scholarly journals Functional Characterization of Olfactory Proteins Involved in Chemoreception of Galeruca daurica

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ling Li ◽  
Wen-Bing Zhang ◽  
Yan-Min Shan ◽  
Zhuo-Ran Zhang ◽  
Bao-Ping Pang
Keyword(s):  
Host Plants ◽  
Expression System ◽  
Functional Characterization ◽  
Northern China ◽  
Host Volatiles ◽  
Binding Assays ◽  
Prokaryotic Expression System ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Fluorescence Binding Assay

Odorant-binding proteins (OBPs) and chemosensory proteins (CSPs) play a fundamental role in insect olfaction. Galeruca daurica (Joannis) is a new pest with outbreak status in the Inner Mongolia grasslands, northern China. In this study, six olfactory protein genes (GdauOBP1, GdauOBP6, GdauOBP10, GdauOBP15, GdauCSP4, and GdauCSP5) were cloned by RACE and expressed by constructing a prokaryotic expression system. Their binding affinities to 13 compounds from host volatiles (Allium mongolicum) were determined by fluorescence-binding assay. In order to further explore the olfactory functions of GdauOBP15 and GdauCSP5, RNA interference (RNAi) and electroantennogram (EAG) experiments were conducted. Ligand-binding assays showed that the binding properties of the six recombinant proteins to the tested volatiles were different. GdauOBP6, GdauOBP15, GdauCSP4, and GdauCSP5 could bind several tested ligands of host plants. It was suspected that GdauOBP6, GdauOBP15, GdauCSP4, and GdauCSP5 were related to the host location in G. daurica. We also found that there were different EAG responses between males and females when the GdauOBP15 and GdauCSP5 genes were silenced by RNAi. The EAG response of G. daurica females to 2-hexenal was significantly decreased in dsRNA-OBP15-injected treatment compared to the control, and the dsRNA-CSP5-treated females significantly reduced EAG response to eight tested host volatiles (1,3-dithiane, 2-hexenal, methyl benzoate, dimethyl trisulfide, myrcene, hexanal, 1,3,5-cycloheptatriene, and p-xylene). However, the EAG response had no significant difference in males. Both GdauOBP15 and GdauCSP5 may have different functions between males and females in G. daurica and may play more important roles in females searching for host plants.

scholarly journals In Vivo Bioassay of Recombinant Human Growth Hormone Synthesized inB. moriPupae

2010 ◽  
Vol 2010 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hanglian Lan ◽  
Zuoming Nie ◽  
Yue Liu ◽  
Zhengbing Lv ◽  
Yingshuo Liu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Growth Hormone ◽  
Human Growth Hormone ◽  
Recombinant Human Growth Hormone ◽  
Expression System ◽  
Human Growth ◽  
The Body ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Prokaryotic Expression System ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Baculovirus System

The human growth hormone (hGH) has been expressed in prokaryotic expression system with low bioactivity previously. Then the effectiveB. moribaculovirus system was employed to express hGH identical to mature hGH successfully in larvae, but the expression level was still limited. In this work, the hGH was expressed inB. moripupae by baculovirus system. Quantification of recombinant hGH protein (BmrhGH) showed that the expression of BmrhGH reached the level of approximately 890 μg/mL pupae supernatant solution, which was five times more than the level using larvae. Furthermore, Animals were gavaged with BmrhGH at the dose of 4.5 mg/rat.day, and the body weight gain (BWG) of treated group had a significant difference (P<.01) compared with the control group. The other two parameters of liver weight and epiphyseal width were also found to be different between the two groups (P<.05). The results suggested that BmrhGH might be used as a protein drug by oral administration.

scholarly journals Sulphonation of dehydroepiandrosterone and neurosteroids: molecular cloning, expression, and functional characterization of a novel zebrafish SULT2 cytosolic sulphotransferase

