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To improve the efficiency of cable force adjustment of composite saddle anchor span of single-tower single-span ground-anchored suspension bridge, a strain incremental adjustment method is proposed. The analytical calculation model is established according to the relative spatial position of the cable strand and the saddle groove of the composite saddle, and the target cable force of the cable strands is calculated by the target position of the composite saddle in the cable-stayed bridge and construction phases. Considering the coupling relationship between the cable strand and the composite saddle, the calculation formula of the change in main span main cable force and anchor span cable force after the adjustment of a single cable strand is derived. Based on the condition of equilibrium of forces along the slip surface of the composite saddle, the slip amount of composite saddle after a round of cable strand adjustment is obtained, then the adjustment amount of actual construction of the cable strands is also obtained through the strain incremental adjustment method. With the help of a numerical simulation platform, the calculation program of the cable force adjustment of composite saddle anchor span is established by an iterative solution method. In this paper, taking the Jinsha River Bridge at Hutiao Gorge as a research object, the adjustment of cable force of composite saddle anchor span is analyzed and calculated. The research results indicate that the calculated cable force is obtained by the strain incremental adjustment method, and it is similar to the measured cable force. The cable strand adjustment and optimization method avoids excessive repeated stretching and relaxation of a single cable strand in the process of multiple rounds of cable strand adjustment and reduces the amount of construction adjustment. This method can effectively reduce the times of cable strand adjustment and improve the efficiency of adjusting the anchor span cable force.

Actinomycin D has long been used as a first-line antitumor drug in clinical practice. Actinomycin X

Actinomycin D has long been used as a first-line antitumor drug in clinical practice. Actinomycin X2, a new drug lead, is often isolated along with actinomycin D. The minor differences between the two actinomycin analogs pose a daunting challenge in separation. In this study, supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC) was successfully utilized for the purification of actinomycin X2 and actinomycin D from a marine derived Streptomyces sp. DQS-5. After one-step SFC purification, the purities of these two compounds were determined to be 97.3 % and 97.8 %, respectively. This method provides a green alternative for the separation of these pharmacologically important actinomycin antibiotics. This study also demonstrated the development of a simple and rapid method for the separation of natural products based on SFC.

Background: Cellulolytic enzymes produced by Trichoderma reesei are widely studied for biomass bioconversion, and enzymatic components vary depending on different inducers. In our previous studies, a mixture of glucose and disaccharide (MGD) was developed and used to induce cellulase production. However, the enzymatic profile induced by MGD is still not defined, and further optimization of the enzyme cocktail is also required for efficient ethanol production from lignocellulosic biomass. Results: In this study, cellulolytic enzymes produced by T. reesei Rut C30 using MGD and alkali-pretreated corn stover (APCS) as inducer were compared. Cellular secretome in response to each inducer was analyzed, which revealed a similar enzyme profile. However, significant difference in the content of cellulases and xylanase was detected. Although MGD induction enhanced β-glucosidase production, its activity was still not sufficient for biomass hydrolysis. To overcome such a disadvantage, aabgl1 encoding β-glucosidase in Aspergillus aculeatus was heterologously expressed in T. reesei Rut C30 under the control of the pdc1 promoter. The recombinant T. reesei PB-3 strain showed an improved β-glucosidase activity of 310 CBU/mL in the fed-batch fermentation, 71-folds higher than that produced by the parent strain. Meanwhile, cellulase activity of 50 FPU/mL was detected. Subsequently, the crude enzyme was applied for hydrolyzing corn stover with a solid loading of 20% through separate hydrolysis and fermentation (SHF) and simultaneous saccharification and fermentation, respectively, for ethanol production. Better performance was observed in the SHF process, through which a total of 119.9 g/L glucose was released within 12 h for concomitant ethanol production of 54.2 g/L. Conclusions: The similar profile of cellulolytic enzymes was detected under the induction of MGD and APCS, but higher amount of cellulases was present in the crude enzyme induced by MGD. However, β-glucosidase activity induced by MGD was not sufficient for hydrolyzing lignocellulosic biomass. High titers of cellulases and β-glucosidase were achieved simultaneously by heterologous expression of aabgl1 in T. reesei and fed-batch fermentation through feeding MGD. We demonstrated that on-site cellulase production by T. reesei PB-3 has a potential for efficient biomass saccharification and ethanol production from lignocellulosic biomass.

