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Protease activity in pancreatic islet isolation by enzymatic digestion.

Commercial Collagenase* prepared from Clostridium histolyticum is widely used in isolation of pancreatic islets. It is known that the enzyme is very impure and that there are substantial variations in effectiveness between batches. Our studies suggest that one of the impurities of importance in islet isolation is a protease that has not been very well characterized. Comparison of two batches of enzyme, one of which was known to give good yields of islets and the other poor yields, showed that they had very similar activity against collagen (measured by digestion of insoluble collagen followed by assay of soluble products with ninhydrin) but substantially different activities against azocasein as measured by optical density increase (measured by release of dye). Eighteen batches of Collagenase were examined for efficiency in islet isolation, and the yields obtained correlated with manufacturer's data of activity against casein. The data show that low caseinase activity is associated with performance in islet isolation (r = .5 after adjusting for collagenase activity). The effect of supplementing a batch of collagenase, known to be poor in isolating islets, with proteolytic enzymes was investigated. Trypsin and papain had apparently no effect, but dispase significantly increased yield. Dispase alone failed to digest pancreas. Size-exclusion high-performance liquid chromatography identified a peak associated with high protease activity and efficiency in islet isolation, having an Mr of approximately 30,000, compared to 78,000 for collagenase. The protease, like collagenase, is inhibited by EDTA. Increased Ca2+ and Mg2+ (up to 10 mM) did not affect activity. Both the protease and collagenase are stable under normal use but are inactivated by heating at 56 degrees C.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animals↗

Physiological effects of nitrogen starvation in an anaerobic batch culture of Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The effects of nitrogen starvation on the anaerobic physiology of Saccharomyces cerevisiae were studied in cells cultivated in a bioreactor. The composition of the mineral medium was designed such that the nitrogen source became depleted while there was still ample glucose left in the medium. The culture was characterized by acoustic gas analysis, flow injection analysis and HPLC analysis of extracellular substrates and metabolites. During the cultivation, the macromolecular composition of the cells was analysed with respect to the cellular content of RNA, protein, trehalose and glycogen. During exponential growth under anaerobic conditions, the maximum specific growth rate conditions. Depletion of ammonium in the medium led to an abrupt decrease (mumax) of S. cerevisiae CBS 8066 (0.46 h-1) was identical to the mumax determined under aerobic in the flux through glycolysis. Subsequently, a continuous decrease in the carbon dioxide evolution rate, caused by catabolite inactivation of the hexose-transport system, was observed. The apparent half-life of the transport system under nitrogen starvation was 13 h. During the exponential growth phase, the cellular content of RNA and protein was 15% (w/w) and 60% (w/w), respectively. At the end of the cultivation where the cells had been starved of nitrogen for 18 h, the cellular content of RNA and protein had decreased to 4% (w/w) and 22% (w/w), respectively. The intracellular carbohydrate content increased dramatically as trehalose and glycogen accumulated to final concentrations of 7% (w/w) and 25% (w/w), respectively. Glycerol formation during nitrogen starvation was higher than that accounted for by the formation of organic acids, suggesting a protein turnover of approximately 6% h-1. The growth energetics of S. cerevisiae CBS 8066 also changed as a result of nitrogen starvation, and YxATP was observed to increase from 80 mmol g-1 during the exponential growth phase to more than 130 mmol g-1 towards the end of the cultivation. The presented results illustrate the effect of nitrogen starvation on glycerol formation, protein turnover, catabolite inactivation of the sugar-transport system, the cellular composition, the cell cycle and growth energetics.

Ammonia↗

Role of batch depletion of broiler houses on the occurrence of Campylobacter spp. in chicken flocks.

