Efficiently cleaved HIV-1 Envs are the closest mimics of functional Envs as they specifically expose only bNAb (broadly neutralizing antibody) epitopes and not non-neutralizing ones, making them suitable for developing vaccine immunogens. We have previously identified several efficiently cleaved Envs from clades A, B, C and B/C. We also described that truncation of the CT (C-terminal tail) of a subset of these Envs, but not others, impairs their ectodomain conformation/antigenicity on the cell surface in a CT conserved hydrophilic domain (CHD) or Kennedy epitope (KE)-dependent manner.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFUnlabelled: The spike (S) glycoprotein of the SARS-CoV-2 virus binds to the host cell receptor and promotes the virus's entry into the target host cell. This interaction is primed by host cell proteases like furin and TMPRSS2, which act at the S1/S2 and S2´ cleavage sites, respectively. Both cleavage sites have serine or proline residues flanking either the single or polybasic region and were found to be conserved in coronaviruses.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFActive extravasation into the upper aerodigestive tract is a dramatic and potentially life-threatening complication in patients with head and neck cancers. It prompts presentation to the emergency room and subsequent urgent imaging to identify the source of hemorrhage. Imaging of these patients may be complicated by treatment-altered anatomy, posing a challenge to the emergency radiologist who needs to rapidly identify the presence of active hemorrhage and the potential source vessel.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMed Microbiol Immunol
February 2023
The SARS-CoV-2 virus has been rapidly evolving over the time and the genetic variation has led to the generation of Variants of Concerns (VoC), which have shown increased fitness. These VoC viruses contain the key mutations in the spike protein which have allowed better survival and evasion of host defense mechanisms. The D614G mutation in the spike domain is found in the majority of VoC; additionally, the P681R/H mutation at the S1/S2 furin cleavage site junction is also found to be highly conserved in major VoCs; Alpha, Delta, Omicron, and its' current variants.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRationale And Objectives: Female physicians in academic medicine have faced barriers that potentially affect representation in different fields and delay promotion. Little is known about gender representation differences in United States academic radiology departments, particularly within the most pursued subspecialties.
Purpose: To determine whether gender differences exist in United States academic radiology departments across seven subspecialties with respect to academic ranks, departmental leadership positions, experience, and scholarly metrics.
Semin Intervent Radiol
August 2020
Lymphangiography as a diagnostic procedure dates back to the 1950s and was widely performed for several decades until being supplanted by other advanced imaging techniques. With the advent of thoracic duct embolization to treat chylothorax, Constantin Cope ushered in a transition from lymphangiography as a diagnostic procedure to a precursor for lymphatic intervention. Subsequently, technical modifications and applications of lymphatic embolization to other medical conditions have greatly expanded the scope and application of lymphangiography and lymphatic intervention.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTraumatic chylothorax occurs more often now than in historic reports. In part, this is due to the increased ability to perform more advanced and aggressive thoracic resections and cardiovascular surgeries as well as the improved mortality of cancer patients. If untreated, chylothorax can result in significant morbidity and mortality, particularly in patients with underlying malignancy.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFLymphatics have long been overshadowed by the remainder of the circulatory system. Historically, lymphatics were difficult to study because of their small and indistinct vessels, colorless fluid contents, and limited effective interventions. However, the past several decades have brought increased funding, advanced imaging technologies, and novel interventional techniques to the field.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTannery wastewater in the East Calcutta Wetlands (a Ramsar site of West Bengal; number 1208) exerts adverse effects on commercial fish production and subsequently affects humans. The present study was conducted to investigate acute and chronic toxicity of tannery effluent on a fish biosystem by examining oxidative stress enzyme expression in different organs including liver, gills, and muscle following exposure. Phosphatases, both alkaline phosphatase and acid phosphatase, and antioxidant superoxide dismutase and catalase enzyme activities were determined in guppy fish (Poecilia reticulata) exposed to sublethal concentrations of composite tannery effluent.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe versatility of nitroaliphatics is demonstrated by using it in the syntheses of artemisinin derived dimers. A few novel artemisinin derived dimer and monomer have been synthesized using nitroalkane as linker.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn this tutorial review, an effort towards presentation of a comprehensive account of the recent developments on various kinds of artemisinin derivatives including artemisinin dimers, trimers and tetramers has been made and their efficacy towards malaria parasites and different cancer cells lines was compared with that of artemisinins, and various other anti-malarial and anti-cancer drugs. It is expected that this review will provide first-hand information on artemisinin chemistry to organic/medicinal chemists, and pharmacologists working on anticancer and anti-malarial drug development.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPotent antimalarial compound artemisinin, 1 was bio-transformed to C-9 acetoxy artemisinin, 2 using soil microbe Penicillium simplissimum along with C-9 hydroxy derivative 3. The products were characterized using high field NMR and MS-MS data. The absolute stereochemistry of the newly generated chiral centers has been ascertained by COSY and 1D NOESY experiments.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF