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This work developed an electrochemical reduction system which can effectively scrub NO× from flue gas by using aqueous solution of Fe(II)(EDTA) (ethylenediaminetetraacetate) as absorbent and electrolyte. This new system features (a) complete decomposition of NOX to harmless N2; and (b) fast regeneration of Fe(II)(EDTA) through electrochemical reaction. The Fe(II)(EDTA) solution was recycled and reused continuously during entire process, and no harmful waste was generated. The reaction mechanism was thoroughly investigated by using voltammetric, chromatographic and spectroscopic approaches. The operating conditions of the system were optimized based on NOX removal efficiency. Approximately 98% NO removal was obtained at the optimal condition. The interference of SO2 in flue gas and the system operating stability was also evaluated.

The conformational properties of a high molecular weight polysaccharide (60P) extracted from Artemisia sphaerocephala Krasch (ASK) were investigated. The M w and R g of 60P were obtained using both static light scattering and HPSEC techniques, which were 590 kDa and 56 nm, respectively. Dynamic light scattering measurement indicated that 0.5 M NaOH solvents exhibited the ability to reduce/eliminate aggregates of 60P. 60P in 0.5 M NaOH showed strong concentration dependence, but minimal angular dependence. The average structure parameter ρ ( R g / R h ) value of 1.75 indicated that 60P exhibited a random coil conformation in 0.5 M NaOH solution. The conformational parameters (derived from R g vs M w and R h vs M w ) from HPSEC also suggested a random coil conformation of 60P in 0.1 M NaNO 3 solution (eluent for HPSEC). The characteristic ratio and the persistence length obtained from the random flight model and wormlike cylinder model both indicated a semi-flexible structure of 60P.

The structure of ethanol precipitated fraction from 1 M KOH extracted flaxseed kernel polysaccharides (KPI-EPF) was studied for better understanding the molecular structures of flaxseed kernel cell wall polysaccharides. Based on methylation/GC–MS, NMR spectroscopy, and MALDI-TOF-MS analysis, the dominate sugar residues of KPI-EPF fraction comprised of (1,4,6)-linked-β- d -glucopyranose (24.1 mol%), terminal α- d -xylopyranose (16.2 mol%), (1,2)-α- d -linked-xylopyranose (10.7 mol%), (1,4)-β- d -linked-glucopyranose (10.7 mol%), and terminal β- d -galactopyranose (8.5 mol%). KPI-EPF was proposed as xyloglucans: Download : Download high-res image (36KB) Download : Download full-size image The substitution rate of the backbone is 69.3%; R1 could be T-α- d -Xylp-(1→, or none; R2 could be T-α- d -Xylp-(1→, T-β- d -Galp-(1 → 2)-α- d -Xylp-(1→, or T-α- l -Araf-(1 → 2)-α- d -Xylp-(1→; R3 could be T-α- d -Xylp-(1→, T-β- d -Galp-(1 → 2)-α- d -Xylp-(1→, T-α- l -Fucp-(1 → 2)-β- d -Galp-(1 → 2)-α- d -Xylp-(1→, or none. The Mw of KPI-EPF was calculated to be 1506 kDa by static light scattering (SLS). The structure-sensitive parameter (ρ) of KPI-EPF was calculated as 1.44, which confirmed the highly branched structure of extracted xyloglucans. This new findings on flaxseed kernel xyloglucans will be helpful for understanding its fermentation properties and potential applications.

The glycoprotein structure of gum ghatti was investigated. The covalent bonding between polysaccharides and proteins was firstly confirmed by high performance size exclusion chromatography (HPSEC) using refractive index (RI) and UV detectors. Partial acid hydrolysis and enzymatic degradation were also utilized. Several structural fragments such as AraHex2-HexA-HexNAc, Hex4HexNAc2, AraHex4HexNAc, Hex10HexNAc and Hex4HexNAc-Asn were identified from MALDI-TOF spectrum; using 1D and 2D NMR spectra, the linkage site of amino acids and polysaccharides was determined as N-linked (Hex)n-GlcNAc-Asn. Combined with the polysaccharide structure obtained before, a glycoprotein structure model was proposed. It was composed of 1,6-linked galactose backbone, which were attached by numerous of sugar side chains and peptide chains.

