CatSper ion channels: Bioinformatics analysis in Homo sapiens

Due to the availability of huge amount of molecular biology data, our main focus was to determine the protein structures, functions and their role in different molecular pathways. The 3-D structure prediction of protein is important in medicine and biotechnology. Molecular docking not only finds the interaction between proteins but also the accurate models of energy of these interacting proteins and helps in further designing of the better drug for that particular protein. The drug targeting is either to inhibit, restore or for the modification of the protein structure. CatSper protein family is calcium ion permeable channels, located in the plasma membrane of sperm tail. It contains a conserved domain of six transmembrane helices in their protein sequence. These four CatSper proteins (1 to 4) assemble and form tetramer, calcium selective channel. It has been found that all members of CatSper protein family (1-4) have a role in hyperactivation in sperm and fertilization processes. As a result of deletion of certain regions (bps) containing these genes along with some other genes, male infertility occurs. We have predicted and analyzed the 3D structures of all members of CatSper protein family in this article. Docking of predicted 3D structures of CatSper protein family, with calcium ion was also performed to verify their interactions.Key words: CatSper, bioinformatics analysis, infertility, cation channel

Quantifying automated vehicle benefits in reducing driving stress: a simulation experiment approach

Driving is a stressful activity because of the mental workload required to maneuver a vehicle in certain travel contexts, such as congested traffic, multi-modal networks requiring complex interaction with surrounding vehicles, and aggressive driving. Autonomous vehicles (AVs), on the other hand, can reduce the mental workload by performing most of the driving tasks and providing users with a comfortable ride. This study develops a pathway model to relate different health determinants, including travel reliability, safety, driving comfort, and value of time, to Autonomous vehicles driving and studies their impact on the value of driving stress. A case study example of Autonomous vehicles simulation is used to determine the impact of these health determinants. The value of driving stress in Autonomous vehicles is estimated as a function of the value of these individual health determinants. The results show that the perception of safe or unsafe driving in Autonomous vehicles is the most important factor in changing the perception of driving stress in Autonomous vehicles. Similarly, perceptions of comfortable driving in Autonomous vehicles and reduced workload with a higher value of time also reduce driving stress in Autonomous vehicles. These results allow Autonomous vehicles adoption models to explicitly consider driving stress reduction as a benefit and can improve understanding of Autonomous vehicles adoption, which may require quantitative analysis of underlying motivating benefits, including driving stress reduction

Structure modeling and mutational analysis of gap junction beta 2 (GJB2)

The genome sequencing accomplishes complete genetic blue prints for hundreds of organisms, including humans. In the current era, we are trying to focus on analyzing, controlling and modifying functions of proteins encoded by these genomes. This task is attained by protein three dimensional structures. Three dimensional (3 D) structure is very useful for understanding biological functions. Gap junction beta 2 (GJB2), human gene encoding for gap junction beta 2 protein is involved in various hearing disorders in Pakistani families. After the first report of GJB2 involvement in Pakistani families, it was necessary to further study this protein. Therefore, a 3D structure of GJB2 was developed using comparative modeling approach. For modeling, a template was selected by blastp at NCBI and the best template selected was 2ZW3. By comparing the template-target sequence, a model was created using MODELLER, a program for homology modeling. The accuracy of the predicted structure was checked using Ramachandran plot which showed that the residue falling in the favored region was 92.4%. The predicted GJB2 model can be used to understand the defects that lead to deafness and eventually in drug designing. Domains and different properties of GJB2 were analyzed by applying online servers. Most frequent mutations of GJB2 were discussed by differentiating between damaging and benignity.Key words: GJB2, 3D structure, 2ZW3, DFNB1, MODELLER

Modeling Sustainable Traffic Behavior: Avoiding Congestion at a Stationary Bottleneck

Sustainable traffic behaviour is increasing in importance as traffic volume rises due to population growth. In this paper, a model for traffic flow at a stationary bottleneck is developed to determine the parameters that cause congestion. Towards this goal, traffic density, speed, and delay were acquired during peak and off-peak periods in the morning and afternoon at a stationary bottleneck in Peshawar, KPK, Pakistan. The morning and afternoon peak periods have high densities, low speeds, and considerable delays. Regression models are developed using this data. These results indicate that there is a linear relationship between density and time at the stationary bottleneck and a negative linear relationship between density and speed. Thus, an increase in density increases the time delay and reduces the speed. I comprehensive traffic delay model is characterized by a stationary bottleneck. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov (KS) test and P-values were used to identify the best-fit distribution for speed and density. The binomial and generalized extreme values are considered the best fits for density and speed. The results presented can be used to develop accurate simulation models for stationary bottlenecks to reduce congestion. Doi: 10.28991/CEJ-2022-08-11-02 Full Text: PD

Muscle healing and nerve regeneration in a muscle contusion model in the rat

The nervous system is known to be involved in inflammation and repair. We aimed to determine the effect of physical activity on the healing of a muscle injury and to examine the pattern of innervation. Using a drop-ball technique, a contusion was produced in the gastrocnemius in 20 rats. In ten the limb was immobilised in a plaster cast and the remaining ten had mobilisation on a running wheel. The muscle and the corresponding dorsal-root ganglia were studied by histological and immunohistochemical methods.In the mobilisation group, there was a significant reduction in lymphocytes (p = 0.016), macrophages (p = 0.008) and myotubules (p = 0.008) between three and 21 days. The formation of myotubules and the density of nerve fibres was significantly higher (both p = 0.016) compared with those in the immobilisation group at three days, while the density of CGRP-positive fibres was significantly lower (p = 0.016) after 21 days.Mobilisation after contusional injury to the muscle resulted in early and increased formation of myotubules, early nerve regeneration and progressive reduction in inflammation, suggesting that it promoted a better healing response

Internet-of-Video Things Based Real-Time Traffic Flow Characterization

Real-world traffic flow parameters are fundamental for devising smart mobility solutions. Though numerous solutions (intrusive and non-intrusive sensors) have been proposed, however, these have serious limitations under heterogeneous and congested traffic conditions. To overcome these limitations, a low-cost real-time Internet-of-Video-Things solution has been proposed. The sensor node (fabricated using Raspberry Pi 3B, Pi cameral and power bank) has the capability to stream 2 Mbps MJPEG video of 640x480 resolution and 20 frames per second (fps). The Camlytics traffic analysis software installed on a Dell desktop is employed for traffic flow characterization. The proposed solution was field-tested with vehicle detection rate of 85.3%. The novelty of the proposed system is that in addition to vehicle count, it has the capability to measure speed, density, time headway, time-space diagram and trajectories. Obtained results can be employed for road network planning, designing and management

Bacteriuria and pregnancy outcome: A prospective hospital-based study in Pakistani women

The prevalence of bacteriuria in Pakistani women and its association with complications of pregnancy was studied. Out of 1579 women, 77 had bacteriuria (4.8%). There was no association of age, gravidity, parity, haemoglobin, pre-eclampsia, mode of delivery, gestational age at delivery, preterm delivery and low birth-weight with presence of bacteriuria. With detection and treatment the pregnancy outcome of women with bacteriuria in pregnancy was the same as that of those without