A Case Report of Germline Compound Heterozygous Mutations in the BRCA1 Gene of an Ovarian and Breast Cancer Patient

The germline carrier of the BRCA1 pathogenic mutation has been well proven to confer an increased risk of breast and ovarian cancer. Despite BRCA1 biallelic pathogenic mutations being extremely rare, they have been reported to be embryonically lethal or to cause Fanconi anemia (FA). Here we describe a patient who was a 48-year-old female identified with biallelic pathogenic mutations of the BRCA1 gene, with no or very subtle FA-features. She was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and breast cancer at the ages of 43 and 44 and had a strong family history of breast and gynecological cancers.     

Agro-Waste Generated Pd/CAP-Ash Catalyzed Ligand-Free Approach for Suzuki–Miyaura Coupling Reaction

Catalysis Letters - We converted agro-waste Custard Apple Peels (CAP) to ash via thermal treatment, on which Pd(OAc)2 was immobilized easily that produced a low-cost, highly efficient Pd/CAP-ash...     

Performance Analysis of Learning Rate Parameter on Prediction of Signal Power Loss for Network Optimization and Better Generalization

Wireless Personal Communications - This research work explores the neural network learning capabilities by using a multi-layer perceptron artificial neural network to predict signal power loss by...     

Scanning Protein Surfaces with DNA-Encoded Libraries

Understanding the ligandability of a target protein, defined as the capability of a protein to bind drug-like compounds on any site, can give important stimuli to drug-development projects. For instance, inhibition of protein–protein interactions usually depends on the identification of protein surface binders. DNA-encoded chemical libraries (DELs) allow scanning of protein surfaces with large chemical space. Encoded library selection screens uncovered several protein–protein interaction inhibitors and compounds binding to the surface of G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and kinases. The protein surface-binding chemotypes from DELs are predominantly chemically modified and cyclized peptides, and functional small-molecule peptidomimetics. Peptoid libraries and structural peptidomimetics have been less studied in the DEL field, hinting at hitherto less populated chemical space and suggesting alternative library designs. Roughly a third of bioactive molecules evolved from smaller, target-focused libraries. They showcase the potential of encoded libraries to identify more potent molecules from weak, for example, fragment-like, starting points.     

Analysis of ZTE MRI application to sandstone and carbonate

Microtomography (μCT) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) have been used to characterize porous media for decades. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) enables direct visualization of pore architecture and many pulse sequences exist. In this work, we tested the MRI pulse sequence Zero Echo Time (ZTE) to study sandstone and carbonate for its ability to address short relaxation times. We aimed at resolving two fluid conduit scales, that is, pores and fractures. In this research, we study tighter porous systems than those previously reported using ZTE. Additionally, pore cluster analysis (PCA), combined with ZTE, can be used to analyze pore-fracture connectivity of relatively large core plugs. We show that ZTE can resolve two-scale pore systems simultaneously, that is, fractures and pores. By combining time-domain NMR pore-size analysis and PCA, we show that careful selection of resolution is necessary to understand transport in porous media.     

Thermal depolarization and electromechanical hardening in Zn2+-doped Na1/2Bi1/2TiO3-BaTiO3

Na_1/2Bi_1/2TiO₃-based materials have been earmarked for one of the first large-volume applications of lead-free piezoceramics in high-power ultrasonics. Zn²⁺-doping is demonstrated as a viable route to enhance the thermal depolarization temperature and electromechanically harden (1-y)Na_1/2Bi_1/2TiO₃-yBaTiO₃ (NBT100yBT) with a maximum achievable operating temperature of 150 °C and mechanical quality factor of 627 for 1 mole % Zn²⁺-doped NBT6BT. Although quenching from sintering temperatures has been recently touted to enhance T_F-R, with quenching the doped compositions featuring an additional increase in T_F-R by 17 °C, it exhibits negligible effect on the electromechanical properties. The effect is rationalized considering the missing influence on conductivity and therefore, negligible changes in the defect chemistry upon quenching. High-resolution diffraction indicates that Zn²⁺-doped samples favor the tetragonal phase with enhanced lattice distortion, further corroborated by ²³Na Nuclear Magnetic Resonance investigations.     

The Interfacial Interactions of Glycine and Short Glycine Peptides in Model Membrane Systems

The interactions of amino acids and peptides at model membrane interfaces have considerable implications for biological functions, with the ability to act as chemical messengers, hormones, neurotransmitters, and even as antibiotics and anticancer agents. In this study, glycine and the short glycine peptides diglycine, triglycine, and tetraglycine are studied with regards to their interactions at the model membrane interface of Aerosol-OT (AOT) reverse micelles via ¹H NMR spectroscopy, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and Langmuir trough measurements. It was found that with the exception of monomeric glycine, the peptides prefer to associate between the interface and bulk water pool of the reverse micelle. Monomeric glycine, however, resides with the N-terminus in the ordered interstitial water (stern layer) and the C-terminus located in the bulk water pool of the reverse micelle.     

Low/intermediate temperature pyrolyzed polysiloxane derived ceramics with increased carbon for electrical applications

This study focuses on the chemistry, thermal stability, and electrical conductivity of low/intermediate pyrolysis temperature (700?900 °C) polysiloxane derived ceramics. These ceramics were modified with additional carbon derived from divinylbenzene (DVB) added to the precursor. Their electrical properties were investigated for potential uses in micro-electrical mechanical systems (MEMS) and anodes for lithium batteries. The microstructure and chemical composition was investigated by attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, and x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS); thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) provided insight into the thermal stability; and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) into the electrical properties of the material. The increase of pyrolysis temperature and carbon content lead to an enhancement of the electrical conductivity, higher than previously reported values for intermediate pyrolysis temperature SiOC polymer derived ceramics. A limit of the amount of DVB that can be added to PHMS to produce a hybrid precursor has also been obtained.     

Blockchain for Collaborative Businesses

Mobile Networks and Applications - Blockchain applications have continuously improved ever since its first debut on cryptocurrency. From then on, its uses have branched out from the financial...     

Photocatalytic degradation of methylene blue and sulfisoxazole from water using biosynthesized zinc ferrite nanoparticles

The extensive occurrence of textile and pharmaceutical contaminants and their metabolites in water systems has posed significant concerns regarding their possible threat to human health and the environmental system. As a result, herein ZnFe₂O₄ nanoparticles were synthesized through the use of Monsonia burkeana plant extract. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using XRD, FTIR, UV–vis, SEM, EDS, TGA, BET, PL, EPR and VSM. XRD showed that the crystalline structure of ZnFe₂O₄ nanoparticles with a calculated crystal size of 25.03 nm was formed. FT-IR confirmed the characteristic functional groups contained within the M. burkeana plant were deposited on the formed ferrite nanoparticles. BET analysis confirmed the mesoporous nature of ZnFe₂O₄ with an average pore diameter of 31.6 nm. Morphological studies demonstrated that the formed nanoparticles had spherical as well as rod-like shapes. ZnFe₂O₄ photocatalyst illustrated that it may be effortlessly detached by an external magnetic field. The optimum conditions for the 99.8% removal of Methylene Blue was obtained at pH12, within 45min and at the optimum dosage of 25 mg of the catalyst. The as-prepared ZnFe₂O₄ nanoparticles proved to be easily separated and recycled, and remained efficient even after 5 reuses, proving that the material is highly stable. The ROS studies also demonstrated that electrons are the main factors contributing to the degradation of MB. Upon testing the photocatalytic performance of the sulfonamide antibiotic, sulfisoxazole in water showed a degradation of 67%. This study has shown that these materials can be used in targeting textile and pharmaceutically polluted water.