The Lipid A Structure from the Marine Sponge Symbiont Endozoicomonas sp. HEX 311

Endozoicomonas sp. HEX311 is a Gram-negative bacterium known to establish a commensal interaction with the marine demosponge Suberites domuncula. The molecular bases of the sponge–microbe interaction events are still poorly defined. Nevertheless, it has been proved that S. domuncula possesses an innate immune system with similarities to the mammalian one and is able to recognize the main component of the Gram-negative bacteria cell wall: the lipopolysaccharide. Whether this recognition occurs in a structure-dependent manner, which is typical for mammalian immune system receptors, is still under investigation. Herein, we report the Endozoicomonas sp. HEX311 lipid A structure obtained by a combination of data attained from chemical, MALDI MS, and MS² approaches. The lipid A is a complex family of species decorated by pyrophosphate and phosphate units and carrying (R)-3-hydroxydodecanoic acid, (R)-3-hydroxytetradecanonic acid, iso-2-hydroxyundecanoic acid, iso-(R)-3-hydroxyundecanoic acid, and iso-nonanoic acid as acyl chains.     

Effect of potato starch modification on mechanical parameters and granules morphology

Research was conducted to recognise the interrelations between morphology and mechanical properties of powders used in the food industry (dried potato protein, granulated starch, gelatinising starch, potato starch, pudding flour, starch thickener, and six kinds of dextrins: 40% white dextrin, 60% white dextrin, yellow dextrins: S, N, W, WB). Microscopic examination, determination of particle size distribution, particle shape index, as well as direct shear tests were performed. Single particles of dextrins were found to have similar shapes and dimensions. Classification of materials based on the results of mechanical testing was found to be in close agreement with classification based on morphology. The values of unconfined yield strength of dextrins and other materials investigated were found to be close, and characteristic of easy flowing and cohesive materials. Oscillations in the shear stress-strain curves were observed for two experimental materials: potato starch and white dextrin 60%, while those for other experimental materials run smooth. The highest values of unconfined yield strength σ_c were found in a range from 4.5 to 8 kPa for dried potato protein, at major consolidation stress values of 4 and 10 kPa, respectively. The lowest values of σ_c, characteristic for easy flowing and free flowing materials, were found for potato starch and granulated potato starch. The results of this study confirmed the relevance of morphology to the mechanical properties of powders.     

In Search of Monocot Phosphodiesterases: Identification of a Calmodulin Stimulated Phosphodiesterase from Brachypodium distachyon

In plants, rapid and reversible biological responses to environmental cues may require complex cellular reprograming. This is enabled by signaling molecules such as the cyclic nucleotide monophosphates (cNMPs) cAMP and cGMP, as well as Ca²⁺. While the roles and synthesis of cAMP and cGMP in plants are increasingly well-characterized, the “off signal” afforded by cNMP-degrading enzymes, the phosphodiesterases (PDEs), is, however, poorly understood, particularly so in monocots. Here, we identified a candidate PDE from the monocot Brachypodium distachyon (BDPDE1) and showed that it can hydrolyze cNMPs to 5′NMPs but with a preference for cAMP over cGMP in vitro. Notably, the PDE activity was significantly enhanced by Ca²⁺ only in the presence of calmodulin (CaM), which interacts with BDPDE1, most likely at a predicted CaM-binding site. Finally, based on our biochemical, mutagenesis and structural analyses, we constructed a comprehensive amino acid consensus sequence extracted from the catalytic centers of annotated and/or experimentally validated PDEs across species to enable a broad application of this search motif for the identification of similar active sites in eukaryotes and prokaryotes.     

Heat-Resisting Aluminized Coatings Modified by Chromium Addition Produced on Nickel-Based Alloys

Aluminizing process is an important technology in which aluminum is introduced into the surface of base material. In this work, aluminized layers were produced by the pack cementation process on Inconel 600, Inconel 625 and Nimonic 90 nickel-based alloys. Powder mixture contained 80% of Al and 20% of Fe–Cr. Microstructure, hardness, chemical composition and heat resistance were investigated. The microstructure consisted of intermetallic phases near the surface, and below them, the solid solution was observed. The oxidation resistance at elevated temperature of alloys with the layer was compared with pure alloys. After 20-h annealing at 1000 °C, the phase analysis was carried out. On the Nimonic 90 with aluminized coatings, a lot of Cr₂O₃ and Al₂O₃ oxides were produced, whereas on the pure Nimonic 90, a lot of NiO oxides were observed. It was found that the best heat resistance was obtained for the layer produced on the Nimonic 90.     

Comparison of rheological, fermentative and baking properties of gluten-free dough formulations

This paper examines the fundamental rheological properties, capability of CO₂ retention during proofing, and baking behaviour of gluten-free (GF) dough. Maize flour, maize starch, rice flour, and buckwheat flour formulations are compared. Apple pectin is used as the structuring agent. Rheologically, the GF dough formulations can be defined as physical gels of different viscoelasticity and structural networking. The curves of CO₂ retention in the GF dough best fit with the asymmetric transition sigmoidal function. Some correlations between characteristic parameters of the transition sigmoids versus rheological parameters of the GF dough, the spread parameter n of Cole–Cole model and the shear-thinning consistency index k, were found. In baking tests, extending the proofing time improved the taste, aroma, and mouth feel of gluten-free breads, particularly when a sourdough step was applied or flaxseed was added to the formulation.     

