A Novel Screening System to Characterize and Engineer Quorum Quenching Lactonases.

N-acyl l-homoserine lactones are signaling molecules used by numerous bacteria in quorum sensing. Some bacteria encode lactonases, which can inactivate these signals. Lactonases were reported to inhibit quorum sensing-dependent phenotypes, including virulence and biofilm.

DNA targeting by compact Cas9d and its resurrected ancestor.

Type II CRISPR endonucleases are widely used programmable genome editing tools. Recently, CRISPR-Cas systems with highly compact nucleases have been discovered, including Cas9d (a type II-D nuclease). Here, we report the cryo-EM structures of a Cas9d nuclease (747 amino acids in length) in multiple functional states, revealing a stepwise process of DNA targeting involving a conformational switch in a REC2 domain insertion.

Possible Interaction Between Physical Exercise and Leptin and Ghrelin Changes Following Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass in Sarcopenic Obesity Patients-A Pilot Study.

Introduction: Leptin and ghrelin are two hormones that play a role in weight homeostasis. Leptin, which is produced primarily by adipocytes and is dependent on body fat mass, suppresses appetite and increases energy expenditure. Conversely, ghrelin is the "hunger hormone", it stimulates appetite and promotes fat storage.

Fish Cell Spheroids, a Promising In Vitro Model to Mimic In Vivo Research: A Review.

In vitro cell culture systems serve as instrumental platforms for probing biological phenomena and elucidating intricate cellular mechanisms. These systems afford researchers the opportunity to scrutinize cellular responses within a regulated environment, thereby circumventing the ethical and logistical challenges associated with in vivo experimentation. Three-dimensional (3D) cell cultures have emerged as a viable alternative to mimic in vivo environments.

Engineered PsCas9 enables therapeutic genome editing in mouse liver with lipid nanoparticles.

Clinical implementation of therapeutic genome editing relies on efficient in vivo delivery and the safety of CRISPR-Cas tools. Previously, we identified PsCas9 as a Type II-B family enzyme capable of editing mouse liver genome upon adenoviral delivery without detectable off-targets and reduced chromosomal translocations. Yet, its efficacy remains insufficient with non-viral delivery, a common challenge for many Cas9 orthologues.

Factors impacting target-enriched long-read sequencing of resistomes and mobilomes.

We investigated the efficiency of target-enriched long-read sequencing (TELSeq) for detecting antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) and mobile genetic elements (MGEs) within complex matrices. We aimed to overcome limitations associated with traditional antimicrobial resistance (AMR) detection methods, including short-read shotgun metagenomics, which can lack sensitivity, specificity, and the ability to provide detailed genomic context. By combining biotinylated probe-based enrichment with long-read sequencing, we facilitated the amplification and sequencing of ARGs, eliminating the need for bioinformatic reconstruction.

Reliable replicative lifespan determination of yeast with a single-channel microfluidic chip.

Saccharomyces cerevisiae is a powerful model for aging research due to its short lifespan and genetic malleability. Microfluidic devices offer an attractive approach enabling rapid monitoring of hundreds of cells during their entire replicative lifespan (RLS). Yet, key operational issues such as contaminations, cell loss, and cell-aggregates-dependent flow obstruction can hinder RLS experiments.

Erythema nodosum as first clinical manifestation of metastatic neuroendocrine tumor: A case report.

Erythema nodosum (EN) is a reactive inflammatory panniculitis, which has been associated with medications, infections, autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases. It has rarely been associated with neoplasms. We present the case of a 61-year old woman who was admitted because 3-week history of painful erythematous subcutaneous nodules on the lower limbs clinically consistent with EN, which was confirmed by skin biopsy.

The TELCoMB Protocol for High-Sensitivity Detection of ARG-MGE Colocalizations in Complex Microbial Communities.

Understanding the genetic basis of antimicrobial resistance is crucial for developing effective mitigation strategies. One necessary step is to identify the antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) within a microbial population, referred to as the resistome, as well as the mobile genetic elements (MGEs) harboring ARGs. Although shotgun metagenomics has been successful in detecting ARGs and MGEs within a microbiome, it is limited by low sensitivity.

Physical and Mental Components of Quality of Life after a Cardiac Rehabilitation Intervention: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

This study aimed to analyze the effect of cardiac rehabilitation programs on the health-related quality of life of patients after a coronary cardiac event using patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) for up to 6 months of evaluation. : A comprehensive search was carried out in the MEDLINE, CINAHL, CENTRAL, and Web of Science databases for randomized controlled trials comparing the cardiac rehabilitation program with usual care. Two independent reviewers assessed the studies for inclusion, risk of bias using the Cochrane tool, and quality of evidence through the GRADE system.

Catalytic Redundancies and Conformational Plasticity Drives Selectivity and Promiscuity in Quorum Quenching Lactonases.

Several enzymes from the metallo-β-lactamase-like family of lactonases (MLLs) degrade acyl L-homoserine lactones (AHLs). They play a role in a microbial communication system known as quorum sensing, which contributes to pathogenicity and biofilm formation. Designing quorum quenching () enzymes that can interfere with this communication allows them to be used in a range of industrial and biomedical applications.

Multi-ancestry GWAS reveals loci linked to human variation in LINE-1- and Alu-copy numbers.

