Survival of biogenic amine‐producing dairy LAB strains at pasteurisation conditions

Biogenic amines (BAs) are low molecular weight organic bases with biological activity, synthesised by the microbial decarboxylation of precursor amino acids such as histidine, tyrosine or arginine. The consumption of food and beverages containing large amounts of BA can have toxicological effects. This paper reports the resistance of aminogenic lactic acid bacteria strains to pasteurisation (63 °C for 30 min). Skimmed milk inoculated with histamine‐ and tyramine‐producing strains of Enterococcus and Lactobacillus was subjected to pasteurisation. The viable number of Enterococcus durans IPLA 655 was reduced by 1 log, while that of Enterococcus faecalis BA64 was reduced by 3 logs. Lactobacillus brevis CECT 3810 did not survive pasteurisation, while the other Lactobacillus strains examined were more resistant; their viable numbers were reduced by about 2 logs. The two most resistant strains, E. durans IPLA 655 and Lactobacillus curvatus VI6, were subjected to higher temperatures. Enterococcus durans was completely inactivated at 78 °C, while some live cells of Lb. curvatus were observed. These results show that some native, metabolically active BA producers could be found in pasteurised milk owing to their resistance to the thermal treatment; their presence could have a negative impact on the final content of BAs in dairy products made from such milk.     

Tracking the Interplay between Bound Peptide and the Lid Domain of DnaK,Using Molecular Dynamics

Hsp70 chaperones consist of two functional domains: the 44 kDa Nucleotide Binding Domain (NBD), that binds and hydrolyses ATP, and the 26 kDa Substrate Binding Domain (SBD), which binds unfolded proteins and reactivates them, utilizing energy obtained from nucleotide hydrolysis. The structure of the SBD of the bacterial Hsp70, DnaK, consists of two sub-domains: A β-sandwich part containing the hydrophobic cavity to which the hepta-peptide NRLLLTG (NR) is bound, and a segment made of 5 α-helices, called the “lid” that caps the top of the β-sandwich domain. In the present study we used the Escherichia coli Hsp70, DnaK, as a model for Hsp70 proteins, focusing on its SBD domain, examining the changes in the lid conformation. We deliberately decoupled the NBD from the SBD, limiting the study to the structure of the SBD section, with an emphasis on the interaction between the charges of the peptide with the residues located in the lid. Molecular dynamics simulations of the complex revealed significant mobility within the lid structure; as the structure was released from the forces operating during the crystallization process, the two terminal helices established a contact with the positive charge at the tip of the peptide. This contact is manifested only in the presence of electrostatic attraction. The observed internal motions within the lid provide a molecular role for the function of this sub-domain during the reaction cycle of Hsp 70 chaperones.     

Shear resistance in stainless steel plate girders with transverse and longitudinal stiffening

This paper summarizes and presents main results of the investigation conducted in the Department of Construction Engineering of the UPC dealing with shear behaviour of stainless steel plate girders. Initial shear buckling stress together with ultimate shear capacity of these structural elements have been evaluated with special attention paid to the effect of including stiffeners, both transverse and longitudinal. The studies conducted, both numerical and experimental tests, have permitted the development of new and simple design expressions to determine more accurately the initial shear buckling stress in stainless steel web panels and the ultimate capacity of plate girders considering the presence of a rigid or non-rigid end post.     

Pioneers in Partnership: Lesbian and Gay Male Couples in Civil Unions Compared With Those Not in Civil Unions and Married Heterosexual Siblings.

This study compared 212 lesbians and 123 gay men who had civil unions in Vermont (during the first year legislation made this available) with 166 lesbians and 72 gay men in their friendship network who had not had civil unions, and also with 219 heterosexual married women and 193 heterosexual married men consisting of civil union couples' siblings and their spouses. Married heterosexual couples had been together longer and had more traditional division of labor and child care than did lesbians and gay men in both types of couples. Lesbians in civil unions were more open about their sexual orientation than those not in civil unions, and gay men in civil unions were closer to their family of origin than gay men not in civil unions. This is the first study on same-sex couples with civil unions, and the first to compare lesbians and gay men with their married siblings. At a time of legal changes for same-sex couples, these results indicate that legalized same-sex relationships are related to visibility of same-sex couples to their family and the general public. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Long-Term Memory Deficits in Schizophrenia: Primary or Secondary Dysfunction?

