Fungal xylanases‐mediated synthesis of silver nanoparticles for catalytic and biomedical applications

Green synthesis of nanoparticles has fuelled the use of biomaterials to synthesise a variety of metallic nanoparticles. The current study investigates the use of xylanases of Aspergillus niger L3 (NEA) and Trichoderma longibrachiatum L2 (TEA) to synthesise silver nanoparticles (AgNPs). Characterisation of AgNPs was carried out using UV–Vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and transmission electron microscopy, while their effectiveness as antimicrobial, antioxidant, catalytic, anticoagulant, and thrombolytic agents were determined. The colloidal AgNPs was brownish with surface plasmon resonance at 402.5 and 410 nm for NEA‐AgNPs and TEA‐AgNPs, respectively; while FTIR indicated that protein molecules were responsible for the capping and stabilisation of the nanoparticles. The spherical nanoparticles had size of 15.21–77.49 nm. The nanoparticles significantly inhibited the growth of tested bacteria (63.20–88.10%) and fungi (82.20–86.10%), and also scavenged DPPH (37.48–79.42%) and hydrogen peroxide (20.50–96.50%). In addition, the AgNPs degraded malachite green (78.97%) and methylene blue (25.30%). Furthermore, the AgNPs displayed excellent anticoagulant and thrombolytic activities using human blood. This study has demonstrated the potential of xylanases to synthesise AgNPs which is to the best of our knowledge the first record of such. The present study underscores the relevance of xylanases in nanobiotechnology.Inspec keywords: visible spectra, catalysis, ultraviolet spectra, silver, microorganisms, antibacterial activity, transmission electron microscopy, surface plasmon resonance, nanoparticles, nanofabrication, colloids, blood, Fourier transform infrared spectra, particle sizeOther keywords: Ag, fungal xylanases‐mediated synthesis, silver nanoparticles, catalytic applications, biomedical applications, green synthesis, metallic nanoparticles, Trichoderma longibrachiatum L2, transmission electron microscopy, antimicrobial agents, antioxidant agents, catalytic agents, thrombolytic agents, surface plasmon resonance, spherical nanoparticles, FTIR spectra, anticoagulant agents, colloidal nanoparticles, biomaterials, Aspergillus niger L3, UV‐vis spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, protein molecules, DPPH, hydrogen peroxide, malachite green, methylene blue, human blood, nanobiotechnology     

Elucidating the digital control mechanism for DNA damage repair with the p53–Mdm2 system: single cell data analysis and ensemble modelling

Recent experimental evidence about DNA damage response using the p53-Mdm2 system has raised some fundamental questions about the control mechanism employed. In response to DNA damage, an ensemble of cells shows a damped oscillation in p53 expression whose amplitude increases with increased DNA damage--consistent with 'analogue' control. Recent experimental results, however, show that the single cell response is a series of discrete pulses in p53; and with increase in DNA damage, neither the height nor the duration of the pulses change, but the mean number of pulses increase--consistent with 'digital' control. Here we present a system engineering model that uses published data to elucidate this mechanism and resolve the dilemma of how digital behaviour at the single cell level can manifest as analogue ensemble behaviour. First, we develop a dynamic model of the p53-Mdm2 system that produces non-oscillatory responses to a stress signal. Second, we develop a probability model of the distribution of pulses in a cell population, and combine the two with the simplest digital control algorithm to show how oscillatory responses whose amplitudes grow with DNA damage can arise from single cell behaviour in which each single pulse response is independent of the extent of DNA damage. A stochastic simulation of the hypothesized control mechanism reproduces experimental observations remarkably well.     

Purification and characterisation of antioxidative peptides from unfractionated rice bran protein hydrolysates

Crude rice bran protein (CRBP) was prepared by alkaline extraction and then treated with 0.6 m HCl to remove phytic acid. The phytate‐free rice bran protein (PFRBP) was hydrolysed with proteases M, N, S, P and pepsin under optimal conditions. Hydrolysates obtained from various hydrolysis periods were subjected to analysis for their degree of hydrolysis (DH) and functional properties. The hydrolysates were fractionated by reversed‐phase column chromatography on Kaseigel ODS resin (120–140 μm) using a stepwise gradient of aqueous ethanol, and their activities were measured. The 40% ethanol fraction of protease P 4 h‐hydrolysate was separated by successive reversed‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography and the amino acid sequences of isolated antioxidative peptides were determined by a protein sequencer and matrix‐assisted laser desorption ionisation‐time of flight mass spectrometry. Crude rice bran protein had higher antioxidative activity than PFRBP, due to the presence of phytic acid. Phytate contents of rice bran, CRBP and PFRBP were 2.5%, 1.42% and 0%, respectively. The activity of PFRBP increased upon protease digestion. Protease M hydrolysates showed the highest DH, but the lowest antioxidative activity. Hydrolysates with DH below 10% had higher antioxidative activity than those above 20%. This result indicates that the antioxidative activity of the hydrolysates is inherent to their characteristics amino acid sequences of peptides depending on the protease specificities.     

