The N-terminal region containing the zinc finger domain of tobacco streak virus coat protein is essential for the formation of virus-like particles

Tobacco streak virus (TSV), a member of the genus Ilarvirus (family Bromoviridae), has a tripartite genome and forms quasi-isometric virions. All three viral capsids, encapsidating RNA 1, RNA 2 or RNA 3 and subgenomic RNA 4, are constituted of a single species of coat protein (CP). Formation of virus-like particles (VLPs) could be observed when the TSV CP gene was cloned and the recombinant CP (rCP) was expressed in E. coli. TSV VLPs were found to be stabilized by Zn²⁺ ions and could be disassembled in the presence of 500 mM CaCl_2. Mutational analysis corroborated previous studies that showed that an N-terminal arginine-rich motif was crucial for RNA binding; however, the results presented here demonstrate that the presence of RNA is not a prerequisite for assembly of TSV VLPs. Instead, the N-terminal region containing the zinc finger domain preceding the arginine-rich motif is essential for assembly of these VLPs.     

Bridging the gap - planning Lifestyle Medicine fellowship curricula: A cross sectional study

Background

The emerging field, Lifestyle Medicine (LM), is the evidence-based practice of assisting individuals and families to adopt and sustain behaviors that can improve health. While competencies for LM education have been defined, and undergraduate curricula have been published, there are no published reports that address graduate level fellowship in LM. This paper describes the process of planning a LM fellowship curriculum at a major, academic teaching institution.

Methods

In September 2012 Harvard Medical School Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation approved a “Research Fellowship in Lifestyle Medicine”. A Likert scale questionnaire was created and disseminated to forty LM stakeholders worldwide, which measured perceived relative importance of six domains and eight educational experiences to include in a one-year LM fellowship. Statistical procedures included analysis of variance and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test.

Results

Thirty-five stakeholders (87.5%) completed the survey. All domains except smoking cessation were graded at 4 or 5 by at least 85% of the respondents. After excluding smoking cessation, nutrition, physical activity, behavioral change techniques, stress resiliency, and personal health behaviors were rated as equally important components of a LM fellowship curriculum (average M?=?4.69, SD?=?0.15, p?=?0.12). All educational experiences, with the exception of completing certification programs, research experience and fund raising, were graded at 4 or 5 by at least 82% of the responders. The remaining educational experiences, i.e. clinical practice, teaching physicians and medical students, teaching other health care providers, developing lifestyle interventions and developing health promotion programs were ranked as equally important in a LM fellowship program (average M?=?4.23, SD?=?0.11, p?=?0.07).

Conclusions

Lifestyle fellowship curricula components were defined based on LM stakeholders’ input. These domains and educational experiences represent the range of competencies previously noted as important in the practice of LM. As the foundation of an inaugural physician fellowship, they inform the educational objectives and future evaluation of this fellowship.

     

Periodontal Status and High‐Sensitivity C‐Reactive Protein Levels in Polycystic Ovary Syndrome With and Without Medical Treatment

Background: Recently, some studies have revealed the effect of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) on gingival inflammation. This cross‐sectional study attempts to assess the periodontal status and systemic inflammation of women receiving medical treatment for PCOS and women newly diagnosed with PCOS. Methods: A total of 126 participants comprising 41 newly diagnosed patients with PCOS (PCOS‐N), 45 patients with PCOS on medical treatment (PCOS‐MT), and 40 systemically healthy controls (control group [CG]) were examined. Periodontal parameters, anthropometric parameters, and serum levels of high‐sensitivity C‐reactive protein (hsCRP) were recorded. Results: Women with newly diagnosed PCOS had increased sites with bleeding on probing (BOP), probing depth, clinical attachment level (CAL), waist circumference (WC), hsCRP, and prevalence of periodontitis compared with control and PCOS‐MT groups (P ≤0.05). On partial correlation analysis after controlling for confounders, BOP and CAL correlated positively and significantly with hsCRP (P = 0.01 and P = 0.005). Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed that BOP and CAL (dependent variable) (P = 0.009/R² = 0.05 and P = 0.005/R² = 0.07, respectively) had significant association with hsCRP. Furthermore, hsCRP, when considered as outcome, also exhibited association with CAL and WC (P = 0.002/R² = 0.07 and P = 0.04/R² = 0.106). Logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the PCOS‐N group had 2.88 times increased likelihood of having moderate periodontitis (adjusted odds ratio 2.88, 95% confidence interval 1.18 to 6.98). Conclusions: Women with newly diagnosed PCOS may have increased prevalence and likelihood for periodontitis, with higher measures of periodontal inflammation and breakdown than those on medical treatment for PCOS and systemically healthy females. Furthermore, periodontal breakdown might depend on systemic inflammation and vice versa.     

