PROTECTION OF Ustilago violacea FROM TOLUIDINE BLUE PHOTOSENSITIZATION and HYDROGEN PEROXIDE INDUCED KILLING and MITOTIC RECOMBINATION BY CAROTENES

Abstract— The accumulation of (J-carotene in the ph/ph ⁺ y diploid strain of the smut fungus Ustilago violacea was associated with reduced killing and lower levels of induced mitotic recombination compared to the β-carotene lacking ph/ph⁺ w strain in response to both incandescent photosensitization and treatment with H₂0₂. The ph/ph⁺ y strain was only slightly more resistant to killing by exogenous toluidine blue (TB) photosensitization. The ph/ph⁺ y strain exhibited significantly greater levels of survival when exposed to incandescent radiation and 1.5 μ.M TB for 15 min, as well as 3.0. 0.3, 0.03, 0.003% H₂0₂ in the dark. The ph/ph⁺ y strain also exhibited lower levels of mitotic recombination after endogenous TB photosensitization and the latter two H₂0₂ treatments. Similar survival results were obtained for the carotene accumulating haploid strain l.C2y and the carotene lacking haploid strain l.C2iv in response to H₂0₂ exposure.     

A solid-state spectral effect in eclipsed tetracyanonickelates: X-ray crystal structure, polarized specular reflectance spectroscopy, and ZINDO modeling of Sr[Ni(CN)4].5H2O, Rb2[Ni(CN)4].H2O, and Na2[Ni(CN)4].3H2O

Crystal structures of three Ni(CN)(4)(2)(-) salts all with eclipsed ligands and varying axial stacking arrangements are presented. The absorption spectra of all three salts show a slight red shift in the x,y-polarizations and a large red shift in their z-polarizations upon crystallization from solution. Semiempirical ZINDO calculations provide a good model of the solid state, even with only a three-molecule segment, allowing reproduction of the red-shifting and intensity increase upon crystallization found experimentally. The modified nickel beta(s,p) bonding parameter of -5 found appropriate for Ni coordination in our previous studies of single Ni(CN)(4)(2-) planes and a helically stacked Cs(2)[Ni(CN)(4)].H(2)O crystal was changed to -3 for the more parallel-stacked Ni(CN)(4)(2-) planes in this case, while beta(d) was retained at -41. Crystal data are as follows: Na(2)[Ni(CN)(4)].3H(2)O, triclinic space group P1, a = 7.2980(10) A, b = 8.8620(10) A, c = 15.132(2) A, alpha = 89.311(5) degrees, beta = 87.326(5) degrees, gamma = 83.772(6) degrees, V = 971.8(2) A(3), T = 100 K, Z = 4, R = 0.024, R(w) = 0.064; Sr[Ni(CN)(4)].5H(2)O, monoclinic space group C2/m, a = 10.356(2) A, b = 15.272(3) A, c = 7.1331(10) A, beta = 98.548(12) degrees, V = 1115.6(3) A(3), T = 100 K, Z = 4, R = 0.024, R(w) = 0.059; Rb(2)[Ni(CN)(4)].1.05H(2)O, triclinic space group P1, a = 8.6020(10) A, b = 9.6930(10) A, c = 12.006(2) A, alpha = 92.621(6) degrees, beta = 94.263(6) degrees, gamma = 111.795(10) degrees, V = 924.0(2) A(3), T = 100 K, Z = 4, R = 0.034, R(w) = 0.067.     

Hydrogen bonding on accessible surfaces of cellulose from various sources and relationship to order within crystalline regions

Celluloses from a variety of common sources were analyzed for availabilities of O(2)H, O(3)H, and O(6)H in order to estimate the extent of hydrogen bonding on accessible fibrillar surfaces. Celluloses from flax, ramie, sisal, and wood (both cellulose I and II from wood) together with liquid NH₃-swollen cotton and NaOH-swollen cotton (cellulose II) had relative availabilities similar to those of native cotton. Celluloses from Valonia centricosa and in rayon samples stood apart from each other and from the “cotton family.” The difference between Valonia and cotton celluloses appears to result, in addition to the accepted smaller, less perfect crystallites in cotton, from an O(2)H hydrogen bond which is likely the intramolecular bond between O(2)H and O(6′)H that is present in Valonia and absent in cotton. Rayon samples also showed evidence of similar bonds involving O(2)H on accessible surfaces. Since the regenerated rayons had relative availabilities different from those of mercerized cotton and wood cellulose samples, it is proposed that chain packing arrangements are not the same in these two types of cellulose II.     

Caesalpinia sappan L. wood fiber: bio-reinforcement for polybutylene succinate-based biocomposite film

Caesalpinia sappan L. wood fiber (CSWF), a novel advanced bio-reinforcement for polybutylene succinate (PBS) composite films, has shown significant promise ranging from 0 to 15 part per hundred of resin (phr). The functional groups and interactions, morphology, thermal stability, mechanical characteristics, and biodegradability were all investigated. Without treatment or any compatibilizers, CSWF could be well-dispersed in the PBS matrix. The PBS/CSWF10 composite film had highest mechanical strength, with a tensile strength of 12.21 N/mm² and a break elongation of 21.01%. Biodegradability studies indicated that the PBS/CSWF10 composite films degraded completely in three months. Furthermore, the E_a of degradation resulting from TGA and the shift of wavenumber resulting from FTIR revealed that the addition of CSWF has a greater interaction between additive and martix than conventional cellulose. The PBS/CSWF10 composite has the potential to be environmentally friendly, with promising short-term degradation and rising mechanical characteristics. Therefore, it is the optimum concentration of a certain biocomposite film. As a result, a novel advanced natural-based cellulose for biopolymer composites film was discovered, as well as other benefits for bio-reinforcement of the green plastic composite film industry.