AIMS: The effect of batch depletion of broiler houses for campylobacter occurrence in broiler flocks was estimated in 10 flocks, each comprising a separate female and male batch. METHODS AND RESULTS: The chicks were sampled first by cloacal swabs in the broiler houses before the start of the depopulation and secondly, on arrival at the abattoir. Females were slaughtered at 5 weeks of age, males at 6 weeks. The number of campylobacter-positive batches increased from five to seven female batches, and from five to 10 male batches, between the two sampling rounds. CONCLUSION: It is concluded that batch depletion of broiler houses increased the prevalence of Campylobacter spp.-infected broilers in the flocks, that the introduction occurred when catching the first batch, and that campylobacter spreads through the entire flock within a week. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: The results from this study emphasize the need to manage depopulation of broiler houses as quickly as possible and in one batch only.

Abattoirs↗

Laboratory batch experiments of the combined effects of ultrasound and air stripping in removing CCl4 and 1,1,1-TCA from water.

Ultrasonic and air-stripping techniques for removal of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and 1,1,1-trichloroethane (1,1,1-TCA) from water were studied in batch experiments. Ultrasound (US) is effective for destroying organic compounds in aqueous solutions whereas air stripping (AS) efficiently transfers volatile compounds from the liquid to the gas phase. In simultaneous US and AS experiments, synergistic effects were observed and attributed to the effect of US on the mass transfer process. Using a photographic method, ultrasonic break up of gas bubbles and changes in gas holdup ratios were examined. In the two different gas-sparging systems studied, ultrasonic waves did not break up gas bubbles. In contrast, bubbles from the smaller porous size diffuser were coalesced due to sonication. In addition, both photographic and gas holdup experiments demonstrated that ultrasonic irradiation increased the gas holdup ratio. The enhancement observed in the removal of the compounds appeared to be due to this greater ultrasonic gas holdup ratio.

Air↗

Effect of pectin on secretion in pig jejunal loops challenged to enteropathogenic E. coli or enterotoxin (LT). A preliminary report.

Perorally administered pectin in pigs could reduce the fluid accumulation in intestinal loops challenged to different dilutions of enteropathogenic E. coli strains, no effect was observed to enterotoxin (LT) preparations. Pectin seems to interact with the bacterial colonization. The neutralizing effect was most pronounced with low inoculation doses in the loops (10(3) and 10(5)), while high doses (10(9)) permitted the strains to exert their enteropathogenic effect (Table I). Different batches gave different effects (Table II) and some preparations were extraordinarily effective (Table III). Thus standardisation and testing is important in developing pectin preparations for diarrhoea prophylaxis.

Animals↗

4-nitrophenol biodegradation in a sequencing batch reactor: kinetic study and effect of filling time.

Biodegradation kinetics of 4-nitrophenol (4NP) was investigated in a lab-scale sequencing batch reactor fed with the compound as the sole carbon source. The experimental results showed that complete 4NP removal can be easily achieved with acclimatized biomass, even if an inhibition kinetics is observed; furthermore, an improvement in the removal kinetics is obtained if the substrate concentration peak, reached in the reactor at the end of the filling time, is maintained to quite a low value. Both long feed phase and high biomass concentration are effective in reducing the substrate concentration peak and then improving the process efficiency. Kinetic test data are well correlated by the Haldane equation, with a saturation constant Ks and an inhibition constant KI, of 17.6 and 30.7 (mg l(-1) 4NP), respectively, whereas the maximum removal rate was in the range of 3.3-8.4 (mg 4NP mg VSS(-1) d(-1)) depending on the substrate concentration peak reached in the reaction phase.

Biodegradation, Environmental↗

Fused-silica capillaries for capillary electrophoresis and gas chromatography: inner surface corrosion, within-batch differences, and influence of drawing parameters studied by atomic force microscopy.

Fused-silica capillaries for capillary electrophoresis (CE) and gas chromatography (GC) were investigated by atomic force microscopy (AFM). Differences from batch to batch and within one batch were often observed. Surface heterogeneity can be caused by bulk material, manufacturing parameters, or by aging effects. One batch of a fused-silica capillary was stored in water for three years at room temperature. The significant increase in surface roughness (measured as rms = root mean square) during this time is demonstrated. The effect of different drawing temperatures was investigated. Other drawing parameters were kept constant using one capillary batch. If the chosen drawing temperature was too low, the roughness values more than doubled. This increase in roughness did not affect the separation efficiency. However, the relative standard deviation (RSD%) of migration times and peak areas increased at the same time. Three capillary batches for gas chromatography of different inner diameters (250 microm, 320 microm, 530 microm) were also investigated. In all cases the higher rms values for surface roughness could be found at the beginning of the drawing process, although all values were close to atomic flatness.

