Exploring Chemical Space to Identify Partial Binders Against hMPV Nucleocapsid Protein

Human metapneumovirus (hMPV) has gained prominence in recent times as the predominant etiological agent of acute respiratory tract infections. This virus targets children, the elderly, and individuals with compromised immune systems. Given the protracted duration of hMPV transmission, it is probable that the majority of children will have acquired the virus by the age of 5. In individuals with compromised immune systems, recurrence of hMPV infection is possible. As hMPV matures, it remains latent from the time of acquisition. The genome of hMPV encompasses a pivotal protein referred to as the nucleocapsid protein (N). This protein assumes the form of a left-handed helical nucleocapsid, enveloping the viral RNA genome. The primary function of this structure is to protect nucleases, rendering it a potentially promising target for therapeutic advancements. The present study employs a methodology that involves structure-based virtual screening, followed by molecular dynamics simulation at a 250-ns time scale, to identify potential natural molecules or their derivatives from the ZINC Database. These molecules are investigated for their binding properties against the hMPV nucleoprotein. Based on an evaluation of the docking score, binding site interaction, and molecular dynamics studies, it has been found that two naturally occurring molecules, namely M1 (ZINC85629735) and M3 (ZINC85569125), have shown notable docking scores of -9.6 and -10.7 kcal/mol, acceptable RMSD, RMSF, Rg, and so on calculated from molecular dynamics trajectory associated with MMGBSA binding energy of -81.94 and -99.63 kcal/mol, respectively. These molecules have shown the highest binding affinity toward nucleocapsid protein and demonstrated promising attributes as potential binders against hMPV.

A Simple, Rapid, and Effective Method for Tumor Xenotransplantation Analysis in Transparent Zebrafish Embryos

In vivo studies of tumor behavior are a staple of cancer research; however, the use of mice presents significant challenges in cost and time. Here, we present larval zebrafish as a transplant model that has numerous advantages over murine models, including ease of handling, low expense, and short experimental duration. Moreover, the absence of an adaptive immune system during larval stages obviates the need to generate and use immunodeficient strains. While established protocols for xenotransplantation in zebrafish embryos exist, we present here an improved method involving embryo staging for faster transfer, survival analysis, and the use of flow cytometry to assess disease burden. Embryos are staged to facilitate rapid cell injection into the yolk of the larvae and cell marking to monitor the consistency of the injected cell bolus. After injection, embryo survival analysis is assessed up to 7 days post injection (dpi). Finally, disease burden is also assessed by marking transferred cells with a fluorescent protein and analysis by flow cytometry. Flow cytometry is enabled by a standardized method of preparing cell suspensions from zebrafish embryos, which could also be used in establishing the primary culture of zebrafish cells. In summary, the procedure described here allows a more rapid assessment of the behavior of tumor cells in vivo with larger numbers of animals per study arm and in a more cost-effective manner.

Enhanced electrochemical performance of Ce-MOF/h-CeO2 composites for high-capacitance energy storage applications

The escalating demand for energy storage underscores the significance of supercapacitors as devices with extended lifespans, high energy densities, and rapid charge-discharge capabilities. Ceria (CeO2), known for its exceptional properties and dual oxidation states, emerges as a potent material for supercapacitor electrodes. This study enhances its capacitance by integrating it with Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs), carbon-rich compounds noted for their good conductivity. In our research, hollow ceria (h-ceria) is synthesized via hydrothermal methods and amalgamated with Ce-MOF, employing 2,6-dinaphthalene dicarboxylic acid as a ligand, to fabricate Ce-MOF@h-CeO2 composites. The structural and morphological characteristics of the composite are methodically examined using X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FE-SEM), and Fourier-Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. The band gap of the materials is ascertained through UV-Diffuse Reflectance Spectroscopy (UV-DRS). Electrochemical behavior and redox properties of the Ce-MOF composites are explored using Cyclic Voltammetry (CV), Galvanostatic Charge and Discharge (GCD), and Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS), providing insights into the material's stability. Electrochemical characterization of the composite reveals maximum specific capacitance, energy density and power density are 2643.78 F g-1 at a scan rate of 10 mV s-1, 249.22 W h kg-1, and 7.9 kW kg-1, respectively. Additionally, the specific capacitance of Ce-MOF synthesized with a 2,6-dinaphthalene dicarboxylic acid (NDC) ligand reaches 995.59 F g-1, surpassing that of Ce-MOF synthesized using a 1,3,5-tricarboxylic acid (H3BTC) ligand. These findings highlight the promising economic potential of high-performance, environmentally sustainable, and cost-effective energy storage devices. The innovative Ce-MOF@h-CeO2 composite materials at the core of this research pave the way for advancing the field of energy storage solutions.

