University of Córdoba (Spain)

About: University of Córdoba (Spain) is a education organization based out in Cordova, Spain. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Catalysis. The organization has 12006 authors who have published 22998 publications receiving 537842 citations. The organization is also known as: University of Córdoba (Spain) & Universidad de Córdoba.

Molecular cloning of a gene involved in glucose sensing in the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae

Abstract: Summary Cells of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae display a wide range of glucose-induced regulatory phenomena, including glucose-induced activation of the RAS-adenylate cyclase pathway and phosphatidylinositol turnover, rapid post-translational effects on the activity of different enzymes as well as long-term effects at the transcriptional level. A gene called GGS1 (for General Glucose Sensor) that is apparently required for the glucose-induced regulatory effects and several ggs1 alleles (fdp1, byp1 and cif1) has been cloned and characterized. A GGS1 homologue is present in Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum. Yeast ggs1 mutants are unable to grow on glucose or related readily fermentable sugars, apparently owing to unrestricted influx of sugar into glycolysis, resulting in its rapid deregulation. Levels of intracellular free glucose and metabolites measured over a period of a few minutes after addition of glucose to cells of a ggsi1Δ strain are consistent with our previous suggestion of a functional interaction between a sugar transporter, a sugar kinase and the GGS1 gene product. Such a glucose-sensing system might both restrict the influx of glucose and activate several signal transduction pathways, leading to the wide range of glucose-induced regulatory phenomena. Deregulation of these pathways in ggs1 mutants might explain phenotypic defects observed in the absence of glucose, e.g. the inability of ggs1 diploids to sporulate.

Influence of the preparation method on the structural and surface properties of various magnesium oxides and their catalytic activity in the Meerwein–Ponndorf–Verley reaction

Abstract: The Meerwein–Ponndorf–Verley (MPV) reaction of cyclohexanone with isopropyl alcohol, which yields cyclohexanol, was studied by using basic catalysts consisting of magnesium oxide. The oxides were prepared using various synthetic procedures including calcination of commercially available magnesium hydroxide and carbonate, calcination of magnesium hydroxides obtained from magnesium nitrate and sulphate, the sol–gel technique and precipitation by decomposition of urea. The solids thus obtained were characterized structurally by X-ray diffraction spectroscopy and their surface properties determined using gas adsorption measurements (of nitrogen for textural properties and carbon dioxide for basic properties). Based on the results, the most active catalyst was the solid prepared by rehydration and subsequent calcination of a magnesium oxide that was previously obtained from commercially available magnesium hydroxide.

Effect of phosphate on the crystallization of hematite, goethite, and lepidocrocite from ferrihydrite

Abstract: We investigated the crystallization of ferrihydrite prepared by hydrolysis of Fe(NO3)3 solutions containing phosphate. Crystallization was studied at different pH (3-9), temperatures (298, 323, and 373 K), and initial P/Fe atomic ratios for periods to 730 d. Generally, crystallization was inhibited or only poorly crystallized lepidocrocite was formed at P/Fe > 2.5%. Phosphate favored the formation of hematite over goethite at all temperatures for most of the pH and P/Fe ranges investigated. This result is consistent with a model in which phosphate acts as a template for hematite formation, in analogy with other anions, such as oxalate. However, goethite was preferentially formed at alkaline pH and P/Fe > 1%, probably because high phosphate concentration resulted in a large increase in the negative charge of the ferrihydrite particles. This resulted in turn in less aggregation, a process that is known to precede dehydration to hematite. Phosphate greatly influenced the morphology of hematite and goethite. Hematite was often ellipsoidal or spindle-shaped. Twinned goethite crystals with a hematite core were formed at alkaline pH at P/Fe > 1%. Both hematite and goethite particles incorporated phosphate in an occluded form not desorbable by repeated alkali treatments.

The role of liposomes in analytical processes

Abstract: We present a general survey of the preparation, the behaviour and the characterization of liposomes, and their versatility as analytical tools. Advances on the design of artificial liposomes have allowed manipulation of their features (size, lamellarity, resistance, fusion capability and encapsulation efficiency), which have given rise to a wide range of procedures to encapsulate or internalise a variety of reagents. These approaches have been used to study solute-membrane interactions and to improve sensitivity and/or selectivity in different analytical methods. We discuss the advantages and the limitations of the most recent applications of liposomes in chromatography, capillary electrophoresis, immunoassays, sensors and microfluidic systems.