Understanding the Influence of Text Complexity and Question Type on Reading Outcomes.

In the current study, we examined how student characteristics and cognitive skills, differing levels of text complexity (cohesion, decoding, vocabulary, and syntax), and reading comprehension question types (literal, inferential, critical analysis, and reading strategy) affected different types of reading outcomes (multiple-choice reading comprehension questions, free recall, and oral reading fluency) in a sample of 181 native English-speaking adolescents (9 to 14.83 years). Results from item response theory one-parameter models and multilevel models suggested that different cognitive skills predicted performance across the three reading outcomes.

Transcriptome analysis reveals novel insights in air-breathing magur catfish (Clarias magur) in response to high environmental ammonia.

The facultative air-breathing magur catfish (Clarias magur) frequently face different environmental challenges, such as hyper-ammonia, and desiccation stresses in their natural habitats. All these stresses lead to higher accumulation of body ammonia, thereby causing various harmful effects to the fish due to its toxicity. Nonetheless, the mechanisms underlying ammonia-induced toxicity is yet not clear.

A Lysosome-Targetable Fluorescence Sensor for Ultrasensitive Detection of Hg in Living Cells and Real Samples.

A new lysosome-targetable fluorescence sensor, Lyso-HGP, was designed and synthesized based on 4-methyl-2,6-diformylphenol as a fluorophore. Lyso-HGP displays highly sensitive fluorescent detection of Hg in HEPES buffer solution (10 mM, DMSO 1%) of pH 7.0 at 37 °C due to the formation of highly fluorescent formyl-functionalized derivative Lyso-HGP-CHO.

Mutation Spectrum in TPO Gene of Bangladeshi Patients with Thyroid Dyshormonogenesis and Analysis of the Effects of Different Mutations on the Structural Features and Functions of TPO Protein through Approach.

Although thyroid dyshormonogenesis (TDH) accounts for 10-20% of congenital hypothyroidism (CH), the molecular etiology of TDH is unknown in Bangladesh. Thyroid peroxidase (TPO) is most frequently associated with TDH and the present study investigated the spectrum of TPO mutations in Bangladeshi patients and analyzed the effects of mutations on TPO protein structure through approach. Sequencing-based analysis of TPO gene revealed four mutations in 36 diagnosed patients with TDH including three nonsynonymous mutations, namely, p.

Asymmetric Synthesis of Natural cis-Dihydroarenediols Using Tetrahydroxynaphthalene Reductase and Its Biosynthetic Implications.

Asymmetric reduction of hydroxynaphthoquinones to secondary metabolites, (3 S,4 R)-3,4,8- and (2 S,4 R)-2,4,8-trihydroxy-1-tetralone, a putative biosynthetic diketo intermediate and a probable natural analogue, (3 S,4 R)-7-acetyl-3,4,8-trihydroxy-6-methyl-3,4-dihydronaphthalene-1(2 H)-one, using NADPH-dependent tetrahydroxynaphthalene reductase (THNR) of Magnaporthe grisea is described. This work implies the involvement of THNR or related enzymes during the (bio)synthesis of other dihydroarenediols by reduction of the hydroxynaphthoquinone scaffold containing substrates.

Organization and implementation of an oral cholera vaccination campaign in an endemic urban setting in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

Bangladesh has historically been cholera endemic, with seasonal cholera outbreaks occurring each year. In collaboration with the government of Bangladesh, the Infectious Diseases Division, International Centre for Diarrhoeal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b) initiated operational research to test strategies to reach the high-risk urban population with an affordable oral cholera vaccine (OCV) "ShancholTM" and examine its effectiveness in reducing diarrhea due to cholera. Here we report a sub-analysis focusing on the organization, implementation and effectiveness of different oral cholera vaccine delivery strategies in the endemic urban setting in Bangladesh.

Solvent Adaptive Dynamic Metal-Organic Soft Hybrid for Imaging and Biological Delivery.

A solvent responsive dynamic nanoscale metal-organic framework (NMOF) [Zn(1 a)(H O) ] has been devised based on the self-assembly of Zn and asymmetric bola-amphiphilic oligo-(p-phenyleneethynylene) (OPE) dicarboxylate linker 1 a having dodecyl and triethyleneglycolmonomethylether (TEG, polar) side chains. In THF solvent, NMOF showed nanovesicular morphology (NMOF-1) with surface decorated dodecyl chains. In water and methanol, NMOF exhibited inverse-nanovesicle (NMOF-2) and nanoscroll (NMOF-3) morphology, respectively, with surface projected TEG chains.

