Carboxy-Amidated AamAP1-Lys has Superior Conformational Flexibility and Accelerated Killing of Gram-Negative Bacteria.

C-terminal amidation of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) is a frequent minor modification used to improve antibacterial potency, commonly ascribed to increased positive charge, protection from proteases, and a stabilized secondary structure. Although the activity of AMPs is primarily associated with the ability to penetrate bacterial membranes, hitherto the effect of amidation on this interaction has not been understood in detail. Here, we show that amidation of the scorpion-derived membranolytic peptide AamAP1-Lys produces a potent analog with faster bactericidal activity, increased membrane permeabilization, and greater Gram-negative membrane penetration associated with greater conformational flexibility.

Is there an impact of surgeon's experience on in-hospital outcome in patients with operatively treated proximal humerus and humerus shaft fractures?

Background: Proximal humerus and shaft fractures are common, comprising 10-11 % of all fractures. Progress in their management includes refined surgical techniques and implants, coupled with a deeper understanding of fracture patterns.

Aims: This study examines the effect of surgical education on in-hospital outcomes for operatively treated proximal and humerus shaft fractures, aiming to enhance patient care and results.

Permeability Benchmarking: Guidelines for Comparing , , and Measurements.

Permeability is a measure of the degree to which cells can transport molecules across biological barriers. Units of permeability are distance per unit time (typically cm/s), where accurate measurements are needed to define drug delivery in homeostasis and to model dysfunction occurring during disease. This perspective offers a set of community-led guidelines to benchmark permeability data across multidisciplinary approaches and different biological contexts.

Familiarity of an environment prevents song suppression in isolated zebra finches.

Despite the wide use of zebra finches as an animal model to study vocal learning and production, little is known about impacts on their welfare caused by routine experimental manipulations such as changing their social context. Here we conduct a post-hoc analysis of singing rate, an indicator of positive welfare, to gain insights into stress caused by social isolation, a common experimental manipulation. We find that isolation in an unfamiliar environment reduces singing rate for several days, indicating the presence of an acute stressor.

Effects of climate change on the occurrence and distribution of Western equine encephalitis virus in South America.

Objectives: The Western equine encephalitis virus (WEEV) is a globally relevant vector-borne pathogen that causes encephalitis. The role of environmental variables in the epidemiology of WEEV has become greater in the context of climate change. In December 2023, a significant resurgence of WEEV began in South America, with major ongoing outbreaks in Argentina and Uruguay.