Within the microbial rhodopsin family, heliorhodopsins (HeRs) form a phylogenetically distinct group of light-harvesting retinal proteins with largely unknown functions. We have determined the 1.97 Å resolution X-ray crystal structure of Thermoplasmatales archaeon SG8-52-1 heliorhodopsin (TaHeR) in the presence of NaCl under acidic conditions (pH 4.5), which complements the known 2.4 Å TaHeR structure acquired at pH 8.0. The low pH structure revealed that the hydrophilic Schiff base cavity (SBC) accommodates a chloride anion to stabilize the protonated retinal Schiff base when its primary counterion (Glu-108) is neutralized. Comparison of the two structures at different pH revealed conformational changes connecting the SBC and the extracellular loop linking helices A–B. We corroborated this intramolecular signaling transduction pathway with computational studies, which revealed allosteric network changes propagating from the perturbed SBC to the intracellular and extracellular space, suggesting TaHeR may function as a sensory rhodopsin. This intramolecular signaling mechanism may be conserved among HeRs, as similar changes were observed for HeR 48C12 between its pH 8.8 and pH 4.3 structures. We additionally performed DEER experiments, which suggests that TaHeR forms possible dimer-of-dimer associations which may be integral to its putative functionality as a light sensor in binding a transducer protein.

Product development has been major activity in the food industry. The pressure for developing a new product became very strong on the needs of the growing markets for constant changing. Filipinos are known for their sweet tooth. They love to eat sweets not just in every occasion but even in a regular time of the day. Sugar is beneficial to the brain; to be exact, sweets are food for the brain but it should be consumed by the body properly because in can also harm us when taken too much. The researchers gathered feedback by distributing survey questionnaire to the respondents. The survey questionnaire consists of questions about the acceptability of Turmeric Flavored Pastillas. The questionnaire also includes the criteria for the evaluation of the product which are the following: appearance, aroma, flavor and taste. The researchers brought some sample of Turmeric Flavored Pastillas to DOST-BSU food testing laboratory for microbiological analysis. Yeast and Molds Count, Aerobic Plate Count, Coliform Count, Staphylococcus aureus and Salmonella that are within ate FDA microbiological standards. The sample was negative for the presence of Salmonella. The sample has passed all the parameters of microbiological quality. Based on the evaluation of the one hundred (100) respondents on the Turmeric Flavored Pastillas, the appearance has the weighted mean of 4.56 which is very acceptable. The aroma has the weighted mean of 4.61 which is very acceptable, the flavor has the weighted men of 4.88 which is very acceptable, the taste has the weighted mean of 4.38 which is also very acceptable and the texture has the weighted mean of 4.89 which is very acceptable. The overall mean from the level of acceptability of all the respondents was 4.664 and concluded as very acceptable. Based on the results, conclusions and recommendation the future researchers are looking forward to develop new product using different flavors aside from turmeric nut still beneficial. Microbial analysis is a must for product development. Proper hygiene and sanitation practices must be observed in order to pass the microbial analysis test.

Conjunctival amelanotic malignant melanoma is a rare form of melanoma, which lacks visible pigment and is commonly located underneath the eyelids in the bulbar conjunctiva. In this report, we described a case of a Caucasian women in her 70s who presented with unilateral irritation and tenderness following cataract surgery. On eversion of the eyelid, two elevated pink lesions were noted. Tumour - Node - Metastasis staging with the American Joint Committee on Cancer staging system eighth edition was T3C and required multiple excisions and reconstruction procedures. This case exemplified the diagnostic pitfall of conjunctival amelanotic malignant melanoma, which is a potentially life-threatening disease and the importance of histopathology in the diagnostic process.

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