Identification of B Cell Epitopes of Alcohol Dehydrogenase Allergen of Curvularia lunata

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Epitope identification assists in developing molecules for clinical applications and is useful in defining molecular features of allergens for understanding structure/function relationship. The present study was aimed to identify the B cell epitopes of alcohol dehydrogenase (ADH) allergen from Curvularia lunata using in-silico methods and immunoassay. METHOD: B cell epitopes of ADH were predicted by sequence and structure based methods and protein-protein interaction tools while T cell epitopes by inhibitory concentration and binding score methods. The epitopes were superimposed on a three dimensional model of ADH generated by homology modeling and analyzed for antigenic characteristics. Peptides corresponding to predicted epitopes were synthesized and immunoreactivity assessed by ELISA using individual and pooled patients' sera. RESULT: The homology model showed GroES like catalytic domain joined to Rossmann superfamily domain by an alpha helix. Stereochemical quality was confirmed by Procheck which showed 90% residues in most favorable region of Ramachandran plot while Errat gave a quality score of 92.733%. Six B cell (P1-P6) and four T cell (P7-P10) epitopes were predicted by a combination of methods. Peptide P2 (epitope P2) showed E(X)(2)GGP(X)(3)KKI conserved pattern among allergens of pathogenesis related family. It was predicted as high affinity binder based on electronegativity and low hydrophobicity. The computational methods employed were validated using Bet v 1 and Der p 2 allergens where 67% and 60% of the epitope residues were predicted correctly. Among B cell epitopes, Peptide P2 showed maximum IgE binding with individual and pooled patients' sera (mean OD 0.604±0.059 and 0.506±0.0035, respectively) followed by P1, P4 and P3 epitopes. All T cell epitopes showed lower IgE binding. CONCLUSION: Four B cell epitopes of C. lunata ADH were identified. Peptide P2 can serve as a potential candidate for diagnosis of allergic diseases

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Monoanionic, Bis(pyrazolyl)methylborate [(Ph₃B)CH(3,5-(CH₃)₂Pz)₂)]⁻ as a Supporting Ligand for Copper(I)-ethylene, <i>cis</i>-2-Butene, and Carbonyl Complexes

The monoanionic bidentate ligand [(Ph₃B)­CH­(3,5-(CH₃)₂Pz)₂)]⁻ has been prepared from lithium bis­(pyrazolyl)­methanide and triphenylborane. This useful new ligand is closely related to the well-established bis­(pyrazolyl)­borate and bis­(pyrazolyl)­methane ligands but has key differences to both analogues as well. The ethylene, <i>cis</i>-2-butene, and carbon monoxide adducts [(Ph₃B)­CH­(3,5-(CH₃)₂Pz)₂]­Cu­(L) (where L = C₂H₄, <i>cis</i>-CH₃HCCHCH₃, and CO) have been prepared from [(Ph₃B)­CH­(3,5-(CH₃)₂Pz)₂)]­Li­(THF), copper­(I) triflate, and the corresponding coligand. These complexes have been characterized by NMR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography. In all cases the bis­(pyrazolyl) moiety is bound in κ²<i>N</i> fashion with the BPh₃ group rotated to sit over the metal center, sometimes coordinating to the metal via phenyl carbons as in [(Ph₃B)­CH­(3,5-(CH₃)₂Pz)₂)]­Li­(THF) and [(Ph₃B)­CH­(3,5-(CH₃)₂Pz)₂]­Cu­(CO) or simply hovering above the metal site as in [(Ph₃B)­CH­(3,5-(CH₃)₂Pz)₂)]­Cu­(C₂H₄) and [(Ph₃B)­CH­(3,5-(CH₃)₂Pz)₂)]­Cu­(<i>cis</i>-CH₃HCCHCH₃). The ¹³C and ¹H resonances of the ethylene carbon and protons of [(Ph₃B)­CH­(3,5-(CH₃)₂Pz)₂)]­Cu­(C₂H₄) appear at δ 81.0 and 3.71 ppm in CD₂Cl₂, respectively. The characteristic CO frequency for [(Ph₃B)­CH­(3,5-(CH₃)₂Pz)₂]­Cu­(CO) has been observed at υ̅ 2092 cm^–1 by infrared spectroscopy and is lower than that of free CO suggesting moderate M → CO π-back-donation. A detailed analysis of these complexes has been presented herein