Aggressive pilomatrixoma

We report a case of aggressive pilomatrixoma (PMX) in a 25‐year‐old male who presented with swelling in left supraclavicular region of 2‐month duration. A diagnosis of small round cell tumor was suggested on fine‐needle aspiration cytology. He underwent wide excision of the mass. On histomorphological examination, a diagnosis of aggressive PMX was made. The swelling recurred after 3 months of complete resection and on examination had similar morphological features. The case is presented because of the potential diagnostic difficulties on cytological examination and rare occurrence of aggressive variant of PMX. Diagn. Cytopathol. 2014;42:906–911. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

CuAAC-ensembled 1,2,3-triazole-linked isosteres as pharmacophores in drug discovery: review

The review lays emphasis on the significance of 1,2,3-triazoles synthesized via CuAAC reaction having potential to act as anti-microbial, anti-cancer, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, anti-tuberculosis, anti-diabetic, and anti-Alzheimer drugs. The importance of click chemistry is due to its ‘quicker’ methodology that has the capability to create complex and efficient drugs with high yield and purity from simple and cheap starting materials. The activity of different triazolyl compounds was compiled considering MIC, IC₅₀, and EC₅₀ values against different species of microbes. In addition to this, the anti-oxidant property of triazolyl compounds have also been reviewed and discussed.

The review lays emphasis on the significance of 1,2,3-triazoles synthesized via CuAAC reaction having potential to act as anti-microbial, anti-cancer, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, anti-tuberculosis, anti-diabetic, and anti-Alzheimer drugs.     

Anti-Obesity Effect of Nostoc commune Ethanol Extract In Vitro and In Vivo

Nostoc commune is an edible terrestrial blue-green alga. It has shown many beneficial effects on human health. This study aimed to investigate the phytochemical assay of N. commune ethanol extract (NEE) and its anti-obesity effects. The effect of a high-calorie diet on lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes is investigated, and a Wistar rat model is used to demonstrate the anti-obesity effect of NEE and its mechanism. The results showed that the NEE has phytochemical compounds, such as total polyphenol, total flavonoids, and total terpenoids. NEE was also shown to suppress cell proliferation and lipid accumulation (26.9%) in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. Furthermore, NEE reduced the body weight (13.5%), fat tissue weight (13.3%), and the serum FFA (19.4%), TG (14.2%), TC (11.8%), and LDL-C (16.4%) of rats. In histopathology, NEE was shown to diminish the size of adipocytes and hepatic lipid droplets. The NEE downregulated the mRNA expression of adipogenesis (PPAR-γ, SREBP-1c) and lipid lysis-related genes (ATGL, HSL) in epididymal adipose tissue. The NEE also upregulated the mRNA expression of β-oxidation related genes (AMPK, CPT-1, PPAR-α) in the liver. Overall, this study suggests NEE has the potential to be developed as a functional food for anti-obesity.     