The amperometric determination of chemical oxygen demand (COD) reported by Quan Xie’s group (Electrochem Commun 9:2281, 14), was a rapid, green and simple COD evaluation method. This work focused on testing and verifying this method by using a home-made boron-doped diamond (BDD) film as anode and optimizing the experiment conditions. The BDD thin film electrode was employed as anode and the electrochemical process was run with different experimental parameters including counter electrode, electrode gap, applied potential, electrolyte pH, and temperature. Standard samples were determined in the optimum conditions, a linear range of 19.2–11,600 mg l−1 COD and a low detection limit of 0.192 mg l−1 COD were well established with the present approach. The COD value of the simulated organic wastewater determined by this method agreed well with the standard dichromate method, and it showed good accuracy, stability, and reproducibility.

Using 60% (w/v) ammonium sulfate precipitation, a heteropolysaccharide (designated 60S), with relatively low molecular weight (38.7 kDa), was isolated from the seeds of Artemisia sphaerocephala Krasch. The structural properties of 60S were elucidated by partial acid hydrolysis, methylation analysis, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, and MALDI-TOF-MS. The results of the partial acid hydrolysis and methylation analysis indicated that the main chain of 60S consisted of (1→4)-linked d -Man p and (1→4)-linked d -Glc p in a molar ratio of 1:1.3. Over half of the glucosyl residues in the main chain were branched at the O-6 position. The terminal sugar residues were mainly composed of T-Ara f , T-Ara p , T-Gal p , T-Glc p A, and T-Glc p . Besides, 3-Ara f and 2-Gal p were also observed in comparable amounts. Based on all the aforementioned results and the data obtained by 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy as well as MALDI-TOF-MS, a structure of 60S is proposed as follows: R could be one or some of -(3-α-Ara f ) n -( A ), T-α-Gal p ( B ), T-α-Glc p ( C ), T-Ara f ( H ) or T-Ara p .

The structure of a globular gum ghatti fraction (FS) with low surface tension was investigated using methylation–GC–MS, 1D ( 1 H, 13 C) and 2D (COSY, TOCSY, HMQC and HMBC) NMR spectra. FS was obtained from the supernatant after sequential ethanol precipitation of aqueous gum ghatti (Gatifolia SD) solutions after 80% (v/v) ethanol. FS is proposed to be a highly branched polysaccharide with small amount of acetyl substitution: Download full-size image R can be represented by the following groups: →2,3-Man p 1→, →3,4-Glc p 1→, →4-Gal p 1→, T-α- l -Ara f 1→, T-Glc p A1→,T-Gal p 1→ and T- l -Ara p 1→. Galactose has the -β- d configuration, while the arabinose and rhamnose are in α- l form.

The structure of a water soluble arabinogalactan isolated from gum ghatti (Gatifolia SD) was elucidated by methylation analysis and 2D NMR spectroscopy. The arabinogalactan fraction (F80) was obtained by a sequential ethanol precipitation of gum ghatti (Gatifolia SD). Methylation and GC–MS analysis indicated that F80 was a highly branched polysaccharide; the terminal sugar residues were about 40.8% of the total sugars. The majority of the terminal units were α- l -Ara f , with small amounts of T-Glc p A, T-Ara p , T-Rha p and T-Gal p . About 14.2% of the total sugar residues were →6)-β- d -Gal p -(1→ branched at 3rd and 4th positions. The linear portion of the arabinogalactan was composed of →4)-Glc p A(1→, →6)-Gal p (1→ and →2)- l -Ara f -(1→ linkages. Based on the results from methylation analysis, 1D ( 1 H, 13 C) and 2D (COSY, TOCSY, HMQC and HMBC) NMR spectroscopy, the structure of F80 was proposed as follows: Download full-size image R is one of the following groups: →3)-β- d -Gal p -(1→, →5)-β- d -Ara f -(1→, →2,3-Man p 1→, T-α- l -Ara f 1→, T-Glc p A1→ and T- l -Ara p 1→. Galactose has the -β-D configuration, while the arabinose and rhamnose are in the α- l form.

The structure of a high molecular weight heteropolysaccharide (60P) isolated from Artemisia sphaerocephala Krasch was elucidated using methylation analysis and 2D NMR spectroscopy. 60P (Mw: 551 kDa) was isolated from A. sphaerocephala Krasch (ASK) seeds, using hot water extraction and ammonium sulphate salt precipitation. Methylation and GC–MS analysis indicated that 60P was mainly composed of three types of sugar residues: 4-Xylp (27.8%), 2,4-Xylp (26.0%) and T-GlcpA (22.5%); small amount of 4-GalpA, 4-Glcp, T-Araf, T-Arap and 4, 6-GalpA were also detected with comparable molar ratio. Based on the results of monosaccharide composition, methylation analysis and NMR spectroscopy, a proposed structure is shown below: Download : Download full-size image R represents one of the following groups: T-Araf, T-Arap, T-Araf → 3-Araf (1→ and T-Arap → 3-Araf (1→.

