Boric acid

Aquaporins, which move water through membranes of plant cells, were not thought to be able to permeate sugar molecules, but researchers have observed sucrose transport in plant aquaporins for the first time, challenging this theory. Aquaporins, which move water through membranes of plant cells, were not thought to be able to permeate sugar molecules, but University of Adelaide researchers have observed sucrose transport in plant aquaporins for the first time, challenging this theory. The finding, made by researchers from the School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, widens the concept of aquaporins' role in plant biology and will have implications for the bioengineering of plants for food production and plant survival. Aquaporins, which belong to a class of membrane proteins known as water-transporters, were first identified in 1993 by American molecular biologist and Nobel Laureate, Peter Agre. The concept of water-permeation in small molecules was accepted at the time, but it was unclear if aquaporins could permeate larger molecules, such as sucrose. This has now been demonstrated, with researchers employing a multidisciplinary approach to observe the biochemical process in HvNIP2;1, which is a Nodulin 26-like Intrinsic Protein found in barley. "We used nanobiotechnology, electrophysiology, protein chemistry, protein modelling and computational chemistry. We also integrated vast experimental and theoretical data with phylogenomics exploring around 3,000 aquaporins," said the University of Adelaide's Professor Maria Hrmova. HvNIP2;1 is different from other sub-clades of aquaporins in that it has altered structural characteristics and thus it acquired the ability to transport saccharides. Researchers are interested to see what other functions it may serve and how this relates to in planta function. "We also performed full-scale steered molecular dynamics simulations of HvNIP2;1 and a spinach aquaporin -- a structurally and functionally divergent aquaporin compared to HvNIP2;1 -- revealing potential rectification of water, boric acid, and sucrose. This will be the subject of future studies," said Professor Hrmova. The discovery has been published in the Journal of Biological Chemistry, a forum for fundamental research at the intersection of biochemistry, biophysics and biology, and demonstrates the importance of questioning assumed knowledge. "This work exemplifies that we need to be more open-minded about what different aquaporins may permeate, besides water," said the paper's co-author, Professor Steve Tyerman, who previously revealed ion permeation in plant aquaporins. "Water may be secondary to other important molecules in aquaporins, or some may be co-transport water and other molecules by virtue of a vast array of protein-ligand interactions," said Professor Hrmova. Understanding the properties of aquaporins is important for bioengineering to design novel proteins with improved characteristics, such as substrate specificity, thermostability, and folding. These properties are fundamental to the survival of plants as they mediate water and nutrient uptake, govern the distribution of solutes through plants, remove toxins from the cytosol, and recycle valuable sugars. Given their gatekeeping functions, aquaporins and other membrane transporters are attractive targets in agricultural biotechnology for increasing nutrient contents in edible parts of crop plants, excluding toxic elements, which together directly affect crop quality and ultimately sustained production of our food.

First of Its Kind Survey Reveals Nearly Three-Quarters of Women 18-50 Are Embarrassed by Feminine Issues NASHVILLE, Tenn., Oct. 30, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- pH-D Feminine Health announced today an industry first—the release of their first annual pH-D® Pulse Poll, a look at women's most compelling feminine care issues today. According to the survey, sponsored by pH-D Feminine Health and conducted by TSG Consumer, a stunning 74% of women report feeling insecure or embarrassed by vaginal odor. Another 28% of all women surveyed report feeling insecure about vaginal dryness. The pH-D® Pulse Poll also found: Continue Reading pH-D® Feminine Health Many women note a love/hate relationship with their vagina (being both a source of pain and pleasure) and oftentimes a nuisance. Women are notably divided in their perception of their vagina: calling it beautiful, ugly, powerful, and unique. Respondent comments about vaginal odor included feeling: "Embarrassed and panicked because I feel like others are judging me." "Ashamed, it's a very distinct scent and I worry people know it's coming from me." "Very self-conscious. It's hard to focus on other things when I'm worried about my odor being recognized by other people." "Unclean and unhygienic, like I need a shower." "I feel like I did something wrong." "The mission of pH-D Feminine Health is to help women at every stage of their lives feel confident and comfortable about their bodies. Commissioning the first poll of its kind to examine hard-to-talk-about feminine care issues was a way to spotlight important personal concerns facing women today," says Deeannah Seymour, Co-Founder and CEO of pH-D Feminine Health, who points out that the poll is being released in anticipation of the upcoming 10-year anniversary for the company. "As a woman-owned and woman-run company, we also hope this survey creates a platform for women to open up about their personal care journey and realize they're not alone." Deeannah Seymour spent 20 years in the pharmaceutical industry, she had planned to maintain that career until her retirement. She pivoted when she found that the holistic alternatives for feminine care she was seeking, didn't exist. With a degree in biology, and help from doctors and scientists, she co-founded pH-D Feminine Health in 2014 and launched what is now the #1 doctor-recommended and #1 best-selling boric acid vaginal suppository. So popular, pH-D Feminine Health sells one boric acid vaginal suppository every 20 seconds. About pH-D Feminine Health pH-D Feminine Health is the #1 Best-Selling and #1 Doctor Recommended boric acid suppository in the USA. Founded in 2014 by Deeannah Seymour, pH-D Feminine Health was created to reinvent holistic feminine hygiene and wellness solutions to help millions of women feel confident and comfortable. As an independently held, certified woman-owned and women-run business, pH-D Feminine Health continues to remove the stigma associated with vaginal health and dramatically improve the lives of women. pH-D Feminine Health products are manufactured at the company's own FDA-registered USA facility. They are available nationwide at over 50,000 retail locations in the USA and Canada, on Amazon and at phdfemininehealth.com. For media inquiries, contact Rebel Gail Communications Stephanie Channell | [email protected] | 212.675.8555 Joanne Cole | 367696@email4pr.com SOURCE pH-D Feminine Health