Class IIIa Research Articles

A Cell Wall Proteome and Targeted Cell Wall Analyses Provide Novel Information on Hemicellulose Metabolism in Flax

Experimentally-generated (nanoLC-MS/MS) proteomic analyses of four different flax organs/tissues (inner-stem, outer-stem, leaves and roots) enriched in proteins from 3 different sub-compartments (soluble-, membrane-, and cell wall-proteins) was combined with publically available data on flax seed and whole-stem proteins to generate a flax protein database containing 2996 nonredundant total proteins. Subsequent multiple analyses (MapMan, CAZy, WallProtDB and expert curation) of this database were then used to identify a flax cell wall proteome consisting of 456 nonredundant proteins localized in the cell wall and/or associated with cell wall biosynthesis, remodeling and other cell wall related processes. Examination of the proteins present in different flax organs/tissues provided a detailed overview of cell wall metabolism and highlighted the importance of hemicellulose and pectin remodeling in stem tissues. Phylogenetic analyses of proteins in the cell wall proteome revealed an important paralogy in the class IIIA xyloglucan endo-transglycosylase/hydrolase (XTH) family associated with xyloglucan endo-hydrolase activity.Immunolocalisation, FT-IR microspectroscopy, and enzymatic fingerprinting indicated that flax fiber primary/S1 cell walls contained xyloglucans with typical substituted side chains as well as glucuronoxylans in much lower quantities. These results suggest a likely central role of xyloglucans and endotransglucosylase/hydrolase activity in flax fiber formation and cell wall remodeling processes.

Natural Mallow Fiber-Reinforced Epoxy Composite for Ballistic Armor Against Class III-A Ammunition

Epoxy matrix composites reinforced with up to 30 vol pct of continuous and aligned natural mallow fibers were for the first time ballistic tested as personal armor against class III-A 9 mm FMJ ammunition. The ballistic efficiency of these composites was assessed by measuring the dissipated energy and residual velocity after the bullet perforation. The results were compared to those in similar tests of aramid fabric (Kevlar™) commonly used in vests for personal protections. Visual inspection and scanning electron microscopy analysis of impact-fractured samples revealed failure mechanisms associated with fiber pullout and rupture as well as epoxy cracking. As compared to Kevlar™, the mallow fiber composite displayed practically the same ballistic efficiency. However, there is a reduction in both weight and cost, which makes the mallow fiber composites a promising material for personal ballistic protection.

Endovascular treatment of wide-neck intracranial bifurcation aneurysms with 'Y'-configuration, double Neuroform® stents-assisted coiling technique: Experience in a single center.

Background Intracranial wide-neck aneurysms at the arterial bifurcations, especially in the aneurysms where the bifurcating branches emanate directly from the base of the aneurysm, have been particularly difficult on which to perform endovascular treatment. The 'Y'-configuration, double stent-assisted coil embolization is an option for the treatment of these difficult aneurysms, allowing the closure of the aneurysm, preserving the parent arteries. Material and methods In a nine-year period, 546 intracranial aneurysms in 493 patients were treated at our center by endovascular approach. We have reviewed the medical records and arteriographies from November 2007 to January 2017 of 45 patients who were treated using 'Y'-configuration double Neuroform® stent-assisted coil embolization. Results All patients were successfully treated. The location of the aneurysms were: middle cerebral artery (MCA) 20 (44.4%), anterior communicating artery (AComA) 17 (37.7%), basilar four (8.9%), internal carotid artery (ICA) bifurcation three (6.6%) and posterior communicating artery (PComA) one (2.2%). The mRS at hospital discharge was: mRS 0: 42 (93.3%), mRS 1: 1 (2.2%), mRS 2: 1 (2.2%) and mRS 5: 1 (2.2%). The Modified Raymond-Roy Occlusion Classification, in the control at six months, was: Class I: 41 (91.1%), Class II: 2 (4.4%), Class IIIa: 1 (2.2%) and Class IIIb: 1 (2.2%). Forty-four (97.8%) patients had a good outcome (mRS < 2) at six months. One (2.2%) patient had a poor outcome (mRS > 2) at six months that was due to sequelae of SAH. There was no mortality at six months. Conclusions This technique is safe and effective for the endovascular treatment of difficult wide-neck bifurcation aneurysms, allowing the stable closure of the aneurysm, preserving the parent arteries.

