Effect of phospholipid liposomes on prion fragment (106-128) amyloid formation.

Misfolding and aggregation of cellular prion protein (PrP) is a major molecular process involved in the pathogenesis of prion diseases. Here, we studied the aggregation properties of a prion fragment peptide PrP(106-128). The results show that the peptide aggregates in a concentration-dependent manner in an aqueous solution and that the aggregation is sensitive to pH and the preformed amyloid seeds.

Finite Element Modelling of a Gram-Negative Bacterial Cell and Nanospike Array for Cell Rupture Mechanism Study.

Inspired by nature, it is envisaged that a nanorough surface exhibits bactericidal properties by rupturing bacterial cells. In order to study the interaction mechanism between the cell membrane of a bacteria and a nanospike at the contact point, a finite element model was developed using the ABAQUS software package. The model, which saw a quarter of a gram-negative bacteria () cell membrane adhered to a 3 × 6 array of nanospikes, was validated by the published results, which show a reasonably good agreement with the model.

Effects of Charged Polyelectrolytes on Amyloid Fibril Formation of a Tau Fragment.

The microtubule-associated protein tau is involved in more than 20 different neurological disorders characterized by aberrant intracellular aggregation of tau in the brain. Here, we investigated the aggregation of a novel 20-residue model peptide, tau, which is derived from the key microtubule binding domain of the full sequence tau. Our results show that tau highly mimics the physical and aggregation properties of tau.

Effects of zinc and carnosine on aggregation kinetics of Amyloid-β40 peptide.

The accumulation and amyloid formation of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides is closely associated with the pathology of Alzheimer's disease. The physiological environment wherein Aβ aggregation happens is crowded with a large variety of metal ions including Zn. In this study, we investigated the role of Zn in regulating the aggregation kinetics of Aβ40 peptide.

Tau liquid-liquid phase separation: At the crossroads of tau physiology and tauopathy.

Abnormal deposition of tau in neurons is a hallmark of Alzheimer's disease and several other neurodegenerative disorders. In the past decades, extensive efforts have been made to explore the mechanistic pathways underlying the development of tauopathies. Recently, the discovery of tau droplet formation by liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) has received a great deal of attention.

Modeling the fecal contamination (fecal coliform bacteria) in transboundary waters using the scenario matrix approach: a case study of Sutlej River, Pakistan.

Surface water quality is among the significant challenges in the Sutlej River basin, passing through Pakistan's most densely populated province. Currently, the overall surface water quality is grossly polluted, mainly due to the direct discharge of wastewater from the urban areas to the Sutlej River directly or through stream networks. Escherichia coli concentrations vary under extreme weather events like floods and droughts and socioeconomic circumstances like urbanization, population growth, and treatment options.

Therapeutic strategies for tauopathies and drug repurposing as a potential approach.

Tauopathies are neurodegenerative diseases characterized by the deposition of abnormal tau in the brain. To date, there are no disease-modifying therapies approved by the U.S.

Sustainable food drying technologies based on renewable energy sources.

Waste in the food supply chain is estimated to be about 30-40% of the total food production, which aggravates the world hunger and increases waste management burden and environmental impact. Despite the dire food scarcity, majority of this food waste takes place in developing countries because of the lack of appropriate and affordable preservation techniques. Traditional open sun drying is the most popular food-reservation technique to the local farmers due to near-zero capital cost and cheap labor cost.

Performance of Graphite-Dispersed LiCO-KCO Molten Salt Nanofluid for a Direct Absorption Solar Collector System.

Considered to be the next generation of heat transfer fluids (HTFs), nanofluids have been receiving a growing interest over the past decade. Molten salt nanofluids have been shown to have great potential as an HTF for use in high temperature applications such as direct absorption solar collector (DAC) system. Very few studies using molten salt nanofluids as the HTF in a DAC receiver can be found in the open literature.

Performance Investigation of High Temperature Application of Molten Solar Salt Nanofluid in a Direct Absorption Solar Collector.

Nanofluids have great potential in a wide range of fields including solar thermal applications, where molten salt nanofluids have shown great potential as a heat transfer fluid (HTF) for use in high temperature solar applications. However, no study has investigated the use of molten salt nanofluids as the HTF in direct absorption solar collector systems (DAC). In this study, a two dimensional CFD model of a direct absorption high temperature molten salt nanofluid concentrating solar receiver has been developed to investigate the effects design and operating variables on receiver performance.

Hyperinflation deteriorates arterial oxygenation and lung injury in a rabbit model of ARDS with repeated open endotracheal suctioning.

Background: Hyperinflation (HI) is performed following open endotracheal suctioning (OES), whose goals include: to stimulate a cough, recover oxygenation and improve compliance. However, it may also induce unintended consequences, including: lung stress and strain, failure to maintain high distending pressure, and subsequently cycling recruitment and derecruitment. Here, our aim was to investigate the effects of hyperinflation after repeated OES on sequential alteration of arterial oxygenation and lung injury profile using a saline lavage-induced surfactant depleted ARDS rabbit model.

Effects of selective endothelin (ET)-A receptor antagonist versus dual ET-A/B receptor antagonist on hearts of streptozotocin-treated diabetic rats.

Aims: The aim was to study the differences in the effectiveness of two types of endothelin (ET) receptor antagonists (selective ET-A or dual ET-A/B antagonists) on the hearts of streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetic rats (type I diabetes) at functional and biochemical/molecular levels.

Main Methods: Citrate saline (vehicle) or STZ was injected into rats. The ET-A/B dual receptor antagonist (SB209670, 1mg/kg/day) and the ET-A receptor antagonist (TA-0201, 1mg/kg/day) were then administered to these rats.

Effects of protease activated receptor (PAR)2 blocking peptide on endothelin-1 levels in kidney tissues in endotoxemic rat mode.

Aims: Septic shock, the severe form of sepsis, is associated with development of progressive damage in multiple organs. Kidney can be injured and its functions altered by activation of coagulation, vasoactive-peptide and inflammatory processes in sepsis. Endothelin (ET)-1, a potent vasoconstrictor, is implicated in the pathogenesis of sepsis and its complications.