Exploring current conduction dynamics in multiferroic BiFeO thin films prepared via modified chemical solution method.

The current study describes current conduction mechanisms in BiFeO thin films prepared by using a modified chemical solution-based technique. In particular, in these films, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy revealed that the defect causing Fe ions reduced by about 18% compared to the solution-based synthesis methods reported before, indicating better film quality. The leakage current density was measured to be 1.

The hexosamine biosynthetic pathway rescues lysosomal dysfunction in Parkinson's disease patient iPSC derived midbrain neurons.

Disrupted glucose metabolism and protein misfolding are key characteristics of age-related neurodegenerative disorders including Parkinson's disease, however their mechanistic linkage is largely unexplored. The hexosamine biosynthetic pathway utilizes glucose and uridine-5'-triphosphate to generate N-linked glycans required for protein folding in the endoplasmic reticulum. Here we find that Parkinson's patient midbrain cultures accumulate glucose and uridine-5'-triphosphate, while N-glycan synthesis rates are reduced.

Cathepsin D overexpression in the nervous system rescues lethality and A42 accumulation of cathepsin D systemic knockout .

The lysosome is responsible for protein and organelle degradation and homeostasis and the cathepsins play a key role in maintaining protein quality control. Cathepsin D (CTSD), is one such lysosomal protease, which when deficient in humans lead to neurolipofuscinosis (NCL) and is important in removing toxic protein aggregates. Prior studies demonstrated that CTSD germ-line knockout-KO (CDKO) resulted in accumulation of protein aggregates, decreased proteasomal activities, and postnatal lethality on Day 26 ± 1.

Selective Removal to Soft Dentine versus Full Pulpotomy for Management of Proximal Deep Carious Lesions: A Randomized Controlled Non-Inferiority Trial.

The management of the deep carious lesion with reversible pulpitis is a dilemma for the dentist. The current study compared selective removal to soft dentine (SRSD) and full pulpotomy (FP) for treating proximal deep carious lesions in teeth with reversible pulpitis. Visual-tactile examination and bitewing radiographs were used to determine the depth of carious lesion, and American Association of Endodontists recommendations were used to formulate pulp diagnosis.

Nanocatalyst-Assisted Facile One-Pot Synthesis of Glycidol from Glycerol and Dimethyl Carbonate.

This paper reports the facile one-pot synthesis of glycidol via the transesterification of glycerol with dimethyl carbonate using KNO/AlO nanoparticles as supporting catalysts. KNO/AlO nanoparticles were prepared by the impregnation method. XRD and FT-IR analyses indicated an interaction between KNO and AlO that enabled the decomposition of KNO during the process and resulted in the formation of KAlO, the Al-O-K group, and KO.

Defining the Dynamic Regulation of O-GlcNAc Proteome in the Mouse Cortex---the O-GlcNAcylation of Synaptic and Trafficking Proteins Related to Neurodegenerative Diseases.

O-linked conjugation of ß-N-acetyl-glucosamine (O-GlcNAc) to serine and threonine residues is a post-translational modification process that senses nutrient availability and cellular stress and regulates diverse biological processes that are involved in neurodegenerative diseases and provide potential targets for therapeutics development. However, very little is known of the networks involved in the brain that are responsive to changes in the O-GlcNAc proteome. Pharmacological increase of protein O-GlcNAcylation by Thiamet G (TG) has been shown to decrease tau phosphorylation and neurotoxicity, and proposed as a therapy in Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Rescue of α-synuclein aggregation in Parkinson's patient neurons by synergistic enhancement of ER proteostasis and protein trafficking.

Neurodegenerative disorders are characterized by a collapse in proteostasis, as shown by the accumulation of insoluble protein aggregates in the brain. Proteostasis involves a balance of protein synthesis, folding, trafficking, and degradation, but how aggregates perturb these pathways is unknown. Using Parkinson's disease (PD) patient midbrain cultures, we find that aggregated α-synuclein induces endoplasmic reticulum (ER) fragmentation and compromises ER protein folding capacity, leading to misfolding and aggregation of immature lysosomal β-glucocerebrosidase.