Gamma Knife Radiosurgery for Idiopathic Trigeminal Neuralgia: Does the Status of Offending Vessels Influence Pain Control or Side Effects?

To evaluate pain control and side effects after gamma knife radiosurgery (GKRS) for classical idiopathic trigeminal neuralgia (TN) with or without neurovascular compression (NVC). This study included 47 patients with type 1idiopathic TN and Barrow Neurological Institute (BNI) pain class IV or V who were treated with GKRS, with a maximum dose of 85 Gy targeting the root entry zone, as an initial treatment modality between January 2005 and March 2015. A retrospective analysis of NVC status, pain control, side effects, recurrence, and cross-sectional area was conducted. During follow-up (median, 21.5 months; range, 3-119 months), 36 of the 47 patients (76.6%) demonstrated good outcomes (i.e., improved to below BNI class IIIa). Twenty-two patients did not have NVC (group A) and 25 had NVC (group B). The rate of good outcomes did not differ significantly between the 2 groups (group A, 86.4% [19 of 22] vs. group B, 68% [17 of 25]; P= 0.138). The number of cases in BNI class I or II and the number of recurrences also did not differ significantly between the 2 groups (P=0.532 and 0.786, respectively). The mean area was 8.64± 2.59 mm3 in nondeviated cases (n= 27) and 2.59±1.68 mm3 in deviated (n= 10). Side effects were significantly more frequent in deviated cases (80% [8 of 10]) than in nondeviated cases (25.9% [7 of 27]; P= 0.003). NVC is not a predictive factor for pain control after GKRS for the treatment of idiopathic TN. Side effects may occur more frequently in patients with NVC at the target coordinate when a root entry zone is used, but the subjective symptoms are not always bothersome.

Peningkatan Adopsi Teknologi dan Mutu Kakao di Provinsi Sumatera Barat

&lt;em&gt;West Sumatra is one of the cacao plantation development areas in the western region of Indonesia coverages 150,319 ha. However, its productivity and quality are low due to a little adoption of cacao culture techniques and quality by farmers. One of the strategies to accelerate and expand the adoption technology is utilization of multi-channel dissemination spectrum (MCDS). This research aimed to improve the adoption of cacao technology innovations and cacao quality by cacao farmers in West Sumatra. The research was conducted at two centre cocoa areas, i.e. Padang Pariaman and Pasaman, from March until December 2013. The research activities consisted of (1) a base line survey to determine the adoption level of innovation and the need for cacao cultivation and post-harvest technology, (2) the dissemination of technology based on the MCDS model, initiated with advocacy, field school, distribution of printed media, setting up of demonstration plots of technology innovation, and a field day; and (3) the final survey to determine the effect of technology adoption on improvement of cacao quality. The results showed that a low technology adoption was associated with farmers’s education levels and experiences. The technology needed by cocoa farmers at both locations were pruning, fertilizing, side-grafting technology, developing small canals for plantation sanitation and water conservation, pest and disease control technology, fermentation and drying of cocoa beans. The average increase in the adoption of technology innovations in Padang Pariaman and Pasaman districts was 45.54% and 53.31%, respectively. The adoption of fermented cocoa beans technology increased cocoa quality tobecome a class III-A and complied with the Indonesian National Standard.&lt;/em&gt;

Exploring Teacher and Student Interactions in Blended Learning

This research aims to describe the exploration of teacher and student interactions in blended learning. This research was conducted at State Elementary School 1/IV Jambi City. This research uses a qualitative approach with a case study type of research. This research data was obtained by observing teacher and student interactions in blended learning, interviews with class IIIa homeroom teachers and students, as well as documentation. The results of this research show that there is interaction between teachers and students in blended learning. The interactions during the learning process based on blended learning are providing students with information, explaining, explaining, directing and telling stories, to encourage students to be active during the learning process, the teacher also asks questions that are remembering, evaluating or understanding. Apart from that, teachers can also give praise, encouragement, and accept students' opinions when students succeed or behave well during the learning process. then the teacher can see the students' responses, how students raise their hands when the teacher asks questions, dare to answer questions, and students also ask questions, express opinions towards the teacher or other students.

Characterization of a novel signal transducer element intrinsic to class IIIa/b adenylate cyclases and guanylate cyclases.

Adenylate cyclases (ACs) are signaling proteins that produce the second messenger cAMP. Class III ACs comprise four groups (class IIIa-d) of which class IIIa and IIIb ACs have been identified in bacteria and eukaryotes. Many class IIIa ACs are anchored to membranes via hexahelical domains. In eukaryotic ACs, membrane anchors are well conserved, suggesting that this region possesses important functional characteristics that are as yet unknown. To address this question, we replaced the hexahelical membrane anchor of the mycobacterial AC Rv1625c with the hexahelical quorum-sensing receptor from Legionella, LqsS. Using this chimera, we identified a novel 19-amino-acid cyclase transducer element (CTE) located N-terminally to the catalytic domain that links receptor stimulation to effector activation. Coupling of the receptor to the AC was possible at several positions distal to the membrane exit, resulting in stimulatory or inhibitory responses to the ligand Legionella autoinducer-1. In contrast, on the AC effector side functional coupling was only successful when starting with the CTE. Bioinformatics approaches established that distinct CTEs are widely present in class IIIa and IIIb ACs and in vertebrate guanylate cyclases. The data suggest that membrane-delimited receiver domains transduce regulatory signals to the downstream catalytic domains in an engineered AC model system. This may suggest a previously unknown mechanism for cellular cAMP regulation.

Assessment and Potential Application of the Probiotic Strain, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens JFP2, Isolated from Fermented Seafood-Jeotgal in Flounder Paralichthys olivaceus Juveniles

The strain Bacillus amyloliquefaciens JFP2 was isolated from Jeotgal, traditional fermented seafood from Jeju Island, South Korea to assess its probiotic and antibacterial effect against fish pathogens. The isolate JFP2 was identified using scanning electron microscopic analysis and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. The isolated strain, B. amyloliquefaciens JFP2 showed a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative fish pathogenic bacteria namely Aeromonas hydrophila, Edwardsiella tarda, Photobacterium damselase sup-sps, Photobacterium phosphoreum, Streptococcous parauberis, S. iniae and Vibrio anguillaram. The bacteriocin JFP2 with a molecular mass of 37 kDa that was purified by ammonium sulphate precipitation followed by carboxymethyl-Sephadex column chromatography, showed antibacterial activity at a range of temperatures, from 4º-45ºC and at a range of pH values from 2-12. However, loss of antibacterial activity was observed after treating the bacteriocin with proteolytic enzymes such as pepsin, proteinase K, and trypsin. The mode of antibacterial action shown by the bacteriocin JFP2 was bacteriolytic in nature, resulting in cell wall degradation of A. hydrophila. Dietary inclusion of the isolated JFP2 strain showed improved growth performance in juvenile flounder along with increased disease resistance against Streptococcus iniae. These results indicate that the bacteriocin JFP2 belongs to class IIIa bacteriocin that could be used as a potential alternative antibacterial agent to control pathogenic diseases in aquaculture and seafood industries.

Assessment and Potential Application of the Probiotic Strain, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens JFP2, Isolated from Fermented Seafood-Jeotgal in Flounder Paralichthys olivaceus Juveniles