Age-Specific Cut-off Values of Amino Acids and Acylcarnitines for Diagnosis of Inborn Errors of Metabolism Using Liquid Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry.

Liquid Chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) is used for the diagnosis of more than 30 inborn errors of metabolisms (IEMs). Accurate and reliable diagnosis of IEMs by quantifying amino acids (AAs) and acylcarnitines (ACs) using LC-MS/MS systems depend on the establishment of age-specific cut-offs of the analytes. This study aimed to (1) determine the age-specific cut-off values of AAs and ACs in Bangladesh and (2) validate the LC-MS/MS method for diagnosis of the patients with IEMs.

PK-PD based optimal dose and time for orally administered supra-pharmacological dose of melatonin to prevent radiation induced mortality in mice.

Aims: The study reports preclinical pharmacokinetics (PK) and correlation with pharmacological effect at suprapharmacological dose of orally administered melatonin along with time and dose optimization, which have been lacking in earlier reports of radioprotection using melatonin.

Methods: PK of melatonin in C57BL/6 mice was evaluated after dose of 250 mg/kg using HPLC. Tissue distribution study was conducted in vital organs following oral administration.

Antioxidant activity of endogenously produced nitric oxide against the zinc oxide nanoparticle-induced oxidative stress in primary hepatocytes of air-breathing catfish, Clarias magur.

The facultative air-breathing magur catfish (Clarias magur) regularly encounter various environmental challenges including the exposure to nanomaterials discarded as industrial wastes in water bodies. The present investigation aimed at determining the possible ZnO NP-induced oxidative stress and also the antioxidant strategy of nitric oxide (NO), generated endogenously, in primary hepatocytes of magur catfish. Exposure of primary hepatocytes to different concentrations of ZnO NPs (5 and 10 μg/mL) led to a sharp rise of intracellular concentrations of hydrogen peroxide (HO) and malondialdehyde (MDA) within 6 h, which decreased gradually at later stages.

PVP - CMC hydrogel: An excellent bioinspired and biocompatible scaffold for osseointegration.

Fabrication of porous and biologically inspired biomaterials that mimic the formation of microstructural structures of nacre in the form of calcite (CaCO) and evaluation of the biocompatibility of such organic-inorganic composite scaffold for bone tissue engineering, are focus of this paper. Nacre's self-assembly characteristics are concerned about the development of calcite filled biomineralized scaffold following the nature based biomineralization process and biomimetic applications. The PVP-CMC hydrogel film, comprised of PVP:0.

Biocompatibility and Biological Efficiency of Inorganic Calcium Filled Bacterial Cellulose Based Hydrogel Scaffolds for Bone Bioengineering.

The principal focus of this work is the in-depth analysis of the biological efficiency of inorganic calcium-filled bacterial cellulose (BC) based hydrogel scaffolds for their future use in bone tissue engineering/bioengineering. Inorganic calcium was filled in the form of calcium phosphate (β-tri calcium phosphate (β-TCP) and hydroxyapatite (HA)) and calcium carbonate (CaCO₃). The additional calcium, CaCO₃ was incorporated following bio-mineralization.

Hyper-ammonia stress causes induction of inducible nitric oxide synthase gene and more production of nitric oxide in air-breathing magur catfish, Clarias magur (Hamilton).

Nitric oxide (NO) is an important signalling molecule that plays diverse physiological functions in several vertebrates including that of adaptation to various stressful stimuli. The air-breathing magur catfish (Clarias magur) is known to tolerate a very high external ammonia (HEA) stress in its natural habitats. We report here the possible induction of inducible nitric oxide (inos) gene and more generation of NO in magur catfish exposed to HEA.

Reversible encapsulations and stimuli-responsive biological delivery from a dynamically assembled cucurbit[7]uril host and nanoparticle guest scaffold.

The positive outcome of any therapeutic molecule requires control over its delivery rate. When delivered without control, administration of large doses is required to stimulate a therapeutic effect, frequently leading to increased toxicity or undesirable side effects. Recent advances introduced "smart" materials that actively release drugs in response to environmental stimuli.

Effect of cellulose nanocrystals on the performance of drug loaded in situ gelling thermo-responsive ophthalmic formulations.

Triblock poloxamer copolymer (PM) has been extensively utilized to deliver various ophthalmic pharmaceutical compounds. The aim of efficient ophthalmic drug delivery strategy is to attain the longer precorneal resident time and good bioavailability of drugs. In this pursuit, the influence of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) on the in situ gelation behavior of PM and in vitro release of pilocarpine hydrochloride from the nanocomposites formulations was studied.