Pediatric dental chair vs. traditional dental chair: A pediatric dentist′s poll

Objective: Proper positioning of the child patient, can not only have positive ramifications for the operator′s posture, comfort, and career longevity - it can also lead to better treatment and increased productivity. The aim of the survey questionnaire was to assess the utilization, need, and attitude concerning dental chairs among pediatric dentist while working on and managing the child patient. Study Design: The questions were structured using adobe forms central online software, regarding the user-friendliness of pediatric dental chair vs. traditional adult dental chair available in the market. Results: Our result shows that out of 337 respondents, 79% worked on pediatric dental chair, whereas 21% had no experience of it. Of these 79% pediatric dentist, 48% preferred pediatric dental chair. But pediatric dental problem still has certain disadvantages like higher cost, leg space problem, lower availability, etc. Conclusion: During the research it was found that ergonomics and usability issues were the main problems. Thus, pediatric dental chair is not so popular in the current scenario. This study allowed for general ideas for the improvement of dental chairs and thus improved dental chair would fill the gap in the current scenario

Pediatric dental chair vs. traditional dental chair: A pediatric dentist′s poll

Objective: Proper positioning of the child patient, can not only have positive ramifications for the operator′s posture, comfort, and career longevity - it can also lead to better treatment and increased productivity. The aim of the survey questionnaire was to assess the utilization, need, and attitude concerning dental chairs among pediatric dentist while working on and managing the child patient. Study Design: The questions were structured using adobe forms central online software, regarding the user-friendliness of pediatric dental chair vs. traditional adult dental chair available in the market. Results: Our result shows that out of 337 respondents, 79% worked on pediatric dental chair, whereas 21% had no experience of it. Of these 79% pediatric dentist, 48% preferred pediatric dental chair. But pediatric dental problem still has certain disadvantages like higher cost, leg space problem, lower availability, etc. Conclusion: During the research it was found that ergonomics and usability issues were the main problems. Thus, pediatric dental chair is not so popular in the current scenario. This study allowed for general ideas for the improvement of dental chairs and thus improved dental chair would fill the gap in the current scenario

Catalytic Upgrading of Ethanol to <i>n</i>‑Butanol via Manganese-Mediated Guerbet Reaction

Replacement of precious metal catalysts in the Guerbet upgrade of ethanol to <i>n</i>-butanol with first-row metal complex catalysts is highly appreciated due to their economic and environmental friendliness. The manganese pincer complexes of the type [(^RPNP)­MnBr­(CO)₂] (R = ^<i>i</i>Pr, Cy, ^<i>t</i>Bu, Ph or Ad) are found to be excellent catalysts for upgrading ethanol to <i>n</i>-butanol. Under suitable reaction conditions and with an appropriate base, about 34% yield of <i>n</i>-butanol can be obtained in high selectivity. A detailed account on the effect of the temperature, solvent, nature, and proportion of base used and the stereoelectronic effects of the ligand substituents on the catalytic activity of the catalysts as well as the plausible deactivation pathways is presented

A novel design and development of rectangular microstrip antenna for improvement of gain and bandwidth

This Paper presents the novel design and development of orthogonal cross slot loaded rectangular microstrip antenna for multiband operation. The multibands are achieved by incorporating orthogonal slot of equal length at optimum place on the conducting patch. By adding two vertical slots on the patch the impedance bandwidth is enhanced in the upper operating band retaining the nature of broadside radiation characteristics .The proposed antenna may find application in radar communicatio