Transcriptome Analysis Unveils Gln3 Role in Amino Acids Assimilation and Fluconazole Resistance in Candida glabrata

( Francisco J. Pérez-de Los Santos ),( Luis Fernando García-ortega ),( Karina Robledo-márquez ),( Jesús Guzmán-moreno ),( Lina Riego-ruiz ) 한국미생물생명공학회(구 한국산업미생물학회) 2021 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.31 No.5

After Candida albicans, Candida glabrata is one of the most common fungal species associated with candidemia in nosocomial infections. Rapid acquisition of nutrients from the host is important for the survival of pathogens which possess the metabolic flexibility to assimilate different carbon and nitrogen compounds. In Saccharomyces cerevisiae, nitrogen assimilation is controlled through a mechanism known as Nitrogen Catabolite Repression (NCR). NCR is coordinated by the action of four GATA factors; two positive regulators, Gat1 and Gln3, and two negative regulators, Gzf3 and Dal80. A mechanism in C. glabrata similar to NCR in S. cerevisiae has not been broadly studied. We previously showed that in C. glabrata, Gln3, and not Gat1, has a major role in nitrogen assimilation as opposed to what has been observed in S. cerevisiae in which both factors regulate NCR-sensitive genes. Here, we expand the knowledge about the role of Gln3 from C. glabrata through the transcriptional analysis of BG14 and gln3Δ strains. Approximately, 53.5% of the detected genes were differentially expressed (DEG). From these DEG, amino acid metabolism and ABC transporters were two of the most enriched KEGG categories in our analysis (Up-DEG and Down-DEG, respectively). Furthermore, a positive role of Gln3 in AAA assimilation was described, as was its role in the transcriptional regulation of ARO8. Finally, an unexpected negative role of Gln3 in the gene regulation of ABC transporters CDR1 and CDR2 and its associated transcriptional regulator PDR1 was found. This observation was confirmed by a decreased susceptibility of the gln3Δ strain to fluconazole.

Synthesis, Characterization and Antimicrobial Activity of Garcinol Capped Silver Nanoparticles

( H. N. Fernando ),( K. G. U. R. Kumarasinghe ),( T. D. C. P. Gunasekara ),( H. P. S. K. Wijekoon ),( E. M. A. K. Ekanayaka ),( S. P. Rajapaksha ),( S. S. N. Fernando ),( P. M. Jayaweera ) 한국미생물 · 생명공학회 2019 Journal of microbiology and biotechnology Vol.29 No.11

Garcinol, a well-known medicinal phytochemical, was extracted and isolated from the dried fruit rinds of Garcinia quaesita Pierre. In this study, garcinol has successfully used to reduce silver ions to silver in order to synthesize garcinol-capped silver nanoparticles (G-AgNPs). The formation and the structure of G-AgNPs were confirmed by UV-visible spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The antimicrobial activity of garcinol and G-AgNPs were investigated by well diffusion assays, broth micro-dilution assays and time-kill kinetics studies against five microbial species, including Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (ATCC 27853), Escherichia coli (ATCC 25922), Candida albicans (ATCC 10231) and clinically isolated methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). The formation of G-AgNPs is a promising novel approach to enhancing the biological activeness of silver nanoparticles, and to increase the water solubility of garcinol which creates a broad range of therapeutic applications.

Characterization of Alpha Amylase Producing Thielaviopsis ethacetica and Its Raw Starch Hydrolyzing Ability on Different Agricultural Substrates

( Dissanayaka M. S. Dissanayaka ),( Sembukuttige N. T. De Silva ),( D. P. S. T. G. Attanayaka ),( Mihidukulasuriya J. M. S. Kurera ),( Charakrawarthige A. N. Fernando ) 한국미생물생명공학회(구 한국산업미생물학회) 2019 한국미생물·생명공학회지 Vol.47 No.3

