Association between the EHBP1 SNPs and dyslipidemia in the end-stage renal disease patients with dialysis in Chinese Han population.

Background: Lipid metabolism is influenced by mutations in the EH domain binding protein 1 gene (EHBP1). This study investigated the link between the EHBP1 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and dyslipidemia risks in maintenance dialysis patients with end-stage renal disease in Chinese Han population.

Methods: A total of 539 patients were divided into dyslipidemia (379) and control (160) groups.

Cationic Coordination Modification Drives Birefringence and Nonlinear Effect Double Lifting in Sulfate.

As nonlinear optical (NLO) crystals, sulfates have the superiority of transparency for ultraviolet (UV) light, but they are often troubled by small nonlinear coefficients and birefringence owing to the high symmetry of the [SO] group. By introducing two neutral diethylenetriamine (DETA) molecules to replace the six coordinated water molecules of the [Zn(HO)] complex cation in [Zn(HO)](SO)(HO), a new sulfate with an acentric structure, namely, [Zn(DETA)](SO)(HO), has been designed and synthesized. Structural investigation reveals that the coordination modification of Zn ion tremendously enhances its intraoctahedral distortion.

Channel width modulates the permeability of DNA origami-based nuclear pore mimics.

Nucleoporins (nups) in the nuclear pore complex (NPC) form a selective barrier that suppresses the diffusion of most macromolecules while enabling rapid transport of nuclear transport receptor (NTR)-bound cargos. Recent studies have shown that the NPC may dilate and constrict, but how altering the NPC diameter affects its selective barrier properties remains unclear. Here, we build DNA nanopores with programmable diameters and nup arrangements to model the constricted and dilated NPCs.

Structural insights into HIV-2 CA lattice formation and FG-pocket binding revealed by single particle cryo-EM.

One of the most striking features of HIV is the capsid; a fullerene cone comprised of the pleomorphic capsid protein (CA) which shields the viral genome from cellular defense mechanisms and recruits cellular cofactors to the virus. Despite significant advances in understanding the mechanisms of HIV-1 CA assembly and host factor interaction, HIV-2 CA remains poorly understood. By templating the assembly of HIV-2 CA on functionalized liposomes, we were able to determine high resolution structures of the HIV-2 CA lattice, including both CA hexamers and pentamers, alone and in complexes with peptides of host phenylalanine-glycine (FG)-motif proteins Nup153 and CPSF6.

Structural insights into PPP2R5A degradation by HIV-1 Vif.

HIV-1 Vif recruits host cullin-RING-E3 ubiquitin ligase and CBFβ to degrade the cellular APOBEC3 antiviral proteins through diverse interactions. Recent evidence has shown that Vif also degrades the regulatory subunits PPP2R5(A-E) of cellular protein phosphatase 2A to induce G2/M cell cycle arrest. As PPP2R5 proteins bear no functional or structural resemblance to A3s, it is unclear how Vif can recognize different sets of proteins.

Channel width modulates the permeability of DNA origami based nuclear pore mimics.

Nucleoporins (nups) in the central channel of nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) form a selective barrier that suppresses the diffusion of most macromolecules while enabling rapid transport of nuclear transport receptors (NTRs) with bound cargos. The complex molecular interactions between nups and NTRs have been thought to underlie the gatekeeping function of the NPC. Recent studies have shown considerable variation in NPC diameter but how altering NPC diameter might impact the selective barrier properties remains unclear.

Bone morphogenetic protein 9 is a candidate prognostic biomarker and host-directed therapy target for sepsis.

Defining next-generation immune therapeutics for the treatment of sepsis will involve biomarker-based therapeutic decision-making. Bone morphogenetic protein 9 (BMP9) is a cytokine in the transforming growth factor-β superfamily. Here, circulating BMP9 concentrations were quantified in two independent cohorts of patients with sepsis.

Abl2 repairs microtubules and phase separates with tubulin to promote microtubule nucleation.

