Comparing Arabidopsis receptor kinase and receptor protein-mediated immune signaling reveals BIK1-dependent differences

Pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) sense microbial patterns and activate innate immunity against attempted microbial invasions. The leucine‐rich repeat receptor kinases (LRR‐RK) FLS2 and EFR, and the LRR receptor protein (LRR‐RP) receptors RLP23 and RLP42, respectively, represent prototypical members of these two prominent and closely related PRR families. We conducted a survey of Arabidopsis thaliana immune signaling mediated by these receptors to address the question of commonalities and differences between LRR‐RK and LRR‐RP signaling. Quantitative differences in timing and amplitude were observed for several early immune responses, with RP‐mediated responses typically being slower and more prolonged than those mediated by RKs. Activation of RLP23, but not FLS2, induced the production of camalexin. Transcriptomic analysis revealed that RLP23‐regulated genes represent only a fraction of those genes differentially expressed upon FLS2 activation. Several positive and negative regulators of FLS2‐signaling play similar roles in RLP23 signaling. Intriguingly, the cytoplasmic receptor kinase BIK1, a positive regulator of RK signaling, acts as a negative regulator of RP‐type immune receptors in a manner dependent on BIK1 kinase activity. Our study unveiled unexpected differences in two closely related receptor systems and reports a new negative role of BIK1 in plant immunity

MINERALOGICAL AND SPECTROSCOPIC STUDY OF NESQUEHONITE SYNTHESIZED BY REACTION OF GASEOUS CO2 WITH MG CHLORIDE SOLUTION

Στην παρούσα εργασία πραγματοποιήθηκε η σύνθεση νεσκεχονίτη, ενός ένυδρου ανθρακικού ορυκτού, υπό χαμηλές συνθήκες πίεσης με αντίδραση CO2 σε διάλυμα χλωριούχου μαγνησίου. Ο νεσκεχονίτης μπορεί να αξιοποιηθεί ως πρώτη ύλη σε δομικά υλικά και επιπλέον στην διαχείριση υγρών αποβλήτων. Ο νεσκεχονίτης μελετήθηκε με περιθλασιομετρία ακτίνων-Χ, υπέρυθρη φασματοσκοπία (FT-IR) και φασματοσκοπία Raman, διοφθάλμιο στερεοσκόπιο, Ηλεκτρονικό Μικροσκόπιο Σάρωσης και Ηλεκτρονικό Μικροσκόπιο Διερχόμενης Δέσμης Ηλεκτρονίων. Ο παραγόμενος νεσκεχονίτης αναπτύσσει επιμήκεις διαφανείς έως ημιδιαφανείς βελονοειδείς κρυστάλλους με υαλώδη λάμψη. Η υπέρυθρη φασματοσκοπία (FT-ΙR) και η φασματοσκοπία Raman υπέδειξαν την παρουσία ΟΗ- και HCO3 - στην κρυσταλλική δομή του νεσκεχονίτη. Η διαδικασία σύνθεσης που περιγράφεται στην παρούσα εργασία μπορεί να χρησιμοποιηθεί στην διαδικασία της ορυκτοποίησης για μόνιμη αποθήκευση των εκπομπών CO2Nesquehonite, a hydrous carbonate with promising uses such as building raw material and treatment of wastewaters, was synthesized under low pressure conditions by reaction of gaseous CO2 with Mg chloride solution and it was studied by means of X-Ray Diffraction, optical and scanning/transmission electron microscopy, and FTIR and Raman spectroscopic methods. Synthesized nesquehonite forms elongated fibers, exhibiting transparent to translucent diaphaneity and vitreous luster. It is characterized by high crystallinity. IR and Raman spectroscopy indicated the presence of OHand HCO3 - in the crystal structure of nesquehonite. The nesquehonite synthesis described herein constitutes a potential permanent storage of CO2 emissions

