Astronomers urge Mexico to save giant radio telescope.

Large Millimeter Telescope Alfonso Serrano at risk of running out of funding in August, researchers say.

Poly(Lactic Acid) Nanoparticles Targeting α5β1 Integrin as Vaccine Delivery Vehicle, a Prospective Study.

Biodegradable polymeric nanoparticles are vehicles of choice for drug delivery and have the ability to encapsulate and present at their surface different molecules of interest. Among these bio-nanocarriers, poly(lactic acid) (PLA) nanoparticles have been used as adjuvant and vehicle for enhanced vaccine efficacy. In order to develop an approach to efficient vaccine delivery, we developed nanoparticles to target α5β1 positive cells.

MMP21 is mutated in human heterotaxy and is required for normal left-right asymmetry in vertebrates.

Heterotaxy results from a failure to establish normal left-right asymmetry early in embryonic development. By whole-exome sequencing, whole-genome sequencing and high-throughput cohort resequencing, we identified recessive mutations in MMP21 (encoding matrix metallopeptidase 21) in nine index cases with heterotaxy. In addition, Mmp21-mutant mice and mmp21-morphant zebrafish displayed heterotaxy and abnormal cardiac looping, respectively, suggesting a new role for extracellular matrix remodeling in the establishment of laterality in vertebrates.

Targeted NGS gene panel identifies mutations in RSPH1 causing primary ciliary dyskinesia and a common mechanism for ciliary central pair agenesis due to radial spoke defects.

Primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) is an inherited chronic respiratory obstructive disease with randomized body laterality and infertility, resulting from cilia and sperm dysmotility. PCD is characterized by clinical variability and extensive genetic heterogeneity, associated with different cilia ultrastructural defects and mutations identified in >20 genes. Next generation sequencing (NGS) technologies therefore present a promising approach for genetic diagnosis which is not yet in routine use.

Halobacillus mangrovi sp. nov., a moderately halophilic bacterium isolated from the black mangrove Avicennia germinans.

A moderately halophilic, spore-forming, Gram-positive, short-rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain MS10(T), was isolated from the surface of leaves of the black mangrove Avicennia germinans and was subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. Strain MS10(T) was able to grow at NaCl concentrations in the range 5-20% (w/v) with optimum growth at 10% (w/v) NaCl. Growth occurred at temperatures of 10-50 degrees C (optimal growth at 33-35 degrees C) and pH 6.