychomycosis detection., (© 2017 Blackwell Verlag GmbH.)

Purpose: This study evaluated whether glycogen-associated water is a protected entity not subject to normal osmotic homeostasis. An investigation into practical and theoretical aspects of the functionality of this water as a determinant of osmolality, dehydration, and glycogen concentration was undertaken., Methods: In vitro experiments were conducted to determine the intrinsic osmolality of glycogen-potassium phosphate mixtures as would be found intra-cellularly at glycogen concentrations of 2% for muscle and 5 and 10% for liver. Protected water would not be available to ionic and osmotic considerations, whereas free water would obey normal osmotic constraints. In addition, the impact of 2 L of sweat loss in situations of muscle glycogen repletion and depletion was computed to establish whether water associated with glycogen is of practical benefit (e.g., to increase "available total body water")., Results: The osmolality of glycogen-potassium phosphate mixtures is predictable at 2% glycogen concentration (predicted 267, measured 265.0 ± 4.7 mOsmol kg -1 ) indicating that glycogen-associated water is completely available to all ions and is likely part of the greater osmotic system of the body. At higher glycogen concentrations (5 and 10%), there was a small amount of glycogen water (~ 10-20%) that could be considered protected. However, the majority of the glycogen-associated water behaved to normal osmotic considerations. The theoretical exercise of selective dehydration (2 L) indicated a marginal advantage to components of total body water such as plasma volume (1.57% or 55 mL) when starting exercise glycogen replete., Conclusion: Glycogen-associated water does not appear to be a separate reservoir and is not able to uniquely replete water loss during dehydration.

Algal biofuels are far from a commercial reality due to the technical challenges associated with their growth and lipid extraction procedures. In this study, we investigated the effect of 4 different media and 5 different nitrogen sources at 5 levels on the growth, biomass and lipid productivity of Scenedesmus sp and Chlorella sp The hypothesis was that a nitrogen source can be identified that provides enough stress to accumulate lipids without compromising significantly on biomass and lipid productivity. A maximum specific growth rate and doubling per day have been observed with algal species using modified BG-11 medium. Among the tested nitrogen sources, 2.5 mM potassium nitrate as a nitrogen constituent of modified BG-11 medium resulted in higher lipid content and productivity in the case of S. dimorphus (29.15%, 15.449 mg L -1 day -1 ). Another noteworthy outcome of the present study lies in the usage of a smaller amount of the nitrogen source, i.e., 2.5 mM, which is found to be 7 times less than the standard BG11 media (17.60 mM sodium nitrate).

Thionines are recalcitrant and polluting textile dyes presenting various degrees of N -methylation. In this paper, a complete series of homologous thionines was used as the substrates for oxidation in the presence of a bioinspired commercial iron-porphyrin immobilized on to imidazole- and pyridine-functionalized fumed silica, to emulate the active site of ligninolytic peroxidases. The obtained catalytic adducts showed a remarkable ability to catalyze thionine dye oxidation in the presence of different oxidants such as potassium monopersulfate and hydrogen peroxide. Different oxidation patterns were obtained and mechanistically discussed, in comparison with those observed in the presence of some ligninolytic oxidizing enzymes., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

The gelatin-silver halide black and white prints represent an enormous photography heritage with a great value. Unaesthetic phenomena, the foxing stains that are caused by microbial growth on surface, have been described in stamps, drawings, books, and tissues but, until now, scarcely for photographic materials. In this study, a combination of various techniques, including culture-dependent and culture-independent approaches (RNA and DNA analysis), scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS) and μ-Raman spectroscopy supported by X-ray fluorescence analysis (XRF), permitted to describe the microbial contamination dynamics of foxing stains present on the surface of two gelatin-silver halide photographs. The investigation provided also information on the effects of microbial activity on the materials' chemistry of the two prints. The action of microbial community resulted locally in either (a) formation of mixed aluminum-iron-potassium phosphate compounds that could be attributed to the hydrolytic activity of bacteria, (b) leaching of barite,, ((c) precipitation of a mixture of oxides, and (d) a change in the barium sulfate chemical structures.)

