Synthesis of self-pillared zeolite nanosheets by repetitive branching

Hierarchical zeolites are a class of microporous catalysts and adsorbents that also contain mesopores, which allow for fast transport of bulky molecules and thereby enable improved performance in petrochemical and biomass processing. We used repetitive branching during one-step hydrothermal crystal growth to synthesize a new hierarchical zeolite made of orthogonally connected microporous nanosheets. The nanosheets are 2 nanometers thick and contain a network of 0.5-nanometer micropores. The house-of-cards arrangement of the nanosheets creates a permanent network of 2- to 7-nanometer mesopores, which, along with the high external surface area and reduced micropore diffusion length, account for higher reaction rates for bulky molecules relative to those of other mesoporous and conventional MFI zeolites.     

Heritability and gene effects for root characteristics in peas measured at flowering

Summary Heritability and gene effects for root weight, root volume and root to shoot weight ratio were determined in peas (Pisum sativum L.) at flowering. The populations used were developed from four crosses between lines and cultivars differing in size of the root systems. Broad-sense heritability was between 0.41 and 0.81 for root weight, and between 0.44 and 0.77 for root volume. Additive and dominance effects were important in the genetic control of root weight and volume in all populations, while epistatic effects were important only in two populations. The importance of the genetic parameters in the control of root to shoot weight ratio was unclear. Assuming high correlations between root growth in soil-filled pots in the greenhouse and growth in the field, with the presence of large additive effects and high heritability estimates for root weight and volume, selection for superior pure lines with large root systems should be effective.     

A manganese(IV)/iron(III) cofactor in Chlamydia trachomatis ribonucleotide reductase

In a conventional class I ribonucleotide reductase (RNR), a diiron(II/II) cofactor in the R2 subunit reacts with oxygen to produce a diiron(III/IV) intermediate, which generates a stable tyrosyl radical (Y*). The Y* reversibly oxidizes a cysteine residue in the R1 subunit to a cysteinyl radical (C*), which abstracts the 3'-hydrogen of the substrate to initiate its reduction. The RNR from Chlamydia trachomatis lacks the Y*, and it had been proposed that the diiron(III/IV) complex in R2 directly generates the C* in R1. By enzyme activity measurements and spectroscopic methods, we show that this RNR actually uses a previously unknown stable manganese(IV)/iron(III) cofactor for radical initiation.     

Evaluation of Heavy Metal Pollution in the Arabian Gulf Using the Clam Meretrix meretrix Linnaeus, 1758

The present study is an attempt to assess the heavy metal contamination in the marine environment of the Arabian Gulf of Saudi Arabia. The concentrations of heavy metals in water and the soft tissues of the bivalve species Meretrix meretrix Linnaeus, 1758, from different stations along the Arabian Gulf coastline, were determined during the summer season of 2008. Bioaccumulation of some heavy metals (Cd, Pb, Cu, and Zn) in fresh parts of the clam (M. meretrix) was measured by an atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The average concentrations of heavy metals in the clam tissues were 0.224?C0.908, 0.294?C2.496, 3.528?C8.196, and 12.864?C24.56 mg/kg wet weight for Cd, Pb, Cu, and Zn, respectively. In water, the mean concentration values of these metals were arranged in the following descending order: Pb > Cu > Zn > Cd. The heavy metal concentrations in tissues of M. meretrix were within the acceptable standards set by the US Environmental Protection Agency, the Commission Européenne, and the Food and Drug Administration of the USA. From the human public health point of view, these results seem to show no possibility of acute toxicities of Cd, Cu, Pb, and Zn if the edible clam is consumed. It is recommended that relevant authorities should carry out a continual assessment on the levels of these pollutants in the studied area.     

Connected to death: the (unexpurgated) mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis

The mitochondrial pathway of apoptosis in vertebrates is dependent on the process of mitochondrial outer membrane permeabilization (MOMP), which leads to the release of proteins from the mitochondrial intermembrane space into the cytosol. "Upstairs" of this event are the Bcl-2 family proteins that regulate and mediate MOMP; "downstairs" is the activation of caspases that orchestrate the dismantling of the cell. In the Connections Map database at Science's Signal Transduction Knowledge Environment (STKE), the pathways that define the mitochondrial pathway of apotosis are illustrated, with the bulk of control occurring "upstairs" of MOMP.     

The steroidal constituents of Solanum pseudomeum L.

