Assessment of soil biochemical properties and soil quality index under rainfed land use systems in submontane Punjab, India

The conversion of natural systems to cultivated systems contributes to changes in the activities of microbial communities and biochemical processes in the soil. A total of 80 surface soil samples (0-15 cm) from 6 rainfed land use systems viz. agriculture, horticulture, agri-horticulture, forest, agroforestry and eroded lands were analyzed for biochemical properties and to derive soil quality index. The soils are slightly acid to neutral in reaction (pH-6.4-6.9) with 0.09-0.23 dS m?1 electrical conductivity (EC), loamy sand to sandy loam in texture, 1.4-6.1 g kg?1 soil organic carbon (SOC), 86-406 kg ha?1 available nitrogen, 29.3-32.6 kg ha?1 available phosphorus,65-226 kg ha?1 available potassium,10.3-21.3 mg kg?1 DTPA-Mn, 12.1-34.2 mg kg?1 DTPA-Fe, 0.34-1.01 mg kg?1 DTPA-Cu and 0.76-1.15 mg kg?1 DTPA-Zn, respectively under different land use systems. Among soil biochemical properties, the enzymic activity among land use systemsis varied from 7.4 to 12.8 µg TPF g?1 h?1 for dehydrogenase activity, 22.3 to 34.5 µg pNP g?1 h?1 for acid phosphatase, 43.4 to 60.1 µg pNP g?1 h?1 for alkaline phosphatase, 3.31 to 4.77 µg NH4-N g?1 soil min?1 for urease activity-, basal soil respiration ?0.13 to 0.30 µg CO2 g?1 soil h?1 for basal respiration , 46.5 to 242.6 µg g?1 soil for soil microbial biomass carbon (MBC) and 8.68 to 30.6 g kg?1 for total easily extractable glomalin (TEGP), respectively. The principle component analysis showed that SOC, EC, TEGP, MBC and DTPA-Zn are robust soil quality indicators under different land use systems in submontane Punjab. The forestry system has higher values for physicochemical, biochemical properties and soil quality index as against agri-horticulture, horticulture, agroforestry, agriculture and eroded system. In subsystems, eucalyptus-based forestry and mango based agri-horticulture systems are served as a better system for soil quality assessment in submontane Punjab, India.

Effect of Organophosphate-Solubilizing Bacteria on Photosynthesis， Physiology， and Biochemistry of Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis / 中国实验方剂学杂志

ObjectiveTo study the effect of organophosphate-solubilizing bacteria and compound bacteria on the photosynthesis and physiological and biochemical characteristics of leaves of Paris polyphylla var. yunnanensis， and to provide a reference for selecting suitable bacterial fertilizers in artificial cultivation of this medicinal species. MethodPot experiment was carried out indoor and the following groups were designed： control （CK）， inoculation with Bacillus mycoides （S1）， inoculation with B. wiedmannii （S2）， inoculation with B. proteolyticus （S3）， inoculation with B. mycoides and B. wiedmannii （S4）， inoculation with B. mycoides and B. proteolyticus （S5）， inoculation with B. wiedmannii and B. proteolyticus （S6）， and inoculation with B. mycoides， B. wiedmannii and B. proteolyticus （S7）. Then， the growth and development， photosynthesis， and various physiological and biochemical indexes of the leaves of this species were observed. ResultCompared with CK， the treatment groups showed decrease in content of malondialdehyde in the leaves （P<0.05）， particularly S7 （content was only about 1/3 that of the CK）. The leaf area， photosynthetic parameters， photosynthetic pigment content， soluble sugar content， soluble protein content， and activity of superoxide dismutase （SOD）， peroxidase （POD）， and catalase （CAT） in leaves of the treatment groups were all improved. Among them， the leaf area， soluble sugar content， and soluble protein content were the highest in S7， which were 2.8， 2.1， and 2.2 times that of the CK， respectively. SOD activity peaked in S6 （2.9 times higher than that in the CK） and the highest activity of POD and CAT was detected in S5 （1.5 times and 2.1 times， respectively higher than that in the CK）. ConclusionInoculation with different organophosphate-solubilizing bacteria or compound bacteria can promote the growth and development of P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis and improve its resistance to stresses. The combination of B. mycoides and B. proteolyticus and the combination of the three achieved the have the best effect. This study provides a reference for the selection of bacterial fertilizers for artificial cultivation of P. polyphylla var. yunnanensis.