The extraction and fractionation methods as well as the physicochemical properties of Artemisia sphaerocephala Krasch polysaccharide (ASKP) were studied. ASKP was extracted from the outer layer of the seeds with high ratio of hot water to seeds (400:1, v/w). The yield of water-soluble ASKP was 13.6% (w/w). High performance size exclusion chromatography (HPSEC) results indicated that ASKP had two components with different molecular weights. The high molecular weight (Mw, 551.3 KDa) fraction 60P was separated from the low molecular weight fraction 60S (Mw, 38.7 KDa) by precipitation in 60% (w/v) ammonium sulfate salt solution. Steady flow rheological tests revealed that the apparent viscosity of 1.5% (w/v) ASKP decreased logarithmically with the increasing temperature. Small strain oscillation tests suggested that 4% (w/v) 60P solution was a typical viscous fluid. ASKP was composed of 66.9% (w/w) neutral sugar and 15.8% (w/w) uronic acid; 60P comprised of 55.4% (w/w) neutral sugar and 25.8% (w/w) uronic acid, while in 60S, the percentage of neutral sugar and uronic acid were 87.1% and 10.4%, respectively. Relative monosaccharide composition analysis showed that 60S was composed of 38.3% glucose, 28.1% mannose, 24.2% galactose and 9.4% arabinose, while the 60P fraction contained 80.5% xylose, 10.9% arabinose, 5.0% glucose, 2.3% galactose and 1.2% rhamnose. 60S exhibited the highest surface activity compared to ASKP, 60P, ASKPE (ASKP with protein removed) and 60PE (60P with protein removed) although no protein was detected in this fraction.

Since ancient times, practicians of traditional Chinese medicine have discovered that Artemis sphaerocephala Krasch. (Compositae) seed was useful for the treatment of diabetes. A. sphaerocephala Krasch. gum (ASK gum) is the water extract from the seed powder of the plant and has been used as a novel food additive by the food industry in China. The objective of this study was to evaluate the antioxidant function of ASK gum on type 2 diabetes using Streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetic Sprague–Dawleys rats as an animal model; the antioxidant property of ASK gum was measured by the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), and OH, in liver and serum respectively. Normal rats and diabetic rats treated with metformin were used as the negative and positive control respectively. The results showed that a high-fat diet in combination with a low-dose Streptozotocin injection successfully induced type 2 diabetes among the experiment rats. The addition of ASK gum to the high-fat diet fed to the diabetic rats significantly increased their liver and serum SOD activities, however, the MDA and OH levels in both liver and serum were significantly reduced. In addition, ASK gum markedly lessened the oxidative damage of kidney in the diabetic rats. A dose-dependent was observed between the measured biological parameters and the amount of ASK gum added. ASK gum at a level of 2.7% provided a similar protective effect to the diabetic rats as metformin.

The structure and conformation relationships of a heteropolysaccharide (GlcpA)Xylan in terms of various molecular weights, Xylp/GlcpA ratio and the distribution of GlcpA along xylan chain were investigated using computer modeling. The adiabatic contour maps of xylobiose, XylpXylp(GlcpA) and (GlcpA)XylpXylp(GlcpA) indicated that the insertion of the side group (GlcpA) influenced the accessible conformational space of xylobiose molecule. RIS-Metropolis Monte Carlo method indicated that insertion of GlcpA side chain induced a lowering effect of the calculated chain extension at low GlcpA:Xylp ratio (GlcpA:Xylp = 1:3). The chain, however, became extended when the ratio of GlcpA:Xylp above 2/3. It was also shown that the spatial extension of the polymer chains was dependent on the distribution of side chain: the random distribution demonstrated the most flexible structure compared to block and alternative distribution. The present studies provide a unique insight into the dependence of both side chain ratio and distribution on the stiffness and flexibility of various (GlcpA)Xylan molecules.

