Expression and purification of recombinant G protein-coupled receptors: A review

Given their extensive role in cell signalling, GPCRs are significant drug targets; despite this, many of these receptors have limited or no available prophylaxis. Novel drug design and discovery significantly rely on structure determination, of which GPCRs are typically elusive. Progress has been made thus far to produce sufficient quantity and quality of protein for downstream analysis. As such, this review highlights the systems available for recombinant GPCR expression, with consideration of their advantages and disadvantages, as well as examples of receptors successfully expressed in these systems. Additionally, an overview is given on the use of detergents and the styrene maleic acid (SMA) co-polymer for membrane solubilisation, as well as purification techniques

Evaluation of the effects of accepting water treatment plant residual at a wastewater system using prolongated aeration activated-sludge process.

Nesta pesquisa o principal objetivo foi estudar a influência da disposição de lodo gerado em estação de tratamento de água (ETA), que utiliza sulfato de alumínio como coagulante, nos processos biológicos de tratamento de esgoto por lodo ativado com aeração prolongada. Para isso, uma estação piloto de fluxo contínuo foi operada com idade do lodo de 25 dias em duas condições: inicialmente alimentada somente com esgoto bruto e posteriormente com adição de lodo de ETA à base de alumínio de modo a haver acréscimo nos sólidos em suspensão (SS) do esgoto em 25, 50 e 100 mg/L. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que a principal conseqüência foi o aumento na produção de sólidos do sistema (acréscimos médios de 4,6% com 25 mg/L, 37,7% com 50 mg/L e 41,0% com 100 mg/L) e, portanto, na concentração média de SS no tanque de aeração, no decantador secundário e no lodo produzido em excesso. Como o decantador secundário operou com taxa de aplicação de sólidos abaixo da taxa limite não houve problema de arraste de sólidos pelo efluente final. Não houve interferências na remoção de DBO5,20 (eficiência de remoção acima de 94%). O teste de consumo de oxigênio específico (TCOa/SSV) e o exame microscópico do lodo não apontaram possíveis efeitos tóxicos desse lodo à microfauna existente. Não houve inibição no processo de nitrificação (eficiência média de remoção de nitrogênio Kjeldhal Total e de nitrogênio amoniacal acima de 95%). Houve aumento na concentração de DQO e de SS no efluente final pela própria contribuição do lodo da ETA sobre esses parâmetros. A remoção de fósforo foi observada apenas na forma solúvel com dosagem de 25 mg/L e 50 mg/L (eficiências de remoção de 9,1% e de 21,9% respectivamente). Esses resultados apontam que a disposição do lodo de ETA a base de alumínio em sistema de lodo ativado pode ser realizada sem interferências negativas sobre esses processos biológicos aeróbios.The main purpose of this research was to study the influence of an alum-coagulated water treatment plant (WTP) sludge on the biological processes of wastewater treatment using extended aeration activated-sludge process. For this, a continuousflow activated-sludge pilot plant was operated at solids retention time (SRT) value of 25 day under two conditions: initially, it was feeded only with sewage and next dosed with alum sludge in way to have an addition about 25, 50 and 100 mg of suspended solids (SS) per liter of incoming sewage. The results showed that the main consequence was the increase of solids production (average addition of 4,6% at 25 mg/L, 37,7% at 50 mg/L and 41% at 100 mg/L dosages) and therefore an increasing of average concentration of SS in aeration tank, secondary clarifier and wasteactivated sludge. As the secondary clarifier operated under solids loading rate limit no solids were discharged in the clarifier effluent. There was no interference on BOD5 removal (removal efficiency above 94%). The specific oxygen uptake rate (SOUR) and the microscopic observations did not show any possible toxic effects to the microbial population inhabiting the activated sludge system. There was no inhibition in nitrification process (average efficiency of Total Kjeldahl nitrogen and ammonia nitrogen removal above 95%). There was an increase of COD and SS in final effluent due to contribution of WTP residuals on these parameters. Phosphorus removal was observed only in soluble form with doses of 25 mg/L and 50 mg/L (removal efficiency of 9,1% and 21,9% respectively). These results indicate that disposal of WTP alum sludge in activated-sludge system can be done without any adverse effects on these aerobic biological processes

Water Treatment Plant Sludge Discharge to Wastewater Treatment Works: Effects on the Operation of Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket Reactor and Activated Sludge Systems

