Temporal recording of mammalian development and precancer.

Temporal ordering of cellular events offers fundamental insights into biological phenomena. Although this is traditionally achieved through continuous direct observations, an alternative solution leverages irreversible genetic changes, such as naturally occurring mutations, to create indelible marks that enables retrospective temporal ordering. Using a multipurpose, single-cell CRISPR platform, we developed a molecular clock approach to record the timing of cellular events and clonality in vivo, with incorporation of cell state and lineage information.

Temporal recording of mammalian development and precancer.

Key to understanding many biological phenomena is knowing the temporal ordering of cellular events, which often require continuous direct observations [1, 2]. An alternative solution involves the utilization of irreversible genetic changes, such as naturally occurring mutations, to create indelible markers that enables retrospective temporal ordering [3-8]. Using NSC-seq, a newly designed and validated multi-purpose single-cell CRISPR platform, we developed a molecular clock approach to record the timing of cellular events and clonality , while incorporating assigned cell state and lineage information.

Deletion of Ascl1 in pancreatic β-cells improves insulin secretion, promotes parasympathetic innervation, and attenuates dedifferentiation during metabolic stress.

Objective: ASCL1, a pioneer transcription factor, is essential for neural cell differentiation and function. Previous studies have shown that Ascl1 expression is increased in pancreatic β-cells lacking functional K channels or after feeding of a high fat diet (HFD) suggesting that it may contribute to the metabolic stress response of β-cells.

Methods: We generated β-cell-specific Ascl1 knockout mice (Ascl1) and assessed their glucose homeostasis, islet morphology and gene expression after feeding either a normal diet or HFD for 12 weeks, or in combination with a genetic disruption of Abcc8, an essential K channel component.

ZFP92, a KRAB domain zinc finger protein enriched in pancreatic islets, binds to B1/Alu SINE transposable elements and regulates retroelements and genes.

Repressive KRAB domain-containing zinc-finger proteins (KRAB-ZFPs) are abundant in mammalian genomes and contribute both to the silencing of transposable elements (TEs) and to the regulation of developmental stage- and cell type-specific gene expression. Here we describe studies of zinc finger protein 92 (Zfp92), an X-linked KRAB-ZFP that is highly expressed in pancreatic islets of adult mice, by analyzing global Zfp92 knockout (KO) mice. Physiological, transcriptomic and genome-wide chromatin binding studies indicate that the principal function of ZFP92 in mice is to bind to and suppress the activity of B1/Alu type of SINE elements and modulate the activity of surrounding genomic entities.

Single-Cell RNA Sequencing of Sox17-Expressing Lineages Reveals Distinct Gene Regulatory Networks and Dynamic Developmental Trajectories.

During early embryogenesis, the transcription factor SOX17 contributes to hepato-pancreato-biliary system formation and vascular-hematopoietic emergence. To better understand Sox17 function in the developing endoderm and endothelium, we developed a dual-color temporal lineage-tracing strategy in mice combined with single-cell RNA sequencing to analyze 6934 cells from Sox17-expressing lineages at embryonic days 9.0-9.

Factors affecting loneliness among left-behind children.

Background: In Vietnam, research on the impact of parental migration on left-behind children (LBC) has discussed various dimensions of the subject such as subjective well-being, emotional states, social skills, self-esteem and nutrition of LBC. However, there are still gaps in studies on loneliness among LBC in Vietnam. The study aims to explore the status of loneliness in LBC, including associated protective and risk factors, to make suggestions on preventive measures against LBC's loneliness.

Modernization, collectivism, and gender equality predict love experiences in 45 countries.

Recent cross-cultural and neuro-hormonal investigations have suggested that love is a near universal phenomenon that has a biological background. Therefore, the remaining important question is not whether love exists worldwide but which cultural, social, or environmental factors influence experiences and expressions of love. In the present study, we explored whether countries' modernization indexes are related to love experiences measured by three subscales (passion, intimacy, commitment) of the Triangular Love Scale.

Differential regulation of alternate promoter regions in during endodermal and vascular endothelial development.

gene expression is essential for both endothelial and endodermal cell differentiation. To better understand the genetic basis for the expression of multiple mRNA forms, we identified and performed CRISPR/Cas9 mutagenesis of two evolutionarily conserved promoter regions (CRs). The deletion of the upstream and endothelial cell-specific CR1 caused only a modest increase in lympho-vasculogenesis likely via reduced Notch signaling downstream of SOX17.