Fortified blended foods (FBFs) are micronutrient-fortified blends of milled cereals and pulses that represent the most commonly distributed micronutrient-fortified food aid. FBFs have been criticized due to lack of efficacy in treating undernutrition, and it has also been suggested that alternative commodities, such as sorghum and cowpea, be investigated instead of corn and soybean. The Micronutrient Fortified Food Aid Pilot Project (MFFAPP) Tanzania efficacy study was the culmination of economic, processing, sensory, and nutrition FBF research and development. MFFAPP Tanzania was a 20-wk, partially randomized cluster design conducted between February and July 2016 that enrolled children aged 6–53 mo in the Mara region of Tanzania with weight-for-height z scores >−3 and hemoglobin concentrations

A method combining Na 2 SO 3 assisted electrochemical reduction and direct electrochemical reduction using Fe(II)(EDTA) solution was proposed to simultaneously remove NO x and SO 2 from flue gas. Activated carbon was used as catalyst to accelerate the process. This new system features (a) direct conversion of NO x and SO 2 to harmless N 2 and SO 4 2− ; (b) fast regeneration of Fe(II)(EDTA); (c) minimum use of chemical reagents; and (d) recovery of the reduction by-product (Na 2 SO 4 ). Fe(II)(EDTA) solution was continuously recycled and reused during entire process, and no harmful waste was generated. Approximately 99% NO x and 98% SO 2 were removed under the optimal condition. The stability test showed that the system operation was reliable.

In the past decades, polysaccharides isolated from natural sources (herbs) have attracted much attention due to their various types of bioactivities. A variety of polysaccharides extracted from botanical plants and fungi have been reported for their bioactivities, with claimed health benefits including immune regulation, anti-tumour and antioxidant activity. The paper focuses on polysaccharides isolated from three sources: Dendrobium officinal, Cordyceps sinensis and Ganoderma. The structural information, bioactive properties as well as their structural & function relationships are discussed.

The genetic program through which a specific transcription factor regulates a biological response is fundamental to our understanding how instructions in the genome are implemented. The emergence of DNA microarray technology for gene expression analysis has generated vast numbers of target genes resulting from specific transcription factor activity. We use the oncogenic transcription factor c-Myc as proof-of-principle that human genome sequence analysis and scanning of a specific gene by chromatin immunoprecipitation can be coupled to identify target transcription factor binding sequences. We focused on nucleophosmin, also known as B23, which was identified as a candidate Myc-responsive gene from a subtractive hybridization screen, and we found that sequences in intron 1, and not 5' sequences in the proximal promoter, are bound by c-Myc in vivo. Hence, a scanning chromatin immunoprecipitation (SChIP) strategy is useful in analyzing functional transcription factor-binding sites.

We have identified a novel c-Myc-responsive gene, named JPO1, by representational difference analysis. JPO1 responds to two inducible c-Myc systems and behaves as a direct c-Myc target gene. JPO1 mRNA expression is readily detectable in the thymus, small intestine, and colon, whereas expression is relatively low in spleen, bone marrow, and peripheral leukocytes. We cloned a full-length JPO1 cDNA that encodes a 47-kDa nuclear protein. To determine the role of JPO1 in Myc-mediated cellular phenotypes, stable Rat1a fibroblasts overexpressing JPO1 were tested and compared with transformed Rat1a-Myc cells. Although JPO1 has a diminished transforming activity as compared with c-Myc, JPO1 complements a transformation-defective Myc Box II mutant in the Rat1a transformation assay. This complementation provides evidence for a genetic link between c-Myc and JPO1. Similar to c-Myc, JPO1 overexpression enhances the clonogenicity of CB33 human lymphoblastoid cells in methylcellulose assays. These observations suggest that JPO1 participates in c-Myc-mediated transformation, supporting an emerging concept that c-Myc target genes constitute nodal points in a network of pathways that lead from c-Myc to various Myc-related phenotypes and ultimately to tumorigenesis.

The protooncogene MYC plays an important role in the regulation of cellular proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis and has been implicated in a variety of human tumors. MYC and the closely related MYCN encode highly conserved nuclear phosphoproteins (Myc and NMyc) that apparently function as transcription factors in the cell. We have identified a large and highly conserved nuclear protein that interacts directly with the transcriptional activating domain of Myc (designated “protein associated with Myc” or Pam). Pam contains an extended amino acid sequence with similarities to a protein known as regulator of chromosome condensation (RCC1), which may play a role in the function of chromatin. The gene encoding Pam ( PAM ) is expressed in all of the human tissue examined, but expression is exceptionally abundant in brain and thymus. Pam binds specifically to Myc, but not NMyc. The region in Myc required for binding to Pam includes a domain that is essential for the function of Myc and that is frequently mutated in Burkitt’s lymphomas. PAM is located within a 300-kb region on chromosome 13q22.

