Impacts of dynamic degradation on the morphological and mechanical characterisation of porous magnesium scaffold

Biomechanics and Modeling in Mechanobiology - This study employs a computational approach to analyse the impact of morphological changes on the structural properties of biodegradable porous Mg...     

Alpha,alpha-trehalose derivatives bearing guanidino groups as inhibitors to HIV-1 Tat-TAR RNA interaction in human cells

Replication of HIV-1 requires specific interactions of Tat protein with TAR RNA. Disruption of Tat-TAR RNA interaction could inhibit HIV-1 replication. Here four target compounds were designed and synthesized to bind to TAR RNA for blocking the interaction of Tat-TAR RNA. The core molecule 6,6'-diamino-6,6'-dideoxy-alpha,alpha-trehalose was obtained from selective bromination of, alpha,alpha-trehalose at C-6,6', followed by acetylation, azide displacement, deacetylation, and reduction. Coupling of the core molecule with the protected amino acid, then deprotection and guanidinylation generated the novel alpha,alpha-trehalose derivatives. Their abilities to inhibit Tat-TAR RNA interaction in human cells were determined by a Tat-dependent HIV-1 LTR-driven CAT assays.     

Broadening the versatility of lentiviral vectors as a tool in nucleic acid research via genetic code expansion

With the aim of broadening the versatility of lentiviral vectors as a tool in nucleic acid research, we expanded the genetic code in the propagation of lentiviral vectors for site-specific incorporation of chemical moieties with unique properties. Through systematic exploration of the structure–function relationship of lentiviral VSVg envelope by site-specific mutagenesis and incorporation of residues displaying azide- and diazirine-moieties, the modifiable sites on the vector surface were identified, with most at the PH domain that neither affects the expression of envelope protein nor propagation or infectivity of the progeny virus. Furthermore, via the incorporation of such chemical moieties, a variety of fluorescence probes, ligands, PEG and other functional molecules are conjugated, orthogonally and stoichiometrically, to the lentiviral vector. Using this methodology, a facile platform is established that is useful for tracking virus movement, targeting gene delivery and detecting virus–host interactions. This study may provide a new direction for rational design of lentiviral vectors, with significant impact on both basic research and therapeutic applications.     

Is Matang Mangrove Forest in Malaysia Sustainably Rejuvenating after More than a Century of Conservation and Harvesting Management?

Matang Mangrove Forest Reserve (MMFR) in Peninsular Malaysia is under systematic management since 1902 and still considered as the best managed mangrove forest in the world. The present study on silvimetrics assessed the ongoing MMFR forest management, which includes a first thinning after 15 years, a second thinning after 20 years and clear-felling of 30-year old forest blocks, for its efficiency and productivity in comparison to natural mangroves. The estimated tree structural parameters (e.g. density, frequency) from three different-aged mangrove blocks of fifteen (MF15), twenty (MF20), and thirty (MF30) years old indicated that Bruguiera and Excoecaria spp. did not constitute a significant proportion of the vegetation (<5%), and hence the results focused majorly on Rhizophora apiculata. The density of R. apiculata at MF15, MF20 and MF30 was 4,331, 2,753 and 1,767 stems ha⁻¹, respectively. In relation to ongoing practices of the artificial thinnings at MMFR, the present study suggests that the first thinning could be made earlier to limit the loss of exploitable wood due to natural thinning. In fact, the initial density at MF15 was expected to drop down from 6,726 to 1,858 trees ha⁻¹ before the first thinning. Therefore the trees likely to qualify for natural thinning, though having a smaller stem diameter, should be exploited for domestic/commercial purposes at an earlier stage. The clear-felling block (MF30) with a maximum stem diameter of 30 cm was estimated to yield 372 t ha⁻¹ of the above-ground biomass and suggests that the mangrove management based on a 30-year rotation is appropriate for the MMFR. Since Matang is the only iconic site that practicing sustainable wood production, it could be an exemplary to other mangrove locations for their improved management.     