MINERALOGICAL AND SPECTROSCOPIC STUDY OF NESQUEHONITE SYNTHESIZED BY REACTION OF GASEOUS CO2 WITH MG CHLORIDE SOLUTION

Στην παρούσα εργασία πραγματοποιήθηκε η σύνθεση νεσκεχονίτη, ενός ένυδρου ανθρακικού ορυκτού, υπό χαμηλές συνθήκες πίεσης με αντίδραση CO2 σε διάλυμα χλωριούχου μαγνησίου. Ο νεσκεχονίτης μπορεί να αξιοποιηθεί ως πρώτη ύλη σε δομικά υλικά και επιπλέον στην διαχείριση υγρών αποβλήτων. Ο νεσκεχονίτης μελετήθηκε με περιθλασιομετρία ακτίνων-Χ, υπέρυθρη φασματοσκοπία (FT-IR) και φασματοσκοπία Raman, διοφθάλμιο στερεοσκόπιο, Ηλεκτρονικό Μικροσκόπιο Σάρωσης και Ηλεκτρονικό Μικροσκόπιο Διερχόμενης Δέσμης Ηλεκτρονίων. Ο παραγόμενος νεσκεχονίτης αναπτύσσει επιμήκεις διαφανείς έως ημιδιαφανείς βελονοειδείς κρυστάλλους με υαλώδη λάμψη. Η υπέρυθρη φασματοσκοπία (FT-ΙR) και η φασματοσκοπία Raman υπέδειξαν την παρουσία ΟΗ- και HCO3 - στην κρυσταλλική δομή του νεσκεχονίτη. Η διαδικασία σύνθεσης που περιγράφεται στην παρούσα εργασία μπορεί να χρησιμοποιηθεί στην διαδικασία της ορυκτοποίησης για μόνιμη αποθήκευση των εκπομπών CO2Nesquehonite, a hydrous carbonate with promising uses such as building raw material and treatment of wastewaters, was synthesized under low pressure conditions by reaction of gaseous CO2 with Mg chloride solution and it was studied by means of X-Ray Diffraction, optical and scanning/transmission electron microscopy, and FTIR and Raman spectroscopic methods. Synthesized nesquehonite forms elongated fibers, exhibiting transparent to translucent diaphaneity and vitreous luster. It is characterized by high crystallinity. IR and Raman spectroscopy indicated the presence of OHand HCO3 - in the crystal structure of nesquehonite. The nesquehonite synthesis described herein constitutes a potential permanent storage of CO2 emissions

ATTAPULGITE CLAY OF THE VENTZIA BASIN, WESTERN MACEDONIA, GREECE, AS TEMPLATE IN SYNTHESIZING AMORPHOUS CARBON NANOTUBES

Στην παρούσα εργασία χρησιμοποιήθηκε ατταπουλγίτης από τη λεκάνη των Βεντζίων, στη Δυτική Μακεδονία, Ελλάδα, ως υπόστρωμα για τη σύνθεση άμορφων νανοσωλήνων άνθρακα με τη μέθοδο πολυμερισμού εναπόθεσης ατμών (VDP) και με τη χρήση δύο διαφορετικών αλκοολών, της φουρφουρυλικής αλκοόλης και της αιθυλενογλυκόλης, ως πηγές άνθρακα. Η μορφολογία και η δομή των νανοσωλήνων άνθρακα μελετήθηκαν με ηλεκτρονιακό μικροσκόπιο σάρωσης (SEM) και με ηλεκτρονιακό μικροσκόπιο διερχόμενης δέσμης (TEM). Επιπρόσθετα, χρησιμοποιήθηκε περίθλαση ακτινών Χ (XRD) και φασματοσκοπία σκέδασης Raman. Η άμορφη δομή των νανοσωλήνων επιβεβαιώθηκε από τα φάσματα του XRD και του SAED, όπως επίσης και από το φάσμα Raman. Δεν παρατηρήθηκε καμία αξιοσημείωτη διαφορά στη μορφολογία και τη δομή των νανοσωλήνων άνθρακα όσον αφορά τον τύπο της αλκοόλης που χρησιμοποιήθηκε ως πηγή άνθρακα. Ωστόσο, παρατηρήθηκε διαφορά στην ποσότητα των νανοσωλήνων που συντέθηκαν, με τη φουρφουρυλική αλκοόλη, ως πηγή άνθρακα, να συνθέτει μεγαλύτερη ποσότητα νανοσωλήνων άνθρακα από την αιθυλενογλυκόλη.Attapulgite from the Ventzia Basin, Western Macedonia, Greece, was used as a template for preparing amorphous carbon nanotubes by vapor deposition polymerization (VDP) method and two different alcohols, furfuryl alcohol and ethylene glycol, as carbon source. The morphology and structure of the as prepared carbon nanotubes were investigated by means of scanning electron microscopy and a transmission electron microscopy. X-ray diffraction and Raman spectroscopy were additionally employed. The amorphous nature of the carbon nanotubes has been confirmed by the XRD and the SAED pattern, as well as the Raman spectrum. No noticeable difference was observed in the morphology and structure of the as prepared carbon nanotubes regarding the type of alcohol used as carbon source. However, a difference in the quantity of the produced carbon nanotubes was noticed, with the furfuryl alcohol, as carbon source, producing a larger amount of carbon nanotubes than the ethylene glycol

Composite Films of Arabinoxylan and Fibrous Sepiolite: Morphological, Mechanical, and Barrier Properties