This study examined the microbial precipitations of Cr(III)-hydroxide and Se(0) nanoparticles during anoxic bioreductions of Cr(VI) and Se(VI) using metal-reducing bacteria enriched from groundwater. Metal-reducing bacteria enriched from groundwater at the Korea Atomic Energy Research Institute (KAERI) Underground Research Tunnel (KURT), Daejeon, S. Korea were used. Metal reduction and precipitation experiments with the metal-reducing bacteria were conducted using Cr(VI)- and Se(VI)-contaminated water and glucose as a carbon source under an anaerobic environment at room temperature. XRD, SEM-EDX, and TEM-EDX analyses were used to characterize the mineralogy, crystal structure, chemistry, shape, and size distribution of the precipitates. The metal-reducing bacteria reduced Cr(VI) of potassium chromate (K₂CrO₄) to Cr(III) of chromium hydroxide [Cr(OH)3], and Se(VI) of sodium selenate (Na₂SeO₄) to selenium Se(0), with changes of color and turbidity. XRD, SEM-EDX, and TEM-EDX analyses revealed that the chromium hydroxide [Cr(OH)₃] was formed extracellularly with nanoparticles of 20–30 nm in size, and elemental selenium Se(0) nanoparticles had a sphere shape of 50–250 nm in size. These results show that metal-reducing bacteria in groundwater can aid or accelerate precipitation of heavy metals such as Cr(VI) and Se(VI) via bioreduction processes under anoxic environments. These results may also be useful for the recovery of Cr and Se nanoparticles in natural environments.

Aim: To study neocollagenogenesis after implantation of polypropylene endoprosthesis and polypropylene combined with polylactic acid endoprosthesis on background of «potassium orotate» administration., Material and Methods: We used two different types of endoprosthesis in the experiment. The first type was made of just polypropylene, the second type was made of polypropylene combined with polylactic acid. Histological examination was performed using polarizing microscopy. Collagen types I and III ratio in connective tissue around the prosthesis was analyzed according to the color that was individual for each type., Results: The results were significantly better in case of collagenogenesis stimulation with Potassium orotate within 30 days and later for one type of endoprosthesis. Also we revealed that collagenogenesis and paraprosthesis capsule formation were more active in case of combined endoprosthesis. We revealed stimulating action of «Potassium Orotate» for collegenogenesis process, this fact was proved by increased collagen I/III ratio., Conclusion: Optimization of collagenogenesis was based on persistent 1,37-fold increase of collagen I/III ratio in case of combined endoprosthesis after 90 days. It was manifested by accelerated formation of connective tissue capsule and facilitated early isolation of the implant from surrounding tissues.

