Characterization of VldE (Spr1875), a Pneumococcal Two-State l,d-Endopeptidase with a Four-Zinc Cluster in the Active Site.

Remodeling of the pneumococcal cell wall, carried out by peptidoglycan (PG) hydrolases, is imperative for maintaining bacterial cell shape and ensuring survival, particularly during cell division or stress response. The protein Spr1875 plays a role in stress response, both regulated by the VicRK two-component system (analogous to the WalRK TCS found in Firmicutes). Modular Spr1875 presents a putative cell-wall binding module at the N-terminus and a catalytic C-terminal module (Spr1875) connected by a long linker.

Kinetic Analysis of Cyclization by the Substrate-Tolerant Lanthipeptide Synthetase ProcM.

Lanthipeptides are ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs) characterized by the presence of thioether cross-links called lanthionine and methyllanthionine, formed by dehydration of Ser/Thr residues and Michael-type addition of Cys side chains onto the resulting dehydroamino acids. Class II lanthipeptide synthetases are bifunctional enzymes responsible for both steps, thus generating macrocyclic natural products. ProcM is part of a group of class II lanthipeptide synthetases that are known for their remarkable substrate tolerance, having large numbers of natural substrates with highly diverse peptide sequences.

How Do Variants of Residues in the First Coordination Sphere, Second Coordination Sphere, and Remote Areas Influence the Catalytic Mechanism of Non-Heme Fe(II)/2-Oxoglutarate Dependent Ethylene-Forming Enzyme?

The ethylene-forming enzyme (EFE) is a Fe(II)/2-oxoglutarate (2OG) and l-arginine (l-Arg)-dependent oxygenase that primarily decomposes 2OG into ethylene while also catalyzing l-Arg hydroxylation. While the hydroxylation mechanism in EFE is similar to other Fe(II)/2OG-dependent oxygenases, the formation of ethylene is unique. Various redesign strategies have aimed to increase ethylene production in EFE, but success has been limited, highlighting the need for alternate approaches.

Catalytic Mechanism of SARS-CoV-2 3-Chymotrypsin-Like Protease as Determined by Steady-State and Pre-Steady-State Kinetics.

The 3-chymotrypsin-like protease (3CL-PR; also known as Main protease) of SARS-CoV-2 is a cysteine protease that is the target of the COVID-19 drug, Paxlovid. Here, we report for 3CL-PR, the pH-rate profiles of a substrate, an inhibitor, affinity agents, and solvent kinetic isotope effects (sKIEs) obtained under both steady-state and pre-steady-state conditions. "Bell-shaped" plots of log( / ) vs pH for the substrate (Abz)SAVLQ*SGFRK(Dnp)-NH and p vs pH for a peptide aldehyde inhibitor demonstrated that essential acidic and basic groups of p = 8.

and synergistically regulate nodulation and affect arbuscular mycorrhiza in .

Two symbiotic processes, nodulation and arbuscular mycorrhiza, are primarily controlled by the plant's need for nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), respectively. Autoregulation of nodulation (AON) and autoregulation of mycorrhizal symbiosis (AOM) both negatively regulate their respective processes and share multiple components-plants that make too many nodules usually have higher arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) fungal root colonization. The protein TML (TOO MUCH LOVE) was shown to function in roots to maintain susceptibly to rhizobial infection under low N conditions and control nodule number through AON in .

Cognitive rehabilitation in schizophrenia research: a bibliometric and visualization analysis.

Objective: Cognitive impairment is notably prevalent among schizophrenic individuals and is acknowledged as one of the core features of the disorder. Despite the proliferation of literature on cognitive rehabilitation treatments for schizophrenia in recent years, there remains a dearth of systematic reviews and selections of research in this area. From a bibliometric perspective, this study aims to analyze and discuss the current state, developmental trends, and potential research hotspots of cognitive rehabilitation in schizophrenia over the past two decades.

New eye tracking metrics system: the value in early diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder.

