Blockchain Based Secure Federated Learning With Local Differential Privacy and Incentivization.

Interest in supporting Federated Learning (FL) using blockchains has grown significantly in recent years. However, restricting access to the trained models only to actively participating nodes remains a challenge even today. To address this concern, we propose a methodology that incentivizes model parameter sharing in an FL setup under Local Differential Privacy (LDP).

Preclinical validation of human recombinant glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke.

The blood enzyme glutamate-oxaloacetate transaminase (GOT) has been postulated as an effective therapeutic to protect the brain during stroke. To demonstrate its potential clinical utility, a new human recombinant form of GOT (rGOT) was produced for medical use. We tested the pharmacokinetics and evaluated the protective efficacy of rGOT in rodent and non-human primate models that reflected clinical stroke conditions.

Implications of the Lipidic Ecosystem for the Membrane Binding of ApoE Signal Peptide: Importance of Sphingomyelin.

The unidirectional movement of nascent secretory proteins in the cell is primarily assisted by the signal recognition particles (SRP). However, this does not completely justify the importance of the signal peptide (SP) which gets eliminated after the protein translocation. We have earlier demonstrated that a negatively charged lipid such as POPG plays an important role in the higher binding affinity and cholesterol-discriminating ability of the apolipoprotein E (ApoE) SP.

Pattern of occupational lung disease among industrial workers attending a medical college of Eastern India.

Background: Occupational lung diseases (OLDs) contribute a significant proportion to the global burden of pulmonary morbidities but are grossly misdiagnosed due to the relative lack of attribution given to occupational exposures. Obstructive lung diseases are known to be associated with long-lasting disability and loss of earning capacity (LOEC) among workers in industrial setups, thus reducing nationwide productivity.

Objective: In this context, the study aimed to find out the pattern of OLD and factors associated with the severity of it among patients in a tertiary care hospital.

Nicotinamide riboside first alleviates symptoms but later downregulates dopamine metabolism in proteasome inhibition mouse model of Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is associated with a reduction in 26/20S proteasome and mitochondrial function and depletion of dopamine. Activation of mitochondrial function with the NAD precursor nicotinamide riboside (NR) is a potential therapeutic for PD. However, despite recently started clinical trials, analysis of NR in mammalian animal PD models is lacking and data in simpler PD models is limited.

Cobalt Oxide Nanoparticle Synthesis by Cell-Surface-Engineered Recombinant and Potential Application for Anticancer Treatment.

Cell surface display engineering facilitated the development of a cobalt-binding hybrid . OmpC served as the molecular anchor for showcasing the cobalt-binding peptides (CBPs), creating the structural model of the hybrid OmpC-CBPs (OmpC-CP, OmpC-CF). Subsequently, the recombinant peptide's cobalt adsorption and retrieval effectiveness were evaluated at various concentrations.

Surface engineered recombinant Escherichia coli for the potential application of the cobalt contaminated wastewater treatment and the photocatalytic dye degradation.

The novel recombinant Escherichia coli strain was construct through cell surface display for the treatment of cobalt contaminated wastewater and dye contaminated wastewater. First, structural analysis of known cobalt binding peptide was conducted and core binding sites were figured out which showing better cobalt binding ability. The cobalt peptides were attached to OmpC to construct cobalt adsorbing recombinant Escherichia coli.

Phosphatidylglycerol Acts as a Switch for Cholesterol-Dependent Membrane Binding of ApoE Signal Peptide.

The apolipoprotein E (ApoE) signal peptide is a short stretch of N-terminal amino acids that direct the ApoE protein to the endoplasmic reticulum after synthesis. Previous studies have shown that this peptide can bind to lipid membranes in a cholesterol-dependent manner; however, the mechanism of this interaction is yet to be clarified. In this study, we aimed to investigate how the composition of neighboring lipids affects the membrane-binding of the ApoE signal peptide.

A natural bacterial pathogen of C. elegans uses a small RNA to induce transgenerational inheritance of learned avoidance.

C. elegans can learn to avoid pathogenic bacteria through several mechanisms, including bacterial small RNA-induced learned avoidance behavior, which can be inherited transgenerationally. Previously, we discovered that a small RNA from a clinical isolate of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, PA14, induces learned avoidance and transgenerational inheritance of that avoidance in C.

Computational Analysis of Non-synonymous SNPs in ATM Kinase: Structural Insights, Functional Implications, and Inhibitor Discovery.

Ataxia telangiectasia-mutated (ATM) protein kinase, a key player in cellular integrity regulation, is known for its role in DNA damage response. This study investigates the broader impact of ATM on cellular processes and potential clinical manifestations arising from mutations, aiming to expand our understanding of ATM's diverse functions beyond conventional roles. The research employs a comprehensive set of computational techniques for a thorough analysis of ATM mutations.

Recent advances and current challenges of new approach methodologies in developmental and adult neurotoxicity testing.

Adult neurotoxicity (ANT) and developmental neurotoxicity (DNT) assessments aim to understand the adverse effects and underlying mechanisms of toxicants on the human nervous system. In recent years, there has been an increasing focus on the so-called new approach methodologies (NAMs). The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), together with European and American regulatory agencies, promote the use of validated alternative test systems, but to date, guidelines for regulatory DNT and ANT assessment rely primarily on classical animal testing.

Enhanced branched-chain amino acid metabolism improves age-related reproduction in C. elegans.