The human blood platelet fibrinogen receptor, integrin αIIbβ3 (glycoprotein IIb-IIIa) is an archetypal member of the integrin family of adhesive molecules and is the only integrin encoded by genes physically linked in the genome. Because studies on the normal and abnormal expression of any gene require a thorough understanding of its organization, the initial goals of the current study were to determine the size and complete the genomic organization for the β3 gene. We now report the isolation of the entire β3 gene in a single P1 plasmid and for the first time have linked the first and second exons on a contiguous fragment of DNA. Using pulsed-field gel analysis, we determined the full size of the β3 gene to be 63 kb and show a large (16.7 kb) first intron; based on this information, we propose a uniform numbering system for the β3 exons. We have completed the 5′ genomic structure and generated a long-range restriction map. The promoter and the 5′ end of the first intron were found to have approximately 50% sequence identity with a region of the avian β3 gene known to possess functional transcriptional activity. Analysis of three different homologous regions led to the identification of a sequence in the 5′-UTR of the human gene, CCGCGGGAGG, which shares 90% identity with the avian gene and which bound nuclear proteins in DNaseI and electrophoretic mobility shift assay studies. Mutating this sequence caused a 2.6-fold reduction in reporter gene activity. In these studies we have (1) determined the full length and 5′ organization of the β3 gene, (2) identified a large region of homology between the 5′ regions of the avian and human genes, and (3) identified a sequence in the 5′-UTR that augments gene expression. Knowing the genomic structure of β3 has permitted the uncovering of new mechanisms of mutagenesis causing Glanzmann thrombasthenia (Jin et al, J Clin Invest 98:1745, 1996), and our findings will be valuable for such genetic analyses as well as for studies on the transcriptional regulation of β3 and other integrin genes.

A purified polysaccharide coded as GLP20 was obtained by precipitating a hot-water extract from Ganoderma lucidum fruiting bodies with 20% (V/V) ethanol. Its total carbohydrate content was 95.9%. Structural analysis showed that GLP20 was a β-(1→3)-linked d-glucan with a (1→6)-β-d-glucopyranosyl side-branching unit on every third residue. Cell culture study revealed that GLP20 can significantly increase NO production of RAW264.7 macrophages. The analysis of light scattering and high performance size exclusion chromatography (HPSEC) showed that the molecular weight and polydispersity of GLP20 was 3.75 × 10(6)Da and 1.36, respectively. GLP20 had a rigid chain conformation in aqueous solution. A conformation transition occurred in the alkaline solution with NaOH concentration larger than 0.15M. The transition from ordered structure to single chain happened when GLP20 was heated above 135°C in water solution and was irreversible as demonstrated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). GLP20 existed as random coils in DMSO.

Abstract Formation testing has been utilized widely worldwide as well as in China for field exploration and appraisal, helping reservoir characterization and evaluating hydrocarbon reserve. However, using formation testing technology at development stage in order to improve the reservoir ultimate recovery is not mentioned much in published literatures. In this paper, two case studies were summarized on how formation testing was used at the secondary and tertiary stage of development field in west China including the first domestic gas injection monitoring application. HD Field is one of the oilfields of PetroChina which contributes significant oil production in Tarim basin. With strong aquifer support, one challenge in the adjustment of oilfield development plan is to identify how a potential zone has been water flooded. This case study demonstrates how data acquired from the formation testing helps reservoir engineering study, revises the field development plan and eventually identify the new wells locations with encouraging production result. The second case study demonstrates the first ever application in China of gas injection monitoring in field YH. This field is rich of gas condensate and utilizes gas injection as the main approach to drive the field production and to maintain the reservoir pressure. Because of commingle gas production from multiple zones; it is challenging to understand the sweeping efficiency of injected gas from different formation. With the help of real time downhole fluid composition measurement and innovative new designed probes, formation testing is able to pin point zones that have been swept by injected gas. So the gas injection strategy was adjusted accordingly to improve the overall field recovery.

