Computational Evidence for Bisartan Arginine Blockers as Next-Generation Pan-Antiviral Therapeutics Targeting SARS-CoV-2, Influenza, and Respiratory Syncytial Viruses.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are significant global health threats. The need for low-cost, easily synthesized oral drugs for rapid deployment during outbreaks is crucial. Broad-spectrum therapeutics, or pan-antivirals, are designed to target multiple viral pathogens simultaneously by focusing on shared molecular features, such as common metal cofactors or conserved residues in viral catalytic domains.

Density functional theory and enzyme studies support interactions between angiotensin receptor blockers and angiotensin converting enzyme-2: Relevance to coronavirus 2019.

The binding affinities and interactions between eight drug candidates, both commercially available (candesartan; losartan; losartan carboxylic acid; nirmatrelvir; telmisartan) and newly synthesized benzimidazole-N-biphenyltetrazole (ACC519T), benzimidazole bis-N,N'-biphenyltetrazole (ACC519T(2) and 4-butyl-N,N-bis([2-(2H-tetrazol-5-yl)biphenyl-4-yl]) methyl (BV6), and the active site of angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) were evaluated for their potential as inhibitors against SARS-CoV-2 and regulators of ACE2 function through Density Functional Theory methodology and enzyme activity assays, respectively. Notably, telmisartan and ACC519T(2) exhibited pronounced binding affinities, forming strong interactions with ACE2's active center, favorably accepting proton from the guanidinium group of arginine273. The ordering of candidates by binding affinity and reactivity descriptors, emerged as telmisartan > ACC519T(2) > candesartan > ACC519T > losartan carboxylic acid > BV6 > losartan > nirmatrelvir.

Structural Features Influencing the Bioactive Conformation of Angiotensin II and Angiotensin A: Relationship between Receptor Desensitization, Addiction, and the Blood-Brain Barrier.

The N-terminal portion of the octapeptide angiotensin II (DRVYIHPF; AngII), a vasopressor peptide that favorably binds to, and activates, AngII type 1 receptor (ATR), has an important role in maintaining bioactive conformation. It involves all three charged groups, namely (i) the N-terminal amino group cation, (ii) the Asp sidechain anion and (iii) the Arg guanidino cation. Neutralization of any one of these three charged groups results in a substantial reduction (<5%) in bioactivity, implicating a specialized function for this cluster.

Existence of Quantum Pharmacology in Sartans: Evidence in Isolated Rabbit Iliac Arteries.

Quantum pharmacology introduces theoretical models to describe the possibility of ultra-high dilutions to produce biological effects, which may help to explain the placebo effect observed in hypertensive clinical trials. To determine this within physiology and to evaluate novel ARBs, we tested the ability of known angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs) (candesartan and telmisartan) used to treat hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases, as well as novel ARBs (benzimidazole--biphenyl tetrazole (ACC519T), benzimidazole--,'-biphenyl tetrazole (ACC519T(2)) and 4-butyl-N,N0-bis[[20-2Htetrazol-5-yl)biphenyl-4-yl]methyl)imidazolium bromide (BV6(K)), and nirmatrelvir (the active ingredient in Paxlovid) to modulate vascular contraction in iliac rings from healthy male New Zealand White rabbits in responses to various vasopressors (angiotensin A, angiotensin II and phenylephrine). Additionally, the hemodynamic effect of ACC519T and telmisartan on mean arterial pressure in conscious rabbits was determined, while the ex vivo ability of BV6(K) to activate angiotensin-converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) was also investigated.

Combination of Taurine and Black Pepper Extract as a Treatment for Cardiovascular and Coronary Artery Diseases.

The shift in modern dietary regimens to "Western style" and sedentary lifestyles are believed to be partly responsible for the increase in the global burden of cardiovascular diseases. Natural products have been used throughout human history as treatments for a plethora of pathological conditions. Taurine and, more recently, black pepper have gained attention for their beneficial health effects while remaining non-toxic even when ingested in excess.

Role of Angiotensin II in Cardiovascular Diseases: Introducing Bisartans as a Novel Therapy for Coronavirus 2019.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are the main contributors to global morbidity and mortality. Major pathogenic phenotypes of CVDs include the development of endothelial dysfunction, oxidative stress, and hyper-inflammatory responses. These phenotypes have been found to overlap with the pathophysiological complications of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Complete Genome Sequence of Nocardia iowensis DSM 45197 (= NRRL 5646).

