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Microbial degradation of plant biomass plays a central role in the global carbon cycle. However, the turnover of cellulose in plants poses a difficult challenge due to its microcrystalline nature and its protection by other polymers in the plant cell wall. Bacteria and fungi have evolved diverse strategies for breaking down plant biomass, involving suites of cellulolytic enzymes that are produced at appropriate times to degrade the recalcitrant substrate. The work presented here provides an analysis of two cellulolytic organisms and their potential as model systems in the study of cellulose degradation.We probed the cellulolytic system in Clostridium papyrosolvens C7 by sequencing its genome and characterizing the cellulosomal components. Comparisons to other cellulosome producing organisms revealed many unique enzymes and non-catalytic cellulosome components. When grown on different carbon sources, C. papyrosolsovens C7 upregulates enzymes incorporated into cellulosomes with surprisingly little compositional diversity or dynamic range. These results provide a framework for using C. papyrosolvens C7 in the engineering of designer cellulosomes, as well as understanding the regulation and efficiency of these heterogeneous multienzyme complexes.The tools available for studying N. crassa have recently been applied to its cellulolytic system and much has been quickly learned about its degradative capability. However, the processes that produce its strong and specific induction of cellulase genes are not well understood. Through a screen for deletion strains that affect cellulose degradation, a kinase (NCU07399) was identified that seems to affect the transcriptional activation of several cellulase genes. Preliminary characterization of this kinase reveals an unusual domain architecture and in vitro phosphorylation activity that mimic studies on its yeast and human homologs. The screen and subsequent assays used to analyze NCU07399 presented here should provide a basis for dissecting the pathways involved in cellulase upregulation by N. crassa.

The purpose of this study was to report the therapeutic results obtained from prospective protocols at the Hematology Service of our hospital, over the course of this century, before new drugs were used. All patients underwent chemotherapy (only one recent group also received rituximab). All LCL patients taken care of at the Hematology Service of the National Medical Center (CMN) “20 de Noviembre”, ISSSTE. Patients included in this study were diagnosed with LCL and met the following criteria: persistent lymphocytosis above 5 × 109/L, for more than three months; typical lymphocytic morphology, with less than 10% of immature forms; immunophenotype of B strain with CD5, CD19, CD 79a, CD 20, CD22, CD23, CD24, CD25 + low-intensity SmIg; 30%+ lymph cells in the bone marrow. From 2001 to late 2016, 2’857patients were taken care of de novo. Out of these patients, 61 were diagnosed with LCL (2.1%). Twenty-four patients suffered from chronic diseases when LCL was diagnosed; Diabetes Mellitus type 2 in 14 patients; uremia in 4 patients, heart disease in 3 patients; the remaining ones were systemic high blood pressure (2) and rheumatoid arthritis (1). Until 2004, the first-line therapeutic treatment was CL only. CF was applied for the next four years (until 2008). Lastly, CFR is used until 2016. The lack of remission is only noticed when no treatment was administered or CL or CF treatment was administered. The best responses were achieved with CFR (p=0.0001). CL toxicity was found once only (neutropenia). There were two incidents with CF: neutropenia and pancytopenia. CFR was related to two cases of pancytopenia (p= 0.52). In the multivaried analysis, lymphocytic leukocytosis was a negative predictor for SLP and SG and lymph cell count for the bone marrow. Therefore, lymphocytic leukocytosis is the most frequent variable related to the forecast. It seems reasonable that being a benchmark of the neoplastic level it may be used as a reliable indicator. However, this finding has not been consistent, although other authors have reported it. Compared against the new forecasting data and new drugs, the variables herein are applicable only if used as per the treatments used herein. With new drugs, new forecast data are to be used.

Describes the rationale and design of the Zepeda/Saldate Spanish Language Proficiency Exam developed at the University of Arizona for use in evaluating the language proficiency of applicants for bilingual/bicultural teacher education programs. (JG)

Teachers should be required to have certain competencies before being accepted as the educators to implement a program aimed at cultural pluralism. Discusses the teaching procedures involved in bilingual bicultural education and recommendations for the training of bilingual educators. (Author/RK)