Non-Coding RNA-Driven Regulation of rRNA Biogenesis

Ribosomal RNA (rRNA) biogenesis takes place in the nucleolus, the most prominent condensate of the eukaryotic nucleus. The proper assembly and integrity of the nucleolus reflects the accurate synthesis and processing of rRNAs which in turn, as major components of ribosomes, ensure the uninterrupted flow of the genetic information during translation. Therefore, the abundant production of rRNAs in a precisely functional nucleolus is of outmost importance for the cell viability and requires the concerted action of essential enzymes, associated factors and epigenetic marks. The coordination and regulation of such an elaborate process depends on not only protein factors, but also on numerous regulatory non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs). Herein, we focus on RNA-mediated mechanisms that control the synthesis, processing and modification of rRNAs in mammals. We highlight the significance of regulatory ncRNAs in rRNA biogenesis and the maintenance of the nucleolar morphology, as well as their role in human diseases and as novel druggable molecular targets.     

Hybridization Networks of mRNA and Branched RNA Hybrids

Messenger RNA (mRNA) is emerging as an attractive biopolymer for therapy and vaccination. To become suitable for vaccination, mRNA is usually converted to a biomaterial, using cationic peptides, polymers or lipids. An alternative form of converting mRNA into a material is demonstrated that uses branched oligoribonucleotide hybrids with the ability to hybridize with one or more regions of the mRNA sequence. Two such hybrids with hexamer arms and adamantane tetraol as branching element were prepared by solution-phase synthesis. When a rabies mRNA was treated with the branched hybrids at 1 M NaCl concentration, biomaterials formed that contained both of the nucleic acids. These results show that branched oligoribonucleotides are an alternative to the often toxic reagents commonly used to formulate mRNA for medical applications.     

Simple solution routes for targeted carbonate phases and intricate carbonate and silicate morphologies

This work deals with the preparation of ceramic phases similar to those encountered in natural biocomposites through relatively fast and low-cost aqueous routes and various simple reactants and additives such as urea, commercial gelatin and hexamethyldiamine. In addition to the crystallographic (or amorphous) character of targeted phases (calcite, vaterite, aragonite, silica and silicates) particle morphology is also of interest and among others, we have obtained fractions of particles in the form of nanofibrilar calcite networks, calcium silicate doughnuts and Gordian knots, and diatom-like perforated silica cylinders.     

Effect of extraction parameters on the carotenoid recovery from tomato waste

Tomato waste is an important source of natural carotenoids. This study was carried out to assess the extractability of tomato waste carotenoids in different organic solvents and to optimise the extraction parameters (type of solvent, extraction time, temperature and extraction steps) for maximum yield. Among other solvents, we tested a new environmentally friendly one, ethyl lactate, which gave the highest carotenoid yield (243.00 mg kg^?1 dry tomato waste) at 70 °C, compared to acetone (51.90 mg kg^?1), ethyl acetate (46.21 mg kg^?1), hexane (34.45 mg kg^?1) and ethanol (17.57 mg kg^?1). The carotenoid recovery was significantly (P < 0.05) affected by the number of extraction steps and temperature in all solvents. Mathematic equations predicted rather satisfactorily (R² = 0.89–0.93) the rate of carotenoid extraction in the above‐mentioned solvents. Carotenoid concentration increased with time, approaching a quasi‐saturated condition at approximately 30 min of extraction.     

Antioxidant properties and composition of Majorana syriaca extracts

Majorana syriaca is an important food‐flavouring ingredient in the Middle Eastern culture known commonly as Za'atar. The components of the plant were extracted in a Soxhlet apparatus sequentially with solvents of increasing polarity, specifically with petroleum ether (P), diethyl ether (D), ethyl acetate (EAc), and ethanol (E). The activity of the extracts to scavenge the 2,2‐diphenyl‐1‐picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH^?) followed the order D > E > EAc > P. Moreover, the antioxidant activity in corn oil at concentrations of 200, 500 and 1000 ppm was monitored through peroxide value and conjugated hydroperoxide measurements and revealed that D and E extracts resulted in the highest protection followed by EAc and P extracts. Increasing the concentration from 200 to 500 ppm depressed peroxide formation, while a further increase had no effect. The main components of the P extract according to GS‐MS analysis were thymol (42.89%) and carvacrol (42.75%). The remaining extracts comprise flavonoids and phenolic acids that provide the antiradical and antioxidant activity.     

Influence of Compaction and Granulation Processes on the Properties of Soft Magnetic Ceramics

The granulation and compaction processes are investigated in relation to the influence they have on the magnetic permeability and electromagnetic power losses of conventionally prepared polycrystalline manganese-zinc ferrites. It appears that, during granulation by spray-drying, rapid evaporation conditions may be reached at the internal of the under drying droplets, giving rise to the formation of large void defects in the interior of the granulate. Those defects may resist compaction and also be present in the compacted specimens, eventually leading to large intragranular isolated pores and lower densities at the sintered material; the magnetic properties of the material are therefore negatively influenced. Compaction at high pressures (e.g., >500 kg cm⁻²) may compensate for the existence of inflation defects by causing their removal on compaction. The previous phenomenon is absent in granulates made by the roll granulation process that exhibit, in general, a better compaction, sintering, and magnetic behavior when compared to spray-drying granulates at conditions where void formation takes place.     

