Solution NMR views of dynamical ordering of biomacromolecules

Background

To understand the mechanisms related to the ‘dynamical ordering’ of macromolecules and biological systems, it is crucial to monitor, in detail, molecular interactions and their dynamics across multiple timescales. Solution nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is an ideal tool that can investigate biophysical events at the atomic level, in near-physiological buffer solutions, or even inside cells.

Enhanced production of anti-PD1 antibody in CHO cells through transient co-transfection with anti-apoptotic genes Bcl-x L and Mcl-1

Bioprocess and Biosystems Engineering - Apoptosis has a negative impact on the cell survival state during cell cultivation. To optimize mammalian cell culture for production of biopharmaceuticals,...     

Investigating factors associated with success of breastfeeding in first-time mothers undergoing epidural analgesia: a prospective cohort study

Background

We investigated the possible risk factors that could influence the likelihood of breastfeeding at 5 to 9 weeks postpartum with our primary aim being to analyse the associations between psychological vulnerabilities, such as peripartum depression and anxiety, and continued breastfeeding. Our secondary aim was to investigate other non-psychological factors’ influence on continued breastfeeding.

Methods

A prospective cohort study was conducted in KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital in Singapore. Healthy nulliparous parturients at ≥36 weeks gestation with a singleton fetus who received epidural analgesia were recruited. Demographic and anaesthetic data were obtained. Self-reported psychological and pain determinants such as anxiety (State-Trait Anxiety Inventory), depression (Edinburgh Postnatal Depression Scale), stress (Perceived Stress Scale), pain susceptibility (Pain Catastrophizing Scale) and pain perception (McGill Pain Questionnaire) were also recorded at baseline. A phone interview was then performed at 5 to 9 weeks postpartum to obtain information on breastfeeding status.

Results

329 participants were included into this study, of which 263 (79.9%) of them were still breastfeeding at 5 weeks postpartum. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that a higher State-Trait Anxiety Inventory score (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR] 0.97; 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 0.94, 1.00) at baseline, higher intrapartum blood loss (AOR 0.76; 95% CI 0.61, 0.93), and occurrence of fetal anomalies (AOR 0.15; 95% CI 0.03, 0.72) were associated with reduced likelihood of breastfeeding at 5 to 9 weeks postpartum. Indians (AOR 0.56; 95% CI 0.20, 1.53), Malays (AOR 0.30; 95% CI 0.14, 0.62) and other ethnicities (AOR 0.36; 95% CI 0.16, 0.83) were less likely to continue breastfeeding compared to Chinese participants. On the other hand, receiving any support services on breastfeeding during the participants’ hospital stay was 3.3 times more likely (AOR 3.30; 95% CI 1.21, 9.02) to increase the likelihood of breastfeeding at 5 to 9 weeks postpartum.

Conclusion

We identified 5 independent association factors that could have significant influences on breastfeeding at 5 to 9 weeks postpartum. Healthcare providers could utilize this risk stratification to identify parturients likely to have poorer breastfeeding outcomes and undertake interventions that may help safeguard optimization of breastfeeding outcomes and parturient care.

Trial registration

Clinicaltrials.gov NCT02278601. Registered 26 October 2014.

     

iTRAQ Protein Profiling of Adventitious Root Formation in Mulberry Hardwood Cuttings

The ability to form mature adventitious roots (AR) provides a competitive advantage for clonal multiplication of elite genotypic plant species, because high economic losses occur as a result of insufficient rooting. To better understand potential mechanisms involved in AR formation, we utilized an iTRAQ-based proteomic approach on mulberry hardwood cuttings. A total of 4427 proteins were identified from the base of cuttings, of which 595 and 231 proteins showed differential accumulations in the two periods of rooting, respectively. Three differentially expressed enzyme proteins were validated by an enzyme assay and qPCR. Functional annotation analysis showed that dysregulated proteins were involved in glucose metabolism, flavonoids biosynthesis, cell wall modification, and hormone regulation, indicating potential contributions to adventitious rooting. These results provide fundamental and important information for research on the molecular mechanism of AR development in mulberry cuttings and facilitate rooting efficiency in agricultural practice.     

