Production of Organic Precursors via Meteoritic Impacts and Its Implications for Prebiotic Inventory of Early Planetary Surfaces.

Meteoritic impacts on planetary surfaces deliver a significant amount of energy that can produce prebiotic organic compounds such as cyanides, which may be a key step to the formation of biomolecules. To study the chemical processes of impact-induced organic synthesis, we simulated the physicochemical processes of hypervelocity impacts (HVI) in experiments with both high-speed C projectiles and laser ablation. In the first approach, a C beam was accelerated to collide with ammonium nitrate (NHNO) to reproduce the shock process and plume generation of meteoritic impacts on nitrogen-rich planetary surfaces.

Urine and serum-based ELISA using a recombinant protein and synthetic peptide for the diagnosis of tegumentary leishmaniasis.

The diagnosis of tegumentary leishmaniasis (TL) presents problems by the variable sensitivity and specificity of the tests, and the biological samples used are also invasive. Here, ELISA experiments were performed using paired TL patient urine and serum samples in reaction against the recombinant LiHyS protein, a predicted B cell epitope and parasite antigenic extract (SLA). Two hundred and five paired samples were used, which were provided by TL patients, healthy controls and patients with Chagas disease, leprosy, malaria or HIV-infected.

Single-cell analyses reveal that monocyte gene expression profiles influence HIV-1 reservoir size in acutely treated cohorts.

Elimination of latent HIV-1 is a major goal of AIDS research but the host factors determining the size of these reservoirs are poorly understood. Here, we investigated whether differences in host gene expression modulate the size of the HIV-1 reservoir during suppressive ART. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC) from fourteen individuals initiating ART during acute infection who demonstrated effective viral suppression but varying magnitude of total HIV-1 DNA were characterized by single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq).

Novel Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP) Interfering Migraine Therapies and Stroke-A Review.

Migraine and stroke are neurological disorders with significant global prevalence and impact. Recent advances in migraine therapy have focused on the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) pathway. This review examines the shared pathomechanisms between migraine and stroke, with emphasis on the role of CGRP.

Expression and distribution of rAAV9 intrathecally administered in juvenile to adolescent mice.

Intrathecal (IT) lumbar puncture delivery of recombinant adeno-associated virus serotype 9 (rAAV9) is a gene therapy approach being explored in preclinical studies and ongoing gene therapy clinical trials for neurological diseases. Few studies address IT rAAV9 vector distribution, tropism, and expression with respect to age of administration. Therefore, we IT delivered a rAAV9/GFP vector in mice at ages ranging from early postnatal development through adulthood (P10-P90).

Comorbidities associated with dysphagia after acute ischemic stroke.

Background: Pre-existing comorbidities increase the likelihood of post-stroke dysphagia. This study investigates comorbidity prevalence in patients with dysphagia after ischemic stroke.

Methods: The data of patients with acute ischemic stroke from two large representative cohorts (STROKE-CARD trial 2014-2019 and STROKE-CARD registry 2020-2022 - both study center Innsbruck, Austria) were analyzed for the presence of dysphagia at hospital admission (clinical swallowing examination).

Click editing enables programmable genome writing using DNA polymerases and HUH endonucleases.

Genome editing technologies based on DNA-dependent polymerases (DDPs) could offer several benefits compared with other types of editors to install diverse edits. Here, we develop click editing, a genome writing platform that couples the advantageous properties of DDPs with RNA-programmable nickases to permit the installation of a range of edits, including substitutions, insertions and deletions. Click editors (CEs) leverage the 'click'-like bioconjugation ability of HUH endonucleases with single-stranded DNA substrates to covalently tether 'click DNA' (clkDNA) templates encoding user-specifiable edits at targeted genomic loci.

Non-invasive urine-based ELISA using a recombinant Leishmania protein to diagnose tegumentary leishmaniasis.

The diagnosis of tegumentary leishmaniasis (TL) is hampered by variable sensitivity and/or specificity of the tests. Serological assays are suitable to diagnose visceral leishmaniasis (VL); however, they present low performance for the detection of TL cases. Additionally, blood collection to obtain patient serum represents a challenge, as it is an invasive and uncomfortable procedure, requiring laboratorial infrastructure and trained professionals.

Valine and Inflammation Drive Epilepsy in a Mouse Model of ECHS1 Deficiency.

ECHS1 Deficiency (ECHS1D) is a rare and devastating pediatric disease that currently has no defined treatments. This disorder results from missense loss-of-function mutations in the gene that result in severe developmental delays, encephalopathy, hypotonia, and early death. ECHS1 enzymatic activity is necessary for the beta-oxidation of fatty acids and the oxidation of branched-chain amino acids within the inner mitochondrial matrix.

Genome assembly and variant analysis of two Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains isolated from stingless bee pollen.

