Computational analyses of the length and compositional variations of the FNBP4 gene across 10 different species.

Formin binding protein 4 (FNBP4) interacts with formins and other proteins via its WW domains. Previously, we reported the structural and phylogenetic clustering of FNBP4 across a wide range of organisms from different taxonomic groups along with characterizing its plant variant (Arabidopsis thaliana F4JC80). Recently, the FNBP4 gene is reported to be associated with a congenital disorder Microphthalmia with Limb Anomalies.

EGFR mutations cause a lethal syndrome of epithelial dysfunction with progeroid features.

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is part of a large family of receptors required for communicating extracellular signals through internal tyrosine kinases. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) signaling is required for tissue development, whereas constitutive activation of this signaling pathway is associated with oncogenic transformation. We identified homozygous c.

Implication from the predicted docked interaction of sigma H and exploration of its interaction with RNA polymerase in Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

M. tuberculosis is adapted to remain active in the extreme environmental condition due to the presence of atypical sigma factors commonly called extra cytoplasmic function (ECF) sigma factors. Among the 13 sigma factors of M.

Rheumatoid Arthritis as a Therapeutic Challenge in a Patient with Lynch Syndrome.

Background: Lynch syndrome (LS) is an inherited colorectal cancer (CRC) syndrome accounting for about 3-5% of all cases and involves significantly higher risk of subsequent malignancies, colonic as well as extra-colonic. Increased risk of malignancies, especially lymphoid malignancies, have been described in patients with autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic lupus erythematosus, and Sjögren's syndrome. Epidemiological studies demonstrated that hematopoietic, lung, skin, and prostate cancers are increased in RA, while breast and colon cancers are decreased, with an overall slight increase in all cancers.

Urinary bladder paraganglioma presenting as micturition-induced palpitations, dyspnea, and angina.

Background: Sympathetic urinary bladder paragangliomas are rare catecholamine-secreting neuroendocrine tumors arising from neural crest cells. They are uncommon urinary bladder neoplasms. Symptoms classically include micturition-related or unrelated palpitations and syncope with hypertension, headaches, diaphoresis, and hematuria.

Entanglement entropy in Galilean conformal field theories and flat holography.

We present the analytical calculation of entanglement entropy for a class of two-dimensional field theories governed by the symmetries of the Galilean conformal algebra, thus providing a rare example of such an exact computation. These field theories are the putative holographic duals to theories of gravity in three-dimensional asymptotically flat spacetimes. We provide a check of our field theory answers by an analysis of geodesics.

The PVT1-MYC duet in cancer.

Gain of 8q24, harboring the avian myelocytomatosis viral oncogene homolog (MYC), is a frequent mutation in cancers. Although MYC is the usual suspect in these cancers, the role of other co-gained loci remains mostly unknown. We have recently found that MYC partners with the adjacent long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) plasmacytoma variant translocation 1 (PVT1), which stabilizes MYC protein and potentiates its activity.

Changes in research on language barriers in health care since 2003: A cross-sectional review study.

Background: Understanding how to mitigate language barriers is becoming increasingly important for health care providers around the world. Language barriers adversely affect patients in their access to health services; comprehension and adherence; quality of care; and patient and provider satisfaction. In 2003, the United States (US) government made a major change in national policy guidance that significantly affected limited English proficient patients' ability to access language services.

Post-closure care of engineered municipal solid waste landfills.

Post-closure care is divided into perpetual care (PPC) and long-term care (LTC). Guidelines for post-closure care and associated costs are important for engineered municipal solid waste (MSW) landfills. In many states in the USA, landfill owners are required to set aside funds for 30-40 years of LTC.

Mutation study of DsrM from Allochromatium vinosum using the amino acid sequences.

Sulfur metabolism is one of the oldest known environmental processes. The operon involved in this process is called the dsr operon. The vital role of the operon is to maintain the environmental sulfur balance.

Development of a geometrically accurate and adaptable finite element head model for impact simulation: the Naval Research Laboratory-Simpleware Head Model.

This study demonstrates a novel model generation methodology that addresses several limitations of conventional finite element head models (FEHM). By operating chiefly in image space, new structures can be incorporated or merged, and the mesh either decimated or refined both locally and globally. This methodology is employed in the development of a highly bio-fidelic FEHM from high-resolution scan data.

Complex relationship between ligand binding and dimerization in the epidermal growth factor receptor.

The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) plays pivotal roles in development and is mutated or overexpressed in several cancers. Despite recent advances, the complex allosteric regulation of EGFR remains incompletely understood. Through efforts to understand why the negative cooperativity observed for intact EGFR is lost in studies of its isolated extracellular region (ECR), we uncovered unexpected relationships between ligand binding and receptor dimerization.

Structural characterization of Fis - A transcriptional regulator from pathogenic Pasteurella multocida essential for expression of virulence factors.

Pasteurella multocida is responsible behind a variety of diseases in animals. The disease causing substance of this bacterium is a capsular polysaccharide. The expression of the gene that codes for the bacterial capsule is regulated by the protein Fis.

Rheumatoid arthritis-associated corneal ulceration with superimposed infection by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus: a complicated type of corneal melt.

