We intend to investigate the drug-binding energy of each nucleotide inside the aminoglycoside hygromycin B (hygB) binding site of 30S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) subunit by using the molecular fractionation with conjugate caps (MFCC) strategy based on the density functional theory (DFT), considering the functional LDA/PWC, OBS, and the dielectric constant parametrization. Aminoglycosides are bactericidal antibiotics that have high affinity to the prokaryotic rRNA, inhibiting the synthesis of proteins by acting on the main stages of the translation mechanism, whereas binding to rRNA 16S, a component of the 30S ribosomal subunit in prokaryotes. The identification of the nucleotides presenting the most negative binding energies allows us to stabilize hygB in a suitable binding pocket of the 30S ribosomal subunit. In addition, it should be highlighted that mutations in these residues may probably lead to resistance to ribosome-targeting antibiotics. Quantum calculations of aminoglycoside hygromycin B–ribosome complex might contribute to further quantum studies with antibiotics like macrolides and other aminoglycosides.

Structural representation and graphic panel showing the most relevant residues that contribute to the ZIKV NS2B–NS3–ligand complexes.

No abstract

Lucid dreaming (LD) began to be scientifically studied in the last century, but various religions have highlighted the importance of LD in their doctrines for a much longer period. Hindus’ manuscripts dating back over 2,000 years ago, for example, divide consciousness in waking, dreaming (including LD), and deep sleep. In the Buddhist tradition, Tibetan monks have been practicing the “Dream Yoga,” a meditation technique that instructs dreamers to recognize the dream, overcome all fears when lucid, and control the oneiric content. In the Islamic sacred scriptures, LD is regarded as a mental state of great value, and a special way for the initiated to reach mystical experiences. The Christian theologian Augustine of Hippo (354–430 AD) mentions LD as a kind of preview of the afterlife, when the soul separates from the body. In the nineteenth century, some branches of the Spiritism religion argue that LD precedes out-of-body experiences during sleep. Here we reviewed how these religions interpret dreams, LD and other conscious states during sleep. We observed that while Abrahamic monotheisms (Judaism, Christianity, and Islam) recognize dreams as a way to communicate with God to understand the present and predict the future, the traditional Indian religions (Buddhism and Hinduism) are more engaged in cultivating self-awareness, thus developed specific techniques to induce LD and witnessing sleep. Teachings from religious traditions around the world offer important insights for scientific researchers today who want to understand the full range of LD phenomenology as it has emerged through history.

No abstract

MicroRNA miR-137 single nucleotide polymorphism (rs1625579 SNP) is strongly associated with the worsening of schizophrenia symptoms and is involved in miR-137 gene suppression. MicroRNA miR-137 regulates synaptogenesis, neural plasticity and suppresses a variety of cancertypes. Based on in silico predictions of the current MIR137 Host Gene with and without the SNP, it can be hypothesized that the mutation reversibly inhibits miR-137 gene transcription by steric hindrance due to an alteration on DNA conformation, stability, electrostatic potential, and transcription factor binding sites.

30MicroRNA miR-137 single nucleotide polymorphism (rs1625579 SNP) is strongly 31 associated with the worsening of schizophrenia symptoms and is involved in miR-137 32 gene suppression. MicroRNA miR-137 regulates synaptogenesis, neural plasticity and 33 suppresses a variety of cancer types. Based on in silico predictions of the current 34 MIR137 Host Gene with and without the SNP, it can be hypothesized that the mutation 35 reversibly inhibits miR-137 gene transcription by steric hindrance due to an alteration on 36 DNA conformation, stability, electrostatic potential, and transcription factor binding sites. 37

Introducción: La presente revisión sistemática tiene como objetivo analizar los artículos entre 2011 y 2017 que describen la participación de los mecanismos epigenéticos y moleculares asociados con la extinción de la memoria del miedo. Método: Se consideraron los criterios de inclusión y exclusión para filtrar los artículos finales extraídos de Science Direct, Pubmed y Google Scholar. Resultados: De un total de 461 artículos, 13 cumplieron con los criterios y se mostraron en una tabla dividida en: Objetivo, Región del cerebro, técnicas y referencia. Estos últimos artículos fueron analizados críticamente y comparados entre si. Discusión: El análisis de la eficacia de los medicamentos y los mecanismos moleculares implicados en la extinción y / o la consolidación de la memoria del miedo en ratones y ratas pueden dilucidar y, por lo tanto, contribuir al tratamiento del trastorno obsesivo-compulsivo, la ansiedad, la fobia, el pánico y el estrés postraumático.