In this study, the effects of nitrogen, phosphate and trace elements supplementation were investigated in a semi-continuously operated upflow anaerobic sludge blanket system to enhance process stability and biogas production from sugarcane vinasse. Phosphate in form of KH2PO4 induced volatile fatty acids accumulation possibly due to potassium inhibition of the methanogenesis. Although nitrogen in form of urea increased the reactor's alkalinity, the process was overloaded with an organic loading rate of 6.1gCODL(-1)d(-1) and a hydraulic retention time of 3.6days. However, by supplementing urea and trace elements a stable operation even at an organic loading rate of 9.6gCODL(-1)d(-1) and a hydraulic retention time of 2.5days was possible, resulting in 79% higher methane production rate with a stable specific methane production of 239mLgCOD(-1)., (Copyright © 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Context Dunaliella salina Teodoresco (Dunaliellaceae) is one of the promising microalgae consumed as food and medicine for many years. Objective Dunaliella salina was grown under different stress conditions for enhancing carotene production. The carotene enriched extract was evaluated for antioxidant and cytotoxic activity. Materials and methods Carotene content was calculated under salinity, nitrogen and temperature stress conditions. Antioxidant activity was determined through DPPH assay by incubating the samples for 45 min with 250 μg/mL of extract and reducing power assay was performed with 50, 100, 150 and 200 μg/mL of extract. Cytotoxicity was determined by incubating ∼2 × 10(4) MCF-7 (breast cancer) cells with 250 μg of extract in each well for 72 h by MTT assay. Result Carotene content was significantly increased to 9.8 (3.5 M NaCl), 13.9 (37 °C), 8.2 (250 mM KNO3) and 10.6 μg/mL (nitrogen-depleted medium) as compared with 3.2 μg/mL in normal conditions (1.7 M NaCl, 0.75 mM KNO3 and 28 °C). Free radical scavenging activity increased at 3.0 and 3.5 M NaCl (27.8 and 57.5%, respectively), 37 °C (31.4%) and in nitrogen-depleted medium (41.9%) compared with normal (15%) conditions. Carotene content and scavenging activity were positively correlated under salinity (r = 0.97), temperature (r = 0.85) and nitrogen (r = 0.7) stress conditions. Cytotoxicity against MCF-7 cell lines increased due to increase in carotene content suggesting that cytotoxicity may be associated with carotene accumulation. Discussion and conclusions Carotene content enhanced by D. salina under stress conditions increased the antioxidant and cytotoxic activity.

Carbonic anhydrase (CA) plays an important role in the formation and evolution of life. However, to our knowledge, there has been no report on CA isoenzyme function differentiation in fungi. Two different CA gene sequences in Aspergillus nidulans with clear genetic background provide us a favorable basis for studying function differentiation of CA isoenzymes. Heterologously expressed CA1 was used to test its weathering ability on silicate minerals and real-time quantitative PCR was used to detect expression of the CA1 and CA2 genes at different CO2 concentrations and in the presence of different potassium sources. The northern blot method was applied to confirm the result of CA1 gene expression. Heterologously expressed CA1 significantly promoted dissolution of biotite and wollastonite, and CA1 gene expression increased significantly in response to soluble K-deficiency. The northern blot test further showed that CA1 participated in K-feldspar weathering. In addition, the results showed that CA2 was primary involved in adapting to CO2 concentration change. Taken together, A. nidulans can choose different CA to meet their survival needs, which imply that some environmental microbes have evolved different CAs to adapt to changes in CO2 concentration and acquire mineral nutrition so that they can better adapt to environmental changes. Inversely, their adaption may impact mineral weathering and/or CO2 concentration, and even global change., (© 2015 The Authors. MicrobiologyOpen published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Objective: To study the ability of a commercial Penicillium camemberti strain, used for Camembert type cheese ripening, to produce conidia during growth in liquid culture (LC), in media containing different sources of nitrogen as, industrially, conidia are produced by growth at the surface of a solid state culture because conidiation in stirred submerged aerobic LC is not known., Results: In complex media containing peptic digest of meat, hyphae ends did not differentiate into phialides and conidia. Contrarily, in a synthetic media containing KNO3 as sole nitrogen source, hyphae ends differentiated into phialides producing 0.5 × 10(7) conidia/ml. Conidia produced in LC were 25 % less hydrophobic than conidia produced in solid culture, and this correlates with a seven-times-lower expression of the gene rodA encoding hydrophobin RodA in the mycelium grown in LC., Conclusion: Conidiation of P. camembertii is stimulated in iquid medium containing KNO3 as sole source of nitrogen and therefore opens up opportunities for using liquid medium in commercial productions.