A Judo-Based Exercise Program to Reduce Falls and Frailty Risk in Community-Dwelling Older Adults: A Feasibility Study

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to explore the feasibility (including recruitment, safety and adherence) and the effects of a twice weekly supervised Judo-based exercise program over eight weeks on mobility, balance, physical performance, quality of life, fear of falling and physical activity (including by frailty status) in community-dwelling older people aged ≥65 years.

DESIGN

Pre-post study.

PARTICIPANTS

A total of 17 participants (mean age 74.3±6.2; range 66-87 years; 76.5% female).

INTERVENTION

A Judo-based exercise program conducted twice weekly for 60 minutes per session over eight weeks.

MEASUREMENTS

Pre and post assessments included the Timed Up and Go (TUG); the Berg Balance Scale (BBS); the Short Physical Performance Battery (SPPB); the Short Form Health Survey-36 (SF-36); the Falls Efficiency Scale International (FES-I); and an ActivPal accelerometer to measure participants' physical activity.

RESULTS

Most participants had low (≤3) Charlson's Comorbidity Index scores (n=17, 100%), were well nourished (n=16, 94.1%), not sarcopenic (n=16, 94.1%), and not cognitively impaired (n=13, 76.5%), anxious or depressed (n=14, 82.4%). Ten participants (58.8%) were non-frail and seven were pre-frail (41.2%). Significant improvements (p<0.05) were seen for mobility (TUG), balance (BBS) and physical performance (SPPB). Pre-frail participants showed greater improvement in mobility (TUG) than non-frail participants (p=0.020). No changes (p≥0.05) were seen in quality of life, fear of falling, or physical activity. Participants' adherence (i.e., attending sessions) was high (i.e., ≥81.2%). No serious adverse events or withdrawals were reported.

CONCLUSION

Findings suggest that the eight week Judo-based exercise program can be delivered safely to older adults aged ≥65 years, including those at-risk of frailty, as long as there is close supervision with individualisation of the program in response to emergent health symptoms and the program is conducted on requisite Judo mats. This Judo-based exercise program is effective in improving physical function with potential to prevent falls and frailty risk.

Drug Utilization Research and Predictors of Outcomes in the Intensive Care Unit of a Tertiary Care Hospital: A Prospective Observational Study

BACKGROUND

Multiple drugs are commonly prescribed to intensive care unit (ICU) patients owing to the disease profile, multiple organ dysfunction, prophylaxis, management of stress ulcers, nosocomial infections, etc. This study aimed to evaluate the drug utilization patterns and factors influencing mortality and duration of stay in ICU patients.  Methodology: A prospective observational study was conducted in the ICU of our tertiary care hospital, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences, Rohtak. Data was collected from treatment charts of patients using a structured pretested proforma. World Health Organization Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical/Defined Daily Dose (WHO ATC/DDD) methodology and core prescribing indicators were used to assess drug utilization data. The effect of different variables on mortality and duration of stay in the ICU was evaluated using regression analysis.

RESULTS

An average of 8.78 drugs were prescribed per patient. Among the 922 prescriptions, anti-infectives, anti-inflammatory drugs, and drugs acting on the gastrointestinal tract were the most frequent medication classes prescribed. Polypharmacy and trade name prescribing were common. For most of the drugs, the prescribed daily dose corresponded to the WHO-DDD except ceftriaxone and levofloxacin. Age, presence of cardiac disorders, and Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score at admission directly correlated with mortality while the use of diuretics had a negative correlation with the duration of ICU stay.  Conclusions: There is a need to rationalize drug therapy in the ICU with regard to limiting polypharmacy and emphasizing generic drug name prescribing and adherence to the essential drug list. Antibiotic prescription patterns, in particular, deserve a special focus keeping in mind the multitude of factors demanding aggressive antibiotic use in critically ill intensive care patients.

Is scolding analogous to positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP)?

