scholarly journals Improved soluble expression and use of recombinant human renalase

PLoS ONE ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (11) ◽  
pp. e0242109
Author(s):  
Clifford S. Morrison ◽  
Elena E. Paskaleva ◽  
Marvin A. Rios ◽  
Thomas R. Beusse ◽  
Elaina M. Blair ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Solubility ◽  
Comparative Modeling ◽  
Downstream Processing ◽  
Cofactor Regeneration ◽  
The Past ◽  
Enhanced Solubility ◽  
Competitive Inhibitors ◽  
Artificial Photosynthetic ◽  
Significant Attention ◽  
Regeneration Systems

Electrochemical bioreactor systems have enjoyed significant attention in the past few decades, particularly because of their applications to biobatteries, artificial photosynthetic systems, and microbial electrosynthesis. A key opportunity with electrochemical bioreactors is the ability to employ cofactor regeneration strategies critical in oxidative and reductive enzymatic and cell-based biotransformations. Electrochemical cofactor regeneration presents several advantages over other current cofactor regeneration systems, such as chemoenzymatic multi-enzyme reactions, because there is no need for a sacrificial substrate and a recycling enzyme. Additionally, process monitoring is simpler and downstream processing is less costly. However, the direct electrochemical reduction of NAD(P)+ on a cathode may produce adventitious side products, including isomers of NAD(P)H that can act as potent competitive inhibitors to NAD(P)H-requiring enzymes such as dehydrogenases. To overcome this limitation, we examined how nature addresses the adventitious formation of isomers of NAD(P)H. Specifically, renalases are enzymes that catalyze the oxidation of 1,2- and 1,6-NAD(P)H to NAD(P)+, yielding an effective recycling of unproductive NAD(P)H isomers. We designed several mutants of recombinant human renalase isoform 1 (rhRen1), expressed them in E. coli BL21(DE3) to enhance protein solubility, and evaluated the activity profiles of the renalase variants against NAD(P)H isomers. The potential for rhRen1 to be employed in engineering applications was then assessed in view of the enzyme’s stability upon immobilization. Finally, comparative modeling was performed to assess the underlying reasons for the enhanced solubility and activity of the mutant enzymes.

Integrating Bioinformatics Strategies in Cancer Immunotherapy: Current and Future Perspectives

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (8) ◽  
pp. 687-698 ◽  
Author(s):  
Houda N. Washah ◽  
Elliasu Y. Salifu ◽  
Opeyemi Soremekun ◽  
Ahmed A. Elrashedy ◽  
Geraldene Munsamy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Immunotherapy ◽  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Cell Cancer ◽  
Full Potential ◽  
Future Perspectives ◽  
The Past ◽  
Bioinformatics Tools ◽  
Treatment Paradigm ◽  
Immunotherapy Of Cancer ◽  
Significant Attention

For the past few decades, the mechanisms of immune responses to cancer have been exploited extensively and significant attention has been given into utilizing the therapeutic potential of the immune system. Cancer immunotherapy has been established as a promising innovative treatment for many forms of cancer. Immunotherapy has gained its prominence through various strategies, including cancer vaccines, monoclonal antibodies (mAbs), adoptive T cell cancer therapy, and immune checkpoint therapy. However, the full potential of cancer immunotherapy is yet to be attained. Recent studies have identified the use of bioinformatics tools as a viable option to help transform the treatment paradigm of several tumors by providing a therapeutically efficient method of cataloging, predicting and selecting immunotherapeutic targets, which are known bottlenecks in the application of immunotherapy. Herein, we gave an insightful overview of the types of immunotherapy techniques used currently, their mechanisms of action, and discussed some bioinformatics tools and databases applied in the immunotherapy of cancer. This review also provides some future perspectives in the use of bioinformatics tools for immunotherapy.