Hydrology and Nutrient Enrichment at Two Coastal Lagoon Systems in Northern Greece

The lagoons of N.E. Greece, located on the western side of NestosRiver, and of N.W. Greece, located at the lower reaches of Kalamas River, are among the most important shallow, semi-enclosed ecosystems in Northern Greece. The temporal variability of nutrients at both lagoonal systems shows the strong influence of fresh water discharge on water quality. Nutrient enrichment factors showed that nitrites and ammonium were six times higher at the lagoons of N.W. Greece than those observed at N.E. Greece, while phosphates were forty times higherat Nestos River lagoons. The flushing half-life was calculatedbased on a combination of hydrological and tidal processes, foreach lagoon of these two systems, allowing for the assessment ofwater quality changes. Proper management measures for both systems should focus on the control of fresh water quality entering the lagoons, the reduction of phosphoric fertilizers used by agriculture and the better oxygenation of the water column. One way to eliminate massive fish deaths during the winter in N.E. Greece is also the transfer of fresh, warm groundwater, while bathymetric modifications and channel wideningare needed at the lagoons of N.W. Greece.     

Oxidation of oleuropein studied by EPR and spectrophotometry

The autoxidation at alkaline pH and enzymatic oxidation by mushroom tyrosinase of oleuropein, the dominant biophenol present in the fruits and leaves of Olea europea, was followed by both electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and absorption spectroscopy. For comparison, the same oxidation processes were applied to 4‐methylcatechol, a simple polyphenol present in olive mill wastewaters. EPR spectra of stable o‐semiquinone radicals produced during autoxidation at pH 12 and short‐lived o‐semiquinone free radicals produced during autoxidation at pH 9.0 or tyrosinase action and stabilized by chelation with a diamagnetic metal ion (Mg²⁺) were recorded for both polyphenols, and the corresponding hyperfine splitting constants were determined. The UV‐Vis spectral characteristics of the oxidation of polyphenols were highly dependent on the type of polyphenol, oxidant type and the pH of the reaction. The kinetic behavior of tyrosinase in the presence of oleuropein and 4‐methylcatechol was followed by recording spectral changes at 400 nm (absorption maximum) over time. The tysosinase activity with oleuropein showed a pronounced pH optimum at pH 6.5 and a minor one around pH 8. From the data analysis of the initial rate at pH 6.5, the kinetic parameters K_m = 0.34 ± 0.03 mM and V_max = 0.029 ± 0.002 ΔA₄₀₀ min^–1 were determined for oleuropein.     

The economics of integration of DVB‐S with terrestrial technologies and the role of dynamic bandwidth management

This paper presents the technoeconomic aspects of network solutions based on integration of satellite and terrestrial, based on ADSL, WLAN and DVB‐T technologies, architectures. Following a discussion of the general deployment context, the business case framework is described in terms of areas served, services offered, tariffs, demand assumptions, as well as network architecture and dimensioning rules. The key cost items are presented and economic estimations are provided in the case of telecom operators, which integrate satellite bandwidth with terrestrial technologies in different area types. The evaluated business cases have shown that the satellite rental cost (airtime cost) level is one of the most critical parameter for the economic indicator of present value. Therefore, agreements with satellite operators for spectrum usage will give operators space for business opportunities and acceptable profit margins. In addition, dynamic bandwidth allocation schemes can exploit the aggregated traffic within satellite transmission, which can benefit satellite, telecom and cable operators offering entertainment on broadband business as well as new entrants in broadband business, equipment vendors, broadcasters and TV companies. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Metal precipitation in an ethanol-fed, fixed-bed sulphate-reducing bioreactor

A batch upflow fixed-bed sulphate-reducing bioreactor has been set up and monitored for the treatment of synthetic solutions containing divalent iron (100mg/L and 200mg/L), zinc (100mg/L and 200mg/L), copper (100mg/L and 200mg/L), nickel (100mg/L and 200mg/L) and sulphate (1700 mg/L and 2130 mg/L) at initial pH 3-3.5, using ethanol as the sole electron donor. The reactor has been operated at the theoretical stoichiometric ethanol/sulphate ratio. Complete oxidation of ethanol has been achieved through complete oxidation of the intermediately, microbially produced acetate. This is mainly attributed to the presence of Desulfobacter postgatei species which dominated the sulphate-reducing community in the reactor. The reduction of sulphate was limited to about 85%. Quantitative precipitation of the soluble metal ions has been achieved. XRD and SEM-EDS analyses performed on samples of the produced sludge showed poorly crystalline phases of marcasite, covellite and wurtzite as well as several mixed metal sulphides.