We report the complete genome sequence and predicted functional profile of Nocardia iowensis DSM 45197. N. iowensis DSM 45197 is a spore-forming, mesophilic, Gram-positive bacterium that was isolated from garden soil in Osceola, Iowa, USA.

The study of the roundness and cylindricity deviations of parts produced with the use of the additive manufacturing.

The paper is dedicated to the evaluation of the accuracy of rotary parts produced with the use of advanced manufacturing technology. The authors investigated the impact of the layer thickness of the applied material and the orientation of the model when printing using the PolyJet method™ on the geometrical quality of manufactured products. To analyze the influence of the assumed factors on the geometrical quality of the holes, a novel evaluation method has been developed.

Fast and accurate polarimetric calibration of infrared imaging polarimetric sensors.

Polarimetric imaging cameras require polarimetric calibration to accurately estimate the incident Stokes vector of incoming radiation. This calibration establishes a relationship between changes in the sensor signal and incident Stokes vector. In the standard procedure, an imager is presented with a set of input Stokes vectors with two different radiance values.

Local Effects of a 1940 nm Thulium-Doped Fiber Laser and a 1470 nm Diode Laser on the Pulmonary Parenchyma: An Experimental Study in a Pig Model.

The lungs are a common site of metastases from malignant tumors. Their removal with a minimal but safe tissue margin is essential for the long-term survival of patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of a 1940 nm thulium-doped fiber laser (TDFL) and a 1470 nm diode laser (DL) in a pig model of lung surgery that involved the incision and excision of lung tissue.

Usefulness of Thulium-Doped Fiber Laser and Diode Laser in Zero Ischemia Kidney Surgery-Comparative Study in Pig Model.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of a thulium-doped fiber laser and a diode laser in zero ischemia kidney surgery, by carrying out a comparative study in a pig model.

Material And Methods: Research was carried out on 12 pigs weighing 30 kg each. A thulium-doped fiber laser (TDFL) and a diode laser (DL) operating at wavelengths of 1940 and 1470 nm, respectively, were used.

Method of signal processing in a time-division LWIR image polarimetric sensor.

We report on the method of signal processing in a passive long-wave infrared (LWIR) image polarimetric sensor. The method enables the detection of natural and manmade targets. It includes the error related to the rotation of the polarizing element during an image reading as well as permits the polarimeter operation without a classical phase synchronization loop.

Mueller matrix of imaging polarimeter's optical system-comparison of simulation results obtained using Zemax and MATLAB software with experimental data.

A procedure for simulating the Mueller matrix of an optical system across the field of view of a long-wavelength infrared (LWIR) imaging polarimeter is presented in this paper. The procedure is based on a ray-tracing model and uses off-the-shelf software and custom add-on procedures written in MATLAB. A simulation was conducted to obtain polarization ray tracing across the entire surface of the focal-plane array for a set of wavelengths within the LWIR (8-14 µm) window and within the instrument's field of view of 7.

Complete Genome Sequence and Manual Reannotation of Mycobacterium avium subsp. Strain DSM 44135.

Here, we report the complete genome sequence of the subsp. reference strain DSM 44135, amended with a manual genome reannotation. The strain was originally described as strain 6783.

Comparison of A 1940 nm Thulium-Doped Fiber Laser and A 1470 nm Diode Laser for Cutting Efficacy and Hemostasis in A Pig Model of Spleen Surgery.

Partial and total splenectomies are associated with a high risk of substantial blood loss. Lasers operating at wavelengths strongly absorbed by water have the potential to improve hemostasis and cut while providing a narrow zone of thermal damage. The aim of this study is to compare a thulium-doped fiber laser (TDFL) emitting a wavelength of 1940 nm and a diode laser (DL) operating at 1470 nm for spleen surgery in a pig model.

Preliminary Evaluation of Thulium Doped Fiber Laser in Pig Model of Liver Surgery.

Partial liver resection is a treatment of choice for liver tumors; the range of parenchyma excision varies from a small part of the tissue surrounding the neoplasm up to 70% of the organ. One of the major concerns during liver resection is blood loss. Thulium lasers which are characterized by the length of emission wave corresponding to a peak absorption of water create a new possibility of cutting tissues efficiently with minimal thermal damage and concurrently providing a good hemostasis control.