Chromatography, Gas↗

Alterations of the glucose metabolism in a triose phosphate isomerase-negative Saccharomyces cerevisiae mutant.

The absence of triose phosphate isomerase activity causes an accumulation of only one of the two trioses, dihydroxyacetone phosphate, and this produces a shift in the final product of glucose catabolism from ethanol to glycerol (Compagno et al., 1996). Alterations of glucose metabolism imposed by the deletion of the TPI1 gene in Saccharomyces cerevisiae were studied in batch and continuous cultures. The Deltatpi1 null mutant was unable to grow on glucose as the sole carbon source. The addition of ethanol or acetate in media containing glucose, but also raffinose or galactose, relieved this effect in batch cultivation, suggesting that the Crabtree effect is not the primary cause for the mutant's impaired growth on glucose. The addition of an energy source like formic acid restored glucose utilization, suggesting that a NADH/energy shortage in the Deltatpi1 mutant could be a cause of the impaired growth on glucose. The amount of glycerol production in the Deltatpi1 mutant could represent a good indicator of the fraction of carbon source channelled through glycolysis. Data obtained in continuous cultures on mixed substrates indicated that different contributions of glycolysis and gluconeogenesis, as well as of the HMP pathway, to glucose utilization by the Deltatpi1 mutant may occur in relation to the fraction of ethanol present in the media.

Bioreactors↗

Nitrate removal by simultaneous sulfur utilizing autotrophic and heterotrophic denitrification under different organics and alkalinity conditions: batch experiments.

The effect of various organic compounds were tested using lab-scale batch reactors. At sufficient alkalinity, the initial nitrate nitrogen concentration of 100 mg/L was completely reduced in all batch reactors. Sulfate production decreased by the addition of organics. The concentration range of organics used in this experiment did not inhibit autotrophic denitrification except for propionate. Propionate inhibited autotrophic denitrification a little, indicated by a lower sulfate production rate. Biomass in suspension increased with higher initial organic concentrations, showing higher DOC consumption. As the concentration of organics increased, alkalinity increased accordingly. Under the conditions of low alkalinity, in the case of a control reactor without organics, only about 30% of the initial nitrate was reduced. With half the theoretically required dosage of methanol, the denitrification rates increased slightly. When ethanol, acetate, and propionate were used, denitrification went to completion. When excess organics was added, however, sulfate production was significantly decreased. Interestingly, even when small amounts of organics were added, autotrophic denitrification was promoted as indicated by the sulfate production.

Bioreactors↗

Estimating optimal profiles of genetic alterations using constraint-based models.

Metabolic engineering involves application of recombinant DNA methods to manipulate metabolic networks to improve cellular properties. It is critical that the genetic alterations be performed in an optimal manner to maximize profit. In addition to the product yield, productivity consideration is also critical, especially for the production of bulk chemicals such as 1,3-propanediol. In this work, we demonstrate that it is suboptimal from the standpoint of productivity to induce genetic alteration at the start of the production process. A bi-level optimization scheme is formulated to determine the optimal temporal flux profile for the manipulated reaction. In the first case study, an optimal flux in the reaction catalyzed by glycerol kinase is determined to maximize the glycerol production at the end of a 6-h batch cultivation of Escherichia coli under aerobic conditions. The final glycerol concentration is 30% higher for the optimal flux profile compared with having an active flux during the entire batch. The effect of the mass transfer coefficient on the optimal profile and the glycerol concentration is also determined. In the second case study, the anaerobic batch fermentation of the ldh(-) strain of Escherichia coli is considered. The optimal flux in the acetate pathway is determined to maximize the final ethanol concentration. The optimal flux results in higher ethanol concentration (11.92 mmol L(-1)) compared to strains with no acetate flux (8.36 mmol L(-1)) and fully active acetate flux (6.22 mmol L(-1)). We also examine the effects of growth inhibition due to high ethanol concentrations and variations in final batch time on ethanol production.