Additional file 3: Figure S1. Construction of the aabgl1 overexpression T. reesei strains. A: Map of aabgl1 expression vector pCBHYGB-PB; B: Comparison of β-glucosidase production of the recombinant transformants and the host strain T. reesei Rut-C30; C: Detection of aabgl1 copy numbers in the transformants by qPCR analysis. Tef1ι gene was used as a single copy control.

Background Cellulolytic enzymes produced by Trichoderma reesei are widely studied for biomass bioconversion, and enzymatic components vary depending on different inducers. In our previous studies, a mixture of glucose and disaccharide (MGD) was developed and used to induce cellulase production. However, the enzymatic profile induced by MGD is still not defined, and further optimization of the enzyme cocktail is also required for efficient ethanol production from lignocellulosic biomass. Results In this study, cellulolytic enzymes produced by T. reesei Rut C30 using MGD and alkali-pretreated corn stover (APCS) as inducer were compared. Cellular secretome in response to each inducer was analyzed, which revealed a similar enzyme profile. However, significant difference in the content of cellulases and xylanase was detected. Although MGD induction enhanced β-glucosidase production, its activity was still not sufficient for biomass hydrolysis. To overcome such a disadvantage, aabgl1 encoding β-glucosidase in Aspergillus aculeatus was heterologously expressed in T. reesei Rut C30 under the control of the pdc1 promoter. The recombinant T. reesei PB-3 strain showed an improved β-glucosidase activity of 310 CBU/mL in the fed-batch fermentation, 71-folds higher than that produced by the parent strain. Meanwhile, cellulase activity of 50 FPU/mL was detected. Subsequently, the crude enzyme was applied for hydrolyzing corn stover with a solid loading of 20% through separate hydrolysis and fermentation (SHF) and simultaneous saccharification and fermentation, respectively, for ethanol production. Better performance was observed in the SHF process, through which a total of 119.9 g/L glucose was released within 12 h for concomitant ethanol production of 54.2 g/L. Conclusions The similar profile of cellulolytic enzymes was detected under the induction of MGD and APCS, but higher amount of cellulases was present in the crude enzyme induced by MGD. However, β-glucosidase activity induced by MGD was not sufficient for hydrolyzing lignocellulosic biomass. High titers of cellulases and β-glucosidase were achieved simultaneously by heterologous expression of aabgl1 in T. reesei and fed-batch fermentation through feeding MGD. We demonstrated that on-site cellulase production by T. reesei PB-3 has a potential for efficient biomass saccharification and ethanol production from lignocellulosic biomass. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1186/s13068-018-1048-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

The pyrenoid ultrastructure and distribution of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate carboxylase/oxygenase (Rubisco) and Rubisco activase in the chloroplasts of Chlamydomonas reinhardtii was studied using the immunogold localization technology with electron microscopy. There were several tubular thylakoids invading in the pyrenoid matrix to form several spokewise channels. The connections between pyrenoid matrix and stroma of chloroplast were the partial of channels. The starch sheath surrounding the pyrenoid was separated into several parts by the connections in transection. Some thylakoids were packed together near the connections in one side of the pyrenoid. Those special structures might be used to transport substance between pyrenoid and stroma of chloroplasts. With the antibody raised against the large subunits of Rubsico from C. protothecoides, the result of the gold immunolocalization of Rubisco in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii showed most of the gold particles heavily labeled the pyrenoid matrix, as well as the starch sheath matrix, and very few in the stroma of chloroplasts. The gold particle density was 880.00 $\pm$ 164.32, 190.00 $\pm$ 152.39 and 9.60 $\pm$ 5.37 ${\mu}m^{-2}$ in pyrenoid matrix, starch sheath and stroma region of chloroplast respectively (background: 5.67 $\pm$ 1.53 ${\mu}m^{-2}$ ). 99.59% of the total Rubiscos was calculated to be concentrated in the pyrenoid matrix and starch sheath by spatial densities. The gold immunolocalization of Rubisco activase also showed that Rubisco activase was mainly concentrated in the periphery of the pyrenoid and the starch sheath (the density was as high as 229.69 $\pm$ 96.96 ${\mu}m^{-2}$ ). There were very few gold particles located in the stroma of chloroplasts. These results indicated that pyrenoid surface and starch sheath was the site for Rubisco activation and $CO_2$ fixation, which supported the suggestion that pyrenoids perform photosynthesis function.