Effects of dihydromyricetin on biological properties of Bloom syndrome helicase / 中国药理学通报

; Aim To explore the anti-tumor mechanism of dihydromyricetin (DMY), a kind of flavonoid compound with anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor effects, via studying the effect of DMY on biological activities of Bloom helicase. Methods The effect of DMY on the biological activities of BLM helicase was studied by ultraviolet spectrum (UV), circular dichroism (CD), fluorescence polarization and free phosphorus detection. Results The results of CD and UV showed that DMY could bind to a site of the BLM helicase. In the concentration of DMY in 0 ~ 25 μmol . L 1 range, DMY showed a positive correlation with the interference ability of BLM helicase secondary structure with the increase of concentration, while in the concentration of DMY in 25 ~ 75 μmol . L 1 range, DMY showed a negative correlation. Fluorescence polarization and free phosphorus detection experiments showed that DMY could bind to BLM helicase, thus inhibiting the helicase activity of BLM helicase. Conclusions DMY can competitively bind to the DNA binding site of BLM helicase and change the spatial structure of BLM helicase, inhibiting the binding of BLM helicase to DNA and the biological activity of BLM helicase accordingly.

Consumer Preferences, Carcass Characteristics and Sensory Evaluation of Meat of Four Guinea Fowl Genotypes in the Transitional Zone of Ashanti Region, Ghana

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of Guinea fowl genotype on consumer preferences, carcass characteristics and sensory attributes of meat in Ghana. The study was divided into 3 phases, where phase one consisted of sales of a total of 82 Guinea fowls made up of Pearl, Lavender, Black and White and the administration of questionnaires to consumers, retailers, producers and processors in one Municipal (Asante Mampong) and one district (Ejura/sekere dumase district) in Ashanti Region. The second phase involved the slaughter of 16 male Guinea fowls consisting of 4 each of the genotypes for carcass and biochemical analysis. The third phase entailed determination of sensory attributes of cooked meat samples from the four genotypes. Phase two and three were carried out at the Poultry Unit of the Department of Animal Science. Data were analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2007 for consumer preferences and Genstat Release 11.1 (Windows) for carcass and sensory analysis. The study revealed that Guinea fowl genotypes are preferred based on availability. The Pearl genotype was the most preferred. At 32 weeks of age, body weight was significantly (p˂0.05) higher in Lavender, White and Black genotypes. Breast weight was significantly (p˂0.05) highest in the White genotype. The Lavender recorded significantly (p˂0.05) higher drumstick weight. On the other hand, the Black had significantly (p˂0.05) higher thigh weight whiles Wing weight was significantly (p˂0.05) higher in Pearl, Lavender and Black genotypes. Empty gizzard weight was significantly (p˂0.05) highest in Pearl with the least in White. There were no differences in biochemical properties and sensory attributes of meat of genotypes except for raw meat samples where significant (p˂0.05) difference was observed between genotypes. This study concludes that, all the genotypes could be preferred by consumers if made available and that the Pearl could perform much better if improved upon. Breeders should therefore improve upon the Pearl and also concentrate on the production of the White, Lavender and Black Guinea fowls for commercial production. Sustainability of these genotypes will also be achieved to prevent extinction as these are not as common as the Pearl. Further research to elucidate comparable advantage of any one of the genotypes is suggested to give major attention to the specific one.