N/A

Ribosomal protein control of hematopoietic stem cell transformation through direct, non-canonical regulation of metabolism

We report here that expression of the ribosomal protein, RPL22, is frequently reduced in human myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and acute myelogenous leukemia (AML); reduced RPL22 expression is associated with worse outcomes. Mice null for Rpl22 display characteristics of an MDS-like syndrome and develop leukemia at an accelerated rate. Rpl22-deficient mice also display enhanced hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) self-renewal and obstructed differentiation potential, which arises not from reduced protein synthesis but from increased expression of the Rpl22 target, ALOX12, an upstream regulator of fatty acid oxidation (FAO). The increased FAO mediated by Rpl22-deficiency also persists in leukemia cells and promotes their survival. Altogether, these findings reveal that Rpl22 insufficiency enhances the leukemia potential of HSC via non-canonical de-repression of its target, ALOX12, which enhances FAO, a process that may serve as a therapeutic vulnerability of Rpl22 low MDS and AML leukemia cells.

Highlights

RPL22 insufficiency is observed in MDS/AML and is associated with reduced survivalRpl22-deficiency produces an MDS-like syndrome and facilitates leukemogenesisRpl22-deficiency does not impair global protein synthesis by HSCRpl22 controls leukemia cell survival by non-canonical regulation of lipid oxidation eTOC: Rpl22 controls the function and transformation potential of hematopoietic stem cells through effects on ALOX12 expression, a regulator of fatty acid oxidation.

Recent Advancement in Multicomponent Synthesis of Fused Coumarin Derivatives

The synthesis of coumarin derivatives has been an essential topic since its discovery in 1820. In bioactive compounds, the coumarin moiety serves as a backbone, as many such bioactive compounds with the coumarin moiety play a significant role in their bioactivities. Given this moiety's relevance, several researchers are developing fused-coumarin derivatives to create new drugs. Mostly the approach done for this purpose was a multicomponent reaction based. Over the years, the multicomponent reaction has gained enormous popularity, and this approach has evolved as a replacement for conventional synthetic methods. Because of all these perspectives, we have reported the various fused-coumarin derivatives synthesized using multicomponent reactions in recent years.

Contemporary progress in the Applications of Iron-based Magnetic Nanoparticles in Multicomponent Synthesis: A Review

Abstract:

In recent decades, organic synthetic reactions have advanced towards a greener and sustainable reactions by the usage of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs). Such nanoparticles can be quickly recovered and reused in various organic syntheses. MNPs are a sustainable methodology while encountering environmental and profitable advantage. Due to their properties, MNPs have broad impacts on multiple fields. For instance, their size and magnetic properties have significant implications for various biomedicine, environmental remediation projects, and catalysis. MNPs are an alternative to conventional materials. These are smaller and have a high surface area that allows them to have copious catalytic sites. Amongst various MNPs, iron-based nanoparticles are being profoundly explored in different multicomponent reactions (MCRs). A convergent reaction, which retains most of the significant atoms of the starting components. This investigation targets to equip its readers a brief appertaining to nanoparticles, their processing, and characterization and summarize the evolution in applications of Iron-based MNPs in multicomponent synthetic procedures since 2010.

Antibacterial and antioxidant assay of novel heteroaryl-substituted methane derivatives synthesized via ceric ammonium nitrate (CAN) catalyzed one-pot green approach

Individually, hydroxycoumarin and amino pyrimidine derivatives are of significant biological interest owing to their importance in drugs and pharmaceuticals. To access their combined biological impact into one molecule, we designed a novel, one-pot green approach for synthesizing trisubstituted methanes. A series of new heteroaryl-substituted methanes have been synthesized and subjected to in vitro antibacterial and antioxidant evaluation. Tests against clinical isolates of Escherichia coli (gram-negative) and Staphylococcus aureus showed potent activity of the derivatives 4a, 4b, 4d, 4e, 4f, 4l, and 5 against the former, and 4a, 4e, 4j, and 4l against the later one. Further, antioxidant assay for these TRSMs was also studied where 4a, 4b, 4f, 4j, and 4l exhibited the most promising results. These preliminary bioassay evaluations strongly suggest the promise and scope of these molecules in medical science. A one pot methodology for the synthesis of coumarin and uracil tethered trisubstituted methanes has been reported. The synthesized derivatives were further analyzed for their antibacterial and antioxidant properties to explore their medicinal applications. The salient features of this methodology are operational simplicity, short reaction time, good to moderate yields of the products, easy purification method. Biochemical assay of the synthesized TRSMs a reveals their utility in medicinal & pharma industry.