The present study reports the morphological and molecular characterization of the fungal strain, CMSS06 and evaluates its raw starch hydrolyzing ability in four different agricultural substrates (rice bran, banana peel, cassava tubers, and coconut water). The potential use of each agricultural substrate to replace the expensive fermentation media was evaluated with six different fermentation media: rice bran (RB), banana peel (BP), cassava starch (CS), cassava in coconut water (CSCW), cassava in modified coconut water (CMCW), and pure Coconut water (CW). The fungal strain CMSS06 was identified as Thielaviopsis ethacetica by the analysis of the ITS sequences. The T. ethacetica alpha amylase enzyme exhibited maximum alpha amylase activity at 72 h, pH 7.0, and 40℃ on soluble starch. This species resulted in the highest enzyme activity (mU/ml) of 26.06, 10.89, 58.82, 14.2, and 54.67 with the RB, BP, CS, CSCW, and CMCW fermentation media, respectively. The results indicate that CS can be used as a carbon substrate and CMCW can be used to accelerate the fermentation by T. ethacetica. The enzyme was partially purified by 40-60% ammonium sulphate fraction, and it showed total enzyme activity, total protein content, specific activity, purification fold, and a recovery of 2400 mU, 30 mg, 80 mU/mg, 2.7, and 71.1%, respectively. The molecular mass of the T. ethacetica alpha amylase was estimated on SDS-PAGE, and two bands around 50 kDa and 70 kDa were identified. The present study implies that T. ethacetica can produce alpha amylase, and it can be used to hydrolyze raw starch during the fermentation processes.

Prevalence and resting behaviour of dengue vectors, Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus in dengue high risk urban settings in Colombo, Sri Lanka

Janaki M.D.S.,Aryaprema V.S.,Fernando N.,Handunnetti S.M.,Weerasena O.V.D.S.J.,Pathirana P.P.S.L.,Tissera H.A. 한국응용곤충학회 2022 Journal of Asia-Pacific Entomology Vol.25 No.3

Understanding local geographical variation in vector density and bionomics related to virus transmission are critical for planning effective vector control programs to control dengue virus transmission. This study investi gated the prevalence and resting behaviour of Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus in three dengue high-risk areas in the Colombo District, Sri Lanka. Monthly sampling of resting adult mosquitoes was conducted from August 2019 to February 2020. Thirty-seven percent of the households (289/776) harboured Aedes mosquitoes, and 603 Aedes mosquitoes were collected. The proportion of Ae. aegypti was higher in the overall collection during the collection period (94% [569/603]), and 62% (352/569) were females. Significant monthly variations in Ae. aegypti were observed with respect to the indices: number of females per surveyed house (F/SH; p = 0.001), number of females per Aedes positive house (F/PH; p = 0.029), adult house index (AHI; p = 0.001), adult density (AD; p = 0.005) and resting ratio (RR; p = 0.001). AHI, AD, and RR had statistically significant positive cor relations with monthly rainfall (p = 0.001, p = 0.011, and p = 0.002 respectively) and one-month lagged dengue cases (p = 0.002, p = 0.005, and p < 0.001 respectively). A statistically significantly higher proportion of Ae. aegypti females were caught resting indoors (N = 309, 88%) than outdoors (N = 43, 12%; p < 0.001). The most common resting areas were bedrooms (51%) & living/dining rooms (37%), and places were under or on furniture (47%) & hangings (34%) for Ae. aegypti. Conversely, 74% of female Ae. albopictus were collected outdoors. Re sults of this study could have strong implications to improve vector surveillance and control by early detection of dengue to detect outbreaks and minimization of disease transmission.

Characterization of Alpha Amylase Producing Thielaviopsis ethacetica and Its Raw Starch Hydrolyzing Ability on Different Agricultural Substrates

Dissanayaka, Dissanayaka M.S.,De Silva, Sembukuttige N.T.,Attanayaka, D.P.S.T.G.,Kurera, Mihidukulasuriya J.M.S.,Fernando, Charakrawarthige A.N. The Korean Society for Microbiology and Biotechnol 2019 한국미생물·생명공학회지 Vol.47 No.3

The present study reports the morphological and molecular characterization of the fungal strain, CMSS06 and evaluates its raw starch hydrolyzing ability in four different agricultural substrates (rice bran, banana peel, cassava tubers, and coconut water). The potential use of each agricultural substrate to replace the expensive fermentation media was evaluated with six different fermentation media: rice bran (RB), banana peel (BP), cassava starch (CS), cassava in coconut water (CSCW), cassava in modified coconut water (CMCW), and pure Coconut water (CW). The fungal strain CMSS06 was identified as Thielaviopsis ethacetica by the analysis of the ITS sequences. The T. ethacetica alpha amylase enzyme exhibited maximum alpha amylase activity at 72 h, pH 7.0, and $40^{\circ}C$ on soluble starch. This species resulted in the highest enzyme activity (mU/ml) of 26.06, 10.89, 58.82, 14.2, and 54.67 with the RB, BP, CS, CSCW, and CMCW fermentation media, respectively. The results indicate that CS can be used as a carbon substrate and CMCW can be used to accelerate the fermentation by T. ethacetica. The enzyme was partially purified by 40-60% ammonium sulphate fraction, and it showed total enzyme activity, total protein content, specific activity, purification fold, and a recovery of 2400 mU, 30 mg, 80 mU/mg, 2.7, and 71.1%, respectively. The molecular mass of the T. ethacetica alpha amylase was estimated on SDS-PAGE, and two bands around 50 kDa and 70 kDa were identified. The present study implies that T. ethacetica can produce alpha amylase, and it can be used to hydrolyze raw starch during the fermentation processes.