Long INterspersed Element-1 (LINE-1; L1) and Alu are two families of transposable elements (TEs) occupying ~17% and ~11% of the human genome, respectively. Though only a small fraction of L1 copies is able to produce the machinery to mobilize autonomously, Alu elements and degenerate L1 copies can hijack their functional machinery and mobilize . The expression and subsequent copy number expansion of L1 and Alu can exert pathological effects on their hosts, promoting genome instability, inflammation, and cell cycle alterations.

Second-generation snacks prepared from quinoa with probiotic. Physicochemical properties, digestibility, antioxidant activity and consumer acceptability.

Food security is a pressing issue, emphasizing the necessity for food designs that address the current geopolitical and geoeconomic challenges. This study evaluates the impact of including different percentages (10 %, 20 %, 30 %, and 60 %) of high protein quinoa flour (HPQF) in the development of a new rice-based snack. The aim is to create four snack formulations with a protein content enriched with probiotics, surpassing those currently available in the market.

ALARA principles in practice: reduced frame and pulse rates for middle meningeal artery embolization.

Objective: As the prevalence of neuroendovascular interventions increases, it is critical to mitigate unnecessary radiation for patients, providers, and health care staff. Our group previously demonstrated reduced radiation dose and exposure during diagnostic angiography by reducing the default pulse and frame rates. We applied the same technique for basic neuroendovascular interventions.

Mucormycosis: A sweet enemy, case series.

Mucormycosis is a rare fungal infection caused by fungi of the Mucorales order that occurs in immunocompromised individuals or with loss of skin or mucosa barrier integrity. This report presents four cases of rhinocerebral mucormycosis attended at a third-level hospital in Cali (Colombia) during a period of three years. All patients had different case histories and times of evolution.

Effects of High-Intensity Interval Training vs Moderate-Intensity Continuous Training on Body Composition and Blood Biomarkers in Coronary Artery Disease Patients: A Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is essential in reducing cardiovascular mortality and morbidity. High-intensity interval training (HIIT) has emerged as a promising exercise intervention for enhancing clinical outcomes in cardiac patients. This study aimed to investigate the effects of two short-term exercise-based programs employing HIIT and moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) in comparison to a control group concerning blood pressure, body composition, and blood biomarkers in patients diagnosed with coronary artery disease (CAD).

Survival of patients with mucosal melanoma in Cali, Colombia: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Mucosa melanoma is a rare condition with aggressive behavior and a less favorable prognosis compared to cutaneous melanoma. The objective of this study was to estimate the overall survival and clinical outcomes of patients diagnosed with mucosal melanoma in a Colombian hospital.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted at Fundación Valle del Lili, a single center located in Cali, Colombia.

Characterization of carbapenemase-producing from rectal swabs of patients in the intensive care units of a tertiary hospital in Cali-Colombia.

Background: Carbapenemase-producing (CPE) represents a significant threat to global health. This study aimed to characterize clinically and molecularly the CPE isolated from rectal swabs of patients in the intensive care units (ICUs) of a tertiary hospital in Cali, Colombia.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional observational study.

Promoting workplace retention during global crises: An international survey of the preventive role of psychological support among victims of social discrimination in long-term care facilities.

This international cross-sectional survey examined the potential role of organizational psychological support in mitigating the association between experiencing social discrimination against long-term care (LTC) facilities' healthcare professionals (HCPs) and their intention to stay in the current workplace during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participants included a convenience sample of 2,143 HCPs (nurses [21.5 %], nurse aids or residential care workers [40.

Differential inflammatory conditioning of the bone marrow by acute myeloid leukemia and its impact on progression.

Inflammation promotes solid tumor progression, but how regulatory mechanisms of inflammation may affect leukemia is less well studied. Using annexin A5 (ANXA5), a calcium-binding protein known for apoptosis, which we discovered to be differentially expressed in the bone marrow microenvironment (BMM) of mice with acute myeloid (AML) vs chronic myeloid leukemia, as a model system, we unravel here a circuit in which AML-derived tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) dose-dependently reduces ANXA5 in the BMM. This creates an inflammatory BMM via elevated levels of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2).

Early Detection of Cancer and Precancerous Lesions in Persons with HIV through a Comprehensive Cancer Screening Protocol.

Background: Non-AIDS defining malignancies present a growing challenge for persons with HIV (PWH), yet tailored interventions for timely cancer diagnosis are lacking. The Spanish IMPAC-Neo protocol was designed to compare two comprehensive cancer screening strategies integrated into routine HIV care. This study reports baseline data on the prevalence and types of precancerous lesions and early-stage cancer among participants at enrolment.

Engineering an inducible leukemia-associated fusion protein enables large-scale ex vivo production of functional human phagocytes.

Ex vivo expansion of human CD34+ hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells remains a challenge due to rapid differentiation after detachment from the bone marrow niche. In this study, we assessed the capacity of an inducible fusion protein to enable sustained ex vivo proliferation of hematopoietic precursors and their capacity to differentiate into functional phagocytes. We fused the coding sequences of an FK506-Binding Protein 12 (FKBP12)-derived destabilization domain (DD) to the myeloid/lymphoid lineage leukemia/eleven nineteen leukemia (MLL-ENL) fusion gene to generate the fusion protein DD-MLL-ENL and retrovirally expressed the protein switch in human CD34+ progenitors.