Recent Advances in Utilization of Deep Eutectic Solvents: An Environmentally Friendly Pathway for Multi-component Synthesis

Abstract:

With the increasing analysis of saving environment, the researchers demonstrated much effort to replace toxic chemicals with environmentally benign ones. Eutectic mixtures are those solvents that fulfill the criteria of green solvents. The synthesis of organic compounds in the chemical and pharmaceutical industries makes it necessary to find unconventional solvents that cause no harmful impact on health parameters. This review showed that using deep eutectic mixture-based solvents to overcome the hazardous effects of harmful volatile organic solvents over the past few years has gained much more appeal. In most applications, deep eutectic mixtures aRecent Advances in Utilization of Deep Eutectic Solvents: An Environmentally Friendly Pathway for Multi-component Synthesisre used for a solvent or co- solvent role, as they are easy to use, easy dissolution of reactants, and non-evaporative nature. However, deep eutectic mixtures have also been investigated as catalysts, and this dual functionality has much scope in the future, as a significantly less range of deep eutectic mixtures is utilized for this.

Plasmonic Paper based Flexible SERS Biosensor for Highly Sensitive Detection of Lactic and Uric Acid

Selective detection and quantification of biomarkers related to human diseases are essential for preventive healthcare. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectroscopy is a powerful analytical tool offering high sensitivity. However, the success of this promising analytical tool relies on the ability to effectively fabricate SERS substrate. Herein we have demonstrated a plasmonic paper-based flexible substrate (PPFS) for SERS sensing. In situ growth of silver nanostructures (AgNS) on the paper-based substrate was achieved by using a simple one-step silver mirror reaction (SMR). FESEM and TEM results depicts that the increasing silver ion content influences the morphology (growth of multifacets), as well as size of AgNS. Further, the PPFS substrate was tested with Rhodamine-6G (Rh-6G) dye and an attomole sensitivity with a LOD of 4.54 x 10-18 M was achieved. Further, two biomarkers, lactic acid (LA) and uric acid (UA) were detected on the PPFS substrate, with μM and pM sensitivity, having LOD values of 0.6 x 10-6 and 0.3 x 10-12 M respectively. Above detection levels for UA on PPFS is two orders better than reported values, whereas for LA it is comparable with reported substrates. Finally, UA, LA and their mixtures were tested on PPFS and results compared with commercial substrate. The performance of PPFS were found better in all cases, thus, multifaceted AgNS paper based PPFS offers the potential to be used as a biosensor for detection of various biomarkers from body fluids, responsible for the detection of the critical disease for preventive health care.

Recent advances in understanding the role of proteostasis

Maintenance of a functional proteome is achieved through the mechanism of proteostasis that involves precise coordination between molecular machineries assisting a protein from its conception to demise. Although each organelle within a cell has its own set of proteostasis machinery, inter-organellar communication and cell non-autonomous signaling bring forth the multidimensional nature of the proteostasis network. Exposure to extrinsic and intrinsic stressors can challenge the proteostasis network, leading to the accumulation of aberrant proteins or a decline in the proteostasis components, as seen during aging and in several diseases. Here, we summarize recent advances in understanding the role of proteostasis and its regulation in aging and disease, including monogenetic and infectious diseases. We highlight some of the emerging as well as unresolved questions in proteostasis that need to be addressed to overcome pathologies associated with damaged proteins and to promote healthy aging.

Recent Advancement in the One-Pot Synthesis of the Tri-Substituted Methanes (TRSMs) and Their Biological Applications

The history of tri-substituted methanes (TRSMs) in chemical industries is much older. Tri-substituted methanes were previously used as dyes in the chemical industries. Still, there is a significant surge in researchers' interest in them due to their wide range of bioactivities. Tri-substituted methane derivatives show a wide range of biological activities like anti-tumor, antimicrobial, antibiofilm, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic activities. Due to the wide range of medicinal applications shown by tri-substituted methanes, most of the methodologies reported in the literature for the synthesis of TRSMs are focused on the one-pot method. This review explored the recently reported one-pot processes for synthesizing tri-substituted methanes and their various medicinal applications. Based on the substitution attached to the -CH carbon, this review categorizes them into two major classes: (I) symmetrical and (II) unsymmetrical trisubstituted methanes. In addition, this review gives an insight into the growing opportunities for the construction of trisubstituted scaffolds via one-pot methodologies. To the best of our knowledge, no one has yet reported a review on the one-pot synthesis of TRSMs. Therefore, here we present a brief literature review of the synthesis of both symmetrical and unsymmetrical TRSMs covering various one-pot methodologies along with their medicinal applications.