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The translocase of the outer membrane (TOM) mediates the membrane permeation of mitochondrial matrix proteins. Tom20 is a subunit of the TOM complex and binds to the N‐terminal region (ie, presequence) in mitochondrial matrix precursor proteins. Previous experimental studies indicated that the presequence recognition by Tom20 was achieved in a dynamic‐equilibrium among multiple bound states of the α‐helical presequence. Accordingly, the co‐crystallization of Tom20 and a presequence peptide required a disulfide‐bond cross‐linking. A 3‐residue spacer sequence (XAG) was inserted between the presequence and the anchoring Cys residue at the C‐terminus to not disturb the movement of the presequence peptide in the binding site of Tom20. Two crystalline forms were obtained according to Ala or Tyr at the X position of the spacer sequence, which may reflect the dynamic‐equilibrium of the presequence. Here, we have performed replica‐exchange molecular dynamics (REMD) simulations to study the effect of disulfide‐bond linker and single amino acid difference in the spacer region of the linker on the conformational dynamics of Tom20‐presequence complex. Free energy and network analyses of the REMD simulations were compared against previous simulations of non‐tethered system. We concluded that the disulfide‐bond tethering did not strongly affect the conformational ensemble of the presequence peptide in the complex. Further investigation showed that the choice of Ala or Tyr at the X position did not affect the most distributions of the conformational ensemble of the presequence. The present study provides a rational basis for the disulfide‐bond tethering to study the dynamics of weakly binding complexes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Most of the daily living activities (ADL) require dual-task (DT) performance so as to efficiently accomplish different tasks in everyday life like shifting objects from one place to other, monitoring the environment, and judging the threats and balancing efficiently to transfer self, etc. Due to disruption of the motor function of basal ganglia, patients with Parkinson's disease (PD) demonstrate noticeable problems while performing DT with a significant amount of gait and balance impairments which are also known as fall risk factors. Objectives: In this study, we evaluated the long-term effect of a DT training program applied with basic principles of motor learning on falling and ADL in patients with PD. Study Design: Pre-test and post-test experimental study design. Methods: Fifty-four patients with PD were allocated into two groups by simple randomization. Outcomes were recorded for fear of fall (FOF) by Tinetti Fall Efficacy Scale, ADL by functional independence measure and a number of falls within the last 6 months. Both the groups received occupational therapy services, whereas the patients of the experimental group received a 4 weeks program of one-on-one training program including walking while performing several motor and cognitive tasks. Data for all outcomes were measured before training and posttraining. Follow-up scores were recorded till 2 years after completion of the training program. Results: Both the groups showed significant improvements in FOF and ADL scores. Between the group, analyses showed experimental group had a significant difference in the improvements than the control group. There was a significant difference noted between posttraining and follow-up scores for both the groups. The number of falls in both groups reduced significantly. The experimental group showed a significant reduction in some falls as compared to the control group. Conclusion: The result of this study showed feasibility as well as the efficacy of DT training program to minimize falls and FOF thus resulting in improvement of functional independence with its strong retention effect till 2 years after posttraining. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel pregnane glycoside, Ichnoside, was isolated from the chloroform extract of the areal parts of the plant Ichnocarpus frutiscens (family: Apocynaceae). The structure of the isolated glycoside, Ichnoside, was elucidated by the acid hydrolysis and chemical transformation / degradation and physicochemical techniques like 1H, 13C, 2D NMR, and FABMS techniques. The structure of the compound was deduced as 3β, 14β, 20β-trihydroxy-pregnane-3-O-α (6-O-methoxy phenyl) galactopyranoside. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plants of Asclepiadaceae and Apocynaceae families are rich sources of pregnane and cardiac glycosides, which are known to possess anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer, immunostimulant, cardiotonic and hypoglycemic activities. Ichnocarpus frutescens, a species of the Apocyanaceae family, has a large number of uses in the traditional medicine, including treatment for fever, bronchitis, rheumatism, asthma, cholera, and leucoderma. In search for more biologically active compounds, a novel compound, carpuside, was isolated from the chloroform extract of aerial part of the plant I. frutescens. The structure of the isolated glycoside, carpuside, was confirmed by the chemical transformation / degradation and physicochemical techniques like ¹H, 13C, 2D NMR, and FABMS techniques. The structure of the novel compound, carpuside, was deduced as calogenin-3-O-α-L-fucopyranosyl- (1->4)-α-L-digitoxopyranoside. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We used an in silico approach to survey and compare microsatellites in transcript sequences of four sequenced members of genus Fusarium. G + C content of transcripts was found to be positively correlated with the frequency of SSRs. Our analysis revealed that, in all the four transcript sequences studied, the occurrence, relative abundance and density of microsatellites varied and was not influenced by transcript sizes. No correlation between relative abundance and transcript sizes was observed. The relative abundance and density of microsatellites were highest in the transcripts of Fusarium solani when compared with F. graminearum, F. verticillioides and F. oxysporum. The maximum frequency of SSRs among all four sequence sets was of trinucleotide repeats (67.8%), whereas the dinucleotide repeat represents <1%. Among all classes of repeats, 36.5% motifs were found conserved within Fusarium species. In order to study polymorphism within Fusarium isolates, 11 polymorphic genic-SSR markers were developed. Of the 11 markers, 5 were from F. oxysporum and remaining 6 belongs to F. solani. SSR markers from F. oxysporum were found to be more polymorphic (38%) as compared to F. solani (26%). Eleven polymorphic markers obtained in this study clearly demonstrate the utility of newly developed SSR markers in establishing genetic relationships among different isolates of Fusarium. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endothelin-1 (ET-1) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) is increased in periodontitis and is linked to inflammatory cytokines among other variables. The purpose of this study was to ascertain if ET-1 and IL-1β are utilized as an early indicator for peri-implant mucositis (PM) and peri-implantitis (PI), as well as to look into the relationship between ET-1 and IL-1β levels and peri-implant illnesses. 58 patients (30 males and 28 females) with a total of 152 implants were included for final analyses. Three groups were formed from the 152 qualifying implants. A plastic probe was used at low pressure of 0.25N to assess the peri-implant parameters like probing pocket depth (PPD), modified gingival index (mGI), BOP being present or absent and modified plaque index (mPI). Mean bone loss (MBL) and the average annual bone loss (ABL) were evaluated. The values were significantly greater in PI group and PM group as compared to healthy subjects. ET-1 and IL-1β levels are significantly increased in peri-implant illnesses. ET-1 and IL-1β may be utilized as diagnostic indicator for peri-implant disorders., (© 2024 Biomedical Informatics.)

