REACH and LCA—methodological approaches and challenges

Purpose  

This paper discusses issues associated with the research question: What are the similarities and differences between the REACH and life cycle assessment (LCA) approaches, and how can synergies between these two approaches be exploited to achieve environmental improvements in a holistic perspective?     

Intrathecal administration of autologous mesenchymal stromal cells for spinal cord injury: Safety and efficacy of the 100/3 guideline

Background aims

Cell therapy with autologous mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) is beginning, and the search for its better clinical application is an urgent need.

Chemical synthesis and evaluation of a backbone‐cyclized minimized 2‐helix Z‐domain

The Z‐molecule is a small, engineered IgG‐binding affinity protein derived from the immunoglobulin‐binding domain B of Staphylococcus aureus protein A. The Z‐domain consists of 58 amino acids forming a well‐defined antiparallel three‐helix structure. Two of the three helices are involved in ligand binding, whereas the third helix provides structural support to the three‐helix bundle. The small size and the stable three‐helix structure are two attractive properties comprised in the Z‐domain, but a further reduction in size of the protein is valuable for several reasons. Reduction in size facilitates synthetic production of any protein‐based molecule, which is beneficial from an economical viewpoint. In addition, a smaller protein is easier to manipulate through chemical modifications. By omitting the third stabilizing helix from the Z‐domain and joining the N‐ and C‐termini by a native peptide bond, the affinity protein obtains the advantageous properties of a smaller scaffold and in addition becomes resistant to exoproteases. We here demonstrate the synthesis and evaluation of a novel cyclic two‐helix Z‐domain. The molecule has retained affinity for its target protein, is resistant to heat treatment, and lacks both N‐ and C‐termini. Copyright © 2011 European Peptide Society and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Effects of cultural conditions on the production of phenylalanine from a plasmid-harboring E. coli strain

Summary Phenylalanine production from E. coli KA 197/pJN6 (plasmid harboring genes for aro F, phe A^FBR, Amp^R and Tc^R) was studied under varying nutritional conditions in batch and continuous cultures. In batch culture experiments where growth was deliberately interrupted by limiting concentrations of sulphate and phosphate the phenylalanine production continued from the non-growing cells. However, the depletion of phosphate resulted in an immediate cessation of phenylalanine production but thereafter a low specific rate of phenylalanine formation resumed, while the decrease in specific rate of product formation was less after sulphate depletion. In the chemostat experiments, however, phosphate limitation was the only case where the specific rate of phenylalanine formation remained constant, while at the corresponding time in sulphate and glucose limited chemostats it was declining respectively had ceased.     

Precise physical mapping of theEscherichia coli rnb gene, encoding ribonuclease II

Ribonuclease II (encoded byrnb) is one of the two main exonucleases involved in mRNA degradation inEscherichia coli. We report the precise physical mapping ofrnb to 29 min on the chromosomal map in the vicinity ofpyrF, and clarify the genetic and physical maps of thisE. coli chromosomal region. The results were confirmed by the construction of a strain partially deleted forrnb.     

Countrywide Survey for MERS-Coronavirus Antibodies in Dromedaries and Humans in Pakistan

Middle East Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) is a zoonotic pathogen capable of causing severe respiratory disease in humans. Although dromedary camels are considered as a major reservoir host, the MERS-CoV infection dynamics in camels are not fully understood. Through surveillance in Pakistan, nasal (n = 776) and serum (n = 1050)samples were collected from camels between November 2015 and February 2018. Samples were collected from animal markets, free-roaming herds and abattoirs. An in-house ELISA was developed to detect IgG against MERS-CoV. A total of 794 camels were found seropositive for MERS-CoV. Prevalence increased with the age and the highest seroprevalence was recorded in camels aged [ 10 years (81.37%) followed by those aged 3.1–10 years (78.65%) and B 3 years (58.19%).Higher prevalence was observed in female (78.13%) as compared to male (70.70%). Of the camel nasal swabs, 22 were found to be positive by RT-qPCR though with high Ct values. Moreover, 2,409 human serum samples were also collected from four provinces of Pakistan during 2016–2017. Among the sampled population, 840 humans were camel herders.Although we found a high rate of MERS-CoV antibody positive dromedaries (75.62%) in Pakistan, no neutralizing antibodies were detected in humans with and without contact to camels.