The role of rock inhabiting bacteria in potassium (K) solubilization from feldspar and their application in crop nutrition through substitution of fertilizer K was explored through the isolation of 36 different bacteria from rocks of a major hill station at Ponmudi in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. A comprehensive characterization of K solubilization from feldspar was achieved with these isolates which indicated that the K solubilizing efficiency increases with decrease in pH and increase in viscosity and viable cell count. Based on the level of K solubilization, two potent isolates were selected and identified as Bacillus subtilis ANctcri3 and Bacillus megaterium ANctcri7. Exopolysaccharide production, scanning electron microscopic and fourier transform infrared spectroscopic studies with these efficient strains conclusively depicted the role of low pH, increase in viscosity, and bacterial attachment in K solubilization. They were also found to be efficient in phosphorus (P) solubilization, indole acetic acid production as well as tolerant to wide range of physiological conditions. Moreover, the applicability of K containing rock powder as a carrier for K solubilizing bacteria was demonstrated. A field level evaluation on the yield of a high K demanding tuberous vegetable crop, elephant foot yam (Amorphophallus paeoniifolius (dennst.) nicolson) established the possibility of substituting chemical K fertilizer with these biofertilizer candidates successfully., (© 2015 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim.)

High nitrogen concentration in wastewaters requires treatments to prevent the risks of eutrophication in rivers, lakes and coastal waters. The use of constructed wetlands is one of the possible approaches to lower nitrate concentration in wastewaters. Beyond supporting the growth of the bacteria operating denitrification, plants can directly take up nitrogen. Since plant roots interact with a number of soil microorganisms, in the present work we report the monitoring of nitrate concentration in macrocosms with four different levels of added nitrate (0, 30, 60 and 90 mg l(-1)), using Phragmites australis, inoculated with bacteria or arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, to assess whether the use of such inocula could improve wastewater denitrification. Higher potassium nitrate concentration increased plant growth and inoculation with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi or bacteria resulted in larger plants with more developed root systems. In the case of plants inoculated with arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, a faster decrease of nitrate concentration was observed, while the N%/C% ratio of the plants of the different treatments remained similar. At 90 mg l(-1) of added nitrate, only mycorrhizal plants were able to decrease nitrate concentration to the limits prescribed by the Italian law. These data suggest that mycorrhizal and microbial inoculation can be an additional tool to improve the efficiency of denitrification in the treatment of wastewaters via constructed wetlands.

Biogeochemical cycles of bromine (Br) and its quantitative requirements for different plant species are still studied poorly. There is a need to examine Br pathways in plants and evaluate the factors important for Br accumulation in a plant. In the present work, the effects of different Br compounds on an uptake of Br by two plant species (wheat and pea) that tolerate Br differently (pea is more sensitive to Br compared with wheat) have been studied. The growth medium was spiked with either KBr or NaBr at concentrations 0, 10, 50 and 100 mg/L. Elemental analysis of the plants was performed using inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and ICP-MS analytical techniques after leaching of the samples with tetramethyl ammonium hydroxide at mild temperature (60 °C). The experimental results have shown that wheat and pea seedlings can accumulate rather large amounts of Br. An increase of Br concentration in a plant was not always directly proportional to the variations in the Br concentration in the growth medium. In wheat, the greater part of Br was accumulated during first 7 days. In pea, the uptake of Br lasted until the end of the experiment. Certain differences in the ability of plants to accumulate Br were observed when the plants were grown in a medium spiked with different Br compounds. In most cases, Br accumulation was higher in the leaves of the plants grown in the medium spiked with KBr. The same tendency was observed for another halogen, chlorine (Cl).

The bacterial strains capable of producing dextransucrase enzyme were isolated from different fruits and vegetables sources. In primary screening, five strains were selected on the basis dextransucrase production and among them L. mesenteroides KIBGE- IB26 isolated from bottle gourd (Lagenaria Vulgaris) was selected for further studies. For the enhancement of enzyme production, different physicochemical parameters were optimized. Maximum production of dextransucrase was achieved after 06 hrs using sucrose (20.0 g/l) as a substrate at 25°C. Maximum dextransucrase production was achieved when medium pH was kept 7.5 before sterilization. In addition, medium was also supplemented with CaCl2 and K2HPO4 and maximum enzyme production was achieved at 0.0025 g/dl calcium chloride and 2.0 g/dl K₂HPO₄with enzyme activity of 87 DSU/ml/hr. Production of dextransucrase in shorter period of time makes this strain an attractive candidate for commercial production of dextransucrase.

