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Summary: Many proteins self-assemble into dimers and higher-order oligomers. Therefore, the goal of this protocol is to characterize the conformational states of an endogenous protein of interest. Here, we present a protocol for assessing protein self-assembly in cell lysates using chemical cross-linking. We describe steps for chemical cross-linking with recombinant proteins as well as steps for cell culture and cell lysate preparation, chemical cross-linking, SDS-PAGE, and western blotting for the detection of endogenous proteins.For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Balaji et al.1 : Publisher’s note: Undertaking any experimental protocol requires adherence to local institutional guidelines for laboratory safety and ethics.

Giant bladder calculi are rare and long-term usage of cystostomy could cause stone formation. Due to the lack of evidence on giant bladder calculi and the long-term usage of cystostomy can cause bladder calculi formation, we provide a case study of a man with a neglected cystostomy with giant bladder calculi for 4 years. A fixed mass was discovered in the suprapubic region. Ultrasound examination revealed 4.1 × 5.5 cm bladder calculi and contracted left kidney. Bipolar voiding cystourethrography portrayed stricture in pars pendular and membranacea, uneven bladder wall, and 4.5 × 4.5 cm bladder calculi. The stone was extracted, and the bladder filling test revealed a small bladder capacity. Since the patient refused urethral reconstruction and bladder augmentation, he was discharged with another cystostomy catheter. Six-month follow-up revealed no forming stones. Neglected cystostomy catheter can cause giant bladder calculi. Prompt diagnosis and treatment should be made to manage this condition to reduce the likelihood of bladder cancer.

Günümüzde yetişkinler kadar çocuklar da giderek karmaşık hale gelen ekonomik sistemde doğru kararlar verebilmelerini gerektiren bir çağda yaşamaktadırlar. Çocukların doğru finansal kararlar almalarını sağlamak için çocuklara finansal bilgi ve beceri kazandırılmasının kritik ve acil bir ihtiyaç olduğu pek çok araştırmacının ortak görüşüdür. Çocuklar için finansal eğitim programı hazırlanırken cinsiyet, ırk, yaş, eğitim düzeyi vb. birçok faktör dikkate alınmalıdır. Ayrıca eğitim programlarının çocukların yaşam boyu kullanabilecekleri finansal bilgi ve becerileri içerecek şekilde yapılandırılmaları önerilmektedir. Erken yaşlarda kazanılacak/kazandırılacak doğru tüketim alışkanlıkları ve tasarruf bilinci ile ülkemiz kalkınmasına katkı sağlanabilir. Bu çalışmanın amacı, 10 yaş grubu öğrencilerinin finansal okuryazarlık eğitimleri ile tüketim ve tasarruf davranışları arasındaki ilişkinin ortaya konulmasıdır. Araştırmada Eskişehir ili Tepebaşı ve Odunpazarı ilçe merkezinde Mustafa Kemal İlkokulu, Dumlupınar İlkokulu ve Şehit Mustafa Türker İlkokulu’na 4. Sınıfta öğrenim gören (10 yaş grubu) toplam 122 öğrenciden bir çalışma grubu oluşturulmuştur. Araştırma yarı-deneysel bir çalışma olarak yürütülmüştür. Bu doğrulta her üç okulda deney ve kontrol grupları oluşturulmuştur. Deney gruplarına araştırmacılar tarafından hazırlanan finansal okuryazarlık eğitim modüleri doğrultunda toplam 300 dakika (10 modül) eğitim verilmiştir. Araştırma sonunda deney grubunda bulunan öğrencilerin finansal okuryazarlık eğitimleri ile tüketim ve tasarruf konularında bilgi ve becerilerinin arttığı gözlenmiştir.

IntroductionAeropollen can induce detrimental effects, particularly in respiratory airways. Monitoring local aeropollen is essential for the management of pollen allergic patients in each area. However, without resources for constant monitoring, pollen counts are subjected to biases imposed by the choices of sampling season, time of collection, and location. Therefore, the effects of these factors must be better understood. This study investigated the dynamics of aeropollen types through seasonal variation, diurnal cycle and different heights from the ground in Bangkok, Thailand.MethodsAeropollen samples were collected for 12 months at the Faculty of Science, Mahidol University in Bangkok, using a RotoRod Sampler®. For the investigation of diurnal effect, pollen was collected at 7 a.m., 10 a.m., 1 p.m., 4 p.m., and 7 p.m. For the study of height effect, data were collected at 2, 10, and 18 meters above ground.Results and discussionThis is the first study of the effects of diurnal cycle and height variation on airborne pollen count in Southeast Asia. The results showed the highest concentration of aeropollen was observed in November, which was at the beginning of the northeast monsoon season in Bangkok, whereas the lowest concentration was recorded in July (rainy season). Interestingly, the lowest airborne pollen concentration recorded in July was greater than the high level of most standards. Grass pollen was found as the major aeropollen. The highest total pollen concentration was detected at 1 p.m. The maximum pollen quantity was detected at 10 meters from the ground. However, the total aeropollen concentration was extremely high (>130 grains/m3) at all elevated heights compared to other studies that mostly found at lower height (approximately 1–2 m above ground). The result suggested that pollen concentrations of most pollen types increased as height increased. This study also illustrated the correlation between aeropollen quantity and local meteorological factors.ConclusionThis aeropollen survey reported that pollen concentration and diversity were affected by seasonal variation, diurnal cycle, and height from the ground. Understanding these relationships can help with predictions of aeropollen type and quantity.

