Artificial Splitting of a Non‐Ribosomal Peptide Synthetase by Inserting Natural Docking Domains

The interaction in multisubunit non‐ribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs) is mediated by docking domains that ensure the correct subunit‐to‐subunit interaction. We introduced natural docking domains into the three‐module xefoampeptide synthetase (XfpS) to create two to three artificial NRPS XfpS subunits. The enzymatic performance of the split biosynthesis was measured by absolute quantification of the products by HPLC‐ESI‐MS. The connecting role of the docking domains was probed by deleting integral parts of them. The peptide production data was compared to soluble protein amounts of the NRPS using SDS‐PAGE. Reduced peptide synthesis was not a result of reduced soluble NRPS concentration but a consequence of the deletion of vital docking domain parts. Splitting the xefoampeptide biosynthesis polypeptide by introducing docking domains was feasible and resulted in higher amounts of product in one of the two tested split‐module cases compared to the full‐length wild‐type enzyme.     

Defluoridation in aqueous solution by a composite of reduced graphene oxide decorated with cuprous oxide via sonochemical

The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended the fluoride level in drinking water (1.5 mg/L) and defluoridation of water is an essential to remove of fluoride from contaminated water. Hence, the effective and rapid adsorbent Cuprous oxide-reduced graphene oxide (Cu₂O-RGO) composite was developed to overwhelm this concern. Sonochemical approach was adopted for the synthesis of desirable composite which was further characterized by XRD, FTIR, SEM, and EDS. The optimized composite (30 mg) shown the significant adsorption capacity of 34 mg/g of F⁻ solution (pH = 9), 70% removal of F⁻ solution from real experiment and Freundlich model was fitted than Langmuir and Temkin isotherms. The experimental results corroborate that adsorbent is the most effective for removal of fluoride from its polluted water.     

Caseinolytic Proteins (Clp) in the Genus Klebsiella: Special Focus on ClpK

Caseinolytic proteins (Clp), which are present in both prokaryotes and eukaryotes, play a major role in cell protein quality control and survival of bacteria in harsh environmental conditions. Recently, a member of this protein family, ClpK was identified in a pathogenic strain of Klebsiella pneumoniae which was responsible for nosocomial infections. ClpK is linked to the thermal stress survival of this pathogen. The genome wide analysis of Clp proteins in Klebsiella spp. indicates that ClpK is present in only 34% of the investigated strains. This suggests that the uptake of the clpk gene is selective and may only be taken up by a pathogen that needs to survive harsh environmental conditions. In silico analyses and molecular dynamic simulations show that ClpK is mainly α-helical and is highly dynamic. ClpK was successfully expressed and purified to homogeneity using affinity and anion exchange chromatography. Biophysical characterization of ClpK showed that it is predominantly alpha-helical, and this is in agreement with in silico analysis of the protein structure. Furthermore, the purified protein is biologically active and hydrolyses ATP in a concentration- dependent manner.     

On the inflation and deflation dynamics of liquid-filled,hyperelastic balloons

We derive a reduced-order model describing the inflation and deflation dynamics of a liquid-filled hyperelastic balloon, focusing on inviscid laminar flow and the extensional motion of the balloon. We initially study the flow and pressure fields for dictated motion of the solid, which throughout deflation are obtained by solving the potential problem. However, during inflation, flow separation creates a jet within the balloon, requiring a different approach. The analyses of both flow regimes lead to a simple piecewise model, describing the fluidic pressure during inflation and deflation, which is verified by finite element computations. We then use a variational approach to derive the equation describing the interaction between the extensional mode of the balloon and the entrapped fluid, yielding a nonlinear hybrid oscillator equation. Analytical and graphical investigations of the suggested model are presented, shedding light on its static and dynamic behaviour under different operating conditions. Our simplified model and its underlying assumptions are verified utilizing a fully coupled finite element scheme, showing excellent agreement.     

Seed priming with cold plasma improved seedling performance,secondary metabolism,and expression of deacetylvindoline O-acetyltransferase gene in Catharanthus roseus

The plasma-primed seeds of Catharanthus roseus were cultured in a hormone-free culture medium under sterile conditions. Plasma of 30 or 60 s improved root length (mean = 41.4%) and biomass (mean = 47%), whereas plasma of 90 s delayed plant growth. The plasma treatments enhanced concentrations of photosynthetic pigments and soluble phenols. Plasma of 90 s increased the proline level. With a similar trend, plasma priming induced activities of phenylalanine ammonia-lyase, catalase (about twofold) and peroxidase (31%) enzymes. Plasma also upregulated the expressions of deacetylvindoline O-acetyltransferase gene by an average of 7.8 times. Similarly, the plasma-treated seedlings contained higher concentrations of alkaloids (mean = 72%). Here, molecular evidence is provided on the plasma-associated modifications in secondary metabolism.     