To construct chloroplast expression vector, and introduce the C-terminal region of the merozoite surface protein 1 gene (msp1-42) of Plasmodium falciparum 3D7 strain into the chloroplast genome of tobacco for expression of the recombinant protein MSP1-42.Forward and reverse primers, adjusted to tobacco chloroplast codon preferences, were used for generation of msp1-42 gene from pBluntmsp plasmid which contains msp1-42 gene. A chloroplast expression vector LRrrmsp was constructed and bombarded into leaves of tobacco by a biolistic He particle delivery system. Media containing 500 mg/L spectinomycin were used for selection of spectinomycin resistant plant. PCR was carried out to check the introduction of the msp1-42 and aadA genes into the chloroplast genome. The transgenic plants with msp1-42 and aadA gene insertion were cut and cultured on the generation MS media containing 500 mg/L spectinomycin for at least 3 turns, and multiple PCR were applied to analyse their homogenization.A chloroplast expression vector LRrrmsp was constructed and confirmed with PCR and enzyme digestion analysis. Six transformants were obtained with a transformation rate 0.6/gun. The msp1-42 and aadA genes were amplified from spectinomycin resistant plants by PCR detection. Wild type chloroplast gene was detected by multiple-PCR analysis.A chloroplast expression vector containing msp1-42 gene was constructed. The msp1-42 gene was introduced into chloroplast genome of tobacco and heterogeneous transgenic tobacco was obtained.

A monofunctional catalase from Serratia marcescens SYBC08 produced by liquid state fermentation in 7 liter fermenter was isolated and purified by ammonium sulfate precipitation (ASP), ion exchange chromatography (IEC), and gel filtration (GF) and characterized. Its sequence was analyzed by LC-MS/MS technique and gene cloning. The highest catalase production (20,289 U · ml(-1)) was achieved after incubation for 40 h. The purified catalase had an estimated molecular mass of 230 kDa, consisting of four identical subunits of 58 kDa. High specific activity of the catalase (199,584 U · mg(-1) protein) was 3.44 times higher than that of Halomonas sp. Sk1 catalase (57,900 U · mg(-1) protein). The enzyme without peroxidase activity was found to be an atypical electronic spectrum of monofunctional catalase. The apparent K(m) and V(max) were 78 mM and 188, 212 per µM H(2) O(2) µM heme(-1) s(-1), respectivly. The enzyme displayed a broad pH activity range (pH 5.0-11.0), with optimal pH range of 7.0-9.0: It was most active at 20 °C and had 78% activity at 0 °C. Its thermo stability was slightly higher compared to that of commercial catalase from bovine liver. LC-MS/MS analysis confirmed that the deduced amino acid sequence of cloning gene was the catalase sequence from Serratia marcescens SYBC08. The sequence was compared with that of 23 related catalases. Although most of active site residues, NADPH-binding residues, proximal residues of the heme, distal residues of the heme and residues interacting with a water molecule in the enzyme were well conserved in 23 related catalases, weakly conserved residues were found. Its sequence was closely related with that of catalases from pathogenic bacterium in the family Enterobacteriaceae. This result imply that the enzyme with high specific activity plays a significant role in preventing those microorganisms of the family Enterobacteriaceae against hydrogen peroxide resulted in cellular damage. Calalase yield by Serratia marcescens SYBC08 has potential industrial application in scavenging hydrogen peroxide.