More Than Cheating: Deception, IRB Shopping, and the Normative Legitimacy of IRBs

2012 ◽  
Vol 40 (4) ◽  
pp. 990-996 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ryan Spellecy ◽  
Thomas May
Keyword(s):  
Informed Consent ◽  
Multicenter Trial ◽  
Federal Regulations ◽  
Approval Process ◽  
Emergency Research ◽  
Moral Issues ◽  
The Past ◽  
Significant Attention

Deception, cheating, and loopholes within the IRB approval process have received significant attention in the past several years. Surveys of clinical researchers indicate common deception ranging from omitting information to outright lying, and controversy surrounding the FDA's decision not to ban “IRB shopping” (the practice of submitting protocols to multiple IRBs until one is found that will approve the protocol) has raised legitimate concerns about the integrity of the IRB process. One author has described a multicenter trial as being withdrawn from consideration at one institution when rejection was imminent, in order to avoid informing other IRBs reviewing the protocol of the study's rejection (a requirement under the federal regulations for emergency research with an exception from informed consent). This practice and IRB shopping seem at odds with the spirit, if not the “letter,” of the regulations. While at first blush these practices seem to cast aspersions on the integrity of clinical researchers, the moral issues raised go deeper than the ethics of cheating.

scholarly journals Fermentative Succinate Production: An Emerging Technology to Replace the Traditional Petrochemical Processes

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yujin Cao ◽  
Rubing Zhang ◽  
Chao Sun ◽  
Tao Cheng ◽  
Yuhua Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Production Cost ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Strain Improvement ◽  
Downstream Processing ◽  
Energy Resources ◽  
Petrochemical Process ◽  
Succinate Production ◽  
Fossil Energy ◽  
Renewable Biomass ◽  
The Past

Succinate is a valuable platform chemical for multiple applications. Confronted with the exhaustion of fossil energy resources, fermentative succinate production from renewable biomass to replace the traditional petrochemical process is receiving an increasing amount of attention. During the past few years, the succinate-producing process using microbial fermentation has been made commercially available by the joint efforts of researchers in different fields. In this review, recent attempts and experiences devoted to reduce the production cost of biobased succinate are summarized, including strain improvement, fermentation engineering, and downstream processing. The key limitations and challenges faced in current microbial production systems are also proposed.

scholarly journals Dual-Band Monopole Antenna for RFID Applications

2019 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 31 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naser Ojaroudi Parchin ◽  
Haleh Jahanbakhsh Basherlou ◽  
Raed Abd-Alhameed ◽  
James Noras
Keyword(s):  
Radio Frequency Identification ◽  
Monopole Antenna ◽  
Dual Band ◽  
Rfid Technology ◽  
Antenna Structure ◽  
The Past ◽  
Frequency Identification ◽  
Rfid Applications ◽  
Significant Attention ◽  
Good Agreement

Over the past decade, radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology has attracted significant attention and become very popular in different applications, such as identification, management, and monitoring. In this study, a dual-band microstrip-fed monopole antenna has been introduced for RFID applications. The antenna is designed to work at the frequency ranges of 2.2–2.6 GHz and 5.3–6.8 GHz, covering 2.4/5.8 GHz RFID operation bands. The antenna structure is like a modified F-shaped radiator. It is printed on an FR-4 dielectric with an overall size of 38 × 45 × 1.6 mm3. Fundamental characteristics of the antenna in terms of return loss, Smith Chart, phase, radiation pattern, and antenna gain are investigated and good results are obtained. Simulations have been carried out using computer simulation technology (CST) software. A prototype of the antenna was fabricated and its characteristics were measured. The measured results show good agreement with simulations. The structure of the antenna is planar, simple to design and fabricate, easy to integrate with RF circuit, and suitable for use in RFID systems.