Abl family kinases are evolutionarily conserved regulators of cell migration and morphogenesis. Genetic experiments in Drosophila suggest that Abl family kinases interact functionally with microtubules to regulate axon guidance and neuronal morphogenesis. Vertebrate Abl2 binds to microtubules and promotes their plus-end elongation, both in vitro and in cells, but the molecular mechanisms by which Abl2 regulates microtubule (MT) dynamics are unclear.

The capsid lattice engages a bipartite NUP153 motif to mediate nuclear entry of HIV-1 cores.

Increasing evidence has suggested that the HIV-1 capsid enters the nucleus in a largely assembled, intact form. However, not much is known about how the cone-shaped capsid interacts with the nucleoporins (NUPs) in the nuclear pore for crossing the nuclear pore complex. Here, we elucidate how NUP153 binds HIV-1 capsid by engaging the assembled capsid protein (CA) lattice.

Bifidobacterium as a Potential Biomarker of Sarcopenia in Elderly Women.

Gut microbial dysbiosis influences the development of sarcopenia. This case-control study explored the gut microbiota composition in elderly Chinese women with sarcopenia. The information from 50 cases and 50 controls was collected.

A first-principles study on the multiferroicity of semi-modified XM (X = C, Si; M = F, Cl) monolayers.

The research of two-dimensional multiferroic materials has attracted extensive attention in recent years. In this work, we systematically investigated the multiferroic properties of semi-fluorinated and semi-chlorinated graphene and silylene XM (X = C, Si; M = F, Cl) monolayers under strain using first principles calculations based on density functional theory. We find that the XM monolayer has a frustrated antiferromagnetic order, and a large polarization with a high reversal potential barrier.

Enrich and switch: IP6 and maturation of HIV-1 capsid.

Recent studies offer new insight on the mechanisms of IP6-mediated HIV-1 capsid assembly. The immature Gag lattice enables enrichment of IP6 into virions, aiding capsid maturation. Structures of capsid protein (CA) assemblies reveal motifs serving as switches modulating the conformations of CA pentamers/hexamers and affect co-factor accessibility.

Modeling HIV-1 nuclear entry with nucleoporin-gated DNA-origami channels.

Delivering the virus genome into the host nucleus through the nuclear pore complex (NPC) is pivotal in human immunodeficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) infection. The mechanism of this process remains mysterious owing to the NPC complexity and the labyrinth of molecular interactions involved. Here we built a suite of NPC mimics-DNA-origami-corralled nucleoporins with programmable arrangements-to model HIV-1 nuclear entry.

Functionalized DNA-Origami-Protein Nanopores Generate Large Transmembrane Channels with Programmable Size-Selectivity.

The DNA-origami technique has enabled the engineering of transmembrane nanopores with programmable size and functionality, showing promise in building biosensors and synthetic cells. However, it remains challenging to build large (>10 nm), functionalizable nanopores that spontaneously perforate lipid membranes. Here, we take advantage of pneumolysin (PLY), a bacterial toxin that potently forms wide ring-like channels on cell membranes, to construct hybrid DNA-protein nanopores.

Longitudinal IgG antibody responses to Plasmodium vivax blood-stage antigens during and after acute vivax malaria in individuals living in the Brazilian Amazon.

Background: To make progress towards malaria elimination, a highly effective vaccine targeting Plasmodium vivax is urgently needed. Evaluating the kinetics of natural antibody responses to vaccine candidate antigens after acute vivax malaria can inform the design of serological markers of exposure and vaccines.

Methodology/principal Findings: The responses of IgG antibodies to 9 P.

Effects of Internet-Based Nutrition and Exercise Interventions on the Prevention and Treatment of Sarcopenia in the Elderly.

Effective nutrition and exercise interventions may improve sarcopenia in the elderly. The purpose of our study was to investigate the effectiveness of Internet-based nutrition and exercise interventions in the elderly with sarcopenia. Participants were divided into 4 groups: control, nutrition, exercise, and comprehensive (nutrition plus exercise) groups; there was at least 50 participants in each group.

