O-GlcNAc Modification of α-Synuclein Can Alter Monomer Dynamics to Control Aggregation Kinetics.

The intrinsically disordered protein α-Synuclein is identified as a major toxic aggregate in Parkinson's as well as several other neurodegenerative diseases. Recent work on this protein has focused on the effects of posttranslational modifications on aggregation kinetics. Among them, O-GlcNAcylation of α-Synuclein has been observed to inhibit the aggregation propensity of the protein.

Post-translational Modification of α-Synuclein Modifies Monomer Dynamics and Aggregation Kinetics.

The intrinsically disordered protein α-Synuclein is identified as a major toxic aggregate in Parkinson's as well as several other neurodegenerative diseases. Recent work on this protein has focused on the effects of posttranslational modifications on aggregation kinetics. Among these, O-GlcNAcylation of α-Synuclein has been observed to inhibit the aggregation propensity of the protein.

A Dynamic Framework for Internet-Based Network Time Protocol.

Time synchronization is vital for accurate data collection and processing in sensor networks. Sensors in these networks often operate under fluctuating conditions. However, an accurate timekeeping mechanism is critical even in varying network conditions.

Strain-Control of Cycloidal Spin Order in a Metallic Van der Waals Magnet.

The manipulation of magnetism through strain control is a captivating area of research with potential applications for low-power devices that do not require dissipative currents. Recent investigations of insulating multiferroics have unveiled tunable relationships among polar lattice distortions, Dzyaloshinskii-Moriya interactions (DMI), and cycloidal spin orders that break inversion symmetry. These findings have raised the possibility of utilizing strain or strain gradient to manipulate intricate magnetic states by changing polarization.

The effect of polymer length in liquid-liquid phase separation.

Understanding the thermodynamics that drive liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) is quite important given the number of diverse biomolecular systems undergoing this phenomenon. Many studies have focused on condensates of long polymers, but very few systems of short-polymer condensates have been observed and studied. Here, we study a short-polymer system of various lengths of poly-adenine RNA and peptides formed by the RGRGG sequence repeats to understand the underlying thermodynamics of LLPS.

Na/K carrier ionophore antibiotics valinomycin and monensin enhance the antibacterial activity of fluoride.

Fluoride is routinely used as a highly effective antibacterial agent that interferes with bacterial metabolism through fundamentally different mechanisms. One of the major bacterial evasion mechanisms against fluoride is the impermeability of cell envelope to the anion that limits its cellular uptake. Therefore, translating such compounds to clinical settings requires novel mechanisms to facilitate the uptake of membrane-impermeant molecules.

The use of artificial neural network for low latency of fault detection and localisation in transmission line.

One of the most critical concerns in power system reliability is the timely and accurate detection of transmission line faults. Therefore, accurate detection and localisation of these faults are necessary to avert system collapse. This paper focuses on using Artificial Neural Networks in faults detection and localisation to attain accuracy, precision and speed of execution.

Parathyroid carcinoma during pregnancy: a novel pathogenic CDC73 mutation - a case report.

Background: Parathyroid carcinoma is an uncommon cause of PTH-dependent hypercalcemia. Only a handful of cases have been reported of parathyroid carcinoma during pregnancy.

Case Presentation: Twenty-four - Year - old female presented with proximal myopathy was found to have hypercalcemia.

Characterizing Transient Protein-Protein Interactions by Trp-Cys Quenching and Computer Simulations.

Transient protein-protein interactions occur frequently under the crowded conditions encountered in biological environments. Tryptophan-cysteine quenching is introduced as an experimental approach with minimal labeling for characterizing such interactions between proteins due to its sensitivity to nano- to microsecond dynamics on subnanometer length scales. The experiments are paired with computational modeling at different resolutions including fully atomistic molecular dynamics simulations for interpretation of the experimental observables and to gain molecular-level insights.

Hyperparameter Optimization of Bayesian Neural Network Using Bayesian Optimization and Intelligent Feature Engineering for Load Forecasting.

This paper proposes a new hybrid framework for short-term load forecasting (STLF) by combining the Feature Engineering (FE) and Bayesian Optimization (BO) algorithms with a Bayesian Neural Network (BNN). The FE module comprises feature selection and extraction phases. Firstly, by merging the Random Forest (RaF) and Relief-F (ReF) algorithms, we developed a hybrid feature selector based on grey correlation analysis (GCA) to eliminate feature redundancy.

Prognostic and Therapeutic Role of Vitamin D in COVID-19: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Purpose: Vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency may increase the susceptibility to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We aimed to determine the association between vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency and susceptibility to COVID-19, its severity, mortality, and role of vitamin D in its treatment.

Methods: We searched CINAHL, Cochrane library, EMBASE, PubMED, Scopus, and Web of Science up to May 30, 2021, for observational studies on association between vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency and susceptibility to COVID-19, severe disease, and death among adults, and, randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing vitamin D treatment against standard care or placebo, in improving severity or mortality among adults with COVID-19.

Human Group IIA Phospholipase A-Three Decades on from Its Discovery.

Phospholipase A (PLA) enzymes were first recognized as an enzyme activity class in 1961. The secreted (sPLA) enzymes were the first of the five major classes of human PLAs to be identified and now number nine catalytically-active structurally homologous proteins. The best-studied of these, group IIA sPLA, has a clear role in the physiological response to infection and minor injury and acts as an amplifier of pathological inflammation.

Topological spin/structure couplings in layered chiral magnet CrTaS: The discovery of spiral magnetic superstructure.

