From viruses to humans - Exploring the structure-function relationship of the Kesv protein for the future of biomedicine.

Viruses often use ion channel proteins to initialise host infections. Defects in ion channel proteins are also linked to several metabolic disorders in humans. In that instance, modulation of ion channel activities becomes central to development of antiviral therapies and drug design.

Glutaredoxin proteins from E. coli isoforms were compared in terms of energy frustration.

Glutaredoxin (GRXs) protein plays a vital role inside the cell, including redox control of transcription to the cell's antioxidant defense, apoptosis, and cellular differentiation regulation. In this study, we have investigated the energy landscape and characterized the pattern of local frustration in different forms and states of the GRX protein ofE. coli.

3D-Printed Cardiac Models for Fetal Counseling: A Pilot Study and Novel Approach to Improve Communication.

A fetal cardiology consultation involves using two-dimensional drawings to explain the cardiac anatomy which can result in inherent variation in how the congenital heart disease (CHD) is conveyed. In this pilot study, we incorporated three-dimensional printed (3DP) models into fetal counseling to demonstrate feasibility and evaluate the impact on parental knowledge, understanding, and anxiety. Parents with a prenatal diagnosis of a muscular ventricular septal defect (VSD) and/or coarctation of aorta were enrolled.

The second PI(3,5)P binding site in the helix of KCNQ1 stabilizes PIP-at the primary site with potential consequences on intermediate-to-open state transition.

The Phosphatidylinositol 3-phosphate 5-kinase Type III PIKfyve is the main source for selectively generated phosphatidylinositol 3,5-bisphosphate (PI(3,5)P), a known regulator of membrane protein trafficking. PI(3,5)P facilitates the cardiac KCNQ1/KCNE1 channel plasma membrane abundance and therewith increases the macroscopic current amplitude. Functional-physical interaction of PI(3,5)P with membrane proteins and its structural impact is not sufficiently understood.

Potassium viroporins as model systems for understanding eukaryotic ion channel behaviour.

Ion channels are membrane proteins essential for a plethora of cellular functions including maintaining cell shape, ion homeostasis, cardiac rhythm and action potential in neurons. The complexity and often extensive structure of eukaryotic membrane proteins makes it difficult to understand their basic biological regulation. Therefore, this article suggests, viroporins - the miniature versions of eukaryotic protein homologs from viruses - might serve as model systems to provide insights into behaviour of eukaryotic ion channels in general.

Cardiovascular computed tomography in pediatric congenital heart disease: A state of the art review.

Cardiac computed tomography (CCT) has increasingly been used in the assessment of both children and adults with congenital heart disease (CHD), in part due to advances in CCT technology and an increased prevalence of adults with palliated CHD. It serves as a complimentary modality to echocardiography, cardiac magnetic resonance imaging and cardiac catheterization. CCT can provide unique diagnostic information, is less invasive and less likely to require sedation compared to other modalities.

Identification of intrinsically disorder regions in non-structural proteins of SARS-CoV-2: New insights into drug and vaccine resistance.

The outbreak of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in December 2019 and caused coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), which causes pneumonia and severe acute respiratory distress syndrome. It is a highly infectious pathogen that promptly spread. Like other beta coronaviruses, SARS-CoV-2 encodes some non-structural proteins (NSPs), playing crucial roles in viral transcription and replication.

Containment strategies for COVID-19 in India: lessons from the second wave.

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic in India has resulted in mass destruction in the form of second wave.Indian citizens and government were badly affected and were left constrained with basic medical facilities in treating the heavy load of patients. The possibility of reemergence of virulent strains of SARS-CoV-2 still exists.

Clinical features and mechanistic insights into drug repurposing for combating COVID-19.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged from Wuhan in China before it spread to the entire globe. It causes coronavirus disease of 2019 (COVID-19) where mostly individuals present mild symptoms, some remain asymptomatic and some show severe lung inflammation and pneumonia in the host through the induction of a marked inflammatory 'cytokine storm'. New and efficacious vaccines have been developed and put into clinical practice in record time, however, there is a still a need for effective treatments for those who are not vaccinated or remain susceptible to emerging SARS-CoV-2 variant strains.

