Recombinant production of bacterial toxins and their derivatives in the methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris.

RIGHTS : This article is licensed under the BioMed Central licence at http://www.biomedcentral.com/about/license which is similar to the 'Creative Commons Attribution Licence'. In brief you may : copy, distribute, and display the work; make derivative works; or make commercial use of the work - under the following conditions: the original author must be given credit; for any reuse or distribution, it must be made clear to others what the license terms of this work are.The methylotrophic yeast Pichia pastoris is a popular heterologous expression host for the recombinant production of a variety of prokaryotic and eukaryotic proteins. The rapid emergence of P. pastoris as a robust heterologous expression host was facilitated by the ease with which it can be manipulated and propagated, which is comparable to that of Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae. P. pastoris offers further advantages such as the tightly-regulated alcohol oxidase promoter that is particularly suitable for heterologous expression of foreign genes. While recombinant production of bacterial toxins and their derivatives is highly desirable, attempts at their heterologous expression using the traditional E. coli expression system can be problematic due to the formation of inclusion bodies that often severely limit the final yields of biologically active products. However, recent literature now suggests that P. pastoris may be an attractive alternative host for the heterologous production of bacterial toxins, such as those from the genera Bacillus, Clostridium, and Corynebacterium, as well as their more complex derivatives. Here, we review the recombinant production of bacterial toxins and their derivatives in P. pastoris with special emphasis on their potential clinical applications. Considering that de novo design and construction of synthetic toxin genes have often been necessary to achieve optimal heterologous expression in P. pastoris, we also present general guidelines to this end based on our experience with the P. pastoris expression of the Bacillus thuringiensis Cyt2Aa1 toxin

O outro lado da moeda: A visão e o comportamento dos enfermeiros na contenção física

Background: The physical restraint is a widely used practice that includes ethical problems. Analysis of the views and behaviors of nurses who apply physical restraint is important to determine the problems in the practice and to find solutions. Aim: To study the views and behaviors of the nurses who apply physical restraint. Research Design:The study was designed as a descriptive study. The data were collected using a questionnaire form and analyzed by chi-square tests. The study was conducted at a university hospital. The convenience sample consisted of 93 voluntary nurses. Findings: The decision to initiate/terminate the physical restraint is mostly (63.4%) made by the physician and the nurse together, and frequently (96.8%) wrist belts are used. While one-third of the nurses (33.4%) apply the restraint for more than 7 days, 21.4% never loosen the physical restraint. 28% of the nurses face resistance due to the restraint. 78.5% of the nurses obtain informed consent for the restraint whereas 51.6% believe that the consent is not necessary. Only 9.7% of the nurses record the practice to the patient observation chart. Additionally, there is a relationship between the unit, patients they cared for daily, years in the profession and the nurses' views on restraint (p≤0.05). Conclusion: It is necessary to improve the nurses' awareness and ethical sensitivity about physical restraint. Professional development of the nurses regarding physical restraint should be maintained continuously from the beginning of their undergraduate education. An institutional committee should be established to support decision-making and monitor the restraint processes.Objetivo: Estudiar los puntos de vista y comportamientos de las enfermeras que aplican restricción física. Diseño de investigación: Estudio descriptivo realizado en un Hospital Universitario. Los datos se recolectaron usando un cuestionario y analizando los textos mediante chi-square. La muestra de conveniencia consistió en 93 enfermeras voluntarias. Resultados: La decisión de iniciar/terminar la restricción física corresponde mayoritariamente al médico y la enfermera en conjunto (63,4%), y frecuentemente se usa atadura de muñecas (96,8%). Mientras que un tercio de las enfermeras (33,4%) aplica la restricción por más de 7 días, 21,4% nunca afloja la restricción física. 28% de las enfermeras muestran resistencia a aplicar restricción. 78,5% obtienen consentimiento informado para restringir, mientras que 51,6% cree que no es necesario el consentimiento. Solamente 9,7% de las enfermeras registra la práctica en la hoja de observación del paciente. Además, existe relación entre la unidad, pacientes que cuidan diariamente, años en la profesión y puntos de vista de las enfermeras sobre la restricción (p≤0.05). Conclusión: Es necesario mejorar la conciencia y sensibilidad ética sobre la restricción física. Debiera mantenerse continuamente el desarrollo profesional de las enfermeras sobre la restricción física desde el comienzo de la educación de pregrado y establecer un comité institucional para asistir la decisión de monitorear los procesos de restricción.Fundo: A contenção física é uma prática amplamente utilizada que inclui problemas éticos. A análise dos pontos de vista e comportamentos de enfermeiros que aplicam a contenção física são importantes para determinar os problemas na prática e para encontrar soluções. Objetivo: Estudar as visões e comportamentos de enfermeiro que fazem uso da contenção física. Projeto de pesquisa: O estudo foi concebido como um estudo descritivo. Os dados foram coletados utilizando um formulário de questionário e analisados pelos testes do qui-quadrado. O estudo foi realizado em um hospital universitário. A amostra de conveniência consistiu de 93 enfermeiros voluntários. Conclusões: A decisão de iniciar/encerrar a contenção física é principalmente (63,4%) feita pelo médico e enfermeiro juntos, e frequência de uso dos cintos de pulso (96,8%). Enquanto um terço dos enfermeiros (33,4%) aplicam a retenção por mais de 7 dias, 21,4% nunca soltam a contenção física. 28% dos enfermeiros encaram resistência devido a retenção. 78,5% dos enfermeiros obtém consentimento prévio para retenção, enquanto 51,6% acreditam que o consentimento não é necessário. Apenas 9,7% dos enfermeiros registram a prática na ficha de observação do paciente. Além disso, existe uma relação entre a unidade, os pacientes que eles cuidam diariamente, anos na profissão e visão dos enfermeiros a cerca da contenção (p ≤ 0,05). Conclusão: É necessário melhorar a consciência e sensibilidade ética dos enfermeiros sobre contenção física. O desenvolvimento profissional do enfermeiro considerando a contenção física deve ser mantido continuamente a partir do início de sua graduação. Uma Comissão institucional deve ser estabelecida para apoiar a tomada de decisão e acompanhar os processos de retenção