2003 ◽  
Vol 375 (3) ◽  
pp. 785-791 ◽  
Author(s):  
Takuya SUGAHARA ◽  
Yuh-Shyong YANG ◽  
Chau-Ching LIU ◽  
T. Govind PAI ◽  
Ming-Cheh LIU
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Cloning ◽  
Expressed Sequence Tag ◽  
Expression System ◽  
Functional Characterization ◽  
Amino Acid Identity ◽  
Cdna Clones ◽  
Reverse Transcription Pcr ◽  
Prokaryotic Expression System ◽  
Partial Cdna

By searching the zebrafish EST (expressed-sequence tag) database, we have identified two partial cDNA clones encoding the 5′ and 3′ regions of a putative zebrafish sulphotransferase (ST). Using the reverse transcription-PCR technique, a full-length cDNA encoding this zebrafish ST was successfully cloned. Sequence analysis revealed that this novel zebrafish ST displays 44%, 43% and 40% amino acid identity with mouse SULT2B1, human SULT2B1b and human SULT2A1 ST respectively. This zebrafish ST therefore appears to belong to the SULT2 cytosolic ST gene family. Recombinant zebrafish ST, expressed using the pGEX-2TK prokaryotic expression system and purified from transformed Escherichia coli cells, migrated as a 34 kDa protein upon SDS/PAGE. Purified zebrafish ST displayed a strong sulphonating activity toward DHEA (dehydroepiandrosterone), with a optimum pH of 9.5. The enzyme also exhibited activities toward several neurosteroids with differential Km and Vmax values. A thermostability experiment revealed the enzyme to be relatively stable over a temperature range between 20 °C and 43 °C. Among ten different divalent metal cations tested, Fe2+ and Cd2+ exhibited small, but significant, stimulatory effects, whereas Hg2+ and Cu2+ displayed considerably stronger inhibitory effects on the DHEA-sulphonating activity of the enzyme. These results constitute the first study on the molecular cloning, expression, and characterization of a zebrafish cytosolic SULT2 ST.

MICROSCOPIC AND MOLECULAR DIAGNOSIS OF Ascaridia spp. IN DOMESTIC PIGEONS(Columba livia domestica) IN BAGHDAD CITY,IRAQ

2020 ◽  
Vol 51 (4) ◽  
pp. 1220-1225
Author(s):  
Faraj & Al- Amery
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Diagnosis ◽  
Columba Livia ◽  
Ascaridia Galli ◽  
Molecular Assay ◽  
Infection Rates ◽  
Conventional Pcr ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Pcr Products ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Domestic Pigeons

Ascaridiosis is a very important parasitic disease of birds, it is caused by Ascaridia. This study was conducted to identify the Ascaridia species by microscopic and molecular assay in Baghdad city. One hundred and sixty fecal samples were collected from domestic pigeons during the period from 1/1/ 2019 to 31/3/ 2019.  Results showed that the rate of infection for Ascaridia spp. 15.62% by microscopic examination.  Significant difference was observed in infection rates between males and females pigeons. Fifty samples randomly selected and subjected to molecular diagnosis of Ascaridia  spp.. Molecular examination results, the total infection rate showed 16%(8/50). The eight  positive PCR products were sequenced and deposited in Gene bank data base, phylogenic analysis demonstrated that 4 sequences belongs to Ascaridia galli ( MK918635.1, MK918636.1, MK918847.1, MK919081.1), while 2 (MK919199.1, MK919200.1) belong to  Ascaridia nymphii and 2 (MK919207.1, MK919264.1)  belong to Ascaridia numidae. It is the first study in Iraq to diagnosis of  Ascaridia nymphii and Ascaridia numidae  in domesticed pigeons by using conventional PCR.

scholarly journals Harnessing a Transient Gene Expression System in Nicotiana benthamiana to Explore Plant Agrochemical Transporters

Plants ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 524
Author(s):  
Bingqi Wu ◽  
Zhiting Chen ◽  
Xiaohui Xu ◽  
Ronghua Chen ◽  
Siwei Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Gene Expression ◽  
Transient Expression ◽  
Nicotiana Benthamiana ◽  
Heterologous Gene Expression ◽  
Expression System ◽  
Functional Characterization ◽  
Transient Gene Expression ◽  
High Mobility ◽  
Gene Expression System

