The Chinaberry tree, a member of the
family, is cultivated in China for use in traditional medicines. In 2020, Chinaberry trees with leaf deformation symptoms were found in Hangzhou, Zhejiang ...province, China. In order to identify possible pathogenic viruses, a symptomatic sample was subjected to deep sequencing of small interfering RNAs. Assembly of the resulting sequences led to the identification of a novel badnavirus, provisionally designated Chinaberry tree badnavirus 1 (ChTBV1). With the recent development of China's seedling industry and increasing online shopping platforms, the risk of tree virus transmission has increased substantially. Therefore, it is important to detect the occurrence of ChTBV1 to ensure the safety of the Chinaberry tree seedling industry. Here, we describe the development and validation of a sensitive and robust method relying on a loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) assay, targeting a 197 nt region, to detect ChTBV1 from Chinaberry tree leaves. The LAMP assay was also adapted for rapid visualization of results by a lateral flow dipstick chromatographic detection method.
Analyzing the impact of economic openness and institutional environment on technological innovation is of great significance for China to build a new system of open economy. This study investigates ...the short- and long-run effects of economic openness and institutional environment on innovation by applying a dynamic panel regression model and two-step system generalized method of moments (GMM) method to dynamic panel data of China’s 30 provinces, autonomous regions and municipalities directly under the Central Government (referred to as provinces hereafter) from 2008 to 2017. Results indicate that trade openness impedes innovation, whereas foreign direct investment (FDI) significantly promotes China’s innovation particularly in the long-run. The continuous improvement of institutional environment promotes domestic innovation particularly in the long run. The integration of economic openness and institutional environment magnifies the effects of trade openness and FDI on innovation. The effects of economic openness and institutional environment on innovation differ by region with a descending pattern from China’s Eastern to the Central and Western regions.
The importance and fast growth of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies, both innovator and biosimilar products, have triggered the need for the development of characterization methods at high resolution ...such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. However, the full power of NMR spectroscopy cannot be unleashed without labelling the mAb of interest with NMR-active isotopes. Here, we present strategies using either
Komagataella phaffii
(
Pichia pastoris
) or
Escherichia coli
that can be widely applied for the production of the antigen-binding fragment (Fab) of therapeutic antibodies of immunoglobulin G1 kappa isotype. The
E. coli
approach consists of expressing Fab fragments as a single polypeptide chain with a cleavable linker between the heavy and light chain in inclusion bodies, while
K. phaffii
secretes a properly folded fragment in the culture media. After optimization, the protocol yielded 10–45 mg of single chain adalimumab-Fab, trastuzumab-Fab, rituximab-Fab, and NISTmAb-Fab per liter of culture. Comparison of the 2D-
1
H-
15
N-HSQC spectra of each Fab fragment, without their polyhistidine tag and linker, with the corresponding Fab from the innovator product showed that all four fragments have folded into the correct conformation. Production of
2
H-
13
C-
15
N-adalimumab-scFab and
2
H-
13
C-
15
N-trastuzumab-scFab (>98% enrichment for all three isotopes) yielded NMR samples where all amide deuterons have completely exchanged back to proton during the refolding procedure.
Monoclonal antibody (mAb) production using non-human cells can introduce non-human glycan epitopes including terminal galactosyl-α1-3-galactose (α1-3-Gal) moieties. Cetuximab is a commercial mAb ...associated with causing anaphylaxis in some patients due to the binding of endogenous anti-α1-3-Gal IgE to the Fab (containing bi-α1-3-galactosylated glycans) but not to the Fc region (containing mono-α1-3-galactosylated glycans). Despite being low in abundance in typical commercial mAbs, the inherent sensitivity of cell culture conditions on glycosylation profiles, and the development of novel glycoengineering strategies, novel antibody-based modalities, and biosimilars by various manufacturers with varying procedures, necessitates a better understanding of the structural requirements for anti-α1-3-Gal IgE binding to the Fc region. Herein, we synthesized mAb glycoforms with varying degrees and regioisomers of α1-3-galactosylation and tested their binding to two commercial anti-α1-3-Gal human IgE antibodies derived from a human patient with allergies to red meat (comprising α1-3-Gal epitopes), as well as to the FcγRIIIA receptor. Our results demonstrate that unexpectedly, anti-α1-3-Gal human IgE antibodies can bind to Fc glycans, with bi-α1-3-galactosylation being the most important factor, highlighting that their presence in the Fc region may be considered as a potential critical quality attribute, particularly when using novel platforms in mAb-based biotherapeutics.