This report provides the complete nucleotide sequences of the full-length cDNA encoding squalene synthase (SQS) and its genomic DNA sequence from a triterpene-producing fungus, Ganoderma lucidum. The cDNA of the squalene synthase (SQS) (GenBank Accession Number: DQ494674) was found to contain an open reading frame (ORF) of 1,404 bp encoding a 468-amino-acid polypeptide, whereas the SQS genomic DNA sequence (GenBank Accession Number: DQ494675) consisted of 1,984 bp and contained four exons and three introns. Only one gene copy was present in the G lucidum genome. The deduced amino acid sequence of Ganoderma lucidum squalene synthase (Gl-SQS) exhibited a high homology with other fungal squalene synthase genes and contained six conserved domains. A phylogenetic analysis revealed that G. lucidum SQS belonged to the fungi SQS group, and was more closely related to the SQS of U. maydis than to those of other fungi. A gene expression analysis showed that the expression level was relatively low in mycelia incubated for 12 days, increased after 14 to 20 days of incubation, and reached a relatively high level in the mushroom primordia. Functional complementation of Gl-SQS in a SQS-deficient strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae confirmed that the cloned cDNA encoded a squalene synthase.

The authentic 3' terminal sequences of genomes of duck hepatitis virus (DHV) serotype I strain C80 and serotype I variant strain E63 were obtained by using 3' RACE and RT-PCR techniques. The analysis showed that 3' terminal sequences in the genomes of the two DHV strains include the 3D region of 1359 nucleotides (nt), the terminator codon TGA, and 3'untranslated region (UTR) of 314 nt. The poly (A) tails of C80 and E63 are 18 nt and 19 nt in length respectively. The deduced 3D proteins of 453 amino acids of both DHV strains contain the motifs KDELR, DxxxxD, GxxCSGxxxTxxxNS, YGDD, and FLKR characteristic for RNA polymerase of picornaviruses, which confirms DHV serotype I to be a member of Picornaviridae . The amino acid sequence identities among 3D protein of the two DHV strains with representatives of nine other picornavirus genera range from 16% to 37%, which are within the value ranges (18%-60%) of 3D amino acid sequence identities obtained from inter-genera comparisons. In addition, DHV serotype I possesses the longest 3'UTR in the family Picornaviridae. Phylogenetic analysis of 3D proteins indicated that DHV serotype I may belong to a separated genus of the family Picornaviridae.

A rice male-sterile mutant msp1-4 (MULTIPLE SPOROCYTE) with japonica cultivar '9522' background, was obtained in M(3) population treated with (60)Co gamma-ray. Results of genetic analysis indicated that the male-sterile phenotype was controlled by a single recessive locus. To map this locus, an F(2) population was constructed from the cross between the msp1-4 (japonica) and 'LongTeFu B' (indica). This locus was mapped between the two InDel markers, WY-4 and WY-8, with physical distance of 247 kb. A deletion with 10 base pairs between 758 bp and 767 bp in MSP1 open reading frame was confirmed by sequence analysis, which led to pre-termination of MSP1 translation. Phenotype analysis of msp1-4 indicated that it was similar to the msp1 mutant. To insight the expression change of rice anther developmental genes in this mutant, semi-quantitative RT-PCR analysis was carried out. The results showed that the expression level of rice UDT1 and GAMYB were reduced in msp1-4, implying that UDT1 and GAMYB are possibly the downstream genes of MSP1 gene in rice pollen development.

