Description of two new species of Haliplectus Cobb, 1913 (Nematoda, Plectida, Haliplectidae) from mangrove areas of Sandspit backwater, Karachi, Pakistan.

Haliplectus shahinae n. sp. and H.

Discovery and mechanism of K63-linkage-directed deubiquitinase activity in USP53.

Ubiquitin-specific proteases (USPs) represent the largest class of human deubiquitinases (DUBs) and comprise its phylogenetically most distant members USP53 and USP54, which are annotated as catalytically inactive pseudoenzymes. Conspicuously, mutations within the USP domain of USP53 cause progressive familial intrahepatic cholestasis. Here, we report the discovery that USP53 and USP54 are active DUBs with high specificity for K63-linked polyubiquitin.

Benign acute myositis in an adult: case-based review.

Myositis is a clinical condition with a wide spectrum of clinical presentation. We present the case of 33 years old woman with acute history of pain and swelling of both legs. Investigations confirmed acute bilateral myositis of both calf muscles.

Morphological and Molecular note on the identity of Cobb, 1917 (Nematoda: Mylonchulidae) from Pakistan.

A species of predatory nematode, Cobb, 1917, was recovered around the soil and roots of banana plants () from four different localities of Pakistan. The male of this species represents a new record from Pakistan. Morphological and morphometric data of the species have been contributed along with the molecular study.

Native Semisynthesis of Isopeptide-Linked Substrates for Specificity Analysis of Deubiquitinases and Ubl Proteases.

Post-translational modifications with ubiquitin (Ub) and ubiquitin-like proteins (Ubls) are regulated by isopeptidases termed deubiquitinases (DUBs) and Ubl proteases. Here, we describe a mild chemical method for the preparation of fluorescence polarization substrates for these enzymes that is based on the activation of C-terminal Ub/Ubl hydrazides to acyl azides and their subsequent functionalization to isopeptides. The procedure is complemented by native purification routes and thus circumvents the previous need for desulfurization and refolding.

Poly(2-Hydroxyethyl Methacrylate) Hydrogel-Based Microneedles for Metformin Release.

The release of metformin, a drug used in the treatment of cancer and diabetes, from poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate), pHEMA, hydrogel-based microneedle patches is demonstrated in vitro. Tuning the composition of the pHEMA hydrogels enables preparation of robust microneedle patches with mechanical properties such that they would penetrate skin (insertion force of a single microneedle to be ≈40 N). Swelling experiments conducted at 20, 35, and 60 °C show temperature-dependent degrees of swelling and diffusion kinetics.

Molecular basis for ubiquitin/Fubi cross-reactivity in USP16 and USP36.

Ubiquitin and ubiquitin-like proteins typically use distinct machineries to facilitate diverse functions. The immunosuppressive ubiquitin-like protein Fubi is synthesized as an N-terminal fusion to a ribosomal protein (Fubi-S30). Its proteolytic maturation by the nucleolar deubiquitinase USP36 is strictly required for translationally competent ribosomes.

A practical synthesis of 1,3-disubstituted cubane derivatives.

A robust multigram-scale synthesis of 1,3-disubstituted cubanes (previously only available on milligram-scale) is reported. The approach exploits a readily available enone intermediate previously used for the synthesis of 1,4-disubstituted cubanes, by introducing a novel Wharton transposition to access useful quantities of 1,3-disubstituted cubanes for diverse applications.

Challenges and opportunities in current vaccine technology and administration: A comprehensive survey examining oral vaccine potential in the United States.

This study provides a snapshot of the current vaccine business ecosystem, including practices, challenges, beliefs, and expectations of vaccine providers. Our team focused on providers' firsthand experience with administering vaccines to determine if an oral vaccine (e.g.

A Rare Case of Osteoclast-poor Osteopetrosis (RANKL Mutation) with Recurrent Osteomyelitis of Mandible: A Case Report.

Unlabelled: Osteopetrosis (OP) is a group of rare genetic bone disorders. Osteoclast-poor form of osteopetrosis is much rarer in humans and represents a small percentage of the total cases of autosomal recessive osteopetrosis presenting with impaired bone remodeling due to defective osteoclastic activity and is characterized by distinctive increase in bone density and high bone fragility. Reduction in marrow spaces with decreased vasculature to the bone owing to increased bone mass makes the bones vulnerable for varied infections resulting in osteomyelitis.

Influence of platelet-rich fibrin on wound healing and bone regeneration after tooth extraction: A clinical and radiographic study.

Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the influence of autologous platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) on soft tissue healing and bone regeneration following tooth extraction clinically and radio-graphically.

