COVID-19 & Pregnancy Complication During Early Pandemic: A Narrative Review

Background: Coronaviruses have caused 3 outbreaks in the past 2 decades. The novel one is SARS-COV-2, which causes COVID-19. Pregnant women have somewhat altered immune state, which may make them more vulnerable to COVID-19 and its complications. Extensive research is needed to better understand the clinical course of COVID-19 in this population. Objective: This review article discusses the comparison of previous coronaviruses’ outbreaks, clinical presentations, and complications in pregnant women and newborns. Study Design: We conducted literature search for case series and case reports about pregnancy outcomes in pregnant women with COVID-19 during the early phase of pandemic. Results: In case series, 37 of 129(28.6%) pregnant women with COVID-19 disease had preterm delivery and 14 of 67 pregnant women had fetal distress. The rate of preterm labor in normal pregnant women who are healthy and not infected with any virus worldwide is approximately 11%. Conclusion: Based on the articles reviewed, preterm delivery appears to be the most common complication in COVID-19 pregnant patients. Other complications include fetal distress, stillbirth, ICU admission and severe disease leading to fetal demise and maternal mortality. Pregnancy outcomes seem to be better with Covid-19 compared to SARs and MERS. However, most of these publications are from the early part of the pandemic when protocols for care for pregnant women were being worked out and comprehensive knowledge of the disease process in pregnant women was still in developing stage

Signatures of Selection in Fusion Transcripts Resulting From Chromosomal Translocations in Human Cancer

BACKGROUND: The recurrence and non-random distribution of translocation breakpoints in human tumors are usually attributed to local sequence features present in the vicinity of the breakpoints. However, it has also been suggested that functional constraints might contribute to delimit the position of translocation breakpoints within the genes involved, but a quantitative analysis of such contribution has been lacking. METHODOLOGY: We have analyzed two well-known signatures of functional selection, such as reading-frame compatibility and non-random combinations of protein domains, on an extensive dataset of fusion proteins resulting from chromosomal translocations in cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Our data provide strong experimental support for the concept that the position of translocation breakpoints in the genome of cancer cells is determined, to a large extent, by the need to combine certain protein domains and to keep an intact reading frame in fusion transcripts. Additionally, the information that we have assembled affords a global view of the oncogenic mechanisms and domain architectures that are used by fusion proteins. This can be used to assess the functional impact of novel chromosomal translocations and to predict the position of breakpoints in the genes involved

Comparative Structural Analysis of Human DEAD-Box RNA Helicases

DEAD-box RNA helicases play various, often critical, roles in all processes where RNAs are involved. Members of this family of proteins are linked to human disease, including cancer and viral infections. DEAD-box proteins contain two conserved domains that both contribute to RNA and ATP binding. Despite recent advances the molecular details of how these enzymes convert chemical energy into RNA remodeling is unknown. We present crystal structures of the isolated DEAD-domains of human DDX2A/eIF4A1, DDX2B/eIF4A2, DDX5, DDX10/DBP4, DDX18/myc-regulated DEAD-box protein, DDX20, DDX47, DDX52/ROK1, and DDX53/CAGE, and of the helicase domains of DDX25 and DDX41. Together with prior knowledge this enables a family-wide comparative structural analysis. We propose a general mechanism for opening of the RNA binding site. This analysis also provides insights into the diversity of DExD/H- proteins, with implications for understanding the functions of individual family members

Vasa-Like DEAD-Box RNA Helicases of Schistosoma mansoni

Genome sequences are available for the human blood flukes, Schistosoma japonicum, S. mansoni and S. haematobium. Functional genomic approaches could aid in identifying the role and importance of these newly described schistosome genes. Transgenesis is established for functional genomics in model species, which can lead to gain- or loss-of-functions, facilitate vector-based RNA interference, and represents an effective forward genetics tool for insertional mutagenesis screens. Progress toward routine transgenesis in schistosomes might be expedited if germ cells could be reliably localized in cultured schistosomes. Vasa, a member of the ATP-dependent DEAD-box RNA helicase family, is a prototypic marker of primordial germ cells and the germ line in the Metazoa. Using bioinformatics, 33 putative DEAD-box RNA helicases exhibiting conserved motifs that characterize helicases of this family were identified in the S. mansoni genome. Moreover, three of the helicases exhibited vasa-like sequences; phylogenetic analysis confirmed the three vasa-like genes—termed Smvlg1, Smvlg2, and Smvlg3—were members of the Vasa/PL10 DEAD-box subfamily. Transcripts encoding Smvlg1, Smvlg2, and Smvlg3 were cloned from cDNAs from mixed sex adult worms, and quantitative real time PCR revealed their presence in developmental stages of S. mansoni with elevated expression in sporocysts, adult females, eggs, and miracidia, with strikingly high expression in the undeveloped egg. Whole mount in situ hybridization (WISH) analysis revealed that Smvlg1, Smvlg2 and Smvlg3 were transcribed in the posterior ovary where the oocytes mature. Germ cell specific expression of schistosome vasa-like genes should provide an informative landmark for germ line transgenesis of schistosomes, etiologic agents of major neglected tropical diseases

(Bi2Te3)1−x(PANI)x compositions- synthesis, structural, spectroscopic characterization with enhanced thermoelectric performance

The coupling between semiconductor/ polymer compositions is one of the unique trials to attain outstanding nanocomposite thermoelectric materials. Herein, Bi2Te3/PANI composites prove their ability to achieve the physical properties of the thermoelectrics by the variation of stoichiometric concentrations. The in-situ polymerization method was utilized to obtain Bi2Te3/PANI compositions. The structural characteristics of the materials were investigated by X-ray diffraction (XRD). XRD, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM) confirm the homogeneous growth of PANI over the surface of Bi2Te3 nanoparticles, affect on the order structure with low crystallinity during the polymerization. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) analyses illustrate the π-π interactions of uniform PANI on Bi2Te3 nanoparticles. The other strong interactions, including electrostatic and hydrogen bonding between Bi2Te3 and PANI may construct a route to enhance the order of the structure of the chains and improve the thermoelectric performance. Distinctive revolutionize the electrical resistivity, Seebeck Coefficient, and the power factor with increased PANI concentrations, which improves thermoelectric performance. The spin concentration charge carriers were determined from Electron Spin Resonance (ESR) dependent on the PANI doping levels. The formation of polarons and bi-polarons were produced during the doping process represent the carriers in these systems.Peer reviewe

Flax/basalt/E-glass Fibers Reinforced Epoxy Composites with Enhanced Mechanical Properties

Mechanical properties of flax/basalt/E-glass fibers reinforced epoxy composites were studied in this paper. Vacuum bagging technique was adopted for the fabrication of hybrid composite laminates. The effects of fibers relative amounts and stacking sequence on the tensile, flexural and impact properties were investigated. Results showed that the developed hybrid composites display enhanced tensile, flexural, and impact performance as compared to flax fiber/epoxy composite. The tensile, flexural, and impact strengths increase when partial laminas from flax fiber/epoxy laminate are replaced by basalt and/or glass fiber reinforced epoxy laminas. Incorporating high strength fibers to the composite outer layers leads to improved flexural and impact resistances, whilst the opposite was noticed for tensile properties. The fabricated hybrids show economical and specific mechanical properties benefits. Fibers relative amounts and stacking sequence have noticeable effects on the studied mechanical properties