Reproductive ageing is one of the earliest human ageing phenotypes, and mitochondrial dysfunction has been linked to oocyte quality decline; however, it is not known which mitochondrial metabolic processes are critical for oocyte quality maintenance with age. To understand how mitochondrial processes contribute to Caenorhabditis elegans oocyte quality, we characterized the mitochondrial proteomes of young and aged wild-type and long-reproductive daf-2 mutants. Here we show that the mitochondrial proteomic profiles of young wild-type and daf-2 worms are similar and share upregulation of branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) metabolism pathway enzymes.

Enhanced Branched-Chain Amino Acid Metabolism Improves Age-Related Reproduction in .

Reproductive aging is one of the earliest human aging phenotypes, and mitochondrial dysfunction has been linked to oocyte quality decline. However, it is not known which mitochondrial metabolic processes are critical for oocyte quality maintenance with age. To understand how mitochondrial processes contribute to oocyte quality, we characterized the mitochondrial proteomes of young and aged wild-type and long-reproductive mutants.

Thermoresponsive keratin-methylcellulose self-healing injectable hydrogel accelerating full-thickness wound healing by promoting rapid epithelialization.

Chronic wounds suffer from impaired healing due to microbial attack and poor vascular growth. Thermoresponsive hydrogels gained attention in wound dressing owing to their gelation at physiological temperature enabling them to take the shape of asymmetric wounds. The present study delineates the development of thermoresponsive hydrogel (MCK), from hair-derived keratin (K) and methylcellulose (MC) in the presence of sodium sulfate.

Effect of Ligand Attachment at Ag for CO Oxidation: A Computational Investigation.

Heterogeneous CO oxidation is a demanding reaction at room temperature due to the high activation energy required to break the O=O bond. While several metal clusters are reported to oxidize CO successfully, they fall short of their selectivity for the reaction and recyclability. In this regard, there is a need for economic catalysts with high catalytic activity, low activation barrier, and reusability.

Modulation of Singlet-Triplet Gap in Atomically Precise Silver Cluster-Assembled Material.

Silver cluster-based solids have garnered considerable attention owing to their tunable luminescence behavior. While surface modification has enabled the construction of stable silver clusters, controlling interactions among clusters at the molecular level has been challenging due to their tendency to aggregate. Judicious choice of stabilizing ligands becomes pivotal in crafting a desired assembly.

Knowledge, Attitudes, and Beliefs of Medical Students Toward Transgender Healthcare: A Community-Driven Initiative.

Introduction Transgender patients face substantial systemic healthcare barriers and inadequate care from providers who often demonstrate clinical gaps in the medical needs of the transgender community. Providing interventions in which affirming transgender healthcare is explored, is crucial to delivering competent transgender-patient care and building compassionate physician-patient relationships. The Northeast Pennsylvania (NEPA) Trans Health Conference was established to address the growing need for an educational forum where transgender people could voice their narratives.

Unusually High-Spin FeC Metallo-Carbohedrene Clusters.

Ferromagnets constructed from nanometals of atomic precision are important for innovative advances in information storage, energy conversion, and spintronic microdevices. Considerable success has been achieved in designing molecular magnets, which, however, are challenging in preparation and may suffer from drawbacks on the incompatibility of high stability and strong ferromagnetism. Utilizing a state-of-the-art self-developed mass spectrometer and a homemade laser vaporization source, we have achieved a highly efficient preparation of pure iron clusters, and here, we report the finding of a strongly ferromagnetic metal-carbon cluster, FeC, simply by reacting the Fe clusters with acetylene in proper conditions.

Antibiotic-Induced Biofilm Formations in Pseudomonas aeruginosa Strains KPW.1-S1 and HRW.1-S3 are Associated with Increased Production of eDNA and Exoproteins, Increased ROS Generation, and Increased Cell Surface Hydrophobicity.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a medically important opportunistic pathogen due to its intrinsic ability to form biofilms on different surfaces as one of the defense mechanisms for survival. The fact that it can form biofilms on various medical implants makes it more harmful clinically. Although various antibiotics are used to treat Pseudomonas aeruginosa infections, studies have shown that sub-MIC levels of antibiotics could induce Pseudomonas biofilm formation.

Sequencing-based functional assays for classification of BRCA2 variants in mouse ESCs.

Sequencing of genes, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2, is recommended for individuals with a personal or family history of early onset and/or bilateral breast and/or ovarian cancer or a history of male breast cancer. Such sequencing efforts have resulted in the identification of more than 17,000 BRCA2 variants. The functional significance of most variants remains unknown; consequently, they are called variants of uncertain clinical significance (VUSs).

Programmed Cell Death Modifies Neural Circuits and Tunes Intrinsic Behavior.

Programmed cell death is a common feature of animal development. During development of the hermaphrodite, programmed cell death (PCD) removes 131 cells from stereotyped positions in the cell lineage, mostly in neuronal lineages. Blocking cell death results in supernumerary "undead" neurons.

Aluminum as a Possible Cause Toward Dyslipidemia.

Aluminum, the third most abundant metal present in the earth's crust, is present almost in all daily commodities we use, and exposure to it is unavoidable. The interference of aluminum with various biochemical reactions in the body leads to detrimental health effects, out of which aluminum-induced neurodegeneration is widely studied. However, the effect of aluminum in causing dyslipidemia cannot be neglected.

A natural bacterial pathogen of uses a small RNA to induce transgenerational inheritance of learned avoidance.

Previously, we discovered that a small RNA from a clinical isolate of PA14, induces learned avoidance and its transgenerational inheritance in . is an important human pathogen, and there are other in natural habitat, but it is unclear whether ever encounters PA14-like bacteria in the wild. Thus, it is not known if small RNAs from bacteria found in natural habitat can also regulate host behavior and produce heritable behavioral effects.