Ray-tracing analytical absorption correction for X-ray crystallography based on tomographic reconstructions.

Processing of single-crystal X-ray diffraction data from area detectors can be separated into two steps. First, raw intensities are obtained by integration of the diffraction images, and then data correction and reduction are performed to determine structure-factor amplitudes and their uncertainties. The second step considers the diffraction geometry, sample illumination, decay, absorption and other effects.

On-Site Melanoma Diagnosis Utilizing a Swellable Microneedle-Assisted Skin Interstitial Fluid Sampling and a Microfluidic Particle Dam for Visual Quantification of S100A1.

Malignant melanoma (MM) is the most aggressive form of skin cancer. The delay in treatment will induce metastasis, resulting in a poor prognosis and even death. Here, a two-step strategy for on-site diagnosis of MM is developed based on the extraction and direct visual quantification of S100A1, a biomarker for melanoma.

Structural Insights into the Activation of Human Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor by the Environmental Contaminant Benzo[a]pyrene and Structurally Related Compounds.

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a ligand-dependent transcription factor belonging to the bHLH/PAS protein family and responding to hundreds of natural and chemical substances. It is primarily involved in the defense against chemical insults and bacterial infections or in the adaptive immune response, but also in the development of pathological conditions ranging from inflammatory to neoplastic disorders. Despite its prominent roles in many (patho)physiological processes, the lack of high-resolution structural data has precluded for thirty years an in-depth understanding of the structural mechanisms underlying ligand-binding specificity, promiscuity and activation of AHR.

Theranostic DNA nanostructure based on phenotype-specific activation of antisense oligonucleotides.

Antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) is a powerful agent for gene therapy, designed to form complementary pairs with specific mRNA to inhibit gene expression. However, low specificity limits its potential. To overcome this challenge, we developed a Y-shape DNA nanostructure that enhances the specificity in ASO-based treatment by introducing a detection trigger.

Experimental phasing opportunities for macromolecular crystallography at very long wavelengths.

Despite recent advances in cryo-electron microscopy and artificial intelligence-based model predictions, a significant fraction of structure determinations by macromolecular crystallography still requires experimental phasing, usually by means of single-wavelength anomalous diffraction (SAD) techniques. Most synchrotron beamlines provide highly brilliant beams of X-rays of between 0.7 and 2 Å wavelength.

SARS-CoV-2 hijacks neutralizing dimeric IgA for nasal infection and injury in Syrian hamsters.

Prevention of robust severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in nasal turbinate (NT) requires evaluation of IgA neutralizing antibodies. Here, we report the efficacy of receptor binding domain (RBD)-specific monomeric B8-mIgA1 and B8-mIgA2, and dimeric B8-dIgA1, B8-dIgA2 and TH335-dIgA1 against intranasal SARS-CoV-2 challenge in Syrian hamsters. These antibodies exhibited comparable neutralization potency against authentic virus by competing with human angiotensin converting enzyme-2 (ACE2) receptor for RBD binding.

Scalable pattern formation of skeletal myotubes by synergizing microtopographic cues and chiral nematics of cells.

Topographical cues have been widely used to facilitate cell fusion in skeletal muscle formation. However, an unexpected yet consistent chiral orientation of myotubes deviating from the groove boundaries is commonly observed but has long been unattended. In this study, we report a method to guide the formation of skeletal myotubes into scalable and controlled patterns.

Cryo-EM structure of the agonist-bound Hsp90-XAP2-AHR cytosolic complex.

The aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AHR) is a ligand-dependent transcription factor that mediates a broad spectrum of (patho)physiological processes in response to numerous substances including pollutants, natural products and metabolites. However, the scarcity of structural data precludes understanding of how AHR is activated by such diverse compounds. Our 2.

Multimodal detection of flap endonuclease 1 activity through CRISPR/Cas12a trans-cleavage of single-strand DNA oligonucleotides.

Flap endonuclease 1 (FEN1) is an endonuclease that specially removes 5' single-stranded overhang of branched duplex DNA (5' flap). While FEN1 is essential in various DNA metabolism pathways for preventing the malignant transformation of cells, an unusual expression of FEN1 is often associated with tumor progression, making it a potential biomarker for cancer diagnosis and treatment. Here we report a multimodal detection of FEN1 activity based on CRISPR/Cas12a trans-cleavage of single-strand DNA oligonucleotides (ssDNA).

Detection of intracellular sodium ions based on phenotype-specific activation of NaA43 DNAzyme.

The intracellular sodium ion is one of the crucial elements for regulating physiological functions such as action potential and muscle contractions. However, detecting sodium ions in live cells is challenging because false signals may arise from the abundant sodium ions in the extracellular environment when introducing the detection agents. To minimize it, we report a DNAzyme-based detection of sodium ions in live cells via activation by endogenous mRNA.

A comprehensive study on the photophysical and non-linear optical properties of thienyl-chalcone derivatives.

The impact of the substitutional position of the chorine atom on the non-linear optical (NLO) response of chalcone derivatives is reported in this paper. Two thienyl-chalcone derivatives, ()-3-(2,4-dichloro-phenyl)-1-(2,5-dichlorothiophen-3-yl)prop-2-en-1-one (3A25D2) and ()-3-(2,6-dichloro-phenyl)-1-(2,5-dichlorothiophen-3-yl)prop-2-en-1-one (3A25D4), are synthesized, and their crystal structures were determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis. The photophysical and third-order NLO properties of 3A25D2 and 3A25D4 were investigated experimentally and computationally.

Factors Affecting Domiciliary Non-Invasive Ventilation Compliance.

