Oxidation and Removal of Industrial Textile Dyes by a Novel Peroxidase Extracted from Post-harvest Lentil (Lens culinaris L.) Stubble

Nazaret Hidalgo,Giulia Mangiameli,Teresa Manzano,Galina G. Zhadan,John F. Kennedy,Valery L. Shnyrov,Manuel G. Roig 한국생물공학회 2011 Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering Vol.16 No.4

The degradation and removal of a series of dyes used in the textile industry for polyester/wool (PES/WO) blends and present in effluents, such as Green, Ash-Grey, Black, Navy Blue, Red and Yellow Domalan, and Orange and Red Bemacid, by catalytic action, in the presence of H_2O_2, of extracts of a novel peroxidase from postharvest lentil stubble was investigated. The extracts of this peroxidase (LSP) were effective in degrading these lastgeneration textile dyes, especially Green Domalan, Orange Bemacid, Grey and Black Domalan. A sensitivity study was carried out for Green Domalan biodegradation to determine the effects of process parameters such as pH,H_2O_2, enzyme and dye concentrations, contact and centrifugation times, and temperature. Standard ecotoxicity studies performed with Vibrio fischeri revealed that the dye solutions treated with peroxidase and H_2O_2 were less ecotoxic than the untreated ones.

Biosorption of Heavy Metals from Acid Mine Drainage onto Biopolymers (Chitin and α (1,3) β-D-glucan) from Industrial Biowaste Exhausted Brewer’s Yeasts (Saccharomyces cerevisiae L.)

Fernando I. Ramírez-Paredes,Teresa Manzano-Muñoz,Juan C. Garcia-Prieto,Galina G. Zhadan,Valery L. Shnyrov,John F. Kennedy,Manuel G. Roig 한국생물공학회 2011 Biotechnology and Bioprocess Engineering Vol.16 No.6

A biosorption process has been developed for the bioremediation of heavy metal-contaminated acid drainages from Merladet and Faith open-cast mines,located in western Spain. The process is based on the physico-chemical properties for the adsorption, ion exchange, and complexation of metal ions by biopolymers (chitin and α (1,3) β-D-glucan) from industrial biowaste exhausted brewer's yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae L.). Firstly, the chemical composition (U, Mn, Al, Fe, Cu, Zn,and Ni) and the physico-chemical and ecological states of these acid mine drainages were characterised. Furthermore,the selectivity for Zn, Cu, Mn, Ni, and Al the first order kinetics and the performance of the metals biosorption process by exhausted brewer's yeast were evaluated with polluted acid synthetic waters and mine drainages. The biosorption equilibria were reached in 10 ~ 15 min following Langmuir type isotherms with higher affinity constants for metal-biosorbent binding for synthetic waters than for acid mine drainages. The efficiency of the process with real water samples was markedly lower for the case of Mn, and zero for Zn and Al. An antagonistic interference on the biosorption of a metal due to the presence of other metals is proposed. Finally, the ecotoxicity of the acid mine drainage was removed when it was incubated with brewer’s yeast trapped in polyurethane foam.

Effects of 8 weeks administration of Korean Panax ginseng extract on the mood and cognitive performance of healthy individuals

L., Reay J.,B., Scholey A.,O., Kennedy D. The Korean Society of Ginseng 2007 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.31 No.1

Background: Previous research has suggested that single doses of a standardised Panax ginseng extract can decrease fasted blood-glucose levels and modulate cognitive performance in healthy young volunteers. The latter has generally been seen in terms of improved secondary memory performance. However, both the cognitive effects of chronic administration of ginseng and the potential modulation of working memory have received comparatively little research attention. Aims: The current double-blind, placebo-controlled, balanced cross-over study investigated the effects of 8-weeks administration of Korean ginseng extract (200 mg) on cognitive performance, gluco-regulatory parameters and ratings of subjective mood and 'quality of life'. Methods: 'Eighteen healthy young participants were assessed pre-dose and 3 hours post-dose on the mornings of Day 1, Day 29 and Day 57 of 8 week treatment regimens of both placebo and ginseng. A four-week placebo wash-out separated the treatment phases. Each assessment included the Cognitive Drug Research battery, computerised working memory tasks, and Bond-Lader mood scales. The WHO Quality of Life scale (WHOQOL-BREF) was completed once per visit. Gluco-regulatory parameters were assessed with assays of blood glucose, insulin and HbA1c. Results: Data from the 16 participants that completed the study showed that there were no significant, acute treatment related differences on Day 1 of treatment, or in gluco-regulatory parameters throughout the study. However, time related performance improvements were evident following chronic administration of ginseng on the '3-Back' and 'Corsi-block' computerised working memory tasks. Ginseng was also associated with an improved score on the 'social relations' subscale of the WHOQOL-100, and a significant shift on the 'calm' factor of the Bond-Lader mood scales (from calm/relaxed towards excited/tense). Conclusion: The results of the current study suggest that Korean ginseng extract can modulate working memory performance and subjective ratings of 'quality of life' and mood. Replication with a larger sample size may further elucidate the actions of this product.

Effects of 8 weeks administration of Korean Panax ginseng extract on the mood and cognitive performance of healthy individuals

Kennedy D. O.,Reay J. L.,Scholey A. B. 고려인삼학회 2007 Journal of Ginseng Research Vol.31 No.1

Background: Previous research has suggested that single doses of a standardised Panax ginseng extract can decrease fasted blood-glucose levels and modulate cognitive performance in healthy young volunteers. The latter has generally been seen in terms of improved secondary memory performance. However, both the cognitive effects of chronic administration of ginseng and the potential modulation of working memory have received comparatively little research attention. Aims: The current double-blind, placebo-controlled, balanced cross-over study investigated the effects of 8-weeks administration of Korean ginseng extract (200 mg) on cognitive performance, gluco-regulatory parameters and ratings of subjective mood and ‘quality of life’. Methods: Eighteen healthy young participants were assessed pre-dose and 3 hours post-dose on the mornings of Day 1, Day 29 and Day 57 of 8 week treatment regimens of both placebo and ginseng. A four-week placebo wash-out separated the treatment phases. Each assessment included the Cognitive Drug Research battery, computerised working memory tasks, and Bond-Lader mood scales. The WHO Quality of Life scale (WHOQOL-BREF) was completed once per visit. Gluco-regulatory parameters were assessed with assays of blood glucose, insulin and HbA1c. Results: Data from the 16 participants that completed the study showed that there were no significant, acute treatment related differences on Day 1 of treatment, or in gluco-regulatory parameters throughout the study. However, time related performance improvements were evident following chronic administration of ginseng on the ‘3-Back’ and ‘Corsi-block’ computerised working memory tasks. Ginseng was also associated with an improved score on the ‘social relations’ subscale of the WHOQOL-100, and a significant shift on the ‘calm’ factor of the Bond-Lader mood scales (from calm/relaxed towards excited/tense). Conclusion: The results of the current study suggest that Korean ginseng extract can modulate working memory performance and subjective ratings of ‘quality of life’ and mood. Replication with a larger sample size may further elucidate the actions of this product.

Pre-steady state kinetic analysis of HIV-1 reverse transcriptase for non-canonical ribonucleoside triphosphate incorporation and DNA synthesis from ribonucleoside-containing DNA template

Nguyen, L.A.,Domaoal, R.A.,Kennedy, E.M.,Kim, D.H.,Schinazi, R.F.,Kim, B. Elsevier/North-Holland 2015 ANTIVIRAL RESEARCH Vol.115 No.-