水稻矮秆基因iga-1的序列变异和表达分析

该研究以水稻矮秆突变体cha-2为材料,对控制其表型性状的iga-1基因进行候选基因筛选,利用基因注释数据库对定位区间进行候选基因预测,通过ORF及其上下游调控区域的测序、序列比对及关键元件分析进行序列变异研究,半定量PCR检测目标基因的表达模式,明确其在基因序列、表达模式的变异,探讨其分子遗传调控机理。结果显示:(1)在隐性核基因iga-1精细定位基础上预测得到3个ORF,其中2个编码dnaJ分子伴侣(含有dnaJ结构域的蛋白),分别是LOC_Os05g26902和LOC_Os05g26926;另外1个为已克隆的水稻矮秆基因RGA1(LOC_Os05g26890)。(2)ORF序列分析表明矮秆突变体cha-2与野生型仅在RGA1基因座存在SNP变异,但未造成氨基酸编码的改变。(3)表达模式分析发现,矮秆突变体cha-2的RGA1基因在种子萌发期、二叶期、四叶期和分蘖期等4个发育时期均不表达,且在‘中花11’、‘石狩白茅’的遗传背景下稳定遗传,均显现出失活状态,初步确定RGA1为iga-1的候选基因。(4)对RGA1基因上游和下游调控转录关键区进行测序结果表明,突变体cha-2存在865bp的大片段缺失,包括第1外显子、部分第1内含子和转录起始上游区域。研究推断,突变体cha-2的矮秆基因iga-1正是没有活性的RGA1基因,其转录关键区域的大片段缺失,导致无法正常转录表达。     

产胞外多糖菌株的分离鉴定及其功能研究

微生物产生的胞外多糖(exopolysaccharides, EPS)可促进大粒径土壤团聚体形成,高产EPS的菌株在土壤改良、促进作物生长方面具有较好的应用前景。【目的】从土壤样品中筛选高产胞外多糖的细菌,研究其在土壤改良、环境适应性、广谱抗病等方面的功能,为制备土壤改良型功能菌剂提供候选菌株。【方法】采用蒽酮硫酸法测定菌株胞外多糖的产量,通过形态学观察、生理生化试验及16S rRNA基因序列测定确定其分类地位,结合土壤培养试验研究菌株对土壤团聚体形成的影响。【结果】获得3株胞外多糖产量大于500 mg/L的细菌,经鉴定A-5为地衣芽孢杆菌(Bacillus licheniformis),XJ-3为萎缩芽孢杆菌(Bacillus atrophaeus),KW3-10为耐盐芽孢杆菌(Bacillus halotolerans)。菌株A-5、XJ-3、KW3-10处理后,土壤大团聚体(>0.25 mm)含量较对照分别提高了4.07、2.14和3.16倍。3株菌株对疮痂链霉菌(Streptomyces scabies)、尖孢镰刀菌(Fusarium oxysporum)、茄链格孢菌(Alternaria solani)和立枯丝核菌(Rhizoctonia solani)等多种植物病原菌具有明显的抑制效果,可耐受pH为5-9和NaCl含量1%‒9%的盐碱环境,促进植物生长,其中KW3-10的代谢产物中IAA含量为25.58 mg/L。【结论】菌株A-5、XJ-3、KW3-10可显著促进土壤团粒结构形成,具有较好的广谱抗病性和促生长特性,可作为高效复合功能菌剂的候选菌株。     

Taxonomic status of Euphylliidae corals in Peninsular Malaysia based on morphological structures and phylogenetic analyses using mitochondrial COI gene

The morphological and molecular studies provide greater taxonomic resolution for the scleractinian coral identification. The Euphylliidae corals are among the scleractinian family for which their corallite and polyp morphologies have been examined for species identification. However, knowledge on the molecular study for coral identification in Malaysia is very limited. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the morphological structures and phylogenetic analyses for six Euphylliidae coral species using the mitochondrial gene of cytochrome oxidase subunit I (COI). The results showed that the Euphylliidae corals are present under both “complex” and “robust” coral clades as supported by many researchers. The result also revealed that the species phylogeny of Euphylliidae corals is in concordances with its morphological structures of corallites. It can be concluded the combination between morphological structures and phylogenetic analyses provide more accurate identification than relying on morphological study alone. Hence, it provides a future direction for the scleractinian research progress in species identification.     