Molecular cloning and biochemical characterization of an α-amylase family from Aspergillus niger

Background: α-Amylase is widely used in the starch processing, food and paper industries, hydrolyzing starch, glycogen and other polysaccharides into glucose, maltose and oligosaccharides. An α-amylase gene family from Aspergillus niger CBS513.88 encode eight putative α-amylases. The differences and similarities, biochemical properties and functional diversity among these eight α-amylases remain unknown. Results: The eight genes were cloned and expressed in Pichia pastoris GS115 by shaking-flask fermentation under the induction of methanol. The sequence alignment, biochemical characterizations and product analysis of starch hydrolysis by these α-amylases were investigated. It is found that the eight α-amylases belonged to three different groups with the typical structure of fungal α-amylase. They exhibited maximal activities at 30­40°C except AmyG and were all stable at acidic pH. Ca2+ and EDTA had no effects on the activities of α-amylases except AmyF and AmyH, indicating that the six amylases were Ca2+ independent. Two novel α-amylases of AmyE and AmyF were found. AmyE hydrolyzed starch into maltose, maltotriose and a small amount of glucose, while AmyF hydrolyzed starch into mainly glucose. The excellent physical and chemical properties including high acidic stability, Ca2+-independent and high maltotriose-forming capacity make AmyE suitable in food and sugar syrup industries. Conclusions: This study illustrates that a gene family can encode multiple enzymes members having remarkable differences in biochemical properties. It provides not only new insights into evolution and functional divergence among different members of an α-amylase family, but the development of new enzymes for industrial application.

Biochemical characterization of three Aspergillus niger ß-galactosidases

Background: ß-Galactosidases catalyze both hydrolytic and transgalactosylation reactions and therefore have many applications in food, medical, and biotechnological fields. Aspergillus niger has been a main source of ß-galactosidase, but the properties of this enzyme are incompletely studied. Results: Three new ß-galactosidases belonging to glycosyl hydrolase family 35 from A. niger F0215 were cloned, expressed, and biochemically characterized. In addition to the known activity of LacA encoded by lacA, three putative ß-galactosidases, designated as LacB, LacC, and LacE encoded by the genes lacB, lacC, and lacE, respectively, were successfully cloned, sequenced, and expressed and secreted by Pichia pastoris. These three proteins and LacA have N-terminal signal sequences and are therefore predicted to be extracellular enzymes. They have the typical structure of fungal ß-galactosidases with defined hydrolytic and transgalactosylation activities on lactose. However, their activity properties differed. In particular, LacB and lacE displayed maximum hydrolytic activity at pH 4­5 and 50°C, while LacC exhibited maximum activity at pH 3.5 and 60°C. All ß-galactosidases performed transgalactosylation activity optimally in an acidic environment. Conclusions: Three new ß-galactosidases belonging to glycosyl hydrolase family 35 from A. niger F0215 were cloned and biochemically characterized. In addition to the known LacA, A. niger has at least three ß-galactosidase family members with remarkably different biochemical properties.

Tissue Engineering of the Intervertebral Disc's Annulus Fibrosus: A Scaffold-Based Review Study

Tissue engineering as a high technology solution for treating disc's problem has been the focus of some researches recently; however, the upcoming successful results in this area depends on understanding the complexities of biology and engineering interface. Whereas the major responsibility of the nucleus pulposus is to provide a sustainable hydrated environment within the disc, the function of the annulus fibrosus (AF) is more mechanical, facilitating joint mobility and preventing radial bulging by confining of the central part, which makes the AF reconstruction important. Although the body of knowledge regarding the AF tissue engineering has grown rapidly, the opportunities to improve current understanding of how artificial scaffolds are able to mimic the AF concentric structure—including inter-lamellar matrix and cross-bridges—addressed unresolved research questions. The aim of this literature review was to collect and discuss, from the international scientific literature, information about tissue engineering of the AF based on scaffold fabrication and material properties, useful for developing new strategies in disc tissue engineering. The key parameter of this research was understanding if role of cross-bridges and inter-lamellar matrix has been considered on tissue engineering of the AF.

Taurine and its effect on the protection of the central nervous system / 中华实用儿科临床杂志

Taurine is one of the extremely important amino acids in the body,and is also the most abundant free amino acids in the central nervous system(CNS).Taurine as a conditional essential amino acids exerts a wide range of physiological and pharmacological effects.Taurine,especially as a neurotransmitter in the developing CNS,can maintain the structural integrity of the membrane,regulate calcium transport and calcium homeostasis,also as nutritional factors,osmolyte,neuromodulator,neuroprotective agents,plays an important role.In this paper,physiological and biochemical properties of taurine,source and distribution in vivo,synthesis and metabolism,absorption and transport,and its protective effect on the CNS are reviewed.