Hemicelluloses represent a largely unutilized resource for future bioderived films in packaging and other applications. However, improvement of film properties is needed in order to transfer this potential into reality. In this context, sepiolite, a fibrous clay, was investigated as an additive to enhance the properties of rye flour arabinoxylan. Composite films cast from arabinoxylan solutions and sepiolite suspensions in water were transparent or semitransparent at additive loadings in the 2.5-10 wt % range. Scanning electron microscopy showed that the sepiolite was well dispersed in the arabinoxylan films and sepiolite fiber aggregation was not found. FT-IR spectroscopy provided some evidence for hydrogen bonding between sepiolite and arabinoxylan. Consistent with these findings, mechanical testing showed increases in film stiffness and strength with sepiolite addition and the effect of poly(ethylene glycol) methyl ether (mPEG) plasticizer addition. Incorporation of sepiolite did not significantly influence the thermal degradation or the gas barrier properties of arabinoxylan films, which is likely a consequence of sepiolite fiber morphology. In summary, sepiolite was shown to have potential as an additive to obtain stronger hemicellulose films although other approaches, possibly in combination with the use of sepiolite, would be needed if enhanced film barrier properties are required for specific applications.</p

A case of Trixacarus caviae mange in a guinea pig (Caviaporcellus)

Ένα αρσενικό ινδικό χοιρίδιο, περουβιανής φυλήςκαι ηλικίας 1,5 χρόνων προσκομίστηκε στην Κλινική Παθολογίαςτων Ζώων Συντροφιάς, επειδή τους τελευταίους δυο μήνεςπαρουσίαζε έντονα κνησμώδεις δερματικές αλλοιώσεις. Στην κλινικήεξέταση παρατηρήθηκε υποτρίχωση, ερύθημα, υπερχρωμία,εφελκίδες, φολίδες, έλκη και βλατίδες κυρίως στην άνω επιφάνειατου κορμού του σώματος και την κάτω κοιλιακή χώρα, καθώς καικρίσεις που χαρακτηρίζονταν από κραυγές, κυκλικές κινήσεις και κινήσειςβυτίου, όταν επιχειρούνταν διάφοροι διαγνωστικοί χειρισμοίπάνω στο ζώο. Κνησμώδεις δερματικές αλλοιώσεις παρουσίαζε καιη ιδιοκτήτρια του ζώου. Η διάγνωση στηρίχθηκε στη διαπίστωσηκαι ταυτοποίηση του ακάρεως Trixacarus caviae στα επιφανειακάξέσματα από το δέρμα. Η υποδόρια χορήγηση ιβερμεκτίνης, τρειςφορές σε εβδομαδιαία διαστήματα, είχε ως αποτέλεσμα την εξαφάνισητου κνησμού και των δερματικών αλλοιώσεων σε διάστημα 6 εβδομάδων.A male, peruvian, 1.5-years old, guinea pig {Cavia porcellus) was admitted to the Clinic of Companion Animal Medicine with a history of intensively pruritic skin lesions lasting for the past two months. Physical examination disclosed hypotrichosis, erythema, hyperpigmentation, scales, crusts, ulcers and papules in a focal to diffuse pattern on both the dorsal and ventral aspects of the body trunk. Whenever the handling of the animal was attempted, it started vocalizing, cycling and rolling in a frenzy manner. Pruritic papules were also observed on some parts of the glabrous skin of the owner. The diagnosis of Trixacarus caviae mange was based on the observation of the parasite in superficial skin scrapings. The subcutaneous administration of three weekly ivermectin injections, at the dose of 0.4 mg/Kg BW, resulted in the disappearance of the lesions and pruritus within a six-week period

Quantitative RT-PCR luminometric hybridization assay with an RNA-internal standard for cytokeratin-19 mRNA in peripheral blood of patients with breast cancer. Clin Biochem

6 normal PBMC and is highly specific as none of the 26 healthy controls tested had detectable CK-19 mRNA levels, while 10 out of 14 (71.4%) and 9 out of 37 (24.3%) patients with stage IV and stage I/II breast cancer, respectively, were tested positive. Conclusion: The developed quantitative RT-PCR hybridization assay for CK-19 is reproducible, highly sensitive and specific, and can be used for a large-scale prospective evaluation of clinical samples

Inmobilization of Zn(II) in Portland cement pastes. Determination of microstructure and leaching performance