This study investigates the effect of China’s national Five-Year Plan for environmental protection (FYPEP) on corporate green innovations based on the two-way fixed effect model and panel data about ...the green patents of China’s publicly listed corporations during 1990–2020. Furthermore, the heterogeneity of these green innovations is further discussed with reference to the types of innovation, enterprise ownership, and the location of the corporations. It is found that FYPEP significantly induced corporation green innovations at regional and industrial levels. Heterogeneity analysis indicates that the inductive effect of FYPEP is stronger on green utility model patents than on green invention patents. State-owned enterprises react to green innovation policies more significantly than do private businesses. The inductive effect of FYPEP is stronger in Eastern China than in mid- and Western China. From the perspective of government intervention, this research renders a new framework for the formulation of policies of national environmental protection and corporate green innovation.
Photo‐controlled affinity reagents seek to provide modular spatiotemporal control of bioactivity by conferring photo‐switchability of function on an affinity reagent scaffold. Herein we used ...Rosetta‐based computational methods to screen for sites on the Fynomer affinity reagent structure for attachment of photoswitchable cross‐linkers. Both established UV‐based cross‐linkers (azobenzene‐iodoacetamide (IAC)) and an azonium‐based efficient red‐light‐switchable cross‐linker, piperazino‐tetra‐ortho‐methoxy azobenzene (PIP), were then tested experimentally. Several sites compatible with Fynomer function were identified, including sites showing rapid (<10 s) red light (633 nm) modulation of function. Although a range of overall target binding affinities were observed, the degree of photo‐switchability of Fynomer function was generally small (<twofold). Computational models suggest that local flexibility limits the degree of switching seen in these designs.
Making light work of proteins: Computational methods can be used to identify sites on a protein affinity reagent for installing photoisomerizable cross‐linkers, including red‐light‐switchable azonium‐ion‐based photoswitches that can control the function of the affinity reagent.
In this study, starch citrates were synthesized by superheated steam (SS) treatment without changing the granule structure of starch. The degree of substitution (DS) of starch citrates prepared in ...present study was ranged from 0.015 to 0.064. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy confirmed that citric acid (CA) and starch were successfully esterified with an absorption peak appeared at 1735 cm−1. In vitro digestion results revealed that the content of resistant starch (RS) was significantly increased by citric acid esterification, which was attributed to the cross-linked structure of starch and the inhibition of gelatinization and swelling. According to the physicochemical properties analysis, the pasting temperature of rice starch citrates were significantly increased by citric acid treatment, while the swelling power and gelatinization enthalpy were significantly decreased and the short- and long-range molecular order of the starch was disrupted after the esterification reaction. These results indicated that it is a feasible method to synthesize starch citrate by superheated steam to increase resistant starch, and it could be used as an alternative approach for preparing starch citrate to conventional hot air treatment.
•A superheated steam technology was adopted to synthesize starch citrates.•The starch citrates were maintaining the granule structure of starch.•The resistant starch content was increased by the formation of starch citrates.•The esterified and cross-linked structure was formed in starch citrates.•The inhibition of gelatinization and swelling was found in starch citrates.