Functional characterization of plant agrichemical transporters provided an opportunity to discover molecules that have a high mobility in plants and have the potential to increase the amount of pesticides reaching damage sites. Agrobacterium-mediated transient expression in tobacco is simple and fast, and its protein expression efficiency is high; this system is generally used to mediate heterologous gene expression. In this article, transient expression of tobacco nicotine uptake permease (NtNUP1) and rice polyamine uptake transporter 1 (OsPUT1) in Nicotiana benthamiana was performed to investigate whether this system is useful as a platform for studying the interactions between plant transporters and pesticides. The results showed that NtNUP1 increases nicotine uptake in N. benthamiana foliar discs and protoplasts, indicating that this transient gene expression system is feasible for studying gene function. Moreover, yeast expression of OsPUT1 apparently increases methomyl uptake. Overall, this method of constructing a transient gene expression system is useful for improving the efficiency of analyzing the functions of plant heterologous transporter-encoding genes and revealed that this system can be further used to study the functions of transporters and pesticides, especially their interactions.

scholarly journals Assessment of new-onset depression and anxiety associated with COVID-19

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Eman Hurissi ◽  
Ethar Abu-jabir ◽  
Amnah Mohammed ◽  
Mashael Mahnashi ◽  
Sana Alharbi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Epidemiological Studies ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Final Sample ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Patient Health ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Arabian Population ◽  
New Onset

Abstract Background Psychological disorders are common among individuals who experienced COVID-19. Previous studies have shown that females report higher depression and anxiety than males. The present study aims to test the differences in depression and anxiety between males and females who have experienced COVID-19. This a descriptive, observational, comparative study, among Saudi Arabian population. A total of 686 participants have been recruited. Participants completed an online questionnaire that contains questions about sociodemographic, COVID-19, Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) questionnaire, and Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) to measure anxiety and depression, respectively. Results Twenty-six percent of the participants were excluded and our final sample consisted of 507 participants (median age 23; 65% females). Of the final sample, 23% (118) have been previously diagnosed with COVID-19. There is no significant difference in GAD-7 and PHQ-9 scores between COVID-19- positive and COVID-19-negative populations. However, females who have experienced COVID-19 reported significantly higher GAD-7 and PHQ-9 scores compared to males. Conclusion The results of our study show that females are significantly at a higher risk for depression and anxiety as a result of COVID-19 infection compared to males. Further epidemiological studies are required for a better understanding of this correlation.

scholarly journals Inter-Limb Jump Asymmetries and Their Association with Sport-Specific Performance in Young Male and Female Swimmers

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (14) ◽  
pp. 7324
Author(s):  
Max I. Phukan ◽  
Rohit K. Thapa ◽  
Gopal Kumar ◽  
Chris Bishop ◽  
Helmi Chaabene ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
National Level ◽  
Young Male ◽  
Front Crawl ◽  
Male And Female ◽  
Standing Long Jump ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Specific Performance ◽  
Long Jump ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Level Of Agreement

This study aimed to examine inter-limb jump asymmetries and their association with sport-specific performance in young swimmers. Thirty-eight (male, n = 19; female, n = 19) regional/national level young swimmers (age: 12.3 ± 1.2 years; height: 159.6 ± 8.2 cm; body mass: 52.5 ± 9.2 kg) participated in this study. Inter-limb asymmetries were assessed for single-leg countermovement jump (SLCMJ) and single-leg standing long jump (SLSLJ). Sport-specific performance was evaluated using front crawl (i.e., 50 m and 25 m) and front crawl kick (i.e., 50 m and 25 m). The kappa coefficient revealed a “slight” level of agreement (Κ = 0.156, 0.184, and 0.197 for female, male, and all, respectively) between the direction of asymmetry for SLCMJ and SLSLJ, indicating that asymmetries rarely favored the same limb during both tests. A paired sample t-test showed a significant difference (p = 0.025) between asymmetry scores obtained in SLCMJ and SLSLJ. No significant difference was found in asymmetry scores between males and females (p = 0.099 to 0.977). Additionally, no association between asymmetry scores and sport-specific performance was observed (p > 0.05). Our findings highlight the independent nature of inter-limb asymmetries derived from SLCMJ and SLSLJ among young male and female swimmers. Further, our results suggest no association between jumping asymmetries and sport-specific performance.