This experiment examined the effects of the discharge of water treatment plant (WTP) sludge into the following three types of wastewater treatment systems: a pilot-scale upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor, a pilot-scale activated sludge system, and a full-scale activated sludge sequencing batch reactor (SBR). The UASB reactor received 50 mg of suspended solids ( SS) of WTP sludge per liter of wastewater in the first phase, and, in the second phase, it received 75 mg SS/L. The pilot-scale activated sludge system received 25 and 50 mg SS/L in the first and second phases, respectively. The full-scale WWTP ( SBR) received approximately 74 mg SS/L. The results of the experiments showed that, despite some negative effects on nitrification, there were positive effects on phosphorus removal, and, furthermore, there was the addition of solids in all systems. Water Environ. Res., 82, 392 ( 2010).Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado de Sao Paulo (FAPESP, Sao Paulo, Brazil)Coordenacao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior CAPES (Brasilia, Brazil

Research concerning the phenomenon that learning of a participant in a health class spreads to their family and an area : Examination to characteristics of a decrease in salt classroom participant

publisher青森市国立情報学研究所の「学術雑誌公開支援事業」により電子化されました。この研究の目的は、減塩教室の参加者と非参加者の相違を分析し、減塩教室参加者の特性を明らかにすることである。対象はA町の平成17年度住民基本健診結果に基づいた、尿中塩分のハイリスク者270名である。対象者全員に減塩教室の開催通知を行い、参加希望を募るとともに自記式質問紙を郵送し返送を求めた。主な質問項目は、属性、健康習慣及び食習慣、生活習慣改善及び減塩に関する必要性の認識、食塩摂取と生活習慣病との関連や減塩方法に関する知識、減塩実行に関する意欲と自信、健康に関する情報の入手先、近所づきあいの程度について、である。参加群がすべて女性であったため非参加群の女性と比較した。その結果有意な相違があった項目は、職業,減塩に関する必要性の認識,減塩実行の意欲,健康に関する情報の人手先の4項目であった。健康習慣および減塩に関する知識については有意差がなく近似していた。近所づきあいの程度には差がなく、両部とも比較的活発であった。これらの結果からA町減塩教室参加者の特性は、非参加者に比べ、時間に余裕があり、非参加者と同様の健康習慣及び食塩摂取に関する知識を有しながら、減塩改善の認識や意欲はやや高い集団であることが示された。また、健康情報を公的機関や健康教室等から積極的・能動的に得る傾向があり、近所づきあいの活発な集団であることが示された。これらの特性を有した参加者は、減塩教室での学びを家族や地域へ波及させるオピニオンリーダーと成り得、学びの受け手の行動に影響を及ぼす可能性が示唆された。 The purpose of this research is to analyze the difference between participants and non-participants in a salt restriction class, and to clarify the characteristics of the salt restriction class participants. Subjects are 270 high risk persons identified as having elevated urinary salinity in the 2005 fiscal year medical examination of the residents of A town. Notice of the opening of a salt restriction class was issued to all potential members, and a self recording questionnaire was mailed to the participants. From the 270 subjects, approximately 11.9% took park in the class, and approximately 61.8% of questionnaires were returned. The main questionnaire covered, subjects attributes, healthy habits and eating habits, improvement of the lifestyle and recognition of the necessity of salt restriction, the relationship between salt intake and lifestyle illness, a knowledge of salt restriction methods, volition and self-confidence in executing a reduced salt diet, places to obtain information and the degree of interaction with the neighborhood. The results were compared with the woman of the non-participation group. All of the participants were women. It was found that there was significant differences in 4 areas: occupation, recognition of the necessity of salt restriction, execution of salt restriction, and awareness of places to obtain information on health. There was no significance difference between the groups in their knowledge of healthy habits and salt restriction. There was no difference in the degree of interaction with the neighborhood, and both groups were also comparatively active. In comparison to non-participants, it was discovered that the participants of the salt restriction class in A town were a little higher in recognition and volition of reduced salt intake. Participants had the same knowledge of healthy habits and salt intake, but greater will to improve their lifestyle. In addition, it was shown that the participants tended to actively obtain information about health classes and public institutions, and they were active in society within their neighborhood. It is thought that the participants are capable of being opinion leaders who spread their learning from the salt restriction class with their family and region, and thus, the possibility of positively affecting society was indicated