Recent advancements in the synthesis of novel thermostable biocatalysts and their applications in commercially important chemoenzymatic conversion processes.

Thermostable enzymes are a field of growing interest in bioremediation, pharmaceuticals, food industry etc., due to their ability to catalyze bio reactions at high temperatures. This review aims to provide an overview on extremophiles with a special focus on thermophiles and enzymes produced from extremophilic bacteria.

Cellular alterations and damage to the renal tissue of marine catfish Arius arius following Cd exposure and the possible sequestrant role of Metallothionein.

Cd is a non-degradable heavy metal pollutant with no known biological role. When taken up by living organisms from the environment, it causes extensive tissue damage. Here, we studied the effects of exposure to 20 mg/LCdClfor 0, 24, 48, and 72 h on the renal tissue of marine catfish Arius arius.

Effects of oscillating electric fields on conotoxin peptide conformation: A molecular dynamic simulation study.

Molecular Dynamics (MD) simulation is a computational method frequently used in biological and material sciences to efficiently model atomic and molecular interactions occurring in biological systems and effects of external stimuli on molecules and cells. In this study, M - 1 conotoxin protein was simulated under the oscillating (time-varying) electric fields of strengths 2e, 6e and 4.7e V/nm at the frequency of 1800 MHz.

Biomineralization, mechanical, antibacterial and biological investigation of larnite and rankinite bioceramics.

This work is aimed to develop a biocompatible, bactericidal and mechanically stable biomaterial to overcome the challenges associated with calcium phosphate bioceramics. The influence of chemical composition on synthesis temperature, bioactivity, antibacterial activity and mechanical stability of least explored calcium silicate bioceramics was studied. The current study also investigates the biomedical applications of rankinite (CaSiO) for the first time.

Targeting SARS-CoV-2 RNA-dependent RNA polymerase: An drug repurposing for COVID-19.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), took more lives than combined epidemics of SARS, MERS, H1N1, and Ebola. Currently, the prevention and control of spread are the goals in COVID-19 management as there are no specific drugs to cure or vaccines available for prevention. Hence, the drug repurposing was explored by many research groups, and many target proteins have been examined.

Neural population dynamics in motor cortex are different for reach and grasp.

Low-dimensional linear dynamics are observed in neuronal population activity in primary motor cortex (M1) when monkeys make reaching movements. This population-level behavior is consistent with a role for M1 as an autonomous pattern generator that drives muscles to give rise to movement. In the present study, we examine whether similar dynamics are also observed during grasping movements, which involve fundamentally different patterns of kinematics and muscle activations.

Conformational topography of tris(2-methylbutyl) phosphate and the influence of methyl branching at the non-hyperconjugative carbon on the conformational landscape: insights from matrix isolation infrared spectroscopy and DFT computations.

The branching of a methyl group in a linear chain has a profound influence on the conformational morphology as it wields a strong control in reducing a large number of conformations. To unravel the effect of branching on the second non-hyperconjugative carbon atom on the conformational landscape, the conformations of tris(2-methylbutyl)phosphate (T2MBP) were studied using Density Functional Theory (DFT) computations and matrix isolation infrared spectroscopy. Experimentally, T2MBP along with N/Ar/Kr/Xe gases was effusively expanded and deposited at a low temperature of 12 K, which was subsequently probed using infrared spectroscopy.

Ebstein's anomaly presenting with the acute coronary syndrome-a rare combination.

Ebstein's anomaly is a relatively rare congenital heart disorder characterised by downward displacement of septal and posterior leaflets of the tricuspid valve into the right ventricle cavity. The usual presenting symptoms are cyanosis, right-sided heart failure and arrhythmia. Progressive heart failure or tachyarrhythmia may worsen cyanosis.

Inhibitors of pantothenate synthetase of - a medicinal chemist perspective.

Tuberculosis (TB), one of the most prevalent infections, is on the rise today. Although there are drugs available in the market to combat this lethal disorder, there are several shortcomings with the current drug regimen, such as prolonged treatment period, drug resistance, high cost, Hence, it is inevitable for the current researchers across the globe to embark on new strategies for TB drug discovery, which will yield highly active low cost drugs with a shorter treatment period. To achieve this, novel strategies need to be adopted to discover new drugs.

Survey to assess knowledge, attitude and practices for safe and efficient vein-to-vein transfusion practices and effect of educational intervention in a hospital setting.

Objectives: The primary aim was to assess the knowledge, attitude and practices (KAP) of employees (medical, paramedical and other hospital staff) towards blood donation and transfusion practices in a tertiary care hospital. A secondary objective was to assess and interpret the effect of an educational module on improvement in the KAP of employees in a hospital setting.

Background: For satisfactory practices, it is essential to initiate KAP studies.

Targeting SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease: A Computational Drug Repurposing Study.

Background And Aims: Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) induced Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) has currently become pandemic worldwide. Though drugs like remdesivir, favipiravir, and dexamethasone found beneficial for COVID-19 management, they have limitations clinically, and vaccine development takes a long time. The researchers have reported key proteins which could act as druggable targets.

An International Study on Ventricular Assist Device Program Models.

Background: Advanced technology and improved outcomes have led to rapid growth of ventricular assist devices (VADs) throughout the world, but little exists regarding their structure. We sought to study trends in VAD programs on a global level.

Methods: We distributed a 26-question online survey to 321 individuals who work within those programs.