Algorithms↗

Effect of intraperitoneal administration of two different batches of albumin solutions on peritoneal solute transport in CAPD patients.

The effects of intraperitoneal administration of two different batches of human albumin (batch A and batch B) on peritoneal solute transport and dialysate white cell count were studied in 16 CAPD patients. The studies were done on two separate days during a 4-h dwell, one day without and one day with the intraperitoneal administration of 10 g/l human albumin. Marked differences were found between the two batches. The transport of all measured solutes increased during administration of batch A compared to the control experiments: urea 78% +/- 62%, lactate 51% +/- 38%, creatinine 96% +/- 54%, glucose 67% +/- 55%, inulin 27% +/- 33% IgG 126% +/- 80%, mean +/- SD; P less than 0.02). In the experiments with batch A the white cell count of the test bag was greater than that of the effluent ('night bag') before the test (13 +/- 5 vs 194 +/- 61 mm3/l; P less than 0.02). These effects were also observed when the dialysate was buffered to pH = 7.4 before inflow. Albumin batch B showed no effect on solute transport and white cell count. The effects of solute transport and white cell count are probably caused by the greater concentration of prekallikrein activator in batch A when compared to batch B (30.1 vs 0 U/l). Caution is warranted when human albumin is used for simultaneous measurement of peritoneal fluid and solute kinetics.

Absorption↗

Plasma anti-serotonin and serotonin anti-idiotypic antibodies are elevated in panic disorder.

The psychoneuroimmunology of panic disorder is relatively unexplored. Alterations within brain stress systems that secondarily influence the immune system have been documented. A recent report indicated elevations of serotonin (5-HT) and ganglioside antibodies in patients with primary fibromyalgia, a condition with documented associations with panic disorder. In line with our interest in dysregulated 5-HT systems in panic disorder (PD), we wished to assess if antibodies directed at the 5-HT system were elevated in patients with PD in comparison to healthy volunteers. Sixty-three patients with panic disorder and 26 healthy volunteers were diagnosed by the SCID. Employing ELISA, we measured anti-5-HT and 5-HT anti-idiotypic antibodies (which are directed at 5-HT receptors). To include all subjects in one experiment, three different batches were run during the ELISA. Plasma serotonin anti-idiotypic antibodies: there was a significant group effect [patients > controls (p = .007)] and batch effect but no interaction. The mean effect size for the three batches was .76. Following Z-score transformation of each separate batch and then combining all scores, patients demonstrated significantly elevated levels of plasma serotonin anti-idiotypic antibodies. Neither sex nor age as covariates affected the significance of the results. There was a strong correlation between anti-serotonin antibody and serotonin anti-idiotypic antibody measures. Plasma anti-serotonin antibodies: there was a significant diagnosis effect [patients > controls (p = .037)]. Mean effect size for the three batches was .52. Upon Z-score transformation, there was a diagnosis effect with antibody elevations in patients. Covaried for sex and age, the result falls below significance to trend levels. The data raise the possibility that psychoimmune dysfunction, specifically related to the 5-HT system, may be present in PD. Potential interruption of 5-HT neurotransmission through autoimmune mechanisms may be of pathophysiologic significance in certain patients with panic disorder. It remains to be demonstrated if the peripheral autoimmunity is representative of CNS 5-HT neuronal alterations. Replication appears warranted.

Adult↗

Expression of neutralizing recombinant human antibodies against Varicella Zoster virus for use as a potential prophylactic.

