Microalgae Improve the Photosynthetic Performance of Rice Seedlings(Oryza sativa L.)under Physiological Conditions and Cadmium Stress

The aim of this study was to assess the impact of the microalgae Chlorella vulgaris on the rice seedlings at physiological conditions and under cadmium(Cd)stress.We examined the effects of C.vulgaris in the nutrient solution on rice seedlings grown hydroponically in the presence and the absence of 150μM CdCl2,using the low(77 K)temperature and pulse amplitude modulated(PAM)chlorophyll fluorescence,P700 photooxidation measurements,photochemical activities of both photosystems,kinetic parameters of oxygen evolution,oxidative stress markers(MDA,H_(2)O_(2) and proline),pigment content,growth parameters and Cd accumulation.Data revealed that the application C.vulgaris not only stimulates growth and improves the functions of photosynthetic apparatus under physiological conditions,but also reduces the toxic effect of Cd on rice seedlings.Furthermore,the presence of the green microalgae in the nutrient solution of the rice seedlings during Cd exposure,signifi-cantly improved the growth,photochemical activities of both photosystems,the kinetic parameters of the oxygen-evolving reactions,pigment content and decreased lipid peroxidation,H_(2)O_(2) and proline content.Data showed that the alleviation of Cd-induced effects in rice seedlings is a result of the Cd sorption by microalgae,as well as the reduced Cd accumulation in the roots and its translocation from the roots to the shoots.

Cloning, purification and characterization of the ribosomal protein L11 from E. coli

A high-expression system of L11 was constructed and investigated its interaction with other elements of the ribosome using physicochemical methods. The gene rplK, coding for the protein L11 from the E. coli 50S ribosomal subunit was amplifyied, cloned and over-expressed. The protein L11 was purified under native and denaturing conditions, refolded and the structure of both proteins was compared. The protein L11 properly refolded from 6M urea after dialysis. Experiments on binding of proteins L11, RRF and EF-G from Escherichia coli were performed by ana-lytical centrifugation and Biacore. Specific binding between protein L11 and RRF by analytical cen-trifugation was not detected probably due to struc-tural reasons. These findings may be helpful in the design of new antibiotics that specifically disrupt the interactions in the “GTP-associated site” of the bac-terial ribosome, as many of them are not effective anymore. A common intrinsically disordered region of protein L11 was found to be the amino acid se-quence 86-97, while the residues 67-74, containing the linker region, are predicted to be disordered by DisEMBL.

Poly(<i>N</i>-Vinyl Pyrrolidone-<i>b</i>-Dimethylsiloxane) Electrospun Nanofibers: Preparation, Characterization and Biological Response

Here we report electrospinning of Poly(dimethylsiloxane-b-vinyl pyrrolidone) (PDMS-b-PVP) based fibrous scaffold materials. The morphology, thermal properties, surface composition, hydrophilicity and fibers formation with different PDMS and PVP chain lengths were determined by using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray photoelectron microscopy (XPS) and X-ray diffraction (RXD) water vapor uptake and water contact angle (WCA). The electrospinning parameters were controlled as well as fiber deposition area. The influence of polymer solution concentration on the morphology of electrospun fibers was also investigated. We checked out the applicability of the electrospun fibers for tissue engineering by the investigation of their capability to support fibroblast cell adhesion, cell growth and proliferation.

Diagnostic Strategies and Treatment for Ewing’s Sarcoma

Ewing’s sarcoma is an enigmatic malignancy of progenitor cell origin, driven by transcription factor oncogenic fusions. About 85% of ESFT cases harbor the t(11;22) translocation and express the fusion protein EWS-FLI. Both bone marrow-derived human Mesenchymal stem cells and Neural crest stem cells are permissive for EWS-FLI1 expression that initiates transition to ESFT-like cellular phenotype. Diagnosis of Ewing’s tumor is based on pathologic and molecular findings. The hypoxia enhances the malignancy of ESFT invasive capacity. An ALDHhigh subpopulation of Ewing’s sarcoma cells, capable of self-renewal, tumor initiation and resistant to chemotherapy in vitro, are not resistant to YK-4-279. Intensive high-dose chemotherapy followed by stem-cell reconstitution was used for ESFT patients in second remission. Plerixafor in combination with G-CSF is an effective enhance stem cell mobilization regimen for stem cell collection with lowest success rate in patients with neuroblastoma. The ESFT-derived antigens EZH2(666) and CHM1(319) are suitable targets for protective allo-restricted human CD8(+) T-cell responses against non-immunogenic ESFT. Primitive neuroectodermal features and MSC origin are both compatible with G(D2) aberrant expression and explore G(D2) immune targeting in ESFT.

Modeling Refractive Index Change in Writing Long-Period Fiber Gratings Using Mid-Infrared Laser Radiation

The research on the use of fiber sensors based on long-period fiber gratings inscribed by CO2 laser mid-infrared radiation has increased in the last years. In this paper, a set of analytical expressions are used to model the interaction between laser radiation and an optical fiber and to determine the resulting refractive index change. Thermal and residual stress analysis is exemplified for a standard single mode fiber, demonstrating the capability of these models to point out the necessary parameters to achieve proper optical fiber devices based on long period fiber gratings. Experimental results are also presented.