Promoting Cell Growth And Poly-Y-Glutamic Acid Production By Boosting The Synthesis of Alanine And D-Alanyl-D-Alanine In Bacillus Licheniformis

Objective: The production of some bio-chemicals affected by the cell growth. This study aimed at promoting the cell growth by overexpressing the synthesis of peptidoglycans tetrapeptide tail components to improve poly-γ-glutamic acid (γ-PGA) production. Results: L-alanine, D-alanine and D-alanyl-D-alanine are primary precursors for the synthesis of peptidoglycans. The addition of L-alanine and D-alanine significantly increased both the cell growth and production of γ-PGA. Then, several genes encoding key enzymes for L/D-alanine and D-alanyl-D-alanine biosynthesis were overexpressed respectively, including ald (encoding alanine dehydrogenase), dal (encoding alanine racemase) and ddl (encoding D-alanine ligase). The results showed that the overexpression of genes ald , dal and ddl increased the production of γ-PGA by 19.72%, 15.91% and 60.90%, and increased the microbial biomass by 15.58%, 18.34% and 49.85%, respectively. Moreover, we demonstrated that the overexpression of genes ald , dal and ddl increased γ-PGA production mainly by enhancing cell growth rather than providing more precursors. Conclusions: This work illustrated the importance of the L/D-alanine and D-alanyl-D-alanine synthesis to the cell growth and the high yield of γ-PGA, and provided an effective strategy for producing γ-PGA .

Optimization of capture protocols across species targeting up to 32000 genes and their extension to pooled DNA

In-solution based capture is becoming a method of choice for sequencing targeted sequence. We assessed and optimized a capture protocol in 20 different species from 6 different plant genus using kits from 20,000 to 200,000 baits targeting from 300 to 32,000 genes. We evaluated both the effectiveness of the capture protocol and the fold enrichment in targeted sequences. We proposed a protocol with multiplexing up to 96 samples in a single hybridization and showed it was an efficient and cost-effective strategy. We also extended the use of capture to pools of 100 samples and proved the efficiency of the method to assess allele frequency. Using a set of various organisms with different genome sizes, we demonstrated a correlation between the percentage of on-target reads vs. the relative size of the targeted sequences. Altogether, we proposed methods, strategies, cost-efficient protocols and statistics to better evaluate and more effectively use hybridization capture.

NOX4 inhibition promotes the remodeling of dystrophic muscle

The muscular dystrophies (MDs) are genetic muscle diseases that result in progressive muscle degeneration followed by the fibrotic replacement of affected muscles as regenerative processes fail. Therapeutics that specifically address the fibrosis and failed regeneration associated with MDs represent a major unmet clinical need for MD patients, particularly those with advanced stage disease progression. The current study investigates targeting NAD(P)H oxidase (NOX) 4 as a potential strategy to reduce fibrosis and promote regeneration in disease-burdened muscle that models Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). NOX4 is elevated in the muscles of dystrophic mice and DMD patients, localizing primarily to interstitial cells located between muscle fibers. Genetic and pharmacological targeting of NOX4 significantly reduces fibrosis in dystrophic respiratory and limb muscles. Mechanistically, NOX4 targeting decreases the number of fibrosis-depositing cells (myofibroblasts) and restores the number of muscle-specific stem cells (satellite cells) to their physiological niche, thereby, rejuvenating muscle regeneration. Furthermore, acute inhibition of NOX4 is sufficient to induce apoptotic clearing of myofibroblasts within dystrophic muscle. These data indicate that targeting NOX4 is an effective strategy to promote the beneficial remodeling of disease-burdened muscle representative of DMD and, potentially, other MDs and muscle pathologies.

Photoredox-Catalyzed Giese Reactions: Decarboxylative Additions to Cyclic Vinylogous Amides and Esters

An effective strategy has been developed for the photoredox-catalyzed decarboxylative addition of cyclic amino acids to both vinylogous amides and esters leading to uniquely substituted heterocycles. The additions take place exclusively trans to the substituent present on the dihydropyridone ring affording stereochemical control about the new carbon-carbon bond. These reactions are operationally simplistic and afford the desired products in good to excellent isolated yields.

Developing an Effective Strategy for the Enforcement of the Constitutional Mandate of the Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions

The Senate Committee on Ethics, Code of Conduct and Public Petitions (ECCPP) is one of the committees of the Senate of Nigeria’s National Assembly. The Committee was one of the earliest Special committees established under Order XIII of the Senate Standing Orders 2015, as amended (SSO 2015). It is one of the committees through which the Senate conducts legislative investigations in fulfilment of its constitutional and statutory role under section 88 of the 1999 Constitution, as altered. The major challenge of the ECCPP Committee in the exercise of its investigation power is the refusal by some chief executives of government agencies and corporate organisations to honour its invitation. This study finds that among the reasons for this are the absence of ethical prescriptions in the SSO 2015 to guide the conduct of honourable members against unethical conduct that undermine their integrity, and absence of prescribed fine for failure to honour the Committee’s summons. To strengthen the enforcement capacity of the Committee, the study recommends, among others, that members of the Committee eschew unethical tendencies that undermine their integrity and conduct the business of the Committee in a manner that avoids conflicts of interest or its appearances.