Similarity and assumed similarity in personality reports of well-acquainted persons.

The authors obtained self- and observer reports of personality from pairs of well-acquainted college students. Consistent with previous findings, results of Study 1 showed strong cross-source agreement for all 6 HEXACO personality factors (rs ≈ .55). In addition, the authors found modest levels of similarity (r ≈ .25) between dyad members' self-reports on each of 2 dimensions, Honesty-Humility and Openness to Experience. For these same 2 factors, dyad members' self-reports were correlated with their observer reports of the other dyad member (r ≈ .40), thus indicating moderately high assumed similarity. In Study 2, Honesty-Humility and Openness to Experience were the 2 personality factors most strongly associated with the 2 major dimensions of personal values, which also showed substantial assumed similarity. In Study 3, assumed similarity was considerably stronger for close friends than for nonfriend acquaintances. Results suggest that assumed similarity for Honesty-Humility and Openness to Experience reflects a tendency to overestimate one's similarity to persons with whom one has a close relationship, but only on those personality characteristics whose relevance to values gives them central importance to one's identity. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2010 APA, all rights reserved)     

放电等离子烧结对纳米TiN增强Ti-6Al-4V显微组织和磨损行为的影响（英文）

采用放电等离子烧结(SPS)成功制备Ti-6Al-4V/TiN复合材料。加入Ti-6Al-4V中的TiN含量变化范围为1%~5%(体积分数)。研究添加TiN对Ti-6Al-4V材料致密度、显微组织、硬度和磨损行为的影响。实验结果表明,随着TiN含量的增加,材料的烧结密度从99%降低至97%;而显微硬度值却从HV_(0.1) 389增加至HV_(0.1) 488。X射线衍射(XRD)分析表明,伴随着少量二次Ti_2N相的形成,复合材料中TiN相的衍射峰强度增加。SEM分析表明,SPS烧结Ti-6Al-4V纳米复合材料具有细化的α/β相组织及均匀分散的TiN颗粒。与无添加烧结Ti-6Al-4V相比,Ti-6Al-4V/TiN复合材料的磨损表面呈现非连续的凹槽,抗磨粒磨损性能得到提高。     

Effects of processing conditions and packaging material on the quality attributes of dry‐roasted peanuts

Five different processing conditions of raw shelled unblanched peanuts were investigated. The first two treatments involved soaking the peanuts in tap water for 10 and 30 min respectively, then mixing thoroughly with dry NaCl before roasting. Another two treatments involved soaking the peanuts in saturated brine solution for 10 and 30 min respectively before roasting. Unsalted roasted peanuts served as the control. Packaging and storage studies were carried out by packaging the differently treated dry‐roasted peanuts in four different packaging materials and storing them under three different relative humidities for 3 months at ambient temperature. Proximate composition, NaCl content, peroxide value and thiobarbituric acid value were determined and sensory evaluation tests were carried out. Salting was found to improve the taste, flavour and overall acceptability of dry‐roasted peanuts but had no effect on shelf‐life. Peanuts treated in saturated brine solution for 30 min before roasting were the most preferred. The control packaging material, 18 µm transparent polyethylene, was found to be inadequate for protecting the quality attributes of dry‐roasted peanuts, with mould growth being observed on the 42nd day of storage at 80% relative humidity. However, acceptable results were obtained with 45 µm transparent polypropylene. The mean sensory scores and objective tests were found to be negatively correlated. © 2002 Society of Chemical Industry     

Relationship between “clearness index” and “cloudiness index” at a tropical station (Ilorin, Nigeria)

Total (global) solar radiation, H, and diffuse solar radiation, H_d were measured at Ilorin (8° 30′N 4° 42′E) Nigeria. From these, the daily values of H/H₀ and H_d/H were computed, where H₀ is the extraterrestrial radiation. The relationship between the two ratios and their variation with the prevailing atmospheric conditions were examined.The ratios were found to be opposite in characteristics. H/H₀ has high values in clear atmospheres and low values in cloudy or turbid atmospheres; and vice-versa for H_d/H. The two ratios are negatively linearly related and with this fact, two simple mathematical models were obtained for estimating H_d/H in terms of H/H₀.