Chickenpox is a highly infectious disease that can be life-threatening to certain groups such as the newborn of nonimmune mothers and immunocompromised patients. At present, prophylactic treatment of individuals at risk involves the use of a polyclonal antibody preparation derived from the pooled sera of hyperimmune donors. While this product is effective, there are problems associated with maintaining supply, which depends on the availability of donors, and the variation of potency between batches. An effective human monoclonal preparation would be of value by providing a well-characterized and standardized preparation available on demand. In this study recombinant human anti-varicella zoster virus (VZV) monoclonals were generated from the mRNA of unstable anti-VZV secreting heterohybridoma cell lines, and characterized according to their molecular weight, isoelectric point, glycosylation, binding to C1q, and efficacy at neutralizing VZV in vitro. In one antibody (AEVZ 5.3) the VH region was grafted from the IgG1 parent antibody onto an IgG3 backbone to determine the effect of isotype on neutralization in vitro. Antibodies were expressed from NSO cells at concentrations of 3-24 microg/mL and contained the expected heavy and light chain fragments and N-linked glycan structures. Both AEVZ 5.1 and AVEZ 4 antibodies were IgG1 and recognized the viral coat protein glycoprotein E; both showed complement-independent and complement-enhanced neutralization. Changing the isotype of AEVZ 5.1 from IgG1 to IgG3 (AEVZ 5.3) further enhanced VZV neutralization in the presence of complement, but reduced its neutralization capacity in the absence of complement. Complement enhancement was consistent with our findings that the IgG3 form could bind more molecules of C1q. The results demonstrate the successful use of recombinant methods to generate stable, functional monoclonal antibodies. Modifications of the original antibodies were made with the aim of improving functionality. The resulting cell lines could be used for large-scale production of well-characterized antibodies for therapeutic use.

Antibodies, Monoclonal↗

Propionate precursors and other metabolic intermediates as possible alternative electron acceptors to methanogenesis in ruminal fermentation in vitro.

Fifteen potential precursors of propionate were tested for their ability to decrease CH4 production by ruminal fluid in vitro. Sodium acrylate and sodium fumarate produced the most consistent effects in batch cultures, with 50 % of the added precursors being fermented to propionate and CH4 production decreasing by between 8 and 17 %, respectively. Additives were more effective when added as free acids, but this also decreased the pH and may have inhibited fibre digestion. Changing the dietary substrate from predominantly grass hay to predominantly concentrate had no influence on the effectiveness of acrylate and fumarate. In an in vitro fermentor (the rumen simulating technique, Rusitec) with a grass hay-concentrate (50:50, w/w) diet as substrate, both compounds were again fermented to propionate (33 and 44 % conversion to propionate, respectively). However, fumarate appeared more effective as a H2 sink compound. It was calculated to capture 44 % of the H2 previously used for CH4 formation compared with a 22 % capture of H2 with acrylate. Fumarate also caused a stimulation in fibre digestion. Thus, sodium fumarate was the preferred propionate precursor for use as a feed ingredient to decrease CH4 emissions from ruminants.

Acids↗

Study of Cu(II) biosorption by dried activated sludge: effect of physico-chemical environment and kinetics study.

Biosorption is a recent technology used to remove heavy metal ions from aqueous solutions. The biosorption of copper ions from aqueous solution by dried activated sludge was investigated in batch systems. Effect of solution pH, initial metal concentration and particle size range were determined. The suitable pH and temperature for studied conditions were determined as 4.0 and 20 degrees C, respectively. The theoretical max biosorption capacity of activated sludge was 294 mg g-1 at 20 degrees C for <0.063 mm particle size. The equilibrium data fitted very well to both Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. The pseudo first and second-order kinetic models were used to describe the kinetic data. The experimental data fitted to second-order kinetic model. The particle size and initial metal concentration were effected the biosorption capacity of dried activated sludge. An increase in the initial metal concentration increases of biosorption capacity, which also increases with decreasing particle size. Dried activated sludge has different functional groups according to the FT-IR results.

Adsorption↗

Fed-batch cultivation of bakers' yeast: effect of nutrient depletion and heat stress on cell composition.