Lignocellulose is the most abundant environmental component and a renewable organic resource in soil. There are some filamentous fungi which developed the ability to break down and use cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin as an energy source. The objective of this research was to analyze the effect of three nitrogen resources (ammonium sulfate, saltpetre, soybean) in the holocellulolitic activity of Lentinula edodes EF 50 using as substrate sawdust E. benthamii. An experimental design mixture was applied with repetition in the central point consisting of seven treatments (T) of equal concentrations of nitrogen in ammonium sulfate, potassium nitrate and soybean. The enzymatic activity of avicelase, carboxymetilcellulase, β-glucosidase, xylanases and manganese peroxidase was determined. The humidity, pH, water activity (aw) and qualitative analysis of mycelial growth in 8 times of cultivation were evaluated. The results showed negative effect on enzyme production in treatments with maximum concentration of ammonium sulfate and potassium nitrate. The treatments with cooked soybean flour expressed higher enzymatic activities in times of 3, 6 and 9 days of culture, except in the activity of manganese peroxidase. The highest production was observed in the treatment with ammonium sulfate, and soybean (83.86 UI.L-1) at 20 days of cultivation.

Bacillus spp. are used for the production of industrial enzymes but are also known to be capable of producing biopolymers such as poly(γ-glutamic acid). Biopolymers increase the viscosity of the fermentation broth, thereby impairing mixing, gas/liquid mass and heat transfer in any bioreactor system. Undesired biopolymer formation has a significant impact on the fermentation and downstream processing performance. This study shows how undesirable poly(γ-glutamic acid) formation of an industrial protease producing Bacillus licheniformis strain was prevented by switching the nitrogen source from ammonium to nitrate. The viscosity was reduced from 32 to 2.5 mPa s. A constant or changing pH value did not influence the poly(γ-glutamic acid) production. Protease production was not affected: protease activities of 38 and 46 U mL(-1) were obtained for ammonium and nitrate, respectively. With the presented results, protease production with industrial Bacillus strains is now possible without the negative impact on fermentation and downstream processing by undesired poly(γ-glutamic acid) formation.

Aims: The phagicidal activity of peroxy products against the virulent bacteriophage P001 infecting lactic acid bacteria and bacteriophage MS2 used as a surrogate of enteric viruses (EVs) was evaluated and compared to sodium hypochlorite using the EN 13610 European suspension test and a surface test developed in our laboratories., Methods and Results: Infectivity tests were adapted and/or developed to determine the activity of disinfectants against reference P001 phage of Lactoccocus lactis and F-specific RNA phage MS2 of Escherichia coli in conditions simulating practical use. Similar concentrations of sodium hypochlorite were phagicidal against both bacteriophages, either at 0·05-0·125% of active chlorine using the suspension test or at 0·12-0·5% using the surface test. For Potassium monopersulphate (MPS), phagicidal concentrations varied from 0·006 to 0·012% whatever the type of test and phages. However, for peracetic acid products (PAP) used in suspension, concentrations 55 times higher were necessary against MS2 (0·271%) than against P001 (0·005%). With the surface test, 0·089-0·178% concentrations of PAP were effective against MS2, but these concentrations were 16-32 times greater than needed against P001., Conclusions: Sodium hypochlorite and MPS had similar phagicidal activities against P001 and MS2, but PAP did not., Significance and Impact of the Study: This is the first comparative study to investigate through suspension and surface tests the difference in resistance to peroxy compounds between a reference bacteriophage (P001) used to evaluate phagicidal concentrations in European standards and a surrogate of EVs (MS2). Results underline the importance of validation tests on pertinent surrogates of viruses or bacteriophages to adjust the concentration of disinfectants for use in the food and water industries., (© 2015 The Society for Applied Microbiology.)

