Bovine and Human Zona Pellucida 3 Gene Glycans Site Prediction Using in Silico Analysis

Zona pellucida is one of the protective layer of the egg cell and has a function as an intermediary species-specific fertilization. Glycoproteins of human and bovine zona pellucida is composed of three types, namely ZP1, ZP2 and ZP3. ZP3 gene has amino acid sequence homology with other mammals. Oligosaccharides components of the zona pellucida glycans are composed from units of asparagine residues (N -linked) and serine/threonine (O -linked). The aims of this study was to analyze the DNA sequences of human and bovine and further predicts glycans site on amino acid sequence of human and bovine ZP3. In this study, ZP3 gene fragments have been isolated from bovine and humans were analyzed in Silico. This work were conducted by comparing the data of DNA sequence from human and bovine PCR product using NCBI BLAST. The results showed that there were similarities at amino acid positions number 23-38. bZP3 sequence had three glycans site (Asn-X-Thr/Ser) and one site on hZP3 glycans. One of the sites was conserved between the two species

Genetic Diversity and Connectivity of Sea Urchin Tripneustes gratilla in Region Surrounding Cenderawasih Bay, Papua-Indonesia and Indo-Pacific

Cenderawasih Bay has extremely high biodiversity with an enormous amount of endemic species due to geography isolation. Tripneustes gratilla is one of the species that is abundant in the bay. The species has ecological value that is suitable for bio-indicators of the environmental condition. Since the Bay relatively isolated area, then we examined the impact of the geographical conditions on genetic diversity and connectivity of Tripneustes gratilla among populations in the region surrounding Cenderawasih Bay based on the mitochondrial cytochrome c-oxidase-1 gene. Results of the study showed that genetic variation of the species within the population is high; despite the genetic variation among populations was low. The data suggested that the entire population of T. gratilla were closed connected, homogeneous, and shared polymorphic profile. Then we assumed the gene flow occurred for a long time among populations without geographical barriers. This information is a warrant to develop an effective strategy to maintain biodiversity in the Cenderawasih Bay

Pharmacogenetics and its relevance to clinical practice

Annals of the Academy of Medicine Singapore429429-431AAMS

Needs analysis for the development of interactive virtual reality-based educational media on combustion engine mechanical technology

Needs analysis is the first and necessary step for the researchers to design a newly developed learning media to find out a set of specific requirements to conduct the research activities. The study aims (1) to investigate the user's learning preference, (2) to select the suitable learning materials and to choose the appropriate type of engines, and (3) to identify the needs for the virtual reality development. A focus group discussion (FGD) comprising some representative users and experts in learning media has been involved in the activities with the use of the FGD guidance sheet as the supplementary tools. Additionally, the literature study has also been conducted to collect the necessary additional data to perform a 3D design of the engine. The data were analyzed qualitatively by examining the comment from the users, the experts, and the outcome of the literature review study. It was then concluded that (1) the users require the learning process, which does not need to alternate the learning objects. (2) The two-stroke single-cylinder engine was decided to choose by considering the complexity of the engine mechanical construction. Finally, (3) the needs for engine assembly drawing and virtual reality development have also been described

Corrosion behavior of some timonb alloys in ringer solution

International audienceThe aim of this study was to investigate the influence of different process parameters as chemical composition, the pH value and immersion time on the corrosion of the some TiMoNb alloys, using different electrochemical techniques such as: cyclic voltammetry, open circuit potential (OCP) measurement, polarization curves and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). The alloys were analyzed in the natural pH of the Ringer solution, but also with an acidic modification of the solution (ph = 4) and a basic modification (ph = 8). The more acidic values of pH, the more evident are differences between corrosion behavior of titanium-based alloys depending on their chemical compositions and immersion times. © 2020 SYSCOM 18 S.R.L.. All rights reserved

Supplementation of Glucomannan Derived from Konjac Flour Improve Glucose Homeostasis and Reduce Insulin Resistance in Diabetes Rat Models

Dietary fiber from glucomannan has been studied to decrease blood glucose concentration, but its mechanism in diabetes is still unclear. The aim of our research is to study the effect of glucomannan, derived from konjac flour, in rat models of diabetes including gastrointestinal function, inhibition of DPP-IV enzyme and reducing in insulin resistance. A total of 25 male wistar rats were divided into 5 groups; normal group (Normal), diabetes group (DM), diabetes group administered with 100 mg/kg BW konjac flour (DM+KF1), 200 mg/kg BW konjac flour (DM+KF2) and 400 mg/kg BW konjac flour (DM+KF3). Diabetes was induced by a combination of 60% high fructose diet and twice intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin (25 and 30 mg/kg BW) at one week interval. Konjac flour was given according to each dose for 4 weeks. At the end of the study, blood and tissue sample were collected for subsequent analysis, while isolated intestine used to measure jejunal serous glucose concentration using everted sac technique. The results indicate that glucomannan reduced fasting blood glucose levels, improved glucose tolerance, increased jejunal serous glucose concentration at in vitro technique and decreased insulin resistance as evidenced by a decreased in HOMA-IR index and increased in PI3K levels. However, glucomannan not decreased DPP-4 levels in any dose. This results indicate that glucomannan derived from Konjac flour had antidiabetic effects through improving in glucose homeostasis and reducing in insulin resistance in rat models of diabetes