Deciphering the molecular basis of lipoprotein recognition and transport by LolCDE.

Outer membrane (OM) lipoproteins serve vital roles in Gram-negative bacteria, contributing to their pathogenicity and drug resistance. For these lipoproteins to function, they must be transported from the inner membrane (IM), where they are assembled, to the OM by the ABC transporter LolCDE. We have previously captured structural snapshots of LolCDE in multiple states, revealing its dynamic conformational changes.

Dietary Flavonoid Intake and Risk of Mild Cognitive Impairment in the Elderly: A Case-Control Study.

Background: This study investigates the association between dietary flavonoid intake and the incidence of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) through a matched case-control design.

Methods: Dietary intake was assessed using a food frequency questionnaire, comparing the intake of flavonoids between individuals with MCI and those with normal cognitive function. Logistic regression analysis was employed to evaluate the correlation between dietary flavonoid intake and the risk of MCI.

Structural insights into the mechanotransducing mechanism of FtsEX in cell division.

The filamentous temperature-sensitive (Fts) protein FtsEX plays a pivotal role in () cell division by facilitating the activation of peptidoglycan hydrolysis through the adaptor EnvC. FtsEX belongs to the type VII ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter superfamily, which harnesses ATP energy to induce mechanical force, triggering a cascade of conformational changes that activate the pathway. However, the precise mechanism by which FtsEX initiates mechanotransmission remains elusive.

Investigating the molecular mechanisms of Pseudalteromonas sp. LD-B1's algicidal effects on the harmful alga Heterosigma akashiwo.

Heterosigma akashiwo is a harmful algal bloom species that causes significant detrimental effects on marine ecosystems worldwide. The algicidal bacterium Pseudalteromonas sp. LD-B1 has demonstrated potential effectiveness in mitigating these blooms.

The allelopathic effects of Heterosigma akashiwo on Skeletonema costatum: Insights from gene expression and metabolomics analysis.

The globally distributed harmful algal blooms (HAB) species, Heterosigma akashiwo, has been found to exhibit ichthyotoxicity. Previous studies have shown that H. akashiwo achieves a competitive edge during bloom occurrences by inhibiting the growth of a coexisting diatom, Skeletonema costatum, through allelopathy.

Cell wall-mediated root development is targeted by a soil-borne bacterial pathogen to promote infection.

Plant pathogens manipulate host development, facilitating colonization and proliferation. Ralstonia solanacearum is a soil-borne bacterial pathogen that penetrates roots and colonizes plants through the vascular system, causing wilting and death. Here, we find that RipAC, an effector protein from R.

The m6A reader IGF2BP1 attenuates the stability of RPL36 and cell proliferation to mediate benzene hematotoxicity by recognizing m6A modification.

Benzene exposure leads to hematotoxicity, and epigenetic modification is considered to be a potential mechanism of benzene pathogenesis. As a newly discovered post-transcriptional modification, the roles of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) in benzene hematotoxicity are still unclear. m6A can only exert its gene regulatory function after being recognized by m6A reading proteins.

Versatile Polymerization-Induced Emission Polymers from Barbier Polymerization of Cinnamic Esters with Tunable Emission.

Cinnamic ester is a common and abundant chemical substance, which can be extracted from natural plants. Compared with traditional esters, cinnamic ester contains α,β-unsaturated carbonyl structure with multiple reactive sites, resulting in more abundant reactivities and chemical structures. Here, a versatile polymerization-induced emission (PIE) is successfully demonstrated through Barbier polymerization of cinnamic ester.

Identify gestational diabetes mellitus by deep learning model from cell-free DNA at the early gestation stage.

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common complication of pregnancy, which has significant adverse effects on both the mother and fetus. The incidence of GDM is increasing globally, and early diagnosis is critical for timely treatment and reducing the risk of poor pregnancy outcomes. GDM is usually diagnosed and detected after 24 weeks of gestation, while complications due to GDM can occur much earlier.

Integrative pharmacology reveals the mechanisms of Erzhi pills, A traditional Chinese formulation, stimulating melanogenesis.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Erzhi pills (EZP), a traditional Chinese medicine formula prescribed for the treatment of vitiligo, has shown promising efficacy. However, the oral bioactive components and mechanisms underlying the promotion of melanogenesis by EZP remain unclear.