The aim of this paper is to study the solidification/ stabilization potential of cementitious matrices on the immobilization of Zn(II) before its disposal into the environment by determining the mechanisms of interaction between the Zn(II) ions and the binder. The results of structural and mineralogical characterization of cement pastes formed with different amounts of immobilized Zn(II) ions are presented and the study includes results from thermogravimetric analysis (TG), scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and leaching performance. Zn(II) ions delay the hydration reaction of Portland cement due to the formation of mainly CaZn2(OH)6 2H2O , as well as Zn5(CO3)2(OH)6, Zn(OH)2, and ZnCO3 in minor proportion. Correlations between total mass loss in TG analysis and leached Zn(II) ions in long-term curing pastes have been obtained. This result is important because in a preliminary approach from a TG on an early-aged cement paste containing Zn(II), it could be possible to perform an estimation of the amount of Zn(II) ions that could be leached, thus avoiding costly and time-consuming tests.Mellado Romero, AM.; Borrachero Rosado, MV.; Soriano Martinez, L.; Paya Bernabeu, JJ.; Monzó Balbuena, JM. (2013). Inmobilization of Zn(II) in Portland cement pastes. Determination of microstructure and leaching performance. Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry. 112(3):1377-1389. doi:10.1007/s10973-012-2705-8S137713891123Mojumdar SC, Sain M, Prasad RC, Sun L, Venart JES. Selected thermoanalytical methods and their applications from medicine to construction, Part I. J Therm Anal Calorim. 2007;90:653–62.Perraki M, Perraki T, Kolovos K, Tsivilis S, Kakali G. Secondary raw materials in cement industry. Evaluation of their effect on the sintering and hydration processes by thermal analysis. J Therm Anal Calorim. 2002;70:143–50.Neves A, Dias Toledo R, de Moraes Rego E, Dweck J. Early stages hydration of high initial strength Portland cement. Part I. Thermogravimetric analysis on calcined mass basis. J Therm Anal Calorim. 2012;108:725–31. doi: 10.1007/s10973-012-2256-z .Balek V, Bydžovský J, Dufka A, Drochytka R, Beckman IN. Use of emanation thermal analysis to characterize microstructure development during Portland cement hydration. J Therm Anal Calorim. 2012. doi: 10.1007/s10973-012-2314-6 .Zhang Q, Ye G. Dehydration kinetics of Portland cement paste at high temperature. J Therm Anal Calorim. 2012. doi: 10.1007/s10973-012-2303-9 .Menéndez E, Vega L, Andrade C. Use of decomposition of portlandite in concrete fire as indicator of temperature progression into the material. Application to fire-affected builds. J Therm Anal Calorim. 2012. doi: 10.1007/s10973-011-2159-4 .Galan I, Andrade C, Castellote M. 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International conference on the science and engineering of recycling for environmental protection, waste materials in construction (WASCON 2000), Harrogate, England, 2000, pp. 269–280.Ziegler F, Gieré R, Johnson CA. Sorption mechanisms of zinc to calcium silicate hydrate: sorption and microscopic investigations. Environ Sci Technol. 2001;35:4556–61.Qiao XC, Poon CS, Cheeseman CR. Investigation into the stabilization/solidification performance of Portland cement through cement clinker phases. J Hazard Mater. 2007;B139:238–43.Chen QY, et al. Immobilisation of heavy metal in cement-based solidification/stabilisation: a review. Waste Manag (Oxford). 2009;29:390–403.Chen QY, et al. Characterisation of products of tricalcium silicate hydration in the presence of heavy metals. J Hazard Mater. 2007;147:817–25.Fernandez-Olmo I, Chacon E, Irabien A. Influence of lead, zinc, iron (III) and chromium (III) oxides on the setting time and strength development of Portland cement. Cem Concr Res. 2001;31:1213–9.Fernandez-Olmo I, Chacon E, Irabien A. Leaching behavior of lead, chromium (III) and zinc in cement/metal oxides systems. ASCE J Environ Eng. 2003;129:532–8.Cappuyns V, Swennenb R. The application of pHstat leaching tests to assess the pH-dependent release of trace metals from soils, sediments and waste materials. J Hazard Mater. 2008;158:185–95.Payá J, Monzó J, Borrachero MV, Velázquez S. Evaluation of the pozzolanic activity of fluid catalytic cracking catalyst residue (FC3R): thermogravimetric analysis studies on FC3R-Portland cement pastes. Cem Concr Res. 2003;33:603–9.Wang S, Yang Z, Zeng L. Study of calcium zincate synthesized by solid-phase synthesis method without strong alkali. Mater Chem Phys. 2008;112:603–6.Stumm A, et al. Incorporation of zinc into calcium silicate hydrates, Part I: formation of C–S–H(I) with C/S = 2/3 and its isochemical counterpart gyrolite. Cem Concr Res. 2005;35:1665–75.Stephan D, Mallmann R, Knöfel D, Härdtl R. High intakes of Cr, Ni, and Zn in clinker, Part II. Influence on the hydration properties. Cem Concr Res. 1999;29:1959–67.Liu Y, et al. Thermal decomposition of basic zinc carbonate in nitrogen atmosphere. Thermochim Acta. 2004;414:121–3.Wahab R, et al. Synthesis and characterization of hydrozincite and its conversion into zinc oxide nanoparticles. J Alloy Compd. 2008;461:66–71.Hatakeyama T, Liu Z. Handbook of thermal analysis. New Yok: Wiley; 2000