The effects of dietary calcium chloride (CaCl2) concentration on the growth, survival, moulting and body composition of Astacus leptodactylus were studied. Diets were prepared using supplementation of 0 (control), 30, 60 and 120 g kg−1 calcium chloride commercial trout larvae diet containing 50% protein and 12% lipid. Astacus leptodactylus larvae with an average total length of 22.0 ± 0.05 mm ( TL) and weight of 0.53 ± 0.01 g obtained from eighteen ovigerous females collected from Seydisehir Sugla Dam lake in Konya, Turkey, were stocked in 0.2-m2 aquariums at a rate of 50 crayfish m−2 and reared for 90 days. The experiments included four treatments (diets) with three replicates each. Calcium chloride exerted positive effects on growth, moulting frequency, feed efficiency and survival of narrow-clawed crayfish. Crayfish fed with 60 g calcium kg−1 calcium chloride-supplemented diet exhibited the highest weight gain and specific growth rate ( SGR) but the lowest survival rate (63.3%) ( P < 0.05). There were no significant differences ( P > 0.05) in mean moisture (803.5 g kg−1) and protein content (177.0 g kg−1) in crayfish tail meat. However, lipid values were between 3.8 and 11.6 g kg−1 and significantly different among the diets ( P < 0.05). Diet with 60 g kg−1 calcium chloride is recommended for the best growth of freshwater crayfish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Post stroke patients need medical rehabilitation to live an independent life. Nintendo Wii technology presents an alternative choice that is quite safe, feasible, and has a high potential in rehabilitating & restoring motor function in post stroke patients. Although it has been widely used as adjunct therapy in stroke rehabilitation facilities throughout the world, only a few acknowledge its effectivity in post-stroke patients. This study aims to conduct a systematic review in order to identify and assess the results used in evaluating Nintendo Wii technology as rehabilitation therapy for stroke patients. Thus, the study used for this research is systematic review. Materials included in this study are research/studies found in NCBI, PubMed, Cochrane and other relevant online databases. From this research, it is found that Virtual Reality (VR) such as Nintendo Wii considered as an additional rehabilitation therapy that provides a significant improvement in various aspects of exercise therapy, such as; balance; walking ability; statistical and dynamic strengths; motivation as well as socialization; and recovery of physical function in stroke patients. Nintendo Wii can also be used safely in stroke patients and there have been no reports of side effects from this therapy.

Extracts from a sea cucumber, Holothuria scabra, have been shown to exhibit various pharmacological properties including anti-oxidation, anti-aging, anti-cancer, and anti-neurodegeneration. Furthermore, certain purified compounds from H. scabra displayed neuroprotective effects against Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. Therefore, in the present study, we further examined the anti-aging activity of purified H. scabra compounds in a Caenorhabditis elegans model. Five compounds were isolated from ethyl acetate and butanol fractions of the body wall of H. scabra and characterized as diterpene glycosides (holothuria A and B), palmitic acid, bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP), and 2-butoxytetrahydrofuran (2-BTHF). Longevity assays revealed that 2-BTHF and palmitic acid could significantly extend lifespan of wild type C. elegans. Moreover, 2-BTHF and palmitic acid were able to enhance resistance to paraquat-induced oxidative stress and thermal stress. By testing the compounds’ effects on longevity pathways, it was shown that 2-BTHF and palmitic acid could not extend lifespans of daf-16, age-1, sir-2.1, jnk-1, and skn-1 mutant worms, indicating that these compounds exerted their actions through these genes in extending the lifespan of C. elegans. These compounds induced DAF-16::GFP nuclear translocation and upregulated the expressions of daf-16, hsp-16.2, sod-3 mRNA and SOD-3::GFP. Moreover, they also elevated protein and mRNA expressions of GST-4, which is a downstream target of the SKN-1 transcription factor. Taken together, the study demonstrated the anti-aging activities of 2-BTHF and palmitic acid from H. scabra were mediated via DAF-16/FOXO insulin/IGF and SKN-1/NRF2 signaling pathways.

Pigeon pea (Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp.), a potential legume as an economical source of protein, is commonly cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Therefore, pigeon pea may be potentially used as a substitute to improve the nutritional profile of foods. In the present study, the effect of substitution of whole wheat flour (WWF) with 20% and 40% pigeon pea flour (PPF) on the nutritional properties, color profiles, and starch and protein digestibility of chapati was investigated. The results showed that PPF had higher protein content but less carbohydrate than WWF. The protein content of chapati substituted with 20% and 40% PPF increased by 1.18 and 1.34 times, respectively, compared to WWF chapati, along with a marked decrease in carbohydrate content. Analyses further revealed an increase in the lightness and yellowness and a decrease in the redness of the chapati. Furthermore, glucose release from chapati with 20% and 40% PPF under simulated digestion was attenuated, corresponding to decreased hydrolysis and a predicted glycemic index. In the 40% PPF chapati, a significant reduction in slowly digestible starch (SDS) with increased resistant starch (RS) proportions was achieved without altering the effect on rapidly digestible starch (RDS). In addition, the level of amino-group residues was markedly elevated in 20% and 40% PPF substituted chapati compared to WWF chapati. These findings suggest that PPF can serve as a promising plant-based alternative ingredient to improve the nutrient value of chapati by reducing starch and increasing protein digestibility.

In patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), it is important to keep in mind the examination and follow-up of uveitis table which are less frequent in optic neuropathy and may require different treatment approaches. In the present study, we wanted to draw attention to the uncommon MS and uveitis association by presenting two cases of uveitis and MS.