Smartphone-induced Behaviour: Utilisation, Benefits, Nomophobic Behaviour and Perceived Risks

2021 ◽  
pp. 097325862097951
Author(s):  
Kshitiz Sharma ◽  
T. Sarathamani ◽  
Sunil Kumar Bhougal ◽  
Hemant Kumar Singh
Keyword(s):  
Social Anxiety ◽  
Social Relationships ◽  
Private University ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Perceived Risks ◽  
Factors Influencing ◽  
Use Of Technology ◽  
Financial Benefits ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Males And Females

Smartphone has become an essential part of human lives. People tend to treat it as another part of their body. Besides communication purposes, it is used for searching information, monetary transactions, shopping, social networking, entertainment, etc. This study aims at analysing the factors influencing smartphone usage and behavioural changes among college students under four constructs: utilisation, benefits, nomophobic behaviour and perceived risks (UBNR). An instrument was created with factors concerning the research and administered in a top-ranked private university of Bangalore, India. The research was carried out with a total of 122 responses. The results show that there is no significant difference in the attitude of males and females in most of the factors except social anxiety. Females experience more social anxiety and use smartphone more for maintaining their social relationships. There is no significant difference between the age group of students in all the four constructs. Utilisation is positively related with psychological, social, functional and financial benefits and shows that the greater the usage of smartphone, the greater are the benefits. On the other hand, the study reveals that increased usage of smartphone leads to addiction, causes nomophobia and poses threat of perceived risks. A mediation strategy like educating the students for proper use of technology is necessary to overcome the risk of addiction and developing nomophobia.

Blood Profile and Selected Organ Histopathology of Balami Sheep Fed Shea Cake (Vitellaria paradoxa) Meal

2021 ◽  
pp. 46-56
Author(s):  
D. O. Okunlola ◽  
M. D. Shittu ◽  
O. O. Olatunji ◽  
A. J. Amuda ◽  
B. O. Olateju ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Blood Cell ◽  
Control Diet ◽  
Average Weight ◽  
Blood Profile ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Randomized Experimental Design ◽  
Inclusion Level ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Dietary Treatments ◽  
Representative Samples

The blood profile and histology of selected tissues (kidney, lungs, intestine, and epididymis) of Balami Sheep fed Shea Cake meal supplement was investigated. A total of thirty-two (32) sheep of the average weight range of 11.75-14.75kg comprising an equal number (16) of males and females were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments in a completely randomized experimental design with eight sheep per treatment for twelve weeks duration. Treatment 1 (T1) was a control diet and had zero inclusion level of Shea cake meal (SCM), while treatments 2,3, and 4 had 10%,15%, and 20%  inclusion of SCM, respectively. At the twelfth week of the experiment, two blood samples of 5ml each were taken from each animal from the jugular vein. The first set was preserved in Ethylene Diamine Tetra Acetic Acid (EDTA) bottle for haematological parameters, while the second samples were preserved without EDTA for serum examination. Representative samples of tissues were randomly selected and slaughtered for gross microscopic examination. There was a significant difference (P<0.05) at various levels of inclusion for parameters investigated. The white blood cell (WBC), Red blood cell (RBC), and Packed cell volume (PCV) recorded the highest values at T3 (15% inclusion level) (13.42 x109/L), 2.92x1012/L, 3.75%, respectively). The serum parameters were significantly(p <0.05)different among the treatments. Total protein ranges from 54.78(mg/dl) (T1) - 60.51(mg/dl) (T2), Cholesterol70.15(mg/dl) (T1) - 78.00(mg/dl) (T4). Iron ranges from 58.15(ug/dl) (T1) - 62.88(ug/dl) (T3).The histopathology of tissues (kidney, lungs, intestine, and epididymis) showed no alteration across the treatments (P= .05) in the gross microscopic examinations. No lesion was observed in the lungs, kidney, epididymis, and intestine. The results showed that shea cake meal posed no health risk to Balami sheep and as such recommended as a good supplement in the diets of the sheep.