Products from stingless bees are rich reservoirs of microbial diversity, including yeasts with fermentative potential. Previously, two Saccharomyces cerevisiae strains, JP14 and IP9, were isolated from Jataí (Tetragonisca angustula) and Iraí (Nannotrigona testaceicornis) bees, respectively, aiming at mead production. Both strains presented great osmotic and sulfite tolerance, and ethanol production, although they have a high free amino nitrogen demand.

Safety and Immunogenicity of an Accelerated Ebola Vaccination Schedule in People with and without Human Immunodeficiency Virus: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

The safety and immunogenicity of the two-dose Ebola vaccine regimen MVA-BN-Filo, Ad26.ZEBOV, 14 days apart, was evaluated in people without HIV (PWOH) and living with HIV (PLWH). In this observer-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial, healthy adults were randomized (4:1) to receive MVA-BN-Filo (dose 1) and Ad26.

Safety and Immunogenicity of Accelerated Heterologous 2-Dose Ebola Vaccine Regimens in Adults With and Without HIV in Africa.

Background: Shorter prophylactic vaccine schedules may offer more rapid protection against Ebola in resource-limited settings.

Methods: This randomized, observer-blind, placebo-controlled, phase 2 trial conducted in 5 sub-Saharan African countries included people without human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (PWOH, n = 249) and people with HIV (PWH, n = 250). Adult participants received 1 of 2 accelerated Ebola vaccine regimens (MVA-BN-Filo, Ad26.

Wearable Accelerometer and Gyroscope Sensors for Estimating the Severity of Essential Tremor.

Background: Several validated clinical scales measure the severity of essential tremor (ET). Their assessments are subjective and can depend on familiarity and training with scoring systems.

Method: We propose a multi-modal sensing using a wearable inertial measurement unit for estimating scores on the Fahn-Tolosa-Marin tremor rating scale (FTM) and determine the classification accuracy within the tremor type.

Nanoprojectile Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry Enables Multiplexed Analysis of Individual Hepatic Extracellular Vesicles.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nanoscale lipid bilayer particles secreted by cells. EVs may carry markers of the tissue of origin and its disease state, which makes them incredibly promising for disease diagnosis and surveillance. While the armamentarium of EV analysis technologies is rapidly expanding, there remains a strong need for multiparametric analysis with single EV resolution.

OMIP-098: A 26 parameter, 24 color flow cytometry panel for human memory NK cell phenotyping.

This 26-parameter flow cytometry panel has been developed and optimized to analyze NK cell phenotype, using cryopreserved peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from people living with and without human immunodeficiency virus (PLWH, PWOH). Our panel is designed for the analysis of several parameters of total NK cells and memory NK cell subsets including markers of maturation, activation, and proliferation, as well as activating and inhibitory receptors. Other tissues have not been tested (Table 1).

Click editing enables programmable genome writing using DNA polymerases and HUH endonucleases.

Genome editing technologies that install diverse edits can widely enable genetic studies and new therapeutics. Here we develop click editing, a genome writing platform that couples the advantageous properties of DNA-dependent DNA polymerases with RNA-programmable nickases (e.g.

Nanoprojectile Secondary Ion Mass Spectrometry Enables Multiplexed Analysis of Individual Hepatic Extracellular Vesicles.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nanoscale lipid bilayer particles secreted by cells. EVs may carry markers of the tissue of origin and its disease state which makes them incredibly promising for disease diagnosis and surveillance. While the armamentarium of EV analysis technologies is rapidly expanding, there remains a strong need for multiparametric analysis with single EV resolution.

The Emerging Role of MAIT Cell Responses in Viral Infections.

Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells are unconventional T cells with innate-like antimicrobial responsiveness. MAIT cells are known for MR1 (MHC class I-related protein 1)-restricted recognition of microbial riboflavin metabolites giving them the capacity to respond to a broad range of microbes. However, recent progress has shown that MAIT cells can also respond to several viral infections in humans and in mouse models, ranging from HIV-1 and hepatitis viruses to influenza virus and SARS-CoV-2, in a primarily cognate Ag-independent manner.

Optimizing the Immunogenicity of HIV Vaccines by Adjuvants - NIAID Workshop Report.

This report summarizes the highlights of a workshop convened by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health (NIH), on April 4-5, 2022, to provide a discussion forum for sharing insights on the current status, key challenges, and next steps to advance the current landscape of promising adjuvants in preclinical and clinical human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) vaccine studies. A key goal was to solicit and share recommendations on scientific, regulatory, and operational guidelines for bridging the gaps in rational selection, access, and formulation of clinically relevant adjuvants for HIV vaccine candidates. The NIAID Vaccine Adjuvant Program working group remains committed to accentuate promising adjuvants and nurturing collaborations between adjuvant and HIV vaccine developers.

Complete genome analysis of , a species inhibiting O157:H7.

Introduction: Bacteriophages infecting human pathogens have been considered potential biocontrol agents, and studying their genetic content is essential to their safe use in the food industry. is a bacteriophage named UFV-AREG1, isolated from cowshed wastewater and previously tested for its ability to inhibit O157:H7.

Methods: 1 was previously isolated using E.