Expression of heat shock protein genes in Simmental cattle exposed to heat stress

Guzmán Luis Felipe,Martínez-Velázquez Guillermo,Villaseñor-González Fernando,Vega-Murillo Vicente Eliezer,Palacios-Fránquez José Antonio,Ríos-Utrera Ángel,Montaño-Bermúdez Moisés 아세아·태평양축산학회 2023 Animal Bioscience Vol.36 No.5

Objective: In tropical, subtropical and arid zones, heat stress is the main cause of productivity reduction in cattle. When climate stressors occur, animals become thermal adapted through differential expression of some genes, including heat shock proteins (HSP) family. The aim of this study was to determine levels of expression of HSP60, HSP70, and HSP90 genes in Simmental cattle raised in tropical environments of Mexico. Methods: In this study, expression of HSP60, HSP70, and HSP90 genes was analyzed in 116 Simmental cattle from three farms with tropical climate located in western Mexico. Animals were sampled twice a day, in the morning and noon. Gene expression was evaluated by quantitative polymerase chain reaction using probes marked with fluorescence. The MIXED procedure of SAS with repeated measures was used for all statistical analysis. Results: HSP60 gene expression differences were found for sex (p = 0.0349). HSP70 gene differences were detected for sampling hour (p = 0.0042), farm (p<0.0001), sex (p = 0.0476), and the interaction sampling hour×farm (p = 0.0002). Gene expression differences for HSP90 were observed for farm (p<0.0001) and year (p = 0.0521). HSP70 gene showed to be a better marker of heat stress than HSP60 and HSP90 genes. Conclusion: Expression of HSP70 gene in Simmental herds of the tropical region of western México was different during early morning and noon, but the expression of the HSP60 and HSP90 genes was similar. Identification of resilient animals to heat stress will be useful in the genetic improvement of the Simmental breed.

A review of hemorheology: Measuring techniques and recent advances

Patrícia C. Sousa,Fernando T. Pinho,Manuel A. Alves,Mónica S.N. Oliveira 한국유변학회 2016 Korea-Australia rheology journal Vol.28 No.1

Significant progress has been made over the years on the topic of hemorheology, not only in terms of the development of more accurate and sophisticated techniques, but also in terms of understanding the phenomena associated with blood components, their interactions and impact upon blood properties. The rheological properties of blood are strongly dependent on the interactions and mechanical properties of red blood cells, and a variation of these properties can bring further insight into the human health state and can be an important parameter in clinical diagnosis. In this article, we provide both a reference for hemorheological research and a resource regarding the fundamental concepts in hemorheology. This review is aimed at those starting in the field of hemodynamics, where blood rheology plays a significant role, but also at those in search of the most up-to-date findings (both qualitative and quantitative) in hemorheological measurements and novel techniques used in this context, including technical advances under more extreme conditions such as in large amplitude oscillatory shear flow or under extensional flow, which impose large deformations comparable to those found in the microcirculatory system and in diseased vessels. Given the impressive rate of increase in the available knowledge on blood flow, this review is also intended to identify areas where current knowledge is still incomplete, and which have the potential for new, exciting and useful research. We also discuss the most important parameters that can lead to an alteration of blood rheology, and which as a consequence can have a significant impact on the normal physiological behavior of blood.

