Ilija Brčeski

Lignin degradation by selected fungal species.

As biological decomposition of plant biomass represents a popular alternative environmental-friendly and economically justified process, screening of ligninolytic enzyme systems of various fungal species is a topical study area. The goal of the study was to obtain clear insight into the dynamics of laccase, Mn-dependent peroxidase, and Mn-independent peroxidase activity and levels of wheat straw lignin degradation in seven wood-rotting fungi. The best laccase producers were Pleurotus ostreatus and Pleurotus eryngii. Lenzites betulinus and Fomitopsis pinicola were the best Mn-dependent peroxidase producers, and P. ostreatus the weakest one. The peak of Mn-independent peroxidase was noted in Dichomytus squalens, and the minimum value in P. ostreatus. The profiles of the three enzymes, obtained by isoelectric focusing, were variable depending on the species and cultivation period. D. squalens was the best lignin degrader (34.1% of total lignin amount), and P. ostreatus and P. eryngii the weakest ones (7.1% and 14.5%, respectively).

Screening of laccase, manganese peroxidase, and versatile peroxidase activities of the genus Pleurotus in media with some raw plant materials as carbon sources

Species of the genus Pleurotus are among the most efficient natural species in lignin degradation belonging to the subclass of ligninolytic organisms that produce laccase (Lac), Mn-dependent peroxidase (MnP), versatile peroxidase (VP), and the H2O2-generating enzyme aryl-alcohol oxidase, but not lignin peroxidases. Production of Lac and oxidation of 2,6-dimethoxyphenol (DMP) in the presence and absence of Mn2+ were detected both in submerged fermentation (SF) of dry ground mandarine peels and in solid-state fermentation (SSF) of grapevine sawdust in all investigated Pleurotus species and strains. Evidence of cultivation methods having a distinct influence on the level of enzyme activities has been demonstrated. Most of the species and strains had higher Lac activity under SSF conditions than under SF conditions. DMP oxidation in the presence and absence of Mn2+ was detected in all investigated species and strains, but was lower under SF conditions than under SSF conditions for most of them. However, relative activities of DMP oxidation in the absence of Mn2+, as percentages of activity agasint DMP in the presence of Mn2+, were higher under conditions of SF than in SSF cultures in most of the investigated species and strains. The obtained results showed that strains of different origins have different efficiently ligninolytic systems and that conditions of SSF are more favorable for ligninolytic activity than those in SF owing to their similarity to natural conditions on wood substrates.

Toxicity of oral cadmium intake: Impact on gut immunity

Gastrointestinal tract is one of the main targets of cadmium (Cd), an important food and drinking water contaminant. In the present study, the effect of subchronic (30 days) oral (in water) intake of 5ppm and 50ppm of cadmium on immune responses in the gut was examined in rats. Cadmium consumption resulted in reduction of bacteria corresponding to Lactobacillus strain, tissue damage and intestinal inflammation [increases in high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1 molecules), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) activity and proinflammatory cytokine (TNF, IL-1β, IFN-γ, IL-17) content]. Draining (mesenteric) lymph node (MLN) stress response was observed [elevation of MLN glutathione (GSH) and metallothionein (MT) mRNA levels] and stimulation of both adaptive [cellularity, proliferation, proinflammatory (IFN-γ and IL-17) MLN cell cytokine responses] as well as innate immune activity (increases in numbers of NK and CD68(+) cells, oxidative activities, IL-1β). In contrast to proinflammatory milieu in MLN, decreased or unchanged antiinflammatory IL-10 response was observed. Stimulation of immune activities of MLN cells have, most probably, resulted from sensing of cadmium-induced tissue injury, but also from bacterial antigens that breached compromised intestinal barrier. These effects of cadmium should be taken into account when assessing dietary cadmium as health risk factor.

