The Cell Regulation Mechanism of Neurovascular Unit
Pages 32-38
Yuan-Yuan Jia, Rui-Bi Chang, Han-Wen Yan and Rong Dai

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1927-3037.2016.05.02.3

Published: 12 August 2016

Abstract: Ischemic cerebrovascular disease is one of the three deadly diseases. It is characterised by high mortality and high morbidity. Because of no effective treatments of recombinant tissue plasminogen activator (rt-PA) and neuroprotectant, there are more and more research focus on neurovascular unit (NVU), which is composed of brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs), neuron, astrocyte(AS) and so on. Cell–cell signaling and coupling between these different compartments form the basis for normal function and repair of brain injury. In this mini-review, we will describe the relationship of CMECs, neuron and AS.

Induced Resistance to Ustilago maydis in Zea mays Inoculated in Non-Sterile Conditions
Pages 51-59
Domingo Martínez-Soto and José Ruiz-Herrera

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1927-3037.2016.05.02.4

Published: 12 August 2016

Abstract: Plants are able to acquire induced resistance to pathogens (priming) by its previous exposure to biotic or abiotic stresses. To analyze whether this process is involved in the maize infection by Ustilago maydis, we have compared the infection occurring in plants inoculated under axenic conditions or in sterile soil to plants grown in non-sterile soil. Our results showed that plants grown under axenic conditions were more susceptible to infection than those inoculated in non-sterile soil. Accordingly, disease symptoms: chlorosis development, anthocyanin production, tumor development, and necrosis, were more and severe in axenic plants. In addition, cell death and reactive oxygen species production, as well as ethylene, were higher in axenic plants. These observations indicate for the first time, that different physical stressors and contact with microorganisms of the environment are responsible for the induction of resistance (priming) in this pathosystem.

Production of Bioagent for Calcium-Based Biocement
Pages 60-69
Viktor Stabnikov

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1927-3037.2016.05.02.5

Published: 12 August 2016

Abstract: Biocements and biogrouts are developing extensively as new materials alternative to cement and toxic chemical grouts. The most popular type of biocement is a mixture of urease-producing bacteria, urea and calcium salt. Thus, development of biotechnology to produce biomass of urease-active bacteria for large-scale biocementation is an important biotechnological task. Two strains of urease-producing bacteria, Yaniella sp. VS8 and Bacillus sp. VS1 that synthesized inducible and constitutive urease, respectively, were used in the present study. It was shown that low cost biomass of urease-active bacteria can be produced from the hydrolyzed excessive activated sludge of municipal wastewater treatment plant. The biomass of Yaniella sp. VS8 grown in this medium diminished the hydraulic conductivity of sand from 4.8×10^-4 m/s to 5∙10^-8 m/s after severalbiotreatments with solution of 1.5 M urea and 0.75M СаCl₂.

Localization Analysis of Natural Toxin of Solanum tuberosum L. via Mass Spectrometric Imaging
Pages 1-5
Riho Hashizaki, Hanaka Komori, Kohei Kazuma, Katsuhiro Konno, Kyuichi Kawabata, Daisaku Kaneko, Hajime Katano and Shu Taira

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1927-3037.2016.05.01.1

Published: 02 March 2016

Abstract: The use of mass spectrometry imaging (MSI) revealed the localization of a-solanine and a-chaconine as natural toxins for Potato (Solanum tuberosum L.). The content of Potato glycoalkaloids, a-solanine and a-chaconine, were quantitatively determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Matrix assisted laser desorption/ionization-based tandem mass spectrometry (MS) could determine a-solanine and a-chaconine from raw potato extraction and section. After budbreak, a-solanine and a-chaconine were produced and localized at periderm and germ compared with that before budbreak. At germ region, these glycoalkaloids did not exist whole germ region but eccentrically localize at germ surface and central region. The amount of a-chaconine was twofold higher than a-solanine at periderm. At germ region, there was no difference between these toxins.

Identification of Acid Mine Drainage Microorganisms from a Coal Mine in South Africa
Pages 6-9
Evanie Devi Deenanath and Rosemary Falcon

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.6000/1927-3037.2016.05.01.2

Published: 02 March 2016

Abstract: Acid mine drainage (AMD) generated from mining processes is an on-going environmental concern. This study aimed to identify microorganisms (MOs) from a coal mine water source to determine organism diversity for its use as a bioremediation method of AMD contaminated sources. For the purpose of this study, a culture-dependent sample, previously collected from an open-mine-water-pit was used to assess the microbial community by 18S rRNA gene amplification and BLAST analysis. The analysis revealed the presence of 94 MOs, with 3 dominant MOs namely, Cercozoan; an uncultured bacterium and Chorella vulgaris. The use of this culture is not promising as the presence of Cercozoan, a protist type body will target other species for its own survival, hence inhibiting any positive effect the algae or bacteria may have on bioremediation potential of harmful AMD elements.