Cytochrome P-450-dependent catabolism of triethanolamine in Rhodotorula mucilaginosa

The yeast Rhodotorula mucilaginosa was able to grow in media containing triethanolamine or diethanolamine as the sole nitrogen source. During growth in the presence of triethanolamine, extracts of yeast cells contained increased levels of cytochrome P-450 dependent monooxygenase which catalyzed the oxidative N-dealkylation of aminoalcohols. Formation of diethanolamine, ethanolamine and glyoxylate from triethanolamine was demonstrated, and the identity of the products was verified by thin layer chromatography. These observations suggested the following scheme of triethanolamine catabolism: triethanolamine → diethanolamine + glycolaldehyde, diethanolamine → ethanolamine + glycolaldehyde, ethanolamine → NH3 + glycolaldehyde → glycolate → glyoxylate → glycerate pathway. © 1991 Kluwer Academic Publishers

Revival of the Magnetar PSR J1622–4950: Observations with MeerKAT, Parkes, XMM-Newton, Swift, Chandra, and NuSTAR

© 2018. The American Astronomical Society.. New radio (MeerKAT and Parkes) and X-ray (XMM-Newton, Swift, Chandra, and NuSTAR) observations of PSR J1622-4950 indicate that the magnetar, in a quiescent state since at least early 2015, reactivated between 2017 March 19 and April 5. The radio flux density, while variable, is approximately 100 larger than during its dormant state. The X-ray flux one month after reactivation was at least 800 larger than during quiescence, and has been decaying exponentially on a 111 19 day timescale. This high-flux state, together with a radio-derived rotational ephemeris, enabled for the first time the detection of X-ray pulsations for this magnetar. At 5%, the 0.3-6 keV pulsed fraction is comparable to the smallest observed for magnetars. The overall pulsar geometry inferred from polarized radio emission appears to be broadly consistent with that determined 6-8 years earlier. However, rotating vector model fits suggest that we are now seeing radio emission from a different location in the magnetosphere than previously. This indicates a novel way in which radio emission from magnetars can differ from that of ordinary pulsars. The torque on the neutron star is varying rapidly and unsteadily, as is common for magnetars following outburst, having changed by a factor of 7 within six months of reactivation

Detecting short-term evolution of Etnean scoria cones: a LIDAR-based approach

The 2001 and 2002–2003 flank eruptions on Mount Etna (Italy) were characterized by intense explosive activity which led to the formation of two large monogenetic scoria cones (one from each eruption) on the upper southern flank of the volcano. Continuous monitoring of Etna, especially during flank eruptions, has provided detailed information on the growth of these cones. They differ in genesis, shape, and size. A set of high resolution (1 m) digital elevation models (DEMs) derived from light detection and ranging (LIDAR) data collected during four different surveys (2004, 2005, 2006, and 2007) has been used to map morphology and to extract the morphometric parameters of the scoria cones. By comparing LIDARderived DEMs with a pre-eruption (1998) 10 m DEM, the volume of the two scoria cones was calculated for the first time. Comparison of the LIDAR-derived DEMs revealed in unprecedented detail morphological changes during scoria cone degradation. In particular, the morphologically more exposed and structurally weaker 2002–2003 cone was eroded rapidly during the first few years after its emplacement mainly due to gravitational instability of slopes and wind erosion

Bio-Based Nanoemulsion Formulations Applicable in Agriculture, Medicine, and Food Industry

Nanotechnology providing “a new dimension” accompanied with new properties conferred to many current materials is widely used for production of a new generation of agrochemicals; in medicine, it enables improved drug bioavailability, reducing undesirable side effects, minimizing non-specific uptake and specific targeting to certain target cells; while in food industry, it has great importance in food protection and biofortification of food with valuable ingredients. In bio-based nanoemulsions belonging to lipid nanocarriers, plant oils used for oil phase, emulsifiers, biosurfactants, cosurfactants, targeting ligands on the surface of nanoemulsion (e.g., folate), or encapsulated active ingredients are of natural origin. The biocomponents of such nanoemulsions show low toxicity to living organisms, could protect encapsulated compounds against degradation, ensure their sustainable release, and reduce the amount of active ingredient necessary for required effect. This chapter presents a comprehensive current overview of recent findings in the field of nanoemulsions and their utilization in agriculture and food industry, with the main emphasis on formulations encapsulating essential oils or plant extracts suitable as effective pesticide preparations as well as medicinal applications of bio-based nanoemulsions, where attention is paid to transdermal nanoemulsion formulations, the use of nanoemulsions in cancer therapy, and for pulmonary and ocular drug delivery. Nanoemulsions formulated with natural emulsifiers, biosurfactants, and biopolymers are presented, and bio-based nanoemulsions of essential oils and their constituents as well as nanoemulsions with encapsulated vitamins, fatty acids, and some bioactive compounds applicable in food products are discussed. Applications of nanoemulsions in edible coatings are outlined as well.Division of Biologically Active Complexes and Molecular Magnets Regional Centre of Advanced Technologies and Materials Palacky UniversityDepartment of Analytical Chemistry Faculty of Natural Sciences Comenius UniversityInstitute of Chemistry Faculty of Natural Sciences Comenius UniversitySão Paulo State University (UNESP) Laboratory of Environmental Nanotechnology Institute of Science and Technology of SorocabaSão Paulo State University (UNESP) Laboratory of Environmental Nanotechnology Institute of Science and Technology of Sorocab