Protein-ligand binding affinity prediction exploiting sequence constituent homology.

Motivation: Molecular docking is a commonly used approach for estimating binding conformations and their resultant binding affinities. Machine learning has been successfully deployed to enhance such affinity estimations. Many methods of varying complexity have been developed making use of some or all the spatial and categorical information available in these structures.

Current insight into enteropathogens in flare-up ulcerative colitis. An observational study.

Objective: Incidence of ulcerative colitis is globally increased. Enteric infections and their role in ulcerative colitis flares present a common health problem and a unique clinical challenge. We aimed to identify enteropathogens in flared ulcerative colitis patients and their antimicrobial susceptibilities and relation with the disease activity.

Recent molecularly imprinted polymers applications in bioanalysis.

Molecular imprinted polymers (MIPs) as extraordinary compounds with unique features have presented a wide range of applications and benefits to researchers. In particular when used as a sorbent in sample preparation methods for the analysis of biological samples and complex matrices. Its application in the extraction of medicinal species has attracted much attention and a growing interest.

Testing the reproducibility and robustness of the cancer biology literature by robot.

Scientific results should not just be 'repeatable' (replicable in the same laboratory under identical conditions), but also 'reproducible' (replicable in other laboratories under similar conditions). Results should also, if possible, be 'robust' (replicable under a wide range of conditions). The reproducibility and robustness of only a small fraction of published biomedical results has been tested; furthermore, when reproducibility is tested, it is often not found.

Functionalized graphene oxide tablets for sample preparation of drugs in biological fluids: Extraction of ritonavir, a HIV protease inhibitor, from human saliva and plasma using LC-MS/MS.

In this work, graphene oxide-based tablets (GO-Tabs) were prepared by applying a thin layer of functionalized GO on a polyethylene substrate. The GO was functionalized with amine groups (-NH ) by poly(ethylene glycol)bis(3-aminopropyl) terminated (GO-NH -PEG-NH ). The functionalized GO-Tabs were used for the extraction of ritonavir (RTV) in human saliva samples.

Recent applications of microextraction sample preparation techniques in biological samples analysis.

Analysis of biological samples is affected by interfering substances with chemical properties similar to those of the target analytes, such as drugs. Biological samples such as whole blood, plasma, serum, urine and saliva must be properly processed for separation, purification, enrichment and chemical modification to meet the requirements of the analytical instruments. This causes the sample preparation stage to be of undeniable importance in the analysis of such samples through methods such as microextraction techniques.

Microextraction approaches for bioanalytical applications: An overview.

Biological samples are usually complex matrices due to the presence of proteins, salts and a variety of organic compounds with chemical properties similar to those of the target analytes. Therefore, sample preparation is often mandatory in order to isolate the analytes from troublesome matrices before instrumental analysis. Because the number of samples in drug development, doping analysis, forensic science, toxicological analysis, and preclinical and clinical assays is steadily increasing, novel high throughput sample preparation approaches are calling for.

Influence of vitamin D receptor gene FokI and ApaI polymorphisms on glucocorticoid response in patients with asthma.

Background: Glucocorticoid (GC)-resistant asthma, a complex disease phenotype, has a high morbidity and mortality and takes up a disproportionate share of healthcare costs. The aim of this work was to assess serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)VD) levels in steroid-resistant, steroid-sensitive patients with asthma and in healthy controls, and to investigate the association between the vitamin D receptor gene (VDR) FokI and ApaI polymorphisms and GC resistance in patients with asthma.

Methods: This case-control study included 70 patients with severe bronchial asthma and 30 apparently healthy controls.

Distinct Requirements for Tail-Anchored Membrane Protein Biogenesis in Escherichia coli.

Tail-anchored membrane proteins (TAMPs) are a distinct subset of inner membrane proteins (IMPs) characterized by a single C-terminal transmembrane domain (TMD) that is responsible for both targeting and anchoring. Little is known about the routing of TAMPs in bacteria. Here, we have investigated the role of TMD hydrophobicity in tail-anchor function in and its influence on the choice of targeting/insertion pathway.

Diamine oxidase enzyme: a novel biomarker in respiratory allergy.

Background: Well-known allergy tests are used to evaluate and diagnose allergic diseases. The aim of this study was to assess the role of serum level diamine oxidase (DAO) enzyme as a diagnostic marker in respiratory allergy.

Methods: This case-control study included 40 patients with respiratory allergies (atopic asthma and allergic rhinitis) as well as 40 age- and sex-matched controls.

Recent Applications of Molecularly Imprinted Sol-Gel Methodology in Sample Preparation.

Due to their selectivity and chemical stability, molecularly imprinted polymers have attracted great interest in sample preparation. Imprinted polymers have been applied for the extraction and the enrichment of different sorts of trace analytes in biological and environmental samples before their analysis. Additionally, MIPs are utilized in various sample preparation techniques such as SPE, SPME, SBSE and MEPS.

Clinical Value of Presepsin in Comparison to hsCRP as a Monitoring and Early Prognostic Marker for Sepsis in Critically Ill Patients.