Two-dimensional MOF nanomaterials with planar spacing and porosity can effectively transport water molecules and have a wide range of applications in dye wastewater treatment. In this work, two types ...of nanosheets, Cu-TCPP and Zn(Bim)(OAc), were loaded onto polyphenylene sulfide(PPS) ultrafiltration membranes by vacuum-assisted self-assembly, and stable Cu-TCPP/Zn(Bim)(OAc) composite membranes were prepared by taking advantage of the hydrogen bonding and π-π conjugation between the two types of nanosheets. Cu-TCPP/Zn(Bim)(OAc) 2:1 composite membrane showed an optimum selectivity of 97.8% and a permeability of 14.6 L m−2 h−1 bar−1 for aqueous rhodamine B. The surface morphology, chemical environment and properties of the composite membranes were analyzed using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), contact angle measurement (DSA) and zeta potential. The rejection rates of the five dyes, saffron T (ST), eriochrome black T (BT), rhodamine B (RB), crystal violet (CV)and Congo red (CR), were 95.8%, 98%, 97.8%, 97.2% and 98.8%, respectively. After immersion in 0.5 mol of different acids, the rejection rate of Congo red dye still reached 96%, composite membrane has good acid resistance. The interaction between the surface groups of the two MOF materials not only resulted in better separation effect, but also gave the composite membrane better contamination resistance and stability. This method of using two-dimensional MOF materials to construct the selective layer of composite membranes has good application prospects.
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•Using the synergistic effect between two kinds of MOF nanosheets, a stable selective layer was constructed.•The composite membrane possesses good acid resistance, and still has good interception performance for dyes after immersion in different acids.•The composite membrane has good stability and anti-pollution performance.
Winterberry holly (Ilex verticillata L. A. Gray), a deciduous shrub producing glossy bright red berries, is a valuable ornamental and medicinal plant with good market prospects. However, the growth ...and development of I. verticillata are significantly affected by various stresses, and environmentally hazardous agrochemicals are often used to mitigate them. Trichoderma spp., ubiquitous soil-borne eco-friendly plant growth-promoting fungi, are potent biostimulants and biofertilizers and viable alternatives to agrochemicals for healthy and sustainable agriculture. In this study, the temporal efficacy of different dosages of the filamentous fungus Trichoderma guizhouense NJAU4742 in promoting morphophysiological responses of I. verticillata and the physicochemical properties and enzymatic activities of the substrate were investigated. Different concentrations of the strain T. guizhouense NJAU4742 spore suspension (C 0%, T1 5%, v/m, T2 10%, v/m and T3 15%, v/m) were injected in the substrate contained in a pot in which 1-year-old I. verticillata was planted for temporal treatment (15, 45 and 75 days) under open-air conditions. The beneficial effects of T2 and/or T3 treatment for a long duration (75 days) were evident on the different root, aerial and photosynthetic traits; total contents of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) in different tissues and the physicochemical properties of the substrate and its enzymatic activities (urease and invertase). Overall, the study revealed the potency of strain T. guizhouense NJAU4742 as a sustainable solution to improve the growth and development and ornamental value of I. verticillata.
Main conclusion
Mutation of
OsSHR2
adversely impacted root and shoot growth and impaired plant response to N conditions, further reducing the yield per plant.
Nitrogen (N) is a crucial factor that ...regulates the plant architecture. There is still a lack of research on it. In our study, it was observed that the knockout of the
SHORTROOT
2
(
OsSHR2
) which was induced by N deficiency, can significantly affect the regulation of plant architecture response to N in rice. Under N deficiency, the mutation of
OsSHR2
significantly reduced root growth, and impaired the sensitivity of the root meristem length to N deficiency. The mutants were found to have approximately a 15% reduction in plant height compared to wild type. But mutants showed a significant increase in tillering at post-heading stage, approximately 26% more than the wild type, particularly in high N conditions. In addition, due to reduced seed setting rate and 1000-grain weight, mutant yield was significantly decreased by approximately 33% under low N fertilizer supply. The mutation also changed the distribution of N between the vegetative and reproductive organs. Our findings suggest that the transcription factor OsSHR2 plays a regulatory role in the response of plant architecture and yield per plant to N in rice.
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