Comparative Proteomic Analysis for a Putative Pyridoxal Phosphate-Dependent Aminotransferase Required for Virulence in Acidovorax citrulli

Acidovorax citrulli (Ac) is the causative agent of bacterial fruit blotch disease in watermelon. Since resistant cultivars have not yet been developed, the virulence factors/mechanisms of Ac need to be characterized. This study reports the functions of a putative pyridoxal phosphate-dependent aminotransferase (PpdaAc) that transfers amino groups to its substrates and uses pyridoxal phosphate as a coenzyme. It was observed that a ppdaAc knockout mutant had a significantly reduced virulence in watermelon when introduced via germinated-seed inoculation as well as leaf infiltration. Comparative proteomic analysis predicted the cellular mechanisms related to PpdaAc. Apart from causing virulence, the PpdaAc may have significant roles in energy production, cell membrane, motility, chemotaxis, post-translational modifications, and iron-related mechanisms. Therefore, it is postulated that PpdaAc may possess pleiotropic effects. These results provide new insights into the functions of a previously unidentified PpdaAc in Ac.

Lean Six Sigma for the improvement of company processes: the Schnell S.p.A. case study

PurposeThe aim of this study is to develop an in-depth case study on the implementation on Lean six sigma (LSS) in Schnell S.p.A., Italian company leader of an important multinational industrial group, highlighting the benefits that can be achieved from a careful application of this method, the main challenges and organizational learning from its implementation.Design/methodology/approachThe study has been developed with a qualitative approach, creating a single in-depth case study, with the participant observation of researchers in the project which lasted 4 months. Periodic weekly meetings were done with the working group to exchange feedback on the development of the project to share opinions and data.FindingsA project has been developed to stabilize the procurement process of a pull-type production cell, which experienced delays in supply lead times. The causes of the problems in their process of managing the supply of the production cell were found and some inefficiencies in the internal process of fulfillment of supply orders have been intercepted, the optimization of which has allowed the generation of an automatic system for sending supply orders, coming directly from the production line.Originality/valueThis study described the path and dynamics of the transformation process that business organizations undertake for optimizing their profitability and competitive advantage, placing emphasis on an innovative methodology for conducting business process improvement projects, which constitutes its operating philosophy on the effective and efficient use of company resources and skills, to guarantee to the company the achievement of a lasting and defensible competitive advantage over time.

Optimizing bio-ethanol production from cabbage and onion peels waste using yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) as fermenting agent

Production of bio-ethanol from lingocellulosic materials is providing a long-term sustainable for fuel supply. Cabbage and onion peels waste is one of cheap source of lignocellosic materials to serve as feedstock for bio-ethanol production. With the objective of evaluating its potential for bio-ethanol production, different concentrations (50g, and 100g) of Cabbage and onion peels waste treated with 1% diluted sulfuric acid and untreated were subjected to batch fermentation for 12 days with 0.5% and 1% yeast inoculums. Percent of bio-ethanol production, cell density and reducing sugars were measured at an interval of 4 days starting from the beginning. Results of these study showed that ethanol production was observed starting from the 4th day of fermentation, but its amount peaked 26.51 from 100g substrate with 1% inoculum on the 8th day of fermentation, and declined on 12th days (21.06%) from the same substrate concentration. Pretreated substrate showed significantly higher ethanol production than untreated. In agreement with ethanol production, cell density and reduction in reducing sugar were observed in the same pattern. Compared ethanol production between untreated substrates yield of 20.96%, and treated substrates yielded of 26.51%. Overall, this study showed that acid pre-treatment, inoculum concentration, fermentation period and substrate concentration affect the amount of bio-ethanol production. Finally, it can be concluded that the production of bioethanol from Cabbage and onion peels waste is economically and environmentally viable. Extensive use of these Wastes for bioethanol production may have twofold advantages, viz. reduction of its negative impact on environmental hygiene and generation of bio-ethanol.

Astragalin flavonoid inhibits proliferation in human lung carcinoma cells mediated via induction of caspase-dependent intrinsic pathway, ROS production, cell migration and invasion inhibition and targeting JAK/STAT signalling pathway

The aim of the current study was to investigate the anti-lung cancer effects of astragalin. Studies were also undertaken to evaluate its effects on apoptosis induction, ROS production, cellular migration and invasion and JAK/STAT3 signalling pathway. MTT assay was used to evaluate cell viability in NSCLC A549 cells after exposure to astragalin molecule. Apoptosis was investigated using AO/EB staining, comet assay and western blotting assay. Fluorescence microscopy was implemented to estimate ROS production. Cell migration and invasion were measured using transwell chambers assay. Effects of astragalin on JAK/STAT pathway were investigated using western blotting assay. Results showed astragalin molecule induced inhibition of proliferation in A549 cells in a dose-dependent fashion. Further, the antiproliferative effects were found to mediate via apoptosis as suggested by AO/EB staining and western blotting assay. Astragalin modulated the expressions of caspase-3, caspase-9, Bax, Bak, Cyt-c Bcl-2, XIAP and Bcl-xL. Astragalin induced DNA damage in A549 cells which too indicated apoptotic cell death. Astragalin molecule enhanced the production of ROS by A549 cells. It inhibited both cell migration and invasion of A549 cells in a concentration-dependent manner. Finally, astragalin drug was observed with remarkable potential of targeting JAK/STAT pathway in A549 NSCLC cells. These results indicated that astragalin drug could prove helpful in lung cancer treatment and research provided more in-vivo studies are performed.