The physiology of a commercial strain of bakers' yeast was studied in terms of the cell composition under different growth conditions and of its response to stress. The study comprised fed-batch experiments since this is the system used in bakers' yeast industry. The classical fed-batch fermentation procedure was modified in that the yeast cells were continuously grown to a steady-state at a dilution rate of 0.1/h in order to achieve more or less the same initial starting point in terms of cell composition. This steady-state culture was then switched to fed-batch concomitantly with exposure to stress. The highest amount of trehalose accumulation was achieved when nutrient depletion and heat stress were applied concomitantly. The highest amount of trehalose, 12%, was attained in cells stressed by both nitrogen depletion and heat stress. The protein content remained constant, although with some oscillations, at a value of 30% throughout this dual stress experiment.

Biomass↗

Effect of on-farm commercial batch pasteurization of colostrum on colostrum and serum immunoglobulin concentrations in dairy calves.

The objectives were to describe the effect of on-farm commercial batch pasteurization on immunoglobulin (IgG) concentrations and the fluid and feeding characteristics of colostrum and to compare serum IgG concentrations in calves fed fresh versus pasteurized colostrum. Newborn calves (123) were systematically allocated to dietary treatments of either fresh or pasteurized colostrum at both the first and second colostrum feedings. The IgG concentrations were measured for batches of colostrum fed fresh and in pre and postpasteurized samples for batches of colostrum fed after being pasteurized and in calf serum. Pasteurization reduced colostrum IgG concentration, with the percentage reduction averaging 58.5 and 23.6% for 95-L and 57-L batches, respectively. Pasteurizing high quality colostrum in 57-L (vs. 95-L) batches resulted in higher IgG concentrations in the end product. Pasteurization of 57-L batches produced colostrum of normal or only mildly thickened consistency that could be fed to calves. Serum IgG concentrations were higher for calves fed fresh colostrum and for calves with a shorter time interval (< or = 6 h) between first and second colostrum feedings. After controlling for the time interval between feedings, serum IgG concentrations were significantly higher for 40 calves fed unpasteurized (19.1 mg/ml) vs. 55 calves fed pasteurized colostrum (9.7 mg/ml) for calves fed 2 L at first feeding. By contrast, there was no difference in serum IgG concentrations between 8 calves fed unpasteurized (16.1 mg/ml) and 20 calves fed pasteurized colostrum (13.5 mg/ml) after calves were fed 4 L at the first feeding. While the latter results suggest that pasteurizing colostrum may work for producers with excellent colostrum management, these results are preliminary and should be interpreted with caution, given the fewer number of calves and batches of colostrum involved with this second comparison.

Animals↗

Effect of fibre on bile acid metabolism by human faecal bacteria in batch and continuous culture.

The effect of various fibres on bile acid metabolism by human faecal bacteria was studied in batch and continuous culture models of the large intestine. The metabolism of the primary bile acids--chenodeoxycholic and cholic-was entirely oxidative in aerobic conditions, and the major metabolites were the 7-oxo-derivatives of the parent bile acids. Addition of both undigested and digested wheat bran and pea fibre to aerobic batch cultures reduced metabolism in a dose-dependent manner with undigested fibre being far more effective. In anaerobic conditions, the metabolism of primary bile acids was predominantly reductive: the major metabolites were the 7 alpha-dehydroxylated products of the parent bile acids--namely lithocholic acid (from chenodeoxycholic acid) and deoxycholic acid (from cholic acid), respectively. Addition of undigested crude fibre to batch cultures reduced 7 alpha-dehydroxylation in a dose-dependent manner; addition of digested crude fibre to anaerobic continuous cultures had no significant effect on bile acid metabolism. The soluble fibre lactulose needed to be added to reduce pH sufficiently (> or = 5.5), to prevent 7 alpha-dehydroxylation of primary bile acids. Reduction of 7 alpha-dehydroxylation was also associated with a substantial decrease in Bacteroides spp and a concomitant increase in Lactobacillus spp in the cultures. The failure of digested wheat bran to reduce bile acid metabolism in continuous culture is attributed mainly to the physical constraints of the systems which can handle no more than 4-6% particulate material due to blockage. It is concluded that anaerobic continuous culture systems with human faecal bacteria have some value as models of the human large intestinal environment, but further modifications are required before the effect of particulate fibres on the metabolism of bile acids can be fully addressed.

Animals↗