Background: Eye tracking (ET) is emerging as a promising early and objective screening method for autism spectrum disorders (ASD), but it requires more reliable metrics with enhanced sensitivity and specificity for clinical use.

Methods: This study introduces a suite of novel ET metrics: Area of Interest (AOI) Switch Counts (ASC), Favorable AOI Shifts (FAS) along self-determined pathways, and AOI Vacancy Counts (AVC), applied to toddlers and preschoolers diagnosed with ASD. The correlation between these new ET metrics and Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2) scores via linear regression and sensitivity and specificity of the cut-off scores were assessed to predict diagnosis.

Fifteen Pathways between Electric Vehicles and Public Health: A Transportation-Health Conceptual Framework.

The health impact of electric vehicles (EVs) is complex and multifaceted, encompassing reductions in air pollutants, improvements in road safety, and implications for social equity. However, existing studies often provide fragmented insights, lacking a unified framework to comprehensively assess these public health implications. This paper develops a comprehensive framework to summarize the health outcomes of EVs in urban areas, where the health impacts are more pronounced due to higher levels of traffic congestion and air pollution.

Evaluation of Machine Learning Based QSAR Models for the Classification of Lung Surfactant Inhibitors.

Inhaled chemicals can cause dysfunction in the lung surfactant, a protein-lipid complex with critical biophysical and biochemical functions. This inhibition has many structure-related and dose-dependent mechanisms, making hazard identification challenging. We developed quantitative structure-activity relationships for predicting lung surfactant inhibition using machine learning.

Associations between Metals, Serum Folate, and Cognitive Function in the Elderly: Mixture and Mediation Analyses.

Exposure to metals may potentially impact cognitive health in the elderly; however, the evidence remains ambiguous. The specific role of serum folate in this relationship is also unclear. We aimed to evaluate the individual and joint impact of metals on cognition in the elderly from the United States and explore the potential mediating effect of serum folate.

Electronic structure of metal oxide dications with ammonia ligands and their reactivity towards the selective conversion of methane to methanol.

High-level quantum chemical calculations are performed for the (NH)MO and (NH)MO species (M = Ti-Cu), extending our previous work on the bare MO ions. The potential energy curves along the M-O distance are constructed for the ground and multiple excited electronic states of (NH)MO and are compared to those of MO. We see that ammonia stabilizes the oxo states (MO) over the oxyl (MO) ones.

Catalyzing sustainable development: insights from the international workshop on STI policies and innovation systems in Central America.

This article examines the landscape of Science, Technology, and Innovation policies in Central America, focusing on Nicaragua, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador. These nations face significant challenges in leveraging STI for sustainable development, including financial constraints and limited resources. Additionally, Central America struggles with systemic issues such as corruption, violence, and high levels of emigration, further complicating efforts to advance STI.

Macroalgae of the Campeche Bank, Gulf of Mexico.

Background: The coastal habitats in the southern Gulf of Mexico face multiple threats, such as rising water temperatures, acidification, increased turbidity, invasive species and pollutants. This imperils the biodiversity of beaches, wetlands and coral reefs. To address this, there is a need for comprehensive baseline information on marine biodiversity.

Melatonin stabilizes atherosclerotic plaques: an association that should be clinically exploited.

Atherosclerosis is the underlying factor in the premature death of millions of humans annually. The cause of death is often a result of the rupture of an atherosclerotic plaque followed by the discharge of the associated molecular debris into the vessel lumen which occludes the artery leading to ischemia of downstream tissue and to morbidity or mortality of the individual. This is most serious when it occurs in the heart (heart attack) or brain (stroke).

The use of artificial intelligence for automatic analysis and reporting of software defects.

The COVID-19 pandemic marked a before and after in the business world, causing a growing demand for applications that streamline operations, reduce delivery times and costs, and improve the quality of products. In this context, artificial intelligence (AI) has taken a relevant role in improving these processes, since it incorporates mathematical models that allow analyzing the logical structure of the systems to detect and reduce errors or failures in real-time. This study aimed to determine the most relevant aspects to be considered for detecting software defects using AI.

