Identification, characterization and immune response of prophenoloxidase from the blue swimmer crab Portunus pelagicus and its antibiofilm activity.

Prophenoloxidase is a conserved Cu-containing enzyme acting as a major defense molecule in the immune response of crustaceans. In the present research, we purified prophenoloxidase from the haemolymph of Portunus pelagicus (Pp-proPO) by Blue Sepharose CL-6B chromatography. Pp-proPO exhibited only one band with molecular weight of 75kDa on SDS-PAGE.

Crystal structure of the MSMEG_4306 gene product from Mycobacterium smegmatis.

The MSMEG_4306 gene from Mycobacterium smegmatis encodes a protein of unknown function with 242 amino-acid residues that contains a conserved zinc-ribbon domain at its C-terminus. Here, the crystal structure of MSMEG_4306 determined by the single-wavelength anomalous dispersion method using just one zinc ion co-purified with the protein is reported. The crystal structure of MSMEG_4306 shows a coiled-coil helix domain in the N-terminal region and a zinc-ribbon domain in the C-terminal region.

Enhanced prediction of recombination hotspots using input features extracted by class specific autoencoders.

In yeast and in some mammals the frequencies of recombination are high in some genomic locations which are known as recombination hotspots and in the locations where the recombination is below average are consequently known as coldspots. Knowledge of the hotspot regions gives clues about understanding the meiotic process and also in understanding the possible effects of sequence variation in these regions. Moreover, accurate information about the hotspot and coldspot regions can reveal insights into the genome evolution.

Extraction and characterization of polysaccharides from tamarind seeds, rice mill residue, okra waste and sugarcane bagasse for its Bio-thermoplastic properties.

The aim of the present study is to extract potential thermoplastic polysaccharides from agricultural industrial wastes. Polysaccharides were extracted from renewable agro industrial wastes such as tamarind seeds [rich in starch (TSS)], okra head waste [rich in mucilage polysaccharide (OMP)], sugarcane bagasse [rich in cellulose (SBC)] and residual rice mill wastes [rich in starch and fiber (RS)]. Urigam variety of tamarind seed starch found to be an amylose rich starch.

Finite element analysis of hollow out-of-plane HfO microneedles for transdermal drug delivery applications.

Transdermal drug delivery (TDD) based on microneedles is an excellent approach due to its advantages of both traditional transdermal patch and hypodermic syringes. In this paper, the fabrication method of hollow out-of-layer hafnium oxide (HfO) microneedles mainly based on deep reactive ion etching of silicon and atomic layer deposition of HfO is described, and the finite element analysis of the microneedles based on ANSYS software is also presented. The fabrication process is simplified by using a single mask.

Peri-operative outcomes and complications after laparoscopic vs robot-assisted dismembered pyeloplasty: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: To analyse the current difference between dismembered robot-assisted pyeloplasty (RAP) and laparoscopic pyeloplasty (LP) in the treatment of pelvi-ureteric junction (PUJ) obstruction as of 26 June 2017, focusing on operating time, length of hospital stay, complication rate, and success rate.

Patients And Methods: We searched PubMed, Medline and Embase databases, consulted experts, reviewed reference lists, used the 'related articles' PubMed feature, and reviewed scientific meeting abstracts for eligible articles published between 1993 and 26 June 2017. A modified Newcastle-Ottawa scale was used to assess study quality.

Expression and Purification of Quinine Dihydro Pteridine Reductase from astrocytes and its significance in the astrocyte pathology.

Quinine dihydropteridinereductase (QDPR) is involved in the synthesis of tetradihydrobiopteridine (BH4) that serve as cofactor for many aromatic hydroxylases including induced nitric oxide synthase (NOS) leading to NO production. Increased activity of QDPR has been associated with decrease levels of TGF-β, a cytokine that regulates the immune response and that elevated levels of NO has been associated with neurodegenerative diseases. Thus, expression of QDPR in astrocytes is essential to study the pathological changes observed in many neurodegenerative disorders.

Effect of Punica granatum peel extracts on antimicrobial properties in Walnut shell cellulose reinforced Bio-thermoplastic starch films from cashew nut shells.

The main aim of the present study is to extract and characterize cashew nut shell (CNS) starch and walnut shell cellulose (WNC) for development of cellulose reinforced starch films. Moreover, the extraction and characterization of pomegranate peel extract, for incorporation with CNS-WNC films, was investigated. CNS starch was examined to be a moderate amylose starch with 26.