New Concept for the Facile Fabrication of Core-Shell CuO@CuFeO Photocathodes for PEC Application.

The CuO@CuFeO core-shell structure represents a new family of photocatalysts that can be used as photoelectrodes that are able to produce hydrogen under a broad spectrum of visible light. Herein, we report a novel approach for the production of this active film by the thermal conversion of CuFe Prussian Blue Analogues. The outstanding photoelectrochemical properties of the photocathodes of CuO@CuFeO were studied with the use of combinatory photo-electrochemical instrumental techniques which proved that the electrodes were stable over the whole water photolysis run under relatively positive potentials.

When are children satisfied with life? An initiative qualitative study from vietnamese children sample.

In the context of research on children's life satisfaction, considering children as active participants are very scarce, the main purpose of the present study was to examine children's perspectives on their life satisfaction. The study used a convenient sample of 228 students from primary and secondary schools, living in urban and suburban areas in Vietnam. The subjects' average age is 9.

Sex differences in human mate preferences vary across sex ratios.

A wide range of literature connects sex ratio and mating behaviours in non-human animals. However, research examining sex ratio and human mating is limited in scope. Prior work has examined the relationship between sex ratio and desire for short-term, uncommitted mating as well as outcomes such as marriage and divorce rates.

Photoswitchable 11 nm CsCoFe Prussian Blue Analogue Nanocrystals with High Relaxation Temperature.

Photoswitchable 11 nm nanocrystals with the coordination network Cs{Co[Fe(CN)]} were obtained using a template-free method. The nanocrystals were recovered from the colloidal solutions as solid materials surrounded by cetyltrimethylammonium (CTA) cations or embedded in the organic polymer polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP). Complementary magnetic, spectroscopic, and structural techniques, including EPR spectroscopy, reveal a majority (∼70%) of the low-spin and photoactive diamagnetic CoFe pairs located in the core of the nanocrystals and a mixture of CoFe and CoFe species present mainly within the shell of the objects.

Sex Differences in Mate Preferences Across 45 Countries: A Large-Scale Replication.

Considerable research has examined human mate preferences across cultures, finding universal sex differences in preferences for attractiveness and resources as well as sources of systematic cultural variation. Two competing perspectives-an evolutionary psychological perspective and a biosocial role perspective-offer alternative explanations for these findings. However, the original data on which each perspective relies are decades old, and the literature is fraught with conflicting methods, analyses, results, and conclusions.

The Vascular Wall: a Plastic Hub of Activity in Cardiovascular Homeostasis and Disease.

Purpose Of Review: This review aims to summarize recent findings regarding the plasticity and fate switching among somatic and progenitor cells residing in the vascular wall of blood vessels in health and disease.

Recent Findings: Cell lineage tracing methods have identified multiple origins of stem cells, macrophages, and matrix-producing cells that become mobilized after acute or chronic injury of cardiovascular tissues. These studies also revealed that in the disease environment, resident somatic cells become plastic, thereby changing their stereotypical identities to adopt proinflammatory and profibrotic phenotypes.

Coordinated Proliferation and Differentiation of Human-Induced Pluripotent Stem Cell-Derived Cardiac Progenitor Cells Depend on Bone Morphogenetic Protein Signaling Regulation by GREMLIN 2.

Heart development depends on coordinated proliferation and differentiation of cardiac progenitor cells (CPCs), but how the two processes are synchronized is not well understood. Here, we show that the secreted Bone Morphogenetic Protein (BMP) antagonist GREMLIN 2 (GREM2) is induced in CPCs shortly after cardiac mesoderm specification during differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells. GREM2 expression follows cardiac lineage differentiation independently of the differentiation method used, or the origin of the pluripotent stem cells, suggesting that GREM2 is linked to cardiogenesis.

Helicobacter pylori infection and treatment outcome in an urban Australian population.

Background: To examine the rate of Helicobacter pylori infection in a group of symptomatic patients using rapid urease test and antral histology and report on their treatment outcomes.

Methods: From a single-surgeon series in a tertiary teaching hospital, 200 consecutive symptomatic patients undergoing their first diagnostic upper gastrointestinal endoscopy during 2003-2004 were included in this retrospective audit. Campylobacter-like organism (CLO) test results were compared with the results of conventional histological examination plus Giemsa staining.