Long-term memory impairment is often found in schizophrenia. The question remains whether this is caused by other cognitive deficits. One hundred eighteen first-episode patients were compared with 45 control participants on several memory tasks. The role of processing speed and central executive functions on memory performance was examined with regression analysis for all participants and for patients separately. Deficits were found in general verbal learning performance and retrieval in episodic memory and semantic memory. Processing speed reduced disease-related variance in all memory variables. Coordination, organization of information, and speed of processing were the best predictors for long-term memory deficits in patients. The amount of explained variance, however, is small, especially in general verbal learning performance. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

Do Scleractinian Corals Engage in Chemical Warfare Against Microbes?

Corals are constantly exposed to ubiquitous microbes. Detrimental effects of microbes on corals include surface fouling and disease. To prevent fouling and disease, corals need to resist microbial colonization and invasion. One way that this could be achieved is by chemical defense. Extracts from 100 scleractinian coral species (44 genera and 13 families) were screened for antimicrobial activity against seven microbe species (Alteromonas rubra, Photobacterium damsela, Vibrio harveyi, Vibrio alginolyticus, Vibrio parahaemolyticus, Synechococcus sp., and Staphylococcus aureus). Activity against Synechococcus sp. (a marine cyanobacterium) was recorded in 100 coral species, and eight of these coral species also inhibited the growth of marine bacteria. The extent of microbial colonization on coral surfaces was assessed in 20 scleractinian species to test the hypothesis that fewer microbes occur on corals that have antimicrobial compounds. Bacterial counts exceeded cyanobacterial counts on coral surfaces, and coral species with antibacterial activity had the fewest bacteria on their surfaces. Thus, corals with less heavily colonized surfaces chemically inhibit microbial colonization.     

Ru-Containing Polymeric Catalysts for Cellulose Conversion to Polyols

In this paper Ru-containing catalysts based on hypercrosslinked polystyrene (MN-270) and its functional analogues (MN-100 and MN-500) were studied for the first time in cellulose hydrolytic hydrogenation. The catalysts were characterized using transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high resolution TEM, and porosity measurements. Catalytic studies demonstrated that the catalyst containing 1.0 % Ru and based on MN-270 is the most active. The total yield of sorbitol and mannitol was 50 % on the average at 85 % cellulose conversion.     

Altered Fatty Acid Metabolism-Related Gene Expression in Liver from Morbidly Obese Women with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Lipid accumulation in the human liver seems to be a crucial mechanism in the pathogenesis and the progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We aimed to evaluate gene expression of different fatty acid (FA) metabolism-related genes in morbidly obese (MO) women with NAFLD. Liver expression of key genes related to de novo FA synthesis (LXRα, SREBP1c, ACC1, FAS), FA uptake and transport (PPARγ, CD36, FABP4), FA oxidation (PPARα), and inflammation (IL6, TNFα, CRP, PPARδ) were assessed by RT-qPCR in 127 MO women with normal liver histology (NL, n = 13), simple steatosis (SS, n = 47) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH, n = 67). Liver FAS mRNA expression was significantly higher in MO NAFLD women with both SS and NASH compared to those with NL (p = 0.003, p = 0.010, respectively). Hepatic IL6 and TNFα mRNA expression was higher in NASH than in SS subjects (p = 0.033, p = 0.050, respectively). Interestingly, LXRα, ACC1 and FAS expression had an inverse relation with the grade of steatosis. These results were confirmed by western blot analysis. In conclusion, our results indicate that lipogenesis seems to be downregulated in advanced stages of SS, suggesting that, in this type of extreme obesity, the deregulation of the lipogenic pathway might be associated with the severity of steatosis.     

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Papain‐Family Cathepsin L‐Like Cysteine Protease Inhibitors Containing a 1,4‐Benzodiazepine Scaffold as Antiprotozoal Agents

Novel papain‐family cathepsin L‐like cysteine protease inhibitors endowed with antitrypanosomal and antimalarial activity were developed, through an optimization study of previously developed inhibitors. In the present work, we studied the structure–activity relationships of these derivatives, with the aim to develop new analogues with a simplified and more synthetically accessible structure and with improved antiparasitic activity. The structure of the model compounds was significantly simplified by modifying or even eliminating the side chain appended at the C3 atom of the benzodiazepine scaffold. In addition, a simple methylene spacer of appropriate length was inserted between the benzodiazepine ring and the 3‐bromoisoxazoline moiety. Several rhodesain and falcipain‐2 inhibitors displaying single‐digit micromolar or sub‐micromolar antiparasitic activity against one or both parasites were identified, with activities that were one order of magnitude more potent than the model compounds.