Order of amino acid recruitment into the genetic code resolved by last universal common ancestor's protein domains.

The current "consensus" order in which amino acids were added to the genetic code is based on potentially biased criteria, such as the absence of sulfur-containing amino acids from the Urey-Miller experiment which lacked sulfur. More broadly, abiotic abundance might not reflect biotic abundance in the organisms in which the genetic code evolved. Here, we instead identify which protein domains date to the last universal common ancestor (LUCA) and then infer the order of recruitment from deviations of their ancestrally reconstructed amino acid frequencies from the still-ancient post-LUCA controls.

Side Effects of Psychotropic Medications Experienced by a Community Sample of People Living With Severe and Persistent Mental Illness.

Background: Psychotropic medications are a common treatment modality for people living with severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI). While effective in reducing relapse and hospitalisation, psychotropic medications cause numerous side effects, varying in nature and severity. Identification and management of side effects is crucial in the ongoing management of SPMI.

Distinct Proteomic Brain States Underlying Long-Term Memory Formation in Aversive Operant Conditioning.

Long-term memory (LTM) formation relies on protein synthesis; however, the full complement of proteins crucial to LTM formation remains unknown in any system. Using an aversive operant conditioning model of aerial respiratory behavior in the pond snail mollusk, (), we conducted a transcriptome-guided proteomic analysis on the central nervous system (CNS) of LTM, no LTM, and control animals. We identified 366 differentially expressed proteins linked to LTM formation, with 88 upregulated and 36 downregulated in LTM compared to both no LTM and controls.

Assessment of Affordances in the Home Environment and Neurodevelopment of Children With Congenital Zika Syndrome.

Background: Congenital Zika syndrome (CZS) is characterized by brain abnormalities caused by in utero exposure to the Zika virus (ZIKV), resulting in significant neurodevelopmental, motor and visual impairments in affected children. These impairments hinder their ability to engage in social interactions and explore their surroundings. However, personalized and continuous sensory stimulation, particularly within the home environment, may play a crucial role in supporting motor and visual development in these children.