Few international studies have investigated factors affecting domiciliary non-invasive ventilation (D-NIV) compliance, and data from the UK are limited. We assessed compliance (defined as ≥ 4 h/night for at least 70% of the time) in a retrospective UK population study, at three time points (0-1 month, 3-4 months and 11-12 months), for all patients commenced on D-NIV over a 5-year period. A total of 359 patients were included.

Widespread emergence of OmpK36 loop 3 insertions among multidrug-resistant clones of Klebsiella pneumoniae.

Mutations in outer membrane porins act in synergy with carbapenemase enzymes to increase carbapenem resistance in the important nosocomial pathogen, Klebsiella pneumoniae (KP). A key example is a di-amino acid insertion, Glycine-Aspartate (GD), in the extracellular loop 3 (L3) region of OmpK36 which constricts the pore and restricts entry of carbapenems into the bacterial cell. Here we combined genomic and experimental approaches to characterise the diversity, spread and impact of different L3 insertion types in OmpK36.

Mating pair stabilization mediates bacterial conjugation species specificity.

Bacterial conjugation mediates contact-dependent transfer of DNA from donor to recipient bacteria, thus facilitating the spread of virulence and resistance plasmids. Here we describe how variants of the plasmid-encoded donor outer membrane (OM) protein TraN cooperate with distinct OM receptors in recipients to mediate mating pair stabilization and efficient DNA transfer. We show that TraN from the plasmid pKpQIL (Klebsiella pneumoniae) interacts with OmpK36, plasmids from R100-1 (Shigella flexneri) and pSLT (Salmonella Typhimurium) interact with OmpW, and the prototypical F plasmid (Escherichia coli) interacts with OmpA.

Microfluidic particle dam for direct visualization of SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels in COVID-19 vaccinees.

Various COVID-19 vaccines are currently deployed, but their immunization varies and decays with time. Antibody level is a potent correlate to immune protection, but its quantitation relies on intensive laboratory techniques. Here, we report a decentralized, instrument-free microfluidic device that directly visualizes SARS-CoV-2 antibody levels.

[-1,8-Bis(2-carbamoyleth-yl)-5,5,7,12,12,14-hexa-methyl-1,4,8,11-tetra-aza-cyclo-tetra-deca-ne]copper(II) di-acetate tetra-hydrate: crystal structure and Hirshfeld surface analysis.

The title Cu macrocyclic complex salt tetra-hydrate, [Cu(CHNO)](CHO)·4HO, sees the metal atom located on a centre of inversion and coordinated within a 4 + 2 (NO) tetra-gonally distorted coordination geometry; the N atoms are derived from the macrocycle and the O atoms from weakly associated [3.2048 (15) Å] acetate anions. Further stability to the three-ion aggregate is provided by intra-molecular amine-N-H⋯O(carboxyl-ate) hydrogen bonds.

Bis{'-[3-(4-nitro-phen-yl)-1-phenyl-prop-2-en-1-yl-idene]--phenyl-carbamimido-thio-ato}zinc(II): crystal structure, Hirshfeld surface analysis and computational study.

The title zinc bis-(thio-semicarbazone) complex, [Zn(CHNOS)], comprises two ,-donor anions, leading to a distorted tetra-hedral NS donor set. The resultant five-membered chelate rings are nearly planar and form a dihedral angle of 73.28 (3)°.

1-{()-[4-(4-Hy-droxy-phen-yl)butan-2-yl-idene]amino}-3-phenyl-thio-urea: crystal structure, Hirshfeld surface analysis and computational study.

The title thio-urea derivative, CHNOS, adopts a U-shaped conformation with the dihedral angle between the terminal aromatic rings being 73.64 (5)°. The major twist in the mol-ecule occurs about the ethane bond with the C-C-C-C torsion angle being -78.

Effects of Experiential Learning Programmes on Adolescent Prosocial Behaviour, Empathy, and Subjective Well-being: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Effective adolescent learning programmes can positively influence adolescent development and curb risky behaviour. By immersing learners in an experience, experiential learning motivates learners to reflect on the experience to transform and create new skills, attitudes and ways of thinking. However, evidence of its effectiveness in learning programs facilitating positive youth development is still lacking.

Case Report: Mosaicism of a novel nonsense variant in the neurofibromin gene underlies a mosaic generalized NF1 phenotype.

Neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1) is a neurocutaneous syndrome characterized by multiple café-au-lait macules, cutaneous neurofibromas or plexiform neurofibromas, iris Lisch nodules, axillary and inguinal freckling. Mosaicism in NF1 can either present as a generalized disease, or in a localized (segmental) manner. Mosaic generalized NF1 may have presentations that are similar to generalized NF1 or have a milder phenotype and hence may be under-recognised in clinical practice.

Enhanced antioxidant activity of Chenopodium formosanum Koidz. by lactic acid bacteria: Optimization of fermentation conditions.

In this study, different probiotics commonly used to produce fermented dairy products were inoculated independently for Chenopodium formosanum Koidz. fermentation. The strain with the highest level of antioxidant activity was selected and the fermentation process was further optimized via response surface methodology (RSM).

Di--but-yl['-(3-meth-oxy-2-oxidobenzyl-idene)--phenyl-carbamohydrazono-thio-ato]tin(IV): crystal structure, Hirshfeld surface analysis and computational study.

The title diorganotin Schiff base derivative, [Sn(CH)(CHNOS)], features a penta-coordinated tin centre defined by the N,,-donor atoms of the di-anionic Schiff base ligand and two methyl-ene-C atoms of the -butyl substituents. The resultant CNOS donor set defines a geometry inter-mediate between trigonal-bipyramidal and square-pyramidal. In the crystal, amine-N-H⋯O(meth-oxy) hydrogen bonding is found in a helical, supra-molecular chain propagating along the -axis direction.