Sepsis carries a poor prognosis for critically ill patients, even withintensive management. We aimed to determined early predictors of sepsis-related in-hospital mortality and to monitor levels of presepsin and high sensitivity C reactive protein (hsCRP) during admission relative to the applied treatment and the development of complications.An observational study was conducted on 68 intensive care unit (ICU) patients with sepsis.

Adaptive method for multicriteria optimization of intensity-modulated proton therapy.

Purpose: Provide an adaptive multicriteria optimization (MCO) method for intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT) utilizing GPU technology. Previously described limitations of MCO such as Pareto approximation and limitation on the number of objectives were addressed.

Methods: The treatment planning process for IMPT must account for multiple objectives, which requires extensive treatment planning resources.

Impact of allergy on children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.

Background. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is commonly present worldwide, causing serious problems to those affected. ADHD was suggested to be secondary to allergic disorder or its medication.

The immunomodulatory role of zinc in asthmatic patients.

Background: Zinc deficiency may play an important role in the development of atopic asthma.

The Aim Of The Work: To assess serum zinc levels in adult atopic, non-atopic asthmatic patients, and in healthy controls and to investigate its modulatory effect on production of interferon gamma (IFN-γ) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) by peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) in vitro.

Methods: Sixty asthmatics and 30 apparently healthy volunteers were included in this study.

Fecal microbiota profile in atopic asthmatic adult patients.

Studies proposed a link between gut microbiota and airway tract. Study the diversity and density of gut microbiota in healthy and asthmatic patients. Semi-quantitative stool cultures were performed from fecal samples collected from 80 adult asthmatic patients and 40 healthy individuals.

Direct Evaluation of the Quark Content of Nucleons from Lattice QCD at the Physical Point.

We evaluate the light, strange, and charm scalar content of the nucleon using one lattice QCD ensemble generated with two degenerate light quarks with mass fixed to their physical value. We use improved techniques to evaluate the disconnected quark loops to sufficient accuracy to determine the strange and charm nucleon σ terms in addition to the light quark content σ_{πN}. We find σ_{πN}=37.

Serum indolamine 2,3 dioxygenase as a marker in the evaluation of allergic rhinitis.

Background: Allergic rhinitis occurs on exposure to a known allergen and is correlated with a positive skin test and physical examination results. Tryptophan is a substrate of many important proteins, e.g.

Creatinine modified Child-Turcotte-Pugh and integrated model of end-stage liver disease scores as predictors of spontaneous bacterial peritonitis-related in-hospital mortality: Applicable or not.

Background And Aims: Despite intensive management, spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) is associated with poor prognosis especially in hospitalized patients. Therefore, the aim of this study was to determine prognostic factors for SBP-related in-hospital mortality, and to evaluate the predictive power of Child-Pugh (CP), model of end-stage liver disease (MELD), creatinine modified Child-Turcotte-Pugh (CrCTP), and integrated MELD (iMELD) for identifying the best score to predict mortality.

Methods: Predictors of SBP-related in-hospital mortality were assessed using regression analysis over 100 cirrhotic patients.

On-line determination of sarcosine in biological fluids utilizing dummy molecularly imprinted polymers in microextraction by packed sorbent.

Several years ago, sarcosine received attention as a prostate-cancer marker. Prostate cancer is one of the most widespread types of tumor diseases in men. The prostate-specific antigen is normally used as a marker, and it can only be detected in blood with a sensitivity of approximately 80%.

Prevalence of diabetic foot disorders and related risk factors among Egyptian subjects with diabetes.

Introduction: Multiple pathologies including diabetic neuropathy, peripheral vascular disease (PVD) and infection contribute to lower extremities amputation in diabetes.

Aim: We examined the prevalence of diabetic foot problems and related risk factors in Egypt.

Subjects And Methods: Between July 2008 and December 2009, 1000 male and 1000 female consecutive adult patients with diabetes (≥ 18-year-old) attending the Alexandria University Diabetic Foot Screening Clinic were surveyed for history/presence of foot ulcers and/or amputations, skin/nail changes, joint mobility, sensory neuropathy (10 g-Semmes-Weinstein Monofilament) and peripheral vascular disease (PVD) using Ankle Brachial Index (ABI).

Centralized Pan-Middle East Survey on the Under-Treatment of Hypercholesterolemia: Results from the CEPHEUS Study in Egypt.

Background: Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of morbidity and mortality; however, the risks associated with this disease can be reduced by targeting circulating low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) with lipid-lowering drugs, as recommended in many treatment guidelines. Their effectiveness for hypercholesterolemia management depends on appropriate use in at-risk patients. Observational studies have shown varying adherence to national and international guidelines on reaching LDL-C treatment goals.

Preparation of monolithic molecularly imprinted polymer sol-gel packed tips for high-throughput bioanalysis: extraction and quantification of L-tyrosine in human plasma and urine samples utilizing liquid chromatography and tandem mass spectrometry.

In situ monolithic molecularly imprinted polymer sol-gel packed tips (MMSTs) were prepared and evaluated for the extraction of lung cancer biomarker L-tyrosine (Tyr) from human plasma and urine samples. Several extraction parameters such as the conditioning, washing and elution solutions, pH and time were investigated. The enrichment factor (EF) and extraction recovery (ER) were studied.