Asc-1 Transporter (SLC7A10): Homology Models And Molecular Dynamics Insights Into The First Steps Of The Transport Mechanism.

The alanine-serine-cysteine transporter Asc-1 regulates the synaptic availability of D-serine and glycine (the two co-agonists of the NMDA receptor) and is regarded as an important drug target. To shuttle the substrate from the extracellular space to the cytoplasm, this transporter undergoes multiple distinct conformational states. In this work, homology modeling, substrate docking and molecular dynamics simulations were carried out to learn more about the transition between the "outward-open" and "outward-open occluded" states.

Molecular Dynamics Approach in the Comparison of Wild-Type and Mutant Paraoxonase-1 Apoenzyme Form.

There is some evidence linking the mammalian paraoxonase-1 (PON1) loops (L1 and L2) to an increased flexibility and reactivity of its active site with potential substrates. The aim of this work is to study the structural, dynamical, and functional effects of the most flexible regions close to the active site and to determine the impact of mutations on the protein. For both models, wild-type (PON1wild) and PON1 mutant (PON1mut) models, the L1 loop and Q/R and L/M mutations were constructed using MODELLER software.

Stabilization of the integrase-DNA complex by Mg2+ ions and prediction of key residues for binding HIV-1 integrase inhibitors.

The HIV-1 integrase is an attractive target for the therapeutics development against AIDS, as no host homologue of this protein has been identified. The integrase strand transfer inhibitors (INSTIs), including raltegravir, specifically target the second catalytic step of the integration process by binding to the DDE motif of the catalytic site and coordinating Mg(2+) ions. Recent X-ray crystallographic structures of the integrase/DNA complex from prototype foamy virus allowed to investigate the role of the different partners (integrase, DNA, Mg(2+) ions, raltegravir) in the complex stability using molecular dynamics (MD) simulations.

Paraoxonase-1 (PON1) activity in patients with coronary artery diseases and in diabetic patients.

Cardiovascular diseases are the main cause of mortality in the world, diabetics and patients with coronary artery diseases in particular. In fact, the increase of cardiovascular risk was established in many epidemiological and clinical studies. The aim of this work is to study both the lipid profile and the enzymatic activity of PON1 in diabetics and coronary patients from Morocco (Casablanca region) along with the cardiovascular risk factors in this population.

[A giant chondroblastic osteosarcoma of the mandible. A case report].

Introduction: Osteosarcoma of the craniofacial bones location is less common, usually with low grade of malignancy; it has better prognosis when surgical excision is complete.

Report Case: We report a case of a 35-year-old male diagnosed with a low-grade chondroblastic osteosarcoma of the mandible. The patient was treated with surgery alone and recovered with pectoralis major myocutaneous flap.

Primary retroperitoneal mucinous cystadenoma with borderline malignancy in a male patient: a case report.

Introduction: Primary retroperitoneal mucinous cystadenoma is a rare tumor prevailing specifically in female gender. Its histogenesis is still unclear and its diagnosis is mainly based on morphological characteristics.

Case Presentation: the subject is a 44 years old man presenting an abdominal pain on the right side, with a palpable mass which appeared four months ago.

Metastatic basal cell carcinoma to the bone and bone marrow.

Background: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common carcinoma in the community, but the incidence of metastatic events is exceedingly low. The few reported cases most often appear in regional nodes or the lungs, and patients usually exhibit multiple concurrent organs of spread at the time of diagnosis.

Methods: We report a case of primary BCC located on the left forehead of a 48-year-old man, which metastasized exclusively to the bone and bone marrow, associated with hematologic disorders.

[Duodenal angiodysplasia: an unusual cause of intestinal obstruction].

Angiodysplasia is a relatively rare lesion that however may be a major source of upper and lower gastrointestinal bleeding. It's mostly related to the aging and degeneration of the blood vessels, as it occurs in older adults. Clinical presentation is variable, ranging from asymptomatic cases over iron deficiency anaemia to acute or recurrent bleeding.

[Desmoplastic ameloblastoma in a 7 year old child].

Desmoplastic ameloblastoma is a benign, locally aggressive neoplasm of proliferating odontogenic epithelial origin. It is seen among old patients from 17 to 72 years with an average age 42 years and without predilection of sex. We report the case of a 7 year old child, having presented since the 5 years age, a gingival tumefaction on the left higher incisivo-canin group which increased volume gradually.

[Biphasic sarcomatoid carcinoma of the thyroid: an exceptional localization of a rare tumor].

Thyroid sarcomatoid carcinoma is a rare and aggressive neoplasm composed of a follicular carcinoma which is contiguous or admixed with a pleomorphic spindle cell component. We report the case of a thyroid tumor reputed to have a poor outcome, in a 62-year-old woman. The radical thyroidectomy specimen was totally invaded.

The Three-Dimensional NMR Solution Structure of α-Cobratoxin at pH 7.5 and Conformational Differences With the NMR Solution Structure at pH 3.2.

Abstract The 3D solution structure of α-cobratoxin, a neurotoxin purified from the Naja naja siamensis snake venom, has been determined by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy, in conjunction with distance geometry and restrained molecular dynamics, at pH 7.5. A total of 490 distance restraints were obtained from NOE intensities and 25 φ dihedral angle restraints deduced from J- coupling data.

The three-dimensional NMR solution structure of alpha-cobratoxin at pH 7.5 and conformational differences with the NMR solution structure at pH 3.2.

The 3D solution structure of alpha-cobratoxin, a neurotoxin purified from the Naja naja siamensis snake venom, has been determined by Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectroscopy, in conjunction with distance geometry and restrained molecular dynamics, at pH 7.5. A total of 490 distance restraints were obtained from NOE intensities and 25 phi dihedral angle restraints deduced from J-coupling data.

Muslims with non-insulin dependent diabetes fasting during Ramadan: treatment with glibenclamide.

Objective: To compare the efficacy of two glibenclamide regimens in patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes who were fasting during Ramadan and regular glibenclamide treatment in the non-fasting group.

Design: Non-randomised control group of patients who did not fast during Ramadan and two groups of patients who fasted randomised equally to one of two regimens: to take their usual morning dose of glibenclamide in the evening and their usual evening dose before dawn; or to follow this pattern but to reduce the total dose by a quarter.

Setting: Two university hospitals, one private hospital, and two private clinics in Casablanca and Rabat, Morocco.

Alpha-cobratoxin: proton NMR assignments and solution structure.

The solution structure of alpha-cobratoxin, a neurotoxin purified from the venom of the snake Naja naja siamensis, at pH 3.2 is reported. Sequence-specific assignments of the NMR resonances was attained by a combination of a generalized main-chain-directed strategy and of the sequential method.

Toxin III of the scorpion Androctonus australis Hector: proton nuclear magnetic resonance assignments and secondary structure.

1H NMR has been applied to a 3.5 mM, pH 5.4, solution of toxin III (64 amino acids) from venom of the scorpion Androctonus australis Hector.

Rapid determination and NMR assignments of antiparallel sheets and helices of a scorpion and a cobra toxin.

An NMR method is described which should provide a rapid means for determining and assigning antiparallel sheets and helices in small proteins. It begins by locating apparent NOESY crosspeaks which suggest the presence of the secondary structure; this is followed by searches for MCD patterns (Englander & Wand (1987) Biochemistry 22, 5953) which are characteristic of these structures. As a result, only spin-systems of the amino acids within the secondary structure need to be defined.