Non-dividing macrophages maintain extremely low cellular deoxyribonucleotide triphosphate (dNTP) levels, but high ribonucleotide triphosphate (rNTP) concentrations. The disparate nucleotide pools kinetically forces Human Immunodeficiency Virus 1 (HIV-1) reverse transcriptase (RT) to incorporate non-canonical rNTPs during reverse transcription. HIV-1 RT pauses near ribonucleoside monophosphates (rNMPs) embedded in the template DNA, which has previously been shown to enhance mismatch extension. Here, pre-steady state kinetic analysis shows rNTP binding affinity (K<SUB>d</SUB>) of HIV-1 RT for non-canonical rNTPs was 1.4- to 43-fold lower, and the rNTP rate of incorporation (k<SUB>pol</SUB>) was 15- to 1551-fold slower than for dNTPs. This suggests that RT is more selective for incorporation of dNTPs rather than rNTPs. HIV-1 RT selectivity for dNTP versus rNTP is the lowest for ATP, implying that HIV-1 RT preferentially incorporates ATP when dATP concentration is limited. We observed that incorporation of a dNTP occurring one nucleotide before an embedded rNMP in the template had a 29-fold greater K<SUB>d</SUB> and a 20-fold slower k<SUB>pol</SUB> as compared to the same template containing dNMP. This reduced the overall dNTP incorporation efficiency of HIV-1 RT by 581-fold. Finally, the RT mutant Y115F displayed lower discrimination against rNTPs due to its increase in binding affinity for non-canonical rNTPs. Overall, these kinetic results demonstrate that HIV-1 RT utilizes both substrate binding and a conformational change during: (1) enzymatic discrimination of non-canonical rNTPs from dNTPs and (2) during dNTP primer extension with DNA templates containing embedded rNMP.

The Relationship between Neonatal Circumcision, Urinary Tract Infection, and Health

Michael L Eisenberg,Deron Galusha,William A. Kennedy,Mark R. Cullen 대한남성과학회 2018 The World Journal of Men's Health Vol.36 No.3

The risk-benefit profile of neonatal circumcision is not clear. Most studies have focused on urinary tract infections but other health sequelae have not been evaluated. While evidence supports benefits of circumcision, a lack of randomized trials has been cited as a weakness. National guidelines provide mixed recommendations regarding neonatal circumcision. We review the weight of evidence and utilize current statistical methodology on observational data to examine the risks and benefits of neonatal circumcision.

Revealing hidden diversity in the Sheathia arcuata morphospecies (Batrachospermales, Rhodophyta) including four new species

Vis, Morgan L.,Tiwari, Sunil,Evans, Joshua R.,Stancheva, Rosalina,Sheath, Robert G.,Kennedy, Bryan,Lee, Janina,Eloranta, Pertti The Korean Society of Phycology 2020 ALGAE Vol.35 No.3

The freshwater red algal genus Sheathia contains species with heterocortication (both bulbous and cylindrical cells covering the main axis) and homocortication (only cylindrical cells). When the genus was proposed, the species with heterocortication were revised, but all specimens with homocortication were assigned to Sheathia arcuata with the caveat that it may represent a species complex. Recent studies have described new species with homocortication and S. arcuata has been rendered paraphyletic. In the current study, new sequences of the rbcL and 5′ region of the cytochrome c oxidase subunit I markers were combined with previously published data to construct a robust phylogeny and circumscribe new species. Four new species, S. abscondita, S. californica, S. plantuloides, and S. transpacifica are proposed. Examination of morphological characters among homocorticate species show no diagnostic characters to distinguish among species, whereas S. plantuloides is only known from sporophytes (chantransia) so it lacks the typical morphological characters derived from the gametophytes for comparison. Although DNA sequence data would be needed to make a positive species identification, geography could be employed to narrow the identification to one or two species. The genus is geographically widespread having been recorded from oceanic islands and five continents, whereas the individual species typically occur on a single continent. With this study, the number of species recognized in Sheathia is raised to 17; seven heterocorticate and 10 homocorticate, making this genus one of the most species rich in the Batrachospermales. As well, the resulting phylogeny provides insights into the evolution of heterocortication in Sheathia.

Studies on structural, morphological, electrical and electrochemical properties of activated carbon prepared from sugarcane bagasse

T. Adinaveen,L. John Kennedy,J. Judith Vijaya,G. Sekaran 한국공업화학회 2013 Journal of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Vol.19 No.5

Activated carbon composite was prepared from sugarcane bagasse. The X-ray diffraction revealed the evolution of crystallites of carbon and silica during activation at higher temperature. FTIR spectrum shows the presence of functional groups and silica in the carbon composite. The morphology of the carbon sample was determined by SEM. The surface area, pore volume and pore size distribution of carbon composites were measured. The dc conductivity was determined and conductivity at room temperature was found to increase from 10.22 x10-3 to 25.131 x 10-3 S cm-1. The samples show good electrochemical property and the specific capacitance in the range of 92–340 F g-1.