An organic-inorganic hybrid KTiF : Mn red-emitting phosphor with remarkable improvement of emission and luminescent thermal stability.

A new type of monoethanolamine (MEA) and Mn co-doped KTF : MEAH, Mn (KTiF : 0.1MEAH, 0.06Mn) red emitting phosphor was synthesized by an ion exchange method.

Monospecific and bispecific monoclonal SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies that maintain potency against B.1.617.

COVID-19 pathogen SARS-CoV-2 has infected hundreds of millions and caused over 5 million deaths to date. Although multiple vaccines are available, breakthrough infections occur especially by emerging variants. Effective therapeutic options such as monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are still critical.

Allosteric differences dictate GroEL complementation of E. coli.

GroES/GroEL is the only bacterial chaperone essential under all conditions, making it a potential antibiotic target. Rationally targeting ESKAPE GroES/GroEL as an antibiotic strategy necessitates studying their structure and function. Herein, we outline the structural similarities between Escherichia coli and ESKAPE GroES/GroEL and identify significant differences in intra- and inter-ring cooperativity, required in the refolding cycle of client polypeptides.

Iodine nutrition status and thyroid autoimmunity during pregnancy: a cross-sectional study of 4635 pregnant women.

Background: Pregnant women in Shanghai have long been at risk for mild iodine deficiency. Because thyroid autoimmunity in pregnant women can lead to premature birth and miscarriage as well as neurodevelopmental deficits in the fetus, the aim of this study was to explore the association of iodine nutrition status with thyroid antibodies during pregnancy.

Methods: A pregnancy-birth cohort was conducted including 4635 pregnant women in Shanghai, China.

Monospecific and bispecific monoclonal SARS-CoV-2 neutralizing antibodies that maintain potency against B.1.617.

COVID-19 pathogen SARS-CoV-2 has infected hundreds of millions and caused over 5 million deaths to date. Although multiple vaccines are available, breakthrough infections occur especially by emerging variants. Effective therapeutic options such as monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) are still critical.

Nuclear Import of HIV-1.

The delivery of the HIV-1 genome into the nucleus is an indispensable step in retroviral infection of non-dividing cells, but the mechanism of HIV-1 nuclear import has been a longstanding debate due to controversial experimental evidence. It was commonly believed that the HIV-1 capsid would need to disassemble (uncoat) in the cytosol before nuclear import because the capsid is larger than the central channel of nuclear pore complexes (NPCs); however, increasing evidence demonstrates that intact, or nearly intact, HIV-1 capsid passes through the NPC to enter the nucleus. With the protection of the capsid, the HIV-1 core completes reverse transcription in the nucleus and is translocated to the integration site.

A study on the multiferroic properties of semi-hydrogenated XH (X = C, Si, and Ge) monolayer films.

In recent years, the research on the physical properties of two-dimensional (2D) materials has attracted much attention. In this paper, the magnetic and ferroelectric (FE) properties of semi-hydrogenated graphene, silylene and germanene XH (X = C, Si, and Ge) under strain are systematically investigated. The results have shown that XH is a magnetic FE semiconductor with ferromagnetic (FM) and FE structures, both perpendicular to the plane, a large energy gap, and a high polarization reversal barrier.

Functional landscape of SARS-CoV-2 cellular restriction.

A deficient interferon (IFN) response to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection has been implicated as a determinant of severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). To identify the molecular effectors that govern IFN control of SARS-CoV-2 infection, we conducted a large-scale gain-of-function analysis that evaluated the impact of human IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs) on viral replication. A limited subset of ISGs were found to control viral infection, including endosomal factors inhibiting viral entry, RNA binding proteins suppressing viral RNA synthesis, and a highly enriched cluster of endoplasmic reticulum (ER)/Golgi-resident ISGs inhibiting viral assembly/egress.