Riemerella anatipestifer (RA) infection is the main disease causing severe losses in duck production. Because RA is characterized more by the absence than by the presence of specific phenotypic properties and different scholar had the different results of biochemical detection, it can't always be identified quickly and correctly only by the phenotypic properties or biochemical characteristics. The research object was to develop a species specific PCR method for RA detection. Because of the conserved structure of rRNA and appropriate size of 16S rRNA, a multiple alignment of 16S rDNA (gene coding 16S rRNA) was processed among RA, Escherichia coli, Pasteurella multocida, Salmonella enteritidis and Salmonella gallinarum, which are the main bacteria causing duck diseases. A pair of species specific primers named 190f and 843r were selected from the variable regions of 16S rDNA depending on the result of multiple alignment. Using BLAST on NCBI website for a sequence similarity search, the results showed that this pair of primers had very high specificity, except for having a lower sequence similarity with some species of Flavobacterium and Chryseobacterium. A PCR assay was performed and the template was extracted using the bacteria genomic DNA extraction kit and boiling method respectively. A chelate resin named Chelex 100 was used in the boiling method at the same time. Under the annealing temperature of 60 degrees C, all the 26 RA strains, including 19 representative strains of serotypes 1 to approximately 19 and 7 domestic isolated strains, showed the same 654bp fragment after PCR, while there was no amplification with isolates of other bacterial species. Also a series of sensitivity experiments were performed and proved that the detection limit of this method was 50pg genomic DNA, 1.5 x 10(6) CFU/mL and 15 CFU/mL, when the template was prepared with genomic DNA extraction kit, only boiling method and boiling method with Chelex 100 respectively. 12 clinical cases which were probably infected with RA were chosen to identify the accuracy and sensitivity of this PCR method. Several other conventional detecting methods including bacteria isolating, differentiating culture, biochemical experiments and serotyping were used at the same time. The templates of PCR were extracted from brains or livers by boiling method with Chelex 100. Finally, 3 cases were identified as RA infection by the conventional methods and 4 by the PCR method, which proved the good accuracy and sensitivity of the PCR method. Thus, this PCR assay provides a rapid and accurate method for identification of Riemerella anatipestifer. It will help to make the final decision in clinical diagnose or species identification, especially when a new serotype or sub-serotype of RA comes up.

Oslh (lh=leafy hull), in the japonica cultivar 9522 background, a mutant of Oryza sativa L. spp. japonica cv. 9522 identified from an M(2) population, was mutagenized by irradiation with (60)Co gamma-ray. The Oslh mutant plants flowered about 15 days later than the wild-type plants (Fig.1e). The paleas, lemmas and lodicules of the flowers of Oslh mutant were transformed into leaf-like structures (Fig.1b, d). Genetic analysis of the F(2) progeny from a cross between the Oslh mutant and wild-type japonica cv. 9522 revealed that the Oslh mutant arouse from a single recessive nuclear gene mutation of the cv. 9522. To map the Oslh locus, an F(2) population generated by crossing between Oslh (japonica) mutant and Guangluai4 (indica) was analyzed. The Oslh locus was mapped to the long arm of rice chromosome 3, between a SSR marker RM5475 and an InDel marker GY305, 2.9 and 1.5 cM away from these two markers respectively (Fig.4). These results are useful for further cloning and functional analysis of the OsLH gene.

A fusion gene CTB-PROIN, in which Proinsulin gene was fused to the 3' end of CTB gene by a hinge peptide 'GPGP', was constructed and cloned into pET-30a(+) to obtain a prokaryotic expression vector pETCPI. Subsequently the recombinant plasmid pETCPI was transformed into E. coli stain BL21 (DE3). After induced by IPTG, the expression product was analyzed by sodium dodecyl sulphate-polyacrylamide gel (15%) electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE), and its result indicated that the recombinant protein CTB-PROIN was expressed and accumulated as inclusion bodies. The recombinant CTB-PROIN protein accumulated to the level of 25% of total bacterial proteins. After inclusion bodies was denaturalized and refolded in vitro, significant assembly of monomers had occurred, and the recombinant protein represented assembled pentamers. The results of western blotting analysis also demonstrated that the fusion protein could be recognized by the anti-CT and anti-insulin antibody, respectively. In addition, the result of the CTB-PROIN-GM1 binding assay, that the protein could bind to monosialoganglioside specifically, showed it possesed biological activity in vitro. These results provided the possibility of developing a cheaper and more efficient oral vaccine for type I diabetes using such constructs.