Background: Severe extra-articular manifestations of rheumatoid arthritis usually occur in advanced stages of the disease. In particular, ocular involvement may lead to inflammatory corneal ulceration, in which therapy is challenging owing to its association with systemic vasculitis. Close collaboration between ophthalmologists and rheumatologists is paramount in providing the best treatment approach in this sight-threatening condition.

Perovskite ceramic nanoparticles in polymer composites for augmenting bone tissue regeneration.

There is increasing interest in the use of nanoparticles as fillers in polymer matrices to develop biomaterials which mimic the mechanical, chemical and electrical properties of bone tissue for orthopaedic applications. The objective of this study was to prepare poly(ϵ-caprolactone) (PCL) nanocomposites incorporating three different perovskite ceramic nanoparticles, namely, calcium titanate (CT), strontium titanate (ST) and barium titanate (BT). The tensile strength and modulus of the composites increased with the addition of nanoparticles.

Structural characterizations of metal ion binding transcriptional regulator CueR from opportunistic pathogen pseudomonas aeruginosa to identify its possible involvements in virulence.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is an opportunistic pathogen present in the environment. It is responsible behind a variety of diseases specifically the multidrug-resistant nosocomial infections and chronic lung infections in cystic fibrosis patients. One of the vital genes of the organism responsible for its multidrug-resistant behavior is the gene PA3523 which codes for the multidrug efflux transporter.

Analyses of the presence of mutations in Dystrophin protein to predict their relative influences in the onset of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

Muscle plays a vital role in the life of vertebrates like humans. Muscle contraction is the only criterion required for locomotion. Muscle fibers also play a vital role as the provider of mechanical strength and act as a large repository of building blocks for protein synthesis in living beings.

In-silico characterization of Formin Binding Protein 4 Family of proteins.

Members of the Formin Binding Protein 4 Family or the FNBP4 were indirectly reported to be associated with many of the biological processes. These proteins possess two WW domains. So far there are practically no reports regarding the characterization and classification of the protein by any means.

PVT1 dependence in cancer with MYC copy-number increase.

'Gain' of supernumerary copies of the 8q24.21 chromosomal region has been shown to be common in many human cancers and is associated with poor prognosis. The well-characterized myelocytomatosis (MYC) oncogene resides in the 8q24.

Effect of certificate of need law on emergency department length of stay.

Background: The impact of the Certificate of Need (CON) law on Emergency Department (ED) care remains elusive in the academic literature.

Objectives: We study the impact of CON law on ED Length of Stay (LOS).

Methods: We examine ED LOS to detect any statistically significant difference between CON and non-CON states.

A novel minigene scaffold for therapeutic cancer vaccines.

Genetic vaccines are emerging as a powerful modality to induce T-cell responses to target tumor associated antigens (TAA). Viral or plasmid DNA or RNA vectors harbor an expression cassette encoding the antigen of choice delivered in vivo by vaccination. In this context, immunizations with minigenes containing selected, highly antigenic, T-cell epitopes of TAAs may have several advantages relative to full-length proteins.

Predictive value of serum actin-free Gc-globulin for complications and outcome in acute liver failure.

This prospective study was designed to evaluate whether early changes in actin-free Gc-globulin levels were associated with complications and outcomes and to identify factors associated with persistent low actin-free Gc-globulin levels in acute liver failure (ALF). Thirty-two consecutive ALF patients admitted from October 2011 to December 2012 were followed up until death or complete recovery. All had serum actin-free Gc-globulin estimation at admission and at day three or expiry.

Does decarboxylation make 2,5-dihydroxybenzoic acid special in matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization?

Rationale: Among the six positional isomers of dihydroxybenzoic acid (DHB), 2,5-DHB is a more favorable matrix for use in matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) than the other isomers because of its high ion-generation efficiency at 337 and 355 nm. The generation of hydroquinone or p-benzoquinone through the decarboxylation of 2,5-DHB has been suggested to play a crucial role in the ion-generation efficiency of 2,5-DHB.

Methods: The mass spectra of desorbed neutrals generated from MALDI were measured using electron impact ionization (70 eV) and a quadrupole mass spectrometer and vacuum ultraviolet (118 nm) photoionization and a time-of-flight mass spectrometer.

Antibodies to a single, conserved epitope in Anopheles APN1 inhibit universal transmission of Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax malaria.

Malaria transmission-blocking vaccines (TBVs) represent a promising approach for the elimination and eradication of this disease. AnAPN1 is a lead TBV candidate that targets a surface antigen on the midgut of the obligate vector of the Plasmodium parasite, the Anopheles mosquito. In this study, we demonstrated that antibodies targeting AnAPN1 block transmission of Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax across distantly related anopheline species in countries to which malaria is endemic.

Polymorphisms within the Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase gene (TERT) in four breeds of dogs selected for difference in lifespan and cancer susceptibility.

Background: Enzymatic activity of Telomerase Reverse Transcriptase (TERT) is important in maintaining the telomere length and has been implicated in cancer and aging related pathology. Since cancer susceptibility as well as longevity of dogs vary between breeds, this study involved sequencing the entire TERT gene of Canis familiaris from DNA samples obtained from forty dogs, with ten dogs each of four breeds: Shih Tzu, Dachshund, Irish Wolfhound, and Newfoundland, each with different life expectancies and susceptibility to cancer.

Results: We compared the sequences of all forty individuals amongst one another and with the published sequence of canine TERT, and analyzed relationships between members of the same or different breeds.