The unripe fruits ofSolanum pseudomeum were found to contain two glyco-alkaloids, identified as solamargine and solasonine. The glyco-alkaloids fraction afforded after hydrolysis one steroidal alkaloid, identified as solasodine. The neutral glycoside fraction, gave after hydrolysis a steroid sapogenin: chlorogenin. Three phytosterols were isolated from the unsaponifiable matter of the lipid fraction, identified as -sitosterol, campesterol and stigmasterol.

---

Zusammenfassung Man fand, daß die unreifen Früchte vonSolanum pseudomeum zwei Glyco-Alkaloide, nämlich Solamargin und Solasonin, enthalten. Die Fraktion der Glyco-Alkaloide ergab nach der Hydrolyse ein Steroid-Alkaloid, dieses wurde als Solasodin identifiziert. Die neutrale Glykosid-Fraktion ergab nach der Hydrolyse das Steroid-Sapogenin Chlorogenin. Die Auftrennung des unverseifbaren Anteils der Lipid-Fraktion ergab drei Phytosterine, die als -Sitosterin, Campesterin und Stigmasterin identifiziert wurden.

---

Résumé Les fruits verts (non mûrs) duSolanum pseudomeum, contiennent deux glycoalcaloides, identifiés comme suit: solamargine et solasonine. Un alcaloide stéroidique a été obtenu par hydrolyse de la fraction glyco-alcaloides; et identifié comme suit: solasodine. La fraction glycosidique neutre, a donné après hydrolyse un sapogenin stéroidique chlorogenin. Trois phytosterols ont été isolés de la masse non-saponifiable de la fraction lipide et identifiés comme suit; -sitosterol, campesterol et stigmasterol.

     

Local plants as potential sources of tannins in Egypt. Part VII (Rubiaceae to Vitaceae)

In this part, 32 plants (rubiaceae tovitaceae) are investigated in a search for local tanning materials. Colour tests along with the chromatographic investigation of the free sugars and phenolic aglycones are given. A conclusion of all the plants previously studied is given discussing the collective data of the colour tests, free sugars and phenolic aglycones separately.

---

Zusammenfassung In diesem letzten Teil einer Serie von Veröffentlichungen über lokal vorkommende Pflanzen als potentielle Quelle für Gerbstoffe, werden die Untersuchungsergebnisse von weiteren 32 Pflanzen (aus den FamilienRubiaceae bisVitaceae) beschrieben.Farbtests, spezifisch für Tannine, zusammen mit chromatographischen Untersuchungen auf freie Zucker und phenolische Aglykone wurden durchgeführt.Zusammenfassend werden die Ergebnisse aus dem Farbtest, der Analysen auf freie Zucker und phenolische Aglykone an allen bisher in die Untersuchungen einbezogenen Pflanzen diskutiert.

---

Resume Trente-deux plantes (des familiesRubiaceae à Vitaceae) ont été examinées afin de déterminer le site de localisation des tannins. Les tests colorés et les résultats chromatographiques des sucres libres et des aglycones phénoliques sont décrits.Une conclusion de toutes les plantes déjà examinées du point de vue des tests colorés est présentée ainsi qu'une discussion générale des résultats individuels des sucres libres et des aglycones phénoliques.

---

---

Part VI, this journal: XX, 4 :297–309, 1971     

Influence of Fusarium wilt resistant tomato cultivars on root colonization of the mutualistic endophyte Fusarium oxysporum strain 162 and its biological control efficacy toward the root-knot nematode Meloidogyne incognita

Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection - The ability of the nematode antagonistic, mutualistic endo-phyte Fusarium oxysporum strain 162, to colonize the endorhiza of different Fusarium wilt...     

Non alcoholic fatty liver disease, insulin resistance, dyslipidemia and atherogenic ratios in epileptic children and adolescents on long term antiepileptic drug therapy

This study explores the occurrence of Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease (NAFLD), Insulin Resistance (IR), dyslipidemia and atherogenic ratios in epileptic children and adolescents receiving Valproic Acid (VPA), Carbamazepine (CBZ) or both (combination therapy) compared to healthy controls. Abdominal Computerized Tomography (CT), measurements of serum fasting insulin, glucose, serum lipids and liver enzymes were performed in VPA (n = 14), CBZ (n = 14) or both (n = 10) treated non-diabetic non-obese epileptic patients compared to healthy controls (n = 10). Abdominal CT demonstrated characteristics of fatty liver disease in 42.8% of VPA, in 21.4% of CBZ, in 60% of combination therapy treated patients and none of the healthy controls. All of them were overweight and 53.3% had IR. In conclusion VPA therapy was associated with increased risk of IR and NAFLD, while CBZ therapy was associated with dyslipidemia and combination therapy was associated with all these risks.