The high dip angle in formations is one of the reasons makes it difficult to drill in Tarim Basin, resulting in much longer drilling time. To counteract the high pressure from the salt layer above the targeted gas zone, 16-mm heavy casing and drilling mud as heavy as 1.9 g/cc must be used. As drill bit and pipes continue repeatedly tripping in and out the well the heavy casing may get wore thinner. Therefore it's important to know the degree of the casing wear, and to recalculate the remaining strength. Furthermore, if channel in cement behind the casing exists across the high pressure layer, it will pose another threat to corrode the casing from outside and reduce the overall strength of the casing. Hence the cement quality behind the heavy casing must be measured and assessed by reliable means. The tradition technology for well integrity evaluation has limitations in providing answers to the casing corrosion and zonal isolation in such challenge downhole condition. A new generation of the ultrasonic imaging tool was introduced to increase the certainty of casing mechanical property measurement and cement evaluation. The technique combines the pulse-echo ultrasonic measurement with a new flexural wave measurement. The analysis from this combination allows not only a better discrimination between solid, liquid and gas for cement evaluation behind casing, but also more accurate casing information including internal diameter and casing thickness at high resolution in one trip in a well. A logging example was illustrated in this paper with high quality logging data acquired in difficult down hole conditions. As can be seen in this example, many casing grooves were found, and metal loss were up to maximum 4mm at some spots. This paper also shows a new way to look at cement quality behind the heavy casing.

The gene encoding the Neurospora mitochondrial large rRNA contains a single group I intron of 2.3 kilobases that is not self-splicing in vitro. We showed previously that the splicing of this intron in vivo and in vitro is dependent on the Neurospora cyt-18 protein, mitochondrial tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase. In the present work, we carried out further structural analysis of the intron and constructed mutant derivatives of it in order to identify features that are either required for splicing or prevent it from self-splicing. Previous studies showed that the intron contains a large hairpin structure near the 5' splice site. By mapping RNase III cleavage sites, we identified this hairpin structure as an extended P2 stem. We construct a mini-intron of 388 nucleotides by deleting the 426-amino acid intron open reading frame, most of the 5' intron hairpin, and all of L8. This mini-intron shows the same protein-dependent splicing as the full length intron, but is still not self-splicing. Further deletions, which remove all of P2 or all or part of P4, P6, P7, or P9, inactivate splicing, suggesting that an intact group I intron core structure is required. Strengthening the P1, P10, or P9.0 pairings did not enable the mini-intron to self-splice. Our findings indicate that the inability of the mitochondrial large rRNA intron to self-splice reflects deficiency of a structure or activity required for cleavage at the 5' splice site, either in the intron core itself or in the interaction between the core and the P1 stem.

In order to improve the desulfurization efficiency, an ionic liquid (IL) was used as the solvent for the desulfurization of diesel fuel with nickel boride. The nickel boride prepared in IL–H2O showed high specific surface area. The desulfurization efficiency of model organosulfur compounds in this work was higher than that in the previous studies. The desulfurization reactivity of model organosulfur compounds followed the order of BT (DBT) > 3-MBT > 4,6-DMDBT. Furthermore, the products of model organosulfur compounds after desulfurization were analyzed by GC/MS and their corresponding reaction routes were proposed. The effectiveness of nickel salts followed the order of NiCl2 (Ni(OAc)2) > NiSO4 > Ni(NO3)2. The desulfurization efficiency of model diesel fuels reached 90.6% under the conditions of B/S molar ratio = 9, Ni(OAc)2/S molar ratio = 3, oil/IL volume ratio = 3, water content in IL = 5%, and reaction time = 50 min. ILs maintained their original structures after regeneration. Finally, the desulfurization of real diesel fuel was carried out and a desulfurization efficiency of 88.6% was obtained in 50 min.

The Neurospora CYT-18 protein, the mitochondrial tyrosyl-tRNA synthetase, functions in splicing group I introns in mitochondria. Here, we show that CYT-18 binds strongly to diverse group I introns that have minimal sequence homology and recognizes highly conserved structural features of the catalytic core of these introns. Inhibition experiments indicate that the intron RNA and tRNA(Tyr) compete for the same or overlapping binding sites in the CYT-18 protein. Considered together with functional analysis, our results indicate that the CYT-18 protein promotes splicing by binding to the intron core and stabilizing it in a conformation required for catalytic activity. Furthermore, the specific binding of the synthetase suggests that the group I intron catalytic core has structural similarities to tRNAs, which could reflect either convergent evolution or an evolutionary relationship between group I introns and tRNAs.

Use of the Rat Gene Index to examine gene expression patterns from Src-transformed rat fibroblasts that exhibit broad differences in metastatic potential