Materials And Methods: 30 Patients between the age group of 18-40 years requiring extraction of bilateral mandibular molars except third molars were selected to conduct a split-mouth study after ethical approval. Teeth extraction was done on both sides in the same appointment.

Laparoscopic-assisted myomectomy with uterine artery occlusion at a freestanding ambulatory surgery center: a case series.

Background: Non-hysteroscopic myomectomy is infrequently performed in a freestanding ambulatory setting, in part due to risks of intraoperative hemorrhage. There are also concerns about increased surgical risks for morbidly obese patients in this setting. The purpose of this study is to report the surgical outcomes of a series of laparoscopic-assisted myomectomy (LAM) cases at a freestanding ambulatory surgery center (ASC), including a comparative analysis of outcomes in morbidly obese patients (BMI > 40 kg/m).

A Retrospective Review of Vaginal Cuff Dehiscence: Comparing Absorbable and Nonabsorbable Sutures.

Study Objective: To compare the rate of spontaneous and complete vaginal cuff dehiscence (VCD) using absorbable versus nonabsorbable sutures for vaginal cuff closure.

Design: Retrospective comparative cohort design.

Setting: Freestanding ambulatory surgery center in suburban Maryland.

Expression of miR-20a: A serum biomarker in the diagnostic approach for hepatocellular carcinoma.

Objective: To determine the micro-ribonucleic acid-20a expression in hepatocellular carcinoma patients and its correlation with patients' demographic data, clinico-pathological and staging characteristics.

Methods: The case-control study was conducted from January to December 2014 at Isra University, Hyderabad, and comprised samples of hepatocellular carcinoma patients collected from two hospitals in Karachi and one in Hyderabad. Patients infected with chronic hepatitis B and C infections formed group-I and group-II and were compared with healthy controls in group-III.

Laparoscopic-Assisted Myomectomy with Bilateral Uterine Artery Occlusion/Ligation.

Study Objective: Conventional laparoscopic myomectomy (CLM) and robotic-assisted myomectomy (RAM) are limited in the number and size of myomas that can be removed, whereas abdominal myomectomy (AM) is associated with increased complications and morbidity. Here we evaluated the surgical outcomes of these myomectomy techniques compared with those of laparoscopic-assisted myomectomy (LAM), a hybrid approach that combines laparoscopy and minilaparotomy with bilateral uterine artery occlusion or ligation to control blood loss.

Design: Retrospective chart review (Canadian Task Force classification II-1).

Expression of miR-100 as a novel ancillary non-invasive biomarker for early detection of bladder carcinoma.

Objective: To determine the expression of microribonucleic acid-100 in bladder cancer patients and to evaluate its association with clinicopathological parameters.

Methods: This cross-sectional case-control study was conducted at Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre Karachi and Civil Hospital Karachi from January to December 2014. Serum samples from patients having bladder carcinoma were collected, and divided into three equal groups.

Primary cutaneous histiocytic sarcoma: A report of five cases with primary cutaneous involvement and review of the literature.

Introduction: Histiocytic sarcoma is an extremely rare hematologic malignancy of histiocytic origin. Five cases of primary cutaneous histiocytic sarcoma are presented.

Materials And Methods: Cases of primary cutaneous histiocytic sarcoma were identified using a natural language search from the dermatopathology data base of Cornell University.

Dual Pathology of Mandible.

Aneurysmal Bone cyst (ABC)is a rare benign lesion of the bone which is infrequent in craniofacial region (12%). Rapid growth pattern causing bone expansion and facial asymmetry is a characteristic feature of ABC. Giant cell lesion is another distinct pathological entity.

Factors Released from Endothelial Cells Exposed to Flow Impact Adhesion, Proliferation, and Fate Choice in the Adult Neural Stem Cell Lineage.

The microvasculature within the neural stem cell (NSC) niche promotes self-renewal and regulates lineage progression. Previous work identified endothelial-produced soluble factors as key regulators of neural progenitor cell (NPC) fate and proliferation; however, endothelial cells (ECs) are sensitive to local hemodynamics, and the effect of this key physiological process has not been defined. In this study, we evaluated adult mouse NPC response to soluble factors isolated from static or dynamic (flow) EC cultures.

Madura foot caused by Gordonia terrae misdiagnosed as Nocardia.

Actinomycetomas are soft tissue bacterial infections that are in the differential for unusual masses of the extremities. Typical infectious agents include Actinomyces and Nocardia and are treated with long-term antibiotics. We report a rare case of Gordonia actinomycetoma that was misdiagnosed as Nocardia and subsequently required surgical excision in addition to antibiotic therapy.