Interaction studies unveil potential binding sites on bovine serum albumin for gut metabolite trimethylamine n-oxide (TMAO).

Trimethylamine-N-oxide (TMAO) is gut microbiota-derived metabolite, plays a critical role in human health and diseases such as metabolic, cardiovascular, colorectal cancer and, neurological disorders. Binding interactions between TMAO and serum albumins are crucial to understand the impact of TMAO on disease mechanisms. However, detailed insights into the interaction mechanisms, preferred binding locations, and conformational changes in BSA upon binding TMAO are still unclear.

Migration of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Into the Right Atrium.

A 40-year-old man with a medical history of hepatitis B presented with abdominal distention and leg swelling. A computed tomography scan of the abdomen revealed cirrhosis and a large mass extending from the liver into the inferior vena cava and extending into the right atrium. A transthoracic echocardiogram revealed a large right atrial mass extending from the inferior vena cava with possible attachment to the interatrial septum.

Optical tuning of polymer functionalized zinc oxide quantum dots as a selective probe for the detection of antibiotics.

Excess consumption of antibiotics leads to antibiotic resistance that hinders the control and cure of microbial diseases. Therefore, it is crucial to monitor the antibiotic levels in the environment. In this proposed research work, an optical nano-sensor was devised that can sense the ultra-low concentration of antibiotics, in samples like tap water using fluorescent zinc oxide quantum dots (ZnO QDs) based nano-sensor.

Large Area Near-Field Thermophotovoltaics for Low Temperature Applications.

Thermophotovoltaics, devices that convert thermal infrared photons to electricity, offer a key pathway for a variety of critical renewable energy technologies including thermal energy storage, waste heat recovery, and direct solar-thermal power generation. However, conventional far-field devices struggle to generate reasonable powers at lower temperatures. Near-field thermophotovoltaics provide a pathway to substantially higher powers by leveraging photon tunneling effects.

Ultrasound-based geometric modeling of the human ovary with applications to cryopreservation.

Successful cryopreservation of the whole ovary outside of the body, while a woman undergoes cancer treatments, may help preserving fertility and regaining hormone balance during recovery. One of the key challenges in whole ovary cryopreservation is adequately loading the organ with cryoprotective agents (CPAs). Another notable challenge in developing the application is the lack of geometric data needed for designing matching thermal protocols.