Sperm-associated antigen 11A (SPAG11A) is expressed exclusively in the epididymis, which can specifically regulate sperm maturation. The aim of this study was to investigate the seasonal expressions of beta-defensin (SPAG11A) and androgen receptor (AR) in the epididymis of the wild ground squirrels (Citellus dauricus Brandt). Morphologically, the results showed that epididymis length and weight in the breeding season were significantly higher than those of the non-breeding season. Histologically, the results revealed that enlarged lumen diameters, thickened epithelial and abundant sperm in the breeding season while reduced lumen diameters and epithelial with no sperm in the non-breeding season. SPAG11A was intensely expressed in cytoplasm and nucleus of epithelial cells in the breeding season, and weaker staining in the non-breeding season. The immunostaining of AR was only presented in nucleus of smooth muscle cells and epithelial cells in the whole epididymis with stronger staining in the breeding season. The results of real-time quantitative PCR also showed that the mRNA levels of SPAG11A and AR in the epididymis during the breeding season were significantly higher than those of the non-breeding season. In addition, the levels of testosterone (T), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) in the serum were higher during the breeding season. Taken together, these results suggested that SPAG11A might play an important role to regulate seasonal changes in epididymal function of the wild ground squirrels.AIM To investigate the initial perceptions that health and social care professionals have when caring for trans patients. METHOD This was a qualitative study that involved semi-structured interviews with five participants in one geographical area as a snapshot study. The research transcripts were analysed, and themes were identified and examined. FINDINGS The main themes identified from the interviews with participants were discrimination; lack of understanding of the trans body and gender identity; confusion around terminology; cultural perceptions and attitudes towards trans people; professionalism; the need for trans awareness training; and social recognition for trans staff members. SR4835 CONCLUSION The findings of this study suggest there is a need to develop trans awareness training for staff working in areas of practice that are likely to provide care for trans people, such as acute care, emergency departments and mental health services. This could improve health outcomes for trans people and increase the likelihood of them accessing health and social care services in the future. © 2020 RCN Publishing Company Ltd. All rights reserved. Not to be copied, transmitted or recorded in any way, in whole or part, without prior permission of the publishers.BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is the biomarker for lung cancer in which the protein has the most active mutated genes in lung cancer patients. Peptides have pharmacological potential as drugs because of their bioactivity and accessibility. The research objective was to obtain peptide compounds drug candidates with good interaction and pharmacological properties that can act as an inhibitor for EGFR for lung cancer treatment by using in silico method. MATERIALS AND METHODS EGFR protein structure was obtained from Protein Data Bank and the peptide compounds were retrieved from PubChem. Optimization and energy minimization process were done to prepare the peptides for the simulation. Protein-Ligand Interaction Fingerprint (PLIF) was used to determine the pharmacophore features in the EGFR binding site. Both proteins and ligands underwent a virtual screening through rigid and flexible molecular docking simulation and the best ligands were subjected to a computational ADME-Tox properties prediction. RESULTS After screening through molecular docking simulation, nine best compounds were identified to have a good interaction with EGFR protein according to its binding energy and RMSD value. The compounds were identified to form hydrogen bond interactions with the macromolecule. CONCLUSION Two peptide compounds (PubChem ID 20832941 and 9805315) have been predicted as the best ligands with desired pharmacological properties for the inhibition of EGFR tyrosine kinase.BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE The DPEase enzyme from Agrobacterium tumefaciens is more efficient and has a high activity in D-fructose. The dpe gene has been successfully cloned to Escherichia coli BL21 (DE3) pET-21b dpe but the enzyme has not been purified and its character is unknown. The intent of this study was to purify and assign of DPEase enzyme by recombinant E. coli. MATERIALS AND METHODS The enzyme was clarified by affinity chromatography and then characterized by following pH, temperature, co-factor parameters. Analysis of molecular weight proteins was done by SDS-PAGE. RESULTS Through purification, the purified DPEase activity was increased 1,01 times than crude and with 84.2% of yield. The DPEase had an the maximum temperature is 40°C and pH was 8.5. The presence of Mg2+, Mo2+, Cu2+, Ca2+ and Zn2+ inhibited the activity of the enzyme while of Co2+, Mn2+, Fe2+, Ni2+ enhanced the activity. Estimation of molecular weight through SDS-PAGE revealed that weight of DPEase was 32 kDa. CONCLUSION Purified DPease enzymes shows clear bands that demonstrate successful purification using affinity chromatography. It is expected that after pure enzymes are obtained the character of the enzymes working will be maximized.BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Euphorbia species have historically been used as medicinal plants to treat different ailments. However, some species have been reported to exhibit various degrees of toxicity. It becomes critical to distinguish toxic species from those that are non-toxic, for a particular application. The aim of the study was to determine the method for fingerprinting the chemical constituents of the selected toxic and non-toxic Euphorbia species to identify markers of toxicity. MATERIAL AND METHODS Hexane, DCM, methanol, ethyl acetate and water plant extracts of Euphorbia ammak, clavarioides, caerulescens, polygona and trigona were investigated for their cytotoxic activities towards the mammalian Vero cell line using MTT cell viability test assay. The presence of secondary metabolites and proteins were assessed in the plant extracts. Moreover, the study used chromatographic methods to fingerprint the plant extracts to identify toxicity markers. RESULTS The DCM extract of E. ammak exhibited the highest cell growth inhibition at all concentrations tested.