Ultrafast dynamics of resonance energy transfer in cryptochrome

In this communication, we report the ultrafast dynamics of resonance energy transfer in a blue-light photoreceptor, Vibrio cholerae cryptochrome. The transfer was observed to occur in 60 ps. We also studied the local rigidity and solvation around the binding site of the photoantenna molecule. The results for the first time show energy transfer in cryptochrome suggesting some mechanistic similarities between photolyase that repairs damaged DNA and cryptochrome that mediates blue-light signaling.     

Therapeutic Monitoring of Isoniazid, Pyrazinamide and Rifampicin in Tuberculosis Patients Using LC

The objective of this study was to measure plasma concentration of isoniazide (INH), pyrazinamide (PZA) and rifampisin (RIF) in tuberculosis patients by using HPLC. 100 μL of plasma was deproteinized by adding trichloroacetic acid and acetonitrile to yield INH, PZA and RIF respectively. They were analysed by HPLC using a reversed phase C₁₈ pre-column linked to a 4 μm C₁₈ analytical column with a gradient solvent programme, which delivered 3% to 40% (v/v) acetonitrile in phosphate buffer in 20 min at rate of 0.8 mL min^?1. Signals were monitored by diode-array detector. Acetanilide was used as internal standard. The method is reproducible and accurate with lower limits of quantification of 0.6 mg L^?1 for INH, 1.5 mg L^?1 for PZA and 0.7 mg L^?1 for RIF. The plasma of 25 patients receiving daily standard therapy were assayed for INH, PZA and RIF 3 h after administration. Plasma concentration were found between 0.98 and 6.27 mg L^?1 for INH, 11.05 and 47.26 mg L^?1 for PZA, 5.09 and 33.20 mg L^?1 for RIF respectively. Many of the plasma levels were found to be sub therapeutic. This practical method may be used for monitoring drug plasma levels of patients who fail to respond to treatment.     

Continuous production of (S)-1-phenylethanol by immobilized cells of Rhodotorula glutinis with a specially designed process

A specially designed process for the continuous production of a chiral alcohol by immobilized Rhodotorula glutinis was prepared and is reported. The performance of the process with immobilized cells was also investigated. The run time of the immobilized cells, the flow rates of the substrate, and tris buffer containing 4% glucose in the process were optimized. The immobilized R. glutinis biocatalyst could be used for 15 days with maximum reaction activity. Under the optimized conditions, the continuous production process was operated for 30 days and resulted in 10.8 mL (S)-1-phenylethanol [(S)-1-PE]. The process has been demonstrated on a multigram scale in 75% overall yield with a purity of >99%.     

A role for cryptochromes in sleep regulation

Background  

The cryptochrome 1 and 2 genes (cry1 and cry2) are necessary for the generation of circadian rhythms, as mice lacking both of these genes (cry1,2 ^-/-) lack circadian rhythms. We studied sleep in cry1,2 ^-/- mice under baseline conditions as well as under conditions of constant darkness and enforced wakefulness to determine whether cryptochromes influence sleep regulatory processes.     

New measurements and reanalysis of 14N elastic scattering on 10B target

The angular distributions of elastic scattering of ¹⁴N ions on ¹⁰B targets have been measured at incident beam energies of 21.0 and 24.5 MeV. Angular distributions at higher energies 38–94.0 MeV (previously measured) were also included in the analysis. All data were analyzed within the framework of the optical model and the distorted waves Born approximation method. The observed rise in cross sections at large angles was interpreted as a possible contribution of the α-cluster exchange mechanism. Spectroscopic amplitudes SA₂ and SA₄ for the configuration ¹⁴N→ ¹⁰B +α were extracted. Their average values are 0.58±0.10 and 0.81±0.12 for SA₂ and SA₄, respectively, suggesting that the exchange mechanism is a major component of the elastic scattering for this system. The energy dependence of the depths for the real and imaginary potentials was found.     

The effect of topical ethanol extract of Cotinus coggygria Scop. on cutaneous wound healing in rats

The aim of this study is to determine the cutaneous wound healing effects of the ethanol extract of Cotinus coggygria leaves in rats by excision wound model to provide scientific evidence for the traditional use of C. coggygria Scop. The levels of malondialdehyde, catalase, superoxide dismutase, glutathione and hydroxyproline were investigated in wound tissues. Histopathological examination was also performed. The hydroxyproline content of the granulation tissue and the glutathione levels were both significantly higher in the treatment group than in the control group (p < 0.05 for both); while the malondialdehyde levels were significantly lower in the treatment group (p < 0.05). These results were supported with histological results. The ethanol extract of C. coggygria Scop could be considered as an effective agent in wound healing in accordance with its traditional use.     

A novel approach for highly proton conductive electrolyte membranes with improved methanol barrier properties: Layer-by-Layer assembly of salt containing polyelectrolytes

A series of highly proton conductive electrolyte membranes with improved methanol barrier properties are prepared from polyallylamine hydrochloride (PAH) and polystyrene sulfonic acid (PSS) including salt by Layer-by-Layer (LbL) method. The effects of added salt type (NaCl, MgCl₂) and salt concentration (1.0 M, 0.1 M) on proton conductivity (σ) and methanol barrier properties of the LbL self-assembled composite membranes are discussed in terms of controlled layer thickness and charge density. Furthermore, the influences of ion type in the multilayered composite membranes are studied in conjunction with physicochemical and thermal properties.The deposition of the self-assembly of PAH/PSS film on Nafion is followed by UV–Vis spectroscopy and it is observed that the polyelectrolyte layers growth on both sides of Nafion membrane regularly. (PAH/PSS)₅–Na⁺ and (PAH/PSS)₅–H⁺ with 1.0 M NaCl exhibits 49.6 and 27.8% reduction in lower methanol permittivity in comparison with the pristine Nafion^®117, respectively, while the proton conductivities are 12.97 and 74.69 mS cm⁻¹. Promisingly, it is found that the membrane selectivity values (Φ) of all multilayered membranes in H⁺ form are much higher than that of salt form (Na⁺ and Mg²⁺) and perfluorosulfonated ionomers reported in the literature. Also, we find out that the use of polyelectrolytes with high charge density causes a further improvement in proton conductivity and methanol barrier properties simultaneously. These encouraging results indicate that upon a suitable choice of LbL deposition conditions, composite membranes exhibiting both high proton conductivity and improved methanol barrier properties can be tailored for fuel cells.     

Purification and Partial Characterization of (6-4) Photoproduct DNA Photolyase from Xenopus laevis

Abstract— The (6-4) photoproduct DNA photolyase was detected in two vertebrate animals Crotalus atrox (rattlesnake) and Xenopus laevis (South African clawed toad). The enzyme was extensively purified from X. laevis and characterized. The highly purified enzyme is fluorescent with an excitation maximum at 420-440 nm and emission maximum at 460-480 nm. The photorepair action spectrum matches the fluoresoence excitation spectrum with a 430 nm maximum.