The strain Bacillus amyloliquefaciens JFP2 was isolated from Jeotgal, traditional fermented seafood from Jeju Island, South Korea to assess its probiotic and antibacterial effect against fish pathogens. The isolate JFP2 was identified using scanning electron microscopic analysis and 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. The isolated strain, B. amyloliquefaciens JFP2 showed a broad spectrum of antibacterial activity against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative fish pathogenic bacteria namely Aeromonas hydrophila, Edwardsiella tarda, Photobacterium damselase sup-sps, Photobacterium phosphoreum, Streptococcous parauberis, S. iniae and Vibrio anguillaram. The bacteriocin JFP2 with a molecular mass of 37 kDa that was purified by ammonium sulphate precipitation followed by carboxymethyl-Sephadex column chromatography, showed antibacterial activity at a range of temperatures, from 4º-45ºC and at a range of pH values from 2-12. However, loss of antibacterial activity was observed after treating the bacteriocin with proteolytic enzymes such as pepsin, proteinase K, and trypsin. The mode of antibacterial action shown by the bacteriocin JFP2 was bacteriolytic in nature, resulting in cell wall degradation of A. hydrophila. Dietary inclusion of the isolated JFP2 strain showed improved growth performance in juvenile flounder along with increased disease resistance against Streptococcus iniae. These results indicate that the bacteriocin JFP2 belongs to class IIIa bacteriocin that could be used as a potential alternative antibacterial agent to control pathogenic diseases in aquaculture and seafood industries.

Highly Efficient Luminescent Metal-Organic Framework for the Simultaneous Detection and Removal of Heavy Metals from Water.

We have designed and synthesized an isoreticular series of luminescent metal-organic frameworks (LMOFs) by incorporating a strongly emissive molecular fluorophore and functionally diverse colinkers into Zn-based structures. The three-dimensional porous networks of LMOF-261, -262, and -263 represent a unique/new type of nets, classified as a 2-nodal, (4,4)-c net (mot-e type) with 4-fold, class IIIa interpenetration. All compounds crystallize in a body-centered tetragonal crystal system (space group I41/a). A systematic study has been implemented to analyze their interactions with heavy metals. LMOF-263 exhibits impressive water stability, high porosity, and strong luminescence, making it an excellent candidate as a fluorescent chemical sensor and adsorbent for aqueous contaminants. It is extremely responsive to toxic heavy metals at a parts per billion level (3.3 ppb Hg2+, 19.7 ppb Pb2+) and demonstrates high selectivity for heavy metals over light metals, with detection ratios of 167.4 and 209.5 for Hg2+/Ca2+ and Hg2+/Mg2+, respectively. Mixed-metal adsorption experiments also show that LMOF-263 selectively adsorbs Hg2+ over other heavy metal ions in addition to light metals. The Pb2+ KSV value for LMOF-263 (55,017 M-1) is the highest among LMOFs reported to date, and the Hg2+ KSV value is the second highest (459,446 M-1). LMOF-263 exhibits a maximum adsorption capacity of 380 mg Hg2+/g. The Hg2+ adsorption process follows pseudo-second-order kinetics, removing 99.1% of the metal within 30 min. An in situ XPS study provides insight to help understand the interaction mechanism between Hg2+ and LMOF-263. No other MOFs have demonstrated such a high performance in both the detection and the capture of Hg2+ from aqueous solution.

Plasma Inflammatory Cytokines as Predictor Markers for Severity of Histological Variations of Intestine among Celiac Patients

Background: Celiac is a chronic hereditary intestinal disorder caused by autoimmune stimulation and injury of intestinal mucosa and different studies have reported an increase of inflammatory cytokines production in these patients. This study aimed to investigate the serum level of inflammatory cytokines and their correlations with the severity of histological variations among celiac patients. Material and methods: By a cross sectional study all celiac patients attending to gastrointestinal clinics in Ilam city during Oct. 2011- MAR. 2013 were investigated. Demographic data was collected using a validate questionnaire and patient's interview and each patient was taken a blood sample for laboratory investigation of tTG-IgA antibody via ELISA test and the serum level of hs- CRP, IL-6 and TNF-a was measured. All patients underwent endoscopic evaluation and biopsy samples were evaluated according to Marsh classification and correlation between severity of histological variations and serum levels of inflammatory cytokines was measured. Results: Totally 274 patients including 90 male and 184 female with a mean age of 28.8±14.4 years were evaluated. The mean serum levels of hs-CRP, IL-6 and TNF-a were 7.8±3.1 mg/l, 2.6±0.9 pg/ml and 6.9±4.6 pg/ml respectively (p=0.599, p=0.629 and p= 0.651). Hs-CRP showed a significant relationship with the severity of mucosal damage upon class I of Marsh classification (p=0.01); however, IL-6 showed a significant level among patients with Marsh I, II and IIIC (p=0.000, p=0.02 and p=0.000) but not in those with Marsh class IIIA and IIIB. Conclusion: There was a positive relationship between mean serum levels of IL-6 and TNF-a with increasing the Marsh classification from class I to class IIIC and the highest rate of IL-6 and TNF-a was shown in Marsh IIIC but the serum level of hs-CRP was not increased with Marsh class increasing. It was concluded that as the Marsh classification increased from class I to class IIIC, and/or the severity of pathologic variations was increased, the mean serum levels of inflammatory markers were increased too.