Production of xylanases by an Aspergillus niger strain in wastes grain / Produção de xilanases por uma linhagem de Aspergillus niger em resíduos de grãos

Many fungi are used in order to extract products from their metabolism through bioprocesses capable of minimizing adverse effects caused by agro- industrial wastes in the environment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the xylanase production by an Aspergillus niger strain, using agro-industrial wastes as substrate. Brewer's spent grain was the best inducer of xylanase activity. Higher levels of xylanase were obtained when the fungus was grown in liquid Vogel medium, pH 5.0, at 30ºC, during 5 days. The temperature for optimum activity was 50ºC and optimum pH 5.0. The enzyme was stable at 50ºC, with a half-life of 240 min. High pH stability was verified from pH 4.5 to 7.0. These characteristics exhibited by A. niger xylanase turn this enzyme attractive for some industrial applications, such as in feed and food industries. Additionally, the use of brewer's spent grain, an abundantly available and low-cost residue, as substrate for xylanase production can not only add value and decrease the amount of this waste, but also reduce xylanase production cost.

Muitos fungos são utilizados com a finalidade de extrair produtos de seu metabolismo, por meio de bioprocessos capazes de minimizar efeitos nocivos que resíduos agroindustriais causam ao meio ambiente. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a produção de xilanases por uma linhagem de Aspergillus niger, empregando resíduos agroindustriais como substrato. O bagaço de malte foi o melhor resíduo indutor da atividade xilanásica. Maiores níveis de xilanases foram obtidos quando o fungo foi cultivado em meio líquido de Vogel, pH 5,0, a 30ºC, durante cinco dias. A temperatura ótima estabelecida para a atividade xilanásica foi a de 50ºC e o pH ótimo 5,0. A enzima foi estável a 50ºC, apresentando uma meia vida de 240 min. Elevada estabilidade enzimática foi verificada entre os pH 4,5 e 7,0. As características bioquímicas exibidas pela xilanase produzida por A. niger tornam esta enzima atraente para determinadas aplicações industriais, como as indústrias de ração animal e alimentícia. Adicionalmente, a utilização do bagaço de malte, um resíduo disponível em abundância e de baixo custo como substrato para a produção de xilanases poderá não somente adicionar valor a este resíduo, como também reduzir os custos de produção destas enzimas.

Thrombolysis of plasmin and its derivatives:research advances / 国际药学研究杂志

All of the thrombolytic agents currently approved for use in humans are plasminogen activators, the application of which is limited by bleeding complications at vascular injury sites and plasminogen content in the thrombus. Plasmin is rapidly neutral-ized in the circulation by α2-antiplasmin and tolerated without bleeding. With the application of catheter-based delivery, the unique bio-chemical properties of plasmin make it a safe and effective direct fibrinolytics. Plasmin derivatives, including miniplasmin,Δ-plasmin and microplsmin, display more thrombolysis efficacy and better hemostatic safety in preclinical study and clinical trials. This review sum-marizes the current information on plasmin and its derivatives, including the advances on biochemical properties, preclinical and clinical trials.

Thrombolysis of plasmin and its derivatives: Research advances / 国际药学研究杂志

All of the thrombolytic agents currently approved for use in humans are plasminogen activators, the application of which is limited by bleeding complications at vascular injury sites and plasminogen content in the thrombus. Plasmin is rapidly neutralized in the circulation by α2-antiplasmin and tolerated without bleeding. With the application of catheter-based delivery, the unique biochemical properties of plasmin make it a safe and effective direct fibrinolytics. Plasmin derivatives, including miniplasmin, {increment}-plasmin and microplsmin, display more thrombolysis efficacy and better hemostatic safety in preclinical study and clinical trials. This review summarizes the current information on plasmin and its derivatives, including the advances on biochemical properties, preclinical and clinical trials.

Purification and biochemical characterization of endoglucanase from Penicillium pinophilum MS 20.

