Binding interaction of laccases from Bacillus Subtilis after industrial dyes exposure: Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation studies

Dyes are becoming more widely used around the world wide, but there is no effective bioremediation approach for removing them completely from the environment. Several dyes are mentioned to be degraded through bacteria; however, it's still unknown how the particular enzymes act throughout the dye degradation. The behavior and function of these enzymes in the biodegradation of azo dyes (Textile dyes) had been investigated experimentally by the numbers of the researchers, however, the molecular mechanisms remain unclear. Therefore, the interaction mechanisms of textile dye (methyl orange) with laccase from B. subtilis were explored through molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations, the three selected dyes (methyl orange, malachite green, and acid blue 62) that interact positively with laccase on the basis of their maximum binding energy, molecular docking results indicate that one of the three dyes is more stable as a target for degradation through Bacillus subtilis laccase. Therefore, subsequent research focused solely on one substrate: methyl orange. Molecular Dynamics simulation study was applied after the molecular docking to determine the interaction between laccases and methyl orange dyes. The trajectory was proved with root mean square deviation and root mean square fluctuation analysis. According to the molecular dynamics simulation results, laccase-methyl orange complexes remain stable during the catalytic reaction. So, this study demonstrates how laccase is involved in methyl orange bioremediation.

Parallelism between hypovitaminosis D3 and recently detected myopia in children with amplified screen use in the COVID-19 era—A preliminary study

Purpose: This introductory study aims to analyze the association of serum vitamin D3 levels with recently detected myopia in Indian children following home confinement post?COVID?19 pandemic. Methods: Children aged 5–15 years who had not attended physical school in the past 1 year and visited the ophthalmology department with various ocular symptoms were divided into two groups: the myopic group with recently detected myopia and the non?myopic group with ocular ailments other than myopia. All children underwent basic ophthalmic evaluation and a general physical examination. Blood samples were collected for serum vitamin D3 levels. A pretested questionnaire inquiring about the duration of exposure to a digital screen, outdoor activities, and socioeconomic status was filled out for all children. Results: The mean serum vitamin D3 level in the myopic group was 28.17 ± 15.02 ng/dl in comparison to 45.36 ± 17.56 ng/dl in the non?myopic group (P value < 0.05). Linear regression of the data establishes that myopia is associated with hypovitaminosis D3 (OR? 13.12, 95% CI 2.90–50.32, a P value of 0.001). The correlation between spherical equivalent and vitamin D3 levels was significant (Pearson correlation value: 0.661). In the myopic group, 63.3% of children had screen use >6 hours against 43.3% of children in the non?myopic group. In the myopic group, 33.3% of the children had an outdoor activity duration of <2 hours against 6.6% of children in the non?myopic group. Conclusion: This study proposes hypovitaminosis D3 as a strong factor associated with the development of myopia in children. Although it is a preliminary study, it suggests that the trial for vitamin D3 supplementation in young children to delay or cease the development of myopia is warranted.

1p/14q co-deletion: A determinant of recurrence in histologically benign meningiomas.

Background: Meningiomas are the most common benign central nervous system tumors. However, a sizeable fraction recurs, irrespective of histological grade. No molecular marker is available for prediction of recurrence in these tumors. Materials and Methods: We analyzed recurrent meningiomas with paired parent and recurrent tumors by fluorescence in situ hybridization for 1p36 and 14q32 deletion, AKT and SMO mutations by sequencing, and immunohistochemistry for GAB1, progesterone receptor (PR), p53, and MIB-1. Results: 18 recurrent meningiomas (11 grade I, 3 grade II, 4 grade III) with their parent tumors (14 grade I, 2 grade II and 2 grade III) were identified. Overall, 61% of parent and 78% of recurrent meningiomas showed 1p/14q co-deletion. Notably, grade I parent tumors showed 1p/14q co-deletion in 64% cases while 82% of grade I recurrent tumors were co-deleted. AKT mutation was seen in two cases, in both parent and recurrent tumors. SMO mutations were absent. GAB1 was immunopositive in 80% parent and 56.3% recurrent tumors. MIB-1 labeling index (LI), PR and p53 expression did not appear to have any significant contribution in possible prediction of recurrence. Conclusion: Identification of 1p/14q co-deletion in a significant proportion of histologically benign (grade I) meningiomas that recurred suggests its utility as a marker for prediction of recurrence. It appears to be a better predictive marker than MIB1-LI, PR and p53 expression. Recognition of AKT mutation in a subset of meningiomas may help identify patients that may benefit from PI3K/AKT pathway inhibitors, particularly among those at risk for development of recurrence, as determined by presence of 1p/14q co-deletion.

Mycobacterium neoaurum causing prosthetic valve endocarditis: a case report and review of the literature

Mycobacterium neoaurum is a rare cause of bacteremia, and infection usually occurs in an immunocompromised host in the setting of an indwelling catheter. Prosthetic valve endocarditis due to non-tuberculous mycobacteria typically carries a dismal prognosis; we report a case ofM. neoaurum prosthetic valve endocarditis with favorable response to antimicrobial therapy without surgical intervention.