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A certified reference material (CRM) for the quantification of protein, essential to manage quality control and quality assurance in protein-related works, has been developed. Amino acid analysis with conventional acid hydrolysis and isotope dilution HPLC-MS was used to establish an SI-traceable absolute protein quantification method using recombinant human growth hormone (hGH) as a model protein. The certification method was verified by comparative studies between 1) different methods of protein quantification based on microwave-assisted hydrolysis, and 2) different labs as part of the Asian Collaboration on Reference Material project with Japan, China, and Korea. Certification, evaluation of measurement uncertainty, homogeneity testing, and stability testing were carried out, after which the candidate CRM for hGH quantification was successfully certified with excellent agreement within the certified value in the two comparative studies. Although the quantification value of hGH by amino acid analysis showed good robustness in various conditions, results of intact protein analysis showed degradation profiles in temperatures higher than 4 °C. Consequently, storage and dissemination conditions should be set in accordance with stability tests. Based on the results, this method is believed to be suitable for accurate quantification of hGH. Additionally, it can also be used as a guide to preparation of CRM, and instructions for quality management of protein work for other similar proteins., (Copyright © 2019 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Here, we present the first complete mitochondrial genome of Malayan Gaur ( Bos gaurus hubbacki ) inferred using next-generation sequencing. The mitogenome is 16,367 bp in length with the structural organization of a typical bovine mitochondrial arrangement comprising 13 protein-coding genes, 21 tRNAs, and 2 rRNAs. No internal stop codon was found in the protein-coding genes. Phylogenetic tree analysis revealed that Malayan gaur is more closely related to Burmese banteng instead of gaur., Competing Interests: No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors., (© 2019 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.)

This article contains data of the sequence variation in the mitochondrial DNA D-loop region of the Malayan gaur ( Bos gaurus hubbacki ), locally known as the seladang, from two captive centers. Thirty fecal samples of Malayan gaur were collected from Jenderak Selatan Wildlife Conservation Center (Pahang) and the Sungkai Wildlife Reserve (Perak) for DNA extraction and amplification with polymerase chain reactions. DNA sequences were then analyzed using neighbor joining (NJ) and maximum parsimony (MP) methods. Based on the 652 base pairs obtained, we found seven variable characters with a value of 1%. The genetic distance between the two captive centers was 0.001. Haplotype analyses detected only four haplotypes between these two captive centers. Both NJ and MP trees demonstrate that all individuals in the Jenderak and Sungkai captive centers are in the same clade. Genetic variation of the Malayan gaur in these centers is considered low, possibly because individuals share the same common parent. This sequence variation data are of paramount importance for designing a proper breeding and management program of the Malayan gaur in the future.

Studies of deep-sea benthic communities have largely focused on particular (macro) habitats in isolation, with few studies considering multiple habitats simultaneously in a comparable manner. Compared to mega-epifauna and macrofauna, much less is known about habitat-related variation in meiofaunal community attributes (abundance, diversity and community structure). Here, we investigated meiofaunal community attributes in slope, canyon, seamount, and seep habitats in two regions on the continental slope of New Zealand (Hikurangi Margin and Bay of Plenty) at four water depths (700, 1,000, 1,200 and 1,500 m). We found that patterns were not the same for each community attribute. Significant differences in abundance were consistent across regions, habitats, water and sediment depths, while diversity and community structure only differed between sediment depths. Abundance was higher in canyon and seep habitats compared with other habitats, while between sediment layer, abundance and diversity were higher at the sediment surface. Our findings suggest that meiofaunal community attributes are affected by environmental factors that operate on micro- (cm) to meso- (0.1-10 km), and regional scales (> 100 km). We also found a weak, but significant, correlation between trawling intensity and surface sediment diversity. Overall, our results indicate that variability in meiofaunal communities was greater at small scale than at habitat or regional scale. These findings provide new insights into the factors controlling meiofauna in these deep-sea habitats and their potential vulnerability to anthropogenic activities.

Multicomponent gene delivery systems incorporating cell-penetrating peptides (CPP) from the human neurturin protein (NRTN-30, NRTN(132-161); NRTN-17, NRTN(145-161)) and a poly-l-lysine (PLL) dendron, were synthesized and characterized for plasmid DNA (pDNA) delivery. Acetylated NRTN peptides (Ac-CPP) and peptides conjugated to a PLL dendron (DEN-CPP) efficiently condensed and stabilized pDNA. Complexes between pDNA and DEN-CPP formed smaller and more stable nanoparticles. Flow cytometry experiments showed that pDNA-DEN-CPPs were taken up more efficiently into HeLa cells. There was also no significant difference between NRTN-30 and NRTN-17 for pDNA uptake, indicating that the truncated peptide alone is sufficient as a CPP for pDNA delivery., (Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

We describe two new species and provide one new species record of the family Comesomatidae from a submarine canyon habitat on the Southern Hikurangi margin, New Zealand. Vasostoma hexodontium n. sp. is characterized by having an amphideal fovea with three turns, buccal cavity with six teeth and gubernaculum with long and straight caudal apophyses. Sabatieria dispunctata n. sp. is characterized by the absence of cuticle punctations, large amphideal fovea with 4.5 turns, pharynx with posterior bulb, absence of pre-cloacal supplements, strongly arcuate and cuticularized spicules, simple gubernaculum with short caudal apophyses, and vulva opening directed posteriorly. Laimella subterminata Chen & Vincx, 2000, which was originally described from the Beagle Channel and the Magellan Strait (Chile), is recorded from the Southwest Pacific for the first time.

Plant cell culture technology is potentially useful in producing high-valued secondary metabolites. Eurycoma longifolia root extracts are consumed as a health tonic but more popularly used as an aphrodisiac. Studies on the aphrodisiac properties and the possible compounds involved have been widely studied. There are many potentially useful compounds reported from the root extracts of E. longifolia. However, studies on the in vitro production of useful compounds from this plant have not been reported. This chapter will describe methods of callus induction and extraction of 9-methoxycanthin-6-one from E. longifolia Jack explants with emphasis on the tap and fibrous roots. This compound, known to have anti-tumour activity, is present in intact plant parts and in callus tissues of different explants.

In this work we have tried to elucidate whether telangiectases are dilatations of the arteriolar or the venular sections of the circulation system. To this end, we have made use of resources which have allowed us to study in the first place, the wall of these small vascular dilatations and, in the second place, their content. Through our studies we could determine that telangiectases are originated by dilatation of the venular sector of the circulatory system.