Effects of Expander Conditioning of Corn- and Sorghum-Based Diets on Pellet Quality and Performance in Finishing Pigs and Lactating Sows

Johnston, S.L.,Hancock, J.D.,Hines, R.H.,Kennedy, G.A.,Traylor, S.L.,Chae, B.J.,Han, In K. Asian Australasian Association of Animal Productio 1999 Animal Bioscience Vol.12 No.4

Two experiments were conducted to determine the effects of conditioning (conventional vs expander) corn- and sorghum-based diets on production traits for lactating sows and finishing pigs. In Exp. 1, one hundred sixty-eight sows (parity 1-4, PIC line C15) were fed the corn or sorghum grain diets as a meal, standard (steam) conditioned pellets, or expanded pellets to give a $2{\times}3$ factorial arrangement of treatments. Pellet durability index (PDD was similar for the sorghum- vs corn-based diets, but increased when diets were expanded pellets for both corn- and sorghum-based diets. The corn-based meal diet supported 3.3% greater litter weight gain than the sorghum-based meal diet (44.0 kg vs 42.8 kg). However, the advantage for the corn-based diet disappeared with expander processing (ie., sows fed the sorghum-based diet responded more to diets processed with the alternative processing technology). Sow weight change during lactation was similar (p>0.15) among treatments, although average daily feed intake tended to be greater (p<0.09) for the sows fed sorghum. For Exp. 2, a total of 71 barrows (average initial weight of 58.0 kg) were used in a growth assay to determine the effects of feeding com- and sorghum-based diets, as meal or pellets, after processing with a conventional steam conditioner or an expander (high-shear) conditioner. PDI was not different for the sorghum- vs corn-based diets, but increased from 84 to 95% with expander conditioning compared to conventional steam conditioning. Rate and efficiency of gain, and carcass leanness were similar for pigs fed sorghum and corn (p>0.15). Efficiency of gain was greater (p<0.04) for pigs fed the pelleted (356 g/kg) diets compared to those given the meal (348 g/kg) diets. However, efficiencies of gain were similar (p>0.11) for pigs fed the conventional- and expander-conditioned diets. Pelleting increased (p<0.01) the incidence and severity of stomach lesions regardless of grain type. In conclusion, corn-based meal diet resulted in a greater litter weight gain than the sorghum-based meal diet. However, that advantage disappeared when the diets were expanded and pelleted. Finishing pigs fed pelleted diets were more efficient than those fed meal diets.

Recent innovations in renal replacement technology and potential applications to transplantation and dialysis patients: a review of current methods

Dominy Calista L.,Shamsian Ethan B.,Okhawere Kennedy E.,Korn Talia G.,Meilika Kirolos,Badani Ketan 대한신장학회 2023 Kidney Research and Clinical Practice Vol.42 No.1

The current standard of care for patients with end-stage renal disease (ERSD) is a kidney transplant or dialysis when a donor organ isnot available. The growing gap between patients who require a kidney transplant and the availability of donor organs as well as thenegative effects of long-term dialysis, such as infection, limited mobility, and risk of cancer development, drive the impetus to developalternative renal replacement technology. The goal of this review is to assess the potential of two of the most recent innovations inkidney transplant technology—the implantable bioartificial kidney (BAK) and kidney regeneration technology—in addressing the aforementionedproblems related to kidney replacement for patients with ERSD. Both innovations are fully implantable, autologous, personalizedwith patient cells, and can replace all aspects of kidney function. Not only do these new innovations have the potential toimprove the possibility of transplantation for more patients, they also have potential to improve the outcome of transplantation or dialysis-related renal cancer diagnosis. A major limitation of the current technology is that both implantable BAK and kidney regenerationtechnology are still in preclinical stages, and thus their potential effects cannot be comprehensively generalized to human patients.