Cloning, expression and preliminary characterization of a novel nitrilase from the Red Sea, Atlantis II Deep brine pool using a metagenomic approach

With the abundance of hazardous nitrile compounds in nature and with the extensive use of them in industries of fine chemicals, the attention towards nitrilases has profoundly increased as biocatalysts in different industries and in bioremediation. The use of nitrilases, which hydrolyze nitriles into carboxylic acids and ammonia, was introduced as a biological method superior to conventional chemical means. In contrast to conventional microbiological techniques using cultured microorganisms, and with the loads of genomic sequences available in the databases, identification of novel nitrilases using metagenomic approaches seems more promising. In this study, a nitrilase was isolated from the microbial metagenomic DNA obtained from the Lower Convective Layer (LCL) of Atlantis II Deep Brine Pool in the Red Sea. Sequences of putative nitrilases were retrieved from the LCL database, followed by PCR amplification and gene synthesis of the chosen sequences. Amplified genes were cloned into pET SUMO expression vector, whereas a synthesized gene, with optimized codons for E. coli, was cloned into pET-28b+ vector flanked by SacI and HindIII restriction sites. The recombinant proteins were then expressed in Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) cells. The His-tagged protein (Nitra-S), from the recombinant pET-28b+ transformed cells, was successfully purified using Ni-NTA affinity chromatography columns under native conditions. Preliminary studies on the induced cells, crude extracts and the purified enzyme showed that Nitra-S exhibited nitrilase activity towards dinitriles (succinonitrile and gluteronitrile) rather than other nitrile classes. The used quantitative activity assay was based on measuring the amounts of released ammonia upon the action of nitrilases on their nitrile substrates. Full characterization of the purified nitrilase is still to be done; however, the isolation of this protein from the LCL with its unique characteristics, increase the odds towards finding exceptional properties of the newly identified nitrilase

Evaluation Of An Integrated Non-Communicable Diseases Training Program For Ugandan Healthcare Workers

The Uganda Ministry of Health (MOH) is undertaking non-communicable diseases (NCD) training activities for healthcare workers (HCW) as part of its capacity building agenda for addressing NCDs. The MOH is using an integrated, team-based approach to NCD care to routinely screen for and manage NCDs, provide health education, and create an appropriate referral system. This study aimed to evaluate knowledge acquisition resulting from this training. The MOH NCD training curriculum incorporates a participatory and self-directed delivery mechanism. The evaluation was conducted using a pre- and post-, 63-point open-ended and multiple choice test, designed to align with course materials. Paired t-tests between pre- and post-test scores showed highly statistically significant improvements in every demographic category, including overall score for the total sample, age categories, gender, profession, years of experience, and training region (p\u3c0.001). The regression model analyzed factors associated with score improvement, and found that baseline score was inversely related to score improvement. Those with the lowest scores at baseline improved the most (p\u3c0.001). Sub-group differences were seen for region and profession, as well. The growing burden of NCDs in Uganda is a complex problem requiring a multifaceted approach. This MOH HCW training program is one critical component that begins to address the capacity building need of the country using an integrated, team-based approach to improve patient health outcomes and a participatory delivery method to improve HCW learning and communication skills. There is strong evidence that this training program improved NCD knowledge in Ugandan HCW and that benefits are seen across all demographic groups who received the training. Overall, this training is an important component to address the capacity building needs for NCD care in Uganda

Three essays on adoption of practices related to the environment

The entire thesis text is included in the research.pdf file; the official abstract appears in the short.pdf file; a non-technical public abstract appears in the public.pdf file.Title from PDF of title page (University of Missouri--Columbia, viewed on October 31, 2011).Thesis advisor: Dr. Laura McCannVita.Ph. D. University of Missouri-Columbia 2011."July 2011"This dissertation consists of three essays related to the adoption of technology. The first essay is about the adoption of manure best management practices (BMPs) such as manure testing. A data set from 2006 of U.S. farmers from the states of Missouri and Iowa was used to ask farmers questions about farming practices and other environmental practices. The innovation was that this paper examined factors that affect manure testing for manure transported off the farm. The second essay dealt with farmers in the district of Mardan in the Northwest Frontier Province of Pakistan, who were asked questions in the fall of 2009 about their use of fertilizer and manure and how they applied it to their crops. The purpose of the essay was to analyze the factors that affect the adoption of phosphorous fertilizer. Finally, the third essay used 2007 data from a CBS News/New York Times Monthly Poll to analyze the factors that affect U.S. consumers' adoption of environmental practices such as recycling, mass transit, and the purchase of compact florescent light bulbs. The analysis of these three environmental practices has helped to show the characteristics of different agents in terms of their adoption choices. Livestock producers in the U.S., Pakistan, and consumers in the U.S. are all driven by a unique set of factors within their environment that influence their decisions.Includes bibliographical reference