Transition metal complexes with thiosemicarbazide-based ligands. Part 37.* Synthesis and study of the first Thiosemi-carbazide-derived copper(I) complexes: Crystal structure of [2-(Diphenylphosphino)benzaldehyde Thiosemicarbazonato(-1)] copper(i)-nitrate-methanol solvate

Abstract The preparation and physical characterization of two copper(I) complexes Cu(HL)NO3 and [Cu(HL)2]NO3·MeOh formed with a newly synthesized tridentate [S,N,P] HL = 2-(diphenylphosphino)benzaldehyde thiosemicarbazone ligand and the crystal structure analysis of the latter have been carried out. An X-ray study of [Cu(HL)2]NO3·MeOH revealed a copper(I) ion coordinated tetrahedrally to S,N,P,P atoms donated by two HL ligands. One is tridentate [S,N,P], whereas the second HL ligand is monodentate, ligating only its phosphorus atom to the copper. The geometry around the four-coordinate Cu(I) is comparable with Cu{N,S,P,X} tetrahedra (X = N, P, or S) retrieved from the Cambridge Structural Database. In addition, with a restriction to Cu{N,P,X,X} (X = C,N,P) tetrahedra ‐ S is excluded ‐ ca. 60 structures against

TRANSITION METAL COMPLEXES WITH THIOSEMICARBAZIDE-BASED LIGANDS. PART 28. SYNTHESIS AND X-RAY CRYSTAL STRUCTURE OF THE FIRST PHOSPHORUS-BONDED THIOSEMICARBAZIDE COMPLEX: [2-(DIPHENYLPHOSPHINO) BENZALDEHYDE THIOSEMICARBAZONATO(1-)] PYRIDINENICKEL(II)-NITRATE

Abstract The synthesis and crystal structure analysis of the diamagnetic complex [Ni(L)Py]NO3 (L = the monoanion of the newly synthesized ligand 2-(diphenylphosphino)benzaldehyde thiosemicarbazone) are reported. The complex crystallizes in the space group P21/n (No. 14) with a = 8.533(1), b = 29.123(3), c = 10.627(a) A, β = 100.36(1)°, V = 2597.8(5) A3. As revealed by X-ray analysis, the 2-(diphenylphosphino)benzaldehyde thiosemicarbazone ligand deprotonated at N(3) acts as a monoanionic tridentate donor, coordinating through SNP. The core of the bulky {Ni[(C6H5)2P-(C6H4CH=N-N=CS-NH2)·]}+ cation is a slightly puckered quadrangle formed around Ni2+ by SNP accompanied by a pyridine nitrogen. The dihedral angle of the atomic triangles S/N(4)/N(41) and P(2)/N(4)/N(41) is 18.0(4)°. The NO3 − anions are well separated from the cations which may account for the observed disorder of the oxygen atoms.

Different intermolecular interactions in azido[2-(diphenylphosphino)benzaldehyde semicarbazonato-kappa2P,N1,O]nickel(II).

The title compound, [Ni(C(20)H(17)N(3)OP)(N(3))], is the first complex with a semicarbazide-based ligand having a P atom as one of the donors. The influence of the P atom on the deformation of the coordination geometry of the Ni(II) ion is evident but less expressed than in the cases of complexes with analogous seleno- and thiosemicarbazide ligands. The torsion angles involving the two bonds formed by the P atom within the six-membered chelate ring have the largest values [C-P-Ni-N = 24.3 (2) degrees and C-C-P-Ni = -24.2 (4) degrees ], suggesting that the P atom considerably influences the conformation of the ring. Two types of N-H...N hydrogen bond connect the complex units into chains.