Microstructure and Crystallographic Texture of Pure Titanium Parts Generated by Laser Additive Manufacturing

Felipe Arias-González,Jesús del Val,Rafael Comesaña,Joaquín Penide,Fernando Lusquiños,Félix Quintero,Antonio Riveiro,Mohamed Boutinguiza,Francisco Javier Gil,Juan Pou 대한금속·재료학회 2018 METALS AND MATERIALS International Vol.24 No.1

In this paper, the microstructure and crystallographic texture of pure Ti thin walls generated by Additive Manufacturingbased on Laser Cladding (AMLC) are analyzed in depth. From the results obtained, it is possible to betterunderstand the AMLC process of pure titanium. The microstructure observed in the samples consists of large elongatedcolumnar prior β grains which have grown epitaxially from the substrate to the top, in parallel to the buildingdirection. Within the prior β grains, α-Ti lamellae and lamellar colonies are the result of cooling from above the β-transus temperature. This transformation follows the Burgers relationship and the result is a basket-weave microstructurewith a strong crystallographic texture. Finally, a thermal treatment is proposed to transform the microstructureof the as-deposited samples into an equiaxed microstructure of α-Ti grains.

Preparation of air stable nanoscale zero valent iron functionalized by ethylene glycol without inert condition

Ruiz-Torres, Claudio Adrian,Araujo-Martí,nez, René,Fernando,Martí,nez-Castañ,ó,n, Gabriel Alejandro,Morales-Sá,nchez, J. Elpidio,Guajardo-Pacheco, Jesú,s Mar& Elsevier 2018 Chemical Engineering Journal Vol.336 No.-

<P><B>Abstract</B></P> <P>The use of nanoscale zero-valent iron has been widely studied in recent years for potential application in environmental engineering, due to its affinity for a large number of contaminants, which may be in aqueous or solid phase, and for its abundance, which makes it an attractive tool for environmental remediation. However, there exist some variables in the production of nZVI that complicate the generation of the material, such as the complex methodologies of synthesis and the cost of inert conditions like nitrogen or argon atmosphere, which have the purpose of preventing the oxidation and reducing the instability of the material under ambient conditions. As a simple and economical synthesis methodology, this work presents an optimized method to synthesize functionalized nanoscale zero-valent iron (nZVI) using ethylene glycol (EG) without need for inert conditions. The coordination of iron ions during the nZVI-EG synthesis and the functionalization mechanism of the nanoparticles were identified by UV–Vis absorption spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). Functionalized nZVI showed increased dispersibility due to the effects of steric repulsion between the grafted polymers. Ethylene glycol functionalized nZVI showed stability against oxidation during dry atmospheric condition, while significant oxidation was observed in the case of unfunctionalized nZVI. This result was also correlated with actual capacity for contaminant reduction. Therefore, the possibility was verified of using ethylene glycol in an effective surface modification method to prepare air stable nZVI for environmental remediation.</P> <P><B>Highlights</B></P> <P> <UL> <LI> Air-stable nZVI could be prepared by ethylene glycol without inert condition. </LI> <LI> Smaller and narrower size distribution could be obtained by functionalization. </LI> <LI> The nZVI-EG exhibited a protection effect against oxidation in oxic conditions. </LI> <LI> The reaction kinetics was not hindered by the organic functionalization agent EG. </LI> </UL> </P> <P><B>Graphical abstract</B></P> <P>[DISPLAY OMISSION]</P>

Unilateral approach for bilateral clipping of posterior communicating artery aneurysms in a hybrid operating room: A technical note

Juan Luis Gómez-Amador,Pablo David Guerrero-Suárez,Jaime Jesús Martínez-Anda,Jorge Fernando Aragón-Arreola,Andrea Castillo-Matus,Ricardo Marian-Magaña,Marcos V Sangrador-Deitos,Alan Hernández-Hernánde 대한뇌혈관외과학회 2023 Journal of Cerebrovascular and Endovascular Neuros Vol.25 No.4

Bilateral posterior communicating (pComm) artery aneurysms represent only 2% of mirror intracranial aneurysms. Usually, these are surgically approached through bilateral craniotomies for clipping. We present the case of a 50-year-old female presenting with headache and horizontal diplopia. Neurological examination revealed a left oculomotor palsy, with no other neurological deficits. Imaging studies revealed bilateral aneurysmatic lesions in both internal carotid arteries (ICA). A conventional left pterional approach was planned in order to treat the symptomatic aneurysm, and, if deemed feasible, a contralateral clipping through the same approach. The procedure was performed in a hybrid operating room (HOR), performing an intraoperative digital subtraction angiography (DSA) and roadmapping assistance during dissection and clipping. Transoperatively, a post-fixed optic chiasm was identified, with a wide interoptic space, which allowed us to perform the contralateral clipping through a unilateral approach. This technique for clipping bilateral pComm aneurysms can be performed when the proper anatomical features are met.