Political Awareness and Media’s Consumption Patterns among Students-A Case Study of University of Gujrat, Pakistan

This research examines the role of different media outlets in creating political awareness among students. This study shows that students of University of Gujrat consume mass media for both entertainment and political information. However, Television considered the best source of political information. Through this study agenda and framing theory used which revealed that media has an effect on its target audience. While, survey method has used to gauge the media consumption among university students. Mass media is considered a source of information that has the power to change choice of people. Media present issues to its audience with an effect that public forms opinion according to media’s emphasis on issue. Keywords: Mass Media, Consumption Pattern, Political Awareness, Media Agenda, Media Framin

Inclusion, inequality, and responses to the cost-of-living crisis

With the costs of energy, housing, and food on the rise around the world, families are in desperate need of support. Some employers in the UK have been providing employees with food, discounts, and flexibility. Trade union membership is higher than in the past 30 years, but low-paid workers are underrepresented, and the government must provide targeted support for them. Sarah Ali and Teresa Almeida analyse business and government responses to the crisis and discuss the steps taken, how effective these forms of support have been, and the economic inequalities they have exacerbated

The Impact of Training and Development on Individual & Organizational Performance in Banking Sector

The study aims to explore the impact of training and development on individual and organizational performance in banking sector of different countries. The definitions of training and development were highlighted followed by its influence on employees’ performance and organizational profit. It was found that training and development positively influence employees’ motivation level, job satisfaction, skills and performance at work. It was also found that training & development plays central role in improving organizational performance by helping in increasing profit and attaining competitive advantage. Keywords: training and development; employee performance; organizational performance; banking secto

The Role of a Designated Sepsis Nurse in Improving Outcomes

https://digitalcommons.psjhealth.org/summit_all/1066/thumbnail.jp

Exploratory study into awareness of heart disease and health care seeking behavior among Emirati women (UAE) - Cross sectional descriptive study

© 2017 The Author(s). Background: Cardiovascular disease was the leading cause of death among women in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 2010. Heart attacks usually happen in older women thus symptoms of heart disease may be masked by symptoms of chronic diseases, which could explain the delay in seeking health care and higher mortality following an ischaemic episode among women. This study seeks to a) highlight the awareness of heart diseases among Emirati women and b) to understand Emirati women\u27s health care seeking behaviour in UAE. Method: A cross sectional, descriptive study was conducted using a survey instrument adapted from the American Heart Association National survey. A convenience sample of 676 Emirati women between the ages of 18-55 years completed the questionnaire. Results: The study showed low levels of awareness of heart disease and associated risk factors in Emirati women; only 19.4% participants were found to be aware of heart diseases. Awareness levels were highest in Dubai (OR 2.18, p \u3c 0.05) among all the other emirates and in the 18-45 years age group (OR 2.74, p \u3c 0.05). Despite low awareness levels, women paradoxically perceived themselves to be self-efficacious in seeking health care. Interestingly, just 49.1% Emirati women believed that good quality and affordable health care was available in the UAE. Only 28.8% of the participants believed there were sufficient female doctors to respond to health needs of women in UAE. Furthermore, only 36.7% Emirati women chose to be treated in the UAE over treatment in other countries. Conclusion: Emirati women clearly lack the knowledge on severity and vulnerability to heart disease in the region that is essential to improve cardiovascular related health outcomes. This study has identified the need for wider outreach that focuses on gender and age specific awareness on heart disease risks and symptoms. The study has also highlighted potential modifiable barriers in seeking health care that should be overcome to reduce morbidity and mortality due to heart disease among national women of UAE