Edible Bird's Nest: The Functional Values of the Prized Animal-Based Bioproduct From Southeast Asia-A Review.

Edible Bird's Nest (EBN) is the most prized health delicacy among the Chinese population in the world. Although some scientific characterization and its bioactivities have been studied and researched, no lights have been shed on its actual composition or mechanism. The aim of this review paper is to address the advances of EBN as a therapeutic animal bioproduct, challenges and future perspectives of research involving EBN.

Insights into the Current Trends in the Utilization of Bacteria for Microbially Induced Calcium Carbonate Precipitation.

Nowadays, microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) has received great attention for its potential in construction and geotechnical applications. This technique has been used in biocementation of sand, consolidation of soil, production of self-healing concrete or mortar, and removal of heavy metal ions from water. The products of MICP often have enhanced strength, durability, and self-healing ability.

A Glimpse into the Extraction Methods of Active Compounds from Plants.

Naturally active compounds are usually contained inside plants and materials thereof. Thus, the extraction of the active compounds from plants needs appropriate extraction methods. The commonly employed extraction methods are mostly based on solid-liquid extraction.

Ion homeostasis for salinity tolerance in plants: a molecular approach.

Soil salinity is one of the major environmental stresses faced by the plants. Sodium chloride is the most important salt responsible for inducing salt stress by disrupting the osmotic potential. Due to various innate mechanisms, plants adapt to the sodic niche around them.

SARS-CoV-2 pathophysiology and assessment of coronaviruses in CNS diseases with a focus on therapeutic targets.

The novel Coronavirus disease of 2019 (nCOV-19) is a viral outbreak noted first in Wuhan, China. This disease is caused by Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) Coronavirus (CoV)-2. In the past, other members of the coronavirus family, such as SARS and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), have made an impact in China and the Arabian peninsula respectively.

Nuclear receptor binding factor 2 (NRBF2) is required for learning and memory.

The mechanisms which underlie defects in learning and memory are a major area of focus with the increasing incidence of Alzheimer's disease in the aging population. The complex genetically-controlled, age-, and environmentally-dependent onset and progression of the cognitive deficits and neuronal pathology call for better understanding of the fundamental biology of the nervous system function. In this study, we focus on nuclear receptor binding factor-2 (NRBF2) which modulates the transcriptional activities of retinoic acid receptor α and retinoid X receptor α, and the autophagic activities of the BECN1-VPS34 complex.

Lactate clearance prognosticates outcome in pediatric septic shock during first 24 h of intensive care unit admission.

Unlabelled: This study was undertaken to examine the clinical utility of lactate clearance as an indicator of mortality in pediatric septic shock, and to compare the performance of lactate clearance at 6, 12, and 24 h for predicting in-hospital and 60-day mortality. Pediatric patients with septic shock were prospectively studied. Vital signs, laboratory values, Pediatric Risk of Mortality Score, and pediatric logistic organ dysfunction score were obtained at presentation (hour 0), hour 6, hour 24 and over the first 72 h of hospitalization.

Stress-Induced Cellular Clearance Is Mediated by the SNARE Protein ykt6 and Disrupted by α-Synuclein.

Age-related neurodegenerative disorders are characterized by a slow, persistent accumulation of aggregated proteins. Although cells can elicit physiological responses to enhance cellular clearance and counteract accumulation, it is unclear how pathogenic proteins evade this process in disease. We find that Parkinson's disease α-synuclein perturbs the physiological response to lysosomal stress by impeding the SNARE protein ykt6.

Acute increases in -GlcNAc indirectly impair mitochondrial bioenergetics through dysregulation of LonP1-mediated mitochondrial protein complex turnover.

The attachment of -linked β--acetylglucosamine (-GlcNAc) to the serine and threonine residues of proteins in distinct cellular compartments is increasingly recognized as an important mechanism regulating cellular function. Importantly, the -GlcNAc modification of mitochondrial proteins has been identified as a potential mechanism to modulate metabolism under stress with both potentially beneficial and detrimental effects. This suggests that temporal and dose-dependent changes in -GlcNAcylation may have different effects on mitochondrial function.

Clinical Spectrum of Disorders of Sex Development: A Cross-sectional Observational Study.

