Noble metal-modified octahedral anatase titania particles with enhanced activity for decomposition of chemical and microbiological pollutants.

Octahedral anatase particles (OAPs) were prepared by hydrothermal (HT) reaction of titanate nanowires (TNWs). OAPs were modified with noble metals (Au, Ag, Cu and Pt) by two photodeposition methods: in the absence and in the initial presence of oxygen in the system. Photocatalytic activities for oxidative decomposition of acetic acid and anaerobic dehydrogenation of methanol under UV/vis irradiation and for oxidation of 2-propanol under visible light irradiation were investigated. Antibacterial activities for bacteria (Escherichia coli) and fungi (Candida albicans) were investigated in the dark and under UV irradiation and/or visible light irradiation. It was found that the kind of metal deposition significantly influenced the properties of photocatalysts obtained and thus their photocatalytic and antimicrobial activities. Modification of OAPs with metallic deposits resulted in enhanced photocatalytic activities for all tested systems. Pt-modified OAPs showed the highest activity for dehydrogenation of methanol due to their highest work function and lowest activation overpotential of hydrogen evolution. Cu-modified OAPs exhibited the highest activity for oxidative decomposition of acetic acid under UV/vis irradiation, probably due to the heterojunction between Cu oxides and TiO2. On the other hand, Au-modified OAPs showed the highest photocatalytic activity under visible light irradiation due to their plasmonic properties. Bare OAPs, prepared with various durations of the HT reaction, did not have any antibacterial properties in the dark, while their activity under UV/vis irradiation was correlated with their photocatalytic activities for dehydrogenation of methanol and decomposition of acetic acid. Antimicrobial activity of modified OAPs in the dark and under visible light irradiation was the highest for Ag-modified OAPs. Under UV irradiation, Cu-modified OAPs showed the highest activity for inactivation of both bacteria and fungi.

High-Quality Draft Genome Sequence of Xanthomonas alfalfae subsp. alfalfae Strain CFBP 3836.

We report the high-quality draft genome sequence of Xanthomonas alfalfae subsp. alfalfae strain CFBP 3836, the causal agent of bacterial leaf and stem spot in lucerne (Medicago sativa). Comparative genomics will help to decipher the mechanisms provoking disease and triggering the defense responses of this pathogen of the model legume Medicago truncatula.

High-Quality Draft Genome Sequences of Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. glycines Strains CFBP 2526 and CFBP 7119.

We report here the high-quality draft genome sequences of two strains of Xanthomonas axonopodis pv. glycines, the causal agent of bacterial pustule on soybeans. Comparison of these genomes with those of phylogenetically closely related pathovars of Xanthomonas spp. will help to understand the mechanisms involved in host specificity and adaptation to host plants.

Identification of differentially expressed cDNA sequences and histological characteristics of Hevea brasiliensis calli in relation to their embryogenic and regenerative capacities.

Different friable Hevea callus lines from the same genotype can display different embryogenic and regenerative potentials. These lines can not be distinguished on the basis of macroscopic criteria. A histological and molecular study was undertaken to characterize the differences existing between five callus lines with different potentials. The genes differentially expressed during induction were analyzed using the differential display (DD-RT) technique. Twenty-eight cDNAs were found to be differentially expressed during induction in the embryogenic regenerating line (ER). Embryogenic nodules were formed earlier in the ER lines than in the embryogenic non-regenerating lines and were completely absent in the non-embryogenic line. Of these 28 cDNAs, five could be used to distinguish between calli prior to induction, thereby enabling an early diagnosis of friable Hevea callus embryogenic potential.

Traumatic intracerebral haematoma: complication of skull caliper traction. Case report.

Recently, a unique case of traumatic intracerebral haematoma complicating the insertion of skull calipers, has been observed. It is assumed it was due to: 1. the accidental penetration of the burr into the skull, while making the insertion hole for the caliper; 1. the failure to grip the skull with the special metal sleeve, the Blackburn skull caliper is provided with, so that the end plates were free to move in and out of the skull in this restless patient. The correct diagnosis was made only after severe uncal herniation had developed. The reasons for missing the correct diagnosis within useful time for proper treatment are considered to be: 1. carotid angiography performed too early in the process of haematoma formation: 2. the vascular displacements were only slight and not fully diagnostic; 3. a recognized complication, extradural haematoma, had already been excluded.