Aim Of The Study: This study aimed to investigate the pharmacological basis and mechanism of EZP in promoting melanogenesis.

Sec1 regulates intestinal mucosal immunity in a mouse model of inflammatory bowel disease.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a common immune-mediated condition with its molecular pathogenesis remaining to be fully elucidated. This study aimed to deepen our understanding of the role of FUT2 in human IBD, by studying a new surrogate gene Sec1, a neighboring gene of Fut2 and Fut1 that co-encodes the α 1,2 fucosyltransferase in mice. CRISPR/Cas9 was used to prepare Sec1 knockout (Sec1) mice.

Case report: Identification of a novel triplication of alpha-globin gene by the third-generation sequencing: pedigree analysis and genetic diagnosis.

Background: Thalassemia, a common autosomal hereditary blood disorder worldwide, mainly contains α- and β-thalassemia. The α-globin gene triplicates allele is harmless for carriers, but aggravates the phenotype of β-thalassemia. Therefore, it is particularly crucial to accurately detect the structural variants of α-globin gene clusters.

Dexmedetomidine Preconditioning Attenuates Myocardial Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury in Rats by Suppressing Mitophagy Via Activating Α2-Adrenergic Receptor.

Background: Dexmedetomidine (DEX), a specific α2-adrenergic receptor agonist, is protective against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury (MIRI). However, the association between DEX preconditioning-induced cardioprotection and mitophagy suppression remains unclear.

Objective: Hence, we aimed to investigate whether DEX preconditioning alleviates MIRI by suppressing mitophagy via α2-adrenergic receptor activation.

Cryo-EM structures of human GPR34 enable the identification of selective antagonists.

GPR34 is a functional G-protein-coupled receptor of Lysophosphatidylserine (LysoPS), and has pathogenic roles in numerous diseases, yet remains poorly targeted. We herein report a cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structure of GPR34 bound with LysoPS (18:1) and G protein, revealing a unique ligand recognition mode with the negatively charged head group of LysoPS occupying a polar cavity formed by TM3, 6 and 7, and the hydrophobic tail of LysoPS residing in a lateral open hydrophobic groove formed by TM3-5. Virtual screening and subsequent structural optimization led to the identification of a highly potent and selective antagonist (YL-365).

Mitochondrial dynamics-related genes DRP1 and OPA1 contributes to early diagnosis of cognitive impairment in diabetes.

Background And Aim: DRP1 and OPA1 play important roles in mitochondrial fusion and fission. However, the role of DRP1 and OPA1 amplification in mitochondrial cognitive impairment has not been reported. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between DRP1 and OPA1 and the risk of cognitive impairment.

LncRNA OBFC2A modulated benzene metabolites-induced autophagy and apoptosis by interacting with LAMP2.

Exposure to benzene results in peripheral blood cell reduction, aplastic anemia, and leukemia. We previously observed that the lncRNA OBFC2A was upregulated significantly in benzene-exposed workers and correlated with reduced blood cell counts. However, the role of lncRNA OBFC2A in benzene hematotoxicity remains unclear.

Associations between antipsychotics and the risk of incident cardiovascular diseases in individuals with schizophrenia: a nested case-control study.

Background: The association between antipsychotics and cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remains significant yet unestablished, especially in Chinese populations.

Objective: To investigate the risk of CVDs associated with antipsychotics among Chinese individuals with schizophrenia.

Methods: We conducted a nested case-control study on individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia in Shandong, China.

Exposure to Bisphenol A induces abnormal fetal heart development by promoting ferroptosis.

Background: Bisphenol A (BPA), a common endocrine-disrupting chemical (EDC), has been revealed to be closely associated with the induction of abnormal heart development, obesity, prediabetes, and other metabolic disorders. However, the underlying mechanism of maternal BPA exposure on fetal heart development abnormalities is not clear.

Methods: To explore the adverse effects of BPA and its potential mechanism on heart development, C57BL/6 J mice and human cardiac AC-16 cells were used to conduct in vivo and in vitro studies.

Association between anxiety and metabolic syndrome: An updated systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: Previous studies have demonstrated an association between anxiety and metabolic syndrome (MetS). However, the association is still controversial. This updated meta-analysis aimed to reanalyze the association between anxiety and MetS.