Kettering University

About: Kettering University is a education organization based out in Flint, Michigan, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: RNA & Antigen. The organization has 6842 authors who have published 7689 publications receiving 337503 citations. The organization is also known as: GMI Engineering & Management Institute & General Motors Institute.

The Azolla, Anabaena azollae Relationship II. Localization of Nitrogenase Activity as Assayed by Acetylene Reduction

Abstract: Anaerobic (microaerophilic) acetylene reduction by Azolla caroliniana Willd. was dependent on light and saturated at approximately 450 foot candles. Maximum rates of acetylene reduction were 60 nmoles/mg chlorophyll minute. However, rates of 25 to 30 nmoles/mg chlorophyll minute were more common. The growth of Azolla for 35 days with nitrate or urea as a nitrogen source decreased the rate of acetylene reduction approximately 30% compared to controls grown on nitrogen. Prolonged growth on nitrate or urea (6-7 months) resulted in a 90% decrease in the rate of acetylene reduction. The inhibition of acetylene reduction by 3 (3,4-dichlorophenol) 1,1-dimethylurea (12 μM) was not pronounced until the Azolla became depleted of the reserves formed during photosynthesis. The interval required for this depletion was dependent upon pretreatment and varied from 2 to more than 12 hours. Oxygen evolution was inhibited 75% in 10 minutes by the same concentration of 3 (3,4-dichlorophenol) 1,1-dimethylurea. The addition of oxygen, 20% volume per volume, resulted in a 30 to 40% decrease in the rate of acetylene reduction and the onsetof 3(3,4-dichlorophenol) 1,1-dimethylurea inhibition was more rapid then under microaerophilic conditions. The aerobic dark reduction of acetylene was from 10 to 30% of the rate of aerobic reduction in the light. Acetylene reduction activity was absent in fronds freed ofthe symbiotic algae and present in isolated Anabaena azollae . This study shows that the alga is the agent of acetylene reduction and suggests that there is considerable transport of metabolites between the fern and the blue-green alga.

Distinct Contributions of Neutrophils and CCR2+ Monocytes to Pulmonary Clearance of Different Klebsiella pneumoniae Strains

Abstract: Klebsiella pneumoniae is a common respiratory pathogen, with some strains having developed broad resistance to clinically available antibiotics. Humans can become infected with many different K. pneumoniae strains that vary in genetic background, antibiotic susceptibility, capsule composition, and mucoid phenotype. Genome comparisons have revealed differences between K. pneumoniae strains, but the impact of genomic variability on immune-mediated clearance of pneumonia remains unclear. Experimental studies of pneumonia in mice have used the rodent-adapted 43816 strain of K. pneumoniae and demonstrated that neutrophils are essential for optimal host defense. It remains unclear, however, whether CCR2(+) monocytes contribute to K. pneumoniae clearance from the lung. We selectively depleted neutrophils, CCR2(+) monocytes, or both from immunocompetent mice and determined susceptibility to infection by the 43816 strain and 4 newly isolated clinical K. pneumoniae strains. The clinical K. pneumoniae strains, including one carbapenem-resistant ST258 strain, are less virulent than 43816. Optimal clearance of each of the 5 strains required either neutrophils or CCR2(+) monocytes. Selective neutrophil depletion markedly worsened infection with K. pneumoniae strain 43816 and three clinical isolates but did not increase susceptibility of mice to infection with the carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae ST258 strain. Depletion of CCR2(+) monocytes delayed recovery from infection with each of the 5 K. pneumoniae strains, revealing a contribution of these cells to bacterial clearance from the lung. Our findings demonstrate strain-dependent variation in the contributions of neutrophils and CCR2(+) monocytes to clearance of K. pneumoniae pulmonary infection.

Total synthesis of garsubellin A.

Abstract: A concise approach to the laboratory synthesis of garsubellin A is described. Garsubellin A, an effective inducer of choline acetyltransferase (ChAT), has been shown to have potential as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Starting from 3,5-dimethoxyphenol, the synthesis has provided garsubellin A in an 18-step sequence. Notable transformations include dearomative allylation, diastereoselective vinylogous lactonization, iodocarbocyclization, transannular Wurtz, and bridgehead functionalization reactions.