Variable peptide processing of a Conus (Asprella) neocostatus α-conotoxin generates bioactive toxiforms that are potent against distinct nicotinic acetylcholine receptor subtypes.

Conusvenoms are composed of peptides that are commonly post-translationally modified, increasing their chemical diversity beyond what is encoded in the genome and enhancing their potency and selectivity. This study describes how PTMs alter an α-conotoxin's selectivity for specific nAChR subtypes. Venom from the cone snailConus(Asprella)neocostatuswas fractionated using high-performance liquid chromatography and tested using a behavioral intracranial mouse bioassay and a cholinergic calcium imaging assay using SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells.

Weight gain secondary to the use of oral Janus kinase inhibitors: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Oral Janus kinase inhibitors (JAKi) are increasingly used in dermatology, rheumatology, gastroenterology, and hematology. While effective, they can cause adverse effects such as acne, nausea, cytopenia, dyslipidemia, and Herpes zoster. Recent reports have linked JAKi usage to weight changes, particularly weight gain, which can significantly impact patients' quality of life.

Associations between epilepsy-related polygenic risk and brain morphology in childhood.

Temporal lobe epilepsy with hippocampal sclerosis (TLE-HS) is associated with a complex genetic architecture, but the translation from genetic risk factors to brain vulnerability remains unclear. Here, we examined associations between epilepsy-related polygenic risk scores for HS (PRS-HS) and brain structure in a large sample of neurotypical children, and correlated these signatures with case-control findings in in multicentric cohorts of patients with TLE-HS. Imaging-genetic analyses revealed PRS-related cortical thinning in temporo-parietal and fronto-central regions, strongly anchored to distinct functional and structural network epicentres.

Enzymes as green and sustainable tools for DNA data storage.

DNA is considered as an ideal supramolecular material for information storage with high storage density and long-term stability. Enzymes, as green and sustainable tools, offer several unique advantages for DNA-based information storage. These advantages include low cost and reduced generation of hazardous wastes during DNA synthesis, as well as the improvements in data reading speed and data recovery accuracy.

Evolution of SARS-CoV-2 T cell responses as a function of multiple COVID-19 boosters.

The long-term effects of repeated COVID-19 vaccinations on adaptive immunity remain incompletely understood. Here, we conducted a comprehensive three-year longitudinal study examining T cell and antibody responses in 78 vaccinated individuals without reported symptomatic infections. We observed distinct dynamics in Spike-specific humoral and cellular immune responses across multiple vaccine doses.