Age-Dependent Three-Dimensional Evaluation of the Spheno-Occipital Synchondrosis Using Computed Tomography

2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Arezoo Jahanbin ◽  
Shirin Dokht Shirazi ◽  
Elaheh Kamyabnezhad ◽  
Neda Eslami ◽  
Seyed Hosein Hoseini Zarch
Keyword(s):  
Developmental Stage ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Old Patients ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Growth Center ◽  
Different Populations ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Ossification Process ◽  
Age And Sex

Background: The spheno‐occipital synchondrosis (SOS) is an important growth center which plays an important role in cranial base development and can define the final relation of SOS with the upper and lower jaws. The morphology and fusion degree of SOS varies in different ages among different populations. Objectives: Thus, the aim of this study was to evaluate the age and sex dependence of ossification of the spheno-occipital synchondrosis in the Iranian population using CBCT. Methods: This cross-sectional retrospective study was performed on 517 CBCT images of 6- to 18-year-old patients in Mashhad, Iran. Patients with obvious pathology or fractures were excluded from the study. The SOS ossification was classified into four stages from 0 to 3. Two independent observers scored the images. The ossification stage of the SOS was classified according to the age and sex of the patients. Kruskal-Wallis and Kendall’s tau-b used for statistical analysis. Results: In this study, 517 samples of 260 females (50.3%) and 257 males (49.7%) with a mean age of 12.03 ± 3.74 years were examined. A significant difference did not exist between males and females regarding their stage of SOS ossification, although males were younger at the SOS transitional stages of 0 to 1, and 1 to 2 compared to females. Also, the SOS starts the ossification process at the age of 11 in females and 10.8 in males. Conclusions: The present study showed in the mean age of 16.81 ± 1.12 years, most subjects were in developmental stage 3. Due to the fact that in developmental stage 3 SOS closes, there were no passive maxillary growth after this time. In none of the SOS stages, females and males differed significantly in mean age (P > 0.05). The age of the onset of SOS closure in females was 11 years and in males it was about 10.8 years.

scholarly journals Asymptomatic infection in family contacts of patients with human visceral leishmaniasis in Três Lagoas, Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil

2008 ◽  
Vol 24 (12) ◽  
pp. 2827-2833 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana Lúcia Lyrio de Oliveira ◽  
Anamaria Mello Miranda Paniago ◽  
Marcos Antônio Sanches ◽  
Maria Elizabeth Cavalheiros Dorval ◽  
Elisa Teruya Oshiro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Visceral Leishmaniasis ◽  
Family Income ◽  
Asymptomatic Infection ◽  
Family Characteristics ◽  
Mato Grosso ◽  
Phlebotomine Sand Flies ◽  
Symptomatic Disease ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Males And Females ◽  
Mato Grosso Do Sul

The Brazilian city of Três Lagoas, Mato Grosso do Sul State, has experienced an urban outbreak of visceral leishmaniasis since 2000. In 2002, due to the increase in the number of cases, 46 families with cases of visceral leishmaniasis were studied to verify the prevalence of asymptomatic infection in household contacts. Indirect immunofluorescence and ELISA showed a 36.4% positive infection rate. There were no cases of symptomatic disease among these contacts. There was no statistically significant difference in gender or age. Median age was 21 years, and the 10-19-year age bracket was the most heavily affected (23%). As for family characteristics, no differences were observed in schooling or family income; most families (58.7%) owned their homes, which were built of masonry (97.8%) and had adequate infrastructure. All the families reported what were probably phlebotomine sand flies in the peridomicile. In conclusion, asymptomatic visceral leishmaniasis infection is frequent and occurs in both males and females, regardless of age.

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