Chiral magnets have recently emerged as hosts for topological spin textures and related transport phenomena, which can find use in next-generation spintronic devices. The coupling between structural chirality and noncollinear magnetism is crucial for the stabilization of complex spin structures such as magnetic skyrmions. Most studies have been focused on the physical properties in homochiral states favored by crystal growth and the absence of long-ranged interactions between domains of opposite chirality.

The Simulation of In-Situ Groundwater Detector Response as a Means of Identifying Beta Emitting Radionuclides by Linear Regression Analysis.

The in-situ characterisation of strontium-90 contamination of groundwater at nuclear decommissioning sites would represent a novel and cost-saving technology for the nuclear industry. However, beta particles are emitted over a continuous spectrum and it is difficult identify radionuclides due to the overlap of their spectra and the lack of characteristic features. This can be resolved by using predictive modelling to perform a maximum-likelihood estimation of the radionuclides present in a beta spectrum obtained with a semiconductor detector.

The Role of Personal Values in Learning Approaches and Student Achievements.

Personal values play a significant role when adopting learning approaches by individuals during their studies. Particularly in higher education, these values significantly influence the character that individuals play within their learning community and ultimately influence their academic achievements. The purpose of this paper is to investigate personal values in their choice of learning approaches and, subsequently, how it impacts one's academic achievements.

Efficient recovery of phosphorus and sulfur from Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactor (AnMBR) permeate using chemical addition of iron and evaluation of its nutrient availability for plant uptake.

Anaerobic membrane bioreactors (AnMBRs) represent an emerging environmental biotechnology platform with the potential to simultaneously recover water, energy, and nutrients from concentrated wastewaters. The removal and beneficial capture of nutrients from AnMBR permeate has yet to be fully explored, therefore this study sought to foster iron phosphate recovery through a tertiary coagulation process, as well as characterize the recovered nutrient product (RNP) and assess its net phosphorus release, diffusion, and availability for plant uptake. One of the primary goals of this study was to optimize the dose of the coagulant, ferric chloride, and coagulant aid, aluminum chlorohydrate (ACH), for continuous application to the coagulation-flocculation-sedimentation (CFS) unit of an AnMBR pilot plant treating municipal wastewater, through controlled bench-scale jar tests.

The Simulated Characterization and Suitability of Semiconductor Detectors for Strontium 90 Assay in Groundwater.

This paper examines the potential deployment of a 10 mm × 10 mm × 1 mm cadmium telluride detector for strontium-90 measurement in groundwater boreholes at nuclear decommissioning sites. Geant4 simulation was used to model the deployment of the detector in a borehole monitoring contaminated groundwater. It was found that the detector was sensitive to strontium-90, yttrium-90, caesium-137, and potassium-40 decay, some of the significant beta emitters found at Sellafield.

Screening of Focused Compound Library Targeting Liver X Receptors in Pancreatic Cancer Identified Ligands with Inverse Agonist and Degrader Activity.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is the predominant form of pancreatic cancer. PDACs harbor oncogenic mutations in the gene, and ongoing efforts to directly target its mutant protein product to inhibit tumor growth are a priority not only in pancreatic cancer but in other malignancies such as lung and colorectal cancers where is also commonly mutated. An alternative strategy to directly targeting KRAS is to identify and target druggable receptors involved in dysregulated cancer hallmarks downstream of KRAS dysregulation.

Regulation of degenerative spheroids after injury.

Neuronal injury leads to rapid, programmed disintegration of axons distal to the site of lesion. Much like other forms of axon degeneration (e.g.

Fluorescence Lifetimes and Spectra of RPE and Sub-RPE Deposits in Histology of Control and AMD Eyes.

Purpose: To investigate fluorescence lifetimes as well as spectral characteristics of drusen and RPE autofluorescence in AMD.

Methods: Fluorescence lifetimes and spectra of five eyes with AMD and nine control eyes were analyzed in cryosections by means of two-photon excited fluorescence at 960 nm. Spectra were detected at 490 to 647 nm.

Do Lifestyle Factors Including Smoking, Alcohol, and Exercise Impact Your Risk of Developing Kidney Stone Disease? Outcomes of a Systematic Review.

With a rise in the incidence of stone disease, more research is needed to understand the lifestyle factors associated with it. We evaluate available evidence for association of smoking, alcohol, and exercise with kidney stone disease (KSD). A systematic literature search was conducted in CINAHL, EMBASE, Ovid Medline, Cochrane Library, Scopus, Clinicaltrials.

A content analysis of 'Water Apps' and prevention of urological diseases: Do apps really help?

Introduction: Maintaining hydration reduces incidence of kidney stone disease (KSD), chronic kidney disease (CKD) and urinary tract infections (UTIs). Mobile applications (apps) measuring hydration are gaining in usage, allowing users to monitor intake whilst also taking into account the signs and symptoms of dehydration. Our study looked at the water apps in the management and/or prevention of urological disease.

The Impact of SARS-Cov-2 Virus Infection on the Endocrine System.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus has spread across the globe rapidly causing an unprecedented pandemic. Because of the novelty of the disease, the possible impact on the endocrine system is not clear. To compile a mini-review describing possible endocrine consequences of SARS-CoV-2 infection, we performed a literature survey using the key words Covid-19, Coronavirus, SARS CoV-1, SARS Cov-2, Endocrine, and related terms in medical databases including PubMed, Google Scholar, and MedARXiv from the year 2000.

The role of fluid intake in the prevention of kidney stone disease: A systematic review over the last two decades.

Objective: The incidence of kidney stone disease (KSD) is rising worldwide; hence, more focus must be directed toward its etiology and risk factors. Increasing fluid intake is recommended as the most ideal prevention; yet, there is inconsistent evidence surrounding optimum volumes and types of fluid that affect stone formation. This review aimed to analyze the published literature on fluid intake and types of fluid consumed and their impact on KSD prevention.