Square-Planar Nickel Bis(phosphinopyridyl) Complexes for Long-Lived Photocatalytic Hydrogen Evolution.

Phosphinopyridyl ligands are used to synthesize a class of Ni(II) bis(chelate) complexes, which have been comprehensively characterized in both solid and solution phases. The structures display a square-planar configuration within the primary coordination sphere, with axially positioned labile binding sites. Their electrochemical data reveal two redox couples during the reduction process, suggesting the possibility of accessing two-electron reduction states.

Mechanism of bacterial predation via ixotrophy.

Ixotrophy is a contact-dependent predatory strategy of filamentous bacteria in aquatic environments for which the molecular mechanism remains unknown. We show that predator-prey contact can be established by gliding motility or extracellular assemblages we call "grappling hooks." Cryo-electron microscopy identified the grappling hooks as heptamers of a type IX secretion system substrate.

High-Temperature Oxidation of NbTi-Bearing Refractory Medium- and High-Entropy Alloys.

The oxidation of six NbTi-i refractory medium- and high-entropy alloys (NbTi + Ta, NbTi + CrTa, NbTi + AlTa, NbTi + AlMo, NbTi + AlMoTa and NbTi + AlCrMo) were investigated at 1000 °C for 20 h. According to our observation, increased Cr content promoted the formation of protective CrNbO and CrO oxides in NbTi + CrTa and NbTi + AlCrMo, enhancing oxidation resistance. The addition of Al resulted in the formation of AlTi-rich oxide in NbTi + AlTa.

Protein Kinase C-Delta Mediates Cell Cycle Reentry and Apoptosis Induced by Amyloid-Beta Peptide in Post-Mitotic Cortical Neurons.

Amyloid-beta peptide (Aβ) is a neurotoxic constituent of senile plaques in the brains of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients. The detailed mechanisms by which protein kinase C-delta (PKCδ) contributes to Aβ toxicity is not yet entirely understood. Using fully differentiated primary rat cortical neurons, we found that inhibition of Aβ25-35-induced PKCδ increased cell viability with restoration of neuronal morphology.

Trifolium pratense as a novel phytogenic supplement, is an anticoccidial agent in chickens.

Coccidiosis, caused by a protozoan parasite of the genus Eimeria, is one of the most severe contagious parasite diseases affecting the poultry industry worldwide. Using phytogenics to prevent chicken coccidiosis is a strategy aimed at combating the increasing issue of drug-resistant strains of Eimeria spp. This study demonstrates the anticoccidial activities of a medicinal herb, Trifolium pratense (TP) powder, and its ethanolic extract (designated TPE) against Eimeria spp.

SPAG7 deletion causes intrauterine growth restriction, resulting in adulthood obesity and metabolic dysfunction.

From a forward mutagenetic screen to discover mutations associated with obesity, we identified mutations in the gene linked to metabolic dysfunction in mice. Here, we show that SPAG7 KO mice are born smaller and develop obesity and glucose intolerance in adulthood. This obesity does not stem from hyperphagia, but a decrease in energy expenditure.

Self-perceptions of aging, physical activity, and depressive symptoms in older community residents with varied neighborhood walkability in Taiwan.

Background: Prior research has identified the mediating effect of physical activity in the relationship between self-perceptions of aging and physical health. However, this impact on mental health is unknown, and the influence of environmental contexts proposed by ecological models in this regard remains largely unexplored. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the role of physical activity in the relationship between self-perceptions of aging and depressive symptoms in older adults, and compare the impact across four levels of neighborhood walkability.

Inhibition of SARS-CoV-2 Nsp9 ssDNA-Binding Activity and Cytotoxic Effects on H838, H1975, and A549 Human Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells: Exploring the Potential of Leaf Extract for Pulmonary Disease Treatment.

Carnivorous pitcher plants from the genus are renowned for their ethnobotanical uses. This research explores the therapeutic potential of leaf extract against nonstructural protein 9 (Nsp9) of SARS-CoV-2 and in treating human non-small cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) cell lines. Nsp9, essential for SARS-CoV-2 RNA replication, was expressed and purified, and its interaction with ssDNA was assessed.

Circulating hypervirulent Marek's disease viruses in vaccinated chicken flocks in Taiwan by genetic analysis of meq oncogene.

Marek's disease (MD) is an important neoplastic disease caused by serotype 1 Marek's disease virus (MDV-1), which results in severe economic losses worldwide. Despite vaccination practices that have controlled the MD epidemic, current increasing MD-suspected cases indicate the persistent viral infections circulating among vaccinated chicken farms in many countries. However, the lack of available information about phylogeny and molecular characterization of circulating MDV-1 field strains in Taiwan reveals a potential risk in MD outbreaks.

Cytotoxicity and Multi-Enzyme Inhibition of Stem Extract on H838 Human Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Cells and RPA32, Elastase, Tyrosinase, and Hyaluronidase Proteins.

The carnivorous pitcher plants of the genus have long been known for their ethnobotanical applications. In this study, we prepared various extracts from the pitcher, stem, and leaf of using 100% ethanol and assessed their inhibitory effects on key enzymes related to skin aging, including elastase, tyrosinase, and hyaluronidase. The cytotoxicity of the stem extract of on H838 human lung carcinoma cells were also characterized by effects on cell survival, migration, proliferation, apoptosis induction, and DNA damage.