Serine phosphorylation-dependent coregulation of topoisomerase I by the p14ARF tumor suppressor

p14ARF (ARF) and topoisomerase I play central roles in cancer and have recently been shown to interact. The interaction activates topoisomerase I, an important target for camptothecin-like chemotherapeutic drugs, but the regulation of the interaction is poorly understood. We have used the H358 and H23 lung cancer cell lines and purified recombinant human topoisomerase I to demonstrate that the ARF/topoisomerase I interaction is regulated by topoisomerase I serine phosphorylation, a modification that regulates topoisomerase I activity. Both cell lines express wild-type ARF and topoisomerase I proteins at equivalent levels, but H23 topoisomerase I, unlike that of H358 cells, is largely devoid of serine phosphorylation, has low activity, and complexes poorly with ARF. The ability of H23 topoisomerase I to complex with ARF can be restored by treatment with the serine kinase, casein kinase II. Consistent with these observations, we show that the response of H23 cells to camptothecin treatment is unaffected by changes in intracellular levels of ARF. However, in H358 and PC-3 cells, which express a serine phosphorylated topoisomerase I that complexes with ARF, ectopic overexpression of ARF causes sensitization to camptothecin, and siRNA-mediated down-regulation of endogenous ARF causes desensitization to camptothecin. These biological responses correlate with increased and decreased levels, respectively, of ARF/topoisomerase I complex and DNA-bound topoisomerase I. Thus, ARF is a serine phosphorylation-dependent coregulator of topoisomerase I in vivo, and it regulates cellular sensitivity to camptothecin by interacting with topoisomerase I. Certain cancer associated defects affecting ARF/topoisomerase I complex formation could contribute to cellular resistance to camptothecin.     

Activation of MAPK by potassium bisperoxo(1,10-phenanthroline)oxovanadate (V).

Potassium bisperoxo(1,10-phenantroline)oxovanadate (V) [bpV(phen)] is a potent protein tyrocine phosphatase inhibitor which mediates a variety of biological effects. The aim of these studies was to examine the role(s) of mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways in PC12 cell proliferation and toxicity by bpV(phen). BpV(phen) exerts a bimodal effect in PC12 cells: proliferation at low and cell death at higher micromolar concentrations. Activation of MAPK by bpV(phen) depends on time and concentration. The phosphorylation pattern of extracellular regulated kinases (ERK 1/2), c-jun N-terminal activated kinases (JNK) and p38 in PC12 cells is strikingly different. Activation of JNK is sustained in PC12 cells. In contrast, ERK 1/2 activation is transient and treatment with PD98059 indicates that ERK activation by bpV(phen) is partly independent from the ras-MEK pathway. Stability studies of bpV(phen) in DMEM and PBS showed linear relationship with T1/2 about 6 h and 10 days in DMEM and PBS, respectively. Comparison between the time courses of MAPK activation and kinetics of bpV(phen) decomposition as assessed by 51V-NMR analysis show that the initial and maximal phosphorylation signals are produced in the presence of the complex bpV(phen) and not caused by the decomposition products of bpV(phen).     

Studies on the Biomass of Robinia pseudoaeacia Plantation

The average height of 31-aged Robinia pseudoacacia plantation in west mountain of Beijing is 7 in and the mean breastheight diameter of tree is 8.3 cm. The number of tree per hectare appears 1750. The canopy coverage of plantation shows 0.5. Using tile diameter square at tree breast height times tree height (D2H), as an independing variable, to estimate the dry weight of various parts of trees, between them the significient correlations occur. According to the modle of Wstem=58.88(D2H)0.88 (WBranch)=e7.77+0.001(D2H) (Wleaf)=e5.71+0.0008(D2H) (Wroot)＝e7.67+0.0009(D2H) 28.45 t/ha of the stem biomass, 11.6 t/ha of the branch biomass. 0.97 t/ha of the leaf biomass, 7.6 t/ha of the root biomass are estimated in arbor layer. The aboveground and belowground biomass of shrub and herb layers axe 13.71 t/ha and 10.72 t/ha respectively in September, the biomass of shrub and herb layer is 24.43 t/ha. 73.05 t/ha of the total biomass in Robinia pseudoacacia plantation is obtained.     

迁人江淮稻区褐稻虱生物型跟踪监测及分析

该文对近年来褐稻虱迁入虫源的性质进行了探讨,结果表明迁入的虫源在鉴别品种Mudgo上的致害力,生存率、取食量和原始的种群生物型I没有明显的差别;两者在酯酶同工酶谱带数目和RF值也没有差异。迁入的虫源在田间抗性品种上明显表现虫量少。因此,迁入江淮稻区虫源仍是种群生物型I。人工在Mudgo上诱导产生的生物型1再回到感性品种上连续饲养8代,其对Mudgo的致害性降为1.O级,表明了褐稻虱生物型的不稳定性。