Does Stroke Rehabilitation Really Matter? Part B: An Algorithm for Prescribing an Effective Intensity of Rehabilitation.

Background: The proportional recovery rule suggests that current rehabilitation practices may have limited ability to influence stroke recovery. However, the appropriate intensity of rehabilitation needed to achieve recovery remains unknown. Similarities between rodent and human recovery biomarkers may allow determination of rehabilitation thresholds necessary to activate endogenous biological recovery processes.

Does Stroke Rehabilitation Really Matter? Part A: Proportional Stroke Recovery in the Rat.

Background: In human upper-limb stroke, initial level of functional impairment or corticospinal tract injury can accurately predict the degree of poststroke recovery, independent of rehabilitation practices. This proportional recovery rule implies that current rehabilitation practices may play little or no role in brain repair, with recovery largely a result of spontaneous biological recovery processes.

Objective: The present study sought to determine if similar biomarkers predict recovery of poststroke function in rats, indicating that an endogenous biological recovery process might be preserved across mammalian species.

Intravitreal Bevacizumab for Choroidal Neovascularization Associated with Angioid Streaks: Long-term Results.

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of intravitreal bevacizumab (IVB) in the treatment of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) secondary to angioid streaks (AS).

Materials And Methods: Noncomparative, interventional retrospective case series involving ten patients (15 eyes) with a minimum follow-up of 25 months following IVB for AS-associated CNV. Demographic and clinical details at baseline and during follow-up were collected from patient records.

Structural characterization of ribT from Bacillus subtilis reveals it as a GCN5-related N-acetyltransferase.

In bacteria, biosynthesis of riboflavin occurs through a series of enzymatic steps starting with one molecule of GTP and two molecules of ribulose-5-phosphate. In Bacillus subtilis (B. subtilis) the genes (ribD/G, ribE, ribA, ribH and ribT) which are involved in riboflavin biosynthesis are organized in an operon referred as rib operon.

In vitro toxicoproteomic analysis of A549 human lung epithelial cells exposed to urban air particulate matter and its water-soluble and insoluble fractions.

Background: Toxicity of airborne particulate matter (PM) is difficult to assess because PM composition is complex and variable due to source contribution and atmospheric transformation. In this study, we used an in vitro toxicoproteomic approach to identify the toxicity mechanisms associated with different subfractions of Ottawa urban dust (EHC-93).

Methods: A549 human lung epithelial cells were exposed to 0, 60, 140 and 200 μg/cm doses of EHC-93 (total), its insoluble and soluble fractions for 24 h.

Eukaryotic-type serine/threonine kinase mediated phosphorylation at Thr perturbs mycobacterial guanylate kinase activity.

Guanylate kinase is an essential and conserved enzyme in nucleotide biosynthetic pathway that transfers phosphoryl group of ATP to GMP for yielding GDP. Here, we report the phosphorylation of guanylate kinase from (mGmk) by eukaryotic-type Ser/Thr kinase, PknA. Mass spectrometric studies identified Thr and Thr as phosphorylatable residues in mGmk.

New pyrimidine based ligand capped gold and platinum nano particles: Synthesis, characterization, antimicrobial, antioxidant, DNA interaction and in vitro anticancer activities.

In this research work, we have synthesized new pyrimidine based Schiff base ligand, 2-((4,6-dimethoxypyrimidine-2-yl)methyleneenamino)-6-methoxyphenol (DPMM) capped gold (Au) and platinum (Pt) nanoparticles (NPs) by modified Brust-Schiffrin method. The characteristics of DPMM-Au NPs and DPMM-Pt NPs have been examined by UV-Visible, FTIR, SEM, TEM and powder XRD analysis. SEM analysis result shows that surface morphology of the DPMM-Au NPs and DPMM-Pt NPs are in granular and spherical shape, correspondingly.

Phosphorylation of mycobacterial phosphodiesterase by eukaryotic-type Ser/Thr kinase controls its two distinct and mutually exclusive functionalities.

Phosphorylation-mediated negative feedback regulation of cAMP levels by phosphodiesterase is well-established in eukaryotic cells. However, such a mechanism remains unexplored in prokaryotes. We report here the involvement of eukaryotic-type Ser/Thr kinases, particularly PknA in trans-phosphorylating phosphodiesterase from (mPDE), that resulted in decreased enzyme turnover rate compared with its unphosphorylated counterpart.

Comparison of the Effect of PRP, PRF and Induced Bleeding in the Revascularization of Teeth with Necrotic Pulp and Open Apex: A Triple Blind Randomized Clinical Trial.