Cellulases find increasing prominence in sustainable production of fuel and feedstock from lignocellulosic biomass. The purification and biochemical characterization of individual components of cellulase complex is important to understand the mechanism of their action for the solubilization of crystalline cellulose. In this study, an extra-cellular endoglucanase isolated from culture filtrate of Penicillium pinophilum MS 20 was purified to homogeneity by ammonium sulphate precipitation, ion-exchange chromatography and gel filtration. The purified endoglucanase (specific activity 69 U/mg) was a monomeric protein with molecular mass of 42 kDa, as determined by SDS-PAGE. The endoglucanase was active over a broad range of pH (4-7) with maximum activity at pH 5 and showed optimum temperature of 50°C. It retained 100% activity at 50°C for 6 h and half- lives of 4 h and 3 h at 60°C and 70°C, respectively. The kinetic constants for the endoglucanase determined with carboxymethyl cellulose as substrate were Vmax of 72.5 U/mg and apparent Km of 4.8 mg/ml. The enzyme also showed moderate activity towards H3PO4 swollen cellulose and p-nitrophenyl β-D-glucoside, but no activity towards filter paper, Avicel and oat spelt xylan. The activity was positively modulated by 47, 32 and 25% in the presence of Co2+, Zn2+ and Mg2+, respectively to the reaction mixture. The wide pH stability (4-7) and temperature stability up to 50°C of endoglucanase makes the enzyme suitable for use in cellulose saccharification at moderate temperature and pH.

Biochemical properties, enterohaemolysin production and plasmid carriage of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli strains

Thirty-eight strains of Shiga toxin-producing Escherichia coli (STEC) were characterised in terms of biochemical properties, enterohaemolysin production and plasmid carriage. A wide variation in the biochemical properties was observed among the STEC, with 14 distinct biotypes identified. Biotype 1 was the most common, found in 29 percent of the strains. Enterohaemolysin production was detected in 29 percent of the strains. Most of the bacterial strains (95 percent) carried one or more plasmids and considerable heterogeneity in size and combinations was observed. Seven distinct plasmid profiles were identified. The most common profile, characterised by the presence of a single plasmid of ~90 kb, was found in 50 percent of these strains. These data indicate extensive diversity among STEC strains. No correlation was found among biotype, serotype, enterohaemolysin production and plasmid profile.

Screening and partial immunochemical characterization of sulfite oxidase from plant source.

Sulfite oxidase [SO; EC 1.8.3.1] catalyses the physiologically vital oxidation of sulfite to sulfate, the terminal reaction in degradation of sulfur containing amino acids, cysteine and methionine. Sulfite oxidase from vertebrate sources is among the best studied molybdenum enzymes. Existence of SO in plants has been established recently by identification of a cDNA from Arabidopsis thaliana encoding a functional SO. The present study was undertaken to identify herbaceous and woody plants (viz., Azardirachta indica L., Cassia fistula L., Saraca indica L., Spinacea oleracea L., and Syzyzium cumini L.), a relatively less explored source, having significant SO activity and to characterize some of its immuno-biochemical properties. The Syzyzium cumini was chosen to characterize SO as it showed maximum enzyme activity in the crude extract as compared to other plants. Absorption spectra of SO revealed two peaks at 235 and 277 nm, but no distinct peak in the visible region could be observed. Crude extract of all the plants were taken into considerations for immuno-biochemical studies. Despite of significant protein structure-functional similarities between plant and animal SO, no cross-reactivity could be established between the two sources of SO. These data suggested that plants SO, however, differed with regards to their immuno-biochemical properties.

STUDY ON PHYSIOLOGICAL AND BIOCHEMICAL PROPERTIES OF ?-ACETOLACTATE DECAROBOXYLASES FROM DIFFERENT MICROBES / 微生物学通报

The enzyme activity of ?- Acetolactate Decaroboxylases (ALDC) from different microbes was studied, the results demonstrated that it was quite different among them. There were diversities of their enzyme reaction velocities. It was clear that the enzyme activity was affected by the pH of the enzyme reaction system, for example, the optimum pH of ALDC from Lactococcus lactis was 6. 6, while for Aerobacter Aerogenes it was 5. 8. Addition leucine,valine and isoleucine into enzyme reaction system obviously affected the enzyme activity of ALDC from different microbes.