Genetic relationships of European, Mediterranean, and SW Asian populations using a panel of 55 AISNPs

The set of 55 ancestry informative SNPs (AISNPs) originally developed by the Kidd Lab has been studied on a large number of populations and continues to be applied to new population samples. The existing reference database of population samples allows the relationships of new population samples to be inferred on a global level. Analyses show that these autosomal markers constitute one of the better panels of AISNPs. Continuing to build this reference database enhances its value. Because more than half of the 25 ethnic groups recently studied with these AISNPs are from Southwest Asia and the Mediterranean region, we present here various analyses focused on populations from these regions along with selected reference populations from nearby regions where genotype data are available. Many of these ethnic groups have not been previously studied for forensic markers. Data on populations from other world regions have also been added to the database but are not included in these focused analyses. The new population samples added to ALFRED and FROG-kb increase the total to 164 population samples that have been studied for all 55 AISNPs

VIBRATIONAL SPECTROSCOPIC INVESTIGATION AND CONFORMATIONAL ANALYSIS OF 1-HEPTYLAMINE: A COMPARATIVE DENSITY FUNCTIONAL STUDY

Author Institution: Department of Physics, Dumlupinar University, Kutahya, 43100, Turkey; Institute of Physics and Biophysics, Faculty of Science, University of South Bohemia, Branisovsk 31, Cesk Bud jovice, 370 05, Czech Republic; Department of Physics, Dumlupinar University, Kutahya, 43100, Turkey; Science Faculty, Department of Physics, Anadolu University, Eskisehir, Turkey 26470FT-IR and Raman spectra of 1-heptylamine (1-ha) were experimentally reported in the region of 4000-10 cm-1 and 4000-100 cm-1, respectively. The conformational analysis, optimized geometric parameters, normal mode frequencies and corresponding vibrational assignments of 1-ha (C7H17N) were theoretically examined by means of Becke-3-Lee-Yang-Parr (B3-LYP) density functional theory (DFT) method together with 6-31++G(d,p) basis set. Furthermore, reliable vibrational assignments were made on the basis of potential energy distribution (PED) calculated and the thermodynamics functions, highest occupied and lowest unoccupied molecular orbitals (HOMO and LUMO) of 1-ha were predicted. Calculations were carried out with the possible ten conformational isomers (TT, TG, GT, GT1, GG1, GG2, GG3, GG4, GG5, GG6; T and G denote trans and gauge) of 1-ha, both in gas phase and in solution. Solvent effects were investigated using benzene and methanol. All results indicates that B3-LYP method provides satisfactory results for the prediction vibrational wavenumbers, TT isomer is the most stable form of 1-ha and the conformational energy barrier is independent of the solvent whereas the vibrational frequencies and assignments, IR and Raman intensities of 1-ha are solvent dependent

O outro lado da moeda: A visão e o comportamento dos enfermeiros na contenção física

Background: The physical restraint is a widely used practice that includes ethical problems. Analysis of the views and behaviors of nurses who apply physical restraint is important to determine the problems in the practice and to find solutions. Aim: To study the views and behaviors of the nurses who apply physical restraint. Research Design:The study was designed as a descriptive study. The data were collected using a questionnaire form and analyzed by chi-square tests. The study was conducted at a university hospital. The convenience sample consisted of 93 voluntary nurses. Findings: The decision to initiate/terminate the physical restraint is mostly (63.4%) made by the physician and the nurse together, and frequently (96.8%) wrist belts are used. While one-third of the nurses (33.4%) apply the restraint for more than 7 days, 21.4% never loosen the physical restraint. 