Identification of Cyanobacteria-Based Natural Inhibitors Against SARS-CoV-2 Druggable Target ACE2 Using Molecular Docking Study,ADME and Toxicity Analysis

In 2019–2020, the novel “severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2)” had emerged as the biggest challenge for humanity, causing “coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19)”. Scientists around the world have been putting continuous efforts to unfold potential inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2. We have performed computational studies that help us to identify cyanobacterial photoprotective compounds as potential inhibitors against SARS-CoV-2 druggable target human angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE2), which plays a vital role in the attachment and entry of the virus into the cell. Blocking the receptor-binding domain of ACE2 can prevent the access of the virus into the compartment. A molecular docking study was performed between photoprotective compounds mycosporine-like amino acids, scytonemins and ACE2 protein using AutoDock tools. Among sixteen molecularly docked metabolites, seven compounds were selected with binding energy < 6.8 kcal/mol. Afterwards, drug-likeness and toxicity of the top candidate were predicted using Swiss ADME and Pro Tox-II online servers. All top hits show desirable drug-likeness properties, but toxicity pattern analysis discloses the toxic effect of scytonemin and its derivatives, resulting in the elimination from the screening pipeline. Further molecular interaction study of the rest two ligands, mycosporine–glycine–valine and shinorine with ACE2 was performed using PyMol, Biovia Discovery studio and LigPlot+. Lastly biological activity of both the ligands was predicted by using the PASS online server. Combining the docking score and other studied properties, we believe that mycosporine–glycine–valine and shinorine have potential to be potent inhibitors of ACE2 and can be explored further to use against COVID-19.     

The Rise of Computing Research in East Africa: The Relationship Between Funding,Capacity and Research Community in a Nascent Field

The emergence of vibrant research communities of computer scientists in Kenya and Uganda has occurred in the context of neoliberal privatization, commercialization, and transnational capital flows from donors and corporations. We explore how this funding environment configures research culture and research practices, which are conceptualized as two main components of a research community. Data come from a three-year longitudinal study utilizing interview, ethnographic and survey data collected in Nairobi and Kampala. We document how administrators shape research culture by building academic programs and training growing numbers of PhDs, and analyze how this is linked to complicated interactions between political economy, the epistemic nature of computer science and sociocultural factors like entrepreneurial leadership of key actors and distinctive cultures of innovation. In a donor-driven funding environment, research practice involves scientists constructing their own localized research priorities by adopting distinctive professional identities and creatively structuring projects. The neoliberal political economic context thus clearly influenced research communities, but did not debilitate computing research capacity nor leave researchers without any agency to carry out research programs. The cases illustrate how sites of knowledge production in Africa can gain some measure of research autonomy, some degree of global competency in a central arena of scientific and technological activity, and some expression of their regional cultural priorities and aspirations. Furthermore, the cases suggest that social analysts must balance structure with culture, place and agency in their approaches to understanding how funding and political economy shape scientific knowledge.     

Equitable Written Assessments for English Language Learners: How Scaffolding Helps

This study investigated the effects of the use of scaffolds in written classroom assessments through the voices of both native English speakers and English language learners from two middle schools. Students responded to assessment tasks in writing, by speaking aloud using think aloud protocols, and by reflecting in a post-assessment interview. The classroom assessment tasks were designed to engage students in scientific sense making and multifaceted language use, as recommended by the Next Generation Science Standards. Data analyses showed that both groups benefitted from the use of scaffolds. The findings revealed specific ways that modifications were supportive in helping students to comprehend, visualize and organize thinking, and elicit responses. This study offers a model for both sensitizing teachers and strengthening their strategies for scaffolding assessments equitably.     

Hyperferritinemia in Pulmonary Tuberculosis

High ferritin levels have been found to be associated with non infectious as well as infectious causes including tuberculosis. This is one case report of 41 year old male who presented with cough with expectoration. The patient had Multi drug resistant tuberculosis (MDRTB) and type 2 diabetes mellitus. The laboratory findings showed Iron 280 μg/dl, Total iron binding capacity (TIBC) 61 μg/dl, and ferritin 92,945 ng/ml which indicates that iron is an essential nutrient for the survival of the pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis.     

A Comparison of Methods for Ranking Educational Program Goals

The researchers examined rankings of goals of education obtained from community representatives using two different methods: use of single goal statements and use of interrelated goal sets. The sets were derived from a posited model of relationships among goals. The results indicate that basic skills were ranked lower when subjects were presented with a goal ranking task that accounted for relationships among goals compared to single goals presented as independent items. Greater consistency of ranking was also obtained using goal sets rather than individual goals.