Molecular docking analysis of fluoroquinolones and other natural and synthetic compounds with the HCV NS3 helicase

It is of an interest to document the molecular docking analysis of fluoroquinolones and other natural and synthetic compounds with the HCV NS3 helicase. Data shows that three fluoroquinolones interacted with the NS3 helicase in the catalytic region, targeting some of the amino acids known to play a crucial role in NS3 helicase activity. Similarly, binding energy shows that the fluoroquinolones were comparable to the thiazolpiperazinyl derivatives, while superior to several of the synthetic and natural derivatives. The results show three fluoroquinolones to be potent helicase inhibitors that can be repurposed as supplemental therapy against HCV especially in cases non-responsive to DAAAs.     

Lifetime prevalence of mental disorders in Lebanon: first onset, treatment, and exposure to war

Background

There are no published data on national lifetime prevalence and treatment of mental disorders in the Arab region. Furthermore, the effect of war on first onset of disorders has not been addressed previously on a national level, especially in the Arab region. Thus, the current study aims at investigating the lifetime prevalence, treatment, age of onset of mental disorders, and their relationship to war in Lebanon.

Methods and Findings

The Lebanese Evaluation of the Burden of Ailments and Needs Of the Nation study was carried out on a nationally representative sample of the Lebanese population (n = 2,857 adults). Respondents were interviewed using the fully structured WHO Composite International Diagnostic Interview 3.0. Lifetime prevalence of any Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, fourth edition (DSM-IV) disorder was 25.8%. Anxiety (16.7%) and mood (12.6%) were more common than impulse control (4.4%) and substance (2.2%) disorders. Only a minority of people with any mental disorder ever received professional treatment, with substantial delays (6 to 28 y) between the onset of disorders and onset of treatment. War exposure increased the risk of first onset of anxiety (odds ratio [OR] 5.92, 95% confidence interval [CI] 2.5–14.1), mood (OR 3.32, 95% CI 2.0–5.6), and impulse control disorders (OR 12.72, 95% CI 4.5–35.7).

Conclusions

About one-fourth of the sample (25.8%) met criteria for at least one of the DSM-IV disorders at some point in their lives. There is a substantial unmet need for early identification and treatment. Exposure to war events increases the odds of first onset of mental disorders.     

Mixed SAMs and MALDI-ToF MS: preparation of N-glycosylamine derivative and thioctic acid methyl ester bearing 1,2-dithiolane groups and detection of enzymatic reaction on Au

Herein, we report an enzymatic galactosylation reaction of β-glucopyranosylamide 4 and thioctic acid methyl ester 5 bearing 1,2-dithiolane groups to form a new system of mixed self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) on gold. Characterization of the enzymatic activity was conveniently achieved by mass spectrometry.     

Tumor markers in the detection of recurrent transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder: a brief review

OBJECTIVE: To determine the status of the most promising tumor markers of bladder cancer, including comparison with cytology, technical complexity and utility in patient management. STUDY DESIGN: An extensive literature search was performed, and multiple markers were evaluated. The markers with the greatest potential for use as an adjunct to cytology were reviewed to determine the value of clinical implementation. Markers with a paucity of clinical research and poor results in clinical trials were omitted from review, as were genetic and cytologic prognostic determinants. RESULTS: NMP22, bladder tumor antigen, fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products, telomerase and QUANTICYT image analysis cytometry produced the most favorable and reproducible results. Each test obtained favorable sensitivities in comparison with cytology, especially in the detection of low grade lesions. Many also retrospectively placed patients in high- and low-risk groups based on the test results, allowing increased follow-up time between cystoscopies. However, inability to detect some high grade lesions reduces their utility. CONCLUSION: Continued clinical trials using these and other predictors of bladder cancer will eventually find a test that is suitable, in sensitivity and specificity, for use in urology clinics. Until that time, these tests may be useful in conjunction with cytology to prolong the interval between cystoscopies.     

The Hansenula polymorpha (strain CBS4732) genome sequencing and analysis

The methylotrophic yeast Hansenula polymorpha is a recognised model system for investigation of peroxisomal function, special metabolic pathways like methanol metabolism, of nitrate assimilation or thermostability. Strain RB11, an odc1 derivative of the particular H. polymorpha isolate CBS4732 (synonymous to ATCC34438, NRRL-Y-5445, CCY38-22-2) has been developed as a platform for heterologous gene expression. The scientific and industrial significance of this organism is now being met by the characterisation of its entire genome. The H. polymorpha RB11 genome consists of approximately 9.5 Mb and is organised as six chromosomes ranging in size from 0.9 to 2.2 Mb. Over 90% of the genome was sequenced with concomitant high accuracy and assembled into 48 contigs organised on eight scaffolds (supercontigs). After manual annotation 4767 out of 5933 open reading frames (ORFs) with significant homologies to a non-redundant protein database were predicted. The remaining 1166 ORFs showed no significant similarity to known proteins. The number of ORFs is comparable to that of other sequenced budding yeasts of similar genome size.     

Molecular phylogeny of the New World Dipsadidae (Serpentes: Colubroidea): a reappraisal

We present a phylogenetic analysis of the New World dipsadids based on an expanded data matrix that includes 246 terminal taxa including 196 dipsadids. The species are sampled for eight genes (12S, 16S, cytb, nd2, nd4, bdnf, c‐mos, rag2). The data are explored using two distinct optimality procedures—maximum parsimony and maximum likelihood—and two alignment strategies—dynamic homology and static homology. Two previously unsampled dipsadid genera, Sordellina and Rhachidelus, are now included in the analysis. The definitions of the genera, Erythrolamprus, Clelia, Hypsirhynchus, Philodryas and Phimophis, and the tribes Alsophiini, Echinantherini and Conophiini, are revised. In order to maintain monophyly, the genus Umbrivaga is synonymized with Erythrolamprus, and two new genera are erected to accommodate Phimophis iglesiasi and Clelia rustica, as well as their closely related species. The West Indian genera Schwartzophis, Darlingtonia, Antillophis and Ocyophis are resurrected. © The Willi Hennig Society 2012.