The Erlangen Slot Machine: A Dynamically Reconfigurable FPGA-based Computer

Computer architects have been studying the dynamically reconfigurable computer (Schaumont, Verbauwhede, Keutzer, and Sarrafzadeh, “A Quick Safari through the Reconfiguration Jungle,” in Proc. of the 38th Design Automation Conference, Las Vegas, pp. 127–177, 2001) for a number of years. New capabilities such as on-demand computing power, self-adaptiveness and self-optimization capabilities by restructuring the hardware on the fly at run-time is seen as a driving technology factor for current research initiatives such as autonomic (Kephart and Chess, Computer, 36:41–52, 2003; IBM Autonomic Computing Initiative, (http://www.research.ibm.com/autonomic/)) and organic computing (Müller-Schloer, von der Malsburg, and Würtz, Inform.-Spektrum, 27:332–336, 2004; The Organic Computing Page, (http://www.organic-computing.org)). Much research work is currently devoted to models for partial hardware module relocation (SPP1148 Reconfigurable Computing Priority Program, (http://www12.informatik.uni-erlangen.de/spprr/)) and dynamically reconfigurable hardware reconfiguration on e.g., FPGA-based platforms. However, there are many physical restrictions and technical problems limiting the scope or applicability of these approaches. This led us to the development of a new FPGA-based reconfigurable computer called the Erlangen Slot Machine. The architecture overcomes many architectural constraints of existing platforms and allows a user to partially reconfigure hardware modules arranged in so-called slots. The uniqueness of this computer stems from (a) a new slot-oriented hardware architecture, (b) a set of novel inter-module communication paradigms, and (c) concepts for dynamic and partial reconfiguration management.

Effects of Metallic and Carbon-Based Nanomaterials on Human Pancreatic Cancer Cell Lines AsPC-1 and BxPC-3

Pancreatic cancer, due to its asymptomatic development and drug-resistance, is difficult to cure. As many metallic and carbon-based nanomaterials have shown anticancer properties, we decided to investigate their potential use as anticancer agents against human pancreatic adenocarcinoma. The objective of the study was to evaluate the toxic properties of the following nanomaterials: silver (Ag), gold (Au), platinum (Pt), graphene oxide (GO), diamond (ND), and fullerenol (C₆₀(OH)₄₀) against the cell lines BxPC-3, AsPC-1, HFFF-2, and HS-5. The potential cytotoxic properties were evaluated by the assessment of the cell morphology, cell viability, and cell membrane damage. The cancer cell responses to GO and ND were analysed by determination of changes in the levels of 40 different pro-inflammatory proteins. Our studies revealed that the highest cytotoxicity was obtained after the ND treatment. Moreover, BxPC-3 cells were more sensitive to ND than AsPC-1 cells due to the ND-induced ROS production. Furthermore, in both of the cancer cell lines, ND caused an increased level of IL-8 and a decreased level of TIMP-2, whereas GO caused only decreased levels of TIMP-2 and ICAM-1 proteins. This work provides important data on the toxicity of various nanoparticles against pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell lines.     

Polyurethane Foam Rafts Supported In Vitro Cultures of Rindera graeca Roots for Enhanced Production of Rinderol,Potent Proapoptotic Naphthoquinone Compound

Unique phytochemical profile of plants belonging to Boraginaceae family provides a prolific resource of lipophilic pigments from the group of naphthoquinone derivatives. To overcome low compound content, the major obstacle of plant-based production, immobilization of Rindera graeca roots in in vitro cultures was implemented for efficient production of rinderol, novel furanonaphthoquinone derivative with anticancer properties. Chromatographic procedures revealed rinderol presence in extracts of all investigated root lines, derived both from root biomass and post-culture medium. Unexpectedly, in the second stage of the experiment, rinderol production was ceased in control, unmodified culture systems. On the contrary, roots immobilized on PUF rafts uniformly and stably produced rinderol, and its highest amount was noted for transformed root lines after 42 days of cultivation (222.98 ± 10.47 µg/flask). PUF occurred to be the main place of compound accumulation. Moreover, investigation of rinderol biological activity revealed its fast-acting cell death induction in HeLa cervical cancer cells at relatively low concentrations. Presented results revealed successful application of R. graeca roots immobilization on PUF rafts for production and in situ product removal of rinderol, novel lipophilic furanonaphthoquinone with suggested proapoptotic activity.     

De Novo ACTG1 Variant Expands the Phenotype and Genotype of Partial Deafness and Baraitser–Winter Syndrome

Actin molecules are fundamental for embryonic structural and functional differentiation; γ-actin is specifically required for the maintenance and function of cytoskeletal structures in the ear, resulting in hearing. Baraitser–Winter Syndrome (B-WS, OMIM #243310, #614583) is a rare, multiple-anomaly genetic disorder caused by mutations in either cytoplasmically expressed actin gene, ACTB (β-actin) or ACTG1 (γ-actin). The resulting actinopathies cause characteristic cerebrofrontofacial and developmental traits, including progressive sensorineural deafness. Both ACTG1-related non-syndromic A20/A26 deafness and B-WS diagnoses are characterized by hypervariable penetrance in phenotype. Here, we identify a 28th patient worldwide carrying a mutated γ-actin ACTG1 allele, with mildly manifested cerebrofrontofacial B-WS traits, hypervariable penetrance of developmental traits and sensorineural hearing loss. This patient also displays brachycephaly and a complete absence of speech faculty, previously unreported for ACTG1-related B-WS or DFNA20/26 deafness, representing phenotypic expansion. The patient’s exome sequence analyses (ES) confirms a de novo ACTG1 variant previously unlinked to the pathology. Additional microarray analysis uncover no further mutational basis for dual molecular diagnosis in our patient. We conclude that γ-actin c.542C > T, p.Ala181Val is a dominant pathogenic variant, associated with mildly manifested facial and cerebral traits typical of B-WS, hypervariable penetrance of developmental traits and sensorineural deafness. We further posit and present argument and evidence suggesting ACTG1-related non-syndromic DFNA20/A26 deafness is a manifestation of undiagnosed ACTG1-related B-WS.