The diagnostic value of modified Chicago sky blue (CSB) stain and potassium hydroxide (KOH) mount for superficial mycoses was compared using fungal culture as gold standard. The sensitivity and screening time of the CSB stain were superior to the KOH mount. The CBS stain is simple, quick and reliable for diagnosing superficial mycoses., (Copyright © 2015. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Introduction: Oral potassium replacement is still inevitable. To reduce the irritation of the gastric and intestinal mucosa, pellet and matrix based formulations ensuring extended release of potassium chloride are used. The dissolution tests may help to understand the in vivo steps of the release of potassium chloride and the absorption of potassium., Aim: Using dissolution tests extended to 12 hours the authors evaluated potassium chloride release characteristics of pellet and matrix tablet based formulations used for potassium replacement., Method: The tests were performed in line with the CPMP/EWP/QWP/1401/98 guideline at nine time points (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 9 and 12 hours) in three dissolution media (0.1 M hydrochloric acid, pH 1.2; acetate buffer, pH 4.5; phosphate buffer, pH 6.8)., Results: Similar results were found in all three dissolution media., Conclusions: It is conceivable, that the release of potassium chloride begins already in the stomach (pH = 1.2) and at an average speed of gastrointestinal transit - in about 6-7 hours - 80% of the potassium chloride content of both formulations is dissolved by the time of the entrance to the large bowel. It seems likely, that in vivo in the proximal section of the gastrointestinal tract more potassium chloride is dissolved out of the matrix based formulation, than from the pellet based one. Both formulations meet the clinical requirements of the effective potassium chloride release.

The effect of culture medium compositions on gellan gum production produced by fermentation with a halobacterium Sphingomonas paucimobilis QHZJUJW CGMCC2428 was studied. In this work, a fractional factorial design was applied to investigate the main factors that affected gellan gum production by S. paucimobilis QHZJUJW CGMCC2428. Sucrose was the best carbon source for gellan gum and peptone displayed better inducing effect. Central composite design and response surface methodology were adopted to derive a statistical model for optimizing submerged culture medium composition. These experimental results showed that the optimum culture medium for producing gellan gum was composed of 40.00 (w/v) sucrose, 3.00% peptone (w/v), MgSO4 (w/v), 9.20% KH2PO4 (w/v), 7.50% Na2HPO4 (w/v), 4.30% K2SO4 (w/v), pH 6.8-7.0. The maximal gellan gum was 19.89±0.68 g/L, which was agreed closely with the predicated value (20.12 g/L). After incubated for 72 h under the optimized culture medium in 5-L bioreactor, the gellan gum fermentation reached about 19.90±0.68 g/L, which was higher than that in the initial cultivation medium., (Copyright © 2014 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

A new thermostable and solvent-tolerant lipase was isolated from newly isolated Staphylococcus warneri from oil-contaminated soil. Optimization of the fermentation media for production of thermostable and organic solvent-tolerant lipase was carried out using two statistical methods, i.e., Plackett-Burman design (PBD) and central composite design (CCD) were used for the optimization of the media components. PBD was used to efficiently select important medium components affecting the lipase production. Out of 15 medium components screened, four components, i.e., olive oil, peptone, maltose, and K2HPO4 were found to contribute positively to lipase production. CCD and response surface methodology (RSM) were used to determine the optimum levels of the selected components using Design-Expert 8.0 software. Production medium with olive oil (1.45 %), peptone (0.28 %), maltose (0.054 %), and K2HPO4 (0.091 %) was optimized with a maximum lipase production of 10.43 IU/ml/min. Similarly, production conditions for the lipase production were optimized by using CCD and RSM. Optimized conditions were found to have an incubation temperature of 55 °C, medium pH of 8.0, agitation of 120 rpm, and inoculum volume of 2 %. RSM revealed the maximum lipase production of 17.21 IU/ml using these optimized production conditions. Crude lipase showed enhanced activity in organic solvents such as diethyl ether, hexane, and cyclohexane.