Erectile Dysfunction in Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome: Outcomes from a Multi-Center Study and Risk Factor Analysis in a Single Center.

The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of erectile dysfunction (ED) in patients with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS) and explore the influence of UPOINT domains, National Institutes of Health-CP symptom index (NIH-CPSI) and other factors on ED prevalence. This was a prospective study of consecutive patients with CP/CPPS seen at 11 tertiary hospitals during January–July 2014. ED was diagnosed as a score of<21 on the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5). Patients from one center were evaluated by the UPOINT system and NIH-CPSI. Each patient was assessed using clinical examination, asocio-demographic questionnaire, the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ), the Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS), NIH-CPSI and IIEF-5.1406 patients from 11 centers (mean age, 32.18 years; range 18–60 years) were enrolled. ED was found in 638/1406 patients (45.4%), and was categorized as mild in 291(45.6%), moderate in 297(46.6%) and severe in50(7.7%). 192 patients from one center(mean age,31.3 years; range 18–57 years) were further studied.IIEF-5 score correlated negatively with NIH-CPSI(r = 0.251), PHQ (r = 0.355) and PCS (r = 0.322)scores (P<0.001).PHQ score correlated positively with NIH-CPSI (r = 0.586) and PCS(r = 0.662) scores (P<0.001).NIH-CPSI, PHQ, PCS and IIEF-5 scores did not differ significantly between class IIIA and IIIB CP/CPPS. Multivariate logistic regression showed that UPOINT psychological (P) domain and NIH-CPSI symptom severity were independent risk factors for ED in CP/CPPS. It is concluded that psychological factors and symptom severity are independent risk factors for ED in CP/CPPS.

Updated Results of a Phase 2 Study of Bendamustine in Combination with Dexamethasone (Ben/Dex) in Patients with Previously-Treated Systemic Light-Chain (AL) Amyloidosis

Updated Results of a Phase 2 Study of Bendamustine in Combination with Dexamethasone (Ben/Dex) in Patients with Previously-Treated Systemic Light-Chain (AL) Amyloidosis

Copy number variants prioritization after array-CGH analysis - a cohort of 1000 patients.

BackgroundArray-based comparative genomic hybridization has been assumed to be the first genetic test offered to detect genomic imbalances in patients with unexplained intellectual disability with or without dysmorphisms, multiple congenital anomalies, learning difficulties and autism spectrum disorders.Our study contributes to the genotype/phenotype correlation with the delineation of laboratory criteria which help to classify the different copy number variants (CNVs) detected. We clustered our findings into five classes ranging from an imbalance detected in a microdeletion/duplication syndrome region (class I) to imbalances that had previously been reported in normal subjects in the Database of Genomic Variants (DGV) and thus considered common variants (class IV).ResultsAll the analyzed 1000 patients had at least one CNV independently of its clinical significance. Most of them, as expected, were alterations already reported in the DGV for normal individuals (class IV) or without known coding genes (class III-B). In approximately 14 % of the patients an imbalance involving known coding genes, but with partially overlapping or low frequency of CNVs described in the DGV was identified (class IIIA). In 10.4 % of the patients a pathogenic CNV that explained the phenotype was identified consisting of: 40 class I imbalances, 44 class II de novo imbalances and 21 class II X-chromosome imbalances in male patients. In 20 % of the patients a familial pathogenic or potentially pathogenic CNV, consisting of inherited class II imbalances, was identified that implied a family evaluation by the clinical geneticists.ConclusionsAs this interpretation can be sometimes difficult, particularly if it is not possible to study the parents, using the proposed classification we were able to prioritize the multiple imbalances that are identified in each patient without immediately having to classify them as pathogenic or benign.