Efecto de un programa de acondicionamiento físico supervisado virtualmente sobre la condición física y el estrés percibido en docentes universitarios durante el confinamiento por COVID-19

The objective of this study was to analyze the effect of a virtually supervised fitness program on physical fitness and perceived stress in university teachers during lockdown due to COVID-19. A total of 15 university teachers participated in a virtual fitness program based on new fitness trends (4-weeks / 2-days / week / 45-minutes / session) during COVID-19 lockdown. Perceived physical fitness using the International-Fitness-Scale (IFiS) and perceived stress using the Perceived-Stress-Questionnaire (PSQ-30) were evaluated pre and post intervention. The virtual fitness program significantly improved the perception of general physical fitness (p = 0.011) and muscle strength (p = 0.024), and generated a significant decrease in the perception of stress (p <0.001). A virtually supervised fitness program based on the “whole-body HIIT” fitness trend could be an effective strategy to ensure healthy levels of physical fitness and stress in university teachers during confinement situations. El objetivo de este estudio fue analizar el efecto de un programa de acondicionamiento físico supervisado virtualmente sobre la condición física y el estrés percibido en docentes universitarios durante la situación de confinamiento por COVID-19. Un total de 15 docentes universitarios participaron un programa de acondicionamiento físico virtual basado en nuevas tendencias fitness (4-semanas/2-días/semana/45-minutos/sesión) durante el confinamiento por COVID-19. La condición física percibida mediante la International-Fitness-Scale (IFiS) y el estrés percibido mediante el Perceived-Stress-Questionnaire (PSQ-30) fueron evaluados pre y post intervención. El programa de acondicionamiento físico virtual mejoró significativamente la percepción de la condición física general (p=0,011) y de la fuerza muscular (p=0,024), y generó una disminución significativa de la percepción de estrés (p<0.001). Un programa de acondicionamiento físico supervisado virtualmente basado en la tendencia fitness “HIIT whole-body” podría ser una estrategia eficaz para garantizar niveles saludables de condición física y estrés en docentes universitarios durante situaciones de confinamiento.

To Domesticate or to Foreignize: An Approach to Translating Fables and Fairy Tales

The present study deals with the strategies used in the Arabic translations of the most popular genres of children’s literature; namely fairy tales and fables as an attempt to identify the best methods and strategies to be adopted in translating these genres to fulfill the ultimate purpose of enriching the children’s knowledge in addition to attracting their interest and arousing the joy sought for in every piece of literature. The study sets off from three dominating trends: the first calls for the adoption of domestication strategy of translation as the most appropriate and effective strategy in translation for children. In the same line, the second opposes using the foreignization strategy, while the third trend advocates for the joint employment of various strategies to fulfill certain requirements and needs that would be called upon within the context such as didactic purposes. Throughout the process of examining and verifying the theses of these trends, samples of translations of the genres are chosen based on the most popular and well known fairy tales and fables either circulated in written form or televised as movies or cartoons; namely Hans Christian Andersen’s Fairy Tales and Aesop’s Fables. These samples are subjected to translation quality assessment to come out with a quality statement to highlight their merits and demerits. The receptors’ (children) impact is also sought via conducting a field study that has been designed for children of two age groups defined by specialized scholars as intended receptors of the genre

Destination's Image and Tourism Experiences

The development of world tourism and the increase in the number of tourism destinations has led to the development of competition. Therefore, to gain a competitive advantage, efforts to create a destination image have gained importance. It is necessary to create an image for the destinations and communicate this image clearly to the visitor. An accurate and effective strategy should be pursued in the creation of the destination image, and the impression and perception that will create behavioural intention should be given importance. It is very important to include tourism experiences because of the undeniable necessity of managing and marketing services and experience in tourism. Destination image consists of the sum of the information individuals have about a region, their experiences, and impressions. Therefore, effective and efficient use of tourism experiences is very important for a positive destination image.

Pressure-Induced Bandgap Engineering and Photoresponse Enhancing of Wurtzite CuInS2 Nanocrystals

Wurtzite CuInS2 exhibits great potential for optoelectronic applications because of its excellent optical properties and good stability. However, exploring effective strategy to simultaneously optimaze its optical and photoelectrical properties remains...