Rapid identification of bovine materials in animal foodstuffs is essential for effective control of a potential source of bovine spongiform encephalophathy. A convenient polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assay was developed for detection and identification of a bovine-specific genomic DNA sequence in foodstuffs. Simultaneously the assay assessed the DNA quality of the experiment system by amplification of a highly conserved eucaryotic DNA region of the 18-S ribosomal gene, helping to check the reliability of the test result. The amplified bovine-specific PCR product was a genomic DNA fragment of lactoferrin, a low copy gene that was different from a commonly used bovine-specific mitochondria sequence for identification of bovine materials. The specificity of this method was confirmed by the absence of detectable homologous PCR product using reference foodstuff samples that lacked bovine-derived meat and bonemeals, or genomic DNA samples from vertebrates whose offals are commonly included in animal feeds. This method could detect the presence of bovine material in foodstuffs when the samples contained0.02% bovine-derived meat and bone meal. Furthermore, it was not affected by prolonged heat treatment. The specificity, convenience, and sensitivity of this method suggest that it can be used for the routine detection of bovine-derived materials.

We report here the cloning and characterization of a UDP-glucose flavonoid glucosyltransferase (srUFGT) in Stevia rebaudiana. The isolated cDNA was 1419 bp in length encoding 473 deduced amino acids with a predicted molecular mass of 53.2 kDa. The products of in vitro translation from an expression vector had anthocyanidins and steviol glucosyltransferase activity. Comparison of the activity of the recombinant UDP-glucosyltransferase toward a range of acceptor substrates suggests that it may participate in the synthesis of steviol glycosides. The results support the hypothesis that the flavonoid glucosyltransferases, which have a broad substrate specificity, may be not only involved in flavonoid glucosylation but also play a role in producing the water-soluble steviol-glycosides in S. rebaudiana.

A transfer plasmid p8hLFc harboring human lactoferrin cDNA was constructed and co-transfected with Autographa californica nuclear polyhedrosis virus ( AcNPV BacPAK6 ) DNA into Spodoptera frugiperda (Sf) cells. The recombinant virus AcNPV-hLFc was identified and purified three times by dot hybridization and plaques screening. The expression of human lactoferrin cDNA in insect cells was detected by Western blotting. The expression level of lactoferrin is about 2% of insect cellular total soluble proteins, and an amount of 9.5 mg/L lactoferrin is secreted into culture medium. Recombinant lactoferrin purified with affinity chromatography comigrates with human milk lactoferrin on SDS-polyacrylamide gels. In addition, the ration of A value at ultraviolet A(280)/A(465) shows that the recombinant protein possesses iron-binding capacity.

The codA gene for choline oxidase, which converts choline into betaine. This enzyme, cloned from a soil bacterium Arthrobactor globiformis, has been transferred and expressed in tobacco by the Agrobatcterium-method transformation through the binary plasmid pGAH/codA. The pGAH/codA carried with Km(R) and Hyg(R),and coding sequence for a transit peptide from Rubisco small subunit gene (rbcS) was inserted between 35 S promoter and codA, so that the COD could be introduced into the chloroplast by this transit peptide. The transformed plants were screened on the medium containing the Km and Hyg. PCR, Western and gold immunolocalization tests showed that the codA gene has integrated into the tobacco DNA genome and its protein was expressed and the mature peptide has gone into the chloroplasts by the transit peptide. The results of salt-tolerance measuring for transgenic plants showed that the transgenic plants were more tolerance to the salt than the control plants. The young transgenic plants (1.0--1.5 cm) could survive at 400 mmol/L NaCl MS medium for more than 30 days. From them the higher tolerance plant T4-400 was obtained, which could grow at the 300 mmol/L NaCl MS medium well. The transgenic plants (6--8cm) could grow normally at the 400 mmol/L NaCl MS medium while wild plants failed to do so. So the transferred plant with codA enhanced its tolerance to the salt stress.