Circulation : Clinical Summaries

<i>Circulation</i> : Clinical Summaries

Conservative management of kienbock's disease in a 24 year old adult : A case report

AbstractKienbock's disease also known as Lunatomalacia is a rare disorder involving the lunate. Damage to the lunate can lead to pain, stiffness, and in late stages, arthritis of the wrist. This disease is most common in men between the ages of 20 and 40 and rarely affects both wrists. Here we present a 35 year old male manual labourer who presented to our department with complaints of progressive pain and stiffness of his dominant wrist.Radiographically he was diagnosed to have Lichtmann class IIIA Kienbock's disease of the left wrist. He was managed with analgesics and wrist physiotherapy. On a review at three months he had an acceptable range of motion of the wrist he was symptom free.This article presents our patients history, radiological findings and management.

PENINGKATAN HASIL BELAJAR MATEMATIKA SISWA DENGAN PENDEKATAN PEMBELAJARAN KONTEKSTUAL MELALUI PENERAPAN KOMBINASI METODE CERAMAH, DEMONSTRASI DAN LATIHAN DI KELAS IIIA SD NEGERI 81 BENGKULU SELATAN

Efforts to improve the quality of mathematics learning process is still being done to achieve the goals of mathematics education. However mathematics until now was difficult by many primary school students, one indicator is the low student learning outcomes. This study aimed to find out how the application of a combination of lectures, demonstrations and exercises with contextual learning approach to improving student learning outcomes in mathematics Elementary School Class IIIA 81 South Bengkulu. The research was conducted in January to March 2015 with two study cycles consisting of: (1) the first cycle, and (2) the second cycle which includes the following activities: planning, action, observation, and reflection. Results of the study as follows: (1) an increase in the quality of learning through the implementation of a combination of lectures, demonstrations and exercises with contextual learning approach given by the teacher, starting from the first cycle to the second cycle, and (2) the application of a combination of lectures, demonstrations and exercise with contextual learning approach to students in the first cycle reaches an average value of 62.9 and the second cycle reached an average of 87.1. Of the 14 students who took the test individually formative there are 9 people who were able to cross the line to pass a minimum in the first cycle and all the students pass the study on the second cycle. Thus, learning by applying a combination of lectures, demonstrations and exercises with contextual learning approach to student mastery of the material in relation to the learning of mathematics to be taught basic competencies was able to achieve study defined indicators.

Predictors of success following endovascular retreatment of intracranial aneurysms.

Although approximately one in every 10 patients undergoing coil embolization of intracranial aneurysms requires retreatment, the factors that are associated with outcome following retreatment remain to be fully elucidated. This is a single-center, retrospective review of 43 patients with 58 intracranial aneurysms that were retreated from 2004 to 2014. Aneurysms undergoing first time or microsurgical retreatment were excluded. Retreatment types were grouped into those without permanent parent vessel support (stand-alone and balloon-assisted coiling) versus those with permanent parent vessel support (stent-assisted coiling, stand-alone stenting, and flow diversion). The Modified Raymond Roy Classification was used to group aneurysms at all angiographic follow-up points either in the successful outcome group (Class I or II) or the unsuccessful outcome group (Class IIIa or IIIb). Of aneurysms with follow-up, 50% were in the successful group and 50% in the unsuccessful group. In univariate analysis, small aneurysm size (p < 0.001), previous treatment type (p = 0.022), retreatment type (p = 0.001), and initial occlusion class (p = 0.005) were all associated with angiographic outcome. In multivariate analysis, small aneurysm size (p = 0.005, odds ratio (OR) 24.56, confidence interval (CI) 2.68-225.4) and retreatment type with permanent parent vessel support, namely stent-assisted coiling (p = 0.017, OR 31.1, CI 1.89-517.7), were associated with retreatment success. Small aneurysm size and retreatment with permanent parent vessel support, namely stent-assisted coiling, are predictors of success following endovascular retreatment of intracranial aneurysms. These findings could be useful in the effort to both prevent and predict treatment failure following endovascular retreatment.