Introduction: Treatment of a tooth with necrotic pulp and open apex is a special challenge to the clinicians. Apexification with calcium hydroxide and MTA barrier technique fails to induce continued root maturation which makes the tooth susceptible to root fracture. Hence, an ideal outcome for such a tooth should be regeneration of pulp like tissue into the root canal capable of continuing normal root maturation.

Effect of isobutyl methacrylate and methacrylic acid eluted from chairside denture hard reliners on enzymatic cellular antioxidants: An study in human primary buccal mucosal fibroblasts.

Aim: This study was conducted with the objective to evaluate the cytotoxicity of monomers isobutyl methacrylate (IBMA) and methacrylic acid (MA) in human buccal mucosal fibroblast primary cell culture and to study their effect on cellular enzymatic antioxidants-glutathione peroxidase (GPx), superoxide dismutase (SOD), and catalase (CAT).

Materials And Methods: The tissue for fibroblast cell culture was harvested from oral buccal mucosa of a healthy donor. Fibroblast cells were plated at a density of 1 × 10 cells per well in 96-well tissue culture plates.

Social Eavesdropping: Can You Hear the Emotionality in a "Hello" That Is Not Meant for You?

The study examined third-party listeners' ability to detect the Hellos spoken to prevalidated happy, neutral, and sad facial expressions. The average detection accuracies from the happy and sad (HS), happy and neutral (HN), and sad and neutral (SN) listening tests followed the average vocal pitch differences between the two sets of Hellos in each of the tests; HS and HN detection accuracies were above chance reflecting the significant pitch differences between the respective Hellos. The SN detection accuracy was at chance reflecting the lack of pitch difference between sad and neutral Hellos.

Comprehensive strategy for the design of precision drugs and identification of genetic signature behind proneness of the disease-a pharmacogenomic approach.

The proneness of diseases and susceptibility towards drugs vary from person to person. At present, there is a strong demand for the personalization of drugs. The genetic signature behind proneness of the disease has been studied through a comprehensive 'octopodial approach'.

Environmental applications of chitosan and cellulosic biopolymers: A comprehensive outlook.

Biopolymers are substances naturally produced by living organisms and are hence considered to be eco-friendly and sustainable. Chitosan and cellulose are of specific significance owing to their abundant availability, ease of modification, and application potential. On the environmental front, their coagulating and flocculating effects have helped in wastewater clarification, while minimizing the dependability on synthetic polyelectrolytes.

Effect of Mechanical and Chemical Root Surface Treatment on the Shear Bond Strength of Intracanal Post in Primary Anterior Teeth: An In vitro Study.

Introduction: Aesthetic restoration of severely mutilated primary anterior teeth still remains as a special challenge to paediatric dentist. Due to increased parent's concern for aesthetic rehabilitation for their children, paediatric dentist are in a state to improve technique sensitive restorative procedure to improve aesthetic rehabilitation in children.

Aim: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the effect of different root surface treatment on the shear bond strength of glass fibre reinforced post in primary anterior teeth using Universal Testing Machine (UTM).

Enhanced identification of β-lactamases and its classes using sequence, physicochemical and evolutionary information with sequence feature characterization of the classes.

β-lactamases provides one of the most successful means of evading the therapeutic effects of β lactam class of antibiotics by many gram positive and gram negative bacteria. On the basis of sequence identity, β-lactamases have been identified into four distinct classes- A, B, C and D. The classes A, C and D are the serine β-lactamases and class B is the metallo-lactamse.

Silibinin induces hepatic stellate cell cycle arrest via enhancing p53/p27 and inhibiting Akt downstream signaling protein expression.

Background: Proliferation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) plays a pivotal role in the progression of liver fibrosis consequent to chronic liver injury. Silibinin, a flavonoid compound, has been shown to possess anti-fibrogenic effects in animal models of liver fibrosis. This was attributed to an inhibition of cell proliferation of activated HSCs.

hg19K: addressing a significant lacuna in hg19-based variant calling.

Background: The hg19 assembly of the human genome is the most heavily annotated and most commonly used reference to make variant calls for individual genomes. Based on the phase 3 report of the 1000 genomes project (1000G), it is now well known that many positions in the hg19 genome represent minor alleles. Since commonly used variant call methods are developed under the assumption that hg19 reference harbors major alleles at all the ~3 billion positions, these methods mask the calls whenever an individual is homozygous to the minor allele at the respective positions.