Starch is a key energy-storage molecule in plants that requires controlled synthesis and breakdown for effective plant growth. -Amylases (BAMs) hydrolyze starch into maltose to help to meet the metabolic needs of the plant. In the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana there are nine BAMs, which have apparently distinct functional and domain structures, although the functions of only a few of the BAMs are known and there are no 3D structures of BAMs from this organism. Recently, AtBAM2 was proposed to form a tetramer based on chromatography and activity assays of mutants; however, there was no direct observation of this tetramer. Here, small-angle X-ray scattering data were collected from AtBAM2 and its N-terminal truncations to describe the structure and assembly of the tetramer. Comparison of the scattering of the AtBAM2 tetramer with data collected from sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) BAM5, which is also reported to form a tetramer, showed there were differences in the overall assembly. Analysis of the N-terminal truncations of AtBAM2 identified a loop sequence found only in BAM2 orthologs that appears to be critical for AtBAM2 tetramer assembly as well as for activity.

Starch is a key energy‐storage molecule in plants that requires controlled synthesis and breakdown for effective plant growth. β‐Amylases (BAMs) hydrolyze starch into maltose to help to meet the metabolic needs of the plant. In the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana there are nine BAMs, which have apparently distinct functional and domain structures, although the functions of only a few of the BAMs are known and there are no 3D structures of BAMs from this organism. Recently, AtBAM2 was proposed to form a tetramer based on chromatography and activity assays of mutants; however, there was no direct observation of this tetramer. Here, small‐angle X‐ray scattering data were collected from AtBAM2 and its N‐terminal truncations to describe the structure and assembly of the tetramer. Comparison of the scattering of the AtBAM2 tetramer with data collected from sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas) BAM5, which is also reported to form a tetramer, showed there were differences in the overall assembly. Analysis of the N‐terminal truncations of AtBAM2 identified a loop sequence found only in BAM2 orthologs that appears to be critical for AtBAM2 tetramer assembly as well as for activity.

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Background: The prevalence of pediatric food allergies is increasing. Although pediatric residents are frontline providers for children with food allergies, little is known about pediatric residents’ educational experiences and comfort with infant and toddler food allergy. Methods: An anonymous online needs assessment survey was created and distributed to 64 residents in one residency program. The survey explored residents’ knowledge sources, experience, and comfort in diagnosing, treating, and counseling patients with regard to food allergy and anaphylaxis. Results: Fifty-one pediatric residents (79.7%) completed the survey. Pediatric residents who had formal engagement with allergy-trained clinicians had 8.27 times the odds (odds ratio 8.27 [95% confidence interval, 1.16‐59.01]; p = 0.035) of feeling comfortable in treating infant and toddler anaphylaxis compared with those who did not feel comfortable. Conclusion: These findings suggest that a standardized pediatric residency curriculum, in partnership with pediatric allergists, may present enhanced educational opportunities for pediatric residents.