A pilot study of the utility of a hospital-based school program for pediatric patients with cardiac diagnoses.

Introduction: Pediatric patients with complex cardiac diagnoses are at increased risk for physical, cognitive, and developmental complications. Formalized school support [i.e.

Optimal site for applying transcutaneous bilirubinometer as an outpatient screening tool for neonatal jaundice: a comparison between the sternum and forehead.

Background: The gold standard for assessing neonatal jaundice (NJ) is the serum total serum bilirubin (TSB) level by the diazo method. A transcutaneous bilirubinometer (TCB) provides a convenient, noninvasive readout within minutes. The reliability of TCB as the diagnostic tool and the proper site for TCB measurement remains unsettled.

Acceptance of COVID-19 vaccine and its related determinants in Nigeria: An online survey.

Background: Vaccine hesitancy is a major challenge in the fight against the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Identifying the sociodemographic factors associated with vaccine acceptance among Nigerians is crucial for improving vaccine uptake.

Aim: To assess the acceptance rate of COVID-19 vaccine and its related determinants among Nigerians.

Climate change and the emergence and exacerbation of infectious diseases: A review.

Experts expressed severe concerns over the possibility of increasing burden of infectious diseases as the planet's climate began to change years ago. There have been increased rates of climate-related catastrophes and as global temperatures rise, emergence of certain viruses has become a serious concern. Vectors are susceptible to changing temperatures as they exhibit innate responses to thermal stress to increase survivability.

Role of viruses in periodontitis: An extensive review of herpesviruses, human immunodeficiency virus, coronavirus-19, papillomavirus and hepatitis viruses.

Periodontitis is the inflammation of the supporting structures around the dentition. Several microbial agents, mostly bacteria, have been identified as causative factors for periodontal disease. On the other hand, oral cavity is a rich reservoir for viruses since it contains a wide variety of cell types that can be targeted by viruses.

Accuracy of self-reported foot strike pattern detection among endurance runners.

Introduction: Foot strike pattern is often associated with running related injury and the focus of training and rehabilitation for athletes. The ability to modify foot strike pattern depends on awareness of foot strike pattern before being able to attempt change the pattern. Accurate foot strike pattern detection may help prevent running related injury (RRI) and facilitate gait modifications and shoe transitions.

Taking the temperature of the United States public regarding microbiome engineering.

This paper presents the first representative survey of U.S. adults' opinions on microbiome engineering within the built environment, revealing public awareness, perceived benefits and risks, and attitudes toward genetically engineered microbiomes.

Rift Valley Fever outbreaks in the East African Community: insights from ProMed data (2010-2024).

Background: Rift Valley Fever (RVF) is a mosquito-borne zoonotic disease that poses a serious threat to both humans and livestock across various regions, particularly in Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and parts of the Indian Ocean Islands. This study seeks to analyze the spatial and temporal distribution and trends of RVF outbreaks within the East African Community (EAC) countries, offering insights into the patterns and progression of these outbreaks in the region.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of the Program for Monitoring Emerging Diseases (ProMed), a digital, event-based disease surveillance system, to identify reports of outbreak events in Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, Tanzania, and South Sudan from 2010 to 2024.

Ethics, One Health approaches, and SDGs: conference lessons for an emerging field.

One Health ethics is an emerging field that has gained traction since its origin in approximately 2015. This article builds upon the insights shared during a panel discussion on at the 28th Annual International Sustainable Development Research Society Conference. The conference, themed aimed to advance and expand recent knowledge in the field.

Reimagining hospital management: the balanced scorecard as a catalyst for employee retention and organizational excellence.

Employee turnover in healthcare institutions is a critical issue affecting both quality of care and organizational costs. This study examines the potential impact of the Balanced Scorecard (BSC) as a communication tool on employee turnover rates in a Japanese hospital setting. A case study of Bethlehem Garden Hospital in Tokyo, Japan, was conducted to examine turnover rates before and after the implementation of BSC.