In vivo phenotyping of cytochrome 450 isoforms involved in the metabolism of anti-HIV and anti-tubercular drugs in human using cocktail approach: An LC-MS/MS analysis.

Purpose: In vivo phenotyping of CYP isoforms involved in the metabolism of anti-HIV and antitubercular drugs is important to determine therapeutic dose levels in HIV/AIDS-TB coinfections. In this study, we used a cocktail of bupropion, losartan and dapsone for in vivo phenotyping of CYP2B6, CYP2C9 and N-acetyltransferase-2 (NAT2) in plasma. CYP2B6 is the main catalyst of anti-HIV efavirenz, while NAT2 is involved in antitubercular drug isoniazid metabolism.

Evaluation of Sensitivity Toward Storage Mites and House Dust Mites Among Nasobronchial Allergic Patients of Kolkata, India.

House dust mites (HDMs) are the major constituents of house dust (HD). HD and HDM sensitization is well documented worldwide. Storage mite (SM) sensitization is presently lacking from India.

Combining molecular docking and molecular dynamics studies for modelling Staphylococcus aureus MurD inhibitory activity.

The ATP-dependent bacterial MurD enzyme catalyses the formation of the peptide bond between cytoplasmic intermediate UDP-N-acetylmuramoyl-L-alanine and D-glutamic acid. This is essential for bacterial cell wall peptidoglycan synthesis in both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. MurD is recognized as an important target for the development of new antibacterial agents.

π-Extension of Strained Benzenoid Macrocycles Using the Scholl Reaction.

A series of bent p-terphenyl-containing macrocycles have been synthesized and then regioselectively brominated, arylated, and subsequently subjected to a Scholl-based cyclodehydrogenation reaction. Shortening the alkyloxy bridging unit of these macrocycles increases the bend in the p-terphenyl unit, as well as the strain energy (SE) of the central para-phenylene ring system. For the first time, incremental increases in SE of the macrocyclic structure of this class of benzenoid compounds have been investigated in the context of π-extension to strained polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon systems using the Scholl reaction.

Therapeutic potential of targeting the Eph/ephrin signaling complex.

The Eph-ephrin signaling pathway mediates developmental processes and the proper functioning of the adult human body. This distinctive bidirectional signaling pathway includes a canonical downstream signal cascade inside the Eph-bearing cells, as well as a reverse signaling in the ephrin-bearing cells. The signaling is terminated by ADAM metalloproteinase cleavage, internalization, and degradation of the Eph/ephrin complexes.

Feasibility, coverage and cost of oral cholera vaccination conducted by icddr,b using the existing national immunization service delivery mechanism in rural setting Keraniganj, Bangladesh.

: Cholera is a considerable health burden in developing country settings including Bangladesh. The oral cholera vaccine (OCV) is a preventative tool to control the disease. The objective of this study was to describe whether the International Centre for Diarrheal Disease Research, Bangladesh (icddr,b), could provide the OCV to rural communities using existing government infrastructure.

Synthetic Host-Guest Assembly in Cells and Tissues: Fast, Stable, and Selective Bioorthogonal Imaging via Molecular Recognition.

Bioorthogonal strategies are continuing to pave the way for new analytical tools in biology. Although a significant amount of progress has been made in developing covalent reaction based bioorthogonal strategies, balanced reactivity, and stability are often difficult to achieve from these systems. Alternatively, despite being kinetically beneficial, the development of noncovalent approaches that utilize fully synthetic and stable components remains challenging due to the lack of selectivity in conventional noncovalent interactions in the living cellular environment.

Requirements for the collection of electronic PROMS either "in clinic" or "at home" as part of the PROMs, PREMs and Effectiveness Programme (PPEP) in Wales: a feasibility study using a generic PROM tool.

Background: The patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs), patient-reported experience measure (PREMs) and Effectiveness Programme (PPEP) launched with the aim of supporting all National Health Service Wales (NHS Wales) organisations to collect PROMs and PREMs across a range of conditions. The aim is to collect generic and condition-specific PROMs and PREMs electronically from every secondary care patient in Wales to provide a measure that can be used to determine the clinical and cost-effectiveness of treatments and services. This study reports on the experience of the PPEP in developing an electronic platform suitable for large-scale data collection, storage, analysis and reporting and identifies the problems encountered and solutions implemented using a generic PROM survey as an example.