Ethanol toxicity in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae limits titer and productivity in the industrial production of transportation bioethanol. We show that strengthening the opposing potassium and proton electrochemical membrane gradients is a mechanism that enhances general resistance to multiple alcohols. The elevation of extracellular potassium and pH physically bolsters these gradients, increasing tolerance to higher alcohols and ethanol fermentation in commercial and laboratory strains (including a xylose-fermenting strain) under industrial-like conditions. Production per cell remains largely unchanged, with improvements deriving from heightened population viability. Likewise, up-regulation of the potassium and proton pumps in the laboratory strain enhances performance to levels exceeding those of industrial strains. Although genetically complex, alcohol tolerance can thus be dominated by a single cellular process, one controlled by a major physicochemical component but amenable to biological augmentation., (Copyright © 2014, American Association for the Advancement of Science.)

Young hens were fed over a period of 150 d with 2 kinds of diets including corn and soybean meal or corn, soybean, and rapeseed meal. Diets were enriched with potassium iodide (KI) or potassium iodate (KIO3) as an I source in amounts equal to 1, 3, or 5 mg of supplemented I/kg of feed. The hen performance, egg quality, hematological and morphotic indices in blood, hepatic enzyme activity, lipid indices in blood serum as well as I accumulation in wet egg content were determined. Introduction of 00-variety rapeseed meal into the diet improved the laying rate and feed conversion (P < 0.05); however, better egg weight was noted by feeding the hens with a diet without rapeseed meal. Use of KI as an I source enhanced the egg weight. The increased I level in the diet had an equivocal influence on egg weight, improved the feed conversion per 1 kg of eggs, and decreased the proportion of damaged eggs. The use of corn, soybean, and rapeseed meal in hen diets significantly improved yolk color; similar results were noted after an increase in I levels in the diets after 3 mo of feeding. Hematological indices of hen blood demonstrated significantly higher red blood cells numbers and hemoglobin concentrations with the use of KI. The use of a diet containing rapeseed meal led to an enhancement of hepatic enzyme activity, especially of alkaline phosphatase (P = 0.007). Lipid metabolism indices were not influenced by the kind of diet or the I source or level. The accumulation of I in wet egg content was negatively influenced by the use of a diet containing rapeseed meal (P = 0.000). The application of KI as an I source enhanced (P = 0.003) the accretion of I in eggs after 5 mo of treatment. Enhanced I supply significantly increased accumulation of I in eggs (P = 0.000) after 3 and 5 mo of the experiment from 260 and 310 to 1,011 and 1,256 µg/kg of wet egg content, respectively., (©2014 Poultry Science Association Inc.)

From the 16th to the 18th centuries in Japan, saltpeter was produced using a biological niter-bed process and was formed under the floor of gassho-style houses in the historic villages of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama, which are classified as United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Sites. The relict niter-beds are now conserved in the underfloor space of gassho-style houses, where they are isolated from destabilizing environmental factors and retain the ability to produce nitrate. However, little is known about the nitrifying microbes in such relict niter-bed ecosystems. In this study, the microbial community structures within nine relict niter-bed soils were investigated using 454 pyrotag analysis targeting the 16S rRNA gene and the bacterial and archaeal ammonia monooxygenase gene (amoA). The 16S rRNA gene pyrotag analysis showed that members of the phyla Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, Chloroflexi, Firmicutes, Gemmatimonadetes, and Planctomycetes were major microbial constituents, and principal coordinate analysis showed that the NO3-, Cl-, K+, and Na+ contents were potential determinants of the structures of entire microbial communities in relict niter-bed soils. The bacterial and archaeal amoA libraries indicated that members of the Nitrosospira-type ammonia-oxidizing bacteria (AOB) and "Ca. Nitrososphaera"-type ammonia-oxidizing archaea (AOA), respectively, predominated in relict niter-bed soils. In addition, soil pH and organic carbon content were important factors for the ecological niche of AOB and AOA in relict niter-bed soil ecosystems.