Treatment Algorithm for the Resorption of Calcific Tendinitis Using Extracorporeal Shockwave Therapy: A Data Mining Study.

Background: Although evidence indicates that extracorporeal shockwave therapy (ESWT) is effective in treating calcifying shoulder tendinitis, incomplete resorption and dissatisfactory results are still reported in many cases. Data mining techniques have been applied in health care in the past decade to predict outcomes of disease and treatment.

Purpose: To identify the ideal data mining technique for the prediction of ESWT-induced shoulder calcification resorption and the most accurate algorithm for use in the clinical setting.

Vaccination with structurally adapted fungal protein fibrils induces immunity to Parkinson's disease.

The pathological misfolding and aggregation of soluble α-synuclein into toxic oligomers and insoluble amyloid fibrils causes Parkinson's disease, a progressive age-related neurodegenerative disease for which there is no cure. HET-s is a soluble fungal protein that can form assembled amyloid fibrils in its prion state. We engineered HET-s(218-298) to form four different fibrillar vaccine candidates, each displaying a specific conformational epitope present on the surface of α-synuclein fibrils.

Stepwise assembly and release of Tc toxins from Yersinia entomophaga.

Tc toxins are virulence factors of bacterial pathogens. Although their structure and intoxication mechanism are well understood, it remains elusive where this large macromolecular complex is assembled and how it is released. Here we show by an integrative multiscale imaging approach that Yersinia entomophaga Tc (YenTc) toxin components are expressed only in a subpopulation of cells that are 'primed' with several other potential virulence factors, including filaments of the protease M66/StcE.

UGT1A4 Polymorphism is not Associated with a Clinically Relevant Change in Giredestrant Exposure.

Purpose: Giredestrant is a potent, orally bioavailable, small-molecule selective estrogen receptor antagonist and degrader (SERD) that is being developed for the treatment of patients with estrogen receptor (ER)-positive breast cancer. In vitro, giredestrant was primarily metabolized by UGT1A4. The goal of this study was to investigate if UGT1A4 polymorphism had a clinically relevant impact on giredestrant exposure.

Structural, Biochemical, and Bioinformatic Basis for Identifying Radical SAM Cyclopropyl Synthases.

The importance of radical S-adenosyl-l-methionine (RS) enzymes in the maturation of ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs) continues to expand, specifically for the RS-SPASM subfamily. We recently discovered an RS-SPASM enzyme that installs a carbon-carbon bond between the geminal methyls of valine residues, resulting in the formation of cyclopropylglycine (CPG). Here, we sought to define the family of cyclopropyl (CP) synthases because of the importance of cyclopropane scaffolds in pharmaceutical development.

Effectiveness of health checkup with depression screening on depression treatment and outcomes in middle-aged and older adults: a target trial emulation study.

Background: Adult preventive health checkups with depression screening were launched in August 2011 in Taiwan; however, its impact has not yet been evaluated. This study aimed to use real-world data to assess the effectiveness of depression screening among middle-aged and older adults.

Methods: A total of 4,972,228 adults aged 40 years and above who participated in a health checkup with depression screening between 2013 and 2019 and the same number of unscreened counterparts were included.

The power of knowledge: How mental health literacy can overcome barriers to seeking help.

Mental health literacy (MHL) predicts help-seeking attitudes. However, the relationship between components of MHL and help-seeking attitudes has not been thoroughly examined. This study aims to examine whether mental illness stigma, help-seeking efficacy, and maintenance of positive mental health mediated the relationship between recognition of mental disorders and help-seeking attitudes, using a meta-analytic structural equation modeling (MASEM) approach.

Crystal Structure of DNA Replication Protein SsbA Complexed with the Anticancer Drug 5-Fluorouracil.

Single-stranded DNA-binding proteins (SSBs) play a crucial role in DNA metabolism by binding and stabilizing single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) intermediates. Through their multifaceted roles in DNA replication, recombination, repair, replication restart, and other cellular processes, SSB emerges as a central player in maintaining genomic integrity. These attributes collectively position SSBs as essential guardians of genomic integrity, establishing interactions with an array of distinct proteins.

A RAD51-ADP double filament structure unveils the mechanism of filament dynamics in homologous recombination.

ATP-dependent RAD51 recombinases play an essential role in eukaryotic homologous recombination by catalyzing a four-step process: 1) formation of a RAD51 single-filament assembly on ssDNA in the presence of ATP, 2) complementary DNA strand-exchange, 3) ATP hydrolysis transforming the RAD51 filament into an ADP-bound disassembly-competent state, and 4) RAD51 disassembly to provide access for DNA repairing enzymes. Of these steps, filament dynamics between the ATP- and ADP-bound states, and the RAD51 disassembly mechanism, are poorly understood due to the lack of near-atomic-resolution information of the ADP-bound RAD51-DNA filament structure. We report the cryo-EM structure of ADP-bound RAD51-DNA filaments at 3.