Assessment of Deformation using the Focused Ion Beam Technique

2000 ◽  
Vol 6 (S2) ◽  
pp. 530-531
Author(s):  
M.G. Burke ◽  
P.T. Duda ◽  
G. Botton ◽  
M. W. Phaneuf
Keyword(s):  
Focused Ion Beam ◽  
Ion Beam ◽  
Site Specificity ◽  
Alloy 600 ◽  
The Past ◽  
Transmission Electron ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Potential Applications ◽  
Beam Technique ◽  
Significant Attention

Focused Ion Beam (FIB) micromachining techniques have gained significant attention over the past few years as a promising method for the preparation of a variety of metallic and nonmetallic materials for subsequent characterization using transmission electron microscopy (TEM) The advantage of the FIB in terms of site specificity and speed for the preparation of uniform electron transparent sections has opened a wide range of potential applications in materials characterization. The ability to image the sample in the FIB can also provide important microstructural data for materials analysis. In this study, both conventionally electropolished and FIB-ed specimens were prepared in order to characterize the microstructure of a commercially-produced tube of Alloy 600 (approximately Ni-15 Cr-10 Fe- 0.05 C). The electropolished samples were prepared using a solution of 20% HClO4 - 80% CH3OH at ∼-40°C. The FIB sections were obtained from a cross-section of the tube that had been mechanically thinned to ∼100 μm. The section was thinned in a Micrion 2500 FIB system with a Ga ion beam at 50 kV accelerating voltage.

scholarly journals Mindfulness Correlates with Stress and Coping in University Students

2017 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 121-134
Author(s):  
Carlin J Miller ◽  
Emily-Ann Di Pierdomenico ◽  
Marta Kadziolka
Keyword(s):  
University Students ◽  
Empirical Literature ◽  
Physiological Reactivity ◽  
Stressful Event ◽  
Coping Mechanism ◽  
Event Correlation ◽  
The Past ◽  
Poor Outcomes ◽  
And Coping ◽  
Significant Attention

Mindfulness has received significant attention in the empirical literature during the past decade, but few studies have focused on mindfulness in university students and how it may influence problematic behaviours. This study examined the relationships among mindfulness, coping, and physiological reactivity in a sample of university students. Participants completed questionnaires, and skin conductance measurements were collected during an interview where they recalled a personally stressful event. Correlation analyses tested relationships among these variables. There was a negative correlation between substance use and mindfulness. Specifically, those using substances as a coping mechanism were less likely to be mindful and displayed higher physiological reactivity. More mindful individuals were less likely to report misusing substances and were able to calm themselves more quickly than their counterparts following a stressful event. Thus, poor outcomes for distressed students may be reduced with mindfulness-based interventions.  

Melittin-encapsulating peptide hydrogels for enhanced delivery of impermeable anticancer peptides

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (16) ◽  
pp. 4559-4569
Author(s):  
Jue-Ping Feng ◽  
Ru Zhu ◽  
Fagang Jiang ◽  
Jie Xie ◽  
Chang Gao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Anticancer Peptides ◽  
The Past ◽  
Peptide Hydrogels ◽  
Significant Attention

Anticancer peptides (ACPs) have gained significant attention in the past few years.

Integration

2012 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 190-199 ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Case Studies ◽  
Subject Matter ◽  
Statistical Data ◽  
Cultural Groups ◽  
Cultural Backgrounds ◽  
Qualitative And Quantitative ◽  
The Past ◽  
Immigration And Settlement ◽  
Muslim Communities ◽  
Significant Attention

Are Western Muslims integrating? Can Western Muslims integrate? Over the past 20 years, significant attention has been invested in examinations stimulated by the extensive public commentary addressing such questions. This brief review aims to demystify the examination of Western Muslims’ integration in the interest of re-embedding this subject matter in the broader scholarship about immigration and settlement. Within this expanding field of study, Western Muslims can (and should) be examined at the community level, where specific ethno-cultural groups represent but case studies among hundreds of Western Muslim communities that differ in their immigration context, countries of origin, sects, and ethno-cultural backgrounds. Simultaneously, the collection of statistical data should be used to test hypotheses that are developed in studies of such communities. The dialogue between qualitative and quantitative approaches provides research openings to more rigorously push the state of knowledge in this area, and I describe some of these openings below.