Objective: Disorders of sex development (DSD) constitutes a small but difficult and equally important area of endocrinology. It is often a social emergency as the decision regarding sex assignment in these cases is extremely disturbing and difficult to both families and healthcare professionals. Our study was devised to assess the clinical and chromosomal profile of patients with suspected DSD and classify them according to the new DSD consensus document.

Okadaic Acid and Hypoxia Induced Dementia Model of Alzheimer's Type in Rats.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of progressive decline of memory function in aged humans. To study about a disease mechanism and progression, animal models for the specific disease are needed. For AD, although highly valid animal models exist, none of the existing models recapitulates all aspects of human AD.

Vitamin D status correlates with the markers of cystic fibrosis-related pulmonary disease.

Background: The prevalence of Vitamin D deficiency remains high in cystic fibrosis despite daily supplementation. Vitamin D as an immunomodulator has been related to lower respiratory tract infections in children. The present study was undertaken to examine the association between vitamin D status and markers of cystic fibrosis-related pulmonary disease including exacerbations, bacterial colonization and pulmonary function.

Prevalence of Depression among Caregivers of Indian Children with Cystic Fibrosis.

Objective: To study the prevalence of depression among caregivers of children with cystic fibrosis and its impact on the health and well being of these children.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital from September 2015 through August 2016. Forty one parents of children receiving treatment at the Cystic fibrosis (CF) clinic were approached to be part of the study.

Methods for assessing mitochondrial quality control mechanisms and cellular consequences in cell culture.

Mitochondrial quality is under surveillance by autophagy, the cell recycling process which degrades and removes damaged mitochondria. Inadequate autophagy results in deterioration in mitochondrial quality, bioenergetic dysfunction, and metabolic stress. Here we describe in an integrated work-flow to assess parameters of mitochondrial morphology, function, mtDNA and protein damage, metabolism and autophagy regulation to provide the framework for a practical assessment of mitochondrial quality.

Role of Angiogenic Growth Factors in Psoriasis: A Review.

Background: Psoriasis is a chronic disease of inflammatory nature. It involves autoimmune mechanism and the systemic diseased state is created by the interaction of immune system, autoantigens and variety of environmental triggers. It is a complex skin disease which involves participation of numerous factors, making it multifactorial in nature.

The Diagnostic Dilemma of Traumatic Lumbar Puncture: Current Standing of Cerebrospinal Fluid Leukocyte Corrections and Our Experience With Cerebrospinal Fluid Biomarkers.

Objective: To assess the diagnostic efficiency of cerebrospinal fluid markers of procalcitonin, lactate, and cerebrospinal fluid/serum lactate ratio for detecting bacterial meningitis during traumatic lumbar puncture, and to compare these markers with routinely used uncorrected and corrected leukocyte measurements.

Methods: Infants aged ≤90 days with traumatic lumbar puncture were prospectively studied. The diagnostic characteristics of cerebrospinal fluid assays of uncorrected and corrected leukocyte count, procalcitonin, lactate, and lactate ratio were described and compared.

Dysregulation of the autophagic-lysosomal pathway in Gaucher and Parkinson's disease.

The finding that mutations in the Gaucher's Disease (GD) gene GBA1 are a strong risk factor for Parkinson's Disease (PD) has allowed for unique insights into pathophysiology centered on disruption of the autophagic-lysosomal pathway. Protein aggregations in the form of Lewy bodies and the effects of canonical PD mutations that converge on the lysosomal degradation system suggest that neurodegeneration in PD is mediated by dysregulation of protein homeostasis. The well-characterized clinical and pathological relationship between PD and the lysosomal storage disorder GD emphasizes the importance of dysregulated protein metabolism in neurodegeneration, and one intriguing piece of this relationship is a shared phenotype of autophagic-lysosomal dysfunction in both diseases.

Recent advances in the identification and authentication methods of edible bird's nest.

Edible bird's nest (EBN) is an expensive animal bioproduct due to its reputation as a food and delicacy with diverse medicinal properties. One kilogram of EBN costs ~$6000 in China. EBN and its products are consumed in mostly Asian countries such as China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Vietnam and Thailand, making up almost 1/3 of world population.