Genomic Variations in the Structural Proteins of SARS-CoV-2 and Their Deleterious Impact on Pathogenesis: A Comparative Genomics Approach.

A continual rise in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection causing coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has become a global threat. The main problem comes when SARS-CoV-2 gets mutated with the rising infection and becomes more lethal for humankind than ever. Mutations in the structural proteins of SARS-CoV-2, i.

Guidelines and Safety Considerations in the Laboratory Diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 Infection: A Prerequisite Study for Health Professionals.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is an emerging challenging area for the researchers to buckle up against the spread and control of the virus. Since earlier times, the diagnosis has been an important procedure in estimating the fate of epidemics by indicating the extent to which disease has been spread and to the extent, further disease prognosis would occur. The absence of anti-viral therapies and vaccines for COVID-19 at present suggests early diagnosis and isolation of the patients as the only smart approach available as of now.

SARS-CoV-2 mediated lung inflammatory responses in host: targeting the cytokine storm for therapeutic interventions.

The recent exposure of novel coronavirus strain, severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV-2) has spread to different countries at an alarming rate. Faster transmission rate and genetic modifications have provoked scientists to search for an immediate solution. With an increasing death rate, it becomes important to throw some light on the life cycle of the virus and its associated pathogenesis in the form of lung inflammation through cytokine storm (CS) production.

Molecular Basis of Pathogenesis of Coronaviruses: A Comparative Genomics Approach to Planetary Health to Prevent Zoonotic Outbreaks in the 21st Century.

In the first quarter of the 21st century, we are already facing the third emergence of a coronavirus outbreak, the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) responsible for the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Comparative genomics can inform a deeper understanding of the pathogenesis of COVID-19. Previous strains of coronavirus, SARS-CoV, and Middle-East respiratory syndrome-coronavirus (MERS-CoV), have been known to cause acute lung injuries in humans.

Diagnostic approaches in COVID-19: clinical updates.

Introduction: COVID-19 is a recent emerging pandemic whose prognosis is still unclear. Diagnostic tools are the main players that not only indicate a possible infection but can further restrict the transmission and can determine the extent to which disease progression would occur.

Areas Covered: In this paper, we have performed a narrative and critical review on different technology-based diagnostic strategies such as molecular approaches including real-time reverse transcriptase PCR, serological testing through enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, laboratory and point of care devices, radiology-based detection through computed tomography and chest X-ray, and viral cell cultures on Vero E6 cell lines are discussed in detail to address COVID-19.

Maternal Predictors of Disparate Outcomes in Children With Single Ventricle Congenital Heart Disease.

Background Significant variability in morbidity and mortality persists for children with functionally single ventricle congenital heart disease (SV-CHD) despite standardization in medical and surgical care. We hypothesized that maternal health factors may be associated with an increased risk of poor outcomes in children with SV-CHD. Methods and Results This retrospective, observational, cohort study included term maternal-infant pairs with a diagnosis of SV-CHD who underwent surgical palliation from 2006 to 2015 at Primary Children's Hospital.

High-sensitivity troponin T in preterm infants with a hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus.

Objective: To investigate if a hemodynamically significant patent ductus arteriosus (hsPDA) leads to elevated high-sensitivity troponin T (hsTnT) and NTproBNP levels in serum.

Study Design: Infants <34 weeks and <1500 g were prospectively enrolled, except those with major congenital or chromosomal anomalies. An echocardiogram (ECHO) was performed and hsTnT and NTproBNP were measured within 5 days of life and repeated after treatment of hsPDA.

Quantitative assessment of lingual strength in late-onset Pompe disease.

Introduction: Skeletal muscle is common in late-onset Pompe disease (LOPD). Recent data implicate common bulbar muscle involvement (i.e.