Improved Prediction of Stabilizing Mutations in Proteins by Incorporation of Mutational Effects on Ligand Binding.

While many computational methods accurately predict destabilizing mutations, identifying stabilizing mutations has remained a challenge, because of their relative rarity. We tested ΔΔG predictions from computational predictors such as Rosetta, ThermoMPNN, RaSP, and DeepDDG, using 82 mutants of the bacterial toxin CcdB as a test case. On this dataset, the best computational predictor is ThermoMPNN, which identifies stabilizing mutations with a precision of 68%.

Enhanced protective efficacy of a thermostable RBD-S2 vaccine formulation against SARS-CoV-2 and its variants.

With the rapid emergence of variants of concern (VOC), the efficacy of currently licensed vaccines has reduced drastically. VOC mutations largely occur in the S1 subunit of Spike. The S2 subunit of SARS-CoV-2 is conserved and thus more likely to elicit broadly reactive immune responses that could improve protection.

Protective Efficacy of Recombinant Influenza Hemagglutinin Ectodomain Fusions.

In current seasonal influenza vaccines, neutralizing antibody titers directed against the hemagglutinin surface protein are the primary correlate of protection. These vaccines are, therefore, quantitated in terms of their hemagglutinin content. Adding other influenza surface proteins, such as neuraminidase and M2e, to current quadrivalent influenza vaccines would likely enhance vaccine efficacy.

Facing the wrath of enigmatic mutations: a review on the emergence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 variants amid coronavirus disease-19 pandemic.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is an emerging respiratory virus responsible for the ongoing coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) pandemic. More than a year into this pandemic, the COVID-19 fatigue is still escalating and takes hold of the entire world population. Driven by the ongoing geographical expansion and upcoming mutations, the COVID-19 pandemic has taken a new shape in the form of emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants.

Burden of household food insecurity in urban slum settings.

This study examined the burden of food insecurity in India's un-notified slums, using an SDG framework to identify correlates of food insecurity. A convenience sampling approach was employed in selecting 38 slums from 675 un-notified slums across four geographic zones. Ten percent of the households in each slum site were selected from each zone, and one household member was interviewed, based on their availability and fulfilment of the eligibility criteria.

Highly conserved epitopes of DENV structural and non-structural proteins: Candidates for universal vaccine targets.

Dengue is a severe emerging arthropod borne viral disease occurring globally. Around two fifths of the world's population, or up to 3.9 billion people, are at a risk of dengue infection.

Sleep-patterns, co-sleeping and parent's perception of sleep among school children: Comparison of domicile and gender.

Unlabelled: This study was aimed at assessment of sleep schedule, pre-sleep behavior, co-sleeping and parent's perception of sleep of school going children.

Method: Four schools each, from urban and rural area were included. Sleep patterns were assessed using the validated Hindi version of Childhood-Sleep-Habit-Questionnaire.

Prevalence of Sleep Disorders Among Primary School Children.

Objective: To screen symptoms of sleep disorders among primary school children.

Methods: Four schools from urban area and four rural schools were included in this study. Symptoms of sleep disorders were assessed using the validated Hindi version of Childhood Sleep Habit Questionnaire in 8-13 y old children.

Anti-apoptotic activity of caffeic acid, ellagic acid and ferulic acid in normal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells: a Bcl-2 independent mechanism.

Polyphenols have been shown to induce apoptosis in a variety of tumor cells including leukemia both in vitro and in vivo. However, their action on normal human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) during oxidative stress remains to be explored. In this study, we have evaluated the anti-apoptotic and radical scavenging activities of dietary phenolics, namely caffeic acid (CA), ellagic acid (EA) and ferulic acid (FA).

Giardia lamblia: expression of alkaline phosphatase activity in infected rat intestine.

Alkaline phosphatase (IAP) is a marker of intestinal microvillus membrane. Changes in IAP activity have been studied as a function of Giardia lamblia (G. lamblia) infection using rat as the experimental model.

Gallic acid, an antioxidant, exhibits antiapoptotic potential in normal human lymphocytes: A Bcl-2 independent mechanism.

Oxidative stress, produced as a consequence of normal metabolism or induced by extraneous stimuli, has been proved to be a mediator of cell death. The inherent antioxidant defense system and exogenous antioxidants can help the body to combat this oxidative stress-induced cell death. In this study, we explored the antiapoptotic potential of gallic acid, a dietary phenolic having antioxidative and anticarcinogenic properties, in normal human peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs).