Environmental Control of Queuosine Levels in Streptococcus mutans tRNAs.

Queuosine (Q) is a modification of the wobble base in tRNAs that decode NA(C/U) codons. It is ubiquitous in bacteria, including many pathogens. Streptococcus mutans is an early colonizer of dental plaque biofilm and a key player in dental caries.

Survivin modulates stiffness-induced vascular smooth muscle cell motility.

Arterial stiffness is a key contributor to cardiovascular diseases, including atherosclerosis, restenosis, and coronary artery disease, it has been characterized to be associated with the aberrant migration of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). However, the underlying molecular mechanisms driving VSMC migration in stiff environments remain incompletely understood. We recently demonstrated that survivin, a member of the inhibitor of apoptosis protein family, is highly expressed in both mouse and human VSMCs cultured on stiff polyacrylamide hydrogels, where it modulates stiffness-mediated cell cycle progression and proliferation.

Deriving fontan-specific normative exercise data from well-functioning adolescents.

Background: Exercise capacity is reduced in patients with a Fontan circulation compared to their healthy peers secondary to altered haemodynamics of the Fontan circulation. Cardiopulmonary exercise testing is routinely used in Fontan patients to assess their cardiopulmonary response to exercise and help guide management decisions, however their results are routinely compared to normative data derived from healthy individuals.

Method: Using data available from the Pediatric Heart Network, we performed a retrospective study to derive Fontan-specific normative values in a subgroup of well-functioning adolescent patients.

"We have to look deeper into why": perspectives on problem identification and prioritization of women's and girls' health across United Nations agencies.

Eliminating gender inequality and promoting population health are stand-alone goals in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It is crucial to understand goal setting and policy making processes aimed at promoting gender and health equality given the entrenched and structural natures of these inequalities. Our research examines the process of problem and solution representation, priority setting, and factors that shape the policymaking process concerning women and girls within the UN system in relation to the SDGs.