Cobalt-Adenosine Monophosphate Supramolecular Hydrogel with pH-Responsive Multi-Nanozymatic Activity.

Self-assembled metal-ion cross-linked multifunctional hydrogels are gaining a lot of attention in the fields of biomedical and biocatalysis. Herein, we report a heat-triggered metallogel that was spontaneously formed by the self-assembly of adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP) and cobalt chloride, accompanied by a color transition depicting an octahedral to tetrahedral transition at high temperature. The hydrogel shows excellent stability in a wide pH window from 1 to 12. The metallogel is being exploited as a multienzyme mimic, exhibiting pH-responsive catalase and peroxidase activity. Whereas catalase mimicking activity was demonstrated by the hydrogel under neutral and basic conditions, it shows peroxidase mimicking activity in an acidic medium. The multifunctionality of the synthesized metallogel was further demonstrated by phenoxazinone synthase-like activities. Owing to its catalase-mimicking activity, the metallogel could effectively reduce the oxidative stress produced in cells due to excess hydrogen peroxide by degrading H2O2 to O2 and H2O under physiological conditions. The biocompatible metallogel could prevent cell apoptosis by scavenging reactive oxygen species. A green and simple synthetic strategy utilizing commonly available biomolecules makes this metallogel highly attractive for catalytic and biomedical applications.

Involvement of the G-Protein-Coupled Estrogen Receptor-1 (GPER) Signaling Pathway in Neurodegenerative Disorders: A Review.

The G-protein-coupled estrogen receptor-1 (GPER) is an extranuclear estrogen receptor that regulates the expression of several downstream signaling pathways with a variety of biological actions including cell migration, proliferation, and apoptosis in different parts of the brain area. It is endogenously activated by estrogen, a steroidal hormone that binds to GPER receptors which help in maintaining cellular homeostasis and neuronal integrity as well as influences neurogenesis. In contrast, neurodegenerative disorders are a big problem for society, and still many people suffer from motor and cognitive impairments. Research to date reported that GPER has the potential to whittle down motor abnormalities and cognitive dysfunction by limiting the progression of neurodegenerative disorders. Although several findings suggest that GPER activation accelerated transcription of the PI3K/Akt/Gsk-3ß and ERK1/2 signaling pathway that halt disease progression by decreasing oxidative stress, neuroinflammation, and apoptosis. Accordingly, the goal of this review is to highlight the basic mechanism of GPER signaling pathway-mediated neuroprotection in various neurodegenerative disorders including Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington's disease (HD), Tardive dyskinesia (TD), and Epilepsy. This review also discusses the role of the GPER activators which might be a promising therapeutic target option to treat neurodegenerative disorders. All the data were obtained from published articles in PubMed (353), Web of Science (788), and Scopus (770) databases using the search terms: GPER, PD, HD, TD, epilepsy, and neurodegenerative disorders.

A Case of Hepatitis E in Metropolitan New York.

A 22-year-old female presented with unexplained, non-specific, constitutional symptoms of fever, chills, rigors, and headaches of more than two-week duration. An extensive workup was done that included labs, imaging, and a liver biopsy. On examination, lymphadenopathy was found, with worsening transaminitis on labs. She was ultimately found to be hepatitis E positive. The disease was self-limited with subsidence of all symptoms with only symptomatic treatment. Hepatitis E virus infection can be a missed diagnosis as it is not common in the United States. An indicated differential diagnosis can save an extensive workup and prevent delayed diagnosis for a patient.

Pseudotumor deltoideus: An underreported and misinterpreted cause of shoulder pain.

Pseudotumor deltoideus refers to focal cortical irregularity and thickening at the deltoid insertion. It is benign in nature with a possible role as a tumor stimulator and possesses various anatomic variations. A well-defined area of cortical irregularity and radiological lucency at the deltoid insertion are uncommon radiological findings that pose a diagnostic dilemma. In this case report, we demonstrate a 45-year-old male with right shoulder pain along with radiological images indicative of the condition to make this previously less discussed entity more understandable. Cases of shoulder pain along with X-ray findings of cortical thickening in the proximal humerus should be investigated further with computed tomography (CT)/magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Findings of an elongated lucency on CT and T2 hyperintensity in the cortex should help in the correct diagnosis of the condition. It should not be misdiagnosed as infective foci or a malignant entity and biopsy should be avoided.