A new highly selective “off–on” typical chemosensor of Al3+, 1-((Z)-((E)-(3,5-dichloro-2-hydroxybenzylidene)hydrazono)methyl) naphthalene-2-ol,an experimental and in silico study

A new promising fluorescent chemosensor based on a 2-hydroxynaphthaldehyde skeleton was successfully synthesized through double imine formation as a yellow solid with an overall chemical yield of 63%. The compound showed UV/Visible maxima of at 394 nm in DMSO. Based on spectroscopic data of FTIR, ToF-HRMS, ¹H-NMR, and ¹³C-NMR, the product was characterized as 1-((Z)-((E)-(3,5-dichloro-2-hydroxybenzilydine)hydrazono)methyl)naphthalene-2-ol. Upon experimental study, the compound was confirmed as a highly selective and reversible off–on typical chemosensor against Al³⁺ with an emission quantum yield of 0.203 ± 0.009. The Job''s plot analysis revealed that a highly stable 1:1 complex was formed with an association constant of 8.73 × 10⁵ M⁻¹. A pH-dependent study showed that the sensor was potentially applicable at physiological conditions (pH 7–8) in a mixture of DMSO : H₂O (99 : 1, v/v). The LoD and LoQ of the chemosensor towards Al³⁺ in DMSO were found to be 0.04 and 0.14 μM respectively. Based on DFT and TD-DFT calculation (B3LYP hybrid method/basis set of 6-311+G(d,p)), the sensing mechanism of the chemosensor to the ion was discovered as inhibition of excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT).

A new promising fluorescent chemosensor of Al³⁺ based on a 2-hydroxynaphthaldehyde skeleton was successfully synthesized through double imine formation and demonstrated excellent sensing properties through the ESIPT inhibition mechanism.     

Comparative study of transperineal and transabdominal sonography in the diagnosis of placenta previa

AIM: To assess the role of transperineal sonography (TPS) in the diagnosis of placenta previa in the third trimester and to compare it with transabdominal sonography (TAS). METHODS: Seventy-five suspected cases of placenta previa were subjected to TAS with half full bladder and to the TPS with empty bladder to visualize the inner surface of the cervix and inferior edge of the placenta. The presence or absence of placenta previa was confirmed at delivery. RESULTS: TAS depicted the inferior edge of placenta in 98.7% of cases compared to 96% with TPS. Internal cervical os was visualized in 98.7% with TAS compared to 100% with TPS. Placenta previa was confirmed at delivery in 74 cases with one false positive in TPS, six false positive in TAS. The positive predictive value (PPV) value in the diagnosis of placenta previa was 92% with TAS compared to 98.6% with TPS. Accuracy of TPS in diagnosing placenta previa was 98.7%. PPV in the diagnosis of minor degree placenta previa was less 86.36% with TAS compared to TPS 100% though for major degree both are in agreement. CONCLUSION: TPS is a valuable procedure to compliment TAS in the diagnosis of placenta previa and helps to exclude false positive and to determine the mode of delivery, although it cannot replace TAS.     

Synthesis of dihydroisoquinolinone-4-methylboronic esters via domino Heck/borylation using a structurally characterized palladacycle as a catalyst

Synthesis of dihydroisoquinolinone-4-methylboronic esters from N-allylcarboxamides and B₂(Pin)₂via domino Heck/borylation approach is reported. A quinoxaline-based NHC-palladacycle [Pd(C∧C:)PPh₃Cl], which has been structurally characterized, is used as a catalyst. The scope of the substrate with a wide range of substituents is explored. In addition to the synthesis of title compounds, a few examples of methylboronic esters of indoline and benzofuran motifs have also been prepared using the same protocol.

Synthesis of dihydroisoquinolinone-4-methylboronic esters from N-allylcarboxamides and B₂(Pin)₂via domino Heck/borylation has been achieved by using a quinoxaline-based NHC-palladacycle [Pd(C∧C:)PPh₃Cl].     

Antifeedant Activity of Ursolic Acid Isolated from Duboisia Myoporoides

Ursolic acid isolated from the leaves and stems of Duboisia myoporoides (Solanaceae) was bioassayed by leaf disc method for feeding deterrence using Spilosoma obliqua and Spodoptera litura as test insects. This compound was proved to be a potent antifeedant under laboratory conditions. Azadirachtin was used as standard. Ursolic acid produced 90.12% and 91.96% inhibition at 5000 ppm concentration, respectively, against S. obliqua and S. litura .