28% of the nurses face resistance due to the restraint. 78.5% of the nurses obtain informed consent for the restraint whereas 51.6% believe that the consent is not necessary. Only 9.7% of the nurses record the practice to the patient observation chart. Additionally, there is a relationship between the unit, patients they cared for daily, years in the profession and the nurses' views on restraint (p≤0.05). Conclusion: It is necessary to improve the nurses' awareness and ethical sensitivity about physical restraint. Professional development of the nurses regarding physical restraint should be maintained continuously from the beginning of their undergraduate education. An institutional committee should be established to support decision-making and monitor the restraint processes.Objetivo: Estudiar los puntos de vista y comportamientos de las enfermeras que aplican restricción física. Diseño de investigación: Estudio descriptivo realizado en un Hospital Universitario. Los datos se recolectaron usando un cuestionario y analizando los textos mediante chi-square. La muestra de conveniencia consistió en 93 enfermeras voluntarias. Resultados: La decisión de iniciar/terminar la restricción física corresponde mayoritariamente al médico y la enfermera en conjunto (63,4%), y frecuentemente se usa atadura de muñecas (96,8%). Mientras que un tercio de las enfermeras (33,4%) aplica la restricción por más de 7 días, 21,4% nunca afloja la restricción física. 28% de las enfermeras muestran resistencia a aplicar restricción. 78,5% obtienen consentimiento informado para restringir, mientras que 51,6% cree que no es necesario el consentimiento. Solamente 9,7% de las enfermeras registra la práctica en la hoja de observación del paciente. Además, existe relación entre la unidad, pacientes que cuidan diariamente, años en la profesión y puntos de vista de las enfermeras sobre la restricción (p≤0.05). Conclusión: Es necesario mejorar la conciencia y sensibilidad ética sobre la restricción física. Debiera mantenerse continuamente el desarrollo profesional de las enfermeras sobre la restricción física desde el comienzo de la educación de pregrado y establecer un comité institucional para asistir la decisión de monitorear los procesos de restricción.Fundo: A contenção física é uma prática amplamente utilizada que inclui problemas éticos. A análise dos pontos de vista e comportamentos de enfermeiros que aplicam a contenção física são importantes para determinar os problemas na prática e para encontrar soluções. Objetivo: Estudar as visões e comportamentos de enfermeiro que fazem uso da contenção física. Projeto de pesquisa: O estudo foi concebido como um estudo descritivo. Os dados foram coletados utilizando um formulário de questionário e analisados pelos testes do qui-quadrado. O estudo foi realizado em um hospital universitário. A amostra de conveniência consistiu de 93 enfermeiros voluntários. Conclusões: A decisão de iniciar/encerrar a contenção física é principalmente (63,4%) feita pelo médico e enfermeiro juntos, e frequência de uso dos cintos de pulso (96,8%). Enquanto um terço dos enfermeiros (33,4%) aplicam a retenção por mais de 7 dias, 21,4% nunca soltam a contenção física. 28% dos enfermeiros encaram resistência devido a retenção. 78,5% dos enfermeiros obtém consentimento prévio para retenção, enquanto 51,6% acreditam que o consentimento não é necessário. Apenas 9,7% dos enfermeiros registram a prática na ficha de observação do paciente. Além disso, existe uma relação entre a unidade, os pacientes que eles cuidam diariamente, anos na profissão e visão dos enfermeiros a cerca da contenção (p ≤ 0,05). Conclusão: É necessário melhorar a consciência e sensibilidade ética dos enfermeiros sobre contenção física. O desenvolvimento profissional do enfermeiro considerando a contenção física deve ser mantido continuamente a partir do início de sua graduação. Uma Comissão institucional deve ser estabelecida para apoiar a tomada de decisão e acompanhar os processos de retenção