Comparison of Knowledge-based Iterative Model Reconstruction (IMR) with Hybrid Iterative Reconstruction (iDose) Techniques for Evaluation of Hepatocellular Carcinomas Using Computed Tomography.

Rationale And Objectives: To compare tumor conspicuity of small hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) and image quality on knowledge-based iterative model reconstruction low-dose computed tomography (IMR-LDCT) with hybrid iterative reconstruction standard-dose CT (iDose-SDCT).

Methods: Thirty-two patients (mean age 61.9 ± 9.

Enhancing iCVD Modification of Electrospun Membranes for Membrane Distillation Using a 3D Printed Scaffold.

Electrospun membranes have shown promise for use in membrane distillation (MD) as they exhibit exceptionally low vapor transport. Their high porosity coupled with the occasional large pore can make them prone to wetting. In this work, initiated chemical vapor deposition (iCVD) is used to modify for electrospun membranes with increased hydrophobicity of the fiber network.

The Prevalence of Esophageal Disorders Among Voice Patients With Laryngopharyngeal Reflux-A Retrospective Study.

Objective: The goal of this study was to determine the prevalence of esophageal disorders among voice patients with intractable laryngopharyngeal reflux (LPR) who have undergone 24 pH impedance and esophageal manometry.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed of patients with LPR-associated dysphonia in the absence of subjective dysphagia who presented between January 1, 2007 and June 30, 2019 and underwent 24 pH impedance and esophageal manometry studies after inadequate response to lifestyle modifications, high dose of Proton Pump Inhibitor (PPIs), H2 blockers, alkaline water, and Gaviscon (GlaxoSmithKline, Warren, NJ, USA). The comorbidities, medications, Strobovideolaryngoscopy findings, 24 pH impedance, and esophageal manometry results were analyzed.

Degradation of 5hmC-marked stalled replication forks by APE1 causes genomic instability.

Synthetic lethality between poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibition and deficiency is exploited to treat breast and ovarian tumors. However, resistance to PARP inhibitors (PARPis) is common. To identify potential resistance mechanisms, we performed a genome-wide RNAi screen in BRCA2-deficient mouse embryonic stem cells and validation in KB2P1.

Advances in Molecular Diagnosis of Tuberculosis.

Molecular tests for tuberculosis (TB) have the potential to help reach the three million people with TB who are undiagnosed or not reported each year and to improve the quality of care TB patients receive by providing accurate, quick results, including rapid drug-susceptibility testing. The World Health Organization (WHO) has recommended the use of molecular nucleic acid amplification tests (NAATs) tests for TB detection instead of smear microscopy, as they are able to detect TB more accurately, particularly in patients with paucibacillary disease and in people living with HIV. Importantly, some of these WHO-endorsed tests can detect mycobacterial gene mutations associated with anti-TB drug resistance, allowing clinicians to tailor effective TB treatment.

Application of Targeted Next-Generation Sequencing Assay on a Portable Sequencing Platform for Culture-Free Detection of Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis from Clinical Samples.

Targeted next-generation sequencing (tNGS) has emerged as a comprehensive alternative to existing methods for drug susceptibility testing (DST) of from patient sputum samples for clinical diagnosis of drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB). However, the complexity of sequencing platforms has limited their uptake in low-resource settings. The goal of this study was to evaluate the use of the tNGS-based DST solution Genoscreen Deeplex Myc-TB, for use on the compact, low-cost Oxford Nanopore Technologies MinION sequencer.

Design, Synthesis and In Vitro Biological Evaluation of Pyridine, Thiadazole, Benzimidazole and Acetyl Thiophene Analogues as Anti Tubercular Agents Targeting Enzyme Inh A.

Background: Tuberculosis is a chronic infectious disease that affects one-third of the global population. The emergence of Multi-resistant (MDR) strains and high susceptibility of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infected persons to the disease forced to develop novel antituberculosis agents and preferably have a novel mechanism of action as to avoid cross-resistant with other agents. A literature survey indicated that Pyridine, Thiadiazole, Benzimidazole and Acetyl thiophene derivatives exhibit various pharmacological activities, including anti-mycobacterial activity.

Features, Outcomes, and Management Strategies of Male Breast Cancer: A Single Institution Comparison to Well-Matched Female Controls.

Objective: The primary objective of this study was to delineate differences in management, overall and distant disease-free survival in males diagnosed with breast cancer and treated at The Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center as compared to comprehensively matched female subjects. Secondary objectives included assessment of clinical and histopathologic features and recurrence score, as measured by Oncotype DX and the modified Magee equation #2.

Materials And Methods: This single institution retrospective study compared male and comprehensively matched female patients (1:2) with stage I-III breast cancer between 1994 and 2014.

Recent advances in the development of asenapine formulations.

Introduction: Asenapine maleate (AM) is an atypical antipsychotic agent, that has been widely prescribed for the management of schizoaffective disorders. However, the bioavailability of AM is extremely poor due to the extensive first-pass metabolism. With the advancement in pharmaceutical technologies, significant strides have been made to create novel formulations to address the bioavailability problem of AM.

Review of automated DNA extraction systems for sequencing-based solutions for drug-resistant tuberculosis detection.

Robust clinical specimen nucleic acid extraction instrumentation and methods are critical to the performance of downstream molecular diagnostics for the diagnosis of drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB). Currently, there is a high level of interest in sequencing-based solutions for rapid and comprehensive DR-TB testing from primary specimens (i.e.