Steel Rack Connections: Identification of Most Influential Factors and a Comparison of Stiffness Design Methods

Steel pallet rack (SPR) beam-to-column connections (BCCs) are largely responsible to avoid the sway failure of frames in the down-aisle direction. The overall geometry of beam end connectors commercially used in SPR BCCs is different and does not allow a generalized analytic approach for all types of beam end connectors; however, identifying the effects of the configuration, profile and sizes of the connection components could be the suitable approach for the practical design engineers in order to predict the generalized behavior of any SPR BCC. This paper describes the experimental behavior of SPR BCCs tested using a double cantilever test set-up. Eight sets of specimens were identified based on the variation in column thickness, beam depth and number of tabs in the beam end connector in order to investigate the most influential factors affecting the connection performance. Four tests were repeatedly performed for each set to bring uniformity to the results taking the total number of tests to thirty-two. The moment-rotation (M-θ) behavior, load-strain relationship, major failure modes and the influence of selected parameters on connection performance were investigated. A comparative study to calculate the connection stiffness was carried out using the initial stiffness method, the slope to half-ultimate moment method and the equal area method. In order to find out the more appropriate method, the mean stiffness of all the tested connections and the variance in values of mean stiffness according to all three methods were calculated. The calculation of connection stiffness by means of the initial stiffness method is considered to overestimate the values when compared to the other two methods. The equal area method provided more consistent values of stiffness and lowest variance in the data set as compared to the other two methods.     

DNA环介导恒温扩增技术快速检测霍乱弧菌

霍乱弧菌是一种重要的食源性致病菌,主要引起急性肠道传染病,其快速检测具有重要意义。根据霍乱弧菌的mdh管家基因序列,设计2对特异性检测引物,利用DNA环介导恒温扩增技术(Loop-mediated isothermal amplification,LAMP),经反应体系优化,成功建立了霍乱弧菌的LAMP快速检测方法。该方法最佳反应温度为65℃,60min完成检测,对培养菌的检测限为25CFU/mL,污染食品中霍乱弧菌的检测限为32CFU/g。对33株同种或近源细菌进行LAMP检测,仅霍乱弧菌得到阳性扩增。LAMP方法实践应用结果表明,对1057份虾、蟹、牡蛎、肉类、人腹泻物等样本进行检测,共检出85份阳性,与国际标准(ISO TS21872-1-2007)检测结果的符合率为100%。结果表明,本研究建立的霍乱弧菌LAMP检测方法特异性强、灵敏度高、操作简便,有利于霍乱弧菌疫情的监测。     

Behavior of Tilted Angle Shear Connectors

According to recent researches, angle shear connectors are appropriate to transfer longitudinal shear forces across the steel-concrete interface. Angle steel profile has been used in different positions as L-shaped or C-shaped shear connectors. The application of angle shear connectors in tilted positions is of interest in this study. This study investigates the behaviour of tilted-shaped angle shear connectors under monotonic loading using experimental push out tests. Eight push-out specimens are tested to investigate the effects of different angle parameters on the ultimate load capacity of connectors. Two different tilted angles of 112.5 and 135 degrees between the angle leg and steel beam are considered. In addition, angle sizes and lengths are varied. Two different failure modes were observed consisting of concrete crushing-splitting and connector fracture. By increasing the size of connector, the maximum load increased for most cases. In general, the 135 degrees tilted angle shear connectors have a higher strength and stiffness than the 112.5 degrees type.