Graphical abstract

     

Visualizing Gene Expression in Living Mammals Using a Bioluminescent Reporter

Abstract— Control of gene expression often involves an interwoven set of regulatory processes. As information regarding regulatory pathways may be lost in ex vivo analyses, we used bioluminescence to monitor gene expression in living mammals. Viral promoters fused to firefly luciferase as transgenes in mice allowed external monitoring of gene expression both superficially and in deep tissues. In vivo bioluminescence was detectable using either intensified or cooled charge-coupled device cameras, and could be detected following both topical and systemic delivery of substrate. In vivo control of the promoter from the human immunodeficiency virus was demonstrated. As a model for DNA-based therapies and vaccines, in vivo transfection of a luciferase expression vector (SV-40 promoter and enhancer controlling expression) was detected. We conclude that gene regulation, DNA delivery and expression can now be noninvasively monitored in living mammals using a luciferase reporter. Thus, real-time, noninvasive study of gene expression in living animal models for human development and disease is possible.     

Human genomic DNA analysis using a semi-automated sample preparation, amplification, and electrophoresis separation platform

The growing importance of analyzing the human genome to detect hereditary and infectious diseases associated with specific DNA sequences has motivated us to develop automated devices to integrate sample preparation, real-time PCR, and microchannel electrophoresis (MCE). In this report, we present results from an optimized compact system capable of processing a raw sample of blood, extracting the DNA, and performing a multiplexed PCR reaction. Finally, an innovative electrophoretic separation was performed on the post-PCR products using a unique MCE system. The sample preparation system extracted and lysed white blood cells (WBC) from whole blood, producing DNA of sufficient quantity and quality for a polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Separation of multiple amplicons was achieved in a microfabricated channel 30 microm x 100 microm in cross section and 85 mm in length filled with a replaceable methyl cellulose matrix operated under denaturing conditions at 50 degrees C. By incorporating fluorescent-labeled primers in the PCR, the amplicons were identified by a two-color (multiplexed) fluorescence detection system. Two base-pair resolution of single-stranded DNA (PCR products) was achieved. We believe that this integrated system provides a unique solution for DNA analysis.     

A conformationally constrained nucleotide analogue controls the folding topology of a DNA g-quadruplex

Guanine-rich DNA and RNA sequences can fold into unique structures known as G-quadruplexes. The structures of G-quadruplexes can be divided into several classes, depending on the parallel or antiparallel nature of the strands and the number of G-rich tracts present in an oligonucleotide. Oligonucleotides with single tracts of guanines form intermolecular parallel tetrameric G-quadruplexes. Oligonucleotides with two tracts of guanosines separated by two or more bases can form both intermolecular antiparallel fold-back dimeric and parallel tetrameric G-quadruplexes, and those with four tracts of guanosines can form both intramolecular parallel and antiparallel structures. Intramolecular G-qaudruplexes can fold into several folding topologies including antiparallel crossover basket, antiparallel chair, and parallel propeller. The ability to control the folding of G-quadruplexes would allow the physical, biochemical, and biological properties of these various folding topologies to be studied. Previously, the known methods to control the folding topology of G-quadruplexes included changing the buffer by varying the mono- and divalent cations that are present, and by changing the DNA sequence. Because the glycosidic bonds in the G-quartets of G-quadruplexes with parallel strands are in the anti conformation, we reasoned that incorporation of nucleoside analogues that prefer the anti conformation of the glycosidic bond into G-rich sequences would increase the preference for parallel G-quadruplex formation. As predicted, by positioning the conformationally constrained nucleotide analogue 2'-O-4'-C-methylene-linked ribonucleotide into specific positions of a DNA G-quadruplex we were able to shift the thermodynamically favored structure of a G-quadruplex from an antiparallel to a parallel structure.     

Syntheses of 5H-benzoxazolo[3,2-a] quinolin-5-ones

Treatment of N-(2-hydroxyphenyl)anthranilic acid with acetic anhydride, under refluxing conditions provided a simple method for the synthesis of 5H-henzoxazolo[3,2-a] quinolin-5-one (IVa), a heretofore unreported ring system. When propionic anhydride was used in the above reaction, 6-methyl-5H-benzoxazolo[3,2-a]quinolin-5-one (Va) was obtained. Other examples prepared in this fashion were IVb, IVc and Vb. Treatment of IVa with methoxyethylamine afforded 1,2-dihydro-1-(2-hydroxyphenyl)-2-(methoxyethylimino)-4-quinolinol (VII). A possible mechanism for the cyclization reaction is discussed.