Spatial Distribution Of Lead, Zinc And Chromium In The Bottom Deposits Of Lake Sunia

Abstract Various elements are accumulated in bottom deposits in concentrations that significantly exceed the levels observed in lake water. Under certain conditions, this can lead to secondary contamination of water, posing threat to aquatic organisms. The aim of this study was to evaluate the spatial distribution of Pb, Zn and Cr pollutants in the bottom deposits of Lake Sunia. The investigated water body is situated in the Olsztyn Lakeland western part of the Masurian Lakeland), approximately 30 km north of the city of Olsztyn, in the municipality of Swiatki. The lake has a total area of 111.6 ha and a maximum depth of 8.8 m. The inflow to and the outflow from lake are situated in its south-western and north-western part, respectively. The lake features a bay which is separated from the main water body by a shallow zone. Its catchment area comprises mainly agricultural land. The total area of supply of lake is 450 ha of which inflow catchment area is 70 ha. Most of the catchment area is agricultural land (91%), and in particular arable land, the rest of the area (5%) are the barren, and trees (4%). the area of the lake is dominated by power-sandy loam soil in the passing sands and clay loam strong little sandy. In terms of particle size are a summary of the soil that is difficult permeable to water and nutrients. Taking into account the valuation of soil classification in the vast quantities of soil are included in the class IVa, IIIa and IIIb. The average content of organic matter in the lake was determined at 24%. Significant accumulation of organic matter results from intense inflow of biogenic substances from farmed areas in the catchment. The average concentrations of trace elements in the analyzed water body were arranged in the following series: Cr &lt; Pb &lt; Zn, and their ratios were determined at 8.1 &lt; 22.9 &lt; 45.2. Higher levels of heavy metals were observed the profundal zone, whereas lower concentrations of the analyzed elements were noted in littoral zone sediments.

A class III chitinase without disulfide bonds from the fern, Pteris ryukyuensis: crystal structure and ligand-binding studies.

We first solved the crystal structure of class III catalytic domain of a chitinase from fern (PrChiA-cat), and found a structural difference between PrChiA-cat and hevamine. PrChiA-cat was found to have reduced affinities to chitin oligosaccharides and allosamidin. Plant class III chitinases are subdivided into enzymes with three disulfide bonds and those without disulfide bonds. We here referred to the former enzymes as class IIIa chitinases and the latter as class IIIb chitinases. In this study, we solved the crystal structure of the class IIIb catalytic domain of a chitinase from the fern Pteris ryukyuensis (PrChiA-cat), and compared it with that of hevamine, a class IIIa chitinase from Hevea brasiliensis. PrChiA-cat was found to adopt an (α/β)8 fold typical of GH18 chitinases in a similar manner to that of hevamine. However, PrChiA-cat also had two large loops that extruded from the catalytic site, and the corresponding loops in hevamine were markedly smaller than those of PrChiA-cat. An HPLC analysis of the enzymatic products revealed that the mode of action of PrChiA-cat toward chitin oligosaccharides, (GlcNAc) n (n = 4-6), differed from those of hevamine and the other class IIIa chitinases. The binding affinities of (GlcNAc)3 and (GlcNAc)4 toward the inactive mutant of PrChiA-cat were determined by isothermal titration calorimetry, and were markedly lower than those toward other members of the GH18 family. The affinity and the inhibitory activity of allosamidin toward PrChiA-cat were also lower than those toward the GH18 chitinases investigated to date. Several hydrogen bonds found in the crystal structure of hevamine-allosamidin complex were missing in the modeled structure of PrChiA-cat-allosamidin complex. The structural findings for PrChiA-cat successfully interpreted the functional data presented.