Fungal infections caused by Candida albicans present significant challenges in clinical settings owing to rising resistance to conventional antifungal treatments. Natural products derived from medicinal plants, including tulsi ( Ocimum sanctum ), garlic ( Allium sativum ), cinnamon ( Cinnamomum verum ) and lemongrass ( Cymbopogon citratus ), are increasingly recognized for their potential antimicrobial properties and as alternative sources of antifungal therapies. This study evaluated the antifungal efficacy of Tulsi, Garlic, Cinnamon and Lemongrass extracts against Candida albicans using disk diffusion and broth microdilution methods. Natural extracts from Tulsi, Garlic, Cinnamon and Lemongrass demonstrated varying degrees of antifungal activity against Candida albicans . Tulsi emerged as the most effective, followed by garlic and cinnamon, whereas lemongrass showed comparatively lower efficacy. These findings underscore Tulsi's potential as a potent natural antifungal agent and warrant further exploration of its therapeutic applications in fungal infections., (© 2024 Biomedical Informatics.)

This study aimed to evaluate and compare the wear characteristics of acrylic resins, composite resins and ceramic materials used in removable dentures. A total of 88 samples (n = 88) were subjected to simulated chewing cycles using a wear-testing apparatus. The wear depths were measured using profilometry and statistical analyses were performed to assess the differences among the materials. Ceramics exhibited superior wear resistance compared to acrylic and composite resins in removable dentures. These findings highlight the importance of material selection for the optimization of denture longevity and patient satisfaction., (© 2024 Biomedical Informatics.)

Background: Genetic polymorphisms are common and contribute significantly to human illnesses., Aim: This study was carried out to evaluate the importance of genetic variations in the genes expressing cancer-metabolizing enzymes (CYP1A1 and GSTM1) in individuals experiencing oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF)., Methods and Materials: Based on the clinical and histological characteristics of OSMF, 40 patients were chosen for the study; 10 of these patients had considerable polymorphism and malignant transformation; therefore, they were placed in a different group. After receiving written agreement, 30 normal subject patients were also picked for the study. For both normal and OSMF patients, tissue samples and 2 ml of peripheral venous blood were drawn from the arm vein and placed in a heparinized test tube. Electrophoresis on 0.8% agarose gel was used to verify genomic DNA., Results: The GSTM1 polymorphism, CYP1A1 polymorphism was 10.41% and 15.27% in normal subjects. The GSTM1 polymorphsm, CYP1A1 polymorphism was 16.21% and 8.14% in early OSMF. The GSTM1 polymorphsm, CYP1A1 polymorphism was 20.31% and 28.56% in moderate OSMF. The GSTM1 polymorphsm, CYP1A1 polymorphism was 8.12% and 12.54% in moderate OSMF. Finally, GSTM1 polymorphism was 60.47% in OSMF+ CA, while CYP1A1 polymorphism was 40.21%. The GSTM1 gene polymorphism and CYP1A1 gene polymorphism were maximum in OSMF+ CA category., Conclusion: There is a significant role of genetic variations in the genes expressing cancer-metabolizing enzymes (CYP1A1) and GSTM1 in individuals experiencing OSMF., Competing Interests: There are no conflicts of interest., (Copyright: © 2024 Journal of Pharmacy and Bioallied Sciences.)

The frequency and distribution of microsatellites were analyzed in the 19 mitogenomes of phytopathogenic fungi covering five phyla. Our analysis revealed that in all the mitogenomes studied, the frequency and relative abundance varied, and it was neither influenced by genome size nor by GC content. SSRs were found to be differential distributed in genic and intergenic regions. An average of 5.14 (23.6%) SSRs were present in genic sequences and 21.7 (76.4%) SSRs were located in the intergenic sequences. Relative abundance of SSRs in mitogenomes was the highest in Aspergillus tubigensis, whereas, it was the least in Phaeosphaeria nodurum, the average being 0.45. Trinucleotide repeats were the most abundant motifs in the genic and intergenic regions of the mitogenomes of the phytopathogenic fungi. Among the genes, cox1 harbors the maximum SSRs, whereas cox3 and nad 7 contain the least. Based on the presence of SSRs in a particular gene, genetic relationships among individual organisms were also established.