Divergent and Overlapping Roles for Selected Phytochemicals in the Regulation of Pathological Cardiac Hypertrophy

Plant-based foods, like fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, seeds and other foodstuffs, have been deemed as heart healthy. The chemicals within these plant-based foods, i.e., phytochemicals, are credited with protecting the heart. However, the mechanistic actions of phytochemicals, which prevent clinical endpoints, such as pathological cardiac hypertrophy, are still being elucidated. We sought to characterize the overlapping and divergent mechanisms by which 18 selected phytochemicals prevent phenylephrine- and phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-mediated cardiomyocyte enlargement. Of the tested 18 compounds, six attenuated PE- and PMA-mediated enlargement of neonatal rat ventricular myocytes. Cell viability assays showed that apigenin, baicalein, berberine hydrochloride, emodin, luteolin and quercetin dihydrate did not reduce cell size through cytotoxicity. Four of the six phytochemicals, apigenin, baicalein, berberine hydrochloride and emodin, robustly inhibited stress-induced hypertrophy and were analyzed further against intracellular signaling and genome-wide changes in mRNA expression. The four phytochemicals differentially regulated mitogen-activated protein kinases and protein kinase D. RNA-sequencing further showed divergence in gene regulation, while pathway analysis demonstrated overlap in the regulation of inflammatory pathways. Combined, this study provided a comprehensive analysis of cardioprotective phytochemicals. These data highlight two defining observations: (1) that these compounds predominantly target divergent gene pathways within cardiac myocytes and (2) that regulation of overlapping signaling and gene pathways may be of particular importance for the anti-hypertrophic actions of these phytochemicals. Despite these new findings, future works investigating rodent models of heart failure are still needed to understand the roles for these compounds in the heart.     

甲烷单加氧酶活性化合物的体外重构

甲烷氧化菌中甲烷单加氧酶既能催化甲烷转化为甲醇,也能降解小分子含氯有机物.将甲烷单加氧酶组分进行基因重组表达,利用表达的组分重构酶活性化合物,测定了重构化合物的丙烯环氧化活性及对三氯乙烯和三氯甲烷的降解.结果显示:经过30℃、220 r/min、20 min降解,约有52%的三氯乙烯被降解;在32℃、220 r/min、8 h反应条件下,约有26%的三氯甲烷被降解;表明甲烷单加氧酶亚基组分表达正确,能够在微生物体外重构活性化合物.     

Prokaryotic Expression and Polyclonal Antibody Preparation of PRL3

Phosphatase of regenerating liver 3(PRL3),which belongs to the superfamily of protein tyrosine phosphatases(PTPs),represents a group of low molecular weight PTPs that participate in tumorigenesis and metastasis processes.Presented here are the results of cloning,prokaryotic expression,purification,and polyclonal antibody preparation of PRL3.To obtain a specific polyclonal antibody against PRL3,the authors have prepared GST-PRL3 to immunize rabbits and purify an anti-PRL3 polyclonal antibody by negative selection affinity columns.Western blot analysis shows that the anti-PRL3 polyclonal antibody has a specific binding ability with PRL3 protein.The anti-PRL3 polyclonal antibody provides a good tool to further study the function of PRL3.     

无障板圆形活塞换能器的辐射阻抗*

辐射阻抗是换能器的最重要辐射声场特性参数之一,影响着换能器的谐振频率、频带宽度、效率以及辐射声功率等。经典声学理论用一阶贝塞尔函数和斯特鲁夫函数给出了圆形活塞换能器辐射阻抗的数学表达式,但仅适用于无限大障板条件。该文用ANSYS有限元软件计算了无障板圆形活塞换能器的辐射阻抗,给出了数值解结果,通过与无限大障板条件下的理论结果相比较,显示了二者之间的偏离情况,尤其是在低频时差异显著。为了借助MATLAB工具模拟无障板圆形活塞换能器的辐射阻抗,并给出较准确的数学表达,选择了一系列初等函数以及它们的复合函数进行曲线拟合,最终给出了辐射阻和辐射抗关于ka的函数表达式,在ka值从0.08到20范围内与有限元计算结果很好吻合。     

Fast fat-suppressed reduced field-of-view temperature mapping using 2DRF excitation pulses

The purpose of this study is to develop a fast and accurate temperature mapping method capable of both fat suppression and reduced field-of-view (rFOV) imaging, using a two-dimensional spatially-selective RF (2DRF) pulse. Temperature measurement errors caused by fat signals were assessed, through simulations. An 11×1140μs echo-planar 2DRF pulse was developed and incorporated into a gradient-echo sequence. Temperature measurements were obtained during focused ultrasound (FUS) heating of a fat-water phantom. Experiments both with and without the use of a 2DRF pulse were performed at 3T, and the accuracy of the resulting temperature measurements were compared over a range of TE values. Significant inconsistencies in terms of measured temperature values were observed when using a regular slice-selective RF excitation pulse. In contrast, the proposed 2DRF excitation pulse suppressed fat signals by more than 90%, allowing good temperature consistency regardless of TE settings. Temporal resolution was also improved, from 12 frames per minute (fpm) with the regular pulse to 28 frames per minute with the rFOV excitation. This technique appears promising toward the MR monitoring of temperature in moving adipose organs, during thermal therapies.