THE OTHER SIDE OF THE COIN: NURSES' VIEWS AND BEHAVIOR ON PHYSICAL RESTRAINT

Aim: To study the views and behaviors of the nurses who apply physical restraint. Research Design: The study was designed as a descriptive study. The data were collected using a questionnaire form and analyzed by chi-square tests. The study was conducted at a university hospital. The convenience sample consisted of 93 voluntary nurses. Findings: The decision to initiate/terminate the physical restraint is mostly (63.4%) made by the physician and the nurse together, and frequently (96.8%) wrist belts are used. While one-third of the nurses (33.4%) apply the restraint for more than 7 days, 21.4% never loosen the physical restraint. 28% of the nurses face resistance due to the restraint. 78.5% of the nurses obtain informed consent for the restraint whereas 51.6% believe that the consent is not necessary. Only 9.7% of the nurses record the practice to the patient observation chart. Additionally, there is a relationship between the unit, patients they cared for daily, years in the profession and the nurses' views on restraint (p <= 0.05). Conclusion: It is necessary to improve the nurses' awareness and ethical sensitivity about physical restraint. Professional development of the nurses regarding physical restraint should be maintained continuously from the beginning of their undergraduate education. An institutional committee should be established to support decision-making and monitor the restraint processes

Genetic characterisation of 13 rapidly mutating Y-STR loci in 100 father and son pairs from South and East Turkey

Background: Rapidly mutating (RM) Y-STRs recently emerged as a useful genotyping tool that can counteract problems normally associated with traditional Y-STRs. For instance, RM Y-STRs have the potential to differentiate Y-chromosomes from both close and distant paternal relatives. Aim: Characterisation of 13 RM Y-STR loci in a new sample pool from Turkey in terms of population genetic data and mutation rates. Subjects and methods: One hundred father–son pairs from South and East Turkey were genotyped. Based on the 99 father haplotypes unique to the current study, statistical parameters of forensic interest were computed. Nei’s DA distances among 112 global population datasets were estimated and visualised by phylogenetic and multidimensional scaling (MDS) analyses. Results: Fifteen father–son pairs were found to differ at a single locus and four at two loci, resulting in a differentiation rate of 19%. Mutations were observed at 10 out of 13 loci, with rates ranging from 1 × 10−2 to 6 × 10−2. Conclusion: Mutation rates and differentiation rates between the father–son pairs were similar to those from the literature. In contrast to previous work, novel phylogenetic tree construction results based on Nei’s DA distances suggested a close correlation between the geographic and genetic distances observed, except for known cases of past mass migration events