The psbO gene for 33-kDa precursor polypeptide of the oxygen-evolving complex in Arabidopsis thaliana - nucleotide sequence and control of its expression

The 33-kDa polypeptide of the oxygen-evolving complex of photosystem II is nuclear-encoded. The single psbO gene of Arabidopsis thaliana, as suggested by Southern hybridization, has been isolated from the genomic library and sequenced. The sequence analysis has revealed that the psbO gene harbors two introns and encodes a precursor polypeptide of 332 amino acid residues; the first 85 amino acid residues represent the transit peptide and the following 247 amino acids constitute the mature polypeptide. The hydrophilic nature of the 33-kDa protein is confirmed by the presence of 27% charged residues. Northern analysis of the total RNA from Arabidopsis indicates that a 1.2-kb transcript represents the psbO gene. It is expressed in a tissue-specific manner - the steady-state transcript levels being highest in the leaves and virtually undetectable in the roots. Also, expression of the psbO gene is development-dependent and regulated by light in young Arabidopsis seedlings. In a constitutively photomorphogenic mutant of Arabidopsis, pho2 (plumular hook open 2), the psbO gene is de-repressed in young, dark-grown seedlings, resulting in increased transcript abundance compared to the wild-type. These studies, thus, define the influence of at least one regulatory component for psbO expression

A Review of the Effect of Processing Variables on the Fabrication of Electrospun Nanofibers for Drug Delivery Applications

Electrospinning is a fast emerging technique for producing ultrafine fibers by utilizing electrostatic repulsive forces. The technique has gathered much attention due to the emergence of nanotechnology that sparked worldwide research interest in nanomaterials for their preparation and application in biomedicine and drug delivery. Electrospinning is a simple, adaptable, cost-effective, and versatile technique for producing nanofibers. For effective and efficient use of the technique, several processing parameters need to be optimized for fabricating polymeric nanofibers. The nanofiber morphology, size, porosity, surface area, and topography can be refined by varying these parameters. Such flexibility and diversity in nanofiber fabrication by electrospinning has broadened the horizons for widespread application of nanofibers in the areas of drug and gene delivery, wound dressing, and tissue engineering. Drug-loaded electrospun nanofibers have been used in implants, transdermal systems, wound dressings, and as devices for aiding the prevention of postsurgical abdominal adhesions and infection. They show great promise for use in drug delivery provided that one can confidently control the processing variables during fabrication. This paper provides a concise incursion into the application of electrospun nanofibers in drug delivery and cites pertinent processing parameters that may influence the performance of the nanofibers when applied to drug delivery

Functional and molecular characterization of hyposensitive underactive bladder tissue and urine in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat

Background: The functional and molecular alterations of nerve growth factor (NGF) and Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) and its receptors were studied in bladder and urine in streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats. Methodology/Principal Findings: Diabetes mellitus was induced with a single dose of 45 mg/kg STZ Intraperitoneally (i.p) in female Sprague-Dawley rats. Continuous cystometrogram were performed on control rats and STZ treated rats at week 4 or 12 under urethane anesthesia. Bladder was then harvested for histology, expression of EP receptors and NGF by western blotting, PGE2 levels by ELISA, and detection of apoptosis by TUNEL staining. In addition, 4-hr urine was collected from all groups for urine levels of PGE2, and NGF assay. DM induced progressive increase of bladder weight, urine production, intercontraction interval (ICI) and residual urine in a time dependent fashion. Upregulation of Prostaglandin E receptor (EP)1 and EP3 receptors and downregulation of NGF expression, increase in urine NGF and decrease levels of urine PGE2 at week 12 was observed. The decrease in ICI by intravesical instillation of PGE2 was by 51% in control rats and 31.4% in DM group at week 12. Conclusions/Significance: DM induced hyposensitive underactive bladder which is characterized by increased inflammatory reaction, apoptosis, urine NGF levels, upregulation of EP1 and EP3 receptors and decreased bladder NGF and urine PGE2. The data suggest that EP3 receptor are potential targets in the treatment of diabetes induced underactive bladder. © 2014 Nirmal et al

(Re) defining salesperson motivation: current status, main challenges, and research directions

The construct of motivation is one of the central themes in selling and sales management research. Yet, to-date no review article exists that surveys the construct (both from an extrinsic and intrinsic motivation context), critically evaluates its current status, examines various key challenges apparent from the extant research, and suggests new research opportunities based on a thorough review of past work. The authors explore how motivation is defined, major theories underpinning motivation, how motivation has historically been measured, and key methodologies used over time. In addition, attention is given to principal drivers and outcomes of salesperson motivation. A summarizing appendix of key articles in salesperson motivation is provided

Efficacy of chemo-radiotherapy versus radiotherapy alone in the treatment of esophageal carcinoma

Background: The treatment of esophageal carcinoma may demand multiple approaches including combination of radiotherapy and chemotherapy, particularly cases which are considered unresectable, such as upper third esophageal cancers, locally advanced middle and lower third cancers. Methods: This was a prospective, randomized, open-label, single-center study conducted between December 2014 and July 2016. Patients of either sex aged more than 18 years with the confirmed diagnosis of previously untreated advanced esophageal carcinoma were included in the study. Eligible patients were randomized to receive one of the treatments (chemo-radiotherapy [cisplatin] or radiotherapy alone). Response criteria included dysphasia free survival (DySF), disease free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS). Tolerability was also assessed. Results: A total of 31 patients (chemo-radiotherapy, n=13; radiotherapy alone, n=18) were enrolled in this study. At one year, the probability of remaining dysphagia free was 40% and 20%, respectively for chemo-radiotherapy and radiotherapy alone groups; and the probability of OS was 64% versus 21%, respectively. The median DFS was 12 months and 5 months for chemo-radiotherapy and radiotherapy alone group, respectively. There were no significant differences in both the groups in EBRT, total treatment duration and duration of EBRT. No patient reported thrombocytopenia or nephrotoxicity. Conclusions: Concurrent chemo-radiotherapy with cisplatin can improve dysphasia and OS in patients with esophageal carcinoma