scholarly journals MicroRNAs as Theranostics Targets in Oral Carcinoma Stem Cells

Cancers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 340 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pei-Ling Hsieh ◽  
Yi-Wen Liao ◽  
Martin Pichler ◽  
Cheng-Chia Yu
Keyword(s):  
Stem Cells ◽  
Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽  
Oral Cancer ◽  
Cancer Stemness ◽  
Aberrant Expression ◽  
The Past ◽  
Key Players ◽  
Non Coding Rnas ◽  
Theranostic Applications ◽  
Significant Attention

Oral cancer belongs to head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and has been recognized as one of the most prevalent malignancies worldwide. Recent studies have suggested that cancer stem cells (CSCs) may participate in tumor initiation, metastasis and even recurrence, so the regulation of CSCs has drawn significant attention over the past decade. Among various molecules that are associated with CSCs, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have been indicated as key players in the acquisition and maintenance of cancer stemness. In addition, accumulating studies have shown that the aberrant expression of these ncRNAs may serve as surrogate diagnostic markers or even therapeutic targets for cancer treatment. The current study reviews the previous work by us and others to summarize how these ncRNAs affect oral cancer stemness and their potential theranostic applications. A better understanding of the implication of these ncRNAs in oral tumorigenesis will facilitate the translation of basic ncRNA research into clinical application in the future.

scholarly journals Enhanced Solubility of Rapeseed Meal Protein Isolates Prepared by Sequential Isoelectric Precipitation

Foods ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 703
Author(s):  
Hristo Kalaydzhiev ◽  
Radoslav Georgiev ◽  
Petya Ivanova ◽  
Magdalena Stoyanova ◽  
Cristina L. M. Silva ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Protein Solubility ◽  
Rapeseed Meal ◽  
Protein Isolate ◽  
Protein Fractions ◽  
Isoelectric Precipitation ◽  
Protein Isolates ◽  
Sds Page ◽  
Enhanced Solubility ◽  
Meal Protein ◽  
Biochemical Analyses

The solubility of plant protein isolates is a key determinant of their potential application. Two protein isolates (PI) from ethanol-treated industrial rapeseed meal, PI10.5–2.5 and PI2.5–8.5, were prepared by sequential isoelectric precipitation of alkali-extracted proteins (pH 12) starting from pH 10.5 to 2.5 or from pH 2.5 to 8.5, respectively. Biochemical analyses revealed that PI2.5–8.5 contained a higher amount of crude protein (72.84%) than PI10.5–2.5 (68.67%). In the same protein isolate, the level of total phenols (0.71%) was almost two-fold higher than that in PI10.5–2.5 (0.42%). No glucosinolates were established in both protein isolates. SDS-PAGE analysis demonstrated that PI10.5–2.5 contained 10 to 15 kDa protein fractions in a relatively higher amount, while PI2.5–8.5 was enriched in 18 to 29 kDa protein fractions. PI10.5–2.5 exhibited high solubility, varying from 41.74% at pH 4.5 to 65.13% at pH 6.5, while PI2.5–8.5 was almost two-fold less soluble under the same conditions. Up to pH 5.5, the addition of NaCl at 0.03 and 0.25 M diminished the solubility of PI2.5–8.5, while the solubility of PI10.5–2.5 was increased. The supplementation of PI10.5–2.5 with 0.25 M NaCl enhanced the protein solubility to 56.11% at pH 4.5 and 94.26% at pH 6.5. The addition of 0.03 M NaCl also increased the solubility of this protein isolate but to a lower extent. Overall, the approach for sequential precipitation of proteins influenced the biochemical characteristics, protein fractional profile and solubility of prepared protein isolates.

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