Potential of Pleurotus ostreatus Mycelium for Selenium Absorption

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of high selenium (Se) concentrations on morphophysiological and ultrastructural properties of Pleurotus ostreatus. Mycelium growth was good in media enriched with 5.0, 10.0, and 20.0 mg L−1 of Se, concentration of 500.0 mg L−1 strongly inhibited growth, and 1000.0 mg L−1 was the minimum inhibitory concentration. Contrary to thin-walled, hyaline, branched, and anastomized hyphae with clamp-connections in the control, at Se concentrations of 100.0 and 500.0 mg L−1, they were noticeably short, frequently septed and branched, with a more intensive extracellular matrix, and without clamp-connections. At high Se concentrations, hyphae with intact membrane, without cellular contents, with a high level of vacuolization, and with numerous proteinaceous bodies were observed. Biomass yield ranged between 11.8 g L−1, in the control, and 6.8 g L−1, at an Se concentration of 100.0 mg L−1, while no production was detected at a concentration of 500.0 mg L−1. Se content in the mycelia reached a peak (938.9 μg g−1) after cultivation in the medium enriched with Se at the concentration of 20.0 mg L−1, while the highest absorption level (53.25%) was found in the medium enriched with 5.0 mg L−1 Se.

Cadmium specific proteomic responses of a highly resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa san ai

Pseudomonas aeruginosa san ai is a promising candidate for bioremediation of cadmium pollution, as it resists a high concentration of up to 7.2 mM of cadmium. Leaving biomass of P. aeruginosa san ai exposed to cadmium has a large biosorption potential, implying its capacity to extract heavy metal from contaminated medium. In the present study, we investigated tolerance and accumulation of cadmium on protein level by shotgun proteomics approach based on liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry coupled with bioinformatics to identify proteins. Size exclusion chromatography was used for protein prefractionation to preserve native forms of metalloproteins and protein complexes. Using this approach a total of 60 proteins were observed as up-regulated in cadmium-amended culture. Almost a third of the total numbers of up-regulated were metalloproteins. Particularly interesting are denitrification proteins which are over expressed but not active, suggesting their protective role in conditions of heavy metal exposure. P. aeruginosa san ai developed a complex mechanism to adapt to cadmium, based on: extracellular biosorption, bioaccumulation, the formation of biofilm, controlled siderophore production, enhanced respiration and modified protein profile. An increased abundance of proteins involved in: cell energy metabolism, including denitrification proteins; amino acid metabolism; cell motility and posttranslational modifications, primarily based on thiol-disulfide exchange, were observed. Enhanced oxygen consumption of biomass in cadmium-amended culture versus control was found. Our results signify that P. aeruginosa san ai is naturally well equipped to overcome and survive high doses of cadmium and, as such, has a great potential for application in bioremediation of cadmium polluted sites.

Strain differences of cadmium-induced toxicity in rats: Insight from spleen and lung immune responses.

The impact of genetic background on effects of acute i.p. cadmium administration (0.5mg/kg and 1mg/kg) on basic immune activity of spleen and lungs was examined in two rat strains, Albino Oxford (AO) and Dark Agouti (DA), known to react differently to chemicals. More pronounced inhibition of Concanavalin A (ConA)-induced and Interleukin (IL)-2 stimulated spleen cell proliferation as well as higher levels of nitric oxide (known to decrease cells proliferative ability) in DA rats at 1mg/kg, along with greater inhibition of ConA-induced Interferon (IFN-γ)-production by total and mononuclear (MNC) spleen cells and IL-17 production by spleen MNC in DA vs. AO rats at this dose show greater susceptibility of this strain to Cd effects on spleen cells response. More pronounced infiltration of neutrophils/CD11b(+) cells to lungs of DA rats treated with 1mg/kg of Cd and decreased IL-17 lung cell responses noted solely in DA rats speaks in favor of their higher susceptibility to this metal. However, lack of strain disparity in lung cells IFN-γ responses show that there are regional differences as well. Novel data from this study depict complexity of the influence of genetic background on the effects of cadmium on host immune reactivity.

Hexaaqua­magnesium(II) bis­(d-camphor-10-sulfonate)

The structure of the title complex, [Mg(H2O)6](C10H15O4S)2, consists of regular octahedral [Mg(H2O)6]2+ cations and d-camphor-10-sulfonate anions. A three-dimensional supramolecular architecture is formed via hydrogen-bond interactions [O—H⋯O = 2.723 (2)–2.833 (2) Å] to give alternating layers of [Mg(H2O)6]2+ cations and d-camphor-10-sulfonate anions. The title compound is isomorphous with the zinc, copper, cadmium and nickel analogues.