Mid-infrared, super-flat, supercontinuum generation covering the 2-5 μm spectral band using a fluoroindate fibre pumped with picosecond pulses.

Broadband, mid-infrared supercontinuum generation in a step-index fluoroindate fibre is reported. By using ~70-picosecond laser pulses at 2.02 μm, provided by an optical parametric generator, a wide spectrum with a cut-off wavelength at 5.

Extremely 'vanadiphilic' multiply metal-resistant and halophilic aerobic anoxygenic phototrophs, strains EG13 and EG8, from hypersaline springs in Canada.

Two pinkish peach-colored strains of obligately aerobic phototrophic bacteria, EG13 and EG8, were isolated from a saline spring effluent stream in west central Manitoba, Canada. The strains possessed bacteriochlorophyll a incorporated into a typical purple bacterial light-harvesting complex 1 (870 nm) and reaction center (801 nm). Analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated 100% identity among the isolates and 99% similarity to Roseovarius tolerans EL-172(T).

High-power supercontinuum generation in a ZBLAN fiber with very efficient power distribution toward the mid-infrared.

We report high-power supercontinuum (SC) generation in a step-index fluorozirconate (ZBLAN) fiber with a zero-dispersion wavelength shifted to ~1.9  μm. Pumping the fluoride fiber with 2.

Generation of self-mode-locked resembling pulses in a fast gain-switched thulium-doped fiber laser.

We report on a generation of self-starting mode-locked resembling (MLR) pulses in an all-fiber, gain-switched Tm(3+)-doped fiber laser operating at 2 μm wavelength, which we believe to be the first demonstration of such an approach. The laser delivers 100% modulated MLR pulses within an envelope of ~30 ns gain-switched pulse at a repetition rate of 30 kHz. The maximum average output power is 0.

Mid-IR supercontinuum generation in a ZBLAN fiber pumped by a gain-switched mode-locked Tm-doped fiber laser and amplifier system.

We demonstrate a novel method of mid-infrared (mid-IR) supercontinuum (SC) generation with the use of a 2 µm gain-switched self-mode-locked thulium-doped fiber laser. SC radiation ranging from ~1.9 to 3.

Sequencing orphan species initiative (SOS): Filling the gaps in the 16S rRNA gene sequence database for all species with validly published names.

High quality 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene sequences from the type strains of all species with validly published names, as defined by the International Code of Nomenclature of Bacteria, are a prerequisite for their accurate affiliations within the global genealogical classification and for the recognition of potential new taxa. During the last few years, the Living Tree Project (LTP) has taken care to create a high quality, aligned 16S and 23S rRNA gene sequence database of all type strains. However, the manual curation of the sequence dataset and type strain information revealed that a total of 552 "orphan" species (about 5.

Actively Q-switched and mode-locked Tm3+-doped silicate 2 μm fiber laser for supercontinuum generation in fluoride fiber.

A diode-pumped actively Q-switched and actively mode-locked Tm3+-doped double-clad silicate fiber laser is reported providing up to 5 W of average output power at ~60 kHz Q-switch envelope repetition rate and ~8 μJ subpulses with up to 2.4 kW peak power. Using this source as a pump laser for supercontinuum generation in a ZBLAN fiber, over 1080 mW of supercontinuum from 1.

The impact of remote patient monitoring (telehealth) upon Medicare beneficiaries with heart failure.

Objective: To study the impact of remote patient monitoring (RPM) upon the most frequent diagnosis in hospitalized patients over 65 years of age-heart failure (HF). We examined the effect of RPM on hospital utilization and Medicare costs of HF patients receiving home care.

Materials And Methods: Two studies were simultaneously conducted: A randomized and a matched-cohort study.

Chromocurvus halotolerans gen. nov., sp. nov., a gammaproteobacterial obligately aerobic anoxygenic phototroph, isolated from a Canadian hypersaline spring.

A strain EG19(T) of aerobic bacteria able to form pleomorphic cells was isolated from a brine spring runoff stream in the west central region of the province of Manitoba, Canada. The pale pinkish purple strain contained bacteriochlorophyll a incorporated into light-harvesting I and reaction center complexes. Its inability to grow under anaerobic illuminated conditions prompted designation as a member of the functional group known as aerobic anoxygenic phototrophic bacteria.